A Dad's Journey Through International Adoption: Just checking in

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Just checking in

Wednesday, May 23, 2007

I still have no real news but I should probably say that I'm not staying away from posting because I'm upset. The main reason I'm maintaining the adoption on the back burner is that, for lack of a better analogy, a watched pot never boils.

It's easy to be mad at the current situation for it impacts the lives of thousands of kids who desperately need more one on one time, better nutrition, better health care, etc. But if you are logical and intelligent, which pardon me for throwing modesty aside, I feel I am, it is difficult to level the anger at the appropriate parties.

First we don't know exactly who is holding up the reaccreditation process. Granted it's probably not anyone within the MOE and more than likely it's folks within the Ministry of Justice or Ministry of Internal Affairs, but those are large organizations and it's reasonable to assume the real thorn is probably just some meaningless little simpleton bureaucrat who sees himself as a champion of Russian nationalism.

Isn't it funny how people who beat their chest about being a true patriot are usually the most psychotic. I forget who said it but one of my other favorite quotes states "All the war-propaganda, all the screaming and lies and hatred, comes invariably from people who are not fighting." And whoever the official or officials are that are holding up reaccreditation probably have never even been to one of their own orphanages.

Most everyone has heard the sadistic quote by Robert Duvall's character in the movie Apocalypse Now about loving the smell of napalm in the morning. But as he ends that disturbing monologue he nods at Martin Sheen and says..."Someday this war's gonna end."

Yep, that's true, they all eventually do. But in the interim they sure cause a lot of misery. And someday this prime example of the negative aspects of legislation and the workings of government will end too. I knew there was a good reason why I could never lead a political life.

For those still in the process and who need a word of encouragement, keep in mind that overwhelming majority of Russian government officials who can impact adoptions support international adoption. And the preponderance of the current legislation has been designed to make the adoption process run more smoothly in the future than it has in the past.

Until something really interesting comes out I probably won't be posting too much. Stef said I don't necessarily have to post about adoption issues, but I think the topics that I wish to share my thoughts aren't all that interesting for the typical adoptive parent. That's one of the funny things about adoption. It really cuts across all economic, cultural, and religious lines. You really get a sense for the fantastic variety of Americans out there. On the other hand, it's also a bit frightening when you see how "mainstream" can be somewhat "extreme" on a few topics.

posted by Steveg @ 1:18 PM

1 Comments:

At 4:32 PM, Unknown said…

I'm glad you feel most of the new regulations are meant to make things move more smoothly. I hope so. I think it was last week that Condeleeza Rice was in Russia talking to Putin. I took that as a good sign. Let's hope there is some trickle down from their talk.
Love, Mother

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I'm Steve and this is my wife Stefanie. This is our story, mostly seen through my eyes, of the journey to create our family by adopting a child from Russia.

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