Free Republic

The Scottish government is proposing a bill that would appoint a government supervisor to oversee every child in the country from birth onward. Children’s Minister Aileen Campbell said that under the Children and Young People Bill, the responsibility for appointing a “named person” for each child from birth, will lie with local health boards. These persons, who will be social or health workers, will “promote, support or safeguard the well-being of the child or young person.” There have been very few reservations about the bill raised in Scotland’s devolved parliament at Holyrood. The Iona Institute, a conservative think tank, noted...

If Americans want a glimpse of all of the good that can be done for children if our Senate decides to ratify the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC), we need look no further than 90 miles off the coast of Florida. For a shining example of the success of internationalism, Cuba is the United Nation’s latest poster child. In articles released this week by official Cuban news agencies, UNICEF representative José Juan Ortiz praised Cuba for being “able to apply the UN Convention on Children’s Rights in a way which is truly a model.” Cuba? --...

The UN Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC), a seemingly harmless treaty with dangerous implications for American families, is approaching possible ratification by the United States. if this treaty is made binding upon our country, the government would have the power to intervene in any child's life to advance its definition of "the best interests of the child." The scenarios that could occur—and are occurring—as a result of this dangerous notion are both manifold and frightening. Under the UNCRC, instead of following due process, government agencies would have the power to override your parental choices at their whim...

Despite some public relations moves to assuage our doubts, the Obama transition team appears to be formulating an administration that is quite happy to let some international authority dictate your personal lifestyle and how you raise your kids. The heavy hand It was indeed newsworthy that Barack Obama's designated Climate Czar, Carol Browner, has "socialist ties," according to the Jan. 12 banner headline in the Washington Times. Newsworthy, but hardly shocking. Browner was EPA Administrator under President Clinton and rammed through (or attempted to legitimize) the most radical Al Gorean edicts from that eight-year perch. Interesting, but again not shocking,...

"Imagine If..." The Reality of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child Imagine an Air Force mom, serving her country on a month-long deployment, who learns that her daughter has been secretly removed by local authorities, claiming the child has been "abandoned." Children begin mandatory sex-education at the age of four, regardless of their family's opinions, beliefs, or convictions, and parents are imprisoned if their children fail to receive any of their mandatory vaccinations. Parents live in a state of constant supervision and suspicion. Imagine if your national government had the audacity to appoint a "guardian" to monitor...

After one week on the lam, Colleen Hauser and her son, 13-year-old Daniel, returned home on Monday, May 25, 2009. They had fled the family's Minnesota farm when a judge ordered Daniel to undergo chemotherapy.  Because Colleen Hauser returned voluntarily, she was not arrested.  Brown County Family Services wanted Daniel to stay in the county's custody.  But, the young boy was left in the care of his parents.  This emotionally charged incident, reported widely by the media, raises a very important issue.  Who determines what is best for children?  The State was concerned about the boy’s health and life.  So...

Already we are seeing the Socialist, Marxist cogs in the change wheel manipulating away our freedoms and money. Congress and this President have wasted no time from the executive orders to the manipulative speeches and attachments on the ‘stimulus’ bill that insult and betray the American people. Don’t you love the endless speeches and statements by Nancy Pelosi, Harry Reid and Obama regarding the URGENT need to pass the stimulus bill or our country will go down in heaping flames? Naturally, we all understand the EXTREME emergency choices added to the bill such as $650 million for digital TV coupons;...

After Ambassador Susan Rice's inability to make an "iron-clad commitment" for immediate ratification, Boxer will ask Secretary of State Hillary Clinton for U.S. support of the UNCRCWASHINGTON, Feb. 6 /Christian Newswire/ -- The U.N. Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC), which opponents say could destroy American sovereignty by imposing international rulings on American law, could reach the Senate within 60 days. Sen. Barbara Boxer (D-CA) says she wants a 60-day timeframe for the State Department to complete its review so the Senate can move toward ratification of the UNCRC. During the Senate Confirmation hearing between Boxer and UN...