OK, I've had it. I'm putting my ass on the line. (READ... I may need help)

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=102x467223

I've had it with blatant disregard for FAMILY, and for the welfare of CHILDREN, and for the suffering of MOTHERS.

Read the linked thread. The mother is on the streeets of Caracas. Her children are in Chicago. She doesn't have any way of caring for herself, let alone her children. All because of some macho "da law is da law" attitude, a mindset that, was I religious, I'd believe was invented by Belzebuub himself.

So I'm offering MY house to her AND her children. It may sound stupid. Crazy. Not viable. I'm in Brazil, goddammit. Eight people in here will definitely be awkward.

But it would certainly beat their current situation. They'd be fed and housed while the mother looks for a job (of course we'd help on that department too). Brazil is a tolerant place. Muslim and Jewish and Christian store owners in Sahara (huge comercial district in downtown Rio, made up mostly of small clothe and toy stores) go to the bar together and are friends. There is freedom here. There is compassion More than in the good ole' You Ass of Hey, it seems.

I'm trying to contact the people people here about legal status (if they can be considered refugees, or granted residence, or what). I don't have the money to pay for plane tickets, but that can be arranged.

liberalhistorian, you live in Cleveland, so I assign you to contact the children and aunt see what they think of it. Pardon my authoritative voice, but I'm kinda feverish right now, in a mental sense. You will also receive my personal information by PM.

There's a guy in Caracas from the Formula 1 newsgroup, I'll contact him and see if Ms. Silmi, the mother, can be reached. I'd use help from you guys there too. Also, let me see if there's a Muslim community in Rio. There should be, I suppose.

Am I completely out of my mind? It sure feels like it. I feel a strange, unearthly rush within me. I'm red, and sweating. There seems to be no problem with the air conditioning here at work.

This woman is NOT going to end up as a street beggar, and her children are NOT going to grow up motherless. OK, feel free now to tell me I've gone off the deep end.

WHO'S WITH ME?

support wise.

Phase 1 is Get Information.

The woman and her daughter fled Idi Amin. They stayed in my room while I was away at college. It worked out really well.

Find a pro bono lawyer to help you with the basics like insurance, etc. Good luck!

Friend's attorney. You know, gang, we may actually be able to pull out something.

THANKS! You know who you are!

I say more power to you. Good luck and God bless!

like you are a very good, compassionate person. Get legal advice, you said you will, and go for it. Pleased to make your acquaintance. People like you make it easier to live in this world.

just reach through this screen, and hug you. :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug:

You've just totally made my day. I hope more than anything that you make this happen. Not sure what I could possibly do in the way of help, but please don't hesitate to ask if you should think of anything. :loveya:

and I will get to work on it right away! Now THIS is what it's all about, finding solutions and DOING SOMETHING ABOUT problems, not just bitching about them!

I wonder what Muddle of the Road will have to say about this, since he kept challenging us all to "find a solution". Of course, he'd probably have you committed for "harboring a criminal", lol!

BRING IT ON!

Is that it is one hell of an offer.

If you check the other thread, you'd know that.

I also gave him props for doing so.

month or so.
PM me.

With extreme prejudice. :kick:

And it reminded me of this old Three Dog Night song (written by Laura Nyro, if memory serves):

How can people be so heartless
How can people be so cruel
Easy to be hard, easy to be cold

How can people have no feelings
How can they ignore their friends
Easy to be proud, easy to say no

Especially people who care about strangers
Who care about evil and social injustice
Do you only care about bleeding crowd
How about a needing friend, I need a friend

How can people be so heartless
You know I'm hung up on you
Easy to be proud, easy to say no

Especially people who care about strangers
Who care about evil and social injustice
Do you only care about bleeding crowd
How about a needing friend, we all need a friend

How can people be so heartless
How can people be so cruel
Easy to be proud, easy to say no
Easy to be cold, easy to say no
Come, on, easy to give in, easy to say no
Easy to be cold, easy to say no
Much too easy to say no

"Especially people who care about strangers
Who care about evil and social injustice
Do you only care about bleeding crowd
How about a needing friend, I need a friend"

Wish people would actually listen to those words, and just THINK... There are people right in front of you who just need some caring, and a FRIEND. Not advice, not criticise.. just .... caring...

Thanks for this post, JCCyC! It's a welcome break from all the sniping at each other here, and it's refreshing to know that there are still a few who have hearts, and are willing to follow them! I appreciate you!

I'm afraid it's going to take a lot of action from other countries, just like this, to pull the US into some form of humanity.

Kanary

But my head is spinning like one of these newfangled anime-based toys (or is it toy-based anime?)

Breathe... deeeeeeeep......

:grouphug:

Now is not the time to be timid.

One must lead by example.

You have inspired me.

God bless you.

My biceps are rather puny.

Welcome to DU! :toast:

Andrea Olson? She may be of help in locating the woman. Her web site is here and it has a contact email

http://www.idsnews.com/profile.php?byline=Alexandra+Olson

1099 30th St., N.W.,
Washington D.C. 20007
USA


Office hours: 9:00 am -1:00 pm - 2:00 pm-5:00 pm Monday to Friday
Consular Services: 9:00 am- 1:00 pm Monday to Friday


Main # (202) 342 2214
Fax # (202) 342 6820
e-mail - apaiva@embavenez-us.org

I mention plan B in there (giving her a job at the Embassy).

This may be such a circumstance...

Liberalhistorian is a hell of an assistant. And she isn't even Vulcan!

:kick:

If you are able to find a way to get this woman a chance to be reunited with her kids, or stabilized somewhere until a civilized government might work with her to get her back where she belongs, you'll be pulling off a miracle.

No doubt Tom Ridge and company have had one large, nasty "compassionate conservative" laugh over this helpless family's plight. Lucky _Bush/Ridge to get free entertainment delivered to them in the form of helpless people. They could either do right, or enjoy the hell out of power flexing by doing the very worst thing possible. No doubt they got a real lift stabbing Kucinich in the back.

You'll have many pairs of eyes scouring these threads to see if you and whoever else can help have found a resource for her/them. Thank you so much.

:loveya:

It's an honor to share a message board with ya!:)

Truth Force in Cleveland, the immigrant rights group working with Amina and her family, and actually talked on the phone to the head of the group who was, at the very time we were talking, helping Amina's sister and children move into another home.

He told them of your offer, and they were talking it over and reading the email I had sent. I should be hearing from him very, very soon.

They were very pleased and impressed, not to mention pleasantly surprised. The outpouring the family has received from the community has apparently been overwhelming.