Little town - big secrets...

This is where my father was stationed during his very last assignment for the U.S. Air Force. It's called "Pave Paws"- PAVE is an Air Force code word. PAWS is an acronym for Phased Array Warning System. Unlike older mechanical radars, PAVE PAWS is steered electronically, allowing for greatly increased speed an accuracy. The primary mission of this system was to detect the launch of Soviet missiles from submarines. It was very top secret...at the time.

Fun Facts: Did you know that those big octagons are actually big radar dishes? They are called "faces." When one was activated, the radiation from it (on the outside) could kill you! Seriously! Some farmers down the hill from this thing complained that their cattle were getting poisoned by it. They probably were - there were enough dead birds around there! The photo is deceiving though - the faces are pretty high up on the building and you couldn't walk in front of one directly without a lot of effort and rope.

Anyhow...why do I think you might be interested? Well, it happens to be located in Eldorado (pronounced el-do -ray-do by the locals), TX! The very same Eldorado, TX that is now all over the news with regards to the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints sect. I cannot believe it! If you knew how tiny this patch of dirt "town" was, you'd be amazed too. It is hard to imagine that this "compound" was built there. I wonder if it was built on the area where Pave Paws was? It has been many, many years since I lived in San Angelo, TX (the nearest large city)...in fact, I graduated from San Angelo Central High way back in 1989. I wonder if I know anyone there? It is an entirely strange feeling reading about the things going on there.

For the record, I think what is happening there is just terrible - for everyone involved. I feel bad for the abused women and children, and also for the families that are being forced to give up their children. I think it is terrible that they cannot locate the young woman who called the complaint in - what happened to her? I feel sorry for those who are trapped in this 'society,' yet I also feel bad that families are being forced apart. I worry how these children will be able to adapt to a world entirely different from the one they know as they are thrown into foster care. (That they are leaving this to San Angelo courts is crazy...if you think Columbus is a "cowtown," you ain't never been to San Angelo!) I'm not going to dissect these people's choices and religious beliefs, but I would like to say that this is not how 'all Mormons' are. I was very good friends with a member of the Church of Latter Day Saints and this was not part of his beliefs.

Most of us just shake our heads in disbelief when it comes to the news of this raid...it's hard to believe that this sort of thing is happening in the 21st century. It is especially hard to understand when the females look like they belong in an entirely different century! Regardless of the situation, I cannot be convinced that these mothers do not care for and love their children. I feel for them and the uncertain future they now face.

I still just can't believe that this is happening in little ol' Eldorado, TX!