Posted on 04/05/2008 6:01:28 PM PDT by Sub-Driver
Standoff emerges at polygamist retreat
8 minutes ago
Ambulances are being sent to a polygamist compound in West Texas as authorities prepare "for the worst" in a conflict with members of the compound.
Prosecutor Allison Palmer says sect leaders Saturday refused to let authorities search a temple for a 16-year-old member who reported being physically abused.
Palmer tells the San Angelo Standard-Times that medical workers are being sent "in case this were to a go in a way that no one wants."
She says that law enforcers are "preparing for the worst."
A search warrant authorized troopers to enter the retreat run by the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. They are looking for evidence of a marriage between the girl and a 50-year-old man.
THIS IS A BREAKING NEWS UPDATE. Check back soon for further information. AP's earlier story is below.
(Excerpt) Read more at news.yahoo.com ...
The expression on her face reminds me of the 10 year old boy that was filmed in the documentary while playing with a RATTLESNAKE at a Fundamentalist Pentecostal meeting. Why the hell don't we see child endangerment charges brought against the adults of this certified whacked out “religion”?
How come their leader/preacher isn't on the FBI’s Ten Most Wanted List like Jeffs was? AGAIN, I'M NOT DEFENDING WARREN JEFFS AND HIS ACTIONS. It's not really that hard to understand, is it?
Right now, all I know is what I see and hear through the MSM. An anonymous call comes in that a 16 year old girl is being abused, the local Police and State Troopers freak out and call for Ambulances and backup SWAT-type teams armed with a warrant to search for an alleged 16 year old girl. The next thing is that children and adults are forced to leave their families and homes under the auspices and orders from state WELFARE WORKERS!
Don't you think this is a little on the side of overkill?
“There should be accountability if theyre receiving welfare.”
agreed - they shouldn’t be breaking bigamy/polygamy laws, and they shouldn’t be abusing and raping minors - or anyone else for that matter.
It was reported Warren Jeffs had 70 wives. That is an excellent example as to why polygamy should remain illegal.
“Why arent these guys willing to be the men theyre pretending to and actually work to support their families instead of lazing around screwing every female they can get their hands on?”
They do it because they’ve been allowed to get away with it.
They aren’t honorable men. They aren’t responsible men.
They are slimy opportunists who abuse women and children under the guise of religion.
Other sexual offenders get punished for the exact same criminal behavior - it’s high time these degenerates get equal treatment instead of having taxpayers fund their sick behavior.
If it were the first time anyone heard of something like this about this group, then yes, I would certainly say it was overkill. I’m not big into federal knee-jerk reactions, like Waco.
As far as I know, the leader is already in custody over similar charges. They’re looking for others on similar charges. The activities of this group have been well know for some time. This phone call may have been just what they were waiting for to act, something more solid than anything else they’ve had to date.
I’m under the impression that they’re not breaking up families, except to take the women and children from the husbands. I can’t imagine the mothers being willing to leave if they were having to leave some of their children behind. Again, it’s not something I would do.
Besides, the girl looking happy is perfectly credible to me. I’ve seen pictures of the compound, heard about the life they have to endure. What person in their right mind would NOT want to leave? I sure would jump at the chance.
I also wonder what the authorities would do if someone really refused to leave. I don’t know if they would forcibly pick someone up and put them on the bus or just let it go. I imagine they’d be in a world of hurt if it were found out that they were physically forcing them or issuing ultimatums.
I guess the reason I’m not condemning the government too much in this case is for the above reasons. They’ve been watching this group and trying to do something about them for some time. A call for help was made, finally giving them something to act on. As yet, I have not heard that the women and children who are leaving have not been given any choice.
I’m sorry if my lack of defense of this group and lack of condemnation of the government’s actions have not sat well with you, but I’m having a hard time finding something about this group to defend and still have not sorted out in my mind the free exercise clause and its applicability to situations like this. I still can’t see that it’s right for it to be misused to tie the hands of the government in dealing with illegal activity.
It really sits wrong with me when the 1st Amendment is misused to protect this kind of behavior.
Seventy wives receiving welfare checks.
And how much would each wife receive in welfare per month with a cap of four kids?
Times 70?????????
Get them on welfare fraud, too.
If memory serves me correctly the number of children credited just to Jeffs is in the mid-fifties.
Cut off the welfare money tree, and life in this community will change drastically.
I guess these guys never saw these verses in the Bible or whatever they use to justify their behavior.
Apostle Paul speaking....
II Thessalonians 3:10 ‘For even when we were with you, we gave you this rule: “If a man will not work, he shall not eat.”’
I Timothy 5:8 “If anyone does not provide for his relatives, and especially for his immediate family, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.”
Silly.
I place the issue of childabuse in line with other issues that I as a parent worry about.
This story may be Mormon in it’s foundation.
But, I’m most interested in seeing how child-welfare agencies will be able to handle the situation and protect the children.
well....you know how that goes - depending on who is interpreting the scripture, anyone can twist words to make it mean what they want.
But yes - that is a good passage that is pertinent.
Whether or not it would actually mean anything to people living this lifestyle is anyone’s guess.
Actually, a good guess is that it doesn’t mean anything to people living that lifestyle, otherwise they wouldn’t be doing what they’re doing.
Warren Jeffs is a True Mormon Prophet.
He has stayed strong in the tradition of Joseph Smith and Brigham Young.
He will one day rule like those two prophets from Salt Lake City.
<\sarc>
I hope he rots in jail for the rest of his life. Why anybody would let somebody like him tell them what to do baffles me. I heard him speak & he has the most boring voice. He is no hottie either. Plus he took his father’s wives on. Now thats just twisted. Shaking my head at the whole mess...Prayers for the children & women that they can get away from such a cult.
Here’s a quote (below) from another FReeper. Hopefully, it might help you all understand that this is as much a Constitutional matter as it is legal problem. This is the point I have been trying to make and instead have been accused of defending Jeffs. ???
If they’re guilty of child abuse take the kids, but don’t take the neighbors kids while you’re at it just to be sure.
“I heard him speak & he has the most boring voice. He is no hottie either.”.....(about Jeffs)
Well, pandoraous812, I pray also.
I pray that you’re not like, you know, like old enough to like vote.
“Don’t you think this is a little on the side of overkill?”
Not only no, but heck no, as we say in Texas.
But, as I’ve said before, Warren Jeffs is the RIGHTFUL and TRUE heir to the Prophethood of the Great Prophets Joseph Smith and Brigham Young. Hear ye, O Israel, the Prophet Jeffs is HERE to RESTORE the True Church of True Polygamy. All hail Warren Jeffs!!!
<\dripping sarcasm>
Well your prayers will go unanswered, I am plenty old enough to vote. I don't like perverts & I don't like child molesters. Warren Jeffs is not good looking in any sense, he is rather odd to be honest. Plus his voice drones on & on. You don't like my opinion too bad. Prayers for the women & children that Warren Jeffs & the FLDS have abused.
I'm just not used to hearing other adults judging someone's guilt because (in your words) he isn't a “hottie”. Silly me for thinking that Paris Hilton had joined FReeRepublic.
I can see by your response that you are now describing him as “...not good looking in any sense”...and how “his voice drones on & on.” Our only hope is that if you are old enough to vote, as you claim, that you do not drive, as that would make you eligible for Jury Duty. I fear for the residents of your county that would be judged by you on a jury, especially those not considered to be “hotties”.
The point I am trying to make is that looks aren't everything. Looks don't make one guilty or innocent. It is the actions of that person that determines their fate. Warren Jeffs is guilty of being a dirtbag, as I have stated over and over again.
I also pray for the kids and the brave women at the FLDS compound. Some of us waited for more of the story to come out before convicting the entire population. The men, if you want to call them men, should be hung if they did what is coming out from the kids and mothers.
Its clear to me that you like to toss names & insults around , kind of like Keith Olbermann. I didn't know you were here Keith, silly me! I really have nothing more to say except Grow up .
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