This issue regarding how the chat list was ended, reminds me of everyone's
misconceptions about our political parties. People assume that because we are
told that we live in a Democracy and we are also told that the political party
of our choice, represents us, we believe that we actually have direct control
over what that party does. But it is a private organization run by its
officers, and we, the voters, have no control. ACB is a similar case. It is a
private organization with a national office, state affiliates, and chapters
within the state. If you pay dues, you still have no input into who runs the
national organization, nor your state affiliate, nor your chapter, unless you
travel to conventions or in this case, you Zoom, (I suppose), pay convention
fees, and are present for the vote. And once you vote in officers, just as once
you vote in your congressman or senator, you have no control over what they do.
The advocacy organizations develop all sorts of financial relationships with
businesses which help them survive financially and which influence their
policies that I'm sure the members never hear about. They also develop
relationships with politicians in order to facilitate work on legislation.
They're like the rest of modern society, complex and bureaucratic. People who
are active in them, who hold office, will defend them. The rest of us feel
betrayed when they do things that seem arbitrary or wrong or when they don't do
things that we think they ought to do. What we want is for our institutions to
function as democratic cooperatives which would be responsive the the will of
their membership. But our world isn't set up that way.
Miriam
-----Original Message-----
From: blind-democracy-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
<blind-democracy-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> On Behalf Of Carl Jarvis
Sent: Thursday, September 3, 2020 3:36 PM
To: blind-democracy@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: [blind-democracy] Re: ACB Chat List has been closed down
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
