[nfb-talk] New THOUGHT PROVOKER #131- White Cane andAmericanIdol

[kaye zimpher]

Well it is not the prettiest piece of equipment though I guess one could go 
and get the canes that are different colors for their performances. I think 
they even have jewls and such you can put on a cane to "dress it up."
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Ray Foret jr" <rforetjr at comcast.net>
To: "NFB Talk Mailing List" <nfb-talk at nfbnet.org>
Sent: Tuesday, March 11, 2008 12:48 PM
Subject: Re: [nfb-talk] New THOUGHT PROVOKER #131- White Cane 
andAmericanIdol


> Tibble, in your message you ask, "and
> for Ray, is Kelly Clarkson a barefooter like yourself?".
>    Well, from what I hear, she did perform barefooted on American Idol
> barefooted and on many of her tours; but, from what I hear, she no longer
> does.  To be a true barefooter, you have not only to perform barefooted on
> stage, you have to go around barefooted inside and outside as much as
> possible.  Now, Joss Stone is said to be barefooted all or most of the 
> time
> on stage and much if not all of the time off it.  Performing on stage
> barefooted may be part of a singers appearance because they know that some
> guys like to see women that way; or, it may be just a matter of physical
> comfort and personal preference, as it is for me.  She wasn't the first or
> only singer to appear on stage in that condition; nor, I suspect, will she
> be the last.
>    I'd have, however, to disagree with Kaye, though.  The cane does not, 
> in
> my opinion, detract from one's appearance; rather, it can be used to 
> enhance
> it; somewhat like a kind of stage prop.  Okay, so that's not really why 
> the
> cane is there.  Still and all, why not take advantage of its presence?
>
> Sincerely yours,
> The Constantly Barefooted,
> Ray
> Home phone and fax:
> (985)360-3375
> E-mail:
> rforetjratcomcastdotnet
> Skype Name:
> barefootedray
>
> God bless President George W. Bush!
> God bless our troops!
> and God bless America
> ----- Original Message ----- 
> From: "tribble" <lauraeaves at yahoo.com>
> To: "NFB Talk Mailing List" <nfb-talk at nfbnet.org>
> Sent: Tuesday, March 11, 2008 11:18 AM
> Subject: Re: [nfb-talk] New THOUGHT PROVOKER #131- White Cane
> andAmericanIdol
>
>
> Hey all -- until this thread I didn't know it was a hypothetical
> situation -- thought there really was a blind guy in American Idol -- and
> for Ray, is Kelly Clarkson a barefooter like yourself?
> But as for dancing and other coriography, I can't see the tv at all, but 
> my
> family has described to me some of the more interesting antics of the
> singers in past contests, for example when Taylor hicks was in Idol (he 
> won
> for those who don't watch), one of the songs he sang in the competition 
> was
> "Play that Funky Music White Boy" , and according to my sighted family
> member, he danced around a lot then laid down on the floor on his back to
> sing part of the song.    Other contestants have also dong outrageous 
> things
> like going and grabbing one of the judges (usually paula) to Dance.  Also,
> some have dressed in extremely scanty attire, and some changed their hair
> every performance -- Sanjaya for example.
> So visuals are just as important as sound.  And did anyone see (hear) the
> movie Shrek 2? At the end on the non-audio-described version was a spoof 
> on
> American Idol with Joan Rivers and Simon Caul and featuring the characters
> in the movie singing about 11 numbers -- one of these acts was the 3 blind
> mice singing "I Can See Clearly Now the Rain is Gone".  Quite funny when 
> my
> sighted friend described the coriography of the mice trying to dance 
> around
> but bumping in each other and knocking each other down.  I'm sorry but I
> thought that was hilarious.  I'm a sucker for parodies.
> Enjoy Idol, which is tonight -- they are down to the top 12 so the voting
> starts for real to drop 1 per week.
> --le
>
>
>
>
> ----- Original Message ----- 
> From: "Ray Foret jr" <rforetjr at comcast.net>
> To: "NFB Talk Mailing List" <nfb-talk at nfbnet.org>
> Sent: Monday, March 10, 2008 10:50 AM
> Subject: Re: [nfb-talk] New THOUGHT PROVOKER #131- White Cane
> andAmericanIdol
>
>
> Wait!!!  no need to get all bent out of shape yet; you see, this is only a
> hypothetical situation.  IN reality, there was a blind guy who did attempt
> to appear before the judges I think back a couple of years ago; but, as I
> understand it, he didn't even manage to get in to the audition room; so,
> neither Randy, Paula nor the stuffed shirt Simon was able even to see or
> hear him.  I have an unpleasant suspicion that they wouldn't let a blind
> person on the show anyhow.  But why?  because of the lack of visual stage
> presence.  What I mean by that is this.  Does the blind person just stand
> there still and sing; or, does the person move around and dance and all
> that?  You will notice that Robert has obviously dealt with that question
> very directly in his thought provoker.  Read it carefully, and you'll see
> that Robert has anticipated this very issue.  Obviously, the blind guy 
> sure
> just doesn't just stand there and sing.  Let's give it some thought.  Do 
> the
> judges pay more attention to how a contestant looks or how they sound. 
> This
> is a sighted world; and, whether we like it or not, how someone looks is
> almost more important than any other consideration.  So, if you just stand
> there still and sing, the chances are you're not  going to arouse any
> enthusiasm on the part of either the judges or the audience.  As I
> understand it, there was a young blind lady who did manage to appear 
> before
> the judges, but, it was her lack of visual stage presence that did her in;
> and, she never even got in front of the  camera in the judging room.
>
> Sincerely yours,
> The Constantly Barefooted,
> Ray
> Home phone and fax:
> (985)360-3375
> E-mail:
> rforetjratcomcastdotnet
> Skype Name:
> barefootedray
>
> God bless President George W. Bush!
> God bless our troops!
> and God bless America
> ----- Original Message ----- 
> From: "Powers, Terry (NIH/OD/DEAS) [E]" <powerst at dcpcepn.nci.nih.gov>
> To: "NFB Talk Mailing List" <nfb-talk at nfbnet.org>
> Sent: Monday, March 10, 2008 9:30 AM
> Subject: Re: [nfb-talk] New THOUGHT PROVOKER #131- White Cane
> andAmericanIdol
>
>
> Go Ray, go!
> That is a discrace on the blind.  He has no right even saying anything
> about the man's cane.  I missed that episode.  I did not even know we
> had a blind person on the show.  I think he is the first and I am sure
> glad we are finally represented.  I sure hope he stands up for his
> rights.  His cane is his means of getting around.  It sure looks better
> for the man to use a cane and be able to walk one the stage, alone, than
> to have to have a sighted guide.  This reminds me of the airlines taking
> away our canes.
> If a singer had MS or CP..., would he have the nerve to take away their
> walking cane?  I bet not, so why is he questioning a blind person using
> a walking cane for navigation.  This could lead to a 508 case if it gets
> out of hand.  In my opinion, he is being discriminated against and could
> be taken to court.  I see he said nothing about that man with the real
> long hair!
>
> Terry Powers
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Ray Foret jr [mailto:rforetjr at comcast.net]
> Sent: Monday, March 10, 2008 8:23 AM
> To: NFB Talk Mailing List
> Subject: Re: [nfb-talk] New THOUGHT PROVOKER #131- White Cane and
> AmericanIdol
>
> Well, to me, this is a no brainer.  We all know, of course, that it's
> respectable to be blind.  We all know that the white cane draws
> attention to us, in one way or another; usually, we hope, a good way.
> We know this, but, many sighted still do not know it.  The white cane
> would, as a matter of fact, draw attention directly to the performer
> rather than away from him.
> Besides which, the white cane could be used as part of the appearance
> aspect of his performance.  IF some female American Idol contestants
> perform BAREFOOTED as part of their appearance or preference, (Kelly
> Clarkson comes to mind) Why not the white cane for the hypothetical
> blind performer?  As for Simon, well, that stuffed shirt doesn't seem to
> like anything or any one; so, what can I say?
>
> Just my $0.02 (Zero Dollars two cents) worth.
>
> Sincerely yours,
> The Constantly Barefooted,
> Ray
> Home phone and fax:
> (985)360-3375
> E-mail:
> rforetjratcomcastdotnet
> Skype Name:
> barefootedray
>
> God bless President George W. Bush!
> God bless our troops!
> and God bless America
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Robert Leslie Newman" <newmanrl at cox.net>
> To: "nfbtalk" <NFB-talk at nfbnet.org>
> Sent: Sunday, March 09, 2008 9:16 PM
> Subject: [nfb-talk] New THOUGHT PROVOKER #131- White Cane and American
> Idol
>
>
> NFBtalk members
> RE:  White Cane and American Idol
>
> Simon, Paula and Randy are faced with judging if a white cane is a
> detractor
> to the performance of the first blind American Idol contestant. See if
> you
> agree with their Judgment. fellow judges If you have not read the
> PROVOKER,
> it follows.  Recall that I collect responses and post them upon my web
> site
> for all the WWW to read and learn from and that URL is-
> Http://thoughtprovoker.info  If you wish to receive THOUGHT PROVOKERS
> sent
> directly to you, just write me and ask, at-  newmanrl at cox.net
>
> THOUGHT PROVOKER 131
> White Cane and American Idol
>
> White cane arching, swaying, at times twirling like a baton in his
> fingers,
> the young blind man belted out his vocals and danced in rhythm to the
> driving beat of the stage band and supporting voices of the backup
> singers,
> all part of his well rehearsed number for the audience and judges of
> American Idol, the hit television show. The competition was in the third
> week, eight contestants had already been eliminated, four in each of the
> proceeding two weeks. This week four more, two males and two females
> would
> be voted off, sent home by America's voting audience.
>
> The live audience responded enthusiastically, obviously having liked the
> young blind man's rendition of the eighties rock tune. The radiant smile
> and
> confident movement of the young man on stage told the watcher that the
> singer felt he'd given a good performance.
>
> "Check it out! Check it out! Dog!" Loudly proclaimed Randy, the first of
> the
> three judges standing on his feet, bent arms waving the beat, looking
> excited and pleased. "That was hot! That is what we saw in you from the
> first tune you sang in front of us.  it's the enthusiasm of delivery,
> good
> clear tone, and the way you handle yourself. Dog! Good song choice--that
> was
> perfect for you. I liked that! This was the best performance of the
> night!"
> Randy was beaming so hard, he could have been an ad for toothpaste.
>
> Paula was next, face beaming, still standing where she had risen to
> dance
> behind her chair, "Brent, that was a stunning performance; great vocals!
> Your parents. who are in the audience, can be proud of you. You looked
> natural up there; you had the audience loving you! And hey, you can
> dance!
> We hadn't seen that in your earlier performances.  You looked good; you
> need
> to do more of that. I think you are going to be in the final twelve and
> the
> other singers will have to work hard to beat this performance."  She sat
> down, tilting her head and raising her eyebrows to check what the
> persnickety judge on her right was going to say.
>
> The cameras shifted to the final judge. He had sat, arms crossed, taking
> in
> Brent's performance with his usual critical eye and half smile.  With
> serious tone and British-accented speech, Simon began one of his
> infamous,
> well known intros to an evaluation of a singer's performance. "To be
> honest
> with you, I have mixed feelings about you." The audience erupted with
> hoots
> and jeering in response to the judge they loved to hate. "Wait a minute,
> wait a minute, let me have my say." And with the return of quiet to the
> hall, Simon addressed the now unsmiling, serious young singer. "On the
> positive side, I think you actually are one of the top two voices in the
> competition." The audience responded favorably but quieted down quickly,
> knowing that Simon had more to say. "But my problem is." Simon's
> eyebrows
> came together as he frowned in concentration.
>
> "Ah, what? The ever eloquent Simon is lost for words!" blustered Randy.
>
> Turning a serious face to his fellow judge, Simon answered, "Well, we've
> never before had a blind contestant and I'm struggling with how to
> phrase my
> comment." Abruptly turning back to the waiting performer, face
> determined,
> Simon continued, "Brent, I will not treat you any different, I owe you
> that,
> and I'm going to tell you what the problem is. It is . as we tell you
> all,
> in this business you have to be believable. And in your special case,
> you
> have to be acceptable." The audience reacts, Randy and Paula's voices
> add to
> the storm of protest and Simon has to again pause. "Now wait a minute,
> wait!
> Let me finish. Hear what I've got to say." With order restored, Simon
> went
> on, "I did not say a blind singer would not be acceptable! As everyone
> else
> here, I'm aware of Stevie Wonder and Ray Charles, and other blind
> musicians
> who have made it in professional music. But there's a difference at work
> here. Now what my problem is--I said your vocals were one of the best,
> but
> on stage I believe you will have to lose that white stick. It was .
> annoying; it kept drawing the eye, taking the focus off of where it
> should
> be, on the singer. Sorry, the stick is not compatible with being an
> Idol."
> THOUGHT PROVOKER 131
> White Cane and American Idol
>
> White cane arching, swaying, at times twirling like a baton in his
> fingers,
> the young blind man belted out his vocals and danced in rhythm to the
> driving beat of the stage band and supporting voices of the backup
> singers,
> all part of his well rehearsed number for the audience and judges of
> American Idol, the hit television show. The competition was in the third
> week, eight contestants had already been eliminated, four in each of the
> proceeding two weeks. This week four more, two males and two females
> would
> be voted off, sent home by America's voting audience.
>
> The live audience responded enthusiastically, obviously having liked the
> young blind man's rendition of the old rhythm and blues classic. The
> radiant
> smile and confident movement of the young man on stage told the watcher
> that
> the singer felt he'd given a good performance.
>
> "Check it out! Check it out! Dog!" Loudly proclaimed Randy, the first of
> the
> three judges standing on his feet, bent arms waving the beat, looking
> excited and pleased. "That was hot! That is what we saw in you from the
> first tune you sang in front of us.  it's the enthusiasm of delivery,
> good
> clear tone, and the way you handle yourself. Dog! Good song choice--that
> was
> perfect for you. I liked that! This was the best performance of the
> night!"
> Randy was beaming so hard, he could have been an ad for toothpaste.
>
> Paula was next, face beaming, still standing where she had risen to
> dance
> behind her chair, "Brent, that was a stunning performance; great vocals!
> Your parents. who are in the audience, can be proud of you. You looked
> natural up there; you had the audience loving you! And hey, you can
> dance!
> We hadn't seen that in your earlier performances.  You looked good; you
> need
> to do more of that. I think you are going to be in the final twelve and
> the
> other singers will have to work hard to beat this performance."  She sat
> down, tilting her head and raising her eyebrows to check what the
> persnickety judge on her right was going to say.
>
> The cameras shifted to the final judge. He had sat, arms crossed, taking
> in
> Brent's performance with his usual critical eye and half smile.  With
> serious tone and British-accented speech, Simon began one of his
> infamous,
> well known intros to an evaluation of a singer's performance. "To be
> honest
> with you, I have mixed feelings about you." The audience erupted with
> hoots
> and jeering in response to the judge they loved to hate. "Wait a minute,
> wait a minute, let me have my say." And with the return of quiet to the
> hall, Simon addressed the now unsmiling, serious young singer. "On the
> positive side, I think you actually are one of the top two voices in the
> competition." The audience responded favorably but quieted down quickly,
> knowing that Simon had more to say. "But my problem is." Simon's
> eyebrows
> came together as he frowned in concentration.
>
> "Ah, what? The ever eloquent Simon is lost for words!" blustered Randy.
>
> Turning a serious face to his fellow judge, Simon answered, "Well, we've
> never before had a blind contestant and I'm struggling with how to
> phrase my
> comment." Abruptly turning back to the waiting performer, face
> determined,
> Simon continued, "Brent, I will not treat you any different, I owe you
> that,
> and I'm going to tell you what the problem is. It is . as we tell you
> all,
> in this business you have to be believable. And in your special case,
> you
> have to be acceptable." The audience reacts, Randy and Paula's voices
> add to
> the storm of protest and Simon has to again pause. "Now wait a minute,
> wait!
> Let me finish. Hear what I've got to say." With order restored, Simon
> went
> on, "I did not say a blind singer would not be acceptable! As everyone
> else
> here, I'm aware of Stevie Wonder and Ray Charles, and other blind
> musicians
> who have made it in professional music. But there's a difference at work
> here. Now what my problem is--I said your vocals were one of the best,
> but
> on stage I believe you will have to lose that white stick. It was .
> annoying; it kept drawing the eye, taking the focus off of where it
> should
> be, on the singer. Sorry, the stick is not compatible with being an
> Idol."
>
>
> Robert Leslie Newman
> E-Mail- newmanrl at cox.net
> Web Site- thoughtprovoker.info
>
>
>
>
> ------------------------------------------------------------------------
> --------
>
>
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