FLDS CHILDREN

I applaud the Texas law enforcement officials who decided to enter the FLDS camp and remove all those women and children. I hate to think of the economic impact on citizens of Texas when state officials start attempting to provide what is going to be never ending therapy to the freed women and children. But, Texas sent a stern message to cults like this one--don't be coming down here and attempting to pull this kind of bulls...! Our big western states with wide open spaces and low population density are especially vulnerable to cults like the FDLS. Unfortunately Utah and Arizona have chosen to ignore these crimes for 100 years. I'm very proud that Texas had to gonads to say "Not here folks"!

From what I understand these children are kept prisoner, used as breeding partners for men decades older than them, and then the progeny are used as breeding partners. Apparently, these children are abused sexually, physically, emotionally, and educationally. From what I understand it doesn't just stop with the girls. The boys are victimized also. So, I was happy to see that the authorities are also taking the male children.

This cult is a blight on the American landscape. In my world we call people who engage in sexual behavior with children under 13--pedophiles. Of course, this cult's behavior goes far beyond pedophilia. They justifiy their behavior behind a smoke screen of religion and that hiding behind our constitution and "freedom of religion" makes their crime even worse. Freedom of religion is not a winnable defense for statutory rape, bigamy, and incest in my opinion.

I wrote my sister-in-law (Ruthie) yesterday when I heard they were taking the women and children to San Angelo. Ruthie and Mike live in San Angelo. San Angelo is a relatively small Texas town and I was concerned with how San Angelo was going to be able to deal with the overwhelming problems this was going to bring them. Ruthie responded in her usual up beat, optimistic way. She said the citizens were dealing with it the Texas way. They were offering their homes as housing and donating goods, food and services. My concern is not just the immediate issue of shelter, food, clothing. My concern is the life time of therapy these women and children will need.

Nonetheless, whatever the cost, that cult is a blight on the American landscape and law enforcement did the right thing. Personally, I'd like to see every state in the union send the same message as Texas. . Don't be trying this bulls.... in our state!!!