[nfbmi-talk] opinion only
Regina Alvarado
regina.alvarado6 at gmail.com
Fri Mar 18 16:22:59 UTC 2011
Tonya: I said that I hear from friends of mine, who may or may not be in the
ACB, that they (ACB) are screaming to the rooftops now, just like we did
about Granholm's choices. That was all. I may have signed Reggie and
Brooks. Brooks is my lab guide. Sometimes I sign that way but here not
usually.
Reggie
-----Original Message-----
From: nfbmi-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:nfbmi-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org]
On Behalf Of Tonya Smith
Sent: Thursday, March 17, 2011 4:33 PM
To: NFB of Michigan Internet Mailing List
Subject: Re: [nfbmi-talk] opinion only
Hey, this is Tonya.
I'm sorry to hear about your cancer. What did you say at the end of the
e-mail? I didn't quite understand it. It sounded like it was something
"brooks." I didn't quite understand that.
But anyway, yeah, I know what you mean. Well, let me ask you this. I think
that we chose Rick as a good candidate, besides, it's called "tough love."
You know? There's too much of government people and people they think they
need SSI and food stamps when they really don't, when the people who really
need it is myself, who doesn't work, and people who are basically, you know,
unemployed.
Other than that, I mean, people who have jobs and they don't, you know, and
they can't get food, they shouldn't be allowed food stamps, you know,
because, I mean, they have jobs and they're not disabled like I am, okay? I
mean, those are the only people that should be allowed to get it, is the
disabled and the low-income. I mean, people are well capable enough to get
jobs. And this is what Rick is trying to do, he's trying to weed out the
people who are not doing well-enough jobs like
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> Original Message:
> ---------------------------------
>
> From: Regina Alvarado <regina.alvarado6 at gmail.com>
> Sent: March 17, 2011 3:40:39 PM
> To: NFB of Michigan Internet Mailing List <nfbmi-talk at nfbnet.org>
> Subject: Re: [nfbmi-talk] opinion only
>
> It is not that I am disagreeing with the appointments, although it
> seems even Snyder is having second concerns, I am pointing to the fact
> that we squeaked when Granholm placed someone we didn't like on the
> Board. The rest I understand, figuring any group has people in
> another group they don't like, but with all that has happened to me
> with the cancer and all over the last year, I can't stand the
> nonsense, and now I hear from friends of mine it is coming from ACB just
like it did from the NFB last year.
> Reggie and Brooks
>
>
> --------------------------------------------------
> From: "Tonya Smith" <tonyasmith75 at live.com>
> Sent: Thursday, March 17, 2011 1:54 PM
> To: "NFB of Michigan Internet Mailing List" <nfbmi-talk at nfbnet.org>
> Subject: Re: [nfbmi-talk] opinion only
>
> > Hey, this is Tonya. You know, I have to agree with you all of this
> > bickering is really starting to annoy me. This is what I was told
> > the ACB and NFB doesn't get along and frankly, you know what, I'm
> > glad I didn't sign up, I'm glad I didn't become a member yet and I
probably won't.
> > Frankly, I'm not taking one over the other, Mary is the best person,
> > he's been appointed and good for him. I like Rick, I don't like
> > Gran Holmes, she didn't do nothing. She down graded jobs, she put
> > jobs in other states, she messed up our economy along with other
> > Presidents in the US, so, you know and that's basically the way I
> > see it, okay and I'm not going to sugar code it and I'm sorry but that's
just the way I feel, you know.
> > She didn't do a good job, she down graded everything, she basically
> > messed up the economy. I mean, my gosh, even my own husband doesn't
> > like her, you know, so I mean, I think what you're wishing for is
> > basically, well I think you're beating a dead horse here. You know
> > because people have difference of opinions whether you like it or
> > not and I guess if you don't like what's being said, don't say
> > anything, you know, because you're just going to get ended up in the
> > mix, you know, and if you don't care to belong to either
> > organization then
> >
> > Tonya Smith sent you this voice-to-text generated email using Voice
> > on the Go.
> > To listen, click on the voice message link or open the attachment.
> > http://vemail2.whitelabelapp.net:8080/enterprise/Recordings/8wumZaBP
> > -20110317-1328.wav
> >
> >
> >> Original Message:
> >> ---------------------------------
> >>
> >> From: Regina Alvarado <regina.alvarado6 at gmail.com>
> >> Sent: March 17, 2011 1:08:40 PM
> >> To: NFB of Michigan Internet Mailing List <nfbmi-talk at nfbnet.org>
> >> Subject: Re: [nfbmi-talk] opinion only
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >> I have stayed out of this as I have been too angry to write. First
> >> of all, let me say here that I believe Christine and especially
> >> Larry are the best people to be on the Board. My problem is not
> >> his placement on the Board but the fact that Snyder placed him
> >> there. Did the NFBMI scream to high heaven when Granholm place
> >> someone from the ACB on the Board. Are we not being just a bit
> >> hypocritical here? Nepatism (sorry for the spelling) goes on in
> >> both parties, but lets call it what it is. He knew Larry and
> >> nobody else.
> >> Why should be we high fiving when we screamed at Granholm? Anyway,
> >> I am coming to the conclusion that it is about time we begin to
> >> work together for the betterment of blind people instead of playing
> >> games. In case nobody has payed attention, more blind people I
> >> know think the NFB doesn't speak for them than do. Just look at
> >> Newsline subscribers. I want everyone to be on the same side
> >> against what we know is incorrect, not fighting each other, and
> >> most of all I want hypocrisy to be acknowledged for what it is.
> >> Personally right now, I do not care if I belong to NFB or ACB. I
> >> just happen to believe in some of NFB's philosophy.
> >> However, I will say here I do not eat, drink, sleep, smoke, or
> >> anything else the NFB line nor do I the ACB's.
> >>
> >> Again, I think Larry is the best person for this, but NFBMI was
> >> just a bit hypocritical in my opinion. Sounds from the news clip
> >> that the governor is just a tad worried too! OK got it off my
> >> chest. Am staying in the WWCC chapter until I move to Florida
> >> (hopefully sooner than later), but not sure I am going to be a part
> >> of any blind organization once I hit Florida except maybe Guide Dog
> >> Users.
> >> Reggie who wants peace and honesty as life it just too darned short
> >> to fight with one another
> >>
> >>
> >> --------------------------------------------------
> >> From: "joe harcz Comcast" <joeharcz at comcast.net>
> >> Sent: Thursday, March 17, 2011 11:12 AM
> >> To: <nfbmi-talk at nfbnet.org>
> >> Subject: [nfbmi-talk] horrible slanted news
> >>
> >> > This is just plain disgusting and just plain fluff. Listen please
> >> > you all.
> >> > I'm personally a decidedly left of center person and all know
> >> > I've had political and philosophical disputes with both NFB and
> >> > ACB for that matter. It is all irrelevant. The MCB is a federally
> >> > funded program that is supposed to run under the rule of law and
> >> > not the rule of man as are all others. That is independent, or
> >> > should be of politics. Yet, here we have basically a news plant,
> >> > devoidof content that is meaningful which is typical Cannon modus
> >> > operandi. The news should in my mind do some due diligence in
> >> > reporting real and documented actions rather than playing
> >> > political football. Maybe they should look into the books of MCB.
> >> > And, as per Richard Bernstein all I have to say is this: "I've
> >> > sent him for years documentation of the ADA violations by Cannon
> >> > and MCB. I ask openly
> >> > here:
> >> > What gives?"
> >> >
> >> > Darn maybe he'd like to see the accessibility surveys and such in
> >> > accessible format of MCB and other state facilities. Oops he's
> >> > seen as much as I have.
> >> >
> >> >
> >> >
> >> > IOh, my I'm trying very hard not to swear here. But, I've begged
> >> > Bernbnstein, M PAS and others, literally and in phone calls and
> >> > in writing to sue MCB for ADA violations.
> >> >
> >> > I personally have grave reservations and will protest other
> >> > issues related to the Snyder administration and our Republican
> >> > dominated legislature.
> >> > But, this stuff is nothing short of pure political football
> >> > without any accountability, which should be the bottom line of
> >> > news period. And end of story. Except that Bernstein, Bodding,
> >> > and the Detroit News should simply look at the books and the
> >> > shenigans and all the other crap conducted under the regime of
> >> > Cannon.
> >> >
> >> > I, for one, as a former journalist am damned sick and tired of
> >> > the fluff, and PR driven news coverage in general and in specific
> >> > here. That goes to both the so-called right and the so-called
> >> > left. Facts are facts and news should be fact driven.
> >> >
> >> > And I don't give a rat's posterior if those facts hit a Democrat
> >> > or a Republican, or a Socialist, or a doornob.
> >> >
> >> > This is nothing but politics in the worst sense of the term. This
> >> > is nothing but character assasination by default without examing
> >> > the facts.
> >> >
> >> > Arrgh! Let me write later about the stuff on my old computer
> >> > related to the Kerry campaign and Janelle Cannon. Let me write
> >> > later about trying to make Democratic Party functions and events
> >> > and even the 2004 primary fully accessable to the blind.
> >> >
> >> > Let me write later about all my years of trying to make the
> >> > Grandholm Administration and all of its programs, services and
> >> > activities accessable to all people with all disabilities. Argh!
> >> > And much of what you good people on this list have seen in these
> >> > regards has been sent to both Richard Bernstein and in fact the
> >> > Detroit News.
> >> >
> >> > I am so outraged at this crap I simply can hardly write. But,
> >> > this needs to be a component of the public record.
> >> >
> >> > Larry is an honest broker. He and I differ generally when it
> >> > comes to nominal party affiliation. In fact and I'll say it here
> >> > my only issue with Obama is that he is far to the right of me.
> >> > Now, that and a dollar or two will get us all a cup of coffee.
> >> >
> >> > Opinions are like noses as everyone has one for the most part.
> >> > But, facts are facts.
> >> >
> >> > For too damned long. Far too damned long MCB has run as a sort of
> >> > secret government. And I and others wish the News and other
> >> > so-called news sources would simply look at the books. Or maybe
> >> > they should simply look at attending today's meeting and finding
> >> > the entrance with a blind fold on or in a wheelchair.
> >> >
> >> > This is incredible in that for some reason if it is done then the
> >> > stuff I've sent to the News, to Bernstein and others about
> >> > compliance and simply fixing the ADA issues alone surrounding MCB
> >> > will come to light.
> >> >
> >> > Man, for ten years I've tried to get Bernstein to sue MCB and
> >> > other state entities for violations of the ADA. These are known
> >> > and documented violations bythe way and not some spin or
> >> > conjecture including the lack of ADAAG required raised character
> >> > and Braille signage in all state buildings. This also includes
> >> > independence reports forwarded to Bernstein and in fact a Detroit
> >> > News reporter documenting these things as well as other issues
> >> > relevent to ADA, Title II compliance.
> >> >
> >> >
> >> > Argh!! Argh!
> >> >
> >> > Here things are clear. Neither the News nor Bernstein or anyone
> >> > else really cares about the ADA or our civil rights or facts.
> >> > They just care about politics.
> >> >
> >> > They are as guilty as this Administration and this Legislature of
> >> > going after people with disabilities and those who are blind. A
> >> > pox on them both! But, the outrage expressed here is simply an
> >> > outrage and bovine stuff of the highest order.
> >> >
> >> > The politics and the crap will ultimately shut MCB and otherstate
> >> > run organizations like it down and it all goes to politics.
> >> >
> >> > And sadly, most sadly it is politics devoid of principle and
> >> > laden in fact and deed with personal engrandisement of a few
> >> > chosen, and that includes Cannon. Who died and named him God?
> >> > What the heck is his documented track record devoid of politics?
> >> > Has the News or any other so-called news source ever investigated
> >> > the fact that this clown is the highest paid and highest placed
> >> > public official in the entire state without a college degree?
> >> >
> >> > The News and MCB and all Party types should be made aware that
> >> > all agencies of state government should be scrutinized regardless
> >> > as to affilliation, or politics and on objective standards. And
> >> > MCB is and should not be immune to that scrutiny.
> >> >
> >> >
> >> >
> >> >
> >> >
> >> >
> >> > Joe
> >> >
> >> > Snyder appointee to agency for blind risks conflict
> >> >
> >> >
> >> >
> >> > New commissioner, director have been at odds for years
> >> >
> >> >
> >> >
> >> > Paul Egan / Detroit News Lansing Bureau
> >> >
> >> >
> >> >
> >> > Lansing ? Gov. Rick Snyder's appointment to the Michigan
> >> > Commission for the Blind of a vocal critic has set the stage for
> >> > increased turmoil at the agency
> >> >
> >> > that serves the state's estimated 45,000 blind people.
> >> >
> >> >
> >> >
> >> > Snyder's press secretary, Sara Wurfel, says the governor wasn't
> >> > aware of the bad blood between his newly appointed commissioner,
> >> > Larry Posont, and longtime
> >> >
> >> > agency director Pat Cannon when he appointed Posont earlier this
month.
> >> >
> >> >
> >> >
> >> > Posont, who is blind and serves as Michigan president of the
> >> > National Federation of the Blind, says Cannon has fostered "an
> >> > atmosphere of cover-up, secrecy
> >> >
> >> > and intimidation," and he wants him to step down. Cannon, who is
> >> > also blind and has held his state post since 1998, denies the
> >> > allegations and says he
> >> >
> >> > has no intention of leaving.
> >> >
> >> >
> >> >
> >> > "This is not good," said Richard Bernstein, a prominent blind
> >> > attorney from Farmington Hills who last year sought the
> >> > Democratic nomination for attorney
> >> >
> >> > general. "At a time when you're going through critical budget cuts ?
> >> > you
> >> > really need to have more cohesion."
> >> >
> >> >
> >> >
> >> > The heads of two agencies that advocate for the blind have
> >> > written Snyder asking him to reconsider the appointment to the
> >> > five-member commission charged
> >> >
> >> > with helping blind people live and work independently. It holds
> >> > its quarterly meeting in Lansing today and Friday.
> >> >
> >> >
> >> >
> >> > "I would like to see them withdraw the appointment," said Gwen
> >> > Botting of Ionia, president of Michigan Parents of Children with
> >> > Visual Impairments.
> >> > "It
> >> >
> >> > is a mistake, in my opinion."
> >> >
> >> >
> >> >
> >> > Joe Sibley, president of the Michigan Council of the Blind, said
> >> > he's "concerned this could be damaging in the long run,
> >> > especially if
> >> > (Posont)
> >> > is made
> >> >
> >> > chairman."
> >> >
> >> >
> >> >
> >> > As federation president, Posont, 59, has organized a public
> >> > demonstration against Cannon for about the past two years has
> >> > criticized his handling of personnel
> >> >
> >> > issues, his dealings with blind entrepreneurs who operate shops
> >> > or vending machines in state buildings, and his handling of a
> >> > federal audit, among other
> >> >
> >> > issues. Posont said his main priority as a commissioner is to do
> >> > a better job of helping blind people get jobs.
> >> >
> >> >
> >> >
> >> > "Mr. Cannon's recent actions are an unwarranted abuse of power and
> >> > amount
> >> > to intimidation and bullying of blind citizens of Michigan who dare
to
> >> > speak for
> >> >
> >> > themselves and question his policies," Posont said after Cannon's
2010
> >> > firing of Christine Boone, who is blind, as director of the
> >> > commission's
> >> > Blind Training
> >> >
> >> > Center in Kalamazoo.
> >> >
> >> >
> >> >
> >> > Wurfel said Snyder's children know Posont's children but the governor
> >> > wasn't "aware of the extent of the commission's history" when he
> >> > appointed
> >> > Posont
> >> >
> >> > on March 2. Snyder expects "both appointees and staff to work
together
> >> > in
> >> > a collaborative, constructive fashion," she said. "Moving forward to
> >> > best
> >> > serve
> >> >
> >> > the blind and visually impaired community is imperative."
> >> >
> >> >
> >> >
> >> > Posont of Dearborn Heights did not sound conciliatory this week. "He
> >> > (Cannon) could go between now and June and we wouldn't have to figure
> >> > out
> >> > a way to
> >> >
> >> > push him out," he said. Otherwise, "this could get very dirty."
> >> >
> >> >
> >> >
> >> > Cannon, 68, whose $125,000-a-year post is civil service, not a
> >> > political
> >> > appointment, said Posont's comments are surprising and unfortunate.
> >> >
> >> >
> >> >
> >> > "We are both dedicated to working in the best interests of blind
people
> >> > in
> >> > Michigan," he said. "I am optimistic that we will work well
together."
> >> >
> >> >
> >> >
> >> > The commission, which is not paid, must have at least three members
who
> >> > are blind. It can't dismiss Cannon but annually reviews his
performance
> >> > and recommends
> >> >
> >> > a replacement if the post becomes vacant. Cannon said he's received
> >> > "outstanding evaluations over the last 13 years."
> >> >
> >> >
> >> >
> >> > Though both advocate for the blind, Posont's federation and Sibley's
> >> > council have different philosophies on issues such as whether special
> >> > accommodations
> >> >
> >> > should be made for blind people, with the federation less supportive
of
> >> > such measures.
> >> >
> >> >
> >> >
> >> > Sibley said the council takes a nonconfrontational approach while
> >> > Posont
> >> > prefers the "pit bull" method. Posont agreed the federation is more
> >> > aggressive
> >> >
> >> > than the council and said it is less supportive of special measures,
> >> > such
> >> > as currency implants to help blind people distinguish one
denomination
> >> > of
> >> > bill
> >> >
> >> > from another.
> >> >
> >> >
> >> >
> >> > Boone was fired for allegedly violating rules about workplace safety
> >> > and
> >> > firearms on state property after she used pellet guns to offer
> >> > marksmanship training
> >> >
> >> > to blind students.
> >> >
> >> >
> >> >
> >> > Cannon said he can't comment on a personnel matter.
> >> >
> >> >
> >> >
> >> > Posont said Boone had been doing an "exemplary job" of instilling
> >> > students
> >> > with "a positive philosophy of blindness" and Cannon had verbally
> >> > signed
> >> > off
> >> >
> >> > on the marksmanship training. There was no safety issue and the
> >> > small-caliber pellet guns used are not even considered firearms under
> >> > Michigan law, he
> >> >
> >> > said.
> >> >
> >> >
> >> >
> >> > Posont put out a news release announcing his appointment before the
> >> > governor's office did. Posont's release said Snyder had named him
> >> > chairman; Snyder's
> >> >
> >> > release only named Posont a member. Posont conceded his release was
> >> > premature.
> >> >
> >> >
> >> >
> >> >
http://www.detnews.com/article/20110317/POLITICS02/103170410/1022/Snyder-app
ointee-to-agency-for-blind-risks-conflict
> >> >
> >> >
> >> > _______________________________________________
> >> > nfbmi-talk mailing list
> >> > nfbmi-talk at nfbnet.org
> >> > http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nfbmi-talk_nfbnet.org
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> >> >
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