WTF, paying child support after parental rights have been severed?

There has got to be more to the story than this.  (EDIT - there is ) When parental rights are severed, it is a legal determination that the parent(s) have no right now or in the future, to the care, custody and control of the child and the child should be raised by new parents.

So it should follow any responsibility for the child’s upkeep would fall to the new parents (whether the state or adoptive parents).    The logic that parental neglect would be rewarded if support obligations disappear makes little sense,  when failure to provide support can be grounds for severing parental rights.

Now, whether or not the State has been too quick to pursue termination of parental rights and create orphans is an good question but for another time

Addendum: after reading the more complete article, it looks like the Alabama Supremes are refusing to read into the law something that is not explicitly there.  Which maybe a good thing.  Seems matter could be resolved by a simple addition to the Alabama Code.

Lessons learned: Don’t go off half cocked.  Wait until more complete article comes Second lesson, well written law should spell out what its about.  A simple sentence “After termination of parental rights, all rights and responsibilities cease” might suffice.

Now this should be entertaining

From the Voice of Russia republishing an article in Vedomosti

Medvedev casting cautious challenge to Putin

The Russians have always excelled at chess and learning how to like counting trees when they lose.

Odd set of headlines

From the Peoples Daily

China honors role models of ethnic harmony, stresses common prosperity

Security clampdown takes effect for China’s National Day

And a quite interesting opinion piece, Harmonious society does not mean zero complaint

What it all means in life and internal Chinese politics is is a head popper.

Whats the world coming to?

Can’t even hunt squirrels in your own backyard.  Though the way the headline reads, wonder if could use a similar ordinance to handle those pesky GOTV folks that come around.

Gambling will save Alabama’s State Budgets?

This report from the Nelson Rockefeller Institute of Government (pdf) and a column by Nate Silver (of FiveThirtyEight fame) suggest no.  A declining economy has lead to decreased gambling and decreased state revenue.  There is also there is also the fact the boom time for casinos has passed.

In Alabama, the Democrats are running strongest on a gambling will solve everything (esp. Ron Sparks (flash)) platform whie the Republican candidates seem to run the gamut from maybe to flat out no.

So, seems reasonable to conclude that gambling will not save Alabama’s budgets.  The very grim task of trimming expenses and raising taxes awaits.  Though a more likely scenario is a fully laden budget gets passed with great huzzahs by the Legislature and the Governor has the task of prorating it to the boos and cat calls of the Legislature.

The wonders of government

Seems the City of Arab has just paid $4700 to collect $4200 in use taxes from a local business man.

What makes the story even more interesting is that the City Council is sympathetic with the tax payer, yet the only way involves throwing good money after bad.

Moral of the story.  Always have Fedex etc deliver to a spot outside the city limits.  Always read any contracts the government enters into outsource and make your reasoned pitch against the contract.

Will the last grown up to leave please turn out the light?

From yesterday’s, Greenville Advocate, while at the DA’s office to discuss matters, a disagreement between the local Sheriff and the Hayneville Police chief resulted in at least one hand dropping to sidearm, a death threat, a struggle and separation by other officers present.

Quote from article below the fold.

Something to watch

From the Volokh conspiracy and discussion at Opinio Juris,  the prosecutor from the International Criminal Court is making preliminary inquiries to determine whether war crimes are being committed in Afghanistan.

With Harold Koh atnd Clinton at State, it will be interesting to see if the Service Member’s Protection Act is enforced.  Also interesting to see which ISAF nations decide where the risk of being labeled war criminals leads them.

9/11

Was going to put up a post about the hollow “this is not happening” to sorrowful rage I felt while listening to the events of that day but after reading King Cockfight’s post Memories, decided he said it all.

For Guv’nah of the Great and Sovereign State of Alabama

I join the Cockfight family in endorsing the Six Dollar Burger for Governor.  If nominated, he will not be runny, if elected, he will be served.  His days in office will be filling and pleasing to all the state. The platform will contain something for everyone.