I am thinking that those FLDS folks didn't do much in the way of advance planning when they started getting rid of their boys. Because, like, if they'd gone ahead and murdered them and hid the bodies, at least you wouldn't have cherubic, traumatized youths talking to the press, you know?

There has been some buzz that they brace yourself for the "shock" think the end is imminent. And they're probably convinced the outside world doesn't care about children anyway.

The community in question was in the process of shifting operations to El Paso, Texas. Their leader is missing and may be hiding at the compound they're building. (I always get nervous when religious groups start building compounds.) The state of Utah froze the FLDS' assets for fear that the chosen few were in the process of abandoning the "excess" members of the community while the faithful scarpered for texas.

people saying such a law was biased against large families

It would get a tricky once you get past five kids.

It would get a tricky once you get past five kids.

So does keeping them clothed or sending them to school or getting them medical attention. More kids requires more money.

FUCK.

No car until tomorrow.

The shipment came in late.

Mandatory seat belts also runs into "How dare you infringe on my freedom to die messily!" thing around here. I'm thinking somebody intelligent pointed out that five-year-olds aren't old enough to decide they want to die messily in car wrecks.

Note to upwardly-mobile cults (i.e., aspiring to religion-hood): long-term plans are your best friends. I don't care how imminent a rapture may be; if the ATF, FBI, DEA, or Social Services shows up first, you are still screwed. That goes double if they bring national news reporters with them.

I think a long-term plan is pretty much what differentiates a cult from a religion. Even the doctrine doesn't have to have a long-term plan, but the leaders sure better have one. Basic advice, about the level of:

Hey, Giant Accounting Firms: Don't let evil corporations cook your books in wildly obvious ways! Even if the Supreme Court doesn't hold you responsible in the end, you will still be squashed like a fraudulent bug.

And:

Hey, Evil Corporation: if you're gonna snooker the state of California, for CRYING OUT LOUD don't do it on tape! That is what meetings in underground parking structures are FOR!! Prove to me you're at least as smart as Hal Holbrook, you seething, rapacious pile of shmuckery!!!

Actually, this is kind of therapeutic.

I think a long-term plan is pretty much what differentiates a cult from a religion.

This, I love. A lot.

I think a long-term plan is pretty much what differentiates a cult from a religion.

So I don't have to have long-term planning skills to start a cult? Y'know, that option is looking better and better ...

I think a long-term plan is pretty much what differentiates a cult from a religion.

Although I was taught that when Jesus told His disciples that He'd return some day, they thought He meant in their lifetime.