by E. Manning

Created on: April 30, 2008

You don't have to be a polygamist advocate to shiver at the ongoing battle for public sympathy that is taking place in Texas. Truthfully, under normal circumstances, I choose to have nothing to do with something as reprehensible as polygamy. Polygamy is not in my vocabulary. I resent FLDS interpretation of Biblical theory and what seems to be their overweening need for power over their adherents. It's chilling. There are charges that their goal is to "bleed the beast". In this case, child abuse is the charge.

Unfortunately, arrogance is not in short supply where polygamy and religious beliefs are concerned, especially within the United States. The writing and analysis of this case in the press has reached a level of abuse that would make most sensible people foam at the mouth. Unfortunately, I am not seeing evidence of concern for basic civil rights. The perceived suspicious character of the rebellious religious sect seems to override their constitutional rights. Is there any hope for the United States?

What fomented my ire was an article by CNN that was penned in a highly prejudicial and ignorant manner. The article is incomplete in scope, slanted at best and outright graft where the presentation of constitutional rights for Americans is concerned.

The article starts with a very realistic conclusion. The Texas seizure of more than 400 children has caused the FLDS sect to open up to outsiders after decades of seclusion. The author, Mr. McLaughlin goes on to explain that in the minds of FLDS members, their personal salvation is at jeopardy. He then goes on to explain his point using hackneyed and obviously misapplied quotes in an effort to keep the article going as he hops back and forth between points. The religious points are clearly made in ignorance in what can only be explained as a hodge-podge of disconnected ideas from Hinduism and Catholicism with a little Mormonism mixed in for good measure. Whether this article is truly correct respecting the beliefs can only be guessed at by any but the most knowledgeable. The author failed to shed any light on the FLDS belief system beyond the natural longing for their children. It doesn't look good either way for the children of FLDS members except for the fact that they are still breathing.

The CNN article continued to explain that FLDS members in Texas have recently held news conferences and allowed journalists on the compound. The public has seen this in the news for weeks, so that much is old news. The mention of

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