Shurtleff squares off with Senate majority leader
Reid, a Nevada Democrat, is pushing for the federal government to take a closer look at polygamy in light of the raid at a Fundamentalist LDS Church's compound Eldorado, Texas. In a radio interview, Reid based his push on what he claims is Utah's lack of enforcement on the group, which angered Shurtleff.
'The state of Utah is doing nothing," Reid said on University of Utah's KUER radio "RadioWest" program Monday. "If not the federal government, who?"
Reid said he is a "cheerleader for what has gone on in Texas."
"I think Texas is doing what Utah and Arizona should have done decades ago." Reid, a Mormon, told radio host Doug Fabrizio. He said he was "embarrassed" for the two states.
"Utah politicians are afraid to do anything about it and I think that's wrong," Reid said. "It doesn't make those states look good."
Reid said he supported the Texas decision to move the children taken from the compound into foster facilities.
"How could (Reid) be so ignorant to what has been going on here," Shurtleff said. "He is completely wrong. I don't know where he's been."
Shurtleff pointed out that the crackdown on the Texas ranch stems from Utah's work in fighting the group in the state.
"They wouldn't be in Texas if we didn't kick them out of Utah," Shurtleff said.
The Utah Attorney General also pointed out that Nevada has its own set of polygamy problems "(Reid) knows nothing about" as well as the fact that FLDS leader Warren Jeffs performed "child-bride marriages" in Caliente, Nev. and was arrested in Nevada before the Utah legal system sent him to jail.
Earlier this month, Reid wrote Attorney General Michael Mukasey asking for a federal task force to investigate polygamist groups. He initially requested the same probe from former Attorney General Alberto Gonzalez but it never came to light. Justice Department spokesman Peter Carr said the department is reviewing the letter.
Shurtleff said he invited federal officials five years ago to the state to talk about polygamy, but there seemed to be little interest. At the time there was renewed emphasis on terrorism and homeland security, Shurtleff acknowledged.
"We have been calling on the federal government for help," he said.
Recent comments
MS is upset because HR singled Utah and AZ out while not mentioning...
Reid | April 30, 2008 at 1:06 a.m.
Our AG sure hates it when someone points it out when he's wrong...
Shurtleff | April 29, 2008 at 11:27 p.m.
Thanks, Mark for (already) going after Jeffs and others, and for...
dave4197 | April 29, 2008 at 11:23 p.m.
