My name is Alisa. I am a Second Generation member of the Family International. I am married and have four wonderful children who will also have the privilege of being raised in the Family.

I was aghast and sadden by the events that took place concerning Ricky and Angela. I didn’t know either personally but I don’t think it takes a rocket scientist to come to the conclusion that for one human to take the life of another human is INEXCUSEABLE! I cannot tell you about what either Ricky and Angela were like, but I can tell you about me and my life and you can choose if I, a second generation family member that “could be potential Manson family” material (according to certain deluded apostates) is abused, deluded or in danger of going off my nut.

I am presently living in Japan. I have 4 children, and I hope to have as many more as I physically can. I home-school my children, preschool – 3rd grade. I have extensive experience in choreography and dancing, I am an experienced cook and professional caterer. I have been the Chairperson of the Child and Parenting Board of my area for over 3 years, which means I am actively involved in the health, welfare and wellbeing of the children in my area. I have personally talked to and met over 60 children in the east Japan area alone and they show NO signs of abuse or ill-treatment, whatsoever. I have assisted in organizing and conducting several summer camps and activities for children ages 6-11, and recently a Parenting seminar for 2nd Generation parents. I speak Japanese and English but alas, I was not taught to read or write Japanese fluently, but instead of just “whining” about my parents’ failings or the Family’s failings I (UNLIKE SOME PEOPLE) am doing something about it, having a tutor come over weekly and teaching myself Kanji’s! OK, so I’m only at 2nd grade level but the important thing is that I’m not sitting on my butt blaming others for my lacks…I’m doing something about it!

OK, if I sound too normal then these “vigilantes” will instead claim I AM THE ABUSER having my kids grow up here. Well let’s take a look at them:

My 7 yr old is in 3rd grade with a 5th grade reading comprehension. She’ll read books for hours (if we don’t stop her). She’s just learned to ride her bike. She wants to be a cook like mommy when she grows up, so her favorite school event is baking. She likes to write & call her uncles and aunties (in and out of the Family.) She gets to live with 2 uncles and 2 aunties and one set of grandparents & a golden retriever named Ben.

My 5 yr old wants to learn to dance & can spend hours practicing new steps she’s learned from others performing. She’s likes to show off that she can wiggle her ears and snap. She’s in 1st grade and is beginning to enjoy reading on her own. She loves penmanship & science; she likes to play with her youngest brother; and she’s great at picking up Japanese, always asking how to say new words in Japanese cuz’ she wants to be able to talk to people she meets.

My 3 year old is always making new friends at the park. He loves playing his new guitar and was obsessed with drumming till he beat his drum to death. He can do 50 piece puzzles and will ride his bike everywhere if we let him. He is learning to read and is always trying to make conversation with any guest that we have over for dinner, directing them to their seat and & letting them know when to eat. (How helpful!!) His all time favorite pastime is grabbing the stool and helping me cook (via “watching”).

My youngest is just 1. Ok, I admit he, for one, is slightly dangerous to society at large. He has at times tried to eat from Benny’s dog food, he has attempted to empty the garbage can and sit on my husband’s computer…. but come to think of it, for an average kid with his energy he’s gotten tremendous oversight & loving care, and it’s thanks to that he hasn’t lost an eye or a finger.

Perhaps it’s my younger brothers and sisters that are abused?

My 16 yr old brother, can play, guitar, piano and taiko (Japanese drums) and was the assistant teacher the town’s Taiko group. He (along with his siblings) are somewhat celebrities cuz’ of frequent performances at festivals & events around town. For kicks he beats my mom in double digit square rooting contests. (Don’t ask!) He produces music, figures out how to use new music, video editing, or other computer programs, but above all his main talent is NAPPING for unreal periods of time.

My 14 yr old sister has been singing, recording, dancing etc… since she was a tot. Last year she put together and choreographed her own dance group that performed in numerous places, she’s learning to play violin, she loves to draw, write poetry & dance she’s an expert on dogs & knows every dog in the neighborhood by name cuz’ our Golden is her pride and joy and she chats with all the neighbors when she goes for walks.

ABUSED, MY A$$!! To you apostates, who don’t know a thing about me and my life, GET REAL! Don’t blame the Family for your lacks & failures in life, I’m sorry you didn’t make it in the Family, really, I am, since you’ll never find people who will love and care for you as much as your brothers and sisters in the Family and YOU DARN WELL KNOW IT!

DO I TELL YOU HOW TO LIVE YOUR LIFE? How dare you point your finger at an entire group of over 1000 young adult individuals and whine about how YOU are the “voice crying in the wilderness” acting as some self-appointed righter of the wrong, informing the world that we are in danger or ARE a danger.

Friedrich Nietzsche, the German philosopher, said, “Pride and memory had an argument. Memory said, ‘It happened thus and so.’ Pride replied, ‘Oh, but it couldn’t have been like that!’ and memory gave in.” This to me sums up exactly what happens in the bent minds of the small but vocal group of apostates who have no choice but to deceive themselves, as to excuse themselves. I have no doubt that they actually believe their TALL tales, otherwise how could they excuse their bitter, sad existence? Your hope to win over other “entrapped” youth of the Family with your $#%*….HAS JUST BACKFIRED, WE ARE MORE DEDICATED THAN EVER, and thank God, he’s instructed us to love our enemies, cuz’ there’s nothing like the fury of a parent who’s children are being threatened. (Or try a few hundred angry parents!)

There are those former members who have truly “moved on”, (by the way they should change the name of that site to “stuck.com” or, “blame-someone-else-but-not me.com”), Why doesn’t the praise, attention and recognition go to the thousands of former members who have worked hard and made something of their life outside of the Family? I have many friends outside the family who are wonderful people, happy, fulfilled and most importantly don’t have the time or interest in supporting such preposterous lies and exaggerations.

Ricky made a 45 minute hate filled video, and the media is running with it like it is the fruit of the “horrors” of the Family. I have over 60 hours of home video footage that testifies to the good fruit of the Family in my own family, and I’d proudly let anyone watch it.

I would like to close by saying that if you are TRULY searching for the truth about us all you need to do is come and see for yourself. We have nothing to hide!

Alisa S. (24) is a second generation member of the Family International, currently residing in Japan.