[Nfbf-l] Vote on U.N. disability treaty blocked

Fri Nov 21 14:03:56 UTC 2014

That is a wonderful message. Good job Bill.
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Bill Outman via Nfbf-l" <nfbf-l at nfbnet.org>
To: "'NFB of Florida Internet Mailing List'" <nfbf-l at nfbnet.org>
Sent: Wednesday, November 19, 2014 3:53 PM
Subject: Re: [Nfbf-l] Vote on U.N. disability treaty blocked

Good afternoon.

A couple months ago you sent out this news article on the CRPD.

It inspired me to write a message to the organization cited which has been
blocking its ratification.  I had set it aside but I finally finished it
today.

I had attempted to send my letter via email this afternoon to HSLDA but I
was presented with a CAPTCHA challenge.  There was presented an opportunity
to get an audio challenge, but I didn't take it.  We know where that process
goes often times.

So I copied their mailing address into my letter and modified it into a
standard postal letter, which will go out soon.

Following my signature is what I wrote, aside from the formatting needed for
a letter.

Bill Outman

Good day.

I am writing to express great concern about your organization's unfounded
objections to the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with
Disabilities(CRPD).

This treaty will help expand opportunities for people with disabilities
around the world.  It is based on our own law, the Americans with
disabilities Act, which has been the law of the land since 1990.

This is the principal reason that fears about this treaty infringing on U.
S. sovereignty are without merit.  Because it has U. S. law as its primary
basis, the treaty does not require modifications of our laws.  Further, the
treaty does not confer powers of arrest or prosecution on any international
authorities.  Nor does it permit such parties to seek damages via civil
lawsuit in any manner other than that our laws already provide for.

Instead, the CRPD seeks to bring the rest of the world up to the standards
we strive to reach here at home.  This will help open doors of opportunity
to millions worldwide who struggle for equality.  This treaty represents a
chance, with its ratification,  for the U. S. to lead the world through
active participation rather than retreating from it.

A broad cross-section of organizations including those representing persons
with disabilities, veterans, civil rights advocates and other stakeholders
in our society such as business interests and faith-based organizations have
been supporting for a number of years passage of the CRPD.  This treaty has
been awaiting affirmative action since it was signed by the U. S. in 2009.

The Home School Legal Defense Association professes to speak on behalf of
the best interests of children and families in this nation, particularly
regarding matters of education.  Many in the home schooling movement profess
support of Christian values of human dignity for all, believing that life,
liberty, and the pursuit of happiness are unalienable rights that apply to
all in the world, not just Americans.  While I have personal concerns about
the efficacy and appropriateness of home schooling, I share these values.

For these reasons, I implore the HSLDA to comprehend the error of its
current opposition to the CRPD and rectify it.  HSLDA, in my opinion, ought
to urge every Senator to support this treaty and to ratify it without
further delay by a 100-0 vote.

Cordially,

William H. "Bill" Outman
Secretary, Greater Daytona Beach Chapter
National Federation of the Blind of Florida
1830 S. Clyde Morris Blvd. Apt. 45
Daytona Beach, FL 32119
(386) 756-0835
Email: woutman at earthlink.net

-----Original Message-----
From: Nfbf-l [mailto:nfbf-l-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Sherri via
Nfbf-l
Sent: Monday, September 22, 2014 9:58 AM
To: NFB Talk Mailing List; blindtlk at nfbnet.org; nfbf-l at nfbnet.org
Subject: [Nfbf-l] Vote on U.N. disability treaty blocked

Just passing on. Don't want to start a debate!

Sherri

Vote On UN Disability Treaty Blocked

By Michelle Diament | September 17, 2014 An objection from a Republican
senator Wednesday derailed an attempt to bring a vote on ratification of the
United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.
(Thinkstock)

An objection from a Republican senator Wednesday derailed an attempt to
bring a vote on ratification of the United Nations Convention on the Rights
of Persons with Disabilities. (Thinkstock)

An effort in the U.S. Senate to bring a vote on an international disability
rights treaty has been squashed.

Sen. Tom Harkin, D-Iowa, took to the Senate floor Wednesday calling for a
unanimous consent vote on the United Nations Convention on the Rights of
Persons with Disabilities.

The senator requested two hours of debate on the treaty with no amendments
followed by an up-or-down vote much like the Senate did two years ago.

Within minutes, however, the plan was shot down with an objection from Sen.
Mike Lee, R-Utah, who said that two hours of debate was insufficient and
indicated that amendments should be allowed.

"There are a number of our colleagues, both on and off the committee, who
have concerns with this treaty," Lee said.

The U.N. Convention, which establishes an international standard for
disability rights similar to what's already in place domestically through
the Americans with Disabilities Act, was signed by the United States in
2009, but Senate approval is needed for ratification and official
participation.

The treaty is broadly supported by disability advocates and many civil
rights, faith, business and veterans organizations. However, critics
spearheaded by the Home School Legal Defense Association contend that the
treaty would compromise U.S. sovereignty.

A previous effort in 2012 to ratify the U.N. Convention failed  in the
Senate on a largely party-lines vote.

Harkin said it was "another sad, irresponsible day in the U.S. Senate" after
Lee's objection derailed his hope for a new vote.

Earlier this week, the United Nations announced that 150 countries have
ratified the disability treaty.

Sherri

Character is the side of yourself you choose to show the world.
Integrity is what you do, what you say and how you act when you think no one

is paying attention.
Sherri Brun
NFBF Newsline Chair
flmom2006 at gmail.com
_______________________________________________
Nfbf-l mailing list
Nfbf-l at nfbnet.org
http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nfbf-l_nfbnet.org
To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
Nfbf-l:
http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nfbf-l_nfbnet.org/woutman%40earthlink.net

---
This email is free from viruses and malware because avast! Antivirus 
protection is active.
http://www.avast.com

_______________________________________________
Nfbf-l mailing list
Nfbf-l at nfbnet.org
http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nfbf-l_nfbnet.org
To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for 
Nfbf-l:
http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nfbf-l_nfbnet.org/flmom2006%40gmail.com 