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

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

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

Gallaudet's First B/Vlogging Conference - My Input

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Incredible Conjoined Siamese Twins Girls

Two heads with one body. Read and watch the incredible videos of conjoined twins now aged 16 years old and see how they co-ordinate with each other driving a car, eating, playing the piano and go to school and be like everybody else.

It's remarkable considering each sister controls just the one arm and one leg on her side of the body—so they need to co-ordinate to make the limbs move together.

Abigail, on the left as you look at our pictures, works the right arm and leg. Brittany does the left. You'd think that even moving their legs in tandem to walk would take huge concentration.

But scenes filmed for a documentary on US-based The Learning Channel, show how, seemingly effortlessly, they:

# COMPETE on their school softball and volleyball teams.

# PLAY piano by co-ordinating their separate hands.

# TYPE emails and instant messages on their computer as if one person.

# SYNCHRONISE their limbs to drive an automatic car...although Abby works both pedals.

An incredible story. You'll enjoy reading it.

Incredible Conjoined Siamese Twins Girls

Two heads with one body. Read and watch the incredible videos of conjoined twins now aged 16 years old and see how they co-ordinate with each other driving a car, eating, playing the piano and go to school and be like everybody else.

It's remarkable considering each sister controls just the one arm and one leg on her side of the body—so they need to co-ordinate to make the limbs move together.

Abigail, on the left as you look at our pictures, works the right arm and leg. Brittany does the left. You'd think that even moving their legs in tandem to walk would take huge concentration.

But scenes filmed for a documentary on US-based The Learning Channel, show how, seemingly effortlessly, they:

# COMPETE on their school softball and volleyball teams.

# PLAY piano by co-ordinating their separate hands.

# TYPE emails and instant messages on their computer as if one person.

# SYNCHRONISE their limbs to drive an automatic car...although Abby works both pedals.

An incredible story. You'll enjoy readeading it.

Kokonut Pundits Ranked #5 on Google Search on Saddam Hanging

Interesting action going on here. Kokonut Pundits has been ranked at #5 on Google search for video searches of the hanging of Saddam Hussein beating out YouTube (#15), CNN (#8) and even the New York Times (#6). Here's the screenshot for posterity sake. Never would I thought that my blog be the in the top 5 on Google internet searches on an international news story covering the videotaping of Saddam Hussein's hanging.

Family of Deaf Boy in Home Extreme Makeover Struggle with Property Tax Problem

Remember the Vardon family with the two deaf parents, a hearing son and a hearing, blind and autistic son on Extreme Home Makeover? There was a similar family in another Extreme Home Makeover episode with two hearing parents Vic Llanes and his wife Maria, who has thyroid cancer now in remission, their 16-year-old deaf son Zeb and their two nearly blind daughter, along with Vic's blind mother Isabel. This time it is a property tax problem when the value of the newly renovated house was assessed to much more greater than the Llanes can normally afford.

It was assessed at $222,200, and they were paying about $6,110 a year in taxes, according to Bergenfield Tax Assessor Art Carlson.

'Rosie' the computer

The new state-of-the-art home has about $100,000 worth of technology built into it, including solar panels and a computer called "Rosie" -- named after the robot maid on "The Jetsons" TV series -- that ostensibly runs the place.

The Llaneses no longer have to deal with sewer water in the basement, the children finally have their own rooms, and everybody loves the new home "very much, very, very much," Maria Llanes said.

But the value of their property has more than doubled: Carlson estimates it's worth about $497,000, putting the Llaneses' tax bill in the new year somewhere around $14,550.

The Llanes family simply cannot afford to pay the increased propery tax of over $6000 a year. The Llanes family isn't happy about this at all. They love their new home and don't want to lose it. However, New Jersey lawmakers are trying to do something about this.

Some state lawmakers are trying to calm the family's fears through a proposed law that would permit short-term tax exemptions for homes that were renovated for disabled residents by charitable groups. Measures have been introduced in the Senate and Assembly, and the sponsors are hoping for approval early this year.

"When we heard that their taxes would be going up and they wouldn't be able to keep this beautifully new, improved home, we just felt that we should try to do something in the Legislature," said Assemblywoman Valerie Huttle, D-Englewood, one of the co-sponsors.

Under the proposals, homeowners' property taxes would remain at the level they were paying before the makeover. At least half the residents in the home must qualify for federal tax credit as a result of being disabled, and the improvements must be made as charity to accommodate the residents' disabilities.

A similar bill was introduced by Sen. Ronald Rice, D-Essex, in July to help a family in Irvington, where a woman with 12 disabled adopted and foster children was facing a huge tax hike after "Extreme Makeover" built them a home twice the size of the original.

This is in stark contrast to ABC's claim that the Llanes family was the most "happiest" among the 80 families they have helped in their Extreme Home Makeover program. Then why don't ABC add a few tens of thousands of dollars to help new owners of renovated houses to help pay their property taxes over the next several years allowing them to adjust and be able to pay and afford property tax payments on their own down the road?

I wonder how the Vardon family is doing with their new house. Are they able to pay their increased property tax as well?

Bill of Rights for Deaf/HH Students in Maine Public Schools

Communication is always a problem whether one is deaf or hard of hearing in public schools. The level of communication needs varies for each deaf/hh student in class. In Maine there is a proposed "Bill of Rights" in the processright now to vote on that will help ensure equal communication rights for students who have required and sometimes specialized communication needs.

The bill is designed to ensure that hearing-impaired students have optimal access to something without which learning is not possible: communication. The language of the bill is still in the process of being written. However, the bill is expected to strongly advocate for including an expert in deaf education in meetings at which teachers, administrators and parents determine a student's learning needs.

It also will recommend other measures, such as providing students with deaf and partially deaf role models, and helping them be fully involved in school activities, ranging from recess to athletics.

The bill's fiscal impact has not yet been determined, but the head of the state-run Maine Educational Center for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing said additional costs to schools districts should be minimal.

A draft of the proposed legislation says that if Maine enacts such a bill, it will join Arkansas, California, Colorado, Louisiana, Montana, New Mexico, Rhode Island and South Dakota in passing measures to afford deaf and partially deaf students the same quality of education that hearing students receive.

Services and, more importantly, technology are key to help ensure that deaf/hh students in public schools get their required communication access needs in order to succeed well in education.

Darrent Williams of Denver Brocos was Murdered - Graphic Violence Video

Darrent Williams who is the cornerback for the Denver Broncos was murdered early today by a spray of bullets into his white Hummmer limosine by a drive-by shooter. Check out the news video of the graphic violence for more details on this display of idiotic violence and senseless tragedy.

What gets to me is that Darrent wasn't simply "killed" as the news media are reporting it as. The drive by attacker(s) had the intention to spray bullets into an expensive looking automobile and that shows intent to kill the people inside the vehicle which means murder.

RIP Darrent Williams. Prayers to the victims, families and friends on a sad start of New Years day.

Anti-Gay Patch for Mothers-to-be to Ensure Babies Born Straight?

Here's an article about the concept of having an anti-gay patch similar to a nicotine patch for Mothers-to-be to ensure that their babies be born straight (or how about a patch to ensure babies born hearing instead?):

It raises the prospect that pregnant women could one day be offered a treatment to reduce or eliminate the chance that their offspring will be homosexual. Experts say that, in theory, the “straightening” procedure on humans could be as simple as a hormone supplement for mothers-to-be, worn on the skin like an anti-smoking nicotine patch.
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Potentially, the techniques could one day be adapted for human use, with doctors perhaps being able to offer parents pre-natal tests to determine the likely sexuality of offspring or a hormonal treatment to change the orientation of a child.

Interesting concept there.

Now, do parents have the right to ensure that their babies be born straight anymore than the right of a parent wanting to kill an unborn child because of a handicap issue? Or the right to an abortion just because one simply does not want a child? Isn't that also playing God, too?

Peter Tatchell, the gay rights campaigner, said: “These experiments echo Nazi research in the early 1940s which aimed at eradicating homosexuality. They stink of eugenics. There is a danger that extreme homophobic regimes may try to use these experimental results to change the orientation of gay people.”

He said that the techniques being developed in sheep could in future allow parents to “play God”.

Deciding the life of an unborn child because they don't want a child in the first place? Wouldn't that be considered an unnatural act, too? What about choosing the color of the baby's eyes? Or hair color? etc? How far is going too far in designing your own baby?

Saddam Hussein Hanging Video - Graphic! Uncut Version!

Finally, we get to the heart of the matter on getting the uncut version of Saddam Hussein's hanging with the full graphic and gore detail at the end of the rope.

Check it out. Be forewarned it is somewhat graphic at the end but it quickly ends Saddam's life his execution for the crimes of murdering and torturing thousands Iraqis.

If you watch the this cell phone camera video you can see you he said something right before the trapdoor was released. I believe it was "Mutqada".

Though this video version was taken with somebody's cell phone video camera and was leaked to the internet and finally picked up on YouTube. Still, the video shakes alot and a not a whole lot of lighting to enhance the contrast detail of the hanging. I suspect the full and clear and official uncut version will surface on the internet very soon.





UPDATE: Some say that Saddam said "Go to hell.." right before trapdoor was released.

UPDATE II: Another hanging video except this time it's a post-hanging video showing up close the gaping wound in Saddam's neck as he lie dead on a gurney covered with a body sheet.

What Does a Deaf Punk Muslim Indian Girl Think about Saddam's Hanging?

Here's a rare trifecta when you have a girl punk with pink RED spikey mohawk hair who sympathizes Saddam and is a deaf Muslim.

Saddam Hussein: RIP

May Saddam Hussein RIP.... he will face Allah. I am very angry that the USA was involved with this. Americans NEED TO STAY THE F*CK out of Arabic politics. They need to keep their white trash hands off our countries, our internal matters and our politics.

Saddam was a symbol of fervent Arab nationalism and pride. He was the lion of the Middle East.

Ive always founded Saddam fascinating. I remember growing up seeing his face plastered on posters across newspapers in northern England and in the village of Saharsa in Bihar, India. Every Muslim child knew who Saddam was--- and we all know he has NOTHING to do with 9-11.

Americans think Saddam died today for 9-11. Um, no. Saddam and the country of Iraq had NOTHING to do with 9-11.

Americans are so f*cking ignorant. You guys are f*cking pahetic and you all make me laugh.

Maybe she needs to grow up? And what are the odds that among the several hundred thousands that Saddam ordered the killing, murder, and/or torture that many of the the Muslim victims were deaf?

Yeah, right, rah rah for Saddam. *End sarcasm mode* Ever wonder why he called "The Butcher of Bagdad"?

Justice is served when the Iraqi people were able to carry out the court proceedings, sentencing and execution in the most legal way giving Saddam the chance to defend himself in court. Saddam had it easy compared to the thousands upon thousands who never had the chance to defend themselves against charges in court (or none at all) while Saddam was in charge. Why among the hundreds of mass graves uncovered in Iraq showed that nearly 60% of them were women and children? And this girl want to sympathize with Saddam? I have absolutely no sympathy for him at all. He was a monster! And so were his sons, Uday and Qusay.

UPDATE: A reminder to those why Saddam Hussein was executed and why saying "RIP" is not the way to express sympathy to Saddam. Doing so is advocating that it was alright for Saddam to order the killings of hundred of thousands (750,000 murdered) Iraqis under his watch.

MASS GRAVES.

Saddam Hussein Hanging Video - GRAPHIC!

LiveLeak has the full graphic video tape of Saddam Hussein's execution by hanging from start to end. It IS graphic towards the end of his rope falling approxiately 1 meter until the rope went taut. Yahoo has pictures of the aftermath for the less squeamish.

Saddam didn't go out with a smile as he said he would be with fear and trepidation instead as I have speculated it would happen. And since he is dead, there are 13 hours left as of this writing until he is properly buried according Muslim tradition on burying their dead within 24 hours. No time for autopsy but you can get the general idea of how one dies from a hanging by reading here.

Saddam's dead. Move on and stop with the peacenik hang wringing will ya like this teenaged valley girl on YouTube feeling sorry for Saddam! Justice was served and Saddam had it easy compared to the hundred of thousands he ordered killed, tortured and executed unmercifully.

UPDATE: Gateway Pundit has the YouTube video of Saddam's hanging since the LiveLeak.com removed the video.

UPDATE II: Here's the LiveLeak video again after it was removed earlier (?).




UPDATE III: Here's a rare trifecta when you have a girl punk with a pink mohawk who is Saddam sympathizer and is a deaf Muslim who has something to say about the hanging.

UPDATE IV: Finally, YouTube has the full uncut graphic version of the hanging.

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UPDATE: Another hanging video except this time it's a post-hanging video showing up close the gaping wound in Saddam's neck as he lie dead on a gurney covered with a body sheet.

Saddam to be hanged within hours?

(scroll down to see latest update)

Michelle Malkin has more on the scoop with reports that Saddam will go hanging with a smile on his face. Doubt that will happen once he feels the noose around his neck. Also, a few questions about the hanging. Will the judicial hanging be the short drop, standard drop or long drop? Go to Richard Clark's website (no, not that Richard A. Clarke) on the details on hangings, how hanging causes death and the equipment used in hangings.

Quite an interesting read.

Be forwarned. Some links contain graphic images. Though it'll be interesting to know how long the rope will be used to hang Saddam and see whether it measures up accordingly/appropriately to body weight and height seen in the drop tables. Also, another question. Will Saddam be hooded? Or will he go about unhooded with a smile on his face?

Hanging was used extensively in Iraq during Saddam's rule, ironically so. It is still the preferred method under the new government.

UPDATE: Read more over at Gateway Pundit.

UPDATE II: Reports have it that Saddam is now dead! Read Allah Pundit. Expect video of Saddam's hanging out soon. Maybe on YouTube?

UPDATE III: Foxnews is reporting via satellite that Iraqis in Sadr city is celebrating the execution.

UPDATE IV: Will CNN show the tape of the hanging or will they say it's against their policy to show snuff film? Which big liberal media will be the first to decry the inhumanity on hanging Saddam?

UPDATE V: Will Ramsey Clark, a U.S. lawyer who represented Saddam Hussein, now write a book about his time with Saddam and the trials in Iraq? Will Clark make money off of a dead dictator? Ramsey Clark did write two books. One in 2005 "The Fire This Time: U.S. War Crimes in the Gulf" and in 1992 "War Crimes: A Report on U.S. War Crimes Against Iraq (Activism, Politics, Culture, Theory, Vol. 3)"

UPDATE VI: Ramsey Clark wrote many more books. Even on Slobodan Milosevic -"The Defense Speaks: For History and the Future" by Slobodan Milosevic and Ramsey Clark. You can bet your bottom dollar there'll be some write-ups by Ramsey Clark on Saddam Hussein based on his book writing history. A dead man tells no tells? Try a lawyer this time.

UPDATE VII: Picture of Saddam with rope around his neck!

UPDATE VIII: Will Ford’s funeral get pre-empted by the MSM with Saddam’s funeral (or the coming days of discussions on Saddam's execution) where Ford will lie in state at the Capital Rotunda this Saturday night as part of the 6 days of National mourning that started today? According to Muslim tradition, a Muslim body must be buried within 24 hours. Ford's funeral begins at 5:20 PM (Eastern time) tomorrow with the motorcade to the Rotunda which would place it nearly 20 hours after Saddam's execution.

UPDATE IX: CNN begin's the first MSM's "pre-emption" of Ford's funeral in favor of Saddam.

UPDATE X: Reports have it that Saddam went before the noose with fear on his face and not smiling as he said he would do. Will still photos of the execution coming soon show that fear in his face and eyes? Will MSM, upon seeing the photos, try and show some kind of sympathy towards Saddam on the "inhumanity" of the hanging of a human being monster?

UPDATE XI: HotAir has the Foxnews video clip of Saddam's hanging as guards prepare noose around his neck.

UPDATE XII: LiveLeak.com has the full graphic video of Saddam's hanging from start to end. Contains graphic images.

UbiDuo is Now Available!

At 8 PM last night the sComm, Inc website was given a total make-over with better details, never before seen information and description of the up and coming soon-to-be popular communication device called "UbiDuo" (Yoo-bee Duo). This is a much needed communication device that meets all of the ADA compliance requirements for all businesses that deal with deaf clients and/or customers. The UbiDuo is not simply a communication device for deaf people, it is much more than that.



Check it out.


The development of UbiDuo took two years of intensive engineering development and approximately 250 beta testers tried out the UbiDuo to help ensure it to become a top quality communication device that is unrivaled by any other product on the market today. Since 2002 the wholly deaf-owned company sComm has come a long way from a dream to a working reality.

On the new sComm website you can also see a story about me on how I played a pivotal role when I helped introduce Greg Gunderson to Jason Curry and unwittingly re-united two old friends going back 25 years. And because of that connection, which sent chills up and down our spine upon hearing it, things got even better afterwards between the two friends.

A hearty congratulation goes to Jason Curry and to all of the hard working UbiDuo team to turn UbiDuo into a reality that will help deaf people become that much more independent that ever before.

Also as a side note, this exclusive UbiDuo announcement on Kokonut Pundits would make it my 1005th blog post since its inception on October 22, 2004. This is the equivalent of 1.3 blogs a day for 778 days which would, arguably so, make me to be one of the most, if not the most, prolific deaf/hh blogger around.

All in all, congrats to Jason Curry who is already off to a flying start!


Check out all Kokonut Pundits stories on Greg Gunderson and sComm.
Check out all Kokonut Pundits stories on sComm and UbiDuo.
Check out all Kokonut Pundits stories with sComm, Inc in them.

When Deafness Kills

Well, these things do happen. Sadly tho. There was another deafness-related death today when a person with a hearing loss did not hear the sound of his impending doom from an approaching bus. Tragic. Also, remember earlier this year when we had the awful death of Miss Deaf Texas who was killed by a train, unable to hear the train horn's warning blast up to the last possible moment? Well, this time it was a moving bus when a cyclist peddled right into the front of the bus. The cyclist usually wears his hearing aid but this time he didn't.

A cyclist who died after pulling out in front of a tourist bus on SH1 between Taupiri and Ngaruawahia did not hear the bus approach, a coroner has found.

The Voyager Coachlines bus that killed 65-year-old Hamilton photographer Peter Goldfinch had deficient brakes, but did not cause the September 26 crash.

Coroner Bob McDermott said at an inquest at Huntly District Court on Thursday that Mr Goldfinch had moved into the southbound lane without checking for approaching traffic.

Inattentivity, carelessness and perhaps not listening resulted in this tragedy. But I can't fault them and besides, hearing people have been killed in those same instances. Even with a hearing aid you can still get hit by a bus. Inattentiveness can kill.

Ching Chonged

Here's a new definition of mine thanks to Rosie O'Donnell.

Ching Chonged – adj; an attempt at “de minimus” racist humor and be non-politically correct at the same time.

Example:

Rosie O’Donnell – “"You know, you can imagine in China it's like `ching chong, ching chong chong, Danny DeVito, ching chong chong chong, drunk.”

Did she ching chonged?

You bet.

Donation to Swift Vets and POWs for Truth

Well, it was worth every penny of it. Swift Vets and POWs for Truth was fined today by the Federal Election Commission for violating campaign finance laws. A fine of $299,500 was levied against the organization. The organization ran their website starting in April 2004 right up to November 3 when John Kerry lost the election.

Swift Boat Veterans, which led the attack on Democratic Senator John Kerry's war record, received $4.5 million from Houston builder Bob Perry.

Though the Swift Vets closed its organization a long time ago.

The Swift Boat group also has closed its doors, according to retired Admiral Roy Hoffmann, who founded the organization. ``It is far better to end this legal confrontation now rather than continue a costly battle against government bureaucrats in an area where the law is unconscionably vague,'' he said.

It was worth every penny from April 2004 to November 2004 the website ran to counter John Kerry. That's the equivalent of about $1620 a day. But since the organization is closed, who will foot the bill? Admiral Roy Hoffmann? Or will the Houston builder Bob Perry?

Perhaps set up a donation for the now inactive organization (unless John Kerry is stupid enough to try and run again for 2008) to help pay for the FEC fine?

Suggestions anyone?

Dr. Davila - Political Ideology vs Gallaudet Ideology

A few days ago I posted a congratulatory note to Dr. Davila for being picked as interim president of Gallaudet University. I also made a note of Dr. Davila's political preference which was that of a Republican/Conservative "solely" on the basis that he donated $250.00 to the RNC. It wasn't from just one example I based my conclusion on but I did that on purpose to see what people would say. Guess I was right.

I was lambasted by a few knee jerkers saying that I was assuming that Dr. Davila was a Republican/Conservative or that I didn't do enough to discern Dr. Davila's true ideology (ie the label of Republican/Conservative) or leanings. All because I used only one example in my blog about his contribution of $250.00 to the RNC?

Little do they know.

Yet the political donation search site is VERY CLEAR that there are other earlier campaign cycles going back to 1980 and anyone can do a search on "Davila, Robert" going back to 1980. I clearly posted that link in my recent blog. Just that 2002 happens to be the earliest and most recent donation to the GOP by Dr. Davila. The rest was up to readers to find out how much he has donated to the GOP. I guess that didn't happen. Did it?

The total amount donated to the GOP was $2600.00 vs $250.00 to Democrat Stephanie Aldersley who is a friend of Davila. That was the only thing I didn't uncover and that was on the friendship connection. Hattip goes to MAS on that one. Here is the rest of the donation given to the GOP by Dr. Robert Davila.


2002 Election Cycle

DAVILA, ROBERT
9/8/2002 $250.00
, NY 14623
R I T [Contribution]
STEPHANIE ALDERSLEY FOR CONGRESS

Davila, RobertR. Mr.
7/24/2002 $250.00
Rochester, NY 14623
Rochester Institute Of Technol/Univ [Contribution]
REPUBLICAN NATIONAL COMMITTEE


1996 Election Cycle

DAVILA, ROBERT DR
4/10/1995 $250.00
WHITE PLAINS, NY 10603
[Contribution]
NATIONAL REPUBLICAN SENATORIAL COMMITTEE

DAVILA, ROBERT DR
4/14/1995 $350.00
WHITE PLAINS, NY 10603
[Contribution]
NATIONAL REPUBLICAN SENATORIAL COMMITTEE

DAVILA, ROBERT DR
5/8/1996 $1,000.00
WHITE PLAINS, NY 10603
NEW YORK SCHOOL FOR THE DEAF [Contribution]
NATIONAL REPUBLICAN SENATORIAL COMMITTEE


1994 Election Cycle

DAVILA, ROBERT DR
9/24/1993 $250.00
LANHAM, MD 20706
[Contribution]
REPUBLICAN FUND FOR THE 90'S


1992 Election Cycle

DAVILA, ROBERT R
10/9/1992 $500.00
LANHAM, MD 20706
[Contribution]
REPUBLICAN NATIONAL COMMITTEE - RNC


Now, we have a good idea about Davila's political ideology or leanings but would that interfere/support his Gallaudet's ideology as interim president? Or should that not at all be a concern? The focus, however, *is* on Gallaudet University and not about a person's political leanings. Right? Yet it was interesting, even disturbing, to see one Deaf person call Dr. Davila a "dickwad" earlier this year in January just because he only donated $250.00 to the RNC in 2002. I wonder what he would say now if he found out that he donated up to $2600.00 to the GOP?

Now, shouldn't a public internet apology from him to Dr. Davila be a reasonable expectation considering that he congratulated Dr. Davila (even though he wanted Weiner) who is a Republican/Conservative? Will he apologize? Or not? But the irony is even more in all this when he said,

"I want all Democrats in the BoT."

Why did he say that? So, political leanings do matter on the campus of Gallaudet? Seems so to him. And now we have a Republican/Conservative who is now the interim president of Gallaudet University.

How ironic life is.

Congrats to Dr. Robert Davila

Congratulations to Dr. Robert Davila on becoming the interim president for Gallaudet University. Also, nice to see a Republican/Conservative taking the helm of Gallaudet University where Dr. Davila donated $250 to the Republican National Committee in 2002 seen here (type in "Davila, Robert" and be sure to click on "2002 Election Cycle"). Regardless of that interesting info, from here on out it's time to push forward.

When British Documentary Makers Lie about a Republican Congresswoman

I found this over at HotAir about the purported claim by British documentary makers of “638 Ways to Kill Castro" that they caught Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, who is a Republican Congresswoman from Florida and a ranking member of the House International Relations Committee, who called for Castro's death by assassination. The exact claimed quote:

I welcome the opportunity of having anyone assassinate Fidel Castro and any leader who is oppressing the people.

If you listen closely she says "I" twice as if she was stuttering right before she says "welcome." This is where I believe the audio splice took place to cover up the word "won't" if you lip read it closely without the sound. I believe she said "but" as the first word uttered in the close up video portion of the clip but that was masked over with the two "I" words as if she was stuttering a bit at the beginning. Under normal speed the word "won't" is spoken rather quickly and hard to catch since it happens almost immediately in the second portion of the clip when the camera pans up close to her face. This would be the best place to tamper an audio section between video breaks just enough so anybody wouldn't really notice it under normal viewing and listening scenarios.



Firstly, I noticed her demeanor in body language, her head mostly, as if she is saying and expressing things in the negative in the up close clip portion. Her head seems to shake left and right as in "no" and not up and down in the affirmative like you would see in the 1st half of that clip about how proud she is to represent many Cuban freedom fighters who are now exhiled in the United States and on the island. Her facial expression in the up close video was more scrunched up as if she was expressing in a more serious tone as if she was trying to say something in the negative or something with a tone of disapproval.

The video is fine. Just the audio portion that's been tampered with, which I can hear all the words anyway. Her lip-movements do not jive at all with the claimed transcript at the very beginning in the up close video portion. I can tell just by turning off the volume and read her lips by slowing it down right at the beginning of the second half of the clip with her face up close did I see the difference. I had to repeat this clip portion many times over until I realized that the first word right before "welcome" does indeed start with a "w" letter and the the word "won't" seem to follow well with her lip-movements and body language rather than the two stuttered words "I".."I" that were surreptiously added with the extra personal pronoun "I".

She correctly says this when you read her lips without the sound,

"...but I won't welcome the opportunity of having anyone assassinate Fidel Castro and any leader who is oppressing the people."

But in the tampered audio provided by the makers of a British documentary, “638 Ways to Kill Castro," the clip incorrectly says,

"..I...I welcome the opportunity of having anyone assassinate Fidel Castro and any leader who is oppressing the people."

Now, what is exactly the agenda of this British documentary makers anyway?

UPDATE: Looking at again, I know a "w" lettered word was said before she said "welcome". That's a fact. Whether it's "won't" or "would" is the point of contention here. In fact, I'm inclined now to see that she said "but would I welcome". It does seem more plausible with the lip movements now and that would be consisent with her demeanor and body language. It's also more grammatically correct than "won't". In fact, the clip cuts it off her talk at the begining (of the second clip) and at the end where she seems to continue to talk but was cut off as well. In fact, at the end she seemed to have shrugged a little bit before getting cut off which may indicate that she was answering a question.

We do, however, know that the audio has been messed around with and we don't know what she said before and after (in the second clip) when editing was done. The audio still contain the two "I"s to cover up the visual video gap where her lip movements said "would I" to make it sound like she stuttered a bit there.

Hattip: DrM2B.