Abby,
Do you listen to podcasts? I bought a second gen stream so I could get podcasts
easily, but I only listen to a few. Moderate Rebels is one of them. It can also
be found on your computer by going to Moderate Rebels Radio, I think. It's done
by max Blumenthal and Ben Norton who are excellent investigative reporters.
They also do reporting for The Real News network, and Max Blumenthal has the
Grayzone Project website. This clip of H.W. is at the beginning of each episode
to be, I think, an ironic comment on false patriotism. The two articles about
Bush 1 that I posted, remind us that he was the head of the CIA and that he was
involved in delaying the release of the Iran hostages until after the 1980
election to ensure that Carter lost and Reagan won.
We have an interesting custom in this country, which is to say positive things
about, and praise, all our former presidents and other public figures when they
die, regardless of what kinds of people they were or what horrible things they
may have done. Thieves, war mongers, racists, it doesn't matter. Wait and see,
when Donald Trump dies, everyone will be singing his praises.
Miriam
-----Original Message-----
From: blind-democracy-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
<blind-democracy-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> On Behalf Of abby
Sent: Saturday, December 01, 2018 4:22 PM
To: blind-democracy@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: [blind-democracy] Re: a blind man's tribute to george bush
That never apologize thing doesn't sound like the humility many have attributed
to him during the TV tributes to him.
I watch "It's a Wonderful Life" every year with his audio description.
Abby
-----Original Message-----
From: blind-democracy-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
[mailto:blind-democracy-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of Miriam Vieni
Sent: Saturday, December 1, 2018 9:56 AM
To: blind-democracy@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: [blind-democracy] Re: a blind man's tribute to george bush
At the beginning of every episode of Moderate Rebels, they play a clip of
George H. W. Bush in which he says something like, "I'll never apologize for
anything the United States does, not ever!"
Miriam
-----Original Message-----
From: blind-democracy-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
<blind-democracy-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> On Behalf Of Carl Jarvis
Sent: Saturday, December 01, 2018 12:40 PM
To: blind-democracy <blind-democracy@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Subject: [blind-democracy] a blind man's tribute to george bush
For those of us active in the struggle for passage of the Americans with
Disabilities Act(ADA), the election of George Bush as President looked like a
real setback. But the Disabled Community doubled down, rather than backing
down, and the new president bowed to their combined pressure. The passage of
the ADA must be a reminder of what the American People can accomplish when they
put their minds to it.
Here are the words of George Bush as he prepared to sign the ADA:
Remarks of President George Bush at the Signing of the Americans with
Disabilities Act
Evan, thank you so much. And welcome to every one of you, out there in this
splendid scene of hope, spread across the South Lawn of the White House. I want
to salute the Members of the United States Congress, the House and the Senate
who are with us today -- active participants in making this day come true. This
is, indeed, an incredible day -- especially for the thousands of people across
the Nation who have given so much of their time, their vision, and their
courage to see this act become a reality.
You know, I started trying to put together a list of all the people who should
be mentioned today. But when the list started looking a little longer than the
Senate testimony for the bill, I decided I better give up, or that we'd never
get out of here before sunset. So, even though so many deserve credit, I will
single out but a tiny handful. And I take those who have guided me personally
over the years: of course, my friends Evan Kemp and Justin Dart, up here on the
platform with me; and of course -- I hope you'll forgive me for also saying a
special word of thanks to two from the White House, but again, this is
personal, so I don't want to offend those omitted -- two from the White House,
Boyden Gray and Bill Roper, who labored long and hard. And I want to thank
Sandy Parrino, of course, for her leadership. And I again -- it is very risky
with all these Members of Congress here who worked so hard, but I can say on a
very personal basis, Bob Dole has inspired me.
This is an immensely important day, a day that belongs to all of you.
Everywhere I look, I see people who have dedicated themselves to making sure
that this day would come to pass: my friends from Congress, as I say, who
worked so diligently with the best interest of all at heart, Democrats and
Republicans; members of this administration -- and I'm pleased to see so many
top officials and members of my Cabinet here today who brought their caring and
expertise to this fight; and then, the organizations -- so many dedicated
organizations for people with disabilities, who gave their time and their
strength; and perhaps most of all, everyone out there and others -- across the
breadth of this nation are 43 million Americans with disabilities. You have
made this happen. All of you have made this happen. To all of you, I just want
to say your triumph is that your bill will now be law, and that this day
belongs to you. On behalf of our nation, thank you very, very much.
Three weeks ago we celebrated our nation's Independence Day. Today we're here
to rejoice in and celebrate another ``independence day,''
one that is long
overdue. With today's signing of the landmark Americans for Disabilities Act,
every man, woman, and child with a disability can now pass through once-closed
doors into a bright new era of equality, independence, and freedom. As I look
around at all these joyous faces, I remember clearly how many years of
dedicated commitment have gone into making this historic new civil rights act a
reality. It's been the work of a true coalition, a strong and inspiring
coalition of people who have shared both a dream and a passionate determination
to make that dream come true. It's been a coalition in the finest spirit -- a
joining of Democrats and Republicans, of the legislative and the executive
branches, of Federal and State agencies, of public officials and private
citizens, of people with disabilities and without.
This historic act is the world's first comprehensive declaration of equality
for people with disabilities -- the first. Its passage has made the United
States the international leader on this human rights issue. Already, leaders of
several other countries, including Sweden, Japan, the Soviet Union, and all 12
members of the EEC, have announced that they hope to enact now similar
legislation.
Our success with this act proves that we are keeping faith with the spirit of
our courageous forefathers who wrote in the Declaration of
Independence:
``We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that
they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights.'' These
words have been our guide for more than two centuries as we've labored to form
our more perfect union. But tragically, for too many Americans, the blessings
of liberty have been limited or even denied. The Civil Rights Act of
'64 took a bold step towards righting that wrong. But the stark fact remained
that people with disabilities were still victims of segregation and
discrimination, and this was intolerable. Today's legislation brings us closer
to that day when no Americans will ever again be deprived of their basic
guarantee of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.
This act is powerful in its simplicity. It will ensure that people with
disabilities are given the basic guarantees for which they have worked so long
and so hard: independence, freedom of choice, control of their lives, the
opportunity to blend fully and equally into the rich mosaic of the American
mainstream.
Legally, it will provide our disabled community with a powerful expansion of
protections and then basic civil rights. It will guarantee fair and just access
to the fruits of American life which we all must be able to enjoy. And then,
specifically, first the ADA ensures that employers covered by the act cannot
discriminate against qualified individuals with disabilities. Second, the ADA
ensures access to public accommodations such as restaurants, hotels, shopping
centers, and offices. And third, the ADA ensures expanded access to
transportation services. And fourth, the ADA ensures equivalent telephone
services for people with speech or hearing impediments.
These provisions mean so much to so many. To one brave girl in particular, they
will mean the world. Lisa Carl, a young Washington State woman with cerebral
palsy, who I'm told is with us today, now will always be admitted to her
hometown theater. Lisa, you might not have been welcome at your theater, but
I'll tell you -- welcome to the White House. We're glad you're here. The ADA is
a dramatic renewal not only for those with disabilities but for all of us,
because along with the precious privilege of being an American comes a sacred
duty to ensure that every other American's rights are also guaranteed.
Together, we must remove the physical barriers we have created and the social
barriers that we have accepted. For ours will never be a truly prosperous
nation until all within it prosper. For inspiration, we need look no further
than our own neighbors. With us in that wonderful crowd out there are people
representing 18 of the daily Points of Light that I've named for their
extraordinary involvement with the disabled community. We applaud you and your
shining example. Thank you for your leadership for all that are here today.
Now, let me just tell you a wonderful story, a story about children already
working in the spirit of the ADA -- a story that really touched me. Across the
Nation, some 10,000 youngsters with disabilities are part of Little League's
Challenger Division. Their teams play just like others, but -- and this is the
most remarkable part -- as they play, at their sides are volunteer buddies from
conventional Little League teams. All of these players work together.
They team up to wheel around the bases and to field grounders together and,
most of all, just to play and become friends. We must let these children be our
guides and inspiration.
I also want to say a special word to our friends in the business community. You
have in your hands the key to the success of this act, for you can unlock a
splendid resource of untapped human potential that, when freed, will enrich us
all. I know there have been concerns that the ADA may be vague or costly, or
may lead endlessly to litigation. But I want to reassure you right now that my
administration and the United States Congress have carefully crafted this Act.
We've all been determined to ensure that it gives flexibility, particularly in
terms of the timetable of implementation, and we've been committed to
containing the costs that may be incurred.
This act does something important for American business, though -- and remember
this: You've called for new sources of workers. Well, many of our fellow
citizens with disabilities are unemployed. They want to work, and they can
work, and this is a tremendous pool of people. And remember, this is a
tremendous pool of people who will bring to jobs diversity, loyalty, proven low
turnover rate, and only one request: the chance to prove themselves.
And when you
add together Federal, State, local, and private funds, it costs almost
$200 billion annually to support Americans with disabilities -- in effect, to
keep them dependent. Well, when given the opportunity to be independent, they
will move proudly into the economic mainstream of American life, and that's
what this legislation is all about.
Our problems are large, but our unified heart is larger. Our challenges are
great, but our will is greater. And in our America, the most generous,
optimistic nation on the face of the Earth, we must not and will not rest until
every man and woman with a dream has the means to achieve it.
And today, America welcomes into the mainstream of life all of our fellow
citizens with disabilities. We embrace you for your abilities and for your
disabilities, for our similarities and indeed for our differences, for your
past courage and your future dreams. Last year, we celebrated a victory of
international freedom. Even the strongest person couldn't scale the Berlin Wall
to gain the elusive promise of independence that lay just beyond. And so,
together we rejoiced when that barrier fell.
And now I sign legislation which takes a sledgehammer to another wall, one
which has for too many generations separated Americans with disabilities from
the freedom they could glimpse, but not grasp. Once again, we rejoice as this
barrier falls for claiming together we will not accept, we will not excuse, we
will not tolerate discrimination in America.
With, again, great thanks to the Members of the United States Senate, leaders
of whom are here today, and those who worked so tirelessly for this legislation
on both sides of the aisles. And to those Members of the House of
Representatives with us here today, Democrats and Republicans as well, I salute
you.
And on your behalf, as well as the behalf of this entire country, I now lift my
pen to sign this Americans with Disabilities Act and say:
Let the shameful
wall of exclusion finally come tumbling down. God bless you all.