To hear CNN tell it, there are three things happening in the world: reactions to President Obama's strategy to destroy the Islamic State (aka ISIS, ISL, and who knows what other acronym); the unfolding story in Furgeson, MO; and whether the NFL Commissioner should be fired. All are legitimate stories. One affects our future with the likelihood of mission creep and another protracted war. Another reminds of us our failure to help, support, and celebrate young men of color. And the last, suggests that there are a lot of guys out there with big bucks that think domestic violence against women is a misdemeanor at most.
Is there room for anything else? Things of long lasting importance, perhaps? Here's hoping that the Senate can a take the time to ratify the resolution on the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities a (CRPD). Those of us that have promoted such action have done what we have been told to do. We have contacted and met with Senators and staff over and over again. We have addressed with facts all of the points raised by the opposition. We have detailed all the benefits ratification will trigger. And we have outlined the adverse effects if we do not join the 145 + nations that have ratified the CRPD.
If we've learned anything from CNN this week, it is this: context is important, balance is a challenge, and video can change they nation's mood on a dime. So what do we need to do? Ask 1,000 wheelchair users to crawl up the Capitol steps? Go home, forget about ratification of the CRPD, because it's not our turn, not our time? There's got to be a third, reasonable option -- like, Senators Reid and Menendez carving an hour out of the Senate calendar and having a vote on the CRPD. We need it. We deserve it.
If we are a nation founded on freedom, opportunity, and human rights, then taking a few minutes of Senate time to ratify the CRPD, would bring an element of credibility to all the calls for coalition building, don't you think?
Thank you.
Common Grounder
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