# This whole Elizabeth Smart thing is getting ridiculous **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [October 27, 2003, 8:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/this-whole-elizabeth-smart-thing-is-getting-ridiculous/209904 "2003-10-27T20:06:23Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![dantheman](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dantheman/32/9421_2.png) [@dantheman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dantheman)\ **Post date:** [October 28, 2003, 3:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/this-whole-elizabeth-smart-thing-is-getting-ridiculous/209904/41 "2003-10-28T15:57:22Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Mojo \* > \*\*on preview- you’re out there too, **Dantheman** - do you have any evidence that what the media has “spoonfed” us is in any way incorrect? “Emmanuel’s” own relatives said that he was dangerous and said it was likely that he would’ve kidnapped someone. \*\* I never asserted that what we’ve been spoonfed was incorrect, so I feel no real need to prove it. All I said was that what we’ve been told may or may not be true. It is not completely unthinkable that she went willingly, although it’s not likely. **kung fu lola** has my meaning down correctly. ---
**Author:** ![Monty](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/monty/32/47_2.png) [@Monty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Monty)\ **Post date:** [October 28, 2003, 4:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/this-whole-elizabeth-smart-thing-is-getting-ridiculous/209904/42 "2003-10-28T16:12:15Z")
Wasn’t she under the age of consent at the time? Doesn’t that still make it abduction? ---
**Author:** ![Mojo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/85f322/32.png) [@Mojo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mojo)\ **Post date:** [October 28, 2003, 5:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/this-whole-elizabeth-smart-thing-is-getting-ridiculous/209904/43 "2003-10-28T17:37:56Z")
That’s what the cops and media say, but that’s not how the drifter who believes he’s god tells it.:rolleyes: ---
**Author:** ![kung\_fu\_lola](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/f4b2a3/32.png) [@kung\_fu\_lola](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kung_fu_lola)\ **Post date:** [October 28, 2003, 5:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/this-whole-elizabeth-smart-thing-is-getting-ridiculous/209904/44 "2003-10-28T17:48:13Z")
Do you have to be over the age of consent to walk out of your own home without your parents knowing about it? _shrug_ ---
**Author:** ![Diane](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/2acd7d/32.png) [@Diane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Diane)\ **Post date:** [October 28, 2003, 6:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/this-whole-elizabeth-smart-thing-is-getting-ridiculous/209904/45 "2003-10-28T18:08:40Z")
> [@](#): > > That’s what the cops and media say, but that’s not how the drifter who believes he’s god tells it. Uh no. Emmanuel doesn’t believe he is God, he believes that God told him to steal Elizabeth to be his wife. From what I have heard, Emmanuel hasn’t denied kidnapping Elizabeth. You people who make assumptions about her willingness to go with him amaze me. She was an innocent, naive 14 year old threatnened and taken from her bed in the middle of the night. ---
**Author:** ![PunditLisa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/4af34b/32.png) [@PunditLisa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PunditLisa)\ **Post date:** [October 28, 2003, 6:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/this-whole-elizabeth-smart-thing-is-getting-ridiculous/209904/46 "2003-10-28T18:32:42Z")
> [@](#): > > If they simply want to get the word out about her spiritual odyssey, why charge anything more than the cost of the book? Maybe they are intending to donate profits to their church, or to the Center for Missing and Exploited Children, as they did with the funds that were left in their daughter’s recovery fund. I refuse to speculate on some dark motive when I have no insight into their hearts. I’ll give them the benefit of the doubt that I hope others would give to me. ---
**Author:** ![Mojo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/85f322/32.png) [@Mojo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mojo)\ **Post date:** [October 28, 2003, 7:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/this-whole-elizabeth-smart-thing-is-getting-ridiculous/209904/47 "2003-10-28T19:01:05Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Diane \* > \*\*Uh no. Emmanuel doesn’t believe he is God, he believes that God told him to steal Elizabeth to be his wife. > \*\* My mistake, although “crazy drifter” was really the focus. ---
**Author:** ![dantheman](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dantheman/32/9421_2.png) [@dantheman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dantheman)\ **Post date:** [October 28, 2003, 7:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/this-whole-elizabeth-smart-thing-is-getting-ridiculous/209904/48 "2003-10-28T19:07:34Z")
I hope you’re right, Lisa. You probably are. They do seem to be genuinely nice people. Time will tell. ---
**Author:** ![Monty](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/monty/32/47_2.png) [@Monty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Monty)\ **Post date:** [October 28, 2003, 7:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/this-whole-elizabeth-smart-thing-is-getting-ridiculous/209904/49 "2003-10-28T19:25:27Z")
Time will tell that the family of the victims are genuinely nice? Damn, that’s mighty nice of you. BTW, I do believe that on occasion time is measured in nanoseconds. ---
**Author:** ![dantheman](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dantheman/32/9421_2.png) [@dantheman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dantheman)\ **Post date:** [October 28, 2003, 7:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/this-whole-elizabeth-smart-thing-is-getting-ridiculous/209904/50 "2003-10-28T19:27:39Z")
No, time will tell what they plan to do with the proceeds. You were so close. ---
**Author:** ![wring](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/838e76/32.png) [@wring](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wring)\ **Post date:** [October 28, 2003, 7:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/this-whole-elizabeth-smart-thing-is-getting-ridiculous/209904/51 "2003-10-28T19:28:38Z")
**Monty** et al - REmember the Clintons? they asked, respectfully, that their daughter be given a pass by the press, and they managed to achieve 8 years of living in the White House but not being the center of attention. There’s any number of celebrities who’ve decided they don’t want their children in the spotlight and they’re not. Others parade their kids about at every opportunity. If folks are camped at their doorstep, theres’ restraining orders, laws etc. The Smarts are courting the attention. yes, interest will come around again at the trial. that being a criminal case, there will be some contact. But they’re actively courting it. I get it that y’all don’t see a choice for them, that there’s some level of spiritual oddysee etc. Fine. We have different opinions. And at the end of the day, it is indeed their choice about their daughter’s life. and they’re free to make that choice. As am I free to be as skeptical as I was with Bennifer when they announced, several times, during their one hour special interview how happy they were that all the media attention had gone from them and onto Demi and Ashton. ---
**Author:** ![Tinkertoy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/f19dbf/32.png) [@Tinkertoy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tinkertoy)\ **Post date:** [October 28, 2003, 7:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/this-whole-elizabeth-smart-thing-is-getting-ridiculous/209904/52 "2003-10-28T19:46:52Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by wring \* > **Monty et al - REmember the Clintons? they asked, respectfully, that their daughter be given a pass by the press, and they managed to achieve 8 years of living in the White House but not being the center of attention.** The press didn’t need the daughter they had the parents. When the trial starts books and movies are going to come out anyway. Maybe they just want to tell their side before the circus starts again. ---
**Author:** ![wring](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/838e76/32.png) [@wring](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wring)\ **Post date:** [October 28, 2003, 8:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/this-whole-elizabeth-smart-thing-is-getting-ridiculous/209904/53 "2003-10-28T20:06:17Z")
As could the Smarts. But they **chose** specifically to allow the press access to their daughter. See what I mean??? ---
**Author:** ![Sat\_on\_Cookie](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/71c47a/32.png) [@Sat\_on\_Cookie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sat_on_Cookie)\ **Post date:** [October 28, 2003, 8:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/this-whole-elizabeth-smart-thing-is-getting-ridiculous/209904/54 "2003-10-28T20:21:26Z")
I think the amount of guilt the Smarts must be feeling is substantial. This isn’t a case of Elizabeth simply being in the wrong place at the wrong time. Lois Smart brought this man into their home. In some way, they may think that having the public see how well Elizabeth is doing validates them as parents. Just my opinion. ---
**Author:** ![ccwaterback](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/df705f/32.png) [@ccwaterback](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ccwaterback)\ **Post date:** [October 28, 2003, 9:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/this-whole-elizabeth-smart-thing-is-getting-ridiculous/209904/55 "2003-10-28T21:28:30Z")
Doesn’t anyone here think the church might have something to do with this? Wouldn’t the Smart’s rely on the church’s opinion for every move they make? ---
**Author:** ![J\_String](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/ce73a5/32.png) [@J\_String](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/J_String)\ **Post date:** [October 28, 2003, 9:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/this-whole-elizabeth-smart-thing-is-getting-ridiculous/209904/56 "2003-10-28T21:36:40Z")
> [@](#): > > Doesn’t anyone here think the church might have something to do with this? Wouldn’t the Smart’s rely on the church’s opinion for every move they make? Are you for real, or are the 747s flying really low today? ---
**Author:** ![ccwaterback](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/df705f/32.png) [@ccwaterback](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ccwaterback)\ **Post date:** [October 28, 2003, 10:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/this-whole-elizabeth-smart-thing-is-getting-ridiculous/209904/57 "2003-10-28T22:05:25Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by J String \* > \*\*Are you for real, or are the 747s flying really low today? \*\* Well they wouldn’t want to go against the church if they are good Mormons, right? ---
**Author:** ![wring](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/838e76/32.png) [@wring](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wring)\ **Post date:** [October 28, 2003, 10:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/this-whole-elizabeth-smart-thing-is-getting-ridiculous/209904/58 "2003-10-28T22:15:48Z")
are you absolutely certain that bear needed prodding?? others might disagree. ---
**Author:** ![Tinkertoy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/f19dbf/32.png) [@Tinkertoy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tinkertoy)\ **Post date:** [October 28, 2003, 10:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/this-whole-elizabeth-smart-thing-is-getting-ridiculous/209904/59 "2003-10-28T22:26:09Z")
Wow! I’m beating **Monty** for once. **CC** if you truly believe the LDS church is telling these people to exploit their daughter you are an ignoranus. Ignoranus= someone who is stupid and an asshole. ---
**Author:** ![you\_with\_the\_face](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/y/ecccb3/32.png) [@you\_with\_the\_face](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/you_with_the_face)\ **Post date:** [October 28, 2003, 11:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/this-whole-elizabeth-smart-thing-is-getting-ridiculous/209904/60 "2003-10-28T23:43:42Z")
“The press beating down their door” theory is very plausible, but it still doesn’t make everything add up. Perhaps it’s the timing of all of this that bothers me. Not that much time has passed for any kind of substantial closure to have developed. I mean, it’s not like the girl was kidnapped and sexually abused ten years ago. Isn’t it strange that they are sticking their daughter in front of cameras so soon after she was victimized? I can’t imagine my parents doing something like to me no matter how much they wanted to “set the record straight”. As for the Smarts feeling beholden to the media because of its role in getting their daughter back, that theory doesn’t invite my sympathies, either. From the parents’ perspective, what should prevail: their daughter’s well-being or the interests of a bunch of rating-hungry media execs? I find it hard to believe that Oprah and Katie were camping outside their door the minute Elizabeth returned home. And even if the book they wrote is about their faith and not about the kidnapping, I’m bothered that they will be capitalizing on what happened to their child in order to sell books. I don’t know. It just seems too soon to be making lemonade from lemons. Okay, I’ll shut up now and stop ranting like a judgemental harpy. 🙂 [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/this-whole-elizabeth-smart-thing-is-getting-ridiculous/209904.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/this-whole-elizabeth-smart-thing-is-getting-ridiculous/209904.md?page=4)