Mowl and Tropp Plead Guilty to Fraud...will others follow?

Yes, it's 4 days old but this is something I want to address here even though this whole thing started back in July 2009.

In a Department of Justice press release:

Anthony Mowl, the former assistant vice president of business development for Viable Communications Inc. (Viable), and Donald Tropp, the former human resources manager for Viable, pleaded guilty today to engaging in a conspiracy to defraud the Federal Communications Commission’s (FCC) Video Relay Service (VRS) program of more than $2.5 million, announced Assistant Attorney General Lanny A. Breuer of the Criminal Division.

Today, Mowl, 25, and Tropp, 25, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Court Judge Joel A. Pisano in Trenton, N.J., to conspiracy to commit mail fraud. Mowl and Tropp were indicted on Nov. 19, 2009, along with Viable’s president, John T.C. Yeh; Viable’s vice president of corporate strategy, Joseph Yeh; and the Viable corporate entity.

In pleading guilty, Mowl and Tropp admitted that beginning in approximately fall of 2007 and continuing through approximately January 2009, they conspired with others to pay individuals to make fraudulent VRS phone calls using Viable’s VRS service. According to the pleas, John and Joseph Yeh paid Mowl and Tropp who would then pay people for using Viable’s VRS service. Mowl and Tropp kept a portion of the payments for themselves and distributed the remainder to the paid callers. Viable then caused the submission of fraudulent call minute claims to the FCC, causing the FCC to pay those claims at a rate of approximately $390 per hour for each of the VRS calls that it processed.

According to information contained in the plea documents, Mowl and Tropp admitted that their role in defrauding the FCC’s VRS program led to a total of between $2.5 million and $7 million in fraudulent billing to the program. At sentencing, both Mowl and Tropp face a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison, a fine of $250,000, as well as mandatory restitution and forfeiture. A sentencing date has not yet been set by the court.

So, what's the deal here? This is all about corporate greed when one finds him/herself lured by the powerful dollar in using loopholes to defraud the government and other entities to cash in on even more money going into the millions of dollars. Easy money as they thought. Never before has this happened on such a large scale in the Deaf community bilking millions of dollars from the FCC's VRS program. It is an unprecedented event and a lesson for all.

Anthony Mowl, if you remember, was one of the "darlings" who spoke out during the heady days of Gallaudet Protest in 2006. He was also the Copy Editor for Gallaudet's online magazine "The Buff and Blue" whose picture of Mr. Mowl is still there. There is a video of him in YouTube signing away as recent as July 22, 2009 in trying to sell ViableVRS services literally just a few months before he got charged as seen in the November 18, 2009 court docket for fraud.

With names like Anthony Mowl, Donald Tropp and Joseph and Jon Yeh (who founded the famous Rathskeller, a favorite student hangout for many years at Gallaudet) well known in the Deaf community (especially at Gallaudet University where they all graduated beginning with John Yeh in 1971) does this fraud case hits hard the Deaf community. It especially shines a bad light on Gallaudet University as they all are alumni with Yeh at the top of the list. So, embarrassing is this that Deaf Nation, as it would seem, removed a picture of the Yehs (Jason, John, and Joseph Yeh) posing in a picture seen in one of the DN blog article but it is blank except for the captions (a picture of it can be seen in a Google cache.) This case is not just the 4 of them but are part of the 26 people involved in this fraud case. And so I ponder, what are the odds that many of the 26 involved also graduated from Gallaudet University since the VRS center is located in Rockville, Maryland, not far from Gallaudet University?

One thing for sure, this is all a big black eye on the Deaf community and Gallaudet University.

Adult stem cells from adipose tissue accidentally improves hearing in one patient

Or so it seems if one read this recent medical article.

In May 2008, the patient was treated with two I.V. infusions of 28 million SVF cells and multiple intrathecal and intravenous infusions of allogeneic CD34+ and MSC cells. MSC were third party unmatched and CD34 were matched by mixed lymphocyte reaction. Infusions were performed within a 9-day period and were very well tolerated without any adverse or side effects. No other treatments were necessary during the patient's stay. After the second stem cell infusion the patient reported a significant decrease of his generalized pain. However, he continued to experience severe neck and shoulder pain and was re-evaluated by his neurologist. Two months after the stem cell therapy, the volume of his hearing aids had to be lowered once per week over 4 weeks. Three months after the stem cell infusions the patient reported a significant improvement of his cognition and almost complete reduction of the spasticity in his extremities. He mentioned that he has had 623 tonic seizures in the past and confirmed that he has not experienced any more seizures since the completion of the stem cell therapy. A neurological evaluation performed three months after the stem cell infusions revealed an intact cranial nerve (II-XII) function and no nystagmus, normal motor function without any atrophy or fasciculations, and intact sensory and cerebellar functions and mental status.

Stem cells on hearing loss for returning soldiers

Here's a stem cell development in the state of Washington for soldiers who lost some of their hearing during war.

Regenerative Medicine for Acute Deafness
Recipient: FATE Therapeutics
Amount: $3,000,000
Location: Seattle, WA

This funding would use advanced stem cell research and developmental biology to develop therapeutic treatments for acute hearing loss among Army soldiers. This would advance safe and effective treatments for acute hearing loss, which affects many men and women of the Army on return home from war.

Fate Therapeutics, a company that has made some important leaps in producing induced stem cells without embryos or gene therapy.

UbiDuo helps those who are unable to write

Aside from people who are deaf or hard of hearing, or have a speech impediment, the UbiDuo can help a small minority of population that have a condition that make hand writing difficult. This is a condition called "handwriting deficits." Or it can be called "dysgraphia" which is a learning disability in writing where it affects an individual’s writing ability and is manifested by difficulties in hand writing. Students with this condition often struggle during writing assignments while in school.

In a recent 2009 Assistive Technology research article called "Assistive Technology for Writing, including Motor Aspects of Writing and Composing," it discusses the motor and cognitive functions of a person with "handwritting deficits" of varying degree and severity on what it takes to write using a pen or pencil. The paper goes on to mention the UbiDuo as a possible face-to-face communication technology for students with certain "handwriting deficits."

The UbiDuo is not only just a face-to-face communication device but a potential assistive writing device to assist students with certain writing disabilities with their composing or writing assignments.

Could your own stem cells in your hair follicles help you hear someday?

From the October 2009 22ND IGB MEETING STEM CELLS: FROM MOLECULAR PHYSIOLOGY TO THERAPEUTIC APPLICATIONS:

Adult stem cells in your hair follicles seen as a potential source that could differentiate into auditory neurons.

Stem cells from the hair follicle differentiate into auditory neurons. Margriet A. HUISMAN, Ragad El Seady, Johan H.M. Frijns

Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Leiden University Medical Centre, The Netherlands To patients suffering from profound sensorineural hearing loss, cochlear implantation(CI) is currently the standard approach. Most implant recipients experience benefits, however, understanding speech in noisy circumstances and music perception remains challenging. It is suggested that stem cell-based therapy, by increasing the number of auditory neurons (ANs), will improve the performance of a CI1.

Stem cells, derived from the bulge of hair follicles from adult mammalian dermis (epidermal neural crest stem cells, EPI-NCSC), are potential candidates for AN regeneration: they have a similar origin as inner ear cells, their functionality has been proven and autologous transplantation is possible, avoiding graft versus host disease2,3. The aim of this research is to investigate whether EPI-NCSC have the capacity to differentiate into neurons with features of auditory neurons, such as bipolar morphology, presence of TrkB/C and GluR2/3 and sodium voltage channel 1.6 (NaV1.6)4. EPI-NCSCs from whiskers of mice were expanded and differentiated on a collagen I matrix. Subsequent t o proliferation, quantitative immunohistochemistry was performed to demonstrate the presence of neural stem cells (nestin). In addition, expressions of TUJ1, TrkB and -C, GluR2/3 and NaV1.6 were determined.

After the proliferative phase, the majority of the cells (90%) were positive for nestin. The average yield per follicle was 2x105, while for inner ear transplantation purposes 2-5x105 cells are required. 70%±8% of the differentiated cells was positive for the neural marker TUJ1. Moreover, 60%±2% of the neurons showed a bipolar morphology and the majority was positive for GluR2/3 and NaV1.6 and showed co-expression of TrkB and –C. EPI-NCSC-derived neural stem cells can easily be obtained in quantities sufficient for inner ear transplantation purposes. These stem cells have the capacity to differentiate into neurons with hallmarks of functional AN, which makes them promising candidates for a stem cell-based therapy of the auditory nerve.

Who knew? Adult stem cells from your own hair follicles have the potential and capacity to help restore your hearing loss. Problem is, bald guys are out of luck.

How the UbiDuo could enhance your career

 If you haven't heard about sComm's UbiDuo then you will find out exactly how this face-to-face communication device can help your career in an impactful but meaningful way. A difference between staying in the same job position for 13 years without any promotional opportunities or get the promotion you deserved because you're able to fruitfully interact with your customers in many face to face situations.This is true if you work in a management position where you have to fully interact with your customers, co-workers, supervisors and your boss on a regular basis in a face-to-face situation. This is exactly what happened with Peter Downey at Sam's Club. So, check out Peter Downey's story, a Sam's Club employee in Overland Park, KS, where he was promoted several times ever since the UbiDuo came into his possession. He was in the same position for 13 years until the UbiDuo came along. Because of this communication barrier-breaking device Peter is now a member of the Sam's Club management. A little investment in a face-to-face communication device can go a long way in a person's career.

UFC Matt Hamill vs Jon Jones at Las Vegas December 5

Be sure to watch Matt Hamill fight against Jon Jones tonight (9 PM ET, 8PM Central) on Spike TV channel at the Ultimate Fighter Heavyweight Finale in Las Vegas (watch the video for several minutes until you see Matt Hamill and Jon Jones weigh ins). The UFC fight on Spike TV is free. More videos of Matt Hamill including a Q & A session during his shadow boxing exercise. No signing but used his voice  (subtitled) in talking about his upcoming fight against Jones. The video is small. Best to move your mouse over the video selection and pick "Dec 4 Shadow Boxing with Matt Hamill." You will see a download video menu appear at the top. Click on it and begin downloading it for a bigger screen viewing and easier to read subtitles. 

Jones has a few words about Matt Hamill.

There are a couple of Dec. 2nd articles on Matt Hamill and his upcoming UFC fight here and here for you to read up on.

Matt's last fight was the March 2009 UFC 96 fight where he knocked out Munoz in the first round as seen at the 3:55 mark in the video below. You can actually hear the sicking slap/crunch of Matt's right foot against the right side of Munoz's head knocking him unconscious for a few minutes while on the ground. That knockout earned Matt Hamill $60,000 in the $60,000 Knockout of the Night bonus money.



All Kokonut Pundit blogs on Matt Hamill including personal interviews with him by Kokonut Pundit.

UPDATE: Matt Hamill wins the fight against Jon Jones in the first round in 4:14 from using an illegal move against Matt Hamill. Jones used an illegal downward elbow on Matt Hamill.

UPDATE II: Matt Hamill sustained some injuries to his nose and what it appears to be a dislocated right? shoulder. You can review discussions in the Sherdog forum about the fight between Hamill and Jones.

UPDATE III: Here's the fight video between Hamill and Jones!

UPDATE IV: Since Matt Hamill won the fight through a disqualification for Jones use of his elbow against Hamill's face the fight was all Jones. There may be talks of reversing the referee's decision? Matt's face really got pummeled folks. Said blood were coming out of his eyes (or was it from a cut to his nose that got into his eyes?) and he could see or even here what the referee was saying. Looks really brutal and something that Matt will need to take home and rethink on how to handle Jones the next time. If Jones hadn't done his illegal elbowing Jones would've won the fight anyway. Matt's face will be sore and no idea if this fight hurt his eyes or not or how extensive his injuries were. Prayers and thoughts of rapid return to health for Matt Hamill.

UPDATE V: Captioned video of the fight.

Source: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h4tvUYoJvzg

UPDATE VI: More news on Hamill injuries here. Expect a Hamill vs Jones re-match around spring/summer of 2010 next year. It may be a few months or so of recovery and rehabbing til Matt gets into practice fulltime for the next fight.

Dr. Rivolta on stem cells cure for hearing loss and making hearing aids and cochlear implants obsolete someday soon

Here's a subtitled video and article (transcript) on Dr Marcelo Rivolta who is the Senior Research Fellow at the University of Sheffield where he explains how his stem cells research could make hearing aids and cochlear implants a thing of the past in his quest to find a cure for deafness in the field of sensorineural hearing loss.

On the video be sure to click on the "S" button for "subtitle" on the left of the screen to get the English subtitles with the video. There is the option of choosing video itself only, video and subtitles, video with a British Sign Languageinterpreter, or video, subtitles and BSL.

Hattip: Neuro

David Armand in "Where I Lay my Hat"

David Armand, an English comedian who is known for his visual sight gags using mime movements and gestures to "interpret" a song. He is especially well known for a song he mimed called "Torn" a few years back that propelled him to comedic status. Here are two videos with subtitles that capture his funny comedy style of miming a song. Here he plays as "Johann Lippowitz" an interpretive mime to a song for "Where I lay my hat" by Paul Young and "Torn" by Natalie Imbrulia.




TORN by Natalie Imbruglia.




UPDATE: There's a bit of a debate in one forum over David Armand's mime skit on "Torn" where some forum members think it's a snark against the Deaf community making fun of sign language (which is not the case) and some objection over the use of the words "deaf karaoke".

Stem Cell Transplantation into the Damaged Mammalian Inner Ear

Below is one of Dr. Douglas A. Cotanche's projects that is ongoing. He is also scheduled for a live chat tonight on stem cells and for the restoration of nerve deafness (sensorineural hearing loss).

Stem Cell Transplantation into the Damaged Mammalian Inner Ear.
PI: Douglas Cotanche, Collaborator: Dr. Mark Parker, Emerson College & Massachusetts Eye & Ear Infirmary. This project focuses on the utilization of stem cells to replace damaged hair cells in the mammalian organ of Corti. We are transplanting mouse and human neural stem cells into the cochleas of sound damaged guinea pigs and have shown that these stem cells migrate throughout the spiral ganglion and into the organ of Corti where they begin to differentiate into tissue-specific cell types to replace those damaged by the sound exposure. We have also been exploring the genetic profiles of these neural stem cells and are developing methods for “priming” the neural stem cells by growing them in culture along with immortalized cochlear cells. We have been able to show that co-culturing the stem cells causes a change in the genes and proteins they express so that they take on the aspects of cochlear progenitor cells. This will enable us to target the stem cells so that they differentiate down specific pathways needed for cells to repair the damaged cochlear sensory epithelium. Eventually we hope to be able to use these stem cells as a therapeutic treatment for sensorineural hearing loss in humans.

Stem Cells for hearing loss live chat tomorrow night, November 19, 2009!

Stem Cells for hearing loss live chat tomorrow night, November 19, 2009!

(Errata: The topic heading said November 18. Correct date is November 19. It has been corrected)

Get ready and dial in at 9 PM Eastern Time (8PM - Central time, 7PM Mountain time, or 6 PM West Coast time)


Topic: "Development and regeneration of hair cells – the latest news in research"

Guest Speaker: Dr. Douglas A. Cotanche

Date & Time: November 19, 2009 at 9 PM

Live Webchat Schedule

Hearing Loss Association of America is proud to present live moderated chats,
featuring the nation's leading experts in hearing loss. This is your opportunity
to ask a question and learn more about hearing loss from leaders in a number of
medical disciplines associated with hearing loss.

How to Participate (no
need to register):
1. Go to www.myhearingloss.org/ (5-10mins before
webchat is scheduled)
2. Click on the "Log in to our Chat Room" button
3. Enter a username to use for the chat
4. Click on the "Connect" button
5. Click on "Rooms" tab (found on the right column)
6. Then double click
on "Guest_Chat" to join the webchat

NOTE: The webchat is a moderated
chat to allow the guest speaker to answer all the questions that have been
submitted in advance, which means you will not be able to type in your question
until after all these questions have been answered.

Here are my questions that I submitted to Dr. Cotanche.

Dr. Cotanche,

I run a blog (Kokonut Pundit) and I do try and keep abrest of these news and developments regarding stem cells and gene therapy for the restoration/cure of hearing loss, mostly in the arena of nerve deafness.

Have you heard recently the latest development about an 18 year old woman Chloe Sohl who had her hearing partially restored (so far - see captioned video http://kokonutpundits.blogspot.com/2009/11/video-interview-caption-with-first.html) by using her own adult stem cells? And if so, is this an indication of how rapidly the field of regenerative medicine using stem cells for the cure/restoration of hearing loss? Instead of a few decades away are we looking at within the next 5 or even 10 years to see this become a common procedure? If not in the United States but what about in other countries (due to FDA lagging behind?).

Thank you

Checkmate?

I read kmayes response that she noticed an interesting thing regarding the news of an 18 year old woman who received her own adult stem cells treatment saw her hearing loss improve dramatically.

I noticed one thing… a total silence from the people who are involved in advocating for audism, DBC, etc… no comments from them (I am sure they lurk here though.)

Interesting.

I think all this is an understatment on what's going on here. More like an exclamation point and some just don't want to deal with that fact. Hence, the literal silence.

Here's the captioned video about the story of that 18 year old woman who may be in fact the first American to have her hearing loss nearly restored with the help of her own adult stem cells.
Why are the Deaf bloggers so quiet on this? If it were a cochlear implant thing they'd be all over it like a moth to a flame because it's a topic they've become well accustomed to and are comfortable in dealing with it, even acceptance. But what about the story on this adult stem cells successful treatment (so far) on an 18 year old deaf woman who was once hearing is now close to her former self? Doing a blog Google search hardly show any Deaf blogs that have covered the breaking story. Not hardly but none is more like it but save a few.

Perhaps they are still digesting the story? Perhaps so even though many believed just a few months ago that a cure or successful restoration (partial or otherwise) wouldn't happen in another few decades away find suddenly themselves confronted with the fact that it happened just last month!

Adult stem cells research and application for the restoration and cure for nerve deafness are fast approaching and becoming a reality. There is no way this can be compared on the level of cochlear implant which was a source of scorn and distrust for over 20 years. According to the video it appeared that using your own adult stem cells has seemingly proven to be safe and effective compared to embryonic stem cells and cells donated from other people for use. Perhaps the Deaf community doesn't want to talk about this success extensively so because looking at the chess board seeing that they've been "checkmated"? After all, how can you compete against 33+ million people with hearing loss with the majority of them due to nerve deafness who will welcome this successful adult stem cells treatment for hearing loss. Even Gamas Wanderings' own poll showed that approximately 60% of those who voted would take or might take the adult stem cells cure over those who would not. That's pretty telling. Funny how people thought cochlear implant was bad enough, we now have a very real possibility in the very near term well within our lifetime to see that nerve deafness hearing loss would become a thing of the past once this adult stem cells treatment begin to ramp up and that 2009 is the turning point.

Checkmate?

Or not?

You decide.

Will Deaf Culture Die Out Someday? - Part II

If you want a quick recap on "Part I" piece go to my September 19, 2009 blog. Here, I just wanted to respond to "Souggy's" blog claim that I "was proud of that 'fact' " that Deaf culture is dying, which was an irresponsible comment on his part and showed an attempt to twist words here.

I was reading a blog that Deaf culture was dying because of cochlear implants and stem cells; and apparently the blogger (or so-called pundit) was proud of that “fact,” which was the reason why I published this blog post.

There is a caveat at the very beginning of my blog "Will Deaf Culture Die Someday? " in my first paragraph.

There is always a possibility that Deaf culture could die out and this is dependent on a variety of factors with some of them going against the spread of Deaf culture and its language, ASL. But at this point it's probably more of a matter of "if" and not "when."

It's pretty clear what I wrote was a matter of "if" and not when.

I'm pretty sure Souggy was referring to my blog piece since he commented about "a blog" he read and that mine was dated September 19, 2009 while his blog piece was on September 20, 2009. And what was interesting was that he never bothered to make clear who he was referring to. No link or names. I wonder why? Rather curious to try and hide it like that.

Secondly, there is nothing in my blog indicating I was "proud of that fact" that Deaf culture is dying because of cochlear implant and stem cells. If "Souggy" actually took the time to read what I wrote it was discussed in terms of a possibility, and not a fact that it will happen. In my blog piece there is nothing said or implied about being proud to see Deaf culture die out. It was irresponsible of "Souggy" to say such a thing. I presented a scenario that because of technology and the advancing biotechnnology could get to the point where it could heavily influence and impact the Deaf community in ways not seen with hearing aids and cochlear implants, and how it could affect mating preferences among deaf and hard of hearing people over time.

Stem cell history on search for cure for hearing loss

Over at The Stem Cell Blog where David Granovsky compiled a summary with links on the history of stem cells research for the search (more like a race right now) on the cure for hearing loss from January 2001 to November 2009. It is interesting to see just how fast research has evolved over a relatively short amount of time to the point where an 18 year old woman whose hearing has basically recovered (so far) in less than 2 months once given her own adult stem cells to treat her hearing loss.

For the rest of Kokonut Pundit blogs on stem cells for the cure on hearing loss go here.

Hattip: Granovsky.

Stem cells strategy for hearing loss cure...a captioned video

Blinded by my own hearing

Not me but I was pleased to hear David Granovsky's comment in his blog "The Stem Cell Blog" when he covered the Chloe Sohl's story on her miraculous recovery from her hearing loss using her own adult stem cells. David went onto say that basically he forgot about people with hearing loss may unable to hear or understand fully what the original YouTube version of Chloe's story. And that he was "blinded" by his own hearing for not thinking about a captioned version of Chloe's video story.


Related Kokonut Pundit blogs on adult stem cells and hearing loss.

Video Interview (caption) with first American to have her hearing loss restored

Not fully restored so far but it looks like Chloe's hearing is on the mend already since this adult stem cells procedure began only a few months ago. Watch the video about a story that is probably the first case of an American woman that was successfully treated with her own adult stem cells to treat her hearing loss caused by her auto-immune resonse.




More info on the story.


YouTube's version without captions.

First Successful Case Example of a Hearing Loss Cure in a Human Patient?

With the slow progress and FDA approval in the United States on using stem cells to help treat nerve deafness hearing loss a patient with autoimmune condition hearing loss was treated in South Korea using her own adult stem cells that eventually restored her hearing to almost normal levels.

Chloe visited Dr. Won, a plastic surgeon in Los Angeles to harvest her fat tissue around her belly button in last June. Then the tissue was sent to the laboratory RNL BIO in Germantown, Maryland, where they isolated stem cells, put them in liquid nitrogen shipper and transported them to RNL BIO in Seoul, Korea. It took them a month to expand her stem cells to a sufficient amount enough to treat her hearing loss. Chloe's family planned a trip to Korea during their summer vacation. At last, on July 27, 2009, they visited Korea for two weeks. The stem cell treatment took place in Japan -- 600 million cells were administered by three injections with 5 day intervals. The cells were injected into her veins and auditory system.

Chloe's hearing was tested two months after the procedure was completed on October 16, 2009. The results were spectacular. The left side of her ear improved 50% from not being able to hear at all. The right side of her ear gained almost complete hearing.

Dr. Jotterand could not bear her excitement, "Now it's just been a 180 degree turnaround. She's just enjoying life and enjoying being a freshman at the university. She's just having a great time and it's just wonderful to see the joy in her own face and in her life."

Again, with a grain of salt but this looks more promising. With more countries such as Mexico taking part in using stem cells to began the treatment of nerve deafness hearing loss, the United States will surely be left in the dust at this rate unless the FDA somehow fast track this medical process just as they have fast tracked for the treatment of damaged heart muscles with the patient's own stem cells.

Hat tip: Neuro.

UPDATE: See caption video interview of Chloe!

RIT Library Guide References Kokonut Pundit's blog piece

An interesting tidbit I found out recently. RIT library listed my blog by linking under "Deaf Native American Resources" to a piece I did about whether ASL has hurt Indian Sign Language where it is slowly disappearing. Scroll down to "Web Resources" to find my blog name.

Kokonut Pundit is now on Twitter

Going to try and see how this works out but go ahead and sign on if you want to follow me through this Twitter thing. A little social experiment to try out just as my blog was a "little social experiment." heh....

I have my Twitter icon up on the upper left hand column of my blog and all you have to do is click on it to get to my Twitter page.

Deaf man hears sound of piano for the first time

From the award winning documentary, "From Silence to Sound," :

Brooklyn Girl Productions presents the New York City premiere of the award-winning documentary film From Silence to Sound at the New York International Film Festival on Friday, October 23, 2009.

From Silence to Sound is an inspiring film that tells the extraordinary story of Justin Garrett, a man who has been profoundly deaf since birth. On March 13, 2006, Justin made history as the first recipient of a bilateral cochlear implant in Oklahoma.

Director Chase Matthews offers this moving documentary about Justin Garrett, a completely deaf young man who, in 2006, agreed to undergo radical cochlear implant surgery that could possibly make him hear for the first time. Matthews follows Justin as he prepares for, submits to and recovers from the high-stakes surgery. Success will reverse Justin’s condition, but failure will irrevocably destine him to a lifetime of total silence.

For the First Time Plays Piano for Deaf Mother

Here's a wonderful and true story of how deligence and perserverance paid off in learning how to play a piano and for the first time at a piano recital for his mother who was deaf.

Deaf and Blind Kid Plays Jazz Piano

Check it out. A young man with cerebral palsy began playing the piano just last year on a piano given to him for Christmas. He taught himself to play the piano by... ear! And plays some nice jazz pieces. The power of hearing music.

The Errigo and Aguilar Mess

I haven't heard anything about the Errigo and Aguilar mess but briefly heard about it through osmosis until I came across Gamas Wanderings' blog about the whole subject, especially after reading the comments, too. I was able to obtain and read the court transcript about some restraining order nonsense over some boogey-man claim over a threat. At least it certainly appears to be so. But if somebody is electronically harassing you, being a cyberbully or a cyberstalker, you do have the option of not responding, put the person on ignore, select their incoming email as "junk email" and so on. What both of them could've done was to ignore each other, especially Ms Aguilar who went ahead and filed for a restraining order against Errigo. This drama was simply ridiculous to the point of total embarassment for one individual. Let's not use audism or "Deafhood" as a weapon of choice. It simply becomes an exercise of futility and embarrassment.

Closed Captioned Video: Rush Limbaugh says Sarah Palin is ready to be president

Captioning by Kokonut Pundit.

When the "a-wordism" needs to disappear

Sometimes with good intention comes with unintended consequences. In this case it's the invention of a new word, "avdism" (yes, I purposely misspelled that). What's the value I see in it? Probably the same value in where I link it to describe the meaning behind it.

Gamas Wanderings has a nice blog on the word "avdism" and how it should be discontinued because it creates more problems than it does solve them. Namely one of them is the constant abuse of the word used as a weapon of choice to attack rather than to educate about a particular form of discrimination. It would be better to keep it neutral as possible and at the same time educate those who do not understand about the issues of deafness. Pointing fingers at them and scream, "Avdist! Avdist!" like some scene in the movie "Invasion of the Body Snatchers" certainly does not help the situation any more than people use a cop out word "Racist!" It just creates more problems than it does solving it.

It's time to retire the a-wordism once and for all and focus on the actual education of the public through neutral means and less attacking those who do not fully understand the issue of deafness and even the culture behind it.

First case of stem cell treatment on hearing loss on humans?

From what I've found there seems to be two patients with sensorineural hearing loss iare undergoing stem cell treatments in Mexico at the Nepsis Institute from a "Ask the Doctor" which seems to be on the edge of discovering how well these treatments will work in restoring some or all of the hearing nerves.

6) Are you or can you treat sensory neural hearing loss with adult autologous stem cells? If not, do you expect to in the next year? Do you know of any doctors treating hearing loss at this point, if Nepsis does not?

Actually, we have two patients with sensory neural hearing loss who will be undergoing stem cell treatment in the next two months. The approach is unique and proprietary, so I can’t get into specifics at this time.

In time we'll find out whether if this is a success or not and if so would prove ground-breaking so early in this game rather than 10 or 15 years down the road. As always, take this with a grain of salt.

Hat-tip: Neuro

Is "Deafhood" a new tool for oppression to those who disagree?

When new labels are introduced such as "audism," "Deafhood," "deficit thinker," "Deaf," "colonialism" and so on they are oftentimes used as a tool to oppress or even discriminate others who do not share their exact ideals or thinkings. This blog is a response to another round of "Deafhood" being discussed in the deaf/hh blogosphere. In my mind the word "Deafhood" pertains to a mostly, if not exclusively, Deaf culture ideal involving ASL rather than about the various deaf/hh experiences and preferred mode of communication. For one, there has been a mixed use of the word "deafhood" and "Deafhood" to define and even discriminate. Others try and downplay the use of the "D" and say instead "deafhood" while others insist it be called "Deafhood" as it relates entirely about their Deaf culture.

Jamie Burke in About.com Deafness used the lower case 'd' in "deafhood" rather than "Deafhood" to define her various experience as a person with hearing loss.

But the word "Deafhood" used by the likes of Paddy Ladd and others who insure that any experiences are about striving toward a Deaf culture mentality than not. Suddenly it has become NOT about the various life experiences and perspectives among the 33 million people who deal with their hearing loss in the United States, where most have gotten along quite well without the need for ASL, but about the presevation of Deaf culture. It's kind of like "It's my way or the highway" kind of thinking when it's about "Deafhood" rather than "deafhood" based on total acceptance and understanding. "Deafhood" has become, as it would seem, a required path to this other-worldly state of nirvana through self-submission. It has become the new found feel-good religion for Deaf people or deaf/hh people who want to seek that path for whatever reasons. Though the irony of this is that it's being used as a political tool instead.

The attempt at activism using the Alinsky's model on radicalism to push "Deafhood" simply leaves a bad taste in a lot of mouths among the many Deaf, deaf, and hard of hearing people alike. Granted, we all have various experiences growing up with hearing loss or by those who acquired deafness later in life that shapes us. Some good, some bad ones. There are people and businesses who do discriminate against those with hearing loss and the need for communication access. It's a fact of life but that doesn't mean we should ignore those problems. but address them. We all should strive for choices and accessibility whether it's better Closed Captioning, introduce the concept of signing to parents of deaf/hh babies, oral/aural methods, cued speech, SEE, the introduction of cochlear implant, advances in hearing aid technology, advances in communication technology, advances in the biotechnology such as stem cells and gene therapy and so on. There is no one shoe size fits all.

Each of us function accordingly with our preferred mode of communication and who we prefer to associate with. Most function just fine and are quiet happy without ever knowing sign language or even Deaf culture. Others are happy that ASL is their primary mode of communication and thrive in a Deaf culture atmosphere. Some fall between the two and that's fine. However, with new labels introduced over time we have seen an increasing use of those new words to discriminate against those who follow a different path or ideal. With "Deafhood" being squandered shamelessly we see less room in the boat for others to get in. Why would anybody jump onto a boat that is on the brink of capsizing? It's time to get rid of that S.S. Deafhood boat and the person in it. I'm content for who I am and not about what I am. No need to assign labels here. I just so happens to be a person with a hearing loss who enjoys life in a variety of ways.

Forging Ahead

All I can do is shake my head whenever I see these internal squabblings continue to occur within the Deaf community. Of course, this has been going on for years. Yet, at the same time, I'm certainly glad that I do not share their particular brand of narrow-mindedness. I like to think independently on these things. So, squabbles like over DVTV (of which I don't even follow or even really care), Deafread, the advantageous misuse and abuse of the word "audism," the continued personal labeling and slandering, character assassinations, and so on are just a part of every day annoyance worthy of a thousand eyerolls. I guess my flawless plan continues to work!

Yet I'm not certainly going stand by while some groups continue to call babies born with hearing loss (to mostly hearing parents 90% of the time) as "Deaf babies." Not only is this wrong but doing so implies that certain Deaf groups have a stake or "own" these babies over parents. They don't. They have no right to call them as "Deaf babies" unless they are the parents of that baby with a hearing loss to make that call. Despite all that I continue to forge ahead in my life to make the best of what it has to offer. And even laugh along the way, too.

Ghanans in Africa talk about "too soon" win of Obama's Nobel Peace Prize Win

This is demonstrably laughable and funny, too. The people of Ghana are laughing and even questioning the logic of awarding Obama the Nobel Peace Prize won by Obama so soon. Even they knew better and the mockery of all this by watching their faces and responses.

Watch the video and listen. It is subtitled as well so enjoy.





Video transcript

Talking about the Obama Nobel win in Ghana.

Interviewer: Actually, do you know what I want to know?

Man from Ghana: No.

Interviewer: What do you think about the President Obama's Nobel Prize win?

Man from Ghana: (smiles, and laughs a little). Actually, I've not heard the news for some time. Has he got it?

Interviewer: Yes, Obama's been given the Nobel Prize.

Flossy from Ghana: (looks suprised/puzzled) Really? So soon?

Interviewer: Peace Prize. The Nobel Peace Prize?


Flossy: Peace Prize?

Interviwer: Yes.

Flossy: In Norway?

Man from Ghana: What did he do? To deserve the Peace Prize?

Interviewer: You think it's too soon?

Man from Ghana: (he smiles) Yeah. It's too soon. He hasn't done much. Even though has been erm, erm...he hasn't done much.

(video pans back to Flossy still with a puzzled look on her face.


Flossy: He hasn't done much. It's too early, I....

Man from Ghana: It should be able to be given. But now, now.. (laughs). But that's nice. It's a good news. I'm happy for him.

Flossy: As for Obama, his character and his personality, people like it, so maybe (laughs heh hehh heh)...they are giving it to him on a personal basis. (smiles laughingly). They could have waited for a while.

Interviewer to "Kibnesh" from Ethiopia: What do you think about Obama's Nobel Peace Prize win?

Kibnesh: I'm surprised.

Interviwer: Surprised?

Kibnesh: Yeah. I'm surpised - I'm speechless, actually. He's a great man, and everything, but we just have to wait and see what he's going to do for the world. I don't know at this moment. (smiles).

Video ends. "Recorded at the National Museum. Accra, Ghana. October 9, 2009."

www.caribbeanfreeradio.com

Cherishing one's own hearing

That is, the remaining hearing you have left. This is true among the millions of people with hearing loss who use their hearing aids or cochlear implants to help them hear. Whether a person was born with a hearing loss or acquired it later in life, it doesn't take long to realize the importance and value of being able to hear. Some hear more than others based on the range of frequency available to them and amount of decibels loss, the feeling is generally the same and that many of us, like me, do in fact cherish what hearing we have left. It's the joy of hearing sound whether it's the sweet environmental sounds of the outdoors, to kids laughing at a play park to having conversations with friends and families over the phone. It's the amazing technology of hearing aids and cochlear implants that can easily open doors to these wonderful experiences. Which is why I support organizations such as Starkey Hearing Foundation and people who help donate and provide free hearing aids to people who are unable to afford or even have access to them. At least they are actively reaching out and provide the needs and services to those who can benefit the amazing world of sound.

I had a forum discussion covering this very topic. A few did answer my question that, yes, they do cherish their hearing while most of them either didn't answer or said 'no' which could mean that they do not derive any real benefits from their hearing aids or that simply do not want to elevate the status on the quality of hearing. The problem is that if they do wear hearing aids and say they do not cherish their hearing then why wear one? Some would respond that they see their hearing or even their hearing aid as simply a "tool." Not sure what that means but probably to mean to use it to just get by.

Next, we have those who actually believe that kids to late deafened adults with hearing loss in poor countries should not receive their free hearing aids donated by organizations that travel and give out free hearing aids. Some think the only answer is to set up deaf schools, which is nice but there are even caveats to this approach. The problems are really about the prejudices and discrimination experienced in third world countries that go against people with hearing loss in the area of education, communication access, and jobs. For example, Peru where deaf/hh people are faced with huge barriers when it comes to communication access. Even the World Federation of the Deaf acknowledges these problems exist in third world countries. So, for a start, providing free hearing aids to those who can benefit from such a technology is a big head start jump for many of these people. Rather than be critical of such missions embrace them like Marlee Matlin has been doing who sees the value of hearing.

My Personal Stalker

Just now realized I have a female stalker in AD who is hearing. Whenever I post she follows it up with snarky and derisive remarks, tons of eyeroll and LMAO emoticons. And I do mean just about everything. But here's the irony. The person is hearing and has a background in psychology. Makes me wonder. I don't get it. A woman studying in the field of psychology? That is, she's getting an advanced degree, and yet I pretty much get stalked each time whenever I post something that has nothing to do with her? Now, it's fine to debate and discuss issues but to follow my every posts with maligning and snarky comments? Even that's creepy. And it's not even Halloween yet.

Scary Obama Halloween Masks and More!

It always happen, a new president, a new Halloween president mask. Or rather several designs of it. Now, we have several scary Obama mask and some realistic ones while others look too dark and others too white.

Here's a scary zombie "Zobama" mask enough to frighten kiddies away...even adults.

And here's a new first, an Obama joker Halloween mask which appears to be only one mask available for sale.


Big teeth!! This one's a toothpaste maker marketing dream.


Didn't know Obama looked like Arsenio Hall.





And just to be fair, here's a Sarah Palin mask.

And McCain's, even a zombie one.

And who would want to miss out a first lady Michelle Obama mask looking more mulatto than black.

No Biden mask but you do have a John Edwards mask.

Oops. Wrong Edwards.

And the most popular requested item of all time? Tricky Dick's mask.

And what about a President G. W. Bush mask? Not really scary like Nixon's.

And then you have, of course, Lurch.

Hearing aid powered by body heat. No more batteries.

It's coming.

Publication Date: 29-30 May 2009
On page(s): 1-4
Location: Cetraro,
ISBN: 978-1-4244-3598-2
INSPEC Accession Number: 10790979
Digital Object Identifier: 10.1109/MEMEA.2009.5167942
Current Version Published: 2009-07-21

Energy harvesting from human body has been undergoing an interesting and quick development thanks to the technological availability of new electronic components and the growing of different applications, in particular, for biomedical and social impacts on human beings' daily life. The main scope of this paper is to modeling and to design a thermoelectric generator that extracts energy from human tissue warmth in order to supply a biomedical hearing prosthesis for deaf persons. An array of sensors based on thermocouple effect has been used. A conditioning and accumulator circuitry has been designed and tested.

This would be ideal for any hearing aids whether it's behind the ear, in the ear, or even for future implantable hearing aids.

Oh, yeah.

Captioned Videos of Underprivledged People Receiving their Starkey Hearing Aids

Here's a captioned video of Starkey Hearing Foundation's trip to the Dominican Republican in 2009 where 2,200 hearing aids were distributed under the "So the World Can Hear" mission. In this video there are a few kids who signed "thank you" as well as adults who gave out tearful hugs of thanks after receiving their free Starkey hearing aids. Music and song in background, captioning begins about a quarter of a way into the video.

You can find more videos of these Starkey Hearing Foundation's "So the World Can Hear" missions to Tampa (2009). Phoenix 2009 (16 MB),Peru (2009), Nepal (2008), Mozambique (2008), Malawi (2008), Egypt (2008), Puerto Rico (2008) and the NBA All Star Week (2008). The captioned video of Peru is nice with a crowd of Starkey heairng aid recipents all signing "We...love...you!" And you'll see a few signs of "Thank you" and such. In Lima, Peru, over 3000 hearing aids were distributed.

Here's a captioned video on YouTube of a recent trip to Toluca, Mexico earlier this month. you can see the thanks in their eyes, their words and gestures.

Marlee Matlin Supports "So the World May Hear"

Marlee Matlin, the famously well known Deaf actress in Hollywood, supports the Starkey Hearing Foundation's philanthropy and mission "So the World May Hear." In her June 8, 2008 MySpace blog she exclaimed:

Then Fabian and I will jet up to Minneapolis for the annual "So the World May Hear" benefit that raises much needed funds and sponsors missions (like one you saw on DWTS) to remote parts of the world and help give poor children the gift of hearing. This year they're honoring Billy Jean King and I've heard there's a very special surprise musical guest performing, though I know who it is. It's going to knock the audience's socks off!

Marlee Matlin appears in the October 2008 "So the World May Hear" newsletter. On page 5 of the newsletter Marlee Matlin can be seen with in a group picture (see below) with St. Louis Cardinals’ Mascot, Bill Austin, Boys & Girls Clubs of America President Roxanne Spillett, MLB Legends Fred Lynn, Gaylord Perry, George Brett, Rollie Fingers, Robin Roberts and MLB President and COO Bob DuPuy standing in the back while kneeling in the foreground are Marlee Matlin, Debbie Wright, Reebok Representative Joe Van Buskirk, Professional Baseball Scouts Foundation Director Cindy Picerni and Pittsburgh Pirates’ Mascot.




Below is another picture from Audiology Online of Marlee Matlin and her interpreter in a dance pose along with Bill and Tani Austin at the 2008 gala "So the World May Hear."






During Marlee Matlin's debut on "Dancing with the Stars" last year she wore her Starkey hearing aids.

First, many persons with profound hearing loss can still benefit from the use of quality hearing aids. Marlee wears hearing aids manufactured by Starkeys Labs which contain their proprietary BluWave’ signal processing technology.

In addition, Marlee felt the concussive pulsing beat from the lowest frequencies. The bass guitar and bass drum deliver waves through the floor, the walls and allowed Marlee to feel the rhythm of the music. Hey, your entire body is one big tuning fork!

Finally, Marlee relied on her dance partner, Fabian Sanchez, to keep the moves on track and in synch. Hes my music, Marlee proclaimed. The couple modified some of the moves so Marlee could maintain physical or eye contact with Fabian more frequently, though she had no trouble cha-cha-chaing her way across the stage, engaged in complex dance steps that were eye-popping.

Lou Ferrigno, Marlee Matlin and many other well known celebrities also attended again for the 2009 gala "So the World May Hear" held in July. They can be seen here in a collage of pictures of stars posing with Bill Austin, the guy who made it all possible the philanthropy and mission to provide hearing aids to rural areas, to underprivledged people, and those in 3rd world or poor countries. Marlee Matlin has attended previous "So the World May Hear" galas in the past for several years.

This philanthropy and mission continue to grow in terms of monies donated and the growing support to make this work a smashing success. After all, hearing is a gift and can be seen in the faces of thousands through pictures and videos of those who received their hearing aids. In 2007, for example, they were able to raise $4.5 million dollars. That's alot of hearing aids to distribute and support.

With the help of dozens of well-known and highly respected celebrities, including Jim Belushi, Lou Ferrigno, Glenn Frey, Goldie Hawn, Jay Leno, Kenny Loggins, Marlee Matlin, Leslie Nielsen, Mickey Rooney, Kevin Sorbo, Robert Wagner, and many others, the Starkey Hearing Foundation raised a record $4.5 million at its annual "So the World May Hear" Awards Gala, which was held on Saturday, June 23 in St. Paul, Minn.

"For the seventh year in a row we had tremendous support from our friends all over the world who helped us raise an amazing $4.5 million to further our mission of promoting hearing health awareness and helping the world to hear," said William F. Austin, founder of the Starkey Hearing Foundation. "I offer my heartfelt thanks to everyone who was a part of this year's Gala and who, through their generosity of time and money, helped make the world a better place for so many children."

The Starkey Hearing Foundation is known for donating hearing aids to underprivileged children both here in the United States and in countries all over the globe. Thanks to funds raised during this annual event, the Foundation has been able to donate an estimated 200,000 hearing aids in the past seven years alone in an effort to give the gift of hearing to those in need.

In the 2008 gala they raised $5 million dollars and this year's gala they raised just as much. And so far they have distributed over 440,000 hearing aids around the world and many more into the future. It won't be long til the Starkey Foundation reaches the millionth hearing aid mark.

The gift of hearing? Priceless.

So the world may hear...

Here are two organizations that provide hearing aids to the needy and poor around the world including children.

One is called "So the World May Hear" organization by the Starkey Hearing Foundation. Well known celebrities like Heather Whitestone and Lou Ferrigno support this mission. Plus many, many more well known celebrities that have attended the annual "So the World May Hear" award gala with the recent gala on July 12, 2009.

Elton John, Billy Crystal, Tony Bennett and Gladys Knight Headline at Ninth Annual So the World May Hear Awards Gala.

What an incredible line-up of stars, and what a magnificent evening of entertainment, celebration and generosity. The kind of generosity that is simply unprecedented. The kind of generosity that is born of passion and commitment. “The kind of generosity that will allow us to open the world as we know it—a world of music, laughter, language, and love—to kids all over the world by giving them the gift of hearing,” said William F. Austin, founder of Starkey Hearing Foundation. “I extend my heartfelt gratitude to everyone who made our 2009 Gala a success.”

The evening featured the comedy of Billy Crystal as well as performances by Gladys Knight, Tony Bennett and Ethan Bortnick. After saluting Bill and Tani Austin as two of the most important people in his life, Elton John capped off the evening with a touching and memorable one-hour performance that included such hits as “Rocket Man,” “Your Song,” “Daniel,” and “Circle of Life.” The inspirational evening would not have been complete without the recognition of four individuals and one corporation for their significant contributions to humanity. This year’s award recipients included comedian Norm Crosby, the 1961 New York Yankees, Minnesota philanthropists and business leaders Marilyn and Dr. Glen Nelson, and Rayovac, a long-time supporter of Starkey Hearing Foundation.

Additional celebrity guests who attended this year’s Gala included performers JC Chasez and Sam Moore; actors Lou Ferrigno, Verne Troyer and Robert Culp; TV personalities Alan Kalter and Paige Hemmis; astronaut Buzz Aldrin; golf legend Arnold Palmer; 1961 Yankees teammates Moose Skowron, Whitey Ford, Ralph Terry, and Bob Turley as well as Mickey Mantle’s son David Mantle; Southern Methodist University head football coach June Jones; songwriter Paul Williams; comedian Norm Crosby; and many others. In addition, Minnesota Governor Tim Pawlenty, Minnesota Vikings head coach Brad Childress, Minnesota Vikings trainer Eric Sugarman, University of Minnesota head basketball coach Tubby Smith, Marilyn and Dr. Glen Nelson, and several Minnesota Vikings players.

The other organization that benefits directly the children around the world is called "Hearing Angel." So far to date they have outfitted over 340,000 hearing aids to children around the world and saw miles of smiles as a result. One girl even expressed her gratitude to be able to hear sound again to the people who gave and outfitted her new hearing aid.

Please visit these two sites and learn what you can do for those who can use the joy of sound in their lives. The man, William Austin, who started the Starkey Hearing Foundation, read his story on how it all started.

Path to cure for sensorineural hearing loss explained

Here's WongTanLim3 blog that does a very good job breaking down the discussion on the path to cure sensorineural hearing loss and does a quick summary along with important links. Reading this blog you will realize that this particular biomedical field is now soon becoming into a race for the cure for hearing loss in the area of nerve deafness. This blog piece is a MUST READ! And a must have blog to add to your favorite link.

Like me, if you're following stem cell or gene therapy research for the treatment or cure for sensorineural hearing loss or nerve deafness which is one of the most promising field of medical research and development into the coming next decade, then this is a must read blog to read. And keep abreast of important news and thoughts like this recent blog post by WongTanLim3.

Be sure send a thank you to WongTanLim3 for keeping a sharp eye on this growing field soon to be a burgeoning biomedical development which will have the potential to affect several hundreds million people around the world with nerve deafness. Of course, this alone would have the greatest impact to those in the Deaf community when compared to the issues and consternations involving cochlear implants.

Miracle and Gift of Sound - Deaf Girl with Cochlear Implant Plays the Piano

Here's Holly with her mother. Holly contracted meningitis at age 1 that took the world of sound away from her. By age 1 1/2 years old she was fitted with a cochlear implant. Before the menigitis Holly was exposed to a world of music in her mother's household since she is a musician. Because of the early exposure to music and sound, the quick intervention to get the implant and the continued interaction with sound, music and voice has helped shape Holly into a musically talented pianist.

In February 2001, just before her second birthday, her right ear was fitted with a cochlear implant – a surgically inserted electronic device that provides a sense of sound for people who are profoundly deaf. Seven years later, another was fitted in her left ear. The doctors played us a simulation of what music would sound like to Holly – I was horrified because it was just white noise. "Holly is going to hear music," I kept saying to myself.

I continued teaching the piano because we were short of money, but it was difficult spending time with hearing children. I was determined to try to put right what had gone wrong, to get Holly back to where she would have been had she not been ill. She had a lot of speech and music therapy as part of her rehabilitation after the meningitis and we constantly repeated words and sounds to her.

It was when Holly started entering piano competitions last year that I realised she had a very special talent. She'd been having lessons since she was seven and, although she's only just turned 10, she's already at grade five – most children get to that level only when they're much older.

She's improving all the time. I'm always surprised and shocked by just how much she can do. It's an amazing feeling to see her playing – a mixture of elation and sheer relief. Some children don't seem to have the right energy in their hands and arms to play, but she does.

The scientists who work on cochlear implants are confounded by what she has achieved musically. They are baffled by her progress and have no idea how she has done it. When she entered a national piano competition in May, the adjudicator praised the fact that she appeared to listen to the sounds she was making – her whole body, he thought, was involved in the process of making music. He didn't know that Holly was profoundly deaf – when her piano teacher told him at the end of the afternoon he was shocked.

I'm convinced that the simulation we originally heard of how music sounds with a cochlear implant is not how Holly hears it. The brain is complex and adapts to many situations; somehow, Holly has made sense of it all. She loves music and improvises at the piano, sings and composes all the time. She also plays the cello in the local string orchestra and sings in a choir.

Words of her special talent is getting around as you can see. Holly, please don't ever stop playing the piano and use your God-given talent and the gift of sound to the best of your ability. Enjoy and have fun by making the best of what you have. Since I started playing the piano at seven, I know what it was like and how fun it was to do it. Here's a picture of me at age 8 playing the piano at a piano recital. I still play the piano as you can see in my Ragtime Piano blogsite.





Holly also used her musical talent at a piano concert to help raise money for children with cochlear implants and at the same time raise awareness on the world of possibilities of what one can do with a cochlear implant, even to become a talented musican.

To criticize Obama is not racist....

Cartoon courtesy of NBRA by Brett Noel.

Whenever there is a commentary in a blog criticizing Obama by taking him to task over certain short-sightedness or policy approach that has nothing to do with his skin color or ethnicity. Nor is it a racist, of course. What it boils down to is the right to freely express an opinion about the President of the United States but Liberals have decided to play the race card to the hilt but it has proven to be disastorous so far, of course. We see people who are being subjected at every turn called a "racist" by liberals' knee-jerking response who the overly protective and zealous Obama adulators. This, I'm sure, has happened many times when Obama first came on the scene back in 2007 onward for the 2008 presidential race and to today which has gone completely overboard with Obama contributing to the race card meme by calling Officer Crowley for "acting stupidly."

This whole racist charge isn't a just hearing people phenomenom thing, either. You have deaf people accuse others for being racist for making critical comments against the president. The first one that I remembered to have lobbed that charge, in so many words, came earlier this year. It was an unfortunate but a laughable charge. Mishka Zena (an Obama adulator?) had the, ahem, audacity to charge (J'accuse!) Rob Underhill in the blog comment over his blog article about Obama's trash after the inauguration stating what he wrote was racist. Mishka Zena made the charge with the presumption that by treating Obama differently is a racist act. Racist? You gotta be joking! Would it be any different had the President been a white Democrat with a green agenda and still saw messy result at the Mall on inauguration day? Ironically, it is the Democrats who are treating Obama differently by holding him up as the "messiah."

Nothing worse than to jump gun and use the color excuse and make a serious but unsubstantiated charges of racism. No matter what you say about Obama when criticizing him you will more than likely hear charges of racism from the mouths of Obama adulators.

There's no getting away from it.

Laugh at a political cartoon showing two cops who had just shot a crazed monkey?

Raaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaacist!

Compare Obama's ipost inauguration trash in DC to a post 9/12 million plus Tea Party protesters in DC with near clean results?

Raaaaaaaaaaaaacist!!

Obama's political experience is less than Governor Palin.

Raaaaaaaaaaacist!!

Obama picked a tax cheat for Secretary of Treasury.

Raaaaaaaaaaaacist!!

Obama's bailout package with one measure containing $4.2 billion dollars where ACORN (widely know for their fraudulent activities supporting Obama only and not a neutral organization) will be eligible for it...without question.

Raaaaaaaaaaaaacist!!

Obama's ears look funny.

Raaaaaaaaaaaaaacist!!

Obama's a mulatto.

Raaaaaaaaaaaaacist!!!

Obama's black and white.

Raaaaaaaaaaaaaacist!!!

Obama's is no Martin Luther King.

Raaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaacist!!!

Barack Hussein Obama Elected As Our Nation’s First Black President and Our Nation’s First Marxist President.

Raaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaacist!!

Well, the bit about MLK, first Marxist President and the cartoon at the top came from the National Black Republican Association website. So, you can't accuse me of being racist which would be mighty stupid of you to try and do so.

So, please. Stop with the constant knee-jerking whenever one criticizes Obama that has nothing to do with the color of his skin or ethnicity but rather by the content of Obama's character and not his skin.

In short.... Mishka Zena, the people in Alldeaf and all others need to get past this myopic view of using race as your calling card which is a feeble crutch of a defense in the attempt to protect Obama at every turn by making baseless and unsubstantiated charges. Doing so shows desperation on your part. Remember, this is 2009. Not 1865. It's the Democrats who ought to owe blacks an apology for legitimizing racist attitudes of the past and even today.

When a president plays dumb...

This is absolutely an eye-opener, especially when he gives a non-answer to a bill calling for complete de-funding of any federal monies to ACORN when it was passed by both the House and Senate.

STEPHANOPOULOS: But have your — have some of your allies made it easier for — handed your opponents some ammunition, like ACORN, for example…

OBAMA: Well, look, the — you know, I think that — are there folks in the Democratic camp or on the left who haven’t — haven’t always operated in ways that I’d appreciate? Absolutely.

STEPHANOPOULOS: Congress said they should cut off all funding for ACORN.

OBAMA: Is — is — is…

STEPHANOPOULOS: … all funding for ACORN. Are you for that?

OBAMA: Is that true on the other side, as well? Of course that’s true.

STEPHANOPOULOS: How about the funding for ACORN?

OBAMA: You know, it’s — frankly, it’s not really something I’ve followed closely. I didn’t even know that ACORN was getting a whole lot of federal money.

STEPHANOPOULOS: Both the Senate and the House have voted to cut it off.

OBAMA: You know, what I know is, is that what I saw on that video was certainly inappropriate and deserves to be investigated.

STEPHANOPOULOS: So you’re not committing to — to cut off the federal funding?

OBAMA: George, this is not the biggest issue facing the country. It’s not something I’m paying a lot of attention to.

The last two comments is quite damning which clearly shows that Obama does NOT want to de-fund all monies for ACORN. He is beholden to ACORN for helping him win by being a partisan organization, which is against the law. Remember, ACORN is synomous with Obama, and vice versa. Obama is ACORN! Remember Anita MonCrief, former employee of ACORN who blew the whistle on ACORN's activity and got fired for it? And her revelation earlier this year in February warning Democrats that ACORN has become a liability for them? Now, that Democrats have thrown ACORN under several NOLA yellow buses, you think it'd be a wee bit late for Democrats to have responded in kind?

Look for the 2010 Congress election to be a disastorous year for Democrats. Obama has become a liability for them already. It is the Democrats who are walking on eggshells right now....very delicate eggshells that is.