T-Bone42

But were you looking for a job shoveling manure at a horse farm?

that kicks ass... weird? yes. but also kickass.

how were their living conditions "unacceptable"?

prob something with not paying taxes. The government of the US doesn't cope very well with folks who don't fit into their little categories.

every looked up voluntary homelessnes? they REALLY don't know what to do with that.

for all the talk about homeschooling, well I don't think it's necissarily all that great, really it's only as good as the parents, and it stunts a childs social skills

there are a couple kids who live across the street from me who are homeschooled, and they are sad lonely little freaks, they keep trying to come over hang out with me, which really worries me because I am alomst old enough to be their father

I almost ran over one of them with my car when he decided the ride his bike right infront of me and then fell off it, scared the hell out of me, but he was ok

it's just so sad though because I can tell that they have no friends at all, they also always want to play with my nephew who is quite a bit younger then they are

ohh yeah they also wander around in my yard, and in my garage if I leave the door open, did I mention they are freaks? ok maybe that's a little harsh to call a kid that young a freak, but they freak me out, in a Children of the Corn sort of way

not that I am saying all homeschooled kids are that way, but I think those kids would really benifit from by being with their peers

I'm going to Portland next fall to start college. I wonder if the daughter will be a classmate

You won't be able to tell because all portland woman look like they've been living in the woods for years, Well I should say look and smell like they've been in the woods for years..Their bodies don't resemble anyone who's been active and lived off the land.

Usually the homeschooled kids I've seen were a bit more supervised than that, and had lots of activities with other homeschooled kids and stuff like Scouts or other local groups. These days you have a lot of support for homeschooling in most areas, they have things worked out a bit better since there are a lot more homeschoolers out there. The "lonely freaks" are a result of either hyper-intensive supervision or a dropoff in effort/interest by the parent. Most of the time a homeschooled student will come out well-adjusted to work with people of all ages, instead of being a fish out of water if they're not surrounded by people exactly like them.

It's amazing. Somebody actually about having freedom to live how they want and getting away with it.

Great headline.

Hello_Kthullu: Oh, you've been to Lloyd Center, too?

Cardanger,
I call shenanigans on your post. No other kids live in your neighborhood? You talk as if these homeschool kids are cattle grazing around the neighborhood. You may see them hanging out together, but that doesn't mean they have no friends. Unless, of course, you're the neighborhood child molester and you're scoping out your next victims.

Unbelievable! I thought for sure they were going to ship her off to some abusive foster home where she'd be forged into a bitter outcast and neglected into misery.

Oh wow... I have lots to say about this. What right do people have to dictate (and that's exactly what it is) where other people live. I know lots of people that live off the land, go into town once every 2 or three months to get supplies and live a very happy existance. Its actually quite common place where I'm from. I now live in toronto, but I used to live in a small, one could say "hicktown" in the far reaches of northern ontario... Ok, so most people are seriously stuck in the 80's and nothing every changes, but they're happy, and their lives are pretty simple. If living in the city doesnt work out for me, I'd do it... I honestly dont see a problem with that... Good for them! Shame on the government!

1. That Sgt. Barkley is a

2. "Their living conditions are unacceptable." Really? I've seen lean-tos in Florida that are a hell of a lot worse, and right along the interstate, nobody is trying to save those children.

3. If the girl is functioning at a grade level 5 years beyond her age, than other than squatting--which, since one person in four years even noticed them, is irrelevant--what's the damn problem?

Leave them alone! Let them live! Why is it that if you live "off the grid" in this country, you must be the Unabomber? Why does everyone have to go to college, buy a house, get married, have 2.3 kids, retire and die to be considered "normal" in this country? Why can't we just leave people the f*** alone???

What a nice story to kick off the weekend.

It's a shame they couldn't have been left in peace where they were - if that's what they wanted.
I hope they adjust back to living in the community.

I hope her father sends her to school - only for the social side of it, as she'd obviously fly through the work.

It'll be really interesting to see how the story is followed up in a few years, and what becomes of them.

In oregon, this doesnt surprise me. I can see it happening in washington state too. And just what would soulsire think of this girls HS experience and GPA, I wonder...

At first I was also going to give to her college fund, but think about it--if she's that intelligent, and also indigent, she can go to Oregon (or pretty much anywhere else) for free in a few years if she gets good enough grades in public school (which as noted above she should fly right through).

Save your money to put your own kids through college. By the time they get there, you're sure gonna need it.

Fark posts a lot of articles that fall on the "stupid americans" subject. This article clearly falls on a whole different category.

If there were more people like Frank, Ruth and even Sgt. Barkley, the world would be without a doubt a better place.

And by the way, there are a lot of families which live in great houses and have money to spare but are as decadent as it can get.

I'm surprised we haven't had some right-wingers on here railing about how he shouldn't be getting a government check blah blah blah.

Aias

You're pretty farking stupid if you think us right-wingers are going to complain about an ex-Marine veteran getting his rightful (and pitiful) $400 pension.

I'm not even against the concept of welfare, I've seen it used properly and even been on the receiving end in tougher times; there's just some major abuses going on in the system, that's all. If I can pay a small amount more taxes so that I have a safety net when the bottom drops out, that's smart insurance. It's the slobs living on it for years that get our ire up.

sorry cbm5, i didn't mean to imply that those with highly conservative leanings would automatically be opposed to this guy receiving pension benifits.

There are just a few folks on fark that seem to take issue with anyone getting anything resembling a handout from the government, whether that is the reality of the situation or not.

disability check vs. pension check... quite different things.

Well, I haven't really seen what you're talking about. Maybe a few people would make a joking comment to that effect. But I think most people realize that goverment is never going to be totally disconnected from social involvement. A lot of things like road construction, communications, and weather reporting are good matches for a bureaucratic system. Using the government to aid people in need is pretty inefficient, but the logistics of targeting needy people and helping them would be mind-boggling without a bureaucratic system. Unfortunately a lot of bloat is in our current government, and the inefficiency is off the charts. Fortunately, computerized systems are beginning to take over the work that formerly required acres of desk space. That move payrolls out of the government and into the private sector, where money is handled more efficiently because it's theirs.

I have used welfare in the past. Worked for 2 years with a great salary, paid tons of taxes in the 38% range. Was laid off, got food stamps of 140/mnth for about 6 months. It helped me out SO much. Before getting them, I literally had no food, was down to 1 bag of ramon noodles. I had never been laid off, and didnt realize how hard it was to find a good job. It is very scary not to have food if you have never been there. Got employed again and got off. I dont mind paying partially for it, but hate arseholes who claim benefits under 10 different names, or have more kids to get more money. Welfare just might save your life one day. It saved mine. Lets face it, I can put off 40k in student loans, I can even slide by with rent with constant communication with landlords and such, but you dont have food you dont eat.

Sweet Zombie Jesus, could that article have more ads?

/awwww Makes me feel all warm inside. Nice to see everyone agree that the cop is a "her".

Nicest story for a while!

Very cool. And no "I'd hit it."

I'm either very proud or very disappointed in you all. I'll let you know when I decide.

Interesting story, but I am still not sure why they weren't left alone as they seemed to be doing fine on their own. Mind you, the dad seemed quite pleased about sending his daughter to college, so that's something.

Be interesting to see how this develops.

"What was so clear was that their living conditions were unacceptable, but their relationship was a real deep love and caring for each other"

They appeared healthy, well fed, and clean. Their campsite looked pretty nice in the photos. I liked their solution for keeping food cool. I don't know whats so unacceptable about that.

I hitchhiked around the country. I spent a good amount of time in Oregon, it's beautiful in the woods out there. Especially in southern Oregon. I bet they're going to miss their home in the woods.

I really didnt understand why it was so unnacceptable either, other than maybey the authorities had a problem with sanitation and such.

Upon RTFAMC, the father and daughter are happy about their reintegration into society. So, I retract my previous sarcastic blabber. Cop and dad =

Anyone else see this gem on the same site:
Woman who sold unborn baby twice on the Internet is jailed

A father raising his daughter in the woods, or an expectant mother who's already selling her child on the futures market. If that's not a contrast, I don't know what is.

/embrace diversity
//would live in the woods too, but only if I could get broadband :)

I once did some volunteer work (read community service after DUI) in Orange County, California. We came across a small homeless housing camp off of a highway exit ramp and behind a warehouse. One guy had built a small hut out of scrap lumber. He had tapped into the underground electricity to the warehouse. He had a couple of hanging lights and an indoor cooking area with chemical burners. We were forced to tear it down. He told me he had been living there for 5 years. He rode off on his bicycle with all of the belongings that he could carry.

Seems to me that a bunch of school districts would want to hire him as a teacher.

In fact, the girl received a very good education from her father while living among the trees. Officials said the girl, who would be normally in 7th grade, is at a 12th grade equivalency.

Later, in that very same article...

The father has done a wonderful job of educating the girl, says police. She reportedly performs at a 12th grade level.

OK, you numbnutted bastards, we get it, she's at a 12th grade level. A few things about this - how was this determination made? Just guessing? Did they bring her a Snickers and a standardized test in the middle of the woods? Did the 11th grade level reporter proofread his article and realize he was being unnecessarily redundant?

//I've been up for over 24 hours, so if I make no sense, that's cool.

statmanBBB,

http://www.sbcbaptistpress.org/bpnews.asp?ID=18334

She apparently was tested; it doesn't say how specifically.

yeah, for once a cop doing what should be done...thinking!! Doing the right thing!! Finally! HERO TAG!

-T

That link should have a new tag: 'Spiffy Hero'

/warm fuzzies

This is a beautiful story, to be sure. But ... doesn't it seem a little too perfect?

Like statmanBBB says, how do they know she's at the 12th grade level, how carefully can they check that. So she's full of facts, but can she use them logically, in a planning session, with other people?

No cavities, ok, cool, good natural grown food. Were they never hungry, crops never failed? No other illnesses?

They don't want to be separated, beautiful, genuine familial harmony. Shock time people -- barring accident or other tragedy, all of us will bury our parents. When you marry, you leave home and start another familiy.

Sorry if having a civilization is a big downer for some people, but humans have lived in groups (at least small ones) for 'bout a million years now.

Any other news souces with the same story that's a little more neutral? Sorry to seem harsh, but this story is hippie fap material.

Not to mention, Arkcon that "12th Grade Level" in most states means "Able to drool out of certain side of mouth in reaction to certain questions or orders."

Which brings to mind:



Holy christ, these users better get here friggin' fast and test this shiat, I'm fading fast. I'm going to be speaking in tounges soon.

Mobile home vs Forest Living. How many would chose which is trully the question.

God forbid this guy go out and get a job.

living in forest = bum

Nice one statmanBBB. I can fully appreciate your state of mind after seeing that. Good luck in your dedicated sleep fast.

Anyone ever see the PBS Frontier special? This reminds me of that, cept noone on that show would have made it through the Montana winter, despite the fact that they were given a budget and certain supplies.

/ don't think he's a bum. Think he's a smart mo fo who tried to say FU to an ugly society.

This is a great story for the worthless public school advocates and teachers. Four years spent out in the farking woods with an unwashed hippy and a bible equals a better education than fifty in your typical public school learning such important concepts as "diversity."

"In fact, the girl received a very good education from her father while living among the trees. Officials said the girl, who would be normally in 7th grade, is at a 12th grade equivalency."

Songfemme Not to threadjack, but I'm at 26 hours and counting. If it weren't for caffiene and once in a while imitating that .gif to keep the blood flowing, I would have fallen over hours ago.

And so this is not a COMPLETE threadjack:

churchill72 - They also said the girl was very polite and well-spoken. Go find a 12 year old kid in any given public school and see if "polite" and "well-spoken" leap to mind without scathing preceeding negatives.

Ummm, people, I don't think this girls aptitude can be attributed to her lack of television. I'd lay down everything I own betting she's as smart and able as she is because she was being raised well. In unusual circumstances, sure, but I'm guessing she could cook her own meals. She could probably wash her own clothes. She probably had SKILLS and an actual realization that she had to be able to care for herself, she wouldn't always be able to rely on someone else to wipe her ass for her. I think that's the huge difference between kids of modern society and kids from prior generations and kids raised in relative isolation like this.

I am sure some social worker will get their slimy claws into this girl and bring charges against the father for something. Imagine all the animals she has probably killed with her bare hands. Imagine how many times she probably bathed in view of her father. Oh, the horrible things she must have been exposed to all those years in the wilderness.

Yep, ABC movie of the week in 5..4..3..

The point in my rambling is that you don't have to go out and live in the dirt to raise a competent child. It's not the trappings of technology and modern society that destroy children and turn them into simpering brats, it's terrible parenting and parents sheltering their kids from responsibility not only for their own actions but for their own LIFE. By the time a kid hits teenagerdome, they should be fully able to survive on their own. Not necessarily out in the wilderness, which is really just a hobby at this point, but in the society in which they are expected to live the rest of their lives.

I found this following links on feral children:

Looks kinda cuddly.