[Nfbmt] A ridiculous Question

Mon Jan 6 22:03:17 UTC 2014

Hi guys.  I'm so new with the NFB.  Can anyone tell me if the NfB has a
civil rights attorney who works for the NFB on these issues?  It seems to me
that if we could find an attorney who is experienced fighting for civil
rights, we may have more luck in our fight.  Someone who can speak for us to
congress, someone who knows all the laws.  I know from personal experience
that when you go to court and fight for "civil rights" that people listen.
It will probably be the same in Congress because, as far as I know, congress
is made up of a bunch of lawyers anyway.  I think maybe we should "speak
their language."  
Becca 

-----Original Message-----
From: Nfbmt [mailto:nfbmt-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of sheila
Sent: Monday, January 6, 2014 8:06 AM
To: NFB of Montana Discussion List
Subject: Re: [Nfbmt] A ridiculous Question

I agree with you becca on all points.It is clearly a civil rights issue as
well as an economic one.
On 1/5/2014 7:45 PM, Rebecca Stewart wrote:
> All good points Joy.  As I said in my response a few minutes ago, the 
> federal minimum wage was put in place to guarantee that everyone would 
> be paid at least that much money for his/ her labor.  I think we 
> should consider coming at the issue from the angle of how we and all 
> other disabled Americans have the same right to the same minimum wage as
everyone else.
> How can congress single out one group of Americans and say that group 
> isn't entitled to the same minimum wage as everyone else?  It doesn't make
sense.
> If congress tried to pass a law saying that a particular race or 
> religion of people weren't entitled to the minimum wage for their 
> labor, do you think it would fly?  Of course not and it shouldn't be 
> happening in our situation either.  "A worker is worth his wages."  To 
> coin a phrase.  This is such a grave injustice.
> Becca
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Nfbmt [mailto:nfbmt-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Bruce&Joy 
> Breslauer
> Sent: Sunday, January 5, 2014 12:19 PM
> To: 'NFB of Montana Discussion List'
> Subject: Re: [Nfbmt] A ridiculous Question
>
> I agree with you, Rik.
> I think this is going to be a long haul.
> I am reminded that a stream of water, given enough time, will wear 
> away a channel in a rock.
> Progress may seem slow.
> But progress there will be.
> Many voices are louder than one.
> If we try, we may fail,
> But if we don't try, we will most certainly fail.
> I don't think we can afford to count our chickens before they hatch.
> Look what happened to the space available bill.
> I don't see a lot of room for optimism yet, But that makes the 
> striving that much more important.
> If it were going to be easy, it would have already been done.
> Joy
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Nfbmt [mailto:nfbmt-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Rik James
> Sent: Sunday, January 05, 2014 10:55 AM
> To: NFB of Montana Discussion List
> Cc: James Karen
> Subject: Re: [Nfbmt] A ridiculous Question
>
> I am appreciating what the NFB legislative team is doing. I am looking 
> forward to our trip to Washington, to be part of a collective voice to 
> express our dismay and disgust at what is, and has been going on for 
> much too long for our fellow blind persons.
>
> What we will ask them, the Congressional representatives to do is
important.
>
> For us, together and for each of individually, I guess I feel like I 
> need to get my head together and be informed.
>
> And to be able to boil it down into a few concise and understandable 
> sound bytes. Because that is what we will have in the way of time.
>
> Go around the room, if you please, now, fellow Fedearationists.
>
> Speak your mind now amongst ourselves.
>
> Sing the Dress Rehearsal Rag.
> (Oops, sorry! I drifted in to my music world for a moment, with that 
> Leonard Cohen song title.)
>
> What do you each know about the history of the minimum wage in America?
> In the general sense, I think this is valuable to understand.
>
> What are the big bullet points of that history, that have led us to 
> right now in time?
>
> History. All around us. Surrounding us.
> And the role we play, today, in that history.
> The future and the present. Unraveling all of it.
> That is what occupies part of my mind, as I try and see about what I 
> would like to be a part of in Washington at the end of this month.
>
> I wish I felt more optimistic. I have been following our Congress with 
> horror and dismay in the years since last I went on this advocacy 
> pilgrimage.
> And so it makes me rather a grim conversationalist, when sitting 
> around talking. Because I worry that we are all of us, sighted, blind 
> and whatever in a very rough patch for democratic principles, and 
> anyone without a huge money sack of lobby professionals, controlling the
pie slicing in America.
>
> But I let that rest. Are you glad?
>
> But here is the next little thing I have to say. That beyond those few 
> moments with a congressmen or one of their staff, there will be time 
> with one another, us in the National Federation of the Blind, from 
> Montana, and other state affiliate members around the nation, once 
> again. Anything is possible. Especially when we remain as we are, and 
> continue to evolve and to work together.
>
> And that is also precious. Don't you think?
>
> I just am hoping now that by that time the weather will cooperate with 
> us, too. For our travel needs. It will be what it will be. But I wish 
> for it to be smooth sailing, smooth flying, and a waltz on concrete 
> that is not so dreadfully slippery as it is here today in my home town.
>
> Peace Love Joy.
> And man the barricades. We will not go back.
> As Doctor Jernigan and others have chanted lo these decades now for 
> our rights for equality and justice, and a fair shake at everything 
> anyone with complete normal eyesight has.
>
> Rik
>
>
> .
>
>
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