From jmurtari at AKidsRight.org Wed Mar 7 14:27:19 2007 From: jmurtari at AKidsRight.org (John Murtari) Date: Wed, 7 Mar 2007 14:27:19 -0500 Subject: [AKidsRight.Org] It's Family Rights stupid!/ Being Non-Profit/ Don't foam at the mouth! Message-ID: <17903.4631.429807.952151@hammer.thebook.com> Good People & People of Faith, I hope many folks recognized the subject of this message as an adaptation of the old Clinton campaign focus, "It's the economy stupid!". Are we heading in the right direction? Your FEEDBACK is welcome. This message has been posted at the group BLOG, http://www.AKidsRight.Org/wordpress - you may comment there also. The Presidential Candidates --------------------------- How about focusing on them, making public efforts to engage them on Family Rights. Do you have a candidate from your state, or a key primary in your state -- we should make our presence felt. If you feel you have a Civil Right to be presumed both a Fit & Equal parent in the lives of your children, that anyone challenging your right has to win a criminal conviction against you for being a demonstrated serious threat to the safety of your kids, and that you get the standard protection of a unanimous jury verdict -- perhaps you should look for help from Federal Legislators? One strange thing about Family Law: many of our families got hurt in a Court Room, by Judges, Lawyers, Psychologists, and Social Workers. Naturally enough, we think that reform should come there. They were the problem, fixing 'them' should be the solution! It's a good thing many peaceful Blacks did not feel the same way about 'Whites' during the struggle against segregation. They knew their issue was "Civil Rights", there quest for equality. They did not need to harass or denigrate others to win their goal -- neither do we. Their focus was a Federal Civil Rights Act -- don't we need a Federal Family Rights Act? We have a draft at our site: http://www.AKidsRight.Org/act.htm Contacting Fed. Legislators: http://www.AKidsRight.Org/legislative.htm Being a Non-Profit - 501(c)(3) & Tying your hands! ------------------------------------------------- Does this make any sense? I meet so many people who are skeptical of the 'system' and politicians and the corruption of money -- but yet they rush for 501(c)(3) status -- which basically says you can't do political things... I found a nice summary at http://nonprofitlaw.com/EOCOMP.shtml -- do you know what the purpose of a 501(c)(3) is? Primarily charitable and educational? Isn't our primary goal advocacy? That would be a 501(c)(4) -- what about that? Why does everyone go for 501(c)(3) -- they want the money! Easier to get contributions, money from United Way -- but just don't criticize any politicians. I wonder why the tax law was written that way? Here are some other good links on the topic: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Non-profit_organization http://www.legalzoom.com/law_library/non-profit/introduction.html http://www.clpi.org/Lobbying_and_the_Law.aspx No Foaming at the Mouth ----------------------- DON'T YOU AGREE WITH ME SO FAR. WELL, IF YOU DON'T YOUR A TRAITOR TO THE CAUSE AND I WILL HAVE TO EXPOSE YOU !!!!!!!!!! How many variations of that do most of see every day. Never mind if it makes any sense, does any of that ever help? Earlier I mentioned making our presence felt to the Presidential Candidates, what kind of public demonstration will work? A few weeks ago I was talking via phone to an advocate from another state who kept insisting that Sen. Hillary Clinton should be impeached for not responding to my petitions for reform. That 'clearly' she was against the family -- after all READ HER BOOK !!!! I told her the Senator must be very busy with requests from many advocacy groups, that I had been unable to get more than a handful of people to lobby her, that she had never had a Judge separate her from her child and that HONESTLY, I was never really concerned about family law until I got "burned", and that yes, I had READ HER BOOK, and before my Family Court disaster, I would have probably agreed with most of what she said -- somewhere in all that they hung up on me! I WILL EXPOSE THIS PERSON AT THE END OF MY MESSAGE BELOW !!!!!!! How do we make make a compelling political statement to Sen. Clinton and the other candidates? How about a peaceful group of loving parents, carrying pictures of their children. A group whose common sound 'bite' is: "I love my kids. Being separated from them was the most painful experience I have ever been through. I really believe our nation needs to recognize the rights of parents to be considered fit & equal in the lives of their children.... We hope to encourage Sen. Clinton to meet with parents hurt by the system. To hear their stories first hand... and to call for Congressional Hearings into the need for reform....and potentially a Family Rights Act." How is that going to look on the TV News. How would a candidates staff advice them regarding the wisdom of meeting with these parents? Worth Considering http://www.AKidsRight.Org/civil_back.htm ----------------- Gandhi disliked the words and idea of "passive resistance". NonViolent Action is the "the vindication of truth not by infliction of suffering on the opponent but on one's self ." NonViolent Action is peaceful, opponents must be converted by a demonstration of purity, humility, and honesty. They are to be converted -- not annihilated. Violence and anger create bitterness in the victim, and brutality in the attacker. Appealing to the common sense and morality of his adversary was key. "It has always been a mystery to me how men can feel themselves honored by humiliation of their fellow human beings." NonViolentAction assumes there is a constant dialogue between the opponents with a view to ultimate reconciliation. Insults, threats, and propaganda only serve to obstruct the goal. -- 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 Wed Mar 21 11:33:22 2007 From: jmurtari at AKidsRight.org (John Murtari) Date: Wed, 21 Mar 2007 11:33:22 -0400 Subject: [AKidsRight.Org] Keep the HERO in Superhero / Thoughts from F4J members - yours? Message-ID: <17921.20546.662031.187617@hammer.thebook.com> Good People & People of Faith, Being a Superhero for reform gained notoriety in the UK with David Chick as Spiderman, , http://www.spidermandad.com/ More followed, Superman, the Hulk, Batman, and others, in the UK and Canada -- don't think we've had any costumed Superheros in the United States yet? Recently, as part of an F4J web vote, people were asked about participating in 'stunts' -- more on that and their remarks farther below. I recently saw some photos from a US rally where a LOT of people were dressed up. Some had Superhero costumes, some had what looked like war paint on their faces -- but they didn't do anything really heroic? Just stood there and read a few statements, waved a sign. What about that? Our cause is Family Law reform, and dressing up as a children's character can be useful -- but do we need to keep the HERO in Superhero? As always, your FEEDBACK is welcome! I was recently talking to someone who was very media-savvy. He told me his friends in TV thought that the costumes for reform (at least here in the US) were silly (I couldn't help but think of the folks I saw wearing war paint). How about some definitions of a hero: "... of distinguished courage or ability, admired for brave deeds and noble qualities." "... brave is the most comprehensive: it is especially used of that confident fortitude or daring that actively faces and endures anything threatening." Wow, what about that! One key part, the hero doesn't always win, but they endure, they try. Don't you want to be one of those? Actually, probably not....but shouldn't it still be more than just wearing a costume? I don't think Superheroes are silly and I deeply feel we need more of them before reform becomes a reality. When I think of Superman, its a little more than using his super speed to run down to the court house and file a legal challenge! Don't get me wrong, those 'low risk' efforts that many of us do, are both useful and valuable in the reform effort. But do I think REAL reform will happen without heroes, no way. I hope the history of NonViolent Action, http://www.AKidsRight.Org/civil.htm, can show us all how it should be done for maximum effectiveness. As you read the F4J comments below, I think we need to acknowledge that maybe being a 'hero' is not for me -- but that we need people willing to take the risks involved (all the folks below risked jail and their very livelihood in their actions). Let's give them our support, a simple email of appreciation & encouragement means a lot! Superhero actions ----------------- This is NOT a complete list, if you've dressed as a Superhero and risked sacrificing your freedom to bring reform for others & for the love of your kids, let me know and I will add your story: A diary of the UK Hulk, thrown in jail: http://www.AKidsRight.Org/archive/archive2004/0046.html How about from Canada, the Burnaby Batman, his story: http://www.AKidsRight.Org/archive/archive2006/0027.html And, don't forget the original Spiderman from the UK: http://www.spidermandad.com/ F4J Vote and Remarks -------------------- [What follows below is an excerpt. I wish the wording had been a little better in describing the action as more than just illegal 'stunts'. But the remarks are useful.] Complete Final Results at: http://www1.sztaki.hu/servlets/voting/F4JUS Question: Would you be willing to participate in illegal stunts? No 127 Yes 55 Remarks made (each paragraph below represents an individual): It's worked for every organization since Thoreau. Civil disobedience worked for PETA, NOW, NAACP.... I have never approved of them. I think they put us in a bad light and do more harm than good. We need to force the enforcement of the laws we have, not pass more to be ignored Ignorant antics do not improve our status. I do not like sell outs. what they are doing to us is illegal-if it takes illegal stunts to bring attention to the cause then I say do it because they sure are not hearing us now I am Kindergarten teacher and I can not set that sort of example for my son, even if he is not living with me. fight fire with fire! Yes to illegal activity to a degree. I would be OK with a prank but no one should ever be hurt. Any prank/stunt should be done so as to better make the cause more obvious. Lets put F4J on the front page of the news. Civil disobedience is as far as I will go as an F4J member. Perhaps I'm too much of a coward, perhaps I'm to conservative, but I take my hat off to anyone willing to engage in non-violent civil disobedience for the cause. I'm not sure illegal stunts are necessary, even. Consider the marketing of PETA. They do a great job. Smart marketing can do a great deal of good. Have a contest where contestants have to upload entries to YouTube. Best online Father's Day card contest or something. That sort of thing can lead to millions of impressions for very little cost per impression. I think O'Connor succeeded through brilliant marketing. F4J should work to find a marketer even more brilliant than O'Connor (and it won't be hard to find one with more character). There must be one out there somewhere who has been screwed by the system. I think F4J should try to find him (or her). I'm seven months away from having my children move back in with me and wouldn't jeopardize that now with an illegal activity. If you had asked me several years ago when my children were being withheld from me I wouldn't have hesitated. No...I am raising my son to do what is right. What is right is to follow the laws until we can get them changed. How can I teach my son to follow the rules if I'm always breaking them because I don't like it? Only if it didn't put my job in jeopardy At this point, illegal is not in my agenda. CIVIL DISOBEDIENCE by HENRY DAVID THOREAU "most legislators, politicians, lawyers, ministers, and officeholders, serve the State chiefly with their heads; and, as they rarely make any moral distinctions, they are as likely to serve the devil, without intending it, as God. A very few, as heroes, patriots, martyrs, reformers in the great sense, and men, serve the State with their consciences also, and so necessarily resist it for the most part; and they are commonly treated by it as enemies." "Under a government which imprisons any unjustly, the true place for a just man is also a prison." "I do not wish to quarrel with any man or nation, I do not wish to split hairs, to make fine distinctions, or set myself up as better than my neighbors. I seek rather, I may say, even an excuse for conforming to the laws of the land. I am but too ready to conform to them." http://usinfo.state.gov/usa/infousa/facts/democrac/19.htm define illegal. kidnap = no. non-violent protest = yes. Walt Whitman- How beggarly appear arguments before a defiant deed! Illegal Stunts do nothing to help any cause. Only as an individual, not sponsored by F4J. Sadly, one of the points I feel is missed by many is that in order to make an omelet you must break a few eggs. We are rightly viewed as wimps. 'illegal' is a very broad term that covers all ground from sit ins to assassinations and fire bombings. I'm more than willing to attend a protest without permits. Am I willing to do violence to another? Hell no. Civil disobedience has a long, effective history in the US, and should be considered. um...I have a job. From the look of the TV and Newspaper articles on your web site, Judi and her band of camouflaged troops stirred up enough trouble with old fashioned Yankee style protests and didn't' seem to need to break the law. I assume this was a joke question, because how do you expect to get corporate or government sponsorship (which I assume is a must if you plan to grow ) or to get actual lawmakers with the power to change laws to work with a group that does illegal stunts. Isn't that the reason F4J in the UK died out, because nobody took them serious? They made TV alright but nobody changed any laws, they just called them kooks. I've spent a total of 9 months in jail since 1990 for civil disobedience to illegal court orders. I don't want to spend more time in jail and I don't thinks its necessary. The First Amendment should be our guideline. We want to re-establish the law thru legal, peaceful activity. Its a numbers game. Until we get sufficient numbers of human beings on our side we will not succeed. The are enough pathways in the USA without using demeaning or illegal stunts. Justice for fathers is a SERIOUS matter - there are much better ways of getting a solid profile. Absolutely not for any reason. This is the UK and these stunts will only label the group as nuts who'll receive no respect whatsoever. Here in the US respectable groups gain respect of the public at large not hooligan acts. What's the point? To loose out on more of what little time our children get with us? Stupid, just stupid. WHAT THE HELL TYPE OF QUESTION IS THAT. THAT IS EXACTLY WHY JOINING WITH UK IS SO DANGEROUS. ABSOLUTELY NOT!!! and if f4j US starts to do so I will not participate in any further rallies. Civil disobedience - absolutely. Dressing up as Superman and climbing a bridge - absolutely. Kidnapping the President's children - HELL NO! -- 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 Sat Mar 24 17:12:47 2007 From: jmurtari at AKidsRight.org (John Murtari) Date: Sat, 24 Mar 2007 17:12:47 -0400 Subject: [AKidsRight.Org] Movies & Videos on reform / HERO report & Your FEEDBACK Message-ID: <17925.37968.48.490550@hammer.thebook.com> Good People & People of Faith, This message has info on: 1. New Movie Trailer - It's about the kids! 2. Simple Video - powerful message. 3. Clinton 1984 Video - our rally, May 17th. 4. The story of a real HERO - but still not a parent. 5. Keep HERO in Superhero - your FEEDBACK 1. New Movie Trailer - It's about the kids! ------------------------------------------- Angelo Lobo, President of Aginelo Productions, http://www.aginelo.com/ has released a new trailer for the movie 'Support? System Down'. You can view the trailers at http://www.supportthemovie.com/trailers. I met Angelo when he came out to interview me during my jail sentence last year (http://www.AKidsRight.Org/support_jm.htm). The new trailer includes two clips of me taken inside of my jail cell with a feeding tube up my nose (boy, that brings back memories!). So many of us write via email and never now what the other person looks like -- well, here is your chance to seem me in 'action' in a high quality video. There are many other parents/group representatives in the trailers also (sorry, with just a face even I don't know their names!) Angelo has really dedicated a lot of personal effort and expense in trying to make this film a success. The website allows you to make contributions and I hope many of us can do so. 2. Simple Video - powerful message. ----------------------------------- At perhaps the other range of the spectrum from Hollywood is a very successful video starred in by Richard Farr of KRightsRadio.Com It recently reached the #1 position at the Current.TV web site, you can see the clip at: http://www.current.tv/watch/21422926 Many of you know Richard as the voice of KRightsRadio, here is your chance to see him. Also, as you watch the video it is something almost any one of us could have made. The simple emotions of love and anticipation in seeing your child -- make it very powerful. You can see more videos at the main site, http://www.KRightsRadio.Com/ 3. Clinton 1984 Video - our rally, May 17th. ------------------------------------------- If you haven't seen it yet, please take a moment to see the Big Sister You Tube video at http://www.YouTube.com/watch?v=6h3G-lMZxjo Take the time to register, and post a text comment asking her to dialog with loving parents about the need for reform. Many other people will see OUR comments as parents. She is actually saying the 'right things' and as many of you who have been members of the group know, we are trying to convince her to meet with parents. To hear their stories of love & pain and how the 'system' came between them and their kids. It has been my personal focus for many of the NonViolent Actions I have been involved in, http://www.AKidsRight.Org/actionc_syr Please, let's not get angry at her or other politicans who don't seem to care -- they haven't been through it! Let's face it, most of us only got involved when the system hurt us......we need to help them feel what we are living .... We may be seeing a 'perfect storm' in our opportunity to get a Presidential Candidate to meet with parents on our issue. As I think you know I'm planning a quiet rally outside the Federal Building in Syracuse in an attempt to get Senator Clinton to meet locally with parents hurt by the system. This is not a 'protest'. My goal is to get at least 20 Moms and Dads carrying just ONE thing, a nice picture of them/their children with the words I LOVE YOU & on reverse SENATOR CLINTON PLEASE HELP US. That is a big 'crowd' for Syracuse and I don't have any doubt the Newspaper and all three TV Network affiliates would cover it. While we are gathered people will be going into the Federal building 1 by 1 to personally deliver their 'petitions' for reform to the Senator's local office, and also to personally ask she meet with parents about abuses in the system, the need for a Congressional Investigation, and the potential need for a Family Rights Act. Given my prior experience there and recent media coverage I think it could have a real impact on the Senator and provide the encouragement she needs to take the issues & us, seriously. I don't want 'rabble rousers' or 'anti clinton' or 'father's rights' or 'mother's rights' to even come up. Just parents who love their kids entreating the Sen. to look the issue. It might make some good video and give her a chance to 'join a dialog' on family law -- as good as her campaign folks are, to ignore pleading parents could turn into the 'swift boat' of her campaign. Interested, please let me know. The date is still tentative, we will soon be getting a permit for the rally. More news to follow. 4. The story of a real HERO - but still not a parent. ----------------------------------------------------- --- Anthony Gallo > First of all you may look me up here > (anthonygallo.exploretalent.com) to learn more about my > personality. What you will not read here or read about in the > newspapers is that for the last six years I have been fighting to be > part of my daughters life, through the family court system. The > discrimination, incompetence, and ignorance is just unacceptable. I > have fought with every aspect of the courts. Yet, at the same time I > did everything asked of me. Children Services did six > investigations, "all unfounded", yet my daughter was still kept from > me. I am on my sixth Judge. I have attended Parenting Classes, > Single Fathers Classes, Drug Tests, Therapists, Forensic > investigations, and so much more. I waited in a room downtown > Manhattan every week, for months, hoping to see my daughter, and did > not, even with a court order. > In the summer of 2003 I was riding the subway home from installing > an alarm system (I do this for a living in Manhattan) riding the Q > train at Atlantic Ave I witnessed a woman being slashed. This guy > walked up to this woman that was dressed as a nurse and just slashed > her across her face as she sat there, and ran off the train. I > immediately reacted just making it off the train myself before the > doors closed. I chased him and was able to restrained him, and held > him until the police arrived, getting cut on my wrist, he had a > knife in each hand. > I was awarded by Police Commissioner Ray Kelly and was awarded the > N. Y. Post Liberty Medal for "Courage" 2003, was even a guest on the > John Walsh Show. But all this really meant nothing to me, it was my > daughter that I held most important. I have tried to contact many > people about my case and all its faults. I like to call them "Red > Flags" that make people aware of abuse, against the system. The > courts have been doing this for a long time yet, they still cant get > it right, because most of them are "Pay Check Workers" and are not > there for the "Best Interest Of The Children". > So with all this attention I received for my "Heroism" I just > thought someone would look into the false allegations that were > keeping my daughter and I apart. But no one seemed to care for me > once my story broke out. Not the Mayor, who once shook my hand and > said "Good Job Mr. Gallo", not even my own city councilman. One > morning I decided to return the awards, back to the city that I love > so much. I guess the discrimination was just to much for me to look > at the awards. "I do not need an award to know the kind of person > that I am". I went to One Police Plaza and told the officers in the > front that I found this bag filled with awards and medals on the > subway and thought I should bring them here. When the officers > looked into the bag they were shocked that someone could forget > this. They asked me for I. D. and of course I could not show them > because the awards had my name on them, I just did not want to > explain to them why I was returning my awards. I have not heard from > anyone about this action that I took. > I see my daughter weekly now for one hour, if I am lucky and must > pay for this, or I cannot see her, along with child support. I do > not know where she lives or how she is doing in school. We play > monopoly in hopes to build a relationship again, but dealing with > "Pay Check Workers" can be very frustrating. I had asked to show my > daughter a tape of myself getting awarded on the John Walsh Show, I > even allowed them to view the tape before hand so they could see > that it would be rewarding for my daughter, people stood and cheered > for me (what a feeling). I thought it would build some trust, after > not seeing me for years, she was hesitant (my own child). I was > told no! > I feel the media is so quick to do that story on the "Dead Beat Dad" > or "Amber Alert" a dad just ran off with his child...........but you > never hear about the Father that has been struggling just to see his > child, paying with "Blood, Sweat and Tears" just so that his > daughter would know her father. I miss her so much and I cry > everyday. She will know that her Dad was a fighter, and I hope that > it will help her cope with life..... > Lately I find myself writing a lot, and each time there is a puddle > of tears beneath me, and I must mop up this puddle quickly before I > slip, because I feel there is no one around to help me back up. I know we have written before and I remember your story. It is just unbelievable and you are a HERO. But you are also being treated with disrespect and indignity -- what you are living with your daughter is MY WORST NIGHTMARE of what I was able to escape from happening with Dom and I. But I also want you to know, that your story also kept me motivated during my recent jail sentence. This kind of stuff needs to STOP happening and I really do think maybe more people are willing to be really active. I understand the tears, even as good as I have it, it is still gut wrenching. So many people 'forget' and 'rationalize' because they just can't live with the pain. I'm glad you have not 'healed' in that way. Hope to meet you some day! 5. Keep HERO in Superhero - your FEEDBACK ----------------------------------------- In response to our last message: http://www.AKidsRight.Org/archive/archive2007/0007.html --- "Kris Titus" > I am very happy you are stirring the pot on this one. It deserves real and > frank discussion and 'education' and 'understanding'. > Most people have no idea the power of civil disobedience holds, if merely > for you to let everyone know YOU are now in charge of your life again and > the decisions that will be made about you and your child. It is taking back > control. > Honestly, most lawyers, judges, and police officers, right up to the > head RCMP detachment for the Prime Minister, have shrunk in the face of that > kind of resolve. > I would love to write more or speak more on this topic., I quite agree with what you say. I have certainly seen the power of it and been very surprised myself. Very good things can happen. If we can just show folks a few more success stories maybe more people will 'come out of the Bat Cave!'. Best regards and you are welcome to give me some thoughts on this that I can put out in a list message. --- Steve McDonough > Superheros are here in Mass! Please go to F4J.US and click on F4J > in your state then click on MASS. There you will see what us > SUPERHEROS have been up to for the past 6 months or so. PHOTOS AND > VIDEOS! > Thank you, > MR INCREDIBLE BATMAN SUPERMAN SPIDERMAN SANTA(yes Santa IS a > superhero!) You have a nice group there. I may have missed it, but what was the "Superhero" part in what they did besides just wearing the costume. I don't think anyone was in risk of arrest at any of the events? Did someone climb something? --- "sam Sears" > I read with interest your recent newsletter on Civil Disobedience. My son > Bill (of billsarena.com) recently held a rally at the Georgia State Capitol > in Atlanta. I was very nervous about the rally as several F4J members had > said they would be attending and I didn't want my son to be caught up in the > types of things that they have done oversea's. I was extremely pleased with > the members that showed up, they were respectful and very highly organized > in thier methodology of peaceful demonstration. The purple Camo Pants and > F4J T-shirts showed distinct solidarity on the issue of Shared Parenting and > they seemed to have a good grasp on what it takes. A couple of the members > told me that they had dressed up in "SuperHero" costumes at other rally's > and the best part of it was the notice that kid's seemed to really enjoy > seeing them. It does have the potential to raise public awareness, that > being said I am very opposed to anything "illegal" regardless of the > intentions. It is very unfortunate that in this country it seems that > groups such as PETA, Greenpeace and others feel that Civil Disobedience is > the way to change legislation. The ENDS are not justified by the MEANS. I appreciate your perspective, but I think Gandhi and Martin Luther King would disagree with you. They were both involved in VERY illegal acts (at the time) and encouraged their followers to do the same -- but is was the 'how' and 'why' that really made the difference. If you haven't had a chance, please read the NonViolent Action stuff at our web site, http://www.AKidsRight.Org/civil.htm --- rc woody > I wear my costume because in the eyes of my children I am a hero. > I've endured almost every day for the past 6 years not being a part > of their lives. I've been knocked down repeatedly by the custodial > parent and our court system, but I refuse to stay down. Heroes > don't always win, but they never give up just because the odds are > stacked against them. When my kids see pictures of me on the > internet in costume, they know that dad is fighting for them and > kids just like them. I'm not interested in doing illegal stunts > because that only hurts our cause. Peaceful protests have managed > to garner a lot of POSITIVE attention to our cause. Why would I > want to ruin the years of work of many individuals, by doing acts > that would have us discounted as nothing more than bitter, > disgruntled, and dangerous men & women? Everyone has a breaking > point though, and I can understand that you can get to a point where > you feel so hopeless, that you would entertain taking more extreme > actions. --- Simon Dorey > You might have more success in the US dressing up as the founders of the > constitution since that was what started the process of equality wasn't it? > As to civil disobedience - perhaps the best approach is the go-slow approach > as opposed to a strike: if everyone in the country paid one month's child > support to an organization such as F4J, the individual would not suffer > since it would be easy to argue that the money will be made up and we would > have an enormous fund to fight this inequality. ... it is always hard to say where something 'starts'. Obviously, the idea is always the first, the mental concept, and then usually discussion/writing/talking -- but I think if we look at history -- it is only the 'ideas' that get converted into ACTION by people (including their promoters), that really matter. So, and I think many would agree, events like the Boston Tea Party (where people risked real consequences for what they believed in) is where 'equality' really began. Foundationally, as we approach the Easter Holiday, the words of Jesus of Nazareth would not have had a lot of impact until he was willing to mount the cross. -- 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/