Daily News: Is There a Person in <i>Your</i> Parking Spot? Kill Them.
Ke Hai Du. Photo: Daily NewsCheckmate.
In the unofficial battle for the most irresponsible, over-the-top media endorsement of motorist entitlement, the Daily News took the trophy this morning, declaring that drivers are within their rights to run down human beings who stand between their vehicles and on-street parking.
Under an arguably racist headline, News editors claim that sushi chef Ke Hai Du got what he deserved when motorist Paul Todd hit him with his car during a dispute over a Lower Manhattan parking spot on October 9. According to reports, as Du stood in a space to hold it for his boss, Todd nudged his Lincoln into Du's knees, then ran over his foot, breaking it.
To many people accustomed to the norms of civilized society, this would seem a clear case of assault, if not something more serious. But to the News it's a game, which the victim rightfully lost when he challenged the "finders keepers" rule -- or, as News editors put it, "a basic and inviolable tenet of the universe."
What Du did is right up there withstealing a taxi from the person who hailed it, or bringing 15 items tothe "10 items or less" register, or stopping at the top of a subwaystairway to read e-mail, or backing up in an E-ZPass lane.
The lesson is clear: Park your carcass in a parking space, and you may end up as road kill.
Stay in touch
Sign up for our free newsletter
More from Streetsblog New York City
Tuesday’s Headlines: Valley of Political Death Edition
Did you see the new poll showing congestion pricing is really unpopular? Ignore it! Good times are coming. Plus other news in today's headlines.
Open Streets Groups Warn of Extra Red Tape to Run Events
Two weeks notice for hopscotch or a yoga class?
Monday’s Headlines: A Federal Case over Parking Edition
We're flicking our bicycle bell over a big scoop last week that no one picked up on...yet. Plus other news.
Hochul, Legislators Reach Toll Evasion Crackdown Deal
Higher fines for covering a plate and for not paying tolls are part of the budget deal inked on Saturday.
Behind the Scenes: How Gov. Hochul Got ‘Sammy’s Law’ Over the Finish Line
Opponents didn't want to put their name on a no vote for the life-saving measure.
