That the juvenile system has fallen short of the high expectations of its originators in no way detracts from the broad social benefits sought or from those benefits that can survive constitutional scrutiny.
| Breed v. Jones, 421 U.S. 519, 529 (1975). |
The history of the juvenile Court system has demonstrated that "unbridled discretion, however benevolently motivated, is frequently a poor substitute for principle and procedure," and that "the admonition to function in a `parental' relationship is not an invitation to procedural arbitrariness.
| In re Gault, 387 U.S. 1, 18, 30 (1967) |
The following is from a psychological evaluation of Peter L. who has not been charged with abuse nor neglect. He has been denied custody of his child (or children) for well over 7 years! The foster family expressed an interesting adopting the children before the children were placed with them.
"Peter believes that he has not received a fair chance in being reunified with his children. He reported that he has had poor legal representation from his Court appointed attorney. In addition, he believes that the judge has only listened to the case as presented by [the social worker], DCYF, and [the CASA guardian ad litem].
My interview with Peter suggests that he is focused on himself and his need to have [his children], nor has he been able to see the positive effects of living the with [foster parents] on his child(ren). He is very angry about having to having to have supervised visits at DCYF 'in an office half the size of this office.' He is also worried that because the visits are supervised the children might think he ... did something wrong. He made it clear to me that he would not give up fighting for his right to have [his children] in his care .... Based on my testing data, I believe it in the best interest of the children to be in a stable, permanent adoptive family. Because they have been truly loved and cared for by [their foster family] for two years and have shown progress, it only makes sense that they be with this family that wants them as their own."
| A DCYF psychological provider's evaluation |
Peter served two tours of duty in Vietnam with the Marines, yet:
"Peter doesn't have any rights. He hasn't earned them."
| Russanne Niles, DCYF |
This was written about the investigation into NH Supreme Court Justice Stephen Thayer, however it sums up DCYF quite well too.
Secrecy, for some of us, equals corruption.
| Epsom NH Republican Tony Soltani |
NH's main television station, WMUR, is a strong supporter of CASA,
they even have a WWW page
dedicated to it. At the top of that page is this quote:
The CASA program is successful because
of the ability of the volunteers to
dedicate the energy and efforts to help
one child at a time.
| NH Governor Jeanne Shaheen |
The CASA program is a disaster because the CASA volunteers have no understanding of fundamental parental rights.
| Paula Werme |
Child Protection is the art of looking for trouble, finding it everywhere, diagnosing it incorrectly, applying no remedy, destroying the family you're supposed to protect, stepping over the corpse, and moving on to the next family.
| From a USENET post July, 2001. |
Democracy used to be a good thing, but now it has gotten into the wrong hands.
| Senator Jesse Helms (R.-North Carolina) |
We can't be so fixated on our desire to preserve the rights of ordinary Americans.
| President Bill Clinton (USA Today, March 11, 1993, p. 2) |
There ought to be limits to freedom.
| George W Bush, commenting on the George W. Bush parody site |
Everyone has their hot button, and law abuse is one of mine.
I'm against child abuse. But I'm much more concerned about people who can't distinguish between punishing the guilty and lynching the accused.
| Atty Jon Beaver, in a USENET posting |
These people (SCF) are just like the Nazis. They do evil, with a clear conscience.
| Joseph, an 85 year-old Nazi concentration camp survivor now residing in Corvallis, Oregon. This quote comes from an Oregon anti-CPS site's quote page |
In leading a floor flight to successfully defeat a child endangerment bill, Rep. Bobby Franklin (R-Marietta) said the language of the bill was "way too broad and can be abused by the social service Gestapo."
| Reported in the Atlanta Constitution, 2001 March 8. |
We will never rest until Gestapo CPS is completely abolished!
| Neal Feldman's USENET signature |
We shall not rest until Gestapo Bunny Foo Foo is roasting on the grill!
| USENET response to someone complaining about using the Gestapo parallel. |
"It's well know that children are telling the truth when they say they've been abused. But (they) are usually lying when they deny it."
| Tim Abbey, Wenatchee's CPS supervisor |
| Seattle lawyer John Henry Browne, who defended two people in Wenatchee |
We will not be silenced, we will not retreat and we will be heard.
| Robynne Leighe Myers, whose granddaughter was taken by CPS on false charges |
Folks, the reason you need a lawyer is because we are just plain weird and just don't look at things the same way real people do.
| Jon Beaver, Esq. |
| John Newsom, NH Judicial Conduct Committee |
| Daniel Webster |
Judge a man only by his own words and deeds, the opinions of others can be false.
| Talmud |
The government solution to the problem is usually as bad as the problem.
| Milton Friedman |
The doctrine of nonresistance against arbitrary power, and oppression, is absurd, slavish, and destructive of the good and happiness of mankind.
| Article 10, Part I, NH Constitution |
What could I do? I was outnumbered and outgunned; it was two DMV officers armed with semi-automatic pistols and a screwdriver, against a middle-aged housewife with a camera and a pet rabbit!
| Paula Werme, on the confiscation of H8DCYF |
It is sobering to reflect that one of the best ways to get yourself a reputation as a dangerous citizen these days is to go about repeating the very phrases which our founding fathers used in the struggle for independence.
| Charles A. Beard |
Notice and opportunity to be heard. It's not just a good idea, it's the law!
| 28 U.S.C. 1738A(e) |
"[W]ithout openness, even traditional juvenile proceedings have the potential to become little more than kangaroo courts, where judges rubber-stamp agency requests."
| Natural Parents of J.B. v. Dept. of Ch. & Fam. 780 So.2d 6 (Fla. 2001) |
"Peter doesn't have any rights. He hasn't earned them."
| Manchester DCYF Worker Russann Niles, Nov. 9, 2000. about a father never charged with neglecting his child. Peter completed two tours of duty in Vietnam as a US Marine. |
Contact Ric Werme or return to his home page.
Last updated 2001 October 3.