For The Children

Why I Sued the U.S. Government 28 Years Ago and What I Learned

"My name is Will Bonner. In 1986, at the age of seven years old, I took the US Secretary of the Treasury, James A. Baker, to federal court over the US national debt. When I was seven years old, I took James A Baker, former US Secretary of the Treasury, to court... over the US national debt. I wasn't looking for a big cash payday. I was asking the court to prevent Mr. Baker and the United States Treasury from getting away with the biggest rip-off in history... a policy most people don't understand or like to talk about... but one that I believed would ruin this country... And I wish I was writing to you to tell you that I had been successful... that I had stopped it. But it didn't turn out that way." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingWhy I Sued the U.S. Government 28 Years Ago and What I Learned

Suit Goes To Bat For Future Taxpayers [1986]

"A lawsuit supported by the National Taxpayers Union and two state attorney generals has been filed on behalf of 60 million children, charging that deficit spending benefits today`s adults at the expense of youth who will have to bear the future burden. The novel suit names Treasury Secretary James Baker as the defendant, and it seeks to enjoin Baker from issuing any new instruments of federal debt except in certain instances and to compel the establishment of a schedule to reduce the deficit. It also argued that by forcing children to assume responsibility of debts now incurred by fiscally irresponsible adults, children are being denied equal protection of the laws under the 5th Amendment." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingSuit Goes To Bat For Future Taxpayers [1986]

Reports: Speeding Not A Cause Of Child Accidents

"In 72 percent of the accidents, investigators believed the child's failure to look properly was at least in part to blame. Another 31 percent involved reckless behavior on the part of the child, including playing in the road in 11 percent of incidents. On the part of the driver, 8 percent failed to look properly, and another 8 percent could not see the child because of a parked car or other obstruction. In 3 percent of cases the driver was reckless, and in less than 1 percent of cases was 'traveling too fast for conditions' (which is not necessarily exceeding the posted speed limit). All together, in 71 percent of the incidents, the driver was not found to be at fault." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingReports: Speeding Not A Cause Of Child Accidents

Brazilian district bans sales of toy guns to ‘change the culture of violence’

"A Brazilian territory is believed to have become the first region in Latin America to ban the sale of toy guns as the country attempts to staunch an epidemic of firearm-related crime. The initiative to ban the sale and manufacture of toy guns was part of a government program to protect victims of violence. Children were asked to turn over their toy guns in exchange for a book. Local authorities set a four-month deadline and provided trade incentives to stores saddled with stocks of toy guns they can no longer sell. In 2005, the government of then president Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva (2003-2010) called a referendum to ban the sale of firearms nationwide, but 64 percent voted against." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingBrazilian district bans sales of toy guns to ‘change the culture of violence’

Court rejects bid by Jehovah’s Witness to refuse blood transfusion

"The 17-year-old, who suffers from an aggressive cancer, lost his case against Sydney Children’s Hospital in March in which he had argued that treating him with blood products or a transfusion would breach his relationship with God. 'There is no doubting (the applicant’s) devotion to his faith, but his life has been cocooned in that faith,' Justice Ian Gzell said at the time. 'The sanctity of life in the end is a more powerful reason for me to make the orders than is respect for the dignity of the individual.'" Continue reading →

Continue ReadingCourt rejects bid by Jehovah’s Witness to refuse blood transfusion

Veteran Sacramento Sheriff’s Deputy Arrested For Child Molestation

"A Sacramento County Sheriff’s deputy was arrested on lewd acts with a child charges, authorities confirmed Tuesday evening. Deputy Donald Black – a 23-year veteran of the department – was arrested by Nevada County deputies Tuesday and booked into Nevada County Jail, the Nevada County Sheriff’s Office says. He faces five counts of lewd acts with a child under 14 charges. The case was a Nevada County investigation. Sacramento Sheriff’s say they are cooperating fully with the case. So far there is only one known victim, but investigators are looking if there are more. Black is on paid administrative leave." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingVeteran Sacramento Sheriff’s Deputy Arrested For Child Molestation

“For Their Own Protection”: Children in Long-Term Solitary Confinement

"Solitary confinement was once a punishment reserved for the most-hardened, incorrigible criminals. Today, it is standard practice for tens of thousands of juveniles in prisons and jails across America. Far from being limited to the most violent offenders, solitary confinement is now used against perpetrators of minor crimes and children who are forced to await their trials in total isolation. Often, these stays are prolonged, lasting months or even years at a time. How can a practice be both widespread and hidden? State and federal governments have two effective ways to prevent the public from knowing how deep the problem goes." Continue reading →

Continue Reading“For Their Own Protection”: Children in Long-Term Solitary Confinement

J. Cole and TLC Take Down the War on Drugs in ‘Crooked Smile’

"J. Cole takes on the war on drugs in his new video for the Born Sinner track 'Crooked Smile,' featuring TLC. Cole plays a family man who cares deeply for his daughter, juxtaposing this against a white DEA agent who is also a single father. But though Cole slings baggies of marijuana, he's far from a violent criminal, inviting his parents over for his daughter's birthday and making a cake especially for her. Both sides collide tragically when DEA agents raid the house and Cole's daughter is shot, rattling everyone involved in the takedown. The rapper has a direct message with the video: he is honoring deceased seven-year-old Aiyana Stanley-Jones, who was killed during a 2010 police raid in Detroit." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingJ. Cole and TLC Take Down the War on Drugs in ‘Crooked Smile’

Chicago ‘Safe Passage’ Worker Hit Woman, Stole Benefits Card

"A Safe Passage worker for Chicago Public Schools allegedly struck a woman and stole her Link benefits card, authorities say. Lashia Brown, 22, has been charged with misdemeanor battery and felony ID theft. Police confirmed Brown has a prior criminal record that includes possessing a weapon without a Firearm Owners Identification Card, an offense for which she pleaded guilty. Brown allegedly struck the victim in the face and used her Link card to withdraw money. She was arrested Tuesday in the 3200 block of West Madison and ordered held on $10,000 bond. A Link card provides cash and food-buying assistance for families that meet income guidelines." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingChicago ‘Safe Passage’ Worker Hit Woman, Stole Benefits Card

No more beauty contests for kids in France

"The French senate has approved a proposal to ban beauty contests for girls under 16 to prevent what a parliamentary report called the 'hyper-sexualisation' of children. The measure follows a parliamentary report 'Against Hyper-Sexualisation: A New Fight For Equality' which called for a ban on child-size adult clothing, such as padded bras and high-heeled shoes. 'Let us not make our girls believe from a very young age that their worth is only judged by their appearance,' said the author of the report, former sports minister Chantal Jouanno. According to the proposal, organisers of such beauty pageants could face up to two years in prison and a 30,000-euro ($40,000) fine." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingNo more beauty contests for kids in France