Historic Moment: Langevin Presides Over the House

“Of course, if Congress were actually subject to the laws it passes, Langevin would probably have had access to the rostrum 20 years ago.”
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Good point, even beyond the snark, that without mandates accommodations are slow to never coming for people covered by ADA.

When it comes to handicapped heroes in politics, nobody outdoes FDR.

I have to wonder why the ADA is twenty years old instead of, considering that was when he was in the WH, something more like 75 years ago.

Keep in mind, also, how many people came back from WWII, Korea and Vietnam wheelchair bound?

At least we have the ADA for the last twenty years – unless Rand Paul has something to say about it.

“made possible by a series of mechanical lifts recently installed in the Speaker’s rostrum…”

If he were actually the speaker, this would seem a worthy expenditure of taxpayer money. Seeing as his only need to access the podium is for a really sweet publicity stunt, it seems we could pass on this expenditure until such a time as we have a legitimate need for handicapped access to the speaker’s podium (i.e. a handicapped speaker).

So true, as really sweet as Joseph Rainey’s publicity stunt.

Actually, if we had Rand Paul’s philosophy, people with disabilities would just depend on the kindness of strangers.
When someone is part of a working group and has disabilities, they have a right to access to all parts of the environment that are used as part of their responsibilities. In case you haven’t noticed, the Speaker of the House rarely presides over the house. That duty is assigned to the members on a rotating basis. This is part of this gentlemen’s job.

Paul explain Joseph Rainey to me please.

First African American to preside over the House.

Ah, interesting. I will have to do a little Wikipedia on that. Thanks.

Well, I guess Peter has answered my question as to why the ADA was not passed in 1935: people to this day are unwilling to see public or private money put out to make it possible for the disabled to participate fully in our society.

Peter, Paul: For Christ’s sake, will one of you two disciples please tell the Honorable Mr Langevin to “get up and walk” (Matt 9:5) so we can get our refund on the lift?

Great call with Matthew 9:5 and the parable of the invalid at the house where He was speaking.

Well, if Boner becomes the speaker, he would probably “repeal” this as well and instead get a tanning bed installed

Thanks, stewart.
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I’d like to dedicate this irreverently inappropriate comment to the Rev. Sacredh, who will be missed.

I certainly hope you’re not making fun of our Pale brothers and sisters. They have rights too, ya know!

I remember the first time I went to London about 15 years ago and how shocked I was that almost nothing was handicapped accessible. They are only now working to make much of the Underground accessible. There are curb cuts on major streets, but public transport is woefully behind. I was so used to the changes the ADA had made immediately that the lack of them really stood out for me.

The other thing that struck me that is somewhat better now was the dirt in the air. To appreciate what these laws have done for us, you only need to go where they are not in force.

PNNTO,
If Rainey was simply selected to preside over the House at a time that coincided with, let’s say, Black History Month, then yes, that too would be a mere publicity stunt. If he was chosen based on merit, or whatever the normal protocol for these things, then there is no comparison to Langevin.

“no comparison to Langevin.”
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As always,Neo, I appreciate your confident conclusions.