Asatru custody case -- help solicited

[kiya]

This is a copy of a post made recently by oldsma. I will reiterate up front that press contact is not going to be helpful at this point in the case, and ask that people respect oldsma's wishes on this account. Her attorney has advised her that it would be counterproductive.

Anyone who knows religion experts in the DC area, especially those who are familiar with heathenism but are not heathens themselves, information for getting Manny in contact with them would be much appreciated.

Personal Voucher: I have been following the development of this situation for some time, reading oldsma's comments on things as they happen and talking with her when we hooked up when I was in Maryland a few months ago to take care of Dad post-surgery. Completely setting aside the precedent this case would set for Asatru as influence on custody rights and what that would mean for heathens and pagans, not to mention the minor poly aspect, there is no way in hell that that man should be allowed primary custody of those children. (Digression into unprintables narrowly avoided.) Manny has thought hard about whether it was worth it to potentially put her kids through the turmoil of a precedent-setting custody case and feels she has to do this; it's going to take the support of a larger community to pull it off. I know her local Asatru Fellowship is putting in the work and being there for her (honestly, many of the folks I've seen commenting have struck me as being on the verge of storming the P. G. County courthouse to demand to be allowed in as character witnesses); I want to do my part too, as a fellow recon, a fellow writer, a fellow poly-folk, and a friend, so I'm getting the word out as well as contributing to the legal fund.

Usenet folks -- most of you probably know Manny, too. I know her from alt.poly and rec.arts.sf.*, after all, and that's where I know all of you guys from. :P

Until someone loses an eye

Quotes from the Master's report on pendente lite issues

Regarding joint legal custody: "While the Master finds that a cooperative spirit and joint legal custody might well serve the children best, the plaintiff [Manny] is correct that at this point the parties' mutual distrust makes this unfeasible. Accordingly, while we will recommend that both parties be requireed to make a good-faith effort regarding major decisions (if indeed there any in the next 10 months) we will recommend that the defendant [A] have the tie-breaking authority [on decisions regarding medical treatment, education, religious upbringing, etc.]."

Regarding physical custody: "Obviously, any parent has the right to practice whatever religion he or she chooses and involve the children in that religion. It is also undisputed that the Court may consider the potential for adverse effects on the children of the parties religious beliefs and practices. Here the plaintiff [Manny] admits to being a pagan in a type of Viking religion, having Thor as her personal god. She allegedly believes in polyandry. She has frequently taken the children to New Jersey to participate in rites in which (according to the defendant's [A's] undisputed testimony) knives and swords are on display, at minimum. The Master feels that involvement in this religion, without at least the moderation which substantial exposure to another lifestyle might provide, could be deleterious to two young boys. This is especially so for [D], who the plaintiff describes as being very sensitive and caring, and is by agreement of both parents, attending a Quaker school which undoubtedly fosters a very different philosophy."

So here's the thing. We may or may not be able to fight this off pendente lite. The second full hearing, if we get one, won't be any longer than the first and won't allow time for any experts, either. We will do what we can to counteract the lies and other errors of fact, understanding, and logic in whatever proceeding the reviewing judge decides on.

The main concern is the final result next August. If this kind of opinion works its way into a final order, it will set a precedent, because it is the first "pagan custody" case in Maryland. It may be the first "heathen custody" case anywhere; it is certainly the first in Maryland. It will be bad for D&G, bad for me, and bad for all of my fellow heathens and fellow members of minor and oddball religions.

To fight this, we are going to need experts, depositions, investigators, transcripts, photocopies, and I don't know what all. (We do not need someone to call the press just yet, however. Please.) And to get the things we need to counterattack, we need money. I can't afford to be proud and this is an attack on my whole religious community anyway--so I am passing the hat.

Please help if you are moved to and if you can. Any money you send will go straight into a trust account with my attorney and be spent only on things like experts and transcripts and similar essential expenses. It won't go to any of my personal expenses or to my attorney's fees. I won't be able to publish details of our plans for the money while the case is ongoing, but when it is over I will be able to give a complete acounting.

If you want to contribute, send your money to Avery & Upton, 51 Monroe Street, Suite 1402, Rockville, Maryland, 20850 USA. Put my name (Manny Olds) on the corner of the check so they will know what it is for. If you want to use a credit card, I think they can do that; you can call them at (301) 762-7644.

If you are moved to pass this appeal onward, feel free.

If you contribute, all I can promise you is that we will use your money as well as we can while we are fighting as hard and as smart as we can.

MAO

Comments

[elf]

I think the key phrase is "The Master feels that involvement in this religion, ... could be deleterious to two young boys."

That's what they need to hit, and hit hard: the notion that some religions are wrong for children. And that the judge is willing to state flat-out "this parent's religion is not suitable for her children," with the delightful implication that some religions will need court permission & supervision to teach their own children.

[rialian.livejournal.com]

===(found this while glancing through a friend's friends list..)

===Has he tried to get in touch with any of the local pagan groups? (There are a good number around this area that may be able to help in getting the backup needed.) I can drop a line to one of the more notable ones I know if they have not, and see if they might help.

===(hrm) (glances at the user info..) If it is the Master I think it is, she is rather reasonable. Hey, she put up with me often enough in her courtroom, and with the court reports I wrote in regards to my cases before her.

[oldsma.livejournal.com]

The Master was Mr. Chapdelain.

MAO

[rialian.livejournal.com]

===Ah...then it would not be the one I thought it might be, and then I cannot say how good they are.

===I will pass word over to one of the folks I can think of that might have some usefull connections.

[oldsma.livejournal.com]

Thank you.

MAO