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Activist Parent">
Activist Parent, Veteran, Refuses Food And Water, Moved To Jail With Medical Facilities Good People
& People of Faith, This message contains info on: 1. Current News - Murtari Appellate
stay denied 2. Parents Rights on KRightsRadio.Com - an interview 3. Essay - We have a Civil Right to
be parents 1. Current
News - Murtari Appellate stay denied
------------------------------------------------ Today is the 50th day John Murtari
has gone without solid food. He is in stable condition and is being fed
via nasal-gastric tube while imprisoned. On Monday, Sept. 18th,
John Murtari learned that a New York Appellate Judge had denied his
request for "a stay" of his 6 month jail sentence. His attorney was
frustrated by the decision. As many of us know it is difficult to
win an appeal in Family Court cases due to the wide discretion given
trial judges. It affirms the need for strong protection before a
decision is made separating parents and children. For detailed background,
see: There is still hope. John's attorney
will be preparing a motion to trial Judge Hedges to ask for a
reduced sentence. This should be completed in the next week. 2. Parents
Rights on KRightsRadio.Com - an interview
---------------------------------------------------- Last week John Murtari did an in-jail
radio interview with Richard Farr from KRightsRadio. A wide range
of topics concerning parental rights was discussed. To hear a
recording of the interview go to: 3. Essay -
We have a Civil Right to be parents
----------------------------------------------- [While in jail, John Murtari prepared
this essay laying out an argument for the Civil Rights of parents. What
do you think? What would you say in 750 words or less? Your
FEEDBACK is welcome. -Ed.] In 21st Century America many believe
all our Civil Rights have been recognized. To mention a few: freedom
of speech and religion, personal liberty, equal treatment for
women and people of color. All foundations of a healthy society. But
what about the security of family, the right of parents to raise
and nurture their own children? When my son Domenic was born I'd
never thought about Family Rights. I had a two-parent family. None of my
friends had been in a custody battle. I assumed I'd be able to
share the same love and attention on my son as my parents did with me. The
painful experience of a divorce taught me that I was very wrong. I discovered, as have many parents,
that if my relationship with my child is challenged by a former
spouse or even a social worker, my child and I have no right to family.
A trial may occur, but there will be no jury of my peers. A lone
judge will decide what's in the "best interest" of my child. This
could include limited or no contact with a loving parent for an entire
childhood. I've come to believe we have a Civil
Right to be presumed FIT & EQUAL parents to our children, unless you
are convicted in a criminal court of being a demonstrated threat to
your kids. Good, average, and poor parents are all FIT & EQUAL parents. Why? Because one foundation of
morality is the supremacy of individual conscience - what many
know as "let your conscience be your guide." What more natural obligation
does any parent have than to care for their own kids? To be
present in their lives in the many roles that only a parent can fill. A second precept says any law which
stops us from acting according to a "well formed" conscience is
immoral. Is it any wonder parents and children unjustly separated find it
one of the most painful and disruptive experiences of their
lives? While it is difficult to compare
Civil Rights; what would you find more disturbing: being told to sit in
the back of the bus, not being allowed to vote, or ordered to no
longer hug the child you love? Fit parents should decide what's in
the best interest of their child. Some think a distinction should be
made between good, average, and poor parents. But how can we make a
single determination in a multifaceted and dynamic
relationship? Like most of us I have mixed feelings about what my parents chose
for me. Times I knew they made mistakes, times when I would have
preferred one over the other. I saw our relationship change as I matured,
but we all grew together as family through good times and bad. Only the bad parent should be
excluded, one who threatens the safety of their child with malintent.
Society justly intervenes for those who seek to destroy the relationship.
There would be no potential for growth. This would be a serious crime
prosecuted in a criminal court. In the vast majority of cases parents
would be free to establish parenting time as they desire. While
negotiating a custom schedule, a default standard would alternate
physical custody on a weekly basis. Both parents would share legal
custody and would alternate "tie breaker" authority on an annual
basis. What would all this mean? A single judge acting alone could not
issue an order that destroys a family. The animosity and terrible
waste of resources that goes into Family Court battles about which
parent is "better" would be eliminated. Mediation services would
be more effective when dealing with equal parents. Children would
benefit from regular contact with both parents. Community resources
could be better focused on identifying and prosecuting the few
bad parents that exist and protecting children. If we look through our history, the
recognition of basic Civil Rights has resulted in some disruption and
change -- but overall they have strengthened our society. Our nation
has seen an explosion of well- intentioned Family Law in the last 40
years. It is now time for a Federal Family Rights Act that will
recognize and protect our ability to raise and nurture our own
children. -- John Murtari Coordinator
www.AKidsRight.Org jmurtari@AKidsRight.Org "A Kid's
Right to BOTH parents" Toll Free (877) 635-1968(x-211)
======================================= Newsletter mailing list Newsletter@kids-right.org
subscribe/unsubscribe info below: August 03, 2006 by Teri Stoddard murtari<http://static.flickr.com/60/202518283_5f63617b72.jpg?v=0> John Murtari, divorced father to 13-year-old Domenic and founder of www.AKidsRight.org
< "Our civil rights aren't respected. Family rights need to be established and protected," he said, " I've been trying to get Hillary Clinton to meet with us
< Video coverage: Writing I LOVE YOU with Chalk at the Federal Building (RealPlayer) < Writing I LOVE YOU with Chalk at the Federal Building (Windows Media) < Writing I LOVE YOU with Chalk at the Federal Building (MPEG-4) < Murtari, in a call this morning from his new location, the Syracuse Justice Center
< He was moved to the Syracuse Justice Center when officials at the Jamesville Correctional realized he wasn't backing down and might need medical care. Jamesville had one nurse and examining room, Syracuse has an entire floor with medical staff. Dehydration can lead to swelling of the brain, seizures, kidney failure, coma or death. Murtari's blood sugar and blood pressure are being monitored. His blood sugar was 43 and his blood pressure was 90 over 60. "I don't look forward to the feeding tube," he stated, "I'm going to ask for one in my abdomen instead of down my throat. It's often assumed that Murtari quit his high-paying job after being ordered to pay child support. In fact, his leaving that job came before the divorce. Murtari, a veteran and ex-Air Force pilot, had been a highly-paid consultant for a division of Lockheed. His duties included making sure the patrol system software for submarines was adequate. He learned that not only did tests show it wasn't working, but the company was sending false reports to the Navy. He went through normal channels within the company, but no one was willing to correct this. Murtari knew if this wasn't corrected people would die. He felt he had no choice; he blew the whistle on them. Murtari was fired the very next day. After researching the situation, the government agreed with Murtari. Unfortunately his actions made getting a job in the same industry difficult. This was the second time he'd had to blow the whistle on unethical companies. At this point he decided to focus on his existing small internet company. Murtari is not an angry radical activist, the image opponents of equal child custody laws portray of the family law reform movement. He's a quiet, thoughtful, peaceful man. Murtari was at one time planning on being a priest. He was in pre-seminary training when he realized he just couldn't give up the experience of having a family. A peaceful protest to draw attention to John's situation and the plight of all noncustodial parents is being organized for the Syracuse Justice Center ( MAP
<
Announcement of August 9, 2006 Protest in Support of John Murtari More background:
http://www.akidsright.org <http://www.akidsright.org/ "Which feminist along the way forgot to read the manual?
http://feminist4fathers.mensnewsdaily.com
<http://feminist4fathers.mensnewsdaily.com/"Children deserve fully functioning, natural, loving, dedicated relationships with both of their parents, equally, in and out of marriage, whenever possible. Shared parenting works."
Teri <shared.parenting.works@gmail.comwrote: From: Activist father Murtari, thankful for press, lucky to be alive.
August 22, 2006 by Teri Stoddard John Murtari says he feels better this morning after a night of restful sleep. The feeding tube that's been keeping him alive was removed yesterday and the plan is to reinsert it tomorrow. "It's been difficult sleeping," he said, "I've been very uncomfortable. It's great getting a whole night's sleep." When asked about staying hydrated while the tube is out he responded, "I've been drinking a little juice each morning, and a little milk each evening, and I'll continue to do that, as well as drink some water." Murtari, 49, hasn't had solid food since July 31 when he reported to jail to serve a 6-month sentence for "willful" failure to pay his $60,000 child support arrears, a charge he says in unjust. He has been paying what he can afford, he claims, and says the $60,000 it has cost him to stay in his son's life isn't being taken into acount. Domenic, Murtari's 13-year-old son, was moved across the country by his mother after the divorce, something Murtari tried to stop. Murtari visits him four times a year and brings him back to New York for visits twice a year. "Those airline flights are expensive," he says. Murtari, founder of www.AKidsRight.org < Having only consumed 30 ounces of water in 10 days, then 2 nutritional supplements the day he was given the feeding tube, Murtari had experienced low blood pressure, a rapid and irregular heartbeat, tremors, loss of over 25 lbs. and was starting to have trouble finishing sentences. Jail personnel told Murtari it was his choice to starve to death, and they would not intervene. After local newspapers published articles on his situation, he was finally given the nasal gastric feeding tube. Inspired by Gandhi and Martin Luther King, Murtari hopes his passive resistance to the incarceration will draw attention to the immoral laws affecting people in family court. "I have good news for you," he told me, "the Post-Standard [newspaper]<http://www.akidsright.org/post_standard_8_22_2006.jpg>did a half-page editorial section<http://www.syracuse.com/poststandard/stories/index.ssf?/base/ opinion-1/1156237838117070.xml&coll=1>[on his situation.] < -1/1156237838117070.xml&coll=1> "Please tell everyone thank you for writing letters," he added. continued...<http://mensnewsdaily.com/2006/08/22/activist-father- murtari-thankful-for-press-lucky-to-be-alive/> "Which feminist along the way forgot to read the manual?"
- "Children deserve fully functioning, natural, loving, dedicated relationships with both of their parents, equally, in and out of marriage, whenever possible. Shared parenting works."
- Purple Ribbon Campaign For Equal Parenting - Upload your photo to Flickr with the tag "purple ribbon campaign" or send it to me. Join our Frappr map!
- --- End forwarded message --- Good People & People of Faith, This message contains info on: 1. Update & Recent News Coverage on John Murtari 2. Your
FEEDBACK 1. Update & Recent news coverage on John Murtari ------------------------------------------------- >From Teri Stoddard, Group PR person: News10Now sent a reporter to interview John in jail. The
news story that aired was wonderful. John was able to talk
about civil rights and the video included footage they'd
taken of the rally in Syracuse on the 9th. Here's the link:
http://www.news10now.com/content/story_links/?SecID=345&ArID=77342
I called to thank them and the woman who answered the phone
sounded delighted. Feel free to thank them yourselves!
(1-866-4NEWS10) Here's a link to the audio version of the interview. I'm
not sure how long the video will be on News10Now. You can
listen to the audio and even download it with this link:
http://graywebsite.com/articles/NEWS10-murtari.mp3 Doctors removed John's feeding tube Monday so his throat
could heal and he could get some sleep. Wednesday the plan
to reinsert it was changed because he was no longer
dehydrated. They wanted him to eat on his own, or at least
to just be on a liquid diet. John declined, saying he's
starting over, no food or water at all, except a small
amount of water to keep his mouth moist. His health is
expected to decline more rapidly than the first time since
he's starting out in poor health, and it is. When John called me this morning it was obvious he's
already feeling the effects of dehydration. He lost his
train-of-thought a couple of times. At least this time he
remembered after a moment. A few days ago John weighed
around 145 lbs. Today he weighs 136. His blood sugar is 60,
which is borderline. He plans on conserving his energy over
the weekend. I don't expect to hear from him again until
Monday, which concerns me considering how quickly his health
is declining. First and foremost he wants me to thank all of you for
your support. It means so much
to him. John is praying at least 3 times a day and says it's
his faith that gives him the courage to follow his
convictions. He says he appreciates your prayers and letters
very much. (Please keep the letters coming.) He also wants
me to remind everyone to be kind when acting on his behalf.
He wants us to criticize the system, not individuals. John's mailing
address is below. Check
http://www.AKidsRight.Org/john_jail_address.htm
for any address changes. John Murtari POD 5A-9 555 South State
Street Syracuse, NY
13202 John's attorney,
Charles Keller, visited him in jail today. He told John that
Judge Hedges made it clear he would not allow John to appear
in front of him again, that John's only choices were to
accept probation or do the time. Mr. Keller expects to
appear in front of an appellate judge early next week. He's
going to ask for a stay which would get John out of jail.
John would appreciate donations to cover the paperwork. Mr.
Keller has received over $300, but we need $400. Thank you to
those who've donated! Mr. Charles
Keller Esq. Att: Murtari
Legal Defense 9416 Carousel
Center Drive Syracuse, New
York 13290 John is happy
about the coverage we've gotten. He'd like you to thank the
reporters, editors and/or producers: Teri Stoddard on
Krights Internet Radio, 8/3/06
http://www.krightsradio.com/content/sncx/thirtydays/August3air.mp3 Glenn Sacks
Enewsletter, 8/8/06
http://www.glennsacks.com/enewsletters/enews_8_8_06.htm Jailed Activist
Refusing Food - Syracuse Post Standard, 8/10/06
http://www.syracuse.com/poststandard/stories/index.ssf?/base/news-6/1155215113167970.xml&coll3D1 Lyons Man Refuses
Food, Water - Finger Lakes Times, 8/10/06
http://www.fltimes.com/main.asp?Search=1&ArticleID=12680&SectionID=38&SubSectionID=121&S=1 Inmate: I don't
recommend ... this. - Syracuse Post Standard, 8/12/06
http://www.syracuse.com/poststandard/stories/index.ssf?/base/news-6/115537367053670.xml&coll3D1 Inmate from Lyons
gets feeding tube - Finger Lakes Times, 8/15/06
http://www.fltimes.com/main.asp?Search=1&ArticleID=12722&SectionID=38&SubSectionID=121&S=1 Teri Stoddard on
101 Uses For Baby Wipes Podcast (33 mins in), 8/17/06
http://www.podshow.com/shows/?mode=detail&episode_id=21371 Michael McManus
Syndicated Column - 8/19/06
http://www.ethicsandreligion.com/redesignedcolumns/C1303.htm Letters in
Support printed in Syracuse Post Standard, 8/22/06
http://www.syracuse.com/poststandard/stories/index.ssf?/base/opinion-1/1156237838117070.xml&coll3D1 Glenn Sacks
Enewsletter, 8/22/06
http://www.glennsacks.com/enewsletters/enews_8_22_06.htm A Question of
Mack or Murtari - Mens News Daily, 8/23/06
http://mensnewsdaily.com/2006/08/23/a-question-of-mack-or-murtari/ Syracuse inmate
on hunger strike - News10Now, 8/23/06
http://www.news10now.com/content/story_links/?SecID=345&ArID=77342 Numerous Blogs John would also
like you to call the news outlets that haven't run a story
yet, especially the television stations. WHEC TV (NBC) - Main Number:
585-546-5670 News Hot Line:
585-232-1010,
http://www.10nbc.com/contactus.asp WHAM TV (ABC) - Newsroom:
585-222-1313 Newsroom Hotline:
585-334-8743, WROC TV (CBS) - News Tip Line:
585-224-8888,
Newsroom@wroctv.com WUHF (FOX) - News Hotline:
(585) 262-FOX1 News Fax: (585)
232-3005 WIXT/WSYR (ABC 9)
- 315-446-9900 WSTM (NBC 3/UPN
6) - Newsroom:
315-477-9446 News Tips Line:
315-426-TIPS WTVH (CBS 5) - Main number:
315-425-5555 WCNY (PBS 24) - Main number:
315-453-2424 Times of Wayne
County - They did a story on John previously. Phone: (315)
986-4300 waynetimes@aol.com Calling is the
best, but if you can only afford to email, the links are
here:
http://www.AKidsright.Org/support_jm_contact.htm. One idea to get
people talking about this is for each of you to call in to
your local talk radio stations and start the discussion. Remember,
controversy is good, just remember to stay positive. John
doesn't want blame put on any human being; it's the system
we're fighting. Please feel free
to repost Teri's blog (http://mensnewsdaily.com/category/blogettes/teri-stoddard/)
with updates about John (with a link) on other sites,
especially those on spirituality, religion and civil rights.
Does your church have a newsletter you can send them to? 2. Your FEEDBACK
------------------- --- Edward Kruk Dear John, You are an
inspiration to all of us going through the hell of witnessing a
loving parent being forcefully removed from the lives of our children via
sole custody orders. I have not seen my own son Liam for three and a
half years. During this time
I have barely managed to keep my job as a university professor. I am
attacked from all sides who have a vested interest in maintaining the
legal status quo, supported by my ex-wife, whose own university career
has seen a huge boost as a result of her actions against me, and
her willingness to sacrifice the well-being of our son. There is
complete indifference among all those around me. I have had no help,
as I fall prey to those who lie in wait to take advantage of the
afflicted. My own faith
keeps me going, but I often succumb to despair. Please know that
you are in my thoughts and that you are making a huge difference to
those so ground down by the system that they can no longer speak. --- Jeff Tennis My name is Jeff
Tennis, and for three years I've struggled to regain a relationship with
my three kids, a great time, energy, but kissing and legal expense. I
appreciate your efforts and the efforts of all to maintain
parent-child relations when ties have been severed for unjustifiable
reasons. My wife accused
me of domestic abuse, and despite over 50 affidavits, witness testimony
and direct evidence of areas in which my ex falsified
testimony, the court granted wide acceptance of her allegations and
made quick work of me. In a matter of days I was taken from a
church going husband and father of three, with an eighteen year
employment history at a major private research university, to
Charley Manson's right hand man. $80,000 later I'm now seeing the kids a
bit more -- three weekends a month and summer vacations. It's
likely I'll never own a home again. Totally disgraceful
situation. Honestly, though, I do have one concern and I'm wondering if
you've ever thought of this yourself. I know me, but I don't know all
of the other stories out there. My fear is by jumping on board
with a father's rights group, I might inadvertently support a truly
"dangerous" guy and thereby support the placing a child in a bad
situation. I'm one of the good guys and I only support "good guys". Have
you ever given this thought. Anyhow, best of
luck reaching Senator Clinton. A friend of mine is Sen. John Thune's
brother. --- Sheryle
Hutter <Rockymtnmom2@aol.com I am willing to
do anything to help this cause, my son is totally disabled and
through lies and deception of the court and the courts denial of
disability he was ordered to child support of over $700 per
month, we finally
got a reduction to $50 (which still is wrong because he has no
income...receiving only SSI which is a benefit and not to be
considered as
income) but he is still charged with over $30,000 in arrearages that
have not been modified and should never have been imposed to begin
with and on Aug 14 in will be 6 years since he has seen his child. He has been
jailed numerous times (over 125 days) since this whole divorce mess
started and would be in jail today if we didn't have an active complaint
against Colorado and Arapahoe County Child Support Enforcement with
Health and Human Services - Office of Civil Rights... It is imperative
that the Bradley Amendment be revised or rescinded to account for the
abuse of calculation of child support and the modification of
arrearages when support is imposed wrongly...John's experience is but
one of thousands that are a direct result of state court arguments
are that they can't modify arrearages because they are under federal
mandate of the Bradley Amendment... Maybe a campaign
to "Fix the Family Court" and "Fix the Bradley Amendment" would
be a good effort during the month of August... Seems like the
State Supreme Chief Justice should be able to over ride the decision of a
lower court judge...I am sure that John has already tried that? Would
it help to send letters to this judge asking for intervention? --- Rich Bourdon
<Rich.Bourdon@degussa.com I saw the info
regarding John Murtari. I can appreciate his plight, as I have almost
exactly the same situation. I fly 8 times / year from NJ to AL to
visit my kids, only to have them not show up. The judge doesn't
hear instanter motions on visitation interference, so it goes on for 6 - 8
months. Then it starts all over again within two months of the
hearing. It is an embarrassment to America when the judicial system
allows children to be used as pawns. The system is
broken. But, there may be some hope as more states criminalize
interference with visitation. What is most amazing is that judges would
take a totally different perspective if it was their child, yet simply
don't see that side, as long as it is someone else's child. It takes a very
strong conviction to walk the path that Mr. Murtari has started, and
I will keep him in my prayers, with fingers crossed for his success.
If there is anything I can do, please let me know, and I will be
happy to support you. --- Troy White
<gulfcoast10@sbcglobal.net> I want to thank
Mr. Murtari for his efforts in changing the corrupt system. I too was
jailed on trumped up charges of harassment. I won't go into the
details so suffice it to say I've lost everything; my home, car,
business, friends and family, but these things mean nothing to the
empty feeling inside without my sons. I still cannot believe this
country is in such a state that this sort of thing can happen. Like Mr.
Murtari I am a vet (service connected disability) and was a good
businessman. I am not sure who I am anymore; I am waiting for the
court to tell me who they want me to be. I am inspired by his
efforts and will pray for him and pray for the mothers who choose one
sided battles instead of peaceful resolution. Hopefully things
will get better soon. --- Jon Morisey
<jmorisey8@yahoo.com> I have begun a
support strike on Monday, refusing to go to work so long as they pay
my ex-wife in ontario county. My most important issue when I
appeared before Judge Reed was that she is criminally violent. She
assaulted her new husband in front of my children leading to a
severed tendon in his hand requiring 2 surgeries. Judge Reed
refused to consider this as a problem bearing on custody in
spite of being
the judge who granted the restraining order. my case was completely
dismissed within 5 minutes. In '04 I sued
Judge Reed in federal court for his mis-conduct. in '06, he refused
to excuse himself from hearing the case and took the opportunity to
get his revenge by dismissing valid claims. I feel I have no choice
but to join Mr John Murtari in his endeaver. --- Keith Mochida
<keith.mochida@gmail.com> I am a father at
the beginning of this same nightmare. Please tell me John Murtari is
doing well? If there is anything I can do to assist his efforts
please contact me. Wish him my best
and tell him I am there with him in his efforts. --- Raymond A.
Henigner <Fubar123004@aol.com> I live in Lake
Havasu City, Arizona. I have been reading with interest your
involvement with the Family Law Court situation. My story is that
after retiring from the Department of Corrections, my now ex-wife of 38
years arbitrarily decided to abandon me. After approximately 8
months of absenteeism I elected to divorce her. We were residents of
California. I applied for divorce with the Rancho Cucamonga
California Family Law Courts. They forced me to endure 6 years to get
divorced. I went through 25 "continuances" at great financial cost
without my approval. I was stripped of my home of 16 years without
being told I could have bought my ex-wife's interest out. I was robbed of
approximately $111,000.00 in legal fees by the attorneys. My
ex-wife had worked for 32 years for Sav-On Drug Stores and had put her
money aside in an "annuity". This money was never considered by the
courts. They refused to look at thus violating the 1993 law of
disclosure. I have a tax free Disability Pension. Existing law
states a Disability Pension is the recipient's separate property. The
Court treated it as Community Property and confiscated 50% of my State
Disability Pension. I agree that the Family Courts need a total
overhaul. If you are interested in my story, I have written and
published a book exposing the corruption within the Rancho
Cucamonga Family
Law Courts and their judges and attorneys. The name of the book is
WITHOUT HONOR, the author is myself, Raymond A. Heninger. The
publisher is Authorhouse. They can be contacted at 1-800-839-8640.
Every word is the truth and actually happened. You might find it
interesting. --- Stephen
Patrick <stephendpatrick@yahoo.com Please express my
concern for John. Please let him know that I completely
understand his situation with his son, arrearages and monies needed to
be used to complete/secure his loving bond with his son Domenic. Leave him with my
prayers.
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JOHN - August 29, 2006 Subject: [suijuriscourtangel |
