OOIDA UPDATE

[JohnO]

Just another reminder if your passionate about this issue either way please take the time to call you Senators even if your not a registered voter.

This will stay anchored until the vote is tallied.


It's finally here! As feared, the Administration is thumbing its nose at Congress and rolling forward with the cross-border trucking pilot program. Now is the time for OOIDA members to speak up because next week the Senate is expected to bring the FY2008 Transportation Appropriations bill to the Senate floor. Recently, the House passed its version of the appropriations bill, which contained an amendment to cut off funding for the Mexican truck pilot program.

Please contact your senators to ask them to include a similar provision in their version of the FY2008 Transportation Appropriations bill.

Let your senators know that beyond a whole lot of fancy talk the DOT has not addressed the safety concerns as mandated by Congress!

To contact your senators, call the U.S. Capitol switchboard at (202) 224-3121, provide the operator with your home ZIP code and they will connect you with the offices of your senators.

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SAMPLE MESSAGE:

"I am from ________ and I am adamantly opposed to the U.S. DOT's cross-border trucking pilot program. As my elected representative, I ask that the Senator do whatever he/she can to stop that dangerous pilot program."

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Remember, taking just a few minutes out of your day TODAY to make a phone call can make all the difference TOMORROW when your senator has to decide how to vote on the appropriations bill or an amendment to that bill.

If you have questions, please do not hesitate to call the Association at 1-800-444-5791.

TOGETHER WE CAN MAKE OUR VOICES HEARD.
TOGETHER WE CAN MAKE CAPITOL HILL TAKE NOTICE.
TOGETHER WE CAN MAKE LIFE BETTER FOR TRUCKERS THROUGHOUT AMERICA

 

[LDB]

John, you old nag!!! Seriously though, your hard work to keep folks involved is commendable and appreciated. These announcements alone are worth the price of admission to OOIDA. Thanks again for your dedication and hard work.

Leo Bricker, 73's K5LDB
OOIDA Life Member 677319, JOIN NOW
Owner, Panther trucks 5508, 5509, 5641
EO Forum Moderator
----------
Support the entire Constitution, not just the parts you like.

 

[dhalltoyo]

Ditto!

Here's a good one.

My mother-in-law, who actually tried to stop me from marrying her daughter, actually called every U.S. Congressional Representative from Ohio and voiced her concerns about this program.

Way to go mom!

PS. The resistance to our marriage is a few years behind us now; things are much better with my mother-in-law. Last year, I even hugged her and thanked her for rearing such a fine daughter. I thought my lovely, little wife was going to pass out! LOL.

 

[joebob1_30132]

Keep up the good fight !!persistance overcomes resistance ,,,, democrat debate to spanish tv see the comments on the Drudge report.. uunbelievable they sound like some of those republicans ...let them stay give them citizenship some are even wanting them to have spanish as a second nationallanguage!!!!They also want to cram tjis down our mouths...no bueno amigos

 

[greg334]

I am confused (actually playing Devils Advocate)

I read a couple days ago something about the expediting niche not having to worry about the Mexican trucking program.

Is this true?

Should we worry?

 

[Packmule]

Interesting......


Mexican Dynamite Truck Explodes; 34 Die
By JUAN MONTANO,AP
Posted: 2007-09-10 12:46:33
Filed Under: World News
PIEDRAS NEGRAS, Mexico (Sept. 10) - A dynamite-laden truck exploded after colliding with another vehicle on a busy highway in northern Mexico's coal country, killing at least 34 people, including three reporters at the scene, state and federal officials said.




CNN
Authorities said the two vehicles crashed into each other Sunday evening, drawing a crowd of curious onlookers as well as a small army of police, soldiers, emergency officials and journalists.

Shortly after the crowd arrived, the wreckage caught fire, and the dynamite exploded, sending a ball of fire into the sky that consumed nearby cars and left a 10-by-40 foot crater in the concrete, said Maximo Alberto Neri Lopez, a federal police official.

He said more than 150 people were injured.

The force of the explosion blew out the windows of a passenger bus a quarter-mile away.

The dead included three newspaper reporters from the nearby city of Monclova, said Luis Horacio de Hoyos of the Coahuila state Attorney General's Office.

It was unclear if the explosive truck's driver was among the dead. Early reports said he might have fled.

Coahuila state has a large mining industry, most of it in coal.

The explosion raised further questions about the safety of Mexican trucks.

This weekend, Mexico began sending its first tractor-trailers across U.S. territory under a long-delayed, NAFTA-mandated program. Before, Mexican trucks were limited to 25-mile zone along the border.

Many in the U.S. fought the change, arguing that Mexican trucks are unsafe.

The truck that exploded in Coahuila did not appear to be headed for the U.S. It had recently left an Orica explosives plant and was headed west to Coquimatlan, Colima, a federal police officer who was not authorized to give his name told The Associated Press by phone.

A woman who answered the phone at Orica's offices in Monclova said all company officials were at a meeting, and she could not comment. The company is based in Australia and has operations in 50 countries across six continents.


Copyright 2007 The Associated Press. The information contained in the AP news report may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or otherwise distributed without the prior written authority of The Associated Press. All active hyperlinks have been inserted

 

[Roadpig]

Yep, and this is the equipment and drivers they want to send accross into our country.

Thanks, big government GOP and DEM's! Good looking out for your people!

 

[cheri1122]

I'm wondering, since the government pushed this program through against the wishes of so many people, whether there might be a strong effort by DOT & individual state inspectors, to find a lot of Mexican trucks in violation of US rules - I sure hope so.

 

[JohnO]

Vote on amendment is happening this afternoon so please make those calls asap

 

[LDB]

I made my calls a couple hours ago. Let's hope for the proper outcome.

Leo Bricker, 73's K5LDB
OOIDA Life Member 677319, JOIN NOW
Owner, Panther trucks 5508, 5509, 5641
EO Forum Moderator
----------
Support the entire Constitution, not just the parts you like.

 

[Packmule]

I spoke directly with my state sen. today who is from my hometown, he said he has been amazed at the calls, emails, and letters from small and independent trucking companies concerning this matter. The truckers of SC have made a loud and resounding statement of their feelings on this matter and he will carry the fight for them from his State.
If truckers from all States will do the same and let their elected representatives know how strong they feel and convince them to fight this, It can and will be stopped! but only if the voice of the people (Truckers and individuals alike) is loud and clear!

Please, MAKE THOSE CALLS NOW!!!
Call your Senators, Congressmen and women, State Governor, even your county law enforcement (Sheriff dept. They have contacts, and their voices speak with an impact.)
If you don't call now, then don't CRY later.

Danny

 

[davekc]

As of 8.30 PM
Your voices were heard
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/09/11/AR2007091101953.html







Davekc
owner
23 years
PantherII
EO moderator

 

[LDB]

This battle has been won but the war is far from over. As soon as they can come up with enough BS to suggest they are keeping things safe they will be back with it again. We're in for a long fight.

Leo Bricker, 73's K5LDB
OOIDA Life Member 677319, JOIN NOW
Owner, Panther trucks 5508, 5509, 5641
EO Forum Moderator
----------
Support the entire Constitution, not just the parts you like.

 

[OntarioVanMan]

I am TRYING to understand this issue....

IF the Mexican trucks pass U.S. safety standards.

IF they must do the HOS standards.

IF they do the fuel tax reporting.

And when they comply....


Then its ok???

 

[LDB]

I don't want them here period. Let the truckers who are here do the work.

Leo Bricker, 73's K5LDB
OOIDA Life Member 677319, JOIN NOW
Owner, Panther trucks 5508, 5509, 5641
EO Forum Moderator
----------
Support the entire Constitution, not just the parts you like.

 

[davekc]

Several of those issues will be some major stubbling blocks.
HOS will be a big one. Currently there is no enforcement in Mexico. A driver could have drove 40 hours straight in Mexico, and when he gets to the US border, he just logged he started. No check and balance.

Another big issue is violations aren't reported if they happen in a non commercial vehicle. No record or requirements for entry level drivers.Since they aren't part of IFTA, that is another can of worms with regards to fuel taxes..

Using non-EPA compliant fuel is another one for the tree huggers to engage in.

I could go on with half a dozen others, but it seems they still got alot to work out. With more attention being brought to it, it has alot of issues that will require alot of debate.

It will be tougher for the current White House to sneek this in under the radar.












Davekc
owner
23 years
PantherII
EO moderator

 

[OntarioVanMan]

They've had 16 years since NAFTA was inked and they still haven't done any prep work??? neither side that is....sheeesh

 

[greg334]

>They've had 16 years since NAFTA was inked and they still
>haven't done any prep work??? neither side that
>is....sheeesh


OVM,
The money was given to the Mexican government to harmonize their systems so we can check on the drivers but they spent it on something else. The other issue here is the fact that we also weren't so fair in allowing some of their produce to be sold here, mainly avocados because of the complaining of the California producers.

I think that the Mexican government needs to be reformed before they can actually come up to our 1950 standards.

 

[simon says]

Hardly: this is not the equipment and drivers coming across. As of right now there are two companies, US & Mexican who can travel across each other's country.
Only the finest trucks and drivers are going to come over. Many unresolved issues remain, but most of what one reads on a host of various websites is anti-Mexican fear-mongering poison. One semi driver even said parking spots will be even harder to find! Can anyone come up with something else to whine about?

I wonder if back in the day, if this much concern was voiced over the hordes of Canadian barbarians invading the US?

 

[simon says]

Most, if honest, would say no...they just don't like Mexicans. Just like a ton of Canadian drivers don't like Pakistanis. Some truth in advertising is due here, and that includes the Teamsters, OOIDA, and anyone else trying to poison the well. OOIDA is perhaps the only group who sincerely is concerned about safety.
P.S. I disagree: somedays you are the windshield, and sometimes the bug (can you tell me who sang that lyric??)