Date: Sun, 15 Oct 1995 22:42:30 -0400 From: didom@usa1.com (Claude DiDomenica) Subject: The CAT Chronicle for 10-13-95 ISSN 1084-5585 THE CAT CHRONICLE ----------------- * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE * * October 6, 1995 * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Children's Animated Television (CAT) is a 501-C-3 non-profit organization that produces educational videos for children and teens on contemporary social issues such as AIDS, diversity, violence and GLB teen self esteem. CAT also provides as a public service a BBS, a weekly full color newsletter and a Web site for the family of the future: http://www1.usa1.com/~furball/ * Please note a full color version of this newsletter is available on the World Wide Web: http://www1.usa1.com/~furball/newslett/newslett.html/ Quote of the Week: "When one person or group suffers, we all suffer..." ---Quai Chang Furball --------------------------------------------------------------------- Cries of Millions... ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ An open letter to President Clinton = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = Dear President Clinton, This morning, while driving to my office the cries of millions of Holocaust victims overtook me. I began to cry myself... Monday, October 16, as we all know, there will be the "Million Man March" on Washington DC. In a press conference late last week, your press secretary said "We wish he (Farrakhan) would just tone down the rhetoric..." Mr. President, I am OUTRAGED at this lukewarm response! It seems Farrakhan can hide behind you and other "leaders" who are afraid of offending black people. I have heard many people say, "I am for the march, but not for its leader." _Excuse me_, but this is a parallel to, "Hitler gave me a job, so it's OK if he kills a few Jews..." If you support the march, you support and empower the leader. Martin Luther King, Jr., JFK and Ghandi are rolling over in their graves, Mr. President. A friend recently summarized what is really going on here: "I think Farrakhan fills the void of grass roots leadership in the African American community. Remember that this is how Hitler rose to power. Real concerns, real needs, real issues, false politics and false enemies. As a man of color I know racism is real and I know that we cannot defeat it without white people as allies. Period. I ain't going to no march myself..." Hitler and his followers... They killed relatives in my family. A news story on CNN showed a portion of an interview with Farrakhan. He talked about Jewish and white businesses being "Blood-suckers" of the black community. As a human being I am most hurt by this "rhetoric", as you, through your press secretary have portrayed it. "Rhetoric???" This man and his followers are a danger to us all. Fortunately, there are people of great courage and wisdom in our country, including black leaders that have gone on record against the march. America is a country already divided by racism, sexism and homophobia. As our leader, you have an obligation to bring people closer together... As you also know, Mr. President, there are hearings scheduled in congress on the "gay agenda in our schools." Just as in Nazi Germany, gay, lesbian and bisexual (GLB) people are being targeted in our "free country" by hateful right wing extremists. I have not heard as much as a peep out of your administration on this critical issue. You frequently seem to be "out of town" when anything important comes up. When there was a meeting in the White House with the GLB Victory Fund people, where were YOU? ...especially after your own Secret Service demeaned your guests with their surgical glove greeting. If I were you, I would have dropped everything to be at that meeting. I would not have sent the Vice President in my place. This issue is tearing apart our nation. Your own Department of Justice will tell you hate crimes are on the rise and most of them are against GLB people. You are failing to protect the fundamental human rights of our people. I can not just blame you, but also blame the other "leaders" of this country. But YOU are my President! In my opinion, you have failed to bring America towards a path of compassion, tolerance, compromise and reason. Our country is on the dangerous path of becoming a divided theocracy. We all know of the "family values" theme being distorted and twisted by groups like the Christian Coalition. One big difference between 1930's Germany and 1995 America is that Americans are waking up to the Pat Robertsons, Louis Farrakahns and Ralph Reeds who only wish POWER, MONEY and CONTROL of our hearts, minds and checkbooks. When will people realize, "When one person or group suffers, we all suffer..." If I have to live in fear because of my beliefs, those who disagree with me live in the same fear. I propose we all work together. My non-profit organization is a diverse ALL-volunteer group. If people would just open their hearts and actually interact with different minority people, this planet will have a future. I do this everyday in my life and suggest this path for others... So, Mr. President, please close your eyes and listen and you will hear the cries of millions... Millions of Jews, GLB people, Catholics, political dissidents, etc. who were slaughtered in the name of "racial purity." I saw a women interviewed who was a survivor of the Nazi death camps. In 1993, she went back to the camp where her family was murdered. When she was there, she could see the ghosts of the victims and they asked her, "Does the world know what happened here?" She remembered while she was a prisoner in the camp, the biggest fear of people in the camp was that the world will never know of the grandparents, mothers, fathers and children who were dying there. They were afraid that their lives would mean nothing. Mr. President, please do not let these senseless deaths mean nothing! Please speak out WITH YOUR OWN MOUTH DIRECTLY against Farrakhan. Please speak out DIRECTLY against those people who freely pin a badge of hate (pink triangle in the death camps) on my GLB friends and volunteers. Please do not let us live in a country where over 40% of GLB teens attempt suicide because of persecution. One of my advisors said "people should live their own morality..." And I added "...and not force it upon the rest of us." Most sincerely, Claude DiDomenica didom@usa1.com President of CAT The disABLEd Corner ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Last week, I promised to inform you about some of the tougher examples of businesses doing everything they could NOT to comply with the ADA. Sometimes trying to get a business manager, owner, or public official to comply with the Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA) was worse than extracting teeth from an elephant! Over the past several years, I have approached hundreds of commercial establishments, retail and grocery stores, libraries, medical facilities, city halls, playgrounds, pools, etc. All of these facilities are required to be basically accessible under the terms of the ADA. If any of these facilities use federal funds, they are required to be accessible under the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, (that's 22 years ago). I don't understand why these people think the law covers everyone else but them. Why do they think they will be allowed to discriminate against a certain group of people when federal law says otherwise? Why do they want to risk the heavy fines under the ADA? Here is an example of why it is easier to comply with the ADA rather than risk the heavy fines that result from non-compliance: A small business owner has a corner deli. There is a four inch curb blocking access through the main door. A contractor could easily fix the curb by installing a ramp. It would probably cost a couple hundred dollars. A friend or relative could fix this for maybe a case of beer and a pizza. But instead, the deli owner decides he doesn't want "those kind of people" in his store, at least not if it means he has to make a change in his curb. If it costs him money to accommodate "these people" then he doesn't want them in his store. So he will defy the requests of disabled people who want to be his customers. Now we have created an adversarial situation. The disabled person gets an attorney and files suit in U.S. District Court, alleging violations of the ADA. The deli owner has to hire an attorney, probably costing about $150 per hour. A federal case can be delayed for about a year before it goes to trial. If the deli owner loses, (and he will), he has to pay a $50,000 fine for his first offense, PLUS his attorney's bill, PLUS the disabled person's attorney bill PLUS ALL court costs, litigation fees, deposition costs, etc. Now the deli owner is looking at a total bill of between $75,000 and $100,000! He could have achieved basic accessibility for the price of a case of beer and a pizza. There is a hard way to do everything... It just doesn't make sense. It is a lot cheaper and quicker to comply. If a store owner can't afford the renovation or repair, there are grant programs and tax incentives. Many times there are very easy, very cheap solutions. Many of the changes required under the ADA are so simple that anyone could do them. I've surveyed buildings and made some recommendations as simple as "Pick up the loose rugs," or "Move the table further out from the wall." These are simple, easy and cheap ways to comply with the ADA. Next week, I will tell you about the worst example of ADA violations I have ever experienced. Rev. Jim E-Mail: IRISH38@aol.com Web site: http://pages.prodigy.com/OH/zrjj15a/revjim.html Parent's Corner... ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Tip of the Week: Unsafe Car Safety Seats Popular car safety seats fail crash tests ------------------------------------------ Three of the nation's most popular car safety seat models tested by Consumer Union (CU), publisher of Consumer Reports, were rated "unacceptable." This rating by the independent testing agency led to product recalls. Further investigation by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) suggested implementing tougher certification criteria. Listed below are the models which failed CU's testing, and recommendations for what you should do if you own one of these. * Century #590 (infant only) Use WITHOUT base only, pending additional investigation. 1-800-614-3322 * Evenflo On My Way (infant only) Use WITH base only until corrective kit has been ordered and installed. 1-800-225-3056 * Kolcraft Traveler 700 (convertible seat) Do not use in forward facing position, pending additional investigation. 1-800-453-7673 CU also warns of two "safety seat alternative" products which failed its testing: * The Travel Vest 602, by All Our Kids was cited for incorrectly threaded harnesses (as shipped by the manufacturer) and product flammability. * The Cosco Dream Ride Ultra 02-719, which can be used as a car seat or traveling bed, was partially released from the safety belt hook-up during testing as a bed, and rotated too far when used as a rear-facing infant seat. For a current listing of recalls and replacement parts for child restraints and information on adult car safety belts, call SafetyBeltSafe U.S.A. at 310-673-2666. For more information on recalls, call the NHTSA's Auto Safety Hotline at 1-800-424-9393. Jeff Sam Volunteer Child Safety & Parents Coordinator, Co-Sysop of Dr Furball's BBS and CAT's Co-Webmeister Internet Address: jsam@usa1.com Please visit Jeff's Sam's Parenting and Child Safety Web page: http://www1.usa1.com/~furball/jeffsam/jeffsam.html/ GLB Youth Advisor: ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ CAT's current video project is on GLB teen self esteem. Our goal is to help put a stop to the unacceptably high rate of GLB teen depression and suicide. We also believe there is a direct correlation between low self esteem and unsafe sex practices. To this aim, as a public service we present to you the GLB Youth Advisor... People do care... ----------------- This week I would like to share with you an "open letter" from a leading GLB youth advocate and author. People do care about your rights... --------------------------------------------------------------------- OPEN LETTER BY AUTHOR PATRICIA NELL WARREN TO THE SUPREME COURT JUSTICES October 8, 1995 Patricia Nell Warren is author of The Front Runner, and a leading advocate for the rights of queer youth. This article may be freely reprinted and reposted. OPEN LETTER TO THE SUPREME COURT By Patricia Nell Warren Author, Former Reader's Digest Editor Dear Right Honorable Justices of the Supreme Court: How extraordinary that I, as a citizen of the U.S., cannot directly express my opinion to the highest court in my land, about a decision that will directly affect not only my future civil rights, but those of all Americans. Any schoolchild can write a letter to the President. Any editor knows the power of an open letter. So I hope that my note in a bottle may wash up somewhere on your Supreme beach. America has gotten so crowded and so ridden with issues that every major legal decision resonates like summer thunder. The O.J. jury may have rendered their verdict, but the trial is not "over." Racial and sexual reverberations are now racing heavily. A huge spike in phone calls to battered-woman hotlines shows that many American men are reading what they believe to be the jury's message...that it is okay to beat women. More than ever, courts of today -- juries and judges alike -- must necessary look at the jarring echoes of their decisions, and the farthest ripple of their responsibilities. The Colorado Amendment 2 decision is not really about the rights of homosexuals. If each of you do not know that fact, then I tremble for the future of America. Amendment 2 is really about the civil right standing of any identifiable minority group of citizens. If homosexuals as a group can be legislated against, and discriminated against, then so can any group -- just as, conversely, the rights of almost all minority groups have been upheld and protected by our courts up until now. The question is whether or not the accordance of civil rights to any minority will long survive in the U.S. The religious extremists of America, who are driving this Amendment 2 appeal with their money and their political machinery, are not interested in civil rights or even human rights. I beg each of you, before you render your decisions, to study the extremists' sermons, their talk shows, their magazines and other media. You will see that they believe only in what they call "God's right to expect man's obedience," and in what they view as every person's duty to obey their God. The only "law" respected by these people is laid down in the Bible. They are very skillful in exploiting issues of "religious liberty" for their own political ends, and are forever complaining about how they are deprived of "free speech". But ultimately if these extremists gain control of due process in the U.S., their demand for "Bible-based law" will be a gun barrel leveled at all of us. As their opening wedge to diminish the power of human civil rights, these religious masterminds have chosen to attack homosexuals. It's a smart move -- homosexuals are still the most despised and disenfranchised minority group in the U.S. But make no mistake -- this is only the opening wedge. They already are working to diminish the human rights status of women and minors, because of "what the Bible says" about the "duties" of women and children. Next will come the rights of other religions that they do not like, as well as the rights of racial minorities -- the Bible has clear things to say about ethnicity and other religions. Finally will come the day when the Supreme Court itself will find its door kicked in and the long gun barrel of religion will be leveled at each of you personally. Each of you, Your Honors, will then be informed of your "duty to obey and uphold the law" as laid down in the Bible. I pray that you all have studied the Bible -- I have -- and noted that the death penalty is mandated for dozens of "offenses," ranging from homosexuality to disrespecting your parents to working on the Sabbath. Eight of the 10 Commandments require the death penalty -- a startling fact that few Americans know. Thus, the extremists' position on homosexuals is part of a vaster belief system that aims to alter American law at every turn. In the first five books of the Bible, It's all there, in black and white. The problem is that most Americans do not know what the Bible really says about law, any more than they know what the Constitution really says, because they don't bother to read either document thoroughly, and find out for themselves. They choose to rely on hearsay and the media for their information. "Bible-based law" may sound wonderful and sonorous as a concept, but the specifics are sure to send a shiver down the spine of any concerned citizen -- as they did mine. In a word -- unlike the O.J. jury, the Supreme Court does not face a simple decision of whether a single man was innocent or guilty. You face a complex landmark decision that will determine whether or not the future of civil rights in the U.S. will be dictated by one particular religion. I can only hope and pray that you, my Supreme Court, will decline to jar into motion this long, long line of falling dominos of human rights. Sincerely yours, Patricia Nell Warren Wildcat Press 8306 Wilshire Blvd. Box 8306 Beverly Hills, CA 90211 --------------------------------------------------------------------- Mike Reddin Volunteer GLB Youth Advisor for Children's Animated Television Internet Address: wxman@pcix.com Mike has an area on our Web site dedicated to GLB youth: http://www1.usa1.com/~furball/glb/glb.html/ What If??? ~~~~~~~~~~ Our President, Claude DiDomenica writes this weekly column to stimulate the minds of our youth and adults who haven't lost their "youthful imaginations..." What if I was granted one wish? ------------------------------- Hmmmmmm... This would be easy! My wish would be that we lived on a planet where what color you were, whom you loved, what god you believed in, whether or not you had a disability, what nation you were from, etc. DID NOT MATTER! Nope, somebody else can wish to win the lottery. ...although that would be nice if I could have a second wish! Claude DiDomenica didom@usa1.com The CAT Credo... ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Children's Animated Television (CAT) believes in a positive future for all children... CAT's philosophy is to help solve today's complex social problems through honest and open dialogue, education, information and compromise... CAT will produce video programs for pre-teens and teens to stimulate their minds, harness their creativity and imaginations to cultivate long-lasting answers to problems in their world... As a public service, CAT will also provide educational information using all available technology including a computer bulletin board, World Wide Web site and other electronic media. CAT will supply this knowledge for children, parents and educators to enable our society to develop ideas and solutions for a better tomorrow... Claude DiDomenica & Bessie Hadley Founders of Children's Animated Television July 15, 1995 --------------------------------------------------------------------- NOTE: The opinions expressed in this newsletter are not necessarily those of Children's Animated Television. Use any advice or information at your own risk. To subscribe to "The CAT Chronicle" via E-Mail: E-Mail to didom@usa1.com Subject: Subscribe CAT Chronicle CAT is a 501-C-3 non-profit organization and all donations are tax-deductible as allowed by law. Contact Information: Bessie Hadley Executive Director Children's Animated Television, Inc. 1492 Highland Ave, Suite 3 Needham, MA 02192 USA Voice: 617-449-9699 FAX: 617-449-2238 Dr Furball's BBS: 617-455-8415 node 1 617-433-0026 node 2 Internet: hadley@usa1.com Claude DiDomenica President of CAT and Sysop of Dr Furball's BBS Internet: didom@usa1.com CAT's WEB Home Page!!! http://www1.usa1.com/~furball/ * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Get CAT's latest info releases from Software Creations BBS * * "Home of the Authors" * * <<*-*-*-*->> * * Internet Access: Telnet BBS.SWCBBS.COM * * <<*-*-*-*->> * * WEB Access: http://www.swcbbs.com * * <<*-*-*-*->> * * 2400/9600/14.4 USR HST/Dual Standard Public Access (508) 368-7036 * * 2400/9600/14.4/28.8 USR V.Everything Public Access (508) 368-6604 * * 2400/9600/14.4 USR HST/Dual Standard Member Access (508) 368-7139 * * 9600/14.4/16.8/28.8 USR V.Everything Member Access (508) 368-3424 * * <<*-*-*-*->> * * At Main Menu, type: J 178 * * for "Dr Furball's Educational & Philanthropical Conference" * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * --------------------------------------------------------------------- Copyright 1995 Children's Animated Television, Inc. All Rights Reserved This newsletter may be freely distributed as long as it remains intact and this notice is not removed. Please do not post on USENET, FIDONET, WILDNET etc. without permission of the conference moderator. # # # -- ==================================================================== Children's Animated Television CAT a 501-C-3 non-profit organization Claude DiDomenica * didom@usa1.com * President of CAT Web Homepage http://www1.usa1.com/~furball/ Top 5% of ALL Web Sites! Providing hope and information for "The Family of the Future" ====================================================================