HERE'S MY ANSWER TO WASHINGTON POST ABOUT JOHN YEH

From: robert mason (rlmdeaf@hotmail.com)
Sent: Fri 11/27/09 2:47 PM
To: mario washington post (glodm@washpost.com)

Maria,

I got to know John Yeh after joined the student organization, the Asian Pacific at Gallaudet University. I heard about John Yeh before meeting him personally. Yeh welcomed the Asian Pacific student members to his Potomac residence to make an example of him being the role model to the deaf Asian students about succeed in life working with all races of people, instead of being cliqued within their own racial group all the time. i also read about John Yeh being the successful deaf businessman which were not very common at this time. Yeh co-founded the business with his hearing brothers (another fine example of his own humanity working along with hearing people, instead of being preoccupied to be around other deaf people). Yeh was very humble individual when he opened his private residence to the student members of the Asian Pacific deaf student organizations and engaged in polite conversations with students and ever talked to me (Causcian myself).

I really am not into close relationship with John Yeh in any way, but pretty close to John and his wife thru informal social acquaintances at the deaf and social events of the deaf like the Deaf Professional Happy Hour

I am a Causcian male, 44 years old myself. (DELETED DUE TO PERSONAL INFORMATION ENCLOSED FOR REPORTER)

I am currently living in Fort Lauderdale, Florida since last March 2009 for health reasons due to my asthmatic and allergy problem. I have been a resident of Washington, DC more than 14 years and used to live temporarily in Maryland and Virginia.

(ANOTHER DELETION DUE TO PERSONAL INFORMATION ABOUT MYSELF)

John Yeh also gave some of his personal wealth to help some young deaf enterpreuters like Jon Barish and Jon Kovacs to lay the foundation of "Deaf Nation" nationwide newspaper of the deaf to compete with the longtime and respectable "Silent News" newspaper.

To be honest with you, I have no idea of what the latest reaction from the deaf community at large about John Yeh. I did not see anything about John Yeh being arrested or get any reports from other deaf people. Have John Yeh formally arrested and arraigned? I have not been in regular contact with the deaf DC community at large so far since I move down to South Florida. I have been to DC/NYC last three and two months ago for getting my personal belongings.

I really do not know if John Yeh did get himself in that position after being too greedy from instructing the staff personnels to run up minutes. I have no idea at all. I never inquire or speak to any Viable employees or Glenn Lockhart (I got acquainted with Glenn after being involved in "Unity for Gallaudet" 2006 protest). John Yeh never was part of the protest at all. Yeh just got himself away from the protest. Yeh did express his concerns on the second day of "Unity for Gallaudet" protest. His quote - "I am really concerned what will happen with the university" last May 2, 2006..

I introduced John Yeh to one of the Iraqi military serviceman, who happened to be fluent in American Sign Language at the Deaf Professional Happy Hour (DPHH) few years ago. Yeh seems very intrigued of meeting the American serviceman like this person and eagerly introduced him to his wife. Yeh did ask that hearing serviceman to join him and his family for family gathering. I was really surprised that John Yeh have the love for America unlike many deaf Asians living in America. Those deaf Asians always said that their country ,ex. Singpore, much superior to America, but they still live in America. Uh-huh!

This former Iraqi serviceman is currently employed at the Union Station's "Amtrak" security team (DC). U may contact this person to hear out his side with John Yeh. U just call the Amtrak security team to ask for the security personnel, who is fluent in American Sign Language due to his recently married deaf lady a year ago.

I personally found John Yeh to be a person of intergity and compassion and sincerity. I never hang out with Yeh on personal enveador to get to know him more as a person than just social acquaintance (on the surface). I personally like John Yeh since he treat me decently and with respect.

John Yeh was on the list of my Facebook friends before the scandal exploded out in his face. I do not know if John Yeh still on my Facebook list of friends. I have not checked out the FB list of friends to see if John Yeh still on the list or not. John and I never e-corresponded or called each other. John actually read my blog postings after he wanted to be my FB friends. I was kinda surprised in many ways.

You may check out my Facebook account to see for yourself. I give you the permission to access to my Facebook account to browse and check out what I personally do on FB. I still keep all the FB inbox messages since I opened up the Facebook account last December 2008. John Yeh joined the list of my FB friends last February 2009. Here is my FB username - (DELETED) and password - (DELETED) Please do not write anything on my FB account or alter the FB profile. I will change my password for FB account after you get done with my FB account. Why would I let you peek into my personal life? I am sure that some people do show their personal journals and pictures, etc. Smile!

I am doing the blogging as a service to the deaf community at large and soapbox to get deaf people know me better than listening to all dreary gossips and smear campaigns among deaf and hearing people. I am not really the deaf militant, but more like a cheerleader for more deaf activism to improve the quality of life for deaf Americans. That is all I am doing so far. I am well-known as an opininated and outspoken deaf individual as some deaf people find me to be somewhat scary. I am really politically moderate and always strive for the pragmatism and logical means than resorting to the ideology.

(MORE PERSONAL INFORMATION DELETED ABOUT MYSELF)

I will post the Facebook message to let people know if they want to talk about John Yeh to you. I will post your Washington Post email address. Is that okay with you? :)

Gotta go now. Have a nice weekend.

Robert L. Mason

HERE ARE QUESTIONS FOR YOU, DEAF COMMUNITY TO TELL YOUR SIDE OF JOHN YEH TO WP

That's what the Washington Post reporter asked me questions about John Yeh.

Here is what Maria Gould, the Washington Post reporter write on her email message to me:

RE: washington post article on Mr. Yeh‏
From: Maria Glod (glodm@washpost.com)
Sent: Fri 11/27/09 10:11 AM
To: robert mason (rlmdeaf@hotmail.com)


Hi Robert,

Here's a few questions. Thanks so much.

Can you describe briefly your relationship with Mr. Yeh (How long have you known him, and how well)

It appears as though Mr. Yeh has been well-respected, even admired, in the deaf community and the community at large and had a leadership role. For instance, his position as a Gallaudet trustee, a board member of the National Deaf Business Institute, the numerous awards he’s gotten. Is that a fair assessment?
Can you describe in your words the influence and impact Mr. Yeh has had in the deaf community over the years?
What are your impressions of him personally?

Now that he has been charged, what is the reaction in the deaf community to the charges against him?

More broadly, what has the response been to all 26 arrests and the charges that all these folks were taking advantage of the government VRS reimbursements?

Can you tell me just a little about you. (where you live and your occupation) And I know you are a blogger, but don't know whether you are doing that as a job or a service to the community?

If there’s anything I neglected to ask that’s important or you’d like to add, please do.
Also, if there’s anyone you recommend I reach out to, let me know. And feel free to pass my contact information along to anyone who might want to respond.

Thanks,
Maria

Maria Glod
Washington Post
703-431-3985

ASLize yours,
Robert L. Mason
RLMDEAF blog

Here was my reply to Maria Glod, Washington Post reporter when she mailed me first on the Thanksgiving Day 2009:

RE: washington post article on Mr. Yeh‏
From: robert mason (rlmdeaf@hotmail.com)
Sent: Fri 11/27/09 12:04 AM
To: glodm@washpost.com


Hi Maria,

Please go ask me questions what you want to know about John Yeh. :)

John Yeh had contributed his personal wealth to Gallaudet University over years.

Yeh always had been an ardent supporter of deaf people to be successful in their own right.

Many deaf people believe that John Yeh happened to be a real victim of some individuals'
excessive greeds to the monetary overcharged by some VRS companies led by hearing individuals.

John Yeh of "Viable" got real pretty late into the Video Relay Services (VRS) competitive business which
left him the "at least desirable crops of available and qualified interpreters of the deaf" to conduct the
VRS calls.

That's how Yeh got himself into real trouble with the federal government and the state of
Maryland in the first place after some sleazy hearing individuals within the interpreting agencies in the
state of Florida whose were more interested in making $$$ than really providing the services to the
customers of VRS.

John Yeh have been an active member of the Asian Pacific social organization of the deaf in
Washington, DC area. He also tolerated the idea of healthy competition of VRS companies within
the annual Asian Pacific organization of the deaf's potluck picnic.

John Yeh is a real family man who devoted to his "Causcian" deaf wife and children. He adopted
deaf male child from his sister to raise as his own - John Yeh Jr. John also had the child with the
Down Syndrome which often conflicted with the ideal Asian perfect physical perfection obessesion.

John Yeh always had been seen regularly at various deaf social and formal events, ex. Captiol
Hill testimony, etc.

John Yeh was really a cautious person whose hardly done any implusive tendencies. Yeh was
deeply concerned about the latest "Unity for Gallaudet" 2006 protest which probably affected the
university as a higher education institution. He was not resorted to any ideological beliefs above
any logical means.

John Yeh always have been a mild-mannered individual on personal and business level.

Some people asked me why I did not delete any nasty and unproven comments about John
Yeh on my past blog posting on John Yeh. I doesn't believe in any kind of censorship. I have no idea
whether people said truthfully about John Yeh on my blog posting or not.

Please feel free to inquire me any questions and look forward to see the balanced newsreport of
John Yeh with shreds of truth and fairness. :)

When Maria Glod emailed me for very first time on T-Day:

From: Maria Glod (glodm@washpost.com)
Sent: Thu 11/26/09 7:53 PM
To: rlmdeaf@hotmail.com

Hi Mr. Mason,

Happy Thanksgiving.
I'm one of the Washington Post reporters and I cover federal court in Maryland. Together with a colleague, I am writing an article about the charges filed against Mr. Yeh and others.
We are trying to reach people who know Mr. Yeh so we can put together as complete and fair picture of him and his work as possible. I saw on your blog, that
you know Mr. Yeh.
I am hopeful you can provide some insights for the story sometime in the next several days.
Sincerely,

- Maria



Maria Glod
Washington Post
703-431-3985

YOUR CHANCE TO TELL YOUR SIDE TO MEDIA ABOUT JOHN YEH

From the Washington Post reporter's email message -

Washington Post reporter Maria Glod contacted me beause she and a colleague are working on an article about John Yeh and the recent criminal cases involving VRS. She has asked me to reach out to anyone who may want to offer input. She can be reached at glodm@washpost.com

Will be in touch,
Maria

Maria Glod
Washington Post
202-334-7294
glodm@washpost.com

SINCERE APOLOGY TO EDDIE RAYNON OF "THUMPFLASH"

I personally owe a real sincere apology to Eddie Raynon, a deaf blogger of "Thumpflash". That's what I have done is very inexcusable and unacceptable thing.

I do not want to be seen as another Ricky Taylor aka "Ridor". I guess that I let my emotions get worst of me yesterday after
seeing Eddie Raynon to make the phone contacts with the Disney people. I know how the Disney people operate in very
aggresive and unpleasant way. The Disney people would do anything to preseve their wholesome image. I would be not
surprised at all that the Disney people will deny such phone conversations with Eddie Raynon or other deaf individuals.
They would claim "That is very news to us. We will do everything to correct the existing problem. We support deaf people,
etc.

I do have a real admiration for Eddie Raynon in many ways for his advocacy with the introduction of first-run captioned
films in the "Bluegrass State" (Kentucky). He is really a sincere and passionate individual. Eddie is doing the grudgy works
of other "advocacy" organizations of the deaf without any given salary.

I sometimes disagree with Eddie Raynon's approach with the film industry and lobbying representatives and legislators.
Eddie Raynon seems "too nice" and "naive" in my opinion, but Eddie knew what to do anyway according to his own style.

I have a lawyerly mind which I usually state the fact clearly in non-threatening way and get hir reply. I would give anyone
an opporunity to resolve the issue she or he face. If not, I will resort to the lawyerly manner like reminding that person about
the existing law that he or she have to comply with. I have to hit the person with mallet (rhetorically) with the possible lawsuit to get things done. Sadly, many people understand "lawsuit", not the velvet touch.

I often let people get away with the so-called violation of my civil rights on everyday basis. I also am very nice person myself.

From what Eddie Raynon said about me on his comment on my latest blog posting to be all true. I could not argue with Eddie about this one -

Anonymous said...
Robert:

First of all, I usually don't dignify ignorant comments about me, but you obviously have your head too far up your arse to be objective on this.

I don't believe in recording calls. Although Kentucky allows what they call "one party recording", which means only ONE person needs to know the call is being recorded, doesn't matter which person, I don't feel the need. Should it become necessary, notes, such as my blog piece where I document what I was told, are sufficient in a court of law.

Secondly, I am VERY against lawsuits or threats of them, etc. until it is an absolute last resort. Because of this, I choose to act RATIONALLY, a concept that may elude you from time to time, and I file my complaint, let them hear from the many other deaf and hard of hearing people by posting the information to allow them to contact them as well, and so forth. I choose NOT to go off on tangents accusing them of being audist and so forth, I focus on one detail at a time. Disney has, in the past, taken steps to make their theme parks more accessible by providing captions. So to slather them with the tar and feather term of outright audism is uncalled for without more evidence.

You call me "real stupid" for not leaving an "evidence trail" for you all to follow. It is there already, from what I reported. Quit whining and wanting someone else to do all the heavy lifting for you and do some of it yourself. If I'm not mistaken, you spend a lot of time in Florida. Why don't you call them YOURSELF and post what you were told? If enough people post and show contradictions in what they were told, well, there's your evidence, my friend.

While you are correct there was no real excuse for them to do this, they did it. Now focus on THIS problem, get it fixed, and move on to the other problems (how they portray or not portray the deaf in their movies), fix that, then on to the next problem, etc.

You SHOULD feel bad about bashing me. While I don't deny you are a prolific blogger about deaf issues, I have NOT ONE TIME SEEN WHERE YOU HAVE FOLLOWED UP ON A COMPLAINT YOU HAD WITH REAL EVIDENCE YOURSELF, and only a couple of times have I seen you post links, addresses, phone numbers, etc for people to follow through themselves. Grow up, quit crabbing, and start DOING SOME OF IT YOURSELF. It's that old "For-For-For Syndrome" as one friend of mine calls it. Always wanting someone else to do something for you instead of doing it for yourself.

Eddie (Thumpaflash)

YES, I intend to write the blog postings to expect others to do the work for me. I hardly have luxury of time to do the follow-ups or contact some people directly. That is no real excuse for me at all.

Eddie Raynon is a young guy with full of energy and passion to make the real difference in our deaf lives. I greatly admire him for that. I have no intention of dragging Eddie's name into mud. I apologize again for my reckless blog writing.

Same thing with Kenneth Samson. I privately was amused by Kenneth Samson's email message to the Disney people.

Wr have to be real smart with the strategtic tactics to make real impact for our deaf community at large. We sometimes better let particular individuals or organizations of the deaf to deal with issues affecting our deaf community at large.

We also need people like Eddie Raynon and Kenneth Samson and others including YOU to do the impromptu efforts since time is crucial.

Or we need to get together to make the group strategy to make things happen.

I have seen what the Disney people done to people in general. I still want to see the Disney people to finance the non-pathological deaf film with the hirings of deaf director, screenwriter, producer, performers and crews in the meantime to give our deaf people the footingl in the entertainment industry.

I grew up worshipped the Disney characters and products as a kid. I begun to know the Disney stuff more and more. I got
real disgusted with the Disney company in general.

We have to think how powerful and influential the Disney company is within the world. We must make the Disney people pay dearly for the past audism.

ASLize yours,
Robert L. Mason
RLMDEAF blog

PLEASE STOP MAKING EXCUSES FOR DISNEY/PIXAR CO.!

After reading Eddie Runyon of "Thumpflash" and Robert Underhill of "Under the Hill" blog postings. REAL STUPID of Eddie Runyon making phone calls to the Disney video production office because of no "evidence trail" left for us, deaf people to make an issue of "audism within everyday life".

We ought to get someone like the state attorney general's office or customer advocacy group to send in the formal inquiry to the Disney video production office and get the official reply from the Disney Entertainment, Inc.

NEVER MAKING ANY PHONE CALLS without recording them, but many states outlaw any phone recording without the consent of individual at the end of phone receiver.

NO REAL EXCUSES for the Disney people CHOOSE to decline closed captions/subtitles for the "UP" film DVD release since "Mr. Frederickson" character was partially based on John Tracy (deaf oralist person)'s father, Spencer Tracy! The Disney people choose to be very greedy and exploitative by making people to buy the pre-viewing DVD materials. That's what those people done were very unacceptable!

EVER the former Disney employee like John Tracy, the former studio artist, was largely treated in very disrespectful way by the Disney company for snubbing deaf people everywhere.

WHY some deaf people have to be such an apologist for hearing audists, ex. the Disney, Inc like Eddie Runyon, who seems kissing the rear behinds of Disney people??

We should simply send in the letter of inquiry without any threatening manner or insults like Kenneth Samnson sending an email message to get their official reply, then we could kick in their balls and heels to take an advantage of "once happen in a lifetime" about the everday existence of audism. We ought to state the question how come didn't "UP" film for DVD release have any captions or subtitles for deaf home viewers, instead of sending our emotional reactions.

The Disney people have not done the real disservice to deaf people for very first time. Several Disney films chose to overlook the existence of deaf people like the animated "feel-good" films, ex. "The Hunchback of Norte Dame" without the deaf hunchback and the remake of live action film, "100 Damalitions" without any deaf damalition dogs in this film at all. 1/3 of the damaltion dogs are DEAF.

Many deaf people are aware of the Disney past, ex. Walt Disney and the Walt Disney production donated a lot of money to the John Tracy Clinic to suport the ideals of oralism and audism against deaf people in general.

Have you seen any Disney movies being made about deaf people??? NOPE!

LET'S PUT THE DISNEY ON DEFENSIVE SIDE AND MAKE THE SOCIETY AT LARGE TO SEE THE REAL EXISTENCE OF AUDISM IN EVERYDAY LIFE AMONG DEAF PEOPLE!

Disney, Inc. ever made the 1980s film, "Amy" which this film pathologically portrayed the hearing "so-called savior" to teach deaf children to speak -
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0082017

Disney, Inc., ever have been guilty of sexism and racism in their past films -
http://disneyandmovies.pbworks.com

Disney ever stole the original credits from the Japanese classic kids animation creation and still denied the fact that this very same studio ripped off Tesekuo -
http://www.kimbawlion.com/rant2.htm

Disney parks finally signed the formal agreement with the government that they will abide by the Americans with Disabilities (ADA) laws in 1997! Why the Disney people choose to snub deaf people after the passage of the ADA law in 1990. SEVEN YEARS LATER!! What kind of beloved and well-known children entertainment to deny the deaf children from being fully enjoyed within their DIsney parks and attractions???

http://www.ada.gov/factdis.html

The Disney company is one of numerous entertainment companies keep bullying individuals and other media outlets from just using the Disney characters for non-marketing purposes, ex. educational and inspiring.

The Disney company managed to steer the U.S. Congress into approving the Digital Millenium Copyright (DMC), one of most draconian copyright laws ever existed . For example, the copyright protection of Mickey Mouse character already expired according to the past copyright laws. The Disney company want to keep their characters from being used for any reason without their permission.

The Disney company is the one, who keep stealing the ideas of many people and insist that other people have to follow the copyright laws. The Disney people used the past stories and characters like the Grimm Brothers, ex. Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs and the Italian classic children stories, ex. Picchonic, then demanded that those characters to protected within the intellectual property. Jesus Christ!

Who the f**k the Disney company thinks?? Let's DEMAND that the Disney production to make the full-cast deaf movie with deaf director and producers and designers and screenwriters and huge marketing money for film promotions and television ads. That is our chance in a lifetime!

Write letters to the mainstream media and television station about how horrible the Disney company are doing to us, deaf home viewers via DVD viewing. We need words out to the society at general and make the Disney video production pay dearly for their arrogance and selfish marketing strategies. That surely backfired on the Disney company in many ways!

ASLize yours,
Robert L. Mason
RLMDEAF blog

Disney's "UP" film character based on deaf person's father

Not many deaf people realize that the Disney 2009 film, "UP" character, Mr. Fredericksen was modeled after deaf person's well-known father, Spencer Tracy. That was John Tracy's own father.

You could check out the info from the Wikipedia about the character based on
Spencer Tracy. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Up_(2009_film)

We could mobilize the John Tracy clinic about the Disney slapped the face on
our deaf community by not enclosing captions and subtitles into the new DVD film release, "UP".

We ought to do the nationwide boycott of "Disney" as real Scrooge since this very same company is doing with the new digtialized "Christmas Carol" film in 3-D.

ASLize yours,
Robert L. Mason
RLMDEAF blog

Nov. 8th's "Family Guy" TV Special Mocks Deaf People

As everyone know that the FOX-TV's "Family Guy" tv show is Ridor's personal favorite. Right??

What will Ricky Taylor aka Ridor will say about the FOX-TV's "Family Guy" mocking deaf people for the comedic purpose? Or Ridor really is behind the idea of "riffs" on deaf people?

This TV special with the mockery of deaf people will air next Sunday, November 8th.

Real important is to have the real sense of humor than enflaming ourselves as "mob mentality" rallying against the FOX-TV. "Family Guy" is just a tv show.

Perhaps the NAD will call for the official boycott of the FOX-TV. Who knows?

ASLize yours,
Robert L. Mason (RLM)
RLMDEAF

Pics of Keller statue unveiled - Washington Times

There is the picture of deaf-blind lady, Ms. Ann Black, former VR counselor for Washington, DC on the front page of the Washington Times, 10/8/09. Several pics of
the congressional leaders and other people attended the unveiling of the long awaited
Helen Keller statute.

Keller statue unveiled - Washington Times

Shared via AddThis

ASLize yours,
Robert L. Mason

CORRECTION - Deaf Presence on "Glee" TV Show

My sincere apology to every of you, my faithful DeafRead readers that I just find out about the slight factual error about deaf female performer making an appearance on tommorow Wednesday night's FOX-TV's "Glee" show. That would be about few weeks from now, not tommorow. *sigh*

Maj Lesit-Hicks's deaf cousin recently made an announcement on his Facebook message few minutes ago. I shouldn't ran the story off the hot press without
being more careful and inquistive before making an ass out of me. LOL! Yes,
I accept my own responsibility for being truly careless and implusive. Please
accept my heartfelt apology. Thanks in advance.

Hopefully will post any further development about Maj Lesit-Hicks's appearance
on FOX-TV's "Glee" television programming.

ASLize yours,
Robert L. Mason (RLM)
RLMDEAF blog

MSSD Will Celebrates Its 40th Anniversary This Weekend

Model Secondary School for the Deaf (MSSD) in Washington, DC on the adjacent campus of Kendall Green campus (Gallaudet University and Kendall School Demonstration for the Deaf) will celebrate its 40th Anniversary this weekend, September 25-26th.
http://clerccenter/gallaudet.edu/Clerc_Center/MSSD_40th_anniv.html

Will the MSSD survive to see its next 50th Anniversary celebration?

Is MSSD really a successful "model" school of the deaf or fail miserably?

The originality of MSSD meant to be the "laboratory" school for the deaf which the the development of desginated educational tools of educating the deaf youngsters all over the country. It ended up happened nothing.

President Lyndon Baines Johnson (LBJ) signed the Model Secondary School for the Deaf Act on October 15, 1966. The First Lady Pat Nixon, a wife of President Nixon participated in the groundbreaking ceremony of MSSD in 1969.

Many deaf youngsters all over the country used to be sent to the MSSD as part of
pluralistic symbol of true American diversity including the local deaf DC adolescents.

The 2008 ethnicity population at MSSD still predominately Causcain, but the African American student population come closer 40% to 42% white. Other racial population were still behind the United States' increasingly racial diversity.

MSSD had a history of its own controversy, pride, success and failures. MSSD produced many memorable deaf alumnus of their own and paved the career opportunities for many deaf professionals and educators like Dr. Steve F. Weiner as a dorm counselor for MSSD boys to the current provost of Gallaudet University.

MSSD used to be the pure bastion of liberal attitudes within the student body and school administration until the presence of Dr. Frank Turk's non-sense authoritian style radically changed the school atmosphere in the mid-1980s. Turk's legacy still carried out with the present MSSD's administrative style.

MSSD students from the 1970s to the mid-1980s usually had the free reins of coming and leaving the MSSD campus all days and nights and weekends. Dr. Turk put all the stops to the liberal smorgasbords of "out of control" drug and alcohol uses among students and staff members. The former MSSD alumnus under Dr. Frank Turk's adminstrative leadership, still resentful of Dr. Turk.

The MSSD student enrollment numbers had been drastically fell out in past eight years due to many former MSSD students' unhappiness with the draconian administrative policies and depressing student life. The MSSD student enrollment used to be like 500 to 800 students. The present student enrollment was about 150+.

MSSD seems on the stability of educational instruction quality so far, but no longer being the model school for the deaf on the national level for many years. Fremont School for the Deaf (California) and Maryland School for the Deaf (Frederick) supprassed the Model Secondary School for the Deaf as desirable schools of the deaf in the United States.

ASLize yours,
Robert L. Mason (RLM)

FLASH NEWS! "glee" TV SHOW WILL HAVE DEAF PERFORMER

FLASH NEWS!! Deaf performer, Maj Lesti-Hicks will appears tomorrow (9/22/09) on Fox-TV's brand new tv show, "glee" at 9pm (Eastern Time). www.fox.com/glee

Many of you surely see the ASL handshape of "L" on the forehead within the FOX-TV's "glee" tv show promotion throughout the entire summer 2009. "L" on the forehead is generally a meaning among the society at large to be a "loser".

"Glee" tv show isn't the first tv show using "L" handshape on the forehead. Another tv show from last year (couldn't remmy the particular title of this show) did the similar tactic with "L" handshape. :(

Many hearing people usually use the hand expression with "L" for loser for past ten years.

ASLize yours,
Robert L. Mason (RLM)
RLMDEAF blog

Guess What? I Bumped Into Someone in Downtown Boston Now?

I am in the downtown Boston right now for my personal vacation with no particular reason. I have immediately spotted Dr. Harlan Lane, Professor at the Northeastern University on the way to buy his "daily jolt" (coffee). I embraced Dr. Lane to say "quick hi". He was very gracious and made the comment about how real nice and beautiful weather out there.

Dr. Harlan Lane previously addressed the issue of cochlear implant surgery as a violation of medical ethics a decade ago before the American deaf community begin up in the arms. The Gallaudet Buff and Blue student newspaper in the 1990s blasted Dr. Lane what right he had to decide for the deaf community to do something about the medically unethical practice of inserting the cochlear implant into deaf youngsters.

Dr. Harlan Lane used to be the frequent visitor to Gallaudet University on various topics of deaf issues. He wrote numerous books on the history of the deaf which bluntly lambasted the audists and oppressors of the deaf throughout the human history.

I met Dr. Harlan Lane several times on Gallaudet campus, but not on his home turf. What a honor! Lane still is the handsome guy with graces.

ASLize yours,
Robert L. Mason (RLM)

Celebrity CODA Recently Got Married!

Many of us are familar with our own celebrity CODA (Children of Deaf Adults), who is the former contestant on the FOX-Tv's "American Idol"'s first season. Jim Verraros is the son of deaf parents in Illinois, Nicholas Verraros. Jim is also an actor in several films and singer with numerous albums.

Jim Verraros recently got married to his boyfriend, Bill Brennan in "Hollywood-style" wedding last September 2nd (2009). Not much information on Bill Brennan, much older than Jim himself.


http://www.people.com/people/article/0,,20302879,00.html

http://www.jimverraros.com/News/index.html

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j7WmfP0iIPw



Verraros outed himself to his deaf mother at age of 18, then revealed his sexual preference to his deaf dad at age of 19 during the last stage of "American Idol" contest in Seattle hotel room. His deaf father dismissed Jim's revealation as just an experminental stage.

Jim met Bill thru the "My Space" accounts last four years ago. Both of those guys found out that they were just living 20 minutes apart.

To my surprise, Jim Verraros did date the bisexual actor, Brandon Call, well-known for playing the arrogant and selfish J.T. Lambert on the ABC-TV's "Step by Step" and done the supporting role as "Hobie Buchannon", son of David Hassehoulf's character on the first season of "Baywatch", very popular "syndicated" tv show in the late 80s and 90s.

Will Jim Verraros' marriage to Bill Brennan be successful or just a dupe? To me, Bill Brennan seems an opporuntist to ride on Jim Verraros' celebrity and used him.
Moreover, Jim Verraros deserve much better than the older Bill Brennan with fake bleached blond hair. Wish Jim Verraros "happy and successful marriage". I doubt that!

ASLize yours,
Robert L. Mason

Re-Posting - DBC/AFA - We Are Not Only the Ones Fussed About the Bell ..

This is the re-posting of blog entry which end up on the DR's Extras page. After the modification of the newspaper link.

There is the recent public outcry over the former Bell Telephone Laboratory, Inc inventor of "transistor" since the heir of William Shockley donated the forested 28-acres land tract to the city of Auburn, California to be named after the former Nobel Prize winner.

The main reason of citizens' protest after the city's decision to name the community park after the former Bell Laboratory worker, who was the leading individuals on the eugenics movement of the 1920s and 1930s in the United States.

So many of you have the doubts about the sincerity of the Deaf Bilingual Coalition (DBC) and Audism Free America (AFA) fight endlessly against the past and present and future shackles of audism and limited educational options for deaf kids. So we, the Deaf America are not only the ones!

Here is the article from the Wall Street Journal (WSJ) newspaper -

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB125167291476670823.html?mod=googlenews_wsj

Wv School for the Deaf Face Possible 1/2 Million Dollars Budget Cut

Governor Joe Manchin seek to streamline the state budget by getting rid of duplicous programs and too many school adminstrators lately.

The $13 million dollars budget for the WV School for the Deaf in Romney, WV, possibly faces
the 1/2 million dollars ($522,000+) budget cut this year.

The budget cut decision have not been finalized yet.

ASLize yours,
Robert L. Mason (RLM)
RLMDEAF blog

Tim Rikker's "Letter to the Editor" of USA Today

Tim Rikker, one of the respectable finanical advisor in the West Coast (CA), wrote the letter to the editor of "USA Today" newspaper appear today on 8/26/09 on the issue of cochlear implant.

Here is his letter to the editor -

Ear implants
Timothy Riker - Sacramento
It's important to educate readers that cochlear implants are not the silver bullet that some in the health care industry are claiming ("Giant steps for ear implants," Life, Aug. 17).

As a deaf person who learned American Sign Language as an infant, I had the social foundation needed to make me a successful person academically and professionally. I am disappointed with health care professionals such as Debara Tucci, the associate professor of otolaryngology at Duke University Medical Center, who said children who receive cochlear implants "are mainstreamed in school. They do beautifully. These kids won't need sign language." These words implied that deaf people who use sign language and attend a school for the deaf are inferior.
American Sign Language is a language to be respected as equal to spoken languages. Deaf people are not to be looked down upon because they communicate in sign language.
Posted at 12:07 AM/ET, August 26, 2009 in Letter to the editor, Medical Issues - Letters Permalink
hostName = '.usatoday.com';
USA TODAY welcomes your views and encourages lively -- but civil -- discussions. Comments are unedited, but submissions reported as abusive may be removed. By posting a comment, you affirm that you are 13 years of age or older.

This "letter to the editor" version of Tim Rikker seems shortened than appeared in the USA Today's print edition.

SEE THAT???? We, deaf citizens of Deaf America and other places around the world needs to spill our black kettle to spread our deaf activism than just whining and sitting on our rear behinds.

YOU COULD DO THAT BY YOURSELF! PLEASE STOP WORRYING ABOUT YOUR ENGLISH WRITING SKILLS. JUST DO IT! MANY OF YOU ARE REALLY SMART THAN YOU WOULD GIVE YOURSELF. SMILE! OR YOU COULD SUBMIT YOUR VIDEO POSTING IN YOUR OWN LANGUAGE - AMERICAN SIGN LANGUAGE AND MAKE EDITORS OF MASS MEDIA TO WORK OFF THEIR ASSES TO FIGURE OUT WHAT YOU SAID TO THEM.
LOL!

ASlize yours,
Robert L. Mason (RLM)
RLMDEAF blog

Senator Ted Kennedy for Deaf People

Senator Ted Kennedy was well-known as "The Senate's Lion" within us, Americans which he endlessly fought for the educational justice and other civil rights issues greatly mobilized and defined the Deaf America and other deaf people around the world.

No questions about Senator Kennedy's direct responsibility for the real changes in deaf education within expanded options for disabled youngsters of pre-college programs, ex.
mainstream, I.D.E.A., I.E.P and greater educational fundings for multi-handicapped programs.

Ted Kennedy from the long history of Massachusseetts' views on social, economic and political progress lend the Deaf American community and other cultural and linguistic minorities like the deaf ASL users to be politically empowered with the deaf activism from the mid-1960s to the recent 2006 Gallaudet University protest.

The state of Massachussetts was the first state to create the commisison of the deaf to serve the deaf population in the Bay State which successfully led by Barbara Woods, a deaf activist.

Deaf Massachussett residents actually enjoyed such privileges like the state providers for medical interpreters which Ted Kennedy and the Kennedy family played pivotal roles in
the changing attitudes toward disabled individuals , except the cultural and linguistic minority of deaf signing people.

Back in the early 1980s, Lt. Governor John Kerry (U.S. Senator, now) helped the creation of TTY distribution under Governor Mike Dukakis. As the similar comparsion to deaf people enjoyed free videophones within the private company nowadays.

No idea of how Senator Ted Kennedy really embraced deaf people as part of cultural and linguistic minority, instead of seeing us as disabled group.

Political liberals are usually known for their support of transforming the deaf education into more "mainstreamed" options as compared to many political conservatives' support for the deaf residential schools back in the 1970s.

Senator Ted Kennedy and other liberals included President John Kennedy paved the way for the direct government programs from federal food stamps distribution to Social Security Income/Social Security Disability Income (SSI/SSDI) which entirely changed the Deaf America
from the aspects of self-reliance to the "from cradle to death of welfare allocations) among handful of deaf people, instead of encouraging them to seek the gainful employment.

On another hand, Senator Kennedy and other liberals helped millions and millions of Americans to get out of permanent poverty with the government's social entitlement programs.

More and more deaf individuals engaged in the concept of enterpretutial efforts in the 1990s and 2000s which deaf people finally get in the steps of corporate ladders within the TTY and video relay services for the deaf. Senator Kennedy and other government leaders made real possible for deaf people being economically independent.

ASLize yours,
Robert L. Mason (RLM)

Where is the AFA? What's Up With Current Media Coverages on CI?

There is a brand-new media coverage on cochlear implant surgery for DEAF YOUNGSTERS in the 8/16 (Monday) edition of "USA Today" newspaper.

Hold on! Why the sudden presence of how amazing the cochlear implant surgery for deaf youngsters and babies SHOWED UP LATELY in the American media reportings in very short time frame?

The Sun Sentinel newspaper of South Florida (Fort Lauderdale) ran the feature story on the awe of cochlear implant surgery for deaf babies and youngsters last week ago. The story was reprinted from the Chicago Tribune newspaper, but the L.A. Times and Balitmore Sun newspapers also ran the stories on cochlear implant surgery for deaf babies and youngsters within same time frame.

Here is the enclosure from the "USA Today" -
Eyeing smaller, faster, smarter ear implants
Updated
Enlarge
By Doug Kapustin for USA TODAY
Dr. John Niparko, a cochlear implant specialist, examines Serena Rush, 6, who got cochlear implants about 4 years ago and now has about 70% hearing.
WARNING: GRAPHIC IMAGES
HOW IT WORKS
By Mary Brophy Marcus, USA TODAY
Cochlear implants open deaf kids' ears to the world
L.A. Times newspaper enclosure -
The technology is 'close to a miracle,' a psychologist says. Can it work for little Tyler de Lara?
1
2
3
4
next
Related
Audio slide show: A miracle of sound
How the implant works
What will become of American Sign Language?
By Shari Roan
August 3, 2009

There is the university websposting on the subject of CI in St. Louis, MO -

Medical News Releases > Medical News Releases > Hearing impaired get better hearing with cochlear implant plus hearing aid By Gwen Ericson
Aug. 4, 2009 -- Adults with severe hearing loss benefit from pairing a cochlear implant in one ear with a hearing aid in the other ear, even though the sound signals from each device are very different, according to a study at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis published in the June issue of the Journal of the American Academy of Audiology.

Is there really the conspiracy of marketing the cochlear implant surgery on deaf babies and youngsters during the month of August and health care reform debates across America?

In the meantime, where the hell is the Audism Free America on the troubling trends of media news reportings on CI within short time frame?

ASLize yours,
Robert L. Mason (RLM)
RLMDEAF blog
rlmdeaf@hotmail.com

Someone Left Open Message for Viable, Inc.

I got many anonymous messages left on my blog posting in regard to the Viable, Inc lately. I ever got numerous email inquiries from deaf foreigners overseas about the current status of
Viable, Inc. whether the company is still running or not, etc.

So here is the anonymous comment for Mr. John Yeh and Viable, Inc. -

Anonymous has left a new comment on your post "Why the FBI Looked Into Viable's Rate Billing Trai...": Needless to say more about Viable's dire situation, I am wondering if other VRS companies, such as Sorenson, CSDVRS, HORVS, etc, have ever considered a possibility of taking over the sinking Viable company and save Viable reputation. In this case, it could expedite payments to unpaid Viable employees in order to avoid multiple lawsuits that have been filed by disgruntled and unpaid employees.Also, it would still keep the Viable server running (MUST) in behalf of all Viable customers who have paid and used their VPADs and VPAD+s. The capabilities of VPAD and VPAD+ rely entirely on the Viable server. Without the Viable server, VPADs and VPAD+s would become obsolete. The Viable server is a heart of the Viable body. It would be catastrophe for all Viable customers.I hope that John Yeh will read this comment and consider a possibility of a company takeover by other VRS companies only if Viable situation is dire. I think Sorenson is the best business to buy Viable because Sorenson has tremendous funds and could keep the Viable server alive for VPADs and VPAD+s customer. Also, Sorenson would expand its customer base!. Yes, it may hurt Viable pride if Viable is taken over but Viable has to swallow a bitter pill for its sake.Anonymous

I am just being neutral on the Viable, Inc and have nothing to do with the Viable, Inc. I do find this anonymous's open message for Viable, Inc to be unbelievably arrogant and improper. I do not appreciate of being the messenger for the Viable, Inc.

Robert L. Mason (RLM)
RLMDEAF blog
rlmdeaf@hotmail.com

What Marlee Maltin Doing with the "Hearing Angel" Foundation?

After seeing the 1/4 color newspaper ads on the upper right corner of USA Today's "Life" section with the pic of Marlee Matlin with quote - "Be someone's Hearing Angel" . It runs by
the Starkley Hearing Foundation.

I checked out the http://www.hearingangel.org/ to see if Marlee Matlin is being duped by the foundation or use her likeness without her authorization. This foundation seems responsible
for spreading the "audism" in other countries with the emphasis of hearing aids use.

Is that much better than implanting deaf kids and toddlers with cochlear implant (CI) devices by providing the hearing tests and hearing aid devices?

You decide -

Hearing Angel, Starkey Hearing Foundation
What is a Hearing Angel?
Impact
Getting Involved
Supporters
News & Events
Understanding Hearing Loss
About Us
Donate Now
Make a Difference > Share Story A Life Changed > Read Story
Hearing Facts
Hundreds of millions of people worldwide have moderate to profound hearing loss in both ears.
People with untreated hearing loss can suffer from depression, isolation and withdrawal.
Children with hearing loss have difficulty learning and gaining the self-esteem to succeed in school and life.
Donate Now
Hearing Angel: Marlee Matlin
Donate Online
Donate by Phone
In Honor of a Loved One
Planned Giving
Donate by Mail
Starkey Hearing Foundation
I understand first-hand what it's like to live in silence. But for millions of children, only a hearing aid separates them from hearing everything the world has to offer. Become a Hearing Angel - together we can make miracles happen.
Visit Marlee Matlin's Official Website
See More Supporters Become a Hearing Angel
About SHF
Stories
FAQs

ASlize yours,
Robert L. Mason (RLM)
RLMDEAF blog

Another Deaf Celebrity Will Join "Dancing With Stars"

Guess who?? The confirmed news reports about the well-known deaf celebrity will appears on the ABC-TV's "Dancing with Stars".

I wonder if this deaf celebrity will reinforce the image of "oralist deaf" and "non-signing" deaf people or what?

Actress Marlee Maltin already done her hard work to bring the favorable image of deaf people to the "Dancing with Stars". *waving hands*

Should we, Deaf America be truly concerned about the incoming deaf celebrity appearance on this fall's "Dancing with Stars"?

http://wonderwall.msn.com/movies/Field-Guide-Celebrity-Skin-for-July-21-3504.gallery?GT1=28135#m=PrP5L5i3cli&wallState=2__/tv/dancing-with-the-incredible-hulk-1519151.story

ASLize yours,
Robert L. Mason (RLM)
RLMDEAF blog

Don't the Audistic Society See Real Benefits in Deaf People?

(Enclosed the very shocking article) Many of us, deaf people are very familar with the existence of audism when come to the job search for basic entry-level employment postitons. For example, non-college degree deaf individuals are automatically ruled out for the postiton like receptionist (not able to hear or answer the incoming phone calls) or lifeguards (the audists' pathetic excuses about lifeguards must have the ability to hear out any incoming screams from the would-be swimming victims, etc). LOOK AT THIS NEW YORK POST ARTICLE -
http://www.nypost.com/seven/08042009/news/regionalnews/queens/washed_up__ipod_guard_whistled_182908.htm

Every of us surely know about any deaf lifeguards would get fired instantly if those deaf lifeguards spend very quick conversation with people in American Sign Language (ASL) on the beach scene or watching DVD on the portable DVD player.

I am really glad that the NYC government including Mayor Mike Bloomberg taking real serious with the non-acceptance for any hearing lifeguard shortchange hir own lifesaving duties.

ASLize yours,
Robert L. Mason (RLM)
RLMDEAF blog

83 Years Old Deaf Sexual Predator Lives Underneath Miami Freeway

Last week's Newsweek magazine, 7/25/09 edition, mentioned the 83 years old deaf male sexual predator reside underneath the Miami freeway with other sexual predators.

http://www.newsweek.com/id/208518/page/1 (mentionable of deaf guy on the eighth paragraph).

For months, the Miami Herald and Sun Sentinel (Fort Lauderdale and South Florida) newspapers endlessly reported the existence of sexual predators camped outside the Miami

freeway due to the state of Florida's tough rules for where sexual predators could live.

I only could find several deaf sexual offender being registered within the Florida Sexual Offender Registry.

http://offender.fdle.state.fl.us/offender/flyer.do?personId=190

http://offender.fdle.state.fl.us/offender/flyer.do?personId=3598

Another newspaper article mentioned the name of 83 years old deaf sexual predator -

Let's take a look at the cut and copy portion of newspaper article -

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write to the editor email a friend print article show comments (71

Sex Offenders Set Up Camp

The Julia Tuttle becomes a colony. Politicians pass the buck.

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  Jacek Gancarz

  
  
  




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  Jacek Gancarz

  
  
  

Subject(s):

sex offenders, Julia Tuttle Causeway

Click here to view a slideshow of the bridge community.

The oldest offender is 82-year-old Manuel Perea, an arrival of just a few weeks ago. Perea, who is deaf, was sent to live under the Julia Tuttle after being arrested for his second sex offense, allegedly fondling three children while handing them a puppy on the street. He was fitted with a GPS unit, but can barely hear someone screaming into his ear, let alone the soft beeping of the box.

About a third of the men are harnessed with GPS monitors — despite the fact that they have no regular access to electricity to charge the batteries. If the generator is working, Ortiz usually obliges; otherwise the men either allow their boxes to shut down — technically a violation of their probations that could land them in jail — or resort to more extreme measures. One offender sometimes walks across the causeway to Wendy's, where he surreptitiously charges his box from a booth.

"What are you going to do with an 82-year-old guy who's a dirty old man?" says his lawyer, Ted Mastos, a former circuit court judge and state prosecutor. "The guy's got a problem — he's done it before. He's a problem, we recognize that, and that's the reason we entered a plea. But in our wildest dreams we never thought this would have happened.... His son is a very responsible guy and he's done yeoman service to try and find a place for his father," Mastos says. "And now an 82-year-old man has to die under a bridge, and nobody cares."

Manuel Perea walks a mile and a half along the causeway every night with slow, painstaking steps, carefully lifting his legs over the railing and descending under the bridge, politely waving a large wrinkled hand at the rest of the bridge dwellers as he passes by. Each night he slowly unpacks his bedding, lays it out on a concrete block, and goes to sleep. In the mornings, it takes him more than a half-hour to pack up the bedding.

"How the fuck can they put an 82-year-old man down here?" Ricardo asks one night, as the old man walks by, waving as usual. "That first night he got here, I hear beep beep beep.... I go, 'Fuck, it's the old man.' He can't even hear the box when it's right next to him."

"It's comedy," Ricardo murmurs, watching the old man's retreating shadow. "It's comedy and tragedy at the same time."

Deaf Census 2010

The U.S. Census officials will make the public announcement that they have a new policy on how the census people will count legally married same-sex couples without vaguely classify them as "unmarried partner". WHAT ABOUT COUNTING DEAF PEOPLE FOR 2010 U.S. CENSUS? No official 2010 census plan to count DEAF PEOPLE in the United States so far!! Why not???


Where is the NAD efforts to prod the U.S, Census Bureau to conduct the census survey on
deaf people-
socioeconomic level (income and educational level)
geographical location
unemployment and employment rate
ratio of deaf enterpreuters
percentage of deaf cochlear implant users
and signers and oralists
deaf people with deaf or hearing parents and hearing level
social-cultural identity (hard of hearing, latened deaf and culturally deaf), etc.
and other more.

The NAD had done the last census survey on deaf people back in the late 1960s. The U.S. Census Bureau stop doing the census on deaf people back in 1890s which was too confusing for them and the public to do the determination of deaf people's identity- deaf, hard of hearing and latened deaf, ex. elderly populace.

I would not mind of being the director of "Deaf Census 2010" project unit and hire the right and qualified people. I really need the gainful employment anyway. :) Of course, I must be very impartial and netural when come to the 2010 U.S. census on deaf people. No deaf ideology involved. Time is running out!

President Obama did sign the stimulus package for the greatly increased census population ount among the minority community (Deaf America) -

Implementing the American Recovery & Reinvestment Act of 2009 at the Census Bureau
To ensure a successful 2010 Decennial Census, the Recovery Act includes $1 billion to hire additional personnel for partnership and outreach efforts to minority communities and hard-to-reach populations, increase targeted media purchases, and ensure proper management of other operational and programmatic risks.

We need to rally ourselves to the U.S. Census Bureau for what about counting us as part of the 2010 U.S. Census!

Are You in a Survey or Census?
Information for Survey and Census Participants
The Census Bureau conducts a variety of censuses and surveys, not just the once-a-decade census. Every month, quarter, and year we conduct surveys with households and businesses.
We use a workforce of trained federal employees to conduct a variety of household surveys by telephone and in-person interviews, as well as the mail.
If someone from the Census Bureau has visited you, and you have any questions, you may speak directly via telephone or e-mail with your Census Bureau Regional Office.
If you have received a telephone call from someone at the Census Bureau, and you have any questions, you may speak directly via telephone or e-mail with an employee of the National Processing Center.
We Protect Your Information
The surveys we conduct provide information about social and economic conditions in the country, including employment, housing, manufacturing, trade, and many other topics. The questions we ask are used only to produce statistics, and you are never identified individually. For more information on how we protect your information, please see our Data Protection and Privacy Policy website.

ASlize yours,

Robert L. Mason (RLM),

RLMDEAF blog

Low-Functioned Deaf Taserized by AL Police

Here is the latest news report from the AP about the AL police done unjustifable stuff like taserizing the low-functioned deaf guy, who was not being aware of the police demand.

I tried and tried to attach the link, but the library computer system block "copy" link.

I had no choice like copy and paste this newsreport for the DeafRead readers. Okay?

Someone need to teach me how to find another way to copy the link. :)

Published on Tuesday, July 28, 2009 by the Associated Press
Ala. Police: Taser Use on Disabled Man Justified
MOBILE, Ala. - Officers who used pepper spray and a Taser to remove a man from a store bathroom found out only later he was deaf and mentally disabled and didn't understand they wanted him to open the door, police said Tuesday.A spokesman for the Mobile Police Department said the officers' actions were justified because the man was armed with a potential weapon -- an umbrella.
A police officer demonstrates a taser gun in 2007. Manufacturers of the Taser stun gun on Monday unveiled a new handheld weapon on Monday which is capable of shocking three people without having to reload. (AFP/File/Carl de Souza)But relatives of Antonio Love, 37, have asked for a formal investigation and said they plan to sue both the police and the store.
"I want justice," Love's mother, Phyllis Love, said Tuesday.
The woman said her son hears only faintly, has the mental capacity of a 10-year-old and didn't realize that it was the police who were trying enter the bathroom.
"He thought the devil was out there trying to get in to get him," she said.
Antonio Love, in a written statement and in a television interview given in sign language about the confrontation, said he had a badly upset stomach last Friday and went into a Dollar General store to use the restroom.
Police spokesman Christopher Levy said Tuesday store workers called officers complaining that a man had been in the bathroom for more than an hour with the door locked. Officers knocked on the door and identified themselves, but the person didn't respond.
Officers used a tire iron to open the door, but the man pushed back to keep it shut. Officers saw the umbrella and sprayed pepper spray through a crack trying to subdue the man, Levy said. They shot the man with a Taser when they finally got inside, he said.
Officers didn't realize Love was deaf or had mental problems until he showed them a card he carries in his wallet, Levy said. He was arrested on a charge of disorderly conduct, but officers released him and took him home after a magistrate refused to issue a warrant.
Levy said officers were justified in using force against Love since he had an umbrella.
"The officers really worked within the limits of our level-of-force policy," he said. "We had no information about who this guy was."
Phyllis Love said her son, who has worked in the garden department at a Lowe's store for several years, was scared when he realized someone was trying to get into the bathroom with him. He put water on his face and on the floor after being hit with pepper spray, she said.
"He didn't know it was a policeman until they busted the door in on him," she said. "He had a knot on his head from where it hit him."
Levy said police wish the confrontation had never occurred. The internal investigation will include a review of Love's complaints that officers laughed at him after realizing he was deaf, he said.
"We'll make whatever efforts we can to resolve this situation, hopefully so this man will be able to trust police in the future so we can help him. Obviously, it's going to be a rough road," he said.
© 2009 Associated Press

Posted in inequality, tasers,
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Snoop July 29th, 2009 8:28 am
Oh, dear. It's been a bad day in Mobile.
An unmanned Air Force drone crashed into a local cemetery last night. Police report that so far they've recovered 327 bodies and expect the count to go higher.
When an off-duty Coast Guardsman tried to point out the possible error here, local police told him he was out of his jurisdiction.
The Air Force had no comment pending completion of their continuing search for the crash site.
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Snoop July 29th, 2009 8:12 am
Well geez Bubba, ya gotta think about this.
A guy locks hisself in a restroom for an hour, what's he up to?
Could be he's stealing the plumbing.He could be doing soma' that terr'ist stuff.Or...he could be sick?
Anyways, the big threat here is, he's messin' with the operation of a Dollar Store (one of the few remaining cornerstones of the failing economy of the Greatest Nation on Earth.)
See, ya gotta git all the facts 'for you can figger out who's the sum'bitch.
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Bob Pomeroy July 29th, 2009 1:31 am
It's great to read these comments. My last week has been spent trying to introduce truth and reason on the std MSN blog site "newsvine", and it has been extremely burdensome. I would invite some of you to hold your noses and plunge in once in awhile, just to keep the fresh air flowing. Think of it as public service to those who are victims of rush/orielly/dobbs. It will be neither pleasant nor pretty, but avalable service opportunity disconsonant with those who standby and do nothing.I love this blog
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MBK July 28th, 2009 10:56 pm
O man, umbrella's are extremely deadly! I see local police in my gym all the time, always acting like tough guys. But when it comes to the real world, rather than subdue someone physically these narcissistic pricks take the cowardly path and taser at will. Then again, what else would to expect from someone who enlists to be a tool of oppression...just another tool.
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anothervetdidmine July 28th, 2009 10:47 pm
Trust the cops? Not on your life!! Welcome to AmeriKKKa!!!
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Stonetool July 28th, 2009 9:57 pm
TASERS ARE TORTURE DEVICES......... PERIOD!! Law enforcement agents are far too willing to use these devices because they "do not kill" and leave virtually no marks. They use them liberally at the slightest whim, and often use them for "punishment". The mission of law enforcement does not include summary punishment. Invariably the use of these devices is found to be "appropriate" in all cases. They close ranks and protect "their own" increasing the divide between the forces of law enforcement and those they supposedly protect. There IS NO JUSTICE for victims of law enforcement abuse weather it be being tazed, beaten, or outright murdered. It is time that law enforcement reconnected with the ordinary citizen, and their mission to "serve and protect". "Small" men with weapons and torture devices do not belong in law enforcement, and whatever their victims...... un-satisfied by justice... resort to is justified! There needs to be some fear of the consequences of abuse of power!
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sirios333 July 28th, 2009 9:57 pm
First we have a harvard professor trying to break into his private domain and now we have the gestapo trying to slither home [ the shit pools at the local waste treatment plant] via a public toilette. As to the exuberance of the pigs? Well, the carpenter desires timber the physician disease and the police,confrontation. I guess we will now have to broaden the definition of retarded, to include the "serve and protect" crowd.
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baruchzed July 28th, 2009 9:48 pm
Police in this country are drunk with power. The chemical weapons and tasers have emboldened police considerably. Often enough they are acting like gangs of thugs, protecting each other no matter what, unable to admit mistakes (Crowley/Gates for example, and this story) and brutalizing first before asking questions, if they ask at all.
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Truth_Forward July 28th, 2009 9:41 pm
Double Post, Sorry.
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Truth_Forward July 28th, 2009 9:41 pm
Brutalizing the disabled.
Isn't that the kind of crap that happened in Nazi Germany?
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aussidawg July 28th, 2009 9:25 pm
First we have the pig arresting and cuffing a Harvard Professor in his own home after the prof. showed him identification of both a driver license and university ID. Obama called the police "stupid" after the incident (the one thing Obama has said that I believe and agree with), and police all over the nation come unglued.
Now we have this deaf, menatlly disabled person pepper sprayed and Tased after being in a restroom sick.
These bastards expect us to trust them? After this in one week of time? I think not. Not now, not ever!
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eugene_sargent July 28th, 2009 9:05 pm
Young Antonio Love was not far wrong: There were devils trying to break down the door. I don't understand the bone-headed feeding frenzy kind of behavior that takes over policemen's minds when they get in situations like this. Recently in my area, the local cops broke into a house in which a man was stabbing his pregnant girlfriend. The cops pulled out their weapons and the typical hail of bullets ensued. When the smoke cleared, the assailant was still standing, the victim had a 40 caliber bullet in her head and was pronounced dead. Now cops aren't the sharpest tools in the shed to begin with, but for some reason, when things get exciting, their IQ's drop at least 20 points.
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Humbaba July 28th, 2009 8:53 pm
What sort of monsters would use the deaf and mentally challenged for target practice? I'll never visit Alabama.
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h4020 July 28th, 2009 8:46 pm
Every day this country looks more and more like Stalin's Russia. Federal, state and local goons do what ever they like and none are held responsible. This goes right to the top. For example, we are still waiting for the Attorney General to finish thinking about the criminal activities of the previous administration and do something about them. Electronic snooping by the government is rampant and uncontrolled. Vast data bases have been constructed and filled with huge amounts of information about the citizens. These can be mined by the snoops without constraint. The Watch List of the Department of Homeland Security is an example of how we can be abused. It is badly flawed and little if any effort is made to correct it. The government makes the rules to protect us. Of course, there are always new enemies to be protected from and therefor more rules. The cages of the new gulags have already been constructed, the guards trained and they will be packed to capacity when necessary. It's not a pretty pictureof life in the Home of the Free. It's going to get worse.
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EKATON July 28th, 2009 8:22 pm
"We had no information about who this guy was."
Right, so shoot first and ask questions later you FUCKING COWARDS.
"Levy said police wish the confrontation had never occurred."
I'll bet. Now you've exposed yourselves to a massive, I hope, lawsuit. PIGS!
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Obedient Servant July 28th, 2009 8:14 pm
"Scottsdale-based TASER International kicked off its annual Conference and Master Instructor Training event yesterday by announcing the X3, a new ECD capable of firing up to three sets of probes without being reloaded."
[Google TASER X3]
Isn't progress wonderful?
Now they can "tase" the whole damn family without reloading! And they will.
· Yr Obd't Servant
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MNbabs July 28th, 2009 8:14 pm
It took me forever to figure out how to log in here, and probably just as well. Because I was absolutely furious after I read this piece.
I am guardian for my adult brother who has mental retardation. This could have been him, and not in AL. He'd have been absolutely terrified at the pounding and door wrecking and probably rendered motionless and speechless. And in his terrified state, he'd have had almost no chance of being able to unlock the door.
I am trying my best to see this from both sides. I can almost, ALMOST, justify knocking hard, harder, hardest and, getting no response, attempting to open the door. Why? Because someone may have been in trouble. Sick. Passed out. Dying. Dead.
Why is it that officers seem to be trained to assume the worst at all times, ergo, guilty until proven innocent? Rhetorical, I guess. It's for their own safety.
There's a fine line here, and clearly these officers stomped the daylights out of it. The training that needs to happen on the heels of this is for the officers, not for restoring this young man's faith in them.
I cannot imagine the physical and emotional trauma he endured.
Okay, I'm mad again. So I'll stop here. But I'm not done with this. Not by a long shot with my deadly umbrella.
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genie July 28th, 2009 8:05 pm
Police need special training on how to discern between citizens who can't respond and people who won't respond in a way the police expect them to. People who live with a mental disability and also have a hearing impairment are doubly challenged. I remember reading about a school in America where troubled children were receiving little shocks when they misbehaved. At first this was considered a success because the children responded by being good but it was later discovered that it was counterproductive and in the long run it did not help the children to act the way they were expected and was cruel. I am often shocked by the acts of people with authority. I hope the day will come when all people will know sign language. People who are deaf have a lot to offer.
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tell the truth July 28th, 2009 7:48 pm
its beginning to look like this all over america.this isn'tjust a alabama problem but a us ofa epidemic.the police deptshave morphed into paramilitary orgs. with all kinds of hi techdevices and tanks etc. this is not your mom and dads p.o.!my neighbor is retired from the nyfd and has friends in the pd.he was a capt. and those friends held similar jobs in the fd.their major complaint! the fd. had the brightest bestrecruits leaving the pd no choice but to except the leftovers. whats the real motto of your local pd! its not toprotect and serve but rather "we may be dumb but we aremean"! the criminal at the door may be the pd.
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Downwinder July 28th, 2009 9:15 pm
When I go out the door, I first check for terrorists in blue.
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WTF July 28th, 2009 7:24 pm
Hey, the cops gave Love a free ride home in a police car. Aren't they wonderful?
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Jarhead I go th... July 28th, 2009 6:25 pm
Dont go to Alabama on a rainy day. Your parasal will be considered a deadly weapon by the local gestapo idiots. You can and will be tasered or probably shot with a 9m. three or four times.
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ianplank July 28th, 2009 5:58 pm
Use to Be: PROTECT & SERVE
Now it is: LAW ENFORCEMENT
Reminds me of a guy named Jesus, who didn't give an answer back to the authorities, and the gov't treated him the same way too, even worse.
I guess in this world if you don't speak up for your self some one else will, and it might not be what you wanted them to say.
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jj apple July 28th, 2009 5:42 pm
Attack first and ask questions later if at all.
Since this is the much same principle that has come to guide US foreign policy, here's a question: Is it the the Gestapo tactics of our local police that trickle-up to our foreign policy? -- or our Attack First foreign policy that trickles down to our local police?
I want to avoid asking either/or questions that provoke one-dimensional answers, so let me start out by first answering my own question: I think it is, at minimum both trickle factors, but much more than both, too.
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nobodyknown July 28th, 2009 7:44 pm
jjI suspect that it is the feds, dictating to the lower echelon. This country has created a multi-level federalized enforcement system. I attended a local town bazaar this past weekend where the county police had their 'communications' van set up. Handouts on what to do in an emergency were basically saying that martial law would be declared and that police would have complete control and authority. Of course each person was suppose to provide for themselves food and water for three days... BUT NO WEAPONS TO DEFEND THEMSELVES WITH.The old 'civil defense' network of the 60's stressed local citizens banded together for local support.....The modern system rejects all local input except for the police and fire depts which have all been "educated" to believe that the state and federal authorities can provide better guidance, and that their loyalties belong to the federal government of the day. (IMHO).I've asked many a local politician why medium sized police departments require fully automatic weapons.... these are only useful in mob situations, and one would hope that local police would recognize that any "mob" is actually local "citizens" with mutual grievances.The number of cases where police shoot first is mounting. It is obvious that the federal, state, county and local authorities do not believe that the "people" have any rights or authority, only the uniformed agencies of the government. We have pretty much become a nation of "subject" not "citizens.
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NateW July 28th, 2009 4:59 pm
It would appear as if the police forces from the same state that produced the infamous March 7, 1965 "Bloody Sunday" police riot on the Edmund Pettus Bridge have not learned all that much since then. It should also be written that my large local police department, the infamous LAPD, are in that company as well.
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ThomasJefferson... July 28th, 2009 8:04 pm
Whoah, NateW,
RAMPART drug smuggling department made "The Shield" look like nothing. Ask old Rod King. If they don't know who you are like a deaf disabled guy, they crash your bathroom stall and torture you with a taser.
If they DO know who you are, "Guy has priors" (littering, wreckless driving) then they twist your arms, stick boots and kneecaps in between your shoulder blades and rub your corneas in the gravel. Ever see "Cops"? It is not fiction.
I would never live in such an uncivilized society that does that. I am dreading my next trip back there.
TJ
"All tyranny needs to gain a foothold is for people of good conscience to remain silent." - Thomas Jefferson
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NateW July 29th, 2009 12:49 am
...and your point was what? I am all too aware of the myriad thuggery of the LAPD (a prime reason why I refuse to reside in Los Angeles proper). I was merely pointing an all too depressing commonality that bedevils police departments across America.
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ThomasJefferson... July 29th, 2009 2:54 am
My point is I agree with you. Good post! (I guess Whoah, was the wrong on-line noise. I Should've said: Hear, Hear!)
TJ
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bystander July 28th, 2009 4:33 pm
Tasers don't kill people...It's idiots who misuse technology that kill people.
Any Taser use should have the same post-incident review procedure as a firearm discharge. There was no need to use a Taser in this case. But the low threshold for Taser use will just get lower and lower. All of our kindergarten teachers will soon be issued Tasers to keep those little hoodlums in line. The sooner they learn their place, the better.
Now umbrellas, they DO kill people. I just hope he had a permit for that umbrella.
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WTF July 28th, 2009 7:34 pm
Permits for umbrellas? Where's my second amendment?"A well regulated militia, composed of the people, trained to raise umbrellas, is the best and most natural defense from rain and sun."
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Downwinder July 28th, 2009 9:10 pm
I'd better go down and register my cane.
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Truth_Forward July 28th, 2009 9:26 pm
When they outlaw umbrellas only the outlaws will have them.
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nobodyknown July 28th, 2009 4:20 pm
"We'll make whatever efforts we can to resolve this situation, hopefully so this man will be able to trust police in the future so we can help him. Obviously, it's going to be a rough road," he said.
Can you say "brainwash" boys and girls? That's right. See, I knew you could. I hear tell that if they 'waterboard' him, he'll say just about anything they want him to say.
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barrycounty July 28th, 2009 4:17 pm
Scared, hulking, steroid pumped, neanderthal thugs. Being "Uncooperative" is now a major crime/insult to our local, armed nitwits. I rejoice when any one of them take that final step and "cross over" under any circumstances.
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sLiMsHaDy July 28th, 2009 10:54 pm
I have to agree. Can't stand the mentality of "law enforcement"; yet another Orwellian term, as it turns out.
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pjd412 July 28th, 2009 3:32 pm
Trust the police? To do what? Not be belligerent? weaponed? homophobic? corrupt? brainwashed?
...and violent, racist, reactionary-fascist, corporotocracy-serving...
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dubet July 28th, 2009 3:21 pm
"We'll make whatever efforts we can to resolve this situation, hopefully so this man will be able to trust police in the future so we can help him. Obviously, it's going to be a rough road," he said.
Trust the police? To do what? Not be belligerent? weaponed? homophobic? corrupt? brainwashed? Rough road, indeed...
Trust: the result of keeping promises over a prolonged period of time...which would imply a first time, and an unbroken thread of repeat performances...
If the police were to begin handling situations like this without breaking down the door or pepper spraying or tasering, then that might count as a first time...then, they would have to repeat, without fail, for a prolonged period...
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