2010 Advocacy Resolutions for this Advocate Who Is Blind

As we approach 2010, many of us are making New Year's Resolutions. Oh I
know, there are the usual ones like losing weight, quitting smoking,
resolving to spend more time with family, ETC., and I may or may not make
some of those.

Right now, here are my New Year's Resolutions as an advocate who is blind.

Resolution 1: resolve to fight wit every ounce of my being to see H.R.3101
increase in co-sponsors, get passed by Congress and signed into law by
President Obama. This simply has to happen so that as technology advances,
people who are blind and people who are deaf-blind aren't left behind.

Resolution 2: resolve to work to see that H.R.734 and S.841 are passed and
signed into law. This will force action to be taken to resolve the very
real safety concerns posed by quiet cars for pedestrians who are blind.
More and qieter cars are coming on the market. The time for action to help
make them safer is now!

Resolution 3; resolve to work tirelessly so that no state which has a
residential school for the blind has to live in fear that legislators, more
concerned about cutting budgets than the education of all children will
pounce on that school and either target it for closure or suggest that it be
merged with other institutions within the state. Like all children,
children who are blind have varying educational needs. While many can
thrive in mainstream environments, there are those who need the education
that can be offered at a residential school for at least part of their
educational career and that option needs to be available.

Resolution 4: resolve in my home state of Illinois to get the process
moving so that new people with new ideas have a fighting chance to get
appointed to our Bureau of Blind Services' Blind Services Planning Council.
It's kind of like bread. If you keep the same people on the council for
years and years, their ideas get stale. We all need to think out of the box
and that goes for blindness services too. Bringing in new people and ideas
wil help us do that.

Resolution 5: resolve to participate in whatever ways I can to see that the
Department of the Treasury continues moving ahead at a rapid pace to make
United States paper currency independently identifiable by people who are
blind. The courts have spoken, it's time for Treasury to move ahead.

Resolution 6: resolve to work in whatever ways I can for increased access
to the growing libraries of electronic books off the shelf for people who
are blind. Mainstream devices like the Kindle promise an unprecedented
level of access to the written word for people who are blind. We must work
to see that forces which would delay or deny this access are stopped.

Resolution 7: resolve to work for increased access to prescription drug
information and medicare and insurance reimbursement for vision-related
services and equipment. We stand on the brink of passing sweeping changes
in our nation's ealth care system. Regardless how you personally feel about
that, we can't let this opportunity pass us by to make meaningful changes in
health care which benefit people who are blind.

Whew, it's going to be a busy year. I certainly can't and won't be doing
these things alone. I hope many of you will share the resolve out there and
help this advocate and others to keep at least a few of these resolutions.
As the theme of President Obama's election campaign went, "Yes we can."

Happy New Year,

Most Significant Event of the Decade for People Who Are Blind

Everyone is looking back on the first decade of the new Millennium and
talking about things that changed our lives. As a person who is blind, I
thought I'd do some looking back on the thing that most changed the world
for people who are blind.

Maybe others have different thoughts, but I think the 2000 Presidential
Election and the resulting Help America Vote Act is the most significant
thing that changed life for people who are blind. This is because for the
first time, Congress took seriously the fact that we who are blind have a
right to a secret, independently verifiable ballot. The 2000 election
exposed many of the flaws in our nation's election system, and forced us to
think of new ways to record and count votes. This brought new, electronic
technology into the voting booth and with it, increased access for those of
us who are blind.

Certainly, there were other events this decade that changed the lives of
people who are blind in significant ways. From continued advances in
technology to political changes, we've come a long way. But independent
access to exercise one of our most inalienable rights, the right to vote is
to me the most significant event that changed the lives of people who are
blind this decade.

Looking Back on 2009

In many ways, 2009 was a year of change. For the first time in eight years,
we inaugurated a new President of the United States. Regardless of your
political persuasion, everyone has to admit that it was a significant time
in our nation's history, swearing in of the first President who is
African-American. Changes happened in our nation's and world's economies
that will affect all of us for years to come.

How were we as people who are blind affected by what has happened in 2009?
Certainly, we could not escape the realities of the economic downturn in our
nation. Perhaps some of us lost jobs, perhaps those of us who still are
working experienced cutbacks. Perhaps state rehabilitation services had to
cut back on purchases. Whatever your experience, the economy affected our
lives as it did the rest of the nation.

Many of the major things that happened in 2009 centered around politics.
Regardless of how one personally feels about Health Care Reform, there are
significant things we as people who are blind need. Things like better
access to prescription drug information, and Medicare and insurance
reimbursements for vision related services and equipment.

The continuing changes in technology have affected people who are blind.
The growth of social networking sites like Facebook and Twitter has helped
more people who are blind become more connected. I also believe this has
been helped by alternatives to the more expensive adaptive programs like
JAWS and Window-Eyes. Programs like System Access, System Access to Go, and
NVDA have put adaptive solutions within reach of more people. We've seen at
least one company come out with a cheaper 40-cell Braille Display. The
proliferation of Netbooks can put the power of the computer, literally, ad
one's fingertips almost anywhere. And, devices like the BookSense and
Plextalk have joined the Victor Stream in making books, music, podcasts and
other things available on the go.

We've managed to bring the discussion of quiet cars and the hazard they pose
to pedestrians who are blind to a little closer to the front burner. Still
work to do there. We also must continue to work in 2010 for passage of
legislation to improve telecommunications and video access for people who
are blind.

As we approach the end of 2009, we who are blind will be affected by much of
what happens in general society in 2010. There will be a mid term election,
and who knows how or if that will change our political landscape.
Certainly, with the latest attempted terrorist attack security and safety in
the skies will be revisited and we who are blind will be affected by that.
We'll just have to see how things go. As we move toward 2010, I wish
everyone a Happy New Year. Enjoy all of those football games tomorrow, and
the Rose Bowl Parade featuring the Ohio State School for the Blind's
Marching Band.

Of Course, Security Failed!

Regardless what Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano may have said
initially, of course, airline security failed. Why in the hell was someone
who is on a terrorist watch list allowed on a plane to fly to the United
States? Especially when his own Father warned U.S. officials about what
this guy was doing?

A lot of questions need to be answered. How did the guy get past airport
security with PETN, an explosive powder and a syringe with a liquid in it
that was to be used to cause a chemical reaction explosion? I have heard if
he had gone through some of the more high tech systems, this stuff may have
been detected?

What the hell is the idea of having a terrorist watch list separate from a
no fly list? Anyone on the terrorist watch list needs to be on the no fly
list.

This attack needs to be a wakeup call to liberals everywhere. These people
are out there, they hate us and they want us dead, got it! We know the
profile of these animals. They are young Islamic males who are doing these
things. Anyone who fits this profile needs to be subjected to additional
screening at airports so they don't threaten the safety of the American
public and I really don't give a fuck what the ACLU or anyone else says
about it. Got any better ideas to keep us safe?

I've heard it said by folks that practice Islam that Islam is a peaceful
religion. Well if that is the case, then why aren't they doing the
equivalent of ex-communication to get these animals out of the religion?
Since they are not doing this the entire religion is complicit.

Finally, why is our Government treating the idiot that tried blowing up
Northwest Airlines Flight 253 as a common criminal with constitutional
rights? This fucker needs to be turned over to the military and we need to
use all methods of interrogation to get information out of this ass hole.
We have a national security interest to know how many like this guy are out
there and where they are. Yet, the fucking liberals in charge of this
country won't do that. As a result, we in America are less safe than we
were before 9-11. I truly believe that. This really scares me. I work in
the third largest American city, the home city of our President. I hope not
to die as a result of merely going to work as most Americans do every day.

I truly hope our Government wakes up and realizes these people are out there
and want us all dead. I hope they take strong action to deal with them and
the countries that provide training and sanctuary to them. I am sorry to
say I don't hold out much hope that the kind of action that needs to be
taken will be taken. This is because we have people in charge who are more
worried about offending certain groups of people than keeping Americans
safe. I only pray that it's not their blood that is shed when we are next
attacked.

Book Review: "Going Rogue, An American Life."

I've just finished reading "Going Rogue, An American Life" by Sarah Palen
published by Harper Collins. This book is available on www.bookshare.org.
This is an autobiographical story of Palen's life from growing up in Alaska
to her getting into local politics to her ascention to the Governor's office
in Alaska and her campaign with Republican Presidential Candidate John
McCainfor Vice President.

Palen comes across as one of the most down to earth, honest people one would
ever want to meet. She's a dedicated family woman and strong in her
religious faith. She grew up playing basketball, enduring the pain of a
sprained ankle to play in the state championship game during her Senior
year. That should tell you she's tough.

Very early on, she found her political calling to change things with a
fiscally conservative plan. Her family and husband Todd were hard working,
blue collar people. The book teaches the reader a lot about the Alaskan
lifestyle. To say things are different in Alaska and how the people there
live life is an understatement. People in the lower 48 states don't often
appreciate this. For example, many Alaskans depend on the land and water,
and activities such as hunting and fishing for their livelihoods. Don't
talk to them about banning guns or things like that. You learn how large
Alaska really is, 1/5 of the entire land mass of the United States.

Palen discusses her ascention from city council to Mayor to Governor.
Through it all, her family plays an essential role. She discusses agonizing
over how she would handle caring for her fifth child, Trig, who was born
with Down Syndrome. At no point did she consider abortion.

She takes the reader through the entire campaign for Vice President,
pointing out how mismanaged it was and how, increasingly, campaign staffers
distrusted her and considered her to be "Going Rogue." She discusses the
relentless ethics charges, lawsuits and media attacks that came down on her
after the campaign was over, leading her to resign from office.

Regardless of one's political persuasion, "Going Rogue, An American Life" is
worth reading. It left this reader with a much different and more favorable
impression of Ms. Palen. She's someone that I as an ordinary American who
doesn't walk around thinking I'm better than anyone else can relate too.
Would I vote for her if she ran for President? I don't know. But someone
who's dedicated to family and who did not come from a life of privilege
ought to be able to offer some strong, traditional American values
regardless of where she serves.

What Christmas Means to Me

As we approach Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, I'd like to share my
thoughts on what this special time of year means to me and also share my
hopes for things people will take away from this magical season.

Christmas is the time we of the Christian faiths ncelebrate the birth of
Jesus Christ, our Saviour. Jesus was God's only son and we need to
celebrate his birth on this special day of Christmas.

Many feel that Christmas is about getting presents, eating good food and all
of that stuff. I enjoy these things, too, but more importantly, this is a
time to be with family and those you love and care about. This year,
fortunately, we wil be able to see most of both sides of our family which
wil be great. I'd still enjoy this time of year if I didn't have the
presents and good eats, as long as I had family to be with.

Christmas is a time to listen to beautiful, reflective music. I'm sitting
here listening to "What a Wonderful Christmas," by Ann Murray. It's one of
my favorite CDs of the season.

As we approach this special time of year, I think back on the past year,
particularly the stinging political debates we've had over various issues.
As we think of peace and joy during this time of the year, I ask that
everyone: politicians, media types and others, be civil with each other.
It's perfectly OK to have differing views on issues. We can voice our
arguments without being uncivil.

One of the phrases we hear at this time of the year is "Peace on earth, good
will to men." I hope we can move toward more peace and good will. As a
line from "Let it Be Christmas" by Alan Jackson goes, "Let anger and fear
and hate disappear, let there be love that lasts through the year.:" Let's
try to move closer to a world like that.

I hope this magical season finds you with those you love and care about. To
our troops stationed far away, I wish you could be at home with your
families. I thank you for your service and wish you god speed and a return
home as soon as possible. To those who will be working on Christmas: police
and fire personnel, perhaps snow plow drivers, taxi drivers and others,
thank you for your sacrifice to be there for all of us.

Merry Christmas to all. Let's keep the good feelings we have at this time
of the year going throughout the year.

I Predict Democrats Will Pay for This Big Time!

Well, late last night, ignoring the wishes of 57% or 61% of the American
people depending on which poll you believe, the United States Senate voted
to close off debate on the massively expensive and unnecessary health care
deform bill. This clears the bill for passage on Christmas Eve, what a
terrible present to give to America.

There are so many things wrong with what has gone down I don't know where to
begin. President Obama promised us hope and change we can believe in.
Looks to me like his hope and change was to bring Chicago style, corrupt
politics to Washington, DC. I understand that Harry Reed had a private
meeting with Senator Ben Nelson of Nebraska and got him to cast the 60th and
deciding vote by promising him increased Medicaid dollars to his state. I
only hope if they try and sneak the public option back into the conference
version of the bill, that Nelson will stand his ground and vote no on final
passage. Or, will he allow himself to get talked into some other sweetheart
deal. You know there will be an attempt to bring back the public option,
liberals are desperate for it because they believe we cannot take care of
ourselves and the Government must make decisions for us, screw that!!!

According to an interview I heard with Linsey Graham, Senator from South
Carolina, there has never been a vote in the Senate as partisan as this one.
When Medicare was passed, only 21 Senators voted no. When the Americans
with Disabilities Act was passed, only eight Senators voted no. On this
debacle, 40 Senators voted no, all Republicans. Even the more liberal or
moderate Republicans like Olympia Snow and Susan Collins from Maine voted
no. Shows you how bad this thing is.

How come at one point, the supposedly non-partison Congressional Budget
office said this bill was going to add almost a Trillion dollars to the
deficit, and now they are saying it will cut $132 billion from the deficit?
As someone said on Fox News, the fix is in here too. This is tampering with
the legislative independence of the CBO in the highest order, if it can be
proven that the Obama administration did this.

This bill will increase all of our insurance premiums. Because insurance
companies will be required to take the sickest patients, they'll have to
raise premiums to cover them as they will have to pay out more in claims.
Obama and others, insurance is a risk based business. Insurance companies
want to minimize risk as much as possible, that's why they place limits on
coverage.

This bill isn't about improving health care. If it were, common sense
changes such as torte reform to reign in malpractice insurance costs and
allowing insurance companies to sell across state lines would be included.
This is nothing more than a wet, sloppy kiss to the liberal fringe of the
Democratic party, and nothing more than a way for Obama to say that he
delivered on his promise to reform health care. Interestingly enough,
according to what I've heard on Fox News, many of the so-called benefits of
this catastrophy don't kick in until 2014, after the next Presidential
election. If this stuff is so good, why wait?

Democrats will, I predict, pay big time for this at the polls in 2010. I
predict the Republicans will regain control of the Senate, and probably the
House. I believe many are having "buyer's remorse" with Obama and his
chronies and will toss out those who voted for things like this health care
deform bill and the so-called stimulus package. I think the Republicans
will take back the Senate by a substantial margin, and if they can do that
and control the house, maybe we can keep Mr. Obama bottled up until 2012
when we can kick his country damaging butt out of office.

Jobs and Money Trump Public Safety in Illinois

The subject pretty much says it all. Our President, Governor, Senior U.S.
Senator and others have chosen jobs and money over public safety. How could
they do such a thing, you ask? By announcing today, December 15, 2009 that
the state prison at Thompson, Illinois, only 150 miles from our nation's
third largest city and a place ripe with terrorist targets will be purchased
by the Federal Government in part to house terrorists from Guantanamo Bay.

I am scared for our state if this goes through, and I hope there are ways
either through Congress, the State Legislature or the Federal Courts to
block this move. This move affects me personally. This is because it will
increase Illinois' probability of becoming a target for the next terrorist
attack. Guess what terrorists have attacked in the past? Public
transportation systems. Guess what I ride every day commuting to and from
Chicago for work? You guessed it, public transportation. Increasingly, I
and thousands of others will ride living in fear of the next terrorist
attack.

This prison purchase is part of the liberals' agenda to close Guantanamo
Bay. The liberals haven't kept very many promises, this is one promise I
really do not want them to keep. There's absolutely nothing wrong with
leaving these animals right where they are. Yes, I said animals. For the
despicable acts these things have committed, they deserve nothing less than
to be taken out and shot in public view. They do not deserve access to the
Federal court system, accommodations in Federal prison where they can have
up to 10 visitors at a time, none of that. Yet, this is what liberals like
Obama, Quinn and Durbin are foisting upon us. In doing so, Illinois will be
less safe.

I pray that something can and will be done to stop this travesty right in
its tracks. If not, and when the next terrorist attack comes, Obama, Quinn,
Durbin and others will have blood on their hands. It better not be my blood
or the blood of anyone I love and care about.

Promises of Change and Transparency Replaced by Arrogance and Partisonship, A.K.A., Chicago Style Politics

In November of 2008, now President Obama promised Americans hope and change.
He promised more transparency in Government. He told us that no longer
would the special interests rule in Washington.

Lies, all lies. You want evidence, I've got evidence. Last Spring,
Congress passed a so-called Federal Stimulus bill that most of those who
voted on it didn't take the time to read. This bill was rammed through
without the promised 48 hours for people to review it. It only got three
Republican votes, and these are Republicans known to be liberal. In fact,
one has switched to the Democratic party, good riddance.

Health Care Reform, or what I call deform is the biggest example to date of
the lies. Last week, President Obama met with lawmakers to discuss health
care reform. Guess what? Only Democrats were invited to this meeting.
Today, December 15, he wil again meet only with the 60 Democrats in the
United States Senate on this issue.

What ever happened to ushering in a new era of bipartisanship. Just because
many Republicans like me don't agree with what is being rammed down
America's collective throats in terms of Health Care Reform doesn't mean we
don't have ideas for health care change, and in fact, that we don't want
change. What ever happened to the principles on which our beloved nation
was founded, Government of the people, by the people, for the people?

The lies of hope, change and transparency have been replaced by arrogance
and partisanship. So what if only 35% of people want health care reform?
We're the big bad Chicago machine, we know what's best for you and we're
hell bent on getting it through no matter if it bankrupts the country. So
what if there is an overwhelming clamor against bringing known terrorists to
Northwest Illinois? We're in charge, we're going to do it anyway and we
don't give a damn about public safety, so long as a few precious jobs get
created. By the way, you know those jobs will have to go to union workers
and follow minority set asides. More on the prison in another entry.

I hope, pray and will advocate for Congress to kill the Democrats'
orchestrated take-over of our nation's health care system. Let's kill it
and then take several steps back and implement common sense ideas, things
not even being considered right now. Things like torte reform to reduce the
cost of Medical malpractice and defensive medicine. Things like allowing
insurance companies to sell across state lines. Things like providing
meaningful access to prescription drug information so that those who are
visually impaired, for example, will knhow how to properly administer their
medications.

We who are Republican, and those represented by Republican Senators have a
right to be heard at the table on an issue that will affect 1/6 of our
nation's Gross Domestic Product. President Obama, Senate Majority Leader
Reed and Senator Durbin, you may not like our ideas, but you can't hide
behind your own special interests and pretend other ideas do not exist.
Stop trying to ram through something that most Americans don't want. Don't
do this kind of damage to our country. If you continue to push forward, you
just may find yourselves out of power after the November, 2010 elections.
Can our country survive that long? May God protect and bless the greatest
nation on earth, the United States of America. And may he bring back a true
spirit of civility and bipartisanship, and send arrogance and partisanship
to hell where they belong.

Nothing Like Good Old fashioned Christmas Music

To me, there's nothing like hearing good old fashioned Christmas music to
get me into the spirit of the season. As we have done for the past 10 years
or so, we went to the <a href=:www.westtownschorus.org:>West Towns
Chorus</a> Christmas Show, "The Gift of Christmas." This is a show where
the first half is singing of Christmas music, some narration, and even a
funny bit or two like the Scrambled Craigs singing Jingle Bells to the tune
of Silver Bells. The second half, though, takes me back to the reason we
celebrate Christmas, the birth of our saviour, Jesus. Much of the second
half of this show is a reading of the Christmas story with music
interspursed. The show ends with a stunning rendition of "Oh Come All Ye
Faithful."

While I do many things at this time of the year, it's this show that really
puts me into the Christmas spirit. Hearing a chorus or quartet sing such
favorites as Jingle Bell Rock, It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year,
Sleigh Ride and others just makes me feel good all over.

This show is usually on the second weekend of December. They do four shows:
a Friday night show, Saturday matinee, Saturday Night and Sunday Matinee.
The Sunday was just added this year. The venue is the Tivoli Theater, an
old movie house in Downtown Downers Grove, Illinois.

I vow that the good lord willing I won't miss this show. Even if I move out
of the area, I'll always try to come back for it. It's truly a great show
and one that shouldn't be missed. Tickets usually go on sale around October
1 of each year. Keep a watch on <a href="www.westtownschorus.org">West
Towns Chorus'</a> website for further information.

A Salute To All Veterans on Veterans Day

A big, heartfelt Happy Veterans Day to all you military veterans out there.
Thank you for your service to the greatest country in the world, the United
States of America.

Because of all of you, the brave men and women who have fought and some who
have died for our freedom, I am able to live free from fear of being
arrested for criticizing our Government. That's real important because
there is very little I agree with that our Government is doing right now. I
am free, as a citizen who is blind, to go to work, be involved in my
community or go out and do business as I did today. In other countries,
people like me would either be hidden away or worse.

One cool thing I heard about today are the Honor Flights. These are put
together by groups of folks to honor the Greatest Generation, the Veterans
of World War II. We are losing 900 of these people each day. Through Honor
Flights, these people get to travel at no cost to Washington, DC to see the
World War II Memorial.. Without this program, many of these brave veterans
wouldn't be able to see their memorial.

You can learn about Honor Flights in the Chicago area by going to
http://www.honorflightchicago.org.

Again, Happy Veterans Day and Thank You for your service. God Bless
America.

Never Underestimate How What You Do In School Can Help You Later In Life

Today, I had the opportunity to give an important professional presentation
to the Assistive Technology Industry Association conference in Schaumburg,
Illinois. I presented an hour long presentation on GPS technology and how
it is used by people who are blind, compared several of the systems
currently being used, and discussed when it is appropriate to offer training
in the use of these systems.

My presentation went off almost flawlessly, and I owe that to my having
competed for four years in high school in public speaking. This was the
first time I gave a full presentation using Power Point, something which
professionals are expected to do. While I didn't dry run the presentation
before giving it with Power Point slides, it still went well.

I am just so thankful that I took public speaking seriously in high school.
I was not nervous about this presentation at all. I felt it was well
organized, and my boss who was there and who is always very up front and
honest with me told me this as well. My voice, posture and body language
were all very good. There were only two things that I could have done a bit
better. These were better positioned myself based on the room layout to
face my audience, and, better placement of my Netbook computer and Braille
notes.

All in all, I am happy to report that my audience was engaged and asked very
good questions. I used to think people asked me lots of questions if I
didn't tell them enough or communicate my information clearly. This was not
the case this morning, as they were engaged in what I was saying. That is
what any presenter wants.

The things I take away from today and share with you are:
1. Never underestimate the importance of things you do in school later in
life,
2. If you plan and organize, anyone can make a solid presentation,
3. People who are blind can give professional presentations with the best
of them, and
4. don't fear getting lots of questions, if you know what you are talking
about and communicate with confidence they'll see it and ask lots of good
questions because they respect you as an expert on the subject and want to
learn more from you.

How Many Must Die Before Obama Makes a Decision?

How many American troops, Afghan civilians and others must die before Obama
stops the stalling and decides to send more troops in? One more is too many
in my opinion.

A month to six weeks ago, the hand-picked commander in Afghanistan who
President Obama put in place, Stanley McCristall, said he needs some 40,000
more troops sent there. During the campaign, Obama said he would listen to
his commanders on the ground in terms of what needs to be done in both
Afghanistan, and Iraq.

Well, I guess that was then and this is the real Obama. He has been having
meeting after meeting, talking about what he should do. Obama, make a
decision why don't you! This waffling by you shows weakness to our enemies.
It will embolden others like Iran and North Korea, and neither of these need
to be emboldened as they both have the potential to set off Nuclear weapons.
This kind of waffling also sends a very bad message to our allies in that
part of the world, that we are weak and may not stand with you as readily as
you wish in times when you are attacked.

Obama, do as your hand picked commander has requested, and send in the
forces he needs. If you don't, the Taliban will take back over in
Afghanistan, and all that has been gained will be lost. This is especially
true for women. They will once again be relegated to the level of being
property, not able to go to school or make something of themselves. Is that
what you want, Obama? If not, then make a decision already, and let's get
the troops in there!

See What Happens When You're A Powerful Voting Block?

Well, today in Illinois, we saw yet another example of the power you have
when you get out and vote and when the politicians know you will. When will
the Disabled community learn!

During the Fall veto session of the Illinois legislature, there was a bill,
HB4654, which if passed would have eliminated the current program across the
state where Seniors regardless of income get to ride mass transit systems
for free. This program would have been changed to only make free rides on
transit available to Seniors making less than about $22,000 per year. I
personally supported this bill, because I believe the current program of
making these free rides available to all Seniors is unsustainable,
especially in today's economy.

This bill was never called for a vote, despite the fact the Illinois House
Executive Committee passed it unanimously. Among the reasons given for not
voting on this bill was that politicians were worried about upsetting
Seniors just a bit over three months before the February 2, 2010 primary
elections.

And just why were they so worried? Because Seniors get out and vote and
they know it. Sure, their inaction will mean that those of us who are not
Seniors, and who actually pay our way on transit will likely see higher
fares, and reduced service. But, they put that ahead of upsetting this
powerful voting block.

People with disabilities, I've said it before and I'll say it again. If we
don't get off our fat, lazy asses, register and get out and vote,
politicians won't pay as much attention to our needs as they will to others
like Seniors. We represent 20% of the American population. Imagine what a
strong voting block we could be if we only got out and voted in the numbers
we should.

Let today's events or lack thereof reinforce the lesson of how important it
is to get out and vote as if our lives and programs depend on it, because
they do! If you don't vote, don't bitch to me about the type of Government
and lack of attention we get.

My Latest Letter on H.R.3101

Please join with me in writing to your representative in Congress, urging
him or her to co-sponsor H.R.3101.

October 27, 2009

Honorable Representative Peter Roskam
C/O Congressional Staff
507 Cannon House Office Building
Washington, DC 20515

To: Honorable Representative Roskam:

I am writing to request that you sign on as a co-sponsor of H.R.3101, "The
21st Century Telecommunications and Video Accessibility Act." This
legislation, put together by the Coalition of Organizations for Accessible
Technology (COAT) with some industry support aims to improve accessibility
to telecommunications and video equipment in a variety of ways for people
with disabilities.

Generally, I believe that the free market should dictate whether or not
things become more accessible. Apple Computer is a great example of a
company taking initiative to make things accessible out of the box with
VoiceOver for the Mac and the iPhone 3GS.

Unfortunately, in general, companies have not made things more accessible,
thus the Government needs to intervene. Let me give you a recent, personal
example of this.My wife and I recently purchased a home theater system as an
anniversary gift to each other. We knew we were going to need some help
setting this unit up as we are both totally blind. We knew we would need
help wiring the system up.

Well, not only did we need help wiring this unit up, but we also needed help
setting up the system. Why? Because the setup depended on following
on-screen menus which we cannot see. There was no voice or other
accessible means of output. Even the setup DVD that was sent did offer some
voice guidance, but we still couldn't set it up independently because it
would say, scroll down to certain options but give no voice output feedback
when you reached the option you needed to find.

If H.R.3101 were law today, perhaps Sony, the manufacturer of this system
would have to include options that make this equipment independently
accessible to people like us. I worked for over 15 years in
telecommunications. I know it would be simple to add voice chips to provide
voice output on demand for equipment like this.

H.R.3101 does much more. It gives the Federal Communications Commission
(FCC) authority to mandate a modest amount of video description on network
television programming, so that people who are blind or visually impaired
can enjoy television programs just as you do. It allocates up to $10
million each year from the Universal Service Fund into which we all as
telephone customers pay to assist people who are deaf-blind to obtain
telecommunications equipment that they need to decrease isolation and
enhance employment and quality of life opportunities.

H.R.3101 requires that any program which includes video description which
transitions over to the internet includes that description. And, it
requires that emergency announcements scrawled across televisions screens be
verbalized. This will end the anxiety of hearing the beeps on TV and not
knowing if a tornado is headed toward my house.

Again, please sign on as a co-sponsor of H.R.3101. Many people with
disabilities wil benefit from its being passed and signed into law. While
there will be some cost of implementing this legislation, the cost of doing
nothing will be greater. That cost will be people with disabilities being
left behind as technology advances, less employmenbt and other
opportunities.

Thank you for your time and action to co-sponsor H.R.3101. I will be
watching what happens very closely and continue to contact you as
appropriate regarding this legislation.

Sincerely,

<my name>

If They Can't Handle H1N1, They Sure as Heck Can't Handle Health Care

We have seen one of the biggest fiascos in some time, and guess what? It's
being done by the Government.

I'm talking about the H1N1 Flu Vaccination Program. Everyone -- Government
officials, media, ETC. -- has gotten so worked up over H1N1 that we now have
the Government:
1. Allowing a Vaccine to be administered to hundreds of thousands of
people, perhaps millions, with inconclusive research on how safe it is or if
it even prevents the H1N1.
2. Setting criteria on who can get the Vaccine. This is the scariest part.
I have heard from one person that he has been told he is too old to get the
vaccine. Is that what people will be told if we get nationalized health
care, that you are too old, too disabled, too needy, ETC?

Now, we have our so-called President declaring H1N1 as a national emergency.
Give me a fucking break! Only a thousand people have died from this
disease. This is far less than are killed annually in such things as car
accidents.

Like any disease, H1N1 does need to be taken seriously. However, with the
proper precautions, we'll survive it without having to take a risky shot.
First, people need to stay home if they are sick. If you don't feel well,
don't go to work or school and subject everyone else to whatever you have,
H1N1 or not. If your boss or teachers won't let you do that, then it's time
to find another job or go to a different school. Second, cover your mouth
when you sneeze or cough. Third, wash your hands often and use hand
sanitizer. Fourth, get plenty of sleep and eat properly.

These kinds of common sense precautions will keep you healthy and you won't
have to take a shot that may do more harm than good.

Tbhis Government fiasco is a precursor to what will happen if we get
nationalized health care. A bunch of underpaid, rude Government bureaucrats
will be making decisions about what health care you get, not you and not
your doctor. They will decide what medicines you can get, even if it may
have adverse affects on you. I have heard from one friend that this
happened to someone she knows in England. No no no to nationalized health
care. I think I'm pretty safe in assuming that my Representative wil vote
no on such a travesty.

So for all who think nationalized health care is a good idea, I say, how can
you watch how the Government is screwing up with the H1N1 vaccine, then say
national health care is still a good idea with a straight face? You can't.

They've Got No Business Telling People To Buy Insurance

Anyone who has been reading this blog knows I'm completely against the
efforts by the Obama administration to reform health care. In fact, I call
it health care deform.

Yesterday, a bill was voted out of the Senate Finance Committee on this
subject. There is one provision that really frosts me.

This bill contains a requirement for all Americans to buy health insurance.
Now I'm no liberatarian, and I do think law and order and regulations are
needed. But, this requirement for insurance is overreaching by the
Government.

How is requiring people to buy insurance going to be for the common good?
It isn't. Obama likens this to requirements that automobile owners have
insurance. There is no comparison. If someone without automobile insurance
causes an accident, the other person's insurance has to pick up the bill,
possibly leading to higher costs for that person. If an uninsured person
gets sick, how are the rest of us affected? As far as I can tell we are
not.

What about someone who can't work for whatever reason, how are they going to
afford insurance? What about those who are hard to insure, like smokers,
people who use alcohol to excess, those who are fat, or those who have
pre-existing conditions? Insurance companies will have to take on these
people who are at higher risk of getting ill. This will mean, us healthy
people will pay more.

\Obama and company don't seem to realize Insurance is a risk based business.
The less of a risk you are, the easier you are to insure. This is why life
insurers often require physical exams before writing policies because they
want to know how much of a risk it is that your family will be collecting on
the insurance, and how soon.

If people won't try to get health insurance, it really isn't my problem, yet
Obama and company who see taxpayers as a bottomless piggy bank of money to
spend can'tor won't understand that. I do not think, when the dust settles,
that any substantial health care reform wil be passed and it doesn't need to
be.

Message For Anyone Planning to Buy an NFL Team: Make sure You're Liberal and P.C.

Anyone out there interested in buying an NFL Franchise? Well, if you are,
make sure you're liberal, first of all. And, make sure you've never said
anything in your past that could remotely be taken controversially.

One of the parties planning to buy the St. Louis Rams is Rush Limbaugh.
There are shouts of no no from people like Al Sharpton, Roger Goodell, and
Jim Ersay. Why would anyone be against a native Missourian buying a stake
in a team to keep it in his home state?

Simple. Because, in 2003, Rush made some comments about how it was in the
media's best interest to have an African-American Quarterback be successful,
in reference to Donavan McNabb.

Let me be clear on two things. First, I'm no Limbaugh fan and in fact, I
find him to be rather extreme and offensive at times. Second, McNabb
doesn't need the media or anyone else to prop him up; he's done very well on
his own. This is all coming about because Rush dares to be conservative and
question what the current administration is doing in Washington. What ever
happened to the right of the American people to question their Government?
Seems that if you are conservative you don't have that right. Liberals are
jealous of Rush's success and will do anything to beat him down.

The comments Rush made about McNabb happened six years ago. He apologized
and resigned from ESPN's Sunday Night Football after saying what he said.
Let it go! Rush is not racist; if he thinks he could buy into a football
team and have all white players, that isn't possible. He has stated
repeatedly that he is an NFL fan and admires what the players do on the
field.

Liberals, remember this. America is the land of opportunity for all of us.
If Rush happens to have the money and fits all other qualifications, he
should be allowed to buy into the St. Louis Rams or any other god damn team
he wants. People like Al Sharpton and Jesse Jackson ought to get real jobs
and shut the fuck up.

Pace Suburban Bus Public Hearing Notice

Legal Notice
Pace

Suburban Bus Division of the RTA
Public Hearing on Pace's Proposed
2010 Operating and Capital Programs,
2010-2012 Financial Plan for Operations,
2010-2014 Capital Plan,
Proposed Bus Route Eliminations and Reductions, and
Proposed Increase in ADA Paratransit Fares
www.pacebus.cdom

Notice is hereby given that Pace, the Suburban Bus Division of the Regional
Transportation Authority, is holding public hearings on its proposed program
and budget for the year 2010 (January 1, 2010 through December 31, 2010),
the operating financial plan for 2010-2012, and the capital plan for
2010-2014.

Public comments will be taken on the proposed elimination of the following
bus routes. Routes marked with an asterisk * are proposed for a reduction
in service.

Route # Day Route Name
*210 Weekday Lincoln Avenue
326 Weekday West Irving Park
*362 Weekday Park Forest
451 Weekday Southeast Homewood
452 Weekday Northeast Homewood
460 Weekday Hazel Crest
535 Weekday Fox Valley Shuttle
616 Weekday The Chancellory Connection
*626 Weekday Skokie Valley Limited
637 Weekday Wood Dale - Rosemont CTA
654 Weekday South Glen Ellyn
657 Weekday Bloomingdale/Glendale Heights
661 Weekday Southwest Westmont
668 Weekday Burr Ridge-Hinsdale
669 Weekday Western Spring-Indian Head Pk.
676 Weekday Naperville-Cress Creek
685 Weekday Naperville-West Wind Estates
687 Weekday Naperville-Farmstead
689 Weekday Naperville-Hobson Village
690 Weekday Arlington Heights Road
696 Weekday Woodfield-Arlington Hts-Randhurst
699 Weekday Palatine-Woodfield-Elk Grove
711 Weekday Wheaton-Addison
*747 Weekday DuPage Connection
750 Weekday Country Club Hills
753 Weekday Matteson
*757 Weekday Northwest Connection
767 Weekday Congress/Douglas-Prairie Stone
781 Weekday North Naperville Office Complex
821 Weekday Woodridge-Belmont
822 Weekday Woodridge Lisle
1012 Weekday Evergreen Park-Prairie Stone
643/645 Weekday NW Elmhurst-Elmhurst Industrial
234 Saturday Wheeling-Des Plaines
*302 Saturday Ogden/Stanley
304 Saturday Cicero-LaGrange
*315 Saturday Austin/Ridgeland
320 Saturday Madison Street
348 Saturday 138th St. Riverdale Connector
367 Saturday University Park
422 Saturday Linden CTA-Glenview-Northbrook Ct.
423 Saturday Linden CTA-The Glen-Harlem CTA
528 Saturday Aurora Trans. Ctr.-Rush Copley Medical
529 Saturday Randall Road-5th Street
535 Saturday Fox Valley Shuttle
715 Saturday Central DuPage
747 Saturday DuPage Connection
*208 Sunday Golf Road
209 Sunday Busse Highway
223 Sunday Elk Grove-Rosemont CTA
304 Sunday Cicero-LaGrange
366 Sunday Park Forest-Chicago Heights

Comments will also be taken on a proposed ADA paratransit fare increase to
$3.50 for suburban service and $4.50 for City of Chicago service, and on
establishing policy setting ADA fares at twice the cash fare of fixed route
service.

Any person wishing to comment on the proposed budget, route
reductions/eliminations or the ADA paratransit fare increase may present
views orally at the public hearings or by submitting written material on or
before the last date of the hearings, which is Friday, October 30, 2009, or
by accessing our website at www.pacebus.com in the "Public Hearing Comment
Form" area. Copies of the proposed program and budget are available for
public inspection at:
Pace
550 West Algonquin Road
Arlington Heights, Illinois 60005-4412

Individuals with disabilities who plan to attend these hearings and who
require certain accommodations other than transportation in order to allow
them to observe and/or participate in these meetings, are requested to
contact Pace at (847) 364-7223 option 3 (voice) or (847) 364-5093 (TTY) ten
days prior to the scheduled meeting.

Budget information will be available at most public libraries, as well as
townships, city and village offices in the six-county Pace region. You can
also view the document via the Internet at www.pacebus.com by clicking on
"About Pace" and selecting the link "Annual Budget," followed by "2010
Annual Budget Document."

Public Hearing Locations, Dates and Times follow:
Monday, October 19, 2009
4:30 pm - 6:30 pm
West Cook County Budget Public Hearing
Howard Mohr Community Center
7640 Jackson Blvd.
Forest Park, IL 60130

Monday, October 19, 2009
4:30 pm - 6:30 pm
North Cook County Budget Public Hearing
Pace Headquarters
Board Room
550 West Algonquin Rd.
Arlington Heights, IL 60005

Tuesday, October 20, 2009
5:30 pm - 7:30 pm
South Cook County Budget Public Hearing
Homewood Village Hall
2020 Chestnut
Homewood, IL 60430

Tuesday, October 20, 2009
DuPage County Budget Public Hearing
4:30 pm - 6:30 pm
College of DuPage
West Campus-OCC Bldg-128A
425 Fawell Blvd.
Glen Ellyn, IL 60137

Wednesday, October 21, 2009
4:30 pm - 6:30 pm
Will County Budget Public Hearing
Bicentennial Park Theater
201 W. Jefferson at Bluff St.
Joliet, IL 60432.

Thursday, October 22, 2009
4:30 pm - 6:30 pm
Kane County Budget Public Hearing
Kane County Government Center
Auditorium, Ground Floor
719 S. Batavia Ave.
Geneva, IL 60134

Thursday, October 22, 2009
4:30 pm - 6:30 pm
Lake County Budget Public Hearing
Waukegan Public Library
128 N. County St.
Waukegan, IL 60085

Monday, October 26, 2009
3:00 pm - 5:00 pm
Chicago-Southwest Budget Public Hearing
Arturo Velasquez Institute
Westside Technical Institute
2800 S. Western Ave.
Chicago, Illinois 60608

Monday, October 26, 2009
4:30 pm - 6:30 pm
Southwest Cook County Budget Public Hearing
Oak Lawn Village Hall
9446 S. Raymond
Oak Lawn, IL 60453

Tuesday, October 27, 2009
5:00 pm - 7:00 pm
Chicago-North Budget Public Hearing
Northside College Preparatory High School
Cafeteria
5501 N. Kedzie Ave.
Chicago, IL 60625

Wednesday, October 28, 2009
7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Chicago-South Budget Public Hearing
Olive Harvey College
Cafeteria
10001 S. Woodlawn
Chicago, Illinois 60628

Wednesday, October 28, 2009
4:30 pm - 5:30 pm
McHenry County Budget Public Hearing
Crystal Lake Municipal Complex
Council Chambers
100 W. Municipal Complex
Crystal Lake, IL 60039

Friday, October 30, 2009
12 noon - 2:00 pm
Chicago-West Budget Public Hearing
Bethesda Church
4538 W. Fullerton Ave.
Chicago, IL 60639

What Ever Happened To Til Death Do Us Part?

The subject line pretty much says it all. Does the commitment of marriage
mean anything anymore?

I ask this based on two situations. First, one of my best friends and his
wife have been going through some problems for a while. It seems as though
they both want to separate, but neither will make the move to do it. These
two have not taken advantage of opportunities in my opinion to try working
out their problems. They knew who each other was when they married some 7
years ago. What ever happened to working things out? Neither of these two
is perfect, but no human being is. They both have their problems, but
that's what they agreed to live with, for richer or poorer when they said "I
do."

The second situation is a family member who is separating from her husband
of nearly 20 years. There's another woman involved here from what I
understand. This one makes me angry. He committed himself to my relative
when they said "I do." That's something that no one should break apart.
What was he not getting at home that he thought he had to go out and have an
affair with someone else?

All marriages go through rocky patches. Those that are truly committed will
work through those, bringing about a stronger bond of love. It really makes
me angry that there are so many who make a commitment to get married and
forsake all others, then when the going gets a little tough, they either
want out or have an affair with someone elswe. People need to get back to
what the true meaning of marriage is, one man, one woman, together forever
until death do us part.

I Hope Brett the Brat is Happy Now!

Well, I hope Brett the Brat Favre is happy now. He finally got his chance
to try and stick it to Ted Thompson and the Green Bay Packers last night and
he succeeded in winning the game.

While Brett performed about as well as he could have, it wasn't too hard
considering the Packers' vaunted 3-4 defense didn't even lay a glove on him.
I know they were trying to shut down Adrian Peterson, but hey guys, they can
pass the ball too and some pass rush would have been nice.

But the defense wasn't the only problem. The offense really stunk last
night. Allen Barber needs to be Allen Bye Bye. During the bye week they
need to do something with the offensive line or Aaron Rodgers won't make it
through the season.

Two critical plays that stand out are the interception thrown by Rodgers in
either the first or second quarter as the Packers were driving for the tying
score. If they put up a TD there, they keep this game much closer. The
second critical play was on fourth and goal at the 1 when Donald Lee dropped
a TD pass from Rodgers. Again, they score there and the game would have
been more interesting. I agree with Wayne Larivee when he said that is a
play a pro tight end has to make.

Even with all the protection issues the O line was having, the Packers were
able to move the ball on the Vikings' defense. There is no doubt in my mind
they could have won the game.

Two bright spots were the fumble return for touchdown by Clay Mathews. This
linebacker has a bright future in the NFL. The second bright spot was the
play of Jermichael Finley. He reminds me a little of Keith Jackson, with
the ability to stretch the field and make big plays. Another weapon for
Rodgers to throw too, assuming he can stay on his feet.

It's probably been a tough day for Packers' fans living near the Minnesota
Wisconsin border. I've had a lot of Bears' fans come up to me today and say
they were rooting for the Pack; of course, had the Pack won there'd be a
3-way tie atop the NFC north.

Well, let's hope they can get some things corrected during the Bye week and
come out better against Detroit on October 18.

Remember 9-11 Like It Was Yesterday

Today is a day I will never forget and a day no American should forget. It
is September 11, when the most violent attack in my lifetime occurred on
American soil and when our lives were changed forever.

I remember 9-11 like it was yesterday. I had gone to work just as I did
every day. After my wife and I talked as we did each morning, I was
checking my e-mail when she called me and told me turn on the radio cause
they were taking direct news feed from New York.

I turned on the radio in time to hear about the first plane having hit the
North tower of the World Trade center. I remember thinking, oh my gosh,
what a terrible accident.

Then, the second plane hit the South tower. This was no accident, America
was under attack. I remember thinking, this isn't supposed to happen here.
This kind of thing happens in places like Israel. Well, it was happening
here.

I spent most of the day glued to radio coverage. I remember how America
came together after 9-11, with a resolve to do whatever was necessary to
defeat the brutal enemy that was the terrorists who want us all dead.

Sadly, we've lost much of that resolve. People have forgotten what happened
on 9-11 and that's really sad. The enemy is still out there and we must do
whatever it takes to rid America and the world of terrorists.

I took a trip to Ground Zero on Halloween of 2006. In a cell phone call to
my wife from there, I could hardly talk as I was crying so hard. I remember
talking for an our and a half to a fireman who lost many of his brothers in
the rescue effort after 9-11. Afterwords, I shook his hand and thanked him
for being one of the first soldiers in the war on terror.

Today, let's remember the almost 3,000 people needlessly killed on 9-11 in
New York, Washington DC at the Pentagon and in Pennsylvania. Let's also
resolve as Americans once again to defeat terrorism and keep it off our
soil.

What's the Big Fuss All About

The title of this entry says it all, what's the big fuss all about? I'm
talking about the furor over the speech made by President Obama yesterday to
school children across the country.

I've read a transcript of the speech, and you can too at www.whitehouse.gov.
As a Republican, I don't like much of what the Obama administration is doing
to our country. This speech is not the thing we need to get excited about.
All the President was doing was encouraging young people to work hard, and
stay in school. He emphasized that while we can have the best educational
system in the world, it won't do any good if young people aren't prepared to
learn, listen to their teachers, and do their homework. His message to
parents was to get little Johnny and Susie away from the TV and Xbox and
doing their homework.

Let's save our excitement for major issues like health care reform. Even
former First Lady Laura Bush said the speech Mr. Obama gave was harmless.
After reading it, I hope all school children get a chance to hear this
speech.

Labor Day, A Salute To the Real American Worker

As I write this entry here on Labor Day, many people are enjoying time off
of work with their families. Many haver enjoyed parades and other fun
activities during a three-day weekend.

Today is about the American worker. No, not the greedy, overpaid union
leaders who pretend to represent the American worker, but only serve to
promote liberal causes, the real American worker.

Today is for the workers on the assembly lines of American auto plants who
produce the high quality vehicles people drive. Today is for the mail
carrier who labors every day through rain, snow, sleet, hail, cold of winter
and heat of summer to deliver the mail to us. Today is for those like my
friends that work on the clock line at the Chicago Lighthouse making quality
clocks for the Federal Government. Today is for the restaurant worker that
works hard, waiting on tables every day. May many of them have today off to
enjoy a break.

For me, today is for all of the workers who don't get the day off. It's for
the condeuctors on our Metra commuter rail system and other employees who
keep the trains running so people can go downtown Chicago and enjoy the
holiday. Today is for the fire fighters and police who keep us safe, thank
you to those of you who are working today.

Today is for the baseball and football players and other sports figures who
have entertained and will entertain us today as we enjoy our time off.
Today I thank the workers at airports and in other places keeping our nation
safe.

No, today isn't about the unnecessary, greedy unions. Today is for the
workers who deserve to be represented by them but are not. To those I have
mentioned, such as the cooks and wait people who served me breakfast this
morning, I say thank you. Thank you all workers everywhere for doing the
hard work that we don't take the time to appreciate as much as we should.
May many of you continue to enjoy a day off to take a break.

America Has Lost More Than a Senator

Hello All:

Early this morning, our nation lost a great politician and man, Senator Ted
Kenedy of Massachusetts. Senator Kenedy has been in the United States
Senate longer than I've been on this earth; I'm a bit over 44 years old, and
Kenedy served in the Senate for over 46 years.

In the Senate, Kenedy was very liberal, and in the words of one reporter,
"partison to the core." He championed many, many causes during his time in
the Senate. He was a great friend to people with disabilities over the
years.

However, partison as he was, Senator Kenedy had a inique way of reaching
across the aisle and compromising wen he needed too. Unlike many
politicians on both sides of the aisle today, Kenedy realized that at times
the best legislation came from working together in a bipartison way.
Senator Kenedy worked with former President George W. Bush to pass Medicare
Prescription Drug coverage, and No Child Left Behind. He worked to pass the
Kenedy-Kassebaum bill with former Kansas Senator Nancy Kassebaum which was
to provie parity in insurance coverage for physical and mental ilnesses.

But Kenedy was more than a Senator. He represented the greatest political
family in our nation's history. He possibly came to his championing of
causes helping people with disabilities as his sister, Rosemary who was
developmentally disabled lived for a time at the St. Colletta's scool in
Jefferson, Wisconsin. When I attended the Wisconsin School for the Visually
Handicapped, we swam against the team from St. Colettas each year, but I do
not know if Rosemary was still living at that time.

Many of you know that when it comes to politics, I tend to be fiscally
conservative and socially moderate. In lite of that, I disagreed viamintly
with Senator Kenedy politically. However, no matter on which side of the
political spectrum you are, you have to respect what Senator Kenedy
accomplished in his long political career. I hope those in politics now,
and those planning to enter the world of politics will learn from Senator
Kenedy, because he knew how to get things done. We can learn from and
respect him, regardless of what side of the aisle you are on. May Senator
Kenedy rest in peace.

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12:16:00

Brett the Brat

Will he, or won't he play football this year? Well, that appears to be the
never ending question surrounding Brett the Brat Favre. Well, it appears
Mr. Favre, who craves attention and can't stand to be out of the lime light
is going to play football for the Minesota Vikings.

Let me be clear right up front. I respect and admire Favre for all of the
things he did for the Green Bay Packers, my favorite football team. He
brought respectability back to Green Bay. It was OK to be outwardly proud
to be a Packers fan with Favre under center. He brought us our first Super
Bowl win in 29 years in 1997. He broke several records, all while
establishing the longest, consecutive games played streak in the NFL.

Favre has nothing more to prove, which begs the question, why is he coming
out of retirement, if he ever was really there to play for the Vikings? It
certainly couldn't be for money, could it? He has plenty of that.

Favre is coming out of retirement because he wants to try and stick it to
Packers' General Manager Ted Thompson, whom he has this ridiculous idea was
the one that ran him out of town. Favre, it was you on March 4, 2008 that
anounced your retirement from football. What were the Packers supposed to
do, wait around to see if maybe, you, the attention starved little boy
you're acting like, would change your mind?

Ted Thompson did the right thing. He had a QB in the wings, Aaron Rodgers.
Thompson decided to move on without you and you, Mr. Favre, can't stand it.

Brett, I mean Brat, the Packers franchise has been around for over 80 years.
It was here and did very well before you, and it will survive long after you
finally decide to hang it up. You gave us Green Bay fans a lot to cheer
about. But you know what I'm going to be cheering about this year? I'm
going to cheer when Aaron Campman and the boys put somehard, but legal hits
on your sorry ass and plant you on the frozen tundra of Lambeau Field. I'm
going to cheer if you are driving the Vikings down the field against us,
trying to bring them back, and one of our Cornerbacks or Safetys intercepts
a pass and runs it back to deliver the "Dagger" against you. Thank you for
all you did for Green Bay and its fans, but now, your sorry ass is the
enemy!

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18:05:00

Can't We Have Intense, Political Debate Anymore?

It seems as if the era of being able to have intense, but
civilized political debate is another thing going by the wayside
with the Obama administration. All over the nation, people are
coming out in droves on both sides of the issue to make their
feelings known on Mr. Obama's train wreck known as health care
reform. This is one of our first amendment rights, which many
have fought and died to protect. That is, we the people have a
right of freedom of speech and the right to disagree with our
Government.

That is, it seems, we had that right. What is happening is that
if someone dares to disagree with "The O's" health care reform
agenda, they are deemed a right wing nut job, or part of a mob.
Supporters are being told, oh, it's just a small, but vocal
minority who want to protect the status quo in health care
because they benefit from it. Or, these people want to do
political damage to the Obama administration.

I'd be outraged at the shouting down of people trying to answer
questions about health care reform, if it wasn't something
liberals have been doing for years. Liberals cannot stand being
forced to answer tough questions. That's why they despise Fox
News. Fox doesn't let them rant, shout, interrupt, etc. Fox
people ask them tough questions which they have to answer.

And where, hello, is the media on this? If it were a Republican
administration saying what groups like the Democratic National
Committee are saying about health care reform opponents, we'd
hear all the stuff about, how terrible it is. The double
standard is alive and well.

I posted in this blog several weeks ago what I would like to see
in health care reform. That is not defending the status quo.
Does the radical left think those who disagree with President
Obama on this issue don't have families living in their districts
who are struggling with health care costs? If so, they are
mistaken.

Americans have a right to state their opinions on something,
health care, which affects 1/6 of our nation's economy without
fear of name cabling, intimidation, etc. U's long past time for
liberals to face reality, realize not everyone is on board with
"The One," and work for health care reform which truly benefits
all Americans. If they think a public option is so great, then I
challenge each democrat in Congress who supports it to say, hey,
not only do I support Government run health care, but I'm going
to enroll myself and my family in it when it's passed. Anyone
care to bet me on how many will actually take that challenge?

I hope folks on all sides of the health care debate will take
several deep breaths and return the discussion to a more
civilized tone. The founders of our nation fought and died for
Government of the People, by the People, for the P. That means
all of the People, not just the radicals on either side of the
political spectrum. No one who has to deal with the paperwork
and complexities of health insurance can defend the status quo.
We hear there are some 47 million Americans without health
insurance. Those who want insurance should be able to get it.
Health care decisions should be returned to between doctors and
patients.

Congress is at home on recess. Let's all as citizens of the
greatest nation on earth take the time to make our voices heard
before our representatives, regardless what our position is.
Let's pray that when Congress returns to work in September, they
will have heard from the citizenry and craft sensible, bipartison
health care reforms.

Copy of Letter on Home Services in Illinois

Hello:

Pasted below is the text of my letter to Governor Pat Quinn regarding cuts
to Home Services in Illinois.

=====start letter text=====
August 9, 2009

Honorable Governor Pat Quinn
207 Statehouse
Springfield, IL 62706

To Honorable Governor Quin:

I am writing to strongly urge that you reinstate funding to the Home
Services Program so that Centers for Independent Living (CILs) can continue
going about the job of helping individuals with disabilities live
independently in the community with qualified personal assistants helping
them meet their daily needs. As a board member of the DuPage Center for
Independent Living, the recent decision to change the program so that these
centers are not involved causes our center to lose one staff person.

But more important than that, the need for personal assistants to help
people with disabilities live independently in the community is not going
away, and in fact, is growing with the aging of the population. I ask you,
Governor Quin, if CILs like ours are not helping these individuals find
qualified P.A.s, then who wil? Will it be state employers at a much higher
cost to Illinois than CILs?

CILs are community based organizations who employ staff that are in the best
position to help consumers seeking Personal Assistant services to find
qualified P.A.s so they can remain independent in the community. If we
don't have a strong, well funded home services program, then many of these
individuals will have to move into institutions such as nursing homes.

This is wrong on many levels. For one thing, it costs the state of Illinois
far more to house someone in an institution than it does to allow them to
live independently in the community with the support services they need.
For another, forcing people with disabilities to live in institutions
violates the 1999 Olmstead decision issued by the U.S.Supreme Court which
holds that people with disabilities have the right to live in the community.
Illinois already has an abysmal record of complying with this decision and
your decision regarding home services will make it worse.

But most importantly, people with disabilities who are forced to live in
nursing homes wen they could live independently lose self esteem and
confidence, and are not in control of their own lives. They are told wen to
get up, when and what to eat at each meal, when they can use the restroom,
ETC. It is more difficult for them to see their families and friends when
they want too. They may be forced to room with someone they do not know.
They have few if any opportunities to become employed or pursue an
education. No person should have to live like this against their wil. Yet,
this is what you are forcing people with disabilities who depend on the Home
Services Program to do.

Governor Quin, remember. The minority group of people with disabilities is
one that you or anyone else can join at any time. Would you want a member
of your family or close friend to not be able to live independently in the
community simply because there weren't individuals on the ground in the
community to help him or her find a personal assistant to help take care of
their basic needs? You wouldn't want that and people with disabilities
don't want that. We are people first. Please reinstate the Home Services
Program funding so that CILs can continue helping consumers find appropriate
personal assistant services so they can live independently in the community.
Thank you in advance for your time and consideration.

Sincerely,

<my name>
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My Co-sponsorship Letter on H.R.3101

Hello:

Below, please find a copy of a letter I sent to my representative requesting
him to sign on as a co-sponsor of H.R.3101. Please read this and let it
inspire you to write your own letter on this important legislation.

=====start letter text=====
August 7, 2009

Honorable Representative Peter Roskam
c/o Mark Skerjan, Legislative Assistant
507 Cannon House Office Building
Washington, DC 20515

To Honorable Representative Roskam:

I am writing to ask That you sign on as a co-sponsor of HR3101, "The 21st
Century Telecommunications and Video Accessibility Act." This legislation,
which has been drafted by the Coalition of Organizations for Accessible
Technology (COAT) and introduced by Representative Edward Marke (D-MA) is
needed so that people like me who are blind or visually impaired will not be
left behind as developments in technology advance.

This legislation will insure that telecommunications devicess are fully
hearing aid compatible. Both my wife and my father wear hearing aids. They
should be able to freely select whatever telecommunications device, such as
a cell phone they want without fear that it will either not work with their
hearing aids, or require that they spend extra money to buy a kneck loop
just so it will work. My father has to take his hearing aid out just to use
his current cell phone. That should not be. HR3101 will help change that.

This legislation will restore the modest requirements for the provision of
video description and give the Federal Communications Commission (FCC)
authority to promulgate rules to both implement this on network television
and require that programming with description carried over to the internet
takes the description with it. Video description, in which a narrator
describes the visual elements of a television program or movie has made it
much easier for me to enjoy movies. With it, I can watch a television
program or movie and not have to bother someone watching it with me to
describe what is happening.

HR3101 also requires that there be non-visual access to emergency
information. This means that if I am watching football on tv, for example,
and a tornado warning is issued for my area, I don't have to go to a radio
or find someone to know what is going on. Seconds count in an emergency and
I would much rather find out that there is a tornado bearing down on my home
from the tv than when it hits.

HR3101 will require that communications devices be made accessible. While I
do use a cell phone that gives me complete access to such features as call
history, text messaging, e-mail and GPS information, I had to pay a total of
over $1,000 above the cost of the pfone to get this access. Apple has
proven, with its most recent release of the iPhone that accessibility can be
built in off the shelf. When a user activates an iPhone, if they need it,
they can have all of the features either talk or be displayed in large
letters. HR3101 will encourage other companies to follow Apple's lead.

The importance of text messaging access was brought home to me in the fall
of 2008. DePaul University, where I attend school part time was affected by
a gas leak. Thanks to having access to text messaging, I was able to
quickly learn about this situation and react accordingly. As we work to
improve our nation's emergency preparedness, text messaging will become even
more essential for everyone.

HR3101 will allocate up to $10 million annually from the universal Service
Fund, into which we all pay for essential, but costly telecommunications
equipment for individuals who are deaf-blind. A woman I am acquainted with
recently received a piece of this kind of equipment and said because of it,
she was able to make a phone call, something we all take for granted, for
the first time in eight years. This woman was fortunate. Providing this
kind of basic telecommunications access to this population will decrease
isolation and expand opportunities for employment, education and social
interaction.

Finally, HR3101 will seek to standardize real time text messaging. This
will mean that services like AOL Instant Messenger, Yahoo Messenger, iChat
and others will be standardized so that users can communicate across these
services. Right now, that is not the case. If I use AIM and want to
instant message with someone using Yahoo Messenger, I cannot do that because
these services cannot talk to each other. Many in the deaf and deaf-blind
communications depend on instant messaging for all or part of their
communication needs. Again, by standardizing these services, we can
increase opportunities for employment, education and other things.

These are just a few of the reasons it is essential that you sign onto
HR3101 as a co-sponsor and do all you can to see that it is passed by the
House of Representatives. Thank you in advance for your time, and
hopefully, actions to sign onto this legislation. I will be watching what
happens very closely and contact you as necessary. Your strong
consideration is appreciated.

Sincerely,

<my name>

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Happy 19th Annyversary, ADA

This day, July 26, 1990, 19 years ago was a very significant day for
Americans with Disabilities. With the stroke of a pen, then President
George H. W. Bush signed our civil rights law, the Americans with
Disabilities Act into law. This signaled the beginning of the end of
discrimination against people with disabilities.

The ADA says that if a person with a disability is the most qualified for a
job, he or she should be hired and reasonable accommodations provided so he
or she can perform the essential functions of the job. This means employers
simply can't say they don't want to hire someone with a disability because
of biases against such people. What ADA does not say is that if you have a
disability and are not qualified for a job, you get the job.

ADA requires state and local Governments to make their programs and services
accessible to people with disabilities. This means that if a citizen who is
deaf, for example, wants to attend their city's City Council meeting, the
city needs to provide an interpreter if the individual requests it. Thanks
to ADA, we who have disabilities can enjoy the same rights to participate in
Government programs just as non-disabled folks do.

ADA also requires that there be comparable transportation for people with
disabilities. Not only does it mean that transit systems need to make their
services accessible by doing such things as installing wheelchair lifts and
calling out stops for those like me who are visually impaired, but it also
means that paratransit service needs to be provided for those people with
disabilities who cannot for whatever reason use the regular fixed route
system.

ADA requires places of public accommodation to make their services
accessible to people with disabilities. Just last night, we went to a
restaurant which is one type of entity required to do this. This
restaurant, the Outback Steakhouse, had a Braille menu which is how they
chose to make the menu accessible to people with visual impairments. It was
nice to be able to browse the menu and take the time to make a decision
about what I wanted to eat just as people who can see do.

Finally, ADA requires the provision of such things as relay services so that
people who are deaf can access telecommunications services. Without this, a
person who is deaf wouldn't be able to enjoy what many of us like to do
occasionally, order a pizza. Worse yet, they would not have access to 9-1-1
emergency services which could be a matter of life and death.

Is all perfect now that we have ADA? Certainly not. Congress has had to
amend the ADA to account for several unfavorable court decisions. But, I
don't think anyone with a disability can say that things aren't better than
they were before ADA. All of us who live with disabilities need to remain
vigilant and make sure that our rights are protected under the ADA.

Again, happy 19th Birthday, ADA. Let's all pledge to work to continue to
make things better for people with disabilities.

What Do I want to see in Health Care Reform

Recently I told you what is wrong with the Democrats' health care
plan. I believe health care reform is needed, so let me tell you
what I'd do about health care if I were in charge. Aren't I
supposed to be one of those in charge? Don't we have Government
of the People, by the People, for the People in this country? I'm
not sure any more.

My health care reform plan would include:
1. No free health care for Illegal ailians. You broke the law
by coming here illegally. You have not earned the right to free
health insurance. Every insurance plan would be required to
request proof of US citizenship before coverage could be offered.
This would get some 12 million people off the health care roles
and maybe send some of these illegals back where they came from.
2. Set standards for accessible prescription information for all
citizens. No person should have to put their lives at risk
simply because they can't read the instructions for administering
their prescription medications. The Department of Health the
Human Services would be charged with coming up with standards to
make this happen under my plan.
3. Put vision related services and equipment on a par with those
for other disabilities by allowing them to be reimbursed by
Medicare. A person who loses some or all of their vision needs
the services of vision professionals, Orientation and Mobility
Specialists and adaptive equipment just as much as someone who
ends up using a wheelchair needs that to improve their quality of
life. Yet, to this day, our nation's health care system hasn't
recognized that. That needs to change. I would reimburse vision
related services and equipment at the same levels as other
services.
4. Allow Medicare to negotiate with drug companies for lower
prescription drug prices under Medicare Part D. It was a huge
mistake in 2003 that this provision didn't get included when Part
D was passed. We need to correct that.
5. End the 2-year waiting period for people with disabilities to
enroll in Medicare when they start receiving Social Security.
There is simply no reason why someone who begins receiving Social
Security Disability Insurance should have to wait two years to
enroll in Medicare. There are bills in both the House and
Senate, HR1708 and S700 respectively which would end this waiting
period. Either these need to be passed and signed into law, or,
we need to incorporate ending the waiting period into health care
reform.
6. I'd allow small businesses to pool their resources and take
advantage of group discounts so they can offer their employees
health coverage. Small business is the life blood of America.
Those employed in small businesses should be able to count on
health coverage from their employers as do employees in large
businesses.
7. Simplification of paperwork. You shouldn't have to be a
rocket scientist to understand what your health insurance will or
will not cover, how much you owe, etc. Also, all insurance
companies should be required to offer accessible, on-line access
to explanations of benefits and other vital information. This
would allow anyone, regardless of ability to read about their
insurance and what is and is not being covered.
8. a $250,000 cap on pain and suffering damages in malpractice
cases. Clearly, there is negligence in the medical profession.
Preventable mistakes are made for which their should be
consequences. Anyone should be made whole in terms of medical or
economic damages. Pain and suffering damages are hard to
quantify, allowing juries and greedy trial lawyers to inflate
these claims. By limiting these damages to $250,000, we can
focus on making someone or their family whole. We can also
reduce the costs for malpractice coverage for doctors and insure
that people, regardless of where they live, will have access to
all medical services, including high risk operations.

These are the things I want to see in health care reform. Anyone
want to bet how likely it will be that we'll see some or any of
these? I think highly unlikely because it doesn't fit the liberal
template.

More Irresponsibility from Illinois Government

Once again, lawmakers and the Governor of Illinois have shown no
guts and shown they are afraid to make the tough decisions we
elected them to make. They have passed a state budget which
relies heavily on borrowing from pension funds so they don't have
to bite the bullet and raise taxes.

Isn't this rampant borrowing one of the many things that former
Governor Rod Blagojevich was kicked out of office for? What a
disservice this is to people who worked hard all their lives for
the state, and are counting on a pension for their retirement
years. How many of these people will either not be able to
retire, or, will have to take another job when they should be
able to enjoy life because of this irresponsibility?

Where are the unions on all of this? Aren't we always told that
unions are representing the workers? They sure aren't doing a
good job of it here. If I were a union leader, I'd be organizing
pickets at the Governor's office, suing the state, and doing
whatever else I had to do to protect the pensions of the hard
working state employees from Illinois. This just goes to show
once again that certain union leadership will throw their workers
and retirees under the bus for the sake of political gain. Nice
representation isn't it?

The worse thing, though, is that pension obligations aren't going
away. Our children will have to pay for the actions of today's
politicians. I have nieces and nephews who are either just
starting out in their working lives, or, going to school to learn
a trade which they will work in for a long time. Interesting how
Democrats always chastise Republicans for saddling our children
and grandchildren with debt, but yet' it's ok for them to do it
so long as they don't have to make tough, perhaps unpopular
decisions?

I've got a message for Illinois lawmakers. Stop stealing from
state workers and retirees. You were sent to Springfield to
lead, look at what needs to be done and do it regardless of how
popular what you have to do might be. Get serious and pass a
state budget next year which doesn't steal from state workers and
retirees and doesn't saddle future generations with debt that
will have to be paid. If you don't want to do that, find
something else to do with your lives!

Liberals, Take Your Health Care Plan and Shove It Where The Sun Don't Shine!

The piece of crap health care plan House liberals are promoting
is bad for America, will cost us jobs and lead to socialized
medicine. That's my conclusion and I'm stickin to it, based on
what I have heard about it.

First off, the plan punishes successful people. It proposes to
tax people earning over $350,000 to pay for the people who don't
have health insurance. So you run a business which does very
well, build up your earning power to the point where you can
provide a very comfortable standard of living for your family,
and then along come President Obama and like minded liberals
reaching into your pocket and taking more of your money. Why
should anyone want to work to become successful if they are just
going to be expected to feed more of the Government bureaucracy?
Government bureaucrats have never heard of cutting spending.

The health care plan requires Americans to have health insurance.
If someone truly can't get insurance, that could be a problem,
but I would ask, how hard have they tried? And, what about those
who simply don't make an effort to get insured? Why should we
require, and pay for them, to get it? What a bunch of bull shit.

The plan calls for a Government insurance program to compete with
private plans. Besides the fact the Government bureaucrats will
probably screw it up and make it too expensive, employers will
say, hey, why should I offer health insurance, let the Government
take care of my workers. This will lead to very high taxes and
put AMERICA at a competitive disadvantage in a global economy.

Just as bad as what's in this plan is what's not in this plan or
what doesn't appear to be in it from the news reports I've heard.
For one thing, there appears to be no malpractice liability
reform. This means greedy trial lawyers and juries can continue
to hand out huge pain and suffering awards in malpractice cases.
Clearly, if someone is a victim of medical malpractice, they or
their families should be compensated for economic damages. But
there need to be limits on pain and suffering because the value
of this is hard to quantify. Plus, doctors cannot continue to
pay high malpractice premiums and will stop practicing. In some
parts of Illinois, it's already hard to find doctors practicing
in high risk specialties. Are we prepared to have people die
waiting for specialized care simply because there is not a doctor
close by offering it so we can feed the trial lawyers' insatiable
appetite for money?

This plan doesn't say anything about telling illegal ailians,
tough shit, you get no more free health care. That would piss
off a lot of people whom the Democratic party pretends to care
about. If we eliminated health care for illegals, we would take
12 million people off the roles saving a heck of a lot of
taxpayer money.

I bet this plan doesn't contain any language about making
prescription information accessible to people who are blind, or
treating vision related services and equipment the same under
medicare as are other professional services and equipment like
physical therapists or wheelchairs. For someone who has recently
lost vision, receiving services from a certified vision
professional, Orientation and Mobility Specialist or Adaptive
Tech specialist is just as important as the person receiving
physical therapy for a knee replacement. Yet, Medicare doesn't
pay for the vision professional. Same goes for the vision
related equipment like video magnifiers someone may need to
remain independent. Those things aren't covered, yet if someone
needs a wheelchair, it is.

There is a lot wrong and very little right (the health care plan
being put forward by House liberal democrats. It continues to
show they see business and successful people as a money trough
they can reach into and dip more out. It punishes people who are
successful to cover up for the irresponsibility of others. It
gets the Government into the health care business, something
which should scare all of us. It doesn't address real
despairities in what is covered for of with vision disabilities
vs. what is covered for others. Everyone reading this must
contact their member of Congress and ask that he or she vote no
on this terrible plan. The sooner we can kill it, the better off
America will be.

Another Great ACB Convention is History

Again this year, we had another great American Council of the
Blind convention. The convention committee and everyone else
involved did their usual very good job.

What are some convention highlights? Well for me, I was proud
that we had four first time attendees from Illinois. All had a
very good experience as far as I can tell. Two of these people
were scholarship winners. Two of the four were not members
before convention, they are no!

The first ever ACB walk was a rousing success. I think it was
projected to raise somewhere around $10,000, it raised nearly
$23,000. I have learned never to doubt what a project can
achieve.

Hearing about people who are blind in South Africa. I always
look forward to hearing what our international guest speaker has
to tell us. It gives one a good perspective on how people who
are blind are treated in the rest of the world, and for me,
reminds me how good we have things here in the United States.
While we're not perfect by any stretch, we're a lot better off
than some parts of the world.

The presentation by Kareem Dale at The Thursday general session.
It's no secret I didn't vote for President Obama, and I
passionately dislike many of his programs and initiatives. I
have to say, though, it gives me hope having someone who is blind
raising the profile of people with disabilities in the White
House. I was really impressed with what seem; like Mr. Dale's
entrees to high ranking administration officials, and his
proactive work on such matters as the Reading Rights Coalition.

The panel on what needs to be done to keep residential schools
for the blind viable going forward. While I think we all agree
that these schools are an essential part of the continuum of
placement options as required under the Individuals with
Disabilities Education Act, these schools must adapt to changing
times as has happened in places like Texas.

The honor bestowed upon me to accept the Robert S. Bray award
posthumously on behalf of the recipient's family. This was both
sad and exhilarating at the same time if that makes sense.

The presentation of ACB scholarships. What bright people we were
able to honor and help in their educational pursuits. The future
of the world and of ACB is bright.

The demonstration of the new, accessible iPhone. Apple
corporation was roundly criticized by ACB a couple years ago,
deservedly so. Yet, they have come forward and its nice to know
that we have one option for a phone which we can take right out
of the box and use. The interface has to be the more ingenious
way to make a touch screen accessible I've ever seen.

At the convention, we learned about important legislation like
HR734, the Pedestrian Safety Enhancement Act of 2009, and HR3101,
the 21st Century Telecommunications and Video Accessibility Act.
We've talked about schools for the blind, many of which are in
trouble. It's time for all of us to return home with a renewed
sense of purpose, roll up our sleeves and work for ACB, our state
and special interest affiliates, and our local chapters. By
doing that, we will be improving the quality of life for all
people who are blind, across the United States and around the
world.

It's Sad When You Can't Award something Deserving to someone While They are Alive

Tonight, I was honored to accept an award from the American
Council of the Blind on behalf of someone from my home state of
Illinois who did a lot for access ! books and the written word
for people who are blind. While I was honored to do this, I was
saddened that this person could not have been honored while he
was still alive and that instead, this well-deserved honor is
being presented posthumously.

While I am saddened that this person could not have been honored
while alive, I am comforted by the realization that this person's
family realizes what a special award this is and is prepared to
accept it in his memory. I guess it's like a lot of things.
While you can never bring back someone or some thing, know one
can take away the memories or in this case, the good work this
person did.

The Future

Today, July 7, I got to take a look at part of the future for our
great nation, and it's in our young people. That was evident to
me today as I helped to honor the scholarship winners of the
American Council of the Blind.

Some 20 to 25 people were honored today. These are people that
are working on achieving great academic success in school. They
are people who are blind or visually impaired who are accepting
the challenge laid out to be the best they can be.

As I sat there today at the ACB convention and heard these fine
people accept their awards, I thought as I always do that the
future is a bright one. All of us who have been around for a
while need to help our young people. This can be done through
scholarship programs like we saw today, mentoring of these fine
people, and recruiting them into our state affiliates. We need
the strength and mostly, the enthusiasm of these people. They
will set the direction for our country and for our world. I am
so happy to be in ACB, an organization which takes the time
during its most important event of the year, the ACB convention
to recognize these people. Good luck to all of today's ACB
scholarship winners and may you do great things.

What Has ACB Done in the Last Year, Let Me Tell the Things

>every you an American Council of the Blind (ACB) member, hear
that tired old refrain, "ACB doesn't do anything," and mumble to
yourself I'm so sick of that? Well, the next time you hear that,
tell whomever says it to feast their eyes on this.

In the last year, ACB achieved settlements with several major
retail chains including Dollar General, Staples, Target and
others so that when you as a person who is blind walks in, makes
a purchase, and chooses to pay using a debit card, you will have
a tactile keypad on which to independently enter your own PIN.
This means you don't have to tell strangers your PIN number, just
like sighted people do not have to do.

Thanks to work right from the great state of Illinois, yet
another banking chain, TCF (www.tcf.com) will be installing
talking ATMS, providing statements and other information was
accessible formats, and making their website accessible. This,
again, thanks in part to ACB.

As you travel, do you find yourself saying, gosh, I wish someone
would do something about all of the Hybrid cars I encounter out
there? ACB is granting that wish. Thanks to our fierce advocacy,
along with that of other organizations, legislation has been
introduced in Congress, HR734, "The Pedestrian Safety Enhancement
Act of 2009." Because this legislation is out there and has 124
co-sponsors signed on, the National Highway Transportation Safety
Administration is already conducting research designed to improve
the safety of these vehicles for pedestrians who are blind.

Want to learn more? Then tune into the broadcast of the ACB
National Convention all this week on ACB Radio, www.acbradio.org.
Simply click or press enter on the Mainstream link, then select
the link for your favorite media player and you are on your way.
So what will you do when you next hear, "ACB isn't doing
anything?" Point people to this blog, to the ACB Radio link above
and then tell them to come back and say it again!