From murtarij at yahoo.com Tue Dec 1 11:10:44 2009 From: murtarij at yahoo.com (John Murtari) Date: Tue, 1 Dec 2009 08:10:44 -0800 (PST) Subject: Murtari arrested/jailed for fourth time, why? Your support welcome. Message-ID: <766098.76529.qm@web112404.mail.gq1.yahoo.com> Good People & People of Faith, [ NOTE: please send any message replies to this monitored addr: ] We wanted to send out a brief announcement that John Murtari was arrested again today (Dec 1st) in Lyons, NY. At about 2 PM John used kid's chalk to write a Family Rights message near the side of a door at the County Courthouse. John expects to be held in jail until his next scheduled Village Court date on December 9th. (SEE HOW YOU CAN HELP BELOW). We don't have any more details yet, but they will be posted at the web site once we hear from John. There are also pictures of his earlier activity. http://www.AKidsRight.Org/parental_notification For more background and details you may also see this report at Examiner.com: http://www.examiner.com/x-15873-Family-Rights-Examiner~y2009m11d23-Parent-activist-fined-1k-for-chalk-message-on-courthouse Please take the time to call the officials below. Be polite and let them know your concerns and your support for Family rights. TO HELP JOHN: ------------- You can contact Assemblyman Oaks by: website: http://assembly.state.ny.us/mem/?ad=128 email: oaksr at assembly.state.ny.us phone: 315-946-5166 write: Assemblyman Robert Oaks, 10 Leach Road, Lyons, NY 14489 You are also welcome to call/write these officials on his behalf. * DA Richard Healey , Hall of Justice, Suite 202, Lyons, NY 14489 (Phone: 315-946-5905 / Fax: 315-946-5911) * Village Justice Nicholas Forgione, 79 William St., Lyons, NY 14489 (Phone: 315-946-4565) John always appreciates any letters, his jail address: John Murtari, P.O. Box 477, Lyons, NY 14489 What is worth 4 arrests? - THE DECLARATION OF FAMILY RIGHTS ----------------------------------------------------------- All the GREAT Civil Rights we recognize have required a lot of effort & personal sacrifice to achieve. You can sign the petition at: http://www.thepetitionsite.com/3/the-declaration-of-family-rights -- John Murtari ______________________________________________ Coordinator AKidsRight.Org jmurtari at AKidsRight.Org A Kid's Right to BOTH parents" (315) 944-0999(x-211) http://www.AKidsRight.Org/ From murtarij at yahoo.com Tue Dec 1 16:49:38 2009 From: murtarij at yahoo.com (John Murtari) Date: Tue, 1 Dec 2009 13:49:38 -0800 (PST) Subject: Murtari update (released!) Message-ID: <750302.59549.qm@web112407.mail.gq1.yahoo.com> Good People & People of Faith, A quick update. I just got home. I was released after my arrest with just an appearance ticket. No trip to jail this time! I have my next Court Appearance on Dec 9, next Wednesday. I'm very thankful to be free! My great thanks to those of you who have called and written officials on my behalf in the last several weeks -- that has certainly helped! This was my last planned NonViolent Action before Christmas. I am still interested in getting other parents to join me outside the Courthouse in a silent picket. It is a good opportunity to meet people in person and talk. The next time would be Monday, Dec 7th, at 2 PM -- the times/dates are flexible, just let me know when you can make it! Please reply to: jmurtari at AKidsRight.Org -- John Murtari ______________________________________________ Coordinator AKidsRight.Org jmurtari at AKidsRight.Org A Kid's Right to BOTH parents" (315) 944-0999(x-211) http://www.AKidsRight.Org/ From jmurtari at AKidsRight.org Tue Dec 1 20:06:54 2009 From: jmurtari at AKidsRight.org (John Murtari) Date: Tue, 1 Dec 2009 20:06:54 -0500 Subject: Murtari interview on WCMF Rochester (96.5 FM), Dec 2, 9 AM EST Message-ID: <19221.48558.524913.381663@torch.softwareworkshop.com> Good People & People of Faith, My apology for the burst of messages today! It seems our efforts have had some effect. I got a phone call from a talk radio host (Bill Moran) for one of the largest FM Stations in the Rochester metro area, WCMF 96.5 FM I'll be interviewed by him starting at about 9 AM Eastern Time tomorrow, Dec 2, on "The Break Room." Most of you are probably out of FM range, but this station does support excellent Internet streaming (they are classic rock), their web site: http://www.WCMF.com/ -- give a listen if you can! -- John Murtari ____________________________________________________________________ Coordinator AKidsRight.Org jmurtari at AKidsRight.Org A Kid's Right to BOTH parents" (315) 944-0999(x-211) http://www.AKidsRight.Org/ From murtarij at yahoo.com Sun Dec 6 17:18:51 2009 From: murtarij at yahoo.com (John Murtari) Date: Sun, 6 Dec 2009 14:18:51 -0800 (PST) Subject: Human Rights Week & the Advent of Reform? Message-ID: <835332.70054.qm@web112410.mail.gq1.yahoo.com> Good People & People of Faith, [ NOTE: please send any message replies to this monitored addr: ] This message has info on: 1. Human Rights Week (Dec 10-17) - are we ready? 2. The Advent of Reform - what's it take? 3. Apology - and call to action. 4. Murtari interview on WCMF - what would you say? 1. Human Rights Week (Dec 10-17) - are we ready? ------------------------------------------------ http://www.emeraldinsight.com/10.1108/eb048968 A great opportunity to call some attention to Family Rights. Media will be looking for public actions regarding Human Rights. How about actions by parents (even YOU, just one) outside Courts and Legislative offices: Just a silent picket carrying a picture of parents & children unjustly separated, or take some kid's chalk and write a message on the sidewalk. Let's make Dec 15th the target date, but choose any day in the interval. Just email your info to: jmurtari at AKidsRight.Org as soon as you can. We'll send out a list message by Thursday, Dec 10, so other interested people in your area can join you! Distribute copies and support "The Declaration of Family Rights." Petition -> http://www.thepetitionsite.com/3/the-declaration-of-family-rights Poster -> http://www.AKidsRight.Org/parental_notification/family-rights-poster.pdf On Monday, Dec 14th, we'll send out a coordinated Press Release to media nationwide about the actions of individual parents and groups. It will highlight activity from the 15th - 17th. Send in your contact info and the contact info for News media in your local area -- we'll help blow the horn! 2. The Advent of Reform - what's it take? ---------------------------------------- We are now in the season of Advent - a time of reflection & introspection before Christmas. Instead of focusing outward, how about asking ourselves what we can do? For so many, many people in groups and mailing lists -- it's just about THEIR case, getting THEIR kid's back. They may succeed or fail, but they have no larger goal? When we see the 'bigger picture' and broaden our hearts -- we'll discover that it's a great feeling helping someone else. It may be too late for you, but you can make sure it doesn't happen again.... Please add your signature to the "Declaration of Family Rights" -- but what are you willing to sacrifice to make it a reality? Take some time, read some of the history on Civil Disobedience and NonViolent action that we have at the site: http://www.AKidsRight.Org/civil.htm It doesn't require any anger and you can stand proud for everything you do. You just have to believe. 3. Apology - and call to action. -------------------------------- At times I fell apologetic for stopping at four arrests. The last on Dec 1st was a tough decision. I get to see my son for Christmas (Dec 19-31st) and I didn't want to risk that, but I also had to try and have Faith -- they arrested me, but luckily, didn't send me to jail. http://www.AKidsRight.Org/parental_notification I hope to resume my actions in January. WHAT STOPPED ME? Because it doesn't depend on me. Any one of you can do the same things, all it takes is "a piece of chalk and a dream!" ONLY I can be a Father to my son. Many Mothers & Fathers will not even get to see your children for Christmas. WHAT'S STOPPING YOU? I would think Christmas in a jail cell, caused by loving sacrifice for your belief in reform -- would be more joyful & satisfying than a Christmas without family? I feel real reform efforts are getting closer each day. We are beginning to see & feel the indignity. Imagine yourself a Black in Alabama in 1950, and the bus driver says to you, "You Ni$$ger, get to the back of the bus and take your Ni$$ger kids with you!" How would YOU respond on that day, the next? What's the strongest action you'd take to uphold your dignity, the dignity of your children? The dignity of others? Would you s "write a letter" or would you join the "Freedom Riders" -- the Blacks that peacefully sat in the front of buses and didn't resist arrest and jail? Writing is good, legislative and court actions are good, but the demonstrations of public action are also required 4. Murtari interview on WCMF - what would you say? -------------------------------------------------- If you would like to hear the radio interview regarding chalk writing activities, go to: http://www.AKidsRight.Org/parental_notification and scroll down the page for the entry on Dec. 2nd. Thanks to Mark Hough for making a high-quality recording. How did this interview get setup? It just happened the host saw a local arrest report and wondered why anyone would be 'repeatedly' arrested for graffitti at a local courthouse? The "hosts" don't understand why Family Rights is such a big issue? We need to show them by our actions - RIGHT? -- John Murtari ________________________________________________________ Coordinator AKidsRight.Org jmurtari at AKidsRight.Org A Kid's Right to BOTH parents" (315) 944-0999(x-211) http://www.AKidsRight.Org/ __________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Tired of spam? Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around http://mail.yahoo.com From jmurtari at AKidsRight.org Sat Dec 12 09:24:37 2009 From: jmurtari at AKidsRight.org (John Murtari) Date: Sat, 12 Dec 2009 09:24:37 -0500 Subject: Human Rights/ Paint on a Courthouse/ Tiger FIT & EQUAL Message-ID: <19235.42917.686933.128953@torch.softwareworkshop.com> Good People & People of Faith, This message has info on: 1. Paint on Courthouse - Boston parent. 2. Tiger Woods & Janine (porn star) - Fit and Equal parents? 3. Human Rights Week - what if nobody shows up? 1. Paint on Courthouse ---------------------- Story from: Teri Stoddard "An unhappy parent was caught red-handed tagging a courthouse after being denied a holiday visit with his sons. Andrew Steele, 45, of Tacoma, Wash. used three cans of spray paint to write "Steele boys rights denied" in large letters on the Brockton District Court in Boston, Mass.... (see links for full story) http://www.examiner.com/x-15873-Family-Rights-Examiner~y2009m12d10-Dad-tags-MA-courthouse-in-protest-over-visitation http://www.thebostonchannel.com/news/21918865/detail.html THIS PARENT MAY STILL BE IN JAIL, WE DON'T HAVE A LOT OF FOLLOW UP DETAIL. IF ANYONE KNOWS THIS PERSON, HIS ADDRESS/EMAIL -- PLEASE CONTACT ME SO WE CAN PASS IT ON AND SHOW SOME SUPPORT. The story has over 50 comments so far at the Boston news site. Here is what I wrote: "While I'm not sure the message had to be written in paint -- maybe kid's chalk might have been better. I AM SURE the message about denying Family Rights and the rights of kids to BOTH parents needs to said. In a nation that feels we have recognized and protected every civil right -- what about the right to raise & nurture your own children? The right to be presumed FIT & EQUAL unless first convicted in a criminal trial of intentionally trying to harm your kids. What I can't believe in this story is $50,000 bail! I've seen assault cases with severe physical injury and just a few thousand in bail? You want to stop this from happening again? How about realizing we need a Declaration of Family Rights?" http://www.thepetitionsite.com/3/the-declaration-of-family-rights Your FEEDBACK is welcome. If you right in for/against this type of action, ALSO include what public actions (if any) you would be willing to take for Family Rights. 2. Tiger Woods & Janine (porn star) - Fit and Equal parents? ------------------------------------------------------------- What I like about high-profile cases is they make us think. So often we fine ourselves agreeing with the rest of the herd. Should we? A few weeks ago we ran a story about a former porn star, Janine Lindemulder, in a custody battle with her former husband (now married to "America's Mom" Sandra Bullock). If we use the Declaration of Family Rights as a guide on principles, they both should have been equal parents. http://www.AKidsRight.org/archive/archive2009/0040.html It was hard to believe some "Father's group" were siding with the guy? Being EQUAL was not enough -- it wouldn't be in the child's best interest? Well, it looks like the "Judge" made his decision about what was in the "best interest" of their 5 year old daughter. "On Monday, a California court denied Lindemulder's request for extended custody of the 5-year-old daughter she had with James, according to the court documents acquired by the Los Angeles Times. Lindemulder, 39, asked that her weekly visitations be expanded to include overnight stays, but Commissioner Thomas Schulte has kept them restricted to daytime hours only." Whenever I hear from a parent, about the worst indignity (besides 'supervised' visits) is not being able to have your child overnight. To read them a story and put them to bed, and wake them up in the morning to a new day.... It appears Janine and her daughter do not merit that "privilege." There is one bright spot; however, the Judge did say (in a special exception) her daughter could stay overnight Christmas eve -- how thoughtful! [Please excuse my sarcasm, but it turns my stomach everytime I hear about his type of legal micro-management of family life...] http://www.cnn.com/2009/SHOWBIZ/Movies/12/09/sandra.bullock.custody/index.html Tiger Woods? Many of you have seen all the news report. There is really not much to add here. Again, a FIT & EQUAL parent. Your FEEDBACK welcome. 3. Human Rights Week - what if nobody shows up? ----------------------------------------------- http://www.liberianobserver.com/node/3359 http://oudaily.com/news/2009/nov/09/human-rights-week-facilitates-local-activism/ Earlier this week we sent out a message asking people to individually take the time for a silent picket on Family Rights outside of a local Courthouse or Legislator's office. It would have been great to send out a Press Release on what individual parents were doing across the nation. Unfortunately, there was no response. I do plan on being outside the Courthouse in Lyons, NY on Dec 15th at 2 PM. If you think you may be able to join me for an hour, please let me know. If I get a few people I will contact local media on Monday and let them know we have an event as part of "Human Rights Week." Best regards! -- John Murtari ____________________________________________________________________ Coordinator AKidsRight.Org jmurtari at AKidsRight.Org A Kid's Right to BOTH parents" (315) 944-0999(x-211) http://www.AKidsRight.Org/ From murtarij at yahoo.com Sun Dec 13 16:22:37 2009 From: murtarij at yahoo.com (John Murtari) Date: Sun, 13 Dec 2009 13:22:37 -0800 (PST) Subject: Please support Mr. Steele - wrote on Courthouse in Boston on Human Rights Day Message-ID: <517214.81226.qm@web112402.mail.gq1.yahoo.com> Good People & People of Faith, This message is about Mr. Andrew Steele. I was able to speak to a good friend of his, Ms. Mandy Varona in the Boston area who is familiar with Andrew and his history. I came away very impressed by his motivation and methods. This was a preplanned and thoughtful action his part. I encourage anyone, especially those in the Boston area, to contact Andrew & Ms. Varona. They can use help with arranging media coverage. We will also be dedicating an area of our web site to his actions and keeping track of what happens: http://www.AKidsRight.Org/action_boston This message contains more details on what happened and also some corrections to what was initially reported. We sent out a message on Mr. Steele yesterday, the initial news report was: "An unhappy parent was caught red-handed tagging a courthouse after being denied a holiday visit with his sons. Andrew Steele, 45, of Tacoma, Wash. used three cans of spray paint to write "Steele boys rights denied" in large letters on the Brockton District Court in Boston, Mass.... (see links below for full story) Ms. Varona explained that Andrew had not planned to use regular spray paint! He was going to purchase cans "easy remove" paint -- the same type that is used to spray "Just Married" on cars. He also prepared a two page "Purpose of Protest Statement" before his actions on Thursday, Dec. 10 -- which he knew was Human Right's Day, the start of Human Rights week. An excerpt from that statement: PURPOSE OF PROTEST: * My son rights have been and continue to be denied them. * My rights have been and continue to be denied me. * My children's mother's life has been made very difficult. * Some family members have been and continue to be harmed. FACT: Children need to feel special in Mom's life and Dad's. When they have this they do alright. When they are denied this they are at greater risk of having troubles. Read complete statement at: http://www.AKidsRight.Org/action_boston/purpose.pdf CURRENT STATUS/CONTACT INFO: "Mr. Steele was arraigned in Brockton, MA, court on charges of tagging, destruction over $250 and malicious damage. Steele was ordered held in lieu of $50,000 cash bail or $500,000 surety. He will return to court on Jan. 6." -- from TheBostonChannel.Com I was told he does not plan on making bail and wishes to continue his protest as a prisoner. We encourage everyone to write him at: Andrew Steele, #53441 Plymouth House of Corrections Housing Unit BS1 26 Long Pond Rd. Plymouth, MA 02360 He has a good friend in the Boston area, Ms. Mandy Varona, she is trying to help Andrew get as much publicity as possible. She is very familiar with his family background and struggles. She can be contacted at: Ms. Mandy Varona , phone: (206) 313-9888 BACKGROUND: For many years Andrew worked in construction. He married and the couple had four sons (who now range in age from 8-13). In his 40s he realized he would not be able to work construction for long and wanted to make a career change and become a Children's Book writer. He wrote and published one book (Amazon link below). His wife was not happy with this career change and sought divorce. The divorce began in 2006 and almost immediately the Judge ordered "supervised visits" and Andrew could only see his four sons every other weekend, from 10am - 5pm, in a visit supervised by someone acceptable to his wife. There had been no type of threatening conduct on his part. The divorce decree (available at the web site) was issued in Nov of 2009 and no change was made to the visitation schedule or procedure. There was NO extra time for any vacations or holidays. Andrew had hoped for a return to more normal contact with his children -- this triggered his plan of action. BACKGROUND LINKS: http://www.examiner.com/x-15873-Family-Rights-Examiner~y2009m12d10-Dad-tags-MA-courthouse-in-protest-over-visitation http://www.thebostonchannel.com/news/21918865/detail.html http://www.amazon.com/Galaxy-Boys-Sphere-Andrew-Steele/dp/1857566777 http://www.AKidsRight.Org/action_boston -- John Murtari _______________________________________________________ Coordinator AKidsRight.Org jmurtari at AKidsRight.Org A Kid's Right to BOTH parents" (315) 944-0999(x-211) http://www.AKidsRight.Org/ From jmurtari at AKidsRight.org Thu Dec 17 20:54:27 2009 From: jmurtari at AKidsRight.org (John Murtari) Date: Thu, 17 Dec 2009 20:54:27 -0500 Subject: Andrew Steele update - send a card for Christmas! Message-ID: <19242.57555.487578.47160@torch.softwareworkshop.com> Good People & People of Faith, This message has a little more follow up information on Mr. Andrew Steele. The parent who was arrested last week for writing on some Courthouse walls in the Boston area. For more background check: http://www.AKidsRight.Org/action_boston -- it includes a picture of Andrew from his arraignment and also links to two local news stories. It looks like Andrew will be in jail over Christmas -- not the best place for holiday cheer while being separated from your family! If you have a few moments, just sending a simple Christmas card would be great. (I spent Christmas of 2000 in jail and getting cards from other parents was a very nice present!) His Address: Andrew Steele, #53441 Plymouth House of Corrections Housing Unit BS1 26 Long Pond Rd. Plymouth, MA 02360 Also, if you have some extra time you are welcome to write the District Attorney for that area: Mr. Timothy Cruz Plymouth County Dist Atty 215 Main Street Plymouth, MA?? 02301 Ms. Mandy Varona , a good friend of Andrews, has still not been able to communicate directly with Andrew. Mandy is looking for help in contacting the Media in the Boston area. She did call the jail and was told he was in the "medical unit" -- although they did not explain why. We will update the site when more info is available. Mandy wrote the following to explain a bit more about what happened to Andrew as he went through the system: "If anybody is interested in specifics on Judge Sabaitis, here are a couple. Early in the Steele divorce proceedings the Wife requested supervised visits for the boys because she said she was fearful. In response, Andrew and his attorney requested an independent guardian ad litem, at his expense, to review the matter. Judge Sabaitis denied that request without comment. Andrew then asked for a psychological evaluation for himself which he would pay for. Again, Her Honor denied that request without comment. Before the final judgment, Judge Sabaitis ordered Andrew to pay more than $700 a week in support, basing that amount on his earnings several years prior, an amount he hadn't earned in years and an amount he wasn't able to pay. In the final judgment, the amount ordered is $150 a week, which is now artificially low and is probably the judge's way of trying to correct her previous earnings error, but a more fair solution would be to erase the arrears, which were without foundation in the first place and which have grown to be substantial. In the final divorce judgment, Judge Sabaitis allowed two supervised visits per month with the boys, every other Saturday from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm, with approval of the supervisors resting solely with Wife. Earlier this year Wife advised Andrew that Andrew's mother, the boys' grandmother, was no longer a suitable supervisor. The requirement for a supervisor is even more egregious in light of the testimony at trial wherein Wife responded "No" to the following questions: ??Have I ever struck you?, ??Have I ever threatened you?, and ??Have I ever struck the children? So based on nothing at all, the judge required supervised visits, which means the Wife decides who oversees Andrew's visits with his own children. He has no right to privacy with his children, and these visits would be uncomfortable and sad for all participating. The Wife was happy enough when Andrew was earning good money, but as soon as that was no longer the case, he was made to pay, and Judge Sabaitis is complicit in that injustice. The children are made to pay in ways only they can feel and probably cannot articulate. This is why Andrew has engaged in his peaceful act of civil disobedience." -- Mandy Varona -- John Murtari _______________________________________________________ Coordinator AKidsRight.Org jmurtari at AKidsRight.Org A Kid's Right to BOTH parents" (315) 944-0999(x-211) http://www.AKidsRight.Org/ From murtarij at yahoo.com Tue Dec 22 21:53:10 2009 From: murtarij at yahoo.com (John Murtari) Date: Tue, 22 Dec 2009 18:53:10 -0800 (PST) Subject: Update on Andrew Steele: In good spirits while jailed. Message-ID: <553202.21564.qm@web112416.mail.gq1.yahoo.com> Good People & People of Faith, This message has a little more follow up information on Mr. Andrew Steele. The parent who was arrested two weeks ago for writing on some Courthouse walls in the Boston area. From: Mandy Varona > I heard from Andrew today [Dec 18th]! And he sounds really good. > He almost sounds like a new person, his spirits are that good. He > was feeling pretty low and remorseful the first few days (and wasn't > eating as I suspected), but he's gained a lot of clarity from this > whole ordeal. > Contrary to his initial plan, he is not interested in staying in > custody. He feels somewhat satisfied with the statement he made (to > his boys especially) and the outrage he expressed, and he's looking > forward to getting out and working on this issue from the outside. > That may come in the form of a book and advocacy as well. He's a > good spokesman, imo. > He finally realized and admitted to himself that his ex-wife is > never going to be his friend and the anger he was directed toward > himself for not doing enough to achieve a better outcome with his > divorce, like having partial custody, visitation, etc with his boys > is anger rightfully directed at the court and his ex. And that's > like a weight that's been lifted off his shoulder, and in my > opinion, a more realistic view of the situation. > So he is definitely interested in legal aid. I'm going to look up > the name of a public defender he met at his arraignment and lost > track of, an atty name Benake or something similar, so if nothing > else, maybe a PD can assist. > He's going to write back to every letter he's gotten and he wants me > to pass on to everyone who has written ... > through this ordeal, helped bring him back to reality, helped him > gain the clarity he's gained, and lifted his spirits so he doesn't > feel so alone. That means a lot to him and to me. Next court date > is Jan. 6 and we'll see what that brings. ~mandy [Repeated from earlier message] For more background check: http://www.AKidsRight.Org/action_boston -- it includes a picture of Andrew from his arraignment and also links to two local news stories. It looks like Andrew will be in jail over Christmas -- not the best place for holiday cheer and being separated from your family! If you have a few moments, just sending a simple Christmas card would be great. (I spent Christmas of 2000 in jail and getting cards from other parents was a very nice present!) His Address: Andrew Steele, #53441 Plymouth House of Corrections Housing Unit BS1 26 Long Pond Rd. Plymouth, MA 02360 Also, if you have some extra time you are welcome to write the District Attorney for that area: Mr. Timothy Cruz Plymouth County Dist Atty 215 Main Street Plymouth, MA 02301 Mandy wrote the following to explain a bit more about what happened to Andrew as he went through the system: "If anybody is interested in specifics on Judge Sabaitis, here are a couple. Early in the Steele divorce proceedings the Wife requested supervised visits for the boys because she said she was fearful. In response, Andrew and his attorney requested an independent guardian ad litem, at his expense, to review the matter. Judge Sabaitis denied that request without comment. Andrew then asked for a psychological evaluation for himself which he would pay for. Again, Her Honor denied that request without comment. Before the final judgment, Judge Sabaitis ordered Andrew to pay more than $700 a week in support, basing that amount on his earnings several years prior, an amount he hadn't earned in years and an amount he wasn't able to pay. In the final judgment, the amount ordered is $150 a week, which is now artificially low and is probably the judge's way of trying to correct her previous earnings error, but a more fair solution would be to erase the arrears, which were without foundation in the first place and which have grown to be substantial. In the final divorce judgment, Judge Sabaitis allowed two supervised visits per month with the boys, every other Saturday from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm, with approval of the supervisors resting solely with Wife. Earlier this year Wife advised Andrew that Andrew's mother, the boys' grandmother, was no longer a suitable supervisor. The requirement for a supervisor is even more egregious in light of the testimony at trial wherein Wife responded "No" to the following questions: ?Have I ever struck you?, ?Have I ever threatened you?, and ?Have I ever struck the children? So based on nothing at all, the judge required supervised visits, which means the Wife decides who oversees Andrew's visits with his own children. He has no right to privacy with his children, and these visits would be uncomfortable and sad for all participating. The Wife was happy enough when Andrew was earning good money, but as soon as that was no longer the case, he was made to pay, and Judge Sabaitis is complicit in that injustice. The children are made to pay in ways only they can feel and probably cannot articulate. This is why Andrew has engaged in his peaceful act of civil disobedience." -- Mandy Varona -- John Murtari _______________________________________________________ Coordinator AKidsRight.Org jmurtari at AKidsRight.Org A Kid's Right to BOTH parents" (315) 944-0999(x-211) http://www.AKidsRight.Org/ From jmurtari at AKidsRight.org Fri Dec 25 12:36:14 2009 From: jmurtari at AKidsRight.org (John Murtari) Date: Fri, 25 Dec 2009 12:36:14 -0500 Subject: Merry Christmas & moving closer to reform! Message-ID: <19252.63502.79848.144876@torch.softwareworkshop.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. 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 about "FAMILY RIGHTS" Reform is within our grasp. Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to all! A prayer for Family Rights (worth repeating) ------------------------------------------- Almighty and ever-living God, hear our prayer for justice. Give us the courage and Faith we need to meet the challenges of reform. Help all people recognize the rights of parents to be secure and treated equally in their ability to love their children. Inspire us to follow your example of divine love not only for our children, but for all our brothers and sisters. Amen. -- John Murtari ____________________________________________________________________ Coordinator AKidsRight.Org jmurtari at AKidsRight.Org A Kid's Right to BOTH parents" (315) 944-0999(x-211) http://www.AKidsRight.Org/