Now, for my "intellectual" look on what's has happened in my recent blog regarding my questions where many refused to even answer. Instead, some chose the conspiracy theory route that I'm somehow out to "destroy" or "hurt" the Deaf community which is nothing but a surreal assumption. Laughable. Yeah, I am a one man-wrecking army set out to see the collapse of the Deaf community. So, what were the main crux of my questions that gotten some of them up in arms so quickly?These may be uncomfortable questions to some people but they shouldn't be. These are honest and hard questions. A way to elevate the community's thinking and discussion. If you don't have an answer then say it rather than have these knee jerk responses peppered with conspiracy theory thoughts. Even Tayler Mayer and Errigo understand me in their signed video responses to O'Lois on what I do with my blogging and it has nothing to do with underming the Deaf community. No armchair psychology analysis from them. And there is no need to be defensive here, either. Just answer the questions as honestly as you can. That's all.All in all, when combined with these past events did they help tarnish the image of the Deaf community in various ways and perception? What are the lasting effects?
Now, don't force me to use my "look" with my glasses the next time.
I'm warning ya! It's deadly......
ADDENDUM: From Dianrez this morning:
Repeatedly attack Deaf people? That's a pretty wild claim there. Is this an example of a conspiracy thinking going into overdrive? I made my disagreements and agreements known in my blogs about the whole AB2072 controversy but rarely do I ever "attack" Deaf people in my blogs. I am usually critical just like Dianrez is doing this to me. Should I call her recent blog as attacking me? No. Rather it's just a critical opinion piece about me just as I have been critical, for example, of Tim Riker's attempt to criticize an oral deaf person for using his voice when he used his. Be careful of that word, "attack," Dianrez. That stuff usually falls into the realm of conspiracy thinking attitudes. There are indeed times when people do viciously attack but being critical of something takes on a different approach. But you are free to express your opinion. Some people are merely more sensitive when their own sensibilities get offended than others. Others recognize my work in what I do in order to raise questions and consciousnesses of the collective deaf and hh communities that might otherwise be "uncomfortable" to some. And sometimes I'm the only one who would even dare try and challenge people's thinking or comments in my blog (e.g. Tim Riker criticizing an oral deaf man for using his voice) when no one else would do so.Tsk, McConnell. With your record of repeatedly going on attack against Deaf people and their efforts to raise consciousness about issues such as AB2702 or Deafhood or infant ASL, it's no wonder your spotlighting Deaf criminals in your blog would provoke controversy. There are readers, like me, who feel you get your kicks stirring the pot and poking around repeatedly to try to get the answer you want. If a different blogger raised this topic, it would certainly not engender the response you have.
Of course, anything that's controversial will get people to ask questions that will surely and undoubtedly be seen as stirring the pot. Minestrone soup anyone? Maybe Dianrez is suggesting that it's better not to ask some of these questions and stick our heads in the sand? Until we ask questions we won't know. There are people who are curious of the answers, like me. But one thing for sure, it'd be best to remove those insipid thoughts on any lingering conspiracy thinking before making assumptions about my postings.
Dianrez, thanks for the advice but I'll blog my way, and you blog your way. I don't go around telling people how to blog do I? But you have no problem doing that to other people do you? *peers over my glasses at you*
ADDENDUM II: A refresher and some helpful advice on what I blogged three years ago called, "When Sensibilities and Senses are Challenged." Enjoy.
34 comments:
I may seem like another one man show. But I have an army of acolytes that are hell bent on farming up a more mature deaf society than the one we have become familiar with. I might be on the extreme side but seems the other's like you are taking the well beaten path which is no longer the right path these days.
(Snickering on my side of fence)
I paid more attention to the first NFL day than I did the blog sphere so I didn't get to answer your boiling question. Will do that now before I start my day hitting the road.
Did the past "arresting" trends tarnish the image of the Deaf community? My answer would be of course! And I'd throw in a big poster of poodle haired Ella saying "Deafhood want you!".
The the lasting effects? That remains to be seen. It'd depend on how deafhoodized they've become.
They had nothing better to do in their life...they created fear about things around them. They created suspicious manifestation in their mind. They have tendency to feel that their spouse have been cheating and dishonesty. Usually their relationship don't last. Basically, they keep putting junk stories without concrete evidence in their mind and mix them up like a blender. That's what they usually assume about our society is run by conspiracy government, etc. Everything is about who's behind the agenda - paranoid in every seconds.
Instead of dealing with reality that have been existed to our society like President Obama. He's here to change and things are changing for the better. The difference between Sarah Palin and Obama is huge. Sarah is like them who believes that Russia is a mile away, lol.
Comon' you people...quit thinking about conspiracy bullshit. Look what happened to their $2 t-shirt? Can't you see the difference here.
Left a comment under Eh's blog and thought I'd copy and paste it here as well because somebody said something about your blog.
Here's what I said;
To this cynical anonymous I keep on seeing every where... there are differences between being deaf as an individual and being part of a deaf community.
You want to call it a community then yes, this community has the responsibility to protect their reputations. They have much at stake. But if you are just representing yourself as a deaf individual, tell me something here. How are you going to separate yourself from this deaf community that keep on shooting itself in the foot? Not an easy task if you ask me.
It is exactly why numerous deaf people have disassociated themselves from this so-called deaf community. They want nothing to do with them. The reason is simple. The reputation over there sucks, big time.
I think that's what Mike wanted us to think about. Suits me if you don't care about what's happening to the deaf community. I've already disassociated myself because people like you simply don't care how this deaf community is perceived by the rest of the world.
At this point, due to some of the stupidity, I made a decision to represent myself as an individual. Touting deafless while I am at it, in order to make a point.
Ha... no you are not out to destroy anything :-) You just asked a question and got several interesting answers, colored by their walks of lives and their backgrounds. I think it's normal... ~shrug~
I called the jail this morning and RT has been in Jail since August 31st for a suspended sentence violation as well as contempt of court violation and no bail has been set.
What this means... While we dont know what the original charges were we do know because of a suspended sentence he was found GUILTY. The judge let him go on probation and as long as he met all the conditions the sentence would be thrown out but usually stay on his record. So obviously he messed up on this and will now have to serve the original sentence, whatever that may be.
He will also have to serve the time for the contempt of court charge, which could be anywhere from 15 to 30 days or more. All speculation.
However whatever the facts he is now in jail and wont be out to blog any time soon!
I made some additional responses regarding Dianrez's recent blog this morning about my bloggings. Interesting to say the least.
Like Dianrez said about the tarnishing part, "Duh." The bigger and more interesting part is really what are the lasting effects.
And if there comes to see more arrests this year I will probably most likely blog about that, too.
Either failure to meet the suspension requirements or that he failed to show up in court. If failed to show up under court while under suspension then that raises the stake on how long the jail stay could be.
Virginia Code § 19.2-128
Forfeiture of Bail
Under this statute subsection A, whenever an individual fails to appear in court they forfeit any bail posted. The statute does provide that a court can decide that there is no forfeiture if it determines that both the interests of justice and the power of the court to conduct orderly proceedings are not served by forfeiture of bail. It is unlikely that a court will not forfeit posted bail when there is a failure to appear.
Felony
This statute provides in subsection B that a defendant who is originally charged with a felony and willfully fails to appear before the court is guilty of a Class 6 felony. Additionally, if the defendant is convicted of a felony and the execution of the sentence is suspended then when he fails to appear in court he is guilty of a Class 6 felony. Punishment for a Class 6 felony under Virginia Code § 18.2-10 is a term of imprisonment of not less than one year nor more then five years, or in the discretion of the court, confinement in jail for not more than 12 months and a fine of not more then $2,500, either or both. The Class 6 felony for failure to appear becomes a separate charge and requires a jury trial to be convicted. See Greene v. Tucker, 375 F. Supp. 892 (E.D. Va. 1974) (holding that imprisonment for more then six months or a fine for more than $500 for contempt requires a jury trial).
Misdemeanor
Under subsection C of the statute, a person that is originally charged with a misdemeanor or convicted of a misdemeanor with a suspended sentence that willfully fails to appear in court is guilty of a Class 1 misdemeanor. Punishment for a Class 1 misdemeanor under Virginia Code § 18.2-11 is confinement in jail for not more than twelve months and a fine of not more than $2,500, either or both. However, if the court wishes to impose more than six months of imprisonment or a fine of more than $500 dollars a separate jury trial is required.
Relishing the speculative details of R's alleged misery would be off-topic to the last 2 threads, which, nominally at least, are about how much damage bad apples cause the community... At least to a more compassionate blogger than Mike McConnell.
No conspiracy here... Just a question. Is Mike McConnell a PART of the Deaf Community he continues to hold in question, or does he consider himself to be outside of it, in which case, his criticism can more clearly be seen as motivated by his own felt-outsider status?
Those questions are spot ON target to these most recent threads, given his repeated need to assert control over the direction of the discussion counter to SEVERAL of his respondents.
If Mike considers himself to be outside of this community, his persistent tearing it down should be taken for what it most clearly appears to be. An attempt to force us all to self-isolate to the degree that he as done, and forgo the BENEFITS of community that only accrue to those who actually feel that they belong.
So Mike, does your position in the last 2 threads come from a helpful-insider, or from a destructive outsider's perspective?
Simple question, and actually ANSWERS the broader issue instead of allowing Mike to continue to pretend that he is both inside and outside at the same time, taking advantage of a DHH tag in Deafread while unhelpfully mocking those actually involved enough to deserve the tag.
Anonymous 123
I'm just a deaf/hh person who moves between fences with Deaf people, deaf/hh people and hearing people. Am I part of the Deaf community, in some ways, yes, others, no. Am I a part of the deaf/hh as a whole encompassing everybody with hearing loss, yes. Am I a part of the oral and aural community of those with hearing loss, certainly. Am I part of the hearing community? Sure.
Anony 123, again, remove those insipid thoughts of any lingering conspiracy theory about me. You'll sleep better at night.
Oh, and to add to that, I am also a representative of the Gallaudet University community, too. But if it's all the same to you I see myself as a person who happens to have a hearing loss. I don't vie for "memberships" like some people do.
Now, again, how is asking questions be considered as "destructive"? This is exactly what I'm talking about when you have that conspiracy thinking already churning in your head rather than see the questions for what it is, questions.
And anony 123, if you want any respect from me then at least identify yourself rather than hide behind the shield of anonymity.
> I don't vie for "memberships" like some people do.
Interesting that you see membership in the Deaf Community as something to be fought for... As though your exclusion comes from the community itself rather than from your own confused choices.
> And anony 123, if you want any respect from me then at least identify yourself rather than hide behind the shield of anonymity.
Do I need your respect to get an answer from you? Are you genuinely trying to HELP the Deaf Community, or are you using the shield of maybe-I'm-helping-and-maybe-I'm-hiding-behind-my-Deafread-amplified-blog-shield-and-having-my-fun-just-tearing-it-down.
Since you don't respect ME enough to answer, perhaps you will consider respecting the rest of your readers enough to answer THEM?
Anonymous 123
I busted Dianrez.....it's all double standards! She did not get it. I don't think she fully understands how the conspiracy theory works.
I looked at Dianrez's blog and someone commented in there. I copied and pasted right here....
"it's interesting how you're lambasting Mike. you didn't lambast Ricky Ridor Taylor for hurting people and as a result, dividing the community. nearly no one did. too many people were afraid to speak up
this says to me you lambasted mike because you DISAGREE with him. it's nothing to do with what you said. you allow people hurt others and be divisie IF YOU AGREE WITH THEM. this is clear as day"
Huh, Dianrez, you're happy to see Ridor to rip other people's identities and their personal lives and you did not attack him but Mike?
So, what's your point, Dianrez? Your recent blog does not convince in me. Sorry to say it.
Anony 123, I already answered your questions. They may not be to your liking or approval but I have answered them. Last call on your identity. Don't be shy.
As for "membership" (note I used quotes to mean loosely) that's the general attitude for some people who see it as. Not something to fight and get in. You see, I am already "in." I am also a representative of Galladuet University, too, since I graduated there. Really, it's about my choices on who I deal with and what I do. People accept me for who I am. Others have more stricter guidelines when it comes to the Deaf community. Even you are making these judgements and deciding exactly where I belong. Your own thoughts betray you.
You have one comment left. Use it wisely and I'll decide what goes and what stays.
By the way, when you are in the comment box, be sure to click above it "Rules on commenting click here." Until you understand the rules around here then certainly you are more likely to see your comments get approved.
Busted? Grasping at straws.
Might as well haul out Jimmy Hoffa and Al Capone and blame me for not lambasting them.
Just because I said nothing about Ridor doesnt' mean I support him.
Nice try, Anonymous. Diverting the issue doesn't do anything for convincing anyone. Nor is hiding behind an "anonymous".
A Deaf Pundit left a comment in Kokonut Pundit's previous blog entry: "I also have been quite public about my grievances about the leadership of the Deaf Community. It leaves much to be desired."
Shel left a comment at Kokonut Pundit's previous blog entry, "If you insist on looking at the good side, that's all you will see. Half a view is a skewed view."
Is A Deaf Pundit only looking at the "bad side of the Deaf community?"
Is Dianrez only looking at the "good side of the Deaf community?"
Do both have half a view or a skewed view of the Deaf community?
Anony 11:40AM:
I see your point. It's quite amusing that people think I am dividing the Deaf community. It's about having an opinion. Everybody has an opinion and not everybody agrees. Fact of life. Again, a question is just a question.
Dianrez, hiding behind an anonymous shield does not give you carte blanche to say whatever you want, especially when trying to debate a person in the effort to paint him or her as something that's not. If you are going to do that, then say it in person or at least with a name in the comment box. Other than that, it'd be pure cowardness. I'm happy to debate on a variety of topics but when it gets personal then that's an altogether a different story.
anony 12:13 PM:
Interesting response!
Whoa! nice try, Dianrez at 12:05PM She left a comment in her blog.
"I'm not picking on everybody I disagree with. Nor am I picking on people that you prefer me to disagree with. The issue here is DIVISIVENESS, McConnell style. It also can apply to other people, but it is your choice whether to apply these remarks to your preferred opponents."
You are attempting to blame Mike for dividing the deaf community. It was a huge bad judgment. You need to apologize Mike!
Mike McConnell, the foul divider of the Deaf universe? The dreaded scourge of the Deaf community? Perish the thoughts!
Perhaps it might be wise for the Deaf community, especially the likes of Dianrez, Egbert, etc., not to make wild accusations and slandering statements regarding Mike's personal opinions about the Deaf community, lest they risk behaving the same manners as Ridor's attacks on other people. It's fine to disagree with him, in a respectfully pointed fashion and not stoop to infantile-minded derision of personal opinions. He is entitled to ask hard or honest questions and expect honest answers or thoughtful opinions from others. It's good to be candid with him and he will be candid with you as well.
There are a lot of good, smart people within the Deaf community, but they can be influenced by some of the worst members of the community (the so-called crabbers and backstabbers), by those who demean and attack others, including those within the Deaf community. Aidan Mack have constantly complained about them on her FB wall and made efforts to separate herself from the "worst side" of the Deaf community. When it comes to dealing with them, Aidan and Mike (as well as Tayler and Errigo) are on the same side, notwithstanding their backgrounds.
Right on the money, Rob. Good post.
Mike,
I find it interesting that any answers that you disagree with, you discount outright and call conspiracy theory, when it's the farthest thing from our minds. Quit putting words in our mouths, or as the case is... hands and keyboards.
I stand by what I said: It's all perspectives. Good and Bad. Rotten apples do not a entire basket of apples spoil.
I repeat: Back up and look at the ENTIRE picture instead of focusing only on the bad/dark section of the picture and yelling "you're spouting conspiracy theories!" when you get answers you don't like. That is not true debate, or even a give and take discussion. You dictate how we should respond. We responded based on your history and your condescending and judgmental approach.
Your history has consistently shown a skewed view of the Deaf community, and all events, good and bad, on the side of negativity.
You still have not answered Deafpundit's question as to what the real purpose of your question in the last post was.
Your APPROACH was divisive (notice I didn't say YOU were divisive). Instead of a give and take discussion, you condescend, belittle and insist on having us agree with your viewpoint. (That intellectual look over glasses humour fell flat and came across as condescending, really.) We have already answered your question, and you refused to accept those. Why is that? Uncomfortable with our answers? Perhaps you should examine why.
Unfortunate. Had you handled the discussion differently, you would have had a really good discussion of various perspectives. As opposed to trying to control the direction and dismissing comments as based on conspiracy theories.
Have a good evening.
Shel
Shel, you need to read a bit closely the next time. The conspiracy thing I bring up are those who think I'm out to "destroy" or "hurt" the Deaf community.
Understand?
Good.
Your comment:
"It's all perspectives. Good and Bad. Rotten apples do not a entire basket of apples spoil."
Certainly. Where have I said otherwise?
I've already answered DP's question.
My approach isn't divisive. It's asking the hard questions. You say it's divisive because YOU don't like it. Others are fine with it. And that's what makes the world go around.
Um, Shel. I don't have to accept anybody answers just as you haven't accepted mine but I don't belabor that to death here. You are doing that. I have a right to disagree. I have an opinion here just like everybody else. Yet you demand that *I* (or anybody else) MUST accept people's answers? Their answers are in the comments for all to see. I just don't agree with some of there answers to my questions.
My skewed view of the Deaf community? Exactly what is my view that's skewed about the Deaf community? I'm curious.
I'm still waiting for some observant reader to notice that Mike's photo on this blog resembles DianRez. another touch of your sly humor, Mike.
anonymous 456
Shhhhh!
Did she unlease a pack of snarling power-hungry attorneys on you for using an image based on her likeness?
:)
I have come to dislike the Deaf community of DeafRead. It seems there is always some ongoing crisis over minor differences of opinion. Their intolerance for all kinds of deaf people and communication needs wear thin. Many of them are petty and immature like middle school kids.
The hearing are far more open minded and accepting.
to Anonymous @ 7:20 pm: well then, why not post a blog of your own on a positive topic of your choice? Mike will allow guest bloggers to use his page as a platform, if the post meets his approval. You can still be anonymous. That way you can balance out all the negativity with something positive. be a part of the solution, not the problem.
Anonymous 456
anony 456:
I don't have a problem. It's them. It's part of their perspective they see. I can't help if they think it's all negative.
This is my personal blog. A way to express my thoughts, moods, experience, and any inquisitive thoughts I might have.
but thanks for the suggestion.
To Anonymous 1:21. I used to have a blog and used to post a lot of positive stuff-- and was basically ignored except by others like me. Over time I came to notice that ALL the 'positive' bloggers in Deafread were either ignored, or bombarded with 'anonymous' criticisms if they happened to blog positively about their cochlear implants. They all left one by one.
DeafReaders seem to thrive on drama. Not interested--thanks.
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