Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP Posting-Version: version B 2.10.2 9/18/84; site sigma.UUCP Path: utzoo!watmath!clyde!burl!ulysses!mhuxr!mhuxt!houxm!vax135!cornell!uw-beaver!tikal!sigma!root From: root@sigma.UUCP (The Root of all Evil) Newsgroups: net.general Subject: Save Your Family (Part 4 of 4) Message-ID: <575@sigma.UUCP> Date: Thu, 19-Dec-85 13:29:41 EST Article-I.D.: sigma.575 Posted: Thu Dec 19 13:29:41 1985 Date-Received: Sat, 21-Dec-85 00:46:32 EST Reply-To: root@sigma.UUCP () Followup-To: net.followup Lines: 64 "The greatest dangers to liberty lurk in insidious encroachment by men of zeal, well-meaning but without understanding." -Louis Demblitz Brandeis Sunday's (12/15/85) Seattle Times mentioned a new bill going before the Legislature that presents an even greater threat to families in Washington. The intent of the bill is good and I strongly support the intent of the authors of this bill, but there is a clear danger in its implementation. The bill would make it a felony to physically abuse children, including shaking children under three, blows to the head, any spanking severe enough to produce bruises, and so on. I doubt that anybody could argue that this kind of abuse would ever be called for. The problem arises with the involvement of Children's Protective Services (CPS). Whenever faced with a situation of a possibility of abuse, these people automatically take the position that the worst possible abuse has occurred, and they pursue matters on that basis. Unfortunately, they have been granted the power to do extreme damage to the family, under the rather naive assumption that they would exercise restraint in the use of that power. Under the current laws in Washington State, teachers and daycare workers are required to call in CPS if they observe any bruises that could possibly be indicative of physical abuse, under threat of being accused as an accomplice if they fail. The State does not provide any training in discerning "naturally-occurring" bruises from those arising from abuse. If you have an active child, or one that bruises easily, you could be in for some serious trouble if this law passes. As I mentioned, CPS automatically assumes the worst. Their normal first action is to remove the child from the home, and place him in foster care. (With no proof, they can, at any time, remove and hold your child for 72 hours, not including weekends and holidays.) Then they start their "investigation", which takes the form of a trial in everything but name and legality. You will be required to undergo psychiatric evaluation. Your child will undergo psychiatric and physical examinations. You can expect a three to six month separation from your child. You also get to pay for all this, whether you prove your innocence or not. Be prepared to shell out anywhere from $5000 to $25000. For a bruise. "Eternal vigilance is the price of liberty." -John P. Curran "The price of eternal vigilance is indifference." -Marshall McLuhan I must apologize for the use of a sympathetic "root" to post these items anonymously. The intent is to protect people I know who are caught in the system, as previously described. By putting a distance between their indentites and the net, I am able to (I hope) effectively warn you without bringing unjust retribution upon them from the State. "The only sure bulwark of continuing liberty is a government strong enough to protect the interests of the people, and a people strong enough and well enough informed to maintain its sovereign control over its government." -Franklin Delano Roosevelt I have done my duty in warning you, with places to turn for more information. You may ignore it if you wish. It's on your heads. I shall say no more. --- The opinions expressed above are not represented as those of any organization, including those involved in the distribution of this posting.