Text 20692, 113 rader
Skriven 2015-01-17 19:59:02 av Lee Lofaso (2:203/2)
  Kommentar till text 20689 av Joe Delahaye (47022.fidonews)
Ärende: Special parking places
==============================
Hello Joe,

note: I am deleting JK's quotes, not because of any dislike
of her or her views, but rather to accentuate your statements,
as I find them quite relevant to this particular discussion.

 JD> The naturre of the beast I suppose.  For some it is age related, for
others,
 JD> they have to live with it all their lives.

People have to deal with whatever hand they are dealt.
Such is life.  As a society, the best that can be done
is to be of assistance to those who require/request it,
the (economic) cost be damned.

 JD> Yes, not all disabilities are visible.

Not all disabilities equate to being mobility-impaired.  And some
people who are not considered as being disabled at all, such as many
elderly, may be mobility-impaired (depending on definition).

 JD> What irks me, is those who use their parents's or a friend's permit, to
park
 JD> in a disabled spot.

Why?  Why should that irk you?  It could be a son or a daughter running
an errand for a parent who is disabled (mobility-impaired).  Or a friend
taking a mobility-impaired individual to a doctor's appointment, grocery
store, etc.

What about elderly folks who are denied a permit who decide to use
a dead person's permit to gain access to those coveted spaces?  Why
should an elderly person be at the mercy of a young doctor who lacks
the wisdom and experience of being old?  After all, it is the elderly
person who is suffering from having to make long walks, not the young
stud of a doctor who loves to make out with the ladies (or significant
others).

 JD> Yes it would be nice to park close, but, it says quite clearly on the
permit
 JD> who can use it.

When a kid needs to use the rest room at school, the kid needs
to get a permit (hall pass) from the teacher.  What do you think
will happen if the teacher refuses to give the kid a permit?

At first glance, you might think that to be a nonsense question,
as no teacher would deny a child a permit (hall pass) to use the
rest room.  And children do not lie.  We all know that, right?

What if the teacher is a substitute for the day?  Every kid in
the class needs to use the rest room - at the same time.  What do
you think will happen if the teacher refuses to give the kid(s)
a permit?

 JD> Even my wife cannot legally use it, and she has one of her own <G>

Another abuse is service animals.  Usually guide dogs, but sometimes
other kinds of animals - such as pigs and miniature horses.  This scam
has gotten so bad, that some steps have already been taken.

It started with the Post Office.  Animals are not allowed at the Post
Office, except for service animals (guide dogs for the deaf/blind).  It
used to be allowable to use pigs as well as dogs, but the Congress
actually passed to law limiting service animals to dogs.  So far, so
good.  Right?

Think again.

Some people do not like standing in line.  Those who use service
animals do not have to wait, going to the front of the line regardless
of time of day.  Service animals are expensive, as they have to be
the right kind of dog and also trained by a professional.

Some people got the idea of pretending to be blind, putting a leash
on their dog (usually a mutt), and calling it a service animal (guide
dog) when going to the Post Office.

Needless to say, the Post Office had to update its policies concerning
the use of service animals, defining what is, and what is not, a guide
dog, as well as who could use such service animals.

This practice was not limited to the Post Office.

It expanded to other areas - most notably restaurants.

Restaurants have always catered to those with special needs.
Especially those who are blind or deaf/blind, with service animals.
Until just a few short years ago, everything was fine, and all was
well.  Remember, these service animals are well-trained.

More and more customers with special needs started showing up
at restaurants.  Oh, they dressed the part, and had their service
animals prepped as well.  At first, waiters and waitresses kind
of scratched their heads and wondered why the uptick in these
kind of customers?  It kind of made sense, in the way that those
with special needs get better, faster service (or seem to).  But
then they started noticing some oddities - such as customers
putting scraps of food down on the floor for their dog to eat.

Properly trained service animals are taught not to eat food at
restaurants.  No responsible owner would allow their dog to do
this.  Unless, of course, the owner was not really blind or
deaf/blind, and the service animal was not really a service
animal ...

There are other areas where such abuse exists.  But that's
enough for starters. :)

--Lee

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