Oil Prices and the NetFlix CC battle.

G'day Everyone!

I don't know how many of you are driving your cars in this summer season, but heck it is getting nuts at the gas pump, AGAIN! Not only we are traveling to places this season, but for the average driver who has to drive to work, we are feeling PAIN! The jump in gas prices means there's a jump in JET FUEL prices, Gas prices that run Amtrak and freight trains, commercial buses (local towns and long distance drivers), and of course, our truck drivers raise the prices of hauling goods. While we approach the prices of $2.50 and up, one has to reason why this is happening.
One reason happens to be explained in Time Magazine : http://www.time.com/time/world/article/0,8599,1901446,00.html . Read the article. It'll explain some things.

But, in the last few days, I've been chatting with a few friends and strangers across the Internet landscape. One common theme of reason seems to resonate out there: We're getting ready for WAR. Which war? One that involves North Korea. In the last several weeks, North Korea has been not only shaking the war sword hard, it is demanding that the world listens to them. It's clear that it's act of MADNESS will drive it to begin to fire the first shot soon.

Technically, North and South Korea has had a cease fire for many decades. They are still in a "State of War". If the first shot does come from North Korea, it will resume what they left off. China and Russia will have to consider if they want to support North Korea again though the idea of China and Russia doing that is the big question of their lives. Japan would no doubt side with South Korea. USA would be involved as well. It's an ugly situation. In Obama's first term, he would become another WAR President. Just not good. Especially with the stakes raising much higher and possible chances that we are much closer to the first atomic rocket being fired at a country soon.

Should we be concerned? Hell, yes! Pray Hard! Anything could happen as we shift into June 2009.

The deaf community took a shift in the last few days from the CI battle to a new battle that's being talked about.

For many years, since the 1980s, we (the deaf) have enjoyed having closed captioning on our TV sets. Some sites on the Internet also offer close captioning. We also have to thank many You Tube users who write lyrics to the songs so that we could understand what's being said. (that's many hours of work, you know!)

However, we are starting to come into the age where Closed Captioning (CC) might take a back seat to movies. Netflix isn't the only one that refuses to provide the deaf community of closed captioning on the downloads of movies. I've discovered a disturbing trend going on. You have to look at the CD label covers on the boxes of movies before you buy them. Some just don't say "CC" anymore. I'm like "What is going on?". Why are some manufacturers not making the CC possible for us to watch the movies on our DVD machines? That troubles me.

For info about the netflix stuff : http://deafness.about.com/b/2009/05/29/blog-posts-of-the-week-netflix-ceo-an-insensitive-b.htm

While the netflix and some of the movie manufacturers are not providing CC support so that we can understand what's being said, lately I have found something more going on. There are some movies on our cable TV that often are not showing up captioned. I've asked myself *WHY*? I'm often checking my TV to see if the captioning is working on other shows and news and often find that it is. It felt strange.

Could it be in the coming days we could find more movies, shows, and news not closed captioned before June 12th in which the nation shifts from the analog air signal to the digital age signal? It should concern all of us. Especially should there be an emergency situation in our lives.

Stay tuned. We could hear more CC related battles out there. I hope netflix reconsiders because they stand much to lose. But I would support Blockbusters because they need it!

Semper FI.

SSSD Lawsuit dropped/ HB 1318/ PSAC/ Davila's time.

G'day Everyone.

In the latest news about the events at the Scranton State School for the Deaf (SSSD), a law suit has been dropped. While this sounds shocking to some people, you should read the two links about it:
http://www.timesleader.com/news/Deaf_school_parents_drop_suit_05-28-2009.html
http://www.scrantontimes.com/news/1.39198

While this is sad that these parents are being taken in by the State of PA and being convinced that the Western PA School for the Deaf (WPSD) would be a good idea for the students of SSSD to attend, how do the students feel? The battle is NOT OVER YET!

Currently in the PA General Assembly there is a House Bill #1318 that is currently pending that will force the state of PA to reveal all the activities surrounding the events that have happened about the plan to close SSSD and WPSD's offer to manage SSSD for the future. It would also force the state of PA to stop the SSSD closure option and evaluate the best decisions that can serve the students of SSSD in the future. So if you want to keep track of this bill in the PA General Assembly, Link: http://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/legis/home/session.cfm in the "by bill" link enter HB 1318 and then click GO. You'll see the status where the bill is in process. I hope this bill does pass !

For those who are keeping a close watch on the Presidental Search Advisory Committee (PSAC), you can keep close track of it at this link: http://psac.gallaudet.edu/ . Remember to pray for these people. They should be making CAREFUL decisions and not move so fast. Even if Davila's term ends on December 31, 2009, the decision by PSAC should not be so fast either. We all know what happened last time of this process. We hope and pray that we do not see another fall out that would further tarnish the future of Gallaudet University. Also, to remind many readers, if you know someone who would make a GOOD PRESIDENT of Gallaudet University, they should go to the above PSAC website link and get their application in BEFORE JUNE 1, 2009! That's this coming Monday! This is the date the applications and nominations close. If you miss it, too bad. You'll have to wait for the next one. (reminder to many people who think of me for the position, HELL NO! I don't wanna be president of GU. But I know a few enemies who'd make a good president of GU. )

From what I've heard of Davila's speech of how he and Team Gallaudet (not the protesters, mind you) have transformed Gallaudet since January 1st 2007, many of the problems that have lasted for many years have been resolved or are continue to being resolved. President Davila has remarked many of the accomplishments during the 2009 commencement at Gallaudet University. I do not know if the commencement is still being shown on the Gallaudet.edu web page but you may want to see it before it's pulled. Davila has done a wonderful work in transforming GU despite many of the naysayers about it. But, Davila has said that the university is still in transformation and whoever is the next president will continue that process.

As we hit June 2009, we will be entering an important next 6 months at Gallaudet University. Davila has a lot of final work to do before his time is over. PSAC will be closely monitored. And of course, football is going to be entering an important season as well.

Stay tuned.

Semper FI!

Journalism Misconduct, High Court choice, North Korea.

G'day Everyone!

I took a few moments the other day when I let a favorite search engine I use to do some material searching for my blog. Believe it or not, it stumbled upon another blog author's post in which she had railed against me for a post that I had done 18 months ago. When I saw it, I got plenty upset with that person. I left a comment and personally emailed the author. I told that person this: "Had you emailed me first and we could have discussed the reasons WHY you didn't THOROUGHLY read my post before you went off ALASKAN HOT BAKED..", I'm not going to show you the rest of what I said.

I had all the makings set myself a new FIRESTORM here. So I decided against pointing out WHO I am talking about. The point is, I had done my job to email that person and leaving a comment on that old post out there. Yes some times, as a web author in the blog sphere, you can be expected to be bitten in the ass for an older post. Trust me, search engines can find those.

So, if you got a problem with me, don't take it out in a post in your blog in which you'll find yourself one day in my blog for it. I could have exposed this person here, but decided not to. But as I said before, email me before you post or comment something about my articles. I rather have a discussion of a blogger to blogger than a blogger to enemy blogger discussion.

Meanwhile, President Obama made an intelligent announcement of his candidate for Supreme Court today. The name is : Sonia Sotomayor. Link: http://www.cnn.com/2009/POLITICS/05/26/supreme.court/index.html
This will be the first mark of legacy for the Obama administration. I personally hope her confirmation to the high court will go smoothly.

Also today, North Korea has once again, become the world's biggest pain butt. Even with yesterday's nuclear bomb test and rocket testing, it is brewing a big trouble. With the Asian nation making trouble again, it is most likely that they are itching for WAR with any country. I personally think that North Korea will get their wish some day which will destroy that country and South Korea's hopes for a unified Korea. What does North Korea hope to gain when it's clearly destroying themselves? Many of their people are dying in this nation. I hope the North Korea's leader dies soon so the nation can gain some sensibility before it's too late.
link: http://www.cnn.com/2009/WORLD/asiapcf/05/26/nkorea.test/index.html

As the nation settles back into the work week, so do we settle down till July 4th, 2009.

So until later, Semper FI.

As summer 2009 begins RSGeo-007 blog

G'day Everyone!

It is Sunday evening, the night before the holiday of Memorial day. The unofficial sign that on the night before the holiday, it is "the last day of Spring". On Monday morning, it will be the unofficial sign of "the first day of Summer". It will so be the first day of summer vacations to begin among many companies. But how many people will take such a summer vacation based on the economic conditions in the USA? It's hard to say because the gas prices are up again in many places. Be careful of driving this summer. Perhaps, best to camp out in your own back yard (if you have one).

As Summer is here, so are many of the strong Summer storms that begin this year. The major part is the hurricane season that usually does get worse from June to October. The state of Florida, which is under a rainy season, will be in a watchful mode to the skies and radars till the season of the hurricane is over. Here is the link to the 2009 Hurricane names : http://geography.about.com/od/physicalgeography/a/2009names.htm
Just pray that none of these storms go higher than category 2! I pray that mother nature will show a softer side of herself this year.

Meanwhile, The 4 part stories of "When is audism NOT audism?" is complete on the RSGeo-007 blog. Though it is sad to note that two of the four parts have many comments, some severely abusive by a person, RSGeo-007 had no choice but to end the free posting of comments and forced to do moderation of the blog.

I wish to note that there have been several militant person(s)/groups out there that have been posting around in blogs and newspaper forums that say some of the comments or bloggers are wrong about the articles or facts and try to pursade the comments/bloggers to follow the group's agenda to bring about their own ideas in order to help the deaf community. Some even portend to make a legal effort to shut down a few sites as well. When militant person(s) / groups abuse the comments in the blogs, we have no choice but to moderate the site.

On a final note of this spring nite, I ask that everyone to please, PLEASE have a safe and enjoyable Memorial Day 2009 tomorrow. Please drive sober. Please be responsible when you drink. Nobody should get hurt or killed on this day.

Make it a FUN holiday!

Semper FI! Salute to those who defend our USA always!

CI Opinion, fight shifts to the deaf schools

G'day Everyone!

As Memorial Day 2009 begins, it's the start of the Summer 2009. Many things are going on in the deaf community out there. Whatever it be firestorms in blogs, pros and cons going around, and everyone else has an opinion in their blogs.

So on that note, let me add one final opinion to the CI debate going on (like the Wisconsin bill). I'm going to say this but it will anger every parent out there that have put CI on their children.

SET SOME MONEY ASIDE FOR YOUR KIDS THAT HAVE CI! Why? Since you forced the CI on your child, which in every deaf person's opinion is a "legal" child abuse, I do believe it's morally wrong because your kid is defenseless. By setting aside the SAME amount of money that you used to have the CI installed on your kids, the child, when they grow up, should have the legal right and decision to have the CI removed from their body. Parents won't like it, but it's the child's life and body. The moment they are 18 years old, they can do what is in their BEST INTEREST for themselves. Even if it means wanting the CI removed from them.

But we know this CI debate is going to be a furious battle between parents and the deaf community. Problem is, parents that expect hearing babies from God. But when they see God giving them a special kid, like a deaf kid, it's a knee jerk reaction to slap the CI on a baby and call it hearing. It's not right and it's so morally wrong. I especially wish the Pope would speak against the CI himself (that is my challenge to Pope Benedict XVI!).

As we know the Wisconsin debate is shifting to what's going on in the deaf schools, here's a news article that has a lot of people talking. http://www.wafb.com/Global/story.asp?S=10405602&nav=menu57_2
A school for the deaf turned into a "boot camp"? Is this the kind of perception that a hearing administrator thinks to punish the students for problems of the staff? Is this the kind of thing happening in other deaf schools? One has to wonder what's happening out there. Especially with the Scranton State School for the Deaf about to be taken over by Western PA School for the Deaf unless the lawsuit gets heard first.

also: read about what's going on with the North Carolina School for the Deaf. Link: http://www2.morganton.com/content/2009/may/20/local-elected-officials-fight-ncsds-survival/

My friends, pray for our deaf schools. We will have more than a fight with those that decide the fate of the deaf schools.

Semper FI

Breaking news: Wisconsin CI Bill is now LAW!

Breaking News: The Governor Jim Doyle has just angered the entire Wisconsin deaf Community and signed the CI bill into law. Here is the link: http://www.madison.com/tct/news/452056

It is a sad day for the Wisconsin deaf community. In my opinion, the governor has just lost support of the deaf community. Will there be a legal challenge? Stay tuned. If AGBELL and their supporters celebrates here, I condemn them to God. Nobody has the legal right, not even a parent, of putting CI on a child's body ever! it si morally wrong!
_______________________________________________________

(below, I was just working on the article when I refreshed Madison.com link which is The Capital Times newspaper. I then saw the news as above. enjoy).

G'day Everyone!

Wow! That's just one word I can say today. WOW! Why?
hit on this link: http://www.madison.com/tct/news/stories/451696

Personally, I do not see this bill being worth the effort of passing and I urge the Wisconsin Governor Jim Doyle to please VETO the bill.

A bill that supports children with cochlear implants is wrong. I don't get it. What's wrong with Parents not allowing their children to learn Sign Language, or deaf schools, or having hearing aids?

Are we seeing a bill like AG BELL supporting a child to become a near hearing adult in the future with a cochlear implant? It's wrong.

Why do doctors insist that a child will benefit with cochlear implants? It's like forcing a child by a decision of the parents and doctors to take care of an artificial device for life. The cochlear implant is *NOT A HEARING AID* it's like a pacemaker within your body. You have to take care of it.

There are certain things you can't do in life when you wear a cochlear implant.

When a child grows up, he/she is going to get mad enough to realize what's in them. Just because a doctor and parents figure that it would benefit them, it's still wrong.

There are two things I'd like to see added to that CI Bill. One: if it's going to cover CI, make it cover all types of hearing aids out there. We need a bill that covers hearing aids and repair abilities.
Two: add in an area when the child reaches of legal age of 18 years old, can demand for funds from the insurance company to have the CI removed from his body.

A cochlear Implant should be a PERSONAL decision for hard of hearing / deaf person to decide to have. I personally know two deaf friends that lived with hearing aids all their lives and it just finally failed them. They took the very risk to have a CI put in them. Getting a CI doesn't mean you'll have full hearing restored. But there are many risks with CI.

My own doctor said I can have CI if I want. But I rejected it as saying, look there is closed captioning, writing, email, VP, Cam2cam on the 'net, interpreters, support services in college, etc. (need I quote more?).

But, as I side the deaf community, I personally plead with Governor Jim Doyle NOT to sign this bill into law.

Lastly, someone at the Wisconsin newspapers "The Capital Times" needs to moderate their comments there. LOTS of firestorms happening.
_________________________________________________________

*sigh* from here on out, it's another firestorm in the deaf community. When will the hearing world learn that CIs and hearing aids only assist hearing impaired people. Totally deaf does not really benefit. But the fact is.. the deaf community benefits more with ASL, interpreters, and support mentors in schools, university, and colleges. But those that want to force the deaf become more hearing, they better hope they go deaf when they hit hell because it'll be their eternal regret.

Let's hope this summer we ask Gov. Doyle to reconsider his signature on the CI Bill. it's morally and ethically wrong.

thanks.

Semper FI.

Exhausted and Alarmed.

G'day Everyone!

Lately I am exhausted. I've been doing a lot of things around the house and keeping my place of my mum nice takes a lot of work. I enjoy it though.

Personally, I am enduring another problem going on . I'm not disclosing what is happening, but several friends have risen to my defense. When it gets resolved, I'll explain later.

In other things, the middle east has just gotten worse today when you wake up this am and throw coffee just about everywhere. Try this one on for a size:
http://www.cnn.com/2009/WORLD/meast/05/20/iran.missile.test/index.html
when you hear Iran just done a missile test, you have to wonder of just how much more *saber* shaking will happen before the real stupid day really happens. When does on nation in any part of the world finally gets fed up with another nation threatening the world and finally pushes that button? Will the middle east finally explode and drag the world into World War III? Will the Internet survive? Or will we all survive after the nuclear war and face new rulers that come after it?

In real life, we won't know. But in other words, those that want to see the conclusion of the Terminator series should plan on going to the movies tomorrow (Thursday). TERMINATOR: SALVATION is the final chapter to the Terminator saga. Originally called T4, I am hearing that it's going to be action packed which is going to be a lot of special effects. So take my suggestion, go see the movie.. then wait for the captions to come out. You'll be glad you did!

But like I said, I'm praying that any country is not that stupid to start a nuclear war. But the day some one does, Good luck bending over and kissing your own ass. Many people will curse the leaders before they die.

So till next post, semper FI.

The Double Vision of SweetMind

G'day Everyone.

G'day everyone! How is it when people think that I run a blog like the RSGeo007? When I got informed by someone that SweetMind claims I run both TheDeafSherlock and RSGeo007, then someone has a double vision going on in their mind.

SweetMind, I don't run RSGeo007. I never have and never will. Even MacGuyverBond will back me up on that as I've told him. Robert Goodwin never has and never will run my blog at time.

So I'm going to be very frank with you, SweetMind, because when you make an claim like this, you are looking to see all the acts of your own creditability shot to bits.

Robert and I are two different people with different tastes and different blogs and different topics. If you can't respect Robert Goodwin for what he writes, then I suggest you stay off his comment blog because he's already is very angry with you.

Needless to say, as I have searched to many other sites, many people have said the same thing. Many are going to MODERATE their site as long as you keep acting like this.

If you can't learn to respect someone's blog, then we close our blog doors in your Internet face. Robert will close his comments in your face. I will do the same in defense of him against you. Mac might do the same to show support and loyalty as well.

Semper FI.

Graduation to the Real World: NO JOB!

G'day Everyone!

By now, the majority of colleges and universities (both hearing and deaf) are graduating their undergraduates / graduates and flooding the job market. Only the very lucky ones will survive to find a company that will take them. Only problem is, how are the rest going to be able to pay their student loans?

I say: *WELCOME TO THE REAL WORLD OF ECONOMIC LIFE*. Despite all the colleges and universities that dole out *honor degrees* to their commencement speakers and having famous speakers, like President Obama at University of Norte Dame, (is not only sure to be remembered, but a cause for many in the catholic faith to convert to another faith) not every can cushion the crushing blow to the graduates that are desperate for jobs.

In less than a month from now, every high school senior across the nation is about to graduate themselves and facing an uncertain future of their own lives. They will have to face a decision: Finding a job, or head in to college, or join the military. It is a decision many will have to make in a very short time in their young lives.

For many of us current job seekers, we are fighting as well for a job. Trying to prove to the employers that we are the best candidates to fill a position is like trying to be just one sperm (the job seeker) to grab the "egg"(the job itself). How many of us will determine that we will go back to college as well for another degree and hope the economy will right itself asap?

In the spirit of every commencement out there, I say unto you, the class of 2009, the very words that will be carried among your thoughts every day: (shocking the political correctness crowd) May God be a blessing for you! (hecklers start up and are arrested and removed). Yes, I'll say it again. May God be a blessing for you! (more hecklers, arrested and removed). These are the very times of this life that all of us need to depend on faith of whatever we were brought up with in our lives. This nation has sought to remove God from everything and yet, in these times of crisis, we need to depend on God. I could argue everything about God but I am not about to.

The day belongs to the Graduates of the class 2009 who face a tough future of NO JOB. This is the reality and it bites. So take to the heart. Be encouraged. Keep looking for the job every day. Stand strong! Yes, you have finished 4 years. Be proud for that. May God give you wisdom to make the right decision of what you need to do.

To the hecklers, when it comes to your last day on earth, you will stand before God and you better have an answer why you wanted a nation with NO FAITH in GOD. I will wish you a Good Luck for the reward God gives for that (2nd death).

In closing: Semper FI!

Administrative comment from the Sherlock

G'day Everyone.

I want to remind my readers about my blog comments section. I know many of you have been kind in your postings and I want to praise you for that.

However, my dear friend, the RSGeo-007, had a bit of a *FINAL* fire storm in his own blog this weekend. http://rsgeo007.blogspot.com/2009/05/when-is-audism-not-audism-part-2.html

The result of the firestorm? It became a MODERATED blog.

I know many people are screaming *CENSORSHIP* and claim the FCC has a right to force us blog owners to OPEN the blog comments to 'all critics'. Unfortunately, as I quote back from another site: http://macgyverbond.blogspot.com/2008/01/fcc-responds.html

I want people to know that since Day ONE, when The Deaf Sherlock revived here on blogspot.com, after the disaster on xanga.com (Thanks to "the Truth"), I made it clear that the comments section would be MODERATED FOREVER! It only takes ONE DISGRUNTLED PERSON/READER to DISRUPT everything for everyone else via a firestorm. It's a shame.

So, let me share with you behind the work of my blog here. It's not easy being a moderator. It's all about protecting the blog and the public. In the past, I've had to be brave to open the comment moderation area. I've read some of the most nastiest stuff ever. Some things that have been said are enough to make my soul cringe in horror of what I'm reading.

But the easy part is: *REJECT* option is always there. Once it's deleted, it can never be called back. EVER! I've had to endure some days to go through the early reactions. But once those, who attempt to do the firestorms, finally quit because they know it's not going to go live post without my approval at all.

Blog authors are now discovering these days that they have to MODERATE the comments. We're just like the newspaper editors out there as well.

So, I'm saying it one more time out there. If you are a firestorm creator, don't bother trying to write a comment in my blog. My blog is moderated PERMANENTLY.
And just to keep things safe today, the comments have been disabled.

Semper FI.

A little bit more of my mainstream days and my life.

G'day Everyone.

You know what? When I hear everyone speaking about "audism" or "stop audism" or whatever what "audism" is, I wish everyone would FUDGETABOUTIT! (Forget about it!).

Audism isn't what audism is. It's more of the social attitudes of people (hearing and DEAF!) out there.

In my mainstream days, back in the Lister B. Forman Center (B.O.C.E.S.) that I told you about in my previous post ago : http://thedeafsherlock.blogspot.com/2009/05/how-mainstream-shaped-my-life.html, every student is working together to help pull each other up and make a good grade in our lives. Even disable students are working together.

But get put in to this hearing school district with some support services? That may be all right, but hearing peers look at you like I was some lost "village idiot" because you haven't been around them all their lives. I was lucky in life to grow up with some hearing friends from my neighborhood that went to the same school with me. But we were in different class rooms and different schedules.


When it comes to gym, yeah, I get picked dead last. I remember the first time it happen. Especially when it comes to kick ball and soft ball. When I got picked, the other team laughed because they said "the idiot is easy out". That changed when I was up on the team.

In kick ball (indoors) I could kick that ball *HARD*. In two different gyms of the school buildings, various parts of the gym lights got smashed. In one episode, the one time a gym ball smashed into a light and EXPLODED! (ooh cool show!) Which prompted a fire alarm! (free time from classes!). After 2 more being picked dead last and the same repeat of the epic ball sailings (which leads to the team winning), I get popular enough to be put on any kick ball team. Outside? You better run for that ball I kick because it's going to go SKY HIGH and FAR! (quarter mile at the most).

In softball, indoors, I became a "Dennis the menace". Windows? who needs windows? I could hit a ball hard. I forget easy. I was told to swing easy indoors. But when that bat is in my hand, that ball is going to be *PUNISHED*. When I was picked dead last 2 times, and students thought I'm *easy out*, boy jaw drops more than you can count. In my life time, I broke more gym windows and lights than I ever did in kick ball.
But softball outside, BYE BALL! It's gone! I loved to play home base and first base.


The one sport I wanted to play on the most was football. But when you ask the school district and the State of NY? They said no. It's sad that my parents didn't fight for me. I play neighborhood pick up football and man, the games are fun. It is sad that school districts don't realize that deaf people *CAN* play football! Look at all the deaf schools and Gallaudet University today. We *STILL* play football!

The one last thing I wanted to explain. I don't mind being played tricks on me. But in life, I've had a lot of hearing people trying to test me to see if I'm really deaf. Just like in school, in a hearing college, and at my previous job I've worked, I've had people literally stand behind me and say something in a low voice which they think I can't hear them. In more than one occasions, I've been known to turn around suddenly and SCARE the hell out of that person.

In more than once in my life, when I'm having a bad day, I've been able to punch a person behind me without a second thought. I don't like to do it, but when I get pissed off, I will. I've often told people to approach me from the front. But if they need to tap me from behind, they better step back a bit.

One thing I like about myself. I've been known to scare both hearing and the deaf. I don't care how heavy I am. Most people don't hear my footfalls until I'm literally right behind them. I've scared a lot of them and most say *quit doing that*. So I try to make a little noise, but just doesn't help. *SIGH*

If people are not going to socially respect each other, then it's a problem for everyone. Bullies are the worst, yes. A few have tried to beat me up in school, but I've fought back at times and trashed them.
I've had a bad roommate in a townhouse long ago. This was a guy who abused my home, my roommates, and beat me up twice in my life. This is the person who I would label him a TRUE AUDIST! That is his label for the rest of his life. There are many others who I would label a true audist too.

Ok. I said enough. Now wait for my book to come out some day. (if I ever get it done)

Semper FI.

Graduation daze

G'day everyone!

First of all, congrats to the class of 2009 of any college in the USA. I have to wish you luck of looking for a job in these economic times.

Second, Norte Dame and it's controversy of how President Obama speaks at their commencement ceremony will be interesting to watch.

Third, it was sad to learn that Morehouse college (in Atlanta, Ga) has been in the center of the storm when I read on CNN.com a few days ago, that allowed a student, who shot another student, to graduate from their institution after a major plea deal that included NO jail time. Yes, this is true folks! See: http://www.cnn.com/2009/CRIME/05/14/morehouse.justice/index.html
The victim in this situation has transferred to another college and the DA in this situation has resigned. It is justice denied here. Let's hope this shooter makes another mistake in his life and gets sent to PRISON FULL TIME! That's where he belongs! NOT IN SCHOOL! (rant on then off. OK I'm ranted out).

Last: for anyone who missed the Graduation march and the commencement at Gallaudet University (GU) (3 hours long wow!) here's the link:
http://atweb.gallaudet.edu/videoevent/2009/Commencement2009/source.asp
I recommend that you watch this web cast as soon as possible because I don't know how long the link will stay active.

Don't miss the important part of the message in which Dr. Davila cites the number of transformations that Gallaudet University has under gone since the day he's taken office of President in January 2007 from the disposed past President I. King Jordan. It is a true statement that the Gallaudet University will continue to transform. It is no longer the campus of I. King Jordan. It's no longer the famous campus where 2 deaf protests have happened.

My hope and dream for Gallaudet University right now is this: Let us hope that Presidential Search Advisory Committee (PSAC) will move in a careful process and finding the right candidates that will eventually narrow down to the candidate who will become the 10th President of GU. Davila was not suppose to be the 9th president as he was suppose to be a temporary President, but given the facts that the Board of Trustees labeled him as our 9th, we must now hope that the PSAC will find the 10th President of GU in a matter of due diligence and honor. Doing a Presidential search should be done carefully. Not as fast as the previous search committee has done. But let's hope they do it with honor, intelligent, and dignity. This institution can't afford another protest that will cost everyone a price that we can never afford in our lives.

Dr. Davila, in his last days as President of GU, should be saluted for all that he's done. Let's hope the next President of GU makes GU a better institution of learn for the Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing students!

Semper FI to the class 2009!

How Mainstream shaped my life.

G'day Everyone.

Today's post is more of a summary about my life as I'm working on a diary like story book about my mainstream life. What's the cause for this post today? Hop on over to Dianrez's site and read about her topic for today: "How Oralism Divided the Deaf Community". Link: http://dianrez.xanga.com/701373534/how-oralism-divided-the-deaf-community/

When I read her post today, it reminded me of my younger childhood days. When I was a young deaf/hard of hearing child in the late 1960s and through the 1970s, oralism did divide the deaf community.

Even in the deaf schools like the Scranton State School for the Deaf (SSSD) and the Rochester School for the Deaf (RSD), in which my parents tried to enroll me to have a deaf education, the administrator took one look at me, of which by that time I was already fitted with ONE HEARING AID, that I could hear quite well, and that could talk and speech read, I was declared an oralist child! Such an issue I could barely understand. My parents wanted me to have a deaf education. But deaf schools were NOT willing to take me.

When they tried to enroll me in a hearing public schools, the administrator took one look at me, despite I'm a speech reading and talking child (that would make any oralist happy), and saw my hearing aid in my ear, he formally declared to my parents "This child needs to be in a DEAF SCHOOL!".

So what happens when two different school worlds can't agree of what to do with an oralist deaf/hard of hearing child? We get shipped off to a school that deals with handicapped and mentally retarded students. This one such school was the Lester B. Forman Center in Fairport, NY aka known as the Board of Cooperation and Educational Services. In short: B.O.C.E.S.

I was one of the 5 DEAF (Hard of Hearing) students that fell though the New York State education cracks and landed in what was termed "the last hell hole of education for the unwanted deaf/hard of hearing students". For 5 years, my deaf /hard of hearing classmates and I banded together and made the best of it. We eagerly outstripped our teacher of her teaching materials and were the top of our class. We had to beg her for more material lessons.

When our teacher went to the Board of Education, she did propose that we, the 5 deaf/ hard of hearing students in her classroom, would become "the basic test students" for the mainstream program in public schools, she did not know how much it would impact in our lives.

My classmates and I spent our last day together, praying and hope that we would do our best in our lives in a hearing environment. When we were moved to a hearing public school in our home district area, we were given the following support: Teacher for the deaf (which includes teaching us sign language), tutor, note takers, and a phonic ear system. But the kind of support we were NOT given was how to relate to our the hearing kids out there. Some of us were accepted and supported. Some of us were not. For me, life was rough in that environment.

Within the months of entering the hearing public school system, someone had gone to court for me and successfully declared that I was a legally deaf student and not just a hard of hearing student. Which meant that I could go to a deaf school if I wanted to. But these were the days filled with so much class work, that I was confused. Nobody ever bothered to tell my parents about the court victory.

4 years later, I was declared a "successful test person" for the main stream program when I graduated from High School. But did they ever think to use me as a consultant or advisor for the future deaf/ hard of hearing mainstream students to come after my time? Nope. After 25 years later, that same school district still boasts of how well they done in helping mainstream students. Wait till they see my book one day.

Being a mainstreamed student shaped my life, but it did not make me comfortable around hearing people much. When I approached college, some wanted me to be their poster student for their own future mainstream programs. I turned them down flat when I choose to go to NTID at RIT.

Being in a deaf community then changed my world and my life. Not for the better, but being able to have dual world: hearing and deaf. I was more happier to have deaf friends than hearing friends.

Dianrez's post is quite accurate. AGBell has been active for many years in encouragement of parents to place their deaf child into hearing schools and preventing them from learning sign language and force them to be hard of hearing oralists. To me, it is wrong choice of an idea that AGBell should force on the deaf child.

I say very importantly, a deaf baby should have the same benefit of the hearing baby: SIGN LANGUAGE!

Today, the children of the CI face the same challenges that the children with hearing aids face. Though, I have a huge sympathy for them. It is easy for me to remove my hearing aid and be deaf for all I want to be. At times, I enjoy being deaf. But for the CI person, they can only remove the external devices, but never the internal parts that make up their CI.

On a final note, my mom asked me if I had any regrets about my childhood education. I told her I had plenty of regrets. I wished more to be in a deaf environment than hearing. She said she was sorry about that. When I told her of why she and my dad didn't consider to send me to the Model Secondary School for the Deaf (MSSD) on the campus of GU (which I found out that they would have accepted me there), she said "my family loved me too much to travel that far".

But there are countless deaf children across the nation that have attended MSSD and grown up to be productive citizens. How is that compared to the children in the mainstream schools? (anyone done research on that?)

So I want to say this: To students who are in the deaf schools today: ENJOY the SUPPORT for what you have! You have an environment that teaches you in Sign Language. You have friends and family that speak in Sign Language. Live it up! Fight for it. Prevent the hearing world from taking away your rights. Deaf schools need our support from the deaf community.

Some day, AG Bell will die like an old fossil institution. When it does, that will be the day true victory will happen for the deaf community.

Semper FI.

Breaking News in the SSSD matters!

G'day Everyone!

I was shocked to hear this info from a friend of mine about the latest twist in what the PA State Officials are doing to people related to the Scranton State School for the Deaf (SSSD). This latest situation could be an indication that PA is very desperate to unload the SSSD and hand it over to the Western PA School for the Deaf (WPSD). If this is very possible, the coming court battle could get very ugly and costly.
Here's what's just happened to the superintendent of SSSD:
http://www.timesleader.com/news/Suspension_leads_SSSD_super_to_quit_05-13-2009.html
If this article is accurate as it is, things are just getting to be bad. Get this one as it's quoted in the Times Leader:
"Dr. Gerald L. Zahorchak, PA state secretary of education,Zahorchak revealed that SSSD will be renamed the Scranton School for Deaf and Hard of Hearing Children – Division of the Western Pennsylvania School for the Deaf (WPSD).

“Simply put, it is time to move forward as expeditiously as possible,” Zahorchak wrote. "

If the Harrisburg officials are moving forward fast to resolve the entire situation, then they have better be prepared for the court to rule against them. I believe this lawsuit will be a WIN for the students, staff and Parents of SSSD and the State of PA will be in trouble.

The resignation of the superintendent is indeed a blow to SSSD. But let us not forget what she has done in defending the job she loved to do. May God richly reward her to a new position.

The fight is NOT over. DEFEND SSSD!

SEMPER FI!

Transportation Concerns.

G'day Everyone!

How much concerned should you be when you ride on a BUS, TRAIN, SUBWAY/TROLLEY, and PLANES? Every day thousands of people are literally putting their lives into the hands of these "OPERATORS", "PILOTS", "DRIVERS" of these countless transportation vehicles.

In the last several weeks and months, we've had news of these "operators" that were texting on their cell phones right up to the moment till they crashed. A few months ago, it was a commuter train in California. Then it was a Bus crash. Now more recently it's a SUBWAY/TROLLEY crash. In any case, it's lead to the banning of cell phones and pagers from these mode of transportation. But that won't satisfy the millions of dollars in the potential lawsuits that could eventually happen.

Even so, there are still crashes happening by people who are texting while driving cars and trucks. While none may have died, the chances are very great that some day someone will die while texting or talking on that damn cell phone. Various cities and states have made laws with penalties that if you are talking on a cell phone or texting, you will get caught and you will get hit with a driving suspension out there.

The biggest concern is still out there today. It's about the regional planes. Regional airports like my local county airport my home town has, depends on the regional planes which are either small jets or turbo prop planes. But do these "pilots" have the full training for these planes?
Think about this as you read about what happened in Buffalo, NY area a few months ago :
http://www.cnn.com/2009/US/05/12/buffalo.crash.hearing/index.html

How many changes will come to the regional airports and airlines? Will it really help calm the lawsuits that may come on behalf of the 50 dead people who died in the crash? Maybe not.
I would be concerned for the reasons why the airline let that plane go on it's trip during that particular time of weather in the winter season. I can understand the need to move people, but safety should have come first.

Every day, when we put our lives in someone else's hands, we have to hope that they got the training, experience, and ability to react to the weather conditions. But on our part, fill out your last will and testament, call our families and let know they're flying and make sure you get in your final good-byes, and begin praying the moment you get seated on this mode of transportation.

I don't like it as much the next person does. If I had a choice to travel across this nation, I would be taking Amtrak. I would rather appreciate to die on the ground rather than falling from the air. If I saw my bus driver or anyone yapping on that cell phone on that mode of transportation, I'll get off at the next station/stop, go up to the nearest station manager and complain about their driver. That manager should be concerned for the rest of the passengers.
The one bad driver/operator may be a bad apple, but it puts every employee and operator on a defensive duty alert till that offending person is removed from operation and duty.

I do hope the transportation companies do take the moral responsibility to insure all of their employees and operators are certified, trained, checked that they got enough down time, and being a safety aware person. They are in a position of TRUST for the lives of passengers.

I hate hearing crashes. When I hear a crash, I make sure NONE of my friends are on it.
Please pray for the victims of the past crashes. Their families need peace and comfort in their lives.

Semper FI.

WPSD to take over SSSD

G'day Everyone!

Stop being a militant out there! We all know that the Scranton State School for the Deaf (SSSD) isn't pretty when the PA Government has plans to close it in about a month from now, But there is a plan that the Western Pa School for the Deaf (WPSD) has plans to run SSSD. That's the message being said out there.

Links: http://www.wnep.com/wnep-scr-sssd-decision,0,6006119.story
http://www.timesleader.com/news/Western_school_to_take_over_05-09-2009.html

While students and staff are not happy of what's going on, there is a lawsuit still in the works and hopefully a judge should able to hear this issue and issue an order against the PA Government.

Now, why did I say "STOP BEING A MILITANT OUT THERE" ? Well, a fellow blogger complained to me about the numerous hateful and spiteful comments that evolved into a FLAME WAR about the whole SSSD/WPSD situation. My fellow blogger had no choice but to shut off the comments section in that particular area. If you looked on any web page area, the same debate also rages on in which is going to get the various militants into more trouble. Legal trouble.

As I told to my fellow blogger: "You don't have any choice. You need to be a MODERATOR that approves the comments before they can go live on your web page. As a moderator, you can STAMP OUT THE FLAMERS before they get a chance to provoke a war on your site. "

I know we have freedom of press, speech, and opinions. But let's face it. People who abuse their comments get to lose the right to have their comments heard. As some of the peaceful comment crowd would moan: "Hey! Don't close the comments because of a few bad apples!". But alas, it takes just one commenter that keeps coming back and attacking so much, that's when the moderator must make the decision to render the ability of the comments section to be disabled.

I'm trying not to go off on a roll here of how much I want to complain about the militants out there. But people need to be responsible with their comments. OR ELSE!

Anyhow, as the Gallaudet University year winds down, this is the party week for most of the Graduates and Undergraduates that will eventually have the big commencement this coming Friday. But, they face the challenges of finding a job in this time of uncertain economic conditions.
For myself, I am facing reality of sorts. I may eventually make a decision in the next several weeks on heading back to classes at a college. Where? Not saying yet. But several schools are in the consideration. It's only for retraining, not for an MA degree. But I still have hope that I will have a job before that happens.

So, till next time, enjoy the Monday.

Semper FI.

Mother's Day 2009

G'day everyone!

To many people who have moms and are moms, I wish you a very happy Mothers day 2009!

I know many people will be taking their moms out to dinner along with flowers and special gifts.

Enjoy this day, moms. You deserve it.

Semper FI.

Reflections on life.

G'day Everyone!

Well, it's been a long haul for me. I have not written much in my blog lately despite a lot of people ask me to write more articles. I just haven't done that lately. Lately I'm in the midst of celebrating birthdays in my family. Mine was just days ago.


However, I had some quiet time last weekend with a friend of mine. I'm not going to say what we talked about other than forming a stronger friendship for our sakes.

While on the drive back home, I stopped at a restaurant on a mountain side area and felt something that I haven't felt in ages. Life coming to a full circle for myself. What seems like life going out of my control in 1982 has finally returned to my control at the present. It seems that it's no longer that people can decide for me when I can decide for myself again. It was one of the best feelings I've had in years.

But on the side of sadness, I look back at the amount of "destruction" that people have done to me and what I've tried to undo but yet gets destroyed again by others. I've been looking at pictures of people I've loved, the "friends" in the church ministry I've had, and realized how much time and energy consumed the amount of rage I've had to control for many years.

That rage has now gone kaput a few week ago. So, I turned a corner of a garden I have into a little memorial space for friends and g/fs (few b/fs) I've loved and lost and want to remember of.

In some ways, I can forgive these people of my old deaf church ministry who sought to control my life for their benefit. But it's them that forget we are all individual people who are controlled by God and that we all are to make our own decisions that benefit us personally in our lives.


So coming full circle in life now? I feel like I'm starting over again. It may be a good thing.

On a recent night out with a hearing friend of mine, he asked me how I would sum up my life now. I told him: There are some things I'm happy of, some things I'm sad for, regrets are by the bushels, and anything else is just the way it is.

When he asked what I look forward to in life, I told him: though I'm content now, I hate to think of a few things: Heart attack, Heart Disease, Stroke, Alzheimer's disease, and death. I told him that if I were to suffer a very bad stroke or have Alzheimer's disease, just do me a favor: take me out to the woods and compassionately kill me. He would have my letter of pardon on him for his sake. But, I am asking God for compassion of what is in store for the remainder of my days on this earth.

It may not be a perfect world, but what ever you do is what it is.

Have a good weekend.

Semper FI.

Good-bye Dom DeLuise

G'day everyone!

Movie stars are crying. Fat people are crying Comedy people are crying.
Why all the tears?
Link: http://www.cnn.com/2009/SHOWBIZ/Movies/05/05/obit.deluise/index.html
That wonderful actor, Dom Deluise, has passed on. It's a shame. Dom DeLuise is one of the most funniest people to ever grace the movies. He knew how to act and how to make people laugh.
He could spoof the best of the Godfather movies.

Dom, we'll miss you.

Today's post is in honor of Dom DeLuise.
Major salute!

Semper FI!

The Fragile Electric Grid / FCBD tomorrow!

G'day Everyone!

Have you ever felt that eerie winter-like feeling when the power goes out in your home?
Nothing works. No TV, No VP, No Computer, No radio, no lights, and no ability to cook food.
It's one of those moments when you feel like you've been tossed back into the stone age days. For me, it happened this morning.

I woke up to a power-less house this early AM. My first thought was to pick up the landline phone. No, it's dead because it's run on electric power. VP was dead as well. So the only thing I can be thankful for is a cell phone. That's what was working. strangely, my neighbor still had a landline plugged into the phone system. Power was out for the area for some reason the power company wasn't saying.

But, I became more thankful that it wasn't winter. A nice spring day, even if it's rainy! But still, it reminds me in this nation that our power grid is so fragile, even the smallest thing can put a local section of a community in the dark by whatever it is caused. Our nation is in the process of upgrading the electric grid to become a smart grid technology. The question is, will that process really work? I don't know. It sounds like a smart idea for major cities and towns. What about for those who live in the country side? That's a good question to think of.

You know, we do take many of our electric powered things for granted. It only takes a minor power outage for a disruption to happen. Keeping camping supplies handy, flashlights powered, and being ready with some candles in the event the next longer power outage happens. I'm glad it happen today, not the winter.

Today, I want to remind my readers that tomorrow is FREE COMIC BOOK DAY. Go to the site: http://www.freecomicbookday.com/ and get your FREE comic book from your favorite comic book store dealer. The Free comic book day site will have a store locater to use.

And if you really are interested in comic book like movies, The X-Men Origins: Wolverine begins playing today. Very interesting show that kicks off the line of Summer 2009 movies.

Finally and last: To many of the Gallaudet University Students, enjoy DPHH tonight! Study Hard and ace those final exams next week!

Enjoy the weekend!

Semper FI!