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Texas can't hold 'em: Supreme court says state erred in taking children
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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.
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?
"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."
WAY TO HANG IN THERE, FLDS! CONGRATULATIONS!
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.
FLDS - STOP THIS PRACTICE
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.
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.
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
If there has been any abuse I hope the practice stops and the offenders prosecuted.
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.
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
well, I reckon by YOUR reckoning, it is sorta like the general in the Viet Nam war who said: " we had to destroy the village to win the battle for the people" or words to that effects.
TEXAS...can you spell BANKRUPTCY? or RAISE TAXES? or SUPPLEMENTAL BUDGET INCREASE? or JURIST RECALLED?
This incident should cost them dearly and they should be sued for all infractions of the law. Like someone said in the beginning of the whole mess, Texas better get out their checkbook as it is going to cost them.
Now, FLDS, if there exists any abuse in your ranks, please take care of business right away or Texas will find some excuse to do something about it. Lessons learned?
FLDS Moms, use your newly realized strength to tell your men, "what for". You have always been stronger than any man. Use that strength.
The CPS workers had to do a complete investigation - then the workers apologized to us - and said: "it happens."
Our experience was similar to yours. We had occasion to observe FLDS members working together on a project.
We didn't know what to expect at first, only knowing the usual rumors. What we experienced were clean, kind, hard working, and friendly people. We didn't see a single confrontation among the children that were working side by side for days - and they chatter just like any kids. I didn't hear one harsh word from the adults who supervised(and worked as well). There was a sense of community that I haven't seen in Utah since the 1950's.
There were some financial transactions involved which, though handled by men, were overseen by some wives who certainly had authority. We would never hesitate again to work with them.
I hope Texas will stop treating the FLDS like some foreign "Borg" and get to know them.
Not listening to our AG, who discouraged the blanket action of CPS, may be costly for Texas. The greatest cost will be borne by the children who are now emotionally damaged and more afraid of Texas than any possible abuse within the FLDS community.
My experience was with a false allegation in UTAH and I understand this happens all the time in every state. The testimony of an outside observer who knows nothing of the family's situation or their special needs children is taken as gospel (even if they might have ulterior motives or an axe to grind) while the word of the family means nothing - perhaps because they are living differently than what the 20-something, single, inexperienced so-called social worker thinks they should (home school, religion, disorganized house, etc.)
To have a judge uphold this kind of abuse is unconscionable. Do it right!
When these children are safely home, the parents are going to grab their gear and head for the nearest border out of Texas.
The real winner here is the state of Texas... These kind people will be gone to some other place, where a carefully placed blind eye ignores their practices and lifestyle.
Despite any claim to victory by the FLDS faithful, the clearcut victor will be the great state of Texas.
I have to agree with mensem. Having read the pdf that DN posted, i'm suprised there was any dissenting justices. The state had very little evidence and freely admitted they were going after the FLDS religon more than any specific incident of abuse.
Some deserving person will still probably end up in jail for physical abuse, but the courts have ruled that instilling belief does not itself equate to abuse. This is a good day for religious freedom.
I can hear Utah socialists gnash their teeth from here.
The El Dorado Raid will set relations between the FLDS and "mainstream" society back at least 10 years. Whatever gains have been made have been eradicated in one fell swoop.
Boo for the fathers.
Boo for the FLDS Church.
It is ODD that a group who VIOLATES THE LAWS of our country when it comes to polygamy, now feel that justice owes them so much when it comes to a potential windfall civil suit. Let's say a windfall lawsuit 'screamed' for by the FLDS.
The were dishonest during the initial proceedings in Texas, lied about what they were going to do with the ranch in Texas. In the distant past they blazed a path of lies from from Salt Lake City to Southern Utah, to Arizona to the Jeff's trial.
This Fox is ashamed of the legal system in our country. Not only does it reward liars, but it hurts mothers and children.
"Yucky" is the law!
They built a community over a period of years. They aren't any more welcome somewhere else. The Texas Supreme Court just sent a message that they will have the protection afforded all Texas citizens. Lawyers are headed to Texas to offer free or percentage pursuit of civil rights actions against the state. The ACLU finally got on board and will keep future Texas action in their sights. The FLDS have the opportunity to get politically active in their county and get their own political power.
Why would they leave? They have a home and finally, constitutional protection. There could be a few that leave to avoid prosecution, but the majority will stay and fight for their own future. And a lot of Utahns will be helping them.
Nobody "won". The State of Texas and the FLDS now know the limits.
"These girls look forward to getting married early. It's their culture."
It's because it's engrained in their minds since birth that they will not gain salvation if they do not participate in this lifestyle.
And you're right, there is no one holding a gun to these kids heads, instead they are in a guard tower with rifles.
It isn't over until every last child is returned.
Doesn't it make you wonder if the fed hadn't been so hell-bent on killing everyone, if Waco might have ended up this way as well?
Stop what practice?
Teaching the childrento be obedient?
If it is under age marriages you are taliking about then tell it to the rest of the world too. There is NO force in PRIESThOOD. But you must have evicence not just hearsay by some disgrundled Flora or Caroline.
Where is the justice for the young girls that are raped by the old men?
Where is the justice for the young boys that are abandoned in the streets?
Where is the justice for blatant welfare fraud that takes place in this community?
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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.