Read Ebook {PDF EPUB} plygs by Ed Kociela ISBN 13: 9781535456791. This is the much-anticipated sequel to Ed Kociela's successful debut, "plygs," a fact-based novel about the people of a small, fundamentalist Mormon community and the self-proclaimed prophet who forced them to obey his twisted, demented teachings from engaging in welfare fraud to the horrors of child sexual abuse. This book completes the story of religion gone awry in the dusty barrenness of two small towns located along the state line between Utah and Arizona. It is the resolution of a story about a family torn apart by the demands of a demented prophet who controls every aspect of their lives by demanding they follow his word or face eternal damnation. Like the first book, ‘plygs2’ is also about love, lust, and greed and the heartbreaking loss of innocence that test the characters’ courage and will. “The first book was a primer on the lifestyle and beliefs of a group of fundamentalist Mormons," Kociela says. "This one pulls back the layers and exposes the vulnerabilities of a family forced to choose between its religious beliefs and belief in each other.” The book also deals with the fate of the fundamentalist prophet, wanted by authorities in three states for vicious sex crimes against children he took as brides. Kociela said he hopes the book will shed even more light on this very complex subject. “Some people shrug it off and say that consenting adults should be allowed to live whichever lifestyle they choose,” he said. “While I believe that is true, there is a subtext that often goes unrecognized in these fundamentalist groups. This is not simply about a man taking multiple wives, it is about an indoctrination, from cradle to grave, that allows for massive amounts of welfare fraud against the federal, state, and local governments; the elimination of women’s rights; the racial and sexual bigotry practiced in these communities; and, foremost, the sexual abuse against the children trapped within these cults." "synopsis" may belong to another edition of this title. Author Ed Kociela has a knack for taking his readers behind closed doors. He has taken readers into the home of a family victimized by the nuclear fallout of the Cold War Era nuclear blasts at the Nevada Test Site in “Downwinders. the play,” opened the doors to the frightening secrets locked away within a fundamentalist Mormon polygamous cult in “plygs” and "plygs2," and walks you backstage to hang out with some of the biggest stars in rock ‘n’ roll history in “It Rocked! (Recollections of a reclusive rock critic).” The book includes intimate looks at such musical giants as George Harrison, Mick Jagger, Bruce Springsteen, Tom Petty, The Beach Boys, Peter Frampton, KISS, Foreigner, Journey, BB King, Frank Zappa, Willie Nelson, Carlos Santana, Dick Clark, and many others who he interviewed, worked with, and got to know as a rock critic for the Los Angeles Herald-Examiner and music industry publicist. "Plygs" is the culmination of his 16-year career as a newspaper reporter, columnist, and city editor for The Spectrum, a Gannett newspaper located in St. George, Utah, which is located about 45 minutes from the community along the Utah-Arizona state line upon which his novel is based. "Plygs2" is the much-anticipated sequel to "plygs." It completes the story of religion gone awry in the dusty barrenness of two small towns located along the state line between Utah and Arizona. It is the resolution of a story about a family torn apart by the demands of a demented prophet who controls every aspect of their lives by demanding they follow his word or face eternal damnation. Like the first book, ‘plygs2’ is also about love, lust, and greed and the heartbreaking loss of innocence that test the characters’ courage and will. “The first book was a primer on the lifestyle and beliefs of a group of fundamentalist Mormons," Kociela says. "This one pulls back the layers and exposes the vulnerabilities of a family forced to choose between its religious beliefs and belief in each other.” "Downwinders," was one of only three presented for a series of readings by the Utah Shakespeare Festival's "New American Playwright Series" in 2005. Kociela has also written two screenplays. He is an acclaimed writer whose work has won numerous awards from the Associated Press and Society of Professional Journalists. He now works as a freelance writer and weekly columnist for STGnews, an online news outlet. ‘Plygs,’ a fact-based novel by southern Utah journalist. ST. GEORGE – STGnews* columnist Ed Kociela examines the world of polygamy in a new book now available through Amazon.com. His book, “plygs,” is a fact-based novel based on his 17-year career as a southern Utah journalist. Book cover (partial), “plygs,” by Ed Kociela, released July 22, 2012 | Image courtesy of Ed Kociela. “This is a story about how some people will do anything in the name of religion,” Kociela said. “It’s about love, lust, and greed and the heartbreaking loss of innocence.” He said although polygamy has been a part of the Utah culture for many years, the modern-day effects are still relevant politically, socially, and, most importantly, morally. “I really don’t care which religion people believe in or what consenting adults do with each other or to each other,” he said, “but when innocent children are brought into it, the picture changes dramatically. Some of these girls who are placed into marriage should still be playing with dolls instead of raising babies of their own .” “As the parent of a blossoming daughter, who was raised in a place where polygamy is a part of the culture, it breaks my heart to think of other young girls and the lives they missed because they were trapped in a religious culture that would not only deny their childhood, but womanhood and individuality as well.” The societal effects, he said, are equally distressing. “I don’t see how public officials who are so determined to run undocumented workers out of the country can sleep at night when, on one hand, they are going after a group of people who they insist are a burden on the system, while turning a blind eye to another that flaunts the fact that they are ‘bleeding the beast’ by fraudulently collecting food stamps, health care benefits, and other forms of welfare.” Politically, he sees particular relevance. “Look, we have two presidential candidates who come from a polygamous background,” Kociela said. “One acknowledges it while the other tries to distance himself from his roots. An elected public official’s religion and heritage do, whether we like it or not, become part of the greater issue and an honest examination of their beliefs — religious as well as cultural and political — is not without reason. I want to know who they are, where they come from, and what their values system is based on, and obviously, voters do too, otherwise there wouldn’t be so much discussion about it. Is that fair? You have to make your own decision about that.” This is not Kociela’s first step into the creative arts. His play, “Downwinders,” was selected for a week’s worth of readings as part of the Utah Shakespeare Festival’s “Plays in Progress” series, now known as the “Great American Playwright” series. He has also written two screenplays. This was, he says, a much different challenge. “There is an emotional attachment to every creative project,” he said. “This one? It captured my soul. Over the years, the emotional impact of meeting people from this culture and seeing how their lives were shattered tugged at my heart. Finally, about a year and a half ago, I started capturing the words that had been strung together in my mind and arranged them into this book. I purged some emotional demons in the writing of “ plygs ,” while at the same time, creating some newer, darker ones.” The book is currently available only in online form. “We talked to some people and weighed the options of searching for a literary agent and publishing house, but the thing is, I have seen what has happened to the arts since the ‘corporatization’ of the music, film, television, and book industry,” he said. “Add that to the true independence of self-publishing in a timely manner and the savings that can be passed on to readers whose wallets may have thinned in this downtrodden economy, but whose appetite for new books has not. The online world solves that problem. There is also an immediacy and intimacy involved in this medium that cannot be denied. “Plus, I am a huge believer in the revolution of ‘new media,’ as it is called. We see the traditional vehicles for communication falling by the way as more and more people turn to the Internet for news, research, and entertainment.” * Ed Kociela is an opinion columnist with St. George News. His book, subject of this article, is his own independent of and not a product of St. George News. sisterwivesblogg. Ed Kociela - Author of "Plygs" on "Polygamy USA" Dixie State Discussion on Polygamy - and Video. **Ed is answering all questions posted tonight. T oday is a great day to tie in a post about "Polygamy USA" s01e06 "The New Polygamists" Ed Kociela - Author of "Plygs" was on the show Polygamy USA after going to the discussion at Dixie State University in St. George, Utah . " Polygamist Culture and Alternative Religious Traditions " were discussed at the forum. Here's a link Dixie Today. Remember in Polygamy USA when Marleen Barlow aka Thomson, was driving to the discussion telling us how she wanted to tell her story, and how they feared "her whole family ripped apart?" The Browns had a similar storyline. well, one good reason to watch "What Love is This" below. Ed Kociela and Doris Hanson discuss if there is a reason for fear, and why the TV stars always tell us about it. In short, the Centennial Park ladies go to "tell the truth" about their lives in polygamy. Sorta like the Browns tonight. Marleen asks the crowd if they associate polygamy with Warren Jeffs or some type of abuse. I don't have a pic but UP goes Ed's hand. Ed was the long haired cool looking guy in the audience that the camera kept going back to in the episode. and next to him is his lovely wife Cara, whom also is a poster here at SWB. The camera liked the couple and kept going back to them during the show. Author Ed Kociela Questions and wife Cara observes Audience questions leads to Ed's "We have heard there are misconceptions but we're not told which ones they are." "We are told there is a difference between the CPark group and the FLDS." "What are you, where are you, and where do you stand?" Ed questions the ladies. CPAC members Polly, Marlyne Hammon, Priscilla, and Maureen Thomson (Barlow)answer Priscilla responds: "CPark people have never been a part of the FLDS. The organized after we were out in CP already.""To say that we are an offshoot of the FLDS just isn't true and one of those misconceptions." Marlyne responds, "There's laws to take care of that today. it happens in monogomy. it's not polygamy that creates these type of people, it's people that created this type of people." ______. I contacted Ed and asked him to write a little piece about the filming. We got lucky and he did. We're lucky enough to get 2 behind the scenes views of televised debates with polygamists. BIG thanks to Ed for writing this piece and overall helping me this week, and to his wife Cara, who also has been a great support and helps me when I have blonde moments and keeps me going--- THANKS GUYS. ______. FROM ED: I spent a lot of years in the media as a reporter, columnist, editor in the print field and commentator in broadcast. My blood would boil as I would hear people spit out epithets about “The Media” and its failures. But, you won’t get that by watching “Sister Wives,” “My Three Wives,” or “Polygamy, USA.” Damn media! **If you haven't already, read the new book by Ed, "plygs" a journalistic novel based on historical facts that is riveting. Many have been talking about it here the past few days. We will be reviewing the book soon! **This is another must see. Doris and Ed have such a great discussion on many facets of polygamy including the politics of, The Brown family, Polygamy USA, should polygamy be legal, well, you've got to watch it for yourself! Great show. Polygamy: What Love Is This? with author Ed Kociela (2 May 2013) Author Ed Kociela has a knack for taking his readers behind closed doors. He has taken readers into the home of a family victimized by the nuclear fallout of the Cold War Era nuclear blasts at the Nevada Test Site in "Downwinders. the play," opened the doors to the frightening secrets locked away within a fundamentalist Mormon polygamous cult in "plygs," and now walks you backstage to hang out with some of the biggest stars in rock 'n' roll history in "It Rocked! (Recollections of a reclusive rock critic)." The book includes intimate looks at such musical giants as George Harrison, Mick Jagger, Bruce Springsteen, Tom Petty, The Beach Boys, Peter Frampton, KISS, Foreigner, Journey, BB King, Frank Zappa, Willie Nelson, Carlos Santana, Dick Clark, and many others who he interviewed, worked with, and got to know as a rock critic for the Los Angeles Herald-Examiner and music industry publicist. "Plygs" is the culmination of his 16-year career as a newspaper reporter, columnist, and city editor for The Spectrum, a Gannett newspaper located in St. George, Utah, which is located about 45 minutes from the community along the Utah-Arizona state line upon which his novel is based. "Downwinders," was one of only three presented for a series of readings by the Utah Shakespeare Festival's "New American Playwright Series" in 2005. Kociela has also written two screenplays. He is an acclaimed writer whose work has bridged many aspects of the media world. As a newspaperman, he won numerous awards from the Associated Press and Society of Professional Journalists. He now works as a freelance writer and weekly columnist for STGnews, an online news outlet. His career includes newspaper, magazine, and broadcast experience as a sportswriter, rock critic, news reporter, columnist, blogger, and essayist. Over the years, his work has been featured in myriad publications ranging from the Los Angeles Times and Los Angeles Herald-Examiner to US magazine and GOAL!, the magazine of the National Hockey League. (Source: Ed Kociela, Cara Curfew-Kociela, PolygamyUSA s01e06, Polygamy: What Love Is This? with author Ed Kociela (2 May 2013) ) On the EDge: Simmering below the surface of polygamy. OPINION – On the surface, it would appear that things are changing a bit in the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints community. But, like all things FLDS-related, it’s all a matter of context. So while we hear of community events – from concerts to gatherings in the park and outreach groups to help those trying to leave the polygamous culture – the undercurrent remains swift and disturbing in the polygamous communities . Kids, described as “hooligans,” continue to take delight in lighting tire fires in the streets of the twin cities along the Utah-Arizona state line. Among sparse and grudging moves for a more open community, there is still a secretive shroud surrounding it. And, somehow, justice continues to turn a blind eye to the culture and lifestyle, as evidenced when 10 members and leaders of the FLDS Church copped plea bargains with federal officials after a raid in Hildale, Utah, and Colorado City, Arizona, turned up evidence that they had collected benefits from Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program, or SNAP, and turned them over to the church. Instead of jail time and fines, all they had to do was attend a special class on the proper use of government benefits. The only real loser in the case was interim church leader Lyle Jeffs, who was also charged and released on home confinement while he awaited trial. Lyle Jeffs, the brother of Warren Jeffs – the FLDS president and prophet who is serving a life-plus term in a Texas prison for engaging in sex with two underage wives – decided to follow his brother’s footsteps and run, using olive oil to slip out of a GPS monitoring device placed on his ankle, and get out of Dodge as quickly as possible. He is still on the run. Considering the slap on the wrists his co-defendants received it was not the most brilliant of moves and Lyle Jeffs will face additional charges and prison time when the FBI finally pounces on him. The woes of the FLDS Church spread much wider than a fugitive on the lam, however. Paragon Contractors, an FLDS-affiliated business, was ordered by a federal judge to pay fines and $200,000 in back wages to children forced to pick pecans illegally. The precepts of polygamy were struck a blow when the Utah Legislature passed a bill reaffirming the state’s stance on polygamy, although none of the state’s prosecutors seem likely to enforce it. The feds also gave the community a minor slap on the wrist when although it found the local police force and town officials guilty of discrimination against those few residents of the twin cities who are not church members, it did not disband the police force, ordering “retraining” instead. The legal troubles continue to stretch far outside of the twin cities. In South Dakota, where the FLDS has built a scaled-down complex similar to the Yearning For Zion compound in Texas, Rep. Tim Goodwin, R- Rapid City, has asked for an investigation into what is taking place behind the walls of the 140-acre fortress in Custer County where members of the FLDS Church have lived for a decade. Oddly, during that time there have been no reports of births or deaths within the compound , even though the state requires such reporting. Goodwin’s suggestion, however, was opposed by South Dakota Speaker of the House Mark Mickelson. How this will play out remains to be seen. And, in western Canada, two FLDS leaders – Winston Blackmore and James Oler – are currently on trial facing polygamy charges. The case has taken 25 years of investigation, with the final break coming from documents seized when Texas Rangers raided the YFZ compound. One document shows Blackmore to be “married” to 24 women, with Oler wed to four. It has been, and will continue to be, argued that the FLDS are merely practicing their religious beliefs, that polygamy is part of their stairway to heaven and eternal bliss. But, it is not that simple, as the convictions for pedophilia, fraud and other crimes – ranging from abatement of civil rights to murder – are a part of Mormon fundamentalist history , a part of that all-important thing called context. The morality of polygamy is not on trial here, rather the morality of the overall polygamous lifestyle. We cannot and should not regulate what takes place between consenting adults in the confines of their own home as long as they are not harming each other or infringing on the rights or liberties of others. But take that step and all bets are off. And, as we have seen, many have taken that step and married underage girls; denied women their rights; discriminated against others of different faiths; defrauded the government and others out of benefits, goods and services; or abused and illegally used children in the workplace. We’ve seen the families on television’s reality shows extolling the virtues of their polygamous beliefs and claiming persecution, and maybe in those isolated instances, they are, perhaps, true believers who think that the road to eternal salvation is lined with multiple wives and hordes of children. But the simple fact is, when those wives and children are abused, when they are supported on the public dime, when they are given no choice in their beliefs or lives, then that is an aberration of the basic liberties and freedoms guaranteed to all. That only comes, however, when you look beyond the scandalous headlines, go deeper than the titillating stories and check your prurient curiosity at the door. Ed Kociela is an opinion columnist for St. George News. The opinions stated in this article are his own and may not be representative of St. George News.