It wasn't my intention to start a feud, but my blog post has created a far bigger storm than I expected. I also said in my previous blog post that I was done with this and ready to move on, but the intensity of the response in the deaf community is forcing me to post this.
Ricky D. Taylor has posted previously about his job search, but has NOT stated if he is on SSDI, SSI, or another form of government support. As commenter "M" wrote on Ridorlive: "Ridor makes himself a public figure. Therefore, the things he does are open to public scruitiny….. just as Ridor does with many other people on this very blog."
Therefore, I feel justified in asking this: I know that he was laid off from a previous job some time ago. Is he on SSDI? If he is on SSDI, and asking the public for donations to support his blog, then I resent that! I resent the idea of part of my hard-earned salary going to support his blogging while he is receiving SSDI.
If he is NOT receiving SSDI or any other form of government trough support, then CHEERS to him for his efforts to be self-employed! I'll be a big booster of Ridor's efforts to become a professional deaf blogger *IF* he is not on SSDI, SSI, or any other government check.
He IS a public figure. He owes it to his public and his many fans of which I am one, to come clean. Hey, I might even donate myself if he states publicly that he is not receiving any form of government support!
Monday, January 08, 2007
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22 comments:
Oh great! Drag me into it! I'm already on Ridor's crap list for a disagreement we had about someone last fall! Now he'll put me on moderation again.
::::Continues munching popcorn::::
"M"
Thanks Jaime for your post.
I agree that when one becomes a public figure, they go under more scrunity that normal. However, Mr. Taylor has been vicious and slanderous to many people, including deaf leaders who have done so much for the community. He is welcome to his opinions, but he needs to know that what he says does have consequences.
I, myself dont go over to Ridorlive because of the trash talk, same way as I do not buy Enquirer or Globe magazines.
If Mr. Ridor gets a job, then I applaud him for trying to be part of American lifestyle. His constant denial that its none of our business if he has a job, is an obvious red flag. What's wrong with saying yes I have a job? If he doesnt, then its understandable why he is telling people its none of their business. I too resent having my tax dollars used for the likes of Mr. Taylor.
However, he made his choices. Aiming to be a professional Blogger is a honorable field, only if one can afford to support themselves.
Jaime, I dont think you started a feud. You were only stating facts. Truth is always a great foundation in anything we do. When things are based on lies, slander and rumors, then the foundation will eventually crumble. You are wonderful! I love your About.com and your ability to share 'deafness' info. In fact, I think you were one of the early early bloggers, only it wasn't called a blog. However, keep up the good work! We need positive people like you!
Good luck at the conference
Jamie, I believe your intentions were good. However, I think perhaps the wisest thing to do would have been to write your original post in more general terms, couching it as "people who ask for donations" and suchlike rather than pointing fingers at one person. Just my gentle $0.02. *smile*
That said, I do think Ricky's refusal to divulge ANY job details is suspicious. I'm a strong believer in the right to privacy, but, really, why is it not possible to say "I'm looking," "I work for the local Subway," "I've decided to go to graduate school and I'm applying so I can start in the fall," or "I'm a counselor at so-and-so agency" ?? It all seems quite odd, and I'm not willing to pony up dough without knowing more information about what my money would go toward.
It would be best to get Ridor to get out of your way so you can gain the blogging fame?
Ridor is getting too much attention and overshadows your blog?
To pull him down is to look for flaws like employment, donations and etc. To make way for your blog to become financial secure?
Those are the questions are being raised within the D/deaf community.
Try using reasoned debate not handbags at dawn, if you can't stand the heat...
Anonymous 5:
>>>It would be best to get Ridor to get out of your way so you can gain the blogging fame?
Why would I want to? Then I wouldn't get my daily "ridor fix." I can't blog as well as he does.
>>Ridor is getting too much attention and overshadows your blog?
Nah. That's silly. Berke Outspoken is just my own little soapbox in the deaf blog world. I post only when I feel I have something worth saying. Don't expect me to post that frequently.
>>>To pull him down is to look for flaws like employment, donations and etc. To make way for your blog to become financial secure?
Nope. I have no intention of asking for financial donations for Berke Outspoken. FYI, I have for years funded another website out of my own pocket, the captions.org. I actually had captioning companies contact me over the years asking if I wanted sponsorship, but I declined because I felt the need to stay neutral.
>>Those are the questions are being raised within the D/deaf community.
And I have just answered them.
Please get me some popcorn.
A person who receives SSD can earn up to $900 in other pursuits, either in a traditional job or self-employment. There is nothing wrong with Ridor earning money from his blog through advertising or donations and no reason for you to resent it if he is on SSD and earns less than $900 a month. It is perfectly fine.
To all attacking Ridor and defending those who attack him, I'm dammed proud of you. Keep it up. We need this slime of the slime squished out of existance.
Jamie
It is not Ridor's fault that he does not have a job. I have seen lot of deaf people being unemployed because companies refused to hire them. Since ADA laws passed, companies are hestitating to hire deaf people because it cost them more money to accomodate them such as getting interpreters, buying TTYs, etc. Also, companies don't have the time and patience to train deaf people when they are in a fast pace working environment.
In fact, companies rather to hire illegal immigrants over deaf people because it is cheaper and no need to pay benefits.
Another factor is that black and spanish people used to be like us deaf where there were no financial support to make them succeed. Thanks to sports and music, where they are making tons of money in order to support their community including getting them jobs.
I hate to say this but it is true that deaf people are being screwed out of their lives when it comes to employment.
Ridor is only asking donations to support his time with his blog since everyone need a form of entertainment so they can forget their communication barriers or job frustration so they can just move on.
Jeff
Anonymous 7:
That's exactly the problem here. As long as it is under a certain amount...when you combine ssdi/ssi with the allowed earnings amount, a deaf person can live comfortably without having to have a regular fulltime job.
I used to know this deaf person who does just that. This deaf person told me they would not seek a fulltime regular job because of having enough combined income from a part time job plus feeding at the government trough. That person actually said to me "why bother? I've got the equivalent of a regular salary coming in!"
From what I'm reading on a whole bunch of blogs, Ridor is acting like a spoiled child sending out threatening e-mails. If this is how he acts when someone disagrees with him, no wonder he was excluded from the blog conference. He would ruin it with trying to bully everyone. He needs to learn to take a deep breath and say, "Whatever." You too Jamie.
If anyone has received an e-mail from him threatening actual violence... sending threatening communications, even through e-mail, is a misdemeanor offense.
Jamie, we women always have Gloria Aldred to turn to if the males of the species become too rough on us. >Grin<
You did nothing wrong. Ridor has chewed people up and spit them out for years. Someone mentioned "Messiah Syndrome" and I think that about sums it up. 'A self appointed savior.
We are all Ridor fans. If for no better reason than the shock value of his posts. How many other bloggers give us a "blow by blow" report of being pleasured by a local bartender?
I think posting that information about Ridor is pretty low.
I was referring to the person who posted about who Ridor's case worker is. Unless he earns above a certain amount every month from his blog, it matters not one iota how rude he is in his blog. But, now this case worker is going to be flooded with calls from people who either want to tell her what a wicked person Ridor is, or how he is a hero of the deaf people. I'm sure she's got better things to do with her time.
Although Ridor says, "None of your buisness," I thought it was generally known that he is currently receiving SSI.
Re. feeding at the government trough: if someone is earning the maximum of $900 plus maximum SSI/SSDI, that would be much less than $1600 a month, or about $9. per hour. Not at all equivalent to a decent job paying $15. an hour or better plus benefits.
Also: if someone is receiving SSDI it is a drain on the Social Security retirement fund, not the welfare fund. Theoretically, this is an earned pension. Actually, it is a pension that remains at the present level and does not increase except for minimal cost of living increments.
The amount of SSDI/SSR payments increases substantially only with accumulated years of work and future raises.
It's still a loser's game to be dependent on SSI/SSDI when one is still employable. This is at best a temporary dole; but one that limits one's options and future financial security.
I WISH I earned $15 per hour.
Let's see, in the last entry, Jamie wrote:
"This is the official end to the current saga for me. I have better things to blog on, and I'm sure he does too."
Now you made another one? Sigh.
People should know that Jamie Berke has been IMming me in private asking me for intimate details about my personal life. I find it suspicious and I declined to share. And she goes crazy because she does not take no for an answer.
Deal with it.
R-
Okay, I'm bored with this now. Can we move onto something else?
I got to love this show.
About time that someone stand a front of Ricky!
I am no friend of his, but I am sure I am not the only one that read his blogs daily just to laugh and mock how immature he writes to get attention to himself. Sad? Isn't?
I got to say this...get a real job, Ricky!! Hey, I know it isn't easy as a deaf individual to get jobs in the fast pact hearing world. I never have a problem getting work and I am deaf, so I think it is a lame excuse to say that I am deaf because I can't find work. Give me a break!
If you really want make a living off of blogging, clean up your attitude first and write like you are natural about the subject, but no, you love drama and get so personal when reporting something. Minor turn off for lots of people!
One more thing Ricky, if you don't want people to IMed you, take you SN out of the public eyes or block them. That is your fault of why people are "harassing" you and you whining about it.
Oh BTW, Keep it up, Jamie!
I mean major, not minor.
Why attack R. if you can t reveal your names? i have no respect for people keep attacking others with no names... coward... can't face R. He can face you.. but you can't face him... come on...
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