Reader comments
Reid calls polygamous communities a form of 'organized crime'
126 comments | Read story
Someone ought to let Brother Reid that the same might be said of his hallowed halls in congress.
I have never been a supporter of Harry Reid, but I really appreciate his efforts on this issue. If he is able to do something to bring these perpetrators to justice, it will justify his being Senate Majority Leader on that basis alone.
Polygamy is illegal, immoral and degrading to women. The children are also victims of being raised in such a sick environment. Tax evasion, welfare fraud, etc. are also serious crimes that should be prosecuted.
Go Harry Reid.
In some counties, it's religiously and legally acceptable to perform an "honor killing" when the family has been shamed, but in the US, it's illegal. In some countries, it's legal to practice polygamy, but not in the US. It almost sounds like their way of life is like the Taliban where the education of women is suppressed, where women are controlled by men, where the children are sheltered so much from the outside world that they don't even know what a crayon is. Something is terribly wrong when a religion must practice anarchy to have religious freedom in its own country.
What about the freedom of their citizens in the religion? Many controlling religious fanatics hide their crime under the guise of "religious freedom". Religious freedom is acceptable as long as it doesn't suppress the individual freedoms of others, and that includes women and children.
I agree with the law enforcement and Harry Reid. It's a racket and must be stopped. Hiding crime under the guise of religious freedom is not what our forefathers meant when they wrote the constitution.
Polygamy may be important to you, but it is not more important than all else. If you insist on doing strange things in the name of polygamy, you will continue to invite outside interference.
Reid says it's a form of 'oganized crime'?
Was he talking about congress or polygamy groups?
get my drift
Why were the FLDS not allowed to speak for themselves before congress? Is Reid afraid of a little friction? While it's possible crimes were commited (and the people who committed their crimes should have a fair trial and face the consequences of their actions) I can't help but think there is an element of religious persecution going on.
And from all people- a Mormon.
It's interesting that Christian polygamist groups (those who don't consider the Book of Mormon as scripture) and Muslim polygamists aren't the target of these hearings. It's also interesting that the hearings were begun on PIONEER DAY, the LDS holiday.
Unfortunately, the feds actually that good at doing this. They aren't particularly adept at infiltrating insular groups and stopping crime. Gang activity is a great example. Also, it's inevitable the feds will overstep their bounds and try to control polygamists' legitimate free exercise rights.
These strong-arm actions, as they have in the past, will cause polygamists to retreat further from mainstream society, making it nealy impossible for the feds or anyone to infiltrate them. So, in the end, good luck feds. If your history is any indication, you won't do much good.
Mr. Reid knows better. He should act according to that knowledge. Starting a witch hunt to hide his failure as Senate Majority Leader is shameful.
If he wants to stop organized crime, how about shutting down the casinos first.
Break off polygamous sects of the Mormon Church participate in organized criminal activity, especially where government social services (both State and Federal) are concerned.
Food Stamp fraud is rampant among polygamous communities. WIC programs have been taken advantage of by polygamous mothers to the exclusion of more needy mothers and children in surrounding communities. All of this while the State and Federal family services are barred by the communities from interfacing with polygamous community law enforcement and courts. The list goes on.
Sadly, this has and is done in a very 'organized' and premeditated fashion, which is why Reid is correct in his assessment of labeling their activities of an illegal nature being akin to 'organized crime.'
It's a hard one to swallow, especially for the polygamous communities and their residents, but the fact is... it is a subversive form of organized crime.
And all of this in the name of keeping and doing the Lords will to perpetuate a legacy that long ago was disavowed by the rational and law abiding.
Interestingly, the 'crime' of polygamy seems to breed the crime of 'organized crime'...
He lumps all polygamy members into a group of child-molesters and tax cheaters, when the vast majority are really good people.
Replace the word polygamist with the "illegal alien" and you could come to the same conclusions if you wanted.
Outlawing polygamy is unconstitutional anyway. Government has no right to forbid a religious practice.
The crimes polygamist leaders commit to maintain order are wrong. State and federal governments should rightly pursue the individuals who engage in these crimes (child abuse, rape, false imprisonment, kidnapping, etc.), and prosecute them to the fullest extent of the law.
However, they should not prosecute just for being "polygamist." I love how it is acceptable to desire, fight for, even rule in favor of gay marriage, but not polygamist marriage. They are in many ways the same idea-a form of relationship best left to people and their understanding of God/religion.
Let the polygamists alone. Go after the child abusers, rapists, kidnappers, etc. with all possible speed and force.
And don't assume everyone who wants freedom is a hillbilly, please. Happy Pioneer Day.
The FLDS use their boys as slave labor denying them a proper education. They abandon and disown young boys in the streets of Southern Utah. The older men rape their young girls. They cheat the government in every way possible including welfare fraud.
Indeed they are organized crime!
True polygmy is against the law.
There are groups who only practice as adults and do not sponge off the goverment. They are legally only married to one wife and the other women are spirtitual partners.
There are many people that live together so it would tough to say enforce this law against this group but not anybody else.
If the Warren Jeffs group would quit marrying off teen brides and then have them live off the government all of this attention would go away.
Warren Jeffs has lead them to there own destruction. So now they are sowing what they have reaped.
Let the investigations begin, understanding that Harry Reid is a politician that has done some grand standing. I guess that is what it takes these days to get attention.
RE Shocked's comments: what exactly about Sen. Reid's comments is out of harmony with the Savior's teachings? If the Savior were commenting about leaders of a group that was guilty of "welfare fraud, tax evasion, massive corruption and strong-arm tactics", do you somehow believe that He would condone that? Remember he's characterizing the leaders of these groups and the tactics they use to remain in power, not necessarily the "follower" families and individuals in the groups.
Perhaps you believe the Savior would condone a leader or a father forcing a young woman into a marriage against her will, or keeping a mother and her children prisoner in their own house? Do you think you may have lost a little perspective here?
Keep your blinders on. But I will support any politition who has the will to call it for what it is. And the fact the Reid is LDS, makes his fight more powerful.
good. His Demo-nazis, don't want the U.S. to be free
from OPEC. They are trying to stop the Congress from
repealing the No Drill policy on our continental shelves, now you know the real reason for these Monkey Shines. Bread and Circus, anyone!
Add your comment
Comments are monitored. Any comments found to be abusive, offensive, off-topic, misrepresentative, more than 200 words or containing URLs will not be posted.
E-mail address: For internal use only. We may want to contact you to publish your comment (not your e-mail address) in the newspaper or for a separate story idea.
- Obama salutes Fort Hood victims 1:22 p.m.
- D-Will, Price sit out Jazz practice 1:11 p.m.
- Utah Jazz: 2010 NBA All-Star ballot 1:09 p.m.
- Ex-astronaut pleads guilty in attack 1:01 p.m.
- Mo. governor's mansion lockdown 1:01 p.m.
- Clinton to Dems: pass health bill 12:55 p.m.
- Deseret Book moves from Orem mall 12:52 p.m.
- Ed chief wants to redo appointment 12:50 p.m.
- No bail for accused cop shooter 12:48 p.m.
- Flu appointment full in 15 minutes 12:47 p.m.
- Utah group finds homes for orphans
- Senators want food tax restored
- Jazz blow big lead, hang on
- Soccer MVPs know how to win
- Y. tight ends talented tandem
- Utes get extra motivation
- Alta's Ohai is Ms. Soccer 2009
- Pratt pleads not guilty to sex charges
- Price injured; Miles has cast removed
- Mitchell seeks to block witnesses
- House passes health care bill
242 - TCU showdown has big implications
185 - Lobo suspended
183 - Cougars crush hapless Cowboys
155 - Senators want food tax restored
136 - Utah Jazz fall apart against Kings
131 - Thousands protest health bill
120 - TCU 4th in AP poll; U. 16th, Y. 22nd
119 - No 'backlash' for pioneers, gays analogy
104 - RSL rallies to advance
103
Applebee's Neighborhood Grill & Bar restaurants nationwide will honor...
Meghan McCain, the daughter of former presidential candidate John...
Does this third bailout to Government Motors mean more of our limited tax...
I just want to say i have had the pleasure to coach Kealia. I so happy for...
I say, if we are going to pass a health care bill, let's be smart about it....
Should I be upset at my ancestors for coming to the USA from Britain? I had...
Were there any Muslims attacked? ============= Dude, where have you been?...
To "jackhp | 12:00 p.m. " so what you are saying is that it is better to for...
RE Looking Back | 6:50 a.m. You are only seeing the part of history that...
'Just what we need another law which duplicates law already on the books.' ...
We are cheering because we barely won in NY? Oh how far this franchise has...
They are like little kids licking popcicles and playing playstation vidio...


