Tuesday’s Post carried a strangely typical story on polygamy today in the bottom right-hand corner of the front page. The headline was "Polygamists Fight to Be Seen As Part of Mainstream Society." Reporter John Pomfret’s story did not offer both sides of the polygamy debate. It aired quite a bit of assertion from polygamy practitioners in Utah, matched only by local law enforcement officials that have largely accepted the practice, prosecuting only crimes around the edges, like sex with child brides. The story features no outraged feminists at the patriarchy in these relationships. There are no religious authorities or academics to take exception to it, or even non-religious critics like Stanley Kurtz of National Review Online. In short, it’s a thinly disguised testimonial packet.
Compare this article to the front-page story Alan Cooperman and Peter Whoriskey wrote last week on the churches maintaining their teachings on homosexuality as a sin, headlined "3 Christian Groups Move to Condemn Gay Sex." That story was much more balanced, with religious traditionalists debating advocates of a Jesus of "radical hospitality" toward gays. Pomfret seems devoted to chronicling the inevitable acceptance of this new trend encroaching on traditional monogamous matrimony:
In their quest to decriminalize bigamy, practitioners have had help from unlikely quarters. HBO's series "Big Love," about a Viagra-popping man with three wives, three sets of bills, three sets of chores and three sets of kids, marked a watershed because of its sympathetic portrayal of polygamists. The U.S. Supreme Court's 2003 decision in Lawrence v. Texas, which voided laws criminalizing sodomy, also aided polygamy's cause because it implied that the court disapproved of laws that reach into the bedroom.
Since then, liberal legal scholars, generally no friend of the polygamists' conservative-leaning politics, have championed decriminalization. One of them is Jonathan Turley, a law professor at George Washington University who has written two op-eds for USA Today calling for the legalization of bigamy -- and same-sex marriage.
"I find polygamy an offensive practice," said Turley, who has become something of a celebrity among polygamists in Utah. "But there is no way its practice among consenting adults should be a felony."
Say what? The Supreme Court has encouraged polygamy? Why, which conservative politician warned about that, and had his head handed to him? That would be Sen. Rick Santorum, pounded by the Associated Press in 2003 for this allegedly outrageous quote, as Brent Bozell recalled:
"If the Supreme Court says that you have the right to consensual sex within your home, then you have the right to bigamy, you have the right to polygamy, you have the right to incest, you have the right to adultery." AP hyped this comparison by adding the word "gay" between "consensual" and "sex."
Santorum’s point was philosophical and legal: Do we want an absolutely unlimited right to privacy? That’s where we could be headed with the Texas sodomy case now before the Court.
Brent handled the media's welcoming committee last year for the HBO "Big Love" series here.
—Tim Graham is Director of Media Analysis at the Media Research Center



















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Bigamists Among Us
August 19, 2008 - 21:17 ET by EdwardThis story Bigamists Among Us, Olson, http://reno.broowaha... just one of several that was published in Broowaha Reno by an investigative reporter calling himself Craig B. out of Reno, NV.
Bigamy is a felony. On February 16, 1991, James K. Olson married Morgan Olson in South Lake Tahoe with a California Confidential Marriage Certificate. Mr. Olson signed it certifying his prior husband and wife relationship with Mrs. Olson, which had gone back to February 1982. According to that Confidential Marriage Certificate Mr. Olson was previously married once before, so this wife was his second one. Or did Mr. Olson lie on this Confidential Marriage Certificate?
Mr. Olson has admitted in both California and Nevada courts that he reconciled with the Reno Mrs. Olson in July 1996. “On June 14, 2000, Jim twice forged his wife’s (Morgan) name on the purchase of a car when he signed “J. Morgan Olson” with his “JKO” initials next to it.”
In 2000, Mr. Olson forged the Reno Mrs. Olson’s married name in his purchase of a car in San Rafael, California.
Mr. Olson got a Nevada Living Trust amendment notarized in October 2000 in Marin County, California that the Reno Mrs. Olson is his wife, in compliance with the Marin County, California 1996 MSA.
Mr. Olson had several years of Reno homeowners insurance with the Reno Mrs. Olson as his wife. Mr. Olson has had for several years a Nevada Living Trust with the Reno Mrs. Olson as his wife, in compliance with the Marin County, California 1996 MSA.
Mr. Olson claims he is also married to a California Mrs. Olson since 2004. Mr. Olson’s 1995 attorney prepared an August 10, 1995 Marital Settlement Agreement (MSA) for the Marin County, California court. It confirms there was no final hearing, the box wasn’t filled in for a remarry date, the lack of a standard clause about reconciling, Mr. Olson was to pay Mrs. Olson $15,000, and that the case was sealed. The court had left these issues unresolved as it knew Mr. Olson would again reconcile. Judge Michael Dufficy, the same judge in Mr. Olson’s last three divorce filings, recognized that Mr. Olson’s credibility was gone as Mr. Olson kept making the same complaints and allegations then (as now) but was sleeping with Mrs. Olson the whole time and kept reconciling with her. So in the fourth divorce when Mrs. Olson said she was moving to Reno to get away from the drama, where she wanted to buy a house, the judge gave her permission to do so. That in matters relating to her husband Jim Olson, for the convenience of the court and her so she wouldn’t have to keep coming back to the court for the court’s signature (loan applications, offers, counters, counters-to-counters, inspections, tax returns, etc.) she could operate as a single person as Mr. Olson adamantly refused to sign anything. Mrs. Olson bought 13870 Mt. Babcock, Reno, NV 89506 in July 1995. That was before the MSA, and before the August 10, 1995, Marin court hearing.
The Quit Claim clause in the MSA had that Mr. Olson was supposed to Quit Claim his community property interest of that property to Mrs. Olson. Mr. Olson refused and that clause was crossed out at his insistence. Cora Lancelle, Mrs. Olson’s attorney, dryly asked “but why not, is he again reconciling?” Mr. Olson’s attorney said, “Oh no Mr. Olson really wants a divorce this time.” Ms. Lancelle sarcastically said “But Helen, that’s what he said the previous three times while continuing to sleep with her the whole time.” Mrs. Olson said “no big deal as Jim will soon reconcile with me anyway making it a point not worth arguing over” and agreed to the cross out of the Quit Claim clause. “As Mrs. Olson was walking out of that August 10, 1995 court hearing, Ms. Lancelle gave up trying not to laugh. Mr. Olson’s attorney was glowering at her and Mrs. Olson. Mr. Olson was looking at the floor kicking it with his foot. Judge Dufficy was trying not to laugh. Judge Dufficy called out “good luck in your new home in Reno and especially with Jim.””
Since Mr. Olson refused to sign a Quit Claim and crossed out that section in the MSA, he retained a community property interest in that house. His attorney then even commented on it in court. Mr. Olson showed up in Reno in September 1995 and resumed his physical, emotional and financial relationship with Mrs. Olson, who never wanted a divorce. Mr. Olson never paid Mrs. Olson for the community asset division in the MSA. Mr. Olson has admitted in several court papers that he reconciled with Mrs. Olson in Reno, Nevada in July 1996. Mr. Olson told the Reno Mrs. Olson he had dismissed his fourth Marin divorce filing.
Mr. Olson continued to act married to her through a series of behaviors and conduct for the next 10 ½ years. He wore his wedding ring. He introduced and held himself out as her husband and she as his wife. Shortly after his reconciliation, Mr. Olson obtained homeowners insurance on their Reno home at 13870 Mt. Babcock, Reno, in the name of James and Morgan Olson, husband and wife. He certified that property as his primary residence. Mr. Olson then funded a Nevada Living Trust together with Mrs. Olson with them as equal co-trustees. It held title to all their Reno houses and bank accounts. That trust is still in existence today. In summer 2000, Mr. Olson forged the Reno Mrs. Olson’s married name in his purchase of a car in San Rafael, California. Mr. Olson had a reconciliation acknowledgment notarized in October 2000 in Marin by a Marin notary acknowledging his July 1996 reconciliation and reaffirmation of his February 16, 2001 wedding vows with Mrs. Olson.
In April 2002, the Olsons bought 5242 Echo Ave in Reno as a rental and Mr. Olson obtained a landlord’s policy on it with him as the primary and his wife as the secondary insured. They still own that property today. According to Farmers Insurance April 29, 2002 print date: Primary Insured James K Olson, PO Box 8401, Reno NV 89507 Policy Type Lnlrd Prot Property Address 5242 Echo Ave Reno NV 89506 In early October 2006, Mrs. Olson mailed Mr. Olson, at his request, $20,000 out of a home equity account. In late October 2006, Mrs. Olson gets a phone call from a woman that “Jim Olson had just died in California.”
Mr. Olson, in violation of the July 12, 1996 Marin County, California court judgment, surfaces and immediately claims a remarry to another. He had still failed to pay the Reno Mrs. Olson for the community assets ordered in that judgement. According to the Reno Police report, after the Reno Mrs. Olson changed its locks, Mr. Olson then broke into and ransacked their then Reno home at 12260 Camel Rock Dr. It was in a desperate effort to retrieve and destroy the original documents of his reconciliation, their Nevada Living Trust, and his love letters. Attorney Jill Whitbeck has those originals.
Mr. Olson then filed in Marin Court CV070655 that it determine his marital status with the Reno Mrs. Olson. That part of the case was dismissed because the proper venue is in Family Law Court, and in Family Law Court in Nevada as Nevada has jurisdiction over them with their Nevada governed Living Trust, Reno, Nevada homeowners insurance on their Reno properties, and Reno witnesses etc.
Mr. Olson’s story had become rather hysterical in its presentation of its acerbic and churlish allegations. In early 2007, attorney Schoonover claims to have written Mrs. Olson April 2, 2002 at their 13870 Mt. Babcock, Reno address (although she never saw it until their first Reno hearing five years later) “You have Mr. Olson’s home address. If there is anything you need to communicate to him, contact him there, not at work.”
This writing is the FIRST evidence that Mr. Olson was attempting to keep his husband and wife life with the Reno Mrs. Olson a secret from his work in Marin County, California. Four witnesses then testified in Reno court as to Mr. Olson continuing to see Mrs. Olson in Reno representing himself as her husband through September 2006.
Divorce is not a handy vehicle for the summary disposal of old and used wives. Which is what Mr. Olson smugly alleges he did July 12, 1996, divorce the Reno Mrs. Olson, while talking outside the other side of his mouth, his admission that he reconciled his marriage with her in Reno in July 1996. Reno attorney Jill Whitbeck pointed out in Mrs. Olson’s Opposition to Motion to Dismiss Mrs. Olson’s divorce on Page 7 Line 28 “. . . clearly there exists a dispute as to assets and debts obtained during the course of their reconciliation.” The Olson’s MSA/July 12, 1996 “divorce” is in question due to its omissions, contradictions and discrepancies. The Olsons husband and wife reconciliation went to October 2006 as clearly proved (preponderance of the evidence) with four current four independent witnesses, their Reno homeowners and landlord’s insurance, and their Nevada governed Living Trust. The Reno judge found “Mr. Olson not credible.”
In the Marin Court CV 070655 filing Mr. Olson claims “Olson is spending his time with Alexandra while he is married to his second wife.” Yes, Mr. Olson was doing exactly that as the Reno Mrs. Olson is his second wife assuming he did not lie on their marriage certificate and he’s had other marriages.
The Reno Mrs. Olson remains mysteriously MIA since July 2007. Sources are California and Nevada court public documents, MSA, Nevada Living Trust, love letters, four witnesses testimony in Reno court, San Rafael car purchase documents, photographs, Farmers Insurance documents, Washoe County public records, February 16, 1991 Marriage Certificate.
Copyright © 2008 Craig B
Flip Flop Rers Among Us, James K. Olson
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Ed
I specifically remember peo
November 21, 2006 - 23:18 ET by MyKindaSpamI specifically remember people opposed to gay marriage questioning whether polygamy would be legalized if gay marriage was legalized, and I specifically remember watching interviews with spokesmen from the ACLU, GLAD, the usual Dems and "impartial" reporters with the NYT who ALL said that injecting polygamy into the debate was a "scare tactic" of the right and the two circumstances aren't related. One thing missing in those interviews was an answer to the question. Still waiting. Has anyone else read or seen a response?
Where in the world are the feminists? I am really stunned at their abdication of their "duties" of confronting repressive mysogynist Muslims and their ideology (not all, just those) and polygamist groups like Warrenn Jeffs'. What happened to the "oppressive patriarchy" who wanted to keep women down and enslaved? I don't even hear them complaining about devout Baptists anymore. They only complain about gay rights, Gitmo *torture* and Islamic persecution. I guess the literal enslavement of some women, officially-sanctioned gang rapes, honor killings, the prosecution of rape victims, female genital mutilation and arranged marriages of 12-year-old girls are no longer problems they worry about.
kinda, let's face it
November 22, 2006 - 00:57 ET by tumblerFeminists in the U. S. have only been active in favor of one thing, other than smashing men to a fine pomade--
The right to "choose" what no decent human being should choose. The exterminating of unborn American babies. Every baby possible.
Once I was listening to Rush Limbaugh and he said, "Exactly why does it always provoke anger and disgust in abortion-supporting feminists; when even ONE fetus is spared? They can't bear it if somewhere, by persuasion or intervention somewhere a baby is allowed to reach term." --That is the shocking fact. ANGER, if we spare even one fetus which feminists could have seen aborted.
At least polygamy is fine f
November 22, 2006 - 11:26 ET by TruthMongerAt least polygamy is fine from a Biblical standpoint - unlike gay "marriage." But to be consistent the gay marriage crowd should be fully on board with polygamy - and the Bible belt shouldn't be so bent out of shape about it either...
I also notice the Fems are mute on the porn industry's fine treatment of women...they are absent from almost anything except abortion demonstrations...
Sitting there in the shadow
November 22, 2006 - 07:10 ET by DontFeedTheTrollsSitting there in the shadows, unnoticed by most, are the thousands of American muslims with multiple wives. Think you will see any of them prosecuted?
DSG
The real objective!
November 22, 2006 - 07:25 ET by Shooter1002Some Mormons out in Utah with a few extra babes on the farm is small price to pay for liberals to open the debate for NAMBLA.
"Hey if some old Mormons can have 3 or 4 blushing 14 yr old brides out on the farm, why can't us old hairy NYC and Frisco perverts sodomize consenting 12 year old boys? Its just not fair!!"
Won't be long!
"Pomfret seems devoted
November 22, 2006 - 07:31 ET by sarcasmo"Pomfret seems devoted to chronicling the inevitable acceptance of this
new trend encroaching on traditional monogamous matrimony:"...
Tim, I'm not sure what's so "new" about polygamy. If anything, it seems better described as an old -- if not ancient -- trend. Personally, I think they're all nuts. Politically, like the law enforcement officer in the story, I have much more of an issue with the underage-sex & rampant welfare fraud aspects of this lifestyle than I do with what apparently fascinates everyone-else, the sex-in-general among lots of nutty consenting adults aspect.
JMR
All of the sudden this seems
November 22, 2006 - 07:41 ET by ChemicalOperatorAll of the sudden this seems to be a big issue. I am firmly against of it of course, but have people really thought about the consequences of multiple wifes?
Benefit wise at work, Is your employer now suppose to pick up the benefit cost for extra wifes? If so what does that the average wage? Its kind of a chain reaction. What about the increased boom in children that will be born each year? Schools are already crowded.
Just seems like the left like the idea of "No restrictions" so much that they have not thought about the consequences of their actiosn. This is nothing new though.
This nation will remain the land of the free only so long as it is the home of the brave.
Benefit wise at work, Is yo
November 22, 2006 - 12:49 ET by KimberlyWe already have a textbook example of what happens when polygamy is allowed to run wild...the cities of Hildale, UT and Colorado City, AZ. Both of them are populated exclusively by members of the FLDS (an offshoot of the Mormons led by Warren Jeffs until his recent arrest). Polygyny (polygamy in the form of 1 man/multiple wives) is not only practiced, it's openly required: According to FLDS teachings, a man must have at least 3 wives in order to enter into Heaven. Girls as young as 11 or 12 are considered marrying age, and boys are often cast out of the town (bodily--it's not uncommon to see law enforcement from Colorado City driving truckloads of young men into the nearest town and just dumping them out on the streets) because fewer young men equals less competition. Because Arizona and Utah do not recognize the legality of polygamy, these multiple wives are considered "single" in the eyes of the law and are encouraged by FLDS leadership to "bleed the beast"--that is, take advantage of every social welfare program available to bring money into the town. Food stamps, welfare checks, government food donations...you name it, the multi-wives get it.
For more details, check out this documentary made by a woman who escaped a similar polygamous LDS sect:
http://www.bankingon...
Completely outrageous, but th
November 22, 2006 - 14:23 ET by dscottCompletely outrageous, but there you have it, the subsidizing of people's poor choices in life from the public coffers. This is irony of government defining a family as one adult and one child, while it doesn't recognize polygamy, it defacto supports it.
“The object of life is not to be on the side of the majority but to escape finding oneself in the ranks of the insane.” – Marcus Aurelius
Polygamy Conundrum
November 22, 2006 - 08:31 ET by jmmejzzPolygamy presents a conundrum for multiculturalists, to condem American extremists "right wingers" for the practice while ignoring polygamy in the Muslim and aboriginal cultures requires linguistic pole vaulting not seen since the days of "personally pro-life" Mario Cuomo. But of course the social undertow of polygamy is gay marriage, social activitists could care less about polygamy (too many patriarchal connotations) if however it is acceptable for Heather to have 2 mommies and a daddy, how about just 2 mommies? It is for the good of the children you know.
(SOB! When I hit the "po
November 22, 2006 - 08:32 ET by Indiana Joe(SOB! When I hit the "post" button, a survey popped up. I took it, wanting to "support" the NB's advertisers, and when I was done, my complete comment was gone! <sigh> Start again.......) ALWAYS C&P before posting, when will I learn?
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"Since then, liberal legal scholars, generally no friend of the polygamists' conservative-leaning politics, have championed decriminalization. One of them is Jonathan Turley, a law professor at George Washington University who has written two op-eds for USA Today calling for the legalization of bigamy -- and same-sex marriage."
To me, this is the crux of the whole thing. The Right's main argument against gay "marriage" has been the defense of the "traditional" meaning of marriage as being between "one man and one woman." ANYTHING the Left can do to tear that argument down, they will use it.
They will easily flip-flop on their previous stances, merely to win their cause du jure. And the MSM will NEVER point out THEIR hypocrisy, by and large. And the public will blithely follow along with the daily "talking points," ignoring or forgetting the history of hypocrisy.
It's nothing new. And, as pointed out in other comments above, once the door is opened to absolute "privacy," for the polygamists, the gays will follow, along with NAMBLA and anyone else who "chooses" an "alternate lifestyle." It's the inevitable "slippery slope" being cynically employed here.
And the 60s philosophy, "if it feels good, DO IT," will have finally gained official, legal sanction.
(Note to self: right-click, "copy," THEN "post!")
I agree, and I will add that
November 22, 2006 - 09:07 ET by dscottI agree, and I will add that the reason feminists (NOW) don't get involved in this debate is because they want an end to marriage, period. To them, marriage is nothing more than officially sanctioned slavery of women and free sex, i.e. a live in wet nurse whore. They, behind the scenes have done everything possible to destroy the institution of marriage where a male is involved. This may sound like a rant, however, if you paid attention to the bigoted anti-male hate speech coming out of NOW and their allies, the DV groups, you would understand their total silence on the issue. What better way to destroy male hegemony than to destroy the borders that define the institution which is the vehicle of their indoctrination of society. In order to remake society in your image, you must destroy the basis of that society, i.e. the family. The Communists did this in the Soviet Union and East Block. It then should not surprise anyone that much of the current Family Law edicts are a copy of the old Soviet Union's domestic laws, all pushed by NOW.
“The object of life is not to be on the side of the majority but to escape finding oneself in the ranks of the insane.” – Marcus Aurelius
GOOD POINT, dscott. Yes, the
November 22, 2006 - 09:36 ET by Indiana JoeGOOD POINT, dscott. Yes, the destruction of the traditional family unit does dovetail nicely with NOW's objectives, doesn't it? It had never occurred to me before in that context.
Thanks for opening my eyes a bit.
Regards,
IJ
dscott -NOW
November 22, 2006 - 10:53 ET by misterbillLet's write a play. We'll call it "The Penis Monologues". I have already named mine. We will create children in a Petri dish and bring them through the full cycle to birth. We will no longer need women for families. We will be the plumbers and cab drivers, etc. The NOW will be all the big time executives making most of the high salaries.
I think for Thanksgiving I will give thanks to God that my wife is a REAL WOMAN who scoffs at NOW and organizations like that. She is a proud grandmother and we did it the natural way. We love family. We are life partners. We never worry about whether men or women have specific roles. We just respect each other.
PS, I never stay serious for too long, so---You cannot name your penis "Oscar Mayer".
Mrs. MightMouth calls mine &q
November 22, 2006 - 11:23 ET by MightyMouthMrs. MightyMouth calls mine "Bubba".
"There are two types of people in this country; those who provide freedom and those who enjoy it." MM says...
"PS, I never stay seriou
November 22, 2006 - 12:37 ET by Indiana Joe"PS, I never stay serious for too long, so---You cannot name your penis 'Oscar Mayer'".
Why not? Did you already take that one? .... ;^D
How about "Quarter-Pounder with Cheese?" Or, in France, a "Royale with Cheese?"
LMAO!!!
Le Royale
November 22, 2006 - 16:10 ET by UnsaneBut Indiana Joe, do you know why the French call it that? :-)
"Socialism is the philosophy of failure, the creed of ignorance and the gospel of envy." -Sir Winston Churchill, British statesman (1874-1965)
ooh, ooh, I know! I know! The
November 22, 2006 - 16:33 ET by MightyMouthooh, ooh, I know! I know! The metric System?
"There are two types of people in this country; those who provide freedom and those who enjoy it." MM says...
Unsane, Yes, MM beat me to it
November 23, 2006 - 05:09 ET by Indiana JoeUnsane,
Yes, MM beat me to it, but I'll prove it by the punctuation: The Metric System!
But why not call it the "113-Grammer with Cheese?"
Not as "catchy," I guess! ... ;^D
Check out the big brain on In
November 24, 2006 - 02:45 ET by UnsaneCheck out the big brain on Indiana Joe!!!
(Damn, I LOVE Pulp Fiction!!! Can't ya tell?)
"Socialism is the philosophy of failure, the creed of ignorance and the gospel of envy." -Sir Winston Churchill, British statesman (1874-1965)
the wash post is a bigoted ri
November 22, 2006 - 10:31 ET by buddycthe wash post is a bigoted right wing propaganda sheet. they constantly marginalize we who love sheep and other animials. they have rights. they deserve proper benefits. i can't afford to take betty to the vet! when will sheep lovers be treated with the same respect as lesbos/homos/perverts/pedophiles and now polygamists?
Get a job with Disney, buddyc
November 22, 2006 - 12:33 ET by Indiana JoeGet a job with Disney, buddyc. I'll bet if you "co-habitate" with Betty, they'll extend full health care benefits to her.....
ROTFLMAO!!!!