Lesson learned | 12:41 a.m. May 30, 2008
These women know pretty clearly now what puts their families at risk. I think any Mr. Acting Prophet who decided to order an underage girl into marriage would risk making himself a zero-gamist in the middle of polygamy land. At least, I sure hope that's the case.

And remember - they aren't dumb. Despite all the jokes and insults, they took on about the worst a mother can face against a much bigger adversary and won. Without a lot of (visible) help from the menfolk. Now that they know what they're capable of, things aren't gonna be the same "back at the ranch".

Put a big ol' "Don't Mess with Momma" sign on that gate.
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Conejo | 1:48 a.m. May 30, 2008
Anyone who has taken ANY law classes in the past 20 years knew this wasn't going to hold up. Good to see there are at least 2 judges in Texas who recognize B.S. when it is presented to them. Now, if they can just find people who are guilty and need to be arrested in this case the might just be doing something other than displaying their paranoia to the country.
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rvalens2 | 1:53 a.m. May 30, 2008
Thank goodness the court ruled against Child Protective Services.

The arrogance of CPS to think they could remove the children without establishing just cause in each case was unconscionable.

I hope the parents sue the State and the CPS officials directly involved in making the decision to take the children.

When government, at any level, thinks it can do such things without due process, then we have truly lost our freedom and the Nanny State has arrived.
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Interloper | 2:00 a.m. May 30, 2008
I think matters may worsen for both pubescent girls and boys from YFZ Ranch. The rush to 'marry' girls barely ready for a bra may be accelerated because the eligible men will fear not getting 'theirs.' The elite will resent 'excess' boys using up assets more than ever and evict them faster.

If there are children who do not want to return to FLDS custody, hopefully, some lawyers will represent their interest. CPS should, but may be wary of doing so.

BTW, can Merril Jessop come out of hiding, now?
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Teacher and Dad | 3:08 a.m. May 30, 2008
Vince Nowak, an Amarillo attorney representing five boys housed as Boys Ranch, said technically the ruling only affects the 38 mothers who filed the petition.

"But it's going to affect all the kids because the court found there was no evidence to remove any of the kids," Nowak said. "I think you'll see every mother join in this. I think you'll see the majority of the kids going home, and home is going to be the Yearning for Zion ranch."

The five boys were ecstatic to hear the news of the ruling, he said.

"A couple of them cried," Nowak said. "A couple of them were cheering. They want to go home in the worst way."
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L. G. KIRKPATRICK | 4:01 a.m. May 30, 2008
Hell hath no fury like that of a wronged Mother.

WAY TO HANG IN THERE, FLDS! CONGRATULATIONS!
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justjoe | 4:59 a.m. May 30, 2008
FINALLY
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VA gal | 5:10 a.m. May 30, 2008
With the traumatic events of this raid I am sure that the women do not want to see this happen again. I would guess that from now on they will (at least at this ranch) wait until the age of consent to marry their young people. This outcome of not allowing anyone under 17 (TX consent age) to marry could have been achieved without all this trauma to the children. CPS erred in it's zeal to protect children it did more harm than good.
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WRONG=RIGHT=WRONG | 5:15 a.m. May 30, 2008
TEXAS was WRONG in "Rounding Up" the children!

TEXAS is RIGHT if they JAIL ALL those who are involved with underage marriages.

UTAH is WRONG also if they allow this pratice to go on --- they need to stop it here also.
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just thinking II | 5:17 a.m. May 30, 2008
I am not FLDS but we were praying everyday for the safe return of these children. Thank God He answered our prayers, and also the prayers of others. It appears the Utah AG is right in the way to handle these problems.
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Congratulations TEXAS | 5:31 a.m. May 30, 2008
Congratulations to TEXAS in that they at least tried to put a stop to underage marriages --- Only TEXAS was wrong in the way they went about it --- TEXAS still has the chance to do it wright.

FLDS - STOP THIS PRACTICE
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Bob G | 5:40 a.m. May 30, 2008
I have to agree with the court on this one. Child Welfare advocates are trying to open the door to neighborhood sweeps of children removing any of them they deem in thier minds as mistreated, regardless of others rights. They want to operate outside the law and the justice system. They act as judge, jury, and excutioner in their zealous misguided minds. Child welfare services and advocates are acting irresponsible and without legal authority to violate parents civil and constitutional rights. Parents have a right to raise thier children in any manner they chose regardless of race, religion, the child welfare services interpetration of how a child should be raised. Once child welfare confiscates children they dump them in unworthy and irresponsibles peoples laps and causing severe traumatic and mental injuries on these children. Child welfare services across the country need to be given some set standards and rules they must obey, regardless of their persoanl and religious beliefs. Their actions cause more harm than they will ever do good in the name of the children. "In the name of the children" has lost its flavor and meaning in thier zealous behavior.
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Joel | 5:44 a.m. May 30, 2008
Ahhh! Another breath of reason and wisdom to restore my faith in the basic goodness of most Texans, and the State that I grew to love during my sojourn there many years ago. Thanks from the bottom of my heart, esteemed Justices, one and all.

As for the perpetrators of this colossal blunder, I pray that our Lord Jesus Christ will bless each with the guidance, help, knowledge, and wisdom to recognize the error of their ways and repent quickly before it grows too late, that they may find "the more excellent way" and live in peace and joy henceforth and forever more. May it be so for all of us, and may God Bless America likewise.

Peace, my friends.
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mensem | 5:44 a.m. May 30, 2008
Good news. I'll be watching to see what FACTS the investigation brings forth (instead of a bunch of "I think there's abuse" from CPS).

My afterthought (after reading the court pdf files) was what in the world was this local judge thinking??? She even went against the councel of the court psych when he said taking kids less than 5 years old from their parents would do great harm (physical,emaotional,social) to the child.

It's hard to believe any judge trying rightly to apply the law could arrive at the decision she did. Thankfully we have checks and balances.

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God forbid | 5:45 a.m. May 30, 2008
After all this time
I do believe it is time to punish the perpitraters for the crimre they have commited
We do have a Constitution and Civil Rights Violations
Civil Liberties to live in ones home in peace without outside interfearance
A Right to fight and Protect ones Family
The Laws are going over the line
Waco was also a good example of that
The Federal Government must up hold the Law
Not Trample on it
Don't forget the Indians
They have not recovered to ths day
This is the History of America
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mike | 5:52 a.m. May 30, 2008
I'm happy for the families that were wronged in this matter by state of Texas. Having lived in St. George and having hired many construction people from Polygamous communities, I have nothing but respect for them and many of their traits. Their spokesman front and center, Willie Jessop always treated me fair and like a true Christian in all our dealings. As the W in R and W Excavating, he was a great worker and friend. I'm happy for them all.
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Momotaro | 5:59 a.m. May 30, 2008
It's wonderful that the children can return to their mothers. CPS was a disaster from the start.

If there has been any abuse I hope the practice stops and the offenders prosecuted.
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mensem | 6:01 a.m. May 30, 2008
FYI:

CPS's "own witness, child-psychiatrist Dr. Bruce Perry, testified that it was more detrimental to the children under age five to be removed from their parents than to be exposed to their parents' lifestyle."

This was from the court document pdf file posted by the Deseret News.
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Family at risk | 6:03 a.m. May 30, 2008
Texas has people in place that has not been Educated in the Peoples Rights.
Check out the Ammendments to the United States Constitution of America
Civil Rights
Rights to Civil Liberties

Those People have Violated the Laws of the Federal Government and need to be Punished HARSHLY
They need to pay DEARLY for the DAMAGE they have caused to
WE THE PEOPLE !!!!
Even the FLDS People are Americans first
We can not allow TEXAS to ESCAPE PUNISHMENT
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System still works | 6:47 a.m. May 30, 2008
One for the people!!!
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No. Utah sees a major earthquake every 350 years. Last one? 350 years ago.