From jmurtari at AKidsRight.org Fri Dec 7 12:05:20 2007 From: jmurtari at AKidsRight.org (John Murtari) Date: Fri, 7 Dec 2007 12:05:20 -0500 Subject: Myth: Kids have a right to be loved? Superhero Canada! Message-ID: <18265.32080.914849.655385@hammer.thebook.com> Good People & People of Faith, 1. Reform Myth - Kids have a right to be loved? 2. Canadian Super Heroes - still in action! 3. Hall of Shame - where is your story & picture? 4. My children were stolen too.. - let's get the facts! 5. Passports & Politics - summary & plans. 1. Reform Myth - Kids have a right to be loved? ----------------------------------------------- Wow, can you believe people actually think that way? That children have a 'right' to be loved by their parents -- or even more bizarre, that children have a 'right' to what's best in their lives. Next thing you know -- someone will say we all have a 'right' to be happy! In all seriousness, I don't agree with any of those statements. I think I know what people 'really mean' when they use those kinds of words -- that we all want kids to be happy, to be loved by their parents, and to foster a society that promotes those goals.... But when I hear 'reformers' use those types of words I think we lose track of our goals? I wonder what they're thinking? It's a common legal idea that 'there is no right without a remedy.' If you agree with those first statements, then the present system's goal is to protect those 'rights' for children.... Denying the truth of those statements is the 'bugaboo' (An object of obsessive, usually exaggerated fear or anxiety) of our reform effort. It is something common to all Civil Right's movements -- "What do you mean by 'No King!?' -- the commoners are to stupid to rule themselves and us! Free the slaves!? You mean they could move in right next door? End segregation!? You mean that big BLACK teenager is going to date my lily-white daughter?" The bugaboo also helps define who we really are and what we stand for. We don't make it a campaign platform -- but we accept it's truth. I believe our 'right' to be presumed FIT & EQUAL parents has a firm moral basis founded in our duty as parents: http://www.AKidsRight.Org/archive/archive2006/0007.html But a 'right' to be loved. No. I laughed when I read some remarks made by a 'Court appointed custody evaluator' (we all love those people!). This was in the case of Britney Spears. The evaluator said, "She doesn't pay enough loving attention to her kids. She treats them like they're fashion accessories." Does the government have a right to intervene based on that (presently they sure do)....but she also ran a red light!!!!!! We have a clear standard at http://www.AKidsRight.Org/approach.htm -- and the test is being convicted by a unanimous criminal jury verdict of actually causing serious harm to your kids while acting with malintent toward them. What do you think? 2. Canadian Super Heroes - still in action! -------------------------------------------- [It's nice to see some parents are actually taking 'action' and showing a willingness to sacrifice for what they say they believe in. Canada leading the way? ] Submitted by: Burnaby Batman Dec. 3: This morning at precisely 7:00 am the BC Hulk and the Sapperton Spiderman scaled the Sapperton Sky train over pass in New Westminster BC to highlight the struggles many parents face in custody issues.The overpass is about 35 feet from the road (Brunette Ave.) below and is adjacent to the Royal Columbia hospital. The heroes have been up there now for over 2 hours with Fathers4Justice banners flying high. Traffic has been very supportive below and people are congregating at the sky train station to see the heroes. It is pouring rain in Vancouver with 100 ml of rain expected. [ Pictures submitted: http://www.AKidsRight.Org/photoGallery ] Dec. 3 (update): F4J Canada superheroes the BC Hulk and the Saperton Spiderman are still upon the structure. It has been 4 1/2 hours in the rain and winds. BC Hulk is getting cold and I think is about ready to fold. Spiderman wants to hang it out there as long as he is able. The rains have begun to let off a bit and is now merely a drizzle. I was informed that CTV and City TV were sending a camera crew. This was about 20 minutes ago. I just got off the phone with Spiderman. He has informed me that the winds are picking up and they still have not seen anymore cameras. He also informed me that the authorities informed them they would be detained. We agreed that they would remain another half hour to wait for any camera crews in route. After which they will negotiate their dismounting the structures with authorities to expedite their release. Dec. 3 (update): Fathers4Justice Superheroes have just now dismounted from their lofty perch above Brunette Ave. in New Westminster BC. Our heroes are currently in route to the New Westminster BC police station to be processed. As a fellow activist and friend in the cause I would humbly ask for all your help. It would mean a lot to our heroes who just risked their lives and liberty for our cause if everyone would call the police station on their behalf. Not only would it lift their spirits but also show the world we are united in our cause. If those are not good enough reasons to do so then I would ask that you do it for me. Dec. 3 (final): The BC Hulk and the Sapperton Spiderman have been released with promises to appear. They are being charged with mischief. Thank you to everyone who took the time to call the police station. The BC Hulk and Spidey thank you also, it means allot to them. Your support aided in their early release. 3. Hall of Shame - where is your story & picture? ------------------------------------------------- What the system does to parents and children is a real 'Shame.' Right now we have about 175 detailed stories (non-anonymous) from parents all over the United States and overseas. If you have never visited, check out http://www.AKidsRight.Org/shame.htm It is a depressing 'read,' just tragedy after tragedy. Hopefully the recognition and protection of our Civil Right to be presumed FIT & EQUAL parents (unless convicted by a jury of a crime against our kids) would have stopped many of these stories from happening! http://www.AKidsRight.Org/approach.htm If you think publicity will help you are welcome to submit your non-anonymous story. Also, we could really use a web editor to take care of this area of the web site. Please contact me if you are interested: jmurtari at AKidsRight.Org 4. My children were stolen too... let's get the facts! ------------------------------------------------------ [ A story many of us have experienced below. Greg is also trying to get the state to reveal statistical numbers on custody. Gregg has a 'milder' goal of 'clear & convincing' evidence in Family Court before you lose your kids. Many of us don't think that is enough or does justice to what we call a 'Civil Right'. Your thoughts? ] Submitted by: Greg Fischer I was running for public office; the mother of my children decided she did not want me to run for public office. It was Primary Election Day in New York, September 18 and she took the children and left the state. Then next week she filed for custody 2,500 miles away in WYOMING. That was months ago and my children are not back. The maternal grandparents are very wealthy. They have one of the four judges in their town on their payroll, in their offices, in the afternoons, and I am buried in litigation that I can not afford. This is modern day slavery in that my children are on the auction block as we speak. ONLY stronger Federal Legislation will help if we want to start to correct any part of the problem of child snatching! Step 1: Federal Legislation that supports the presumption of EQUAL RIGHTS FOR BOTH PARENTS will help avert custody battles and be the best preventive for parental kidnapping. We must presume all parents are equal as parents no different than we assume they are equal as employees, or as drivers, or as property owners, or as they are equal in any other role. Step 2: The government (especially the states) should not be able to remove PARENTAL RIGHTS without CLEAR AND COMPELLING EVIDENCE. It is ironic that I lobby for families and children and even I am powerless in this matter. --- ALSO I will argue in NYS Supreme Court versus Suffolk County Department of Social Services on Friday, January 18th, 2008 @ 9:30 am before: HON. PETER H. MAYER Supreme Court One Court Street Riverhead, NY 11901 This has been over a year in the making with paperwork. I am seeking to get the lists of Non-Custodial Parents for scientific studies of the effect of litigation, decisions, demographics, social problems, and other issues on children of divorce... Please mark your calendar . [All are welcome to attend the hearing!] 5. Passport & Politics - summary & plans ---------------------------------------- A lot of people shared info on the 'family' positions of the Presidential Candidates -- and to summarize -- NONE of them have made an issue of Family Law Reform. It is not even a little 'blip' on their political radar. As has been demonstrated in the past, that is our job. It is hopefully a Labor of Love. http://www.AKidsRight.Org/civil.htm Regarding filing a Federal law suit on Passport suspension. Several people volunteered to contribute, but I (jmurtari at AKidsRight.Org) got very little definite case law in this area? I have limited time to work on this, the best thing that helps is sending me an actual reference to a law/case cite, or draft argument, that may be applicable... What I plan on doing is preparing a draft within a few weeks and letting folks on the list make comments. I will then file a 'final' with the court and folks who want to contribute can. I will probably try to get the filing fee waived at the same time. I would hate to pay the $350 and see the case thrown out on a technicality. I don't think they give satisfaction guaranteed REFUNDS and I'd hate to see the money go to waste if it can be avoided. -- John Murtari ____________________________________________________________________ Coordinator AKidsRight.Org jmurtari at AKidsRight.Org "A Kid's Right to BOTH parents" Toll Free (877) 635-1968(x-211) http://www.AKidsRight.Org/ From jmurtari at AKidsRight.org Thu Dec 20 10:56:02 2007 From: jmurtari at AKidsRight.org (John Murtari) Date: Thu, 20 Dec 2007 10:56:02 -0500 Subject: Reform Myth: an American Revolution/ Outrage for Britney! Message-ID: <18282.37010.88097.672688@hammer.thebook.com> Good People & People of Faith, 1. Britney - no Christmas with the kids for you? 2. Myth - we need another American Revolution! 3. Your FEEDBACK - worst of the year! 1. Britney - no Christmas with the kids for you? ----------------------------------------------- I've fallen a little (okay, a lot) behind both at work and with group activity getting ready for Christmas. My son is coming for about 10 days. We started some remodeling work over the summer and Dad promised he'd finish part of the job before Christmas -- of course, Dad waited till the last minute! What a pleasant problem. What about many members of the group. You don't have to worry about getting ready to see your kids for Christmas -- the Judge said you won't! Or a former spouse will just not let you see them....what a gut-wrenching experience. Even more frightening -- you've had so many Christmases apart, it doesn't even bother you any more? You got used to it and have come to just accept it. I don't normally follow the 'stars', but I was bothered by the way Britney Spears has been treated. One 'mantra' of our group, that goes along with our goal is: "Good, Average, and Poor parents are all FIT & EQUAL parents!" I've collected some news clips and some email postings below for your review and comment. My thoughts are between [brackets]. Yours are welcome. http://www.nydailynews.com/gossip/2007/12/13/2007-12-13_lonely_holidays_for_britney_spears.html The singer has been looking forward to spending Christmas morning with her sons. But those few hours of toddler time could be in jeopardy now that her ex-hubby Kevin Federline's lawyer is threatening to ask a judge to take away her visitation privileges. On Wednesday, Brit blew off a grilling that K-Fed's attorney, Mark Vincent Kaplan, was due to give her in the couple's child custody battle. Sure, she's done that before, but this was her first court-ordered deposition. [Wow, I never realized it was a 'privilege' to spend time with your own kids for Christmas -- till I got involved with our bizarre legal system. How many times have we seen denying contact between parents & children used as a two-edged sword when a parent 'disobeys' some type of order. Isn't it simple? If she disobeyed the order, hold her in contempt and throw her in jail for a while. If you are not willing to do that -- stop interfering with family....] In October, a LA judge presiding over the custody battle ruled that Britney is a "habitual, frequent and continuous" user of alcohol and controlled substances. Lost custody of her kids. [ Is she really guilty of all this? Was she given the opportunity of a criminal trial and real evidence and a unanimous jury conviction? Of course not -- this is 'family court'. How many similar types of words were used describing many of us? ] But the pop star, 25, is now facing more accusations of child abuse -- just one month after she was cleared of similar allegations by the Los Angeles County Department of Child and Family Services. The DCFS was responding to an anonymous complaint which had been submitted to authorities in July, accusing Spears of damaging her children's dental hygiene and affecting their eating and sleeping habits. [ Child 'protective' services!? Gave the kid's too much candy, forgot to tell them to brush at night? I have to admit a first, bad dental hygiene and we can take your kids away! Please, understand. Does this mean I approve of what she has done? No. Is she a poor parent right now in her life? Probably. But how many other parent/child relationships have gone through those types of phases? Isn't that part of life and family? Is Britney a Bad/Unfit parent -- I would only agree with after she is found guilty in a criminal court of causing actual serious harm to her kids while acting with malintent, with the unanimous verdict of a 12 person jury of her peers. http://www.AKidsRight.Org/approach.htm Here are some of your thoughts below. Also, in later news it has been reported that she will be given the 'privilege' of seeing her kids Christmas day -- how nice of them!? ] --- left anonymous > I think Britney by her actions has proven herself to be a danger to > her children and thus an unfit parent at this moment (which is not a > term I throw around lightly). > And while I agree this might be a good place to gather eyes, I don't > think that it is a case where pushing "shared custody" would be > appreciated by much of the public. I would hope that even advocates > of shared custody would admit that when there is an imminent and > real threat to the safety of a child shared custody should not apply > (the case of Mary Winkler comes to mind). > ... Taking half of her income or more and/or separating her for a > prolonged period from her children helps neither her nor her kids. > It may take them out of harm's way for a while, but I believe they > need both parents in the long term. > Therefore, any separation should be presumed as temporary and the > goal of the courts should be to rehabilitate the unfit parent into a > fit parent. Discrimination is not remedied by affirmative action, > and majority sole custody by the mother is not remedied by majority > sole custody to the father. I look forward to a new system, not an > old system where the faces at the top change. [ I couldn't believe the above was from a 'reformer'. She already has 'shared' custody, she gets an occasional 'bite of the apple' -- isn't that sharing? Was she really 'proven' to be a danger to her children -- in what criminal courtroom? The goal of the court should be 'rehabilitation' -- isn't that the essence of the present system? ] --- "Jeremy Swanson" swanson at storm.ca > Regardless of the negative social behavior of the Mother we > appreciate that in cases like this the children always lose the > most. No-one should ever lose custody of their children. Neither the > Mother or the Father... We make it clear that we support equal > parenting and that children belong in the custody of their Mother > AND their Father. What has happened in the Britney Spears case is > all very tragic and unfortunate. For the children. > As casual observers and like most parents we don't care much for the > Mother and her social difficulties as she is but we recognize that > her children love their Mom and they need her. Just as they need > their Dad. Just as all our children have needed us.... > ... Canadian Fathers have no rights at all when it comes to being > divorced or separated parents. The reality is we are 24 hour parents > one day and then twice-a-month 'soon-to-be-strangers' the next > day-all at the bang of a Gavel. We deserve to be the parents we > became when our children were born, Canadian Mothers deserve no > less. So does Britney Spears. [ Very sound words! ] --- Kenyatte Hay - Yatte.com > It was weird I had a dream of 100 F4j Members dressed as Britney > spears parading around downtown showing support for the newest court > sponsored NCP. NCP mothers broke the F4J website downloading > membership applications effectively ending the illusion of the > Gender war. Right became right and wrong became wrong as society had > an epiphany politicians really didn't belong in the family without > proven abuse and Due Process. [ This one hits at a good point. Many of the father-in-the-name groups say they are equal opportunity. Where are the protests for a mom, for Britney? The real sad part is I've seen some commentary from men along the line of "Too bad for her. Now she get's to experience how dad's have been treated. I don't really care what happens to her..." Just as bad, many of the mother-in-the-name groups are also steering clear of Britney. As many of the mom's who are members of our group have been treated by them -- those groups say, "We like the present 'bias' in the system. You [mom] may have gotten hurt by the system -- but the 'greater good' for the rest of us is still being served! ] --- Lew Rockwell > Amidst cable TV's version of the two-minute hate (the two-week > peeping-Tom), this time aimed at Britney Spears, I notice that no > one questions this: that the fate of her children should be > determined by a government judge. That is, everyone seems to agree > that the government owns all children, and it is up to parents to > petition it for custody. [ Exactly. ] 2. Myth - we need another American Revolution! ---------------------------------------------- Perhaps many of you have noticed some revolutionary terminology in list messages. I don't really worry about talk that we need a social revolution or a revolution in how we view family rights. We do need all those things. But I get worried when I hear wording similar to what you read in history books about the American revolution: We need to throw off tyranny! Let's take action like our Founding Fathers! These people (Judges, Lawyers, etc...) are guilty of treason! In those types of 'revolutions' people are shot & killed -- is that what some parents in 'our' reform groups want to do? I'm sure many of you have read similar types of comments posted to various groups. Do some of us really see that as the solution to helping us be equal parents to our kids? What makes these people different from the lunatic terrorists? Here is an example: > ... as a nation we are long overdue for a revolution. > Thomas Jefferson opined that "His reliance upon the good sense of > the people to rectify abuses in a proper manner was so strong that > he deemed an occasional rebellion a desirable event, inasmuch as it > afforded the best evidence that this sense was active and vigorous; > to enlighten it, then, was the only thing necessary to ensure a > favorable result.... > Rebellion then is part and parcel of the protection of our liberty > however if we allow the "uniformed gov't" to intimidate us, back us > down off the steps, and succeed in quieting our voices, then they > will have succeeded yet again, in violating the very rights they > swear to uphold. If ... there is no "elected official" interest in > the woes of the people then perhaps it is time for the good sense of > the people to rise up and throw off the oppressors... > It is short sighted to disregard or show disdain for those that > display militant determination, in the end it may be the only thing > that will succeed in effecting the desired change. I once shared a ride with someone who expressed similar views. I asked them a simple question, "Who are you going to shoot first?" Of course, in these PC and 'big brother' times he back peddled by saying, "I don't want to kill anyone..." Future American's fighting in the revolution killed a lot of people. But more specifically, if you had asked someone back then, "Who are you going to shoot first?" The answer would have been simple, "A British soldier." You would get very similar answers now from members of our Armed Forces, "the enemy soldier." We have all seen the types of 'shootings' that go on right now involving family law -- who did those people choose to shoot first? A spouse, their children, a judge, a lawyer, and very many -- themselves. What a foolish, foolish waste that accomplishes nothing. In all these selfish acts, expressions of hopelessness. The next time you see a discussion thread where an over-heated parent is starting to promote armed revolution -- calmly ask them, "Who are you going to shoot first? What's different between your motivations and methods -- and a terrorist killing innocents for what they believe in?" 3. Your FEEDBACK - worst of the year! ------------------------------------- Feedback is usually printed with names/email addresses. I don't believe anonymity has any role in our reform efforts as a group. But -- here are some remarks where I removed the address. There is some twisted thinking out there.... Why don't the politicians listen to us? Why do they consider us a political liability? Below. --- > Mothers are the family's MOST VIOLENT family member ! As a matter > of record, if you "Fathers" look and read your State's statistical > reports on "Child Abuse", then you can see and perhaps will agree > that the political notion of "Joint Custody" is no good with such a > mother. > Always ask the Court for "Sole Father Custody" of your own children, > post divorce. --- > I would ADD, that judges who do not grant a jury trial to any NCP held > more than 2 days for Child Support, or related issues, shall be > guilty of TREASON, if convicted of TREASON for denying JURY TRIAL, > penalty to reach from forfeiture of all pension, salary & up to and > possibly including death by hanging or firing squad, and that said > Jury Hearing a TREASON charge against a judge should contain at > least 50% non custodial parents or grandparents. Jury to decide > final penalty, not the judge hearing the TREASON case against a > Judge. --- > I can not support a female who has been caught in the feminist > "support" web. We need to have "Affirmative Action" in C$ > enforcement. We need to see females cast into jail until they make > up for the historic discrimination against men. When the total > number of females in jail for C$ equals the number of men who have > been jailed over the past decades, then let us know. --- > Alienation is Child Abuse. [ This is the double-take comment. It almost makes sense, BUT, you are FIT & EQUAL parents. In that environment I don't care how you feel or talk about the other parent. It's a free country! In an equal environment the children can decided for themselves what to believe since they have extensive contact with both parents.. ] --- > INDEED. Lincoln was a great President. The man responsible for the > murder of thousands of brothers against brother for the sake of some > fiction union. And now the new world order. > No better than the current bastard called Bush in the "white" house. > Nice words meaning NOTHING. From a charlatan and deceiver and > lawyer. So personally, I could care less what he said. Anymore > than I care what bush says today. -- John Murtari ____________________________________________________________________ Coordinator AKidsRight.Org jmurtari at AKidsRight.Org "A Kid's Right to BOTH parents" Toll Free (877) 635-1968(x-211) http://www.AKidsRight.Org/ From jmurtari at AKidsRight.org Tue Dec 25 17:52:51 2007 From: jmurtari at AKidsRight.org (John Murtari) Date: Tue, 25 Dec 2007 17:52:51 -0500 Subject: At the threshold of reform/ Merry Christmas! Message-ID: <18289.35267.859169.853059@hammer.thebook.com> Good People & People of Faith, I'd like to extend to everyone my best wishes for a very Merry Christmas and a Happy Holiday Season! Many of us won't see our kids this Christmas and may not even be able to contact them (and wow can that be depressing!). In some cases our 'ex' has gone out of their way to make arranging a schedule difficult or impossible (enough to make anyone mad). Thats how we "feel" -- and in the words of a great counselor, when asked by someone how they were suppose to feel about something -- "you are suppose to feel, the way you feel." But as people of FAITH, let us harness those feelings for good. They may be old cliches, but remember to "turn the other cheek", and "two wrongs don't make a right." As people of HOPE, let us truly celebrate Christmas (the season of hope) and bring joy to whoever is around us. An 'amazing' story from years ago --------------------------------- ABC's network news ran a story about a women who had spent TWO YEARS living in a redwood tree she wanted to save (along with the forest). Eventually she climbed down and when she got to the ground she was in tears and hugging the tree. Have you thought about all the "activist movements" -- animal rights, workers rights, anti-fur, pro-environment. This person sacrificed two years of her life for "trees" (and didn't really win anything as a result), but she walks away knowing she tried. What should we be willing to sacrifice for our very own children? We always seem to get so frustrated because politicians won't act -- won't do what we want -- won't believe us. Perhaps, first we need to act with more belief ourselves? Didn't that little baby born about 2000 years ago show us that? Hanging on to Hatred? -------------------- There is some truth that sometimes you have to let go of hatred before you can be effective for change. Here is an old time reading from a book of Wisdom. Even if we don't believe, does it ring true? Can we still think of an 'ex', social worker, or judge -- as neighbor? http://www.AKidsRight.Org/civil.htm Sirach 27:30 ------------ Wrath and anger are hateful things, but the sinner hugs them tight. The vengeful will suffer the Lord's vengeance for he remembers their sins in detail. Forgive your neighbor's injustice; then when you pray, your own sins will be forgiven. Could anyone nourish anger against another and expect healing from the Lord? Could anyone refuse mercy to another like himself, can he seek pardon for his own sins? If one who is but flesh cherishes wrath, who will forgive your sins? Remember your last days, set enmity aside; remember death and decay, and cease from sin! Think of the commandments, hate not your neighbor; remember the Most High's covenant, and overlook faults. ------------------------------------------------------- I'll celebrate this Christmas with so much passion and focus and joy. Just the ability to be with my child and friends and family! Why? Because by the middle of January I'll most likely be sitting in a jail cell -- not sure of when I'm getting out. Why? Because I plan to take some chalk and write "I LOVE YOU" to my son on the ground outside the Syracuse Federal Building. Will it get Sen. Clinton's attention, perhaps, but almost a certainty if more Moms & Dads join me. http://www.AKidsRight.Org/clinton Reform is within our grasp. Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to all! -- John Murtari ____________________________________________________________________ Coordinator AKidsRight.Org jmurtari at AKidsRight.Org "A Kid's Right to BOTH parents" Toll Free (877) 635-1968(x-211) http://www.AKidsRight.Org/