[nfbmi-talk] A Little Birdi Told Me...

Wed May 25 17:07:11 UTC 2011

Hi, All,

I joined this list last week; this is my first post.

I'm glad for Christine also, and Mary, you are absolutely right.

Back in 1968 I became what was known in the Federation as th4e 
Weckerly case. I (and another teacher shortly after me) had to fight 
for tenure. The whole thing lasted five years before it finally ended 
in victory. During that time, my family expected I would lose--no 
support there. Year after year at convention Dr. Jernigan stated 
emphatically in his presidential report that we would win. Only the 
NFB backed and encouraged me! Of course, we did win it. Oftentimes, I 
am sure, no one else understands when you are being discriminated 
against or treated badly because of blindness. We do indeed walk 
alone and march together. While we're on the subject of supporting 
one another, I'd like to retell what happened in Chicago one year at 
convention--just in case there are people on this list who were not there.

A man wanted to work as an auto mechanic. While in Chicago, he got an 
interview and then wasa hired. His new employer told him to report 
Saturday morning (day after convention ended). There was one catch: 
he had to bring his own tools which at that time would cost him 
$1200. Rehab told him that getting those tools for him would take 
three months. We solved that one in a hurry! The hat was passed for a 
collection, and he got his tools as a no interest loan from us. You 
should have hear the cheering! Now that's a dramatic example of 
supporting one another.

Cordially,

Evelyn

At 12:43 PM 5/25/2011, you wrote:
>Dear Joe and Dave,
>
>I compliment both of you on your messages, well said.  Dr. Jernigan was so
>right to  teach us to fight only for issues which directly concern blind
>Americans because of the diversity of political and other kinds of opinion
>and beliefs held by NFB's members.
>When I heard the news yesterday about our sister, Christine, I first cheered
>and the cried.  Remember, Many of us marched out in the cold lat s  t Winter
>for the unjust treatment of Dave and Christine, and also our blind venders
>and agency clients who have, and are receiving horrific service by the
>agency given our tax payer money to help us find jobs.
>It is so sweet to have a victory, as I often feel despair settling in upon
>me when change comes so slowly.  Yet we remain committed to our cause of
>obtaining first class treatment for all blind people.  When one of us is
>weighed down by these injustices, we have others by our side to lean on till
>we can stand upright again.  That is why we choose to act as an organized
>blind movement and not just as individuals.
>
>No, we differ on some views, but we love one another as a family when one
>blind person is treated horrendously.
>Go Christine, go Dave!  We stand with you as long as it takes!
>
>Mary Wurtzel
>
>-----Original Message-----
>From: nfbmi-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:nfbmi-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org]
>On Behalf Of joe harcz Comcast
>Sent: Wednesday, May 25, 2011 7:37 AM
>To: NFB of Michigan Internet Mailing List
>Subject: Re: [nfbmi-talk] A Little Birdi Told Me...
>
>Dear Ray,
>
>I've refrained from commenting up until now because your message conflicts
>me deeply. One reason it conflicts me is that while I personally agree with
>many elements of your message it detracts from a great victory against
>injustice. Ray, I am well left of center as you know and I think most on
>this list know that too.  Part of being so self-labeled we are by nature for
>
>the organizational rights of workers including public sector employees. And
>certainly we agree that at a minimum public sector employees need to have
>the protections against arbitrary and capricious abuses of bosses
>established not only through collective bargaining, but also civil service,
>and other due process protections.
>
>Here, Christine and Dave Robinson before her showed that Patrick D. Cannon
>the so-called liberal Democrat knight in white armor, protector of civil
>rights, and of public sector employees was directly the opposite. He is a
>venal, abusive hypocrite. That is not just an allegation, but totally
>documented in these two cases alone and there have been others not mentioned
>
>on this list.
>
>Cannon is a self-serving autocrat who doesn't give a fig about the civil
>rights of people let alone those of blind employees or consumers.
>
>Christine was greatly wronged. but, more important than the personal abuse
>and subsequent victory is that this shows a pattern and practice of
>injustice under the reign of terror of Cannon against Michigan's blind
>citizens over years. Thus, this vindication of Christine is also a
>vindication of what advocates such as myself have been fighting about over
>the years too. It is a victory for all of those consumers abused over years
>too.
>
>One might not be totally fulfilled by belated justice, but, my brother it
>does taste sweet. I relish the flavor in my mouth today.
>
>Again Ray I share your concerns about other issues and the anti-government
>fever for lack of better words. But, corrupt government actors do us no
>favors. I fight against the corruption in the system to save the system if
>you catch my drift. If we don't do so the "radical right" for lack of better
>
>words will point to the abuses as an excuse for shutting down programs like
>Vocational Rehabilitation programs.
>
>This said, I too wish to say, "Congratulations Christine!" And I also wish
>to say, "Congratulations to all those who seek justice in our lifetime."
>
>Peace with Justice,
>
>Joe
>
>
>
>----- Original Message -----
>From: "Raymond Roberson" <rayrroberson at gmail.com>
>To: "Marcus Simmons" <MarcusSimmons at comcast.net>; "NFB of Michigan Internet
>Mailing List" <nfbmi-talk at nfbnet.org>
>Sent: Tuesday, May 24, 2011 7:20 PM
>Subject: Re: [nfbmi-talk] A Little Birdi Told Me...
>
>
> > good for christine boone. however the national federation of the blind of
> > michigan was stopped in its goal with the support of the national
> > headquarters in proceding toward a lawsuit in the state of michigan when
> > larry posont had to agree to not bring legal action against the michigan
> > commission for the blind as a condition to governor rick synder appointing
>
> > larry to the commission board. the little birdie told me and so larry
> > posont stopped the federation in michigan in its legal pursuits.
> > republicans have a national agenda and that is small governent by getting
> > rid of social programs such as social security, medicare, medicaid, taxing
>
> > the middle class, giving tax breaks to corporations which does not create
> > jobs in michigan or any where in the united states, and ship jobs out side
>
> > of the united states to other countries like china, india, mexico, ect.
> > the nfb of michigan was sold out, including state programs such as school
> > districts, violation of our state constitution by creating a state law
> > with out public hearing, the emergency financial manager. working on
> > collective bargaining rights of labor union who have a history of creating
>
> > safe work conditions,and other benefits such as decent wages, creating
> > child labor law so that children are not forced to work. now there is
> > started recall rick synder petitions in circulation in michigan synder is
> > no friend of the middle class or the poor. ray roberson
> > ----- Original Message -----
> > From: "Marcus Simmons" <MarcusSimmons at comcast.net>
> > To: <nfbmi-talk at nfbnet.org>
> > Sent: Tuesday, May 24, 2011 6:36 PM
> > Subject: [nfbmi-talk] A Little Birdi Told Me...
> >
> >
> >> Christine won her case. I am not surprise.
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> >
> >
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