DLJ201

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The DesertLight Journal

Volume 2, Number 1

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January 9, 2002

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The bi-weekly e-zine of the International Men's Rights Movement. This is the first e-zine intended to focus primarily on the issues of domestic violence against men and divorce/child custody issues. We welcome news of groups, websites, and people in the men's rights movement worldwide. We encourage new writers and commentary.

For all the news all the time, visit our buds

http://www.mensactivism.org in the US

http://www.angryharry.com in the UK

or Men's News Daily http://www.divorceport.com anywhere.

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"A woman needs a man like a fish needs the river."

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IN THIS ISSUE

AFTER>2001 COALITION

MAD MEN UNITED

DADS ON THE AIR

GOOD NEWS FROM CANADA

WEBSITE UPDATES

UK MEDIA LOOKING FOR DADS

HUNGER STRIKE IN FRANCE

JAIL4JUDGES

NEW PUBLICATION

NON-PROFITS NEED HARDWARE

THIS JUST IN

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INTERNATIONAL COALITION FORMING TO RESTORE FAMILY RIGHTS

At a time when child custody disputes are a near-universal aspect of divorce, and government agencies intended to protect children from abuse seem to be causing more harm than good, one group has decided to work for change.

AFTER<2001, Association of Families To Effect Reform, is a coalition of groups and organizations both in the US and other countries that is working to change laws and policies they believe to be the source of much heartache for families caught in the system. Using the communications ability of the Internet, and the combined knowledge base of over ten organizations, the group represents thousands of families and interested people who see an out-of-control court system and uncaring, overloaded government agencies as a serious threat to the family unit.

According to Bud Johnson, who spearheaded the effort to form the coalition, "3000 children are taken from their homes every day in the United States by child protective agencies. Many never see their families again. There was a time when these agencies tried to keep families together, but now it seems they do everything they can to destroy families." Laws and agency policies currently in place allow abuse of the system, he said. "Right now you can lose your child forever on the strength of an anonymous phone call. Parents accused of abuse or neglect are considered guilty until proven innocent, and sometimes don't even know what the charges are against them. They can't defend themselves, and their families are never the same again, even if they do succeed in getting their kids back."

Custody issues in divorce are another concern for AFTER<2001. The group feels that custody of children is too often considered on the basis of which parent has the best lawyer, and the best interest of the child is lost in a morass of court appearances and legal maneuvers. Divorce and custody laws are being manipulated by unscrupulous attorneys resulting in irreparable harm to the children involved, Johnson said. "The divorce industry as it stands today is a multi-billion-dollar money machine. The only people that 'win' are the lawyers. The laws may have been intended to help, but in practice they're devastating to the kids."

AFTER<2001 intends to address these issues by building the coalition into a world wide information and activist organization. Sharing information and resources, and working with experienced activists online, members can promote the cause in their local areas and work with legislators and government officials to change laws and help families stay together. The hybrid organization is a new concept in activism, which previously started out with 'real-world' groups using the Internet as a secondary means of communication between members. AFTER<2001 was begun on the Internet, with several online discussion groups, and is expanding into the offline world. "We're done talking, and it's time to get to work," Johnson said.

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MAD MEN UNITED

This organization has been in the development stages for years before it ever made it to the web. A year and a half ago we did a test site to see how the interest would be for another men's issues site. The concept then as it is now is to be a proactive fight site, to organize and encourage people like you to take a stand and work for change. To show that these issues are really society issues as well as men's issues; which is why we have so many women members. To reach involved people who don't know that organizations like ours exist as well as to get the message out that there is gender discrimination in family law and the welfare systems.

This last year has mostly been involved with building the organization. We incorporated as a non-profit organization, with an address and a contact phone. Through the hard work and dedication of Tom Tang we have a professional website with the ability to receive donations. We purchased a media mailing list and mailing program that allows us to put out information nationwide. There are still some bugs with this program but we are getting close to having it organized so we don't get accused of spamming. We have managed to get several mailings out nationwide with some information actually being published in papers. We still need to work on the ability to get referrals to our site and organization. But this like everything else is a step-by-step progression. We have put together a brochure and a pamphlet that can be given out or sent out. We have also made some good connections with people and other organizations in the cause.

We are now ready to proceed into a new year of growing the organization and public awareness on these issues. We will continue to work on outreach programs that can organize and inform others who are or have been in similar situations. It is important to build up our strength in numbers and let others know that they are not alone.

So to end this I want to wish everyone a happy and safe new year, and thank all of you for your support

John Buethe

Director

M.A.D. Men United

PO box 1386

Lodi, CA 95241

209 368-6114

madmenunited.org

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DADS ON THE AIR

Dads On The Air is a successful community radio program based in western

Sydney and targeted specifically at fathers and those who care about them.

It has been broadcasting since October 2000. It is an entertaining mix of

news, public information, political commentary, wide ranging interviews and

satire bound up with all the sounds of DJ Uncle Buck's remarkable music

collection. The program covers areas such as the Family Court, the Child

Support Agency, Legal Aid, child welfare, boys' education, male suicide, men's

health, institutional bias against men and many other gender or family

related subjects.

Based in Liverpool in Western Sydney, 2GLF's signal has been recently

boosted and Dads On The Air can now be heard from the Blue Mountains and across much of Sydney. It is hoped the show will shortly be available to community stations nationally via satellite packaged as a one hour weekly special.

Dads On The Air 89.3 FM 2GLF

Monday mornings 9am-12noon

Press releases, public notices and material for broadcast can be sent to

dadsontheair@hotmail.com

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GOOD NEWS FROM CANADA

We are close to opening the first MASH*4077 (Men's Alternative Safe House*403-242-4077) location!!

We have placed an offer to purchase a 10 bedroom, licensed for 20 people MASH*4077 building. The building will be used to house transitional persons, but especially for men or fathers with children fleeing family violence.

A local foundation is seriously considering a financial contribution of $100,000.00 towards the purchase. We are making budget proposal submission. A serious consideration for them is the fact that the Family of Men Support Society is an established community non-profit organization, with an internal structure.

Please consider a contribution, which in turn will be able to assist you in establishing a MASH*4077 location. Everyone wins!! The success, or failure, of the project is dependant on local and international community investment and contributions. The success of the project will expand into your successful MASH*4077 location. Think about it!!

Earl

Family of Men MHW

earl@familyofmen.com

http://www.familyofmen.com

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WEBSITE UPDATES

LiveBeat Dads UK: www.lbduk.org

Check the Stats link and if you are in possession of any more interesting data please forward it for inclusion. Also, if you can use any of the figures (or anything else from the site for that matter) please feel free to do so.

There are also a lot of names added to the In Memory link; I would appreciate more input from USA, Canada, OZ, and anywhere else.

There is another new section, Special Messages, you can have your children's photo published there with that special message for birthdays, get well (hopefully this one will not be used very often), well done, etc.

And last, there is an update to my Arrest Warrant link, I have been served bail papers and received an apology from the court for screwing up, wonders never cease.

Let's get stuck in and make this year a year of positive results.

All the best.

Len

Len Miskulin SCC BA WTC ATBJ

Chairman

Live Beat Dads UK

www.lbduk.org

+44 (0)20-8508 6980

CHILDREN NEED BOTH PARENTS

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Shatterd Men: http://www.shatterdmen.com

Now has a search feature and other new stuff!

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UK MEDIA LOOKING FOR DADS

Claudia Riccio of Meridian Broadcasting is looking for separated/divorced fathers to appear on the Lunch Time Live show (South Coast, Kent - surrounding area)

On Wednesday 16th January. Also in appearance will be Nigel Planer.

Please contact Claudia direct on:

07946-533 039

and if successful please let us know!

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HUNGER STRIKE IN FRANCE

From Caring Dad

http://www.custodyreform.com

We have been informed that two of our French brothers are in their third week of a hunger strike in or near Montpelier in southern France. Mssrs. Didier Dhugues and Christian Dasnois stopped taking solid food shortly before Xmas day, to protest the injustices they have suffered as Non Custodial Parents.

These brave gentlemen are asking that you write to them to show your support for shared parenting legislation. Tell them you are in agreement that "rebuttable presumption of equal shared parenting" is a basic human right for all parents, and should be passed into law everywhere."

They can be reached in care of this email address: actionparentale@penserpouragir.org

A local newspaper in Montpelier, France has already picked up this story. To see the article go to:

http://www.custodyreform.com/reform-files/temp/midilibre.jpg

(written in French, obviously). Please forward this to the news organization of your choice, and ask them to follow up on this story. Make sure to mention that hunger strikes by NCP are becoming rather frequent, including Mr. Len Miskulin of England (last year) and 14-year-old Clayton Giles of Canada (also last year). Clayton's compelling story can be seen at Legal Kids.

http://www.legalkids.com/

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J.A.I.L.4JUDGES

The Judicial Accountability Initiative Law

Our goal is to first take California by storm, then the other states by fall-out. What begins in California sweeps the nation. By pressure of the other states, we shall create and call for federal judicial accountability.

J.A.I.L. will be the next shot heard 'round the world. All governments shall stand up and take notice. Every state will then review its judicial accountability process.

J.A.I.L. is Powerful! J.A.I.L. is Dynamic! J.A.I.L. is totally in the hands of the People!

It is accountable to no governmental body. Its edicts enforceable by the People, and no government can stand in its way. Yes, and it is 100% legal! Let's start the fire in California that will burn through every state and take the nation. Let us all focus our aim, hang together, and accomplish one great thing for ourselves, our country, and our posterity: Freedom!!

IN AZ Contact Dave Hearn 480 396-7985

E-Mail jail4judgesaz@home.com

http://www.jail4judges.org/

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NEW PUBLICATION!

THE VOLKSGAREN JOURNAL

The Journal, published monthly, provides a look at recovery after any form

of abuse. Our aim is to improve the lives of our readers with positive,

life affirming messages, which teach recovery concepts. The format is

cognitive. We focus on gender-neutral solutions. We include male friendly

articles as men, who do not have access to services, have the greater need

for recovery aid.

The Journal is the money making arm of the Volksgaren Project, which seeks

through education to change society into one where all are valued and none

abused. As Volksgaren accepts men, we cannot access government or

para-government funding: We are therefore self-supporting.

Subscribe to the Volksgaren Journal: Get the latest discussion of healing

from bad life situations. We promise to help you without insult. Feel good,

live life as it should be lived, with joy and peace.

The Volksgaren Project

Suite 143, 24 First Ave., St Thomas, ON, Canada, N5R 6H8

Greg Sherk DD, Editor: jaxom@amtelecom.net

tel: 519-773-9644

fax: 519-637-1210

http://clix.to/support/

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NON-PROFITS NEED HARDWARE

LiveBeatDads UK is in need of a donation of a used computer or parts to put one together. If you've got a used computer that will provide Internet access, contact Len Miskulin at lbd@lbduk.org

The Men in Crisis Prayer Circle (located in the US) is also in need of a donated computer for Internet access. Rev. Mackay is working with an e-mail appliance that only allows for short text-only messages, and there is no web access. Contact the Prayer Circle at desertlight@angelfire.com ATT: Communications Coordinator

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THIS JUST IN

Guides need at About.com

Both the Men's Health and Fatherhood categories are open and need guides. These are paying positions! For more info go to

http://beaguide.about.com/index.htm

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Man kills himself on courthouse steps

UNION-TRIBUNE

January 8, 2002

A 43-year-old Paradise Hills man, reportedly depressed about a court ruling on

overdue child support, fatally shot himself early yesterday on the steps of the

downtown San Diego courthouse.

Full text at

http://www.uniontrib.com/news/metro/20020108-9999_1m8miller.html

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Try not. Do, or do not. There is no try. --Yoda

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We leave you with the 'Zonie blessing--"May you always have a full tank of

gas and underwear that doesn't ride up!"

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Trudy W. Schuett

Publisher

http://www.desertlightjournal.homestead.com/

PO Box 1252 Yuma AZ 85366

This e-zine may be shared or forwarded provided the entire publication is sent.

To subscribe to the DesertLight Journal, send a blank e-mail to dsrtlite@mindspring.com

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Commentary and contributed articles are not necessarily the opinion of the DesertLight

Journal. We strive to include all views in the emerging men's rights movement, and

therefore cannot be expected to agree with everything.