Live Blog from the Anchor Desk 4/14/08
Breaking news tonight, for the first time in 4 years the gates are open and CNN is inside the polygamist Yearning for Zion ranch. Some of the 139 women who voluntarily left during the raid are now returning. And they’re coming back without their children. We’ll hear from one mother who hasn’t seen her children since authorities removed 416 children, saying they were in imminent danger of abuse. But is it necessary to separate mothers from their children? Legally, how long can they be separated?
Gary Tuchman is covering this story from Colorado City in Arizona, where thousands of FLDS followers held a rare meeting to learn what has happened to family members in Texas.
And, “bitter-gate” continues. As the Pennsylvania primary draws closer, Sen. Clinton vies for the working class and rural vote by talking about guns, drinking beer, and calling her opponent elitist.
And be sure to check out our new live web camera from the 360° studio. The shot features a behind the scene look at the set. We’ll turn the camera on at 945p ET and turn it off at 11p ET. LINK TO THE BLOG CAMERA
We’ll start posting comments to this blog at 10p ET and stop at 11p ET.
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She was ridiculous, her opinion and "message". I bet they all had a meeting, discussing about what they were allowed to say on live TV. Every word that came out of her mouth just screamed RIDICULOUS to me. It is mind blowing she compared how she was treated to the Jews during the Holocaust. She definitely didn't know what she was talking about.
We missed you Anderson. I'm wondering what you did on your week off?
This Mormon sect is just something else. I feel so sorry for all those women and children.
I have enthusiastically glued to my television following the information on the Polygamous family church from the moment it opened. When the news broke on CNN, with the caption, I had, in my inside mind eyes, began picturing the magnitude of ignominies that would snow-ball when the authorities get to conduct a search on the buildings on that property.
And eventually, when they suddenly began to evacuate women and children in preparation to a down-to-earth search on the property, I had expected, within minutes, discoveries of underground horror chambers; torture chambers; human skulls; human being in chains, held in captivity; women under lock and key, compelled to remain in a station producing babies that would be used for rituals; gun cache; fierce armed resistance etc. But to my surprise, there was no such thing. Rather, what we can now see are people who have voluntarily, painstakingly and admirably decided to stay away from “Our world” of dishabille, pornography, hypocrisy and infidelity. Our world where off springs can speak a profusion of curses and abuse unto their parents who nurtured them. Our world of might made right; our world of gangsters and guns; hard drugs and chemical abortions; greed and non-satiety; our world of greed induced divorces that have produced monstrous single parenthood – a torn in our flesh.
I chose to make this comment very brief; therefore, I won’t talk about polygamy, the law is clear on that, as we have heard from experts that spoke on your station. But I have some questions ask:
1. Did anybody report she was kidnapped or dragged to the ranch and conscripted against his or her wish?
2. If the ranch is such there is no communication with outside, how come somebody had access to phone and did actually know a number to call?
3. If they were no guns or gangs torture indication in the property, what and who are the people removed from the property afraid off, since news claim they are afraid to speak?
16 years old female? Let anyone who has never seen a 16 year old give birth in “our world” be the first to cast a stone.
Thank you CNN
Evarest
Hi Erica,
Anderson is asking what crimes have been commited on the compound. Does he know they found beds in the sanc,tuary? I don't know about you, but the last wedding I attended did not include church elders watching the bride & groom consumate the marriage immediately after being pronounced husband & wife, ()let alone in front of an audience!!! Maybe those purple spandex cut off oxygen & blood flow to his brain. You're a great addition to the show. Keep Coop on his toes. (or thighs).
Maybe I'm out of the know with this sort of stuff, but how do these people get money?? Also why do they want the help of the nation now when for however long they have wanted nothing to do with the outside world?
Cheryl K.
Welcome to AC360 show International Live! Nice see you there tonight!
Honestly, I think they would have looked better in the public eye if they would have kept their mouths shut. This Kathleen lady is making them look ignorant and guilty.
I think the saddest part of this is how difficult it is going to be for these children to adjust to normal life if they end up leaving the compund and living with foster families. Some people just shouldn't be allowed to infect kids' minds with terrible ideas like that.
ok, can I say...stepford wives. thats it, that is what comes to mind!
Anderson you are a very objective journalist. I worked as a journalist in Africa and i love 360.
I am appalled that America the greatest country in the world could have polygamy sects where girl children's rights are being violated.
This should have been stopped a long time ago...SHAME on the USA.
Erica – this is the most amazing story ever – that this is allowed to go on in this country is just insane....
They're being treated like they are in Nazi Germany? Oh, no, she did NOT say that. How dare she belittle what happened to 6 million Jews and countless other oppressed people. It sounds like the women who escaped and told their story were treated more like that by the people behind the walls. And, thank you, Anderson, for calling her on it.
I heard that she mentioned she has a college degree? In what because if she really went to college she should know that in the Holocaust people were treated horribly, and I doubt this is like that.
Also, how did she get a degree? Are polygamists able to venture out of their area??
I must admit, this shows me what a sheltered life I lead. I figure everyone has one person for them, and there are just many little families, I never expected to hear about SO MANY polygamists...it's shocking. Blows my mind.
I didn't think that her saying they were going through what the Jews went through was anywhere near accurate. Sure she may feel persecuted, but this isn't in anyway close to the persecution and suffering that went on.
Great interview Anderson!
I dont think that they need to be with their mothers. Not when their mothers are obviously ok with the practices that were taking place on that compound. I don't think that they have their children's best interests in mind.
The new background is unpleasant and distracting.
I think the courts should handle the FLDS. If they can't find the girl will they have to drop the case? I hope not.
welcome back
.Missed you as in broadcasting
Are you taking the anchor chair from K Couric. Tell me !!!!!
thanks
Welcome back, Anderson, we really missed you! Am I the only one who thinks that kathleen Jessup sounded exactly like a robot? It's pretty clear that she has been brainwashed and is merely regurgitating what she has been told to say.
Little Rock, AR
I got give it to Anderson for calling that woman out on the Holocaust comment. I mean come on having to be sent to a center, and having to be sent to a gas chamber is a little different.
Huh? that wasn't the same woman? they clone too?
As a parent I could imagine being separated from my children. I'd like to know if the mothers were forced to leave their children.
Did they have a choice to leave or were they forced to leave their children?
Could they be charged with a crime for marrying their young daughters off? Where they offered immunity from prosecution?
Were they forced to go back – and talk like robots – like this women to lie because they are afraid of their husbands, or did they go back willingly?
This is such a mess and my heart goes out to these children. I can't immagine their pain and feeling of loss and displacement.
I think Annette has a really good point. Taking these women and children out of their comfort zone and expecting them to talk, probably not the best idea.
Anna – i think a conversation between Kathleen and Carolyn might be a bit much...
maybe it's hard enough for Carolyn to talk about her memories and how Kathleen told on her....
It was good hearing Caroline Jessups side of this, since Kathleen was married to her husband as well.
I can't believe Hillary already has an ad out about this. If her campaign were smart they would be careful trying to overplay this 'bitter' thing.
computer problems = no laptop connection to the live blog from Miami 😛
When Kathleen was being interviewed by Anderson – she referred to her child more as "the children' than "my children." Why would a loving, caring Mother call her children "the children"? that seems odd to me.
Anna> I think Carolyn was on last week, maybe she'll be back.
I just noticed: all those women have the EXACT SAME HAIRSTYLE. No variation at all, no matter the age. How bizarre.
That was an awkward interview AC had with that lady. Kind of like he was talking to a robot.
Derrick–
They will probably start repopulating pretty quick 🙂 Notice how the lady didn't even seem to know how old her kids were?!?!
She said she is college educated. Wonder what she really learnt, looks like she just attended classes but probably never learnt anything.
Will everyone please drop the whole "bitter" comment?! It was one word! Give the man a break! Those canidates are so busy with everything right now, I'm surprised they havn't made more slip-up's by now.
Welcome back Anderson, the polygamist are some serious weirdos...
she has a college degree?? I wonder if she's also the compound hair stylist?? 😉
Get another laptop Anderson, I'm pretty sure CNN has plenty.
EJ,
I am doing great! thanks!
There's no comparision to how the jews were treated.
Hi Anderson, want to thank CNN for getting the show back live for the international viewers.
Computer problems? I'm sad Anderson, I'm sad. 🙁
Anderson, please get over this ridiculous story and move on to the presidential race.....
we can't wait to hear your love for Obama
Hi Anderson, welcome back, we miss you. Just a quick question, were you shocked when the woman you were jus speaking to said she was 42. Wow, only 2 yrs older than you and she looked 60!
Carolyn Jessop needs to get on CNN! why does she have to be on the phone? I think we should be able to see a converation in person by Carolyn and Kathleen Jessop.. now THAT would be interesting! I wonder if Kathleen would still say the same things!
If the men of this community are suspect of perpertrating these atrocities and abuses against young women, why haven't the men been taken in, removed from the complex, for questioning and the women and children left to remain in their homes, and questioned for testimony in a more sensitive way. If the women or children are the victims, why are they being victimized further by being taken from their homes and separated. These children need their mothers during such a sensitive time, the way they are being treated in an outside world in which they have no experience only confirms their fears.... instead .they all need to be protected from the men who are suspect; the men should have been removed.
Erica, if she would have compared it to the Japanese Internment Camps I would have understood her feelings, but not the Holocaust.
Her kids haven't seen a firearm? Aren't there pictures of men on the compound with guns? FLDS men?
Anderson,
You did a great job keeping your composure. And I agree, this reminds me of Waco and David Koresh, obviously these children or women are not free to go as they please.
If more were interviewed, they would probably say the exact same things.
Comparing to Jews and the Nazi – I didn't realize we were sending the children to working camps or death camps. Gee Anderson when you have children and if they get taken from you I'm sure you would have a little more passion and anger in you than she did.
So very sad. Kathleen appears to have been taught to hide behind freedom of religion and religious persecution. She almost seems brainwashed.