Strollerderby : florida

Dad Charges Daughter With Grand Theft Auto

Brett Singer — Fri, 22 May 2009 21:00:00 GMT

A girl in Fort Lauderdale, Florida took her dad's car while he was visiting her much younger sibling (19 months old) at the hospital. She's 12. She drove around without the headlights on and hit a police car.

Her dad isn't messing around. He asked police to charge his daughter with grand theft auto. Not the video game -- the crime.

I have mixed feelings about this. On the one hand, this is the second time the girl has stolen her dad's car, according to the AP. On the other hand, it's your daughter. Do you really want her to rot in jail? Is that likely to help?

Something similar happened on 'Gossip Girl' this season. (Yes! I know. You think I'm nuts. Stay with me for a moment.) Lillian Van der Woodsen gives her daughter Serena an expensive bracelet, which is a family heirloom. Then, when Serena does something Lily doesn't like (it's not worth explaining what that was), she calls the police and tells them Serena stole the bracelet. Serena goes to jail. Not exactly the same situation of course, but similar enough. Choosing whether or not to send my kid to jail is a choice I hope I never have to make.

(Side note: what the heck is in the water in Florida? Crazy juice?)

What would you do if your kid were a repeat offender? Turn them over to the police or try something else?

Source: AP via Fox News

Image: SXC

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Family Forced to Give Away Pet Chickens

Hannah Tennant-Moore — Fri, 22 May 2009 17:00:00 GMT

A South Florida family is prepared to take their battle for pet poultry all the way to the Supreme Court if necessary. The Kohns, an Orthodox Jewish family of twelve, live in the upscale, suburban neighborhood of Hollywood, Florida with their seven pet chickens.

The chickens live in the Kohns' backyard, with a playhouse for shelter. Although the chickens are considered beloved household pets, they also serve the practical purpose of keeping the backyard healthy without the use of what the organically-minded Kohn family considers "polluting" landscape companies.

But the Kohns' neighhbors have not taken so kindly to the chickens. "You just can't have chickens in a residential neighborhood," according to one neighbor. The city agrees. A magistrate recently ruled that the chickens must be shipped out of town by the end of the summer.

"I'm not taking away my children's pets," the father, Steve Kohn, told a local news station. He added that one of his children wakes up at seven every morning to feed the chickens, which they love like any household pets.

"Nobody's been mauled to death by a chicken," the father pointed out. "Hens are not louder than a barking, howling dog." He also pointed out that trailer parkers in his district are allowed to have chickens, so why not a private backyard?

I have to agree that the resistance to chickens in a residential neighborhood does seem to have more to do with and old-fashioned sense of propriety than with any logical concerns. The chickens are clean and quiet, and kept in a fenced backyard. I'd much rather have hens for neighbors than a yapping dog.

What do you think? Should the family be allowed to keep their unusual pets?

Photo: Southlands Farm Cottages

Boy Calls 911 to Report a Missing Mother

Hannah Tennant-Moore — Mon, 27 Apr 2009 14:30:00 GMT

A six-year-old boy displayed far more common sense than his mother after he woke up in the middle of the night and discovered that his mom was gone. After wandering through the house looking for her, he went out to the garage and saw that her car was missing. That’s when he called 911.

When deputies arrived at around 2 a.m., the scared boy was standing in the garage with his four-year-old sister. Their mother, 23-year-old Megan Rene Hester, returned home soon thereafter, having been away from the house for at least half an hour. She told police that she had simply run to the convenience store to buy gasoline while her kids were sleeping.

Because her house was clean and her children appeared to be healthy, police did not file charges against the woman. They notified the State Attorney’s office and child welfare workers of the situation, leaving it up to these parties to take action if they felt it was necessary to do so.

I’m certainly glad that a traumatic situation for these young kids was not made worse by having to watch their mother get arrested, but I do hope child welfare agents take this case seriously. If the boy hadn’t remained so calm and resourceful, this could have been a far worse situation for everyone involved.

Do you think the mother should have been charged with child endangerment?

Photo: Smart Kids Publishing

Boy Accidentally Shoots Self With Forgotten Gun

Brett Singer — Wed, 22 Apr 2009 17:00:00 GMT

Before I say anything else, let me point out the most important thing, which is that the boy is in stable condition, according to CNN.

Here's what the CNN story says:

12-year-old Jacob Larsen found a ".25-caliber European semi-automatic handgun" in the closet. The gun had been stored there by Jacob's parents when they moved a few years ago, and they had forgotten about it. The mother, Tracy Newman, told police that the gun was a gift from a "former employer." Jacob found the gun and accidentally shot himself in the head. He was discovered by his stepfather, who called 911.

Again, the most important detail is that the boy is, for now, alive. Hopefully he will recover. But it's worth pointing out something that is often skipped over in debates about gun control.

Guns are dangerous.

Why do people keep guns at home? For protection. Or maybe because they hunt. That assumes some active involvement in the ownership of a gun, which is a dangerous weapon. Whenever "the right to bear arms" is discussed, we hear about "responsible gun owners." And I'm sure there are many.

But then you have a situation like this. Local police told CNN that when she received the gun "The mother never checked it, never fired it." How do you not know that you have a loaded firearm in your house? If someone gave me a gun as a gift, the first thing I would do is check if it was loaded. Wouldn't you? And I know next to nothing about guns. (OK, I know what I see in movies and on TV, and I do read 'The Punisher.' The occasional Ludlum novel. But that's not real life.)

Interestingly, the CNN story focuses on the legality of the incident. Apparently "Florida law prohibits a person from leaving a loaded firearm where a minor might have access to it. Prosecutors do have some discretion, and depending on what happens with the gun, charges ranging from a misdemeanor to a felony can be filed in the event of death or serious injury." Chief Assistant State Attorney Bruce Bartlett is quoted as saying that "Sometimes, the injury of a child is more severe from a punishment standpoint than any kind of criminal charge…those parents will blame themselves from here out, and you have to look at things real close to see if it warrants any enforcement from our end."

Fair enough. And I can't say enough that I sincerely hope the boy comes out of this safely. But how can anyone defend unrestricted gun ownership when something like this occurs?

Source: CNN

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Boy Calls 911 When Mom Drives Drunk

Brett Singer — Wed, 15 Apr 2009 19:30:00 GMT

File this under "I may not be perfect but I'm a better parent than this lady."

36-year-old Belinda Leighton of Boca Raton, Florida was arrested this week and charged with driving drunk. With her kids, ages 9 and 13, in the car.

After spending "the morning drinking wine and beer", Leighton got in her car with children in tow. She told the kids that she had "had it" (it's not clear if she'd "had it" with them or just in general) and "was going to kill them and herself by crashing the car." One of the children called 911 from the back seat; Leighton was arrested at a friend's house.

According to WPBF News, Leighton asked that the deputies "take her children and put them in foster care." I give her credit for that, at least. Hopefully that's an indication that she knows she has a problem and will get help.

Big props to the kid who called 911 as well. It would be enough to just get out of that situation physically unharmed (emotionally is another story). But to have the presence of mind to call the police? I'm impressed. (I know, looking for a positive here, but can you blame me?)

Source: WPBF

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Child Raised Worse Than an Animal Gets Happy Ending

Cole Gamble — Thu, 05 Mar 2009 18:00:00 GMT

By the age of 6, Dani in no way resembled other kids her age. She spoke only in grunts, her body emaciated and clad in a wet diaper, lice infested her hair, she walked sideways on her toes, couldn’t speak or chew food, sucked at her fists like an infant, didn’t react to hot or cold or pain and lived in a room the size of a closet. When police in Plant City, Florida extricated her from her squalor, one officer wretched in the bushes from the abject filth and fecal of the home where Dani lived. Fecal matter and maggots covered the surfaces. An investigator for the Florida Department of Children and Families sobbed at the sight, calling it the “worst case (she) had ever seen.”

Danielle's birth mother, Michelle Crockett, was charged with child abuse and faced 20 years in prison. And yet, the woman refused to give up parental rights to a child she had given less care to than a stray dog. Who would want to adopt such a child anyhow?

Such people exist and luckily for Dani, just happened to live in Florida. Diane and Bernie Lierow took in the girl; Dani has been living with the Lierows and their son since 2007. Dani, now 10, has been diagnosed with “environmental autism.” She is slow to do things on her own, still throws violent fits and it’s not clear if some of her developmental ability has been damaged forever.

But at least now she has a chance, which is a world more than what she had before.

In return for signing away the rights to Dani, Michelle will not serve any jail time, but instead was placed on house arrest for 2 years.

Photo: [MELISSA LYTTLE | Times]

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Florida Dad Pushing To Ban ALL Thimerosal in Vaccines

JeanneSager — Mon, 16 Feb 2009 22:01:00 GMT

I'm already prepared for what "Dr. Gary" is going to say to this post.

Because the chiropractor friend of Florida Gov. Charlie Crist and father of two autistic children isn't listening to anyone in his bid to have the state ban all vaccines that contain thimerosal.

All of them. Even those not administered to kids.

The proposal by Dr. Gary Kompothecras would be the strictest in the nation, and doctors say it would keep vaccines like the one that prevents the flu, from saving people most at risk of dying. Kompothecras's response? He calls everyone who dares disagree with them "dirt bags."

The argument over vaccines and autism is at an all-time fervor of late, spurred by last week's revelation by the London Times that the "study" that started all the hubub about autism and thimerosal back in the nineties was bogus. As in fabricated. Made up. Nonsense. Then came the report from a special court here in the states that says the measles vaccine didn't cause three children's autism. All of that was preceded by another study, this one in Italy, that determined thimerosal itself is safe.

What's concerned me most in the responses here on Babble to each reporting of these incidents is not that parents are concerned about autism or concerned about vaccines. That's natural. Autism is real. Autism is terrifying. And there is still a lot about vaccinations that we don't know.

It's the all-consuming nature of the focus on vaccinations. It's the refusal to home in on anything else. It's the assumption that disagreement means another parent doesn't care about your plight. We have written dozens of stories here on the 'Derby about other studies that have been linked to autism. The environment. Aged parents. Prematurity.

But there are still parents like Kompothecras who are blind to any other suggestions. Dare disagree with him, and he calls you a "dirt bag." The trouble is, they are not only doing a disservice to their own kids, but a disservice to other people. In Kompothecras' case, his proposed ban of the flu vaccine would put the thousands of Florida residents who are at highest risk for the flu - ie. the elderly, the asthmatic - at permanent risk. People die from the flu. But he doesn't care.

He is doing this because, as he told the Herald Tribune, "If I can do this, my son won't go down for nothing."

How can you argue with that? How can you argue with the parent of an autistic child who only wants an answer? Because I do believe autism is real. And I do believe that the parents of autistic children need an answer. The fact that I am pro-vaccination because I've seen it save lives does not mean I am unfeeling or that I refuse to see the forest for the trees. Autism diagnoses are up, and there are children in trouble. Somewhere, some scientist has to break this code.

But I don't see how taking the flu vaccine out of the hands of people who need it, people who choose to use it, is going to help the parents of autistic children. I don't see how ignoring existing science and accusing parents who are "pro-vax" of being "dirt bags" or "not caring," is going to provide an answer.

Might there be something else in a vaccination that might lead to autism? Maybe. There might also be a link in the environment. In aged parents. In prematurity.

So let's get started on those. Thimerosal is a dead horse. It doesn't deserve another beating.

Image: Herald Tribune

Caylee Anthony Doll, the Worst Toy Idea Ever

Hannah Tennant-Moore — Wed, 28 Jan 2009 19:00:00 GMT

Can you imagine buying a doll of a slain toddler you’ve never met for your child? Well, a Florida company whose humanity has clearly been entirely eclipsed by dollar signs hopes the blond-haired Caylee Sunshine doll (only $29.99!) will be a great addition to your child’s American Girl dolls and teddy bears.

One can only imagine the pain Caylee’s grandparents have been in over the last year, due not only to the horrific tragedy of Caylee’s death, but to the ubiquitous sensationalist news coverage of it. It’s terrible enough to know that perfect strangers are getting some morbid enjoyment out of reading about the greatest tragedy of your life, but then to find out that perfect strangers are seeking to make a cheap buck out of it? I can’t even fathom the outrage Caylee’s grandparents must be experiencing.

According to their lawyer, the company never sought approval from Caylee’s family before going on a media blitz about the new doll. Fortunately, an outraged public has sufficiently spoken out against the shockingly ill-conceived Caylee doll that the manufacturer, Showbiz Productions, had no choice but to listen. They have decided to hold off putting the doll on the market.

In the meantime, they are sure to come up with other shockingly ill-conceived merchandise.

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Florida Mulls "Deadbeat Dad" T-Shirts

JeanneSager — Mon, 19 Jan 2009 21:37:00 GMT

Just in case they're not shamed enough to be out doing community service, a Florida legislator thinks deadbeat parents should have to do it wearing clothes that tell the world they don't support their kids.

The bill introduced by Democratic State Sen. Mike Fasano would require deadbeat parents to spend a week on a work detail, sporting a shirt or pair of overalls that shares their crime with the whole world.

Although its still only in the "bill" phase (it's only just now being introduced in the state Senate), the goal is to have the punishment kick in after a deadbeat father's third appearance in court for his failure to pay. A Florida newspaper reporting on the story was unable to obtain comment from Fasano on how the law would affect deadbeat mothers.

Parents who don't support their kids are easy pickins', but I'm not sure shame is going to work with these people. They can look their kids in the eye in a courtroom and still ignore the court order; they're not exactly the emotional type.

There's also the question of what this does to the kids. It's bad enough knowing mom or dad doesn't bother sending money to pay for your food and clothing, but kids with a deadbeat parent generally don't like to have that news spread around. In smaller towns, all it takes is one kid from school seeing your Dad out picking litter with an orange t-shirt for the news to be spread all around school.

It's a good idea in theory - nail these crappy parents to the wall. But in reality, I don't see it doing much.

Image: myspace

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Eight-Year-Old Petitions Mayor Over Inane Pet Laws

Hannah Tennant-Moore — Fri, 02 Jan 2009 20:00:00 GMT

An eight-year-old from Jacksonville, Florida is proving that activism is alive and well in the younger generation. She has taken on the cause of her neighbors who lost their cat to Animal Control officers for what seems to me like a completely inane reason. Apparently, neighbors saw the cat playing outside and complained to Animal Control because the pet was not on a leash.

News flash: cats and dogs are not the same animals. Having had outdoor cats all my life, I can tell you that trying to put a leash on a cat would be much more dangerous to humans than letting a cat roam outside by its lonesome for a few hours. Fortunately, third grader Brianna Davey understands this and she's not going to let Animal Control take away her neighbors' cat without a fight. She has written a letter to her mayor stating, among other things, that the cat was not "running wild" and the decision to take her away was "crazy and unfair."

Brianna's mother Alicia is understandably impressed with her daughter's compassion. "She's got such a big heart and I am so proud of her," Alicia said. Hopefully, the mayor's office will be equally moved by Brianna's plea.

Photo: Jezebel

After Years of Trying to Conceive, Twin Sisters Give Birth on the Same Day

Hannah Tennant-Moore — Mon, 15 Dec 2008 18:30:00 GMT

Friends and family could hardly believe the coincidence when twin sisters Kristin Harris and Allison McGehee both unexpectedly got pregnant with their second babies around the same time. But they were really shocked when the babies, due about two weeks apart, decided to make their grand entrance into the world on the exact same day.

Because of complications in her pregnancy, Harris had scheduled a C-section for Saturday. As she and her husband were on their way to the hospital, McGehee’s water broke, almost two weeks before her due date. The sisters’ shared obstetrician—and their parents—had a very busy day in store for them.

What makes the coincidence (or twin bond) even more striking is that both sisters’ pregnancies were huge surprises. Harris and her husband had spent ten years undergoing fertility treatments before they had their first daughter; a natural pregnancy out of the blue was the last thing they were expecting. Similarly, the McGehees had spent years trying to conceive again after the birth of their son, now seven. They had finally given up trying, believing it was impossible to have another child.

Harris' daughter, Madelyn Elese, and McGehee's son, Jack Davis, are both in good health--and apparently are dying to meet to each other.

Photo: The Jackson Sun

Toddler Befriends an Orphaned Baby Orangutan

Hannah Tennant-Moore — Mon, 08 Dec 2008 20:20:00 GMT

This is one of those things that's so cute it verges on obnoxious. A one-year-old orangutan named Rishi, born at an animal sanctuary, was rejected by all of the males in his group. So the little guy was sent to The Institute of Greatly Endangered and Rare Species (TIGERS) in Miami, Florida.

When photographer Barry Bland went to take photos of Rishi in his new home, he brought along his two-year-old daughter, Emily. As you can tell from these photos, Rishi and Emily became fast friends, which actually makes a lot of sense when you think about it: they both communicate largely with their hands, they have the same interests (playing, eating, napping), and they are both the most winsome members of their respective species.

Photos: CFP

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Son Attacks Dad with Yuletide Cheer

SunnyChanel — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 03:49:00 GMT

Sometimes when your child doesn’t get their way, they’ll pout, hold their breath or throw an epic sized tantrum. But when kids get older they possess more of an ability to utilize actual objects, in a variety of shapes and sizes, to show their rage. Now that holidays are upon us, ‘tis the season for family issues to rise to the surface. And really, there isn’t a more appropriate item to brandish as a weapon than the symbol of the season, a Christmas tree.

In Parrish, Florida, the AP reported that a 37-year-old west Florida man, who still lives with mommy and daddy, attacked his father with some yuletide ~~cheer~~ fear in the form of a Christmas tree. I should mention that the tree was of the mini 3-footer variety, but after the tree missed he tried to damage dad with the cold hard steel base of the tree. The parents were able to retrain him and the cops were called. The son was booked on a felony assault charge. Guess who’ll be getting coal in his stocking this year?

Source

Barack Obama Becomes Popular Baby Name in Kenya

Hannah Tennant-Moore — Thu, 06 Nov 2008 16:35:00 GMT

The election of the first African-American president in the U.S. will have a lasting impact in Kenya for years to come—not only because this historical moment has been ingrained in the people’s memories, but because “Barack Obama” will be a popular name amongst the next generation of schoolchildren.

Several mothers at a hospital in Kenya proudly told Reuters that they were christening their newborns “Barack Obama,” and that they hoped their little Baracks would grow up to possess the same qualities of success, intelligence, and perseverance that they see in America’s 44^th president.

"I would like that by the time he is in his 40s he becomes the president of this country," one mother said, indicating that not only is the American Dream live and well in the U.S., but it is being exported to other countries as well.

The Obama naming trend may also catch on in the U.S. A Florida couple named their child, who was born shortly after the election, “Obama Hall.” Obama was the first name of the president-elect’s Kenyan great-grandfather, so using it as a first name is actually makes sense.

The name Barack means blessed.

Photo: Reuters

About Gay Marriage ... Our Kids Will Fix It

Madeline Holler — Wed, 05 Nov 2008 19:31:00 GMT

I sort of can't tell you how little my marriage means to me. My husband? Oh, he means the world to me. Our little committed family? Truly, the greatest thing I have. But the marriage? Enh. I'm just not one to count on paperwork and words and ceremonies and stuff like that to shape my personal life. But that's just me and not everyone is like me and I like that.

I've written here about how I felt when laws and policies intruded on my personal life and forced me into the exclusive and exclusionary club whose membership is made up of a selected group of committed couples in America -- the legally wed. I hated being forced down the aisle. It pissed me off. It made me feel like a child. It took away my control of my life and didn't value me, an individual with choices. It was unfair and wrong.

The same judgment and oppression wrapped in the silky bow of "tradition" that forced my husband and I to get legal has a darker, more painful and actually harmful side that people in Florida, Arizona, California and Arkansas are going to have to answer for someday. Voters in these states have banned same sex marriage (or in the case of Arkansas, banned foster parenting and adoptions to unmarried -- read: gay -- families).

Here in California (where I was extorted or blackmailed or whatever into tying the knot), the ban's campaign focused on "protecting" children. They claimed school kids would read prince-on-prince love stories during circle time, to the exclusion of "Knuffle Bunny" and the Eric Carle ouevre. What else? Maybe watch a little gay porn during health class. Who knows. Those commercials appear to have scared enough people shitless that the vote, while close, eventually passed the ban.

But really, here's what parents who fell for that rhetoric should know: you can ban gay marriage all you want, metaphorically duct tape teachers' mouths and take away their copies of "And Tango Makes Three," outlaw any mention of two dads or mama and mommy or refuse to attend Uncle Ted's commitment ceremony, but your kid is going to learn about -- and learn to love -- legal partnerships and weddings between all sorts of couples. How?

My daughter will teach them.

See, my daughter -- and many, many other kids (who can't vote -- yet!) -- says "who cares who you love?!" when I take too long to explain political signs around town. My daughter isn't an off-putting sledgehammer like her angry mother, rather a sweet, sensible kid who hates wasting time on all this talking and just expects people to be fair and nice and hug a lot.

And ohhhhhhh your kid likes my kid. Your kid likes what she has to say. She makes so much sense! She's talking about love! And happy families! Who doesn't love happy families?! And pretty soon, if not already, your kid will shut you up with "who cares who you love," too. You, supporter of the ban, can prattle off a bunch of "our family's values" and "our traditions" but your kid ain't buying it. Oh, she may nod her head. He may say, "that's right mom." But kids these days! Kids! They get it. It's the parents (and Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints) who don't.

So while it kills me that we have to wait even a day longer to see the laws of this country aligned with its mission of equality and justice for all -- especially if waiting means more gay teens thinking they're weird and/or committing suicide -- we're going to see it. My kid will fix it. Our kids will fix it. For everyone. No, really -- everyone!

Photo: AdamGoldbaumGoldGallery.com

Campaign Dream Team: Sarah and Liz!

Madeline Holler — Thu, 23 Oct 2008 23:54:00 GMT

Oh, who do we have to thank for this? No, I mean it ... who?

Elisabeth Hasselbeck is packing up her own $150k wardrobe and makeup artistry -- hell, maybe even the kids! -- and she's hitting the campaign trail with Sarah Palin!

Hasselbeck has made no secret of her adoration for the VP pick, including adopting the candidate's own special take on logic and reason and suddenly really being into energy policy and the gravity of overseeing the Alaska National Guard.

John McCain's campaign asked The View co-host on Wednesday whether she'd be willing to introduce Palin at some rallies in Florida. Oh, John, of course she would!

Think she'll get to hold Trig? Will she offer to be Bristol's labor coach? Most of all, will she have the effect McCain is hoping for -- recapturing a portion of the female vote he and his running mate have managed to scare away?

Liz promises to bring in some stories on Monday to the gals. We can't wait! Have you set your DVR yet?

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Photo: NYDailyNews.com

Woman leaves toddler in car while she goes to a bar

Brett Singer — Mon, 20 Oct 2008 19:00:00 GMT

Although that sentence sounds like it's from some demonic Dr. Seuss rhyme, the story isn't particularly amusing.

Authorities say a Largo woman left a 2-year-old boy locked inside a car while she went into a bar.

The Pinellas County Sheriff's Office reports that customers at the St. Petersburg bar saw the child sleeping in the back seat of a white sedan with the windows rolled up and doors locked early Sunday morning. Security workers at the bar called the sheriff's office.

This next part would be funny if it didn't involve a little kid. When asked by the authorities how long she had been inside the Club 54 bar in St. Petersburg, "She told them she had only been there for about 20 minutes, but other customers claimed the woman had been there for at least an hour." I have to wonder if she somehow thinks that it would be OK to leave the kid locked in the car while she had a drink if it was only for 20 minutes. Does it make her a better or worse person that she didn't come up with a good lie, like, "I just had to use the ladies' room" or something? I guess it doesn't matter. By the way, this happened at 1:00am, in case you were wondering. Also, none of the news reports I read say that this was her son.

The woman, 29-year-old Caroline Kreitz, has been released from jail and the boy was taken by Child Protective Services.

Source: mysuncoast.com

image: metromix

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Cloudy With a Chance of GI Joe? Hunt's On for Man Who Threw Action Figure

JeanneSager — Thu, 16 Oct 2008 14:09:00 GMT

My childhood included repeated readings of Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs and the accompanying dreams that I could one day find a town where inclement weather meant my favorite treats dropping out of the sky. Like any kid, my wishes skewed more toward toys from the heavens than food.

Who knew all I had to do was move to Florida? A child riding a bike through Auburn, Fla. felt something bounce off the right side of his face. When he stopped to find out what it was, he discovered a small action figure.

The toy came not from God (I know, shocking, right?) but from a man who police spent some time searching for last week but never found. The driver of a dark-colored Buick was seen chucking the toy at the child and speeding off. What they would have charged him with, I don't know. But if the action figure was G.I. Joe and he was packing, would that have qualified for assault with a deadly weapon?

Image: Amazon

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Teacher Sees London, Teacher Sees France, Teacher May Get Suspended

Jen Chaney — Mon, 29 Sep 2008 12:33:00 GMT

Patrick Foster, a Jacksonville, Fla., middle school teacher, may have wanted to encourage his students to follow the school's dress code. But he seems to have a misguided way of doing that.

The seventh grade science instructor is facing the possibility of suspension because he allegedly told female students in several of his classes to stop wearing T-shirts with words printed across the chest because it would force him to keep "reading it over and over." He also told some of the girls that if they wear skirts so short that he can see their underwear, he will tell them what color panties they are wearing. To emphasize that point, he actually did tell one student what color undies she had on.

Not to leave out the boys, Foster also allegedly advised them not to wear overly baggy pants because, in prison terms, that means they are "open for business." When asked if the events as described actually occurred, he told the Florida Times-Union, "Yes and no, and that’s all I can say.”

Foster may get a 10-day suspension for his behavior, which I would think most would agree is colossally inappropriate. Most, apparently, except for some of the commenters on this Florida Times-Union blog.

"Students who defy the code need a wake up call. His worked," writes one.

"The teacher should not be disciplined for pointing out that the students were dressing like hookers and male bimbos. This is language they could understand, and makes a point with them. Why are the parents (and the gutless principal) not supporting him on this?" writes another.

Yes, perhaps some kids could benefit from wearing more appropriate clothes. But if Foster said what has been reported, there is no excuse for it. Period. No teacher should talk to students that way. His intentions may have been good (key word *may*), but this is clearly not the way to convince kids to clean up their act. If you want teens to have some class, set an example by showing some class. It's as simple as that.

Second Best for the Hard-to-Adopt?

Miriam Axel-Lute — Mon, 22 Sep 2008 19:30:00 GMT

One of the strangest commentaries in the renewed debate over Florida's gay adoption ban comes in the form of an editorial from the Palm Beach Post.

It starts off strongly, calling the ban "cruel" and "cowardly," saying it arose from a "nasty" anti-gay rights campaign, and noting that even the judge who wrote the 6–6 court decision in 2004 upholding the ban said he thought it should be overturned legislatively.

And then, in the last paragraph, it's like the Rev. Dobson's astral projection starts fighting with the writer for control, and suddenly things take a bizarre turn: "Ideally, adoptive children would go to two loving, heterosexual parents. But the children whom homosexuals have tried to adopt are the hardest to place."

So, if I follow this reasoning, the ban is only a problem because there aren't enough loving straight couples around willing to adopt kids who aren't non-disabled white infants.

Does that mean the ban is "cruel" because it makes the other straight adoptive couples feel guilty and "cowardly" because it won't just up and admit that it's handy to let the noble savages gays to do the hard work? Somehow want to help the Palm Beach Post dig themselves out of this one?

Love it or Hate It- Get Into Disneyland For Free

SunnyChanel — Sat, 20 Sep 2008 23:25:00 GMT

Get into to Disneyland, yes Disneyland for FREE! Yeah, not much in this capitalistic world of ours doesn’t come without a price attached. But the Walt Disney Parks and Resorts behemoth will be starting a promotion in 2009 where if you go to one of their parks on your birthday, you get into the park for free.

Disneyland is one of those places you either love or hate. Me, I adore it. It’s an over stimulating, exhausting but ridiculously fun time for me and my toddler. Yeah, I do have qualms about subjecting her to that much Princessmania but to see her eyes light up when she met Ariel and saw the Main Street Parade, well all of it was worth it. And we didn’t even get in for free, so this whole free bday thing totally sweetens the deal. And if you hate Disneyland but your family is insists on go, this way you can at least not give them all of your money, but they’ll probably get it anyways when you buy your Mickey ears and Disneyland commemorative pins. You can get all the details here.

When Dads Attack: Nude Boy Chased Out Of Daughter's Room With Pipe

SunnyChanel — Fri, 12 Sep 2008 22:31:00 GMT

Imagine this scenario, you hear odd sounds coming from your 15-year-old daughter’s bedroom at four a.m. You go to her room to investigate and what do you see? A naked boy, a stranger, standing on her bed. Is your first instinct to grab a pipe and hit him over the head? Probably, but few actually would act on those impulses. But a shocked father in Deltona, Florida did just that. As he swung the metal pipe at the youth, he chased him out of his daughter's room, through the kitchen, living room and then out into the street. He then called 9-1-1. Authorizes stated that the extremely surprised father had no idea that his daughter had a boyfriend or that he’d been sneaking into his teen’s room for over a year.

The 15-year-old boy, who didn't escape the pipe unscathed, had to get staples for a head wound and the father was charged with aggravated battery on a child and had to place a $10,000 bond. My question is, is there anyway I can just skip my own daughter’s teenage years? Color me scared.

Via AP

Photo from inmagine.com

Gay Foster Father in Florida Gets to Adopt Son—Other Gay Floridians Not Yet So Lucky

Miriam Axel-Lute — Fri, 12 Sep 2008 19:30:00 GMT

The good news is that a 13 year old with learning disabilities who told the court that he wanted the man who has been raising him for the past five years to be his "forever father" like what all the other kids get, will get his wish.

Trial judge David J Audlin Jr. responded to testimony from the family and social workers saying that adoption of the boy by his foster father would be in his best interests, and issued an order allowing the adoption. The foster father and his partner have been parenting the boy since 2000. The adoption order has not been challenged.

Along the way, Audlin also declared Florida's ban on gay adoptions unsupportable in no uncertain terms, saying that "Floridians who are gay or lesbian are not for that reason inherently incapable of parenting an adopted child," arguing that he found no "non-punitive" reason for the ban, and adding that it violated the rights of child welfare agencies to make independent determinations about the fitness of parents.

Unfortunately for those of us who lit up at headlines like "Florida's gay adoption ban ruled unconstitutional," the strong and beautifully worded decision by Audlin doesn't really carry any weight outside of this particular case. As a trial ruling that hasn't been appealed, apparently it doesn't count as precedent and is unlikely to overturn the ban, which was upheld by higher courts only a few years ago

Still, advocates for ~~gays~~ basic decency and child welfare are hopeful that along with some other similar cases in progress right now, this ruling could start to chip away at the ban's foundation and eventually make it easier to overturn.

And is it just me, or does it say something really skeevy about how little Florida values children who end up in foster care if they truly think that it would be horrible for gays to adopt, but it's just fine for us to care for children at their most vulnerable and traumatized?

Photo by mike (el madrileño).

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What Does It Mean for Midwives, or Home Birth, to Be Illegal?

Miriam Axel-Lute — Thu, 11 Sep 2008 17:50:00 GMT

With the recent conviction of two Florida women for practicing "illegal midwifery" in a case where the mother died, I think it's worth sorting out exactly what is or isn't legal about home births and midwifery in this country.

First, it's not illegal to have a home birth, as Madeline Holler explained recently in her Babble story on her home birth. It's just often illegal to attend one acting as a medical professional (the question of whether the women convicted were acting as midwives was central to the case above).

In terms of the midwives, the first question that comes to most people's minds is that of licensing. There are two major midwifery credentials: the certified nurse midwife (CNM) and certified professional midwife (CPM). Both involve both written exams, proof of skills mastery, and clinical experience under supervision. CNMs also get a full nursing degree. CNMs are widely accepted throughout the country (though not nearly as widely as in other countries) and routinely see women for pre- and post-natal care and attend low-risk births in hospitals and birthing centers. CPMs are recognized and regulated in 24 states. Only CPMs are required to have experience in out-of-hospital birth settings, so they are more likely to be the ones attending home births. (As far as I can tell, the women convicted in the Florida case had no certification at all and it seems like their religious convictions may have kept them from seeking help as soon as they should have.)

Then there's the question about the legality of attending a birth at home even if you have the proper training. Many (if not all?) states require that a midwife wishing to offer home births be working in the practice of an OB that agrees to provide backup. Often this is what makes legal home births de facto unavailable—doctors are afraid for their malpractice premiums (or of the competition) and none in a given region will let home birth midwives join their practices. For a long time that was true up here in upstate New York.

Then there are those trained midwives who prefer to stay under the radar even where there are doctors who would work with them because the limits on what they can do as midwives (no breech deliveries, no delivery past 41 weeks, etc.) are so restrictive.

The potential effects of all this on home birth midwives—and therefore the availability of home birth for most of us who wouldn't want to go unattended—is pretty scary.

Brett Singer asked in his post about the Florida convictions a couple days ago whether someone could be prosecuted for an illegal home birth even if nothing goes wrong. Sadly the answer is yes. There is a case in Connecticut like that right now. The midwives responsibly transported the mother to the hopsital when a need arose, and it all went fine, but the ticked off doctor who received her filed a complaint. (This is why many home birth midwives have underground back-up relationships with friendly doctors who just can't afford to work with them openly.) You can just imagine what happens in the courts in those rare cases when something unavoidable does go wrong in a home birth, despite proper precautions.

And cases like the one in Florida certainly don't help any. Sigh.

Photo by freckle'sphotos.

Teaching Evolution as Theory not fact

Brett Singer — Sun, 07 Sep 2008 15:00:00 GMT

An article in last week's New York Times discussed a major hot-button issue in schools across the country: evolution vs. creationism, or its offshoot, intelligent design.

It's a long article, and certainly worth reading. I won't try to summarize the whole piece in this post, but the big surprise for me was that it was less about two competing theories/beliefs, or even about science versus religion. It was about a teacher who, in my opinion, has the patience of Job.

That teacher is David Campbell, who teaches Biology in Orange Park, Florida. The story the article tells is not of him fighting with parents, the school board, or local churches. Actually, he's not fighting with anyone. This quote sums up his attitude nicely:

"He scanned the faces of the sophomores in his Biology I class. Many of them, he knew from years of teaching high school in this Jacksonville suburb, had been raised to take the biblical creation story as fact. His gaze rested for a moment on Bryce Haas, a football player who attended the 6 a.m. prayer meetings of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes in the school gymnasium.

"'If I do this wrong,' Mr. Campbell remembers thinking on that humid spring morning, 'I’ll lose him.'"

His main concern is not "proving" anything one way or the other. It's teaching.

"'Faith is not based on science,' Mr. Campbell said. 'And science is not based on faith. I don’t expect you to ‘believe’ the scientific explanation of evolution that we’re going to talk about over the next few weeks. But I do expect you to understand it.'"

That, to me, is the bottom line. Campbell's students, although they probably don't think so, are incredibly lucky to have him.

image/source: NYTimes