Just a few months ago you could buy hard gold and silver over the counter at local mints and dealers. Today, you can buy to set the price but must wait 8 to 10 weeks to take delivery.
Message: If you are not thinking ahead....your neighbors are.
Wednesday, September 24, 2008
Bailouts NOT For You....Be Prepared!
The biggest financial news of the century is the government bailout of our economy. Don't kid yourself, it was and is worse than you have imagined.
$700 Billion In Perspective
Our state budget is around $24 billion a biennium. Add the federal money and transportation dollars and we are up around $50 billion for a two year budget. $700 Billion Would Run Our Entire State for 14 Years! That is one truck load of money!
Skip the blogger talk of the goods and bads of the bailout. If it hadn't happened we would be sucking the wind of the high desert right now. Think moon terrain.
As it is we are borrowing from the Chinese, shackling our posterity, and on an individual basis had better wake up.
IF YOU THINK THE STATE OF WASHINGTON IS PREPARED TO HELP YOU WITH FOOD AND SUPPLIES DURING AN EMERGENCY YOU ARE WRONG
There are no supplies of food and water for the masses. The state does not store food for disasters. Private organizations do...but don't count on your local armory or school district as being distribution centers for food or medicines as the non-profits run out of help. You need to take the responsibility of preparing for your yourself and your family.
STORE A TWO WEEKS SUPPLY OF FOOD AND ROTATE IT AS PART OF YOUR EVERYDAY LIVING.
STORE WATER IN PLASTIC BOTTLES WITH A DROP OF CHLORINE IN EACH.
STORE MEDICINE AS NEEDED.
HAVE A PROPANE STOVE OR CAMPING STOVE.
HAVE FLASHLIGHT BATTERIES.
HAVE A CRANK POWERED RADIO.
WANT TO GO THE EXTRA MILE? BECOME A HAM RADIO OPERATOR AND VOLUNTEER TO BE A PART OF THE NETWORK.
STORE A LITTLE OF THE HARD STUFF...(NO...NOT LIQUOR) NEGOTIABLE SILVER AND GOLD.
No...the State of Washington is not prepared to take care of you. They know that and that is why they recommend you get prepared.
MOMENT OF SILENCE FOR THOUGHT....
Just what would I tell my children if I was not prepared for a disaster?
$700 Billion In Perspective
Our state budget is around $24 billion a biennium. Add the federal money and transportation dollars and we are up around $50 billion for a two year budget. $700 Billion Would Run Our Entire State for 14 Years! That is one truck load of money!
Skip the blogger talk of the goods and bads of the bailout. If it hadn't happened we would be sucking the wind of the high desert right now. Think moon terrain.
As it is we are borrowing from the Chinese, shackling our posterity, and on an individual basis had better wake up.
IF YOU THINK THE STATE OF WASHINGTON IS PREPARED TO HELP YOU WITH FOOD AND SUPPLIES DURING AN EMERGENCY YOU ARE WRONG
There are no supplies of food and water for the masses. The state does not store food for disasters. Private organizations do...but don't count on your local armory or school district as being distribution centers for food or medicines as the non-profits run out of help. You need to take the responsibility of preparing for your yourself and your family.
STORE A TWO WEEKS SUPPLY OF FOOD AND ROTATE IT AS PART OF YOUR EVERYDAY LIVING.
STORE WATER IN PLASTIC BOTTLES WITH A DROP OF CHLORINE IN EACH.
STORE MEDICINE AS NEEDED.
HAVE A PROPANE STOVE OR CAMPING STOVE.
HAVE FLASHLIGHT BATTERIES.
HAVE A CRANK POWERED RADIO.
WANT TO GO THE EXTRA MILE? BECOME A HAM RADIO OPERATOR AND VOLUNTEER TO BE A PART OF THE NETWORK.
STORE A LITTLE OF THE HARD STUFF...(NO...NOT LIQUOR) NEGOTIABLE SILVER AND GOLD.
No...the State of Washington is not prepared to take care of you. They know that and that is why they recommend you get prepared.
MOMENT OF SILENCE FOR THOUGHT....
Just what would I tell my children if I was not prepared for a disaster?
Friday, September 19, 2008
Court Case For Enumclaw Family Heart Wrenching
Last Monday I drove my car from Mt. Home Air Force Base to the Boise Airport. I parked the car in long term parking, bought an over-the-counter ticket, and boarded the next plane to Seattle.
I have spent almost nine months trying to get DSHS to follow the law and allow 3 year-old Lisa to see her relatives. The state has not allowed those mandated visits because they have decided to keep the good relatives (grandparents and aunts and uncles) away from Lisa. They actually WANT to deprive the little girl of her family.
They are depriving the relatives of visits in hopes that the mother (pregnant at 16) will take a drink of alcohol and then they can terminate parental rights. (That's right...for a drink of alcohol.)
Lisa, the state is already arguing, should not go to her relatives...she should be put up for adoption in a home they have already selected.(The home with the restraining order against the man with the gun.)
Doing everything in my power (and there is no power for a legislator in the courtroom), I have tried to help this family keep their baby. There is no power for a legislator over an agency. And, there are no laws that can enforce accountability within DSHS. They do what they want. THESE ARE VERY POWERFUL, UNACCOUNTABLE STATE BUREAUCRATS.
GOD HELP YOU IF YOU ARE A HEALTHY FAMILY AND YOUR SPECIAL CHILD WRONGFULLY GETS IN THE SYSTEM.
For two days I have tried not to think about what my state, the state I have served for 18 years, is doing to break up the GOOD families.
DSHS is corrupt at both ends. They keep kids in dangerous places and watch them die. And, they set up the taking of other kids away from good families to send them off to foster adopt homes.
In court on Tuesday I was not allowed to say anything about the doctoring of an email regarding Lisa's black eye.
I was not allowed to tell the judge that the state was ignoring her order to allow (in fact, encourage) visits by the grandparents.
I was not allowed to tell the judge that in the first nine months of 2008 the grandparents have had one hour and 40 minutes of visiting with their grandchild.
Tomorrow morning my husband and I are getting on the plane and flying back to Boise. I will pick up my car. I will go back to the airbase. I will be with two of my ten grandchildren. And, I will thank God that I don't have the full force of the State of Washington trying to take any of the ten away from us.
I have spent almost nine months trying to get DSHS to follow the law and allow 3 year-old Lisa to see her relatives. The state has not allowed those mandated visits because they have decided to keep the good relatives (grandparents and aunts and uncles) away from Lisa. They actually WANT to deprive the little girl of her family.
They are depriving the relatives of visits in hopes that the mother (pregnant at 16) will take a drink of alcohol and then they can terminate parental rights. (That's right...for a drink of alcohol.)
Lisa, the state is already arguing, should not go to her relatives...she should be put up for adoption in a home they have already selected.(The home with the restraining order against the man with the gun.)
Doing everything in my power (and there is no power for a legislator in the courtroom), I have tried to help this family keep their baby. There is no power for a legislator over an agency. And, there are no laws that can enforce accountability within DSHS. They do what they want. THESE ARE VERY POWERFUL, UNACCOUNTABLE STATE BUREAUCRATS.
GOD HELP YOU IF YOU ARE A HEALTHY FAMILY AND YOUR SPECIAL CHILD WRONGFULLY GETS IN THE SYSTEM.
For two days I have tried not to think about what my state, the state I have served for 18 years, is doing to break up the GOOD families.
DSHS is corrupt at both ends. They keep kids in dangerous places and watch them die. And, they set up the taking of other kids away from good families to send them off to foster adopt homes.
In court on Tuesday I was not allowed to say anything about the doctoring of an email regarding Lisa's black eye.
I was not allowed to tell the judge that the state was ignoring her order to allow (in fact, encourage) visits by the grandparents.
I was not allowed to tell the judge that in the first nine months of 2008 the grandparents have had one hour and 40 minutes of visiting with their grandchild.
Tomorrow morning my husband and I are getting on the plane and flying back to Boise. I will pick up my car. I will go back to the airbase. I will be with two of my ten grandchildren. And, I will thank God that I don't have the full force of the State of Washington trying to take any of the ten away from us.
Thursday, September 18, 2008
Nine Dead Children In DSHS Region 5 Since January 2008
What kind of government department is this, anyway?
I had noticed the May 31st front page story in the Tacoma paper about a three year old who had been killed while part of an open Child Protective Services case. That was stunning to all who read about it. Then there was another case in the area where the mother of a young child (also an "open case") poked pins in the eyes of her daughter leaving her blind.
Again, in August, same paper...same front page...there was yet another three year old under the supervision of the department....DEAD.
No one walks up to a legislator and says, "Hey, look at this!" You have to take a look yourself. And, fortunately, when a staffer knows you are interested in a subject they may volunteer information.
The following was sent to me Monday, September 15th, by a staff member:
Senator Roach,
"There have been 9 child fatalities in Region 5 since January 1, 2008. Region 5 encompasses Pierce and Kitsap Counties. It is my understanding that of the 9, 6 were on open child protective services cases and 3 were on open child welfare services cases. Four of the 6 fatalities on open CPS cases were homicides. Let me know if you need anything further."
Ladies and Gentlemen,
In this kind of proportion, carried out through the state and in a full calendar year, we have an epidemic of mismanagement!
No wonder the very respected Council on Accreditation has denied the department's application!
It is no wonder that our State Auditor prioritized CPS for a performance audit and found it lacking!
In many cases CPS is just not following the law that the people made, YOU made, through our legislators. If management (all paid over $100,000+ a year) were doing their jobs our state would earn a higher evaluation. And, I believe we would have more children alive today.
(One of the really pathetic things here is that they seemingly take no one's suggestions. More on that later.)
I had noticed the May 31st front page story in the Tacoma paper about a three year old who had been killed while part of an open Child Protective Services case. That was stunning to all who read about it. Then there was another case in the area where the mother of a young child (also an "open case") poked pins in the eyes of her daughter leaving her blind.
Again, in August, same paper...same front page...there was yet another three year old under the supervision of the department....DEAD.
No one walks up to a legislator and says, "Hey, look at this!" You have to take a look yourself. And, fortunately, when a staffer knows you are interested in a subject they may volunteer information.
The following was sent to me Monday, September 15th, by a staff member:
Senator Roach,
"There have been 9 child fatalities in Region 5 since January 1, 2008. Region 5 encompasses Pierce and Kitsap Counties. It is my understanding that of the 9, 6 were on open child protective services cases and 3 were on open child welfare services cases. Four of the 6 fatalities on open CPS cases were homicides. Let me know if you need anything further."
Ladies and Gentlemen,
In this kind of proportion, carried out through the state and in a full calendar year, we have an epidemic of mismanagement!
No wonder the very respected Council on Accreditation has denied the department's application!
It is no wonder that our State Auditor prioritized CPS for a performance audit and found it lacking!
In many cases CPS is just not following the law that the people made, YOU made, through our legislators. If management (all paid over $100,000+ a year) were doing their jobs our state would earn a higher evaluation. And, I believe we would have more children alive today.
(One of the really pathetic things here is that they seemingly take no one's suggestions. More on that later.)
Wednesday, September 17, 2008
Department of Social and Health Services Harrassing Pam Roach
"Join the club," is what I say to DSHS, Children's Division. I try to, respectfully, give them opportunities to do the right thing and in response I am harassed for months by this inept and billeted agency.
I am a strong proponent of personal privacy protection and certainly think there is a great deal of personal information that should not be public. On the other hand, I believe in open government. The public has a right to know what its government is doing.
We (the people) are responsible for our government.
Government agencies must have checks and balances.
Government will always move to extend its power because it is the nature of a bureaucrat to seek more power.
It is possible to be an advocate of both...privacy and open government.
Since last February I have asked for information and sought to have the Department of Social and Health Services follow the law. I have meet on many occasions with DSHS. They engage in "passive-aggressive" behavior when dealing with the public. I believe that in my efforts to hold government accountable the department through this persistent behavior, has been harassing me, putting me off, wasting my time, and playing me for a fool. I don't like any of that.
Next submission: tonight at midnight...see you there DSHS.
I am a strong proponent of personal privacy protection and certainly think there is a great deal of personal information that should not be public. On the other hand, I believe in open government. The public has a right to know what its government is doing.
We (the people) are responsible for our government.
Government agencies must have checks and balances.
Government will always move to extend its power because it is the nature of a bureaucrat to seek more power.
It is possible to be an advocate of both...privacy and open government.
Since last February I have asked for information and sought to have the Department of Social and Health Services follow the law. I have meet on many occasions with DSHS. They engage in "passive-aggressive" behavior when dealing with the public. I believe that in my efforts to hold government accountable the department through this persistent behavior, has been harassing me, putting me off, wasting my time, and playing me for a fool. I don't like any of that.
Next submission: tonight at midnight...see you there DSHS.
Tuesday, September 16, 2008
Turns Out Obama Isn't the Savior After All, It's Palin
Sarah Palin is saving the Republican Party.
Palin has captured the imaginations of the American people and in doing so she has severed the minds of voters from the remembrance of George W. Bush. She has obliterated the five point Democratic advantage of the "Obama factor." She will bring previously undecided voters to the polls to vote Republican....all over the country!
It will be the "Palin factor" the puts Dino Rossi in the governor's mansion here in Washington State. And, because she has also motivated the base Republican voters (something McCain needed help doing) she will have given a 3 to 4 percent boost to all of our other candidates too.
Timing and momentum are very important in a campaign.
In the end game of the last eight weeks before the general election there can be no errors. If your timing is off the momentum can change and there may be no time or issues to reverse the damage.
Obama's timing was off. He peaked too soon and now has absolutely nothing left in the bag. Think of it like an Olympic contest. The race is on and you pour on the speed like Obama did. But, you have to sustain that. He couldn't do it. In fact, he took a big trip with boring Biden. There was a stall at that point.
And, coming in from the outside, was Palin who took the lead and has never let up. Obama has nothing but pathetic negative blastings to play. But, he will be throwing them out at a McCain/Palin team he can not catch.
The Republicans are the ones with the perfect timing. Republicans are the ones with the momentum. And, in the end game, that is pretty tough to catch.
In our State House of Representatives we will gain, probably three seats. In the Senate we will not lose any numbers. (To give you some perspective, the Senate Republicans lost two seats in '04 and six seats in '08....that was 8 seats in a mere 24 months!) But, it is the governor's mansion that now looks within reach.
So, Sarah...YOU are the change we needed.
Palin has captured the imaginations of the American people and in doing so she has severed the minds of voters from the remembrance of George W. Bush. She has obliterated the five point Democratic advantage of the "Obama factor." She will bring previously undecided voters to the polls to vote Republican....all over the country!
It will be the "Palin factor" the puts Dino Rossi in the governor's mansion here in Washington State. And, because she has also motivated the base Republican voters (something McCain needed help doing) she will have given a 3 to 4 percent boost to all of our other candidates too.
Timing and momentum are very important in a campaign.
In the end game of the last eight weeks before the general election there can be no errors. If your timing is off the momentum can change and there may be no time or issues to reverse the damage.
Obama's timing was off. He peaked too soon and now has absolutely nothing left in the bag. Think of it like an Olympic contest. The race is on and you pour on the speed like Obama did. But, you have to sustain that. He couldn't do it. In fact, he took a big trip with boring Biden. There was a stall at that point.
And, coming in from the outside, was Palin who took the lead and has never let up. Obama has nothing but pathetic negative blastings to play. But, he will be throwing them out at a McCain/Palin team he can not catch.
The Republicans are the ones with the perfect timing. Republicans are the ones with the momentum. And, in the end game, that is pretty tough to catch.
In our State House of Representatives we will gain, probably three seats. In the Senate we will not lose any numbers. (To give you some perspective, the Senate Republicans lost two seats in '04 and six seats in '08....that was 8 seats in a mere 24 months!) But, it is the governor's mansion that now looks within reach.
So, Sarah...YOU are the change we needed.
Sunday, September 14, 2008
For the United States Air Force It Is ALL About Air Superiority...Every American Should Take Their Family To An Air Show
IT WAS ALL ABOUT THE USA AND WHAT KEEPS US FREE
ALL EYES WERE FACING THE FLY OVERS AT MT. HOME (IDAHO) AIR FORCE BASE THIS WEEKEND. HERE I AM WITH GRAND-DAUGHTER, SADIE (3).
When the first set of F-15s flew by my eyes teared with pride as the thundering sound of freedom boomed by the stands. It was an awesome experience!
THIS F-22 "RAPTOR" WAS DOWN FROM ELMENDORF A.F.B.(ALASKA) WHERE THE MASTHEAD PHOTO WAS TAKEN. THE RAPTOR IS BASED IN ALASKA BECAUSE THAT IS THE PLACE THAT IS SHORTEST DISTANCE TO ANY OF TODAY'S POTENTIAL AREAS OF CONFLICT
This weekend was the much-anticipated two-day airshow at Mountain Home Air Force Base (Idaho). The base is home to the 366th Fighter Wing and my son, Captain John Roach.
John Writes:
"The 366th flies two types of F-15s, the single-seat C model and the two-seat E model. (The "F" in the name of the airplane model...is for FIGHTER.)
The F-15C "Eagle" has an air superiority mission and is the most lethal airplane in the world excepting only our new F-22 "Raptor" (which is absolutely untouchable).
The F-15E "Strike Eagle" is a multi-role jet that has a weapons systems operator (WSO) in the back seat that handles the targeting of ground targets. The C model is purely air-to-air and is lighter and a bit more maneuverable. The E model has longer range and carries mostly bombs, but it can fight its way in to targets and back out with missiles."
Thank you, John, for this level of detail. You were a great guide at the show.
The air show started with the Air Force Academy parachute team jumping out of a C-17. The National anthem played as a giant flag unfurled from the lead parachutist's leg.
There was a battle demonstration and real firepower laid waste to the desert near the airstrip. A rescue mission with air cover was demonstrated.
There were many displays and all branches of the service were represented: Bradly All Terrain Vehicles, unmanned drone missiles, older planes from previous eras, etc.
For air buffs, we saw:
C-130, F-15 (flying by), P-51, barnstormer, biplane, F-16, F-15s, C-17, C-130, KC-135, KC-10 (KC = refueler), F-22 (didn't fly), T-6, T-38 (T = trainer)Navy: EA-6B, F-18 Hornet, Super Hornet (Blue Angel type)
McCord A.F.B. had a great show this year. Watch your calendars for the next season. Don't miss the opportunity!
Wednesday, September 10, 2008
There Is A Little Piece of Me in Honduras
Here is Dr. Edna Reyes who helps me in my Honduran efforts. And, standing beside her is Enrique (9). I will be writing, occasionally, about these two people, and seven year old Kessler (Enrique's brother). I want you to know them.
Not a day goes by that I don't think about the two little boys that I love in Honduras. They are so wonderful.
I hope to let you see how easy it is for all of us to give hope to another...make another life a little easier and even ache a little for what you would like to do but distance gets in the way.
In this picture it is morning and we walk to school around puddles. It is hot but it rained the night before.
We are going to their Garifina school. The boys are Hondurans but they are Garifina.
They are black.
They are part of a community along the northern coast of Honduras that has its own language and culture. They are the poorest of the poor.
This day last March, they are walking to school in their new uniforms, shoes, and backpacks. They were not attending school most of the time because they were too poor to have uniforms. And, the teachers didn't want them in school without uniforms. My friend went to the school and argued to let them attend. Now they are not the only ones in their class of 50 attending without uniforms.
I will be going back to Honduras this fall. There will be a very warm reunion and lots of hugs.
Tuesday, September 9, 2008
McCain Plays to Win...Obama Plays Not to Lose
John McCain was smart to put Sara Palin on the ticket
Sara Palin has energized the base of the Republican Party. But that will not be enough to win in a year of the "Obama Factor" surge (that is real) and the lingering effects of the Bush unpopularity. The Democrat base is super strong and they will turnout en mass ...along with hoards of newly registered young idealistic Obamaites.
For Republicans to win they must have their base energized, too. (Palin does that.)
They have to overcome the Obama "rock star" surge. McCain is doing that with Palin's uniqueness. (It sure helps that Biden brings nothing interesting to the race. It appears he is there to cover for Obama's weakness of no world experience. Palin, on the other had, is covering for McCain weakness in the base, but....she is actually adding something of her own! She reaches out to the average, everyday American.)
But, to win, Republicans need to get into the female voters that demand a qualified woman. That is what will put them over the top and that is what Palin is doing.
Many voters wait to see how things are sorting out before they make a decision. Those voters are now deciding. And they want qualified, new CHANGE. Obama was right about that! He just never saw Palin coming!
Palin is the trump card that will put Republicans over the top.
To my democrat friends I have been saying that it didn't have to be like that. If they had nominated Clinton... or, if Clinton had been Obama's pick for VP...they would not be in the pickle they are in right now.
McCain plays to win. Obama plays not to lose...and that is why he will.
Sara Palin has energized the base of the Republican Party. But that will not be enough to win in a year of the "Obama Factor" surge (that is real) and the lingering effects of the Bush unpopularity. The Democrat base is super strong and they will turnout en mass ...along with hoards of newly registered young idealistic Obamaites.
For Republicans to win they must have their base energized, too. (Palin does that.)
They have to overcome the Obama "rock star" surge. McCain is doing that with Palin's uniqueness. (It sure helps that Biden brings nothing interesting to the race. It appears he is there to cover for Obama's weakness of no world experience. Palin, on the other had, is covering for McCain weakness in the base, but....she is actually adding something of her own! She reaches out to the average, everyday American.)
But, to win, Republicans need to get into the female voters that demand a qualified woman. That is what will put them over the top and that is what Palin is doing.
Many voters wait to see how things are sorting out before they make a decision. Those voters are now deciding. And they want qualified, new CHANGE. Obama was right about that! He just never saw Palin coming!
Palin is the trump card that will put Republicans over the top.
To my democrat friends I have been saying that it didn't have to be like that. If they had nominated Clinton... or, if Clinton had been Obama's pick for VP...they would not be in the pickle they are in right now.
McCain plays to win. Obama plays not to lose...and that is why he will.
Sunday, September 7, 2008
CPS exposed by CASA reporter and the News Tribune
I thought one of the comments to this blog was something all of us should read:
Thank you Teresa. In the meantime I was catching up on my newspapers. The News Tribune reports on the front page.
May 30, 2008
"After a child is beaten to death in Tacoma, the state confirms it had an open investigation into an abuse report concerning him. The mother's boyfriend is arrested...
In the 'WEEKS' before his fatal beating...CPS was investigating a report that the boy and his 18 month old sister had been bruised in early April...."
(This is a terrible story and accounting of neglect by CPS. They did nothing but drag their feet.)
AUGUST 23, 2008
"A grandmother wants justice after a 3 1/2-year-old Lakewood girl died of head injuries in April."
"Child Protective Services also is involved in this case," reports the News Tribune. "About a month before Autumn's death her mother noticed bruises on her spine and contacted the state agency."
"In Autumn's case," continues the News Tribune, "CPS confirmed that social workers were contacted in March about the bruises. An investigation of the injuries was under way when the girl was killed."
Pam,
I was a CASA for about 6 months. In that time period I got myself into trouble because I had a positive attitude towards the child's parent. I found out all too quickly that they don't want the child reconciled to the parent, they want the child to be adopted or to stay in foster care.
A social worker reported me because I made a positive statement about a parent so it was clear I wasn't "advocating for the child." I was appalled at how the system worked.
Teresa
Thank you Teresa. In the meantime I was catching up on my newspapers. The News Tribune reports on the front page.
TOT FATALLY BEATEN; STATE HAD OPEN CASE
May 30, 2008
"After a child is beaten to death in Tacoma, the state confirms it had an open investigation into an abuse report concerning him. The mother's boyfriend is arrested...
In the 'WEEKS' before his fatal beating...CPS was investigating a report that the boy and his 18 month old sister had been bruised in early April...."
(This is a terrible story and accounting of neglect by CPS. They did nothing but drag their feet.)
"POLICE, CPS INVESTIGATE LAKEWOOD TOT'S KILLING"
AUGUST 23, 2008
"A grandmother wants justice after a 3 1/2-year-old Lakewood girl died of head injuries in April."
"Child Protective Services also is involved in this case," reports the News Tribune. "About a month before Autumn's death her mother noticed bruises on her spine and contacted the state agency."
(Pam's comment: You will remember that it was the mother who took action to have Lisa's "significant" black eye reported when the foster-adopt parent, CASA, social worker and daycare provider would not (see previous PRR).)
"In Autumn's case," continues the News Tribune, "CPS confirmed that social workers were contacted in March about the bruises. An investigation of the injuries was under way when the girl was killed."
Friday, September 5, 2008
DSHS Continues Attack On Three Year Old As It Thwarts the Law
"In my life, no success has come without a good fight."
John S. McCain, last night
It is now five weeks since I personally reported the black eye that little 3 year old Lisa had when she entered the day care center that long ago. I called the police when those that were required to by law....did not.
Since that time I have contacted the judge (all parties are then informed of my letter). She needed to know of the black eye and the restraining order.
Two weeks ago, I, along with the private investigator I hired, personally met with Attorney General Rob McKenna and his two deputies. We produced a restraining order
(2008) in effect against the foster adopt parent's old lover who had a gun...and the email testimony about the black eye.
A week after the AG meeting I called a meeting at my Senate office. There were 3 DSHS high ranking officials, 2 AGs, staff, a low ranking staffer from the governor's office, etc. We meet for 2 1/2 hours.
Then, Monday of this week, I called the chief honcho at the governor's office. No response to date after explaining the situation.
Today, I called the Gov's guy who attended our meeting 7 days ago. He hasn't done a thing. He hasn't seen the report of the black eye. He has not done a thing! He's thinking: "The department hasn't moved so why should I?" He backs up DSHS by ignoring the situation and by ignoring me. He is ignoring the law. He is ignoring the will of the people who expect that he perform his job to the letter and spirit of the law.
Today, I convinced the governor's receptionist to patch me through to the cell phone of the "other" chief honcho. I have known Cindy Zendher for 20 years, since back in the days she was a union lobbyist for the Teamsters. She is a reasonable person. She said she had not been briefed on this issue and needed to learn the "other side." I told her there wasn't an "other side" to a restraining order and a black eye. I told her that DSHS was refusing to disclose the report on the black eye, etc.
Cindy said she would call me back tomorrow. She will do that.
In the meantime the grandparents are going to court to get standing in this case. The state wants them to go away. The state wants their granddaughter adopted by an unqualified foster-parent. The state hopes to bleed them dry. They have already spent their entire savings. The state wants them in debt. The state wants them to be punished for trying to have the law enforced.
And, in the meantime the mother is being harassed by DSHS and the Court Appointed Special Advocate for Lisa. The plan that our state has is to conjure a situation where the mother fails and then force the termination of parental rights.
Since the state will not allow any relatives to see Lisa...they will argue that Lisa does not know her family and therefore it would be in Lisa's best interest to be adopted by the unemployed, foster parent who puts the child in daycare 12 hours a day.
Last June I was in the court room three separate times over this case. Our DSHS is the most unresponsive branch of the bureaucracy. DSHS tells you one thing and does another. In the case of child welfare they have been corrupted by their power. The scary, evil thing about this is that it is allowed.
The only stopper has been the court. Judge Kessler and Judge Shafer have held for the mother. They have faith in her. They have, however, not directed that Lisa be placed with family. You know one reason why??? Because DSHS withheld the information that there were relatives who had passed the "in-home" evaluation.
John S. McCain, last night
It is now five weeks since I personally reported the black eye that little 3 year old Lisa had when she entered the day care center that long ago. I called the police when those that were required to by law....did not.
Since that time I have contacted the judge (all parties are then informed of my letter). She needed to know of the black eye and the restraining order.
Two weeks ago, I, along with the private investigator I hired, personally met with Attorney General Rob McKenna and his two deputies. We produced a restraining order
(2008) in effect against the foster adopt parent's old lover who had a gun...and the email testimony about the black eye.
A week after the AG meeting I called a meeting at my Senate office. There were 3 DSHS high ranking officials, 2 AGs, staff, a low ranking staffer from the governor's office, etc. We meet for 2 1/2 hours.
Then, Monday of this week, I called the chief honcho at the governor's office. No response to date after explaining the situation.
Today, I called the Gov's guy who attended our meeting 7 days ago. He hasn't done a thing. He hasn't seen the report of the black eye. He has not done a thing! He's thinking: "The department hasn't moved so why should I?" He backs up DSHS by ignoring the situation and by ignoring me. He is ignoring the law. He is ignoring the will of the people who expect that he perform his job to the letter and spirit of the law.
Today, I convinced the governor's receptionist to patch me through to the cell phone of the "other" chief honcho. I have known Cindy Zendher for 20 years, since back in the days she was a union lobbyist for the Teamsters. She is a reasonable person. She said she had not been briefed on this issue and needed to learn the "other side." I told her there wasn't an "other side" to a restraining order and a black eye. I told her that DSHS was refusing to disclose the report on the black eye, etc.
Cindy said she would call me back tomorrow. She will do that.
In the meantime the grandparents are going to court to get standing in this case. The state wants them to go away. The state wants their granddaughter adopted by an unqualified foster-parent. The state hopes to bleed them dry. They have already spent their entire savings. The state wants them in debt. The state wants them to be punished for trying to have the law enforced.
And, in the meantime the mother is being harassed by DSHS and the Court Appointed Special Advocate for Lisa. The plan that our state has is to conjure a situation where the mother fails and then force the termination of parental rights.
Since the state will not allow any relatives to see Lisa...they will argue that Lisa does not know her family and therefore it would be in Lisa's best interest to be adopted by the unemployed, foster parent who puts the child in daycare 12 hours a day.
Last June I was in the court room three separate times over this case. Our DSHS is the most unresponsive branch of the bureaucracy. DSHS tells you one thing and does another. In the case of child welfare they have been corrupted by their power. The scary, evil thing about this is that it is allowed.
The only stopper has been the court. Judge Kessler and Judge Shafer have held for the mother. They have faith in her. They have, however, not directed that Lisa be placed with family. You know one reason why??? Because DSHS withheld the information that there were relatives who had passed the "in-home" evaluation.
Thursday, September 4, 2008
Sarah Palin Has Washington Senate D's Worried
Sarah Palin proved by her acceptance speech that she is not only up to the task of helping to garner the presidency but meets my criteria for a woman of substance. Like the rest of us, I am fed up with the fake representation (in Olympia as well as DC) and the bureaucrats who run around, unaccountable, wrecking the lives of ordinary people.
In putting Palin on the ticket McCain has hammered in the message that "change" is a Republican promise...and he has used a strong nail.
I was in Vancouver, WA yesterday and today for Senate Committee Assembly Days. At my lunch table sat seven other senators and they were all Democrats. They are worried! I told them they made a big mistake by not nominating Clinton and that Palin was a great addition to our ticket.
The Senator from the 10th District (Camano Island), who was a hair dresser before being elected directly to the State House said Palin was unqualified. I am not arguing that "hair dresser" is a disqualifier. In this case there are several real deficiencies that make me wonder if there might have been a weak field at filing that year. Maybe she was also an organizer. This Senator chairs the Senate Transportation Committee. Palin brings experience to the job, but better yet, an understanding of the role of government...with the demonstrated courage to defend that role.
The senator from the 30th District (Federal Way) said the polls had gone from 48% to 52% for the Republicans. My luncheon table thought Palin was "light" and that picking her would backfire. I took it to be retoric. No one countered that their guys would win. That was unusual for a group that can usually come up with some smack!
In putting Palin on the ticket McCain has hammered in the message that "change" is a Republican promise...and he has used a strong nail.
I was in Vancouver, WA yesterday and today for Senate Committee Assembly Days. At my lunch table sat seven other senators and they were all Democrats. They are worried! I told them they made a big mistake by not nominating Clinton and that Palin was a great addition to our ticket.
The Senator from the 10th District (Camano Island), who was a hair dresser before being elected directly to the State House said Palin was unqualified. I am not arguing that "hair dresser" is a disqualifier. In this case there are several real deficiencies that make me wonder if there might have been a weak field at filing that year. Maybe she was also an organizer. This Senator chairs the Senate Transportation Committee. Palin brings experience to the job, but better yet, an understanding of the role of government...with the demonstrated courage to defend that role.
The senator from the 30th District (Federal Way) said the polls had gone from 48% to 52% for the Republicans. My luncheon table thought Palin was "light" and that picking her would backfire. I took it to be retoric. No one countered that their guys would win. That was unusual for a group that can usually come up with some smack!
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