Thursday, May 28, 2009

RE: Edward Nuget (Pure Deaf) Whether We Should Trust Democrats or Not?

Within your "Pure Deaf" vlog posting, there is no comment log for anyone to leave comment.

You asked us whether we should trust Democrats (the Democratic Party) or not due to the Early Hearing Intervention Detection (EDHI) on the federal level (Sen. Hillary Clinton, the leading sponsor of this federal bill for the re-authorization of EDHI) and Wisconsin Democratic
Party legislative majority voted for the legislation to make the mandatory requirement for private health insurance to cover the expense of cochlear implant surgery for deaf youngsters below age of 18.

No matter what the political affiliation or party what the Deaf America ought to embrace. At least, the Wisconsin Democratic establishment leave the sour tastes among deaf Americans.

We could do several things like taking the press conference to display our party affiliation switch
to Republicans and Independents to show the Democratic Party how we, the Deaf America really feel about the Democratic Party so far.

Tear out our voter registration paper with "Democrat" on it in very public way (televised press conference) across the United States and the commonwealth as a symbolic action to show real disgusts with the Democratic Party for taking the dignity and well-being of deaf people.

Deaf youngsters below the legal age of 18 really have no sayings or much choice in the matter of inhumane and forced cochlear implant surgery. Does the parents of deaf youngsters know best for their deaf offspring? Nope!

We must send letters to the National Democratic Party and the media outlets about our own
feelings toward Democrats for violating the human rights within deaf babies and youngsters.

We could publicly root for Republican and independent candidates against Democrat candidates to teach the Democrats the big-time lesson!

Deaf people could run for the public offices. I also think about running for the Florida gubernational office (Governor) or U.S. Senate for the vacancy seat of Republican Martinez. I have not ruled it out yet.

I would urge more and more deaf people switch their party affiliations to "Independent" for the real movement within Deaf America to protect our own linguistic and cultural identity from being further compromised.

Cochlear implant surgery on deaf babies and youngsters without their consents or permission are clearly the human rights violation in many ways. Every children should be not treated as some kind of private property or accessory.

The Democratic Party have played the games with the gay, lesbian, transgender and bisexual (GLBT) community for many years which the GLBT voters are very feeble to cast the ballots for Democratic candidates.

I am not saying that the Republican Party is the best option for the Deaf America or the GLBT community.

We would be better off with the multi-party political system in the United States of America than the party duopoly! Ralph Nader is absolutely right about the appalling state of our elected representative.

Governor Doyle and the Wisconsin Democratic Party just ride off the most popular issue on the health care for political reasons. They will dearly pay the cost for screwing up the Deaf America especially deaf Wisconsin youngsters and babies. Let's make them sweat, squeal and beg for our votes by overturning the recent passage of legislation on CI surgery.

Why deny any deaf adult (latened deaf) such an option to restore their precious hearing abilities? Those deaf adults do pay their health insurance, not deaf children! That is real looney tunes on the part of the Wisconsin Democratic Party and Governor Doyle!

Mike McConnell and Robert Underhill of "Deaf Republicans" must join our Deaf America battles against the Wisconsin Democratic Party and national Democratic Party since the Democrats infringed on the free market's right to assess and decide the cost of provided service.

Or Mike McConnell and Robert Underhill will be seen as the untrue Republicans if they do not done anything to support our causes against the Wisconsin and national Democratic Party.

We must tar and feather (rhetoric) the likes of Jamie Berke and other CI proponents' blogs and vlogs to show our displeasure with those individuals.

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

Tuesday, May 26, 2009

American Deaf-Blind Association Need Your Help!!!

 We must root for the American Deaf-Blind individuals according to the legislative proposal in recognizance of the necessity of Special Services Provider (SSP) - tactile and close-by interpreters and visual equipments. 

Just read the enclosure below from the Center for Disability Rights (CDR) - 
 
Urge Your Senator to Recognize Service Support Providers as a Needed Service for the Deaf-Blind Community!
 
The American Association of the Deaf-Blind (AADB) needs your help! We are asking you to call your Senators in Congress to recognize the concept of Support Service Providers (SSPs) as a needed service for the deaf-blind community. SSPs relay visual and environmental information, act as sighted guides and facilitate communication for people who are deaf-blind, using the deaf-blind person's preferred language and communication mode. SSPs enable deaf-blind persons to access their communities and connect with other people, reducing communication barriers that otherwise would result in social isolation, incapability to live independently, and inability to participate as citizens within mainstream society.
 
Click on the Take Action link in this Alert and enter your ZIP code. This will take you to a pre-written letter to your senator. Feel free to personalize the letter.

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

Deaf Captioned Film Listers Often Overlook ....

Many deaf people would be surely love to view the captioned Hollywood blockbuster film(s) on the IMAX giant "40 stories tall" movie screen, BUT the Deaf Captioned Film Listers (Finders) often overlook the captioned film being shown at museums or art houses or embassies showing major Hollywood films.

After reading today's New York Times newspaper about the "Night at the Museum" film being shown at the Smithsonian Institution's Johnson IMAX theatre (Natural History of Museum, Washington, DC). I called to the Johnson IMAX theatre general manager to inquire whether the "Night at Museum" film is captioned shown at the theatre or not. The manager said "Yes" I notified the manager and theatre staff that not many deaf people realize about the Hollywood blockbuster film being shown captioned (Rear Window Captioning - RWC) at that IMAX theatre.

Same thing with the "Star Trek" film being shown with RWC at the Airbus Theatre at the Steve F. Udvar Hazy Lockheed Museum (annexation of Air and Space Museum) in Chantilly, VA near the Dulles Airport. 

CaptionFish (http://www.captionfish.com/) and Fomdi (http://www.fomdi.com/) often overlook captioned films being shown at museums, art houses, embassies and other places. That also include subtitled films shown at art houses, too.

Deaf people could tap into either CaptionFish and Fomdi, captioned film ISP finder to find out where and what time for any captioned films being shown. Real perfect for deaf traveler or deaf family traveling across the USA. 

The general manager of Samuel C. Johnson theatre promised that he will find the way to let the DC-area deaf community know about any Hollywood films being shown with captions at either museums. Will he do that?

Please check out your IMAX theatres including museums to see if any Hollywood films being shown with captions.

I rather view any films with open captions or yellow subtitles at theatre, not RWC. Embassies are not only present in Washington, DC, but also in NYC or California. I always look up "Diplomat" publication to find out whether subtitled films being shown at various DC embassies.

Many films shown at embassies cost nothing. Any of you could take your date to the embassy for film viewing without paying anything. That would definitely impress your date that he or she is taken to the embassy and have intellectual conversations.

Embassies often screen their own home country's prestigious films which are not available for home viewing market. So you could have your chance to view the rare films being seen.

ASLize yours,
Robert L. Mason (RLM)                 BONUS MATERIAL BELOW -
RLMDEAF blog

The National Air and Space Museum is currently displaying the model of the original "Star Trek" spaceship from the television production. Just click on the enclosed link for more info.

Sunday, May 24, 2009

Guess What? Very Deaf-Friendly TV Actor

Guess what? I happened to be at the Starbucks coffeehouse in the Los Olas, weatlhy enclave within the downtown Fort Lauderdale area this Sunday morning, 5/23.

I simply asked the blond gentleman with eyeglasses to see if he could loan me the Sunday local newspaper section to read and return it promptly. This gentleman was more than gracious and pleasant by loaning me several newspaper sections. I returned them which I found the gentleman's face to be very familar.

I wrote down "Are you an actor from ABC-TV's "General Hosptial"? This gentleman nodded yes. He was very deaf-friendly individual by willing to communicate with me thru notepad and pen. The very same gentleman gave me all his Sunday newspaper sections. I offered him $1 dollar for the Sunday newspaper. He shook his head in nay. I felt somewhat bad about blowing up his anonymonity.

I really do not know the name of well-known soap opera actor. I recently look up the Internet to find his name by matching photo of his. That is Kin Shriner living in Fort Lauderdale, FL, too.

Here is the pic of Kin Shriner - http://www.weblo.com/celebrity/avaiable/asset_image/33615516229763/KinShriner/

I am not much a star-gazing person, but never expect to bump into this actor. I never watch the ABC-TV's "General Hosptial" except "Days of Our Lives" (DOOL) tv programming. I always remind my deaf mother why she would waste such a time on the pointless and endless soap opera tv show since I was a teenager. In the end, my deaf mother told me how right I was about the mindless soap opera tv shows. She got real bored with the DOOL show.

I always bump into celebrities in unexpected places most of time which we ended up having good chats. I usually treat celebrities as anyone else. Celebrities are just like us, human beings. I always respect their privacy.

I have the regular contacts with four celebrities which they like me for who and what I am. Other celebrities always embrace me whenever they see me.

I was surprisingly approached last month by one of major celebrities in North Miami Beach area which I haven't seen him for more than 15 years . This celebrity instantly recognized me out of blue. Whoa! We chatted for more than a hour along with his wife. This celebrity looked for the latte drinking and ended up spotting me.

I miss John Kennedy Jr (JFK Jr.) very much. We did have a great time together on several occasions. His death surely devastated me for weeks after finding out about the unforunate plane crash. I met JFK Jr back in 1980. then late 1980s and early 1990s.

I just learned that actor Matt Damon lives in Aventura area of Miami, FL.

ASLize yours,

Robert L. Mason (RLM)

Friday, May 22, 2009

L'Chaim, Please Do Not Pander to SEE/PSE

L'Chaim, you are one of real ASL users on the DVTV. Please do not pander to the use of SEE/PSE like signing "dentist" in "D" handshape sign. Okay? Smile!

If you feel that you have to clear up what the ASL sign is all about. Just fingerspell "DENTIST" which will be very helpful for non-ASL viewers to understand your ASL signings.

The Deaf America is cleaning up its messy signings from the years of infliction from the SEE/PSE or Language Contact.

That's why the real importance of standing up to our ideal ASL signings than pandering to the non-ASL users.

I am still struggled with the use of ASL signings in despite of my deaf parent and cousins and residential school of the deaf and Gallaudet University. I do sign ASL profoundly, but sometimes catch myself using partially SEE/PSE.

Back to the early 1990s, one of my Gallaudet University male friend blasted me - "YOU DEAF PARENT AND INSTITUTION (SCHOOL FOR THE DEAF)! WHY YOU USE MIXED SEE/PSE? on the way to the Safeway store at the Hechinger Mall (Northeast DC).

Of course, I was somewhat defensive and denied such claim like using mixed SEE/PSE to ASL. I went home after shopping and signed in front of the mirror. My Gallaudet friend was absolutely right about my f**ked up signings. I was repulsive with myself for letting the Gallaudet University and WV School for the Deaf (WVSD) infected my pure ASL signings. I occassionally cleaned up my signings to more appropriate ASL signings.

I realized that many and many deaf West Virginians' tendency of using heavily SEE/PSE signings than ASL signings as compared to much older deaf generation using purely beautiful and flawless ASL signings.

Damn the hearing and deaf audists for messing up our beloved ASL signings!

Real important to use our natural ASL language and stay with it! Smile!

I always enjoy viewing your vlog postings and fascinate with your thick hair mane and non-reserved personality and worn-out conference/office chair.

Remember that you are also a role model to the Deaf America and everywhere with your ASL signings. Smile! Ruth Gordon and other deaf people surely have very eloquent ASL signings.

I wish that I could leave the video comment. I do not have an access to the webcam. My friend still have my laptop computer in Washington, DC area. Always take care, L'Chaim!

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

Thursday, May 21, 2009

Anti-CI Deafies, This is NOT really a DEFEAT at all!

This is NOT really a DEFEAT at all for us, anti-CI supporters when Governor Doyle recently sign the legislation to require the health insurance companies to cover the expenses of cochlear implant surgery on deaf babies and youngsters. 

The beginning of REAL VICTORIES for the anti-CI deaf supporters on behalf of deaf babies and youngsters which clueless and emotionally vulnerable and idiotic parents do to their offspring without deaf babies and youngsters' own consents. 

That is clearly a HUMAN RIGHTS VIOLATION of deaf babies and youngsters' right to their own existence without being inflicted to the lifetime pain and sufferings from the questionable cochlear implant surgery. 

Let's look up to the fine example of the so-called medical miracles of the mid-20th century - lobotomy on mentally compromised individuals. The latest formal definition of lobotomy is to be found most real cruel and inhumane method to correct the given human flaws. 

  PBS-TV's "American Experience" have the excellent television documentary on America's real past shame of lobotomy treatments - http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/amex/lobotomist/program/ 

  Governor Doyle and Rep. Cullen's political careers and lifetime futures will be in real smoke before the re-election of 2010. Keep watch out for the upcoming scandals within the Doyle administration and the office of Re. Cullen! 

 NAD is clearly responsible for NOT giving any resources or legal assistance to the deaf activists of Wisconsin! What good NAD is all about??  Should we not renew our NAD membership?? Let it be!

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




Wednesday, May 20, 2009

What You Really Think of This Panetene Video?

Is that form of audism urging deaf people to embrace the use of musical instruments or show the beauty of defiance and persistence among deaf people?

Just view the Patenene hair care products television commerical for the Thai (Thailand) marketplace.

Here is the video enclosure - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Um9KsrH377A&feature=related

Thanks to Doug Godfrey for sending me this enclosure from his ASL interpreter. I truly appreciate it very much.

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



Monday, May 18, 2009

What To Do With Wisconsin Legislation on CI??

Here is an open letter to Jack Barr and Darrell Roby what both of you and other concerned deaf individuals in regard to the questionable government intervention having the health insurance industry to be mandatory required of providing the insurance coverage on cochlear implant surgery on deaf babies and youngsters upon parental or guardian request.

Both of you really have several options like asking the state attorney general to instruct Governor Doyle to veto the Senate bill # 27 and Assembly bill # 16 due to the backdoor legislation without any input/feedback from ordinary citizens which is actually violation of Wisconsin's state "Sunshine Law" and transparency laws. That is the first step of contacting the state
attorney general of Wisconsin to suspend Governor Doyle from approving and signing the
Senate bill # 27 and House bill # 16.

Second step is to find the transparency advocacy group to assist both of you to file the lawsuit against the Wisconsin's Office of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing Commission for its failure for not providing any citizen involvements and inputs and reviews for any legislation affecting the deaf community. Citizens for Responsible Government is one of the perfect example advocacy group watchdog over the State of Wisconsin - http://wwwcrgnetwork.com/

You, Jack Barr and Darrell Roby really could find some way to get the "backdoor legislation" of Senate bill # and House bill # to be expunged and probed due to questionable and so-called biased data's being used for this legislation, especially the Office of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing Commission being under the State Department of Health Services.

What about the educational experts on Deaf Education? What about the consequences of long-term financial costs to the state of Wisconsin and the health insurance providers for the coverage of cochlear implant surgery on deaf babies and youngsters?

What about the exact criteria for any deaf babies and youngsters to be fitted with cochlear implant surgery?

Any formal state board to be created to screen out the requests for lifetime alteration surgery, ex. cochlear implant surgery on deaf babies and youngsters without being pressured from the "for profit" industry from doctors to surgeons to the cochlear implant manufacturers?

The recent legislation passage of Senate bill # 27 and House bill # 16 have to be reconsidered due to many unanswered questions regarding "conflict of interests" among the medical industry and other proponents of cochlear implant surgery and audistic individuals seeking to remake the society at large in name of human superiority and ignorance.

Is there any formal channels to be developed for parental counselings without any appearance of human bias and hidden financial interests? Have the parental counselings being included from the deaf advocacy groups on behalf of deaf babies and youngsters for language and self-esteem development?

You, Jack Barr and Darrell Roby please immediately contact the State Attorney General to suspend the legislation due to legal matter on state transparency laws on open meetings and open records.

Wisconsin's Office of Deaf and Hard of Hearing Commission did FAIL to consult the given community for their citizenry inputs and participation to address the legislative proposal.

Wisconsin Association of the Deaf (WAD) surely FAILED its given advocacy duties due to passive advocacy among the WAD officers being employed with the state government.

Please feel free to contact me for more advice and strategy how to halt the legislation in its track from being the official law. Here is my email address - rlmdeaf@hotmail.com

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

NAD's Missed "Golden" Opporunities on Grassroot Deaf Activism

After viewing Jack Barr's vlog posting with Darrell Roby (Jack's Eyes) which left me greatly resentful with the National Association of the Deaf (NAD) for lack of golden opportunities for paving the formal trainings of grassroot deaf activism how to empower, organize and lobby more efficiently for real victories on legal fronts and political maneuverings.

Where the hell the NAD have been for setting up the cost-efficient trainings, lectures and workshops how to empower, organize and lobby on the behalf of concerned deaf community?

We really need some monetary grants for regional grassroot deaf activism training how to persuade, lobby and maneuver the legislators, given community and targeted individuals.

The perfect start is with Carl Schroeder's Western Oregon University and other places for interested deaf individuals to be truly effective grassroot deaf activists and organizers.

It is TIME for many grassroot deaf activists to be paid reasonably and generously for their time and efforts and related expenses!

NAD seems more lofty being in the Inner Beltway mentality and cozy up to the AGBell and other CI proponents without laying out realistic approach and how to battle the increasingly audistic ways of the society at large.

I will be more than happy to be the trainer for grassroot deaf activism from my personal experience for being in the "behind the legislative scenes" and numerous non-deaf organizational participation.

Not everyone have an opportunity to go to the NAD's Youth Leadership Program camps. Moi never go at all.

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

Vivienne Schroeder, Deaf Tibdit, 5/19/09

Just let the DeafRead readers and viewers know that our own Carl Schroeder's deaf daughter, Vivienne Schroeder recently graduated from Gallaudet University last Friday, May 15th.

Vivienne Schroeder will seek the master degree after this Gallaudet graduation.

Let us wish Vivienne Schroeder all the best and success within her graduate studies!

All of you could see what Vivienne Schroeder really look like in her videocast for the VL2
Center. Here is an enclosure - http://vl2.gallaudet.edu/student.php?id=33 or type
"Vivienne Schroder" on the search log of http://www.gallaudet.edu/

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

Saturday, May 16, 2009

NYC's Deaf Population Dwindling

Handful of Deaf New York City residents admitted to me that there are increasingly dwindling numbers of deaf people living in the Big Apple's 2009 than ever.

The unknown factors like the changing economy, the cost of living and job opporunity probably play the pivotal role in rapidly shrinking number of deaf NYC residents.

There used to be frequent social gatherings for deaf NYCers every week, not at this time.

Many deaf New York City residents felt that they were unfairly rejected for decent job postitons. More and more deaf NYCers end up working for the retail industry.

All related informations are based on secondary source, not the primary information.

ASLize yours,
Robert L. Mason (RLM)

Thursday, May 14, 2009

PROBLEMS WITH FOMDI.COM

Real surprised about having problems with TaylerInfoMedia's "Fomdi.com" for the search of locating captioned first-run films at selected theatres.

When came to South Florida last March 2009. I was in somewhat a mood for first-run film viewing. I typed "Fort Lauderdale, FL". Guess what?

No captioned films in Fort Lauderdale area. I decide to check out captioned films in Miami area. Guess what? The list of captioned film availability found for Fort Lauderdale area. Whoa!

If not for my deterative thinking, I would never find out about such theatre in Fort Lauderdale screening the captioned first-run films in the first place.

I went to New York City (NY) for a major event last week. I checked out the Fomdi.com to see if there were any captioned films shown in NYC. Guess what? Nope!

I recalled from my personal experience dealing with the Fomdi.com back to last March 2009. I figured out instantly and typed "Newark, NJ". Good enough that there were several captioned films being shown in NYC like J.J. Abrams' "Star Trek" film being shown at the Regal Lincoln Square 12 theatre on Friday morning at 10:05am. Just one film screening for "Star Trek" at that same theatre and no following showtime later that weekend.

I ended up viewed "Wolverine: Origin of X-Men" film with RWC (rear windows captioning), not my original choice for "Star Trek" film. I managed to watch the full Star Trek film without captions. Of course, I wouldn't pay for the non-captioned film at all. Just sneaked in as usual.

Why not? Who (the deaf) want to pay for any film without captions? That is my own personal protest against the movie theatres for not showing other films without captions or pigeonhole us into watching particular film without much customer choices for other film viewings.

I hopefully will view "Star Trek" film with open captions at the Regal Cypress theatre this weekend. I wonder about other deaf people being not resourceful as I am. They would eventually find out that there are no captioned films being shown in their area or travel destination.

I always am very grateful to Tayler for the creation of FOMDI.com and thank him all the hard works for serving the deaf community at large. My heart go to Tayler and the DeafRead. :)

Please share your personal experience dealing with the Fomdi.com and help Tayler to improve and finesse the search engine for captioned films being shown somewhere. Thanks.

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

HOORAY FOR AFA! OPEN LETTER TO REP. CULLEN

OPEN LETTER TO REP. DAVID CULLEN -

Dear Rep. David Cullen,

I am writing you a letter of concern and expression about your public quote to the media publications on the issue of cochlear implant and societal functions of deaf people at large within the behalf of the Audism Free America.

Being a profoundly deaf person, I do find your quote - "This bill will help deaf children to function very well in the society at large, get the job and be part of the society at large" to be reprehensible and irresponsible and untruthful.

Since you are an elected statewide official. You have a responsibility of giving the balanced and accurate fact about the majority of deaf individuals as a productive members of the society, hold the job with paid salaries, pay taxes and participate in the public activities.

The recent passage of your legislation is much a reminder of the eugenics movement during the Progressive Era to cleanse and purify the so-called undesirables. Your legislation will leave very costly incentives saddled with long-term financial disaster for the state of Wisconsin and compromise the health insurance industry from delivering the real necessity of health needs.

For your information, every of us, human beings have our physical flaws. That makes our humanity real unique and vibrant for the real diversity of human race, instead of being the cookie cutter to correct the human imperfection.

If not for deaf people in existence, we would not have the finessed electric light bulb, movie camera, space travel, the Fifth Symphony, the birth of Internet, the creation of telephone/ telegram and other more amazing inventions all done by deaf people.

Thomas Alva Edison, the legendary American inventor, deaf himself. Edison often said that he was real proud to be deaf and blessed to be deaf. So Edison could focus on his countless inventions. He did cup his left ear for the portrait photography with big grin. Edison's works were much part of "conductive deafness" which led to the creation of the world's first phonograph machine.

Could you imagine that we would not have any cinematic experience on the silver screen or on our home entertainment player?

Konstantin Tsiolkovsky, the "Father of Theoretical Astronautics", deaf and self-taught himself. His theoretical works on physics matter and mathematics contributed to the possibility of space travel for the future generation. The Russian/USSR people had the monument to pay the endless respect for Konstantin Tsiolkovsky and thanked him for his great contribution to the humankind.

Could you imagine that the deaf individual paved the way for the possibility of space travel decades earlier?

Ludwig Beethoven, the composer of the "Fifth Symphony", latened deaf himself and composed most beautiful and soothing music. Beethoven doesn't let his physical flaw stopped him from doing his love of life and contributed to the cultural significance of our own humanity.

If not for Alexander Graham Bell and Samuel Morse' own deaf wives, we would not have the telephone or telegraph for greater modern communication devices. Both wives made great difference in their husbands' desires to bring humanity closer to the possibilities of communication over lands and seas.

The birth and creation of the Internet would be not possible without deaf individuals being involved in the infancy stage of the most revolutionized communication network ever. Vincent Cerf played the pivotal role in the creation of the Internet. The Gallaudet College students had been dispatched to the Department of Defense's research units in the late 1950s and 1960s which lend to the patchworks of communication development unit known later as the Internet in the late 1960s.

There are millions of deaf individuals' thankless contribution to the society at large. If not for the existence of sign language, the scuba divers would not have the underwater communication techniques with hands communication.

I could go further on more contributions made by deaf people to the humankind. We are more than being burdensome to the society at large and lift our human possibilities to the enrichment of daily human lives.

Please issue the public apology to the Deaf America for misrepresenting the facts about deaf people in general as soon as possible before June 1, 2009.

Thanks for your time and consideration reading this open letter to you and the state legislature of Wisconsin.

Respectfully yours,

Robert L. Mason

Wednesday, May 13, 2009

Deaf America - L'Chaim, U.S. Flag Burning Not Illegal At All!

 L'Chaim, popular vlogger on the DeafRead and DVTV, needs to realize the constitutional fact on the freedom of expression of burning (desecrating) the U.S. flag under the U.S. Constitution's "First Amendment" is pure legal. 
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Texas_v._Johnson

 The U.S. Supreme Court declared that the citizens have the right whatever they do with our U.S. flag in 1989. The U.S. Congress tried to pass the law to forbade the U.S. flag burning, but never had successfully doing it. THANK GOD! 

 Deaf people need to understand that the U.S. flag is just a piece of cloth, not something sacred. 

  FLK50 deaf vlogger have my personal admiration for being gutsy and non-conformist. *waving hands to him* 

  Patriotism is really the overrated stuff anyway. 

  Most important of all is to be patriotic is to pay fair share of taxes based on progressive income level, be a law-abiding citizen, treat citizens with respect, support the public school system and other institutions, ex. public library and other things. Not stuff money in hidden tax
havens, etc. 

  Patriotism and collectivism mentality could blind us to the destructive means of our own democracy. 

  The GOP (Republicans) were the real hypocrites whose called for the flag burning amendment to the U.S. Constitution while their own party candidate's own wife, Barbara Bush wore her blouse with the U.S. flag symbol anyway at the 1988 Republican convention. Her own husband was the Vice President George W. Bush at that time. Bush Sr. was also a former chief of the CIA. 

  According to the U.S. flag code, no one is allowed to disrespect the U.S. flag in any way like wearing the U.S. flag as something decor.   http://www.usflag.org/uscode36.html 

  I used to be the flag person at the WV School for the Deaf in Romney, WV. I was selected by David West, WVSD Junior/High School principal when I was a freshman. At first, I sneered at such request and dismissed that kind of ridiculous task of putting and removing the U.S. flag every morning and after the school. The principal begged and begged me. 

  Guess what? I let other junior high students put and take down the U.S. and West Virginia flag which they wanted to do the flag duties very much than I was. Why didn't the school do the interview and choose the right flag person with much passion and patriotism? The school always choose the male student to be the flag person. *rolling eyes with disbelief* 

  I often let the U.S. and West Virginia flag got real wet during the rainstorm or forgot to take the flag after the school. I was pretty busy doing other things. No big deal for me! The houseparents and teachers often came to me and pointed out the window for the flag got wet or snowed. The U.S. and WV flags need to be washed sometimes anyway. 

  I just shrugged my shoulder and said "Someone else was supposed to take care of both flags, not me. The school frequently reminded me that I was an official flag person. I never asked for this time-wasting flag duty. 

  The entire school KNEW that I was an atheist, leftist and communist sympathizer during the Reagan Era (the 80s). They hoped to change me for who and what I was all about. I just love to snub people that way. I never was for the communist ideals anyway. I was never a pure leftist. I always love to throw people off the balance with non-conformist views and broaden their minds to the fullest extent of democratic stuff. 

  In the end, I never changed my leopard spots anyway all my entire life. Just let people do their own things. Life is too short to worry over little things. 

  We need to understand that our country is not really perfect at all or best country in the world. Same thing with the Deaf America, too. 

ASLize yours,
Robert L. Mason (RLM)

Tuesday, May 12, 2009

We Need More Tim Rikkers in Our Deaf Community

The Audism Free America (AFA) recently posted Tim Rikker's letter to the Wisconsin Legislature as proof of "postive-enchanced deaf activism", instead of being politically and socially passive. http://audismfreeamerica.blogspot.com/2009/05/response-to-wisc-bill-and-cullens.html


We really could get the Wisconsin health insurance industry on our side to rally against the Governor of Wisconsin to sign off the legislation as part of state government's social engineering to re-construct the so-called uptoian society.


We could ask the Wisconsin health insurance industry to fly some AFA members and other deaf individuals to the state captiol of Wisconsin to ask Governor (whatever his name is) NOT to sign the bill.


That is not a matter of choice at all. That is the real Nazi social engineering to create the perfect society. The whole humankind history will prove otherwise.


The Wisconsin policymakers and state governor need to realize that is not really a cost-effective method for long-term finanical cost-savings. More costly than letting the natural aspect of human physical flaws as greater reminder for us that no one could play the "God".


Still longing to see the open letter from the Audism Free America, Deaf Bilingual Coaltion, National Association of the Deaf and other state associations of the deaf.


We could send the direct message to the state and national Democratic party leaders and coordinators that we will not forget and forgive if the Democrats are more supportive of the government social engineering to re-construct the deaf community at large for the sake of AUDISM.


We also could get state and national Republicans to rally against the state and national government's overreaching incentives to force the health insurance industry and impose costly and impractical solutions in name of unproven long-term finanical consquences and questionable human ethics.


Let's set up the meeting with the Governor of Wisconsin and his staff. We have to play real smart by reaching out to the lower level staffers of Governor's office to get his attention.


We need to be politically active by siding with the health insurance industry to rally against the recent Wisconsin legislature's misguided intentions.


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

Wednesday, May 6, 2009

RLM VLOG ON CLARIFICATION ON DEAF ORALISTS/CI USERS

 

I am not trying to do the spin control what I write the blog posting earlier on the "Deaf U.S. Supreme Justice". 

I personally embrace deaf oralists and deaf CI users at social scenes and personal friendships. 

I strongly feel about the "symbolism" of normal deaf individuals without going through any human artificiality, ex. unworkable and abusive oral trainings for the sake of societal conformity and human vanity. Same thing with the hearing imperialists to remake the image of deaf people in their own expectations.

Let the hearing people taste their own medicine for what they done to us, deaf people over more than 100 years. 

Note: This writing submittance is NOT the translation of the ASL vlog posting. 

I usually write in English with different approach than in ASL signings heavily emphasis on visual means. Thanks. 

RLM


Deaf U.S. Supreme Court Justice

After reading last Friday's news announcement (May 1st) about David Souter, the U.S. Supreme Court justice announced his retirement from the U.S. Supreme Court this summer 2009.

Immediate thoughts about having someone deaf to serve on the U.S. Supreme Court right away after Souter's announcement.


Is the time for President Obama to nominate someone deaf, who is truly qualified and empathic to serve on the U.S. Supreme Court? Definitely not "oral deaf" or deaf person with cochlear implant. I rather see someone culturally deaf person like Kelby Brick or Greg Hlibok to be nominated to the U.S. Supreme Court.


Intentionally not to reject anyone deaf, who is an oralist or use cochlear implant. We must send out the clear message to the American people that the culturally deaf people DO EXIST!


What about Claudia Brown, deaf African American female attorney with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security? Not likely!


Kelby Brick would be the perfect fit to the U.S. Supreme Court from his past legal activities with the National Association of the Deaf (NAD). He is currently with the HOVRS known as the 'Purple Team". Brick could be very passionate about laws being applied fairly to people in general.


Greg Hlibok with the Federal Communication Commission (FCC) as a senior attorney. He is much an introverted type and usually keep his thoughts to himself. Not a bad quality at all.


President Barack Obama and his White House staff and the U.S. Senate's Judiciary Committee are under the great pressures of remaking the U.S. Supreme Court.


There are additional deaf attorneys across the United States -
http://www.deafattorneys.com/


Very encouraging message from the U.S. Senator, Patrick Leahy of Vermont, Democrat - "Not necessarily someone with the robe to be nominated" (loosely figuratively phrased) - http://www.kansascity.com/437/story/1176264.html


Any Hispanic female deaf? Claudia Brown, deaf African American female attorney is from Jamaica which probably hurt her candidacy than being helpful. Her employment with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security would leave nauseous stomach among the liberals.


Claudia Brown have not been frequently seen in deaf social circles so far in Washington, DC area as compared to Kelby Brick and Greg Hlibok.


We really need more female justices on the U.S. Supreme Court anyway to give the balance of perspective on the issues concerned the human sexes. That's what Ruth Ginsburg recently complained about lack of human understanding and sensitivity to the female issues - sex discrimination and forced strip-search for the 13 years old female teenager at school.

Kelby Brick would be not likely to give up his generous salary with the HOVRS and support his own immediate family, ex. children. Brick ought to take the lifetime opportunity to serve on the U.S. Supreme Court.

Any deaf individual ought to be nominated to the U.S. Supreme Court?
www.deafattorneys.com for helpful guide to ponder and root for.

The recent rumors about nominating the lesbain attorney for the U.S. Supreme Court among the gay community.

Perhaps our next time for President Obama to nominate someone deaf to the U.S. Supreme Court? We better get prepare and ready for someone deaf to be groomed to be truly qualified to be nominated for the U.S. Supreme Court seat. We really need more deaf individuals in the top governement posts affecting the deaf lives.

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

See That??? Any of You Could Do That By Yourself!

Often disappointed in lack of deaf activism among deaf individuals to make the real difference in our deaf lives. Seem that like too many of us rely and wait for various deaf organizations to DO SOMETHING.

Here is the link to the Metro Weekly article about the one guy do something on his own and expose what something is really not ... -

http://www.metroweekly.com/gauge/?ak=4202


This guy exposed the well-known national organization about its deceptive practice with solicitation of donations.


Have the AGBell done such practice at the fundraising events like saying "We are collecting $$ to help the deaf people", etc.


Sure thing about other so-called cultural eradicators of deaf culture and deaf people from the medical industry to the CI manfacturers. That's what Dr. Don G of "Deafhood Discourses" have explored past quotes and sayings from doctors, etc on his vlog posting - 'Tools? Not A Tool? Please check out his vlog/blog posting - http://www.deafhooddiscourses.com/?p=232


The Deaf Pundit vlogged about her open letters to all deaf organizations about the troubling trends of entertainment industry for miscasting the images of cochlear implant surgery, etc. Please check out her vlog/blog posting - http://deafpundit.wordpress.com/2009/05/05/open-letter-to-all-deaf-organizations/

Time is too precious for us to sit down and wait upon deaf organizations to do something. Either of you COULD DO SOMETHING ON YOUR OWN!

Let's have the DEAF ACTIVISM blossomed into real full action, not just TALK, TALK AND DISCUSS AND PONDER AND GASP. Do something!


Real sorry about not vlogging at this time. I wish that I could do that. :(


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