Disappearing Comments

 By Julia Fletcher

November 9, 2010

About a year ago, I was following the news about the little boy living in Brazil.  His father flew to Brazil with an NBC reporter on an NBC chartered flight to bring the father and son back to the United States. ABC posted the story on their website along with readers’ comments. I wanted to post my opinions about the media’s involvement in that case – comparing it with the total lack of coverage of the national family court crisis. 

After sending one comment, I saw it show up in the comment section. Then – poof! –  it disappeared. I posted it again. It showed up again and disappeared a few minutes later.

Seeing my valuable comments eaten by some anonymous comment monster, I knew I needed to be more careful about copying valued text first, before sending it into cyberspace. I also knew that if that ABC employee working as a moderator that day were to continue to pick and choose the comments posted on that website, ABC and its faithful viewers were in trouble. 

 This is from Rightsformothers.com:

Everyone knows that the concept of “parental alienation” will not be in the new Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5), but this hasn’t thwarted those who make a handsome income off of it.  Dr. Richard Warshak, who sells his testimony and services treating “parental alienation” in child custody cases, has apparently bought or scammed his way onto The Huffington Post and is not allowing comments on how others, including professional organizations, look at this excuse for protecting abusive parents.  I, along with several other domestic violence advocates, posted comments on The Huffington Post in response to a new post by Warshak that touts his professional bread-and-butter, and they were apparently dropped in their bit bucket.  Here is my first comment:

Many professional organizations recognize that claims of so-called “parental alienation” are used by abusive spouses to gain custody of children from their victims.  Some of these organizations include the American Judges Association, the National District Attorney’s Association, the American Bar Association, and the National Council of Juvenile and Family Court Judges, with the latter warning family court judges not to accept claims of “parental alienation” or “parental alienation syndrome” because of it’s well know use by abusers.  Research has shown that the number one reason children refuse to visit a parent is because of the behavior of that parent.  Stop putting children in danger by placing them with the abuser.  Dr. Warshak and others that push this so-called disorder make a lot of money selling their testimony in this family court scam.  I would think The Huffington Post was above promoting such snake oil salesmen.

As of the morning after Warshak’s post appeared on The Huffington Post, there were twelve hand-picked comments on the post, which includes one by Warshak cheerleader “Monika” who is Monika Logan, a big “parental alienation” supporter in Texas.  She is a regular commenter on stories that push this scam.  Her blog supports these people who make lots of money off of promoting this “judicial tool of abuse.”Warshak was involved in a case recently in Canada, in which he testified that two boys apparently “poisoned” by “parental alienation” would benefit being treated at his “treatment center,” a center that charges $40,000 per four day session.  The recommendation was so ordered, but overturned in appeal because Warshak admitted that he had only interviewed the parent claiming “parental alienation” and not the other parent.  Warshak failed to even interview the boys when he recommended them for his unproven program.  Seems $40,000 is quite an incentive to recommend something to someone he hasn’t even seen.Shame on The Huffington Post to allow these quacks and their supporters space to sell their wares, because that is exactly what they are doing.  Then again, The Huffington Post has a history of censorship.  So be careful what you read even if you think it is a respectable site.  Apparently everyone has their price, and there’s a lot to be made in the “parental alienation” jackpot.
It was suggested to post comments on censorship on The Huffington Post, then share on your Facebook or Twitter account…this is an excellent idea!