The Shocking events of the NCSD

G'day Everyone!

I didn't have much time yesterday other than to break the news that the Director of the North Carolina School for the Deaf has stepped down. Only that it is shocking to know that this director has just been fortunate to move on to better and bigger things! That's an embarrassment!

here's the news link:http://www.morganton.com/servlet/Satellite?pagename=MNH%2FMGArticle%2FMNH_BasicArticle&c=MGArticle&cid=1173354789378&path=%21frontpage

But right now, as the director bolts her job, the principal of the school is left holding the bag. Everyone at that school has been on emotional toll this week. I feel sad for these students who's civil rights were violated and right to have a protest denied. This is not an educational system. This is an introduction to rough life of the world of which these students are not prepared for.

I hope the former director changes her mind and leaves her new position untouched. It seems like she made all the attempts to prevent her being ousted early while she was trying to prepare an announcement of her "grand" departure. It seems like no time present to let the information get out already. To be honest to say, I do not want this woman this woman to take any job that might impact on the deaf community of the State of North Carolina!

I hope NCSD will provide counseling to all the affected students involved. This has been a real rough week for these students. If there was an idea for them at the present time, I'd suggest giving these students an early spring vacation. They need some time off from all this.

We should honor these students that made the effort to get the information out and show the Deaf community of what has been happening at the NCSD. I hope all the parents and alumni of the NCSD get together and make an effort to improve the school.

Congratulations to the students of NCSD. May the future be bright for them!

Semper FI!

Breaking NEWS coming out of the NCSD!

Flash FLASH!! BREAKING NEWS!

Please go to this site! http://www.wral.com/news/news_briefs/story/2504628/

The director has RESIGNED!

BREAKING NEWS!

SEMPER FI TO THE NCSD STUDENTS!!

DPN20/ NCSD/ETC.

G'day Everyone!

In 10 days, it will be the 20th anniversary of the ORIGINAL protest. The Deaf President Now anniversary. That's DPN20 for most of us. 10 years ago, Sherlock took part in the DPN10 march. It was a great peaceful march. It was one of the bright days and great weather for a march to the capital hill.

I can't believe it was a rough 10 years later! It would have been a great day to honor Dr. I King Jordan for all his work at this point. But in the previous last 3 years (that is if you count from his resignation in Fall 2005 through to the end of 2006), we see this amazing turn-about of the truth of Jordan. As much as I respected this man in 1988 when I saw him on TV, it was at DPN10 and in my early days of Gallaudet University, did I get chance to meet him a few times in person and has made me wonder why he's not looking like the same person I understood before.

I asked myself lately of WHY Gallaudet University isn't in acknowledgement of DPN20 lately? But of course, GU is still shaken by the previous events of the years before and it will take a while for a full acceptance to come. I know our accreditation is on the line.
For now, we have to celebrate DPN20 on March 8, 2008. Full info about DPN20 can be found on www.DPN20.com .

Meanwhile, DPN20 might be overshadowed by the events that are in progress at North Carolina School for the Deaf (NCSD). For the latest infos: http://ncsdprotest.blogspot.com/ .
Jamie Berke of her own blog has weighed in as well : http://berkeoutspoken.blogspot.com/2008/02/would-you-demand-this-teacher-be-fired.html

How long this new Deaf Director Now protest goes on is anyone's guess. But this is a sad state of things.

Recently, I had a chance this morning to watch President Bush to do a News Conference. For one thing, his whole body language gave off a bad vibe. He's saying we're in a "slow down" economically. But I asked myself, "what if we are already in a recession?". That would be bad economic news for everyone. If you ever have been shopping in the last several weeks for food, take a good look at your food bill. It's gone up. So, watch your money! Things will get nasty.

Politically, I have decided to say this: Sherlock supports Ron Paul for President! Given to how Obama and Clinton are doing so far, I'm trying to duck the mud slinging. One of the most laughing things to see is Ralph Nader trying to get back in the saddle again and trying to be elected President again. Truth is.. he'll never make it. He just provides comedy again. Way to go Nader!

Well, I'm off to Allentown, PA for the weekend. I need a mini-vacation. :-) Maybe I will have a chance to do some snow tubeing! (whooo! Wipeout city!).

Till laters, SEMPER FI!

Things going serious at NCSD!

G'day Everyone!

Say what? Are the administrators at North Carolina School for the Deaf (NCSD), who don't speak in ASL to their deaf students and have 'terps in tow daily, are THAT INSANE?

The latest news article was passed to me: http://www.morganton.com/servlet/Satellite?pagename=MNH/MGArticle/MNH_BasicArticle&c=MGArticle&cid=1173354758186&path=%21frontpage

To hear that some of the students and staff were suspended at this school would be unheard of! It's a prime civil rights violations. This isn't about stopping a protest, this is more about administrators using POWER to stop something going on from being told in a public setting. It's now clear that the State of North Carolina will get involved and find out what's happening.

But I could bet you that a lawyer will be coming down there to look around and possible file a civil rights class action lawsuit on behalf of the staff and students.

This is one example of why hearing people don't bother to learn ASL and act all high and mighty around the deaf and their own staff. My own advice to the administration of NCSD: Get the hell out of there!

Whatever happens, support the NCSD students and staff! They know things are NOT RIGHT with administration! I hope parents and alumni of NCSD get involved in this. The future of Deaf schools is stake.

I hope the State of North Carolina does a proper investigation!

Semper FI to the STAFF AND STUDENTS OF NCSD!

UPDATE on NCSD.

G'day Everyone!

You know what surprises me? Where is the outrage? The reaction to what is happening for our Deaf youth among us? Should not anyone be angry at NCSD for squashing a protest?

Only three websites are reporting on this other than mine: http://www.gallyprotest.org/, http://blog.deafread.com/mishkazena/2008/02/25/ncsd-students-civil-rights-violated/ (that's Mishka Zena's blog), and http://ncsdprotest.blogspot.com/2008/02/deaf-director-now.html.

The NCSD Protest blog site has termed it well. They want a Deaf Director NOW! To be honest to say, I don't blame them. If the students have suffered enough with hearing oversight, then it's no wonder that they had to protest. Other than the "official report" that was saying to be from another newspaper site :http://www.morganton.com/servlet/Satellite?pagename=MNH/MGArticle/MNH_BasicArticle&c=MGArticle&cid=1173354742597&path=%21frontpage, The article is an actual front stone wall from the real issues.

Whatever issues are going at the NCSD right now, it better get resolved soon. Parents of kids of NCSD and NCSD alumni, get in there and support the deaf youth! LET THEM PROTEST NOW ! We need a DEAF DIRECTOR NOW at NCSD!

The Evils of NCSD

G'day Everyone!

When I was getting my e-mail today, I got alerted to a NEW blog that someone set up on behalf of the students of the North Carolina School for the Deaf. Here's the link: http://ncsdprotest.blogspot.com/2008/02/students-attempts-to-protest-halted.html

One look at it and it not only had the tone of the 1988 protest, but clearly the administration is acting like what I. King Jordan would have done: preventing a bad public relations nightmare! Well, too late for that!! The word has gotten out. It's time to fight back.

I call on every parent that has students enrolled in the NCSD and bring their student home! To hear that the administration shut down this student protest is a MAJOR VIOLATION of the right to the FREEDOM OF SPEECH! I don't like an administration that crushes a protest and hands out punishment on students.

This will not go unheeded! We, the deaf community, care about the future deaf community and that is the deaf youths! We shall protest on behalf of the deaf students! We will NOT be silent!

Stand up to the administration of NCSD! Fight for the FREEDOM OF SPEECH FOR THE STUDENTS OF NCSD! JUSTICE NOW!

SEMPER FI TO THE DEAF STUDENTS OF NCSD!!

update: check this out: http://www.wbtv.com/news/topstories/15951137.html

Bury the WTC victims PROPERLY!

G'day Everyone!

I'm madder than ever. Not only I'm mad at how the terrorists destroyed the World Trade Center (WTC) on September 11th, 2001, but I'm mad about the AFTERMATH!
If you want to know what I'm so ANGRY about.. then read today's article!
http://www.sojo.net/index.cfm?action=magazine.article&issue=soj0802&article=080227

The article is from a catholic Sojourners Magazine. The title of it is: "At the hour of our death". It's an article about The WTC Families for Proper Burial. Here's their webpage: http://www.wtcfamiliesforproperburial.com/

When you read it, this will make sense of why Rudy Giuliani has failed to win political support to be the next President. Politically, Giuliani's future is now mired in a murky NY future. He is thought to be a hero to try to defend his city. But instead of focusing on recovery of the dead remains of people, he recovered treasure. (according to the article).

Most of my anger is WHY are human remains are buried like a garbage dump after all these years? Instead of putting all the thousands of pounds of the WTC in a landfill, it should have been put in a special landfill and buried as a memorial for all who suffered in the WTC attack. But since then, it's still in a garbage dump.

Is this a good proud decision of the NYC Mayor's office? Or a final awful resting place of all the WTC victims?
I say that it's time we start taking a stand this political season. Unless we influence the new political people to start taking an active role to help bury these victims of WTC, it will remain a national shame. Ask Obama. Especially ask Hillary, since she's suppose to represent NY! Even ask Bill Clinton who's made his home there! Will they do anything? I'll bet you they won't and that'll be the lowest shame of a political person.

Take a stand, find an answer to put our victims of WTC to rest in a proper place. Sign the petition on their web page.

Justice will be done to Osama Bin Laden one day. Just as it has been on Saddam!

Semper FI!

GU BOTs keep Davila?

G'day Everyone!

Someone gave me an article and when I read the site : http://chronicle.com/temp/email2.php?id=wfKrWvxSgCpjqtxn84vzvyFmmwqNCZwX , I asked myself a question.

Keep Davila or start a presidental search process again?

I really don't know. It's a question of ethics. Interim means temporary. But making Davila as a permanent president should be put to a vote between the Faculty, Staff, Students, and Alumni (FSSA). I think many of us had a dream that we would be looking forward to the day when we would welcome a PERMANENT President of Gallaudet University. But now, hearing this? Turning an Interim President into Permanent President? Is that for Gallaudet or is that a GU Board of Trustees afraid of another outburst in the future?

I think I'm going to leave this as a question for most people to answer for the weekend.
In my honest opionion, we need a YOUNGER president at the helm for Gallaudet University. Davila should just be a Interim President and then go back to his retired life.

Who knows? What do you think? Read the article and then comment.

Thanks.

Castro Resigns! (NOT) / Olsen Brothers

G'day Everyone!

FREE CUBA NOW! It should be the SHOUT heard around the world today. Here's today's link:

http://www.cnn.com/2008/WORLD/americas/02/19/castro/index.html

IF there was a call for every person in the USA who fled from Cuba years ago, it's a time to go back to Cuba and free it! It's time to go back and influence the leaders of Cuba to vote for a TRUE, FREE, RESPONSIBLE, and DEMOCRATIC Cuban leader. The CASTRO power must be broken! After watching this nation for so many years, it's people suffer so much. Prevent Raul Castro from taking power for another 50 years!

For one thing, I agree that the USA should keep the embargo against Cuba until the decision on WHO the next PRESIDENT or Dictator will be. God help the nation Cuba to come to it's term. This is their chance to go democratic!

Meanwhile, a friend of mine sent me a link about the Olsen Brothers' latest vlog! I went and viewed it and LOL, ROTF!! Move over, Deaf Roger! Hey Tom Neville, catch this!
http://olsonbrothers.blogspot.com/2008/02/coda-brothers-accept-ci.html

I love the Olsen Brothers' of the CI! LOL. oh man!! (I'm still laughing..)

Ok I'm recovering long enough to say MAJOR SEMPER FI to the OLSEN BROTHERS!

Now pardon me while I go laugh for a while and I bid you a semper FI!

Deaf Roger and no spiders in Alaska?

G'Evening Everyone!

Well, the day is closing and I thought I better post something. It was a quiet President's day. The world has celebrated a formation of a NEW nation/country. I tell them "GOOD LUCK! SALUTE" to them in this WILD planet.

On a personal note: I have formally lost respect of a deaf friend and what is about to happen will be some of the worst things I never wanted to see in life. Pray for that person for me.

Meanwhile: Today's MAJOR SALUTE goes to: DEAF ROGER in his VLOG of why the word: "AGBAD" must be banned! Here's the link : http://deafroger.blogspot.com/2008/02/agbad-banned.html !
I say he's convinced me! Great job Roger!

Picture of the day: You say there's no spiders in ALASKA? Humm.. check this out:
http://us-p.vclart.net/vcl/Artists/TaniDaReal/whytherearenospiders.jpg

Just gives a new meaning to the word DOG PILE! *LOL*

For now.. SEMPER FI!

DPN20 & NTID 40

G'day Everyone!

I should be telling everyone out there that the most BIGGEST event at Gallaudet University is due to hit on Saturday, March 8, 2008! It's the 20th anniversary of the Deaf President NOW protest. It's the real and true worthy of an event of a lifetime to go to! For information about the DPN 20, go to: http://www.dpn20.com/ ! And yes, the dream will live on!

Meanwhile: Calling all CURRENT and NTID ALUMNI! Don't forget June 26 to 28, 2008 for the great NTID 40th Anniversary Reunion! Make sure you down load the registration forms and get them sent in! From what I hear, this will be a great big event to happen on our campus of RIT! Lots of changes on the campus there, so be sure to bring your digi- cameras! So much to see, so many new memories to make! Be there or paint youself ORANGE and BROWN in your back yard! For info: http://www.ntid.rit.edu/alumni/reunion/

I'm excited this week. I'm also apprehensive as well. I have a major job interview at a Major University! Where is that, you say? Sorry, folks. I'm keeping this under wraps. The only thing I'm apprehensive right now is about my former boss, whom we did not part on good terms. If the worst comes to worst..

Anyhow, so with the week coming up, I say have a great SEMPER FI week!

By the way.. the polls below this are still going on.. get your vote in.. Results to be announced in March!

Being "Dead" isn't fun!

G'afternoon Everyone!

I found a news article (not deaf related) that's worth to make a point of what can happen if someone types in your social security number by mistake! Read this article:
http://www.wsmv.com/news/15315424/detail.html

When I read that article, I have true sympathy for this woman. It's not just that someone typed in her number, but chances are high and right off the bat if a hacker has your Social Security number and then dies with your number. That's one of the most worst things to happen. For this lady, I'm sure her number was an accident. But looking back at it makes me think what could happen if a hacker died with your number? Just like this lady is going through now, I don't think anyone but your worst enemy should suffer this.
So saying that today, I want you , my dear reader, to go to this webpage today:
https://www.annualcreditreport.com/cra/order

Order a credit report for a peace of mind for yourself. It's free! Protect your credit report!

Also, James has an opinion on that too: http://www.xanga.com/jbyrne7480

Meanwhile, speaking of "Dead", I have an aunt that died last November. Yesterday I got a shock of a letter in the mail from my aunt's lawyer. I went "oh my gosh.. she left me something". It turns out that I'm actually getting something of what I mean to my aunt. I went "yeah.. right. Just like the rest of my aunts, uncles, and cousins who choose to ignore the deaf relative.". What will it be? The answer is coming soon.

Update: My friend, who has died twice in surgery last December, actually had a torn heart muscle. To say it was a miricle for him to be alive now, I say he was extremely lucky. He is still recovering in a DC hospital. Has he been told he died? I don't know yet. But he's pretty much wanting to go home. Docs say no and still has to stay in ICU for a while. Get WELL, My friend!

Till next time.. Semper FI salute to you all!

Back to the Nazis.. again! *whip crack*

G'day everyone!

Today's title of the post says it all!! Curious? http://www.indianajones.com/site/index.html

Yes folks! There is a FOURTH Indiana Jones movie! (Just like there's soon to come another Rocky movie!). On May 22, 2008, Get ready for Indiana Jones and The Kingdom of the Crystal Skull. I saw the trailer and it looks like old Indiana Jones is fighting the Nazis again! Believe it or not, this is the most interesting movie made by Harrison Ford! Unfortunately, if you are looking for Indiana's father, you won't find him. But the special effects are said to be outright excellent!

Hopefully, there will be an open caption on this movie because it's going to be WAY popular!
Attention comic book fans: Don't forget to head to your comic book store! There's a new series of Indiana Jones now going on!

Meanwhile: I went to a Catholic Church service early this AM and when the priest asked who we should all being praying for (which he usually asks) I said Northern Illinois University!! The priest stood shocked for a moment and declared that it was important to honor and pray for the students in the hour of their need. Please be praying for students this weekend. Especially for Northern Illinois University. It was a senseless rampage. Stay tuned to www.CNN.com for any updates. Today's post is dedicated to all University Students and praying for their safety on the campus.

When you are done praying, Go to: http://www.seekgeo.com/?p=687 ! He's got a one kicked up Prank video to show you! *what is that you ask*? I'm not saying but he's just done one of the BEST pranks ever. Oh..what a look of HORROR on that dude's face. Great job, SeekGeo! You get a MAJOR SALUTE!

till next time: a PRAYER SEMPER FI for NIU!

Support TOM NEVILLE! / Best Buy Lawsuit!

G'day Everyone!

I just got alerted that Tom Neville's blog got picked up into the AOL news! I was kind of surprised!

Here's the link: http://216.109.125.130/search/cache?ei=UTF-8&p=%22DISAPPOINTED+LETTER+FROM+TOM+NEVILLE%22&fr=yfp-t-311&u=news.aol.com/topic/south-dakota&w=%22disappointed+letter+from+tom+neville%22&d=E8nqCHDuQR8x&icp=1&.intl=us

You have to scroll down the AOL news to see under the blog headings to find it.

For those who want to see what Tom Neville is saying on his site:
http://tomvlog.wordpress.com/2008/02/11/disappointed-letter-from-tom-neville/

This quite a story between Tom Neville and Deaf Nation. Read what Tom's saying. Then be sure to put on some "Nuclear Protection Gloves" on your mouse. The comments in that section running roughly in favor of Tom Neville. How much will it get?

I know I printed this a few days ago. But I want to say it post it again with a word to Deaf Nation:

Sit down and talk with Tom Neville.. NOW!!

*sigh* I hope all the best things work out for Tom Neville.

In the meanwhile, my plans to head to DC have been cancelled for personal reasons and things are rescheduled.

To all my friends and readers: Have a wonderful LOVE day and God Bless you!!

This link says it all: http://www.cyberkisses.com/platinum/images/flash/loveU-bear.swf

Update: I had to blog this when I was looking at the AOL news. If you lose a laptop, like this woman did, think what you can do!!
http://www.engadget.com/2008/02/12/woman-files-54m-lawsuit-against-best-buy-for-losing-laptop/

Now I'm going to give a some good advice: If something goes wrong with laptop and you know it's not your hard drive, do yourself a favor: Take your hard drive out and leave it at home!
I've picked up this type of info because many people think that computer repair shops are "honest" people. Unfortunately, I've seen what many people do to a laptop so often! So please, with the risk of having your ID stolen by someone else, take your hard drive out first. They may complain that they need that hard drive, but I suggest that you buy a spare Hard drive to create as a back-up peace of mind drive.

Me, when my laptop goes down for some reason, Out comes my normal Hard drive and I put in my SPARE Hard drive with limited info. Thus, not only I protect myself, but all my data is completely safe.

Say what? Can't afford a back-up hard drive? Simple, Transfer every part of info to a CD or some type of a External Storage device. Even a Zip drive or Zip key will work.

So keep your precious info back ed up and just keep basic info on the hard drive if you can!

I hope this lady wins her lawsuit. It's no fun losing something you paid for!

Semper FI!

The coming LOVE weekend!

G'day Everyone!

Tomorrow begins the LOVE Weekend of Valentine's day. For some, it's the romantic weekend of the year for most people! That on the human side.

But since you are reading my blog, I have to give you a bit of a warning and caution!
Read: http://www.emergencyemail.org/newsemergency/anmviewer.asp?a=283&z=1

The link is a description that hackers will be sending out a new WORM in the e-mails for the next several days. It will contain a line that says "from a secret crush person" or what ever it says. Even if it comes from a friend of yours of a "Happy Valentines day" line, Do yourself a favor. Send a separate e-mail to your friend, or call on VP (if you got one) to ask if your friend did send you a valentine e-mail.

So today, I urge you all to make sure your anti-virus programs are up to date and to be ready for anything!

I hope you all will have a romantic weeknd!! Sherlock will be in DC for the weekend (weather pending).

Meanwhile: I found something today on Deaf Read. Ever hear of "The ORANGE BROWN Coalition"? This is real organization on the campus of RIT. Here's the link:
http://orangebrownrit.blogspot.com/2008/02/agbell-related-to-ntid-dorm-article.html

This gives all about the facts of how the Alexander Graham Bell dorm came about and some serious history info! Again, I support the fact that the name of AGB needs to removed off the dorm. Sign the petition!

Finally: Ever tried to take your new souped up snowblower out for the first time? Ah today I did. One lesson. Never do it when ice is already covering the top of the snow!! First chunk of snow that I bit into with my new snow blower and oh momma! Quarter of a mile ice missles got thrown! WHOO! Tim Taylor, I'm proud of you teaching me! ah, well next time I'll wait for the freshly powdered snow. Right now, I got some windows to fix. *embarassed*.

Anyways, Have a SAFE and SEMPER FI *love* weekend!

Note: to BW in Tx and NB in NY.. Happy Valentine's day! I will give you something when I see you! Love ya! *smile*

More on the AGBell stuff

G'Afternoon Everyone!

Hi from the Snowy place of Williamsport, PA! Yes, it's packed snow here. I'm enjoying it. It's pretty right now.. that is is you stay at home! Venture outside in your car and you better be praying you don't slip-n-slide into something! OUCH!

Ok.. Today I wanted to share an experience by a blogger of how he was forced to talk instead of Sign Language : http://aslman.blogspot.com/2008/02/john-tracey-clinic-slap-my-hands.html .

Was that abuse on the handicapped? I'd bet my bottom dollar on it. There are other gentle ways to make a deaf child talk and enjoy sign language as well. Like ASLman, I was forced as a kid to learn to talk instead of picking up sign language. And like ASLman, I was told Sign Language was bad language to learn while I grew up.

When I was 20, my parents tried to dissuade me from going to NTID. It was the final act of teenage rebellion that I signed those papers for NTID and left for college. When I came home, I didn't sign, but talked. But curiosity got the best of my parents. I signed, talked, and most of all, introduced them my best friends. My dad enjoyed them, but my mom doesn't. Today, with my VP, my mom is still uncomfortable that I have deaf friends. Thanks to the person who influenced her to forced me to talk. I wish to God he told her I could take up sign language later!

Anyhow: on to the AGBELL stuff:

Check out http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-460612873475973908 .It's a video about a petition to remove the Alexander Graham Bell name off one of the campus buildings at RIT.

And if you are intested to SIGN the petition : http://www.petitiononline.com/RMAGBELL/petition.html

So since I, Sherlock, am a alumni of NTID, I do support the petition project that the name of Alexander Graham Bell be removed off the tower B dorm of the NTID dorms.
I honestly think that AGBELL's philosophy and works today conflict with purposes of NTID teachings in this present age.

Lately, I have a question for all of us: Why hasn't NTID at RIT and Gallaudet University state their positions about the AGBELL controversey over the pepsi advertisement and the NAD Rebuke at AGBELL?

The answer that I wish I could write would put me in a position that might affect NTID and Gallaudet University. BUT these two major Higher Education Instiutions refuse to say anying in defense of either NAD or AGBell. So that's kind of odd.

Well, as I said, be sure you go to sign the petition for the name to be removed off the NTID dorm! thanks !

Semper FI!

Tom Neville / Deaf Porn redux

G'evening everyone!

I just found out, on deaf read, and I am throwing support for Tom Neville!

Here, read what he says. His words, not mine: http://tomvlog.wordpress.com/2008/02/11/disappointed-letter-from-tom-neville/

And if you are thinking of looking for the forementioned topic of Tom's problem, don't bother.
I surfed over to www.deafnation.com and it has been taken down.

I say the best of fortune to Tom Neville and DeafNation. I hope they work it out!! (please?)

Meanwhile: I was alerted to a link to http://www.penny-arcade.com/comic/2008/01/07
and get this.. it's quip about DEAF PORN again! (how many merry-go-arounds will we have on this "Deaf Porn" issue? Don't ask me!) Thanks to: http://www.stonedeafpilots.com/?p=87 that found it first! (semper fi guys!)

So, till next time.. SEMPER FI!

P.S. for those who are looking for my CI post: http://thedeafsherlock.blogspot.com/2008/02/ci-hitting-too-close-to-me.html

A CI hitting too close to me!

G'day Everyone!

This came across me in my e-mails early this morning. This person requested that it be posted on my web page. I changed seveal things to hide the identity of the persons involved. Please read:
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Dear Sherlock:

My group of friends are in shock and surprise over another friend's recent decision to have a CI done a few days ago. We all knew our friend loved to hear sounds when our friend was younger, as we were told about, but recently, our friend's ability to re-try the hearing aids have failed. (We think the audiologist was a pro-AGBELL person who wanted a different outcome to happen and it did. Yes, we do curse that audiologist for suggesting the CI!)

When we found out that the CI was a done deal on our friend already as we were kept in the dark of when it would be done, some of us screamed and cried and held numerous chat rooms sessions to discuss about it. We all felt that our friend had gone into a last desperate chance to recapture the sounds the person enjoyed so much as a child.
Many of us felt that if AGBELL were to find out who this individual is, our friend would be plastered all over the AGBELL web page as the next "Former Deaf Poster Person who has chosen CI/SOUNDS over ASL!" Translation: This person has proven AGBELL's policy on CI works against deaf people using ASL!!

In the coming days, we're all going to be confronted with our friend wearing the CI. We're concerned if more people find out about our friend having it. We're not sure if we want to defend this person because this person is well known in the deaf community. It will take time for all of us to get to know our friend all over again. It will not be easy. We feel a sense of betrayal in the deafhood. We knew our friend had successfully fought and advocate against the CI before, but now, having a CI installed as well? It creates a conflict on a scale of personal ethics for all of us.

But there was one thing that we all agreed on. Our friend should have stayed over night in the hospital since the CI was put in. Hearing that the CI surgery was done on an outpatient business, we all felt it was a new version of : " come in, CHOP your ear open..CI..SEW up..and send home" type of things now. In the past times, we felt better for a 2 day hospital stay. That is.. "come in early in the evening, next day have the CI put in, stay the next night, then go home the next day after if everything is ok".

We didn't know what else to do. But we did ask our local priest to hold a private mass to honor the loss of our friend's deafness. Afterward, he held a counseling session for us. We all unloaded our feelings the discussion of the pros and cons of someone having CI among us as a friend.

In the end, the priest said: "Forgiveness is one step you must do. I agree that your friend should have discussed with you before going ahead with the decision. Having a CI done can have a profound effect on your group of friends. Especially when you don't tell them before it's done.
I have had a CI done on me (some of us were shocked when he showed us his CI, but didn't put it on), but I never told my friends about it before I had it. When it was done, I attempted to explain my reasons for withholding the decision from them and apologize. But, they excluded me from their circle of frienship. Everytime I tried to be freinds with them, I was turned away.

That is why I became a priest. I knew these events would personally happen among deaf friends in the deaf community. It is a horrible impact. The need to "hear" for yourself often outweighs the links to deafness and ASL. But when a choice is made without support of your close friends, that's when the line of frienships are drawn. It becomes an ugly pesonal choice of decision. So this has become my ministry to the deaf for the pentence of my personal decision. It is a cross I will bear for the rest of my life.

You will have to forgive your friend's decision. While it is a pleasure to hear sounds again, the price of losing my friends is a high personal cost. Now I understand why "the war" in the deaf community is so much against the CI. "

With that being said, he gave us a blessing and suggested to us that we bring our "new CI" friend for a friendship celebration mass and a discussion session after that. He prayed that God would give us a strength of understanding.

But, we are not ready for that yet. One member of our group has already asked NAD to drop our friend's membership and transfer it to AGBELL where AGBELL is proud to promote the CI.

Pray for us, Sherlock. We have long days ahead of us.
Thanks for lettine me unload on you.

(name withheld by request)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
When I read that email, it became a struggle for me to understand one of my own friends who hid about the plans to have a CI installed. It was already a done deal.

But now, the question is, we remain friends despite that my friend has a CI or not? Just like the letter above, the rest of our group of friends sit in a divided state.

As I've been against the CI for many years. Even now, I hate CI being applied to deaf babies when they are small and defenseless. For the person, who invented the CI, may have well thought he was doing a favor for the deaf community and "cure" deafness. But how does he sleep at night knowing he has caused trouble, pain, and division among the deaf community? How will he explain himself to God one day?

For those who use CI, that is your "blessing". Your cure, your bionic ear. But with it, you have crossed into a zone between the worlds of hearing and deaf. Just like hearing aids were once said to be when they came invented.

How does it look for the future deaf community? If CIs outrank the ASL users, then we can kiss the word "Deaf Community" a good bye and rename it "Hard of hearing / CI Community" .

I have already decided to defend ASL. I am against the CI. Even if my own hearing aids fail me if I grow older, I'll be thanking God for making me deaf as He intended me to be. To me, it seems the battle lines are drawn. The only thing left to decide is.. how long conflict will remain within the deaf community? Perhaps it will remain until the next generation deaf/ CI users become involved to decide the end of it.

The day the popularity of CI ,that comes to an end, will be the day we'll all celebrate it's demise and celebrate the strength of ASL.

NOTE: at the bottom of this blog is a series of CI polls going on. It will last a month. I modified the BLOG to show only the current posting for the month. The polls will run until march 10th. Thanks.

Laughing Saturday

G'day Everyone!

I spent an hour on the floor *LAUGHING* myself apart. (*LOL again*, ah ahem!) OK, let me show you the reason why: http://jezebel.com/349758/jesus-christ
The reason why I looked at the "Jesus Christ light switch" article because it got me curious. But the light switch wasn't the one thing that made me laugh, it was the comments! Some of them were so... ah you gotta see for yourself. As a former catholic I never figured why this particular light switch was in my room when I was a kid. Was it an influence to be GAY? Oh lord.. I don't want to think so.

Switching gears, I think we may have another AGBELL related war! I discovered this on Deafread this morning. http://tomwillard.wordpress.com/2008/02/08/midwest-airlines-center-invited-ag-bell-conference-refused-asl-expo/

Go see the info there then come back here.

Back? Well, to be honest to say if AGBELL is taking on other ASL related organizations and preventing them from "sharing" the same site (which goes the logical thinking that AGBELL is kind of complaining to the pepsi co by saying : "In order to create a commerical for the deaf, you should have consulted with us first because we know the deaf better than the NAD does"). of the event days, then something's seriously wrong.

If the NAD was to team up with ASLexpo 2008, then AGBELL will really have a problem on it's hands. If AGBELL can't understand the promotion of ASL as opposed to sounds that AGBELL promotes to force deaf people to be more "hearing", then why does it want force it on the next generation of deaf babies? This will always be "The Greatest Irony" that hangs over all of us.

I wanted to share two posts that Carl Schroeder wrote. I think both make statements clearly:
http://carl-schroeder.blogspot.com/2008/02/no-law-for-deaf-babies.html

http://carl-schroeder.blogspot.com/2008/02/war-on-american-sign-language.html

Thanks Carl for posting those.

For now.. SEMPER FI.. till next time.

The Titanic AGBELL!/ OMG.. Blooper?

G'day Everyone!

Not since last year's protests (Summer 2007) by the Deaf Bilingual Coalition at an Alexander Graham Bell conference could have been a "managed Public Relations " disaster for AGBELL. Especially when the Marriott Hotel manager sided with AGBELL and yanking the protest flyers from a deaf girl's hands. (Note: that same manager is now working for the White House. )

Starting with Pepsi Co. working with NAD to produce "Bob's House" (a pepsi advertisement), the AGBELL seems to come out and "spank" the Pepsi Co. for promoting the use of ASL when AGBELL wants to promote SOUNDS for the Deaf.

Here comes the NAD! New PR disaster for AGBELL as NAD's Letter to AGBELL erupts into a major firestorm of a protest by many differnt bloggers and vloggers.

To be honest, this is one of the worst public relations disaster and nightmare for AGBELL since the titanic sank at sea. Could it really be that "The great AGBELL ship" had struck an Pepsi Co. advertisement "iceberg"? I think so. It's been gashed with a "hole" so wide in the side of their ship, you could drive the entire internet engine right through it! If AGBELL sinks in the history, perhaps that will be the kindest thing thatcould happen for the entire deaf community.
But will AGBELL change their captians to save their ship in time, patch the "hole", and then change directions? That's the $64K question of the day now. (don't try to answer it.. only AGBELL can).

If a Boycott on the AGBELL is the only answer against them, then perhaps that's what must be done. As I said before, I hope the investors realize that AGBELL has put itself in bad shape. Money says powerful things. But the voice and ASL of a powerful deaf community says more!

Semper FI to the NAD. Stronger SEMPER FI to us bloggers and vloggers.

Note: here are some things you ought to see:
http://www.ythree.com/?p=169 (a letter from a Law Professor to the Pepsi Co).

http://asldeaf.wordpress.com/2008/02/09/define-gonad%E2%80%A6/ (childern of the eye remarks about Paotie's post on his page) http://www.paotie.com/2008/02/08/lets-protest-lets-boycott-go-nad-go-nad/ Ouch!

And there's more AGBELL related stuff at www.deafread.com
___________________________________________________________________

UH oh.. If anyhone's just saw something..I have to agree. THERE WAS a blooper of the pepsi ad!
And you know, Deaf Anthology is right! http://deafanthology.blogspot.com/2008/02/pepsi-deaf-super-bowl-blooper-i-not.html

The ad does start out with all the houses DARK!! Which means, by the time the kick off happens The game is really just over! Unless Bob's house really has a GREAT Cable system to pick up something special (sort of like a Dr. Who Time TV set)

Deaf Anthology, I tell you to NEVER FEAR!! What if the pepsi ad is taking place in Merry olde ENGLAND?? To me it was quite obviously that they were "americans" driving an american car and driving on the RIGHT SIDE of the road . Yeah, that's a hell of a blooper. If it's so late at night and everything's dark... it was pretty obvious! Whoever wrote this pepsi script sure didn't think it through enough. So next time, pepsi ad creators.. do me a favor.. USE ESL! English Sign Language (British signed system)

well, until the next time.. SEMPER FI!!

NEW BLOG WAR: NAD slams AGBELL!

G'day Everyone!

Coming across the Deaf World Blogshpere and VLogsphere, a new blog war has appeared! I knew it was going to happen. I had a hunch that it would and it has come to pass.
Offically The NAD has SLAMMED AGBELL! I was shocked at the tone of the letter NAD sent out to AGBELL! IMHO? Great job, NAD!

But you know what? Sherlock Supports NAD against AGBELL!

Ever since last year's protests in the Summer of 2007, AGBELL has tried to shush many of the deaf community members from using ASL and forcing deaf people to go on hearing aids, CIs, and cued speech. Was that a Good idea out of AGBELL? NO!

Sorry ABELL! I side with the NAD! Sign Language should go SIDE-by-SIDE along with hearing aids, CIs, and CUED SPEECH! Even deaf students in mainstream schools should use ASL in school as well!! Even DEAF and Hearing Babies have a RIGHT to learn ASL!

You know what, AGBELL? We're NOT AN ISOLATED DEAF COMMUNITY as you think we are in this present age of time!!
Look about you! National Technical Institute for the Deaf (NTID) students do work, interact, study together, and are very social with Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT) hearing students! Does that fit the AGBELL profile on us that AGBELL says that we're an "isolated deaf society" there? HELL NO!
Hey! How about Gallaudet University? "Isolated Deaf Society" University? NO! Gallaudet is improving. Even after down fall of Jordan, it's still improving each day passing! So AGBALL stikes out twice already and more! (actually, AGBELL struck out LONG AGO)

I think everyone has an opinion in the blogs and vlogs on how AGBELL has handled their letter to Pepsi Co ever since Pepsi Co announced it's Deaf Commercial that aired in the PRE-Super Bowl show last Sunday afternoon! This has become one of the worst Public Relations Nightmares for AGBELL ever!! What in the hell were they thinking?

I know many of us have suggested we contact AGBELL's supporters and suggest that they end their support for AGBELL (and maybe support NAD) to starting a boycot on various products that help fund the AGBELL organization.

Never again shall the deaf community be discriminated or defamed by AGBELL! An apology or no apology out of AGBELL is worth being able to repair it's damage that has been done.

I may not have an AGBELL membership card to destroy, but I'll keep an NAD card any day! (Maybe I'll join NAD for sure!)

Step down AGBELL! Your time is OVER! Your influence in the deaf community has soured.
NAD time is NOW! Long live ASL and HEARING AIDS as ONE!

SEMPER FI ASL and NAD!
(ok gang, you can take a rest from throw all the popcorn balls at AGBELL and just cheer NAD with a popcorn "rain" storm!).

For those who want to see the NAD post: http://www.deafread.com/go/37507

Cheers for the NAD!!

Driving Bad? You are not alone!

G'day Everyone!

I was doing some surfing on the 'net and I know I said it before some time ago. But the list came out about which cities are the BEST and WORST to drive in!
http://autos.aol.com/article/safety/v2/_a/road-rage-aggressive-driving-states/20070806101009990001

While the article goes on to describe about road rage (yes, it happens everywhere), I couldn't help but notice on the list that Washington, DC happens to be making the bottom of top 5 worst list! Is DC metro area getting bad to drive in? Yes. No matter how you look at it, it's bad.
No matter how the VDOT (Virginia Dept of Transporation) and MdDOT say how they'll "improve" the roadways with new 'toll' roads for faster high speed driving, that's not going to work.

I talked to several people at times at a Metro stop, VRE stop, and Amtrak stop last Fall that they noticed the beltway rush hours have been increasingly getting worse and that more accidents are happening at a higher rate. These people have decided to step off the gas and park their cars and take the sane Mass Transit tour route. They have said that it gets crowded but beats sitting in the damn car and being frustrated. I do agree and if I had a choice for work, I'd rather take a bus N tube to work!

The best places to drive list : Rounding out in the #2 spot of the top five: Say hello to Pittsburgh, PA! In almost anywhere in PA, drivers are always helping other drivers, even after an accident. Nobody isn't being that aggressive. People are respectful. But there's a main reason why: The State Police and local police stops more drivers and hands out more tickets and is very aggressive in enforcement of driving law!! It's quite clear.

So whever you go driving be aware of one thing: if you think you can drive aggresively in an area where you think police are not around, you better becareful! Just remember, Police are WATCHING you when you least expect it!

Semper FI!

Trouble Tuesday

G'Evening Everyone!

I just realized that sooner or later I will hit the magic 100th post mark of my blog. I thought I hit it today.. but then went back and eliminated several drafts I had in the works, all except one that is still in the progress of being made. So it's going to be a while.

Super Tuesday election day. Ugh.. I don't care who wins it all. But IMHO: Hillary is not suited for President. Still thinking of Obama be the one. I forsee a Obama and McCain ticket, despite the fact that John McCain doesn't have all the support for the deaf community. (ASK WHY HE DIDN'T SUPPORT UFG!).

Meanwhile, I'm ducking in my fox blog hole and wait out the fight between RLM and JB. It's ugly. Wow.

HEY!! I saw the recent 2007 blog awards posts! http://www.deafread.com/blogawards/2007/results/

What I notice who won the most? Seek Geo has won twice! (congrats Geo!). Olsen Brothers with 3 this year! (great job guys!).

But in my Honest Opinion: I think the best Deaf Cartoon of the 2007 should have been "The Greatest Irony" picture. It expresses our RAGE at the AgBAD very clearly.

My second favorite support on the Deafread awards should have gone to Tom Neville for his "Deaf Lawyer- sue pager" video. (I still laugh about it).

Hey! ASL Expo site has been improved for 2008!! http://www.aslexpo.com/ Check it out!
Next week: say hello to Kansas City, Mo! Wow, great way to kick off the year! And yes, Tom Neville videos are out there! whoo hoo!

Well, I hear the flu season is making rounds in various colleges and homes. Stay warm, get plenty of rest. Stay caught up on homework/work. But most of all..Call MOM_I_Need_Chicken_SOUP_NOW!! :-) (nothing like a good homemade stuff! TLC need!).

So, Semper FI out there!

Armchair QB Monday!

G'Afternoon Everyone!

WHOO!! I'm partied out. I slept in my morning. I couldn't believe what a WILD party it was. We laughed, we cried, and we screamed..HARD! It was a football show that produced the LOWEST scores ever. Many people expected a total blow out by the New England Patriots.
Except, it didn't happen.

As I watched the game, they were playing like a different team. But then again, at times during the game, they started to revert back to the old ways of cheating tatics and nearly got successful.
For the New York Giants, they stepped up, preserved, and ultimately added in what I saw was a "knife in the back" right at the Patriots.

It is the biggest upset in the history of Super Bowl! You know what? Many of Sherlock's friends LAUGHED at him and say: New England is going to win! Many of them bet on New England. But now, it's the day after. Who's laughing now? There's a sullen mass of friends that look right at me and can't believe it. Sherlock won! HOW?

To be honest to say it: Perfection doesn't last long. Especially when they (the Patriots) laughed loudly with pride that they were going to beat New York during the preparations weeks before the game. Wow! Pride cometh right before a fall. 18-1. WHOOMP! (is that an indent in the football field? It just might be.)

I'm sad for Bill Belichick. Sore loser, yes. He ran, shook hands, then departed right off the field before the final tick of the clock. They got a LONG off season to deal with. Perhaps, a reason to sit down say "next year, play honest. No spygates!".

Meanwhile: For those who loved and miss those Super Bowl ads: www.myspace.com/superbowlads .

I'm sad that Pepsi co choose to air their commercial during the pre-game show, but thankful that the funded the closed captioning!

Favorite Commerical aid of the game: FedEx Monster Pigeons! Alfred Hitchlock would have been PROUD of "THE BIRDS" reprise! But, I liked those helments on the pigeons. Terminator-like devices that made those rats with wings on steroids! Whoo! (duck! here comes a pigeon poop!)

I have two favorite moves I want to watch this summer! Iron Man and Wall-e!

Well, next week won't have a lot of drama in the NFL Pro Bowl. I hope players will have FUN!

Soon, NASCAR season opens on February 17! Go Dale! Beat that step-mom of yours! Don't look for #8. Dale's driving #88 now! Whoo!

Tomorrow, My opinion on Super Tuesday. Ugh. It'll be a interesting day.

So SEMPER FI TO THE NY GIANTS! YAHOO!

Super Bowl Sunday!

G'Afternoon Everyone!

I'm just about to head out for the door and off to spend almost the rest of the day in a party atmosphere among strangers. Hearing Strangers that is. Yes, yours truely is decked out in total blue in total support of the NY Giants! Today is finally, SUPERBOWL SUNDAY with a kick off at 6pm (aprox). I am really hope that the Giants will KICK the Pats' butt completely to the loser's column for sure!! (GO GIANTS!!)
But someone says that the game is already fixed and the Patriots are due to win this final game. I said that person.. "if that's true, then football will no longer be a sport to enjoy anymore". But never the less, Let's hope the Giants will be out for a serious pounding on the Patriots!!

Meanwhile: If there was a response for RLM from Jamie Berke, here it is: http://deafness.about.com/b/2008/02/03/need-proof-of-ag-bell-letter-download-it.htm

It may not be a exact response that RLM wants to see, but hey.. break out the pop corn. The drama goes on. Oh well. boring one any how.

By the way, when the pepsi commercial airs tonite during the game, I'm going to be watching for the reaction from the crowd. I expect a lot of people will be scratching their heads at it. But get this, I may be the ONLY ONE in the entire bar that's watching and understanding it fully. So if even if it's NOT subtitled, I may have to play "Hearing interpreter" at that moment (if the commercial airs a 2nd time).

One of the things I do expect out of this Superbowl are the insane and WEIRD commercials. Hey! Will Budwiser have one of the insane ads that has an on-going script? I always laugh at that. But anything can happen tonight.

I want to encourage people who may be going to the bar or going over to a friend's home TO PLEASE DRINK IN A RESPONSIBLE MANNER! I won't be having any beer because I'm driving my car solo. But that's life. So, I want you all to have a care tonight. Drink carefully and if you are too drunk, have someone drive you home! In every community, police will be out in force tonight doing the DUI checks. (not fun, but make sure you got your license and registration with you!)

Till later: SEMPER FI TO THE GIANTS TO WIN!!

Groundhog day, another blog war.

G'day Everyone!

Happy Groundhog day! At the same time, Happy Chineese New year. It's year of the RAT!
I don't know if Phil saw his shadow, augh, more winter. But if NOT, get ready for warm weather soon!

Meanwhile: Another blog war has appeared. Lemme guess.. you all expect another Berke and Ridor war? oooh! That pop corn drama is stale.. toss it away. The new one is : Berke vs RLM! That is Robert Mason! Have plenty of popcorn ready.

Here's what RLM is bitching about: http://robertmason.blogspot.com/2008/02/you-jamie-berke-please-relinquish-your.html

My response to RLM? I'm bitching Right back at RLM and his views on the AgBAD.

Only the Graham Bell Association (AgBAD) can order such a revoke of a membership of Jamie Berke, not Robert Mason. If you are a member of AgBAD, Robert, then you got every right to go and talk to AgBAD membership committee/director to ask for an order of decision that Jamie Berke should turn in her membership card. But how will that look in the eyes of public relations for AgBAD? Especially given last summer's protests, and now the recent articles that AgBAD deplores the Pepsi commerical that's due to hit the air waves in less than 48 hours tomorrow (SUPERBOWL SUNDAY!! OH YEAH!!).
Hey, another fact, Mason, why did the pepsi co consult the National Association of the Deaf (NAD) for advice on how to make this commercial? Could it be that NAD has more influence than AgBAD in dealing with the hearing community? It was a STRONG public relations coup for NAD and Pepsi Co. Yet, here we got the AgBAD that is playing "We should have been consulted too because we know the Deaf Community!". Yeah, right. Alex Bell could have invented an early Technology before his time for the deaf than discovering the Phone.

Personally, AgBAD's methods of teaching the deaf are long outdated. I grew up on this method long ago in a special school. I grew to hate it, especially in my mainstream days. I've gone to NTID, Gallaudet, and I completely embrace Sign Language and ASL. I may have " the best of both worlds" (as I've been told). But, AgBAD that believes in oralism teaching for the deaf, that's wrong. It's hurtful and shameful. Especially when they convinced my parents that, I when I was growing up, I would be better off with hearing friends than deaf friends.
How much of an honor of choice of my life when I threw off the AgBAD's teachings and embraced deafness and Sign Language. My own parents struggled to accept that decision.
But those of my hearing friends that I grew up with? They turned their back on me when I embraced my deafness rather than saying "I'm Hearing Impaired". I haven't regretted it ever since.
But the years that I lost growing up can never be replaced. A staunch supporter, like you RLM, needs to realize that AgBAD needs to change. Change that can only happen within the members of the AgBAD community. That is what I advocate for the AgBAD to do. Change it's methods. Embrace Sign Language. End all of Alexander Bell's attempts for teaching the deaf to live like hearing people. As long as God creates deaf children, the deaf community will survive.

Lastly, if Jamie Berke wants to give up her membership in AgBAD, that'll be her choice! Not your challenge, Robert. If she wants to go public about it, that'll be her decision. Since that is her decision, your challenge literally falls on deaf ears. Sort of like throwing a snowball pie right in your face! *WHAP* (good one, Jamie!!)

Semper FI to JB for her stand against AgBAD!

Update: My salute to Nick V. For his kindness to point out my mistakes in my spelling about the NAD! Thank you! And don't forget: NAD has two major events going on this year!! For info:
http://www.nad.org/ Be sure to find out!

Semper FI to the NAD!

Anger at Al Qaeda and Osama Bin Laden!!

G'evening Everyone!

I'm more than angry and spitting a curse right at Al Qaeda and Osama Bin Laden!! I hope this terror group suffers a special WRATH OF GOD on them. Islam or no Islam, this is no run-of-the-mill damn terror group. This is a group of sadistic terror people who used disabled people to kill other people. See: http://www.cnn.com/2008/WORLD/meast/02/01/iraq.main/index.html, that article!

This is why I'm so angry. Using disabled people as of they were "disposeable" people to get the "message" across in Iraq. It means: Submit or else!

No religious type terror group is ever going to be saved from the wrath of man, terror victims, and from the WRATH OF GOD. When these sick terror people die, they think they are going to their rewards. Instead, it will be the true horror of their lives that awaits for them when they see Jesus sitting on the Judgement seat and showing these dead men their very crimes that they have committed in the name of TERROR! No one has a right to kill a disabled person like the ones these women suffered to die in Iraq! I believe these disabled women suffered at the hands of these terror people before thier painful death. When God judges these terror people at end of their lives, these terror people will find NO reward and NO peace, but enternal PAIN and SUFFERING that NEVER EVER ENDS. These Terror people will beg, scream, cry, suffer aloud before God, but no mercy.

Save that Saddam has died a death by the nose, I hope that Osama Bin Laden will either kill himself or die of old age while he hides. Because whenever he is found, he will suffer an end to his crimes in such a way that is deemed by the World court.

My heart aches for these disabled women that died. May God comfort their souls.