Senator Nodler (R) used free movie pass: Disabled clients paid

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A caregiver for the disabled who tangled with a state senator Nodler MO-R-32) last month at a Joplin movie theater said Thursday that she was shocked to learn the politician had attended the matinee on a complimentary pass given to lawmakers.

"I am even more amazed and outraged," said Amanda Richardson, 20, of Joplin, a certified nurse's aide and college student whose summer job is to provide care for developmentally disabled adults at a Joplin group home run by Skills Unlimited, of Nevada...

"It is such a rare treat as well as a great expense and effort for the fixed income disabled I work with to attend a movie," she said in a prepared statement. "And to think, he wanted to send us back out into the heat that day, while he could attend all the free movies he wanted on a lobbyist pass."

http://www.joplinglobe.com/story.php?story_id=201013&c=87

[usregimechange]

1. Oped on the matter

Disgusted

I have just finished reading the article on State Sen. Gary Nodler's conduct at a Joplin movie theater. I have never been as disgusted by a senator's comments in my lifetime. I find Sen. Nodler's repugnance toward the developmentally disabled to be in great distaste. In essence, he seems to suggest that "those people" should live a life of great restriction. He referenced their behavior; however, I find his behavior to be even more disgusting.

As a senator for the state of Missouri, he is supposed to fight for the interests of its citizens, even the developmentally disabled. Further, I find it extremely childish that he would go so far as to seek out a lie-detector test to validate his truthfulness.

The next time Sen. Nodler decides to voice his opinion in a public setting, he should know we do know who is speaking - a senator for the state of Missouri from whom we expect excellence.

Julie Faucett

Webb City

http://www.joplinglobe.com/story.php?story_id=201046&c=96