BOSTON — The number of children abused or neglected across the state in 2005 could fill Fenway Park, according to House Speaker Salvatore DiMasi.
The startling amount prompted him to create a child-abuse committee, whose members spoke with social workers and child-abuse experts last week to improve the safety of children in Massachusetts.
The House Committee on Child Abuse and Neglect met for the first time and heard testimony from state agencies and private individuals about improvements and future plans for the Department of Social Services, Department of Mental Health, and other associated agencies. The 11-person committee, formed by DiMasi, D-Boston, was triggered by the devastating 2005 case of Haleigh Poutre, which caused lawmakers to examine how the Department of Social Services operates.
House establishes child-abuse committee
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We all have been treated to the peculiar logic which would have liberals weeping and wailing over the plight of baby seals, while not even wincing at living human babies tossed into dumpsters. We have hailed benevolent organizations such a PETA and the wonders they do to save poor little critters, while the same liberals shrug off the mass slaughter of pets at the hands of this same group, and none would squeak at unfair treatment of hapless humans, children of God. So now we have wailing and gnashing of teeth over the fate of a horse by the same, many of whom would turn their backs on similar plight of a human.
Tearful stories of Barbaro abound on the fight to live, to overcome death, but I have yet to find a story addressing the irony.
Another item is lacking here. Felos exclaimed to us all the joys and euphoria of being killed by his accepted methods of euthanasia. Yet, we find a dearth of appreciation of the joys poor Barbaro received at the hands of his own final judges. Here are some stories:
"There seems to be part of us that connects to animals at a different level. It seems to be part of the heart, part of the soul," said Miller, now a church rector in Hawaii.
Animals are also cute, furry and sweet, said Heidi Brasher, director of community outreach for the Houston Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, which works with all kinds of animals.
"We see so many animals that don't have their own voice, animals in tough situations," Brasher said. "People feel a connection because they feel like they can be the voice of that animal."
Death of Barbaro touches many here
“Barbaro was a very special horse, not only because he provided me with the greatest achievement in my career but also because he showed he was a horse with a lot of courage and a lot of will to live,” Prado said. “He fought for eight months and nine days, but unfortunately the laminitis was just too strong.”
Prado honors Barbaro for his ‘courage, will to live’
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