Parental Rights Org. Email Update

System Out of Touch: Helpless Parents, Defenseless Kids

-- June 28, 2012

System Out of Touch: Helpless Parents, Defenseless Kids

Warning: The first bullet point below (so you may skip it) contains an offense of a graphic nature not suitable for all readers.

Why are so many parents today angry with school officials? And just who is in charge of how our children are being raised? Consider:

• In Washington earlier this month, parents were outraged to learn that the school principal had taught 10- and 11-year-old (fifth grade) students how to perform oral and anal sex. Said the superintendent, “I think the principal handled it appropriately at the time; she only gave factual information, no demonstrations.”
• In Coney Island, New York, a principal pulled the patriotic “God Bless the U.S.A.” from the line-up of kindergarten graduation lest it prove “offensive to some cultures.” NYC schools Chancellor Dennis Walcott defended, “It’s the principal’s decision, and we support the principals.”
• In North Carolina, an assistant principal strip searched a third grader over $20 gone missing. Sources say he wore only his t-shirt and boxers while she checked even inside the waistband of those shorts. (The $20 was found under a classroom table.) A county spokeswoman asserted, “[She] was within her legal authority, her legal right, to do the search.”

(c) istockphoto

These stories reflect what happens as more and moreschools believe they get to decide how best to treat and manage children. When common sense doesn’t prevail, it’s because parents don’t have enough real influence. When schools become more parent sensitive, these stories will go away. Instead, parents are feeling pushed out of their role as decision makers for their child. So who is right? As each of these stories illustrates, the schools have more and more power to make these decisions for your child, with or without your consent. The law really is on their side.

In 2006, the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals held in Fields v Palmdale that “the right to [family] privacy…does not entitle [parents] to prohibit public schools from providing students with information that the schools deem to be educationally appropriate,” (emphasis added) – a decision the Supreme Court has declined to reconsider.

How can we return the sanity of parental input to and protection of our schools? How can we stop the erosion of your role as the parent in the life of your child?

The proposed Parental Rights Amendment to the U.S. Constitution will halt the growing intrusion of government over-reach into your parenting decisions. The Amendment clearly states, “The liberty of parents to direct the upbringing, education, and care of their children is a fundamental right,” and includes 3 more qualifying sections. An overwhelming majority of Americans “of every stripe” agree with this right (source: Zogby poll). Now it is time to enshrine it in the Constitution before it erodes even further.

To read the whole amendment and learn how you can join the movement to preserve your parental rights, visit parentalrights.org. Please act to preserve your rights – sign the petition today!
http://www.parentalrights.org/index.asp?SEC={E5ADF5B6-9229-4624-9AA9-9B26715B469A}&Type=B_BASIC

Parental Rights Amendment Heads to Committee

Parental Rights Amendment Heads to Committee

June 13, 2012

Parental Rights Amendment Heads to Committee

We get our big chance in just 36 days — our chance to tell lawmakers in Congress why they should vote for the Parental Rights Amendment this year...

...at the House Constitutional sub-committee hearing scheduled for July 19!

On Tuesday, June 5, Representative Trent Franks and Senator Jim DeMint introduced the Parental Rights Amendment in the U.S. House and Senate as HJRes 110 and SJRes 42!

You and I worked hard to get to this stage of formal introduction represented by these bill numbers, and our 17-month wait is finally over.

But the news is remarkably better than I had hoped. I’m incredibly excited to have a House sub-committee hearing scheduled so very soon after the Amendment’s introduction.

Our Congressional hearing on July 19th could be the most defining moment of the campaign. It is the gateway that will either open or close our opportunity to win.

The purpose of a hearing is for Congress to analyze the issue under a microscope. This hearing is a big deal, and there are three reasons why:

First, a hearing such as this has immense historic importance for later interpretation of the Parental Rights Amendment. The hearing gives me, my staff, and our allies the chance to submit to Congress a goldmine of legal research, testimony, facts, documentation, and evidence, which supports and defines our issue.

Think of this hearing like a trial — what we do right now builds our “case” and will be used as precedent by courts for generations. What happens on July 19th is not just for the hearing, but for the rest of American history.

In the future, when parental rights cases are decided under the Parental Rights Amendment for the first time, the record from this hearing is the first place the courts will look to guide their interpretation.

The critical leg-work my staff and I are doing right now will give parents a solid footing in the Congressional record for as long as the U.S. Constitution lasts.

Second, the hearing tests the Amendment’s political viability. You and I have already cleared the first “viability hurdle” — we got a scheduled hearing date!

Many Constitutional amendments are introduced each year, but very few ever get the privilege of a hearing. This is a symbol of the credibility of the Amendment, and a sign that members of Congress take our issue seriously.

But we’ve only cleared the first hurdle. Shortly after the hearing, the House Constitutional sub-committee will vote. If we don’t get enough “yes” votes, the Amendment may simply die there.

And our side won’t be alone that day. Opponents who want to undermine the role of parents and kill the Parental Rights Amendment will also get time at our hearing.

You can be sure organizations like the ACLU, the NEA, and the Child Rights Campaign — all of the groups that want the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child to rule our families — will do everything in their power to kill the Amendment before it gets any closer to passage.

They will most certainly implore the sub-committee to vote “no.” We must be able to overwhelm their enormous influence.

The third reason this hearing is so crucial is that it tests the Amendment’s viability with the American people. We have to show Congress that our cause resonates with the vast majority of Americans — your friends, neighbors, and fellow citizens.

To do this, we must communicate our message far beyond the boundaries of ParentalRights.org’s current base to everyone who values freedom. We must achieve a pervasive presence in every state, every city, every community, and most family dinner conversations.

That means we have to run ads, buy lists, and distribute media. We have to command the attention of national news agencies. We have to communicate with bigger groups of all kinds and get them on our side.

Together we have made unprecedented progress in this battle, but we can’t afford to underestimate the challenge that lies ahead. Our ability to get votes in Congress doesn’t depend on sweet logic or legal reasoning, as much as I’d like think it does.

Instead, we must pull out all the stops to reach every person in America that we can, and get them engaged. As a single organization, ParentalRights.org cannot accomplish this task alone. The people of this great nation must do it with us.

It will be expensive to mount this effort, but we have the opportunity of a lifetime. That’s why I’m asking you to go above and beyond your normal contribution today and give as generous a gift as you are able.

I must raise significant funds by July 19th in preparation for the hearing and everything that follows. The reality is that ParentalRights.org can only accomplish what our funding allows.

With your help, we will finish the fight, starting with our hearing on July 19th.

Will you help ParentalRights.org prepare for the sub-committee hearing by sending a generous donation today?

I believe the future well-being of the American family hinges on the groundwork you help us lay in the next 36 days.

Your gift is crucial to our success.

Sincerely,

Michael Farris

President
ParentalRights.org

P.S. Your action today will help the Parental Rights Amendment win “yes votes” in the House sub-committee on July 19th, and enable my staff and me to place foundational documents into the Congressional record. The work we do today is not just for this hearing, but for the rest of American history. Please, if at all possible, send your generous gift to ParentalRights.org before July 19 to help us get on a steady path to victory. I hope I can count on receiving your gift in the next 36 days.

Because we are a 501(c)(4) organization designed to lobby the government, donations are not tax-deductible.

http://www.parentalrights.org/index.asp?SEC={14F797ED-D754-4ECA-9DD8-D8EABD3DB66E}&Type=B_BASIC

Letter to the Editor

Doheny seriously considered idea — not Owens

June 6, 2012

Adirondack Daily Enterprise

To the editor:

Recently, some have questioned on this editorial page whether character counts when seeking elected office.

I agree with those who suggest that character is important, but I question how we get a complete picture of a candidate from those who merely want to regurgitate the latest gossip.

I'd like to share my perspective on Matt Doheny, which I think greatly differs from those who only know of him from the news stories and television ads.

Last year, I asked both Congressman Bill Owens and his likely opponent to support a personal cause: the Parental Rights amendment.

In the past several years, an increasing number of judges have, in my opinion, exceeded their authority and impinged on parents' abilities to raise their children in the way they best see fit. This slow erosion of rights concerns me, and I began to see that a constitutional amendment was our best hope for keeping parents - and not the government - in control of our children's upbringing.

When we first met, Matt told me that he shared my concern about judicial and governmental interference in our lives - but was not yet convinced the amendment was the best course of action.

In our subsequent discussions, I found him to be thoughtful and compassionate, while also quite passionate about how he could make a difference if elected. He took a genuine interest in both the Parental Rights amendment and another cause dear to me: homeschooling. And after much research and deliberation, I was thrilled when Matt agreed to support the amendment if elected.

Sadly, my experience with Congressman Owens was the exact opposite. After successfully dodging my repeated phone calls to his office, I attended one of his town halls and asked him for a meeting to explain the amendment. To his credit, he eventually fulfilled that promise. However, he told me point-blank he would not support the amendment. I left that meeting with the impression that the congressman never intended to give serious consideration to what I had to say, and felt like he had trivialized something important to me throughout the entire meeting.

I don't consider myself a political person. But I've come to realize that the future of my children is too important to not fight like hell for. That's why I'm encouraging all my Republican friends to vote for Matt Doheny in the June 26 primary and again on Nov. 6.

Meredith George

Watertown

Doheny seriously considered idea — not Owens - AdirondackDailyEnterprise.com | News, Sports, Jobs, Saranac Lake region — Adirondack Daily Enterprise

Banning Bake Sales

Banning bake sales?!  Who's idea was that?  Give you three guesses and the first two don't count.  Take a look at this video on fox with special guest Mike Farris the president of Parental Rights.Org.

http://video.foxnews.com/v/1627637003001/

PRA Is Being Introduced! Time to Call Congress!

The PRA Is Being Introduced! Time to Call Congress! Representative Trent Franks and Senator Jim DeMint have both agreed to introduce the Parental Rights Amendment in both the House and Senate in the next few days. This is very welcome news. And the really good news is that we have worked with National Right to Life Committee to find language that resolves their concerns. The PRA will not resolve the debate about abortion. The added language just ensures that our Amendment does not tip the scale one way or the other. And there’s even more good news! Representative Trent Franks is the Chairman of the Constitution Subcommittee in the House, and we have his promise of an early hearing – but he has asked us for one thing right now. We need to call every single member of Congress and urge them to become original cosponsors of the PRA. If we get a strong initial showing of original cosponsors, we can get the PRA on a fast track. So we need everyone to take the actions outlined below – Act right away! Action Item: Please Call! 1. Please call your congressman and ask him or her to contact Rep. Trent Franks’s office to sign on as an original cosponsor to the Parental Rights Amendment. You can find their contact information by clicking on your state at parentalrights.org/states, or ask for them by name at the Capitol switchboard: 1-202-224-3121. When you call, please be courteous and respectful. Many of these congressmen are friendly toward the Amendment, and the delays we have experienced have not been their fault. We don’t want to alienate them or their staffs with rudeness. 2. Please call your senators and give them the same message, asking them to contact Sen. Jim DeMint of South Carolina to sign on. You can find their information in the same places listed above. Keep in mind that Capitol Hill staff are used to dealing with bill numbers for everything. So if they ask you for one, respectfully remind them that we are looking fororiginal cosponsors, so there is no bill number yet. It is simply “the Parental Rights Amendment being proposed by” Rep. Franks or Sen. DeMint. You can also assure them that Rep. Franks or Sen. DeMint’s office is actively seeking cosponsors, so they will know what your lawmaker is talking about when he or she calls. 3. Please give generously. Your donation of $5, $25, or even $75 or more will greatly help sustain our efforts during this crucial time. As our activity in Washington picks back up, your renewed support is so important! And as an added bonus, from now through June 1 we are offering my Constitutional Literacy as a free gift with any donations of $85 or more. So if you don’t have your copy yet, be sure to request one when you give.

The Amendment With this new introduction, the Parental Rights Amendment will be slightly different than it has been in the past. The thrust and legal standard remain the same, but the fact that it is not meant to tackle the abortion issue in any way will now be a little bit clearer. Here is the new proposed Amendment, with additions in bold face: SECTION ONE The liberty of parents to direct the upbringing, education, and care of their children is a fundamental right. SECTION TWO Neither the United States nor any State shall infringe this right without demonstrating that its governmental interest as applied to the person is of the highest order and not otherwise served. This article shall not be construed to apply to parental actions or decisions that would end life. SECTION THREE No treaty may be adopted nor shall any source of international law be employed to supersede, modify, interpret, or apply to the rights guaranteed by this article.Thank you for patiently awaiting this exciting moment with us. Now that it is here, thank you for taking a moment to call your leaders and urge their support. We are deeply grateful for your support of families, parents, and the Parental Rights Amendment. Sincerely, Michael Farris President

http://parentalrights.org/index.asp?SEC={90AA3198-8758-4E6F-B91B-75F604267024}&Type=B_BASIC

Overruled: Government Invasion of Your Parental Rights

This could be the most important movie you watch.  If you are a parent this is a must see movie.  Parental Rights are being eroded every day and action must be taken to protect those we treasure the most, our children.

After you have watched the movie please visit www.parentalrights.org and find out how you can help protect the rights of every American parent.  Don't wait for these things to happen to you before you get involved.

Why Do We Need A Parental Rights Amendment?

Why do we need a Parental Rights Amendment?  Maybe you can answer that question yourself after you answer the following questions. 

The questions below were taken from the Parental Rights flyer on "Why We Need the Amendment"  You can get copies to share with your friends and family at the website.  www.parentalrights.org

• “Do you believe that parents and not the government should have decision making control over children?” 
• “Did you know that the government has already stripped parents of a great amount of authority?” 
• “Did you know that state agencies can remove a children from your home based on an anonymous tip, with no corroborating evidence and without any regard for your 4^th Amendment right of due process?” 
• “Did you know that parents lose all legal authority over their children when they drop their kids off at public school door?” 
• “Did you know that school systems can teach anything they want to your children and you have no right to know what they are being taught or to opt them out of classes you think are objectionable?”
• “Did you know that over 1100 school systems in the US use the International Baccalaureate Curriculum which teaches: children are citizens not of the US but of the world? children should be raised in a gun free environment?  If you hunt or engage in any marksmanship sports the IB holds that your guns should be stored somewhere else not in your home.  The curriculum also contains graphic sexual education programs beginning as early as 5 years old including gender neutrality, alternate lifestyles, touching for pleasure etc.
• The government run schools can also mandate public service as a graduation requirement?
• In the Doctor’s office the government run public schools and health clinics can treat your child for STD’s or drug and alcohol issues, hand out and prescribe prophylactics and in many cases arrange for abortions of your child without your consent or knowledge? 
• Did you know that the courts are already using international law to determine how children in our country should be treated? 
• Did you know that one senate vote of 67 senators could effectively remove all state law and authority over family law and federalize and or internationalize it?

 This issue should scare you more than any other social or political issue you can name.  Once the government and non-governmental agencies get the power to decide what our nation’s young people are taught, what they can and cannot do and what they can and cannot believe our country, our freedom and our way of life will vanish.  

Some of you may not be surprised at this information, others may have never heard it before, but it is real and is happening all over the US.  There are hundreds maybe even thousands of newspaper articles, online columns and websites and active watch groups who share cases and instances where parental rights are being eroded every day. 

Here are a few links for you to check out for yourself.

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/10/19/opinion/does-sex-ed-undermine-parental-rights.html

http://blog.cleveland.com/metro/2011/11/obese_cleveland_heights_child.html

http://www.nypost.com/p/news/opinion/opedcolumnists/how_the_feds_are_tracking_your_kid_xC6wecT8ZidCAzfqegB6hL

The issue of Parental Rights is a bi-partisan issue, an American issue.  Recent Zogby polls show that across the board regardless of political, religious affiliation or race people agree that parents have the best interest of the child not the government.  

http://parentalrights.org/index.asp?Type=B_BASIC&SEC=%7B9487B39D-DE5F-4650-82DB-68E7B240D11A%7D&DE=

  

Update on the PRO‘s recent activity:

The Parental Rights Organization has joined with several other parent friendly organizations and leaders to support HR2769 Ron Paul’s Parental Consent Act.  This bill would prevent federal funds from going in any organizations to establish or implement any universal or mandatory mental health, psychiatric or socioemotional screening program.” It goes on to define such programs to include “any student mental health screening program that allows mental health screening of individuals less than 18 years of age without the express written voluntary informed consent of the parent or legal guardian of the individual involved.” 

PRO does not often take a stand on any legislation beyond the PRA but we fully support the requirement of informed parental consent for any program intrusive to the privacy of children therefore we support this bill in the US Congress.

Two other concerns we are researching more fully are New Department of Labor regulations that appear to impact the right of parents to determine whether their teenage children manage certain kinds of equipment or work with certain animals on family farms;  and New Department of Education guidelines for interpreting and applying privacy policies under the Family Education Rights and Privacy Act(FERPA)  These policies may impact the right and ability of parents to protect the privacy of their children who attend public schools.

The question most people ask after hearing this information is what can I do?  First if you have not signed the petition please do so.  Secondly visit www.parentalrights.org and find out what you can do financially to support the organization.  Thirdly sign up to be a volunteer.  There are so many volunteer opportunities even if it is just sharing the video “Overruled” with your family and friends. 

http://www.overruledmovie.com/

Thank you for your support.

Peace of Christ-

Meredith George