RDPN Protesters Continue to Grasp Straws

In DeafDC blog, Chris and Allen Kaftan wrote a piece called "An Alumni, Staff, and Student Perspective" by questioning the whole BoT selection process and calling it a flawed one, which is fine. They have the right to dissent or even surmise. But they go further with a veiled insinuation that some "hanky panky" was going on that influenced the BoT's decision process that led to the selection of Dr. Jane K. Fernandes to be Gallaudet's 9th president. Not only did they write the piece but in my opinion wrote an irresponsible blog piece that basically accused IKJ of improprietry (ie "unethical") in this whole selection process just because IKJ knew Patricia van der Vorm (see here)? Oh please. Is this about ensuring a Deaf culture on campus or what? Leaders and protesters continue to make things up along the way with mis/disinformation, innuendos and insinuations all the while denying that the protest is not about Deaf culture.

Today, Gallaudet has Celia May Baldwin's email directed to the Gallaudet community to dispute the protesters' claims that the search process was flawed and did not support diversity and social justice.

I am deeply concerned that the perception of many of you is that the search process that led to the appointment of Dr. Jane Fernandes as Gallaudet's ninth president was flawed and did not support diversity and social justice. While I respect the right to disagree with a decision of the Board of Trustees and value open discussion and debate, I also believe it is essential that such discussions are grounded in facts, not misinformation and innuendo.

From the outset, the Board promoted an open, inclusive, and fair process. The campus community constituencies were deeply involved in identifying students, faculty, and staff to serve on the Presidential Search Committee (PSC). The Board wanted a search committee that was diverse and that was achieved. In the interest of assuring broad representation on the search committee, approximately 2/3 were non-board members. This was in marked contrast to presidential searches conducted by many other universities where it is common practice for a majority to be board members.

Read the rest where Baldwin's email explains in great details (just for Gallaudet protesters who are living on borrowed conspiracy theories).

Had Baldwin emailed this on how the process worked in greater details a few hours before the announcement would it have satisfied the students, staff and faculty members when the BoT announced the selection of JKF?

Probably not.

Gallaudet University has been known for it's Deaf culture atmosphere. What else? Gallaudet University has been famously named as the "Deaf Mecca" of the world. So much so that those who enter the institution for the first time with little or no Deaf culture upbringing or exposure to ASL or even sign language alone are the truely oppressed student minority on campus full of Deaf students.

For many, like me, I had a wonderful time at Gallaudet University back from January 1988 to December 1991 when I graduated. I would go back and do it again. A great learning experience. I would even do the whole DPN again. Nice memories and then some. But this is no DPN2.

While I was at Gallaudet I wasn't alone in noticing and experiencing the blatant and obvious discriminatory and prejudicial practices commited by Deaf students against those who lacked any signing finese, wore hearing aids or cochlear implant or prefer to speak using their voices rather than by their hands. Doing so may be enough to get labeled with a Scarlet letter for the rest of their college years on campus. Even mocked because they couldn't understand fully the ASL being said to them. But in this day and age talking on a cell phone on campus could earn you a "tongue" lashing from a Deaf student or perhaps get labeled very quickly as being a part of the "audist" crowd. The " She doesn't say 'Hi' " pretty much explains it all. They love throwing the "audist" word around with aplomb. It continues even to this day by those who use that same attitude in the comment box of deaf/hh bloggers.

I wonder how many deaf/hh students at Gallaudet University had to endure these obvious and sometimes blatant discrimination practices promulgated by Deaf students?

If the leaders of RPDN (Real Deaf President Now) protest are truly committed to "unity" then they better get their Deaf-centric attitude and conspiracy theories out of the gutter first and go with an open mind with facts in hand as well as honesty in the approach they are trying to do. And not depend on hearsay, bias and favoritism to sway their directions. Gallaudet University is an educational institution that serve to Deaf, deaf and hard of hearing students.



Previous blogs on Gallaudet University's selection of Dr. Jane K. Fernandes.

Deaf Protest Soon to Turn Violent at Gallaudet University???

Doh! Is Washington Post Clueless - electronic petition has value?

Washington Post Live Chat with Dr. Jane K. Fernandes

Deaf Quote Heard Around the World - "She doesn't say 'hi'."

IKJ Supports BoT Decision, Student Protesters Get Bogged Down Again?

A Real Deaf President Now Protest Continues....

The Selection of Dr. Jane K. Fernandes - a Rush Job?

Did the "Really Deaf President Now" Protest Fizzled Yesterday?

We Must have a Really, Really, Really Deaf President Now

Matt Hamill - First Deaf UFC Fighter? Blog #14

Well folks, nothing much of Matt Hamill in Episode #4. It was all about the upcoming middle weight fight. Matt Hamill did get to use the free Amp'd cell phone to watch the preview fights of UFC #57 on that itty bitty small screen. Fortunately, as a surprise, the TUF3 tv crew brought in a large tv screen to watch the fight between Liddell and Couture. Of course, Liddell won. We knew that but not at the time of the fight on the TUF3 show. But I wonder. Didn't they have closed caption on the Pay Per View fight? Anybody out there know the answer? Was it closed captioned or didn't the rest of the Tito and Shamrock teams didn't know how to turn the Closed Caption on or bothered to check? Anybody has the answer? Tell me.

Next, we were able to get a glimpse of next week's Episode #5. Seems like Matt is getting himself in some kind of hot water with the rest of team. Not sure what is was but perhaps it looked like a bit of rough-housing gone bad and everybody end up not liking him? C'mon. Sounds like another cliff-hanger that won't go anywhere.

Folks, don't forget to read Blog #13. Matt is sponsoring a new line of clothing called StreetWise FightWear. And wait til they come out with autographed shirts. Well, they were advertising it last week but it's not on the website now. I've contacted them about it. Will let you know.

Hey, Matt! We're still rooting for you. Don't worry about those little Deaf punks who hate your guts. Screw 'em! There are better things to do than to see them whine like little dogs yelping alot. People who do that reminds me of this one.

Oh, I loved this fight between Rory Singer and Solomon Hutcherson. It was 10 minutes before the end of TUF3 show and from that I figured it would go up to 2 rounds at least.

Now, Solomon? The guy who talked smack all the time at the house? Finally got what he deserved in tonight's fight. Everybody was putting money down on Solomon because he's the "street fighter" type. And wouldn't you know it? The practicing Residence Nurse Rory clobbered Solomon in the 2nd round simply because he tired him out in the 1st round with his back to the floor while his long legs wrapped around Solomon's waist that kept the distance and minimized any damage Solomon could do to Rory. Because Solomon was aiming to pulverize him in the 1st round and those long legs on Rory's frame(6' 2" tall) made all the difference against him at 5' 11" tall.

You could tell that Solomonnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnn was running out of gas at the end of the 1st round. Tito picked up on that and told Rory to go for the kick to his head. He did but almost missed his head but had enough of a kick to daze him a bit and got him to the ground. He pounded the grinning, toothless smacker SOB in the head until the Ref stepped in and stopped the fight.

Rory rejoiced his win by running around the Octagon while Solomonnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnn laid there dazed on the floor, nearly knocked out but not completely but had a blank look on his face. Priceless.

What was funny was that Solomonnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnn was completely out of it, nearly knocked senselessly and when he came around to he thought HE won the fight. Coach Shamrock had to repeat to him that it was he who lost the fight. A double daze stare on his face appeared showing total disbelief.

Get used to it, Solomonnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnn. When you talk smack, and you get beat, you go down even harder. And yet, he'll have to live with the fact that he was beaten by a skinny (Solomon's word as he called Rory), white, practicing Residence Nurse.

Watch for Episode #5 next week. Looks like it's the light heavies this time with more Matt Hamill airtime.

Previous blogs on Matt Hamill.

Matt Hamill - First UFC Fighter? Blog #13

Matt Hamill - First Deaf UFC Fighter? Blog #12

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.

Not Acceptable! When Protesters Terrorize other Deaf People

Jane Norman, a professor in the communication studies department at Gallaudet University had this to say on what is not acceptable at a protest of which she does not support:

I just came from witnessing a terrorized student who broke down, crying. Someone did not let her off campus and was trying to force her to sign a paper. She did not want any part of it and was being pressured. All she wanted was to go off campus. She has the right to leave campus. This was a student of color, an international student. This is not acceptable.

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Utilizing terror tactics is self-defeating; they do not encourage communication. These tactics promote fear and misunderstanding and fuels oppression. There is a line. It is being crossed. It is not acceptable.

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A hearing mother brought her deaf child on campus yesterday. The child was terrified seeing all the angry faces and started crying and could not be pacified. This is not acceptable.

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I was just shown a TTY paper. A deaf person called and asked, is Fernandes a Latino name? I have experience with Latino people and do not want them on campus. Keep them off. This is not acceptable.

Read the rest of it. Good going Dr. Norman. Will the RDPN leaders condemn these terror and racist attitudes?

Not acceptable!

Deaf Protest Soon to Turn Violent at Gallaudet University???

I've been getting words and other reports that the campus of Gallaudet University is in a forced lock down mode. Gate entrances are blocked on all sides of the campus. Reports of U-Haul trucks with their tires slashed(? or simply deflated) in order to effectively block (picture of U-Haul with IKJ and JKF talking to protesters about the trucks) the entrances that lead to MSSD. Elisa reports this:

Some students were threatened with arrests because Jordan claimed that it was a federal offense to block a gate to a federal property. After some discussions, Jordan agreed that the students wouldn't be arrested until they got legal counsel. They called for Kelby Brick from the NAD, and last I heard he was on his way.

And reports are saying that the DC Police, on IKJ's orders, will move the U-Haul trucks. Apparently this is the last week of school and finals are to be done. I'm sure there are many students who want to finish their finals so they can do their summer interns, jobs, vacations or what have you. Yet, what are Deaf protesters saying about finals to those who want to take them and get them over with? TFB. Maybe the preferance of rental U-Haul trucks was a lesson learned from DPN that it'd be far better to rent a truck than to break and enter a school bus (federal property), hotwire it, and drive it to the gates and deflate the tires.

I predicted earlier two days ago that

This might turn out to be a mightily frustrating protest that may go nowhere and if that happens I'm sure tempers will flare and petty violence will be the result.

Indeed. There are lots of angry Deaf protesters on campus right now and things are NOT going their way. No real violence yet. Just lots of nasty tensions but it continues to build when protesters are seeing that nothing is really budging the BoT, IKJ or JKF to change their minds. And that national support seems to be waning...or is it?

The BoT (Board of Trustees) is firm in their decision on selecting Dr. Jane K. Fernandes as president.

I. King Jordan is firm in his support for JKF and believed the whole process was fair and equitable.

The BoT already left for the summer and will not want to meet with the protest leaders except for one.

Cecilia May Baldwin, the Interim Chair of the BoT, suggested that discussion can be done via Video Phone with RDPN leaders and protesters. The leaders turned down the request (even at halfway). Where was CMB when she emailed them that suggestion? Far away. Yet they respectfully requested that she show up within 24 hours (a nice ultimatum or what?) to meet with them. However, the leaders offered no assurances on security or that protesters will get out of hand as a show of concern on CMB's part. The current lockdown is apparently related on wanting to meet with CMD and in doing so, the lockdown would be lifted. But the DC Police are already there.

Deaf protesters are willing to trash Gallaudet University's 18 years of progress and the name recognition, not to mention trashing IKJ's stellar years on GallyNet-L, on the assurances of having a Deaf-centric president and culture.

The polls on the support or not for JKF didn't have an effect on the BoT's decision.

The e-petition drive is worthless.

Only 3 pages of the RDPN protest were covered over the past 4 days with the bulk of the news coming from Washington Post as the lead news media. Perhaps some other television networks will do a special on this protest. NBC may be doing this right now.

At least one arrest (I heard there were two).

News have been reportings on the " She doesn't say 'Hi' " making Deaf protesters look like spoiled loosers.

All that and more? Only time will tell on how seemingly disastorous this protest may turn out to be. Or maybe not. The DC Police may change the whole picture and force the protesting students to comply with federal laws and such. I believe the U-Haul trucks will have to be moved. Will a few Deaf protesters do a faux pas and create a mess that can never be undone?

Stay tuned........

UPDATE: Elisa reports: "Word is going around that interpreters are being called to campus. Word is going around that the DC police will start making arrests at 3 PM."

She also notes from flyers distributed: "It is the obligation of the administration to ensure the free movement of faculty, students and staff about campus, as well as on and off campus. Any disruption of normal campus business will not be tolerated. Anyone who attempts to disrupt campus business will be subject to legal action."

That's less than 30 minutes from now. Who will make the first faux pas move?

Stay tuned........



Previous blogs on Gallaudet University's selection of Dr. Jane K. Fernandes.

Doh! Is Washington Post Clueless - electronic petition has value?

Washington Post Live Chat with Dr. Jane K. Fernandes

Deaf Quote Heard Around the World - "She doesn't say 'hi'."

IKJ Supports BoT Decision, Student Protesters Get Bogged Down Again?

A Real Deaf President Now Protest Continues....

The Selection of Dr. Jane K. Fernandes - a Rush Job?

Did the "Really Deaf President Now" Protest Fizzled Yesterday?

We Must have a Really, Really, Really Deaf President Now

Doh! Is Washington Post Clueless - electronic petition has value?

This electronic petition thing that Washington Post mentioned? Saying it had 1200 electronic signatures (actually it's over 2300+)? What is the worth on reporting about this e-petition site knowing there is NO WAY to verify or ensure that each signature is valid and belong to the person signing it.? Ok. There is a way. Go and grab a phone book and contact each one of the named signatures. In fact, there are many, many anonymous signatures on each page that list 50 signatures at a time. On each page nearly 20 to 30 percent of the names are signed as "anonymous." Nice.

I combed through the entire list of names, none appeared as "Jane K. Fernandes" or "Jane Fernandes" as one blogger said it was appearing repeatedly throughout the e-petition site. It's not there because they were removed but not the "anonymous" ones. Why not remove the "anonymous" signatures as well? No value in having "anonymous" signed in. None whatsoever. The e-petition site is equally valueless in the hope that it will force JKF to reconsider her president position. Ok. I'm trying to suppress my laughter here.

If you look at the left column under the"Number" column you'll find that #1793 is missing. That's the number E Tenebris, Lux Dormiens referred to in his blog. I would surmise that the multiple JKF names was an apparent stab at her. If you look on other pages you'll find missing numbers as well such as #1899 and #1898. Don't know what the reason for the erasure. Perhaps obscenity?

Now, the total number of "signatures" that was signed does not mean one whit since the veracity and validity of those signatures are questioned since the e-petition is "contaminated" with those anonymous names just to inflate the numbers signed.

Funny thing though, when the e-petition came online it had a goal of 50,000 e-signatures when I first saw it. Now, it's down to 10,000. Did the downgrade correspond with the protesters' enthusiasm? Did it go downhill?

Hmmmm....


Previous blogs on Gallaudet University's selection of Dr. Jane K. Fernandes.

Washington Post Live Chat with Dr. Jane K. Fernandes

Deaf Quote Heard Around the World - "She doesn't say 'hi'."

IKJ Supports BoT Decision, Student Protesters Get Bogged Down Again?

A Real Deaf President Now Protest Continues....

The Selection of Dr. Jane K. Fernandes - a Rush Job?

Did the "Really Deaf President Now" Protest Fizzled Yesterday?

We Must have a Really, Really, Really Deaf President Now

US Government Approves UbiDuo!

BREAKING NEWS! US Govt approves the UbiDuo communication device. The US GOVT approved (though not an explicit endorsement, however) the Ubi communication device when given a demonstration to government officials last week. After the demo they liked it so much they invited sComm back to Washington DC to do a demo of the UbiDuo (pronounced "Yoo bee") on May 31 at the GSA AT Showcase.

May 2006 Assistive Technology Day (links to a Microsoft Word document of the announcement seen below) event will provide a demonstration of the new UbiDuo from sComm, Inc. for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing. UbiDuo provides face-to-face communication between a deaf person and a hearing person. This product was introduced on April 22nd and will be at the GSA AT Showcase for demonstration and an opportunity to try the product.

The sCommonline website for the UbiDuo that was exlusively announced on the Kokonut Pundits blogsite last month will soon add some FAQs page about UbiDuo and the specs, including software information. But for now with details from the CEO himself, Jason Curry, explained exclusively for the Kokonut Pundits readers with more details about the communication device that trumps easily an earlier but poorly designed communication device by another company. The UbiDuo final prototype is being put together and will be rolling off the assembly line from a factory in August ready for the public.

The UbiDuo cannot be compared with this other communication device since it has only one communication mode where users type back and forth plus it is physically wired together for communication to work.

The UbiDuo has 6 modes of communication and it is designed to be wireless and portable weighing only a mere 4 pounds. The special introductory price is set at $1675.00 if you act now. The price includes the two sets of Ubi's that come together (or separately for distance wireless communication). The device is designed more in line for business applications and use rather than for personal use such as the Sidekick. But it does just as well for personal use in more ways than one. Here is what you get.

There are 6 modes of communication.

1.Split Screen Mode - which is simultaneous deaf and hearing person can TALK at the same time. A duplex screen mode if you will.

2. Thread Mode - which is a back and forth mode like you chat with someone on AIM or Yahoo IM.

3. Cellular Mode - You hook the Ubi to any cell phone (Blackberry or Sidekick) and call another Ubi user. That user has to hook his/her Ubi to a cell phone and the 2 Ubis can communicate with each other simultaneoously via cellular or phone line. For example, I am calling you on your sidekick and you get a phone call from me and realize it is from me then you plug your Ubi into the sidekick and type away like you would on your personal computer keyboard for faster typing. An excellent feature when doing business instead of thumbing your way constantly on your Sidekick or Blackberry. The only draw back drawback is you can't talk in real time or as fast as you speak in Cellular Mode.

4. Range Mode - for example, a deaf person is walking on a school campus with the Ubi when you know there are 7 other deaf people with an Ubi somewhere on that campus within 3/4 mile (up to 4000 feet range). The Ubi will alert you that there are 7 other deaf Ubis on campus and you can request a chat with one of the 7 Ubis. It will list who they are! For example, Chris, Mark, Bob, Pam, Jason, Mike and Sherry. The wireless range feature would easily cover a campus university like Gallaudet University or Rochester Institute of Technology.

5. Broadcast Mode - For example, if there are 10 deaf people that go to the same meeting or some other public venue and each one has an Ubi and there is no interpreter available, one of the 10 people can ask a hearing person to take an Ubi and go to the front of the audience and type everything that the speaker says so that all 10 Ubis will get the same spoken text.

6. Group Mode - Up to 4 people can talk on the device. For example, I am talking to a hearing person face to face so you see 2 people on the screen then a deaf person wants to join in the conversation with the 2 people talking face to face but is away at another location. That person can "UbiDuo" into the conversation. The UbiDuo screen becomes a 3 screens group communication mode with 2 people communicating face to face while talking then a 3rd person on a phone/modem line or wireless can join in. This is the equivalent of a conference call.

Also, the UbiDuo can communicate with a user who only have a TTY and not a computer connected into the internet.

Read below the US Govt announcement of the UbiDuo. Look here to Kokonut Pundits for more exclusive and breaking news about the UbiDuo communication device and the sComm, Inc company. Believe me, there will be more of these breaking news.

Ubi good.

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U.S. General Services Administration
Center for Information Technology Accommodation (CITA)
Assistive Technology Showcase

May 2006 Assistive Technology Day


The May Assistive Technology Day event will provide participants an opportunity to learn about the new UbiDuo from sComm, Inc. This technology is brand new and a must see. It provides face-to-face communication between a deaf person and a hearing person. This product was just introduced on April 22nd and will be shown at the GSA Assistive Technology Showcase for you to get a first time look at this new and innovative product. Jason Curry, CEO, sComm, Inc. will provide demonstrations with an opportunity to try the system yourself. Make plans to come by and see how communication between a deaf and hearing person can be quick and easy. Full details on the UbiDuo are below.

This event is free and no registration is required. The length of the demonstration is every hour, starting at 9 a.m. the next at 10:00 a.m. and will be continuous throughout the day at the beginning of each hour and ending at 3 p.m. This event is not an all day demonstration but was designed for you to come in and spend one hour to learn about this unique technology. If you come in during the demonstration you can stay till the next presentation begins then leave when the information is repeated.

SIGN LANGUAGE INTERPRETERS, etc: There will be sign language interpreters during the demonstration from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Assistive Listening Devices will be available from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Please distribute this announcement to personnel within your agency or company so that everyone can benefit from this event.

DATE: Wednesday, May 31, 2006

TIME: 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. (Presentation times: 9, 10, 11, 12, 1, and 2)

LOCATION: U.S. General Services Administration (Central Office)
1800 F. Street, NW (Map it!)
Room 1216
Washington, DC 20405


Who can attend: Government employees and non-government employees and individuals interested in technology for persons with disabilities.

Full details about he UbiDuo:

The sComm, Inc. UbiDuo – face-to-face communication device

There is a critical need for employees who are deaf to be able to communicate freely face-to-face with co-workers and supervisors in a work setting that does not create undue frustration for both the person who is hearing and the person who is deaf and ongoing expense for a company or department.

sComm, Inc. - led by Jason Curry, a man who is deaf - is the developer of the UbiDuo communication device, a device enabling people who are deaf to communicate face-to-face freely with people who are hearing without an interpreter. The UbiDuo is a portable, easy-to-use wireless solution that provides freedom of communication. With an UbiDuo, a person who is deaf is free to go anywhere at anytime.

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.

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

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. The Ubi communicates simultaneously in real time with 12 lines of text remaining on the screen at any 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.

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

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.”

Comments from Jason Curry, CEO:
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.

The goal is freedom and independence in communication. A priority goal is to increase employment of people who are deaf as well as provide mobility in any other settings.


Security Information: All government employees with government ID's can proceed through security checking station, non-government employees will have to sign in and have a CITA employee escort you to room 1216, the guard will call CITA for assistance.

Transportation: Take the Metro, Orange or Blue line to Farragut West, exit the Metro on the 18th street side and walk south on 18th street about 4 blocks. GSA is on the corner of 18th and F Street. Main entrance is at the middle of the building on F Street.

Parking: There are two parking garages on 18th street, one on the right and one on the left just as you pass F Street, between F and G streets.

For further information please contact Marilyn Estep, 202-501-3322 (voice) 202-501-2010 (TDD), or email: marilyn.estep@gsa.gov .

DISCLAIMER: GSA, CITA does not endorse the products mentioned above or any other products displayed or demonstrated in their Assistive Technology Showcase. All references to products are solely for the purpose of educating the workforce on assistive technology products for people with disabilities and musculoskeletal disorders.

========================


Previous blogs on UbiDuo and sComm, Inc.

The Ubi Duo

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

sComm, Inc Set to Debut Unique Communication Device for the Deaf at Expos Nationwide

sComm, Inc Received Their $1.3 Million NIH Award

sComm, Inc Wins $1.3 Million NIH Award

Washington Post Live Chat with Dr. Jane K. Fernandes

A chat session with JKF may be over but you can still see the posted questions and answers by Dr. Jane K. Fernandes. Although some people think this chat session was a waste of time but it is the first real step in having a dialogue with the Deaf/deaf community concerning her upcoming role as the first female deaf president of Gallaudet University. I'm sure there will be many opportunities for her to have these dialogues, electronically and in person.

Previous blogs on Gallaudet University's selection of Dr. Jane K. Fernandes.

Deaf Quote Heard Around the World - "She doesn't say 'hi'."

IKJ Supports BoT Decision, Student Protesters Get Bogged Down Again?

A Real Deaf President Now Protest Continues....

The Selection of Dr. Jane K. Fernandes - a Rush Job?

Did the "Really Deaf President Now" Protest Fizzled Yesterday?

We Must have a Really, Really, Really Deaf President Now

Deaf Quote Heard Around the World - "She doesn't say 'hi'."

Over the last 3 days, counting today, a nationally recognized news outlet Washington Post once again made the protest issue about the Dr. Jane K. Fernandes selection to be Gallaudet University's 9th president a social one and not an academic qualification issue.

Students objected to the appointment of Jane Fernandes, who is deaf and is currently the university's provost, because she did not grow up using American Sign Language. Some students also criticized Fernandes for not having warm relations with students.

Need I say more how this protest failed in more ways than one for protesters to present their reasons why Dr. Jane K. Fernandes isn't an acceptable alternative for president. The SBG leaders and protesters have failed to provide a list of reasons why JKF should not be president but instead listed only two demands:

1) Have JKF step down as president and start a new presidential selection process and,
2) No reprisals against protesters, staff and faculty who participated.

Yet it is the news outlet doing the listing of reasons why protesters do not like/want JKF to be the 9th president. Now, this whole thing according to outsiders reading the news about this protest will see that it is all about Deaf culture and the ability to sign in ASL fluently like, oh say, a native signer which count the most according to protesters as reported in the news. Readers and the television news audience will see these deaf protesters as spoiled loosers. And why not? How could they fathomly understand when outsiders are not even remotely familiar with Deaf culture but only see that deaf protesters are upset over the first ever deaf woman to be chosen as president of Gallaudet University? To them, it doesn't make much sense at all.

Nice going for the protester(s) with the protest sign that said ""She doesn't say 'hi'." where Washington Post picked up first. And now the Washington Times. And NBC4. And WUSA9. Who is next? The snowball effect won't be far along.

The truth hurts.

Previous blogs on Gallaudet University's selection of Dr. Jane K. Fernandes.
IKJ Supports BoT Decision, Student Protesters Get Bogged Down Again?

A Real Deaf President Now Protest Continues....

The Selection of Dr. Jane K. Fernandes - a Rush Job?

Did the "Really Deaf President Now" Protest Fizzled Yesterday?

We Must have a Really, Really, Really Deaf President Now

IKJ Supports BoT Decision, Student Protesters Get Bogged Down Again?

Washington Post has the story about the student protesters meeting with I. King Jordan and Dr. Jane K. Fernandes. But Paradise Is has a much better coverage with photos, videos and made notes of the event between students, IKJ and JKF. What's not hard to miss is the students' unwillingness to listen to IKJ's own recommendation and belief that the whole selection process by the BoT was proper and fair. They continue to deny that this whole thing isn't all about Deaf culture or the ability to interact with Deaf students, staff, faculty and alumni yet the RDPN leaders have only listed two demands but never a list of explainations on WHY they don't want Dr. Fernandes to be the 9th president of Gallaudet University. Now folks, are you sure this isn't about Deaf culture and Deaf social skills as the real issue or is this just one big massive denial on the student protesters part? Let's see the list of reasons why you don't want JKF, please. So everybody will know where the leaders of the RDPN stand.

I think student leaders need to rethink their approach on this protest starting with a much better tact and preparation than to stand around all day blocking the front campus gate while getting unfavorable reports from the press making them looking like sore-loosers, and being wholly disrespectful toward I. King Jordan and Dr. Jane K. Fernandes. It's the BoT they need to talk to but the student, staff, faculty, and alumni protesters. But this won't likely happen since the BoT will not come around and meet with them. The BoT have made their decision and it's a firm one, and IKJ supports the decision which was done in a fair and equitable fashion.

But frustrations seem to be building up among protesters and somehow I think they will ultimately try and use the race issue to try and garner a bigger sympathy play to get better national support to force a new presidential selection process because one deaf black candidate didn't make it to the finalist position (ie the 3 finalists).

Between Washington Post and Paradise Is' observations, plus a few others who are blogging this event, this whole thing still smells with an air of inadequacy for the protesters who seem to be a bit befuddled at the moment other than they want JKF out but won't list the reasons why.


Previous blogs on Gallaudet University's selection of Dr. Jane K. Fernandes.

A Real Deaf President Now Protest Continues....

The Selection of Dr. Jane K. Fernandes - a Rush Job?

Did the "Really Deaf President Now" Protest Fizzled Yesterday?

We Must have a Really, Really, Really Deaf President Now

A Real Deaf President Now Protest Continues....

The Washington Post has a 3 page update on the Best President Now protest (ie "we really want a culturally Deaf president" or a "really deaf president now") and points out to one deaf student's lame excuse on why Gallaudet University students don't see Dr. Jane K. Fernandes as being qualified for president:

"She doesn't say 'hi,' " one student's poster read.

Ok. Great. Now the whole world will see that as the prime reason for the protest about the first deaf woman! president because she isn't friendly enough according to students in the very first page of the Washington Post. But Dr. Fernandes had this to say after being selected:

She said it will be hard to follow Jordan. "I'm more of a quiet leader," she said. "Quiet but effective -- I have a different style."

And the article goes on how deaf students are tying to make this into a black and white reason when there were no black, deaf candidates considered in the selection process for the finalist position. Or any other candidates with a different ethnic background for that matter. This certainly does not help the students if they are trying to make this into a politically correct cause by saying that presidential selection process was all about qualifications over diversity and cultural aspects. Some protesters in GallyNet-L feel that

"the problem is DEFINITELY BEYOND OUR CONTROL unless we find a way to move the law into favoring culture over qualifications."

That sounds very, uh, much like affirmative action when qualifications do not count but race and culture do.

As I said before, watch what you do in your actions because it could come back and bite you. Some points are valid, it's how you present them that counts.

My prediction? Well, if they don't plan this right this whole thing could backfire making the students looking like a bunch of cry-babies when they have the very first woman deaf president and not a hearing president by which the world would readily understand. This might turn out to be a mightily frustrating protest that may go nowhere and if that happens I'm sure tempers will flare and petty violence will be the result.

The problem will be transmitting the proper image to the outside world since these people have no knowledge of the whole event and will only get their new s and perception from blogs, newspapers, and television news. What doesn't help is to have a poster being waved around saying that Fernandes doesn't say "Hi" general campus population (ie. more friendly). Here's a plausible scene:

Reporter: "Why are you protesting."

Students screaming: "Because she doesn't say 'Hi' to us."

Reporter: "Is that it?"

Students: "No. She not Deaf enough and doesn't sign ASL like the rest of us."

Reporter: "I see."

This is what the world will see if these protesters and student leaders do not watch out what they say and do. And with any protests there are demands. The Student Body Government recently released two demands:

And hence we have two demands:
1. Jane Fernandes resign as President and the search process be re-opened.
2. No reprisals for students, staff, faculty, and alum.

No reprisals? Does that include the right to re-take the final exams because you decided to protest that day during the last week of school? The SBG better come up with a good list of explainations why Dr. Fernandes should resign as the 9th president of Gallaudet University. Just because they don't like her is not a good enough reason.

Frankly, those demands will most likely not happen. This is not another Selma or DPN movement that had an entirely different reason for the protest because of oppression and putting down deaf people as not capable people of running their own show. Try and explain "oppression" to the world about the new deaf woman president of Gallaudet University. The new president is deaf!

And the Washington Post ends its article on page 3 for the world to see by presenting deaf students as.......sore losers:

A student leader stood high above the crowd, asking them what they wanted to tell the board.

"We want to be heard," he signed. They yelled and jumped as he signed again, forcefully, "We want to be heard!"

Not looking good for them from the outside looking in when one reads the Washington Post.

For tons more pictures go here on the event prior to the protest to now.


Previous blogs on Gallaudet University's selection of Dr. Jane K. Fernandes.

The Selection of Dr. Jane K. Fernandes - a Rush Job?

Did the "Really Deaf President Now" Protest Fizzled Yesterday?

We Must have a Really, Really, Really Deaf President Now!

The Selection of Dr. Jane K. Fernandes - a Rush Job?

Will the RDPN protest students be calling this a "rush job" saying that this whole presidential selection process was too fast and that not enough time was needed to ensure that the right president be selected?

Hardly. In most presidential selection process it takes an average of about 6 months before finally selecting a president.

Dr. Bowen reported that Mr. Bill Bowen (from the search firm) spoke about the time line for the search. He has conducted about 200 university president searches. It will probably take about a month to get the job description together, two months for outreach, a couple of months for screening and selection, and a month to come to closure. That adds up to six months which is the average time required to find a university President. Once an agreement is made with the person, there will be approximately a three-month period before the person comes here to report for duty.

Considering that the BoT started the presidential search on October 11, 2005. They arrived with their selection on May 1, 2006, almost 7 months later. Seems fine to me.

The Chronicle of Higher Education has more on the story taking the lead after the Washington Post story.


Previous blogs on Gallaudet University's selection of Dr. Jane K. Fernandes.

Did the "Really Deaf President Now" Protest Fizzled Yesterday?

We Must have a Really, Really, Really Deaf President Now!

UPDATE: The Sandman has some excellent commentaries comparing DPN to "CDPN" - Culturally Deaf President Now. Also, some important tips for these deaf protesters if they somehow want to remove Dr. Fernandes. A big if.....

CDPN/RDPN leaders...take note...and heed, too, from the Sandman.

Did the "Really Deaf President Now" Protest Fizzled Yesterday?

Ok. So this "Really Deaf President Now" (RDPN) protest and coup-like attempt fizzled yesterday with some 300 to perhaps as high as 400 plus deaf students (no confirmation yet but based on pictures taken on the number of students at the rally in GallyNet-L) who stormed the front campus gate (what about the other two back gates?) a la DPN style, at Gallaudet University after hearing that Dr. Jane K. Fernandes was selected by the 17 member Presidential Search Committee to be the 9th president of Gallaudet University.

Now, harkening back to the days of DPN in 1988, this semi-large group of disgruntled, demoralized and unsatisfied Deaf students of Gallaudet University have been (or are so doing at this moment at 3:30 AM in D.C.) planning into the late hours of the night for their next round of protest. They have developed two demands and will rally again at 8 AM today (May 2nd) per the GallyNet-L.

The obvious first demand will be that the selection of Dr. Jane K. Fernandes be recinded or that she voluntarily step down. And I believe the 2nd demand will be about re-doing the whole presidential selection process again with more nominees, probably, especially of color. We'll see.

But on the Gallynet-L there was one demand suggested that the sign communication policy be replaced with an ASL policy. And this was an ironic demand since this same guy who made the ASL suggestion claimed that this RDPR protest was never about a person's fluency in ASL or that a person be born into a Deaf culture. Yet, this one guy suggested a change in Gallaudet University's communcation policy to strictly an ASL policy. This, of course, would fit well with the Deaf-centric attitudes on the campus of Gallaudet University (and elsewhere, too). Nothing about the issue of Deaf culture or ASL preferences? Right.

Ok. I have a question. Who are the new "Really Deaf President Now" leaders that will be leading the protest charge? Will there be the Hlibok, Bourne, Covell, and Rarus wannabes? We'll probably know soon enough when the continuing saga, if it doesn't fizzle out again, plays itself out later on today. I guess missing final exams are worth it in this last week of school compared to missing spring break, eh?

Helpful hint of the day: Be careful of what you say about Dr. Fernandes if you plan on libeling her for the press, it has a way of coming back to haunt you. Probably your wallet.

UPDATE: Check out Paradise Is blogsite. Lots of pictures and videos of the days event on May 1. Although one video is a bit dark. Others are fine.

New battle cry: "Better President Now!" BPN!

We Must have a Really, Really, Really Deaf President Now!

Dr. Jane K. Fernandes has been selected to be Gallaudet University's 9th president by Gallaudet University's 6 members Board of Trustees and 11 other non-members as part of the 17-panel Presidential Search Committee . Many students are now protesting over the selection claiming "foul" and have blocked the front campus gates eerily reminiscent of the Deaf President Now students blockade of the gates in March 1988. Washington Post, a nationally recognized news organization, reports it first on the presidential selection.

Using their Deaf-centric attitudes as an excuse, or so it seems, many Gallaudet University students are rejecting the selection of Dr. Fernandes, who is deaf, simply because she is identified less with Deaf culture. In a Deaf culture you must essentially be born into a Deaf culture in order to be looked upon most favorably by those who are. But just like I. King Jordan, who grew up hearing and became deaf at age 21 after a motorcycle accident, both Jordan and Fernandes never signed in ASL until later in life and were never born into a Deaf culture. Even after I. King Jordan was selected as the 8th president, there were a good number of Deaf students who resented Dr. I. King Jordan for being the 8th president. At the time it was better to accept him than to rock the boat for wanting a "better" president. Many felt that Harvey Corson would have been the better person simply because he was born into a Deaf culture and not I. King Jordan or hearing person Elizabeth Zinser. The DPN's 3 finalists consisted of a culturally deaf person, a deaf person and a hearing person back in 1988.

The difference in Gallaudet University's Board of Trustees back in March of 1988 for the president selection was that it consisted of 21 members while only four of them were deaf and interpreters were needed to give the four deaf members access to board deliberations. Today, interpreters are needed to provide hearing members with access to the board deliberations (note: not a part of the selection board). Quite the irony in the reversal of accomodation requirements.

But in this new "Really Deaf President Now" (RDPN) protest we have students currently going agog over the B-of-T's final selection of Dr. Fernandes. Many Deaf students consider the 2 of 3 finalists as "culturally deaf" while Dr. Jane K. Fernandes is not considered to be a "culturally deaf" candidate even though all three finalists were found qualified for the position in the final selection process. Many students were hoping that the BoT had enough "sense" (i.e. "political correctness") in picking one of two real "Deaf" finalists.

Trevor Brennan, a sophomore, added that “many of us don’t see [Fernandes] as truly deaf,” he said. “She was raised orally deaf, meaning she spoke and did not sign. Even now she seems to prefer voice to sign.”

Mowl said that Jordan is viewed as an outstanding public speaker, but that he “employs a mixture of speech and sign, and does not sign ‘true’ [American Sign Language], something many people want to see out of the next president.”

And so the B-of-T picked Dr. Jane K. Fernandes to be the 9th Gallaudet University president based on her qualifications to help ensure Gallaudet University's continuing successes that was led by I. King Jordan during his 18 years as president. Will there be a burning of a Fernandes effigy like they did with Zinser? Even though a few months earlier students had printed out T-shirts with the image of Dr. Fernandes with a caption that reads: "Know Thy Enemy." Or will they hijack yellow school buses and flatten the tires in front of the campus gates on day 5 of the protest? Yet many rational students of RPDN are clamoring for a calm protest yet one has already been arrested according to Gallynet-L under "Post-Announcement Chaos on Campus." And pleaded that students "Observe the laws" and "express your views peacefully."

But in 1988 DPN, many students broke local laws (RECOMMENDED READING!) in the DPN protest and were never arrested nor charged. But given to the unique sensitivity at the time, the District of Columbia and campus police were wise not to interfere unless absolutely necessary. Imagine the outcry of seeing arrested deaf students with their hands in handcuffs behind their backs with no way to communicate on national news? However, this is no DPN. And no hearing candidate was selected for the 9th president slot. And so, this has become a "Really Deaf President Now" protest.

Be sure to watch upcoming news of this unfolding event. I'm sure reporters will interview the four well known DPN's leaders Hlibok, Bourne, Covell and Rarus to get their inputs on this new and unfolding RDPN event. Will RDPN protesters draw up a demand a la DPN 1988 to the Board of Trustees? Will reporters try and make this into another "DPN" thinking students will take to the streets to the Capitol steps blocking traffic without a marching permit? How much sympathy will the protestors get from the public? Will RDPN protesters try and model after DPN? Will the campus be forced to close down like in DPN 1988? I was there. It wasn't pretty but it was necessary at the time. How necessary will it be this time around for RDPN?

What do I think? Nah, don't believe there'll be a repeat of another DPN moment. Just too passe'. This is not the "Selma of the Deaf" moment. This is all about Deaf Pride and the requirements thereof...strictly speaking.

Stay tuned.......or perhaps wait another 18 years to try again?

"This time, we must have a Really, Really, Really, Really Deaf President Now!"


UPDATE: ScandiaMaxie has more with pictures and makes an ironic note:

I think this is kinda funny because this is literally the LAST week of school.

Although ScandiaMaxie thinks this whole thing was concocted and planned to have the selection process finalized on the last week of school but doesn't explain that it was I. King Jordan who announced his own retirement in September 2005 leaving room for 8 months to get a B-of-T together to head the finalists selection process. But looking at ScandiaMaxie's picture, the protest crowd is considerably less than the 1988 DPN protest when it first started.Of course, the campus population is currently about 600 less than what it was in 1988 when it's campus population was around 2200 near its peak and that nearly everybody was protesting. However, according to Deaf DC, Adam Stone, the protest crowd of "200 strong" will hardly set the stage for a successful protest if one wants to try and compare DPN to RDPN.

No, it's not a "DPN #2" protest. Please, don't go there.

Adam Stones makes clear of the B-of-T's bending over backward to include students and staff as part of their decision selection process:

In fact, the Board of Trustees has been remarkably cooperative with the needs of the Gallaudet community throughout the entire process. The search committee included student representatives and appeared to be a diverse group. Unprecedented open forums and discussions were held for all three candidates. The committee actively elicited feedback from all stakeholders. They announced their decision during the school term, instead of during the summer. The Board LISTENED to the students. Doesn’t mean they had to follow whatever the students say. Where would the students get such a preposterous idea like that?

The Board should be commented for their effort to include as many people as possible in this important process and for their timely announcement. And above all, for making the right decision. Dr. Jane Fernandes is the most qualified person to lead Gallaudet into the future. Her background and credentials are impeccable.

Hmmmm...

When the Mexican Government is Tough on Immigration

Got an email tip regarding immigration...in Mexico (note: links are my own):

Subject: Immigration

Too bad this is not sent to the right people. The following from a director with SW BELL in Mexico City.

I spent five years working in Mexico. I worked under a tourist visa for three months and could legally renew it for three more months. After that you were working illegally. I was technically illegal for three weeks waiting on the FM3 approval.

During that six months our Mexican and US Attorneys were working to secure a permanent work visa called a FM3. It was in addition to my US passport that I had to show each time I entered and left the country. Barbara's was the same except hers did not permit her to work.

To apply for the FM3 I needed to submit the following notarized originals (not copies) of my:

1. Birth certificates for Barbara and me.

2. Marriage certificate.

3. High school transcripts and proof of graduation.

4. College transcripts for every college I attended and proof of graduation.

5. Two letters of recommendation from supervisors I had worked for at least one year.

6. A letter from The ST. Louis Chief of Police indicating I had no arrest record in the US and no outstanding warrants and was "a citizen in good standing."

7. Finally; I had to write a letter about myself that clearly stated why there was no Mexican citizen with my skills and why my skills were important to Mexico. We called it our "I am the greatest person on earth" letter. It was fun to write.

All of the above were in English that had to be translated into Spanish and be certified as legal translations and our signatures notarized. It produced a folder about 1.5 inches thick with English on the left side and Spanish on the right.

Once they were completed Barbara and I spent about five hours accompanied by a Mexican attorney touring Mexican government office locations and being photographed and fingerprinted at least three times. At each location (and we remember at least four locations) we were instructed on Mexican tax, labor, housing, and criminal law and that we were required to obey their laws or face the consequences. We could not protest any of the government's actions or we would be committing a felony. We paid out four thousand dollars in fees and bribes to complete the process. When this was done we could legally bring in our household goods that were held by US customs in Loredo Texas. This meant we rented furniture in Mexico while awaiting our goods. There were extensive fees involved here that the company paid.

We could not buy a home and were required to rent at very high rates and under contract and compliance with Mexican law. We were required to get a Mexican drivers license. This was an amazing process. The company arranged for the licensing agency to come to our headquarters location with their photography and finger print equipment and the laminating machine. We showed our US license, were photographed and fingerprinted again and issued the license instantly after paying out a six dollar fee. We did not take a written or driving test and never received instructions on the rules of the road. Our only instruction was never give a policeman your license if stopped and asked. We were instructed to hold it against the inside window away from his grasp. If he got his hands on it you would have to pay ransom to get it back.

We then had to pay and file Mexican income tax annually using the number of our FM3 as our ID number. The companies Mexican accountants did this for us and we just signed what they prepared. I was about twenty legal size pages annually.
The FM 3 was good for three years and renewable for two more after paying more fees.

Leaving the country meant turning in the FM# and certifying we were leaving no debts behind and no outstanding legal affairs (warrants, tickets or liens) before our household goods were released to customs.

It was a real adventure and If any of our senators or congressmen went through it once they would have a different attitude toward Mexico.

The Mexican Government uses its vast military and police forces to keep its citizens intimidated and compliant. They never protest at their White House or government offices but do protest daily in front of the United States Embassy. The US embassy looks like a strongly reinforced fortress and during most protests the Mexican Military surround the block with their men standing shoulder to shoulder in full riot gear to protect the Embassy. These protests are never shown on US or Mexican TV. There is a large public park across the street where they do their protesting. Anything can cause a protest such as proposed law changes in California or Texas.

Please feel free to share this with everyone who thinks we are being hard on illegal immigrants.

And people here in the United States think we're being too tough on illegal immigrants coming from Mexico into the United States? Oh, please! Perhaps the United States should adopt the very same protocols as the Mexican government when it comes to registering immigrants so they'd be legal here?

So, what is your problem in making sure we'd have legalized immigrants? Anything wrong to make it a felony to be in the United States without the proper documents?

UPDATE: Check out Hotair's coverage of May Day protest by, what else, illegal aliens in the United States and how Mexico and illegal aliens are shooting themselves in the foot with all this boycott thing. And see the double standards they employ when it comes to breaking the laws in the United States and enforcing them in Mexico. All this is allowing more visibility for the other 200 million U.S. citizens who may not know enough about these 10 - 12 million illegal aliens in the United States. More ammos for American citizens on addressing this serious problem with real measures and not just with "smart" fences.

Greg Gunderson's Poll Vote Position Moves to #8...not over yet.

You have until the end of July 2006 to vote for Greg Gunderson (check out his latest video asking you to vote for him!), a deaf professional driver, to be on the newest racing reality show "Racin for a Living" where the top 15 drivers voted will go on the show. Last week Greg was #15 out 50 drivers in last week voting poll. My wife sent out an email to many of her friends to remind them to keep voting for Greg and to forward her email to their friends, ad nauseum. With the power of email and how it can get circulated widely and quickly among the deaf community, we are now seeing that Greg's poll position has moved up to #8! Not saying that my wife's email did the trick but every little bit helps in ensuring Greg's position for the show.

However, your voting shouldn't stop just because he's at the #8 poll vote position. Remember, people can vote as often they want for other drivers which could quickly bring Greg's poll vote position back down quickly, even out of reach of the top 15 drivers chosen for the show.

Vote often and as many times as you can UNTIL JULY 31! Don't stop just because Greg is securely at #8 or any other poll vote position in the top 15. Be sure to scroll down and select Greg's name and be sure to scroll down at the very bottom and hit the "Vote" button to include Greg's name into the voting poll.

Vote often. Vote as many times as you can.

I think the deaf community is in a unique position to help easily secure Greg Gunderson's position to be one of the 15 professional drivers for the "Racin for a Living" show.


Previous blogs on Greg Gunderson.

Update on Greg Gunderson - Vote for Upcoming Reality Show

Deaf People On Reality Shows - a trend?

Evilness: Google vs Oil

//Why are you people still screaming about American oil industries who make tons of profits considering that they make less on the dollar than most other other companies?

"It is hard to find any reason to be sympathetic toward the oil companies today, but that doesn't make them evil," said Robert Ebel, director of the energy program at the Center for Strategic and International Studies in Washington.

For their part, the oil companies have been emphasizing that they make far less money on each dollar of sales than many other industries that aren't being excoriated for their capitalism.

Taken together, Exxon, Chevron and ConocoPhillips made a profit of $8.19 on every $100 in sales. In contrast, Internet bellwethers Google Inc., Yahoo Inc. and eBay Inc. collectively turned a $19.20 profit on every $100 of their combined revenue.

Here's a visual chart to help some of you with your lack of comprehension of the subject who continue to scream "price gouging!!":

Still confused? Try the price breakdown of what part of the oil you're paying at the gas pump.



Still screaming?

I guess you guys would favor the "evil Google," then?

Hat tip: Texas Rainmaker (formerly Generation Why?)

UPDATE: Take a look at this about Google. Not at all what you think of Google.

Hat tip: C.S. - from the bowels of the Softie borg.

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.