A Question of Mack or Murtari

http://mensnewsdaily.com/2006/08/23/...ck-or-murtari/

A Question of Mack or Murtari
August 23, 2006
By Eric Johnson


If you've never been: forcefully separated from your children, had your
wages garnished to satisfy court ordered child support, helplessly watched
your child suffer from an ear infection or cold having been prevented by a
vindictive ex-spouse from taking them to a doctor, lived on ramen noodles
and generic soup, listened to the stories of the 'new dad' in mommy's life,
been compelled to work on the only weekend when you get to actually spend
time with your kids, refused to answer the door because a friendly cop
warned you about the bench warrant for your arrest for failing to pay $5000
a month in alimony (based on a $60K job), etc, etc, etc. this article will
'make sense.'

If you haven't lived through this kind of hell, then this will come as a
shock.
For some of us who have lived this nightmare, we have moved on, recovered
and rebuilt our lives. Many times, the children who see the torment of
their fathers come to deeply respect and admire their sacrifice; at least
that is my story. My oldest son lives with me; my other three kids may move
in soon. So, this isn't about me.

Several months ago Darren Mack, a Las Vegas businessman, killed his wife,
Charla Mack and then attempted to kill Family Court Judge Charles 'Chuck'
Weller later the same morning. She had left him and with the power of a
Weller's court now threatened to destroy everything he had worked for; his
business, his family and his reputation. It was all crumbling around him
and the worst part was that Charla Mack had taken their child.

Darren Mack as a successful entrepreneur was obviously not used to feeling
powerless or disenfranchised. The Judge, Chuck Weller, was not to be spared
of Darren Mack's wrath. According to one source, Mack was angry over a
divorce settlement issued by Judge Weller. In addition to child support
capped by state law at $849 per month, Darren Mack was ordered to pay
$10,000 per month to help pay household expenses.

As details of these attacks became public, many people in the Father's
Rights community quietly acknowledged they weren't particularly surprised by
something of this nature happening. After all, in the last few years
several men, a retired Connecticut State Trooper Michael L. Bochicchio Jr.
and John Allen Muhammad, the infamous Belt Way Sniper, had gone on murderous
rampages following some very questionable court rulings against them.

Even though many in the Father's and Children's Rights community understood
their rage, no one condoned their actions; murder, wanton violence and
revenge were not how the movement wishes to be identified. But still, a
lingering frustration and embitterment fills the minds of a vast group of
men who have been crushed by these so-called family courts; this type of
occasional violence was bound to continue, grow and possibly become
organized as a biased and arbitrary judiciary continues its ongoing
criminalization of divorced men with children.

In striking contrast to these incidents is the case of John Murtari.
Murtari, a well known and respected member of the Equal Parenting movement
and founder of 'A Kid's Right' was recently incarcerated for failure to pay
almost $60,000 in child support. His advocates claim that the amount he is
ordered to pay is based upon a previous job which produced twice the income
of his current employment.

Additionally Murtari himself has been indignant regarding the fact his
child, a 13 year old boy, was moved across country by his now ex-wife and
that he needs significant financial resources to maintain a long distance
relationship with his son. In summation, Murtari did not ask for the
divorce, he did not acquiesce to his son being moved across the nation, he
did not decide how much he could pay in child support- he was simply handed
a bill, based upon the income from an old job and told 'pay.or else.' And
when he failed to pay, they threw him in jail.

His effort to be a father had literally been criminalized.

But being a man who reputedly has a strong faith and is a committed and
loving father, he vowed a resistance of non-violence. For the first week
and a half following his incarceration, he refused food and water. Even
when forced to sit with the other prisoners in the dining hall, he
maintained a Military level of discipline and refused to eat.

Finally the authorities moved Murtari to a medical facility, fearing he may
actually suffer kidney failure; they inserted Murtari with a feeding tube.
Murtari continues his hunger strike and his supporters continue their vigil,
both locally and internationally. He deals with the hunger and thirst
everyday in a protest of conscience to send the message: a father is more
than a meal ticket and his value as a parent is greater than the capacity of
his wallet. He is sadden but determined, shaken but not broken. He
continues on and while he breathes, we hope.

Does a biased and bigoted judiciary and other members of the state and
federal governments begin to acknowledge they have needlessly made
potentially millions of domestic enemies?

Do they admit he and thousand more like him have committed no crime than to
attempt to remain a positive presence in their children's lives?

Do they begin to realize their actions have been nothing short of
despicable, capricious and arrogant? Or will they continue their crusade of
disenfranchisement, taking home, family and future away from men guilty only
of being 'divorced with children?'


So, now the question: Will they deal fairly with a pacifist hunger striker
or run the risk of getting a bullet from a man who has nothing left to lose?
We will wait and see.