I am not a member of the NFB, but I did get a chance t5o see the October 
Braille Monitor.  I couldn't agree with you more reegarding the general tone 
of the discussion.
     I have been using Seeing Eye dogs for the past seventeen yearts and have 
found such an approach to be extremely beneficial.
     I can add very little to what you have already said, except that if the 
NFB is as intolerant of guide dog use as the Monitor might well lead 
non-members to believe, I would feel very uncomfortable as a member of such 
an association.  Although the Federation has several Canadian members, 
eventhese people know that such a hostile attitude doesn't reflect the values 
of the Canadian blind consumer movement.
     The NFB has attempted, on several occasions, to expand its activities 
into our country.  In fact, my mother recalls being approached during the 
1950's by someone who wanted to starta chapter in my home province.  It 
didn't work then and it can'tpossibly work now if flexibility and tolerance 
are not part of the Federations basic values.
     Co-operation is always possible, but we would nt feel comfortable about 
allowing Americans to drive our own consumer movement.
     The NFB has to show us that it's prepared to deal with its own memberts 
on ezuitable terms.  If that does not happen, I think the credibility of the 
entire organization will suffer,even though its basic philosophy is sound.
--- Maximus 3.01
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