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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Anderson, you were gpone for so long, they need to re-upload your pic 😉
"As a Catholic, who loves my Pope. I for one do not feel as if all of these so called sex abuse cases are real. The church would not defame the “victims” in anyway but I would. The easy way to make a dollar now a days is to cry sex abuse against a priest. Reminds me of all the allegations against day care centers back in the day. Remember almost all were unfounded, but a lot of people were ruined."
WOW – what a statement!
I don't agree with that – but wow what a statement. I don't think most victims who came forward were lying. What many of them had to go through was excruciating – especially the men!
Lesli, yes, I suppose you are right. I actually do sympathize with them as a mother.
Remember statistics can be manipulated to say anything you want them to and polls are no exception to that rule. I don't believe in them because of that. They aren't necessarily true samples of the US population.
thanks Brian.....your comment made me laugh 🙂
Erica I am always cold too.....they think I am odd at work but I'm not...I am just cold
What's going on? Where is the Constitution? Where is heart for the children and mom's? Do you really only want to believe the sensational and that these people are so different? I work in Colorado City. I'm a teacher, a Catholic, and I thought, a liberal. I'm offended by everything the state of texas has done. Anderson, what is the story behind trying to get public opinion to side with this heavy hand by a State Government?
... for all these women know, they are following the will of God as described in the Old Testament....maybe that's why they make their own clothing, harvest their own food, isolate themselves from a society that they consider dangerous and corrupt
AC> You type like Anderson...but I can't be sure... 🙂
Even in a free society it is surprising what is allowed to exist under the guise of religion.
Rose~
The Pope scares you because John Paul was a hard act to follow
Most of the polls I've seen today are not exclusive to the period AFTER Obama made the remarks.
Hey, Erica, I have a question. Has the 'What were they thinking' segment been removed from the program? I liked that segment. Just curious.
When this all started I liked Hillary, but favored Obama. As this contest is progressing, that liking has turned to disdain. I have no doubt she wants to be president. I do, however, doubt her sincerity to "help the people."
Roger - it's hot water. Renee said that's what her asst calls hot water
i agree with michael: polygamy is the same as adultery, you just aren't married to the other person...maybe.
Erica -nice to see you dance to the cheesy Beat 360 music even when the camera isn't on you!
lol! Pati and Minou!!! very funny ladies!
Erica, I love tea. Get some of those tea bags without strings and then you can have real tea on set. No one will be the wiser.
Erica, you're right...my office feels colder in the summer. I always keep my jacket on, even in the summer. Sounds weird, but if I don't do it, I can't function. LOL!
Don't worry, Minou - Kevin always brings the chair back. We get rid of it for my shot...
not sure why my little photo isnt popping up next to my comments. Hmmm.. i have photo envy.
Andrea
I understand the separation, but as I said there is no reason there could not be supervised visitation.
Lesli
Maybe Prada only make red shoes 🙂
😉 Tammy, I don't think that's the real reason they are red but good try. I think that they must symbolize something. Religions like symbols.
pictures of Jesus Christ? what's all this fascination of with the underworld in the US all about?
Glad to hear the plane crash in the Congo was less severe than originally reported.
"LOL Bonnie–I think women don’t want more than one husband because it would create way too much laundry. Plus think of what the bathrooms would look like in your home if you had 2-10 husbands. Yeesh!"
Oh no – you have it all wrong. You have to *train* all of them to do exactly what you want them to do. Otherwise, what's the point?
Hmmm. "Pretend Tea." Is that the same stuff you carry in a flask?
hmm so wait Erica, you literally just drink hot water?
LOL. Missed all the fun stuff lately. So let me guess, the Beat 360 pic was taken in the studio?
Cool image of Jesus in the window. I believe in divine signs~~Don't you?
are those snowmen in your studio Erica?? hahaha
As a Catholic, who loves my Pope. I for one do not feel as if all of these so called sex abuse cases are real. The church would not defame the "victims" in anyway but I would. The easy way to make a dollar now a days is to cry sex abuse against a priest. Reminds me of all the allegations against day care centers back in the day. Remember almost all were unfounded, but a lot of people were ruined.
What is "pretend tea" Erica?
Don't agree with FDLS and polygamy, hard enough too keep one wife happy.
CPS in Texas uses tactics from the 1936 to 1945 time frame. My son and his family were devistated and lost every thing because of annomus information on the 1-800 line.
CPS in Texas is exempt from prosicution or retribution.
I am Catholic and i am still not happy about this Pope visit. He scares me don't know why.
Yikes, Monica! Hollywood?
How long was Warren Jeffs wanted? If the FLDS can hide him for so long, with everyone looking for him, how difficult would it be to hide the girl. They are now saying that she was from the compound, but not currently, if I heard her right...
Love the new web cam! Thanks guys! Gives us a look at what goes on behind the scenes! Erica and Anderson You guys are awesome and do some great reporting! Thanks keep it up!
Have the keys frozen on Anderson's laptop? Where are you Anderson? 😉
Erica, why is it so cold in there? I guess you won't be sharing your hot water with Anderson. I've heard he doesn't like hot liquids. Weirdo. Kidding! Heh.
I hate the cold........you should keep a sweater or a wrap on the set for when your not on
Sam, They don't "accept" it as much as they are frightened into compliance. They are told they will be kicked out and never see their families again, that they will not get into "heaven." This "cult" is all they have ever known.
Alful plane crash in the Congo. So sad that their lives are so hard.
i live here in eldorado and it is awful to think bout all those kids i just hope the ones that stayed behind with there children doesnt want to go back and from what i heard it was there discussion to stay with there kids or to go back to the compound it makes me sick to think that women aka mother's would thinks it ok to let things happen to there babies i have lived here for 3 years and never heard nothing bout the compound just that they are there and that people was lied too saying the land was bought for deer huntingbut now its a compound but, you can tell everything they say is well thought out but yet they want there stories heard why be so secretive i dont understand
I find it interesting that it has taken so long for the authorities to go in and rescue these children–that being said it only took Texas four years and yet Arizona and Utah have done nothing....Good on you Texas. It's not the act of polygamy that concerns me its the abuse of women and children and the rape and forced marriages of young underaged children with old men...After all what's the point in going into countries such as Afghanistan to free women from such enslavement brought on by the Taliban and yet we allow this to happen in First world countries like America and Canada...
Jennifer,
That's my point. The guy said that polygamy was better than adultery, but to me it is the same.
Michael
Megan O.> Thanks! The Megan's are always so well informed.
Jo Ann, Ohio> Ok thanks! Wanted to make sure I got my facts right.
Lesli> I think if they stay with their mother's, the brainwashing will continue, during a time where authorities really need to hear the truth. I think everyone in the compound has been abused, both mothers and children, there is no question. But eventually these children will have to be thrown into the real world if they ever want to assimilate into society. At least these young girls have a chance of adapting, these grandmothers on the other hand...I'm not so sure.
Great job Always.
Renee, I drink a lot of "pretend tea" - I'm always cold 🙂