FSSA Removes LaToya/Delia Memo Without Explaination

I was informed recently the that FSSA removed the LaToya/Delia memo from their website and the link no longer works.

And if the FSSA think that by removing the website memo a la’ administration-style deletion is going to work without offering an explanation, they need to think again. It is certainly NOT gone and the evidence still exist of that missing memo.

I think the FSSA owe the community an explanation because putting that LaToya/Delia memo letter constituted as an implied but official endorsement and support for the authors and the content of that memo by the FSSA organization as a whole.

So, by removing that memo, does that mean the FSSA "officially" supports and recognizes the CoSC? And agrees with the BoT's selection of CoSC? Does it mean also that the FSSA does not acknowledge nor support LaToya and Delia's claim about the CoSC? The FSSA has not yet answered any of my questions. The same goes with many others who asking questions about the memo. And with the memo yanked without giving any reasons why will raise even more questions.

At least it took the FSSA only 2 days this time to remove the memo as a "response" to many people questionings the memo. Again, the FSSA has not made the effort to provide any explanations, where they stand on certain issues at Gallaudet University, which body of organizations or groups they acknowledge and recognize, and so on.

UPDATE: Congratulations to Neisha Washington who is now recognized by the Board of Trustees to be the official representative for the Coalition of Students of Color. The Board of Trustees made the official announcement today on recognizing the people and organizations who will serve on the IPSAC committee.

Time to move forward.

Questions About The LaToya/Delia MEMO

I’ve several questions about the recent “open letter” memo by LaToya and Delia because I keep seeing this “we” stuff peppered throughout the memo as if it’s coming directly from the FSSA itself. Or is it?

Here are my questions.

Is the FSSA endorsing this memo letter written by LaToya and Delia? If not, where is the FSSA disclaimer on their website? If the FSSA does indeed support this memo, where is the affirmation on their website? Is it fair to keep people in the dark on who support who here? Who is the gatekeeper at the GUFSSA's website? Or did this memo get on the GUFSSA's website without people's knowledge?

If LaToya and Delia are acting as representatives of FSSA, does that mean the FSSA is an official organization? Or are they representing an “unofficial establishment” (LaToya/Delia's word) instead?

Who are the official leaders in the FSSA? The website does not make it clear on that either. Or does it really matter since it is an “unofficial establishment”?

Are LaToya and Delia acting as official representatives of the FSSA? Are they the mouthpiece of the FSSA? Or are they doing it for themselves as independents to gain the spotlight and attention? Their memo makes it unclear on who they are representing. The memo is after all on the GUFSSA’s website. Even the FSSA had the CoSC's memo up on their website in early May. Does that mean the FSSA officially recognized the CoSC as an organization?

Will we have to wait 3 days until we hear a response from the FSSA regarding the LaToya/Delia memo for further clarification on their stance on BoT’s official recognizance of CoSC? Or has the FSSA in fact chose LaToya and Delia to be their representative leaders? Or are they instead official leaders of this “unofficial establishment” who are now running the show? Who is what here within the FSSA's "unofficial establishment"?

Are the FSSA against the formation of CoSC? If so, why? Or is that answered by the FSSA's leaders, LaToya and Delia in their open letter memo? Or is that answered by the FSSA's when they allowed the CoSC memo on their website?

Again, we will have to wait 3 days until we hear an "official" response from the FSSA body like they did regarding the SBG crashing the HMB much to the FSSA’s disapproval? Who wrote that letter? Leaders or representatives?

How does the SBG feel about the CoSC? How does the SBG feel about the LaToya/Delia memo? Didn't Noah Beckman showed contriteness about ignoring students of color in the beginning of the protest as he explained it so well in the Newsweek article? Is Noah Beckman, president of the SBG, actually supportive of the COSC being formed?

Who is really creating divisiness here? And who is really supporting who or what here? And what exactly are LaToya and Delia trying to accomplish here? What is the FSSA trying to accomplish here? What are we as a whole trying to accomplish here? Are we here to draw lines in the sand or are we here to agree to disagree, and move forward?

UPDATE: Shane has questions, too, about the memo. He just blogged it a few minutes ago with the title "FSSA Oppresses Students of Color?"


====================
The "Memo" below:


MEMORANDUM

TO: GALLAUDET UNIVERSITY BOARD OF TRUSTEES
SUBJECT: OPEN LETTER OF CONCERN ON THE RECOGNITION OF COALITION OF STUDENTS OF COLOR
DATE: TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 14, 2006


To the Honorable Members of the Board of Trustees;

On Saturday, November 11, the Faculty, students, staff, alumni, and parents met with some members of the Board in regards to the Interim Presidential Search. These meetings were the first step towards recognizing the importance of community input. This ensures that representatives from different groups of the community are included in the Interim President Search Advisory Committee and breeds optimism that shared governance will soon be a model used within the Gallaudet community.

There is, however, an issue of concern we must present before this coming deadline in submitting names for the IPSAC. These past six months, we, the people of color, have fought to get our voices heard. The unofficial establishment of Faculty, Students, Staff and Alumni has brought forth a place of recognition and respect of and for others outside of minority groups. This unofficial organization has provided a safe haven where, through mistakes, we have learned that teamwork is the essential ingredient for the successful implementation of the principles of social justice at Gallaudet. Working together with the same group of people who initially ignored us and finding that people do learn from their mistakes has instilled in our hearts, the hope of a better Gallaudet.

Gallaudet University will improve from this point on through continued open dialogue and giving ourselves permission to confront each other on issues that must be resolved. Most importantly, and perhaps our biggest challenge: we must push ourselves to engage in such dialogue and confrontation with various groups outside of our own communities and strive to work together as one community. Given that, we are worried that the establishment of the Coalition of Students of Color will only create division within the community of people of color.

As students, working with other groups of faculty, staff, alumni, and community agencies, we have been and continue to fight for social justice. We envision a place where each of our “voices” carry equal power. And as students, we recognize the Student Body Government as our representative organization. However, rather than working with the Student Body Government, certain individuals want to create a separate governing body. This is the same group of people that fail to recognize that a coalition means the inclusion of all minority organizations. This is also a group of people who are pushing for the formation of a coalition without first resolving inter-group conflicts. They are the same group of people who, in part because they harbor anger at those who ignored us students of color at the very beginning of the presidential search process, are not willing to work with the Student Body Government or the Faculty, Student, Staff, and Alumni coalition.

We want you to be aware that—as can be expected in times of crisis, certain issues are still unresolved. One such instance is the formation of the Coalition of the Students of Color. We have not reached a collective understanding, and we ask that out of respect, the trustees halt on the recognition of the Coalition of Students of Color until we have the opportunity to resolve some of the issues that are preventing us from working together in a way that would do social justice proud.

Respectfully yours,


La Toya Plummer
Delia Lozano-Martinez

COSC in, FSSA out.

Received this in my email box. The Coalition of Students of Color has been technically recognized by the Board of Trustees on selecting the ad hoc group to be a part of the Interim President Selection Advisory Committee (IPSAC). One student from the COSC shall be a part of this selection advisory committee. But no one from the ad hoc FSSA group (by name) was selected or the fact that Board of Trustees mentioned the group by name. Will the FSSA protest over this? Although it is to note that the FSSA has never "officially" recognized the COSC. At first FSSA did just to bring in the COSC but then later David King and Arlyn resigned from the ad hoc FSSA group:

Representative of APA Aryln P. resigned from FSSA for the same reason Representative of BDSU David King resigned — they saw the FSSA in its true light. The light wasn’t pretty.

Indeed. Will the FSSA -->protest<-- for their lack of representation (by name) on the IPSAC? Or will they accuse the Board of Trustees of something else like "being out touch" again? Though 2 alumni, 4 students (SBG, GSA, COSC, ISA) and 4 staff and 2 faculty were choosen, why should one or two representatives be chosen from the ad hoc FSSA group by name (Faculty, Student, Staff, and Alumni)? Will FSSA finally and "officially" recognize the CoSC? Is it CoSC in, FSSA out?

UPDATE: To lessen the confusion on what I'm getting at, there has been talk asking that the FSSA be officially recognized as an organization which was brought up at the Gallaudet University's Open Forum #1 on November 9th with one issue discussed "Suggestion made that FSSA become an official group under campus activities". This suggestion was also brought up earlier on October 30 suggesting that the FSSA should, as an ad hoc organization, be officially recognized at Gallaudet University. Which is fine. I've no problem with that whether they need it or not.

Now, the question is this. Since the BoT officially recognized CoSC as a group with one representative to be on the IPSAC board, does this mean that the FSSA also recognizes the CoSC as a distinct and official student governmental organization ? Or does the CoSC, or anybody else for that matter, need recognizance from the FSSA in order to be officially "recognized" by a wider body? And what does "to be officially recognized" mean anyway? What does it take to become "officially recognize"?

No one group can represent everybody because there are different ideals and experiences that make a group "unique". That alone should be "official" enough for everybody to recognize each other. I hope that everybody does indeed work together and learn to agree to disagree when necessary.


Now, the letter from the Board of Trustees on the completion of IPSAC.

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

November 13, 2006

MEMORANDUM

TO: The Gallaudet Community

FR: Pamela Holmes, Chair, Gallaudet University Board of Trustees

RE: Selecting an Interim President

The Gallaudet University Board of Trustees has begun the process of identifying an interim president to begin service on January 1, 2007. Following a full day of meetings with key constituency groups, including students, faculty, alumni, and staff, the Board met in executive session to establish the process set forth in this memorandum.

The Board expects to appoint an interim president with the following characteristics:

Possession of a terminal degree
Higher education knowledge, experience and credentials
Shared vision: An inclusive, academically excellent university
Proven leadership ability
Knowledge of fundraising and congressional relations
Ability to lead efforts to enhance respect for diversity
Ability to bridge different constituencies
Budget/fiscal management experience
Fluency in American Sign Language and knowledge of deaf culture
Highest standards of integrity and ethics
Support for K-12 education and LCC national mission efforts

Simultaneously with issuance of this memorandum, the Board has issued a call for nominations and indications of Interest. The call is posted on the Gallaudet University website and individuals, who wish to make nominations, including self-nominations, may do so by sending an email to pam.holmes@captelmail.com.

The Board expects the interim president will serve on an interim basis only, for a period of eighteen months. The Board and the interim president, by mutual agreement, may extend this period for an additional six months if needed.

The Board hereby creates an Interim President Selection Advisory Committee (IPSAC) and asks that it provide assistance by considering a diverse range of candidates to serve as interim president and make recommendations consistent with the below.

IPSAC will recommend three to five candidates to the Board of Trustees, which will then fulfill its responsibility as the governing body for the University by selecting one of those individuals as interim president. The Board reserves the right to request additional candidates from IPSAC. IPSAC will have the responsibility of preparing a brief written report about each of the recommended candidates, discussing strengths and weaknesses; it shall not provide any ranking of the recommended candidates.

IPSAC shall consist of the following members:

1 student, SBG

1 student, GSA

1 student, International Students Association

1 student, Coalition of Students of Color

2 faculty

2 University staff

1 Clerc Center teacher

1 Clerc Center staff

2 alumni

2 administrators

1 member of the Board of Trustees

The members of IPSAC will be selected by the constituency groups they represent. The respective constituency groups are expected to confirm that their representatives are available to serve. The Chair of the Board of Trustees, Ms. Pamela Holmes, will select the Chair of IPSAC, in consultation with the Executive Committee of the Board. She or her designee also will serve on the IPSAC in an ex officio capacity. A quorum of eight shall be required for IPSAC decisions. An individual will be hired to provide full-time staff support to IPSAC.

In its work, IPSAC may develop additional procedures consistent with this memorandum. It should confirm that each recommended candidate is available to begin service on January 1, 2007. It may but need not conduct video or in person interviews of the individuals it considers.

The schedule for the selection of the interim president, which is very aggressive and will be adhered to rigorously, is as follows:

November 13: issuance of this memorandum

November 15, 5 p.m.: constituency groups to submit names, titles, and contact information of their selected IPSAC members
November 16, 5 p.m.: Board Chair Ms. Holmes to select Chair of IPSAC
November 17: expected first meeting of IPSAC
December 1: IPSAC to notify individuals on its recommended list of their selection
December 6, 5 p.m.: IPSAC to send brief written reports to Board Chair Ms. Holmes
December 9: Board meeting to interview recommended candidates
December 11: Board decision to be announced
January 1, 2007: interim president to begin service

IPSAC shall conduct its work in accordance with a confidentiality agreement that will be distributed at the first meeting.

The Board expects to announce a separate search process for the permanent president, after an interim president has been selected.

Thank you.

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

The Great Nutroots "Mission Accomplished" Video Hoax of the Year

Read Hot Air and Michelle Malkin regarding one truly unhinged liberal going about a conspiracy theory of how a video was supposedly doctored leaving out the "Mission Accomplished" banner on an aircraft carrier where President Bush gave his speech on May 1, 2003.

Not so. Nothing was removed as you can see it here, a video portion, when compared to photos explained in Hot Air. You can see it exactly halfway through it as the camera pans away and up from President Bush and then zooms in on the "Mission Accomplished" banner. Though nothing mysterious about the black bar at the bottom of the video and the camera position is nearly identical to that of the Internet Archive (Iraq War) video. Nothing removed. Just a low angle camera shot that took place.

There are more collection seen here with bigger video files. Download 'em to your heart content.

Of course, we know that Mike McIntee is lying. After exposing this pre-election hoax-of-the-year, I'm sure he'll be contrite about his lying since, hey, Democrats have control of Congress anyway. But then again, it ends up that McIntee is now a bonafide liar.

Webb-ed

From NRO on the story of Democratic Jim Webb's win for the congressional seat gave a victory speech to a crowd after narrowly defeating George Allen (R)

He started off by mentioning that "tomorrow is an extremely important day for America," and the crowd went wild, thinking he was talking about taking power. But of course, he launched into his praise of the Marine Corps, and the crowd cheered a little less loudly. Then he thanked all the brave veterans and brave men still fighting, and the crowd cheered a little less loudly again.

Then he mentioned that he received a call from Sen. Allen, and the crowd went nuts again. Then he mentioned how pleasant and dignified Allen was, and the crowd grew quiet. Then he said he was having lunch next week with Allen — and the crowd was dead silent. Finally he told the audience that they should all thank Sen./Gov. Allen for his many years of dedicated service to the people of Virginia — and you could almost hear the people gathered looking at each other asking, "What the $#@! did we just do?" It was priceless.

Pretty funny stuff if you ask me. I know that many of the Democrats who won Congressional seats are more conservative and align a litle more closely to Republican conservatives. So, what did the people of Virginia pick? Probably a monster in the own mind right now after hearing Webb's victory speech.

Gas Prices on the Rise - Heebie Jeebies Conspiracy Theorists?

Dang that Karl Rove. He must've put in a secret line to the U.S. oil industry after the General Election result to start increasing the prices at the gas pumps as a punishment to all of us. Looks like I'm the 2nd deaf or hh blogger to talk about this one. The first deaf blogger commented on this not to long ago with a "WTF?".

One week ago the national average was $2.20. Yesterday, a few days after the election, was at $2.22. And today it was at $2.23 according to Gas Buddy. Still considerably cheaper than it was back in July of 2006 when the national average peaked close to $3.00.

I can see it now. More conspiracy theories are being fuel by the rising gas prices. How can it be a coincidence when prices began to rise the day after the election? By what? Three cents? On average? Oh sure, in some places the rise in prices went a little higher and wondered with a WTF question like this one deaf blogger here. However, the Kos kiddies are now starting to get onto the conspiracy bandwagon on rising gas prices as if they have nothing else better to do. And looks like it's a yawn over there. Gotta be careful about doing the conspiracy barn dance thing since Democrats are in the majority in Congress.

Now, if gas prices were to somehow stabilize I'm sure you'll see a lot of blackslapping by Democrats on how they "saved the day" by "forcing" the oil industry to stop playing games. But before you believe your eyes, or ears in this case, look to OPEC first on why prices are behaving like that.

"Oil industry analysts say the price increase was expected some time in November because of OPEC's decision to cut back production of crude oil. That has kept crude prices hovering around the $60 mark, making it difficult for prices at the pump to come down further."

Yes. It's all OPEC doing. Well, a good portion of it that is. It's about OPEC's control of delivered oil into the market that can have an effect on gas prices. Also, with winter coming up, heating oil gas prices usually go up if people are anticipating a colder than average winter which is usually the case if you look closely at the 3 year graph.

So, in closing, keep calm about the rising gas prices. It is probably nothing. And also, don't buy gas from CITGO. Although CITGO says the oil/gas boycott didn't affect them. And that was announced today in the news, 3 days after the election.

Hmmmm.....

More Fodder News for the Media - Dr. Brueggemann Resigns

First it was the forceful termination of Dr. Jane K. Fernandes' on preventing her from becoming the 9th president of Gallaudet University after 6 months of protesting culminating up to the ever so famous Stubbed Toe Gate.

Then 8 days later, Senator McCain resigns (click on link to see why he resigned) from his position as a voting member of the Board of Trustees for unknown reasons but we could probably guess why.

And then 12 hours later Dr. Brueggemann sent in her resignation letter effictively immediately due to the fact that protesters have interferred in her life and work:

Since I became Acting Chair in May 2006, my personal life, and my professional work as a scholar, teacher, and administrator at my own university, have suffered considerably. I can no longer justify these personal and professional costs.

Indeed. Is this the cost of unity? Again, unity for whom?

And then we must not forget the resignation of Celia May Baldwin who was the interim Chair for the Board of Trustees at the very beginning of the protest that resulted in the placemet of Dr. Brueggemann in the first place.

After many sleepless nights and much reflection these past several days, I regret to tell you that on Sunday night I came to the decision to resign from the Gallaudet Board of Trustees. The presidential search and the controversy that has ensued have put enormous strain and stress on me. I simply could not ignore the numerous aggressive threats I have received over the past weeks.

This surely isn't a lesson on civic duty but the lack of lesson on human civility. This thing seems to be breaking down and nobody knows what will happen next. But I have told people that every action has its own consequences. Serious actions could beget serious conseuences. Maybe not right away but further down the road. And yet we don't even know whether the other two Congressional board members Ray LaHood of Illinois and Lynn Woolsey of California will in fact resign and follow suit Sen. McCain's resignation. And yet both Woolsey and Lahood were re-elected for their seats tonight. Consider yourselves lucky on that part.

If y'all wanted Congress attention I'm sure that with these resignations and forced termination of Dr. Jane K. Fernandes' contract for Gallaudet presidency will certainly get Congress radars a zinging.

What's next now? Will anybody step up to the plate and acknowledge a bit of "mea culpa" for their actions? Will the FSSA be the body to go forth in front of Congress to explain their actions? Will that ever happen?

I don't know what will happen next but I don't like what I've been seeing lately with all the DoD to DoD backstabbing, character assassinations, defamation, libel and whatnot along with the continued resignations. And more stories of how the FSSA and SBG still seem to marginalize students of color in their meetings. Or did Noah Beckman not understand? That story will come next.

Meanwhile, this isn't unity, folks. This is an example of chaos theory in action. Somebody better do some serious "mea culpas" around here as a start and write a lot of apology letters to Sen. McCain and Dr. Brueggemann. Am I the only person saying this? Or are we going to see more pervasive hypocritical attitudes? Helloooo, FSSA? SBG? Bloggers?

We'll see.......

UPDATE: According to Washington Post Lahood and Woolsey will not resign....for now.

Hat tip: "Gallaudet Employee"

Senator McCain Resigns from BoT. Confirmed!

Well. It's confirmed and I was the first one to break the story, too. Senator McCain resigned his board member position from the Board of Trustees at Gallaudet University. Like one commenter said,

McCain can take a LOT of flak- Gee, Deafies ran off the guy who stood up to the North VN Communists! ACK!

Indeed. McCain was a POW in North Vietnam. He's now an ex-board member of Gallaudet's Board of Trustees.

Next question is who will fill that vacancy spot? Will it be Senator Harkin or Senator Sessions of Alabama? The Senator before McCain was Senator Inouye of Hawaii in 1995.

How will the world read this resignation. Already, I have sources saying that a well known news media is following up on this. Imagine having a U.S. Senator run off (in disgust?) because of the protest?

Only time will tell....


UPDATE: One official Administrator via email to me confirms that it is true. No official word but nonetheless true.

UPDATE II: Now, I am asking the question, why did Sen. McCain leave. Perhaps one of the reason is the tons of email he recieved during the protest period? Especially near the end. Rob Voreck, aka "Private Investigator", did in fact encourage protesters to send their emails to Senator McCain. I could probably imagine McCain's staffer or Sen. McCain himself express surprise at all the letters about a deaf woman that was selected to be Gallaudet University next president. Maybe he thought he was reading a bunch of mewling kids complaining about a deaf woman? I'm sure a lot of well thought emails were sent out. Or were they?

I wonder what the news media will say about this one about Sen. McCain who is now an ex-board member of the Board of Trustees at Gallaudet University?

NOTE: Corrected "honorary" to "board". An oversight on my part.

UPDATE III: From a "Gallaudet Employee" - Where does it specifically say that the appointee must be from the majority party? All I can find in the bylaws is the following. So, it is Cheney's responsibility, but where is the majority bit?

Section 2.2.1 Voting Trustees -- Public Members. Three Voting Trustees shall be public members ("Public Members"), one of whom shall be a United States Senator appointed by the President of the Senate, and two shall be Members of the House of Representatives appointed by the Speaker of the House. The Public Members shall be appointed for a term of two years commencing at the beginning of each Congress, shall be eligible for reappointment, and shall serve until their successors are appointed.

Hat tip: "Gallaudet Employee"

UPDATE IV: Reason for Senator McCain's resignation:

In a letter to President Jordan, McCain, who was not able to attend the board’s October 29 meeting, said, “I cannot in good conscience continue to serve on the board following its decision to terminate [Dr. Fernandes’] appointment, which I believe was unfair and not in the best interests of the University.”

Upon learning of the Senator’s decision, Board Chair Brenda Jo Brueggemann expressed her gratitude for his years of service: “We are thankful to Senator McCain for his willingness to serve on Gallaudet’s Board of Trustees. He has been a champion for Gallaudet in the U.S. Senate and we look forward to continuing to work with him.”

I guess I was right after all. It all had to do with the protest for McCain's resignation.

Hat tip: "Gallaudet Employee".

Senator Resigns From Gally BoT!

Got the word via email saying about Shirley Shultz-Myers(?) saying that one very, very important person on the Board of Trustees resigned recently probably because of the protest making him look very bad. Shirley Shultz-Myers(?) was just recently informed of this since I got the email. Who is this guy? A clue, he has been a strong advocate not only of Gallaudet University but of telecommunications legislation benefitting deaf and hard of hearing people. He serves on several key committees, including the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. And who would that be? Senator McCain.

Will await further confirmation if this is the case.

UPDATE (2:01 EST): Still awaiting. Got a few leads that may seem to confirm this story. Remember. Senator McCain is a board member on the Board of Trustees. If he did in fact resigned as a board member it'll look bad on Gallaudet.

UPDATE II (2:15 EST): Got an outside news source checking into this as well. I called one of McCain's staffer in Washington D.C. She said as far as she knows McCain didn't resign (as "honoary" member but the title is incorrect) but according to my emails, just breaking, she may not even know this one. Still awaiting a solid confirmation.....

UPDATE III (2:47 PM EST): Go to http://bot.gallaudet.edu/ and you'll see McCain's name is no longer there!! It says "US Senator - VACANCY" !!

This is a confirmation folks! Solid. Vacancy for a new US Senator.

Question is, who will want to take it?

Senator Harkin?


UPDATE IV (3:28 PM EST): One official Administrator via email to me confirms that it is true. No official word but nonetheless true.

Saddam Hussein Found Guilty. Hanging is Next.

UPDATE! - Go here for video of Saddam's hanging!

It finally came. The verdict was handed down by the Iraqi Court finding Saddam Hussein guilty for crimes against humanity and sentenced to death by hanging. Although he said he preferred to be executed in front of a firing squad. Gateway Pundits has more details.

This will be a victory for the Bush Administration who helped capture Saddam Hussein. I'm sure the liberals will question the "timing" with 2 days left before the 2007 General Election.

You can read a 2002 report by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office in order to understand exactly what Saddam Hussein did to deserve the hanging:
SADDAM HUSSEIN: crimes and human rights abuses. A report on the human cost of Saddam’s policies. Reading that report you'll notice no references on hangings.

Go here for some videos of survivors and relatives of those innocent people executed explaining just how horrific Saddam Hussein's regime was.

Executions: Saddam Hussein's regime has carried out frequent summary executions, including: o 4,000 prisoners at Abu Ghraib prison in 1984 o 3,000 prisoners at the Mahjar prison from 1993-1998 o 2,500 prisoners were executed between 1997-1999 in a "prison cleansing campaign" o 122 political prisoners were executed at Abu Ghraib prison in February/March 2000 o 23 political prisoners were executed at Abu Ghraib prison in October 2001 o At least 130 Iraqi women were beheaded between June 2000 and April 2001.

Here are some more from the US Department of State on the grisly numbers and how many were tortured and/or executed. Compared to a hanging Saddam Hussein is getting off easy.

Here's Richard Clark's paper (not that Richard Clark) on "The process of judicial hanging" where he describes the various types of hangings. Including post mortem autopsy results. It includes grisly descriptions resulting from a hanging. Website includes links to hanging pictures. Richard also makes a note that hanging was used extensively in Iraq under Saddam and it continues to be the lawful method there under the new government.

And, oh, did you know that the U.N. and the E.U. are against execution back in 2004 shortly after Saddam was captured saying executions are humane?

The prospect that Hussein could be tried by a new Iraqi government has raised concerns among some human-rights organizations over whether he would receive a fair trial. They have also warned that the Iraqi legal system's provision for capital punishment brings it into conflict with the values of EU countries like Britain and Spain that backed the war to topple his regime. The EU states and the United Nations consider execution inhumane.

Speaking shortly after Hussein's capture, UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan offered the world's body assistance to assure Hussein gets fair treatment and said any trial must adhere to international standards: "Whatever court is set up has to meet basic international norms and standards, and if -- in doing that -- one needs to get help from our side, I think it should be considered. But the emphasis should be in respecting the basic norms and standards, including international humanitarian law."

Whatever.

Be sure to read Iraq the Model. There'll be inside scoop on the reaction of the Iraqi people in and around Bagdad.

Also, a question. Will CNN do a live tape of the hanging or will they say it's against their policy to do snuff film?

Deaf Survivors and Witnesses to 9/11

Check this movie preview of an upcoming film by Jade Film. They produced a motion picture called 9/11 Fear in Silence: The Forgotten Underdogs. It's about the stories of deaf and hard of hearing survivors and witnesses of 9/11 who tell their stories through their eyes and hands. Was silence that almost killed them or was it neglect by other people who didn't know any better?

For the Gally Protesters

Here's a product for Gallaudet protesters with a message that comes with a twist. Check out the the rest of the product by clicking on the store logo above.

Deaf/HH Hodgepodge and Absurdities

Watch a time lapse video of this guy setting the world record for the most shirts worn at one time. If you want to put on 100lbs in four hours, this is how you do it. Kind of funny. Either he's getting big or his head is getting smaller.


Researchers at New York University School of Medicine Investigate the Use of Nasal Stem Cells to Replace Damaged Hair Cells in the Cochlea

Nasal stem cells, called olfactory neural stem cells (ONSCs), help give rise to new olfactory cells in the nose. These sensors let us detect the distinct aroma of a rose or the odors emitted by different foods, die off and are regenerated regularly. The olfactory neural stem cells
in mammals are totipotent—they can give rise to any kind of cell found in the body. The fact that stem cells can differeniate into any cell type in the body, from skin to muscle cells, has made them a very appealing target of research studies assessing their therapeutic potential. Everything from regenerating nerve tissue in spinal injuries to replacing cells that produce insulin in diabetics is being investigated. Because ONSCs can be harvested from living adults, and not embryos, they are free of the ethical dilemmas involved using embryonic stem cells. Importantly, the use of one’s own cells for a therapeutic procedure would preclude the debilitating effects of graft rejection by the recipient’s immune system.


American Hearing Impaired Hockey Association Year-end Report for AHRF 2006

(Exceprt - click on link for more on page 4) .
The XVI Deaflympics will be held in Salt Lake City, Utah on February 1-12, 2007. The American Hearing Impaired Hockey Association hosted tryouts for the USA team during the 33rd Annual Stan Mikita Hockey School for the Hearing Impaired. Open tryouts began on Thursday, June 15 and concluded on Sunday, June 18. Participants surviving the first cut were invited to a training camp in August 2006 for further evaluation. Final selection will be made in Chicago in January 2007.


Cure for hearing loss is getting closer. There is a new non-profit organization called The National Organization for Hearing Research Foundation.

The National Organization for Hearing Research Foundation was established to fund and support research into the causes, preventions, treatments and cures of hearing loss and deafness. The foundation operates according to three basic principles:
*Hearing research is our priority, as 35 million Americans are afflicted at tremendous societal and human cost, and effective treatments remain elusive.
*The necessary breakthroughs can only result from intensive, interdisciplinary, and innovative biomedical research.
*As many other organizations address matters of public education, social awareness, and amelioration of suffering and disadvantage, NOHR Foundation will devote its resources to biomedical research, with rare exceptions.


Korean Sign Language recognition. The technology on ASL recognition is also gaining traction and would be a matter of time until it can be used successfully.

GOLLYURDEAF2?

Get your GOLLYURDEAF2? products at my newest store.

Yes, folks. My very own Kokonut Pundits store. It's not much right now. Just look near the top of my blogsite and you'll see my kokonut tree logo with, well, kokonuts. Click on the logo to enter my store and see what's available. My first product is to be built around the "GOLLYURDEAF2?" statement. Of course, it's a loose adaptation after Gallaudet. So far you can choose to get a t-shirt, hooded sweater, coffee mug, baseball hat, button or a rectangle magnet for your refridgerator with the "GOLLYURDEAF2?" remark. If you like to be a conversation starter, get your "GOLLYURDEAF2?" items. This can make a great gag or serious gift just to drive home a point. Order yours, today!



If you have suggestions or comments, let me know. Everybody else? Breathe in... breathe out... breathe in....

Rush Limbaugh and His Cochlear Implant

Today from the Rush Limbaugh radio show a partial transcript can be seen here with him talking about his cochlear implant experience. The transcript below is him responding to a blind caller on his radio show.

Well, you've gotta great attitude about it, and I'm glad you called. I want to say one thing. You talked about the advantages that you have in being blind, and people think that's kind of odd. I can tell you some advantages being deaf. Now, these advantages are predicated on the fact that I lost my hearing -- you want to know why I believe in God? There are countless reasons, ladies and gentlemen, countless reasons and I've mentioned many of them during the course of discussions of the environment and so forth, but you look at the timeline of humanity on this planet, whatever it is. I don't know, 10,000 years, a hundred million years.

Whatever it is, my little speck on that timeline happens to coincide -- and look at my career now, what I do for a living. My little speck of that timeline coincides with when science has invented the cochlear implant which allows 100% deaf people to hear, and particularly in speech. You get in loud, noisy areas, restaurants, and it becomes very, very difficult because the thing just amplifies all the noise it hears, and if you're in a restaurant with a couple other people, the other people's voices are much louder than the two you're trying to hear, so it really becomes a challenge. But in a situation like this, one-on-one speech, it's not normal as it was, but it's miraculous.

But there are times at restaurants I just lose my mind. So can I turn the volume down, or I can take it off -- and there is blessed silence. How many of you people can't sleep through the night because some noise wakes you up? I never hear the noise. You who can hear do not know what pure silence is, because you can never. You can plug your ears up. You can put muffs and headphones on but you're always getting the white noise of a room, but when you're totally deaf? I can tune anything out. I can. If I'm talking to somebody and I'm tired, I just take it off. It sends the message I'm through. I don't have to listen to the racket on the TV. I can read closed-captioning.

You can do that too by hitting the mute button, but the ability to just totally turn off noise and to not have the normal distractions, when you're trying to sleep or when you're really trying to concentrate and noise distracts you. I can turn all that off. (interruption) I can feel my heartbeat. Of course I can. Snerdley is asking me, "You can't hear the heartbeat but can you feel it?" If I slam a door without touching the door, I feel the door slam. I don't hear it.

I mean, I don't slam it. I'm just giving you an example, but there are a number of things like if I slam the car door. I don't hear it, but when I see it happening, I feel it. There's a particular sensation, those kinds of sensations. Toilet flushing? I don't hear it, but there's an awareness of it, and I think that's the brain, because I used to be able to hear it. It's like the way I hear music. I can't hear... Well, I can hear it. I can't listen to music and understand it unless I've heard it before. I've got eight electrodes in my brain covering for what used to be 40,000 active hair cells so there's not much frequency response for me.

Every note of every new piece of music that I've never heard before sounds the same note. Movie sound tracks or what have you. But I listen to music that I knew before and my memory is what supplies the melody so I know that there's sounds taking place. I'm still very much concerned if the noise in a room is too loud so I'm constantly keeping it lower, even I can't hear it. But just out of habit. The brain is a powerful thing, and the amount of control we think we have over our brain; it would be surprising to you when you realize you don't. At any rate, I gotta take a break here. Charlie, thanks for the call.

Guess he's seeing some benefits on being deaf.

Strong as Steele

Let me get out of this rut covering all this deaf protest and “healing” and get into the politics of things which I’ve not blogged lately. You say politics? Yeah, you know, the upcoming November 7 General Election. I hope deaf and hard of hearing people aren't forgeting this important date this upcoming Tuesday next week and go out and vote! By the way, check out and become a part of the Deaf Republicans grassroots organization. After all, 2008 is two years away.

A side thought here. How many deaf and hard of hearing people living in Maryland are going to vote? How many Gallaudet University students, staff and faculty members are going to go out and vote? It should be YOUR civic duty and responsibility to vote. After all, this is America. The land of the free….to castigate.

You know, I’ve been admiring Lt. Governor Michael Steele ( R ) for sometime now who is running for US Senate as a Republican. Yes, a Republican. Not a Democrat which you see in the picture above where CNN “accidentally” inserted a “D” for Democrat next to Michael Steele’s name. Or maybe it was a racist move by somebody in CNN to put that “D” for Democrat because the color of Steele’s skin? Who knows what subconcious efforts CNN has done in the past that were labeled as "mistakes" like this one here? Just being glib here so calm down please.

Now, for those who don't know. Michael Steele became Maryland’s first ever statewide elected African-American. He was one of the first in his family to go to college graduating from Johns Hopkins University and then got his law degree from Georgetown University

Anyway, something about him resonates well me about his can-do attitude and even headed. Help people on empowering themselves and be “boot-strappers” instead of focusing on entitlements. He’s looking ahead and forward into the future. And just because his skin has a different color people still attack him for that. Which is sad. And stupid at the same time. But you know what is really racist to hear from Liberals? It’s hearing them refer Senator Steele as an “Oreo cookie incident not too long ago.

"At the candidates' only televised debate in late September, there were reports that Townsend supporters passed out Oreo cookies to represent Steele, joking he was black on the outside but white in the middle.

"[Md. Democratic spokesman] Paulson denied the incident happened and said the only documented accusation came from Ehrlich spokesman Paul Schurick.

"Steele, however, said an Oreo cookie rolled to his feet during the debate.

"'Maybe it was just someone having their snack, but it was there,' Steele said. 'If it happened, shame on them if they are that immature and that threatened by me.'"

Other racist attacks have people call him an “Uncle Tom” or even a “token” for the Republican GOP party. Or comments saying that being an African-American or black how can one be a Republican? What is it that people cannot understand that there is free will and choice in choosing a party? Like here and Audacity of Hope” by becoming a Republican Senator for Maryland. Why is that? Well, aren’t Liberals completely befuddled on how an African-American can be affiliated as a Republican? I’m sure Liberals will need to take the time to read Wayne Perryman’s book called “Unfounded Loyalty.” An excellent read.

It’s a book written by an African-American on why Republicans throughout history has backed and helped blacks or, if you prefer, African-Americans to empower themselves. All one has to do is go back starting in the 1850s with Fredrick Douglas and see how the Republican party got all started with Abe Lincoln’s help.

Lt. Governor Michael Steele. Strong as Steele. And I’m sure somebody will be idiotic enough to put in a title cleverly disguised, “Michael Steele’s Votes” (ie Michael steals votes), as the next subconscious message of hate and racist attitudes should Michael Steele win this upcoming election on Tuesday, November 7, 2006. In fact, I'm predicting that Michael Steele will win considering the support has been getting over the last several months.

UPDATE: Read the rest of the October 31, 2006 Washington Times article on Michael Steele and how many African-American Democrats are supporting Steele. Why? Read below for a start:

Former Prince George's County Executive Wayne K. Curry and five fellow black Democrats on the county council excoriated their party yesterday and endorsed Lt. Gov. Michael S. Steele, a Republican, for U.S. Senate.

"The [Democratic] Party acts as though when they want our opinion, they'll give it to us. It's not going to be like that anymore," said Mr. Curry, who in 1994 became the county's first black executive and remains influential in the mostly black and heavily Democratic county.

Mr. Curry and the lawmakers said Democratic leaders repeatedly have snubbed the black community and their county, noting the lack of party support for the Senate campaign of former National Association for the Advancement of Colored People chief Kweisi Mfume, who lost the Democratic primary to Rep. Benjamin L. Cardin.

The Democratic ticket lacks black candidates, they said, and candidates from Prince George's County, which is home to more than 320,000 registered Democrats -- the most of any jurisdiction in Maryland.

"We're not puppets. We're not gullible," Mr. Curry said during a press conference at the Infusion Tea Cafe in Largo. "This ain't the first time we've charged up a hill."

He was joined by fellow black Democrats David Harrington of Bladensburg, Samuel H. Dean of Bowie, Camille A. Exum of Capitol Heights, Tony Knotts of Temple Hills and Marilyn Bland of Clinton -- all officials on the nine-member county council.

Other black Democratic leaders endorsing Mr. Steele yesterday included Major Riddick, former chief of staff for former Gov. Parris N. Glendening; Ron Lipscomb, a major fundraiser and trustee of the state party; and businessmen Clayton Duhaney and M.A. "Mike" Little.

"There's a revolution going on here," said Jerry McLaurin, a county developer and Steele supporter who attended the announcement. "This is going to radiate throughout the county like an explosion."

Mr. Steele, who lives in the county and is the first black to be elected to statewide office in Maryland, said he was "humbled."

Everything you always wanted to now about Deaf Republicans grassroots organization that was blogged on Kokonut Pundits. Deaf Republicans came to existence in October 2004. Email me for more information or how to contact other representatives.

Stop The Insanity - Unity for All

This video was made two weeks ago, but an unexpected circumstances prevented it from being uploaded. Even through this is dated, we felt it was still important to share our perspective as it was two weeks ago. This is a result of a teamwork composed of four deaf individuals with differing perspectives of the protest- we still hold tremendous respect for each other to listen and have an ongoing dialogue, and we hope the same will happen at Gallaudet and beyond.



An DeAftlanta Productions
Kayleen Pugh & Kristi Merriweather
Camera Director/Producer- Amy Efron Cohen
Film Editor- Mike Clegg
Filmed October 16, 2006


Words from Kokonut Pundits.

This is a good video. It illustrates the importance of why personal backstabbings and character assassinations need to stop.

An Open Letter to Kathleen Wood at Gallaudet University

I’ve read today’s Washington Post op-ed piece by Kathleen Wood, associate professor of English at Gallaudet University who is hearing, who make the claim that Gallaudet isn’t for everyone, that is, deaf and hard of hearing.

Not all deaf students belong at Gallaudet University. It is certainly not for those who reject Deaf culture and American Sign Language (ASL).

What Kathleen probably failed to note is that Gallaudet University is an institution first that serve ALL students, notably deaf and hard of hearing students. Now, granted, there exists a secondary environment called “Deaf culture” and that ASL is the most used sign language aside from SimCom, SEE or an ASL mix thereof. Even talking and listening by those who benefit greatly from hearing aids and cochlear implants can be include here, too. And we cannot discount Cued Speech, either. They are out there, somewhere amid the student population.

We need to realize that students do have the right and choice on how they want to communicate depending on their comfort zones. It is, after all, a free country and that Gallaudet University is a private institution supported mostly by the Federal government to the tune of $100 million dollars a year. Gallaudet University is compelled to follow the ADA and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 to ensure equal access to communication and classroom participation on campus.

What I am reading from Dr. Wood’s op-ed piece is that there seems to be an entitlement expectation that Gallaudet University is “their university” and not everybody else’s. And they do this by marginalizing certain (ie many) students by calling them “the resisters” and turn it into an “us” versus “them” all because Gallaudet University has a slogan that the university is for everyone?

Over the years, this slogan has managed to attract a handful of "resister" students who continue in their studies while resisting ASL and not integrating into Deaf culture. The Jordan-Fernandes leadership has enabled these resisters, and this has led to second-class citizenship for users and seekers of Deaf culture and ASL skills.

Again, what Dr, Kathleen failed to note is that students do have a personal choice on whether to fully, partially or not immerse themselves into a thriving Deaf culture. Nor does she recognize or give credence to the fact that students also have the right on their preferred communication style whether it’s SEE, ASL, SimCom or even just talking and listening based on their communication comfort zones. That's a given. We can hope and invite them to join the crowd but we also need to make them feel welcomed and not become adversarial. This is not a time for segregating students into respective classes.

What Dr. Jordan, out going president of Gallaudet University, and Dr. Fernandes have done was to avoid utter and complete discrimination against those who may have other preferences when it comes to communicating. Both support ASL but don’t discriminate against those who signs differently. Nor do they judge whether one is “Deaf enough” (with a capital "D") either. Clearly, what Dr. Kathleen seems to advocate is the blatant discrimination of students based on their communication preferences and comfort zones when it comes to associating with different people on campus inside and outside of the classrooms. I hope that this is NOT the case and I'm proved wrong. Gallaudet University is not an institution that supports discrimination. It is an institution that welcomes deaf and hard of hearing students of all flavors and styles for those who want to come and learn at an institution known for its great communication access. And the opportunities to associate with like-minded students. That is what diversity is all about. Acceptance. Not segregation.

I claim Gallaudet University as my own and I am a representative of Gallaudet University as well but I don’t make the claim that Gallaudet University isn’t for all deaf and hard of hearing people, either. Nor do I judge anybody whether one is “D”eaf enough. Gallaudet University is an institution of learning that welcomes all to those who decide to come. It is for everybody. It is for them to decide whether or not to come to Gallaudet Univesity for whatever reasons. But by drawing a line in the sand sets a dangerous precedence. Else the next thing we’ll see is two water fountains throughout campus with signs above them that says “Deaf only” and “Resisters”. Are we to revisit further back to the 1950s, too?

Mike McConnell
Class of 1991
http://kokonutpundits.blogspot.com

How Readable Are Deaf/HH Blogs? See Score Results

Since there are many more blogs run by deaf or hard of hearing bloggers than a year ago, I decided to use this neat and informational website where it uses the Gunning-Fog Index to determine readability of texts written in blogs or just about any website. Just enter your favorite blogsites using the URL addresses and see what scores come up based on the different formulation used. Professional editors often use readability formulas to gauge how well writers are meeting an audience's reading levels, and one of the most famous of readability formulas is Gunning's Fog Index.

The premise here is that the bigger the words bloggers use along with their more complex sentences, the more difficult those blogs are to read for average readers, or so we think. The higher the score, the more complex it becomes regarding the use of the English language and structure. The lower the score, the more simplistic it becomes in the use of the English language and structure. Note the differences between comic book and Atlantic Monthly. The Gunning-Fog Index is a proven method of analyzing written material to see how easy it is to read and understand.

Gunning-Fog Results "Grade level" or "reading level" on Well Known Magazines.

15 - 20 - Academic papers
14 — The Times, The Guardian
11 — Wall Street Journal
10 — Newsweek, Time
9 — Popular novels
8 — Ladies' Home Journal, Reader's Digest
7 — True Confessions
6 — Comic books, TV Guides, Bible, Mark Twain

I tracked down some of the well known and/or popular deaf blogs to determine their readability and reading level of their contents needed to understand what was written. Ranking goes from the highest to lowest on the Gunning-Fog Index score. The result is the Gunning-Fog index, "which is a rough measure of how many years of schooling it would take someone to understand the content."


Gunning-Fog Index Score Results on Deaf/HH Blogs

Mr. Sandman's Sandbox - 12.79

Deaf Attorneys - 12. 52

Kokonut Pundits - 11.49

DeafDC - 11.09

Deaf in the City - 10.98

Buck Naked Bison - 10.91

ASL Community Journal Blog - 10.90

Quiescent Voices - 10.85

Deaf Firefighter's Blog - 10.80

Kalalau's Korner - 10.64

DHH - CommUNITY - 10.60

Berke Outspoken - 10.54

Bionic Ear Blog - 10.34

Sonny James - 10.23

Banjo's World - 9.98

sComm Blog - 9.91

Semi-Cathartic Skribblings - 9.80

Jason's Ruminations - 9.55

Drolz Uncensored - 9.40

Bibliomarket - 9.27

Testing the Truth - 9.15

A Deaf Mom Shares Her World - 9.03

Tactile Junkie - 9.08

Deafscribe - 8.83

DeafBiz - 8.78

Deaf in the City - 8.73

Grant Laird Jr - 8.63

Semi-Cathartic Skribblings - 8.53

Ridor Live - 8.48

Gnarleydorkete - 7.88

Tactile Junkie - 7.46

Daveynin's Thing - 6.93

It's My Life..Don't You Forget - 5.17


Try it. See what your score is for your blog on readability.

A Post JKF Termination Poll

Ok. We saw what people said in another poll before the termination about Dr. Jane K. Fernandes' position with the Deaf community. Let's take another look at a poll after Dr. Jane K. Fernandes' contract to be Gallaudet University's 1st deaf woman president who was terminated by the Board of Trustees a few days ago this Sunday.

Is Dr. Jane K. Fernandes Culturally "D"eaf Enough for the "D"eaf Community? Yes, of course. No! She is not! Not sure. Free polls from Pollhost.com

As always, take these polls with a grain of salt. Although the results may prove interesting.