My prayers go out to all those effected by this disaster.

Sunday on FOX NEWS, Senator Joe Leiberman issued a response during a press briefing citing new consideration by Congress to enact further restictions on the Trucking industry. A reduction in the national speed limit as well as more restrictions on engine manufacturers to mandate higher MPGs for cars and trucks alike.

The latest emissions regulations requiring reductions in sulphur content are, in part, responsible for higher diesel prices . Reducing the sulpher content from aprox. 550 ppm to less than 15 ppm, has not only caused numerous engine problems for America’s truckers, but has cost the oil companies millions of dollars to change their refining processes. It has also slowed the refining process causing prices to rise even further.

The latest engine emission requirements(ACERT) have cost American truck manufacturers millions in research and development, driving the truck manufacturers to pass on these increased costs directly to Buyers. Thanks to these new regulations Governing emmisions from class 8 trucks, fuel consumption has actually increased on a per truck basis as well as fleet averages. We put less sulpher in the air but our fuel mileage has decreased by up to 10% on average, as compared to previous models without restricted engines(PRE-ACERT). Do the math. Decreasing fuel MPG from 6 mpg to 4.5 mpg averaging 12,000 miles per month. It doesn’t take a math major to see the LOSS.

American Truckers do not need further costly mandates from the likes of Senator Leiberman. We view this kind of Legislation as the problem not the solution.

As a member of the OOIDA and as a Small Trucking Company Owner, I say what is needed is a CAP on all fuel prices! This would stop all the market speculation and would bolster a fragile and declining economy.

I think that POLITICIANS like Senator Leiberman need to wake up. Threatening an Institution such as the American Trucking Industry may be taken as a Lightening Rod by truckers all over the country. 

Look around your house. If you have it, an American Trucker brought it to you.

Back in the 1980’s I worked in a Stock Yard, penning cattle which had been sold at auction. I don’t know how many of you have ever worked with cattle, but most of the cows/bulls are usually cooperative to an extent. However, occasionally some of the cattle are a little upset, frightened, or even angry. When this would happen, and a cow/bull were uncooperative, we would use a “cattle prod” to get them to behave in the desired manner. Much like Police do with tasers. (cattle prods do not cause cattle to lose control of motor skills at all. It is just a small shot of voltage that gets them to move along.)

One day while attending my duties, just before the Auction was about to start. A couple of representatives from the SPCA came in to inspect. With them, a new mandate declaring the abolition of the use of electric cattle prods.
Now, consider a cattle prod has much less voltage than a taser. They were no longer legal to use to pen cattle at auction. They instead, were substituted with a long fiberglass stick apparatus, with a large plastic rattler on the end.( resembling a boat paddle). They told us that the electronic cattle prods were cruel and scared the cattle. So, we were instructed to shake these{giant baby rattles} at the cattle to get them to comply.

Well, I am no coward. Nor am I an Idiot! I would love to see any one stare down a 2500 pound, angry Brahma Bull using only a giant baby rattle. We were told that if we continued to use our regular “Hot Sticks” we would be subject to: fines, imprisonment, and shut down of operations, revocation of liscenses,etc.etc.etc.

My point is this. Are human rights less important than animal rights? The use of tasers by police seems to be out of control. Do we as citizens need for the SPCA to step in on our behalf? How can it be “OK” to shock a Human Being into submission, but cruelty when the same (even much less potent)method is used on a dumb animal.

There is something wrong with a society who values animal rights over Humans. Or isn’t there?

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20071112/ap_on_re_as/afghan_citizen_ceremony

sallyh
Read on-line that Dr. Kennedy passed away early this AM.

JLM
D. James Kennedy Dies

Memorial Tribute To D. James Kennedy

He was one of my favorite preachers of the gospel.

Chris Becker
Dr Kennedy was one of the good guys. Unlike a few other high-profile TV ministers, no one could say anything but good about the man! He’s certainly with Jesus!