Well, I'm truly sorry to hear the news regarding Bob.
As for the manner in which the chat list was cancelled, I can only
remind folks that these are the last days of the American Corporate
Empire, and the Ruling Class is sucking up everything of value, while
attempting to quash outspoken opposition. Naturally, in such a
political climate, others follow the pattern. Blind organizations are
not immune to altering their behavior.
After my experience in the NFB, and the seizure of power by Kenneth
Jernigan, and the tossing out of those state chapters that disagreed
with his move to a central control, I eventually agreed that the ACB
offered a more democratic format. Of course we are run by our Board
of Directors, but state and local chapters have a great amount of
flexibility in running the state and local divisions. So it startled
me last evening to receive Deb Lewis's note. No democracy there. The
decision was made and carried out without anyone on the list(to my
knowledge)knowing the hammer was about to fall.
While I was never a big player in the ACB leadership, I certainly was
a major player in the WCB. Although I am not as active as in former
youthful years, I still serve on a couple of committees, and make many
contributions to our WCB Newsline publication. I'm sure that the
elimination of the ACB chat list was a trifling thing, in the more
important ACB business, but it was an affront to me. When an
organization is no longer caring for it members, then of what value is
it?
Meanwhile I'll continue finding outlets in which I can express my
opinions, and challenge the disastrous direction our nation's leaders
are taking us.
I'd say much more about what such behavior means to our ACB
organization, but I need to cool down and let a bit of time pass.
Carl Jarvis
On 9/3/20, Frank Ventura <frank.ventura@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:
Carl, I found the timing of the closing of the Chat list to be very
distasteful, vile, and mean on the part of the ACB BOP, in light of the
situation with its founder, Bob Hachey. As some of you know this past week
was moved from his home into hospice. He was not responding to the radiation
and he developed internal bleeding. At this point I personally can only hope
the best and support his common-law wife Donna. Although Bob and I disagreed
with many points I always considered him a good friend. It is no big secret
that many folks in ACB leadership showed open disdain for some of the more
progressive views expressed on that list. Bob was a good defender of our
right to hold our own opinions. A few years back there was a resolution on
the floor of the ACB national convention to declare ACB and its convention
an evangelical Christian organization and event. It failed to pass by a
shockingly narrow margin. That same group of good old boys (and girls) is
very active in ACB trying to squash progressive voices. They could have at
least waited until Bob passed before shutting down the list. My stomach
turns right about now.
Frank
-----Original Message-----
From: blind-democracy-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
<blind-democracy-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> On Behalf Of Carl Jarvis
Sent: Thursday, September 3, 2020 11:42 AM
To: blind-democracy@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: [blind-democracy] ACB Chat List has been closed down
Last evening a notice was posted by Deb Lewis announcing the immediate
closure of the ACB Chat List.
No real explanation other than a rambling note telling us that the ACB
could, from time to time consolidates lists, and suggesting we go to the ACB
web page for other lists. Too bad, since the chat list was at least
discussing issues that impact the lives of blind Americans.
Carl Jarvis
