HERE'S Why The Brittney Spears Story MATTERS!

Published on February 9, 2006 By Gideon MacLeish In Current Events

In my recent article on the now infamous picture of Brittney Spears driving with her baby on her lap, I discovered something interesting. A good number of people were quick to take up for Ms. Spears, to defend her and assert that she has the right to decide whether to place her baby in a car seat or not.

And, see, they were right. But, with about three notable exceptions, all have been inconsistent. Apparently, to them, Ms. Spears' celebrity gives her a higher citizenship status than the rest of us (this despite the fact that titles of nobility are Constitutionally forbidden...but I digress).

Why do I say this? Because, as you know, I have blogged endlessly about the countless intrusions into the lives of everyday families by the Child Protective Services System. And, with those three notable exceptions (I think you know who you are, no need mentioning names), here are the results of my last six articles regarding CPS (note, please, the Spears article drew 34 responses in less than 24 hours):

My article on the quota system drew 3 comments from 3 separate contributors.
The article on solutions on how to fix CPS (linked on my sidebar) drew 8 comments from 6 separate contributors
The article on Termination of Parental Rights in Texas drew a big fat goose egg
The article on the phony CPS story to generate donations to their Christmas fund drew 2 comments from 2 contributors
The article on ending mandatory reporting and quotas netted another goose egg
The article on the plight of the Christine family in Oregon drew a whopping one comment

My entire point in addressing the story about Ms. Spears was about the two sets of justice that we have in this country. And the fact that so many rushed to defend Ms. Spears' actions despite ignoring very real, very routine Constitutional violations that occur on a daily basis in households across the country shows a strong inconsistency. While Ms. Spears' celebrity should not be cause for her to be held to a greater standard, it should also not be cause for her to be held to a LESSER standard. The law, if it applies to Gideon MacLeish's family, should apply to Ms. Spears' family as well.

I don't think CPS should exist, frankly. But I have to work in a world where it, unfortunately, does, and until such time as I can muster public support for its obsolescence, I have to be prepared to work with them. But I find it compellingly interesting that the public doesn't seem to care about CPS unless there's a celebrity involved. Then, of course, we need to give the celebrity a pass. It's disgusting, frankly.

Comments

Dr Guy

on Feb 09, 2006

I dont think you mean "should not exist" period. But do mean that it should not exist in its present incarnation. The latter I will agree with. We do need a service that can step in when there is demonstrable evidence of child abuse. We do not need a gestapo outfit trying to fill quotas and hassling familes outside the bell curve.

Chaos Manager

on Feb 09, 2006

I agree that it disgusting, Gid. Very.

What I don't understand is this - has she been given a pass from CPS in Cali? Everything that I've been able to find (story wise and not blogs interpreting stories) indicates that "CPS is investigating and is not going to comment". That can be taken as "We don't comment on active investigations." or "Go away, we're not doing anything and you're bugging me." statements.

Personnally, I think she should be fined for her indiscretions and it fade into the wood work.

Of course, I was to do this ... I'd be missing my kids very shortly.

bakerstreet

on Feb 09, 2006

"I dont think you mean "should not exist" period. But do mean that it should not exist in its present incarnation. The latter I will agree with. We do need a service that can step in when there is demonstrable evidence of child abuse. We do not need a gestapo outfit trying to fill quotas and hassling familes outside the bell curve."

It should not exist at all, period. Child abuse and neglect is a crime. We have the police to investigate crimes, and we have the right to legitimate investigation by legitimate authorities, and the right to due process. So, there's no need to have an illegitimate civil authority to do the job.

Dr Guy

on Feb 09, 2006

You get no argument from me. However, when a case is found, what do you do with the children? Cops are not equipped to deal with them. And that is where CPS can and should come in.

Gideon MacLeish

on Feb 10, 2006

However, when a case is found, what do you do with the children? Cops are not equipped to deal with them. And that is where CPS can and should come in.

I disagree. Private charities can handle the placement of children caught in the middle; they did it for years. CPS has shown consistent, egregious abuses of the public trust with which they were endowed, and should be given a vote of "no confidence".

Of course, I was to do this ... I'd be missing my kids very shortly.

And that is it, in a nutshell. Justice is supposed to be blind, right?

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