pinko

When I posted this article I did so with the intention of encouraging discussion. Regardless of the form presented it has done just that. Requiring commentary with a link does not seem unreasonable to me.

However reasonable that interpretation may be I am wondering if the Book of Mormon codified polygamy for those following that belief system. I notice that Warren Jeffs has elected not to attend the penalty phase of the trial. In his absence he will be represented by legal counsel. This case highlights incidents of human trafficking from and within mulitiple cult locations in the USA and Canada. and as well shows such an environment to be a pedophile's paradise.

He actually inherited the leadership of the cult from his father Rulon Jeffs who had close to 80 wives. The people within the sect are born into the cult and indoctrinated from birth.

America’s Ten Sickest Housing Markets Posted: August 3, 2011 at 4:35 am For three years, the real estate market has been going in one direction — primarily down. Some areas, however, have begun to recover. Recent S&P/Case-Shiller data show that among the top 20 housing markets in the U.S., 18 had very modest improvements in sales prices during May. Others, like Washington and Boston, have began to at least stabilize from a year ago. •Read America’s Ten Sickest Housing Markets Read more: America’s Ten Sickest Housing Markets - 24/7 Wall St. http://247wallst.com/2011/08/03/americas-ten-sickest-housing-markets/#ixzz1U4xi88AN

Child sex trial of polygamist Warren Jeffs set to continue (VIDEO) Polygamist church leader Warren Jeffs — accused of raping a 12-year-old girl and impregnating 15-year-old he'd taken as "spiritual wives" — is to continue his own defense after using his opening statements Wednesday to quote scripture at length, without once mentioning the charges against him. Polygamist church leader Warren Jeffs — accused of raping a 12-year-old girl and impregnating 15-year-old he'd taken as "spiritual wives" — is to continue his own defense after using his opening statements Wednesday to quote scripture at length, without once mentioning the charges against him. On Wednesday, Texas prosecutors rested their case after playing an audio tape in which they allege the 55-year-old leader the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints has sex with a 12-year-old girl in the presence of three other "wives," telling her to feel "the spirit of God." http://www.globalpost.com/dispatch/news/regions/americas/united-states/110804/warren-jeffs-polygamy-child-sex-fundamentalist-church-jesus-christ-god-video

The prosecution has rested its case and now Jeff's has decided to present his response. Yesterday he introduced the Book of Mormon into evidence and called his first witness. It appears he intends to use this document to butress his argument that his actions are in keeping with views contained in Book of Mormon. It should be noted that the evidence led by the prosecution has established that while he was having sex with a minor there were both adults and minors present watching this event unfold. I think you have missed the point of this trial. The primary purpose of this prosecution is to establish a breach of statutory law in relation to his sexual conduct with minors. Surely you aren't suggesting that Jeffs or for that matter any other member of this cult should act with impunity.

Freedom of religon and speech need to be taken into account even in a setting such as Jeff's find himself. I think the judge is dealing with he and his antics as best she can. Even though he has fired his attorneys and is acting as his own counsel she wants to give him every opportunity to present his case as is required by the rule of law. It is quite apparent from his conduct that he feels he is above man made law.

My life experience indicates I am anything but gifted. I'll settle for living vicariously through my children and grandchildren.

San Angelo, Texas (CNN) -- The state of Texas is expected to rest its case Wednesday in the sexual assault trial of polygamous sect leader Warren Jeffs. On Tuesday night, the jury heard audio recordings that, prosecutors said, show Jeffs instructing a 14-year-old victim and his other young "wives" on how to sexually please him in order to win God's favor. Jeffs -- who is representing himself -- repeatedly and loudly objected to the playing of the recordings on religious grounds. Each time, Judge Barbara Walther overruled him. There can be "no claim of privilege, regardless of the religion, with respect to communications directly relevant to sexual assault of a child," prosecutor Eric Nichols said when the judge invited him to respond to Jeffs' outbursts. Prosecutors said the tapes show Jeffs offering "celestial marriage" http://edition.cnn.com/2011/CRIME/08/03/texas.polygamist.jeffs/

I realize that.

Here is a link to the story of Warren Jeffs. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Warren_Jeffs The cult he belongs to bought land in Texas and built a compound where, although he is currently in custody,he remains the leader of that cult. In court his position has been that he answers only to God and that the charges of child rape against him are unfounded in relation to his connection to God. If convicted Jeffs will spend the rest of his life behind bars.

Op-Ed Columnist The President Surrenders By PAUL KRUGMAN Published: July 31, 2011 A deal to raise the federal debt ceiling is in the works. If it goes through, many commentators will declare that disaster was avoided. But they will be wrong. For the deal itself, given the available information, is a disaster, and not just for President Obama and his party. It will damage an already depressed economy; it will probably make America’s long-run deficit problem worse, not better; and most important, by demonstrating that raw extortion works and carries no political cost, it will take America a long way down the road to banana-republic status. http://www.nytimes.com/2011/08/01/opinion/the-president-surrenders-on-debt-ceiling.html?_r=1&wpisrc=nl_fix

"Gated communities must suffer some out side restrictions...and laws to make sure that lunitics don't take over." If you are familiar with the Warren Jeff's trial in Texas your comment is quite apropos.

If the definition of a gated community is a series of single family dwellings located within a fenced in area and access through a locked gate with or without a security guard then, as far as I know, there may be one or two that meet this test. If the definition includes multi-level highrise buildings with a doorman and restricted access then there are a number of examples of such here in Winnipeg. The Wellington Crescent area comes to mind. My son lived in a gated community consisting of a series of four plexes in Irving Texas with entrance and exit via a security card. In the immediate vicinity there were a series of housing developments some not bound by gates and others with gates and more restricted access. There was a Starbucks adjacent to this development where I went to read either the Dallas newspaper or the New York Times first thing in the morning. Most of the people living in the complex my son lived in were, for the most part, younger folks although I did see a few individuals closer to the demographic I occupy. From my limited exposure to this community it seems like a relatively safe place. The security features in some of the public housing units here in Winnipeg hasn't prevented much of the violence which seems to play itself out on a day to day basis here so I am somewhat sceptical as to the need for such arrangements. At the moment I live in a quiet single family neighbourhood and unless health problems present I have no desire to move.

I don't recall calling anyone a racist though.

That maybe just as some Canadians may prefer non gated communities or life in a rural rather than urban setting.

Still not sure of your point. Are you suggesting that gated communities are preferred to non gated communities?

"Any opinions? Is the school system failing children? Is it the kids and their parents who should be the ones responsible for dealing with this "problem"? Is it a non-issue, since it's only a tiny percentage of kids, who probably won't grow up to be robbers and rapists anyway?" My brother was gifted and landed up on the wrong side of the law. My son was gifted and lined up on the right side of the law and has parlayed that into a sucessful medical practice. So in answer to your question no the school system isn't failing children. The onus is on the parents, the student and the teachers to ensure sucess.

We have very few gated communities in Winnipeg. You haven't made the connection between gated communities and house sales.

How so? Do you live in a gated community?

For 2007-2010, real GDP decreased at an average annual rate of 0.3 percent; in the previously published estimates, real GDP had increased at an average annual rate of less than 0.1 percent. From the fourth quarter of 2007 to the first quarter of 2011, real GDP decreased at an average annual rate of 0.2 percent; in the previously published estimates, real GDP had increased at an average annual rate of 0.2 percent. http://www.bea.gov/newsreleases/national/gdp/gdpnewsrelease.htm

No need for name calling. The Pew study is available on the internet for all to read. I don't subscribe to your theory but will refrain from labelling you a racist. The statistics speak for themselves.

Your reality is based on your specific circumstances as is mine. What side of the border we live on is really beside the point when comparing one to the other. It may very well be that in a relative sense your economic circumstances allow you to see the future in a more optimistic way than others less fortunate than you either in your immediate locale or further afield in other places. When we look at things in the aggregate I think you will agree that there are some disparities in both the Canadian and American economies and in the case of the US debt ceiling a number of remedies have been offered up mainly in relation to the fiscal situation in the USA. The Pew study referred to identified that a disproportionate burden has been felt by the Black, Asian and Latino community in relation to the white community as a result of the downturn. Of course this deals with the issue in the aggregate and as such should be taken in this context. Judging by the commentary on this website I would suspect most if not all posting here are of the so called middle class and as such see things through that spectrum. Some reference has been made to the housing market with a variety of opinions put forward on the impact of the downturn on various components of society. Needless to say the adage location, location, location has determined market value which if taken in conjunction with the implosion of the sub-prime mortgage market put many of your fellow American citizens out on the street and in relation to net worth much worse off. Whether you see this or not in that comfortable little cocoon you have created for yourself is another thing.

Each person has their own reality irrespective of borders. In your country I see a rotten and corrupt political system.

Pardon me if I remain sceptical about the direction being followed. Even if ratification is forthcoming I see much more pain for ordinary citizens in your country. The techniques used by the Republicans in leveraging the debt ceiling will be utilized again. If anything things are about to get a lot worse.