Mexico Trucker Online

The Mexican Cross Border program was in the news the entire week after John Hill, administrator of FMCSA indicated the program might need to be extended to provide more accurate statistics. This brought out the expected firestorm from the opponents and bloggers with no connection to the trucking industry.

First out of the chute of course, was Jimbo Hoffa, continuing to confuse the issue and subvert the facts, this time with a talking head from a Washington think tank who shares Or was paid to share Hoffa’s views. If you have the stomach, you can read the opinions here.

Preceding Hoffa’s dog and pony affair, Secretary of Transportation Mary Peters, held a news conference surrounded by leaders of manufacturing and agriculture. Her news conference was to make the point of the harm that would come from withdrawing from the cross border program.

OOIDA executive vice president Todd Spencer was quoted as saying he found Peters comments “humorous” and equated it to “economic fear mongering”. I find it ironic that Spencer uses this particular phrase to describe what he and his organization has been engaging in for the past year or longer.

Ambush on Capitol Hill

Tuesday, March 11, a hearing was held on Capitol Hill by what had been billed as the FULL Senate Commerce and Transportation Committee. In reality, the hearing was conducted by an arrogant and impotent little prick by the name of Senator Byron Dorgan (D) ND. He was joined by Senator Mark Pryor (D) AR whose main interest seemed to be in a bill he introduced concerning secure CDL’s and whether or not the Mexican participants would be paying Arkansas’ “Ad Volorum Tax”. Secretary Peters assured him that all Mexican trucks paid the same taxes as their American counterparts.

Senator Dorgan went on the attack against Secretary Peters who held here own well against this onslaught of criticism and sarcastic comment from the little man.

The basis for the continuance of the program hinges on the interpretation of the word “establish”, as we pointed out the day the amendment was passed. Using the “plain language meaning”, Secretary Peters believes she has the law on her side in continuing the program.

We agree. It would seem that if they really wanted to stop this program, more specific language, such as “nor implement” or “establish or continue to conduct”, would have been used. English language we all understand.

Of course, Dorgan, being his sarcastic and arrogant self, keep accusing Peters of arrogance and flaunting the law.

English proficiency was brought into play and the issue of testing English proficiency was examined. When it was brought up that one of the tests was identifying 4 traffic control signs, and the drivers are allowed to give the answer in English or Spanish, the little man zeroed in on this trying to prevent Peters from answering the question fully. The truth of the matter is, the rest of the “test” is questions and answers in English.

The also brought up Trinity Industries once again, and for the life of me, I cannot come up with the numbers that the opposition uses. What everyone seems to overlook is the fact that Trinity Industries de Mexico is a wholly owned subsidiary of Trinity Industries of Dallas Texas. Reading the inspection reports in question, the trailer inspected and found to have faults were AMERICAN REGISTERED, being brought to the Trinity Industries terminal in Eagle Pass Texas. It would seem that the Eagle Pass maintenance facility was negligent in maintaining the trailers to be pulled by American trucks. But of course, this was not mentioned.

And of course that pathetic little man Senator Dorgan, threatened Ms Peters with undisclosed “consequences”, but the truth is, there isn’t much can be done.

Even if the GOA finds fault, it is doubtful that the Attorney General would bring charges. And if he did, President Bush would pardon her at the end of his term. And exercise in futility.

Better to wait to see what the 9th Circuit has to say about this.. Whatever the result, it is assured the decision will be appealed to the Supreme Court, which probably will refuse to hear the case. But before this happens, the Cross Border Program will be at an end, and in all likelihood, the border will be open as it should be.

Monday, March 10, The Office of Inspector General for the DOT released another interim report. Contrary to what many think, it is positive towards the progress that FMCSA has made in correcting earlier deficiencies.

Jimmy Hoffa of course disagrees. Despite the fact that OIG states that the issues with databases, and other concerns have been corrected, Jimbo continues to pursue his agenda of protectionism and lies.

Funny thing is, I just returned from a trip to Boston and New York City, a bastion of Teamster shops and I have yet to see one of Hoffa’s “Fire Mary Peters” decals or bumper stickers anywhere.

Throughout this joke of a hearing, Mary Peters conducted herself with class and grace.

Oh, and did I mention the little girl Hoffa put before the commission with the sob story, unsubstantiated of course, about losing family members to a big bad “unsafe”, “illegal” Mexican truck! These assklowns are pulling out all the stops!