We need to work together
As a reflection on the tragedies of Sept. 11, 2001, we should treat everyone with respect regardless of religion, national origin or ethnicity. There are many people who have moved here from Middle Eastern countries to get away from the kind of attacks that we have just witnessed. They love the United States and the freedom it promises just as much as we do and are greatly saddened that it has followed them to our shores. If anything, we should grieve for them also.
If a trucker rams his truck into a federal building, do you want the public to take out its revenge on all truckers? Those of us in the trucking industry have an opportunity to do whatever we can to keep the United States safe. We all need to work together regardless of our differences.
Bennie Foy
Statesville, N.C.
Intrastate restriction makes no sense
I am an 18-year-old truck driver from Nebraska, and I would like to know why young drivers are allowed to get a CDL if we can drive only in our state. No one wants to put us to work because of insurance reasons and because we can’t go out of state, where all the loads are going.
I live in the Panhandle, where it is only 15 miles over to Colorado and less than 100 miles to Wyoming, but it is 400 miles to the other end of the state. I don’t see why it is OK for us to drive 400 miles in our state and not 15 miles into other states. We take the same tests as every other driver and pay the same amount for our license, so why shouldn’t we be able to drive like the rest of them?
I can see the point of older drivers not wanting us out there, but I know there are some older drivers who are just as inexperienced. I would like to see this law changed even if it allows us only to travel into our neighboring states. It wouldn’t bother me if we had to go to a driving school for a while, as long as it’s not longer than any other driver.
Brandon Mayfield
Chappell, Neb.
U.S. will rebound from terrorism
In the 90 minutes it took me to drive my Peterbilt from Bow to Claremont, N.H., this country was brutally violated and brought to its knees. Whoever committed this hideous crime made a huge mistake. They killed a lot of us, but they didn’t kill all of us. The United States will get back up on its feet, take a deep breath, honor our dead, tend our wounded and deal with this enemy.
These faceless cowards will be hunted down and dealt with swiftly. I believe they will be found and destroyed. They have awakened a sleeping giant. I put my faith in all good Americans, from President Bush to my neighbors. All Americans will come together, share the pain and do what it takes to right the wrong.
We all are a part of the greatest country on earth. Good will eliminate this evil, and freedom will endure and flourish in the shadow of our current plight.
Mike Bradford
Boscawen, N.H.
