Good.
Unfortunately, here in NJ, the CDL manual is written in Spanish and English, and you can take the test in Spanish if you want. Maybe they should stop that practice now.

The writer of the article makes Castillo sound like Peter Jennings. Are we really supposed to believe that is an exact quote? I have never known anyone who complained of mistreatment by an Alabama state highway patrol officer. They are of a much higher caliber of individual than city or county cops in this state. Therefore I believe Castillo deserved a ticket and should spruce up his English before he asks me for directions.

Oh well.

These guys have no sense of humor. I was driving from El Paso to San Antonio in my pickup on I-10 when I went through an inspection station about 80 miles w of El Paso. The officer stuck his head in my truck and asked if I was an American citizen. (it is obvious I am -- I have blue eyes, brown hair, fair skin). I jokingly said, "si".

He ordered me out of the truck and made me stand on the roadside for about 30 minutes then said I could go. He never asked for ID, my name, or anything. As far as I know he did not run a check on the truck either.

Don't fuck with these guys.

Alabammy is the armpit of misery.

I think it would be easier to speak to the trucker than the average hick from Alabammy.

(it is obvious I am -- I have blue eyes, brown hair, fair skin).

Posted by goatman

That's one of the stupidest things I've ever read. Are those requirements for citizenship? Do all illegal aliens have brown skin?

"Do all illegal aliens have brown skin?"

In south Texas?

Yup.

What a joke. America, free?

That's one of the stupidest things I've ever read. Are those requirements for citizenship? Do all illegal aliens have brown skin?

Logical infallacy, tfd.

But in that part of Texas, they do. Are you really that naive?

My problem is that you feel that just because you have " blue eyes, brown hair, fair skin" then there must be no doubt that you are an American citizen. That is illogical at best and racist at worst.

My problem is that you feel that just because you have " blue eyes, brown hair, fair skin" then there must be no doubt that you are an American citizen.

In that part of Texas, which is about 2 miles N of the border, it is a fairly safe bet -- near 100% in fact. I'm sorry if this upsets you.

Maybe if you and your liberal friends arrange to have some illegals from N Europe transported there we can have a more racially diverse group of immigration scofflaws.

Do you know silly you sound tyring to be so PC? It's reality here, TFD, not your little starry eyed PC dream world.

I used to have to translate the conversation between two coworkers. They both spoke English, one Southern, one Northern. Perhaps the police should also be required to speak "neutral" American English as well as "Southern."

Even being born in the South, if I get too far off major roadways in the Deep South, I can't understand what the hell they're saying.

My problem is that you feel that just because you have " blue eyes, brown hair, fair skin" then there must be no doubt that you are an American citizen. That is illogical at best and racist at worst.

I don't suggest you go work for the INS in that part of Texas. They like people who use common sense, not a kissy face liberal PC freak. If you were at that stop, looked at me, and thought I wsa an illegal alien, you don't have much common sense.

I can't understand what the hell they're saying.

Yav, I know what you mean. When the coonasses on the rig start talking that weird version of English they have, I can barely understand them

NAFTA opened up much, but one of the requirements for the Mexican trucks to travel our roads is that the drivers must be fluent in English (obviously subjective, but a requirement none of the less). My understanding is that over 25,000 tickets have been issued in the US due to this and I have no problem with that.

I'm more concerned that this trucker could read English.

You know, signs that say: "STOP" or "ONE WAY ONLY" or "MEN WORKING AHEAD" or "SLOW - SCHOOL CROSSING" -- little things like that.

...Alabama state highway patrol officer. They are of a much higher caliber of individual than city or county cops in this state.

Damning with faint praise.

What is a "coonass"?

I should have given the troopers the praise they deserve. They are some fine gentlemen. They will give a person a break. I have great respect for them. Sorry, Silver, that I was not clear.

Had he been an African-American with an accent so thick that even his friends have him repeat often, that would be ok due to racist overtones. There are plenty of citizens and resident aliens that have nearly no English. And yes, they may just live in Texas. (the more intelligent don't however) Living in California for many years has allowed me to see and meet many Mexicans. Many of the are preferable to some of you. I am also aware that there is a much larger number of illegal immigrants from England than most are aware of. At present (with lots of my Mexican friends help) learning Spanish. I had to because the best Mexican food is made and served were little English is spoken. For those that don't care for immigrants, look in you not to distant past. Unless you are an American Indian you are from that nasty immigrant stock-movers-scum. Buenous Tares senor e' senoras.

What is a "coonass"?

Someone from the Acadia part of Louisiana.

I don't suggest you go work for the INS in that part of Texas. They like people who use common sense, not a kissy face liberal PC freak. If you were at that stop, looked at me, and thought I wsa an illegal alien, you don't have much common sense.

Posted by goatman

Are you calling the INS officer a "kissy face liberal PC freak"? Since this story started out with him asking you if you were a US citizen, it seems that the INS agrees with me and not with you. Otherwise he wouldn't have asked you.

Are you calling the INS officer a "kissy face liberal PC freak"?

???

You actually C&Ped from my retort which clearly indicates I did not call him that nor indicate any of their officers are that.

They like people who use common sense, not a kissy face liberal PC freak.

How is it you did this C&P job and not see that part?

They like people who use common sense, not a kissy face liberal PC freak.

Posted by goatman

I saw and read that part.
Did or did not the agent ask you, with your " blue eyes, brown hair, fair skin" if you were an American citizen? Since he did, then he must agree with me that those are not immediate qualifiers, that an illegal alien might have those features. Since you berated me for saying that, then you must also feel that he doesn't have any common sense and is a "kissy face liberal PC freak" as you feel I am. Even though the agent agrees with me and not with you.

Did or did not the agent ask you, with your " blue eyes, brown hair, fair skin" if you were an American citizen?

Having been through that checkpoint (and the ones near Laredo, Piedras Negras, and Matamoros) many times and always having been asked the exact same 5 word question, I presume it is their job to ask it of everyone. That does not mean he does not have the common sense to know without asking that someone with my features is not an illegal alien.

In fact, your sentence from the original post...
The officer stuck his head in my truck and asked if I was an American citizen. (it is obvious I am -- I have blue eyes, brown hair, fair skin).
Posted by goatman

Indicates that you believe he does not have common sense.

Having been through that checkpoint (and the ones near Laredo, Piedras Negras, and Matamoros) many times and always having been asked the exact same 5 word question, I presume it is their job to ask it of everyone. That does not mean he does not have the common sense to know without asking that someone with my features is not an illegal alien.

Posted by goatman

Does it mean that his superiors have no common sense then? If he is required to ask that question, then I assume someone up the line must be a "kissy face liberal PC freak" like me.
Or perhaps they are just smart enough to realize that not every illegal alien has brown skin.

Why is it that people who claim to be "colorblind" are usually the first one to use race indicators to imply US citizenship? I swear Goatman, you need to take a long hard meditation about your self described characteristic of being color blind.

Moder8

Here ya go. This coonass video is for you. Shows coonass food, New Orleans, some of the language, and best of all -- good ol' Cajun music!

I love Cajun music.

couple of the things from the video:

alligator = Louisiana yard dog

"Dixie Bitch - Loud and Proud"
(I'm going to get a tee shirt with that one it if I ever get to Lousisiana)

Someone from the Acadia part of Louisiana.

Posted by goatman

I used to work with some coon-asses on a seismic crew outside of Houston. Those guys were kind of funny.

I could barely understand a word they said. I remember that they were very superstitious for some reason.

It was also a very bad idea to mess with them. Those guys made Deliverance look like a chick flick.

s it mean that his superiors have no common sense then?

I don't know. I did not give him the third degree and ask about his superiors and their respective orders.

I know were I work we have some requirements that defy common sense, but we are required to do them anyway. I guess INS and the oil patch are the only two jobs on the planet with silly rules.

Or perhaps they are just smart enough to realize that not every illegal alien has brown skin.

I believe I explained to you that in that part of Texas, they do.

Why is it that people who claim to be "colorblind" are usually the first one to use race indicators to imply US citizenship?

*sigh*

I guess if you worked for TSA you would not profile, either. You would think that my blue haired grandma would be as likely to hijack a plane as some fidgety guy with darting eyes and sweating nervously.

I treat everyone equally without thought to their skin color. However, when you see someone with dark skin, dark hair, and generally looks like a Mexican, it is not wrong to assume he is a Mexican. Nor is it racist if I see someone with an epicanthal fold in their eyes, dark eyes and hair to assume that person is Asian.

Grow up and leave racism behind, m8.

I remember that they were very superstitious for some reason.

Indeed they are. There is one here who actually has a string of garlic on his bed to keep vampires away.

...I swear Goatman, you need to take a long hard meditation about your self described characteristic of being color-blind...

Goat can speak for himself but the way I interpret what he's trying to say to you when he tells you he thinks of himself as "colorblind" is although he of course sees someone's skin color (as would anyone who's not legally blind) he's telling you it doesn't matter to him what color skin anyone has. It makes no difference to him. If I'm wrong he can correct me.

Why are you, Moder8. so intent on making him say differently? I'm not colorblind -- I know if a guy is a black guy, a white guy, and living in L.A. I can look at a guy with fairly white skin and tell you if he's Armenian or from India and 300 other places in the world without him even opening his mouth. It comes with the territory of living in the most multi-cultural city in the U.S. Just because I notice what color skin someone has is does that make me a racist?

You're from California too. There are a zillion shades of brown out here (darker indigenous Mexicans to the very light skinned Mexican with more Spanish blood), varying tones of "white" skin (depending on how of they get down to the beach) and people's skin color in California runs from Black to Albino. Why do you find it so important for everyone to say they are not colorblind? It sounds to me like you are the one who sees people by color -- and probably judges them by color too. Their color should not matter to you -- IF their skin tone truly makes no difference to you. Does it?

Indeed they are. There is one here who actually has a string of garlic on his bed to keep vampires away.

Maybe it's good for keeping the vampires away, but his garlic probably keeps the ladies out of his bed too.

If I'm wrong he can correct me.

That is exactly correct.

Surprising m8 couldn't figure that out. Or perhaps it isn't so surprising . . .

I treat everyone equally without thought to their skin color. However, when you see someone with dark skin, dark hair, and generally looks like a Mexican, it is not wrong to assume he is a Mexican. Nor is it racist if I see someone with an epicanthal fold in their eyes, dark eyes and hair to assume that person is Asian.

Grow up and leave racism behind, m8.

Posted by goatman at 2008-07-20 12:14 AM | Reply | Flag:

But Goatman, I thought Vernon done educated us, there's no such THING as race. You silly fool what language are you speaking?

There are a zillion shades of brown out here

Posted by CalifChris at 2008-07-20 12:30 AM | Reply

Just got home from a party with my wife's Filipina friends -- and their American husbands (some of the husbands are black. Oh My!).

There was a swimming party earlier this week and all the girls are now a lovely shade of cinnamon. Mmmmmmmmmm ....... (Dumpling and her cellulite are jealous)

Every couple's semi-brown (Fil/Am) children were running around playing. Stopping only to eat fish heads and rice (it's a cultural thing)

And you are correct SoHei. There is no such thing as race except to racists ..... like you. The rest of us are called 'families'

I've got to admit, I'm surprised at the intensity of hatred from Lefties here when I say there is no such thing as race.

It's as though our friends on the Left NEED racial strife, and despise it when someone like me comes along.

Why do Lefties need to feed hatred and anger and fear and suspicion? Why are you assclowns so heavily invested in pitting people against each other?

Your racism does not help others, so it must be of service to you.

Ask yourself, and tell the rest of us: What do you gain from encouraging hatred?

Race is a social construct, not a biological fact. But it is real nonetheless.

Vernon-
I think the reaction you are getting has more to do with your desire to portray yourself as some color blind alien who dropped out of the sky yesterday, ignorant of all terrestrial racist history and contemporary racial strife.

But it irks me when someone argues that race is a "scientific" biological fact, when it is not. It is a social construct, but a powerful one, and unfortunately just as "real" as your claim to color blindness is self-serving and ignorant.

ut Goatman, I thought Vernon done educated us, there's no such THING as race. You silly fool what language are you speaking?

WHen dealing with people there is no such thing as race for me. When I get in the car, I notice it is blue, not red. Yes. That is true. It is impossible not to notice. But do I drive it any differently? No

It's a simple concept, but people like m8 who continue to make a point about someone's skin color can't get it.

I'll bet he's still on the road speaking no better English than when he was arrested - where is the program to make sure it is adequate before he is behind the wheel again?

Part of this ticket should be immediate license suspension, and impound of the truck until adequate mastery of the English language is proven. They don't let a drunk driver leave the scene on his own, they know he will be breaking the law as he drives away.

Is anything like that part of the law, or is he sent out to be allowed to continue to be DWE (Driving Without English?)

Fullerton-
Have you ever driven in Mexico?

What would you think of a country that fined or jailed someone simply for not speaking the proper language with the proper fluency or dialect?

It isn't just anyone, betelg -- it is those with a CDL.

And yes, I have driven in Mexico.

I believe I explained to you that in that part of Texas, they do.

Posted by goatman

Got statistics to prove that? Do you work for the INS so you have some inside info? Other wise, this is just something you just made up.

---------

However, when you see someone with dark skin, dark hair, and generally looks like a Mexican, it is not wrong to assume he is a Mexican. Nor is it racist if I see someone with an epicanthal fold in their eyes, dark eyes and hair to assume that person is Asian.

Posted by goatman

True, but this conversation isn't about assuming whether someone is Mexican or Asian, it's about assuming whether or not they're an American citizen. Either of the people you described could or could not be a citizen, but that can not be determined by the characteristics you mention.

Alabama has long been ruled by racists and now they are just switching the race that they will discriminate against. Most of our ancestors came here and spoke poor English though their children spoke as Americans. It's too bad California is so far from Alabama that it makes it too expensive for this guy to fight that ridiculous ticket. That officer should be ashamed of himself. Alabama should be ashamed of itself and America should be ashamed. As an American I am ashamed of my racist country sometimes.

". . . a ticket for being a 'non-English-speaking driver.'"

On that basis, nearly everyone driving the roads and ruts in 'Bama should be ticketed.

"my truck and asked if I was an American citizen. (it is obvious I am -- I have blue eyes, brown hair, fair skin)."

YEAH!

Now we know why Mr Gee Shucks Dangit has to suck on a straw for a living!

@Gumpy:

" I have never known anyone who complained of mistreatment by an Alabama state highway patrol officer."

Well, since you are omniscient and the be-all end-all of authority on ALL Alabama troopers and you apparently know EVERY interaction that EVER went on between AL troopers and citizenry, then I guess based on that argument, we should all rise up against this injustice.

Really, "I never heard of", is the respite of the weak minded who can only process things in their own experience, and can't conceive of anything happening outside of it.

does this mean directions will now be in english?

FUCK ALABAMA, an Fuck you Goatman, you Racist Prick!!!

This is unfair....

I wish someone track that driver and pays his ticket. These drivers work very hard in a hazardous occupation and earns their daily bread. Why target them?

Authorities last year issued 25,230 tickets nationwide for violations. Now the federal government is trying to tighten the English requirement, saying the change is needed for safety reasons.
##############################
#############

Damn that alabama, it MUST be racism. I mean what other reason could there be?

FUCK ALABAMA, an Fuck you Goatman, you Racist Prick

Meds, celery

Got statistics to prove that?

I don't need 'em. I live there. I don't need an almanac to tell you what the weather is like there either.

True, but this conversation isn't about assuming whether someone is Mexican or Asian, it's about assuming whether or not they're an American citizen. Either of the people you described could or could not be a citizen, but that can not be determined by the characteristics you mention.

You are using invalid logic, but don't feel bad -- it is quite common on the DR.

Assuming this part of Texas: You are saying that if a person of Mexican descent has a a 50/50 (just to give a number, but that's probably close) chance of being an American national or an illegal alien, (which I agree with) then illegal aliens have a 50% chance of being Mexican descent -- which is clearly false

You are saying in logical terms:

If
1/2 Ac + 1/2 Bc = X
Then
1/2 Aa + 1/2 Ba = Y

Where

A=Mexican descent people
B=non Mexican descent people
X=Total population
Y=Population of illegal immigrants
c=US citizen
a=alien

This is not a valid logical assumption. Sorry

"saying the change is needed for safety reasons."

Which is utter bull shit. Sure they need to understand English road signs and be able to communicate enough to know to pull over when told by the authorities but other than that it really can't be called a safety issue. It is a xenophobic, feel good response to a real problem....illegal immigration. The authorities ought to be checking to see if the drivers are legal residents and if not then the fine should be on their employers, if they are legal residents then they should recieve an apology and a quick "be on your way."

"Are you calling the INS officer a "kissy face liberal PC freak"? Since this story started out with him asking you if you were a US citizen, it seems that the INS agrees with me and not with you. Otherwise he wouldn't have asked you."

Wrong. The officer was giving you the chance to tell the truth in case you were not a citizen. My wife and I, both of whom are tired-ass, old white people, driving an old Explorer, were asked the same Question at a check-point on I-25 headed north out of Las Cruces, New Mexico. What was odd was the the officer was VERY obviously Hispanic in origin. I said, "No sir," and he waved us through, and we went on about our business.

I never said that there isn't a higher chance that a Mexican in South Texas is an illegal Alien, I said that just because you don't look like a Mexican, you could still be an illegal alien. But it appears you know more than the INS, as they seem to think it is valid to ask you that question, even though you don't.

And your little formula, clever as it is does not answer this...
Either of the people you described could or could not be a citizen, but that can not be determined by the characteristics you mention.

Perhaps in your area it might give you a better chance at guessing, but it does not prove anything one way or the other.

---------

I don't need an almanac to tell you what the weather is like there either.

Posted by goatman

So your saying by your method you have as much chance at recognizing an illegal alien as you do predicting the weather? That's not a very good chance as even a meteorologist with a lab isn't correct very often. They can only give the chance of rain in a percentage.

I said that just because you don't look like a Mexican, you could still be an illegal alien.

As I keep telling you, that is very, very unlikely in that part of the US. At the Canadian border, you have a valid point. On the US/Mexican border you have a very slim chance of being right with your logic. In fact, if you look at my previous post I made the condition that it was in "this part of Texas".

Sorry, TFD -- Considering this part of Texas, you are off. I've traveled the entire US/Mexican border, especially the Texas part, for over 30 years. I think I can speak more accurately on the issue based on experience than you can on emotion.

your little formula, clever as it is ...

You appear to be belittling it, but it is straight out of a college logics course. It is fair to challenge it, but to belittle it without proof that it is invalid is simply childish.

So your saying by your method you have as much chance at recognizing an illegal alien as you do predicting the weather?

You still don't get it. I'll try one more time but if you still can't grasp the concept, I'll have to give up.

I am not saying I can tell if a person of Mexican descent is an American citizen or not. (still with me?) I am saying that in that part of Texas if a person has light hair, blue eyes, lower cheekbones, etc., it is very unlikely he is an illegal alien. The two are separate issues.

You keep injecting this "so you can tell an illegal" into the argument at an inappropriate point.

If you still don't get it, I give up on you.

Horay for the officer who wrote it.

I worked with someone who couldn't pass the written CDL exam. He once had his CDL but was accused of cheating.
He went back and took the exam multiple times but couldn't pass it. These guys are idiots.

When we speak multiple languages we become multiple countries.

I am saying that in that part of Texas if a person has light hair, blue eyes, lower cheekbones, etc., it is very unlikely he is an illegal alien. The two are separate issues.
Posted by goatman

You seem to be the one not getting it. I agreed with this point about 10 posts ago, but the chance is still there. You belittled the agent for asking the question at all, if the chance is there he should ask the question. You said there was no point in asking the question.

This is the main reason I never post on a thread where you or BBob have entered, you never even seem to read the posts of those debating with you. You just keep repeating the same thing over and over again, not even paying attention to the other point.

When we speak multiple languages we become multiple countries.

Posted by rick1234567890

We've spoken multiple languages for 232 years.
The people of Switzerland have spoken multiple languages for 1000 years.

The people of Switzerland have spoken multiple languages for 1000 years.

If they spoke only one, they would probably know how to make a knife with only one blade.

These tickets are given 25,000 times a year, but don't worry they'll learn english you have to make sure your kids learn spanish.

I don't understand the cop's problem. The guy speaks English on a 3rd grade level just like half of Alabama.

The guy speaks English on a 3rd grade level just like half of Alabama.

Posted by Sully

I am fom alabama and I'm way smarter than you, you little bitty prick. You know nothing of alabama but you sure now how to promote sterotypes.

Take it easy, Lipz.

Did you get pissed at Neil Young for writing Southern Man, too? And then applaud Skynyrd's response?

If the shoe doesn't fit.....

"I am fom alabama and I'm way smarter than you, you little bitty prick. You know nothing of alabama but you sure now how to promote sterotypes."

Yeah, I bet you're "way smart". LOL.

The only people who have a right to be offended by my last post are 3rd graders - or at least the ones from the Northeast where people get a proper education. ;)

The officer stuck his head in my truck and asked if I was an American citizen. (it is obvious I am -- I have blue eyes, brown hair, fair skin).

Posted by goatman

I did not realize that blue eyes, brown hair, fair skin are prerequisites to being an American citizen, nor did I know that there are no blue eyed, brown haired, fair skinned Mexicans.

Learn something fascinating every day here.

fascist cop. period. angry, frustrated, scared right wing prick reacting to a reality that can no longer be falsely presented as niceville.

the turd should go take a cab in NYC.

As one who drove a Tractor Trailor for a living in my past, let me make this very clear. Every Major Trucking Company an thier Dispatchers would warn thier African American, Mexican an Indians drivers to be extra careful when traveling through the South. Once one enters Texas an travels through LOUISIANA, MISSISSIPPI, ALABAMA especially at night you had to be extra careful.

This is not in the 1960's this is the warning of today, 2008. These fucking HILLBILLYS know that they cannot be outwardly Racist as in the past so they try an use any way they can to harass anyone except the one tooth redneck relatives of thiers.
FUCK THE SOUTH THEM FUCKERS SHOULD HAVE BEEN ALLOWED TO MAKE THIER OWN NATION, THEY DESERVE EACH OTHER.......Than America could Kick thier ASS again!!!!!

Yes, everyone listen to Celibate Salary, I mean just look at all the abandoned semi's on the freeways in the deep south where they have been pulled over by the corrupt police who then kill the non-white drivers and bury them in a dam.

I did not realize that blue eyes, brown hair, fair skin are prerequisites to being an American citizen,

They are not. THat is why I never made that claim. Why did you?

nor did I know that there are no blue eyed, brown haired, fair skinned Mexicans.

There are a few, but most of them live in Oaxaca, not very close to the Texas border.

Don't feel bad for being ignorant on the subject. You pick up a lot living this close to the border for so long

fascist cop. period. angry, frustrated, scared right wing prick reacting to a reality that can no longer be falsely presented as niceville

What about the ones who issued the other 25,000 tickets? Same thing?

FUCK THE SOUTH THEM FUCKERS SHOULD HAVE BEEN ALLOWED TO MAKE THIER OWN NATION, THEY DESERVE EACH OTHER...

And

....Than America could Kick thier ASS again!!!!!

Are mutually exclusive statements, celery. Are the meds wearing off?

Racists Pigs in the South?

This is news?

Racists Pigs in the South?

This is news?/

It is kind of funny, manypaths. The entire world is full of racist pigs. How can any breathing person not know this?

be nice to the mexicans because in the not so
distant future they will have easy access to
legal immigration so they can pay social security
taxes and help to save the system.

How poorly does one have to speak to be called out on it in ALABAMA?

I don't suggest you go work for the INS in that part of Texas. They like people who use common sense, not a kissy face liberal PC freak. If you were at that stop, looked at me, and thought I wsa an illegal alien, you don't have much common sense.

Posted by goatman at 2008-07-19 10:17 PM | Reply | Flag:

You do realize that not all 'illegal aliens' are Mexicans, right?

If you come here from ANYWHERE illegally, you are an illegal alien.

You do realize that not all 'illegal aliens' are Mexicans, right?

If you come here from ANYWHERE illegally, you are an illegal alien.

*sigh*

Here we go again. I'll say it again, so you don't have to overextend yourself by reading the whole thread.

In that part of Texas (60 miles SE of El Paso, a mile or two from the Rio Grande) the chances of an illegal alien not being Mexican approach 0 (zero). Trust me. I live in S Texas and travel the border, talk to the people who live there, etc. I would not make this up, and anyone with common sense would not even have to question it.

It's difficult for adults that have no prior or limited English language skills, that came to this country legally seeking a better opportunity, to quickly pick up the language. The first generation born from the immigrants assimilates quites nicely into society. Try not to be so hard on others that don't speak the language well, with this in mind.

Unless your family heritage came from a overseas English speaking country, they too probably went through the same process some time ago...

La promesa de los Estados Unidos es la oportunidad de trabajar y aprovecharse de los esfuerzos proprios. Ojala que eso no recuerdemos.

I handle trucking insurance claims and most of the Mexican drivers use English pretty well. Once in a while I have to talk with a relative to get the facts of the accident.

The Asian drivers have a more difficult time.

The vehicle code for CA requires folks to READ English--obvious reasons.

And I think there is a code for truck drivers to speak English. Goes with the NAFTA stuff.

But there are people who are deaf who do not speak English well--for obvious reasons and they are not getting tickets. They drive vehicles...

Satyr-Goatman

A recommended cocktail I actually saw taken. The exact doses are unknown but start with around three times the prosaic that is proscribed follow it with muscle relaxants and Valium then wash this down with enough hard liquor to kill a small army. This guy remained standing and causing trouble for hours. He challenged most of the bar m&f to fight and was taken for a time out in Los Alamitos, Calif. The bar banned him for whatever short lifetime he had left.

Now that is a man that stays on his meds. If you will cut that back by a factor of say 5 and down to one fifth, you will have a modified attitude. God knows just what it will be. Ask RevDarko.

you will have a modified attitude

i sure would. I would be out of a job. Piss tests, you know.