Comments about ‘FLDS women seek Texas governor's help’

I don't agree with their religion, but I would like very much to see the rights of fellow American citizens respected. My rights might be next.

If these citizens were any other minority, I think there would be a howl of protest.

Texas is still part of America isn't it???

I agree with you totally. I don't agree with polygamy, but these people have been treated totally unfairly. I just want to know what that judge was even thinking!

So much for freedom of speech and freedom of association. Where's the ACLU?

While the FLDS may be kooks, and a few may indeed be alleged child molestors, this owerwhelming use of government force to take children from families, deny them any acess for even health and welfare checks by worried parents has a very tyrannical stench.

Today the FLDS. Tomorrow who? The Amish or Mennonites? Orthodox Jews? Native American religious practitioners? Roman Catholic convents or monastaries or parochial schools? Or, maybe even LDS wards in unhospitable states. Indeed, the increasing attacks on all forms of religion in America (by the left and their allies in the news media) are marginalizing all denominations. Except of course the "protected," politically correct practitioners of the "Religion of Peace" whose actions and motives must never be questioned.

Something sure smells odd about this FLDS raid, and it gets worse every day.

Freedom of speech does not cover illegal acts in the name of religion and, guess what, not only polygamy but also child rape and assault are considered illegal. You know, the child rape and assault that was going on? The amish and mennonites don't rape and assault children. I'm sure these people can continue the non-child abusing part of their religion, they just have to FOLLOW THE LAWS that protect children from abuse. It astonishes me what people get worked up about and what they don't. Witness tampering is a huge possibility here.

This was necessary, lets hope that the state of Texas can help them get on their feet and to recover from the hell they've endured. For all of you that are arguing that this was merely just anotehr religion being attacked, open your eyes! Their practice violates the law and the 1891 revelation to end polygamy.

One supposed call made, possibly by a 15 year old has caused the officials in all levels of Texas government to go beserk! These officials have not substanciated anything! If a crime has been committed then deal with that. If it were a congregation of Methodists or Baptists would the entire group be arrested, denied civil liberties, be denied basic necessities for their children and so on? Or is the power of corrupt government coresion? The rule of law must be maintained for the sake of the children or child who may have been abused. Otherwise all of these civil right violations will make a rational judge throw out the corrupted evidence then who wins? The criminal and the biased media that refuses to effect the power of the 5 th Estate to protect the people and the government from themselves! It is time to bury the State of Texas in emails, mail and calls to protect the rights of ALL UNITED STATES CITIZENS NO MATTER THEIR RELIGION! May true justice prevail.

I think it was the many young pregnant girls, the beds in the temple that coincided with a former members report about what was going on in the temple. Sick, sick... Even if they really believe it's right, you don't get to do things just because you believe they're right. You still have to follow the law. Thank goodness.

If that isn't enough to do a serious investigation, I'm not sure what exactly you want!

Thank god for the State of TX who is helping these abused kiddos - their parents weren't. The State was trying to be accomidating by letting the Mothers' stay in the shelters and continue using phones for week. In any other removals, the parents have NO rights to call, visit, or stay with a child. Having an extra 150 people is causing overcrowding in the shelters - you can't tell me everyone was used to their own rooms at the ranch. If the State was really treating these kids like other children they removed, they would already be in foster homes throughout Texas.

Taxpayers have payed for their public assistance, health insurance, and food stamps before they were removed. At least this way, the kids won't be married off illegally before they are old enough to make a real choice, won't be abused by the pedophiles, and will get an education so they can make their own choices.

I hope the Judge rules that way later this week. These children deserve a chance at a future - with an education, and choices about their life, boddies, and mind.

This was necessary. This was/IS abuse. Isn't polygamy illegal anyway. . .so why are we letting it continue ANYWHERE? That's right, because we have people in power who don't want to risk their political position to bring it down or bring attention to it. I have no doubt that there are nice people involved BUT on the whole the state of Texas is looking out for the children. NO child deserves to be abused and told that it was for their own good or for their own salvation or if they don't participate they won't be saved. . .This is not religious persecution this is ABUSE in its most basic form! And ABUSE is against the LAW. Think of the children.

If this type of early childhood abuse and abuse of children, primarily female children continues in this country we have no leg to stand on accusing the country of China. This is amazing that this continues to go on in 2008. It is a National Disaster and Texas has chosen to take it straight on.....I support you Texas. My prayer are with these unfortunate victims who really believe that their conditions are "normal' have access to psychological help and allowing them an opportunity to see a true "family".
God Bless those who do not use religion as an excuse for abberant behavior!

Don, are you a former or still practicing polygamist? You sound like it. Those officals have substanciated crimes - a glaring one being finding girls under the age of 16 who were "married" and pregnant or who had already had children. Correct me if I'm wrong, but according to Texas law, a female who is under the age of 16 cannot be married even with parental consent. I believe in protecting civil rights, but do you or those polygamists believe in obeying the law? If they feel like they can't have religous freedom in the US, then find another country to practice it in.

Don | 10:04 p.m. Apr. 13, 2008
"One supposed call made, possibly by a 15 year old.."

It's pretty obvious that this not about religion. Are you one of the males in this cult that's hiding out?

Human Rights have been terribly violated in this cult and hidden behind the guise of 'religion'. Not to mention welfare fraud, tossing away sons like some would a stray cat or dog. Loving families? Isn't it interesting how good Christian's in this group could sit back while 'just a few abuse'... You know it isn't about religion. It is about humanity for the people now and the future. Thank goodness Texas is big enought to step to the plate. Tampering with an investigation is illegal. This group is not above the law of the United States or Texas. You sound more like you are afraid the law enforcement/judges/social services/attys/gal/casa are and will do their job.

Read Carolyn Jessops book "ESCAPE"...already know what is in it?

When you're confiscating cell phones from adults in your "protective custody," you no longer hold any moral high ground in my opinion. This is just getting nuts. I applaud the FLDS folks for not "getting their guns," but I hope they get their lawyers and sue the heck out of the state of Texas.

I don't agree with their religion either, since it involves "marrying" off underage women (girls, in truth) to old men, and oppressing any sort of freedom among their ranks except for the precious few at the top. These are not "warm and fuzzy" kids straight from the MTC - this is a sick cult based on securing privilege for a single leader at the cost of hundreds of "followers." This sort of thing goes on to an even greater degree here in southern Utah, but officials here turn a blind eye to it - unlike their counterparts in Texas.

there are steps that are suppose to be followed, and it seems like the state of texas missed a few of those when they took all 400+ kids from the compound. it's the easiest thing in the world for an under 16 yr old girl to have sex, and to say it was some other under 18 yr old boy that got her pregnant. what's texas gonna do, give the paternity test to every adult male in the place after the baby is born, months from now?

While I think polygamy is wrong, I think it is atrocious to have taken all those children away from their homes. Abuse of any kind is not only illegal, it is barbaric and cannot be tolerated. All efforts must be made to find the girl who made the telephone call. Prosecute the guilty person to the highest degree. And then Texas must take a look at itself, they are certainly abusing the children in their care by removing them from their homes after the call by the 15-16 year old girl. (However, after not being able to find her, doubts are arising about her existence.) I don't read anything in the papers about babies or children under age 11 being "married" or in other ways abused, so why have they been removed? Things are sounding "fishy" in Texas. Ms. Jessop's book may be true or false, who knows? I've read other accusing books and articles authored by some that I know from experience is false. While definitely not wanting to defend a child abuser, I don't want to believe everything I hear just because it was told.

I think the jury is still out on this one. Oh wait, we haven't had a hearing or trial yet. There are a lot of things to sort out here. Who made the call? Girl cannot be found, the man who was accused has not been in the state for years. Child abuse or any abuse is extremely wrong and must not be accepted or tolerated. Texas must get to the bottom of this. Texas must not hurt the innocent in the process. Let the children and their mothers go back to their homes. There must be a lot less men than children and mothers, go collect the men! They are the ones (or one) accused, why are the innocent suffering? Why would a state allow a child, much less HUNDREDS of children go to the homes of strangers?? That just doesn't make sense. Taking cell phones from the mothers and children is tyranical. If there is an emergency...or abuse while in government care who will be able to get the word out? The FLDS are being treated like animals. Maybe the phone call was not really from the compound. Is there any proof?

To no phones please: It is pretty obvious this IS about religion!

UTAH LIBERAL:

Where do you get off saying these things. You did nothing in your response but show your biased nature, bigotry, and intolerance of anything you don't understand or care to understand. Southern utahan's are notorious for treating polygamist poorly. It's people like you who raided this little village, and took babies from mothers arms. What died and made you the moral compass to southern utah. Remove the plank out of your own eye and then you might see with a little more tolerance and respect.

This is all really sad. Such a traumatic situation for the women and children. Who is to say foster care is better than their own homes? We've all heard some pretty horrible stories about foster care!