The Times

FOR THE LOVE OF A CHILD

Today the World's news is right at our fingertips, in TVs, computers, phones and, yes, even in newspapers. Some days it seems like we are drowning in information. Bite-size news seems to be the favoured way forward but is getting a tiny glimpse of a story really giving us the chance to have a balanced view.

The biggest story at the moment seems to encompass the story of a father and mother and their young son; Marissa Tasker and JR Chandler and their son AJ. But why is this story in the papers at all? Why has the media decided that it is a matter of public interest that the mother is a mother by adoption only? Why has the media decided that it is a matter of public interest that the mother is in a same sex relationship; even if it is with the charitable angel Bianca Montgomery? The newspapers are calling for equality in father's rights but they are hiding the fact that they have chosen a very bad role model for their platform. As members of the public it is our duty to ask more questions, we need to stop taking news at face value. This issue is not as black and white as it seems, if we only ever see a tiny part of the story can we really decide on what is right?

I have asked questions to find you the full story, you are now free to make up your own mind.

Krystal Carey, mother of Marissa Tasker…

What effect has the media interest had on your daughter?

'It has shattered her. She loves her son… loves him so much. He was the one who helped her cope with her amnesia after the shooting. He was the root of her struggle to get her life back. More than anything she wanted to be his mother again. When she knew nothing else she knew she loved him. She is his mother.'

'Now the newspapers are picturing her as a wicked step-mother keeping a father from his son. I don't know how they can have the gall to question her commitment to that boy. Are they really saying that parents by adoption have less rights and are less loving than parents by birth, because I sadly know that that isn't true.'

'Marissa was raised by adopted parents. I had twins and I couldn't afford to raise both of my girls. I was forced to give one of my beautiful babies up for adoption. It was the hardest thing I have ever done, but I found her a good home. She had a good life and knew nothing but love growing up, that was the most I could give her. And looking at the magnificent woman she has become I know that was enough. She is a wonderful mother and that should never be questioned.'

Adam Chandler, father of JR Chandler…

How do you feel your son is coping with this media interest?

'My son is no longer a concern of mine. He made his choice and he now has to live with it. He does not deserve sympathy or compassion. He took a gun and tried to kill the mother of his child! He destroyed his own life.'

'The only soul I am worried about now is my grandson!'

'Little AJ is happy with his mother, full stop! That is the only thing that counts!'

Erica Kane, mother of Bianca Montgomery…

Having grown up under the media spotlight, how has it effect you? And how do you see it affecting AJ Chandler?

'I have grown up under the media spotlight and so has my daughter, Bianca. It isn't the easiest place to be, especially for a child. There is enough pressure in simply growing up but going through childhood under the watchful eyes of the press is a hundred times more difficult.'

'Bianca had incredible trauma to overcome, her anorexia… her coming out. That is hard enough on its own but to then have a million strangers making judgements on you… I'm still amazed at how well she coped with it and what a wonderful woman she has grown up to become.'

'But this doesn't change the fact that it is not something that a child should endure. Children shouldn't have to worry; they should just concentrate on being happy and having fun. Right now, my daughter's new family are coping with more than enough without having the stress of paparazzi camped out on their front lawn. After the shooting; Marissa is still recovering from her head injury, slowly regaining her lost memories; Bianca has been in and out of hospital and is learning to cope with a disability. And yet both women still want to create a happy home for their children, because they are a family.'

'I cannot understand why the papers are taking the side of a murderer. He shot Marissa in the head, he beat my daughter unconscious, he drank, he was homophobic. Why should he automatically be given access to his child, just because he is biologically related? That doesn't give him the freedom to further traumatise and terrorise his child. If he really cared about his son, then all he should want is his child's happiness. Allowing AJ to be plastered on the front of every paper in the country is one more way to rob that little boy of his happy ending.'

Carol Robinson, attorney for JR Chandler…

How is JR feeling about the media interest in his story?

'He is very grateful for the public support he has received. He is a father fighting for his rights just like so many others.'

'Of course the press is the only place his story can be fairly told. JR is still in a hospital, miles away from his son. He needs to chance to speak out. He has no other way to reach him!'

And how do you feel JR's upcoming murder trial will affect this support?

'No further comment.'

Gregory Patterson, State Governor

Why has one small family become the centre of political interest?

Is this the JR Chandler and Marissa Tasker business? I wouldn't say that they are the centre of political interest. But we are interested in the everyman and it is ever father's right to have access to their child.

Every father?

Well unless there are criminal reasons not to… or violence…

So you are saying you are not aware that JR Chandler faces attempted murder charges against Marissa Tasker? You do not consider that criminal or violent?

No… no I was not..!

Even though your own district attorney is personally acting as prosecutor?

That is not the issue!

Then what is the issue?

All children deserve to be raised in a safe, stable, loving, normal family situation.

Normal? So this a question of sexuality?

No comment!

Dixie Cooney, mother of JR Chandler…

How has the increased media interest affected your family?

'I guess there is a lot of tension right now, but I think the right questions are being asked. My son has been very sick, and there was no question about him having access to his son in the state he was in; it wouldn't have done either of them any good. But I know JR loves his son, losing him to Marissa broke his heart.'

'I don't agree with a lot of things being said in the newspapers, Marissa is no less AJ's mother simply because she didn't give birth to him, but I do believe that JR is recovered and he should be allowed the chance to reach out and make it up to his son. Whether he goes to prison or not, I know he now regrets his actions and is desperate to get his life back.'

'In all honesty when it comes to the press I would prefer it if they kept my family from the front pages. There is a lot that JR and Marissa need to sort out and blazoned across papers in bold headlines is not the place to have a civilised conversation. This is a case of two parents needing the opportunity to decide what is best for their son, this shouldn't be blown up into a war of rights. I know for a fact that isn't what JR wants.'

By Simon Hale

…

The Daily Inquirer

FOR THE LOVE OF MONEY!

A new shocking scandal rocks Pine Valley, Pennsylvania. Marissa Tasker the wicked step-mother hasn't just caught AJ Chandler and Bianca Montgomery under her web, but it would seem Adam Chandler senior is also under her spell.

News has come to light that Adam Chandler has changed his will in her favour, disowning his son and putting his millions in Trust under her control. What more proof do we need that this gold digging schemer's only interested is money. What does she care for a step-child when she has yet another fortune at her fingertips?

And you may ask where Marissa is. Why is she not answering these accusations? She has fled the country with her lesbian lover, doing everything she can to keep a rightful, loving father from his precious son.

…