But I read everything on the internet with a grain of salt - unless I know the author. And I don’t know her. I think it’s perfectly normal to have doubts, to raise an eyebrow in a situation like this.

So I emailed a tip to the University of Chicago Maroon (the main student paper). I have no idea if they will “investigate,” but if the story is true, then it absolutely deserves to be publicized as it shows a serious flaw in the CPS/DCFS/hospital system in Chicago - I think we can all agree that no one would want to see something like this happen again.

The fact is, you linked to LL’s blog, and we all know how sitemeters and statcounters work, and that she would be led back here through a click on her page. I understand that some people might have been thinking what you wrote, but for LL to be forced to look at it when she is going through some of the most awful stuff that can happen to a person is a little lacking in empathy. I’ve been reading her blog for almost a year and believe in her and JP and Landon as much as I do in you and J and E and Beloved.

I understand what you were trying to say; I just think the timing was a little inconsiderate. I imagine it might have been better received had you waited till after the Tuesday hearing (especially if there was a positive outcome), but I’m even more appalled by the vitriol of some of the commenters here. Completely uncalled for.

I’m as much a cynic as anyone, I suppose. So I understand if some think that it’s all a ruse, or look back over LL’s blog and wonder if she’s hiding some horrible secret, or whatever.

Well, no, actually–I won’t understand, because if there’s one thing about LL it’s that she’s consistent and consistently FAR more open with personal information than I would ever be comfortable with. Her life is an open book and anyone can stop by and read a chapter or two. If you took the time to read back over the last year of entries, you would see the story unfold and the characters reveal themselves as true, and human, and flawed.

But not as abusers. Never, ever that.

Now, about the fund. I was sitting next to her in the hospital when she got the message about the fund being set up. She gasped, and clasped her hand over her mouth, and pointed at the screen to get JP to look at it. And there it was, at the lowest and most horrible moment of their young lives–when the entire Establishment was calling them criminal and taking away their baby, they knew that someone, somewhere, believed in them.

It was, for them, a miracle. A sorely needed boost. The money, well, I’ve no idea how much has come in and I’ve no idea what their bills will end up being, but they’re not going to get rich. And they would give away everything that they owned and more if it meant this awfulness never happened.

And finally, as for JP’s job, I will only say that he is young, and that not all entry level jobs are glamorous and well-paid.

Zuska, my dear, I’ve missed you. Congrats on finishing school, and I love the look of your new blog.

This is the perfect post.

I have an anonymous blog with a rather clever Pseudonym (if I don’t say so myself) as well as one that is not at all anonymous.

I see the benefits of both and the discomfort of money both ways.

But if you feel like you need a good night’s sleep chuck some money at APLA or LLS and tell them I sent ya.

The paypal thing creeps me out since the McCanns collected over a million POUNDS (more than dollars folks) and are still collecting.

I read the blog and have no preconceived notions of who this woman is and I wouldn’t rule out child abuse for a moment.

Sorry.

I care about kids more than adults and I stand firm.

Even if JP makes that much money, six figures in Chicago is comparable to what my husband makes here in Smallville when you take into account differences in cost of living. And yes, that means you live very comfortably — when you aren’t suddenly hit with insane medical bills, and in their case, legal fees. There’s also the fact that LL will be going on to make big money at a Big Firm. However, she isn’t right now. And most hospitals and lawyers aren’t going to just say, “Oh no big deal, you just pay us when you have the money someday, in the meantime we’ll keep working without getting paid.”

I agree with PT-Lawmom. LL’s someone who needs help at this very moment. Someday she’ll be in a position to help someone else that needs it, and I’m sure she’ll remember how people she didn’t even know helped her out when she needed it, whether it was through giving her money, doing research for her, or just leaving a supportive comment.

I think it’s nice people are coming out in support of LL. Yes, maybe it’s naive to believe in someone you’ve never met, don’t necessarily know their real name, or if all of their story is even accurate. And certainly, it’s a story told from one perspective. But I think it speaks to the good of people willing to put their hearts on the line in support of a fellow mom. Assuming it’s not an elaborate internet conspiracy, of course.

Also on the point of skepticism and the internet, I encourage you to check out a recent BoingBoing post concerning a story that is eerily on-topic. (Link to actual story at end of BB post. Credit where it’s due, etc.)

http://www.boingboing.net/2007/10/12/using-the-internet-t.html

Knowing what I do of big firms, especially ones who are in competition with another for a candidate they’re interested in (which is usually the case when someone splits their summer), it was not surprising to me that LL received payment for her missed time, and I personally can’t imagine NOT accepting such a thing.

Finally - I had/have no idea what LL’s husband does. I can’t imagine a job in the world (other than Bill Gates’ or Oprah’s) that would cover the legal and potential medical bills (a week-plus hospital stay with no medical reason?) that will be incurred.

There are several other bloggers who I’ve had outside-blog conversations with. Of course, this all happens by chance. Something particularly strikes a chord, there’s something super-in common or a discrete thought shared. If LL and I had one of those conversations in the past, I know I would feel the same as PT, Divine Angst, CM and the real life friend of LL posted above.

But the response LL is getting to her situation on the internet is not only from those who know her. And having hundreds and hundreds of people being swept away in this manner is what sits poorly with me. Like I said - I do not think that LL doesn’t necessarily deserve this - and I did not say “this is a hoax.” It does make me feel hinky about the internet communities, and the effect on our lives as individuals, and our real life communities. And the *potential* for (emotional as well as financial) manipulation.

As for the previous anonymous comment, I don’t think we can speculate about her husband’s salary, and I know of plenty of other big firms that have done the same thing for summer associates who have gotten sick or had babies or were unable to continue working for some reason beyond their control. I seriously doubt she went to the firm asking for money, and if they offered, why shouldn’t she accept? If your employer said to you, “We’re so sorry you couldn’t complete your contract, but we’d like to pay you,” you would say, “No, I don’t want your money?”

If you look at LL’s blog, commenters came up with the idea to contribute. Frankly, she is in a desperate situation — I would absolutely hate to ask people for money, but if the alternative was not being able to afford the legal fees to get my son back, I would do it. I would do anything I could and anything I had to. But, as LL commented above, if it bothers you just don’t do it.