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Reid compares polygamy to 'organized crime'
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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.
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.
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.
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!!!
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.
By the way, listening to Sen. Reid ... "Methinks thou doest protest too much!"
D&C 121:39,41,37
Google "Harry Reid real estate Las Vegas" and you'll see.
Reid is a hypocrite.
What's also interesting is that the federal government doesn't go into San Francisco, for example, and do some investigating of sexual adorations/deviancies of its citizens. They pick on some lowly cult living in the desert.
"If the male and female are not legally married it's criminal. "
You don't get it. They aren't legally married.
By the way Cat, polygamy may be a crime, but none of these polygamist technically live polygamy. They have affairs, and that is legal because the rest of society wants to make sure they can have sex whenever and with whatever, including same-sex. (children excluded)
1.they recruit women from the outside..
2.marry younger and younger girls robbing from the next generation...
3.dropping their unwanted boys off into the wilderness to fend for themselves...
God has provided for enough men for the women to marry. The FLDS and the early LDS have gotten it wrong. Polygamy victimizes women and children.
Just think about it LDS what happens to all the baby boys who have died before the age of accountability? Never having a chance to marry in this life? There will be enough men in heaven as well, there is no need for polygamy. What woman wants to share her husband? Sounds like a stockholm syndrome to me...
Go Harry, and right this very very wrong!
If they want to be successful however, the feds would do well not to prosecute bigamy charges. Bigamy has become a crime in name only. Since their plural marriages aren't even registered with the state and since cohabitation and adultery laws are on weak legal legs in this country, they should stick with the iron clad crimes and not try to "stick it to the FLDS" by taking down a tenet of their faith. Corner the criminals, not religious adherents.
When the LDS practiced polygamy, there were many more righteous women in the faith than men. Certain men who were faithful, gentle (for the most part), and good bread-winners were asked to practice polygamy. (The best source to learn about plural marriage is Eliza R. Snow.) The LDS church grew quickly and expanded and developed various areas in the West. Most of areas have become strongholds.
Abuse has never been tolerated in the LDS faith. President Hinckley would repeatedly and appropriately chastice the men on this topic. Most of those called into leadership are gentle, wonderful people.
Again, is polygamy inherently wrong? I don't like the idea personally - but I wouldn't say that Abraham was an evil man.
I think one of the biggest problems is that the rest of us have been too tolerant of all of these groups too long. We should have done more about this a long time ago. A lot of us just wanted to turn a blind eye to all these groups and pretend they didn't exist. Because, let's face it, they are an embarrassment.
Warren Jeffs has publicly admitted that he is a FALSE PROPHET. He and his followers have been exploiting children, evading taxes, committing all kinds of fraud and just generally using the rest of us to continue their crimes.
Harry Reid is in no political trouble in Nevada whatsoever. He doesn't need to do this to get elected this fall.
I'm a staunch Republican, but Harry Reid is a hero. Thanks Senator Reid.
1. These polygamist organizations are abusing children by forcing underage females to marry, copulate and reproduce with adult males.
2. These same organizations are committing fraud by having the same girls claim welfare benefits as "single" mothers.
If two, three, four, etc. adults want to get together and live in a polygamist relationship, and do so without attempting to claim government benefits, I am sure they could do so without threat of government interference. But to allow the "spirit" wives of polygamist men to commit welfare fraud is harmful to our society. The government should take steps to stop it.
What these (FLDS and others) organizations do in terms of systemic child abuse, corruption of civil authority and welfare fraud would probably fall under existing RICO statutes for organized crime and they should be prosecuted.
What I cannot understand is the defense of these organizations by non-FLDS people. I am interested to hear their defense of child sexual abuse, organized civil corruption and welfare fraud.
I have a thirst for knowledge, teach me.
Wow, I think many of the members of the LDS church could say this about Reid He is wanting to stop any drilling in the USA, so when you people pay higher gas prices down the road and higher food prices and have to go on government or church welfare or send both parents out to work, thank this man. Doesn't the LDS church teach us to be self reliant and encourage mothers to stay at home, but with the gas prices and food prices going up, it is getting to be impossible. Reid needs to practice what he preaches.
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So, there IS abuse in Harry Reids own religion???? and he IS trying to smere the FLDS???
Anyone notice, not one other group was named in the hearing??? Isn't THAT TARGETING ONE RELIGION THUS BEING RELIGIOUS PERSECUTION????
"He who is without sin, cast the first stone."
HARRY, PUT DOWN YOUR ROCK!!!!
If a child is abused remove that child from the abuser and prosecute the guilty party, but do not persecute those who are innocent just because of their belief in a certain lifestyle.
If an adult man and woman choose to be with another adult woman or man ... to each their own.
Religious persecution is the reason the pilgrims fled England.
INNOCENT until proven guilty ... isn't THAT the LAW?
Co-habitating with more than one person ISN'T illegal.
Separate the facts people and remember what this country was founded on.
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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%.