Word: parkhurst
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Overdrive's editorial policy is "to print the truth." There is but one truth to Parkhurst, and it is as pointed and uncompromising as the outlook of any political radical. Yet Parkhurst remains a firm believer in the American system, in democracy and free enterprise...
...Parkhurst's support for the independent trucker does not particularly extend to other areas of society. As long as truckers get their fuel and their loads, and can drive untroubled on the roads, he has little or no complaint with American society. He is opposed to any form of socialism beyond social security, and attacks mass transit with a vengeance...
...Parkhurst does see the possibility of enlightened self-interest leading the truckers to become less conservative in their political views; but he thinks that this depends on education and understanding. He claims that many, perhaps most, truckers "can't see beyond the hoods of their trucks," and it is his role to bring them to a wider view of things. "Whether that's leadership, or whether it's education, or knowledge, I don't care what you call it. I call it knowledge, and understanding of what needs to be done," he says...
Asked about possible common interests between the independent truckers, many of whom haul produce, and the United Farm Workers, Parkhurst says, "It would take a lot of education to explain to truckers what the common round was, what the average trucker, at this stage of the game, could care less whether those grapes and lettuce are picked by machines, Mexicans, Negroes, blacks, colored, or whatever they're called, as long as he gets that load. Now, if it could be shown to them that the following things could be accomplished by aligning themselves either with or against the United Farm...
...failure of the May 13 shut-down to materialize effectively damaged Parkhurst's and Over-drive's credibility as a powerful representative of the independent truckers. This was a critical issue last year, when various groups were vying for leadership. Parkhurst claims that Overdrive-Roadmasters represents more independent truckers than any other group, and accuses other organizations of padding their memberships...