Families vs. Government

  When a government, even one based on sound principles, becomes too large it becomes tyrannical -- inevitably, even if unintentionally. One of our goals is to shine the light of truth on those situations when families are trampled under the foot of the government Leviathan. What follows are a few of those stories.

  2/25/2003  --Stratton lawyer argues for case to be dismissed
  Attorney says without a proper hearing, court ‘missed its chance’

  10/15/2002  --Jack Stratton gets 30-day sentence for disobeying court gag order
  A Mecklenburg County judge has sentenced a man to 30 days in jail for refusing to obey a court order to keep silent about his child neglect case.

  4/12/2002  --When Social Workers Come To Call
  Yinka and Vanessa Fasinro’s religious convictions led them to a vegetarian diet, breast-feeding, and skepticism about vaccinations for their baby. These same convictions would also lead social workers to their door who -- would take their baby from them.

  4/1/2002  --Whose Child Is It Anyway?
  Financial incentives from the federal government, though well-intentioned, may be motivating departments of social services to be more aggressive in their efforts to take children from their parents.

  3/8/2002  --The Fight For Spencer
  Across the Carolinas, Christian families are battling local departments of social services for custody of their children and other basic parental rights. Even well-intentioned family court judges and social workers often find their hands bound by regulations, and their good intentions undermined by goals and financial incentives. In a Charlotte World exclusive, here is one North Carolina family’s story.


  3/8/2002  --Why Spencer's Story Is So Important
  By Warren Smith

COMMENTARY—For a newspaper such as ours, there is a temptation to report continually on the “culture war” issues, especially the “big three” – abortion, pornography, and homosexuality.

These are important issues, and we’ve done our fair share of reporting on them....

  2/23/2002  --A Clash Of Worldviews
  Want To Hug Your Children? Better Check With The Department Of Social Services First

By Warren Smith

COMMENTARY—An amazing scenario unfolded in civil courtroom 210 of the Mecklenburg County courthouse last week. Jack and Kathy Stratton, whose story we have reported here before, was attempting to get custody of one of their 10 children......


  1/14/2002  --Shattered Dreams
  A year ago, Mecklenburg County Department of Youth and Family Services took the ten children of Jack And Kathy Stratton from them. What happened over the next twelve months included allegations of sexual abuse in a foster home, gag orders to keep the Strattons from talking to the media, and serious questions about whether DYFS can follow its own policies.

By Angie Vineyard

Charlotte—If you’ve phoned the home of the Strattons in the past several months, chances are, their poignant message made you pause....

  1/1/2002  --Christian Family Ripped Apart
  Former "Father Of The Year" Goes Up Against DSS In SC Family Court, Fights For Children's Return

By Angie Vineyard

Greer—On Nov. 8 with virtually no warning, the Greenville Department of Social Services came into Bill and Debbie Rettew’s home, removed 15 of their 18 children and placed them in foster homes....

  10/27/2001  --Charlotte World To File Motion
  Citing Possible Wrongdoing, Paper Moves To Have Juvenile Court Hearings Opened

By Angie Vineyard

Charlotte—According to an attorney for The Charlotte World, the newspaper plans to file a motion prior to a December 3 hearing requesting that all court hearings regarding the custody battle of Jack and Cathy Statton’s ten children be opened to the public and the press. Judge Libby Miller has presided over the case since the Department of Social Services took the Stratton children away from their parents in January....

  9/16/2001  --Custody Battle Pits Christian Man Against Legal System
  Judge Currence's Political Advisor's Ties To Adult Entertainment Industry Raises Questions

By Angie Vineyard

Charlotte—Several years ago, Alan Beal moved to Charlotte to be in the entertainment business, the adult entertainment business. He opened the Uptown Cabaret in 1995 and the Men’s Club in 1996, living amid a world of sex, drugs and prostitution. As the club’s entertainment director, Beal kept track of all the dancers, who they dated, where they went....

 

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