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ACLU weighs in on FLDS raid

Hell just froze over: I'm agreeing with the ACLU.

THANK GOD! Finally a political organization is expressing an intelligent opinion!!!

Now we need to see the ACLU actually put their money where their mouth is and get involved in this case. The FLDS raid could very well be the biggest violation of personal and civil rights since the Civil Rights Movement. It certainly is the largest child custody case in U.S. History and could very well be the largest civil rights case with a religion.

As much as I strongly disagree with many positions of the ACLU it's nice to see that they might redeem themselves by actually championing the rights of REAL innocent victims! Individuals victimized by the people sworn to protect and defend them in their personal and civil rights guaranteed by the constitution!

Aha! Now we see the reason for the delay in ACLU taking a stand on this issue: they're still scratching their heads about which side to jump in on.

Interesting that the ACLU makes no comment or does nothing when families are separated by FLDS religious leaders because a member of the family is out of favor. Also interesting that the ACLU makes no comment about the practice of excluding and abandoning teenage boys who end up in St. George and surrounding communities. Where is their concern for due process for those within this community???

I guess they are about as concerned about these abuses as they are about defending those concerned with their second amendment rights.

They are not going to intervene? If they believe that fundamental rights are at risk (which they are...outside of the very few underage girls that need to be monitored and investigated) why are they sitting back and blowing hot air? Sounds like they are responding to public pressure, not out of conviction or they would be slapping lawsuits all over the place. Rights have been violated already for most of the families..damage done..what does the ACLU expect is going to happen? Texas apologize, reverse the decision, and resort this out... I don't think so.. What are they waiting for? Their response seems a little weird to me if fundamental consitutional rights were violated...

I am totally against abuse of children and I hope that those who have committed crimes will be punished to the fullest extent of the law. But every American should be concerned when they see such blatant civil rights voilations as I have seen in Texas. Yes, they need to protect those kids. But they need to work within the LAW and should not be allowed to take someone's children just because they "might" be in danger. Shouldn't they have to have evidence for each individual case?

The ACLU will never be happy until they have gotten rid of our existing laws and all people are allowed to participate in anything they decide to regardless of who they are offending and how gruesom the activity may be. When any group, religious or otherwise, decides that they can demand that young girls marry crazy old men at any age regardless of the existing laws, that religion/group should cease to exist. And the first idiot who writes in and decides to compare the FLDS with the LDS church we will know who the idiots really are.

This I did not expect. I thought the ACLU only defended people who would give them more power.

The ACLU, in a round about way, has endorsed the decision by CPS to wait until all of the evidence is in before deciding how to procede.

The ACLU would look extremely foolish if they were side completely with the FLDS and then Texas produced evidence that proved that the FLDS were, in fact, systematically practicing child rape.

You all must have some insight that the rest of us do not have. You are assuming that all CPS/LE has is what the news tells us. Why don't you save your opinions until you actually know what you are talking about. Do you really think the only concern is a few pregnant girls? Please do a little research before you comment. Also, do not comment on Texas civil law unless you know it. Read Texas Family Code. Texas did work within the law.

Loud applause!!! Better late then never. Lets focus on kids and rights.

they still sound like they can't decide which side to stand on. They know very well that rights have been violated. But they don't wanna the angry gramma of the CPS and Baabaabra to say "sic 'em"

That the ACLU is stepping in. They are such a scum organization but I suppose they had no choice because this case is such a flagrant violation of civil rights. I hope that some of the Texas zealots wind up in jail and the lawsuits will empty the treasury of Texas.

Getreal,

First, Tx. Family Code will not apply if criminal charges are brought forth.

Next, please direct all to where the "en masse" 14 day hearing, with children not represented by counsel and parents not notified, is how those Family Codes are supposed to work.

Last, you are correct in pointing out that we do not have all the CPS/LE have. The best that would help is a copy of the Temporary Custody Order to determine what Walthers based that Order on and what the exact next step is.

We do have enough to speculate rights that were violated. For just one example, maybe you could tell us what the CPS/LE might have that was presented to Walthers that would justify her Order to save a 5 YO boy with Down's syndrome from "imminent abuse"?

One More Time,

Voss stated in her testimony that the religious beliefs were the reason not to return any of the children.

One MORE TIME: "Never once has anyone except morons referred to this action by Texas as religious based, ..."

CPS investigator Angie Voss testified that the only way she could agree to returning the children would be if the adults renounce their religion.

Who's the moron now?

I agree with the ACLU completely. There is such a thing as due process in the system even law enforcement agencies. This could happen to any town, church, or community even your own. If this is allowed the states actions and handling of these allegations that are still unproven will be repeated. Teenage pregnancy,look at the national statistics,a lot of people should lose their kids. Broken bones,look at all the things that kids do because they think they are invincible,this doesn't prove abusive parents. All in all there is no case but people getting their rights stomped into the ground. These girls raise their babies,in society the girls can just murder their babies,whose worse?

I agree with the ACLU on very little...until now. It's probably too little, too late, or not enough but at least they are getting off the sidelines.
This case has taken on a life of it's own. It has become a real wake up to see how authoritarian our government has become.
The results will be the same as the Short Creek fiasco.
Those that suffer will be the parents and children.
Those that prove to themselves that they have ultimate power and can disregard the constituiton and human rights will be even more powerful.
Those that ultimately pay will be us all.

The issue is child abuse. From what I read (which can be easily incorrect or exaggerated) sex abuse is suspected. Not even religious freedom excuses it.

If I were concerned about my children seized wrongly, I'd be willing to make sure the agency had all the pertinent information, names, birthdates, parents/caregivers identities. If my young daughter was pregnant, I'd give all the infomation I had regarding paternity and child support.

How can CPS determine ages of pregnant girls without birth certificates? I'm sure some of the kids haven't been abused and/or of age--but which ones? If an organization wants to abolish laws, they should work to do so. There may be other countries where their practices are lawful.

This issue cannot be solved emotionally. It's time for some rational thinking about this emotionally wrenching time. The ACLU can work on this issue and help sort out facts.

Thanks for reading this.

The ACLU statement is lawyerese for "we're sitting around with our fingers up our nose and not a clue, just in case you were wondering"

Not that anyone was.