Too Sexy For Your Ignorance

Adapted technology center for the blind in Africa

2008-11-25T15:53:00.000-08:00

YouTube - Adapted technology center for the blind

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The End of Wall Street's Boom - National Business News - Portfolio.com

2008-11-15T14:13:00.000-08:00

The End of Wall Street's Boom - National Business News - Portfolio.com: "The crash did more than wipe out money. It also reordered the power on Wall Street."

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An open letter to disability rights constituency

2008-09-25T15:19:00.000-07:00

Disability News | PatriciaEBauer.com » News Archive » Paul Longmore: An open letter to disability rights constituency

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Saturday Night Live - Palin / Hillary Open - Video - NBC.com

2008-09-22T12:31:00.000-07:00

Saturday Night Live - Palin / Hillary Open - Video - NBC.com

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2008 Democratic National Convention: Remarks as Prepared for Delivery by David A. Paterson, Governor of New York - The Denver Post

2008-08-28T21:11:00.000-07:00

Obama's speach tonight was great! Nice to see history in the making!
From Gov. Patterson's speach from last night: "The promise of America has also diminished for people with disabilities. Only 37 percent of Americans with disabilities are employed. Only 30 percent of blind people are employed."
2008 Democratic National Convention: Remarks as Prepared for Delivery by David A. Paterson, Governor of New York - The Denver Post

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DNC 2008: The Deaf Perspective

2008-08-25T13:04:00.000-07:00

Wow! How our world is changing! This is very cool!
DNC 2008: The Deaf Perspective

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The Colbert Report- Joey Cheek

2008-08-16T23:14:00.000-07:00

Tuesday Aug 12 2008 | The Colbert Report | Comedy Central

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Radical Cheek

2008-08-14T11:12:00.000-07:00

I met Joey when I carried the torch. I support the work of Team Darfurr. At the same time I have been careful about showing that support. My job is to compete while in China- end of discussion.
Radical Cheek

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Timothy Shriver - What 'Tropic Thunder' Thinks Is Funny - washingtonpost.com

2008-08-11T21:37:00.000-07:00

Recently a masters level class of marage and family therapy students were asked what they would do if a person with a disability came to them for counseling. 73% stated that they would opt not to serve the person and would refer them out instead. I don't know much about this movie. It is my experience that we have a very long way to go before people with disabilities can walk through the world without wearing the label, freak.
Timothy Shriver - What 'Tropic Thunder' Thinks Is Funny - washingtonpost.com

Miss Illinois

2008-08-11T02:52:00.000-07:00

The new Miss Illinois is my cousin- Katie Lorenz!

Miss Illinois Scholarship Association

How To Watch The Beijing Olympics LIVE On The Web

2008-08-09T21:40:00.000-07:00

This is pretty cool. I am in search of the Parolympic Youtube page as well.
How To Watch The Beijing Olympics LIVE On The Web -- Even If NBC Doesn't Want You To - slide_4

Foreign Policy: Photo Essay: China’s Olympic Saga

2008-08-08T01:45:00.000-07:00

Interesting history- even though it takes too long to click through the entire thing. (I skipped ahead to slide 30)

Foreign Policy: Photo Essay: China’s Olympic Saga

Can an employee be too nice? WorkPlace Catnip

2008-08-07T23:11:00.000-07:00

Great post. in the non-profit sector I have also seen many folks who want to change the world by being nice, yet they often don't know a thing about saying no or speaking their mind.

Can an employee be too nice? | View from the Cubicle | TechRepublic.com

Facebook

2008-08-07T03:41:00.000-07:00

Have you joined Facebook?
Facebook | Jessie Lorenz

When Wikipedia Won't Cut It: 25 Online Sources for Reliable, Researched Facts

2008-08-06T23:27:00.000-07:00

This is a great page to add to your favorites list!

When Wikipedia Won't Cut It: 25 Online Sources for Reliable, Researched Facts - College Degree.com

Check out Jott with 2 T's

2008-08-03T22:24:00.000-07:00

Jott is one of the coolest things I've learned about in a while. Jott is a communication and organization service which converts your voice to text with one phone call to 866-JOTT-123, you can send emails and text messages to contacts, set reminders, post to web services such as Google Calendar and Blogger, and manage your to-do lists.
Jott.com and check out the Jot Blog.
Jott Blog

Wait A Second!: Restaurants must accommodate blind patrons under the Americans With Disabilities Act

2008-08-03T14:44:00.000-07:00

Wait A Second!: Restaurants must accommodate blind patrons under the Americans With Disabilities Act

Goalball Girl 2008

2008-08-01T09:45:00.000-07:00

Join me on my journey to Beijing! Goalball Girl 2008

Social issues crowd state ballots

2008-07-31T13:39:00.000-07:00

Wow, I used to live in Colorado and now call California home. Both states have some pretty conservative issues up for a vote at this years November election. Guess this is how you get the extremeists out to vote...
Social issues crowd state ballots

Sirius and XM Radio Murged!

2008-07-30T20:54:00.000-07:00

I am so excited to hear that SIRI and XMSR were given the green light to murge by the FCC. I love Sirius and baught stock in both companies I believe in it so strongly- this is a great medium! At the moment the shares I have in XM have been exchanged for shares of SIRI, and the price of the shares has dropped 42% over the past 3 days. Ok, it is pretty depressing to see the share price drop, but as I said before, I believe in the medium. Satellite is the future of radio. 18 months from now I believe the value of SIRI will please both Wall Streat and me!
Sirius XM Radio

Check Out the Disability Blog Carnival!

2008-07-30T01:51:00.000-07:00

Not too long ago I searched in vane for blog carnivals about disability. It is so great how the internet connects people who used to be isolated from one another through blogs and now through blog carnivals!

Pitt Rehab: 42nd Blog Carnival !

Toughest on the Poor: America's Flawed Tariff System

2008-07-30T00:53:00.000-07:00

Foreign Affairs - Toughest on the Poor: America's Flawed Tariff System - Edward Gresser

And this 2008 update:
Foreign Affairs - Taxing the Poor - Edward Gresser

'Elderspeak' (from MSN Health)

2008-07-27T22:34:00.000-07:00

Alzheimer's Patients React Poorly to 'Elderspeak' - MSN Health & Fitness - Alzheimer's Disease: "Nursing experts have known for years that family caregivers and professional nursing staff alike tend to lapse into infantilizing speech, what they call 'elderspeak,' when dealing with the elderly or infirm. This type of speech involves an overly caring but controlling tone of voice, shortened sentences, repetition, the use of inappropriately intimate terms of endearment ('sweetie,' 'dear'), and a tendency to treat the person in a childlike or highly dependent manner.
'"

I don't see myself as elderly or infirm, and I am infantilized on a regular basis. I was crossing Hyde street last week when someone told me, "Honey, Jesus loves you very much." I doubt he'd say this to someone of my age, race and social economic status who could see- so I wonder- is the implication that Jesus loves me more because I can't see? Pardon me while I let me head get bigger.

On Sunday evening this woman at the Seattle airport called me, sweetie, honey and dear in less than 5 minutes.
She also wanted to hold my boarding pass for me at the ticket counter- may be she thought I'd lose it?
Unfortunately, when I said, "Thanks for your conscientiousness darling, but I've got it covered," it was completely lost on her.

Most of the time how people treat me is a projection of their own fears about blindness.

wnyt.com - Blind New York governor embraces his disability

2008-05-28T10:42:00.000-07:00

wnyt.com - Blind New York governor embraces his disabilityWell, looks like it's quite a good day for interesting news articlesabout blind folks...Last weekend the governor had to have emergency Glaucoma surgery. He washaving eye pain. I used to have awful glaucoma headaches as a smallchild- it was really strange to hear news stories about the governor ofNew York experiencing the same thing! FDR hid his paralysis. GovernorPatterson is open about his visual impairment.-- What interesting tidesof change!

Law.com - For Blind High Court Clerk, the Sky's the Limit

2008-05-28T08:45:00.000-07:00

Fascinating article, and note the reference about ACB's currency case.Nice quote at the end explains blindness like this, "its not a limitation, its not a death sentence."
Law.com - For Blind High Court Clerk, the Sky's the Limit

The History of the Howard Stern Show

2007-12-29T02:59:00.000-08:00

Many people have sounded shocked when I tell them that I am a huge Howard Stern fan. I love Howard and the crew and almost never miss a show on Sirius. I am particularly enjoying the content that is playing while Howard is on holiday break. Sirius put together the History of
HowardStern.com - Official site of The Howard Stern Show

Money for All Petition

2007-04-25T15:08:00.000-07:00

Sign the Money For All Petition
We, the undersigned blind and visually impaired individuals, or supporters thereof, are dismayed and frustrated by the decision of the U.S. Department of
the Treasury to appeal the decision to create accessible paper currency. We support the decision of Judge James Robertson in the federal district court
in the District of Columbia for the following reasons:
Because accessible currency would allow blind or visually impaired people to independently identify the bills in their hand without depending on the good
will of others.
Because accessible currency would increase employment opportunities for blind and visually impaired people, as jobs regarding the quick handling of cash,
such as those behind a cash register, could be done easily.
Because the government’s blithe assertion that blind and visually impaired people could simply use credit cards does not take into account the fact that
credit cards are not accepted by all businesses the way cash is accepted.
Because although it is true, as the government asserts, there are machines that can identify paper money as it is currently designed, such machines are
unaffordable to many, and are neither as fast or as portable as a person’s own hands.
Because 180 other countries have already proven that it is possible to create currency that allows blind and visually impaired individuals to participate
fully in the commerce of their countries.
And because, it is our hope that a government which is progressive enough to insist on the right of blind and visually impaired people to vote independently,
the right of visually impaired and blind people to access information produced by the government in alternative formats such as Braille, and the right
of blind and visually impaired people to equal education and employment opportunities will also recognize that blind and visually impaired people should
be able to access the information provided in one of this nation’s oldest printed materials: our own government’s currency.

Sincerely,

The Undersigned

Iraq Goalball player Released

2006-11-07T12:26:00.000-08:00

Issam Khalef is the captain of the Iraq men’s national goalball team. Last week he Was Kidnapped
The reason behind the kidnapping is believed to be that Khalef is Suni. Thankfully, on Saturday the kidnappers Released
him

Just Checking In Podcast

2006-08-27T09:27:00.000-07:00

This weeks podcast is short and sweet. I'm trying to move the podcast over to Libsyn and to create audio blog posts. I want to make an easy transition though- so I need to learn a thing or thirty before I change the feed.

Check out this cool info!
From my inbox:
Google tootor and advisor

My New Start Page

Keyboard Shortcuts for all Google Aps

My Favorite Music- At This Moment At Least

2006-08-26T20:35:00.000-07:00

My favorite place to buy music on-line is E Music. I love E Music because it uses a simple interface and the music does not contain
DRM so you can listen to it on any device that plays MP3's.
Here are my current fave's:
Gimme Fiction by Spoon

Desperate Youth, Blood Thirsty Babes by TV on the Radio

Drunken Lullabies by Flogging Molly

Raised By Wolves EP by Voxtrot

I recently tried to purchase some files that would let me use Itunes with my text to speech software. Itunes music is loaded with
DRM and you have to have an Ipod to play most of it- nonetheless, most everything these days can be found on the Itunes Music Store. I was shocked to learn that the files I need to make Itunes work with my text to speech software cost $57.50! No way I'm going to pay that much money for a DRM'd product that I feel is ultimately inferior! My $57.50 sure goes a lot further onE Music.

Help us reach our goal of $950

2006-08-12T16:19:00.000-07:00

T. and I are involved in a sports organization called Bay Area Outreach and Recreation Programs (BORP)
This organization has been an invaluable support to me. Through BORP I have developed some of my most meaningful friendships. In addition, while I was training for both the world championships in Brazil and the Paraolympics in Athens Greece- BORP supported my efforts. BORP hosts weekly goalball practices and sponsors teams competing in regional goalball tournaments.
On October 14, 2006 BORP will hold its annual fund raising event- a 100 mile bike ride. T. and his guide Paul are going to ride in the race on the tandem bike. The dogs and I are going to cheer them on and pass out water to riders on the day of the event.
Our household goal is to fundraise $950 for BORP.
Please Help us reach our goal of $950
You can make a secure contribution on-line at our fundraising website. Remember: Contributions are tax deductible and benefit this great organization- BORP!
Help us reach our goal of $950

The Future of Freedom by Fareed Zakaria

2006-08-11T23:45:00.000-07:00

I have been meaning to write about this book for a while. It is one of the most insightful books that I've ever read. I read it through in May of this year and read it again last month.
Zakaria discusses democracies around the world and asserts that unregulated democracy is a threat to both law and liberty. The Bush talking points often include "building a democracy in the Middle East." This book looks at how democracies have formed over time and the lessons we can learn from them. There is a discussion about California's direct initiative process, which enables voters to bypass the Legislature and have an issue of concern put directly on the ballot. Singapore is mentioned as an example of a democratic nation with limited freedom of the press. Most interesting to me about the book though was the discussion of the tenuous balancing act in the Middle East. How do you create democracy and ensure that radicle fundamentlist forces aren't voted into public office? Read the book... It's worth your time.
One of the interesting statistics in the book relates to a pole done by the Arab arm of CNN. People in 9 Muslim countries were asked about 911. Only 18 % of respondents thought that the attacks on 911 were carried out by Arabs.

"Zakaria forces us to think in new ways about values that Americans take for granted." -Ambassador Richard Holbrooke

Introducing Josh Blue

2006-08-09T06:47:00.000-07:00

Check out this great comic from the NBC show, "Last Comic Standing." Josh will be in the finals tonight- I hope he wins! Josh has CP and plays wheelchair soccer. I went to Athens with him- we were in the same apartment building. He's hilarious!
Hear Josh's Jokes from the show

Blog Carnivals

2006-08-03T17:11:00.000-07:00

I just learned of this new thing called a Blog Carnival. Carnivals are newsletter like publications with html links to blogs that discuss spacific topics. It sounds like the blogosphere in digest form. I couldn't find any discussing disability rights or blindness. Anyone else out there familiar with Blog Carnivals?Email me- I want to learn more!

Wal-Mart on Barefoot

2006-07-30T22:24:00.000-07:00

I feel like I am so like 13! Tonight I called into Barefoot Radio to discuss the value of (of all things) Wall-mart!
"Wal-Mart was the king-daddy of corporate responders," says Tulane University history professor Douglas Brinkley, author of The Great Deluge: Hurricane
Katrina, New Orleans, and the Mississippi Gulf Coast.

This is a great book that I read while we were in New Orleans. Wall-mart was able to get needed materials into Katrina survivers much faster than FEMA. Brinkley points out that Wall-mart stores have become our
civic centers and community centers in one.

CNN discusses the Corporate responce to Katrina
The Organic Consumers Association Debunks Wal-Mart's Hurricane Relief Efforts

Thoughts on Dog Guides

2006-07-23T20:27:00.000-07:00

I will be returning to The Seeing Eye in September 2006. We are looking forward to a fuzzy new member joining our family.

What's wrong with the dog guide schools This is quite an interesting read- and a perspective that I tend to agree with. I have had two fantastic dogs from two fantastic dog guide schools. I continue to be an educated consumer on many aspects of current dog guide trends and dog training in general. No one has a right to a dog guide, yet the ADA and disability rights have forever changed the look and feel of the "blind community." The schools have been forced to respond to a consumer base that is much more demanding. Overall this is probably a good thing- dog guide schools trying to meet the spacific needs of individual handlers and their dogs.
Yet, dog guide land is a buyers market- perhaps in ways that it has never been before. What is the impact of this type of marketplace on the quality of dog guide teams overall?

Indi Music is the BEST!

2006-07-19T23:16:00.000-07:00

Check out thegorilla vs. bear site! Lots of indi music- it's great!
I am a big fan of Barefoot Radio. They are based in Denver and I am from Colorado so I kind-of connect with them. I also have really gotten into some of their indi bands. My favorite by far is Tat, but I have had trouble buying her music.

Home Again- Wrap-up

2006-07-18T16:44:00.000-07:00

One of the most exciting parts of our journey to New Orleans was our visit to the New Orleans Lighthouse for the Blind. Jenice Heck gave us a tour of the Lighthouse. Saturday night Jenice and several other Lighthouse staffers came to the French Quarter and joined us for dinner. We had a blast. It is always interesting to see how other blind people live. The New Orleans Lighthouse has a large manufactureing department and a very respectible board of directors. That is the primary way the Lighthouse of New Orleans differs from Lighthouse for the Blind in San Francisco. Blind people are blind people and we deal with community politics and institutional discrimination in both LA and CA.

Meet one of our new friends: Rox'E Homstad

Sounds of New Orleans Podcast

2006-07-07T23:11:00.000-07:00

Check out the
Sounds of New Orleans Podcast This podcast includes a discussion of the penguins, a great New Orleans train, some street music, a thunder storm and some New Orleans jazz recorded at The Spotted Cat.

New Orleans Great Food and Music

2006-07-07T21:24:00.000-07:00

This is a post dedicated to some of the great food and music we have experienced on our trip thus far. First off though we'd like to extend our warmest thanks to Grace Wilson from the New Orleans Tourism and Marketing Coorperation for meeting with us early in the week and helping to make our trip an unforgetable one. Thanks Grace!

Now about the food.... We love to eat and New Orleans is a fantastic place to enjoy fine food.
GW Fins is our favorite so far both because the food was exceptional and the service discreet. Check out their menu. T loved the lemon fish and we both savored the lobster dumplings.
Tuesday night we ate at Bacco's- where I tried the lobster ravioli

We were not impressed with the Red Fish Grill It was too loud and the service was lousy.

We listened to Jazz at The Spotted Cat

More From New Orleans

2006-07-06T07:48:00.000-07:00

We are really enjoying New Orleans. Outside is hot, the air-conditioning cool and the food is great! We took a tour of the D-Day Museum,
the pharmacy museum and the aquarium. The D-day Museum was hard for both T and I simply because it is an issue that touches both of our families. D-Day was one of those events that changed the world. I learned just how pivotal this event was. Had D-Day failed the second half of the twentieth century would have been governed by Nazism or Communism. War is a devastating thing and at the same time what would the world look like today if it weren’t for those brave WWII soldiers and their families? New Orleans was the center for manufacturing of the cigar box shaped landing boats that were used in WWII. Those boats were seen by President Eisenhower as a big factor in winning the war.
The pharmacy museum was fantastic. We got the opportunity to touch almost everything- including a set of fake eyes made in 1900, a civil war limb amputation kit, an turn of the century wheelchair, a 1940’s birthing bed and tools used in blood letting.
The most exciting thing though- for me- was our visit to the Audubon Aquarium. .T and I got to touch a penguin! I'll write more about that later- have to go now...

From New Orleans

2006-07-06T00:22:00.000-07:00

I have been trying to publish a podcast on Gcast for a couple of days now. It finally successfully uploaded this evening. Listen as the dogs, T and I take a Ghost Tour.
Warning: lots of down time while we walk from place to place.

Our hotel is haunted!

2006-07-03T15:42:00.000-07:00

Learn about the Ghosts in New Orleans Last night we went on a great walking tour of New Orleans. We learned that our hotel is haunted. There was a mob hit that took place on the sixth floor and people often report hearing gun shots in the hotel- spacifically on the sixth floor. Where do you think our room is? On the sixth floor of course! We learned a lot about the history of New Orleans including the changes that took place when New Orleans changed from spanish rule to French rule and then to a slave free state after the war.
T ate his first bowl of alagator soup at Bourbon House whitch he gives 4 stars and says, "It's hard to compare alagator soup to anything pedestrian. It's spicy broth with chipped alagator meet finished with cream and sheri. You can't compare it to most soups!"

Goalball World Championships

2006-07-01T16:09:00.000-07:00

Read Some Great coverage of women's goalball World Championships!
I've had a blast this week following the goalball world championships. I thing I have the goalball bug! he live feed from South Carolina is currently broadcasting the women's gold metal game between Canada and China. usa women bring home the bronze- in a 4 to 2 game against Denmark. USA men also won bronze.It's been a while since I've been so excited about my sport and it feels great!

Off to NOLA

2006-06-28T07:40:00.000-07:00

The responses to the last two podcasts have been great. Thanks folks for your warm thoughts.
Stay tuned for some interesting posts and several podcasts next week. T., the dogs and I are traveling to New Orleans. We have tours scheduled of the Lighthouse f/t blind, a ghost tour, a tour of the National World War II museum, a hands-on tour of the Pharmacy Museum, and we're working on more! We are going to meet with a representative from the convention and visitors center on Monday and are excited about seeing this great city. We had actually planned to go to Jacksonville Florida for our summer vacation, but I found some interesting trips on Orbitz to New Orleans that caught our attention. I feel good spending our money in an economy that certainly needs it. Some of our friends have been discouraging us from going since the National Guard was recently called in to New Orleans, but that doesn't frighten us- it really just makes it feel like more of an adventure. The National Association of Librarians had their convention in New Orleans just this week and we figure that if it is safe enough for the librarians than New Orleans is safe enough for us.

Also- I posted a podcast with material I collected while competing in Greece.
Check it out!
If sports are your thing check out the
Goalball Worlds Live! (press #8 to get to the live stream)

What do you get when you put the money of the two richest men in the world together?

2006-06-26T23:01:00.000-07:00

The most interesting article I've ever read about Bill Gates was written by Michael Specter and was published in the New Yorker last October. The article is called, What Money Can Buy
The Gate's Foundation funds most of the alternative high schools in both San Francisco and in Oakland- this I knew, but what I didn't know was how much work needs to be done regarding malaria- and how much The Gates Foundation has done to address this issue.
Specter states, "bureaucracies like the W.H.O.—which make decisions by consensus—are often too cumbersome to compete at the speed of a mutating virus. Gates and his wife
need consensus only between themselves."

The October 24 issue of the New Yorker that contains this great article is availible on Audible

Interview with Amanda Podcast!

2006-06-25T12:47:00.000-07:00

The newest Podcast is an interview with Amanda, the Seeing Eye Dog. In this podcast we discuss Amanda's retirement.

Tribute to Amanda Podcast

2006-06-14T14:09:00.000-07:00

This weeks Podcast is a tribute to my Seeing Eye Dog, Amanda. In October of 2006 I am going into training to get a new Seeing Eye Dog. This pod cast is a tribute to my current guide. Warning!! Mushy dog stuff ahead!!

www.vixpix.or

2006-05-26T10:32:00.000-07:00

Interesting way to raise money for MS

Snakes on a Plane

2006-05-17T10:33:00.000-07:00

New Line Cinema
Attn: Theatrical Film Distribution
One Time Warner Center
New York, NY 10019-8016
310-854-5811
I am writing to request, as an accommodation for my disability, that New Line Cinema include Audeo Descriptionin the theater release of,Snakes on a Plane.
Audeo Description
is narration that allows people who are blind or visually impaired to take part in the film by describing the visual effects occurring
on the theater screen. New Line has been a leader in providing audio description services in the past. The studio provided both closed captioning for
people who are deaf as well as descriptive services for people who are blind in its release of, "The Two Towers," part of the Lord of the Rings Trilogy.

It is my understanding that, "Snakes on a Plane," is scheduled to be released on August 18, 2006. Like most of my friends, I am very excited about this
film and have already purchased several, "Snakes on a Plane," t-shirts and key chains in anticipation of the movie's success. In order to ensure that the audio description is released on August 18, Please contact the Media Access Group at WGBH to begin the process of creating the audio description for Snakes on a Plane.
Thank you.
(Reading this blog? How about sending a letter or giving New Line a call... Together WE CAN!)

Be A Better Blogger Part II

2006-05-14T18:42:00.000-07:00

This is the second of two posts about Being a Better Blogger
These are my notes from the book 10 Quick Steps to Chris Pirillo's Blog Traffic School. I downloaded it from Audible.

6. Do something different. Everyone writes. How can you do something different with your web space? Use audio, pictures, Geo maps or something to make your blog different.
Provide intermediation. What is your gimmick?
7. Feed the Need Get an RSS Feed. (I am working on this)
8. Go with the flow. Look at the web and what other people are talking about. How can you add your voice to this conversation?

Keep up with Current Memes Internet memes occur when something relatively unknown becomes increasingly popular, often quite suddenly, through the mass propagation of media content made feasible
by the Internet.

9. Work with other drivers. How can you make your community better? Create a community blog or a Meta blog. Link Prolifically!
Another MUST read book about the community changes and the end of business as usual caused by the WWW can be found in the book The Cluetrain Manifesto This is a Great book and it really defines making the world a better place in part through blogging.

10 Don’t drink and blog. Sounding like an idiot due to either poor grammer or because you found yourself in a state of relaxed entoxication and decided to blog isn't likely to change anything.

Goalball Girl 2004

2006-05-13T12:56:00.000-07:00

In 2004 I traveled to Greece to compete in the Paralympic games.

I am working on getting both the web site content and the journal I kept during my trip to Greece back up on-line. I still own the domain, goalballgirl2004.net, but I need to figure out the best way to publish the content I procured while in Greece onto it.
You can check out this work in progress at:
Goalball Girl 2004

Why doesn't Victoria dress like Mamma?

2006-05-12T09:38:00.000-07:00

Senator Joseph Biden recently gave a speech on Religion, Violence and the Middle East.

I was first turned on to Biden when I read the eulogy Senator Biden delivered at the funeral of Senator Strom Thurmond.

In this recent speech Biden recounts an experience he had while in Afghanistan.
"I remember one instance where we were stopped; it was an unauthorized checkpoint. There was a woman in a full burqa and a man dressed in traditional Afghan
garb, and what looked like a kind of hut that they lived in, but it was an adobe kind of arrangement. And, as I sat there thinking to myself, I watched
and could see a kid sitting there on a portable computer.

And I thought to myself, what happens if that kid punches up the ads for Victoria's Secret? Not a joke. Talk about a culture clash. I mean, here is his
mother dressed in the full burqa. The rapidity of change in the Islamic world is just staggering. What I am trying to say is, I think a lot has to do with
coping not just with modernity but coping … even in the West, with this notion of what do I do so that I can affect and control my destiny, so that I can
control what is going to happen to me?"

"I'm not sure that is the reason why we had a bunch of folks with box cutters take down our two towers. I don't know that. I don't even know that I could
make the case that that is the reason for the kind of rapid response you see to what appear to be relatively minor slights that occur in France, with the
Muslim population deciding that they should burn most of the automobiles in sight from Normandy down to the Mediterranean. I don't know. But something
tells me that this is part of this unsettled terrain we are all operating on right now." --- Senator Joseph Biden

Does everyone need a purple pill?

2006-05-11T07:25:00.000-07:00

I came across this interesting article in Forbes Magazine while reading the
BBC Ouch Web Log. Written by Scott Reeves, one of Forbes.com's personal finance editors, Bipolar Disorder in the Workplace explains what bipolar disorder is; examines the pros and cons of declaring the condition to one's employer; and makes sensible suggestions about possible
reasonable accommodations which employers might consider making.

In addition, I listen to Forbe’s audio edition and really enjoyed the following article aboutPill Pushing drug companies. Do you know what happened on August 12, 1997? The FDA lifted restrictions on drug companies ability to directly market drugs and medical devices to consumers without lengthy disclaimers on possible side effects. Does it seem like the amount of comercials for perscription drugs has increased in the last ten years? Well, if it smells like a french frie, it's probably a french frie- lifting these advertising restrictions in 1997 lead to a stream of TV adds for perscription drugs. It has changed both the way consumers demand spacific drugs and the way many companies do their R&D. Big sellers seem more important than innovation. “Discovery is a risky business.” “The easiest profits come from Me Too drugs.”

(Just to be clear, these 2 articles are un-related. I posted them together because I only wanted to make one trip to the Forbes web site to obtain the exact URLs. I was impressed with Forbe's discussion of bipolar disorder in the first article and disappointed by the behavior of the drug companies in the second.)

Ron Santo

2006-05-07T15:59:00.000-07:00

Dear Mr. Ron Santo,
I wanted to write you to say thanks for being such an inspiration to me. Now, if your experience as someone with a disability is anything like mine you may find those words to be rather trite. Please know that I mean those words sincerely and I don't use them often.
I was born with Glaucoma- a disease of the eyes. I lost both of my eyes to this disease and now wear prosthetic eyes instead. Yesterday I saw your movie, This Old Cub
and I was touched by the openness with which you discussed the amputation of your second leg. For me, Mr. Santo, the decision to evisorate my eyes was one that I knew was the right one for me. My disease was a rather painful one and I was tired of making trips to the ER to be medicated intravenously to regulate my inter ocular pressures. The disease was getting in the way of my life and having the operation made it possible for me to get on with things. I enjoy life a lot better without chronic pain.
In 2004 I was a member of the US Paraolympic team that competed in Athens Greece. We took the silver metal in my sport, Goalball. This was an incredible experience for me that I might not have had if I had continued to struggle with the effects of my disease.
I have never seen this view of illness represented in the media before. I respect you for telling your story; it's helped me to feel better about myself.

Thank you. You are certainly a member of MY personal hall of fame.

Colbert Speaks to President Bush

2006-05-07T00:54:00.000-07:00

Wow! On NPR this morning I heard about the Whitehouse’s Press dinner where comedian Stephen Colbert blasted President Bush. I love John Stewart’s show, but have found Colbert a lot harder to get. My opinion has totally changed however- this took guts.

Read the Transcript or See it for yourself on CSPAN

"The greatest thing about this man is he's steady. You know where he stands. He believes the same thing Wednesday that he believed on Monday, no matter what
happened Tuesday. Events can change; this man's beliefs never will. As excited as I am to be here with the president, I am appalled to be surrounded by
the liberal media that is destroying America, with the exception of Fox News. Fox News gives you both sides of every story: the president's side, and
the vice president's side.” --- Stephen Colbert

Our Space Podcast

2006-05-06T23:27:00.000-07:00

This weeks Podcast is also posted up at Blind Cool Tech. We live with two dog guides, a cat and a 75 Spider. This is a tour of our space. The idea of touring our space came from the BCT Podcast

Be A Better Blogger

2006-05-02T23:00:00.000-07:00

I am reading this great book, 10 Quick Steps to Chris Pirillo's Blog Traffic School, by Chris Pirillo and David Lawrence. I downloaded it from Audible.

I am still getting the hang of this blog thing. One thing mentioned in this book are "group blogs," I have never red a group blog before. Know of any good ones?

Here are my notes for steps one through five.

1. Have a reason to blogg- Don’t just post to post. Don’t be a textual exibitionist!

2. find a chassis that suits you- Find the colors you like. Learn the html or the specialized strings. Get your hands dirty to find the “look,” you like.

Check Out Strange Banana

3. know your driving style- Blogger know yourself. Be consistent in your style and be true to your inner voice.

4. remember to signal and watch for pedestrians- What news matters to you? What bloggs have your respect and do you enjoy? Create a blogg roll.
I don't quite get this one yet, but the book says that one can be set up at Blog Rolling

It is also a good idea to go to other people's blogs to comment once and a while. This builds community and encourages people to come to your site to comment on your blog. Remember though--- - be careful what you say, these words may follow you around FOREVER!

5. Watch the Roads- look at the topography of your space. Who is reading your blog? What are others reading?
www.technorati.com
Text America makes your blog mobil
zonkboard.com gives you a semi-live chat for your blog

Perfect Paul hasn't changed in over 40 years?

2006-05-01T20:37:00.000-07:00

Want to listen to the very first talking computer? Click this link and either play the file in your media player or download the small file. I had trouble with the media player so had to download it. VERY Funny!
I am surprised how very little the quality of the computer's voice has changed in 40 years!

Synthesized Speech--Bell Tele…

Windows Vista

2006-04-28T07:09:00.000-07:00

This BetaNews article discusses the features to come,
particularly for media enthusiasts in windows Vista, the new
operating system due out in 2007:

CLICK HERE TO READ MORE

John Milton

2006-04-25T06:23:00.000-07:00

This is the greatest quote. I think it needs to be incorporated into this web site in a way that makes it more prevalent. John Milton is often thought of as one of the five greatest poets. He was born in 1608. He was blind. Milton said, "No man can be so stupid to deny that all men naturally were born free..."

Read more about Milton

From My Inbox: Daily Reflections

2006-04-24T09:08:00.000-07:00

When am I manipulative?
(Personal relations)
Without understanding our motives, we can easily lapse into behavior aimed at manipulating others. Sulking is a means of letting others know we are displeased
and forcing them to attempt to win our approval. Flattery is a false expression of approval that we don't really feel…. Giving others good strokes for
our own purpose. Withholding deserved praise is a means of putting others down, something we're likely to do because of our jealousy.
Manipulative behavior is almost always selfish behavior. IT is usually a false means of trying to get our own way. It is certainly an immature way of dealing
with people and situations.
The best way to avoid being manipulative is to be ourselves at all times. We have neither the right nor the responsibility to control or regulate other
people. Our best approach, in trying to influence others' actions, is simply to state our own case with sincerity and honest. Others must be free to act,
free to choose, and free to make their own decisions without manipulative interference on our part.
I will be myself at all times today. I will not assume false roles simply for the purpose of bending others to my own will. Manipulative behavior is controlling
behavior, which I must avoid.
The door to the human heart can only be opened from the INSIDE.

The Blind Lady and the Elephant

2006-04-23T00:19:00.000-07:00

This weeks Podcast addresses the famous myth of the blind men and the elephant.
It is also really my first try at audeo editing.

The Blind Men and the Elephant
A Hindoo Fable
by John Godfrey Saxe

It was six men of Indostan
To learning much inclined,
Who went to see the Elephant
(Though all of them were blind),
That each by observation
Might satisfy his mind.

The First approached the Elephant,
And happening to fall
Against his broad and sturdy side,
At once began to bawl:
"God bless me! but the Elephant
Is very like a wall!"

The Second, feeling of the tusk,
Cried, "Ho! what have we here
So very round and smooth and sharp?
To me 'tis mighty clear
This wonder of an Elephant

Is very like a spear!"

The Third approached the animal,
And happening to take
The squirming trunk within his hands,
Thus boldly up and spake:
"I see," quoth he, "the Elephant
Is very like a snake!"

The Fourth reached out an eager hand,
And felt about the knee.
"What most this wondrous beast is like
Is mighty plain," quoth he;
"Tis clear enough the Elephant
Is very like a tree!"

The Fifth, who chanced to touch the ear,
Said: "E'en the blindest man
Can tell what this resembles most;
Deny the fact who can,
This marvel of an Elephant
Is very like a fan!"

The Sixth no sooner had begun
About the beast to grope,
Than, seizing on the swinging tail
That fell within his scope,
"I see," quoth he, "the Elephant
Is very like a rope!"

And so these men of Indostan
Disputed loud and long,
Each in his own opinion
Exceeding stiff and strong,
Though each was partly in the right,
And all were in the wrong!

caveat emptor

2006-04-20T07:32:00.000-07:00

I read this great article entitled Consumption from the New Yorker’s April 17 issue refruiting an editorial in the April 3 issue of the New York Times by Bush’s lead healthcare policy person, Allan B. Hubbard. Hubbard’s Times article champions health savings accounts, a program whose benefits are only realizable by life long wage earners or more accurately they don’t address the three out of ten people who will become completely disabled before they reach retirement age. He also states, “IN the past five years, private health insurance premiums have risen 73 percent. Some businesses have responded by dropping
healthcare coverage, leaving employees uninsured. Other employers pass the costs on to workers, both by raising co-payments and premiums and by denying
workers the wage increases they need to afford...”

According to the New Yorker’s article Hubbard’s message is, “Health care is expensive because the vast majority of Americans consume it as if it were free. Health insurance policies with low deductibles insulate people
from the cost of the medical care they use—so much so that they often do not even ask for prices.”

**Come again?? Ever tried to help someone figure out the new prescription drug plan through Medicare? How many people do you know without health coverage right now? If illness or injury strike these folks what will their options be for shopping around- probably hunt and peck care that they are able to afford until they spend down enough of their assets to qualify for publicly funded, substandard care. Do we call that a good system? Clearly this administration has no intention of creating an equitable system of care. Hubbard seems to be saying that health care is just another market place where buyer beware.

Quoting from the New Yorker’s article again, “Health care is indeed expensive, but not because people are too quick to call the doctor when they experience a scary symptom or merely an annoying one,
and not because some of them may bridle at entrusting their health to the lowest bidder. Throughout the Western world, health care is expensive, first
of all, because it is expensive, and is bound to get more so as populations age and medical technology advances. Indeed, it should get more expensive,
both in absolute terms and as a proportion of national income, because what it aims to provide—healing, the relief of suffering, the staving off of death—is
of such inestimable value.”
“American health care is the most expensive on earth, but this, too, has little to do with overindulgence in seeking medical attention. (Overindulgence in
cheeseburgers is another matter.) It has a lot to do with the waste built into what Paul Krugman calls our crazy-quilt health-care system, which has a
lot to do with the fact that so much of that system is private rather than public, which in turn has a lot to do with two other factors. One is historical:
during the Second World War, industry (with prodding from organized labor) got around wage controls by offering workers health benefits in place of cash,
thus saddling the United States with “employer-based” private health insurance—a system now in slow-motion collapse under the competitive pressures of
globalization. The other is institutional: even though there has long been popular support here for universal, government-run health care, as there is
in Europe and Canada, America’s fragmented political system—riddled with weak points where well-organized, well-financed minorities can thwart the unfocussed
will of a majority—has been able to deliver only for seniors and, less generously, for the poor.”

From My Inbox: Get to a human quickly customer service?

2006-04-19T08:08:00.000-07:00

It isn't a thing of the past! Excellent! This web site is a compellation of tips and tricks to speak to a live human in some of the most menu prolific companies. It includes backdoor numbers and tricks to bypass menu layered systems so that you can actually speak to a live human being.
Next time you have to call your cable company, resolve something with Visa or change cell phone plans check this web site in advance.
Someone should study the impact on the GDP caused by accessibly long hold times and non-intuitive menu mazes.
Check it out at:
>Get to a human

Google gets it together! Yeah!

2006-04-18T06:58:00.000-07:00

In an attempt to increase security and to stop both fraud and spammers large companies have started using visual varification systems. Security is great, and at the same time, these systems often amount to a denial of service for folks who can't see the computer screen. Pay Pal, Ebay and others have developed alternatives that work for folks who cannot see, but Google has been reluctent to provide an alternative means of accessing its visual varification systems. Thanks to folks at Blind Access Journal and theThe Google Petition Google is now offering an alternative security measure that works for folks who cannot see! Google also put out a job announcement for programing type folks who are experts in access technology. Great job Google!

Podcasting

2006-04-16T14:56:00.000-07:00

I have really enjoyed the world of Podcasts for several months now. What is a podcast?

I have taken the jump and now have my own Too Sexy F/Y Ignorance Podcast!

The firstpodcast is a tribute to my grandparents, Elwood and Dorathy Tucker. My grandparents were married for sixty years.
My Grandmother recently passed away after a hard battle withALS. She lost her ability to speak only a couple of weeks after this recording was made.
This podcast was recorded in November of 2005 durring my last visit with my Grandmother. I am so glad I recorded it and that I'll always have the ability to listen to her voice and her advice.

The audeo isn't perfect, but I think it's pretty special.

To subscribe to this podcast paist the following feed into your podcatching software.
http://www.gcast.com/u/Toosexyforyouri/main.xml

The Podcatching software I find the easiest to use is Juice

Celebrate Poetry

2006-04-15T18:51:00.000-07:00

This month is National Poetry Month.

I have always enjoyed the rhythm of poetry. I like to read poetry in Braille so I can feel and "see," the way the author intended the syllables to be heard.
In the spirit of celebrating National Poetry Month I will share one of my favorite poems.
When I was in junior high school I had to memorize the poem entitled, "Myself," by Edgar Albert Guest. Each of us struggles with our own demons and in spite of those demons most of us are hoping to experience authenticity and connection with other human beings. To me that is what this poem is about-ones ongoing internal struggle and the innate need for community or authentic connections with others.

Myself by: E. A. Guest
I have to live with myself and so
I want to be fit for myself to know .
I want to be able as days go by
always to look myself straight in the eye;
I don't want to stand with the setting sun
and hate myself for the things I have done .
I don't want to keep on a closet shelf
a lot of secrets about myself
and fool myself as I come and go
into thinking no one else will ever know
The kind of person I really am,
I don't want to dress up myself in sham.
I want to go out with my head erect
I want to deserve all men's respect;
but here in the struggle for fame and wealth
I want to be able to like myself.
I don't want to look at myself and know that
I am bluster and bluff and empty show .
I never can hide myself from me;
I see what others may never see;
I know what others may never know,
I never can fool myself and so,
whatever happens I want to be
self respecting and conscience free.

Seven Stylistic Sins

2006-04-07T23:21:00.000-07:00

The Elements Of Style WIKI

When writers misuse words or expressions, they reveal themselves to be unprofessional or uninformed.
In The Elements of Style
(New York: Macmillian, 1959) page 33, author William R. Strunk identifies many common style gaffes. Here are seven he recommends avoiding:

All right. Idiomatic in familiar speech as a detached phrase in the sense, "Agreed," or "Go ahead," or "O.K." Always written as two words; there is no such
word as alright.

Effect. As noun, means result; as verb, means to bring about, accomplish (not to be confused with affect, which means "to influence").

Farther, further. The two words are commonly interchanged, but there is a distinction worth observing: farther serves best as a distance word, further as
a time or quantity word. You chase a ball farther than the other fellow; you pursue a subject further.

Imply. Infer. Not interchangeable. (Editor's note: Per
The American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, fourth edition
at www.questia.com, "When we say that a speaker or sentence implies something, we mean that it is conveyed or suggested without being stated outright: Inference,
on the other hand, is the activity performed by a reader or interpreter in drawing conclusions that are not explicit in what is said.")

Irregardless. Should be regardless. The error results from failure to see the negative in -less, and from a desire to get it in as a prefix, suggested by
such words as irregular, irresponsible, and, perhaps especially, irrespective.

One of the most. Avoid this feeble formula. "One of the most interesting developments of modem science is, etc"; "Switzerland is one of the most interesting
countries of Europe." There is nothing wrong in this; it is simply threadbare.

The foreseeable future. A cliché and a fuzzy one. How much of the future is foreseeable? Ten minutes? Ten years? Any of it? By whom is it foreseeable? Seers?
Experts? Everybody?

April Fools Day

2006-04-07T23:11:00.000-07:00

April Fool's Day or All Fool's Day, a holiday known for pranks and practical jokes, was observed...

A. As New Year's Day by some cultures
B. As part of the vernal equinox
C. Widely by the English during the 1700s

According to Columbia Encyclopedia (Columbia University Press. 2004) 2455,
Block quote start
Prior to the adoption of the Gregorian calendar in 1564, the date was observed as New Year's Day by cultures as varied as the Roman and the Hindu. The holiday
is considered to be related to the festival of the vernal equinox, which occurs on Mar. 21. The English gave April Fool's Day its first widespread celebration
during the 18th cent.

Answer: D. All of the above!

Here's where I learned about April Fools!

WIKI on April Fools Day

The Other California

2006-03-24T08:06:00.000-08:00

I really wanted to pass this along. It is much longer than necessary. This piece is a great read. Truth is that even with laws and rights a dozen the humiliation of discrimination that many folks with disabilities, including myself face every day is palpable. Breaking down that divide will take more than money and enforcement of the law- it will take a major shift in social consciousness about what it means to be human- what it means to be an American citizen. Each of us is broken in some way, many of us just can't hide it as well.

The Other California
By Marty Omoto

"That the poor are invisible is one of the most important things about them. They are not simply neglected and forgotten as in the old rhetoric of reform;
what is much worse, they are not seen." - Michael Harrington (1962)

years ago, Michael Harrington wrote "The Other America" a book that lifted the heavy veil that made invisible to the rest of the country, the poorest Americans,
millions trapped in poverty - outside of public policy, outside of political power and outside of the American dream. Among those millions were hundreds
of thousands of people with disabilities - infants, children and adults, seniors and their families. Harrington wrote about the poor in the Appalachians,
the shocking hunger of children in the Mississippi Delta, the thousands who toiled the fields as migrant farmworkers in unimaginable conditions, and
the isolation of poverty in the inner cities, while discrimination prevailed against people of color, and agains

The book was read by President John F Kennedy and then Attorney General Robert Kennedy and profoundly influenced them - and millions of other Americans
since then. The ideas of many critical programs - Medicaid, Medicare, expanded social security benefits, food stamps and more can be traced back to his
explosive study on poverty, which, with the civil rights movement, galvanized the nation in the early 1960's into declaring "unconditional war on poverty".

Much progress for sure has been made since the book was published in 1962. Major civil rights and voting rights acts, creation of Medicare and Medicaid,
the federal Americans With Disabilities Act, Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, the Rehabilitation Act, California's Lanterman Developmental
Disabilities Services Act, Unruh Civil Rights Act, the Mental Health Services Act and more were enacted - the work of both Republicans and Democrats.
And yet, now almost a half century later the heavy veil that separates the people who have opportunities from the people who do not, remains, sometimes
lifting ever so briefly when indifference is overcome by accountability. There is still in this country, the "Other America", and, in this state, the "Other
California".

Hard Choices Not Made For Others
In the "Other California", in bad budget times for people with disabilities, seniors, for low income families, it seems that rights are rationed, and in
good budget times, somehow minimized among other worthy priorities. In the "Other California" the State fails to fully enforce the rights that it has
an obligation to fulfill, whether it is the right to special education, the right to public accommodations or the right to live independently in the community.

We recognize there limits to funding and resources, limits that people with disabilities and community organizations and workers contend with on a daily
basis for decades.
We could understand and respect the reasons of those who make decisions about limited funding and resources impacting people with disabilities and seniors
if policymakers in fact would recognize those limits for other groups in other budget areas. But they don't.
We have no quarrel with those other groups who push hard for higher wages or increased benefits or increased funding for pensions, or other funding. It
is their right to do so. But there is a profound disconnect to reality and fairness when the Legislature and Governor approve those requests for increased
spending for other groups and other budget areas, and then tell the community of people with disabilities and seniors that there are only hard choices
to be made.
If those in the "Other California" were told that the State is broke and has no money, and if then told that the Legislature and Governor did reject salary
increases for themselves, for the correctional system, for pensions, and expanding funding in other areas outside the health and human services budget
then at least fairness and honestry would be a part of the debate of what hard choices need to be made.

Read The rest at the CDCAN Web site

The Sun

2006-03-23T21:22:00.000-08:00

What am I thinking about today?
The sunshine. It seems to be getting bright and sunny much earlier these days. I seem to be drawn to the sunlight and I find myself turning my face to the sun the instant I sense its direction.
What did Helen Keller say? I think it was Something like Keep your face turned toward the sun and you’ll miss all of the shadows. Any how, that isn’t the exact quote but it is something prophetic like that.

Thoughts on Tuesday Morning

2006-03-21T06:32:00.000-08:00

Yesterday was Amanda the Seeing Eye Dog's birthday. I have been working with Amanda for 6 years. She never ceases to amaze. Amanda keeps me safe. She sees the dangers that I cannot see. Our relationship is rather remarkable and I appreciate this opportunity to gush about it.

Sorry about the bad links on this page. I am still trying to find time to learn how to insert tags into my blog. "In Process..."

From My Inbox: Amanda's Birthday

2006-03-20T12:07:00.000-08:00

(singg to the tune of "happy birthday")

Amanda,

woofy woof woof bark bark

barky barky bark bark , woof woof

woofy woofy bark Amanda

barky barky woof woof!

Wags
Douglas, Chip and Buzz

From My Inbox: Amanda's Birthday

2006-03-20T12:05:00.000-08:00

Dear Amanda,
Here we are again, the first day of Spring and another pupster
birthday. Soon, the rain will cease so your mom can stop retrieving poop
in the mud and you can roll around in the grass without muck clinging to
your coat. More sun means more romps in the park where you can chase
Korera and assert your dominance over Goldens. But, favorite pupster of
mine, no happy birthday perks will come of stealing your friend's food, so
practice a little compassion waghead and let her eat in peace. At eight,
I'm figuring you can take the high road and keep your dominance in check.
So, pupster, have a barking birthday, and maybe this year I actually
will learn the art of wag writing. I know you've tried to teach me, but I
am a slow learner. I wish you a year of satisfying work, long naps in the
sun and fun games of tug with Korera. Thanks for the top job you do
protecting and watching out for your mom. Now, tell her to thank you with
a hard-boiled egg or a nice juicy piece of ham.

Love and wags,
Leah

History of indictments at the White House

2006-03-15T05:31:00.000-08:00

# The only sitting Cabinet member in recent history to be indicted while in office was Raymond J. Donovan, President Reagan's labor secretary. In September
1984, Donovan was indicted along with several others, accused of grand larceny in his co-ownership of a construction firm. After going on unpaid leave
in October, Donovan resigned in March 1985. In 1987, a jury acquitted Donovan and his co-defendants.

# In October 2005, David H. Safavian, the top procurement official for President Bush, resigned. Three days later, he was arrested and indicted on five
felony counts connected to criminal investigation of lobbyist Jack Abramoff. At the time the indictment covered, from May 2002 to January 2004, Safavian
had been serving as the chief of staff at the General Services Administration. Case pending.

# In November 1996, Henry G. Cisneros resigned from his position as President Clinton's housing secretary. In December 1997, he was indicted on 18 counts
of conspiracy, obstruction and lying to the FBI. Cisneros pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor in 1999 and was fined $10,000.

# In December 1994, Mike Espy resigned from his position as Clinton's agriculture secretary. In August 1997, Espy was indicted on 39 corruption counts in
allegations that he had received financial gifts from Tyson Foods Inc., one of the companies his department regulated. In December 1998 Espy was acquitted
on all counts.

# In May 1993, White House travel office chief Billy R. Dale and his entire staff were fired by the Clinton administration. Dale was indicted in December
1994 on two counts of embezzlement and conversion after a grand jury said he pocketed up to $68,000 from media organizations traveling with the president.
Dale was acquitted of all charges in November 1995.

# In November 1986, John M. Poindexter resigned from his post as national security adviser to President Reagan. In March 1988, Poindexter and three others
were indicted in relation to the Iran-Contra affair. Poindexter was charged with two additional counts of obstructing Congress and two counts of making
false statements. He was convicted in 1990, but the charges were overturned the following year.

# In 1983, Thomas C. Reed resigned from the Reagan administration after working as a presidential assistant under National Security Adviser William P. Clark.
In August 1984, he was indicted on four counts related to alleged illegal stock trading. He was acquitted in 1985.

# In April 1973, President Nixon forced White House chief of staff H.R. Haldeman, domestic affairs counsel John Ehrlichman and five other staff members
to resign. In March 1974, they were indicted in connection with the Watergate cover-up. Along with several others found guilty, both Haldeman and Ehrlichman
were convicted in 1975 and sentenced to 18 months in prison.

History of indictments involving White House staff

From My Inbox: Firms that hire people with disabilities

2006-03-13T19:22:00.000-08:00

American consumers are responding positively to companies they consider socially responsible, and increasingly count those that hire disabled workers among
that group, according to a national public survey conducted by UMass Boston's Center for Social Development & Education in collaboration with the America's
Strength Foundation and published in the January issue of the Journal of Vocational Rehabilitation (Vol. 24, Issue 1, IOS Press). It is one of the first
studies to examine the attitudes of consumers toward companies that hire people with disabilities.

Titled, "A national survey of consumer attitudes toward companies that hire people with disabilities," the study reports overwhelmingly positive attitudes
among consumers toward socially responsible companies, and in particular toward those that hire individuals with disabilities.

Specifically, 92 percent of consumers surveyed felt more favorable toward companies that hire individuals with disabilities and 87 percent said they would
prefer to give their business to such companies. Among those surveyed, hiring people with disabilities ranked third behind offering health insurance to
all employees and protecting the environment as an indicator of a company's commitment to social justice.

World Baseball Classic

2006-03-12T15:57:00.000-08:00

My boyfriend and I are having a lot of fun following the World Baseball Classic. Sixteen teams from all over the world are currently competing to see who will emerge as the World Baseball Champions. These games will continue throughout the month. Interestingly, they are not expected to return until 2009. The USA played out of the first round of pool play and now are playing in a pool against Mexico, Korea and Japan.
The other day the USA Team mercied South Africa 17 to 0. South Africa has a really young team and they were playing against players like Roger Clemins! I had never seen a mercy rule instituted in baseball before.
Baseball has always been one of America's cherished pastimes. I don't know a lot about the game, but I love watching the competition. Read more at:

World Baseball Classic

Lincoln's Melancholy

2006-03-11T18:45:00.000-08:00

I am reading the greatest book right now. The book is entitled, "Lincoln's Melancholy : How Depression Challenged a President and Fueled His Greatness." The author, Joshua Wolf Shenk, looks at President Lincoln's depression and how it impacted his life. I did not realize that when Lincoln was twenty-six he basically had a melt down. He was treated extensivly for depression in his thirties as well. President Lincoln was a very sad man, but as the book points out, it was his sadness and his internal suffering that allowed him to be great. Not to make lite of depression. At the same time, I don't know anyone who has lived without experiencing mental suffering at some point in their lives. It is the decision you make about what to do with the suffering that matters I guess. I like how this book has forced me to think.
The book is availible through Audible.com or you can check it out at Amazon.

Read More at Amazon

Web Site Publishing Success!

2006-03-10T23:37:00.000-08:00

I have actually figured out how to post to my web site! This was not an easy task by any means. Yeah! Thank you Lisa and Microsoft telephone tech support. It only took me a year to get my blog to publish to my web site. Another big Thanks to Lary and the gang for inspiration! Who is Lary? Check out the Blind Cool Tech web site and find out!

Sexy?? Ignorant??

2005-04-27T04:30:00.000-07:00

“The question should be, is it worth trying to do, not can it be done.”
Allard Lowenstein
Student organizer and member of the House of Representatives for one term.

I bought a domain today. I bought www.toosexyforyourignorance.comm.

I am an American with a Disability. I am one of those people who the ADA was written to help.
I am also one of those people who spends a significant amount of time making “ignorant” people comfortable with my very presence.
I suspect I’m not alone on this one. I’m cool with being in a body that isn’t like most people’s bodies. My biggest problem is the reactions of the rest of the world- both passive and deliberate ones- that no ADA will ever change. The kind of change that would ensure equality of opportunity for people with disabilities would be a tremendous social shift from seeing disability as a tragedy or people with disabilities as inspirations.
Seriously, if you are going to call me an inspiration let it be because I am determined to better myself- not because I have the courage to go out of my house.
(Though there are certainly days where that does in fact require courage...)

Department of Justice ADA Status Reports
Americans with Disabilities

First Time...

2005-04-24T12:18:00.000-07:00

"The greatest obstacle to discovery is not ignorance -- it is the illusion of knowledge."
-Daniel Boorstin

“But somewhere I read of the freedom of assembly. Somewhere I read of the freedom of speech. Somewhere I read of
the freedom of the press. Somewhere I read that the greatness of America is the right to protest for right… We need all of you.”
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

“Writing is the work of art closest to life itself" Thoreau