Here's a paragraph from "A Language Older Than Words" by Derrick Jensen that seems appropriate here. He has just asked trauma expert Dr. Judith Herman why atrocities continue to happen. Why they can't be stopped.
She first says that there hasn't been an effective medium for truth-telling and for establishing a record. Then,
"Whether it's genocide, military aggression, rape, wife beating, or child abuse, the same dynamic plays itself out, beginning with and indignant, almost rageful denial, and the suggestion that the person bringing forward the information-whether it's the victim or another informant- is lying, crazy, malicious, or has been put up to it by someone else. Then of course there are a number of fallback positions to which perpetrators can retreat if the evidence is so overwhelming and irrefutable it cannot be ignored, or rather, suppressed. This too, is something we're familiar with: the whole raft of predictable rationalizations used to excuse everything from rape to genocide: the victim exaggerates; the victim enjoyed it; the victim provoked or otherwise brought it on herself; the victim wasn't really harmed; and even if some slight damage has been done, it's now time to forget the past and get on with our lives: in the interests of preserving peace-or in the case of domestic violence, preserving family harmony-we need to draw a veil over these matters. The incidents should never be discussed, and preferably should be forgotten altogether."
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This is the typical reaction of WWASP and any other program that is accused of abuse or fraud. WWASP is aiming their "denial" at PURE, who for reasons already stated, accused them. WWASP is also aiming their "denial" at parents and ex-participants, some of whom have a connection with PURE.
WWASP supporters covering their asses. PURE and their supporters covering their asses. And many other's trying to expose all who they define as the enemy- for WWASP supporters, it's anyone associated with PURE. For PURE supporters, it's anyone associated with WWASP. For independent posters, it could be either of the above, or both.
That is the source of the circular dialogue happening here lately.
Ultimately, this forum is the "truth-telling" medium that has been needed for a long time. Parents and ex-inmates can tell their stories. Breaking the silence is how change will occur. One story at a time. In between the defensive rhetoric of program supporters.
And to the anon who wrote:
Someone asks a serious question and a few have to continue the game. I don't even see the question as right/wrong, just for clarification by what she has recently read.
Serious question for clarification?
No agenda? Wrong.
Betsy SAYS she doesn't support WWASP, that she is neutral and objective.
One of the clever tricks coercive manipulators use is to say they are objective, set the person's mind for that, then proceed with their agenda. Politicians use this tactic all the time.
Her agenda is very clear as her statements of others clearly reveals:
Your accusations are based on what? Because you perceive abuse (coming from her PURE acquaintances?) when the mother doesn't, and that's all that matters. Issue is with mother, not Casa.
Legal custody issues between her and her ex? Again I don't see this as being about Dundee, but about the issues between she and her ex.
This is NOT about WWASP with you either.
you had a kid in a wwasp program for a mere 2 months and now you are promoting a small teen help agency (PURE) You said you post on sites like this to "educate" other parents on wwasp.Good one! How can you with only 2 months? Did your fear of change and the process get in the way of going the distance with yoru child? Just a question, not an accusation.
Bullshit.
She's making a statement, while pretending to be objective and confused. That's the game.
Deborah
