Chairman Mal's Little Red Book

Is There Anything Under the Dome?

2011-07-24T13:34:00.001-07:00

Howdy Comrades!

I am interrupting my recuperation to warn everyone not to spend your bottom dollar. If you depend on a Social Security check, VA pension, federal paychecks and even food stamps, you will probably experience a world of grief next month. The answer to the question of how can this happen is that there's nothing under the dome at the US Capitol except several hundred criminally stupid republicans. Rather than reach a compromise on taxes and closing tax loopholes, the Tea Party wing nuts are going to allow the United States of America to default on its obligations for the first time in our history. This brilliant move is supposed to ensure that Mr. Obama won't be reelected President. What a clever tactic: Hold all Americans hostage while collapsing our economy.

Save your money folks. If you've bought gold or other precious metals as I've recommended, you will get a good price for it in August. Be assured that the Treasury's number one priority will be to pay bondholders. Its no choice. The moment a holder of a US Treasury bond is unable to get paid is the moment we fall into an economic black hole. Compromise, even painful cuts to entitlements would be better than that situation as long as everyone shares the burden by agreeing to raise revenues.

Regards,

Chairman Mal

Power to the Peeps!

Ben Laden Be Gone!

2011-05-01T22:23:00.001-07:00

Howdy Comrades!

The announcement by President Obama that the terrorist leader Bin Laden was killed deep in Pakistan by United States military forces both astounded and elated me. So many of us had given up hope that this incarnation of evil would never receive the justice he so badly deserved. When I heard the news, I had to call my friends to make certain my mind wasn't playing tricks on me fearing I'd entered some kind of temporal anomaly and slipped world lines. I had a similar feeling in November of 2000 when Florida was first awarded to Mr. Gore only to hear Dan Rather move it into the Bush column. I really questioned if the world had gone mad or I had slipped some gears.

Comrades, those of you who are Christian, Jews, Buddhist and humanists, the monster of the third millennium is dead. I hope we will join together in cherishing the removal of his evil from our planet. Bin Laden's remains will be treated in accord with the religious traditions he espouse. I find this appropriate but ironic because his life work did so much to distort the truth of Islam.

The struggle is not over, not here, not anywhere in our imperfect world. Still, the unity expressed throughout the world when Bin laden destroyed 3000 lives on 911 should rekindle so that we build on this victory and lay this man to rest in a way he denied so many of his victims.

Regards,

Chairman Mal

Power to the Peeps!

April Showers Death on Alabama

2011-04-30T22:22:00.001-07:00

Howdy Comrades!

This last month I've practiced quietism, reflecting on changes in my life, my possible future and more esoteric topics. The vicious storms, some tornadoes a mile or more wide with winds at or exceeding 200 MPH have devastated my home state of Alabama. At least 205 dead in Alabama alone and other states experienced another hundred deaths at minimum. Some of my friends have asked me how God can allow the destruction of whole towns, the death of children and many good people. I tell them that there's no good answer to why God allows evil or injustice, cruelty and degradation. Obviously, one anser is that there's no god and the multiverse was created by no almighty Creator. Instead natural laws we don't understand has evolved what we perceive as reality in our lives. Others deny this materialistic assertion arguing for a loving God who regularly intervenes in individual lives. Comrades, I don't see how either of these views can be correct. There's still much science has yet to explain. I recall prayers for victory in a high school football game during pep rallies. Does anyone seriously believe God cares who wins a game between squads of boys playing a team sport soon to be forgotten? If so, they are deluded. I would not asked God for such inane blessings as winning a football game and suffered derision for my so called disrespect for the creator. My reply was that I felt asking the creator of the universe for such a trivial advantage was an insult to our deity.

I still have questions about why so many people had to die in the storms this week. I don't think God causes the destruction but allows the natural laws of creation to play out for some reason I can't yet fathom. I still feel the pain and sometimes the doubt.

Regards,

Chairman Mal

Power to the Peeps!

Garden of Freedom

2011-03-21T20:07:00.001-07:00

Howdy Comrades!

It's the first full day of spring 2011! So much has happened throughout the world, I'm simply speechless, totally unable to encompass all that's happened. There's still real hope for human rights advocates throughout the Middle East and countries in North Africa. Yet, there's concomitant suffering for the Japanese people and many caught up in the Libyan uprising.

In my minescul part of the world, I am considering my garden, hwere to place which plant and if one or the other will do better in this patch or that. It seems so trivial. I no longer see the blooms that will blossom in May and June but hold the beuty of them in my mind. On good days, I may even glimpse one of them with my residual vision if the light is just so, falling in those withering photoreceptors in my eyes. I see it poorly but add detail with my mind.

Comrades, I suggest if you can, start a garden whether a garden of plants or a garden of words and action which one day may yield liberty. We can all share this hope in the future.

Regards,

Chairman Mal

Power to the Peeps!

Texas Needs Revolution!

2011-02-15T21:32:00.001-08:00

Howdy Comrades!

We need a revolution like the one just occurring in Egypt right here in Texas. Travis County is largely an oasis of Democrats surrounded by crazed Republicans. Our Governor, Rick "Pompom" Perry, recently sent his agency heads to testify at budget hearings held by the overwhelmingly Republican Legislature. These agency big shots were ordered to be good soldiers and accept billions in budget cuts to programs benefiting the aged, sick and disabled. Take Vocational Rehabilitation for instance. The budget for the Blind Children's program will be cut by 1.5 million bucks, half the current budget. As many of you know, Voc Rehab funds are matched by federal funding in basically a 20 to eighty percent match. Well, our so-called compassionate conservatives want to cut two million from Rehab funding. They don't seem to care that this means the Federal Government will cut eight million in matching grants. Consequently, VR could be slashed by ten million. Rick Perry's hand-picked agency heads merely state that they will cut the fat and improve efficiency. Comrades, I could birth a bovine! How stupid can these people get? By the way, Texas has many billions of dollars in a rainy day fund which the governor won't touch. If this budget passes, Rick Perry believes he's got a chance with Tea Party Republicans backing him all the way to the Whitehouse. Americans aren't that stupid. This is merely the former aggie cheerleader having delusions of grandeur!

Regards,

Chairman Mal

Power to the Peeps!

Today We are all Egyptians!

2011-02-11T19:41:00.000-08:00

Howdy Comrades!

Today I feel as though I'm an Egyptian. In only eighteen days, young Egyptians began a peaceful revolution culminating today in the end of a brutal dictatorship. Yesterday I despaired that Mubarak was demented and would attempt to cling to power. Today, all I feel is joy and thanks to those brave Egyptians who fought and died for freedom. I will recall this day so long as I have a single neuron functioning in my aging brain. Will the next dictator to fall be Kadaffi? Iranians wanted to demonstrate in sympathy with Egyptians but were threatened with death if any dared express an independent thought. Those criminals will not be long for this world.

I feel so lucky to have witnessed history in the making! Peace and long life to liberty!

Regards,

Chairman Mal

Power to the Peeps!

A New Broom Sweeps Clean-Reform in Egypt

2011-01-30T18:43:00.000-08:00

Howdy Comrades!

A totally unexpected conjunction of novel technologies, social media, a push for generational change and massive contradictions of class and life-styles has nearly driven Egypt to the brink of anarchy. Of course, we first noticed this phenomenon in the thwarted green revolution in Iran. I still expect the need for change to again circle back to the so-called Islamic Republic despite the brutal suppression by its current criminal regime. Of course, the first success was in Tunisia but without the United States propping up Mubarak in Egypt, his thirty year reign will soon end. The only question is at what cost? Will the death toll rise from the hundreds to the thousands? My thoughts are with the young people and the poor of Egypt in their struggle for democracy and better living conditions. I don't believe Jordan is another example of this movement. The king seems to be genuinely loved by his people. Who knows what will happen in Yemen, Libya and Saudi Arabia. Some of those regimes will likely attempt an Iranian response to dissent but this tactic will ultimately fail. If anyone knows of blind people in any of these countries, please ask them to contact me through this blog or my website:

http://www.chairmanmal.com

Regards,

Chairman Mal

Power to the Peeps!

Unpublished Comments and Precious Metals

2011-01-21T18:58:00.001-08:00

Howdy Comrades!

I apologize that I've been unable to publish legitimate comments since Blogger required me to switch to the new Blogger format. If I am unable to resolve the problem, I will migrate to Word Press.

Incidentally, China is buying a lot of gold and silver may be in backwardation for the next ten months or longer. I would also note that the sovereign debt crisis in the EU seems to be getting worse. Did anyone hear that Greenspan supports a return to a Gold Standard? Remember that I do not advocate investing all your money in precious metals, but I know some very smart people who are increasing their allocations from five percent to as much as 20 percent. I don't trust mining stocks or gold ETF's. If you want to protect your money, buy the physical metal. I am not giving financial advice, only seeking to inform the Peeps about trends in the precious metals markets.

Regards,

Chairman Mal

Power to the Peeps!

Happy New Year Comrades!

2011-01-01T21:09:00.001-08:00

Happy New Year Comrades!

I was able to post to the blog yesterday by clipping and pasting the Word 2007 document in to a Windows Mail message; then forwarding it to Blogger as before. My primary concern is that in doing so, I may have also created strange changes when converting the Word document into email. I know this happens in reverse.

I have a few New Year's resolutions concerning 2011. First, I hope to minimize coverage of Cap metro issues this year because readers outside of Austin have complained that these posts are boring. I agree but included them so that our blind community would know what was really going on with transportation here in Austin. Secondly, I hope to develop content that has a broader appeal as well as provide insights into my activities in the precious metals market. My third resolution is to work with other blogs such as Blind Planet to promote the collective enrichment of blind people on the Internet. Finally, I will cover politics and human rights issues that directly effect blind folks throughout the country and worldwide.

Again, let me wish one and all a happy and prosperous New Year!

Regards,

Chairman Mal

Power to the Peeps!

Piss Off 2010!

2010-12-31T16:34:00.000-08:00

Howdy Comrades!

I hope it will be possible to post this message to close out 2010. I can't be sure until I try because my new Dell computer suffered a hard drive failure several months ago and Dell refused to replace the defective drive with a new imaged hard drive. As a result, every program and all my data had to be reloaded, a time consuming pain in the ass to say the least. Moreover, in improving Office 2007, Microsoft eliminated a selection in the send menu whereby I could email posts to the blog within a message. I am told that I can migrate to Outlook and create a macro to solve the problem but haven't had the wherewithal to do so thus far. The past year has not been the best for blind people here in Austin. We suffered a major setback with cutbacks to both the fixed route and paratransit service provided by Cap Metro. I ultimately resigned from the Cap metro Access Advisory committee because I tired of going to meeting after meeting only to be patronized by Metro staff and ignored by the new Cap Metro Board. I've also confronted some annoying and painful health problems during 2010, further wearing down my ability to cope with routine frustrations of daily life. My broad, well muscled shoulders have been bowed down by the weight of these concerns. Nevertheless, I look forward to 2011 with renewed hope for the future. Hell, it can't get any worse!

Regards,

Chairman Mal

Power to the Peeps!

Cap Metro Board Stabs Blind in the Back!

2010-09-30T20:57:00.001-07:00

Howdy Comrades!

After a long, frustrating struggle, the Cap metro Board stabbed the blind and disabled community in the back by adopting new policies that will create a second rate paratransit system in Austin. Numerous complaints have been filed by Metro Access riders with the Federal Transportation Agency which have not been resolved. Consequently, no changes in policy should be implemented until those complaints have been investigated and resolved. Moreover, no public hearings were held to change the ADA mechanism, which is presently known as the Access Advisory Committee. The Cap Metro Board merely accepted recommendations of a State of Texas agency known as the Sunset Commission regarding the restructuring of advisory committees for CMTA.

I feel as though the very soul of Austin has been sullied by the Cap Metro Board's action. Every effort is being made to pump up our commuter rail service nobody wants to ride. At a cost of nearly $140 million bucks, only about 500 boardings are being made on the train each day. All stimulus funds were devoted to Metro Rail, which is at least two years behind schedule and has problems with certain bridges and the type of steel ties used on its tracks. While the Board cut paratransit services and raised fares for the disabled community, they simultaneously lowered fares for commuter rail and spent additional money to bribe employers to encourage their employees to use it. I've been active in the transit movement in Austin since 1978. Without doubt, the actions of the Cap Metro Board on September 24^th is the most shameful day in the history of paratransit.

One assumes certain board members plan to advance their political ambitions based on slavishly following the recommendations of the sunset Commission. If so, they will find out that the blind and disabled community will remember their actions at the ballot box. Chairman Martinez must bear total responsibility for his actions. Should he run for Austin mayor, this vote will come back to haunt him.

I will update the peeps next month, although I've met with a further technical difficulty in moving to Microsoft Office 2007. In Office 2003, I could edit blog posts in Word and send them directly to my blog for publication. This option is not available in Office 2007 without customizing an add on requiring me to change from Windows Mail to Outlook. Did I mention that I hate computers?

Regards,

Chairman Mal

Power to the Peeps!

Anti-Social Media

2010-08-31T19:04:00.001-07:00

Howdy Comrades!

Once again, I've failed to update this blog as promised last month. I've noticed this is often a trend with several blogs I follow. Sometimes, one just runs out of steam, and other times the exigencies of life make blogging a very low priority. Nowadays, I've noticed the more tech savvy blind folks have migrated to social media such as Face book and Twitter. I'm afraid I will stick to the same old anti-social media, namely this blog.

August was quite eventful with respect to the villains at Cap Metro screwing paratransit users. We had the great 504 Taxi Voucher caper. Pathetic attempts were made by Metro staff to have so-called public meetings to make it seem as though they really cared about what the disability community thinks about plans to severely cut Metro Access. September promises to be yet another chapter in the ongoing saga of lies, cutting legal corners and convincing the Cap Metro Board to vote to destroy what was once a model paratransit system. I will attempt to keep you posted, but don't expect any tweets from Board meetings!

Regards,

Chairman Mal

Power to the Peeps!

Chairman Mal's Digital Distraction

2010-07-30T20:06:00.001-07:00

Howdy Comrades!

I failed the peeps in updating this blog with the latest Cap Metro horror stories. The month of July has been replete with toil and trouble, but I have neglected my reporting because of two fairly good reasons/excuses.

First of all, after attending seemingly endless meetings about proposed changes to the paratransit program here in Austin, the last thing I want to do when I finally return to the BPP compound is to relive the nightmarish experience by writing about it. Much of the time, I am so enervated that I must immediately take to my bed. The next day, if yet another meeting is not on tap, I hate to ruin it by writing up stuff that will be traumatic or upsetting.

Actually, there's another more pertinent reason I've neglected the blog. I finally received my digital talking book machine. Talk about cool! I have learned to download books from the BARD website and lost myself in books about cosmology, science fiction and some westerns now and then. Reading a book takes the stress off of me in a big way, and it's so easy to read with the digital talking books. There's no need to worry about twisted tapes, dirty heads and turning the damned tape over or changing the side selector switch.

I give you my mea culpa and promise to be less indulgent in August.

Regards,

Chairman Mal

Power to the Peeps!

More Metro Madness!

2010-06-30T22:51:00.001-07:00

Howdy Comrades!

Thank God this month is finally drawing to a close. I've met twice each week with Cap Metro staff and other disabled transit advocates during this month, and the court mandated metro Mobility Working Group remains divided on several remaining issues. Rather than bringing in experts in ADA paratransit law and regulation, metro staff decided to call for a mediation service to assist the MMWG in making our recommendations. This makes no sense whatsoever. A certified mediator can't give advice, provide information about the law and best industry practice. Instead, each member of the MMWG will be asked, "What is your ideal outcome for open returns?" Each answer is then written down and discussed. As I told the Cap Metro Board last Monday, having a mediator is just like seeing a therapist. The notion is a big waste of our time and taxpayer funds. Our policy recommendations are considered crucial because of upcoming budget meetings and development of a new ADA plan to be submitted to the FTA in August. In other words, the CMTA wants our views so that they can proceed to ignore them and cut Metro Access service. The ADA plan is being rushed so that open returns can be seriously limited, taxi vouchers cut as much as a third and to make it easier to remove Metro Access clients deemed to be cheating the system. We want to get rid of any cheaters just as much as staff, but what's happened is that blind paratransit users with unconditional eligibility for twenty years find they are no longer eligible or must accept conditional eligibility. This is not acceptable. I know my international readers have quit reading by now and others are probably sick of my metro rants. I won't stop until justice is done; even if I only have fifty readers in Austin. I will return to my usual gonzo fare once this monumental battle is concluded. The lives of blind people and those of other disabled citizens are being disrupted because of misguided budget priorities. Not on my watch, Comrades!

Regards,

Chairman Mal

Power to the Peeps!

Civil Rights not Compassion

2010-05-22T14:34:00.001-07:00

Howdy Comrades!

I find it very ironic that Councilman Mike Martinez recently led the Austin City Council in opposing the discriminatory law against racial minorities in Arizona, but last week he informed the MMWG President that the Cap Metro Board will pass the following resolution at their meeting next Monday.

RESOLUTION

OF THE

CAPITAL METROPOLITAN TRANSPORTATION AUTHORITY

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

STATE OF TEXAS

COUNTY OF TRAVIS RESOLUTION CMTA-2010-0524

WHEREAS, the Capital Metropolitan Transportation Authority is required by Federal Regulation, 49 CFR 37.135, to update our ADA Paratransit Plan in conjunction with Board approved changes to service; and

WHEREAS, the Capital Metropolitan Transportation Authority intends to support and act upon the recommendations identified in the Sunset Commission Report; and

WHEREAS, the Capital Metropolitan Transportation Authority wishes to obtain meaningful input and comments from the community; and

WHEREAS, the Capital Metropolitan Transportation Authority wishes to comply with the Mediation Agreement between Capital Metro and the Metro Mobility Working Group (MMWG); and

WHEREAS, the Capital Metropolitan Transportation Authority must submit recommended policy changes to the Board of Directors in conjunction with the 2011 budget process.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Capital Metropolitan Transportation Authority Board of Directors that:

Staff is directed to initiate the public input and comment process in May 2010 and to complete all outreach by June 15, 2010;
The MMWG is requested to bring forward their final recommendations on the three outstanding issues, eligibility, open returns and taxi vouchers, to the June 2010 meeting of the Board of Directors;
Staff and the MMWG are requested to work together to identify a mediation service that can facilitate the process to support the advancement of the MMWG recommendations at the June 2010 meeting of the Board of Directors; and
Staff is directed to present, at the June 2010 meeting of the Board of Directors, analysis of all public comment and input, final staff recommendations of service levels, service area and policy change recommendations.

---Why Councilman Martinez would undermine the civil rights of persons with disabilities is beyond me. Moreover, it seems somewhat presumptuous of him to state categorically that this resolution will pass prior to public comment. There are some real legal issues involved in short-circuiting the mediation agreement between Cap Metro and plaintiffs who sued in 2008. I foresee further litigation and intervention by the FTA if this resolution is actually passed. There is not enough time to resolve these issues and obtain public comment in order to submit a revised ADA plan in July. Perhaps, Mr. Martinez already knows the outcome of the citizen input and has the new ADA plan written ready to go? We need to approach the Cap Metro Board and Mr. Martinez to let them know that this is not an issue of "compassion" but an issue of civil rights. Remember we have had a regime change in Washington and standards have changed with respect to enforcement of civil rights. Indeed, the new director of the Office of Civil Rights at DOJ is disabled, and DOJ officials have indicated to activists in Austin an interest in these kinds of transportation issues. Perhaps, Metro staff has misled Mr. Martinez and sold him a bill of goods they told him are legal. They are not and will be opposed by all elements of the mobility impaired community here in Austin.

Regards,

Chairman Mal

Power to the Peeps!

Speaking Truth about Cap Metro

2010-05-01T14:37:00.000-07:00

Howdy Comrades!

I agree with the sentiments expressed in Glenn Gavin's response to Pat's message about unacceptable practices at Cap Metro. Austin once had a national reputation as having a model paratransit service. In the past five years, however, Cap Metro senior staff began to implement a strategy to minimize costs, in a fatuous an ineffective manner. I believe he is correct that behind this is a desire to create a train system for Austin and Central Texas no matter how much the cost to taxpayers and users of fixed route buses and paratransit. We have tried to work within the system and have been misled by Metro staff. The culture at Cap Metro is one exhibiting a collective factitious disorder. In desperation, some blind STS users went to court to stop the encroachment to paratransit service. We have slowed down the worst changes but some of our new Board members do not seem to get it when it comes to the civil rights of disabled citizens and the needs of transit dependent customers. It may be time to consider direct action as proposed in the previous post regarding Glenn's message to Pat et al. I hope the complaint to FTA will freeze the action, so to speak, but we need to rebuild the kind of community support we once enjoyed in Austin and from our liberal establishment.

Regards,

Chairman Mal

Power to the Peeps!

PS: On behalf of the Blind Panther Party, I wish everyone a Merry May Day 2010.

True Cap Metro Horror Stories: Part Two

2010-04-30T11:57:00.001-07:00

Howdy Comrades!

Below I provide another thread of communications between transit activists here in Austin. We share the concerns expressed below. The Central Texas Chapter of the BPP stands ready to assist in any way we can. Of course, the identities of persons mentioned herein may or may not reflect actual persons or events. Readers can decide what to believe or reject as mere fantasy.

Regards,

Chairman Mal

Power to the Peeps!

Pat et al,

I truly believe that fixed route riders would be highly receptive to an alliance to ward off the pitting of one group against another. There is even a new taxi driver group who would stand with us. we know just as everyone in Austin and many other parts of the country that the train riders, and more so, the train system developers are the beneficiaries of this hijacking of public money, not the working class riders of STS and fixed route.

What has kept us from doing this? We own the system. we should make the decisions. Don't we deserve more than the tiny measure of power the transit authority meters out with CSAC and Access? The staff alone that monitors these meetings costs hundreds of thousands of dollars a year, and for what? Certainly not cake distribution.

What better place than Austin to engage this enemy that threatens to ruin transit all across the US?

We should be framing this discussion, not Timbes, Evans and Martinez. They don't ride the bus.
A lot of taxpayers, including all of us are furious at metro, yet we defer. Don't we love ourselves and each other enough to stand up against someone who is hurting us?

-glenn gaven

-----Original Message-----
From: Pat <toolshopper@sbcglobal.net>
To: Diane <diane.aleman@att.net>
Cc: David Patterson <dapatt78765@yahoo.com>; Malcolm Graham <mjgraham@earthlink.net>; Sandy Seekamp <sandraseekamp@yahoo.com>; Boone Blocker <boonejblocker@austin.rr.com>; Jane Lansaw <jane.lansaw@dars.state.tx.us>; John Meinkowsky <johnm@arcil.com>; glenn gaven <glenngaven@whoever.com>; Michael Zitz-Evancih <mzitzevancih@austin.rr.com>
Sent: Wed, Apr 28, 2010 12:11 am
Subject: unacceptable developments at the Metro operations meeting april 2010

I don't know how much of this I can cover at the subcommittee tomorrow, (thanks DP and Mal for giving me a slot to do this), so I want all of you to know the full picture now instead of later. And since DP is right that much fixed route will need to be discussed because of the boards approval of fall changes, I don't know how much time is reasonable to spend on this. Diane has the rare talent to give a much more condensed version of all this than I can. Guess it depends on what else we have like:

What is the result of new business from the last access meeting: do drivers start the 5 minute clock when they arrive or does it start when they contact you at your door;

Also, a recent fiasco involving passengers who were not allowed on an Sts Vehicle because supposedly "the system was down" and dispatchers claimed they were not listed as escorts when in fact they were scheduled as such. This led to a 45 minute standoff in a parking lot where the dispatcher urged the driver to call the cops if the STS passengers did not leave the vehicle.

And lastly, the matter which I brought up about the new policy change of forcing passengers who live in withdrawn units to come into the ADA service area to be picked up and dropped off - of course neither Access nor the MMWG knew about this change.

Following is a summary of the one hour operations meeting (its recorded if anyone wants a copy), which occurred before the regular board meeting.

Several months ago, the board asked Elaine Tims (I'm not interested in how to spell her last name), VP, just under Doug Allen to do an analysis of Metro Access. The purpose, as you will shortly see, is to present proposed changes to Metro Access to the board, (so they can ask questions), before public input occurs. It is Metros hope that the board will vote on these changes, in June so that an updated plan can be submitted to FTA. And of course, (it is typical of Cap Metros SOP), that none of this was presented to the MMWG for study an analysis as per the 2008 federal court mandate. And furthermore, chair Martinez stated that they wanted board input before the process of obtaining public input could occur for these changes. So do you now know whose side chair Martinez is on? (He alluded to this again at the regular board meeting when DP rightfully stated that neither Access or the MMWG was consulted about these proposed changes)

And one final point before continuing: It is truly revealing that Cap Metro suddenly proposes sweeping changes just at the time FTA violations have come to light. Now they will spend the next several months engaging in the public input process and attempt to sweep these violations under the rug, i.e. never make the necessary changes to both the certification and appeals process.

The presentation is broken into two parts: 1 the paratransit service area; and 2, the actual level of paratransit service and policies relating to that service.

The paratransit service area

Much of this is about costs, not very exciting I admit, but they are an important tool Metro is using to manipulate the board into what they want.

Elaine presented many slides showing various scenarios for STS Service:

The base level which is the current 3/4 mile from fixed route;

The second level which also includes approximately 1200 STS passengers who are currently being phased out of STS service , (details further found);

The third level which proposes to make the corridor 1.5 miles either side of fixed route;

Another level which proposes to encompass the entire service area.

This data was mainly gathered from a paper by the Texas transportation institute, 2009 - most of this data was obtained from Cap Metro itself. You'll see the importance of this shortly. I have the Pdf file if anyone wants it.

For Metros entire service area, the TTI report states that approximately 14 percent of this population is mobility impaired, (I assume disabled as per the 2008 ADA amendment), and Metro provides service to about 6 percent of this total. So basically, Metro provides STS for about 1 percent of the total population in its service area.

For the base level of STS coverage, (the one currently in place, only 3/4 mile either side of fixed route, it does not include units that have withdrawn from the election - Phleugerville, Rollingwood, etc.) it is about 600,000 trips per year.

For the top level of STS service, (the entire service area), it is an extra 200,000 to 250,000 STS trips per year.

Elaine stated that in 2005, a decision was made to cut STS service to 3/4 mile from fixed route. Of course, no public input was gathered and no board approval was sought, the policy was just changed.

She said that this decision adversely affected about 1200 STS passengers, of which 800 have already been transitioned off the service. Yes, that is correct, 800 have been somehow gotten rid of. And now there are about 400 left who they are still transitioning off the service. (these are her words, not mine.)

From the cost to cover the base level of service to add coverage for these 1200 passengers, (grandfather them in) is about $4 million more per year.

To cover 1.5 miles either side of fixed route is about $9.5 million extra

And to cover the entire service area is an extra $15 million.

Then she stated that the next slide is something that Doug Allan just loves.

It is an impact analysis which assumes that Metro will not be getting much more money during the next 5 years, (sales tax not increasing dramatically, etc.)

She stated that if more money is spent to enlarge the current STS area, that it would be taken from fixed route, not the train.

If they grandfathered in the 1200 passengers, then she claimed it would reduced the number of fixed route bus trips by one and a quarter million.

If entire Metro service area is covered, then 5 million fixed route bus trips would be cut.

Therefore, the extra 250,000 STS trips to provide the maximum coverage costs 5 million fixed route trips, or 25 fixed route trips for each extra STS trip not currently in the budget.

Do you see their strategy? We can't expand STS if it means cutting fixed route! And believe me, if STS is expanded, they will find a way to let the fixed route ridership know that they are having to suffer at our expense.

And this is certainly along the lines of a statement made by Chad Ballentine, (it was recorded), at the applications work session where I was lucky enough to be Diane's secretary for the day. He stated that it was unreasonable to have two standards, one for fixed route passengers and another for STS passengers. This means, according to him, that the bus driver should not be required to operate as per the ADA bus drivers manual, i.e. stop when he approaches a visually impaired passenger to announce which bus it is - oh yes, as per Nancy Crowther, Metro's long-time and revered ADA specialist, regardless of your disability, you should stand up and flag down the bus, even if you don't know if its a bus or large truck, they all sound the same do they not!

Elaine then talked about how the STS budget is 23.5 million, (not including administrative costs, claiming this is just the cost to provide STS, really not sure what she means here), which is 14 percent of the total Cap Metro budget. But she states that this is only serving 2.2 percent of the metro ridership. Yes, there were some comments from board members, not sure who, about this - so much is being spent on just a few.

My comment to them, if I decide to make any speeches instead of using email to them would be along the lines that if they don't like the federally mandated costs associated with ensuring a semblance of equality for the disabled transit dependent, then they can just get the fuck out of this country and go to a dictatorship in the middle east, perhaps to Iran, where a dictatorship is, and has been, the norm. And by the way, I really don't care if this is copied as is to any of the board or not.

Second part: Inez presents proposed MetroAccess changes, something I doubt has been presented to the MMWG, and guaranteed not to have been presented to Access.

Before continuing, note that unlike Elaine, Inez had little if any true data to back up justification for the following changes.

Change one. Go from door to door to curb to curb.

Of course, she does state that they would follow the ADA minimum by providing door to door service to those who request it/need it. Perhaps is the board approves this change, then everyone on STS should request door to door - no regulations exists which force us to be evaluated to see whether we need curb to curb or door to door. She presented no data to justify this change; no costs savings etc. were mentioned.

Second change: Change reservations hours for the week from 7 to 7 to 8 to 5; leaving the weekend of 8 to 5 alone, at least for now, (the weekend cut in reservation hours will be coming, read on).

She claims that this will improve efficiency, especially since they now have several mechanisms to help with trip scheduling: the IVR and Web based scheduling form.

She states that these 2 scheduling mechanisms mean Metro is doing more than the ADA minimum and in fact that the use of these mechanisms mean that they can legally cut reservation hours on the weekend to zero.

Third change: change the advanced reservations from 6 days to 1 to 3 days in advance.

She claims that changing to 3 days in advance will reduce late cancelations and no-shows, yet she presented only sparse data, certainly not hard data to justify this.

And of course there was comparison to other peer cities, those cities who also have 1 to 3 day advanced reservations.

And she stated that the ADA regs only state that trips must be able to be made the day before, i.e. that it would be OK to just have a one-day advanced reservation period. However, the regs state that all trips made the day before must be accommodated - something Metro could never do if they went to a one-day in advance time period.

This point is important, because the ADA states that the time for the negotiated pickup must be within one hour either side of the pickup time, i.e. you want a pickup time at 2 pm so they cannot force you to be picked up at 3:15 or 12:45.

Furthermore, as we all know, the IVR is not an acceptable mechanism to schedule trips. It is inconsistent to say the least even if you try to copy trips from one day to another - I have already submitted several complaint about this feature, using some 4 letter words that I hope will brighten Veronicas day.

And regarding the web based scheduling form:

It does not schedule trips in real time, a staff member must look at these forms and try to schedule these trips at a time which is certainly quite a bit later than when you submitted the form. The passenger is then notified by email of the scheduled time. This is definitely not equivalent to, and substantially inferior to what can be accomplished with a real live reservationist. Furthermore, when I used this form for the first time today, I noticed that there were no fields for comments such as what entrance you would be at, whether you could leave earlier than the time you indicated, (something which the IVR does have), whether you needed to "plus" the trip, etc. All these codes can be entered in when speaking to a reservationist.

Yet, it is clear that Inez will at some point try to state that since we have these mechanisms available to us, that we don't need and the law does not require reservation hours for the weekend. I believe this is similar to what DART uses in Dallas.

Now the true manipulation starts - discussion of taxi vouchers. Not a change, at least yet.

The current budget has 75 percent dedicated Metro vehicles and 25 percent for taxi vouchers. Inez asked the board to consider whether they wanted taxi vouchers to stay at this current level or perhaps to be only 10 percent of the Sts budget. She then admitted that overflow trips, (those Metro cannot accommodate and therefore give as full pay taxi vouchers), are now causing taxi vouchers to be 30 percent of the Sts budget, not 25 percent.

So how do you imagine that taxi voucher use can drop to 10 percent of the budget, while Metro is somehow able to accomplish the schedule - easy, just start cutting people off the system and you can then accommodate the rest with less taxi voucher use. Here it is in black and white. The evidence cannot be clearer.

She says that the cost per paratransit trip is $42.80.

This is interesting because I believe the cost in the TTI report, (obtained from Metro data), is about $38 per trip. I will check this.

This discrepancy is revealing because maybe we can make a case that most of their other data is invalid also.

She stated that taxi vouchers costs $16,50 with full pays averaging about $28. No cost was given for what the average taxi voucher costs, (factoring in that the majority of trips are not full pay).

At least one board member commented, with skepticism, that why would you want to decrease taxi voucher use when they are cheaper than trips in a Metro vehicle.

Well, here is the spin Inez spun.

First, she claimed that cab companies are also providing a shared ride service, that when a cab driver does subscription service, (picking up several passengers), that they charge $16.50 for each passenger. Worthless point because Metro would also cost $42.80 per passenger, but she wants to imply that the cab company is engaged in cheating!

More important to the manipulation game is Inez's justification to cut down on taxi vouchers is that the ADA guarantees someone a ride while someone taking a taxi voucher is not guaranteed a ride, especially in times like south by southwest, etc.

She further states that since Metro cannot control the over 400 independent contractors, (cab drivers), that they have no way to guarantee that an STS passenger get a ride. (Her meaning: if we control dispatch of the cabs, then we guarantee someone getting a ride.)

She then stated that on any given day, they had no idea of how many cab drivers would be available to handle the 500 or 600 cab vouchers.

And finally, she claims if Metro reduces its dependency on cab vouchers, that it will increase the efficiency of MetroAccess. (just how logical is this? Oh, we reduce our dependence on foreign oil and achieve what?)

And she stated Metro would need to purchase an additional 30 vehicles to handle the trip overflow now handled by vouchers. Yet, she does not talk about the cost of these vehicles or the costs to pay drivers.

Her assertion about the ADA guaranteeing a timely or acceptable STS ride is basically total bullshit. The slide below, from Sue Clark, FTA office of civil rights, (march 2009) illustrates this point.

Negotiation window
Pickup times may be negotiated, but only within one hour before or after the individual's requested pickup time
Scheduling by appointment time is permitted, but not required

Therefore, taxi vouchers are more equivalent to fixed route bus service, especially when someone can arrange in advance with a taxi driver of their preference. A taxi voucher would virtually guarantee that an appointment would be made on time, but paratransit vehicles are not mandated to get you to an appointment on time. Instead, there are regulations governing unacceptable levels of untimely pickups and/or drop off times, but not on an individual trip basis. And although a person is theoretically guaranteed not to miss a ride on a Metro vehicle, it is critical to notice that this ride is not mandated to be on time, (it could be an hour before or later), and it certainly is not reasonable as per new FTA guidelines.

Elaine stated that they want board approval on both service area requirements and changes to MetroAccess by June. They want to submit an updated plan to FTA in July.

True Cap Metro Horror Stories-Part One

2010-04-15T18:29:00.001-07:00

Howdy Comrades!

As promised, we begin to tell a series of Cap Metro horror stories, some frightening, some outrageous and some too stupid for words. We begin with the reckless change to the "no show/ late cancelation policy." In the past, if a Metro Access passenger (paratransit user) failed to show up when a Metro Access vehicle arrived or failed to cancel a ride at least one hour in advance, one would be charged a fee of $1.20 per offense. In October of 2009, Cap Metro implemented a new policy that stated that there would also be a four day suspension in addition to the four no show fees if anyone incurred four or more no shows or late cancelations during a given month. Both the Access Advisory Committee and the court mandated Metro Mobility Working Group expressed a concern that Metro staff follows a reasonable process before anyone was subject to suspension. Metro management agreed that a passenger getting two nos shows would be notified that they had only two more offenses left and notified to appeal any incorrect no show charge. In addition, Metro committed to notify the passenger in an accessible format, a Braille or Large Print letter or by Email. Anyone who disagreed with a decision by Metro of an impending suspension of Metro Access service was also guaranteed a fair hearing to challenge the penalty prior to the sanction being enforced.

Beginning in 2010, it soon became evident to transit advocates that Metro had broken this agreement and that Metro Access passengers were being suspended without due process. Notification of a pending suspension and notice of the right to appeal simply did not happen in many cases. Alarm spread throughout Austin's disability community because jobs were in danger, lives disrupted and onerous taxi fares were being paid by passengers who were suspended by mistake.

In one case, I spoke to a gentleman who had accumulated fees for several no shows prior to the implementation of the new policy but was suspended for nonpayment of penalty fees. He made numerous attempts to contact Metro staff in order to discover how much he owed and how to pay it in order to have his paratransit service reinstated. Nobody with Cap Metro or Startrans could tell this man how to pay the bill, how much it was and where he should pay it. I told him that such a cavalier attitude was unacceptable and to take a cab to the Metro facility on Thompson Lane and find someone who knew what was actually happening in his case. At my direction, he notified Metro staff of his plans to visit them in order to pay his bill. He was told that if he showed up at the facility on Thompson Lane that, "we will have to hurt you." Staff indicated that under no circumstances were passengers welcome to drop by to pay their bills.

Comrades, are we dealing with a transit agency or the mafia? These people were not joking, but the joke was on him because he had no service and no way to get it back.

Be assured that I was able to get Cap metro to come up with a figure which the gentleman paid in full via a third party.

I will close for today with the news that Cap metro staff has decided to ask the Cap metro Board of Directors to tweak the new policy and drop the monetary penalties for no shows and late cancellations. I think it is a wise move on their part.

Regards,

Chairman Mal

Power to the peeps!

Cap Metro Staff Shoots the Messenger!

2010-04-14T17:57:00.001-07:00

Howdy Comrades!

Here we go again! Cap Metro staff is recklessly attempting to make major changes to our service area once again. Moreover, in the spirit of "kill the messenger", staff wants to combine the Access Advisory Committee with a puppet Advisory Committee that pretty much tows the line. The line is towed when they manage to get a quorum, a real happening, if you get my drift. I'm not sure how this post will appear now that we've gone to the Windows Seven platform, but I feel it's urgent to post the information before the April meeting of the Cap Metro Board. Below is a thread of communications between the Access Advisory Committee liaison with the Customer Service Advisory Committee. Any resemblance to actual persons may be a sheer coincidence or maybe not.

Regards,

Chairman Mal

Power to the Peeps!

Hello Transit Advocates!

I did not receive David's message in time to attend the CSAC meeting. Be advised that both major consumer groups of the blind oppose any disruption of Metro Access service to these areas and will likely file complaints with the FTA if service is discontinued for any of their members. I advise you of this not as a threat but to emphasize our opposition to the proposed combination of Advisory Committees and possible service changes affecting the blind community and others with mobility impairments.

Regards,

Malcolm Graham

Metro Access Member

Chair, Metro Access Subcommittee

----- Original Message -----

From: Chairman Mal

To: David Patterson

Sent: Wednesday, April 14, 2010 7:12 PM

Subject: Re: CSAC Meeting this evening

Howdy DP!

Thanks for this information. Do i smell a whif of rushing to judgement recklessly without fully considering outcomes? The answer is yes. Metro Access customers, by and large, no nothing about the possibility that service changes proposed this month could result in their loss of paratransit service. Moreover, it makes no sense to combine Advisory Committees at this time. Members of the CSAC would face a steep learning curve in terms of understanding the complexities of paratransit services and Access Advisory Committee members will be shut out of much of the information because Metro staff has no plan to make information available to those of us requiring print material and visual information presented in alternative formats such as Braille and Audio Described presentations.

Regards,

Malcolm Graham

Access Advisory Committee

Chair, Metro Access Subcommittee

----- Original Message -----

From: David Patterson

To: Diane ; boonejblocker@austin.rr.com ; Malcolm Graham ; anelson004@austins.rr.com ; charlesshavers@gmail.com ; Jane Lansaw ; Mary Ellen Sanchez ; Michael Zitz-Evancih ; queenqew@hotmail.com ; Sandra Seekamp

Sent: Wednesday, April 14, 2010 4:22 PM

Subject: Fw: CSAC Meeting this evening

Colleagues,

For the ACCESS members, this is to forward tonight's CSAC agenda although I realize that you cannot now reserve a ride
for tonight's meeting. As previously reported I will attempt to get CSAC to recommend to the Board to delay the final approval
until the May board meeting.

For CSAC two observations:

    1. If what we do is so important to the board, it would seem that we could have our agenda out prior to the meeting date.

     2. Once again we have NOT discussed the details of the fall 2010 service changes at CSAC, although I attempted to do
           that last month. We did discuss Service Plan 2020, but without specific dates only non specific phases.

Respectfully,
dp

----- Forwarded Message ----
From: "Cortez, John-Michael" <John-Michael.Cortez@capmetro.org>
To: ~CSAC E-mail Group <~CSACE-mailGroup@capmetro.org>
Cc: "Perkins, Adam" <Adam.Perkins@capmetro.org>; "Caldwell, Dinita" <Dinita.Caldwell@capmetro.org>; "Gonzalez, Roberto" <Roberto.Gonzalez@capmetro.org>; "Gamez, James" <James.Gamez@capmetro.org>
Sent: Wed, April 14, 2010 10:13:23 AM
Subject: CSAC Meeting this evening

We look forward to the CSAC meeting this evening. Below is the proposed agenda. The focus of this evening's meeting is the proposed August Service Changes. As mentioned previously, these recommended service changes were discussed several times at CSAC as they were developed through the ServicePlan2020 process. Information on the proposals is available at the link below. Additionally, over the course of the past few weeks our staff have been out in the community to get input on these proposals. We heard some great input on these proposed changes from riders and have recently made some alterations to the proposals based on customer feedback a link to that information is also below. Our Board is currently scheduled to act on these proposals at their April meeting, and we hope to have CSAC provide the Board with some formal recommendations on the proposals for their deliberations.

Please advise me if you CANNOT attend the meeting this evening, 6 PM at 323 Congress. Thanks jmvc

Proposed August Service Change: http://www.capmetro.org/news/news_detail.asp?id=8437

Updates to service change proposals: http://capmetroblog.com/2010/04/12/fall-2010-service-change-proposal-revisions/

CUSTOMER SATISFACTION ADVISORY COMMITTEE

Wednesday April 14, 2010

323 Congress Avenue

6:00 PM

Agenda

I. Introduction of CSAC members, staff, and visitors

II. Approval of Minutes for January 13, 2010, February 10, 2010 and March 10, 2010 CSAC Meetings

III. Citizens Communication

IV. Proposed Fall 2010 Service Changes

V. FY 2011 Budget Guidelines

VI. CSAC Officer Vacancy

VII. Report from Urban Transportation Commission Rich MacKinnon

VIII. Report from ACCESS Committee David Patterson

IX. Report on Action Items John-Michael Cortez

X. Discussion Regarding May Agenda Items:

A. Vehicle Maintenance Update

B. MetroRail Update

C. All Systems Go! Update (Regional Service Expansion)

D. Customer Call Reports

E. Capital MetroRapid Update

F. Facilities and Amenities update

G. Update on Basic Transportation Needs Proposal

H. MetroRail Connectors and Downtown Circulator

XI. New/Other Business

A. Restructuring of Board Advisory Committees

B. Proposed CSAC Meeting locations

C. Items from CSAC members

D. Capital Metro Board of Directors Regular Meeting 3 PM 04/26 - Report from CSAC

XII. Adjourn

John-Michael V. Cortez

Capital Metro

512.436.0250

Upgrade Test Post

2010-04-11T10:13:00.000-07:00

Howdy Comrades!

We've finally upgraded to Windows Seven and the latest JAWS here at the Central Texas Chapter of the Blind Panther Party. We are, however, experiencing some technical difficulties with the conversion from Outlook Express to Windows Mail. Our tech experts are attempting to ascertain why this is so. I sincerely hope our team leader, Comrade Ran, solves this problem soon to avoid corporal punishment. We have loads of news all bottled up, ready for extensive explication, assuming this test post works. Otherwise, Comrade Ran may be lashed until he drops!

Regards,

Chairman Mal

Power to the Peeps!

Fresh and Fighting Mad!

2010-03-06T20:11:00.001-08:00

Howdy Comrades!

I'm pleased to report that the peeps no longer need avert their noses, however discretely, in my august presence! I followed Father Joe's pastoral suggestion and hired a competent Roman Catholic plumber who has actually repaired my personal shower. My theories of demonic possession and new physics based on oscillating neutrinos proved to be somewhat grandiose. I was unaware that the pipe leading to the shower head contains what is called stems by the gurus of pipes, proper toilet function and septic tank repairs. And I thought a stem consists a part of a flower! One lives and learns.

My tuition for the school of hard knocks has been somewhat steep. My plumber charged a bit less than three hundred bucks. When I asked him why his price was higher than other professionals of his guild, he reminded me that a good Catholic must tithe to the church. At the risk of blasphemy, I suspect this could be something akin to a kickback, but I can't argue with success. I have enjoyed my first decent hot shower outside a hotel in several years!

Now that I am more hygienic and no longer notice that people tend to keep quite a distance from my person, I am now prepared to tackle the evil doers at Cap Metro. Yes, Comrades, we've finally caught them with their pants down and forced them to admit flaws in determining eligibility and their fascist appeals process. I realize international readers find reports about "Texas Transportation" boring, but as my sainted Granny once said, "Tough shit Sherlock!"

Regards,

Chairman Mal

Power to the Peeps!

Plumbers and Particle Physics

2010-02-28T21:01:00.001-08:00

Howdy Comrades!

I am ending the month by reporting a strange anomaly with my personal shower. For the past year, I've had two different plumbers on four occasions called to repair the shower from suddenly stopping dead while I am in the midst of my morning ablutions. Each time, I'm told the problem is fixed and given a rather large bill. My shower will work without any problem for about two months; then having applied shampoo and lathered with soap, I hear a sudden bang, and the shower stops dead. No amount of cussing or percussive maintenance will restore the flow of water for me to complete rinsing and scrubbing. How can this be?

Comrades! I have two possible theories. The first hypothesis is that my shower is possessed by the devil. Thus far, I haven't convinced any priest to attempt an exorcism. Father Joe suggested I call a Roman Catholic plumber or consult a psychiatrist. His suggestions were not at all productive because I need immediate relief. I loathe taking tub baths on the theory that I'm bathing in my own dirty water.

Seeking a more scientific explanation, I discovered that scientist have recently discovered that neutrinos produced by the sun and those traveling through Earth from cosmic rays are fundamentally different. Needless to say, this finding has dismayed many particle physicists. Perhaps, we can explain the finding by postulating oscillating neutrinos. We know there exists at least three types of neutrinos, muon, tau and electron neutrinos. Because neutrinos seem to oscilate, we may resolve why there is a preponderance of matter rather than antimatter present in the observable universe. As to my shower, what if muon neutrinos from a cosmic ray travels through the earth and collides with a tau neutrino from the sun within the pipe of my shower? Perhaps, the result would be a series of oscillating neutrinos transforming into electron neutrinos, engendering production of a strange or charmed quark of antimatter? I am convinced that the water in the shower pipe would react explosively to the anti quark, decisively stopping the shower. Of course, the anti matter would be destroyed, leaving no evidence to help the plumber to diagnose the real problem

If the peeps detect a whiff of body odor when I lead the next BPP meeting, please bear with me. I am determined to get to the crux of this anomaly as soon as possible. In the meantime, I am relying on sponge baths and copious amounts of cologne.

Regards,

Chairman Mal

Power to the Peeps!

Stop the Evil!

2010-01-23T15:20:00.001-08:00

Howdy Comrades!

Recently, the Blind Bloggers group received a question about JAWS friendly Blog hosts. When I first began this blog, Blogger was totally accessible using a Word plug in, but the situation quickly changed when Google purchased the company. Each time Google "improves" Blogger for sighted bloggers, it becomes more and more difficult for blind bloggers to use. Prior to his death last year, Dr. John Slatin of the University of Texas at Austin was able to contact top tier engineers at Google to fix access issues. Even then, we were always playing catch up. Now that Dr. Slatin has died, Blogger is harder to use with JAWS, even for advanced JAWS users with the latest updates. Obviously, one can put out a blog, but we have numerous roadblocks using new features and old features that change. One would suppose that the agreement between Google and the National Federation of the Blind would put a stop to the discrimination. Clearly it has not done so thus far.

My question is one that other blind bloggers have raised. Are there any better blog services that are more JAWS friendly? I was told that Word Press was more accessible, but recently I've heard of problems with that product as well. I would be happy to switch blog hosts but would prefer to see a campaign to force Google to live up to its promises to the blind community. I hope to post on a more regular basis in the near future once I've upgraded my equipment.

Regards,

Chairman Mal

Power to the Peeps!

AyRod and Cones

2009-10-31T17:04:00.001-07:00

Howdy Comrades!

Well, tonight is Halloween for all the good little peeps, and I wish them a safe and fun celebration so long as none of them attempt to darken my door. The Blind Panther Compound on Croslin has been secured against any goblins, ghosts or ghouls in order for me to enjoy the third game of the World Series. I'm sure the little guttersnipes will understand when they grow up.

Of course I will be rooting for the Philly's to repeat and beat the team from the Evil Empire State, the damned Yankees. Last year, I was able to see some of the baseball action on my Sony Trinitron HD TV. I purchased it when I had more useful peripheral vision on my 50^th birthday, only to have my cones deteriorate further a few months later. Now I see brilliant hallucinations of lights with some glimpses of real visual information getting through to my visual cortex from time to time, when the light and my viewing angle are aligned just right. I am not bothered too much by the loss of visual acuity, but the syndrome that produces the private light show can really wreak havoc with my orientation and state of mind. This is more acute when I want to see, even imperfectly, the way I did at fifty during big events such as the World Series and space shuttle launches. Don't worry Comrades--I have no suicidal ideation. At least as long as the Yankees don't win.

Stay tuned to the LRB for some big Cap Metro news from the Blind Salamander. Yes, the bastards are being duplicitous again.

Regards,

Chairman Mal

Power to the Peeps!

Metro CEOQuits With Package Worth Millions

2009-09-30T20:15:00.001-07:00

Howdy Comrades!

It's been some time since the Blind Panthers addressed the matter of incompetence by senior Metro management. Members here in Central Texas, however, were delighted by the early retirement today of Fred Gilliam, CEO for the embattled transit agency for the past seven years. Our jumping for joy abruptly ended when details of Gilliam's golden parachute emerged. He will be handsomely compensated for Metro's failure to provide a working commuter rail system, declining to budget for accessible bus stops and wasting agency funds fighting paratransit users who sued when he attempted to change the 2002 Policies and Procedures through administrative fiat. Fred's base pay was about $200,000.00. He reportedly received a ten percent raise through 2006, when the annual increase was changed to 5%. Moreover, Fred received performance bonuses of $35,000.00 from the Cap Metro board. He accepted a generous early retirement that allows him to count seven years of service as though he'd worked for the agency a total of 35 years. In addition, Fred will get a sweet pot of money for early retirement, quitting on the final day Metro staff could agree to the early retirement buyout. His pension payments will be much fatter as a consequence of this dubious deal.

Comrades, it's good that Fred Gilliam will no longer lead Cap Metro. The BPP believes he does not deserve this preposterous golden parachute. Instead, we should run Gilliam out of town on a rail! Drat! The rail doesn't work. He's one lucky bastard.

Regards,

Chairman Mal

Power to the Peeps!

Chairman Mal Joins Whole Feuds!

2009-08-18T07:06:00.001-07:00

Howdy Comrades!

Alas, prospects for a single payer system; even a "government option" for health insurance are dimming by the moment. Indications are that we may get some scheme involving nonprofit Co-Ops competing with the greedy for profit insurance conglomerates instead. As you know, I've lived in Austin for nearly three decades and recall how John Mackey first began his "health food" empire here in Austin. At first, he had not acquired Whole Foods. He formed a company he called

"Safer Way." The only problem for John Mackey was that over a dozen customers of Safer Way developed horrendous cases of Hepatitis because of bad sanitation practices at his new company. One hopes those first customers had health insurance. Obviously, although Safer Way is a clever name for a natural foods

store, the irony of customers contracting a debilitating, potentially deadly disease engendered a good deal of skepticism among those of us here in Austin seeking better quality food. Consequently, John Mackey

abandoned his own company and sought to purchase his main competitor, Whole Foods. Does this tactic sound familiar to anyone? Progressives here in Austin can only roll their eyes in disbelief when someone we once considered a cool hippie gets a bunch of money and devolves into a raging right wing, rapacious capitalist. I have joined the boycott of Whole Foods with Mark Carpenter, and I hereby order all Blind Panther Party members to do the same. Thanks for the update from Precinct 362 and CounterPunch!

Regards,

Chairman Mal

Power to the Peeps!

----- Original Message -----

Saturday, August 15, 2009 5:06 PM

Subject: Fw: [precinct362] Why You Should Boycott Whole Foods

----- Original Message -----

From:

MARK CARPENTER

To:

carpbear@sbcglobal.net

Sent: Saturday, August 15, 2009 8:50 AM

Subject: [precinct362] Why You Should Boycott Whole Foods

http://www.alternet.org/healthwellness/141961/why_you_should_boycott_whole_foods/

Why You Should Boycott Whole Foods

Russell Mokhiber ,

CounterPunch.

Posted August 14, 2009.

The company's CEO has just launched a major campaign to defeat a single payer national health insurance system.

John Mackey is a right wing union buster.

He believes that corporations should not be criminally prosecuted for their crimes.

He has just launched a campaign to defeat a single payer national health insurance system.

And he's the CEO of Whole Foods.

Primo hangout of liberal Democratic yuppies.

"We are all responsible for our own lives and our own health," Mackey wrote yesterday in the Wall Street Journal. "We should take that responsibility very

seriously and use our freedom to make wise lifestyle choices that will protect our health. Doing so will enrich our lives and will help create a vibrant

and sustainable American society."

Yes it will, John Mackey.

Yes it will.

I do take that responsibility very seriously.

I try to eat well.

And exercise regularly.

I also take my responsibility as a citizen seriously.

After all, Mr. Mackey, we are all responsible for our own civic lives and our own civic health.

We should take that responsibility very seriously and use our freedom and make wise civic and consumer choices that will protect our nation's health.

Doing so will enrich our civic lives and help create a vibrant and sustainable American society.

That's why, today, we are calling on all American citizens to boycott Whole Foods.

Why?

Because Mackey has launched a public campaign to defeat single payer national health insurance.

This despite the bottom line reality that single payer is the only way to both control health care costs and cover everyone.

As Dr. Marcia Angell says in today's New York Times, "if you keep health care in the hands of for-profit companies, you can increase coverage by putting

more money into the system, or control costs by decreasing coverage. But you cannot do both unless you change the basic structure of the system."

Mackey leads his Wall Street Journal diatribe against national health insurance with a quote from one of his heroines – Margaret Thatcher: "The problem

with socialism is that eventually you run out of other people's money."

And the problem with Mackey's campaign is that it results in the deaths of 60 Americans every day due to lack of health insurance.

Mackey is responsible for these deaths as much as anyone.

And we are responsible for putting money into his Whole Food bank account so that he can continue his campaign without resistance.

I know that this boycott of Whole Foods will upset many liberal Democrats.

Where will they buy their organic wines?

And cheeses?

And tofu?

There are options.

Your local health food co-op.

Farmers' markets.

Community supported agriculture.

Other corporate chains like Trader Joe's.

So, please, join the Single Payer Action Boycott of Whole Foods.

Don't cross the picket lines.

Don't spend another penny at Whole Foods until John Mackey and his right wing friends are defeated.

And single payer is enacted.

Onward to single payer.

"It is better to vote for what you want and not get it

than it is to vote for what you don't want and get it."

--Eugene V. Debs

Mourning in Iran

2009-07-31T20:29:00.001-07:00

Howdy Comrades!

Forty days have passed since turmoil surged through the streets of Teheran in protest of blatant fraud in an election for President of the world's first Islamic Republic. Yesterday, the Supreme Leader once again suppressed righteous opposition forces who sought to commemorate the deaths of hundreds who stood up to tyranny. Neda, the young student whose life we saw ebb away in front of our eyes was remembered and mourned as a martyr of democracy. We have learned of the torture of political prisoners incarcerated by religious thugs for the crime of protesting injustice.

On Monday, the fraudulent idiot President will be inaugurated, but he will not serve a full term. The repression has only sent the opposition underground. The will of the people of Iran has not been broken. In Austin Texas, this July has been the hottest on record. In Iran, this month has set other records, and there will be a reckoning for the oppressors.

Remember Neda!

Regards,

Chairman Mal

Power to the Peeps!

Chairman Mal's Little Red Book: Iran I Bleed

2009-06-16T15:14:00.000-07:00

Chairman Mal's Little Red Book: Iran I Bleed

Iran I Bleed

2009-06-16T13:17:00.001-07:00

Howdy Comrades!

Today all members of the Blind Panther Party are ordered to take whatever steps are necessary to assist the peeps of Iran who have been wounded, killed and disenfranchised by a government that has turned a deaf ear to their collective voices. The recent election in Iran was obviously rigged. To declare the current idiot President the winner by a landslide in a record breaking turnout election within hours; even while voting continued is an insult to everyone who cast a ballot. This is beyond belief! Nothing less than a revote can solve the problem.

An Iranian friend who has a blind father said the people want change. The clerics in his town think its just fine for his Dad to spend his days with nothing to do but smoke his opium pipe. As far as their skewed view of Islam goes, this is considered a mercy as long as he is given food and a place to live. He has no place in the community, according to the Mullahs in that town. Obviously, I can't reveal more details for his safety and the safety of his family who remain in Iran and support him the best they can.

The Supreme Leader may think he can kill enough of the people to quell what is rapidly becoming a Civil War. Too many people will die to enforce his will. If you can demonstrate wherever you are, you are hereby ordered to do so. Publicize the stories you hear about this unspeakable repression.

Regards,

Chairman Mal

Power to the Peeps!

May Day of the Three Little Piggies . . .

2009-05-01T20:21:00.001-07:00

Greetings Comrades on Behalf of Chairman Mal!

As our Dear leader's new personal physician, I am delighted to report that Chairman mal is thriving under my care and wishes to congratulate all members of the BPP and fellow travelers on the glorious May Day of 2009. He stated that the Party has made great strides this year under his enlightened leadership with the advice and consent of his loyal comrades serving on the Central Committee.

As in the past, Chairman Mal pledges his devotion to the cause of the BPP and the welfare of blind people throughout the known universe. He stated to me that, "We are on the verge of total victory over the evil doers at Cap metro." He urges continued diligence and participation in the upcoming Mayoral elections in Austin. Central committee members will advise our operatives on which candidates he orders them to support.

Comrades, keep in mind that our Dear leader thinks on a much higher plain than most mortal entities. His mind is similar to a quantum computer in its complexity and operation. This does, however, sometimes cause confusion in those who attempt to comprehend his thoughts. I say this so that you will carefully analyze the following Candy Apple Red Alert directly from the lips of our Dear Leader.

"Beware of the deviationists behind the plague of the "Three little Piggies!"

Central Committee members will inform our operatives what Chairman Mal means by this warning.

In solidarity,

Dr. Ho Lee Kau

Power to the Peeps!

Opposite Marriage?

2009-04-30T19:14:00.001-07:00

Attention Comrades†

Chairman Mal has retreated into the BP Party Bunker after a puzzling encounter with a neighbor lady who lives across the street. At this time, all we know is that our Dear Leader had overcome his agoraphobia, a milestone in his ongoing therapy according to his former personal physician, Dr. Bill M Moor, and had left the compound to fetch the mail. Upon returning from this errand, Chairman Mal screamed that lady Bountiful had asked him if he had considered an opposite marriage, whatever that may be. He then sank to the floor and required Dr. moor to use his home defibrillator on him. Note: We are pleased to report that the defibrillator did not recommend shocking his mighty heart. The Chairman received an injection of calming vitamins and dispatched Dr. Moor to assist the peeps in Mexico with their battle against what he calls "trafe flue."

We aren't certain why our Dear leader was so upset, but he has hired a new physician who has proscribed bed rest and more vitamins in the privacy of the bunker. Dr. Ho Lee Kau will provide an update tomorrow about the health of Chairman Mal.

I understand that Dr. Kau will extend Chairman Mal's statement of solidarity for May Day concomitant with this update.

Peace Out†

The Blind Salamander

Power to the Peeps!

One time stimulus Payment

2009-04-14T22:18:00.001-07:00

Attention Comrades!

The document I've pasted below comes from the Social Security Administration, and it provides information concerning the one time stimulus payments many of the peeps should receive in the next few months. I realize it's rather long, but the critical information for most folks can be found at the beginning of the document. Spend your $250. wisely and stimulate the economy as much as possible. May I suggest purchasing some of the Louis Braille Coins from the United States Mint? Part of the proceeds will fund the largest project to fund Braille literacy ever conceived in the United States.

Regards,

Chairman Mal

Power to the Peeps!

One-Time Economic Recovery Payment

2009

www.socialsecurity.gov

Social Security

One-Time Economic Recovery Payment

On February 17, 2009, President Barrack Obama signed into law the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. This law provides for a one-time economic recovery

payment of $250 to people who get certain types of Federal benefits.

Who will receive the one-time $250 economic recovery payment?

The law provides for a one-time payment for certain individuals who receive Social Security, Supplemental Security Income (SSI), Railroad Retirement and

Veterans benefits. If you were eligible for one of these benefits at any time during the months of November 2008, December 2008 or January 2009, you may

be eligible for the one-time payment. To receive the payment, your address of record must be in one of the 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto

Rico, Guam, the U.S. Virgin Islands, American Samoa, or the Northern Mariana Islands.

If I am eligible for the one-time payment, when will I receive it?

You should receive your one-time payment by the end of May 2009. You don't need to do anything to receive this payment. Social Security does not need to

contact you to request information. Please do not contact us about your payment unless you do not receive it

by June 4, 2009. The Department of the Treasury will be sending payments throughout the month of May.

How will I receive my

one-time payment?

We will deliver your one-time payment the same way we currently deliver your Social Security or SSI benefit. If we deliver your monthly benefit by check,

we will deliver your one-time payment by check. If you receive your benefits by direct deposit or Direct Express® debit card, you will receive the one-time

payment the same way.

We will send your one-time economic recovery payment separately from

your Social Security or SSI benefit; it will not be included with your monthly benefit payment.

I receive both Social Security

and SSI. Does this mean I'll receive two one-time economic recovery payments?

No, you can only get one $250 payment, regardless of how many types of benefits you receive. For example, if you receive any combination of Social Security,

SSI, Railroad Retirement or Veterans benefits you still can only get one payment.

If my spouse and I both receive Social Security or SSI benefits, will we each get a one-time economic recovery payment?

Yes, if both you and your spouse

are receiving benefits from Social Security or SSI, you each will get the one-time payment.

Are children who receive

Social Security benefits eligible

for the one-time economic recovery payment?

No, children under the age of 18 (19 if still in high school) who receive Social Security benefits are NOT eligible for the one-time payment. However,

adult children who receive disability benefits on a parent's record will receive a payment.

Are children who receive SSI benefits eligible for the one-time economic recovery payment?

Yes, children receiving SSI are eligible for the one-time payment.

I have a representative payee. Who will receive my one-time economic recovery payment?

If you have a representative payee, we will send your one-time payment to your representative payee. Your representative payee is required by law to use

the payment for your personal benefit.

Will ALL Social Security and SSI beneficiaries receive a one-time economic recovery payment of $250?

No. In most cases, the following individuals will NOT receive the one-time payment:

Anyone living outside of the United • States or its territories;

Individuals who no longer are lawfully • present in the United States;

Individuals whose benefits have been • suspended under the law for giving false or misleading statements;

Social Security beneficiaries who are • minor children*;

SSI beneficiaries who receive benefits • at a reduced rate of $30 because they live in a medical treatment facility (such as a nursing home or hospital)

and Medicaid pays over 50% of the cost of their care;

Individuals only entitled to Medicare • and not to Social Security or SSI benefits; and

Prisoners, fugitive felons, and • probation and parole violators.

Every situation is different, and there may be exceptions to these rules.

*Note: Disabled adult children receiving Social Security or children receiving SSI payments will receive the one-time payment.

Will I receive the one-time economic recovery payment if I have a delinquent Federal or state debt?

The law requires the Department of the Treasury to deduct delinquent child support and debts owed to state and Federal agencies from the one-time payment.

The one-time payment will not be used to collect Social Security or SSI benefit overpayments.

Will the one-time economic recovery payment count as income or resources when determining eligibility for SSI?

The one-time payment will not

count as income for SSI. In addition, it will not count as a resource in the month you receive it or the following

nine months. For example, if you receive the one-time payment in May 2009, it will not count as a resource from May 2009 through February 2010. If you

still have this money in March 2010, it will count as a resource starting that month and may affect your eligibility for SSI.

Will the one-time economic recovery payment count as earnings when determining eligibility for Social Security disability benefits?

No. The one-time economic

recovery payment will not count as income or earnings for Social Security disability benefits.

If I don't receive my one-time economic recovery payment by June 4, what should I do?

After June 4, 2009, you can call

our toll-free number, 1-800-772-1213

(TTY 1-800-325-0778) or contact your local Social Security office to tell us your payment has not arrived. Please wait until then to ask about your payment

because the Department of the Treasury will be sending payments until the end of May.

What should I do if someone calls or E-mails me asking for personal information to process my payment?

Do not provide your personal information to anyone requesting it

to process your payment. If you are unsure about the identity of someone claiming

to be a Social Security employee, call 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778) to verify the call. You may report suspicious activity involving Social Security

programs and operations to the Social Security

Fraud Hotline at

www.socialsecurity.gov/oig/hotline

or call 1-800-269-0271

(TTY 1-866-501-2101).

How can I get more information about the one-time economic recovery payment?

If you are a Social Security or SSI beneficiary, visit

www.socialsecurity.gov.

If you are not a Social Security or SSI beneficiary and receive only Railroad Retirement or Veterans benefits:

You can visit the • Railroad Retirement Board (RRB) at

www.rrb.gov

or call 1-877-772-5772 (1-877-RRB-5RRB;

TTY 1-312-751-4701) for more information. NOTE: You will receive your one-time payment from RRB. You do not have to do anything in order to receive your

payment.

You can visit the • Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) at

www.va.gov

or contact your local VA facility for more information. NOTE: You will receive your one-time payment from VA. You do not have to do anything in order to

receive your payment.

Social Security Administration

SSA Publication No. 05-10519

ICN 470050

April 2009

Chairman Mal's Little Red Book: Belated Valentine to Metro Staff

2009-03-31T12:56:00.000-07:00

link to editorial in Austin American Statesman

Belated Valentine to Metro Staff

2009-02-17T14:14:00.001-08:00

Attention Comrades!

I just attempted to leave the following comment on the Cap Metro Blog. To put it in perspective, the last post is about no snarky comments being made about some stupid contest Metro ran for Valentines Day. Are people actually getting paid to come up with this kind of time wasting nonsense? I guess the idea is a product of Metro's much vaunted PR department. Note to the peeps: Here's a more productive use of staff time and money. I doubt I was actually able to post this on the Metro blog because of a crappy audio CAPTCHA, something the Access committee warned staff about last year when the blog was first mentioned.

Howdy Comrades!

I can't resist attempting to make a snarky comment. My love for Capital Metro would be greatly increased if Metro staff would provide important information about their plans for the stimulus money we want since the President just signed the Economic Recovery Act. These funds are a kind of valentine from the Feds with a great deal of potential for improving Metro Access, Metro Bus and Metro Rail. The information should be available to all citizens, including those who are blind. Yes, I want the information in Braille. After all, we recently celebrated the 200^th birthday of Louis Braille, and Title II of the ADA requires it; not to mention the mediation agreement with Metro Access plaintiffs. Moreover, the information on this website should fully comply with Section 508 of the Rehab Act, as amended. It hasn't happened yet, and there's no excuse to justify this lack of compliance. Peace and long life!

Regards,

Chairman Mal

Power to the Peeps!

Big WindsBlow Our Minds

2009-02-10T21:03:00.001-08:00

Howdy Comrades!

Earlier tonight, wind at speeds of nearly sixty MPH blew through Austin and disturbed our dogs, not to mention old Chairman Mal. Our German Shepard, Beau, was absolutely terrified and sought my protection, although he is not my Seing Eye dog. I hugged and comforted him as best I could, but he would not rest until the winds subsided. My own pet dog, Godiva, seemed to take things more in stride, although she stuck her head under my bed with only her butt and tail visible. We also heard some brief hale, but I doubt we sustained any damage. Radio reports indicated there were at least three deaths in Oklahoma tonight, perhaps more.

Did anyone else experience something similar last night with their own critters? I am convinced both of our dogs sensed real danger was a possibility. I fear this storm is merely a hint of what may ensue this spring.

Regards,

Chairman Mal

Power to the Peeps!

Future Shock and Awe

2009-01-28T15:28:00.001-08:00

Howdy Comrades!

The Inauguration of our first Afro American President has left me in a state of "future shock" and awe. My childhood was spent in the 1960's, in Mobile Alabama, ground zero for some of the vilest kinds of discrimination and racism. Like many older blacks I know, we never thought we'd live to see the day. President Obama has now been in office for a week, and he's tried to win Republican support for the economic rescue package, only to be totally rejected by them. Democrats will pass the legislation anyway, but I don't understand how Republicans can continue to espouse Bush economics after the peeps rejected it last November. We can't fart around any longer about a stimulus package. As I predicted in Blind Confidential many moons ago, "the country is going to hell in a hand basket at about warp nine." We have to back the President or face total economic ruin. I will finish two projects later this week and plan more blog activity once I've cleared the decks!

Regards,

Chairman Mal

Power to the Peeps!

No Trial for Chairman Mal!

2009-01-02T22:49:00.001-08:00

Howdy Comrades!

I wish each of you a Happy New Year and best wishes for 2009. I want to thank those of you who sent advice and information about my plan to enroll in a clinical trial to discover if any experimental therapy might help with the disturbing visual patterns I see in my central visual field. R Frank suggested I avoid the genetic therapy because he predicted I would merely grow a third eye in the middle of my forehead, a remote possibility, but one that did result in several vivid nightmares. Markee said the stem cell therapy would probably result in my soul going to hell, but Comrade Randy stated that should not be an issue because I am going to hell anyway!

The issue is moot at this point because I was turned down for the clinical trial I found most promising, replacing damaged areas of my retinaes with stem cells combined with human growth factors. Because of my thyroid, I was considered as "high Risk" unless a biopsy reveals no cancer. I may apply again once the situation is resolved, assuming the nodules prove benign.

Again, thanks for your encouragement. I will blog about more pleasant topics soon, but I felt a need to provide readers with the latest news about my ongoing eye trouble.

Regards,

Chairman Mal

Power to the Peepers!

Glands

2008-12-18T14:51:00.001-08:00

Howdy Comrades!

I've considered adopting the Nome de Guer of Comrade Jobe in consideration of all my bodily travails. Recently, I've spent a small fortune with my dentist, repairing three teeth worn down from Bruxism. The explosion of actinic light in my central visual field has only intensified lately. My physician's hypothesis involves the shorter days and the effect of the dimming daylight on my pineal gland. Whatever the cause, it's drastically effected my sleep cycle. Sometimes I sleep for two hours; then I wake up for eight hours. After that, my ass is dragging, and I am compelled to nap for another three hours or so. To say the least, my employer is less than sympathetic, and my side business has virtually ground to a halt because of the worldwide liquidity crisis and shortage of gold, silver and platinum bullion. I muddle through somehow, although I'm sometimes manic or indolent by turns. That could be the fault of yet another gland, my thyroid. I'm due for an ultrasound of that pesky miscreant because of a suspicious growth on the bottom right side of the damned thing. Moreover, my urologist has found problems with yet another gland, but I decline to reveal his findings. I am attempting to negotiate an appearance on The Oprah Winfrey Show to disclose that information, hoping that I may lead a national foundation dedicated to its cure or amelioration! Other matters continue apace with the evil doers at Cap Metro. I will spare readers those details for now.

I wish LRB readers happy Honokaa, Merry Christmas, Quanza, etc.

Regards,

Chairman Mal

Power to the Peeps!

PS: Blind Salamander and Drew L Spitz will be filling in for me for the remainder of 2008.

Troubled Eyes in the Beholder

2008-11-29T21:28:00.001-08:00

Howdy Comrades!

As your Dear Leader, I'm not accustomed to admitting weakness or imperfections, but I have a confession to make to the peeps today. I am not invulnerable to physical and mental woes. This is shocking, I know, and I hasten to reassure you that I have no intention to resign as leader of the local branch of the BPP. My work product, however, has suffered, and I need your advice and assistance.

As some in the Central Committee know, my blindness results from a rare genetic anomaly called "head cone rod dystrophy." As I age, the condition progresses in strange ways. Most disturbing to me is that I experience what's known as a scintillating schetoma, a blind spot in my central field that resembles and explosion or the mirrored ball in a disco. I see this troubling phenomenon even with my eyes closed, when I train under blind-folded or in a dark room. It is quite vivid and disconcerting, and the only time I get a break from it is when I am asleep. There is no cure, only experimental therapies available through clinical trials. One approach is to alter the underlying genetic error causing the damage to my retina. The other approach is to inject stem cells and growth factor directly into the damage regions. The longer I wait to enroll in a clinical trial, the less likely it is that I can benefit from any treatment.

Both experimental treatments are considered risky by the National Institute of Health. Both have had some positive results in certain patients and very little help for others. What course should I take? Should I forget about becoming a guinea pig and let nature take its course? I need to enroll in at least one clinical trial no later than January 3^rd 2009. Has anyone an opinion?

I await your suggestions.

Regards,

Chairman Mal

Power to the Peeps!

Yes We Can Defeat Metro Management!

2008-11-11T04:38:00.001-08:00

Howdy comrades!

What a tremendous victory for the United States we had on November 5^th this year of our Lord 2008! I joined with many of the peeps here in Austin to celebrate Tuesday night, only to face a major buzz killer the next day. I'll put it in context.

As the third millennium's savior of the sightless, I devoted most of my spare time this election in the trenches, cabbing to boring fund raisers, spending way too much money on hopeless candidates and driving myself crazy with worry about the fate of the nation. Now I am wistful for the campaign already. Incidentally the 2012 battle has already taken shape with the Republicans involved in a democratic style circular firing squad. I love it! Fast forward to 2012, and imagine the nightmarish dog fight between the Pit Bull Bitch of the Tundra and Governor ROM. Millions of bucks will pour from ROM's Dog, inc. and the Mormon Church to elect the first creepy as hell, gay hating LDS President. Whoa! I'm digressing, comrades, and must focus on the narrative.

Barack was my second choice during the primaries, Hillary being my man, so to speak. I attended the Texas State Democratic Convention and switched my Hillary button for an Obama button on the second day of the convention, being what is called a party hack. I knew the media hype that all Hillary partisans would switch to supporting the republican ticket would soon fade, but a lot of elderly feminists in the Hillary camp wanted to wack me when they saw the Obama button. I really felt sorry for them because they worked their ancient hearts out to nominate Hillary and was convinced they'd never live to se a woman elected President. I'd planned a vacation to celebrate the Democratic landslide this week only to be consumed in yet another crisis with Cap metro. The Amalgamated Transit Workers local decided to strike the day after the election. Senior Metro management schemed to use the blind, elderly and disabled passengers as pawns in their labor negotiations by cutting all cab vouchers and other trips except for persons on dialysis. Stunned by this cruel and cynical ploy, disability advocates weren't able to get the service restored until Friday morning, and Fred Gilliam's flunkies are stonewalling the Access Committee on repeated requests for accurate information about this crass attempt to manipulate public opinion against the union. What are the peeps supposed to think? Does this guy think we are stupid? It seems obvious to anyone with a lick of sense that Fred Gilliam has no real intention to abide by the "good faith" promise to begin a new era of trust and candor with Access and the blind and disability communities. We have seen two instances when Gilliam has evinced a total lack of conscience in living up to the terms of the mediation agreement between plaintiffs and the Texas Civil Rights Project. First, Pat Bartel was excluded from consideration by the Board for membership on Access. Had Pat been approved, the exact same balance of disabled and blind members would have existed as last year. Next Gilliam cuts work vouchers during the worst economic crisis the nation has seen since the Great Depression. We've had enough of Metro Senior Management's bull crap already; we are going to the Board to make our case one last time. After that, should Gilliam remain in charge, Blind Salamander will unleash the dogs and other critters of war against him.

Regards,

Chairman Mal

Power to the Peeps!

Yes We Can!

PS: If you don't believe my gonzo account of the Metro matter, just read pertinent articles in both the Austin American statesman and the Austin Chronicle. There will be more to follow. CM

Vote Today Strike is Tomorrow

2008-11-04T08:52:00.001-08:00

Howdy Comrades!

I've pledged Election Day to the campaign of our next President, Barack Obama, but I need to let the peeps know about the strike of bus drivers and mechanics who work for Cap Metro. The Amalgamated Transit Workers Union local will walk off the job early tomorrow morning. Metro staff told the Cap Metro Board that they will be using other nonunion contractors to provide limited fixed route bus service and Metro Access Service. In terms of paratransit, we were told that priority will be given to medical appointments during the strike. This is understandable, but what I can't fathom is the decision to cancel perm work cab vouchers. Did I miss an announcement that the taxi drivers will also strike tomorrow? This makes no sense and conflicts with what Metro staff told the Metro Board about attempting to make sure as many riders as possible would have rides to and from work. Perhaps, Metro staff will change their mind once the facts are explained to them. I must close for now. I urge everyone to vote today to end the long national nightmare of the Bush Administration.

Regards,

Chairman Mal

Power to the Peeps!

Family and Faith in the Future

2008-10-17T11:31:00.001-07:00

Howdy Comrades!

My mood must mirror that of many these days. It's one of dejection tinged with that abiding determination to overcome all obstacles, a resolve to stick out the bad times and move forward to better days. Family concerns seemed to culminate simultaneous with world events that are both troubling and very challenging. Just prior to the worldwide economic meltdown, My Uncle Dan, a true southern gentleman and inveterate businessman, died from his long battle with heart disease. Although he left my Aunt a comfortable amount of wealth, no amount of money can replace their love for one another and his service to the community of Warner Robbins where they lived. Next I faced a dramatic crisis with senior staff at Capital Metro that could eviscerate the influence and coherence of the Access Committee. Access remains the blind and disabled community's best hope for salvaging a transportation system that will provide the means to help us achieve true inclusion within society. At this crucial point, I've learned that my Dad had to be hospitalized yesterday because of internal bleeding related to a swollen kidney. I am left to wonder how much more trouble my Mother can tolerate and how best to help her. As the old cliché suggests when it rains it pours; even during a Central Texas drought! I extend my thanks to those who have rallied by my side and to the peeps out there who continue to send messages of support. It really does make a difference. I will close for now and work in collaboration with other Access members, community leaders and Metro passengers on our official response to Fred Gilliam's attempt to destroy the effective functioning of this vital committee.

Regards,

Chairman Mal

Power to the Peeps!

Help New Websites and Picket the Movie Blindness!

2008-10-01T22:33:00.001-07:00

Howdy Comrades!

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Texas Democrats with Disabilities needs help to make sure their website is friendly to print impaired individuals, particularly those depending on screen reading programs. Please help us by visiting the site and reporting any access issues:

http://www.democratswithdisabilities.org/chat

We are adding various features and want every one to be able to participate.

Another website wants your assistance. That is:

http://www.chairmanmal.com

We hope to assist the blind and disabled community through distance learning, articles, fiction and news. This site remains under construction. Eventually, we hope to devote a section exclusively to transportation issues. When that part of the site is completed, you may go to

http://www.chairmanmal.com/transportation

For more information and to contribute your own articles and issues right now, send them to

http://chairmanmal@earthlink.net .

. We will accept compliments and complaints about Cap Metro programs, and we hope you will include your ideas for solutions.

The Austin Chapter of the National Federation of the Blind will hold an informational picket at the Dobie Theater on Friday, October 3^rd to protest a detestible film called "Blindness." The Dobie Theater is located at 21^st and Guadalupe. This will take place thirty minutes before the screening of this execrable movie and last until thirty minutes after it is over. We suggest you arrive around six o'clock to pick up your signs and brochures if you want to participate. We are also planning to picket the theater at Westgate Mall, but I have not been given the details at this time. Call NFBT at (512) 451 1717or (512) 371 3405 for the latest information about our picket. If you need information about the NFBT Convention to be held in Dallas beginning on October 31^{st, you may phone the same numbers}. Happy Halloween!

Regards,

Chairman Mal

Power to the Peeps!

Metro Monarch Fred Gilliam Trashes Access!

2008-09-30T17:14:00.001-07:00

Howdy Comrades!

I really hate to bring such bad news to the peeps, but Fred Gilliam, Executive Director of Cap Metro, has once again snookered the Cap Metro Board into trashing the integrity of the Access Committee, disrespected Austin's disability community and precipitated another legal crisis at last night's Cap Metro Board meeting.

As a direct result of his actions, the community will likely have to resort to more litigation and potential direct action to publicize our cause. Mr. G. has dispatched Ms. Mendoza to the Access meeting scheduled tomorrow evening at the Gardner Building on 11^th street to rewrite Access bylaws and remonstrate with Access Members for insisting on their rights as a federally mandated advisory committee.

Naturally, Ms. Mendoza will receive a fair hearing, but Access will not be muzzled by her or anyone else. Needless to say, the recent mediation agreement between Cap Metro and plaintiffs represented by the Texas Civil Rights Project hangs by a thread tonight.

Stay tuned, comrades, and be strong. We will overcome.

Regards,

Chairman Mal

Power to the Peeps!

STAR Trans Warped Drive to Bust Union

2008-09-29T17:03:00.001-07:00

Attention: I'm the Blind Salamander, a proud Teamster, and I've hijacked Chairman Mal's Blog to provide the Peeps with the true story behind Cap Metro's attempt to bust the hard working citizen's who belong to the Amalgamated Transit Workers Union. Chairman Mal is such a technological dork, he probably won't notice. For instance, he was confused about the programming language, Lennox, because he thought it was just for air conditioners. It gets worse. When his computer crashed, the little Stalinist asked me, and I quote: "Could it be this Trojan worm? I thought a Trojan worm was a little tiny condom!" This is the same idiot that thinks he's going to begin telecommuting later this week. That grant fund and family trust had better prepare for a lot of expenditures for tech support! Anyway, the Chairman probably won't even figure out I took over the blog; so, here's the scoop:

Howdy Comrades!

Some of the peeps probably recall how Cap Metro staff published the income of some cab drivers who provide voucher service for STS passengers in order to get to and from dialysis, work, school, and return vouchers from doctors' offices, pharmacies and grocery stores. Some cab drivers spend a 16 hour day doing nothing but helping disabled folks in Austin with these trips, and some collected a lot of vouchers. Metro tries to con the press and the public by releasing the incomes of the biggest taxi voucher providers, with the implicit message that those drivers must be up to no good. We know that this was just a tactic to distract attention from their own incompetence in operating the Paratransit service, ignoring advice and complaints from the Access Committee and other disability rights organization year after year. That's why Metro found they had to back track and pay huge sums for consultants to have fake hearings, only to wind up in federal court, spending more tax money for an attorney who didn't even know that taxi vouchers have been used for STS passengers who have jobs with flex time for the past fifteen years.

Well, Star Tran has pulled the same tactic on the Transit workers union who voted to strike, mostly because Cap Metro staff wants to have the right to change their health care costs between contracts. The vast majority of the Union members seem happy with the pay increase, and they don't even want the bonus money as long as the contract provides secure health care. Metro administrators pulled the same tactic used on the taxi drivers on the union. They released the pay of union members , including their overtime pay. That was a dirty trick because Metro had quite a few drivers who work very hard, receiving quite a well earned overtime compensation. As a result, the Union had to answer to press and taxpayers who thought bus drivers shouldn't make up to ninety grand. The peeps in the disabled community know how hard STS and fixed route drivers must work given the enormously stressful jobs they must perform each and every day. We know how difficult it is to afford to run a family household here in Austin, and health care can make or break a family budget. So, it's a small wonder that the Amalgamated Transit Workers decided not to work overtime during the busy weekend of Austin City Limits and the Texas Longhorn home game. Comrades, Star Tran and other Metro staff should stop the dirty tricks and really negotiate with the Union.

Recently, we learned of another union busting threat management has cooked up regarding the Paratransit system. Last year, to avoid paying a living wage and benefits to its Union drivers and mechanics, Metro cobbled together a contract with Austin Cab. Austin Cab procures vehicles; then pays drivers a salary to provide the trips that were previously accomplished by experienced cab drivers and transit professionals with the union. From the outset of this contract, Access members have been deluged with complaints about the so-called PTS vehicles and drivers. We have heard repeatedly that the vehicles are sub par, sometimes old cabs that flunked City inspections and were taken off line. Moreover, complaint after complaint has been made about the quality and lack of professional behavior of the low paid PTS drivers. Mary Ward, STS Subcommittee Chair, told Metro staff that she smelled liquor on the breath of more than one PTS driver, and other members have had frightening experiences because of careless driving behavior. One PTS driver has a reputation of being a long time crack smoker within the taxi driver community. The personal hygiene of some PTS drivers does seem to indicate either a serious substance abuse problem or too little pay to afford soap. Comrades, I guess after these complaints you might think the contract was cancelled, right? Wrong! Metro claims they are working with PTS to improve driver training and making sure the vehicles are safe, but repeated requests by Access members for details about the PTS contract specifics and details of how complaints were remediated have been totally unsatisfactory.

In fact, Inez Evans, Paratransit Director, indicated at a recent Access meeting that Cap Metro may actually expand the flawed PTS program; even budgeting funds to buy brand new vehicles for Austin Cab. Now, we know congress just refused to use taxpayer money to bail out Wall Street, and we don't need our tax money being spent to bail out a failing cab company here in Austin. If Austin Cab can't obtain the financing for new vehicles, that is just tough. They have no business with the contract. Instead, Union drivers should be driving the vehicles Metro plans to lend or give to the owners of Austin Cab. The blind and disabled deserve nothing better than a first class program; one that rivals any in the nation. We had a program like this before current management ruined it with hair brained, union busting schemes like the PTS program. Even Ms Evans admitted to Access that Austin cab should have named their program PS, instead of PTS. Paratransit should be a two letter acronym!

In solidarity with the workers of Austin,

Regards,

The Blind Salamander

Power to the Peeps!

Website and Metro Update

2008-09-14T17:24:00.000-07:00

Howdy Comrades!

I am very pleased to announce that my website:

http://www.chairmanmal.com

began publication last week, although the site remains under construction. Readers are invited to check out the site and suggest improvements or make complaints. Please remember, however, that I'm learning basic web design from scratch and realize how crude it is compared to most other sites on the web. I have dedicated this site to "Social Justice" issues and encourage readers to send relevant links and information for future publication.

On the Cap Metro matter, I am pleased to report that Ms. Sandy Seacamp was selected as the seventh member of the Metro Mobility Working Group. She brings a wealth of experience to the committee from her background in teacher negotiations and has a mobility impairment. Now the Working Group can move ahead to fulfill the mandate it was given by virtue of the mediation agreement between Cap Metro and plaintiffs represented by the Texas Civil Rights Project.

That's all the news for today. I will have further details concerning my website, Cap Metro issues and other matters very soon.

Regards,

Chairman Mal

Power to the Peeps!

Meeting of the Faithful . . .

2008-08-29T18:32:00.001-07:00

Howdy Comrades!

A good leader should rarely confess to weakness, but I am compelled to reveal a feeling of great anxiety and exhaustion to the peeps following the first meeting of the newly formed Metro Mobility Working Group. As many of you know, this group was required to meet within thirty days of signing the mediation Agreement between plaintiffs represented by the Texas Civil Rights Project and Cap Metro officials. Progress was made in adopting bylaws for the group, but the "good faith" seemed to evaporate when agreement was attempted on selection of the seventh member, someone from the community with an interest in the provision of transportation services to our disabled community. Great optimism preceded the meeting because Metro had proposed that the seventh member should come from the ranks of the Mayor's Committee on Disabilities, and both the Access members and Metro staff were enthusiastic about the Chair of the Mayor's Committee, Mr. Ron Lucy. Something must have happened prior to the meeting to sour Metro on Mr. Lucy. Metro staff stated that he was no longer acceptable to them and proposed a slew of individuals who were totally unacceptable to both plaintiffs and organizations represented in the settlement. Access members, much chagrinned by this turn around, did propose other candidates, but Metro staff turned them down, one by one. Why would Metro suddenly turn on Ron Lucy, a respected member of the community and long time advocate for Cap Metro programs?

An impasse was declared by Access representatives when Inez Evans was overheard to whisper, "We should call our attorney." If this was an indication of acting in good faith, one could conclude that Cap Metro staff is a bunch of agnostics! The Cap Metro Board of Directors have been informed by both the present and past chairs of the Access Committee that we may find ourselves back in federal court, fighting again over possible violations of the ADA with respect to selection of future Access members and failure of the existing mediation agreement. Surely, the Board does not want this to happen. The Access Committee has no burning desire to see the legal fight resume. I can't speak for the plaintiffs in the original cause of action, but they did agree to give the mediation plan a try, and we all signed in good faith. Another meeting will occur the first week in September, and we sincerely hope that the spirit of co-operation and transparency will be revived. Maybe Metro staff was just distracted by the looming threat of a strike of bus drivers and mechanics. One can assume those negotiations have also been fraught with emotion and conflict. Comrades, it is imperative that Metro staff don't allow feelings about a potential strike bleed over into fulfilling a completely separate dispute resolution. Haven't Austin's most vulnerable citizen suffered enough?

In closing this post, I'd like to wish everyone a great Labor Day holiday weekend! This includes both Metro management and the Amalgamated Transit Union, our blind and disabled readers and those under threat of storm.

Peace and long life!

Regards,

Chairman Mal

Power to the Peeps!

Bus Driver Union Votes to Strike Cap Metro!

2008-08-20T19:48:00.000-07:00

Howdy Comrades!

The Amalgamated Transit Union workers voted overwhelmingly to reject the contract proposed by Startrans, the agency contracted by Cap Metro to deal with

the bus drivers. We do not know when the strike will take place at this time. STS drivers indicated that Union drivers will assist passengers with crucial

trips throughout the duration of the strike. Metro staff reported that when the strike occurs, bus schedules will be sharply curtailed and indicated that

STS trips will be limited to service on Monday through Friday only, no weekend service. I suggest both bus users and STS users make arrangements to stock

up on important essentials or make alternative transportation arrangements. I hope to have the press releases from both the Union and Metro posted within

24 hours. Check Newsline for details about the strike because you may get the information faster.

Regards,

Malcolm

Georgia On My Mind . . .

2008-08-15T14:51:00.001-07:00

Howdy Comrades!

Perhaps the Peeps have noticed that W misjudged his home boy, "Pooty Poo," while they got chummy in Beijing. At the same time our President appears on international television gawking at the women's Olympic volley ball team, his soul mate approves a massacre of near genocidal proportions in the democratic republic of Georgia. The adults, Condi and Gates, had to take charge to prevent the capital, Tbilisi, being overrun by Russian Red Army forces aided by a bunch of pro Russian irregulars acting like a marauding bunch of goons. Otherwise, W would have watch Georgian democracy disappear in a fume of vodka. Does this remind the comrades of a lady named Katrina?

Regards,

Chairman Mal

Power to the Peeps!

Good Faith in A Bad Idea?

2008-08-13T18:49:00.001-07:00

Howdy Comrades!

The question asked in the title of this post must remain speculative for the time being. Below I have pasted a copy of the text resulting from court ordered structured mediation. I have an ear infection, probably from listening to far too many lawyers! I will provide the Peeps with additional information once I've seen my physician tomorrow. Here's what was done:

MEDIATION AGREEMENT

The participants to the mediation held on August 11 and 12, 2008 have agreed that:

A. A Working Group, currently called the Metro Mobility Working Group, has been formed to participate with Capital Metro in analyzing the effect of potential

changes to services for people with disabilities. The group will be composed as follows:

1. Capital Metro will appoint three (3) staff members to the Working Group.

2. Three (3) other members will come from:

a. Chair of Capital Metro Access Committee or his/her designee

b. Chair of Capital Metro STS subcommittee or his/her designee

c. Chair of Capital Metro Fixed-Route subcommittee or his/her designee

3. Within thirty (30) days from today, these six members will elect a 7th member interested in the provision of Capital Metro transit services for people

with disabilities.

4. Within forty (40) days from today, the seven members will elect a Chair who will serve according to the by-laws, rules, and operating procedures adopted

by the Working Group.

B The Working Group will consider and make recommendations about proposed changes to Capital Metro policies, practices, and procedures, suggest changes

to Capital Metro policies, practices, and procedure, and assist in communicating with and from the public about proposed changes. The Working Group will

consider at least, but is not limited to, the following subjects:

1. Changes to the taxi cab voucher program currently in operation.

2. Eligibility and certification procedures used to qualify persons for Metro Access Service.

3. Alterations to certain aspects of Capital Metro's programs for people with disabilities, such as, by way of example, alterations to the "pick-up" window,

penalties for no-shows or cancellations, advance reservations, call center hours, use of door-through-door service, and so on.

Capital Metro will make no changes to its policies, practices, and procedures until the Working Group forms and meets.

C. The Working Group will decide when to hold its meetings open to the public.

D. The Working Group will make recommendations to pertinent Capital Metro entities, including the Capital Metro Board, and present its recommendations at

a public hearing when a public hearing required by law.

E. The Parties acknowledge the need for alternate communication methods for people on the Working Group with sensory disabilities.

F. While the Working Group will assist in analyzing potential changes, the Parties agree Capital Metro has ultimate decision-making responsibilities.

G. Nothing in this Agreement is intended to lessen any requirement by law or adopted policy for public hearing or other requirement for community input.

H. The Working Group may change its name.

Dated: August 12, 2008

Agreed as to form and content:

____________________________________

Capital Metro (by Kerri Davidson)

____________________________________

Norma Gonzales Baker

____________________________________

Mary-Agnes Kunz

____________________________________

Mark Noble

____________________________________

Dorbett Bagor

____________________________________

Judy Watford

____________________________________

Malcolm Graham

____________________________________

Audley Blackburn

____________________________________

Renee López--~--~---------~--~----~------------~-------~--~----~

You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "CapMetroAccessCommittee" group.

To post to this group, send email to

metroaccess@googlegroups.com

---I apologize that the text is choppy and badly formatted. This text was pasted into Microsoft Word from an email which probably contained a fax to Mr. Barton. Onward through the fog!

Regards,

Chairman Mal

Power to the Peeps!

In Good Legal Hands . . .

2008-08-10T18:19:00.001-07:00

Howdy Comrades!

During a grueling two hour meeting on Monday, 8/4, I met with lawyers from the Texas Civil Rights Project and plaintiffs in the lawsuit against Cap Metro to discuss the pending structured mediation scheduled for August 11 and 12^th. Judy Watford, Chair of the Access Committee and Mary Ward, Chair of the STS Subcommittee also participated. I am very impressed by the legal acumen and dedication to disability rights evinced by Jim Herington and Jodie Barton of TCRP. I recall the landmark case Mr. Herington litigated that enshrined the rights of dog guide users to use their dogs where the general public is invited. Under Title III of the ADA, the Federal judge ruled that Shiner Brewery should have allowed Mr. Sawyers to take the brewery tour accompanied by his dog guide. This case is now part of the Texas White Cane Law and set a precedent for the entire nation.

I regret that I was unable to find a web host able to publish chairmanmal.com by my self-imposed deadline of 8/08. I felt that the case with Cap Metro required the majority of my time. The ability of blind and other disabled people to get to work on time, attend social activities and retain the right to use a taxi voucher when returning from medical appointments are in great peril if Cap Metro prevails. We will not allow this to happen here in Austin. I am going over my initial statement and talking points in preparation for the mediation tomorrow morning. Wish me luck, comrades! I will report the results as soon as I am permitted to do so. A gag order may be imposed until the federal judge accepts or rejects any potential agreement.

Regards,

Chairman Mal

Power to the Peeps!

Resistance Was Futile

2008-08-02T19:57:00.001-07:00

Howdy Comrades!

Although I absolutely have no time to play with my new toy, I failed to resist opening the KNFB Mobile Reader. Damnation! It is just too cool to ignore it while I slave away at my unpaid work as a social activist. I chose Mobile Speak to make it talk because I'd heard that Nuance Talks gets a little unstable while using the GPS and map functions. Moreover, I really like the way Code Factory does business. Blind Christian uses the Windows version of Mobile Speak, and if Chris likes a program, it's got to be good. I've found that the Mobile Reader seems to do a better job at reading my documents than the KNFB Classic. The controls are more intuitive, although the tiny little buttons take some getting used to. My only gripe thus far is that the door for the SIM card is strange, requiring an up and down action to close it properly. I have not seen this in other cell phones.

I could go on at some length, but I will do so at a more propitious time. On Monday, I will be meeting with attorneys from the Texas Civil Rights Project, plaintiffs in the Cap Metro lawsuit and Judy Watford, Access Chair, to plan our strategy for the upcoming structured mediation. I need to review some recent cases and discuss the latest propaganda from Cap Metro with other Transportation Committee members from the Austin Chapter of the NFBT. I have given myself an absolute deadline of 8/8/08 for the launch of www.chairmanmal.com. Missing that date, the same day the Olympic Games begin in BEIJING is not an option. I owe it to Chen Guangcheng to begin when the eyes of the world are focused on China. Enough for now, comrades: I need to buckle down to some serious volunteer work!

Regards,

Chairman Mal

Power to the Peeps!

Structured Mediation and Random Thoughts

2008-08-01T11:39:00.001-07:00

Howdy Comrades!

A lot has transpired since I last updated this blog. Eventually I may get around to covering some of the salient events since my last post, but right now I'm involved in structured mediation with Cap Metro ordered by a federal court. Many years ago, I filed a successful complaint with the Department of Transportation concerning illegal trip restrictions used by the Austin Transit System, long before Cap Metro came on the scene. Consequently, I am getting feelings of nostalgia when I contend with the current mess with Cap Metro.

A good deal of my time has been spent learning the peculiarities of Microsoft Front Page so that I can launch my web site, www.chairmanmal.com in the next week or so. I'm excited about finally getting the site going, although it will be quite crude in its first iteration. I will cover human rights and social justice issues of many types through my typical gonzo style of journalism, but interesting fiction, informative articles and links are also part of the new venture.

I also adopted a new tech toy, the KNFB Mobile Reader which is currently sitting on my desk in the original boxes. I fear my web site could be delayed for several months if I open the boxes now. Perhaps, I can convince myself that I need to use the cell phone camera to add a picture to the web site. Hmmm! I am sorely tempted.

Of course, I will be reporting in detail about the pending negotiations with Cap Metro in the very near future. Much of the information I have, however, is under embargo until August 12^th. Stay tuned, Comrades. You will be the first to know as always.

Regards,

Chairman Mal

Power to the Peeps!

Precious Cargo and the Rolling Revolution

2008-04-05T15:07:00.001-07:00

"Precious Cargo" and the "Rolling Revolution"

Howdy Comrades!

Our cause goes marching on, battling the draconian cutbacks proposed by Cap Metro staff. After a meeting of the Access Committee earlier this year, I was waiting on my taxi. When it arrived, the new STS Director, Inez Evans, led me to the vehicle. My driver commented that Ms. Evans had been helpful, and she replied, "He's precious cargo." Comrades, I have been called precious before, but I had never been reffered to as "cargo." I think this off hand remark by Ms. Evans is quite revealing. She does not really perceive STS riders as real people, first class citizens who just happen to have a disability. Instead, we are a kind of freight that must be moved from one place to another. Give me a break! It's just that kind of thinking that is behind the very unpopular changes to STS policies Ms. Evens seems hell bent on forcing on the mobility impaired community here in Austin. Metro is learning that we are people capable of speaking for ourselves, not inanimate objects to be pushed around from here to there. Following is an article that appeared in our alternative newspaper:

Rolling Rebellion at Capital Metro

BY JUSTIN WARD

Critics of Capital Metro's proposed transit cuts to services for the disabled questioned why the agency would spend millions on a spiffy new railcar system.

Photo by John Anderson

The Capital Metro boardroom became the site of a peculiar rebellion Monday. Some of the insurgents rolled in on wheelchairs. Others were led in by dogs.

Instead of pitchforks and torches, they were brandishing canes and walkers.

Filing out of Special Transit Service buses and taxicabs, they packed into Cap Metro's lobby, where they waited to be escorted in groups of four, via the

agency's only elevator, to its second-floor boardroom. Some folks in wheelchairs had trouble making it through the front door after the button that opens

it malfunctioned at a most inopportune time. Those who arrived early had the good fortune of picking up one of the few agendas printed in braille. Those

who didn't had to borrow one. Despite the logistical challenges of getting to the meeting (both to the building and the room itself), the boardroom was

soon filled wall to wall with wheelchairs - underneath every other chair was a Seeing Eye dog curling up inconspicuously.

The motivation behind the uprising? Many with disabilities are outraged over Cap Metro's planned cuts to STS, also known as paratransit services. Under

the Americans With Disabilities Act, Cap Metro must provide service to riders with disabilities that is "parallel" to regular service. This means that

Cap Metro must supplement its fleet with special cars and vans, which provide curb-to-curb service to those who cannot ride a fixed-route bus because of

their disabilities.

Cap Metro contends that changes are necessary to rein in STS spending, which has risen by more than 80% in six years. During the 2006-2007 fiscal year,

Cap Metro spent $26.9 million - about 19% of the operating budget - on paratransit, which serves 2% of its ridership. To reduce costs, Cap Metro argues

that it must streamline paratransit - by cutting regular taxi vouchers, increasing penalties for no-shows, minimizing the number of riders who are eligible,

and cutting the hours when live operators will be in the STS call center.

Opponents at the meeting say the cuts will make a system already fraught with problems even worse. They most fiercely opposed the proposed elimination

of subscription taxi vouchers. Currently, those who qualify can receive daily vouchers for regular taxi rides to work, doctors' appointments, or dialysis

treatment. Under the proposed changes, taxi vouchers will only be used to handle overflow from standard STS vehicles.

Cap Metro officials say the vouchers are wasteful, unnecessary, and vulnerable to fraud, citing past instances where more than $100,000 was reportedly

paid to a single cabbie in one year. Hannah Riddering, a Yellow Cab operator who often carries passengers with disabilities, said fraud in the program

is exaggerated by Cap Metro and the media. "Capital Metro staff uses 'cabdriver fraud' as a bludgeon," she said. Voucher fraud was limited to a few bad

apples, who were fired more than two years ago, Riddering said, and she blames Cap Metro's lax oversight. Yellow Cab, not Cap Metro, first discovered the

abuse, she said.

Pat Bartel, who is blind and frequently uses vouchers, told the board that despite what Cap Metro is claiming, vouchers are actually cheaper than rides

in STS vehicles. According to the 2006-2007 budget, taxi vouchers accounted for $3.2 million, or 11.8% of the total paratransit budget. The maximum taxi

voucher allowed per ride is $14, while the average cost-per-ride for all STS services, including taxis and STS vehicles, is $46.50, the bulk of which goes

to maintaining its fleet and paying drivers. Others noted that STS buses often waste resources because Cap Metro will sometimes use an entire bus to transport

one person.

Cap Metro originally planned to eliminate vouchers in March and did so, briefly, until a successful lawsuit brought by the Texas Civil Rights Project forced

the agency to reinstate them. When Cap Metro abruptly stopped issuing vouchers without warning, it severely impacted those who had depended on them, including

Cheryl Fszol, who says she lost her job as a result. Fszol suffers from seizures brought on by stress and also paralyzing migraines from a brain tumor.

The STS vans dropped her off an hour before work each day. Her boss wouldn't allow her to go into the building until someone else showed up, so she would

sit outside in the dark, often having seizures in the parking lot from the stress. She was fired from her job, she said, because the company did not want

to be liable if she were injured from her seizures.

Cap Metro originally planned to implement the changes without a public hearing, despite Federal Transit Administration regulations that require public

participation whenever there are changes to paratransit policy. The changes were billed as "procedural" rather than changes in policy, so it was deemed

unnecessary to hold a hearing. Cap Metro Access Advisory Committee members took turns blasting STS Director Inez Evans for failing to consult directly

with the committee or with the disabled community at-large. "All of these changes were just rammed through," said Malcolm Graham, who is blind and a member

of the access committee. "They presented [them] as if it were a done deal."

Evans opted to bypass the access committee altogether and hired a consulting firm called Texas Citizen Fund. The firm was paid $27,000 to conduct six focus

groups, which had a total of 174 participants. The firm apparently told Cap Metro exactly what it wanted to hear: that everyone approved, with the exception

of a few minor complaints that required tinkering.

Many opponents say Evans is the driving force behind the proposed changes, though she insists that these events were set into motion long before she took

the position. She cited a report from two years ago, which made many of the same recommendations. Bartel said that what Evans is doing in Austin is consistent

with her history in the transit industry. Evans worked for a company called MV Transportation, which is the paratransit equivalent of an efficiency expert,

Bartel said, with a pattern of reducing services to the minimum required by ADA.

When MV took over paratransit service in Washington, D.C., Evans was put in charge. The Washington Post reported in 2006: "In the first three weeks under

the new contractor [MV], Metro received record numbers of complaints from riders, thousands of whom said they were stranded, picked up late or mistreated

by drivers or reservationists. MV executives have blamed poor data from [the former contractor], the learning curve of new drivers and reservationists,

and telephone problems." Evans resigned from MV after six months on the job. She insists that it was purely a personal decision to take a better job in

California.

Evans plans to bring in an outside contractor to do what is called a "functional assessment" of STS riders, to determine if they are physically capable

of riding a fixed-route bus, with the intent of bumping riders from STS rolls. But wheelchair-bound riders are concerned that an influx of wheelchairs

on buses will be problematic, since all buses only have two wheelchair spots. If both spots are taken, then riders will have to wait as long as an hour

for the next bus. Also, the examinations would require riders to turn over personal medical information to Cap Metro, which they consider an invasion of

privacy.

Some at the meeting urged Cap Metro to get its priorities straight. Several speakers said it is appalling that the agency can cough up $100 million to

build a commuter train, yet it has to cut services for the disabled in the name of saving money. "Many of the comments in the media make it seem like we

were riding in limousines," said Richard Villa, who is blind. "I think most of us - if we had a choice - wouldn't use the system, at all."

--~--~---------~--~----~------------~-------~--~----~

You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "CapMetroAccessCommittee" group.

To post to this group, send email to metroaccess@googlegroups.com

--The Cap Metro Board called a public hearing to discuss seven changes to STS policy on April 15^th. See you there!

Regards,

Chairman Mal

Power to the Peeps!

Cap Metro Attempts to Roll Over STS Passengers

2008-03-28T10:21:00.001-07:00

Howdy Comrades!

Events in Austin have moved rapidly since my last post about Cap Metro's power play to crush the opinions of Access members in order to implement a bare bones Para-transit service for the Austin area. Inez Evans sparked the controversy last month when she made a rare appearance at the Access STS Subcommittee meeting. Ignoring the opinions and needs of STS passengers, she presented a plan that will eliminate the very successful taxi voucher program, a program many depend upon to get to and from work, return from dialysis treatments, the pharmacy and other trips that require flexible return times. As a consequence, the Texas Civil Rights project filed a lawsuit in State Court and obtained a temporary restraining order because Metro had skipped the required public hearings before such draconian changes could be made. Metro appealed the judge's decision to federal court. A federal judge set a hearing for mid May. Meantime, Metro staff paid about $27,000.00 to the Texas Citizen's Fund to conduct so-called focus group meetings, attempting to bill them as public hearings. When it became clear to staff that this idea would not fly, a public hearing. was scheduled for April 15. Following is email sent to the Access Google group about this hearing.

Friends of Access,

I agree with Judy that this hearing seems to once again shut out input from

Access. It is ironic, to say the least, that the hearing is scheduled for

4/15, the deadline for filing federal income tax returns. I also agree with

ADAPT that the "devil is in the details." The problem Access has

encountered has been in getting accurate details from staff. At this point,

we must take any facts and figures given to us by staff with a grain of

salt. Hand me a salt shaker, already! We do know that Cap Metro has spent

a phenomenal sum by purchasing the most technically advanced train from

Europe for the rather limited commuter rail project. We also know that Cap

Metro provides personal limousines for sighted drivers who carpool where

buses aren't available. I believe the charge is just 25 bucks a month for

that service. The editorial in the Statesman says that Cap metro must

constrain compassion with frugality in funding the special Transit Program.

I really can't fathom how anyone can use the terms "Cap Metro" and

"frugality" in the same sentence without laughing out loud. The disability

community has a right to demand a Special Transit service that is second to

none based on what Metro is willing to spend on its pet projects. I won't

be available on Saturday because I am a delegate to the Travis county

Democratic Convention. I will, however, keep in touch. Finally, I want to

express my profound sadness for the death of John Slatin, a gifted poet and

role model for many blind people.

Regards,

Malcolm Graham

Access Member

Chair, ATC/NFB Transportation Committee

----- Original Message -----

From: "Judy W" <

judyw@austin.rr.com>

To: "

Metroaccess@Googlegroups

. Com" <

metroaccess@googlegroups.com>

Sent: Friday, March 28, 2008 6:53 AM

Subject: board hearing at Criss cole

> Nancy Crowther confirmed the room at Criss Cole according to staff to co

> host the meeting with the Mayor's committee. Why do some staff and board

> members wonder why there is a lack of trust in some Metro staff. Tina Bui

> of

> governmental relations called me to discuss this matter and I let her know

> that if the access committee was bypassed once again I couldn't be

> responsible for committee responses or resolutions. I think Malcolm was

> considering dealing with our laiaison problem in some way, but he can

> speak

> for himself. The board hasn't even decided when or if all of them can come

> to the public hearing on April 15. Again, this was not Ron's fault. He was

> approached by Nancy Crowther. These are the facts as I have obtained them

> from the Mayor's committee, Criss Cole, and metro staff.

> Please call all friends and political organizations to have people at the

> board meeting. I will be unavailable on Saturday and Sunday. I have a

> funeral on

> Sunday. John Slatin, a champion of access, passed away this week.

> Judy

--I apologize that I failed to take the time to reformat the email, but I am under very tight deadlines with respect to other matters. Stay tuned to the Little Red Book for Future updates on this exploding issue.

Regards,

Chairman Mal

Power to the Peeps!

Cap Metro in Federal Court

2008-03-18T00:26:00.001-07:00

Cap Metro in Federal Court!

. . . And the axe man cometh!

Howdy Comrades!

Much as happened recently with the blind community here in Central Texas since I last wrote about the mendacious bunch of bean counting incompetents. Metro now finds itself in federal court because a new STS Director decided to screw over the community, slashing services to the most vulnerable citizens here in Austin without due process, skipping all those annoying little matters such as public hearings. Ho! Hum! Consequently the Texas Civil Rights Project was forced to take them to Court. Its likely Metro will have spend more money getting out of this messs than they would have had the legal process been followed. Following is a document authored by a fellow traveler, so to speak, that provides some insights into this tragicomic situation: T

His document contains a response concerning the proposed cuts in the taxi voucher program. I want everyone who is unfamiliar with this program to understand what Cap Metro is attempting to do.

Note that Capital Metro refused to pay me the cost of materials to emboss the documents concerning proposed changes to our paratransit system. I could easily have produced hundreds of these documents, for they are necessary. But again, Metro is not interested in the visually impaired having equal access, despite the fact that not all of us have access to a computer with adaptive software.

My name is Pat Bartel. I am an Sts rider who has produced the following information with the help of other Sts passengers who are also suffering because Capital Metro has once again tried to implement policies without approval. As the first step, they refused to seek approval from the Access Advisory committee and did not consult the Capital Metro board.

Capital Metro Continues to Mislead and Lie to Taxpayers.

The Biggest Lie: Cutting taxi vouchers will save money and lower cost. In actuality, limiting taxi voucher use will cost more.

Each ADA eligible rider who recently lost their permanent as well as pharmacy taxi vouchers, will now cost more than twice as much to accommodate on an STS vehicle. Currently, the average cost for a person to complete a trip in an Sts vehicle is over $45 while a taxi voucher costs Capital Metro less than half of this amount. When taxi vouchers are substantially reduced, these riders will make their trips at a much higher expense because they will then be forced to ride in Sts vehicles. Therefore, since taxi vouchers have already been terminated improperly, costs for Capital Metro will rise; they will not fall as Capital Metro would like you to believe.

Consider the following: If taxi vouchers are reduced by 75 percent, costs for Cap Metro will rise from an estimated $26.9 million to $29.3 million, Metro will lose over $2.4 million. However, if the number of taxi vouchers is doubled, the annual cost savings for Capital Metro would be over $3 million. This is a fact that Capital Metro staff, especially those who are opposed to the taxi voucher program, have failed to reveal. They allege that Sts riders caused past fraud, when, in reality, this abuse proved to be the actions of several cab drivers. It is typical of Capital Metro to cover their mistakes by misrepresenting the facts.

Capital Metro states that the complex and unapproved changes, which would cause undue physical and emotional hardship on its riders as well as restricting independence, that are open for discussion will save only $1.4 million.

In order to fulfill its promise to drastically cut costs, Capital Metro plans to implement a tactic called Functional Assessments, (they soften it by labeling this as an In-Person Interview), starting in 2009. However, Capital Metro has failed to inform Sts riders who their contractor is; they have failed to outline actual costs for this service as well as any costs for the appeals process when passengers are improperly kicked off the system; they failed to seek the approval of the Access Advisory committee for this contractor; and they have provided no details on the medical expertise of this contractor. Yet, they expect both Fred Butler and the Texas Citizen Fund to write a meaningful report for the Cap Metro Board on this issue. Clearly, the facts as well as the figures are being manipulated and an accurate picture is blatantly being withheld.

This current data misrepresentation and disinformation is reminiscent to what MV Transportation, Inc., a company which obtains contracts nationwide to provide paratransit services, engaged in at the Riverside California Transit agency in 2005. MV Transportation, whose apparent philosophy is to provide paratransit service only to a minimalist degree, is the same company where current STS director, Inez Evans, worked as vice president of operations for a year and a half.

Furthermore, an issue which seemingly relates to the current attitude of Capital Metro staff, who insist upon the implementation of unapproved policies as merely "procedural changes", may be the fact, (as reported by the Washington Post), that in 2006, Inez Evans resigned from MV Transportation, as the general manager for Metro Access in Washington, D.C. Of great importance is the fact that until the Metro Access board listened to input from an advisory group similar to the Access Advisory Committee for Cap Metro, MV Transportation was unable to facilitate a smooth transition from Logisticare, the prior paratransit contractor, whose transgressions caused class action lawsuits as well as congressional investigations.

Finally, one must also ask the question: Why has Nancy Crowther, the proclaimed ADA specialist for STS at Cap Metro, taken no apparent action to stop this arrogant misuse of authority. Note that she is disabled herself, she repeatedly portrays herself to be an advocate of civil rights for all disabilities, yet she tows the party line and goes along with whatever Inez Evans and other Sts policy makers declare.

It is time to stand up to Capital Metro. Stand up for your rights. Ask that the Access Advisory Committee be granted the power that it deserves, to act as a watch dog over Cap MetrostSts; after all, we have oversight committees in Congress to keep a president from becoming a dictator. Do not accept any more lies. Ask questions and demand detailed information. Demand accountability and accept nothing but the truth.

There's more to follow, comrades. Eventually, we hope to fully elucidate this entire story on my web site, chairmanmal.com, now under construction. Stay tuned folks!

Regards,

Chairman Mal

Power to the Peeps!

Note: I did not spell check Comrade Pat's screed because I want to show how rushed everyone has been in responding to the perfidious bastards at Cap Metro.

Blind News and KNFB Reader Upgrade

2008-02-23T18:58:00.001-08:00

Howdy Comrades!

I apologize for neglecting the blog for so long, but I have been very busy with the Texas Democratic primary, the soaring market in precious metals and personal matters. I will relate additional information about these activities in future posts.

My major beef today is that Blind News seems to be out of business for the time being. Based on what I think are frivolous and rather grandiose complaints by some authors who objected that their intellectual property had been included for distribution by Blind News, Free Lists discontinued the service. I can’t fathom why such authors object to having their materials made available to persons who are blind and are usually precluded from reading these articles at the original source. I hope Blind news will resume very soon, perhaps in a country with clearer copyright laws. I have found this service to be an invaluable resource in keeping abreast of how blindness related stories are being reported in the world media. I have befriended several international writers as a direct result of finding their articles through Blind News. Let us all thank Jeff and Leon for their tireless efforts with Blind News. If I can assist in any manner, please let me know.

I am also very excited about the prospect of upgrading my current KNFB reader to the cell phone based unit. Talk about killing more than two birds with one stone! I can finance the upgrade with just one platinum trade, and I feel fortunate to be in this blessed position. Comrades, I’ve missed blogging and hope to publish with greater regularity very soon.

Regards,

Chairman Mal

Power to the Peeps!

Buy Indian Gold

2008-01-15T08:53:00.001-08:00

Howdy Comrades!

From the dearth of recent posts on my favorite blog, Blind Confidential, I surmise that Chris Hofstadter has skyed off to India on some feckless quest to discover new access technology or that magic algorithm to solve all our AT problems. Ho, hum. I’d hoped to remind him to purchase 22k gold Indian jewelry for his spouse Susan, both as a well deserved reward for putting up with his quirky behavior and a tremendous investment. If you’re listening BC, get thee to a reputable jewelry store and purchase as much 22k gold jewelry as you can afford. Don’t pay more than ten percent over the spot price. Tanishq is the largest jeweler retailer in India with

A chain of stores (around 80 stores) all around the country, from the

House of TATA. There is a karat meter to test the purity of Gold in

Most of the Tanishq show rooms where you can do a non-destructive

purity testing to ensure the gold purity.

There are three Tanishq stores in Bangalore - one in Dickenson Road,

One in Jayanagar and the third one is in Malleswaram. You can look at

www.tanishq.in for the address details and the details about the

Brand / company. Be safe and live long and prosper.

Regards,

Chairman Mal

Power to the Peeps!

Cap Metro Power Play Part Two

2008-01-10T15:23:00.001-08:00

Cap Metro Power Play Part Two

Howdy Comrades!

As predicted in my post last December, Cap Metro officials are apparently seeking to limit the power or intimidate the Access Advisory Committee again. Under the guise of “determining future strategies for STS,” the Chair and Vice-Chair of the Access Committee have been summoned to a confab with the powers that be at the agency. Two disabled citizens pitted against at least five Cap Metro officials. These officials include a rep from the legal department, the Assistant Director of Cap Metro, Director of Para-Transit, and Gina Estrada, Metro Board Liaison and the ubiquitous Nancy Crowther, our so-called ADDA / Accessibility expert and general factotum. Do I smell just a whiff of a possible gang bang in the works here? Metro is probably devoting 250 man hours to this rather vaguely defined meeting according to one estimate by an expert source, who happens to be both a gentleman and a statesman.

The question arises, what is Cap Metro really up to by calling this high caliber meeting? Moreover, if the meeting is so important, why weren’t members of the major consumer group in the blind community, the Austin Chapter of the National Federation of the Blind, invited to attend these important deliberations? Moreover, if the point of the meeting is to explore the future of the Special Transit Service and accessible transportation in our community, why has Metro lawyered up? NFB boasts two excellent lawyers as members of our local chapter, and I’m sure we could get one or both of them to attend as well. After all, that’s only fair, right?

Well, comrades, I’m not sure if this meeting will actually happen. Clearly, the disability community here in Austin will not stand for the Access Committee’s role being diminished, and we will continue to speak truth to power; the Cap Metro Board. If staff thinks this latest gambit will scare our Access Chair, Ms. Judy Watford, they simply don’t know her or her supporters. Ms. Watford has been speaking truth to political leaders here in Austin since the late 1970’s. She will not be cowed or shocked and awed into submission. What’s more, she has the backing of the Access Committee. Comrades, stay tuned and prepare to man the barricades when called!

Regards,

Chairman Mal

Power to the Peeps!

Blind Panthers Endorse Ron Paul

2008-01-08T10:21:00.000-08:00

PRESS RELEASE
For Immediate Release: Blind Panthers Endorse Dr. Ron Paul for Republican Nomination
Attention Comrades!
Following two suspicious deaths and one suicide, the Central Committee of the Austin Chapter of the Blind Panthar Party has voted unanimously to endorse Dr. Ron Paul for the Republican Nomination for President of the United States. Our Dear Leader, Chairman Mal, declared after the vote that “Dr. Paul is the only candidate who can extricate us from the war with Iran which is scheduled by the Pork chop Butt faction of the Bush Administration to begin in the summer of 2008.” In addition, Chairman Mal praised Dr. Paul’s stand on abolition of Federal drug laws, a position that will help blind people who need to use medical marijuana. “My eyes hurt,” he stated, “and the Feds have no cause to hassle me for trying to get some relief.”
The BPP/ATC also wants to make the following points in favor of Dr. Paul:
1. Dr. Paul is a Texan who can restore the image of the Lone Star State destroyed by the Bush Administration.
2. Most of Dr. Paul’s supporters are really good with computers and could help blind people get better Access Technology.
3. As a physician, Dr. Paul can cut the budget of the Whitehouse staff by assuming some of the duties of the Executive Medical Staff.
4. Dr. Paul believes in real money, gold and silver and that will solve our economic problems.
Therefore, all blind people are hereby ordered to cast their votes for Dr. Ron Paul in the New Hampshire primary and thereafter. For more information please contact Drew L Spitz, Director of Very Public Affairs, BPP/ATC

After Word: There is absolutely no truth to the vicious rumor that Chairman Mal stole a hoard of Gold Ron Paul dollars to hide in his basement. Chairman Mal’s house does not have a basement.