Those All-Powerful FLDS Men: In Today's News

I always think it’s funny when a man thinks he’s a leader, but can only lead when he has physical, mental and/or financial control over others. I know from personal experience that a man like that is really a coward. I know it because, when challenged, he cowers and hides like the lowly animal he is.

That’s what I was thinking today as I watched an interview with three of them on the CBS Early Show. It was the first time any Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints sect (FLDS) man showed his face since the children were taken away from the secluded compound they call home, based on allegations of child abuse. Weeks have gone by while they let the women face the cameras while they hid in their compound.

Then, there they were this morning, acting like some aw-shucks hicks. And, gosh and dagnabbit...they said they just can't do nothing about them young girls who might be ahavin' a mind to marry some old geezer. They didn't even know they was adoin' anything illegal 'cause they are righteous men.

Give me a break!

Last week the FLDS women went to court to fight to get their children. Crowds of waif-like women were speaking to reporters, desperately begging to get their children back from the government. They say they aren’t abused and dodged every question about polygamy and the paternal identity of those children. They doggedly refused to answer any questions about their marriages or any questions about relationships between older men and underage girls. Why???

Also in the interviews, the women say their way of life is their choice and they can leave anytime. They choose to stay. Really?

Consider this as a reason: Did you know about the threat the FLDS men hold over women? In the words of their leader, Warren Jeffs, a woman are obliged to build up her husband by being totally subservient to him. If she doesn't, the control is so totally pervasive that an FLDS woman is told she can’t even get into heaven unless she is invited by her satisfied husband. So if she she displeases him - say, by refusing to let her prepubescent daughter to marry some mature (40+) man, she could spend eternity in hell. I wonder if those women also fear eternal damnation if they don’t get their children back from the government. That’s some abusive control!

The women say they'll do anything to get their children back. I wonder if that means they would be willing to expose their lifestyle...or is the fear of not being asked to join their man in heaven a greater threat?

And, here in the real world, it doesn't have to be an FDLS member who does the controlling. It can be the man who uses a bad temper to get what he wants, or threatens a woman with public embarrassment if she gets out of line - his line.

It just goes to show us all that a woman needs to maintain control of her SELF, and not allow anyone to take that away from her. A real man is comfortable in partnership and respects both the woman he's with and the relationship they have. That's not some Pollyanna idea, that's what happens between healthy partners.

This VICTORY is about YOU!

Tell Your Story by May 10!

May is International Victorious Woman Month and I'm celebrating by honoring YOU.

Have you...
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If you have, then you are a Victorious Woman and I want to hear your story. I also want to share it with other women. I think YOUR STORY OF VICTORY can encourage other women to believe in themselves and their ability to find their own victory through any difficulty. I believe YOUR STORY OF VICTORY will help others so much, I'm giving you kudos and prizes for sharing through the Victorious Woman Essay Contest.

Here’s the contest: In 250-750 words, tell us what challenged you, how it was a victory – especially how you stretched more into your victorious self because of it, and how your victory changed your life.

Email submissions to presentations@victoriouswoman.com NO LATER THAN May 10.

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• $100.00
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2nd Prize:
• $50.00
• You will be honored as a 2008 Victorious Woman of the Month with an interview article featured on the Victorious Woman website (www.victoriouswoman.com) AND
• You'll receive a personally autographed copy of my book, Victorious Woman! Shaping Life’s Challenges into Personal Victories

3rd Prize:
• Your story will be featured at www.victoriouswoman.com AND
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Hurry! Deadline is May 10

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