A Truckers' Roundtable
"I had just set out from Toledo this morning when I heard about it," said the older driver whose weathered features betrayed many years on the road. "They've run me hard the last few days," he added, adjusting his "American Pride" ball cap over a dollop of white hair while taking a drink of coffee at the food counter. He and I, along with a few other truckers, sat down for a meal in upstate New York tonight.
"You know, I was in New York City on 9/11," said a particularly well fed driver whose eyes only opened half way. "Yep," he answered before anyone could ask, "I saw the second plane fly right over." Then he looked down as if studying the meat loaf, and muttered, "Worst day of my life." "What did you think when you heard that we got him?" I asked. He opened his eyes fully and leaned forward for emphasis, saying, "Score one for the good guys."
"Yes, but we better be careful," added the gentleman with the ball cap. "It's a good thing they buried that (expletive) at sea, because those idiots are gonna be sore enough at us as it is." "You think they're gonna like us no matter what we do?" asked the portly one, his eyes back at half mast. Again answering his own question, he added, "We kill enough of these lunatics,they'll get the hint."
While the television in the restaurant showed news reports from New York City, the truckers' conversation drifted to other matters. "I paid $4.45 for fuel yesterday just down the road," said Half Mast, who then asked the rest of us for advice on how to get to Minnesota while avoiding weigh stations and paying as little as possible for fuel. After all, fueling up a truck with a 200 gallon capacity, at $4 per gallon, is no easy task.
We were debating the best route when he looked up and said, "Oh God, all those kids..." Diane Sawyer was doing a segment on the children born after losing a parent in the 9/11 attacks. Even the waitresses paused to look up at the television. No one added any commentary as the segment cut to commercials. "So I take 90 to 88?" he asked, trying to recover his composure.
A few minutes later, the older gentleman said, "I love Vanna," at which point all eyes again went back to the television. Wheel Of Fortune is in my beloved New Orleans this week. One of the first spins of the wheel netted a young lady $10,000, prompting the Ball Cap to observe, "What's ten grand anymore when the dollar isn't worth a (expletive)?" "It's enough to buy me some ice cream, ain't that right Darlin'?" said Half Mast to the waitress. "Coming right up Sweetie," she answered.
"So what do you guys think about the SEALs taking out bin Laden?" I asked. "It's wonderful," said the Ball Cap. "It's the second thing Obama has done that I agree with," answered Half Mast. "What was the first?" I asked. "When he let the SEALs kill those pirates," he answered, adding, "You turn our troops loose on the bad guys, and we'll be alright."
We all stayed long enough to watch the final puzzle on Wheel Of Fortune. The camera panned to show the contestant's family, most of whom were a tad heavy. "I sure hope he wins so he can feed those people," said a trucker who had been silent until that point. The contestant did win, everyone was happy, and we made our way back to our trucks.
Walking across the parking lot, I reflected on the discussions we have in this forum about the proper role and scope of government. Despite the occasional disagreement, perhaps we can agree that the one area of our federal government that works as advertised is our military. Despite a depressed economy, a nanny state, and a growing sense of general skepticism, the professionals in uniform continue to inspire. They are American Exceptionalism writ large, and they remind us that every day we wake up as Americans, we have the edge. Never forget that.
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Re: A Truckers' Roundtable
You've got to promise, Dave, that one of these days you'll take me with you.
Edited on May 2, 2011 at 7:28pmRe: A Truckers' Roundtable
Peter, let me consult my social calendar. ... okay, I consulted it. I'm ready when you are. You do have a cast iron stomach, yes?
May '10
Re: A Truckers' Roundtable
I just want a ride in your truck. :-)
Jun '10
Re: A Truckers' Roundtable
Dave Carter:
Despite the occasional disagreement, perhaps we can agree that the one area of our federal government that works as advertised is our military.
Once we remove politics from the equation, no one can touch us. We prove it every time we are given a mission and turned loose to accomplish it without political interference.
Re: A Truckers' Roundtable
Loved this post, Dave. Especially the part where Half Mast says that killing OBL is second thing Obama's done that he agrees with. That's just about how I feel.
Jun '10
Re: A Truckers' Roundtable
Dave, whenever you want that 3rd career — please, please write a book. The poetry quoted today on Ricochet shines dimly when compared to your prose.
Jul '10
Re: A Truckers' Roundtable
A Peter-Dave podcast from the truck would be epic!
Re: A Truckers' Roundtable
You know, Dave, this is a podcast in text form. When are we going to get you to record this stuff? I'd listen every single week.
Apr '11
Re: A Truckers' Roundtable
Bring it on!
Jul '10
Re: A Truckers' Roundtable
Absolutely!
Re: A Truckers' Roundtable
Thanks, folks! I'm going inside the restaurant now to see if Ball Cap and Half Mast are having breakfast and ready to collect their royalties. And Rob, I hope to be recording soon.
May '10
Re: A Truckers' Roundtable
What a great idea!! The text did read as a sort of podcast in writing. But, what makes it so perfect is that it was off the cuff. If they knew they were being recorded their comments might not be as spontaneous.
Dave, do you know if any of them originally voted for Obama?
Apr '11
Re: A Truckers' Roundtable
Beautiful writing.
Thank you for sharing those moments that depict American strength and wisdom during a shared meal in upstate New York.
Re: A Truckers' Roundtable
Andrea, none of the drivers last night intimated who they voted for, but I have noticed that people who were vocal in their support for Obama in 2008 have since lost their voice.
Dec '10
Re: A Truckers' Roundtable
I am inclined to haunt such environs and recall a similar conversation in around 2002. The topic came around to Jose Padilla and how he should be dealt with and I allowed that he was different, having been born in the U.S. As a citizen, I felt he should be granted due process, which wasn't a popular sentiment, but most of us agreed that that was an issue. This one big fella got up, walked up to me and gave me a good poke in the nose. Everybody else pulled him back and suggested he should be ashamed of himself, but he wasn't.
And I understand that. Even Billy Ayers was acquitted on a technicality and merrily said, "Guilty as sin and free as a bird". Legal nuance doesn't play well in the hinterland.