The most fundamental element of justice is the universal urge “to be heard”, embodied in the ancient principle of “audi alteram partem”: to listen to the other side. The objective of this website is to finally allow Jeanette Ryken’s side of the story to be told. She is affectionately known as Scuba Jeanette (SJ). Her life and family were shattered, after false accusations were made against her on December 25th, 2012. This is the first bit of negative information people read about when her name is entered on the Internet. All that is being posted on this website are public litigation pleadings filed in Court, which are qualified privilege, with no other comment as they speak for themselves. My inspiration to this effort derives from my commitment to honor her father’s legacy, John Ryken (June 9th, 1930 to November 16, 2015), who dedicated himself to reconcile the division in his family between him standing by her and his two sons. This is captured in a 15-minute audio recording, which is available on this website. It emanates from an interview done by Desmond Silva of PC EasyCare, who kindly designed this website.
April 30th, 2016 – the date of this website’s publication – marks the 383rd anniversary of the day that Galileo Galilei (February 15, 1564 – January 8, 1642) of Italy was forced to admit a falsity to the Catholic Church Inquisition on April 30, 1633. Galileo initially discovered and stated that the earth revolved around the sun, contrary to popular beliefs at the time in Europe. However, the Catholic Church Inquisition ordered that Galileo withdraw his statements, and Galileo stated that the solar system revolved around the earth, in order to avoid torture and burning at the stake. This event in history is known as the “Galileo Affair”. On October 31st, 2016, a new social justice website will be launched, whose trademarked domain name is “Injustice in the Legal System”. It was on that day in 1992 that Pope John Paul II – over 350 years later – apologized for the Church’s error in the “Galileo Affair”. This is a metaphor for the theme reflected in such sayings as “My mind is made up, but don’t confuse me with the facts”, or “I know what you believe but that isn’t the truth”. Galileo was heard to have uttered even after his forced confession “Yet, it moves” (E pur Si muove), thus asserting what we all know to be accurate; a clear, notorious, historical metaphor for what is happening every day with individuals, institutions and internationally, as described in a chapter in my latest book entitled “Is Everyone at the Table? ―18 Life Lessons in Problem Solving“.
Jeanette Ryken – who delivered an eloquent eulogy at her father’s funeral – persevered and created a new life for herself, with support from many who knew her to be innocent. This included friends and extended family members, with the small exception of a mere handful of accusers. She provides a good model of moving and carrying on after a personal crisis. Thanks for hearing her side.
Jeanette Ryken's Side of the Story 