# "You know, that's handicapped parking spot!" **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [June 13, 2011, 5:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-know-thats-handicapped-parking-spot/585328 "2011-06-13T17:13:55Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 15
**Author:** ![Otara](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/a88e4f/32.png) [@Otara](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Otara)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2011, 10:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-know-thats-handicapped-parking-spot/585328/281 "2011-06-14T22:10:32Z")
> [@stpauler](#): > > This thread makes me think back to my junior high school days and a hippy teacher who taught us about ethics and morals. Some parts really stuck with me especially her part of [Kohlberg’s Stages of Moral Development.](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kohlberg%27s_stages_of_moral_development#Stages) It was something we learned at the beginning of the semester and we were asked to track our behaviors and where they’d fall into the chart. No. Level 1 is “I’ll do what I want”. It would involve no acknowledgement of the usefulness of handicapped spaces, or ensuring other spaces were available, and be focussed on escaping punishment rather than avoiding impacting on other people. Virtually noone is arguing at that level of the thread, although some are accusing the OP of it. In my view the OP is attempting to argue at the ‘social contract’ level in that he is attempting as an actor to meet his own needs while considering the needs of others, rather than being prescriptively law bound. He may be failing to convince or consider all angles, but theres no way its a level one argument. Otara ---
**Author:** ![Little\_Nemo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/little_nemo/32/3120_2.png) [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2011, 10:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-know-thats-handicapped-parking-spot/585328/282 "2011-06-14T22:12:40Z")
Was Eonwe wrong for parking in a handicapped spot? Yes. Was he wrong to get mad at somebody pointing out he was doing something wrong? Yes. Was he naive to expect support here? Yes. But, for god’s sakes people, it’s not like he was running the showers at Auschwitz. I’m sure every one of us had done something just as bad. This has become a pile-on of recreational outrage. ---
**Author:** ![billfish678](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/7bcc69/32.png) [@billfish678](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/billfish678)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2011, 10:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-know-thats-handicapped-parking-spot/585328/283 "2011-06-14T22:14:19Z")
> [@Little\_Nemo](#): > > But, for god’s sakes people, it’s not like he was running the showers at Auschwitz. I’m sure every one of us had done something just as bad. Speak for yourself bub…all I did was run the toilets… ---
**Author:** ![boytyperanma](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/4491bb/32.png) [@boytyperanma](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/boytyperanma)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2011, 10:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-know-thats-handicapped-parking-spot/585328/284 "2011-06-14T22:14:30Z")
> [@Eonwe](#): > > So, ok, I am a liar? Please explain to me how my story has changed. The one “change” to my story, which happened four or five pages ago, was that I didn’t mean to argue that I was right to park in the spot. Are you sure you aren’t new here? First you start a thread that anyone with experience knows would turn out as a self pitting, now your arguing with **curlcoat** a task anyone around here knows is a complete waste of time ---
**Author:** ![boytyperanma](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/4491bb/32.png) [@boytyperanma](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/boytyperanma)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2011, 10:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-know-thats-handicapped-parking-spot/585328/285 "2011-06-14T22:17:07Z")
> [@Little\_Nemo](#): > > Was Eonwe wrong for parking in a handicapped spot? Yes. Was he wrong to get mad at somebody pointing out he was doing something wrong? Yes. Was he naive to expect support here? Yes. > > But, for god’s sakes people, it’s not like he was running the showers at Auschwitz. I’m sure every one of us had done something just as bad. > > This has become a pile-on of recreational outrage. Look we all know the real reason Hitler included the disabled in his holocaust… He wanted those parking spots! ---
**Author:** ![billfish678](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/7bcc69/32.png) [@billfish678](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/billfish678)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2011, 10:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-know-thats-handicapped-parking-spot/585328/286 "2011-06-14T22:32:50Z")
> [@boytyperanma](#): > > He wanted those parking spots! Hitler was a vegetarian and a painter AND a musician? Who knew? Hell, no wonder he lost the war…he was spending too much time on all that hippy shit. ---
**Author:** ![MovieMogul](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f08c70/32.png) [@MovieMogul](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MovieMogul)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2011, 11:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-know-thats-handicapped-parking-spot/585328/287 "2011-06-14T23:11:29Z")
[The timing couldn’t be more perfect.](http://www.salon.com/life/feature/2011/06/14/handicapped_parking_abuse_open2011/index.html) ---
**Author:** ![PlainJain](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/5daacb/32.png) [@PlainJain](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PlainJain)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2011, 11:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-know-thats-handicapped-parking-spot/585328/288 "2011-06-14T23:22:07Z")
> [@Eonwe](#): > > No, you’re right. At that point I turn around and go home. Then I get on the phone and call my place of employment and say, “gee, sorry, there wasn’t any place near by to unload so I turned around and went home.” Dude, I honestly respect the fact that you keep coming back to defend your position. And I’m really trying to like you and get past this whole trainwreck but you just keep digging your heels in deeper and posting shit like this. Man the fuck up and learn how to haul your shit around without breaking the law. There was a legal place 15 feet away. You keep saying, “But I didn’t inconvenience anyone!”. If true, it’s only because you were the only one breaking the law. If everyone thought like you there would not have been a space for you or the handicapped. . ---
**Author:** ![billfish678](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/7bcc69/32.png) [@billfish678](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/billfish678)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2011, 11:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-know-thats-handicapped-parking-spot/585328/289 "2011-06-14T23:29:00Z")
[QUOTE=PlainJain;13916249 You keep saying, “But I didn’t inconvenience anyone!”. If true, it’s only because you were the only one breaking the law. If everyone thought like you there would not have been a space for you or the handicapped. .[/QUOTE] Nope. His mode of operation was “I’ll park there (for a very short time and in sight/sound of my car) as long as there are OTHER handicapped spaces still open”. If everyone followed THAT rule there would still most likely be a place for handicapped people to park. Taking his rule, modifying it, then saying what if everyone did that is baloney… I take it you’ve gone over the speed limit. Okay, if everybody went 105 mph 10s of thousands of folks would DIE every year. You evil speeder you :rolleyes: ---
**Author:** ![Broomstick](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/broomstick/32/246_2.png) [@Broomstick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Broomstick)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2011, 11:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-know-thats-handicapped-parking-spot/585328/290 "2011-06-14T23:44:57Z")
> [@Eonwe](#): > > Dear **Broomstick**. Thank you for showing up late to the party. You’re welcome. > [@](#): > > What took you so long, did someone park in your handicapped spot? My spouse’s, actually, I’m not the one with the tag in the family. > [@](#): > > Sorry, but I don’t have time to re-hash arguments I’ve already had with other people; Why, too busy explaining why you’re the sort of tool that parks in handicap spaces to re-hash? > [@](#): > > But, every time I carry the keyboard I get nervous about dropping it, and nervous about hurting my back. Then fucking hire someone to help you. Is the problem that hard to figure out? Or yeah, a handtruck, although I know it’s not good for my electric piano to be put on its end, I always carry it horizontally _with assistance_ because not only is it heavy it’s awkward. Again - is the problem _that_ hard to figure out? Seriously? ---
**Author:** ![PlainJain](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/5daacb/32.png) [@PlainJain](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PlainJain)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2011, 11:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-know-thats-handicapped-parking-spot/585328/291 "2011-06-14T23:59:17Z")
> [@billfish678](#): > > Nope. > > His mode of operation was “I’ll park there (for a very short time and in sight/sound of my car) as long as there are OTHER handicapped spaces still open”. If everyone followed THAT rule there would still most likely be a place for handicapped people to park. > > Taking his rule, modifying it, then saying what if everyone did that is baloney… > > I take it you’ve gone over the speed limit. Okay, if everybody went 105 mph 10s of thousands of folks would DIE every year. You evil speeder you :rolleyes: Nope. His defense is “I was in visual and auditory patrol of my car the whole time, I would have known if someone needed that spot”. And, no, I don’t speed. Analogy fail. :rolleyes: yourself. ---
**Author:** ![Hilarity\_N.Suze](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hilarity_n.suze/32/6223_2.png) [@Hilarity\_N.Suze](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hilarity_N.Suze)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2011, 12:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-know-thats-handicapped-parking-spot/585328/292 "2011-06-15T00:08:29Z")
> [@MsWhatsit](#): > > The set of “all parking locations” is many orders of magnitude larger than the set of “everywhere you go.” Apparently true. Not so many handicapped people here, many handicapped spaces. I guess that’s good. And most of the handicapped people in my neighborhood are blind, so…they aren’t using those spaces. ---
**Author:** ![CarnalK](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnalk/32/486_2.png) [@CarnalK](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CarnalK)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2011, 12:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-know-thats-handicapped-parking-spot/585328/293 "2011-06-15T00:54:59Z")
Luckily around here a lot of places where you shop now have spots for expectant mothers right next to the handicap spots. I just park in those if I’m in a hurry, they aren’t protected by law and as much moral outrage. ---
**Author:** ![Frank](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/3d9bf3/32.png) [@Frank](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Frank)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2011, 1:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-know-thats-handicapped-parking-spot/585328/294 "2011-06-15T01:12:33Z")
> [@CarnalK](#): > > Luckily around here a lot of places where you shop now have spots for expectant mothers right next to the handicap spots. I just park in those if I’m in a hurry, they aren’t protected by law and as much moral outrage. I noticed that when I was there. I always wondered how they were enforced. “Hey lady, that’s for pregnant women.” “Look, I missed my period, OK?” ---
**Author:** ![CrazyCatLady](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/dfb087/32.png) [@CrazyCatLady](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CrazyCatLady)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2011, 1:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-know-thats-handicapped-parking-spot/585328/295 "2011-06-15T01:16:47Z")
So…you did something you _know_ is illegal and utterly schmuckish (I mean, dude, 15 extra fucking feet? Really?), and you’re pissed that someone assumed you were just oblivious instead of a schmuck? Would you honestly have preferred she assume you’re just an asshole who’s too lazy to walk 15 extra feet? 'Cause you don’t seem to care much for people here assuming that. ---
**Author:** ![Cheshire\_Human](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/5f8ce5/32.png) [@Cheshire\_Human](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cheshire_Human)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2011, 1:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-know-thats-handicapped-parking-spot/585328/296 "2011-06-15T01:29:52Z")
> [@bengangmo](#): > > Three times I got a ticket for parking just like the OP did, and three times I’ve appealed the ticket succcessfully on the exact same grounds as the OP. And I’ve gotten 5 speeding tickets in my lifetime. I got 3 thrown out, and the other 2 reduced. All without a lawyer. I was guilty as sin for all of them. Just because you get them reduced or tossed, it doesn’t change your guilt. Only your fine. Your point is??? ---
**Author:** ![LilyoftheField](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/13edae/32.png) [@LilyoftheField](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LilyoftheField)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2011, 1:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-know-thats-handicapped-parking-spot/585328/297 "2011-06-15T01:33:02Z")
> [@Little\_Nemo](#): > > Was Eonwe wrong for parking in a handicapped spot? Yes. Was he wrong to get mad at somebody pointing out he was doing something wrong? Yes. Was he naive to expect support here? Yes. > > But, for god’s sakes people, it’s not like he was running the showers at Auschwitz. I’m sure every one of us had done something just as bad. > > This has become a pile-on of recreational outrage. ^ yeah…this. ---
**Author:** ![CarnalK](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnalk/32/486_2.png) [@CarnalK](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CarnalK)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2011, 1:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-know-thats-handicapped-parking-spot/585328/298 "2011-06-15T01:33:59Z")
> [@Frank](#): > > I noticed that when I was there. I always wondered how they were enforced. > > “Hey lady, that’s for pregnant women.” > > “Look, I missed my period, OK?” I assume it’s honour system. My ready excuse is “I dropped my pregnant wife off at the door, you nosy bastard.” ---
**Author:** ![Nzinga\_Seated](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/b5ac83/32.png) [@Nzinga\_Seated](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nzinga_Seated)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2011, 1:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-know-thats-handicapped-parking-spot/585328/299 "2011-06-15T01:34:53Z")
> [@PlainJain](#): > > Nope. > > His defense is “I was in visual and auditory patrol of my car the whole time, I would have known if someone needed that spot”. > > And, no, I don’t speed. Analogy fail. > :rolleyes: yourself. _Never?_ Man, you don’t know what you’re missing. If you ever get a chance to drive a fast car on a lonely road, remember that Nzinga gave you permission to go a bit nuts just once. ---
**Author:** ![LilyoftheField](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/13edae/32.png) [@LilyoftheField](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LilyoftheField)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2011, 1:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-know-thats-handicapped-parking-spot/585328/300 "2011-06-15T01:53:42Z")
> [@Nzinga\_Seated](#): > > _Never?_ Man, you don’t know what you’re missing. If you ever get a chance to drive a fast car on a lonely road, remember that Nzinga gave you permission to go a bit nuts just once. Oh, man, I was totally doing that! Driving like a maniac on a lonely country road - no other cars in sight! Pedal to the metal, baby! I’m pretty sure that I was far enough from civilization that things like speed limits were like rumors from the ‘outsiders’. Still…it scared the living crap out of me when that damn deer came within a pussy hair of diving through my drivers side window! :eek: Wait…that was a flashback - what were we talking about here? [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-know-thats-handicapped-parking-spot/585328.md?page=14) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-know-thats-handicapped-parking-spot/585328.md?page=16)