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UN Disability Treaty: My Nebr. Senator Doesn't Represent Me

Sent as a letter to the editor of the Bridgeport (NE) News-Blade and the Omaha World-Herald.

Governor Bobby Jindal (R-Louisiana) put it this way at the GOP Governor’s Convention after the General Election: The GOP needs to stop being the stupid party.

Every disabilities group and every veterans group supported the UN Treaty on the rights of the disabled. Disabled vet Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) passionately pleaded for its passage. Former Sen. and disabled vet Bob Dole (R-Kans.) sat mute on the Senate floor in his wheelchair while his colleagues one after another repudiated him.

In the end, the vote came down to the organized actions of homeschoolers. Such a tiny minority, whilst the 10% (the disabled) watched our Senate shame itself before the world, though the treaty was negotiated by President GW Bush. I am embarrassed over the travesty of antics to which Sen. Johanns acquiesced.

As I am a disabled veteran, Sen. Mike Johanns does not represent me. He gave me, my wife, my mother (a polio survivor), Mr McCain, Mr Dole, and every other disabled person a slap in the face with his vote against a treaty modeled after our own laws, which no way encroached on our sovereignty. The treaty exported our model GOP law to the rest of the world. The USA does not recognize before the world that the disabled are worthy of rights. - James, incensed in Nebraska.

Tags: ADA, UN

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Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by booklover on December 6, 2012 at 7:10am

I am ashamed that our country did not pass the UN Treaty as well.

Permalink Reply by Loren Miller on December 6, 2012 at 7:28am

The GOP remains the party of intransigence and the party of NO, despite the fact that those attitudes were repudiated by the voters during the last election. If the Republicans wish to remain relevant, they had better stop behaving like the spoiled little boy who wants it HIS way with whipped cream and a cherry on top.

The eventual alternative without change is that people will slowly but surely find or create alternatives, and the GOP will be ignored.

Permalink Reply by booklover on December 6, 2012 at 8:19am

I totally agree Loren. I really hope if they don't change that they are ignored!

Permalink Reply by Grinning Cat on December 6, 2012 at 10:25am

Perhaps people will create alternatives that make the Democratic Party look antiquated and regressive. We can hope....

Permalink Reply by Pat on December 6, 2012 at 11:33am

Hate to say it, but I'm not all that surprised. This is just another example of the extremist, mean spirited, religious nut jobs who are the essence of the Tea Party, and which now control the GOP. The Tea Party tail wagging the GOP dog. And who led the charge against this treaty on the extremist right? Rick Santorum - the Taliban type Ayatollah for the theocratic fascists. And who marched lock step in line with Insanitorium? The "moderates" of the party including Lindsey Graham and Saxby Chamness.

I do think part of this is the nut jobs flexing their muscle prior to the so-called "fiscal cliff" vote - if one actually comes. The GOP will show everyone that if they don't get their way on everything, they will try to crash the economy. "There! That'll show 'em!"

Petulant, ill educated, anti-rational children, who are given live ammo to play with. Don't be surprised when they shoot someone and try to blame it on the neighbor kid.

Permalink Reply by Joan Denoo on December 6, 2012 at 12:35pm

I agree!

Permalink Reply by Joan Denoo on December 6, 2012 at 12:29pm

If our nation is great it is because our history reflects care and compassion for our citizens. Even the original Founding Fathers didn't have it correct, but the Constitution is a living document and changes whenever new valid information becomes known.

What happens in this modern age represents a decline of ethics, morals, and just plain common sense. As more people come under the influences of uninformed and misinformed, we fall farther away from greatness. During the Dark Ages, knowledge and science had to underground; they survived and blossomed during the Age of Enlightenment. I am not opposed to homeschoolers, I am opposed to homeschoolers and teachers who teach opinion that do not undergo validity and reliability tests.

While I, too, am "embarrassed over the travesty of antics to which Sen. Johanns acquiesced" I am also encouraged that critical thinking replaces blind faith and beliefs. Our guides include some very smart and courageous people who stand on principles of investigation and exploration. Questioning is good.

Permalink Reply by Loren Miller on December 6, 2012 at 12:58pm

Who was it who said something to the effect of the true greatness of a country being measured in how they treat their least fortunate? There's a lesson the GOP forgot decades ago, I'm afraid.

Permalink Reply by Joan Denoo on December 6, 2012 at 1:26pm

You read that exactly right.

Permalink Reply by Joan Denoo on December 6, 2012 at 12:34pm

James, A powerful statement and one that resonates throughout the country. Surely we will not have to endure the nonsense that plagues us at this time. A growing body of people see the frailty and fallacy of blind faith and belief, and critical thinking will prevail. I share your comment with family and friends.

Permalink Reply by James Kz on December 7, 2012 at 8:02am