A Child's Right

RADAR ALERT: "First they ignore you, ..."

RADAR ALERT:

"First they ignore you, ..."

Two weeks ago, Slate.com's short-lived
<http://www.mediaradar.org/alert20091123.php#sdendnote1sym> 1 publication
"Double X" published an article by Kathryn Joyce entitled "'Men's Rights'
Groups Have Become Frighteningly Effective."
<http://www.mediaradar.org/alert20091123.php#sdendnote2sym> 2

This was not Slate.com's finest hour. One thing this article could never be
accused of is objective reporting.

On Nov. 5th, the very same day the Double X article appeared, Salon.com's
Broadsheet published an article by Judy Berman entitled "'Men's rights'
groups go mainstream"
<http://www.mediaradar.org/alert20091123.php#sdendnote3sym> 3 that adds no
new information, and simply seems to be an effort to repeat the Double X
article to Salon's readers.

Since the Double X article appeared there have been several analyses of its
flaws, the most recent being Cathy Young's article in Forbes: "Feminism
should be about equality-for males too"
<http://www.mediaradar.org/alert20091123.php#sdendnote4sym> 4 which says:

"More than a quarter-century ago, British feminist philosopher Janet
Radcliffe Richards wrote, 'No feminist whose concern for women stems from a
concern for justice in general can ever legitimately allow her only interest
to be the advantage of women.' Joyce's article is a stark example of
feminism as exclusive concern with women and their perceived advantage,
rather than justice or truth."

In "Journalistic Misrepresentation at Slate's New Woman-Oriented Publication
'Double X'" <http://www.mediaradar.org/alert20091123.php#sdendnote5sym> 5,
RADAR's Mark Rosenthal explained how the article had misrepresented his
comments and also took issue with the article's characterization of Murray
Straus as someone "who has written extensively on female violence," saying:

"The characterization of Straus as someone who has written extensively on
female violence is like characterizing Susan B. Anthony as someone who wrote
extensively on temperance - true but misleading because of what it leaves
out. Straus has devoted his professional career to the study of all forms of
family violence - parent-to-child, child-to-parent, sibling-to-sibling, as
well as partner violence in all its configurations - male-to-female,
female-to-male, and mutual. He has never focused exclusively on female
violence."

And in a series of articles beginning with "Slate.com & Salon.com Criticize
the Fatherhood Movement (Part I)"
<http://www.mediaradar.org/alert20091123.php#sdendnote6sym> 6, Glenn Sacks
critiques the quality of the reporting, saying:

"The articles discuss various aspects and actors in the [men's and fathers]
movement, and also quote and misquote me. ... I specifically, repeatedly,
and emphatically told Joyce that any linkage between the men's & fathers'
movements' grievances and Sodini is not my view, but I guess she was
determined to jam it in there anyway."

Mahatma Gandhi is reputed to have said: "First they ignore you, then they
ridicule you, then they fight you, then you win." The joint Slate/Salon
attack pieces are a good indication that we're well past stage 1.
Congratulation to all RADAR supporters and allies for getting us this far.
Let's keep it up!

_____

1 <http://www.mediaradar.org/alert20091123.php#sdendnote1anc> "Double X
closes up shop",
http://www.salon.com/mwt/broadsheet/2009/11/16/double_x_folds/index.html

2 <http://www.mediaradar.org/alert20091123.php#sdendnote2anc> "'Men's
Rights' Groups Have Become Frighteningly Effective.", Slate.com,
http://www.doublex.com/section/news-politics/mens-rights-groups-have-become-
frighteningly-effective

3 <http://www.mediaradar.org/alert20091123.php#sdendnote3anc> 'Men's
rights' groups go mainstream, Salon.com,
http://www.salon.com/life/broadsheet/feature/2009/11/05/mens_rights/index.ht
ml

4 <http://www.mediaradar.org/alert20091123.php#sdendnote4anc> "Feminism
should be about equality-for males too",
http://www.forbes.com/2009/11/19/mens-rights-feminism-equality-violence-opin
ions-contributors-cathy-young.html

5 <http://www.mediaradar.org/alert20091123.php#sdendnote5anc> "Journalistic
Misrepresentation at Slate's New Woman-Oriented Publication 'Double X'",
http://www.breakingthescience.org/DoubleXMisrepresentation.php

6 <http://www.mediaradar.org/alert20091123.php#sdendnote6anc> "Slate.com &
Salon.com Criticize the Fatherhood Movement (Part I)",
http://glennsacks.com/blog//?p=4359 <http://glennsacks.com/blog/?p=4359>

_____

Date of RADAR Release: November 23, 2009

R.A.D.A.R. - Respecting Accuracy in Domestic Abuse Reporting - is a
non-profit, non-partisan organization of men and women working to improve
the effectiveness of our nation's approach to solving domestic violence.
http://www.mediaradar.org

Equal Parenting Cometh to the 27 Mile Iceman Cometh Mountain Bike Race

A Child's Right members are excited to spread awareness of the benefits of Equal Parenting at the upcoming November 7, 2009 Iceman Cometh Challenge Mountain Bike Race.  Members will not only be racing, but they will be spreading equal parenting awareness throughout this event.  Special brochures are being made for this event and our mountain bikers will be wearing custom made Equal Parenting Thermal Jerseys.

This race will be rather easy for those cyclists who participated in the 758 mile Equal Parenting Bike Trek.  The weather is always unpredictable at this time of year in Michigan.  The Iceman Cometh starts in Kalkaska, Michigan and ends 27 miles later in Traverse City, Michigan.  Below is a picture of the Iceman Cometh map which cuts through the Pere Marquette State Forest.

If you would like to volunteer and help spread awareness at this event please email Executive Director Darrick Scott-Farnsworth.  Support Equal Parenting and already registered for this event?  Join us at this event by contacting the email address noted above.  Look for updates in October 2009 at Cycling4Children.com

Did you know that the state of Michigan PROFITS every time it CREATES a non-custodial parent?  Find out more about Title IV-D federal incentives.

Do you think child custody evaluations are fair in Michigan?  Michigan Friend of the Court worker blows the whistle on the corrupt nature of Michigan family courts.

Associated Content Page

2008 Equal Parenting Bike Trek Cyclists Recognized at the DC Festival 2008

Excellent video captured by Bill Gibbons of PA FACE. 2008 Equal Parenting Bike Trek cyclists recognized at the DC Festival 2008. For updates on the Equal Parenting Bike Trek please visit Cycling4Children.com. Congrats to all four cyclists!

Detroit News Blogger Covers Civil Rights Event DC Festival 2008 and EP Bike Trek

Detroit News Fatherhood Blogger Robert Pedersen wrote an excellent update on the 2008 Equal Parenting Bike Trek and the upcoming DC Festival 2008.

Make sure you read the article and COMMENT in support of the DC Festival 2008 and Equal Parenting.

View Robert's other articles written for Detroit News.

Please be sure to attend the DC Festival 2008.

Visit Cycling4Children.com for more updates on the Equal Parenting Bike Trek.

2008 Equal Parenting Bike Trek Main Page

MICHIGAN JUDICIAL CANDIDATE RIDES BICYCLE FROM LANSING TO DC IN SUPPORT OF FAMILY COURT REFORM

Press Release
August 6th 2008

For Immediate Release
Contact:
Minister Ronald Smith
616-301-2325
or
Robert Pedersen
269-420-4688

Grand Rapids, Michigan August 6, 2008  - Brian Downs, a Kent County attorney and candidate for Judge in the Kent County 17th Circuit Court in the November election is riding his bicycle 758 miles from the Capitol in Lansing to the nation's Capitol in Washington DC.  Downs along with 3 other riders are signaling a message that Family Courts throughout the nation are not family friendly.  The Equal Parenting Bike Trek has been organized to bring attention to what he believes should be reform in the nations court system.

Brian Downs, who has been a family advocate for the past 7 years, believes that it is the duty of our nation to protect the parent child relationship and repair this relationship when necessary so that children maintain a loving relationship with their entire biological family.  Downs believes that the nation's family court system does more splitting up of families than protecting and maintaining this most important and primary relationship.

Minister Ronald Smith, CEO of Children Need Both Parents, Inc, a non-profit group located in both Chicago and Grand Rapids stated, "Our family court judges pay little attention to the damage being done to our children removing one or both biological parents from a child's life without making a concerted effort that no stone is left unturned to repair and maintain this God Given relationship."

Downs is scheduled to leave Lansing at 2:00pm EST August 7th and scheduled to arrive at the Family Preservation Festival in DC on August 15-16.

###
For Interviews Contact:

Minister Ronald Smith                     
Tel:  616-301-2325
Cell: 616-874-8662
Email:   [email protected]
or
Robert Pedersen
Tel:  269-420-4688

2009 Equal Parenting Bike Trek. Cycling 800 Miles for Family Preservation and Equal Parenting Rights

2009 Cycling4Children - Equal Parenting Bike Trek - Cycling 800 miles for Family Preservation and Equal Parenting Rights. 

**A New Route**

**A Greater Focus on Media Coverage**

**A More Successful Event**

**New Sponsorships**

**New Logo**

**Cyclists Dedicated to More Than Just Pedaling Their Bicycle - Driving Media Coverage and Legislation for Equal Parenting is Top Priority**

/>/>

2009 Cyclists *More to be added after review*

Robert Pedersen - A Child's Right.  2007 Cyclist.

Mike Saxton - F4J 

Derek Bailey, MSW - Deletece4Equality 

NANCM Cyclist - to be named soon.

DC Festival 2008 on August 15th and 16th

We are proud of the efforts of Lary Holland and numerous other organizations sending a message to the ACFC that this event will continue!  We applaud this courageous effort to make sure that the voices of those concerned over the right to parent and excessive government intrusion will not go unheard.

If you are an individual or organization we ask that you send a letter of support to Lary Holland and the DC Festival 2008 Team at [email protected].  A growing number of organizations have already signed on in support of this important effort!  Make your support known now by sending your letter of support. 

Press Release

When and Where?

Why should you support this effort, attend it and encourage others to attend as well?

Join Us on Talkshow "Get Off The Bench" with Lary Holland

Please join us tonight at 8PM EST on the popular talkshow "Get Off The Bench".  What is this talkshow about?  Listen to this:

Call in or listen on your computer tonight as host Lary Holland interviews Equal Parenting Bike Trek Cyclist Robert Pedersen.

Call into the talkshow today at 8PM : 724-444-7444 TALKCAST ID: 43507

Or listen on your computer by getting a talkshoe account.

Be sure to also check out Lary Holland's Family Court Reports.

View the always updating list of media and new media coverage of the 2008 Equal Parenting Bike Trek.

Robert Pedersen - Featured Blogger for Detroit News

Please visit Robert Pedersen's articles on the Detroit News.  He is now a featured fatherhood blogger.  Please be sure to visit often as new articles will appear frequently.

Bio and article index on Detroit News.

Two new posts to review:

Make Every Day Mother's Day

Iron Man attacks Michigan Dad

Thanks for your support and be sure to comment.