Posted on 09/17/2004 10:05:57 PM PDT by cnuseeme
The media is missing the desperate message being sent out by parents who feel they have had their parental rights revoked. When Jason Hatch (a member of Fathers 4 Justice) decided to model his Batman Crusader outfit, and scale the walls of Buckingham Palace, Hatch's show to the world wasn't- see the lack of security surrounding her majesty's playground- this was the last thing on this father's mind. What drives a parent, whether a mom or a dad, into pulling on uncomfortable grey tights, neatly tying a cape around their neck's and risking life and limb to make a point that deserves attention? Are people like Mr. Hatch just irresponsible kook's who need to be locked up or are they really frustrated parent's who want to be a part of their children's lives? What is the message we should be taking from this and are Hatch's antics really delivering it correctly?
This isn't the first outlandish performance given by Jason Hatch and it probably won't be his last. Hatch (who said he changed his last name after his split from his former wife Victoria Jones) had also staged the scaling of the Clifton suspension bridge in Bristol, clambered up York Minster and climbed to the top of Gloucester family court. There are parents who have legitimate reasons to fight for their rights to see and be a part of their children's lives, but I am afraid the instability of someone like a Mr. Hatch may do more harm than good for their cause. How stable is a parent who has had several children by three different women? Mr. Hatch had two children with his former wife Ms. Jones, one child with another woman in another relationship and a six-month-old baby with his current girlfriend. When you try and glue the intent of fatherhood to Mr. Hatch you come away with a parent who spends much of his time in court fighting his stage antics and a parent whom cannot seem to commit to one relationship with one woman, how stable is this parent? Aren't these the facts the court systems need to be reviewing?
The taste left in the public's mouth over Mr. Hatch and his coordination efforts for media coverage of helping parental rights isn't going to be very palatable. When you are trying to garner sympathy for your plight- observers first peer at a person's stability. That is the way it is, you cannot change people and their first impressions and judgements of your lifestyle and your engagement into activism.
I've talked with many parents and grandparents who feel the laws are skewed in dealing with all the complexities of split homes. The sad fact of the matter is, because of the stupidity and selfishness of the parents, it is the children who suffer the most. The stories of good dads having their children ripped from their loving arms is astounding. This scenario though plays itself out not only for fathers, but for grandparents and sometimes for mothers. More often than not in the court system it's the mom who receives preferential treatment, she is the one who controls the situation. To balance this situation each case must be carefully analyzed and the conclusions need to be addressed independently of other cases. Certainly there have been times when it is the mother who is unfit.
There are many exceptions to the rules, we know there are parents (moms, dads, grandparents) who do not deserve to have any contact with their children. They may be child molesters, abusers, or drug addicts, these type of parents need the court systems to step in and protect the innocent who haven't any control or defense. We aren't talking of these types of parents though, we need to be addressing those who are being unjustly dealt with and who deserve their rights to parenthood.
What can parents who really desire to be parents do when divorce rears its ugly head and destroys a home? This is what rights groups like Fathers 4 Justice really need to be working on, not playing drama queen roles. Irrational drama always turns the public's support away from what needs to be fixed. The point as a whole is supposed to be about the children and their needs. Parents and grandparents need to set aside their selfish ambitions and remember who it is they are supposed to be protecting. No, this will not be easy. The opposing parents often lie and make statements that are not true in order to hurt the other spouse. These are the types of parents who are just as selfish as those who go around and reproduce children outside a committed relationship. Our hearts need to go out to these parents who are having their children stolen from them by the viciousness of a former spouse. We need parental rights groups to work through the justice system, fight with the law on their side, pray for the best thing to happen for their children and to place the focus on loving their child-not just trying to win or score in the battle of the "Jones'."
Mr. Hatch and his capped crusaders are doing more to hurt the cause of parental rights. Fathers 4 Justice have an undeniable truth within their organization, parents and grandparents have rights to their children, but their execution of said fight needs to be taken back to the "Bat Cave." It's time for Batman and Robin to have a session with the wisdom of "Alfred." Perhaps then the tuning of the "Bat Channel" might become clearer and the timing of "Bat Time" may be more affective in protecting what we all really want as parents and grandparents, and that is the loving, caring and raising of our own offspring. We all need to take responsibility and be a part of what we've created.
You want GOOFY? Where's the AP photo of the guy on a balcony on the outside of Buckingham palace, being stared at by a butler? (This courtesy of the AP) looneyville! www.newsminer.com!
LOL!
I guess we're just supposed to siddown and shaddup then.
no dont sit down and shut up. Fight for your rights as parents. I just question how effective the antics of Hatch are when the media just paints "security breech"
I dont care if you're a mom or dad- if you can't show responsibility how will the public at large back you?
I wanted this to be thought about.
I was being sarcastic.
The other person I pinged, Roger F. Gay, is a well-known father's rights advocate. 'Pod.
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