Fornits

Fornits Home for Wayward Web Fora
An open discussion about the troubled parent industry

If your a baby boomer, go get tested for HepC. Chances are good you have it. You won't know it until you are dying from it, if you don't get tested before hand. They can save you with a liver transplant; but livers are hard to come by; and once the boomers begin to drop over with HCV in the numbers expected, the situation will be much worse.

It can be cleared from the body, allowing the liver to heal, if the damage isn't already to sever. The medicine is a bitch to take and will make you sick. But it can clear the virus and your liver can then heal itself.

There are so many ways to have become infected that it is almost pointless to list. It is almost better to assume if you are a boomer, you should be tested.

But those who should absolutely get tested are those who ever used a needle to get high. Even one time.

Anyone with "blue" tattoos. The home made kind.

If you engage in "ruff" sex - or anything that might cause a blood exchange with an IV drug user or a tattooed person, go get tested.

Snorting drugs is also risky. It the jambing of the straw up your nose that puts you at risk.

Anyone who got a blood transfusion prior to the mid 1980's.

If you ever underwent medical "scooping" prior to the mid 90's.

Anyone who had a dental procedure prior to the mid 90's or so.

I would also be suspicious of any tattoo done, even in a good shop,  prior to the advent of AIDS and the common use of heat to sterilize. If you do not know for sure and certain that the shop you use always uses an autoclave to sterilize their equipment - you better go on and get tested.

Testing positive dose not mean you have the virus. Some 15 % of persons who have the antibodies have cleared the virus on their own. The rest will need to be treated to clear it.

It is important to note, you can cook this virus in your liver for decades and never seem at all sick. You may not show the slightest symptom until your liver fails. Do not comfort yourself with "I feel fine". It don't mean shit. Go get tested.

i just might do this.  I feel betrayed.  She called me to get my story after i got out of program and started speaking out on a Woodbury reports website forum.  When i knew here her kid was still in Tranquility Bay i believe.  It may have been Casa. There were a few in the small listserv.  I eventually lost touch since the list consisted of endless in-fighting and bickoring which seemed counterprodutive.

Still.  I can't believe she would do this.  When i knew here she hated WWASP with a passion.  I want to hear both sides of the story.  I'll google her before giving her a call.

I do think, however that suing somebody over any type of speech is reprehensible.  It's not like she can't defend herself  by posting in response.  Fucking lawyers.

You should go to ISAC and pull up the transcripts of the SLC trial; the wwasp V pure transcripts. Read her testimony. Its enlightening.  

If you feel betrayed, then I promise you, you aren't alone.

http://www.law.com/jsp/article.jsp?id=1160039129767
Jury Awards Woman $11.3M in Internet Defamation Suit
Daniel Ostrovsky
Daily Business Review
October 6, 2006



A Weston, Fla., woman who spoke out publicly against a Utah-based company affiliated with a controversial chain of boarding schools for troubled teens around the world has won an $11.3 million Internet defamation verdict.

On Sept. 19, Susan Scheff and her Weston-based company, Parents Universal Resource Experts Inc., won the jury verdict in Broward Circuit Court against Carey Bock, a woman whom Scheff helped in getting Bock's two sons out of a school in Costa Rica. The judgment included $5 million in punitive damages.

Scheff filed the suit in December 2003, alleging that Bock posted defamatory statements about her on an Internet bulletin board viewed by parents of troubled teens, according to court pleadings.

The verdict is the latest chapter in the increasing volume of litigation around the country over the content of Internet sites, blogs and online bulletin boards.

"This is a new area of law," said Scheff's attorney, David H. Pollack of Miami. "The problem with the Internet is people can post anything about you and it can destroy you."

Pollack said that his client previously offered to settle the case for $35,000.

Scheff, who bills herself as an educational consultant, "tried to do something to help other parents and she wound up sort of being the object of hateful and vindictive statements," Pollack said. Scheff and her company sometimes get paid for their referrals.

The message of the verdict "is you just can't go out there on these blogs and slander and defame people without having any facts to substantiate what you are stating," Scheff said.

Bock could not be reached for comment before deadline. Her former lawyer, Jan D. Atlas of Adorno & Yoss in Fort Lauderdale, did not return a call for comment before deadline.

According to the suit, Bock had sought the help of Scheff and her company to refer her to an educational consultant who could get her sons out of a school affiliated with the Utah-based World Wide Association of Specialty Programs and Schools. Pollack said the consultant succeeded in doing so.

After getting the boys out, from June 2003 through December 2003 Bock accused Scheff and her company of being "crooks," "con artists" and "frauds" who "exploit[ed] families" and place[d ] children in "risky" and "possibly abusive" programs as well as of operating a "scam," and being "no different than [the World Wide Association of Specialty Programs and Schools]," according to Scheff's suit.

Pollack said that a witness at the trial testified that Bock turned against Scheff after Scheff refused to help her contact a minor who allegedly was sexually abused at one of the World Wide-affiliated schools. The witness said Bock wanted to contact the minor for a documentary about the schools.

Among other things, Scheff's company has provided information to parents of troubled teens about World Wide affiliated schools.

The suit originally named Ginger Warbis, the owner of the Internet bulletin board, as a defendant. She later was dropped as a defendant in the suit. Warbis' lawyer, Philip Elberg, of Medvin & Elberg of Newark, N.J., sharply criticized Scheff and other people who refer parents to programs for troubled teens.

"People in this industry have consistently used their money and their access to lawyers to silence critics of the industry and this may be one of those examples," Elberg said. "Sue Scheff is simply another person in the industry of people who make money from the plight of frightened parents."

Scheff had her own experience with World Wide, Pollack said. She had enrolled her daughter at one of the for-profit organization's affiliated schools in South Carolina. She later formed her company, which refers interested parents to schools for troubled teens.

World Wide sued Scheff for defamation in Salt Lake City. World Wide claimed that stories about its schools posted on Scheff's Web site were defamatory. But in 2004 a jury ruled in Scheff's favor.

According to Pollack, Bock was first represented in the Broward Circuit Court suit by Adorno & Yoss, but the law firm dropped out of the case. He said Bock then refused to participate in court proceedings and her pleadings were stricken by Broward Circuit Judge John T. Luzzo.

Bock was not present for the jury trial, which was held to determine damages only, Pollack said.

Poor conditions and physical abuse by the staff at several World Wide schools have been alleged in lawsuits and numerous media reports around the country.

According to the Internet site of the nonprofit International Survivors Action Committee, at least nine schools either directly affiliated with World Wide or personnel affiliated with World Wide have been closed following investigations by authorities.

Articles in the South Florida Sun-Sentinel and the Miami New Times have publicized allegations of abuse at the Jamaica-based school Tranquility Bay, which is popular with parents in South Florida.

I always really liked the Moody Blues: "Every Good Boy Deserves a Favor."

I also liked Pink Floyd's "Wish You Were Here" a lot.
And also, of corse the Dark Side prism. And the Cow.
And when you come to think about it - the art for "Pulse" is also very interesting.

Zeppelin Four - I liked that one.

I also always liked "the White Album"  It was a clever way to deal with a lack of interesting cover art.

I also liked Nirvana's "Nevermind"

But my all time favorite has always been "Every Good Boy Deserves a Favor"

I like the song. (the one with the video)

I don't think the two (motivating and what takes place in worship services) are related; or that they are meant to accomplish the same thing.

I gather from my reading, that any kind of rhythmic, repetitive movement, accompanied by chanting, or drumming ect, can and does induce a trance like state. Once a person is in this trance like state, they are more open to all kinds of influences.  

Some faiths understand this and this is exactly what they are trying to accomplish - a trance where they can surrender to outside influences. Others are less open about what they are accomplishing with the rhythmic music and dancing or chanting.

It might also be of interest that some persons, when deep in prayer, sway or rock in a rhythmic way; often without being much aware of it; and with no audeble music or chanting taking place.

Motivating seems to be something different. There is nothing very rhythmic about it. No chanting is there? It does seem designed more of a way to obtain and maintain a kid's identity with the group. Group think, is also important to brain washing. You know - "they all think this, so it must be right. OK. best. . ." If you motivate with the group, you become part of that group. That's my best guess. And also possibly, it is meant to induce great fatigue. Brains are more easily washed when they are stressed and tired; and when their bodies are also stressed and tired.

As for the clapping and swaying in church; I don't think that is any different than people at a concert clapping and swaying or banging their head.

On a related subject - when reading cults in Our Midst, I read about Cult leaders who were able to put their followers in a trance state with their use of speech patters - a sing song or otherwise patterned speech - and that once the flock was thus subdued, they could impart all kinds of weird ideas and have them accepted. It was interesting.

http://www.amcostarica.com/052203.htm
15 year olds told they can go their own way
Prosecutor, police just let troubled youth walk out  
By the A.M. Costa Rica staff
A prosecutor told youngsters going through an academic/disciplinary program in Orotina that they were old enough to leave on their own, according to a mother of one of the teens. And at least eight did.

Investigators raided the Dundee Ranch Tuesday in search of something wrong, mostly on the criminal complaint of Susan Flowers, whose daughter, Nicole, 15, was being held at the ranch. Both are U.S. citizens as are most of those at the ranch.

Ms. Flowers does not have custody, and the child was sent to the ranch by her father, who is in the United States.

Meanwhile, Casa Alianza said in a press release that it was satisfied by the search of Dundee Ranch after eight months of complaints.

The bulk of the complaints came from youngsters who were so out of control that their parents sent them to the private correctional facility or, as in the case of Mrs. Flowers, persons who were unable to maintain custody of their children in U.S. courts.

Casa Alianza downplayed the flight of the youngsters. But Ms. Flowers sent an e-mail to those who had followed the case:

"When the district attorney went there to talk with Nicole because of the petition I filed with the criminal court, he told the teens that if they were 15 through 19 in age, in Costa Rica they were free to leave Dundee.  

"Front page [of Spanish newspaper Al Dia] has pictures of the kids running the f--- out of Dundee. On the inside is one of the owners Narvin Litchfield watching $240,000 worth of teens, 8 x $30,000 per teen, walking down that despicable dirt road. They were laughing and crying, carrying their pillow cases with their belongings. Pray these pictures get sent around the world."

Ms. Flowers said that some of the children, perhaps as many as 30, ended up with the Patronato Nacional de la Infancia and others were still on their own.

"Dundee is officially closed.  The American Embassy is taking phone numbers from parents," said Ms. Flowers.

Joe Atkin, director of the ranch, said in a news story last Oct. 25 that the facility has housed around 200 youngsters in the last 14 months. He said most are there because they are rebellious, manipulative or involved in marijuana. The camp is part of a network that is based in the United States where it also is controversial.

Casa Alianza said that on Monday officials from the Dirección de Migración y Extranjeria inspected the camp and found that 100 of the 193 children did not have appropriate migration papers. It is not known if some of these youngsters were allowed to leave the camp.
According to its Web site, the Academy at Dundee Ranch program consists of behavior modification, a series of highly motivational emotional growth seminars, a progressive academic curriculum and a structured daily schedule that includes daily personal development courses. Dundee Ranch has an extremely progressive academic program that is accredited by the Northwest Association of Schools and of Colleges and Universities, said the Web site.

Casa Alianza said it had received a series of complaints from various parents, who feared for the physical and emotional integrity of their children, who were held there. Casa Alianza's Legal Support Office in turn informed the director of the Patronato, Rosalía Gil, several weeks ago, it said.

The ranch is in La Ceiba de Cascajal de Orotina. Casa Alianza and regional director Bruce Harris helped bring a case with Ms. Flowers before the Sala IV constitutional court. They alleged that the rights of Nicole were being violated, although how was not specified Wednesday.

The Sala IV did not agree, rejected the case and remanded it to family court, Casa Alianza said.
So Ms. Flowers presumably filed her criminal complaint, probably under the direction of Casa Alianza. As a result of the criminal complaint, investigators from the Judicial Investigating Organization, a judge and the prosecutor visited the camp.

Casa Alianza noted in its release that the girl, then 14, was taken to Dundee Ranch against her will from her home in the United States.  In
letters to her mother, the girl wrote: "Please, whatever, take me out of here, please," said Casa Alianza. Casa Alianza did not say if it had contacted the father of the child who is in the United States and was the parent paying the bills. The father, as the parent with full custody, has the right to dictate where his child lives.

Ms. Flowers, a psychologist, came here months ago and worked at odd jobs in beach communities to enable her to stay near her child.

In describing what prompted his organization?s interest in Dundee Ranch, the Casa Alianza release explained; "To enclose children in tiny rooms on their knees or stomachs for hours is cruel and inhumane treatment and needs to be investigated by the authorities." The release gave no further details.





Probers arrest owner of ranch for troubled youth
By the A.M. Costa Rica staff
Investigators have detained Narvin Litchfield, owner of the Academy at Dundee Ranch for troubled youth, mostly from North America.

The arrest Thursday night came after two days of investigation at the facility in La Ceiba de Cascajal de Orotina. Officials said they were holding Litchfield for, among other allegations, deprivation of liberty of the youngsters placed in his charge by their parents.

Meanwhile, parents of the children there have been arriving from the United States to collect their children because officials said they would close the facility.

A group of youngsters fled the facility Tuesday when a public prosecutor told them they had rights under Costa Rican law and could not be kept there against their will. Some still are missing.  

The Patronato Nacional de la Infancia said the facility did not provide appropriate food. Immigration officials said that more than half of the estimated 190 youngsters at the facility did not have correct paperwork to be in the country.

Although officials criticized the physical plant of the facility, television shots broadcast all over Costa Rica showed a swimming pool, computers and a mostly U.S.-style boarding school setting.

The campaign against the school has been carried on for at least eight months by a non-custodial

mother, Susan Flowers, who had a 15-year-old, Nicole Helene Deniken, at the school. The girl was sent to the school by the father who has custody under a U.S. court order. Ms. Flowers has been working at odd jobs at the beach in order to stay near her daughter.

She was assisted in her campaign by Casa Alianza, the child advocate organization.

Among the complaints that the Patronato had about the facility is that the staff of the school lacked training and that staffers managed communication between children and their parents.  

The school is designed for troubled youth who have become involved in drugs, early sex, alcohol or other delinquent behavior. The school calls itself an academic behavior modification facility and awards students various liberties based on their progress. Their parents pay about $30,000 a year for the youngsters to study at the academy.

The walkout of youngsters took place when a public prosecutor told them that if they are over 15 they cannot be held against their will in Costa Rica, according to an e-mail Wednesday from Ms. Flowers.

The raid on the academy was not totally unexpected. The discipline that the academy used to train the youngsters is alien to Costa Rican child-rearing methods. Ms. Flowers has gone so far as to begin and lose a Sala IV constitutional court case, a sure way to attract official attention.

http://ebaumsworld.com/2006/07/buttrocket.html