[Ct-nfb] Futuristic Article

Sat May 2 16:56:45 UTC 2015

Hi Rich,

On October 30, 1938, many Americans turned on their radios and came across the radio broadcast of “The War of the Worlds.”

Those who were listening from the beginning enjoyed the Halloween special episode with whatever people ate during radio broadcasts back then, but those who tuned in halfway through the broadcast freaked out, loaded their guns, etc., because they really thought that aliens were invading planet Earth.

That’s pretty similar to what happened here.

To those who had been tuned in from the beginning, it all made sense, and they knew it wasn’t something that was actually happening right then. The people who aired that broadcast did not predict the mass panic, and, though I don’t think mass panic is the right word for what happened in our affiliate, I did not predict what did happen.

Personally, if I ever get behind on emails and then see something that comes totally out of left field, I check to see what came before it to see if that explains anything. It was my mistake, though, to not realize ahead of time that many affiliate members would not take the problem-solving approach that I instinctively do.

The intent was never to deceive. I chose not to add commentary because I wanted people to be able to focus on the article rather than any of my commentary.

Have a good day,

Justin

Justin Salisbury - Running Thunder Phoenix
Graduate Student
Professional Development and Research Institute on Blindness
Louisiana Tech University
Email: President at Alumni.ECU.edu<mailto:President at Alumni.ECU.edu>
Twitter: @SalisburyJustin

First they came for the Socialists, and I did not speak out—
Because I was not a Socialist.

Then they came for the Trade Unionists, and I did not speak out—
Because I was not a Trade Unionist.

Then they came for the Jews, and I did not speak out—
Because I was not a Jew.

Then they came for me—and there was no one left to speak for me.

Martin Niemöller

From: Ct-nfb [mailto:ct-nfb-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Richard McGaffin via Ct-nfb
Sent: Saturday, May 02, 2015 11:16 AM
To: Kathryn Webster; Elizabeth Rival; NFB of Connecticut Mailing List; NFB of Connecticut Mailing List
Subject: Re: [Ct-nfb] Futuristic Article

Good morning all;
Please forgive me if I'm speaking out of turn here, but I am a bit confused. I've been rather busy of late, and I'm sorry to say I'm not keeping up with what's going on.

Justin, I read that article you post on the list serve, and I must confess, I was Irate when I first read it to think that the health insurance agencies are attempting to deny individuals their right or use of a dog guides is bullshit! I an a cane traveler because that's what works for me, however any individual should be allowed to use what ever means they're most comfortable.

But now I'm reading that you wrote that article yourself, as a way of trying to gain our support. That the article isn't even true.

That's not cool there buddy, how are we supposed to write letters, make phone calls, and take part in things when our information is based on lies.

Look I'm all for doing my part in supporting the NFB, on things. But lying to our people isn't the way to do it.

I'm now wondering just how much of what we're preaching is really the truth, I mean we are fighting for the rights of the blind, but if we're not  given the correct information, that what we're doing is wrong. My personal opinion is that it sounds to me like we're being strong armed here..

I have to ask, does anyone in this organization know what the bill is really all about please send me the correct information on it and perhaps I can assist the cause.

Right now I am a bit concerned about our cause in general, I mean how can we fight for equality when we're being lied too. Is this what the Federation is really about, am I caught up in some kind of propaganda machine here? How can I get the sighted community to trust me, if my leaders are spreading false stories?

I also realize that I have been on the wrong side of debates in the past, and I know that I have stuck my foot in mouth, on may occasions, I don't think it's necessary to repeat them all, but I'm sure I can if I need too. And yes being the open minded free thinker I'd like to think I am I can accpet Justin's apology I mean we all make mistakes.

But I don't understand how everyone can slap someone on the back and say good job, when you're being lied too.

Remember my friends it was propaganda that almost killed a rece of individuals, because some dictator said it was the fault of these individuals for all the countries troubles, and yes I know I'm over reacting, but hey I'm trying to make a point don't tell some one their doing a great job, when they're making up stuff. Or is this the way of the Federation now.

Again, if I know the facts, as they truly are I'll help, but if I'm going to be lied to, I will have to rethink my affiliation with people that are following leadership that is spreading false information just gain support, kind of sounds like Hitler, don't you think? Sorry for thae comparison but gee, it's left a bad taste in my mouth here folks.

One last thing I will mention, I have no time for a long debate, nor am I interested, this is my opinion, and if you the affiliate board wish to remove me for my comments, as so many have been removed, that's cool too. I've heard things in the past that we should be careful of what we write because, certain people are reading what we write, well I don't think it's good for them to be reading false statements either.

Have a great weekend folks I have some research to do.

Rich

On Friday, May 1, 2015 12:55 PM, Kathryn Webster via Ct-nfb <ct-nfb at nfbnet.org> wrote:

Justin and all,
            Thank you for your apology. What matters most is that you recognized your mistake. We are not all perfect, and you clearly understand that.
Thank you for all the work you do in Connecticut.
Much Love,
Kate

Kathryn C. Webster
Board Member | National Federation of the Blind of Connecticut
President | North Carolina Association of Blind Students
Treasurer | Connecticut Association of Blind Students
Board Member | The Science and Engineering Division
(Coordinator | Connecticut BELL Program
Executive Editor | The Federationist Newsletter
203) 273-8463
kathrynwebster.nfb at gmail.com<mailto:kathrynwebster.nfb at gmail.com>

On May 1, 2015, at 9:50 AM, Elizabeth Rival via Ct-nfb <ct-nfb at nfbnet.org<mailto:ct-nfb at nfbnet.org>> wrote:

I agree one hundred percent with ED, no one is perfect and at least you are trying very hard for ct. Beth

From: Edward Shaham [mailto:personal.edward at gmail.com]
Sent: Thursday, April 30, 2015 6:16 PM
To: 'Elizabeth Rival'; 'NFB of Connecticut Mailing List'; 'Justin Salisbury'
Subject: Futuristic Article

Justin-

We of course do not believe deception was the purpose of your article. Sometimes things sound better in theory, but fall flat in application. You dedicate a lot of your time to help us here in Connecticut, and I know it’s much appreciated. Mistakes happen, and no one is perfect. I’m sure we can accept your apology, especially when you had the best intentions at heart.

Thanks,
Edward

From: Ct-nfb [mailto:ct-nfb-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Elizabeth Rival via Ct-nfb
Sent: Thursday, April 30, 2015 4:27 PM
To: 'Justin Salisbury'; 'NFB of Connecticut Mailing List'
Subject: Re: [Ct-nfb] Futuristic Article

Justin, everyone makes mistakes and I will not be one to throw stones your way. You try very hard, and I for one am proud of you for being active.  Beth

From: Ct-nfb [mailto:ct-nfb-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Justin Salisbury via Ct-nfb
Sent: Thursday, April 30, 2015 12:07 PM
To: 'ct-nfb at nfbnet.org<mailto:ct-nfb at nfbnet.org>'
Subject: [Ct-nfb] Futuristic Article

Federation Family:

I recently posted an article on this list to give everyone a depiction of what can happen if SB 234 passes as written. I did it with the assumption that subscribers to this list were reading and keeping up with messages about the bill. To those who were, it was obvious that the article was hypothetical and futuristic. It appears that I had applied this assumption too broadly, though, and I am sorry to have made this mistake.

For what it may be worth to you, the plan was to give people a concrete depiction of the threat that the current bill poses. I had planned to give people a few days to let that article simmer and then refocus everyone on how that article is not reality yet, using that as a platform for a surge of activism.

Well, anyway, that approach worked very well with some affiliate members and not so well with others. At first, I received messages from people who had been staying on top of the legislation and thanked me for the time and creativity to compose the article. Many of these folks even wrote to their state senators again with new inspiration, which I loved!

Then, I started getting messages from people who had not been on top of the legislative work that we’d been doing. Life gets busy, and unread messages sit in our inboxes; it happens. For these members, it had not been obvious that the article was futuristic and hypothetical. I had posted the article on our Facebook group, as well, which is where I really learned that we had people seeing the article without knowing any background. I am sorry for leaving room for that confusion to occur.

Then, I started receiving a volley of harsh personal attacks. I must admit that I was not prepared for the absolute hatred that I was receiving, sometimes from people I had never even heard of.

I am hoping that my next seven years of participation in our movement can be as full of growth and warmth as the first seven years were and that the acute pain that I have experienced over the past 24 hours will be only a blurred memory. I am sorry for inciting the immense hostility that I have brought upon myself.

Have a good one.

Justin

Justin Salisbury - Running Thunder Phoenix
Graduate Student
Professional Development and Research Institute on Blindness
Louisiana Tech University
Email: President at Alumni.ECU.edu<mailto:President at Alumni.ECU.edu>
Twitter: @SalisburyJustin

First they came for the Socialists, and I did not speak out—
Because I was not a Socialist.

Then they came for the Trade Unionists, and I did not speak out—
Because I was not a Trade Unionist.

Then they came for the Jews, and I did not speak out—
Because I was not a Jew.

Then they came for me—and there was no one left to speak for me.

Martin Niemöller

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