With God On Their Side
The decision to abruptly remove 437 children from a fundamentalist Mormon compound in Eldorado sparked the largest custody battle in U.S. history. But now that the last child’s case has been settled and all the kids are back home, a question still lingers: What really happened on the Yearning for Zion Ranch?
37 comments
October 17th, 2009 at 12:56pm
Rebeckah says:
"When I was growing up in the U.S. and Texas we were taught that there was a Constitution that allowed for religious freedom. Also my Bible taught me that I should not judge; therefore I do not think that State of Texas should have ripped these children from their homes without some real investigation, which evidently did not take place prior to busting in and removing these children."
Karen, you are right. All those children should NOT have been removed prior to in depth investigation. However, each and every pubescent and close to puberty girl child certainly should have been. There was evidence in plain sight that underage girls were pregnant, and since the ranch is one household (by FLDS admission) then all the girls at or near puberty were in clear danger of sexual abuse. I am angry and sad about the miscarriage of justice on behalf of the girls. Just as I am angry and sad that young children were traumatized by being removed from their children lacking clear evidence of danger to them.
October 17th, 2009 at 12:47pm
Rebeckah says:
"If she does that, I can try the case of whether or not she made the calls. BRING-IT-ON. PUH-LEEZE...I’m BEGGING you."
Actually, you’re wrong on that one. All you will get to do is answer the questions about your baseless accusations. You will NOT get to go on a fishing expidition to try and prove your accusations after the fact. So BRING-IT-ON -- PUH-LEEZE.
October 17th, 2009 at 12:45pm
Rebeckah says:
"I will continue to note that "Hugh McBryde" is not a pseudonym and "Bill Medvecky" is not a pseudonym but "Stamp" is, and the link you give links only to people who use pseudonyms."
Giving your name doesn’t make you any less of a liar and a drama queen -- any of you. Giving your name doesn’t mean you have any moral character either. A liar with a name is still a liar.
October 17th, 2009 at 11:36am
Proud Texan says:
I don’t care if the FLDS are "just practicing their religion". If your religion tells you to break the law then its best not to follow it. If my religion said that it was OK to grow and smoke marijuana, do you think I’d be able to skip on any charges brought against me? No way. These perverted me who cry religion are only doing so because they want to keep raping young girls. That’s sick and the whole lot of them should be locked in jail for a long long time.
October 17th, 2009 at 7:53am
Stamp says:
What Karen Beatty fails to realize is this is a CULT that is known for woman and child abuses who stole into Texas in the dead of night lying about their intentions the entire way.
I direct her to read the part of the article that talks about Warrens dictations on how to build a ritual Temple sexing bed.
The directions and photos of the bed are online here.
http://texasflds.wordpress.com/2009/09/17/warren-build-me-a-bed/
What kind of state and nation are we to allow children to live on a pedophile sex commune, behind high-fence hunting barriers and locked gates - while their siblings are systematically offered to the religious leaders on a sex altar?
Just what kind of society are we?
October 9th, 2009 at 10:24pm
Bret Baer, Amarillo, TX says:
The men in these groups are disgusting. They have found a way to sleep with little girls and get away with it. "Non silba, sed anthar; Deo vindice"
September 27th, 2009 at 11:24pm
M.L.Bohn says:
Well, there is a famous poem by a German pastor, Martin Niemöller, which captures the idea that if we don’t stand up for other’s rights then we risk facing our own disenfranchisement and oppression too. Yet, I hardly think that this idea applies to a subculture that sanctifies sexual relations between adult men and prepubescent little girls.
September 25th, 2009 at 10:26pm
karen beaty says:
When I was growing up in the U.S. and Texas we were taught that there was a Constitution that allowed for religious freedom. Also my Bible taught me that I should not judge; therefore I do not think that State of Texas should have ripped these children from their homes without some real investigation, which evidently did not take place prior to busting in and removing these children. To me Texas was the biggest abuser and the personal in Texas Protective Services should be the one investigated. What would the outcome had been if they had contacted the local officials instead of just barging trying to show off their power. I just ask each American and especially each Texan out there, when will you be next? Will it be because you are a Baptist, Methodist, and Catholic? Our government is totally out of control and only the citizens can bring it back into control and that better be fast or we will be like the Germans or Soviets and totally lose control which is being taken away in extreme steps daily. Many have died for the freedoms we seem willing to just throw away during the past few years. Git rid of everyone in Washington and Austin and lets start new with term limits.
September 25th, 2009 at 10:02am
Hugh McBryde says:
Hmmmm...
According to CSPD’s Internal Affairs Department, it was "Common Knowledge" that Lt. Maggie Santos and Rozita swinton knew each other.
In view of the fact that the whole department was chasing a false Rozita "locked in a basement" story in February, why didn’t Maggie SAY anything when the Texas raid started? Or did she say something? If so, when?
September 22nd, 2009 at 8:10pm
Walton says:
Looking for a confession Hugh?
http://edublogs.tv/play.php?vid=691 Hugh is the one with the pearls. j/k Hugh
Seriously, if you think about it none of it makes a difference. Rozita probably worked at the local Dairy Queen and served ice cream to the paper kid that delivers papers to the milk man that delivers milk to the guy that irons the lady’s clothes that is related to the man who has a cousin in Texas who lives 3 miles south of the man that paves the road leading into Eldorado.
So what.
Hugh if you really want to play detective I would love to know who has the keys. I’ve been asking that question for over 5 years and I’m not getting anywhere either.
Trust me when I say I know your frustration.
September 22nd, 2009 at 2:11pm
Hugh McBryde says:
Here’s an interesting twist: Who did Rozita used to "Nanny" for? Members of the Colorado Springs Police Department.
September 19th, 2009 at 9:45pm
Stamp says:
Walton
I consider them transients. This is the sense they move about from compound to compound, they have so many other properties, and in the short time they have been there they havent set roots.
Many are scattered to the wind across the state still, or moved back to Utah /AZ.
The demographics of their movements havent been well tracked.
That may change when the Dirty Dozen go to prison and the prison widows move around the state to be close to their "husbands" - - - or not.
September 19th, 2009 at 8:16am
Walton says:
In the article it was stated that Willie was back at the ranch. Does anyone know if Willie moved his cows to Texas?
How about the comment about the orchard? And the buildings?
And I also found it interesting that during the raid while they were questioning the kids in one building, some of the members of the Ranch found time to do some paper shredding.
September 18th, 2009 at 6:25pm
Hugh McBryde says:
I have three words Stamp: Bring it on.
September 18th, 2009 at 5:25pm
Stamp says:
Hugh,
You stalking Rozita has absolutely no bearing on her lifestyle or condition.
If you are stalking her you are stalking her.
Talk to your attorney, Bill Meddlesome.
Oh wait, they took away his law license when he was convicted of a felony,
DANG
Doncha hate it when that happens!?
September 18th, 2009 at 3:49pm
Hugh McBryde says:
Beth,
Then I gladly welcome and pray for her lawsuit regarding my gross misbehavior. If she does that, I can try the case of whether or not she made the calls.
BRING-IT-ON. PUH-LEEZE...I’m BEGGING you.
September 18th, 2009 at 10:42am
Beth says:
Hugh McBryde, I just read your comment on Rozita being a public figure. You may want to re check your laws and sources. Rozita is not a "public figure" since she has not given any interviews she is not considered a "public figure" there is a huge difference believe it or not. Just because the media runs a story on a person does not qualify them as a "public figure" in the legal sense. Litigation is a huge option at this point for her towards anyone printing untrue statements about her. What ever happen to innocent until proven guilty?
September 18th, 2009 at 10:30am
Beth says:
Hugh McBryde, Quoting you "Rozita NEXT appears in court on a charge related to that which she might be charged with in Texas, only in the sense that they are related acts, stylistically and she is said to have done both deeds."
How are they related acts? My understanding is the Colorado incident she is accused of calling 911 directly not a shelter (third party) and that’s a big difference! It has also been said that she is crazy and I have yet to see any proof of that or any of the allegations against her. From my observations she is the smartest one out of everyone she has managed to stay out of the spotlight and has dodged the media so she must not be too crazy.
Your blog is really scary!! Are you stalking her? When reading your blog I get the strong sense of a creepy stalker type person when you speak of her! I guess I should ask do you know her? It’s very strange to see someone calling another person the names you call her on your sight. If you don’t know her then it’s really strange The information you have on your blog could actually get you in trouble if you keep it up. I would be careful what you post online.
September 18th, 2009 at 10:11am
Hugh McBryde says:
Stamp,
I’ll I’ll say is that I have current professional licenses in two states that would not be mine, if I had some sort of questionable legal background.
No law enforcement agency has contacted me with regard to any ongoing or pending investigation, of me.
Rozita by the way, is what is known as a "public figure." You may wish to check up on how that changes her status and whether or not she can be "stalked."
September 18th, 2009 at 8:29am
Stamp says:
Hugh
"she is said to have done both deeds." - - - This from the guy who says the FLDS are gonna get off, despite not only they "are said to" but we’ve seen the pictures of and the DNA of.
And dont follow Bills legal opinion too closesly - Texas, as probably most if not all states, doesnt prosecute misdemeanors that occurred in another state.
Not even if the FLDS decided to shoot it out and lost big time.
And its comforting to know that Rozita has a stalker, I’m sure Colorado authorities keep up with your site to see how their cases are going.
September 17th, 2009 at 6:59pm
Hugh McBryde says:
Beth, I regard Warren as a false prophet as well, and I don’t believe I’m on record anywhere as saying Texas has charged Rozita with anything.
Rozita NEXT appears in court on a charge related to that which she might be charged with in Texas, only in the sense that they are related acts, stylistically and she is said to have done both deeds.
The only place that you can FIND any published information on Rozita’s court dates is my site. Her next court date is in El Paso county Colorado, next month, on the 28th for a pre trial hearing. Trial is scheduled to begin November 10th, for a Colorado false reporting charge.
Her attorney has been advertising to anyone who will listen that he intends to "plea bargain" that charge, but so far has failed to do so. There’s very little in the way of a lesser charge that he can bargain in it’s place.
If convicted of any charge, Rozita is in violation of the condition of her deferred sentencing for a guilty plea in Douglas County, near Denver, for yet another false reporting charge, her sentence will be imposed and her guilty plea recorded.
Texas doesn’t want to bring her to trial on anything because of what she might say in court.
September 17th, 2009 at 5:09pm
Stamp says:
Hugh
Yeah, didnt mommy and daddy teach you? And how are your lessons going with your son?
Oh right, he is a two time loser, cooling his jets in jail awaiting trial for robbery. Misplaced parental guidance perhaps?
You tell all about it on your blog.
And Bill. Yeah, he is proud of his years in prison for his felony crimes too I’m sure. Amazing he has earned his way back in, I’m sure he’s working at it though.
Brooke has the "Audacity of Ho" to approve messages from Lone Rider calling for Rozitas indictment from Texas - HELLO EARTH Brooke Hugh and Bill and whatever crazy is out there - Texas doesnt prosecute misdemeanors that occurred in another state.
I would agree that Kaye who wrote this article retract that comment about Rozita, TM should know you cant claim something like that without convictions.
Rozita could sue.
September 17th, 2009 at 4:10pm
Beth says:
By the way Rozita was not charged with making the phone call to Texas. You are correct Walton regarding page three. Sorry to break it to the Katy Vine along with Hugh and Bill if only they had credible resources. Bill and Hugh are hanging on to false hopes just like the false prophet Warren Jeffs.
September 17th, 2009 at 3:37pm
Walton says:
Hugh,
As you know interpretation is the key factor when reading or listening. In this article on page 3 while talking about a Texas Ranger going to Colorado to investigate it was mentioned that charges were brought against Rozita.
Rozita was charged I believe in Colorado for phone calls she made there. I don’t think it has yet been proven in court or otherwise that Rozita was the actual caller to the Shelter in Texas. Who knows??? Maybe she loaned her phone to a person named Sarah?
September 17th, 2009 at 2:52pm
Hugh McBryde says:
BTW Walton, I am not new to the internet. I am also a registered lobbyist with the state of Vermont.
September 17th, 2009 at 2:46pm
Hugh McBryde says:
Walton, I can appreciate the need for some to be anonymous. People like "Stamp" are not anonymous for their protection, they are anonymous for a reason a sniper is anonymous. So that they can wreak havoc without cost to themselves. I think an anonymous poster should be polite and circumspect in their comments. Also it should be pointed out that there are now several factual problems cropping up with the article. Not the least of which is this. Jerry Strickland, spokesman for Texas Attorney General Greg Abbott: "There are no Texas charges pending against a Rosita [sic] Swinton that I am aware of. It has been reported that Swinton is facing charges in Colorado."
September 17th, 2009 at 2:27pm
Walton says:
Hugh, not sure if you are new to the internet or not but it is encouraged that people don’t use their real names and addresses. Some people might be disrespectful and post a persons real address for all the world to see. Not a safe thing to do. imo
I’ve been using the name Walton now for about 5 years. A lot of people think that it has something to do with the show Waltons. Some people believe it is a mans name. But spell it backwards Hugh. NOTLAW :) Crazy huh?
Now... back to the issue at hand. I believe when the call was made those that responded acted accordingly. I know you are deeply concerned about Rozita but while your concern is touching you are forgetting about the children. And the childrens children.
Hang in there Hugh.. I truly believe that the answers will come soon.
September 17th, 2009 at 2:08pm
Hugh McBryde says:
I see Stamp, you’re saying the way this magazine learned of this "Note" or "Label" was through your anonymous website? I will continue to note that "Hugh McBryde" is not a pseudonym and "Bill Medvecky" is not a pseudonym but "Stamp" is, and the link you give links only to people who use pseudonyms.
I agree that the evidence is in place NOW, but if it is disallowed at some point in the future, it ceases to exist from a legal standpoint. That means no matter what the evidence says, it won’t be able to say it in court. Courts are the only place people can be convicted and they need testimony and/or evidence. They only have this evidence and they may not have it at some point in the future. No discussion of the YFZ raid and the supposed guilt of those later arrested is complete without mentioning that fact.
September 17th, 2009 at 1:32pm
Stamp says:
Bill
BZZZZT
Wrong.
But thats not the first time is it? Yeah, Texas prisons are gonna be filling up with "Good ol UTAH Boys" huh?
That’ll give em something to stew about for 30 years or so, huh?
May each cell have a brick wall.
September 17th, 2009 at 1:13pm
Bill Medvecky says:
Natalie,
When they get out, you’ll have to ask the 3 people in prison for the Mineola fantasy cooked up by Ranger Philip Kemp.
There’s good reason that Texas leads the Nation in both child pregnancies and in over turning wrongful convictions.
If the good old boys don’t like child molestation,then stop doing it. It’s just that simple.
I understand your anger Natalie, but get over it, she wasn’t interested in being groomed by you.
September 17th, 2009 at 12:59pm
Stamp says:
Bill,
Sorry, but you’ve been "Ambushed by the Facts".
FLDS promote child molestation.
Dont you see the big picture? Why dont you tell the class here about your illustrious career with children, which fuels your hatred.
I knew Texas had "High Fence hunting", now Texas has "High Fence Child Molesting" and ex-cons pop up to claim its a good thing.
Telling! But is this really what Texas wants to be made famous for?
September 17th, 2009 at 11:59am
Bill Medvecky says:
The bigots and the haters have to cling to SOMETHING, so now it’s all Austin’s fault. I don’t buy it. Both Perry and the Supreme Court were up to their eyeballs in this atrocity from the beginning, and if there was a LEGAL way to rid Texas of the FLDS, both would have jumped all over the bandwagon.
September 17th, 2009 at 11:28am
Stamp says:
Sorry, Hugh, the evidence is there, and will stand.
There is DNA evidence the men bred young girls, as part of some sick plig fantasy to further their goals as child molesters.
Have you read the instructions Warren gave to build his virgin rape bed in the temple?
Its been posted. This article tells how Warren wanted the bed built "With plastic over the mattress because of what HAPPENS ON IT"..
Use your imagination, I know you have one!
http://texasflds.wordpress.com/2009/09/17/warren-build-me-a-bed/#comment-11179
September 17th, 2009 at 10:59am
Hugh McBryde says:
A discussion of this case and the evidence is incomplete if it is not said that there may be, no evidence.
It hardly matters if you have the smoking gun, the bloody glove and videotape of everything if you broke the law to get it.
As of this writing, that argument is not over yet. Perhaps that is what Governor Perry was thinking when he was discussing the case with Charles Childress.
As far as "giving it a rest?" I will when the evidence is thrown out and/or the appeals of the evidence question ceases. It seems to me the writer of this article isn’t familiar with the evidence question or is being obtuse so as to bend the perception of the average reader.
September 16th, 2009 at 11:53pm
Walton says:
Great article. Give it a rest Hugh. Your still trying to shoot the messenger. The message was loud and clear.
A call for help and unlike Utah or Arizona Texas responded. And they did so accordingly.
I don’t believe for a minute that Texas will allow this to slide under any rug.
September 16th, 2009 at 7:55pm
Hugh McBryde says:
You clearly stated that the call came from a 34 year old woman in Colorado and forgot to mention that all the evidence could wind up being excluded? I’ll go with the Charles Childress evaluating Rick Perry as a wimp, but Rick Perry probably knows one thing better than Charles Childress does. All the evidence that Charles Childress is worrying about, may not have been his to look at in the first place.
September 16th, 2009 at 4:07pm
Stamp says:
REALLY. REALLY.
Even though thoroughly warned, Texas seems to have been taken by surprise.
As the abuses do yes, continue, they will find out.
And there is a lot more to the story than this expose.
