[blindlaw] New York's lieutenant governor, a blind lawyer,

Sat Mar 15 10:55:59 CDT 2008

I've yet to read a post casting doubts on the governor's ability to perform.
I was equally concerned when Ray Charles announced publically that he didn't
use a white cane.  He didn't because he could afford not to due to a number
of full time servants who guided him everywhere.  A person who can see no
more than shapes can't travel safely alone and that makes him or her less
independent than he or she could be.  However, it's his right not to use any
aids and I'm not saying he's not qualified to perform his duties as governor
of New York.  He may have someone who attends to his every need and that too
is his right.  I do wonder, however, why no one in the media has at least
been curious about these peculiarities.  When Billy bob Thornton announced
he didn't fly, lots of questions were asked but no one thought he was less
capable as a director or actor.   

-----Original Message-----
From: blindlaw-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:blindlaw-bounces at nfbnet.org] On
Behalf Of Rod Alcidonis
Sent: Thursday, March 13, 2008 10:07 PM
To: NFBnet Blind Law Mailing List
Subject: Re: [blindlaw] New York's lieutenant governor, a blind lawyer,

This is an attitude of the past and it has been rejected on numerous
occasions on this list. The notion that "my way is the highway" is unhealthy
and we need to stop preaching it. I am a firm advocate for Braille literacy,
and I always try to focus my effort to encourage only those who are in need
of my encouragement. One doesn't become a successful politician over 22
years by not being independent. This fact can be easily assumed. If he has
been successful at it since 1986, I doubt it is anyone's business to
question his level of independence in 2008.

We each as blind individuals have our strength and weaknesses; no one is
perfectly independent in this world. What works for you may not work for
him, and vice versa. This does not, however, in any ways, suggest that he is
less independent than you are.

If he is not considered independent to you, let me remind you that he is the
first one to make us proud in this capacity. I know others have written on
the list in recent days to diminish that aspect with words of speculation,
and it is just unfortunate. Also, remember that Stevie Wonder and Ray
Charles never made us that proud in the world despite their level of fame.

As oppose to celebrating such a great achievement by a blind person in such
an ignorant and unforgiving society, it is regrettable that some of us are
casting doubts on his abilities before he even has the chance to prove
himself. Shame on anyone who feel that this is appropriate at this time. The
media is not doing it but you, as a blind person is doing it. This is
frankly regretable. As blind folks we have to begin to learn the need to
celebrate the achievements of others like us, regardless of their scope,
before we begin to advance our unhealthy judgmental attitude of the past to
diminish others successes.

Rod Alcidonis
Juris Doctor Candidate, 2009.
Roger Williams University School of Law
10 Metacom Ave., Box: 9003
Bristol, RI 02809
Cell: 718-704-4651
Home: 401-824-8685
Visit my Law School Blog at:
http://blogs.rwu.edu/law/ralcidonis

----- Original Message -----
From: "albert griffith" <albertpgriffith at hotmail.com>
To: "'NFBnet Blind Law Mailing List'" <blindlaw at nfbnet.org>
Sent: Thursday, March 13, 2008 9:30 PM
Subject: Re: [blindlaw] New York's lieutenant governor, a blind lawyer,

> Whether the man uses Braille or a cane isn't relevant to his 
> qualifications
> as a politician but it does cause me to wonder a little about him
> personally.  Someone who can only see shapes and doesn't use a white cane
> can't be fully independent.
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: blindlaw-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:blindlaw-bounces at nfbnet.org] On
> Behalf Of Rod Alcidonis
> Sent: Thursday, March 13, 2008 2:39 PM
> To: NFBnet Blind Law Mailing List
> Subject: Re: [blindlaw] New York's lieutenant governor, a blind lawyer,
>
> As long as he had a way to cope not learning them is of no consequence. 
> The
> man is been in politics since 1986 and he has performed remarkably since.
> Though important, Braille is not the savior of the world and the ability 
> to
> function efficiently. This point has been made here times and again.
>
> I doubt he could be functioning without a cane if he were walking into
> things everywhere in the legislature's building. A cane is only usable 
> when
> it's needed not just for the heck of using a cane. I use one because I 
> need
> to, and the governor does not use one because he found that he does not 
> need
> one. Obviously he has just proven his effectiveness without them. Let's 
> stop
> creating issues where none exist.
>
> Rod Alcidonis
> Juris Doctor Candidate, 2009.
> Roger Williams University School of Law
> 10 Metacom Ave., Box: 9003
> Bristol, RI 02809
> Cell: 718-704-4651
> Home: 401-824-8685
> Visit my Law School Blog at:
> http://blogs.rwu.edu/law/ralcidonis
>
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "albert griffith" <albertpgriffith at hotmail.com>
> To: "'NFBnet Blind Law Mailing List'" <blindlaw at nfbnet.org>
> Sent: Thursday, March 13, 2008 5:42 AM
> Subject: Re: [blindlaw] New York's lieutenant governor, a blind lawyer,
>
>
>> While he sounds brilliant and I'm happy for him, it was reported that he
>> refused to learn Braille and uses no travel aid such as a white cane or
>> guide dog.  I'd be interested in hearing his side of the story.
>>
>> -----Original Message-----
>> From: blindlaw-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:blindlaw-bounces at nfbnet.org] On
>> Behalf Of Sarah Clark
>> Sent: Wednesday, March 12, 2008 11:18 PM
>> To: NFBnet Blind Law Mailing List
>> Subject: Re: [blindlaw] New York's lieutenant governor, a blind lawyer,
>>
>> That's how I understand it as well.  I read that he did not pass the New
>> York bar exam so never became a practicing attorney, and because of that,
>> he's apparently been a big advocate on the issues of special
>> accommodations
>> for bar exams.
>>
>> Sarah
>>
>> ----- Original Message -----
>> From: "Rod Alcidonis" <roddj12 at hotmail.com>
>> To: "NFBnet Blind Law Mailing List" <blindlaw at nfbnet.org>
>> Sent: Wednesday, March 12, 2008 11:52 AM
>> Subject: Re: [blindlaw] New York's lieutenant governor, a blind lawyer,
>>
>>
>>> As far as my recollection serves me he is not a lawyer. He had only been
>>> to
>>> Law School.
>>>
>>> And, as a New Yorker and an African American who is blind, I am very
>>> happy
>>> for him. He has demonstrated so much and the Media can only mention that
>>> he
>>> is blind, not whether he can do the job. I briefly met him prior to
>>> starting
>>> Law School and he is a brilliant individual.
>>>
>>>
>>> Rod Alcidonis
>>> Juris Doctor Candidate, 2009.
>>> Roger Williams University School of Law
>>> 10 Metacom Ave., Box: 9003
>>> Bristol, RI 02809
>>> Cell: 718-704-4651
>>> Home: 401-824-8685
>>> Visit my Law School Blog at:
>>> http://blogs.rwu.edu/law/ralcidonis
>>>
>>>
>>> ----- Original Message ----- 
>>> From: "Peter Donahue" <pdonahue1 at sbcglobal.net>
>>> To: "NFBnet Blind Law Mailing List" <blindlaw at nfbnet.org>
>>> Sent: Wednesday, March 12, 2008 3:27 PM
>>> Subject: Re: [blindlaw] New York's lieutenant governor, a blind lawyer,
>>>
>>>
>>>> Hello Michael and listers,
>>>>
>>>>    History could be made this fall when we elect a new President should
>>>> a
>>>> Democratic Candidate win the election. This nation could have its first
>>>> African-American, or its first woman who is also the spouse of a former
>>>> U.S.
>>>> President serving in our nation's highest political office. Given that
>>>> New
>>>> York State now has a blind governor it's very conceivable that we could
>>>> elect a blind U.S. president in the not so distant future.
>>>>
>>>> Peter Donahue
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> ----- Original Message ----- 
>>>> From: "Michael O. Hanson" <mhanson at winternet.com>
>>>> To: "NFBnet Blind Law Mailing List" <blindlaw at nfbnet.org>
>>>> Sent: Wednesday, March 12, 2008 10:31 AM
>>>> Subject: Re: [blindlaw] New York's lieutenant governor, a blind lawyer,
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> I beliefve he resigned this morning.
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> ----- Original Message ----- 
>>>> From: "Nightingale, Noel" <Noel.Nightingale at ed.gov>
>>>> To: <blindlaw at nfbnet.org>
>>>> Sent: Wednesday, March 12, 2008 10:24 AM
>>>> Subject: [blindlaw] New York's lieutenant governor, a blind lawyer,
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>>From the Justice For All sidebar blurb:
>>>>>
>>>>> First Blind Governor of New York?
>>>>>
>>>>> In the wake of yesterday's breaking news of New York Governor Elliot
>>>>> Spitzer's involvement in a prostitution ring, many top aides to 
>>>>> Spitzer
>>>>> expect his resignation.
>>>>>
>>>>> If Governor Spitzer does resign, Lt. Governor David A. Paterson, who 
>>>>> is
>>>>> legally blind, would become the state's first black, first blind
>>>>> governor.
>>>>>
>>>>> A bit more about Mr. Paterson:
>>>>>
>>>>> Link to NY Times profile:
>>>>>
> http://topics.nytimes.com/top/reference/timestopics/people/p/david_a_pat
>>>>> erson/index.html?inline=nyt-per
>>>>>
>>>>> Text:
>>>>> David A. Paterson
>>>>> Stewart Cairns for The New York Times
>>>>>
>>>>> David A. Paterson was elected lieutenant governor of New York in
>>>>> November 2006 on the ticket led by Eliot Spitzer. Previously, Mr.
>>>>> Paterson had served as the minority leader of the state Senate. The
>>>>> scion of a prominent Harlem political family, Mr. Paterson was born
>>>>> legally blind and worked as a prosecutor before entering politics.
>>>>>
>>>>> Mr. Paterson's decision to become Mr. Spitzer's running mate stunned
>>>>> many in Albany. With the growing strength of Democrats in statewide
>>>>> elections, it seemed only a matter of time before his party took over
>>>>> the chamber, allowing him to join the ruling triumvirate in Albany and
>>>>> take his seat with the governor and the Assembly speaker to decide
>>>>> between them how New York State is governed. By contrast, the
>>>>> lieutenant
>>>>> governor's post brings with it no power and little prestige.
>>>>>
>>>>> Mr. Paterson explained the decision in terms the few lieutenant
>>>>> governors who had been given a real role, saying he wanted to be an
>>>>> "extension'' of Mr. Spitzer. Others close to him spoke of the enviable
>>>>> position he would be in if there was a chance to move up. If, for
>>>>> instance, Hillary Clinton were to become president, Mr. Spitzer would
>>>>> appoint a replacement to complete her term. Mr. Paterson has
>>>>> demonstrated political skills and good timing in the past; he became
>>>>> the
>>>>> minority leader in the Senate by pulling off a coup, which is a rare
>>>>> feat in Albany.
>>>>>
>>>>> As the leader of the Democratic minority in the Senate, Mr. Paterson
>>>>> has
>>>>> tried to make up for his lack of power with wit, flurries of reform
>>>>> proposals and unusual bursts of candor, a combination that has made 
>>>>> him
>>>>> a quotable presence in a Capitol where such leaders are often ignored
>>>>> as
>>>>> irrelevant. He worked on making inroads with national Democrats,
>>>>> traveling to Washington to meet with Congressional leaders. And here,
>>>>> where much of what passes for legislative humor is of the backslapping
>>>>> variety, Mr. Paterson's stands out.
>>>>>
>>>>> Take his request at a recent news conference on government reform.
>>>>> "Anyone else in this Capitol that's telling you about the reform that
>>>>> they're doing, I want you to give me their names, we're going to bring
>>>>> them to this conference room, and we're going to beat them up," he
>>>>> said,
>>>>> with a straight face.
>>>>>
>>>>> Mr. Paterson was born to politics. His father, Basil, represented the
>>>>> same Harlem district that his son later did, and ran unsuccessfully 
>>>>> for
>>>>> lieutenant governor in 1970. The younger Mr. Paterson was raised at 
>>>>> the
>>>>> knees of much of Harlem's old guard. He also grew up legally blind,
>>>>> after an infection as an infant that left him totally without sight in
>>>>> his left eye and with severely limited sight in his right. His family
>>>>> moved to Long Island, where they found a school that agreed to educate
>>>>> him in regular classrooms. He graduated from high school in three
>>>>> years,
>>>>> went to college at Columbia and graduated from Hofstra Law School.
>>>>>
>>>>> When he was elected Senate minority leader, Mr. Paterson recalled the
>>>>> discrimination he had suffered because he is disabled. "So I have had
>>>>> this desire my whole life to prove people wrong, to show them I could
>>>>> do
>>>>> things they didn't think I could do," he said. "This is just another."
>>>>>
>>>>> --March 10, 2008
>>>>> _______________________________________________
>>>>> blindlaw mailing list
>>>>> blindlaw at nfbnet.org
>>>>> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/blindlaw
>>>>>
>>>>
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