Betty Jean Hammond Wirsen

Now you're questioning the source?

Which SOURCE do you think is honest?

This guy?
http://www.russmaney.com/Ted_Kennedy.jpg

CPS stats that are self-serving?
DHHS stats that are self serving?
Foster Parents stats?

Judges Lobbying groups?

http://www.ncjfcj.org/
http://ncjj.servehttp.com/NCJJWebsite/main.htm

THIS GUY?

http://www.usatoday.com/printedition...iner14.art.htm

03/13/2006 - Updated 11:44 PM ET Page 3A

Filmmaker Rob Reiner criticized over ads
Conflicted with signature drive, Calif. senator says
By Martin Kasindorf
USA TODAY

LOS ANGELES - Hollywood filmmaker and Democratic activist Rob Reiner is
under fire from both political parties over his off-screen role as an
advocate for children's causes in California.

Reiner, who came to prominence as the character Michael "Meathead"
Stivic on TV's All in the Family in the 1970s, was criticized last week
when a legislative committee ordered an investigation of a state
commission on children's issues he led for seven years before he took a
leave Feb. 24.

Gloria Romero, Democratic majority leader of the state Senate, said
Reiner's First 5 Children and Families Commission "crossed the
line" by spending $23 million from November to January on TV and
radio ads touting the benefits of preschool. At the time, Reiner also
was leading a drive to collect signatures for a ballot measure that
would tax the wealthy to provide free preschool for 4-year-olds. The
proposal qualified for the June 6 statewide ballot as Proposition 82.

The preschool initiative has been favored by most California voters in
several recent polls. However, the controversy over the legality and
ethics of the ads might crimp Reiner's aspirations for public office.

Reiner, 59, said in December that his children talked him out of
running for governor this year. He said he wouldn't rule it out when
they are older.

Sherry Bebitch Jeffe, a University of Southern California political
analyst, said voters haven't focused on the debate, but "if charges
are filed, all bets are off" on his political future.

Reiner will hold a news conference today in Sacramento.

Reiner has been a winner in state politics. In 1998, voters approved
his Proposition 10, a 50-cent-a-pack cigarette tax that has raised $4
billion for early childhood development and health care. The First 5
panel, named for the first five years of childhood, was created by the
ballot measure to administer 20% of the tobacco tax money. County
commissions oversee the rest. Reiner has headed the First 5 commission
since it was formed in 1999.

The commission paid the same advertising firm that Reiner had used in
his 1998 campaign for the statewide ads that promoted "preschool for
all." The firm and a public relations firm that also worked with
Reiner on Proposition 10 have received First 5 contracts worth $231
million since 1999, according to First 5 spokeswoman Elisa Bupara. Most
of that money went to broadcasters for ads.

Bupara said the commission would not comment on the contracts or
investigation until it consulted lawyers.

"The timing of these ads (touting preschool), as well as the
less-than-scrupulous relationship between Mr. Reiner and his
consultants, violates the spirit if not the letter of the law," said
state Sen. Dave Cox, a Republican, referring to a state ban on using
public money in political campaigns.

The Legislature's auditing committee last Wednesday ordered a review of
Reiner's commission. State Auditor Elaine Howle said she will examine
the panel's contracting procedures. "We welcome any review of First
5," said Roger Salazar, a spokesman for Reiner's Proposition 82.
Salazar said the state-financed ads had no influence on collecting
signatures.

Romero said Reiner told her the ads were legal because they were about
child development. "It might be legal, but it doesn't pass the smell
test," she said.






How about this guy? This Judge recently RESIGNED.

http://www.sp2.upenn.edu/cwconference/presenters.html
Working With the Courts on Behalf of Children - The Honorable Leonard
P. Edwards

The Honorable ["Len"] Leonard P. Edwards, Supervising Judge of the
Juvenile Dependency Court in Santa Clara County, California, will close
the conference with an inspirational keynote address on how
collaboration between courts and service providers can benefit children
and their families.

Judge Edwards has been active locally and nationally in juvenile and
family law. He is the Founder and Immediate Past President of the
Juvenile Court Judges of California and has served on the California
Judicial Council. He is the Immediate Past President of the National
Council of Juvenile and Family Court Judges. He has taught juvenile and
family law at the University of Santa Clara Law School, Stanford Law
School and at the California Judicial College . Judge Edwards has also
written widely in both juvenile and family law. He and his wife,
Professor Inger Sagatun-Edwards, have written a book entitled Child
Abuse and the Legal System. They have two children.

Judge Edwards has received numerous awards both locally and nationally.
He recently was named Jurist of the Year by the California Judicial
Council and was awarded the 2004 William H. Rehnquist Award for
Judicial Excellence, bestowed upon him at the U.S. Supreme Court.