INTENSE & SATISFYING
Well, Southern Cross is behind us for 2006 and yet ahead of us as well.
The first riders appeared on Thursday and some came in on Saturday morning. We were honored to have Representatives from Virginia, South Carolina, Mississippi, Tennessee and Louisiana to visit with us at Old Sawmill Town, USA in Texas.
Friday was a day of kick back, toast the good life and exchange tales of the past and plans for those rides yet to come. Friday evening we had our usual snack time that you expect at this type function. I am proud to say that everyone I spoke with couldn’t believe that this was just the snack.
G&N Scooter Shack, the red wagon with Sputnik’s picture on the back does it Texas style. I will leave it to them to expand on the menus to their states but we are awfully proud of our Caterers and the services they provide for us on occasion. George and Nancy are also our Warriors and friends.
$40 got you four meals, a snack, sic…. and drinks for as long as you were there. Thanks to South Carolina’s contingency we drank apple pie morning and night and the chef served us edible apple pie along with three cakes and Blue Bell ice cream Saturday night.
We kicked off with the Pledge of Allegiance and Dee McClure welcomed everyone to our version of Lonesome Dove on Saturday morning. All present introduced themselves to the others and which SMRO they were representing. We were then given a presentation by Mr. Nelson from L.E.A.P. (Law Enforcement Against Prohibition) that was a real eye opener of the war on drugs even to those of us who already knew it wasn’t working but was costing big bucks. We had a lunch break and then got down in the trenches.
Sputnik explained the main problems facing riders and the very existence of our country and how the window of time to make changes through the political arena was quickly closing. We discussed the worst case scenario of politicians with reps from each state naming some of their worst congressmen.
It was a litany of who’s who in the national septic tank we call DC. With targets established we then laid a plan of action by which each state could remove at least one of those targets through the concerted and very noticeable efforts of the riders in their state. We discussed how best to utilize groups such as NCOM and SOLR to improve our efforts.
We didn’t set out to reinvent the wheel, only to share what works and find the most effective parts that could combine for victory in our own states.
After negations had ended the reps for each SMRO were asked if their state would come through and follow up on the plan of action we had laid out.
Each said yes. We then voted whether it would be worthwhile to continue SCC or shut it down and write it off as another good idea that didn’t bear fruit. Each state Rep said let’s continue, Virginia bid to hold the 2007 Conference in September and the bid was accepted unanimously.
We then held the Auction with some fine products on the line and some really fun mind games in the bidding. We accepted Credit Cards and that helped bring in a little more cash. Robert Fletcher made one hell of a good auctioneer for the occasion and that helped as well. The final item to go up for bid was a flag created just for the Conference and autographed by everyone present. The Flag was bought by Sputnik and given to Penny to list Virginia as the 2007 Host and have those present then to sign it also.
Breakfast Sunday morning, a fine service by the Circuit Riders M/M and the Conference came to a close. And yet for those leaving Texas to return to their home state it is just beginning. They crossed the Texas border with a mission and I have faith that none will be taking that mission lightly.
Thanks to all who attended including all our Texas Warriors. It was a wonderful experience for us to have hosted this event. Hopefully we can keep in touch to mark our progress.
Ride Free
Sputnik
State Chair TMRA 2
Chairman of 2006 SCC
Representatives from Tennessee, S. Carolina, Virginia, Louisiana, Mississippi and Texas met in Old Sawmill Town USA for the Southern Cross Conference. Aside from some fantastic camaraderie, what all agreed was fantastic food service and great hospitality by those who owned the camp ground and everyone else involved, this was a true business meeting.
Cut away all the fun parts and we formed a plan of action to make some waves. The SMROs from each state agreed to choose at least one congressman to be removed from office during the next election with the intention of choosing a biker who could be a viable candidate for that seat. Next get all riders you can gather in one state and get to work on the campaign. It was suggested that they check out the web site at
www.tmra2.org and read the Pamphlet "Run For Office and Win" with very little money.
Each step was laid on the table and discussed realizing that nothing is exactly the same in every state so this would be just a starting point.
Each State’s Rep present at the meeting agreed their state’s groups would make a real effort. To make that effort with plenty of fanfare so those not targeted would be concerned they may be next. Shortly after the first of the year Sputnik will be checking with each group whether they had chosen their target. Besides making routine checks with each other possibly we could meet at the NCOM Convention for face to face news.
We realize this would only be 7 seats taken ever two years but imagine if we could find riders in 25 states willing to work on 1 or 2 seats each election. Bikers are the last hope and we are hoping at least a few states will follow our lead. Stay tuned!!!
