There's some bizarre happenings in the news today regarding who has rights to a child. Have you read about it? If not, you need to be informed. This is serious stuff.

Apparently, there's a child in England who is at risk of being removed from the one thing he knows and loves - his family. Mainly, his mother. Nicola McKeown is being blamed for her son's obesity. Eight year old Connor McCreaddie is three times the normal weight of a healthy child his age - he weighs 218 pounds. The news did not report whether or not this is due to a medical condition. But, it did report that the health department in that area is ready to snatch Connor out of his home - unless his mother changes his diet immediately and helps him lose weight.

Maybe you think that's noble? Honorable? Helpful? Loving? Think again, my friend. I can promise you there is no love lost in that health department. And if they take this child, it will set a precedent for future cases to come. Oh, it's in England you say? It will never be that way here? Doubtful. We're one big world now. What happens in England will definitely affect what happens in America. Mark my word.

We all need to stop and think about this seriously. What happens if the health department who "loves" our children so much better than we do, decides that your child must be removed from home because you gave her a candy bar before dinner? Why, that's an unhealthy habit. Or maybe you decide to discipline your pre-teen for smoking without permission? Or you punish your toddler for hitting you by setting him in the corner? Or giving him a fast swat to show him the consequences of lying? Hmmmm - could you be next?

The scariest part of this whole story is that on a poll taken at AOL today, 47% of the people agree that the health department should remove Connor from the home if his mother does not change his diet and make him lose weight. 34% say he should stay home and a whopping 20% just don't know. Well, let me tell you, my friends - you better be deciding how you feel quickly because before you know it, it might be your child at risk of being removed from your home all because you served fattening mashed potatoes with butter for supper.

Think about it.