KaraSwims - All Comments

Re: What Biden as the VP means for people with disabilities

asnet — Thu, 28 Aug 2008 20:29:08 GMT

Good question. I don't know the answer for sure. A VP candidate needs at least two of three things: 1) good rapport with the presidential candidate; 2) political appeal to voters who are not strong on the presidential candidate (tho most pollers do not consider this to be realistic, JFK’s choice of Lyndon Johnson in 1960 is the best example of why they are wrong); 3) expertise to fill in some area where the presidential candidate may be weak. Biden meets the first and third criteria, but not the second. In primaries and presidential nomination attempts he has done poorly outside Delaware. Does the fact that he recognizes the issue of disability make a significant difference? What do the pollers say about this? Make no mistake: I like and respect Biden enormously. But will his nomination make any difference on Election Day?

Re: What Biden as the VP means for people with disabilities

JimK — Thu, 28 Aug 2008 20:06:27 GMT

The important thing is not what Senator Biden has done for us in the past, but what he intends to do for us as Vice President. Most politicians promise everyone the world with a fence around it, but few ever come through with even a blade of grass. Senator Obama may have made a good choice in his selection of Senator Biden as his running mate. But that is no excuse for Senator Obama to have ignored the series of questions sent to all Presidential candidates by the American Association of People with Disabilities. That tells me that Senator Obama will continue discriminating against us, just as much now as we have been in the past.

Re: What Biden as the VP means for people with disabilities

RIredwheel — Thu, 28 Aug 2008 12:42:09 GMT

Just curious--how was McCain "instrumental in getting the ADA passed?" I don't recall his involvement--but I'm willing to be educated!

Re: What Biden as the VP means for people with disabilities

RIredwheel — Wed, 27 Aug 2008 18:45:51 GMT

Question for KBear--how was McCain instrumental in getting the ADA passed? I am asking a serious question--I don;t recall hearing much about him on that specific topic--?

Re: And the award for worst Paralympic promotional video goes to...

Su — Wed, 27 Aug 2008 01:39:17 GMT

After watching the video "Everyone is number one," I wonder how China used that theme and still chose this video and the song to represent the Paralympics- I would consider this a dark comedy and I am sure that not one person who wrote this script or made the video has any knowledge of persons with disabilities! For a minute, I thought it was going to make me feel like the moment in a Walt Disney cartoon where there is real tragedy......like Bambi's Mother being shot by a hunter, or Nemo being separated from his family....and then I realized that it really just about doom and gloom....I hope more understanding of disabilities is in the future .While watching this video, I wore that confused face and had to smile when the film was just ridiculous.

Re: And the award for worst Paralympic promotional video goes to...

Cheryl — Tue, 26 Aug 2008 22:21:04 GMT

I thought that it was bad enough when NBC interviewed Natalie du Toit, the open water swimmer with a leg amputation. They asked awesome questions like "how did your parents feel when they had to choose to amputate your leg?" and "how do you manage to not blame your performance on your amputation?" I can't find the video, but it was pretty classless.

Re: When waves and wheels collide: How do you enjoy the beach?

Susie — Tue, 26 Aug 2008 05:19:43 GMT

Love the pictures and the beach wheelchair looks like it would be awesome!! lol

» Blog Archive » Went to the beach

» Blog Archive » Went to the beach — Mon, 25 Aug 2008 20:54:51 GMT

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Live at the New Media Big Tent

Disabled Politico — Mon, 25 Aug 2008 14:42:09 GMT

I'm sitting here listing to an African Choir belt out an early morning chant and waiting to leave

Re: What Biden as the VP means for people with disabilities

KaraSwims — Sun, 24 Aug 2008 04:40:00 GMT

@cherrol: Wow...cool bit of personal information to reflect on Biden's character. That was really a thoughtful parenting move to go out of his way to take the Amtrak rather than move his sons after such a traumatic time for any family. I'm in agreement with you that I think they are a good balance for each other.

Re: What Biden as the VP means for people with disabilities

cherrol47 — Sun, 24 Aug 2008 02:57:00 GMT

I believe Barack made the best choice for a running mate. Joe Biden is the real article. He balances out Obama. What one doesn' t have, the other does. Hubby and I know Biden as a person. He lived in my hubby's home town of Claymont, De. Is a good fair man to deal with. And when he lost his wife and daughter in a car accident, rather than move to Washington, he kept his home in De. for his 2 sons, and took the commute Amtrak train from Wilmington, De to Dc daily, so his son's could have a more normal life with dad accessible for them. He doesn' t give up and will tell you straight what he thinks, whether it's the popular opinion or not. I think they make a great team. Watch and you will be surprised! In Biden's speech to day, he referred to average American's sitting around their kitchen table after dinner and discussing how they were going to pay the bills, while McCain would be wondering which of his 7 kitchen tables to sit at. ! Bush/McCain- one in the same. NO thanks!

Re: What Biden as the VP means for people with disabilities

KaraSwims — Sun, 24 Aug 2008 02:35:04 GMT

@bluetigermo: Thanks! It was a productive morning for me:-) Your comment helped clarify for me why I liked much of what I found this morning...it felt like we were identified as an important population and not just in a patronizing way. After reading about so many solutions, I'm getting even more anxious to start seeing some of them actually applied!

Re: What Biden as the VP means for people with disabilities

bluetigermo47 — Sat, 23 Aug 2008 23:30:31 GMT

@KaraSwims, Wow girl, you really did your homework and I'm going to have to read those links you offered. I'm a Democrat, but in some cases, I vote for the person and ideas that will benefit me as member of the disabled community and a worker. Obama and Biden get what we want-someone who not only identifies us as an important voting block, but can also offer some concrete solutions. I, like you, am concerned about McCain's stance on disability issues. I think if he can get them under budget, he'll support them. If not, they are not important to him.

Re: What Biden as the VP means for people with disabilities

KaraSwims — Sat, 23 Aug 2008 20:03:40 GMT

@Dominick and KBear Thanks for bringing different perspectives to the table! I'm not a believer that inexperience in terms of fewer years is necessarily an indicator of who can do a job better. McCain's words at the disability webcast a few words ago were exceptionally worrisome to me...it sounded to me like he thought was a nice idea for people with disabilities to live in the community but his wording on the concern of the COST for this indicated he has no intention of directing funds that way and making it happen. Keep the thoughts coming!

Re: What Biden as the VP means for people with disabilities

kbear — Sat, 23 Aug 2008 18:42:47 GMT

Probably would have done better with Chet Edwards from Texas. Guess he thought voters might confuse him with John Edwards. I think Biden is ok as far as support from disabled groups. But I think McCain, a disabled veteran, will also do well. They both were instrumental in getting the ADA passed. Probably the difference now is their positons on the Community Choice Act. McCain supports the idea of the persons returning to their homes, but is concerned about the potential cost. Obama's biggest problem is that Joe Biden's remarks have contradicted the Democrat nominee's qualities and positions with regard to the importance of experience, the war in Iraq, and his praise of John McCain. As Obama says on his website header, if you believe "...in my ability to bring about real change in Washington...", then why did he pick Joe Biden?