Child Welfare Agencies Have Way Too Much Power

[Gaius46]

Scary...

http://http://www.nytimes.com/2011/0...pagewanted=all

[PSPookie]

Almost as bad as this: They called me a child pornographer - Salon.com

[Quickie]

Give a little power to a little person (agency) and you get a BIG problem.

[Metal Matt]

Was JUST finishing up reading this.

To scary, I'd add that it's just plain sad. If smoking a harmless, non-addictive plant is child neglect, what does that make drinking alcohol and smoking cigarettes? How about parents that feed their kids fast/junk food every day? And since New York laws are such, that possession of under 25 grams carries a penalty similar to a traffic violation, do you take away the children of people who speed, or run red lights?

Makes no damn sense.

[PSPookie]

Originally Posted by Metal Matt

Was JUST finishing up reading this.

To scary, I'd add that it'd just plain sad. If smoking a harmless, non-addictive plant is child neglect, what does that make drinking alcohol and smoking cigarettes? How about parents that feed their kids fast/junk food every day? And since New York laws are such, that possession of under 25 grams carries a penalty similar to a traffic violation, do you take away the children of people who speed, or run red lights?

Makes no damn sense.

Of course not. Drugs + US Legal system = efftardation

Don't do Drugs. Drugs are Bad.*




*Unless they are made by the fine people at Pfizer, then take all you can stomach. Paid for by the Anheiser Bush-Pfizer Keep the Kids off of the Drugs We Don't Make Program

[Quickie]

I don't have kids. I can see the concern but not the action taken. But on the other hand, what if the article read, child dies in fire from lack of action by mother under the influence of marijuana CPS was there earlier in the week and demeaned no action to be taken.

Then this thread would be over the outrage that they did nothing.

[Metal Matt]

Originally Posted by PSPookie

*Unless they are made by the fine people at Pfizer, then take all you can stomach. Paid for by the Anheiser Bush-Pfizer Keep the Kids off of the Drugs We Don't Make Program

YUUUP.

The best part about reading the article, was afterwards, when a law firm commercial came on TV, talking about birth defects caused by Zoloft.

[L-A]

Originally Posted by Quickie

Then this thread would be over the outrage that they did nothing.

I won't say a complete and very elaborate argument, but unless the mother was stoned at the moment of the fire, the mention of marijuana would be pure sensationalism.

In the very same way that "Child kills a schoolmate after playing GTA game the night before" blatantly ignores thousands of children NOT killing anyone after playing. Correlation, causality, etc.

[Quickie]

Originally Posted by Metal Matt

YUUUP.

The best part about reading the article, was afterwards, when a law firm commercial came on TV, talking about birth defects caused by Zoloft.

Yes it is unfortunate that some drugs have side affects. But there are millions of people alive today from drugs (aids patients are one) that would not be if it weren't for pharmaceutical companies. As far as lawyer commercials, my opinion is they are bottom feeders. They could care less about you. They want the possibility of a good pay day at YOUR expense.

[Quickie]

Originally Posted by L-A

Within two years, you'd have a general outrage at the horrendous part of our population that smokers are.

We have that right now.

[L-A]

Originally Posted by Quickie

We have that right now.

I...


Yeah, good point.

[Bloodhammer]

All of you shoosh before the warden hears us!

[colcifer]

Never attribute to malice what can be explained by stupidity.

[LiquidMidnight]

Originally Posted by L-A

In the very same way that "Child kills a schoolmate after playing GTA game the night before" blatantly ignores thousands of children NOT killing anyone after playing. Correlation, causality, etc.

Ahh, c'mon...we all know that the general population is very well-versed with its understanding of simple scientific epistemological concepts like those. Additionally, they are incredible critical thinkers and can look at all sides of an issue and seriously consider the information put before them. They also never resort to belligerence to get a point across. For an example of such erudite thought, I suggest viewing the profound discussion on the comments section of any CNN.com article.

Originally Posted by Quickie

As far as lawyer commercials, my opinion is they are bottom feeders. They could care less about you. They want the possibility of a good pay day at YOUR expense.

Perhaps so...but shouldn't people who have been wronged have access to legal counsel? Of course those attorneys are looking to get paid. It would be nice if we had thousands of Ralph Nader-like attorneys fighting in the trenches for consumer protection on things like prescription drugs, but the reality of the situation is that just isn't going to happen.

[Gaius46]

Drug legalization is only one issue here. The bigger issue to me is that the legislature has effectively decriminalized possession of small amounts of marijuana yet we have a government agency that's acting like a crime has been committed and, even worse, in effect meteing out a punishment for it. One that most parents would consider far worse than spending the night in jail.

[Quickie]

Originally Posted by LiquidMidnight

Perhaps so...but shouldn't people who have been wronged have access to legal counsel? Of course those attorneys are looking to get paid.

Of course. There are good honest Lawyers out there.