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Subject: Should class action lawsuits be forced into federal court?


How would YOU like to influence a piece of congressional
legislation?
Doesn't that sound like fun? That's what The People's Email Network
is
all about. So let's just do it! This week the Congress will try to
fast track proposals to restrict class action lawsuits to federal
court,
even where existing state remedies might be more effective. Unless
you
raise your voice now this thing is going to be rammed through in a
matter of days. What do you think Congress should do?

Here is an easy one-click forms you can use make your voice heard. It
automatically looks up your senators and house representative and
sends
them your personal message all at the same time:

http://www.usalone.com/class_action.htm

Do you want our representatives in Washington to stand up for you
more
often? We must back them up with our vocal support if we expect them
to fight for us on this or any issue. The People's Email Network
encourages you to speak out and keep speaking out, regardless of your
political position, until our representatives truly hear you.

And now you can have your own custom Issue Action Center featuring
any
issue of interest to you for you for no charge. It's an amazingly
small block of HTML code you can drop into any web page anywhere for
an
instant dynamic action menu effect. And we will set up a
corresponding
issue action page on The People's Email Network for you too. Pursue
your
own policy initiative! See the code in action at

http://www.usalone.com/action_center.html

Please forward this message and post these links everywhere you can
to
everyone you know.





"Children learn what they live"

StiSLURPizing fathers
By Cathy Young | January 24, 2005

EVERY SO often, yet another wrenching story of a contested adoption is
in the news. Television cameras capture a heartbreaking scene: a
frightened,
sobbing child being taken away from the adoptive parents, to be
handed over to
biological parents whom the child has never met. The latest such drama
unfolded recently in Jacksonville, Fla., where 3-year-old Evan Parker
Scott has
been returned to his birth mother after the adoption was annulled
because it
took place without the birth father's consent.

In these cases, public sympathy is typically on the side of the
adoptive
parents -- while the unwed father is often assigned the role of
villain.
He's seen as a feckless good-for-nothing who wants the rights of a
father just
because he took the trouble to impregnate a woman.

Sometimes, the popular perception may be justified. (Evan Scott's
biological father apparently has a history of drug abuse and
violence, including
toward the mother when she was pregnant.) But then there are the
other cases.

Take the story of a New York City police officer identified in legal
papers only as Robert O. When his ex-girlfriend found out she was
pregnant
shortly after their breakup, she decided not to tell Robert and
arranged an
adoption. Eventually, the couple got back together and married -- and
one day,
Robert learned that he had a 17-month-old son. His quest for paternal
rights
ended in defeat in 1992; the courts held that Robert had only himself
to blame
for not keeping in touch with his former girlfriend and not knowing
about her
pregnancy.

In 2000, a 19-year-old Iowa man, David Heidbreder, got quite a shock
when he found out that his former girlfriend Katie Carton, who had
gone to stay
with her grandparents in Minnesota after their breakup, had given
birth to a
girl and put her up for adoption. (Carton had refused to tell
Heidbreder
where she was but had stayed in touch by e-mail and assured him that
she would not
give up the baby.)

He filed papers with the Minnesota registry which allows men to claim
parental rights and block an adoption. However, he missed the
registration deadline -- 30 days from the child's birth -- by one
day. He sued and lost.

In recent years, some unwed fathers have been more successful in
court,
though not in the court of public opinion. Ottakar Kirchner, the
father
of "Baby Richard," was vilified in the press after he managed to
regain custody
of his son. The boy was born when Kirchner was away on business in
his native
Czech Republic; the mother, Daniela Janikova, had decided to break up
with
Kirchner after hearing rumors of his infidelity. She lied to him that
the child
had died at birth and repeatedly frustrated his attempts to track
down the boy.

Biological paternity isn't everything; but it isn't nothing, either.
Where is the sympathy for fathers who lose their children through no
fault of
theirs? Would we be more sympathetic if a woman's baby were taken
away at the
hospital and placed for adoption without her knowledge because the
birth father
signed the adoption papers?

The father in such a case faces a strong presumption of guilt. It is
readily assumed that if the mother doesn't want him involved, he's
either
abusive or terminally irresponsible. In society's eyes, when a man
doesn't want to
marry his child's mother, he must be a cad; when a woman doesn't want
to marry
the father, he must be a creep.

People can believe that a man would wage a lengthy legal battle out of
spite at his ex-girlfriend; yet many won't allow that a woman could
want to
deny her ex-boyfriend his child for equally base reasons. We
stiSLURPize and
prosecute men who refuse to support their children, but not women who
willfully
conspire to keep a father away from his child.

It's particularly bizarre to place the burden on the man to find out
if
the woman is pregnant, considering that she's the one with direct
knowledge
of her condition. Indeed, if a man took such steps after the woman
had told him
she wanted no further contact, he could be considered a stalker.

In the end, our society sends men quite a mixed message. If your
partner
gets pregnant and decides to keep the baby, you're liable for 18
years of
child support, whether or not you want to be a father. If she doesn't
want to
be a mother, she can give your child to strangers and there isn't
much you
can do. Then we complain that men don't take parenthood seriously
enough.

Cathy Young is a contributing editor at Reason magazine. Her column
appears regularly in the Globe.

==================================
Shared Parenting Action Alert
==================================


The time has come to make your opinions known to our state
legislators that parents and children need Shared Parenting
and a more practical child support model.

Please take time over the next week or so to start calling and then
faxing State Representatives and Senators to ask them to support the
Shared Parenting bill being sponsored by Rep Richard Myers, Paul
Froehlich, and Sidney Mathias--and clearly everyone you talk to that
you do NOT support the proposed bill by the Illinois State Bar which
would water-down the definition of "parent."

We've worked long and hard over the past 12 months to make our Shared
Parenting proposal a reality. There would be NOTHING WORSE than to
have a family court system already run amok by outdated and unworkable
statutes to be modified in such a way that provides an even more
difficult environment for fit parents in our family court system.

Also let them know that Illinois' child support statutes are in dire
need of reform, and are damaging to blended families of non-custodial
parents.

If you have questions or would care to share letters or conversations
you've had with state lawmakers, please feel free to do so.


Thank you for your time and consideration.



Sincerely yours,


Michael Burns
Executive Director
Dialog on Sustainable Community
Chicago, IL



"Children learn what they live"

http://rockymountainnews.com/drmn/local/article/0,1299,DRMN_15_3522790,00.html

February 4, 2005

DENVER


Judge charged with DUI takes plea agreement

A DUI charge was dismissed Thursday against a judge in the 18th Judicial
District who pleaded guilty to reduced charges in Denver.

Vincent White, 41, was fined $200 after pleading guilty to a speeding
charge in Denver County Court, said Lynn Kimbrough, spokeswoman for the
Denver district attorney.

He also was assessed six points against his driver's license for traveling
60 mph in a 35 mph zone.

White was pulled over for speeding Jan. 7 on Park Avenue West near
Globeville Road. He was arrested for investigation of speeding, careless
driving and DUI.

White refused to take a roadside sobriety test and refused to submit to a
blood test.

Kimbrough said the DUI charge and a careless driving count were dismissed
as part of the plea agreement because there was no likelihood of
conviction and no reasonable belief that the charges could be proven
beyond a reasonable doubt.



"Children learn what they live"

Filling out our "2005 State of the Nation Survey" and
making your voice heard on issues that really matter to freedom-loving
Americans... issues like religious _expression at public school
graduations, the display of religious materials such as the Ten
Commandments, parents' rights, family values, religious discrimination
in the workplace and abortion.

Our country is in dire straits, and it will only get worse unless we
do something now. Theologian and friend Francis Schaeffer aptly
described it when he said that we are rapidly moving at express train
speed toward a complete loss of Christian values in our society.

"We, the people" must stand up and fight back.

That's why it is so critical that you FORWARD THIS E-MAIL TO YOUR
FRIENDS AND FAMILY. We need your help to spread the word.

Please take a moment right now to encourage your friends and family to
fill out our 2005 State of the Nation survey so their voices can be
heard on these issues of importance!

Once the surveys have been tallied, we plan to share the results with
members of Congress and President Bush. Please help us ensure that the
concerns of freedom-loving Americans like you are represented in these
survey results by encouraging your friends and family to fill out our
2005 State of the Nation Survey.

We need to send a message to President Bush and members of Congress
that it's time to start protecting freedom at home—especially
religious freedom.

Sincerely,

John Whitehead
President
The Rutherford Institute
1440 Sachem Place
Charlottesville, VA 22901
Phone: 434-978-3888
FAX: 434- 978-1789
http://www.rutherford.org



"Children learn what they live"

Another front on the war against non-custodial parents opened Thursday in
Council Bluffs, Iowa, with the entry of a longtime American youth icon's
agreement to produce a most-wanted deadbeat parent television program.

  KRightsRadio has learned that Dick Clark Productions of Burbank,
California, is in preliminary negotiations to produce and syndicate an
"America's Most Wanted" style reality television program aimed at
misrepresenting the facts about good parents and the exploitation of their
children.

Krightsradio, in close communication with Dick Clark Productions as well
as other media professionals across the country, has been working to bring
a halt to the production of this program due to its perceived anti-family
bias.

It is encouraging that DCP-Dick Clark Productions may see the error in
this program idea. But it is equally alarming that a proposal would even
come to  the boardroom on an issue that is so rife with denigration of the
more than 15,000,000 non-custodial parents and their children across
America.

KRightsRadio asks you to call the contact numbers listed on the link
below. We must help DCP-Dick Clark Productions see the problems with a
program such as "America's Most Wanted Deadbeat Parents."

The question lingers, why not a program entitled "America's Most DeadBroke
Parents"?

Please call Dick Clark Productions. The sake of our children's future
relies on you action.

Local officer signs on for new TV show

Consider it "America's Most Wanted" for parents who don't pay child
support, and a Council Bluffs Police officer is in on the ground floor.

Officer Jack Price recently signed an agreement with dick clark
productions in Burbank, Calif., to film a sales tape of a new television
show that targets deadbeat parents.

All Contact information for Dick Clark Assistant and Public Relations
Mayor's office in Council Bluffs, Iowa
Sherriff' Office/Police Chief In Council Bluffs


----->>>        http://www.krightsradio.com/dickclarkcontact.php




"Children learn what they live"

http://www.chicagotribune.com/features/printedition/chi-0502020030feb02,1,2616866.story
No longer just mom's turf
Dads help with kids' health care

By Lindsey Tanner
Associated Press
Published February 2, 2005


CHICAGO -- Picture a parent anxiously checking a sick child's thermometer or hauling the kids to the doctor's office, and the image that traditionally comes to mind is of mom.

But with rising numbers of stay-at-home dads, father-only households, shared-custody arrangements and other cultural changes, men are increasingly getting involved in their children's health care.

Many doctors welcome the change, and the American Academy of Pediatrics is urging pediatricians to help increase fathers' role in what once was considered mothers' domain.

Holistic approach

It's part of a more holistic approach to medicine and a recognition that both parents have a tremendous influence on their children's physical and emotional health, said Dr. William Coleman, a behavioral pediatrician in Chapel Hill, N.C., and co-author of an AAP report on the issue.

But it's also driven by necessity, because fathers are increasingly showing up alone with their children or accompanying mothers to youngsters' checkups and other doctor visits, said Evanston pediatrician Dr. Craig Garfield, a co-author of the 2004 report.

"What happens a lot of times is that the father will accompany the mother," but "will stand off to the back or to the side and not be fully engaged," Garfield said.

"What this report specifically addresses is to say, to acknowledge this important caregiver and to start to develop a relationship between him and the child's doctor."

Ira Dolin of Gurnee is part of the trend. The 43-year-old former financial adviser left his job after his wife gave birth to twin girls. Dolin stays home with the 13-month-old babies while his wife works as a portfolio manager and stock analyst. He says he has always been the one who takes them to the doctor.

It's a role Dolin didn't assume much with his teenage sons from a previous marriage but one he feels increasingly comfortable with, especially because seeing other dads in the waiting room lets him know he's not alone.

On a weekday doctor's visit for one of the twin's skin rash, three out of five parents in the waiting room were fathers, Dolin said.

Some people comment on the role reversal, but Dolin said most of his children's doctors and nurses seem welcoming.

"I just think that in general people feel that mothers are always the more nurturing person, and I don't think it has to be that way," Dolin said. "I can be just as nurturing as most moms can."

It's an approach some pediatricians may not be used to, Garfield said.

"When I was a resident, I really wanted to get the information quickly so would fire questions to the mother" even if the father was also in the examining room, he said. "Over time I realized that really to understand what's going on, I need to get both parents."

Doctors' support key

Pediatricians should encourage fathers to attend their children's doctor visits and should actively engage fathers who already do, the academy's report says. They also should offer evening and weekend office hours to accommodate the trend, the academy recommends.

Garfield said doctors should give fathers the same information mothers get, but that they can tailor it differently. For example, for families with babies, some fathers might be more comfortable than mothers with reducing the temperature on the hot water heater or doing the actual child-proofing of the house.

Pediatrician Dr. Trevena Moore said she began studying the issue after noticing an absence of fathers at children's checkups during her medical residency in Boston.

"It's important not only for both parents to hear developmental information about their child ... [but] also to be aware of the child's medical history," especially in an emergency, when not knowing whether a child has allergies or is up to date on immunizations could lead to less than optimal care, Moore said.

In her recent study of 104 Boston-area fathers of young children, nearly 90 percent had attended at least one doctor visit with their children, but few did so routinely. One of the most commonly cited barriers was employers not allowing time off for the visits.

The results should be a call to employers, doctors and to fathers, she said.

"We care about what fathers think," Moore said.



Copyright © 2005, Chicago Tribune


"Children learn what they live"

------------------------------------------------------------------------------
© 2005 WorldNetDaily.com

More than journalistic ethics is involved in revelations that the Department of Health and Human Services paid columnists to assist with its $1.5 billion marriage scheme.

Attempts to discredit columnist Maggie Gallagher on partisan and ideological grounds are already receiving the bulk of media attention. But this spin must not be allowed to eclipse more important questions.


Gallagher is less the issue than the HHS officials who hired her, including Assistant Secretary Wade Horn. What we are seeing here is the tip of a massive government propaganda machine that reaches out to co-opt potential critics. Within its staggering half-trillion dollar budget, HHS commands over $200 billion in pork-and-patronage grants, more than all other federal agencies combined. Purchasing cronies is not an aberration at HHS – it is the basic modus operandi.

As with all untruths, one failure to be forthright led to another. Gallagher failed to inform her readers that she was on the government payroll. Horn deceived readers and editors with a ghost-written article. But the seminal dishonesty necessitating these others was the underlying policies they were promoting.

HHS claims to be strengthening marriage. But never are we told precisely how federal bureaucrats can save anyone's marriage. HHS is simply devising another formula for infinite government growth.

Horn's marriage initiative is not the product of any popular demand. No family or citizens' groups have seriously advocated it. The initiative has come entirely from government officials and the government-dependent psychotherapy industry, whose members feed from the federal trough. In fact, the program is more likely to undermine marriage than strengthen it. "Relationship skills," "conflict resolution," "anger management," and "child behavior management" are among HHS' favored tools of family engineering. How far the government should be dabbling in psychotherapy has never been debated, but the program confers upon HHS and its psycho-buddies the power to define – and potentially redefine – marriage.

Equally deceptive and even more counterproductive, disbursements ostensibly for marriage enhancement thus far have gone mostly to fund child-support enforcement agencies. Child support is a subsidy on divorce and single-parent homes. HHS has never confronted the likelihood that, in the words of scholars Kimberly Folse and Hugo Varela-Alvarez, "Strong enforcement ... may, in fact ... lead to the unintended consequence of increasing the likelihood of divorce."

Despite pieties to the contrary, no government has a self-interest in reversing the growth of single-parent homes. "I oversee 65 different social programs at a cost of nearly $47 billion dollars each year," writes Dr. Horn. "Go down the list of these programs – child welfare, child support enforcement, programs for runaway youth, anti-poverty programs – the need for each of these programs is either created or exacerbated by the breakup of families and marriages." The unstated corollary is that the administrators of these programs have a stake in those breakups. They also command billions to break them up.

Ironically, no writer has been more critical of political hypocrisy on family issues than Maggie Gallagher. In "The Abolition of Marriage" (1996), she forcefully castigated the "political cowardice" of leaders who refuse to confront the true causes of marriage dissolution, such as unilateral divorce. But the federally funded Maggie Gallagher now belittles attempts to change divorce laws.

Gallagher defends the payments because she is less a journalist than an "expert," and experts take government money all the time. "Nor is it considered unethical or shady," she observes. "If anything, government-funded work is considered a mark of an expert's respectability." Precisely the problem. The integrity of scholarship on family policy has been seriously compromised by government money, but this hardly justifies extending that corruption to journalism. That a huge proportion of research on the family is federally funded is precisely why topics HHS does not want raised are not raised.

Consider the impenetrable titles from Princeton's federally funded Bendheim-Thoman Center for Research on Child Wellbeing:


"The Hispanic Paradox and Breastfeeding: Does Acculturation Matter?"

"Documenting the Prevalence and Correlates of Multi-Partnered Fertility in the United States"

"Diversity Among Unmarried Parents: Human Capital, Attitudes, and Relationship Quality"

These studies are devoted to influencing how government should administer families rather than whether or why it should at all.

One searches in vain for research that asks the basic questions: Why precisely do so many children live in single-parent homes without their fathers? How may government programs and policies undermine families? Government-funded scholars seldom bite the hand that feeds them.

By co-opting scholars and now journalists, HHS has been orchestrating all sides of the family and fatherhood debate. The Department Of Justice has similarly manipulated the debate (or lack of debate) on domestic violence, another gravy train for therapists and social workers.

The two come together in another document Gallagher was paid to compose: "Can Government Strengthen Marriage?" a collaboration of Horn's National Fatherhood Initiative, Gallagher's Institute for Marriage and Public Policy, and David Blankenhorn's Institute for American Values. DOJ funded the publication, and not surprisingly the answer was a resounding "yes" (though it turns out the main thing government can do is provide more therapy). Also not surprisingly, DOJ does not fund studies with titles like "Is Government Destroying Marriage?" And why is DOJ (essentially federal prosecutors and police) involved in marriage at all? Perhaps because DOJ is itself busy undermining marriage by funding dishonest programs to combat domestic "violence" that in most cases is not violent.

This nation is indebted to Dr. Horn. He has done more than anyone to raise awareness about the crisis of fatherless children. But as a public official Dr. Horn has not been fully forthright on the causes of this crisis and on the measures he is asking us to endorse. Before this leads to more deceptions, he must demonstrate the leadership necessary to confront the family crisis honestly, even at a cost to his own agency, or make room for someone who can.

For the Bush administration and incoming HHS Secretary Mike Leavitt, this likewise presents a critical opportunity. They can announce cosmetic reforms, dig in their heels, and concede this scandal to their critics. This will harm true conservatives who must eventually deal with this mess. Alternatively, they can seize the moral high ground, turn the tables on their critics, and demonstrate the statesmanship necessary to bring the HHS behemoth to book. A rogue federal agency is their issue to lose.




"Children learn what they live"

Grown children who know first hand the devastation of divorce and not seeing their fathers, but EOW, should come forward with their stories. Write letters and testify on how this effected their lives. They know by firsthand experience on how the system made them victims.

Interesting article:


http://www.townhall.com/columnists/phyllisschlafly/ps20050131.shtml

Fatherhood faces stacked deck in family court
Phyllis Schlafly

January 31, 2005 | printer friendly version Print | email to a friend Send

It's not just gay adoptions that threaten the right of children to be
raised in traditional two-parent, mother-father homes. A threat also comes
from father-phobic family courts that deprive children of their fathers.

Under no-fault divorce, equality is the rule: Either spouse can terminate
a marriage without the other spouse's consent and without any fault
committed by the cast-off spouse or even alleged by the spouse initiating
the divorce.

When it comes to determining child custody, however, sexism is the rule.
By making allegations of fault (true or false, major or petty) against the
male, the female can usually get the family court to grant her their
children and his money.

Despite an extended string of U.S. Supreme Court decisions upholding the
fundamental right of parents to the care, custody and control of their
children (reaffirmed in a 2000 case), and despite a very high standard
that the government must meet in order to terminate parental legal rights,
fathers are routinely denied due process when it comes to determining
child custody after divorce.

Family courts use a highly subjective rule called the best interest of the
child as recommended by court-appointed child-custody evaluators or
psychotherapists. There is no requirement that they have first-hand
experience with raising children, and they are allowed to use their own
personal prejudices to overrule the parents.

But why aren't parents the ones best able to decide what is in the best
interest of the child?

Family courts routinely rubber-stamp child-custody evaluators who
recommend maternal custody with fathers getting so-called visitation only
every other weekend. This despite the mountain of social science research
presented in Warren Farrell's book, "Father and Child Reunion" (Tarcher;
$24.95), which proves that the best interest of the child of divorced
parents is usually to give the child equally shared parent time.

Two dozen different measures listed in Farrell's book indicate that
equally shared custody is better for children than maternal custody alone.
Farrell's book explains how most fathers provide benefits that mothers
usually don't.

Yet, family courts typically rule as though fathers have no value except
their money, and routinely banish fathers (who have not been proven to
have committed any misdeed) from the lives of their children, except for
every other weekend. Farrell describes how this typical custody pattern is
a loser for the child, causing intense feelings of deprivation and
depressive behavior.

In his new book "Twice Adopted" (Broadman & Holman: $24.99), Michael
Reagan tells how, as the child of divorced parents, he only got to see his
father, former President Ronald Reagan, on alternating Saturdays. He
wrote, "To an adult two weeks is just two weeks. But to a child, having to
wait two weeks to see your father is like waiting forever."

American courts are presumed to be based on an adversarial system with
each side arguing its best case, subject to standards of due process,
evidence and proof. Somehow, that doesn't function in family courts.

Some divorce lawyers advise wives to manipulate the process by using a
three-step technique: (1) make domestic violence or child abuse
allegations, (2) demand full custody, (3) collect large amounts of child
support, alimony, and legal fees.

If the father objects to this process, the wife can make more accusations.
The evaluators then call it a high-conflict divorce and give custody to
the wife, declaring that shared parenting won't work.

If the husband doesn't acquiesce, he is reprimanded by the court for "not
buying into the process." In trying to defend himself against accusations,
the father is denied the basic rights of a criminal defendant such as
presumption of innocence and the necessity that the accuser provide proof
beyond a reasonable doubt.

Family courts force fathers to submit to interrogations and evaluations by
court-chosen child-custody evaluators. Fathers are forced to pay the high
fees of these private practitioners whom they have not hired, whose
services they do not want, and whose credentials and bias are suspect.

The children are also subjected to these evaluators who attempt to turn
the children against their parents in unrecorded interviews.

One of the most un-American aspects of family court procedure is the
sentencing of fathers to attend re-education classes and psychotherapy
sessions to induce them to admit fault and to indoctrinate them in
government-approved parenting behavior. The court-approved
psychotherapists report back to the court on the father's supposed
progress, and his attendance at these Soviet-style re-education sessions
must continue until he conforms.

A cozy relationship exists among local lawyers and court-approved
psychotherapists who recommend each other for this highly paid work of
making evaluations, counseling, and conducting re-education classes. The
psychotherapists decline to challenge each other's recommendations or
question their competence, and lawyers decline to cross-examine them,
because they all want to continue the profitable practice of referring
business to each other and collecting fees from fathers who are desperate
to see their own children.

©2005 Copley News Service

I have a few months before the custody part of the trial moves forward.

Mediation has been ordered and I have time to do additional research.

Just ordered Blind Baseball and I know there is another book out there, but it has two editions. I beleive it is Win the Custody War. Can anyone here tell me which one is the better of the two?

All help is most appreciated and additional recommended reading...

Over the past 10 years, the American public has been fed a steady
diet of negative depictions of men by the mainstream media. We see
it on the Oprah Winfrey Show, TV sitcoms, advertisements, movies,
and even Hallmark greeting cards.

At best, men and fathers are portrayed as inept and confused. At
worst, men are presented as the object of derision and scorn.

There is no better example of these negative portrayals than how the
media covers the issue of domestic violence.

Over 100 studies have analyzed the nature of domestic violence.
These articles consistently report the same result: domestic
violence (DV) is an equal opportunity problem. Women are just as
likely to initiate partner aggression as men. Anyone can review
these studies by visiting the online compilation of Martin Fiebert,
PhD, professor of psychology at California State University at Long
Beach [//www.csulb.edu/~mfiebert/assault.htm].

But the mainstream media see things a little differently. Playing
fast and loose with the truth, the media routinely portray men as
the aggressors and women as the victims.

Biased media depictions of DV are a particular problem for fathers.
Eventually those false stereotypes become translated into unfair
laws and law enforcement procedures. And those stereotypes give rise
to false allegations, which are used to evict fathers from their
homes and remove them from their children.

The media misrepresentation goes far beyond what anyone could
reasonably call sloppy reporting or inadvertent bias.

Editors and reporters have been repeatedly informed of the bias,
both by letter and direct telephone conversations. But the calls for
balanced and fair coverage remain ignored. The unspoken -- and
arrogant -- message is, "We don't care what the truth is. We know
what information you need to hear. Now go away."

Four weeks ago the Washington Post ran a sensationalistic three-part
series on Maternal Homicide. The full-color articles were splashed
across three pages. The series attracted withering criticism from
websites representing the full political spectrum: the liberal
Slate, ifeminists.net, libertarian LewRockwell.com, and the men's
rights site Men's News Daily, and elsewhere.

On December 24 the DC chapter of the National Coalition for Men sent
a five-page letter of complaint to the Post. And what was the
official response? A seven-sentence dismissal that ended with the
absurd claim, "In no way does our coverage of this issue stereotype
or vilify men generally."

That's exactly what CBS did when it responded to the recent
Rathergate scandal: deny, dissemble, and stonewall.

This deplorable state of affairs is about to change.

On Sunday, January 16, a concerned group of men and women from
around the country will launch a domestic violence media watch. The
effort is called RADAR. RADAR stands for Respecting Accuracy in
Domestic Abuse Reporting. The purpose of RADAR is to assure the
media, especially the major newspapers and other national media,
provide fair and balanced coverage of the domestic violence topic.

The issue is timely, since the current Violence Against Women Act is
set to expire later this year. Advocacy organizations soon will be
introducing renewal legislation. To support passage of the VAWA
renewal, gender advocates at media outlets will no doubt begin
to "plant" stories that cater to the scurilous gender stereotypes.

So how will RADAR teach the old media dog new tricks?

Simple: Every time a biased article is published, RADAR will
generate hundreds or thousands of phone calls, e-mails, and letters
from concerned readers. The letters will be factual and reasonable
in tone, but will drive home the basic message: DV is an equal
opportunity problem. By ignoring male victims, our society will
never solve the problem of domestic violence.

Those e-mailers, telephoners, and letter writers will be people like
you, persons who are sick and tired of being maligned and vilified
as a batterers and abusers.

But how will we learn about those biased articles?

Actually, that's the purpose of this messge. RADAR is currently
searching for Media Monitors across the country. The Media Monitors
are persons who read their newspapers on a regular basis - either
online or the paper version.

When the Monitor spots a biased article, he or she will have two
possible courses of action, depending on whether the source of the
biased story is a national publication (like the New York Times) or
a local media outlet (like your hometown newspaper):

1. Major national paper: The Monitor will send an e-mail to the
RADAR Coordinating Team, which in turn will put out a general alert
via internet websites, listservs, and the RADAR website.

2. Local paper: The Monitor will write a letter to the editor, make
a friendly call to the reporter, or other appropriate action.

RADAR currently has a number of persons who have signed up to bird-
dog their local media. But we want to exponentially expand that
network.

Are you game?

Contact Mark Rosenthal, the RADAR Media Monitor Coordinator. Send
the following information to him at info@m...:

- Your name
- Media outlet you want to track
- State (like Illinois) where the media outlet is located


Join the RADAR campaign, assure fairness in the media, and make a
difference. If not now, what are you waiting for?



=====
Gregory Romeo
50 State Federal Class Action Suit for NCP's
https://www.quickbase.com/db/99r7qj9f

http://tulsafathers.org
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Tulsa_Area_Fathers_Rights_Association
http://milliondadsmarch.org
Send Boycott Info to: http://pissonfoc.com/64814/index.html

Official MDM Print Shop/Sign-Maker for ALL groups and individuals.
http://www.yardsigns.org

Carnell Smith ~ DNA CENTER
http://paternityfraud.com
http://4truthidentity.com

srieb@g... ~ European Coordinator http://www.marchamadrid2004.tk

MEDIA
http://hisside.com
KRights Radio http://www.krightsradio.com
BSI International http://www.bsi-international.com
Truth Television http://www.onsecondthought.tv
http://www.mensnewsdaily.com

YOU'RE FUNDING YOUR DOOM!
http://www.ojp.usdoj.gov/vawo/stategrants.htm
WORLDWIDE LINKS
http://www.mk-mens-aid.0catch.com/WORLD%20LINKS.htm
http://www.thetruthandjusticefoundation.org
http://www.mensdefense.org/
http://www.stephenbaskerville.net
http://www.fathers-4-justice.org

"Children learn what they live"

Dr. Lohstroh was murdered on August 27th, 2005 by his 10 year old
son. Many people who knew him said that his ex-wife, Deborah Geisler,
had turned the boy against his father and was the one that should be
getting punished for this crime. There was a custody suit in
Galveston County where the judge gave custody of Dr. Lohstroh's
children to their grandparents citing PAS and mental abuse among
other things. The 10 y/o boy was charged with murder in Harris County
and is awaiting trial in juvenile detention.

Deborah Geisler gave an interview to both Channel 2 in Houston and to
Dateline NBC regarding this case even though there was a gag order in
effect. The District Attorney's office has filed contempt charges
against her and those hearings will be held on February 7th and 15th.

The interview with channel 2 will be a 2 part series, one tonight and
one Sunday night. The Dateline interview will air on Sunday. It looks
like this case will be in the national spotlight once again.

This is obviously a ploy by Deborah's legal team to swing public
sympathy in her direction. So many people are already certain that
she led the boy to shoot his father that she has nothing to lose by
granting these interviews. A few people who had seen the previews
said that Deborah looked "well coached" and that this was extremely
fake. I hope you all can tune in and give your opinion.

If you cannot get KPRC, Houston Channel 2, the interview will be on
their website shortly after the show at //www.click2houston.com. The
Dateline interview should be available nationally on the local NBC
affiliate station. There will be a message board dedicated to
comments about the interview at //www.helpstoppas.com.








"Children learn what they live"

From: "Connecticut DCF Watch"
Subject: Organized Crime Operating in the Child Protection System By:
James Roger Brown, Director - The Sociology Center

NATIONAL ADVISORY
Organized Crime Operating in the Child Protection System

January 20, 2005 Release

Check out this 20-page article and pass it along to others.



http://www.thesociologycenter.com/GeneralBibliography/NationalAdvisory
2005.pdf



Connecticut DCF Watch
//www.connecticutDCFwatch.com
Admin@c...




"Children learn what they live"

http://www.mensnewsdaily.com/archive/m-n/mcelroy/2005/mcelroy012705.htm

Removing Legal Incentives to Lie

January 27, 2005
by Wendy McElroy

Bill Cosby is the latest cultural icon to face highly publicized and
unproven allegations of sexual misconduct.

Indeed, police charges have not even been filed. Whatever may be proven
true of Cosby's conduct, the emerging scandal once again raises questions
about how society should deal with accusations.

What can be done about the growing perception that false accusations --
especially by women -- are commonplace in matters of divorce, child
support, and in sexual abuse cases that devolve into little more than
competing stories?

The false accusations that grab the spotlight are usually connected to
sexual abuse and celebrities. For example, one headline last week read,
"H.S. Coach Awarded $4.5 Million for False Accusation in Sex Case: No
Charges Were Ever Filed Against Patrick Gillan."

Nevertheless, Gillan's mug shot was displayed on TV and in several
newspapers, along with the accusation. Another headline stated, "Woman Who
Accused Celine Dion's Husband of Rape Gets Prison." The article went on to
explain, "A woman who tried to extort millions of dollars...has been
sentenced to up to five years in prison."

But the false accusations that impact most people are more commonplace.
They often occur in the process of divorce, in battles over custody and
child support. For years, advocates of fathers' rights have accused the
family courts of being "anti-male" and of rubber-stamping women's claims.
And, judging by increasing interest in concepts like shared custody, their
voices are being heard.

Unfortunately, the sensational headlines along with men's disillusionment
are creating something of a backlash against women who make any
allegations at all -- true or false. The backlash should be directed
against the legal system itself for offering incentives to lie.

The fact that people lie -- not just women, but people -- has been
acknowledged for many centuries. It is no coincidence that the Ninth
Commandment is "Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbor";
the scripture is widely interpreted to address sworn testimony in court.

Human nature has not changed, and a responsible legal system must promote
honesty. For example, the system can require an oath in criminal court and
enforce penalties for perjury. To be effective, these safeguards have to
be enforced equally on both sexes and all races. Today, the enforcement of
such safeguards has become all the more important for women if they wish
for their legitimate accusations to be taken seriously in the future.

The ancient Hebrews employed a rather severe standard. Those who gave
false testimony before a court were liable for whatever punishment would
have been inflicted on the accused, including death.

Fortunately, false accusations can be minimized without draconian
measures. The simplest solution is to remove from the legal system
incentives to lie. In many cases, removing the incentive will eliminate
sensational trials with murky "he said/she said" scenarios.

Often both the incentive and the lie are clear-cut. For example, consider
paternity claims that are proven false. Such claims almost never result in
legal sanctions against a mother who has knowingly lied. Indeed, she may
continue to be rewarded with child support after the falsehood is
revealed. This is because many states require "named" fathers to pay child
support even when DNA tests prove they have no biological relationship to
the children.

The situation may be changing in the near future.

The Washington Times reported on a precedent-setting situation in
California where a June court decision and a law that became active on
Jan. 1 now allow existing child support obligations to be overturned by
men who can prove they are not biological fathers.

One California attorney, Marc Angelucci, is pressing to establish another
precedent. He has filed in civil court for restitution from the mother and
Los Angeles county officials for child support his client was forced to
pay for a child that was not his. His client is Taron James, founder of
the organization Veterans Against Paternity Fraud; the next court date is
Jan. 25.

This is an ideal area for the courts to eliminate an incentive to lie by
removing the reward for doing so and enforcing penalties against fraud.
The media-grabbing cases may spotlight false accusations as a social
problem, but it is in the day-to-day grind of administering law that the
solution will emerge.

Other solutions for removing the incentive to lie exist. To list just two
and all too briefly:

     * Require criminal charges, like sexual abuse, to be proven beyond a
reasonable doubt in criminal court before they can proceed to the far
looser standards of evidence (and honesty) within civil courts. This would
remove the financial incentive of a civil court award.

     * Stop applying anti-SLAPP laws to proven cases of false accusations.
Anti-SLAPP laws were passed to prevent large corporations from maliciously
suing and, thus, silencing, private citizens and grassroots activists. It
prohibits such lawsuits.

In some areas, like Massachusetts, the law has been applied to immunize
social workers and mothers who seek custody from the consequences of
misconduct. This turns the intent of anti-SLAPP law inside out. It is
literally being used by those in power against "the man in the street."

As juicy accusations flood the news, the weary skepticism with which we
view both the accused and the accusers will probably increase. Cynicism is
an easy non-solution. Those who wish to resolve the problem of false
accusations will roll up their sleeves and start pushing back the legal
incentives that reward lies and cheapen justice.

Wendy McElroy

Wendy McElroy is the editor of
ifeminists.com. She is the author and editor of many books and articles,
including her new anthology Liberty for Women: Freedom and Feminism in the
21st Century (Ivan R. Dee/Independent Institute, 2002). She lives with her
husband in Canada. Other articles by Wendy McElroy can be found in the
MensNewsDaily.com archive.

The Fallen Fathers Candlelight Vigil

In memoriam of those Fathers that have lost their lives to the tyranny,
greed and negligence of a judicial system that has fallen to corruption
over the past 30+ years. These Fathers will NOT perish in vain.

Every year, between 12,000 to 18,000 men / Fathers either die, commit
suicide or are murdered in direct relation to the divorce industry.

The figures are much higher but the governments across the globe will
not cooperate in tracking these figures, so it is left up to those
Fathers that are still standing to track this tragic set of statistics
and to flush out the truths. We have found that thousands of Fathers
that become separated from their children as a result of divorce have
been locked away from contact with their children and this has taken
the extreme toll on many Fathers.

March 11th, every year, across the globe, Fathers hold a memoriam for
those fallen Fathers with a candlelight vigil.

If you know of a Father that has committed suicide or has died or has
been murdered due to a family breakup, please contact us with the story
and the Father's name so that we may associate him with this vigil.

Please send stories to: TulsaFathers@y... and please enter
relevant information in the subject line, such as FALLEN FATHER, so as
not to dismiss your E-Mail as spam.

These vigils are up to YOU to make them happen. For ideas and
questions, log onto http://darrinwhite.com,
http://www.fathers.bc.ca/darrin_white.htm, //www.MillionDadsMarch.org or
//www.TulsaFathers.org for more information. These vigils are in memory
of all the Fathers and their children, for all the pain and suffering
throughout the past three decades of tyranny and greed by those that
would never be able to achieve the true status and right to be called...

a Father.

For more information as to what we are doing to prevent Fathers from
reaching this point, please see the links below.

http://www.fathers.bc.ca/darrin_white.htm

http://www.fathersforlife.org/fatherhood/white.htm

http://pcaccanada.tripod.com/darrin_white.html

http://guestbooks.pathfinder.gr/read/Darrin

http://home.columbus.rr.com/dmw/images/darrinres.pdf

http://www.familylawcentre.com/supportarticles.html

http://www.fact.on.ca/news/news0003/vs000323.htm

http://www.glennsacks.com/darrin_whites_14.htm

http://www.sen.parl.gc.ca/acools/news00/news_mar00.htm

http://www.adiospapa.org/autores/dlaframboisedw.htm

http://www.timmins101.com/messages/messages/1/258.html?988813520

http://www.lbduk.org/Darrin%20White.htm

http://www.gnaf.ca/pdf/AGMminutes2002.pdf

http://www.mesacanada.com/suicid18.htm

http://mera.50megs.com/altmrfa2.html

http://www.sharedparent.freeyellow.com/2002MarchDarrinWhiteAnniversary.doc

http://www.parl.gc.ca/36/2/parlbus/chambus/house/debates/076_2000-03-
31/han076_1100-e.htm

http://www.childrensjustice.org/barnett-white.htm

http://www.lapresrupture.qc.ca/opinion_DebbieEmpey.html

http://www.nnsl.com/frames/newspapers/2002-02/feb8_02fest.html

http://www.lawsociety.bc.ca/library/news/body_news_00-03-30%28nonlawyers%29.html

http://e.webring.com/hub?ring=canadianfathers

http://www.bcfreepress.bc.ca/page120.html

http://mensnewsdaily.com/archive/newswire/nw03/mnd/newswire010603.htm

http://www/PaternityFraud.com

http://www.milliondadsmarch.org

http://tulsafathers.org

http://fathersrights.meetup.com

http://www.thetruthandjusticefoundation.org

http://www.mensdefense.org/

http://www.mens-network.org

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Tulsa_Area_Fathers_Rights_Association

http://groups.yahoo.com/groups/International-Fathers

http://www.mensnewsdaily.com

http://www.stephenbaskerville.net

http://www.falseallegations.com

http://hisside.com


ANYONE can talk the talk, but WHO will WALK THE WALK?
Find your state / country and get signed-up!
It's World-Wide!

1) Fathers
2) Children
3) Mothers
4) Grandparents
5) Foster Children
6) Adopted Children
7) Families
8) Abused Men
9) Victims of the Divorce Industry
10) ifeminists
11) Second Wives
12) Step Children
13) Step Parents
14) Paternity Fraud Victims
15) Responsible Fatherhood Programs
16) Victims of CPS, DFS, DHHS, CSE (Alphabet Agencies)

If you weren't considered an integral part of this movement, you
would not have been notified.If your state / country does not yet have
a coordinator, maybe it's time for you to step up to the plate. Be sure
to forward this to other groups and individuals along the way.

Our European Coordanitor is: Sven Reib E-Mail:
info@M...
Web: //www.MarchaMadrid2003.com

Our U.S. translator is: Don Hank... JLaigle@a...
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Sponsored in part by: TulsaFathers.org, ACFC-OK, ACFC-KC, NCFC,
MillionDadsMarch Network

Darrin had his bank account emptied by the courts and child support
collectors in Canada. When they got done with Darrin, he had just
enough money left in his account to buy a length of rope.......

....... and then go hang himself.

These are just a few of the websites that are springing up worldwide.....




What God has given you, let NO MAN take away.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The Darrin White/Fallen Father's Vigil is a worldwide event, held every
year on March 11th, the year 2003 being the first year that the vigil
went worldwide.

This being the 6th year for Todd Eckert of Canada, who started these
vigils as his best friend Darrin White committed suicide.

More can be researched at: http://www.darrinwhite.com/

Todd Eckert is the primary creator/sponsor for this event and his
attitude is a joyous "Welcome aboard and yes, do whatever you can"...
Learning more about the tragedies of Father/Male suicide, I asked Todd
if he wouldn't mind if others joined in as well and if we should
exploit this vigil worldwide. He was 100% in acceptance and therefore,
we are exploiting this event globally.

You can contact Todd directly at: toadster_1@y...

Todd Eckert
DWCLV oranizer 2003
250-314-7722

http://www.fathersforlife.org/menbroke.htm
In the interval from 1979 to 1996 there were a total of 535,890 deaths
in the U.S.A. that were diagnosed and reported to have been suicides.
Of these suicide victims, 421,991 were boys and men, and 113,899 were
girls and women.

Other websites:
http://www.fathers.bc.ca/darrin_white.htm
http://www.fathersforlife.org/fatherhood/white.htm
http://pcaccanada.tripod.com/darrin_white.html
http://guestbooks.pathfinder.gr/read/Darrin
http://home.columbus.rr.com/dmw/images/darrinres.pdf
http://www.familylawcentre.com/supportarticles.html
http://www.fact.on.ca/news/news0003/vs000323.htm
http://www.glennsacks.com/darrin_whites_14.htm
http://www.sen.parl.gc.ca/acools/news00/news_mar00.htm
http://www.adiospapa.org/autores/dlaframboisedw.htm
http://www.timmins101.com/messages/messages/1/258.html?988813520
http://www.lbduk.org/Darrin%20White.htm
http://www.gnaf.ca/pdf/AGMminutes2002.pdf
http://www.mesacanada.com/suicid18.htm
http://mera.50megs.com/altmrfa2.html
http://www.sharedparent.freeyellow.com/2002MarchDarrinWhiteAnniversary.doc
http://www.parl.gc.ca/36/2/parlbus/chambus/house/debates/076_2000-03-31/han076_1\
100-e.htm
http://www.childrensjustice.org/barnett-white.htm
http://www.lapresrupture.qc.ca/opinion_DebbieEmpey.html
http://www.nnsl.com/frames/newspapers/2002-02/feb8_02fest.html
http://www.lawsociety.bc.ca/library/news/body_news_00-03-30%28nonlawyers%29.html
http://e.webring.com/hub?ring=canadianfathers
http://www.bcfreepress.bc.ca/page120.html
http://mensnewsdaily.com/archive/newswire/nw03/mnd/newswire010603.htm

This is where we were last year, 2003:
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Subj: Re: Darrin White Vigil Packages
Date: 2/18/2003 1:19:11 AM Central Standard Time
From: toadster@t...
To: TulsaFathers@a..., pjuoksu@m...,
who_s_my_daddy2000@y..., pcac~bdn@w...,
ktitus@s..., lise_bilodeau@y..., northern_sky@c...,
toadster@t..., b_depape@h..., ozzyde@n...,
kidshelp@i..., chuckonline@y..., male6@t...,
vernonbeck@c...
Sent from the Internet (Details)

I am pleased to announce that we have eleven confirmed partisipants (in
diferent cities) for the Darrin White Candle Light Vigil for this year.
On the first year we had 1 city, second year 4 cities, third year 5
cities (small turn out because of lack of organization and short
notice), and this year with lots of notice we will double!) We even
have one city in the USA.

I've cc'd Bill and Vern in hopes they can convince Toronto(FACT), and
Earl to see if he can get Calgary going. Both these groups were
involved in the past

I will be sending out all the packages via email except for one to be
done by snail mail before Tuesday February 25th. The Vigil is on the
11th of March, so there will be time to work with the items before
hand.

The package will include (in no particular order), a suggested program,
a picture of Darrin, his daughter Ashlee's letter, a Canada Court Watch
article, an outline of the areas of family law that cause this tragity,
a partial list of others who have lost their lives due to suicide
because of family law, a press release, a set of suggested directions,
list of cities and group names participating (to go out with press
release), Lord's Prayer, and posibly a few more items.

If anyone has any questions at any time do not hessitate to call me.

Todd Eckert
DWCLV oranizer 2003
250-314-7722
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Generally what we have been promoting/suggesting is the active
participation of individuals/groups worldwide as these issues need to
be flushed out into the public eye, need to be addressed and corrected.

Being that most individuals/groups are just catching onto the growth of
this vigil, the basic concept is to hold a vigil in your city,
prefferably at the county courthouse, during hours of opperation and
then into the night, early evening @ 7pm or whatever will suit the
conditions of the area.

Getting a local pastor or minister and your local church groups
involved would be ultimate.

Utilizing community internet calanders, news ads and PSA's (Public
Service Announcements) whenever possible works well. I have found that
when I go online and post something in the local media "calander of
events", draws a lot of media attention, as they scan those calendars
to keep up with the local community.

We suggest that people get a tiki-torch type oil lamp as well as a box
of candles and small Dixie Cups at a local discount store to keep
expenses down. Having candles available to offer passers-by a chance
for involvement makes them feel a part of this great cause, whereas, no
candle, no interest to stand at your side.

The Tiki-Torch canister from, say Wal-Mart, along with the lamp oil
works well so that the group can have an "eternal flame" at their vigil
and having a flame available not only creates a pressance, but allows
others just arriving a quick access to getting their candles lit. The
Dixie-Cups work well with an inserted candle to catch the wax flow as
well as create a glow when using these at night.

Banners, posters, leaflets, etc., to show and handout describing short
and precise statistics as to the atrocitie(s) of male/Father suicide
that is occuring worldwide. Most definitley pictures of loved ones
affected by the divorce industry in tragic times such as this.

Personally, I have created several posters, (One Attached) that has the
names and cause of death of these fathers in the background, with a
general message that stands out. If you would like to follow suit, I
have used a program called: POSTER 7, available on the internet at:
http:/www.postersoftware.com

This program will allow you the ability to make several posters that
print out on 8 1/2 X 11" paper and then you trim and paste together
much like a puzzle. It works great when you do not have time or
resources to run to a printer.

I held a vigil in front of the Tulsa County Courthouse last year, (1st
one of these I sponsored) There were two of us with a large amount of
pins, (photo attached as well), posters as well as flyers to hand out
to bring about awareness to the crisis of Father suicide and murder
caused by the Divorce Industry.

It was interesting to see most lawyers cower and run past us, whereas
most family members that had relatives or friends in the situation of
considering to or have in fact been killed or had taken their own life
due to the divorce industry.

We had a circuit court judge stop by and speak with us for well over 20
minutes on the issue and stood in full support of what we were doing.

So, for starters, I think I have exhausted you enough. Should you have
ANY questions, by all means, feel free to contact me at:
TulsaFathers@h....
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The Tulsa, Oklahoma Vigil will take place starting at 8am at the Tulsa
County Courthouse on Denver Ave & 5th, between the Tulsa County
Courthouse and the Central Library, ending time ?

Contact:
Gregory Romeo
Tulsa Area Fathers Rights Association TulsaFathers@y...




=====
Gregory Romeo
State Information on Each State's Class Action Lawsuit for Non
Custodial Parents https://www.quickbase.com/db/99r7qj9f

http://tulsafathers.org
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Tulsa_Area_Fathers_Rights_Association
http://milliondadsmarch.org
Boycott Info to: http://pissonfoc.com/64814/index.html

Official MDM Print Shop Sign-Maker for ALL groups and individuals.
http://www.yardsigns.org

srieb@g... ~ European Coordinator http://www.marchamadrid2004.tk

MEDIA
http://hisside.com
KRights Radio http://www.krightsradio.com
BSI International http://www.bsi-international.com
Truth Television http://www.onsecondthought.tv
http://www.mensnewsdaily.com

YOU'RE FUNDING YOUR DOOM!
http://www.ojp.usdoj.gov/vawo/stategrants.htm
WORLDWIDE LINKS
http://www.mk-mens-aid.0catch.com/WORLD%20LINKS.htm
http://www.thetruthandjusticefoundation.org
http://www.mensdefense.org/
http://www.stephenbaskerville.net
http://www.fathers-4-justice.org

http://www.wate.com/Global/story.asp?S=2850004

January 24, 2005

By YVONNE NAVA
6 News Anchor/Reporter

KNOX COUNTY (WATE) -- A mother and her boyfriend are charged with child abuse involving four children, ages five and under, at a home in west Knox County.

Sheriff Tim Hutchison said it's the worst abuse case he's ever seen.

The pictures are too graphic for 6 News to broadcast. Hutchison showed the several media snapshots of the children Monday to show how severe the abuse was. Even in a room full of seasoned journalists, almost everyone gasped. Others had to turn away.

Investigators have talked to all the children. The family had just moved from Anderson to Knox County.

Hutchison says the five-year-old boy said he felt guilty for not being able to protect the others. He said if he tried to help them, Corey Reep, 20, their mother's boyfriend would hurt them worse.

The other children are a four year-old boy, a three year-old girl, and a one year-old boy.

Reep and the children's mother, Stephanie Allen, 23 are each charged with four counts of aggravated abuse.

According to the sheriff's office, deputies said Allen tried to hide Reep when they arrived and she also tried to hide the three-year old girl. Deputies found Reep hiding in the bathroom.

Carrie Drummer lives a few houses down from the family who had just moved into a rented house at 8909 Ripon Circle. Drummer says her neighborhood was swarming with officers Sunday night when the arrests were made.

"We couldn't even get to our house. We had to squeeze in. There was a lot of people out here," Drummer said.

Reports show the children all had bruises and knots on their bodies. "The (three-year-old) girl was severely burned on the lower part of her body and she had bruises and knots all over her head," the sheriff said.

Hutchison says their focus is making sure the children are safe. "Last night, the burns were so bad that Children's was considering sending the three-year-old to the burn center in Cincinnati." However, the weekend's winter storm made flying there impossible.

Children's Hospital staff decided Monday to keep the girl there for treatment.

Hutchison says the children's physical injuries are bad but the psychological damage is far worse. "All of the children were hurt repeatedly. No one was there protecting them. The mother should've been there protecting the children. That's her duty. That's her job."

On January 3rd, the mother filed an order of protection against her boyfriend but the sheriff says that's not enough to keep her from being charged.

Ambulances rushed all four kids to Children's Hospital Sunday. The youngest two are still there being treated. All of them are now in state custody.

Reep and Allen are both being held in jail. His bond is set at $1,250,000. Her bond is set at $700,700. She's also charged for bad check writing.

 

 

"Children learn what they live"

Thought what I am going thru may help others, so decided to share what works and does not work, at least in my situation. Your jurisdictions may be different.

Parenting Time Tracker "Optimal" was not even looked at. My handwritten journals in a spiral notebook, is what is being entered. And the judge is looking closely at that. Just very glad I did them both.

On 37 contempts, I only got one on her. They claim written notice was not given. Nothing in the temp order about it being in writing, just said to inform. Up until 4 months ago, verbal had been fine. Ex accepted verbal. I had gas receipts and incident reports where police had witnessed my informing her. I also had other witnesses. My tip, put it in writting and ask for signature receipt return.

Being organized is also helping, my attorney said it shows great concern on the matters at hand. Deep commitment for my sons wellbeing.

All her lies and deceit do not matter. I have back up documentation showing what an evil, vicious, lying manipulator she is. It does not matter. She is lying thru her teeth at every turn, but somehow that counts. Her words are golden.

Another week to go, I will try to post any other things that might help someone else. When this is over, I am totally committed to reforming the injustice. It is a sad state of affairs when evidence can not be submitted due to your statis as a NCP.

The only person important, is our son. Someday, 25 years from now, when he is ready. I will hand him everything. He can look thru and read for himself. If he learns the truth before then, I will leave it up to him to look at all I compiled. Everything good and bad. There was good in the beginning. I want him to know that he was conceived out of love. And that it is the total commitment and deep, unconditional love for him, that has placed me where I am today.

We are pretty well thru the financial end of things. My son was the winner on that one. For that, I am happy...


"Children learn what they live"

ACFC
http://www.acfc.org/
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
 
                                                                                    Organizational Meetings in California
January 25, 2005 - 7 - 8:30 pm. Hold the Date.  North, South, East or West, if you are within 100 miles of Van Nuys you are encouraged to attend an ACFC and COPS sponsored shared parenting organizational meeting.  You do not need to be a member of ACFC to attend, this meeting is open to all members of the public concerned about family law reform.
Did you know shared parenting legislation is being introduced this year in California?
Did you know there are positive developments on the moveaway issue?
Did you know the laws have been changed regarding paternity fraud?
Did you know you can impact the legislature this year and help get shared parenting laws passed in California?
Come to the meeting on January 25, 2005 and become involved.
The agenda and speakers  are:  Organization development, member recruitment, committee formation, 2004 successes, 2005 goals, Glenn Sacks, Former Assemblyman Rod Wright (invited), Sacramento Lobbyist Michael Robinson and ACFC Exec. Dir. Mike McCormick will discuss local, state and national activity regarding issues of concern to fathers, mothers, parents and grandparents.
Time:  7 - 8:30 pm
Location:  
Marvin Braude Center

6262 Van Nuys Blvd. (Corner of Van Nuys and Sylvan Blvds.)

Room 1A & 1B

Van Nuys, Ca. 91401

Click here for link to http://www.mapquest.com/
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Children Need BOTH Parents!
 
The American Coalition for Fathers and Children
 
For Membership information call 1-800-978-DADS
or see ACFC's homepages at: http://www.acfc.org
 
To subscribe send a message to:  [email protected]
Message in subject line: subscribe acfc
 
To unsubscribe send a message to:  [email protected]
Message in subject line: unsubscribe acfc
 
The ACFC List Serve provides timely information to fathers, second
wives, and others seeking restoration of fatherhood in America and
the world.  ACFC does not endorse or approve the views or opinions
expressed by contributors, which have been provided only as a
service to our list serve subscribers.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
"Children learn what they live"

For those of you dads out there trying to hang on to your life savings, property and investments, my attorney came up with a winning strategy. I will be happy to share, send me a PM.

I would rather not post this publicly, due to PBFH finding me here....

My trial has begun, it will take many more days then first anticipated, prayers and good thoughts are most aprreciated. I have a long way to go, my son will and always be my top priority.

And I hope this b!tch burns in hell.... I can tell you one thing, she is not happy tonight.

GOOD NEWS!!!! I AM OFFICIALLY DIVORCED! AMEN.....

http://washtimes.com/national/20050115-115942-7925r.htm

Law aids paternity fraud victims


By Cheryl Wetzstein
THE WASHINGTON TIMES

A lawyer says she has helped seven California men escape erroneous child
support orders, though another man, who has been fighting his order for
almost a decade, is waiting for his day in court this month.
     California "paternity fraud" victims are finding relief under a
landmark 2004 court decision and a law that went into effect Jan. 1. Both
offer opportunities for courts to overturn established child support
obligations for men who can prove they are not the fathers.
     In just the past few weeks, "I have overturned seven [men's cases].
... They're off the hook," Santa Ana, Calif., lawyer Linda S. Ferrer told
The Washington Times last week.
     All seven men had been assigned child support orders by default, which
means they weren't in court to defend themselves, she said. Two of the men
had been close enough to the mothers to have once had a relationship with
the children, but the other five "had never met the mother," Miss Ferrer
said.
     News has spread, and she said she has heard from fathers from "all
over the state" asking for help.
     Meanwhile, Taron G. James of Torrance, Calif., founder of Veterans
Fighting Paternity Fraud, is eagerly awaiting his Jan. 25 court date.
     "I am trying to get my name cleared as the father of this child that
isn't mine and I don't even know," said Mr. James, a Navy veteran from the
Gulf war.
     Mr. James admits he had an affair with the mother, but it ended a year
before her child was born in 1992. A DNA test obtained in 2001 excluded
him as the child's father.
     In addition to relief from the child support order, Mr. James wants
restitution for the estimated $12,000 taken from him in child support and
$38,000 he has spent fighting the system since 1996. A separate suit,
filed in civil court, seeks monetary damages from the mother and Los
Angeles county officials, all of whom defrauded him, said his lawyer, Marc
Angelucci.
     Paternity fraud cases typically languished until two pivotal events
last year.
     The first was a June court decision in the case of Whittier, Calif.,
construction worker Manuel Navarro.
     Mr. Navarro's saga started in 1996, when a woman who lived in his
neighborhood named "Manuel Nava" as the father of her twin boys. Child
support officials assumed Mr. Navarro was the father and sent a summons to
his sister's home. When Mr. Navarro didn't respond within 30 days, the
court established a $247-a-month child support order for him by default.
     This "default" practice is not uncommon in California. More than 70
percent of the state's child support orders were established by default ?
a rate that is "dramatically higher" than in other states, Urban Institute
researchers said in a 2003 study of California's child support system.
     In 2001, with DNA proof that he was not the father, Mr. Navarro,
represented by Miss Ferrer, sued to have his child support order thrown
out. A lower court refused, saying too much time had elapsed, but Mr.
Navarro won on appeal.
     The county "should not enforce child support judgments it knows to be
unfounded," the California Court of Appeal for the 2nd District said in
its June 30 decision. "[W]hen a mistake occurs in a child support action,
the county must correct it, not exploit it," it added.
     Child support officials quickly moved to get the Navarro decision
"depublished" or rendered moot for use in court. But in November, the
California Supreme Court denied their request, and the law stands.
     The second pivotal event came in September when Gov. Arnold
Schwarzenegger signed a paternity fraud law called AB 252, which allows
men to challenge established child support orders under limited
circumstances. It went into effect Jan. 1.
     A spokeswoman for the California Department of Child Support Services
told The Washington Times that it has been updating its officials on AB
252. Child support workers, she added, are using better tools to locate
fathers, which means fewer default orders are issued.

--------------------------------------------------------------------

"Children learn what they live"

http://www.mensnewsdaily.com/archive/m-n/mcelroy/2005/mcelroy010605.htm

What to Do About Daddy?

January 6, 2005

by Wendy McElroy
By court order, 3-year-old Evan Parker Scott of Jacksonville, Fla., is
being separated from his adoptive parents and returned to the biological
mother who surrendered him at birth.

Why? Because something was missing from the adoption process: the father's
consent.

In 2005, family courts will confront a question head-on: "What to do about
Daddy?" In the case of Evan, the question is, "what to do about the "birth
father"? ? a term that properly denotes the biological and often unmarried
father of an adopted child.

The media has discussed Evan's case as a tragedy caused by the court
validating "father's rights" at the expense of a child's welfare. Whether
the rights of Evan's biological father were in fact violated remains a
point of debate in this specific case, but overall, a good argument can be
made for the opposite view: By ignoring the father's rights at the outset
of an adoption proceeding, courts set the stage for this kind of needless
tragedy.

When custody is contested, the child's welfare should be foremost.
Accordingly, commentary has centered on Evan. The children's advocacy site
Hear My Voice offers poignant coverage of the transfer to his birth
mother. In the Boston Globe, Jeff Jacoby writes, "Only a legal system that
believes ties of blood are the truest expression of parenthood could order
a boy stripped of the parents who have raised and cherished him from
birth."

Jacoby misses some salient points.

One: Evan's situation did not arise because his father suddenly appeared
after three years. Five months after Evan's birth he filed papers with the
court and has mounted a continuous legal battle.

The tragedy occurred, at least in part, because the court transferred
Evan's guardianship (with a presumption of adoption) to the Scotts before
the father's claim had been resolved. In doing so, I believe the court
acted inappropriately, and with tragic consequences.

Two: the court acted inappropriately because, when both parents are known,
they are both responsible for the child's welfare and they possess an
equal claim to parenting. If parental responsibility is to be legally
binding ? e.g. for child support ? so, too, is the parental claim. Before
an unwed woman can put a child up for adoption, the father should be given
the opportunity to raise his child.

Four: saying that a child's welfare should be foremost does not negate the
rights of the two parents. The appropriate action is one that preserves
the rights of all involved through negotiation if at all possible. Only if
a parent is a clear threat to the child should his or her rights be
summarily abrogated.

Good Morning America compared Evan's case to "'Baby Richard'...a (1995)
court battle that went all the way to the U.S. Supreme Court." In that
case, a 4-year-old was taken from adoptive parents and given to his birth
father.

However, the cause of birth fathers' rights might not fare well if 'Baby
Evan' becomes a test case. Evan's biological father was convicted of and
served a jail term for assaulting and hospitalizing his birth mother while
she was pregnant. This, unfortunately, lends credibility to the image, in
these types of adoption cases, of the "birth fathers" as uncaring,
unstable and unfit for parenthood.

Moreover, it is a widely accepted belief that in cases where there is a
history of domestic violence, fathers bid for custody as a way of
harassing the mother.

These are two common objections to birth fathers' involvement in adoption:
they are uncaring or unfit parents; and, they will use the courts to
harass mothers. Without question, a number of birth fathers richly deserve
such criticism. But it is improper to deny rights to an entire category of
people because individuals within that category behave badly.

The birth father I met at a conference of the National Coalition of Free
Men may very well be as "typical" as Evan's. He and his mother had driven
across several states to attend the meeting in the hope of making contacts
to help his case. A serious young man of about 20-years-old, he explained
that his girlfriend left town without telling him she was pregnant. She
put the child up for adoption after running the public notice to the birth
father, which is legally required; the notice was an ad in the back of an
out-of-town paper to which he did not subscribe.

By the time he discovered his fatherhood, the window for claiming parental
rights had expired. Now, he and his family were desperately seeking a way
to gain custody and raise the child themselves.

How can courts help to prevent heart-wrenching father-child reunions, like
the one Evan is now experiencing?

They should acknowledge at the very beginning of an adoption proceeding
that both responsible parents have an equal voice. Each parent must be
presumed responsible until shown otherwise. And no adoption placement
should occur if either parent wants custody.

Moreover, the notification process should meet a high standard of diligent
effort before parental rights can be suspended.

Evan is now in the custody of his mother who filed specifically to block
the father's claim; the latter has been granted liberal, but supervised,
visitation.

The court's misconduct, of course, extends beyond whatever original
slighting of father's rights it may have allowed to occur. To correct that
"error" humanely, the court and adults involved might have arranged
liberal visitation for the father with Evan's adoptive parents. But the
mother's filing precluded that very possibility.

The saddest irony is also the worst indictment of the family court system.
Evan was desperately wanted by the Scotts, and his father also very much
wants him. The only person who didn't want him is the one who now has
custody: the mother.

I retract my former statement: perhaps this would make a good test case.

Wendy McElroy

Wendy McElroy is the editor of ifeminists.com. She is the author and
editor of many books and articles, including her new anthology Liberty for
Women: Freedom and Feminism in the 21st Century (Ivan R. Dee/Independent
Institute, 2002). She lives with her husband in Canada. Other articles by
Wendy McElroy can be found in the MensNewsDaily.com archive.

http://www.cnn.com/2005/LAW/01/04/children.drowned.ap/index.html

10 Child Safety Resolutions to make for 2005

 
1.

 Listen to your child/children. Pay attention to what they are telling you or trying to tell you. Far too often parents are too busy or distracted to listen to what their children are trying to tell them. Don't make this critical mistake!!!

 
2.

 Teach your child what her phone number and address are. This is crucial for basic child safety.

 
3.

 Make time for your kids. If you share your time with your children, you will create the trust it may take for them to open up to you and share something that might be bothering them.

 
4.

 Trust your instincts. Nothing is as powerful as a parental instinct. If you have a suspicion, err on the side of safety and trust your instinct.

 
5.

 Teach children about boundaries. It can be somewhat uncomfortable, but teaching a child about what is appropriate and inappropriate play, touching, etc.. can be the difference between an empowered child who can ask for help and a child who is far too trusting.

 
6.

 Make rules about safety and enforce them! For example, if a child knows that he may not play outside of his yard without asking for permission, you are helping yourself and your child. Firstly, you are sending a message to your child that you care about her safety and surroundings while at the same time, you are helping yourself to quickly identify a "suspicious situation" if the agreed upon boundaries are not in place.

 
7.

 Get to know your children's friends and their parents. This is especially important if your child is going to be spending time at another child's house. There is nothing strange about setting up a time for you, as parents, to meet and discuss any expectations you might have regarding the visit, i.e. that a parent will be in the home with the children at all times, etc,etc..

 
8.

 Tell your children that you love them. Explain that there is nothing that he or she could do or tell you that would make you stop loving them. This allows children the freedom to tell you anything that has happened to them that they may be embarrassed or ashamed of. Predators know that they can trick a child into believing that she or he is at fault for being molested. Sadly, very often this trickery works and children blame themselves completely for what is happening to them.

 
9.

 Keep several current color pictures of your child on hand if an emergency situation arises. Usually a picture from the shoulders up works best.

 
10.

 Download your child safety kit from the Childsafe Network.org and use it! Take all necessary samples and put the kit in a very safe place. Click here now to get your FREE kit for 2005!

 
 


Have a Happy and Safe 2005,


The ChildSafe Network Team


* Please note: These tips are provided as recommendations to help protect our nation's children. The ChildSafe Network makes no guarantee that these tips will insure your child's safety.  
 

DENVER -- Once again, four members of the Americans for Justice
Militia entered a judge's office to place a sitting judge under
arrest. At 9:45 this morning the small, unarmed group arrived at the
2nd District Court (1437 Bannock Street), flashed their AJM
credentials, and instructed the clerk to escort them to Judge Wilson's
office.

Judge Wilson was read the charges and was peacefully arrested by
Denver AJM members Tom Cooley, William Adamson, Jeffrey Wilson (no
relation), and Cynthia Washington. The four calmly walked the arrested
judge without handcuffs to the neighboring police station for booking
and incarceration, pending a bail hearing.

Police Captain Hermano Gutierrez refused to comment, but William
Anderson, a senior AJM member, read the following statement for the
media:

"Judges in Denver and throughout Colorado were first put on notice by
Rick Stanley in 2002. Every judge has taken an oath to uphold and
defend the constitutions of the United States and the State of
Colorado, and the citizens of Colorado have the right and the duty to
enforce that oath. Judges who show blatant disregard for the law are
held accountable to the law, if not by our hired servants in
government then by the citizens themselves. Regretably, this is our
nineteenth arrest. We would prefer this to be the last, but that is
entirely up to the judges."

The militia dispersed by 10:15 a.m. when they returned to their
full-time jobs as store clerk (Cooley), programmer (Adamson),
elementary school teacher (Wilson), and peace officer (Washington).




"Children learn what they live"

Same-Sex Couples Receive Legal Boost
Calif. Enhances Their Rights, Duties

By Lisa Leff
Associated Press
Sunday, January 2, 2005; Page A05

SAN FRANCISCO, Jan. 1 -- Like many gay couples, Brian Cornell and Alberto Rulloda long ago established a legal framework for their relationship to match their commitment to each other. They drew up wills naming the other as beneficiary, property agreements and powers of attorney, among other documents. The couple of 27 years wanted to spell out the specifics that would have been presumed if they were married.

Starting Saturday, such improvised arrangements will be less necessary for them and nearly 29,000 other California couples -- the majority of them same-sex partners. A law taking effect with the new year gives gay couples who register as domestic partners nearly the same responsibilities and benefits as married spouses. Heterosexual elderly couples also are eligible.


 
A California law gives domestic partners such as Brian Cornell, left, and Alberto Rulloda in Oakland many of the same rights as married spouses. (Ben Margot -- AP)  

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Same-sex couples in California for the first time will have access to divorce court for dividing their assets, seeking alimony and securing child support. They also will have automatic parental status over children born during the relationship and responsibility for each other's debts.

It guarantees domestic partners a say over what happens to their loved one's remains at death and means they cannot be forced to testify against each other in state courts.

"It won't be as good as marriage because we are talking about a thousand-plus federal benefits that won't be covered," Cornell said. "But a start's a start, progress is progress."

Many gay rights advocates say the domestic partner law heralds a new era of legal recognition and participation for gay men and lesbians. They hope that is particularly true for those raising children or without the money to pay lawyers to prepare the previously recommended paperwork.

One indication of the growing acceptance comes from the California Department of Health Services, which is updating its birth certificates to replace the lines for "mother" and "father" with the gender-neutral "parent" and "parent." Until now, hospitals have altered the forms by hand, and couples have needed a court order for the changes to be approved.

Two groups opposed to marriage rights for same-sex couples have challenged the law, saying it violates the intent of a 2000 ballot initiative approved by voters that holds only unions between a man and a woman are valid in the state. The California Court of Appeal has agreed to hear the case early in the year.

"Whether you call it 'domestic partnerships' or 'civil unions,' homosexual 'marriage' by another name is still homosexual 'marriage,' and the people of California voted against that," said Randy Thomasson, executive director of Campaign for California Families, one of the groups that brought the lawsuit.

Linton Johnson, 31, and Jeff Winkler, 30, already share a bank account, ownership interests in two houses and a romance that goes back six years. The extra responsibilities of domestic partnership, such as obligation for each other's debts, are not a burden for the Oakland residents.

"It helps legitimize our relationship to others," Johnson said. "And in that regard, if you get treated differently, you sort of feel like family with the rest of the world, and that can bring you closer together."



http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A41302-2005Jan1.html?sub=new

"Children learn what they live"

http://www.boston.com/news/globe/editorial_opinion/oped/articles/2005/01/01/new_truths_about_real_men/

New truths about real men

By Rosalind C. Barnett and Caryl Rivers  |  January 1, 2005

THE NEWS about men in the year just past was dismal. A high-profile court
case saw a husband (Scott Peterson) convicted of murdering his pregnant
wife. CEOs at Enron and Worldcom stand accused of defrauding employees and
investors. NBA players waded into a crowd, fists flying. Then, to put the
icing on this poisonous cake, the Department of Labor reported that the
working woman spends twice as much time, on average, as the working man on
household chores and care of children.

It gets worse. At home men are seen as lazy slugs and at work are viewed
as old-fashioned, kick-butt bosses. In school, boys' verbal abilities lag
far behind those of girls. As parents, males are thought to lack parenting
abilities. Expanding paternity leave is pointless, since males are
programmed to have little emotional attachment to their kids.

Males lack empathy with others. If a friend approaches them to talk about
problems, they change the subject or make a joke. In relationships they
don't have a clue. They are faithless wretches "hard-wired" by their genes
to be promiscuous.

Is this picture accurate? Happily, new research shows that it is not.
Indeed, real men manage to escape the stereotypes much of the time. For
example:

* The lazy slug label is unfair. In fact, in dual-earner couples -- the
dominant family form in the United States -- men's housework chores and
child care have increased steadily since 1977, says the 2003 National
Study of the Changing Workforce. The "gender gap" in hours declined by
more than 70 percent, from 2.4 hours per day in 1977 to one hour a day in
2002.

Men are also doing more child care. Between 1977 and 2003, employed
fathers in dual-earner couples narrowed the gap by 57 percent. * Are men
really "command-and-control" types in management style? The most effective
manager, it's now believed, is "transformational," one who gains the trust
of followers and empowers them to reach their full potential. Psychologist
Alice Eagly of Northwestern University found that women managers were
indeed more "transformational" than men. But the difference was very
small: 52.5 percent of females and 47.5 percent of males.

* Do boys lack the "natural" verbal skills of girls? An analysis by
psychologists Janet Hyde of the University of Wisconsin and Marcia Linn of
University of California at Berkeley found the difference between boys and
girls was trivial. Boys overall don't suffer from an inability to speak
and write.

* Do men lack a natural ability to parent young children the way women do?
No. And when men are the primary caretakers of young children, they
"mother" in the same way women do, reports North Carolina State
sociologist Barbara Risman. And for the first time, fathers now spend more
time with their kids than on their own pursuits and pleasures, reported
the US National Study of the Changing Workplace in 2002.

* Do men duck and run when others approach them with problems? In fact, a
2004 study of "troubles talk" finds that both men and women largely
provide support by giving advice and expressing sympathy.

* Are men impelled by their genes to be natural rovers? Psychologists Kay
Bussey of Macquarie University and Albert Bandura of Stanford found that
most males mate monogamously. "If prolific, uncommitted sexuality is a
male biological imperative," the researchers write, "it must be a fairly
infirm one that can be easily overridden by psychosocial forces."

In terms of fidelity, men and women are quite similar. In 2002, the
National Opinion Research Center at the University of Chicago reports, 15
percent of women said they cheated, while the number for men was 22
percent. It's time to jettison the idea that males are clueless oafs who
come from the planet Mars. Men, like women, are perfectly able to be
people-oriented leaders, caring parents, good listeners, and true friends
in time of need. Rosalind C. Barnett is director of the Community,
Families and Work program at Brandeis University. Caryl Rivers is a
professor of journalism at Boston University. They are the authors of
"Same Difference: How Gender Myths Are Hurting Our Relationships, Our
Children, and Our Jobs."

© Copyright 2005 Globe Newspaper Company.

"Children learn what they live"

LAGGING BEHIND THE TIMES: PARENTHOOD, CUSTODY, AND GENDER BIAS IN THE FAMILY COURT[*]

CYNTHIA A. MCNEELY[**]

"When by birth a child is subject to a father it is for the general interest of children and really for the interest of the particular infant that the Court should not, except in extreme cases interfere with the discretion of the father but leave to him the responsibility by exercising that power which nature has given by the birth of the child."[1]
In separate Broward cases, one deadbeat dad was found hiding behind a shower curtain; another in a bedroom closet.

In Daytona Beach, a helicopter and police canines helped track down a father who had fled into woods behind his home when authorities arrived. In Pensacola, one deadbeat dad eluded authorities at his doorstep, only to be captured at the state tax office as he was trying to argue his way out of payments.

"We stalled him until the deputies came to arrest him," [a Florida Department of Revenue spokeswoman] said. "He even tried to run away as he was led out."

. . . .

"The difference with this roundup is that it was statewide, and merely the first in what will be many Florida-wide efforts," [the spokeswoman] said.[2]

I. INTRODUCTION
Society's view of fathers has changed dramatically since the days when courts rarely intervened between the father-child relationship. The transformation can be traced to several sources, most notably the Industrial Revolution, which required fathers to remove their labor from the home to a remote facility.[3] Mothers, viewed as physically and temperamentally weaker, were deemed incapable of adapting to the rigorous demands of the workplace and were singularly charged with the management of the domestic sphere.[4] The feminization of the homefront resulted in mothers replacing fathers as the "primary and irreplaceable caregivers" in both "law and custom," effectively leading to a "progressive loss of substance of the father's authority and a diminution of his power in the family and over the family."[5] The stereotypical images of fathers as familial breadwinners and mothers as domestic caretakers and primary childrearers were born.[6]

With the reemergence of feminism in the early 1970s,[7] many women realized that they needed a man about as much as "a fish needs a bicycle."[8] Justifiably, the male-female relationship was long overdue for a reconfiguration. However, in the quest to throw off the shackles that commonly constrained women in marriage, women, the state, and society overlooked the reality that children needed-and still need-the love and support of their fathers about as much as a fish needs water.[9] Only lately have we begun to understand that children suffer serious negative consequences when fathers are marginalized.[10]

Despite continuous efforts from the feminist and fathers' rights movements to modify these stereotypical images, they still persist today.[11] In no greater sphere do these outdated gender roles persist than in our nation's family court system.[12] There, the state frequently not only denies the capability and desire of many men to participate actively and meaningfully in the care of their children,[13] but also perpetuates the subjugation of women as mothers by deeming them weak and incapable of survival without the support of a man.[14] This state-instituted romantic paternalization of mothers, combined with the narrowed view of the role of fathers, is largely responsible for the wholesale destruction of the post-divorce, father-child relationship.[15] Consequently, the state creates increased psychological, educational, behavioral, and health disorders for children, and crime and violence for society.[16]

Paradoxically, society maintains its insistence that it wants to promote women's independence by setting them free of the constraints of a bad marriage through state-sanctioned marital dissolution,[17] while at the same time operating a system that expects, permits, and maintains the outdated role of women as the weaker and dependent sex, primarily responsible for caregiving and incapable of economic self-sufficiency.[18]

The state's treatment of divorced fathers has become a self-fulfilling prophecy. By sending a distinct message to divorced fathers that they are not essential to the raising of children beyond supplying a percentage of their paychecks to the mother of their children, and perhaps a couple of hours a week of "visitation" with their children, the state has encouraged divorced fathers to abandon true fatherhood.[19] Yet, society looks on with bewilderment and disdain when divorced fathers fade from a meaningful relationship with their children.[20] No one should be surprised that the situation has been reduced to cornering some non-custodial fathers behind shower curtains and chasing them with police dogs and helicopters.[21]

http://www.law.fsu.edu/journals/lawreview/frames/254/mcnetxt.html

http://biz.yahoo.com/prnews/041222/new010_1.html

Press Release   Source: U.S. Attorney

Dead Beat Dad Sentenced to Federal Prison, Reports U.S. Attorney
Wednesday December 22, 10:16 am ET

BOSTON, Mass., Dec. 22 /PRNewswire/ -- A Montclair, New Jersey man was sentenced yesterday in federal court following a trial conviction for
failing to pay child support.

United States Attorney Michael J. Sullivan and Joseph C. Moraski, Regional Inspector General of the Department of Health and Human Services, Office of the Inspector General, Office of Investigations, announced that ALAN MONDAY, age 43, of Montclair, New Jersey was sentenced by Chief U.S. District Judge William G. Young to 1 year and 1 day in prison, to be followed by 1 year of supervised release. Chief Judge Young also ordered MONDAY to pay $57,177 in restitution which represents the full amount of child support that he presently owes. MONDAY was convicted by a trial jury on April 7, 2004 of the single charge of failure to pay child support, a felony provision of the federal Deadbeat Parents Punishment Act.

Evidence presented during the three-day trial proved that MONDAY, a self- employed satellite telecommunications engineer, willfully failed to pay child support for his daughter who resides in Massachusetts, from July, 1998 to October, 2001, for a total of over $16,000. In 1992, MONDAY had been ordered by a Maryland probate court to pay $425 a month in child support to the mother of his child. MONDAY made his last child support payment in 1995.

"When parents ignore their legal obligation to pay court ordered child
support, innocent children suffer," stated U.S. Attorney Sullivan. "In
this case, the defendant's willful failure to pay for the support of his
daughter justified his conviction."

The case was investigated by Department of Health and Human Services, Office of the Inspector General, Office of Investigations. It was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Kimberly West and Seth Berman in Sullivan's Major Crimes Unit.


Source: U.S. Attorney

"Children learn what they live"

http://rockymountainnews.com/drmn/local/article/0,1299,DRMN_15_3427119,00.html

Missing children found

Amber Alert ends with police chase, Springs man's arrest

By John C. Ensslin, Rocky Mountain News
December 27, 2004

BRIGHTON - Police arrested a Colorado Springs lawyer who was the subject
of an Amber Alert on Sunday after he allegedly failed to return his two
small daughters to their mother after a Christmas visit.

Officers subdued David A. Scott, 41, with a Taser device after he led them
on a brief foot chase, said Brighton Police Sgt. John Bradley. Scott was
not armed, police said.

  His two daughters, Heather, 2, and Nicole, 4, were returned unharmed to
their mother about two hours later, police said.

Scott's arrest ended a statewide search for the two girls, whom Colorado
Springs police said were supposed to have been returned to their mother at
8 p.m. Saturday.

The case began in Denver around 1:30 p.m. Saturday when Denver police were
called to the La Quinta Inn at 1975 S. Colorado Blvd. on a report of
criminal mischief.

Police said they found "significant damage" to the room, which suggested a
disturbance had taken place. A Denver homicide detective and a fire
investigator helped examine the hotel room. Police also searched a nearby
garbage container.

Denver police spokesman John White said the room looked "suspicious," but
declined to elaborate.

Meanwhile, Denver police contacted Colorado Springs police after learning
Scott had been the last person to rent the motel room.

Colorado Springs police contacted Scott's former wife, Elizabeth Scott,
who told them her daughters were supposed to have been returned Saturday
night under a court-ordered visitation agreement.

After Scott failed to drop the children off near a local drugstore,
Colorado Springs police contacted the Colorado Bureau of Investigation and
initiated an Amber Alert.

Around noon Sunday, Scott and his two daughters sat down for breakfast at
a Village Inn restaurant in Brighton.

He ordered bacon and eggs and a small chocolate milk for one of the girls.

A customer at the restaurant who had seen the Amber Alert recognized
Scott's rented red Chrysler Sebring and alerted police. Both the front and
back seats of the car were filled with clothing, crackers and stuffed
animals.

When officers arrived, one of them went inside and asked Scott to step
outside. He complied, but as soon as he got outside, witnesses said he set
his 2-year-old daughter down and ran north.

Janina Million, of Dacono, was walking into the restaurant when the chase
began.

"He took off running and all of a sudden a cop comes out," Million said.
"He (the officer) yells at us, 'grab the kids' and then he takes off
running after the guy."

Million and another customer, Coco O'Neill, of Brighton, took the children
inside the restaurant.

"They were completely hysterical," O'Neill said. "We just held them until
they quieted down."

She said the girls were crying out for their father.

Brighton officers chased Scott about 120 yards to a parking lot outside a
Kmart store.

After disregarding the officer's commands to stop, Bradley said one of the
officers fired his Taser, a nonlethal stun gun, and subdued Scott.

Court records show that Scott, an attorney who practices in Colorado
Springs, filed for divorce this summer.

He has been arrested five times in the past year as a result of domestic
violence allegations. The most recent arrest was Dec. 18.

The El Paso County district attorney dropped several of the charges
against him, but Scott is awaiting trial in March on the remaining charges
of false imprisonment, harassment and violating the terms of his bond,
records show.

Elizabeth Scott, 34, has obtained three restraining orders against her
former husband.

Details of her allegations could not be obtained Sunday. David Scott's
mother, reached in another state, said her son has shared custody with his
ex-wife and was responsible for his daughters on weekdays.

"He's a man who loves his kids dearly and would do anything in the world
for them," Ann Beirn said.

Beirn, who declined to comment further, said her son has been traumatized
by his divorce.

Denver police Sunday evening determined that no charges will be filed in
connection with the damaged hotel room because Scott agreed to cover the
costs.

Charges were still possible in Adams and El Paso counties.

Domestic violence activists worry about the long-term effects for children
who are exposed to violence and disputes between their parents.

"The trauma that it puts on the children, I think, is the most frightening
for all of us," said Jeneen Klippel- Worden, director of development for
the Gateway Battered Women's Shelter in Aurora.

"It's not going to be a happy ending unless someone gives them some
intervention."

[email protected] or 303-892-5291 Staff writers Sarah Huntley
and Jennifer Miller contributed to this report.



"Children learn what they live"