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Original Message
"19-inch Wooden Rulers"
Posted by PepeLePew13 on 12-18-06 at 05:53 PM
I continue to be amazed at the chutzpah and stupidity of people out there in the world -- every time I say to myself, "Nahhh, I've seen it all and nothing else could ever surprise me again" ... something else comes along that just leaves me completely blown away.

The latest jaw dropper? I. King Jordan, the disgraced, outgoing president of Gallaudet University in Washington D.C., hosted his annual faculty/staff Christmas party the other day and he handed out custom-made 19-inch wooden rulers to each of the guests as a symbol of his 19 years as the, ahem, ruler of the college.

Aside from the sexual jokes that could easily be made from this, Jordan also was giving the ultimate slap-in-the-face to the Deaf community by this 'gesture.'

I'm sure most of you are unfamiliar with the reason why this is a rather big issue in our community, so please indulge me as I bring it out into the open. At the Milan Conference in 1880, it was decided that sign language should be banned and all Deaf institutions should only teach the oral speaking method -- it wasn't long after that before educators started toting around wooden rulers to whack children across the hands for daring to sign or gesture in class. The wooden ruler has become a significant symbol of oppression and audism in the Deaf world.

So why the hell is a Deaf president of a Deaf university embracing the very symbol of a Deaf person's deepest fears? What is the message he's trying to send to the community - a big F.U. to all the students and faculty that opposed his stand during the Gallaudet protests in October/November over the selection of a new president?

It just goes to show why so many students and faculty are thrilled to see King Jordan out of there as he's got absolutely no clue about the feelings of the community. It's like Jesse Jackson wrapping himself in the Confederate flag and marching step-by-step with David Duke.

And the coup de grace? In this blog {warning: juicy language in there from a few half-wits}, there's a reply from King Jordan's wife (reply #20) where she said, worked very hard at Gallaudet for 19 years and so did King. This ruler was designed by me and is a gift to all of you people. Great, thanks for thinking of us as your hapless peons.

Good riddance, Jordan. You won't be missed.

Thanks for indulging me here -- I expect half of you won't have the foggiest clue what I'm talking about in this post, but it's good to get it out of my system.

{stepping down from soapbox}



A Tribe siggie
"Tsk, tsk. Pepe's messing with the newbies again." Spidey, 3/30/05

Table of contents
Messages in this discussion
"RE: 19-inch Wooden Rulers"
Posted by Estee on 12-18-06 at 06:00 PM
And as a special bonus, the ruler can be used to measure the rope he hung himself with.



'To celebrate my anniversary as the president of this Jewish college, I am offering to pay for all students and faculty to get their college ID number tattooed on their arm.'

"RE: 19-inch Wooden Rulers"
Posted by qwertypie on 12-18-06 at 06:30 PM
Wow, I didn't know that, Pepe. One would have thought that the king had some advisors that would have run the idea by someone in the univerisity.

(I know my mother was not fond of wooden rulers as she was left-handed and the nuns used to whack her with the ruler if she used her dominant hand)

Never attribute to Malice what can adequately be explained by Stupidity- Qwertypie's dad c. 1990

"RE: 19-inch Wooden Rulers"
Posted by mysticwolf on 12-18-06 at 07:02 PM
What an asshole. Sounds like he married on his own level, though. Good riddance to both of them.


A Tribal Christmas blogging's scary

"RE: 19-inch Wooden Rulers"
Posted by bullzeye on 12-18-06 at 08:13 PM
I actually read an article pertaining to this recently and was quite taken aback by the level of insensitivy displayed by a supposed "leader" of a higher insititution. And then the "shock" that students would revolt - pretty sad.


A birthday present from Tribe

"RE: 19-inch Wooden Rulers"
Posted by cahaya on 12-19-06 at 02:45 AM
After a bit of browsing around on this, I'm surprised you didn't mention 'Black Friday'.


A wonderful sig-gift from Nutz.

"RE: 19-inch Wooden Rulers"
Posted by PepeLePew13 on 12-19-06 at 04:10 AM
Oh, I'm not there yet... That would have required a separate, lengthy post. I did touch upon it briefly during a rant thread a month or so ago, but yes, it's prolly time to list a few links on Black Friday when I get a chance later in the day.



A Tribe siggie
"Tsk, tsk. Pepe's messing with the newbies again." Spidey, 3/30/05

"RE: 19-inch Wooden Rulers"
Posted by nailbone on 12-19-06 at 09:52 AM
as he's got absolutely no clue about the feelings of the community.

There's your answer right there. He was trying to be funny, and didn't think it through. and dear wifey sure didn't help with that equally clueless, arrogant response.


-New holiday sig! Thanks, tribe!

"RE: 19-inch Wooden Rulers"
Posted by PepeLePew13 on 12-19-06 at 10:11 AM
It's funny, Dr. Jordan has been known to be one of the driest, least humourous people around, so I'm not sure if he was actually trying to be funny in this situation.



A Tribe siggie
"Tsk, tsk. Pepe's messing with the newbies again." Spidey, 3/30/05

"RE: 19-inch Wooden Rulers"
Posted by nailbone on 12-20-06 at 11:35 AM
But that proves it then. He doesn't know HOW to be funny.


-New holiday sig! Thanks, tribe!
"Need Some Wood?"
Posted by dabo on 12-19-06 at 10:08 AM
What happens at Gallaudet stays at Gallaudet!

To be honest, there have been times when the politics at Gallaudet have appalled me. Having a leader so totally out of touch with the community is just totally whacked.

Seasons Greetings!

"RE: 19-inch Wooden Rulers"
Posted by Molaholic on 12-20-06 at 10:20 PM
I don't know what is the worst scenario, that Jordan is simply ignorant of the symbolism, ignorant to the feelings of the people he was supposedly serving, or truly giving them a ‘whack’.

Obviously, he deserves everything he gets -- all together now... <turn, drop trow, bend>

I too have been appalled at the reports from Gallaudet, I find it remarkable that such a fine institution would be forced into such chaos because of this dolt. Things will be much better under the new administration.



“A life is not important except in the impact it has on other lives.” Jackie Robinson

I've read a little about the history of sign language -- really quite fascinating. I want to learn more.

"RE: 19-inch Wooden Rulers"
Posted by frisky on 12-21-06 at 00:45 AM
*sets out extra bag of garbage for Pepe*

One thing I love about this place is that I learn things I never would have the opportunity to know otherwise. *headbutt*

This guy is clearly an insensitive, ignorant fvckwad. Is he a sadist or just ignorant?

Oh well, there's always decompression sickness.


Rolly made this.

"RE: 19-inch Wooden Rulers"
Posted by Sagebrush Dan on 12-21-06 at 10:08 AM
I'm with Frisky on this. This is a bit of consciousness raising for me. Thanks Pepe for helping us to be a little more sensitive to the issues.
He should have just plain known better. What a jerk.


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