Presuming cops are interested in defending handicapped
parking for those who use the spaces legally...

In my town, tickets are given only in December. This
is the case at malls, grocery stores, large shopping
centers (and small doughnut shops) where there's no
shortage of police.

Two hundred dollar parking tickets are used for -
what? Christmas bonuses for local law enforcement?
_________________________________________________________________

A funny story so that you, gentle reader, do not think
I'm totally cynical. (I'm not!) This is almost as
strange as the parking ticket Grinch. True story. I
swear.

I go to school at the University of Mississippi in
Oxford. A new building was constructed to house the
"Trent Lott Leadership Institute".

Ole Miss routinely hosts conservative lawmakers and
politicians: People whose views might be questioned
closely, or heckled openly on a more liberal campus.

I had a class in a building with conference rooms and
private meeting areas. There are two or three
handicapped spaces in the parking lot there.

On this particular day, I found the university
catering service (a van roughly the size of a UPS
truck) blocking both spaces. As I started toward the
entrance, the Chancellor walked out the front door
with a short, pudgy fellow next to him. There were a
half dozen men in coats, ties, and sunglasses trailing
behind them.

I'm on  crutches so I take up a slightly wider portion
of the sidewalk. When we met, the entire entourage
came to a halt.

Chancellor Khayat is a friendly guy. I'm a friendly
guy. I made eye contact with him then looked over my
shoulder toward the catering truck. I cheerfully said,
"You know, that looks really bad."

He doubled over with an apologetic, aw-shucks sort of
smile.
Clearly embarassed, he answered, "I know. I'm sorry."

The fat guy in glasses stood quietly and blinked. The
other goons seemed bored and just looked around.

Khayat and company left. I went to class. When I
walked out again the truck was gone.

It occurred to me, "I made the chancellor look bad in
front of his lunch guest."

I didn't think anything about it until I went to hear
"Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia" speak at the
law school later that afternoon.
_________________________________________________________________

--- Linda Macaulay <[log in to unmask]> wrote:

> I really like the idea of the placard having an id
> photo.  Heck, then if
> someone comes out of a store and gets in a car with
> a placard and they
> aren't with the person whose picture is on the card,
> the cops can nab them.
> I could see this idea increasing revenues quite a
> bit!  Heck, at Towson
> University, they have more handicapped parking
> spaces than most places and
> yet they are always full.  I find that odd when I
> have only seen about 5
> other students with mobility issues.  Of course,
> parking is at a premium and
> folks will scam the system to have a better chance
> at a spot...
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Kathy" <[log in to unmask]>
> To: <[log in to unmask]>
> Sent: Sunday, July 10, 2005 8:05 AM
> Subject: Handicapped Placards (was Re: You Know
> You're Really Bored When...)
>
>
> > Hmm...considering that most people don't get
> disabled until they
> > are pensioners (at least here in this country), I
> don't see how that could
> > help here.  Oh, and also a lot of disabled people
> don't even collect
> > social
> > security disability benefits because they don't
> qualify.  In the US,
> > disability income is paid until you reach the full
> retirement age which in
> > my
> > case would be 66.
> >
> > Also consider that many placards are issued to
> drivers who transport
> > disabled
> > passengers.  I think that's where a lot of the
> abuse comes in, too.  But
> > the
> > photo could be workable, up to a point.
> >
> > So now that you no longer have a badge, how is
> this affecting your ability
> > to
> > get to work and go about your business?  Do you
> have to take public
> > tranport
> > more now, or what?  How does this affect
> pensioners who don't draw
> > disability
> > income but become disabled?
> >
> > Kat
> >
> > On Sunday 10 July 2005 6:42 am, Deri James wrote:
> >> Hi Kat,
> >>
> >
> >> This used to be a problem in the UK, much less so
> now. The new parking
> >> badges now have an ID photo. In fact I can't get
> a badge now!! You  only
> >> get the badge if you are in receipt of disability
> benefit with a mobility
> >> component, and as I choose not to apply for any
> disability benefit, I
> >> don't
> >> get a badge. I used to get the badge before,
> since there was a
> >> discretionary component where your doctor could
> certify you qualified,
> >> but
> >> this is now stopped.
> >>
> >> Cheers
> >>
> >> Deri
> >
>

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