Van Dams undecided on how $24,000 will be used

Sign-on San Diego ^ | March 24, 2002 | Kristen Green

[vacrn]

Keep on pinging! Thank you!

[Lanza]

Thanks for the pings on the VD threads today.

[PoisedWoman]

would buy a lot of weed, beer, and very friendly friends

You nailed it! Party time at the VDs, everyone. Clothing optional. Y'all come. (NO, I don;t mean THAT.)

[Diva Betsy Ross]

I do not know the bible by heart. I really believe that Jesus taught us to use our brain and apply our knowledge to our enviornment. Thus using our Christian beliefs and actions to make the world a better place. I don't agree that we should take everyhting the Bible says literaly.

[Tennessee_Bob]

Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.

[Diva Betsy Ross]

That is right. I believe it is our duty to condem the way the VAn Dams have choosen to raise their children. I believe it is our duty to the children and to future parents. This whole discussion began with one's right to pass judgement based upon past knowledge. I still don't think it is wrong and in fact I hope we as a society can continue to pass judgement vocally on other horrible behavior.

I think it benefits our society to say there are some behaviors that are not acceptable when rasing children.

[Freedom2specul8]

Yes, their personal lives suck and they are very self-centered..kind of like Hugh Hefner, and Ted Turner....but according to all accounts, the kids were very happy, well adjusted and behaved...unlike the kids of addicts, druggies and alcoholics. Thanksfully, the counselor will report any suspicions of abuse to the authorities because if she doesn't, she can be charged with a crime. (according to what I understand)

[Diva Betsy Ross]

I don't trust reports that the children were happy , secure and well behaved. No one will ever know what is going on inside. I am the child of someone like you described. No one knew what I was thinking or feeling. Not any therapists, teachers ,neighbors or friends. The VanDams may not have killed their daugher, however I don't think their parental obligations were ever carried out.

[Freedom2specul8]

No one will ever know what is going on inside

Amen...Children of alcoholics DO know how to hide their feelings..(I know too) But, a really good counselor may be able to recognize the classic COA...HOPEFULLY. It is hard to find good counselors...if this person who is helping them only works with trauma and grief...we may never know the truth. I DO AGREE, that being forced to live in an alcoholic is abusive..whether the child (and adult child)thinks so or not.

[rolling_stone]

Court TV up now war of words between Rick Roberts and Mark Klaas.....

[Freedom2specul8]

ThNKx! I'm off to go watch..

[Amore]

I hope one of you will post a synopsis or something of whatever it was on Court TV re: Roberts & Klaas. Sounds interesting.

[rolling_stone]

Basically Klass acused Roberts of "Character Assasination" of the Van Dam's and it was somewhat heated..apparently Rick Roberts has known Klaas for years but they did not see eye to eye on this subject, kinda like some of our early threads, talking about the parents lifestyle vs concentrating on finding the child...

[Amore]

Thanks. That is how one would have expected it to go. Nothing unexpected or worth noting, I guess?

[Hildy]

I'm not going to get into this with you again, but your implication that they're happy that their daughter died so they can make money is beyond insane. YOU DON'T EVEN KNOW THEM.

[Freedom2specul8]

I'm bumming..it's not on and I'm lookign for reference to it on their website..

[Freedom2specul8]

Thanks for telling us...was that on catherine crier?

[Freedom2specul8]

...happy that their daughter died ...

It's pretty sick to assume something like that..

[Freedom2specul8]

Ok, we missed it..it was on a couple of hours ago here...It'd be nice if they would replay it. Glad to here klaas speak out....sounds like he might have did good.

[Freedom2specul8]

What position did Crier take if any?