Are You Limping .... My Fellow Countrymen?

I hope you don't mind my observation, but I am concerned for your well being. Is that a limp that you're walking with? What type of injury has brought you to this sad, low and lonely place? What unseen hazard or secret enemy has found it's way into your soul to cause you such damage? Is our house filled with pit falls and stumbling blocks? Are the floor boards loose and the foundation showing it's flaws? Have you fallen down the back stairs while taking out the trash? Or is that your condition is systemic, a type of cancer perhaps?

It could be that your condition is hereditary, handed down through years of bondage and perceived fear and loathing of what you covet. Could this unbridled self pity be the cause of your ailment? Have you seen the Doctor? Did you know that those who are currently nursing you back to health are in fact doctors of old? Blood letting faded from memory long ago .. It's time to go to a modern doctor. One who will prescribe what you really need and use modern techniques to fix your limp.

It's time to realize that the doctors in the white coats were there before the great emancipator stepped into the operating theater. Freedom was the medicine which you refuse to swallow. The Plantation owner was your mother and she has passed onto the next life and left you alone of this plane of existence to fend for your self now.... freedom is all you need. That and gods intellect which he gave you ... or have you been abandoned by god?

May the Dust Settle Quickly; Johntheother and A Voice For Men

The modern battle space of relationships are many. We may live with another person,
we go to work daily and deeal with customers, clients and co-workers, we have friendships
at many levels, we deal with the sexual politics of human encounter and in our modern world, we
even have electronic relationships, some of which can turn into actual physical relationships
or die in the same server that it emunated from.

Since becoming an MRA (Men's Rights Activist)I have found that a majority of my interactions with and my
initial introduction to the Men's rights movement was of the electronic variety.
Much like early television (another venue for electronic relationships and vicarious living)
I formed relationships and found role models online who were part of the movement.
One of these role models was an MRA who calls himself "Johntheother" (JTO)who is an avid video-blogger and speaks out to, and against the feminist movement as well as addressing many other social
problems that face men in todays world. For a time, John seemed to have a working relationship
with the grass roots men's right organization "A voice for Men"(AVFM). I recently blogged
about AVFM, because they were the very first organization to organize and conduct
the first international men's issues conference which was held in the Detroit Michigan area.
I was however unaware that Johntheother, an MRA who I had followed for quite some time, was
not invited (or in his own words, invited and then uninvited) to the international men's
conference. In fact it wasn't until today (10/08/2014) that I found out that there
was somer  type of disagreement between JTO and AVFM. The likes of which I won't even attempt to address in this blog post due to the simple fact that the complaint and/or complaints
seemed to somewhat childish in nature. But with that said, the very foundation of
the disagreement seemed to go back the modern battle space of "relationships". Like
so many relationships that end up in the family courts (the very reason that many of us are MRA's)
It seems that JTO and AVFM have reached a point of irreconcilable differences
(music to the ears of any divorce lawyer).

JTO, being the activist that he is, most certainly wears his heart upon his sleeve. As
do I. And as do  males must do to protect themselves in the modern battle space. JTO
is no different. However, I do see JTO as having an ability to utilize simple
intellect to sort through a problem and to find useful information. JTO is indeed
very resourceful. Though, despite this resourcefulness, he seems to have found himself
being "friend zoned" by AVFM. In a recent (two) video(s). JTO attempted to reconcile
and find reasons for why he had found himself on AVFM's shit list. In his video blog
JTO labled himself as "bombastic and abrasive" and admitted that perhaps he had made people
 angry at him because he had spoken his mind and perhaps angered other MRA's and/or AVFM allies.I find that claim to be ludicrous.

 It seems to me that if we choose to step upon the battlefield that MRA's have chosen to fight upon, That we must have thick skin and possess the ability to take
a punch in the face, after all, we are talking about equality, civil rights and freedom.
No patriot or MRA ever won a battle by allowing his enemies to divide and conquer, or
by allowing what someone said to hurt their feelings. This is after all "battle".
Much is at stake in this battle, while we suddenly find ourselves weeping in the corner
because one MRA or one Men's rights organization has found themselves squabbling
with each other, one single solitary Father has walked into family court by himself
and lost custody of his children, or single solitary Father has walked into family
court and found himself ejected from his home, and finally, one single solitary
Father has committed suicide because he could no longer tolerate the pressure
that our system has placed upon his shoulders.

As an observation, it seems that many individual MRA's and Men's right organizations
argue their cases on the street, on social media and / or within the social context. Allow me to
clue you in on something. From 1955 to 1975 there was a war in a place called Viet Nam. During this conflict, one of the goals was to win "the hearts and minds" of the local populace. Unfortunately
the local populace chose to reunify with their own people. A fact that any fool should have seen coming. The lesson to be learned here, is that we, as MRA's may be attempting to undo centuries
of psychological programming. In other words, an un-winnable war. When in fact the real battles
must be fought in the court systems of each state.

CRUCIFIXION BY PROXY

Public Crucifixion of Males in Modern Times

The human rights of men and due process of law took a shocking blow
over the last few weeks, as the mainstream media broke two serious
stories that came out of the NFL (National Football League). The
first story concerned Baltimore Ravens Football Player Ray Rice, who
had run into trouble after getting into a domestic violence
situation with his wife Janay. The incident was captured on an
elevator video camera where it appears that both Rice and his wife
were engaged in a physical altercation, and altercation in which
both husband and wife were the aggressors. Rice appeared to strike
his wife in self defense as she charges accross the elevator towards
him in an attempt to attack him. After several weeks, the NFL,
caving under political pressure by sponsors and feminists groups
have now divested Rice. This poor decision not only damaged Rice,
but also damaged his wife Janay and his family. It was obvious that
Janay was making a sincere effort to stand by her family and their
own well being, as well as taking personal accountabilty for their
actions as a husband and wife.However, the mainstream media, the NFL
and the wealthy sponsors wanted no part of this and chose public
crucifixion instead.
To add insult to injury, the NFL is now in the process of forming a
panel of inqusiitors to reprogram the male foorball players of the
NFL (in the words of the mainstream media,not mine). The panel is
comprised of four poltically powerful women(four white women). The
recent decision was immediately attacked by black womens groups who
cited the(and well founded)fact that no black female was allowed to
sit on this new advisory panel of progressive inquistors. However,
the advisory panel completely lacks any type of fairness because
additionally, no male, black, white, hispanic, asian or any other
race was invited to sit on the panel. A panel which appears to have
star chamber powers who possess a loaded agenda aimed at one gender
and one gender only.

"Star Chamber Court sessions were held in secret, with no indictments, and no witnesses. Evidence was presented in writing. Over time it evolved into a political weapon, a symbol of the misuse and abuse of power by the English monarchy and courts.
In modern usage, legal or administrative bodies with strict, arbitrary rulings and secretive proceedings are sometimes called, metaphorically or poetically, star chambers. This is a pejorative term and intended to cast doubt on the legitimacy of the proceedings. The inherent lack of objectivity of politically motivated charges has led to substantial reforms in English law in most jurisdictions since that time."
-Wikipedia
There is however more fallen victims of the NFL decision, those
victms names are "due process" (under the color of law) and
individual civil rights. In that the NFL has not only folded to the
forces of political correctness it has turned it's back on the due
process of law in which people are innocent until proven gulity in a
court of law. This is not suprising, because follows suit with
college campuses in the United States and other pusedo legal bodies
which have formed within corporations and other private entities in
which serious life shattering decisions are made, decisions which
have the power to destroy the lives of indviduals and their
families. However the one and only vicitim in these decisions are 
male.. and completely anti-male. At no time has any female been been
tried and executed in the mass media in the United States. The
symbolic castration of killings of males in effigy in the media are
ongoing.
THEN COMES THE UNITED NATIONS
In recent days, the Actress Emma Watson, (known for her roles in the
Harry Potter series) took center stage as she became a spokesperson
for the United Nations war against gender inequality. During her
speech she nervously tried to defend the idea of feminism and
attempted to quell the fears of those who would consider the
feminist ideology has a hate movement. But then within the same
speech she spoke about her Father and noted that his role as a man
and father had been marginalized by current poltical thinking.
Whether she truely graps what she was saying remains to be seen.

SGT Shakes-Speare .....

The War on Men and Boys and the Forces Behind it.

The following information was researched and written by Angela McCauley. Angela is a tireless advocate of the men's rights movement.

  "KHAWAM v. Wolfe, 84 A. 3d 558 - DC: Court of Appeals 201" - Decided February 6, 2014 August 14, 2014 at 3:42pm WHY WOMEN, AND FEMINISTS, ARE DANGEROUS "HAWAM v. Wolfe, 84 A. 3d 558 - DC: Court of Appe als

 

"KHAWAM v. Wolfe, 84 A. 3d 558 - DC: Court of Appeals 201"

 

N.O.W. Brief Filed November 20, 2013 

Argued April 2, 2013.

Decided February 6, 2014

The brief (filed by N.O.W.) argues that such an extraordinary award may chill protective mothers from raising allegations of domestic violence in custody disputes for "fear of retaliation should their claims ultimately be found unproven."

 

Lori Alvino McGill and Kerry J. Dingle, Washington, DC, filed a brief on behalf of the National Organization for Women Foundation, et al., as amici curiae in support of appellant.

 

The Khawam case is one of thousands that NOW leaders have become familiar with over the years and is illustrative of the dysfunction of the family court system. Ten organizations joined with NOW Foundation in filing this brief:

The Battered Women's Justice Project - Domestic Abuse Intervention Program,

The Center for Judicial Excellence,

Child Justice, Inc.,

Domestic Violence Legal Empowerment and Appeals Project,

Georgetown University Domestic Violence Law Clinic Director and Law Professor Deborah Epstein,

The Leadership Council on Child Abuse and Interpersonal Violence,

Maryland Network Against Domestic Violence,

National Coalition Against Domestic Violence,

Virginia Sexual and Domestic Violence Action Alliance 

Women's Equal Rights Legal Defense and Education Fund.

"The brief supports reversal of an unprecedented award of $350,000 in attorneys' fees against a woman who accused her ex-husband of domestic violence. The brief argues that such an extraordinary award may chill protective mothers from raising allegations of domestic violence in custody disputes for fear of retaliation should their claims ultimately be found unproven.

 

 

http://www.nowfoundation.org/issues/family/dvcase112112.html

 

"IX - In sum, we affirm the custody order, the initial visitation order, and the judgment of divorce; we vacate and remand the trial court's order denying Ms. Khawam's motion to modify the custody order; and we dismiss the appeal from the award of attorney's fees for lack of a final order. 

 

So ordered. 

 

N.O.W. has made many false claims about this case in an attempt to, as is typical of this organization, to incite hysteria about family courts giving custody to abusive fathers. However, I just spent a great deal of time reading the 13 pages of this appellate case where I took many notes and made many observations. 

In reading this case, after my own 6 yearlong nightmare, I noticed many familiar patterns of behavior perpetrated by this mother against this father. I will highlight a few:

 

First observation I want to make is that this child is only 5-years-old, almost 6, and already has had to endure this all too familiar horrific experience, which is an epidemic. 

 

After a bitter argument in early March 2009, Ms. Khawam left the marital home and went to Tampa, Florida, taking the child with her "against Mr. Wolfe's express objections."Mr. Wolfe repeatedly demanded that Ms. Khawam disclose her precise location and return with the child, but Ms. Khawam refused. Several weeks after Ms.Khawam left for Florida, Mr. Wolfe filed a complaint here in the District seeking custody of the child. Aware of the pending lawsuit in the District, but not yet served with process, Ms. Khawam filed a petition for divorce and custody of the child in Florida state court.

 

In early April 2009, the Superior Court issued an order granting Mr. Wolfe temporary sole custody of the child. That order was served on Ms. Khawam in Tampa, as was notice of the pending custody case in the District. "After receiving the notice", Ms.Khawam sought an ex parte temporary "stay-away" injunction against Mr. Wolfe in Florida, alleging that Mr. Wolfe had committed acts of child abuse and domestic violence. A Florida state court granted the requested temporary injunction and subsequently issued additional temporary injunctions. In June 2010, however, the Florida state court determined that it lacked jurisdiction over Ms. Khawam's divorce petition and domestic-violence petitions and therefore dismissed the petitions and the corresponding temporary injunctions.

THE FAMILIAR PATTERN OF MATERNAL BEHAVIOR

Taking the child from the father against his express objections

She repeatedly refused to disclose her location to him

After receiving the Court's notice that granted temporary sole custody to the father....now comes the convenient ex-parte hearings seeking temporary "stay-away" injunctions and alleging both domestic violence and child abuse. 

The Courts granted those "temporary injunctions...and "subsequently issued additional temporary injunctions.

**This is the pattern that allows these mothers to achieve alienation from the fathers, but does not include all of their tactics. 

__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

 

II - We first address Ms. Khawam's contention that the Superior Court lacked jurisdiction to issue the custody order. We conclude that the trial court correctly exercised jurisdiction.

 

A - In finding that the child had a significant connection to the District, the trial 564*564 court relied on the following: (1) the child was born in the District; (2) the child lived in the District for the first two-and-a-half months of his life; (3) the child received medical treatment in the District; (4) both of the child's parents had significant connections with the District; and (5) Mr. Wolfe continued to live and work in the District. Considering that the child was only five months old when Mr. Wolfe filed the custody suit, we conclude that the child had a significant connection to the District.

 

B. Ms. Khawam also challenges the trial court's ruling that substantial evidence concerning the child's care, protection, training, and personal relationships was available in the District. We uphold the trial court's ruling.

 

For the reasons we have explained, the trial court did not err in finding that substantial evidence concerning the child's care, protection, training, and personal relationships was available in the District.

III - Ms. Khawam raises several challenges to the trial court's rulings in connection with Ms. Khawam's allegation that Mr. Wolfe had committed acts of domestic violence. Specifically, Ms. Khawam argues that Judge Saddler unfairly prevented Ms. Khawam from presenting evidence on that issue, that Judge Kravitz erroneously deferred to Judge Saddler's determination of 567*567 that issue and demonstrated judicial bias, and that Judge Kravitz made several clearly erroneous factual findings in concluding that Ms. Khawam had failed to demonstrate that Mr. Wolfe had committed acts of domestic violence. We affirm.

 

A - After conducting a lengthy evidentiary hearing, Judge Saddler ruled that the District had jurisdiction over the custody matter and that the District was not an inconvenient forum. During that hearing, Ms. Khawam introduced evidence that Mr. Wolfe had engaged in acts of domestic violence. Mr. Wolfe denied having engaged in such acts and introduced other evidence in support of that denial. In concluding that the District was not an inconvenient forum, Judge Saddler discussed and ultimately discredited Ms. Khawam's allegations of domestic violence.

 

On appeal, Ms. Khawam contends that Judge Saddler denied her a fair opportunity to prove her claims of domestic violence, by substantially restricting Ms. Khawam's ability to introduce evidence on the issue and then resolving the issue on an incomplete record. We find no error. 

 

It is true, as Ms. Khawam emphasizes, that at various points during the hearing Judge Saddler excluded evidence about domestic violence. We do not agree with Ms. Khawam, however, that Judge Saddler either flatly prohibited introduction of evidence of domestic violence or otherwise acted unfairly.

 

Finally, as already noted, it is undisputed that Judge Saddler admitted evidence of domestic violence at various points during the hearing. On this record, we conclude that Ms. Khawam has not established that Judge Saddler flatly precluded evidence of domestic violence or otherwise acted unfairly in her handling of such evidence during the hearing.

In sum, we find no error in Judge Saddler's finding that Ms. Khawam had not shown that Mr. Wolfe had committed acts of domestic violence. We therefore affirm Judge Saddler's conclusion that the District would not be an inconvenient forum.

 

B - Ms. Khawam also contends that Judge Kravitz erred in his handling of the issue of domestic violence in connection with the custody and visitation determinations. We conclude to the contrary.

 

In arguing that she should be granted custody of the child, Ms. Khawam contended that Mr. Wolfe had threatened and physically abused both her and the child. SeeD.C.Code § 16-914(a)(3)(F) (2012 Repl.) (trial court determining custody issue shall consider, among other things, "evidence of an intrafamily offense" as defined in D.C.Code § 16-1001(8) (2012 Repl.), which includes threats and assault against spouse or biological child). After conducting a lengthy evidentiary hearing, Judge Kravitz concluded that Ms. Khawam's allegations of domestic violence were "false." In support of that conclusion, Judge Kravitz relied upon seven considerations: (1) "Ms. Khawam made no contemporaneous or even near-contemporaneous reports of any of Mr. Wolfe's alleged criminal acts"; (2) Ms. Khawam's allegations expanded over time and were "so numerous, so extraordinary, and ... so distorted that they defy any common sense view of reality"; (3) no physical, scientific, or documentary evidence supported Ms. Khawam's allegations; (4) only one witness testified before Judge Kravitz to having seen Mr. Wolfe assault Ms. Khawam, and Judge Kravitz did not credit the testimony of that witness, Ms. Khawam's twin sister, whom Judge Kravitz found to be "patently biased and unbelievable"; (5) Ms. Khawam's claim that Mr. Wolfe had forced her to engage in non-consensual sexual relations was undermined by "romantic and sexually suggestive emails Ms. Khawam sent to Mr.Wolfe shortly after the incident"; (6) "every judicial officer who has presided over an adversarial proceeding at which Ms. Khawam's allegations of domestic violence have been addressed has found the evidence supporting the allegations deficient"; and (7) "Ms. Khawam's allegations of child abuse by Mr. Wolfe have been found similarly wanting by every child welfare agency that has investigated them."

Second, Ms. Khawam contends that Judge Kravitz showed judicial bias, by among other things prejudging the issue of domestic violence before hearing evidence on the issue. We see no basis for this contention 

 

IV - Ms. Khawam argues that the custody order should be reversed because the trial court erroneously credited the testimony of Dr. Berman, the court-appointed custody evaluator, who testified that Ms. Khawam exhibited "poor logical thinking" and "a profoundly distorted view of Mr. Wolfe and of much of the world around her." Ms. Khawam contends that her expert, Dr. Prange, gave unrebutted testimony that Dr. Berman's psychological testing of Ms. Khawam was not consistent with standard scientific protocols and that Dr. Berman's methods for conducting the custody evaluation fell short of professional standards. We find no grounds for reversal.

 

V - 

Ms. Khawam contends that the custody order should be reversed because 571*571 the trial court's visitation order was "harsh" and afforded Ms. Khawam "extremely limited" visitation. More specifically, Ms. Khawam objects to the following restrictions: (1) visitation is limited to thirteen hours per week; (2) visitation must be supervised; (3) visitation must occur on Monday afternoon, Friday afternoon, and Saturday during the day; and (4) Ms. Khawam cannot take the child more than ten miles outside the District.

 

In determining parental visitation rights, the trial court must "foster and safeguard [the] child's best interests." Hamel v. Hamel, 489 A.2d 471, 475 (D.C. 1985) (internal quotation marks omitted; brackets in Hamel). Under D.C.Code § 16-914(a)(3), the trial court must consider seventeen factors in determining the best interest of the child, including the interaction of the child with each parent, the mental health of the parents, the capacity of the parents to communicate, and the parents' willingness to share custody. This court will reverse a trial court's ruling on the subject of visitation "only for a clear abuse of discretion." Maybin v. Stewart, 885 A.2d 284, 287 (D.C.2005). We find no clear abuse of discretion in the original visitation ruling.

In this case, after thoroughly considering each of the statutory factors and several additional factors (including Ms. Khawam's lack of honesty and integrity and her failure to obey court orders), the trial court concluded that it was in the child's best interest for Mr. Wolfe to be the child's sole legal and primary physical custodian. 

 

We are satisfied that the trial court did not abuse its discretion by initially limiting Ms. Khawam's visitation to thirteen hours per week and requiring that visitation be supervised. 

 

The trial court properly relied upon counsel's statement in crafting the original visitation order. Cf., e.g., Flax v. Schertler, 935 A.2d 1091, 1103 (D.C.2007) ("it is necessary for the orderly conduct of litigation that the trial court be able to rely on counsel's representations at important junctures of 572*572 litigation") (internal quotation marks omitted). As to the specific dates and times of visitation, the trial court explained in the initial custody order that the schedule was a temporary arrangement to accommodate the possibility that Ms. Khawam. We do not find the specific visitation schedule in the initial custody order, intended to be temporary, to be a clear abuse of discretion.

 

VI -  We agree with Ms. Khawam on this point.

 

Under the circumstances, we conclude that the trial court was required either to conduct an evidentiary hearing or to explain with specificity why such a hearing was not required, despite the serious allegations raised by Ms. Khawam's motion to modify.

 

--evidentiary hearings are strongly encouraged where allegations are made of present endangerment to a child's health or emotional well being") (internal quotation marks omitted).

 

**Of interest here, it is critical to point out that isn't it interesting though, that "evidentiary hearings are not strongly encouraged when a MAN is accused of domestic violence, child abuse or abuse". As is stated above, based on this mother's allegations alone she was granted temporary injunction and subsequently issued additional injunctions. And, herein lies the problem with these cases, how they begin and how they often end. These temporary orders are granted initially, immediately and repeatedly to these women who make allegations without evidence, with a hearing and without witnesses. 

__________________

 

VII - Khawam seeks reversal of the trial court's order awarding attorney's fees to Mr. Wolfe. We dismiss Ms. Khawam's.

 

The trial court awarded Mr.Wolfe $350,000 under the necessaries doctrine, but expressly declined to decide whether Mr. Wolfe was entitled to an award under the remaining two theories.

For an order to be final, "it must dispose of the whole case on its merits so that the court has nothing remaining to do but to execute the judgment or decree already rendered." McDiarmid, 594 A.2d at 81 

This policy is reflected, for example, in the rule that an interim award of attorney's fees to a plaintiff as a prevailing party on some claims, where other claims remain pending, is not immediately appealable.").

But where the trial court resolves only one claimed basis for relief, and leaves open other claims for additional relief, the trial court's order will generally lack finality. See, e.g., Merrell Dow Pharm. v. Oxendine,593 A.2d 1023, 1026 (D.C.1991) ("because the judgment leaves plaintiff th[e] option of seeking additional damages, it cannot be viewed as final") (internal quotation marks and brackets omitted); Jones v. Jones, 869 So.2d 1120, 1123 (Ala.2003) ("An order is not final if it permits a party to return to court and prove more damages or if it leaves open the question of additional recovery.").

Feel free to correct me if I am wrong here, with my lack of a law degree, but it has now been 7 months since this decision was made, so unless I am mistaken, I am left to wonder "why is Terry O'Neill and the National Organization of Women *missing in action*" on this decision?

 

It seems that in  Ms. O'Neill's original complaint about the award of $350,000 to the ex-husband as being unprecedented and that it may chill  protective mothers from raising allegations of domestic violence in custody disputes for "fear of retaliation should their claims ultimately be found unproven", SHE HAS FAILED. 

 

In fact, as is stated above ""because the judgment leaves plaintiff th[e] option of seeking additional damages, it cannot be viewed as final" - so not only was he awarded the $350,000 under the necessaries doctrine, but as the order is not final he is still open to seek additional damages. 

 

So, in ending after reading all of this it appears that the only dysfunction in the family courts is in allowing these cases to get this far where children are subjected to as is explained within the case "This three-year-old boy has experienced extraordinary upheaval in his brief life, and he needs a chance to settle in to his new surroundings and routine with Mr. Wolfe here in the District of Columbia. It is not surprising, given all that has transpired, that the child might act up during transitions or visits with his mother."

 

As far as this claim made "The brief (filed by N.O.W.) argues that such an extraordinary award may chill protective mothers from raising allegations of domestic violence in custody disputes for "fear of retaliation should their claims ultimately be found unproven". 

 

When you read this case in its entirety and develop an understanding of why this award was made, and why he is open to seek additional awards, you will see the "ADDITIONAL" insanity in this statement. It appears that Ms. Khawam made many false allegations of both domestic violence and child abuse and this was proven through evidentiary hearings, hence it is my hope that Mr. Khawan's award will in fact, "chill protective mothers from raising allegations of domestic violence in custody disputes for FEAR of retaliation should their claims ultimately be found unproven"

So, where are you, Terry O'Neill and N.O.W, on this decision? Why the silence? I want to hear your roar....I am, as it appears the courts got it right in this time, in this case. 

Misandry Defined by Olfactory Senses

Sometimes being informed and mentally awake can have great and serious consequences. The biggest consequence of being awake is the fact that it makes a brain think about the outside influences that affect it.

 One has to wonder (think about) what it was like to be born as a slave in an ancient society, only to become enlightened and forced into the realization that you were being oppressed. Or trapped into an oppressive environment that was controlled by cultural norms and laws that were created by a small segment of society. A segment of society that was hell bent on controlling the actions of others.
And one must also contemplate by what standard that he or she would be able to determine if they were actually being oppressed or if the idea (the thought) of oppression was true or only perceived?

THE SMELL TEST
Both Scientists and Laymen use a variety of methods to determine facts. Some of these methodologies included empirical testing;
Empirical evidence (also empirical data, sense experience, empirical knowledge, or the a posteriori) is a source of knowledge acquired by means of observation or experimentation. The term comes from the Greek word for experience, Εμπειρία (empeiría).
Empirical evidence is information that justifies a belief in the truth or falsity of a claim. In the empiricist view, one can claim to have knowledge only when one has a true belief based on empirical evidence. This stands in contrast to the rationalist view under which reason or reflection alone is considered to be evidence for the truth or falsity of some propositions. ^"The senses are the primary source of empirical evidence". Although other sources of evidence, such as memory, and the testimony of others ultimately trace back to some sensory experience, they are considered to be secondary, or indirect
- Source Wikipedia
So if it looks like misandry (the hatred of men), tastes likes misandry or smells like misandry .. is it misandry? Based upon the gathering of empirical evidence it is by all probabilities misandry.

THE BACKSTORY
Over the last few month or so, I ran into three very striking things within my own community which raised a big flag in the back of my head. The first thing I ran into was a flyer that came from the local park district office. The flyer was a list of dates, times and costs of park district activities offered to village residents. As I reviewed the flyer I saw an event called "self defense class for women". A small thing you say?  No misandry here? Perhaps, but allow me to continue.  Then I was driving to work and I saw signs posted along side of the road which was advertising exercise classes "for women only"  No misandry here you say... just move along? Allow me to continue ..... Then upon speaking to my wife, she had informed me that she had received a call from a female case worker at the school that my two sons (who are both ten years old) attend. And apparently a conversation ensued in which my wife was informed that one of my sons was experiencing body odor after playing on the playground in the August heat. It just so happens that our children begin school in late July and have a shorter summer break. Both children shower every morning before going to school as a matter if ridged routine. But apparently the caseworker (to the best of my knowledge) was offended by the smell and felt that a call was necessary. No misandry here you say...? Maybe not .. But at the very least I would have to say that the actions of the caseworker were based upon a societal norm created by a small percentage of individuals bent on controlling the direction of people lives.  My last statement here may seem over the top. And you may not want to believe that there is an agenda driven mind set that discriminates against men and boys, or that a societal norm has been created that seeks to undermine the normal behavior of men and boys (and in the aforementioned case, to control our physiology as well) . But if it only takes a short trip around my own neighborhood to identify these types of situations, then we must be lead by empirical evidence to the conclusion that the smell test clearly indicates that misandry is being practiced in our own communities.

THE CONVERSATION MEN'S SUFFRAGE;
Clearly, I am an MRA (Men's Rights Advocate) and I am no stranger to being the lone, singled out borderline intellectual, who was once told by the blue collar father of an ex-wife that I used too many big words, though you will get no apologies from me in that matter. I accept the plain and simple truth of having to stand alone with my own opinions, and at fifty five years of age now, I am okay with that. I then plowed forward and opened a dialogue with my current wife and I explained my observations and the concerns that I had. I tried to explain my position, though like most modern women, she rebuffed my opinion and told me that "surely you don't think that an exercise group that was for women only would not allow a man to participate .. do you? And besides, perhaps they did that to feel safer"  Safer I thought ... from what? I then reminded her that many people who lived in the United States had at one time posted such signs in front of hotels, stores and washrooms to keep black people from coming in and utilizing the same space as a white person .. and they also did this out of fear.. unfounded fear. It was at this point that I decided to do what I do best. And that was to open the law books (or google) and take a look at the Civil Rights Act of 1964, and here is what I found.

THE REMEDY; According to Title II of the civil rights act of 1964;

TITLE II -- INJUNCTIVE RELIEF AGAINST DISCRIMINATION IN PLACES OF PUBLIC ACCOMMODATION
Sec. 201. (a) All persons shall be entitled to the full and equal enjoyment of the goods, services, facilities, privileges, advantages, and accommodations of any place of public accommodation, as defined in this section, without discrimination or segregation on the ground of race, color, religion, or national origin. (b) Each of the following establishments which serves the public is a place of public accommodation within the meaning of this title if its operations affect commerce, or if discrimination or segregation by it is supported by State action: (1) any inn, hotel, motel, or other establishment which provides lodging to transient guests, other than an establishment located within a building which contains not more than five rooms for rent or hire and which is actually occupied by the proprietor of such establishment as his residence; (2) any restaurant, cafeteria, lunchroom, lunch counter, soda fountain, or the facility principally engaged in selling food for consumption on the premises, including, but not limited to, any such facility located on the premises of any retail establishment; or any gasoline station; (3) any motion picture house, theater, concert hall, sports arena, stadium or other place of exhibition or entertainment; and (4) any establishment (A)(i) which is physically located within the premises of any establishment otherwise covered by this subsection, or (ii) within the premises of which is physically located any such covered establishment, and (B) which holds itself out as serving patrons of such covered establishment.

Besides the civil rights act, every state has now moved into the gender discrimination law business. And despite the fact that most of these laws were written to protect women against the discrimination, that also make in unlawful to discriminate against anyone based upon gender.

If it looks like discrimination, tastes like discrimination and smells like discrimination .... it is discrimination.
- Sergeant Shakespeare

Israel Takes a Stand

Imagine yourself on a commute to work, You are standing at a bus stop in a group of people when suddenly one of those commuters explodes (an obvious suicide bomber) and kills several people standing around you. Or you're driving to work early in the morning wondering if your going to make it because there has been active snipers in reported the area of your workplace. Or worst yet,  having to worry about your children walking to school because you are afraid that they might be killed by rocket fire while walking to school. If you this this sounds far fetched, well you wrong, because it's been going on  in Israel for many years now.

Teaching our children to hate and kill
 is counter productive.

Over the last few months (and years) Israel has approached the United States in a diplomatic effort to bring the people of the U.S. to an understanding of the situation that they face. According to multiple news outlets, and by the historic record, Israel has been under siege.

In all conflicts, there are two sides to every story. It could be argued that Israel is subjecting it's neighbors to isolation and military occupation. Many people cite and/or label this activity as "Zionism"  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zionism Or Israel's agenda to create a "Jewish state" in the region. Whereas the Zionist movement is indeed a fact,
After almost two millennia of existence of the Jewish diaspora without a national state, the Zionist movement was founded in the late 19th century by secular Jews, largely as a response by Ashkenazi Jews to rising antisemitism in Europe, exemplified by the Dreyfus affair in France and the anti-Jewish pogroms in the Russian Empire.The political movement was formally established by the Austro-Hungarian journalist Theodor Herzl in 1897 following the publication of his book Der Judenstaat. At that time, the movement sought to encourage Jewish migration to the Ottoman Palestine.

It is also fact that the Jewish people were routed from Europe during WWII as they were rounded up and sent to death camps throughout Europe in the greatest episode of sectarian hatred and violence that the world has ever witnessed. And now we see the rising Islamic movement of Jihad has postured on the world stage and has become a worldwide threat to the safety of multiple nations throughout the world. And it has also promised that to wipe out the state of Israel in our life time The proof of this threat is in plain view. On September 11th 2003, The United States was attacked by Islamic Terrorists. The September 11 attacks (also referred to as September 11, September 11th, or 9/11) were a series of four coordinated terrorist attacks launched by the Islamic terrorist group al-Qaeda upon the United States in New York City and the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area on Tuesday, September 11, 2001. The attacks killed almost 3,000 people and caused at least $10 billion in property and infrastructure damage.

Four passenger airliners were hijacked by 19 al-Qaeda terrorists so they could be flown into buildings in suicide attacks. Two of those planes, American Airlines Flight 11 and United Airlines Flight 175, were crashed into the North and South towers, respectively, of the World Trade Center complex in New York City. Within two hours, both towers collapsed with debris and the resulting fires causing partial or complete collapse of all other buildings in the WTC complex, as well as significant damage to ten other large surrounding structures. A third plane, American Airlines Flight 77, was crashed into the Pentagon (the headquarters of the United States Department of Defense), leading to a partial collapse in its western side. The fourth plane, United Airlines Flight 93, was targeted at Washington, D.C.,[3] but crashed into a field near Shanksville, Pennsylvania, after its passengers tried to overcome the hijackers. In total, almost 3,000 people died in the attacks, including the 227 civilians and 19 hijackers aboard the four planes. It also was the deadliest incident for firefighters and for law enforcement officers in the history of the United States, with 343 and 72 killed respectively.

"A man can die but once". - (Act III, Scene II). King Henry IV, Part I
From a national security and public safety stand point, it is very difficult to dismiss these threats as political folly or mere criminal activity. It is perfectly clear that when firearms, rockets, explosive devices and IED (improvised explosives) are used to forward a political agenda and they enter into the diplomatic discussion as well as threats of further violence emerge, these "tactics" are absolutely weapons of open warfare. And when warfare is hoisted up the common unarmed masses, does not become the duty of the state to protect it citizens? And let us also clarify that a "duty" is a much loftier call that a simple responsibility which rises above the common wants of a hostile intruder. If there is food on the table of the enemy, water in his glass and a way from him or her to provide for the needs of his or her family, what grounds does any aggressor have to wage war against another? Except but for want of power and wealth? It is Israel's prerogative when it comes to self defense. And it is the duty of each government to protect it's citizens against the hostile aggression of an invading neighbor.

 Israel has taken a stand. The IDF (Israeli Defense Forces) has launched operations into Gaza to stem the ongoing sectarian violence that has been plaguing the region. 

History Made; "The First International Men's Issues" Conference held in the Detroit Area.

History was made over this last weekend as the very first international conference on men's issues was held in the Detroit area in Michigan. The conference unfortunately received limited local coverage by local news outlets around the Detroit area. And the media was quick to label the conference as controversial without learning or knowing any facts about the conference or the groups and people that supported it.

The men's conference was organized by  "A Voice For Men" (AVFM), which was founded by Paul Elam. I have followed Mr. Elam and his other Writers and supporters for about a year now and what I have found has been quite positive. Mr. Elam and his followers have done a great service to men in the United States because they (AVFM) has given men a place to share common experiences from a society that has sought to marginalize men in the media, in the workplace, in the family courts and in the home. Many of the men (who are also military veterans) who I have  taken the time to correspond via social media and email have been fair minded people who have been through terrible experiences in our family / divorce courts.

The conference was in my opinion very timely, because it comes on the heels of great social strife in our country. The media is currently filled with stories of high crime rates, the loss of employment and ongoing non-stop worldwide warfare and political hatred. There are also some noteworthy news stories that have been published over the last couple of weeks that making the timing of the AVFM conference very important.

THE NOTEWORTHY NEWS STORIES;

THREATS MADE

The AVFM conference was originally scheduled at the Double Tree Hotel in Detroit but the conference was cancelled because the hotel and it's employee's had received multiple death threats. This is ironic considering that fact that all law enforcement agencies nationwide are acutely tuned into the problems of domestic terrorism and the threats against AVFM and the Double Tree most certainly fall into the category of "terrorist activity"
.http://www.detroitnews.com/article/20140612/METRO01/306120073/1409/METRO
The Conference was subsequently moved to a nearby VFW (Veterans of Foreign Wars) Lodge, which in my opinion was extremely appropriate, considering the fact the men have traditionally been the protectors of the homeland for generations, and after the VA (Veterans Administration) scandal, it has become very apparent that the Protectors of the Homeland (90% male) have been divested by the system that it serves.

JUDGE ORDERS DEPLOYED SAILOR ARRESTED FOR
 FAILING TO APPEAR IN CUSTODY CASE;
Another important story involved a deployed Submarine Sailor Matthew Hindes, who's daughter was with living his current spouse while Matthew was serving his country. During his deployment his ex-wife, (who previously had custody of his daughter and lost custody due to a Child Protective services (CPS) investigation and was removed from her home.) had approached the court and the Judge in the case, Lenawee Circuit Court Judge Margaret Noe ordered the child to be returned to the mother and issued a bench warrant for Matthew because he had the audacity to not turn his Navy sub around and immediately appear in her court room. But after some people with common sense started a petition and multiple groups coalesced (including Men's Rights supporters). The honorable judge postponed the ruling until October.

BLOGGER CLAIMING TO BE MEDIA CLAIMS TO
BE MOLESTED AT AVFM CONFERENCE;
Another astounding media claim comes from a blogger by the name of Lee DiVeto who labeled himself As" a straight-white-cisgender-heterosexual-male", said he attended the AVFM conference and was "molested by an older male" I only caught wind of this article because I watched Paul Elam's opening statements and he mentioned the incident and noted the online article, but he was very sincere in the fact that he had to ask the men to leave, but by Mr. Elam's tone he had some remorse because he felt that the man was mentally disturbed in was in need of help that few men are finding in today's society. I can affirm Mr. Elam's empathy for this man because the county in which I live in Illinois has suffered severe cut backs in mental health services since the crash of 2008.
http://blogs.metrotimes.com/news-blawg/molested-mens-rights-conference/
I attempted to speak to author of the blog post (Mr. DiVeto) and ask him some questions about his story, but he did not reply to my posts and for that matter, I was unable to find my questions and they appeared to have been removed. But, the questions I asked were quite simple, initially I asked him if he had filed a police report and if he had spoken to or interviewed anyone from the AVFM conference. To the best of my knowledge and due to the lack of reply, I can only assume that he had not done either.

SGT Shakes-Spear

The Battle For The Tower of Babel

 Now the whole world had one language and a common speech. 2 As people moved eastward, they found a plain in Shinar and settled there.3 They said to each other, “Come, let’s make bricks and bake them thoroughly.” They used brick instead of stone, and tar for mortar. 4 Then they said, “Come, let us build ourselves a city, with a tower that reaches to the heavens, so that we may make a name for ourselves; otherwise we will be scattered over the face of the whole earth.”
⁵ But the Lord came down to see the city and the tower the people were building. ⁶ The Lord said, “If as one people speaking the same language they have begun to do this, then nothing they plan to do will be impossible for them. ⁷ Come, let us go down and confuse their language so they will not understand each other.”
⁸ So the Lord scattered them from there over all the earth, and they stopped building the city. ⁹ That is why it was called Babel

—because there the Lord confused the language of the whole world. From there the Lord scattered them over the face of the whole earth.

On September 11th 2001, our language and our thoughts were scattered. Many people walked away quietly, stunned beyond words. Confused by design. 9-11 as it became known, has become a bit of a mockery in closed circles. Most people don't hold to the official story.
Then came the following years of warfare. Battlegrounds without meaning or purpose. No true patriotism served, an unrelenting cavalcade of wars that made no sense. The  battle for the Tower of Babel.
But beyond the warfare conducted by corporations, a strange anomaly occurred. A series of tragic mass murders, the like of which were never witnesses in American history. The most notorious of which is the massacre at Sandy Hook Elementary School.  In addition to Sandy Hook mass shootings have taken place in Colorado and most recently in Santa Barbara California.

Ironically, there is a common thread that runs through all of the recent mass shootings, in that the murderers, the shooters or whatever you want to call them, come from the upper class of American society. I refuse to use the names of theses wealthy killers here because I refuse to give them any more notoriety than they have already been given. I will also not mention the names of their parents here because I am sure that the parents involved would be quick to file suit for defamation of character. But as a writer / journalist, I will say this. If one were to conduct some simple research on the backgrounds of these families, they would be shocked to find out that at least two of the shooters families had dealing within the financial industry and one of the shooters fathers was deeply involved in the financial scandals that broke out in 2008. In the most recent shooting, the parent of the shooter was a well known Hollywood insider. Coincidence? Perhaps...

In the 1990's  another journalist by the name of Terry Maury wrote a book called "The Ultimate Evil". Maury fearlessly took on the investigation of the Son of Sam killings, which was a series of murders that took place in New York during the 70's. These killings became known as the .44 killings. Because a .44 caliber handgun had been used to commit the murders. But as Maury began to follow the evidence, he was shocked to find out that the accused Son of Sam killer (David Berkowitz) had probably not acted alone. And that he was in fact, by his own admission a member of a  network of Satanists that stretched across the United States. The trail that Maury followed, lead him all the way to Hollywood. More coincidence.. ? Probably not, as Maury is a journalist and he used facts and evidence to establish the connections that were made in this case. In the 1990's Police agencies throughout the U.S. began to have deep concerns about ritualistic crimes that were being uncovered throughout the country. Many cases were dismissed as folly or the satanic dabbling of teenagers. But the truth is that Satan is alive and well on the planet Earth. In an ironic twist, reporters who had attempted to speak to some of the local residents of small Connecticut town where the Sandy Hook massacre took place, found only fear, apprehension and claims that a Satanic cult had roots within the community. Coincidence...? Perhaps. But at least one independent investigator has raised questions about the validity of the Sandy Hook story and he has been both threatened and rebuffed by local authorities. This is a very strange reaction coming from the professionals who are now the caretakers of a closed criminal case.  Then in the most recent case of the Santa Barbara California shootings, the same type of theme emerged . a theme of gas lighting and  redirected blame. Though this shooter left behind a detailed manifesto in which he revealed a deep and troubled narcissistic personality. When I read his facebook page and reviewed the available information about his manifesto, the words "Do what thou wilt, shall be the whole of the law" rang in my ears. These were the words of the famed occultist Aleister Crowely. I also reflected upon the unsolved murder of a young child who's parents were also members of upper class society ... a victim who was frequently painted like a doll and paraded around like a trophy... a lamb.

What is also perplexing about these cases, is the fact that a piece of the puzzle always seems to be  missing or people are intentionally kept quiet. And that the blame is continuously laid at the feet of someone other than the perpetrator of the crime. This gas lighting  (an attempt to reverse the narrative or make those not responsible, feel responsible) is a common theme. It was used in 9-11 to justify the attack on Iraq and it was used to Sandy Hook to ignite  anti-constitutional rhetoric.

"Now is The Winter of our Discontent"

Memorial Day 2014

With a deep sigh, I lamented, "Have we had enough yet?" At what crossroads do we leave the set path and take our own? These thoughts came to me as I followed the latest Veteran Administration (VA) scandal  For those of us who served in the military and/or had our own Fathers (or other relatives serve), we have been acutely aware of the reputation of the VA for many many years.The VA has long been known by Veterans as a sort of meat grinder, a place to go to die. Just another battlefield. That was bad enough Then over the last few days a huge scandal broke into the news concerning the VA. 

It seems that the VA has placed Veterans on a sort waiting list. A waiting list that no one gets called from.. This waiting list seems to have been a political animal. A political animal that would result in the death of several Veterans as they awaited medical treatment from the VA.. To add insult to injury, an internet based news story reported that a whistle blower from the VA had stated that a Supervisor from the VA had said  (paraphrasing) That older Vets should be taken out and shot in the head. 

Considering the current political climate, I don't find this statement surprising or shocking at all. And for someone reading this article  you might wonder "why I might think this?" The answer is quite simple. The demographics of American Military Veterans in the United States is predominantly male. According to VA projections the number of living veterans by 2040, will be 11,906,60 male veterans, compared to 2,556,166 female veterans. http://www.va.gov/vetdata/veteran_population.asp 

So whats the difference you ask? A veteran is a veteran right? Well ....... not so fast. In the U.S. the difference in the minds of our government, corporations and the mainstream media is deep and profound. Special interest groups, including the democratic party, feminist groups affiliated with the left and labor unions have advanced the political ideology of female gender (feminism). And they have joined forces with other left leaning organizations and politicians to fund and support programs which help to foster ideas and pass laws that disenfranchise male citizens.

Gender Bias, military duty and selective Service;

The reality in war is that men carry the weight of the battle. The numbers and statistics (see above link) quoted by the Veterans Administration cannot and does not lie. The numbers can't ... they just can't.
The numbers speak for themselves.

It is also a foregone conclusion, that by law, that women are not required to register for selective service. Their military service has always been classified as a "choice". The United States government has implemented the draft on several occasions including the Civil War, WWI, WWII and Viet Nam. At no time in U.S. History was any female expected to serve against her will. However,  in the last few months, Hillary Clinton (former First Lady, Secretary of State and possible Presidential Candidate) stated that "women bare the brunt of war" NOTHING COULD BE FURTHER FROM THE TRUTH. Men carrier the burden of war. And they have carried this burden for thousands of years. Additionally, one of the main reason they went to war was to protect "Home" and country. In other words ... to protect women and children.. lets be truthful here.

PTSD, Divorce and Suicide;

While the current administration and the U.S. Military have become extreme advocates for gay rights, anti-sexual assault and anti-sexual harassment. The suicide rates among male military personnel has soared to unacceptable numbers. Former and current military members have also found themselves being victimized by the greed of family courts and corrupt lawyers. All while losing their rights to participate in their lives of their own children. It is estimated that suicides rates for veterans will not decrease for many years to come and hundreds of Vets will kill themselves every year. PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder) has become an ongoing headline in many news stories. The reasons for this are very apparent. Soldiers were used as hardware and not recognized for what they are... HUMAN. The tempo of deployments after 9-11 were extremely high and military personnel were forced to participate in multiple deployments while under the tactics of extreme threat and duress. These tactics were not only used on active duty (regular) military personnel but on reserve and state level guard units as well.


 "Now is the winter of our discontent". 
( Shakespeare; King Richard III Act I, Scene I). 

Cold War News; Why we could lose the next war.

2014; The world stood and watched in shock as the Russian military moved into the Ukraine region, massed troops into the Crimea and cut off diplomatic communications with the west.This aggressive action came just after Russia had hosted the 2014 winter Olympic's.

April 29th, 2014
Over the last few weeks, it has become very apparent that hostilities have been ramped up in the Ukraine and the reports  flowing in seem to indicate that forces are moving into the theater.
NATO has increased air patrols, the U.S. is sending troops to Poland and as of today's date Canada has deployed fighter jets to eastern Europe. http://news.yahoo.com/canada-deploys-fighter-jets-eastern-europe-patrols-153116631.html These series of actions clearly signal a deep concern by the western world for Russia's sudden and bizarre behavior. As of today's date (05/01/2014), The second command in charge of NATO has declared Russia an "enemy." This powerful statement comes as no surprise after several weeks of heavy military activity that has extended into other European areas.

INITIAL OBSERVATIONS;
When the invasion began, Russia's  movements in the region began as a covert operation. Early reports were very unclear as to true identity of of the troops on the ground and took on the appearance of an insurgency. Soldiers filtered into the region very slowly and began to show up in various towns in small groups. These soldiers were easily identified as cadre, because they were in possession of typical military weapons, were well equipped and well uniformed. However, all soldiers photographed entering the region wore no unit insignia and had their faces covered to conceal their identity. An action which gave the impression that insurgency was was underway. After weeks of denial by the Russians, it became necessary for them to admit that they had entered the Crimea under the guise of protecting Russian citizens. After time passed it had become apparent, (and was confirmed) that the Russian military under President Valdimir Putin was actively engaged in a military campaign.

INTELLIGENCE
Like so many other conflicts, the first hours of activity were heavily televised and transmitted via the internet. Initial observations made noted that Russian soldiers on the ground appeared to be well equipped, wearing newer multi-cam uniforms and carrying up-dated weapons. News sources later reported that the Russian army was also in possession of other newer hardware and vehicles. Reports have also been received that indicate that Russian bombers have conducted probes into other European areas, buzzed American warships and in recent days they have been observed running missions off the coast of the United States. In the past, these patrols were considered pretty standard "run of the mill" cold war missions. But now they hold deeper military significance.

During the 1970's the pentagon assumed that when the Russians (Soviets) entered the game and the "balloon went up" (cold war terminology for all out war). That the Russians (Soviets) would crash into Europe via East Germany in an all out armor attack. Though as time progressed. It became apparent that the former Soviets lacked the essential support, in the way of funding (material) to wage a long term conflict on a large scale. This comes as no surprise, as hard line communism by it's own doctrine rejects capitalism. And with out "capital" (cash flow), men and material are of little use on the battlefield.

1980's and 1990's

The 1980's and 90's proved to be a real game changer for the former both the Soviets and the Chinese. The communist model they tried to maintain became an untenable position to hold. This was due to new technologies that once on the world stage  financially connected (via the internet and other factors.) the world. First the Berlin wall fell. Then in 1997, the mega-port of Hong Kong was turned over to the China. This last fact made China a super power over night.

A Losing Battle; Business, Strategic Losses and Political Correctness;

Since the Berlin wall fell and China assumed sovereignty over Hong Kong, both communist nations ceased to be financial socialists. Though still under socialist / communist ideology, both nations have entered the financial world stage and both have become economic powerhouses. Along side the huge gain in financial wealth is the fact that both nations have begun to flex military muscle in the respective regions by instigating political turmoil with neighboring countries. What this has resulted in is a military backed expansion into areas that border their regions which have created strategic losses for NATO countries and U.S. Allies.

The United States as been a long time partner in NATO and has provided vast support for other countries since the close of world war two. However, since the withdraw from the middle east. The current administration has begun the process of gutting the U.S. military. They have changed long standing traditions and/or rules on how the military is managed, reduced the size of the military, cut funding and implemented policies of political correctness that makes it very difficult for unit Commanders to manage Soldiers, Sailors, Air Force personnel and Marines. Recent policy changes made to the military by the government may, on the surface look like the correct thing to do. (And that debate may rage on for many years to come). However, our enemies abroad DO NOT hold to the same types of convictions that the current administration has forced upon the armed forces of the United States. In fact a completely opposite model of our political correctness has taken hold in both Russia and North Korea. During the Olympic games in Sochi (2014), the Russian expressly forbid open displays of homosexuality during the games and promised that any type of display would be met with arrest, and they cited the "protection of children" as a reason. This may sound very much like propaganda to many in the U.S., but to others it may have sounded like the Russians were taking the moral high ground. Additionally, in recent days the North Koreans unleashed a racial tirade against President Obama, a fact that obviously cared nothing about, nor will they ever. These facts create a a serious problem in warfare. The problem is that deep political factions have arose in the United States, many of which are divided along racial lines. These deep political rifts seem to be fueled by ongoing propaganda within our own news media.

-SGT Shakespeare

The Case of Chris Mackney; How his death effects Service Members and Veterans.

Over the last few days the web has gone viral with the story of a middle aged divorced man by the name of Chris Mackney. Up until a few days ago, Chris was virtually unknown to the world. But thanks to the internet and resources like "A Voice for Men" (AFVM). Chris's story can be told. According to several online resources, including AVFM. Chris Mackney was a 45 year man with two children, and like so many other men, service members and veterans included.He was going through what amounted to a very bad divorce. The end result of what Chris was going through culminated with him taking his own life. http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/washingtonpost/obituary.aspx?n=christopher-mackney&pid=169166767

Whats unusual about this case is that Chris left behind a very detailed suicide note, and that note found it's way onto the internet. But that's not the clincher. What happened next is both disturbing and astounding. And it is something that the veterans groups and service member groups, such as the USO and Veterans Administration needs to come to terms with. Chris' ex-wife (who's name will be withheld in this article) retained a lawyer and began the process of having her lawyers threaten and intimidate any website owner or operator that reposted his suicide note. Her actions have now resulted in a cascade of news stories, web based attacks and video's. The blow back against Chris Mackney's ex-wife has been tremendous.

THE ELEMENTS OF THE CASE;

What happened to Chris is the same thing that has happened to millions of men world wide in families courts all over the western world. He lost his marriage, he lost his home, he lost what he worked for, but most of all he lost contact with his children. And this all played out in family court, with the court empowering his ex-wife to deprive him of the love of his children. When everything else is said and done, in the final analysis, and by his own words in the suicide note that he left behind. The loss of his children was the main reason that he committed suicide. So what crime did Chris Mackney commit? None that anyone is aware of. The only mistake that he seemed to had made was walking into the family court system.

HOW DOES THIS APPLY TO SERVICE MEMBERS AND VETERANS ?

As Service Members and returning Veterans, we now faced a challenging landscape. It seems that factions within the current administration have already built a wall of mistrust between the rank and file and the current administration. Many Veterans are returning home after serving in a military with a very high tempo of deployments. This rapid pace has left many Veterans and Service Members struggling with PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder), serious financial problems, an out of control suicide rate and an high rate of divorce.  This is a huge disadvantage in a family court system which caters to the whim of females automatically. If you can imagine, Chris Mackney walked into family court with absolutely no excess mental baggage and/or three tours in an Afghanistan killing zone under his belt. And the family court proceeded to destroy him without cause or justification  This type of case sets a terrible legal precedence for Service Members and Veterans, in that; If one sane successful business man (which Chris was) can walk into family court and his life torn to shreds and his children taken away and for doing absolutely nothing. How will a Service member or Veteran suffering from PTSD be treated in an American family court when his ex-wife makes allegations against *him?

A Voice For Men Article;

http://www.avoiceformen.com/mens-rights/family-courts/here-come-the-lawyers-to-avfm-yet-again/

* In 90% of family law cases, men lose custody of their children.

Citation; After divorce, men lose custody of their children about ninety percent of the time and seldom receive child support when they win custody. A father who seeks custody often finds himself the target of numerous false accusations, an apparently routine feature of modern divorce. "No fault" divorce has become a disaster, mostly for men, since most break-ups are initiated by women. The economics of divorce is one reason why, according to the United States Census Bureau, female householders have a net worth 141% that of male householders. 

ref http://www.nationalcenterformen.org/page3.shtml

US Vets and military families;

http://costsofwar.org/article/us-veterans-and-military-families

The Civil War Reignites at Washington Lee University.

 

 

Washington Lee University in Lexington Virginia has become yet another flashpoint for the proponents of liberal militancy. Several news outlets have reported that a movement began on the W.L. campus as several students demanded that the Confederate battle flags be removed from the Lee Chapel. The Lee Chapel sits in the same area where the famed and revered Confederate General Robert E. Lee and his family are buried, along with his beloved horse Traveler. The small contingent of students made demands and threatened civil unrest in the community if their demands were not met by September 1st.

 

The poorly timed protest and subsequent threats also come on the heels of other serious national problems. Including but not limited to a failed economy, a failed presidential administration, the implementation of the universally unwanted affordable health care act and in recent weeks, the threat of open insurrection in the Nevada desert at the Bundy ranch. The small group of liberal law students have concluded that  they have been offended by the flags, and  that the flags must be removed to satisfy their own misguided agenda. A student by the name of Dominik Taylor, a third-year law student at Washington Lee, said the students decided to speak out after tolerating for years symbols and events they find offensive.  He stated;  “When things such as Lee-Jackson Day happen, you’re just sort of feeling left alone and isolated and alienated.” Though no one has made any claims of having been singled out, excluded and / or threatened by any type of racist groups or individuals. And absolutely no charges of institutional racism have been brought forward.  The other issue at hand is that the small group of students have formed a group called "the Committee". Though the names of these members have not been disclosed or published in the media (except for the one aforementioned student who chose to speak to the news media and he was not identified as a member of "The Committee") and no leadership has come forward to the media to clearly explain their position or to add any details as to just exactly why  the battle flags should be removed (besides  having been offended by their presence). Another claim made by mainstream media outlets claimed that "Neo-Confederates" were allowed march on campus during "Lee-Jackson" Day.

 

On 04/24/2014, I contacted the Communications Department at Washington Lee University to  answer some questions that I had. The person who I  spoke to chose not to be quoted because there was still a lack of clear information about the intentions of "The Committee". Though they were sure that the university would not release the names of the students for obvious reasons.  But despite the lack of available information, our conversation was fruitful.

 

What I did learn, was that the flags ( that the students are demanding the removal of) are in fact authentic battle flags of the civil war. They were carried by units who served in the Confederate army. They are not a product of post war animosity. They are historic artifacts of the time period. And they are on display in the same manner that you would see an artifact displayed in a museum. And the Lee Chapel is in fact a museum in it's own right. I know this because I had the honor of visiting there some years ago.

 

Another question had to do with the allegations of Neo-Confederates marching on the Washington -Lee campus. This statement begs to be clearly answered because there are in fact several types of groups that could be improperly labeled as such. Including Civil War Reenactors and Son's of Confederate Veterans. These type of groups can in no way be classified or labeled  "Neo- Confederate" and/or racist groups.  The connotation here is, that the alleged groups who marched at Washington-Lee have a racist political agenda. Even though this allegation has not been clearly explained or the groups clearly identified.

 

I also inquired about local people's reaction to the "Committee's" demands. The contact at Washington- Lee said that the Alumni were upset.  In reference to that reaction, She simply stated; " Can you imagine"? And rightfully so, Washington -Lee, like so many other colleges are heavily dependent upon the generous donations and support of Alumni. So it seems that the concerns of Alumni may have been dismissed  by the "Committee" as they moved forward with their threat.

 

There is also a public safety aspect involved with the threats made by the "Committee", in that campus crime and violence has been at the forefront of the news for several years now. And campus authorities are now paying much closer attention to any threats that may be made against persons and property under college / university campus ownership. To add to the anxiety, Washington -Lee is close neighbors with VMI (Virginia Military Institute). Though according to W.L. University there does not appear to be any concern from VMI being expressed. However, threats of civil unrest does have the inherent possibility of raising security concerns at VMI.

 

Coincidentally April is the same month in which Robert E. Lee surrendered the Army Of Northern Virginia to General Grant at Appomattox Court House. It was due to the good manners and outstanding negotiating skills of both Lee and Grant that many years of guerilla warfare was avoided. The terms of surrender were based upon simple respect. I am including a copy of Lee's farewell to his troops.

 

Headquarters, Army of Northern Virginia, 10th April 1865.

 

General Order
 No. 9

 After four years of arduous service marked by unsurpassed courage and fortitude, the Army of Northern Virginia has been compelled to yield to overwhelming numbers and resources.

I need not tell the survivors of so many hard fought battles, who have remained steadfast to the last, that I have consented to the result from no distrust of them.

But feeling that valour and devotion could accomplish nothing that could compensate for the loss that must have attended the continuance of the contest, I have determined to avoid the useless sacrifice of those whose past services have endeared them to their countrymen.

By the terms of the agreement, officers and men can return to their homes and remain until exchanged. You will take with you the satisfaction that proceeds from the consciousness of duty faithfully performed, and I earnestly pray that a merciful God will extend to you his blessing and protection.

With an unceasing admiration of your constancy and devotion to your Country, and a grateful remembrance of your kind and generous consideration for myself, I bid you an affectionate farewell.

— R. E. Lee, General, General Order No. 9