A week ago, Texas “authorities”, apparently longing to exercise their dormant muscle power after 15 years of atrophy, conducted a “raid” on the FLDS “compound”.

As I watch the shoddy journalism taking place in the coverage of these events, I wonder to myself why people aren’t up in arms over this display of government aggression. From whence does the state derive authority to kidnap, under the musty blanket of the law, four hundred children? How is it that hearsay and one anonymous phone call—the source of which has yet to be verified—are considered enough evidence to forcefully remove children from their parents, take them into custody, interrogate them (encouraging them to “tattle tale” on their parents), and keep them under guard?

How does such arrogance on the part of Child Protective Services—a fascist arm of the state if ever there was one—go unchecked? Why are a few individuals given the authority to separate families on their word alone?

I’m simply stunned that this event has taken place at all. I fully support any prosecution of child abuse when the evidence clearly shows it has occurred, but I condemn any broad action that targets innocent persons. In this country, people are innocent until proven guilty (at least in word, if not in deed).

Would people speak up more in defense of the innocent if they themselves were kidnapped and interrogated, for something their neighbor or relative had done? Yes, these people are different from “the rest of us”. They have a strange dress, lifestyle, and a religion that is at odds with “mainstream” Christianity. But is that license to pursue the present course of action? I submit that Texan officials have far overstepped their bounds, and will soon find themselves in a mess of legal trouble if they do not immediately apologize and return the children and families to their homes.

Guy Murray, an attorney in California, has been exhaustively covering this debacle on his blog. I encourage you to read through his posts to get up to speed on all sorts of aspects of this mess. His continuing coverage will no doubt be more extensive and thorough than what you’ll see on your nightly news.

Sadly, these events provide one more arrow in the libertarian’s quiver to demonstrate to others how the government immorally intervenes into the lives of citizens who have done no harm to others. Texas—and by extension, America—has shown herself to be the aggressor and destructive force that she is. One can only hope that these events find a peaceful, prompt resolution.

For all those who may wish to unite their voices in opposition to the government's actions, please sign this petition: http://www.thepetitionsite.com/2/free-the-innocent-flds

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Connor Boyack is a blogger , husband, web designer, Latter-day Saint, constitutionalist, paleocon, classical liberal, preparedness practitioner, budding philanthropist, and master's student of political economy. He's from Poway, CA but lives in Happy Valley.

Comments (5)

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Jeremy Ashton said:

	Connor, Great article. I hope the members of the LDS church don't turn our backs on these individuals simply because we aren't comfortable with the lifestyles they have chosen to live. They still have their rights.
	report abuse vote down vote up

April 15, 2008
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Jeremy Ashton said:

	I signed your petition.
	report abuse vote down vote up

April 15, 2008
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anon said:

	"I wonder to myself why people aren't up in arms over this display of government aggression." What about the official LDS response? Was compassion called for? Was rule of law called for? No, the PR response of the LDS church was "We are the real Mormons, please don't report that THEY are Mormons".
	report abuse vote down vote up

April 15, 2008
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Charity Angel said:

I agree with your article. I was at the grocery store and saw these people on the cover of a magazine under the words "Inside the Cult." I really do not like how these people are getting painted. Sure they are different, especially with the entire polygamy thing, but other then that, they live much like the Amish and Mennonites. I cannot fathom the state hauling them off either. What we allow to happen to one group, we are in a sense encouraging it to happen to us. If we are not even willing to protect the liberties of our enemies, people different then us and so forth, then we are also stripping ourselves of that protection.

report abuse vote down vote up

April 20, 2008
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Connor said:

	Here are the results of the petition thus far: http://www.connorboyack.com/bl...on-results
	report abuse vote down vote up

April 20, 2008 | url
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