Post by barbiejoe on Dec 4, 2006 20:48:00 GMT -5
crabbypatty said:
Thanks 'Reality' for coming forward and letting people know that there are more people out there who feel this way. I was beginning to think I had entered the twilight zone by joining this forum. The rest of you don't seem to be willing to look past your "I hate CAS" feelings and even attempt to understand the real point of my post. Since I said something that went against the grain, I became the villain. If I'm not for you, I must be against you, right? It's obvious by your replies that most of you seem to think I'm defending CAS or at least that I'm denying the corruption that exists there. I appreciate all of your efforts to convince me of these things, but I've already stated that I am aware of it. I was never in disagreement with anyone on that point. So far no one but 'Reality' is getting that.
I'm not a CAS worker and I've never had any personal involvement with them. I am not trying to discount your personal stories by any means. I'm also not some 'busybody' just looking for something to gossip about, as I was accused of as well. Why would I "gossip" about strangers? That doesn't even make sense.
Once again, I'll try to get my point to sink in. As I said before, the 'vagueness' of the petition--only stating that you needed "time to deal (with?) things" and that the kids were to be returned in a few weeks--leaves too much to the imagination and too much room for speculation. People are left to wonder why CAS became involved with your family in the first place. If you're going to include those statements in your petition, then I feel you should be prepared to include the meaning of them. Elaborate on them so that people aren't left guessing and in a lot of cases assuming the worst about you. You fear being judged but are creating a situation for yourself where that is exactly what will happen.
At no time did I say that you, barbiejoe, were a drug addict needing time to get clean. Go back and read it, it was hypothetical. I meant that someone could jump to that conclusion about you from reading the petition since there was very little information provided and what is there is ambiguous to say the least. It leaves too many questions that would prevent a lot of people from signing it. They will read it and think "why did CAS step in in the first place?", "did this woman willingly hand her kids over to them, and if so, why?" and most importantly "what are these 'things' she was needing to deal with for a few weeks?" Some people would need those questions answered before adding their names to the list.
I must say though, 'Reality' has a better idea. It would be much more beneficial to your credibility and you would gather more signatures if you left all personal details out and just had a general petition regarding corruption and accountability within CAS. That would be a good alternative to letting everyone know all the personal details of your story. But for suggesting that, 'Reality' also got jumped on and was chastised for bringing more negativity into your childrens' lives. I didn't find her post negative at all. She was trying to be helpful and giving some constructive criticism.
Barbiejoe, you have me thoroughly confused. One minute you're telling me that I should ask questions if I have them instead of jumping to conclusions, then the next minute you're telling me that your story is none of my business. Which is it?
What prompted me to post in this thread in the first place was that I was surprised at how many people had already signed the petition only having those few facts available to them. I understand now that people with axes to grind don't concern themselves with details, they just go ahead and sign. The rest of us who dare to question you are (in your opinion) just disrespectful and out to harm your cause. That is not the case. Although I completely agree with your cause, it's simply the wording of your petition that bothers me.
YOU SAID YOU NEVER DEALT WITH THE CAS YOU DON'T KNOW THE PAIN OF HAVING YOUR SON TORE OUT OF YOUR ARMS HIM KICKING AND SCREAMING SAYING DON'T TAKE ME I WANT MY MOM OR HAVE YOUR DAUGHTER SHOW YOU HER ARM AFTER TRYING TO COMMIT SUICIDE AT THE FOSTER HOME, YOU KNOW WHAT YOU READ IN THE NEWS BUT YOU DON'T REALLY KNOW ANYTHING ABOUT DEALING WITH THESE PEOPLE DAY AFTER DAY, WEARING YOU DOWN HAVING THEM PUSH ME OUT OF MY KIDS LIVES SLOWLY. YOU DIDN'T ASK ABOUT WHY I LOST MY KIDS WHICH IS REALLY NOT THE ISSUE BUT HERE GOES I WAS RAPED AS A CHILD AND THE CAS THOUGHT I NEEDED COUNCELLING FOR MY RAPE AND BASICALLY SAID I WAS A BAD MOM BECAUSE I WAS RAPED. I WAS ABUSED FOR 12 YRS FROM MY EX THE CAS TOOK THAT CHANCE TO TAKE MY KIDS. TO END THIS STUPID ARGUMENT PLEASE PLEASE ASK ME THINGS DON'T SAY THINGS LIKE "SHE COULD HAVE BEEN" THAT DEFEATS THE WHOLE PURPOSE OF THE PETITION. I WANT MY KIDS HOME WITH ME OR AT LEAST STILL ALIVE AND NOT DEAD BECAUSE OF SUICIDE. I AM A MOM WHO LOVES HER KIDS MORE THAN LIFE I DON'T DRINK, SMOKE OR DO DRUGS I UNDERSTAND WHAT YOU ARE SAYING TRUST ME I DO I AM NOT VERY TRUSTING ANYMORE THANKS TO CAS BUT MY POINT IS YOU COULD HAVE WORDED IT DIFFERENTLY. YOU DON'T KNOW THE CAS LIKE I DO UNTIL YOU DEAL WITH THEM ON A REGULAR BASES, THEM MAKING UP LIES, TELLING YOU YOU DONE SOMETHING INSTEAD OF ASKING I AM GOING TO WRITE A BOOK ABOUT MY LIFE. I AM SORRY FOR FLYING OFF THE HANDLE BUT I FELT LIKE ANOTHER PERSON WAS HERE TO JUDGE ME OR MAKE ACCUSATIONS AGAINST ME SO I APAOLGIZE. WE NEED ALL THE HELP WE CAN GET TO HELP PROTECT THESE KIDS. ONCE AGAIN I AM SORRY. SO PLEASE TRY AND UNDERSTAND WHAT I WAS SAYING IF YOU WANT TO KNOW SOMETHING ASK ME I WON'T LIE TO YOU. ALL I WANT IS FOR MY KIDS TO BE SAFE. ALSO YOU MAY NOT HAVE ACTUALLY SAID I WAS A DRUG ADDICT BUT THAT MAY PUT DOUBT IN PEOPLES MINDS THAT WE NEED THE HELP OF. YOU ARE NOT THE BAD GUY HERE THE CAS IS I AM SORRY IF YOU FELT LIKE YOU WAS THE BAD GUY HERE.