Slog - Comments on The FLDS Mess http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/04/the_flds_mess As you've probably heard, there's a huge, Mormon-scented shitstorm swirling around Texas, following the evacuation of over 400 children from a compound run by the Fundamentalist Church of Latter-Day Saints. The Fundamentalist Mormon church was formed after the regular Mormon church renounced the practice of polygamy, and the current shitstorm is centered in a polygamist FLDS compound in Eldorado, Texas, where police were summoned after a teenage girl phoned a domestic abuse hotline to report the sexual and physical abuse she'd suffered within the compound. Last week police came in, rounded up the 400-plus children, and now the courts... Copyright 2008 Fri, 18 Apr 2008 11:24:50 -0800 Sun, 20 Apr 2008 15:47:16 -0800 http://www.movabletype.org/?v=3.34 http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss Comment by max solomon DNA test the lot of them, ID the fathers, and cut off their welfare. separate every woman & girl from the stockholm syndrome groupthink herd, & help the ones who want out get out. for the ones who stay, CPS visits for eternity.

]]> max solomon http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/04/the_flds_mess#c1001669 http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/04/the_flds_mess#c1001669 Religion Fri, 18 Apr 2008 11:33:37 -0800 Comment by heywhatsit Those are some scary looking dudes.

]]> heywhatsit http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/04/the_flds_mess#c1001680 http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/04/the_flds_mess#c1001680 Religion Fri, 18 Apr 2008 11:45:38 -0800 Comment by freshnycman It's all a publicity stunt for Big Love

]]> freshnycman http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/04/the_flds_mess#c1001684 http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/04/the_flds_mess#c1001684 Religion Fri, 18 Apr 2008 11:48:25 -0800 Comment by oh yeah "full-scale statutory rape camp"?

Oh, the memories of summer camp...

]]> oh yeah http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/04/the_flds_mess#c1001686 http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/04/the_flds_mess#c1001686 Religion Fri, 18 Apr 2008 11:49:16 -0800 Comment by Westside forever While I think the welfare of children is a bit of what is motivating Texas law enforcement here, the real message seems to be:

Get your polygimist asses back to Arizona and Utah and never set foot back in TX again--or we'll take your kids.

You'd think the FLDS would have heard of a little town called Waco.

Don't mess with Texas indeed!

]]> Westside forever http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/04/the_flds_mess#c1001687 http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/04/the_flds_mess#c1001687 Religion Fri, 18 Apr 2008 11:50:06 -0800 Comment by keshmeshi It has to be said. Those three women in front are the best possible argument against inbreeding.

]]> keshmeshi http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/04/the_flds_mess#c1001692 http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/04/the_flds_mess#c1001692 Religion Fri, 18 Apr 2008 11:52:51 -0800 Comment by Fnarf Max Solomon @1 has the right idea. The logistics of it are horrendous, though; there's no sympathy for these loons in Texas, but this case is going to cost a bazillion dollars they don't have.

Rape camp is right. These people are just a step away from Koresh/Heaven's Gate style mass tragedy.

At the very least send them some new dress patterns and pictures of hairstyles or something. That's just ill. You think God is maybe punishing that woman in front for building her quiff just a LITTLE too high?

]]> Fnarf http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/04/the_flds_mess#c1001693 http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/04/the_flds_mess#c1001693 Religion Fri, 18 Apr 2008 11:54:17 -0800 Comment by Nora @#6: Actually, the one in the middle looks like she might be pretty without that hideous hairstyle.

]]> Nora http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/04/the_flds_mess#c1001697 http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/04/the_flds_mess#c1001697 Religion Fri, 18 Apr 2008 11:56:53 -0800 Comment by patrick Until this story broke I had no idea there was a Mildred Pierce camp in Texas.

I can't wait to sign up.

I've already got the speech memorized: "Veda, it's like I'm seeing you for the first time and you are cheap and horrible. Get out! Get out before I kill you!"

]]> patrick http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/04/the_flds_mess#c1001702 http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/04/the_flds_mess#c1001702 Religion Fri, 18 Apr 2008 12:00:43 -0800 Comment by David Schmader Patrick, I concur.

Also, Veda hardly speaks to me anymore unless it's to ask for money or poke fun at me in French because I work for a living.

]]> David Schmader http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/04/the_flds_mess#c1001705 http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/04/the_flds_mess#c1001705 Religion Fri, 18 Apr 2008 12:03:11 -0800 Comment by inkweary I am so glad I saved those dresses from 1877, I knew they'd come back in style sooner or later.

]]> inkweary http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/04/the_flds_mess#c1001717 http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/04/the_flds_mess#c1001717 Religion Fri, 18 Apr 2008 12:09:57 -0800 Comment by Hernandez @8 - I completely disagree. She looks like Michael Hitchcock in a frumpy dress. A new haircut would barely make a dent.

]]> Hernandez http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/04/the_flds_mess#c1001720 http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/04/the_flds_mess#c1001720 Religion Fri, 18 Apr 2008 12:12:28 -0800 Comment by genevieve So...the women's dresses get darker as they age? Who gets to decide? Is it an automatic birthday thing, or just..."honey, you're looking a little peaked, try this new dress".

It's like seeing a sea of Alex Martins (aka Little Brown Dress project)!

]]> genevieve http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/04/the_flds_mess#c1001724 http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/04/the_flds_mess#c1001724 Religion Fri, 18 Apr 2008 12:14:16 -0800 Comment by Fnarf she doesn't look too bad now, but you know in ten years she's going to look like the horror on the right.

As for the hair, am I the only one thinking about Cameron Diaz's hair gel in "There's Something About Mary"?

And I get that the dresses have to be old-fashioned, but why do they all have to be EXACTLY THE SAME? It's like looking at the Revolutionary Guard in 1966 Red China.

]]> Fnarf http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/04/the_flds_mess#c1001733 http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/04/the_flds_mess#c1001733 Religion Fri, 18 Apr 2008 12:21:01 -0800 Comment by max solomon every discussion of this clusterfuck quickly dissolves into a fashion & personal grooming critique. why did they have to pick that particular decade of the 19th century? can't they pluck their monobrows? NO, THEY CAN'T. BECAUSE THEY'RE STYLED BY GOD.

]]> max solomon http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/04/the_flds_mess#c1001756 http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/04/the_flds_mess#c1001756 Religion Fri, 18 Apr 2008 12:33:15 -0800 Comment by patrick Here is an excerpt from the 911 call that came from inside the camp (presumably from Veda):

"Oh, officer help me get away from here. From these women and their chickens and pies and kitchens and everything that smells of grease. Help me get away from this shack with its cheap furniture. And this town and its dollar days, and its women that wear uniforms and its men that wear overalls (and insist on impregnating me before I have a bush)."

]]> patrick http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/04/the_flds_mess#c1001759 http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/04/the_flds_mess#c1001759 Religion Fri, 18 Apr 2008 12:34:24 -0800 Comment by Andrew @ Fnarf, PULEAE!!! The Chinese uniforms were at least a little edgy: the is what Tim Gunn would call "frumpy"

Hey! Let's have Project Runway 5 do a challenge with the FDS??!!

]]> Andrew http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/04/the_flds_mess#c1001763 http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/04/the_flds_mess#c1001763 Religion Fri, 18 Apr 2008 12:35:20 -0800 Comment by COMTE Wow, Frida Kahlo is a polygamy-luvin' Mormon - who knew?

]]> COMTE http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/04/the_flds_mess#c1001774 http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/04/the_flds_mess#c1001774 Religion Fri, 18 Apr 2008 12:40:46 -0800 Comment by It's Mark Mitchell Well, we've all seen what Marc Jacobs will toss down the runway next season...

]]> It's Mark Mitchell http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/04/the_flds_mess#c1001791 http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/04/the_flds_mess#c1001791 Religion Fri, 18 Apr 2008 12:55:26 -0800 Comment by Ashley I just don't know what the point of polygamy is for either party if you insist that the women look so goddamn awful.

I'll only agree to a polygamous marriage if I get to wear some sexy harem pants and lounge on embroidered cushions all day.

]]> Ashley http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/04/the_flds_mess#c1001795 http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/04/the_flds_mess#c1001795 Religion Fri, 18 Apr 2008 12:58:10 -0800 Comment by mackro mackro "i want your soul..."

]]> mackro mackro http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/04/the_flds_mess#c1001799 http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/04/the_flds_mess#c1001799 Religion Fri, 18 Apr 2008 12:59:46 -0800 Comment by Creep in the Cellar When I hear "polygamy", I think "awesome!"

But, then I see a picture like this and it ruins everything.

]]> Creep in the Cellar http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/04/the_flds_mess#c1001819 http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/04/the_flds_mess#c1001819 Religion Fri, 18 Apr 2008 13:11:40 -0800 Comment by Mahtli69 Is there some sort of Fundamentalist ritual that involves hanging upside down like a bat and a can of Aqua-Net?

]]> Mahtli69 http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/04/the_flds_mess#c1001824 http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/04/the_flds_mess#c1001824 Religion Fri, 18 Apr 2008 13:14:39 -0800 Comment by elswinger At least the Stepford Wives were pretty.

]]> elswinger http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/04/the_flds_mess#c1001826 http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/04/the_flds_mess#c1001826 Religion Fri, 18 Apr 2008 13:15:11 -0800 Comment by Harem Scarem If only the rubs had chosen Romney our nations Mormon candidate. whoo hooo what a shiaz storm that would be, and Hillary and Barack could argue all they wanted to all the way to novemeber.
On the other hand despite people being shocked about polygamy and acting as though Martians just landed here on earth, a large majority almost did nominate Romney.
Still that would have been awesome to watch him explain his religion amongst this whole fiasco. The Bible is just effed up . Maybe the whole first half needs to just get reworded. "Noah had one wife,preacher, but how did his children have children if there were only Cain and Noah running around?
They obviusly had to procreate. and this is what the Catholics believe, the Protestants, the Jews. everyone. whats the big deal. Eventually someone was going to practice what they preached. This sect is just to funny and slap stick to be shocking.
and americas reaction about it is just as funny. Europe is going like 'what took you all so long to notice?'

]]> Harem Scarem http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/04/the_flds_mess#c1001838 http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/04/the_flds_mess#c1001838 Religion Fri, 18 Apr 2008 13:19:24 -0800 Comment by Fnarf There's not really much connection between Romney's religion and these boobs, despite the name. And I don't think "large majority" means quite what you think it does.

]]> Fnarf http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/04/the_flds_mess#c1001858 http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/04/the_flds_mess#c1001858 Religion Fri, 18 Apr 2008 13:35:26 -0800 Comment by keshmeshi @18,

No way. She had flair, and wore cool clothes.

]]> keshmeshi http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/04/the_flds_mess#c1001893 http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/04/the_flds_mess#c1001893 Religion Fri, 18 Apr 2008 13:52:01 -0800 Comment by Ashley @25 I'm not really a fan of the regular Mormon church, but it is unfair to compare the two. The FLDS are a breakaway, crazy group that the LDS church has been trying to distance themselves from for 100 years.

And on another note, your writing is close to incoherent babbling. Why don't you slow down and try to make some sense.

]]> Ashley http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/04/the_flds_mess#c1001898 http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/04/the_flds_mess#c1001898 Religion Fri, 18 Apr 2008 13:54:14 -0800 Comment by Harem Scarem srry Ashley 328. I am just amzed at the reactionary news about this whole 'Ordeal' as we are supposed to understand it. now we all have to 'learn' what 'FLDS' is and how 'they' are not like the 'Real' mormons.
Srry bout going a little babbly but the news reports for the last week have just sucked the life out what has been so obvious from the early history of this country. This gruop did not just appear. we do not need to learn who they are from 'Nancy Grace' or 'Show biz tongiht'
It reminds me of we must all learn who 'muslims ' really are and understand their religion.
Get real. The basic thing is that it is just another gruop hiding behind the Bible to 'bang' their way to god. and judge others as sinners and outcasts because when we 'bang' we do not do it for god.
Stop acting shocked America and please don't tell me your finally learning who these people are because of the news.
Splinter gruop. that explains it all. They misinterpret the bible is how everyone is going to judge it, which is just how we will all get margenilized by the religious media controlled news that is choking this country. Call me insensitive, but i am just not shocked or thrilled at all by this gruop. they have been there for years doing what they did. Those women in the pictures were victims as well at 13 when they were younger and no one did anything for them and it is like we all take satisafaction that something is being done now. The news and journalist convering this seem to have forgotten that this has been covered. I'm sure the children are like 'thanks for finally doing something to help us, you jackass cops and news agencies.'
It seems like so much bullshit is all I am saying.

]]> Harem Scarem http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/04/the_flds_mess#c1001938 http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/04/the_flds_mess#c1001938 Religion Fri, 18 Apr 2008 14:17:31 -0800 Comment by Geni The one second from left is unquestionably a man; would these fundy fruitbats let a woman wear a MAN's watch? and have an Adam's Apple? The one second from right may well be, too.

]]> Geni http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/04/the_flds_mess#c1002027 http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/04/the_flds_mess#c1002027 Religion Fri, 18 Apr 2008 15:09:00 -0800 Comment by Hollywood guru The woman on the left has a future in movies. Someone get me her phone number, quick.

]]> Hollywood guru http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/04/the_flds_mess#c1002474 http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/04/the_flds_mess#c1002474 Religion Sun, 20 Apr 2008 02:51:01 -0800 Comment by Kenneth Renouard listen to the women talking. The position they put their women and children in is guarenteed to lower their IQ. The lack to a good testable education should be enough to shut them down. There are reasons for the age limit on marriage and no religion has the right to cross that law. Polygamy only works when you have a surplus of women. these old farts cause this imbalance by running off the young boys so they can rape more girls. The case of male child abandonment should be another reason to shut them down. This is no more religious persecution than it would be if someone wanted to institute human sacrifice for religious reasons. Religion must be tempered with reason or be destroyed.

kenr

]]> Kenneth Renouard http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/04/the_flds_mess#c1002587 http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/04/the_flds_mess#c1002587 Religion Sun, 20 Apr 2008 15:47:16 -0800