Polygamy in Arizona-Phoenix New Times

[LiviaOlivia]

http://www.phoenixnewtimes.com/special_reports/polygamy/index.html

New Times staff writer John Dougherty spent months examining the secretive, isolated polygamist Mormon communites that straddle the Arizona-Utah border north of the Grand Canyon. He found a culture of sexual abuse and psychological torment as well as the unlawful expenditure of millions of dollars in public money. And it's all been going on with little attempt by the state to help the residents or put an end to the fraud.

<snip>

Polygamy's Odyssey
A brief history of the Mormon tenet
BY JOHN DOUGHERTY
[e-mail]

<snip>

In 1858, President James Buchanan dispatched the military to remove (Brigham)Young as territorial governor. Four years later, Congress passed the Morrill Anti-Bigamy Act, which prohibited plural marriages in U.S. territories. President Abraham Lincoln signed the bill.

In 1874, Young's personal secretary, a polygamist named George Reynolds, volunteered to become a defendant in a federal case to determine the constitutionality of the Morrill Act. The U.S. Supreme Court upheld Reynolds' conviction for bigamy in 1879.

The court ruled that to excuse Reynolds' polygamy on the basis of religion would be to "make the professed doctrines of religious belief superior to the law of the land. . . . Government could only exist in name under such circumstance."

<snip>


This topic comes up time after time here at DU. The link provides
access to a series of excellent articles over the last couple of years.
I lived in Phoenix in the 80's and truly miss the New Times and Phoenix.

Livia

[medeak]

1. lost boys?

Have you heard of them? 400 boys (as young as 13)excommunicated and forced from homes from polygamy sect. Some driven out of town and some are forced to walk. Older men are shunning them so they won't compete for young girls to marry.

It's been big news on Utah news (am not in state but get channels) and msnbc picked up on it this week.

Utah attorney general is adopting one boy and asking others to help as too overwhelming for state programs. Very sad...these kids have no education and think all outsiders are the devil..have no skills for the world.

[LiviaOlivia]

2. Yes I heard about that

I saw an ABC Prime Time? or 20/20? segment last week and saw the protest by kids on the steps of the Utah Capitol on TV.

I don't understand why those "men" in Colorado City, Az and the other
adult males in that break-off group are not prosecuted. It's like a National Geographic Special on some group of animals where the dominate male(s) run off the young males. Makes me want to go medieval
on them.

[Syncronaut Seven]

3. OH MY GOD!!!!! Polygamy?!?

How long has this been going on!!!!!!

Come on folks, It's time to give it a rest. There are much more interesting side shows than this.

[LiviaOlivia]

4. Funny that what's the GOP says

There are a lot of interesting and disturbing things going on
in the world and this country. If you don't like this topic find
one that interests you. FO

[Syncronaut Seven]

5. Just curious

Do you actually know any polygamists? Perhaps You've personally lived in such a community.

Cause it would be pretty unfair to judge based on second, third or forth hand information.

Just curious.

[LiviaOlivia]

7. Did you read any of articles from the link?

Come on folks, It's time to give it a rest. There are much more interesting side shows than this.

Read the articles then we will talk. My personal background is none
of your business and not salient to the history and law banning polygamy.
Argue with facts and documentation or go bore someone else.

[Syncronaut Seven]

6. Multiple edits?

Come on girl, spit it out.

[LiviaOlivia]

9. Hey are you in Portland?

pm me

[medeak]

8. never mind that person

It's a huge concern. I called my parents in Las Vegas today as they are so close and they hadn't heard a word of it.

Saw interview with doctor who left 7 years ago...did you see that? He said he left as they were becoming dangerously apocalyptic. A huge community they are and if his fears come true it would be the bigger than any cult we've seen before.

Was contacting Realtor in St. George for 2nd home...am now reconsidering (plus..don't care for the liquor laws there) :-)

[LiviaOlivia]

10. Hope you read the articles

I love Utah, Nevada, Arizona and Wyoming. I wish peace and long life to all who are lucky enough to dwell there.

[Name removed]

11. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[Syncronaut Seven]

12. I hate it when I miss a deleted post!

What'd I Miss??? :P

Hey, I PM'ed ya Livia! :shrug:

[Shallah Kali]

13. Where is the GOP to save america from these polygamists?

Shouldn't child marriage, forced marriage and forced polygamy rank higher on the scale of evil than gay marriage - that is if one considers gay marriage evil which I do not. Where is the outrage?

[LiviaOlivia]

14. Yes and thank you Shallah

eom

[Syncronaut Seven]

15. Not everyone drank the same Kool-Aid

I guess, Like I said in my sincere (but unrequited) PM to LiviaOlivia (per her request) Their setting this up for the full Waco treatment.

Don't drink too deeply, this one is slated to explode sometime between now and the election.

Since the way overhyped terra-ist threat is losing it's desired effect look for the next media circus to be over something internal, an issue of morality perhaps?

Now pat away the flecks of foam & realize this issue would most likely be handled thru the courts, you know, with a trial, conviction and other quaint customs years ago, had it legs.

The fact that the Phoenix press is trying this in the court of public opinion should be your first clue.

Where's the outrage?