16. I'll admit when I first saw news reports of this ranch, my gut reaction was "Yikes, what's with the frontier look?" I think Tim's fashion critique added some much needed humor to an understandably serious situation. It reminded me of this Amish girl who went to my high school (which was not even remotely close to an Amish area). She wore the typical long apron dress, but rather than the traditional black, hers was in a shade that could be best described as tennis-ball green (well, it was the 80s after all)! Unfortunately, people still made comments about her, but I think on some level she was trying to "fit in" and I had to give her credit for combining the then-popular neon color with such a conservative look (a bit of a non-conformist among the Amish community, I'd say!)

As far as the polygamist ranch, I do realize that at the root of all of these women's looks is that they were likely not chosen by the women themselves but required by their controlling leader so as to make them unattractive to other men. It's just the tip of the iceberg as far as what these women and children have been subjected to—a sad situation all around.

SGS at 7:59AM on May 1st 2008

17. I think this is completely, utterly brilliant. I laughed until I cried. Tim Gunn is the man, and if he had any interest in women, I would marry him.

As for the woman at the compound..Their daughters have been raped and impregnated by old perverts. They were probably used in the same way. Their children have been abused, and they were aware of it and did nothing to stop it.

They call it religion, and they may truly believe it's God's plan, but that doesn't make it acceptable. And unless they willingly escape from this cult and get psychological help and reconditioning, they do not deserve to have their children back.

Tammy at 8:16AM on May 1st 2008

18. Lilithcat, I'm totally with you. Tim Gunn is the MAN! (Well, unless you count Mo.)

Booka62 at 10:10AM on May 1st 2008

19. MO......WAAAAY TO GO!!! YOUR VIDEO BLOGS ARE MY GUILTY PLEASURE BUT I MUST REMAIN "IN THE CLOSET" TO KEEP MY "BLEEDING HEART LIBERAL" STATUS. YOU AND TIM ARE TOO FUNNY!! EVEN IF THE WOMENS STORIES ARE NOT. KEEP UP YR NERVE AND VERVE BUDDY!!

lois at 10:22AM on May 1st 2008

20. Aw Mo,

This is what we live for.

1) I totally detest the government interference in this community. From what I understand, the legal justification for going in is questionable. And I agree that it is a tragedy that these families have been basically dissolved.

Especially since these people seem to make good neighbors; they keep to themselves and don't throw wild parties. Why all the outrage?

That said, once a story like this hits the media circus, how long, really, can anybody watch a group of look-alike women who make Lucille Ball look risque? Ten, twenty times max.

So, as always, you excoriate a major social issue of personal freedom with a sense of humor. Now, imagine a cult of law abiding nuclear families which all looked like Kevin Bacon and Holly Hunter? On a good day.

Nevertheless, I suspect, if Tim had his way, this is what those prarie schooners would look like:
http://popsugar.com/1117912

JG^^

John Giza at 10:50AM on May 1st 2008

21. I don't approve of their religion or their lifestyle personally, but I think this stuff was in really bad taste. To them the dress is a religious issue, same as it is for Amish and Muslim women. What if this piece had come out after the Amish school massacre several years ago, criticising those women for how they dress (which is almost identical except for the hair and the fact that they use darker colors)? I mean really sit and think about this for 30 seconds....how would you feel if the federal government came in with guns and armored vehicles and took every single child out of your community? These people were raised to believe that was their only way to go to heaven, and to leave it is to be condemned to hell. They've never known anything different. Now their entire world has been turned onto its head. You don't have to agree with what they do, but for God's sake don't become the hateful mocking society they were told from the cradle that we really are. Show some decency and respect please.

Ali at 10:52AM on May 1st 2008

22.
These women have suffered so much and deserve to be treated with dignity.

They are humble, quiet,hard working, refined LADIES.

Devon at 2:16PM on May 1st 2008

23.
It's so sad for women to be so beaten down that
they accept marriage to whomever these old men choose, e.g. other old men. (Obviously the dowdy
dresses and hairdos aren't working!) Patriarchal
societies create zombie-like wives. The one positive aspect of their lives appears to be their
love of children. And since the other women obviously tell them this is fulfilling, they permit themselves to be mated with the dirty old patriarchs! It's sort of a rite of passage to be devoutly desired in their drab existences.

cultdetester at 11:31AM on May 1st 2008

24. Hey,

Does anyone remember recently when Mo Rocca had the flu (didn't shave in days) and got that eye infection right before he took a bath with Meg Ryan?
http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=Wl8085hx3BA&feature=related

I'm all for Polygamy, and Scrabble too. Any old board game will do.

JG^^

John Giza at 11:35AM on May 1st 2008

25. Does anyone else think their hairstyles look like the old '50s greaser D.A. (duck asses)? So I guess they want to look like Danny Zuko's gang? WHY?!

Natalie at 12:06PM on May 1st 2008

26. Aw Mo,

Yes, yes, and all that jazz,

but what I think T.G. is advocating is this:
http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=aHdRdfhGKJs

and I'm behind him 100%

P.S., I heard these women make babies with their dresses on? Didn't Monica Lewinsky teach us anything?

JG^^

GiftedGirl and S.L., please email me.

John Giza at 12:41PM on May 1st 2008

27. You're a good man, Mo. Trying to reach out and help those who need it most. Keep up the good work.

matthewdowning at 9:41AM on May 2nd 2008

28. Aw Mo,

While it appears no one is looking,
I'll say this:
Tim Gunn and Polygamy cult don't rhyme.


That said,

This is one of my most favorite songs in the whole world. (that didn't rhyme either)
http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=FD8pMIH1puw

JG

Anonymous will get this...

John Giza at 12:59PM on May 1st 2008

29. Natalie, John: I love Grease!

And how about John Travolta in Urban Cowboy?! Yummy!

As much as I would love to chat with you all some more, I really need to get back to the real world. (Gotta pay bills.) So I'll see y'all on the blog! (Shout out to Mr. Osgood!)



Oh, and one more thing, I'm the Sandy to Mo's Danny.
*Floating hearts & blushes.*

Sandy (G.G.) at 1:00PM on May 1st 2008

30.
JG...

I'd email you faster than a fart, but the birds ate the breadcrumbs. I'm challenged, that way - it's why I'll get to be a Special Victim.

You are welcome to turn up in my underwear drawer, though...

Are GG & I in trouble?
-(;o)~

Sherry

S.L. at 1:07PM on May 1st 2008