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