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		<title>Latest Blogs</title>
		<link>http://www.truckersfun.com/blog/</link>
		<description>Latest Blogs</description>
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			<title>One Crazy Week</title>
			<link>http://www.truckersfun.com/daniele/blog/one-crazy-week/</link>
			<description><![CDATA[Most of the time, I don&#8217;t get to the end of the week completely exhausted. But I&#8217;ve had my share of those crazy weeks. And last week was no exception....]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[Most of the time, I don&#8217;t get to the end of the week completely exhausted. But I&#8217;ve had my share of those crazy weeks. And last week was no exception. On the upside, I had a productive week with several <a href="http://www.714dentist.com/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">tooth extraction</a> procedures, implants, and cleaning treatments. I also got several happy praises from patients, which surely put a smile to the whole team&#8217;s face.<br /><br />But the downside is I forgot my son&#8217;s soccer game last Friday. I was wrapping up after a day of cleaning teeth and doing implants, sipping a hot cup of coffee in my office when the phone rang. It was my wife screaming in my ear asking where I was. <br /><br />Of all things to forgot, why does it have to be my son&#8217;s game? <br /><br />Good thing my son didn&#8217;t notice I wasn&#8217;t there for most of the game. To him, I was a proud dad clapping frantically on the bleacher when their team won. <br /><br />Lesson from this week: check if my son has a game today before getting comfortable in my office sipping coffee after a day&#8217;s work.]]></content:encoded>
			<guid>http://www.truckersfun.com/daniele/blog/one-crazy-week/</guid>
			<pubDate>Tue, 02 Feb 2010 19:32:29 +0000</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>Daniele Johnson</dc:creator>
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			<title><![CDATA[State Tire Chain Laws & Regulations]]></title>
			<link>http://www.truckersfun.com/TruckersAdmin/blog/state-tire-chain-laws-regulations/</link>
			<description><![CDATA[State Tire Chain Laws & Regulations<br /><br />The information below is a summary of state tire chain laws and regulations. For exact guidlines please refer to ...]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[State Tire Chain Laws & Regulations<br /><br />The information below is a summary of state tire chain laws and regulations. For exact guidlines please refer to the appropriate state department of transportation web sites.<br /><br />Alabama<br />Permissible to use tire chains or metal studded or safety spike tires of reasonable proportions upon any vehicle when required for safety because of snow, rain or other conditions tending to cause a vehicle to slide or skid.<br /><br />Alaska<br />It is permissible to use tire chains because of snow, ice or other conditions that may cause a vehicle to skid.<br /><br />Arizona<br />Permissible when required for safety because of snow, ice or other conditions tending to cause a vehicle to skid. If a mountain pass or other roadway is posted, vehicles must use chains because of immediate weather conditions. Then the vehicle must chain up or stop until the posting is lifted.<br /><br />Arkansas<br />Chains of reasonable proportions may be used on any vehicle when required for safety. Pneumatic tires with flat-headed studs projecting 1/16 inch or less beyond the tread may be used on trucks up to 6,000 lbs in weight when required for safety on ice or snow.<br /><br />California<br />California has no tire chain possession law but truckers "better not get caught without them" if the weather deteriorates. The Department of Transportation reserves the right to prohibit any vehicle from entering a tire chain control area when it is determined the vehicle will experience difficulty in safely traveling through the area. On any semi-trailer only one set of tire chains is required regardless of the number of axles. Tire chains on trailers my be staggered front to back. Chains are not required on tag axle. Some dual trailer configurations may be restricted from moving into a snow area when tire chains are required. You can also check out <a href="http://www.dot.ca.gov/dist3/departments/mtce/tireschains.htm" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">http://www.dot.ca.gov/dist3/departments/mtce/tireschains.htm<br /></a><br />Colorado<br />Colorado's tire chain laws apply to every state highway, federal highway and interstate. Check out web sites http://www.dot.state.co.us/TruckPermits/commchains.cfm and http://www.dot.state.co.us/. The DOT says when the law is in effect, signs will be placed along roadways indicating which vehicles must chain up. Truckers can remove tire chains where bare pavement is encountered on a descending grade. Trucks must chain four wheels. Dual tire chains are an acceptable choice, but tire cables are not allowed. No tire chains are required on trailers, but Colorado will be monitoring the effectiveness of tire cables on trailer tires. Auto transporters must comply to the full extent of the chain laws. Colorado has 2 levels of law for commercial vehicles.<br /><br />    Level 1 - This level requires that all single drive axle combination commercial vehicles must chain up. All four wheels of the power unit axle must be chained. Cables are not allowed on single-drive axle combination vehicles as an alternative traction device. When level 1 (Code 17) is in effect, all other commercial vehicles must have snow tires or chains. Code 17 may be implemented at any time there is snow covering any part of the traveled portion of pavement on an ascending grade.<br /><br />    Level 2 - This level requires chains for all commercial vehicles, including all trucks exceeding 26,001 lbs. in weight, and buses or vehicles designed to carry 16 or more passengers. Auto transports must comply to the extent possible without causing damage to hydraulic lines. Buses need to chain only two drive wheel tires to comply. Level 2 (Code 18) may be implemented any time there is snow covering the entire traveled portion of the pavement on an ascending grade, or when road, weather, or driving conditions make this restriction necessary to protect the safety of the traveling public and to minimize road closures.<br /><br />Connecticut<br />Studded tires and any other non skid devices may be used from November 15 - April 30.<br /><br />Delaware<br />Studded tires are permitted from October 15 - April 15. Tire chains of reasonable proportions may be used upon any vehicle when required for safety because of snow, ice or other conditions tending to cause a vehicle to slide or skid.<br /><br />Florida<br />No chains laws.<br /><br />Georgia<br />It is permissible to use tire chains of reasonable proportions or tires equipped with safety metal spike studs upon any vehicle when required for safety because of snow, ice or other conditions tending to cause a vehicle to skid.<br /><br />Idaho<br />Studded snow tires are permissible from October 1 - April 30. It is permissible to use tire chains. There are times when chains are required. Signs will be posted "chains required beyond this point" when the road is snow covered or icy. Check out http://itd.idaho.gov/ida-road/StuddedTire.03.htm<br /><br />Iowa<br />Permissible upon any vehicle when required for safety because of snow, ice or other conditions tending to cause a vehicle to skid.<br /><br /> <br /><br />Illinois<br /><br />Tire chains of reasonable proportions will be legal when required for safety because of snow, ice or other conditions causing vehicles to skid.<br /><br /> <br /><br />Indiana<br /><br />When required for safety because of snow, ice or other conditions, tire chains of reasonable proportions may be used on the highways. From October 1 to the following May 1, a vehicle may use tires which have been inserted with ice grips or tire studs of wear-resisting material.<br /><br /><br />Kansas<br /><br />Permissible to use tire chains of reasonable proportions upon any vehicle when required for safety because of snow, ice or other conditions tending to cause a vehicle to skid.<br /><br /><br />Kentucky<br /><br />Permissible when icy road conditions exist.<br /><br />Louisiana<br />Permissible to use tire chains upon any vehicle when required for safety because of conditions tending to cause a vehicle to slide or skid.<br /><br />Maine<br />No tire chains laws. Studded tires prohibited May 1st to October 1st.<br /><br />Maryland<br />In case of a declared snow emergency, chains will be required on certain designated highways. Studded snow tires are not allowed on vehicles having a registered gross weight of more than 10,000 pounds.<br /><br />Massachusetts<br />Studded tires are permissible in Massachusetts between November 1 and May 1.<br /><br />Michigan<br />Tire chains permissible upon any vehicle when required for safety because of snow, ice or other conditions tending to cause a vehicle to skid. Check out http://www.michigan.gov/msp/0,1607,7-123-1586_27094-73839--,00.html#equipment<br /><br />Minnesota<br />Permissible to use tire chains of reasonable proportions upon any vehicle when required for safety because of snow, ice or other conditions tending to cause a vehicle to skid.<br /><br />Mississippi<br />Permissible to use tire chains of reasonable proportions upon any vehicle when required for safety because of snow, ice or other conditions tending to cause a vehicle to skid.<br /><br />Missouri<br />No chain laws.<br /><br />Montana<br />Chains are permissible from October 1 until May 1. Tire chains are not mandatory unless the department of transportation determines at any time that highway conditions are dangerous or unsafe. In this case the DOT shall place and maintain signs requiring the use of tire chains. They are then required on one set of drive axles.<br /><br />Nebraska<br />Permissible to use tire chains of reasonable proportions upon any vehicle when required for safety because of snow, ice or other conditions tending to cause a vehicle to skid.<br /><br />Nevada<br />Requires operators of all vehicles that have a gross weight of more than 10,000 pounds to install chains where highways are marked or posted with signs requiring the use of tire chains. Vehicles over 10,000 pounds are permitted in chain control areas when equipped with chains or Automatic Traction Devices on drive axles.<br /><br />New Jersey<br />Vehicle tires may be fitted with tire chains of reasonable proportions when roads, streets and highways are slippery because of rain, snow, ice, oil, manner of construction or other reason; provided, however, that no tire chains shall be used at any time on improved highways when highway conditions do not make such use necessary for the safety of life or property. No person shall use any tire chains so constructed or installed as to be likely to be thrown so as to endanger any person or property.<br /><br /> <br /><br />New Hampshire<br />No tire chain laws.<br /><br /> <br /><br />New Mexico<br />Permissible to use tire chains of reasonable proportions upon any vehicle when required for safety because of snow, ice or other conditions tending to cause a vehicle to skid.<br /><br /> <br /><br />New York<br />Tire chains are required when a snow emergency has been declared.<br /><br /> <br /><br />North Carolina<br />Tire chains permissible upon any vehicle when required for safety because of snow, ice or other conditions tending to cause a vehicle to skid.<br /><br />North Dakota<br />Tire chains may be used when necessary. Pneumatic tires with metal studs which do not project more than 1/16 of an inch beyond the tread surface may be used between October 15th and April 15th.<br /><br />Ohio<br />Permissible when there is ice and/or snow on the roadway where you are driving or in the immediate vicinity, if you deem it necessary.<br /><br />Oklahoma<br />Tire chains permissible upon any vehicle when required for safety because of snow, ice or other conditions tending to cause a vehicle to skid.<br /><br />Oregon<br />Tire chains are required when conditions demand because of snow, ice or other inclement weather and signs are posted. For more information check out http://www.tripcheck.com/pages/<br /><br />Pennsylvania<br />One set of chains or snow tires is required when vehicles are likely to encounter any adverse weather conditions which may require chains. They must consist of not less than five cross chains and must not project more than an inch on the outside surface of the wheel.<br /><br />Rhode Island<br />Tire chains of reasonable proportions are permitted on any vehicle when required for safety because of ice ,snow or other conditions tending to cause a vehicle to skid.<br /><br />South Carolina<br />Vehicles likely to encounter conditions requiring chains must carry them and have them ready for use.<br /><br />South Dakota<br />Permissible upon any vehicle when required for safety because of snow, ice or other conditions tending to cause a vehicle to slide or skid. The secretary of transportation may restrict public travel any state trunk highway system to four-wheel drive vehicles or motor vehicles equipped with tire chains.<br /><br />Tennessee<br />Permissible to use tire chains on any vehicle when required for safety because of snow, ice or other conditions tending to cause a vehicle to skid. Must carry one set of tire chains for all vehicles likely to encounter conditions requiring them.<br /><br />Texas<br />May be used when required for safety because of a condition that might cause a vehicle to skid.<br /><br />Utah<br />Vehicles likely to encounter conditions requiring chains must carry sets for at least one driving wheel on each side. Signs will designate when chains are required.<br /><br />Vermont<br />No tire chain laws.<br /><br />Virginia<br />Permissible when required for safety because of snow, ice or other conditions tending to cause a vehicle to slide or skid. Vehicles blocking traffic due to lack of tire chains may be fined.<br /><br />Washington<br />The chain requirements are effective when the department of transportation has posted signs marked "chains required." On certain routes sufficient tire chains must always be carried on the vehicle from November 1 to April 1. The number of chains required varies, depending on the number of axles and vehicle configuration. At least two extra chains must be carried on the vehicle. For more information go to http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/commercialvehicle/chain_req.htm<br /><br />West Virginia<br />It shall be permissible to use tire chains of reasonable proportions upon any vehicle when required for safety because of snow, ice or other conditions tending to cause a vehicle to skid.<br /><br />Wisconsin<br />Tire chains may be used when required for safety because of snow, ice or other conditions tending to cause a vehicle to skid.<br /><br />Wyoming<br />May be required when the superintendent or his authorized representative determines that travel is sufficiently hazardous due to snow, ice or other conditions.<br /><br />Source: http://www.ortrucking.org/ChainLawSumm.pdf<br /><br />Source: http://www.mntruck.org/pdf/Chain_Laws_1108.pdf<br /><br />Source: http://www.geocities.com/TheTropics/1608/tirechains.htm&gt;]]></content:encoded>
			<guid>http://www.truckersfun.com/TruckersAdmin/blog/state-tire-chain-laws-regulations/</guid>
			<pubDate>Thu, 07 Jan 2010 04:28:08 +0000</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>TruckersAdmin</dc:creator>
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			<title>Accidents Vs. Trucking Accidents?</title>
			<link>http://www.truckersfun.com/TruckersAdmin/blog/accidents-vs-trucking-accidents/</link>
			<description>As a trucker, one of the biggest fears that you may have is to deal with an accident when driving. Since truckers are always or almost always driving,...</description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[As a trucker, one of the biggest fears that you may have is to deal with an accident when driving. Since truckers are always or almost always driving, they are more prone to have a mishap. For this matter, it is crucial for every single trucker to get to know what this really means and what it implicates.  According to the FreeAdvice website, they define a truck accident as "collisions involving semi-trucks, tractor trailers, 18-Wheelers or other commercial vehicles that cause property damage and /or personal injuries".  Perhaps you are used to talk about common accidents.  However, it is important to take into consideration that the problems caused by trucking accidents vary a lot in many senses. For instance, trucking ones are, not only more difficult to solve than a normal collision, but also more expensive and complicated. <br /><br /> <br /><br />In addition, there is a broad range of differences among car and truck accidents. Here, one of the main facts that create a gap between them is that individuals working as truckers are in charge of avoiding accidents and mishaps, especially those who are driving trucks belonging to the company that they work for. This may provoke a kind of tension or stress in the truckers that can take them to a fatal end, whereas common drivers try to prevent an accident in their own benefit. In addition, another main difference lies on the fact that commercial motor vehicles are most of the time, operated by people who have received some training about it, specialized education and the corresponding instruction. In this way, in order for truckers to be able to work as so, they are required to rely on a special license. In order to get it, they have to attend, sometimes, a particular independent school. <br /><br /> <br /><br />Companies pay especial attention to the fact that their truckers have all the corresponding permission to operate the vehicle.  In case that a trucker has not gone through the required training or does not have the experience and he/she causes an accident, the claim will be addressed to the company that was not focused on being a responsible hirer. On the other hand, if an inexperienced driver hits you, there is not a third part for the claim to be addressed against. Nevertheless, every single case has to be taken as unique. Thus, in spite of the fact that truckers should be more cautious regarding accidents because their conditions are different, they are always proud of what they do.      <br /><br /><br />Trucking Jobs at <a href="http://www.truckertrucker.com/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">TruckerTrucker.com</a>]]></content:encoded>
			<guid>http://www.truckersfun.com/TruckersAdmin/blog/accidents-vs-trucking-accidents/</guid>
			<pubDate>Thu, 07 Jan 2010 03:53:43 +0000</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>TruckersAdmin</dc:creator>
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			<title>ATTENTION ARROW DRIVERS AND THIER FRIENDS</title>
			<link>http://www.truckersfun.com/iceain/blog/attention-arrow-drivers-and-thier-friends/</link>
			<description><![CDATA[Home Search About Us ContactDecember 22, 2009 PrintSaveE-mailSize: +/&#8211;BREAKING NEWS: Arrow drivers wake to nightmare before ChristmasTuesday, Dec. 22,...]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[Home Search About Us ContactDecember 22, 2009 PrintSaveE-mailSize: +/&#8211;BREAKING NEWS: Arrow drivers wake to nightmare before ChristmasTuesday, Dec. 22, 2009 &#8211; On Tuesday, as many as 1,400 truck drivers for Arrow Trucking Co., based out of Tulsa, OK, have been frantically trying to figure out their next moves as the company unexpectedly announced it was &#8220;suspending all operations&#8221; that day.<br /><br />Truckers started calling in to the Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association and Land Line after they were awakened with phone calls from their dispatchers alerting them to the grim news that the company was shutting its doors and that their instructions were to turn in their trucks to the nearest Freightliner dealership. However, no instructions were given for drivers of International trucks.<br /><br />One OOIDA member told Land Line on Tuesday, Dec. 22, that he had a bad feeling this was coming down the pike when his fuel card didn&#8217;t work at a truck stop the previous night. As of press time, the company driver, who didn&#8217;t want to be named, was stranded at a Freightliner dealership in Roanoke, VA, because he didn&#8217;t have enough fuel to make it to his delivery in Maryland.<br /><br />&#8220;The dealership has been really good to me and said I could stay in the truck tonight since the bus headed home has already left for the day,&#8221; he said.<br /><br />He said he had tried to call his customers to alert them to the situation. He said Freightliner staff also volunteered to make phone calls on his behalf regarding his load of vinyl fencing.<br /><br />OOIDA Member Tim Tucker of Cedartown, GA, was in Los Angeles, CA, when a fellow driver called him with the news. He said he was &#8220;still in shock&#8221; because he had only been with the company for three weeks and had yet to receive a paycheck from Arrow. All he had received so far was approximately $40 in orientation pay, which he used to buy groceries.<br /><br />At press time, Tucker was on Interstate 10 headed to Phoenix, where he has been instructed to turn in his truck and trailer.<br /><br />&#8220;I really don&#8217;t know what to do or what to think right now,&#8221; he said. &#8220;Unfortunately, I only have a few hotdogs and a couple cans of soup left to get me back home to Georgia.&#8221;<br /><br />Stephanie Ortega, who works in the Fleet Services department at Daimler, said she found out when she arrived at work Tuesday morning that Arrow Trucking was shutting its doors and about the company&#8217;s plan to help get Arrow&#8217;s drivers home. <br /><br />She was instructed to tell drivers to drop their vehicles off at the nearest Freightliner dealership and to leave their keys with an attendant there or at a truck stop if they are out of fuel.<br /><br />Ortega said drivers are asked to then call Daimler at 877-294-9679 and she and others there &#8220;can get them a bus ticket through Greyhound or the company will reimburse up to $200 for alternative transportation costs.&#8221; <br /><br />However, one drawback to the plan is that drivers are on their own to find transportation to a local Greyhound station once they have surrendered their trucks. <br /><br />&#8220;If they can get themselves to a local Greyhound station, we will get them a bus ticket and get them home,&#8221; Ortega told Land Line.<br /><br />Bonnie Bastian, media relations manager for Greyhound Lines Inc., said she was made aware of the circumstances surrounding Arrow drivers around 3 p.m. today. She said while Greyhound&#8217;s commercial sales department is going to be &#8220;fulfilling orders,&#8221; Daimler personnel will be handling the ticket arrangements to get the drivers to their destinations.<br /><br />For Tucker, he said as of yesterday his dispatcher was still trying to get him a load going home so he could be with his family for Christmas. He said he was surprised when he heard the news because Arrow Trucking was still hiring drivers, including him, in early December, so he assumed they were doing OK financially. <br /><br />&#8220;I am still in total shock. I just don&#8217;t know what to do,&#8221; he said.<br /><br />&#8211; By Clarissa Kell-Holland, staff writer<br />clarissa_kell-holland@landlinemag.com<br /><br /> <br />(What's this?)]]></content:encoded>
			<guid>http://www.truckersfun.com/iceain/blog/attention-arrow-drivers-and-thier-friends/</guid>
			<pubDate>Wed, 23 Dec 2009 23:46:56 +0000</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>iceain</dc:creator>
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			<title>Influenza</title>
			<link>http://www.truckersfun.com/NewlyMad/blog/influenza/</link>
			<description><![CDATA[<p>As days pass by, millions of people are getting <a href="http://www.truckersfun.com">influenza</a>. It can be remembered that this diesease has occured mid- month this year. Many countries ar</p>...]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>As days pass by, millions of people are getting <a href="http://www.truckersfun.com">influenza</a>. It can be remembered that this diesease has occured mid- month this year. Many countries around the word got affected by it especially Mexico. News reports told that the first case of Influenza was found in Mexico that's why Mexican tourist were banned to visit other counttires during that time.</p><p><br></p><p>Other coutries like Philippines and America were largely affected by the disease that brought ao much tension and terror to lots of people living in the said places. Of course,<a href="http://www.truckersfun.com"> the occurance of this disease made a huge impact in the tourism</a> <a href="http://www.truckersfun.com">and business sectors according to</a> <a href="http://www.bestessays.com">research papers</a> <a href="http://www.truckersfun.com">done because the direct carrier of the disease were the people</a>. </p><p><br></p><p>The <a href="http://www.truckersfun.com">World Health Organization</a> has secured vaccines for the people who had and will have the disease to prevent it from spreading but the solution made seems not effective because still, many people suffered from it. In Korea, children specifically students were advised to stay in their houses for few days when a case was found in a school.</p><p><br></p><p>True, that fighting this disease is difficult especially if humans will continue to ignore the dangers it may give us. WE all need to help each other because if we won't do that, many would continue to suffer. <br></p><p><br></p>]]></content:encoded>
			<guid>http://www.truckersfun.com/NewlyMad/blog/influenza/</guid>
			<pubDate>Thu, 03 Dec 2009 06:45:40 +0000</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>NewlyMad</dc:creator>
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			<title>Avoiding the Flu</title>
			<link>http://www.truckersfun.com/MsMarylin/blog/avoiding-the-flu/</link>
			<description><![CDATA[<h1>In 1919 when the flu killed 40 million people there was this Doctor that visited the many farmers to see if he could help them combat the flu.&nbsp; Many o</h>...]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<h1>In 1919 when the flu killed 40 million people there was this Doctor that visited the many farmers to see if he could help them combat the flu.&nbsp; Many of the farmers and their family had contracted it and many died</h1> <h1>&nbsp;</h1> <h1>The Doctor came upon this one farmer and to his surprise, everyone in his house were healthy.&nbsp; When the Doctor asked what the farmer was doing that was different the wife replied that she had placed an unpeeled onion in a dish in the rooms of the home,(probably only 2 rooms back then)&nbsp; The Doctor couldn't believe it and asked if he could have one of the onions and place it under the microscope.&nbsp; The farmers wife gave him one and when he did this, he did find the flu virus in the onion.&nbsp; It obviously absorbed the bacteria, therefore, keeping the family healthy</h1> <h1>The moral of the story is, buy some onions and place them in bowls around your home.&nbsp; If you work at a desk, place one or two in your office or under your desk or even on top somewhere.&nbsp; Try it and see what happens.&nbsp;</h1> <h1>&nbsp;</h1> <h1>If this helps you and your loved ones from getting sick, all the better.&nbsp; If you do get the flu, it just might be a mild case..</h1> <h1>Whatever, what have you got to loose?&nbsp; Just a few dollars spend on onions.....</h1>]]></content:encoded>
			<guid>http://www.truckersfun.com/MsMarylin/blog/avoiding-the-flu/</guid>
			<pubDate>Sun, 25 Oct 2009 17:13:23 +0000</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>MsMarylin</dc:creator>
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			<title>Rewarded For Bad Behavior</title>
			<link>http://www.truckersfun.com/MsMarylin/blog/rewarded-for-bad-behavior/</link>
			<description><![CDATA[<p><font face="comic sans ms,sans-serif" size="4">Michael Vick gets rewarded for bad behavior.&nbsp; In 2010 he will get his own 8 -part reality TV series about his life including his childhood his NFL car</font></p>...]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><font face="comic sans ms,sans-serif" size="4">Michael Vick gets rewarded for bad behavior.&nbsp; In 2010 he will get his own 8 -part reality TV series about his life including his childhood his NFL career his comeback with the Philidelphia Eagles and of coarse is Dog Fighting ring . He wants the public to know if he can do it you can do it.............. just pick yourself up dust yourself off and start all over again </font></p><p><font face="comic sans ms,sans-serif" size="4">The Humane Society supports him in his redemption however some people are not to happy with him. A PETA representative said people that abuse animals should not be rewarded...They shouldn't be given multimillion contracts or be given the privilege of being a role model </font></p><p><font face="comic sans ms,sans-serif" size="4"> Both the NFL and the Eagles support him </font></p><p><font face="comic sans ms,sans-serif" size="4">While serving his prison sentence, Vick lost an estimated $100 million in salary and endorsement deals, and in August a federal judge approved the bankrupt Vick's plan to pay back creditors an estimated $20 million. </font></p><p><font face="comic sans ms,sans-serif" size="4">Vick did an interview with the LA times and comes across in his interview as somewhat resigned to being known forever as a brutal dog-killer. "All I can ask is that people are receptive and come to this with an open mind," he said. "I can't change the past, I can only change the present. I know there are people who can't forget what I did, but I hope they can someday forgive me." </font></p><p><font face="comic sans ms,sans-serif" size="4">I know that everyone has "Bill's" to pay and need to make a living to support their self and family however I am not sure if he needs to be back in the lime light making millions of dollars after spending 18 months in prison for running a dog fighting ring let alone having a reality show on TV, like isn't there enough of reality shows already....... hello !!?? </font></p>]]></content:encoded>
			<guid>http://www.truckersfun.com/MsMarylin/blog/rewarded-for-bad-behavior/</guid>
			<pubDate>Sat, 24 Oct 2009 21:52:38 +0000</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>MsMarylin</dc:creator>
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			<title>Top 10 People Food You can Feed your Dog</title>
			<link>http://www.truckersfun.com/MsMarylin/blog/top-10-people-food-you-can-feed-your-dog/</link>
			<description><![CDATA[<p><font face="comic sans ms,sans-serif" size="4">I grew up with a little Cocker Spaniel and we very seldom bought dog food for him.  What he got was our table scrap's. </font></p><p><font face="comic sans ms,sans-serif" size="4"> Then all of a sudden that chan</font></p>...]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><font face="comic sans ms,sans-serif" size="4">I grew up with a little Cocker Spaniel and we very seldom bought dog food for him.  What he got was our table scrap's. </font></p><p><font face="comic sans ms,sans-serif" size="4"> Then all of a sudden that changed veterinarians were telling you not to feed table scrap's to your dog, it wasn't good for them, and could possibly make your dog sick. </font></p><p><font face="comic sans ms,sans-serif" size="4">I have seen in the last several years since around 1999 that it has changed once again. Now people cook for their dogs or add people food to the dog food. When we had the dog food recall many people stopped buying the commercial dog food for their dogs and fed them people food. As informed dog lovers we do know that feeding dogs people food can make your dog overweight but there are some human foods that can be added to your dogs meal's in moderation to give a nutritional boost to the dog's diet and add a bit of variety to the food bowl </font></p><p><font face="comic sans ms,sans-serif" size="4"> Top Ten people food list </font></p><p><font face="comic sans ms,sans-serif" size="4"> 1. Yogurt good for calcium and protein, pick one that has live active bacteria and no sugars or artificial sweeteners. </font></p><p><font face="comic sans ms,sans-serif" size="4"> 2. Flax Seed (ground or Oil a good source of omega-3 fatty acids, which are fatty acids good for skin and coat </font></p><p><font face="comic sans ms,sans-serif" size="4">3. Salmon which is a fatty fish and a good source of omega 3 fatty acids. These fats support the immune system and can be beneficial for your dogs skin and coat </font></p><p><font face="comic sans ms,sans-serif" size="4">4. Pumpkin is a good source of fiber and beta carotene (a source of vitamin A) I use Pumpkin when my dogs have an indigestion problem (loose stools) Make sure you buy regular canned Pumpkin not the Pumpkin Pie kind with spices in it. </font></p><p><font face="comic sans ms,sans-serif" size="4">5. Sweet Potatoes a great source of dietary fiber and contain vitamin B6, Vitamin C. I feed them to my dogs and they love them mixed into their dog food. I also feed them white potatoes. </font></p><p><font face="comic sans ms,sans-serif" size="4">6. Vegetables especially green beans another great food for fiber, Vitamin K and Vitamin C. If your dog tends to be a bit overweight you can replace some of the dog food with a vegetable. Do not feed corn as dogs cannot digest this veggie. Many dogs like to eat frozen Green Beans. </font></p><p><font face="comic sans ms,sans-serif" size="4"> 7.  Eggs are a great source of very digestible protein. Do not feed raw eggs as raw egg white can cause biotin deficiency. </font></p><p><font face="comic sans ms,sans-serif" size="4">8. Brewer's yeast it's full of Vitamin B which is good for skin and coat. Don't use baking yeast it is not the same and it can make your dog sick. </font></p><p><font face="comic sans ms,sans-serif" size="4">9. Apples Who would ever think Apples are good for dogs. I have tried to feed my dogs fruit and they wouldn't eat any of it. Apples with the skin on are full of plant chemicals that are thought to be protective against some types of cancer in humans. Apples are a good source of vitamin A and C and fiber. </font></p><p><font face="comic sans ms,sans-serif" size="4">10. Oatmeal is good for your dog and can be a alternative source of grain for dogs that are allergic to wheat. Oatmeal should always be cooked first and fed without sugar or flavorings. So the instant flavor Oatmeal packs would not be for your dog. </font></p><p><font face="comic sans ms,sans-serif" size="4"> Once in awhile I cook for my dogs a great doggie burger.  If any one is interested in my recipe I will share it with you. </font></p><p><font face="comic sans ms,sans-serif" size="4">http://www.marilyns-creations.com<br></font></p>]]></content:encoded>
			<guid>http://www.truckersfun.com/MsMarylin/blog/top-10-people-food-you-can-feed-your-dog/</guid>
			<pubDate>Sat, 24 Oct 2009 21:47:51 +0000</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>MsMarylin</dc:creator>
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			<title>Political Correctness. What?</title>
			<link>http://www.truckersfun.com/riskybusiness70/blog/political-correctness-what/</link>
			<description><![CDATA[<DIV> <DIV>Political correctness or PC, I don't think so! Be who you are and not who everyone wants you to be. What is a world where everyone has been...]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<DIV> <DIV>Political correctness or PC, I don't think so! Be who you are and not who everyone wants you to be. What is a world where everyone has been assimilated?&nbsp; Do not conform to the ways of others to be accepted just be who you are. Say what is on your mind the truth isn't always a bad thing. People are strong. In the beginning the world was forged on the backs of those who were not PC, these people did what they had to do to push forward in order to put us where we are today. Just think if the people who put us where we are today were about being PC, and not doing or saying what was on their mind because they did not want to hurt someone's feelings we would still be living in caves. Don't ask the question if you can't handle the answer. The truth! It is what it is! Just one man's rambling. As for me, I will not conform!</DIV> <DIV>James E. Lewis&nbsp; <img src="http://www.truckersfun.com/file/smile/bowl.gif" alt="" /></DIV><BR></DIV>]]></content:encoded>
			<guid>http://www.truckersfun.com/riskybusiness70/blog/political-correctness-what/</guid>
			<pubDate>Sat, 17 Oct 2009 01:58:28 +0000</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>riskybusiness70</dc:creator>
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			<title>Jones Motor Goup</title>
			<link>http://www.truckersfun.com/riskybusiness70/blog/jones-motor-goup/</link>
			<description><![CDATA[<P><EM><font size=2>Don't do it, Don't even think about doing it.</FONT></EM></P> <P><EM><font size=2>I just pulled my lease of only four mounths. I was going to let it go. </F</font></font>...]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<P><EM><font size=2>Don't do it, Don't even think about doing it.</FONT></EM></P> <P><EM><font size=2>I just pulled my lease of only four mounths. I was going to let it go. </FONT></EM></P> <P><EM><font size=2>Jones Motor just won't let me let it go. When starting with a company one dose not expect to hit the ground running at full speed. We all know starting&nbsp;new one must learn the ways of the company and how they work. This process only takes a week at the most a week and a half. At this point, one would expect to be making some even just a little money. Not with Jones Motor. Now 12 years of being a contract driver I kinda have an idea of how money is made in this industry. My first pay day with Jones Motor I receved a letter showing how I owe them $65. My second pay day grossed $3400.00 my pay was so screwed up that my check was a whopping $275.00. With a phone call, I was assured&nbsp;all would be taken care of (RIGHT) I just received a letter from Jones Motor stating no pay will&nbsp;be sent untill all matter have been satisfied. Ok, My lease was over on Friday the 2nd. All paper work was turned in logs, bills, a fuel card, every thing that one could think to turn in. Now comes the P.I.T.A. Factor, the letter that I received is telling me that unless I send them the door stickers I.F.T.A. stickers and a revised log book page from 9/15/09 I will forfit any and all money owed by Jones Motor Group to me. Now I sold the truck so no letters to send back no I.F.T.A. stickers to send back and what the hell a log book page from 9/15/09 I give this one a P.I.T.A. factor of 8.5&nbsp; Ok, don't let anyone tell you that Jones Motor has lots of freight there is more siting than driving. I made more money with produce than my open deck. Take it for what it it worth. Just one man's opinion.</FONT></EM></P>]]></content:encoded>
			<guid>http://www.truckersfun.com/riskybusiness70/blog/jones-motor-goup/</guid>
			<pubDate>Sat, 10 Oct 2009 21:10:23 +0000</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>riskybusiness70</dc:creator>
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			<title>everyone please read</title>
			<link>http://www.truckersfun.com/iceain/blog/everyone-please-read/</link>
			<description><![CDATA[<P>June 07, 2009&nbsp; </P> &lt;TABLE id=blog title=blog border=0 cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width="100%"&gt; &lt;TBODY&gt; &lt;TR&gt; &lt;TD width=30&gt;<img src="http://x.myspace.com/images/spacer.gif" alt="" />&lt;/TD&gt; &lt;TD&gt;&lt;!--- blog sub...]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<P>June 07, 2009&nbsp; </P> &lt;TABLE id=blog title=blog border=0 cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width="100%"&gt; &lt;TBODY&gt; &lt;TR&gt; &lt;TD width=30&gt;<img src="http://x.myspace.com/images/spacer.gif" alt="" />&lt;/TD&gt; &lt;TD&gt;&lt;!--- blog subject ---&gt; <DIV title=blogSubject>&lt;LABEL id=pBlogSubject_493417998&gt;Meth, it's time we realized how deadly it is&lt;/LABEL&gt; </DIV>&lt;!--- blog body ---&gt; <DIV id=pBlogBody_493417998 title=blogContent>&nbsp;&nbsp; I have taken a week to go through my thoughts on this before I blogged about it.&nbsp; For those of you who live in my area, you already know the story. For those friends across the nation, listen up.<BR>&nbsp;&nbsp; Last weekend, in my hometown, we had a tragedy. A 20 month old baby died from drinking "Liquid Fire", a brand of drain cleaner which was being used to make meth,&nbsp;from&nbsp;a coffee cup. Just imagine the pain this poor baby was in as his insides were&nbsp;being eaten away by acid.&nbsp;I personally cannot think of a away more horrific way to die. All because he was thirsty&nbsp;&amp; trusted (as innocent children do) that it was ok to drink what was&nbsp;left in&nbsp;a cup on a table. Now I won't even go into the whole story here, how the mother was only 14, the father 19 etc, because you can easliy find it all over the internet. wkym.com &nbsp; wlextv.com wcoutlook.com etc. There are too many underlying details, which raise way to many emotions for me to go into it here. No, this is about the one thing which was behind EVERY single thing that went wrong here. Complacentcy.<BR>&nbsp;&nbsp; You see, where I come from, there has been a lot of it throughout the years. Many years ago, people made moonshine in the hills. Well, they were just making money, not hurting anyone. Then, alot of folks started growing marijuana. People were just trying to have a better Christmas and put back some money for the winter. Mind your own business, pot never killed anyone, it's no big deal. Then people started dealing in pills. Still no big deal, they're only hurting themselves, as long as it's not my family being destroyed, I'll just look the other way... Now meth has crept up on us. And as many of you who have traveled the highways through places such as Montana, I had seen the billboards with the pictures of&nbsp; people with "meth mouth" and such. I had thought, "wow, they must have a real problem here".&nbsp;Yeah, we had some arrested&nbsp;in the area where I live, and a meth lab busted now and then, but it wasn't a&nbsp;serious problem. I mean, nobody talked much about it. There wasn't billboards everywhere.&nbsp;My kids never talked about there being educational seminars at school about it. Yes, there were some doing it, but it wasn't a big deal.<BR>&nbsp;&nbsp; Then, the house next door to MY house was busted for a lab. Then I started doing research into&nbsp;how this stuff is made. I started realizing how deadly this crap can be. So I&nbsp;started educating my kids about it. Yes, they had heard about it at school,&nbsp;but&nbsp;not educated about it. I explained to them what drain cleaner&nbsp;is (sulfuric acid) &amp; acetone (basically paint thinner). I ask them would anyone&nbsp;ever light it on fire and inhale the fumes? I got a resounding no. No one would be that stupid. Yet,&nbsp;even after the meth is "cooked" there is still the acidic residue &amp; toxins left, so that is exactly what you are smoking. That is why meth heads have "meth mouth". But it isn't put in that context when people talk about it.&nbsp;Most people&nbsp;who try it have no idea what it really is. Until they are&nbsp;addicted and have to start making it in order to support their habit. Then, they learn to become a chemist from another messed up, uneducated&nbsp;junkie, in a make shift lab, often in the back off a vehicle. There is a reason why a haz mat team show up to destroy the lab. These chemicals can be very volitile. With meth heads making this stuff, with little kids running around the house, I had been saying it would only be a matter of time before one exploded and seriously hurt or killed a kid to get peoples attention. Or perhaps a child being poisoned from the fumes and becoming ill. I never dreamed of something as horrific as what&nbsp;happened last weekend. <BR>&nbsp;&nbsp; After talking to some other kids in other towns,&nbsp; I did find out that some schools actually do bring in speakers &amp; make an attempt to educate. But not enough is being done. We have to quit turning our heads and saying it's no big deal. We have to get our heads out of the sand and stopping thinking "it's not in my backyard". We have to step up and educate ourselves in order to educate our children. Everyone who reads this has a computer. Research it. Realize it is in your neighborhood. It's in every neighborhood. Law enforcement are trying to keep up, but the meth heads are spreading and cops can only go after them if they have some evidence. The best way to fight it is to let everyone, specifically our kids, know what this stuff really is before it gets offered to them. <BR>&nbsp;&nbsp; I am working with others to try to get some speakers and put together a night of fun for the teens in my town. We have offered to play and hope that someother bands will as well. We hope that by exposing the kids to reality of meth, then they will never touch it. If anyone knows someone who has been an addict, who has a story, and wants to help to keep others from suffering the same, send me an email. </DIV>&lt;!--- blogger's current book/movie/music/games ---&gt; <DIV title=blogContentInfo> <DIV title=cmtcell>2:32 AM</DIV> <DIV title=cmtcell>&lt;LABEL id=cmtCount_493417998&gt;1 Comment&lt;/LABEL&gt;</DIV> <DIV title=cmtcell></DIV> <DIV title=cmtcell>&lt;LABEL id=KudoCount1&gt;2 Kudos&lt;/LABEL&gt;&nbsp;</DIV> <DIV title=cmtcell> <DIV id=Div1 title=cmtcell>&lt;A id=ctl00_ctl00_cpMain_SingleBlog_HyperLink1&gt;</A></DIV> <DIV id=GT_Link title=cmtcell><a href="showLanguageOptions(493417998);"><font color=#003399>Translate</FONT></A> </DIV> <DIV title=cmtcell> <DIV style="DISPLAY: none" id=languageOptions_493417998 title="googleTranslateLayer blog"> &lt;TABLE title=blog border=0&gt; &lt;TBODY&gt; &lt;TR&gt; &lt;TD align=middle&gt;<SMALL><I>Powered by</SMALL></I><BR><img src="http://x.myspacecdn.com/modules/blogv2/static/img/google_logo.png" alt="Google Translate" />&lt;/TD&gt;&lt;/TR&gt; 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&lt;TR&gt; &lt;TD&gt;<a href="void(0);"><font color=#003399>Vietnamese</FONT></A>&lt;/TD&gt;&lt;/TR&gt;&lt;/TBODY&gt;&lt;/TABLE&gt;</DIV></DIV> <DIV title=cmtcell><a href="void(0)"><font color=#003399>Print</FONT></A> </DIV> <DIV title=cmtcell><a href="http://www.addthis.com/bookmark.php"><img src="http://x.myspacecdn.com/images/addthis-eng.gif" alt="" /></A> &lt;SCRIPT type=text/javascript src="http://s7.addthis.com/custom/myspace/js/addthis_widget.php?v=12"&gt;&lt;/SCRIPT&gt;  </DIV> <DIV title=cmtcell></DIV></DIV></DIV>&lt;/TD&gt;&lt;/TR&gt;&lt;/TBODY&gt;&lt;/TABLE&gt; <DIV style="TEXT-ALIGN: left" title=blogContentInfo>Previous Post: <a href="http://blogs.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=blog.view&amp;friendId=410606446&amp;blogId=479780077"><font color=#003399>Changing lives </FONT></A>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://blogs.myspace.com/thelonghaulband"><font color=#003399>Back to Blog List</FONT></A> </DIV> <DIV title=clear></DIV> <DIV title=quickPostWrapper> <DIV style="MARGIN: 0px auto; replaced: 600px" id=ctl00_ctl00_cpMain_SingleBlog_myQuickPost title="qpInline qpiInitMode clearfix  qpNoInherit"> <DIV>&lt;TEXTAREA style="replaced: 588px" title=textAreaInit&gt;Write your comment here...&lt;/TEXTAREA&gt;</DIV><SPAN style="MARGIN-replaced: 3px; FLOAT: right" title=msDefBtn>&lt;INPUT title="return false;" value=Submit type=submit&gt;</SPAN></DIV> &lt;SCRIPT type=text/javascript&gt; 	document.getElementById('ctl00_ctl00_cpMain_SingleBlog_myQuickPost').getElementsByTagName('textarea')[0].value="Write your comment here..."; &lt;/SCRIPT&gt; </DIV>]]></content:encoded>
			<guid>http://www.truckersfun.com/iceain/blog/everyone-please-read/</guid>
			<pubDate>Sun, 07 Jun 2009 17:38:38 +0000</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>iceain</dc:creator>
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			<title>CDL Test</title>
			<link>http://www.truckersfun.com/codykidd/blog/cdl-test/</link>
			<description><![CDATA[<P>Well i took my cdl test today and i didn't do as good as i thought i would.&nbsp; I failed air brakes by one!&nbsp; and i got 29 points off my road test.&nbsp; I ...]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<P>Well i took my cdl test today and i didn't do as good as i thought i would.&nbsp; I failed air brakes by one!&nbsp; and i got 29 points off my road test.&nbsp; I have to wait til next monday to re take so i guess i'll just hit the road and practice, practice, practice.</P>]]></content:encoded>
			<guid>http://www.truckersfun.com/codykidd/blog/cdl-test/</guid>
			<pubDate>Tue, 27 Jan 2009 02:13:37 +0000</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>codykidd</dc:creator>
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			<title>Story Of The Christmas  Angel</title>
			<link>http://www.truckersfun.com/TruckersAdmin/blog/story-of-the-christmas-angel/</link>
			<description><![CDATA[<p><b><font color="teal" size="4"><span style="font-weight: bold; font-size: 13.5pt; color: teal;">Christmas Story - an antidote to all that mushy stuff </span></font></b><font color="teal" size="2" face="Verdana"><span style="font-size: 10pt; color: teal; font-family: Verdana;"><br>&nbsp; &nbsp;<font size="2" face="Verdana"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Verdana;"><br><font size="6" face="Fiolex Girls"><span style="font-size: 24pt; font-family: 'Fiolex Girls';"><img src="http://us.mg1.mail.yahoo.com/ya/download?mid=1%5f5462146%5fAHTPjkQAAQg5SUEmmQPdBXCZX%2fY&amp;pid=1.2.2&amp;fid=Inbox&amp;inline=1" alt="[]" /></span></font><font color="teal" size="2" face="Verdana"><span style="font-size: 10pt; color: teal; font-family: Verdana;"><br><br><font color="teal" size="4" face="Verdana"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt; color: teal; font-family: Verdana;"><br><span style="border-bottom: 1px dashed rgb(0, 102, 204); cursor: pointer;" title="yshortcuts" id="lw_1229006883_43">A Christmas Story</span> for people having a bad day: <br><br>When four of Santa's elves got sick, the train</br></br></br></span></font></span></font></font></font></p>...]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><b><font color="teal" size="4"><span style="font-weight: bold; font-size: 13.5pt; color: teal;">Christmas Story - an antidote to all that mushy stuff </span></font></b><font color="teal" size="2" face="Verdana"><span style="font-size: 10pt; color: teal; font-family: Verdana;"><br>&nbsp; &nbsp;</span></font><font size="2" face="Verdana"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Verdana;"><br></span></font><font size="6" face="Fiolex Girls"><span style="font-size: 24pt; font-family: 'Fiolex Girls';"><img src="http://us.mg1.mail.yahoo.com/ya/download?mid=1%5f5462146%5fAHTPjkQAAQg5SUEmmQPdBXCZX%2fY&amp;pid=1.2.2&amp;fid=Inbox&amp;inline=1" alt="[]" /></span></font><font color="teal" size="2" face="Verdana"><span style="font-size: 10pt; color: teal; font-family: Verdana;"><br><br></span></font><font color="teal" size="4" face="Verdana"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt; color: teal; font-family: Verdana;"><br><span style="border-bottom: 1px dashed rgb(0, 102, 204); cursor: pointer;" title="yshortcuts" id="lw_1229006883_43">A Christmas Story</span> for people having a bad day: <br><br>When four of Santa's elves got sick, the trainee elves did not produce toys as fast as the regular ones, and Santa began to feel the Pre-Christmas pressure.<br><br>Then Mrs Claus told Santa her Mother was coming to visit, which stressed Santa even more.<br><br>When he went to harness the reindeer, he found that three of them were about to give birth and two others had jumped the fence and were out, Heaven knows where.<br><br>Then when he began to load the sleigh, one of the floorboards cracked, the toy bag fell to the ground and all the toys were scattered.<br><br>Frustrated, Santa went in the house for a cup of apple cider and a shot of rum. When he went to the cupboard, he discovered the elves had drank all the cider and hidden the liquor. In his frustration, he accidentally dropped the cider jug, and it broke into hundreds of little glass pieces all over the kitchen floor. He went to get the broom and found the mice had eaten all the straw off the end of the broom.<br><br>Just then the doorbell rang, and irritated Santa marched to the door, yanked it open, and there stood a <span title="yshortcuts" id="lw_1229006883_44">little angel</span> with a great big <span style="border-bottom: 1px dashed rgb(0, 102, 204); replaced: transparent none repeat scroll 0% 0%; cursor: pointer; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial;" title="yshortcuts" id="lw_1229006883_45">Christmas tree</span>. <br><br>The angel said very cheerfully, 'Merry Christmas, Santa. Isn't this a lovely day? I have a beautiful tree for you. Where would you like me to stick it?'<br><br>And so began the tradition of the little angel on top of the Christmas tree.</span></font><font size="6" face="Fiolex Girls"><span style="font-size: 24pt; font-family: 'Fiolex Girls';"> <br></span></font></p>]]></content:encoded>
			<guid>http://www.truckersfun.com/TruckersAdmin/blog/story-of-the-christmas-angel/</guid>
			<pubDate>Thu, 11 Dec 2008 14:51:16 +0000</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>TruckersAdmin</dc:creator>
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			<title>Lord of the Flies...circa 2008!!</title>
			<link>http://www.truckersfun.com/trukker/blog/lord-of-the-flies-circa-2008/</link>
			<description><![CDATA[<P><STRONG><font face=arial,helvetica,sans-serif color=#000000 size=3>Before I begin, let me say the following: I own Walmart stock valued in the mid-five figures and will continue to hold them!! Today, I am a</font>...]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<P><STRONG><font face=arial,helvetica,sans-serif color=#000000 size=3>Before I begin, let me say the following: I own Walmart stock valued in the mid-five figures and will continue to hold them!! Today, I am ashamed of my human race!! And I will do exactly what I say I will do!! Because if I don't...and, hopefully, others will join me...then something far more basic...far more "evil"... is about to devour us which will render our concerns about this financial/economic situation, which we discuss here on a daily basis, simply besides the point!!</FONT></STRONG></P> <P><STRONG><font face=arial,helvetica,sans-serif color=#000000 size=3>For those who do not follow the News or live outside of the States a little background is necessary. Last Friday morning, at a Queens, New York Walmart store, a man...just trying to make a living by working ( an attribute we all hail as a good thing )... was killed by a human mob of over 2000 fellow human beings!! Also seriously injured was a pregnant woman and her unborn child ( both she and child will survive ). This was no terrorist attack!! Nor was this a random act of violence!! It was caused by a mentality that so prevades the fabric of our society...in our business , our sports, our children's schooling, and our personal lives...that we have become immune to its effects on us as people!! The cause was, in the final analysis, this: The need to win at all costs and damn the consequences!! The saddest fact of the whole incident is that it should have been anticipated and prepared for by Walmart but they dropped the ball!! And they should be held accountable!! As should the people who knocked these people down and kept stepping on... and over... them until the breath of life was snuffed from them!! Police are scouring videotapes of the scene to identify who they can hold accountable...it will be a long and possibly unfruitful investigation!! Walmart will try to hide behind a battery of lawyers and sometime...a long. long way down the road... the victim's families will see a pittance that will do nothing to offer solace to their souls!!</FONT></STRONG></P> <P><STRONG><font face=arial,helvetica,sans-serif color=#000000 size=3></FONT></STRONG></P> <P><STRONG><font face=arial,helvetica,sans-serif color=#000000 size=3>Much hype is done about the day after Thanksgiving Day sales events ( Black Friday, they are called...how appropriate is that!!! ) that kick off the Christmas Holiday shopping season as retailers try to recoup partial losses or hold on to profits. Sales events are deliberately held amidst heavy advertisements with prices that are deliberately lowered on key items making a crowd a foregone conclusion...if all goes according to plan!! Then, when the crowds gather and the doors open, the shopping begins and the profits flow but at what cost to us as human beings?? </FONT></STRONG></P> <P><STRONG><font face=arial,helvetica,sans-serif color=#000000 size=3>I could simply write this off as an isolated event which occurred far away from my private existence and do nothing!! But as Edmond Burke said so eloquently so many moons ago, " The only thing necessary for evil to succeed is for good men to do nothing! " I believe in Goodness!! I also believe in Evil!! And I also believe in Accountabilty!! So I am acting and if you follow suit then so be it!! If not, then that is your decision and I will honor it since I have no way of knowing anyway how each who reads this decides to respond!! I am taking two actions:</FONT></STRONG></P> <P><STRONG><font face=arial,helvetica,sans-serif color=#000000 size=3>1). Tomorrow morning, by registered letter, I am telling ( not asking!! ) Walmart that they dropped the ball! ( If anyone else wishes to do the same, just go to their Corporate website for their Bensonville, Arkansas headquarter's address.) Management should have been prepared!! As the crowd gathered and became unruly, management should have not opened the doors until the situation was contained by law enforcement...period!! No excuses can rationally be made!! Futhermore, I am telling them that they need to immediately contact these victims and make it right financially ( how do you calculate a human life's worth? ) without any undue resistance or legal wrangling!! Do what is right!! Not what is legal!! And I am posting this in as many places as I can and hope they will know just how angry this has made a great many people!!</FONT></STRONG></P> <P><STRONG><font face=arial,helvetica,sans-serif color=#000000 size=3>2) I am imposing a boycott of one year on all Walmart business!! My girlfriend spent over $500 on gifts for our grandkids Friday that we returned on Saturday!! I simply will pay a little more to replace them but if we want their attention we need to speak...loudly...with our wallets!!</FONT></STRONG></P> <P><STRONG><font face=arial,helvetica,sans-serif color=#000000 size=3>Simply doing nothing... or complaining endlessly without trying to affect change... just isn't good enough anymore!! We can take action or we can become like the characters in the book from which I titled this piece...It may not stop Evil but it sure feels good to have tried!! </FONT></STRONG></P> <P><STRONG><font face=arial,helvetica,sans-serif color=#000000 size=3>&nbsp;</FONT></STRONG></P> <P><font face=arial,helvetica,sans-serif color=#000000 size=3> <P><STRONG>&nbsp;</STRONG></P></FONT> <P></P>]]></content:encoded>
			<guid>http://www.truckersfun.com/trukker/blog/lord-of-the-flies-circa-2008/</guid>
			<pubDate>Sun, 30 Nov 2008 22:43:39 +0000</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>trukker</dc:creator>
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			<title>A Respite from the Angst!!</title>
			<link>http://www.truckersfun.com/trukker/blog/a-respite-from-the-angst/</link>
			<description><![CDATA[<P><font face=arial,helvetica,sans-serif color=#ff6600 size=3><STRONG>As anyone who hasn't been in some sort of Coma lately knows, there is enough angst and anquish going on in our lives now to last a lifetime</font>...]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<P><font face=arial,helvetica,sans-serif color=#ff6600 size=3><STRONG>As anyone who hasn't been in some sort of Coma lately knows, there is enough angst and anquish going on in our lives now to last a lifetime!! As investors and business people, we have seen our portfolios and our businesses challenged like we haven't seen in a very, very long time!! To say this has been fun or even challenging is an understatement of the first degree!! And the short-term outlook is no better I am afraid!! But there is respite from this crisis...if only long enough to catch our breath and regroup!! </STRONG></FONT></P> <P><font face=arial,helvetica,sans-serif color=#ff6600 size=3><STRONG>Tomorrow, in the States, we will celebrate our annual Thanksgiving Day with family, friends, and maybe even someone less Blessed than ourselves!! Our brothers and sisters to the North and ,indeed, the rest of the world will keep on living their daily lives. wrestling with their own angsts and then we will all continue on once again!! </STRONG></FONT></P> <P><font face=arial,helvetica,sans-serif color=#ff6600 size=3><STRONG>But I offer up a challenge to all who read&nbsp; this: Take the day off , too!! Get with family or a loved one or maybe a complete stranger and just let the day pass by! Play with the kids for no special reason!! Maybe pinch your spouse on the backside with a wink and go outside and enjoy the day!! Shut down the computers, slam the door on this crisis for one day and see if it doesn't clear the air a little!! Sometimes a day off may not fix a problem but it sure can help reorder the priorities of our mind!! </STRONG></FONT></P> <P><font face=arial,helvetica,sans-serif color=#ff6600 size=3><STRONG>Wishing everyone a Wonderful Thanksgiving Day...American Style!!! </STRONG></FONT></P>]]></content:encoded>
			<guid>http://www.truckersfun.com/trukker/blog/a-respite-from-the-angst/</guid>
			<pubDate>Wed, 26 Nov 2008 20:44:03 +0000</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>trukker</dc:creator>
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