Live Blog from the Anchor Desk 4/15/08
Tonight, we start in Eldorado with new details from inside the reclusive polygamist compound. Hundreds of children are in state custody and their mothers say they’re being persecuted for practicing an unpopular religion. We also have new pictures taken by members of the sect that show authorities entering the compound in armored personnel carriers and carrying automatic weapons.
The Pope landed at Andrews Air Force Base this afternoon where he was greeted personally by President Bush. It's the first time ever an American president has traveled out to Andrews to welcome a foreign leader and it's the first papal visit since the sex abuse scandal exploded. Find out what the Pope said about that.
We’ll have an up close look at Sen. Barack Obama and who he is and how he became that person. This is the first in a series of in depth pieces on all three candidates.
Finally, Heisman trophy winner Herschel Walker and his battle with mental illness. The NFL superstar says he doesn't even remember winning the Heisman trophy because he was too busy struggling with a mental disorder. It’s called dissociative identity disorder and Dr. Sanjay Gupta will have all the details.
And be sure to check out our new live web camera from the 360° studio. The shot features a behind the scenes 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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the pope deciding the US elections? that's rather sad...why can't the US get over religion?
Sad, sad state of affairs for the children. The system thinks the parents have abused them, the parents think the state is abusing them .. poor little kids, they have no idea whats going on but methinks they will be traumatized for years to come.
Michael polygamy is one form of adultery
I am not Cathloic but I understand the importance of his visit and it is always great when he can come to North America. I know John Paul came to Toronto shortly before his passing
"Shepherd One" Good one Anderson!!
Brian P
I am worried for the children being separated from their parents and the effect this will have on them. If some of them were not being abused they have been now – emotionally.
Please remember that these women are a product of this cult and have no authority or identity of their own. They must do as they are told to satisfy the whims of men and they are brainwashed to believe this is an acceptable way to live their lives.
Hi everyone.
I'm from Texas and definitely not a Polygamist...but I lived in San Angelo, TX at the time the ranch in Eldorado was started.
What the polygamist feel to realize is that no one cares if they practice their religion, the general public is just concearned with the abuse, marriage, and births of the underage girls.....
Brian P. : why ? because they grew up believing this is the right way to live! it's as simple as that.
Brian Persaud: Gary mentioned that FLDS members worked for local law enforcement.
Not sure if you can see the frost on the webcam but it is FREEZING in the studio – I'm grabbing some more hot water, brb.
Polygamy is a distasteful way of men using their so-called religion to marry more than one woman. This is just another way that polygamist men have gotten around the laws of only marrying one woman; in other words it's just an excuse to 'cheat' with other women by saying their religion allows it. I'm glad the Texas authorities raided the FLDS ranch and they should also investigate all the others around the country.
why is it that these big men can father dozens of children and keep these women in control and when a raid happens or their children are taken they are nowhere in site?
Thanks! EJ.......
In looking at the polygomist sects, especially after the comments of one of the wives yesterday about her 'college degree', what education do these children/wives received? If they are getting college degrees, from where, in what? If these people were really educated, would many still be there?
Hi Anderson!
You are so cool too!
I can't wait to hear about the Pope and the sexual abuse scandal~
I hope he addresses the issue!
The fellow from Bountiful DID make a valid point with the adultery vs polygamy comparison. We must be mindful of other's beliefs, and keep the best interests of the children at the heart of everything that is done.
I've been softening my heart towards the women of Eldorado, because they must be going through such anguish, as are their children.
Pati, we are paying for all these kids. It is legalized welfare plus food stamps etc. Plus under federal tax law all of these preachers and prophets have very special tax laws. Basically they pay less than most all of us on the blog! Happy Tax Day!
Anderson you really do love to spin your blackberry.....is it like a nervous habit???
pati mc–this totally shocks me too! I can not believe this is so wide spread. It is so wrong. I just can not understand these women but I guess if you're born into it and haven't been exposed to the outside world, but what about the families we've heard about where the children go to public school and some of the "wives" go to work...that I just to not get.
ENOUGH! Poor, pitiful mothers... who allow their children to be raped by old, nasty men. Give me a break. Why even run this side of the story? What do you expect the law to do? Who will come to the aid of these young women? What is going on in the world today? Yes, many questions...but again the Pope is here for a reason.
maybe they marry the underage girls b/c they are young and therefore "purer"
Ooh, we can't escape you with that webcam! 🙂
Evening, everyone
I guess very young girls are less likely to disagree with their husbands than more mature partners... it's about power and being the boss in a marriage, more a sign of immaturity in the men if you ask me
How can he be a good Dad. I think he would at least have to kow his children's names to be a good Dad, and I highly doubt he does. I wonder how much time he spends with them. Poor kids.
Hey anderson!! happy tuesday!
Hi Erica!
Very interesting Stats on polygamist!
You are so cool girlfriend!
Hi everyone. This story just seems more and more like a huge set up every day. The scripting, suddenly using the media for the cause, and the "poor me" victim roles...bleh. I think this is all just a diversion from abuse, breaking the law by engaging in polygamy, and perversion of religion for one's own gain.
Hello Erica! So good to see you and Anderson back in the same place. The best team ever! (just saying....) Now we just need some WWTT and The Shot and it will feel like home again.
Hey Megan D. – glad you are doing well!
I feel sorry for all the mothers who had their children taken away from them. Their world looks so shady who knows what happens to all the kids there.
Why do these groups feel the need to marry underage girls?
A grown woman is one thing but these are barely teens.
What is the difference between polygamy and adultery?
" I realize these women sound like they are programmed but I’m sure this whole ordeal is overwhelming to them. I find it interesting that they are putting trust in the media, though."
I think they tune into tv and cell phones more than they want their "husbands" to know. They know the media is one way to fight a battle.
A man with over 100 children says "I'm not a very good Dad." Wow and to think he may still have more!!
Brandi down the bayou.> Thank you! I agree with you completely. I keep hearing sympathy for the mothers, but they are separated for the child's safety. If they were so concerned about their child's safety, they wouldn't let their sons and daughters go through all that.
Didn't someone, perhaps Gergen, mention last night that some authorities were members of the Church?
Lilibeth, I was wondering the same thing.
Where are the men now in all of this? What happens with these kids?
My heart breaks for those children who obviously have been subjected to much both with life in the compound and being removed from there.
This compound looks like some bizarre movie set. These women do sound deceptive, as though they are reading from a pre-prepared script. This looks like more than just a different lifestyle choice.
Unfortunately, Jeffs was not the only nutty one.
I cannot understand why any of these women would have elected to leave there children behind. Visitation should be offered and maintained for the good of the children. To me its a type of abuse to put these children in the situation they are in. The mother's should not have been returned.
Were they given a choice of a) go back, or b) go to a shelter – were they offered a chance to see their children?
I agree with the young women, that if there are children who were not being abused – then this separation is a type of abuse.
I understand that this situation has come about because of the abuse but was this the best way this could have been handled.
Hi Coop!
The other day one blogger asked Erica something about politics, then she said she would never put her name on a ballot. Does reporting about the FLDS give you any feeling toward religion in general? Is it a journalist thing to feel indifferent towards the events covered, especially religion and politics?
Hi EJ, and bloggers.......
How are you doing?
I am doing great!
Brian....Erica is there. she is standing by the big wall......got to love web cam
What I want to know is how do these men support their many wives and children? I just find that unbelievable.
Frogive me folks, but I simply cannot begin to undestand how this is going on in America. This man has 2 dozen wives and over 100 children? Who supoports them all? Do 24 women take care of 100 children? If so how? This is so beyond words to me.
AJ from Minneapolis, I agree with you about the polygamist women seem brainwashed. They are out of it. It's like they don't have emotions and are like robots.
I like the tie AC. I'm not so sure they really need weapons for women and children. The courts will be crazy on Thurs.
There comes the creepy picture of Jeffs! Weirdo!
Them saying "it's not that common" about 16-year-olds marrying only means that it DOES happen.