[Dtb-talk] House Subcommittee mark up of DigitalTalkingBook AppropriationAppropriation

Mike Freeman k7uij at panix.com
Fri Jun 8 23:48:47 CDT 2007


Wait a minute, people.

NO one said the organizations had different positions. David Andrews was 
asked by an NFB member if we (NFB) had dropped the ball; he rather 
matter-of-factly said that no, NFB had not done so, that NFB, in fact, 
had been watching this issue for some time and that ACB had only lately 
taken a position on the subject. This isn't organizational in-fighting; 
it is simple statement of fact. No one is criticizing ACB; it takes the 
same view as does NFB of the matter.

Mike

  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: Lynn Evans
  To: Discussion of Digital Talking Books
  Sent: Friday, June 08, 2007 6:37 AM
  Subject: Re: [Dtb-talk] House Subcommittee mark up of 
DigitalTalkingBook AppropriationAppropriation


  I fully agree. How sad it is that two organizations are unable to 
unite
  under one common goal that would help so many people.


  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: "Barry Levine" <barry at functionaltherapy.net>
  To: "'Discussion of Digital Talking Books'" <dtb-talk at nfbnet.org>
  Sent: Friday, June 08, 2007 9:06 AM
  Subject: Re: [Dtb-talk] House Subcommittee mark up of Digital 
TalkingBook
  AppropriationAppropriation


  :
  : Thank you, Pratik.
  : So often the real issues take a back seat to the organizations'
  : chest-thumping.  Even when issues, tailor-made for cooperation, are 
placed
  : on our plates we can't get beyond organizational affiliation.  Tis a 
pity.
  :
  :
  : --Barry
  :
  :
  :
  :
  : -----Original Message-----
  : From: dtb-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org 
[mailto:dtb-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org] On
  : Behalf Of Pratik Patel
  : Sent: Friday, June 08, 2007 5:38 AM
  : To: 'Discussion of Digital Talking Books'
  : Subject: Re: [Dtb-talk] House Subcommittee mark up of Digital 
Talking Book
  : AppropriationAppropriation
  :
  :
  : I don't want to start a partisan debate here.  But, does it really 
matter
  : who got the message out?  Frankly, I didn't think that the NLS 
program and
  : its eventual improvement was a race between the two organizations. 
The
  : point is, the information got out.  And the question is: what are we 
all
  : going to do about it.  Let's not sit here and criticize either one
  : organization or the other..  We spend too much of our energy doing 
that
  and
  : so much gets lost in between.
  :
  : Pratik
  :
  :
  : -----Original Message-----
  : From: dtb-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org 
[mailto:dtb-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org] On
  : Behalf Of David Andrews
  : Sent: Friday, June 08, 2007 12:50 AM
  : To: Discussion of Digital Talking Books
  : Subject: Re: [Dtb-talk] House Subcommittee mark up of Digital 
Talking Book
  : Appropriation
  :
  : There is a second message coming -- I was traveling back from Canada
  today,
  : so things did not get out as quickly as they sometimes do.  NFB is 
on top
  of
  : it -- we were working on it months ago when the ACB was silent.  It 
is
  they
  : who have jumped on the bandwagon at the eleventh hour.
  :
  : Dave
  :
  : At 11:41 AM 6/7/2007, you wrote:
  : >Just wondering why this had to come from an ACB list, and why the 
NFB
  : >wasn't
  : >on top of this issue, providing their members with up-to-date
  information,
  : >and urging our action.
  : >
  : >Sure, there was a press release from the NFB office, but I feel 
this
  : >release
  : >was reactionary, and not some breakthrough, or show of creativity, 
and
  : >effective leadership.
  : >
  : >Just my thaughts.
  : >
  : >Antonio Guimaraes
  : >
  : >----- Original Message -----
  : >From: "David B Andrews" <David.B.Andrews at state.mn.us>
  : >To: <dtb-test at sun8.loc.gov>; <dtb-talk at nfbnet.org>
  : >Sent: Thursday, June 07, 2007 2:09 AM
  : >Subject: [Dtb-talk] House Subcommittee mark up of Digital Talking
  : >BookAppropriation
  : >
  : >
  : >>I am passing this information along for your information.  It 
comes
  : >>from an ACB list, and represents all I know about this at this 
point.
  : >>If true, and successful, it probably wouldn't kill the  digital
  : >>program but it would delay its full implementation and cause 
other
  : >>problems as its effects would cascade through the system.
  : >>
  : >> Dave
  : >>
  : >>
  : >> ----- Original Message -----
  : >> From: "Melanie Brunson" <mbrunson at acb.org>
  : >> To: <leadership at acb.org>
  : >> Cc: <acb-l at acb.org>
  : >> Sent: Wednesday, June 06, 2007 4:14 PM
  : >> Subject: [leadership] House Subcommittee mark up of Digital 
Talking
  : >> Book
  : >> Appropriation
  : >>
  : >>
  : >>> Hello All,
  : >>>
  : >>> Just wanted to give you a quick progress report.  The House
  : >>> Subcommittee on the Legislative Branch marked up its funding
  : >> bill
  : >>> today.  Their recommendation to the full Committee on
  : >> Appropriations
  : >>> will include $7.5 million to the Library of Congress for the
  : >>> implementation of the digital talking book program by NLS.  This
  : >> is
  : >>> less than half of the amount requested by NLS.  The subcommittee
  : >>> chair, Debbie Wasserman Schultz, (d-fl) stated that the bill
  : >> will
  : >>> also include language giving the Librarian discretion to move
  : >> some
  : >>> funds from other sources if it is deemed appropriate to fund
  : >> this
  : >>> program.  However, it is not clear whether this discretion would
  : >> also
  : >>> allow the Librarian to take funds from NLS to fund something 
else.
  : >>> As of this writing, the actual legislative language is
  : >> not
  : >>> available, but this is a question we will have to look into.
  : >>>
  : >>> The full Appropriations Committee will probably consider this
  : >> bill
  : >>> within a week or so.  That means we have some work to do.
  : >> Members of
  : >>> Congress, especially House members on the Appropriations
  : >> Committee,
  : >>> need to know how important the talking book program is to the
  : >> blind
  : >>> community.  Please contact your representative if you have not
  : >>> already done so.  The transition to digital talking books is not
  : >> just
  : >>> a nice thing to do to provide more bells and whistles that 
appeal
  : >> to
  : >>> techies.  It is a necessity because the cassette players
  : >> currently in
  : >>> use are no longer being manufactured.  The entire industry is
  : >> phasing
  : >>> out the cassette.  It is only a matter of time before something
  : >> has
  : >>> to be done anyway that will enable NLS to adapt to industry 
trends.
  : >>> Please help us support the continued availability of
  : >> talking
  : >>> books for the blind.  If you have any questions, please contact
  : >> me
  : >>> either by email, or by calling the ACB national office.
  : >>>
  : >>> Melanie Brunson
  : >>>
  : >>>
  : >>>
  : >>> --
  : >>> Join the Monthly Monetary Support program (MMS) and help improve
  : >> tomorrow
  : >>> today in ACB.
  : >>> For details, contact Dr. Ron Milliman, MMS Program Committee
  : >> Chair, by
  : >> e-mail:
  : >>> rmilliman at insightbb.com or by phone at 270-782-9325 and get
  : >> started making
  : >>> tomorrow look brighter today in ACB!
  : >>>
  : >>> This message has come to you from the ACB Leadership List:  a
  : >> special
  : >>> List for use by the leadership of the American Council of the
  : >> Blind.
  : >>> This communication is privileged and may contain confidential
  : >>> information intended only for the person(s) to whom it is
  : >> addressed.
  : >>> Any unauthorized disclosure, copying, other distribution of this
  : >>> communication is strictly prohibited and may result in immediate
  : >> removal
  : >>> from the List.  If you have received this message in error,
  : >> please
  : >>> notify ACB immediately by writing to support at acb.org.
  : >>>
  : >>
  : >>
  : >> David Andrews
  : >> Chief Technology Officer
  : >> Minnesota State Services for the Blind
  : >> 2200 University Ave. W., #240
  : >> St. Paul, MN  55114-1840
  : >> (651) 642-0513  Office
  : >> (612) 730-7931  Cell
  : >> (651) 649-5927  Fax
  : >>
  : >> _______________________________________________
  : >> Dtb-talk mailing list
  : >> Dtb-talk at nfbnet.org 
http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/dtb-talk
  : >>
  : >>
  : >> -- 
  : >> No virus found in this incoming message.
  : >> Checked by AVG Free Edition.
  : >> Version: 7.5.472 / Virus Database: 269.8.11/836 - Release Date:
  6/6/2007
  : >> 1:10 PM
  : >>
  : >>
  : >
  : >_______________________________________________
  : >Dtb-talk mailing list
  : >Dtb-talk at nfbnet.org
  : >http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/dtb-talk
  : >
  : >
  : >__________ NOD32 2317 (20070607) Information __________
  : >
  : >This message was checked by NOD32 antivirus system.
  : >http://www.eset.com
  :
  : _______________________________________________
  : Dtb-talk mailing list
  : Dtb-talk at nfbnet.org
  : http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/dtb-talk
  :
  : _______________________________________________
  : Dtb-talk mailing list
  : Dtb-talk at nfbnet.org
  : http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/dtb-talk
  :
  : _______________________________________________
  : Dtb-talk mailing list
  : Dtb-talk at nfbnet.org
  : http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/dtb-talk
  :
  :
  : -- 
  : No virus found in this incoming message.
  : Checked by AVG Free Edition.
  : Version: 7.5.472 / Virus Database: 269.8.11/838 - Release Date: 
6/7/2007
  2:21 PM
  :

  _______________________________________________
  Dtb-talk mailing list
  Dtb-talk at nfbnet.org
  http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/dtb-talk
-------------- next part --------------
Wait a minute, people.
 
NO one said the organizations had different positions. David Andrews was asked by an NFB member if we (NFB) had dropped the ball; he rather matter-of-factly said that no, NFB had not done so, that NFB, in fact, had been watching this issue for some time and that ACB had only lately taken a position on the subject. This isn't organizational in-fighting; it is simple statement of fact. No one is criticizing ACB; it takes the same view as does NFB of the matter.
 
Mike
 
----- Original Message -----
From:
mailto:evans-lynn at comcast.net Lynn Evans
To:
mailto:dtb-talk at nfbnet.org Discussion of Digital Talking Books
Sent:
Friday, June 08, 2007 6:37 AM
Subject:
Re: [Dtb-talk] House Subcommittee mark up of DigitalTalkingBook AppropriationAppropriation
I fully agree. How sad it is that two organizations are unable to unite
under one common goal that would help so many people.
----- Original Message -----
From: "Barry Levine" < mailto:barry at functionaltherapy.net barry at functionaltherapy.net
>
To: "'Discussion of Digital Talking Books'" < mailto:dtb-talk at nfbnet.org dtb-talk at nfbnet.org
>
Sent: Friday, June 08, 2007 9:06 AM
Subject: Re: [Dtb-talk] House Subcommittee mark up of Digital TalkingBook
AppropriationAppropriation
:
: Thank you, Pratik.
: So often the real issues take a back seat to the organizations'
: chest-thumping.  Even when issues, tailor-made for cooperation, are placed
: on our plates we can't get beyond organizational affiliation.  Tis a pity.
:
:
: --Barry
:
:
:
:
: -----Original Message-----
: From: mailto:dtb-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org dtb-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org
[mailto:dtb-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org] On
: Behalf Of Pratik Patel
: Sent: Friday, June 08, 2007 5:38 AM
: To: 'Discussion of Digital Talking Books'
: Subject: Re: [Dtb-talk] House Subcommittee mark up of Digital Talking Book
: AppropriationAppropriation
:
:
: I don't want to start a partisan debate here.  But, does it really matter
: who got the message out?  Frankly, I didn't think that the NLS program and
: its eventual improvement was a race between the two organizations.  The
: point is, the information got out.  And the question is: what are we all
: going to do about it.  Let's not sit here and criticize either one
: organization or the other..  We spend too much of our energy doing that
and
: so much gets lost in between.
:
: Pratik
:
:
: -----Original Message-----
: From: mailto:dtb-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org dtb-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org
[mailto:dtb-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org] On
: Behalf Of David Andrews
: Sent: Friday, June 08, 2007 12:50 AM
: To: Discussion of Digital Talking Books
: Subject: Re: [Dtb-talk] House Subcommittee mark up of Digital Talking Book
: Appropriation
:
: There is a second message coming -- I was traveling back from Canada
today,
: so things did not get out as quickly as they sometimes do.  NFB is on top
of
: it -- we were working on it months ago when the ACB was silent.  It is
they
: who have jumped on the bandwagon at the eleventh hour.
:
: Dave
:
: At 11:41 AM 6/7/2007, you wrote:
: >Just wondering why this had to come from an ACB list, and why the NFB
: >wasn't
: >on top of this issue, providing their members with up-to-date
information,
: >and urging our action.
: >
: >Sure, there was a press release from the NFB office, but I feel this
: >release
: >was reactionary, and not some breakthrough, or show of creativity, and
: >effective leadership.
: >
: >Just my thaughts.
: >
: >Antonio Guimaraes
: >
: >----- Original Message -----
: >From: "David B Andrews" < mailto:David.B.Andrews at state.mn.us David.B.Andrews at state.mn.us
>
: >To: < mailto:dtb-test at sun8.loc.gov dtb-test at sun8.loc.gov
>; < mailto:dtb-talk at nfbnet.org dtb-talk at nfbnet.org
>
: >Sent: Thursday, June 07, 2007 2:09 AM
: >Subject: [Dtb-talk] House Subcommittee mark up of Digital Talking
: >BookAppropriation
: >
: >
: >>I am passing this information along for your information.  It comes
: >>from an ACB list, and represents all I know about this at this  point.
: >>If true, and successful, it probably wouldn't kill the  digital
: >>program but it would delay its full implementation and cause  other
: >>problems as its effects would cascade through the system.
: >>
: >> Dave
: >>
: >>
: >> ----- Original Message -----
: >> From: "Melanie Brunson" < mailto:mbrunson at acb.org mbrunson at acb.org
>
: >> To: < mailto:leadership at acb.org leadership at acb.org
>
: >> Cc: < mailto:acb-l at acb.org acb-l at acb.org
>
: >> Sent: Wednesday, June 06, 2007 4:14 PM
: >> Subject: [leadership] House Subcommittee mark up of Digital Talking
: >> Book
: >> Appropriation
: >>
: >>
: >>> Hello All,
: >>>
: >>> Just wanted to give you a quick progress report.  The House
: >>> Subcommittee on the Legislative Branch marked up its funding
: >> bill
: >>> today.  Their recommendation to the full Committee on
: >> Appropriations
: >>> will include $7.5 million to the Library of Congress for the
: >>> implementation of the digital talking book program by NLS.  This
: >> is
: >>> less than half of the amount requested by NLS.  The subcommittee
: >>> chair, Debbie Wasserman Schultz, (d-fl) stated that the bill
: >> will
: >>> also include language giving the Librarian discretion to move
: >> some
: >>> funds from other sources if it is deemed appropriate to fund
: >> this
: >>> program.  However, it is not clear whether this discretion would
: >> also
: >>> allow the Librarian to take funds from NLS to fund something else.
: >>> As of this writing, the actual legislative language is
: >> not
: >>> available, but this is a question we will have to look into.
: >>>
: >>> The full Appropriations Committee will probably consider this
: >> bill
: >>> within a week or so.  That means we have some work to do.
: >> Members of
: >>> Congress, especially House members on the Appropriations
: >> Committee,
: >>> need to know how important the talking book program is to the
: >> blind
: >>> community.  Please contact your representative if you have not
: >>> already done so.  The transition to digital talking books is not
: >> just
: >>> a nice thing to do to provide more bells and whistles that appeal
: >> to
: >>> techies.  It is a necessity because the cassette players
: >> currently in
: >>> use are no longer being manufactured.  The entire industry is
: >> phasing
: >>> out the cassette.  It is only a matter of time before something
: >> has
: >>> to be done anyway that will enable NLS to adapt to industry trends.
: >>> Please help us support the continued availability of
: >> talking
: >>> books for the blind.  If you have any questions, please contact
: >> me
: >>> either by email, or by calling the ACB national office.
: >>>
: >>> Melanie Brunson
: >>>
: >>>
: >>>
: >>> --
: >>> Join the Monthly Monetary Support program (MMS) and help improve
: >> tomorrow
: >>> today in ACB.
: >>> For details, contact Dr. Ron Milliman, MMS Program Committee
: >> Chair, by
: >> e-mail:
: >>> mailto:rmilliman at insightbb.com rmilliman at insightbb.com
or by phone at 270-782-9325 and get
: >> started making
: >>> tomorrow look brighter today in ACB!
: >>>
: >>> This message has come to you from the ACB Leadership List:  a
: >> special
: >>> List for use by the leadership of the American Council of the
: >> Blind.
: >>> This communication is privileged and may contain confidential
: >>> information intended only for the person(s) to whom it is
: >> addressed.
: >>> Any unauthorized disclosure, copying, other distribution of this
: >>> communication is strictly prohibited and may result in immediate
: >> removal
: >>> from the List.  If you have received this message in error,
: >> please
: >>> notify ACB immediately by writing to mailto:support at acb.org support at acb.org
.
: >>>
: >>
: >>
: >> David Andrews
: >> Chief Technology Officer
: >> Minnesota State Services for the Blind
: >> 2200 University Ave. W., #240
: >> St. Paul, MN  55114-1840
: >> (651) 642-0513  Office
: >> (612) 730-7931  Cell
: >> (651) 649-5927  Fax
: >>
: >> _______________________________________________
: >> Dtb-talk mailing list
: >> mailto:Dtb-talk at nfbnet.org Dtb-talk at nfbnet.org
http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/dtb-talk http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/dtb-talk
: >>
: >>
: >> --
: >> No virus found in this incoming message.
: >> Checked by AVG Free Edition.
: >> Version: 7.5.472 / Virus Database: 269.8.11/836 - Release Date:
6/6/2007
: >> 1:10 PM
: >>
: >>
: >
: >_______________________________________________
: >Dtb-talk mailing list
: >Dtb-talk at nfbnet.org
: >http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/dtb-talk
: >
: >
: >__________ NOD32 2317 (20070607) Information __________
: >
: >This message was checked by NOD32 antivirus system.
: >http://www.eset.com
:
: _______________________________________________
: Dtb-talk mailing list
: mailto:Dtb-talk at nfbnet.org Dtb-talk at nfbnet.org
: http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/dtb-talk http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/dtb-talk
:
: _______________________________________________
: Dtb-talk mailing list
: mailto:Dtb-talk at nfbnet.org Dtb-talk at nfbnet.org
: http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/dtb-talk http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/dtb-talk
:
: _______________________________________________
: Dtb-talk mailing list
: mailto:Dtb-talk at nfbnet.org Dtb-talk at nfbnet.org
: http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/dtb-talk http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/dtb-talk
:
:
: --
: No virus found in this incoming message.
: Checked by AVG Free Edition.
: Version: 7.5.472 / Virus Database: 269.8.11/838 - Release Date: 6/7/2007
2:21 PM
:
_______________________________________________
Dtb-talk mailing list
mailto:Dtb-talk at nfbnet.org Dtb-talk at nfbnet.org
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