Fornits

Treatment Abuse, Behavior Modification, Thought Reform => Straight, Inc. and Derivatives => Topic started by: Anonymous on November 17, 2005, 07:30:00 AM

Title: The Washington Post - Riddile
Post by: Anonymous on November 17, 2005, 07:30:00 AM
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/co ... ml?sub=new (http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/11/16/AR2005111600944.html?sub=new)  
 
By Jay Mathews

Thursday, November 17, 2005; Page VA10

After I wrote an article about J.E.B. Stuart High School principal Mel Riddile being named national high school principal of the year ["A Principal's Wide Reach; Head of Fairfax School Wins National Award," Metro, Oct. 23], I received many messages praising his success at raising achievement at a school full of low-income students.

I also received messages from people campaigning against the tough-love approach to adolescent drug abuse rehabilitation practiced by Straight Inc., a company that Riddile worked for in the 1980s. Straight Inc., founded in 1976 in Florida by Mel Sembler, a former U.S. ambassador to Italy, and his wife, Betty, went out of existence in 1993. The Semblers have since started the Drug Free America Foundation ( http://www.dfaf.org (http://www.dfaf.org) ), a drug prevention and policy group.

 
Here is an excerpt of one of the e-mails about Riddile and Straight:


Dear Extra Credit:

I would like to take this opportunity to advise you of the fact that Dr. Riddile was executive/regional director at Straight Inc. for several years back in the 1980s, an organization some parents have accused of systematically physically and psychologically abusing their children. Unfortunately, time does not heal all wounds.

In your article published about Dr. Riddile and his outstanding accomplishments in his role as principal of J.E.B. Stuart, his involvement with Straight is missing. Treatment similar to that used by Straight is still administered in programs called by different names. It is quite possibly the most dangerous drug treatment program ever to exist in this country. Dr. Riddile trained Straight directors in the same building in Ohio in which one of these programs currently operates.

I find it necessary to advise your paper of these facts as part of a movement to expose this ongoing tragedy. I made several requests this year to invite Dr. Riddile to speak out against this treatment program. He claimed that he knew nothing about the specific program in Ohio. But he trained people who engaged in similar treatment modalities. I advised him of this situation in 2003. The requests have been either ignored or denied.

I believe Dr. Riddile knows about the problems associated with the Straight treatment. Please urge him to speak out against this abuse now.

William Earnshaw Sr.

Midland, Va.

Page 2 of 2   < BackBack      


Readers Raise Concerns About Past Work of Top Principal


 
In my article, I did not mention Riddile's drug abuse work, both for Fairfax County and then for Straight, because I didn't think it was relevant to the topic -- how he turned Stuart High into a top educational institution. But I appreciate your concern about Straight, which you told me grew out of what you said you experienced as mistreatment under the program when you were a client.

The Post has published many stories about Straight. They make it clear that there has been much debate over the usefulness of drug treatment programs that place young clients under strict discipline, as Straight did. The articles note that one young client won an initial verdict of $220,000 in damages in 1983 after complaining of being detained for more than four months in a Straight facility in Springfield.

But according to the information I received from both you and Riddile, he was never sued or charged with any crime. Nor did you or any of the other sources you cited ever witness him do anything wrong. Riddle said he has many letters from Straight clients thanking him for what he did for them and said he is proud of his work there. I recommend that readers interested in this issue perform a Google search on Straight Inc. and do their own reading.

Having watched Riddile's work at Stuart for the last eight years, I am convinced that he deserved the award he received and does not deserve these criticisms for work he did in the 1980s that many of his young clients and their families have praised him for. Riddile is one of the 10 best high school principals I have ever seen, and I think Fairfax County is lucky to have him.

Please send your questions, along with your name, e-mail or postal address and telephone number to Extra Credit, The Washington Post, 526 King St., Suite 515, Alexandria, Va. 22314. Or e-mailextracredit@washpost.com.
Title: The Washington Post - Riddile
Post by: Anonymous on November 17, 2005, 07:53:00 AM
Good effort William.  Fuckers suck!
Title: The Washington Post - Riddile
Post by: Carmel on November 17, 2005, 09:24:00 AM
You know, Metalgod wasnt citing punishment for Riddle, he was merely asking for him to acknowledge the abuse, whether he was involved or not.
Title: The Washington Post - Riddile
Post by: Anonymous on November 17, 2005, 09:52:00 AM
Jay Mathews just shows what an ass he is! Nice job, Jay! You are an embarassment to the Washington Post, ya dweeby little child abuse apologist. Or, I don't know, maybe the Washington Post embarasses itself. Too bad Mark Levine's radio show and John Gorenfeld's article - both of which pulled no punches and included many witnessed statements from grown-ups who were child abused in Straight - both came out this week. Oops!

Excuse me, honey, before you leave for work this morning, let me wipe that egg off your face.

Y.K.W.
Title: The Washington Post - Riddile
Post by: Anonymous on November 17, 2005, 11:12:00 AM
Quote
...Beth, Straight Survivor from Springfield, VA, 1987. I will speak to any decent reporters who want to know about the child abuse that Mel Riddile oversaw. Underline decent. Jay, I have no respect for you. You wrote a piss poor article this morning, and I think you know it. By the way, excuse me, but you are a liar. When I called after you wrote the first article to let you know that Riddile worked for Straight, you left a message on my phone asking me if I was sure I had the right guy, and the spelling of Riddile was strange, and you were having the library look into it and so on. You big fat liar. Either you lied this morning in your new little half-assed child abuse apologist write-up on Mel Riddile, in which you state that you did not mention Riddile's Straight career on purpose - allow me to quote you: "In my article, I did not mention Riddile's drug abuse work, both for Fairfax County and then for Straight, because I didn't think it was relevant to the topic" - or you lied to me in your phone message. Sorry Jay, I took good notes. How is anyone going to ever trust what you say again?
Title: The Washington Post - Riddile
Post by: PerfectStraightling on November 17, 2005, 02:45:00 PM
This makes me so angry. I just emailed him a very angry email telling him what a dipshit he is.

He totally rejects the personal accounts sent to him, while embracing letters of praise he's never even seen! And apparently he either knows nothing of the details of straight, or is completely malicious in his core. That's what I always say makes a good journalist!
Title: The Washington Post - Riddile
Post by: Anonymous on November 17, 2005, 02:47:00 PM
May not be a good idea to attack the journalist.  He's doing his job.  Ya catch more flies with honey than with vinegar.  Explain to him your story and those of others.  Dont' be condescending to him, it'll just turn him off and write you off as one of those "crazy druggies that couldn't cut the program".

Just food for thought.
Title: The Washington Post - Riddile
Post by: Anonymous on November 17, 2005, 02:50:00 PM
http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=JA ... gle+Search (http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=JAY+MATHEWS+MEL+RIDDILE&btnG=Google+Search)
Title: The Washington Post - Riddile
Post by: PerfectStraightling on November 17, 2005, 02:56:00 PM
Yes that did occur to me. But this guy is anything but professional in his writing, he appears completely biased, uninformed, overly emotional, and, yes, defensive. I think he is a lost cause and personally I don't think he seems within reach of either logic or empathy.

Screw him.
Title: The Washington Post - Riddile
Post by: 001010 on November 17, 2005, 03:30:00 PM
Quote
On 2005-11-17 11:47:00, Anonymous wrote:

"May not be a good idea to attack the journalist.  He's doing his job.  Ya catch more flies with honey than with vinegar.  Explain to him your story and those of others.  Dont' be condescending to him, it'll just turn him off and write you off as one of those "crazy druggies that couldn't cut the program".



Just food for thought."


I'm gonna have to agree with this. This is the Washington Post, peeps. We want them on our side, ya know what I'm sayin?

If we had been born in Constantinople, then most of us would have said: "There is no God but Allah, and Mohammed is his prophet." If our parents had lived on the banks of the Ganges, we would have been worshipers of Siva, longing for the heaven of Nirvana.
--



_________________
EST (Lifespring) '83
Salesmanship Club '84-'86
Straight, Inc. '86-'88
Title: The Washington Post - Riddile
Post by: PerfectStraightling on November 17, 2005, 03:50:00 PM
I totally get what you're saying. I just think putting that much effort into a reporter should be done with at least a semi-rational and non-psychotic reporter. There are some out there and I'd rather focus on them than beat my head against any more walls.

Besides, I didn't really call him a dipshit, I just very clearly explained why I thought he was severely mistaken and explained why. And then I asked him to explain himself.
Title: The Washington Post - Riddile
Post by: 001010 on November 17, 2005, 04:24:00 PM
Quote
On 2005-11-17 12:50:00, JMA wrote:

"I totally get what you're saying. I just think putting that much effort into a reporter should be done with at least a semi-rational and non-psychotic reporter. There are some out there and I'd rather focus on them than beat my head against any more walls.



Besides, I didn't really call him a dipshit, I just very clearly explained why I thought he was severely mistaken and explained why. And then I asked him to explain himself. "


I totally agree with that. When we see an error that a reporter makes, I think it's good to point it out, but just not necessary to flame the shit out of them. Not to mention that that can also  be counterproductive for us as Straight, Inc. Vets.
_________________
EST (Lifespring) '83
Salesmanship Club '84-'86
Straight, Inc. '86-'88
Title: The Washington Post - Riddile
Post by: Anonymous on November 17, 2005, 06:34:00 PM
Yes we all want to be heard!  :smile:
Title: The Washington Post - Riddile
Post by: PerfectStraightling on November 17, 2005, 06:34:00 PM
that was me
Title: The Washington Post - Riddile
Post by: Anonymous on November 17, 2005, 08:23:00 PM
I agree with Jane, Jay is a child abuse apologist. I wrote him this email below, he has no excuse for not looking further into what I told him about. None. He did a piss poor job. He never wrote me back, as I requested in a subsequent email, and told me which contact info to send on to any survivors who could state what they witnessed.

Anyways, I am glad he didn't. I do not trust him one bit. I am glad that I did not suggest to another survivor that they could talk to this so-called journalist.

The last reporter I talked to, I already knew from another survivor that he was a good egg and he was on our side. He really wanted to understand from a survivor's perspective what brainwashing was like. That is the invisible crime, and it takes an intelligent and talented reporter to care to talk about it and care to do a good job covering this aspect of the child abuse that happens in the institutions and boot camps. This is the key part of the story that Mathews missed. Straight, Inc. used thought reform/coercive persuasion techniques on children. Coercive persuasion is known to have a certain percentage of psychological casualties. I think I am quoting that 1982 California Supreme Court case again. That is what the court said. That is what Straight was doing to us, and this was a known fact. Mel Riddile was the Executive Director. Excuse me, pay attention please. He was the Executive Director. Do I have to scream and shout? Mel Riddile was IN CHARGE OF CHILD ABUSE.

Anyways, sorry, but the last thing any survivor needs is to tell someone about child abuse and have them ignore it. Then to add insult, he praises Mel Riddile, that charming and smug Nazi child abuser.

[email follows:]
Dear Mr. Mathews,

I hear you might be putting together an article on Mel Riddile's involvement with Straight, Inc. Is this so? I would like to help. I know of several heinous instances of child abuse. I know people who, when they were children in  Straight, Inc. in Springfield, VA, were deprived of sleep and fed a limited diet in order to punish them or break their will to make them compliant. I am offering to get in touch with these people so they can talk to you. Children were also medically neglected. Children were physically tortured, and yes, I know of witnesses to such things. Straight, Inc. used psychological techniques of thought reform, also called "coercive persuasion". Again, to understand thought reform/coercive persuasion/brainwashing, please consult the works of Margaret Singer, PhD.

I have attached a copy of Fred Collins v. Straight, Inc. for you. Keep in mind that Fred was of the age of majority and a college student with a 3.2 GPA when he was held in Straight against his will. Here is an excerpt from Arnold Trebach's book, The Great Drug War, which includes an entire chapter on Straight, Inc. (If the library cannot find a copy of this book for you, please let me know as I would be happy to photocopy and scan or fax all pages related to Straight, Inc. to you.) "...Fred had caused some damage in the home when he made his escape and, on the advice of Virginia Straight program director Melvin Riddile, Mr. Collins brought criminal charges and thus gave Fred the only criminal record he ever had."

That is an example of Mel Riddile knowing about a serious crime (holding an adult against their will) and doing nothing about it other than advising a father to betray his son.

Please let me know how I can be of further assistance.

Sincerely,
Beth -----
Title: The Washington Post - Riddile
Post by: PerfectStraightling on November 17, 2005, 10:41:00 PM
Let's critique this, shall we??

Quote
On 2005-11-17 04:30:00, Anonymous wrote:

"http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/11/16/AR2005111600944.html?sub=new  

 

By Jay Mathews



Thursday, November 17, 2005; Page VA10



After I wrote an article about J.E.B. Stuart High School principal Mel Riddile being named national high school principal of the year ["A Principal's Wide Reach; Head of Fairfax School Wins National Award," Metro, Oct. 23], I received many messages praising his success at raising achievement at a school full of low-income students.



I also received messages from people campaigning against the tough-love approach to adolescent drug abuse rehabilitation practiced by Straight Inc., a company that Riddile worked for in the 1980s. Straight Inc., founded in 1976 in Florida by Mel Sembler, a former U.S. ambassador to Italy, and his wife, Betty, went out of existence in 1993. The Semblers have since started the Drug Free America Foundation ( http://www.dfaf.org (http://www.dfaf.org) ), a drug prevention and policy group.

Ok, first of all, people did NOT campaign against his "tough-love" approach. They campaigned against his thought-reform, physcially abusive aproach. Second of all, Riddile didn't just work FOR them, he ran the place. And my last point, it's good he named the Semblers, but what do they have to do with the case against Riddile?? Nothing but a lame attempt at shifting the focus to them.

Quote
Here is an excerpt of one of the e-mails about Riddile and Straight:





Dear Extra Credit:



I would like to take this opportunity to advise you of the fact that Dr. Riddile was executive/regional director at Straight Inc. for several years back in the 1980s, an organization some parents have accused of systematically physically and psychologically abusing their children. Unfortunately, time does not heal all wounds.



In your article published about Dr. Riddile and his outstanding accomplishments in his role as principal of J.E.B. Stuart, his involvement with Straight is missing. Treatment similar to that used by Straight is still administered in programs called by different names. It is quite possibly the most dangerous drug treatment program ever to exist in this country. Dr. Riddile trained Straight directors in the same building in Ohio in which one of these programs currently operates.



I find it necessary to advise your paper of these facts as part of a movement to expose this ongoing tragedy. I made several requests this year to invite Dr. Riddile to speak out against this treatment program. He claimed that he knew nothing about the specific program in Ohio. But he trained people who engaged in similar treatment modalities. I advised him of this situation in 2003. The requests have been either ignored or denied.



I believe Dr. Riddile knows about the problems associated with the Straight treatment. Please urge him to speak out against this abuse now.



William Earnshaw Sr.



Midland, Va.



Page 2 of 2   < BackBack    
 

Thank you, William.

Quote
Readers Raise Concerns About Past Work of Top Principal





 

In my article, I did not mention Riddile's drug abuse work, both for Fairfax County and then for Straight, because I didn't think it was relevant to the topic -- how he turned Stuart High into a top educational institution. But I appreciate your concern about Straight, which you told me grew out of what you said you experienced as mistreatment under the program when you were a client.

I'm sorry, but this is obviously some sort of attempt at pointing out that William was a "druggie." And again, it's not "drug abuse work," it's being the Executive Director. BIG difference.

Quote
The Post has published many stories about Straight. They make it clear that there has been much debate over the usefulness of drug treatment programs that place young clients under strict discipline, as Straight did. The articles note that one young client won an initial verdict of $220,000 in damages in 1983 after complaining of being detained for more than four months in a Straight facility in Springfield.

Not too bad, although he fails to elaborate on WHY the kid won all that money. Kind of important. And again, he claims the only contraversy surrounding Straight is that it is "strict." See prior criticism on tough love comment.

Quote
But according to the information I received from both you and Riddile, he was never sued or charged with any crime. Nor did you or any of the other sources you cited ever witness him do anything wrong. Riddle said he has many letters from Straight clients thanking him for what he did for them and said he is proud of his work there. I recommend that readers interested in this issue perform a Google search on Straight Inc. and do their own reading.

Where should I begin? Again, he is forgetting the fact that he RAN the place, placing him in responsibility for what went on there. And just because he didn't personally do anything wrong (?? I don't know), doesn't negate the fact that he RAN the place. In fact, this alludes to one of the biggest problems with straight, the peer confrontation model that was used. The peers, the kids, did all of the dirty work. This is not as redeeming as he suggests.

Quote
Having watched Riddile's work at Stuart for the last eight years, I am convinced that he deserved the award he received and does not deserve these criticisms for work he did in the 1980s that many of his young clients and their families have praised him for. Riddile is one of the 10 best high school principals I have ever seen, and I think Fairfax County is lucky to have him.

Sigh...who cares if it was in the 80s.... So apparently child abuse is OK if it was long enough ago, you should still be able to one day be a PRINCIPLE? HMMM, OK. Then he takes Riddile's word for the fact that he has gotten a lot of praise for his work there (which, by the way, if he was only working there, not really in charge, then why does he get so much credit for these supposed success stories??).

Quote
Please send your questions, along with your name, e-mail or postal address and telephone number to Extra Credit, The Washington Post, 526 King St., Suite 515, Alexandria, Va. 22314. Or e-mail extracredit@washpost.com.







 



 



"


Jackass.
Title: The Washington Post - Riddile
Post by: Anonymous on November 18, 2005, 09:39:00 AM
I have a question:

What could Mel Riddile do to repent in your eyes?  He obviously has moved on and is receiving praise for his work, so what does he need to do to clear himself from your shitlist or is that impossible to do?  Can anyone really ever be forgiven by people here?
Title: The Washington Post - Riddile
Post by: Carmel on November 18, 2005, 10:21:00 AM
Of course he has moved on, HE WASNT THE ONE BEING ABUSED.  Easy thing to do I would suppose, move on.

Repent being a good word here.  He does not acknowledge the abuse, he does not speak out against it, he does not retract his zeal for the fabulous "work" he did in and on behalf of Straight.

Secondly, he should not be allowed to further influence the lives of children and their parents.  He should be restricted in his ability to deal with children.  Although this man has not been convicted of a crime....its not unlike putting a known sex offender in charge of a day care.  You wouldnt want your kids in that situation.  Lets not forget that the "good work" he has done is all a matter of perspective.  

Take a look at this http://scott.eeltank.com/content/view/1321/180/ (http://scott.eeltank.com/content/view/1321/180/)

It looks like he may be employing the same tactics after all, dont you think?
Title: The Washington Post - Riddile
Post by: Anonymous on November 18, 2005, 11:16:00 AM
Quote
On 2005-11-18 06:39:00, Anonymous wrote:

"I have a question:



What could Mel Riddile do to repent in your eyes?  He obviously has moved on and is receiving praise for his work, so what does he need to do to clear himself from your shitlist or is that impossible to do?  Can anyone really ever be forgiven by people here?



"


 :evil: Let me ask you this, were you in that Straight building that Mel Riddile was running? Did YOU see the torture going on to the kids in there? Is it okay by you to see kids denied food, water, medication, privacy, and subjected to mental, emotional, physical, and sexual humiliation? Was it okay for constant IN YOUR FACE drilling to go on 24/7? Was it okay for those kids to be crowed into "intake rooms" for hours on end sitting 'Indian style' in the morning waiting to be led by the pants (like dogs) into the main room?? Did you ever WITNESS others being 'sat on' so they were screaming and couldn't breath and hear those terrible cries? Was it okay for parents to be told one thing in one room and the kids another thing in another room, tearing them apart and creating lifelong distrust within those families???

Riddile KNEW all those things were occurring to those kids on HIS watch and did NOTHING to stop it.

Who gives a shit WHAT your motives are in asking such a 'chip on your shoulder' type  question. Musta got your ass kicked a few times in school huh?

We'll be staying on top of getting this story out. Mel has gotten a lot of "recognition" and has stepped across many people's backs to get to where he is now. Mel doesn't seem to want to even say he is sorry for what went on in Straight, I imagine he never even wanted it brought up. He still can come forward, be a man, and say he's sorry whenever he wants to.
Title: The Washington Post - Riddile
Post by: Antigen on November 18, 2005, 11:30:00 AM
Quote
On 2005-11-18 06:39:00, Anonymous wrote:

"I have a question:



What could Mel Riddile do to repent in your eyes?  He obviously has moved on and is receiving praise for his work, so what does he need to do to clear himself from your shitlist or is that impossible to do?  Can anyone really ever be forgiven by people here?



"


How about an apology? That would be a good start. But noooooo! The Riddiler's not the least bit sorry. Unless this reporter misquoted him, the term he chose was "proud". Mel Riddile is PROUD of what he did.

Now then, that would be no concern of mine all these years later, except for one really disturbing little detail. He is in a position of authority over a whole lot of kids. I want some assurance that he's not sneaking some of them out the back door to the latest incarnation of the Program by way of his disciplinary and intervention policies.

Can he do that? Would it really be too damned much to ask him to just fucking admit, publicly, that he was wrong, retract his many past statements, apologize to those he hurt and give some assurance that he's changed his ways?

There is a principle which is a bar against all information, which is
proof against all arguments and which cannot fail to keep a man in
everlasting ignorance- that principle is contempt prior to investigation.
--Herbert Spencer

Title: The Washington Post - Riddile
Post by: Anonymous on November 18, 2005, 11:36:00 AM
Thank you JMA and Carmel. Excellent breakdown of the articles weaknesses, JMA. One more thing.

Quote
The articles note that one young client won an initial verdict of $220,000 in damages in 1983 after complaining of being detained for more than four months in a Straight facility in Springfield.


Fred Collins was not "one young client". I told Jay Mathews that, and it is clearly stated in the original Post article. Fred Collins was a LEGAL ADULT who was kidnapped and held against his will, at Straight, Inc. when Mel Riddile was the Program Director. Mathews KNOWS the real story, he is a piss poor reporter. His whole article is a lie. Excuse me while I call the ombudsman at the Washington Post.

You can call the Post too if you want. 202-334-6000. That's the main number. Mike Semel is the editor of the "Virginia" section in which Jay Mathews is allowed to write lies about child abuse. I already called the New York Times, they said to call the Post ombudsman. Maybe Radley Balko or Mark Levine or John Gorenfeld would like to know about this. JMA, I say send your write-up to those three guys. The Washington Post lies and covers up child abuse.

Oops! We aren't all beaten down anymore. heh heh. Trouble makin' druggies. :)
Title: The Washington Post - Riddile
Post by: Antigen on November 18, 2005, 11:50:00 AM
Quote
On 2005-11-18 07:21:00, Carmel wrote:

http://scott.eeltank.com/content/view/1321/180/ (http://scott.eeltank.com/content/view/1321/180/)


Ok now! There are, evidently, two of them.

http://www.fcnp.com/445/protest.htm (http://www.fcnp.com/445/protest.htm)

I wonder if Scott and Arash know each other? I wonder if they'd get confronted and somehow punished for cliquiing if they were seen talking together?

If two different kids have made the mainstream w/ essentially the same complaints, how many others are there who are too scared to complain or just think it's easier to humor the lunatics and not make waves?

I honestly think there's a story here.

HOWEVER! There is nothing to be gained by scolding Jay Mathews or attibuting bad intent to him. He likely didn't read a lot of that email. He's disinclined to find "dirt" on his assigned hero. It's not what he does for a living, he's a cheerleader who writes warm and glowing human interest fluff pieces. Hey, it takes all kinds, not saying that's a bad thing to do. But I wish he'd pass this along to the hard nosed, coffee swilling, chain smoking investigative reporters in his organization.

But, if he doesn't, that's ok. Just go to the washpost website, look up contact infor for their city desk, their education reporters and other relavent departments an contact themselves (politely, please!) with the info you have.

It NEVER pays to piss off someone who buys ink by the barrel. Sorry, but that's just the way it is.

The weavers of linen and hempen cloth, ... may exercise their trades without paying any fine.
-- Adam Smith in The Wealth of Nations (chapter X, part II) notes:

Title: The Washington Post - Riddile
Post by: Anonymous on November 18, 2005, 01:03:00 PM
No, Ginger, sorry, but you are wrong on this one. The Fred Collins detail says it all. Let me quote Jay Mathews again:

Quote
The articles note that one young client won an initial verdict of $220,000 in damages in 1983 after complaining of being detained for more than four months in a Straight facility in Springfield.


Here Jay Mathews gives an inaccurate representation of the Post's very own new coverage from the 1980's. Again, Fred was not "one young client", he was a LEGAL ADULT. He was kidnapped and detained against his will, and he won a court case. Jay Mathews is grossly inaccurate at best in his reporting. If the Post allows reporters to misrepresent what the Post has already published, tell you what, the first thing I think of is 1984 and changing the truth.

Don't whitewash the truth yourself by apologizing for Jay Mathews not reading the email I sent to him. I am quite certain this story had plenty of attention and time before it went to press. This was no oversight or carelessness on the part of a fluffy little reporter puppy stumbling around over his own big paws. Oh wait, now you got me feeling bad for getting the puppy in trouble for all the piss dribbling around in his article. Maybe you're right, it's not his fault he can't lift his leg like a grown dog yet.

We are talking about CHILD ABUSE here. The Washington Post should put a wolf on the story.

And I think everyone here is a grown-up, and does not need to be told by any other grown-up how to act in the world.

Besides, I lived in the D.C. area, trust me, the way I talk to these people is unbelievably friendly compared to what they get on the phone all day. And, mommy, I was very polite to Jay Mathews before he printed that schlock, and I have not said a damn thing to him since then. But good for whoever has said a damn thing. He should get heat from both sides, not just bask in the evil hot breath of a presidentially recognized child abuser.
Title: The Washington Post - Riddile
Post by: Antigen on November 18, 2005, 05:51:00 PM
I would imagine that he asked the Riddiler about it and that's the answer he got. No doubt, he's being intentionally obtuse here. He wants to believe and he does.

But what purpose is to be served by standing him up and having a come down rap here?

Just write to the editors and, coolly, levelly fill them in on the facts of the matter. That's all I'm saying. I'm not saying it's good or right that people who should care simply don't. I'm just saying get used to it and learn how to deal with them in a way that gets what we want, which is the story in front of a real journalist who smells a Pulitzer.

I cannot believe in the immortality of the soul.... No, all this talk of an existence for us, as individuals, beyond the grave is wrong. It is born of our tenacity of life -- our desire to go on living -- our dread of coming to an end.
--Thomas Edison, American inventor



_________________
Drug war POW
Straight, Sarasota
`80 - `82
Title: The Washington Post - Riddile
Post by: Anonymous on November 18, 2005, 06:38:00 PM
Quote
On 2005-11-18 14:51:00, Antigen wrote:

"I would imagine that he asked the Riddiler about it and that's the answer he got. No doubt, he's being intentionally obtuse here. He wants to believe and he does.



But what purpose is to be served by standing him up and having a come down rap here?



Just write to the editors and, coolly, levelly fill them in on the facts of the matter. That's all I'm saying. I'm not saying it's good or right that people who should care simply don't. I'm just saying get used to it and learn how to deal with them in a way that gets what we want, which is the story in front of a real journalist who spells a Pulitzer.

I cannot believe in the immortality of the soul.... No, all this talk of an existence for us, as individuals, beyond the grave is wrong. It is born of our tenacity of life -- our desire to go on living -- our dread of coming to an end.
--Thomas Edison, American inventor


"


You're right.

The Washington Post is part of the real world. In the real world people who want something done ask nicely or are told to kindly bug off.

We're not in Straight anymore.
Title: The Washington Post - Riddile
Post by: Anonymous on November 18, 2005, 06:56:00 PM
Quote
On 2005-11-18 15:38:00, Anonymous wrote:
You're right.

The Washington Post is part of the real world. In the real world people who want something done ask nicely or are told to kindly bug off.

We're not in Straight anymore.


Class dismissed.
Title: The Washington Post - Riddile
Post by: Anonymous on November 18, 2005, 08:08:00 PM
Y'all are morons. Jay Mathews whitewashed the story. He congratulated a child abuser not once, but twice. He lied in an article, or to a someone who called him to be a source, this has not yet been determined. He does not deserve to be called a reporter or journalist or anything. Therefore, no need for respect anymore. The Washington Post can grow up and get out of Straight itself. Shame on them.

Quit abusing Straight survivors by saying they are like they are still in Straight. Fornits is not Straight, fighting the good fight is not Straight. It ain't a fucking come down rap to call a child abuse apologist a child abuse apologist. Everyone isn't going to take your style, everyone isn't going to see this the same way. Y'all wanna join a fornits cult of agreeing and smiling and so on, suit yourselves. You got people willing to actually make phone calls and write letters and dig up information, leave them alone.

You think nobody can handle the truth? Come on, look at who has been really popular, it is the people willing to say things on their own terms: Hunter S. Thompson, Michael Moore, Larry Flynt and so on. What about our own gal down in Florida. What's her name. Lee De Cesare. Bugger off you don't like the way I say things. Mathews is a little puppy who dribbles piss poor articles on the Post.
Title: The Washington Post - Riddile
Post by: Anonymous on November 18, 2005, 09:01:00 PM
Quote
On 2005-11-18 17:08:00, Anonymous wrote:

"Y'all are morons. Jay Mathews whitewashed the story. He congratulated a child abuser not once, but twice. He lied in an article, or to a someone who called him to be a source, this has not yet been determined. He does not deserve to be called a reporter or journalist or anything. Therefore, no need for respect anymore. The Washington Post can grow up and get out of Straight itself. Shame on them.



Quit abusing Straight survivors by saying they are like they are still in Straight. Fornits is not Straight, fighting the good fight is not Straight. It ain't a fucking come down rap to call a child abuse apologist a child abuse apologist. Everyone isn't going to take your style, everyone isn't going to see this the same way. Y'all wanna join a fornits cult of agreeing and smiling and so on, suit yourselves. You got people willing to actually make phone calls and write letters and dig up information, leave them alone.



You think nobody can handle the truth? Come on, look at who has been really popular, it is the people willing to say things on their own terms: Hunter S. Thompson, Michael Moore, Larry Flynt and so on. What about our own gal down in Florida. What's her name. Lee De Cesare. Bugger off you don't like the way I say things. Mathews is a little puppy who dribbles piss poor articles on the Post. "


Thank you!

And now watch the pedophiles and prostraightlings who come here tell you that you need a medcart or that 'it's all a big conspiracy'. It's all they have is their lies and stupid fallacies and they can't face the unexxagerated truth. You will never get truth out of these people here simply because they want your money to give you edited documents, and even then this story of Straight is sooo long gone that documents that you DO get may be simply altered and untraceable by years. Straight is over with and the fucking child pussy and ass fuckers like Richard and Melvin Sembler want it to stay just that way. As long as they are alive Straight will never have its day in court. My solution is for you to kill people like Richard for his pedophilia that continues to this very second. Why, the moment he reads this he is already thinking of ways to shuck and jive and manipulate and keep on fucking his fuck buddy Wes.
Title: The Washington Post - Riddile
Post by: Anonymous on November 19, 2005, 01:13:00 PM
Bust this reporters balls and send his editor some letters...





> I emailed this to this extra credit guy today. I am really angry!
> When are these animals going to face the music?
>
> Rich
>
>
>
> Dear Sir,
> I read your reply to Mr Earnshaw and was flabbergasted by your
> response. Dr Riddle orchestrated my kidnapping from St. Petersburg
> Florida to Springfield Virginia in 1982. I was transported across
> state lines against my will. I was 18 years old and held prisoner
at
> Straight Inc. I know the man who sued Straight and was there with
> him during our imprisonment. Last time I checked that is called
> kidnapping and has no statute of limitations. According to my
> attorney what happened at Straight Inc. was nothing short of
> widespread systematic government endorsed brain washing and child
> abuse. I ask you to tell the whole truth not






 news paper filler.
> Investigate don't propagate spin doctored dis-information. This
> story has many layers like an onion. Except the closer you get to
> the core the more rotten it gets.
>
> Dr.Riddle may have done a great job at the High School however
that
> can't ever erase the damage that he and his co workers caused to
me
> personally and can't bring back the kids who killed them selves as
a
> result of being in Straight Inc. I currently suffer from PTSD
(Post
> Traumatic Stress Disorder) a diagnosis like that does not just
> happen all by its self. According to my therapist it is a direct
> result of Straight Inc. Over twenty years later I still have
> constant anxiety, night terrors and depression. All of these are a
> direct result of my imprisonment at Straight Inc under the "care"
of
> Dr.Riddle. I quote your response to Mr Earnshaw "But according to
> the information I received from both you and Riddle, he was never
> sued or charged with any crime. Nor did you or any of the other
> sources you cited ever witness him do anything wrong." I have... I
> am living proof of his crimes. Some day in the near future he will
> be held accountable for his indifference and lack of morality.
>
> Good Day
>
> Rich
Title: The Washington Post - Riddile
Post by: Cayo Hueso on November 19, 2005, 01:30:00 PM
Quote
On 2005-11-18 17:08:00, Anonymous wrote:

 Jay Mathews whitewashed the story. He congratulated a child abuser not once, but twice.

That may be true but that doesn't seem to be your true beef here.  Once again, it's the Straight spies on here.

Quote
It ain't a fucking come down rap to call a child abuse apologist a child abuse apologist.

It is when you refuse time and time again to provide any kind of proof of this.

Quote
You got people willing to actually make phone calls and write letters and dig up information, leave them alone.


Yeah, and most of them are the people that you contiually slam.

Don't hate the media. Become the media

--Jello Biafra

Title: The Washington Post - Riddile
Post by: Anonymous on November 19, 2005, 02:11:00 PM
I was talking about earlier in this thread or another on the subject Antigen calls whatever people are saying to or about this suckass "reporter" a "come down rap". I don't need to "provide proof" of it. Your other comments are non sequiturs.
Title: The Washington Post - Riddile
Post by: Cayo Hueso on November 19, 2005, 02:17:00 PM
Quote
It's all they have is their lies and stupid fallacies and they can't face the unexxagerated truth



THIS is what i want proof of.  You keep spouting off that we're all liars (well, the ones you name), PLEASE, PLEASE OH PLEASE tell me where I've done this.

A human being should be able to change a diaper, plan an invasion, butcher a hog, conn a ship, design a building, write a sonnet, balance accounts, build a wall, set a bone, comfort the dying, take orders, give orders, cooperate, act alone, solve equations, analyze a new problem, pitch manure, program a computer, cook a tasty meal, fight efficiently, die gallantly. Specialization is for insects.
-- Robert Heinlein

[ This Message was edited by: Cayo Hueso on 2005-11-19 11:18 ]
Title: The Washington Post - Riddile
Post by: PerfectStraightling on November 19, 2005, 07:44:00 PM
Quote
On 2005-11-18 15:56:00, Anonymous wrote:

"
Quote

On 2005-11-18 15:38:00, Anonymous wrote:

You're right.



The Washington Post is part of the real world. In the real world people who want something done ask nicely or are told to kindly bug off.



We're not in Straight anymore.




Class dismissed."


I wasn't talking about my opinion, but my critique being like a class paper. I was trying to write a logical analysis of his article. I know people are going to see things differently, but anyways, I don't know if anyone is suggesting it's a good idea to come across like crazed ex-druggies in sending Matthews letters. Forget about offending him, we will look like morons. And I don't think anybody has suggested that we be rude to the editors, after all, they didn't write the story, and I would assume if they are even mediocre journalists or have any sense of ethics whatsoever, they would be a thousand times more likely to respond positively to our story. But I think that a certain sense of anger is justified and can add weight to our story. I do think this Matthews guy sounds totally beyond reach, and I strongly feel that no matter what anybody says, he's not going to change his mind about this.
Title: The Washington Post - Riddile
Post by: Antigen on November 19, 2005, 08:21:00 PM
Ok, here's what I'm trying to say. You want to see the best way to deal w/ the media about a horrible, drug war crazed injustice? Meet Tulia, Texas.
http://www.mapinc.org/tulia.htm (http://www.mapinc.org/tulia.htm)

Note especially the Op-Eds and the PUB LTE entries. That is how you do it.


Then check this shit out. Google Betty on Forced Treatment (http://fornits.com/anonanon/docs/straight/BettyForcedTreatment.pdf)

Wonder what else is there, huh? Think people in Ohio might want to know who's crafting the laws they pay to have enforced against them?

Give em hell!

Just do it effectively.

The worst government is the most moral. One composed of cynics
is often very tolerant and human. But when fanatics are on top,
there is no limit to oppression.

--H.L. Mencken

Title: The Washington Post - Riddile
Post by: Cayo Hueso on November 19, 2005, 08:46:00 PM
I agree.  Read up o it.  What an utter and complete disgrace!!

http://www.csdp.org/news/news/tulia.htm (http://www.csdp.org/news/news/tulia.htm)

http://www.drugpolicy.org/law/police/tulia/index.cfm (http://www.drugpolicy.org/law/police/tulia/index.cfm)
http://www.villagevoice.com/news/0131,g ... 856,1.html (http://www.villagevoice.com/news/0131,gonnerman,26856,1.html)

When the government's boot is on your throat, whether it is a left boot or a right boot is of no consequence.
-- Gary Lloyd

Title: The Washington Post - Riddile
Post by: Antigen on November 19, 2005, 08:49:00 PM
Sorry, skipped an important connection. The Tulia sting was funded by a Byrne Grant. Since the Tulia story started to break, the Texas legislature has banned Byrne Grant funding w/o strict oversite. Some area taskforces have disbanded, refusing the oversight. Couple of the bad guys are getting a dose of their own medicine and half the country is now aware, on some level, of the problem.

Not bad for a bunch of tie dyed keyboard warriors, eh?

It CAN be done!

Never underestimate the power of the status quo...America's schools are part of government, subject to public whim and will.  By and large, we have the kind of schools that people want. While they acknowledge the need for improvement, in other people's schools, most American are reasonably content with their own.
--Former public school superintendent Ronald J. Perry, 1992.

Title: The Washington Post - Riddile
Post by: Anonymous on November 27, 2005, 02:11:00 PM
Quote
On 2005-11-18 17:08:00, Anonymous wrote:

"Mathews is a little puppy who dribbles piss poor articles on the Post. "


I heard Mel Riddile likes puppies. He likes to give them cookies and scritch them. If you give a puppy cookies and scritches whenever it does something you want it to do, why then, pretty soon you can tell that little puppy what to do and it will bounce right off and do it!
Title: The Washington Post - Riddile
Post by: Anonymous on November 27, 2005, 08:46:00 PM
what is a scritch?Just wondering...
Title: The Washington Post - Riddile
Post by: Anonymous on December 01, 2005, 08:22:00 PM
It's a scratch from a bitch.