Fathima Rifqa Bary: Ohio governor says send Rifqa Bary back

orlandosentinel.com ^ | Sept. 11, 2009 | Rene Stutzman

[Free ThinkerNY]

The office of Ohio Gov. Ted Strickland has issued a statement, saying the teenage girl who ran away from her Muslim home in Columbus, Ohio, to evangelical Christians in Orlando, should be returned.

"Child welfare agencies and authorities in Ohio and Franklin County are fully capable of providing for the security and well-being of Ohio's children," said the statement. "The governor believes this is a family matter and therefore would most appropriately be handled here in Ohio with the assistance of the child welfare and foster care system."

Fathima Rifqa Bary, 17, is currently living with a foster family in the Orlando area. She fled Columbus aboard a Greyhound bus in July, saying her father had threatened to kill her because she had abandoned his faith -- Islam -- and become a Christian.

Her father, Mohamed Bary, a jeweler and Amway distributor, says that never happened. A Florida Department of Law Enforcement investigation supports his claim. So does Franklin County Children's Services, the child welfare agency serving Columbus.

Amanda Wurst, a spokeswoman for Strickland, who is an ordained Methodist minister, first issued the statement yesterday. It puts Strickland at odds with Florida's Gov. Charlie Crist.

[marron]

Vote this guy out. He isn’t worthy of office.

[marron]

"Child welfare agencies and authorities in Ohio and Franklin County are fully capable of providing for the security and well-being of Ohio's children," said the statement. "The governor believes this is a family matter and therefore would most appropriately be handled here in Ohio with the assistance of the child welfare and foster care system."

No doubt.

But if their intent is to keep her safe, away from her folks, then there is no further need for them to get involved. She is safe, away from her folks, where she is.

On the other hand, if their intent is to keep her "safe" but return her to her parents' custody where she is in danger, trusting to a weekly visit from a social worker to keep her safe, then by no means should she be returned to Ohio.

So in neither case is there any reason at all to return her anywhere. She'll be 18 soon. She is old enough to be an emancipated minor right now. That should end it. The governor has no reason at all to get involved unless he is getting pressure behind the scenes. And if he is, then that is even more reason not to return her to Ohio. If they can get to a governor, why couldn't they get to a social worker?

[beethovenfan]

What a stupid ignorant ass.

[antidemoncrat]

This guy sounds like a Liberal Democrat or a Republican with severe brain damage.

[GnuHere]

I don’t know this governor, but let’s pretend he has a teen daughter. Send her to live with the Bary household for a month and see how that goes, you know, just to test the waters.

[maxwellsmart_agent]

Do not know Ted Strickland or his party affiliation, but I can guess. Bet it is the same party that sent a little boy back to Cuba to live under that flake Castro.

[kara37]

This is a really dumb move. If she is sent back and if anything happens to this poor girl, he will be held partly responsible.
There is no reason for him to voice an opinion, since he has no power in this matter. It’s all up to the Florida court.

[snarks_when_bored]

The office of Ohio Gov. Ted Strickland has issued a statement, saying the teenage girl who ran away from her Muslim home in Columbus, Ohio, to evangelical Christians in Orlando, should be returned.

When Rifqa Barry is slaughtered by a family member or some other muslim zealot doing muhammad's ugly work, what penalty will Ohio Governor Ted Strickland pay? Does he agree to forfeit his own life if Rifqa is forced to forfeit hers?

I think we know the answers to these questions.

[WellyP]

Is Strickland playing for the MUZZIE vote! I can think of no other reason to the request the return of this lovely girl to her parents and risk her life.

MUZZIES are animals who blindly follow their leader, Mohammad, the 6th century PEDO!

[boxerblues]

Gov Strickland just another donkeys behind

[Jabba the Nutt]

I think Gov. Strickland just lost any re-election dreams he had.

[Faith]

Strickland is done. This is truly a bonehead move.

Run, Rifqa. Hide until you are 18. Then you can live where you want. And may the Lord protect you wherever you are.

[chris_bdba]

Strickland you are an idiot! What exactly will it do for your re election campaign if she is killed after returning her to Ohio? Not like I care but I truly think it will reflect poorly on your judgement!

[hauerf]

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