Janet's Missed Opportunity

Governor Napolitano went to Utah, and all we got was some lousy ring kissing.

A A A Comments By John Dougherty Thursday, Oct 7 2004

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It is painfully clear that Napolitano and the LDS are in agreement on how to address the snake pit of social problems caused by fundamentalist Mormon polygamy.

Pretend they don't exist.

Governor Janet Napolitano is a champion of women and children -- but not those trapped in polygamy.

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"The LDS church doesn't want to help individuals coming out of polygamy unless they join the LDS church," Prunty says. "And the governor doesn't want to enforce the laws within her state. So there is common ground there."

Left in the lurch are thousands of young men and women who are looking at a dismal future as serfs within an FLDS theocracy.

But their fate means little to Napolitano in her ruthless drive for political advancement.

The governor would rather appease LDS leaders who still include among their most sacred scriptures Section 132 of the Doctrine and Covenants, which justifies polygamy and serves as the foundation of fundamental Mormonism.

Here's an excerpt:

"And if he have ten virgins given unto him by this law, he cannot commit adultery, for they belong to him, and they are given unto him; therefore is he justified.

"But if one or either of the ten virgins, after she is espoused, shall be with another man, she has committed adultery, and shall be destroyed."

Does that seem right, governor?

E-mail john.dougherty@newtimes.com, or call 602-229-8445.

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