While waiting for what seemed like forever for a lousy shower at the Pilot in Laredo, TX, I thumbed through the Nov. 2008 Truckers News. Here is a prime example of the irrelevance of the trucking media. First, there is little or nothing the typical driver cares about what's inside the "magazine." While I was standing there, waiting and reading - the talk among the 8 or so drivers, also waiting for showers, was the failure of Bush to capture Bin Laden, the deficit and taxes.
None of them were talking "green" - the "theme" of the Nov. Truckers News. By the way, if you go to the "online" edition of Truckers News the "cover story" with a photo of McCain is of the election circa Sept. '08. All irrelevant as President-elect Obama meets with Bush tomorrow.
I've never met John Randle. His goofy mug is on page 8 of the issue I was looking at. I sent him an e-mail when he was "anointed" into the job of publisher - I don't remember the exact date. I asked him if he couldn't have done "something" with his hair before the photo was taken. Apparently he is arrogant enough to think we think he is intelligent enough despite looking like a little boy who just got out of bed in the morning.
Actually, I know his "type." He is cut right out of the mold of the "mainstream" trucking media - talks a lot about sports, especially golf, to impress everyone he comes in contact with. He couldn't give a crap about truckers. He not an activist, iconoclast or mover and shaker. He'll bide his time until something more relevant to his knowledge comes along at Randall-Reilly Publishing or elsewhere.
Want prove? His "editorial" in this November's issue - coined the "Publisher's Notebook" - is titled "It's Easy Being Green." He writes: "But what about ways you can do your part when you are out of the truck? How green can you be?" Here are 10 simple tips I use to include my family in efforts to make the earth a better place." WHO THE HELL CARES! This is irrelevance at its best!
He goes on to write: "Carpool, ride a bike or walk instead of taking the car. Look for opportunities to reduce your four wheeler usage. Plant a tree in a sunny spot in your yard. The shade can reduce your air conditioning bill." YOU HAVE TO BE KIDDING!
We are in probably the worst economic crisis of our time. We are fighting two wars. We have a immigration "problem." We just elected a new President. Unemployment is scary. GM, Ford and Chrysler are near bankruptcy. Truckers are sitting more than driving. And, this clown Randall wants us to ride a bike and plant a tree! IRRELEVANT.
The best way I can think of Truckers News to be "green" is stop wasting paper and stop publishing this crap. Get folks who know what they're doing and update ON A DAILY BASIS that irrelevant web site of yours. Try making it relevant.
PS/This publication, along with other examples of the irrelevant trucking media, was "stuck" way back in the old telephone room between the Subway and the Pilot convenience store. The lights were out in the room. Like Pilot's useless in-house rag, the rack was full of irrelevant untouched issues.
