[AKidsRight.Org] Clinton - Gather in Syracuse & Washington (Aug 25) / Your FEEDBACK

jmurtari@AKidsRight.org

Good People & People of Faith,

This message contains info on:

1. Thur(Aug 25) - Visit Clinton's offices in Syracuse or Washington
2. Efforts of Gandhi & King - NO PERSONAL COMPARISON.
3. Senator Clinton's contact info - please write/call Thursday, Aug 25
4. Clinton's office - calls someone back!
5. Your FEEDBACK - contacting Senator Clinton & Reform.

1. Thur(Aug 25) - Visit Clinton's offices in Syracuse or Washington
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Besides the event scheduled for 2-3 PM on Thursday in Syracuse, Ron
Jagannathan of the Washington, DC, area is also ready to help parents
visit Senator Clinton's offices.  The date/time would be the same,
Thursday afternoon. Please contact Ron directly, his email address is:
ron.jagannathan@gmail.com Check the site for details:
http://www.AKidsRight.Org/actionc_syr

A recent message from Ron:

> I called Senator Clinton's Office here in D.C as well as the office
> in NY. I spoke with an Syracuse Regional Rep who forwarded me to
> Cathy Calhoun's phone. I also called the Washington Office, and left
> a voice message in the mail box of Lona Valmoro (Senior Advisor to
> the Senator),

> Senator Clinton - owes us parents a responsibility by hearing our
> concerns. That would give us an indication whether she is President
> material or not. So far, she has not shown us that ability. But I am
> hoping she would realize how serious the issue is and how determined
> You and other parents are in bringing it to her.

> The Next time you are on the structure, please have someone shoot me
> a email and I will personally visit Senator Clinton's office in D.C
> and request a meeting with you and other parents.

We have a DRAFT agenda for a planned meeting with the Senator.  It has
been sent to her staff.  We hope it may provide a model not only for
this effort but also others meeting Members of Congress.  We welcome
your FEEDBACK: http://www.AKidsRight.Org/actionc_syr/agenda.htm

2. Efforts of Gandhi & King - NO PERSONAL COMPARISON
----------------------------------------------------
I (John Murtari) have seen some recent postings by folks on lists
comparing not the effort, but me personally to people like Mahatma
Gandhi or Martin Luther King.  I don't even like to reply to such
comparisons.  They make me feel uncomfortable to even acknowledge.
THEY ARE WRONG.  THERE IS NO COMPARISON.

If you haven't done so, please read the background material we have on
both of them: http://www.AKidsRight.Org/civil_back.htm -- you will see
those people and efforts were in a whole other league!  There was a
great spiritual presence and tremendous leadership ability.

What this group is about and what we are trying to do is "follow the
example of NonViolent action as most recently demonstrated by Gandhi
and King..."  We are ALL just trying to follow some great examples.

It is humbling to think how far away we are at times: Just recently I
got an email from a local person that said they couldn't make the
rally in Syracuse on Thursday, "because I've got to work."  That is
okay. It may apply to YOU.  But please, don't then 'vent' at
politicians, don't gripe about Senator Clinton, don't shout that the
right to be parents to our own children is FUNDAMENTAL RIGHT and get
all worked up about it!  

GREAT RIGHTS are 'baptized' by the suffering and sacrifice of the
individuals who believed in them.

In Gandhi's time Indians lined up voluntarily just to be clubbed by
British police.  They walked away with fractured limbs and some
died. In King's time Blacks peacefully tried to sit in the front of
the bus. Some could expect to meet the Klan later at night and watch
their homes burned down.  In OUR time, what about parents?  Before we
can change the heart of the nation -- we need to change our own.

If you wish to write in about NonViolent Action, and compare/contrast
the examples of the past with what we are trying to do now - you are
welcome!  If you wish to compare me to some of those great leaders -
you will not get a reply.

3. Senator Clinton's contact info - please write/call.
-----------------------------------------------------
You don't have to be from New York -- this is a National issue and she
wants to be the next President of the United States of America.  You
do not have to mad or angry, just a two minute phone call that says:

"Please let the Senator know I'm a parent and I love my kids.  We were
separated in a process that never recognized or tried to protect a
basic Civil Right we have to 'family'.  To be together.  We need to
think about protecting Family Rights across our country.  Until it
happened to me, I never realized what an important right it is.  I
hope she will take the time to meet with parents..."

No anger, no revenge, no name calling.  I love my kids.  The
separation is the most God awful thing I have ever experienced. A
basic Human right was violated.  We need to do something. Like the
rights we have that protect accused criminals in every State of the
Union.  We need to establish similar rights protecting the family.

Syracuse Local rep, Cathy Calhoun,
tel: 315-448-0470, fax: 315-448-0476

Washington Scheduling Office, Lona Valmoro (Senior Advisor to the Senator),
tel: 202-224-4451, fax: 202-228-0121 

4. Clinton's office - calls someone back!
----------------------------------------
Some of you may not have tried the personal phone call, because you
think the Senator's office doesn't care or they'll never call back.
Terri Stoddard, an activist for reform from California, got a return
call from Washington (she almost thought it was a joke!).

Terri's email address is: shared.parenting.works@gmail.com
You can read her BLOG about what happened at:
http://feminist4fathers.blogspot.com/ - scroll down to Aug 22nd.

5. Your FEEDBACK - contacting Senator Clinton & Reform.
------------------------------------------------------

--- "Linda Higginbotham" <lindahigginbotham@hotmail.com>

> You are correct I have written before because this is a cause that I
> fully support.  As a grandmother of 8 I need to see each of them as
> often as I can, but I also am a realist and if that can happen I
> know that my best interest is to not demand the right (I feel I
> already have it) but to show that my concern is for the children and
> not how I can get my story told.

> ... I am not demanding of my "right" nor am I insistent that what
> happens when I do have the children is within their guidelines.

> Add to that the fact that I am a mediator and I know that when two
> people work toward the common goal of CO-parenting and put their
> children first and show respect for the other's view it works.

> Your get in your face approach is simply NOT working.  Regardless of
> the historical background (and I do know it very well) this approach
> is no longer creative and you have not tried anything new with the
> exception o writing graffiti on federal buildings and that isn't
> working either.

> I have been with the state legislature for over 24 years and I know
> that you approach would not be a success.  Demands that you way is
> the only way doesn't ever work you MUST begin to find a compromise
> that you can build on. The way I see it now there is no base to grow
> on as you have no foundation blocks in place despite the few "wins"
> across the country.  Until the foundation is secure you will not see
> Dominic more and it will still be ten years later and you will still
> e trying to see Hillary.  Perhaps it is because I have no respect
> for her and her integrity that I continue to ask you why her other
> than she "represents" New York.

> I am in favor of your views, it is only your tactics that I
question.

--- "Eric D. Tarkington" <etarking@ooadvocate.com>

> The goal of civil disobedience is to provoke the government into
> behaving outrageously while it is under public scrutiny.  Doing this
> without violence is the great genius of Thoreau and Gandhi.  The
> problem is, the government's best strategy is to ignore peaceful
> actions, and they will tend to do this until an accumulation of
> actions succeed in irritating them mightily.

> Murtari is asking for numbers of people to show up while he takes
> the personal risks, and that would certainly help.  Getting interest
> out of the press irritates the government (Sen. Clinton in this
> case) to the point that they have to give attention to the
> grievances.  On the other hand, even setting fire to yourself on the
> courthouse steps will do no good if the press doesn't cover the
> event.  Murtari is going to have a hard time getting all of the
> pieces of successful resistance together.

> The contemporary press is as blind to the ugly prejudices against
> men as the press was against black men in the Jim Crow south.  We
> need to prove our moral authority to the press, and that won't be
> easy, because the press is far more PC and cosy with the government
> than they want to think.

> Somehow, we have to get the force of numbers ... We have tremendous
> work to do, and we're not showing up.

--- "Glenn Cheriton" <cheriton@rogers.com>

> On his own, he is doing a superb job of what I call, "putting sand
> in their gears."

> In case it is not clear, EPOC does not recommend or encourage people
> setting themselves on fire, or any violent protests.  They do not
> help, and enable the other side to stereotype and dismiss us.

> It is hard for us to present our issues to the media in the form of
> an event as entertaining as a gay pride march. We must learn how to
> be media-savvy.  We must learn how to make support for the other
> side into a career-killer, and support for equal parenting essential
> to getting elected.  And we must learn how to support those who are
> hurting with the current adversarial system, and work together with
> those who are effective in media and politics.

> Canadians on this list can help Murtari by faxing letters to her
> office, and perhaps, by doing Murtari's technique of writing in
> kids' chalk on the sidewalk in front of the US embassy or consulate.

--- Anon <no_reply@aol.com>

> I can think of more constructive and effective ways for you to reach
> your goals. I think it may be time to change your venue. I am
> willing to help. Our cause is good. What is best for our children.
> Let's work to gather to change the laws. Do research on how to
> change not state laws but federal laws which override state laws.

> The cause is good parents and children having good
> relations. Children develop Stockholm syndrome and PAS but its
> difficult to deprogram a child who has this. we need to enact laws
> that prevent this, It is much easier to prevent this mental damage
> than to cure it.I have many good ideas we can band together for a
> national campaign. Get othe non custodial parent groups to help
> there is a website for PAS etc. Lets unify. Forward ideas to as many
> people who are for our cause. Pray we can change the laws lets do it
> so other kids do not have to go through the hell our kids went
> through. Heck the hell we went through.

> I live an hour from D.C. The nations capital is where you need to
> lobby nothing is going to get done in small town USA. If you do more
> research and get a bill together I can help as a local
> contact. Include women in the issue and you may get Hilary's
> attention right now you may appear to be trying ot get out of paying
> support. Focus on the issue of the best interest of the child and
> both parents.

> You need to organize a good plan for media coverage of the issues
> raising awareness and to change the holes in the law that allow this
> sick dehumanization of familial relations. Parental rights should be
> enforced and children should not be treated like pawns.

> I pray to God we get new laws enacted and enforced. I have been
> outlining a plan to protect our youngsters from the mental cruelty
> this parental alienation does....

> What are your thoughts on a change of venue?  I strongly suggest it.
> Bonnie in Va.

          I agree with just about everything you say.  They are some
great ideas!  But we also need action & sacrifice, that is what my
effort is about and what the site is about.  Before something else,
I need to follow through on this effort.  I think we are getting very
close to a meeting with Senator Clinton and getting reform on the
National agenda.

--- Debbie <pita54me@yahoo.com>

> Best wishes to you. I just called and left messages on your contact
> numbers. May God bless you for your efforts.

--- "Stuart Miller" <stuart.miller@cox.net>

> They are finally figuring out that you are harmless.

> Why hasn't any official figured out that harmless dads CAN NOT be
> deprived of their Constitutional Right to the care, custody and
> nurture of their own children with violating all the fundamental
> liberty interests and rights that lie at the base of all our civil
> and political institutions?

I think if you look at Civil Right's history, it has never originated
in a legislature, but among people willing to take action first.  We
all use GREAT words to describe the right we seek to protect, but are
we willing to sacrifice to that same extent?

--- Rhonda <NatashaNgd@aol.com>

> I think that they know you want to create a stir...so they are
> dealing with you "quietly."  That is why your not being arrested!
> You might not want to consider this progress.

Yes, you are VERY right, and it is troubling.  Clearly the Senator's
staff does not want anyone arrested outside her offices, or even near
the building and the security staff has their orders.  I will keep
trying, but real progress will come when more people are actually
willing to get involved.  Then we will also get some real media
attention.

--- "Mates, Joseph M" <Joseph.M.Mates@bankofamerica.com>

> Good Job! Now you are starting to get the attention that you need!
> Keep up the good work! You son should be very very proud of you!

---"Hal Jeffery" <hal_jeffery@telus.net>

> Hats off John.  Even tho I'm north of the 48th - it's a universal
> problem. The divorce industry is destroying families plain and
> simple.
> Very very best regards

---  donavin thompson <jorleb77@yahoo.com>

> It sounds like you have garnered some Diverse support":)
> All the Best.

-- 
                                       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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