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| The Arc of Massachusetts Forums |
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| You are not authorized to post a reply. | | | Author | Messages | |
John
Posts:4
 | | 07/23/2007 9:23 PM |
 Alert | The Boston Globe has run a second editorial, different in tone from its June 6th opinion piece, entitled Good care knows no ideology (June 25, 2007). Copy and paste the following URL into your web browser to read it: http://www.boston.com/news/globe/editorial_opinion/editorials/articles/2007/06/25/good_care_knows_no_ideology/
We are unsure why the Globe editorial board has chosen to follow-up on its previous piece, since nothing particularly newsworthy has occurred since June 6.
The Globe’s most recent editorial advises that “Creative solutions would first require Arc and its supporters to stop the provocative campaign to close all of the institutions.”
We agree that creative solutions are necessary, but new ideas have been crafted and have received scant attention from the Globe. For example, we welcome the Globe’s recognition that the land on which Fernald and other institutions sit, is an asset that could be used to generate revenue to build new housing – a “creative” proposal The Arc and other organizations have espoused, long before US Attorney Sullivan made the recommendation in his March 6, 2007 report, and long before the Globe heralded the notion in its June 25 editorial. The proposal we support is in the form of a bill, filed by State Rep. Kay Khan, that is silent on the question of closure – hardly a “provocative” idea.
The Globe also characterized the ongoing debate on Fernald in David and Goliath terms - calling "Massachusetts Arc (formerly the Association of Retarded Citizens) a powerful advocacy group for retarded residents in the state" that "enjoys the support of the private vendors who operate roughly 2,000 group homes under contract with DMR."
Despite getting our name wrong, and inferring we are pawns for the providers and the state (lol!) we appreciate the Globe's depiction of The Arc as a strong advocacy organization. The reason we have grown to become a respected voice for "retarded residents" (note to editor - check out most recent usage terms for people with disabilities, adopted by state and national groups, including President Bush [once again, lol]), is not because we are beholden to vendors or state officials with whom we frequently spar, but because 1) we were founded by families and have a rich 50 year history predating the current debate on Fernald; and 2) the position we take on Fernald just happens to be the one supported by hundreds of local, state and national organizations. If there is power in numbers, then we are fortunate to be part of a national movement that includes grassroots organizations, civil rights groups, and university-based programs. | | | |
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