Congratulations are due to occasional Driver 8 reader Ian Williams on the publication of his first story for Salon.com:

The Church of Latter-day constraints
A former Mormon says that the sheltered environment of Elizabeth Smart's religion might explain why she didn't run from her captors.
By Ian R. Williams
March 18, 2003

I haven't paid much attention to the Smart's story, but the narrative emerging from it (that Elizabeth may have been less hostage than willing participant) is quite attractive, if chilling. The Raven has briefly discussed the issue (wearily saying: "The poor kid's head is probably messed up something awful, and I for one don't need to know any more"), but the most interesting discussion on it has come from Pipeline's Doug Hennessee, who finds the whole media coverage... odd.

Media Coverage and the Smart Case
...I think it's interesting, the choices the media makes in the facts they report... Maybe when you have a story in Utah, an abductor who is a proclaimed polygamist, and a father who is thanking God, it's a part of the story to go into their faith. Maybe the newspapers know that question is going to be on the minds of some.

The Spin In The Smart Case
I find several interesting things in the story [of the Smarts controlling the media coverage]... Perhaps I'm reading more into this story than really exists. I do find the grandfather's reassurance that Elizabeth is still "pure", to be interesting on a few different levels, though.

More Smart
Why aren't Elizabeth Smart's parents getting more heat for bringing strangers home with them? I know, hindsight is 20/20, and I know, we are supposed to help those in need... But come on. You can't just be bringing people home off the streets. And I don't want to discriminate against the homeless. It doesn't matter where you meet people or who they are; you can't just be bringing unknown people to your home on a regular basis, regardless of social status. I think it's irresponsible, especially when you have kids. There are a lot of ways to help the homeless without bringing them to your house.

Tell it like it is, Doug.