Michigan Representative Brian Calley (R-Portland) announced today on Get Your Justice Live that he is to introduce a new bill to protect parent-child relationships.The bill, if passed after its upcoming introduction, will establish a presumption that a child would be able to maintain a substantially equal relationship with both their parents after separation, divorce, etc. This presumption would make exceptions for parents convicted of domestic violence or if the court determines by clear and convincing evidence that a parent is unfit, unwilling, or unable to care for the child. This presumption would not apply where a parent moves away and that move-away would interfere with the school schedule for the child.
Michigan Representative Brian Calley suggests “that so many of the problems that we face, be it in criminal justice system, economy, the education system, and so forth can be traced back, those are all symptoms to problems that really start much earlier in life with the breakdown of the family.” I asked the Representative if bringing children under rule of two parents will improve the economy, he certainly agreed and discussed how he thought it would help in the long-term.
To listen Michigan Representative Brian Calley and his positions in the Interview: Visit here!
The Harvard Law Record, Harvard Law School's Independent Newspaper Since 1946, published an article on their website today titled "Alec Baldwin Takes on Family Law."
There were some talking points in the article that I definitely had to agree with. In fact, Alec Baldwin proposed a new default rule for custody procedings. It makes perfect sense to raise the evidentiary standard and add the presumption listed below to keep petty arguments from ever reaching and congesting our courts.
"He called for a presumption of innocence, and a standard of shared, 50-50 custody - unless a party could prove something fundamentally wrong with the parenting skills of the other."
Can't say I could disagree with that Baldwin's comments there. I would take it as far as they do in other forms of proceedings involving the protection of children which would provide "best efforts for reunification" in the event that a flaw was identified. This would protect the rights of parents to be the caretakers of their own children. Government oversight should be a limited oversight when it comes to our families. If there is a problem, help a family get through the problem. Don't pit parent against parent in an all out war where the children and property of the parties is the prize.
The article goes on with criticizing the judiciary, judges, and attorneys.
Baldwin had no less harsh criticism for judges, whom, Baldwin believed, whether appointed or elected, made decisions based on political pressure. Most of the latitude within the courts, he continued, belonged to powerful law firms. The role of money was powerful in divorce cases, he said, observing that cases were made to drag on much longer than necessary because of the obstacles presented by wealthy couples' lawyers.
To Baldwin, the lack of oversight that ordinary people could exercise over law meant that the legal system looked like "a game two lawyers play ¦if a guy cuts another guy's throat, and he wins, it's a game. Nothing that looks or smells like justice," Baldwin concluded, "walks into an American courtroom anymore."
I would encourage people to go and read the entire article at the HL Record and draw your own conclusions. The important thing is that people are talking about this stuff on a more regular basis and now it is time to begin dismantling an industry that otherwise is encouraging the breakdown of parent-child relationships nationwide. Simply put, parental rights must be respected and protected by all, including judges, legislators, and especially other parents. Children deserve to have the love, care, and affection of both parents.
Ohio NBC 4 Contines Updates on Fathers 4 Justice Crane Protest. There have been unconfirmed reports that police agencies may be mobilizing to take the crane by force to remove Donald Tenn, the last remaining father from a Crane in Columbus Ohio.
Paul Fisher was arraigned earlier this morning after climbing down from the Crane Monday evening for Felony Vandalism, under the accusation that bolt cutters may have been used to gain entry to the crane site where two Fathers 4 Justice members climbed atop a 100ft Crane.
According to Ohio Revised Code 2909.05 under Section (E) the applicable Felony could a be fourth or fifth degree offense brought against the protesters. These technicalities affect the severity of punishment. Along with other overriding provisions of ORC 2929.11 there can be a fine of up to $2500.00.
According to Ohio Revised Code 2909.11 pertaining to felony sentencing ..."The overriding purposes of felony sentencing are to protect the public
from future crime by the offender and others and to punish the offender. To achieve those purposes, the sentencing court shall consider the need for incapacitating the offender, deterring the offender and others from future crime, rehabilitating the offender, and making restitution to the victim of the offense, the public, or both."
Additionally, no matter the outcome of either trial, a conviction, or restitution assignment, nothing in these statutes prohibit the bringing of a civil action for additional damages against any of the alleged suspects or their associates which has been expressly preserved in the Ohio Revise Code under pertinent and numerous sections.
Two quotes come to mind immediately after reading some of the information are these: "In a time of universal deceit - telling the truth becomes a revolutionary act" according to George Orwell, but that is quickly followed up by the philosophy of Voltaire in his statement that "It is dangerous to be right when the government is wrong."
Stay tuned at Family Court Reports as more official information is released. There is no question that we need investigations into how our government has been conducting themselves at various levels and where the government fails to act hopefully our press steps up to the challenge.
The Oakland County Press covers the Equal Parenting Bike Trek, Scott Hudson, and mentions National DC Event (dcfestival2008.com) in HUGE article just one day after the successful departure!
ACTION ITEM: Check it out below and fax it to a Michigan Legislator with the following message: BRING HB 4564 and HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NN TO A VOTE NOW!
GET OFF THE BENCH WILL BE HOSTING A SPECIAL SHOW WITH THE BIKE RIDERS ON SATURDAY NIGHT AT 8PM EST. TO CALL IN LIVE... FOLLOW THESE INSTRUCTIONS:
The Equal Parenting Bike Trek Official Announcement. Departure. Family Preservation Festival, DC FESTIVAL 2008, DCFESTIVAL 2008, Lary Holland, Write to Parent, www.dcfestival2008.org, Lansing, MI
JOIN THE MEETUP.COM GROUP! Click the graphic for our official group and be ready to participate with several meaningful discussions, outside advocacy activities, and serious efforts at change. Please... no slackers. This group is for those that understand one key concept, "It is infinitely more valuable to fight for the rights of others than to fight for your own!" -Lary Holland (2005)
Robert Pedersen is highlighted in this FRONT PAGE article covering the Equal Parenting Bike Trek and Equal Parenting in the State of Michigan. Read below the picture for links to participate in the discussion and to see one of the comments that I have left. Robert Pedersen also made a brief appearance on Sunday Night's Get Your Justice Live which you can listen to by pressing play on the player below.
Robert Pedersen plans to ride his bike from Lansing to Washington D.C. with five other supporters of Equal Parenting. View more about Mr. Pedersen at www.daddyblogger.com
The Court has no clothes, and are completely exposed in this article and with the numerous commenters that have already participated. Don't be left out.
My comment: Equal is as Equal Does
I am a producer and host of an online talk show called "Get Off The
Bench" where we have men and women join in and tell us what they
experience in the family court system. Although it is a national show,
with participants spanning every state in the United States, we have a
great deal of participation from Michigan. When I read this article I
was thankful of Michigan largest newspaper covering the single most
important topic that is affecting our economy, our communities, and our
government.
"They have always had more time and money to lobby lawmakers, while
mothers tend to devote their time to raising the children, she said."
The above is factually untrue. It shows time and time again that one
of the key reasons that a single-parent fights is over control and
money, not the best interests of the children. (The type of conflict
caused by an adversarial system promotes the same conflict that likely
resulted in the separation of the parents.) Somehow policy got skewed
where the best interests of a single-parent is the best interests of
the child. The adverse is the truth, single-parent households are the
WORST for children.
Of all of the child abuse and neglect to occur against a child it is
first by a biological Mom's live-in male roommate and seconded by the
biological mom. Removing Dads or excluding Dads not only removes the
primary protector of the children from their lives, but also
unfortunately excludes all of the secondary protectors, including
grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins.
Michigan ranks last in undistributed collected child support money,
so Michigan enjoys the current high-conflict legal system that pits
parent against parent. In fact, 56 Million Dollars were collected by
Michigan and not distributed. According to law, if they get away with
it for 1-year, Michigan keeps the money. On the other hand, Michigan
claims to have distributed just over 30 Million to actual needy
families. This is a horrible track record for our State.
Children should never be a source of income for our State or
conflicting parents. It produces incentive to fight instead of get
along. We have a situation now to correct many of the problems with the
family law system and it begins by reinstating the value of both
parents not undermine it. We will see our economy, communities, and
government prosper from only dabbling in cases that meet a threshold of
interference. It has been proven time and time again that government
was never meant to handle everything, only certain things. Let fit,
willing, and caring parents equally enjoy their children and focus on
those families that truly need help.
Folks, when you get a chance, post comments to great stories on the following blogs and support important issues publicly about Equal Parenting Laws and Societal Issues:
and organizations like ACFC, Crispe.Org, and that is hardly even touching the tip of the iceberg.You can find a ton of support for Equal Parenting Initiatives Nationwide like the upcoming National: Washington D.C. Family Preservation Festival
UPDATE!!! The Equal Parenting Bike Trek will be received by the National DC FESTIVAL 2008 at Upper Senate Park in Washington DC on August 15 and 16 (2008)
Several Michigan Fathers will be pedaling bycycles 758 miles from Lansing, Michigan to Washington, D.C. The event... known as the Equal Parenting Bike Trek. The purpose? To raise awareness that children need both parents. The 2007 Equal Parenting Bike Trek was a smashing success! Review the complete media coverage of last year's event. 2007 Equal Parenting Bike Trek - Pictures.
The 2008 Equal Parenting Bike Trek is already shaping up to be bigger and better than our 2007 event.
"A grueling 758 mile cycling trek to raise awareness of a child's fundamental right to be loved, guided, educated and nurtured equally by both fit and willing parents."
Five Michigan fathers will pedal their bicycles 758 miles from Lansing, MI to Washington, D.C.
Robb MacKenzie - Upper Penninsula of Michigan - US EPBT Founder - 2007 cyclist
Robert Pedersen - West Michigan - 2007 Runner-Up Winner in Best Life Magazine's National Hero Dad Contest, Co-Founder of A Child's Right - 2007 cyclist
Brian Downs, Esq. - Grand Rapids MI - Running for Judge in Kent County MI in 2008
Derek Bailey, MSW - Traverse City MI - American Indian. Founder of Dance4Equality
Mike Saxton - Lansing MI - Dads of Michigan
Michigan Advocates continue to progressively advance equal parenting into the mainstream political and media channels. Many of the Michigan family organizations have taken a stance that equal parenting should be the status quo for fit, willing, and caring parents without government interference.
