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EDITOR: With the possible exception of various totalitarian governments common to the Eastern Bloc, I have seldom seen any organization more allergic to critical analysis and examination than KIDS of El Paso and its band of desperate followers. That, perhaps, is because those governments and this organization have so much in common. As usual, I the *** and *** letters offer nothing more than the usual hysterical simplistic analysis that begs the objections of those of us who dare question this godsend. Sworn statements in written and oral form complain of physical abuses and deprivations that would not be tolerated if directed toward convicted murderers and rapists but are praised by some of the misguided big names around town who visit upon their children and others' the consequences of the shortcomings of their parenting. In addition to questions of overt physical excess, one must wonder how a child's rehabilitative program is endangered by allowing a child privacy during a bowel movement. The accolades fail to mention outbreaks of head lice and scabies that can be avoided by elementary hygiene, but, of course, it's hard for a child to clean himself adequately in a 60-second or 120-second shower. Try it sometime. So much for the "loss of some privacy or creature comforts." A mentality such as that of Dr. *** is alarming when it challenges a system of law that extricated an adult from being restrained in KIDS. Dr. *** might do well to relocate his practice to a country where the society's views more closely parallel his own ideology. He incorrectly stated that I got a "teenage boy" out of the program "against the wishes of his parents.” The truth is that the "boy" was an adult, and he was removed from the program, as was his sister, with the full blessing and participation of the father. But of what consequence is a misstatement or two when spoken in the name of such a noble cause? Just ask Oliver North. With all the attention paid of late to the conditions afforded dogs at the animal shelter, it would be nice to see us spend a fraction of the same concern on the conditions human children are subjected to. Before placing your child in this in this program. Consult local psychiatrists and psychologists, not plastic surgeons, obstetricians, and anesthesiologists. Look at the alternatives. Make an informed choice.
- ***, Attorney at Law, El Paso
