[PJ-Comix]

I just heard Bill O'Reilly talking about a bizarre statement that Tom Smart, uncle of Elizabeth Smart, made on the Larry King Show last night (Nancy Grace was the host). Here is the excerpt of Tom Smart's statement. Also another troubling thing about Tom Smart is how he blocked a sketch artist from speaking to Elizabeth Smart's sister even though the father, Ed Smart, approved of the interview. Somehow Tom Smart has the veto power in that family, even on life and death issues. Strange.

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[Williams]

Maybe, but if this young girl was actually abducted by a mentally ill person, the family is in the position of needing to appease that person and perhaps convince them they understand his motives and are not being judgmental. I think that analyzing the behavior of people in horrific situations which we cannot possibly understand is fruitless and to some degree cruel. I can tell you this is my worst nightmare and I have no idea how I would be acting if it actually happened. My daughter's survuival would be my only motive.

[NormsRevenge]

He was a Microphine Hog today at the news conference, He jumped in front of the mike a couple of times ... Hmmmmm?

He may be a prima donna, maybe .. or this is his thing and he is riding it for all he can???

[GovernmentShrinker]

What exactly do you regard as bizarre in that series of comments? It's a bit rambling and incoherent, which doesn't really surprise me under the circumstances, but "bizarre"?

[JHawker]

bizarre statement ... Strange.

They are Mormons aren't they?

[Wild Irish Rogue]

Also saw O'R and he said that Larry did not ask a follow up question.Typical of LK.

[exnavy]

wow, is he on drugs or what?

[KellyAdmirer]

the family is full of compassion towards everybody because this is a wonderful story, in a lot of ways.

I don't understand. How is this abduction a wonderful story in a lot of ways? Does he know who did it?

[Jhoffa_]

Is he the uncle?

Cause if he is I saw that guy talking to the press earlier and he looked like he was having a little too much fun.

And that rambling statment, what the hell is that all about?

"..issues, we have all got issues"

It's like they are interviewing Otis from his cell in Mayberry.

[jackbill]

I just heard Bill O'Reilly talking about a bizarre statement that Tom Smart, uncle of Elizabeth Smart, made on the Larry King Show last night (Nancy Grace was the host).

Then you probably heard the guest say that in Mormon families, the eldest is the leader, and the others give in to him. If that is why Elizabeth's father is not allowing the sketch artist to talk to his other daughter, what can you say? You want to say, well then live with what happens. But that means that Elizabeth may not be found alive. What I would say is "tough $hit", we're going to talk to her.

I'm generally not an intolerant person, but I've got a lot of problems with those Mormons. I wouldn't be surprised by any - and I mean any - resolution of this case.

[Vinomori]

because this is a wonderful story, in a lot of ways. Because it's about, foremost, a beautiful, little angelic girl. But it's also about -- everybody has issues no matter what. It crosses the boundaries on everything. It's an amazing story.

This is all about love, really. We believe that everything is done out of love, so, therefore, this is wonderful. This abduction and the chance we've had to go in front of the cameras is a blessing, an amazing blessing to us. You just thought it was awful because you have been programmed by our people's enemies to think that way.

[Yup!!]

We don't know -- we have issues. We've been ripped apart by our polygraph. I don't know who has done what with my brothers.

Did he really say this?? How incredibly odd!!! What a weirdo!

[Mr. K]

possibility: The FBI (or whoever) has tolf them not to bad mouth the kidnapper, so he thinks he doesn't have to kill her ...

another possibility- freind or relative took off with her, and the girl was in on it, and now they dont know how to get themselves out of the situation...

[valkyrieanne]

This is not a "bizarre statement." Last summer I read a few books by John E. Douglas, the former FBI profiler who was a consultant on the film "Silence of the Lambs" and who essentially *defined* the science. One point he made is that the FBI works very closely with the families of victims, including "scripting" their public remarks.

Douglas points out that many serial killers are lone, asocial men who feel "misunderstood" and have many grudges. They want to believe that they're "not really bad guys;" that they're just "misunderstood;" that the victims really "led them on" etc. Playing into their sick psychology is sometimes judged necessary as part of the investigation/manhunt process.

This *may* be what's going on. Perhaps we shouldn't judge the family so hastily. Their public remarks might not be for our benefit but for other purposes entirely.

[jporcus]

Just heard that the uncle, Tom Smart, was given ANOTHER (a second) polygraph. (Saw the interview yesterday on Larry King, and he did sure act strange.)

[TheErnFormerlyKnownAsBig]

Klaas (on Hardball tonight)accused him (Tom Smart) of being involved by saying (as close to a quote as I can get from memory)"It's not the first time me and (sketch artist) have had the door slammed in our face. One time (or "the last time") was the Susan Smith case".

That's as close to accusing Tom Smart of killing the girl that I've heard on TV so far.

[Freedom2specul8]

I saw him make that statement last night..I got the feeling that maybe a psychologist or someone coached him to appeal to the kidnappers in a way that only a psychologist can explain...

[Cicero]

If I were asked to make a public statement about somebody who had kidnapped my niece, a statement that the kidnapper might hear, I'd be very polite too--until he was caught and locked up.

[poet]

"SMART: I believe that this person is not a bad person at all. And our family has felt strongly for a while. And there's been a comfort here for a while. This is just somebody who actually likes Elizabeth."

Hmm, perhaps he's saying they (the family) knows who has her.

[Sloth]

"I believe that this person is not a bad person at all... This is just somebody who actually likes Elizabeth... because this is a wonderful story, in a lot of ways."

February 1998, Esquire magazine: "If I had killed Nicole it would have been because I loved her very much." -- O.J. Simpson