New York City Residents Less Audistic Than DC Residents

From what my latest experience with New York City residents being less audistic than DC residents. Real surprise for me in many ways since the city of New York have the long history with oralism in its own bastiness from the presence of Lexington School for the Deaf and other school of the deaf with combined educational philosophy.

The majority of hearing people in DC, tend to expect deaf people to lipread or speak, despite of the presence of Gallaudet University in their own backyard.

Kinda annoying of many hearing DC residents being clueless about the importance of making such a request for communication preference than imposing their given beliefs and societal attitudes toward deaf people from all walks of life - oralists, CI and hearing aid users and manualists.

New York City people resorted to less paternalistic and forthcoming attitude like happily oblige to jot down written conversations right away or being more helpful toward me as "culturally deaf" person.

No questions about how much changed the New York City people have been since the 9/11 incidents. They are more responsive and considerate unlike of the past New York City I had known of.

Look forward more to frequent New York City trips due to the real bargain bus rides like the Megabus - http://www.megabus.com/ That only cost me $3.50 (three dollars and fifty cents) to ride the round trip from Washington, DC to NYC last two weeks ago. I also made another reservation for round trip from DC to NYC for $2.50 (two dollars and fifty cents) next week.

Megabus also offer the bus rides from NYC to Boston for less than five dollars or one dollar on particular bus schedules. It do offer the bus rides from NYC to Philly for one dollar or four dollars. Ten dollars to Toronto, Canada!

Megabus charter buses are really perfect with roomy legrooms, non-hassle security checkpoints, cheaper fares and free Wi-Fi uses. Who want more than dealing with the depressing airline flights?

Easy drop-offs at the Penn Station, 32nd Street from the 11th and G Street, NW (Metro Center), Washington, DC.

Foods in NYC are more splendid now due to trans fat ban within the city limits. Less tourists in NYC due to the shaky economy we are in. Tourists are treated like kings and queens now in NYC for spending our tourism dollars. Don't blow off the lifetime opportunity of going to NYC at very bargain rate. I dearly love NYC very much. DC is too socially conservative right now due to the Bush Administration's presence in DC area for past seven years.

I feel much liberated in NYC than DC. I breathe much easier in NYC than DC. Yes, I already spend more than $400 dollars during my latest visit to NYC and brought nothing. I did not regret at all for spending $400 in NYC which made my visit worthwhile.

I recently learned about the discovery of the 1600s tavern in NYC back in 1979. This execrated tavern discovery is covered with durable plexiglass to take look inside the tavern in the ground. I didn't have a chance of going there last time.

I feel more safer in NYC than Washington, DC. I am telling ya, all the truth! Of course, most important is to follow your own gut instincts and common sense for not blazing into any dangerous terrains and abandoned sites and dark alleys.

I had one disappointment with NYC was the Museum of Sex. I somewhat felt ripped off in many ways. I did not know about the special coupon to shave the five dollars off the admission fee in the first place. This museum was really great with the idea of displaying the historic sexual items like the medical device to stimulate the female part back to the 1920s, but the security guard turned off the film footage of earliest stag and sex films 40 minutes before the closing time.

I strongly believe that the "Museum of Sex" could improve in many ways. Before closing this blog posting, I also am disappointed with the Guggenheim Museum's declining state like closing two entire top floors. The latest exhibitions were not really impressive.

I always enjoy the Metropolitan Museum of Arts! This place never cease to amaze me since the childhood years in the late 60s and 70s.

NYC is more sanitized than ever. I somewhat miss the seedy days of New York City and all-out sexual escapades on the street or in bars. At least, New York City still have their own go-go boys with undies on unlike DC. No male entertainment left in DC right now due to the new professional baseball stadium construction on the "gay" Southeast block.

Male entertainment - male strippers usually get totally naked without their undies in DC, but the Williams administration (Mayor Anthony Williams) changed the DC norms of letting the male strippers dance without their underwear or Speedos. *sigh*

What a country we are living in now? I ever enjoy the female bursquelene shows, too. I love their artsy props and striptease acts. I could not help this whole stuff since I have very liberal parents and upbringing.

One more thing before closing this blog posting. There is a cheap Megabus ride from Chicago to Milwaukee. Some of you could go to the Deaf Bilingual Coalition conference and counteroffensive rally next two weeks. Okay?

ASlize yours,
Robert L. Mason (RLM)

"Deaf Village" Reminds Me Much Of .......

The formation of "Deaf Village" by Rachel Chaikoff and team of moderators like Mike McConnell, surely reminds me much of M. Night Shyamalan's 2004 film. Guess what? The similar title of his Hollywood film. What an eerie coincidence!


Rachel Chaikoff created the "Deaf Village" in protest of the DeafRead's so-censored format of her blog with questionable intents which attracted the likes of Mike McConnell, the leading instigator on the diverse world of the Deaf to their own conformity and likeness.


Both Rachel Chaikoff and Mike McConnell are much eerily similar to M. Night Shyamalan's "The Village", a 2004 American film which they intentionally undermine the freer ways of deaf bloggers and vloggers to the inflexible and undemocratic rules to publish their blog/vlog postings in name of real accessibility for others.


M. Night Shyamalan's "The Village" film where the council elders enacted the Orwellian fearmongerings and insular paranoia among townspeople to keep them from wandering into the existence of real world. One of the townspeople resorted to the scary tactics like bringing the monster to life and keep the whole colony in total fear and terror. In the end, the blind lady found the truth about her own so-called village and got shocked why she and others led to believe the absolute lies.


For more info about "The Village" film -


http://www.geocities.com/~polifilms/village.html



http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/TheVillage_(film)



http://www.tiscali.co.uk/entertainment/film/reviews/the_village.html



http://www,imdb.com/title/tt8368947



I ain' done yet! I would highly recommend the 1991 Australian film, "Proof" which resembles much of Rachel Chaikoff and Mike McConnell's own mentality toward the DeafRead editors.


Here is the link to "Proof", Australian film -


http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/proof_(1991_film)


Rachel Chaikoff and Mike McConnell and the like-mindness of the 'Deaf Village" somewhat are guilty like imposing their own superiority toward the culturally deaf individuals and ex-oralists in another Australian film - "Rabbit Proof Fence".


Many people do not realize that many Aboriginals have deaf genes from what the Gallaudet Research Institute (GRI) and Australian anthropologists done numerous research on the deaf genes of the Australia's own Aboriginals.


Here is the link to "Rabbit Proof Fence" film -


http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rabbit_Proof_Fence_(film)


ASLize yours,

Robert L. Mason (RLM)
P.S. I personally want to extend my sincere thanks to Shelley for
pointing out the inaccuracy surname of Rachel Chaikoff. I originally
spell her surname - Carson. Shelly, thanks again. Okay?

Rumors About NTID/RIT In Wing To Take Over Gallaudet University

 Unfounded rumors for months among handful of deaf people about the National Institute of Technology (NTID)/Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT) in the wing to take over Gallaudet University due to the growing financial difficulty and MSCHE accreditation status.  

  If the Gallaudet University do not meet up to the MSCHE's satisfaction by next November 2008. The U.S. Congress would be not likely to provide any kind of federal funding for Gallaudet University if it lose the MSCHE accreditation status. NTID/RIT is totally ready to take over Gallaudet University. Is that make any real sense? 

  Gallaudet University already face the declining student enrollment rate since Fall 2007. 

  Such speculation among the NTID/RIT alumni and other deaf individuals why Dr. Alan Hurwitz named the "President" of the National Institute of Technology (NTID), instead of the usual title like "Director" among the past NTID directors. RIT already have her own president. 

 Why two Presidents of both "separate" universities on the same campus - NTID/RIT? 

  Necessity to put this rumor to rest or what?  There is already the federal law regarding the dictation of both educational institutions how they spend the federal subsidies nor engage in any commerical directives like real estate, etc. 

   How will be realistic for NTID/RIT buying out Gallaudet University to expand its educational facility? That would be seen as some kind of "mind-boggling" incentive for NTID/RIT to co-operate Gallaudet University. 

  Or another pastime among deaf individuals cropping up the gossip mill about what is going on with the NTID/RIT and Gallaudet University? 

  How interesting about Dr. Alan Hurwitz being the former graduate of the Central Institute of the Deaf (CID) school in St. Louis, Missouri! Dr. Hurwitz is well-known for supporting the American Sign Language (ASL) as a true language. 

ASLize yours,

Robert L. Mason (RLM)

Q's About Bilingualsim At Gallaudet University In Response to Oscar Serner's Vlog

There are many excellent bilingualism resources (published materials) on bilingualism and bilingual education on Gallaudet University website -

http://www.gallaudet.edu/x4970.xml for the related bilingual education discussions from

H. Dirsken-Bauman's "What is Inclusive Bilingualism?"
Richard Clement's "Bilingualism and Multilingualism"
Lewis Perser's "The Bilingual University - General Reflection on Its Origins, Mission, and Functioning: Higher Education in Europe"
and other more.

I applaud Oscar Serner for stressing the importance of equal footings for the usage of ASL and English written language among Gallaudet University students. I am kinda surprised that some Gallaudet faculty members somewhat downplayed the necessity of mastering the written English language which they surely shortchange handful of Gallaudet students' English fluency for going into the competitive employment market.

The low expectation for Gallaudet University students to be fully fluent in the dominant language (written English) of the society at large, should be not tolerated in any way. At least, Gallaudet University finally embrace and elevate the American Sign Language (ASL) to the respectable level which the visual language itself richly deserve very much.

My following questions - I don't see any enclosed links what Oscar Serner, deaf vlogger mentioned on his vlog presentation.

Other excellent links to Gallaudet University's bilingualism policy -

"Questions and Answers about ASL/English Bilingualism at Gallaudet"
http://www.gallaudet.edu/x557.xml

"Bilingualism and Identity in Deaf Communities" nonfiction book
http://gupress.gallaudet.edu/BIDC.html

"Sociolinguistics in Deaf Communities Series" (excellent links to various books)
http://gupress.edu/socio-series.html

Oscar Serner, current Gallaudet student, expressed such concerns about Gallaudet University's commitment to the rigid educational studies. He need to enclose some links to support his argument about the questionable stance of Gallaudet University faculty members and support staff's commitment to the bilingualism of ASL/English.

I could not view the enclosed video comment on Tayler's vlog regarding the video reply to Oscar's vlog presentation on "Bilingualism at Gallaudet University". That is not very first time for me not able to view any video comments on Tayler's DeafVideoTV.com.

Look forward to receive Oscar Serner's following reply. I have no way of leaving comment on Oscar's vlog presentation loaned on Tayler's "DeafVideoTV.comn". I have to write this blog posting to inquire Oscar what he really meant.

ASLize yours,
Robert L. Mason (RLM)

"Introducing the Hamill Movie" Website

Every of you, the DeafRead viewers and readers could have an opportunity of viewing actor Eben Kostbar in his so-called ASL fluency, Hearing film director Joseph McKelheer, Deaf co-producer, Oshina Blagd and real pathetic terp whatever her name is.

Here is the new Matt Hamill movie website just created yesterday, May 21th, 2008 -
http://www.hamillthemovie.com/

Please let me know what you really thought of actor Eben Kostbar and everyone else on the Hamill movie website.

This website call the upcoming Hamill film- a new genre to Hollywood - Deaf Foreign Film!
Could you believe it? Because of the subtitle uses? For G O D's sake, this film is an American product with the English-speaking cast. Our linguistic usage of ASL is not really foreign on our American land. *rolling eyes in disbelief*

ASLize yours,
Robert L. Mason (RLM)

Retract Statement Regarding Aidan Mack

My comment on another vlog came to my own attention regarding Aidan Mack. I seems make some misstatement on my part since Aidan Mack did not delete my particular comment about the comparsion of Sidney Poitier and Denzel Washington, both black and hearing actors.

I made a honest mistake of assuming that I wrote the particular comment on Aidan Mack's vlog comment forum . I realized that wasn't on Aidan Mack's vlog . I was going to retract my statement after I realized about my own mistake last Tuesday night, 5/12/08. I was in real hurry. I don't have an access to the Internet on late Tuesday night. I keep putting it off til today, Thursday, May 22nd.

I want to apologize to Aidan Mack for my careless comment on the other vlog. I am very horrified about such unnecessary personal attacks on Aidan Mack. I somewhat feel responsible for the path of vicious and malicious attacks on Aidan Mack. I accept the full responsibility regarding the chain of events on "comment" matter.

I do find Aidan Mack's desires of having her vlog in positive direction without any demeaning comment(s) from anyone is a perfect ideal of civilized conversation. I respect her for that.

ASlize yours,
Robert L. Mason (RLM)

DC-Area Examiner Newspaper Took Swipe at Deaf and HOH ....

According to the DC-area Examiner (The Examiner) free newspaper's 5/12/08 article took the swipe at the Deaf and Hard of Hearing in Government Employment and Technology Forum and accused the federal government's so-called "colorblind" government training program(s) a JOKE!

Melanie Scarborough, the DC's "The Examiner" columnist blasted the federal government's wasteful spending on 800,000 federal nonessential employees being sent to the training conferences. Her exact quote - "our taxpayer money send them (nonessential government employees) to training conferences that are worse than nonessential" Huh?

Why lump our own deaf federal employee's cultural and linguistic minority status- "Deaf and HOH in Government Employment and Technology Forum" with other racial minority like the

Society of American Indian Government Employees,
League of United Latin American Citizens,
Federally Employed Women,
Blacks in Government,
The Federal Asian Pacific American Council and other more .. ????? Huh?

In fact, Deaf Federal Employees are truly the endangered species nowadays within our national government. More and more deaf federal employees have been recently bought out with early retirement incentives or laid off without any advance notices or being transferred against their own wishes to another department or agency. Any deaf federal employees being forcibly retired early and get less with their pension values or laid off without being provided with the follow-up assistance worthy of their cultural and linguistic minority status.

The Bush II (Dubya) administration have been aggressively shrinking the hard-working and dedicated federal employees to be replaced with high-salaried contractors whose really f**ked up our national government operations more than anyone could do. Many government contractors simply sit out and do nothing and mess up things by assigning different private firms with contractors every time. All dirty works simply lump on many federal employees! Hired contractors greatly benefited President Bush and his cronies to fatten up their earnings after leaving the White House in January 2009.

Look at the Iraq War - most privatized war ever enacted in the history of the United States! Ever the U.S. Government have to hire the private contractors to provide the security protections and daily accommodations for our overly exhausted and weary soldiers like the water showers and laundry errands thru containmed water uses!

The Library of Congress in Washington, DC used to have more than 30 deaf employees within their facilities back to last 30 year s ago. Very few deaf employees left in the Library of Congress (LOC) right now. *sigh*

Deaf and HOH Federal Employees greatly have been benefited from the annual Deaf and HOH In Government Employment and Technology Forum for their career tips, feedback, evaluations, career reinforcement lectures and social interactions with their own fellow federal employees in their same language usage (ASL) and greater accommodations for other HOH federal employees.

Deaf-owned enterprises also brought greater access to the annual federal training programs of deaf federal employees with their newest products and accommodations unlike the regular government training conferences for federal employees in general without meeting any specialized needs for deaf and HOH federal government employees. Many deaf federal employees found the private-funded exhibitions within deaf-owned enterprises truly effective and time-saving.

This year's Deaf and Hard of Hearing In Government Employment and Technology Forum took the place at the new U.S. Department of Transportation building unlike swanky resorts as what the Examiner reporter speculated. The after-hour social event took the place at the Lulu Bar, private-owned bar in the Gallery Place-Chinatown area. The deaf federal employees and other deaf visitors paid for their drinks and meals out of their own pockets, not the federal government monies. The conference committees were consisted of deaf volunteers (federal employees) out of their own time preparing and scheduling the forums and lectures.

Melanie Scarborough, DC Examiner columnists last quote in her following column - "Indeed. And Americans hungry for unity are ill-served by a federal work force trained in the culture of division". Huh? This reporter obviously did not done her reporting legwork very well and made such assumptions without checking out various federal government training conferences to see all for herself. We ought to take her press credentials away. Don't you agree?

Here is the link to the DC Examiner article by Melanie Scarborough -
http://www.examiner.com/a-1386368~Melanie_Scarborough___Colorblind__government_a_joke.html

or www.dcexaminer.com and type Melanie Scarborough on the search column for this latest article written by Melanie Scarborough. Okay?

This article found on the page 13 under "Commentary" on the DC Examiner newspaper.

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