I've been following this Brazilian abduction case

[Archaea]

Originally Posted by MikeWaters

David Goldman still cannot get custody of his son.

In the meantime, we have an American who has legal custody of his children after his wife illegally took the kids to Japan. He goes to Japan, abducts his children, and tries to make it to the consulate, but is intercepted by police. Now he is in jail facing prison time.

http://www.cnn.com/2009/WORLD/asiapc...ion/index.html

The article says that in Japan, typically one parent gives up custody entirely. I've seen this happen. It makes little sense to me.

The rule of law does not exist in most countries, apparently.

[MikeWaters]

Originally Posted by Archaea

The rule of law does not exist in most countries, apparently.

I don't think Brazil even pretends to follow laws.

There is only one law-- money = power.

This is the same higher law that Europeans are appealing to in the case of Polanski. And the effete Eurotrash lovers like SeattleUte.

[SeattleUte]

Originally Posted by MikeWaters

I don't think Brazil even pretends to follow laws.

There is only one law-- money = power.

This is the same higher law that Europeans are appealing to in the case of Polanski. And the effete Eurotrash lovers like SeattleUte.

I can tell by your avatar that you are an admirer of Mexican velvet paingings. I'm sure you don't care about Polanski's artistic genius.

[Archaea]

Originally Posted by MikeWaters

I don't think Brazil even pretends to follow laws.

There is only one law-- money = power.

This is the same higher law that Europeans are appealing to in the case of Polanski. And the effete Eurotrash lovers like SeattleUte.

Lots of potential defeats for advocates of the rule of law,

Polankski successfully raping a child because he appeals to the sensibilities of the liberal elite.

Man arrested to picking up children over which he has legal custody.

And Sean's case is a travesty. I doubt I would wish to visit such country which harbors such complete disregard for human decency.

[MikeWaters]

Originally Posted by Archaea

Lots of potential defeats for advocates of the rule of law,

Polankski successfully raping a child because he appeals to the sensibilities of the liberal elite.

Man arrested to picking up children over which he has legal custody.

And Sean's case is a travesty. I doubt I would wish to visit such country which harbors such complete disregard for human decency.

Big differences in the Brazil and Japan cases.

In the Goldman case, Brazil is breaking its own laws.

Japan on the other hand is not a Hague 1980 signatory country, so not obligated to recognize US custody.

You have to feel for a father who has had his children robbed from him. Father's get screwed all around. No rights.

[Archaea]

Originally Posted by MikeWaters

Big differences in the Brazil and Japan cases.

In the Goldman case, Brazil is breaking its own laws.

Japan on the other hand is not a Hague 1980 signatory country, so not obligated to recognize US custody.

You have to feel for a father who has had his children robbed from him. Father's get screwed all around. No rights.

Distinctions yes, but still with the long history between our countries, it's still bizarre. And Japan wanted us to sign off on the Kyoto Accords.

[MikeWaters]

The latest development is positive.

http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/...9gGJQD9CKNP680

However, one suspects that this Banana Republic has another trick up its sleeve.

I think I would as soon visit Juarez, Mexico as I would visit Brazil.

[Archaea]

Originally Posted by MikeWaters

The latest development is positive.

http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/...9gGJQD9CKNP680

However, one suspects that this Banana Republic has another trick up its sleeve.

I think I would as soon visit Juarez, Mexico as I would visit Brazil.

Is still a place of no law nor respect for the rule of law. It has fallen off my list of places to visit.

[MikeWaters]

Brazil supreme court decided in favor of biological father, Goldman. No doubt due to their respect for the rule of law.

Or this.

U.S. Sen. Frank Lautenberg, D-New Jersey, had placed a hold on a trade bill that would have benefited Brazil to the tune of $2.75 billion, but he lifted it after the court's ruling, spokesman Caley Gray told CNN.

The bill in question, which sailed through the Senate after the senator dropped the hold, provides export tariff relief to 130 countries, of which Brazil would be the fifth-largest recipient, Gray said.

http://www.cnn.com/2009/WORLD/americ...tle/index.html

While the chief justice was still studying the case, Brazilian Attorney General Luis Inacio Adams said the executive branch of the Brazilian government sided with Goldman.

"Once we stop cooperating and start breaking our treaties and international obligations, Brazil risks the chance of not having its own requests in the matters regarding international judicial help granted, based on the principle of international reciprocity," Adams said Monday.

"Not releasing the minor into the custody of his father could bring sanctions against Brazil," he added. "It could damage Brazil's image before the international community."

Even a politically powerful family cannot go against billions of dollars. Is that how much a child costs these days?

[Archaea]

So after a threat of billions of dollars in sanctions, the rule of law is finally observed.

http://www.cnn.com/2009/WORLD/americ...ody/index.html

Strange that it took a gun to Brazil's head to abide by its treaties.