Matt Hamill - First UFC Fighter? Blog #13

Matt Hamill's face recognition has just gone up a notch. Check out this company StreetWise FightWear where Matt is featuring a new clothing line for the company. And soon, for Matt Hamill fans, you can get your hands on a Matt Hamill Autographed T-Shirt!

Streetwise Streetfighting is a clothing line and fight gear company. Specializing in a clothing line that is not afraid to say what needs to be said. *****COMING SOON***** MATT HAMILL AUTOGRAPHED T SHIRTS

Now, I'm asking myself. Why the sudden promotion of a clothing line company, StreetWise FightWear, with a recognizable face such as Matt's from the TUF3 show? Did Matt Hamill make it in TUF3 show? Did Matt beat out all the light heavies and will fight in the next UFC show?

Interesting in seeing him promote this clothing line company from New York.

Hat tip: "JJ"

Check out all of my up todate Matt Hamill bloggings.

Matt Hamill - First Deaf UFC Fighter? Blog #12

Just what I thought, the Hamill - Bisping thing we saw at the end of Episode #3 looking like they were ready to tear into each other? Never happened. Although, Tito intervened pretty quickly reminding both that aggression does not belong on the practicing mat. A quick handshake between the two with Bisping sort of acknowledging through his body language and face that he was in the wrong to put out that kind of aggression against his training partner...Matt.

Team Ortiz fighters are there to practice off one another to help sharpen their MMA skills and get their needed cardio/conditioning done. Although Bisping remained somewhat pissed, more likely supremely annoyed about Matt getting all the attention from Tito and trying to make Matt the champion while he's his training partner. "Annoyed" might be a bit of an understatement here.

But in one scene at the house Bisping, Tait, Noah and a few others were making fun of Matt's supposed inability to understand what's going on, even with the interpreter. They were saying he should be getting 60% of the work done (ie. training that is, but I believe it was a stab at his lack of total communication or understanding with his coach) with Tito via the interpreter.and that Matt was wanting to do his own thing , or so they say. Although Tito doesn't seem to indicate any of this or showed concern that Matt wasn't following him or taking his cues. Still, they laughed and guffawed about Matt's own ignoracy, according to their perspective, of the whole training though it is Matt who is giving 100% into the training efforts coming in with no Jujitsu training. No boxing training. Fresh off with only years of excellent wrestling experience to back him up. It was Tito who recognized Matt to be a great potential which is why he picked him first. Matt's heart and sincerity are obviously evident whenever he trains. Are the others doing the same thing?

For one thing, those fighters may think it's funny that Matt may not be getting the full details of what's going on or what Tito's trying to relay to Matt on the finer points of MMA. But it is certainly better than getting only 10% of the info without an interpreter.

Tonight it was Mike Bisping versus Kristian Rothaermel. Mike wins with a hard right knee to Kristian's top head in the 1st round causing him to bleed all over the mat...and on Mike. A minute later, a left jab to Kristian's face makes him even more wobbly. Kristian went down with more than a minute left in the round with Mike on top of him landing a few blows to the head before the ref stepped in to stop the fight. A TKO.

Team Ortiz is looking very strong. Shamrock's? Well, just remember about the nutrition guy he brought on. A real big help to team's morale.

Now, who will Matt fight next in the light heavy weights? There is only Tait Fletcher and Mike Nickels on Team Shamrock.

I think next week will be the middle weights fighting each other, and the light heavies will play two weeks from now. In terms of taking turns, Matt will need all the extra time with Coach Tito (much to Bisping's annoyance) to get as much of the Jujitsu and boxing points as possible. It's looking more like it may come down to Matt Hamill and Mike Bisping when everything is said and done.

Guess we'll have to wait and see. Won't we?

And please, stop lifting those 10lb dumbells. You're embarrassing the ladies.


Previous blogs on Matt Hamill.

Reminder, Matt Hamill vs Bisping Confrontation Tonite?

Matt Hamill - First Deaf UFC Fighter? Blog #10

Matt Hamill - First Deaf UFC Fighter? Blog #9

Matt Hamill - First Deaf UFC Fighter? Blog #8

Matt Hamill - First Deaf UFC Fighter? Blog #5

Matt Hamill -First Deaf UFC Fighter? Blog #4

Inside Pulse to Link to Kokonut Pundits on Series Blogging on Matt Hamill

Matt Hamill - First Deaf UFC Fighter? Blog #3

Matt Hamill, TUF3, UFC and Opening Your Mouth Too Wide with Hatred

Matt Hamill - First Deaf UFC Fighter? Blog #2

Matt Hamill - First Deaf UFC Fighter?

Check out all of my up todate Matt Hamill bloggings.

Reminder, Matt Hamill vs Bisping Confrontation Tonite?

Don't forget. TUF3 comes on tonight on SpikeTV. In the end of Episode #3 we saw what appeared to be a Hamill - Bisping confrontation. Of course, it could be played like a bad cliff hanging soap opera show tricking viewers to tune into what will appear to be nothing, however.

Here is Episode #4 program schedule. If you miss it tonight, don't worry. You'll have two other days to catch it. Just don't read my blog or I'll spoil it for you.

Thursday, April 27th @ 10:00pm-Episode 4
Saturday, April 27th @ 10:00pm-Episode 4
Monday, May 1st@ 11:00pm-Episode 4

Check out all of my up todate Matt Hamill bloggings.

Your Chance to Vote. Who Should be the next President for Gallaudet University.

Ok. Here's your chance to vote on which person should be the next president of Gallaudet University. If you haven't heard, there's been a big discussion (even with some temper tantrums in some areas) regarding the pros and cons (click on picture of candidate to see comments from various posters) for each of the three candidates selected to be the 9th president of Gallaudet University. Deafness About has more details and links to the whole, some say farce, selection and voting process.

Take a vote and see the results.

Who should be the next President for Gallaudet University? Dr. Jane Fernandes Stephen F. Weiner Ronald Stern None of them I am not sure I don't care They should start over again with the selection process Who? Free polls from Pollhost.com

Oil Companies. How Much Profiting Allowed?

How much profit percentage should oil companies be allowed to make? 1$ profit for every $100 worth of gas or oil sold 2$ profit for every $100 worth of gas or oil sold 4$ profit for every $100 worth of gas or oil sold 8$ profit for every $100 worth of gas or oil sold 10$ profit for every $100 worth of gas or oil sold 15$ profit for every $100 worth of gas or oil sold 20$ profit for every $100 worth of gas or oil sold 30$ profit for every $100 worth of gas or oil sold 40$ profit for every $100 worth of gas or oil sold. 50$ profit for every $100 worth of gas or oil sold Free polls from Pollhost.com

What do you think? Should oil companies be allowed to make whatever profit they can make if people are willing buy their oil based products? What's an "acceptable" profit margin according to you that oil companies ought to be allowed to make?

A Deaf Person and Her Battle with Multiple Scelerosis

Here's a new blogsite called Word Salads by a deaf person (wears a cochlear implant, too) who is dealing her own way on how she battle against Multiple Scelerosis (MS). And that would be blogging about it.

MS is a scary condition and this condition is nothing to laugh at. One girl in some show, can't remember where or when, said the most pithy and wise words, and it went something like this:

In life, we are only temporarily abled.

Indeed. As we grow older, the risk increases for our body to succumb to various diseases and conditions where we are generally at the mercy and whims of own genetic DNAs where they could simply be a time bomb waiting to go off.

You might recognize this deaf blogger of Word Salads. Her name is Sherry, a good friend of mine. She's the red headed fire bomb who knows how to keep a stiff up lip in the face of adversity. This time it's war on her Multiple Scelerosis. And that comes with lots of side-effects, too. Unfortunately. But she is also a person who you could talk to and be comfortable with. So, visit her blog and learn more about the strange and scary world of Multiple Scelerosis.

The Ubi Duo

Be sure to come back and view sComm's website for updates and website upgrades over the next 2 to 4 weeks. More information about the Ubi (pronounced "yoo-bee") communication device will be provided on sComm's website for those who still have questions after seeing my first blog on the official unveiling of Ubi Duo. Most of what I've seen lately of other people's impressions about Ubi Duo's capabilities and design features are incorrect. Information will be forthcoming to help address questions and correct some of the false impressions about Ubi Duo, including software information.

On another note, everything went extremely well yesterday at the St. Louis, Missouri DeafNation Expo for sComm with their Ubi Duo demonstration at their booth. The President, CEO and officers of sComm couldn't be more happy. More info about the DeafNation Expo event will come later this week.

Stay tuned to Kokonut Pundits for more details and updates on Ubi Duo.


Ubi Good.

sComm to Debut a New Revolutionary Communication Device Today at DeafNation Expo

Breaking News!

Direct from the CEO of sComm, Jason Curry, who have informed me a few months ago of a new communication device for both hearing and deaf people where I was given an exclusive glimpse of the new device not too long ago. The communication device was kept under wraps until the official unveiling today at the DeafNation Expo in St. Louis. I am proud to cover this exclusive report seen only here on Kokonut Pundits as part of the simulataneous unveiling of sComm's new communication device called the "Ubi Duo" - your portable easy-to-use wireless solution.

Jason Curry and I have collaborated and discussed over emails, IMs and VPs about this new communication device ever since January 2005 where I have blogged about his company numerous times (here, here and here). And we also have become good friends as a result of our collaborative efforts to help increase sComm's profile to the market.

The "Ubi" will debut today April 22 at DeafNation Expo in St. Louis, Missouri. The secret of this new communication device has been under wrap for more than a year ever since sComm received their $1.3 million award from NIH to develop and market their unique communication device. The secret is now no longer.

It has been a long, long road from the inception of an idea drawn on a white marking board to reality between father and son. What they had in mind was an unique communication device designed to help make communication easier between hearing and deaf people whether working, traveling or having a good time playing poker with your hearing buddies. Jason Curry is another example of a successful deaf person when good ideas and hard work go well together.


See and try your hands on the "Ubi Duo" for the very first time at the April 22 DeafNation Expo in St. Louis, Missouri. Future schedules where sComm will appear to give demostrations of the "Ubi" communication device:

May 13 DeafNation Expo - Atlanta, Georgia
June 23-27 Alexander Graham Bell Association - Pittsburgh, PA
June 29-July 3 National Association for the Deaf - Palm Springs, CA
Sept 16 DeafNation Expo - Seattle, WA
Sept 23 DeafNation Expo - Denver, CO
Oct 7 DeafNation Expo - Chicago, IL


And now, a word from the CEO of sComm, Jason Curry:

=====================================
I am the CEO of sComm, Inc., developer of the sComm Ubi Duo, a communication device enabling people who are deaf or hard of hearing to communicate face-to-face freely with hearing people without an interpreter. The goal is freedom and independence in communication. I am deaf myself and know the struggles of face to face communication. The Ubi Duo changes the landscape for face to face communication. The development of the device was funded with a grant from the National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders – National Institutes of Health,

The Ubi features:
· Two full size keyboards – two screens
· Portable/Light Weight (Folds over on itself for easy carrying)
· Wireless
· Functions as a simultaneous/real time TDD/communicates with any TDD
· Connectible to other PDAs such as Blackberry, Sidekick & cell phones
· 4 additional modes of communication-(Broadcast, In Range, Group, Auto Link)

Benefits of the device are:
1) Communicate face to face freely with anyone at any place, at any time without an interpreter
2) Be empowered to seek greater employment opportunities by eliminating communication barriers
3) Express thoughts, emotions, and personality freely
4) Simultaneous communication - Communicate in real time without any delay
5) Eliminate frustration for both the person who is deaf and the person who is hearing in enabling easy communication in an efficient time frame.

The sComm Ubi goal:
A priority goal of the Ubi is to increase employment for people who are deaf as well as provide mobility in any other settings. Although federal law requires appropriate accommodation in the work place, this does not happen in many settings at all times. I have experienced this myself. People who are deaf are allowed interviews for employment; however another reality is that many people who are deaf are underemployed or unemployed because of an employer’s fear of the cost of an interpreter and the fear of being unable to communicate freely with an employee. The Ubi is a practical alternative in these situations.

Some Testimonials and Responses from people who are deaf who have tested the device:

- “Exciting technology – would give me, as a professor, a work with my deaf students. I would embrace the opportunity to use this.”
Neva Wood, PhD, university professor

- “This device was a wonderful tool to communicate with the deaf. I learned a lot about the tester, that I probably would never have known had it not been for the sComm.”
Janice Kinney, financial operations analyst

- “I LOVE THIS DEVICE! I would use it in my everyday affairs.”
Todd Carley, payroll specialist

- “I can now have an interactive conversation with Andy. Before it was very brief and basic due to the difficulty and slowness of us writing everything down. Allows for a normal give-and-take conversation.”
Denise Johnston, financial systems analyst

- Chuck Wilson, a 35 year worker with the DFAS commented: “I got more work done with the Ubi than I had ever before. I received more information from my supervisor than ever before. It changed my work environment from “hi”-”good-bye” to real conversations. Co-workers that I had never talked to – talked to me.”

How does it work?
The Ubi device is composed of 2 sides which can remain attached or separated each with a full size keyboard and a split screen. The users type the conversation at the same time. The Ubi communicates simultaneously in real time.. The Ubi is battery powered and also can be connected to electrical outlets for long term use. The device folds over on itself, is portable, lightweight, and designed to be used anyplace, any time. It is not a laptop. It is a communication device with 6 different modes of communicating ranging from face to face to connecting to blackberry or TDD modes.

In the work environment:
The Ubi device changes the communication capability in a work environment. It replaces writing notes, lip reading, and interpreters in appropriate settings in the work environment. Writing notes is not efficient and is time consuming and is limiting to the quantity and quality of information that can be processed. Lip reading is difficult and sketchy. The Ubi resolves these issues enabling supervisors, employees, and co-workers to communicate face to face simultaneously without an interpreter.

Most information in a job setting often takes place in 5 to 60 minute segments when discussing the work -- longer segments of time such as during a performance review or discussion of a new project. It is not financially practical to bring an interpreter in for very short time frames and thus an employee who is deaf is often limited in the information received. The option of using the Ubi for communication in most circumstances rather than using an interpreter can save thousands of dollars in interpreter fees.

Video Phone interpreting most often limits employees to specific areas and places where a television monitor is available. With the Ubi, no appointment is needed with an interpreter. There is no account to set up. There is no dependence on whether the internet is working. There is no dependence on any third party. The Ubi is portable and can be taken anywhere – to any desk – in any area of the section or building for a one-on-one meeting. Once purchased, there are no further costs associated with using the Ubi.

Social relationships are equally important in establishing rapport in the work place. With the Ubi, an employee who is deaf is free to move about among other employees just as an employee who is hearing can – even in the cafeteria to be able to chat with other workers over lunch.

Human Subjects Testing:
In the human subjects testing done during the Phase I development, 99 percent of the 100 Ubi users (both people who are deaf and people who are hearing) prefer the Ubi over all other alternatives such as lip reading, note writing, and even interpreters. That research is available. The testimonials from users of the Ubi are overwhelmingly enthusiastic and positive. The freedom with using this device is always the first response at the top of the list. Boy’s Town National Institute in Omaha, Nebraska is the site of the final focus group testing of the device under the direction of Dr. Mary Pat Moeller and Dr. Walt Jesteadt.

My own personal experience with the Ubi:
Being deaf myself, the Ubi has had a major impact on my life and in the running of my company. I have meetings with people who are hearing without having to scramble around to find an interpreter on short notice or having to sit side by side in front of the television video phone and wait for the delay from the interpreter. I am able to hold one-on-one meetings with people anywhere I go with the Ubi. When a salesman drops by in a surprise visit, I just grab the Ubi and we sit down and start communicating. I used it last week at a class reunion of my wife and talked with many of her friends. It has been the most liberating time of my life both in my work environment, my other business dealings, and socially.

Additional settings in which the Ubi has proven beneficial:
Doctor’s office visits:
sComm has a request now from a woman who is deaf to borrow one of the Ubis to be used in the recovery room after her surgery.

Banks: Enables a person who is deaf to discuss loans or other business.

Airline, hotel, and rental car counters: Eliminates the frustration of incomplete conversations and details and is time efficient.

Colleges – one on one meetings with professors.

sComm currently has a student using a Ubi at Sarah Lawrence college who says it has changed her entire experience in her pre-doctoral program.

A young man is just starting to use the device to get his GED at State Fair Community College in Sedalia, Missouri. The college can provide an interpreter for 2 hours 2 days a week, but it is not enough to enable finishing the GED in a reasonable amount of time. The student can not go to the GED lab at any time convenient for him. With the Ubi, he can now go as often as he wants, stay as long he wants and can progress faster.

What is the cost?
Retail price for the device based on our manufacturing, overhead, and profit margin is $1895. The Ubi with its capabilities and features is unique to the marketplace. Though not for every circumstance, the Ubi has the capability of becoming the standard for face to face communication devices enabling people who are deaf to communicate with people who are hearing.

Communicate Freely,

Jason

Jason Curry
sComm, CEO
4224 S. Hocker Drive, Suite 260
Independence, MO 64055
jason@scommonline.com
www.scommonline.com
Yahoo IM: jason_curry_r
816-350-7001 (TTY and VP)
816-350-7008 (VOICE)816-350-7009 (FAX)

FREEDOM THROUGH COMMUNICATION FOR DEAF, HARD OF HEARING, AND OTHERS WITH COMMUNICATION BARRIERS
=============================

Matt Hamill - First Deaf UFC Fighter? Blog #10

Nothing much about Matt Hamill in Episode #3 except the time when he was doing cardio runs inside a hotel while carrying one of his team mate. Tito loved it when Matt Hamill went for the extra distance and called Matt as a guy with a "lot of heart." Tito is proud of Matt Hamill's hard work ethic. Good guys do win.
As for the two fighters, Ross Pointon and Kendall Grove, it was patently obvious that Kendall had the upper hand even before the fight began while he trained on his wrestling, boxing and grappling skills. But being stubborn about how you fight your own way doesn't work well which Ross was so proud of. That was Ross' Achilles Heel. All the fighters on Team Shamrock tried to help Ross by telling him he need to work on his grappling and wrestling skills which was painfully absent during his training. Ross simply didn't care for it. Ross' own weak link finally showed in the ring that ended when Kendall gave Ross a rear chokehold forcing him to tap out in the first round.

Near the end of the show we catch a glimpse of the upcoming Episode #4 when we see Matt Hamill apparently "retaliating" against Bisping because of Bisping's hostile sparring attitude with Tito. Tito didn't like that. Neither did Matt. Apparently, from Episode #2, Bisping was peeved and annoyed over the fact that Tito was giving so much attention to Matt, Bisping became disrespective to Tito while they both sparred.

Perhaps we'll see more of this confrontation in Episode #4? Something gotta give between Matt Hamill and Michael Bisping.

Stay tuned.


Previous blogs on Matt Hamill.

Matt Hamill - First Deaf UFC Fighter? Blog #9

Matt Hamill - First Deaf UFC Fighter? Blog #8

Matt Hamill - First Deaf UFC Fighter? Blog #5

Matt Hamill -First Deaf UFC Fighter? Blog #4

Inside Pulse to Link to Kokonut Pundits on Series Blogging on Matt Hamill

Matt Hamill - First Deaf UFC Fighter? Blog #3

Matt Hamill, TUF3, UFC and Opening Your Mouth Too Wide with Hatred

Matt Hamill - First Deaf UFC Fighter? Blog #2

Matt Hamill - First Deaf UFC Fighter?

Check out all of my up todate Matt Hamill bloggings.

Update on Greg Gunderson - Vote for Upcoming Reality Show

Just received a tip that the new upcoming reality show Racin' for a Living had to change server in order to handle the inordinate high volume of voting reponses on favorite drivers. There is no restriction on how often you can vote for your favorite driver. Go ahead and vote for Greg Gunderson as often as you like.

If you want to be a part of a forum that discusses the only deaf professional driver, Greg Gunderson, go here and get a chance to speak with Greg! Also you can see Greg's postings seen here as well. Or get a chance to chat with Greg's wife, Christa in this thread.


Hat tip: "James"

Matt Hamill - First Deaf UFC Fighter? Blog #9

A reminder. Be sure to watch Episode 3 tomorrow on SpikeTV TUF3 challenge.

Thursday, April 20th@ 10:00pm-Episode 3
Saturday, April 22nd @ 10:00pm-Episode 3
Monday, April 24th@11:00pm-Episode 3

Check out the rest of the episodes here.

After I finished my exercise at the gym yesterday, I talked to one of the guys who are training for upcoming MMA contests in New Mexico. While he did his cardio on his bike, he (btw, he's hearing) and I talked at length about the TUF3 show and Matt Hamill. We agreed that Matt Hamill is in a grey area of whether or not he'll succeed the TUF3 contest and come out on top. Only because Matt trained in the MMA for several months and is quite new to the game. However, we see that he picks up the technicals quite quickly and is anxious to learn more. We also agree that he's an excellent wrestler and all he needs to do is work on the technicals such as the finer points of grappling and boxing. Not sure about Jujitsu when his wrestling is very strong to begin with. Doesn't hurt to know some Jujitsu though.

The odds on favorite or favorite contender seems to be in Matt Hamill's corner. Even the guy whom I talked with while he was working on his stationary bike, dripping with sweat, said that he would like to see Matt win. There are several other MMA trainers (all hearing) at the gym where I work out. I will talk to them over the week whenever I see them as I prepare for my own contest and get their inputs about Matt Hamill.


Previous blogs on Matt Hamill.

Matt Hamill - First Deaf UFC Fighter? Blog #8

Matt Hamill - First Deaf UFC Fighter? Blog #5

Matt Hamill -First Deaf UFC Fighter? Blog #4

Inside Pulse to Link to Kokonut Pundits on Series Blogging on Matt Hamill

Matt Hamill - First Deaf UFC Fighter? Blog #3

Matt Hamill, TUF3, UFC and Opening Your Mouth Too Wide with Hatred

Matt Hamill - First Deaf UFC Fighter? Blog #2

Matt Hamill - First Deaf UFC Fighter?
Check out all of my up todate Matt Hamill bloggings.

When Gay/Lesbain Parents Take Advantage of their Kids at White House Easter Egg Hunt

Chicago Sun Times - "About 100 gay and lesbian couples wearing rainbow-colored leis ."

Washington Post - "Gri and Mott were two of about 200 gay and lesbian parents who came with about 100 children to the traditional Easter Egg Roll, along with about 16,000 other families."

Not exactly the "crashing" of the White House Easter egg hunt when you have only a few hundred gay and lesbian parents out of 16,000 other families.

Even at the White House Press Briefing did a "stuck on stupid" reporter tried to make a big deal of the Easter Egg Hunt:

Q And since this morning's annual White House Easter Egg Roll welcomed everybody, including those wearing rainbow leis promoting their sexual orientation, will next year's event include all sexual orientations, including those wearing arm bands proclaiming that pain is pleasure, or not?

MR. McCLELLAN: Les, the Easter Egg Roll is a very happy tradition at the White House that dates back to 1878. It is a time for families, and we welcome all families and their children who want to come and participate in the --

Q All orientations --

MR. McCLELLAN: -- Easter Egg Roll.

Q But my question was "all orientations."

MR. McCLELLAN: And you got a response to your question.

Q But that wasn't a response.

Ahem. Yes, it was a response. McClellan said "ALL families." Stop with the sniveling whine you reporter.

They said they were going to "crash" the White House lawn, raise all kinds of ire, get in line first, wear t-shirts, rant...rant...rant...etc..etc.... But at the end of the day the group decided to tone it down. However, it was still a political protest, albeit a very tacky one. They ended up wearing rainbow colored leis. However you look at it, it is no different from T-shirts or protest signs with political statements on them. Bottom line is that gay and lesbian parents used their children in order to make the White House Annual Easter Egg Hunt into a political affair. Why call this a political affair by gay and lesbian groups? Well, just read the news. It was a planned and coordinated event and wearing rainbow colored leis would be enough to ensure coverage from the press. It was never about the sanctity of children. It was all about gay and lesbian parents with their rainbow color leis saying "Hey, look at us, not the kids." They wanted to be the focus, and never about the children. It is supposed to be the kids' day, not the parents. Pure and simple. And yet I couldn't help but wonder how many gay couples actually used somebody else's child just to get into this event for the chance to make their own political statement?

Some found it sad to see this politicization knowing that doing so could create tension when it's really about the kids, and not the parents, day of fun.

Mark Tooley, a spokesman for the conservative Institute on Religion and Democracy, criticized the gay and lesbian groups as "pretty sad." Some religious and social conservative groups complained that the lesbians and gays politicized the egg roll, a traditional annual event that dates to 1878.

Even many gays and lesbians agree that this annual event should be all about the children and not about the parents. Sadly, many refused to listen to reason and choose politics instead for this one day when it's really all about kids having fun on the White House lawn.

When a Banjo Goes a "Plunkin"...

It's ironic when one blogger implies that Michelle Malkin doesn't do much about child pornography in her blogs (ie "not fast enough!!" OMG! Shoot her!). Au contraire. She has discussed numerous times in her blog and elsewhere (here, here, here, here, here, here and here) about that problems of child pornography. Instead of lambasting her for not reporting the Doyle's arrest quickly enough, maybe an acknowledgement that she is actually doing something about child pornography?

She'll go after people who do these sickening acts regardless if the person doing it is a Republican or a Democrat. Or haven't you noticed? Her priorities are hers alone and how she decide to go about her writings, and not for bloggers to decide. We all have our own priorities and interests on what to write and which ones to read that gets our fancy. Obviously she is certainly not ignorant about many serious issues.

Next, I can see why many don't see the NBC story as a worthy blog piece to write about. I believe some bloggers are missing the whole point about NBC's unethical news "reporting." NBC purposely tried to make a story (rather than reporting a story, big difference) in the hope that undercover Muslims pretending to be NASCAR fans will get bashed by rednecks NASCAR fans and get captured on film. Never happened. This is a problem with the MSM and many readers simply do not see this. Hence, the story was about the NBC story in their attempt to make a story by being deceptive about it. It didn't work. They got caught. Big time.

No doubt. Child pornography is a very serious issue and out of control....worldwide. So is alot of things that she's writing about, including problems at DHS (and FAMS), of which Doyle used to work for where Michelle Malkin tied her piece about the arrest and the problems at DHS. She's a mean, writing machine. Always moving around doing interviews and shows, and always writing. Even President Bush is doing something about this issue as well. This will always be a problem. And everybody is doing their best to solve it.
I've no need to defend Michelle Malkin. If I see an error, I'll point it out for the readers to see. My blog piece was merely to correct one blogger's error and inform readers on what was said, wasn't the case at all. Can't have false information running rampant and the need to keep the overly emotional "OMG! Shoot her for not reporting quick enough!" delirium down to a bare minimum. The latter is assuredly an impossible task around here. Different strokes for different folks.

Oh, btw, "deflocking" isn't even a word. Even that would befuddle Hannity AND Colmes. Perhaps a retired teacher can help you on that part. Especially this - "A Coconut is Capable of Self-Deflocking." What the...hey?? A coconut "self-deflocks"....? Sounds destructive but, uh, ok. Whatever. Might want to change that title of that blog piece while you're at it. What? Oh, right. You're trying to make a point about the title. I see. Gotcha. Suurrrre. It is, however, YOUR blog. So, I cannot "force" you to change it anymore than I can "force" people to vote or support Matt Hamill. Ridiculous, isn't it?

I think I know where this one might head off to so I'll address it now. For a banjo or a guitar, the "plunk" can mean to "pick" or "pluck" the strings. Also, "plunk" can mean to be the sound of an off-key note of the deeper string note whether it's a piano or a string instrument. I could've said "plink" for the higher string note, too. Or "plinking" as to mean to play the string instruments. All about a play of words here in my blog title. That is, if you know how to do it right.

Now, I've had complainers (generally those who do not like my blog in the first place for whatever reasons) come to me about my "badge of honor" tags seen on the left side column of my blogsite. A little history lesson. Bloggers and writers came to me by linking to my blog columns because it was they who found my writings worthwhile to link. Don't like? I can't help you with that one. Complainers are on their own since I cannot possibly please everybody just to accomodate their fragile feelings. I hope readers will realize that. I play the tune to no one except for myself. It's all about my perception, feelings, observations and knowledge of the subject matter.

And lastly, no, I have no real, deep, deep flaming interest on Canadian politics to blog. Sorry. Not really worth my time.

But I'll tell Banjo this. If you are good at movie reviews and are successful at it, stick with it. Don't change one thing about it.

Apologies to readers who had to wade through all this. All this leaves a bad taste in my mouth doing this. Bleh.

UPDATE: Even with "defrocking" still doesn't make any sense at all unless you're making that coconut into a priest of some kind or of some other honorary position worthy to be defrocked by someone else. Put it in this way, "a coconut self-defrocks." Just as bad as "self-deflocking." Makes absolutely no sense. Perhaps "self-destructing?" Even that won't help much context-wise. Just offering my constructive criticism here.

As for speling erors which is very rarre on my part butt as long as the wurd applies well with the contexxt beig writen, everithing is dandie. Everithing is udderstood by the peeple reeding this. (note: mispelling done on purpose).

Grammatically, it's fine. Spelling-wise? Terrible! I'd rather be understood for my grammar and syntax rather than for my spelling ability. But since I have both, who can blame me?

As for the bad taste thing, I meant that I'd rather put it to a more constructive criticism since I bear no ill will towards you. But since you caught me on a rare day when I was in a bit of a sardonic mood because someone screamed bloody murder about a blogger who didn't report for a full two days about the Doyle's arrest which is hardly worth the wrath, IMO. I'm just telling you my side of the story here and my perception of the matter at hand.

As for parenting "pattykins," I'm doing very well with my kids. If I get hugs and kisses from them constantly, and say "ILY," I MUST be doing something right! Is this something you're bitter about? Me having 3 wonderful and beautiful girls? Sorry for shattering your misconception here. You're over there, not here. Be careful of how you extrapolate my blog writings toward my parental skills as lacking. A very wrong, tactical approach. Secondly, if you do find some faults in my grammar...please, point them out! Don't be shy. Give me examples. I'm willing to learn. Since you were a teacher, dig up some of my writings and give me some of your corrected examples. I don't admit I'm perfect but I'm certainly very well satisfied with my writings. Yet, it's you who have a beef about my grammatical skills?

As for deletion, it's not about "dishing it out," it's about keeping to the rules that I have prominently displayed on my Haloscan that no foul language is allowed. Yet, when a poster continues to violate that rule *after* giving him/her fair warning to please stop, you can expect the poster will get banned for not following MY rules. What part do you not understand? Yet, you say you're a retired teacher. Hmmmm....?

A Matt Hamill Poll - will he win?

Go here and put in your vote on whether Matt Hamill will win the TUF3 competition for the UFC spot.

Happy Easter

Happy Easter y'all. Rememer what Easter is really about. Which means that the easter bunny is really dead and went to hell. I think the farmer who shot the bunny is asking for it.

Deaf People On Reality Shows - a trend?

Did my job. Now it's your turn. You can vote for Greg Gunderson to be one of the 15 professional race car drivers for the upcoming TV reality racing show called "Racin for a Living." If Greg gets enough votes (click here to go to the voting page and vote for Greg Gunderson - voting ends on July 31. You can vote as often as you can), he'll become the first deaf driver to compete in the upcoming reality show in 2007.

Now, Greg Gunderson would not be the first deaf person on a reality show. There were other deaf people who were (or are) on reality shows. Just like Matt Hamill who is now currently the first ever deaf MMA fighter ever to compete on the TUF3 (The Ultimate Fighter #3) reality show which is ongoing with 10 episodes left to go on Spike TV. Then we have the Vardon family with the deaf Mom and Dad along with their two hearing sons (one is austic) who were on the Extreme Home Makeover show back in August of 2004 with Marlee Matlin making a surprise visit at the end of the show. And then we have Christy Smith who became the first ever deaf person to be on any reality shows back in 2003 on a show called "Survivor."

Is there a trend going on here? We seems to be getting one deaf competitors on a reality show a year (except for 2005 which there weren't any, I believe). Are viewers likely to be more sympathic and supportive of deaf competitors or deaf people on reality shows? Are producers of reality shows starting to see that having deaf people on reality shows could actually boost their ratings? With 28 million deaf and hard of hearing people in the United States, that might be a reason why. But only about a fraction of that are people fluent in sign language that could easily relate to deaf competitors with signing ability on competition reality shows. Even if it's a fraction of the total deaf and hard of hearing population, that is still a good enough to boost the show's ratings. Either way, people watching reality shows tend to root for the underdogs, and if there is an identifiable deaf competitor(s) on the show, then viewers are more likely to favor the little guy. Just don't say that to Matt Hamill.

Hodgepodge

An interesting psychological aspect on readers of violent comic books.

Gay sickos in the mountains of North Carolina. They must really hate themselves. Or perhaps it's their jewels they hate?

More sickos here who have no tolerance.

Deaf English. Holy mackeral. Did they actually send this on to the White House? Should've been proof-read first.

Something big is coming very soon on Kokonut Pundits. No link yet. Patience people.

For those who hate Matt Hamill or will face him, be afraid.

Ok. For those who are rooting for Matt Hamill, show him your support. Can he do it? Watch Spike TV.

Deaf Pixel coming soon. What the heck is that?

Super hearing aid!

Maple Leaf ragtime piano piece. Go ahead and listen here. Good toe-tapping music. For a faster toe-tapping piece is the early Jazz piece by Jelly Roll Morton called, appropriately so, Fingerbuster. An extremely fast playing piano piece I'm working on. I need a better piano, though. A baby grand piano would be nice. Anyone?

More on Matt Hamill by the The Enquirer. No. Not National Enquirer you dum dums.

A cool techie AcceleGlove that recognizes signed movements into verbal responses. Be sure to click on the video to see the demostration.

Marlee Matlin is to play the leading role in a new movie called Silent Knights. Plans are in the works this Fall around Pittsburgh. A story of a college football team overcoming adversity to win their first winning season in years.

Interesting tidbit of history for y'all: Both Marlee Matlin and my wife were high school friends and classmates for a few years while at John Hersey High in Chicago. They've met a few times after high school graduation. One time at a Gallaudet homecoming (I have that picture) and another during a deaf softball game in Seattle, I think. Marlee Matlin (8/24/1965) and my wife are almost the same age by a few months difference.

Does anyone want to see a picture of Marlee Matlin in my wife's John Hersey high school yearbook? This offer isn't going to last.

When a Banjo Goes Plunk

Banjo, a deaf blogger from Canada, did a blog titled "Department of Homeland Perversion" with the focus on Michelle Malkin by accusing her of not "moving fast enough" to report on the recent arrest of a DHS spokesman, Brian J. Doyle in a child pornography sting. Despite Michelle Malkin's "long" delay (two days later, whoopee!) on not "reporting" the embarrassing news, she did however blogged numerous times about the problems at the Dept. of Homeland Security and the Federal Air Marshals Service that falls under DHS. She has blogged about the incompetence of DHS with over nearly six pages worth starting with the porno sting news at the very top.

Michelle Malkin is constantly blasting President Bush about DHS, FAMS and the border problems with Mexico along with reams of blogged pages about the immigration problems as well. It wouldn't do her justice to blog just a "short" piece about the sting on the DHS spokesman when she had blogged constantly in the past about the problems in DHS. She did blog a short piece about Doyle but along with nearly 6 pages worth on the problems of DHS and FAMS. This includes numerous links to her previous blogs about DHS and FAMS as well.

Now, you're probably thinking that I'm trying to excuse her for her exasperatingly, extremely long, long, lonnnnngggg delay on reporting about the embarrassing sting. Not so considering that Brian J. Doyle is a lifelong registered Democrat. And even with the liberal loving Time magazine problems with Doyle when he worked there prior to being hired by DHS in 2001 where Time may have possibly failed to provide important info to DHS about his Doyle's problem downloading porn while over at Time. After that startling revelation, why are the big name Democrat/Liberal bloggers and MSM suddenly so quiet now when they made a big stink in the beginning with front page headlines? Oh, yeah, because he is a...shhhhhhh....a Democrat, and that would reflect badly on MSM and liberal bloggers. Biased? Oh, please.

And, oh, Banjo was also wrong about Newsmax saying that it failed to report the story as well. That is quite incorrect. Newsmax reported it the very next day. None of the conservative bloggers that I know of are defending Doyle's conduct when everybody knows that it was a heinous crime to begin with. Unless, of course, you're one of the supporters of NAMBLA (warning: not work safe! - an outfit that advocates sex between grown men and little boys, reportedly as young as age 8) which the liberal loving ACLU loves to protect. Go figure.

Michelle Malkin may be "biased" but she's biased in a good way knowing the difference that truth matters compared to "journalists" who believe in making up a story so they can have a story to fit their agendas in mainstream media.

For Banjo, what might be a good idea is to stick with movie reviews from now on and not on American politics. When a banjo plays off key, it doesn't sound very good.

*Plunk*

When "Observe But Do Not Interfere" Interferes

Ok. It's official. I got Amy Robinson's permission to post her email responses to me about this guy's false reporting about me and hers, too.

This is Amy's permission response:

From : Amy Robinson <*********>
Sent : Friday, April 14, 2006 4:13 PM
To : MMcConnell mmcconnell2004(at)hotmail.com
Subject : Re: UFC fighter intro...about deaf UFC fighter...my input.

You can use whatever you want of my emails, I really could care less if I piss that jerk off, so use whatever you want.

This is what Amy said about Ridor in her rebuttal to his false reporting and accusation leveled toward me and at the same time misrepresented Amy's contention about me and how the info was gotten from me about Ridor.

From : Amy Robinson <***********>
Sent : Thursday, April 13, 2006 8:28 PM
To : MMcConnell mmcconnell2004(at)hotmail.com
Subject : Re: UFC fighter intro...about deaf UFC fighter...my input.

That guy Ridor is a total prick, I don't know what his deal is. I mentioned his hateful blog on Matt over on the sherdog mma forums, and apparently alot of people complained to him about his comments. Somehow he got my email address and sends me this angry email, asking me who told me about his blog, so I said I found the link off of your (Kokonut Pundits) site. I then proceeded to tell him it was pretty extreme to wish brain damage apon someone, and that gay people preech tolerance, and he wasn't showing any himself. I also asked him if there was anyway he could have misinterperted the indicident between him and Matt, and he went off berading Matt calling him a names like a homophobe and stuff. That guy is nuts, and no I didn't give him permission to use my email.

I added "Kokonut Pundits" in the above to clarify the "your."

Let me try and go over how he twisted, lied and misrepresented other people's responses just to try and discredit my reputation as a blogger on Kokonut Pundits:

1. He lied about how I supposedly informed the internet public that I had specifically posted his name and/or his blogsite address on MMA forums. Never happened. Why should I? Google and Yahoo will take care of that because of the sudden intense interest about Matt Hamill by both the deaf and hearing communities.

2. He lied about what Amy said (see Archive.org) in his desperate attempt to make readers believe that I gave her specific information about this guy by giving her his name and/or his blogsite address when I emailed her about my blogsite. Never happened. Read Amy's email response to me in the above.

3. He lied by saying that I said that he was "anti-UFC" on MMA forums. That has never happened. He pretty much said that himself in his own blog! Also, I am not even a member on any MMA forums. So, I cannot post.

4. He lied about what Amy Robinson really said to him by twisting her email response. He twisted her response just to suit his own agenda about how she got information from me. Amy's response in bold letters:

I got an email from Amy Robinson who confirmed that it was Mike “McWeenie” McConnell who mentioned about my anti-Matt Hamill entry: I really hope your were not very upset by my posting that, as I was just truly concerned that it was turning some people off to the UFC, and I was only going by Mr.McConnell’s word, who I really had no reason to doubt, as I have really no other connection into the deaf community, so once again please forgive me.

That "word" she got from me came directly from my blogsite only....not in my email to her or from MMA forums that Ridor has ardently claimed...repeatedly so. I just informed her that I was blogging about Matt after I found out about her article on Matt. I informed her so she can have another source to read about Matt.

Read her email response to me seen near the top of my blog to see how she retrieved info about Ridor off of my blogsite where he wished Matt Hamill a slow, brain-damaged death like Schiavo's.

This guy's credo is completely shot as of now. Well, it has been for awhile anyway. It may not have been apparent to some readers. You can see clearly, patently so, on the tactics he will use and how he will use people's words to suit his agenda to smear me and other people. Even to the point of not asking for permission to use other people personal emails on his blog hoping to generate more hatred and fomenting from the Deaf community. Or so he hopes. This is what gives the Deaf community a black eye. And he's doing a very good job at it.

I, on the other hand, would rather see all kinds of successes from deaf and hard of hearing people. Success can only be had if you work smartly and with dedication. Matt Hamill has proven that when he was one of the 12 people selected out of over 2000 who competed for the TUF3 slot. It took years of work. Lifting 10lb dumbells will not get you there.

I don't enjoy doing this type of lambasting but if it means to protect my reputation and, even more so, Amy Robinson's reputation, who is an amateur fighter, then I have no choice but to do this.

Just watch his blog and most likely he'll try and crucify Amy by calling her a "hearie" (as if that is a real insult to the hearing community), an "audist" or something so hideously "insulting." Maybe a "traiter!" This is a typical "crab theory" response by the deaf community. He'll undoubtedly try and do the same to me as he has always done.

As one poster commented on my blog recently saying, "you would think he's a fan of yours," when Ridor stalks at my every move in the blogosphere. Heck, enough so you'd probably think he works for Oscar Mayer weiner factory. If that what it takes to achieve "credibility" in the blogosphere then I want none of it. Yet, he gets it wrong every single time about me.

When you lie, twist words, make up stories and misrepresent other people long enough to the readers, the past has a way of catching up to you. I think it just did for Ridor. His overused balls, shaken but not stirred, are now effectively nailed to the wall for TUF3, Matt Hamill and UFC fans, and for Amy Robinson to see.

This is what happens when you interfere with the wrong people. Next time, please observe but do not interfere. Adhere to your own motto and heed to your own advice next time.

Thank you, Amy, for allowing me to do this.

UPDATE: More lies by Ridor caught in his own blog comment.

Ridor - "I do not care if he's a wonderful father (!) to some illegitimate kid that he conceived out of wedlock. I care less about it but I'd love to see him lose the contest or end up brain-damaged."

Kristi - Out of wedlock?? Better do your research a little better buddy.. we were married for 5 years. Your are the most hateful person I have ever met. I feel sorry for you.

Ron - Kristi, I'm not concerned with all of this discussion reguarding homosexuality, but rather supporting Matt and his reachign his goals!!! He was always a class act in my opinion. I coached matt at RIT and wish him the best of luck. I wish you and your daughter the best as well. Its been a few years since I've seen you and hope all is well. See Ya - Ron.


See what I mean folks? More fish stories from Ridor about Matt.

UPDATE II: Ridor continues to hold to his claim about Amy's email which is bogus and doesn't verify anything about me (see above emails) other than that I emailed to her about my blogsite. Which is why Amy allowed me, with her permission, to post her emails describing what Ridor has done is bogus! I never denied sending her an email. It was to inform her that I could offer a different perspective as a deaf/hh person on my blogsite about Matt. That's where she got the info about Ridor's blogsite. It came from my blogsite. What part you do not understand Ridor? What was your GPA again? Funny how Ridor continues to twist and lie about this. I have displayed Amy's full email response (with her permission to boot!) that rebuts Ridor's claim. Can he really be that dense after all?

Also, I'm not "forcing" you to accept Matt. That is a very weird and paranoid response. I guess you didn't notice on what I wrote earlier where I said that there are people who are either fans of the fighters or not. This includes a deaf MMA fighter. Me "forcing" you? Wotta laugh. Get a grip. You continue to misread into everything I write. What are your SAT scores anyway?

Next, just because I talk about HIV/AIDS or gays or whatever doesn't mean I'm gay. Far from it. Some people can be so dense over this where I have to spell it out. I like the female human species. None of that Brokeback stuff. When it comes to the male species on sex. It is simply gross. Now, if a person gets HIV through irresponsible and promiscuous actions, then it's the person's own damn fault. Simple as that. What's really funny is if you talk about it, means you are or might be gay or a repressed gay. Or if you don't talk about it, means you're a homophobe or don't care. Or if you do talk about it in a supposedly negative way (e.g. get HIV...your own damn fault, etc) means you're a homophobe. No. It's all about a person's accountability and responsibility.  However, I do have the right to speak my opinions on the matter. One thing though, whenever a person claims that he test himself regularly for HIV, that alone speaks volume of the person's obvious irresponsible actions. You can actually see that whenever you read his blogs. Otherwise, you wouldn't need to be tested for HIV on a regular basis. Again, Ridor gets it wrong, every...single....time about me.

Keep on lying about Amy's email. I'm sure she would appreciate that.

Matt Hamill - First Deaf UFC Fighter? Blog #8

Check out Fusion Weekly's article on Matt Hamill. Some interesting stories about how Matt Hamill got a spot on TUF3.

Skill and training ultimately decide a contest, but a little good fortune helped Hamill earn a spot on the show.

"When I was a bouncer at Cavallo's (restaurant and tavern in New Hartford), people saw how I fought and the techniques I used to deal with unruly people," Hamill said in an interview using the Relay telephone system for the deaf. "I got lucky and met a cousin of another bouncer who was affiliated with the Ultimate Fighting Championship, and she referred me to the president of the UFC, Dana White. He was also impressed and he invited me to try out.

"The tryouts in Las Vegas took two weeks. They did drug tests and physical tests and a lot of interviews. There were a lot of skilled, excellent fighters at the tryouts. Only 12 made it out of 2,000 who tried out."Hamill has worked at Cavallo's for about two years. Manager Noelle Cavallo said Hamill is one of her best "door guys."

There is such a thing as being at the right place at the right time. Plus a bit of hard MMA training helps out alot.

By the way, this blog piece is technically blog #8 on Matt Hamill. Will keep it that way.


Previous blogs on Matt Hamill.
Matt Hamill - First Deaf UFC Fighter? Blog #5

Matt Hamill -First Deaf UFC Fighter? Blog #4

Inside Pulse to Link to Kokonut Pundits on Series Blogging on Matt Hamill

Matt Hamill - First Deaf UFC Fighter? Blog #3

Matt Hamill, TUF3, UFC and Opening Your Mouth Too Wide with Hatred

Matt Hamill - First Deaf UFC Fighter? Blog #2

Matt Hamill - First Deaf UFC Fighter?

Check out all of my up todate Matt Hamill bloggings.