Free Discussion// Weekly Ratings from Reality Tea "A Wife Decides"

When I saw this poster, I couldn't stop smiling. When my daughter was 11, she dressed up like a cowboy and sang "Wanted: Dead or Alive!" to her daddy for his birthday...

Twisted Sister Artwork only at Sister Wives Blog and Twisted Sister's Cafe Press!

RATINGS for the week from Reality Tea:
Excerpts:
Anyway, RHONJ drew only 2.2 million viewers, which is up from last week but not exactly a great number! Hollywood Exes drew more viewers than in weeks' past, grabbing 955,000. And Sister Wives ratings also climbed due to Meri and Kody's reproductive Magic 8 Ball (all signs point to NO!) and generated 2.1 million watchers.  
Moving onto Monday night, Basketball Wives continues to experience much lower ratings than last season. Are people tired of 'Tami Troubles'? The show nabbed 1.7 million viewers again this week. Teen Mom 3 also continues to flounder, fight or no fight, pulling in 1.3 million watchers - only a slight increase from last week!
Over to the Bravo shows, Real Housewives of Miami simply cannot catch a break – just like Lea Black! Again the show generated only about 1 million viewers which is a pretty consistent season average so far.
Tamra's OC Wedding again beat the Miami girls by pulling in 1.4 million viewers which was a pretty sizeable jump up from last week! Dang – lotta y'all claiming to hate Tamra Barney, but you can't turn your eyes away… 
Thanks Reality Tea! Here's their link:   Reality Tea - Sunday Monday Ratings

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4. Additional Comment Area for Sunday's Shows!!

Wow! Keep the comments flowing!  

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3. Additional Comment Area for Sunday Night's Shows!!

Additional Comment space here for Sunday's Big Two Parter!

DISCUSS!

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2. Comment area for Sister Wives Tell All

Kody and the Wives speak to NBC News' Natalie Morales about polygamy, life in Las Vegas, and their new book detailing life in the Brown family before the cameras started rolling. In addition, Natalie also sits down with five of the Brown's oldest kids.
Seriously? Does this guy looks like he "tells all" - has he ever answered a REAL question? 

If you could ask them a serious question and they HAD to answer honestly, what would you ask? 

** Don't forget you may post on the first episode of tonight's show below on "Leaving The Nest" a couple of posts down to keep conversations flowing well!

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Browns to be discussed in Utah Court today....

UPDATED

Jonathan Turley will be appearing in federal court in Salt Lake City, Utah to argue for standing in our challenge to the Utah statute criminalizing bigamy and cohabitation. read about it at the Attorney Jonathan Turley's Blog:

 http://jonathanturley.org/2011/12/16/federal-court-considers-standing-in-sister-wives-case/
_________________________________________________
UPDATED 12/16/ Pm

(Al Hartmann | The Salt Lake Tribune) Utah Assistant Attorney General Jerrold Jensen speaks outside the Frank Moss Federal Courthouse Friday December 16 after a hearing in the "Sister Wives" family challenging Utah's bigamy law.

The "chilling effect" of an open investigation into the polygamous stars of a reality TV show should allow them to challenge Utah’s bigamy law, their attorney argued Friday in Salt Lake City’s federal court.

"Not only has the state defined them as a criminal association, you have prosecutors coming out and saying they are committing a crime every night on television," said Washington, D.C.-based constitutional law attorney Jonathan Turley. "If this doesn’t get them to come to federal court, what does, short of a federal indictment?"

U.S. District Judge Clark Waddoups took Friday’s arguments under advisement and is expected to rule in about a month.

Kody Brown and his four wives — Meri, Janelle, Christine and Robyn — sued to strike down the bigamy law in July, nearly a year after police in their former hometown of Lehi opened an investigation following the debut of their TLC show "Sister Wives."

Though the case remains open, no charges have been filed, and without criminal charges the state says the Browns don’t have legal standing to challenge the law.

Assistant Attorney General Jerrold Jensen countered Turley’s arguments Friday with a new revelation: The investigation wasn’t only about polygamy.

"Officials in the state of Utah do not prosecute for just bigamy. It is brought up in conjunction with another crime. That other crime is being investigated by the Utah County Attorney," Jensen said, though he repeatedly declined to say what it is.

Jensen argued that the injuries claimed by the Browns — including spending their savings moving to Nevada and loss of entertainment-related income — were the result not of the county’s investigation but by their choice to publicize their lifestyle on cable television.

"The Browns have manufactured a case that doesn’t exist," Jensen said.

But Turley countered that the Browns have been careful to keep any mention of the lawsuit off the show.

"This family was singled out. Yeah, they were on TV. They have a right to be on TV. What are these statements [by prosecutors] about if not a chilling effect?" Turley said.

He said the Browns did not attend Friday’s hearing due to a fear of prosecution.

To read the rest of the story, please go to:

http://m.sltrib.com/sltrib/mobile/53116796-78/law-browns-turley-attorney.html.csp

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Federal judge to hear argument in challenge of Utah bigamy law

In this publicity file image provided by TLC, Kody Brown, center, poses with his wives, from left, Robyn, Christine, Meri and Janelle in a promotional photo for the reality series, "Sister Wives." The polygamous family made famous on the TLC show is asking a U.S. judge not to block their challenge of Utah's bigamy law. Kody Brown and wives Meri, Janelle, Christine and Robyn filed a lawsuit in Salt Lake City's U.S. District Court in July 2011. The stars say the law is unconstitutional because it prohibits them from living together and criminalizes their private sexual relationships. (AP Photo/TLC, George Lange, File)


SALT LAKE CITY - A polygamous family made famous on a reality television show is asking a Utah federal judge not to block their challenge of the state's bigamy law.
Kody Brown and wives Meri, Janelle, Christine and Robyn filed a lawsuit in Salt Lake City's U.S. District Court in July. Oral arguments in the case are set for Friday before U.S. District Judge Clark Waddoups.
The stars of the TLC show "Sister Wives" said the law is unconstitutional because it prohibits them from living together and criminalizes their private sexual relationships.
Under Utah law, people are guilty of bigamy if they have multiple marriage licenses, or if they cohabitate with another consenting adult in a marriage-like relationship.
Formerly of Lehi, the Browns and their 17 children moved to Nevada in January after police launched a bigamy investigation. The Browns practice as part of their religious beliefs.
Oral arguments in the case are set for Friday in Salt Lake City's U.S. District Court.
It's not clear when Waddoups will rule.
State prosecutors contend the Browns — who haven't been charged — aren't facing any real harm because the state has rarely prosecuted individuals for bigamy without also prosecuting for other crimes, such as underage marriages, sexual abuse or welfare fraud.
"They have not been warned that if they do not cease to engage in their polygamous relationships that legal actions will be taken against them," Assistant Utah Attorney General Jerrold S. Jensen has said in court papers asking the judge to dismiss the case.
"And — what is probably the tipping point — there have been no arrests or prosecutions for the mere practice of polygamy in Utah in over 50 years."
A check of state court records by The Associated Press found at least two cases, however.
Bob Foster had three wives when he was arrested and charged with bigamy in 1974. He pleaded no contest and was sentenced to six months in Jail. He was released after 21 days and ordered to serve five years of probation. A judge also said Foster was not allowed to live with his families. Foster died from cancer in 2008. He was still married to all three women.
Mark Easterday was arrested and charged with bigamy in 1999. Authorities were alerted to Easterday's multiple marriage by his first wife as part of a custody battle during their divorce. He ultimately pleaded no contest to adultery because the divorce was finalized before the bigamy case went to trial. Easterday was sentenced to probation.
Easterday, who left Utah and is currently married to two women, told The Associated Press he believes the Browns are right to fear a bigamy prosecution.
"I know from experience that they do prosecute," Easterday said. I think they should change the law over the entire country. Why it is that in some places a woman and a woman can be married, but a man can't have another wife?"
Polygamy in Utah and across much of the Intermountain West is a legacy of 19th century Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Mormons abandoned the practice of plural marriage in the 1890s as a condition of Utah's statehood. The church now excommunicates members found engaging in polygamy.
An estimated 38,000 self-described Mormon fundamentalists continue the practice, believing it brings exaltation in heaven. Most keep their way of life a secret. In most cases, polygamous men are legally married to their first wives and marry subsequent brides only religious ceremonies.

(Source:  http://www.brandonsun.com/entertainment/breaking-news/federal-judge-to-hear-argument-in-challenge-of-utah-bigamy-law-135734138.html?thx=y)

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Christine Christine

(Sung to the tune of Kiss's Christine Sixteen)

Christine (Christine), Sixteen (kids, that is)

Christine, yeah, yeah

   She's got young Izzy, She'll see it through to the end.

She's got Prozac in hand and there's no use in pretending.

Christine, Christine

Kody drove her crazy, He needs to give it some more thought.
And she's sad every night and day, there's no use in pretending.
Christine, Christine

"I don't usually say things like this to gals your age but when I saw you
coming out of the Principal Voices meeting that day I knew, I knew
You wouldn't be the last wife forever."

She was an activist, now she's quiet as a mouse
She shared a home, but now she has her own house

We came to like her, then came to doubt her;  whoo no
Christine, Christine


Christine, Christine.  I know where you have been
(to the Principal Voices meetings)
Christine, yeah, yeah
Christine, Christine.  You are not really mean.
Christine, yeah, yeah
Christine, Christine. Don't care if you're lean.
Christine, yeah, yeah
Christine, Christine.  Your kids are "Truely" keen.
Christine, yeah, yeah.

Written by: TERRASOLA!

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Rockin Robyn!!

Rockin' Robyn

(Oh yeah!  You knew it was comin')

Twitter Twitter Tweet  Tweetly Tweet
Twitter Twitter Tweet  Tweetly Tweet

She's eating bon bons all day long
Flapping her gums and singing this song.
All the sister wives on their very own streets
Can't stand to read her Twitter tweet tweets.

Rockin' Robin Twitter tweet tweet.
Rockin' Robin Twitter tweetly tweet.
Go Rockin' Robin 'cause Kody's comin' over tonight.

All the bonus children, even Meri,
Every single member of the Brown family
The newborn baby Solomon
Must crowd around to see.
(He IS newly born, you see).

Rockin' Robin Twitter tweet tweet.
Rockin' Robin Twitter tweetly tweet.
Go Rockin' Robin 'cause you're really gonna "rock" tonight.

She's passive aggressive and very sly.
If you don't like her, she'll start to cry.
She's manipulating Meri - good at it too.
Watch your back or she'll come for you.

Rockin' Robin Twitter tweet tweet.
Rockin' Robin Twitter tweetly tweet.
Go Rockin' Robin 'cause Kody's comin' over tonight.

Written By: TERRASOLA!

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O Brown Wives Three "Sister Wives"

Please click, then scroll down. Download this mp3 from Beemp3.com

O Brown Wives Three

(sung to the tune of "O Christmas Tree")

O Brown wives three! O Brown wives three!
Thy peeves are so unchanging.
O Brown wives three! O Brown wives three!
Thy peeves are so unchanging.
Not only mean when Robyn's here,
But also when each other nears.
O Brown wives three! O Brown wives three!
Thy peeves are so unchanging.

O Brown wives three! O Brown wives three!
Much pleasure do you give us.
O Brown wives three! O Brown wives three!
Much pleasure do you give us.
How often have the Brown wives three
Given viewers greatest glee.
O Brown wives three! O Brown wives three!
Much pleasure do you give us.

O Brown wives three! O Brown wives three!
Polygamy has  harmed thee
O Brown wives three! O Brown wives three!
Polygamy has  harmed thee
Thou bidst us true and faithful be,
While Kody bonkest all of thee.
O Brown wives three! O Brown wives three!
Polygamy has  harmed thee

Written by Terrasola

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Sister Wives are NOT Witches!

Breaking news ... this just in!

The Sister Wives are ... NOT ... Witches

Recent revelations on Sister Wives have caused many viewers to call certain Sister Wives bad words (no names, but they rhyme with berry and bobbin).

So I decided to do some extensive research at the Frostbite Falls library ... well, OK, it was the 3 Readers’ Digests from 2004 at the local Barbershop that no one had stolen yet  ... on the subject of Wicca to see whether we really could call any of our favorite Sister Wives “witches”. 

I learned that the Wiccan Rede, or code, that many Wiccans follow says “Bide within the Law you must, in perfect Love and perfect Trust.  Live you must and let to live, fairly take and fairly give.”  Well, I guess it’s a big old fail on that one.  We know about the law breaking; it’s the premise of the show.  This season we’ve heard the not-so-loving commentary from Meri towards Janelle and Christine, from Janelle towards Robyn, from Christine towards chondrichthyes plagiostomi (sharks), and from Robyn towards KIDS!!! (passive-aggressively, of course).  As for trust – when I first read the Rede and thought about the SWs, the Pepsi I was drinking shot out my nose (Sorry, Atlanta).  Just read our bankruptcy postings about the fairly taking and fairly giving stuff. 

“Light of eye and soft of touch, speak you little and listen much.”  The Rede-crafters must have had Robyn in mind with the “speak you little” part.  You might want to nominate your favorite stink-eye picture for the light of eye part.

“When you have and hold a need, harken not to others greed.” Admittedly, we don’t know whether the SWs have told Kody that keeping a sports car is knuckleheaded when they haul broods the size of sports teams around in fixer-upper jalopies.  But really ladies!  Don’t let the built in competition keep you from saying what needs to be said.

“With a fool no season spend or be counted as his friend.”  Snicker, snort.  Sorry Kody, but isn’t the SW Blog all about this?

“Merry Meet and Merry Part bright the cheeks and warm the heart.”  This phrase talks about fellowship.  We were told in Season 1 that there was a lot of fellowship among the SWs.  Now, not so much.  I feel a chorus of “liar, liar, pants on fire.” Coming on.  Any one want to join in?

“Be true in love this you must do unless your love be false to you.”  Many posters are pointing out that the SWs are “true” to Kody, but the very nature of polygamy requires him to be untrue to the SWs.  Sorry gals.

“These eight words the Rede fulfill: an it harm none, do what ye will.”  This has been interpreted to mean that Wiccans / witches must think long and hard about the consequences and impacts of their actions BEFORE they act.  What a concept!  Sure wish the SWs actually subscribed to this one because they would cause a lot less mayhem, especially with their kids. 

Since I have decided that the Sister Wives aren’t witches, I guess I’ll just call them b...itches.

N.B.: Yes, I know that not all witches are Wiccans and not all Wiccans call themselves Witches ... but, as Mom always said, close enough for hand grenades.

Written by: Terrasola!

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Love Should Not Be Divided (or I know how to multiply ... fractions) "Sister Wives"

As some posters wisely pointed out, my previous post on how much time Kody can theoretically spend with each of his children omitted one very important thing ... the time he spends with his wives.   So let’s rectify that and re-do the math:

Scenario A:  Equal Time

If Kody spends equal time with each wife and family (i.e. 1 night in 4, or 25%, with each) , this is how much time, theoretically, he has for each of his wives and children:

1. Meri's family  (Meri + Mariah) 2 = 12.5% each

2. Janelle's family (Janelle + Logan, Madison, Hunter, Garrison, Gabriel, and Savanah) 7 = 3.6% each

3. Christine's family (Christine + Aspyn, Mykelti, Paedon, Gwendlyn, Ysabel, and Truely) 7 = 3.6% each

4. Robyn's family (Robyn + David Jr. [AKA Dayton], Aurora, Breanna, and Solomon) 5 = 5% each

Scenario B:  A Favored Wife and Unequal Time

If Kody spends more time with his newest wife, Robyn, as many people speculate that he does (for example: Let's say he spends 2 nights out of every 5, or 40%, with Robyn and her children and 3 nights out of 5, or 20% each, with the other 3 wives and their children), this is how much time, theoretically, he has for each of his children:

1. Meri's family  (Meri + Mariah) 2 = 10%

2. Janelle's family (Janelle + Logan, Madison, Hunter, Garrison, Gabriel, and Savanah) 7 = 2.9% each

3. Christine's family (Christine + Aspyn, Mykelti, Paedon, Gwendlyn, Ysabel, and Truely) 7 = 2.9% each

4. Robyn's family (Robyn + David Jr. [AKA Dayton], Aurora, Breanna, and Solomon) 5 = 8% each

You can see how Meri’s plan is backfiring on her under this scenario as Robyn now has almost as much of Kody’s time and attention as Meri does.

When Kody is with each family, those family members focus their attention (either positive or negative) on him; it appears he is usually everyone else’s number 1.  No wonder he comes across as an arrogant ass.  Due to sheer numbers, Kody cannot focus his attention on any one person without neglecting another (for example, neglecting the children to spend time with the wife).  In a family with this size and configuration it is very difficult for the father to be fair and equal with his time.

In addition, for the father to be able to focus on family members during his visits, he must not pay attention to household issues (chores, repairs, finances, school issues, etc.).  This means that the wives must do those things, functioning as single parents, and that the husband functions without the normal responsibilities that accompany marriage and parenthood.  It may be a “superior way of life” for someone, but that someone appears to me to be only the husband/father, while responsibilities multiply for the wives, and attention and resources are divided for the children.

Written by: TERRASOLA

 

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KODY BROWN

I am calling BS! Last week he was upset TLC put up a "Hair" Clip and his "facebook friends" couldn't TALK about his hair, now he does himself? What a cheeze.

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Kody Brown Says 'Courting' Multiple Wives Isn't Easy

KODY BROWN has some wise advice for a friend of his who wants to have his own plural marriage - it isn't easy!

In an exclusive sneak peek of Sister Wives obtained by RadarOnline.com, the dad of the polygamist family talks openly with his friend Andy about marrying a second wife.
"I didn't say it was easy, I think frankly you know better," Kody tells his friend. "Have you ever tried courting a second wife?"


Andy and his wife Nicole used to be neighbors of the Browns in Utah, and said they support a polygamist lifestyle, even though they don't have a second wife yet, but Andy has some rules.  "A 37-year-old man better not be looking at an 18-year-old woman," Andy tells Kody.


Check out Sisters Wives to find out if Kody's advice helps his friends decide if they want to have their own sister wives Sunday on TLC at 9/8c.  In the meantime,  here's another sneak peek of the episode:

http://www.radaronline.com/exclusives/2011/11/kody-brown-says-courting-multiples-wives-not-easy-video

(Courtesy Radaronline)

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Responsibility Character Counts Part 4 "Sister Wives"

**Be sure and check back tonight for some of Cynical's Review!

Love always involves responsibility

William Barclay

Character Counts Part 4

Continuing on with our character series, we come to the 3rd pillar of character, Responsibility.  When we are responsible we own our choices and their consequences; we are accountable for what we do and who we are.  Freedom to make meaningful choices and responsibility are linked.  We have to have real freedom to make real choices in order to have true responsibility for those free choices.   Can we hold Christine responsible for the consequences of fleeing Utah at the drop of a hat if she did not want to go and tried to express her opinions, but was prevented from, or intimidated from, doing so?  It is a complex question but one thing is certain, we can hold people responsible for taking free choice away from others.

So what is responsibility if it is so complex?  It involves freedom to be responsible, accountability, pursuit of excellence, and self-discipline.  A responsible person assumes accountability for their actions and does not try to shift blame to someone else, such as blaming others for feeling betrayed about a change in faith.  Sure, we all think Kody’s friend Ken is a bit over-the-top, but Kody is accountable for the way he told Ken about his change in religion and how he handled the strain on their friendship (and yes, Ken is accountable for his own actions, too).   Responsible people are also accountable for their financial decisions – ‘nuff said.

Responsible people are always trying to improve themselves when it is important to do so; for example, to improve their money management skills.  They are diligent and they persevere in continually trying to improve the skills that they need in work and in life.  HINT HINT HINT.

Responsible people also exercise self-discipline and self control, foregoing such things as the big house they “deserve” when they clearly cannot afford it for the sake of their long term well being.  Again HINT HINT HINT.

Speaking of responsibility, check this out! Poor kid! 

By: TERRASOLA

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Character Counts!! Sister Wives

Character Counts 

Since the opening scene of Sister Wives season 3 (since the Brown family filed their lawsuit against the State of Utah, really) my thoughts have turned to the issue of character.

My parents taught me that character, a person’s moral and ethical qualities, defines a person.  You may lose all your possessions and wealth, your job, and your loved ones through circumstances beyond your control, but your character will remain.  In a number of organizations where I have worked, character – beyond all other education, skills and/or abilities – will get you or lose you the job.  Yes, character is that important.

We all have ideas about what makes up a person’s character.  So I turned to the trusty Internet and learned about the “Six Pillars of Character” that a lot of U.S. schools are using to teach character to our kids.  These pillars are:

This is the start of a multi-part series examining the Brown family and their recent actions in light of the Six Pillars of Character.  Stay tuned and please feel free to express your thoughts.  None of us are perfect, but most of us try to do the best we can; as Michael J. Fox said, “I am careful not to confuse excellence with perfection.  Excellence, I can reach for; perfection is God’s business.”  

Honesty is Such  A Lonely Word

Character Counts Part 2

Today I would like to talk about trustworthiness.    Being trustworthy is complex.  We understand on a gut level what it means, but it can be difficult to explain in words, which is why many of us find it difficult to explain sometimes exactly why we don’t think someone is trustworthy (such as one of the Browns).   It involves being honest, having integrity, keeping promises and being loyal.  To make it even more complex, trust may mean different things to different people and in different situations.

Honesty is such a lonely word. Everyone is so untrue. Honesty is hardly ever heard. And mostly what I need from you. Billy Joel, “Honesty”

The most fundamental part of being trustworthy is honesty.  Honesty is more than not lying.  When we communicate to others, being honest includes being truthful, or expressing the facts as we know them.  It involves sincerity and being genuine, and not tricking people with half truths, omissions, or being misleading.  It also incorporates candor; this means that needed information is volunteered rather than being withheld and that we are frank and forthright.

Being honest in your actions involves playing by the rules without cheating, stealing, defrauding or tricking.  My personal opinion is that the Browns’  “rotating bankruptcies” method of financial sustainability is a type of trickery, but others may not share my opinion.

This is one of the things that bothers me about Kody, Meri, Janelle, Christine and Robyn Brown.  I am not sure that they have been honest about their reasons for moving to Nevada.  Was it because of the threat of prosecution or not?  Janelle’s differing responses confuse me (See Mister Sister’s post on Janelle Brown’s affidavit:  http://sisterwivesblog.blogspot.com/2011/10/janelle-brown-excerpts-from-court.html).  I am also not sure of their true reasons for suing the State of Utah, their ultimate goals in pursuing this suit, or who their advisors are in this endeavor (who is behind the scenes).  I haven’t even touched on their reluctance to discuss their religion, even with multiple outlets of Facebook, Twitter and media interviews – or the recent MLM issue.  Looking at this evidence I cannot say that I consider them to be honest.

Trustworthiness also includes integrity.   People of integrity act according to their beliefs.  They do not ditch those beliefs because it is convenient, for instance, when discussing moral issues with their teenagers, or when faced with financial difficulties.  There are so many examples that I consider to show the Browns’ lack of integrity that I cannot list them all.  I’d love to see them discussed in the comments for this post.  

In my post on hypocrisy (http://sisterwivesblog.blogspot.com/2011/10/but-they-seem-like-such-honest-people_19.html) I discussed how I feel the Brown parents do not keep promises.  I feel that “Sister Wives” showed how the parents misled their teenaged children into believing that the kids would have religious choice and meaningful input into family dialogue, which was televised to not be the case.  It is one thing to say that your family is not a democracy and mean it, but another to say you will listen to your teens and then to shut them down when they try to participate in family discussions.

Finally, trustworthiness involves loyalty.  Loyal people do not play off one partner against another.  They do not betray confidences.  My personal opinion is that polygamy is antithetical to loyalty. I think that being loyal to a spouse involves responsibilities to promote that spouse’s best interests.  How can you do that in plural marriage when  spousal interests conflict?  Answer, you must prioritize one over the other, only satisfy partial interests, or choose none – none of this sounds particularly loyal to me when all spouses are supposedly equal.  As per Matt 6:24, “No one can serve two masters.  Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other.”  While the Bible was discussing faith and money, this also holds true in matters of love.  I do think that there are limitations on loyalty when maintaining loyalty would be contrary to our integrity.

Next time I will discuss respect, and possibly responsibility (if I feel like it and I don’t have anything better to do – like flipping my hair around).

Resource:  http://josephsoninstitute.org/MED/MED-2sixpillars.html

1.       Phrase borrowed from the Josephson Institute:  http://charactercounts.org/

WRITTEN BY: TERRASOLA~
 

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'Sister Wives' say bigamy probe harms their family

The family from cable television's polygamous Sister Wives reality show has told a federal judge in Utah how much they've been hurt by the threat of prosecution under the state's bigamy law.
Kody Brown and his wives wrote in new court papers that they've lost jobs, were forced to move to Nevada, and suffered harm to their reputations after police launched an investigation last year after the fall 2010 launch of their TLC show.
In July, Brown and wives Meri, Janelle, Christine, and Robyn filed a lawsuit challenging Utah's bigamy law in Salt Lake City's U.S. District Court. They contended the law is unconstitutional and unfairly applied to polygamists.
"Because the Browns are open about their polygamist lifestyle, the criminal bigamy statute has the effect of publicly labeling them as presumptive felons," the Browns' Washington-based attorney, Jonathan Turley, wrote in court papers filed Monday. "The statute further brands them as immoral and societal outsiders."
The papers were a response to a petition filed by the Utah Attorney General's Office asking a federal judge to dismiss the case. It wasn't clear Tuesday whether a judge would issue a decision based on the court pleadings or schedule a hearing for oral arguments.
State prosecutors contend the Browns, who haven't been charged, aren't facing real harm and won't likely face prosecution, because the state has rarely prosecuted individuals for bigamy without also prosecuting underlying crimes, such as underage marriages, abuse, or welfare fraud.
But the Browns said that the harms to their family are real and that the public statements of Utah County prosecutors actually support their contention that prosecution remains a threat. In one magazine article, for example, Deputy Utah County Attorney Donna Kelley said "the Browns have definitely made it easier for us by admitting to felonies on national TV."
Turley contended such statements had had a "chilling effect" on the family's right to free speech, influencing what they can say publicly or on their TV show, and curtailing their ability to practice their religion.
Affidavits from Kody, Meri, and Janelle Brown detailed financial impacts on the family. Those included a loss of sales accounts for Kody Brown and the termination of Meri Brown's employment because her bosses were concerned about the criminal investigation and the public statements suggesting she was a felon.
Our continued labeling as presumptive felons has proven a barrier in finding new positions for the adults in Nevada," Kody Brown stated in his affidavit. Other financial impacts included a loss of health insurance, moving expenses, increased housing expenses, and travel expenses because the Browns must travel back to Utah if they want to attend their church.
The Browns also stated that their children, more than a dozen of them, had also suffered at school, where some had endured remarks about their family being labeled criminals.
Under Utah law it is illegal for unmarried persons to cohabitate, or "purport" to be married. A person is also guilty of bigamy if he holds multiple legal marriage licenses.
The third-degree felony is punishable by up to five years in state prison. Both men and women can be prosecuted under the law, which also applies to unmarried, monogamous couples who live together.
Like most polygamists in Utah, Brown is legally married only to his first wife, Meri. He subsequently "wed" Janelle, Christine, and Robyn in religious ceremonies.

(Source: Courtesy of:
http://articles.philly.com/2011-10-20/news/30301762_1_meri-brown-sister-wives-sister-wives/2)

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Janelle Brown - excerpts from the Court Filing. 11/18/2011

The Brown's filed with the court again. Let's face it, all of this was a political ploy to get Polygamy Legalized since the get go, IMO. But will they never cease to amaze me? I don't think so.
Janelle Brown filed in court yesterday an affidavit which said, "We decided to move to Nevada to insulate our children from the pressures and threats of prosecution."
Yeah, that's what we bought into with all those tears, until we saw this......
Let's take a trip down memory lane...

 

I remember how STUNNED I was to see you all LAUGH it off!!!

(You can refer to the posts, too, if you like) 

http://sisterwivesblog.blogspot.com/2011/07/part-2-sister-wives-moving-over-fear-i.html
http://sisterwivesblog.blogspot.com/2011/07/sister-wives-some-questions-about.html

Here are the highlights of her affidavit:

• I have been repeatedly confronted by statements that we are in a criminal association for following our faith and my children have been subjected to such comments at school.

• I handle much of the finances for the family and I can attest to the considerable costs associated with being both under investigation and the target of public comments by prosecutors.

• After the announcement of the investigation of the family under the bigamy statute and the statements of prosecutors, family members lost their jobs and found it difficult to secure new jobs since no one wants to hire someone publicly identified as a target for prosecution.

• We decided to move to Nevada to insulate our children from the pressures and threats of prosecution.

• The rental that we secured in Nevada to house the whole family while we looked for homes cost $6000 for that first month alone.

• These costs include the rental of new homes for the family and moving costs that largely exhausted our savings.

• This included a loss of thousands of dollars on pre - paid rent due to termination of leases before the end of the specified period; loss of deposits; thousands of dollars for moving truck rentals and costs; and monthly rental payments that are roughly $2500 more than the monthly cost of our home in Utah.

• We have had to take steps to prepare for any possible arrest to be sure that our children are protected and taken care of if the state decides to move forward with charges.

• We literally live day to day without knowing whether our family will be destroyed by a decision of some prosecutor in Utah to charge us.

• The stress has had a pronounced impact on our children and myself in loss of sleep, stress, and uncertainty.

• If this law were found unconstitutional and this threat lifted from our family, we would feel free to finally return to Utah and would certainly resume our open participation in our religious community.


**(posting Kody's and others a bit later to talk about)What do you all think? Did you see any of this fear? About jobs, don't they have a BIG ONE with TLC? They know they are not going to get prosecuted. They want the law changed. Open it for them, you open it for all the Warren Jeffs in the world. I want to hear what you think of her statements.
I will end with this comment from GP:  

"Only in America can you sue the government for enforcing laws."

 

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What's in a name.... "Sister Wives" "Kody Brown" "Robyn Brown"

What's in a name....

Well, one little fact is that is why you have all the "sons" at the end of a name.... 

Johnson (John's son), for way back when, there were so few people they didn't need 2 names.  NOW, the surname brown means (Quite Shockingly)

Brown is generally a descriptive surname (nickname) referring to the color of the individual's complexion or color of hair.
What is shocking is  if Kody's family came from a "brown" complexion- that would be a kicker, now wouldn't it? They are all awfully blonde... just sayin...

With a first name, you can kill a kids self esteem for life, or give them a name every class will have 15 of. Or, you can get so unique, in 20 yrs everyone will be looking at you twice. Apple? Really?

So what is the new pitter-patter of little feet going to have to put up with, besides that gaggle of family already set up for him or her, or that pie jaw smiling at you all the time.

 

What ya gonna call that kid?

With the seemingly simpleton crying mom and the self-absorbed egomaniac male donor, this should be pretty simple. Do you think they will surprise us? WE played this once before- but this one sticks, lets see if we have a winner. And yes, you can put down a name if that's what you TRUELY heehee thought of beforehand. Pretty simple, you can add later, more than one, we don't care! Just be HONEST - -and not add a good one you SAW on here.

My Boys name is Kody Winn... or maybe spelled KoDee since I believe her step dad's name is Dee, I haven't decided the girls yet, it hasn't stuck me, but it will be on here before the show Friday. I am mulling. KoDee could be a girl, too, I guess.  Oh! I got another , KOBYN!!! IDK, they may be my girl's names, too. I am playing with Winnie.

Hey, we can make up some really silly ones just for fun.

Seriously, babies are a joy, well, most of them are, and we're just playing, so no one get their diapers in a bunch.

So, NAME THAT BROWN BABY, BOY OR GIRL!!!!  

Isn't this cute?

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