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The lies of hope, change and transparency have been replaced by arrogance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>