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From: David.Andrews@p0.f89.n129.z1.fidonet.org (David Andrews)
Newsgroups: misc.handicap
Subject: Re: NFB/ACB differences
Message-ID: <13183@bunker.UUCP>
Date: 26 Jul 90 17:21:36 GMT
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[This is from the Blink Talk Conference]

 MA> It's interesting that you compare belonging to one of the  
 MA> organizations to belonging to a political party.  When I  
 MA> registered to vote, I registered as an independent.  I liked  
 MA> some things about the democrats' position and some about the  
 MA> republicans.  I also found that while the hard-core philosophy  
 MA> was very different, there were degrees in each group and  
 MA> sometimes I liked the democratic candidate better and sometimes  
 MA> the republican.  

Marda,  I suppose that we do live in a grey world, not black or
white, but shades, and you or anyone can and should decide to stay
independent if that is what you wish.  You can pick and choose
candidates or ideas as you see fit.  I am not saying this is
wrong.  However, if you do this, you are not embracing the
underlying philosophy of either party or organization.  You are
picking and choosing what you are comfortable with.  At one time,
the Democrats and Republicans had major underlying differences
between their parties, what they believed, what government should
do and how you should get there.  These differences have changed
and eroded some, and there is less loyalty on everybodies part,
however there are still differences.  If you say you are a
Democrat, believe in what they stand for, work for the party etc.,
then you can't be a Republican.  If you take from both, which is
okay, and your choice, you are not really either.

 MA> I would be interested in knowing the  
 MA> difference in philosophy between the nfb and the acb.  What did  
 MA> the acb disagree with when the split occurred?  

I was not around then, so am not an expert, but from what I know,
people felt that they did not have enough personal leeway within
the organization, that is they couldn't act as individuals without
action from the NFB leadership.  Likewise, I suspect the NFB
leadership at the time would have felt that the organization in its
convention had agreed on policy and approach, and individuals were
acting devicively against the organization.  The NFB does have, and
has always had a strong national leadership.  Some people are
uncomfortable with that.  This leadership, commitment and unity is
in large part what has allowed us to accomplish as much as we
have.  While I don'g agree with everything, I agree with most
things and what I agree with and the good I think it does, far
outweighs what I disagree with.

 MA> As for joining  
 MA> together, it may not happen because of differences.  There are  
 MA> different church denominations too and probably always will be.  
 MA>  But there can be a working together.  Often, democrats join  
 MA>  with republicans to accomplish certain goals.  Sometimes  
 MA>  churches join together for special services or to help in a  
 MA>  relief effort or something like that.  It seems like there  
 MA>  could be philosophical differences without fighting.  I know  
 MA>  Southerners who still hate yankees, but that doesn't make it  
 MA>  right. marda 
 

I think that the NFB and ACB are fighting less publicly and
privately then over a few years ago.  I also have seen more
cooperation on the whole in the blindness field.  However, at a
fundamental level we in the NFB feel that there are major problems
with the blindness establishment.  If not, why is the unemployment
rate so high.  The ACB has supported that establishment, through
its support of NAC, NIB and AFB in the past.  So, it is necessary
for us to disagree at times.  David Andrews

... Your Sound Alternative

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