Morning,Michael,
I am throwing my mouse down but only in frustration with my portfolio.
According to articles I read, the relatives had hoped to get Juan to America so that the family would be together. Whether politics or Juan's actual wishes got in the way of what THEY wanted is unimportant. They have no legal rights in this.
Something that we need to do is keep the issues of Elian's custody, his status as an alien, and Reno's Raid separate.
Reno's Raid may have been carried out within the law or it may not. I think legally that will be closely examined. In addition, the procedures of the raid need to be examined
alone. I still don't see this as a custody case, but an INS one.
Those who feel there is guilt on the part of the MIami relatives believe this because of their ignoring of Reno's April 12 order. This is not some opinion taken from a newspaper; it has a legitimate basis.
You are ignoring the points that have been brought up that might explain why no charges were brought against the relatives. I thought Karen wrote a very clear and cogent post on this.
There is no question in my mind that Juan is the father, and the relatives, who might be in a position to make the accusation that he isn't, have not done so. Have you not seen the pictures of Juan with Elian and his mother and accepted the fact that the relatives did not dispute his
paternity? Most importantly- Elian thinks of him as father. Plenty of real fathers become so by adoption or artificial insemination, so a DNA test means nothing.
Re: Your example of the grandparents and little Johnny. That father has the right to raise his child any way he likes, as long as the child is not being physcially or emotionally abused-- and I don't consider ideological teaching abuse. This is the crux of it for me.
When we as Americans begin dictating how other's children must be raised, we violate our own beliefs. We are saying exactly what Castro says, Yeah, you can be his father, but
only if you do it our way. Just because we have a better way, does not give us the right to IMPOSE it. The grandparents can always petition the court, accusing the father of being unfit. They probably won't win, though. But they can't hold Johnny from the father with no legal basis, and that was what the Miami relatives were doing.
What methods the policeman use to take little Johnny -- again-- is a separate issue.
Was the crowd bloodthirsty? WHo knows? They had declared that they would NOT allow Elian to be removed, they threatened to prevent it, they formed a human barricade-- crowds develop a mentality of their own that can go out of
control swiftly and dangerously. In the gov't's shoes, I would be prepared for that eventuality.
I don't think Donato was sexually abusing the boy. However, I think the family showed very poor judgment in allowing him to sleep with Elian and in the way they allowed people to use Elian.
Close, caring relationships are all fine and dandy, but this man seems to have moved in on them in a very self-serving way. It's hard for me to believe that there is anyone left who can look at this guy as a savior in any way beyond the simple passive act of being in the boat that found Elian and taking him to shore. Donato is a shameless promoter of Donato. Yuck.
I will NOT trust anything I see in the movie, will you?? |
