Annapolis Capital Punishment

If this were just a minor thing in the course of a day, CP would ignore it, but it is rampant and says sooo much about what is wrong with our culture. Okay, so CP and his son visit the local video rental store in a local shopping center that has plenty of parking spaces, yet he notices that a black, sporty BMW with an Annapolis Yacht Club sticker on it is parked illegally at the closest spot to the store. Illegally as in occupying the yellow striped zone next to the spot that has the conspicuous sign that says HANDICAPPED ONLY. In other words, this is the spot needed for the physically challenged driver (perhaps a wheelchair user) of a car to use to actually get on to the sidewalk from his or her car.
So, CP enters the video store and spies a smartly dressed, fortyish-woman who looked, shall we say, oooh so yuppie in all her finery?? Said smart dresser is checking out her video (perhaps “Sex in the City” or reruns of “Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous” or some Mel Gibson flick) and right in front of her, CP asks the clerk-cashier if she happens to know who drove in on the black BMW? Cashier says no. Yuppie ignores CP. CP goes on to say that it is a gross violation of the law and is discourteous, disrespectful etc. and is subject to a rather pricey fine. Why do some people think the law does not apply to them, he rhetorically asked the cashier? (Well, CP supposes it could have something to do with Bush, Cheney, Rove, Rusted, Gonzales but…) The cashier remarks how folks in fancy cars do that all the time. Oh well. Suspecting that the smartly dressed lady was the yachty-yuppie, what do you know that when she finished her business and heads out the door--it is into her BMW. Now, is this a big nothing or is a real concern? Let’s get our police department to ticket them! (CP thinks the fine is a whopping $250.00)
Seconds later, a black Lexus SUV pulls in to the exact same spot (Oh, well if she could do it, so can I!). Now, CP could have done the same, but it is wrong. It’s illegal. It’s mean- spirited. It could hurt a person who really needs that privilege. CP parked in a real parking spot, and yes, actually had to walk another 100 feet. So did nearly everybody else. CP is thankful every day for the privilege of being healthy. He is not as thankful for having to share the world with those who think they are privileged simply because they drive fancy, black cars. CP is reminded of the wintry day at the entrance to that same video store some years back. Snow and ice had not been fully cleared from the parking lot and a man DROVE UP ON THE SIDEWALK AND RIGHT UP TO THE DROP SLOT of the video store. CP was aghast!!! This special character thought he was truly privileged. CP went up to the man and asked why he thought he could endanger everyone around him by driving on a shopping center sidewalk and up to a store. The man said he was concerned about having his wife actually walk, so he drove up. Yes, in case you were wondering, he and his wife were obese.
PEOPLE GET INJURED, MAIMED AND KILLED BECAUSE OF THIS ANTI-SOCIAL ATTITUDE. It is not just a matter of parking. If you can flaunt that law, why not another, and another, and another????? Aaah, the danger of creeping rationalization in everyday life.