Posted on 06/07/2008 4:39:31 PM PDT by JRochelle
Gov. Rick Perry hinted Thursday that members of a polygamist sect whose children were recently returned amid a botched sex-abuse investigation should pack their bags, a newspaper reported.
Perry, who was in La Baule, France, for a European business conference, said that the state of Texas has an obligation to protect young women from being forced into marriage and underage sex, The Dallas Morning News reported in its online edition.
He also warned members of the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints that child sex abuse won't be tolerated and even suggested that followers of the renegade Mormon sect may want to get out.
"If you are going to conduct yourself that way, we are going to prosecute you," Perry said. "If you don't want to be prosecuted for those activities, then maybe Texas is not the place you need to consider calling home."
Willie Jessop, an FLDS elder who lives in Utah, said Perry's remarks were shocking, particularly given a Texas Supreme Court ruling that forced this week's return of 440 sect children on the grounds that child welfare officials provided scant evidence that the children were in danger.
"It's an outrage that he should even make such gross and broad allegations," Jessop said. "He's listening to people that tell lies about the FLDS."
FLDS officials have accused the state of persecuting sect members for their religious beliefs.
Texas authorities raided the sprawling compound in west Texas in early April after three calls to a domestic abuse hot line, purportedly from a 16-year-old mother who said she was being abused by her middle-aged husband. The calls are now being investigated as a hoax.
Perry said that using the information state authorities had at the time, "they acted with the best interest of those children."
"If responsibility needs to be taken for (court edicts) saying that we stepped across some legal line, I'll certainly take that responsibility," the governor said.
Jessop, who has insisted that children at the ranch were not mistreated, has sidestepped questions about underage marriages at the Yearning for Zion ranch. But he did announce this week that the church would no longer sanction marriages of any girl too young to give legal consent.
Though the children have been returned, a criminal investigation continues.
Isn’t the Governor suggesting that the FLDS disobey a Judges orders? Is that breaking the law?
Ha!
The governor wants them to “move on”,
but the judge made them sign an agreement
not to leave the state!
Too funny!
LOL....I bet Phil Bredesen would like for me to move on too..
but I’m not going anywhere
besides Marsha Blackburn loves me
That was my first thought also, but I think he was making a broader point:
“If you don’t want to be prosecuted for those activities, then maybe Texas is not the place you need to consider calling home.”
I’d like to see the direct quote on this from Jessop:
“he did announce this week that the church would no longer sanction marriages of any girl too young to give legal consent.”
Most of the time me either but then he comes out with his "don't mess with Texas" and I can't help but be proud of him...darn it. This was no hint though. He came out and said if you are going do do that stuff here and you will go to jail.
He didn’t say they could take the kids.
Try making that silly argument. Common sense is a gift.
BTW, LeGrande I sure hope you will keep all your nazi and Hilter references off this thread.
I rarely hit the abuse button but I did on another thread where you brought that up.
Do you think he is suggesting that they abandon the kids? What kind of heartless, stupid governor does Texas have? You don't need to answer, I already know the answer : )
Gov. Ricky should focus instead on real issues facing Tx....
border security, reducing property taxes, stop trying to outsource or over toll the highways. Leave the FLDS clan
alone and stop Govt. interference of their affairs.
I rarely hit the abuse button but I did on another thread where you brought that up.
LOL, The truth hurts doesn't it? I noticed that you had to call in the Cabal. Are you feeling insecure?
We don’t like you. Get out.
Who would want to move into such a place?
A place where molesters roamed free.
Since the place is fenced in, I think thay should put about a thousands pigs in there and let them live there.
See what I mean by ‘litteman’ agitprop?
“Yea the judge told them to say put. However the Governor know knows how much trouble and money they have cost......they are not worth it!”
They haven’t even begun to add up the bills of this mess. Amazing though, they were so incompetent they couldn’t find evidence after years of investigation. They finally act and then they break the law themselves.
I wonder if Perry has said this to illegals or murderers.
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