'Glenn, I'd Like You to Publicize My Case'
March 10th, 2008 by Glenn Sacks, MA for Fathers & FamiliesI get thousands of letters every year from people who say they have been victims of injustice in family court, and who would like me to publicize their cases. This blog entry is intended to give advice to these people on what to do, and on what not to do.
The best way to begin is to get a reporter from your local newspaper, or TV or radio station to do a piece on your case. This is not easy to do, but it is very possible, and many people do it.
When approaching reporters, I suggest you first have everything as organized as possible, and as compact as possible. Avoid terms like "Feminazi" and "conspiracy," as well as references to your violated constitutional rights. Keep the focus on the children as much as possible.
Mention child-support only in extreme cases, such as when there has been an error made (which is common), or when you are being charged a legitimately outrageous amount. Hint: $350 a month is not an outrageous amount, and will gain you little sympathy from the media.
Once you have this original story, it helps give you legitimacy, and it makes it much easier for newspaper columnists, bloggers, and radio hosts, including myself, to cover your case.
One common misunderstanding is that people think that I will cover a case from scratch. I do not do this for several reasons. For one, I do not know if what you are telling me is true. Yes, you will offer to send me your case file, or any documentation you have, and I am sure you are quite sincere in this offer. However it grinds up an enormous amount of time for me to do that research, and my time for large, unpaid projects is limited.
However, if you already have an article on it from your local paper or TV station, I may consider your case to be publicly vetted. If you send me the link, I may well be able to write about it on my blog, or even in a newspaper column. But I will not write something based upon a case that has not already been vetted.
Fathers & Families and I are often contacted by TV propducers and newspaper reporters who are looking for cases to fit into stories they are doing. We've often placed our people on TV and in newspapers--to be the first to know of media opportunities, join the Fathers & Families Action Squad (FFAS). Some examples are listed below:
Two Fathers & Families Supporters Quoted in Huffington Post (7/17/09)
Fathers & Families Supporter Quoted in National Associated Press Story (6/4/09)
NPR Covers Fathers & Families’ Member's Case
Out Of Work, Parents Struggle To Keep Up On Child Support
(WBUR [NPR, Boston], 5/4/09)
Fathers & Families Supporter Featured by Fox
Child Support Woes Amidst Bad Economy
(FOX News 10 [Phoenix, AZ], 5/4/09)
Fathers & Families, Member on Front Page of the Boston Globe
Amid layoffs, child support pacts fraying---Stressed-out parents ask family court for help, relief (4/13/09)
NPR Covers Fathers & Families’ Child Support Lawsuit, Two Members’ Cases
Lawsuit Says Child Support Guidelines ‘Unfair’
(WBUR [NPR, Boston], 3/16/09)
Reader, Wife Featured on Inside Edition
(1/9/08)
FOX Houston Does Special on Child Support & Custodial Dads
(11/5/07)



























March 10th, 2008 at 11:51 am
Even $350 a month can be an inappropriate amount of what is described as 'child support'. First off, we should refer to grudgingly as the non-custodial parent's (i.e., virtually always dad's) 'financial support of the child', as descibing money as what 'child support' is a massive intentional misinformation effort. Secondarily, as with all cases that are to judged, ALL factors need to be considered. If the custodial parent, otherwise responding to the term 'mom' when the child speaks, earns 6 figures or more per year, for a father pay a standard proportion of his income in financial support of the child is ludicrous. It is also bad public policy in general. The primary results are commonly dad becomes indigent; he is unable to engage in parenting through so-called visitation because he is perhaps working 56 - 80 hours per week and has little money to feed them with him or have any place for them to sleep; and, everyone forgets, someday this dad will be far more likely to require tax dollars to support him as an indigent because retirement funding often quickly disappears in an effort to stay current in providing for the financial support of the child. And if dad ends up goin on permanent disability with social security, and receives up to $15,000 per year and a lump sum back payment, requiring such a typically bankrupted and otherwise indigent dad to pay ANY financial support for the child is pure, intentional violence. As for the custodial parent aka mom having to perhaps change residence, the more that happens the less there will be the violence device of 'no-fault' divorce. We can't financially reward anyone holding children hostage anymore than we can allow anyone to intentionally seek to bring about their death by means of Government. Among the permanent homeless are father ordered to do the impossible, and one I met said he was a diabetic and had had his testing device and supplies stolen at a shelter. He generally was trying to sleep out in the woods as a ever roaming hobo, and refused getting help from the VA (he said he was a veteran). I live in a generally feminist-socialist populated tourist destination city, and we have people who live in the urban saltmarshes and forests we have. Glenn, you're very knowledgeable generally, but on this you don't get it.
March 10th, 2008 at 12:26 pm
Also, if your case is not exactly as you say it is (i.e., you really did hit your wife)
I never hit my ex-wife. However, I did commit the crime of Domestic Violence when I bruised her knuckles. It's my fault for having such hard bones.
Glenn, you're very knowledgeable generally, but on this you don't get it.
Nah, he does get what is more likely to generate public sympathy (and therefore media attention) vs what isn't. That I can understand.
As far as child support itself. The current system is not only wrong, but is also unconstitutional. Unfortunately, it's not a very easy system to fix. Even if we fixed the unconstitutionality of the system and based it on "Cost to raise a child" rather than "portion of NCP's (Daddy's) income" we are still left with an inequality of protection. Where is the mother's "earn this much or go to jail" order? Where are the provisions for treating no-visit moms as harshly as deadbeat dads? And let's even go back to the very beginning and ask where are men's reproductive rights? Where is his "freedom from the burdens of [fatherhood]" which RvW grants to women?
And let's ask the fundamental question behind it all: should parents be forced to support children who were taken away from their custody at all? Should it not be a choice rather than an obligation?
March 10th, 2008 at 12:39 pm
Talking about a child custody / fathers' rights story worth covering, what about the judge from Georgia, Judge Sidney Nation's who recently stated during the onset of child custody hearing that he was a “SEXIST” and ruled that all visits must be supervised by and “Adult Female” one with some “Domestic Skills”. The father lodge an official complaint with the Georgia Judicial Qualifications Commission back in October, and is currently being reviewed. Seems November 2006, mother left without notice and took their son from his home in Conyers, Georgia to South Carolina. Ten days later, she filed for a divorce in South Carolina. Three months later after legal wrangling in South Carolina disputing the frivolous lawsuit and faults allegations filed against the father, a judge in South Carolina ruled that Georgia is their sons “home-state." The SC judge filed a “Order of Dismissal with Prejudice”ordered the wife to reimburse the father for travel and other expense, attorney fees, and cost incurred, etc. After receiving the Order of Dismissal from SC and going some four months without having visitation with his son, the father filed for divorce and asked for temporary child custody hearing on February 13, 2007. That hearing did not take place until May 8, 2007, some seven months with out having any access to his son. At the hearing, the Honorable Judge Sidney L. Nation ruled that “Under No Circumstances” would he allow a man to have unsupervised overnight visitation with a child under the age of one. Moreover, the judge stated during the onset of my hearing that he was a “SEXIST” and ruled that all visits must be supervised by and "ADULT FEMALE" one with some “domestic skills”, and that shall accompany the father at all times, including the 1,080 mile commute for pickup and delivery of the minor child every other weekend starting at 9:00 a.m. on Friday through Sunday at 6:00 p.m. The judge would not allow the plaintiff (the father) to utter a word temp hearing. Judge also; threaten to fine the father $10 or $20 for referring to his son as “My Son”. So, any tips on dealing with a judge who's not gender-neutral, nor frees the litigation process from predetermined assumptions regarding the relative roles and attributes of a men and woman in a child custody case?
http://www.courthouseforum.com/forums/thread.php?id=983838#thread
March 10th, 2008 at 12:48 pm
So, any tips on dealing with a judge who's not gender-neutral, nor frees the litigation process from predetermined assumptions regarding the relative roles and attributes of a men and woman in a child custody case?
If the government would not protect my rights, it would be my duty to protect them for myself. If the law is not being upheld by the government, it must be upheld by the free citizens of the State. If they fail to do so, we have State-imposed lawlessness.
March 10th, 2008 at 12:59 pm
Glenn said:
"Keep the focus on the children as much as possible."
Sad but true. When I worked with the ND Shared Parenting initiative I was proud to consider it a men's issue. But we ended up making signs that said something like "it's for the kids" so that we would fare better politically. It is pathetic how "men's issues make bad politics." We would also emphasize the plight of the few women who were caught up in the same struggle of many men to emphasize that "it can happen to women too."
I remember once there was this guy (a male no less) walking around a crowded area collecting donations for some charity. He would emphasize to people the fact that more women were afflicted with the disease in question so that he would garner more sympathy and collect more money. How sad is that?
It reminds me of the pink breast cancer ribbons I see everywhere on the back of cars...........right next to the yellow ribbons that celebrate male disposability in war. It is almost as if we celebrate female life and male death.
MXY
March 10th, 2008 at 1:25 pm
...or if you're in the Los Angeles area join Fathers 4 Justice, L.A., and the National Coalition of Free Men, Los Angeles.
F4JLA.org and NCFMLA.org
You know the righteousness of your case, even when you don't get a fair decision in court, or have the resources to vet your case, or get news media coverage. We hold rallies in two locations in the southland now with lots of big signs calling attention to the issues of family law you are concerned with. We educate the public and you can help us, and yourself. When you think you don't have anything left, you still have your voice. If enough people stand up and say, "I'm not going to take it anymore, people will begin to notice and listen."
News flash: We are the government. We have freedom of speech. Standing on a street corner with a sign is publishing. Answering all those peoples questions when they stop and talk is getting the news out too.
Networking with other disenfranchised Dads and men can be empowering. We did it just yesterday and we will do it again in weeks. Join us and work for change that recognizes Fathers' and men's rights.
http://f4jla.org/
March 10th, 2008 at 2:19 pm
Glenn, there are several denials of constitutional rights under the U.S. Constitional alone in virtually any Kangaroo Family Court proceeding, to say nothing of State Constitutional conflicts. For example, I suspect most States like my own require that all funds to be spent by the State by allocated and approved by the State in its budget. Family court funding for such people is not appropriate consist with our State's constitution, and therefore is unconstitutional in itself. If you testify before your State legislature about family law, and especially if you provide examples, the judge may (he did in my case) state that "things won't go well for you" after referring to you speaking in public about your case, and immediately after deny your motion. If you think so-called family courts have anything to do with constitution, good luck trying to even bring up either your State consitution, the federal Constitution, or relavent child outcome data unless you want to be unwelcome there as a lawyer and in jail on contempt at the hand of a judge or marital monster. I have an acquaintance who ended up leaving the State who called the FBI about getting his constitutional rights enforced resulting in the FBI seeing that a couple of county sherriff deputies were there at the next proceedings. Pissed off the judge and only delayed the inevitable. As for gender, my own judge blathered in frustration to me, "fathers, fathers, fathers" in regards to so-called 'child support'. Not every man is fortunate enough to be able to continue on somewhat like before, and countless millions of men have for at least some period of time felt the literal crosshairs on the back of their neck. When I sit in a courtroom, I have to fully restrain myself to stop screaming at the presiding child predator, man-killer thug. He or she's association with justice doesn't remotely connect with me and countless other men, and its not because we didn't have some faith in the so-called justice system beforehand.
March 10th, 2008 at 2:22 pm
"For example, I suspect most States like my own require that all funds to be spent by the State by allocated and approved by the State in its budget." In this case I'm talking about Federal funds provided to states to collect child support. For example, marital monsters are officially State employees but paid directly with federal funds never appropriated through a State's budget. Corruption is rampant in every aspect of the system.
March 10th, 2008 at 4:23 pm
I suggest you first have everything as organized as possible, and as compact as possible. Avoid terms like "Feminazi" and "conspiracy," as well as references to your violated constitutional rights. Keep the focus on the children as much as possible.
Dont mention the constitutional issues? What the hell kind of lame ass advise is that? the constitutional issues is what will free us here in Amerika. The fathers rights groups all over the world wish they had a constitution like ours and it is our best defense against tyranny and injustice like this. Thats the one thing everyone should be screaming for. And if anyone really cares for the children they should want to hand down a fully intact constitution with all the rights and privileges it insures.
March 10th, 2008 at 5:12 pm
Dont mention the constitutional issues? What the hell kind of lame ass advise is that? the constitutional issues is what will free us here in Amerika. The fathers rights groups all over the world wish they had a constitution like ours and it is our best defense against tyranny and injustice like this.
And who, besides us MRA's, gives a sh!t?
When people who are outside of the system hear "Constitutional rights" vs. "supporting your own kids" they'll toss that old document without a care.
Until they are the ones having their rights violated, that is...
Welcome to the United States of Apathy.
March 10th, 2008 at 5:27 pm
who gives a damn?
I understand the disenfranchised feeling Demonspawn. But I would say the American People. Americans who have had a taste of freedom and sweet liberty will soon be making there voices heard. We are seeing the rise of the beast in our own Government. The people that had there homes taken from eminent domain, the parents of children being taken from homeschools across the country, the minute men that want to have a safe and secure country for there children, the gun advocates that want to have a secure country, the returning solders that will be disenfranchised when they return to have there freedoms ripped away from them, the Christians that will refuse the RFID chip they want in your credit cards and drivers licenses, the people calling for the income tax to be repealed, and all of us, the fathers/men beatdown and screwed over, the good (and fed-up) citizens that will reach for there rights and find they are gone. I do think the Constitution will be in fashion again soon. America is the last best hope for humanity.
March 10th, 2008 at 5:35 pm
It speaks volumes about the integrity of our judicial system when a judge like the one from Conyers, Georgia can openly broadcast that he’s a SEXIST during custody hearing and nothing be done about it. It’s judges like this who are inflicting the most harm to our children. When a dispute about the best interest of child arises, a parent, either a mother or father should have the faith and confidence in our judicial system that he and/or she will be given an impartial hearing, one which protect our “life, liberty, or property” interests as required by the 14th Amendment if the U.S. Constitution. A fair hearing requires opportunity to be heard, the opportunity to present evidence and materials. Gang, we’ve got a long way to go…KEEP CHARGING!
March 10th, 2008 at 6:23 pm
Where are the righteous non-feminist "I'm not like them" women's voices?
Where are all the mothers, grandmothers, aunts, sisters, wives, and girlfriends defending men? ....
who can clearly see the injustices, should they choose to?
More than anything, this lack of a female public voice for men has led me to believe in Gender War.
March 10th, 2008 at 7:02 pm
I think is best compared to voting rights and other matters in the South where society at large in that State, primarily acting through government, actively and passively discriminated against African-Americans. Inalienable rights that are stolen and otherwise deprive children of their right to a natural childhood with both biological parents, and fathers without due compensation, of their right to love and parent their children without undue government interference. 'Conspiracy' and 'feminazi' are entirely appropriate when preceded by the behavior that defines it.
March 10th, 2008 at 8:01 pm
I'm a citizen of the ghost nation.
I know a divorced dad who pays $3,000 per MONTH in child support ($36,000 per year) when the mother has a job that pays $250k per year. The mother also has full custody and lives several hours away.
http://www.alllaw.com/calculators/childsupport/iowa/default.asp
The family court system is utterly anti-male. Men/father's have no rights.
You work hard to get a good job, support a family- then if you get divorced the courts automatically give the mother custody and will take your money and give it to your ex-wife even if she has a good job or marries someone with a good job. They only look at the non-custodial parent's income!
I've decided I'm not having sex until I get a vasectomy. I'm 23 and a virgin but still in school. My goal is to further myself as much as possible and protect myself from the fraud that is family court.
March 10th, 2008 at 9:54 pm
john doe --
Have you seen the 1999 film "Ghost Dog?"
You would appreciate it.
The movie promo line was --
"All assassins live beyond the law... only one follows the code."
It is actually a movie about a guy who is in love.
With life and death.
Surely not a chick flick.
March 11th, 2008 at 2:43 am
interesting, thanks
March 11th, 2008 at 6:12 am
Yep. I thought my case was unique in that I was abused by my ex-wife and received a permanent injunction for protection against her, nevermind the fact that she is the Executive Director of 1 of 41 certified domestic violence centers here in Florida. All of my friends and family, and even some of her employees, expected some fallout for her after the Judge's ruling.
This is a woman that still runs this DV center. I still have nightmares of her. I have shared this stuff with MRAs and the media in my area. Apparently I imposed too much emotion when describing what happened to me, or maybe just nobody cared, but nothing happened to her and nobody has held her accountable for anything except the Judge who granted me the restraining order. Today though I have let it go, but I still watch my back because I always feel like she is watching me. We didn't have kids together and maybe that played a part in things. I don't know.
March 11th, 2008 at 6:26 am
Bill C. -- "I still have nightmares of her."
I do not even know your ex-wife and I too have nightmares about her!
Love is a wonderful harvesting machine.
March 11th, 2008 at 9:24 am
Wow, that Chief Superior Court Judge Sidney Nation from Conyers, Georgia really does need to be publicized. I've never heard of a judge claiming to be a sexist during a custody hearing either. Good thing the father was able to obtain a copy of the transcripts. Thanks for sharing the link. Some funny jokes.
March 11th, 2008 at 3:37 pm
Women suffer as a group, and are proud. Men suffer alone, and are ashamed.
March 11th, 2008 at 10:46 pm
"Women suffer as a group, and are proud. Men suffer alone, and are ashamed."
That is really insightful!
Why is a woman's pain defined as "suffering," while a man's pain is defined as "shame."
This is very important.
Is it because for a man to express pain he will be perceived as unmasculine?
That is my first guess and I invite all of Glenn's authors to run with the thread....
The girls would be especially welcome to speculate, since they know so much about men's unexpressed wisdom.
March 11th, 2008 at 10:56 pm
Jay R, -- "Women suffer as a group, and are proud. Men suffer ALONE, and are ashamed."
We're always alone, but we're only lonely if we don't not like the person we're alone with. And the only difference between "ALONE" and "ALL ONE" is one L..... and that stands for Love.
March 13th, 2008 at 4:22 pm
"And who, besides us MRA's, gives a sh!t?
When people who are outside of the system hear "Constitutional rights" vs. "supporting your own kids" they'll toss that old document without a care."
That's why I now make and pass out these buttons "for free" out our F4JLA.org and NCFMLA.org rallies. We need to educate on the issues. The buttons are very popular. Would you wear one of these to Church or Synagogue, to the store, to the library, etc.? I have and they do get noticed. They do start discussions. They do contribute to the education of Americans, who've been so horribly dumbed down by our schools and media.
http://i61.photobucket.com/albums/h53/MRA_06/FatherhoodIsAPoliticalPrisonerButto.jpg
http://i61.photobucket.com/albums/h53/MRA_06/FamilyLawIsANationalDisgraceButton1.jpg
http://i61.photobucket.com/albums/h53/MRA_06/MaleDisposabilityIsAmericasShame-1.jpg
March 13th, 2008 at 4:30 pm
By the way, I've made close to 2,000 buttons, using about a hundred different designs.
Here's one more in keeping with the reality of election season and America's present political process. Everyone can wear one of these anywhere. When I checked I see I have two variations of this one design:
http://i61.photobucket.com/albums/h53/MRA_06/WhenPoliticiansFightForRightsDadsAr.jpg
http://i61.photobucket.com/albums/h53/MRA_06/WhenPoliticiansFightForRightsMenAre.jpg
I have not taken one penny for any of those 2,000 buttons and don't plan to. So yea, I'm out a chunk of change for button making machines, button blanks, etc., but I get to feel really good, knowing we're spreading the word and creating interest in Dads' and men's issues. That's not a bad trade off, IMO.
March 14th, 2008 at 1:08 am
Check out this billboard that's going up on Hwy I-20, east of Atlanta, Georgia. What a great way to expose a sexist judge.
http://www.courthouseforum.com/upload/phpLDe9E9.NationClearChannelBillboard.jpg
March 14th, 2008 at 1:11 am
I like the poster design to.
http://www.courthouseforum.com/upload/phprJZgde.SpeakOutLetDadsBeDads.jpg
March 29th, 2008 at 10:14 am
The statement that $350/mo will get you no sympathy only proves that society and the dystem ONLY care about the money and not parenting. I have continually written my Congressman and Senators regarding passing legislation that allwos NCP fathers (since 97% of all cases the father gets beat over the head) to provide half of the CHILD's necessities. Married parents are allowed to make decisions based on their own merits of what little Johnny needs versus what litlle Johnny thinks he is entitled to. Why not allow this? Maybe because the system needs a recurring reveneue vehicle and a way to keep their jails filled with debtors.
In Missouri, it has been openly admitted by Janel Luck - Directors of DCSE that they make mistakes, commonly but they are human and a plethora of other excuses. Meanwhile, she STEALS from NCP, many of which do not even owe child support. They are all in on it, judges, commissioners, "hearing officers" , social workers and CPs. In Missouri there is a picture of Janel Luck and Deborah Scott getting a $3.2M bonus for their department for "efficiency". Unbelievable! Bonsuses for stealing and distributing the stolen goods. Is this not a violation of the RICO?
December 28th, 2008 at 8:07 pm
May I appologize as my last post lacked certain details and fact now included.As before for obvious reasons please do not publish our last name while in the P.I.
Hello:My name is Gary Curteman and am currently marooned in the Philippines with my 4 year old beautiful legally adopted Daughter.I am 60 years old and on a S.S.total physical disability entitlement for 13 years residing here part time for 10 years and married to a filipina 9 of those years.I have heart disease and a pacemaker and have been without meds.1 year and check up(required every 90 days)for 2 years.
On May of this year my wife forged documents-sold our home and possessions and absconded to the U.S.with the money selling everything-toys-clothes-all personnel items my daughter and I owned leaving us homeless.The U.S.Embassy in Manila informed me that due to her actions my Daughter can not immigrate to the U.S.as my wife stole our "financial capacity"-my life's savings.
She was a bad mother and a worse wife and I was seeking annulment(and still am)however I am told by council here it is better to divorce in the U.S.as the laws here are basically designed to extort money from foreigners and the proceedings take 3-5 years.They have expressed the courts will abide by U.S. law as they are"more fair and better "by their own admission.
As you may know by Phil.Law if my wife returners to the Phil.she has full custody rights until my Daughter is 7 years of age.Also as the Phil.is not party to the Hague agreement if one of her family is to abduct my Daughter I would either pay ransom or file civil charges in court and the proceedings typically take 8-10 years.
To be blunt the Phil.is a moral and judicial toilet where even perjury is not enforced as it is acknowledged most Filipino's are liers even under oath.Therefore testimony and witnesses have little credibility.There are no ethics here and steeling is a way of life and a cultural norm. .
I am a resident of Duval county Fl.and am traveling there soon to seek divorce and hopefully reside there immigrating my Daughter shortly after to live.
Can you help us?I can send you any proof and documents needed.
Thank You
Gary and Logan