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Petition Tag - child
211. STOP RESTRAINING ORDER ABUSE! 
My wife and I separate and file for Divorce. I tell the court that I want JOINT PHYSICAL CUSTODY of our children. I know that because of my work, I would not be able to physically have the children 50% of the time but this would allow me some flexibility in seeing the kids. My wife is angry and bitter about the impending divorce so she finds a weapon to use against me. It's called the Family Court System. She tells them that I am a threat to her and/or our children. Then without any evidence or testimony from anyone, she is granted a Restraining Order against me. I am not only NOT allowed to see my own children, I am also ordered to attend weekly Domestic Violence classes for 1 year at a cost of $40 per class. I ask Judge Nancy Pollard of Orange County Family Court, on what grounds is she taking away my rights as a Father and branding me as a violent person. She said that all the evidence she needs is to believe that my wife is actually in fear of me in some way. I told her that that was ridiculous. I said that I would become a criminal just for trying to see my own kids. She told me to shut up or be charged with contempt.
During my 15 years of marriage, there was NEVER any incident of Domestic Violence. I was (and still am) a caring loving Father
who was voted Father of the Year by my Daughters Girl Scout Troop. My kids went to Catholic School and played sports. I was very much involved in their lives even though I work an average of 60 hours per week.
I was granted a MONITORED 2 hour visit every other Saturday by Judge Pollard but I was still ordered
to pay a large amount of Child Support. Even with the meager visitation rights I was given, my wife still "missed" several of the visits until I had to go to the local Police and file a report.
I have no problem paying Child Support. I do have a problem with a court system that plays into a bitter woman's hands and allows her to continue to use our children as weapons. This is tantamount to Child Abuse.
Now we are talking about Parental Alienation Syndrome. She is not only keeping my children from me but she is turning them against me in every way. She will not be happy until they feel the same way about me as she does. This should be a crime!
I know from talking to people and reading a lot that I am not alone here. There are many of you Fathers that are going through similar situations. I feel for you. Something must be done to stop the abuse of the Family Court Systems and give Fathers equal custody and visitation rights!
I under stand that nickelodeon is cancelling sponge bob squarepants because of a small child. The child was swimming in a lake and drowned looking for spongebob. When the parents were asked where they were that their son was left unattended to outside they said they were inside watching tv. The parents now want to sue nickelodeon because of the death of their son. If you are like me you feel sympathetic for the child's family but blame the incident on the child's parents. If the boy was so obsessed with spongebob that he thought he was real then the parents should have had a talk with the child explaining that sponge bob is not real and he does not live in the bottom of a lake and that there is no such place as bikini bottom.
213. Abolish Mandated Uniform Policies in Public School
Let me begin by saying that we are not fundamentally against uniforms. We are against uniforms being mandated in public free schools. Private schools are not part of this petition, as they are private and can make their own rules. You do not have to attend a private school if you do not agree with their policies, you do have to attend a public school. This policy is not only a direct violation of First Amendment rights to free expression, it violates a parent's right to decide, individually, what is best for their child and their family. The decision of some parents to send their children to school in uniform is not the problem. The fact that their decision is being imposed on our child without our permission is the problem. Children are being punished and shunned because of minor violations of these uniform policies. In most cases, the selling point of a uniform policy was to avoid this problem, yet it is now being taught and practiced by the educators themselves. The education of our children has eroded terribly in this country. Yet time and effort is being wasted on whether or not a child's clothing is the right color, or whether or not they are wearing the correct fashion accessory. We need to stop allowing ours, and our childrens' rights to freedom to be so easily taken away.
214. PTWLL Baseball - give every child a chance
The PTWLL baseball organization is not treating everyone fairly. We would like to change this and make a difference so every child gets a chance to hit a homerun, or catch a fly ball, or just have fun experiencing the great world of baseball. But with the PTWLL your children may never have that wonderful oppurtunity. Please sign this petition. Make the children of Parsippany, New Jersey happy. Thank you for your time.
215. Harsher Punishment for child molesters in the USA
Recently our child was sexually violated by a man here in Van Wert, Oh that had previously victimized at least 6 other children and has been doing this since 1990 and has only been convicted of misdemeanors because of plea bargains.
He has only gotten 3 years prison term on the charges against him from victimizing our son and our son's friend.
We feel that anyone that victimizes a child should get life in prison.
Please help us get this put into law that anyone that victimizes a child gets life in prison.
This petition is to be sent to President Bush so the law can be enacted.
216. Crimes Against Children are Crimes Against Humanity
On Tuesday 11 September 2001 a solemn appeal to universally declare crimes against children as crimes against humanity was adressed from Paris, France to the United Nations General Assembly and World Leaders in New York as a special session on children was scheduled to take place the following week. The first world leaders or organizations to answer the call were Mr Jacques Chirac, President of the French Republic, the UNESCO and the President of the European Parliament. Since then an international campaign in French and English has been following up on the Internet as new initiatives were launched to protect and promote Child Rights and fight crimes against children in the whole world. On 10th December 2002, Celebration Day for the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the international campaign "Crimes Against Children are Crimes Against Humanity" shall merge with SOS-JUSTICE & CHILD RIGHTS initiative, JUSTICE FOR THE FUGITIVE MOTHERS IN EUROPE campaign, and GIFT A CHILD YOUR HEART project in order to give birth to the Rajani Foundation For Child Rights. Further on, the petition "Crimes Against Children Are Crimes Against Humanity" shall be held by the Rajani Foundation For Child Rights, a private initiative based in Paris, France.
217. Child proof fast food, now!
The world wide epidemic of obese childeren must be stopped. A child should not be able to open fast food bags. Fast food, especially cheeseburgers must not get in the hands of children. Child safety locks must be used in order to protect them. All people who consume fast food should be compelled to register their fast food use. Backround checks must be made mandetory.
218. Abolish Child and Family Services in Dufferin county
I have heard many horror stories about CAS in Dufferin county and have most importantly experienced it first hand. I was fifteen, in foster care and locked in my foster parents basement for the majority of the day. I report the ongoing incedents to my workers and nothing was done. Of course when confronted with my allegations it was turned around that I was the problem in the home. The main reason I am writing today is to show certain people involved in Dufferin Child and Family Services that their actions are unacceptable.
My personal favorite horror story is that of a friend. She was told by her worker that it was acceptable for her young sons to sleep in the same bed as their father(in his 30's) and his under aged alledged "girlfriend".
Please help me show this organization that their actions are inappropriate and need further investigation.
219. Stop combining bus routes at Windham
Our buses are changing and combining routes and bus-drivers. It is dangerous when there are only 24 small seats on one bus and 72 students riding the bus. That is three to a seat. Our school district is only saving $800 which is NOT a price tag for a child's life!
I switched on Triple J the other week to hear Destiny's Child belting out a remix of Bootylicious. The next day i tried again only to hear Beyonce Knowles singing (if u can call it that) work it out. I'm disgusted with Triple J playing such crap when we can easily change stations and hear exactly the same thing. Why would the J's do this to us when they could be playing some decent Aussie music like SUNK LOTO who they haven't even play-listed???? Triple J is aimed at helping Aussie artists, and im spitting that they would rather play this crap.
221. Stop S. 2053 "The Frist Bill"
If you're concerned about S. 2053, "The Frist Bill," then I urge you to sign this petition now before it's too late!
The "Frist Bill" would:
*Require that every thimerosal-injury lawsuit currently pending anywhere in America be immediately dismissed
*Force thimerosal injury claims into a bureaucratic administrative program in Washington, DC that is not designed to handle these claims.
*Prohibit any judge from ordering the drug companies to provide the money for desperately needed research and medical monitoring of children exposed to thimerosal.
*Forever deprive any child over the age of 8 of any legal remedy whatosoever, either in the courts or in the federal administrative program.
*Prohibit class action lawsuits related to thimerosal injuries and thimerosal exposure.
222. End car rider parents having to remain in their vehicles @ Ellendale Elementary
It is a violation of parental rights to not allow a mother or father to park their vehicle on the street and walk up to the doors of the school to pick their child up from a long day. We do not want to wait until 3:00 to pick our children up, which is when they dismiss walkers. We pick our children up at the door because we want to be right there when they walk out. That should be our prerogative. We should be allowed to pick them up at 2:45 when the car riders are dismissed. Why should we have to come up to the school at 2:10, thats 35 minutes before the bell rings to get a decent place in that long line of cars so our children don't have to stand in line for 15 to 20 minutes out in the heat or cold waiting for mom or dad to get up there to them while the line slowly moves along. We could be standing at the door when the car riders are dismissed @ 2:45, get our child, and get out of the way. I truely do not believe that mom's and dad's standing at the door and walking to the car holding the childs hand as they cross the street (where the crossing guard is) is causing a real big safety problem for the children. If anything, I believe it would be the opposite. Our children and his/her safety is our number one priority. We do not need such controlling people sitting around making up rules telling us how to maintain the safety of our children. Keeping our children safe at dismissal time is one of our greatest priorities. That's why we are more comfortable meeting them at the door and we should not be penalized 15 minutes for that.
223. STEVEN M. GILMORE not guilty
Steven Gilmore, Director of the youth behavior modification program GunHo, has been accused of a CRIMINAL MISDEMEANOR that being ASSAULT-3 CTS/ENDANGER WELFARE OF CHILD. Steven Gilmore is being accused of this because he cut the hair of two visitors who where visiting the GunHo Program, the visitors and their guardian made no indication to Mr. Gilmore that they were not to receive any hair cut, in fact the two youths willing set in the chair and received the hair cut and at no time did anyone indicate to Mr. Gilmore that he was not to cut their hair.
224. Boycott the movie "The United States of Leland"
We as parents/relatives/friends/caregivers of autistic individuals and/or as Autistic individuals are signing this petition to express our intention of boycotting the movie "The United States of Leland" for its glorification of the murder of an autistic child out of "pity". (The movie is described as follows by the production company-: The United States of Leland is the story of an extraordinary young individual that begins with a tragedy, but ultimately inspires those surrounding him to make tremendously positive changes in their lives.
Premise: This is the story of a sensitive teenager, Leland, faced with issues of morality and hope under difficult circumstances, who is arrested and sent to juvenile hall, after he kills an autistic child out of sympathy (sort of like an emotional euthanasia). Once there, he meets a teacher, Mr. Pearl, who helps him figure out the reasons for why he committed the crime, as we also see the ramifications of the murder have on his community, his family, and that of the victim.) Support for this film has been guaranteed by numerous banks.
Addendum dated 5 October 2002:
'Recently it has come to my attention as author of this petition that there have been unfavorable reviews of the script which state that the movie shows an exploitive murder of an Autistic child, that the movie itself is shallow and self-serving and fails miserably in its attempt by Hoge to do a character study of human relationships and behavior.
The Autistic child, whose name is Ray, and his violent murder are used as pawns in Hoge's plot for this movie. Leland says he kills Ray out of sadness... sadness for Ray's life and the fact that he cannot relate to other children. Leland's character is using the fact that Ray is Autistic to justify the violent murder he commits. Leland, then through interactions with other characters in the movie, becomes an inspiration to others, helping them grow and mature as people.
Little consideration is given to Ray and the fact that despite his Autism, he had a family whom loved and accepted him and had every chance at a good life the way a typical person does. ..... Hoge judges everyone else's character in the movie and Leland ultimately DOES become a hero.... a hero because he helps other people grow and mature as people. Hoge admits that he wants you to sympathize and care for the main character Leland by the end of the movie in a letter which can be found on the Paramount Pictures website: http://www.paramountclassics.com/leland/ So amazingly, Hoge lets Leland, in principle, get away with the murder
Compassion isn't expected to be given to the disabled child and the fact that the disabled child was killed and in one disturbing line in the movie, Rays mother makes the horrid comment that there is "nothing there" when it comes to her autistic child. As anyone whom knows and loves and cares for a child or adult with autism, this is the farthest from the truth.
225. Justice for children in the UK
WHY do we allow our judicial system to continually fail to protect our
children?
WHY do we not have adequate laws in place to remove the thousands of
KNOWN pedophiles from our communities, and thus offer at least SOME
protection to our children?
WHY do those that hold poltical power continually refuse to
implement Sarah's Law?
WHY are the 'civil rights' and 'freedom' of those that prey upon our
children deemed more important than the children's themselves?
WHY are those who by their own actions put themselves outside the
rules that govern a supposed civilised society deemed worthy of ANY
rights civil or otherwise? Their very actions constitute a
relequishment of such rights.
WHY is the punishment for those guilty of these horrific acts not
commensurate with crime?
WHY, when we know that there will be other children, do we allow the liberal 'apologists' to determine the agenda re: the
reintroduction of the death penalty for such acts? Their generalised
arguments significantly fails to acknowledge the advancement in
forensic science, and hence conclusive proof of guilt.
WHY do we not have a national, specialised police section, trained to
deal specifically with child abduction and paedophile activity?
WHY do we KNOW that the lives of yet MORE innocent children will be
taken and families destroyed, while the powers that be continue to
shirk their CIVIL and HUMAN responsibilites, giving us all the
right 'soundbites' but ultimately doing NOTHING
226. Life or death Sentence for any repeat offendor against a child 14yrs or younger
It seems that sex offenders, of children, in the state of California are set off far too easily. There are numerous violent acts against children in our state that could of been prevented (ex. Samantha Runion). Far too many times a violent sex offender against children is set free, only to committ another far more serious crime against a child.
It is our belief that any released sex offender against children 14yrs or younger, convicted of a second charge of the same nature should automatically receive a LIFE OR DEATH sentence for the charge.
227. Take A Stand Against Child Abuse and Bullying
Child abuse...Bullying...they aren't the same thing but have the same message: "Innocent children being HURT, scarred FOREVER". Governments MUST take a stand against this.
Me, the creator of this petition, is just 15 years old...Yes, I am young. To most of you adults, I'm just a child. But a child can have VERY strong opinions, and mine goes to this subject.
Even if I was never a victim of child abuse, I have been a victim of bullying for many, many years. In school, I growed up alone, or when I wasn't, I was just being hurt. All this to say...I know the pain it inflicts in people who are at the mercy of the bullies...and I'd do anything for a child not to have to suffer it...
Everyone in the world today is extremely strong but at the same time of an incredible weakness. Everyone in the world today will make mistakes, will lose his way at times. When those times happen... it's support we need... we all need it one day or another... maybe one day, it will be you...
...so today, please sign this petition for a child in who needs support or encouragement. To let know to the government that the world's children are being beaten down before even standing up. To let know to th e government that we all care for the esrth's children and that we want measures to be taken, plans to be made, laws to be created, to stop the young, innocent ones, from becoming heart broken before even learning the true meaning of love....
228. SAVE JEANNIE, BRING HER HOME! Tears with Hope
IF YOU DO ONE THING THIS CENTURY...HELP A FAMILY WITHOUT THE FINANCIAL MEANS TO FIGHT A CRIMINAL SYSTEM!!! As I struggle to understand HOW and WHY a child can be taken from their home, their family torn apart and hands tied by parents who are never told of what rights they have...The research this of story of my friend Lynn, reveals THOUSANDS of victims!! I find more mothers, fathers, families and friends who are in need of that "Someone" who make a difference. I wanted to share her story with you. This will not die or go away until SOMETHING changes it. I hope to be a part of that solution. Writing to 50 Senators, the AZ Attorney General, Hillary Clinton, President Bush, and many others, has been a exhausting waste of time...One person can share this and many MAY make a difference, We must NOT allow CPS and DSS to steal our children unless they are REALLY abused! Our case is one of uneducated medical circumstances. This child, Jeannie Hornsby, had Brittel Bone disease as a baby. Misunderstood by CPs, they charge abuse. Lynn has been my dearest friend since 1979 and has jumped through all CPS lies and deceitful hoops to be tormented and her child legally stolen! My heart breaks every day as I see a family torn apart, a family devesated, and an agency in control of our kids. THEY HAVE NO RIGHT!
These our OUR kids...GOD's Kids...not property of the state. Jeannie was taken, even after a "NOT GUILTY" verdict! The state of AZ severed rights, and Jeannie as put up for adpotion. her two sister were left in the home, and a younger brother ALSO taken two years into the trail, was returned...but Jeannie is missing from this family.Visit our site... http://hometown.aol.com/swak917/myhomepage/personal.html (Cut and paste)
There are literally hundreds of thousands of sites and stories...I feel this has become out of hand...American Families NEED help!
www.hereinreality.com/childprotection/#back /www.megaone.com/protest/links.html
IF YOU READ ONE THING IN THIS LIFETIME THAT MIGHT HELP OINE CHILD...PLEASE READ THIS!!! WE ARE DESPERATE...and out of hopes...MAYBE this one will make a difference!!
We need legistlation to change the law to PROTECT OUR FAMILIES for these VULTURES that USE our kids to boost their strained budget! Yes, they get a financial incentive for each child taken! And guess where it comes from? TRY THE SOCIAL SECURITY FUND!
HELP US SAVE OUR KIDS!
Carol Gell Crowley
Here is Lynn's story.
My story of how many lives have been forever changed, and can healing ever take place? By Valerie Lynn Hornsby 6/2002
I am a heartbroken mother writing this to you in hopes that ANYONE might learn do a about Brittle Bone Disease and the ordeal of my family. NO one seems to care. My friend Carol has written many star, major celebrity hosted shows, and prime time programs who give an automated answer...we had ONE hope with 48 hours...has not materialized...YOU can help us...I BEG you!! I am among the growing number of American Families who have endured a horrific nightmare as a result of CPS making decisions to remove children from homes and charge them with abuse. Their uneducated decision due to lack of knowledge on Brittle Bone Disease is drawing National attention. This case is historical because it is the first case in AZ to win a "Not Guilty" verdict with Brittle Bone Disease as the defense. It has possibly opened doors for other traumatized by CPS. Or has it?? Does anyone care???
My daughter Jeannie was two months old when our horrifying ordeal began back in June of 1995. She was taken from us because we couldn't explain where she received 7 fractures. (See Brittle Bone websites!!) We had taken her to the ER after a shampoo bottle fell on her shoulder in the bathroom. She had been a sickly baby, and her doctor told us to do this to help assist her breathing, as she was very congested. We were told of the shoulder fracture, but the ER kept information from us and called CPS. The other fractures were located in the long bones of her arms, legs, and also some in her ribs. We were informed the next day when the sheriff and CPS workers showed up. It was like a nightmare, these strangers coming to my home, talking about my baby’s safety, and then taking her from us. My two daughters, along with my husband, were mortified, shocked, and torn apart. CPS placed my baby in a home for abused children, Casa De Los Ninos. This is where a Dr noticed she had blue sclera in her eyes; the whites of her eyes were discolored. This is a sign of Brittle Bones.
She was tested for brittle bone disease. The test came out negative. This test has a 20% fail rate. UNDERSTAND this was all a shock to us...we had NO IDEA what would unfold!!! Dr Marvin Miller, at Dayton's children's hospital, stated she was too young for the test. Also kept from us, but later discovered, was that Jeannie got 5 additional fractures while in the care of CPS. She was given to my mother who ultimately could not handle the stress and fear of CPS and this sick child, so she went back in the system.
She was returned to us at 8 months old, and CPS did another set of-rays at 11 months, which -"Showed another fracture" in her wrist area. She was again removed from our home and we were charged with 10 counts or child abuse. These charges carried a 52-year sentence if we were found guilty. We blindly and naively believed that the truth would prevail. As the case progressed, CPS tried to get each of us to say the other did it. I even have a cousin in a wheel- chair who volunteered to lie and say he did it so they would return our precious baby. I could not live a lie and punish an innocent man. They even tried to get the girls to day they did it. At one point, they told me if I would leave and divorce Ron, my husband, they would give me Jeannie. I thought about it just to get her back, but I had faith that the truth would set us all free, and never believed that it would get so out of hand. Well, it did, and now Jeannie is gone forever.
I have two older girls who, by the grace of God, were not taken from us. Kristi, who was 12 when this started, and Kelli, who was 6 when this all started. They were horrified that they would lose their parents. They lived in fear that someone would "steal" them away too. Kristi clung to me, and watched me all the time. Kelli did the same to Ron. They were terrified. Kristi began failing school and became suicidal. Depression and horror affected our lives. I struggled to be strong for my children and husband.
We did win our criminal case, thanks to the extensive research of Alica Cata, my husband’s criminal attorney. She found Dr Colin Paterson, renowned brittle bone specialist at the University of Dundee in Scotland. He testified in our behalf and all indications led to the facts that she has this OI (Brittle Bone Disease!!)Alica also was the one who found that Jeannie received 5 more fracture while at Casa. This was never disclosed to anyone when she was returned to us. They kept it from us!!! WE HAD NO RIGHTS OR SAY about our baby!! The X-rays don't lie. CPS had many lies and cover-ups. The original X Rays were even later questioned by doctors that were NOT affiliated with CPS!!! They could NOT find the original fractures!!! The X-Rays that supposedly had additional fractures were later reviewed by Doctors who said they did not see them. We were never shown the X rays. Additionally, they never
informed me of medical decisions and other decisions affecting MY daughter. I feel certain that I still had rights as a parent, and an American citizen. This was even before the trial. What happened to innocent until proven guilty? Once found "Not Guilty" we are still treated as criminals, and on file on AZ as abusers! When will anyone help stop this insanity? How many more children will be taken, and is it because the government offers money as incentive to CPS to remove children? No one will give us answers.
I have to wonder if anyone even cares. Because I we are working class family who, like many Americans today, lives paycheck to paycheck, does that discount that I am an American who has feelings and emotions? Is our culture so willing just accept that this terrible thing happened, and turn their heads because it did not affect them? It's obvious that people who are wealthy have a different set of rules. It is not fair, but once again, I am helpless.
We also had a son, Brandon, while this was all going on, and he was taken from us at 31/2 weeks old. Due to "imminent danger" because of Jeannie’s alleged abuse. It was like a never-ending nightmare and we could not wake up to get away from it! Once again, we endured the unthinkable...letting these people take our child away. . I was nursing him when they came...A part of me again died forever that day.
My friend Carol Crowley, whom I have known and kept in contact with for over 20 years, had built a web site called "Save Jeannie" to help spread the word. She has e mailed every senator, written Bill Clinton when he was in office, Janet Reno, AZ Governor Hull, Senator John McCain. Hundreds of letters to Clinton were mailed from several different states. His reply was simply that it is not his jurisdiction. Basically, he could have cared less. Senator McCain’s office called Carol, but said that Governor Hull was the point of contact. The senator’s office also told us that IF we were found "Not Guilty" they could help...the fact is they never thought we would, since no other case was won with similar events, and they later said there was nothing they could do. Governor Hull has never replied to many E-mails or letters. We feel she is on the cover up. This ordeal took a heavy toll on our marriage. We had a domestic dispute where my husband was arrested. Crying, he ran to me about 12 feet to the front door to apologize. When that went to court, charges were dropped, but the same DA who was trying our abuse case told the Judge that a new law instated that year said that anyone running from the law had an automated 2-year sentence. It was outrageous...even the Judge told court attorney to go across the street and appeal that as he was obviously not running away from the police but to me. They took my husband to prison and the appeal dragged on. Once before the board of appeals, the vote of 13 was unanimous that he should not be there. It was then sent to Governor Hull, who took longer than the allotted time to review it, and refused to sign the release, holding him there. I wanted to die...I was forced by these crooked heartless people to live in sheer hell with NO ONE to help me.
At the time they were talking about severing our rights to Brandon as well. Thanks to Carol’s perseverance, her love for my family, and her convictions that we were not guilty, she made contact with 48hrs. The State was threatening me, saying I may be hurting my case with Brandon by doing this. They were very unhappy that Carol had been talking and told me I had no right to talk to her. I told them she was my friend, and would continue to be just that. 48hrs started asking questions. No show ever materialized from it (Yet) but Brandon was returned to me in May of 2000. He was 3 years old. I praise God for letting me have wonderful people in my life like Pat and Carol; they have both fought very hard for us. This is a travesty that is happening allover the United States. There’s no tangible way of stopping CPS but the people of American families need to be warned. It could happen to anyone, at any time. A simple accident, or a misunderstood disease...and CPS, being such a high turnover overloaded and uneducated department, will continue to steal our children even though more people are telling how they were treated this way. The states show that more children are abused or killed in FOSTER homes! Also that there is incentive to remove kids because the government allows money for the CPS offices for each child removed! Carol is now doing extensive research to write the book for our case, and tell America what has happened. all can hope is that Jeannie will one day get the answers that will cloud her every day as a child. One day she will know we never gave up.
I have trying to save the money to move to Alvin, Texas to be closer to Jeannie. Her counselors have all agreed that she desperately needs contact with us. The problem is that for the first time in my life, I have a decent job with benefits for my other three kids, and live in a DECENT home. I am torn at how I can just give that up and lose all that I have gained when three other kids need me too. My relationship with my step mom Pat has deteriorated to the point that she refuses to talk to me, let alone see Jeannie. It has been almost 9 months since I have talked to my daughter. I leave messages, send E-mails, sent birthday and Easter boxes...but there is no reply. Carol recently E mailed Pat to ask about why she refused to talk and told her how devastated we are, and how much we miss Jeannie. She blew up and claimed we stopped trying. That is not true.... I will never stop trying. Pat has been somewhat of a control freak, and when she gets a grudge, she never lets it go. I love her..I am thankful that she has Jeannie, but I need her too. She is my daughter. We are ALL Victims...and yes, Jeannie will pay the highest price. That does not discount the rest of us and what we have been through. I hate being helpless. I resent being treated like a no body. Of this is what America is about, it is a true sad state of affairs. I have no real resolution. I could try to move to Alvin Texas and work at Wal-Mart or a supermarket for little money, but how could I support my family that way? And then I would live under the scrutiny and control of Pat who has now made my daughter hate me, telling her I will never come. Even if I did come, Pat told me once she would give me back Jeannie and leave her to me when she dies, but later said that would not happen. She wants the money the state gives her every month for caring for a sick child, and she wants the control. I am in a dead end. I pray for a miracle. I am so lost and worn down.
This is why I plea to you to help me tell my story. If you have the power to help me tell it, or if you have the resources to help me and other, please do not ignore what you read today. If you have the ability to make a difference, use it. If you do nothing else, please pray for Jeannie.
Thank you.
Lynn and Ron Hornsby AZ
Carol Crowley (Friend/Supporter)
229. VOLUNTARY UNIVERSAL PRE-KINDERGARTEN EDUCATION IN FLORIDA
Infancy and early childhood development set the stage for a child's future ability to interact socially and achieve academically, and extensive research on the human brain shows the from birth to age 5 children rapidly develop the lanuage and cognitive capabilities and emotional, social, regulartory and moral capacities upon which child development proceeds.To this end, the critical dimensions must be nurtured in early,high quality, active learning pre-kindergarten programs for all FLorida four-year-old children to provide both short and long-term benefits, including later school success.
230. Abduction and childrens passports
My grandson was abducted on 20th February 2001, one month after his first birthday. My daughter-in-law (visitors status) was allowed to apply, for, and get, a passport for my grandson, without my sons' consent or signature. My daughter-in -law had a Japanese passport and my grandson had a Canadian passport, both of them had different surnames, and they were allowed to pass customs and airport security "NO QUESTIONS ASKED". THIS COULD HAVE BEEN YOUR CHILD, PLEASE SIGN. THANKYOU
231. Parental Abduction - Japan should sign the Hague Convention Treaty
Japan must sign the Hague Convention Treaty. My son was abducted by his mother from Canada to Japan on Feb 20th 2001 and I have not seen my son since. This has to stop. I love my son and he has a lot of family here that miss him and love him as much as I do.
Thank You for your signature.
232. Should children in all countries have certain rights?
Children in some countries have to work for hours at a time without a break. They have to use old equipment that's hard to use. This can harm the child. Some children don't see their families for years at a time. They don't get enough money for what and how long they work for.
233. Drugged and Beaten Child receives no justice
My Son is an 11 year old Honor Student Attending Vidor Middle School in Vidor Texas.
My son has been subjected to much abuse this year. He was held down and beaten by two students. The students recieved no punishment for their actions. Two weeks later the Two students took their hatred one step further.
They crushed up sleeping pills at home and mixed it into a food coloring mixture brought the mixture to school and slipped it in my sons juice at lunch.
Charges were pressed... but the charges were dropped by the Orange County District Attorney stating that it is not illegal to put over the counter sleeping drugs in someones drink even if they are not aware of it. The District Attorney compared it to sticking one's finger in another person's drink.
Please help us send a message to the District Attorney's office to re-open the case before this happens again or happens to another child.
234. Free The West Memphis 3 - Jailed without proper evidence
The Robin Hood Hills Murders
May 5th, 1993 was a Wednesday, and when the Weaver Elementary school bell rang, three 8 year old boys headed home to their nearby West Memphis, Arkansas neighborhood. Only a few hours later they would be reported missing and an informal search by their parents would be under way.
The next afternoon at 1:45 PM, a child's body was pulled from a creek in an area known as Robin Hood Hills. Eventually the bodies of the other two missing children were found nearby. All three of them were naked and they had been tied ankle to wrist with their own shoe laces. The children had been severely beaten, and one child, Christopher Byers, appears to have been the focus of the attack; he had been stabbed repeatedly in the groin area and castrated.
A triple homicide is extremely unusual, and particularly when the victims are children and unrelated to one another. So far, two documentary films have been made about this case, and interest in it shows no sign of fading. The facts surrounding the Robin Hood Hills murders, the events which they triggered, the aftermath, the trials, the verdicts and the hearings have been the focus of an ongoing research project for the past several years and we have reached many surprising conclusions.
Having had no previous experience with this type of murder, the West Memphis Police Department allowed potential evidence to be destroyed at the site where the bodies of Steve Branch, Christopher Byers and Michael Moore were located. Officers who were present made very little apparent effort to preserve or properly document the scene or to make accurate notes. Perhaps this was due to negligence or perhaps it was due to the fact that they were inadequately trained and inexperienced in handling such a crime and the events that naturally follow. Many unidentified people can be seen milling around the bodies in the brief crime scene video, and the Chief Investigator, Gary Gitchell can be seen smoking a cigarette well within the perimeter of the area.
Strangely, a juvenile probation officer was present when the horrible discovery was made and he indulged in speculation with a police officer about who might be responsible for such an unspeakable act. The probation officer had been following the activities of a local teenager named Damien Echols for years, and his first instinct what that the moody, dark haired teen was responsible. In fact, he and the police officer agreed that Damien was the only person they felt was "capable" of such a thing. Both men decided that the triple homicide had actually been a bizarre Satanic ritual sacrifice performed by a "cult" which they imagined Damien was the leader of.
235. Women's Bodies, Women's Rights - Allow Us To Make Our Own Decisions
This is a petition aimed toward those women who know for a fact that child bearing is not an option for them for medical reasons, and whose bodies are being subjected to pain because the government and doctors do not want to allow women to make the choice of having their reproductive organs removed.
236. Abolish Abortions
Many people I know have had abortions. I am no preacher, but I think abortions are evil. You are taking a life away, no matter what people say... and I think this is worse than murdering a person out of the mother, because you are murdering a child, without even giving it a chance to expierience life. I really do hope you support me when I say abortion is murder.
237. Repeal New York State's Immunity Laws
The New York State Social Services Law Article 6, Title 6, Section 419 relating to Child Protective Services are unjust, ineffective, and racially biased.
This law requires ANY person, doctor, daycare, deadbeat parent, or stranger to telephone the New York State Central Registry Child Abuse Hotline to make an anonymous call to accuse a parent of child abuse or neglect WHETHER TRUE OR NOT.
The New York State Social Services Law Article 6, Title 6, Section 419 relating to Child Protective Services are unjust, ineffective, and racially biased.
When a telephone call is made to the New York State Central Registry Child Abuse Hotline. The person on the phone does not have to leave a name, just an allegation that a parent is abusing or neglecting their children. No proof or evidence is required.
Calls are only accepted by the accuser. Parents who have children in foster care are prevented from making this same call to the hotline.
This law states that an accuser shall have immunity from any liability, civil or criminal. No one is held accountable for making false allegations.
The harshest provision of the child protective laws are that children be removed from the biological home and placed in a strange foster care setting. Non-abused children are subjected to physical and sexual abuse by strangers daily.
73% of the children who are in foster care are African American, they spend an average of four years in foster care. 2% of the children in foster care are White. The remaining children are catagorized as other or Hispanic.
African-American children are overwhemingly penalized and removed from their homes without any prior evidence of parental wrongdoing.
The penalties apply without regard to the circumstances or the individual's character or background, making it irrelevant whether the parent is actually an abuser or not.
The racially disproportionate nature of the immunity law is not just devastating to African-Americans.
It contradicts faith in the principles of justice and equal protection of the laws that should be the bedrock of any constitutional democracy; it exposes and deepens the racial fault lines that continue to weaken the country and belies its promise as the land of equal opportunity; and it undermines faith among all races in the fairness and efficacy of the justice system.
238. Abolish the assumption of paternity law in Pennsylvania
The assumption of paternity law in Pennsylvania basically states that if a married woman has an affair and bares a child as a result of the affair then in order to preserve her current marriage the father of the child involved in the affair has virtually no rights to the child he has fathered because the child is assumed to be of the husbands creation. I believe this is a violation of human and civil rights and it should not be tolerated. We always preach the important role of a father in a child's life but here in Pennsylvania it seems we like to promote deadbeat dads with a outdated and cruel law such as this. It's prevents good people who want to be involved with their children from doing that very thing. People make mistakes and therefore potential fathers should be able to have visitation with their children doing this doesn't have to put a current marriage in jeopardy. Under the assumption of paternity law potential fathers can't get DNA tests or blood tests done to prove that they are the father because as I said the child is assumed to be of the husband. I always learned that the law was about fact and not assumption so this law is in my view unlawful. I believe it is an old leftover that was on the books to protect women's honor in the poodle skirt generation but everyone knows those days are gone and today women should be held accountable for their actions just as men are. Visiting a child you created doesn't have to ruin a marriage and everyone should have the right to know if they are a father and visit that child if they're suitable and proven to be fathers thank you and please sign to abolish this law in Pennsylvania.
My Name is Edward Goldstone. I am just one of many fathers who has had to say goodbye to their child. The last time I saw my son was July 9, 2000. This is due in large part to a court system that has large biases in custudy cases that give more rights to mothers as a parent. More often than not, the courts note only the father's income, rather than their ability to love and care for their child.
On December 22,1999, at the Abbotsford Courthouse, I was given legal visitation rights to see my son, and was required to pay a monthy child maintenance. Since then, in breach of the law, his mother has taken him and disappeared, denying me the right to see my boy, Austin. With the aid of private investigator, I have searched for my son's mother and grandmother with no success. I continue to pay monthly maintenance. Family Maintenance Program (which I volunteered to pay her through) knows where they are but doesn't have authorization to tell me.
Although she is deliberately breaking the law, the authorities can do nothing to stop her. This is due to the omission of a peace officer clause. Without this clause the police can't help me, essentially the court order means nothing. I am trying to get Dads' voices heard. Both parents should be given joint custody (providing the child is not in any danger) and a peace officer clause be included, to make the order inforceable.
I would like your help to put pressure on the Canadain Government to change these out-dated laws. You could help greatly by signing this petition. Its time for dads to have equal rights as parents!
240. California's Child & Family Protection Initiative
a) The protection of California's most vulnerable citizens, its children, should be the most important objective of government.
b) Although providing an important public service, current programs designed to protect children often times do more harm than good. Far too many tragedies, including serious physical and emotional injury to children and the unnecessary destruction of families, have occurred in recent years. The system must be reformed to restore fundamental fairness and promote protection of children and preservation of families.
c)California law requires cases where a child has been removed from his or her family due to alleged abuse or neglect to be heard within 15 days in order to bring speedy resolution to the matter and to minimize trauma to the child. However, thousands of children are kept away from their families for months on end by unnecessary government delays, resulting in tremendous costs to parents and taxpayers. In many cases, other family members are willing and able to care for these children, yet the current system does not promote preservation of the family.
d) The right to a jury trial is fundamental in our system of government. However, under existing law, a child can be removed from the care of his or her parents based only on allegations of abuse or neglect without the government having to present evidence justifying removal to a judge and jury.
e)This system, designed by politicians to protect children, instead often results in delay, excessive costs, mistakes, and family break-ups. IT IS IMPORTANT TO PROTECT CHILDREN FROM ABUSE AND NEGLECT, BUT IT IS JUST AS IMPORTANT TO MAKE SURE THAT CHILDREN ARE NOT WRONGFULLY REMOVED FROM THEIR PARENTS IN THE FIRST PLACE.
f) Abuse of the process is cloaked in secrecy because such juvenile proceedings are not open to the public.
g) Recently, several studies, grand jury investigations, and oversight hearings have brought these problems into clear focus. However, our elected representatives have failed to take action.
h) In order to protect the health and well-being of children, the people of the state of California hereby enact the Child and Family Protection Act to establish the right to a jury in juvenile dependency hearings, the right to a public hearing, the right to a speedy resolution and the promotion of family over government-sponsored care whenever possible.
If you would like more information or would like to assist in our efforts, please send an email to neff@cavalier-assoc.com.