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Thanks, Wayne, for mentioning this. I've been following the series and I'm heartened that Spokane has made the commitment that it has to its children. I'd like to think that one thing we can all agree on is that children are vulnerable and need to be protected.<br><br>Unfortunately, those with religious- or politically-motivated animus toward government object to its "interference" in the home and decry the use of their taxes to fund programs to help families in crisis. Certainly we should all remember that the primary keepers of the home are parents, and yet I can't help but wonder what moral or societal provision those who object to any governmental involvement in families would provide to kids at risk. Is it enough to say that the parents are at fault? Is it at all helpful to children to rail against the governmental agencies that too often are the last, best hope they have? And does it take any moral courage to simply gather "our own" to our covenantal, conservative, libertarian bosoms and wish the outside world away?<br><br>Much of the abuse young children experience happens in homes that publicly proclaim Christ as Lord but privately demonstrate fruit of something altogether different. That's also the case with spousal abuse. What kind of witness would the church manifest if it began a serious conversation on the roots of violence, degradation, abuse and neglect that allow children and women to suffer as they do -- inside its walls as well as in the larger society? Those who are told that love for God is expressed in love for "the least of these" ought to welcome private and public solutions to child abuse while working to eliminate the likelihood that any child, ever, anywhere, is hurt again.<br><br>That's a "pro-family, traditional values" movement most of us would embrace in a heartbeat.<br><br>keely<br><br><blockquote><hr>From: deco@moscow.com<br>To: vision2020@moscow.com<br>Date: Tue, 3 Apr 2007 07:51:08 -0700<br>Subject: [Vision2020] Spokesman-Review series on Child abuse<br><br>
<div>The <em>Spokesman-Review</em> is running a month long series on the many
aspects of child abuse. This series is a part of a project by many Spokane
Community and Business organizations. Some of the reports so far are not
for the faint of heart, but appear to be a real look at the horror of the many
kinds of child abuse and their causes, and a look at efforts to confront
the problem.</div>
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<div>As it enfolds the entire series is being made available at:</div>
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<div><a href="http://www.spokesmanreview.com/ourkids/" target="_blank">http://www.spokesmanreview.com/ourkids/</a></div>
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<div>Registration may be required to access this site, however, I do not believe
that a <em>S-R</em> subscription is necessary.</div>
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<div>Perhaps after or while viewing this material Palouse area public figures,
law enforcement agencies, schools, media, and other community organizations
might consider cooperating on a similar project.</div>
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<div>Young children, mostly defenseless and innocent, are sometimes the most
appalling victims of horrible neglect, abuse, and other
crimes. A large number of these crimes go unreported or ignored as
the victims continue to suffer, often incurring life-long scars and other
problems.</div>
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<div><br>Wayne A. Fox<br>1009 Karen Lane<br>PO Box 9421<br>Moscow, ID
83843</div>
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<div>(208) 882-7975<br><a href="mailto:waf@moscow.com">waf@moscow.com</a><br></div>
</blockquote><br /><hr />Your friends are close to you. <a href='http://spaces.live.com/signup.aspx' target='_new'>Keep them that way.</a></body>
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