A trip for one Arizona family turned into a nightmare recently, when Child Protective Services showed up at their home and took their children away. Lisa and Anthony Demaree had taken their three kids, then ages 18 mo., 4 and 5 to San Diego and like many parents have done, took some photos of the three girls in the bathtub.
After taking the pictures, (which were part of many that were taken on the trip) to WalMart to be developed, an employee saw that the girls were partially nude and called the police reporting a case of child pornography. The Demarees lost custody of their children for a month while an investigation ensued. Now, they are suing WalMart, and the Arizona Attorney General's Office claiming that the defamation to their character has left them with long term psychological effect.
So what do you think? Pornography or parents who thought their kids were cute while playing in the tub? How many of us have taken bath tub photos of our own kids? How many of us as adults still cringe when Mom pulls out the bath tub photos of us?
This is yet another case where a system that is supposed to protect kids has failed miserably. Some kids are abused for years, and it is only discovered when their bodies are found. These little girls obviously had a loving family who wanted to capture the memory of their playing in the tub, but they had to endure a month long separation from their home because some overeager employee had a dirty mind. That's outrageous and I hope the Demarees collect a bundle.
Big kudos are also going out today to the real estate agent in New Jersey who refused to let agents for Libyan leader Muammar al-Qaddafi strong arm him into providing living space for the dictator during an upcoming United Nations General Assembly. The agents wanted Jason Haber, a broker for Prudential Douglas Elliman to clear out the residents of a posh Manhattan townhouse so Qaddafi could move in. Habor told them that if they sent convicted Lockerbie Scotland bomber
Abdel Baset al-Megrahi back to Scotland maybe something could be worked out. Qaddafi's people hung up, and now they reportedly are having trouble finding him a place to live.
Now that's chutzpah! I think Jason Haber belongs in politics! What do you think?
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thank you very much for the kind words.
ReplyDeleteToday is a very contentious time in America. Our national debate on health care, the stimulus package and our foreign policy has clearly revealed deep divisions in our country.
Yet, I am glad that despite these divisions, there is common ground on which we can all agree.
No matter what our political affiliation, it is my hope that there are times when Democrats and Republicans can come together as Americans and speak with the same voice. I believe this is one of those times.
No doubt, the current political debates will continue in our country - as well they should. I hope that my recent experience is a reminder that despite all that divides us, what unites us is so much stronger.
I wish you all the best.
Jason Haber
Thank You Jason for reading. I agree with you.
ReplyDeleteWe are Americans first before we are our political affiliations. In a time when so much is at stake in our country, I think it is wonderful that someone like you put your values ahead of your commission. As a salesperson myself, I know that's not an easy thing to do with the current state of the economy. I wish you well, and invite you to share my blog with your friends. You sir, are a true hero.
Teri