I hope this site becomes a place for dialogue and the exchange of ideas. I want to raise consciousness about issues and stories that don't always make the headlines. I believe that global awareness makes a person smarter and ultimately more human. I'm grossed out by what some "news" outlets masquerade as news. It seems that so many of these outlets cover international stories only when there's catastrophe or war. It's a shame.
There are so many fascinating people doing important things out there. As a journalist I've been blessed with the opportunity to travel all over the world. I want this to be a place for everyone to find out about people and organizations that I've encountered that are doing good work. I'd like to share some of my experiences and invite all of you to share your thoughts and stories you think should be told. Let's expand our horizons together!
North Korea A trip to one of the most isolated countries on the planet
Child Trafficking: India In India, there are millions of children who are being forced to work as slaves.
There is certainly no shortage of issues that should demand our attention, but here’s a list of some that I think are of vital importance. Please share with me your thoughts on these and issues that are of concern to you.
As we speak, I am in Utah shooting a follow-up a polygamy show that I did for the Oprah Show. Ironically, this story had been scheduled for weeks before the raid on the Eldorado temple went down.
Firstly, before doing the first piece, I didn't realize that there are tens of thousands of people living in polygmist situations in America. But polygamy is practiced differently in certain parts of the U.S. There are people living amongst us in the modern world who dress like any other person albeit modestly. There are those who adhere to strict rules that dictate everything from dress to hairstyle.
I actually met some moderate polygamists who seem to live quite freely out in the world and their relationships. Confounded by how women live happily sharing one husband, I was told that for many women it's not about ga ga love. It's about security, friendship and family. One woman said, "look after years of marriage, sex isn't really that important to me." She went on, "our husband can have his needs fulfilled and I'm happy with a big family that I help take care of and that takes care of me."
Warren Jeff's compound in Eldorado, is a different kind of situation. It's hard to believe that directly in the midst of our uber modern world, a society can exist that is so entirely closed off to the world. It's a level of brainwashing akin to North Korea and a level of strictness a la Iran complete with morality police that monitors the length of a woman's hair and ensures that people go swimming with all of their clothes on.
If consenting adults chose to live a polygamist lifestyle, it should be their prerogative. There are aspects of it that seem perfectly fine. But, in the course of my reporting, I have encountered women who were married off to old men as girls and forced to live in abusive situations. Those are the women and girls who need help. They need a way out.
Yeah its hard to think that FLDS is still going on.. . but i live and Utah and not far from one polygamy group. They never get noticed on tv or anything.And no one knows who they really are, i mean i goto school with some for sure but i have no idea which ones are polygamist and which ones are regualr people. And its not like it comes up alot either. It isn't hurting anyone. ..But then you have people like jeff warren or whatever, now he is crazy for sure but you shouldnt steriotype that all FLDS need to be saved. The ones i live by. .. goto school with. .. there perfectly normal and most likely going to be that way for as long as a live. And im ok with that. ..
Posted by on April 24, 2008 1:10 PM
From polygamy to jihad, from priest child molesters to Islam extremists, from medieval darkage to current denial of evolution, it's clear that religion is evil. They always desperately try to hold back the development of human society.
Posted by on April 14, 2008 7:18 PM
Always liked you on the view, in fact you were probably the only host on there I could ever stand.
I didn't realize what the whole polygamist thing was until I watched hbo's big love... I had always just assumed all Mormons were polygamists, it's pretty interesting that they are actually more of a fringe society.
Posted by on April 14, 2008 1:46 PM
My first reaction was, gee how many virgins does these men "have"? Like the Saudi flyers who brought death and havoc on 9/11/01? In "The War Lord" (1965) Charlton Heston, may he rest in peace, asserts his royal privilege, to usurp the bridegroom's first night and all hell breaks loose among the subjects. I don't think this should be tolerated as a matter of fact and the fact that it started in Western New York, as a New York citizen, an almost constant embarassment. As a situation of 'frontier' necessity it was tolerated, as a modern "practice" it should be regulated by review and law if desired, in my opinion.
Posted by on April 13, 2008 11:17 PM
It goes to show you how the Government, Corporations, and Media all work together to STIR American's Minds into what they want. Let me ask you all this question: DO YOU TRULY VOTE ACCORDING TO YOU CONSCIENCE? OR ARE YOU SPOON FED FROM THE MEDIA WHAT AND HOW TO VOTE? You gotta walk away from the fake Hype the real issues are getting our Country Free from Economic Terrorism and the Council on Foreign Relations, the World Trade Organization, the Trilateral Union, and North American Union, and other Filthy Evil Globalization Outfits that seek to DESTROY FREEDOM ALL OVER THE WORLD. YES LEADERS IN OUR GOVERNMENT ARE IN FACT WORKING DIRECTLY FOR THESE ORGANIZATIONS AND NOT FOR US. WAKE UP PEOPLE AND BEGIN TO FIGHT!
Posted by on April 11, 2008 8:29 PM
Consenting adults getting on with their lives and living as one big happy family is one thing, and I can deal with that. If this is how some of these women choose to live their lives, then so be it. But the girls who are forced to marry into it at such young and naive ages, and then made to live under a regime that is rather akin to that of a communist country - that is just wrong.
Thanks for your reports on these Lisa.
Posted by on April 11, 2008 11:59 AM
Hi Lisa.
You are so wonderful. I am a fan and an admirer of your works. Thank you for serving.
Best Regards and Peace, Tony Thai
Posted by on April 11, 2008 12:28 AM
just heard more on this story on npr today. i feel sorry for these young girls who really are brainwashed. there is a woman who comes from a similar background who has a home/shelter for these girls to help them begin to stand on their own two feet after years of someone telling them what to do and what to think.
i just noticed that the blog with the most comments was the one on puppies. kinda sad how suffering puppies get more attention than suffering humans sometimes.
