Re the Trouble in Paradise segment. Althought engaged in conversation at the time I think I spotted, in part of an interview segment with your personality and an FBI agent, a notebook with a Secret Cover sheet unsecured on a desk. Having been tasked with document security during my military career, it simply struck me as out of place. I'll check an online source and look again, but did anyone else think that odd. With Wiki-Leaks and all, one would think...that's it I would just expect one to think.

Re the Elizabeth Smart segment, I find it curious that the word Mormon was not even mentioned until late in the hour, and then tangentially, in connection with Elizabeth's work as a Mormon missionary. The facts that emerged from the case show that supposedly outlawed Mormon practices are still very much in practice. People in certain parts of Utah are so accustomed to seeing Mormon polygamous families on the street that no one noticed the young girl wearing an odd outfit, her face veiled--she was accepted as a new member of her abductor Joseph's group of young wives. Joseph was a known figure in his area. His polygamy was sanctioned. This Mormon issue warranted more investigation by Dateline. This was not a typical kidnapping, as Dateline portrayed it as. It is one that needs a more far-reaching investigative study of crimes that the LNS Church ignores, right under its nose. (See Warren Jeffs, etc.)

I admire the woman's (or the girl's, at the time) courage, but I agree that the word Mormon needs to be invoked here. I'm interested in Mormonism, as it is a quintessentiallly American religion. Yet, it only seems to be overseas that I'm hounded by Mormons. I've had them approach me on city streets in London, and rural streets in Japan. I've tried to be polite and listen, but honestly, I can't believe that in 2010 (almost 2011), a woman would choose to convert to being a Mormon. The Smart parents seem so kind, and their daughter so lovable, but reading the Mormon literature I've had thrust apon me, has never given me any inspiration.

Color me skeptical about this whole case. This story has more spin on it than a dreidel. She was a 14 year old girl. I would be more likely to believe this story if she had been, say, 10. I could believe this story if I hadn't seen with my own eyes and heard with my own ears:

• Elizabeth's eyes (and her siblings' demeanor) in photos taken of the family before the 'kidnapping'. I see very unhappy children.
• Elizabeth's mother's statement that, while she took care of her dying father, Elizabeth was "here to take care of the children." and [paraphrasing here] "after his death, I decided to get back into my role as a mother and I had practically forgotten how to cook so I burned the potatoes that night and opened the window to let out the smoke".
• The father, allegedly, decided not to turn on the burglar alarm that night because the 'kids moving around in the house sets it off'. (another source)
• The body language of the parents while they were telling the story. The way she kept looking at him as if to say, "Am I saying this right?"
• The way the father, upon ES's return, took control of all information from that point on.
• ES had several opportunities to get free and have him arrested right there on the spot wherein any threat against her family would have been nothing more than that......a hollow threat.

I know this probably doesn't matter except for the fact that there is a man going to prison for kidnapping (federal crime) of which he may not be guilty. I'll give you this; if he had sex with her at all, he is guilty of statutory rape and SHOULD be in jail for that. I think it's suspicious that she did not become pregnant but that's something that wouldn't be addressed except among the immediate family members.

I wonder, too, about the other man who was accused and died of an 'aneurysm' in a Utah jail. An aneurysm? That young? That's kind of unusual, isn't it?

I'm just saying.

I think that the man who died of an aneurysm was an unfortunate victim in this case. I remember Nancy Grace being on Larry King day after day, and just accusing this man who was apparently not guilty. Nancy Grace claims to stand for justice, but seems more interested in her own publicity. It was my feeling at the time that she was complicit in his death.

Saw the story on Dateline. You no doubt will be an inspiration to most who watched the story.

as for those who may have something negative to saw well nobody is perfect " ignore their ignorance"

Your family are the only people that know you well enough to judge therefore other peoples opinions, including my own, should not matter in any way. But from what I have seen I am in aw

I am truly happy for the positive outcome for you and your family.

Re: "Trouble in Paradise" ~ I find it suprising how John's Thai attorney painted a very contradictory picture of how John's fiancee's reacted to his death. Compare that to the way John's family desribed his finacee's reaction seems just not fitting. ... Furthermore, I also find it suprising that John's Thai attorney is saying these other things AGAINST him like "He had a lot of enemies ... was not popular .. owed people money" .... Almost seems like she is trying to DIVERT focus of attention from John's fiancee to other things. .... If I were John's family I may very well look into the background of John's Thai attorney too. .

I've lived in Thailand over ten years and though I do not claim to be an expert on the Thai judicial system -- one thing for sure is money does speak louder than words there. ..... Whomever the mastermind of John's murder is -- they obviously know how to pull strings -- I would not be surprised at all IF the mastermind had bribed the judge to allow bail for the hitmen (possibly even providing the jail bond itself for these guys).

Kat,

I must agree with Erin. There is a connection to the Mormon Church in the Smart case. Not because the Smarts are Mormon. The connection is Mitchell and his wife. Mitchell and his wife were LDS at one time. As such they were taught to revere Joseph Smith. The most current Mormon Sunday school manual states that Joseph Smith, Brigham Young, and Heber C. Kimball practiced plural marriage. Even though Willford Woodruff ended the practice in the 1890s, the LDS will only say that it is no longer practiced; however, the LDS do not say the practice was wrong at the time of Joseph Smith. As a result, LDS are susceptible to modern preachers of plural marriage who persuade the unwise to return to the “restoration of all things” by participating in that Joseph-Smith-established practice of plural marriage, which dominated the early years of the LDS church. These modern preachers of plural marriage believe themselves to be the “true Mormons” and think of the LDS as “Mormons-gone-astray”.

In July, 2010, I visited friends in Mount Pleasant Utah and witnessed the construction of new homes for a polygamist sect that is growing, partly from defectors of the local LDS. You want to see polygamist in Utah? Just go to Costco in St George. When I asked my Mt. Pleasant friends why they don’t call in the law to stop local polygamy, I was told that the LDS neighbors warned the polygamist that if any under-age-wives where spotted, the police would be called. The problem is those polygamists feel justified to lie about under age marriages. They are so committed to “The Principle” that in some documented cases, they rush the 14-year-old girls into a marriage with a middle-aged man to save her from damnation. It is safe to say that at least 2 or 3 under aged girls are raped (by the standard of current laws) every year because of the practiced of plural marriage.

It is standard belief among modern polygamist that a man must marry at least 3 wives in order to obtain the highest degree of heaven. Mitchell was driven by this belief and Mitchells wife was committed to this belief as well. That is why Mitchell attempted to kidnap a third wife; an LDS girl in Lakeview California. That is why his wife helped him.

The LDS church is uniquely able to help law enforcement in these matters because it understands the history of the plural marriage problem. If LDS fathers in Utah and California understand that there are nut cases wondering the streets of Salt Lake and Lakeside, posing as down-on-there-luck-homeless men, but in reality searching for young brides, these fathers would run them off with an educated suspicion rather than welcome them into their home out of charity and put their daughters at risk.

On another site, I read Elizabeth Smart's entire testimony from a thorough recap of the trial (wasn't the official transcript but close). In addition, I read the closing arguments of the prosecution and the defense. If I hadn't read all that, from the report presented on DateLine, I don't believe I'd have a detailed perspective of Elizabeth's ordeal. Well, I know I wouldn't - too many details omitted in the report; timeline of actual events somewhat obscured, and so forth.

At any rate, moving right along, there's one comment on here that has me reeling, Skeptic in Tx. Skeptic invoked "spin" and I soon discovered why as I read the comment. I was surprised at the weak attempt to somehow exonerate "Immanuel" and blame the Smart family for what ocurred, which leads me to ask who really is, Skeptic in Tx? Does Mitchell have access to a computer at the prison? Could he be "Skeptic in Tx?" I'm just saying.

Still, I want to shout out to Skeptic in Tx for a moment. Read the trial transcript, Skeptic. Order the official transcript. Rivet your attention to Elizabeth's testimony. If you have any doubt that Mitchell kidnapped Elizabeth and, yes, raped (not statutory) her, repeatedly, all your little nagging doubts should be removed once you complete the reading.

Moreover, Skeptic, you might want to examine your own vicarious motives. You might want to ask yourself why you're in the least bit interested in finding a way out of this heinous crime for Mitchell, to the degree that you're willing to place blame on Elizabeth Smart's family as well as spinning the blame to Elizabeth, herself. Who are you, Skeptic in Tx? Really - who are you?

Threre's a lot missing in this story for me also. Glad she's back home and safe, quite a quick recovery.

Elizabeth Smart's parents should be in jail for allowing people right off the street do work in their house with young children around. That's where the problem started, with them. Where was their common sense? They are the first to blame.