Very nice article Kevin. It is good that Guatemalan adoptions are getting some media coverage, unfortunately not all good. It seems that there is an underlying current to make all adoptions in Guatemala seem suspect. Apparently, no DNA and left "abandoned" as is the case in many other countries is better? Being in an institution for months longer than necessary is better? Better for who? Certainly not for the children. Marie

Kevin - great article. We resemble the people referenced in the article...we are 14 months into the process...and supposedly will have our pink slip this Thursday...does anyone know if our process can be delayed as a result of these statements??

Thank you for posting this. This article was one of the fairest & most balanaced I have seen. I know there are problems with the system, but there are strengths too. I appreciate that this article seemed a little more human & did NOT portray all adoptive parents, birthmothers and adoption professionals involved in the Guatemala process as monsters.

Kevin-

Thanks for posting this for everyone. I appreciate that this article seems a bit more balanced than some of the latest coverage. I have to point out, however, that the true job of a journalist is not to slant a story to one side or another, but to uncover "facts" and report the true/unbiased result. Good journalism requires that the practictioner "checks his/her opinions at the door." The investigated FACTS of every story idea must remain, which is frequently difficult to achieve because every human has feelings/opinions about nearly every topic.

What has been featured in the media lately about Guatemalan adoptions, in my opinion, has been a re-telling of all of the abuses of the system with not many facts to "substantiate the claims." There has been little balance from my view. I also believe that the recent statements issued by the US DOS are suffering from the same malady.

I understand the perspective of the adopting families - perhaps the media outlets do not consider adopting families to be "unbiased" sources of information, but many in our situation understand keenly the process, the good/bag/ugly, and acknowledge that reforms are necessary...but maybe there's a middle ground somewhere for all of us. I hate to use a trite phrase but perhaps there's a possibility of a "win/win" for the families, the involved governmental entities and, most importantly, the kids of Guatemala.

Thank you for your tireless efforts to give credence to what we all are trying to achieve. You are informed and articulate...and attempt to deliver information that we all can use in a rational way. I imagine that must be difficult at times, given that you were once in our shoes. I am grateful for this site and the timeliness of all that you report.

Lisa Spiegelman

Excellent interview. On a personal note, my heart broke for Jason, who has a room full of clothes that won't fit his daughter when she comes home. We have had a similar experience; we've already given away the 6-12 month clothing, and are anticipating giving up a far more substantial wardrobe of 12 month clothing before we bring our son home! It is one of the most painful reminders of how long this process has taken, and just how difficult it has been...

Thanks Kevin.... For your commitment to keeping us informed and to Guatemalan children.