The document discusses reframing issues related to adoption records and access. It argues that framing an issue shapes public perception and debate. Currently, terms like "open records" and "sealed records" are used, but these frames have downsides. The document advocates reframing the issue as one of "equal access," arguing this frame focuses on principles of equality and human rights. It also suggests not limiting access to adult adoptees, as other citizens have access to their original birth certificates at younger ages. Overall, the document provides strategies for advocacy groups to reframe their messaging around adoption records and access.
This is the third of 3 files that feature some kind of summarized account of our Plain Truth Revolution’s efforts thus far, since January 2013, in trying to create massive awareness, education, and consciousness among our people for unconditional change, God willing. This particular effort strengthens our debate that instead of holding some useless and fake Americo-Liberian political elections, as they are now requesting of us to do, as usual, we should instead use this year, 2017, to stage a massive citizens’ get together under the nomenclature, National Rebirth & Constitutional Convention, to be attended by some equal and competent representation from each of our country’s existing 17 ethnic groups, including other social groups we have identified in some of our works, to sit and discuss the burning problems of our home, and come up with radical, honest and lasting solutions.
This is the third of 3 files that feature some kind of summarized account of our Plain Truth Revolution’s efforts thus far, since January 2013, in trying to create massive awareness, education, and consciousness among our people for unconditional change, God willing. This particular effort strengthens our debate that instead of holding some useless and fake Americo-Liberian political elections, as they are now requesting of us to do, as usual, we should instead use this year, 2017, to stage a massive citizens’ get together under the nomenclature, National Rebirth & Constitutional Convention, to be attended by some equal and competent representation from each of our country’s existing 17 ethnic groups, including other social groups we have identified in some of our works, to sit and discuss the burning problems of our home, and come up with radical, honest and lasting solutions.
Plain truth revolution for (liberia) guide3(1)Joyful Moinma
This 22-page article articles briefly outlines and presents short details about all of the articles we have been able to do thus far - both in writing and in voice recording
Plain truth revolution for (liberia) guide3Joyful Moinma
This 22-page article articles briefly outlines and presents short details about all of the articles we have been able to do thus far - both in writing and in voice recording
Ensuring Ethical Practice in Child Adoption: A Guide for Legislators, Pract...Mirah Riben
Everyone assumes adoption is in the best interest of children. Is it? In whose best interest are fraudulent birth certificates? Are there sufficient regulations and enforceable guidelines in place to eliminate corruption, commodification, exploitation, coercion and conflict of interest? How much does money play a part?
Discussion of ethical issues with a focus on payments of expenses and conflict of interest in legal counsel for relinquishing mothers within the U.S. Suggested solutions to prevent scamming of prospective adopters and coercion expectant mothers which can cause contested adoptions which are lengthy and costly for all parties.
Ensuring Ethical Practice in Child Adoption: A Guide for Legislators, Prac...Mirah Riben
Everyone assumes adoption is in the best interest of children. Is it? In whose best interest are fraudulent birth certificates? Are there sufficient regulations and enforceable guidelines in place to eliminate corruption, commodification, exploitation, coercion and conflict of interest? How much does money play a part?
Discussion of ethical issues with a focus on payments of expenses and conflict of interest in legal counsel for relinquishing mothers within the U.S. Suggested solutions to prevent scamming of prospective adopters and coercion expectant mothers which can cause contested adoptions which are lengthy and costly for all parties.
This is the third of 3 files that feature some kind of summarized account of our Plain Truth Revolution’s efforts thus far, since January 2013, in trying to create massive awareness, education, and consciousness among our people for unconditional change, God willing. This particular effort strengthens our debate that instead of holding some useless and fake Americo-Liberian political elections, as they are now requesting of us to do, as usual, we should instead use this year, 2017, to stage a massive citizens’ get together under the nomenclature, National Rebirth & Constitutional Convention, to be attended by some equal and competent representation from each of our country’s existing 17 ethnic groups, including other social groups we have identified in some of our works, to sit and discuss the burning problems of our home, and come up with radical, honest and lasting solutions.
This is the third of 3 files that feature some kind of summarized account of our Plain Truth Revolution’s efforts thus far, since January 2013, in trying to create massive awareness, education, and consciousness among our people for unconditional change, God willing. This particular effort strengthens our debate that instead of holding some useless and fake Americo-Liberian political elections, as they are now requesting of us to do, as usual, we should instead use this year, 2017, to stage a massive citizens’ get together under the nomenclature, National Rebirth & Constitutional Convention, to be attended by some equal and competent representation from each of our country’s existing 17 ethnic groups, including other social groups we have identified in some of our works, to sit and discuss the burning problems of our home, and come up with radical, honest and lasting solutions.
Plain truth revolution for (liberia) guide3(1)Joyful Moinma
This 22-page article articles briefly outlines and presents short details about all of the articles we have been able to do thus far - both in writing and in voice recording
Plain truth revolution for (liberia) guide3Joyful Moinma
This 22-page article articles briefly outlines and presents short details about all of the articles we have been able to do thus far - both in writing and in voice recording
Ensuring Ethical Practice in Child Adoption: A Guide for Legislators, Pract...Mirah Riben
Everyone assumes adoption is in the best interest of children. Is it? In whose best interest are fraudulent birth certificates? Are there sufficient regulations and enforceable guidelines in place to eliminate corruption, commodification, exploitation, coercion and conflict of interest? How much does money play a part?
Discussion of ethical issues with a focus on payments of expenses and conflict of interest in legal counsel for relinquishing mothers within the U.S. Suggested solutions to prevent scamming of prospective adopters and coercion expectant mothers which can cause contested adoptions which are lengthy and costly for all parties.
Ensuring Ethical Practice in Child Adoption: A Guide for Legislators, Prac...Mirah Riben
Everyone assumes adoption is in the best interest of children. Is it? In whose best interest are fraudulent birth certificates? Are there sufficient regulations and enforceable guidelines in place to eliminate corruption, commodification, exploitation, coercion and conflict of interest? How much does money play a part?
Discussion of ethical issues with a focus on payments of expenses and conflict of interest in legal counsel for relinquishing mothers within the U.S. Suggested solutions to prevent scamming of prospective adopters and coercion expectant mothers which can cause contested adoptions which are lengthy and costly for all parties.
Book Review
Lethal Secrets: The Shocking Consequences of and Unsolved Problems of Artificial Insemination by Annette Baran and Rueben Pannor
http://mirahriben.blogspot.com
Macroeconomics- Movie Location
This will be used as part of your Personal Professional Portfolio once graded.
Objective:
Prepare a presentation or a paper using research, basic comparative analysis, data organization and application of economic information. You will make an informed assessment of an economic climate outside of the United States to accomplish an entertainment industry objective.
Palestine last event orientationfvgnh .pptxRaedMohamed3
An EFL lesson about the current events in Palestine. It is intended to be for intermediate students who wish to increase their listening skills through a short lesson in power point.
June 3, 2024 Anti-Semitism Letter Sent to MIT President Kornbluth and MIT Cor...Levi Shapiro
Letter from the Congress of the United States regarding Anti-Semitism sent June 3rd to MIT President Sally Kornbluth, MIT Corp Chair, Mark Gorenberg
Dear Dr. Kornbluth and Mr. Gorenberg,
The US House of Representatives is deeply concerned by ongoing and pervasive acts of antisemitic
harassment and intimidation at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). Failing to act decisively to ensure a safe learning environment for all students would be a grave dereliction of your responsibilities as President of MIT and Chair of the MIT Corporation.
This Congress will not stand idly by and allow an environment hostile to Jewish students to persist. The House believes that your institution is in violation of Title VI of the Civil Rights Act, and the inability or
unwillingness to rectify this violation through action requires accountability.
Postsecondary education is a unique opportunity for students to learn and have their ideas and beliefs challenged. However, universities receiving hundreds of millions of federal funds annually have denied
students that opportunity and have been hijacked to become venues for the promotion of terrorism, antisemitic harassment and intimidation, unlawful encampments, and in some cases, assaults and riots.
The House of Representatives will not countenance the use of federal funds to indoctrinate students into hateful, antisemitic, anti-American supporters of terrorism. Investigations into campus antisemitism by the Committee on Education and the Workforce and the Committee on Ways and Means have been expanded into a Congress-wide probe across all relevant jurisdictions to address this national crisis. The undersigned Committees will conduct oversight into the use of federal funds at MIT and its learning environment under authorities granted to each Committee.
• The Committee on Education and the Workforce has been investigating your institution since December 7, 2023. The Committee has broad jurisdiction over postsecondary education, including its compliance with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act, campus safety concerns over disruptions to the learning environment, and the awarding of federal student aid under the Higher Education Act.
• The Committee on Oversight and Accountability is investigating the sources of funding and other support flowing to groups espousing pro-Hamas propaganda and engaged in antisemitic harassment and intimidation of students. The Committee on Oversight and Accountability is the principal oversight committee of the US House of Representatives and has broad authority to investigate “any matter” at “any time” under House Rule X.
• The Committee on Ways and Means has been investigating several universities since November 15, 2023, when the Committee held a hearing entitled From Ivory Towers to Dark Corners: Investigating the Nexus Between Antisemitism, Tax-Exempt Universities, and Terror Financing. The Committee followed the hearing with letters to those institutions on January 10, 202
Embracing GenAI - A Strategic ImperativePeter Windle
Artificial Intelligence (AI) technologies such as Generative AI, Image Generators and Large Language Models have had a dramatic impact on teaching, learning and assessment over the past 18 months. The most immediate threat AI posed was to Academic Integrity with Higher Education Institutes (HEIs) focusing their efforts on combating the use of GenAI in assessment. Guidelines were developed for staff and students, policies put in place too. Innovative educators have forged paths in the use of Generative AI for teaching, learning and assessments leading to pockets of transformation springing up across HEIs, often with little or no top-down guidance, support or direction.
This Gasta posits a strategic approach to integrating AI into HEIs to prepare staff, students and the curriculum for an evolving world and workplace. We will highlight the advantages of working with these technologies beyond the realm of teaching, learning and assessment by considering prompt engineering skills, industry impact, curriculum changes, and the need for staff upskilling. In contrast, not engaging strategically with Generative AI poses risks, including falling behind peers, missed opportunities and failing to ensure our graduates remain employable. The rapid evolution of AI technologies necessitates a proactive and strategic approach if we are to remain relevant.
Read| The latest issue of The Challenger is here! We are thrilled to announce that our school paper has qualified for the NATIONAL SCHOOLS PRESS CONFERENCE (NSPC) 2024. Thank you for your unwavering support and trust. Dive into the stories that made us stand out!
Welcome to TechSoup New Member Orientation and Q&A (May 2024).pdfTechSoup
In this webinar you will learn how your organization can access TechSoup's wide variety of product discount and donation programs. From hardware to software, we'll give you a tour of the tools available to help your nonprofit with productivity, collaboration, financial management, donor tracking, security, and more.
2. Presentation based on material previously
presented by M. Riben:
1989. In the “Best Interest” of All: Equal Rights
for Adopted-Separated Persons, American
Adoption Congress, Region 3 Conference,
Inequality Must End, October 1.
2006. “Dear Bastards: Demand Equality!”
Bastard Quarterly, Bastard Nation, Vol. 8, No 1,
Spring/Summer
M. Riben: Equal Access 2
3. Overview:
What is “Framing”?
How does it impact an argument?
Dos and Don’ts of Successful Framing
Current Frames and Language
The "Open Records" Frame
Images Conjured
How well is it working?
Adults Only?
The "Equal Access" Frame
Strategies
Recommendations for Advocacy
Questions and Answers
M. Riben: Equal Access 3
4. “You can’t see or hear frames.
They are part of what cognitive
scientists call the ‘cognitive
unconscious’ – structures in our
brains that we cannot consciously
access, but know by their
consequences: the way we reason
and what counts as common sense.”
M. Riben: Equal Access 4
5. The term “framing” was popularized by George Lakoff,
UC Berkeley professor of linguistics, author of Don’t
Think of an Elephant: Know Your Values and Frame
the Debate (2004):
He who frames the issue, names the issue and
controls the discussion.
The “other” is caught on the defensive.
M. Riben: Equal Access 5
6. Dr. Bridget Copley, the Mellon Post-
Doctoral Fellow at the USC Linguistics Department
“If you frame the discourse in such a way that it encourages a
certain way of thinking it is very difficult to get out of that way of
thinking….
“…Society is being manipulated and numbed by language.
Not only is language an excellent way to manipulate the
listener, but there is no doubt that the language used by
our opposition is intended to achieve that goal.”
Example: The NCFA is now using the term
“mandatory open records” implying people will be
forced to meet those they do not care to.
M. Riben: Equal Access 6
7. Is Framing “NewSpeak” or
“Spin”?
To those of opposing views it is.
Successful framing of an issue is not about creating jargon for
the purpose of being intentionally misleading. It is forceful,
straightforward, articulate, with moral conviction and without
hesitation.
Reframing requires a rewiring of the brain. It takes an
investment of time, effort, and money to overcome existing
frames such as myths about “open records” impinging on
others’ rights.
M. Riben: Equal Access 7
8. An Example of Reframing
The Pro-Life movement framed the abortion argument to
make it about life, death and murder.
In doing so, they take high moral ground and contain
the debate to arguments about when life begins.
Pro-choice proponents, not allowing themselves to be
painted as anti-life, reframed the argument making it
about freedom to chose; a woman’s right to personal
health, family, and medical decisions…putting it in the
realm of reproductive rights such as birth control.
M. Riben: Equal Access 8
9. R. Buckminster Fuller
"You never change things by fighting the
existing reality.
To change something,
build a new model that makes
the existing model obsolete."
M. Riben: Equal Access 9
10. Another Example of Reframing
Recently, same sex marriage has been
reframed as “Marriage Equality.”
This shifted and refocused the morality of the
the issue from one of “legitimizing” gay sex to
ending discrimination against same sex couples
and allowing equal access to resources,
benefits and entitlements - in business and
government - such as health care.
M. Riben: Equal Access 10
11. The “How Tos” of Framing
Be proactive not reactive.
Get your values out on your terms.
Create talking points and sound bytes
Articulate repeatedly the moral and ethical basis
Keep them VALUE focused:
equality family honesty
truth ethics transparency
justice responsibility authenticity
human rights fairness integrity
M. Riben: Equal Access 11
12. “Don’ts” of Framing
Do not use the opposition's language
Correcting a lie with the truth or trying to
negate false assertions keeps the argument
in their frame
Do not react, argue, or operate on the defensive
Reacting echoes and ACTIVATES the
opposition’s frame and values.
Your message is not heard or, even worse,
reinforces their ideas.
M. Riben: Equal Access 12
13. Framing is not Blaming
It is convenient to blame our problems on the media.
The NCFA lies and uses Orwellian language to distort the truth,
and the media have been lax, repeating their false allegations.
But it is not the job of reporters to make us critical thinkers. They
simply report using the frames and language presented to them.
We can, however, establish and demand our own set of
politically correct terms, not those set in place by those
who profit from our separations
We can control how and what we communicate and not operate
within our opposition’s frame.
We can correct those we are in contact with and those who
interview us.
M. Riben: Equal Access 13
14. Current Frames & Language in
Adoption Reform
THEIRS OURS
Sealed Records Open Records for
Adult Adoptees
Amended Birth
Original Birth
Certificates Certificate
Privacy
Confidentiality
Anonymity
M. Riben: Equal Access 14
15. Long Journey
Adoptees have been seeking, speaking and writing about
“open records” almost since they were sealed.
Jean Paten, adoptee and social worker founded Orphan
Voyage in 1953 and wrote The Adopted Break Silence in
1954 and Orphan Voyage in 1968.
ALMA (Adoptees' Liberty Movement Association) has been
working on search, reunion and open records issues since
1971.
AAC (American Adoption Congress) was founded in 1978 as
an umbrella for the myriad of local search, reunion and open
records groups.
In 1996 Bastard Nation became incorporated, making open
records an issue of “rights” not search and reunion.
M. Riben: Equal Access 15
16. What’s Been Accomplished?
After fifty-six years of speaking out against sealed
adoption records that experts agreed should not have
been sealed to begin with - and which were never sealed
to protect adoptees or the families they were born into…
FOUR STATES have ended discrimination and
restored equal access.
Less than one per decade:
Alabama New Hampshire
Maine Oregon
M. Riben: Equal Access 16
17. Four others have SOME access with conditions
and restrictions applicable only to adoptees:
Delaware - No-contact vetoes are available to birth parents.
Kentucky – with permission of birth parents via intermediary
Nebraska – over 25 with consent of birth parent; adoptive
parent can override
Tennessee - No-contact vetoes are available to birth parents.
And, Two States were never sealed:
Alaska Kansas
M. Riben: Equal Access 17
18. How Does Our “Success” Rate
Compare?
“Open Records”
4 states (plus 2 never sealed and 4 others with
restrictions) since the 1950’s
Other grass roots efforts:
Legalized medical marijuana – 13 states since 1996
Same sex marriage – 4 states just since 2003
Another 7 have civil union
(as of April, 2009)
M. Riben: Equal Access 18
19. Uses and activates the opposition's frame:
‘sealed records’
Sounds scary - like opening
Pandora's Box or
the notorious can of worms
Implies records might
be open to the public
Suggests adoptees are seeking something special”
M. Riben: Equal Access 19
20. Invites arguments such as:
violation of privacy
conflict of “rights”
alleged promises of confidentiality and anonymity
anonymity
under what conditions?
what “protections”
o Vetoes?
o Consent?
o Intermediaries?
M. Riben: Equal Access 20
21. Open What Records?
An “Open Records” frame is
vague, unclear, and creates confusion
What records would/should be available?
Court records?
Hospital records? Doctors’?
HIPPA protected records?
Open to whom?
Attorneys’?
The adoptee’s? When?
Adoptive parents
Birth family?
Confidential intermediaries?
M. Riben: Equal Access 21
22. Is simple, clear, specific and unambiguous
Relies on the recognized and accepted value of equality
Asks that adoption affected citizens have the SAME
RIGHT to their own birth certificate as all other
citizens
Restores rights that were abrogated only since the
1940’s (in most states)
Nothing more - and nothing less. Nothing “special.”
M. Riben: Equal Access 22
23. The “Equal Access” Frame
Focuses the issue on values of equality and human
rights which Americans hold in high regard
Sets aside issues of search, reunion, emotions or even
medical records which effects the rights of others and
thus eliminates all discussion of compromise “solutions”
such as intermediaries, vetoes, registries and waivers.
Brings understanding and empathy to those separated
by adoption as a discriminated against class of people.
Equality is virtually impossible to argue against or
compromise
M. Riben: Equal Access 23
24. Noam Chomsky
“‘Framing’ – [is] a style of speech wherein the
speaker ‘frames’ his topic in such a manner that
his or her statements
are treated as established fact,
and do not invite debate.”
M. Riben: Equal Access 24
25. Adults Only?
“Open Records” for adult adoptees validates the
opposition claim that
there is something
inherently dangerous
in revealing the truth.
Furthers the concept
that there is shameful and potentially dangerous that
needs “protecting.”
Compromises our equality argument.
Why impose our own restrictions or conditions?
M. Riben: Equal Access 25
26. Equality demands adoptees
be given access to their birth
certificate at whatever age
non-adoptees in the same
state have access.
States such as Louisiana and
Maryland have no age
requirement, and for some it
is 16. All states, ironically,
require proof of identification.
M. Riben: Equal Access 26
27. Birth Certificates
birth' certif"icate
http://dictionary.infoplease.com/birth-certificate
an official form recording the birth of a baby and containing pertinent
data, as name, sex, date, place, and parents.
BIRTH CERTIFICATE (noun)
http://www.audioenglish.net/dictionary/birth_certificate.htm
a copy of the official document giving details of a person's birth
birth certificate
http://www.answers.com/topic/birth-certificate
n. An official record of the date and place of a person's birth, usually
including the names of the parents.
M. Riben: Equal Access 27
28. Definition of Amend
A-mend verb
1. to alter, modify, rephrase, or add to or subtract from
(a motion, bill, constitution, etc.) by formal procedure:
Congress may amend the proposed tax bill.
2. to change for the better; improve: to amend one's
ways.
3. to remove or correct faults in; rectify.
Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1) ; American Heritage Dictionary
M. Riben: Equal Access 28
29. Amended Means Corrected
When information is entered incorrectly on a child’s birth
certificate, or the parents change their mind about some
information, the birth certificate is corrected, but forever
shows the original information as well as what it was
changed to.
Not so in the case in adoption where the original
information is totally obliterated and a totally new birth
certificate is issued with no indication that it has been
“amended” or changed in any way.
Examples…
M. Riben: Equal Access 29
30. r
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M. Riben: Equal Access 30
31. Amended / Corrected
You can see in this certificate of a non-adopted person the
both the original information and the change clearly.
Despite several requests it has been impossible for the
person or his parents who requested the change to obtain
a “clean” birth certificate without the change.
THIS is an amended birth certificate.
M. Riben: Equal Access 31
32. Birth certificate with name
corrected
Address also changed.
Note strike through.
M. Riben: Equal Access 32
33. Adoptees in the U.S. are Issued
Falsified Birth Certificates, which:
Are state committed fraud
Are not corrected or amended in the usual manner
Eradicate all evidence of having been changed or altered
Falsely list adoptive parents as parents of birth
Can falsify the date and place of birth, and have even changed the race
of the individual
Bases one’s life on a lie
Exist only for adopted persons creating discrimination and inequality
Create difficulty obtaining passports and even drivers’ licenses
M. Riben: Equal Access 33
34. Historic Opposition
The Children’s Bureau’s 1941 study suggested
“… that a certificate of adoption might be
preferable to a new, amended birth
certificate ‘since the child was not actually
born to the adopting parents
as the amended birth record implies’.”
M. Riben: Equal Access 34
35. Problem? Solution!
PROBLEM: Adoptees do not want a certificate that
indicates their adoption status.
SOLUTION: Many adoptees – and non-adoptees -
never see their birth certificate until adult.
In
many states short form birth certificates have name
and date of birth and are acceptable for any legal
purpose necessary.
InScotland the short form for adoptees appears the
same as anyone else's - it lists the adoptive parents
as the parents. The long form indicates that they are
adoptive parents. At age 16, adoptees have the right
to obtain their original birth certificates.
M. Riben: Equal Access 35
36. Problem? Solution!
Any time a child is able to
Adoptees do not want a verbalize such a discomfort,
different surname than a legal name change can
their parents. be made.
It might make Goal is achieved via a
children feel insecure simple, inexpensive
about their ties to the legal procedure, while
family keeping the original birth
certificate intact
M. Riben: Equal Access 36
37. Framing the Issue on Falsified
Birth Certificates
Focuses on state committed fraud
Focuses on discriminatory practices that apply only to
those affected by adoption
Takes the wind out of the argument of “protecting”
another’s’ “privacy”
Exposing falsified birth certificates is shocking to most
people with no connection to, or knowledge of, adoption
and would garner far more support than opening up,
uncovering, a “secret” that might (allegedly) hurt
someone.
M. Riben: Equal Access 37
38. Proactive and Retroactive
Reforms
From this point forward:
The end of falsification of birth certificates
upon adoption.
For those adopted in the past:
Rescinding outdated, discriminatory access
laws
M. Riben: Equal Access 38
39. SUMMARY:
Equal Access &
No Falsified Birth Certificates
is better understood and more universally supported by
the public
focuses on the rights of ALL persons separated by
adoption to birth certificates that apply to them, puts
mothers and their children on an even plane instead of
adversaries
will engender greater support from mothers who lost
children to adoption and organizations that represent
them such as Origins-USA
M. Riben: Equal Access 39
40. Strategies for Change
Understand framing
Develop literature that makes the public and legislators
aware of the real issue: EQUALITY versus
discrimination
Use the history of opposition to falsified records and
who has consistently opposed it as ammunition
Seek ballot initiatives wherever possible
Explain and communicate the difference between
proactive and retroactive changes sought
Spread the word to “reformers” in all states
M. Riben: Equal Access 40
41. It’s High Time to Try a New
Win-Win Approach:
Nothing to loose and all to gain
M. Riben: Equal Access 41