Re: in agreement on priorities, :-)

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 5/20/2003 8:08:48 PM, irish_p_butter@... writes:

<< When it comes to

getting the word out to everyone else, writing to networks, putting

the name LPA out there, what grade could we give? >>

c-

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 5/20/03 11:11:27 PM, mroloff@... writes:

> Tony, I just checked and don't see your personal contribution to get

> that fund off the ground. 

>

Matt, long before you were President I served LPA in Elected office for 6

years.

I did my best. I'm grading myself and my record as well when I submitted a C-

in that category,

As a public official in a city of 40,ooo I think LPA awareness is quite high

and I'm doing my share that way.

I have also given money to LPA and sponsored a family to attend a conference.

My response was mostly aimed at our image and perception problems.

When you check your facts, go back a few years Matt.

Also it's LPA's duty to defend ANY LP that's attacked. I offered my case up

to you and LPA to use to help others and to bring awareness to the blatant

hate towards people of difference. So far I have gotten little help.

[Guest guest]

Oh, and another point Matt, we ( ) sent you the press release and

letter you and Barb asked for, we haven't heard back.

Must you measure all support in dollars and cents?

I offered you support early on and gave responses and ideas whenever you

asked.

My phone number or e-mail address hasn't changed.

Remember Matt, not everyone has disposable income, but if you would like to

discuss my monetary assistance to LPA ask a few of the past treasurers to our

organization. While not huge they were an honest attempt.

Tony

[Guest guest]

It's easy to criticize LPA, but we all have to remember one thing...

It's a VOLUNTEER organization.

We all have jobs, school, personal lives to attend to. Some of us, do take

time out of our busy schedules to go the extra step and write letters to the

editor, email our congressman, contact the networks (I've done all of these

in the past few months). But to grade the organization as a whole is a bit

harsh.

In the past 20 years LPA has grown by leaps and bounds. We have yet to

really find our identity. It's headed in the right direction, in my

opinion. And I think the current administration is doing its best to push

it that way (the passing of Lee Kitchens doesn't help). But it will take

time.

-Bill Bradford

Re: in agreement on priorities, :-)

>

> In a message dated 5/20/2003 8:08:48 PM, irish_p_butter@... writes:

>

> << When it comes to

>

> getting the word out to everyone else, writing to networks, putting

>

> the name LPA out there, what grade could we give? >>

>

> c-

>

>

>

> ===

>

[Guest guest]

Uh-oh.... I'm being dragged into the mud...

Guess what grade I'd give to the people on this list (a few exceptions)

that make productive contributions to LPA? ....Trust me... you don't

want to know.

I've asked every 'member' in LPA (via Annual Report and newsletters) to

make personal donations to LPA's Community Outreach Program -- This is

headed by our VP PR to help combat these types of issues and negative

stereotypes. Can anybody even tell me the balance of that fund?? Or

it's description?? I'll tell you ZERO! Nada!

Tony, I just checked and don't see your personal contribution to get

that fund off the ground. The fact is it requires seed funds to do

anything professionally and effectively--- Put your money where your

mouth is -- and lets all get to work. In fact Tony you we're once VP of

PR for LPA... What programs did you get off the ground and leave as a

legacy for Barbara to build on? ...It seems to me that she is having to

start from scratch.

Lots of you send in checks to have fun at a national conference and LPA

delivers in spades... We can do the same in any other area that you all

care so deeply about. I'll be looking for those checks to get this

important anti-midget public-awareness initiative off the ground.

Matt

P.S. I'm going to stop processing conference registration forms now, so

I can sit around and feel sorry for myself because somebody called me a

midget and it hurt my feelings.

P.P.S. I'll give kudos to the first person that finds their Annual

Report and types in the description of the program and emails it to this

list for everyone to read.. For those that can't afford to send funds

they can help develop the other aspects of the program. Maybe we can

start by debating whether the approach LPA intends to take on this issue

is even on the right track??

Re: in agreement on priorities, :-)

It's easy to criticize LPA, but we all have to remember one thing...

It's a VOLUNTEER organization.

We all have jobs, school, personal lives to attend to. Some of us, do

take time out of our busy schedules to go the extra step and write

letters to the editor, email our congressman, contact the networks (I've

done all of these in the past few months). But to grade the

organization as a whole is a bit harsh.

In the past 20 years LPA has grown by leaps and bounds. We have yet to

really find our identity. It's headed in the right direction, in my

opinion. And I think the current administration is doing its best to

push it that way (the passing of Lee Kitchens doesn't help). But it

will take time.

-Bill Bradford

Re: in agreement on priorities, :-)

>

> In a message dated 5/20/2003 8:08:48 PM, irish_p_butter@...

> writes:

>

> << When it comes to

>

> getting the word out to everyone else, writing to networks, putting

>

> the name LPA out there, what grade could we give? >>

>

> c-

>

>

>

> ===

>

[Guest guest]

Actually Tony I have not yet received any response to my request to help

you from . Maybe it was sent only to Barbara??

Please correct me if I'm wrong but when you first brought this issue to

my attention 2 days ago I responded within hours with an offer to print

any letter you envisioned on LPA letterhead and forward it officially to

the appropriate people you requested. I also offer to help with a press

release.

Is that correct? Within 2 hours of receiving your email??

It feels to me that wasn't good enough -- so you are now burning

valuable energy within our own community... THE FIGHTS OUT THERE! Go

get em' tiger.

Best Regards,

Matt

P.S. In the mean time I've received several very productive offers of

assistance (and great ideas) to pursue our Outreach program in the last

few hours.

In fact, one member of this list and I will be having a conference call

tomorrow to discuss her seemingly fantastic idea. I've also asked

Barbara VP PR (about an hour ago) to accelerate the Outreach program.

All on your urging Tony.

P.P.S. After the Kimmel issue erupted-- not only did Bill Bradford

successfully write and have published a very effective rebuttal.. I had

a very long conversation with the President of FOX where we discussed

the issue, he apologized in writing and vowed to employ more sensitive

guidelines in their Content acceptance guidelines. I'm still waiting for

confirmation of that action. I also contact the President of ABC where

Kimmel now works and expressed the same concerns.

.....And I'm not even offended by the word.

LPA is alive, active and keeping the battle up on MANY FRONTS!

Volunteers or NOT! Will somebody give us a break?

Re: in agreement on priorities, :-)

Oh, and another point Matt, we ( ) sent you the press

release and letter you and Barb asked for, we haven't heard back.

Must you measure all support in dollars and cents?

I offered you support early on and gave responses and ideas whenever you

asked.

My phone number or e-mail address hasn't changed.

Remember Matt, not everyone has disposable income, but if you would like

to discuss my monetary assistance to LPA ask a few of the past

treasurers to our organization. While not huge they were an honest

attempt.

Tony

[Guest guest]

,

LPA has always been battling with issues that involve us, because we are

the LPA. LPA, not so much as the National Board, but as the whole body,

should decide what they want to do about this terminology of what to address

ourselves by, not the National Board.

It isn't fare to truly place this on the National Board and Matt, they

operate from a general consensus of what the entire body of LPA wants. I

know there are constant grumblings of issues in here, and Matt is right by

stating that LPA is stretched too thin.

As anyone who's been in LPA as an officer will tell you, there is never

enough time in the day to do a Job and it's requirements, plus LPA and it's

requirements, and a Life. We don't need to bitch about this and tear one

another down. Rather this, why not organize and develop a group, or groups,

to tackle the injustices that we see, hear and are told about, and help ease

the burden of overload that the National Board has on their workload.

My comment was meant to basically state that I'm tired of all the

indecision in LPA as a body, not the Officers of the Board, and to get

organized to fight, rather than to complain. With a group of people, you can

find out what LPA as an entire body prefers to have itself called once and

for all. The Senior LP's grew up in a different era when Midget wasn't

frowned upon, they were scared to death what the next day brought for them.

They put up with allot of abuse to what any of us would tolerate today, and

they lived very hard lives. So they saw a different meaning in what now is a

venom that poisons not only those using the term, but those having the term

used on them. Times have changed, and it's really happened fast, 30 years

ago we used the term quite often to describe the differences between an

Achon and Pituitary Dwarf. Find someone who didn't use the term, we all were

using it.

So it isn't fare for any of us to come down like this on one another,

and I'm guilty and ashamed of it, especially when one of our own founders

was just laid to rest. Lee was a corner stone to the structure we call LPA,

and instead of watching this structure crumble, why aren't we getting that

cornerstone filled in again, keep this structure up and alive, maintain this

structure and it will last forever like the pyramids of Egypt. We don't need

to tear down one another in here, or any other format, we need to support

and continue with building and attacking the outside world, and making it a

better place for those now living, and for those that will be living in the

future. Don't you want the future to see your names on the cornerstones of

LPA, or would you best be suited as the wrecking ball that brought the

structure down. It's your choice, choose it wisely.

And as for a grade, A+, because it hasn't stopped caring about us, it's

sometimes slow, but so is the Governments that handle our lives, State or

Federal. Can we compare LPA to the Department of Motor Vehicles, at least

LPA publishes a better picture than the DMV's usually do, and they're not as

rude as the DMV is. LPA is what we make of it, so get involved, get active,

get going and be heard out there in the general public. Our lives are too

short, we aren't immortal, we're fragile human beings. We live as long as

our bodies can hold out, so make the most of your time here on earth, do

something constructive and not destructive.

Rob

in agreement on priorities, :-)

> I totally agree with Rob here. I think LPA needs to start making a

> decision on things like the term midget. It seems it tries to

> please everyone but it is not making a dent in the every day world.

> It either is a good term or a bad term. We will either use it or

> declare it bad. To me there can not be an inbetween on this. As far

> as benefitting the members with access to meeting other lps,

> workshops, doctors, LPA gets an A+ totally. When it comes to

> getting the word out to everyone else, writing to networks, putting

> the name LPA out there, what grade could we give?

> -

>

>

>

> ===

>

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 5/21/03 3:36:32 AM Eastern Daylight Time,

ntille@... writes:

> Rather this, why not organize and develop a group, or groups,

> to tackle the injustices that we see, hear and are told about, and help ease

> the burden of overload that the National Board has on their workload.

>

Rob,

I have suggested this a few posts back. I'm also interested in participating

and help getting the word out not just about the term midget, but getting the

word out there that not only little things like bonsais, ponies, etc., can be

lovely but " little people can be lovely. "

I can't make the convention, but I think if start working not just at the

national level, but district and chapter and have a meeting about this not

just at the convention, but at the fall regionals for people who can't make

the convention I think it's a start.

Helen

[Guest guest]

,

I had to wait until after midnight to squeeze another post in... Not to

mention talk to Bill for a bit about his incredible efforts with this

next newsletter. Thanks Bill for staying up all night the last few

nights and making the appropriate adjustments to LPAToday at the last

minute. Hugs and kisses. xxooxxoo

, Let me fill you in on some interesting stuff... This next

issue of LPAToday... The one Bill is just completing -- is all about

advocacy in LPA. One of the articles poses some interesting questions

regarding where do we stand, as a body, on the term 'midget'??

Bill and I were just discussing that we should hold an open meeting,

while in Boston, and discuss the topic in a group setting. I realize

this won't allow many of you not attending Boston to participate-- but

it might be a start to getting everyone on the same page. BTW- The

article is titled " What offends us " and is written by LP psychologist

Dr. Len Sawisch. I'm sure it will be a hot topic on this list as well.

-- would you like to help facilitate a 'terminology' open

workshop meeting with Bill and I in Boston?

Please email me privately and we can discuss.

in agreement on priorities, :-)

I totally agree with Rob here. I think LPA needs to start making a

decision on things like the term midget. It seems it tries to

please everyone but it is not making a dent in the every day world. It

either is a good term or a bad term. We will either use it or

declare it bad. To me there can not be an inbetween on this. As far

as benefitting the members with access to meeting other lps,

workshops, doctors, LPA gets an A+ totally. When it comes to

getting the word out to everyone else, writing to networks, putting

the name LPA out there, what grade could we give?

-

===

[Guest guest]

Does it not mean anything to you or anyone else on this list when Matt has

stated over and over again that he just got back from Lee Kitchens' funeral???

M. delivered a little 'speech' at Mr. Kitchens' funeral and stated

that he thinks they finally got it down to 6 people to cover everything that LEE

DID BY HIMSELF. I don't think ANYONE realized how much that man did by

himself. But don't u think that those 6 people kinda need to be taught how to do

everything Lee did?? Mr. Roloff has a lot on his plate right now and I would

like

to see everyone come together and support him and give him the time and

patience that he needs right now.

Amy

[Guest guest]

Tony and List:

> Also it's LPA's duty to defend ANY LP that's attacked.

I just spent most of the night reviewing the bylaws and policy

manual. Nowhere in there did I see that " LPA has a duty to defend

anyone who is attacked " . Now, we may have a moral obligation to

assist someone who requests it via public education (e.g. letters to

the editor, etc.) - and your case certainly qualifies.

However, there is no specific DUTY required of LPA. (Anyone who

thinks there should be is welcome to suggest changes to the policy

through the appropriate means.) An explanation why would take far too

long for this list. I will say this, however. If we want to portray

and/or defend an image, we must first decide as an organization what

that image is. Unfortuately, Tony, not everyone is going to agree

with you - especially on that topic. (Stay tuned for the next

newsletter. I believe it's on advocacy.)

Tony, as a personal favor to you, I will be happy to write a letter

to whoever you like me to on an LPA letterhead and sign it with my

title. I tend to concur that least someone in LPA should comment

because what was done to you was way out of line. However, anything

I do (or anyone else does) must be approved via the proper channels

and the VP-PR in particular. Provide me (privately please) with

names and addresses and I will start the process.

Now, I must caution all of you on one thing. Public personal attacks

on LPA officers (or, for that matter, LPA members) might or might not

subject you to the discretion of the listserve owner, but it WILL

subject you to - based on recommendations I might make to the

Executive Committee - an evaluation of your membership privileges in

LPA. THIS INCLUDES ALL LPA OFFICERS - ELECTED AND APPOINTED!

So please - all of you - take the personal bickering off the list. I

already have a lot of people in line waiting for me to twist their

arms and I don't need (or want) any more. Post only when you have a

consensus or agree to disagree.

Now, that being said, I have no problem if you disagree with any LPA

officer. In fact, disagreements are very healthy and sometimes cause

us to see things we wouldn't have otherwise seen. However, attack

the problem - not the person.

One final thing. Cut Matt Roloff some slack. LPA is facing its

largest test in the history of the organization with the passing of

Lee Kitchens. We hope the rest of you will not have to see the

impact this event has had on LPA.

Randy Bradford

Senior Vice President

[Guest guest]

Thanks Amy-- ...and it was a great pleasure to meet, dine and visit

with you while in Lubbock!

Re: in agreement on priorities, :-)

Does it not mean anything to you or anyone else on this list when Matt

has

stated over and over again that he just got back from Lee Kitchens'

funeral???

M. delivered a little 'speech' at Mr. Kitchens' funeral and

stated

that he thinks they finally got it down to 6 people to cover everything

that LEE

DID BY HIMSELF. I don't think ANYONE realized how much that man did by

himself. But don't u think that those 6 people kinda need to be taught

how to do

everything Lee did?? Mr. Roloff has a lot on his plate right now and I

would like

to see everyone come together and support him and give him the time and

patience that he needs right now.

Amy