The foregoing is a comment I posted at the Salt Lake Tribune site. I wrote it with the hope that Utah's judicial system will broaden the rights of unmarried fathers in adoption cases. I don't think it is right to deprive a man of the right to raise his child simply because he is not married. I wish the best of luck to Ramsey Shaud in his fight to gain custody of his little daughter.
There are many types of families in the United States today. I hope Utah's judges are smart enough to realize that one type of family is not necessarily better than the others.
There is the traditional family in which a heterosexual father and a heterosexual mother are married to each other.
But there are also single parents, divorced parents, and widowed parents raising children. There are also heterosexual couples who live together (but aren't married) having babies. There are blended families in which stepparents are raising children.
There are also grandparents raising their grandchildren. Sometimes aunts and uncles raise their nieces and nephews.
Foster parents and adoptive parents raise children too.
There are lesbian couples raising children together. (I've read that the statistics show that lesbian couples are good parents.) There are also gay men who are fathers.
You aren't going to like this, but there are polygamous families too.
There really isn't a "right" way to be a parent any more. Families are like individuals -- everybody is different.
One type of family isn't necessarily better than the others. It doesn't matter if the parents are married or not. What matters is that the parents love and care for their children. What matters is that the children aren't being abused or neglected.
Monday, December 26, 2011
Saturday, December 17, 2011
The Legend of the Barefoot Bandit Comes to an End
On December 16, 2011, the swashbuckling adventures of Colton Harris-Moore -- Washington's beloved "Barefoot Bandit" -- officially came to an end in Coupeville when Island County Judge Vickie Churchill sentenced him to more than seven years in prison.
Twenty year old Colton pleaded guilty to 16 felonies in Island County and 17 felonies in San Juan County. Having already pleaded guilty to federal charges in Seattle, he will be sentenced in federal court next year. Fox recently bought the movie rights to his story, but Colton will use all the proceeds to pay restitution to his victims.
According to the Associated Press, Colton became a cult hero during a two year crime spree in which he eluded police by stealing boats, planes, guns and cars. He earned the moniker "the Barefoot Bandit" because he often left bare footprints when he fled from his crimes. He burglarized homes and businesses in eight states, Canada and the Bahamas. Colton taught himself to fly by reading manuals and watching online videos. He was arrested in July 2010 after he stole a plane in Indiana, flew it to the Bahamas and crashed it into a swamp.
Before the sentencing, Colton wrote a six page letter to Judge Churchill in which he took full responsibility for his actions. He stated that he "wouldn't wish his childhood on his darkest enemies."
Colton was raised in a debilitated mobile home in Camano Island, Washington by an abusive, alcoholic mother and her convict boyfriends. He has stated that his first memory is of his mother telling him that she wished he was stillborn. Colton has also stated that he first broke into a neighbor's home for food when he was 13 because he was so hungry. His attorney claims that his mother often failed to provide food for him and spent the bulk of her income on alcohol and cigarettes.
According to the Everett Herald, a CPS worker described Colton's childhood home as putrid, filled with dirty clothes, papers and food covered in mold and mildew. Ironically, CPS cut short their investigations due to his mother's lack of cooperation. Is anyone really surprised that CPS let this poor child slip through the cracks?
According to the Los Angeles Times, Colton's mother, Pam Kohler, is angry because defense attorneys have been telling lies about her. "John Henry Browne has to blame all of Colt's problems onto something, so he evidently chose me," Ms. Kohler told KIRO radio in Seattle. "I'm going to destroy him when this is over."
I thought that Ms. Kohler's statement was rather odd because it suggests that she is more concerned about her reputation than her son's welfare. She doesn't seem to realize that her threats only make her look worse. I'm a mother myself. If one of my children was being charged with a multitude of crimes as Colton was, I'd be happy and grateful that my child had a good defense attorney. I certainly would not be threatening to destroy those who were trying to help my child. Good mothers put their children's needs before their own.
I'm not a fan of Pam Kohler, but I can't help but wonder why Colton's teachers, neighbors, and the community of Camano Island did not do more to help this hungry, neglected boy. The moral of the Barefoot Bandit's legend is quite simple. If we don't want hungry children to break into our homes and steal our food, we should be willing to help the less fortunate.
Twenty year old Colton pleaded guilty to 16 felonies in Island County and 17 felonies in San Juan County. Having already pleaded guilty to federal charges in Seattle, he will be sentenced in federal court next year. Fox recently bought the movie rights to his story, but Colton will use all the proceeds to pay restitution to his victims.
According to the Associated Press, Colton became a cult hero during a two year crime spree in which he eluded police by stealing boats, planes, guns and cars. He earned the moniker "the Barefoot Bandit" because he often left bare footprints when he fled from his crimes. He burglarized homes and businesses in eight states, Canada and the Bahamas. Colton taught himself to fly by reading manuals and watching online videos. He was arrested in July 2010 after he stole a plane in Indiana, flew it to the Bahamas and crashed it into a swamp.
Before the sentencing, Colton wrote a six page letter to Judge Churchill in which he took full responsibility for his actions. He stated that he "wouldn't wish his childhood on his darkest enemies."
Colton was raised in a debilitated mobile home in Camano Island, Washington by an abusive, alcoholic mother and her convict boyfriends. He has stated that his first memory is of his mother telling him that she wished he was stillborn. Colton has also stated that he first broke into a neighbor's home for food when he was 13 because he was so hungry. His attorney claims that his mother often failed to provide food for him and spent the bulk of her income on alcohol and cigarettes.
According to the Everett Herald, a CPS worker described Colton's childhood home as putrid, filled with dirty clothes, papers and food covered in mold and mildew. Ironically, CPS cut short their investigations due to his mother's lack of cooperation. Is anyone really surprised that CPS let this poor child slip through the cracks?
According to the Los Angeles Times, Colton's mother, Pam Kohler, is angry because defense attorneys have been telling lies about her. "John Henry Browne has to blame all of Colt's problems onto something, so he evidently chose me," Ms. Kohler told KIRO radio in Seattle. "I'm going to destroy him when this is over."
I thought that Ms. Kohler's statement was rather odd because it suggests that she is more concerned about her reputation than her son's welfare. She doesn't seem to realize that her threats only make her look worse. I'm a mother myself. If one of my children was being charged with a multitude of crimes as Colton was, I'd be happy and grateful that my child had a good defense attorney. I certainly would not be threatening to destroy those who were trying to help my child. Good mothers put their children's needs before their own.
I'm not a fan of Pam Kohler, but I can't help but wonder why Colton's teachers, neighbors, and the community of Camano Island did not do more to help this hungry, neglected boy. The moral of the Barefoot Bandit's legend is quite simple. If we don't want hungry children to break into our homes and steal our food, we should be willing to help the less fortunate.
Thursday, December 15, 2011
Happy Birthday, Alyson!
Happy 9th birthday to my sweet granddaughter, Alyson.
This photo of Alyson and Korinna was taken at Tacoma's Festival of the Nativity on December 3, 2011. The girls sang at the festival as part of the Children's Christmas Choir.
This photo of Alyson and Korinna was taken at Tacoma's Festival of the Nativity on December 3, 2011. The girls sang at the festival as part of the Children's Christmas Choir.
Sunday, December 11, 2011
Tacoma's Festival of the Nativity
As some of you may know, I'm a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. I'm not trying to convert anyone, but I would like to show how the Tacoma Stake keeps Christ in Christmas every year.
They were hoping for one thousand, but the last count revealed 962. That's right. On December 3, 2011, nine hundred and sixty-two Nativities were displayed at the fourth annual Festival of the Nativity at the Tacoma Stake Center in Tacoma, Washington. You don't have to be a Mormon to attend or participate in the festival. Anyone who had a Nativity that he or she wanted to display was invited to bring his/her set to the church several days in advance.
The Nativities came from all parts of the world, including Mexico, Peru, Argentina, Italy and the Philippines. Miniature replicas of Celtic stone carvings represented Ireland. A crystal set came from the Czech Republic.
The Children's Christmas Choir sang Christmas caroles. After the performance, church leaders put on a scavenger hunt in which the children had to answer questions about individual Nativities among the hundreds that filled the church. Can you identify who played Baby Jesus in the Nativity featuring Charlie Brown and Peanuts?
There were many hand-crafted Nativities. Tiny Nativity figures were carved into a small gourd. A set was made from wooden spoons. Another was made of marshmallows. One lady from the church made a quilt adorned with the holy family and the animals in the manger.
There was also a live Nativity scene.
Toward the end of the festival, families were invited to dress up as the characters from the Nativity. A photographer took photos of them in a manger scene. Here's a photo of my daughter, Kate, portraying the Virgin Mary. My youngest daughter, Korinna, and my granddaughter, Alyson, dressed up as angels.
Happy holidays to all!
P.S. Woodstock played Baby Jesus in the Peanuts Nativity.
They were hoping for one thousand, but the last count revealed 962. That's right. On December 3, 2011, nine hundred and sixty-two Nativities were displayed at the fourth annual Festival of the Nativity at the Tacoma Stake Center in Tacoma, Washington. You don't have to be a Mormon to attend or participate in the festival. Anyone who had a Nativity that he or she wanted to display was invited to bring his/her set to the church several days in advance.
The Nativities came from all parts of the world, including Mexico, Peru, Argentina, Italy and the Philippines. Miniature replicas of Celtic stone carvings represented Ireland. A crystal set came from the Czech Republic.
The Children's Christmas Choir sang Christmas caroles. After the performance, church leaders put on a scavenger hunt in which the children had to answer questions about individual Nativities among the hundreds that filled the church. Can you identify who played Baby Jesus in the Nativity featuring Charlie Brown and Peanuts?
There were many hand-crafted Nativities. Tiny Nativity figures were carved into a small gourd. A set was made from wooden spoons. Another was made of marshmallows. One lady from the church made a quilt adorned with the holy family and the animals in the manger.
There was also a live Nativity scene.
Toward the end of the festival, families were invited to dress up as the characters from the Nativity. A photographer took photos of them in a manger scene. Here's a photo of my daughter, Kate, portraying the Virgin Mary. My youngest daughter, Korinna, and my granddaughter, Alyson, dressed up as angels.
Happy holidays to all!
P.S. Woodstock played Baby Jesus in the Peanuts Nativity.
Friday, December 2, 2011
Snoqualmie Falls -- The Beauty of Washington
One of my co-workers told me that she once moved to California, but she couldn't wait to move back to Washington because she missed Mount Ranier, the towering pine trees, and the Puget Sound. The Pacific Northwest is God's country.
Snoqualmie Falls is one of the most beautiful sites in Washington. Located on the Snoqualmie River between Snoqualmie and Falls City, this massive waterfall spills 268 feet over granite rocks. That is more than one hundred feet higher than Niagara Falls.
These photographs of the falls were taken on Saturday, November 26, 2011 between 5:30 and 6 p.m.
The Snoqualmie tribe has lived in western Washington for centuries. The falls were one of their traditional burial sites. The Snoqualmie believed that the First Woman and First Man were created at the falls by Moon the Transformer. They also believed that the mists rising from the base of the falls carried prayers to the Creator. The mists connected Heaven and Earth.
In 1992, Snoqualmie Falls was first nominated for the National Register of Historic Places because of its link to the spiritual beliefs of the Snoqualmie tribe. At that time, the property owners (Puget Sound Energy) objected to the listing. However, the owners eventually rescinded their objection. On September 2, 2009, the falls were listed in the National Register.
Snoqualmie Falls is the site of two hydroelectric power plants owned by Puget Sound Energy. The first power plant was built in 1898 and was the world's first completely underground power plant. It operates at the base of the falls. The second power plant was built in 1910 and is located slightly downstream of the falls. Approximately one per cent of Puget Sound Energy's electricity is generated by these power plants. That is enough energy to service about 16,000 homes.
There is a two mile park with an observation deck, a gift shop and an expresso stand at the falls. The hiking trail is closed until 2013, but hopefully we will be able to take you there after the trail reopens.
Note: Some of the historical information is from Wikipedia and/or from signs at the park's observation deck.
Snoqualmie Falls is one of the most beautiful sites in Washington. Located on the Snoqualmie River between Snoqualmie and Falls City, this massive waterfall spills 268 feet over granite rocks. That is more than one hundred feet higher than Niagara Falls.
These photographs of the falls were taken on Saturday, November 26, 2011 between 5:30 and 6 p.m.
The Snoqualmie tribe has lived in western Washington for centuries. The falls were one of their traditional burial sites. The Snoqualmie believed that the First Woman and First Man were created at the falls by Moon the Transformer. They also believed that the mists rising from the base of the falls carried prayers to the Creator. The mists connected Heaven and Earth.
In 1992, Snoqualmie Falls was first nominated for the National Register of Historic Places because of its link to the spiritual beliefs of the Snoqualmie tribe. At that time, the property owners (Puget Sound Energy) objected to the listing. However, the owners eventually rescinded their objection. On September 2, 2009, the falls were listed in the National Register.
Snoqualmie Falls is the site of two hydroelectric power plants owned by Puget Sound Energy. The first power plant was built in 1898 and was the world's first completely underground power plant. It operates at the base of the falls. The second power plant was built in 1910 and is located slightly downstream of the falls. Approximately one per cent of Puget Sound Energy's electricity is generated by these power plants. That is enough energy to service about 16,000 homes.
There is a two mile park with an observation deck, a gift shop and an expresso stand at the falls. The hiking trail is closed until 2013, but hopefully we will be able to take you there after the trail reopens.
Note: Some of the historical information is from Wikipedia and/or from signs at the park's observation deck.
Thursday, December 1, 2011
All Aboard the Santa Train
Guests can shop in the museum's gift shop, view historic train cars and explore a small town seeping with railroad history. I recommend visiting the Candy Factory, a candy store and soda fountain that makes its own salt water taffy, nut brittles and fudge. Ninety minutes after arrival, passengers board for the return trip to North Bend.
The Northwest Railroad Museum tells a fascinating tale of the rivalry between old Seattle and Tacoma. In 1870, the Northwest Pacific Railroad began building a route from Minnesota to the Pacific Coast. Seattle's residents were outraged in 1873 when the railroad announced that the route was complete and ended in Tacoma. Seattle and King County had been completely left out!
Determined to build their own transcontinental route, Seattle's citizens created the Seattle, Lake Shore and Eastern Railroad. The North Bend Depot was built in the Upper Snoqualmie Valley in 1890. Shortly thereafter, the SLS & E Railroad ran out of money and construction of its route ended. In 1901, the Northwest Pacific Railroad bought the failing SLS & E Railroad. By that time, Seattle was included in Northwest Pacific's route.
A Washington tradition since 1969, the Santa Train only runs 8 days each year. Tickets cost $20.00 per person and may be purchased at www.trainmuseum.org or by telephoning (425)888-2206. You can buy tickets in person at the Snoqualmie Depot, 38625 SE King Street, Snoqualmie, WA. Buy your tickets in advance because the Santa Train sells out every year.
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