G'day Everyone.
To those who wrote the kind and harsh words in support and against of Barry Strassler, editor of the Deaf Digest, I regret to say that they are unpublishable. Yes, the comments box is working, but comments have been moderated and it will stay that way. Thank you for your comments.
You, the reader, must understand that some people, who do support the Gallaudet Football team, take things seriously. Barry Strassler may have a kind intention of pulling a April Fools joke as he always does, but should have tested it out on a few people before he used it. Why do you think the Gallaudet Athletics put out a press release to say that Gallaudet Football did NOT disband? That is the serious statement out there. It could have been worse.
As a result, Barry Strassler should make some sort of a contribution to the Gallaudet Football team to show not only apology, but support for our team. As he does say "And do go all out and root for our Gallaudet football team because it is not just Gallaudet's team but the Deaf Community'steam.". To joke about our team is no laughing matter. This upcoming season of Gallaudet Football will be an interesting one. Let's hope that team 2008-09 will be ready to take that field and play some pigskin ball games! Win, Bison, WIN!
Meanwhile, it's OPEN PRANK SEASON (for one day of the year. April 1st). Are you ready? Better have a sense of humor against those, like me, who are MASTER PRANKSTER.
I do enjoy making light jokes and pulling them on my friends. I know when they seriously need a good laugh.
But it's not easy being a master prankster. I test things out with a close friend of mine who gives me an honest reaction about it before use it in a list of my gags. Thus, I know what to expect before anything else happens at times. I've seen my own share of jokes gone bad. I know what it's like to be shamed for it as well and taken my own share of lumps. That's the ups and downs of pranking.
Some times, I team up with another close friend of mine. Get in to a chat conversation on AIM with a unsuspecting friend and look out. We start some INTERESTING conversations that become a fall off the chair and laughing on the floor evening.
So, tomorrow is April 1st, 2008. And if you are going to prank someone, be careful. Prank nicely. Prank cleanly. Just hope the person who you prank has a very good sense of humor in their bones. Just don't prank Barry Strassler. Don't prank at work. Enjoy the day tomorrow. And remember, a small prank gives a good sense of laugh that gives you a good sense of Friendship.
God bless.
Semper FI.
Monday, March 31, 2008
Yesterday's post/pranking around.
Sunday, March 30, 2008
Anger at the Deaf Digest. and SMSD
G'day Everyone!
I think I've been able to get over my ANGER at the Deaf Digest (BLUE EDITION) which I get in the e-mail lately.
Have you seen what was written? Here is a copy from my e-mail:
>
>Gallaudet University has dropped footballas an intercollegiate sport. It was announcedtoday >by President Bob Davila. Huge costs needed to sustain this sportis the reason. This is, indeed, >very disappointing. Homecoming Day plans have changed. Instead ofa traditional football >game, a soccer game willtake place. Stay tuned. To read the full story, pleaseclick on http://www.deafdigest.com/gallaudetfootball.htm
>
>
Needless to say, I spat coffee all over my desk! I was like YELLING "NO FUCKING WAY!!".
I'm a furious grandfather bison that would HATE GU President Davila to cancel the program. But when it says to click on the link for the full story.. you get "Happy April Fools DAY".
Unfortunately to say, NOBODY is laugh with the Gallaudet University Football team.
The Gallaudet University athletics department has released a press statement that FOOTBALL
is still very much alive at Gallaudet University.
The editor of the Deaf Digest has issued a apology statement.
http://gallaudetathletics.com/press_releases/2008/20080330GUFootballUpdate
But, I don't buy his apology statement. I want Barry Strassler penalized. He ought to be made to do something for the football team and give Gallaudet University a new reason to feel PROUD. It's what Gallaudet needs. But if Coach Hottle has a better idea to penalize Barry Strassler, I think we all deserve to hear it.
Meanwhile, stay alert about the St. Mary's School for the Deaf (SMSD) in Buffalo, NY protest situation. They had a major rally yesterday. Most of the info can be found here:
http://www.buffalonews.com/cityregion/buffaloerie/story/311206.html
Stay watching and stay in prayer for the students of St. Mary's school for the Deaf! WE SUPPORT YOU! *SALUTE!*
Have a great week! And remember, TUESDAY IS PRANK DAY. (watch out Barry Strassler! yer fair game now!)
Friday, March 28, 2008
Terrorism on the road, Micah Brown's Blog
G'day Everyone!
CNN has been reporting about someone shooting at some cars in the southern state of Virginia/ North Carolina area. http://www.cnn.com/2008/CRIME/03/27/interstate.shootings.ap/index.html
Could someone be copycatting the past SNIPER shootings of a few years ago? I wouldn't be surprised.
But if you think sniper fire is what you have to avoid, try this one : http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/03/27/AR2008032703672.html
UPDATE: I just heard on the CNN news that they just arrested a person in the sniper case.
The average time at night for a driver to worry about is animals crossing the road. Right? Not when there's TERRORISM "PRANKS" BY KIDS! Kids, who think it's fun to put objects on the road late at night to make an obstacle course for drivers, are practically doing something that is a level of terrorism. They think it's funny to watch drivers have to drive around or crash into the obstacles. To a driver of a car, it's deadly and you have to make an instant decision that can be a life or death reaction. Either a fast rapid avoidance or crash into the obstacle. But in this article, the pranks have resulted in some very bad accidents.
In this case, I hope these teenagers, who have been caught, will be sent to a military boot camp. I have no doubt that the prosecutors of their local court will make an argument of making these kids being home grown terrorists, who are beyond the scope of rehabilitation, and deserve to be in prison for the rest of their lives. What a way to screw up their adult lives. Look back and laugh about it? NOT A FUCKING CHANCE IN SNOW FROZEN HELL!
Meanwhile: Micah Brown has posted a very serious article about 4, 000th death of an American solider. I'm not going to spill his entire blog. But I want you to read it and comment on his site. Every thing that Micah has written would almost be what I would want to say. So, go to Micah Brown's blog and read what he's posted: http://www.xanga.com/micahbrwn
So finally to say this: A vote for John McCain would be a vote for President Bush of having a THIRD TERM of his policies. Let's vote for a change! VOTE DEMOCRATIC! (but not Hillary Clinton!).
Semper FI.
Thursday, March 27, 2008
The RULES for livng in Rural PA!
So you want to live in Pennsylvania? Well here are some NATURAL rules you gotta follow:
THE RULES OF RURAL PENNSYLVANIA ARE AS FOLLOWS:
LISTEN UP CITY SLICKERS!!!! Obey these friendly rules of Rural PA and we'll live in peace here! If you don't like the rules, go back to the city where ya from.
1. PULL YOUR DROOPY PANTS UP. YOU LOOK LIKE AN IDIOT.
2. TURN YOUR CAP RIGHT, YOUR HEAD ISN'T CROOKED. (except if it's raining and yer a deaf fella trying to protect his precious hearing aid which is permissible.)
3. LET'S GET THIS STRAIGHT; IT'S CALLED A 'DIRT ROAD.' NO MATTER HOW SLOW YOU DRIVE, YOU'RE GOING TO GET DUST ON YOUR LEXUS. DRIVE IT OR GET OUT OF THE WAY.
4. THEY ARE CATTLE. THEY'RE LIVE STEAKS. THAT'S WHY THEY SMELL FUNNY TO YOU, GET OVER IT. DON'T LIKE IT? I-80 GOES EAST AND WEST, I-81 GOES NORTH AND SOUTH. PICK ONE.
5. SO YOU HAVE A $60,000 CAR. WE'RE IMPRESSED. WE HAVE $150,000 CORN PICKERS AND HAY BALER MACHINES THAT ARE DRIVEN ONLY 3 WEEKS A YEAR.
6. SO EVERY PERSON IN RURAL PENNSYLVANIA WAVES. WE THINK OF IT AS BEING FRIENDLY. TRY TO UNDERSTAND THE CONCEPT.
7. IF THAT CELL PHONE RINGS WHILE AN 8-POINT BUCK AND 3 DOES ARE COMING IN, WE WILL SHOOT IT OUT OF YOUR HAND. YOU BETTER HOPE YOU DON'T HAVE IT UP TO YOUR EAR AT THE TIME. (That is if yer visiting during the hunting time, turn the cell phone to silent mode. We'll appreciate it better if it's off!)
8. YEAH, WE EAT TATERS & GRAVY, BEANS & CORNBREAD. WE FRY OUR FISH AFTER 'CATCH IN' 'EM'. YOU REALLY WANT SUSHI & CAVIAR? IT'S AVAILABLE AT THE CORNER BAIT SHOP.
9. THE 'OPENER' REFERS TO THE FIRST DAY OF DEER SEASON. IT'S A RELIGIOUS HOLIDAY HELD ON THE FIRST MONDAY AFTER THANKSGIVING. RESPECT IT! WE CLOSE ALMOST EVERYTHING! VENISON MEAT IS OUR "HOLY GRAIL", NEXT TO BRAGGING RIGHTS OF GETTING THE BIGGEST DEER!!
10. WE OPEN DOORS FOR WOMEN. THAT IS APPLIED TO ALL WOMEN, REGARDLESS OF AGE. IT"S CALLED RESPECT FOR OTHERS!
11. NO, THERE'S NO 'VEGETARIAN SPECIAL' ON THE MENU. ORDER STEAK. OR YOU CAN ORDER THE CHEF'S SALAD AND PICK OFF THE 2 POUNDS OF HAM & TURKEY AT THE SALAD BAR.
12. WHEN WE FILL OUT A TABLE, THERE ARE THREE MAIN DISHES: MEATS (INCLUDES FISH), VEGETABLES, AND BREADS. WE USE FOUR SPICES: SALT, PEPPER, HOT SAUCE AND KETCHUP. OH, YEAH...WE DON'T CARE WHAT YOU FOLKS IN JERSEY CALL THAT STUFF YOU EAT...IT AIN'T REAL CHILI!!!!
13. YOU BRING 'COKE' INTO MY HOUSE, IT BETTER BE BROWN, WET AND SERVED OVER ICE. OTHER WISE, WE CALL JOHN LAW PRETTY FAST AND COLLECT A REWARD ON YOUR PRETTY BUTT AND YOU'LL BE IN JAIL FOR A WHILE!
14. YOU BRING 'MARY JANE' INTO MY HOUSE, SHE BETTER BE CUTE, KNOW HOW TO SHOOT, AND HAVE LONG HAIR. CUZ AGAIN, WE CALL JOHN LAW AND YER OFF TO THE HOOSEGOW FOR A LONG TIME!
15. IF YOU BRING AN UNREGISTERED GUN AND SHOOT UP A TOWN OF OURS, WE GOT A MAYOR THAT PROMISES TO BRING "THE WAR" TO YOU AND PROMISE THAT YOU'LL BE IN THE HOOSEGOW FOR AGES TO COME!
16. ALLENWOOD FEDERAL PRISON ISN'T OUR "CLUB FED OF THE HILLS". IT'S THE MEANEST FEDERAL PRISON OF ALL. EVEN THE DEERS WITH 50 POINT SPIKES BEEN DRAFTED TO PATROL THE GROUNDS! STAY AWAY FROM IT!
17. BE NICE TO OUR AMISH COMMUNITY! DON'T MAKE FUN OF THEM. DON'T EVEN BOTHER TAKING THEIR PICTURE. RESPECT THEM. THEY HAVE THE BEST NATURAL FOODS TO BUY FROM!
18. COLLEGE AND HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL IS AS IMPORTANT HERE AS THE EAGLES AND THE STEELERS, AND A DANG SITE MORE FUN TO WATCH.
19. PA JOE IS OUR FRIEND AT PSU! PLEASE RESPECT HIM. WHEN THE LIONS PLAY OHIO, SYRACUSE, OR MICHIGAN (INCLUDING MICHIGAN STATE) AT UNIVERSITY PARK IN STATE COLLEGE, IT'S A PSU HOLIDAY ON SATURDAY! WE HOST THE BEST TAILGATE PARTIES!!
20. YEAH, WE HAVE GOLF COURSES. BUT DON'T HIT THE WATER HAZARDS---IT SPOOKS THE FISH.
21. WHEN YER DRIVING ON THE BACK ROADS AND PASS OUR FIELDS OF ANIMALS, PLEASE RESPECT THEM. COW TIPPING IS ILLEGAL. OUR COWS MAKE THE BEST MILK HERE IN RURAL PA. SAME AS OUR EGGS. IF YOU SCREW WITH OUR ANIMALS, FARMERS ARE KNOWN TO SHOOT FIRST AND ASK QUESTIONS LATER. SO PLEASE, RESPECT THE ANIMALS! JUST LOOK AND DRIVE ON!
22. COLLEGES? WE HAVE THEM ALL OVER THE STATE. WE HAVE STATE UNIVERSITIES, COMMUNITY COLLEGES, AND VO-TECHS. THEY COME OUTTA THERE WITH AN EDUCATION PLUS A LOVE FOR GOD AND COUNTRY, AND THEY STILL WAVE AT EVERYBODY WHEN THEY COME FOR THE HOLIDAYS.
23. WE HAVE A WHOLE TON OF FOLKS IN THE ARMY, NAVY, AIR FORCE, AND MARINES. SO DON'T MESS WITH US. IF YOU DO, YOU WILL GET WHIPPED BY THE BEST OF THE MOUNTAIN PEOPLE!!
24. TURN DOWN THAT BLASTED CAR STEREO! THAT THUMPITY-THUMP CRAP AIN'T MUSIC, ANYWAY. (Unless yer a tone deaf driver, then it's excused) WE DON'T WANT TO HEAR IT ANYMORE THAN WE WANT TO SEE YOUR BOXERS. REFER BACK TO #1.
25. 4 INCHES OF SNOW ISN'T A BLIZZARD-IT'S A FLURRY. DRIVE LIKE YOU GOT SOME COMMON SENSE IN IT, AND DON'T TAKE ALL OUR BREAD, MILK, AND TOILET PAPER FROM THE GROCERY STORES. THIS AIN'T ALASKA, WORST CASE YOU MAY HAVE TO LIVE A WHOLE DAY WITHOUT CROISSANTS. THE PICKUPS WITH SNOW BLADES WILL
HAVE YOU OUT THE NEXT DAY. BE PATIENT AND ENJOY THE BEAUTY!
26. ALL OF THE INTERSTATE ROADS ARE TO BE DRIVEN WITH COMMON SENSE! WE GOT CONSTRUCTIONS GOING ON IN EVERY PLACE! DRIVE CAREFULLY. JOHN LAW BEAR IS ALWAYS HIDING AND WILL POP OUT WHEN YER AT HIS "NASCAR SPEED TICKET ZONE" ALERT! PLEASE DRIVE SANE!
A TRUE PENNSYLVANIAN WILL POST THIS ON HIS WEB PAGE!!!!!!!
Wednesday, March 26, 2008
MINDFIELD book/ SAVE SNOW!/
G'day Everyone!
Tuesday, March 25, 2008
The June 2008 Conflict! GU Birthday.
G'day Everyone!
I just got out of my e-mail and just got word about the next DBC rally. Here it is:
June 27 - 30, 2008
Deaf Bilingual Coalition
Education Conference
At
Hyatt Regency
333 West Kilbourn Avenue
Milwaukee, Wisconsin
DBC Rally in Milwaukee Awareness on Baby Signing
Presentations by Experts in ASL Coalition Building Training
The Greatest Irony is that AGBell/AVT and its associates do not want Deaf babies to learn any sign language at all!
Join DBC to tell the world that if research proved that hearing babies
1. Reduces frustration and other aggressive behaviors.
2. Helps parents and teachers be more observant and responsive.
3. Builds trust between babies and their parents and caregivers.
4. Allows babies to share their worlds revealing just how smart babies really are.
5. Promotes positive emotional development.
6. Boosts babies' self-confidence and builds self-esteem._
Then why not for Deaf Babies?
See www.Deafbilingual.blogspot.com and www.deafbilingualcoalition.com for more conference information.
Monday, March 24, 2008
NTID 40th Reunion Vlog 2 (link)
G'day Everyone!
Just in my e-mail today, more information is coming out about the NTID's 40 Reunion Anniversary that's going to be happening on June 26-28th, 2008. It will be a blast. But 10 years to June 2018 for the BIGGEST BLAST OF ALL NTID 50! Whoo! That's a long and major milestone to happen. So today, see the link to episode 2 of the reunion vlog:
Saturday, March 22, 2008
Easter Message: Onions on a plane, JAIL OLSEN, DBC
G'day Everyone!
Today's Easter message: http://home.att.net/~solos_holiday/2008/_011/egg.htm Hope you don't get badly egged!
Onions on a plane? http://www.thebostonchannel.com/news/15673943/detail.html. Remind me not to have my beef put on a plane if my onions are not the same plane! Dang it, I love my onions! Why didn't they just FedEX them?
One of the WORST bloopers to happen for a lucky break for Sarah Jane Olsen. http://www.cnn.com/2008/CRIME/03/22/olson.custody/index.html . As it was reported by CNN that Olsen was released on St. Paddy's day, she had 5 full days to consider going back into hiding again. But luck of the draw when John Law makes sure that people who are released are the ones who have served their time. Olsen didn't serve all of her time. Now, one must consider of writing to the parole board that her 5 day "vacation" from jail should be considered temptations to hide and insure to deny her real release on March 17, 2009. I hope that she stays put and serves out all of her prison time. She got lucky that some trigger happy cop didn't get the chance to take revenge for all the cops she killed in the 1970s.
But some day she will be forgiven first, then released. But not this time.
Finally, I'm happy to say I was listening to the rally at the California AGBell State conference. For details: http://deafbilingual.blogspot.com/2008/03/dbc-california-update-at-rally-in-ag.html . I'm glad things went well out there! Great job, DBC!
Happy Easter out there! May you have a blessed Semper FI Sunday!
Friday, March 21, 2008
Free Money? NYC Inspector caught!
G'day Everyone!
A news article came out about an ATM machine that spits out DOUBLE of the amount of money you ask for. Example you ask for $50, You get $100 from the ATM. Don't believe that happens?
http://www.switched.com/2008/03/20/line-extends-around-the-block-for-atm-that-pays-double/
Even here in the Good olde USA, Sherlock has had his share of driving up to an ATM machine and finding extra cash in it. Unfortunately, even if you put in the real amount you want, banks will take the extra effort to extract the extra money, you find in the ATM machine UT OF YOUR ACCOUNT. So switched.com was wrong. I've seen this. And yes, banks can't give away free money at all. Any Bank in the world will they you that they are in the business to make money and not LOSE any profit. So I pity those freebie people. Someone should have honestly notify the bank when this massive line showed up.
Meanwhile, I'm happy to say a friend of mine in NYC is alive. But angry that a NYC Inspector got caught doing a huge lie about his job! http://www.cnn.com/2008/US/03/20/crane.accident.ap/index.html
Sadly to say he could get 4 years in jail. I'd like to see that SOB get charged with all the involuntarily murder he caused. I hope this guy's performance puts every inspector (of whatever job you got) to please pay attention and DO YOUR JOB RIGHT! Safety of the public is JOB #1. If you don't do it and someone dies, yer going to pay for it!
Today's Good Friday. Normally I'd go out on a religious note. But, seriously to say I hope you will take some time out and go to church services. However, if you are in the mood to laugh (but NOT AT GOD), go visit : http://www.paotie.com/2008/03/20/tweaker-tweaker-please-run-far/ and warning: that twinkle twinkle little star isn't going to be happy at ya. Thanks Paotie.
Uh oh.. Streaker, streaker, please run so far.. (ROTFALMAO!!!) See what you started Paotie?
gawash.. May you have a Blessed Good Friday.
Semper FI.
Thursday, March 20, 2008
Spring has arrived!
G'day Everyone.
Ahhh.. spring... *sniff sniff* WWWHHHAAA--CHOO! Excuse me! *yick!*
Well, spring is definitely coming in like a Lion at this point in many places. A lot of horrible weather is going on. I can only encourage the people to stay safe if they can!
Meanwhile, I'm not too found of Assisted Suicide lately. But hearing about this case going on in Paris, France :
Monday, March 17, 2008
The Jordan Legacy is Secured!
G'day Everyone!
I was recently alerted by a fellow Gallaudet alumni that pointed out that the NEW Gallaudet Board of Trustees did something to shock the alumni. I was saying.. *HUH*? This can't be about *OUR Gallaudet Board of Trustees!?!?!*. None the less, my fellow Gallaudet Alumni showed me an e-mail that came out some time ago.
Read: http://alumni.gallaudet.edu/?ID=12902
I was outraged to hear the GU Board of Trustees latest action. This little action is what upsets me:
"During the meeting, it was also announced that the University has reached its $31 million goal in The Campaign for Gallaudet's Future to build the James Lee Sorenson Language and Communication Center and to fund the new I. King Jordan Chair in Leadership. This is the University’s second capital campaign, and both times we have been successful, thanks to the support of our alumni, students, faculty, staff, and friends of Gallaudet. This achievement is surely something we can all share great pride in. " (quote from the web page)
I was aghast! I asked myself a serious question: "Hasn't Gallaudet University's Board of Trustees honored I. King Jordan enough?" Why naming this chair in honor of I.King Jordan in Leadership when the protest broke out in 2006 over the selection of the next president in which Jordan might well have his hand in the cookie jar of that mess? Everyone suspects that pretty much. For Jordan to named a chair in Leadership is a laughing stock of a joke gone so bad, it's stupid!
One person, Jim Byrne (another alumni), has told me the following : "GU BOTs are so stupid to have SAC renamed after IKJ when he isn't even dead yet!".
I have to concur with him on that.
But the greater fact is: Jordan's legacy on the Gallaudet Campus (and in history) is now secured more than ever before. I am really wondering if we should go for the record and have the Gallaudet BoTs to do the ultimate thing: vote to rename Gallaudet University to Jordan University! This seems the very road we are traveling down now.
What a horrible path.
Jordan: The Gallaudet President who's time began with a controversial College Presidential selection /Protest (DPN) and ended with another controversial College Presidential selection/protest (UFG).
Jordan's name and legacy ought to fade away from Gallaudet University so that our campus can be healed. But keeping his name in front of the current and prospective students will make people believe that it is his university more than Edward Miner Gallaudet's dream.
Has the dream been shattered? Yes. Along with all the future recognition that comes with this dream.
Perhaps Gallaudet University BOTs would have been in a better position if they had chosen a president like President Destler who is doing fantastic work at reinventing RIT. The RIT BOTs took every careful step to avoid a controversy like Gallaudet University had and took extreme patience. They involved everyone to make the proper selection of Destler to lead RIT to become a much better university.
What does the future hold for Gallaudet? The dustbin or more protests to come? Will NTID/RIT beat Gallaudet out for more students? What's the next real chapter of Gallaudet University beyond the days of Davila?
As long as Former President Jordan name keeps in front of students and others, it will continue to make an impact. The fate of Gallaudet's future is in the hands of those who run the GU BOTs and their ever present decisions.
As it is Easter 2008, I ask you to pray for them as well as the future of Gallaudet University.
Happy St. Paddy's day.
G'day Everyone!
It seems I took a weekend off from things. It was kind of good to do that. Even bloggers need a break from blogging. I had a chance to go Green and Gold and partied a bit.
Micah Brown has been busy in his own blog. He's been busy with things. Just check out his web page listed on the side. If there's a shamrock political luck out there, it'll happen for some people.
Lately, I've heard disasters happen. Atlanta, Georgia got hit with a tornado for the first time in history! Bad as it sounds, it was ugly. A lot of things got destroyed there. So, be careful in the downtown Atlanta area for a while. It was unfortunate that two people got killed there. May the shamrock winds blow gentle.
Meanwhile, In New York City, hearing the biggest industrial accident that involved a crane has to be the WORST thing to see! How could these idiot construction workers do this? Don't they know the meaning of the word: SAFETY? Safety is JOB ONE! I'm hope that the Federal probe will reveal that these workers plain forgot to do something safe when they raised the crane to the next level. Construction in NYC is at an all time booming rate. But safety ought to be a major priority. I expect lawyers are going to be making some massive lawsuits that will tie up the city in court for years to come. UGH. I hope my friend is ok! May the shamrock leaf heal the City of NY.
"Love me do" is NO MORE! The worst bitter divorce case will cost Paul McCarthy to pay a whopping $50 million dollars, while his 4 year old kid gets $70,000. Let's face it. Heather Mills knew what she was doing. She was GOLD DIGGING! She struck pay day. She won lots of money. But, will she be happy beyond this? She better go to confession often. She will NEVER be happy. No more Love for her! Period. I give her the shamrock curse on her. Fortune will FLEE from her forever!
Back to NY State: Today is the day that Gov. Eliot Spitzer steps down for good. The son of a bitch leaves his job for whatever the political winds blow him to. Today is the day that Lt. Governor Paterson gets sworn in to become the next NY State Governor. It will be a historical day in NY. Paterson will be the first African American and the first disabled man to be a governor! It will mark that New York State will get better! Governor Patterson will be hitting the ground running and doing all that he can do to insure that NY State has a good economic transition. Semper FI Gov. Paterson! May good fortune shine upon you of this St. Paddy's day!
So, a Happy St. Paddy's day to all of you, my dear readers. If anyone has a job interview today (I wish I did.. but I got two interviews later this week), may good fortune shine upon you to get the job.
Semper LUCK FI to you all!
****************************************************************************
I'd like to point out that someone gave an unkind report on me. Shame on him. Many people may not like me, but let me say what I have to say:
Paterson will be the first blind governor of NY. According to that person: FDR (Franklin Delano Roosevelt (1928-1932) was first disabled governor of NY.
And to the person who left that unkind comment: I'll appreciate you e-mailing me so we could talk about it. I appreciate people helping me. You hadn't done that. Shame on you. May your luck not hold out for the rest of the day for ya!
Saturday, March 15, 2008
end of Lent season/ Farewell to LVAD!
G'day Everyone!
Well, the days of Lent season is coming to an end and tomorrow begins the HOLY days of the year. So, no matter how you celebrate the end of Lent season, make sure you honor God first.
So, for all of you readers: I wish you a happy, blessed, and praise full of Easter week!
HEY!! Keep your hands out of my basket! That candy's all MINE!! :-)
Meanwhile, I got word, a few weeks ago, that Montoursville, PA has lost a deaf institution. A few years ago, the Lycoming Valley Association for the Deaf (LVAD) moved out of a historic church which has now been converted into a "home". It was the beginning of the end. Finally, on March 1st, 2008 LVAD finally went into history. I was told of the final meeting. Unfortunately, I could not be there due to a conflict of other obligations that I had to attend to. But, it was the end of LVAD. The deaf club could not survive because membership and interest in deaf events decreased. All the deaf community members have spread out to other cities in the PA area.
I ask you, that have a deaf club in your own community in this wonderful nation of ours, that you keep attending your local deaf club. Volunteer to help out! Plan events! Attend the meetings and make suggestions on how to IMPROVE the deaf club! Set up fund raising events! Above all, keep your deaf club alive as much as you can! I don't care how small our deaf community gets with the Internet and blogsphere, social networking happens more when there's a deaf club and people that enjoy each other and signing in person!
So, I hope many deaf clubs stay alive. We need them more than ever as much as we need our deaf schools.
Note to Gov. Paterson: The next time you open your mouth to be honest, do yourself a favor. Shut it and confess to God alone. One day into the Governorship and stupid speaks. When Eliot's term is over, Paterson gets the boot, unless the NY Assembly launches an ethics probe next.
*sigh*
Just have a Semper FI Holy days.
ALERT ALERT: Runaway Bride's ex-fiancee has gotten married! QUIETLY!! here's the scoop!
http://www.wsbtv.com/news/15638619/detail.html
Friday, March 14, 2008
McImplants / CI Poll results.
G'day Everyone!
Thanks to James, who sent me the link, about Tom Neville's new video:
http://www.aslexpo.com/video/mcimplant.wmv Enjoy!
While I was laughing a bit about the movie, I became serious how some places do implant deaf people with the CI in real life.
A few weeks ago, an old friend of mine got implanted with the CI. Like many members of my group of friends, we got shocked and blindsided with her decision to do this. We were not aware of what she was doing until her boyfriend told some of us about it. We're still reeling from her decision. Some members of my group had wanted to dissuade her from getting the CI. But, she went and had the surgery done.
From what I am aware, She was in an out-patient basis to have her CI put in. I was shocked that it took ONE DAY surgery. I said that it was RISKY for a hospital or out-patient surgery place to be doing that. Especially with MRSA (Staph) infections about in many surgery related places! I told my friend that I would have appreciated if she had spent at least 48 hours in the hospital to recover from this type of Surgery. Just to be sure she didn't contract staph at all or any other problem that happens. Presently: she's had her turn-on and is learning how to use it.
But just like in Tom Neville's video, out-patient surgery places make CI surgery look simple and clear as a chop and shop place. A CI implant isn't something you can go simply buy. A CI implant is a life long tool that you have to maintain for the rest of your life. God forbid if it breaks down. If it breaks down, you do have to have another surgery to replace it as well. Fun? NO. Worth the pain to be able to hear with a CI? I don't think so! Many other CI implantees say it's worth it.
Ok.. down to business.
Recently I held a Poll in my blog for a month long survey to see and gauge the deaf community's reaction to the Cochlear Implant (CI). Here are the results:
#1: How do you feel about the CI?
The people said:
For the CI : 17% (38 voted)
Against the CI: 50% (108 voted)
Neutral (or on the fence): 31% (68 voted)
total voted: 214.
---------------------------------------------------
#2: Do you believe the CI is:
The people said:
A Blessing: 13% (28 voted) saying it was a "god send".
A Curse: 38% (78 voted) saying was "not a god send".
A bit of both (blessing and a curse): 24% (50 voted)
Neither or neutral: 23% (47 voted)
Total voted: 203.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
#3: Who has the right to promote the CI?
(this was a tricky one.. but most people responded well ).
AGBELL: 23% (37 voted).
NAD : 16% (27 voted)
The Audiologist: 51% (83 voted)
ASLexpo: 8% (13 voted). Don't be angry with Tom Neville. He had no knowledge of
poll coming out.
total votes: 160.
--------------------------------------------------------------------
#4 Do you think the decision of about having the CI should belong to:
The people said:
The parents: 12% (23 people voted in support of this. )
The audiologist suggestion for the patient: 8% (16 voted)
Personal choice of the user: 79% (152 voted).. wow!
Total votes: 191.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
#5: When do you think it is best to have a CI implanted?
The people said:
While you are a baby (as AGBELL suggests): 7% (14 voted)
When you are grown up and can make decisions: 64% (124 voted) wow.
Both: 14% (28 voted)
neither: 13% (27 voted)
Total voted: 193
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
#6 Do you think the CI will be:
The people said:
Accepted in the deaf community: 18% (36 voted)
ignored or in the deaf community: 23% (45 voted)
a bit of both : 25% (49 voted)
Some sort of compromise will be reached later: 32% (64 voted)
total voted: 194.
_______________________________________________
The polls are only an opinion and does not reflect on any actual CI surveys being done by real organizations.
Thanks to all who voted.
Semper FI!
St. Mary's protest continues.
G'day Everyone!
Thanks to a friend of mine for this link about all the comments by people who left it at this link:
http://www.topix.com/forum/city/buffalo-ny/TQ9572MCAF4I62HAK
St. Mary's School for the Deaf (SMSD) protest is gaining ground. Parents are fighting for their kids. However SMSD Board of Trustees refuses to give in. Are the punishments continue to happen for these student protesters? I have no doubt in my mind that they are still being punished for their stand in their right to protest for the dismissed math teacher.
So today's question of the day is this: Why do hearing people think they can do a better job of running a deaf school by dismissing quality teachers and replacing them with someone who has NO RAPPORT with the students? If students learn well from one teacher, then that's quality education!
But, replacing a teacher that knows sign language with a teacher that DOESN'T know sign language? That's like putting students at risk to fail a state-wide math test immediately during this important part of the academic year! (Ergo, that's like replacing students' good lunch with the infamous "mystery meat lunch")
SMSD Board of Trustees could have waited till the academic year was over to let this math teacher go. But doing this now at this point of the academic year isn't justice. It's not Justice at all! If the SMSD Board of Trustees wants to pick a battle, then they got one. They got angry students and parents! Students and Parents are giving the media and bloggers the run for their money.
My other question: is something happening in the administration that has created a ruckus to provide a cover-up? Something similar to what's happened down at the North Carolina School for the Deaf (NCSD) a few weeks ago? I hope not! But if we find out that something is going down, then things could go from bad to worse.
I encourage the students and parents to keep fighting for better education for St.Mary's school for the Deaf students! If hearing people who sit on the Board of Trustees won't listen to reason, then they MUST BE REPLACED! I hope they will listen to reason!
Semper FI!
Thursday, March 13, 2008
The Spitzer Cartoons! Protest continues in Buffalo NY!
G'day Everyone!
I had to take a parting shot at Eliot "the Man of Political Mess" Spitzer again. Sent me a link that has political cartoonists draw some very parting shots at the departure of Eliot Spitzer after he resigned this week. Here's the link: http://www.cagle.com/news/Spitzer/main.asp
Enjoy! Major Salute to Nicky Belfiglio for it!
An alert reader sent me some several links about the on-going St.Mary's School for the Deaf in Buffalo protest that is still happening. I'm asking many readers to please support the parents and students in this matter! It's a major protest in an effort to protect the quality of education for the Deaf.
The links are :
Mishka Zena: http://blog.deafread.com/mishkazena/2008/03/13/outraged-parents-blasted-st-mary-board-of-trustees/
and the Buffalo News : http://www.buffalonews.com/cityregion/buffaloerie/story/298127.html
also Jim's Deep Thoughts: http://jimspoliticalthoughts.blogspot.com/2008/03/st-marys-school-for-deaf-link-to.html
Despite that this being a day when 20th Anniversary day of DPN victory has happened, this is going on. I know we are tired of hearing the word "protest", but unless we help others to right the injustice among our deaf youth who look up to us older deaf adults, then we must help!
Get the word out! Be proactive and encourage them! Pray for them!
DPN was about making improvements in Deaf Education and employment. We still got a long way to go. the dream is still alive. We must work together to insure these students get a decent education so that they can attend Gallaudet and NTID! Let's help!!
Semper FI!
Chicken Jokes.
G'day everyone!
I found an e-mail in my box today and it's Chicken jokes.. Enjoy!
Question of the day for our guest panel : Why did the chicken cross the road?
DR. PHIL: The problem we have here is that this chicken won't realize that he must first deal with the problem on 'THIS' side of the road before it goes after the problem on the 'OTHER SIDE' of the road. What we need to do is help him realize how stupid he's acting by not taking on his 'CURRENT' problems before adding 'NEW' problems.
OPRAH: Well, I understand that the chicken is having problems, which is why he wants to cross this road so bad. So instead of having the chicken learn from his mistakes and take falls, which is a part of life, I'm going to give this chicken a car so that he can just drive across the road and not live his life like the rest of the chickens.
GEORGE W. BUSH: We don't really care why the chicken crossed the road. We just want to know if the chicken is on our side of the road, or not. The chicken is either against us, or for us. There is no middle ground here.
COLIN POWELL: Now to the left of the screen, you can clearly see the satellite image of the chicken crossing the road...
ANDERSON COOPER - CNN: We have reason to believe there is a chicken, but we have not yet been allowed to have access to the other side of the road.
JOHN KERRY: Although I voted to let the chicken cross the road, I am now against it! It was the wrong road to cross, and I was misled about the chicken's intentions. I am not for it now, and will remain against it.
NANCY GRACE: That chicken crossed the road because he's GUILTY! You can see it in his eyes and the way he walks.
PAT BUCHANAN : To steal the job of a decent, hardworking American.
LOU DOBBS: That's not all,Pat! It's an Illegal Immigration Chicken that crossed the Border road! We have to threaten the chicken by tell it that the either chicken goes back to Mexico or we turn him over to Col. Sanders!
MARTHA STEWART: No one called me to warn me which way that chicken was going. I had a standing order at the Farmer's Market to sell my eggs when the price dropped to a certain level. No little bird gave me any insider information.
DR SEUSS: Did the chicken cross the road? Did he cross it with a toad? Yes, the chicken crossed the road, but why it crossed I've not been told.
ERNEST HEMINGWAY: To die in the rain. Alone.
JERRY FALWELL: Because the chicken was gay! Can't you people see the plain truth?' That's why they call it the 'other side.' Yes, my friends, that chicken is gay. And if you eat that chicken, you will become gay too. I say we boycott all chickens until we sort out this abomination that the liberal media white washes with seemingly harmless phrases like 'the other side. That chicken should not be crossing the road. It's as plain and as simple as that.
GRANDPA: In my day we didn't ask why the chicken crossed the road. Somebody told us the chicken crossed the road, and that was good enough.
BARBARA WALTERS: Isn't that interesting? In a few moments, we will be listening to the chicken tell, for the first time, the heart warming story of how it experienced a serious case of molting, and went on to accomplish its life long dream of crossing the road.
JOHN LENNON: Imagine all the chickens in the world crossing roads together, in peace.
ARISTOLE: It is the nature of chickens to cross the road.
BILL GATES: I have just released eChicken2007, which will not only cross roads, but will lay eggs, file your important documents, and balance your check book. Internet Explorer is an integral part of eChicken. This new platform is much more stable and will never cra...#@&&^(C% ........ reboot. (along with the rest of the e-yolk and egg program 2.0)
ALBERT EINSTEIN: Did the chicken really cross the road, or did the road move beneath the chicken?
BILL CLINTON: I did not cross the road with THAT chicken. What is your definition of chicken? See, I'm wagging this bone of a drum stick at you all!
AL GORE: I invented the chicken! (ok, where's the egg, AL?)
COLONEL SANDERS: Did I miss one? Where is it? It's dinner of the other "white and dark meat"!
DICK CHENEY : Where's my gun? I'm going hunting!
AL SHARPTON: Why are all the chickens white? We need some African American chickens!
LUKE SKYWALKER: The chicken crossed the road because it's obviously a good JEDI CHICKEN on the Light Side of the Force!
DARTH VADER: SUBMIT to the DARK SIDE OF THE FORCE MY FOWL and WE SHALL RULE THE COOP! I AM YOUR POP! JOIN ME AS ROOSTER AND CHICK! ONE GENERATIONS OF BIRDS OVER THE ENTIRE POETRY GALAXY!
YODA: Crossing road, this chicken did? First came, chicken or egg? My dinner Chicken shall be! Introduce saber to it's leg I shall!
DRACULA: To Join my brides as a vampire chick!
DELL: Introduction of Fowl 2.0 systems along with Yolk.com as it's home page.
ORBITZ.com: Why cross the road when you can fly friendly Yolk skies?
JUDGE BROWN: the chicken has a right to avoid fleeing the Foul police as they were chasing it! Therefore I rule it has a right to cross the road!! (prosecutor: I OBJECT AND APPEAL! I"M REMOVING YOU FROM THIS DAMN FOWL CASE BROWN! YOU ATE CHICKEN FOR LUNCH AS PART OF YOUR SOUTHERN MEAL!!)
IRON CHEF: Chicken was trying to escape it's fate from the FOWL BATTLE on our show! Anyone for some Chicken ala King?
Alfred E Neuman: What me fowl worry?
Personal changes in the life of people.
G'day everyone!
For the people of the NY State, they will be in for a time of an experience to watch a disgraced Governor of NY leave in shame. I do not fault the former Gov. Spitzer's decision to step down, but watching him on TV and making his announcement and apology for his actions, I'm wondering if he's really contrite or not. But I also watched his wife that was on his right. This lady had nothing but PURE FURY in her eyes. She was like trying NOT to show it.
But, I did some thinking in the last 24 hours. Spitzer is human. Sex is a power human nature. A male that has a dick is a powerful tool that must be used in a responsible way. But one has to ask: is it worth to pay some $80,000 to just to fuck a call girl (prostitute) a few times? Is it really worth using money to do that? Unfortunately, in this case, Eliot Spitzer wanted some type of "REAL ACTION" that his wife wasn't giving him. But, moving all that money around? Bad news! Even if Spitzer is just saying sorry that he got caught, he's going to have to be responsible for his actions and accept the changes in his life.
Eliot Spitzer will have his own problems to work out in the years to come. It will be a hell of a legal time for himself. That is if his wife files for divorce and the Fed case continues till it gets resolved.
For Lt. Gov. Patterson, his own political life is about to change. He'll be sworn in and have to jump right into the political business in the State of NY. Nobody likes to do that. But given this case and time, this becomes way important for this to happen for Lt. Gov. Patterson. I say that Lt. Gov (whoops now Governor-to-be Patterson) will do his job correctly. He's got a lot of people helping him!! (SALUTE!)
The people of NY have every right to expect a good transition in the Government of NY State.
But my bigger question is how much will it politically hurt in the presidential race? That remains to be seen until the November elections. I expect that Gov-to-be Patterson will get re-elected in the next election if he does his job well. Depends on the voters of NY!
I don't wish any one having to go through a situation like Eliot Spitzer has. But I do have to say one something to all men, all who are married and single: Please, take care of your dick. Take care of where you put it in, either it be a pussy or an ass. It may be fun to put it there, but I urge you to keep wearing a rain coat on your dick! Do responsible sex!
Find a relationship to enjoy, whatever it be gay or straight. But, most of all don't pay for an escort services! (unless you are single, don't have anyone to fuck with and you are really desperate with a case of blue balls! Good luck!) God knows, we all screw up our lives once in a while and blame it all on our dick. But let's take responsibility for it and control it! THINGS WILL GET BETTER! :-)
So till next time.. I bid you a Semper FI!
Wednesday, March 12, 2008
Impeach Spitzer! DPN Vs UFG
G'day Everyone!
My gosh! I am on a rant lately! I'm very passionate to see that Governor Spitzer to be impeached. Why? Well, I've lived in NY State for nearly 25 years of my life. I know what life is like in NY State. People are NOT happy. Taxes are higher than they ever have been since the days of Mario Cuomo. When I was there, people were looking for a way to impeach him. The days of Cuomo were so sure till his last election ended in a landslide for his rival. Cuomo's departure under darkness was understandable.
Presently, with all this indictment of Gov. Spitzer in this sex scandal case, I am sad for him. It seems like this "do-gooder cop of NY" finally got himself dirty. Very dirty. Sadly, his own political life is over. His wife might be honorable to stand by her man if she chooses to. But she ought to leave him high and dry immediately if she wishes to preserve her own political ambitions (similar to what Hillary Clinton has done already).
Meanwhile, I know I swore off posting about the Gallaudet Protest. So I say to "THE TRUTH", forgive me. But I could NOT ignore this blog! It explains the comparisons of both protests clearly. Guy Fawkes of deafcrab.com has it right. Here's the link: http://thedeafcrab.com/index.php/UFGandDPN.html
Chew on that for a while!
My TV set is glued to CNN today for any possible breaking news if Gov. Spitzer would resign. But if he chooses to stay and fight and go for an impeachment trial, this will be way interesting.
I say: IMPEACH HIM! Spitzer will have his field day. I pity any lawyer who gets hired to defend him. But if Spitzer takes the honorable way out by resignation, it will be good for the people of New York State. I can only imagine how the newspapers are selling at this point. Tabloid news. :-)
Well, only time will tell. Have a nice Semper FI day.
Breaking news! Gov. Spitzer might announce his resignation today! LT. Gov. Patteson will become the next Governor of NY! Keep watching CNN and CNN.com for further updates!
Update: As it is being said on CNN and CNN.com: Governor Spitzer has formally resigned. It will be set for Monday, St.Paddy's day. Kind of odd he choose to leave on that day as a "happy go luck NY!" kind of tone. Effectively, Lt. Gov. Patterson will be the NEW Governor of NY! Patterson has a lot of work to do. But it will be very interesting to see how Patterson does his job and could go a long way to convince people that Obama might be right for the White House.
My note to Spitzer: Thank you, sir, for making a decision to step down and spare the people of NY of an impeachment. Thank you for taking the honorable way out. SEMPER FI to you.
Tuesday, March 11, 2008
Spitzer trouble, PaRenFaire '08! MdRenFest '08!
G'day Everyone!
I'm amazed to hear that Gov. Eliot Spitzer wife stands by her man in all this Sex Scandal storm going on. As I said before, he's become the worst Governor of NY next to Former Mario "Tax it all" Cuomo. Spitzer's wife ought to think twice about her own political life and do the sane thing: Jump ship while she can politically protect herself. If Spitzer resigns, it will bring some relief to the state and Lt. Gov. Patterson will become the next Governor. Amazingly, The NY Assembly (a type of Congress), which is so much democratic, hasn't much uttered a peep of defense of their main man. (Interesting to say that back in Prez. Bill Clinton's time, all the democrats came to his defense, including the Vice President (which ruined Al Gore's chances to be president! Dumb move, AL! I told you that!) which was amazing. So the question remains. Will the NY Assembly move to impeach him? At this point, for ethical reasons, I'd say THEY SHOULD DO IT TODAY!!
My advice to Spitzer stands firm: Spitzer, for the sake of the New York People, Resign! Your Politcal career is OVER! It's DOA. It's been buried. Resign NOW!
As I'm finishing this post, there is breaking news happening on CNN.com and that Gov. Spitzer might be stepping down today. Stay tuned to www.cnn.com for the latest info!
Meanwhile, Hillary Clinton is stumping in Scranton, PA. That's one of my old childhood hometowns I grew up in. But if she comes to Williamsport, PA.. I'm going to be in that crowd and ready to shoot some questions at her! Obama is suppose to be around my state. McCain is stumping in another state as well.
My apologies to a friend of mine who I meet at the Hatboro, PA local Deaf Expo on March 1st. He was telling me that last year, he had gone to court and won to have the PA Renaissance Faire shows (near Lancaster, PA) to be interpreted for at least 2 special days in August and September '08!
So I'm keeping my promise to him. First: http://www.parenfaire.com/ is the site where you'll find out all about the PA Renassance Faire and other infos.
Second if you want any more info about what's happening there, send an e-mail to: ClarkThursday@aol.com and type in the subject area: PARENFAIRE.
I wanted to also share with my readers another Renaissance Faire site (and have actually been there last year) is the Maryland Renaissance Festival. The place is ABSOLUTELY GENUINE! The experience is wonderful! I haven't regret that last year. This year is suppose to be wonderful time there! There's two web pages about the Maryland Renaissance Festival:
The unofficial page: http://www.mdrenfest.com/
The Official page: http://www.rennfest.com/
If you do go to the Maryland Renaissance Festival, please wear hiking clothes and boots! You will do a LOT of walking and the area has some steep hills. If you bring someone in a wheel chair, be prepared to PUSH that person around in it!
I'm debating about joining a Renaissance Festival because well, I always wanted to perform as a Friar, a type of a monk. I already got the bald part down as well as being FAT (shame on me). Some one said that I'd do well as a "Friar Tuck". Yeah, right that I'll play that part if pigs start to fly. Don't hold out any hope please.
Well, that's the day. Enjoy it well. Semper Fi!
Monday, March 10, 2008
Fall from Grace for the Governor of NY!
G'day Everyone!
I was literally in shock when the news broke about the Governor Eliot Spitzer being involved in a prostitution ring. It became the worst political disaster for a New York State Governor.
Here's the link:http://www.cnn.com/2008/POLITICS/03/10/spitzer/index.html#
In the truth of it all, Gov. Spitzer became the top of the worst list of all the Governors of NY State's history. The second worst person is Fomer Governor Mario Cuomo who is known to be the TAX MAN of NY. Any time there was a short fall of a budget, Cuomo's philosophy was to TAX gas, TAX food, TAX anything that he could get his hands on. Even listed a various SIN tax.
Cuomo did not have a good history with the NY State people politically. When he was finally defeated in a landslide, he had to leave under heavy security and without notice.
Will Gov. Spitzer do that? Or will he stay and fight the NY State's Congress' attempt to impeach him? If I were Gov. Spitzer, I'd resign right now and put all the energy into a court room of defense for the days to come. People are going to want him out so they can have a special election for a New Governor.
Gov. Spitzer, Do the right thing for the people of NY State. Resign NOW!! RESIGN NOW!
The shame of what Gov. Spitzer has done makes Bill Clinton look good about his affair with an intern in the White House! The interesting part is.. Gov. Spitzer didn't wag his finger in the media either today!!
semper fi.
Post-DPN20, take two bottles of water and get high!
Good day Everyone!
Well, I relaxed on Sunday. Wasn't in the mood to post anything. Several people e-mailed me of how much I missed of the DPN20 day in DC area on the campus of Gallaudet University. Everyone had a blast of a great time. But importantly, the work isn't done and we're fighting for the deaf future generations to come. In 5 years it will be a better mile stone of DPN25! So a MAJOR SEMPER FI SALUTE to DPN20! Hail to those still protesting in Buffalo, NY area!
Meanwhile: it was several months ago, I remembered an Internet chatter of a chat room between a few users that went something like a joke:
"Hey dude! Let's get high today!"
"Are you kidding man? We don't have the cash! Cops are almost always undercover and making sting buys! Look what happened to Andy!"
"Chill out, Bro! I found another way we can get our high for free!"
"Ok, yer weirded out. But do tell me HOW this is happening and free!"
"Feel the love, dude.. right from the faucet of the sink!"
"Say what?"
"Yep! There's a taste of a way to get high, if you drink a lot of TAP WATER!"
At that time, I was laughing. I said to myself: What a riot. Drugs in the water. What a joke!
But then, this past weekend, CNN and other major news organizations have been blaring this incredulous blockbuster of information:
http://www.cnn.com/2008/HEALTH/03/10/pharma.water1.ap/index.html
In major cities across the nation, drugs are in the water!! I was surprised of this report. I felt like suddenly, the Internet chatter I heard some months ago is no longer such an idle joke.
So how much will this impact people in the cities? In a very big way.
The news report is kind of say how much we drink of water containing drugs, but what about cooking, washing dishes, washing clothes in this drug infested water? Is water any safe at all?
Will there be a formal exodus from the cities to the country where water is pure in the mountains? Probably not. But people who live in the cities might want to have their doctor draw blood samples and have it tested every 6 months. It's scary to know that we are no longer confident of "pure water".
I can tell you that I despise living in the city. I've tasted city water. BLEAH! I nearly went with bottled water every day. So why do mayors in thousands of cities tell their staff to drink from the tap water lines instead of bottled water? I'd tell those mayors right off, clip out of the paper or print off the CNN news and shove it their face and say "if you can't promise me CLEAN DRUG FREE WATER, then I'm staying with my BOTTLED WATER!". There goes sanity! But is bottled water better? That depends.
I've lived in the country, folks. I loved my well water! It was natural, refreshing! It made me feel that I was at peace with nature! I would even freeze a few bottles of my well water and on a hot day, I'd take up to my fields of my mountain farm, spread a blanket under a nice shady tree and lay there, drinking that pure wholesome water. I loved that country life. I wasn't worried then about the quality of drinking water in the country.
Today, in every city in USA is now worried about the security of drinking water. We all feared that some day that terrorists would try a bio-terror attack on our drinking water supply. But given the level that drugs are already in our nation's water supply already, it's too late for that to happen.
So how does the Federal Government proposes to use their science to use it's knowledge to purify the water and remove all the drugs? Adding more chemicals is NOT an option at all. But it's sad. The water that this nation has enjoyed is now tainted.
Someday, I may make a move back to the country where I'll drill a well and enjoy pure water again. Life in the country may be dull, compared to the city. But give me the country where nature and man can live as one.
Semper FI.
Saturday, March 8, 2008
DPN20 Day! Lost an hour weekend.
G'day Everyone! IT'S 20 YEAR PARTY TIME!! P-A-R-T- Y? BECAUSE IT IS OUR TIME TO DO SO!!
I wish I could be there, unfortunately, I have other plans for this weekend!! ;-( But don't fear it! Like everyone else that can't be there for this MAJOR MILESTONE of events in Deaf History, most of us will be watching the events live at www.deafnation.com (tune in at 7:30pm - 9:30pm EST). For news about the DPN going on, check out http://www.dpnnews.com/.
As I post this, there should be some workshops going on today on the Gallaudet University Campus.
I'm really happy to see this event come to pass. Though it may be a quiet celebration (but noisy in our deaf society!), I can understand to keep it all low key given to how things have happen on our Gallaudet University campus.
But compare that to 20 years ago. What a difference from an age of Bulletin Board Systems (BBS) that we used to shout on, calling our friends on the Teletypewriters (TTYs), and personally visiting friends to bring about the news of what was happening on the Gallaudet University Campus. It was important for every deaf person to get to Gallaudet University and bring about a historic change. It was a groundbreaking time. It amazed me how it went.
Sadly to say, for me, I could not race to DC area as much as I wanted to as an NTID alumni. I was asked to go. But, my former boss had actually threatened me to be fired from my job if I had gone to join the Deaf President Now Protest. As much as I had needed the job, I reluctantly stayed where I was. I watched history go by to it's conclusion. The reason why I couldn't go was because I had just started work for this company.
8 years after DPN, when my company was then brought out by another company through a merger (as if Karma had it in to punish my boss), my former boss then looked at me and apologized for his actions and made sure to give me a generous final severance pay package.
I believe all the students who were at Gallaudet University in the 1987-1988 school year got more than just an education. They were a part of that history on campus. I wouldn't even be jealous of that. But if I had been given a second chance at life to choose what time line I'd like to choose live all over again, I would definitely start right back in the 1984 era. Don't ask why, it's just a wish I have.
Just as it was important at DPN10 (I was there at Gallaudet at that time), it was a great time of celebration. I loved the march down from the campus to the Capital Hill area. But given to today's rainy weather, I doubt there'll be a march for DPN20. But it would be nice on this important day.
As the final day of Standard time goes by, just don't forget that we'll all lose an hour this weekend. At 2am Sunday morning, time will leap to 3am officially as Daylight Savings Time (DST) begins. So if you party tonight, just remember that missing church on Sunday morning will be the least of your worries. Unless you work on Sunday, angry boss Sunday (bring some extra coffee to him!).
So, please have a SAFE and SEMPER FI DPN20 DAY!! CELEBRATE!
So May you all have a SAFE and HAPPY DPN20 DAY!
Friday, March 7, 2008
Clinton's roadblock?, Student Protest in Buffalo, NY, DPN20 Tomorrow!
G'day everyone!
AOL news had an item that was worth reading today: http://news.aol.com/story/_a/archivists-block-release-of-clinton/20080307080009990001?ncid=NWS00010000000001
In other words, the archivists at the Clinton Library were worried that a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request about Former President Clinton's pardons would become a liability for Hillary Clinton's election. It has now just become fodder for most people to say "What is the President Clinton's Library now trying to keep hidden from the public eye? ". Face the music folks, President Clinton's final days were troublesome. It included some massive amounts of Presidential pardons. I'm pretty sure that Bill Clinton didn't expect that 8 years later, his own wife would be running for public office, much less for the senator's seat as a NY Carpetbagger lady. How much will we find out in the coming days of what Hillary Clinton is like? Will she complain, in a royal way, about how Bill Clinton abused his "Presidential Pardons" privilege and promise if elected not to abuse it herself? Or will Hillary just say "Oh that's Bill's problems, NOT MINE". Hillary ought to remember this: The acts of Bill Clinton's past will reflect on her as well in the present!
Meanwhile: http://www.wivb.com/global/story.asp?s=7977682
St.Mary's School for the Deaf held an in school and After school protest over a dismissal of a math teacher. I say a SEMPER FI BRAVO for the kids. But to the administrators of St. Mary's School for the Deaf: I give you a 1000 PIES OF SHAME IN THE FACE!! It was shameful that they decided to punish the students with a NO AFTER SCHOOL ACTIVITIES FOR A WEEK!
Now that's excessive. Even though it was a quiet and civil protest. The students and parents were actually exercising their civil rights in that matter. I hope the administrators reconsider their decisions about their staff and lift the punishment early. After all, it's nearly Easter and forgiveness and pardon should be handed out fairly.
HEY! Save this link: http://www.deafnation.com/page.php?id=813 This is your "ticket" to watch the DPN20 banquet live, starting at 7:15 pm Eastern Time (6:15 Central, 5:15 Mountain, 4:15 Pacific Time) Tomorrow, March 8, 2008!
If you are in the DC area tomorrow (or you live around there) and if you got nothing to do, head over to the Gallaudet University! There will be workshops running from 8am to 3pm tomorrow. Please see the www.DPN20.com for information on where the workshops will be held. Go over and ENJOY the day! Wow, 20 years after the DPN protest. A lot of history to see that! :-)
So, enjoy the FIRST Friday of the month of March. Party like an Irish! Have a SEMPER FI weekend!
Thursday, March 6, 2008
Day of ?? and chick tract animation.
G'day everyone.
I wanted to share something with you. I'm pretty sure that Ridor will be angry at the Christians, excuse me: Xigans as he calls them, for all of this. But I wanted to be fair and let this be up to your own decisions about the nature of this information.
I got from a friend of mine: http://www.missionamerica.com/ . This web page explains about "The Day of Silence" and has links to a web page called "Day of Truth" : http://www.dayoftruth.org/main/default.aspx
Before we start going into an overkill of Bible stuff, I want parents to realize something. Before you start pushing your religion on your teenage kids' throats, I want you to put yourself in their shoes and walk MORE THAN A MILE IN IT! It's their life and it's their decision about what to do with their personal sex lives. Teens will want to hear both sides of the issues of about sex. From the school and from the parents / religious community.
But if you , Christian parents, keep on withyour "LISTEN TO US..WE KNOW WHAT IS BETTER FOR YOU THAN THE SCHOOL DOES!" mantra to their kids, then get ready for a life time of disappointment when the kids make a decision, rebellion is faster than microsecond of thinking.
This day in the public schools won't be just a "Day of Silence or Day of Truth". It should be called "Decision of the Student's PERSONAL LIFE DAY". That's what it's about. It's asking students to focus on God, being straight, and praying for marriage. It's also a decision day about accepting Christ as their savior or not. It's a day that makes a personal decision of what they want to be sexually. While the impacts are full of religious overtones, people need to be civil and be open minded on that very day.
I want to remind parents one thing: Do not take your kid out of public school that day unless you got a real and LEGAL reason for doing that. Schools will be watching attendance records from the prospective home rooms and I have absolutely no doubt that truant officers will be on duty full time that day. They don't need a black mark on their attendance record showing up on their future college applications.
So take some good advice parents: A week before this "Day of Silence or Day of Truth" happens in April, have a sit down family talk about SEX with your kids. Make it an open and honest discussion. But in saying that, let your kids take control of where the discussion goes about sex. Without forcing any religious doctrine on them (other than showing some bible verses if they want to see), I'll bet you that they will be listening carefully to what you say because they've watched you since the day they were born.
By the time the "day" rolls around in April, they'll be the ones to ask some important questions to their teachers in order to make their personal decisions with all the information that they hear for themselves.
So, to get this discussion going for the teens, Here's a chick tract that has some GREAT animations. The tract is called "This Was Your LIFE!". Worth to see it! Link: http://mychwc.org/ThisWasYourLife.html
For more information on chick tracts can be found at: http://www.chick.com/default.asp. Many other different tracts on there as well.
Battleground PA!; Small NCSD note; The Hatchet's article.
G'day Everyone!
The time is NOW. The weeks of preparing for the invasion of the political people. For the next several weeks, the state of Pennsylvania will be held HOSTAGE by Obama, Clinton, and Nader who will hope to convince people to VOTE IN THEIR FAVOR. To be honest, this is going to get UGLY! Except it's already ugly going on for a possible "re-do overs" (yes, that's get out and VOTE again folks) in Florida and Michigan. How will that affect the on-going race? Prolly not much.
One of the things I had hoped for was McCain to lose a few points to Huckabee and have to come here in PA to stump for the votes. I wanted to play "reporter" and get in with the newspaper mob that would be shouting questions at him. I don't want to tip what questions I'd ask him. But I do want to sit down with this man and ask him some questions of what he'd want to do for the deaf and disabled community if he was elected President. (Huge wish).
Meanwhile, more and more newspapers are picking up on the NCSD story in an "after the fact" basis. The latest newspaper to pick it up as a mini-article: http://www.myrtlebeachonline.com/news/local/story/373370.html
As long as the word is getting out of how mistreatment happened at NCSD, let's hope that a true reform happens there.
A tipster just sent me a link of an info of an article that's been written about the Gallaudet protest. Here's the link: http://media.www.gwhatchet.com/media/storage/paper332/news/2008/03/06/News/School.For.Deaf.Keeps.President-3255617.shtml.
FYI: Davila is still only on the job till December 2009. The GU board of trustees must still make a decision on when to start a national search for the next President of Gallaudet University.
A PERSONAL FYI to Gallaudet University Board of Trustees: Hey idiots! Get in touch with the Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT) Board of Trustees and learn how RIT did a national search for their recent President! You could learn some valuable lessons there!
And as I close this article, it is my hope that Gallaudet BOTs will begin a CAREFUL and constructive search for their next President of GU. A search that is done correct and does not rush it will yield positive results like it has for RIT! Sure it takes time, but it's worth all the efforts to a great accomplishment!
On a last note: 2 days to DPN20! WHOO! Big time Celebration!
Semper FI!
Wednesday, March 5, 2008
Arrest Bush and Cheney?
G'day Everyone.
Would you want to put an indictment (arrest warrant) on President Bush and Vice President Cheney? Think about that for a bit.
Go to: http://news.aol.com/elections/story/_a/vermont-towns-ok-bush-indictment/20080305065709990001?ncid=NWS00010000000001
Presently, two towns in USA have proudly announced a non-binding (not real) indictment of President Bush and VP Cheney! The towns are: Brattleboro and Marlboro, Vermont.
To put it to the reasons why this indictment happened, it was referred as " violations of the Constitution". What the article says specifically about that, it didn't say.
I sounds like to me that some towns and states are beginning to start making a stand against President Bush and VP Cheney. The Iraq War is one of the hottest issues. The domestic problems are another.
If the two towns "indictment" are anything, it could set the tone for the remainder of the term of Bush and Cheney's time. Former President Bill Clinton barely survived an Indictment and then attempted Impeachment by Congress near the end of his term. Only to have been found "not guilty" and then later, be poetically embarrassed when the truth came out and many congressional law makers were MAD at him. If you look at how Hillary is looking so separated from Bill Clinton, she's lucky at the present.
But my point is: Will Congress soon draw up an Indictment of Bush and Cheney and then go on for an Impeachment? The stakes are very high in that fact and the chances of this event happening are micro-rare!
With 7 months to go to the next Presidential elections in November, anything can happen.
But more or less, John McCain better keep himself "clean". Because if that group, "Swift Boat Veterans for Truth", pops up again in this election year, I have no doubt they'll create a firestorm like they did for John Kerry.
For now.. let's hope these "indictments" will just fade on their own.
Semper FI to the Vermont towns!
More NCSD problems! / McCain
G'day Everyone!
The latest newspaper to pick up about the North Carolina School for the Deaf (NCSD) has just picked up of the latest probe by the State of North Carolina into the failed student protest.
Fresh news link: http://www.charlotte.com/catawba/story/522540.html
The official: Dwight Pearson, is claiming to say that the students and staff that were suspended for the following reason: "harassing other students" instead of planning the failed protest.
Oh please! The deaf community has been on top of the story much longer than the NC State officials have been doing their jobs. It's a farce at the moment of all this going on. If there was a time for a lawyer to get involved on the side of the students of the NCSD, the time is now.
Meanwhile: I've been keeping my eye on the political race. I wasn't surprised that Mr. John McCain, former Gallaudet University Board of Trustees member, won the GOP nomination. Basically, I don't trust McCain myself. He hasn't reached out to the deaf community and it is clear that he has no interest in the deaf community. If McCain were to do some major stomping on our campus to bring up support from all of us, he would have to explain why he stayed so silent on the various issues in the Jordan administration.
I no longer like the GOP. I've gone from being a fence sitter (as I usually am) to siding with the democrats this year. Basically, I'm against Bush at the present. But does that mean I'll support Obama or Hillary? I don't think so. I have been asked to support Obama in order to prevent Hillary from taking the nomination. So far I'm staying on Ron Paul. I might switch later when I have more good information.
So, for now, enjoy the mid-week! Semper FI!
P.S. The CI vote below this post ends in a few days. Results will be posted. Make your vote today! Last call!
Monday, March 3, 2008
Deaf and Illegal Immigrant?
*rant on*
Not a G'day Everyone!
One of the most stupid things I've ever seen to happen in my life time. Here's the topic, lifted from Deafness.about.com :
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It was bound to happen sooner or later. I just had a request for help from a probably illegal deaf alien. She wrote that she is deaf, and has no social security number and was born in Mexico City. Her baby was born here. She asked if deaf people can work without a social security number.
I wrote back: Sorry, I can't help you. Consider going back to Mexico City with your baby. Or, you can try to get a green card or work permit.
****
Question from your guide: If you knew about a deaf illegal alien in your area, would you report that person to the authorities so they could initiate deportation? ...or would you guide them towards getting a green card or work permit?
Sunday, March 2, 2008
back at the blog, NCSD fallout, HEY JERRY COVELL!
G'weekend, Everyone!
WOW! I'm so glad a friend invited me to a sportsman's banquet at his hometown. It was one of the best time you can go and really try some DIFFERENT type of WILD LIFE meat. Ever eat some Caribou steak dinner? They had two versions of it. One was SLOW roasted. The other was BBQ grilled. I had the slow roasted one and OH MY GOSH! I felt like I was really eating some delicious wild life meat. But wait! Grab that BBQ grilled Caribou steak! OH MAN OH MAN!! I felt like I died and had some serious venison meal! Who ever made it obviously knew what they were doing!!
I went to a local deaf expo on Saturday with my friend in Hatboro, PA (that's just outside of Philly). Not a big one, but small enough. It turned out to be a pretty good gathering of all the local deaf community who heard about the local deaf expo by word of mouth. It was basically the local deaf vendors selling their crafts and wares. I meet some old friends and one of my ex-g/f. That was to be expected.
The weekend storm just blew through and didn't leave enough snow, so I'm able to get home and get back here.
I'm hearing some of the NCSD fallout going on. While the staff members are being prevented from talking to parents of what's been happening, I still think parents are being really concerned. I hope the parents will push back and demand for answers. The need for defending the deaf youth is greater than for NCSD of keeping it's secrets of what they did on the Sunday evening of the 24th of February. Though hearing of a "facts uncovered of NCSD blog", I take no stock in it.
ALERT: HEY! If anyone knows where Mr. Jerry Covell is, they should do all that they can do to make sure that he's informed of his invitation to the DPN20 events! Paging Mr. Jerry Covell! DPN20 will not be complete without you!
Events about the DPN 20 can be found on: www.DPN20.com and http://dpnnews.com/. A flyer is available at : http://saveourdeafschools.org/dpn20.pdf
The big event is less than 6 days away! It should be a great evening for all involved to go to this celebration! So if anyone knows where Mr. Jerry Covell is, please tell him to come to DPN20! Don't forget to buy your tickets folks!,,
(this has been made as a personal request to me to post this by someone looking for Mr. Covell. I hope that Mr. Covell gets in touch with his friends asap.)
So, on this point, Please have a great SEMPER FI week! (I know I may be enjoying my week!).
Later gang!
