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Reid compares polygamy to 'organized crime'

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Rochelle | 5:32 a.m. July 25, 2008
These guys are running a criminal scam.

They keep their women in bondage. The chains that keep these women in their slavery conditions is the threat that their immortal soul will be lost if they do not comply.

That is evil.

I support what Harry Reid is doing 100%.
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Go Get Em Harry! | 6:01 a.m. July 25, 2008
The Senate democratic attack dog, Harry Reid, at his finest. Unlike Harry Truman, his idol and namesake, Harry Reid " gives 'em Hell" without obtaining results. While the US economy flames-out on $5 a gallon diesel and gasoline, all that he and his Democratic "majority" in the Senate and House can do is block votes they know they will lose on drilling for more U.S. oil.....offshore and in ANWR, and do useless hearings like this one on Polygamy and Steroids in Baseball. And name a bunch of post-offices. Why doesn't he expand is "probe" to include all of the co-habitating couples (hetero and homo) across the nation who are living together without benefit of clergy? That's illegal too... But wait, maybe that will offend most of his Democratic constituency in Hollywood, etc.


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Aaron | 6:06 a.m. July 25, 2008
I agree with much of Reid's assessments regarding the abuses and crimes within the polygamous community, but for him to talk- as the head Senate democrat-, of "organized crime" in this context? Please. Pot, meet kettle. The good senator has no room to talk or point fingers, considering his real estate foibles and influence peddling.
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Cats | 6:08 a.m. July 25, 2008
Senator Reid is a hero. I have never been a supporter of Hary Reid, but if he can put these criminals away and put a stop to this disgusting practice, he's a hero.

I'm so sick and tired of people referring to the difference between the FLDS and other "law abiding polygamists." POLYGAMY, IN AND OF ITSELF, IS A CRIME--not to mention the other crimes that often accompany the practice.

It's time something gets done about it. GO HARRY REID.
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Harry Reid | 6:33 a.m. July 25, 2008
Please, Nevada, do the country a favor and DO NOT send Harry Reid back to Washington. He is an enemy to freedom and the Constitution. He represents what is wrong with this country and the only way to fix our problems is to clean house, starting with the failed leadership!
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Moessers | 7:10 a.m. July 25, 2008
Cats: that comment could have been easily made over a hundred and twenty years ago in any newspaper in this country in reference to the LDS church. I find it so amazing that so many LDS people, like Harry Reid, are on such a crusade against a practice they started, and which is still a doctrine they still have on the books.
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Joe W. | 7:15 a.m. July 25, 2008
I am a strong member of the LDS Church (NOT to be intentionally confused with the FLDS - which has nothing to do with the LDS Church and should immediately change their name to reflect who they truly are!).

I thank Sen. Reid for saying the obvious - there is no place for these psycho perverts (Jeffs etc.) outisde of jail - and there should be no where to hide. Being polygamist is one thing (although clearly incorrect when not condoned by God i.e. Abraham, Young) but when young girls are abused, as is the case with the FLDS, then the government can and should take immediate action.
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Gal50 | 7:19 a.m. July 25, 2008
I was wondering why polygamy is in the title of this proceeding. It appears that it is to please the Mormon church.

The crime of polygamy was largely overlooked in the testimony. Only one person mentioned the criminal aspect of polygamy. And only one person mentioned crime outside the FLDS. So, the real topic of this proceeding was the varied crimes of the FLDS.

Although many crimes were described, the crime of child rape holds center stage and in that, the FLDS has more in common with the Catholic church than with other polygamous groups.

Of all the features that differentiate the FLDS from the norm, polygamy is the main feature. If I were from one of the other polygamous groups, I'd be very upset that the FLDS has jeopardized my lifestyle.

Lastly, I'm not sure the Mormons are the enemy of the FLDS. The rest of the country would probably have a lot less tolerance for all of this behavior.
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support | 7:27 a.m. July 25, 2008
it is obvious that Reid is an indep. Mormon. He really ticks off those who want straight up, on your knees at all time Mormons. He thinks. Now that is a rarity indeed!

The polygamists are organized, and they do commit all kinds of crimes to get money. Thus they are... you figure it out class.

Go Reid!!!
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uncannygunman | 7:35 a.m. July 25, 2008
If they're the mob, go after them because they're the mob. If they're not the mob, I say leave them alone to run their own weird lives. I don't want the government telling me which women (or with how many) I can get involved with!
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RE: Harry Reid | 7:50 a.m. July 25, 2008
Give me a break! Harry Reid is doing what he should do. As a staunch Conservative, I feel we need to put politics aside and prosecute Polygamy for what it is - a big organized sham that victimizes women and chldren. These people need to quit hiding behind the Constitution and Utahns need to stop defending these crooks. If we all stopped tolerating this disease, it would end in our generation.
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Pots and Kettles | 7:55 a.m. July 25, 2008
Senator Reid may be looking for headlines featuring his name during an election year. Or he may have a a heart bent toward civic duty. It matters not. The FLDS church (pot)and the LDS church(kettle)are too similar in their attitude toward women for one to be under federal investigation without the other being examined as well. A recent article in the DN recognizing the plight of women who sacrifice their education in order to support their husbands in college is a prime example. Teaching women that they are inferior to their husbands and must submit to the man as a priesthood holder - even to mental, emotional, and physical abuse - is a crime. The difference between what LDS leaders extoll from the conference podium and what women experience is great...and should be exposed.
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Charli | 7:57 a.m. July 25, 2008
I think Senator Reid is harse in his statements BUT something must be done and someone must stand up to the FLDS. Many innocent ones will be hurt but this practice must be stopped NOW. What they are doing is against the law! Let me say that again... WHAT THEY ARE DOING IS AGAINST THE LAW! If you don't stop this chain of events that are using and abusing the younger ones, it will continue forever. I say "Go Senator Reid & keep up the pressure to stop the FLDS."
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AZ Border Dude | 8:11 a.m. July 25, 2008
By definition a criminal conspiracy is when three or more people agree to commit an act, or series of acts, that systematically violate the Criminal Laws of a State or the United States.

That said, adults that coerce underage teen females to participate in sex and adults that actually commit the sex act, in concert with the coercion, is conspiracy. It's repeated practice over many years is systamatic. If the male and female are not legally married it's criminal.

The FLDS actions satisfy that rule.

This rare cooperation between Arizona, Nevada, Texas and Utah during these latest events is outstanding. But, it should not be expected for future situations or other cases.

FLDS is not the only organization engaged in these type practices.

On this rare occasion, Harry Ried seems to be right; the federal authorities should be involved. The FLDS usually moves their activities or people from one state to another to avoid investigation, apprehension or prosecution.

This can be a child exploitation law useful for other than this single purpose. It should allow federal authorities to become involved easier and earlier; also make criminal moving victims or witnesses, by conspiratorial groups, across jurisdictions to thwart access by investigators.
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Oh Please | 8:15 a.m. July 25, 2008
Harry Reid is a man of principle and is doing exactly what should be done. Since Utah and Arizona seem unable to deal with the mess on their mutual border, it's appropriate for the Federals to get involved. Teenage girls in slave marriages, children getting no education, hundreds of millions in wealth while the polygamist families feed off welfare? It IS scam, and a malignant one. Their beliefs don't matter one way or another, but when they undertake to victimize women and children and prey on the rest of us, they ARE a criminal organization.
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IS | 8:19 a.m. July 25, 2008
FLDS is FOREVER LDS.I love FLDS.
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Low down cryin' shame | 8:22 a.m. July 25, 2008
It's a low down shame and near treason for Harry Reid and friends to waste time hunting polygamists when their efforts should be spent crafting a viable energy policy and dealing with America's more pressing problems.
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CC | 8:25 a.m. July 25, 2008
There are others in CC/Hildale than the FLDS that have been discriminated against for years. This in itself is unlawful. It is time for the criminal city governments and its agents to pay. They have never represented or protected all of its residents especially the innocent. Take them down Harry and protect those that have missed out on it for so long because of criminal activity.
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Larryc206 | 8:29 a.m. July 25, 2008
When it comes right down to it, polygamy is against the law of the land. Any group, religious or not, should not be surprised to find them selves being prosecuted for violations of the law.
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dave4197 | 8:31 a.m. July 25, 2008
moessers you're nuts = wrong = misguided = nuts
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