One Step Closer - Utah's Bigamy Amendment Goes Through House Committee

Yesterday, Utah's Bigamy Amendment - S.B. 102 - went before and passed through a House Committee on Monday.  This is the bill that will reduce Utah's anti-polygamy statute from a felony to a minor infraction.  You can listen to the hearing right here.

Even though I wasn't there, I had many good friends there, including my good friend and fellow burner, Gary Taylor, who once worked directly for the Safety Net.

I did get a chance, however, to listen in on the proceedings via the link provided above.  There was first an opening statement given by the bill's sponsor, Senator Deidre Henderson.  Then a variety of speakers were allowed to testify from both sides of the argument, both pro and con.

I don't really want to focus very much on the opposition.  There were a couple of representatives from law firms speaking against the bill.  There were a coupe of teenagers who didn't clarify why they were there, perhaps hoping to become the Greta Thunbergs of anti-polygamy.  There were mostly former victims of polygamy who now work with/ for the state's various anti-polygamy hate groups.  My opinion - biased as it may be - is that the opposition was mainly using emotionality and projection as their tool.  "These horrible things happened to me in polygamy, so it must remain illegal."  The general argument was that the bill will not reduce crimes committed within polygamy, but that it will give polygamists the green light to increase their rampant efforts to practice it without fear of recrimination.  Fear was also expressed that Utah would become a safe haven for people across the world who want to live polygamy.  Like Muslims.  It wasn't voiced directly in the hearing, but it has been stated in other forums.  Anti-polygamists are afraid of Muslims coming to Utah to live polygamy.  Can you think of anything more racist?

As far as those arguing in favor of the bill - I want to emphasize that none of those who argued in favor of the bill defended it from the standpoint of being pro-polygamy.  In fact, some of them were very against polygamy.  But they recognized that generations of Prohibition cannot and will not end the practice, only nestle it in a place to be taken advantage by perpetrators of evil.  In fact, some like Dr. Cristina Rosetti, a scholar who studies Mormon fundamentalism, pointed out that the bill keeps polygamy a felony in instances of other crimes like abuse, rape, or fraud.  (Her speech was erudite and very well-expressed, by the way.  She's a freaking rockstar.)  There were other speakers like Loretta Barlow, from the FLDS in Hildale, Utah, who spoke about the affect the 1953 Polygamy Raid had on her father, upon her and her other siblings.  Donia Jessop, the mayor of Hildale, along with Shirley Draper, the trustee of the UEP Trust, also spoke.  Alina Darger - one of those Dargers - also spoke on how she was afraid to speak about a very private incident for fear of bringing negative attention to her plural family.  Then Christine Marie Katas from Voices From Dignity spoke.  Some of you who follow my blog might remember when Christine and I clashed.  She has since become one of my favorite people on the planet.  She has done so much to help the disenfranchised and displaced in Short Creek whether offering emotional support or helping people find homes.  Christine is the perfect example of someone who came into this with preconceived notions about polygamists only to find that things are not always as they seem.

The next step is for this bill to be placed before the entire House of Representatives.  I will keep you informed!  This is an exciting time for me!

To Plyg Or Not To Plyg: Utah Challenges Anti-Polygamy Laws

Hello, everyone!  Yes, it had been a while since all y'all have heard from me.  I'm still around.  There is so much going on in the world of polygamy that I felt like I was dropping the proverbial ball if I didn't comment on it.

So here it goes...

Utah currently has a bill before its legislature that would essentially "decriminalize" polygamy.  I use quotation marks, because the bill doesn't literally decriminalize the practice - it reduces it from a felony to a misdemeanor.  It would be a punishable offense.  But hey - a victory is a victory.  The bill passed unanimously in the Senate.  Read about it here.  It still must pass through Utah's House of Representatives where its fate will be determined - will this be a victory for polygamists?  Or a smackdown?  It remains to be seen.

Some may remember back in January, 2013 when Kody Brown and wives of "Sister Wives" fame challenged the anti-polygamy laws in federal court, and a judge ruled that those laws were unconstitutional.  That was a great day.  I was up late that night, celebrating with other polygamists on social media late into the night, and there was much wailing and gnashing of teeth with the "antis".  That victory was short-lived.  The ruling was struck down, because there needs to be an active prosecution in respect to the law in order to challenge it.  In other words, there was no polygamy charge levied against Kody Brown.  Utah has not prosecuted polygamy in decades.

I have been asked by friends, "Why do you care if Utah has anti-polygamy laws?  They don't enforce them.  It doesn't affect you."  No, it doesn't affect me.  Yes, I live in Arizona.  But the reason I don't live in Utah is its laws.  The threat is always there.  Nobody wants to live under that intimidation.  "We're not going to arrest you... but we could if we wanted!"

So, how did this bill pass the Senate in very mainstream LDS Utah?  Unanimously??  They provided a rationale that I have used for almost two decades.  The abuses that stereotypically exist in plural marriage - sexual abuse, domestic violence, underage marriage, welfare fraud, etc. - are caused by the culture of secrecy that has sprouted up due to strict anti-polygamy laws.  Much in the same fashion that Prohibition created a bootleg culture, along with theft, murder, and other crimes, making polygamy illegal has pushed it into the shadows, allowing the evil designs of men like Warren Jeffs to flourish.  Because they were not accountable to anyone.  Because everyone was quiet.  You don't talk about your beliefs to the world.  You don't take your brother to the law.  And if you're a plural wife enduring abuse, you don't take your issues to the authorities, because you yourself may be arrested for living polygamy.  It's a mess.

These are the very things that I said to Mike Watkiss, formerly of Arizona Channel 3, in a letter back in 2008.  (I can no longer find the letter online.)  These are the things I spoke about in my TV interviews, and I ruined my credibility in the polygamous communities because of it.  Why?  Because you DON'T GO TO THE MEDIA!!  Why?  The culture of secrecy.  You're not supposed to speak out, rather remain hidden, and go unnoticed.  And if you speak, you're not just risking yourself, but everyone else.  One man in a polygamous community called me a "wicked, wicked man" for going to the media.

This culture of secrecy has to end.  Only when everything is transparent will the abuses end.  Only when things are out in the open will there be accountability when men try to take advantage of this system.  Luckily, this is the argument that went before Utah Senate.  And cooler heads prevailed.

They realized that for well over a hundred years, the polygamy "problem" did not go away.  You are not going to get rid of polygamy.  Ever.  Not upon threat of jail.  Not upon the threat of death.  Nothing short of ethnic cleansing will get rid of this lifestyle.  So another solution must be presented.  Hence, the new bill.

It made my heart proud to see the response of overwhelming support from the Mormon fundamentalist community.  They gathered on the steps of the capitol to show solidarity.  There has also been an overwhelming response from the naysayers and anti-polygamist hate groups.

First of all, I must say that I am a lot less vitriolic towards them than I was wont to be in days past.  I still don't like them.  But at least I understand them a little.  These women are mostly victims of this culture of secrecy that I have been speaking of.  They suffered real hurts and pain at the hands of men abusing the Principle.  Who am I to judge them?  However, who are they to judge us?

Granted, I have not been a polygamist for many, many years now.  Maybe that accounts for my softening.  But I still remember the nights when I would lay awake, worried that someone would come to take my kids away, that someone would lie and make up shit to obtain that objective.  Even with the presence of this bill, there has been quite a clamor from the antis.

There was a demonstration where the antis slapped stickers that read "Slave" on the chests of women, equating slavery and polygamy.  They had the ill fortune of placing one on Rep. Sandra Hollins, an African-American woman.  The thoughtlessness is astounding.  However, this has always been the method of the antis - lying, overdramatization, false rhetoric, ignoring decency, and, in this case, outright racism.

Fortunately, there have been advocates like historian, Cristina Rosetti (check out her Twitter) and Lindsay Hansen Park, who did my Year of Polygamy interview.  I need to clarify that neither of these great women are pro-polygamy.  Cristina isn't even Mormon.  They just recognize that, for things to change positively in the world of plural marriage, that the change must start within the walls of the capitol building.  Check out Linday's excellent article about the racist narratives used in this argument right here.  These women may not want my gratitude for their defense.  But they have it.

In closing, my message is:  Utah - you made this problem.  You need to fix it.  You're doing a great job so far.  Keep it up.  Don't let us down!

PS  Relax, Utah Mormons.  The Church is not going to bring back polygamy anytime soon.

Ra Ragga: My Life With The Haters

Are you threatened by this?

I am no stranger to the anti-polygamist movement.  In fact, they are the whole reason I entered this shit parade.  Back in 2007, Flora Jessop, aka Tweaking Scarecrow, published my name in some court documents, spreading lies against me.  I blogged about it here.  I realized something about the anti-polygamists then and there.  They are willing to lie their asses off to obtain their agenda.  Truth doesn't matter to them.  Insinuation is presented as fact.  Gossip is stated as gospel.  Character assassination is a viable tactic.  They don't need to know you.  They don't need to understand your circumstance.  All they know is that you are a polygamist, and, for that, you are going down!

Admittedly, not all of them are like that.  I have come across some anti-polygamists that are respectful and courteous.  Check out this correspondence I had.  My rule of thumb is this - if they are willing to have legitimate talks with polygamists, sit down at the table and have earnest dialogue, then I will return that respect.

After all, polygamists are not going anywhere.  You cannot eradicate them, you cannot do away with them, or prevent them from living this lifestyle - even at the threat of imprisonment, even at the threat of murder.  We have endured those, and WE ARE NOT GOING AWAY anytime soon.  So you might as well deal with it and use reason and logic to come up with legitimate solutions to deal with the perceived problems with polygamists, including the polygamists in these solutions.  That is the only thing that makes sense.

But the rabid anti-polygamists refuse to enter this sort of discussion.  They want blood, and they do not listen to reason.  These are the sort that I disrespect.  They are the real fanatics, and I have no problem labeling them what they are - a hate group.  A genuine hate group, right alongside the Ku Klux Klan.  Except this group of cheerless, sexless, unfulfilled, nosy, bitter, flatulent hate mongers have the ears of law enforcement, legislators, social service agencies, and mostly the media.  Sad, sad people.  They will not be satisfied short of a pogrom - all children removed from polygamous homes, all plural wives shipped into forced "rehabilitation", and all polygamist men behind bars or dead.  They want nothing short of ethnic cleansing.

The whole reason that I started blogging, going on international television, on public radio, doing interviews, etc., was to defend myself.  I realized that most people assume that polygamists are too backward, too uneducated, not verbose enough to mount a well-thought defense.  Most people assume that polygamists will say or do nothing in response to vicious attacks in the media.  They thought that about me.  They were wrong.  I refuse to give the hate-whores the opportunity to speak lies about me, or any other polygamists, without me shooting off some furious blog post in retaliation.  I will always speak my mind, and, trust me, I have plenty to say.  Thanks to polygamists like Kody Brown, Brady Williams, and Nathan Collier, polygamy is getting a new face.

Fortunately, since I am no longer a polygamist, I pass under the radar of the antis.  Since I only have one wife, I am no longer relevant, but I have dealt with the antis time and time again over the past decade.  Usually, their modus operandi is the same - they infiltrate forums where polygamists discuss online, using fake profiles.  Many, many fake profiles - most of them probably the same person.  Their purpose is to troll, gather information, and discredit as many polygamists as they can.  They are vicious and unrelenting.  By now, I am pretty good at spotting the antis in a group, and I am not afraid to call them out on it.

Anyway, I am telling a story with this,  Earlier this summer, I was asked by Kendra to help moderate a discussion site.  Kendra is a close friend to the Brown family of "Sister Wives" fame, and, over the years, she has been an online defender of the family.  For these years, I have been a part of these sites, but I pay them little attention.  The drama gets too much for me, sometimes.  She asked me to help her moderate the group, because it was overrun by antis.  Previously, she had Nathan Collier as an admin, but he dropped out due to the chaos.

So I stepped in as an admin to a group that had well over 1,500 members - and the ones who contributed the most were the haters.  It was overwhelming.  They would attack anyone and everyone who even remotely made a statement in favor of polygamy or the Brown family.  And if anyone attacked their position, they would cry foul, making accusations of intolerance.

To give you an example, I previously posted on THIS blog about my journey to see Winston Blackmore.  Immediately, I am attacked and asked if I saw any of Winston Blackmore's child brides.  I replied that I did not.  I was only introduced to one of his wives, and she was certainly not a child.  It was pointed out that I called Blackmore a "good man".  Yes, I said that.  He was a good man in my perception based on my visit there.  So how can I call him a good man, I was asked, given that he has taken child brides?  I told them that I neither saw nor heard ANYTHING about child brides while I was there.  I do not advocate underage marriage.  I have always spoken out against that sort of thing, and there is a public record going back more than a decade of me speaking against these things on the Yahoo! discussion groups, on my blogs, and many other places.  I do not condone the taking of child brides!  This was not enough for antis.  They asked how I could say he was a good man, didn't I know that he had taken child brides?  It's in the media!  No, I had never heard of Winston Blackmore taking child brides, and, if he did, I do not approve.  I actually do not follow Blackmore's life in the media.  I have better things to do with my life. That's not good enough!  Would I go on public record and condemn Winston Blackmore for taking child brides?  And my answer is - no, I will not.  Just because something is reported in the media does not make it true.  We live in a nation where men are innocent until proven guilty, and I am sure that Canada has the same rule.  I will not condemn a man who has not had the chance to defend himself, and until it is proven, it is just conjecture.  It is just gossip.  And I will not resort to the tactics of the anti-polygamists in condemning a person simply based on hearsay, on rumor.

Argh!

Next, someone got a hold of the History Channel program we did, and blasted me for our living conditions!  I have always been very honest on this blog about our living conditions off-grid.  In fact, I wrote a six-part essay on it.  It is no secret.  This anti said that the way I make my family live is abuse and threatened to call CPS on me.  That is laughable.  That episode was filmed seven freaking years ago!  Anyone who knows me knows that I moved my family out of there years ago, improving our livin conditions.  It was only temporary.  Like I live in a static bubble in space-time, never moving, never changing, my children never growing up.  Yet, in her mind, I am still living there is this house, eternally off-grid, ready for her to call social services on us.  What a joke!

It started getting old really fast.  I spent the whole week online, responding to posts, defending everything to do with plural marriage, dealing with a constant barrage of hate.  It got to the point where I was tired of dignifying their bullshit with serious responses.  Check out this argument I had with a fake profile named "Marilyn":

How dare you accuse me of being vitriolic and having prior history of being adversarial. Kendra is nothing but a bully and cannot let anyone have a different opinion to her. She is an attention seeker that is all over every celebrity she can contact on Twitter. She has other aliases where she disrespects the Browns, it's common knowledge. Maybe I should rephrase that, she used to, maybe not anymore as many have called her out on it. Did you know she accused a member of one group of hiding in a UPS van to get into the Browns houses. I believe there is a lawsuit now against her for that and rightly so. Kendra misreads people's posts and jumps on them for no reason. Do you think that she should be the only one to give an opinion. Are you star struck because she knows the Browns? You are so quick to defend her. She is on many forums spouting her opinions and jumping on anyone that disagrees with her. She has said many, many rude things to me, including accusing me of having a fake account. You say you won't put up with bitchiness and snideness, I guess that doesn't apply to Kendra though. She has made so many enemies in forums for those exact "qualities". Now you are also being singled out as a bully. As for me "taking one for team" exactly what does that mean?I'm not on any team. It's all about the power for you and Kendra, to be an admin of a group is some sort of status symbol is it? Never assume that because I am old that I will sit back and take crap like this from anyone. Abuse is bad, but elder abuse is worse.

Moroni:  :) Relax. It's just Facebook.

Marilyn:  Yes it is but I resent being called names, and everything I said above is true. If I'm to relax, then you and Kendra need to do the same. Stop acting so high and mighty. That comment about me taking one for the team etc etc makes you sound do arrogant. I would guess that it's your association with Kendra that is making you that way. She is one disliked woman on facebook and for Robyn to let her be a spokesperson for them is Sister Wives suicide. They are probably more disliked because of her and her constant defending of them. So if as you say, it's just facebook and I should relax, why the Nasty comments about me, relax, scroll past when you see my name. Kendra can do the same

Moroni:  :) Thanks for writing!

Marilyn:  Sarcasm !!!!

Moroni:  Ra ragga !!!!

Marilyn:  No idea what that means but it look immature, you really want to go to Kendra's level

Moroni:  Chim chimney chimney chinny chin chin

Marilyn:  OMG

you really need to explain your words to us senior citizens

Remember, some day, if you are lucky, you will be one, hope people speak better English to you then

Do you speak "down " to your children also, seniors and children, all beneath you I assume

Moroni:  (Here I inserted the photo of Mr. Bean up above)

Marilyn:  Your latest photo? Are you threatening me?

You look a lot like Mr Bean lol How unfortunate is that

Moroni:  That's more like it! ;)

Marilyn:  I sincerely hope your kids don't look like you, that would be more than unfortunate

Moroni: 

Marilyn:  Omg noooooooooo, please do not creat any more

Create

Moroni:  LOL God bless!

And THAT is how you deal with antis!

At this point, I deleted her and blocked her off of the discussion group.  In fact, I started cleaning house.  I deleted anyone that was perceived by me to be an anti.  The problem was - I deleted the other admin, who was an anti.  I was contacted by Kendra and asked to add her back.  Apparently, this admin was a journalist and had unflattering info on the Browns that she was threatening to use.  So I ate humble pie.  For Kendra.  For the Browns.  I added this admin back and publicly apologized to her.  She took the chance to publicly rip me a new one.  I can't tell you how hard it was to bite my tongue and take it.  This admin then added back all her friends, and they swooped down on me like a murder of crows.  They publicly posted the above exchange and said that I was threatening this poor "Marilyn".  They made fun of me, my wives, my children, and anyone who had the nerve to stand up to them on my behalf.

So, one week after being made admin, I packed it up and resigned from the "Sister Wives" forum.  I lasted only one week.  I was relieved.  I can't believe the degree of stress it gave me.  I felt dirty after trying to engage those women.  Their hatred has no bounds.  They expend more of their energy on hatred than I could ever have.  There was a distinct presence of evil with them.

I was later contacted by people who had witnessed how I was treated.  They told me that this admin has a secret group where they marshal together and plot as a group on who they will attack and how they will do it.  She sent me this screen shot of the admin bragging about her actions.

It turned out that this admin was a tabloid journalist.  She was using the group to get dirt that she could publish in articles against the Browns.  And she did.  Several articles hit the web as a result of these events, several that attempted to fling mud at the Browns.  The funny thing is - she constantly bragged about being a "journalist".  But in the end, she just took the slightest hints of conjecture and rumor and stretched them and stretched them into a story of little substance.  So much for being a "journalist".  In fact, other anti-polygamists - like Sound Choices Coalition - actually did not approve of her methods, pointing out that they were low and damaging, stating that their "cause" would be better served using other and better methods.

To me, it is all part of a plot, a conspiracy.  I think this is part of a concerted effort to smear the name of the Browns.  After all the Browns did in court to get polygamy decriminalized, the best way to distract from what they have done is to mire them down with pettiness and scandal.  I, for one, will not pay it any heed.  I refuse to engage in rumor-mongering and speak ill about the Brown family, or any other plural family when the accusations are baseless.

It makes me kind of glad.  When we first did our TLC special with Dawn Porter, they so much as told me that they were scouting us out for the potential of a program of our own.  Then we were told that we were too "basic" to have a show of our own.  Can you imagine if we had said yes, if we wound up being on display for the whole nation?  I can't imagine having cameras in my face during my divorce.  Who knows what sort of "dirt" they would have fabricated on me or any of my wives?  No, for now, I am content to remain boring.  Basic.  Monogamous.  For now.

So once again, I say with emphasis:  Ra ragga!

Correspondence with Christine Marie Katas of Voices For Dignity

Recently, I had a correspondence with Christine Marie Katas of Voices of Dignity, who is also a member of anti-polygamist group, Sound Choices Coalition.  It was in regard to a post that I had made here.  In the post, I had included a black-and-white photo of women in KKK garb.  It was intended to draw an emotional response, and I admit that it was inflammatory on my part.  I have removed the photo at Ms. Katas's request.

Here is what she wrote to me:

Brother Moroni, I did not make up those statistics, my friend. They came from medical studies and other research submitted to and examined by the Chief Justice Bauman of British Columbia Supreme Court after "the most comprehensive judicial record on the subject ever produced, I have concluded that the Attorneys General and their allied Interested Persons have demonstrated a very strong basis for a reasoned apprehension of harm to many in our society inherent in the practice of polygamy..." 

If you would like to review the research and rationale for the decision yourself, you can study it right here: http://stoppolygamy.com/court-decision-on-polygamy/

I was sharing the facts of the court. My opinion was that creative thinking and collaboration should be explored in an attempt to make a difference. By no means did that make me part of a hate group.

That's silly. I care about the welfare of women and children - that did not merit posting a photo of the KKK. That photo is offensive even to look at. I have many African American friends. It would hurt them even to know a photo like that still exists and is being posted on the Internet. Put yourself in their shoes. Would you be so kind as to remove it?

I believe our time and energy would be better spent building friendships, collaborating, and figuring out how to change those harmful facts. 

No one wants to see people harmed. I am sure that is one area where we are in agreement, right? I am sure the solutions are out there. I hope you find them.

Kind regards,

Christine Marie


And here is my response:

Sister Christine,

I have taken the photo down at your request. First, because you requested it. And second, because you actually have made an effort to have a dialogue with the polygamous society. That is more than many of your contemporaries have done.

You have referred me to some research that corroborates your claims. I ask you the question - was this research done exclusively with the communities in British Columbia (FLDS and the Blackmore communities)? I would like to point out that many fundamentalist Mormons would not find any common ground with these communities - culturally, doctrinally, or socially. To me, it is akin to doing a polygamy study on Muslims and then applying that data to Mormons. We do NOT want to be painted with the same brush that is used to portray the FLDS, and other extreme groups.

I lived as a polygamist for 13 years, and, whereas my attempt has failed, it had nothing to do with polygamy. But the internet record speaks that for more than a decade, I have publicly spoken out against abuse (mental, physical, and emotional). I have spoken out against child marriages and arranged marriages. I worked for 9 years as a social worker, and used my knowledge as an advocate to get polygamous families to speak to the government and human service agencies.

So when you say that you have done a very detailed study in British Columbia, I believe you. But I do not feel it represents me, or the people I associate with.

You indicate that you are open to have dialogue with polygamous families to change that. I applaud that. And for that, I offer my sincere apologies for my post, which could be considered inflammatory. I am truly sorry. This is an emotional topic. I love my children more than anything in this world; I live for them. And the thought that a government agency and/ or advocacy group would take them away from me just because I am/ was a polygamist is terrifying to me. I was already witnessing hateful people WHO DID NOT KNOW ME spreading lies and speaking to the media about me. That is when I decided to go public and speak to the media, including starting this blog. So if I misrepresented you, I am sorry. I welcome any dialogue.

Please continue to speak to polygamists and draw them out of the shadows. Because it is in the shadows that the crimes are committed. Coming into the light and being able to converse is what will help us all.

Thanks again for responding,

Moroni Jessop

PS Perhaps I can refer you to "Polygamous Families in Contemporary Society" (Atlman, Ginat, 1996) which concludes that abuse and dysfunction do not occur in any greater rates in polygamous families than monogamous families.

New Hate Groups, & Other Polygamy News

So a few things going on the world of polygamy:

1)  Last week, the Browns put forth a lawsuit to the Utah Courts questioning whether or not Utah's bigamy laws are constitutional.  Go, Browns!  The Jessops got your back!

2)  A new Hate Group has sprouted up in Utah called "Sound Choices Coalition".  It is created by former plural wives who "escaped polygamy".  I find it ironic that most of these groups are started by women who once lived polygamy - one of them for 50 years.  The reason I call them a "hate group" - they are against decriminalization, and they want to keep it illegal.  In other words, they don't want talks; they don't want negotiations.  They just want to see polygamist men in jail.  On their website, they say things like:

“No one wants to break up happy families or throw good fathers in prison,” says Christine Marie Katas, founder of Voices for Dignity, who is a member of the Sound Choices Coalition. Katas, who wrote the symbolic petition, said, “But there has to be a better, more creative legal solution because the evidence clearly shows that significantly more harm comes to polygamous women and children than monogamous women and children.”

"These harms include higher rates of domestic violence and abuse, including sexual abuse, higher rates of marital dissatisfaction, higher rates anxiety and depression, higher rates of psychiatric hospitalization, higher levels of somatization, phobia and other psychological problems. Polygamous women have more children, are more likely to die in childbirth and live shorter lives than their monogamous counterparts. Children in polygamous families face higher infant mortality, and physical and mental disabilities from incestuaous marriages. Many children suffer more emotional, behavioral and physical problems, have lower educational achievement, and are at a higher risk of psychological and physical abuse than children in monogamous families."

So where is this so called "evidence"?  Where is the research that supports this?  Is it not bigotry to make these kind of negative statements about a particular group without having something substantial to present, to back it up?  Otherwise, it is just a stereotype.  Nothing more.

Hence, this group is...  a hate group.

3)  Flora Jessop has put down her meth pipe long enough to come in front of the cameras to celebrate her sister's escape from the FLDS.  Now, admittedly, I don't know what her sister went through.  And I am certainly not a fan of FLDS's brand of Mormonism.  But my question is:

Why are people listening to Flora Jessop?  Given the constant lies and unreliable information that she has fed the media, given the fact that she has been caught in these lies, why do they use her as a "reliable source?"  Because the media is looking for anything lurid and sensational, and Flora Jessop is always willing to provide that.

Yes, bigotry is alive and well in America.  And it is "okay" to demonize and discriminate against polygamists as a whole group.

Bad Economy... Good for Polygamists

Someone in one of the comments on my last post pointed out that Harry Reid should be worrying about other more important issues - like the economy, etc. Instead he flexes his congressional love-muscle to fret about the existence of polygamists.

Here is more from that article about David "Pendejo" Lujan at ASU:

"The bill soared through the House with bipartisan support but was blocked by former Rep. Eddie Farnsworth on the House Judiciary Committee, who Lujan said had a “difference in philosophy.”

"Farnsworth is no longer in the legislature, but now the budget crisis must be resolved before any representatives or state senators can introduce new bills."

First of all:

1. God bless Eddie Farnsworth! I would kiss you if I didn't have puke breath!
2. That sucks that he is gone.
3. Hurray for budget crisis! Lujan's pendejo bill will have to wait. :(

Creepy Creepy

Sorry about the lapse. I do repent…

Imagine that you are part of a minority group. Not that hard to imagine. Now imagine that there are certain bigots that are well-placed in government that have an agenda to wipe you and your minority group off the face of the planet – an ethnic cleansing, if you will.

From ASU Webdevil, dated 4/15/09:

http://www.asuwebdevil.com/node/5975

This article covered an anti-polygamy speech given by Arizona Representative David Lujan at ASU. He brought with him Flora “Tweaking Scarecrow” Jessop to vomit lies about the FLDS. (Now, I don’t know the FLDS that well, but even I have a hard time believing her tall tales. Holding babies heads under water to stop them from crying??? Give me a break! Even I know that is bullshit!)

Lujan obviously plans to continue his crusade against polygamists, but he also plans to take his battle to Arizona’s AG office:

“Lujan is the Arizona House of Representatives Minority Leader, and a possible contender for Attorney General in 2010. Additionally, he serves as the staff attorney for Defenders of Children, the first nonprofit organization to open an office in Colorado City“

I swear, if Lujan becomes AG in Arizona, I am moving. I am ashamed that we are both latinos. ¡La tuya, pendejo!

Even creepier… This article in US News yesterday:


http://www.usnews.com/blogs/washington-whispers/2009/4/16/harry-reid-pushes-for-anti-polygamy-task-force.html#

Harry Reid Pushes For Anti-Polygamy Task Force

By Paul Bedard, Washington Whispers


He's a Mormon convert and a Nevada lawyer, so nobody has to tell Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid that polygamy is illegal. But having multiple spouses continues, especially in splinter Mormon groups, and now he's planning to make it a federal case. Reid says he will push the attorney general to create a task force to stamp out the practice. The Department of Justice is expected to agree. "We have an obligation to help these women and children who are being victimized," Reid says..




No, Harry is not a crusader. Harry is not doing this because he is a Mormon. He is doing this from the goodness of his heart. Bless him. Now my children and I have something to fear in the dark of night.

So Harry Reid is going to “stamp out the practice? Riiiiiight. Harry, you sure have a hairy pair, doncha?? Brigham Young would be shaking his finger out you, naughty boy!