[nfbmi-talk] Blind Judge Making History On Michigan's Top Court

Mon Dec 29 15:21:32 UTC 2014

For my money, Joe Sontag is right on the money here!  I remember the day I was sitting in Constitutional law class and we were discussing the Fifth amendment. No one could remember exactly what it said and I just happened to have a Braille constitution in my bag. I took it out, held it on my lap and asked to be recognized, whereupon I read the Fifth amendment a-loud. I know I could have done this same thing if I had the Constitution electronically, but it was a really awesome thing to be able to demonstrate the effectiveness of Braille in our modern world. Everyone gave me new respect that day.  

And for the record, yes I too made it through law school in just 3 years, with the rest of my class. Throughout those years I commuted 130 miles round-trip every day, and cared for my family; even though Doug was out of town much of the time as a consultant and I was playing the single parent with no grand parents living near enough to help manage the load. 

I believe it is imperitive for us as blind persons to be the best that we can be in all situations, though surely we, like everyone else will be better at some things than others.  The more tools we can have, the better.

Happy New Year to all.  

Boone Christine Sent from my iPhone

On Dec 28, 2014, at 10:00 PM, Joe Sontag via nfbmi-talk <nfbmi-talk at nfbnet.org> wrote:

After seeing what a talented law student can do with Braille, compared with a blind lawyer having no Braille skills, I'm with Pauline completely.  the lawyer passed, but required four years for the normally 3-year program.  ?The student, in the middle of year two, is on track and will finish in three years.  And the student is at a 3.5+ GPA and is 35 years old. Give me a good memory and Braille any time.
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Terry D. Eagle via nfbmi-talk" <nfbmi-talk at nfbnet.org>
To: "'Pauline Smith'" <zim1993 at gmail.com>; "'NFB of Michigan Internet Mailing List'" <nfbmi-talk at nfbnet.org>
Sent: Sunday, December 28, 2014 19:47
Subject: Re: [nfbmi-talk] Blind Judge Making History On Michigan's Top Court

: Pauline, While I agree with you on the knowing and use of Braille, I differ
: on the reliance on Braille totally when it comes to law.  Having attended
: law school, one is taught to think and respond quickly on his/her feet, and
: that is where a greatly tuned memory comes in very handy and is essential
: for an attorney.  Having such a sharp memory lends credibility and value to
: a legal argument being made by a lawyer, including anticipating responses on
: both side of a legal issue, and memorized case facts, law and case citations
: are necessary to be highly effective.  It would nearly be impossible to
: quickly find and use Braille simply because of the number of Braille pages
: or cards that any case and legal issue would require to be adequately
: prepared for presenting an argument and response for any given case.  A good
: and prepared memory is virtually essential for an effective and successful
: blind attorney.
: 
: Respectfully,
: Terry
: 
: -----Original Message-----
: From: nfbmi-talk [mailto:nfbmi-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Pauline
: Smith via nfbmi-talk
: Sent: None
: To: Mark Eagle; NFB of Michigan Internet Mailing List; Joe Harcz Comcast
: Subject: Re: [nfbmi-talk] Blind Judge Making History On Michigan's Top Court
: 
: Maybe, this is quite a bit of (??) taking on my part but when Bernstein
: mentioned that he doesn't read and write like everyone else there is some
: truth to that. However if he was a Brail user. He could at least read and
: write. Maybe not the same way that everybody else that is visually but he is
: able to read and write and he wouldn't have to depend on an assistant to do
: everything as I said maybe this is too much (??) taking on my end but at the
: Brielle teacher and a lifelong user and advocate for Brielle. This got my
: hackles up.
: 
: Pauline 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.
: https://vemail1.whitelabelapp.net:443/enterprise/Recordings/NnwJAuO7-2014122
: 8-1738.wav
: 
: 
: > Original Message:
: > ---------------------------------
: > 
: > From: Mark Eagle via nfbmi-talk <nfbmi-talk at nfbnet.org> 
: > Sent: December 28, 2014 12:45:40 PM
: > To: NFB of Michigan Internet Mailing List <nfbmi-talk at nfbnet.org>, 
: Joe Harcz Comcast <joeharcz at comcast.net>
: > Subject: [nfbmi-talk] Blind Judge Making History On Michigan?s Top Court
: > 
: > Blind Judge Making History On Michigan?s Top Court
: >  By Kevin VanderkolkPublished: December 28, 2014, 6:25 am
: > 
: > DETROIT (AP) ? Richard Bernstein has been preparing for weeks to become
: Michigan?s newest Supreme Court justice, even if he doesn?t take office
: until Thursday.
: > Since winning election in November, the 41-year-old Bernstein, who is
: blind, has been listening to an assistant who reads legal briefs aloud.
: > Bernstein then memorizes the key points in cases that will be argued Jan.
: 13.
: > Bernstein says it would be easier to read and write like everyone else,
: but that?s not how he was born. Michigan has never had a blind judge on its
: highest court. Few other states have, either.
: > Justice Bridget McCormack says Bernstein?s background is different than
: anyone else?s on the high court. She says there?s a lot that her fellow
: justices can learn from him, especially in disability law.
: > _______________________________________________
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