California CPS kidnaps Russian baby

[GQBlues]

I guess we disagree on what is common sense.

If:....

*If* does not qualify for a conclusionary statement.

...- The hospital had withheld and/or delayed the parents in their desire for a second opinion
- The parents had wanted a second opinion at that hospital but the doctor was indignant and refused
- CPS had dispatched a police officer to the second hospital who verified that the child was receiving treatment
- the second doctor gave a clean bill of health for the parent's ability to care and released the child pending future treatment
- the police officer who on behalf of CPS verified all the above

and then CPS waited 24 hours before barging in, and the police instead of being there to maintain order, took it upon themselves to "grab" the baby (word used by the offending policeman),

then yes, it was a kidnapping to anyone of common intelligence and common sense....

You know too well semantic isn't a disticntion of good journalism either. Regardless of the outcome of the hearing, *kidnapping* will and can never make a play in any of it. You, as a self-professed professional journalist, ought to know that.

...You demand that the parents follow every jot and tittle of the letter of the law but sweep over the actions of the hospital and CPS outside the law. You can't have it both ways....

The law is established. It isn't a perpetual guideline that stands to be modified and changed at every instances of events while it's happening. Any amendments made is deliberated and setlled in courts of law and if the judicial process deemed a precedent is established, then amendments are made accordingly.
I'm not demanding anything of the parents as I can't demand anything from Sutter or the enforcers to go outside of the State's DHHS's guidelines. Hence due process is in order. The residing laws in any region is available to the public for their knowledge. Ignorance of which is not the responsibility of the authorities.
 

I'm a "Left-Coaster",

No such thing. But if you're so inclined, prove it otherwise.
 

...and I don't agree with a single thing you said....

...and based on the rest of your banter, I'm happy to know that as it only validates my notion you have no clue.
 
Each state have, and is entitled to, it's own self-governing and determination in this matter. Health and Human services department by-laws varies from state to state. You don't like it, tough sh!t and move elsewhere you think works to your ignorance of the law of the state you live in.
 

The worst misdeeds can happen when they follow a protocol according to the laws. There is no place for humanities in the world of protocols. Balance is broken.

If you're searching for a perfect utopia, please let me know where it is. The silly part of this really is, 'humanity' is exactly why such department like Health and HUMAN SERVICES exist in the first place. The second biggest silly part of this thread is, believing Russia is a fine example of humane treatment of children and civil rights, LOL.
 

[YoungBuck]

 No such thing. But if you're so inclined, prove it otherwise.
 
...and based on the rest of your banter, I'm happy to know that as it only validates my notion you have no clue.
 
Each state have, and is entitled to, it's own self-governing and determination in this matter. Health and Human services department by-laws varies from state to state. You don't like it, tough sh!t and move elsewhere you think works to your ignorance of the law of the state you live in.
 

I'm not so dense as to harp on the term, left-coaster. Obviously it means a liberal from the west coast, i.e. California, and I also object to it as a term, so that's why I place it in quotations.

You are right that states have the right to determine what's not enumerated in the Constitution, but Calabretta vs. Floyd is a ruling from Yolo County, CA., near Sacramento, which leads me to believe it is no coincidence that we hear the same thing happening again.

Care to argue the specifics of that ruling? Mendy and I have showed you how it wasn't an exigent circumstance. Now you must prove that it was. Otherwise your posts carry no weight.

Still I stand by my comment, your mindset is scary when you condone such illegal and immoral actions. The Bill of Rights trumps State's rights when those rights are enumerated in the Constitution, 4th Amendment if you have forgotten. How do you think the Voting Rights Act was established prohibiting the disenfranchisement of voters by States based on race, creed, color? 15th Amendment anyone?

[GQBlues]

I'm not so dense as to harp on the term, left-coaster....

The dense one is you for contending and implying there is one when all along you know there isn't.
 

... Obviously it means a liberal from the west coast, i.e. California, and I also object to it as a term, so that's why I place it in quotations.

California is a BLUE state, to somehow equate the phrase with anything 'political' serves the point you are clueless.
 

...You are right that states have the right to determine what's not enumerated in the Constitution, but Calabretta vs. Floyd is a ruling from Yolo County, CA., near Sacramento, which leads me to believe it is no coincidence that we hear the same thing happening again....

Now we're getting somewhere. So why even insert the 'Supreme Court' above when we are discussing specific law about a specific state? Noise, perhaps?

...Care to argue the specifics of that ruling?...

To what end and how does that even come into this particular case. If you'd like to cite precedent cases that amended the sectional codes of DHHS, do so.
 

...Mendy and I have showed you how it wasn't an exigent circumstance. Now you must prove that it was. Otherwise your posts carry no weight....

LOL, you 'showed' me anything? You can't even take the time to read what was in the sectional code I posted above to even understand any of it.

....Still I stand by my comment, your mindset is scary when you condone such illegal and immoral actions. The Bill of Rights trumps State's rights when those rights are enumerated in the Constitution, 4th Amendment if you have forgotten. How do you think the Voting Rights Act was established prohibiting the disenfranchisement of voters by States based on race, creed, color? 15th Amendment anyone?

Go tell that to the Tsarmaev family.

[YoungBuck]

You don't get it. The parents can get a thousand opinions even millions or more if they want to. That wasn't the problem.

You cannot take a patient in an ICU state out of the hospital, especially when a child is involved, WITHOUT proper hospital discharge. Which is what the parents in this particular case did.

Did you even read the article?

You are entirely wrong on this matter. The HIPAA Act of 1996 allows for refusal of treatment and informed consent, second opinion. Therefore no discharge papers were needed to be sign.

Based on this false premise you build your case. You can believe whatever you want to believe as you are a brainwashed fool. All I know is that Assemblyman Tim Donnelly is looking into it and hopefully something is done about cases like this.

[GQBlues]

You are entirely wrong on this matter. The HIPAA Act of 1996 allows for refusal of treatment and informed consent, second opinion. Therefore no discharge papers were needed to be sign.

Based on this false premise you build your case. You can believe whatever you want to believe as you are a brainwashed fool. All I know is that Assemblyman Tim Donnelly is looking into it and hopefully something is done about cases like this.

Who said anyone disallowed refusal of treatment and informed consent, or even second opinion? I certainly DID NOT. When a patient, especially a child, is in ICU and is taken out without discharge - it will trigger a CPS alarm and protocol follows. What triggered CPS/police to begin with, do you know?
 
Are you even understading any of this at all or you're just naturally stupid?

[YoungBuck]

Who said anyone disallowed refusal of treatment and informed consent, or even second opinion? I certainly DID NOT. When a patient, especially a child, is in ICU and is taken out without discharge - it will trigger a CPS alarm and protocol follows. What triggered CPS/police to begin with, do you know?
 
Are you even understading any of this at all or you're just naturally stupid?

I'm not naturally stupid, but naturally stubborn in maintaining god-given rights. CPS had no cause to deem the child "at harm", as the parents were stopped at the second hospital while seeking treatment. From the article, it was stated that the hospital called CPS; I believe you failed to read/understand that (insert insult against you here). What prompted the response is an utter lack of judgement by CPS and the police. I cannot describe it any other way.

Of course I read your links, and I understand that "exigent circumstances" need to be proven; an immediate need for medical care in this case (which the article already said he didn't). What CPS did is illegal and whatever protocols they could be blindly following are illegal too, according to the Constitution. The Nazis followed protocols too; I don't care what prompted those protocols, all I need to know is that they were illegal and immoral.

Now, I already contacted Ass. Donnelly office encouraging them in their quest to audit CPS and put in place proper protocols protecting our rights. Everyone in Calif. should do the same.

[GQBlues]

I'm not naturally stupid, but naturally stubborn in maintaining god-given rights. CPS had no cause to deem the child "at harm", as the parents were stopped at the second hospital while seeking treatment. From the article, it was stated that the hospital called CPS; I believe you failed to read/understand that (insert insult against you here). What prompted the response is an utter lack of judgement by CPS and the police. I cannot describe it any other way.

Of course I read your links, and I understand that "exigent circumstances" need to be proven; an immediate need for medical care in this case (which the article already said he didn't). What CPS did is illegal and whatever protocols they could be blindly following are illegal too, according to the Constitution. The Nazis followed protocols too; I don't care what prompted those protocols, all I need to know is that they were illegal and immoral.

Now, I already contacted Ass. Donnelly office encouraging them in their quest to audit CPS and put in place proper protocols protecting our rights. Everyone in Calif. should do the same.

Good.
 
So once you stop arguing about anything from an emotional point of view, but instead begin to realize there is in fact a law that governs the citizens of each state, and thus any ensuing protocol within the guidelines of this law must be adhered to. It has nothing whatsoever to do with people's opinion.
 
Any medium out there that have an agenda will undoubtedly present their piece with the intention of driving people's emotions by the use of adjectives to sway them towards a direction they want you to be driven to. In this particular thread - the word 'kidnapping' is used repeatedly to sway people to react without proper and objective thought process.
 
All hospital workers are required by law to report all instances of child abuse or neglect, and in this particular instance, taking a child who is in ICU without hospital discharge or acknowledgment of AMA can be termed as an exigent circumstance. There were cases previously where a CPS was called to order on a exigent circumstance brought merely by an 'anonymous' caller on a tip line. In this particular case, it was a hospital who sounded the alarm.
 
Any and all other supposition doesn't matter. A hearing is scheduled to determine actual cause and effect.

[YoungBuck]

Good.
 
So once you stop arguing about anything from an emotional point of view, but instead begin to realize there is in fact a law that governs the citizens of each state, and thus any ensuing protocol within the guidelines of this law must be adhered to. It has nothing whatsoever to do with people's opinion.
 
Any medium out there that have an agenda will undoubtedly present their piece with the intention of driving people's emotions by the use of adjectives to sway them towards a direction they want you to be driven to. In this particular thread - the word 'kidnapping' is used repeatedly to sway people to react without proper and objective thought process.
 
All hospital workers are required by law to report all instances of child abuse or neglect, and in this particular instance, taking a child who is in ICU without hospital discharge or acknowledgment of AMA can be termed as an exigent circumstance. There were cases previously where a CPS was called to order on a exigent circumstance brought merely by an 'anonymous' caller on a tip line. In this particular case, it was a hospital who sounded the alarm.
 
Any and all other supposition doesn't matter. A hearing is scheduled to determine actual cause and effect.

And this is where we differ. It is illegal to mandate this since there is no obligation by the patient to sign a discharge waiver, HIPAA. The protocol is wrong and it's based on an illegal requirement.

This is what gets me about THE LAW: As you may know, it is illegal to exceed the speed limit, but it is also illegal to drive slower than the flow of traffic and impede traffic by doing so. You're an Angeleno, right? We all know that this requirement could mean either you drive with the flow of traffic at 75mph, violating the speed limit, or drive at 65mph and violate the traffic impediment law. The requirement of one causes you to do something illegal.

Of course CHP only follows protocol: pulls you over and gives you a citation. Nevermind that the logic behind the laws are inherently flawed.

[GQBlues]

..This is what gets me about THE LAW: As you may know, it is illegal to exceed the speed limit, but it is also illegal to drive slower than the flow of traffic and impede traffic by doing so. You're an Angeleno, right? We all know that this requirement could mean either you drive with the flow of traffic at 75mph, violating the speed limit, or drive at 65mph and violate the traffic impediment law. The requirement of one causes you to do something illegal....

You are of course obligated to exercise due diligence. There's a difference between the signs that said: Speed Limit 75 MPH, to a sign that reads: Maximum Speed Limit 75 MPH.
 
If you read the Vehicle Code section. there are a variety of factors that come to play when the actual speed limitation, and/or, maximum speed limitation is applied. Factors such as weather, traffic density, road condition, etc...
 
Hence, due process.

[YoungBuck]

You are of course obligated to exercise due diligence. There's a difference between the signs that said: Speed Limit 75 MPH, to a sign that reads: Maximum Speed Limit 75 MPH.
 
If you read the Vehicle Code section. there are a variety of factors that come to play when the actual speed limitation, and/or, maximum speed limitation is applied. Factors such as weather, traffic density, road condition, etc...
 
Hence, due process.

Yes, I've heard you could get tickets thrown out based on "circumstance". Still doesn't take away the embarrassment, fear and time lost in fighting that ticket. And, it really depends on the judge whether he buys your argument. Again the burden of proof falls on you, not the State. Now, I thought the presumption was innocent until proven guilty?

Precisely like this family. They will have to put up with CPS involved in their lives from now on (I remember it said 1 year), and this is after the judge ordered the baby returned. So how does CPS maintain a right to invade their home even after this egregious overstepping of authority? 

These laws are topsy-turvy.

[GQBlues]

Yes, I've heard you could get tickets thrown out based on "circumstance". Still doesn't take away the embarrassment, fear and time lost in fighting that ticket. And, it really depends on the judge whether he buys your argument. Again the burden of proof falls on you, not the State. Now, I thought the presumption was innocent until proven guilty?

I've had multiple tickets dismissed because I took the time to understand the law. Yes it is incovenient and yes it can be frustrating. But it is what it is and if you strongly feel you're right, then appreciate and take advantage of due process, learn and understand your right, then state your case.
 
There's whole bunch of people who would rather remain ignorant and not fight for their right. They can't be bothered and instead just bitch about it to high heavens. As though that's the better way to handle these situations. Then carry on an eternal victim mentality all through their sorry lives.

[BillyB]

- CPS had dispatched a police officer to the second hospital who verified that the child was receiving treatment
- the second doctor gave a clean bill of health for the parent's ability to care and released the child pending future treatment
- the police officer who on behalf of CPS verified all the above

and then CPS waited 24 hours before barging in, and the police instead of being there to maintain order, took it upon themselves to "grab" the baby (word used by the offending policeman),

That is why the parents have a case to beat CPS. Even if California has a law stating CPS and cops can enter a house without a warrant in a case where a child is in danger, a cop, on behalf of CPS, verified the baby had a clean bill of health. It was determined the baby wasn't in danger but CPS went in the house without a warrant anyway. Some CPS workers, Like IRS, have a God complex. I'm sure most CPS workers do things by the book and care about kids but some want to show who's boss. Those few need to be fired.

[GQBlues]

FWIW, additional information to assist in better understanding the 'protocol' we often referred to in here about this matter.
 
'THE CALIFORNIA CHILD ABUSE AND NEGLECT REPORTING LAW'

http://www.cdss.ca.gov/cdssweb/entres/forms/English/PUB132.pdf

4. WHO REPORTS?
Legally mandated reporters include a wide variety of positions, which are as follows:

...b) HEALTH CARE PERSONNEL WHO ARE MANDATED REPORTERS INCLUDE:
a physician and surgeon, psychiatrist, psychologist, dentist, resident, intern, podiatrist, chiropractor, licensed nurse, dental hygienist, optometrist, marriage, family, and child counselor, licensed clinical social worker or any other person who is currently licensed under Division 2 (commencing with Section 500) of the Business and Professions Code; any emergency medical technician I or II, paramedic, a person certified pursuant to Division 2.5 (commencing with Section 1797) of the Health and Safety Code; a psychological assistant registered pursuant to Section 2913 of the Business and Professions Code; a marriage, family and child counselor trainee, as defined in subdivision (c) of Section 4980.03 of the Business and Professions Code; and unlicensed marriage, family and child counselor intern registered under Section 4980.44 of the Business and Professions Code, a state or county public health employee who treats a minor for venereal disease or any other condition, a coroner, or a medical examiner, or any other person who performs autopsies (P.C. 11165.7).

5. WHEN DO YOU REPORT?
Child abuse must be reported when one who is a legally mandated reporter “…has knowledge of or observes a child in his or her professional capacity, or within the scope of his or her employment whom he or she knows or reasonably suspects has been the victim of child abuse or neglect…” (P.C. 11166(a)). “Reasonable suspicion” occurs when “it is objectively reasonable for a person to entertain such a suspicion based upon facts that could cause a reasonable person in a like position, drawing when appropriate on his or her training and experience, to suspect child abuse.” (P.C. 11166(a)(1)). Although wordy, the intent of this definition is clear: if you suspect, report. You must make a report immediately (or as soon as practically possible) by phone. A written report must be forwarded within 36 hours of receiving the information regarding the incident. (P.C. 11166(a)). Written reports must be submitted on Department of Justice forms, which can be requested from your local (police or sheriff’s department, (not including a school district police or security department) or a county welfare department). (P.C. 11168). See Appendix A.

6. WHOM DO YOU REPORT?
The report must be made to a county welfare department or probation department (if designated by the county to receive mandated reports) or a police or sheriff’s department, not including a school district police or security department. (P.C. 11165.9) Reports by commercial print and photographic print processors, are to be made to the law enforcement agency having jurisdiction immediately or as soon as practically possible. (P.C. 11166(d)).

8. IMMUNITY
Those persons legally mandated to report suspected child abuse have immunity from criminal or civil liability for reporting as required or authorized by the child abuse and neglect reporting law. (P.C. 11172(a)).

[calmissile]

GQ, give it up!
Not only are you an embarrassment to Californians, Mexifornians, Californications, etc.   Any state that has Barbara Boxer, Diane Fineswine, Nancy Pelosi, and GQ is an embarrassment to the rest of us that live here.

We would hope that not all outsiders think of all of us all as the land of nuts and fruits.  Please don't continue to promote the stereotype.

Your credibility on this thread has been reduced to near zero!  Give it a rest and enjoy your happy family.

[GQBlues]

GQ, give it up!
Not only are you an embarrassment to Californians, Mexifornians, Californications, etc.   Any state that has Barbara Boxer, Diane Fineswine, Nancy Pelosi, and GQ is an embarrassment to the rest of us that live here.

We would hope that not all outsiders think of all of us all as the land of nuts and fruits.  Please don't continue to promote the stereotype.

Your credibility on this thread has been reduced to near zero!  Give it a rest and enjoy your happy family.

LOL. The village idiot can actually speak!

[Belvis]

The silly part of this really is, 'humanity' is exactly why such department like Health and HUMAN SERVICES exist in the first place.

A safety protection tool can kill a man. Even if SAFETY is written in capital letters there. Just don't throw it at people from large height.

[mendeleyev]

Update from the Mendeleyev Journal:

In a case that continues to be monitored very closely by the Kremlin, new evidence of CPS wrongdoing has surfaced and baby Sammy has undergone surgery since we last reported on this case of police state over-reach in the People's Democratic Republic of Kalifornication.



Baby Sammy after surgery.CPS has come under great scrutiny by the California state legislature recently. The State Assembly asked CPS to supply their records on the case and at first CPS refused, saying they didn't need to release records to state legislators. Well, apparently they do, and now it seems that CPS lied at first about the existence of the doctor's note. In their possession was a doctor's handwritten note from the physician rendering the second opinion that Sammy was in good hands and safe with his parents.

The police officer dispatched by CPS to see if the parents had indeed obtained a second opinion had not only spoken to the parents and the doctor but had received a hand written note detailing the doctor's belief that the child was safe. That note was turned over to CPS promptly.

However, ignoring that the note had been received, CPS and police illegally entered the family home the next day and seized the baby.

We believe this to be a case of kidnapping and should be punished to the full extent of federal law. In some cases kidnapping is subject to the death penalty or life in prison should a legitimate federal or state court render such a sentence to put a stop to overzealous state officials, but we all know that won't happen.

The State Assembly is looking into the following:
- Why did CPS lie about their supposed need to remove the child when there was clear evidence by medical professionals to the contrary?

- It is now apparent from the first hospital records that the staff refused to discharge the child at the parent's request. That should end the discussion that the parents should have waited for the paperwork.

- On the grounds that the family's constitutional rights may have been infringed, the State Assembly is investigating what recourse exists for innocent parents whose rights have been violated by CPS.

- A motion for a full audit of CPS records has been introduced into the state Assembly.

Frankly, we hope this family sues the already bankrupt state so unmercifully that Kalifornia officials will have to live and govern out of cardboard tent cities for the next 30 years. Few things drive up to anger like child endangerment and CPS appears to be guilty to the max.

[GQBlues]

LOL. Rest assured Mendy, unlike in Russia, justice is and will always be served in due process in Kali and all of the US. IIRC, the court date for this is June 5th.

Something I'm certain Russians in Russia can only hope for in their homeland.  Maybe someday.

Heck, in his own capital alone, Putin couldn't even hasten the high incidence of people and children getting burned alive with frequency. But it's good to know where his priorities really are if this matter concerns him dearly. Don't you think he's got more pressing issues to attend to with his own people? Does he even care? No?

http://www.kmov.com/news/mobile/38-die-in-mental-hospital-fire-outside-Moscow-204841701.html

He supposedly called for an investigation of that fire, but less than a month later...

http://zeenews.india.com/news/world/five-children-killed-in-russia-house-fire_848137.html

With less than half the population of the US, citizens of Russian die due to fire with an almost whopping 4:1 ratio. And here he is...intimately watching the event of baby Sammy. Baby Sammy will be fine. He just had a successful operation and will soon heal, and heck, hopefully they'll get some good settlement and he can get lots of toys...

You should be reporting the progress in the construction of the upcoming Sochi Olympics and why it's internationally called upon as being disastrous in so many level. Or how well the Russian government had been treating the citizens of Sochi throughout the development of the venues. Russia really does take care of their folks, don't they? LOL.

I was wondering why you haven't reported anything about either of these two arguably VERY important matters in your journal. But I suppose that would take a real journalist to objectively report something like this, no? Environmentally and human rights. What a waste of time to worry about, eh? 

[mendeleyev]

Something I'm certain Russians in Russia can only hope for in their homeland.  Maybe someday.

Glad that you mention that, and I agree with you by the way.

PM Medvedev yesterday spoke at the at the International Legal Forum in St. Petersburg. As I'm sure you're aware, the Constitutional Court, Russia's highest court on constitutional matters is located in Peter. Each year there is an International forum for legal scholars who speak to and contribute ideas on reforming Russia's legal system.

Mr. Medvedev is a law professor and sees an opportunity to reform and make the system more equitable. Perhaps only he could contribute such changes as those would have to be approved by the one man who approves Federation Council appointees to the two highest courts, the Constitutional Court and the Supreme Court. That one man of course is Mr. Putin and if any changes can be made, likely the man who was his University pal, who served together in the SP government after their graduation, who traveled with Putin to join the Yeltsin government, and who sat as President before taking on the Prime Minister duties is the only person who would be trusted to make such changes.

No guarantee but the longest journey begins with the first step.


 

[mendeleyev]

 

Environmentally and human rights. What a waste of time to worry about, eh?

Sorry you feel that way. Personally I would have thought you shared my concern on such topics. In fact, excuse me for believing baby Sammy to be about human rights. My bad.

For your reading:

http://russianreport.wordpress.com/2013/05/13/voronezh-evironmentalists-clash-with-police-and-mining-security/


http://russianreport.wordpress.com/2013/05/11/new-askaniya-nature-preserve/


http://russianreport.wordpress.com/2013/05/06/moscow-opposition-rally-6-may-2013/


http://russianreport.wordpress.com/2013/04/08/femen-gives-president-putin-an-eyeful/


http://russianreport.wordpress.com/2013/03/07/joseph-stalin-would-have-loved-drones/


http://russianreport.wordpress.com/2013/03/03/2-marches-on-march-2/


http://russianreport.wordpress.com/2012/10/26/kandalaskha-life-beyond-the-arctic-circle/


http://russianreport.wordpress.com/2013/02/11/russian-opposition-figure-sergei-udaltsov-under-house-arrest/


http://russianreport.wordpress.com/2013/01/16/protestors-take-to-russian-streets-in-a-march-against-the-jerks/


http://russianreport.wordpress.com/2012/07/21/syria-update/

You should be reporting the progress in the construction of the upcoming Sochi Olympics. But I suppose that would take a real journalist to report the crisis there, too, eh?

Don't get out much, do you?

http://wintergamesrussia.com/uncategorized/sochi-2014-winter-olympics-the-mendeleyev-journal/

http://wp.me/PeVMt-2bh


http://wp.me/peVMt-2CW


I'm sorry for the mud slides and other issues such as loss of homes but the cold hard fact is that Sochi 2014 will be built and there will be an Olympic Show. When it comes to Sochi my concerns also include these areas:

- 1) Disturbance and removal of ancient Circassian, Tatar and Caucasian burial grounds. Additionally the opening of the Sochi games will also be the 150th anniversary of the defeat of the Circassian people and the Russian rule over their land (Sochi). The government has promised to merge a couple of Siberian regions into a Circassian republic but has repeatedly pushed the date back until after the Olympics. Some don't trust that offer and feel that they should make an example of Russia while the world is watching. Which leads to my number 2...

- 2) The possibility of terror from points in the Caucasus regions. Which if you'd like to know, is why the Russian security forces will be joined by security teams from the UK and Israel. I wouldn't be surprised if some of the migrant worker population brought in as cheap labour might stick around to provide some of the potential fireworks.


http://www.scoop.it/t/circassian/p/2527338857/azkhazia-the-mendeleyev-journal


Finally, and you are smart enough to know this, I don't always get to set my own schedule. There are folks who pay the bills for stories they need covered. Since they're gracious enough to write checks, pay for airline tickets hotels and meals, I'm gracious enough to enjoy myself while in route.

When I first moved to Russia there was a cold war beginning to thaw. It was different than the assignments I'd made to the Soviet Union previously. The President of my division at NBC Radio said "it's a new world, have fun, help readers and listeners in the West to see Russian life through your eyes, as a people and culture without the fear of nuclear war." I was thrilled and remained that way for probably a week or so until reality set in.

Today NBC Radio is no longer owned by NBC and no longer has a full-time presence in the FSU as they use low paid stringers instead. When I transferred to the CBS flag I did so without any misconceptions of what Western editors and producers wanted--hard news sells --while stories about bread and salt greetings don't make it off cutting room floors.

So the MJ is my creative outlet, a way to write about Russia without editors and producers who are half my age and have never traveled outside the USA or Mexico telling me how to approach a story. You may not see many ads, by design, but there are legitimate and ethical roles the MJ plays that allows us to have a very nice salmon dinner whenever the wife desires.

You probably also know that I own a couple of Internet streaming radio stations (smooth jazz and specialized talk) since you've been on other forums than this one so I'm not a media novice as you suggest, GQ. Thus I do have an offer for you: write something of real cultural or lifestyle interest about the FSU and if it passes the smell test I'll publish it. I reserve the right to edit but you're a good writer so that shouldn't be much of an issue. Or, come up with a 5 to 30 minute entertaining or informative feature for smooth jazz radio and we'll air it here.

[calmissile]

Mendy,  Please do not refer to Kalifornification any longer.  We are embarrassed by GQ and many of our elected politicians... Diane Finestein, Barbra Boxer, Nancy Palosi.  We cannot do much about it at present.  It does not mean that all Californians/Mexifornians are in agreement with GQ.  It will take time to bring the unwashed into logical thinking.  In the mean time, please respect that all Californians are not lockstep into the socialistic/communistic rhetoric of some of our members.

Much of the northern part of the state are liberals that demand little or no government control over our lives.  We share that part of the equation.  The difference is that the conservatives do not want our tax dollars to support the lazy, pot smoking, useless bodies that will not support themselves and instead expect the rest of the taxpayers to provide them with a life of leisure.

The Obama administration is currently under a lot of pressure for the incompetence it deserves.  Time will tell whether the US wakes up to what the current political parties have been doing for many years.  Personally, I do not think we have any  legitimate reason to criticize other countries about their corruption in politics. 

Perhaps Muzh will have a great response to defend his commander in chief.   LOL

[mendeleyev]

Doug, I will try to refrain from this term.   

In defense of GQ, he has a right to his opinion and none of us always agree nor always disagree. Like you, he is intelligent and writes well. I enjoy interaction with both of you.

In a past life I was a long time Californian (Orange Country-Ontario-Rialto). At one point I lived in Santa Ana, and had offices/studios in Hollyweird, Corona and Apple Valley--at the same time. So we found a house we liked (ex wife) in Ontario but NBC moved the Westwood One studios from Hollyweird out to Valencia (formerly "Newhall"). We responded by moving to Rialto where I was just off the 15 Freeway and could be in either Corona or the Apple Valley production centre in 30 minutes, thus my longest commute most days was the 2+ hours from Rialto to Valencia, depending on traffic.

All that traffic is why I'm jaded about California today. Oddly enough my longest commute was not Valencia to Rialto as you might expect but one rainy Friday night the freeways were clogged with accidents and it took well over 4 hours to go from the 51 freeway in Orange to home in Rialto. Other than the traffic I loved Southern California. Stick a pin in the centre of Los Angeles and then draw a circle around it of 100 miles in any direction. What you you have inside that 100 mile circle? Almost 10% of the entire US population.

[Shadow]

GQ, nice comeback. Once you saw your points defending the CPS being taken out you did not try to divert things by pointing at what is wrong in Russia but admitted you defends things based on nothing but your love for the government.
It takes a real man to admit such a thing.

[Belvis]

GQ,..., you defends things based on nothing but your love for the government.

It is civic and moral duty of each fervent patriot. Isn't it? 

[GQBlues]

....No guarantee but the longest journey begins with the first step.

LOL. I couldn't have said it better, Mendy.
 
Small steps, Mendy? How long has Putin been in power now - or Medvedev for that matter? Russian had an incredible opportunity to lift it's citizens from the ashes that plague it for years under the communist scourge.

It's been a quarter decade now and from what I have seen so far is, when a leader keeps modifying it's own *constitution* (if you can even call it that) to keep himself in rule, then not much has really changed, no? PM Medvdev can have his silly meetings in Piter daily, weekly, monthly or every freakin' minute if he wants - but someone need to tell this dude he's just wasting his time. He's a drone to give people false hopes, wouldn't you agree?

A quarter decade later Kremlin justice today is nothing but a show, wouldn't you agree? People still gets beaten and dragged down by the police for merely standing up for its rights and convictions. To see the wrong as they are and not recognize it, is just as bad as if you're the one who committed the sin. You like to tell tales of a police state in the US - methinks you have a lifetime of samplings with that in Russia, no?

So you believe you're not an amateur journalist because in your mind you make a living doing what it is you're told to do. Money does have that effect on people. LOL. To the definition of the word I would agree with you. But no, I believe there's more distinction between an 'amateur' from a *professional* journalism. Russia knows this all too well too actually. Most of their *professional journalists* literally disappeared in the dark of nights. If you happen to have missed this very real distinction, then it says more about you than you think. You see, even in the US, we have enough 'paid' talking heads who make a living doing what they get paid to do despite knowing the absence of truth. Matter of fact, many of them even go as far as twisting things to further promote confusion and deception. Billions of monies are dispensed annually to do this type of reporting, you know.

For instance, with all the hoopla surrounding Benghazi, none from the media had actually reported that this *consulate office* may not be what it's supposed to be after all, and that it may actually be a budding military detention camp after all.

I applaud the fact you actually wrote some interesting things about the environmental assault that has happened in Russia - is happening in Russia - and will continue to happen in Russia. Unfortunately, there really is no end in sight for these things, no? Why do I say this?
 
Continue below....

I would also give you kudos for that colorful presentation of the Sochi olympics. Thumbs-up baby! But I will submit to you that I am even more disappointed now because none of your piece, I think, actually reported displaced citizens who received little to no compensation in losing their property as their lot just happens to be in the way of the planned development. Nothing in your story covered the corruption - the friends of Putin - who are reaping billions from this silliness- and yes, the abuse of migrant workers -
 
"...At approximately 6 p.m. on April 11, a police officer approached 48-year old Husein Nurberdiev from Uzbekistan as he attempted to visit the Sochi office of Memorial, Russia’s leading human rights organization. Nurberdiev had visited the office several times in the last month as he sought assistance for nonpayment of wages and other abuses while employed on two different Olympic venues in Sochi and was preparing to file a lawsuit, together with nine other workers, against one of their former employers. 

“The police had absolutely no reason to detain Nurberdiev and should release him immediately,” said Jane Buchanan, associate director for Europe and Central Asia. “The authorities should also refrain from any kind of interference in the work of nongovernmental organizations like Memorial in Sochi, who provide essential services to vulnerable people.”

The police detained Nurberdiev, allegedly for failing to show his identity documents and for asking the officer to show his official identification...."
 
Nothing in your story actually actually reported the total environmental destructive impact of the Olympic development.

"...But things in Sochi are far from perfect according to Environmental Watch on North Caucasus, which works to protect “wild nature” and advocate environmental human rights in the Russian Caucasus, the Black and Caspian seas and mountain ecosystems.

 
The Mzymta River valley has been deforested and toxic waste dumped into the river. Territories of the Western Caucasus UNESCO World Heritage site have been removed from World Heritage protection, natural heritage sites are being destroyed, and crushed-stone quarries are being mined in the reserve areas of the Sochi National Park.
 
Now, the group says, “New threats of landslides, erosion, avalanches, and mudslides have appeared on the slopes of mountain ridge Aibga as a result of continuing deforestation and construction of ski trails, chair lifts and other objects.”
 
Disappearance of numerous plant and animal species in Sochi is reaching critical levels and is leading to local extinction of species and impoverishment of biodiversity, the group warns."

Great colorful photos of the ice rink though...I'll give you that. I know, I know....you're not 'getting paid' to report these things. So that easily makes you a *professional* in your mind. I just find it pretty darn comical how you and the Kremlin ilks react to something like the story of baby Sammy as though you're all wading in the pool of divinity. It's really hysterical, man.
 
Some folks do measure their personal principle and worth by the superficial token bestowed upon them by others.