TruckVote 2010: Know your governors

In the lead-up to Election Day it makes sense to take a look back at some significant actions taken by governors who are once again vying for the votes of truckers and others.Let’s face it. It can be a chore for voters to recollect even the most notable actions taken by governors during the past four years. While many truckers can recall precisely the actions relative to trucking that have been

Some ‘heavy metal love’ at the Fergus Truck Show

Here’s a quick heads up for the rockers out there, and I know you’re out there.If you can get to the Fergus Truck Show on Friday evening, July 23, make sure to stop by the main stage and show Helix some love.The platinum-selling artists are doing what they do best, this time sporting a reunited lineup straight out of the ’80s. But the best thing about Helix is, they’re riding high on new material

There’s no place like home

What a cool trip this has been. I’m in Grain Valley, MO, at OOIDA’s headquarters. As field editor of Land Line Magazine for the past 10 years or so, I’ve been telecommuting since long before it was trendy. I’ve sent stories by mail, fax, e-mail and maybe filed one or two by carrier pigeon. But in all this time, I’ve never visited the home office.A combination of editorial calendar planning

Giving back to vets

Many of OOIDA’s 154,000-plus members are military veterans. The number is near 40 percent, according to the OOIDA Foundation.We’re reminded of the strong tie between vets and truckers every year when OOIDA’s “Truckers for Troops” program rolls around, combining to gather contributions and distribute care pages to troops overseas. In 2010 alone, Truckers for Troops processed 602 boxes of care

A game of 'kick the can'

Leading into the Fourth of July weekend, USA Today ran an article titled “Gas taxes give us a break at the pump.” In the story, the author insists that Americans have “something extra to celebrate” because today’s vehicles get decent fuel mileage while the federal fuel tax remains stagnant at mid-1990s levels.It is shortsighted to think that this nation should “celebrate” that infrastructure

We’re a work horse, not a parade horse

I recently received a letter from a member who suggested we sex up the magazine a bit with some hot girls posing with big trucks. He thought it would help us not be so boring. He thought it would make the magazine better reading, citing some trucking and motorcycle mags that had done this. Some of those pubs are still alive, some long gone.Member suggestions are always welcome, and what you can