The following Dateline NBC segments document why its critical for caring, thinking human beings to value (and provide services and supports for) our family, friends and community members with disabilities. To be held utterly accountable for how we treat our fellow man.
I know you. You don't want to see it. You know that you're a good person - right? You think you know already what exists in the world. You don't think you need to see it. You don't need to be reminded, do you? You don't have the time.
Yes, you do.
Part I is 5 minutes:
Part II is 10 minutes:
Part III is 7 minutes:
This is precisely and exactly why I work to make sure my community has affordable and accessible housing for families and adults with developmental and other disabilities. Why I pay attention to politics and politicians. Why I study state and federal budget issues. Why I advocate by any and all means for the service, support, and civil rights of people with developmental and other disabilities.
I know shit like this happens. Even in my home town, I see stuff you'd never believe.
Okay. I have been fielding calls all day from family, friends, colleagues, fellow advocates and parents who want to know how I feel about McCain choosing Sarah Palin as VP.
And it says everything – that the reason they're curious is because we both have kids with Downs. So, let me just make sure that everyone understands this.
The fact that our kids both have an extra 21st chromosome does not, in any way, impact my opinion of the harm caused families and people with disabilities during the Bush/Cheney Administration. Unless Ms. Palin can magically change the history of McCain's support of the Bush/Cheney Administration, I don't give a flying fuck if both our kids have Downs.
McCain must take full responsibility for the votes he cast harming affordable and accessible housing; education; heath care; the ADA; IDEA; NCLB; Medicare; privatization of social security; fair tax policy; the American economy; energy policy; the environment; funding for veteran benefits (all the while supporting a war of lies that is resulting in bringing home young men and women with devastating disabilities.)
And no VP choice or diagnosis negates the years of harm John McCain has done. As a matter of fact, I have always been perplexed as to why on earth folks with disabilities would vote Republican. It's like someone volunteering to sharpen the knife that will be used to cut their own throat.
It says something important to me that folks are focusing on a particular diagnosis. Michelle Obama was raised by a man with MS, who died early of the complications of his disability. Barrack Obama spoke eloquently of his mother's struggle with insurance companies as she lay dying of her medical disability, cancer. Senator Joe Biden's wife and daughter died in an automobile accident, the one that injured his sons. And of course, John McCain is a disabled vet (for which he collects $58,000/yr.)
Palin has only been the parent of someone with a disability since April. She probably doesn't even "get" how fortunate she and her son and family are that he will live during the Obama Administration, where our loved ones are valued and their human rights respected. Under Obama and Biden that value will be reflected in enhanced program and services funding and rebuilding the social systems our vulnerable family members will rely on for the rest of their lives.
I feel so honored to be alive in this time. To have come through the dark Bush/Cheney years. And to have witnessed history with eyes wide open.
Without further commentary, I know you want to see it all... Ladies and gentlemen, I bring you the future President of the United States, Barrack Obama.
By the way, listen to how Pat Buchanan feels about Obama's acceptance speech:
Folks. I need to find the video and post it. Good lord.
But, you will be thrilled by the Olbermann and Maddow interplay, discussion, and passion. Holy shit.
It will be famous. If I check DailyKos right now the live bloggers must be burning up their keypads.
--Shella
Okay as promised, here's Bill Clinton.
And here is Biden with a surprise appearance by Obama.
And, le Pièce de résistance, the incomparable Olbermann and Maddow. Chris Matthews even following along in their wake... Beginning at about 4:37 in the below video, Chris Matthews begins a little verbal ditty with Rachel Maddow that I find thrilling, and honest, and true. It's almost the best part of the whole evening. I urge you to listen and comprehend.
“The time is now to unite as a single party with a single purpose. We cannot suffer more failed leadership; Republicans squandered Amerian good will and resources, betrayed people..."
(Damn... she looks and sounds so Presidential!)
(So... what's the point of your speech again Hilary? Self promotion? Or support for Barrack? Okay Hilary – get back on track some day soon....)
"...Health care, college education, fair wages, restore fiscal sanity to Washington – not private plunder, end the war, care for veterans, join with allies to help solve world's problems... these are reasons I support Barrack Obama for President. There are no limits to what is possible in America."
(Bill Clinton laughing and smiling at Hilary saying...) “We did it before with President Clinton and the Democrats ...and we can do it again with President Obama.”
"88 years ago today the 19th Amendment granting women the right to vote." Rousing.
"Nothing less than the fate of our nation and the future of our children hangs in the balance in the outcome of this election."
Home run, Hilary. Good ending. Keith Olbermann says “Grand Slam, out of the park, and across the street...” (Rachel Maddow, you're awesome-ness is astounding, so fucking smart)
So. When I began this blog, I had the gut feeling that this time in history was like no other.
Basically I wanted there to be some kind of record that some Americans were capable of seeing reality. That some of us were not fooled. That some thought clearly despite the bombardment of propaganda, spin, lies, media bias, and HELL that was the Bush II Administration.
I thought that in some later generation, when the archaic first-generation "blogs" are being analyzed by sociological anthropologists, this blog and my personal expression might be recognized as a part of some larger human movement.
So tonight is the first night of the Democratic National Convention. It occurred to me that again... this is an incredible time in history. Who would have thought that the day would arrive (and I am sitting here watching it live) when Americans might not care the concentration of cellular melanin of the Democratic Candidate for President of the United States of America?
I was watching Senator Ted Kennedy. Everyone on earth knows he has a brain tumor - now inoperable. He will never again be the figurehead-survivor of the Kennedy legacy's most celebrated generation. My God. This is likely it. And he spoke from his heart and soul. About the basic human right to health care. "It's a right, not a privilege."
When Michelle Obama spoke, I thought... "this woman will most likely be our next first lady." This is history.
P.S. All the spin about a "disunited" democratic party is bullshit. Bullshit and lies. Manufactured conflict for the purpose of faking "concern" to undermine progress. Don't believe it folks, break free.
Shella is a disability rights advocate providing grassroots leadership throughout three counties in California.
It is her mission to ensure that the voices of people with developmental disabilities are heard, that their faces are seen, that their issues are known, and that impacts are communicated to our elected officials.
Shella is also an advocate helping develop and enhance access to affordable housing for people with developmental disabilities.
As the parent of a child with disabilities, Shella brings first hand knowledge of the challenge in supporting people to speak for themselves, getting accurate information on critical issues, and networking with others to transform public policy and create meaningful system change.
