Stunning National Post “media bias” case results in settlement of a defamation lawsuit

The Family Advocate - July 25, 2009 * Vol. 1, #6
Undoing a Smear
By Christopher JONES, ECMAS Director, Edmonton AB

A quiet legal victory occurred here in June 2009. Dr. Ferrel CHRISTENSEN accepted a settlement in a defamation lawsuit against the National Post and CanWest Global Communications for untrue allegations made against him in an article entitled “Scandal Taints Fathers’ Rights Group” published April 17, 2001. Dr. CHRISTENSEN received a full written retraction, the right to publicize all documents that had been revealed during the course of the case, as well as an amount of money which far exceeded his legal expenses of $100,000 (he is unable to reveal the exact financial terms/details of this settlement). Although not identified ECMAS is also exonerated by the facts exposed in these documents. All case files are available at: www.fightforhonestjournalism.ca.

Defamation suits prove Mark TWAIN’s maxim that “a lie can go around the world while truth is still lacing up her boots” - and such sensationalism was present in this smaller drama. The outrageously tawdry associations made in the National Post article attempted to paint the leadership of ECMAS as unacceptably tolerant (indeed, almost welcoming) of sexual predators and pedophiles. Despite being absolutely UNTRUE, it played into longstanding smears of men’s rights and equal-parenting groups.

Much of the smear was based on mischaracterizations of an obscure book Dr. CHRISTENSEN published in 1999 entitled “Pornography: The Other Side”. By reasonable standards, it is a fairly dry, tame, academic exploration of the history of social mores and attitudes towards sexuality. I would attest that I could not find anything that endorses pedophilia and that it fulfills none of the flimsy allegations made by Donna LAFRAMBOISE in her National Post article. It became clear through her testimony that despite claiming to have read this book, she had in fact depended heavily upon mischaracterizations from the main protagonist and had only actually read selected passages.

Another “fact” in the offending article presented an active volunteer, Paul ADAMS, in a very poor light based on his disbarment for his previous sexual misconduct involving a young client (he was saved by a pre-arranged police sting operation before any act occurred). Undoubtedly, Mr. ADAMS paid in full for the consequences of his stunningly poor judgment (which occurred after his own divorce) by being disbarred and detained. He accepted this punishment. After that, the significant time and expertise Mr. ADAMS generously volunteered in ECMAS meetings free of charge was not recognized as valued community rehabilitation but unfairly portrayed as devious exploitation. After this LAFRAMBOISE article he dropped out of regular participation in ECMAS activities.

It was shocking to learn of the methods employed by the supposed journalist. She displayed a complete disregard for engaging in a fair, accurate or balanced reporting of events, and indeed was an active participant in concocting the smear through unconscionable pressure tactics, misrepresentations, untrue characterizations, lack of fact-checking or objective evaluation. Furthermore, The National Post failed to exert any oversight whatsoever over the reporter’s actions, even after being repeatedly notified of severe problems with the reporter’s story and process. The lack of dialogue with any editor gave way to threats of legal actions which were also blithely ignored. It should come as no surprise that even today, The National Post yet to define a clear Ethics Policy1 for reporters.

This victory stands as a complete exoneration of Ferrel CHRISTENSEN and by implication ECMAS. Before Ferrel retired from his position as Professor at the University of Alberta Philosophy Department, he held a special expertise in the Philosophy of Science. For 25+ years he has been a major force and proponent of true gender equality and Men’s Rights by helping to found and support groups in Edmonton and throughout Alberta like MERGE (Movement for the Establishment of Real Gender Equality) and ECMAS (Equitable Child Maintenance & Access Society).

The legal battle has been a long, hard fought fight – one that many others may have given up when pressed so hard financially and by such a formidable opponent as National Post/CanWest. Most telling however has been CanWest’s own failure to publicize its own retraction and draw some attention to their journalistic weaknesses and operational shortcomings. It remains to be seen if The National Post/CanWest will adopt broader ethics practices consistent with its major role in the Canadian media spectrum.

Footnotes

1) This story investigated the ethical implications of investigative journalists misrepresenting themselves in order to conduct undercover investigative news pieces. In the process they polled major newspapers across Canada only to find that none had a publicly available, written ethics policy to help guide journalists in these activities. See “Lying to get the truth” by Shannon FAY. University of King’s College NS - Department of Journalism, Review, Vol. XIII, Issue 5, April 2009. www.kjr.ca

The Family Advocate is published by CEPC (Canadian Equal Parenting Council).

From OZ ~ Some truths about gender dynamics and Family Law

Amfortas is an Australian Psychologist:

Stolen generation Pt.1. (Two Parts, by Amfortas)
http://soundcloud.com/christian-j/stolen-generation-part-one

A professional analysis of the Family Court’s ‘Bible’ that justifies the ‘ least detrimental alternatives’ to the traditional family. “We have a generation of fathers who are shell-shocked, heartbroken”. It was Adolph Hitler who first said that people will take any reduction to their freedom if you tell them it is in the best interests of the children. Could we not have a non-detrimental alternative, Amfortas asks.

Stolen Generation Pt.2.
http://soundcloud.com/christian-j/stolen-generation-part-2

The Family Court brings about the detrimental conditions that lead to a delinquent culture of fatherlessness in children. The ‘most deserving parent’ is chosen on genitalia. Professionals make judgements that cause parental alienation syndrome. A juggernaut is driven over Magna Carta. An equal society is replaced by a superior class of people.

Give a Dog a Bad Name. Pt.1. (Two parts, by Amfortas)
http://soundcloud.com/christian-j/give-a-dog-a-bad-name-part-1

The mass media is anti-male by commercial design. Comprehensive study data shows the depth of disrespect for men. Even ‘Old-school’
feminists are appalled at the damage being done to men. The media is ‘Wrong, both factually and morally”, says MRA Amfortas. Government pays for an agitprop war on men’s reputation to frighten women. At what cost?

Give a dog a Bad Name. Pt.2.
http://soundcloud.com/christian-j/give-a-dog-a-bad-name-pt-2

Women have unconsciously adopted a habit of disrespecting men. “Men are feeling profoundly disappointed, disillusioned and disgusted” and are withdrawing their support and protection of women. Society, and women in particular, are losing a valuable resource needed for its healthy continuance. The Love of men. Is this what women want?

Sacred Cows in the China Shop. Pt.1. (Two parts, by Amfortas)
http://soundcloud.com/amfortas1/amfortas-christian-j-sacred-cows-in-the-china-shop-part-one

A female economist, Dr Jennifer Roback Morse takes on a leading Feminist in a debate. Women’s Studies Depts’ have no legitimacy and should be closed. They are academically bogus and “Ideologically biased”. A men’s Studies Dept could be better trusted to seek truth and answers to urgent social questions. Women dominate Universities and are driven by bias.

Sacred Cows in the China Shop. Pt.2.
http://soundcloud.com/amfortas1/amfortas-christian-j-sacred-cows-in-the-china-shop-part-two

A ‘Life studies dept’ would serve society better than a ‘woman’s studies Dept. “50 million unborn babies have died for women’s rights”.
Enough is enough. University cobbled Feminists ‘cherry pick’ studies and ignore contrary evidence to present false ideas to the public, corrupting their intellectual obligation and actively creating and manipulating a negative and destructive image about men.

Feminism is NOT good for Women. Pt.1. (Two parts, by Christian J)
http://soundcloud.com/christian-j/web-log-aft-cj-debunking-feminism

Post WW2 Feminism adopted Marxist ‘conflict’ model, pitting a new ‘Class’ of oppressed women against an imaginary exploitative ‘patriarchy, according to Female Economist Jennifer Morse. Christian J narrates how women adopted it to assuage and project their guilt and resentment after so many male deaths in wars to defend them. Women were in work since WW1 and had parity in University education before WW2, long before the Feminist revolution of the 70s.

Feminism is NOT good for Women. Pt.2.
http://soundcloud.com/christian-j/webcast-feminism-is-not-good-for-women-part-2

Christian J continues to show how the destruction of marriage and Family is against women’s best interests and is leading to profound unhappiness. Women participate in the public sphere by chemically neutering themselves during the peak child-bearing years. “The infertile career woman - and her close cousin, the single mother -is not exactly by choice, but more by default. These women are extremely disappointed.”

Also on YouTube
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nmz2yLBTS2w&eurl=http%3A%2F%2Fwhatmenaresaying%2Eblogspot%2Ecom%2F&feature=player_embedded

Deliberately Lying about Domestic Violence in Australia. Pt.1. ( Three parts; 2 by Amfortas and one by Christian J)
http://soundcloud.com/amfortas1/amfortas-christian-j-lying-about-domestic-violence-part-1

The ‘women’s Safety Survey’ was “uncorroborated, biased and manipulated” ‘Advocacy research’ orchestrated by the Office for the Status of Women and passed off as Bureau of Statistics report. It caused an enormous row, says MRA Amfortas. Manipulated definitions and hysterical claims copied from America made innocuous behaviour criminal. DV sells commercial products to women and expropriates public funds for the fastest growing ‘Industry in Australia.

Deliberately Lying about Domestic Violence in Australia. Pt.2.

http://soundcloud.com/amfortas1/amfortas-christian-j-lying-about-domestic-violence-part-2
Three other sources of ‘official’ data which are routinely manipulated and presented to support DV lies are analysed by Amfortas and compared to Independent University research which completely contradicts the ‘official message’.” It would be generous to think that this manipulation and bias was just the result of incompetence.
But as we can see there is something far darker behind it. It is corruption. It is deliberate.”

Deliberately Lying about DV in Australia. Pt.3. The Truth is out there – Somewhere.
http://soundcloud.com/amfortas1/amfortas-christian-j-the-truth-is-out-there-somewhere

Christian J narrates how the 2006 Australian Bureau of Statistics Personal Safety Survey completely contradicted the Government’s 1996 survey. He also points to the attempts by feminist bureaucrats to manipulate by having ONLY female interviewers to bias the results.
Results show women twice as safe as men. The Government has thrown a blanket of silence over it. Feminists maintain an undemocratic stranglehold, expropriating public monies for their anti-male ‘Industry’.

The Degradation of Women – by feminism (By Amfortas)
http://soundcloud.com/christian-j/amfortas-christian-j-vagina-monologues-the-degradation-of-women

“In textbook leftist style, feminist supporters of the play ’Vagina Monologues’ cloak their attack on normal family values and morality under the guise of promoting awareness about violence against women.
One does not have to be a prude to see a weak excuse for pornographyand an anti-male agenda. But to disguise it as ‘awareness of abuse’, is an abuse of women’s minds and sensibilities.” Amfortas lauds Bridget Blanton for her stand and protests and against the glorification of lesbian rape of young girls.

The Wages of Spin (Pod by Amfortas. Also in video, see below))
http://soundcloud.com/christian-j/the-wages-of-spin

Amfortas narrates the analysis of Paul Elam of the Pay Gap Myth, showing the mendacious and partial statistics promoted by politicians to anger women for political advantage. Women’s choices are intelligent and nurturing while men not only work longer hours but take the dangerous jobs that pay more. Dr Warren Farrell’s early rationales are sustained.

Everyday Family Terrorism (Pod by Amfortas. Also in video. See below)

“When Momma ain’t Happy, Nobody’s Happy”.
http://soundcloud.com/christian-j/everyday-family-terrorism

Amfortas and Paul Elam show how domestic violence and a lot worse are often caused by ‘controlling’ women who are willing to destroy their families to have their own way. Dr Eric Berne’s ‘Games’ are described including the major cause of broken families, the “Let’s you and Him Fight” strategy which uses the Police and Family Courts.

Is Feminism a Hate Movement? (By Amfortas)
http://soundcloud.com/christian-j/is-feminism-a-hate-movement

Amfortas narrates MRA Fidelbogan’s well established, clear and logical analysis of the links between the spectrum of disaffection feelings that women have for men and the rise and sustenance of Feminism. This spectrum is lead from the top by hateful, sociopathic women and supported by ‘rent-seeking scum’ women in growing bureaucracies, who take immoral advantage.
Video. You Tube.

Everyday Family Terrorism
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Th0yGBy73GA&eurl=http%3A%2F%2Fantimisandry%2Ecom%2Fmra%2Dyoutubers%2Fif%2Dmomma%2Daint%2Dhappy%2D20678%2Ehtml&feature=player_embedded


Paul Elam, Amfortas and Christian J show and tell of the damage done within families and society by intransigent people, in this instance Women, who are prepared to destroy their own families to get their own way. Erin Pizzey documented the effects of showing the Truth about violent women, for which she received Feminist death threats. Dr Eric Berne shows several 'Games' used including the 'let’s you and him fight' game so common today where cops and courts do the dirty work that leaves children unprotected.
Video. You Tube

The Pay Gap
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rbYU0aeaX1o&eurl=http%3A%2F%2Fantimisandry%2Ecom%2Fmra%2Dyoutubers%2Fwages%2Dspin%2D20606%2Ehtml&feature=player_embedded

Amfortas, Paul Elam and Christianj, examine the myth of the Pay Gap and show, name and shame the political women who lie to get the women's vote. Dr Warren Farrell demolished the mendacious claims but has been ignored by the media. Men do the dirty, dangerous work which pays well while women exercise choices that are more nurturing and 'safe'. The glass ceiling does not exist but the glass cellar does.
Excellent video production by Paul Elam.

Florida International University ~ FIU lab investigates the state of fatherhood

Posted by eaguila on June 15th, 2009 14 Comments

By Sissi Aguila

Family roles have changed substantially since the 1950s. Mom now works outside the home. And dad is expected to be more involved in raising the kids. But as parental roles and responsibilities become less defined, psychologists question: Are there essential characteristics of fathering versus mothering?

FIU’s Fatherhood Lab explores these issues and Psychology Professor Gordon Finley, who runs the lab, focuses specifically on how divorce impacts fathers and the development of their children. Finley has found that a father’s role is unique and far too often neglected by the family court system.

Using questionnaires and a retrospective technique in which he asked 1,989 young adults to think back on their relationship with their fathers, Finley found that children of divorce really miss their fathers. According to Finley, they are denied a relationship with them because of present-day family law and court practices.

“Divorce marginalizes or severs a father’s relationship with his child,” he says. “In reality, the father becomes a visitor in his or her life. He is no longer a father in the very literal sense.”

Risky behaviors

For decades, researchers focused on motherhood when studying parenting. Today more attention is being paid to fathers, and the data is consistently showing that fathers are vital to raising happy, healthy and successful children. “They contribute more than bringing home the bacon,” Finley says.

The statistics are alarming: children from fatherless homes account for 63 percent of youth suicides, 85 percent of all children that exhibit behavioral disorders and 71 percent of all high school dropouts. And 37 percent of fathers have no access or visitation rights to their children.

Finley’s research indicates that fathers are more effective at attenuating high-risk behaviors such as sex, drugs and other criminal activities. These behaviors also involve high social costs.

Yet Finley says that his findings on fatherhood do not match today’s social reality or family policy. In divorce cases, the father rarely gets custody (only in about 15 percent of cases) and shared parenting is not equal. Fathers usually see their children only once a week and two weekends a month.

A girl needs her dad

Finley’s findings also suggest that parent-children relationships are not as much about identification or imitation, as once thought, but about transaction. The way a girl learns to become a woman is through her interaction with her father. That will determine how she will relate to men in her adult life.

His study concluded that girls experience a greater impact by divorce than boys.

“The real cost is actually to the daughters of divorce. They don’t have relationships with their fathers. So when they enter adolescence and start questioning whether to have sex, they don’t have a realistic idea of what men are like.”

When evaluating the consequences of divorce for children, balance is critical, says Finley. Society has a vested interest in balance.

Informing social policy

The take-home message, according to Finley, is simple: “Fathers matter. Children need their fathers and, as it turns out, fathers need their children,” he says.

Divorced fathers are eight to 10 times more likely to commit suicide than divorced mothers. They also are higher on most indices of personal and social distress than divorced mothers.

Social policy, Finley argues, needs to catch up to the research: “Family law should be based on social science research – not ideology.”

Finley is a frequent contributor to journals that influence public policy. His study, “Father Involvement and Long Term Young Adult Outcomes: The Differential Contributions of Divorce and Gender,” was published by Family Court Review, an interdisciplinary communication forum for judges, attorney, mediators and professionals in the mental health and human services.

Earlier this year, Finley’s work provided the background for an article on divorced fathers and their adult offspring written for the American Bar Association’s Family Law Journal by Judith Wallerstein. She is a leading psychologist and researcher who conducted a 25-year study on the effects of divorce on the children involved. Wallerstein has had considerable influence on the California court system.

Says Finley, “Today my goals are to continue research but also to shift the foundation of family policy from outdated ideology to current social science through increased public and governmental awareness.”

http://news.fiu.edu/2009/06/fiu-lab-investigates-the-state-of-fatherhood/

In OZ ~ Father's battle for 50-50 custody long and expensive

Finally something from Overington with a dad's perspective that doesn't paint us as abusers or fools. The legislation obviously doesn't adhere well to a presumption of 50-50 if this dad had to spend $10,000.00 Aus. to get it.MJM

Caroline Overington | July 25, 2009

Article from: The Australian

MICHAEL B is one of a small number of Australian fathers who has a 50-50 shared parenting arrangement with his six-year-old son after divorce.

It did not come easy.

"I had to fight for every bit of time we spend together," Mr B said yesterday.

"I had to pay a lawyer $400 an hour. In all, it cost $10,000. But if I hadn't fought, I would have ended up with one weekend a fortnight, and I was so close to my son I couldn't let that happen."

Mr B, who cannot be identified because his son is subject to Family Court orders, said he met his former wife in a South American country while he was working as an engineer there and earning good money.

"She was from the slums," he said. "She had nothing, but that didn't matter to me."

Before long, she was pregnant. The couple's son was born abroad.

"I brought her back to Australia when he was six months old, and we went through the whole thing of getting her a visa," Mr B said.

"For the first year we lived with my parents, my boy's grandparents, in their luxury home.

"Then we got our own place. I had by then assets of nearly a million dollars, and then when my boy was nearly three years old I came home, and the place was empty.

"She'd gone, and taken him with her, and there was a lawyer's letter on the table saying she can't live with me any more, and she's the primary carer, so she's taken my son."

Mr B believes he was a good husband and father, and that his relationship with his son was strong, loving and important.

He said his ex-wife during their marriage had taken up Latin American dancing, and was tutoring and dancing at a salsa school three nights a week, "so I was working full-time and coming home at night and caring for our son, while she was dancing".

He said she also took English lessons and a TAFE course, during which time their son was in childcare. "I couldn't believe that her lawyer was saying that I wasn't an equal parent," he said.

"I believe I did all the right things."

Mr B said he was accused in court of being "a bad husband, a bad father" and he believes that were it not for the Howard government's shared parenting laws, which require the Family Court to presume that a child's best interests are served by having a "meaningful" relationship with both parents after separation, he would not have been given any responsibility for his son, let alone equal time.

"He (the boy) spends Monday and Tuesday with his mum, and Wednesdays and Thursdays with me, and weekends we swap," Mr B said. "We're incredibly close and it has got to the point where I can communicate with (his ex) about him in a good way.

"When I think that we could go back to the old days, where fathers just got screwed, the more I can't believe it."

The Australian was not able to reach Mr B's former wife for comment.

http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,25197,25832216-5013404,00.html

Woman touts web as method to track deadbeat parents

By Janet French, The StarPhoenix July 27, 2009

The Ontario government posts the pictures and personal details of debtors who have skipped out on numerous support payments to spouses and children.

Photograph by: Good Parents Pay website, Ontario Ministry of Community and Social Services

A woman who has spent 12 years chasing her ex-boyfriend through the courts for child support payments says Saskatchewan should look at publishing deadbeat parents' pictures and names on a government website.

Both the Alberta and Ontario governments have websites bearing the pictures, names, descriptions and last-known jobs and addresses of parents and spouses who have repeatedly ignored court orders to hand over support payments. Users can click a button below each picture to submit anonymous tips if they know where the person lives or works.

Saskatoon woman Rita (not her real name, as her family's identity is subject to a publication ban) says such a website could be one more tool to help authorities track people who switch jobs, change addresses or skip the province or country to avoid making court-ordered payments.

"When a child is not being financially or emotionally supported, it does affect them," Rita says of her 16-year-old daughter.

"Is it humiliation and shame?" she says of publishing debtors' names and pictures. "(It's OK) if that's what it takes to get the parent to step up to the plate."

Saskatchewan Justice's maintenance enforcement office is a voluntary service that will track down and transfer court-ordered payments such as child support funds.

Justice Minister Don Morgan says the office works well enough that it has recently expanded to track people who owe other court-ordered fines, and in the future, will track and collect restitution orders -- such as when a judge orders a vandal to pay back a property owner.

Saskatchewan's maintenance enforcement officers gather 85 per cent of the money owed to their clients, according to the ministry, which Morgan says is the second-best collection rate in Canada after Quebec.

If the debtor won't make payments to the office voluntarily, officers can contact employers and garnish wages or money from bank accounts. They can report the person to the credit bureau, seize or put a lien on property, suspend a driver's licence or vehicle registration, or ask a judge to hold the debtor in contempt of court for defying the orders.

Morgan says the system is working "in most cases."

However, if a person moves or changes jobs without telling anyone, or is unemployed, the individual becomes difficult to track, especially if that move is out of province or country, Morgan says. There are interprovincial and international agreements to track down debtors, but every jurisdiction is different.

Rita chose a different route than maintenance enforcement. Her ex-boyfriend was ordered by a judge to register with the program, but he never did.

Believing the family court system was faster and more effective, she estimates she's paid $10,000 in legal fees over 12 years trying to get repeated court orders enforced. As of July, she is owed $5,288 in outstanding support payments, plus an orthodontist's bill for her daughter that the father said he'd pay for, then didn't.

Meanwhile, the father, who has lived in Saskatoon all along, works full-time in the construction industry, she says. His wife is employed, and they have no children at home. "He knows how to flout the system."

The court system isn't holding him accountable, Rita says -- three bench warrants for his arrest, and 12 court dates later, she is not receiving monthly payments, and the man has never been arrested.

Either the courts need to get tougher, or the system of holding debtors accountable needs to improve, Rita says.

"I can't really rely on that money, and I've never really relied on it," the full-time professional says. "When does the court finally say, 'We're going to put you in jail?' "

Jay O'Neill, a spokesperson for Alberta Justice, says that province has posted profiles of deadbeat debtors since 2000, and this May, revamped the website to organize debtors by region. The "Debtors Wanted!" page says tips from the public have helped the government locate 227 of the 384 listed debtors during the past nine years. But since May, O'Neill says, traffic to the site has soared, and tips have helped the government find 20 more debtors in just two months.

"Anything that we can do to get the child support payments and spousal support on time, we should be doing that for the benefits of these kids," O'Neill said.

The department also had the blessing of Alberta's privacy commissioner before its 2000 launch.

The website isn't for everyone who misses a payment -- just the "bad guys" who have dodged being found by every other means, O'Neill says. Whether Saskatchewan should follow suit is up to officials in this province, he says.

"I think each jurisdiction has to look at how they want to go out getting these debtors -- it's just one (method) we have found success with."

Morgan says Saskatchewan's philosophy is different: It tries to track the money, not the people. He says he'd like to know how successful Alberta and Ontario are at getting payments handed over using these websites.

"It's something we would not rule out," Morgan said, adding he'll be asking his staff to look into the sites' effectiveness.

A better tool, he argues, has been striking an arrangement with the federal government, who will garnish support owed from federal tax returns and GST payments -- if the individuals don't already owe money to the Canada Revenue Agency. It's been a "wake-up call" to debtors who moved provinces to avoid payments, Morgan says.

Morgan also questions whether a person's appearance on a website would prompt them to hand over cash, when most are already flouting the law.

But Rita, the mom who's tried everything to keep tabs on her ex, says the public exposure will make a difference.

"If he would have been put on the website, somebody would have recognized him, and said, 'Hey, you know what? I know where he is.' "

Whether it's a website, or a justice system with sharper teeth, Rita says the government has to change something to stop bad debtors hiding in government and jurisdictional blind spots.

"This guy owes me $5,000 and we've got a system that is not taking this seriously."

jfrench@sp.canwest.com

© Copyright (c) The StarPhoenix

Your Comments

MEO Payor

July 29, 2009 - 11:25 AM

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There is an comment made in the article that is not addressed. "Rita" can not use her real name as it is subject to a publication ban. If, then, a website is created to publish the names/pictures of "deadbeat" support payors, would this not violate the publication ban imposed by the courts?

A concerned on-looker

July 29, 2009 - 10:45 AM

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The whole family justice system needs revamping. The only ones getting rich here are the lawyers. I know a single dad who has tried for many years to get child maintenance. The mom uses the system and lawyers however she can to stall and change focus. You never get the same judge so he doesn't know the history so doesn't see thru her tactics. Dad has now given up because of the cost. If he keeps going to court it'll cost way more than what he'll ever receive in payments (if he even collects) so the end result is not worth it (which is what mom counts on)! What is being spent by the custodial parent could be being banked for education! By the way this mom sees the child all the time but has never contributed one cent to the schooling, clothing, sports or anything else!! I say a maintenance order should be the very first thing dealt with on the very first lawyer or court visit and it should not be as costly or drawn out as it usually ends up being!

Betty

July 29, 2009 - 9:59 AM

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How about creating a website and posting the pictures of the thousands of women who defrauded MEO and the men that have had to pay?

Mike Murphy

July 29, 2009 - 8:39 AM

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In Canada at least 90% of children after divorce are in the custody of the mom. Why is that? If 90% of an ethnic minority or indeed females were excluded from a job or an activity or a club for no reason other than their ethnicity or gender there would be a stink bigger than Trawna's putrid garbage. Statistically speaking the vast minority of women who don't have custody are proportionately bigger deadbeats than men. We see a lot of vitriolic comments from moms disparaging their ex's but what role do they play in this. Did they act as gatekeepers or alienators of the children which encourages a NC Parent to walk away out of frustration. This issue isn't as black and white as painted. If we are going to have public humiliation why not also bring back public flogging for deadbeat moms and dads. Why not have a deadbeat site for moms denying access and/or alienating their children. Studies clearly show most men who do not pay on an up-to-date basis cannot do so because they don't have the money. All articles like this do is vilify all men as dead beats and serves to empower and engender entitlements to moms, which encourages more divorce. Seventy five percent of divorces in Canada are initiated by the wife. Why - because they clearly know they can get all these entitlements, plus the children, plus the government cheques + indirectly control their ex and not have to actually work for a living. I was a stay-at-home-dad for 10 years and actually worked from home and could balance my day over 16 hours keeping the focus on the children. Shared and equal parenting may eliminate these problems and women will finally get the opportunity to get a better job, get retrained or go back to school. Focus should be on getting people productive not public shaming. Lets get bill c-422 passed and treat every one equally not just one gender.

Support Paying Dad

July 29, 2009 - 1:04 AM

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Deadbeat Dads... glad I ain't one of them. Haven't missed a payment in 13 years since I started making them. They are my children, I wanted them as much as their mother did. I take responsibility. I wonder how much of a difference it would make to getting more dads paying regularily if the payee was able to collect a tax credit on his personal income tax for a percentage of what he/she pays in support to the Prime Custody parent. A 10% tax credit for me would have meant approx a $1,200.oo credit in 2006, my most costly year of payments. At the same time, the tax laws that affect those that receive payments stays status quo, that being they do not report it as income. I realize this move would cost the Feds some coin, but would it not be worth it for the Feds to maybe have to take a hit on the chin financially if it made for less stress for the kids and a better finacial system the mothers could count on to raise all around healthier children? Would the tax hit be worth it? Would introducing such a program buy or cost votes? I don't know, just throwing it out there.

What About Access Enforcement?

July 28, 2009 - 10:19 AM

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Yes, I agree, maintenance needs to be enforced if it is the duty of the non-custodial parent to pay. However, what about access enforcement? For those of you who haven't taken a trip through the Family Law system before, access is the non-custodial parents time spent with the children. What about fathers and mothers who are paying support, whether enforced or not, and are kept from their kids? We are talking about good parents being declined relationships with their children. Access and support are the two most contentious areas of family law, we have a free program to take care of support, but in order to enforce access, you have to go to court. Where is the rate of access enforcement in Don Morgan's last annual report? Even if a court orders an access agreement, mothers and fathers continually break them, do some research on how many time these parents are found in contempt of court. Why don't we post the pictures of mothers and fathers who didn't let the other parent see the children? There would be an uproar. Let's not forget that kids who have to live through there terrible disputes, and are faced with parental alienation have far higher rates of drug abuse, school problems, run-ins with the law and a whole host of other problems later on in life. Support payments can be made up in other ways (child tax benefits, welfare, or numerous other ways). I don't agree that a mother or father needs to use these things to make up for a non-compliant parent, but the fact is that a child is much better off with a parent that doesn't pay than no parent at all.

Hmmm

July 28, 2009 - 10:08 AM

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It's good to hear from a couple of men here, JD and Jr. It's not always the dads. I know of a mom, I don't like calling her that, she doesn't deserve the title, who milked and raked the system as well as the father of her son. He never saw any of the money that was given to her. In fact, when the son wasn't even living with her and he still had to pay child support through maintenance. Is that true even if the son wasn't living with her? They told the father that he still had to, unless he went to court to change it. It would have cost thousands to do that, so what do you do?

Marilyn

July 28, 2009 - 1:02 AM

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I made a comment yesterday that never made it into print. I would like to know a dollar figure of the maintenance payments in arrears in this province. It is relevant to this subject. The parents trying to negotiate fair support for their kids need to know what they are up against. I ended up working 2 jobs and went to school. I wasn't looking for a "wallet" I never expected a penny for myself and the mere pittance that was paid did not cover the bus passes needed by my kids to get to school.The stress and the poverty ruined the health of more than one person involved. This is a critical issue!!

Marilyn

July 28, 2009 - 12:49 AM

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To the editors. It's unfortunate that when you edit our comments you leave out the most important information leaving behind sentences that make no sense. If you need to cut material - please at least ensure that the comments left are at the very least, complete thoughts. Ditto for the punctuation.

EDITOR'S NOTE: Our apologies, Marilyn. We had to edit your comment for legal reasons. However, when we do this, we try to keep the flow in tact. It should read more smoothly now.

Saskatoon

July 27, 2009 - 11:10 PM

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I just don't understand how any parent can deny their own children whether it is the father or the mother it is just wrong. Don't you realize that you are hurting your children and one day when you snap back into reality and want to have a relationship with your child or perhaps see your grandchildren they will think back to the times that you were not their to support them and they may think twice about this. REALLY how can you just walk out of your child's life?? they are you own flesh & blood. What if you parent did the same thing to you, how would you feel? I think parents need to realize if you have a grudge or hatred towards the other parent that is fine but do not punish your own child. They did not ask to be bought into this world you made the decision to have them. I know of so many dead beat parents & I am very fortunate to have two wonderful parents who support me & are always their for me when I need someone to talk to. Don't you think your lives would be much happier if you had a good relationship with your children? So why not make the change today, it is never to late to step up to the plate and take responsibility for your children you would probably feel better about yourself and your child may actually believe you really do care about them. Parent's need to stop being so selfish & realize the kids are the ones being punished!!

Jr

July 27, 2009 - 11:06 PM

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How bout a website that shows gold digging mothers so guys can avoid getting themselves into this situation. I know personally that my child support payment rarely trickles down to my child, the whole current system is a joke.

jd

July 27, 2009 - 8:00 PM

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What about the moms who receive the payments yet they dump the kids off on the father for 80% of the time. The father is paying child support to the mom and she never has them. Now do you call that justice? I am speaking about my brother in law in BC. His ex had a drug and alcohol addiction and all he is doing is feeding it for her,. The BC government will not do anything for him but he continues to pay. Family buys the kids the clothes, not the mother.

mike

July 27, 2009 - 6:52 PM

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If the split was 50/50 there would be no dead beat anything. The courts have a knack of empowering one side. I think that is because advisarial relationships always are about power and money.

dads

July 27, 2009 - 6:01 PM

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way to be! no one will know if a parnet will be a dead beat. like everyone else says DONT judge! get the facts first thanx

jenny

July 27, 2009 - 5:39 PM

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well i hear all the dissed moms, dads, and kids out there, I have 2 boys, both have deadbeat dads in different ways, My oldest, his dad sends in a years worth of cheques to the MEO and i get them biweekly, but he never calls, never returns my sons calls or emails, i gave up, his new wife and daughter are more important then my beautiful child, or to include him in their lives. My youngest, his dad is deadbeat all the way around, MEO has suspended his license, garnished wages, he pays sometimes voluntarily, other times, 2000 accumulates before something shows up, like right now for instance, nothing has shown up this month at all, 130 a month for 8 years, i have never gone to have it re evaluated as i know he makes more now, why bother when i cant even get the 130, i would be happy with bi weekly payments if it works better for that man, but nope, so my youngest goes without, anything but an occasional spotting of his sperm donor when we run into him somewhere, he too has another son that is his pride and joy, and shows no interested in my son. But i prayed for a long time, and God sent me a man to look after my boys, the day i married him, he too took vows with my sons to be their protector, provider, to make our home a safe haven full of fun and laughter, as response to D - some of these men made promises to us, said they would be there, they didnt hesitate to stuck it out and now cant and dont want to deal with the consequences of their hips, how is that fair to the women who bear their children and are there everyday to fix a boo boo, make a meal, dry the tears, wash the clothes, take them out to play, and they miss out on all of it and do they care? no they just make a new baby with somone else and start over. I am perfectly happy to have them remain on the outside, pay their support and leave the drama out. I know it hurts, but it is better in the long run, my boys are better off with their step dad, and his family, we are now complete and my husbands family is completely accepting of my boys and love them as their own. I think the website is an amazing idea, humilate the deadbeat parents out there, stick it to them, and let them hang themselves.

The Today show discussing the Baldwin vs. Basinger controversy.

A segment of The Today Show discussing Alex Baldwin's phone call to his daughter Ireland. Its pretty clear Basinger released this conversation for no other purpose but further the alienation of Mr. Baldwin from his daughter and to publicly humiliate him. MJM

Source location: http://www.archive.org/details/FathersRights-Episode1

Feminist Opponents of Shared Parenting Get It Right in Parental Alienation/Abuse Accusation Case

July 27th, 2009 by Glenn Sacks, MA for Fathers & Families

The Feminist Family Law Movement claims that abusive fathers often employ Parental Alienation as a way to wrest custody from protective mothers in family court. They push for reforms which will make it easier to deny fathers shared custody or visitation rights based on unsubstantiated abuse claims. They also push for laws to exclude evidence of Parental Alienation in family law proceedings.

The FFLM has promoted several cause celebre cases in recent years as a way to garner public sympathy and political support for their agenda. I've investigated many of these cases and have found the FFLM's claims about them to be very inaccurate. I detailed several of these, including the high-profile Genia Shockome and Sadia Loeliger cases, in a co-authored column here.

The most recent of the FFLM's cause celebres cases is the Holly Collins case. Collins fled to Holland with her two children in 1993, claiming that her husband had abused the children and that she needed to flee to protect them. Last year I appeared on a Fox national TV show with Geraldo Rivera and Jennifer Collins, Holly's 24-year-old daughter who supports her mother's version of events. Jennifer Collins claims she's a victim of her father's false claims of Parental Alienation.

At the time of the TV show, which can be seen here, I thought it might be another fake case, but I also thought it might well be true. As I've said and written numerous times, I've never doubted that such cases are possible, though they're not very common. For example, in my co-authored column Protect Children from Alienation (Providence Journal, 7/8/06), I wrote:

[T]here are fathers who have alienated their own children through their abuse or personality defects, and who attempt to shift the blame to their children’s mothers by falsely claiming PAS. Yet parental alienation is a common, well-documented phenomenon. For example, a longitudinal study published by the American Bar Association in 2003 followed 700 "high conflict" divorce cases over a 12 year period and found that elements of PAS were present in the vast majority of the cases studied.

As the Holly Collins case continued to grow in prominence, I asked for a volunteer who would help me investigate it, then I decided to go ahead and investigate it myself.

In January I wrote a detailed, 10,000 word analysis of the case which cited all of the case's key court records, documents, etc. This analysis can be found here.

Upon investigation it became very apparent that what we were told by Holly, Jennifer, and their allies about the Holly Collins case was very inaccurate. Subsequent to my investigation, Holly and Jennifer Collins (pictured above on Inside Edition last year) and their FFLM allies have endlessly vilified me on the Internet. However, despite the fact that Jennifer has repeatedly written that she has all of the court documents from her mother's case in her possession, neither Holly nor Jennifer nor their allies have done the obvious--go through the 30 separate problems I detail with Holly's version of events and attempt to debunk them one by one.

I would add that from the moment I wrote up my analysis of each of these three cases--Loeliger (here), Shockome (here), and Collins (here)--not one of these previously prominent cases has received even a small bit of mainstream media attention.

The new Joyce Murphy case, however, is different. From 10News I-Team Reporter Lauren Reynolds' La Jolla Mom Says She Kidnapped Daughter To Protect Her:

Joyce Murphy...is a 20-year employee of the University of California, San Diego, and was married to Henry Parson when her daughter was born...as their child grew, Murphy said, her husband's behavior became disturbing.

"He would wake me up at two o'clock in the morning, tell me about pornography he'd seen and wanted to reenact, and it was pornography about kids."

She became frightened of his post traumatic stress disorder from his tour in Vietnam, which included a story about raping villagers. She filed for divorce in 2002 when her daughter was 6.

A battle ensued in San Diego County Family Court over custody of the little girl.

Murphy claimed that her daughter was afraid of Parson.

"She would cry if she had to be left with him," said Murphy.

The young girl told a doctor that when Parson was angry he pushed down on her shoulders and injured her. The doctor reported it to Child Protective Service, which Murphy said termed the incident inconclusive...

Parsons was granted immediate overnight visits.

"And I just broke," said Murphy. "I thought, either I go to jail or I protect my child. It was like a primal instinct."

Murphy took her daughter and ran. She was arrested in Florida, brought to San Diego and tossed in jail.

She eventually pleaded no contest to felony kidnapping, accepting the charge without admitting guilt. She was placed on probation...

"And I thought, all I'm trying to do is protect my little girl from someone I know is a danger," said Murphy.

So she waited and worried for six years, until a call last November. Murphy had to pick up her daughter, because another young girl had bravely come forward, accusing Parson of molesting her. Parson was now the one behind bars...

The criminal complaint charges Parson with hurting three girls, two of them younger than 14 years old. The charges include oral sex with a child, molestation, possessing child porn and using a child to make porn.

A report from the District Attorney's Office said, "The defendant's computers and camera were seized ... revealed numerous photographs of young girls."

Using those photographs, an Oceanside police officer was able to identify and speak with one of the girls, which led to more charges against Parson.

Joyce Murphy feels vindicated, but it's bittersweet.

"I blame the entire family court system," she said, "because they are not held accountable"...

Joyce Murphy said Family Court's only good decision in her case was granting her full permanent custody of her daughter after her ex husband was jailed.

Henry Parson's daughter is not one of the victims alleged in the criminal complaint.

The full article is here. According to this subsequent report, Parsons pled guilty to the charges and awaits sentencing. Murphy is pictured at the top of this blog post.

One of the organizations which supports Murphy is Stop Family Violence. We have clashed with them repeatedly over the years, including:

During our successful campaign against PBS' anti-father documentary Breaking the Silence, Irene Weiser of Stop Family Violence (along with the National Organization for Women) urged supporters to counter our protest by calling PBS in support of the program.

Weiser and NOW's Marcia Pappas countered my co-authored column NOW at 40: Group's Opposition to Shared Parenting Contradicts Its Goal of Gender Equality (New York Daily News, 7/27/06) with their op-ed Fathers' Responsibilities Before Fathers' Rights.

Stop Family Violence publicly supported Genia Shockome and Holly Collins.

Stop Family Violence, to their credit, did get it right on Joyce Murphy--here's their write-up.

In Murphy's recent testimony to California legislators, she said the problem in her case was her ex-husband's repeated claims of Parental Alienation. The real problem is that, in part because there are so many false accusations and unnecessarily contentious custody cases, courts don't have the time to properly investigate charges of abuse. Often they simply default against the accused (usually the father). At other times, they suspect the mother's allegations but don't thoroughly investigate them, instead defaulting against her claims.

Lorna Alksne, the supervising judge of the San Diego County Family Court, told the reporter writing about the Murphy case that "each judge must juggle between 200 and 300 cases every month. She said the judges read before work, after work and during breaks to be prepared for their full day of hearings."

What's needed is a system which properly and impartially investigates claims, so that children like Murphy's daughter are protected, but women like Shockome and Collins are unable to use false claims to drive their ex-husbands out of their children's lives.

Organizations like Stop Family Violence could play a positive role here by actively counseling women not to make false claims--claims which can lead courts to suspect or not act on the accusations made by legitimately protective mothers like Joyce Murphy. And one way for Stop Family Violence to start would be to publicly disavow false accusers such as Collins, Loeliger, and Shockome.

http://glennsacks.com/blog/?p=4029

10News.com

Woman Goes To Extremes To Protect Child From Ex-Husband

La Jolla Mom Says She Kidnapped Daughter To Protect Her

Woman's Ex-Husband Now Behind Bars

Lauren Reynolds
10News I-Team Reporter

POSTED: 4:00 pm PDT April 23, 2009

UPDATED: 5:40 pm PDT May 6, 2009

SAN DIEGO -- When Joyce Murphy gave birth late in life to a beautiful, healthy little girl, it was a surprise. Murphy was told she couldn't have children."I was ecstatic," she said.She is a 20-year employee of the University of California, San Diego, and was married to Henry Parson when her daughter was born."In the beginning, he was very charming," she said.

But as their child grew, Murphy said, her husband's behavior became disturbing."He would wake me up at two o'clock in the morning, tell me about pornography he'd seen and wanted to reenact, and it was pornography about kids."She became frightened of his post traumatic stress disorder from his tour in Vietnam, which included a story about raping villagers.

She filed for divorce in 2002 when her daughter was 6.A battle ensued in San Diego County Family Court over custody of the little girl.Murphy claimed that her daughter was afraid of Parson."She would cry if she had to be left with him," said Murphy.The young girl told a doctor that when Parson was angry he pushed down on her shoulders and injured her. The doctor reported it to Child Protective Service, which Murphy said termed the incident inconclusive."From that point on, I was demonized by the courts," she said.She said she was viewed as a delusional, argumentative trouble maker, while Parson was viewed more favorably.

One therapist appointed by Family Court, Marilyn Marshall, wrote that Mr. Parson was "no danger to anyone, especially his daughter.""So this therapist said it was my fears of the father that was making the child afraid," Murphy explained. Parsons was granted immediate overnight visits."And I just broke," said Murphy. "I thought, either I go to jail or I protect my child. It was like a primal instinct."Murphy took her daughter and ran. She was arrested in Florida, brought to San Diego and tossed in jail. She eventually pleaded no contest to felony kidnapping, accepting the charge without admitting guilt. She was placed on probation."I was told I was toxic to my daughter," said Murphy.

Her bosses at UCSD stood by her, but she lost her daughter to her ex-husband and was granted only limited visitation."And I thought, all I'm trying to do is protect my little girl from someone I know is a danger," said Murphy.So she waited and worried for six years, until a call last November. Murphy had to pick up her daughter, because another young girl had bravely come forward, accusing Parson of molesting her. Parson was now the one behind bars."This man is a monster, and he hurts little girls," said Murphy.

The criminal complaint charges Parson with hurting three girls, two of them younger than 14 years old. The charges include oral sex with a child, molestation, possessing child porn and using a child to make porn.A report from the District Attorney's Office said, "The defendant's computers and camera were seized ... revealed numerous photographs of young girls."Using those photographs, an Oceanside police officer was able to identify and speak with one of the girls, which led to more charges against Parson.Joyce Murphy feels vindicated, but it's bittersweet."

I blame the entire family court system," she said, "because they are not held accountable."I-Team reporter Lauren Reynolds posed the question to the supervising judge of the San Diego County Family Court, Lorna Alksne. "Is family court doing a good job?" "Family court is doing an excellent job," Alksne said. She said each judge must juggle between 200 and 300 cases every month. She said the judges read before work, after work and during breaks to be prepared for their full day of hearings. She can't comment directly on the Murphy case, and was not involved, but she acknowledges the need for improvement in how child custody cases are decided. "Family Court has, statewide, some issues on how do you really make a determination on where children should live? "Joyce Murphy said Family Court's only good decision in her case was granting her full permanent custody of her daughter after her ex husband was jailed. Henry Parson's daughter is not one of the victims alleged in the criminal complaint. Parson declined to speak with the 10News I-Team. His attorney has a policy of not commenting on pending criminal cases.

http://www.10news.com/news/19265275/detail.html

Copyright 2009 by 10News.com. All rights reserved.

In OZ ~ Dads hit out over shared parenting law review choice

Annabelle's choice of language and attack is interesting but not surprising from what I have seen elsewhere. She focuses on the mythology of dad being abusive yet stats clearly show moms are equally so in mutual IPV and in addition in the USA and OZ the biggest abusers and killers of children. The shrieking, however works, as can be seen by the usually hysterical headlines in the media. This one is apt showing dads "hit". That's really a good choice but shows the overall bias.

If you notice the Annabelle's of the world almost always get to economic issues rather than what's best for the children. She brings up the canard of child support but the opposite is true. Moms won't get it but they consider it an entitlement. That's one of the reasons why they were the applicant for divorce. What she fails to disclose is dad will still be supporting his children directly. Is mom unable to support herself or her children or get a job or get re-trained. Why in this day and age is that the case? These are fundamental questions. The issue should be having both fit parents in the lives of their children. If one is unfit then deal with it but don't create greater distress for children because a minority of recalcitrant parents are having a tantrum.MJM

Article from:

Matthew Fynes-Clinton

July 28, 2009 12:00am

FATHERS' groups have blasted the Rudd Government's appointment of a retired Family Court judge to examine shared parenting laws he has openly criticised.

There are concerns that Richard Chisholm has already made up his mind to recommend ditching the controversial legislation.

"I believe the Government wants to change the law to satisfy the radical feminists and (other) extreme groups that might want to roll back shared parenting," said Shared Parenting Council federal director Edward Dabrowski.

"And Richard Chisholm has already indicated his reticence for shared parenting. That's why he's been brought in.

"The Government has a preordained agenda. (Chisholm's) is an inappropriate appointment. He will give them the result they want."

In a dire warning, Mr Dabrowski said that if the laws were repealed, suicide rates among divorced dads "will increase, without a doubt."

Professor Chisholm emphasised yesterday that he had been asked to review how the Family Court deals with allegations of violence.

However, the University of Sydney honorary professor in law acknowledged that this issue and the shared parenting laws were linked.

The review, announced last week by Attorney-General Robert McClelland, follows an outcry mostly from women that the prescription of shared parenting has resulted in the Family Court ordering children to spend time with violent parents.

In October 2007, Prof Chisholm and Melbourne child psychologist Jennifer McIntosh co-authored an article cautioning against shared parenting of children for high-conflict separated couples.

The paper, published in Australian Family Lawyer, referred to a study by Dr McIntosh involving a Family Court sample of 77 parents and 111 children, where almost half the children left court in a substantially shared-care arrangement (five nights or more a fortnight with each parent).

Four months later, 73 per cent of the shared-care parents reported "almost never" co-operating with each other.

And 39 per cent of the shared-care parents said they were "never" able to protect their children from their conflict.

The Howard Government introduced the Family Law Amendment (Shared Parental Responsibility) Act in 2006 to rectify perceived unfairness in custody orders and assuage concerns about the impact of absent fathers.

The changes direct trial judges and magistrates in the federal family law courts to "presume" that "equal shared parental responsibility" is in the best interests of children.

This means separating parents are legally bound to attempt to make major decisions on their children's welfare jointly.

http://www.news.com.au/couriermail/story/0,23739,25842745-953,00.html

In OZ ~ Dads On The Air: Amfortas and podcasts..

Thanks to Christian J. It is good to see opposition to the victim feminist shrieking over shared parenting.

What Men are saying about Women

Christian J.

It is always nice to get some exposure and it's particularly gratifying to see the excellent effort and work by my friend and colleague Amfortas..

Here is a small update and hopefully when they log the podcast I will be displaying it here..
The podcast referred to are available on this on the right hand side.._________>

Dads On The Air

Tuesday 28 July 2009 10.30am-12.00 2GLF FM 89.3 and ONLINE

The Mandarins and the Masses

With Special Guest Amfortas.

Over the past week father's activists around Australia have been appalled by announcements from the Australian Labor government that it intends winding back the 2006 reforms to family law which promoted more cooperative arrangements after divorce or separation.

The government is conducting three separate inquiries into family law, inappropriately linking the inquiries with domestic violence. Not one of them consults the views of fathers or even the general public. There could be no clearer case of the mandarins regarding the great unwashed with contempt and not trusting their opinions, because after all there is strong public support for shared parenting.

Arrogantly, the government is not even pretending to consult dads. One report is by the Australian Institute of Family Studies, often referred to as The Australian Institute of Feminist Studies because of its repeated failure to take men's issues seriously.

The next is by the Law Council of Australia, who's feminist stances are also well known. And finally retired Family Court judge Richard Chisholm is conducting another review. His open hostility to shared parenting is well known and he is perceived by many as displaying the worst characteristics of the old style of Family Court, which almost invariably treated fathers with contempt. It was Chisholm who several years ago showed his true stripes by ridiculing separated fathers in a ditty he performed at a family law conference. Thanks to his blatant biases, many see his appointment as entirely inappropriate.

A better choice would have been Michael Green QC, author of the book Shared Parenting. That this government is prepared to overthrow the popular reforms to our despised family law system and return the country to the dark ages when the majority of fathers entering the court rarely if ever saw their children again defies belief.

The government's kow towing to the wild exaggerations of the taxpayer funded domestic violence industry and the peddling of hysterical hatred against men has sickened many.

Against this background, this week we play samples from the compelling podcasts compiled by a private practicing psychologist with 25 years experience who is driven by his own experiences and the experiences of many of his clients.

He goes by the handle Amfortas, after the keeper of the Holy Grail.

"I am a men's rights activist who is fighting against the excesses of feminism and the deleterious affects they are having on our public policies, particularly as they affect families and children," he says. "I am not at all embarrassed by the use of the term men's rights, even if its unfashionable. Men's rights are part of human rights."

The podcasts can be found at http://soundcloud.com

In the Stolen Generation podcast he declares: "There is no suggestion that obstructing the child's relationship with the noncustodial parent or undermining his or her parental authority is to be considered abuse or neglect. The sole custody model is first stage parental alienation. Parental alienation is child abuse. It follows that the sole custody model is child abuse."

The podcasts provide a professional analysis of the Family Court’s ‘Bible’ - In The Best Interests of Children: The Least Detrimental Alternative - that justifies the ‘ least detrimental alternatives’ to the traditional family. "We have a generation of fathers who are shell-shocked, heartbroken," he says.

"It was Adolph Hitler who first said that people will take any reduction to their freedom if you tell them it is in the best interests of the children. Could we not have a non-detrimental alternative?"

He argues The Family Court's culture and style of orders bring about the detrimental conditions that lead to a delinquent culture of fatherlessness in children. "The ‘most deserving parent’ is chosen on genitalia," he says. "Professionals make judgements that cause parental alienation syndrome. A juggernaut is driven over Magna Carta. An equal society is replaced by a superior class of people."

We close the show listening to his podcast Give a Dog a Bad Name, in which he argues the mass media is anti-male by commercial design.

"Comprehensive study data shows the depth of disrespect for men," he says.

"Even ‘Old-school’ feminists are appalled at the damage being done to men. The media is wrong, both factually and morally. Government pays for an agitprop war on men’s reputation to frighten women. At what cost?"

Next week: DOTA's Canadian Special, with Member of Parliament Roger Galloway, family lawyer Karen Selick and retired professor of Men's Studies, Jeffrey Asher.

If you haven't visited us for a while, please check out the wonderful redesign of our website thanks to the superb efforts of our researcher Greg Andresen. It is now less cluttered, more functional and much more stylish.