| Well one gimme is keep the nursing mothers and small kids with their moms (or whomever they identify with most closely as a mom). If they had to be taken in, keep those together at the very least. Don't have a blanket plan and expect it to work for all the kids, modify it for different ages. Have the state educate themselves on this particular branch of the FLDS, learn about Warren Jeffs and what control he has BEFORE going in, that way you're at least somewhat prepared.
They are very distrustful of outsiders and the government, so of course they are going to not give true names, etc. That's what they've been taught to do, that's what's been pounded into their heads all their lives. Did the govt think of any of this? I don't know. I wasn't there, I would like to think so. Geeez, even the book "Under the Banner of Heaven" mentioned all this and this was published years before WJ's arrest and trial. I don't claim to be an expert, know anything and everything, but just the above amazed me when the authorities were shocked that no one was cooperating. Uh, duh...what do you expect? Try looking at things from their point of view, what they've been led to believe. The men who run this group aren't idiots, backwoods yokels...these are smart, savvy, evil men who will stop at nothing for control.
No, there are always going to be mistakes and no one right way to make all happy, but the above are IMO gimmes.
__________________ C'mon people USE YOUR BRAINS AND THINK!!!!!!!  
Mommy to the sweetest tot David, and to new baby Abby |