On 2006-02-16 23:54:00, Goodtobefree wrote:
"Best of luck, but if anyone in congress gave a shit about this, every single one of these institutions would be shut down. Think about it, these places are so fucked up that you don't even need to put a media spin on it to create a crusade around the issue. The reason these places stay in business is because they grease all the right palms in congress, local governments, etc. Politicians couldn't care less, there's no money in shutting these places down. Half these companies give shitloads of money to the Republican party, and all their corporate headquarters are in Republican controlled states like Utah or Missouri to take advantage of favorable legislation.
"
PLus- while politicians can ignore, the public, once hearing the stories if people are more willing to speak out- may make this issue more difficult to ignore. It's a matter, I think, of everyone owning their experience and using it as a tool for change. People don't realize- esp mental coercion, just how damaging it can be. I guess part of what cafety is all about is a testiment to what is wrong with the industry and I hope people will use the site as a tool...A tool to sway public opinion- not as some group of 'crazy' rude, irratic group of former whatevers, but as rational people who have been harmed and who are concerned for the well being of youth everywhere. Hell, as consumers even- we/our parents were all sold a shotty product...I suspect that our stories will succefully sway public opinion- if they are succefully penetrate the bubble that is the corporate press...as we speak people are being educated on this topic- well,maybe not at the moment. Suprisingly many people are 100% oblivious to this even being an issue. As I have worked on this for school projects, talked to anyone who will listen esp mental health professionals and they ARE appalled. People ARE appalled- so my feeling is that, given the lack of data and oversight (since these facilities are private and no one can just go in there yet and speak w/ authority about what goes on there or it's efficacy) it's up to us for now- period. And, looking on the bright side- we have one sympathetic Senator. (George Miller California)
As Maia points out in her WONDERFUL book, 'Help at Any Cost' these tactics used makes many people see mistreatment, or non-treatment as care- so, as I see, it's up to those of us who have been able to understand the problematic elements to speak out and set the record straight...
I know at times I may seem naive, I'm not suggesting that there's an underlying element in our society that says 'brutality works'- mental, physical, emotional ... but it doesn't- not in any kind of therapeutic sense- and there's evidence to suggest that it's damaging. Certainly many of our experiences reflect that...and the ends certainly don't justify the rights granted criminals, taken away from youth. My hope is that all of us who understand this point, esp those who have gone through it will speak out.
Is it too late to say that this whole 'tough love' thing has gotten way out of hand?
[ This Message was edited by: katfish on 2006-02-20 06:59 ]
