[nfb-talk] Convention attendees from Wisconsin?

Sat Apr 26 17:04:49 CDT 2008

John:

You ask us to represent all blind people.  Not all blind people agree 
on everything, so we can only represent our members.  It is also 
unrealistic of you to expect us to not use our philosophy and our 
beliefs when formulating positions and strategy.  If we can't use 
them, then why have them.

Finally, you ask us to use "facts" to decide.  You say we don't know 
that accessible currency will cost a bunch of money.  But likewise, 
you don't know that it won't.  You don't hold yourself to the same 
standard that you are asking of us.

Dave

At 02:49 PM 4/26/2008, you wrote:
>Well, maybe I didn't put that very well. I don't expect the NFB to change
>just because I want it to. My point is that the NFB represents me whether I
>like it or not. In my opinion, therefore, it has a responsibility to look
>out for the interests of even non-members and people  not capable of
>joining.
>
>I doubt that the members of this list represent a typical cross section of
>blind people in the United States.  My point in talking about myself is that
>like most of the people on this list, I'm fairly high functioning. I've
>learned braille, I know how to use a computer. I can find the local chapter
>of the NFB and join it.  But even I'm having trouble figuring out how to
>influence the direction of the NFB. And there are an aweful lot of blind
>people who can't do  the things I can do.
>
>Most of the blind people I know don't have computers. They don't get
>newspapers, obviously. A lot of them don't even know how to read braille.
>How are they going to influence the direction the NFB takes? How is the NFB
>making sure those people are represented?
>
>It's my opinion that when the NFB blocks DVS and blocks accessible money,
>they're doing those people a disservice.  You may ask, what can we do? We
>can only go by what our members say to do? Well, I already answered that.
>The first thing you can do is stop making policy based on your philosophy
>and your beliefs. Start making policy based on what's best for blind people
>and on facts.
>
>For example, instead of trying to block accessible money because of a worry
>over a backlash, the NFB could have began an initiative to educate people
>about accessible money. I've been showing my Canadian money around and
>giving them my "what if the bills didn't have any print on them" speech. At
>least to my face, everyone has been extremely enthusiastic.
>
>My point is not entirely to suggest that the NFB should start a PR campaign.
>My point is that, apparently, that is out of the question.  When faced with
>this dilemma of a backlash, the NFB didn't say, "Well, lets change the
>world." They just threw up their hands and said "We don't want to make
>people mad."
>
>
>----- Original Message -----
>From: "David Andrews" <dandrews at visi.com>
>To: "NFB Talk Mailing List" <nfb-talk at nfbnet.org>
>Sent: Friday, April 25, 2008 10:36 PM
>Subject: Re: [nfb-talk] Convention attendees from Wisconsin?
>
>
> > When you join the NFB  you do so by joining a local chapter, or state
> > affiliate.  Requirements vary from state to state, some you just show
> > up and pay your dues, some vote you in, and some have the two-meeting
> > requirement.  That isn't as common, but it makes sense to me.
> >
> > It is an organization and those who attend and work end up with more
> > power and influence.
> >
> > OK, you are an intelligent guy, and you don't think something is
> > right.  Well, you aren't going to be able to walk in off the street
> > and change it, because you don't think it is right.
> >
> > The organization can be influenced, but it takes time and hard work,
> > not just a sense of being wronged.
> >
> > Dave
> >
> > At 07:28 PM 4/25/2008, you wrote:
> >>Wow, that's kind of harsh. After all, the NFB is making decisions for all
> >>blind people.
> >>
> >>I dunno... I went blind 7 or 8 years ago more or less. I'm a fairly
> >>intelligent guy, fairly up on current events, etc. I know that Barock
> >>Obama's middle name is Hussein.  I'm with it. But I don't know a damn
> >>thing
> >>about the NFB. I've got stuff to do. You know? Then I found out they want
> >>to
> >>block accessible money.
> >>
> >>I know I'm dancing on the edge of having to put myself on hiatus again but
> >>this just doesn't seem right to me. I don't think I should have to work so
> >>hard at this. I think I have a right to expect the NFB to look out for my
> >>interests and not those of the taxpayers or TV producers.  I mean, if the
> >>NFB was some fringe group, that would be different. But lets face it, the
> >>NFB is *the* advocacy group for the blind. The ACB is a weak little
> >>brother.
> >>
> >>I'm sorry if I pissed you off again but this just doesn't sit well with
> >>me.
> >>
> >>----- Original Message -----
> >>From: "Aaron Cannon" <cannona at fireantproductions.com>
> >>To: "NFB Talk Mailing List" <nfb-talk at nfbnet.org>
> >>Sent: Friday, April 25, 2008 6:50 PM
> >>Subject: Re: [nfb-talk] Convention attendees from Wisconsin?
> >>
> >>
> >> > -----BEGIN PGP SIGNED MESSAGE-----
> >> > Hash: RIPEMD160
> >> >
> >> > Depends on your local chapter.  My chapter, for instance, requires that
> >> > you
> >> > attend two consecutive meetings before you can be voted in as a member.
> >> > Other chapters do things differently.  If there is not a chapter in
> >> > your
> >> > area, you can also join as a member-at-large.
> >> >
> >> > Aaron
> >> >
> >> >
> >> > - --
> >> > Skype: cannona
> >> > MSN/Windows Messenger: cannona at hotmail.com (don't send email to the
> >> > hotmail
> >> > address.)
> >> > - ----- Original Message -----
> >> > From: "John Heim" <jheim at math.wisc.edu>
> >> > To: "NFB Talk Mailing List" <nfb-talk at nfbnet.org>
> >> > Sent: Friday, April 25, 2008 4:19 PM
> >> > Subject: Re: [nfb-talk] Convention attendees from Wisconsin?
> >> >
> >> >
> >> >> Well, I wouldn't think becoming a member would be difficult, would it?
> >> >> Unless you have to pass some kind of test before you can join. Like
> >> >> "Here's
> >> >> some money, identify it's denomination."
> >> >>
> >> >> It's just a joke! :-)
> >> >>
> >> >>
> >> >> ----- Original Message -----
> >> >> From: "Aaron Cannon" <cannona at fireantproductions.com>
> >> >> To: "NFB Talk Mailing List" <nfb-talk at nfbnet.org>
> >> >> Sent: Friday, April 25, 2008 1:22 PM
> >> >> Subject: Re: [nfb-talk] Convention attendees from Wisconsin?
> >> >>
> >> >>
> >> >>> -----BEGIN PGP SIGNED MESSAGE-----
> >> >>> Hash: RIPEMD160
> >> >>>
> >> >>> In order to vote, you must not only attend, but must also be a member
> >> >>> of
> >> >>> the
> >> >>> organization.  At least, that is my understanding.
> >> >>>
> >> >>> Aaron
> >> >>>
> >> >>>
> >> >>> - --
> >> >>> Skype: cannona
> >> >>> MSN/Windows Messenger: cannona at hotmail.com (don't send email to the
> >> >>> hotmail
> >> >>> address.)
> >> >>> - ----- Original Message -----
> >> >>> From: "John Heim" <jheim at math.wisc.edu>
> >> >>> To: "NFB Talk Mailing List" <nfb-talk at nfbnet.org>
> >> >>> Sent: Friday, April 25, 2008 1:11 PM
> >> >>> Subject: [nfb-talk] Convention attendees from Wisconsin?
> >> >>>
> >> >>>
> >> >>>> Given that there are usually 300+ attendees, I'd guess that there
> >> >>>> are a
> >> >>>> lot
> >> >>>> of people from Wisconsin going to the NFB national convention. I'm
> >> >>>> thinking
> >> >>>> about going because I guess that's the only way you get to vote,
> >> >>>> right?
> >> >>>>
> >> >>>> --
> >> >>>> John Heim
> >> >>>> jheim at math.wisc.edu / 608-263-4189
> >> >>>> "An operator of a vehicle shall stop the vehicle before approaching
> >> >>>> closer
> >> >>>> than 10 feet to a pedestrian who is using a service animal"
> >> >>>> -- Wisconsin Statute 2005 Act 354,
> >> >>>>
> >> >>>> _______________________________________________
> >> >>>> nfb-talk mailing list
> >> >>>> nfb-talk at nfbnet.org
> >> >>>> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nfb-talk
> >> >>>> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info
> >> >>>> for
> >> >>>> nfb-talk:
> >> >>>>
> >> 
> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nfb-talk/cannona%40fireantproductions.com
> >> >>>
> >> >>> -----BEGIN PGP SIGNATURE-----
> >> >>> Version: GnuPG v1.4.8 (MingW32) - GPGrelay v0.959
> >> >>> Comment: Key available from all major key servers.
> >> >>>
> >> >>> iEYEAREDAAYFAkgSIYUACgkQI7J99hVZuJfNngCfVXtBDQG0FokCavt1Mz2D3uUM
> >> >>> s84An2RNA73Xh3zPr8gC29aiVbViai0+
> >> >>> =6Qwc
> >> >>> -----END PGP SIGNATURE-----
> >> >>> _______________________________________________
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> >> >>
> >> >> _______________________________________________
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> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nfb-talk/cannona%40fireantproductions.com
> >> >
> >> > -----BEGIN PGP SIGNATURE-----
> >> > Version: GnuPG v1.4.8 (MingW32) - GPGrelay v0.959
> >> > Comment: Key available from all major key servers.
> >> >
> >> > iEYEAREDAAYFAkgSbl0ACgkQI7J99hVZuJdlWACeKJBgAR07+emyzhyGYZwr2LUN
> >> > eVgAn1QdNUdET5Mp/q7sCTL7eGCT64ZR
> >> > =69Uu
> >> > -----END PGP SIGNATURE-----
> >> > _______________________________________________
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> >> >
> >>
> >>_______________________________________________
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> >>
> >>
> >>--
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> >>4/25/2008 2:31 PM
> >
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> >
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>Checked by AVG.
>Version: 7.5.524 / Virus Database: 269.23.5/1398 - Release Date: 
>4/25/2008 2:31 PM