So, what do you make of this? -----
CONWAY, N.H. (AP) -- A New Hampshire town selectman's comment that many women use domestic violence claims as a gimmick during divorce is drawing ire from a group that helps victims of abuse.
Conway selectman Crow Dickinson made the comment to explain why his board recommended the town not provide funding to Starting Point, an agency that provides services for victims of domestic and sexual violence.
Selectman voted 4 to 1 on Tuesday against providing $7,500 for Starting Point. The agency's supporters have responded with e-mails, letters, phone calls and an Internet-based publicity campaign to call attention to the comments.
County attorney Robin Gordon says the comments are a blatant example of Neanderthal thinking.
Dickinson says he's sorry he upset some people.
It is absolutely true that many women fabricate tales of abuse in order to increase their chances for child custody, support, and alimony. And it is equally true that far too many abuse counselors subscribe to the notion that no woman could possibly lie about such a thing, believing every piece of tripe tossed at them.
But do you cut off funding for organizations that are needed in cases where the woman is not a bald faced liar? And how do you go about balancing the needs of those truly in trouble with the con artists of the world?
Perhaps if organizations who provide assistance actually did due diligence in investigating claims then such a situation would not have arisen.
