Build cases against the states for, fraud, violation of civil rights ,

damages for withholding personal information.

Challenge constitutionality of Terminal and Closed Adoption.

Assist judicial, legislative and public awareness through phone and e-mail,

letter writing, word of mouth, web page design.

Contest your adoption as unconstitutional and subpoena the files to prove

it. If they are not handed over then file on first amendment right to

petition and right to confront witnesses.

Build/find a survey of past cases. (Cases by Yesterday's Children and ALMA).

Explore possibilities of a restraining order against the states. Federal

Code On Injunctions or Injunctive relief

Explore denial of information cases.

Explore rights of states?

Explore the adoptee classification as discriminatory.

Offer comments or revisions (including spell checking) of this site, better

links or display and more ideas!.

Seek cases where information is considered "Property". --Surely then

"personal" information would be "personal property"

Examine violation of privacy in keeping private records from an individual.

Proposal: National adoptee day.

This came up and several things are discussed.

Media attention. Planning of media events directed at public awareness of

need for adoption reforms.

Proper use of sound bytes. An unfortunate necessity. given 15 seconds how

can you sum up closed records?

Thoughts & Suggestions:

Goal: End restrictions against "adoptees" as a class, which laws currently

impose.

Appearance: Always look and act responsibly.

Public impression: -- we are all "crying infants" or "children". We need to

show something else.. show resolve, moral strength, and that we are really

just like everybody except that the state refuses our most basic equality

and rights.

Sound-byte: "We are seeking the same rights as non-adoptees to have our

personal information".

Sound-byte: "We demand equal access to our records".

Sound-byte: "Our rights are limited entirely by the bias and actions of

others".

Caution: (reactions) it is typical that we will be perceived as ungrateful.

so point out : --"Adoptees love their parents but the suppression of our

personal records is intolerable."

Caution: (denial) People will exhibit denial. Show that this is something that

cannot be ignored (i.e. a "real" constitutional problem not imagined.)

Question: Why is this issue becoming so important now?

When should this issue have become important?

It has always been important.

Why did women only acquire the right to vote only some 70 years ago?

Why were blacks still slaves only a few generations ago?

Adoptees still happen to be treated as legal property.

Things take time.

Adoptees are about the least powerful class in America because of the way

they are treated in law and in spirit.

We are legally barred from knowing our relatives from birth.

We are called children in the law books.

We are uniting through electronic media.

The way to "win" anything is:

1 Make minimum numbers of mistakes.

2 Make every possible effort in every small way.

3 Have a very clear plan

4 Raise hell

5 Don't bother playing "defense".