We launched a campaign last week in defense of Rafael Izquierdo, a fit, loving father who is battling the Florida Department of Children & Families so he can raise his little daughter. In this highly-publicized "Elian Gonzalez II" case, Izquierdo has been found by a Florida court to be a fit and committed father, but he is still being denied his parental rights.

We've made a great deal of progress in only a week. Thousands of you have answered our call to action, and the campaign has been covered by the Associated Press, syndicated columnist Kathleen Parker of the Washington Post Writers Group, Knight-Ridder/Tribune News Service, and over a dozen Florida newspapers. Florida DCF, to its credit, has agreed to meet with us. 

To join our campaign and email and fax relevant Florida officials, click here.

Fit parents have a fundamental right to raise their own children. I have partnered with Dr. Ned Holstein and Fathers & Families in a campaign to ask that Florida DCF allow Izquierdo to assume custody of his daughter and return home. Dr. Holstein will be meeting with leading DCF officials in Florida on Wednesday.

We want more letters and calls--to join us, click here. If you participated in our campaign last week, we still want your participation this week.

Please remember to always be polite, respectful, and to the point.

Our full campaign page is here.

Why has Florida DCF fought so hard to separate this father and daughter? There are several reasons.

"[The girl] had a father then. She has one now."

I mentioned the other day that I had contacted syndicated columnist Kathleen Parker of the Washington Post Writers Group about the Elian II case, and that she expressed interest. Today Parker, who is published in over 300 newspapers each week, came out with an article on the case in which she endorsed embattled Cuban father Rafael Izquierdo in his struggle to get his five-year-old daughter out of foster care so he can return home with her.

Parker is concerned about the decline of fatherhood, and was one of the most articulate defenders of Juan Miguel Gonzalez during the original Elian Gonzalez case in 1999/2000. Her new column is Elian II: The Sequel (10/19/07).

To discuss this issue on my blog, click here.

The American Coalition for Fathers and Children The American Coalition for Fathers and Children is dedicated to creating a family law system which promotes equal rights for all parties affected by divorce. Contact the ACFC at 1-800-978-3237 or visit them on the web at www.acfc.org. Parenting Plan Calendar Software Shared Ground (R) is an easy-to-use software program designed for divorced parents to track their parenting plan schedules over many years. Do-it-yourself or let us build your approved parenting plan into a multi-year calendar so that you can print, share, or modify the calendar later. Parents, attorneys, arbitrators and mediators can generate equitable parenting plans, which is especially useful for parents seeking fair division of their children's time. FREE ASSISTANCE TO OUR CLIENTS- $49.95 one-time charge, FREE TRIAL & MONEY-BACK GUARANTEE. Click here for more information.

Miami Herald columnist Ana Menendez discusses the "Elian Gonzalez II" campaign in her column Cuban girl's case is part of the larger story (Miami Herald, 9/23/07). Menendez, whose parents are Cuban immigrants, writes:

"I believe the girl belongs with her father, Rafael. I believe children should be raised by their parents."

Read Menendez's full column here.

To discuss this issue on my blog, click here.

A Legal Advocate for Fathers in Los Angeles & Ventura Counties The Law Offices of Adam Michael Sacks, Esq., handles cases of all sizes with compassion, understanding, and a commitment to helping fathers protect themselves in a divorce. Don't assume anything and don't sign anything--call Adam Sacks, Esq. at 1-800-340-7320, or write him at adam@adamlawyer.com. www.adamlawyer.com (No relation) FALSELY ACCUSED IN NORTHERN CALIFORNIA? If you've been falsely accused of domestic violence, sexual abuse, child molestation, or other crimes of a sexual nature, contact The Law Offices of Douglas R. Slain. Slain is a specialist who has worked for over 30 years to defend falsely accused men and fathers. To learn more, click here, or call toll-free 800-438-6820 or 510-926-2630.

Background: My recent column U. of Maryland Correct to Deny Clothesline Project Protesters a Forum to Publicly Name Alleged Rapists (Baltimore Sun, 10/15/07) defends the university's controversial decision to forbid campus feminist protesters from publicly naming alleged rapists during their Sexual Assault Awareness Week activities. I explained:

"The university cites the danger of lawsuits from those named, and that's certainly a reasonable fear. Yet the university should also oppose naming alleged rapists because it could defame and harm innocent men. A significant percentage of allegations of sexual assault are false."

Erin Boguski, a member of the board of the Baltimore chapter of the National Organization for Women, slammed my recent op-ed column in a letter to the Baltimore Sun today called "Clothesline Project gives victims a voice."

To Boguski's credit, she does make a few valid points about rape.  She is certainly correct that simply because a rape accusation did not result in a criminal conviction does not mean that the rape did not occur.  I have never suggested otherwise.  She is also correct that rape survivors can be embarrassed, shamed, or even intimidated into not pursuing charges.

However, some of her assertions lack validity. My assertion in the column that the Clothesline Project is a feminist event which encourages women to "rage at the patriarchy" is correct.  More importantly, Boguski dredges up the old feminist myth that "false allegations of sexual assault occur at the same rate as false allegations of other violent crimes, at just 2 percent of charges."

This figure was made famous by feminist Susan Brownmiller in her 1975 book Against Our Will: Men, Women and Rape. Brownmiller was relaying the alleged comments of a New York judge concerning the rate of false rape accusations in a New York City police precinct in 1974.

A 1997 Columbia Journalism Review analysis of rape statistics noted that the 2% statistic is often falsely attributed to the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and has no clear and credible study to support it. The FBI's statistic for "unfounded" rape accusations is 9%, but this definition only includes cases where the accuser recants or the evidence contradicts her story. Instances where the case is dismissed for lack of evidence are not included in the "unfounded" category. Brownmiller's credibility can be assessed by her assertion in Against Our Will that rape is "nothing more or less than a conscious process of intimidation by which all men keep all women in a state of fear."

Boguski's full letter can be seen here. The Sun also printed a letter from Marc E. Angelucci of the National Coalition of Free Men, which can be seen below Boguski's letter.

To discuss this issue on my blog, click here.

Fathers & Families: Advocacy for the Child-Father Bond Fathers & Families is a non-profit organization advocating for the right of every child to have two parents. Called by some a "fathers' rights organization," Fathers & Families is made up of men and women who believe that fathers are an essential part of a child's life and that divorce or separation should not change this. www.FathersandFamilies.org  FALSELY ACCUSED IN TEXAS? Domestic Violence. Child Sexual Assault. Child Protective Services Defense. Contact the Law Office of Stuckle & Ferguson www.PaulStuckle.com / falseaccusations@stuckle-ferguson.com Goldberg & Associates--the Parental Alienation Specialists If you're the target of Parental Alienation, the Parental Alienation specialists at Goldberg & Associates can help. They operate throughout the U.S. and Canada and assist family law attorneys and targeted parents needing medical-legal consulting services related to Parental Alienation. Call them at 905.481.0367 or visit their website www.parentalalienation.ca.

Background: In the outrageous "Elian Gonzalez II" case in Miami, Rafael Izquierdo, a fit, loving father, has faced numerous obstacles to reunite with his 5-year-old daughter. From day one of this case, the Florida Department of Children & Families has done everything in its power to separate Rafael Izquierdo from his little girl. To learn more, click here.

The Miami Herald article "Cuban child custody cases piling up" (9/21/07) reveals that there is an Elian Gonzalez III case, and apparently Florida DCF is doing the same thing to the dad as they're doing to Rafael Izquierdo. Miami Herald reporter Carol Marbin Miller writes:

"With her father's consent, a small child emigrates from Cuba to Miami with her mother. Some time later, the little girl's mom is gripped by mental illness and ends up in a psychiatric hospital.

"The girl, now 5, is in the care of state child-welfare administrators. Her father, still in Cuba, wants her back.

"Sound familiar?

"Just as the battle for custody of Rafael Izquierdo's 5-year-old daughter enters what could be its final chapter in Miami, a strikingly similar case is attracting attention.

"The new case is one of at least three involving children born in Cuba currently being handled by the Florida Department of Children & Families, which already has spent more than $250,000 in an effort to prevent Izquierdo from getting custody of his daughter...

"The other Miami case began in late August. The 5-year-old girl's mother was involuntarily committed to a psychiatric hospital, according to DCF spokeswoman Erin Geraghty.

"The girl's father lives in Havana and is seeking to regain custody. DCF investigators believe, however, that he has a drinking problem.

"The department has not yet discussed the girl's plight with the dad, Geraghty said.

'''We are in the initial process of contacting the father,' she said.

"The parents lived together in Havana, but separated when the girl was two, Geraghty said. The case has been assigned to Miami-Dade Circuit Judge Valerie Manno Schurr.

"The girl is currently in the care of her mother's cousins. It is unclear whether they are seeking permanent custody.

"Reached by telephone in Cuba, the father declined to comment on the case..."

Interesting. In "Elian III," DCF's reason (or pretext) for cutting the young girl's father out of the picture is that he may have a drinking problem. Well, maybe he does, maybe he doesn't. But it's strange how DCF is capable of ascertaining this intimate detail of his life, yet has somehow been unable to contact him.

DCF says they are "in the initial process of contacting the father." They make it sound so long and difficult, but it wasn't a problem for the Miami Herald reporter, and DCF had a lot more time than she did. I would bet that if we had his phone number from the DCF file, we could call him directly and have him on the phone in about a minute. 

To discuss this issue on my blog, click here.

HELP FOR NORTHERN CALIFORNIA FATHERS If you're a father in Northern California who's going through a divorce or its aftermath and need legal help, contact The Law Offices of Douglas R. Slain. Slain, a graduate of Stanford Law School, has over 30 years of experience in family law and criminal defense. He can help you protect your relationship with your kids and your finances. To learn more, click here, or call toll-free 800-438-6820 or 510-926-2630 Jeff Leving's New Book--Divorce Wars Jeffery M. Leving, one of America's most prominent divorce lawyers, has written a new book on how to win any divorce fairly, even when your spouse brings out the heavy artillery. Divorce Wars: A Field Guide to the Winning Tactics, Preemptive Strikes, and Top Maneuvers When Divorce Gets Ugly provides essential advice on everything from picking the right lawyer and devising a winning settlement strategy to getting the most from your day in court and dealing with an ex-spouse. Divorce Wars is available here. Help, Resources for Dads The National Fathers' Resource Center is a division of Fathers For Equal Rights, Inc. (FER), located in Dallas, Texas, with offices in both Dallas and Houston. In existence for over three decades, it has services and resources for dads nationwide and is one of the largest and most active fathers' rights organizations in the U.S. www.fathers4kids.org

"Jessica Valenti, author of the book Full Frontal Feminism: A Young Woman's Guide to Why Feminism Matters, has criticized the university's prohibition. She explains that for women, 'There's power in naming.'

"She is correct; the protesters have a lot of power. They have the power to destroy an innocent young man's reputation, college life and career. They have the power to imperil an innocent student's safety by setting him up for vigilante retribution. It's a power that should not be afforded."

My new column, U. of Maryland Correct to Deny Clothesline Project Protesters a Forum to Publicly Name Alleged Rapists (Baltimore Sun, 10/15/07), defends the University of Maryland's decision to forbid campus feminist protesters from publicly naming alleged rapists during their "Clothesline Project"/Sexual Assault Awareness Week activities. The column appears below.

To write a Letter to the Editor of The Baltimore Sun regarding the column, click here.

U. of Maryland Correct to Deny Clothesline Project Protesters a Forum to Publicly Name Alleged Rapists

By Glenn Sacks

The University of Maryland is under fire for denying activists from the Clothesline Project, a campus rape-awareness event, permission to publicly name alleged rapists. The university cites the danger of lawsuits from those named, and that's certainly a reasonable fear. Yet the university should also oppose naming alleged rapists because it could defame and harm innocent men.

A significant percentage of allegations of sexual assault are false...

To read more and to discuss this issue on my blog, click here.

Help for Midwest Fathers Cordell & Cordell is one of the largest domestic relations firms for men in the Midwest, representing fathers in Missouri, Illinois, Texas, Kansas, Indiana and Georgia. Men who come to Cordell & Cordell know that their interests and the interests of their children will be aggressively championed. www.cordellcordell.com Civil War - A Father's Guide to Winning Child Custody Joseph E. Cordell's Civil War - A Father's Guide to Winning Child Custody  gives fathers clear, easy-to-understand tips on how to achieve the best results possible in a divorce. Comprehensive chapters explain every step of the divorce process, the meaning of legal terms, how courts determine custody, and how to maximize chances of victory at every stage. Cordell is the founder of Cordell & Cordell.

Truth-telling Missouri child support auditor Susan Montee (pictured) is under fire from the child support industry after revealing her finding that 27% of the state's 240,000 child support cases have incorrect balances. She points out that when child support transferred cases from an old computer system to a new one nearly a decade ago, many of their figures were incorrect, and now--nearly a decade later--they still have not corrected them.

According to Montee's figures, 65,000 cases have incorrect balances, some with phony arrearages of several hundred thousand dollars.

Director of Missouri Family Support Division Janel Luck has struck back at Montee, calling her "highly irresponsible" and accusing her of "misleading the public." As I've pointed out on numerous occasions, child support enforcement agencies are notorious for their computer errors and bureaucratic bungling. Many innocent fathers have been wrongly targeted for enforcement action--including driver license suspensions and jail--as a result. Frankly, if anything, the 27% figure seems low.

To learn more about the Missouri controversy, read and/or watch the KOMU TV report by clicking here.

KOMU reporter Erica Bennett handled the story--if you're concerned about this issue, or if you are a child support obligor in Missouri who believes he has been saddled with an incorrect arrearage, I suggest you contact her by clicking here.

Also, see my recent blog post Ponder This the Next Time You Hear Some Chest-Thumping DA Pledge to Crack Down on 'Deadbeat Dads' (Part I).

To discuss this issue on my blog, click here.

Thanks to child support expert Jane Spies of the National Family Justice Association for sending me the article. Jane discusses problems with the child support system in her recent article The Myth of the Successful Child Support System.

Boston Red Sox pitcher Curt Schilling (pictured), though almost 41 years-old and with a history of injuries, has come through for the Red Sox again so far this postseason.

With the Red Sox facing elimination in Game 6 of the American League Championship Series, Schilling beat the Indians, allowing only two runs in seven innings. He also shut out the Angels for seven innings in Game 3 of the American League Division Series, much to the consternation of my father, a big Angels' fan, and myself. For several innings it looked like the Angels would get to Schilling, but he always avoided the knockout punch.

Curt Schilling was very close to his father, and was devastated when his father died in January 1988.  Later that year, Schilling made the major leagues, but his father had not lived to see it. Schilling told ESPN:

"My father was the glue that held us together. When he died, I kind of lost my family."

According to an entry on fathersandfamilies.org, in a July 2005 interview, "Schilling revealed that in every difficult situation in life, he first asks what his father would have expected of him. In every game he starts, Curt reserves a seat for his father."

The website adds:

"Schilling was very close to his father, the dominant influence in his life. His father helped him believe in himself, but also taught him about discipline and duty. Curt's father died of lung cancer shortly before Curt made it to the Major Leagues. Curt's behavior became erratic and unfocused, threatening his major league career, until a father figure, veteran Roger Clemens, took him aside and told him he was wasting his talent. Schilling then got serious about his career and became a dominant pitcher."

In 2004, Schilling pitched for the Red Sox in the World Series, despite having a very painful ankle injury.  The injury even bled during the game, but Schilling was effective, and the Red Sox won the World Series.  The next year, Schilling had problems because of painful injuries and, being a very competitive athlete, was very upset over his situation. At the time, Schilling's wife commented to the media on how badly Schilling missed his father, and wished he were there to help him during this difficult time.  It was quite a testament to the bond Schilling shared with his father--17 years after his father's death, Schilling still looked to him for help in a crisis.

To discuss this issue on my blog, click here.

Online Dating Rights Online Dating Rights opposes the new federal International Marriage Broker Regulation Act, which requires Americans who seek to meet foreigners via the internet to have a criminal background check and an intrusive report about intimate details of one's life BEFORE any communication--the first time in US history that such checks have been required. www.onlinedatingrights.com SAMSONLAW--Divorce Lawyers for Michigan Men & Fathers If you're a Michigan man faced with divorce, you need SAMSONLAW on your side--SAMSONLAW defends men. Smart Advocacy Means Stopping Oppression Now. INeedSamson.com My Sara My Sara--How the Adoption Assistance Agency stole a baby girl away from her loving family and put her up for adoption, for a nice profit. To learn more about this incredible story, go to www.my-sara.com

Background: TV often portrays men and fathers as idiots--to watch some videos of "dad as idiot" TV commercials, click here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, and here.

We've done two campaigns against these types of commercials, and have been more or less successful. To learn more, see Campaign Against Anti-Father Verizon Commercial and Campaign Against Anti-Male Advertising on our campaign page here.

If you have a daughter in the nine-year-old range, you're probably familiar with the Disney show Hannah Montana. My daughter often forces me to watch it with her. Well, "forces" isn't exactly accurate, since she snuggles up in my arms as we watch, which would probably make even going to the opera worth it.

Anyway, there's a surprising thing about this show. In an era when we have a long parade of "doofus dads," in Hannah Montana the family is being raised by a single father, and the father is actually a smart, loving, very-competent dad who is respected by his children. It's refreshing to watch a show where a father's intervention in a crisis or incident isn't just a set-up for a joke about what an idiot he is.

In the show, the father, played by country singer Billy Ray Cyrus, is a widower who is the sole caretaker of his children and who gave up his successful career as a country singer to raise his kids. Hannah is played by Billy's real-life daughter and the show often has nice flashbacks of pictures of the two of them together as the little girl grew up.

To discuss this issue on my blog, click here.

Happily Un-married! Living Together & Loving It! Living together is becoming widely accepted among all ages. Happily Un-married! is the first book to take a serious & non-judgmental look at helping these couples improve the fitness of their relationships. The rate of cohabitation is skyrocketing--10 million couples, 40% of whom have children. Happily Un-married! helps unmarried couples stabilize and strengthen their relationships. www.cohabitating.org Help for Georgia Dads Georgia attorney Edwin M. Saginar has 36 years of experience in family law and criminal defense, including domestic violence. He has seen many spouses falsely accuse their significant others of family violence, and knows how to defend your rights. www.edwinsaginar.com Need Affordable Help with Child Support and Custody Issues? Legal Services Centers of America provides fathers with affordable help in family law matters such as child support and child custody. Based in Colorado, they handle cases throughout the US. Call them at (719) 219-3561or write them at lscalegal@earthlink.net. www.legalservicecentersofamerica.com

Associated Press Covers Our Campaign in Defense of Father in 'Elian Gonzalez II' Case

Alicia M. Crowe's Real Dads Stand Up! Alicia M. Crowe's new book Real Dads Stand Up! explains what every single father should know about child support, rights and custody. Learn how to exercise your legal rights, avoid 'baby mama drama', navigate the child support system, gain and maintain access to your children, and settle issues without going to trial. www.realdadsstandup.com Fathers' Rights Legal Help If you need help with divorce, child custody, child support, alimony and visitation issues, The Law Offices of Jeffery M. Leving, Ltd. is one of the only law firms in the country focused almost exclusively on fathers' rights in divorce. Leving did heroic work on the Elian Gonzalez case, helping reunite Elian with his father. He also co-authored Illinois' Joint Custody Law, and was named one of "America's Best Lawyers" by Forbes Radio. Leving is the author of Fathers' Rights: Hard Hitting and Fair Advice for Every Father Involved in a Custody Dispute. Call today for an initial consultation (312) 807-3990 or visit us on the web at www.dadsrights.com.

Ouch--'I think my mom and dad are fighting because of me' Background: Charlotte Hardwick's Dear Judge (Kid's Letters to the Judge) is a fascinating collection of letters which children caught in divorces have written to family law judges.   In the letter below, a young girl blames herself for her parents' divorce. Dear Judge,   I think my mom and dad are fighting because of me. Could you put me in a new family so my mom and dad can be happy again?   Sandy S. To discuss this issue on my blog, click here. Help for Los Angeles/Ventura County Dads Certified Family Law Specialist Peter M. Walzer was one of the key figures in our successful legislative struggle to preserve the LaMusga move-away decision. As Chair of the State Bar of California Family Law Section Executive Committee, Walzer lobbied the state legislature to improve California laws on child support and child custody. He's an American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers Fellow who has authored numerous articles on custody issues, business valuation in marital dissolutions and spousal and child support.  www.California-Divorce.com The LaMusga Company The LaMusga Company provides customized solutions to assist individuals and business owners in reaching their financial goals. The LaMusga Company is committed to helping you accomplish your long-term financial objectives. LaMusgaCo.com Fathers & Families News Digest, 10-22-07 Below are some recent articles and items of interest from Fathers & Families' latest News Digest. Local agencies get grant support (The Troy Messenger, 10-15-07) DHS, courts split on custody case (The Courier, 10-17-07) Local case points out complexities of schools, child custody (Naples Daily News, 10-17-07) Prosecutor: Custody dispute led to death (Winston-Salem Journal, 10-19-07) Documents Show Rowland Asked For Divorce Seal To Protect Kids (Associated Press, 10-17-07) Jon Voight Talks About His Divorce and Family Stigma (ABC News, 10-17-07) A domestic violence court? (Deseret Morning News, 10-16-07) Child support, bankruptcy trail former NBA player Caffey (The Press-Register, 10-21-07) Behind on child support? Forget getting a hunting license in Kansas (Pratt Tribune, 10-19-07) To discuss this issue on my blog, click here. Dr. Warren Farrell's Shared Parenting Evidence Kit--What You Need to Win Shared Physical Custody Dr. Warren Farrell, a top expert on children of divorce now offers a complete evidence kit to help you win shared custody.  The DVDs, audio CD and electronic files summarize the best scientific research available collected over decades.  Scientific research has proven that children do far better with near equal time with both parents with minimal conditions.  This video set was developed to educate parents, judges, lawyers, psychologists and other divorce professionals. Most judges are doing exactly what is worst for children with sole-custody.  Submitted as evidence this will maximize your chances. Divorce Reform groups call(508) 381-1450 to use as fundraiser. www.BestInterestofChildren.org Help for Michigan Dads Michigan family law attorney Mindy L. Hitchcock has experience fighting for noncustodial parents against Michigan's abusive FOC. Her holistic approach to divorce gets results for her clients while avoiding the scorched earth approach to law that leaves families emotionally and financially devastated. Lady4Justice.com

Texas Judge Says, 'We Close at 5', Refuses to Accept Death Row Inmate's Appeal, Inmate Executed a Few Hours Later Texas criminal defense attorney Paul Stuckle (pictured), who specializes in defending men falsely accused of domestic violence or sexual abuse, wrote me recently concerning a Texas judge who is under fire for closing her office in the face of a Death Row inmate's attorneys emergency request to stay his execution. Within hours after the doors closed, the inmate was executed. According to the Texas Lawyer article below, "The U.S. Supreme Court had agreed earlier on the day that Richard was executed to consider a Kentucky case, Baze v. Rees, regarding whether the lethal injection method of execution constitutes cruel and unusual punishment." I have no idea as to the merits of the emergency request, but I share Stuckle's revulsion at many of the barbaric (and anti-male, and racist) aspects of our criminal justice system. Stuckle and I are particularly concerned over the lack of due process afforded men falsely accused of domestic violence. I also oppose "Three Strikes" laws (for my views on the subject, see my His Side with Glenn Sacks show 'Three Strikes' Laws Hurt Low Income, Minority Men.) Since I'm on the subject, I also oppose the Death Penalty (even though most of those on Death Row have committed terrible crimes) and the War on Drugs (see the His Side with Glenn Sacks show Warehousing Minority Males, or click here). Anyway, the article Twenty Lawyers Join in Complaint to be Filed Against CCA Presiding Judge Sharon Keller (Texas Lawyer, 10/10/07) explains the Texas case in greater detail. The petition against the judge can be found here. It reads: "If you are as shocked as we were by Judge Sharon Keller saying 'We close at 5' and refusing to accept an appeal 20 minutes after 5 PM by lawyers representing a man about to be executed, then sign on to this complaint. We will submit this complaint to the State Commission on Judicial Conduct on October 30, 2007." To discuss this issue on my blog, click here. The Diary of a Patient Man--How a Male DV Victim Fought the System and Fought for His Child William Stoneking's The Diary of a Patient Man is the compelling and inspirational true story of a father's fight for his child against a violent ex-wife and a biased court system that tried to drive him away. Get it online or order your copy here. Are you or someone you love being abused? The Domestic Abuse Helpline for Men and Women provides crisis intervention and support services to victims of domestic violence and their families in order to help survivors recover from the trauma of domestic violence. Contact them by clicking here. Ponder This the Next Time You Hear Some Chest-Thumping DA Pledge to Crack Down on 'Deadbeat Dads' (Part I) "Missouri's child-support record-keeping is so bad that in an estimated 51,000 cases where back payments were owed, parents owed far more or less than records show." An audit released Thursday by state Auditor Susan Montee's office said that of 187,033 cases in which more than $1,000 in back child support was owed as of June 30, 2006, the amount owed was incorrect in 27 percent of the cases. That conclusion was based on a sample of findings from 209 cases. "In some cases, the audit found, record-keeping was so far off that parents were shown as owing $309,409 to $454,647 more than they actually owed...   "It's extremely sloppy," Montee said of the division's system of tracking back child support. "It's just a total inattention to making sure these numbers are right." "The result, she said, is that unjustified enforcement actions against some parents -- like paycheck deductions or confiscation of passports -- may be taking place..." On numerous occasions I've discussed the fact that child support enforcement agencies' information about child support obligors is often faulty, and that many fathers are unfairly victimized because of it. In the new Kansas City Star article Audit criticizes Missouri's child-support record-keeping, we learn that a new audit of Missouri child support found that "the amount owed was incorrect in 27 percent of the cases" and "record-keeping was so far off that parents were shown as owing $309,409 to $454,647 more than they actually owed." Moreover, these errors "may" have led, um, to some "unjustified enforcement actions against some parents." Oops. Keep this in mind the next time you hear some chest-thumping District Attorney or Attorney General pledge to crack down on so-called "deadbeat dads." Often the fathers targeted claim that they have been the victim of mistakes, and this audit again demonstrates that sometimes they're right. Tim Hoover, the Kansas City Star reporter, deserves credit for his frank reporting of this story. I suggest that readers send him a quick note to thank him--click here. The full story is here. To discuss this issue on my blog, click here. Thanks to child support expert Jane Spies of the National Family Justice Association for sending me the article. Jane discusses problems with the child support system in her recent article The Myth of the Successful Child Support System.

Are You the Target of Parental Alienation? Parental alienation cases are among the most difficult and complicated in family law. J. Michael Bone, Ph.D., is an expert on parental alienation. If you're a target parent, he can help you get back into your children's lives. Bone has worked as a custody evaluator and as a therapist and knows how to help the court find the truth. His services are available throughout the U.S. Dr. Bone can be reached by phone at (407) 645-0662 or by email by clicking here. www.jmbconsulting.org     Help for Colorado Dads As someone who has personally experienced the heartbreak of divorce and family breakup, Brett W. Martin, Esq. works to advance the interests and concerns of fathers in domestic and family law litigation. Personal attention is given to clients to help them through a very difficult time in their lives. www.brettwmartin.com

My recent His Side with Glenn Sacks radio commentary for KLAA AM 830 in Los Angeles criticizes the new child support/passport rules which are so overwhelmingly popular among the editorial boards of our nation's newspapers. 

To listen to the commentary, click here.

To learn more about the passport law, see my co-authored column, Passport Rules Unfair to Child Support Debtors (San Antonio Express-News, 9/8/07).

His Side with Glenn Sacks radio commentaries are broadcast daily on KLAA AM 830, a 50,000 watt talk station in Los Angeles and Orange County. KLAA AM 830 is owned by Arte Moreno, owner of the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim. KLAA hosts include Glenn Beck and Michael Savage.

From 2003-2005, His Side with Glenn Sacks ran in a syndicated talk show format in Los Angeles, New York City, Boston, Seattle, and other cities. To listen to show archives, click here.

To discuss this issue on my blog, click here.

My Family Has Two Houses...and I'm Okay A workshop for children of separation or divorce in a workbook! In the privacy of your own home, you can provide your child with a safe way of looking at their thoughts and feelings and help to open discussion of relevant issues for them with you. This workbook can make the difference between your child surviving your divorce and thriving despite it! To learn more about My family has two houses ...and I'm Okay! and to order, click here. How to Win Shared Custody Here are the litigation secrets to winning shared physical & legal custody from Boston trial lawyer  Nick Palermo, Esquire  who has won these cases for 24 years.  It costs $5,000. or more in legal fees to gain the knowledge and guidance contained in this $10 handbook--The Ten Essential Elements to Winning Joint Shared Physical and Legal Custody. www.TenEssentialElements.com Think of Your Light Switch as an ATM Machine Wouldn't you like to get paid every time you turn on the power?  Find out how you can get paid on thousands of electric bills each month by clicking here.

A note from Mike McCormick, Executive Director of the American Coalition for Fathers & Children, about its West Virginia affiliate Men and Women Against Discrimination (MAWAD):

"On October 1st I traveled to Charleston, West Virginia to attend a rally by Men and Women Against Discrimination (MAWAD).  http://www.mawadwv.org. Under the leadership of Tim Fittro, about two dozen men and women turned out to express their concern over WV's domestic violence laws and policies.  As you are probably aware, October is nationally designated as Domestic Violence Awareness Month. (this designation is brought to you courtesy of Congress as well)

"The rally was staged directly across the street from the Charleston Marriott and purposely coincided with the start of West Virginia's state DV conference.  Imagine the surprise of conference attendees arriving at the hotel and being welcomed by a group of well organized protesters.

"Several MAWAD leaders signed up for the conference and attended the multi-day event, noting that there were no workshops or sessions dealing with male victims or female perpetrators. 

"This event was thoroughly covered by local newspapers, radio and all three network TV stations.

"The West Virginia Record, the state paper covering the legal community provided extensive reporting. Click the links below to read the stories and drop the West Virginia Record a note thanking them for their reporting at editor@wvrecord.com.

www.wvrecord.com/news/202143-victims-of-false-domestic-violence-reporting-detail-experiences
www.wvrecord.com/news/202142-divide-in-domestic-violence-community-evident-in-charleston
www.wvrecord.com/news/202108-group-says-bulk-of-domestic-violence-cases-clog-cost-court-system

"MAWAD has placed a huge billboard in Charleston calling attention to male victims of domestic violence.  See it here.

"Our friends in West Virginia also have one of the country's strongest shared parenting pieces of legislation pending.  Read it here.

"Congratulations on your efforts and thanks for your dedication to family law reform.  Success is inevitable when dedicated men and women join together and work a plan."

To discuss this issue on my blog, click here.

Help for Los Angeles/Orange County Dads--Because They're Your Kids, Too If you're a dad facing a divorce or separation and you need quality legal representation in Los Angeles or Orange County, the Law Office of David Stone can help. Remember, they're your kids, too. www.help4dad.com Parental-Alienation-Awareness.com Stop Parental Alienation--a terrible form of Child Abuse. Eight states have now officially recognized Parental Alienation Awareness Day. To learn more, go to Parental-Alienation-Awareness.com.

Background: During my youth, Jim Palmer (pictured) was pretty much the best pitcher in baseball, with the possible exception of Tom Seaver. He was usually the first starting pitcher we'd draft whenever I played Strat-O-Matic table baseball with my friends. From 1970 to 1978, Palmer went 176-97, and was voted into the Hall of Fame in 1990.

In Jim Palmer's autobiography, Palmer and Weaver, he discusses his post-divorce relationship with his kids. Palmer praises his custody arrangement, which appears to have been quite like shared parenting:

"We'd raised our kids [in Baltimore] and were part of the community. And I'd always had the luxury, even after the divorce, of living in the same neighborhood as my kids and having them around when I was home, having breakfast with them in the morning, and them coming by on their way to school or on the way back from school, before I went to the ballpark."

Jim has two daughters, Jamie and Kelly.

To discuss this issue on my blog, click here.