do fences make good neighbors? What about Walls?

The American Oligarchy is showing serious cracks in it's former strong walls of
protection.  Of course an obvious sign of this crumbling is the need
to build physical walls for protection, rather than the former walls
of economic and military power.
Along with the wall to keep Mexicans from picking our crops at below
living wages, a wall of a different sort continues murdering people
living in the far off Middle East.  Those drones we send are every bit
a wall as if they were rooted in the ground.  Now we will keep certain
immigrants from sneaking into our wonderful, free democracy, bent on
terrorizing our innocent citizens.
At the same time the Oligarchy's ruling class is wrestling with the
development of another wall.  This wall will keep unwanted information
from being sent around our nation via the internet.  Also, a wall must
be finished that keeps journalists away from certain sensitive
information.  Even PBS must be walled off.  By cutting their funding
and allowing more and more so called Support from Giant International
Corporations, to bend the once more neutral reporting toward the
Right.  And of course we'll wall off such news sources as MSNBC, RT,
and CNN(Huh?) freeing up our airwaves for real Patriotic programming.
Yes, it was so much easier back in my dad's day, back in the 30's and
40's when our big threat were those terrorists called Commies.  Back
then the "informers" could simply wander into meetings and take notes
on who looked dangerous.  The same techniques worked on Union
Busting.  Over the years the Working Class has been misled by the
Oligarchy's Strawmen, Red Herrings, and Pied Pipers.  All of them were
smoke and mirrors, distracting us from the real Terrorists.  These
Terrorists have been within our borders since they seized control from
the hated Redcoats back in 1776.  While it took a long time for this
little Oligarchy to span the new continent, clearing the forests and
the Indians who thought they had some sort of right to live here.  But
finally the land was settled from coast to coast.  Our nation's
prosperity was based on expansionism, and that meant finding new
frontiers to conquer.  South and Central America were exploited, and
Canada was tamed.  A war with Mexico added land to our nation, as did
the fight with Spain.  But eventually the Ruling Class was faced with
a need to extract even more blood from the veins of the American
Working Class.
The Working Class has never been equal to the Ruling Class.  We exist
as some sort of Natural Resource.  We grow their food, fight their
wars, build their towers and mansions,   and bear their insults and
take the blame when their greedy plans go awry.
No, President Trump, the Terror is not at our borders scratching to
get in.  The Terror is already with us, and you, Mister President, are
a giant part of it.

Carl Jarvis

Re: [acb-chat] [ACB-chat] Run Mrs. Clinton in 20

To All and sundry,
Unless we all agree that it is time to take down all artificial
borders and remove all of the world's wealth, and divide it among all
of Planet Earth's Citizens, and until we declare that there is dignity
in all labor, and until we treat one another with respect, regardless
of those artificial barriers such as race, color, sexual preference
and religion...or lack thereof, until that time we will continue to
live uncertain, dangerous lives.

arl Jarvis




On 1/28/17, Frank Ventura via acb-chat <acb-chat@acblists.org> wrote:
> Cliff, I can't tell you to any degree of precision what percentage of trump
> voters around here are the jet set. However, I can tell you that they
> indulge in idol worship and believe their support of Trump will one day lead
> to being his fiscal equal.
> Frank
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Clifford [mailto:clifford@tds.net]
> Sent: Saturday, January 28, 2017 1:30 PM
> To: Frank Ventura <frank.ventura@littlebreezes.com>
> Subject: RE: [acb-chat] Run Mrs. Clinton in 20
>
> Dear Frank:
> How many conservatives are on your friend's list or with whom you
> regularly communicate? The folks who elected President Trump are not the
> jet set, but the folks who are or want to be in that middle class. In this
> area of Tennessee, eighty percent voted for Trump, and I can guarantee you
> that eighty percent of our population are not the "country club set".
>
> Yours Truly,
>
> Clifford Wilson
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Frank Ventura [mailto:frank.ventura@littlebreezes.com]
> Sent: Friday, January 27, 2017 11:01 PM
> To: Clifford <clifford@tds.net>
> Subject: RE: [acb-chat] Run Mrs. Clinton in 20
>
> Clifford, if you are of the opinion that a healthy working class is a
> positive then I conjecture that you may not be a conservative in the sense
> of the word as it has been used in the post Reagan era.
> Frank
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Clifford [mailto:clifford@tds.net]
> Sent: Friday, January 27, 2017 7:57 PM
> To: 'General discussion list for ACB members and friends where a wide range
> of topics from blindness to politics, issues of the day or whatever comes to
> mind are welcome. This is a free form discussion list.'
> <acb-chat@acblists.org>
> Cc: Frank Ventura <frank.ventura@littlebreezes.com>
> Subject: RE: [acb-chat] Run Mrs. Clinton in 20
>
> Dear Frank:
> I disagree with your supposition here. I am of the opinion that a healthy,
> growing, and prosperous middle class is most desirable and the road to a
> robust economy. Our present economy is only creeping along because the
> federal government is printing billions and increasing our debt
> astronomically. If the debt increase in the last eight years was removed
> from our economy, we would be in a drastic recession if not worse.
> The unemployment figures do not tell the big picture, as many workers have
> simply given up looking, and they are not counted in the reports. Those who
> do have jobs are working for less than before in many cases.
> Frank, there may be some fat cats that wish for a situation where the
> masses are desperate for work and willing to work for extremely low wages,
> but I don't know any such individuals and I believe such notions are rare,
> other in the minds of liberals.
>
> Yours Truly,
>
> Clifford Wilson
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Frank Ventura via acb-chat [mailto:acb-chat@acblists.org]
> Sent: Thursday, January 26, 2017 9:00 PM
> To: General discussion list for ACB members and friends where a wide range
> of topics from blindness to politics, issues of the day or whatever comes to
> mind are welcome. This is a free form discussion list.
> <acb-chat@acblists.org>
> Cc: Frank Ventura <frank.ventura@littlebreezes.com>
> Subject: Re: [acb-chat] Run Mrs. Clinton in 20
>
> Conservatives won't be happy until every working class job is outsourced and
> the working class is destroyed.
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: John Heim via acb-chat [mailto:acb-chat@acblists.org]
> Sent: Thursday, January 26, 2017 1:09 PM
> To: issues of the day or whatever comes to mind are 'welcome.' This is a
> free form discussion 'list. <acb-chat@acblists.org>
> Cc: John Heim <john@johnheim.com>
> Subject: Re: [acb-chat] Run Mrs. Clinton in 20
>
> conservatives simply refuse to face reality. The fact is that we alredy have
> a robust economy. The country is way, way better off than it was when
> President Obama took office. Electing Trump is the equivalent of someone
> with a toothache hiring a witch doctor to do brain surgery on them. The
> problem wasn't that bad in the first place, the person you hired is totally
> incompetant, and their solution has nothing to do with the actual problem.
> On 01/26/2017 10:58 AM, Clifford Wilson via acb-chat wrote:
>> Dear Carl:
>> It is good to note your return to this list serve. It seems to me
>> that the great outcry from a few subscribers has come about as a
>> result of the election between Mrs. Clinton and Mr. Trump, and it
>> occurred to me that the unhappy Clinton supporters might wish to try
>> once again.
>> I am hopeful that this country will be able to get out of the ruit
>> that has been brought about by the leaders of both major parties for
>> too many years. In order for the country to right itself, it appears
>> to me that we will have to have a robust ecconomy, which in my opinion
>> means a growing middle class, not a disappearing one as we have seen
>> in the last years.
>> President Trump may not turn out to be the answer, but I am quite
>> sure that the other alternatives were not heading in a direction that
>> would get us there.
>> Bob and I have figured out some of the tax reforms lllneede, but I
>> am not holding my breath until they have been implimented.
>> Have you been wrestling any bears of late? I suppose most of them
>> hybernate in January in your part of the country?
>> Take care my friend and good to have you back.
>>
>> Yours Truly,
>>
>> Clifford Wilsond
>>
>> -----Original Message----- From: Carl Jarvis via acb-chat
>> Sent: Thursday, January 26, 2017 10:41 AM
>> To: General discussion list for ACB members and friends where a wide
>> range of topics from blindness to politics, issues of the day or
>> whatever comes to mind are welcome. This is a free form discussion list.
>> Cc: Carl Jarvis
>> Subject: Re: [acb-chat] Run Mrs. Clinton in 20
>>
>> Well Clifford, rebuilding the Hillary Clinton for President Machine
>> again reminds me of the definition of Crazy, doing the same thing over
>> and over while expecting different results.
>> But of course, hoping for a better world each time we vote in a new
>> Leader fits that definition, too. Maybe I can understand to a degree,
>> the feelings of those who look forward to the Second Coming.
>> Carl Jarvis
>> PS. Of course a Second Coming might need to be followed by a Third
>> Coming...and a Fourth...which brings us back to the definition of
>> Crazy...
>> CJ
>>
>>
>> On 1/26/17, Clifford via acb-chat <acb-chat@acblists.org> wrote:
>>> Dear John and others who wish to keep complaining about the election:
>>>
>>> This hillbilly's suggestion is to start working now
>>> to help choose Mrs. Clinton as the torch bearer for the democrats in
>>> 2020. I am quite sure she could carry the same states she did last
>>> Fall, and that could mean more votes than are received by any other
>>> candidate in the rest of the country. Being from Tennessee, I am a
>>> supporter of the compromise fashioned by our founding fathers when
>>> they came up with the bicameral legislature and the electoral
>>> college.
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> Cheers,
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> Clifford Wilson
>>>
>>>
>>>
>> _______________________________________________
>> acb-chat mailing list
>> acb-chat@acblists.org
>> http://www.acblists.org/mailman/listinfo/acb-chat
>>
>> ---
>> This email has been checked for viruses by Avast antivirus software.
>> https://www.avast.com/antivirus
>>
>> _______________________________________________
>> acb-chat mailing list
>> acb-chat@acblists.org
>> http://www.acblists.org/mailman/listinfo/acb-chat
> _______________________________________________
> acb-chat mailing list
> acb-chat@acblists.org
> http://www.acblists.org/mailman/listinfo/acb-chat
> _______________________________________________
> acb-chat mailing list
> acb-chat@acblists.org
> http://www.acblists.org/mailman/listinfo/acb-chat
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> acb-chat mailing list
> acb-chat@acblists.org
> http://www.acblists.org/mailman/listinfo/acb-chat
>

Re: [acb-chat] [POTENTIAL SPAM] - [EXTERNAL] Re: This is a good start

This is Carl Jarvis, responding to John's note regarding the TPP.
First, I have not read the TPP document. It is long and mostly out of
reach by me, since there seems to be no Braille copy. And think of
how much space this huge document would take, if it were in Braille.
But yes, I do believe TPP will impact American jobs. And for certain
it will have an impact on the wages of working class Americans. Read
what Senator Elizabeth Warren and Rosa DeLauro have to say:
******

By Elizabeth Warren and Rosa DeLauro   MAY 11, 2015

CONGRESS IS in an intense debate over trade bills that will shape the
course of the US economy for decades. Much of this debate has been
characterized
as a fight over whether international trade itself creates or destroys
American jobs. There is, however, another major concern — that modern
"trade" agreements
are often less about trade and more about giant multinational
corporations finding new ways to rig the economic system to benefit
themselves. Hillary Clinton
has said that the "United States should be advocating a level and fair
playing field, not special favors" for big business, in our trade
deals. We agree
with this blunt assessment – and believe every member of Congress
should consider this carefully before voting to help advance these
agreements.

Advocates of the pending Trans-Pacific Partnership, a massive
12-country agreement, sell this proposal as a free trade deal — but
the United States already
has free trade agreements with half of the countries at the
negotiating table, and only five of the treaty's 29 draft chapters
reportedly deal with traditional
trade issues. While reducing traditional barriers to trade with
countries like Japan will facilitate some international commerce, the
TPP is about more
than reducing tariffs.
The president argues that the TPP is about who will "write the rules"
for 40 percent of the world's economy — the United States or China.
But who is writing
the TPP? The text has been classified and the public isn't permitted
to see it, but 28 trade advisory committees have been intimately
involved in the negotiations.
Of the 566 committee members, 480, or 85 percent, are senior corporate
executives or representatives from industry lobbying groups. Many of
the advisory
committees are made up entirely of industry representatives.

A rigged process leads to a rigged outcome. For evidence of that tilt,
look at a key TPP provision: Investor-State Dispute Settlement where
big companies
get the right to challenge laws they don't like in front of
industry-friendly arbitration panels that sit outside of any court
system. Those panels can
force taxpayers to write huge checks to big corporations — with no
appeals. Workers, environmentalists, and human rights advocates don't
get that special
right.


On 1/25/17, Tod Fassl via acb-chat <acb-chat@acblists.org> wrote:
> So why are you posting it then? Koch Bros paying you? I like to think so,
> I'd hate to think you're doing their dirty work for free. It's a totally
> chickenshit thing to say, "It's not me saying this sh*t, I'm just reporting
> what I've read.." Right out of Rush Limbaugh's playbook.
>
>
> Tod Fassl == fassl.tod@gmail.com
>
>> On Jan 25, 2017, at 11:53 AM, Demaya, Diego via acb-chat
>> <acb-chat@acblists.org> wrote:
>>
>> You keep missing out John. It is not me talking when I post articles. I am
>> not a blogger. I may concur or disagree by a comment or observation, but
>> again, the articles posted were not written by me. Perhaps you should
>> voice your concerns to those writers?
>>
>> Cheers,
>>
>>
>> -----Original Message-----
>> From: John Heim via acb-chat [mailto:acb-chat@acblists.org]
>> Sent: Wednesday, January 25, 2017 9:32 AM
>> To: issues of the day or whatever comes to mind are 'welcome.' This is a
>> free form discussion 'list.
>> Cc: John Heim
>> Subject: Re: [acb-chat] [POTENTIAL SPAM] - [EXTERNAL] Re: This is a good
>> start
>>
>> The point is that, as usual, you have absolutely no idea what you are
>> talking about.
>>
>> You don't know the first thing about the TPP but that doesn't stop you
>> from bloviating about it. Your claim to have an open mind on this issue,
>> any issue for that matter, is ludicrous as everyone on this list has
>> seen. Facts don't matter to you.
>>
>>
>> Your claim to have an open mind on this issue, any issue for that
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>> On 01/25/2017 09:05 AM, Demaya, Diego via acb-chat wrote:
>>> John, I read everything with an open mind! How about you? Are you going
>>> to seriously tell me that people remember the idiotic provisions of an
>>> international trade agreement? Hahahahahahahahahahahehehehh!
>>>
>>> Last I checked, they don't even require such a foolish thing in college!
>>>
>>>
>>> -----Original Message-----
>>> From: John Heim via acb-chat [mailto:acb-chat@acblists.org]
>>> Sent: Tuesday, January 24, 2017 7:17 AM
>>> To: issues of the day or whatever comes to mind are 'welcome.' This is a
>>> free form discussion 'list.
>>> Cc: John Heim
>>> Subject: [POTENTIAL SPAM] - [EXTERNAL] Re: [acb-chat] This is a good
>>> start
>>>
>>> Diego, what exactly do you know about the TPP? Right now, as you read
>>> this, can you name even one provision? Can you name the other countries
>>> in the TPP? I doubt you can name more than 2 or 3 and even those would be
>>> guesses. This is just another victory for ignorance and superstition. I
>>> don't know what else to call an irrational fear of the TPP but a
>>> superstition.
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> You know what made up most of the TPP treaty? Agreements for other
>>> countries to bring their standards more in line with ours. Stuff like
>>> wages, shorter work weeks, overtime, child labor regulations, safety and
>>> pollution controls. What did we give up? Practically nothing. All the
>>> countries in the TPP are already members of the WTO and therefore we
>>> already have a free trade agreement with them. So you're asking, if we
>>> give up nothing, why did *they* sign? The answer is that they are hoping
>>> the next time Apple or Dell Computers builds a factory overseas, instead
>>> of building it in China, they build it in their country. Tearing up the
>>> TPP is the best thing President Trump could have done for China. Happy
>>> day after the inauguration, China!
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> On 01/23/2017 03:01 PM, Demaya, Diego via acb-chat wrote:
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> Trump Signs Executive Order Killing Obama's Legacy Trade Deal
>>>
>>>
>>> Ryan Pickrell
>>> <https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=http-3A__dailycaller.com_author_ryan-2Dpickrell_&d=DwMFAg&c=cBOA5YEoZuz9KdLvh38YxdrPtfJt83ckXekfBgq5xB0&r=CK8oOj7-JYZnTDmB5orNTVZXar6NrsnGtGHfQ5m79Do&m=p3yUpmKsFIyc-vvBnO1v6RS-kFXMZaXoKwIex2lxKqM&s=UCwn3PVpqd0niOLRFlcvWKKiTPHV-mYThP02ogXfv5Y&e=>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> 12:06 PM 01/23/2017
>>>
>>> 4689
>>>
>>> 31
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> President Donald Trump signed an executive order Monday withdrawing
>>> from the legacy trade agreement former President Barack Obama worked on
>>> for years.
>>>
>>> Trump withdrew
>>> <https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=https-3A__twitter.com_AP_status_823573493132525568&d=DwMFAg&c=cBOA5YEoZuz9KdLvh38YxdrPtfJt83ckXekfBgq5xB0&r=CK8oOj7-JYZnTDmB5orNTVZXar6NrsnGtGHfQ5m79Do&m=p3yUpmKsFIyc-vvBnO1v6RS-kFXMZaXoKwIex2lxKqM&s=h2-T1X5iqsbanMxeVLV6PmGBSpRMHSMQt_vX3KZ7sH8&e=>
>>> from the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP), fulfilling a campaign promise.
>>> The withdrawal was among the first orders of the day.
>>>
>>> The Trump administration intends to pursue "trade deals working for
>>> all Americans." According to the updated White House website
>>> <https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=https-3A__www.whitehouse.gov_trade-2Ddeals-2Dworking-2Dall-2Damericans&d=DwMFAg&c=cBOA5YEoZuz9KdLvh38YxdrPtfJt83ckXekfBgq5xB0&r=CK8oOj7-JYZnTDmB5orNTVZXar6NrsnGtGHfQ5m79Do&m=p3yUpmKsFIyc-vvBnO1v6RS-kFXMZaXoKwIex2lxKqM&s=wwNdYDnnt8UK-myv4ZJftgkgsuYR3xt5ybGoPHYZh48&e=>
>>> , "this strategy starts by withdrawing from the Trans-Pacific Partnership
>>> and making certain that any new trade deals are in the interests of
>>> American workers."
>>>
>>> On the campaign trail, Trump repeatedly criticized the TPP.
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> <https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=http-3A__mandrillapp.com_track_open.php-3Fu-3D30489975-26id-3Dff812632273c49669882d1381f7189d5&d=DwIFaQ&c=cBOA5YEoZuz9KdLvh38YxdrPtfJt83ckXekfBgq5xB0&r=CK8oOj7-JYZnTDmB5orNTVZXar6NrsnGtGHfQ5m79Do&m=RatZccn_s5vel0Kr17Lg0-oVxgqDPFsYEM5gA37qHcs&s=JSec6SwNKWdYK6COhE05S86hLxIzY0IIoUCvKwmQiLA&e=
>>> >
>>>
>>>
>>> <https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=http-3A__mandrillapp.com_track_open.php-3Fu-3D30489975-26id-3Dc3a1af6c61094608a3f0e0733e045ae2&d=DwIFaQ&c=cBOA5YEoZuz9KdLvh38YxdrPtfJt83ckXekfBgq5xB0&r=CK8oOj7-JYZnTDmB5orNTVZXar6NrsnGtGHfQ5m79Do&m=RatZccn_s5vel0Kr17Lg0-oVxgqDPFsYEM5gA37qHcs&s=gf62qNSh3Fin62vLFD8pu61PGrbIblPpyjIidA7FDTg&e=
>>> >
>>> _______________________________________________
>>> acb-chat mailing list
>>> acb-chat@acblists.org
>>> https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=http-3A__www.acblists.org_mailman_listinfo_acb-2Dchat&d=DwIFaQ&c=cBOA5YEoZuz9KdLvh38YxdrPtfJt83ckXekfBgq5xB0&r=CK8oOj7-JYZnTDmB5orNTVZXar6NrsnGtGHfQ5m79Do&m=RatZccn_s5vel0Kr17Lg0-oVxgqDPFsYEM5gA37qHcs&s=sofwjio2wgM8hY4oQXRz_BgBI7gpd17qlqgt0leDT0A&e=
>>>
>>>
>>>
>> _______________________________________________
>> acb-chat mailing list
>> acb-chat@acblists.org
>> https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=http-3A__www.acblists.org_mailman_listinfo_acb-2Dchat&d=DwIFaQ&c=cBOA5YEoZuz9KdLvh38YxdrPtfJt83ckXekfBgq5xB0&r=CK8oOj7-JYZnTDmB5orNTVZXar6NrsnGtGHfQ5m79Do&m=RatZccn_s5vel0Kr17Lg0-oVxgqDPFsYEM5gA37qHcs&s=sofwjio2wgM8hY4oQXRz_BgBI7gpd17qlqgt0leDT0A&e=
>>
>>
>>
>> _______________________________________________
>> acb-chat mailing list
>> acb-chat@acblists.org
>> http://www.acblists.org/mailman/listinfo/acb-chat
>>
>>
> _______________________________________________
> acb-chat mailing list
> acb-chat@acblists.org
> http://www.acblists.org/mailman/listinfo/acb-chat
>
>
>

Re: [acb-chat] [POTENTIAL SPAM] - [EXTERNAL] Re: This is a good start

Remember the old adage, the devil's in the details? Well the major
reason He's there is to distract and muddy up the issues
When jobs are pouring out of our country, and when working class
families are struggling to stay afloat, and when people are working
two or three part time jobs at low wages in hope of keeping the lights
on, and when our children's education is ransomed and they have little
hope for jobs that will enable them to pay off their debts, and when
the working class becomes poorer and deeper in debt while the rich
become richer and move their headquarters out of the country, and when
corporations become more powerful than most nations, when all that and
more occurs, to Hell with the details! Something must be done.
The System is broke and must be fixed. That is, the Working Class
System is broken. And who do we think is going to "fix" it? We keep
turning to the very ones who profit from this Greed driven System.
Isn't it time that we, the common Americans, take control of our own
destiny? It's time to toss out the old rule book, and that includes
the TPP, and write new rules that include the well being of All
Americans. And it's long past time to admit that Capitalism is only
good for the Ruling Class, and needs to be placed in the dusty
backroom of History.

Carl Jarvis


On 1/25/17, Demaya, Diego via acb-chat <acb-chat@acblists.org> wrote:
> John, I read everything with an open mind! How about you? Are you going to
> seriously tell me that people remember the idiotic provisions of an
> international trade agreement? Hahahahahahahahahahahehehehh!
>
> Last I checked, they don't even require such a foolish thing in college!
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: John Heim via acb-chat [mailto:acb-chat@acblists.org]
> Sent: Tuesday, January 24, 2017 7:17 AM
> To: issues of the day or whatever comes to mind are 'welcome.' This is a
> free form discussion 'list.
> Cc: John Heim
> Subject: [POTENTIAL SPAM] - [EXTERNAL] Re: [acb-chat] This is a good start
>
> Diego, what exactly do you know about the TPP? Right now, as you read this,
> can you name even one provision? Can you name the other countries in the
> TPP? I doubt you can name more than 2 or 3 and even those would be guesses.
> This is just another victory for ignorance and superstition. I don't know
> what else to call an irrational fear of the TPP but a superstition.
>
>
>
>
> You know what made up most of the TPP treaty? Agreements for other countries
> to bring their standards more in line with ours. Stuff like wages, shorter
> work weeks, overtime, child labor regulations, safety and pollution
> controls. What did we give up? Practically nothing. All the countries in the
> TPP are already members of the WTO and therefore we already have a free
> trade agreement with them. So you're asking, if we give up nothing, why did
> *they* sign? The answer is that they are hoping the next time Apple or Dell
> Computers builds a factory overseas, instead of building it in China, they
> build it in their country. Tearing up the TPP is the best thing President
> Trump could have done for China. Happy day after the inauguration, China!
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> On 01/23/2017 03:01 PM, Demaya, Diego via acb-chat wrote:
>
>
>
> Trump Signs Executive Order Killing Obama's Legacy Trade Deal
>
>
> Ryan Pickrell
> <https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=http-3A__dailycaller.com_author_ryan-2Dpickrell_&d=DwMFAg&c=cBOA5YEoZuz9KdLvh38YxdrPtfJt83ckXekfBgq5xB0&r=CK8oOj7-JYZnTDmB5orNTVZXar6NrsnGtGHfQ5m79Do&m=p3yUpmKsFIyc-vvBnO1v6RS-kFXMZaXoKwIex2lxKqM&s=UCwn3PVpqd0niOLRFlcvWKKiTPHV-mYThP02ogXfv5Y&e=>
>
>
>
>
> 12:06 PM 01/23/2017
>
> 4689
>
> 31
>
>
>
>
>
> President Donald Trump signed an executive order Monday withdrawing from
> the legacy trade agreement former President Barack Obama worked on for
> years.
>
> Trump withdrew
> <https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=https-3A__twitter.com_AP_status_823573493132525568&d=DwMFAg&c=cBOA5YEoZuz9KdLvh38YxdrPtfJt83ckXekfBgq5xB0&r=CK8oOj7-JYZnTDmB5orNTVZXar6NrsnGtGHfQ5m79Do&m=p3yUpmKsFIyc-vvBnO1v6RS-kFXMZaXoKwIex2lxKqM&s=h2-T1X5iqsbanMxeVLV6PmGBSpRMHSMQt_vX3KZ7sH8&e=>
> from the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP), fulfilling a campaign promise.
> The withdrawal was among the first orders of the day.
>
> The Trump administration intends to pursue "trade deals working for all
> Americans." According to the updated White House website
> <https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=https-3A__www.whitehouse.gov_trade-2Ddeals-2Dworking-2Dall-2Damericans&d=DwMFAg&c=cBOA5YEoZuz9KdLvh38YxdrPtfJt83ckXekfBgq5xB0&r=CK8oOj7-JYZnTDmB5orNTVZXar6NrsnGtGHfQ5m79Do&m=p3yUpmKsFIyc-vvBnO1v6RS-kFXMZaXoKwIex2lxKqM&s=wwNdYDnnt8UK-myv4ZJftgkgsuYR3xt5ybGoPHYZh48&e=>
> , "this strategy starts by withdrawing from the Trans-Pacific Partnership
> and making certain that any new trade deals are in the interests of American
> workers."
>
> On the campaign trail, Trump repeatedly criticized the TPP.
>
>
>
>
>
>
> <http://mandrillapp.com/track/open.php?u=30489975&id=ff812632273c49669882d1381f7189d5>
>
>
>
> <http://mandrillapp.com/track/open.php?u=30489975&id=c3a1af6c61094608a3f0e0733e045ae2>
>
> _______________________________________________
> acb-chat mailing list
> acb-chat@acblists.org
> http://www.acblists.org/mailman/listinfo/acb-chat
>
>
>

Re: [blind-democracy] Freedom Rider: No Tears For John Lewis

This post underscores the need for all of us to read and discuss
extensively what is occurring around us.

Carl Jarvis
On 1/22/17, M Vieni <miriamvieni@optonline.net> wrote:
> I think she's absolutely right and I thought so when I first heard the
> statement.
> Miriam
>
> Freedom Rider: No Tears For John Lewis
>
> EDUCATE! CONGRESS, US HISTORY
> By Margaret Kimberley, www.blackagendareport.com
> January 21st, 2017
>
> Powered by Translate
>
> Above Photo: From blackagendareport.com
> John Lewis has parlayed his 1965 beating at the hands of Alabama police
> into
> a phony sainthood, and "now exemplifies everything that is wrong with the
> Congressional Black Caucus, the Democratic Party and the black
> misleadership
> class." He "parrots every word" of the CIA in blaming Russia for Hillary
> Clinton's defeat. There are many reasons to boycott Donald Trump's
> inauguration, but "Russia" is the only one mentioned by Lewis, the party
> hack.
> "Lewis is giving the new president the cold shoulder only because he
> believes that Russia interfered in the electoral process."
> "I was beaten bloody by police officers. But I never hated them. I said,
> 'Thank you for your service.'" -Congressman John Lewis
> The people who fought against Jim Crow segregation in the 1960s were quite
> literally risking their lives. The list of martyrs is a long one. Activists
> of that era are rightly respected and their courage must not be forgotten
> or
> taken for granted. But as congressman John Lewis proves, their actions at
> that time should not provide dispensation from critique in the 21st
> century.
> Lewis is the latest target of president-elect Donald Trump's attacks but
> that shouldn't give him a pass either.
> Despite his early history, Lewis now exemplifies everything that is wrong
> with the Congressional Black Caucus, the Democratic Party and the black
> misleadership class. The caucus was once known as "the conscience of the
> Congress." Those men and women were always among the most left leaning
> members and could be counted on to reliably fight against domestic
> injustice
> and imperialism abroad. They were unafraid of their party leadership or of
> presidents either.
> "The CBC that is a shell of its former self."
> But all that changed when they were targeted by big money contributors like
> the rest of their congressional colleagues. After years of unsuccessfully
> attempting to make inroads among black Americans the right wing realized
> their error. They began to promote compliant corporatist candidates for
> office and to target people like Cynthia McKinney and Earl Hilliard for
> defeat. The result is now a CBC that is a shell of its former self.
> Instead of providing inspirational leadership to their constituents CBC
> members are now mere lackeys for the corporate wing of the Democratic
> Party.
> They said nothing when Barack Obama made grand austerity bargains with
> Republicans, or used sanctions, jihadists and drone warfare to kill in
> Somalia and Libya, or when he refused to prosecute killer cops. Only one of
> them, Keith Ellison, chose to support Bernie Sanders instead of Hillary
> Clinton, and CBC's lobbying arm gave her a hearty and undeserved
> endorsement.
> Lewis stood out among all the genuflectors. Having been dubbed a "civil
> rights icon" his opinions are given undue weight and he uses them to uphold
> the corrupt establishment. Not only did the Congressional Black Caucus
> Foundation endorse Clinton but Lewis chose to give the hapless Sanders a
> very public beat down. Sanders used his own youthful movement activism as a
> political calling card but Lewis dismissed him. He claimed he knew nothing
> about Sanders but did know the Clintons who were great friends of black
> people. The effort to discredit Sanders was so obvious and the claims about
> the Clintons were so outrageous that Lewis was forced to back track and
> clarify his comments.
> "The CBC said nothing when Barack Obama made grand austerity bargains with
> Republicans, or used sanctions, jihadists and drone warfare to kill in
> Somalia and Libya, or when he refused to prosecute killer cops."
> But, like the rest of the black misleaders, Lewis never stopped stomping on
> the mildly reformist Bernie Sanders. Sanders signature proposal of
> providing
> free university education was rejected out of hand by the civil rights
> icon.
> "I think it's the wrong message to send to any group. There's not anything
> free in America. We all have to pay for something. Education is not free.
> Health care is not free. Food is not free. Water is not free. I think it's
> very misleading to say to the American people, we're going to give you
> something free."
> Of course all of those things should be free. That statement alone exposed
> Lewis as a rank opportunist. We don't know what went through his mind at
> the
> moment he was beaten by cops but it doesn't matter now. He used his
> experience to win a congressional seat and all the trappings that come with
> it, including giving paid speeches at Goldman Sachs.
> Trump won the old fashioned way. He went right to the heart of white
> American angst about immigration and white survival and the economic
> insecurity that they feel they should not suffer. But he is in over his
> head. Trump is not only a political novice but he is thin skinned and
> oafish. In the case of Lewis he has turned an ordinary Democratic Party
> hack
> into a victim of the man half of the country hates.
> Lewis opined that he wouldn't attend the inauguration because he deemed
> Trump "illegitimate." He reached this conclusion not because Trump lost the
> popular vote or stacked his cabinet with generals or appeals to outspoken
> white supremacists. Lewis is giving the new president the cold shoulder
> only
> because he believes that Russia interfered in the electoral process. This
> canard has the stamp of approval from the Democratic Party and their
> minions
> in the corporate media.
> "Lewis claimed he knew nothing about Sanders but did know the Clintons who
> were great friends of black people."
> This Russophobia proves Democratic allegiance to empire and kills several
> political birds with one stone. The United States scores propaganda points
> in its endless fight against any nation that opposes their hegemony. Russia
> is also used to explain away the Democrats' defeat and distract their
> members who won't call the leadership to account like they ought to do.
> The NSA and CIA and FBI do for Barack Obama what they do for every
> president. When presidents want to make the case for war or domestic
> oppression they tell the intelligence agency to say that there is WMD in
> Iraq or an imminent threat from the black liberation movement. Intelligence
> agencies are used as a tool of propaganda to get the public buy in to the
> state's actions. The movement that spawned Lewis was the primary victim of
> COINTELPRO, the program used to discredit and even to kill people who
> fought
> against the system as Lewis did. The movement was crushed by the deep state
> but 50 years later, one of its "icons" parrots their every word.
> The black misleaders feed at the trough of the party establishment and
> their
> benefactors in corporate America. Their lives and livelihoods depend on
> keeping the status quo alive. Lewis is a predictably bland Democrat who
> uses
> his past as a cover to commit the worst of Democratic Party wrong doing.
> It shouldn't matter what Trump thinks of Lewis. If this phony contretemps
> is
> any indication we'll have four years of foolishness ahead of us. Any
> mediocre politician will be elevated to sainthood status if the defensive
> and paranoid president attacks. John Lewis has certainly earned his iconic
> status this week. As Inauguration Day approaches he presents a teachable
> moment. The lesson is to ignore the likes of Lewis and his ilk. They are no
> friends of black people and are undeserving of our support, even if Donald
> Trump attacks.
> http://www.popularresistance.org/feed/http://www.popularresistance.org/feed/
> http://www.facebook.com/pages/Stop-the-Machine-Create-a-New-World/1282351205
> 88487http://www.facebook.com/pages/Stop-the-Machine-Create-a-New-World/12823
> 5120588487https://twitter.com/popresistancehttps://twitter.com/popresistance
> Home About Contact Donate
> http://www.popularresistance.org/how-to-use-this-site/http://www.popularresi
> stance.org/how-to-use-this-site/
>
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>
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> o/7315/donate_page/now
>
> Freedom Rider: No Tears For John Lewis
>
> Educate! Congress, US history
> By Margaret Kimberley, www.blackagendareport.com
> January 21st, 2017
> Powered by https://translate.google.com/Translate
> Error! Hyperlink reference not valid.Error! Hyperlink reference not
> valid.Error! Hyperlink reference not valid.Error! Hyperlink reference not
> valid.Error! Hyperlink reference not valid.Error! Hyperlink reference not
> valid.Error! Hyperlink reference not valid.Error! Hyperlink reference not
> valid.Error! Hyperlink reference not valid.Error! Hyperlink reference not
> valid.Error! Hyperlink reference not valid.Error! Hyperlink reference not
> valid.Error! Hyperlink reference not valid.
> Error! Hyperlink reference not valid.Error! Hyperlink reference not valid.
> Above Photo: From blackagendareport.com
> John Lewis has parlayed his 1965 beating at the hands of Alabama police
> into
> a phony sainthood, and "now exemplifies everything that is wrong with the
> Congressional Black Caucus, the Democratic Party and the black
> misleadership
> class." He "parrots every word" of the CIA in blaming Russia for Hillary
> Clinton's defeat. There are many reasons to boycott Donald Trump's
> inauguration, but "Russia" is the only one mentioned by Lewis, the party
> hack.
> "Lewis is giving the new president the cold shoulder only because he
> believes that Russia interfered in the electoral process."
> "I was beaten bloody by police officers. But I never hated them. I said,
> 'Thank you for your service.'" -Congressman John Lewis
> The people who fought against Jim Crow segregation in the 1960s were quite
> literally risking their lives. The list of martyrs is a long one. Activists
> of that era are rightly respected and their courage must not be forgotten
> or
> taken for granted. But as congressman John Lewis proves, their actions at
> that time should not provide dispensation from critique in the 21st
> century.
> Lewis is the latest target of president-elect Donald Trump's attacks but
> that shouldn't give him a pass either.
> Despite his early history, Lewis now exemplifies everything that is wrong
> with the Congressional Black Caucus, the Democratic Party and the black
> misleadership class. The caucus was once known as "the conscience of the
> Congress." Those men and women were always among the most left leaning
> members and could be counted on to reliably fight against domestic
> injustice
> and imperialism abroad. They were unafraid of their party leadership or of
> presidents either.
> "The CBC that is a shell of its former self."
> But all that changed when they were targeted by big money contributors like
> the rest of their congressional colleagues. After years of unsuccessfully
> attempting to make inroads among black Americans the right wing realized
> their error. They began to promote compliant corporatist candidates for
> office and to target people like Cynthia McKinney and Earl Hilliard for
> defeat. The result is now a CBC that is a shell of its former self.
> Instead of providing inspirational leadership to their constituents CBC
> members are now mere lackeys for the corporate wing of the Democratic
> Party.
> They said nothing when Barack Obama made grand austerity bargains with
> Republicans, or used sanctions, jihadists and drone warfare to kill in
> Somalia and Libya, or when he refused to prosecute killer cops. Only one of
> them, Keith Ellison, chose to support Bernie Sanders instead of Hillary
> Clinton, and CBC's lobbying arm gave her a hearty and undeserved
> endorsement.
> Lewis stood out among all the genuflectors. Having been dubbed a "civil
> rights icon" his opinions are given undue weight and he uses them to uphold
> the corrupt establishment. Not only did the Congressional Black Caucus
> Foundation endorse Clinton but Lewis chose to give the hapless Sanders a
> very public beat down. Sanders used his own youthful movement activism as a
> political calling card but Lewis dismissed him. He claimed he knew nothing
> about Sanders but did know the Clintons who were great friends of black
> people. The effort to discredit Sanders was so obvious and the claims about
> the Clintons were so outrageous that Lewis was forced to back track and
> clarify his comments.
> "The CBC said nothing when Barack Obama made grand austerity bargains with
> Republicans, or used sanctions, jihadists and drone warfare to kill in
> Somalia and Libya, or when he refused to prosecute killer cops."
> But, like the rest of the black misleaders, Lewis never stopped stomping on
> the mildly reformist Bernie Sanders. Sanders signature proposal of
> providing
> free university education was rejected out of hand by the civil rights
> icon.
> "I think it's the wrong message to send to any group. There's not anything
> free in America. We all have to pay for something. Education is not free.
> Health care is not free. Food is not free. Water is not free. I think it's
> very misleading to say to the American people, we're going to give you
> something free."
> Of course all of those things should be free. That statement alone exposed
> Lewis as a rank opportunist. We don't know what went through his mind at
> the
> moment he was beaten by cops but it doesn't matter now. He used his
> experience to win a congressional seat and all the trappings that come with
> it, including giving paid speeches at Goldman Sachs.
> Trump won the old fashioned way. He went right to the heart of white
> American angst about immigration and white survival and the economic
> insecurity that they feel they should not suffer. But he is in over his
> head. Trump is not only a political novice but he is thin skinned and
> oafish. In the case of Lewis he has turned an ordinary Democratic Party
> hack
> into a victim of the man half of the country hates.
> Lewis opined that he wouldn't attend the inauguration because he deemed
> Trump "illegitimate." He reached this conclusion not because Trump lost the
> popular vote or stacked his cabinet with generals or appeals to outspoken
> white supremacists. Lewis is giving the new president the cold shoulder
> only
> because he believes that Russia interfered in the electoral process. This
> canard has the stamp of approval from the Democratic Party and their
> minions
> in the corporate media.
> "Lewis claimed he knew nothing about Sanders but did know the Clintons who
> were great friends of black people."
> This Russophobia proves Democratic allegiance to empire and kills several
> political birds with one stone. The United States scores propaganda points
> in its endless fight against any nation that opposes their hegemony. Russia
> is also used to explain away the Democrats' defeat and distract their
> members who won't call the leadership to account like they ought to do.
> The NSA and CIA and FBI do for Barack Obama what they do for every
> president. When presidents want to make the case for war or domestic
> oppression they tell the intelligence agency to say that there is WMD in
> Iraq or an imminent threat from the black liberation movement. Intelligence
> agencies are used as a tool of propaganda to get the public buy in to the
> state's actions. The movement that spawned Lewis was the primary victim of
> COINTELPRO, the program used to discredit and even to kill people who
> fought
> against the system as Lewis did. The movement was crushed by the deep state
> but 50 years later, one of its "icons" parrots their every word.
> The black misleaders feed at the trough of the party establishment and
> their
> benefactors in corporate America. Their lives and livelihoods depend on
> keeping the status quo alive. Lewis is a predictably bland Democrat who
> uses
> his past as a cover to commit the worst of Democratic Party wrong doing.
> It shouldn't matter what Trump thinks of Lewis. If this phony contretemps
> is
> any indication we'll have four years of foolishness ahead of us. Any
> mediocre politician will be elevated to sainthood status if the defensive
> and paranoid president attacks. John Lewis has certainly earned his iconic
> status this week. As Inauguration Day approaches he presents a teachable
> moment. The lesson is to ignore the likes of Lewis and his ilk. They are no
> friends of black people and are undeserving of our support, even if Donald
> Trump attacks.
>
>
>
>

Re: [blind-democracy] Trump Education Nominee Betsy DeVos Lied to the Senate

Miriam, Frank and All,
In my family, Simple Working Class Folk, we call much of what we are
witnessing between the Senate confirmation hearings and the Trump
Nominees, as Contempt.
Contempt toward not only the Senators, but toward all Americans
represented by these Senators.
We are watching a parade of nominees who are skilled in the infighting
that has enabled them to claw their way to the top of the Empire heap.
Of course their responses to the Senators are evasive and circumflex.
The fact is, the Republican majority in Congress will confirm them
all, and they know it. Exposing their lies and misbehavior is, "all
in a days work" to them.
Well folks, the American voters brought change into their lives.
Rather than the slow destruction of our once prosperous Working
Class/Middle Class that has gone on since the 80's, we have opened the
Pandora's Box. To learn what is coming our way, google Pandora's Box.
It's not going to be fun.

Carl Jarvis

On 1/21/17, M Vieni <miriamvieni@optonline.net> wrote:
>
> Scahill writes: "The idea that her own mother's foundation would
> accidentally list her as a vice president for years as result of a clerical
> error is just not believable. The Democrats should go to town on this
> obvious attempt to mislead the Senate."
>
> Betsy DeVos, Trump's pick to head the Department of Education. (photo:
> Brendan Smialowski/AFP/Getty)
>
>
> Trump Education Nominee Betsy DeVos Lied to the Senate
> By Jeremy Scahill, The Intercept
> 19 January 17
>
> There are many reasons Betsy DeVos's nomination to serve as Donald Trump's
> education secretary could be justifiably quashed by the U.S. Senate. Her
> long public record indicates she is a religious Christian zealot who does
> not believe in the actual separation of church and state, wants public
> monies funneled into religious schools, and has contributed through family
> foundations to bigoted groups with a militant anti-gay agenda. During her
> confirmation hearing she gave disturbing answers to questions about her
> views of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, standardized
> tests, and school vouchers. She also suggested guns have a place in
> American
> schools, though her claim that they were necessary to defend students from
> grizzly bear attacks was not very compelling.
> DeVos is married to Richard DeVos, the heir to the Amway Corporation
> fortune. She is also the sister of Blackwater founder Erik Prince, who is
> secretly advising the Trump team on intelligence matters, as The Intercept
> reported Tuesday. The Prince and DeVos families' merger through marriage
> was
> reminiscent of the monarchies of old Europe, and since the 1980s they have
> funneled hundreds of millions of dollars into Republican campaign coffers
> and the war chests of far-right religious organizations, at least one of
> which - the Family Research Council - has been designated an anti-LGBTQ
> hate
> group by the Southern Poverty Law Center.
> As Mother Jones pointed out:
> The Dick and Betsy DeVos Family Foundation gave $275,000 to Focus on the
> Family from 1999 to 2001 but hasn't donated since; it gave an additional
> $35,760 to the group's Michigan and D.C. affiliates from 2001 to 2010. The
> Prince Foundation donated $5.2 million to Focus on the Family and $275,000
> to its Michigan affiliate from 2001 to 2014. (It also gave $6.1 million to
> the Family Research Council, which has fought against same-sex marriage and
> anti-bullying programs - and is listed as an "anti-LGBT hate group" by the
> Southern Poverty Law Center. The FRC used to be a division of Focus on the
> Family before it became an independent nonprofit, with Dobson serving on
> its
> board, in 1992.)
> During Tuesday's hearing, the Democratic senators protested Republican
> chair
> Lamar Alexander's unprecedented ruling that senators would only be
> permitted
> one round of questioning. Nonetheless, several senators pressed DeVos on
> the
> contributions made by her and other family members through their
> foundations. DeVos, clearly prepared for such questions, assured the
> committee that she has nothing to do with the contributions made by her
> mother's foundation, the Prince Foundation (formerly known as the Edgar and
> Elsa Prince Foundation). DeVos said that her immediate family - presumably
> meaning her husband and children - had nothing to do with the financing of
> anti-gay causes and groups and that she has never supported "conversion
> therapy" for gay people.
> Newly elected Democratic Sen. Margaret Hassan pressed DeVos on these
> claims.
> She asked DeVos directly if she was on the board of her mother's foundation
> during the period in which large donations were made to Focus on the
> Family.
> DeVos said that she was not on the foundation's board.
> When I heard that, I pulled up the 990 tax documents of the Prince
> Foundation, which I investigated for my book "Blackwater." Betsy DeVos was
> clearly listed as a vice president of the foundation's board, along with
> her
> brother Erik, for many years, at least until 2014. DeVos was a vice
> president during the precise period Hassan was referring to. I then began a
> tweet storm about this lie:
> At the very end of the hearing, Sen. Patty Murray, the ranking Democrat on
> the committee, allocated the small time she had left to Hassan, who
> proceeded to reference the 990 tax forms. DeVos then made an astonishing
> claim. These government tax forms, filed by her own mother's foundation,
> were incorrect. For years. Many years. "That was a clerical error. I can
> assure you I have never made decisions on my mother's behalf on her
> foundation's board."
> The idea that her own mother's foundation would accidentally list her as a
> vice president for years as result of a clerical error is just not
> believable. The Democrats should go to town on this obvious attempt to
> mislead the Senate. This alone should disqualify DeVos, though there is a
> vast ocean of other reasons they could fish from.
> Error! Hyperlink reference not valid. Error! Hyperlink reference not
> valid.
>
> Betsy DeVos, Trump's pick to head the Department of Education. (photo:
> Brendan Smialowski/AFP/Getty)
> https://theintercept.com/2017/01/18/trump-education-nominee-betsy-devos-lied
> -to-the-senatehttps://theintercept.com/2017/01/18/trump-education-nominee-be
> tsy-devos-lied-to-the-senate
> Trump Education Nominee Betsy DeVos Lied to the Senate
> By Jeremy Scahill, The Intercept
> 19 January 17
> here are many reasons Betsy DeVos's nomination to serve as Donald Trump's
> education secretary could be justifiably quashed by the U.S. Senate. Her
> long public record indicates she is a religious Christian zealot who does
> not believe in the actual separation of church and state, wants public
> monies funneled into religious schools, and has contributed through family
> foundations to bigoted groups with a militant anti-gay agenda. During her
> confirmation hearing she gave disturbing answers to questions about her
> views of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, standardized
> tests, and school vouchers. She also suggested guns have a place in
> American
> schools, though her claim that they were necessary to defend students from
> grizzly bear attacks was not very compelling.
> DeVos is married to Richard DeVos, the heir to the Amway Corporation
> fortune. She is also the sister of Blackwater founder Erik Prince, who is
> secretly advising the Trump team on intelligence matters, as The Intercept
> reported Tuesday. The Prince and DeVos families' merger through marriage
> was
> reminiscent of the monarchies of old Europe, and since the 1980s they have
> funneled hundreds of millions of dollars into Republican campaign coffers
> and the war chests of far-right religious organizations, at least one of
> which - the Family Research Council - has been designated an anti-LGBTQ
> hate
> group by the Southern Poverty Law Center.
> As Mother Jones pointed out:
> The Dick and Betsy DeVos Family Foundation gave $275,000 to Focus on the
> Family from 1999 to 2001 but hasn't donated since; it gave an additional
> $35,760 to the group's Michigan and D.C. affiliates from 2001 to 2010. The
> Prince Foundation donated $5.2 million to Focus on the Family and $275,000
> to its Michigan affiliate from 2001 to 2014. (It also gave $6.1 million to
> the Family Research Council, which has fought against same-sex marriage and
> anti-bullying programs - and is listed as an "anti-LGBT hate group" by the
> Southern Poverty Law Center. The FRC used to be a division of Focus on the
> Family before it became an independent nonprofit, with Dobson serving on
> its
> board, in 1992.)
> During Tuesday's hearing, the Democratic senators protested Republican
> chair
> Lamar Alexander's unprecedented ruling that senators would only be
> permitted
> one round of questioning. Nonetheless, several senators pressed DeVos on
> the
> contributions made by her and other family members through their
> foundations. DeVos, clearly prepared for such questions, assured the
> committee that she has nothing to do with the contributions made by her
> mother's foundation, the Prince Foundation (formerly known as the Edgar and
> Elsa Prince Foundation). DeVos said that her immediate family - presumably
> meaning her husband and children - had nothing to do with the financing of
> anti-gay causes and groups and that she has never supported "conversion
> therapy" for gay people.
> Newly elected Democratic Sen. Margaret Hassan pressed DeVos on these
> claims.
> She asked DeVos directly if she was on the board of her mother's foundation
> during the period in which large donations were made to Focus on the
> Family.
> DeVos said that she was not on the foundation's board.
> When I heard that, I pulled up the 990 tax documents of the Prince
> Foundation, which I investigated for my book "Blackwater." Betsy DeVos was
> clearly listed as a vice president of the foundation's board, along with
> her
> brother Erik, for many years, at least until 2014. DeVos was a vice
> president during the precise period Hassan was referring to. I then began a
> tweet storm about this lie:
> At the very end of the hearing, Sen. Patty Murray, the ranking Democrat on
> the committee, allocated the small time she had left to Hassan, who
> proceeded to reference the 990 tax forms. DeVos then made an astonishing
> claim. These government tax forms, filed by her own mother's foundation,
> were incorrect. For years. Many years. "That was a clerical error. I can
> assure you I have never made decisions on my mother's behalf on her
> foundation's board."
> The idea that her own mother's foundation would accidentally list her as a
> vice president for years as result of a clerical error is just not
> believable. The Democrats should go to town on this obvious attempt to
> mislead the Senate. This alone should disqualify DeVos, though there is a
> vast ocean of other reasons they could fish from.
> http://e-max.it/posizionamento-siti-web/socialize
> http://e-max.it/posizionamento-siti-web/socialize
>
>
>

Re: [acb-l] Trump's era, a closer look

Hello Mostafa,
Speaking as honestly as I can, I must say that what you have written
here is known as a Tirade. Your rant may make you feel better, but it
does nothing to solve some very serious issues facing the Human
Species.
Personally speaking, it is my opinion that we are allowing ourselves
to be misdirected when we turn our anger toward one individual.
In your rant you focus on Donald Trump. But Donald Trump merely
reflects the feelings of a great number of Americans. At least
numerous enough to have elected him as President.
You say..."He(Donald Trump) typically talks to people who are
below average in edification and cognizance."
Again, in my opinion, this is an error on your part. In fact, many
very bright people voted for Donald Trump, and your words will only
serve to alienate them, rather than bring them around to your
thinking.
Donald Trump is not the problem. He represents a long established
Oligarchy that has its roots in the far off days when the first
European settlers came to the shores of this continent. These people
became expansionists. and as such, They also became aggressors,
murdering those Indigenous People already occupying what they came to
believe was "The Promised Land".
What I am saying, Mostafa, is that Donald Trump is the culmination of
generations of all that has gone into creating the philosophy that
drives the nation. Attacking Donald Trump is not going to accomplish
a positive change. Attacking the People of America will not bring
understanding. Remember, Violence only begets Violence.
We are traveling the wrong road if we believe that we must conduct war
in order to defend our honor.
If we cannot change our world using Peace and Brotherly Love, then all
hope is lost for not only our species, but for our planet Earth, as
well.
As blind people, we would be foolish to take up arms and claim to be
defending our dignity. But we can gather our forces and set an
example of living and working together in Peace and mutual Respect.
The hurdles that we must overcome if we are to build a better world,
are like rugged mountains standing between us and success. There is
no longer any room for violence and hatred. We must come together,
all People, and roll up our sleeves and work together. Please, do not
continue to allow Donald Trump, or any single individual to come
between you and your efforts for a better world.

Carl Jarvis

On 1/21/17, Mostafa Almahdy via acb-l <acb-l@acblists.org> wrote:
> Donald Trump is about to be inaugurated next Friday. This editorial
> has segmentally been composed before and after Trump's inauguration.
> Tuesday, January seventeenth, what to anticipate? Donald Trump is
> enormously engrossed to stir white supremacy reemergence. He is their
> ultimate guarantor. Donald Trump Inauguration is a triumphant moment
> for right-wingers. So who are they? Donald Trump addresses a
> particular class of his society. He typically talks to people who are
> below average in edification and cognizance. This is a major factor of
> lay Americans. I watched him as he spoke and they chanted and
> applauded, oh boy, what a massive site to behold. They certainly made
> me laugh. I previously described this incompetent figure before. I'll
> list the befitting characteristics of Donald Trump again for further
> substantiation. Donald Trump is miserably hilarious, scurrilous,
> counterfeit, opprobrious, scoundrel, cantankerous, rapscallion,
> bigoted, unconscionable, propagandist, prurient, flamboyant, aweless,
> dissembler, misanthrope, dishonourable and despicable. He sniped us,
> he sniped African Americans, Hispanics, Latinos and all immigrants.
> For the first time since Reagan was president, the opted cabinet won't
> include Latinos. What could that signify? I just want to send a clear
> message to Donald Trump and his supporters. We won't ever defer to
> your intolerably belligerent rhetoric. Your military has been depleted
> throughout fifteen consecutive years of a mendacious war on terror. It
> couldn't get worse than what it is. Bush vowed to wage war on terror
> in 2001. Since then, your transgressive troops infested Afghanistan,
> Iraq and Allah knows what the hell you are doing in Syria. Therefore,
> the call of combative Jihad has to heighten. At the same time, I
> critically condemn targeting non-combatants, mainly civilians as of
> pacifists, neutrals such as military chaplains or doctors. These
> people aren't to be militarily targeted, it is forbidden in Shariah to
> fight them. I do not talk here about the obligation of conquering
> territories to replace secular legal system with the divine statute. I
> rather talk about the code of combat in the battlefield. In this note,
> I must plainly emphasise that I do not support nor give credit to the
> fringe element called (ISIS). It is a cult movement and it doesn't
> represent true Jihad. I at the same time don't deny the obligation of
> combative Jihad against transgressors but, I maintain the orthodox
> Sunnite creed. I believe in the first four rightful successors of the
> prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) and I certainly repudiate
> (ISIS) as a self-proclaimed jurisdiction, a false cultus.
>
> Wednesday, January eighteenth, could Donald Trump prosper? Trump's
> scourges propose his age could be intemperately disruptive. He already
> offended prominent politicians with his rawness statements. His
> absurdly prideful character is a shame to the chief executive
> department of the United States. He's going to wholly spifflicate your
> remainder of reputation if you still have any. I urge you folks to
> utterly call off your unjustified pride. Your country amazingly has
> the most respectful Constitution hitherto, your nation is the worsened
> one on earth. If you ever thought of mistakenly crossing your
> boundaries, we are certainly a nation of martyrdom. So beware of
> mistakenly crossing your boundaries. We don't fear death and we won't
> seek life with indignity. Donald Trump doesn't matter to me. I will
> enjoy his presidential time. He surely will make me laugh. He already
> entertains me with his ridiculously clownish character.
>
> A message to the evangelical community in the United States. We were
> still in January eighteenth when this segment was composed. I discern
> that you in some manner represent Trump's biggest fans across the
> country. Many of your Churches are politically motivated. Your
> doctrines are based on alt-right tenets and thence, your ideology is
> viciously colluded with Zionist's agenda. If you don't want radical
> Muslims as you tend to call them to wage a combat against you, quit
> demonizing us. I don't think this will ever be accomplished.
> Consequently, we must recognize that this age of Crusades won't end
> unless we unitedly engage in combative Jihad against transgressive
> infidels. I don't care whether you call us radicals, fanatics or
> terrorists. No one cares about his enemy's opinion about him. Your
> version of Christianity is based on a semipolitical ideology. This is
> why it doesn't represent this faith as it is everywhere in the world.
> It certainly has much to do with politically orientated appellations.
> We won't forget this incident when a notorious pastor in Gainesville
> desecrated copies of the Noble Koran out of malice. He believed he
> complied to some divine force with enacting this sacrilege.
> Ironically, he occasionally admitted his perfect unawareness of the
> sacred text he hatefully unhallowed. For certain, this incident
> wouldn't happen anywhere but in the States. Therein, people encounter
> educational catastrophe. This is why they aren't able to openly
> tolerate and respect those who are different. Protestantism is
> approximately the formal religion among people there. It is taught in
> a quite supremacist and racialist manner. It basically is of a vastly
> caucasian race. It is quite dominant and particularly in the Bible
> Belt region. It is southern and midwestern United States. I call
> reputable gospellers to implement their positive role in their
> congregations. I ask pastor Jason Meyerson, Father Bob Chiles and
> others to sermonize on racial disparity as a deadly sin. It ought to
> plainly be portrayed as a pernicious demeanour. We may theologically
> disagree but, our common judgement of standardized excellence is
> optimistically attainable. My message to the evangelical community is
> combined of admonition and proposal. I seek neither offending nor
> flattering you. I resemble moderation with this assertion. I hope you
> fathomed my message as I intended it to be. If my point was missing,
> Allah knows what my intent was and that's sufficient.
>
> Thursday, January the nineteenth, Donald Trump and patriotism, for
> what is the conflict? "Patriotism is the last refuge of scoundrels,"
> said Winston Churchill. Donald Trump sold his claims of being
> patriot. He deceived bunch of disinformed Americans. "We're going to
> make America great again", Trump allegedly restated. What does he
> mean? He just wanted lay people to vote. What made liberals
> disappointed with him? Despite the fact that he discomfited them in
> polls, he extraordinarily breached their longly boosted principles of
> racial equality, liberty and justice. He spoiled the remainder
> prestige of this country. What about his judgement on terrorism? If
> Donald Trump is willing to expand military expeditions to defeat
> terror, he'll be sending his troops to unbearable hell. There is no
> way to believe these imbecilic claims. The United States reputation
> has been subjected to the most inglorious age of its whole history.
> There is a grave fraction between liberals and conservatives. Donald
> Trump did the first tremendous job, he broadly torn his nation apart
> with his typically unprofessional statements. He made his nation
> unstable, he iterates Reagan's mistake. Former president Ronald Reagan
> similarly attempted to globally sell freedom in the form of
> Americanising the world. America won't ever dominate this world.
> Mister Trump has to apprehend that we're not interested in the project
> of Americanising the world nor we'll ever surrender to that. So
> Donald, I urge you not to imitate Ronald because he ultimately lost
> the battle. You could still be American but you don't have to
> Americanise the world. Patriotism is beyond chanting favourable
> sentiments whilst highly waving the flag. It has nothing to do with
> being effusively emotional. It is genuine passion of country and
> willingness to sacrifice for its prosperity. You couldn't pervert
> patriotic remarks to gain stratagems. That is ethically unsound and
> unlikely to be patriotic. Despite your political party, it is
> incorrect to accuse others of being disloyal just because they don't
> share your views. We currently encounter the same problem here in
> Egypt. I never waved the flag even in Liberation Square camps. I
> believe in patriotic principles but I'll never use that unilaterally.
> I'll never chant patriotic phrases for my own advantage.
>
> Friday, January twentieth, inauguration ceremony, what is wished-for?
> "President-elect tells cheering supporters at the Lincoln Memorial:
> "You're not forgotten anymore." This is what the British Broadcasting
> Corporation has reported. "I am so sorry that Trump will be inflicted
> on the rest of the world." This is what my dearly reputed friend
> Father Bob Chiles told me in a private Facebook conversation this
> morning. "The property tycoon is due to take the oath of office at a
> ceremony in Washington." This is another headline taken from the
> British Broadcasting Corporation. This inaugural solemnization is
> broadly seconded within the faith community across the States. Why is
> that? At the same time, some other Christians feel disconsolate about
> Donald Trump sworn-in. Donald Trump inauguration signifies a dramatic
> transition of vision and leadership. His attitude is not what you may
> call pleasant. His theme is plain to everyone. I am satisfied to
> confidently call president Donald Trump unstatesmanlike. His
> presidential term will certainly witness extraordinary shift of
> contention. Whether we like or dislike, this passes off with the Will
> of Allah. He glory be to Him has Wisdom for everything. Therefore, we
> shouldn't be pessimistic. We ought not to be solicitous or distressed.
> We rather ought to be nerveless, even in the face of tribulation and
> adversity. This life is meant for trial and the hereafter is meant for
> composure. Donald Trump has to face challenges to unify his nation. He
> made big promises. He promised to resolve jobs crisis, he promised to
> abolish what he calls (radical Islamic terrorism) and more
> importantly, he promised to make America great again. We just have to
> wait to see what that means. I on this day have to say; beware of
> crossing your boundaries. "America will start winning again, winning
> like never before", Trump plighted in his inauguration speech. "We
> will be protected by God", Trump flatteringly claimed in his inaugural
> address. He probably attempted to indirectly entice southern
> evangelists with this controversial statement. From me to hellion
> Donald Trump and his inglorious camp, if you ever thought of
> mistakenly crossing your boundaries, the response will be strikingly
> injurious. I don't care about your domestic affairs. If you think you
> could terrify us with enacting belligerence, we certainly are people
> of courage and calvary. We love death as you love life. This is
> another message of warning. I do not fear Trump nor ten like him. I do
> not fear death. I won't bear being undignified. I am enormously
> indignant at diffident and fainthearted leaders of Arab countries.
> They brought us impuissance and impairment. Thence, I fairly consider
> them the domestic enemy. We won't back off and we won't insulate.
>
> Saturday, January twenty-first, unutterable finale. This
> segment marks the closure point. It is time of intermission and
> prediction. Donald Trump is endorsed and fully backed by certain type
> of notorious televangelists. Those evangelists are primarily grounded
> on right-wing fundamentals. They are Terry Jones type of Christians.
> They are explicitly absonant and antipathetic. However, the Koran
> enjoins us to speak justly about whom we may have disagreement with.
> Therefore, I fairly have to acknowledge that there are many good
> Christians in the United States. They do not agree with this type of
> prejudice. I know couple of them at least. I know Pia who is
> extremely respectful and articulated. I know Father Bob who is quite
> humble and devout. I know Paul Smith who passed away last Autumn. He
> was faithful, edified and friendly. I also know pastor Jason Meyerson.
> He is a noteworthy rector. Despite my theological dissension with him,
> he isn't hostilely. I actually should have apologized to you pastor
> Jason. I signally waged verbal assault against you on multiple
> occasions. I was quite avid for aggression. I unfeignedly apologise. I
> believe in the possibility of mutual deference and collaboration with
> peaceful people there. We shouldn't demonise the States because Donald
> Trump became president. I always confirm that we must identify our
> enemy. It is religiously interdicted to detrimentally extrapolate.
> Furthermore, it isn't morally proper to not admit what we have done
> wrong in the past. I am proud of my ability to apologise to someone I
> majorly disagree with. I probably won't meet pastor Jason. I just
> would like to incessantly refine my spirit until it gratefully reaches
> the celestial realm. This should be the prescriptive state of
> believers. It is religiously enjoined to unremittingly defy
> egocentrism, iniquity and cynicism. This is how faith should be held
> and practiced. It isn't just about worship. Treatment of others is a
> significantly major factor of Islam. It is a form of worshipping Allah
> for that we ought to treat people in Him. In other words, we ought to
> treat them according to what pleases Him. Thank you for patiently
> reading, Mostafa
>
>
> On 1/20/17, acb-l-request@acblists.org <acb-l-request@acblists.org> wrote:
>> Send acb-l mailing list submissions to
>> acb-l@acblists.org
>>
>> To subscribe or unsubscribe via the World Wide Web, visit
>> http://www.acblists.org/mailman/listinfo/acb-l
>> or, via email, send a message with subject or body 'help' to
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>>
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>>
>> When replying, please edit your Subject line so it is more specific
>> than "Re: Contents of acb-l digest..."
>>
>>
>> Today's Topics:
>>
>> 1. [leadership] news from the IRS (peter altschul)
>> 2. Update re live on-site inauguration day audio description
>> (jsnyder@acb.org)
>> 3. a note to John Huffman (Robert Acosta)
>> 4. Re: Hearing Excerpts: Education Secretary Nominee DeVos on
>> Disability (Mark Richert)
>> 5. Reminder: Novel Ideas tomorrow 9:00 PM Eastern to Discuss
>> Small Great Things DB85761 by Jodi Picoult (Alan Lemly)
>> 6. Audio description of inauguration (Michael Malver)
>> 7. Re: Audio description of inauguration (Danielle Ledet)
>>
>>
>> ----------------------------------------------------------------------
>>
>> Message: 1
>> Date: Thu, 19 Jan 2017 11:16:54 -0600
>> From: peter altschul <paltschul@centurytel.net>
>> To: Acb-l <acb-l@acblists.org>
>> Subject: [acb-l] [leadership] news from the IRS
>> Message-ID: <BF.B5.01915.D94F0885@smtp03.agate.dfw.synacor.com>
>> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=iso-8859-1; format=flowed
>>
>> Original Message ------
>> From: Sharon Lovering via leadership <leadership@acblists.org
>> Subject: [leadership] news from the IRS
>> Date sent: Thu, 19 Jan 2017 17:04:27 +0000
>>
>> I received this message from the IRS; please share it with your
>> members.
>>
>> IRS Tax Products and Services
>>
>> IRS Services for People with Disabilities
>>
>> Hundreds of accessible federal tax forms and publications are
>> available for download from the IRS
>> Accessibility<http://www.irs.gov/uac/IRS.gov-Accessibility> Web
>> pages. Visit IRS.gov and select the Forms & Pubs tab to access
>> the Accessible Forms and Pubs link. You can choose from
>> large-print, text, accessible PDFs, e-Braille, or HTML formats
>> that are compatible when used with screen readers and refreshable
>> Braille displays. The IRS also provides videos in American Sign
>> Language with the latest tax
>> information<http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=el-xueE-ZDY&list=PL634
>> 968897EAEA4FD&index=3> and has a dedicated ASL YouTube
>> Channel<https://www.youtube.com/user/IRSvideosASL> that houses
>> the videos.
>>
>> IRS Tax Return Preparation Help is Available
>>
>> People who are unable to complete their tax returns because of a
>> physical disability or are age 60 or older may get assistance
>> through the IRS Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) or Tax
>> Counseling for the Elderly (TCE) programs. You can find a nearby
>> VITA or TCE location by using the available locator
>> tools<https://www.irs.gov/Individuals/Free-Tax-Return-Preparation
>> -for-You-by-Volunteers> or calling 1-800-906-9887. Publication
>> 907<http://www.irs.gov/publications/p907/index.html>, Tax
>> Highlights for Persons with Disabilities, explains the tax
>> implications of certain disability benefits and other issues, and
>> is available at www.IRS.gov<http://www.irs.gov/>.
>>
>>
>> Sharon Lovering, Editor
>> American Council of the Blind
>> 1703 N. Beauregard St., Suite 420
>> Alexandria, VA 22311
>> slovering@acb.org
>> Learn more about us at www.acb.org<http://www.acb.org
>> Follow us on Twitter @acbnational
>> Like us on Facebook at
>> www.facebook.com/AmericanCounciloftheBlindOfficial
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>> ------------------------------
>>
>> Message: 2
>> Date: Thu, 19 Jan 2017 17:39:19 +0000
>> From: "jsnyder@acb.org" <jsnyder@acb.org>
>> To: "acb-l@acblists.org" <acb-l@acblists.org>
>> Subject: [acb-l] Update re live on-site inauguration day audio
>> description
>> Message-ID:
>> <MWHPR18MB09582F2223324980CDDD7F0CB37E0@MWHPR18MB0958.namprd18.prod.outlook.com>
>>
>> Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"
>>
>>
>> Friday, January 20, 2017 is inauguration day. ABC will be broadcasting
>> audio
>> description along with their coverage from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm, EST.
>> Description is sponsored by ACB's Audio Description Project. Description
>> on-site in Washington, DC will also be available for the inaugural
>> parade.
>> Beginning at Noon audio description will be provided on the parade
>> route--the parade begins at 2:00 pm and audio description will continue
>> until the end of the festivities. People who wish to have access to the
>> audio description should arrive early to the ADA section along the parade
>> route--it's located at the area at the Grand Army of the Republic
>> Memorial
>> across 7th Street from the Navy Memorial (which is between 7th and 8th
>> Streets, NW). It's highly recommended that attendees use Metro for
>> travel
>> to the area--the closest open Metro stations are Gallery Place on 7th
>> Street
>> (to the north--Red line) and L'Enfant Plaza (to the south--Blue, Orange
>> or
>> Silver lines).
>>
>>
>> JOEL SNYDER, Ph.D.
>> Author of The Visual Made Verbal: A Comprehensive Training Manual and
>> Guide to the History and Applications of Audio Description -
>> get your copy at thevisualmadeverbal.net
>> President, Audio Description Associates, LLC
>> "The Visual Made Verbal" (tm)
>> [ADA logo (5)](tm) ADA logo--an eye within an ear
>> 6502 Westmoreland Avenue, Takoma Park, MD 20912
>> jsnyder@audiodescribe.com<mailto:jsnyder@audiodescribe.com>
>> Tel: 301 920-0218; Fax: 208 445-0079
>>
>> For more information about audio description, please visit:
>> www.audiodescribe.com<http://www.audiodescribe.com/>
>>
>> Director, Audio Description Project
>> American Council of the Blind
>> jsnyder@acb.org<mailto:jsnyder@acb.org> -- 202 467-5083
>> www.acb.org/adp<http://www.acb.org/adp>
>> [acblogoscan002](tm) ACB logo [cid:image004.jpg@01CBED4F.9FF9D220] ADP
>> logo
>>
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>>
>> ------------------------------
>>
>> Message: 3
>> Date: Thu, 19 Jan 2017 10:55:17 -0800
>> From: "Robert Acosta" <boacosta@pacbell.net>
>> To: <acb-l@acblists.org>
>> Subject: [acb-l] a note to John Huffman
>> Message-ID: <01f401d27285$9424c420$bc6e4c60$@pacbell.net>
>> Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"
>>
>> Hello John,
>>
>> You sent out an item yesterday from your special-interest assfiliate. You
>> mention your email but I do not see this. Can you please write me
>> privately
>> with your email address which I would like to share with an agency
>> director.
>>
>> boacosta@pacbell.net
>>
>>
>>
>> Robert Acosta, President
>>
>> Helping Hands for the Blind
>>
>> (818) 998-0044
>>
>> www.helpinghands4theblind.org
>>
>>
>>
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>>
>> ------------------------------
>>
>> Message: 4
>> Date: Thu, 19 Jan 2017 16:00:00 -0500
>> From: Mark Richert <4justice@concentric.net>
>> To: acb-l@acblists.org
>> Subject: Re: [acb-l] Hearing Excerpts: Education Secretary Nominee
>> DeVos on Disability
>> Message-ID: <201701192100.v0JL0n0F026998@mail47c28.carrierzone.com>
>> Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1"; Format="flowed"
>>
>>
>> <http://us11.campaign-archive1.com/?u=bd3c8fefc9f905f5ccf41c577&id=9c16ba71f4&e=c97bce6fad>View
>>
>> this email in your browser
>> American Foundation for the Blind logo: Expanding possibilities
>>
>>
>> Read this edition of the Direct Connect
>> Newsletter online at the following link:
>> <http://afb.us11.list-manage.com/track/click?u=bd3c8fefc9f905f5ccf41c577&id=8c88991012&e=c97bce6fad>http://www.afb.org/info/programs-and-services/public-policy-center/directconnect-newsletter/hearing-excerpts-devos-on-disability/1235
>>
>>
>>
>> January 19, 2017
>>
>> Prepared by Sarah Malaier; for more information,
>> contact Mark Richert, Director of Public Policy,
>> at <mailto:mrichert@afb.net>mrichert@afb.net.
>>
>> In the midst of the flurry of Senate confirmation
>> hearings for President-Elect Trump???s cabinet
>> nominees, one nomination in which we are sure
>> many of you are particularly interested is the
>> nomination of the Secretary of
>> Education. Because the Department of Education
>> oversees the Office of Special Education
>> Programs, funding for university personnel
>> preparation programs, the Rehabilitation Services
>> Administration, the Independent Living Services
>> for Older Individuals Who Are Blind program, and
>> many other priorities, this department is
>> especially important to our field. Betsy DeVos
>> has been nominated to lead the Department of
>> Education, so we have taken the time to provide
>> you with an overview of her answers to questions
>> about issues that affect students with disabilities.
>>
>> The following text is excerpted from the
>> transcript of the Senate Health, Education,
>> Labor, and Pensions Committee hearing on the
>> nomination of Betsy DeVos to serve as Secretary
>> of Education that took place on Tuesday, January
>> 17, 2017, at 5:00 pm Eastern time. These
>> excerpts focus on questions related to students
>> with disabilities and, in particular, the
>> Individuals with Disabilities Education Act
>> (IDEA). The text may contain transcription,
>> typographical, and grammatical errors. Links to
>> video clips of each excerpt of the hearing from
>> the C-SPAN website are also included.
>>
>>
>>
>> Transcript Excerpts:
>>
>> Link to Sen. Collins??? questions:
>> <http://afb.us11.list-manage.com/track/click?u=bd3c8fefc9f905f5ccf41c577&id=5dada09c9b&e=c97bce6fad>https://www.c-span.org/video/?c4649461%2fsen-collins-federalism-idea-funding=
>>
>> Sen. Collins: At what level of government do you
>> believe that decisions about charter schools and
>> vouchers should be made ? is that a federal role or a state role??
>>
>> Ms. DeVos: Thank you for that question. Let me
>> say that I really enjoyed the conversation we had
>> in your office. Let me respond to your question
>> about federal versus state and local role by
>> saying I absolutely support the fact it is a
>> state role and state decision what kind of
>> offering there might be with regards to choices
>> and education. As we discussed in your office,
>> Maine has a unique situation with students
>> attending school on islands and in rural areas.
>> To suggest that the right answer for Maine is the
>> same as the right answer for Indiana or any state
>> is just not right, and I would not support a
>> federal mandate or federal role in dictating those.
>>
>> Sen. Collins: I am glad to hear that. I have
>> heard repeatedly from school officials, whether
>> its teachers or superintendents or school board
>> members, that the single most important action
>> the federal government could take would be to
>> fulfill the promise of the 1975 individuals with
>> disabilities education act, to fund 40% of the
>> additional cost of educating a special needs
>> child. It has been many years since that law was
>> passed. We have never come close to the 40%.
>> Would you commit to taking a look at the funding
>> of the department to see if we could do a better
>> job of moving towards fulfillment of that
>> promise? That is an action that would help every
>> single school district in this country.
>>
>> Ms. DeVos: Senator, absolutely I would commit to
>> that if confirmed. I actually think this is an
>> area that could be considered for an approach
>> that would be somewhat different, and that maybe
>> the money should follow individual students
>> instead of going directly to the states. Again, I
>> think that is something that we could discuss. I
>> look forward to talking about that with the members of this committee.
>>
>> [Later in the hearing.]
>>
>> Link to Sen. Hassan???s questions:
>> <http://afb.us11.list-manage.com/track/click?u=bd3c8fefc9f905f5ccf41c577&id=6cd3113208&e=c97bce6fad>https://www.c-span.org/video/?c4649467%2fsen-hassan-students-disabilities-k-12-voucher-programs=
>>
>> Senator Hassan. >> Thank you, Mr. Chair and
>> ranking member Murray. I looking forward -- I
>> look forward to working on this committee and
>> appreciate the opportunity to participate. Mrs.
>> DeVos, it is nice to see you again. Thank you for
>> being here today, and your family as well. And I
>> think all of us here share a commitment to public
>> education and understand the essential nature to
>> our democracy. I would echo my colleagues' call
>> for another round at least of questioning,
>> because I think our job here is not to talk about
>> ideas but actually to drill down to how things
>> actually work in practice. And so, I want to talk
>> about one of those situations you begin to touch
>> on in my office when we met. It has a little bit
>> of what Senator Collins was talking about in
>> terms of full commitment to our students with
>> disabilities and what Senator Cassidy was talking
>> about in terms of access to quality education for
>> children with dyslexia. My son, Ben, experiences
>> very severe disabilities; he has cerebral palsy.
>> He cannot speak or use his fingers for a
>> keyboard, he can???t walk, but he is smart and
>> the best kid on earth, if I do say so myself. He
>> got a quality public education at our local
>> school. He is a graduate of Exeter Area high
>> school in Exeter New Hampshire. The reason He got
>> there because countless advocates and champions
>> before him worked so hard to make sure he had the
>> right to that education. And I am concerned that
>> when students who experience disabilities receive
>> a publicly funded voucher to attend a private
>> school, they often don't receive adequate
>> resources and in some cases have to sign over
>> their legal rights under the individuals with
>> disabilities education act. Do you think family
>> should have a recourse in the courts if their
>> child's education does not adequately meet his or
>> her needs, whether it???s at a school where they
>> get a voucher or a more tradition public school?
>>
>> Ms. DeVos: Thank you, Senator, for that question.
>> [?] Let me begin by saying I appreeciate and am
>> thankful that you have had the opportunity with
>> your son ben to find the right setting for him
>> and would advocate for all parents to be able to
>> have that opportunity to choose the right school for them.
>>
>> [Sen. Hassan interrupts] Sen. Hassan: Actually, I
>> had the opportunity to send him to the same
>> public school that my daughter went to, because
>> law required that that school provide him
>> resources that were never provided before that
>> law was passed because they were was hard. So the
>> question is, will you enforce the law with regard
>> to kids with disabilities if the voucher program
>> did allow them to go someplace else? And the
>> school said, no, it is just too expensive, we don't want to do it.
>>
>> DeVos: I think that there are great examples of
>> programs that are already underway in states.
>> Ohio has a great program, and, in fact, Sam and
>> his mom are here today, beneficiary of the John
>> Peterson special needs scholarship program.
>>
>> Sen. Hassan: I understand that. But excuse me for
>> interrupting. What I am asking you is, there is
>> at least one voucher program in Florida which
>> makes students sign away their rights before they
>> can get that voucher. I think that is
>> fundamentally wrong, and I think it will mean
>> that students with disabilities cannot use a
>> voucher system that a department under your
>> leadership might start. So I want to know whether
>> you will enforce and whether you will make sure
>> that children with disabilities do not have to
>> sign away their legal rights before they can get
>> that voucher should a voucher system be developed.
>>
>> Ms. DeVos: I???d love to comment about the McKay
>> program where I believe 31,000 students are
>> taking advantage, and 93% of the parents
>> utilizing the voucher are very, very pleased with it. As opposed to 30%
>> --
>>
>> Sen. Hassan: I am sorry but that is not the
>> question I asked. For right now, I will move on
>> to one final question. I really do wish we had a
>> second round. Because There is a lot here that is
>> critical to our students especially with
>> disabilities. With all due respect, Ms. DeVos,
>> has not answered my question, but because we do
>> not have a second round, I am trying to follow up
>> on an answer you gave earlier. I understand that
>> there is a foundation named for your parents, correct?
>>
>> [Later in the hearing.]
>>
>> Link to Sen. Kaine???s questions:
>> <http://afb.us11.list-manage1.com/track/click?u=bd3c8fefc9f905f5ccf41c577&id=f536d045b3&e=c97bce6fad>https://www.c-span.org/video/?c4649478%2fsen-kaine-federal-funding-requirements=
>>
>> Senator Kaine: Should all K-12 schools receiving
>> governmental funding be required to meet the
>> requirements of the individuals with disabilities education act?
>>
>> Mrs. DeVos: I think they already are.
>>
>> Senator Kaine: But I???m asking you a should
>> question. Whether they are or not, we???ll get
>> into that later. Should all schools that receive
>> taxpayer funding be required to meet the
>> requirements of the individuals with disabilities in education act?
>>
>> Mrs. DeVos: I think that is a matter is best left to the states.
>>
>> Senator Kaine: So some states might be good to
>> kids with disabilities, other states might not be
>> so good, and then what, people can just move
>> around the country if they don???t like the way their kid???s been
>> treated?
>>
>> Mrs. DeVos: I think that is an issue best left to the states.
>>
>> Senator Kaine: What about the federal
>> requirement? It???s a federal law. The
>> individuals with disabilities education act.
>> Let's limit it to federal funding. If schools
>> receive federal funding, should they be required
>> to follow federal law? Whether they are public, public charter, or
>> private?
>>
>> Mrs. DeVos: As the Senator referred to ? at the
>> Florida program, there are many parentss who are happy with the program
>> there.
>>
>> Senator Kaine: Let me say this, I think all
>> schools that receive federal funding, public,
>> public charter, or private, should be required to
>> meet the conditions the individuals with
>> disabilities and education act. Do you agree with me or not?
>>
>> Mrs. DeVos: I think that is certainly worth
>> discussion, and I would look forward to
>>
>> Senator Kaine: So you cannot yet agree with me.
>> And finally, should all schools that receive
>> federal funding be required to report the same
>> information instances of harassment, discipline,
>> or bullying if they receive federal funding.
>>
>> Mrs. DeVos: I think that federal funding certainly comes with strings
>> attached.
>>
>> Senator Kaine: I think all such schools that
>> receive federal funding should be required to
>> report on instances of harassment and bullying, and you agree with me on
>> that?
>>
>> Mrs. DeVos: I would look forward to reviewing that provision.
>>
>> Senator Kaine: [???] It's not a court, you're not
>> under oath, not under subpoena, but you are
>> trying to win my vote. Thanks, Mr. Chairman.
>>
>> [Later in the hearing.]
>>
>> Link to Sen. Murkowski???s question:
>> <http://afb.us11.list-manage1.com/track/click?u=bd3c8fefc9f905f5ccf41c577&id=890b5b4b51&e=c97bce6fad>https://www.c-span.org/video/?c4649495%2fsen-murkowski-rural-schools-limited-options-civil-rights-students-disabilities=
>>
>> Senator Murkowski: [???] This was something that
>> was brought up at the Q & A session in Anchorage.
>> A concern that there would not be an effort to
>> match that accountability to those schools that
>> received federal funding, either through a
>> voucher program, a federal match, an education
>> savings account but, that in addition to
>> performance standards, that there would be true
>> accountability with adhering to federal laws for
>> civil rights as well as students with
>> disabilities. So, I will ask for continuation of
>> that discussion. You have provided some very
>> responsive comments, that I think will help our
>> teachers in Alaska, where their options are very
>> limited. How can you provide assurance to these
>> teachers, families, and students, for whom
>> alternatives and options are severely limited,
>> not because we don't want them, but because our geography isolates us?
>>
>> Mrs. DeVos: Thank you for that question. I really
>> appreciated our conversation and a review of the
>> map because it does remind us of the unique
>> challenges that Alaska has. I would say that I
>> can assure you that, if confirmed, I will support
>> Alaska and its approach to educating its
>> youngsters. I have to say, I think the creativity
>> and innovation that Alaska has employed through
>> the traditional public system is one that other
>> states can probably take note of and learn some
>> lessons from, and would hope that they continue
>> to feel that freedom and that drive to continue
>> to educate and innovate. [Ms. DeVos gave no response regarding
>> disability.]
>>
>> [Later in the hearing.]
>>
>> Link to Sen. Hassan???s second round of
>> questions:
>> <http://afb.us11.list-manage1.com/track/click?u=bd3c8fefc9f905f5ccf41c577&id=7ed45dc225&e=c97bce6fad>https://www.c-span.org/video/?c4649501%2fsen-hassan-follow-up-states-idea=
>>
>> Senator Hassan: I want to go back to the
>> individuals with disabilities in education act.
>> That is a federal civil rights law. Do you stand
>> by your statement that it should be up to the states whether to follow
>> it?
>>
>> Ms. DeVos: Federal law must be followed where federal dollars are in
>> play.
>>
>> Senator Hassan: So, were you unaware, when I just
>> asked you about the IDEA, that it is a federal law?
>>
>> Mrs. DeVos: I may have confused it.
>>
>> Senator Hassan: It guarantees absolutely basic
>> protections to students with disabilities to
>> ensure that they are afforded a high-quality
>> education with their peers -- one of the reasons
>> it is difficult to have this hearing and feel
>> that we fully understand your perspective ? is
>> because we do know that childrenn with
>> disabilities in at least some of the voucher
>> programs that you have supported have gone with a
>> voucher to a school. Because of their disability,
>> they had to leave the school, the school keeps
>> the money, and they go back to public schools,
>> that now have even less resources to deal with
>> them. And many of us see that as the potential to
>> turn ours schools into warehouses for the most
>> challenging kids with disabilities or other kinds
>> of particular issues. Or, the kids whose parents
>> cannot afford to make up the difference between
>> the voucher and the cost of private school
>> tuition. So I just would urge you to become
>> familiar, should you be nominated, with the
>> individuals with disabilities in education act.
>> I'm concerned that you seem so unfamiliar with
>> it, and you seem to support vouchers rules that
>> have not honored, that have made students sign
>> away their rights to make sure that this law is
>> enforced. That is very troubling to me.
>>
>> Mrs. DeVos: Senator, I assure you that I, if I am
>> confirmed, I will be very sensitive to the needs
>> of the special needs students and the policies surrounding them.
>>
>> Senator Hassan: With all due respect, it is not
>> about sensitivity, although that helps. It is
>> about being willing to enforce the law to make
>> sure that my child, that every child, has the
>> same access to public education, a high-quality
>> public education. The reality is the way that the
>> voucher programs that you support have not always
>> come out that way. That is why it is something we need to continue to
>> explore.
>>
>> Senator Alexander: Thank you to Senator Hassan and Senator Murray.
>>
>> END EXCERPTS
>>
>> If you would like to hear more of the hearing for
>> yourself, you may view the entire hearing on the
>> Senate HELP Committee page at
>> <http://afb.us11.list-manage.com/track/click?u=bd3c8fefc9f905f5ccf41c577&id=c79cd15d84&e=c97bce6fad>http://www.help.senate.gov/hearings/nomination-of-betsy-devos-to-serve-as-secretary-of-education
>>
>> or on C-SPAN at
>> <http://afb.us11.list-manage2.com/track/click?u=bd3c8fefc9f905f5ccf41c577&id=1af04160df&e=c97bce6fad>https://www.c-span.org/video/?421224-1%2feducation-secretary-nominee-betsy-devos-testifies-confirmation-hearing=&live=.
>> <http://afb.us11.list-manage.com/track/click?u=bd3c8fefc9f905f5ccf41c577&id=1a1f0b8015&e=c97bce6fad>
>> []
>>
>> <http://afb.us11.list-manage.com/track/click?u=bd3c8fefc9f905f5ccf41c577&id=e9cf238033&e=c97bce6fad>
>> []
>>
>>
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>>
>> ------------------------------
>>
>> Message: 5
>> Date: Thu, 19 Jan 2017 20:29:55 -0600
>> From: "Alan Lemly" <walemly@gmail.com>
>> To: <acb-l@acblists.org>
>> Subject: [acb-l] Reminder: Novel Ideas tomorrow 9:00 PM Eastern to
>> Discuss Small Great Things DB85761 by Jodi Picoult
>> Message-ID: <015201d272c5$16d4bc10$447e3430$@gmail.com>
>> Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"
>>
>> Hi All,
>>
>>
>>
>> This is just a friendly reminder that Novel Ideas will meet tomorrow at
>> 9:00
>> PM in the book nook room of accessibleworld.org at this link:
>>
>>
>>
>> http://conference321.com/masteradmin/room.asp?id=rs7867a2369e0e
>>
>>
>>
>> We will be discussing the book Small Great Things by Jodi Picoult.
>>
>>
>>
>> Hope to see you there.
>>
>>
>>
>> Randi
>>
>> -------------- next part --------------
>> An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
>> URL:
>> <http://www.acblists.org/mailman/private/acb-l/attachments/20170119/0fb73ecb/attachment-0001.html>
>>
>> ------------------------------
>>
>> Message: 6
>> Date: Fri, 20 Jan 2017 09:08:53 -0600
>> From: Michael Malver <mmalver@gmail.com>
>> To: acb-l@acblists.org
>> Subject: [acb-l] Audio description of inauguration
>> Message-ID: <C0055234-81C2-4DEE-A315-0CA86E9A71E8@gmail.com>
>> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii
>>
>> Hello,
>> Should I be experiencing audio description on ABC currently? I do not
>> appear
>> to be.
>> Also, am I correct in thinking that I should get audio description on
>> public
>> broadcasting between 10 AM and 12:30 PM central?
>> Thanks
>>
>>
>> ------------------------------
>>
>> Message: 7
>> Date: Fri, 20 Jan 2017 10:18:14 -0600
>> From: Danielle Ledet <singingmywayin@gmail.com>
>> To: Michael Malver <mmalver@gmail.com>
>> Cc: acb-l@acblists.org
>> Subject: Re: [acb-l] Audio description of inauguration
>> Message-ID:
>> <CAMxXqETMgK419-mYEX9L4wPm-U1p0hK17SwiJpS5G6WXjMkuxQ@mail.gmail.com>
>> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=UTF-8
>>
>> I am not over hear, but my folks can't be bothered turning it on even
>> on 1 of the 3 working TV's in here. You have to turn on SAP on your
>> TV. I asked once or twice way back when I found out about regularly
>> scheduled described programming, and I won't ask again. Also, it does
>> not automatically stream on my end on the Congressional website. I
>> selected Audio Description and still, nothing but silence. So I'm
>> viewing as a sighted person would.
>>
>> On 1/20/17, Michael Malver via acb-l <acb-l@acblists.org> wrote:
>>> Hello,
>>> Should I be experiencing audio description on ABC currently? I do not
>>> appear
>>> to be.
>>> Also, am I correct in thinking that I should get audio description on
>>> public
>>> broadcasting between 10 AM and 12:30 PM central?
>>> Thanks
>>> _______________________________________________
>>> acb-l mailing list
>>> acb-l@acblists.org
>>> http://www.acblists.org/mailman/listinfo/acb-l
>>>
>>
>>
>> --
>> How far you go in life depends on your being tender with the young,
>> compassionate with the aged, sympathetic with the striving and
>> tolerant of the weak and strong. Because someday in your life you will
>> have been all of these.
>> George Washington Carver
>> Email: singingmywayin@gmail.com
>>
>>
>> ------------------------------
>>
>> Subject: Digest Footer
>>
>> _______________________________________________
>> acb-l mailing list
>> acb-l@acblists.org
>> http://www.acblists.org/mailman/listinfo/acb-l
>>
>>
>> ------------------------------
>>
>> End of acb-l Digest, Vol 88, Issue 20
>> *************************************
>>
>>
>
>
> --
> (Seeking knowledge is compulsory from cratle to grave because it is a
> shoreless ocean.)
>
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