Tuesday, September 11, 2007
Senate argument over Mexican trucks on U.S. roadways heats up
SURPRISE! The Teamsters don't want competition.
Email
|
Print
|
Tell us your story
|
Comment (1)
|
As reported, Mexican commercial 18-wheelers are finally being allowed access to U.S. highways under terms of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA). And, as expected, the related bickering has begun in Senate chambers.
Here's a maintenance issue Mexican truckers will never encounter. Can't say the same for Canadians, but at least they speak English. (Or French. Whatever.)
Senators Byron Dorgan (a North Dakota Democrat) and Arlen Spector (a Pennsylvania Republican) proposed an end to the funding that makes the international long-haul trucking program possible. Aside from Spector, however, Republicans are mostly in favor of allowing Mexican carriers access to U.S. roads, while Democrats are opposed.
Best tidbit: to support his argument, Dorgan hauled out a news report detailing a horrific accident caused by the crash of a Mexican truck carrying ammonium nitrate (used in fertilizer - and explosives). The incident, of course, occurred on Mexican roadways, not in the U.S., and no reports detailing similar horrific incidents caused by the crash of U.S.-based trucks were presented, probably because they're so hard to come by.
In another surprise move, Teamsters president Jim Hoffa (no, not that one) questioned the patriotism of any American supporting the use of our roads by Mexican truckers, while puzzlingly making no mention of their Canadian counterparts (who already have full access to U.S. highways). He's slipping.
posted by JM
See more stories in:
Find...
Today
1st Ever Libertine Brass Knuckle Corndog Beatdown Happy birthday, 'Merica. Before you watch the rockets' red glare tonight, stop in for beer and a kid-friendly corn dog contest. What could be more patriotic than that? More info
Blogs
- It’s me, not the phone
Square Pegs - Local musicians make a song for Neda
Square Pegs - St. Vincent on Letterman
Square Pegs
Latest comments
- John McClelland on Fort Worth mayor wants feds to look into Rainbow Lounge raid: I thought Prohibition ended in 1933. So why do we still have police enforcement of alcohol? Makes yo...
- Russ Vandeveerdonk on Kristen Blair of Southlake crowned Miss Texas 2009: Congratulations Kristen, the new Miss Texas! By the way, I have worn the Miss Texas crown briefly,.....
- Jason Rice on Pearl at Commerce: ::we work hard on that part, believe it or not Well, yeah… with Yosti’s intense *..ahem..* “lack o...
- momzilla on Cities around Dallas are adding traffic "circles": The only one I’m familiar with is the Weatherford Circle in west Fort Worth where 377, 183 and Camp ...
Latest reviews
- okme2 on Melting Pot (Arlington): My first time at a fondue place, it was an interesting experience. Definitely not a place to go alon...
- Mike Orren on Agave Tapas Grill Restaurant & Bar: Easily the best tapas restaurant on Lake Ray Hubbard… This one’s a matter of expectation setting. ...
- caitlynbuckley on Jake's Old Fashioned Hamburgers (Dallas / Skillman & Abrams): If you are craving a delicious, greasy hamburger and you want it immediately, Jake’s is a great plac...
Comments
Billusa99 Anonymous
Hoffa and his bunch have successfully stopped a NAFTA-mandated law for too many years now. It's time for them to get over it.
1 year, 9 months ago ( Link to this comment | Suggest removal )
Post a comment