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.