Back again/ Future Plans/ DCRally -> DCFestival2008

jmurtari@AKidsRight.org

Good People & People of Faith:

A bit of a personal message after a long break! I'm trying to catch up
with some email after summer vacation with my son. I apologize for
late (or lack) of response to your messages! I usually try to keep up
but this summer was a real bear.  We did some serious DIY projects
around the house and work became VERY busy.

As you know, social activism, work, & family can be a very difficult
combination to balance!  Many of you know of my activism, but some of
the other stuff is vague (if you're interested I have a personal web
page at http://www.thebook.com/john.murtari).

My son, Dom, lives out West and it cost's me thousands a year just to
keep contact.  It doesn't leave a lot for optional expenses, and I'd
love to replace my '88 Dodge Caravan with 295,000 miles -- any takers!

And don't I know that a LOT of you are in MUCH worse condition than I 
am!  Especially when it comes to contact with your children!  Believe
me, I'm very thankful and good humored about what I have right now!

BRIEF FOCUS ON WORK
-------------------
Anyway, I'm able to spend time in jail because the President of the
Company where I work is very understanding (it's me!).  It's a
high-tech web hosting company, http://www.thebook.com/, with very
low-tech wages.  We're a small outfit, less than 10 people, and we're
all getting paid $13/hour right now -- which ain't a whole lot!

It has suffered because of my activism and I've been able to underpay
high-quality engineers because I give them a great first job.  They
get paid as much (and sometimes more) than I do -- they run the
business when I am 'tied-up' in jail!
http://www.AKidsRight.Org/events.htm

We can't compete with the large web hosting outfits and sales have
been declining.  We have a great idea for a new product and it has
been over two years in development (interrupted by a couple of
significant jail sentences).

We're 'very close' now to public release and I feel a strong
commitment to the folks that work there to make it a success so they
can be financially rewarded for their good work and dedication (and I
wouldn't mind being able to pay off my child support debt!).

So..... that has occupied a lot of time over the past couple of months
and a bit more time in the near future.  We hope to have product
launch by the end of July.

PETITIONING SEN. CLINTON and CHALKING I LOVE YOU!
-------------------------------------------------
As many of you know I was jailed for a couple of months earlier in the
year for writing "I LOVE YOU" and "SEN CLINTON HELP US" on the ground,
with kids chalk, outside the Syracuse Federal building.
http://www.AKidsRight.Org/clinton

I more than anyone know this shouldn't be just a one man show.  I plan
to resume the effort in the Fall and am really hoping to have another
Mom & Dad join me.  It would certainly get some serious media
attention.

Please review the web site and our approach to reform.  Let me know if
you are interested.

DRIVING WITHOUT A LICENSE - OH MY!
----------------------------------
Oh my indeed!  I've been doing this for about 8 years; ever since it
was suspended for falling behind a child support order I could never
keep up with -- and I know many of you have been down this road also!

I'm a very careful driver and had only been pulled over once -- in
2005 -- and that was for having a bad rear turn signal.  I approached
it in a straight-forward manner: with honesty, love, and a commitment
toward our ideals. http://www.AKidsRight.Org/approach.htm

That meant I plead 'not guilty' because the very idea of stopping me
from driving (especially in rural county) because of some offense
other than safe driving is a violation of my rights.  It is even worse
when it is connected to a Family Court proceeding that never even
recognized my basic right: 

   To be presumed a FIT & EQUAL parent unless convicted in Criminal
   Court, with jury protection, of being a demonstrated serious threat
   to my kids and acting with malintent.

   Of course, that type of bold statement would mean that almost all
   the FLDS parents in Texas, and Britney Spears, and Alec Baldwin,
   and your former spouse, and YOU -- should be FIT & EQUAL (in time &
   responsibility of course) with your kids.  What about that?

I was polite and respectful to ALL, and while pleading not guilty I
also provided the DA with an affidavit about MANY other incidences of
driving which I could also be prosecuted on.  They weren't interested.
For the full detail from 2005 see:
http://www.AKidsRight.org/support/traffic_jm.htm

IT HAPPENED AGAIN
-----------------
It didn't even take a traffic violation.  I was driving late at night
and a town cop just ran my license plate on his patrol car computer
and he pulled me over.   Here we go again!  The next court appearance
is August 5 in Macedon, NY -- about 20 miles from where I live.

I early wrote a letter to an assistant DA (no reply)
http://www.AKidsRight.Org/support/wunder2.pdf

I'll probably send another letter to the Judge, DA, and County Sheriff
and let them know I need some help with transportation for Aug
5th. Our rural county doesn't have very good bus service.  I'll ask
them all for help with a ride, or else -- I'll just have to drive
there.  Imagine that! 

NEXT MESSAGE: DCRally2008 -> DCFestival2008
-------------------------------------------
Like many of you, I was pretty surprised by the sudden change. I'd
welcome your thoughts on this in preparation for our next list
message.  Please, no private comments, just thoughts you are willing
to 'share'.

In case you don't know the website: http://www.DCFestival2008.com/

Also, Teri Stoddard (teri@AKidsRight.Org), our PR Person wanted me to
promo her new web site, http://www.JugsForJustice.org/ (and no, she is
not talking about water jugs!).  What do you think? Check it out. She
also has another new site at http://www.SharedParentingWorks.org/ --
send her your thoughts...

Best regards!
-- 
                                       John Murtari
____________________________________________________________________
Coordinator                            AKidsRight.Org
jmurtari@AKidsRight.Org                "A Kid's Right to BOTH parents"
Toll Free (877) 635-1968(x-211)        http://www.AKidsRight.Org/

=======================================
http://www.AKidsRight.Org/   
A Kid's Right to Both Parents!
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