So, this is not meant to be my post, but the article I am linking was brought to my attention and I felt I should share it with the class. While disability sort of disappears in the article, it is interesting how it is the focus of the headline.
This article hits disability, politics, race and religion all in a few short columns of text. An audio clip is also available.
If you want some really fascinating reading and a view of the average internet Joe's (or Jane's) writing, check out the comments on the article.
Anyway, here's the link.
http://www.newsleader.com/article/20100222/NEWS01/2220318
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I don't even know where to begin with this one. I've tried to start this comment in various ways--from someone who is appalled by such mentality as Marshall's to someone who studies how people say what they say, no matter what they say. I don't think I can approach his words either way.
ReplyDeleteBut Michael brings up a good point about positng. Use this space as a means to get stuff out to us, whether or not you want it "counted". I suppose you should note what posts you'd like me to count.
This is a very appalling press release. I agree with Scott that I don't know how to comment. I went onto Bob Marshall's website and looked up his stance on different issues and under the healthcare category the only line concerning people with disabilities read:
ReplyDeleteAutism
Require Autistic children’s health insurance benefits – cost of $1.60-1.90 a month (Introduced HB 1588, with 28 co-patrons)
Here is his response to the media attention: http://delegatebob.com/news/va-del-bob-marshall-clarifies-disabled-children-abortion-comments.
Thanks Michael for sharing this article. When I mentioned our unit to a former psychology student who works with children who have disabilities in Germany, he brought this topic to my attention. I considered using it for one of our assignments, but as Scott and Brandi can emphasize - I didn't know where to begin. It is difficult to analyze this issue strictly from an editing/writing perspective without delving into a political debate. I will attempt to stick to editing concerns, but see my post-script.
ReplyDeleteBoth CBS (link below) and Michael’s article do not follow RTC guidelines with their headlines by using the term "disabled". The reporters might support this use of terminology by asserting it is what Marshall used, which he eventually does in his response statement when talking about defending "unwanted", "disabled" and "vulnerable" children.
Also, Marshall claims that he didn't actually use the word "God" but rather "nature". In my opinion, this change of diction by the reporter does little to affect the meaning of Marshall's statement. However, these oversights in reporting serve as a loop-hole in his attempt to retract his statement. Despite strongly disagreeing with his statement, I think that reporting standards should hold true i.e. following guidelines on reporting about disability and sticking to direct quotes.
CBS Link: http://www.cbsnews.com/blogs/2010/02/22/politics/politicalhotshee/entry6232759.shtml
P.S. On a political note: It occurred to me that Sarah Palin might take issue with his statement.