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Beware of FLDS enforcers, Texas told

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wrz | 12:49 p.m. June 11, 2008
"I guess anyone who attends a Court proceeding had better be prepared to be singled out as a threat."

And for heaven's sake, don't stare at the witnesses.
Agree | 12:50 p.m. June 11, 2008
PATRICIA, I agree with you 100 percent!.. BETTY, although Im not a dancing baptist, I agree with you too!! WELL.. your another one who is right on track with me.
Do they have a dossier on you? | 12:52 p.m. June 11, 2008
If Utah is going to start dossiers on anyone who is willing to give up their life for their cause (or their religion) and not just the FLDS... they will have a lot more than 16 dossiers.

I think this fear of the FLDS enforcers is a myth(just like many of the myths and fears we insist on holding onto about the FLDS). Just like the myths that caused Texas to over-react and go into the Ranch with tanks and swat teams (even thought they faced NO armed resistance) for what could have been a simple child abuse report investigation.

Comments continue below
Re: mensem | 12:52 p.m. June 11, 2008
"let by gones be by gones"

You've got to be kidding. The FLDS track down their own people who try to leave their cult.

Don't think for a minute that the FLDS men haven't been planning a lawsuit since the day CPS came to their front gate.
Freddy | 12:55 p.m. June 11, 2008
FLDS are not a religion. They are a evil cult. Don't let that sheep like appearance fool you. Its better to look like a sheep rather than a wolf if you are out doing dirty deeds.
Re; Clarence | 12:58 p.m. June 11, 2008
It's a good thing Texas law enforcement decided to protect the judge against attacks from people like you. Who knows what heinous crimes you were planning.

Were you hoping your criticism of their efforts would cause them to let down their guard?

David | 1:01 p.m. June 11, 2008
To non-FLDS,
Anything I've heard Bill Medvecky say was wise and I agreed with him so what's your problem?

To: caution--beware
You must be one of them then, keep your lies to yourself and leave decent people alone. Are you looking out for space aliens who traveled all the way across our galaxy, just to peer in your window?

Get a clue!
R | 1:03 p.m. June 11, 2008
"Freeing the enslaved women and protecting the precious children"? How? By obtaining a warrant based on a claim of abuse against someone who had never set foot at YMZ? By imprisoning them in uncomfortable, disease ridden [chickenpox, to be specific] makeshift prisons and then forcibly separating them? By pretending 37 y.o. women were teen mothers? By claiming their IDs were fake so they had an excuse to do so? *laughs* That's what you call "protection"?
Dossier on me? | 1:05 p.m. June 11, 2008
Utah is welcome to create a dossier on me; they'll find it extremely boring.

-mowed lawn
-took kids to soccer game
-went hiking
-washed car
-watched a baseball game -- on TV!!!
Don't blame the Texans | 1:06 p.m. June 11, 2008
I have two sons living in Texas, and believe me, they say all the folks in Texas aren't happy with Texas CPS's actions against the FLDS. Read the posts on Texas newspapers, if you don't believe me.
Texans may stand up against child abuse--so do most all of us. But many, many Texans stand up for the Constitution, too. And some of them are Baptists! I don't know why the Baptist church allowed their buses to be used--I think it was a mistake on their part--but that's no reason to tar everybody with the same brush.
Blain | 1:09 p.m. June 11, 2008
"Anyone that thinks Jessop wasn't trying to intimidate witnesses at Warren Jeff's trial, is a fool."

Yeah, right. He was trying to put a hex on them with his evil eye.
Re: Willey (er David) | 1:10 p.m. June 11, 2008
I'm not really surprised that you agree with Bill, I just question Bill's sanity in agreeing with you.
wrz | 1:12 p.m. June 11, 2008
"Don't think for a minute that the FLDS men haven't been planning a lawsuit since the day CPS came to their front gate."

And I'd be among the first to encourage it. Their rights were severely violated. They deserve justice and compensation.
spellcheck | 1:15 p.m. June 11, 2008
How do you spell Dannite?
Anonymous | 1:17 p.m. June 11, 2008
IT IS AMAZING HOW SLANDERS AND LIES CAN LEAD TO CAPTIVITY AND ABUSE BY STATE AND NATIONAL ATHORITIES RIGHT HERE IN THE USA. NOT ONLY THAT,BUT WHEN THESE ATHORITIES SEE THERE POWER BEING QUESTIONED THEY GET VINDICTIVE AND HATEFULL. EVEN WORSE IS WHEN NEWS PAPERS LIKE DN DECIDE TO HELP THE VINDICTIVE AND HATEFULL BY ADDING THEIR TWISTED TWO-BITS.
Why Should I!!!! | 1:17 p.m. June 11, 2008
I don't pretend to support or ridicule the FLDS religion, they have been around for a long time, just as any other religion, religiion in general is a good thing for a person or group of people to believe in something of higher order. Where this all takes a bad turn is in the abuse of that belief to the point of some form of manipulation or even violence.
I am not saying that there has been violence, but there are plenty of people who have so called freed themselves from YFZ who paint quite a different story than what the people of YFZ are trying to paint.
My issue with the Warren Jeffs culture is that fact that this group does very little but live off of the taxes that the rest of us americans provide. They do very little to support themselves. Point in case the amount of food stamps used by this group. If they have legitimate businesses and contracts then where is the money to support those who need the support. Why is it Jeffs is driving around in 50K + vehicles and yet each week more taxes are used to support their group with food.
Samme | 1:20 p.m. June 11, 2008
"One last thing, if ADULTS want to have more than one wife, or more than one husband, why should that be against the law??? Why should we say anything about it."

Because future generations would start to look like Clark Gable, John Wayne, Gary Cooper, Kerry Grant, or Elvis Presley.
Freddie | 1:25 p.m. June 11, 2008
"Now that the kids are back, a little retribution wouldn't be out of the question..."

You got that right... like a multi-million dollar lawsuit against Texas and the CPS for violation of human rights.
Randi | 1:28 p.m. June 11, 2008
The raid of the FLDS ranch in Texas was a complete abuse of the constitutional civil rights of those people. The initial call was a hoax and it now appears there hasn't been any abuse and the number of pregnant teenagers is down to 1. Barbara Walther is a very confused or sick person, the only protection she needs is from herself.
Anonymous | 1:36 p.m. June 11, 2008
You notice how the state of Utah leads the country in realyy wierd type of news.
COSMO | 1:38 p.m. June 11, 2008
Re: betty; if anyone has been, or is spewing hatred,
may I humbly suggest you look into the mirror.
I suppose,that you and those like you will not be content, until Texas conducts a lovely raid, this time, with a fiery conclusion.
When you attend church, please remember the one about,those without sin may cast the first stone.
To Wilber from Ed H | 1:44 p.m. June 11, 2008
They did it with shotguns in Sonora Mexico and with handguns in Utah and Texas. Proven in court and Labaron was sentenced. Anything else?
Janet | 1:50 p.m. June 11, 2008
The Tears of these children may well be considered blood on the soil of Texas, crying to God for justice! These children and their families have been scarred for life by the foolishness of people like Barbara Walthers. There is a just God in Heaven and He has the ability to read our hearts. I do not envy Barbara Walthers.I hate her either, but I do forgive her and leave judgement to God. I know this to be the case with all other faithful FLDS members. This is not the end, God is at the helm and truth will prevail. Soon you will all see the truth for yourselves, God bless you.
zxcvbnm | 1:54 p.m. June 11, 2008

I guess the FLDS will mix the nonexistant ashes from the nonexistant crematorium with the untreated waste from the cheese factory and serve Walther a drink that will agrivate her lactose intolerance.
Or is the intolerance just a civil rights intolerance....or religious intolerance.
Perhaps they can feed one of the 21 year old "lost boys" an explosive mix of honey and fresh vegtables and let him "escape" into the police station and poison the place with intestinal gas.
Oh I got it.......the FLDS will get on their knees and pray for justice and tolerance from the Texas authorities.....the same revenge they heaped on the guys with the tank as they broke down the temple door.
Ask the fudiciary | 1:55 p.m. June 11, 2008
Ask the people who are overseeing the distribution of the FLDS properties in Colorado City, Hilldale about "Peaceful" FLDS. You will hear something very different than what the FLDS and Kingston clain members who post on these boards are claiming.
No Arm Twisting | 1:59 p.m. June 11, 2008
Willy Jessop looked like he wanted to punch the lights out on the interviewer on 48 hours a few weeks ago. It's a good thing it was all on TV, otherwise I fear what might have happened to the 48 hours interviewer. After all, the interviewer was just doing his job. No one twisted old willies arm to be there.
Janet | 2:00 p.m. June 11, 2008
>

The only thing that tracks down the people who leave our society is their testimony, they have a God given knowledge of the truth and they have knowingly turned away from it. The only thing the FLDS has done to them was prayed God to bless them. Pretty dangerous huh?
R | 2:10 p.m. June 11, 2008
Point in case [sic] the amount of food stamps used by this group.

What is that amount?

If they have legitimate businesses and contracts then where is the money to support those who need the support.

What FLDS members have gone without "support"?
Karen | 2:13 p.m. June 11, 2008
To: Why Should I!!!! | 1:17 p.m. June 11, 2008

>

You little twinky! My brother lives at the YFZ and he pulls 72 hour shifts. They work extremely hard to be self-sufficient and they DO NOT rely on welfare or foodstamps, keep your frump to yourself. It's your problem if it makes you upset that people take wasteland out in the boonies and turn it into a beautiful thriving community. You need to get a clue!
Moniker | 2:17 p.m. June 11, 2008
Why Should I wrote:

"My issue with the Warren Jeffs culture is that fact that this group does very little but live off of the taxes that the rest of us americans provide. They do very little to support themselves. Point in case the amount of food stamps used by this group. If they have legitimate businesses and contracts then where is the money to support those who need the support. Why is it Jeffs is driving around in 50K + vehicles and yet each week more taxes are used to support their group with food."

We've been following this thing for months and the state of Texas has stated that the FLDS in Texas do not use welfare or take food stamps. They are also the largest single taxpayer in their county. What you claim may have happened in Utah, but it has NEVER happened in the Texas FLDS group. There are some elderly that have social security and some disabled that have the same benefits as you and I. Get your facts straight please and stop amplifying false rumors. This is what CPS has been doing the whole time.
Re: Janet | 2:30 p.m. June 11, 2008
"The only thing that tracks down the people who leave our society is their testimony,...The only thing the FLDS has done to them was prayed God to bless them."

I have personal knowledge that that is a lie. The FLDS do a lot more than simply pray for people, especially girls and mothers, who have left their community.
Anonymous | 2:35 p.m. June 11, 2008
Right or wrong, whatever Texas did or didn't do, the problem is still present in the YFZ and flds communities. For example:
Why aren't they more fiscally responsible? Why should tax payers have to pay for their food, while they take whatever money they earn and build huge buildings and buy big cars for the leaders?
Why don't they give the women and children freedom to come and go if they want to..or to visit relatives?
Why don't they educate their children past middle school?
Why do they take the girls and little boys out to work on road projects? Is it because they have run off all the older boys?
Why do they follow the wives who have escaped and try to get the children back never to see their mom again?
Why do they reassign women and children to other men?
Why do they dip lower and lower into the pool of brides until they are marrying 12 year olds? (Hopefully they will actually stop this practice)
If they can't support extra wives and children, they shouldn't take on more than they can handle. It's really immoral to expect someone else to pay their way.
all the same | 2:39 p.m. June 11, 2008
Whether down in Texas or Arizona
or up here in Utah, they're all the same.
A bunch of crazy cultists.
Fearful American | 2:44 p.m. June 11, 2008
Given the most criminal thing they have done is stare at someone, I must concur with the rest who feel the Texas Public Servants are trying to re-direct public attention.

What must concern us all the most is how contrived the dossier information is and that such trivial information is being brandied about so menacingly by our public servants.

I think the State of Texas and Utah need a solid house cleaning of their public servants (as we do in D.C.).
Anonymous | 2:54 p.m. June 11, 2008
What most of you seem to over look in this issue is that it is not about potential violence from the FLDS or any other religeous group . To get to the heart of the matter is that the government Local , State , and Federal is way over reaching the the consent of the governed and the people are just damned tired of it. Any high profile action tends to act as a lightning rod for the seething undercurrent of resentment I find as I cross this country . If you can't discern this your either a dumbass or a victim of the same BRAIN WASHING you perport to abhor from the FLDS .
Jim Stickann | 3:07 p.m. June 11, 2008
She doesnt need to be under guard. She belongs in a strait jacket before she harms herself or others. A padded cell would probably also be helpful.
they should | 3:16 p.m. June 11, 2008
The Police outside her home should walk in and arrest her for the terrorist act she authorized on American soil!
Anthony | 3:16 p.m. June 11, 2008
I hear everyone talking about the marrying and abuse of underage girls, but no charges have been filed? Why was the ranch raided then? Their civil rights were violated and hardly anyone complains about that. I do not agree with their beliefs, but if this was some liberal organization and not a so called "religious" one, it would have never happened or the outrage would have been swift and extreme.

The hypocrisy is that they have multiple wives they take care of, but I know of a "baby momma" who has 2 kids by a breeder. He has 10 kids by 7 females and has married none of them. He does not support them financially (the Texas taxpayer does) or is not there for them as a father. They all live with their single moms.

How about the FLDS just shacking up with and not marrying these women. Would that be any different? That seems to be an accepted policy in America now.

FLDS Mother | 3:26 p.m. June 11, 2008
Janet,I can't agree more! Thanks!

As for all of you out there, I'm sorry, but all this time I thought I was thinking my own thoughts. I'm so glad you could open my eyes and let me know I was "Brainwashed"
WOW!!!! I feel better already.... Now could you please explain what I'm suppose to think.... I don't know ... I can't use my own thoughts. I probable can't feel my own feelings... Wow!!!! I don't feel the freedom I did a few minutes ago...HELP!
Christian | 3:28 p.m. June 11, 2008
When people start saying, "They have no evidence ..." it tells me they are guilty as suspected.
Missourimule | 3:32 p.m. June 11, 2008
It's so easy and so commonplace to throw out the title of "religious fanatic" - it's just a conversation stopper, and no one is supposed to question whether it's right or not -- but aren't there "social fanatics"? People who think it their right to police the lifestyles of others, and then claim that there's some hideous AND illegal activity that the people that they're trying to get are involved in? Of COURSE no one will support an organization that practices child abuse - but apparently, there was no proof here - only a telephone call, seemingly made by a bogus source - but there was also the mistrust and dislike of a group that lived a different way - and that's all it took to produce a huge governmental over-reaction.
but momma says | 3:55 p.m. June 11, 2008
a felony is a felony...if they can't follow the law what makes one think they are going to follow any other law?
Re: FLDS Mother | 3:55 p.m. June 11, 2008
"Now could you please explain what I'm suppose to think.... I don't know ... "

You're supposed to teach your children that they have the right to make their own choices in life:

-who they want to be
-who they want to marry
-what education they want
-what occupation they want
-where they want to live

realitycheck | 3:57 p.m. June 11, 2008
These people are religious fanatics, and have already killed in the name of their religion. What makes you think they wouldn't do it again?

And they operate a little slave-center, denying most of their followers basic rights and freedoms. How could any of you actually trust them?
Searcher | 3:57 p.m. June 11, 2008
This smells of a publicity stunt to garner sympathy for the judge who doesn't know or understand the law, and for the cruddy CPS group whose negligence started the entire episode in mishandling a potential problem.
Rational J | 3:58 p.m. June 11, 2008
Isn't similar, or worse, types of family and child abuse very, very common, even sanctioned in Muslim culture, even U.S. Muslim families (imprisonment, abuse, "honor" beatings and killings, arranged child marriage, etc)?

If so, where are the arrests and siezures of kids?

Hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm....
Bill Draper | 3:59 p.m. June 11, 2008
It would be interesting to hear from the Women and the kids that have left the group to really find out if there is an enforcer group within the FLDS group.
The women and kids that I know that have left were intimidated, and threatened.
Texas was wrong but these folks are not innocent and pure by any means.
The FLDS deserve to be defended by a legal firm.
But lets not put our collective heads in the sand and look the other way.
I thought Willie the thug was a pretty funny tag, and from what I have seen of him, it fits.
He is no Leroy Johnson.
re - Janet | 3:59 p.m. June 11, 2008
the FLDS does NOT pray for those that leave. They prey on them. Perhaps you misspelled?
GAL50 | 4:00 p.m. June 11, 2008
Any judge who orders the removal of 450 children belonging to any group of people should have protection. Look at all of the nut case men who lose custody and shoot and kill their ex-wives and all of their children. Losing children is emotionally devastating to any parent and plenty of parents have a screw loose.

This case is so huge, that it affects people outside the FLDS. Even if the FLDS were not threatening, there could still be crazies who relate to this case who could be threatening.

Barack Obama who is merely running for U.S. President and hasn't done anything like separating parents and children had to ask for Secret Service coverage early in his campaign because of threats to his life.

So, it makes sense to provide the judge with protection.

karma | 4:08 p.m. June 11, 2008
what's good for the goose is good for the gander

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Eric Gay, Associated Press

Texas tightened security for Judge Barbara Walther after warnings from Utah and Arizona officials.

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