[Rebels1972] knights of the highway
Fred Atkinson
fatkinson at mishmash.com
Fri Jun 16 07:03:27 CDT 2006
Pat,
It's not as easy as that for some of them. You can't just quit a job
when you've got a family to raise and financial responsibilities.
Call it banter if you want.
Try living it before making such remarks.
Regards,
Fred
----- Original Message -----
From: <bmorgan7459 at charter.net>
To: "Sansom Class of 1972" <rebels1972 at mishmash.net>
Cc: <machen2081 at bellsouth.net>
Sent: Friday, June 16, 2006 12:22 AM
Subject: Re: [Rebels1972] knights of the highway
> 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
> > >> >> >> >> >> >> >
> > >> >> >> >> >> >> >
> > >> >> >> >> >> >>
> > >> >> >> >> >> >>
> > >> >> >> >> >> >
> > >> >> >> >> >> >
> > >> >> >> >> >>
> > >> >> >> >> >>
> > >> >> >> >> >
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> > >> >>
> > >> >>
> > >> >
> > >> >
> > >>
> > >>
> > >
> > >
> >
> >
> >
> > _______________________________________________
> > 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
>
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