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.

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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.

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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