SWMI: Hoogendyk Submits Signatures!

Jack supported the equal parenting bill in the state house and the parental rights amendment.

 

From: Hoogendyk for Congress [mailto:hoogendykforcongress@gmail.com]
Sent: Tuesday, May 11, 2010 3:17 PM
To: dlscott_farnsworth@grouply.com
Subject: Hoogendyk Submits Signatures!

 

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Hoogendyk for Congress.com   Dear Supporters,   We did it!  The first hurdle for the campaign has officially been cleared!  Today Jack turned in more than 1,500 signatures to get his name on the ballot, and is officially registered as a candidate.  There were signatures from every single county within the sixth district, gathered by a wide range of volunteers.  A huge thanks to every one of you who took the time and effort to make your voice heard.   So what's next?  Now that we're up and running, it's time for full campaign mode.  One thing that all of us need to realize is that this campaign is going to set the tone for Michigan politics.  Jack's race is drawing the attention of conservatives and liberals both, who are eager to see what direction Michigan will head.  We will either send the message that Constitutional conservatives are serious about holding officials accountable, or we will remain laid-back and forever pay the price.   It is absolutely critical that voters are educated about Congressman Upton's voting record, and where Jack stands on the issues.  Which means this needs to be your campaign, not ours.  Significant change is always made at the grassroots level.  Liberal PACS and organizations are already pouring money into Fred's race (click HERE to see what groups are funding Fred's campaign), but liberal PACS will only drown out the voice of the people if we let them.   So here's what we need from you:   -          In-home coffee "meet and greets". Brew some coffee, invite a few friends, and Jack will come over to meet with the group personally.  You have a sphere of influence and reach, and the best way for conservatives to get to know Jack, and be informed, is to spend time with him personally.   -          Phone Calls Let the general public know what's been going on and what their choices are this election cycle.  Phone calls are one of the most effective ways of spreading the message.  We'll provide you with the call list, a script, and reimburse any costs.  It's simple, fast, and easy to do from the comfort of your own home.   -          Letters to the Editor You would be amazed at how much weight a letter to the editor carries.  We can provide you with talking points, research, and all the submission info.  All you need to do is write a couple paragraphs and hit "send".  This is one of the easiest ways to make your voice heard all over the district, and start spreading the message.   Every little bit of time helps, and this can't be done alone.  Conservatives have had the "someone else will do it" attitude for too long.  If we want to see a change, we have to be willing to work for it.   So let me know how you can help, even if only in small ways, and let's send a message to Congress like they've never heard before!       Sincerely, Rachael Denhollander Hoogendyk for Congress   Paid for by Hoogendyk for Congress 8607 W R Avenue, Kalamazoo MI 49009; hoogendykforcongress@gmail.com; (269) 873-8202 Send Washington a message! Click to Give Even small amounts help us spread the word. Host a Coffee! Personal contact is the most effective way to spread truth.  Everyone has a sphere of influence, what are you doing with yours? Make some calls! Spread the word right from your living room, on your time, we'll give you everything you need.  It's easy and very effective. Write a letter! Make your voice heard across the district.  People pay attention to what is read in the newspaper.  Take 20 minutes to spread truth.

 

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Grand Rapids: Program Aims to help Parents

Posted by: "j dawg" joemaflage@yahoo.com   joemaflage

Mon May 10, 2010 5:10 am (PDT)

Maybe our message is getting out to other groups?
 
http://www.mlive.com/living/grand-rapids/index.ssf/2010/05/program_aims_to_help_boost_par.html
 
Emily Zoladz | The Grand Rapids PressPreparing for parenthood: Jennifer Albright and Dave Parsons, both of Grand Rapids, study a workbook about communication skills during a parenting class at D.A. Blodgett-St. John’s. Encouraging Family Foundations is a three-week course, offered twice a month to help future parents prepare for a family. GRAND RAPIDS — Raising babies is inherently challenging for stressed-out parents.
But when you add to the mix no job, no high school diploma and budget-crushing debt, the prospect of enjoying family life grows bleak.
The Grand Rapids-based Encouraging Family Foundations, a program of the Child and Family Resource Council, offers solutions for unmarried couples age 17 and older who desire to soak up skills that help bolster family life.
With unemployment in Grand Rapids still hovering at 12.8 percent, EFF outreach and recruitment coordinator Travis Foster believes its workshops are well-timed.
The stress and strain of life should make EFF’s goal of increasing enrollment from 40 couples a year to 200 easy to attain, Foster said.
EFF’s intent is to keep both parents active in their children’s lives.
Prospects for a better-paying job, an education, balanced checkbook and finely tuned communication skills pave the way for parents and their children to enjoy a more tranquil family life, Foster said.
“Statistics show that when the couples or parents have a healthy relationship with each other, the children benefit,” Foster said.
“That’s why we want them to get along. When they have both parents in their lives, and they’re in a healthy relationship, children are less likely to become victims of sexual or physical abuse, have fewer behavior problems and are less likely to commit suicide. But you need a healthy environment for children to grow up in.”
EFF programs are intended for pregnant women and couples who have children age 3 months and younger.
Three-week workshops offered at no cost in the morning and evening include how to set up a budget, parenting skills, sustaining a loving relationship, conflict resolution, earning a general equivalency diploma, effective resume writing and job-hiring techniques.
Free transportation and child care are provided during class time as well as meals beforehand.
An added incentive includes a $60 Meijer gift card upon completion of the program.
Workshops for Northeast Side residents are held at D.A. Blodgett-St. John’s; classes for those living on the Southeast Side are taught at the United Methodist Community House. On the Southwest Side, classes taught in Spanish take place at the South End Community Outreach Ministries.
For more information, call the Encouraging Family Foundations through the Child and Family Resource Council at 454-4673.
E-mail the author of this story: yourlife@grpress.com

www.myspace.com/familyrights
 
http://www.youtube.com/user/joemaflage

 

Darrick Scott-Farnsworth

Executive Director www.AChildsRight.net www.daddyblogger.com 

Cell 269 209-7144 or Nextel DC ID 130*112*19287

True Conservative: Pro-Life, Liberty and Property

 

DC Area: Evite invitation from Eli El

 

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Parental Rights Precinct Delegate

This is from another org but the message that we need to get involved politically is true for all. If you are a Precinct Delegate you can influence politics and vote for leadership.

 

From: Michigan Campaign for Liberty [mailto:no-reply@campaignforliberty.com]
Sent: Wednesday, May 05, 2010 6:05 PM
To: Darrick Scott-Farnsworth
Subject: This is the last week

 

May 5, 2010 Dear Michigan Patriots, We've been sending a lot of emails about Precinct Delegate registration. Forgive us for nagging. It's just that important. National delegates chose who Michigan nominated for president in 2008 at the national conventions.  The only people who could vote for national delegates in 2008 were precinct delegates elected in 2006. Now it is 2010. Four years later. Six days left. Precinct delegates vote for leadership at the county and state level. They choose who represents conservatism. They choose party leaders and the party agenda. We need people like you, who put Liberty first, in charge of the parties. We need you to register now to become a precinct delegate. Becoming a precinct delegate does not prevent you from doing anything else. But it does give you power to support people you believe in by voting at a convention. How often have you heard: "neither party represents me"? Well, that's because most people don't get involved with either party. It's time to drive out the statist quo. Filing for precinct delegate is an essential step, but here is another one: getting your friends to do the same. You are one vote. But if you bring ten others with you, you're a powerhouse. They can file for delegate just as easily as you can. All that matters is: can you count on them for a vote at a convention? Just because your friends don't seem politically motivated doesn't mean they don't want to be! Politics is a scary world. But then, what better introduction to the field, than a simple process that gets their feet in the door for a first convention? Like everything else in politics, this is a numbers game. We need you and as many as you can bring along. The filing deadline is just one week away. All the information you need is available by clicking here. And if you have any questions, please don't hesitate to contact us for assistance. This is the most important task anybody in Michigan striving for Liberty can do to put our message to power. We are grateful for the effort so many leaders have already put toward this vital mission. In this last week, we need everybody to bring as many people on board with this project as possible. Time is running out. This is the last week. Please join us. For Liberty, Adam de Angeli Tony DeMott David Dudenhoefer Michigan Campaign For Liberty

 

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Batman & Batgirl in action/ May 7 Rally cancelled/ Say yes to NOPE!

AKidsRight.Org - All the information in our messages if FREE for reuse as
you desire. Subscribe/unsubscribe info at end of this message.
=========================================
Good People & People of Faith,

This message has info on:

1. PA Day - Batman & Batgirl in action!
2. Say YES to NOPE - a group for parental equality.
3. Mother's Day Rally (Lyons, May 7th) - canceled with humility.

If you read anything in this message, PLEASE follow the links to
F4JCanada (below) and see the photos of Batgirl (Paulette MacDonald)
in action -- head held high as she is taken away by police.

The Burnaby Batman (Rob Robinson) ends his report with a great quote:

"IT IS IN OUR ACTIONS WE ARE DEFINED"

1. PA Day - Batman & Batgirl in action!
-------------------------------------
From: Rob Robinson <burnabybatman@shaw.ca>

Greetings all from Vancouver BC. As many of you are aware April 25
each year marks Parental Alienation Awareness, an all to common
occurrence in the event of separation and divorce. For more
information on this very important issue please visit
http://www.paawarenessday.org/

Here in the lower mainland of BC this day, Kevin Christiaens, Hal
Legere and myself attended the event in Langley BC hosted by Patricia
Lessard, thank you Patricia for your hospitality.

On this Day, April 25, 2009, Parental Alienation Awareness Day, Bat
Girl (Paulette MacDonald) and the Burnaby Batman (Rob Robinson) go to
great heights to raise awareness to Parental Alienation. Happy
Anniversary Paulette on your monumental climb for the kids.

Aliston Bat Girl Scales Water Tower -
http://www.f4jcanada.com/OntarioPages/Ontario_Bat_Girl_Cookstown_Action.html

Fathers 4 Justice Canada - April 25/09 - This morning before the sun
arose; Alliston Bat Girl scaled the Cookstown Outlet Mall Water Tower,
at Hwy 400 and Hwy 89 in protest. Her objective was to draw attention
to Parental Alienation Awareness Day, which is on April 25th. From the
front of the landmark water tower (Facing both Hwy's) she unfurled a
giant banner which read, April 25th, 2009 - Parental Alienation
Awareness Day - Love Is For Everyone! Bat Girl remained upon the
landmark structure for 7 hours before police arrived on the scene.

"One of my most memorable moments during this action was; once I
secured the banner at the top and went down a level to secure the
bottom of the banner and the winds were so strong,blowing the banner
away from me and I couldn't access the rope to secure it. I began to
pray and asked God to "Will" the rope to me,within seconds the rope
was in my hands! That was truly inspirational! The other most
memorable moment was speaking with Burnaby Batman while he was perched
upon the Johnson Street Bridge in Victoria BC. That was way, too
cool!", said Bat Girl.

On This Day April 25/09 - Victoria BC - Burnaby Batman scales bridge
to raise awareness -

http://www.f4jcanada.com/BCPages/Burnaby_Batman_Victoria_Bridge_Action_2009.
html

Fathers 4 Justice Canada - April 25/09 - Parental Alienation Awareness
Day - Victoria BC - Burnaby Batman Bridge Action - This morning before
the sun arose the Burnaby Batman with the help of his trusted comrades
scaled the Johnson street bridge in Victoria BC in protest. Our
objective was to draw attention to parental alienation and to present
our position on the current political parties running in the upcoming
BC election on May 12/09.

BEST WISHES ALL - IT IS IN OUR ACTIONS WE ARE DEFINED.

2. Say YES to NOPE - a group for parental equality!
--------------------------------------------------
If you are looking for a group that supports actual EQUALITY
between parents I can recommend the folks who founded
NOPE (The National Organization for Parental Equality).

http://www.nopeohio.org/

and

http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=475803505300

3. Mother's Day Rally (May 7th) - cancelled with humility
----------------------------------------------------------
We were trying to get some Moms & Dads, and maybe a Superhero in
attendance for a Mother's Day Rally in Lyons, NY. Sorry, I failed on
all counts and the event is cancelled.

Perhaps a lesson in humility for two reasons:

1. I'm a firm believer real change is within our grasp. I have no
delusions about my effectiveness (or lack thereof!) in both my
public actions and also in trying to more parents involved in the
effort. http://www.AKidsRight.Org/family_rights

I don't have any doubt NonViolent Action by parents will be required
before real change takes place (http://www.AKidsRight.Og/civil.htm),
but I'm humbled by my poor leadership and timidity in my actions. So
easy to have an excuse not to do something....

2. You see so much anger expressed in mailing lists, web blogs, email,
etc.... Maybe we all need to ask ourselves, "When was the last time
I participated in a Family Rights rally?" It was an inconvenience, but
I went - because it was important.

Hopefully we become a little more understanding of the politicians
that don't seem as responsive as we like (they have a lot of other
demands on their time also). How many of you have even bothered to
call your Member of Congress, or your State Legislature, and go in and
talk to their staff about reform? Want a guide?

http://www.AKidsRight.Org/legislative.htm

Let's be for a FIRM statement of our rights as parents & children,
the "Declaration of Family Rights" (now at 330 signatures!)

http://www.ThePetitionSite.com/3/the-declaration-of-family-rights

Best regards!
--
John Murtari
_______________________________________________________
Coordinator AKidsRight.Org
jmurtari@AKidsRight.Org Kid's Right to BOTH parents
(315) 944-0999(x-211) http://www.AKidsRight.Org/

=========================================
http://www.AKidsRight.Org/
A Kid's Right to Both Parents!
---
Newsletter mailing list
Newsletter@kids-right.org
http://kids-right.org/mailman/listinfo/newsletter

NOW Criticizes Our Parental Alienation/DSM Campaign; Holstein Newspaper Column--'Time for Shared Parenting'

 

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NOW Criticizes Our Parental Alienation/DSM Campaign; Holstein Newspaper Column--'Time for Shared Parenting' May 4, 2010 Top Story NOW Criticizes F & F over Our Campaign to Ask DSM to Include Parental Alienation in Upcoming Edition, Writes DSM Task Force, Urging Them Not to Include Alienation A group of 50 mental health experts from 10 countries are part of an effort to add Parental Alienation Disorder to the fifth edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM V), the American Psychiatric Association's "bible" of diagnoses. This scientific coalition is led by psychiatrist William Bernet, who explains that adding PAD to DSM "would spur insurance coverage, stimulate more systematic research, lend credence to a charge of parental alienation in court, and raise the odds that children would get timely treatment." Fathers & Families wants to ensure that the DSM-5 Task Force is aware of the scope and severity of Parental Alienation. To this end, in December we asked our supporters to write the Task Force to urge them to consider including Parental Alienation Disorder in DSM-5. As usual, the response was overwhelming. It also helped lead to progress–while as expected the newly-released draft version does not specifically include Parental Alienation Disorder, the DSM-5 Task Force has now listed Parental Alienation Disorder among the "Conditions Proposed by Outside Sources…that are still under consideration by the work groups." Gaining inclusion isn't easy–David J. Kupfer, M.D., the chair of the DSM-V Task Force, recently told the media that with any disorder proposed for inclusion, "The door to get in [the manual] is pretty hard." The DSM must consider whether Parental Alienation Disorder fits their scientific criteria for inclusion. Experts will say that they do not want this process politicized, and we agree. We are not seeking to influence the Task Force's view of the scientific aspects of PAD, nor are we asking the Task Force to include Parental Alienation Disorder due to pressure politics or our campaign. Our purpose is simply to ensure that the DSM Task Force is aware that Parental Alienation is a common problem in divorce/child custody, and to take a serious look at whether PAD meets their scientific criteria. Our campaign page is here, those who would like to participate can do so by clicking here. The National Organization for Women is very concerned about our efforts, condemning them in March and again in their recent media release NOW Foundation Opposes Phony Parental Alienation Disorder. In it, the NOW Foundation references Fathers & Families' DSM Campaign and explains "The 'disorder' has been proposed…to be added to the American Psychiatric Association's Diagnostics and Statistics Manual - V to give it more legitimacy than it currently has — or should have — in court." The NOW Foundation has also written the DSM Task Force, urging them to reject PAD. NOW repeatedly encourages us to believe that Parental Alienation is "discredited" by family law experts and professionals. This is absolutely not the case–those who believe, as NOW does, that Parental Alienation is a fiction are a decided minority within the field. This was clearly evidenced last year in the political battle over AB 612 in California. AB 612 was a bill put forward by NOW's ally the Center for Judicial Excellence (and supported by the California National Organization for Women) which would have banned Parental Alienation from being mentioned in any way, shape, or form in a California family court. Those officially listed as opposed to the bill included the professional organizations of many family law professionals and experts, including: the Judicial Council; the California Judges Association; the Family Law Section of the State Bar; the California Psychological Association; the Association of Certified Family Law Specialists; the Association of Family Conciliation Courts; and numerous others. The California Psychological Association backed up both the science and factual basis of Parental Alienation when they wrote that AB 612 ignores the "significant scientific and agreed-upon knowledge base of the last 30 years on children who are alienated" and describes AB 612 as a "scientifically inaccurate measure [which] assumes the truth of any accusation of abuse." The Family Law Section of the State Bar of California believes Parental Alienation is real and legitimate, explaining that alienation tactics often include: "[C]ancel[ing] the other parent's visit without telling the child that the visit has been cancelled, creating a 'let down' for the child when that parent does not 'show up' for the visit. Threats could also be made against the child for wanting to have visitation with the other parent - 'Fine, if you want to see [your other parent] tonight, then you are grounded for the rest of the week.' Guilt can also be used to influence a child to avoid visitation - 'I'm not feeling well and I wish you would stay here with me, but if you have to see [your other parent] I will understand.' Rewards can also be used - 'Sure, you can see [your other parent] today, but I thought we would go play laser tag with your friends today.'" At various times, including during our successful Campaign Against PBS's Father-Bashing Breaking the Silence in 2005, misguided mothers' family law advocates have claimed that Parental Alienationhad been discredited and attacked by the American Psychological Association. In the documentary Joan Meier, a professor of clinical law at George Washington University and one of the film's chief spokespersons, stated that Parental Alienation "has been thoroughly debunked by the American Psychological Association." Connecticut Public Television, one of the film's producers, put out a press release promoting the film which stated that Parental Alienation had been "discredited by the American Psychological Association." Rhea K. Farberman, Executive Director of Public and Member Communications of the American Psychological Association, publicly retorted that these claims are "incorrect" and "inaccurate," and that the APA "does not have an official position on parental alienation syndrome–pro or con." Despite the enormous political pressure put on the APA by misguided women's advocates who oppose recognizing Parental Alienation, the APA has put out mixed messages about Parental Alienation. According to shared parenting advocate Les Veskrna, MD, "The APA has, in fact, heretofore made a significant endorsement of the validity of Parental Alienation." Veskrna details this here. In addition to misrepresenting the views of family law professionals re: Parental Alienation, both of NOW's recent statements contain numerous factual errors and erroneous assumptions. Below we discuss some of them. NOW writes: NOW refers to those contacting DSM re: Parental Alienation as "men's custody activists." Fathers & Families responds: This is false–Fathers & Families believes and has worked towards a legal presumption of shared custody, except in situations of parental unfitness. When appropriate, we've supported mothers' right to shared custody of their children, including the recent Vanessa Benson and Mullen-Hobbs cases and our amicus brief in the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court in A.H. v. M.P. Excluding cases of maternal unfitness, we invite NOW to cite one example where Fathers & Families has ever advocated for a presumption of sole custody for fathers. NOW writes: "[The] central premise [behind advocating for recognition of Parental Alienation Disorder] is that accusations of physical or sexual abuse of children that arise during divorce or custody disputes are always (or nearly always) false…" Fathers & Families responds: This is a straw man–neither Fathers & Families nor the Bernet scientific coalition has or ever will say anything like this. False accusations are common in custody disputes but this does not mean that there aren't a significant number of valid claims, too. As we noted in Preventing courts from considering parental alienation will harm kids (Capitol Weekly, 2/25/10): When fact-finding in custody cases, judges and custody evaluators must be able to properly consider all available evidence. When abuse is alleged, the accusation merits serious consideration. When Parental Alienation is alleged, the accusation merits serious consideration, too. NOW writes: "[Parental Alienation Disorder] does not properly take into account the realistic causes, including heightened emotional stress, that almost always occur during a divorce especially when there is significant animosity between the ex-spouses." Fathers & Families responds: NOW has a point. Parental Alienation Disorder as delineated by the Bernet scientific coalition does properly account for this, but sometimes blame can be heaped unfairly on a custodial mother (or father). Fathers & Families has often acknowledged that there are times when a noncustodial parent's relationship with his children deteriorates even though the custodial parent does not attempt to alienate the children from the noncustodial parent. In the Capitol Weekly we explained: Sometimes, as research by Janet R. Johnston Ph.D. of San Jose State University confirms, Parental Alienation exists but is only one of several factors causing a deterioration of the parent-child bond. Sometimes parental alienators are unaware of their harmful actions. We also noted that sometimes custodial mothers (or fathers) get a bad rap: [T]here are fathers (and mothers) who have alienated their children through inept parenting, narcissism, drug or alcohol problems, or abuse, and who attempt to shift the blame to their exes by falsely claiming Parental Alienation. NOW writes: To be sure, one parent may say nasty things about the other during a trial in the presence of the child. Fathers & Families responds: This is a rare and small but nonetheless commendable admission by NOW that parents do badmouth each other in front of their children. NOW writes: [P]ublications by the American Bar Association...have concluded proposed "alienation disorder" is inadmissible in court and has been discredited by the scientific community... Fathers & Families responds: The American Bar Association hasn't made a definitive statement about Parental Alienation and/or its admissibility. Some of the articles concerning Parental Alienation in the ABA's publications have been critical of the concept of Parental Alienation, whereas others have been supportive. NOW is perhaps referring to one article by Jennifer Hoult, J.D. in which she criticizes Parental Alienation. The credibility of Hoult and her article can be judged in part by the fact that she links those who assert the validity of Parental Alienation with the North American Man-Boy Love Association, referencing NAMBLA in the article 18 separate times. While most of NOW's recent claims aren't credible, there are legitimate questions to be asked about Parental Alienation Disorder, as there are with all mental health issues. We address many of these in Frequently Asked Questions about Parental Alienation and also summarize the scientific perspective in the Case for Including Parental Alienation Disorder in DSM V. Veskrna, MD explains: The DSM Committee must decide if the weight of empirical studies and peer review validates PAD. There is no fine line that determines when the weight of evidence is sufficient to exceed this threshold of validity. And, when (or if) this occurs, it will be by a consensus of opinion. To say, in an effort to discredit PAD, that there is no science behind it (no studies or peer review) makes me wonder if NOW really understands what science is, what empiric studies are, and what constitutes peer review. There is science behind PAD.  We're just not sure it has reached the threshold for the DSM Committee. NOW doesn't have any information that PAD doesn't exist — only their own biased and unscientific (i.e. cherry picked) collection of allegedly bad outcomes from court cases. Attorneys say, "If you have the facts, pound on the facts. If you have the law, pound on the law. If you don't have either, pound on the table." NOW is pounding on the table. In the end, our efforts to promote recognition of Parental Alienation Disorder aren't about fathers or mothers, they're about protecting children from harm. In Charlotte Hardwick's Dear Judge–Kids' Letters to the Judge, a letter from preteen Bailey A. said: Dear Judge, Whichever parent I am with wants me to be loyal. I can only prove my loyalty by saying I don't want to be with the other parent…It's like sixth grade when two of my girlfriends made me crazy trying to force me to pick one of them to be my best friend. I remember when I was sad sometimes. Now I have trouble remembering when I wasn't sad. Together with you in the love of our children, Glenn Sacks, MA Executive Director, Fathers & Families   What's Happening F & F's Holstein's New Newspaper Column: 'Time for Shared Parenting' Fathers & Families' Board Chairman Ned Holstein, MD, MS has written a newspaper column Time for shared parenting (Worchester Gazette & Telegram, 4/29/10) in support of Massachusetts HB 1400, Fathers & Families' shared parenting bill, which will be voted on by the Judiciary Committee on May 7. Governor Deval Patrick has told the legislature that if they pass the bill, he will sign it. To comment on the piece, click here. To write a Letter to the Editor of the Gazette & Telegram, a 100,000 circulation newspaper west of Boston, write to letters@telegram.com. To read the paper's submission guidelines, click here. In the column, Holstein writes: The intellectual basis of the courts' current fixation with sole custody has not withstood objective scrutiny. It started as a psychoanalytic theory – never proven by observation - that after a divorce, children need one primary caretaker and one home. As recently as 1979, Anna Freud, the daughter of Sigmund, re-stated this view, writing that "the non-custodial parent should have no legally enforceable right to visit the child."  A milder variant of this mindset still permeates the family courts. But modern empirical studies of children paint a different picture. Wake Forest Women's Studies Professor Linda Nielsen cites 16 studies showing that "Children want more shared parenting." Not a single study in which both parents were fit shows the opposite result. Numerous researchers, including Rebekah Levine Coley at Boston College, have documented the many benefits children gain from spending more time with their non-custodial parents. In 2004, a Massachusetts blue-ribbon panel of child development specialists and jurists concluded, "We now know that: children do best when both parents have a stable and meaningful involvement in their children's lives." Yet the courts persist in their archaic practice of awarding sole physical custody to one parent. It often seems that any excuse will do. A reasonable dispute over selling the condo somehow gets elevated into "high conflict." The claim that shared parenting will result in "suitcase kids" overlooks the fact that staying with Dad for a week requires no more transitions than staying with him for one night. The belief that an infant must stay overnight only with its mother is belied by all the infants in intact families who happily spend overnights with grandma and grandpa. And so it goes. While President Obama decries fatherlessness, the courts needlessly churn out thousands of fatherless kids... To read the full column, click here. William Dunn Case Update - Father Sues Florida DCF for Taking His Daughter Hammer Attack on Husband Gets Utah Woman 30 Days Massachusetts Dad Reunited with his Son after Two Years Czech Court Gives Boost to Fathers in Child Custody Matters Irish Dad Loses Children to Move-Away Mom; Case Shows Need for Guardianship of Children Law The Many Constitutional Problems with State Child Abuse Registries RAND Studies Overseas Military Deployment's Effects on Children Letter to the Editor: 'Defensive social work...has little to do with child protection'     Join Fathers & Families Fathers and Families is a family court reform organization with a comprehensive strategy, an impressive history of legislative and fundraising success, and the largest reach of any advocacy group of its kind: Get Involved Give a Gift Become an F & F Activist/Supporter by Filling out Our Volunteer Form     Become an F & F Activist/Supporter by Filling out Our Volunteer Form Missed an E-Newsletter? Read Them All Here

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May Newsletter

Michigan for Parental Rights Protecting from abuse of the child welfare system A message to all members of Michigan for Parental Rights   First I like to give a big thank-you to Ann Mullin from WXYZ channel 7 in Detroit. She did the report on the child welfare system and I must say she told it like it is. There was no sugar coating there. Thank-you Ann.   Video- Our last video taping was a complete success. We had a good turn out as we did 2 stories. Sara Dent from Florida told us her story concerning Ottawa county and Bethany Christian. Also our own Kim Brialey told us her story. We still can use helpers in the control room and editing. Kris has been doing a great job but his 2nd shift job is keeping him away from production. Any help we can get would be great. We must get this message out to the general public. We are getting our own internet channel on VIEMO and these will also be played on public access. If you have a public access channel in your area and like to sponsor the shows let me know, we will get you copies. Mothers Day Protest- There is a national Mothers day protest the 9th. Here we are holding this at the Kent County Court house. We like to get as many dolls with the names of your children taken by the state. We will be holding this all day so stop on down. I will be there at 9 to 11 with Deanna.  Debbie plans to be there from 10-noon. Let's have a good showing and make a statement. Radio- I have been invited to guest talk on Abused Freedom blog radio show sunday night. This program follows C.P.S. Chronicles which airs at 6. Abused Freedom airs at 7 on sunday. These are good info shows to listen to. Like to also mention we a looking into a weekly broadcast radio show in the Grand Rapids area. We are in the planning stages on this. Upcoming Events-                               Sunday May 9 Mothers Day Protest                              Monday May 10  MPR Meeting                               Wednesday May 26 Filming       REMINDER: We still are taking stories on Bethany Christian Services. They already have one lawsuit going and we think they need some more publicity.                                                                                   Visit Michigan for Parental Rights at: http://miparentalrights.ning.com/?xg_source=msg_mes_network   To control which emails you receive on Michigan for Parental Rights, click here