Flippin’ the Word

Within the framework of the acclaimed American justice system, thousands of children are flung like pinballs at the whim of the very agencies enlisted to protect them.
 
Twelve Mormon children are now back in the care of their parents, after a Texas appeals court ruled that the seizure of the kids was illegal.
 
At the forefront of this issue is the debate over governmental latitude in determining a child’s best interests. There is, however, an unexplored but essential dimension of this situation: If the stakes are so high when we’re dealing with children’s welfare - and everyone agrees that they are high - then why is there an utter lack of certainty, accountability, and predictability?
 
At least in the realm of the family court, the notion of justice is fickle, relying not on precedent, order, or the child’s best interests, but on fluid statutory interpretation and feckless judges.
 
What goes on in family court is less about putting kids first and more about putting kids out - out of their homes, out of their comfort zones, and eventually out of their minds - at least until the next branch on the withering judicial tree reverses the previous.
 
And when it’s decided that some court or agency got it wrong - as in this case - the affected family has no recourse or recompense, only the looming threat of more litigation. In the name of justice, and under the guise of so-called “checks-and-balances,” families are hauled from one legal venue to the next.
 
Such is the case with the Mormon families: Like flicking a gnat from its shoulder, the Texas appeals court passed the case - and the kids - onto the state Supreme Court.
 
The most frequently used word in family court is “stability.” The most frequently used phrase in family court is “in the best interests of the child.” All that talk is merely lip service: It’s glaringly obvious that the family court provides neither, and in fact actively contributes to the opposite.

The glaring national spotlight is once again shining on South Carolina, and once again the attention is negative. Eddie Walker, principal of Irmo High School, has resigned following a disagreement with the student body. Of course, since this is South Carolina we’re talking about, that disagreement naturally involves the sanctimonious banning of something-or-other in the name of high-and-mighty “ideals.”
 
A group of Irmo students sought the creation of a Gay-Straight Alliance Club, sparking opposition from Principal Walker on grounds that such a club would conflict with his “professional beliefs and religious convictions.” The school district concluded that it was legally required to allow the formation of the club, prompting Walker’s resignation. Walker continued in his resignation letter:
 
 
“My decision to resign is a personal choice based on my professional beliefs and religious convictions. I have prayed about the decision for a period of time and I have a peace about it. … I feel the formation of a Gay/Straight Alliance Club at Irmo High school implies that students joining the club will have chosen to or will choose to engage in sexual activity with members of the same sex, opposite sex, or members of both sexes.”
 

Seeing as I regularly go along to get along, perhaps I’m not really suited to make assessments about a principal and his principles, though I will anyway because I’m nosy like that. What is it with some Christians? Allowing one’s principles to interfere with one’s cushy government job is just unacceptable, and I think that Jesus would agree. If anyone knows the importance of hedging one’s bets, it’s Jesus. He has, after all, resumed his cushy government job, this time as advisor to President Bush. Seriously, WWJD?
 

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