From Deseret News archives:
Utahns change minds on backing FLDS raid
The Deseret News/KSL-TV poll now finds that half of Utahns disagree with the decision by Texas authorities to take all of the children from the polygamous sect's property near Eldorado.
"It shows what a little speaking out can do," said Rod Parker, a Salt Lake City attorney who is acting as a spokesman for the FLDS people.
According to the poll conducted by Dan Jones & Associates, 33 percent strongly disagree with the decision to take the children and put them in state custody, and 17 percent somewhat disagree. On the other side, 22 percent strongly agree with Texas authorities, while 20 percent somewhat agree. Eight percent answered they did not know. The poll of 405 Utahns has a margin of error of 5 percent.
When a similar poll was conducted just days after the April 3 raid on the YFZ Ranch, a majority of Utahns felt authorities were justified in removing the children. Only 13 percent of those polled in April felt that authorities' actions were "probably not" justified, and another 6 percent said they were definitely not justified.
Weeks later, the Texas Supreme Court ordered the children returned, saying that child welfare authorities acted improperly and there was no imminent threat. Many of Texas Child Protective Services' original claims of pregnant teenagers and abused children have not proved to be true. The original call is also being investigated as a hoax.
Parker said the shift in public opinion can be attributed to people becoming more aware of the facts of the case. It can also be attributed to the cloistered FLDS society finally speaking out.
"By breaking that silence and allowing people to see the inside and see the stereotypes that have been promoted for so long are not accurate, people were able to make a more informed decision," he said.
The poll also found that a majority seemed to agree with the approach that Utah and Arizona have taken toward dealing with crimes within polygamous societies. Asked which options they most agreed with, 51 percent said polygamists should only be prosecuted if some other crime is committed in connection with their lifestyle, such as underage marriages or abuse.
Recent comments
Do you support your kids in their choices? Do you give them all...
For realitycheck | July 1, 2008 at 2:05 p.m.
Yes, RC, especially after election.
Grandpa Phil | June 30, 2008 at 7:06 a.m.
I didn't change my mind. Nobody polled me.
pluto | June 28, 2008 at 3:56 p.m.
- Tigers vs. Miners by the numbers 2:32 a.m.
- Springville vs. Dixie by the numbers 2:25 a.m.
- Wasatch vs. Juan Diego numbers 2:22 a.m.
- Mustangs vs. Tbirds by the numbers 2:02 a.m.
- Nuggets win after clock review 1:41 a.m.
- Robbery ends poorly for one suspect 1:20 a.m.
- Wednesday on TV 12:59 a.m.
- Integration is possible on TV 12:59 a.m.
- Herbert talks land issues in D.C. 12:59 a.m.
- Developer looking to buy RSL share 12:58 a.m.
- Utah group finds homes for orphans
- Pratt pleads not guilty to sex charges
- Y. tight ends talented tandem
- Jazz blow big lead, hang on
- Utes get extra motivation
- Senators want food tax restored
- Hair-pulling raises more questions
- Lobo land like home for BYU lineman
- BYU soccer incident still popular
- U. hopes to keep clicking
- House passes health care bill
265 - TCU showdown has big implications
188 - Lobo suspended
185 - Cougars crush hapless Cowboys
155 - Senators want food tax restored
152 - Utah Jazz fall apart against Kings
131 - TCU 4th in AP poll; U. 16th, Y. 22nd
119 - No 'backlash' for pioneers, gays analogy
105 - S.L. vote pending on gay protections
104 - Utes pound winless Lobos
89
Applebee's Neighborhood Grill & Bar restaurants nationwide will honor...
Meghan McCain, the daughter of former presidential candidate John...
Glad that he's finally going to be scouting how to beat TCU. Seems to...
Too anyone who whines about people who EARN high salaries; when was the last...
Don't know bout all that "Texas" stuff, but I'm here to tell you people, that...
Gorbachev was a brilliant leader and single most important individual in...
It buys votes from every irresponsible, lazy American in order to keep the...
My fear is the damage to the economy adding trillions of dollars to the...
I don't know, Ak can be horrible too, there are those times when he only...
Utah 24, TCU 21
You are so right about the BS of these 3 radio clowns!
And some of you out there could care less if we give up our freedoms as long...


