Taking Aim at NBC

I'm having a hard time with the NBC "Family" these days. There's a new show on NBC's affiliate called "Ripping Off The Rich". The reason I know that, is I was watching the Olympics yesterday and ran into it by accident. When I saw a promo about the show I decided it was something I wanted to write about.

For the past...... years Rich Americans have been ripping off the rest of the American people. Who are the criminals? Rich people have made out quite handsomely for a long time from what they've done to us. How dare NBC express sorrow for these CROOKS? Especially on an hour long weekly show.

NBC has demonstrated their love for the 1% OVER AND OVER again. Their showing of the Olympic Games, and understanding of what the American public is capable of understanding and/or care about bare me out. While the US got an interview with Michael Phelps, other countries were viewing the opening sequence that honored people who have died due to terrorism, including those who lost their lives in the bombing in the London Underground in 2005. http://pilgrimpathways.wordpress.com/2012/07/28/london-olympics-opening-ceremony-vision-of-a-post-imperial-u-k/

They also plan to air another show, hosted by Wesley Clarke, about the art of war, using real weapons and celebrities to demonstrate how war is FUN. As far as I'm concerned war is NOT fun, or sexy, or cute. People LOSE THEIR LIVES in war! NBC has gone over the edge, into a land where few (1%?) people would want to live.

Run Oscar, Run!

Back in 2007 I wrote a heart felt piece on a guy named Oscar Pistorious on this blog, and his quest to be a runner in the Olympics in 2008. The story had to do with his physical disability, and whether or not he had an "unfair advantage" by running on prosthetic legs...
http://dawgoregon.blogspot.com/search?q=Oscar
Well guess what? Though they determined at the time that he did have an "unfair advantage", apparently the Olympic committee have changed their mind!

I don't want to make a big deal of what was the obvious flaw in their thinking back then, but at least they finally came to their senses. I, for one, am THRILLED that Oscar will finally get his chance in London this summer! My biggest hope (as I wrote at the end of my post back then) is that he kick some ass!!

"Life Is Not Fair..."

I don't know how many times I've heard it throughout my life. Someone who's relatively comfortable in their circumstances telling someone who isn't, that life is not fair. Sort of like telling them to "get over yourself" in a condescending manner. "Pull youself up by the bootstraps". To me, that's VERY cold and thoughtless.

My take on it is that most often people are not fair to each other. That's the only reason poverty exists. That's the only reason discrimination exists. It's the only reason people are left to wander the streets without a place to lay their head. A lack of compassion and empathy.

As a small child I can remember feeling this way, and it's stuck with me all my life. In fact, just thinking about needless suffering can bring me to tears. There's a helplessness attached to it. What can one person do to make those around them see that people hurt people in a much larger way than circumstance does.

"Life is not fair". Think of those words. What's REALLY not fair is that most people just don't give a fuck about anyone but themselves.

I've decided to put a video on here that Suzanne and I created today. Hope you enjoy it!

Yeah... Right

Jim Baranosky · 5 mutual friends

"There are conscientious objectors joining the military everyday where they've bold face lied that they will take orders from their superiors. This is a video of such 'veteran' objectors whose full intention was to bring discourse amongst the ranks and to propagandize their supposed new found disapproval of the war after 'serving their country'. War is war ... people are terrorized in the act of war"

 

I don't know if it's a sin to take comments written on my Facebook page, and reprint them on my blog, but I found the statement above to be included in a larger thought. This is where I write my larger thoughts. In fact; I often wonder how many people from Facebook also follow this blog, and stay quiet as to not shake up their own apple cart.

 

This quote came from a guy I knew from back in my high school days. I remember him as a quiet fellow, who worked hard on his academics, and was an average athlete. He asked me to be his Facebook friend about a year ago, and I figured "What the hell...". I had posted a video of Iraq/Afghanistan veterans who were talking about their experiences in  the Middle East. Real life soldiers who were upset and scarred by those experiences. It got me thinking...

 

It's not really about the 1% who control the majority of  wealth in our country. It's also about the other top 24% who make a lot of money, and hope to make a lot more that is at the crux of the problem. I'm not about to say Republican or Democrat... they are both to blame equally. These people have never seen a day of REAL struggle, but think they understand it. If they have seen struggle, it's so far behind them they don't remember it correctly.

 

Jim is not that far off from some other Americans. They also believe that conscientious objectors would willingly join the military. Wouldn't that make them something other than conscientious oblectors?? Maybe, agent provocateurs? You know, the kind of scum that infiltrate groups to sabotage them (uhm...uhm...). I also believe (contrary to this group of Americans) that "discourse" about what the hell you're doing is a good idea, rather than bad. Especially if you're in a war. The 24% probably see it as the oposite. Follow orders blindly with the hope it will get you somewhere. And yes, people are terrorized by the act of war, which seems to me to be the biggest reason for having them in the first place. "Shock and Awe" a people into submission. Then you can steal their resources, scott free.They seem to also believe that even though they never put on a military uniform, they have a right to poo poo soldiers who may be putting their own personal agendas at risk.

 

I'm done trying to educate the willingly ignorant 24+1 %. Go ahead; put your desire to be rich above all that is sacred and good. We'll see how that works down the road further.

Help Wanted!!

Help Wanted!!

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Thank You Billie D. Harris...

I realize that this story's been told already, but I want to share some thoughts about the content. I first saw it this morning on the Sunday morning CBS News Magazine, and once I stopped crying, decided it was important enough for me to do so.

There's a lot of heated debate going on in this country about the value of the military. Whenever it's discussed, inevitably soldiers are drawn into the conversation. Recently I asked a question regarding soldiers being paid for making films while still on "Active" status on my Facebook page. This turned into quite the argument, both for and against such a notion. I hope I can settle it here.

I believe that War Profiteers are behind the struggles we're involved in in the Mid East. I also believe that the US Government is complicit with these BILLIONAIRES in "feeding the machine" with US soldiers. For a large part, young men and women hoping to have their secondary education paid for by volunteering their necks and the necks of others. THERE IS A REASON WHY THERE ARE SO MANY SUICIDES among returning vets!

So... I refuse to be a part of lining the pockets of these billionaires by giving my approval of what the military's currently doing. It's wrong! Viet Nam was wrong! Our involvement in Cuba, El Savador, Panama, Somalia, Yemen, etc. was wrong! I believe the last time we were on the right side (slightly) of war was WWII. That was just before the Military Industrial Complex was fully established. There was some nobility in taking on the Nazis with our allies.

Now you have modern day politicians dealing with what remains of WWII. People so involved in keeping the current wars alive that the past wars mean nothing. The story below demonstrates my point succinctly...

http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-18563_162-57448571/they-dont-forget-normandy-still-honors-american-wwii-pilots-sacrifice/?tag=exclsv

Rest In Peace Richard Luccetti

A friend of mine died recently. I know death is an important part of life, and everybody's gonna go sometime (including yours truly), I'm saddened by his death. His name was Richard Luccetti, and these are my memories of him...

Richard was a champion for children. I'm not so sure he was interested in advocating for wealthy kids as he was for low income children, but his main focus was justice for ALL children.

Richard was unafraid. he was far less interested in people's thoughts about him, than he was in doing the right thing for the people he cared about.

Richard was funny. He often mumbled when he spoke, and was prone to speaking different languages in the same sentence. That may have been so that he'd have an opportunity to repeat what he believed were important thoughts. he had many humorous stories that he liked to share with his inner circle of friends and colleagues.

Richard was smart. He seemed to know quite a bit about many topics. He had a great understanding of law and the legal system. He blew me away when I realized how well versed he was in civil rights and special education law he was.

Richard was warm. He was ALWAYS ready to lend a hand; often before he was even asked. He could be counted on to do what he said he woud do cheerfully.

Richard was my friend. Godbye dear friend.

The Story of Val

In the summer of 1987 I worked in a Hospice home with people who were dying of Aids. The requirement for living there was that they needed to have a diagnosis of 3 months or less. I would work 48 hours on and then have 48 hours off. It was a pretty difficult job, with lots of important tasks that needed to be done meticulously. The environment was kept sterile at all times.

Talk about a diverse group of people! There was a 30ish guy named Bruce (I believe) who was both bi-sexual and a junky. No one really knew how he contracted the virus. There was a 40ish woman named Pam, who got the virus from her husband, who was seeing prostitutes on a regular basis. One guy, (I can't remember his name) who only came out of his room to smoke cigarettes several times a day, and was severely depressed. And Val.

Val became my friend over the course of a few weeks. He was a black, gay man, who had spent most of his life in the South. He was older; in his 50's. He'd tell me stories of how he was treated as an "out" black man in the South. He'd served in the military in his 20's until he was caught having sex with an officer, and was given an Honorable Discharge. This really hurt him, as he was proud of his military service. Once out of the military, he decided to be out with his sexuality.

He boasted about living an extremely flamboyant lifestyle, and that wasn't hard to believe. He was warm, funny, loud, and smart. Not "book smart", but "world smart". He spoke of his adventures which eventually led him to Portland, where he discovered he was sick. He didn't know people here, and I became his only real friend in the area. He took to me quickly, and I could see the joy on his face when I would show up after my days off. 

After hearing his stories one day, I carelessly mentioned that he should write a book. He looked sadly at me, and reminded me that he wouldn't have time to write a book. That's when an idea popped into my head. I asked him if he'd like to get his stories on tape, and that I would write the book in honor of, and for him. He lit up like a Christmas tree over the idea!

That same day, I took hin to a dentist appointment to have some infected teeth pulled. Val was deathly afraid of the dentist, and only agreed to go if I went with him. On our way there I managed to keep him distracted of his fear by talking about our plan to get his adventures on tape. I would bring a tape recorder to work after my 2 days off, and interview him, as I now had a good idea what his stories were about. I sat with him in the room where the dentist pulled 2 teeth. It was a lot on his already compromised body, and by the time we left, I needed to help him back to the van.

Once we were back at the house, we got word that Bruce had left with a drug "friend", which everyone knew was a bad move. I left that day, with a sadness over Bruce's decision, but feeling good about getting to interview Val when I came back. My time off was anything but relaxing. I'd call the house every few hours to ask about Bruce and Val. The evening of my second day off, I received a call that Bruce had come back, but then died as a result of shooting heroin when he was gone. Val was doing only slightly better, due to the dental work.

The next morning I went back to the house early; ready to record whatever I could with Val. When I went inside I found that he had passed during the night. It was too late. I honestly can't remember what happened after that. I was so upset, and distraught, I  could only look at the empty beds and cry. I couldn't work there any more. After a long talk with the house manager, we agreed that it would be best for me to hang it up; which I did.

Throwing Medals

I remember vividly, as a sophomore in high school, watching the soldiers throwing back their medals in Washington back in 1971. It was an event that took place in April, and I watched it with other kids my age at a friend's house. These men and women realized they'd been duped by our government into fighting a war that couldn't be won. I was proud of them.

Fast forward to May of 2012; a full 41 years later. I just finished watching "Democracy Now!", where veterans at a protest of the NATO Conference in Chicago did the same thing the other day. When I was a sophomore I'm sure I didn't cry as I watched it on TV. As a grown man in his mid 50's, I had my own permission to this time.

There were only 45 vets who participated in this display of the hatred of war, and all that goes along with war. They spoke of the civilians killed. They spoke of the harm that came to themselves. They spoke of the way women in the military were mistreated. They spoke of the lies told to them. Their message was as loud to me now, as the thousands back in '71. And if I remember correctly, what happened back then was the beginning to the end of that war. May history repeat itself.

The Scourge That Is Leftism

I happened to live next door to a boy who had leftism when I was 10 years old. It was awful! At all hours of the day (and night) you could hear the shrieks and screams of his exhausted mother, frustrated that he was unable to do tasks with his right hand. His parents were often at odds over his condition, which caused insurmountable strain on their marriage. The financial burden faced by these folks in having a child with leftism only added to their grief.

I recall asking my mother what was wrong with him, and she told me in a lowered voice that his affliction was not his fault, and she hoped someday they'd find a cure. In the mean time, she advised me to keep my distance, because at that time they weren't sure if leftism was contagious. In the next few years I noticed more and more children with leftism, and no one knew why this epidemic was spreading. From 3 in 100 to 1 in 15 over the course of 5 years!

Thank God Leftism Speaks was organized in an effort to combat the negative effects of leftism. They were funded primarily by rich white folks who had a connection to a child with leftism. Professional athletes, Hollywood types, and other people able to spread the word, and solicit funds. They managed to become the "go to" voice for anyone in the community who wanted to appear to be a friend of people with leftism. They organized charity walks all over the country, bringing in millions of dollars in the name of finding a cure. their PR was impeccable.

Around that same time, people who had leftism themselves began wondering why Leftism Speaks had such a low opinion of them. Many people with leftism were thriving and contributing in their communities. They could be found on college campuses getting an education. They were working in good paying jobs. Many were involved in science, mathematics, and other scholarly pursuits. Artists, poets, musicians, they could be found vitually every where. And many were speaking up themselves about what they believed was unjust language from Leftism Speaks. They were able to find skewed numbers, quid pro quo behaviors, and unwarranted "research" that was going no where. Could it be? Was Leftism Speaks more about money than about the altruism they publicly espoused?

As I've grown up, I've been fortunate to have met many people with leftism. They seem fine to me. In fact, I've not only worked and befriended people with leftism, but was blessed with the opportunity of having my own nephew who has leftism live with me for several years. I just can't seem to wrap my mind around the idea that people with leftism somehow need to be "fixed". For every "difficult" person who has leftism, there are probably 50 difficult people who don't have that label. Umm... you are reading one of these difficult people's blogs right now...

You Go First

This is interesting! The Oregon GOP, led by Senator Bruce Starr, have decided that low income people receiving assistance from the state, need to be drug tested. I guess such a notion is going on in other states as well, and I have some strong feelings about it. Below is part of the Legislative update that came to me in email yesterday...

Abuse of Oregon assistance programs must be addressed

Salem, OR – Senate Republicans will continue to push legislation that can safeguard the integrity of Oregon’s public assistance programs. Data recently released to The Oregonian revealed disturbing evidence of misuse of these funds. In an effort to protect programs for needy Oregon families, Republicans introduced legislation in 2011 to require drug testing for individuals on public assistance.

"Oregon’s assistance programs are meant to help struggling Oregon families pay for groceries, gas and rent while they get back on their feet," said Senator Bruce Starr (R-Hillsboro) who sponsored the 2011 legislation. "A few bad apples are abusing these payouts to gamble, drink and visit strip clubs. Putting a stop to that type of exploitation protects taxpayer dollars and shields the resources for those who need them most."

Note that there is no mention of how and why Legislators spend the money they receive from the state. I guess the idea is that if you are an elected official, it's nobody's business but your own, what you do with the tax dollars that pay your salary. However; if you are poor, you should be expected to be held to a higher level of accountability. Doesn't that define the word "discrimination"?

Are the citizens of Oregon expected to believe that elected people DON'T include "bad apples" who gamble, drink, and visit strip clubs? How about those who take illegal trips, have illegal vacations, and profit from the suffering of others? If they want to insist on disciminating against poor people, I say, ok, let's go for it! But YOU GO FIRST!

To The Opologists

I'm always amazed by the pseudo fighting between Democrats and Republicans! Each blaming the other for the condition of the USA. I guess what bothers me the most are the people who call themselves "progressive", witout speaking out against the wars, or the money making corporations behind them. At least the "conservative" crowd stays true to their color.

To the "Opologists" who want to blame everything on George Bush, I'd like to say; "GW Bush did not order 241 (and counting) drone strikes, launch FBI raids on antiwar activists, expand the Patriot Act, authorize the assasinationsof US citizens abroad,appoint Monsanto executives to the FDA, and deport ofver a million (and counting) immigrants." No, that was someone else.

Keep that in mind as you campaign from now until next November.

Talkin' Generalizations

I'm tired of hearing about ALL THE REASONS that people with autism CAN'T do anything. "They can't handle change". "They can't handle noise." "They can't handle touch." It's all a bunch of stigmatization as far as I'm concened!

How about considering the reason people with autism can't do anything, is the people who speak on their behalf. I'm talking about those who BENEFIT from the belief that these folks are so UNABLE. Without naming names, it should be clear who I'm talking about...

What about the idea that people with autism generally rise to the level of EXPECTATION placed upon them. In my many years working with these folks (inluding 12 with my own nephew), I've found this to be the case. For Christ sake, STOP pretending like these folks are unable to learn, and start believing that they are TOTALLY capable of learning!! Thank You!

Speaking of War...

"Heroism on command, senseless brutality, deplorable love-of-country stance, and all the loathsome nonsense that goes by the name of patriotism - how passionately I hate them!"

Albert Einstein (1879 - 1955)

I've never been mistaken for a flag waving patriot. In fact, I believe the US has done more harm than good to its' citizens (and the world) since I was born. One of my earliest memories of this is a bumper sticker on the back of a neighbors station wagon that read "Footprint of the American chicken", underneath the picture of a peace sign. And then there was the old "America, love it or leave it" people, who are the same ones who hate immigrants today.

Have you heard that the LA Times has several new pictures of US soldiers in Afghanistan, using the body parts of car bombers for "funny" photos? The Administration has asked the Times to not print these photos out of a fear of retaliation toward soldiers still on the ground there. I believe the REAL reason is that if Americans saw some of these photos, it would only make an already unpopular war even more unpopular.

Yeah, they are also concerned it will make Afghanistan more dangerous than it is. MORE dangerous? The fact that a foreign country is occupying a land that they've all but destroyed makes Afghanistan "dangerous". You want safety for the troops? Bring them home!

Flakes on the Net

Last month I was contacted by someone claiming her name is Julie Vernon. She was offering me money for advertising some business stuff on this blog. Below is the interaction we had...

----Original Message-----
From: Julie Vernon <

julievernon99@gmail.com>
To: dawgoregon <dawgoregon@aol.com>
Sent: Tue, Mar 13, 2012 6:46 am
Subject: Quick question about your post

Hey Dawg,

I just finished reading a post of yours from a bit ago and really enjoyed it!

Do you do advertising? I'm marketing out a site and can pay you via PayPal for adding a few text links to an old post of yours. These links would go to resources on education and topics related to the theme of your post.

Let me know if we can work something out! :)

Thanks
Julie Vernon

--
"Try not to become a man of success but rather to become a man of value" - Albert Einstein

　

On Tue, Mar 13, 2012 at 3:29 PM, David McDonald <dawgoregon@aol.com> wrote:

I'm interested! Please explain.

　

Hey David,

Thanks for hearing me out. I can pay you $20 over PayPal for adding a few text links to an old blog post of yours. The link would be related to online education and added within your actual writing, so they'd be discreet to a reader. I have many sites and can match up the topic of your page with one of my sites.

Here's an example, look at the Online University link:

http://engagesocially.wordpress.com/2011/12/12/social-learning-environments-and-outcomes/

Would you be interested in this? I can find a post of yours and write out a way of how to add the links in with your content. Also if you want more opportunities, we can pay you for more links in the future.

Thank you,

Julie Vernon

　

On Thu, Mar 15, 2012 at 1:05 PM, David McDonald <dawgoregon@aol.com> wrote:

Sounds interesting!

I do have a few questions to ask.

1. How did you find my blog?

2. What site(s) are you marketing?

3. What kind of agreement would we have about who you are linking to?

4. Which post are you interested in?
Thanks for your interest!

David

　

Hey David,

Thanks for hearing me out! Here's the details. You'll just add a little content to your post:

Takes only a few minutes.

You can copy paste the link, so it's very easy.

You'll get paid $50 via PayPal.

I can send the payment first, then you can update your content.

This post: http://dawgoregon.blogspot.com/2008/09/still-dangerous.html

Proposal:

1) Please add a new first paragraph to read:

“Assisted suicide laws are controversial, particularly because they could harm the poor and those with disabilities. The best online psychology degree programs and top traditional programs have studied this issue. An APA study was done in 1997 as well, it concluded that Assisted Suicide was a state-level issue. Oregon is the only state to make assisted suicide legal so far. However, other states could follow suit at any time.”

2) Please link the text “best online psychology degree programs” to

www.psychologydegreeguide.org.

Please link "APA study" to <http://www.apa.org/pubs/info/reports/aseol.aspx>

Also, please link the text “make assisted suicide legal” tohttp://public.health.oregon.gov/ProviderPartnerResources/EvaluationResearch/DeathwithDignityAct/Pages/index.aspx.

That's it. Remember, it is just an initial proposal, so if you want to change something we can make it happen!

Thanks,

Julie Vernon

　

On Tue, Mar 20, 2012 at 11:24 AM, David McDonald <dawgoregon@aol.com> wrote:

Hi Julie-

I'm wondering if there are any rigid requirements involved in placing these links on my blog. For example:

1) what is the expectation for the length of time that I would leave these links connected to the post?

2) I don't want to be connected to any group that promotes euthanasia that is specifically directed at people with disabilities. If I were to see this beginning to happen and had personal concerns, I may want to remove the links. What would happen in such a case?

Supporting people with disabilities through activism is what I do, and that's where my concern comes from. I'll be waiting to hear from you.

Thanks,

David

　

-----Original Message-----
From: Julie Vernon <julievernon99@gmail.com>
To: David McDonald <dawgoregon@aol.com>

Sent: Tue, Mar 20, 2012 11:33 am
Subject: Re: Quick question about your post

Hey David,

1) The site hopes that the links would be permanent. At the very least we ask for two years and at that point, just remind me and the site is likely to renew.

2) If the site were to ever begin advocating for euthanasia for people who did not wish to be euthanized, I would strongly recommend you take the links down. However, I don't think that will be a problem :)

If you would like to keep moving forward, send me your PayPal and I will send you a deposit.

Thanks!

　

On Tue, Mar 20, 2012 at 12:43 PM, David McDonald <dawgoregon@aol.com> wrote:

Thanks Julie! never having used PayPal, I'll go there now to set up an account.

　

I think you will be pleasantly surprised by PayPal.

Let me know once you have!

Thanks again!

　

Thanks David!

On Thu, Mar 22, 2012 at 11:56 AM, David McDonald <dawgoregon@aol.com> wrote:

I sent them the wrong bank info., so it's gonna take a few more days. Sorry...

　

That's fine, I did the same thing when I signed up!

Just let me know when you have everything worked out and I will put the payment over right away!

Thanks David!

　

Ok... we're good to go now. PayPal,s up and running! What's next?

　

Never heard from her again! The other day, I checked my account (which is fine), and then contacted the Dept. of Justice who told me this may very well be a scam. Fortunately I never completed the PayPal info., and now I may even catch her in a fraudulent attempt at accessing my bank account. Just goes to show you there are still plenty of flakes on the net!

Developmental Disability Awareness Month 5

Seeing how yet ANOTHER Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month is coming to a close, I'd like to know how many people even knew it?

Wrongful Birth

I'm feeling badly about the verdict reached in an Oregon court last week, where it was decided that a health care provider was libel for almost 3 million dollars to the parents of a Down Syndrome baby. It was a "wrongful birth" suit, brought because a Doctor failed to diagnose the child BEFORE she was born. It only took the jury 6 hours to deliberate (12-0), and find for the parents.

The main reason this bothers me is that I've come in contact with so many Down Syndrome people in my life, and the idea that they could have been aborted is very upsetting! I struggle with the knowledge that as technology has evolved, it's now pretty easy to find out if a baby is not "perfect" while still in utero. If not, an abortion can put an end to the possibility of having to work hard in oder to support the child.

During WWII, the Nazis experimented on this sort of thing in the hope of creating the "perfect" race of people. Hitler had a particular distaste for people with disabilities. I'm sure he'd approve of this wonderful technology. And if a birth is determined to be "wrong", why can't also a life be determined to be "wrong"? Do we really want to go down that road of "Perfection"? I don't!

There have been studies done where somewhere between 89 and 92 percent of women have said they would terminate their pregnancy if they knew they were carrying a Down Syndrome child. That's an astronomical statistic! I'd also like to know if they interviewed mothers wih Down Syndrome children. The mothers I've met deeply love their children! As a parent, I'd much rather deal with the needs of a child with a disability, than a child who grows up with entitlement issues. I guess that's just me...

It's NEVER Ok To Murder Your Family Member!

Autism Campus Inclusion

Last week, George Hodgins, an autistic adult living in Sunnyvale, CA, was murdered by his own mother. In the aftermath of his death, much of the public discussion surrounding his killing focused on expressing sympathy for his killer. ASAN Member Zoe Gross of Oakland, CA objected to this and helped organize a candlelit vigil in memory of George and all disabled people who have been murdered by their family members. The vigil will take place tonight at 6 PM PST, rain or shine, in front of the Sunnyvale City Hall building. Details can be found here: http://www.facebook.com/events/199680943470301/. We urge supporters of disability rights and neurodiversity to join Zoe and other local Autistic people and allies in the California bay area in remembering George this evening. For those who can not make it, we are printing Zoe's prepared remarks below: Last Tuesday, George Hodgins was shot and killed by his mother, who then killed herself. George lived here in Sunnyvale and he was 22 years old. I didn't know George, but I can't stop thinking about him. Maybe it's because we have a lot in common - we lived near each other, we were the same age, we're both autistic, although we led very different lives. I would like to have met George, but I can only mourn him. And I can try to make sure that his story isn't forgotten. In the wake of this tragedy, I read a lot of articles that asked the readers to imagine how George's mother must have felt. But I didn't see a single article that asked the reader to empathize for George, to imagine how it feels to see your mother point a gun at you. I've seen a lot of people talking about how hard it must be to live with an autistic relative, but I didn't see anyone talking about how terrible it be to die knowing that your parent, who you love and depend on, has decided to hurt and kill you. Because he was autistic, George is being erased from the story of his own murder. The story of George Hodgins's death is being discussed and presented as a story of a mother who snapped, and the story of other parents who have felt the same way. It's being told as a story about a lack of services for families with special-needs children, as though a lack of services is a justification for murder. When disabled people are murdered by their families, this is the story people want to hear. It's the same story that we saw in newspapers after Katie McCarron was murdered, and after Jeremy Fraser was murdered, and after Glenn Freaney was murdered, and after Zain and Faryaal Akhter were murdered. The story goes like this: it is understandable that someone would kill their disabled relative if they don't get help to care for them. I don't think this is a true story. Why is the story being told this way? Because we live in a world that doesn't acknowledge the value of our lives as disabled people. Because so many people in our society can't imagine a disabled person living a fulfilling life, so they don't see the tragedy and the wasted potential when one of our lives is cut short. As disabled people, we have to take a stand against this kind of thinking. We have to get the word out that our lives matter, tha tour lives are our own stories and not just the stories of our non-disabled parents and relatives and caretakers. We have to let people know that they are missing part of the story. Because the story of George Hodgins's murder is also the story of the disabled community losing one of our own. It's the story of the other disabled people who were murdered by their family members, and it's the story of the society that thinks so little of people with disabilities that these murders are all too often justified as "understandable." Most of all, it's George's story - the story of a young man who enjoyed hiking, who was always looking to learn new skills, who had his whole life in front of him. Now George is gone, and only his memory remains, and already that memory is being distorted by people who want to tell his story and leave him out. That's not going to happen tonight. We're here to remember the real story.

It's Not Illegal to Be An Ass Hole

In 2008 I wrote a post about the financial exploitation of people with developmental disabilities. I used an article from a Washington newspaper to demonstrate what I was talking about, and to serve as an example. Not long after I published the post, one of the people accused in the article submitted a comment calling me to task for several mistakes in the newspaper article.

As I was not the author of the article, I commented back, that if they had a problem with it, they should contact the newspaper about it. I was merely using it as a reference. Not good enough I guess. I began getting comments from this person that were filled with personal attacks aimed at me. I couldn't figure out where all this anger was coming from, but published their comments along with some push-back.

Over the next 3+ years I'd get an occasional rant from this guy, which I'd publish along with my own thoughts regarding what he'd written. It was getting pretty silly actually. Then the other day he finally got down to what the problem REALLY was.

He said that every time someone googled his name on the internet, the first page that came up was my blog post about financial exploitation. I tried it myself and found out he was right. At first I thought of all the attempted (misdirected) character assasinations that this loon had sent me, and was tempted to leave the post alone. Then it came to me, as though the Lord was whispering in my ear... "Its not illegal to be an ass hole", and deleted the post.