Thanks, Butch, for causing me to reconsider unsubscribing from this
list.  I wouldn't even comment normally, except I've been following
this unfortunate conversation all day, as my email gets pushed to my
iphone.
I've gone through periods where I have had a job, and periods where I haven't.
I was once forced to sit for two hours at a mass hire event for a
local grocery store, only to be told I was not up to the task of being
a store clerk.
I showed up 15 minutes early, and was not even spoken to by a store
employee until literally everyone else had gone.
I have been stolen from by an employer at a telemarketing call center,
who lied on the paper work and claimed that the commission I made was
his.  I got ripped out of 200 dollars in one single two week pay
period, and that was just one.  When I showed the company owner the
paper work which clearly showed my log entries and commission
receipts, he told me that he had to trust the man who could see.
These aren't pity stories or dramatics, simply facts.
I've also had work environments where I've been treated fairly well.
Not all employers are bad, and not all blind folks like us are
victims.  I think it's great that anyone in this economy has a job,
not just blind people, but all people.  Being able to hold a job, keep
it together, and cope artfully with the stress and craziness of the
modern world is a task for all people, regardless of disability
status.  All you guys on the list who have jobs, that's awesome.  I
commend the folks who have had the advantage, motivation, and good
circumstances to go to college and have been able to get work and
navigate efficiently through life.  And to the guys who don't have a
job at the moment, keep your head up.  Life can turn on a dime.  You
might just go to bed with a job tomorrow or the next day if you take a
few risks, put yourself out there, and look in the right place.In
closing, whether you're on the left or right, Obama or Ragan,
republican, democrat, atheist, Christian, bhuddist, etc., we're all
human beings, and we're all in this together.  Furthermore, we're all
united by our love of radio, and the many common experiences we've all
shared over blindness. This is, after all, the blind hams list.  I've
met some really great people on this list, and gotten some great
advice, and enjoyed some wonderful ragchews with several guys I've
gotten to know as a result of this list.  If not for this group, I'd
probably have stomped my nearly incomprehencible baofeng uv5r into
peaces, and said screw it by now.
Sorry for the extended rant, but I just wanted to put my two cents in
here, god forbid I keep the flame war going, as that's certainly not
what I'm trying for.
This list has been a very welcoming and much appreciated resource for
me as I've started my own ham radio journey over these last few
months, and I can't state enough how much help you guys and gals have
all been with all my newbie questions.
Here's hoping cooler heads can prevail.
Now, what were we talking about again?  Radios or something?

73,
Zach, KK4RUZ

On 7/18/13, Butch Bussen <[log in to unmask]> wrote:
> Many of you on this list know my story of my brief employment with bureau
> of services to the blind in Nevada and the discrimination i went through
> there.  It was literally the year from hell in my life.  Discrimination
> against the blind is out there and makes it extremely difficult for us to
> find employment.  What always has annoyed me are those who are fortunate
> and lucky enough to have found a good paying job acting like if we'd just
> get off of our asses and put forth some effort we could be where they are.
> Sure it takes work, but also a fair dab of good fortune and good luck.
> I've been there.  You're not necessarily better than the rest of us, just
> luckier.
>
> As for me affording all this stuff like my 990 and Alpha 9500.  Believe me
> if my wife Libbie were still here, that money would be still in savings
> for a trip or cruise.  I lost her In December of 2010 and there is still a
> big hole in my life and I guess there always will be.  Do I enjoy this
> high priced gear?  Sure I do, but I'd give a thousand 990s to have her
> back.  Those of you who have good jobs, be thankful and try not to look
> down on those folks who for various reasons don't.  If you have a wife or
> husband, be thankful and enjoy every moment.  That is my two cents worth.
>
>
> 73
> Butch
> WA0VJR
> Node 3148
> Wallace, ks.
>