| One of Washington's dirty little secrets: How to avoid ...
You won't believe this. Or maybe you will if you run and hide when you hear, "Hi, we're from your government, and we're here to help you."
In this case, the chilling greeting comes from the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT), those wonderful folks who since 9/11 (under strict orders from the recently-resigned Secretary Norman Mineta) have been wanding little old ladies from Keokuk, Iowa, at America's airports all in the name of political correctness. DOT now has decided that it will apply the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) in such a manner as to make it theoretically easier for the wheelchair-bound to board passenger trains.
There is just one problem, and in a metaphorical sense, it comes under the heading of the old gag, "The operation was a great success, but the patient died."
DOT has proposed a rule requiring that every single passenger train platform in the United States (1) stretches the full length of the longest train that serves the route, and (2) provides level (no steps) boarding for all doors.
For Florida State, nowhere to run
MIAMI - Florida State entered this season promising to improve upon one of its worst campaigns ever running the football. It will have to wait at least one more game to see any significant results. Despite rallying to beat rival Miami, 13-10, on Monday night at the Orange Bowl, the Seminoles' backs found little room to run compiling only 1 yard on 25 carries against a stingy Miami defense. Its longest run of the game: a 5-yard scramble by sophomore quarterback Drew Weatherford in the fourth quarter. Its leading rusher: sophomore Antone Smith with 5 yards on nine carries. Last season, FSU finished last in the Atlantic Coast Conference in rushing, averaging only 94.0 yards per game and compiling 1,222 yards for the season. The dismal output ranked 109th overall among NCAA Division I-A teams.
Disabled cruisers need to plan ahead
Cruise-bound travelers with disabilities, especially wheelchair users, can't take anything for granted. While cruise lines profess to be wheelchair-user friendly, there are instances where they are not. For anyone with a serious disability who is interested in cruising, full disclosure of your problem to the cruise line or travel agent doing the booking is a must. Every cruise line has a toll-free number and guest access specialists to help passengers with disabilities, whether it's a wheelchair issue, a hearing or sight impairment, questions about oxygen for those with respiratory problems or other medical problems. Ask the cruise line or your travel agent questions until the answers are crystal clear to you and you feel comfortable embarking on a new experience.
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