I think most people will agree that the actions of the wife, in the case you presented above, are blameable. Lying to your spouse and your children is obviously not a good thing.
But I still say that the person that gets custody of the children should get child support. And if the husband is planning on abandoning his kids, he’s not much better than the wife.
Andros
I’m just playing along with the notion that if they were old enough to say who was their DAD, and who was a babysitter, they must also be verbal enough to state a preference for whom they would want to live with.
Things are not what they seem to be; nor are they otherwise.
[lankavatara Sutra]
The requirements for the law merit badge:
http://www.usscouts.scouter.com/mb/mb068.html
(I was a Life Scout – never, to my shame, made Eagle).
Mikey, it distresses me to see that you have leapt away from the concilatory position with all the speed of a frightened gazelle.
You are obviously puzzled that so many people (well, at least me, Felice, and Melin) seem to be focusing on the seeming inconsistencies in your original post, instead of the actual post’s topic.
I would like [this thread is being hijacked; remain calm and no one will be hurt!] to speculate about why this is happening, and maybe it will clear up some of your obvious hurt and anger that you are being distrusted.
This board is called “The Straight Dope,” and it’s predicated on an interest in the writings (or at least the approach) of Cecil Adams, who has made a career of… well, of finding out the truth on a wide variety of matters.
It only makes sense, Mikey, that the denizens here will have a similar interest. So when we see an inconsistency, we can’t just let it go. It gnaws at us. It must be explained, one way or another. No one worth his salt as a skeptic, as a debunker of legends… as a pursuer of The Straight Dope… will let an unexplained inconsistency go – especially on such an appeal as, “Well, you either believe me or you don’t.” That doesn’t wash.
I don’t know if you’re a Star Trek:The Next generation fan… I’m not an expert on the show, but I remember an episode that started out with Picard and the rest of the bridge crew coming slowly awake. Only Data was unaffected. Picard asks data, “How long were we unconscious?”
Data replies, “About thirty seconds, sir.”
They figure, somehow, that the area of space they just entered has some sort of cosmic abnormality, and mark it for future ships to avoid, and go on their merry way.
But little things start to show up: the computer registers slightly different time in two places. A plant that only lives for a day is now dead. Worf’s arm hurts, and an examination shows it was broken and reset by Starfleet surgical equipment – yet there is no record of that having been done.
As they attempt to unravel these anomalies, it becomes clear that Data, rather than helping, is frustrating their efforts. Finally, Picard orders data, point blank, to reveal why he’s hindering them. Data refuses the direct order – unheard of! Picard then reasons that data must be defying his order in obedience to another officer’s order, so he asks, “Data - I order you to tell me who ordered you to not answer.”
Data’s reply? “You did, sir.”
Now, from that point on, I was hooked. How could this be? It made no sense. But I had to figure out how all these things tied together.
So, too, is the situation in this thread. You posted a question that appeared to have certain internal inconsistencies. When you were asked about them, rather than immediately clearing them up, you posted short answers that did little to unravel the confusion.
Is it any wonder that we (or I, anyway; I suupose I should stop speaking for others) felt the need to get to the real story? That we couldn’t leave something unexplained, or accept your assertion with no corroboration?
Then you posted the name of “the DA.” I thought this signaled your understanding of the situation… it would have been better, of course, to leave “the DA” out of it, and post the name of the parties. That is public record when an action is commenced; “the DA” is only a mentor helping out another lawyer, it would seem.
But even then – there were inconsistencies! You gave us the name of a lawyer, who so far as we can tell is retired. But that’s all we know.
I called the DA’s office back just now, and asked to speak to someone who had been around a while and might know former ADAs. The woman I spoke to (didn’t get her name) came back on the line and said, “I was told he [Walter] used to be with the Attorney General’s office.”
Now, this puts a new spin on things. To me, an Assistant Attorney General is very different than an Assistant District Attorney – but I can see how someone might easily mistake the two. Even here, I’m not letting it go; my next call (tomorrow) will be to the AG’s office to learn more.
Mikey, I’m just trying to help you understand why people (or at least me) are reacting this way. We cannot leave an inconsistency unturned.
I hope this helps.
Cheers,
Rick
Rick, I like you. 
I really, really like you!
-Melin
Above you see an example of the sick extremeties I am very tired of.
So please post the names of all your family members and their employers, so that i may investigate YOU as thouroughly.
My mistake it seems was in providing ANY validating information to you all, as now Walter has told me he has been contacted by no less than 10 people today. Needless to say I am on his shit list, and may never get good dirt again. And now I see he is right, what kind of people are you all anyway? Your lack of respect for ones position and privacy is costing me a friend (maybe temporarily maybe not). You seem to all be the kooks I was warned about.
Thank you all.
Lets see, you contacted my employers to verify my position and credentials. Then you contact my friends and their employers, when I reference them. Then you have the nerve to call my home after finding my number, and leave profane messages?!?!!?
Are you satisfied? So help me God, I will find out who you are, and not so Internetly have you sued. This is a disgusting abuse of my trust and of this board. And you have invaded my provacy to an extent I never knew possible.
Where is Jodi, I want a good attorney.
Aw, shucks, ma’am. 'Tweren’t nuthin.
They’re quicker than I am, it would seem. Smarter, too, since I still don’t have Walter’s number - and if I had, I wouldn’t post it. I had no problem posting the main District Attorney number; it’s very public.
I’m still going to track him down, Mikey, because there are still unanswered questions. I apologize if you feel this has gotten out of hand.
PS Mikey was an Eagle, BRICKER, and yes I uphold the standards.
For what it’s worth – I don’t think I’ve made any claim that needs verifying. But, if it will make you happy:
(REMOVED BY SDMB)
Cheers,
Rick
[Note: This message has been edited by TubaDiva]
[Moderator Hat: ON]
MikeylikesIT said:
Do you have evidence that the profane messages came from people on this message board? If you do, please contact me via e-mail and provide that evidence to me. I will forward it to the administration of this message board. I assure you they would not take such actions lightly.
That said, do not use this message board to threaten lawsuits. The administration will not take those actions lightly either.
David B, SDMB Great Debates Moderator
[Moderator Hat: OFF]
The above should make service of process easier, if it’s me you’re going to sue.
I hope you don’t, of course; I’ve not done anything remotely actionable.
I think you ALL have carried this nonesense weay too damn far. You really had to make all these calls to invade this person home and work to verify a post on a damn message board? Is this your whole life, folks? You take yourselves much too seriously, folks.
Mickeylikesit, they have exploited this ridiculous point as a means to invaded your privacy. I don’t like what it says about these people.
I beg your pardon. I haven’t called anyone’s home. And while I have called someone’s work, it hasn’t been anyone’s on this board. I called the Sacramento County DA’s office. I took less than three minutes of their time.
The alternative seemed to be leaving a question unanswered. I don’t think I’ve acted unreasonably – but if you do, I certainly respect that.
sure you were.
at 2 & 3, ummm, no.
So, you get up early enough to go outside and gossip over the fence with the neighbor, and wow, the assistant DA in Sacremento CA, HE has time to get up and henpick woth you, AND provide you with paperwork.
I barely have time to brush my hair in the morning.
So, the case is currently in the court system, and the kids went to trial to identify their folks, and then what?
oh, no case numbers yet. pretrial hearings (?maybe?) I guess the DA wouldn’t know legal terms for that type of stuff.
HMMMM, maybe the INTERNET?
you are a shmuck, a liar and one certified nut to even want to continue such a charade. give it up.
so you found a girl who thinks really deep thoughts. what’s so amazing about really deep thoughts? Tori Amos
It seems to me that it would be close to impossible to trace profane messages to someone on this board. There are a great many people who just read and never post… which was me, until 2 minutes ago.
If it’s true that people have called and harrassed Mikey & his attorney friend, then you people are pretty low w/no apparent lives of your own. (Not directed to Bricker)
Peace!
Okay folks, let’s take a breather.
Everybody in a neutral corner.
This has tipped from debate to a slapfest, and while that might be fun, that’s not the point here.
I also note that we don’t want anybody posting real life addresses and phone info here; that’s not appropriate. If you want to talk to someone irl, use email.
your humble TubaDiva
Administrator
The Straight Dope
Bricker:
I am new to this board, too.
I just wanted to mention that I have a real problem with what you are doing on this thread.
It’s unfair and unkind.
You get halfway through that Star Trek story and YOU DON’T FINISH IT? Show some cosideration, would ya?
What happens? I can’t sleep without knowing, so don’t leave me hanging.
P.S. I am in awe.
For the record,
My judgement is they all go on the Jerry Springer show. He’s really the only person qualified to handle this kind of thing, and it’s best to leave these matters in the hands of experts.
C’mon get your act together.
[Moderator Hat: ON]
Ok, folks, it’s over. Mikey has requested that the administration remove his registration here, and they are doing so. He also requested that all messages he wrote be deleted, but we will not be doing that as it would interrupt too many threads.
David B, SDMB Great Debates Moderator
[Moderator Hat: OFF]
there is no debate here. it’s a jerry springer script and not a very good one. i say move it to the pit where it will feel more at home
so you found a girl who thinks really deep thoughts. what’s so amazing about really deep thoughts? Tori Amos