Jeffs: Why did it go on so long?
The big question in this Warren Jeffs case isn't if he did what he is charged with, it's why did it take so long to file charges on him?
There have been a enough instances where runaway boys and girls have told authorities about what goes on in Hildale, Utah and Colorado City, Ariz. to have pressed charges several years ago. There have been enough adults who have come forward with statements to have landed this guy in the slammer.
How much power does this guy hold? How deep do his connections run?
Most cult leaders have some sort of charisma -- from Jim Jones to, yes, even Charlie Manson. They can beguile, persuade, befriend and pull innocent minds into their following. They are able to build deeply loyal emotions among the "faithful."
Jeffs seems to have done that, but, how? Was it control over people's property? Was it control over their well-being? Was it control over their sex lives? Was it control over their salvation?
It was more than 50 years ago when the feds ran a raid on Short Creek, as the twin cities of Hildale and Colorado City where then known. They pulled out the polygamous men from the community. But, it had no impact. Rodney Holm, the cop who was convicted of being involved with an underage girl in what is termed as a spiritual marriage, was hauled into court and got nothing more than a slap on the wrist.
Why?
There are many other men languishing in our state pen, dealing with five-to-life, who have been convicted of having sex with an underage girl, but they were not connected with the goings-on in Hildale and Colorado City.
Is that equal justice? I think not.
Does it, instead, equate to a sympathetic view toward the FLDS church? It certainly appears so.
What is the best we can hope for? That this Jeffs case unravels and exposes the deep and intricate lines that run from the FLDS church to business, culture and politics.
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Comments
As a recent newcomer to the St. George area I have been appalled by the blind eye of the law regarding the goings on of the FLDS church. From what I can tell there has been no action to readily apparent welfare fraud, child molestation and child labor. In one instance I called the local OSHA office to inform them of small boys working on a construction site and they did absolutely nothing.
You can't tell me that there aren't a LOT of sympathizers to the FLDS church in this community.
Posted by: Bill Tafolla | September 4, 2006 11:58 AM
Bill, thanks for caring about children. I have heard of numerous complaints to OHSA about violations of child labor laws in the construction industry for years but never see any evidence that anyone heard. As a point of interest, OHSA is certainly not local and does not reflect the local priorities or views. OHSA may appear to be a logical place to call but it appears to suffer from the indidestion common to many other very large agencies of the federal government. Perhaps a locally based initiative would get better results. Any suggestions?
Posted by: Voin Campbell | September 5, 2006 05:15 PM