From: Steve Zielinski 
Subject: Re: Why the NFB
Thian,
	Thanks very much for the additional information.  No, I do not in 
any way take it out of context and also take the statement for what it 
is, a statement of power.  It is also brutal politics unfortunately.  
Nevertheless, it says a whole lot about where Mr. Jernigan is coming from 
and explains a lot about why the federation is what it is politically.  
Quite unfortunate.  
	I had an experience when working with Jamal Mazrui on his case 
which is quite interesting.  During the campaign I got a phone call from 
Homer Page who was then involved with the leadership.  For all I know he 
still is, I just don't know.  He asked me if I was intending to hold a 
picket of the federation board on the next day.  He indicated that rumor 
had it that I was.  I was quite astounded since there was absolutely no 
plan for any kind of picket, though it probably was a good idea.  This 
showed me how one of the ttactics used by the leadership when under 
pressure is to promote rumor and innuendo.  I don't know who started the 
picket rumor and I admit the leadership made a call to find out, but the 
very idea of a picket was never considered.  I know none of us who were 
involved with the Mazrui case ever considered a picket, to the best of my 
personal knowledge.  Nevertheless, there was the rumor.  So how did it 
get started anyway?  We'll never know.  Others were in the room when the 
call came in and we discussed the phone call afterwards.  So I also 
wanted to get first hand knowledge of a statement if possible as I quite 
recall the phone call from Page and this whole experience makes me want 
to varify what I hear when possible.  I know you would understand.  And 
again, testing facts, verifying issues and statements is part of a more 
open democratic process.  
Take care and have a nice day. 
On Sun, 19 Apr 1998, Monthian Buntan wrote:
> 
> 
> Hello,
> 
> I heard it myself as I sat with Dr. Jernigan.  A man from one country in
> Asia, who was and still is admiring nfb's achievement in its persistent in
> the philosophy of blindness, asked him such question.
> 
> Regards,
> 
> Thian.
> 
> PS:  I hope the statement I quoted earlier was not taken out of context.
> 
> 
> On Sat, 18 Apr 1998, Steve Zielinski wrote:
> 
> > 
> > 
> > Thian,
> > 
> > 	Interesting comments there.  Were you able to hear this comment 
> > of Mr. Jernigan first hand or was the information passed on to you from a 
> > source who was there?  When did this happen?  I ask this so as to 
> > establish the historical context of the statement and to gain further 
> > knowledge.  Thanks
> > 
> > Steve
> > 
> > 
> > On Fri, 17 Apr 1998, Mr. Monthian Buntan wrote:
> > 
> > > 
> > > 
> > > Perhaps some of us may find this comment helpful and please feel free 
o
> > > state any further comment.
> > > 
> > > I remember listening to one of Dr. Tenbroek's speeches which stated 
hat
> > > the organized blind movement must be strong by its determination and
> > > purpose, and must be democratic by its process.
> > > 
> > >   Also at a dining table in Melborne, Australia, one person asked Dr.
> > > Jernigan when he would step down (meaning when he would let the
> > > organization run on its own by new generation without much of his
> > > involvement)?  And I remember very clearly that he said "power cannot 
e
> > > given.  It mmust be taken.  If I give power to anyone, then he/she does 
not
> > > really have power on his/her own."  Dr. Kenneth Jernigan is indeed a 
living
> > > blind philosopher of our time.  But how many people, even many of us in 
the
> > > federation, really understand what he has said?
> > > 
> > > Cheers,
> > > 
> > > Thian.
> > > 
> > > 
> > > 
> > > 
> > 
> > 
> > +----------------------------+
> > |  Steve Zielinski  (N8UJS)  |
> > |      stevez@ripco.com      |
> > +----------------------------+
> > 
> > 
> 
> 
> 
+----------------------------+
|  Steve Zielinski  (N8UJS)  |
|      stevez@ripco.com      |
+----------------------------+
---
 # Origin: NFBnet  Internet Email Gateway (1:282/1045)
---------------