Posted on 04/17/2008 8:50:20 PM PDT by TeleStraightShooter
SAN ANGELO, Tex. — It took only a few minutes from the judge’s opening gavel Thursday morning for an emergency court hearing on the fate of 416 children taken by the state from a polygamist compound two weeks ago to dissolve into chaos. About 100 lawyers, for the children, their families and the state, were gathered in the main courtroom at Tom Green County Courthouse; another 100 or so were dispatched to the San Angelo city auditorium three blocks away, and connected to the main courtroom through a video conferencing system. Court exhibits had to be copied and carried between the locations by clerks. It took an hour just to enter the first exhibit into the record. Some lawyers complained heatedly to Judge Barbara Walther that the mass hearing, radically different from a typically intimate Family Court custody session, was unfair and benefited the state. Just as vehemently, Judge Walther denied their objections and said that all parties would be heard, no matter how long that took. “We have to balance the requirement in the statutes that this hearing must be held within 14 days,” Judge Walther said. “It’s not a perfect solution. I wish I could give you a perfect solution. There is not one.” She assured the lawyers for the children and their families, “You have not waived all of your rights.”
(Excerpt) Read more at nytimes.com ...
Welfare fraud?
Such group family structures are common place in 2nd and 3rd world countries. Are you suggesting a string of foster homes would provide a better strung out string of group families structure for these children?
Excellent point.
(At the same time it made me think of a certain SNL Skit & ensuing movie...I guess we could conclude What parental units? These kids are basically aliens. If you say, 'Return them to their roots...Remula, a small town in France.' Chances are that's just a cover story. From the way these women have appeared in interviews...totally emotionless...zombie-like...baby voices...I'd give odds they are colonized from Kolob, not Remula, a small town in France.)
It's common knowledge most teen age boys are outcast, but that ratio is not believable.
Better late than never.
Child abuse is not something you should let continue even if you did turn a blind eye in the past.
The fact of the matter is that even aside from the cruelest aspect of this cult--forcing underage girls into acts of rape as essentially "in-house" prostitutes--polygamy is illegal. The fact that most Americans & especially most FReepers are NOT bothered or disturbed one iota @ the illegal polygamous aspect of this speaks volumes about the lack of courageous folks who will address family configurations that ultimately yield pathologically & sociologically proved harm to its youngest members.
We should be proud of our American heritage that jailed polygamous LDS men in the 1880s. We should be proud of our American heritage whereby in 1856 the fledgling Republican party identified polygamy (along with slavery) as "the twin relics of barbarism."
I mean, if I viewed FReepers who I don't know as well even coming close to identifying polygamy as "barbaric" in our overtolerant, overdiversified world, I think I'd faint.
I'm proud of our American heritage that when a Utah Democratic congressman was overwhelmingly elected to office in 1898, but then it came to light that he had taken yet a third living wife (none divorced) after his church had announced that it would no longer approve of such additional partners, the response of the public was to send a 7-million name signed petition on 28 rolls of paper. Can you imagine what a 7-million name signed petition delivered to Congress looked like in pre-activist America--a much smaller American then?
What's happened to that heritage? Where are those people who will stand up to social order willy-nilly deconstructions? Where are those who when they hear the family institution being denounced as "evil"--like Mormons in the late 19th century who refenced "the evils of monogamy?"--will spring into action?
First - you said return to family unit. There is no family unit.
Second - we are not a 2nd, 3rd world country.
Third - given the apparent abuse these children are subject to, yes they probably are better off in foster care.
Fourth - there is no family unit.
Fifth - are you suggesting that these children better off in the cult.
My thoughts are to arrest them all and give long probations to the non- ring leaders (men and women). Turn the place into a women with children's center. Supervise moms with children. Require pregnancy tests every 3 months on the child bearing age women. Provide counseling and job skill training.
That's what I've heard. But where are these teen boys. It seems like if they were outcast, some of them would be speaking up about the practices. At least after a couple of years of exposure to the outside world.
Kind of makes me wonder if the boy's aren't disposed of, if there are no birth certificates.
You posted humor which makes no sense aside, I refer you to post #42.
You heard it from what source? The tragedy of them creating lost boys is well known but they stay with their parents until 14 or so.
Maybe they are sent somewhere to work for the “family”
“It’s not fair for the states involved to turn a blind eye to 99% of these felonies then just jump in and suddenly with out waring demand compliance to laws they tolerated being violated beforehand.”
They haven’t, the cult was raided in 1935, 1944, 1953, in recent years they have convicted a number of the men by charging them with rape and assisting rape by participating in the “marriages”.
Last November after being convicted of rape, the cults leader Warren Jeffs received two 5 to life sentences.
Jeffs is the man who’s picture you see on the walls of the children’s rooms when you see inside the Texas compound.
A number of western states and Canada have been working together on this cult for at least five years, including passing new legislation and developing new strategies to deal with the institutionalized child rape.
I have seen some outcasts rail against the culture, but I do believe their bitter experience has twisted the truth to a degree in their minds. In other words I sensed they were subconsciously exaggerating. Hopefully the truth emerges through the legal system.
I don't see a DAMNED THING FUNI ABOUT CHILD RAPE!!!
My state has Two on Death Row at Angola,,,Child Rapist !!!
~~~
“The state should put the community on notice that any future violations will not be tolerated. “
~~~
BULLSH!T!!!!!!!!!!
The “State” of Texas will/can only put them in jail,,,
No Second Chance For Aggravated Rape Of A Child !!!!!!!!!
I would conjecture that not prosecuting 99% of arranged under age marriages from 1953 to 2006 would be a case of de facto enabling by not enforcing the law.
I plead guilty of posting while asleep.
There's nothing unique about this, tho. Family failures have always (usually for worse & not better--but perhaps better than no action at all) invited increased overtures from the govt.
Divorce has led to the growth of family court oversight over the daily decisions of families. Out of wedlock pregnancies have led to Uncle Sam becoming the provider for millions. Families not feeding their kids @ home leads to schools becoming breakfast & lunch meal tickets for kids @ taxpayer expense. One parent not staying home w/young kids leads to public schools expanding its reach thru newly developing pre-school programs. Parents not educating their kids leads to delegation to the govt. schools. Abuse in the family is simply the "invite" to CPS to enter the home.
The "maxim" behind this is operative in all kinds of venues in life...folks' employment...their spiritual lives...relationships...family life, etc. The "maxim" is this: "If you don't "police" yourself, somebody else will." (If you don't exercise self-government, civil government will kick in to fill the vacuum)
“would be a case of de facto enabling by not enforcing the law.”
But, they did try to enforce the law, they were just not very successful.
About 10 men have been convicted of sex with a minor in this FLDS sect, or cult.
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