Child/Spousal Abuse Must Not Be Tolerated

I had not planned to comment on the action being taken against the polygamist cult in West Texas. To me, the whole matter seemed pretty cut and dried, and it was being dealt with properly by the local, state and federal authorities. But recently, a couple of points of view have been put forward that I simply cannot agree with.

The first is that the government is picking on this group because they don't like them. I don't buy that argument. This group has been in West Texas for over four years now, and I doubt they are any more disliked now than when they first arrived. If that was the reason they were moved against, it would have happened years ago.

The truth is the sheriff's office received information from a victim that alleged child abuse was happening, and happening on a large scale. What were they supposed to do -- ignore a plea for help and a serious violation of the law? I know what I expect when law enforcement gets that kind of call. I expect an immediate investigation, and action to stop the abuse.

The other view being put forward by some is that this cult had their religious rights violated. That is ridiculous. You cannot use religion to cover for child abuse. In fact, let's stop beating around the bush and call this what it actually is -- CHILD RAPE!

Child rape is illegal in Texas. Claiming you are married, or that God told you to do it doesn't make it any more legal. These are nothing more than pathetic excuses for perverted criminal behavior.

The local, state and federal officials have acted properly in removing the children from the abusive environment. The next step is for charges to be filed -- not only for child rape, but also for any proven spousal abuse. Physical abuse of a spouse is another charge that cannot be excused by religion.

The people guilty of either child or spousal abuse do not want me on their jury. As far as I'm concerned, they can pray to whatever god they want to from a cell in the Texas prison system.