I simply don't see how anyone does not know something about the abuse going on. This is a must see, must read.
WARREN JEFFS CHILD LABOR?
WARREN JEFFS CHILD LABOR?
Gary Tuchman reports on a tip about convicted
polygamist Warren Jeffs's sect having FLDS children harvest pecans
instead of attending school.
This is a response from K. Dee Ignatin, Americans Against Abuses of Polygamy.
Dear Attorney General Shurtleff,
According to a recent report by CNN's Gary Tuchman, the FLDS is removing
minor children from school to, in many cases, travel across state
lines, for the purpose of laboring long hours on a pecan farm,
harvesting nuts. Also according to this report, the children are
performing these agricultural job functions for no pay. While federal
child labor laws do allow minor children to perform this type of work
during non school hours on family owned farms, they
specifically prohibit children under 14 from such activities during
school hours on non family owned farms.
It appears from information brought to light in this report that the
owner of this farm has been buying this child labor from the FLDS for
years. It also appears that the owner of the farm is fully aware that
children as young as 4-5 years old are being used for this labor,
while unpaid. It was also obvious during the report that many of these
minor children were being transported unsecured en masse in the backs of
pick up trucks, with very little adult supervision or regard for their
safety. Witnesses on the surrounding properties also said the children
were frequently seen toiling at this labor in frigid conditions, close
to nightfall.
I respectfully request that your office respond to these developments
and take steps to stop this illegal use of child labor and possibly
dangerous human trafficking of children across state lines in unsafe
conditions.
If Warren Jeffs, who is serving a life sentence for the sexual assault
of children here in Texas, has been giving orders to use this exploitive
child labor for his personal financial benefit from his prison cell, it
may be time to ask Texas authorities to review whether he is in
violation of his communication privileges, again.
We respectfully ask for a written response, detailing what actions your
office intends to pursue, now that these child labor violations have
been brought to light.
Sincerely,
cc: Texas Attorney General Greg Abbott
(Video Courtesy of CNN athttp://ac360.blogs.cnn.com/2012/12/07/warren-jeffs-child-labor/
Thanks to Cynical for finding it!)
(Thanks to K. Dee Ignatin. She has other posts on SWB you can look up, or check out her blog at http://tripleap.blogspot.com/)
So many questions, why is this happening? Why?
Well, it is prime pecan picking time. Those things don't harvest themselves. j/k
ReplyDeleteI think it's unbelievable that a Las Vegas businessman is contributing to this abuse. It's appalling.
Our family went to a pistachio farm just outside of the Las Vegas area a few weeks ago. The farm is owned by an associate of my husband's from work. He invited us to pick as much as we wanted. The kids had fun exploring and stuff and we got to keep everything we picked. It was very generous of him and I know we were doing him a favor in return.
If the women and children were picking pecans for their own food pantries I wouldn't be as concerned, but it seems as though they were picking to make a profit for their prophet.
WHAT a sham this man is, builing his wealth on abuse. I have seen so many rich so called godly men do thisthen act like the y can't help those in need. Oh, he will do it if his face is seen.
DeleteIt's unfortunate but child labour is common all over the world, we just don't expect to see it somewhere like America, or even in Australia where I live. The people who are charged with investigating such abuses are so thinly stretched they just can't keep up. Shame on any government that alows this to continue.
ReplyDeleteI so agree. What bothers me most is why this is not adressed during elections?
DeleteThe government that put Warren Jeff's in prison is ultimately responsible for this. In other situations of rape, the perpetrator is not allowed to be in contact with the victum or their family, while in prison. Yet they are allowing him to remain in contact with all his victum's and their families. Why is that?
ReplyDeleteIn the name of religious freedom, the government has allowed Warren Jeffs to still preach to his followers and send his proclamations to his minions. Given the seriousness of the crimes he has been convicted of, he should not have any communications with the outside world.
DeleteSo "religiously" sanctioned rape - -or maybe it is rape by religious men in powerful positions -- is not punished as severely as rape by your average person? Great message to the rest of the world -- get powerful enough, be narcissistic enough to say you are a prophet, and your punishment will not be as severe.
DeleteHow awful! I had no clue. I guess they need the money. How sad, hopefully something will be done this time.
ReplyDeleteWhat is really sad is that they don't see any of the money. The report says that one woman interviewed off camera told them that they were doing it for their "prophet" i.e. Warren Jeffs.
DeleteLobotomized, the children don't get paid, nor do the the mothers. Isn't that horrible?
DeleteMany, many thanks to Mister Sister and Cynical Jinx and other administrators to SWB for staying true to the core mission of this blog. You are doing a humanitarian service for people who have no voice.
ReplyDeleteWhile it IS informative and entertaining to comment on the inane circus of KodyWorld, this blog also provides needed information and documentation about the shady dealings and outright *abuses* of polygamy sects operating in various parts of country.
There ARE women and children being physically and psychologically damaged by this lifestyle. No slick wording or covert actions can cover up this reality.
These groups have learned how to circumvent the law, and how to avoid paying their fair share as citizens. They really are terrorists operating within our society.
The more articles that are made public and the more brave souls who come forward with eye witness accounts of these practices, the better chance there is of stopping these societal predators.
Equally informative is knowing there are fringe groups like the Browns and others like them who certainly "know" of these abuses and abusers, but who choose not to work toward ferreting out these people within their their own ranks. Instead, they choose to ignore it, which in itself brings their true ethics into question.
Very well said Amused. I would probaby not come here if it was all just to go on about the show. No offense meant. This is a wonderful blog, showing the good and the bad. you guys male it thought provoking in a way that is intelligent and real. That is why I love this blog. Learning!
DeleteChristine Brown, when questioned by the Salt Lake City Tribune about the issue, made this statement: "I had no idea that this type of exploitation has ever occurred to anyone associated with polygamy"
ReplyDeleteoh my goodness, what a rediculous thing for her to say. I really don't have any respect for Christine anymore, she knows better than that.
DeleteOh Christine, I can hear your pants sizzling.
DeleteYa'll - I need to clarify!!! I was being cynical, thinking that is what Christine would say if questioned. To my knowledge, she did not make any statement to the SLC Tribune. Sorry for the misunderstanding. :-)
Delete@Pollyanna & @One Kitchen: That was a sarcastic joke. There is no "Salt Lake City Tribune", it would be the "Salt Lake Tribune". They did run an article on this (posted at 11:17am here, so I won't post the link again), but the SLT polygamy correspondent, Lindsay Whitehurst, didn't ask Christine about it.
DeleteI thought it was a great joke when I first read it (yay Carol!), but I can see how it backfired, when people don't realize that it was just snark.
Christine has been caught in a big lie. Someone even commented poof that they were on the ANDERSON show with former abused teens. What a discrace she is.
DeleteCPA Carol, LOL, literally!
ReplyDeleteChild labor is the norm in the FLDS. Which is why I found the CNN report so galling- it reminded me of Christine "never knowing men could be such bastards". (Sidenote: I do think polygamy is portrayed to negatively in the media, but Christine went the all out other extreme)
ReplyDeleteMany ex-FLDS men I know used to work in construction companies from a young age- between 10 and 12, but I have heard of 8 year old boys as well. Mike Watkiss, probably the most underappreciated unfairly overlooked committed journalist ever, has done several stories on child labor in the FLDS and I thought CNN should have used him and his previous work more.
Evidently working kids in the fields for up to 8 hours at a time is not illegal! Agricultural work is evidently exempt from normal child labor laws. See this Trib article. Time for a change in the law?
ReplyDeletehttp://www.sltrib.com/sltrib/blogspolygblog/55422482-185/flds-utah-field-labor.html.csp
I didn't get this at all: So in all OTHER states agricultural labor for children is only allowed on the farm of the children's own family EXCEPT Utah?! Why Utah, why?
DeleteAlso: I *hate* Utah's homeschool laws. Homeschooling is fine with me if there is some kind of curriculum control and outside examination. If your curriculum says that Warren Jeffs is the president of the United States, that Salt Lake City is the capital of the United States, that Neil Armstrong was unable to land on the moon cause "God repelled him" or that Bill Clinton is the reincarnation of Adolf Hitler (like in the FLDS), than homeschooling is abuse, pure and simple.
I feel it is totally different if it is the family farm, and then teens only and if they are a must. I mean, kid labor is terrible, but sometimes necessary. NOT on a stranger rich businessman's farm
DeleteWoah, I'm anti-polygamy but very pro parents rights. I homeschooled several years ago and no way did anybody but my husband and I have a say in which curriculum we used. We're from MN fwiw.
DeleteAre pecans still harvested by hand? I thought they had mechanical tree shakers that shook the nuts into a net or something - that's how almonds are harvested I think?
ReplyDeleteOne would think a rich businessman could handle that. I want to know the connection.
DeleteI can't speak for everyone everywhere but I'm in Arkansas and the families I know with pecan groves still pick by hand. I went out to my friend's family's land (if you can follow that) to help harvest because her father is ill this year. As far as I know, we're not big in the pecan crops--we're more of cotton and soybean country--but there is definitely money to be made. I think pecans are going for $13/lb right now.
DeleteLOL. I read in another comment about kids being pulled from school during harvest time. I don't think we do that here, but I remember boys missing school around the opening of deer and duck season. We take our outdoors seriously.
I paid over $20 for pecans for my Christmas baking on my last trip to the grocery store! Ouch.
DeleteThere is a big difference between children helping out at harvest time in an agricultural family situation, as happens in many farming familes. It was not unusual for friends I had in high school to be taken out of school for a week or two in September to help with the harvest in any number of ways. It was, and still is in these instances, for the good of the individual farming family, and quite acceptable. Many of these teenagers later ran the farms they grew up on when the father retired.
ReplyDeleteIt is a whole different kettle of fish, when you are lining the pockets of a self declared profit - who has an enormous bank account. The families and children do not benefit from this labour in any way. And silly me, in Canada, thinking slavery was over in the US.
Shocking, that your federal government does nothing to inforce your laws regarding child labor.
In defense of my country's government (I believe this is a state issue really) they can't enforce the laws if they don't know they're being broken. I'm at work so can't watch the video, but I get the impression from the words "brought to light" that the owner of the farm along with the FLDS have been working together to keep this a secret.
DeleteReally? Your Federal Government has no laws regarding the exploitation of children? Shocking! Shocking! I had no idea that the US was such a backward country.
DeleteThis is a huge eye opener for me.
I thank you for the blog. Very informative - the "rights" of Polygamists override the rights of the individual within your borders. I will pass this information on, as I am sure people here in Canada have no idea.
Anonymous 8:10: There is also a polygamist group in Bountiful, BC, that is not following all of Canada's polygamy laws. Some people think that the Canadian gov't is being too lax about enforcing things there, so I think both countries have similar issues. Although I couldn't find anything in particular about child labor issues in Bountiful, I did find information about how they shut down a school there to home school their kids--which makes me think that they also might practice taking kids out of school to work.
DeleteAnonymous
DeleteIt’s not so much that our country does not have laws regarding the exploitation of children, we do have laws here to protect children it’s more like the state my not be aware that the law is being broken, sometimes people slip threw the systems cracks sad to say. Also the people who are charged with investigating such abuses are so thinly stretched they just can't keep up. I feel like the laws with some of the polygamist groups are lax in the U.S . Our govt does not have enough involvement into looking into these groups and making sure everything is on the up and up and also polygamy is suppose to be outlawed here yet our govt tends to turn a blind eye to it unless something major happens like in the case of Jeff Warren. It should not take something bad to happen for them to all the sudden want to take notice and do something. They arrested this Jeff Warren guy who was the FLDS profit for a whole bunch of charges of different types of child abuse and now he is in prison but he still has control of these people even tho he is in prison. In other situations a perpetrator of child abuse and rape would have any connection with his victims after he was in prison and would in no way be allowed to contact or have any control over his victims or there families but that does not seem to be the case here. I am guessing they must allow Jeff Warren to have visitors and people from that compound visit him and carry messuages back to the compound and carry out things that he wants done. The govt knows that some of his victims still live on that compound so why are they allowing him to have any visitors or contact from anyone there? they know this guy is a sicko. CNN has reported a while back that the compound has closed out there local store and that they were ordered by Jeff Warren to move there kids to some other state/compound because he is predicting the end of the world is coming. The public/Media are worried that there might be some mass suicide that may take place in the future. CNN also covered the story about these children that live on the compound being taken out of school and children as young as 5 working long hours even into the cold night picking these pecan’s. They had coverage on it on T.V yet I here nothing about our govt stepping in or investigating any of this, putting a stop to it, where is child services? Are they not doing follow ups on these kids?
My exact thoughts when Christine made her dramatic scene about how she didnt know men could be such bastards was that She was trying to persuade the audience that Kody was so much better than most polygamus men. It was disgusting and clearly just a poor acting job. They are trying to build themselves up to the audience again because their "reality" has come to light to most of us. We can all see and hear and its a little too late for that, Christine.
ReplyDeleteThis is nothing more than abuse in this day and age. I am not good looking through the internet, but if this businessman and his private ranch has no connections to the FLDS - Why use them? WHAT is the gain?
ReplyDeleteI smell really bad business, and the children and those mothers probably don't get a pecan!
WHY does the govt turn a blind eye?
ABUSE!
And them not talking to the neighbor...CULT behavior. We SHOULD ALL BE OUTRAGED and talking more!
THIS IS AN OUTRAGE. Rich businessman gets his oils wheeled by a huge cult molester in jail, for what in return? What is his connection? I bet it is something that profits Warren Jeffs, such as jailhouse unlimited talk. WHY does that man even get phone privileges in jail? Why are they not monitored? Hey, I can see letting the polygamists alone and turn a blind eye to ones that are self sufficient, but this is a ridiculous travesty of justice that just keeps going on and on. Forget worrying about Kody, go after them!
ReplyDeleteHere is a nice puff piece on the business man who hires all that child labor every year, to fill Warren Jeffs' coffers: http://business.inquirer.net/money/breakingnews/view/20081026-168460/Millionaire-gives-even-during-bad-times
ReplyDeleteHe's mainstream LDS. I'm shocked. Not.
Wow. What a hypocrite. Get free labor and then pat yourself on the back for giving..... Thank you for that, sickening.
DeleteHi Boots: Thanks for the link. Not surprising at all to me that an LDS member is involved. I've been saying for years that the LDS aren't as different and detached from the so-called Mormon offshoots as they would have you believe.
DeleteI don't know about Utah's child labor laws, but federal law is quite clear that employees should be paid. Federal laws supersede state laws. While it's correct that agricultural employers have more lenient laws, there is nothing that exempts them from paying unrelated children for their labor. If these kids aren't getting paid, Gene Yamagata is in violation of federal law, one count per each unpaid child, per uncompensated day. Moreover, the parents and organization responsible for supplying this slave-labor also share legal culpability.
http://www.dol.gov/whd/regs/compliance/posters/minwage.pdf
K. Dee, do you have any statistics on how many F.M. Polygamists live in each state? I was wondering if they were any in my area, and how to help any of them? Even if it was taking food to one being shunned?
DeleteHey, maybe this Gene Yamagata is footing the bill for the McMansions. He made his money, strangely enough, in an MLM scheme:
Delete"In 1983, he founded Forever Living Products Japan Inc., a personal-care products business that exports goods from the United States to Japan. It has grown into a $500 million-a-year company." http://www.lasvegassun.com/news/1996/aug/08/simply-the-best/
https://www.foreverliving.com/marketing/Page.do?name=our_story
Apparently, he is quite the player in Las Vegas. "Gene Yamagata has the deep pockets of this group. He owns Morris Travel as well as a huge company in Japan and has extensive holdings in Las Vegas."
Hmmmm.
http://voice-of-deseret.blogspot.com/2009/08/powder-mountain-incorporation-dispute.html
According to this article published in 2000, Yamagata is/was a billionaire.
Deletehttp://138.210.151.139/news/2000/apr/05/lv-airline-may-be-hit-with-sexual-harassment-damag/
@ Magic Undies: "I've been saying for years that the LDS aren't as different and detached from the so-called Mormon offshoots as they would have you believe"
DeleteBrings to mind a strange thing that happened to me recently... I live in Toronto, Canada, and on my bus route to work is a LDS church. I will often see the young LDS "missioneers" on the bus, chatting up commuters trying to find recruits for "free English classes" (with a side helping of religion I'm sure)in my immigrant-rich neighborhood. Not an easy task, as commuting Torontonians are colder than New York in January ;)
What I find really strange is that the women always wear these pioneer style grey or blue cotton dresses, they look more like the FLDS women than like the Kodettes--which seems weird to me. (although the men are wearing dark suits as per usual)
They have never spoken to me, although recently I sat down next to a young lady who kept on trying to strike up a conversation, (initially I didn't figure out she was LDS, I just thought she was a tourist) so I obliged her in conversation, and I think I must have caught her off guard as I made a fairly maternal statement like: "oh, you're clearly not from here, well, welcome to the city and I hope you enjoy your visit, be careful as it gets a lot colder and you'll want a better coat" (noticing the thin cotton dress and bare legs in NOVEMBER for the first time)
The look that she gave me was one I won't soon forget, a mixture of fear and bewilderment. She didn't say anything to me after that, and quickly got off at the next stop at the LDS church. I felt really bad for her as it just seemed that she was out of her element and terrified. She seemed scared of me, and believe me, I'm far from scary!
Back to the comment by magic undies: her reaction was much closer to what I would have expected from a person from a very sheltered and conservative upbringing, not from a "mainstream" LDS upbringing or church. The reaction/situation wouldn't match with the LDS position of "we're just like the other Christians!" It was really weird.
Hi Anonymous @ 10:36, that's an interesting story. Regarding the LDS claims that they're just another Christian denomination, that's a fairly recent tactic. In the past, Mormons were quite open about their belief that they are "The One True Church", and did not want to have much to do with non-Mormon Christians. For example, the 13th LDS President Ezra Taft Benson said, “There is no salvation outside the church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints."
DeleteEventually, the Mormons noticed that they weren't gaining many converts or supporters by holding themselves out as different. They then decided to "blend" with Protestant Christianity, and it's generally been a successful strategy for them.
I am really starting to notice a lack of continuity among the mainstream LDS church. The LDS church I grew up in and the one we are currently zoned for are night and day. I'm not sure if it's times changing or if each ward kind of interprets things differently...anyway, I last went to the LDS church a couple months ago because my husband asked me to since he was being released out of one calling and called into another. It struck me on that visit how much it has changed.
DeleteMore lies from Christine Brown. Just like they were shocked about an investigation and potentially being charged, when that was their plan all along. Read this article by Ben Winslow, before Sister Wives ever aired! See for yourself what Christine Brown said was her agenda! "Bring it on!" http://www.childbrides.org/politics_Fox13_polygs_seek_decriminalization.html
ReplyDeleteYes, and also she says that's the only law they break. hmmmm. http://sisterwivesblog.blogspot.com/2011/06/christine-brown-pre-sister-wives.html
DeleteI used to be in AUB, and there were quite a few people who didn't seem to find a problem with not paying their taxes (or at least not being honest to the tax man). That's not to say that everyone was like that - many people were very honest, but there was a significant number who acted like they were above the law.
DeleteChristine IRONY:
DeleteBastard: A child whose birth lacks legal legitimacy—that is, one born to a woman and a man who are not legally married.
Christine, you are not married.
But the thing is, they CAN claim all of their children legally. You don't have to be married to a kid's mother to be legally recognized as her or his father. The only reason a plyg man might not be able to legally claim his children as dependents is if he isn't listed on the birth certificate. And the only reason a man wouldn't want to be listed on the birth certificate of a child he is acknowledging as his is to avoid paying child support. Or so that the mom can commit welfare fraud. So, the whole "the gov'ment ain't fair to me so I'm a gonna steal from them" argument doesn't fly for me. They're already being deceitful by not legally acknowledging their children.
DeleteDoes anyone know for a fact that Kody is not on his children's birth certificates?
DeleteSOILENT GREEN posted this on the previous post, I am bringing it up here for I thought the video was very revelant to the subject. I encourage all to watch.
ReplyDeleteSecrets of Mormon Cult : Breaking Polygamy
This recently published YouTube video shows a young man and his family following action taken within recent demands of Warren Jeffs, and the banishment of his father, and then his mother from the FLDS community.
He seeks help from the group "Holding Out Help"
The vivid narrative and images of this video enrich the information on Sister Wives Blog, and the experiences narrated by recent escapees on Sister Wives.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oBL1AmdkO2k
I have watched 18 min of it, plan to do the rest later. Stunning revelations, and some things we know, but I am always shocked by what I see. Now, Sister Wives said themselves, it's not the lifestyle that is wrong, it's the messed up Prophets. Since there is only one prophet per sect, doesn't give them much choice, now does it? IS KODY now their prophet? They get to make up the rules to fit their needs. Cult Cult Cult. SW can say they are not affiliated with them, and I am sure they don't practice much of what is done, but yet, who knows what wacky rules they really have? They certainly aren't telling about their religion.
DeleteVIDEO:
Banish people at will - then they are sons of perdition - or Satan's child. Can you imagine what this does to these innocent folks? Uneducated and poor?
Women are banished for killing children - because they miscarried! I am sure many that know about the FLDS can attest to child killings for the mere fact they are impaired. Read some of K. Dee's blog to see.
Willie is 18 but can not read. WHY? THIS IS SO OUTRAGEOUS. Utah has no laws nor right to test or check on homeschooled children. IN THE USA! I honestly didn't know that could happen. Where I have taught, I have helped parents who are homeschooling. There are annual testing evaluations, and strict rules in place. WHY does the state of Utah not do anything, or higher government?
ALL books are approved by Jeffs, and the most important thing is to learn Jeffs proverbs. Sadly, they probably know them well from the droll Jeffs tapes played over and over. That monotone voice is repulsive.
The biggest irony is the Dresses. The bodies are to be sacred temples, and modesty promotes knowing the whole person. Now, IMO, this is something that we all have lost to a degree to vanity. If you are a religious person, you know this is what is wanted of us, and could be a good thing. We all fall short of that. BUT, wearing what you want does not make you a sinner, you have the ability to choose who you marry. They do not.
HOWEVER, then to rape, marry these children that don't even KNOW their husband, can not read, have no resources, would be banished to Satan's child if they left, is the biggest hypocrisy, sin and abuse I can think of. These women are so abused I can't imagine how STRONG one must be to get out of it.
It's hard to believe that our government allows this. I hope K. Dee tells us more that we can do, for EVERY CHILD deserves an education.
Poor Willie had worked construction since 8 and was learning to read the word. dog.
It is a perversion that it happens in America today, and government does nothing. I agree, pick a fight with the Browns? Forget them, they allow their children to get an education and are a mess, but small potatoes compared to this injustice.
I watched the Breaking Polygamy videos yesterday. Made me angry. The family were banished, the father left first breaking off contact from the family he supposedly loved. Then later the father chose to go back to the cult instead of rejoining his family. It's disgusting. Spawn all those kids and then just abandon them. How do they feel no sense of responsibility?
DeleteAlso, one of Willie's sisters is one of the girls featured on the SW episode.
Great Video. I never knew what went on before this blog, and just being a TV viewer of Sister Wives. My heart hurts at what is going on in America today.
DeleteFor all the people being abused in this situation, and it has been proven in the Allred, AUB group too.
Harassment by the local POLICE is shown. I am a small town gal and know that higer up in the community get off on stuff such as drunk driving (they just take them home) but nothing like this! POLICE! The Dept of Justice filed a lawsuit saying the POLICE were acting as a arm of the FLDS! HOW scary. In the film it says, why are they allowed to do this "BECAUSE NOBOBDY GIVES A DAMN." Isn't that so sad?
Especially this time of year, it is time to think of others. It all makes my heart break that K. Dee, Jessop (can't remember her first name) and others work so hard to help, and the govt does nothing.
Delete@ Mister Sister
DeleteI just want to point out that several states including my own, Missouri do not have laws governing homeschooling. I work in the social work field and was really surprised and upset when I came face to face with this fact.
In Missouri once a parent withdraws a child from school stating that they are going to home-school the child the school district has no authority to follow up to ensure that the family is in fact homeschooling the child. In some cases that I've dealt with the school is really happy that the kids are taken out because if they were a behavior issue or had special learning needs the school district was no longer responsible for finding the solutions to these issues. I bet that many states don't have oversight over kids that are home-schooled.
Probably because I just suffered a miscarriage myself, I was extremely appalled to see that these backwards people blame the woman--the community kicks out women for "killing" the babies that they miscarry?!?! OMG. How disgusting.
DeleteAlso, I have a question...did I miss it, or did they not explain why the older son is not living with his sisters and mom now? Is it just because he was kicked out first?
I am so happy for the little girl in the family. She is only in the 1st grade, so she didn't have to face as many years of abuse as the rest of her siblings. Sad that she and her 19-year-old brother will probably be at the same reading level.
Hi KateofKleves: I saw a PBS Frontline a few months ago that detailed the problem of high school drop-outs in Texas. Some school districts tried to cover up their drop-out problem by claiming that their departed students were being "homeschooled". Individual examination of the departed students revealed that many were high school seniors, and it's highly unlikely that a student enters homeschooling that late in the game.
Deletehere's a quick look at state by state colored map re:all the states "homeschooling" leniency comparison.
Deletehttp://www.hslda.org/laws/
Thank you K. Dee for writing to Attorney General Shurtleff.
ReplyDeleteI personally will copy and send it to him. I encourage others to write to him, and stop this abuse.
I love this blog because it mixes all. Keeps us real.
Reporter Mike Watkiss says these things keep happening because "no one gives a dam." Why don't we all give a dam and copy and past K Dee's letter and send it to Mark Shurtleff? attorneygeneral.utah.gov
DeleteI watched the video tonight.
ReplyDeleteTHIS video is chilling and terribly, terribly "real."
No words for these atrocities, this utter cruelty and perversion..!!
Just sick...horribly sick !!
Agree, the Browns are just annoying gnats compared to these "realities!!"
Their phony, self-absorbed lives are like watching paint dry at this point.
However, for Christine or any of them (including the Dargers should they feign ignorance) to ever attempt to pretend that they don't know about the horror that is happening to women and children (and men) in the name of their shared "principle" ..if they do...that is reprehensible !!
Bless you, K.Dee, for all you are trying to do.
I went to your blog...your work there is so vitally important.
I agree, Bless K.Dee, I so wish she would come and post more on here!
DeletePeople like K.Dee and Doris Hanson are busy people fighting the fight. Instead of wishing and hoping they would come here more often, we should all take it upon ourselves to just go visit their places more often and educate ourselves in how we can support them in the fight. In other words, let them spend their precious time making progress against polygamy and helping others instead of repeating themselves here all the time. ;')
Delete(i remember when Doris came here occasionally and Troy Bowles, too, and I wondered how they could keep doing it knowing full well how extremely busy in the cause they both are.)
Excuse me, K. Dee and I correspond and I do go to all her sites and want to work also. Troy also. He would be happy to come discuss also, I had him lined up and then have been off again for personal reasons. YOU KNOW WHY THEY LIKE TO COME HERE? To educate. To enlighten. To inspire.
DeleteSo watch it. Anony. you don't seem to understand how they educate.
I'm always happy to help where and when I can. I'm very honored to be welcome here at the Sister Wives Blog. Anyone who wants to know how best to help can best help by being educated and informed on the issues. If you would like regular updates on what is happening within American polygamy, please like our Facebook page "I Want Disney Corp to Stop Promoting Polygamy." I usually post any breaking events or stories there. So it is a good way to keep up.
Delete^^ that's all i was trying to say, Boots! lol sorry, for getting your feathers ruffled, MS. didn't intend to do that at all. I didn't say nor even meant to imply that you, yourself, don't already go to their sites to educate yourself! just saying as much as these activist peeps would LOVE to be here more, we should understand they're just one person w/limited time like the rest of us and already have some great websites where they educate and inform the masses. If i may be so bold to suggest, if possible, the links to activist's websites permanently posted on the sidebar might be a good idea.
DeleteI would strongly urge everyone to also visit Doris Hanson's Polygamy, What Love is This? website to become educated further and to know how best to help. Doris has several years worth of all her archived TV shows to watch for free online. She gets some great educational guests (Troy Bowles has been on several times) as well as a lot of women who've left the abuses of various polygamy sects telling their stories.
Just watched Breaking Polygamy. I have no words except to say that I'm infuriated, sad, nauseated, and extremely shocked that this happens in the land of the free on such a large scale.
ReplyDeleteI thought the FLDS lived in Colorado City, ARIZONA, not Utah. How does the Utah attorney general have any authority in that respect? Is it because the work in the orchards is taking place in Utah?
ReplyDeleteVM - Hilldale, Utah and Colorado City, AZ are twin cities (basically combined into one) straddling the border of utah and arizona. It used to be called short creek - thus the short creek plyg raid in the 50's. arizona and utah officials work in conjunction w/each other re:the Jeffs compound.
DeleteColorado City/Hildale straddles the Utah Arizona border and is one community.
DeleteThe FLDS live in
Delete- Colorado City, AZ
- Hildale, UT
- Creston, BC (Canada)
- Pringle, SD
- Pony Springs, NV
- Mesquite, NV
- Las Vegas, NV
and then there was the now abandoned YFZ ranch in Texas.
The specific FLDS in the video live in both Colorado City and Hildale, UT, but could also feature some individuals from other FLDS settlements.
This is a PS to my previous comment: Sorry, I forgot one FLDS settlement:
Delete- Mancos, CO.
Hello Kat: Is the YFZ ranch completely abandoned? I thought there were still FLDS there. If it's abandoned, what will be done with the land and buildings?
DeleteWas there ever any answer as to what the deal was with that mysterious tower that they built and destroyed in July?
http://www.gosanangelo.com/news/2012/jul/25/yearning-for-zion-ranch-tower-dismantled-flds/
they have a secret compound over at a silca plant in Logandale/Overton NV. no one knows its there, the men come into town but you hardly ever see them. if you fly over you can see it. they do A LOT of government work, they can underbid anyone. also Sandy Valley NV, on the CA side.
DeleteI don't care if they are FLDS, Kingston, or a non religious cult, if there is abise, it should be seen where they live.
DeleteHey, how about the original article?
DeleteHave you written Attorney General Shurtleff?
Would you please?
@ Magic Undies:
DeleteThe following links should answer your question.
http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2012/11/29/seizure-warrant-issued-for-warren-jeffs-flds-yearning-for-zion-ranch.html
http://www.chron.com/news/houston-texas/houston/article/Fears-recede-about-Texas-polygamists-4083721.php
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2241735/Where-Warren-Jeffs-followers-gone-Compound-seat-power-lies-deserted-authorities-in.html
As a survivor of child abuse, I personally wish that CPS would invest similar levels of funding, time and energy in persecuting monogamous abusers. And that the media paid similar levels of attention. It will remain a wish unfulfilled, I'm sure. I hope it's clear that I do agree that the FLDS leadership is evil. But there can be more than one evil in the world.
@ Anonymous 1:40PM: Thank you for that info.
Hi Kat: thanks for the links. I'm always interested in British newspaper articles and BBC television shows about this subject. The Brits must think that Americans are a bunch of loons.
DeleteThat unfinished amphitheater on the YFZ ranch is beautiful. Hope someone can make use of it.
I see Christine in this video. I really do. Christine’s comments really just show how brainwashed she is. She comes from a family that has been involved in polygamy for generations. Decades of denial, abuse and brainwashing. Notice how Christine was so smiley in the season 1 and 2 - talking about how fun it would be to be pregnant with Robyn, how wonderful everything was. Only later we learned she needed to be on antidepressants and how much she was struggling. But even now, she distrusts strangers, smiles as if nothing is wrong - we see glimpses of her struggles and she sometimes states her concerns, but her feelings must go far deeper. She has definitely learned to "keep sweet", that is the culture where she grew up, and it is all she knows. And I have a feeling she also has a very minimal education - she has said she only ever wanted to be a mom. Well that’s fine if it’s a choice, but I don’t believe she ever had a choice -she doesn’t have an education. It's all very sad.
ReplyDeleteBingo. No education equals no choice.
DeleteShort Creek border town becomes Hildale (Utah) and Colorado City (Arizona).
ReplyDelete(click here )Short Creek Raid on FLDS
http://history.utah.gov/research_and_collections/photos/short_creek.html
Someone mention my name? Here's something from my blog:
ReplyDeletehttp://cosmophilosophy.blogspot.com/2011/12/opposition-to-polygamy-is-not-simply.html?showComment=1355434385436#c1845967795413427187
Hi Cosmo. Glad you're back. I really enjoy your writing because you succinctly and articulately emphasize an important point that often seems to get missed: that polygyny is mathematically illogical.
Deletemathematically illogical = Lost Boys kicked out for "minor infractions." Polygamy's solution to the mathematical problem. ;')
DeleteI can just hear Christine saying, "I NEVER knewwwwww anything about the Lost Boys or that there weren't enough women for ALL the men to have multiple wives!" duh!!
WELCOME BACK!!!! Love to see your witty comments onhere!
DeleteCosmos,
DeleteWelcome!
Would you be interested in telling us your thoughts on why the Utah govt does not have testing for testing for home schooled children?
The current state of the FLDS?
What Sister Wives is doing to the AUB?
Utah falls into the "low regulations" category for homeschooling. There are 14 other states in this category. There are TEN states tho that fall into the "no regualtions" category for homeschooling - which is even lower than Utah's category.
DeleteIdaho, Alaska, Texas, Oklahoma, Missouri, Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Connecticut, and New Jersey are the 10 states in the lowest category of homeschooling. (NO regulations.)
Please keep in mind that many parents who homeschool are concerned about the quality of their child's education and treat it with the seriousness and dedication that such an endeavor entails.
DeleteI'm in Missouri. We do have requirements for homeschooling (1000 hours of instruction; 600 of which should be in the core curriculum. A log of hours must be kept, as well as a portfolio of the student's work and tests).
Parents have the freedom to try a number of different approaches and tailor curriculum to the learning style of their child. The children have the benefit of a focused learning environment and one-on-one instruction time. It can be extremely beneficial; especially in the case of children who are gifted or learning disabled.
Do not make the mistake of painting all homeschooling families as lax parents who are farming out their children for agricultural work (when they're not sitting around watching television).
Welcome back Cosmo!
ReplyDeleteWhen you think about how poly is so illogically both in terms of the unreasonable expectations upon the multiple wives or husbands to control their natural emotions while they share their spouse and in terms of the numbers, it amazes me that these people still believe it's an option. The idea that the young boys will not find wives from the available young girls because the old men will snatch them up as part of their breeding stock is proof enough that it is illogical but think about the effects on the gene pool. Over time, when all the young boys are eliminated as competition, eventually, the main men who breed with the women are going to end up breeding with children from other old men and after a few decades out, they will all be directly related to each other. It wouldn't take that many years before one man would be seeing his daughter or grandaughter marrying her grandfather or uncle. it's all really, really sick.
ReplyDeleteHi Anonymous @ 11:42: You're correct, and the FLDS do have a number of genetic problems that are costing the Arizona Medicaid system a bundle.
Deletehttp://www.reuters.com/article/2007/06/14/us-usa-mormons-genes-idUSN0727298120070614
If the plygs were forward-thinking people, they'd employ fertility technologies to ensure a higher number of female babies. There's a relatively inexpensive procedure nicknamed "sperm-spinning", which involves spinning a sample of semen in a centrifuge. The slightly heavier sperm containing an X chromosome are separated out.
But, it's painfully obvious that plygs are not forward-thinking people.
To K. D. Ignatin,
ReplyDeleteYou amaze me at how you write so nicely and eloquently, and keep your anger out of it. You are superb at what you do, and God will give you many blessing for it.
If everyone knew how much you have changed your life to help others, they would see you are a true angel.
To Troy Bowles,
You also are amazing at writing at keeping it real. I enjoy your blog, and LOVE to hear your comments on here. I appreciate you helping me learn and grown, and quite frankly, love your sense of humor!!!! Keep coming back, old friend.
Your thoughts and messages are getting out there.
It has provoked my family to say, what can we do more? Here's my thought.
Abuse, neglect, etc. doesn't just have to be in polygamy. Look around.
One time my husband and I were driving to the big city near us at 5 in the morning. While I was reveling in the buildings architecture and the beautiful sunrise, we saw row after row of people sleeping in the street.
Being a small town girl, it startled me.
But now, my goal is to go back as soon as I can, and have breakfasts ready in the car to hand out, along with whatever I can dig up.
People blast welfare recipients that deserve it all the time, which is unfair. Know what they can't afford? toilet paper, toothbrushes, stuff like that you probably go (as I have) to Wal mart and pick up weekly like it's nothing.
I will try to do more.
Mister Sister,
DeleteThese are wonderful suggestions for any of us to help if we are so inclined. Also think about coats, gloves, hats, blankets and warm inner clothing if you live in a temperate climate. Winter is now here in these regions.
I currently work with a homeless shelter and can attest to the fact that many people are in dire straits not necessarily because they are grifters or unwilling to advance their lives and just wanting to live on the dole. Rather, many people are caught in a web of mental/emotional dysfunction, unavoidable financial crises or are simply untrained or uneducated in how to help themselves.
It is so important to help those in need with a hand-"up" as well as a hand-out.
US Dept. of Labor:
ReplyDeleteIn Utah The law is children over the age of 12 may work all they parents allow.
NOW, why not aggressively attack FLDS on the little ones show?
Source: From theWage and Hour Division (WHD)
State Child Labor Laws Applicable to Agricultural Employment
http://www.dol.gov/whd/state/agriemp2.htm#Utah
Hi
ReplyDeleteAbout the comments about welfare.
Another thing they do, for example, is to buy the good and turn it in into the communal storehouse at Shortcreek. Then often sell it to others, I have heard the LDS for money.
Even Christi e cooking and stocking is not approved.
My thoughts and prayers go out to the SW blog readers in Connecticut.
ReplyDeleteThis is massacre is devastating !!!
DeleteComing home from work tonight, I was stopped at an intersection while a school bus was dropping off the children. I watched several mothers standing there as their children got off the bus...and saw them rush to their kids to hug them close.
I live many states away from Connecticut.
This tragedy hits all parents !!! So, so, so heartbreaking !!
Prayers for all these families.
The people that reach out from their own life to be active in educating others is so commendable.
ReplyDeleteI completely missed this in the news. Why in America are some parents held accountable for their child being in school, while others may do as they wish? Until I watched this show and came to the blog, I had no idea that so much of this was going on. Are there any other trype of minority groups (cults) that are not held accountable for their child's education? use children as a free labor source?
ReplyDeleteDear Boots,
ReplyDeleteSorry I don't come here more often. I hope you see this question. If the Brown family is sincere, why do they not speak out about this type of abuse? Do the Browns or the Dargers care about social issues other than their own? This is an outrage. I appreciate you bringing it to our attention.
I don't see a problem with this cult being legal. No education, women only get to heaven through their husband (where's that in the bible?) and free labor.
ReplyDeleteIf Joseph Smith were such a leader, he must of found the wrong stones. Or was stoned.
This is very commonplace in the FLDS. Very sad. Education is not a priority, in fact, after getting out, I believe the "ignorance is bliss" theory keep them in line. Did me.
ReplyDeleteSo disgusting. Are there no child labor laws that are unanimous over the 50 states? We want to be a progressive country, but between the totally messed up welfare and disability status's, along with struggling families that are not taken care of, I really am going to start following politics more.
ReplyDelete