West Ridge Academy Missionaries Tutor With Love

[_truth dancer]

Hi Bob,

That's right. Buy into the story. Distrust any authority. Accept the word of a 24-year-old kid with no education and unwilling to answer crucial questions about his claims.

Eric's story just confirms and supports my understanding of what goes on there. He is not the only young man I personally know who has attended this particular institution.

Reading the website alone will help you to see some of the issues that exist in this facility. It is not healthy for children, not at all. Do some research.

Again, there is no legitimate reason a child should be raised in an institution.

~td~

[_rcrocket]

Again, there is no legitimate reason a child should be raised in an institution.

~td~

So, it should be shut down in your view? If you were running the state, would you issue today an executive order shutting it down?

No answer from you? All those kids with no place to go except back home? People out of a job? That's what you're saying, right. State officials just should read GoodK's website; conduct no investigation and just shut the whole place down, as well as others in the state like it, right?

[_marg]

Re: Icy Hot

Bob, here's the link of a post I wrote in Nov. It gives the link to the blog of a fellow who had been at the ranch and the story regarding "icy hot"

I hope that when you read this and believe it, you made a report yourself. Did you? Why not?

[Really, what value is this thing?]

I think it's one bit of corroborating evidence in Eric's favor that he's telling the truth about behavior mod techniques and abuse there.

If he has a lawyer, hopefully the lawyer will make a case. There are some organizations such as CAFETY which are working with some gov't individuals to look into these schools. I have posted a link or two on that.

I'm not an expert on this but I know enough that the little bit Eric has said is consistent with and not atypical of experiences other individuals describe at behavior mod programs.

[_marg]

Why don't you do a bit of research. Look into the history of behavior modification program for teens which have existed I believe since the 70's. Look into it a little bit, don't trust me, but make an effort to inform yourself.

I have. I've been consulted on the issue by distraught parents. I represent private schools.

So is it your opinion that schools which use behavior modification techniques which are abusive, which are designed to break the will down of the kids, ...don't exist?

Maybe you can answer my question. Do you think that state licensing agencies are wrong to license these facilities, and mental health licensed care givers are wrong to put their licenses at risk in these places?

I think it's wrong that there isn't an assessment done independently of parents and of places such as Westridge, perhaps by a psychiatrist to determine whether or not a child warrants being sent to an institution for years at a time.

As far as the actual program, I think the abusive techniques to break a person's will down that are being used should be illegal.

What special qualifications or information do you have which exceeds the professional wisdom of the states of Arizona and California where these things abound?

Excuse me, the schools are private businesses. What independent objective professional assesses the kids before hand, in order to determine whether or not an institutional programme is warranted? You can not trust the institutions themselves to make that assessment, when they are making money off of every single kid that attends.

I know in Canada just to have a kid be put on ritalin takes independent psychiatric assessment. It's not left up to schools or parents to make that assessment. And that's only for taking a commonly used drug, nothing quite as drastic as shipping a kid away to be essentially locked up for years in an institution.

[_rcrocket]

Marg:

Why are you so afraid to answer my questions? If you believe what you say, then is your opinion that that the state should just shut Westridge down today? And all other private boot camps using "behavioral modification" in the state as well?

If you believe what you've read on GoodK's blog, then why haven't you called the cops yourself?

You do a lot of talking and pontificating but won't take a firm position for fear of being backed into a corner, right?

[_marg]

Marg:

Why are you so afraid to answer my questions?

To my knowledge there isn't a question you asked which I've ignored.

If you believe what you say, then is your opinion that that the state should just shut Westridge down today?

I told you what I think... a better system needs to be in place to determine if any kid's behavior warrants going to an institution. I don't think soft to moderate behavior problems warrants such an action.

As far as Westridge goes...I think they need to stop using behavior modification techniques...period.

quote]And all other private boot camps using "behavioral modification" in the state as well? [/quote]

From my readings on behavior modification technique that are being used, I don't think they are appropriate.

If you believe what you've read on GoodK's blog, then why haven't you called the cops yourself?

I live in Canada, but besides that there is nothing on there to call the cops about. As I pointed out the program is wrong. The humilation, the deprivation, are wrong. That's not how to motivate and build up the character of individuals, especially individuals who in most cases were only typical teens.

You do a lot of talking and pontificating but won't take a firm position for fear of being backed into a corner, right?

I don't do a lot of talking Bob, not on this board, and not in real life. You do a lot of ad hominem attacks.

[_rcrocket]

Thoroughly weak rejoinder. Pull out the ad hom card when you're losing.

Every single school, public and private, uses "behavior modification" techniques. It is a fact of education.

[_marg]

Thoroughly weak rejoinder. Pull out the ad hom card when you're losing.

Every single school, public and private, uses "behavior modification" techniques. It is a fact of education.

I have consistently referred to abusive behavior modification techniques used by teen programs, not just behavior modification. If you did some research you'd appreciate what I mean.

I don't know why you have to be so antagonistic in discussion and also play rhetorical games.

[_rcrocket]

So, should Westridge be shut down tomorrow because it uses abusive behavioral control techniques?

[_Jersey Girl]

Would someone mind making a brief list of the abusive behavioral controls that are allegedly employed at Westridge?