I'm sure more details about this drama will continue to unfold over the coming days. CNN.com reports that Texas officials raided the polygamist camp on a "tip" that came in from a 16 year old girl who called a family violence hotline on March 29th to report abuse, rape, and that girls as young as 13 were being forced to enter "spiritual marriages," have sex and bear children. After the first call, she made a second call to say that she was "happy and fine" and to take it all back.(Question: How did she get the number to a hotline if she was in the camp with no access to the outside world? I seriously doubt if they had tv or radio and I know the telephone book wasn't sitting around. And who is the maverick in the sect with a cell phone that she got access to? ...just a few questions. Continue reading.)
She reported on the call that she was the man's 7th wife and that she was pregnant (again?) and that her parents were about to bring her 15-year old sister to the compound. She said church members also told her if she left the ranch "outsiders will hurt her, force her to cut her hair, to wear makeup and [different] clothes and to have sex with lots of men."
(If she's already being beat up and raped by her "spiritual husband" then bringing up life on the "outside" doesn't seem like much of a threat.)
The affidavit said while child welfare workers and law enforcement officers were searching the ranch, they saw a number of apparently pregnant teen girls who appeared to be minors and others who already had children. A total of 416 children have been removed.
(I have no more words.)
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Over 400 Children Taken in Raid on Polygamy Compound in Texas
Honestly, I've really been trying to ignore this story since it started last week. I don't know why, it just seems like another one of those David Koresh/Branch Davidian cult kinda scenes and I didn't feel like reading about it. Ironically, it takes place in Texas (the other ATF/FBI raid was in Waco).Anyway, if you've been wondering what this is all about but haven't had the energy to really pay attention, here's the gist:
A polygamist group in ElDorado, Texas set up camp on a 1700 acre compound. Included in the family were over 400 children and over 130 women (133 left voluntarily which means that more stayed behind?). There were also an unspecified number of men who were not allowed to leave the compound. I guess they are presumably guilty of something and will be held pending further investigations. This is believed to be the biggest operation of it's kind in Texas. 401 children have been found and authorities believe that there are more (!!!). They are now burdened with trying to find foster care for the 401 kids that are currently in state's custody.
The compound was raided after one of the girls reported to authorities that sexual and physical abuse was taking place. It is also reported that one of the girls (possibly the whistle blower) was an underage bride who was married to a 50 year old man and gave birth at age 15.
Okay, I just have a few questions about polygamy. It's every man's dream to be with more that one woman with no strings attached right? But are 400 kids included in that dream? And why in 2008 in the middle of scorching hot West Texas are they dressed like Little House on the Prairie?! Is modesty really an issue when you get to pick which wife to sleep with every night and 15 year olds are married to 50 year old men? I mean really. Doesn't this just shoot holes in the theory that scantily clad women encourage promiscuity? To me, it looks like in polygamy world the rule is mo' fabric, mo' fun....right?I'm just sayin. Maybe I need to change my game up and start wearing more clothes. I'm logging off right now to go put on a slip, a long nightgown and two housecoats and put my hair up in a bun. I bet I'll be married by the end of the summer. ...watch
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