An honest question that's probably going to come out badly...

[CornField]

We are all aware of the executive order for the New Freedom Commission on Mental Health?

We all realize that the goal of this Commission is to test each and every American citizen for mental disease and prescribe the appropriate pill?

We all know the agenda is to begin with school children (public and private) *without* parental consent through programs like TeenScreen?

I'm assuming that we all know these things -- at least somewhat about them -- and I'm wondering why in the hell the entire nation isn't shaking with anger.

(This is the possibly ugly question part)

There seem to be many proud non-parents here on DU. There seem to be many people who care more for their cat than they do the neighbor's kid. Does this have anything to do with the fact that few people are discussing and protesting this? (Because it only *starts* with the kids, folks. It doesn't end there.)

[emanymton]

1. Sorry, I have No Idea Of That Which You Write.

[William769]

2. I confess I am ignorant to what you are talking about

If thats what is going on, it will make me mad as hell. Just for the record I do not have any children.

[Bluebear]

3. Well about the cat & the neighbor's kids...

Personally my pets are my family. Since the Republicans say that only a certain demographic allows one to be a good parent (Christian, straight, two parent household) a lot of us have turned to the animal kingdom to care for and nurture :)

But why should the nation shake with anger about this, nothing else seems to outrage this country when it comes to Bush.

And how many of them know about the New Freedom Commission? I would bet less than 1%.

[NMDemDist2]

4. actually, I didn't know that had passed and was going to be implemented

I bet lots of folks are as ignorant as I was/am.

Could you post some more information on what the Commission is and when it's starting etc.

OAN... yeah I like my dogs better than most of the neighbor kids, but what's that got to do with it?? :evilgrin:

[Iris]

5. How do you know the Commission's goal is to give a pill to every American?

Jeez. You sound like this is going to happen next week.

Mental illness is a huge problem in this country and while I'm not too keen on the government testing schoolchildren w/o parental consent, I'm also not willing to throw out the idea that all medication is bad. For some people, medication to treat a mental illness is a God send.

[Fla Dem]

6. Can you provide a link to information so we'll be more informed. n/t

[SmokingJacket]

7. See??

This thing has received NOOOOO publicity. I have only heard about in on DU, and went to Google to find out more.

It is going SHOCK THE HELL out of people when they find out what got passed.

(I don't think it has anything to do with whether people have kids or not. However, I have two -- and I know that I would do anything for them, and that's why I think this is so scary. People who don't have kids might just say, Well... don't let them drug your kid, what's the big deal? Fact is, if an authority is telling you what's going to save your kid's life or sanity, it's HARD to say no....)

[Iris]

12. Who would be the authority?

You mean like cops or a court or something?

Because simply trusting anyone in this culture simply because they have certain credentials - well, that's what second opinions and libraries are for.

[SmokingJacket]

15. I agree...

but there are a lot of parents out there who are insecure in the face of a school official, for example.

If a school psychologist told me my child is suicidal and needs medication... even if I didn't agree... it would really, really be a dilemma; a lot of people would defer to the "authority" in that position, and it's hard to blame them.

All I'm saying is, going outside of parental consent (which is what this proposed screening does) is WRONG, because it takes advantage of parents' love for their children and their desire to do the right thing.

[Nikki Stone 1]

8. Put up links.

I had heard that this was in consideration but it fell off my radar. Please update us.

[AmBlue]

11. Check here:

http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2002/04/20020429-2.html

[DulceDecorum]

16. Everything with that man's signature on it is void

and we should treat it as such.

[H2O Man]

9. I think that your

interpretation of this is incorrect. From time to time, the same thing gets said here. Schools already are able to identify what kids appear to exhibit psychological problems.

The danger already exists that a child will be incorrectly diagnosed and prescribed medication she/he should not be taking. There are plenty of reasons for this, ranging from our society's belief that pills can fix our unhappiness, to a drug industry that has unwarrented economic and social power. But the Bush plan is only a continuation of what is already in place.

[KT2000]

10. Correction

your inference that people care about either children OR cats is incorrect and insulting at that.

Yes I am horrified by this program and I am horrified that our country is in the business of abusing and killing prisoners. I am horrified that people are dying without medical care. I am horrified that the streetand jails are becoming home to more and more mentally ill people. I am horrified that my country has flipped off the entire world to enrich a cabal of men in the oil business.

I recall discussing this and disseminating some information. I realized that it will take children forced into RW mental health testing and forced medicating before their parents wake up and take a stand for their children.
I do not have children and I will leave it to parents to fight that battle. Everyone's plate is pretty full and MANY are suffering.
So pitch the shit somewhere else.

[Ilsa]

13. I don't think they know about it.

I bet no one in my kids' school knows about this.

The only good thing that can come from this that I know of is that there may be some kids who can finally get meds they need instead of their parents sacrificing food to get them medicine.

[PowerToThePeople]

14. I knew it was "in the works" but didn't know it was implemented

Are you sure it had made it through? I hate the idea as well, but decided a couple years ago that I would never bring a child into this cruel world. So, I do not fight for my own or future children. But if I were a parent I would not allow someone to give my children ANYTHING without my permission. This will get struck down in court, for sure. That is, unless they stack all the courts with fundies. FUCK! We are sooo screwed!!!!

[noiretextatique]

17. there was a lot of talk here when it was first proposed

but like the rest of the outrages foisted upon us by the bush cartel...most peole just don't give a damn.

[XemaSab]

18. My conspiracy theory

which celebrates its 4th anniversary this month (or thereabouts) is that the strategy of the Bush administation is to bombard liberals with so much shit they don't even know how to begin combatting even one awful plan.

WAY too much stuff to be outraged over.

[SheilaT]

19. You're assuming

that the commission would actually accomplish its goals with swift efficiency. That's a huge stretch.

Oh. And I have kids and cats both. And I'm not the only one. Plus, there are a lot of proud and happy dog owners here.