A Child's Right

America: Birth Control is not Abortion...

http://ping.fm/EyMe0 Catholics and others who are confused: The daily use of the PILL does not kill an unborn child. Remember, the government should get out of our family including preaching on the use of birth control that does not harm an unborn child. Finally, federal programs that mandate what products and services that are to be provided by the private sector is facism and is wrong, stop Obamacare Now.

Alabama Family Rights Association (ALFRA)

Michael A. Polemeni
PO BOX 13149
Huntsville, AL 35802

Alabama Family Rights Association (ALFRA)
1-800-992-1190
http://www.alfra.org
Alabama Children need your help - Reform Alabama Family Law

I do not practice law and do not give legal advice. Information given to you by me is not intended to create an attorney-client relationship, and by contacting me, no attorney-client relationship will be created between us.  At no time do I  review your answers for legal sufficiency, draw legal conclusions, provide legal advice or apply the law to the facts of your particular situation.
My statements is not a substitute for the advice of an attorney.

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

Action Alert: Michigan FOC Legislative Change Now

ACTION ALERT: Join Me in Sending Recommendations for the Michigan Fr

Posted by: "Doug Dante" [email protected]   dougdante1

Wed Sep 2, 2009 4:59 pm (PDT)

Hi,

Please join me in sending recommendations for the Michigan Friend of the Court to Michigan's Judiciary Committees. To make it easy, I've created a form message that you can use below. Use this message, or just share your own personal experiences.

Thank you in advance to the many people who will take action.

Sincerely,

Doug Dante

TO:

markmeadows@house.mi.gov; EllenLipton@house.mi.gov; LisaBrown@house.mi.gov; BobConstan@house.mi.gov; marccorriveau@house.mi.gov; AndyCoulouris@house.mi.gov; AndrewKandrevas@house.mi.gov; bettiecookscott@house.mi.gov; rebekahwarren@house.mi.gov; tonyaschuitmaker@house.mi.gov; JustinAmash@house.mi.gov; JosephHaveman@house.mi.gov; rickjones@house.mi.gov; EileenKowall@house.mi.gov; toryrocca@house.mi.gov; senwkuipers@senate.michigan.gov; SenACropsey@senate.michigan.gov; SenASanborn@senate.michigan.gov; SenBPatterson@senate.michigan.gov; SenGWhitmer@senate.michigan.gov; SenHClarke@senate.michigan.gov; SenRBasham@senate.state.mi.us

Subject:

Recommendations for the Michigan Friend of the Court

Body:

Members of the Michigan House/Senate Judiciary Committees,

Here are my recommendations for
the family justice system in Michigan or the Michigan Friend of the
Court. As
you know, these programs effect millions of Michiganders, including
children, parents, and extended family members, and as members of the
Michigan House and Senate Judiciary Committees, you are the people's
elected representatives regarding these matters.

There is a previously available summary and recommendations here which may assist you:

http://www.scribd.com/doc/12745431/Suggestions-to-Help-the-Michigan-Friend-of-the-Court-Strengthen-Families

However, recommendations to you committee include matters such as:

* Reform child custody procedures so that African American fathers are no longer only 3/5hs as
likely as White Non-Hispanic fathers to receive a custody
recommendation for joint custody or a for father sole custody.

http://www.scribd.com/doc/6169001/Analysis-of-Friend-of-the-Court-Custody-Recommendations

*
Reform court procedures to ensure that parents and children get due
process and that an impartial court has weighed all of the relevant
facts.

http://www.scribd.com/doc/3123830/Michigan-Child-Custody-Survey-Report
http://www.scribd.com/doc/2561734/Some-Thoughts-on-Child-Custody-Hearings

* Reform the Friend of the Court Association to stop illegal lobbying using taxpayer dollars.

http://www.scribd.com/doc/12744555/Is-the-Friend-of-the-Court-Stealing-Taxpayer-Dollars-From-Children-for-Illegal-Lobbying

* Reform the office of court recorder so that all litigants can get contemporaneous recordings, and we don't
have consistent accusations that court proceedings were altered after
the fact by insiders.

http://www.scribd.com/doc/2257035/Contemporaneous-Recordings-for-Referee-Hearings-in-Michigan

* Create an independent fraud tip line and an independent internal investigative unit at the FOC to uncover underhanded activities. Provide a mechanism for
members of the public to submit reports of fraud and underhanded
tactics to such an organization. Provide specific guidelines for
investigations, including undercover investigations, and provide
specific guidelines for turning over information received to law
enforcement. Provide specific guidelines for annual public reports of
investigations and wrongdoings uncovered.

http://www.scribd.com/doc/948712/Detecting-Fraud-in-Court-Filings-Postal-Meters-Color-PrintersCopiers-and-Cartridges
http://www.scribd.com/doc/630611/A-Quick-Summary-of-Title-IVD-Funding-and-Incentives
http://www.scribd.com/doc/477791/A-Review-of-the-CSPER-Report

* Apply FOIA to the FOC and SCAO in matters not regarding a particular case,
including policy matters and those matters normally FOA-able in other
departments.

* Investigate evidence of fraud in child support calculations.
Change procedures so that fraud is more difficult, including requiring
that FOC must not coerce parents into signing away their rights, as
they do on the standard FOC child support form, and change procedures
so that parents can actually see how the 2008 MCSFM is applied in their
case. Children are harmed when child support amounts are either inadequate or excessive.

http://www.scribd.com/doc/458394/Michigan-Friend-of-the-Court-Child-Support-Modification-Request
(Search for "fraud")
http://courts.michigan.gov/SCAO/courtforms/domesticrelations/support/foc10a.pdf

*
Review
the 2008 MCSFM. At this time , I do not believe that it
provides an adequate amount of the child's resources to his/her care
when in the care of the parent paying child support. In particular,
since the 2004-2008 formula, the elimination in the new 2008 formula of
the 50% overnight refund for more than 6 days as well as the
application of the new "difference of cubes" of overnights rule for
child support allocation means that children receive substantially
fewer family resources while in the care of one parent versus the care
of another. For example, a typical single child with a total base
support of $703.71 can receive only a paltry $29.37 per month to care
for his/her needs when spending about a third of his or her waking
hours at the paying parent's home. This is wrong and simply serves to
hurt children, although
it reduces the workload at the FOC and increases federal program income
for the FOC.

http://www.courts.michigan.gov/scao/resources/publications/manuals/focb/2008MCSFmanual.pdf
http://www.courts.michigan.gov/scao/resources/publications/manuals/focb/2004MCSFmanual.pdf
http://www.scribd.com/doc/458394/Michigan-Friend-of-the-Court-Child-Support-Modification-Request
(Search for "Parenting Time Offsets Could Often Be Insignificant")

Support? System Down - Update from the Producer

  Dear Friends and Supporters,

It's been a while since I emailed all of you. I hope everyone has had
a Wonderful Christmas Holiday. Even if you couldn't see your child as
many of You haven't or could not have spent the time you would have
liked to.

It's funny when I started this project it never accrued to me it would
be so hard to bring it to the next level of distribution. The good
news is we are making head way. The bad news is it's going to take
more time.  We have been working on the project for close to 4 years
and as some of you know raising funding in this movement is like
pulling teeth from a vampire. You just can't do it without loosing
blood.

It's the same when you get to Family Court. I guess as soon as you
walk in the door you try to put your wallet in your front pocket
thinking it will help. Hopefully they wont find the last five bucks
you have in the back of it. Oh well they say it's ok if the economy is
bad, it's ok if you lost your job, and don't worry about the fact that
we are in a depression. Just pay your CHILD SUPPORT and we wont send
you to jail.

No don't worry about the mortgage it can wait. Oh and forget about the
electricity for a while the Family you have is ok without it. A car?
oh so you have car insurance well your just going to have to do
without a car for awhile don't you think? You will manage. We found
out you have a brokerage account. In it was only $200.00 hundred
dollars but it will do. Don't try to open another one it just wont
work for you to try and save.

Maybe you would like to spend some time in jail to help think about
how your going to live for the next few months. Yes, I think that
might do it so why don't we just say your in CONTEMPT right now and
we'll see you next week to see if you've changed your mind about
paying what you don't have. WHAT DO YOU SAY?

If you keep hearing the same story it's because it's the same across
the country. This film has it all from one end of the country to the
next everything from incarceration to Parent Alienation to a bitter
divorce battle to a custody issue that just wont quit. I think the
most interesting part of the film and it might not be interesting to
you when you see it, however, it's the Paternity Fraud. It really
hurts so deep inside that the person involved can't think straight
never mind breath or sleep like a normal human being ever again.

It's the fact that everyone that sees this movie is brought back to
some point in their own life when it was bad and maybe they choose to
forget it.  I don't know if that's the case but for me at this point
if I don't keep moving on getting this out next year my soul doesn't
let me sleep.  When I think about the part in the movie with 12 men
chained to each other begging the Judge to set them free and they
plead that they will pay with their blood if they have to just let me
out. Or the chained up black women who were crying and they were sorry
for not being able to find work or the handcuffed business man who
felt like they shouldn't have to pay and should not be in jail because
the DNA came back NEGATIVE anyway. Huh?

I also lose sleep when that comment pops in my head when an assistant
city attorney told me "off-the-record" that they have 100,000 families
brought ("roped") in every year and they enjoy seeing their profits
surpass the million mark every year..... very proudly she
boasted. Guess where that was.....Don't worry it's in the movie!

It comes to me sometimes that even though we run out of money they do
not.  The system takes from everyone and we just allow it to
happen. It's almost like Russian roulette. We walk in thinking it's
never going to pull then BANG your dead it takes everything including
the kid.  I receive dozens of emails and stories and yet it's hard to
believe that I can't fill a theater.

The next 2 night venue is in Michigan would you make it? Would you
bring a friend?

Man I'm tired, Isn't that the truth! My airline miles have depleted,
my hotels miles have zeroed out, even my calling cards ask for a dime.
Forget credit cards they got so maxed out I had to shred them because
I was addicted to try again and again for charge.

This is a tough movement I must admit. Another thing I must tell
you....I will not quit.

With your support there is hope! If you haven't heard already we have
our 30 MINUTE SNEAK PREVIEW available now on our website for a
reasonable cost. All proceeds help us keep the lights on and keep the
editor happy to help.

Support the movie and take advantage of $2.00 OFF the DVD purchase
TODAY!  Click here and use CODE: (akidsright) for the discount when
you check out.

http://www.shop.supportthemovie.com/product.sc?productId=4&sourceCode=akidsright

Register your info for FREE here:
https://shop.supportthemovie.com/register.sc

I will be giving away 1 FREE DVD of the sneak preview per month until
the film comes out. You can use it for your next group event or show
it to your legislators. All I ask is that you spread the word about
the film and help the next parent going through this mess.

If you feel you can Donate then thank you for your support TODAY and
over the years. With your help the movie has grown and will be a great
success in reform.

Your donation, no matter how large or small, can help with the many
areas that make the film special: bringing the film to different
cities, promotional materials, press releases, website updates, the
submission to festivals and more.

Please consider a donation of $5, $10, $25, $50, $100 or more, or
whatever fits your budget. We would greatly appreciate it.

To donate with a credit card, visit www.paypal.com and send your
donation to: [email protected]

To donate with a check, please make it payable to:

SUPPORT? system down
PO Box 1483
Carlsbad, CA 92008

If you have any questions or would like to be added to our SPONSOR
PAGE by donating $300 or more please do not hesitate to contact us.

Thank you very much and happy New Year!                  

GOD BLESS
SUPPORT? system down is coming for sure 2009

Warmest Regards,

Angelo Lobo
writer-producer-director

SUPPORT? system down
email:  [email protected]
website : www.supportthemovie.com
http://www.youtube.com/user/SupportTheMovie
http://www.myspace.com/supportthemovie

Equal Parenting: Know Your Opposition

Families are faced with an ongoing onslaught from social pressures and ill formed laws. Knowing that there is a problem in our society we need to work hard at advocating for change at every level and every corner of our society and government. In this effort I have compiled a list of links and my own summary that show the thinking and reasons behind organized opposition to Equal Parenting legislation.  Please remember that the first problem we face in the battle to give our children equal parenting is apathy, an unwillingness to actually advocate for change and speak to others.

1. http://jeannehannah.typepad.com/blog_jeanne_hannah_traver/2006/10/proposed_joint_.html

2. http://www.now.org/nnt/03-97/father.html

3. http://www.owjn.org/custody/nawl.htm

4. http://abusesurvivors.meetup.com/boards/thread/5575530

5. http://house.michigan.gov/SessionDocs/2007-2008/Testimony/Committee14-5-7-2008-1.pdf

6. http://house.michigan.gov/SessionDocs/2007-2008/Testimony/Committee14-05-07-2008-7.pdf

7. http://house.michigan.gov/SessionDocs/2007-2008/Testimony/Committee14-05-07-2008-8.pdf

8. http://house.michigan.gov/SessionDocs/2007-2008/Testimony/Committee14-05-07-2008-9.pdf

9. http://house.michigan.gov/SessionDocs/2007-2008/Testimony/Committee14-05-07-2008-10.pdf

            After reading, being present for and discussing opposition testimony I have formed a summarization of the opposition to a legal presumption to equal physical child custody when child custody is in dispute.

1. First and foremost from what I read and read between the lines is that the lawyers, judges and government employees do not want to lose their jobs, political contributions and money flow. With a legal presumption there will be less billable hours, less need to gain judicial favor and less need for court employees to handle the custody battle.
2. Secondly feminists are concerned that mothers will lose their hidden alimony since in most states when there is equal custody the child supports rates tend to be a lot less due to having to actually account for both households’ child rearing expenses. As it is now there is very little consideration for the non-custodial parent’s costs since they do not think dad will provide rooms, beds, clothes and toys for their children like mom does.
3. Thirdly feminists truly believe that having a father significantly involved is not important and that most fathers are abusive especially if they want to raise their child (controlling). They believe that it is too hard to prove allegations of abuse and those mothers need to be able to move freely with their child so having a legal presumption will severely impinge on a mother’s liberty.

Of course we need to be able to understand and know the responses to every point raised by the opposition and even better know the truth behind their opposition. Please review the links above and prepare your own summarization, create your own response and use it in your advocacy work.

 

 

Michigan State Representative Hoogendyk on Parental Rights

State Rep Hoogendyk on Parental Rights

Representative Hoogendyk has been an equal parental rights supporter for families in Lansing and is running for US Senate to be our champion in Washington DC.

Parental Rights Leader Minister Ronald Smith Has Passed

A tragedy.  A shock.  Extremely sad news for all who knew this special man.  Minister Ron Smith was one of the best friends I have ever known.  Minister Ronald Smith passed away on Friday September 5, 2008 from a heart attack.  I am still very shook up from this news and will let our readers know more as soon as I get it.  He was such an incredible man and just recently brought the 2008 Million Man March to Michigan.  Minister Ronald Smith was also the founder of the National Fatherhood Summit and was one of the co-founders of the Family Preservation Festival.  Minister Ronald Smith was co-author of the book Cheated.  Minister Ronald Smith was the CEO of Children Need Both Parents, Inc.   Most of all Minister Ronald Smith was an amazing father and husband!

My thoughts are with Ron and his family right now.

Below is a very well known video of Minister Ronald Smith. Incredible speech which I had the pleasure of watching live in Iowa.

God Bless Ron - We ALL love you!  "My brother from another mother"

Robert Pedersen

From the Family of Minister Ronald Smith

Your Brother in Christ Minister Ronald Smith called Home to be with Yahweh

It is with a heavy heart, and deep sympathy, that I announce to you today that Minister Ronald Smith was called home to be with the Lord. Minister Smith passed away from an apparent heart attack on September 5, 2008.

We are currently making arrangements and would ask you to stand by for further communications with regards to a memorial.

Children Need Both Parents mourns the loss of it's founder and CEO. We praise God that Minister Smith finished all that God charged him with, and is re-united in Heaven with his son Richmond. We vow to press on with the vision God gave him. Everyone here appreciates your love and support through this most difficult of times.

May God continue to shine upon you.

Minister Ronald Smith believed in a proper accounting of God's resources. In our efforts to honor his memory, and honor his principles of stewardship, we humbly request that donations be sent in lieu of flowers. This will enable us to more effectively continue the work God began in him.

Official Announcement from Ronald Smith’s wife, Sherry Shabazz Smith:

Please be advised that there will be two services for Ronald Smith.

Many of you know that Ronald Smith passed away on Friday September 5, 2008.  Thank you for your kind thoughts, considerations  and prayers at this time.

The first service is coordinated by Ron’s sister and mother.  Ronald will be laid to rest in Chicago.  The wake and funeral specifics are listed below.

Minister Ronald. Elijah Smith
Saturday, September 13, 2008
Woodlawn Union Baptist Church
6359 S. Eberhart
Chicago, IL 60637
10:00 -11:00 visitation
11:00 - 12:00 funeral

The second service is a Celebration Of Ronald Smith And His Life. 

This celebration is coordinated by Sherry and will be held on Wednesday September 17, 2008  at 6:00 pm at the:   

Abundant Life Ministries
1725 Division SE
Grand Rapids
Michigan
616-301-2325.

Sherry asks that NO cut flowers be sent.  Live plants are welcome. Most importantly Sherry has asked that in lieu of flowers donations be made to Children Need Both Parents, Inc.  Ronald did not have medical insurance nor did he have any life insurance.  Again,  Thank you for your thoughts and prayers.