Ted.Young@p0.f89.n129.z1.fidonet.org (Ted Young) (12/05/90)
Index Number: 12253 In messages concerning audible traffic signals Al Hoffman said "I think its simple. Yell at bad lights that get in the way, applaude the good lights, and don't worry if it is a problem. Nothing is for free ya know." Al, you're right, nothing is for free and the price of those unneeded, often unwanted signals is higher than just the purchase price. Although it appears that only the public pays the price for them, the truth is that we the blind pay far more. It is far easier for the public to believe that they have solved our problems with some mechanical device that they can point to and celebrate, than to get that same public to do what really matters such as providing equal opportunity in employment, promotion, etc. But then, you shouldn't complain, after all that signal will be cheerfully chirping at you and getting in your way when you leave that unsuccessful job interview, and, isn't that proof that somebody is taking care of you. In fact, the existance of that burbler of beneficence will only make you seem more of an ungreatful slob when you complain about the job you should have had. "Some NFB-types would like the world to know they are damned gonna fight for their rights, and dammit that will come first. Thats just strange in my opinion, you should fight for your right when you need to, but there is no need to keep beating people over the head with the idea--it won't do you or them any good." In my experience people who believe the above sentence are reacting to their own discomfort about fighting for a particular right with which they disagree and since, one remembers such discomfort longer than one remembers accomplishments with which one agrees, they assume that such fights are the core of the movement. The statement is then more of a reason for introspection on where one stands concerning the rights of blind persons in our society, than a condemnation of the NFB. "neither organization for the blind is big enough to cause that much damage in a real sense, such as the National Rifle Association, or Right to Life, or National Organization of Women." By damage I assume that you mean impact and I have heard that statement before as an excuse to criticize rather than to get involved and help to improve conditions for the blind in this country. Ted -- Uucp: ..!{decvax,oliveb}!bunker!hcap!hnews!129!89.0!Ted.Young Internet: Ted.Young@p0.f89.n129.z1.fidonet.org
Jeff.Salzberg@f89.n129.z1.fidonet.org (Jeff Salzberg) (12/05/90)
Index Number: 12267 [This is from the Blink Talk Conference] TY> It is far easier for the public to believe that they TY> have solved our TY> problems with some mechanical device that they can point to and TY> celebrate, than TY> to get that same public to do what really matters such as TY> providing equal TY> opportunity in employment, promotion, etc. Amazing. Only the NFB could consider equal employment opportunities and audible traffic signals to be mutually exclusive. Sheesh. ... Let's have more fun in '91! -- Uucp: ..!{decvax,oliveb}!bunker!hcap!hnews!129!89!Jeff.Salzberg Internet: Jeff.Salzberg@f89.n129.z1.fidonet.org