RE: the Litmus Test Issue

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You just saw my recent clip saying that I can fly. Thats when you should ask for a litmus test to see if I have an "excess acidic ph-level," so to speak, that might be influencing my reasoning. It's important to have these kinds of litmus tests, when called for, to make sure that people have information to back up what they say in their vlogs and blogs.

The litmus test issue is being distorted. Sometimes a "litmus test" is perfectly needed in the Deaf community, because some vloggers and bloggers are following an agenda that involves not being straightforward with their viewers and readers. It is good to be skeptical while participating in discussions on blogs, in order to counter misleading information, falsehoods, and the spreading of lies. For example, Barry Sewell will not be satisfied until he has destroyed the DBC and "broken its neck." That's the only thing that would make him happy. He will find any excuse, any small off-the-point detail or distorted pseudo-rationale to try to crush the DBC to death for his own person benefit, not for Deaf babies and for Deaf children's benefits. That's when it accurate to say that there is "excess acid" on their vlogs/blogs and which causes their vlogs/blogs to not function properly. Some gullible or naive viewers and readers would believe anything what vloggers and bloggers say without checking the resources and information to confirm the claims. They would swallow many fish--and this too could produce "excess acidity," to use a metaphor, by being gullible rather than stand back and questioning with skeptical eyes to make sure if they have valid information.

(Quote:) 'I wanted a commitment from either George Bush or John McCain that if elected he would appoint pro-life judges to the Supreme Court,' Bauer told me. 'Bush said he had no litmus test, and his judges would be strict constructionists." Americablog.com, "Now McCain is flip-flopping on judges"

Now we can see DeafRead viewers, bloggers, and vloggers declining to participate due to the destructive behavior of certain vloggers/bloggers and some DeafRead editors. It is critical to have a litmus test done to check to see what their real agenda might be. It is sad to witness certain people trying to manipulate the Deafread's viewers by creating false guilt trips so they can evade the real issues which point to their own major faults and ulterior motives.

AGBELL: No! Stop teasing me! Cut it out! Oh no! No wonder! Oh my! That explains!

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AGBELL's website: Kathleen Treni

Here is my vlog from last December: "JRNAD Forced to Shut Down: Oralism"

REDO VLOG: Cheap Talk

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Thanks to DeafVideo comment makers for giving me their inputs about my question regarding to my first post, "Cheap Talk". I decided to redo the vlog after I have thought about their inputs. I hope this time would be better clarification. :o)

DBC and NAD

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On the one hand, we have the DBC, which recognizes the issues and has taken action. The DBC members are also the ones who sent a wake-up call to the NAD, big time. The DBC is welcoming the NAD with an open arm to work together to promote ASL. I've paid close attention in order to sure that the DBC is on the right track, because I do not want DBC later, down the road to fall into same mistake that the NAD has made. The DBC is now providing a good example that NAD needs to follow and the NAD is an example to the DBC, showing what mistakes should be avoided. The DBC and the Deaf community will push the NAD, so that it can become the best organization that serves all the different Deaf issues combined. Finally, the Deaf community will continue to provide its view that we want to see those organizations of Deaf people grow into becoming strong organizations. The more healthy voices we have, the more our organizations of Deaf people will become stronger. It is same thing with America as a whole. The more Americans provide a healthy voice, the more America becomes stronger.

Please make room for DBC to grow with compassion, and at same time we should have realistic expectations for them to grow into a great organization for Deaf babies and Deaf children.

I'll two more vlogs about "the lighthouse" and a "Dirt Pail" as I promised. These vlogs will not have transcripts. These are stories that I got from my very good friend and I always think about them, whatever I am going through. It's good to refresh one's memory about these stories. It's good to remember...

NAD Should Have Done Something about Promoting ASL Long Long Time Ago

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The NAD should have done something to support Deaf babies and children learning ASL a long long time ago. The DBC took action to stop this cycle of Deaf babies and Deaf children being denied access to sign language. There are some survivors who've been abused by Oralism (the philosophy) and the NAD knows it and chose to be blind to this fact. I was a survivor of Oralism.

Now you can understand why I am one of those people who is skeptical about Bobbie Scoggins' minimizing of our skepticism of the NAD.

Historical Timeline of NAD.

DBC Core Members and A question for you

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I strongly believe that DBC leaders are open to input from the Deaf community. I know that Ella is available to the community and will communicate more in vlogs, too. She wants to recognize and express appreciation to the people who participated first, so let's let her do that. We seem to be too accustomed to having negative expectations. It's time for us to focus on the positive first and then we can get on with the rest. I suggest to some people that they need to put down their "shotguns," because there is no need for such hostility against the DBC. If you want DBC leaders to recognize your concerns, then you should express your clear concerns or questions in a positive manner, either in a vlog or private e-mail.

Do you want to create a kind of environment where a person tries to wrestle a leader or a supporter of ASL into the dirt, then blind them with intense light, pour with honey all over their face, and then release fire ants all over their heads, and demand them to answer the questions?

DBC's Thank You Vlog

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The DBC just did express thanks and gratification to all the committee members and the people who participated. Without the committee members and the participants, it would not have been a success. It is so rare to see such a great number of people getting together to promote awareness of how important it is for Deaf babies and children to have access to American Sign Language so they can have a strong foundation in a first language (ASL) to be able to acquire a second language (English). Learning ASL will increase Deaf babies' and children's chances of being able to learn a spoken language, because of the fact that ASL is a visual language and vision is a strength for Deaf children. I can imagine that they are really grateful for support from so many people that contributed in this community effort. I believe it is the first time in history of Deaf organizations where such a large number of people came together in such a short time, all in less than one year's time...

Now a couple of people complained about them expression too much gratification. I understand some of us have short attention spans, but let's give the DBC credit for being soooooo thankful to the volunteers.

DBC proved my vlog right about "Stereotypes"

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Hey Everyone! When I watched DBC's new 22-minute vlog that gives great heartfelt thanks to so many wonderful people who got involved and helped at Milwaukee--people who contributed to make it a gratifying and successful event (with Kristin Weiner and Ella Lentz's wonderfully fluent signing on the video), my reaction was "Oh, wow!!! The DBC just showed by their good example that what I said in a vlog last year about Deaf people and stereotypes is true: It is NOT true when some people say that all Deaf organizations never show appreciation to their volunteers. Vlog: STEREOTYPE: ONE DEAF PERSON REPRESENTS AS A WHOLE DEAF COMMUNITY

This is a perfect example that supports my point, which is that people need to stop perpetuating the stereotype, which falsely attempts to label ALL Deaf organizations as being organizations, which do not show appreciation to their volunteers.

DeafRead: Strong Vloggers/Bloggers Can Conquer ALL

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DeafRead: Individual Deafhood Journey

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Joseph R.: What is Deafhood?

Genie Gertz: A Journey to a Deafhood (has a transcript. Good information)

DeafRead: Cheap Talk

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I ask Ist (Tommy), which group is really cheap talk. This question is open to anyone to answer. :o)

Leaving DeafRead during Dark Era Answer to a Solution?

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"And it seemed at that moment that I could hear an inner voice saying to me, ‘Martin Luther, stand up for righteousness. Stand up for justice. Stand up for truth. And I will be with you, even until the end of the world.’" By Martin Luther King

"The person who upset you the most is your best teacher, because they bring you face to face with who you are." By Lynn Andrews

Ella Lentz -- Deaf Community-- Rachel (Cochlear Implant Online)

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*UPDATE VLOG*

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*ORIGINAL VLOG*

I will redo my vlog. Give me about three hours. :o)

Patti Durr--Ben Vess--"deaf cults" (Dan)

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*UPDATE VLOG*

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*ORIGINAL VLOG*

Amy Cohen Efron: Come Clean!---and the "Signing Community" issue

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People really need to keep clean--keep their signing clean.

Did you know that some people don't practice what they preach?....

Huh?... Signing Lang---- I mean "The Signing Community"—That's like taking the word "Deaf" out of the term "Deaf Community" and depriving Deaf people of being properly recognized.

If Deaf people get squeezed out of the equation, then what will happen is there won't be any sign language. It's true.

There's nothing wrong with the term "Deaf community," and it's very important that the Deaf community be recognized by using that term---Deaf people are at the apex of this phenomenon. Sign Language comes from them, and what they create trickles down to others for other people's benefit, too.

CODA's, interpreters and other kinds of hearing people are welcome to participate in the Deaf community--See, there's no shame in using "the Deaf word."

Amy, please come clean!

Oh!....You saw my bra. Stop that! Don't go down that road... It needs to be washed...Excuse me.... You know, bras need gentle handling when they are being cleaned, and they should not be allowed to get all mangled and twisted by the washing machine's agitator.

Amy Cohen Efron, please tell your viewers that you are opposed to the idea of cochlear implants. Are you? I'm perplexed. In your vlog ("The Greatest Irony"), you treat the subject of cochlear implants as if they are a viable option. Which is it?

So please come clean and tell the viewers the truth, that you are opposed to the idea of cochlear implants.

Remember what you told me during our breakfast meeting? You know, at Deaf Hope, just before the big celebratory party? We sat down together and we were talking about Deaf Read and the pro-CI blogs. Do you remember we were talking about the long list of pro-CI blogs that had appeared on Deaf Read?

Do you remember what your first reaction was when this topic was brought up? You reacted quite negatively about the existence of all those pro-CI blogs on Deaf Read. I was taken aback when you reacted that way (since I remembered how you treated the subject on your "Greatest Irony" vlog). I wanted to hold back my own view and get your perspective on the issue. Remember how you kept saying how you didn't like the fact that so many babies and children are being implanted? Do you remember?

Please come clean, Amy!

Honestly, I'm really sick of people who put on a false front to the world, promoting something in a positive way, when actually, behind the scenes, that same person is saying: "I do not support the idea of cochlear implants!"---While you're fooling people by putting on a fake smile.

You did, Amy. Do you remember? It was at the Deaf Hope gathering that night. It was "Women's Night" and we were having big discussions and you asked me what was the one topic I was just dying to address in a vlog, but didn't feel able to do. Do you remember?

Do you remember that I told you? I said, "I'm dying to make a vlog on the topic of YOU and how you need to be honest with your viewers." Do you remember that? Do you remember how you laughed in reaction to what I said. Do you remember?

Now you are becoming increasingly obfuscatory and vague with your vlogs and are engaging in obvious pandering to your viewers who are naively swallowing everything you say. And meanwhile, as I'm watching this I'm becoming more and more outraged at what you are doing.

And now you are leading your viewers to believe that you think cochlear implants are a viable option and that you support either way (either having a child implanted and being subjected to Auditory-Verbal Therapy, or: not having the child implanted and using sign language with the child)?

No, it's not true. That's NOT what you think. Please tell the truth, that you are opposed to the idea of cochlear implants. Tell this to the community and all the Deaf Read viewers.

You said that you are opposed to the idea of cochlear implants and explained that you chose not do anything about it since you think it would be a losing battle if you fought against the cochlear implant industry and related programs.

Integrity everybody, integrity! Let's keep our messages clean!

In Reaction to Bobbie Scoggin's comment

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You see my reaction in my vlog in response to Bobbie Beth Scoggins's comment that she made when interviewed by Amy's vlog on the NAD's blog. I was very disappointed to see her attitude which totally uncalled for (made as a NAD president.) It is her first day as a second-term president. Amy asked an excellent question of her, "What can you, as Presidient, do in order to evelate the visiblity and make it a stronger organization for the Deaf Community." She said,"The NAD is here to stay. To those people who in doubt the NAD, the common question is what did NAD do? Those people on the board are committed to make a difference in your lives and our lives." It was the first day that the board became officialy elected. She can't enforce her opinion on the Deaf commuity. It's up to the Deaf community to decide if they feel NAD or the Board really does contribute their time to make difference. I am confused and worried...

NAD Board Election Results

Aidan: NAD Conference Motion

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Aidan: Deafhood

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I recently received an e-mail from someone who asked me where I stood on the issue of Deafhood. My opinion hasn't changed. It's still very much the same. I support the concept of Deafhood all the way. It's changed my life, really. The first time I took a Deafhood workshop was two years ago at NAD. I went in not knowing what to expect, and to my surprise I was blown away by the information that was presented. There was the history angle, and also the workshop helped me to understand better the topic of Deaf-against-Deaf infighting.

After awhile I went to another workshop in Rhode Island, which was just like the first, and also went in depth in the topics and presented various new interpretations, which is natural. But still, wow! The lecture gave me goosebumps--how we should really care about the different groups...

The presenters were amazing and really gave their time to interact with the people who attended to answer their questions. They were truly amazing speakers. Ella Lentz, David Ebertwein, Genie Gertz. They're really the best at what they do, "the champs."

So then a young friend of mine paged me excitedly and told me about an upcoming Deafhood workshop at NAD given by some other presenter, someone I didn't know. I said to her, "Go! Go to the workshop and tell me what you think."

Then another time when I went to the Deaf Read awards in San Francisco, I was close to Fremont, so I went to visit the school for the Deaf, and I thought: Wow, this is an amazing school and a fantastic community. I feel really at home here. Such friendly people--wonderful. It gives me goosebumps.

David Eberwein gave me a tour of the school, and sure enough, a little girl who wears a cochlear implant came up to DE and I was really touched watching the two of them interact. DE treats all the different children the same, valuing them equally.

Did you know that Adam Stone worked there? He has a cochlear implant. I'm not sure if he still works there now, but from what I heard he really enjoyed working there at Fremont. Really, I love that school. It serves as an amazing educational model.

There are a lot of kids with CIs at the Fremont school who have been placed there after being unsuccessful at other schools where the teachers focused on their speech skills. They fell way behind at these other schools, so they ended up transferring to Fremont. The Fremont school provided a strong emphasis on ASL, helping the kids to work hard to catch up in their education.

Then I went to a Deafhood class (offered through Ohlone College) and felt goosebumps of inspiration again. There were so many different types of people taking the class: CODAs, interpreters, Deaf, oral deaf, people with CI's--all different kinds of people, all expressing their views, giving each other their attention and mutual respect I get goosebumps again now just thinking about it.

The presenters there are really wonderful--from the heart. Sometimes I might disagree with them. Most of the time I agree with them.

I want to let you know that I really support the concept of Deafhood, and I really appreciate them spending their time, and appreciate what they've given. If it weren't for them, many of us would still just be out here fumbling around, but they've really helped many of us to take a whole new look at the subject. And everything I've learned so far has really resonated very well with all the implicit knowledge that I have, living as a Deaf person, and confirms what I know implicitly to be true.

Aidan: Inclusion

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Aidan: Beware of Assumptions

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"Deaf Children are Victims and Abused by Parents"
"Leaders: Beware of Assumptions" I decided to redo vlog this morning.

Leaders: Consistency Message

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Whether the leaders are pro CI or not is not an issue. We must keep our focus on providing Deaf babes with exposure to sign language. Regardless of the different opinions of the leaders, they need to present non-judgmental focus on the need Deaf babies have for sign language. The leaders are responsible to have as their only consistent message that Deaf children and Deaf babies be exposed to ASL. The leaders should have not have to tell their opinions or to answer question about CI or other philosophy such as spoken English. These have nothing to do with this message. That way all sub groups, those opposed to CI and those supporting of CI, will support DBC’s mission and other pro-ASL organizations.

Please stay focused on the topic and do not attack individuals. We are here to improve the system for the sake of Deaf babies and children. Thank you!

Leaders: Beware of Assumptions

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I redo the vlog because of my assumption about Barb. You can check this vlog that I apologized to Barb for making an assumption. "Aidan: Beware of Assumption"

Leaders: Unified Community

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Patti Durr and NAD: STRIVING TOWARD INTEGRITY PLEASE

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*CLARIFICATION: I'm not talking about DBC conference itself.*

I was appalled that Patti Durr would make a comment about the DBC core members that NONE of them disagree with the idea of CI and oralism.

She stated, "I have had a great deal of contact with the core members of DBC and I have NEVER seen any of them pronounce radical views. How does one discuss why bilingualism is not accepted in Deaf education today when it was the foundation of Deaf education in 1817 without discussing oralism, audism and CI. This is not to say having oral / aural skills are bad or that having CIs is bad – no one in DBC is saying that. Their opposition is to oral / aural only methods."

Patti's statement would hurt the relationship between the Deaf community and DBC.  Her statement will not strengthen DBC's mission. Her statement will bring our integrity into question. Many of us know that some core members of DBC do disagree with the idea of CI and oralism. However... DBC is not here to focus on CI or Oralism.

I believe that DBC should state that they are not here to debate whether CI or the oral approach are right. DBC is here to make sure the parents have access to information about ASL.

I notice that some organizations and leaders, for example, NAD, are not striving toward integrity. NAD is supposed to let everyone know about upcoming elections. However there was no aggressively PR about possible candidates for the NAD Presidency in compete against President Bobbie Scoggins who is now in her second term as President, from 2008 to 2010. There was a small paragraph on NAD's website seeking candidates for President and Vice President. Many people overlooked it. NAD is stuck in a comfort zone where they want to keep Bobbie Scoggins, entrenched as the NAD President, for the next two years.

I am sick and tired of some leaders from different organizations not striving toward integrity. Deaf babies and children are the ones who will get HURT the most.