Mike Plays Ragtime Piano - Vlog #1

Ok. The verdict is in. Overwhelmingly so, percentage wise. I ask Kokonut Pundits readers to submit their answers in a poll. Should I put out my video with me playing the piano. 19 out 22 said "Yes." The other 3 who voted said "No" at the time I put this blog out. For those other three voters who said, "No," don't bother watching. But most likely you will.

The vlog is captioned even though I signed some. Talked some. A mix of both. I talk slower when I sign and use my voice at the same time. Not my normal talking speed. I don't like that. Plus, I wasn't sure how the camera would pick up the sound or my voice being that the camera was several feet away. After seeing the video clip I realized I can just simply talk in my normal voice the next time. Though the lighting could be better. I took it with my Sony 6.0 Megapixels Cyber-shot camera. Handy little piece. It's smaller than the palm of my hand. About the size of a deck of playing cards. The original video format was in WMV and I converted it over to MPEG. Some picture quality seemed to have been sacrificed though it was probably lighting since I took it at nighttime. I did video tape it earlier in the day when the sun was out and it was noticeably brighter and clearer in my earlier versions. Anyhow, enjoy the show.

A Poll vote: Play the Piano or Not?

I made video shot of me playing Ragtime music on my piano last week and was looking around for a good subtitling program (free hopefully) that I could use. And I came across BubblePly. So, my problem is solved for the moment. Just a few more cropping to do. I have the transcript ready since I signed some and talked some. And now, before I go further, I'm putting out a poll vote if you would like to see a video tape of me playing the piano. And, yes, I play just like this guy here below in the video clip playing the Maple Leaf Rag of which I've already taped myself doing it. Here's the Maple Leaf Rag music sheet for you to see what it looks like (Page 1, Page 2 and Page 3). I play page 1, 2 and part of 3. Now, how many deaf or hard of hearing persons do you know that play the piano? Or any musical instruments? Not very many, eh?

The problem with my playing is because of my piano. It has a shorter keyboard which prevents me from playing the deeper octave notes and some of the keys stick on the keyboard which messes up my playing from time to time. So, I can't play like I want to nor do I enjoy playing on that piece of..., well. You know. Hence, my goal in getting a good piano somebody. Preferably a baby grand piano.


Maple Leaf Rag played ultra fast.


Now, here's the poll vote. In my video clip I play "Maple Leaf Rag" and "The Entertainer." Both written by Scott Joplin.

Want to see a video clip of me playing Ragtime piano?
	Yes
	No.
pollcode.com free polls

BubblePly - Easy to use Subtitling!

Whoever created Bubbleply is a genius! If you are a blogger or vlogger and would like to add subtitles/captions to your video. This is an extremely, extremely easy and versatile but free online software you can use. This is a boon for deaf and hard of hearing people everywhere and this is perfect for many of the 30 million people with hearing loss who access the internet for video news and whatnot. Especially in light of YouTube, Google and MetaCafe's downloading and uploading popularity.

I haven't used it yet but seeing how it works by watching the demo makes me a believer. Not only does it add bubbles but it also adds the traditional "captioning" seen at the bottom of the screen as well.

Give it try folks!!


Hattip: DEAFBIZ !

UbiDuo Story to be on National Foxnews?

Another UbiDuo tv news story by Fox 4 news in Kansas City! According the reporter who did this story says there is a very strong chance that this local Fox 4 news story will get picked up by the National Foxnews station due to its unique success story. This is a story about a deaf entrepreneur, Jason Curry, who owns and runs an extremely successful company called sComm, Inc.

Click on the picture above to access Fox 4 news website to watch the video clip. The transcript of the show is seen below provided by yours truly who did the work while listening to it.


TRANSCRIPT for "Device Gives More Independence To Hard of Hearing" by Mike McConnell:

Voice over: In health news...


Susan Hiland: It's said that necessity is the mother of invention, but for one metro dad and son, it was frustration. Fox medical reporter Maryl Lin McKean shows us how this invention could help people everywhere who are deaf or hard of hearing.



Meryl Lin McKean: Jason Curry carries a briefcase to appointments and family gathering. He was often independent. Appropriate to the device inside is designed to give more independent to himself or others who deaf or hard of hearing.

*typing and communicating on UbiDuo*


Meryl Lin McKean: Jason and I typed to chat in realtime. No need for lipreading. No writing. Or an interpreter. Although one was present just to read to you what Jason typed to me. The device is called "UbiDuo". "Ubi" short for "ubiquitous" - being everywhere.

Voice over by lady with red shirt sitting in chair next to Jason and reads what he wrote for the camera: "My father said, (short laugh), 'I am frustrated.' "

Meryl Lin McKean: One day Jason's Dad, who could hear, had trouble communicating with Jason in a restaurant. He went home and drew a design.

Voice over by lady reading what Jason is typing for the camera: "I jumped up and down screaming at the top of my lungs. And said, 'Dad! That is going to change the world for millions of people who are deaf and hard of hearing!' "


Meryl Lin McKean: 5 years and many test runs later. Jason's company, sComm, has begun selling UbiDuo. The price? $1795.00. The first several hundreds UbiDuo are being shipped out this week. To government agencies, police departments, schools, and businesses, and individuals.

Also hospitals. Lynn Garretson has used UbiDuo to communicate with doctors when her husband and daughter needed care.

*Lynn typing on UbiDuo*

Meryl Lin McKean: Conversations on UbiDuo can be saved, printed and emailed. When I interviewed Jason I focused on the screen with little eye contact with him.

*Meryl Lin McKean typing on UbiDuo*


Meryl Lin McKean: Jason believes that the UbiDuo will become an important link between the hearing and deaf world. Meryl Lin McKean Fox 4 news.

Susan Hiland: The Missouri Department of Economic Development named Jason's company, sComm, the Governor's Technology Company of the Year. For more information go to myfoxkc.com seen on "tv section."



For more inspirational blog stories on UbiDuo in Kokonut Pundits by Mike McConnell, go here.

Blog Awards….an Ego Trip?

Ok. I’ve kept quiet long enough about the Deafread blog awards since the voting period is now over. I was going to blog about this a week or so ago but decided to go ahead and get this one out of the way. I’ve got other blogs lined up to worry about.

Bottom line, I'm wary about these kinds of awards whether it's for hearing or deaf, or both despite the supposed good intentions that go into these award ceremonies. Are these awards, any award ceremonies, about artistic validation or a validation of time and effort well spent? A way to help boost blog traffic or a chance to lord it over your blog peers? What does it really prove? What are the purposes? And what would the net results be from these awards from people getting the awards? A self-flagellation of pure ego and pleasure along with loud trumpeting about their own awards over the internet? Or will it be a show of humility and humbleness? Ego is the one territory we need to be careful how we tread into. Especially how we present ourselves when it comes to these awards. And that is why I don’t bother to watch the Golden Globes and Academy awards ceremonies in the first place. It just reeks of something else.

But as Tayler Mayer said about all bloggers, "....everyone is a winner!"

True.

They are winners whether they’ve blogged a few times or thousand of times. They are by definition a blogger. No ifs, ands or buts about it. Still, the Deafread blog awards will go on and I won’t attend. I have better things to do. Though I still appreciate to whoever nominated me for the vote in the first place. My “award” is knowing that people from all over the world read my blog. And to get an appreciative handshake or an acknowledgement from an unknown Kokonut Pundits reader or a fan is good enough for me.

Matt Hamill to Fight a Different Opponent

Matt Hamill (2-0 MMA, 2-0 UFC) is now facing a different fighter, Rex Holman (4-1 MMA, 0-0 UFC), for the upcoming March 3rd UFC #68 PPV card. Two weeks ago the scheduled fight was Matt Hamill vs. David Heath.

Sherdog forum is discussing the latest shake-up on the fight roster list. Though this time it's between two long time wrestlers. Hamill's a three-time Division III wrestling champion while Holman is a 1993 NCAA Division 1 National wrestling champion at OSU. Though Holman who is approximately 35 years old is older than Matt at age 30.


Hat tip: C.F.

The Obama Connection Conundrum

The latest furor over Senator Barack Hussein Obama isn't, so far, about his relative inexperience in politics by going from 1st term Senator to president. Rather it's Obama's tenuous ties to Islam. But not by the fact that he attended Government Elementary School Number 4 in Indonesia from ages 6 to 8. But the fact that his late father was a Muslim. However, Debbie Schlussel raises some interesting points she discovered in Obama's books that in actuality he could really be a Muslim.

More important, in his own two autobiographies, Obama writes that his teacher at the school sent a note home to his mother that Obama made trouble by making faces while the class was studying the Koran. Uh, sorry, but public schools DO NOT study the Koran. Islamic schools do. And which suras was Obama studying? How about the many suras that preach deception and killing of Infidels? It's doubtful that the school didn't teach those. It's more likely that they did. And which violent Hadiths did the school teach? We'll never know. And Obama won't be trumpeting them.

So Christians and others are welcome at the Muslim school Obama attended. That proves nothing. Everyone (except women) would be welcome in most Islamic schools around the world--a great opportunity to indoctrinate and convert them. How do you think Adam Gadahn a/k/a Azzam Al-Amriki learned about Islam before he became a fully converted, educated Muslim? It wasn't by osmosis.

The beef I have isn't about the school. In Islam, any Muslim male with a wife who have a baby son, the son is considered, I believe, automatically a Muslim. According to ABCNews Barak's late father was a Muslim. If that's the case then Senator Barak is a Muslim, too.

"In Arab culture and under Islamic law, if your father is a Muslim, so are you. And once a Muslim, always a Muslim. You cannot go back. In Islamic eyes, Obama is certainly a Muslim. He may think he's a Christian, but they do not."

What's more telling is Barak's middle name and that's "Hussein." That is an Arabic-Muslim, not African, name. Though Obama claims that he is a Christian with "deep faith rooted in the Christian tradition."

I have a simple solution for Barak Obama.

All he has to do publicly is:

1. Disavow that he is not a Muslim but a Christian first.
2. Not accept Islamic cultural views regarding sons born into Muslim families.
3. Make a claim that Islamic cultural views do not apply to his case.
4. Deny once more just to make clear to the Muslim population that he is not a Muslim.

Do all this and Obama will clear the air and this whole Muslim thing will simply become a non-issue. Just in time for 2008.

Or will it?

Mighty big conundrum there for 2008, Senator Obama Hussein Barak. Lie if you have to.

White Homeless Cat, Possibly Deaf Needs Loving Home

A cat named "SNOWBALL" was dumped off on a busy road either in or near St. Helena, California I believe. He is described as a "loveable, playful, big boy" who is looking for a new home. The article states that this cat may be deaf which is a common trait among many white cats. I, too, adopted a white kitten who was found lost wandering around a parking lotbut didn't realize that she was deaf at the time until I did a test one day. She was sleeping on our bed and I snuck up to her and then I screamed as loud as I could. She didn't move one inch. However, this is one here is an adult cat and if you can provide a loving home, call (963-7044) or contact We Care Animal Rescue. They are located in St. Helena, CA which is north of San Francisco.

Sorenson to Host Deaflympics EXPO

It isn't any surprise that Sorenson communications made the announcement a few hours ago that they will host the 16th annual Deaflympics EXPO. They are the most recognized company among deaf and hearing people so this make good business sense. What's more, Sorenson will offer a free Internet Café for EXPO visitors where many vendors will be displaying their wares or services. Of course, nothing is said whether java brew will be served at the Internet Cafe'.

Upcoming Vlog/Blogger Conference Important?

Less than two weeks away before the first ever Vlog/Blogger Conference regarding the future of Gallaudet University. The poll below has the question, "Do you consider the upcoming Vlog/Blogger Conference Important on Addressing Gallaudet's Future?" How important would this conference be perceived as? Will it help? Or will it confuse the issue presented before Gallaudet University even more?

Do you consider the upcoming Vlog/Blogger Conference Important on Addressing Gallaudet's Future?
	Extremely important
	Somewhat important
	Neutral
	Not important
	Unnecessary
pollcode.com free polls

UPDATE: Also, I did a poll a few weeks ago on who will be going to the conference or Deaflympics. Check it out if you haven't voted.

.

Matt Hamill Visits CSDF

Last week Matt Hamill visited California School for the Deaf Fremont. Joey Baer video-taped the visit last week where Matt spoke to the crowd and inspired wrestlers with some inspirational speeches before the Deaf Prep National Wrestling Tournament. His mantra? Never give up!

The beginning part of the video shows Matt's earlier wrestling years in a championship wrestling match. A career record of 89 wins and 3 losses. Then the UFC/TUF fight follows next. And the rest of the tape shows him while visiting CSDF and doing his inspirational speeches.

Who knew that Matt would become the first Deaf UFC fighter and go pro? Matt and I had some discussion last year via AIM about his indecisiveness on whether he should continue with his Olympic wrestling dream or try and hopefully turn pro as a UFC fighter. I even set up a poll which may have helped him decide. We talked about 15 or 20 minutes privately on this subject. It was a trying time for him to try and decide what he wanted to do. This was done after TUF3 was shown. I simply suggested that he think hard on this matter and follow his heart and feelings, and which area would show him to be a role model. His passion is still wrestling and the video shows it. It's the one thing that he can reach out and inspire younger kids. It was his 27 years of wrestling that helped establish a strong foundation for Matt that will certainly help him turn pro in the UFC circuit.


Hattip: Of course, Joey Baer.

Check out all the latest blogs on Matt Hamill in Kokonut Pundits.

Technological Inclusiveness at Gallaudet University

Seamless. That should be the operative word when it comes to the interaction between a deaf and hearing person. Or even between a deaf person and another deaf person. Or even more so among groups of deaf and hearing people in the same room conversing and interacting. Whether it's speaking, signing, texting, or writing the communication gap shouldn't even be there. The interaction is supposed to be automatic when it comes to communicating. It should be immediately understood by each party regardless of the mode or choice of communication used whether it's ASL, SEE, CUED speech or voice.

Just as Jeff Han and Phil Davidson demonstrated how a multi-touch driven computer screen will change the way we work and play. A completely seamless, touch-driven screen action. Watch the video and be wowed by it. It's all intuitive technology driven only with common sense. Watch the video before reading further.

Now, the question is this. Do we have that desire to see on having complete control in the direction of our future to ensure that seamless communication become accessible to everyone someday into the future for the campus community of Gallaudet University? How much resource, time, and committment would we be willing to invest to see this become a possibility sooner rather than later? How much of this technology do we want to invest that will enable us to completely shatter the communication gap? If you look at technology today and compare to what we had 5 to 10 years ago, we've come along way. How many years ago was it when we had those big, bulky computer screens that gave way to thin, large computer screens of today? And how soon will we see it become that ultra-thin but extra large computer screen that becomes a wall? If you had seen the video link you'd understand the word "seamless" and how it would apply to us.

"There is no reason in this day and age that we should be conforming to a physical device..."

Indeed. Why should we conform when we can immerse and be interactive?

You need to think expansively on how technology will help deaf and hard of hearing in the very near future. What would the ability to communicate with anybody be like by then? In five years a lot has changed. What will the next 5 to 10 years be like for us? Do we want to be left behind or take the bull by the horns and help advance technology by ourselves? What would you prefer Gallaudet Univesity be known as when it comes to technology on campus? Do we want Gallaudet University to mimick and be something like a little Harvard University or M.I.T.? - (click on the link and you'll see what I mean or go here to an alternative site to get the pdf info on Media Lab). Or perhaps a little bit of both? What about in classrooms? What will the interaction be like 10 or 15 years from now? Or god forbid 25 years from now? How will students, professors, staff, and campus police with various communication skills and fluency interact?

Are we to be the pro-active bunch and see things happen or instead blindly follow somebody else and wait until something better comes along when it comes to taking advantage of technology? How will ASL survive? Evolve? Propogate? Believe it or not, technology is the key. It has always been that. The demise of ASL was never in danger.

Technology seen in classrooms ought to reflect equally well the technology we would see on campus when it comes to communication and interaction. It ought to be seamless. Intuitive. Of common sense. Completely accessible and very transparent. A "no-brainer" (pardon the pun) campus, if you will, the moment you step in at the front gate.

Now, many of you know I will be at the Vlogging/Blogging conference concerning the future of Gallaudet University. I will be participating on Panel 3: "The Futuristic Classroom" from 1:15-2:45 pm on February 3rd at Gallaudet University. I presented this blog as a way for you to start thinking about the future. And if you plan to come, I'm sure you'll be interested on what Panel 3 will have to say.

When it comes to technology on campus of Gallaudet University and in classrooms we either have to lead, follow or get out of the way. What would you prefer us to do?

Communication Freedom and Independence

For UbiDuo fans the communication device is off to a smashing start. Among the nearly 100 “pre-orders” for the UbiDuo communication device the company, sComm, began its delivery today out of their Independence, Missouri office. What better place for a communication device to come out of a town called “Independence”?

Pre-orders came from all across the United States from individuals, companies, non-profit organizations, schools, hospitals, and many more. A simple word of mouth over the past year helped spread the word to interested parties about the value of having a UbiDuo. The hard work includes getting UbiDuo noticed at expos such as Deaf Nation and many other places.

The wide-spread interest in this product is just a start. Among the 10 to 15 million potential consumers, clients, or patients who have severe to profound hearing loss in the United States, there is in fact an interested market for such a versatile communication device that individuals, companies, various organizations, schools, colleges, hospitals, doctor and dentist offices, and so forth could use or even clamor for. A virtually untapped market when consumer loyalty and communication independence are greatly sought after.

Communication Needs at Hospitals

Recently there has been more and more cases of deaf people or parents suing hospitals for not meeting their communication needs such as providing a live sign language interpreter. This has been an age old issue. Even when communication technology is advancing with such things as the new video remote interpreting technology but is not considered adequate enough by some to meet the needs of those who depend mostly on sign language during hospital visits, especially during emergency situations.

This is an interesting issue since nearly 30 million people in the United States have hearing loss with almost half of them with severe to profound hearing loss. Approximately 900,000 people are Deaf (ie culturally deaf) in the United States. So, not all of the 10 to 15 million people with severe to profound hearing loss signs but rely on a variety of ways to communicate. And technology nowadays is helping fill the communication gap.

There is no one single answer that will solve all of these communication problems. With emergency situations communication needs become doubly pressing while regular hospital or doctor visits could require less "stringent" communication needs.

One hospital, the Children's Mercy Hospital in Kansas City, will buy two UbiDuo communication devices, which meet ADA compliance requirements, to help communicate with deaf patients or deaf parents who bring their children at the hospital. Sometimes it takes up to an hour until an interpreter shows up but with a communication device the conversation with a doctor or nurse can begin immediately. Whether it'll be used during an emergency situation with a d/Deaf person is an unknown but at least they'll have something to help facilitate communication with a deaf person. Regardless, whenever a technology helps reduce the communication gap between deaf and hearing people it's always a plus and step closer to greater independency. But sometimes even a human element in certain circumstances cannot simply be replaced when it comes to having an interpreter.

A Realist, Not a Pessimist

Lately several analyses were done regarding the latest discussion on anonymous commenters (presumably deaf or hard of hearing) who attack other mostly deaf and hard of hearing people or the blogger him/herself over an opinionated blogpiece. People who discussed the petulent bashing and anonymous commenting like Amy Cohen Efron in her vlog appeal, the ever so seemingly obdurate blogger Surdobitch on her blogpiece "Boiling Crabs - theoretically" which links to Cy's analysis piece "Social Context and Anonymous Bashing" that links to the quintessentially happy David Eberwein's vlog piece where you can imagine him in a smoker's jacket and pipe while he lobs a few pieces of his social context and bashing theory as to why these things happen.

David's not the Deaf savior. Nor will anyone else's somber and wise words will get these people to stop attacking or bashing those who have alternative opinions they do not like. Why do I say this? Well, just look at this past Gallaudet University protest as a shining example of people running amok and going into personal attack modes along with conspiracy theories brought in by the truckload. People just live for gossipy information and rumours rather than to try and seek the truth without resorting to personal ad hominem attacks. You know who those people are, folks.

Commenters who purposely use the anonymous feature in order to specifically attack a single person are, in my view, simply cowards and/or have insecurity issues in many cases. Examples of that can be seen repeatedly here. But the bashing and anonymous posting isn't a "deaf thing." It goes on everyday over the internet by hearing people as well. Nothing unique about this but I certainly don't have any faith in the attempt to appeal to the deaf/hh blog masses to stop the anonymous posting or attacking. We know there are some people who will never change their behaviors who like to hurt others by attacking people repeatedly or use anonymous features to bash. Why? Well, it's because they are what they are in the first place.

I have always instituted a commenting policy in my Haloscan comment regarding bashing with these rules - "Observe the rules. No personal attack or foul language allowed on premise." And the reason is simple. If you cannot debate or discuss even-handedly without resorting to ad hominem or personal attacks then your comments do not belong there. Keep coming back with the same modus operandi and the person will find him or herself banned. It's better to keep an honest and forthright debate than to watch a discussion become mired in petulent and infantile bashing. These things will simply continue because human nature says that it will.

UbiDuo at Deaflympics

For those traveling to Salt Lake City, Utah, to watch the Deaflympics (Feb 1 - 10) and are planning to stay at one of the four hotels, Little America Hotel, Sheraton Hotel, Embassy Suites or Red Lion Inn, will be able to have the opportunity to use the UbiDuo to communicate easily with the front desk hotel staff and concierge. The UbiDuo will be placed on the front counter just like it was done last year at the Marriott Resort Hotel during the NAD convention at Palm Desert, California. Only this time practically everybody from around the world will have a chance to use (and see) the UbiDuo and see how it can make communication between deaf and hearing people that much more easier. It's the new communication technology made easier and efficient rather than resorting to the old and slow pen and paper standby. A much more professional and efficient way of communicating between deaf and hearing people. All four hotels will be using the UbiDuo from February 1 - 10. And be sure to check out the UbiDuo picture slides to see what it looks like from various angles.

Also, from February 1 - 4 the UbiDuo will be at the sComm, Inc exhibit booth at the Deaflympics EXPO for those who may have missed it at one of the 4 hotels where the communication device will be used. Here is your chance to meet a deaf president of sComm, Inc, Jason Curry, who will be there to present the UbiDuo. Ask him for a demostration while your there and let him know about the Kokonut Pundits blogsite.

Now, if you haven't participated in the survey poll and see how many will be going to the Deaflympics in Utah, the B/Vlogger Conference on Gallaudet's Future in D.C. (Feb 3) or not at all, then this is your chance to put in your vote.

And lastly, if you had the chance to use the UbiDuo communication device at one of the four hotels or even at the EXPO, please stop by here on Kokonut Pundits and give us your opinion about your UbiDuo experience.


Go here for all Kokonut Pundits stories on UbiDuo.


UPDATE: Some email responses and a clarification. The above information was relayed to me by the president of sComm, Inc, Jason Curry via IM. We both are very good friends and continue maintain close contact over the details of UbiDuo. The details in my blog piece are approved (and verified) information for me to distribute and inform Kokonut Pundits readers about the UbiDuo communication device. The UbiDuo communication devices WILL be at the hotels during the Deaflympics events at Salt Lake City, Utah.

To Donate or Not to Donate, That is the Question.

I’ve gotten some responses (as in opinions) regarding my “donation page” about getting a piano seen near the top of my blog page. But most of the responses came from Jamie Berke’s blog “Berke Outspoken” and elsewhere such as Deaf Tea Time and few other places. It seems to boil down to one big misunderstanding over the differences when it comes to donation. But who am I to say?

I don’t really care if people ask for donation on their blogs or websites when done passively, however. Asking for donation by active means such as Instant Messaging, phone calls, being approached by a person or getting text messages is although another matter that I don’t really care for. It's like getting email spam in your email box or having telemarketers hit you up for a sale like a shady automobile salesman. Your personal space gets intruded when people do those things. For a person to ask for donation or hit up actively through IM like this guy has done (if the story is true) or have a supposedly deaf person peddle his ABC signing cards in the airport to get money is a bit of an, um, awkward process in my view. Of course, any kind of active begging for money is awkward when one has to grovel for money constantly.

Around town I often see several few beggars on key corner streets while holding up their signs about needing money for food or whatever. And they are a common sight where I live, often with a small dog in tow which begs the question on where the money is actually going for food. The beggar or the dog? A nagging question would stick in the craw in the back of your head wondering whether these beggars are telling the truth on why they need the money. I guess it boils down to the old rule that one shouldn't question a beggar's motive on needing the money just that you shove that money into his hand and get out of the way. Though done in a nice like way. We should try and understand the less fortunate by helping them.

Just to clear the air for all to see about my own donation page which was put up in a half-jokingly way not expecting much of anything. It was my way informing the masses that there are deaf and hard of hearing people who are in fact musicians. And I'm not alone and among deaf/hh people like Beethoven's Nightmare. I am a pianist. Though, I'm curious, how many of you would like to see a digital video of me playing a ragtime piece on my piano?

Again, thanks to those who did buy my products. It was nice but totally unexpected to see a few buy my products. It was really my case on seeing what the reaction would be like if I put up a "donation" page. If you did donate, thanks. If not, that’s fine, too. No biggie. But I will continue to play the piano and someday get a better one and attend the ever so popular Ragtime Festival in Sedalia, Missouri one of these days. This is just one of the many but small personal goals of mine.

Breaking! Matt Hamill to Fight David Heath!

Matt Hamill (4 - 0) is to fight David Heath (undefeated, 9-0) at UFC 68 PPV in Columbus, Ohio on March 3, 2007 starting at 7PM Eastern Time. This comes from word of mouth from a trusted source.

Now, since this is a Pay Per View show it's not a freebie like SpikeTV the last time Matt fought and defeated quite handidly, if easily, against Seth Petruzelli back on October 10, 2006. That win gave Matt his 4th win ever since he debuted on TUF3 last year.

Cheer on for Matt Hamill! He is an up and coming first ever Deaf UFC fighter!

Check out all of my up to date Matt Hamill bloggings and personal interviews!


Hattip: Craig.


UPDATE: Confirmed. Check out Matt Hamill's Myspace. If that doesn't work go here and click on the right side where it says "UFC 68 (view more)".

Best and Worst Responses of 2006

Ok. I decided to do things a bit differently by delving into 130 pages of my Haloscan comment and pick out many of the best and worst responses (and some in-between) thrown at me during 2006. Figure out who said what by clicking on the link to get to the Haloscan comment. Some of the names you’ll recognize while many others are from anonymous people who probably didn’t have the gonads to show their faces when hurling awful insults. Something like a “hit and run” driver would do. Heck, some of the people who read my blogs hardly even bothered to read it carefully and instead go about with their self-indulgent orgasmic replies.

Now, for some of you, see if you can find your quotes. Were you the ones who actually debated civilly or hurled insults and names instead like a coward? Fleeing from the scene of the crime? Yeah. You know who you are.

When I did this I discovered an added bonus that came about after I compiled my results. Some of the topics of my blogs that I posted ended up with a funny side effect. Just read the blog title followed by what the response was said right alongside it that took place in that link in the Haloscan comment.

Funny.

Ok, here they are folks and in no particular order on what is good or bad (you decide) starting at the beginning of 2006.

January 2006
Mental Health and Adult Comic Book Readers - "Pathetic -- all you do is to attack my friend repeatedly indirectly. You Mizhko and Whale needs to get a life of your own. You're just bitter that he has more readership than you do in a lifetime. Har, har."


February 2006
Hearing AIDS - "Laughing at oneself, good medicine...! Laughing WITH someone, good fun. Laughing AT someone, your true colors show."


March 2006
Stupid People and Schadenfreude - "Comments are now turned on. Realized I had it off. My apologies."

Male Gay Dress Designer Gropes Movie Actress on Live TV - "Absurdity! You're so JEALOUS of gay men doing things that you are not allowed to. Har har!"


April 2006
sComm to Debut a New Revolutionary Communication Device Today at DeafNation Expo - "Are you trying wipe out the interprters service instead of the device?"


May 2006
Unity for Whom? And Why do I ask? - "What the **** you complaing and whinning about using voice on cell phone in Gally cafeteria? I am a total deaf person, so I have the right to use any mode of communication as I please with my cellphone or blackberry. The same goes to any one on Gally campus. You, the ****, get lost."

My First Strongman Competition - "Congrats, McConnell, on your 3rd place award and your first competition. Brains and brawn -- an irresistible combination! Have questions about your sanity, though. Whatever possessed you to do this, anyway?"


June 2006
I'm Back - "Ha ha ha, it was great seeing y'all here in California! I'm glad to hear you enjoyed it here."

Schadenfreude! Karl Rove Not Charged - "It's Pooh Bear, ya goof! And I'm carebear!!!"

When a Deaf Person Goes Too Far - "He did it to aggravate you and others. Otherwise, he's fine with me. Respect is two-way street, he respects me and I respect him. I like to keep that on that for the long term. And I'm taking him to NAD Conference today."

An Interview with Matt Hamill - "Definitely boring interview."


July 2006
Did Deaf Professional Network Say "Not Deaf Enough" about Fernandes? - "What is this chip you have on your shoulder? I don't understand it."

Cued Speech Conference Draws International Attention - "The fact that we have more cuers entering Yale, Stanford, Wellsely, and so forth really says a lot about the power of cued speech."

Interview #3 with Matt Hamill - "how do you not know rampage you tuf noob?"

DEAFHOODism - "and also, for ANALyzingEyes and KooKoo Krap, people who are negative and bickers about deafhood and whine all the time about elites n etc... you are angry cuz you are not one of them? so you felt obliged to destroy them? the funny thing is that those people actually dont label themselves as elitists, only people who are jealous labeled them. stupid."


August 2006
The Meaning of the Word "Cordial" - "Refreshing to read your blog regarding Ridor. I know your blog is far more balanced & rational than his blog. So it is a treat reading your blog! Bless you for having the guts to stand up to Ridor even if it means being more unpopular considering how many fans he has. Yet I admire your boldness & honesty! Keep up the good work. Glad to know that someone would be there to challenge Ridor when there is a need for that!"

DEAFHOODism: Part II - "what? DE's blacklist? are you kidding me? LMAO. you n that analyzing sounded like little kids whining or something. i used to disagree with idea of deafhood but after reading your post... god... KIDS! are you upset that you are not one of the group? get over with it! grow a spine, KooKoo! why so detailed on caps D on deaf or dod doh..who cares??? FOCUS on yourself mister...ess! later kiddos"


September 2006
Kokonut Goes Fire Fighting in Washington State - Part II with pictures! - "I say this is a very dangerous job. That is a very impressive picture you've got there. I'm glad you're back home and safe with your family."

An opinion poll: What do you think of Kokonut Pundits blogsite? -"YOU STINK!!!!!! WORST EVER SEE IN BLOGS!!!"

Liberal Gates of Hell – Airports and their CNNs - "Hmm, the CNN's Eye of Sauron looks like a vag.... better not say it."

Gallaudet Students – Rude? - "Look Mike!!! There have nothing to do why you bring up on topic use label negative on "deafness" so same situation with hearing behavior I have see many times happened to everyone from landlord kicks them out make no different. Why you on concerned on issue with Gallaudent students make looks bad just stop it! and you need very careful respect anyone! You cannot like this no control how to stop them and teach good behavior there is no way listen from you bring up this topic. Who cares?"

Creepy Gay Congressman After 16-yr old Boy - "What a two-face pervert! ACK!"


October 2006
FSSA Letters. Biased? Discriminatory? - "I agree with you 100% too. Frankly, I am quite embarrassed for the deaf community. But I fear to post my own name, for I do not want to be ostracized!"

I Hear Deaf Voices! Please, Make it Stop!! - "I heard your voice. Your's is clear and understandable even if you do have a "deaf voice". Must be totally embarassing for your friends to get upstaged by a deaf guy who corrects them on the proper enuciation in Spanish."
Vandalism Next at Gallaudet University?? - "What make you think you are smarter than us? FSSA don't need your assistance since they know what they are doing. They are in favor of peaceful protest. there are always some bad apples who do stupid thing but do not mean they represent us. There are MANY bad apples in hearing world. I think you have a lot of issues relating to yourself. I don't care if you want to be hearing one day. Get lost, and focus on hearing world and make some changes instead bothering Deaf community who love to be Deaf and embrace ASL as our culture. Martin King fights for the rights and embrace of Black community. Black people are a part of diverse society who enjoy as fully human beings so are Deaf too."

Silent No More!! - Round 2. Students Want to Learn! - "From reading your posts, I could tell that you are a spouse abuser. Or you have a potential for it."

Matt Hamill Fight Results - DAMN YOU FOR SPOILING IT! I was going to watch it tonight at 8pm (PST) on Spike Channel. In the future, please give us a head up if it's a spoiler. Thank you! PS: You did not have to emphasize that Matt spoke into Rogan's microphone in response to his questions. It's annoying to know deaf people using their voice and making a fool out of themselves. :( This is why SpikeTV added subtitles to the screen because he cannot speak for any crap)."

The Politics of Being Deaf - "LOL...you're so folksy here! You are just about folk linguistics and folk culture. Non-academic! I respect you more when you fight fires."

Not "ASL enough"? and "Spoiled Morons" - "Please kindly refrain from posting your blog on DeafRead.com. You, your audist behaviors, your blog, and your loyal "Kokonut Pundits" do not reflect the Deaf community or the pro-ASL community. You and your blog are suitable to the oralists' community and to the true audists' community. Please kindly create a new filtered feed aggregator that is more suitable for you and your readers where they can openly welcome you and your loyal readers. Maybe you'll get more subscribers."

Arrests imminent? Praying nobody gets hurt. - "BLEEP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Yes that is nice of me to say the F word, but I can't say it here. You can convert that "Bleep" to "F***" You AH."

"Not Deaf Enough" - What the World Sees - "They have NOT given her a chance and they're making it very clear they are NOT going to give her a chance. Gallaudet needs to be WIPED off the map."

Should Arrested Protesters Be Expelled? - "I like your idea of suspending/expulsion for 1 or 2 semesters."

A Rush Job? Covell said that? - "Thank you for putting into words what many of us thought while reading Mr. Covell's Open Letter."

Slouching Towards "Not Deaf Enough"? - "Hilarious! Let us hear more of you, McConnell! ~A ex-follower of the Holy Trinity"

Stubbed-Toe Gate - "The Only Send Off needed is for all of you Oppressists Audists to La LA land in a straight jacket!!!!!!"


November 2006
GOLLYURDEAF2? - "I rarely wait long enough to download your blog, it's always so stagantly slow. Anyway finally I had enough patience only to say what a loser t-shirt. Few buyers = few responses to your blog my last response."

For the Gally Protesters - "noooooooooooo!"

COSC in, FSSA out. - "Hooray FSSA for no represent person for IPSAC. i was happy FSSA not part of group so FSSA can busy watch if iterm president will good or not for Gallaudet. I liked your blog very much so i read them everyday to understand what you say meaning right for all deaf no matter can talk or not. your cool dude."

Questions About The LaToya/Delia MEMO - "Mike, Go away and fly your own kite. Let us work together."

FSSA Removes LaToya/Delia Memo Without Explanation - "The FSSA is practicing the same things they protested about during the "protest by intimidation". I don't believe they have one uniform belief collectively hence FSSA will fail from the inside. It doesn't suprise me they will not explain why they removed it. That's what people do when they are backed up in a corner. Deny and lie!!!"

The Rape of Gallaudet University - "All right, you deserve credit for raising the issue in May."


December 2006
Global Warming Screamers - "What does global warming have to do with Gally anyway?"

Congrats to Dr. Robert Davila - "I AM REALLY DUMBFOUNDED TO SEE YOU CHEER FOR DAVILA BECAUSE HE DONATED $250 TO REPUBLICAN PARTY NOT BECAUSE OF HIS LEADERSHIP QUALITIES. YOU HAVE NO CLUE WHAT LEADERSHIP IS ALL ABOUT ANYWAY. MAKING FUN OF PROTESTORS AND CRITICIZING THEM ALL OF TIMES. AND NOW YOU CHEER BECAUSE OF A DONATION. FUNNY YOU."

Dr. Davila - Political Ideology vs Gallaudet Ideology - "Wow... 'I want all Democrats in the BoT.' Then that would not be a democracy... if that's the statement."

What Does a Deaf Punk Muslim Indian Girl Think about Saddam's Hanging? - "hey fags. My hair is RED, not pink. Get that right. Secondly, the only drug I've done was weed, and weed isn't even a drug, it's a natural herb. You dont like what I say? Aawww TOO F***ING BAD !!!!!!!!!!!! SUCK MY USED TAMPON!!!!! May you have a sh**ty New Years Day filled with lots of pukings and hang-overs. Toodles!"



Now, what would be the most bizarre response for 2006 out of all those reponses I listed? Well, I believe the honor goes to that Deaf punk Muslim Indian girl. The last one I posted for December 2006. Saying that the only drug one took was weed and then turn it around and say it's not a drug?

Ok.

And, oh, my all time favorite picture that I designed and used on my blog? Why, my DEAFHOODism graphic, of course!



Funny, eh wot?

Hope you enjoyed my blog today.

Judy Vardon Responds to Kokonut Pundits

I received a nice response from Judy Vardon who is the deaf mother seen on the very popular Extreme Home Makeover show regarding a question I asked on January 1, 2007 in my blog. The question was about property tax issues after her home was fabuously renovated with lots of yummy technologies as explained in the 2004 interview with Marlee Matlin. Judy is one of the two deaf parents with a hearing (and talented) son and a hearing, blind and autistic son.

The reply was a surprise for me which popped up in the comment box though the Vardon family is still struggling and did get some property tax breaks as explained by Judy as seen below in her response to my earlier question this month.

Hi u catch me !

I am the one in The vardon family it me Judy Vardon.

I enjoyed reading your web site and congrulation .. and I know lot of people kept asking us if we are okay ..well it long story but shortly we okay and our boys growing so fast and Lance playing keyboard yea it will be nice if Lance get baby grand paino like u wanted one !

For as speak for property tax yes very sad for the Llanes family I was there they film us there but did not show on tv oh well . Our property tax was pretty high but not as high as other families because our home so small still under 1000 sq feet .. they increased our tax because of techology and extra space. I told them our techology is our lives not depend on tax for reason I called act of god means that I am deaf I cannot help that if Lance ( autsim ) escaped I cannot hear i need something techology tells me if he escaped .. so ... they reduced my tax from 70 percent to 30 percent .. so better than nothing.

Other wise we still struggle with house payment that we wish that someone on the tv show helped our budget that we spend lot on Lance's medical but there will be interviews sometime in the future cux many people kept wanted to know about us and how we doing .. I appericated for their thought of us ... sorry for my english I had bad headache today (lol).

Also there will be Tv show in the future on PBS that I will be host in around 2008 but hopefully !!! and also I will have my own website sometime in spring 2007 ..

Thank you, Judy! Don't be a stranger and let me know on your progress. Especially that PBS show! And be sure, also, to let me know your upcoming website.

Thank you, again for responding to one of my question regarding property tax on your newly renovated home. You answered a lot of my questions as well as many other people's questions.

There you have it folks! Something to look forward to next year in 2008 when Judy Vardon gets to host a PBS show. Don't know what that will be. Perhaps Judy can give us Kokonut Pundits readers a hint on what the show will be about.

UPDATE: Did some checking around. Apparently it's the PBS show called "Judy’s Deaf Journey" on PBS that was talked about in an interview on DHH-CommUNITY. Apparently I must've missed that one. But I think Judy meant that the show will be aired in 2007, not 2008.

Purpose of the show is to educate both deaf and hearing community about Deaf history, Deaf locations, and American Sign Language the United States. I want to show the world our Deaf history and culture via television with real Deaf people. Also the show will be shown in our own language, American Sign Language.

Guess we'll have to keep an eye out for that show.


UPDATE II: Judy responds again in this blog's comment.

Oh wow I am kinda surprised that u find lot information about me on other website well I guessed we lived in techology world anyway

..oh for my future show will be like my show will teaching deaf people or any are welcome about health issues in ASL with deaf prof , interviews with celebrity , deaf chef, deaf history that will be very postive influnce on deaf people s life like we missed lot learning about deaf history cux depend where u go to school that they teaching u.

My understand that I am not explain about this I just interviews with a person who sharing and give his or her information about that they knew or deaf author etc.. But it will be in Detroit area and Michigan but PBS said for other states yes their station will contact PBS In Detroit to copy whatever .. so .. My goal is to OPEN door for deaf people enter and sharing their wonderful story or anythings relate to education I am JUST only host like " Deaf Barabra Walter " Lol PBS and I get alOT e mail from the world and letter from world and I felt good about this .

And I felt that it good for hearing views to watch this show and hope it will give them more understand about deaf s world and other things too . SO hopefully but the plms is grant as u know it always other issues is money ! But PBS are very excited and really believe in me .. so of course I will let u know and posted u . And thanks for welcome me enter this.

I will read your post every day FOR sure !

Thanks again, Judy. Hmmm...a Deaf "Barbara Walter". Sounds promising! Keep your eyes open for her, folks! Judy "Barbara Walter" Vardon is on the way.

Suzanne Somers Home Destroyed by Fire in Malibu

Suzanne Somers' home was destroyed by a fast moving wildfire in Malibu on Monday night a few days ago. The rest of the homes seen in the picture below prior to the fire can be see here of a close-up birdseye view of the house seen left of the charred remains. Use your cursor to move about and compare pre-fire photos of houses to the one seen in the picture below. The Zillow site also provides the real-estate value of each house seen in the picture below as well. There is a zoom feature, too. You can see more of the stars' homes and their value by checking out Satellite Photos of Celebrity Homes and Values.


Remnants of Malibu Homes after 20-acre wildfire


So, there was a wildfire. Nobody got hurt. Somehow I don't have the same sympathy for her or any fabulously rich who lost a "home". Especially not so for Suzanne Somers who had the blond-brained, idiocy to say about the boys in Iraq in front of news cameras,

"My nature is to look at the glass half full. I don't have a son or daughter in Iraq. I haven't lost a loved one. We will rebuild, and I truly believe we will learn something great from this experience."

Why bring up about the boys over in Iraq at this point in time? Generate more sympathy for her? So much for her freedom of speech that basically sullied the memory of our U.S. soldiers who died to help keep freedom....free. Though at a cost that Somers do not even realize.

Wikipedia and "Unity for Gallaudet Movement" - an error?

I was putzing around and came across Wikipedia on Gallaudet University and noticed that the section on "Unity for Gallaudet Movement" has a warning label saying

"The neutrality of this section is disputed."

No kidding. Not only is this neutrality is in dispute do I see a reference link [1] after a blurb in the very first paragraph,

Gallaudet University is a federally chartered, quasi-governmental [1]

If you click on the link in the reference section it leads to a familiar person's website containing the pdf file "Gallaudet_is_not_private" which, ironically so, goes against all notions that Gallaudet University *IS* a private university, rather than a "quasi-governmental" institution, according to the U.S. Department of Education.

Gallaudet University, authorized by the Education of the Deaf Act of 1986 (EDA), as amended, is a federally chartered, private, nonprofit educational institution providing elementary, secondary, undergraduate, and continuing education programs for persons who are deaf.

Now, if you look at the alternative Wikipedia site containing info on "Gallaudet United Now Movement" you'll find no such reference about the "quasi-governmental" blurb but certainly that Wikipedia link on GUNM has earned a warning label:

This article may not be compliant with the content policies of Wikipedia.
To be compliant, it must be written from a neutral point of view and must not include unverifiable or unsuitable material, or original research.

Such a nice and dependable Wikipedia site, huh?

Now, if you look at Reference.com it has the exact same words in the 1st paragraph at the very beginning to that of Wikipedia on Gallaudet University . Well, almost the same except for the "quasi-governmental" blurb that was conveniently put in by somebody to a link containing pretty much biased information on the Wikipedia site.

Read and compare, folks.

Of course, Wikipedia has never been a real good website or source for accurate or even unbiased information, especially if there's politics involved. And this recent protest was certainly full of politics as well as a pile of cow chips enough to get, presumably so, Deaf people to go about changing, adding and erasing certain information on Wikipedia's editable page. Why bother reading it in the first place?

Another Hanging Video of Saddam - GRAPHIC VIDEO!

Here's a 2nd uncut bootleg video of Saddam Hussein of his dead body as it lies on a gurney with a body sheet covering him only to reveal somebody pulling back the sheet to reveal an upper body video shot showing an open gap of his neck where the rope was that had him hanged.

Extremely graphic. Not for the weak!

Previous videos of Saddam Hussein's hanging here and here.

Poll Question: Will You Go to the B/Vlogger Conference or Deaflympics?

Here's the latest poll result asking the question: Will you attend Deaflympics or B/Vlogger Conference at Gallaudet on the future of Gallaudet University? There has been a lot of grumbling about the date of the first ever b/vlogger conference at Gallaudet University organized by the Coalition for Critical Inquiry. The date happens to fall on a Saturday, February 3rd which is the very same week when Deaflympics in Utah will be held from February 1 - 10.

Will you attend Deaflympics or B/Vlogger Conference at Gallaudet on the future of Gallaudet University?
	Deaflympics in Utah
	Blogger and Vlogger Conference at Gallaudet
	I will not go to either of them
	I plan to attend one of them
	I am not sure right now
	I will go to both events
pollcode.com free polls

Gallaudet's First B/Vlogging Conference - My Input

Over at Chris Leon's blogsite he helped spread the announcement on the first ever "b/vlogging conference" which will take place on February 3rd on a Saturday at Gallaudet University. This conference is organized by the Coalition for Critical Inquiry (check out the new and developing website) put together by Jill Bradbury, assistant professor at Gallaudet University. There will be four panels present under four different topic of discussion.

Panel 1: “Whither Gallaudet?” (9-10:30 am).
Panel 2: “Future Visions of Deaf Identity” (10:45-12:15)
Panel 3: "The Futuristic Classroom” (1:15-2:45 pm)
Panel 4: Keynote Panel - “Vlogging/Blogging and the Future of the Deaf Community” (3-5 pm)

Now, many of you may already know by now that I'll be on Panel #3 but I plan to attend all of the panels to see what people have to say. This unique conference event will also be another opportunity for me to meet more people and meet up with those i met when I attended the NAD conference last year. Technology is an area that will help define true independency among deaf and hard of hearing people in the field of communication.

Other than the upcoming b/vlog conference there has been a lot of grumbling lately by many deaf people who have objected to the list of names (or lack of) seen on the List of Panelists section. Jill Bradbury responded in comment #43 in Chris Leon's blogsite to those grumblings,

I’m happy to see so much interest in this conference. I wanted to clarify a few issues that have been raised about the people invited to attend. First, this conference was not intended to focus primarily on blogging/vlogging. Rather, my original goal was to focus on what Gallaudet needs to do to reorient and thrive after the protests. I asked people to attend whose blogs/vlogs contained insightful, forward-looking, and innovative ideas about this topic. I went with people whose work I was familiar with and also sought input from other vloggers/bloggers. There are hundreds of high quality deaf vloggers/bloggers; it’s not possible to include them all. No slight at all is intended to those who were not invited.

Let me repeat - this conference was originally conceived as not about vlogging/blogging per se, but about Gallaudet’s future. It has, to some extent, evolved to focus on the impact of vlogging/blogging on the deaf community, but the selection of participants still reflects my original conceptualization. It was never my intention to include the most popular/influential vloggers/bloggers. I invited people based on their ideas, not their cyber lifespan, quantity of posts or quantity of hits. This is why some participants would not “technically” be considered bloggers (though to me, this raises the interesting question of definition. What, exactly, qualifies someone to be called a vlogger/blogger?)

Second, this conference associated with the new Coalition for Critical Inquiry. The goals of this organization are two-fold: 1)to provide public forums for objective debate and critical reflection on issues arising from the Unity for Gallaudet protests. 2) to model intellectual dialogue, respect for diverse viewpoints, and commitment to social justice for the Gallaudet and larger deaf community (check out our developing web page at ccigally.info). Vloggers/ bloggers whose work does not adhere to these criteria were not invited. This does not mean that I don’t consider their work to be important to the deaf community. I intend to have a particular kind of dialogue (respectful, thoughtful, and proactive) at the conference, and I make no apologies for that decision.

A third selection criteria was to show a diversity of perspectives in the deaf community. This is why some vloggers/bloggers may be less familiar to the general deaf community. Some were chosen to represent gender/ racial/ cultural/ communication modality diversity within the deaf community.

Finally, this conference is NOT organized by Gallaudet, but by myself under the aegis of an organization I started to encourage public analysis of issues connected to the protest. The CCI has no funds except what we can raise individually. When I first started organizing the conference, I kept it small because I didn’t know where I’d get the money to pay for flights, hotels, interpreters, etc. I’ve been fortunate to have strong interest develop from people inside and outside the university as I make progress, but we are still working with a very small budget. To anyone who feels dissatisfied with the scope of the conference, I strongly encourage you to organize your own show. Thanks for taking the time to read this post and allowing me to clear up some rumors and misconceptions.

Agree. It's not possible to get all bloggers or vloggers on board for this conference based on a limited budget. Jill Bradbury made an important point regarding the goals of the conference is

"to model intellectual dialogue, respect for diverse viewpoints, and commitment to social justice for the Gallaudet and larger deaf community."

And those vloggers or bloggers who did not adhere to those criteria were not invited. It basically boils down to "you are what you write."

Vloggers/ bloggers whose work does not adhere to these criteria were not invited. This does not mean that I don’t consider their work to be important to the deaf community. I intend to have a particular kind of dialogue (respectful, thoughtful, and proactive) at the conference, and I make no apologies for that decision.

Not only me but many other bloggers see that ad hominem attacks do not make an argument. Attacking a person for his/her viewpoint or opinion rather than the argument itself does not make a fruitful debate. It does not allow proper discovery and understanding of the issue at hand that's being debated upon. Lobbing personal insults, hashing conspiracy theories, belittling those to an extreme, making accusations and so forth are not at all conducive in any environment.

What Jill Bradbury is doing is unprecedented This will become the first ever conference that will focus mostly on Gallaudet University's future under various topics to be addressed mostly by bloggers and vloggers. After all, the future of Gallaudet University is in everybody's hands. This is only the beginning.

UPDATE: There seems to be confusion by some people thinking this C2I conference is all about deaf/hh bloggers and vloggers. It is not. It not about who is a blogger and who isn't though the majority of those invited are in fact bloggers/vloggers. Jill Bradbury made it clear what this conference is about and the people she invited to attend.

Let me repeat - this conference was originally conceived as not about vlogging/blogging per se, but about Gallaudet’s future. It has, to some extent, evolved to focus on the impact of vlogging/blogging on the deaf community, but the selection of participants still reflects my original conceptualization. It was never my intention to include the most popular/influential vloggers/bloggers. I invited people based on their ideas, not their cyber lifespan, quantity of posts or quantity of hits. This is why some participants would not “technically” be considered bloggers (though to me, this raises the interesting question of definition. What, exactly, qualifies someone to be called a vlogger/blogger?)

It's true that this one-day conference will take place during the Deaf Olympic week (Feb 1 - 10). And it's true that this conference could have been scheduled before or after the Deaf Olympic week. It is a legitimate question to ask about the February 3rd date at time when DeafOlympic takes place compared to questioning whether a person is a blogger/vlogger or not. Questioning a person whether he or she is a blogger or not is simply not a legitimate question in regards to the C2I conference. Whatever the reason for the February 3rd date, it has already been decided and many of the bloggers/vloggers invited to attend already purchased their tickets and hotel reservations last month. In fact, there were plans to have the conference held in December or January but many of us felt it was too soon after the protest and the wrong time right before or after the holidays. It was critical to have this conference done as soon as possible while many of us still hold fresh to the memory of the protest that basically ended on October 29, 2006.

Regardless of the date, many of those living near D.C. (ie Maryland, Virginia, Pennsylvannia, etc) who could not afford (or could not get away) to go to Utah for the Deaf Olympic event will now have another option. They can attend a different event that will tie directly into Gallaudet University history and the expectation that Dr. Davila will be an integral part of this conference just as well.

Now, remember, not everybody could afford or take time off to attend the much talked about NAD conference in Palm Desert, California last year. So, too, will this Coalition for Critical Inquiry be in the same boat. Although it's a one day event. Free to all to attend and seats will be limited. All is required is your sanity, open mind and your ideas.

UPDATE: Take a poll survey and see how many will attend Deaflympics or the B/Vlogger Conference at Gallaudet.