From: 
Subject: re: Re: Dillon County NFB
Right on, Denise Mackenstadt!
I have monitored the mail on this list for a couple of weeks now,
and I thank Mr. Andrews for clarifying the purpose of the listserv. 
 It is important that we not reopen old wounds, and to some extent
re-invent history.  I cannot however leave some of the comments
directed at the character of our national leadership unanswered.  
The history of the attacks on the infrastructure of the
organization by persons in California, Washington and Iowa is well
documented, and we are not going to rewrite it now.  Suffice it to
say, that some fourteen or so years after the dust completely
settled on the California/Washington situation, we need only look
at the tremendous accomplishments of the NFB to see who was right
and how far we have come.  We ought to leave it to the sore losers,
and those who dwell on bitterness and hatred to misrepresent
history.
To deny Doctor Jernigan the right to the Title of doctor, is to
deny the enormity of his contributions to the entire field of work
with the blind.  No, he isn't God, nor does he expect anyone to
"bow down" to him.  However, to deny that he is a man of vision, is
either due to complete ignorance, or from resentment and out and
out hostility.  Some of us should really examine our motives, then
determine what is in our own best self-interest.
The most important thing to the blind of this nation is the only
real organization of the blind--the National Federation of the
Blind.  We should put the organization above all else--
personalities, personal feelings, or any one individual.  If we
really understand why we were organized in the first place, we will
most certainly have a different perspective on activities of the
past, the present and the actions of our future leaders.  This
organization is one, national organization, that issue was settled
in the 1960s and again in the 1980s.  We have to move forward, and
those who want to languish in the past will simply not be with us. 
Let those who think the organization has not changed in fourteen
years come to New Orleans.  I think you will be surprised at the
dynamics of the activities there.  All of the new programs and
activities have been overseen by the national State and local
leaders from throughout this land.  And, indeed Doctor Jernigan,
Mr. Maurer, and yes, Sharon Gold too, have worked hard--I dare say
to a fault to bring this organization to the level of
sophistication unparalleled in the field of disabilities.  Let's
help them, and quit sniping. 
On to New Orleans and NFB-Talk.
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