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Summit targets FLDS

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PARENTAL RIGHTS | 10:38 a.m. June 12, 2008
==

PARODY:
PARENTS' RIGHTS TRUMP [ANTI] POLYGAMY


ORGINAL:
PARENTS' RIGHTS TRUMP POLYGAMY

SOURCE: YAHOO NEWS
Lost lives | 10:42 a.m. June 12, 2008
Anyone who has lived around or been around FLDS, and then decides to leave their cult, knows darn well how evil theses FLDS men are.
betty | 11:34 a.m. June 12, 2008
many articles in this newspaper have stated that the polygamist compounds in utah and arizona have many women who are committing welfare fraud by claiming they are single mothers to the government, but living a life of being so called wives to men who should be supporting these children. if the men can give a percentage of their income to to the prophet jeffs, they can give that money to support their children.
and for the old men on social security, they keep having more and more children on their younger and younger wives, and we are paying social security for the children of supposedly old people.
stop having kids you cannot support and the taxpayers will stop complaining about you.
Comments continue below
John Lambert | 11:52 a.m. June 12, 2008
We should either prosecute polygamy or repeal the laws against it. If we are not going to prosecute a crime we should take it off the books. If we have it on the books we should prosecute it.
John Lambert | 11:55 a.m. June 12, 2008
To re Betty,
If the mothers claim they do not know the whereabouts of their husbands when they do. If they claim to be single mothers when their husbands are very present. If there husbands work long hours for a company that does not pay them because they known the state will give the people money in the long run, than there is fraud.
Lieing on a welfare application is a crime and can and should be prosecuted.
John Lambert | 11:58 a.m. June 12, 2008
To Barny:
Muslims are already practicing polygamy in the United States. Just hunt down the New York Times article from last year about all the polygamous Muslims in New York City. google the issue and you will find references to Muslims practicing polygamy elsewhere in the United States. The day of Muslim polygamists in the United States is now.
Janet | 11:59 a.m. June 12, 2008
First they came for the communists, and I did not speak out--because I was not a communist;
Then they came for the socialists, and I did not speak out--because I was not a socialist;
Then they came for the trade unionists, and I did not speak out--because I was not a trade unionist;
Then they came for the Jews, and I did not speak out--because I was not a Jew;
Then they came for me--and there was no one left to speak out for me.
by Rev. Martin Niemoller, 1945

Live and let live is correct.
John Lambert | 12:00 p.m. June 12, 2008
To James J:
Polygamy as practiced by the FLDS is an abomination. Jacob stated that the Lord delights in the chastity of women, and the FLDS have no authorization from the Lord, are trying to justify themselves by misunderstanding the past and stand condemned in his sight.
common sense | 11:59 a.m. June 12, 2008
At Least desert news doesnt show bias in its reporting, which is very good
Deaf Ears | 12:01 p.m. June 12, 2008
Summit targets FLDS? More warspeak from our government? War on Terror? War on poverty? War on drugs? War on education? War on Native Americans? Now its war on the FLDS? War cannot be waged on things or ideas, only on people! Is genocide next on the government menu? No matter how repugnant you may think the FLDS ideology is, if we allow government to continue the persecution of this group we are approving the downfall of our nation and opening the door to more government oppression.
John Lambert | 12:05 p.m. June 12, 2008
Why do Utahs tolerate an attorney general who promises he will not try to enforce the law? When will the people of the state wake up and elect someone who honors his oath to uphold the state constitution, which specifically bans plural marriage?
I used to defend Shertleff, however I have realized that his rationalistic appraoch is based on assuming the law is only what he says it is. The law is what it is written as, and if he will not enforce it, he should be replaced.
If the residents of Utah are really OK with large polygamous groups in their midst they should repeal the anti-polygamy law. Until that time the state should prosecute those who willfully and knowingly break the law.
Kevin | 12:07 p.m. June 12, 2008
For all polygamy supporters--GET A LIFE AND ONE WIFE! Treat people the way you would have them treat you. Try respecting women other then just yourselves. Try to be a real person and quit abusing.
In Utah | 12:09 p.m. June 12, 2008
To many people sticking their nose in others business
I mind my own business, I do not make up stories and hurt someone
Utah is a corrupt state
Gossiping about new comers
Freedom Mann | 12:11 p.m. June 12, 2008
To "Self-sufficient Delusion"

You said:
"The FLDS have argued that people living at the YFZ ranch were self-sufficient because they weren't living on welfare. Maybe not directly, but they refuse to reveal where the money and resources to purchase and build the ranch came from.

"The answer, of course, is that ALL of the money and resources came from the FLDS who were living in Hildale and Colorado City, where the vast majority of FLDS were heavily dependent on welfare."

The money to purchase the land for the YFZ ranch has come from an elderly FLDS member who has made his FORTUNE in the manufacture of airplane parts; he even has a Federal Defense contract. (Note: Now that I've said this, people like "Self-sufficient Delusion" will do everything in their power to make sure he loses it.)

I'm an Atheistic Jewish man living in New York City, yet I know this to be a fact. How come YOU don't know where the money came from? Or maybe you just don't WANT to know where it came from . . .
John Lambert | 12:10 p.m. June 12, 2008
To Andy,
If you do a study you will find that several other FLDS people besides Jeffs have been convicted. Utah has gotten other convictions on charges of statutory rape. The mismanagement of funds was so bad that most of their fiscal institutions have been taken over by the government.
On the welfare fraud issue. How exactly do you prove welfare fraud. Is a lady going to come forward and say "I told the government that I did not know where my husband was, but that was a lie". On the other hand, even in Utah what percentage of the state budget goes to support the FLDS? Somehow I think taxes are spent much more on running schools, building roads, building Universities and so on than on supporting the FLDS.
John Lambert | 12:15 p.m. June 12, 2008
To Andy:
Reid has been a member of the LDS Church since long before he was elected to the senate. Reid joined the church in about 1960, which is before the vast majority of church members joined. If his joining the church is recent, than I wonder what makes someone a long time member.
Re: Deaf Ears | 12:15 p.m. June 12, 2008

So whats makes you such an expert? However, I do not agree with your BS. Please try again.
Anonymous | 12:20 p.m. June 12, 2008
It is about time that law enforcement goes after these cults that commit welfare fraud and molest underage girls. They are pure evil.
John Lambert | 12:24 p.m. June 12, 2008
James J,
If you do not want to contribute to helping the sick and the poor, no one is forcing you to. As far as I know, these efforts are mainly run by fast offerings as has been said above.
However, I do know that many stakes exceed their fast offering intake in expenditure, and some tithing funds may be used to help the poor, or at least to keep bishop's storehouses and other operational parts of the welfare program running.
Then there is the horrendous amount of money spent by the Perpetual Education Fund. Can you believe it, they are actually paying for poor people to get educated. OK, that is just such a stupid gripe, that I can't continue it. It is totally ridiculous.
If you do not want to pay fast offerings, tithing or anything else to the church you are free to do so. No one will throw you in jail.
Taxes are a different story. You will go to jail for not paying them. Anyway, the real question is why should the state provide foodstamps to families where the father makes a good living?
It is time | 12:23 p.m. June 12, 2008
Put a fence around Utah
The real criminals are in charge
The Judicial Mis Conduct commission refuses to act
Just thinking | 12:25 p.m. June 12, 2008
--"Too many ex-FLDS have related the same types of experiences involving child abuse, kidnapping, welfare fraud, and other crimes to simply dismiss their testimony as nothing more than "exaggeration.""--

Yes, all three of them, Flora Caroline and the Wall girl have said it so many times and are making so much money off of it, it MUST be true.

Flora sounds like she was abused, but Caroline and the Wall girl dont come across as abused, Just very angry. We know how bitter and angry women can get.

So 1 abuse victim and 2 angry women have said it so many times that we ignore crime in our neighbor hood and form "special" task forces when we could just walk in and talk to these people. WHY?!
Anonymous | 12:25 p.m. June 12, 2008
They are the American Taliban. Sex slavery is an evil act. Warren Jeffs is a demonic soul.
Re; Janet | 11:59 a.m. | 12:25 p.m. June 12, 2008
Maybe if you stopped breaking the law, instead of justifying why the FLDS, and only the FLDS, have a right to break the law with impunity, the government would leave you alone.

"Live and let live" only applies if you aren't breaking the law.

The sooner the FLDS learn that, the better.
John Lambert | 12:29 p.m. June 12, 2008
To re:James J (2nd one),
Hildale Utah has about 2,000 people, so 33% means that about 670 are getting foodstamps. Utah has 2.6 million people, so about 100,000 people getting foodstamps and such (actually, I think it is higher, but it is a nice round number). This gives us 600 FLDS and 99,400 non-FLDS recieving such assistance in Utah. This means that less than 1% of the welfare expenditures in Utah go to the FLDS. I am not sure what percentage of the Utah budget goes to welfare, but as you see from these figures very little of your tax dollars are going to the FLDS.
Re; Freedom Mann | 12:31 p.m. June 12, 2008
Dig a little deeper and you'll be able to understand HOW he won the contract and made his fortune using strictly FLDS labor that was grossly under-reported so that the families of the men could continue to collect welfare benefits.
Kolobite | 12:49 p.m. June 12, 2008
I am not FLDS or LDS but seems strange to me that LDS Prophet hasn't had any revelations since Joseph Smiths's time. Oh, i've heard the rant about: "We don't need any more revelation, we have enough...." Really?? I say impeach and get out of office all those states that just came from that summit. I have no animosity here, just wonder why the LDS did absolutely nothing to come to the aid of their FLDS brothers and sisters? I mean the church, not individual LDS. And , let's not say the FLDS are not mormons, they surely are....Any crimes, i say prosecute, but in re: polygamy, who gives a darn nowadays? I stopped in Motel in Idaho and desk clerk introduced his wife and her "sister" I said: she is your plural wife, don't sweat it...he didn't deny it, only smiled and handed me my key to my room. To person who put down Jeffs, didn't Hinckley say in re: progression on becoming Gods or as man is God once was, he said he wasn't sure of that couplet, it was only a couplet....Mormonism is indeed "progressing" and evolving, trying to fit into mainstream christianity.
Grandpa Phil | 1:03 p.m. June 12, 2008
Speaking of Flora, y'all need to read the article written by Flora Jessop's guardian, Martha Barlow Jessop, entitled "The Truth About Flora Jessop". It is a real eye opener about why Flora has made the claims she has. She is MUCH less believable than Caroline ever was. I would never listen to an "anti-anything" as a source of information on any subject. if I want an objective answer regarding the beliefs of baptists, Mormans, or FLDS, I will go and ask someone in those faiths, NOT someone who left for whatever reason. No reasonable (or reasoning) person would.
Freedom Mann | 1:20 p.m. June 12, 2008
Re; Freedom Mann

Okay, so first we have "where did they get the money for the YFZ ranch." (This was raised by "Self-sufficient Delusion")

I answered that question and now "Re; Freedom Mann" is here to tell me that the FLDS Airplane parts tycoon who purchased the YFZ ranch made (and continues to make) his fortune all with FLDS "slave labor!"

If that were so, "Re; Freedom Mann," then the Defense Department could pretty handily yank his contract but that obviously hasn't happened.

Indeed, anyone with government contracts is often obliged to meet certain obligations towards their laborers.

Whatever FLDS does, it's somehow ALWAYS WRONG and AWFUL!
James J | 1:26 p.m. June 12, 2008
To: John Lambert


John I think you misunderstood what I was saying. One was a response to Betty, and one was a response to another guy saying that more FLDS people are on welfare then anyone else. While, as a percentage he might be correct, as far as numbers go he�s not. Betty was saying that just because they are FLDS they shouldn�t get welfare. I have no problem paying welfare to people who need it, but I do have a problem with people living off it, or living off the church. This is why I no longer pay tithing or fast offerings. I got sick of working 2 jobs and paying my 10% just to see people say that there are no jobs and sit on their buts, all the time receiving help from the church. One question for you John, What is a good living? I had 9 kids in my family, (typical mormon family) my dad made $70-80 a year and we always went without: food, clothing, cars. So what is a good income? Let me get this out, I'm for helping people who need help, Not to the extent of living off the help though


JJ | 1:34 p.m. June 12, 2008

The problem isn't so much that the FLDS engages in cult activity. It's that the Mormon cult activity of the FLDS conflicts with the Christian cult mentality that prevails in Texas, and is promulgated by CPS.

This time the courts in Texas recognized that two wrongs don't make a right.

There's always next time.

Re: Just thinking | 12:25 p.m. | 1:41 p.m. June 12, 2008
You missed a few. Here are just a couple:

At 15, Debbie Palmer became the third wife to Winston Blackmore's father -- a man 42 years her elder. She fled the commune in 1988. She said the B.C. government has evidence in its own birth records that will prove adult men impregnated underage girls.

"We know of girls as young as 13 involved in trafficking across the border," says Debbie Palmer, who now lives in Saskatchewan. "And some have been exposed to horrifically abusive situations."

To get an idea of just how complex the family relationships are in Bountiful, consider this. By marrying Ray Blackmore, Debbie became a step-mother to her step-mother and as a result, a step-grandmother to herself and to her sister Jane, who is a year younger than Debbie.

After Ray Blackmore died, Debbie was reassigned first to 54-year-old Sam Ralston. By the time she left the community, she had had three different husbands and eight children. She was never legally married.

Re; Just thinking (2) | 1:44 p.m. June 12, 2008
grew up in the FLDS. I know first-hand the abuse that takes place under the ruse of religious freedom. In August of 2006, when Warren Jeffs entered the courtroom most people saw a pathetic image of a man in chains. I saw my former teacher �- the man who intimidated us and who eventually became the one to whom we were to declare unquestioning obedience as our Prophet. As I viewed Warren Jeffs in chains I couldn�t help but think about the many women and children still bound in psychological chains inside the FLDS. When I thought about his chains, I remembered theirs.

Kathy Jo Nicholson
Former FLDS member
I want to join | 1:55 p.m. June 12, 2008
You all make the FLDS sound like such a wonderful, peace-loving people. I'd like to join..can I visit one of their services and see what it's all about for myself? Do they have any missionaries I can talk to? Seriously, if you have a problem with people's perception of you, just open the doors so everyone can come see the truth...even the "evil" Baptists do that!
Re: Freedom Mann (2) | 2:06 p.m. June 12, 2008
You obviously don't understand the FLDS culture. They have a communal lifestyle in which all of the property within the community is owned by the community, no private property ownership.

The FLDS airplane parts "tycoon," was one of them. So how did he make a fortune? Through the labor of other FLDS men, whose families were living on welfare. But the tycoon's fortune was really the FLDS community's fortune.

Which is one of the reasons a trustee was appointed to oversee the FLDS community property, because FLDS leaders were suspected of mismanaging that trust.

If you follow the shell game of money going from one shared FLDS pocket to another, you can easily see that welfare money was indirectly used to pay for buying and building the YFZ ranch.

That's not to say, the FLDS didn't invest a huge amount of sweat equity in building the ranch, but the vast majority of materials and equipment used to build the ranch were provided through funds provided by the FLDS communities in Hildale and Colorado City, through the so-called FLDS tycoon.
a visitor | 2:11 p.m. June 12, 2008
Maybe we should arrest and detain anyone who seems different than main stream because they "might" have committed a crime? So what if "their crimes are difficult to prove because of a lack of hard evidence?" We could just revoke the USA constitutional protections and assume that they are "obviously guilty" until proven innocent. Sort of like how the laws in Mexico work.

We also then need a task force to mandate "main stream behavior" so that its easier to determine who the possible criminals are. But don't forget that our country was founded by people who purposely broke laws and resisted those authorities who oppressed us.
Re: a visitor | 2:11 p.m. | 2:38 p.m. June 12, 2008
Weak strawmen, but there's still plenty of evidence to support further investigations of the FLDS.
David M. | 2:40 p.m. June 12, 2008
To Re: Freedom Mann (2) 2:06PM

You are absolutely correct on what you said. Thanks!!


To the rest of the ignorant lamebrain commenter's who are mostly FLDS. You need to learn what you are talking about before commenting.
Anonymous | 3:00 p.m. June 12, 2008
Wouldn't you promise anything if it meant you could get your children back. Let the children return, let the smoke die down with promises to not abuse and dominate, then, when the coast is clear, return to the same horrific practices which have been prevelent since the beginning of the LDS Church. Then explain it to the children who lives your have ruined and taken away.
James J Strang | 3:48 p.m. June 12, 2008
We've just witnessed the advent of Nazi Germany right here in America. The judge who ripped the 400+ children from their mother's arms and gave them to he state, should be under investigation and thrown in prison for what she has done. Just one man's opinion.
Mel | 3:58 p.m. June 12, 2008
I'm sure Merrill Jessop could just step forward and clear all of this up. Oh wait, I forgot, he's in hiding. Coward.
wel-unfair | 4:18 p.m. June 12, 2008
the towns of Colorado City and Hildale receive the most welfare and pay the least taxes of any towns in their states. its a fact
plus these fraudulent obtained food stamps are 'spent' at the church owned grocery store..where they get reimbursed =double dipping.
you are not foolin anyone

quit taking hand outs you self sufficient FLDS and I'll listen to what you have to say
And don't break the law | 4:26 p.m. June 12, 2008
FLDS and you won't have complaints! If you don't do anything against the law you will be left alone. It's interesting (and sad) how groups will cry out anything that will help their cause. In this case it's the outcry "freedom of religion" when it is really just wanting to be able to do with women and young girls as they can. And yes, I have also heard about the welfare scam that they have. Religion has nothing to do with these things!
Sorry, your time is up and our communities won't take it anymore!
zxcvbnm | 4:32 p.m. June 12, 2008

It seems a bit premature to assume that the "evidence" siezed by Texas in the raid will be admissable in a criminal case.
"Good faith" of Texas authorities has been suspect since day one and only becomes more suspect as motives and methods of Texas state officials becomes clearer.
Anonymous | 4:42 p.m. June 12, 2008
What vile old men are married to the young girls, the ones I've heard of that were adults marrying a young girl, was a 19 year old boy and a teenage girl under 18. That is really not a big age difference, yes there is still a mature difference, so that would be an issue. Someone please give facts on how many old men are married to teenage girls, because this is all I hear.
lazarus | 4:45 p.m. June 12, 2008
Polygamy is a crime against women and children. Statistics show that there are more boys born than girls all through out history. So if the FLDS now will not perform marriages to underage girls, they will not have an abundance of women to continue their lifestyle.

They could continue to release more of their males into the wilderness to fend for themselves. This would help their situation.

It is clear that the core values of polygamy within their religion is evil.

The male hirearchy will bully, reassign wives, and literally scare the heck out of their congregation if they do not sweetly comply with their brand of laws within their society. They can loose their families and children if they cross a line that their men do not like. This keeps them in check.

I really do wish to pose the question to them...how WILL you continue in your lifestyle? LOOK at your statistics of the births within your compound. There are not enough women to go around!



Don't Break USA Laws!!! | 4:47 p.m. June 12, 2008
How come when some people break the laws and don't want to follow or live USA laws, suddenly they always want to start blaming law abiding citizens as being Nazis? You people who use this propaganda need to stop breaking USA laws and quit with all the nonsensical idiotic Nazi Germany BS! Perhaps you belong in jail as well. There is no doubt in my mind that FLDS are breaking the USA laws. I have personally known a few of these FLDS deviates.

Live the laws or go to jail!
lazarus | 4:56 p.m. June 12, 2008
To anoymous...who just posted. Are you serious?

The defense team of Warren Jeffs is desperately trying to keep the new evidence from being presented. It involves the spiritual marriage of girls ages 12 to 15.

There are many others within the compound who have given birth at very young ages...there will be lawsuits to follow for the men of the FLDS. It will be determined by the DNA evidence. They should be shaking in their perverted boots!
Anonymous | 5:00 p.m. June 12, 2008
Someone said the Sun was not the Sun. Just because they "thought" it was not the Sun, did it make the Sun not the Sun?
Nothing | 6:28 p.m. June 12, 2008
Big talk.

These guys aren't going to do nothing. They're only gathered around in a group like atheist in youtube to console themselves while they suck their thumbs. They've lost so much ground in the West Texas case that if you're not blinded by your bias, then you know how much of a liar CPS, TX, and Sheriff David Doran truly are.

I hope their holding of the hands helped them feel better. So far this has been nothing of a "slam dunk" as George Tenet said of the case for the Iraq War.
We have it right in Calif. | 6:31 p.m. June 12, 2008
We here in California are more enlightened than the rest of you! The FLDS made one mistake, they went to Texas. Here in California, no problem! Here in California we only have one problem, we are all victims of GWB! There are no absolute truths, no such thing as immoral behavior(who are you to judge anyway?) and only conservative values are not allowed here! Has anyone seen my joint?

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Ben Winslow, Deseret News

Arizona Attorney General Terry Goddard, left, and Utah Attorney General Mark Shurtleff leave a meeting on polygamy-related crimes.

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