Mr. Wolfowitz said the administration was seeking to avoid "a situation that we have seen in other places in the world where Iraq might become a sort of permanent ward of the international community."

"I have never seen any evidence that North Korea wanted to become a permanent ward of the international community," Mr. Linton said by telephone.

Once a major segment of society becomes a permanent ward of the state, democracy must swiftly die.

Ms Gold finally broke the ice, explaining in a soft voice that today the judge would decide whether I was to become "a permanent ward of the court" or be returned to my mother's custody.

As the court is well aware through the extensive briefs from the pediatrician's examinations, interviews with the minor's former teachers, other interviews and my reports, the county recommends that David Pelzer become a permanent ward of the court.

David eventually tells the truth of his mother ,and becomes a permanent ward of the court, escaping from the abuse of his mother.

"Move to declare you incompetent and make you a permanent ward of whoever the Clan deems appropriate," Brill explained.

The McAllisters are truly horrified when they find that Dr. Royce has hidden designs on their new-born son as he intends him to be a permanent ward of the state.

He will decide March 7 whether to make the child a permanent ward.