[Rebels1972] knights of the highway

[bmorgan7459 at charter.net]

FRED AND SUSAN

HAHAHAHAH LOL HEEHEEHEE
THAT WAS SOME OF THE BEST BANTER I’VE HEARD-READ IN A LONG TIME . I MUST ADMIT THAT WAS A HOOT.  MY SIDES HURT FROM LAUGHING.  I WISH I COULD HAVE SEEN YOU BEAT THE HELL OUT OF THAT LITTLE JERK OF A POOR EXCUSE OF A HUMAN BE-SOMETHING.
NOT WANTING TO INTERFERE WITH YOUR OPINIONS I WOULD LIKE TO INJECT ONE IDEA.  THEY DON T HAVE TO DO IT.  IF YOU ARE NOT SATISFIED WITH THE PAY YOU RECEIVE,  WALK AWAY.  DON T BLAME IT ON THE GOVERNMENT.  THIS IS A FREE COUNTRY.   I'M SURE YOU WERE TOLD THE WAGES BEFORE YOU STARTED, IF NOT WHOSE FAULT IS THAT.  I DON T THINK WE NEED ANYMORE LEGISLATION TELLING  US WHAT TO DO.  WE ALREADY LEGISLATE ENOUGH MORALITY; PRETTY SOON WE WONT NEED TO MAKE DECISIONS FOR OURSELVES IT WILL BE A LAW.
SORRY TO INTERRUPT.  DIDN'T MEAN TO GET ON MY SOAPBOX.
OH YEAH FRED,  LOOK UP JIMMY HOFFA AND THE TEAMSTERS.  
SORRY AGAIN.

PAT








---- machen2081 at bellsouth.net wrote: 
> If I understand from the truckers I know, some are self employed other are 
> not. Some chose to work long hours, others do not.
> I don't understand the inability to vote. That certainly needs to be 
> addressed with their congressmen or Senator esp. during an election year.
> 
> I didn't start this conversation talking about the fairness. I started 
> talking about safety issues and that is my concern. Fairness and safety are 
> related how?
> They should be treated fairly as should everyone but they should ensure safe 
> driving on the nation's infrastructure.
> 
> Back to the statistics---you may need to change the prescription on your 
> glasses if you saw more safe drivers than crazy ones when you were driving. 
> The highways are full of crazy ones! I think 2 classmates just posted an 
> email to tell you that today.
> 
> Why did Elvis die of a drug overdose?  He was a drug crazed addict and had 
> been for years. His career was over and had been for years.
> Economically motivated?  No, his body was so bloated  from drug abuse and he 
> had about 18 different class A narcotics in his system at his time of death. 
> He didn't need the money-he needed the dope.
> 
> Again-----how's your summer? Are you teaching?
> 
> 
> ----- Original Message ----- 
> From: "Fred Atkinson" <fatkinson at mishmash.com>
> To: <machen2081 at bellsouth.net>
> Sent: Thursday, June 15, 2006 8:25 PM
> Subject: Re: [Rebels1972] truckers
> 
> 
> > Susan,
> >
> >    And they do, too.  It's not fair for you to be protected by minimum 
> > wage
> > laws and them not be.  It's not fair for you to only have to work forty
> > hours before you get overtime and them work sixty to seventy hours per 
> > week
> > and get *no* overtime.  It is not fair for you to be paid for even minute 
> > of
> > your time and them not be.  It should be both or neither.  They put in 
> > more
> > hours making the economy in this country grow than even us full timers. 
> > And
> > we wouldn't have the jobs or lifestyles we have if they didn't.  And they
> > are not even guaranteed that the number of miles they drive will bring 
> > them
> > up to minimum wage by the time they divide their pay by the number of 
> > actual
> > hours worked.
> >
> >    If you call that fair, you need to think again.
> >
> >    Did you ever see an episode of Star Trek called the Cloud Minders?  It
> > kind of illustrates the idea.
> >
> >    Where do you get *your* statistics Susan (since you ask me)?  I get 
> > mine
> > from the number of safe drivers I saw versus the number of crazy ones I 
> > saw.
> >
> >    You're quite wrong about them not wanting it changed.  I've spoken with
> > many a driver that wants to see that kind of reform.  But no one in
> > Washington will listen because they are not able to vote.
> >
> >    I think you should hold off on criticizing them so much until you've
> > experienced the lifestyle.  I used to have the same views you do.  Now 
> > that
> > I've walked (driven) thousands of miles in their shoes, I see it very
> > differently.
> >
> >    No, I don't approve of that kind of driving.  But I do understand why 
> > it
> > is economically motivated.  And we could end that.
> >
> >    Why did Elvis die of drug overdose?  He kept taking drugs to keep going
> > to further his career.  To work the kind of travel and show schedule he 
> > did
> > required incredible amounts of energy.  Hmmm.  Again, economically 
> > motivated
> > (not that I approve of it, but it is economically motivated).
> >
> >    Regards,
> >
> >
> >
> >
> > Fred
> >
> > ----- Original Message -----
> > From: <machen2081 at bellsouth.net>
> > To: "Fred Atkinson" <fatkinson at mishmash.com>; "fred atkinson"
> > <rebels1972 at mishmash.net>
> > Sent: Thursday, June 15, 2006 9:09 PM
> > Subject: Re: [Rebels1972] truckers
> >
> >
> >> I'd love to know where you get your statistics Fred.... from your
> >> bellybutton lint?
> >> And why is it our fault?  We need to eat and sustain life.. We need
> >> commodities to keep our lives afloat...
> >> Heck fire,  I don't make those rules and regs that they don't abide by 
> >> and
> > I
> >> don't shove the uppers down their throats and needles in their veins.
> >>
> >> Getting laws changed to help them?  Most of them don't want the laws
> >> changed---they like it just the way it is. More money is to be made the
> > way
> >> it is right now.   Most truckers are a necessary evil.
> >>
> >> Now let's move on to another subject--this is getting boring Fred.  How's
> >> your summer?
> >>
> >> Susan
> >> ----- Original Message -----
> >> From: "Fred Atkinson" <fatkinson at mishmash.com>
> >> To: <machen2081 at bellsouth.net>
> >> Sent: Thursday, June 15, 2006 7:33 PM
> >> Subject: Re: [Rebels1972] truckers
> >>
> >>
> >> > Susan,
> >> >
> >> >    Not the majority.  But a lot of them.  And a lot of it is
> > economically
> >> > motivated.  And that is our own fault.
> >> >
> >> >    Regards,
> >> >
> >> >
> >> >
> >> >
> >> > Fred
> >> >
> >> > ----- Original Message -----
> >> > From: <machen2081 at bellsouth.net>
> >> > To: "Fred Atkinson" <fatkinson at mishmash.com>; "fred atkinson"
> >> > <rebels1972 at mishmash.net>
> >> > Sent: Thursday, June 15, 2006 5:17 PM
> >> > Subject: Re: [Rebels1972] truckers
> >> >
> >> >
> >> >> Fred,
> >> >> I don't want to prove any point.   I'm only stating facts. They 
> >> >> are----
> >> > the
> >> >> majority of the 18 wheelers on the road are unsafe and have caused
> >> > numerous
> >> >> accidents.
> >> >> The drivers are popping pills and not adhering to the rules and
> >> > regulations.
> >> >> How many lives are lost on the highways due to these rigs exceeding 
> >> >> the
> >> >> speed limit or changing lanes?  It's unbelievable.
> >> >>
> >> >> It's a no win situation all the way around.   You sound more like a
> >> > trucker
> >> >> than a teacher.
> >> >> SM
> >> >>
> >> >>
> >> >> ----- Original Message -----
> >> >> From: "Fred Atkinson" <fatkinson at mishmash.com>
> >> >> To: <machen2081 at bellsouth.net>
> >> >> Sent: Thursday, June 15, 2006 4:04 PM
> >> >> Subject: Re: [Rebels1972] truckers
> >> >>
> >> >>
> >> >> > Well, Susan,
> >> >> >
> >> >> >    I think you are proving my point.  Why do you think that most of
> >> >> > them
> >> >> > hype themselves up on drugs?  It's so they can keep going and get in
> >> > more
> >> >> > miles.  I wouldn't resort to speeding or loading myself up.  And I
> >> >> > couldn't
> >> >> > make a decent living.
> >> >> >
> >> >> >    By your own admission, that guy making all the money driving a
> > truck
> >> > is
> >> >> > constantly breaking the law to do it.  How about the poor souls that
> >> > don't
> >> >> > break the law?  They don't make that much money.  And nobody cares
> >> >> > about
> >> >> > them.
> >> >> >
> >> >> >    One trucker was telling me about the incredibly outrageous number
> > of
> >> >> > hours he drove.  I told him that he'd get caught sooner or later.
> > But
> >> > he
> >> >> > said he had to take the risk to support his family and for them he'd
> > do
> >> >> > it.
> >> >> >
> >> >> >    As I previously said, getting rid of 'by the mile' pay won't
> >> > completely
> >> >> > solve the problem.  But it'll go a long way towards making things
> >> > better.
> >> >> >
> >> >> >    Regards,
> >> >> >
> >> >> >
> >> >> >
> >> >> > Fred
> >> >> >
> >> >> > ----- Original Message -----
> >> >> > From: <machen2081 at bellsouth.net>
> >> >> > To: "Fred Atkinson" <fatkinson at mishmash.com>
> >> >> > Sent: Thursday, June 15, 2006 4:46 PM
> >> >> > Subject: Re: [Rebels1972] truckers
> >> >> >
> >> >> >
> >> >> >> When one RN comes in and gives you the wrong medication and causes
> > you
> >> >> > great
> >> >> >> harm---I think that you would be extremely cautious of the whole
> > lot.
> >> >> > That's
> >> >> >> human nature.
> >> >> >>
> >> >> >> Fred, I'm not blaming the entire trucking industry for the problems
> > of
> >> >> >> several thousands. But if a poll was taken, I bet more people are
> >> > having
> >> >> >> severe problems with big rigs on the road today.  The truckers seem
> > to
> >> >> > think
> >> >> >> that they own the road and we cars need to get out of their way.
> >> >> >> I do get out of their way---way out!
> >> >> >>
> >> >> >> Drug abuse crosses all professional boundaries. Vehicular homicide
> > is
> >> >> >> another story.
> >> >> >> Sm
> >> >> >>
> >> >> >>
> >> >> >>
> >> >> >> ----- Original Message -----
> >> >> >> From: "Fred Atkinson" <fatkinson at mishmash.com>
> >> >> >> To: <machen2081 at bellsouth.net>
> >> >> >> Sent: Thursday, June 15, 2006 3:33 PM
> >> >> >> Subject: Re: [Rebels1972] truckers
> >> >> >>
> >> >> >>
> >> >> >> > Yes,
> >> >> >> >
> >> >> >> >    And should the everyone in the RN profession be blamed every
> > time
> >> > a
> >> >> >> > single person violates that trust?
> >> >> >> >
> >> >> >> >    Regards,
> >> >> >> >
> >> >> >> >
> >> >> >> >
> >> >> >> >
> >> >> >> > Fred
> >> >> >> >
> >> >> >> > ----- Original Message -----
> >> >> >> > From: <machen2081 at bellsouth.net>
> >> >> >> > To: "Fred Atkinson" <fatkinson at mishmash.com>; "fred atkinson"
> >> >> >> > <rebels1972 at mishmash.net>
> >> >> >> > Sent: Thursday, June 15, 2006 3:45 PM
> >> >> >> > Subject: Re: [Rebels1972] truckers
> >> >> >> >
> >> >> >> >
> >> >> >> >> RN's, Doctors, Pharmacists, school teachers and professors, Lab
> >> > techs,
> >> >> >> >> lawyers. Addicts are everywhere.
> >> >> >> >> As a RN, I have the State Board of Alabama Nursing regulating me
> >> >> >> >> and
> >> >> >> >> my
> >> >> >> >> license. I am subject to drug testing at any time.
> >> >> >> >> I would never willfully harm a patient.  Is a trucker willfully
> >> >> >> >> harming
> >> >> >> >> himself, the public and everything else as he craws into his rig
> >> >> >> >> and
> >> >> >> > speeds
> >> >> >> >> along cross country to make a deadline----all to make more 
> >> >> >> >> money?
> >> >> >> >>
> >> >> >> >> Many things need to be changed but they never will because
> >> >> >> >> basically
> >> >> > John
> >> >> >> > Q
> >> >> >> >> Public doesn't want them changed. When you get right down to it,
> >> >> >> >> the
> >> >> >> >> truckers are happy with things just the way they are.  They 
> >> >> >> >> don't
> >> > more
> >> >> >> >> and
> >> >> >> >> more regulations on them. You know---you are part trucker!
> >> >> >> >> Susan
> >> >> >> >> ----- Original Message -----
> >> >> >> >> From: "Fred Atkinson" <fatkinson at mishmash.com>
> >> >> >> >> To: <machen2081 at bellsouth.net>
> >> >> >> >> Sent: Thursday, June 15, 2006 2:29 PM
> >> >> >> >> Subject: Re: [Rebels1972] truckers
> >> >> >> >>
> >> >> >> >>
> >> >> >> >> > Susan,
> >> >> >> >> >
> >> >> >> >> >    And there aren't some RNs who are using drugs to keep going
> > on
> >> >> >> >> > the
> >> >> >> >> > night
> >> >> >> >> > shift?
> >> >> >> >> >
> >> >> >> >> >    Didn't mean you shouldn't be proud of it.  Just meant that
> >> > there
> >> >> > are
> >> >> >> >> > bad
> >> >> >> >> > apples in your profession, too.  And that's nothing against 
> >> >> >> >> > RNs
> >> >> >> >> > as
> >> > a
> >> >> >> >> > whole.
> >> >> >> >> > They are often underpaid as well.
> >> >> >> >> >
> >> >> >> >> >    Regards,
> >> >> >> >> >
> >> >> >> >> >
> >> >> >> >> >
> >> >> >> >> > Fred
> >> >> >> >> >
> >> >> >> >> > ----- Original Message -----
> >> >> >> >> > From: <machen2081 at bellsouth.net>
> >> >> >> >> > To: "Fred Atkinson" <fatkinson at mishmash.com>; "fred atkinson"
> >> >> >> >> > <rebels1972 at mishmash.net>
> >> >> >> >> > Sent: Thursday, June 15, 2006 2:53 PM
> >> >> >> >> > Subject: Re: [Rebels1972] truckers
> >> >> >> >> >
> >> >> >> >> >
> >> >> >> >> >> I'm all for supporting family and such.
> >> >> >> >> >>
> >> >> >> >> >> Today's truckers need to incorporate this and have some 
> >> >> >> >> >> safety
> >> >> >> > concerns.
> >> >> >> >> >> I spoke of my parent's neighbor---he rakes in approx
> >> >> >> >> >> $3000.-$3500
> >> >> > per
> >> >> >> >> > week.
> >> >> >> >> >> Pretty good for a trucker, huh?
> >> >> >> >> >> Most of it goes for crystal meth.    His family travels with
> > him
> >> >> >> >> >> and
> >> >> >> > when
> >> >> >> >> >> they don't his 14yr old does.  Kid never goes to school.
> >> >> >> >> >>
> >> >> >> >> >> The entire trucking industry needs re-vamping but then again
> >> >> >> >> >> what
> >> >> >> >> >> industry
> >> >> >> >> >> doesn't?
> >> >> >> >> >>
> >> >> >> >> >> Remember,   I'm RN -- totally 100% ( and proud of it)
> >> >> >> >> >>
> >> >> >> >> >> Susan
> >> >> >> >> >>
> >> >> >> >> >>
> >> >> >> >> >> ----- Original Message -----
> >> >> >> >> >> From: "Fred Atkinson" <fatkinson at mishmash.com>
> >> >> >> >> >> To: <machen2081 at bellsouth.net>
> >> >> >> >> >> Sent: Thursday, June 15, 2006 1:29 PM
> >> >> >> >> >> Subject: Re: [Rebels1972] truckers
> >> >> >> >> >>
> >> >> >> >> >>
> >> >> >> >> >> > Susan,
> >> >> >> >> >> >
> >> >> >> >> >> >    There is relief we could reach.
> >> >> >> >> >> >
> >> >> >> >> >> >    Truckers don't think the world owes them a living.  Many
> > of
> >> >> > them
> >> >> >> > are
> >> >> >> >> >> > just trying to support their families and pay for their
> > homes
> >> > and
> >> >> >> >> >> > pay
> >> >> >> >> >> > their
> >> >> >> >> >> > taxes.  They don't have the luxury of having their family
> >> > around
> >> >> >> >> >> > when
> >> >> >> >> >> > their
> >> >> >> >> >> > driving shift ends (the over the road ones, I'm refering
> > to).
> >> >> > It's
> >> >> >> >> >> > a
> >> >> >> >> > hard
> >> >> >> >> >> > life.  I've lived it and I know.  I chose not to continue
> >> > living
> >> >> >> >> >> > that
> >> >> >> >> > way.
> >> >> >> >> >> > I was out about three thousand dollars for my driver
> > training
> >> >> >> >> >> > when
> >> >> > I
> >> >> >> >> > quit,
> >> >> >> >> >> > too.  Fortunately, I was able to come up with it.  Others
> >> > aren't
> >> >> > so
> >> >> >> >> > lucky.
> >> >> >> >> >> >
> >> >> >> >> >> >    You're right about the work ethic.  Nonetheless, if we
> >> >> >> >> >> > outlawed
> >> >> >> >> > paying
> >> >> >> >> >> > by the mile and paid them by the hour plus made them
> > entitled
> >> > to
> >> >> > be
> >> >> >> >> >> > paid
> >> >> >> >> >> > for
> >> >> >> >> >> > the things they are required to do that they are not
> > currently
> >> >> > paid
> >> >> >> >> >> > for,
> >> >> >> >> >> > it
> >> >> >> >> >> > would change.  As with most solutions, it wouldn't solve
> >> >> > everything.
> >> >> >> >> > But
> >> >> >> >> >> > it
> >> >> >> >> >> > would be a great start.
> >> >> >> >> >> >
> >> >> >> >> >> >    I doubt there's anyone here that would take a job and
> > work
> >> > for
> >> >> >> > free.
> >> >> >> >> >> > Truckers are required to for a lot of what they do.  They
> >> >> >> >> >> > don't
> >> >> > get
> >> >> >> >> >> > reimbursed for the meals they get when they travel.  They
> >> >> >> >> >> > don't
> >> >> > get
> >> >> >> > to
> >> >> >> >> >> > sleep
> >> >> >> >> >> > at a hotel as we do when our employers send us traveling.
> > It
> >> >> > comes
> >> >> >> > out
> >> >> >> >> > of
> >> >> >> >> >> > their pocket.
> >> >> >> >> >> >
> >> >> >> >> >> >    Susan, there was no excuse for that trucker and I won't
> >> >> >> >> >> > make
> >> >> >> > excuses
> >> >> >> >> >> > for
> >> >> >> >> >> > him.  He belonged in jail and I hope that he is rotting
> > there.
> >> >> > But
> >> >> >> >> >> > remember
> >> >> >> >> >> > that in any profession, there are bad apples.  That's true
> > all
> >> >> >> >> >> > the
> >> >> >> > way
> >> >> >> >> >> > from
> >> >> >> >> >> > the educators to the professionals, to the vocational, to
> > the
> >> >> >> > unskilled
> >> >> >> >> >> > workers as well.
> >> >> >> >> >> >
> >> >> >> >> >> >    When I finished my shift and sat in the truckers section
> > in
> >> >> >> >> >> > the
> >> >> >> >> >> > truck
> >> >> >> >> >> > stop restaurants, I got a chance to get to know some of
> > these
> >> >> >> >> >> > people.
> >> >> >> >> >> > I
> >> >> >> >> >> > was
> >> >> >> >> >> > amazed at the insights of their political views and the
> >> >> >> >> >> > diverse
> >> >> >> >> >> > backgrounds
> >> >> >> >> >> > that many of them came from.   I didn't always agree with
> >> >> >> >> >> > them,
> >> >> > but
> >> >> >> >> >> > I
> >> >> >> >> >> > could
> >> >> >> >> >> > see why they took that position and that many of them had
> >> > really
> >> >> >> >> >> > thought
> >> >> >> >> >> > things through.  The caliber of some of those people
> >> > overwhelmed
> >> >> > me
> >> >> >> > at
> >> >> >> >> >> > times.
> >> >> >> >> >> >
> >> >> >> >> >> >    Remember, I'm part trucker (and proud of it).
> >> >> >> >> >> >
> >> >> >> >> >> >    Regards,
> >> >> >> >> >> >
> >> >> >> >> >> >
> >> >> >> >> >> >
> >> >> >> >> >> >
> >> >> >> >> >> > Fred
> >> >> >> >> >> >
> >> >> >> >> >> >
> >> >> >> >> >> >
> >> >> >> >> >> > ----- Original Message -----
> >> >> >> >> >> > From: <machen2081 at bellsouth.net>
> >> >> >> >> >> > To: <fatkinson at mishmash.com>
> >> >> >> >> >> > Cc: "fred atkinson" <rebels1972 at mishmash.net>
> >> >> >> >> >> > Sent: Thursday, June 15, 2006 12:54 PM
> >> >> >> >> >> > Subject: Re: [Rebels1972] truckers
> >> >> >> >> >> >
> >> >> >> >> >> >
> >> >> >> >> >> >> This is probably true of most jobs. The newcomers have
> > little
> >> > or
> >> >> > no
> >> >> >> >> > work
> >> >> >> >> >> >> ethics and could care less about anything but the "buck".
> >> >> >> >> >> >> They
> >> >> > give
> >> >> >> >> > about
> >> >> >> >> >> >> 10% or less on the job.
> >> >> >> >> >> >>
> >> >> >> >> >> >> The older worker has respect for his job, others and
> > America.
> >> >> > Many
> >> >> >> >> > give
> >> >> >> >> >> >> 100% or more.
> >> >> >> >> >> >>  The difference is amazing in the two workers.
> >> >> >> >> >> >>
> >> >> >> >> >> >> The sad part is that the newcomers are overtaking the 
> >> >> >> >> >> >> older
> >> >> > workers
> >> >> >> >> >> >> and
> >> >> >> >> >> >> America is suffering.
> >> >> >> >> >> >>  In my role as an administrator for 27 yrs, I hired and
> >> >> > terminated
> >> >> >> >> >> >> RN's
> >> >> >> >> >> > and
> >> >> >> >> >> >> others and I would see this over and over.
> >> >> >> >> >> >> For some unknown reason, 1/2 of the population thinks that
> >> >> > America
> >> >> >> >> >> >> owes
> >> >> >> >> >> > them
> >> >> >> >> >> >> a living( truckers included)
> >> >> >> >> >> >>
> >> >> >> >> >> >> The system is totally messed up and no relief in sight!
> >> >> >> >> >> >> Susan
> >> >> >> >> >> >>
> >> >> >> >> >> >>
> >> >> >> >> >> >> ----- Original Message -----
> >> >> >> >> >> >> From: "Fred Atkinson" <fatkinson at mishmash.com>
> >> >> >> >> >> >> To: <machen2081 at bellsouth.net>
> >> >> >> >> >> >> Sent: Thursday, June 15, 2006 11:32 AM
> >> >> >> >> >> >> Subject: Re: [Rebels1972] truckers
> >> >> >> >> >> >>
> >> >> >> >> >> >>
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >    Regretfully, that is true of the newcomers.
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >    They drug themselves up because they have to keep
> > going.
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >    I never did any of that.  And I made diddly squat.
> > That
> >> >> >> >> >> >> > was
> >> >> >> > one
> >> >> >> >> > of
> >> >> >> >> >> > the
> >> >> >> >> >> >> > reasons I gave it up.
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >    It's a system that rewards those who take dangerous
> >> >> >> >> >> >> > risks
> >> >> > and
> >> >> >> >> >> > penalizes
> >> >> >> >> >> >> > those who break the law.
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >    Yes, it's messed up.
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >    Regards,
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >                                           Fred
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >
> >> >> >> >> >> >> > --- machen2081 at bellsouth.net wrote:
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >
> >> >> >> >> >> >> > From: <machen2081 at bellsouth.net>
> >> >> >> >> >> >> > To: <fatkinson at mishmash.com>, "Sansom Class of 1972"
> >> >> >> >> >> >> > <rebels1972 at mishmash.net>
> >> >> >> >> >> >> > Subject: Re: [Rebels1972] truckers
> >> >> >> >> >> >> > Date: Thu, 15 Jun 2006 10:50:13 -0500
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >
> >> >> >> >> >> >> > Fred,
> >> >> >> >> >> >> > The only way they can make acceptable money is to speed?
> >> >> > Putting
> >> >> >> >> >> > hundreds
> >> >> >> >> >> >> > of thousands of lives at risk every day on the road
> >> > including
> >> >> >> > their
> >> >> >> >> >> >> > own----for them to make some money?
> >> >> >> >> >> >> > Yea they're speeding all right---with the crap that they
> >> >> >> >> >> >> > are
> >> >> >> >> > ingesting
> >> >> >> >> >> > in
> >> >> >> >> >> >> > a
> >> >> >> >> >> >> > pill form.
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >
> >> >> >> >> >> >> > I was a hemodialysis RN for 27 years and I can't begin 
> >> >> >> >> >> >> > to
> >> > tell
> >> >> >> >> >> >> > you
> >> >> >> >> > the
> >> >> >> >> >> >> > number of truckers that I have dialyzed over this period
> > of
> >> >> > time
> >> >> >> >> >> >> > because
> >> >> >> >> >> >> > of
> >> >> >> >> >> >> > their long term drug abuse. This group was the hardest
> >> >> >> >> >> >> > group
> >> >> >> >> >> >> > to
> >> >> >> > work
> >> >> >> >> >> > with
> >> >> >> >> >> >> > due to their non-compliance, disrespect for authority
> >> > figures
> >> >> > and
> >> >> >> >> >> >> > continued
> >> >> >> >> >> >> > drug abuse.
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >
> >> >> >> >> >> >> > No Fred, I wouldn't get behind a wheel and speed just to
> >> >> > increase
> >> >> >> > my
> >> >> >> >> >> >> > earnings.. I'm just not made that way.  I have respect
> > for
> >> >> > human
> >> >> >> >> > life.
> >> >> >> >> >> >> > Period.
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >
> >> >> >> >> >> >> > Transport the goods via railroad. Utilize as few trucks
> > as
> >> >> >> > possible.
> >> >> >> >> >> >> > As
> >> >> >> >> >> >> > for
> >> >> >> >> >> >> > me, I'm sick of their attitudes---they don't own the
> > roads!
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >
> >> >> >> >> >> >> > You're right about one thing---one bad apple spoils the
> >> > whole
> >> >> >> >> >> > bunch---this
> >> >> >> >> >> >> > goes for everything in life
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >
> >> >> >> >> >> >> > Susan
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >
> >> >> >> >> >> >> > ----- Original Message -----
> >> >> >> >> >> >> > From: "Fred Atkinson" <fatkinson at mishmash.com>
> >> >> >> >> >> >> > To: <rebels1972 at mishmash.net>
> >> >> >> >> >> >> > Sent: Thursday, June 15, 2006 10:26 AM
> >> >> >> >> >> >> > Subject: Re: [Rebels1972] truckers
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> Yes, Susan,
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>     There is drug testing before they can even drive.
> > And
> >> >> > they
> >> >> >> > are
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> subject to surprised, unannounced drug testing, too.
> > I've
> >> >> > been
> >> >> >> >> > tested
> >> >> >> >> >> > a
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> number of times, myself, all negative.
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>     Well, you'd probably speed too if you were
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> economically
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> enslaved
> >> >> >> >> >> > and
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> the only way to make acceptable money was to speed.
> > Don't
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> you
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> think
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> we
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> could change the law to fix that?
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>     I've been around the truck drivers.  Mostly, they
> > are
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> good
> >> >> >> >> > people
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> trying to make a living.  And remember, it only takes
> > one
> >> > or
> >> >> > two
> >> >> >> >> >> > negative
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> folks in a stereotyped group (ah, that word) to make a
> > lot
> >> > of
> >> >> >> > good
> >> >> >> >> >> > people
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> look bad.
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>     We live lifestyles that we'd never live if these
> > folks
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> didn't
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> do
> >> >> >> >> >
> >> >> >> >> >> > this
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> work for us.  Remember that.  When we pass laws
> >> > guaranteeing
> >> >> >> > wages,
> >> >> >> >> > we
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> exempt them from the same laws we make to protect
> >> > ourselves.
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>     Regards,
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>                                             Fred
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> --- tech450 at gmail.com wrote:
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> From: "Rick Peek" <tech450 at gmail.com>
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> To: "Sansom Class of 1972" <rebels1972 at mishmash.net>
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> Subject: Re: [Rebels1972] truckers
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> Date: Thu, 15 Jun 2006 10:13:55 -0500
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> Hey Susan,
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> My sentiments on truckers are with you also. Driving
> > from
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> Gadsden
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> to
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> B'ham
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> on the interstate for 8 years, all my dealings with
> >> > truckers
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> have
> >> >> >> >> > been
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> negative also. I have been run off the road several
> > times
> >> >> > myself
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> and
> >> >> >> >> >> > have
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> seen them cause numerous accidents, some of which I
> > barely
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> missed
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> being
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> in
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> myself. I have hit debris many times that was left in
> > the
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> road
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> by
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> truckers
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> and almost made me wreck and once hit some scrap metal
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> that
> >> >> > fell
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> off
> >> >> >> >> > a
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> truck
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> and shredded my new tires and almost made me wreck. I
> > have
> >> >> > also
> >> >> >> > had
> >> >> >> >> > my
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> winsheild cracked and paint knocked off by flying rocks
> >> > that
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> fell
> >> >> >> >> > off
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> trucks. I'm on your side.
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> Rick P.
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> On 6/15/06, machen2081 at bellsouth.net
> >> >> > <machen2081 at bellsouth.net>
> >> >> >> >> > wrote:
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>>
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>>
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>>
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>> Ah Fred,
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>> I read and re-read your article with great interest. 
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>> I
> >> >> > wonder
> >> >> >> > why
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>> you
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>> would put so much time and energy into such an 
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>> article.
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>>
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>> You see truck drivers really strike a chord with me 
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>> and
> >> > I'll
> >> >> >> > tell
> >> >> >> >> > you
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>> why.
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>> I'm sure there are many great truck drivers on the 
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>> road
> >> > with
> >> >> > a
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>> safe
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>> driving
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>> record. I haven't met many. You stated that people 
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>> feel
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>> anger
> >> >> >> >> > towards
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>> truck
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>> drivers because of the manner in which they drive on
> > the
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>> open
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>> highway.  You
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>> are so correct.   My article may offend you....
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>>
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>> In 1984, I was taking my mother to and from Birmingham
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>> for
> >> >> > her
> >> >> >> >> > chemo
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>> treatments three times per week.  On one Wednesday
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>> afternoon,
> >> >> > I
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>> was
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>> driving
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>> her red car home with her reclined in the riders side.
> > I
> >> > was
> >> >> > on
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>> the
> >> >> >> >> >> > left
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>> side of  highway I-59 and a "wonderful"truck driver
> > flew
> >> > by
> >> >> > and
> >> >> >> >> > took
> >> >> >> >> >> > off
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>> the
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>> entire side of her car( my mother's side.) He swerved
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>> over
> >> >> > into
> >> >> >> > my
> >> >> >> >> >> > lane.
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>>
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>> He never stopped and kept going at approx 90 miles per
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>> hr.
> >> >> > I'm
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>> sure
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>> to
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>> deliver his goods to a store! I had to chase him down
> > and
> >> >> > lucky
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>> for
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>> us
> >> >> >> >> >> > a
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>> statetrooper was a few miles away.
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>> I finally got the truck to stop. The driver jumped
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>> out(all
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>> 4'10"
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>> of
> >> >> >> >> >> > him
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>> and
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>> proceeded to cuss me out and even hit me.I was 
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>> pregnant
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>> at
> >> >> > the
> >> >> >> >> > time)
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>> He was stoned out of his mind. At this point,  I was
> > all
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>> over
> >> >> >> > him
> >> >> >> >> > and
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>> since
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>> my mother was only slightly injured she had to pull me
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>> off
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>> of
> >> >> >> > him.
> >> >> >> >> > He
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>> denied
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>> the hit and run---cars were pulled over for witnesses
> > and
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>> the
> >> >> >> >> > trooper
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>> had
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>> arrived.
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>> Long story short---This precious trucker was stoned on
> >> >> > Demerol,
> >> >> >> >> >> > morphine
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>> and
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>> being serviced by his boyfriend(also stoned)when he
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>> nearly
> >> >> >> > killed
> >> >> >> >> > us.
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>> Red
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>> paint was all over his wheels--he went to jail with
> > many
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>> charges!!!
> >> >> >> >> >> > This
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>> wasn't the first time for him either.
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>> How do these guys pass drug testing?  Is there drug
> >> > testing?
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>>
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>> Like you said.... It isn't whether or not he's at 
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>> fault
> >> > that
> >> >> >> >> > matters.
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>> You
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>> may have run into him but the question is.. could he
> > have
> >> >> > done
> >> >> >> >> >> > something
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>> to
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>> prevent it from happening?    You figure it out!
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>>
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>> My parents live next door to a trucker ....This 
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>> trucker
> >> >> > steals
> >> >> >> >> > goods,
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>> lets
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>> his 14yr drive his 18wheeler on long trips while he
> >> > sleeps,
> >> >> > and
> >> >> >> > is
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>> addicted
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>> to crystal meth.
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>>
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>> My daughter and I just went to Anniston yesterday and
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>> were
> >> >> > run
> >> >> >> > off
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>> the
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>> road
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>> by a 18 wheeler and then the thing kept
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>> chasing us for miles. I called the police but the 
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>> truck
> >> > had
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>> left
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>> by
> >> >> >> >> >> > that
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>> time. A report was taken.
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>>
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>> As you can see, I have little respect for truckers. My
> >> >> > dealings
> >> >> >> >> > have
> >> >> >> >> >> > not
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>> been good. Many are slaves to drugs to keep them going
> >> > these
> >> >> >> > long,
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>> grueling
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>> hours.
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>> My hats are off to the good ones.
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>> Susan
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>>
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>>
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>> >>> ----- Original Message -----
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>> >>> From: "Fred Atkinson" <fatkinson at mishmash.com>
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>> >>> To: "Rebels 1972" <rebels1972 at mishmash.net>
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>> >>> Sent: Wednesday, June 14, 2006 8:52 PM
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>> >>> Subject: [Rebels1972] Economic Slavery on the
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>> >>> Highways
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>> >>>
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>> >>>
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>> >>>>    I'd like to share some ideas about some of the
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>> >>>> people
> >> >> >> > who
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>> >>>> make
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>> this
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>> >>>> country great.  They are often the most
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>> >>>> unappreciated
> >> >> >> > people
> >> >> >> >> > in
> >> >> >> >> >> > the
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>> >>>> world.
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>> >>>>
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>> >>>>    We take them so much for granted despite all
> > that
> >> >> > they
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>> do.  Everyone
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>> >>>> seems to think that the goods on the shelf at 
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>> >>>> your
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>> >>>> store
> >> >> >> > just
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>> >>>> appear
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>> >>>> there
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>> >>>> magically.  The materials to build your home,
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>> >>>> school,
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>> >>>> or
> >> >> >> >> >> > workplace
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>> were
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>> >>>> not
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>> >>>> always there.  The fuel that makes your car run
> > does
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>> >>>> not
> >> >> >> > just
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>> >>>> appear
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>> at
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>> >>>> the
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>> >>>> pump.  And there are many other material goods we
> >> > rely
> >> >> > on
> >> >> >> > to
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>> >>>> maintain
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>> >>>> our
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>> >>>> standard of living.
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>> >>>>
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>> >>>>    There are thousands of good Americans that
> >> > transport
> >> >> >> > these
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>> materials
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>> >>>> to
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>> >>>> us.  They aren't heralded and they get no 
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>> >>>> fanfare.
> >> > Man
> >> >> >> > live
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>> >>>> a
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>> >>>> lifestyle of
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>> >>>> separation from their families and work an
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>> >>>> incredible
> >> >> >> > number
> >> >> >> >> > of
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>> hours.
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>> >>>> It
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>> >>>> is their plight I wish to discuss.
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>> >>>>
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>> >>>>    When the economy went sour at the end of 2001,
> > I
> >> >> > spoke
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>> >>>> with
> >> >> >> >> > a
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>> >>>> recruiter
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>> >>>> for a national trucking company, she arranged for
> > me
> >> > to
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>> >>>> travel
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>> >>>> to
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>> >>>> Memphis,
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>> >>>> Tennessee and attend a three week school that
> > would
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>> >>>> help
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>> >>>> me
> >> >> >> >> > get
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>> >>>> a
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>> Class
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>> >>>> A
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>> >>>> commercial driver's license with all the required
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>> >>>> endorsements
> >> >> >> >> >> > and
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>> the
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>> >>>> training required for the company to hire me as 
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>> >>>> an
> >> > over
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>> >>>> the
> >> >> >> >> > road
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>> truck
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>> >>>> driver.  The cost of attending the truck school
> > was
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>> >>>> over
> >> >> >> > five
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>> thousand
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>> >>>> dollars and I was expected to be responsible for
> > the
> >> >> > cost
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>> >>>> myself.
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>> >>>> I
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>> >>>> was not
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>> >>>> compensated in any way for the time I spent in
> >> > school.
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>> >>>>
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>> >>>>    I went to truck driving school with a lot of
> >> > people
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>> >>>> from
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>> >>>> different
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>> >>>> parts
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>> >>>> of the country and different backgrounds.  After
> > we
> >> >> >> > completed
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>> >>>> our
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>> first
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>> >>>> week
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>> >>>> in school, we passed our written exams to get our
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>> >>>> learner's
> >> >> >> >> >> > permits
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>> and
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>> >>>> our
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>> >>>> medical certificates, which were required to
> > operate
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>> >>>> the
> >> >> >> > big
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>> >>>> eighteen
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>> >>>> wheelers.
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>> >>>>
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>> >>>>    The next week was range training.  We learned
> > all
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>> >>>> manner
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>> >>>> of
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>> backing.
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>> >>>> Backing was not like backing a car.  It required 
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>> >>>> a
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>> >>>> whole
> >> >> >> >> >> > different
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>> >>>> twist.
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>> >>>> To back a truck to the right one must turn the
> > wheel
> >> > to
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>> >>>> the
> >> >> >> >> > left
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>> until
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>> >>>> the
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>> >>>> truck jacks to the right.  Then you turn the 
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>> >>>> wheel
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>> >>>> to
> >> >> > the
> >> >> >> >> > right
> >> >> >> >> >> > to
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>> >>>> follow
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>> >>>> the trailer and keep it on the right path.  Even
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>> >>>> backing
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>> >>>> in
> >> >> >> > a
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>> straight
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>> >>>> line
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>> >>>> was difficult.  But we learned our required
> > backing
> >> >> > skills
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>> >>>> during
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>> >>>> the
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>> >>>> second
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>> >>>> week and went on for the road training.
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>> >>>>
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>> >>>>    We drove all over western Tennessee, eastern
> >> >> > Arkansas,
> >> >> >> > and
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>> northern
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>> >>>> Mississippi.  To the end of the third week we
> >> > completed
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>> >>>> our
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>> >>>> training
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>> >>>> and
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>> >>>> passed our road tests.  When we returned to 
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>> >>>> school
> >> > the
> >> >> >> >> > following
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>> week,
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>> >>>> we
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>> >>>> were taken to the DMV to get our Class A
> > commercial
> >> >> >> > driver's
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>> >>>> licenses
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>> >>>> and
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>> >>>> late we were assigned to a driver who would train
> > us
> >> >> > while
> >> >> >> > we
> >> >> >> >> >> > were
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>> >>>> actually
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>> >>>> transporting goods all over the country.  We were
> >> > paid
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>> >>>> only
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>> >>>> fifty
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>> >>>> dollars
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>> >>>> per day while we trained regardless of the miles
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>> >>>> driven.
> >> >> >> >> > Since
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>> >>>> a
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>> >>>> driver
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>> >>>> often drives between four and five hundred miles
> > per
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>> >>>> shift,
> >> >> >> >> > that
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>> >>>> amounts to
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>> >>>> as little as ten cents per mile or less.
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>> >>>>
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>> >>>>    These three weeks of driver training was done
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>> >>>> with
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>> >>>> no
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>> >>>> compensation
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>> >>>> and a
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>> >>>> legal requirement that you repay the company for
> > the
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>> >>>> training.
> >> >> >> >> >> > Of
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>> >>>> course,
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>> >>>> they pro-rated the cost over two years and made
> > the
> >> >> >> > payments
> >> >> >> >> > for
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>> >>>> your
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>> >>>> as
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>> >>>> long as you worked for them.  But if you found it
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>> >>>> necessary
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>> >>>> to
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>> >>>> leave,
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>> >>>> you
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>> >>>> were on the hook for the pro-rated part of the
> > money
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>> >>>> you
> >> >> >> > owe.
> >> >> >> >> >> > This
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>> >>>> makes it
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>> >>>> difficult to leave if you are unhappy with the
> >> > working
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>> >>>> situation.
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>> >>>>
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>> >>>>    After I completed the training with my
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>> >>>> instructor,
> >> > I
> >> >> >> > began
> >> >> >> >> > to
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>> learn
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>> >>>> things I never knew.  I knew that truck drivers
> > were
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>> >>>> typically
> >> >> >> >> >> > away
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>> >>>> from
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>> >>>> home for months at a time.  I never knew that 
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>> >>>> they
> >> > are
> >> >> > not
> >> >> >> >> >> > covered
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>> >>>> by
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>> >>>> the
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>> >>>> wage and hour laws (overtime?  What is that?).
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>> >>>> Truck
> >> >> >> > drivers
> >> >> >> >> >> > don't
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>> get
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>> >>>> overtime even though they constantly work in
> > excess
> >> > of
> >> >> >> > sixty
> >> >> >> >> >> > hours
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>> per
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>> >>>> week.
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>> >>>> They get paid for the miles they drive and (on
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>> >>>> occasion)
> >> >> >> > for
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>> >>>> loading
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>> or
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>> >>>> unloading a truck, not for the time they work.
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>> >>>>
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>> >>>>    Many responsibilities that truck drivers
> > perform
> >> > are
> >> >> >> >> > without
> >> >> >> >> >> > any
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>> >>>> compensation.  The Department of Transportation
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>> >>>> requires
> >> >> >> > that
> >> >> >> >> >> > they
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>> >>>> perform a
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>> >>>> complete and thorough pre-trip safety inspection
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>> >>>> each
> >> >> > day,
> >> >> >> >> > which
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>> takes
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>> >>>> fifteen minutes of their time.  They receive no
> >> >> >> > compensation
> >> >> >> >> > for
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>> their
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>> >>>> time
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>> >>>> to perform this.  When they weigh and balance a
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>> >>>> truck
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>> >>>> to
> >> >> >> > make
> >> >> >> >> >> > sure
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>> the
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>> >>>> load
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>> >>>> is legal on the highway, they receive no
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>> >>>> compensation
> >> >> > for
> >> >> >> >> > that,
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>> either.
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>> >>>>
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>> >>>>    When they hitch or unhitch a trailer, they
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>> >>>> receive
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>> >>>> no
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>> >>>> compensation
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>> >>>> for
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>> >>>> that task.  When a shipper or receiver makes them
> >> > stand
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>> >>>> around
> >> >> >> >> >> > and
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>> wait
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>> >>>> for
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>> >>>> their load to be loaded or unloaded from a
> > trailer,
> >> > the
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>> >>>> driver
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>> receives
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>> >>>> no
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>> >>>> compensation for the time he is there idle while
> > the
> >> >> >> > shipper
> >> >> >> >> > or
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>> >>>> receiver
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>> >>>> focuses on other things (unless he is paid for
> >> > loading
> >> >> > or
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>> >>>> unloading,
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>> >>>> which
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>> >>>> isn't often).
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>> >>>>
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>> >>>>    And the driver is never guaranteed to get a
> >> > shipment
> >> >> > to
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>> move.  There
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>> >>>> were a number of times where I sat at a truck 
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>> >>>> stop
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>> >>>> in
> >> > a
> >> >> >> >> > strange
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>> >>>> city
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>> >>>> with no
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>> >>>> load.  Our company compensated us forty dollars
> > per
> >> > day
> >> >> > if
> >> >> >> >> > they
> >> >> >> >> >> > had
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>> no
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>> >>>> load
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>> >>>> for us.  Imagine that, only forty dollars for a
> >> > single
> >> >> > day
> >> >> >> > of
> >> >> >> >> >> > your
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>> life
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>> >>>> (and
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>> >>>> not all drivers even get that) away from your
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>> >>>> family,
> >> >> >> >> > community,
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>> >>>> and
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>> >>>> friends.  And the per mile rates for new drivers
> > are
> >> >> > very
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>> >>>> low.
> >> >> >> >> >> > One
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>> >>>> I
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>> >>>> was
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>> >>>> asked to pick up a trailer, weigh it to make sure
> > it
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>> >>>> was
> >> >> >> >> > legally
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>> >>>> balanced,
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>> >>>> and transport it to the nearest company terminal
> > for
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>> >>>> reassignment to another driver.  For my several
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>> >>>> hours
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>> >>>> of
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>> >>>> work,
> >> >> >> >> > I
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>> >>>> received
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>> >>>> approximately twelve dollars for my efforts.  It
> >> >> > amounted
> >> >> >> > to
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>> >>>> less
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>> than
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>> >>>> minimum wage.
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>> >>>>
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>> >>>>    Truck drivers get no respect.  Once when I was
> > at
> >> > a
> >> >> >> >> > truckstop
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>> >>>> near
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>> >>>> the
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>> >>>> Canadian border in Maine, a driver told me that
> > his
> >> > CB
> >> >> >> > handle
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>> >>>> was
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>> >>>> 'Caucasian
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>> >>>> scumbag'.  He said that he chose that handle
> > because
> >> > of
> >> >> >> > what
> >> >> >> >> > his
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>> father
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>> >>>> (also a truck driver) told him.  Truck driving is
> > an
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>> >>>> honorable
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>> >>>> profession,
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>> >>>> but you will never get any respect.  Sadly, I
> > found
> >> >> > myself
> >> >> >> >> >> > agreeing
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>> >>>> with
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>> >>>> him.  A few examples follow.
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>> >>>>
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>> >>>>    Once I made a delivery at a warehouse.  After
> >> >> > 'bumping
> >> >> >> > the
> >> >> >> >> >> > dock'
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>> (an
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>> >>>> expression used that means you have parked the
> >> > trailer
> >> >> > at
> >> >> >> > the
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>> >>>> loading
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>> >>>> dock
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>> >>>> so it can be loaded or unloaded), I found a door
> >> > marked
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>> >>>> 'driver's
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>> >>>> entrance'.
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>> >>>> When I stepped inside the door, I found myself
> >> > standing
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>> >>>> inside
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>> >>>> of
> >> >> >> >> >> > a
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>> >>>> cage
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>> >>>> (subhuman treatment).
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>> >>>>
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>> >>>>    I once made a pickup at a major customer.  As
> > my
> >> >> > hours
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>> >>>> were
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>> >>>> almost
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>> >>>> used
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>> >>>> up when I made the pickup, I parked the truck
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>> >>>> outside
> >> >> > the
> >> >> >> >> > front
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>> >>>> gate
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>> in
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>> >>>> an
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>> >>>> area where truckers were allowed to park and get
> > the
> >> >> >> > required
> >> >> >> >> >> > time
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>> >>>> in
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>> >>>> the
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>> >>>> sleeper before they were allowed to drive again.
> >> > When
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>> >>>> I
> >> >> >> >> > walked
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>> >>>> back
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>> to
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>> >>>> the
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>> >>>> gate requesting to use the restroom, they refused
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>> >>>> saying
> >> >> >> > that
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>> driver's
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>> >>>> weren't allowed to use the restrooms in the
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>> >>>> facility.
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>> >>>> I
> >> >> >> > had
> >> >> >> >> > to
> >> >> >> >> >> > go
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>> and
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>> >>>> relieve myself in the middle of an open field
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>> >>>> because
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>> >>>> there
> >> >> >> >> > was
> >> >> >> >> >> > no
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>> >>>> other
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>> >>>> place provided for the drivers.
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>> >>>>
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>> >>>>    People often feel anger towards truck drivers
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>> >>>> because
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>> >>>> of
> >> >> >> >> > the
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>> manner
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>> >>>> in
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>> >>>> which they drive on the open highways.  I did not
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>> >>>> engage
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>> >>>> in
> >> >> >> >> > such
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>> >>>> driving and
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>> >>>> I did not approve of those who did.  But think of
> >> > what
> >> >> > it
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>> >>>> cost
> >> >> >> >> >> > me.
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>> >>>> Slowing
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>> >>>> down reduced the amount of money I made. 
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>> >>>> Remember
> >> > that
> >> >> >> > many
> >> >> >> >> > of
> >> >> >> >> >> > the
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>> >>>> lesser
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>> >>>> experienced drivers are not all that well paid
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>> >>>> (contrary
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>> >>>> to
> >> >> >> >> > the
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>> stories
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>> >>>> about how well truck drivers are paid).  When you
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>> >>>> are
> >> >> > paid
> >> >> >> > by
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>> >>>> the
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>> mile
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>> >>>> at
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>> >>>> such a rate as twenty-seven cents a mile and only
> >> >> > allowed
> >> >> >> > to
> >> >> >> >> >> > drive
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>> for
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>> >>>> a
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>> >>>> limited number of hours, making more money
> > requires
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>> >>>> that
> >> >> >> > you
> >> >> >> >> >> > floor
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>> it.
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>> >>>> When
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>> >>>> a driver is caught in a traffic jam, he is 
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>> >>>> sitting
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>> >>>> there
> >> >> >> >> > burning
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>> >>>> his
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>> >>>> driving
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>> >>>> hours and getting no compensation for it.  He
> > cannot
> >> >> > drive
> >> >> >> >> > extra
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>> hours
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>> >>>> to
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>> >>>> make up for it or the Department of 
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>> >>>> Transportation
> >> > will
> >> >> >> > fine
> >> >> >> >> > him
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>> >>>> when
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>> >>>> they
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>> >>>> audit his driving logbook.  To that end, some
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>> >>>> drivers
> >> >> >> > falsify
> >> >> >> >> >> > their
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>> >>>> logbook
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>> >>>> to drive more miles.  This means that they are
> >> > driving
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>> >>>> over
> >> >> >> >> > the
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>> number
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>> >>>> of
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>> >>>> hours it is safe for a person's body to be alert
> >> > enough
> >> >> > to
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>> >>>> handle
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>> >>>> an
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>> >>>> eighty-thousand pound multi-vehicle truck and
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>> >>>> creates
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>> >>>> an
> >> >> >> >> >> > additional
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>> >>>> hazard.
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>> >>>>
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>> >>>>    Truck drivers would like to see that changed,
> > but
> >> >> > it's
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>> >>>> difficult.
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>> >>>> 'Over
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>> >>>> the road' drivers are away from home for months 
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>> >>>> at
> > a
> >> >> > time.
> >> >> >> >> >> > Because
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>> of
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>> >>>> that
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>> >>>> they don't get to vote.  Politicians look at 
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>> >>>> those
> >> >> >> > statistics
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>> >>>> and
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>> they
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>> >>>> realize that spending time helping truck drivers
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>> >>>> does
> >> >> > not
> >> >> >> >> > yield
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>> >>>> them
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>> >>>> additional votes.  This does not motivate the
> >> >> > politicians
> >> >> >> > to
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>> >>>> make
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>> >>>> things any
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>> >>>> easier for them.  Once, a driver told me that he
> > had
> >> >> > tried
> >> >> >> > to
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>> >>>> get
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>> >>>> an
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>> >>>> absentee ballot.  He was asked where he'd be on
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>> >>>> election
> >> >> >> > day.
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>> >>>> He
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>> told
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>> >>>> them
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>> >>>> he had no way of knowing because he was sent to
> >> >> > different
> >> >> >> >> > places
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>> often
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>> >>>> on
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>> >>>> only a few hours notice.  Because he couldn't 
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>> >>>> tell
> >> > them
> >> >> >> > where
> >> >> >> >> >> > he'd
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>> >>>> be
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>> >>>> on
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>> >>>> election day, they denied him an absentee ballot.
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>> >>>>
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>> >>>>    As long as we continue to pay our over the 
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>> >>>> road
> >> >> > drivers
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>> >>>> 'by
> >> >> >> >> >> > the
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>> >>>> mile'
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>> >>>> instead of by the hour and pay them for the 
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>> >>>> things
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>> >>>> truck
> >> >> >> >> > drivers
> >> >> >> >> >> > do
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>> for
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>> >>>> no
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>> >>>> compensation every day, the way many truck 
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>> >>>> drivers
> >> >> > operate
> >> >> >> >> > their
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>> >>>> vehicles is
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>> >>>> not going to change.  There is significant
> >> > legislative
> >> >> >> > reform
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>> >>>> needed
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>> >>>> but no
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>> >>>> political incentive to perform it.  And many of
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>> >>>> these
> >> >> > good
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>> >>>> people
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>> >>>> continue
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>> >>>> to suffer while making a living to support their
> >> >> > families
> >> >> >> >> > (with
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>> >>>> whom
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>> >>>> they
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>> >>>> are able to spend very little time with).  The
> > next
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>> >>>> time
> >> >> >> > you
> >> >> >> >> >> > enjoy
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>> your
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>> >>>> breakfast, buy nice new clothes at the store, 
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>> >>>> fill
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>> >>>> up
> >> >> > your
> >> >> >> >> > tank
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>> >>>> with
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>> >>>> gasoline, or partake of any number of other
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>> >>>> countless
> >> >> >> > things,
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>> >>>> you
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>> >>>> should
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>> >>>> remember that truck drivers brought those
> > materials
> >> > to
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>> >>>> you.
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>> >>>>
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>> >>>>    Imagine if the trucks stopped rolling for a
> > week.
> >> >> > We'd
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>> >>>> experience
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>> >>>> gas
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>> >>>> shortages, food shortages, and have to learn to 
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>> >>>> do
> >> >> > without
> >> >> >> >> > many
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>> things.
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>> >>>>
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>> >>>>    When a driver is involved in a traffic
> > accident,
> >> > it
> >> >> >> > isn't
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>> >>>> whether
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>> or
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>> >>>> not
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>> >>>> he is at fault that matters.  You may have run
> > into
> >> > him
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>> >>>> but
> >> >> >> >> > the
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>> >>>> question is
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>> >>>> could he have done something to prevent it from
> >> >> > happening?
> >> >> >> >> > Even
> >> >> >> >> >> > if
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>> he
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>> >>>> was
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>> >>>> not at fault in the accident, it often is still
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>> >>>> reported
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>> >>>> on
> >> >> >> >> > his
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>> driving
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>> >>>> record as 'preventable' (which stacks against him
> >> > when
> >> >> > his
> >> >> >> >> >> > driving
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>> >>>> record is
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>> >>>> reviewed for insurance or for possible employment
> >> > with
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>> >>>> a
> >> >> >> >> >> > different
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>> >>>> trucking
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>> >>>> company).  Imagine that, you caused the accident
> > but
> >> >> > they
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>> >>>> hold
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>> >>>> it
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>> >>>> against
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>> >>>> the truck driver anyway.  He is responsible for
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>> >>>> managing
> >> >> >> >> > *your*
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>> driving
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>> >>>> safety habits.
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>> >>>>
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>> >>>>    These dramatically under appreciated people
> > live
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>> >>>> a
> >> >> >> >> > lifestyle
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>> >>>> that
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>> I
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>> >>>> don't understand how they continue to live day in
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>> >>>> and
> >> >> > day
> >> >> >> > out
> >> >> >> >> >> > year
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>> >>>> after
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>> >>>> year.  Essentially they are slaves to our system
> > and
> >> > we
> >> >> >> >> > continue
> >> >> >> >> >> > to
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>> >>>> take
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>> >>>> advantage of them paying many of them low wages
> > and
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>> >>>> working
> >> >> >> >> > them
> >> >> >> >> >> > at
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>> >>>> a
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>> >>>> schedule that would cause most of us to 
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>> >>>> experience
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>> >>>> complete
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>> exhaustion.
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>> >>>>
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>> >>>>    My hat is off to them and I think about them
> > from
> >> >> > time
> >> >> >> > to
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>> time.  God
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>> >>>> bless our truck drivers.
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>> >>>>
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>> >>>>
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>> >>>> _______________________________________________
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>> >>>> Rebels1972 mailing list
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>> >>>> Rebels1972 at mishmash.net
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>> >>>>
> >> >> >> > http://mishmash.net/mailman/listinfo/rebels1972_mishmash.net
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>> >>>>
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>> >>>
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>> >>>
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>> >>>
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>> >>
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>> >>
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>> >>
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>> >
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>>
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>>
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>>
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>> _______________________________________________
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>> Rebels1972 mailing list
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>> Rebels1972 at mishmash.net
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>>
> >> > http://mishmash.net/mailman/listinfo/rebels1972_mishmash.net
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>>
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> --
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> Rick Peek
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> Tech450 at gmail.com
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> _______________________________________________
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> Rebels1972 mailing list
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> Rebels1972 at mishmash.net
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>
> >> > http://mishmash.net/mailman/listinfo/rebels1972_mishmash.net
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> _______________________________________________
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> Rebels1972 mailing list
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> Rebels1972 at mishmash.net
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>
> >> > http://mishmash.net/mailman/listinfo/rebels1972_mishmash.net
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >
> >> >> >> >> >> >>
> >> >> >> >> >> >>
> >> >> >> >> >> >
> >> >> >> >> >> >
> >> >> >> >> >>
> >> >> >> >> >>
> >> >> >> >> >
> >> >> >> >> >
> >> >> >> >>
> >> >> >> >>
> >> >> >> >
> >> >> >> >
> >> >> >>
> >> >> >>
> >> >> >
> >> >> >
> >> >>
> >> >>
> >> >
> >> >
> >>
> >>
> >
> > 
> 
> 
> 
> _______________________________________________
> Rebels1972 mailing list
> Rebels1972 at mishmash.net
> http://mishmash.net/mailman/listinfo/rebels1972_mishmash.net