We are innocent until proved guilty and the way that concept is so often abused and ignores is a real issue with me.
But isn't that what happens all the time whenever criminal activity is encountered? People are taken to the police station for questioning and then usually released. No one is assigning guilt here yet; that's what trials are for. But how are they going to find out information if they don't talk to these people? And would the women and children feel free to tell the truth in the compound?
If, and I believe it is so, underage girls are being forced into “marriage”, then the authorities have to gather the facts before they start banging heads and arresting people.
The people they have removed, the women and children, have not been arrested. Nobody said they were guilty.
And the authorities ARE trying to gather the facts. They have search warrants and are being refused permission to come onto the property.
Sect leaders at a polygamist compound in West Texas refused Saturday to let authorities search a temple for a teenage girl whose report of abuse led to the raid, and authorities said they were preparing "for the worst."
What should the authorities do then? Say "OK" and walk away and leave the rest to continue to be abused? Let the evidence be destroyed? Have the guilty parties *disappear* like has happened to this poor girl who made the call?
From the article: The whereabouts of the 16-year-old mother who sparked the investigation are unknown, Meisner said. State troopers who raided the religious retreat were looking for the girl, her baby girl and 50-year-old Dale Barlow.
That is EXACTLY what they are trying to prevent.
Right now the government is trying to use search warrants to find out information. The ambulances are being sent *just in case*. The people who have left very likely could have refused. I didn't hear that any were forced onto the buses, but maybe I missed that. Perhaps they WANTED out and this is their first opportunity, since they couldn't otherwise leave without leaving their children?
Nor are they in jail. They're staying in community centers. It would actually be protecting them should the men decide to really fight back and a Waco style event happens again.
Infiltrate, tap phones, surveillance etc. The same as they would in a criminal drug case.
“The people they have removed, the women and children, have not been arrested.”
They are being held against their will. If you or I were to do that, it would be kidnapping.
This whole thing is starting out just like Waco. What would happen if we received an anonymous call from someone at a Mosque claiming a weapons cache? Would we round up the members and invade the religious community and hold them in detention until proven innocent?
It's too early to make assumptions, but something smells fishy here. Jealousy must run rampant among the multiple wives. A jealous ‘wife’ could easily make a phone call accusing her ‘husband’ of everything under the sun. Let's give it some time and see what happens if/when the REAL facts come out. I just can't forget Waco and the cover-up or Ruby Ridge, for that matter.
Are the Amish next? Homeschooling?
I will say these people and Warren Jeffs are really stupid.
What in the world would make them think that Texas of all states, would let them get away with this stuff?
Utah will let these pervs live all over the place, not Texas.