WWTBAM Bored

http://www.torreywestrom2014.com/

My local state senator is a Republican candidate for MN 7th seat-currently held by Colin Peterson.

He is about 40 years old and has been a state rep/sen since 1996. He lost his sight in a farming accident when he was 14. I wonder if there has ever been a blind congressman before-Yes, I could look it up-but one has to post something once in a while.

If Peterson runs again, Westrom will be the first credible challenger in decades and I think he is setting himself up to be the natural successor to Peterson, even if he loses this time.

Not posting this for political stuff-more the Blind aspect.

Spock wrote: I wonder if there has ever been a blind congressman before-Yes, I could look it up-but one has to post something once in a while.

Not only blind, but from Minnesota as well, Thomas Schall, who represented Minnesota in both the House and Senate. Ironically, he died while crossing a street when he was struck by a hit-and-run driver.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thomas_D._Schall

This is way better than that TV show I wrote about last night which makes fun of blind people. Good luck to him!

Updated:

We now have a blind state Supreme Court justice. His campaign slogan was "A Blind Justice for All" . Great slogan,huh?

HIs name is Richard Bernstein and if you live in or spend time in Michigan, you've seen the ads on TV for the Bernstein law firm-they specialize in personal injuries like auto accidents and dog bites. It's a family run firm on the east side of the state.

silverscreenselect wrote:

Spock wrote: I wonder if there has ever been a blind congressman before-Yes, I could look it up-but one has to post something once in a while.

Not only blind, but from Minnesota as well, Thomas Schall, who represented Minnesota in both the House and Senate. Ironically, he died while crossing a street when he was struck by a hit-and-run driver.

How was that ironic?

TheConfessor wrote:

silverscreenselect wrote:

Spock wrote: I wonder if there has ever been a blind congressman before-Yes, I could look it up-but one has to post something once in a while.

Not only blind, but from Minnesota as well, Thomas Schall, who represented Minnesota in both the House and Senate. Ironically, he died while crossing a street when he was struck by a hit-and-run driver.

How was that ironic?

Because Alanis Morissette says so?

I had the opportunity to hear Justice Bernstein speak yesterday. He's a very good speaker-if the law thing doesn't work out, he would make an excellent motivational speaker.

He's participated in 18 marathons-including the NYC Marathon 8 times. He's also done an Iron Man competition in Idaho.

TheConfessor wrote:

silverscreenselect wrote:

Spock wrote: I wonder if there has ever been a blind congressman before-Yes, I could look it up-but one has to post something once in a while.

Not only blind, but from Minnesota as well, Thomas Schall, who represented Minnesota in both the House and Senate. Ironically, he died while crossing a street when he was struck by a hit-and-run driver.

How was that ironic?

Perhaps he authored or sponsored a bill to provide funding for safety programs to make crossings safer for the visually impaired. That would be ironic. But, not, as it stands it it not.

BackInTex wrote:

TheConfessor wrote:

silverscreenselect wrote:
Not only blind, but from Minnesota as well, Thomas Schall, who represented Minnesota in both the House and Senate. Ironically, he died while crossing a street when he was struck by a hit-and-run driver.

How was that ironic?

Perhaps he authored or sponsored a bill to provide funding for safety programs to make crossings safer for the visually impaired. That would be ironic. But, not, as it stands it it not.

I happened to find the idea of a blind man crossing a street being struck by someone who presumably did not see him to be somewhat ironic (although according to this article, there was some thought his death might have been part of a conspiracy; apparently paranoia was around in politics 80 years ago as well).

Interesting note about this article: Schall wasn't born blind but lost his sight as a young lawyer when he plugged an electric cigar lighter into a 220 outlet by mistake and it exploded. He enjoyed target shooting; someone would hit the target with a stick and he would shoot based on sound. I'm not sure how that was done. I certainly wouldn't want to be standing next to a target hitting it with a stick while a blind man was trying to take aim at it.

https://nfb.org/images/nfb/publications ... 991108.htm