Other than getting it off your chests, what is the value of ranting against the MCFD?
I am asking the question because like this blog, there are numerous websites and blog sites which rail against the procedures, tactics and injustices of MCFD with regard to parents, families and children. Today I am asking myself what possible good is accomplished by airing these concerns?
I know that it is important for disenfranchised parents to have a voice somewhere, but most who take the opportunity on this blog, do so anonymously anyway.
And what is the readership of a blog like this? Well I can tell you that the majority of people scouring the internet for links related to child protection are parents whose families have been torpedoed by a government agency. So it is limited and biased readership. The majority of the comments attached to my daily posts are from people sympathetic to my advocacy of the Baynes' attempt to regain their three children.
The sites that are over the top in their expression of abhorrence and contempt for MCFD will seldom get more than a rare and random glance from any government or ministry official. My guess is that such presentations will not be taken seriously.
My blog does receive regular drop bys from people in positions of authority and influence and involvement in MCFD. Some workers related to the Bayne case check out the latest submission when it pertains to the case. But I am not kidding myself, writing here will not change anything inherent to the system and the issues themselves.
What I am noticing however, is that because I have sought to provide an honest, balanced, reasonable, informed, well written and consistent commentary, (that's enough adjectives) it garners more than fleeting interest.
But where does the concern and the interest go from here?
Some have suggested a conference. Some speak about a gathering of some kind. I am wondering what you have in mind. What is the next step that can effectively communicate to our Ministry of Children, the concerns that our citizenship have with the way child protection is conducted in our province? What organization is required?
We shouldn't even have to be doing this at the grassroots. A responsible Ministry leadership should recognize that the most constructive approach to transformation that adequately affects children and parents and families is concentrated communication with those very people affected by the present MCFD operation. Our Ministry should do far more listening. Our MCFD Minister and Deputy Minister should be conducting and paying for large scale Conferences across the province to embrace the input of damaged parents and children regardless of the vitriol that may be expressed. Establish the agenda to gain the information needed to change the existing system in ways that not only protect truly vulnerable children but spread hope heavily for all the parents who can overcome behavioural and personal issues in order to parent effectively.
Demonstrations, petitions and picketing do nothing in my estimation other than marginalize hurt people even further and classify them as a fringe element. But what is the action needed to communicate intelligently with those who do make policy and practice decisions? Come on, help us out here.
Utilize the power of vote. This process should never last this long. The best interest of the child should never leave us at our current position in this case. You are correct. You shouldn't have to do anything..the Ministry should be biased and look at both sides of the research and if they are open and honest in their approach and with a true intent to have the best interest of children. Obviously there are parents out there that do abuse their children but the Baynes are not included in this category.
ReplyDeleteMichael, I am assuming you meant to use "unbiased" in reference to the Ministry should be ... NO problem!
ReplyDeleteThis is a constructive issue in today's blog. Oppressed parents comment anonymously to protect their children and themselves. Be mindful that you when you raise public concern that could collapse a multi billion dollar industry, you are at risk.
ReplyDeleteRon raised the notion of seeking balanced commentary again. It may appear appealing to a reasonable mind. However, I suggest that you should be seeking truthful, accurate and insightful commentaries. "Balanced" commentary will inevitably mitigate the harm done to society by the oppressive "child protection" regime. Does it occur to anyone that comments from oppressed parents contain no exaggeration?
I disagree with Ron's opinion that expression of abhorrence and contempt for MCFD will seldom get more than a rare and random glance from any government or ministry official. Such expressions will not get much attention from the public who generally are ignorant of the real nature of "child protection" until they encounter them. It will be too late. Government, both bureaucrats and politicians, have "strategic planning" think tanks (damage control as some bloggers call them) keeping an eye on anything that people say about the government. That is one of the reasons you find government agencies reading your blog.
Do you really think that the boy scouts in Victoria and the top dogs in MCFD do not know what is going on? They know better than anyone, even better than oppressed parents, that their "child protection" is nothing but a scam. It has been a caucus issue for decades. There is no public pressure strong enough to foster a political will or wisdom to deal with the problem. Special interests continue to manipulate and aggrandize. MCFD and RYC have large scale conferences from time to time, not with oppressed parents but with special interests of the industry. Why? Like CW wrote on October 22, 2010 8:54 AM in a different context "in the business of making money".
Demonstrations, petitions and picketing will accomplish nothing other than attracting the media to air a 30-second news footage. Most people will not believe the corruption in MCFD and the atrocities they create. Many will think that the Bayne's case is an isolated incident even if they are wrongly accused of child abuse.
Win the hearts and mind of the people. How? Go back to the Bible and read the first mass movement against a large scale oppression.
I think that the system has to stop trying to fill out papers and maintain itself and wake up. It loses credibility as it is because of all the resources put into situations that are stable. In family court, I saw the same First Nations families again and again. Rather than stretching out a file because it is easier, look for the real abuse of children. It will be better for the children too. It does not take police and protection workers to make sure that inner city kids get a hot meal or a tutor with their reading. It is confusing what should be done as a charity with treating the parents and the kids like criminals.
ReplyDelete10:43 AM Anon
ReplyDeleteI will intend the question to be for others as well as yourself. However, when you say, “There is no public pressure strong enough to foster a political will or wisdom to deal with the problem. Special interests continue to manipulate and aggrandize,” do you think that a concerted effort to integrate the primary Opposed-to-MCFD groups and websites could become a convincing voice?
And with regard to your comment that the public is uninformed and that government have damage control/think tanks monitoring blogs like this, I believe what I was seeking to say is that the public does need to hear the down and dirty side of these cases where families are ripped apart, yet constructive dialogue with the policy and practice makers will require sensible presentation and discussion.
Anon who wrote twice to Ferris man to man,
ReplyDeleteI have not published your question. It is disrespectful. Make your point without seeking to put someone else on the spot.
Ron:
ReplyDeleteThank you for at least acknowledging my two posts to Ferris.
I don't mean to put him on the spot or to be disrespectful. Mr Ferris was chicken fifty years ago. Unless he wins a 649 now, we all know what his honest answer will be.
The point I try to make is that people don't bites the hands that feeds them. These explains why the pressence of SW with conscience will not stop the structural corruption in the industry. The only way to protect families and children is to revoke child removal authority by killing CFCSA and enshrining child custody as a charter right.
You are welcome Toronto but despite the silly comment that you didn't mean to put Ferris on the spot or be disrespctful, think about it. You wanted the man to tell us all, "if the government was empowered to take away my pension, I would stop speaking out against MCFD and telling all I know." Then you could garnered the applause that sure enough, even the most principled sounding people will cave to pressure that threatens livelihood. --- the only thing I can agree with you about in this brief exchange over this matter is "The only way to protect families and children is to revoke child removal authority by killing CFCSA and enshrining child custody as a charter right."
ReplyDeleteOn the rare occasion that I do not publish someone's comment, I customarily do not state a reason. I hope he/she will rephrase or come at differently.
The solution to this remains elusive. Some time ago a reader asked how he could advocate for change effectively. Social media is a reality and an effective tool. Making videos and posting them on Youtube is a hit and miss proposition, but if it goes viral, it can be the most powerful means to change public opinion available. Public opinion is what this is all about. You suggest amalgamating the various groups advocating for change into one larger group. You also suggest that "constructive dialogue with the policy and practice makers will require sensible presentation and discussion." Without the public demanding that "policy and practice makers" hold these meetings, they really have no need to do so. Even if the various groups could agree on ideology, there is no one on the Child Protection side to listen. Some groups will not easily fit into the fold as their stance is far more radical than others. These radical groups do serve a useful purpose though. They frequently say the things you wish you could say, but don't, because you do not want to come off as the fringe element.
ReplyDeleteIt is often useful to examine what the other side is doing and then adopt the strategy for your own use. Currently CAS in Ontario is running propaganda ads on TV and Youtube. Putting up stories by children who have not had the fairy tale ending that CAS is portraying are a good start. When commenting on site like Facebook, daily comments will indeed cause people to stop listening. Posting as your status that "I am advocating for accountability by Child Protection agencies so that NO child slips through the cracks." will lead to many people "Like"ing and commenting on your status. Judicious use of links where Child Protection has failed will further spread awareness. Of course you will have to change your status message over time to be effective.
During the last Provincial election, I spent countless hours calling all the candidates and asking various questions about child protection issues, but if I had to leave a message, this was it, "Do you or your party support the creation of an oversight agency to look into possible failings of MCFD?" The response for the most part was no response at all or even more disappointing, "It is not an election issue."
Are petitions and protests useless. I don't believe so. Timing is everything when these are used. Preceding the election is the ideal time. One final note to pass onto to your Facebook friends who object to groups advocating for improvements to Child Protection. Do they truly know where their tax dollars are going. MCFD continuously cries poverty as the reason that they cannot provide services to those that require them. Thanks to CW I have found out who one of the major funders of Dr. Hertzmans work is. Care to guess? Hint: 4 letters, starts with M.
Child Protection Exposed 10:54 PM Oct 22
ReplyDeleteNow that kind of response I can work with. That is a stimulating interaction with the subject. Much appreciated. Help me with one statement you made.
You said, "When commenting on site like Facebook, daily comments will indeed cause people to stop listening."
I couldn't make the connection - why will they stop listening? and what are you then recommending?
You then added, "Posting as your status that ""I am advocating for accountability by Child Protection agencies so that NO child slips through the cracks."" will lead to many people 'Like'ing and commenting on your status."
Again, I am not to quick this morning it seems, so help me understand what you are telling me here.
And CPE
ReplyDeleteYou began a blog in June 2009.
It had a short life.
Am I correct?
Ron,
ReplyDeleteMy comment about "people will stop listening" is in reference to an article about Facebook usage which included the top reasons why people un"Friend" you. The top reason was "frequent posts about a topic that troubles the recipient". The subsequently provided example was meant to be representative of ways to convey your message without triggering an undesired response in the "Friend". Social media is a technology in flux. It can propel you on your way or it can scuttle your effort before you can even launch. It is a difficult balancing act to keep your efforts relevant without numbing your intended audience. A quick example is the Boxing Day Tsunami. The first few days, everyone was shocked, yet mesmerized. As time wore on people (while still concerned) became desensitized.
Yes, I did make a stab at starting a blog, but I redirected my energies in other directions. I commend you for all the work you have done to carry the torch that I so clearly dropped.
CPE, thanks for the explanation. Now I understand. And by the way if you chose another area in which to invest your time, you didn't drop a torch.
ReplyDeleteIf one is talking about armchair blogging, posting videos, websites and such, this path towards correcting the ills of MCFD might be a long battle.
ReplyDeleteRon, you are a former Minister, likely a skilled speaker, organizer of events and convincer of people, use your talents accordingly and get back up on that dias and connect with the right people. Few of use can do public speaking, even if we could risk doing so.
Another tact: perhaps one should instead watch BC Civil Liberties association and look for parallels in MCFD cases with respect to rights violations. MCFD suspending parents rights due to "suspected" child abuse that takes months and years to clear a person's name has to be a top issue.
For example a recent story posted on Facebook mentions a story confirming the FBI putting a tracing device on an Arab student's car. It's legal in the U.S. to do this, apparently. The story goes on to say the ACLU contacted the student.
"Brian Alseth from the American Civil Liberties Union in Washington state contacted Afifi after seeing pictures of the tracking device posted online and told him the ACLU had been waiting for a case like this to challenge the ruling.
“This is the kind of thing we like to throw lawyers at,” Afifi said Alseth told him. "
There are confirmed reports MCFD uses people to conduct surveillance on parents suspected of unauthorized visits of their children where they have been evicted from the home or are under a restraining order, but the CFCSA does not allow them to conduct such investigations.
This type of thing is ideal for a sting operation to catch these people, identify them and their path of employment traced back to MCFD. This would be similar in nature to the penile testing scandal which reveals to the general public MCFD as un unprincipled litigious public service run amok.
I was a top fund raiser and volunteer at my children's school, They really like me. I was called on and the teachers did say things that they had no idea would be taken so seriously, comments about my kid's taking their shoes off on the playground and I did not stop them. Then it is repeated over and over like a funhouse mirror to create a crazy impression. THe incident of the shoes being taken off happened 10 years ago, yet it is written like it happened yesterday and happens all the time. That is the way they operate. It is crazy. THat is not a legal problem, some kids are high spirited, I had 4 kids under 5 at the time (one in kindergarten), of course I could not manage as one does with one child. I am with my daughter right now, it is very lucky I got her back. THey always try to take the babies, their favourite thing. Babies are more desirable to take care of. Especially mine as she is cute, I do not drink or do drugs, she is healthy and does not cry much. Just a ridiculous situation of beurocracy and slander which they cannot now undo without discrediting their colleagues. Because of the power of legal red tape, I am very lucky to even get my baby back!!!!
ReplyDeleteI have devoted my life to this cause and have done everything I can think of to expose the injustices occurring frequently in our communities. It is not just one city, or state, or country.
ReplyDeleteThe developed nations have entrusted the child protection departments with too much power, and they answer to noone.
I will not go into detail with regards to what happened in my case, but one of the things I did to expose the injustice bestowed upon my family after my son died at two years of age while in foster care, was to build a website in his honour. This is a very effective tool.
http://lukesarmy.com
I also started Luke's Army, which now has around 3000 members.
I have joined over one hundred web sites as Luke's Army now. Independant news sites, parenting sites, political sites.
I have become a political artist,
http://www.facebook.com/MichaelLukesArmy?v=wall&ref=notif¬if_t=share_wall_create#!/album.php?aid=8500&id=100000922697911
signing all my work with my son's web site. To create a following of my artwork, a fan base, also adds to the exposure I am seeking, which will lead to justice and change.
I also have become a political musician, once again hoping to creat awareness by building a fan base for my music.
http://www.facebook.com/video/video.php?v=117277528313003
I started a group on facebook called "Luke's Army."
http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=177005468124&ref=ts
There is nothing I would not do for my son, but now all I work for is to create a change, brought about by Lukey. He is my hero. He has done his part, and now it is up to me to make sure his life was not a waste, his death will not go unnoticed and swept under the carpet like so many other children who have died while in care.
Luke's videos have now had over 8000 hits on you tube...
http://www.youtube.com/my_videos_insight?feature=mhsn#c.LukeBorusiewicz.channel_all_videos.world..14900.8....v....eg.clk.
I hope I have provided some ideas for those trying to get help, or change the system. I have sent out 6000 emails in the last month, given out 19000 flyers in the last 18 months, and recently made over 1000 introductions of my friends on facebook.
I am trying to strengthen the underground network that is evolving. I have met so many distraught parents and grandparents from all over the world, and in these lies the only support available. We need to support each other and stand together. Do not allow yourself to be blackmailed by these public servants.
If you feel helpless, if they will not return your children anyway, get your story out there, expose them, and if everyone did it, the public would realise the scale of this problem.
More effective I would think, would be if the child protection workers, and ex staff, were to come forward and speak out about the injustices and corruption rife within the departments.
Dissatisfied foster carers also need to speak out, and unite.
Lastly, here is a link to my suggestions for changes that would improve a tragically failing system.
http://lukesarmy.com/forums/lukes-dad/suggestions-improvements-child-protection-system-australia
Many thanks Michael. Your suggestions for Australian reforms may indeed help us here.
ReplyDelete