Tom Cruise - Fit & Equal? Reform Goals/ Rights vs. Public Interest

jmurtari@akidsright.org

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Good People & People of Faith,

Tom Cruise & Katie Holmes, another celebrity divorce! Another chance
to think about what Family Reform means.  I'm surprised at the lack of
outrage from both Father's & Parent's groups on this one. National
media made it sound like the simplest decision in the world to take a
child from the other parent to give them a 'better life'....

*NO CLEAR DIRECTION IN REFORM*
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What's really scary is people involved in Family Law reform don't have
any problem with what happened, after all ... Tom Cruise,
Scientologist -- give us a break!  You want your kid exposed to that!?

At http://www.AKidsRight.Org/ and also http://www.NationalPLC.Org/ the
standard is pretty clear:

      You are both considered Fit & Equal parents (equal in terms of
      both physical and legal custody).  If anyone (a spouse, relative,
      social services) wishes to challenge that, you have:

      1) The right to counsel.

      2) The right to be presumed a fit parent, innocent, and deserving
      of an equal relationship with your kids.

      3) The right to protection of a criminal jury and a unanimous
      verdict.  The "state" needs to prove you were a demonstrated
      serious and intentional threat to your child's safety and that
      you acted with mal-intent towards your children.

Being all against something does not create an effective movement.
We need to share a similar goal for reform.  We are not there yet...

*THE CHURCH OF SCIENTOLOGY & KATIE IS CATHOLIC!!!*
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The Church of Scientology is not illegal in this country.  Neither is
being a born again Christian and going door-to-door to spread your
Faith and to send your kids to "Vacation Bible School"...

Katie is bringing little Suri back to the Catholic Church. There are
many who would find that disturbing, after all, Catholics believe they
are consuming the real Body & Blood of Jesus Christ when they
celebrate Mass -- some cynics call it 'Jesus meat!'  Hope you don't
have one of them as you Family Court Judge!!!  (And yes, I am
Catholic.)

We've had quite a series of postings and really pretty simple
decisions. Not a one of these people was guilty of causing serious
harm to their kid while acting with mal-intent to the child.

Alec Baldwin - yells at and make degrading remarks to daughter - FIT & EQUAL
Tiger Woods - adulterer - FIT & EQUAL
Eline Nordegen - clubs Tiger / Domestic Violence - FIT & EQUAL
Janine Landmuller - porn star - FIT & EQUAL

and now

Tom Cruise - wants daughter in Church of Scientology - FIT & EQUAL

and let's not forget:

YOU & ME & MOST PARENTS - misc. stupid stuff being human - FIT & EQUAL

*RIGHTS TRUMP INTERESTS - a concept*
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Sometimes we get confused between 'rights' and 'interests'.  The terms
get jumbled and we talk about 'Children's Rights' or the 'Best
Interest of the Child'.

I'm not an animal right's activist, but this link talks about rights
vs.  interests:
http://carl-cohen.org/books/AnimalRightsDebate/chapter3.pdf

We want "all" kids to be happy.  I have an 'interest' in having happy
kids next door at my neighbors.  It makes for better adults later.
Does that allow me to interfere when I don't like the choices their
parents are making.  If they decide not to live together anymore can I
now interfere!?

One of our most fundamental (and unrecognized) human right is that of
Family.  The right of parents & children to contact with each other
throughout childhood & life.  Maybe this puts some theory behind that:
http://www.akidsright.org/civil_rights_essay.htm

I'm fearful when I hear Family Law reformers talk about protecting the
"Best Interest of the Child" -- that is the very foundation of
government interference in family.  Or, to say children have rights.

Again, normally the exercise of most 'rights' involves both
responsibility and judgment -- by definition, children don't have
those.  There is no freedom of speech in the home, nor of religion,
etc...  When we begin to add 'rights' to kids, we again place the
government in position of arbiter...

As a group we have to think these things through and join like
minded organizations.

As always, your FEEDBACK is welcome!

-- 

                                        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/

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