High Praise Due

For those of us with limited time, having someone fighting for children's rights is a Godsend. I feel it is high time to offer praise to someone who is a marvelous champion of children's rights. John Walsh, who most of you may know from America's Most Wanted, has been fighting to help children since his own son Adam was murdered over 20 years ago. This past week he, with representatives of the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, as well as the Boys and Girls Clubs of America, went to Capitol Hill to lobby for tougher child protection laws. They "marched through the halls of Congress" and brought "our message straight to the hearts of those who can fix the problem." If you would like to read about their progress and to find easy links to contact your legislators, please click here. Your children and grandchildren will be most appreciative!

Justice Done

Well, it looks like Alejandro Avila, the scumbag who molested and murdered little Samantha Runnion, has been sentenced to death. With the backlog of deathrow inmates in California now standing at over 600, and with the appeals processes, it is likely to be decades before he is actually executed. For Samantha's mom Erin, this is little comfort other than that this poor excuse for a human will not be able to perpetrate the same type of crime on others. Personally, I think that medieval-style torture techniques may be too kind a gesture for someone who could abduct a child who was playing with a friend and proceed to commit such heinous acts. I understand the defense was trying to portray him as a "good co-worker" and someone who "had a rough childhood." There are absolutely no excuses for this behavior and I am thrilled the jury was wise enough to not allow ridiculous notions of sympathy for this criminal to win out. He will now rot in jail for decades and be executed. While my feelings of anger towards this individual may or may not be "Christ-like" as in turning the other cheek, I feel good that society has ridded itself of at least one more beast. Please click here for a link to thejoyfulchild.org, a site founded by Samantha's mother to help make society aware of how to stop violence against children. I can't think of a much more worthy cause.

Noble Cause or Help for the Moronic?

I was listening to my car radio on my way to work today, as I usually do. Usually what I hear on the radio gives me a lot of things for which to be outraged and/or disgusted about, or simply things which need improvement in today's world. Today's news reports give me reason to be just that, disgusted. Would you like to know why? Too late, here's why. I heard about an organization called SafeKids.org which has helpful hints for the upcoming hot summer season. They suggested, rightfully so, that parents and caregivers not leave children alone in cars as the heat can become overwhelming and deadly, even with the windows open slightly.

In the news report (and here is the part that is outrageous), they indicated this organization suggests placing "a diaper or a toy in the front seat or a briefcase in the backseat to remind you that your kids are in the car with you." Is this for real? Someone please, (please!) tell me what parents are out there who are traveling anywhere and do not know who else is in the car with them, let alone their own children!

For those of you who know me, you're familiar with my advocacy for involved parenting. Well, not knowing your kids are in the same car is as far from parental involvement as one can get, isn't it? I trust those of you who are reading this are caring and insightful individuals (after all, why else would you be reading such an interesting column!), but please, if any of you do not know that your child is traveling in the same car as you are, please drop them off at the nearest hospital or fire station and admit yourself into the nearest mental institution!   

Seriously, this information to not leave children unattended is obviously crucial information and should be disseminated to the widest audience possible. My criticism is not intended to be derisive of SafeKids. They have a valid point, and maybe they are simply more in tune with the need to "dumb down" their message for the masses. Personally, I can see how one could underestimate how hot a car can become, but it's simply important not to leave your child unattended, hot car or not hot car.

SafeKids is a very worthy organization and I support and endorse their efforts. I was merely dumbfounded by the realization that there are people, (parents!) who are out there who simply are beyond clueless. If there is such a thing as a negative I.Q., it would surely be applicable in these cases. These parents can be proud of their rotted brain cells and boast of an I.Q. of, say, -50?

The Ultimate Betrayal

Okay, are you ready to be thoroughly nauseated? Supposedly the vermin who murdered his daughter and her friend in Illinois was angry that his daughter supposedly stole some money from her mother. As the defendant's story goes, his daughter had been grounded, but the mother let her out to play for Mother's Day. He tracked her down and told her to go home, but she refused. He claims, at that point, he punched her and then her friend pulled out a potato knife to defend her. Then he repeatedly punched and stabbed both girls to death and dragged their bodies into the woods, leaving them together. Now, to put this "father's" behavior in perspective: should it really surprise anyone what he was capable of, when he had just been released from jail a month earlier for chasing his neighbors with a chain saw. They finally stopped him in his tracks by hitting him in the head with a shovel. Obviously, it was not hard enough for his daughter's sake. Sounds like a lovely neighborhood, doesn't it?

Okay, enough snide-ness on my part. Does anyone in their right mind not see that this behavior is the sign of someone who is sick beyond belief? To commit this kind of heinous act against anyone, especially one's own child, is a betrayal of the lowliest kind. His actions are so out of step with those of a sane individual, it is clear that the writing is on the wall. Whoever is assigned to represent this scoundrel (and yes, of course you and I, fellow taxpayer, will foot the bill) will be claiming that he is not guilty for reasons of insanity.

P.S.: Keep trying to email Senator Gil Cedillo to fight for the anti-molester legislation. It doesn't look like he's emptied out his email inbox lately, but the email may get through at some point.   

By the way

You may wish to postpone emailing Senator Cedillo as it appears his mailbox is full. Here's my plan b: email Senator Romero today and email Senator Cedillo tomorrow. Now that we have that cleared up...

Call to action

Looking back a couple of weeks ago, you may recall my posts regarding the California Senate Public Safety Committee not voting on Senator Denham's proposal for stricter monitoring of released child molesters. Hearing him interviewed this morning he says that 2 Senators from Southern California were among those who did not see the validity of this legislation. He suggested we contact them and urge them to change their minds on this important matter. If they are afraid the perpetrators' rights will not be protected, I think they should err on the side of the children. After all, these criminals have already been convicted of heinous acts against our most innocent. It seems like a no-brainer to me, but your opinions may help sway our legislators if they feel there is public consensus. Please email Senator Gilbert Cedillo at: Senator.Cedillo@sen.ca.gov and Senator Gloria Romero at: Senator.Romero@sen.ca.gov. I thank you and I'm sure your children will thank you.

Keep Up the Good Fight

Well, we didn't do too well in the defense of children legislation, here in California, yesterday. I told you about one; there was another bill which was struck down. That one would have given both parents a presumptive right to be involved in the lives of their children after a divorce. This would, of course, not be in effect if there was abuse involved in the relationship, and would help stop the need for extensive litigation just to prove each parent is worthy. But, the National Organization for Women may as well be called the National Organization Against Children because they stood in the way of this legislation. So you see, there are forces (very strong forces) at work which seek to undermine what is best for our children. This is why we need to fight these misguided and selfish people.

I attended a very interesting speaking engagement last night. The speaker was Jerry Tello and he was excellent! He spoke on the importance of fathers (and mothers) and it was a very insightful and heartwarming 90 minutes. And guess what? I wasn't the only father there! Go to one of his talks if you can; I think you'll really enjoy the way he presents valuable information in a theatrical manner.

The fight goes on

It looks like the California version of Jessica's law was not even voted on today. Some Democrats complained that the bill was amended after the deadline which, according to Senator Denham, is untrue. It would appear we need to continue this fight for another day. Unfortunately, there are many people out there who feel the perpetrators should have more rights protected. I pray there are at least as many people who feel strongly that children deserve these same civil rights protections. God help us.

Hope on the Horizon

Just yesterday, I was opining on the need for stricter sentences and tougher controls over those who decide to harm children. Well, lo and behold, we have what may be a miracle! I was cautiously ecstatic to learn that legislation patterned after the legislation which was signed into law by Governor Jeb Bush of Florida has been set for a vote by the California Senate Public Safety Committee. California State Senator Jeff Denham (R-Merced) has proposed legislation which would require lifetime satellite tracking for sex offenders convicted of child molestation. As I write this, it is being discussed in Sacramento. We are hoping for as swift and as responsive a Senate as we saw in Florida these past few weeks.

For those of us parents who are anxiously awaiting the day when child molesters will have justice meted out to the degree with which they deserve, there is indeed hope on the horizon. Check Senator Denham's website for information on how to support this most important legislation. Our children's health and safety are riding on this. Don't expect other parents to take action; support the Senator and take action now! Click here to access his website.

Take Action

The California Shared Parenting Alliance (CSPA) is campaigning to pass AB 1307. AB 1307 will clarify California law and create a clear presumption that parents equally share in the responsibility of joint custody of their children unless there is clear evidence that it would not be in the children's best interest.  

California children of divorce often see one of the two people they love most in the world pushed to the margins of their lives. AB 1307 protects children's relationship with both parents by making it clear that parents come before the family law court with equal rights to and responsibilities for their children.

Research clearly establishes that shared custody creates better outcomes for children emotionally, educationally, and financially. CSPA believes that in most cases children's interests are best served when their rights to have a relationship with both parents is protected.

AB 1307 will be voted on today. Whether you are a resident of California or not, I urge you to use the quick, easy-to-use form to send a letter to the members of the California State Assembly Judiciary Committee. Click here for the form.

Kudos to Governor Bush

   Governor Jeb Bush of Florida has, just this morning, signed the Jessica Lunsford Act. This law will provide a much needed crackdown on sexual predators and would require those who prey on children under 12 to be sentenced to at least 25 years in prison and, if they get out, to be tracked for life. I would like to commend Governor Bush of Florida on his responsiveness and swift action regarding the safeguarding of our children and yearn for the day when this type of legislation is in place in California, and ideally, in every state.

Today marks a bittersweet victory for Mark Lunsford, the father of Jessica, for whom the legislation was named. Our prayers are with him. While what happened to Jessica is nothing less than tragic, I am heartened to learn that there is indeed action being taken. This is wonderful news; however it saddens me that, given the high recidivism rate for child sex offenders, it appears most legislators and parents are lacking the motivation to organize to have this type of law put in place. May all loving parents be concerned enough to seek action to protect their children before tragedy strikes their neighborhood.

   I would also like to commend Orange County Sheriff Michael Carona for his kindness and strength in dealing with the Samantha Runnion Case. His heartfelt courage was very comforting at a bleak period of this crime, and he and his deputies did all they could. Alas, they found Samantha, and subsequently her abductor, after a relatively short manhunt. Back in July, 2002, 5-year-old Samantha was abducted, sexually assaulted, and murdered. This, of course, is another needless tragedy. The perpetrator was found guilty just last week and I hope he gets just what he deserves during the sentencing phase this Wednesday. There is absolutely no room on our planet for anyone who would steal a child away from their playmate and drive away with them only to commit heinous acts upon them. I would urge anyone reading this to contact your legislators to enact tougher sentencing for these criminals. Megan's Law is fine for a first step effort, but if we value our children, we need to keep these despicable individuals in jail. By doing this, we won't need to worry if the ACLU worries about their freedoms being violated because they will still be in jail.

Pope Benedict XVI

The new Pope may very well be the wise and wonderful person we had hoped for, however I was dismayed (for obvious reasons) to hear rumors the other day that he may have been instrumental in coordinating the cover-up of the priest abuse scandals beginning in 2001. While these are only rumors at this point, it is disappointing that The Vatican does not implement a more strident approach towards ensuring its members that these offensive behaviors will cease, at once. Obviously, outrageous behavior can occur even in the secular world, but the perception by the public is that by maintaining virtual silence on the issue, the Church is condoning abusive behavior, which is not the case. But perceptions sometimes can be reality. Even though we agree these cases are relatively rare, the "sweeping under the carpet," or even the perception of such, makes me feel somewhat uncomfortable. It angers me that this casts a dark cloud over the Church and is obviously very disturbing news. I, as I'm sure many of you do too, hope for and look forward to the day when this issue would be addressed in a manner befitting a civil and moral organization. Or, at least, have the public perceive this problem as being handled in a prosecutorial manner and not just a manner which is that of forgiving sins, as important as that is, too. I would urge Pope Benedict XVI to condemn any abuse of children, apologize for any past transgressions by the minority of offenders out there, and to issue a statement ensuring every parishioner around the world that any future cases will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. I will remain hopeful that the new Pope will fulfill his mandate to have the Catholic Church held in high esteem and to maintain a strict following of moral and ethical behavior.

Habemus papam!

Pope Benedict XVI (the former Cardinal Ratzinger of Germany) appears to have just the sort of passion and sense of mission that will help carry members of the Catholic Church, and (do I dare say) others, towards a more moral view of the world. In his pre-election homily on Monday, (highlighted in a CNN.com article here) he warned against “relativism” and said having a strong faith, based on church teaching, is often labeled today as a “fundamentalism.”

“We are moving toward a dictatorship of relativism which does not recognize anything as for certain and which has as its highest goal one’s own ego and one’s own desires,” he warned.

As you can see from some of my own posts (this is me speaking now), I have been outspoken on this very topic of moral relativism, so I couldn’t be more thrilled that there is someone in this position of influence to remain steadfastly determined and not be swayed by often errant public opinions. Sometimes “progressiveness” is not always progress. I would urge everyone to at least listen to this new Pope’s voice of traditionalism and reason. Much of what he says may very well make sense, even in today’s complex world.