Live Blog from the Anchor Desk 4/18/07
Anderson and Erica are blogging during the program tonight – but as you know you are the most important part of this post, so please watch and start posting at 10p ET.
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We’ll start posting comments to this blog at 10p ET and stop at 11p ET.
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Did that tour of the compound freak anyone else out? I agree with Anderson – it seems like everything the mothers say is highly scripted and made to make us pity them.
It would be interesting to see if ALL of the fathers and men on the compound will come forward to give DNA samples to the courts. I would have to assume that most of them won’t if theinformation from those tests will implement them further in charges of child abuse.
Anderson… will you ask the lawyers on your show how they can be sure that all the men will provide samples?
"EJ – Doesn’t he always? "
Well I suppose he always looks good, Jacqui.
Jacqueline, I am not crazy about the idea of splitting up all these families, however, I do not think they should simply be returned to their parents and have this cycle of abuse continue. The only way they should be returned to their biological parents, in my opinion, is if they undergo psychiatric counseling. We have to break this terrible system that they have in place at the FLDS.
That earthquake woke me up last night. I couldn't fall asleep at all after that.
..and at the end of the day, when the hearings are all over, we will thank "sarah" or the "sarah syndrome" for saving all of these tender young lives.
I personally am grateful that something in this universe brought this moment to fruition and these children will have a chance like the rest of us to live free, instead of in fear.
I agree with you Brian, Erica is fantabulous. She is someone that can be considered a role model
Ruthie: I was thinking the same thing! Where are the drawings,and the toys?
EJ...I sound like a little girl on the phone, others thinks that i am a little girl and ask for my mommy. It can be trying sometimes thou.
Are they going to make the men take dna tests also?
After being a former NYC Police officer strangly enough I really don't belive that the gov't should get involved in our lives, HOWEVER, in the case of the kids in Texas being taken away from their mothers,I DO BELIVE that the state should get in volved here and that these brain warshed mothers need professional help and these kids need to have a real chance at a normal life, these men in the CULT should be placed in prison for life without parole, better yet take them to Iraq and let them go and see if they get away with their sexual diveate sick ways there!
AJ: I did see a laptop on a desk. I wonder if they had internet?
Wow! Earthquake in midwest! that so scary for people!
David M. is right...it doesn't matter whether the call was a hoax or not...because the state did find reason to believe that the children are being abused...I would say this call was a blessing...
Listening to all the reports, it sounds like those children never really have experienced the 'outside world'. On top of being separated from their families, this must come as a total cultural shock for them. I cannot even start to imagine how horrified these kids must be.
I sincerely hope the state is taken good care of all these children so that no long-term psychological harm is done to them.
"I am curious why the LDS has been so quiet on this whole issue.
Why have they not offered financial support? Any pastoral help? Have you tried to get a response from them? While this sect is not an official part of the church there are religious beliefs in common."
I am sure they don't want to be linked with that group – especially when many Americans also consider mainstream LDS cult like.
Has the federal and state governments taken action to withhold taxpayer support of the residents in the compound? My tax dollars should not be used to support their beliefs and actions.
Just curious,but what types of calls has this Swinton woman made in the past? How did they track her down?
I actually felt the earthquake and I live in Michigan....it was weird.
So... They got the 416 children. What are they going to do about the ones that will be born in the future? Are they going to invade the ranch every spring and take custody of the kids born during the winter?
Erica, you do not get enough compliments here. You look fantabulous :D!
Love the blue Erica!!!!!!!!
blue looks great on you Erica
okay I know this sounds gruesome but if it comes to this....
I have heard that their are graves for babies who were deformed from incest that they did not live. Is it possible, legally speaking that these bodies (if still able to receive dna testing) could be used as evidence?
I believe some fellow bloggers asked but where on earth are all the fathers and men responsible?!
Why have there been no arrests?!
416 children. This is unbelievable.
Good question, Kate!!! I was just thinking that too. Where is the LDS? Don't you think they would want to help fellow members? This would be a golden opportunity to mainstream the kids into the regular LDS theology and culture and population.
I'd like to know what the men in the FLDS compound do? Do they work, what kind of work do they do?
God, what's wrong with people? Why would this woman do something like that, even though some good came of it? Boredom?
So if I started making calls alleging things against my neighbors, the police will raid their homes without question, take them away, and I'll have the area to myself? That's an idea.
No, but seriously, wasn't there a way to trace that call before they deployed the government's muscles into that compound? The call was distressing, but if it traces back to Arizona or whatever, that's hardly probable cause.
Why does it always religion go the wrong path? Religion is about God, and the bible? Right? All that is good in the world not evil? Like rape, incest, polygamy, ect.
Well, this whole polygamy story just keeps getting more interesting by the minute.
Becca, I'm sorry, but I disagree with you. I think the children should be left with the mothers until the authorities come up with a viable plan.
This is more than sexual abuse. Did you see the childrens' rooms? They were sparse, no toys, personal belongings, things that you normally see in childrens' rooms. Also, where are the fathers, going in and out of the court room? Were only the mother parents showing up by themselves? One other thing, the women were talking about a very emotional thing – losing their children and there voices had no affect....just flat. This is really a weird and scary life for those children to be living in.
And what I don't see on the kids walls in their rooms at FLDS is any sign of individuality...no toys, dolls, posters on the walls...
Reporters who are covering the story regarding the children from the FLDS compound need to educate themselves in the law regarding child welfare. They should not keep confusing criminal law with child protection law.
I think I remember Carlyn Jessop (I believe it was her) say that the woman speak like Warren Jeffs. If you've heard his voice theirs seems to be eerily similar.
I was also wondering if African Americans were allowed in this particular cult. There is no video footage which shows any one of any ethnicity other than Caucasians. So where did this woman get the information from??
These authorities who come in after the fact and say they find systemic abuse makes me livid. Surely authorities knew of this compound and they know of others, there should be mechanisms in place that if there is any suspicion of any wrong doing, something should be done right away
Did anyone notice inside the FLDS compounds that their were know tvs or toys for the kids?
I was beginning to wonder, how was there not a "Sara/h" in the compound. It is a very common name. I mean my name is Sara, and I know three or more people with this name too.
Wow- most bizarre is absolutely right. You have to wonder if Rose has some sort of mental illness. I'm glad that Texas can still proceed in the best interest of all of those kids. I was relieved when I heard about the DNA tests and that the kids will remain in custody. I hope they do find good foster homes for them for the time being.
I am curious why the LDS has been so quiet on this whole issue.
Why have they not offered financial support? Any pastoral help? Have you tried to get a response from them? While this sect is not an official part of the church there are religious beliefs in common. How about Mitt Romney donating some $ to the problem. Is Texas excepting donations? I am so happy that these children are being protected. This is long overdue. I have studdied this for years and have been shocked how this cult/sect hides behind religion.This is America's Talaban. We need to stop the abuse at home as well.
"I don’t quite understand how does 33 years old woman can do that? "
Some women can easily sound like little girls.
Michael in NC
did you miss old home in Seattle? I presume.......
Erica, I'm in Boston as well, and it is Patriot's Day Monday, plus the marathon is happening Monday, so I know I have no classes.
I had a terrible fascination watching the Mother showing the inside of the house last night. Between horror & fascination.
One thing struck me straight away. In the `living room` rows of hard chairs in fornt of a single comfy recliner & side table. That was for the man I presume?
The whole time I had a nagging itch of deja-view I couldn`t remember.
Suddenly it struck me.....Stepford wives
Phil.
Yes Erica!!
To commemorate " the shot heard around the world" when the British first attacked Americans at Concord and Lexington.
Evacuation Day in March and Bunker Hill Day in June.
I almost hope this is a fake call. I mean cause it's just so horrible
I like all of Anderson's ties, except the green one 🙂
God Bless Texas! Now I hope that the Canadian Goverment ensures that there is no abuse going on in Bountiful B.C. I watched the leader of that group on Larry King the other night, and he does not appear much better in his thought process then what I'm reading and seeing going on Texas, Utah, and Arizona.
Hi AC...I believe that despite the false report by the troubled woman. I think there is a kernal of truth in what is being discovered re: FLDS allleged child abuses. Freedom of choice is precious...and those FLDS women come across during interviews like a batch of raggedy anne-appearing Stepford wives.
Those poor kids! God bless me for never being raised like that!
Keep up the good work, AC.