neural-plasticity
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Posts posted by neural-plasticity
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I agree. I have my MA in Clinical Psychology and am working on my PhD right now, and there was something about Jer that didn't sit right with me at first. He's nice and I liked that he was upfront about his anger issues, but I felt like his parents could be helping him in ways other than making him go take it out on his weight room. I could be totally wrong, though, about the vibe I got. I also wondered if that might have influenced the break up between Jer and Mary. In my opinion (and this was only from this episode because it was the only one I really watched), he seemed a little unstable.
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I found it interesting... I was looking for some cheap new books to read on my kindle last night for an upcoming vacation and out of curiosity searched for the Duggar books. Then read the comments. I was surprised to read a review on the girls' book that said how they talk about much more "darker" topics (e.g., abortion) than their parents' books did. I think this is also easily seen on Jessa's social media accounts. She's very much more doom and gloom (or feels more comfortable coming off that way) than even her parents portray themselves! I couldn't imagine having a spin off show where Jessa spits condemning bible verses all day (on top of the fact that I also think there's no content there).
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Someone should tell that to the Duggars/Seewalds/Dillards who delete posts that don't jive with their worldview. Jessa banned me from her Instagram for an innocuous post that I don't even remember making during Kissgate. She and Ben are definitely the touchiest, but the Duggarfam account is not above banning people, either. I guess by doing this, they can continue to pretend that differing opinions exist. Okey doke then...
Agreed. I think it's funny that they want to be the victims right now because of all the "liberals" and whoever else attacking them and their beliefs, but how many times have they attacked others for their beliefs? I'm all for others having different opinions than me, but it's when people start attacking others and only think their way is the right way that I have a problem.
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I saw that the Today show covered the 911 call this morning. I missed it, though, so I'm not sure what they said about it. I also wondered if it had to do with checking on Josie's care for her seizures. I said back when that episode aired that I felt really uncomfortable with how casually they talked about her seizures and made her tell the camera, "I'm okay now" (but I won't get into that in this forum). I just can't imagine TLC really thinks they can salvage the show when the stuff just keeps on coming.... the Duggars refusing to let DHS in their home goes against the "nice" image they created. What are they hiding? If I knew I was doing everything right, I would have no problem with CPS coming to check on my kids just to be sure, especially if I was in their position.
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I'm actually really disappointed that TLC hasn't made anymore statements about the Duggars. Im also surprised.
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Preface: I didn't watch the interview. Just read summaries and recaps and reactions here, but when I woke up this morning it was one of the first things I thought about.
I'm glad that JB and Michelle "claim" their kids got legitimate help. However, it's pretty obvious that if these kids actually got it (and as everyone else is saying, due to confidentiality rules in counseling we'll never be able to confirm), it still wouldn't have been until 2006. Good for them for taking them (allegedly), but it really shouldn't have taken them until they were mandated to do so (my theory for the fact that they waited this long was because if they did take them before, counselors are mandated reporters, and would have reported the molestations earlier).
My last thought: I am totally surprised (although I shouldn't be knowing the Duggars) that they are having Jill and Jessa speak out rather than Josh himself. It's disgusting. What else makes me sad about that situation is that, from what I'm reading, it sounds like they'll basically be echoing what their parents said. I'm actually really disappointed about that and will not be watching because it will probably make me sick. Instead of creating a platform against social media, the family had an opportunity to create a platform to speak out on child molestation. They could all say, yes we were victims of this and struggled with how to handle it. If the girls really did forgive Josh along the way, they could talk about the struggles of forgiveness they had, etc. There are sooooo many things they could do to reach out to others if they really wanted to be interviewed, but instead they're going to basically repeat what their parents already said.
I also don't really understand why these girls would be so upset at social media. Yes, they outed their brother, but after reading a lot of the posts, it seemed that they almost all steered clear of mentioning that he molested his sisters. The websites that did talk about that part (like this) seemed to be really respectful towards them and what they went through. Many of us have been victims of some form of sexual assault, so a lot of where we were coming from came from empathy, sympathy, or overall concern and love.
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I agree with what a lot of people are saying about the interview being pre-recorded and questions being pre-approved. He's probably so dull and inarticulate that he needs to have all the questions before-hand to think of (maybe get help to think of....) and memorize a "good response." That's why I can't stand watching their interviews. I can't wait to hear what y'all have to say about this one though! I'm curious if they're just going to say the same stuff they said in their first family statement.
I also wonder if the girls will start being on social media again after this interview. It's odd seeing how none of them have posted anything since it came out and I wondered how long their silence will really last. it's going to be awkward to come back to social media no matter what; there won't ever be a good time. So the speculation that they might come back after this interview is an interesting idea.
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I don't think that's a very safe assumption. There were 150 Liberty Law (Jerry Falwell's school) grads working for the Bush administration, and that's one school enough younger than I am that I could have babysit it. There are a ton of traditional religious universities out there, and any number of cultural conservative commentators who owe their careers to the notice they got as activists at liberal institutions, all the way from William F Buckley to Michelle Malkin.
Disrespect for education may be encouraged in followers, but not so much in leaders. I'm pretty sure in amongst the figureheads and the legacy hires the FRC is full of people who studied law and government, because that's what they do.
True. I guess what I mean by that is (and I'm a full time graduate student) -- the name alone is misleading. what legitimate research do they do and why would anyone with a PhD/Master's from an accredited program be okay with the assumptions this organizations make. I do acknowledge that people can get degrees and still have their own personal opinions, I just couldn't see anyone from my field (psychology) being okay with having their name attached to them. It's surprising, but definitely not unlikely is what I meant to say, I guess.
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The FRC salaries were posted and the lowest paid executive was over 125k (a female) and the salaries went over 200k. Of course I believe that almost everyone else had at least a college degree if not graduate work. I would find it hard to believe Josh would be paid less. His expenses had to be very high, on top of rent instead of free Grandma Duggar's house, he had 8 vehicles with him. He could no longer grab a dealer plate like he did at the car lot. I can't imagine Maryland having dirt cheap car insurance?
Josh was there because of his last name. He flew around the country and met various supporters and had some photo ops (now I'm sure many people would love to forget they posed with him). He also did some radio shows for FRC. Not to defend his high salary but how many people had heard about FRC or followed what they were doing before Josh? I had heard about the shooting before Josh was employed there but that was it. Josh's 18 months at FRC got more people talking about it then all the other 150k executives with degrees and that is exactly why he was hired. If this scandal didn't happen, Josh & Anna and there 4 kids including a newborn would have been traveling this fall to kick off the 2016 campaigns in the FRC RV pro life tour bus. Josh was to be the face of the young conservative large family. I always thought that it was sure a high pressure job in a way that kind of part of your employment requirements is to keep having kids and traveling with your young kids. I love my kids but I only traveled with a newborn and 1 toddler on a plane 3 times, all out of necessity (funerals & wedding) and I would not want to do it as a living every election season.
It's hard to believe anyone would work there with a college degree, especially graduate work. (not discounting that, it's just hard to believe anyone with an education would feel that was a legitimate organization to work for.....)
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I think if anyone shows emotion, it will be Jim Bob. Michelle will just nod wide-eyed, and speaking very calmly, she'll minimize the molestation. "Josh was in a molesting season of life...One of his little glitches...He had desires stirred up inside of him that could not righteously be fulfilled..." Probably very little, if any mention of the girls and what they've been through. At any rate, "it brought the family closer to God, God laid it on their hearts to forgive him..." Yada, yada, yada.
I actually got a feeling from the police report that Michelle had the most pragmatic thoughts about what happened. She seemed to understand what Josh did was wrong and that he didn't really receive the help he needed, but JB was the one who just totally covered up all of Josh's wrong doings. I think Michelle then went along with JB because (no brainer) "the male is in charge." That's just my own take from the police report, though. However, I still don't think she'll admit any wrongdoings in the interview. They'll probably just say the same thing they said in the family statement. I most likely won't watch because seeing them not own up to their wrongdoings just makes me sick to my stomach. I'll wait and read everyone else's reactions!
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Here's my two cents on the show coming back, whether it be a spin off with the girls or not;
1.) If Josh was the only one to blame for this situation, I would be okay with TLC taking him off and keeping everyone else. But honestly, the main issue I have is with how JB and Mechelle handled the situation. it absolutely disgusts me. they're the ones I ESPECIALLY don't want to see and I will not watch another episode because of them.
2.) just like a lot of you, I enjoyed watching the show, getting to know the kids, and watching them grow up. I've cried numerous times during the show (when Josie was born and everyone visited her, when their grandpa died, etc.). I also felt this same way about John and Kate plus 8. when they made the announcement they were taking a break from the show I had NO idea what to do with myself (as embarrassing as that is to admit.... LOL). However, I've survived. I don't even take the time to watch Kate plus 8, even though I loved the kids. I think you guys would also be surprised at how quickly you can move on from this show as well.
it's just not worth giving the Duggars anymore money. the kids need to understand that in the real world you have to work normal jobs to afford your bills, food, kids, etc.
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Jessica Seewald also came out in defense of the abuser, now Pa Seewald posts this:
http://seewalds.com/grace-greater-than-our-sin/
If Josh was a non-Christian minority, I imagine they'd be screaming to string him up.
Of course they're going the support the Duggars and their show. The family and show has been supporting their son for the last two years. If they speak out, they risk Bin's gig in the show (if it continues). *eye roll*
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Here is something Josh said when he was courting Anna. Okay so if I had read this at the time, I would have just assumed that he felt some girls up from his church group, as that is certainly how it sounds. This is what is so sick about the Duggar's beliefs. It seems quite clear from this statement that Josh considers molesting his sister as she sleeps as the same level of wicked as having a consensual make out session with someone you're own age. Both are just "temptations". The male is tempted and the female is the one doing the tempting. One of Josh's sisters was a bad girl who tempted him while she was sleeping.
I dunno, that is the idea I am getting from what he said there. Somewhere in that whole thing is the implication of an evil temptress. If he said that publicly just a couple of years after the ordeal, then I cannot imagine how horrible his victims must have felt at that moment.
It's funny, because the sermon at my church this morning was on temptation. The pastor did NOT bring up this topic or the Duggars, but my mind really couldn't stop going back to this situation. However, like many people have already said, touching your little sisters in an inappropriate manner is a whole different temptation than wanting to use swear words...
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I'm sad to see the Seewald's support of Huckabee. Honestly, after seeing that, any hope of thinking the girls would leave is gone. They've drank the kool-aid and been brain washed for so long they have no idea how else to live. I'm really sad for them.
That picture of the children around the same time this all happened was sad too. It was especially sad to see how JB and Michelle already weren't interested in their other kids, besides the younger ones, in that picture.
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I don't think JB and Michelle will EVER address this issue on TV or be willing to film themselves working through this on television. I know everyone worries about the kids' future, but honestly, I don't support the continuation of this show. Maybe if the kids aren't getting all this attention from being on television and see what having 19 kids is REALLY like, they'd be more willing to lead realistic lives. Sometimes I've felt that Jill and Jessa (and Anna) had all this pressure to be just like Michelle or try to beat Michelle with how many kids they could have. Maybe losing the show will really make them and especially the younger kids (the Howlers and Lost Girls) look at their lives and what they want for themselves in the future a bit differently than they are right now.
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I'm still behind a couple of pages, so I apologize. But, one thing that doesn't make sense to me now that I've had 24 hours to really process it more - how was JB able to take Josh to the police when it first(ish) happened but not have any charges pressed against him? Since the sheriff was a friend was he just super vague about it ("friend, my son is sinning, tell him what happens when you sin" type of thing) or did he really tell the sheriff what happened??? If he did tell him, how did no legal actions happen? I'm asking this out of curiousity, and I'm wondering if anyone knows, as I don't know the laws very well about this type of protocol. If he didn't come out and say what happened, that makes me even more pissed at JB for covering this up until he absolutely HAD to admit to it, once it was too late to do anything. I know Josh is his son, but how can he not want to protect his daughters????
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The sad thing, too, is that if they did let those relationships happen (Joy/Si, etc.), they might have been able to show the other siblings that it is possible to have relationships with the opposite sex without any inappropriate actions or thoughts happening. You would think that when this concerns your siblings, that idea would be a given. Instead, the girls get split from their male-siblings and told they better not entice their brothers by walking around them!!
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I'm glad to see that there are people out there who are offended and outraged by his actions, like Montel Williams. I wonder what some people would think who aren't following this story as close as we are if they realized some of those underaged girls were his own sisters, and they were forced to live with him as if nothing happened for years afterwards. I wonder if that would change some people's minds who are on the fence. I want to really stress that I'm not saying his actions were worse because he acted inappropriately towards his sisters, because any case of inappropriate touching is equally wrong, regardless who or what the person was touching. However, I think a lot of us were really shocked to hear it was his sisters because, as I stated previously, they were forced to live with their abuser for years afterwards (hopefully the other victim didn't have to see him unless she wanted to, even though in the report she kind of wrote off what happened), but we also have come to know these girls for years.
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From another thread talking about this situation, I started thinking about Jana's relation with John David and how many have commented that it's pretty nonexistent being that they were twins. I wonder if a.) the fact that JD is her twin saved her from Josh's actions and b.) the fact that they're not really close is because of this situation (once her parents started separating the boys and girls after puberty). It makes me sad if Jana really missed out on having a strong(er) support system through John David. I don't have any brothers, but I've had friends who literally were like brothers to me, and I can't imagine where I'd be without their support when I was growing up (especially as a teen).
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I understand this situation is different than Honey Boo Boo's, which is why I agree with most of the posters on here who are saying TLC will probably lay low with this family until trying to release the new season this fall. HOWEVER, the problem is that Josh isn't the only person with which I have an issue. I have a SERIOUS issue with how JB and Michelle handled this situation, and then handled the next 8 years on their TV show. To me, everything they've talked about with purity and raising their children is a lie. The show is a lie. I've always known about the bigoted things they do on the side, and I try to ignore that when watching their show (however hard that has been). But I can't sit back and continue to watch the show in the same format it has been, and I can't see them willing to talk honestly and openly about what happened. JB has too much pride in himself to admit ON CAMERA that their family has flaws, and have had serious issues as a result of the cult they are in.
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I don't know if this is allowed or not so if not just let me know and I'll remove it. This is an article about how Gothard/ATI counsels sexual abuse...
http://www.recoveringgrace.org/2013/04/how-counseling-sexual-abuse-blames-and-shames-survivors/
This makes me sick. My jaw dropped.
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We've already seen that Jim Bob tried to sweep it under the rug when it happened. He put it off by not legitimately reporting it until he absolutely had to. He made it sound like, in the report, that Josh got the help and was better (even though Michelle reported something differently). I wouldn't be surprised if he told his daughters to say everything was okay, they felt safe around Josh, and to minimize the scope of the situation. He sure as heck won't come out now and admit anything wrong that he already hasn't said.
As for Anna leaving Josh, I really don't think that's going to happen. Not with their culture they're raised in. The women are expected to stay with the men no matter what (like others have mentioned, I'm sure when {if} she was told before they married, it was turned into how josh is a man and can't resist those man urges so it wasn't his fault... she probably still believes that). Also, she literally has no other purpose in life (because of how she was raised) than to marry and have kids. She couldn't support herself and four children (not like Josh could do much better now). It's a sad situation. It's sad that it happened, that it wasn't resolved properly, and it's sad for those who were affected.
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The police reports mention several separate incidents taking place months and months apart, meaning it was well over a year. This seems to have been taken from Jim Bob's statement to the police. It appears Jim Bob and Michelle did not seek counseling for Josh until after it happened repeatedly. No mention of any counseling or treatment for the girls as victims of abuse.
Jim Bob and Michelle didn't seek counseling for josh AT ALL. Their "therapy" for him was making him go build a building with a "kind of" mentor, as Michelle claims in the police report.
Honestly, I know everyone is worried about the other children if the show is canceled, but they have been on TV since they've had 14 kids and not ONE child has been "saved." unfortunately, I can't imagine any would be "saved" if they stayed on television either.
I think it would make sense that Joy was one of the sisters who was a victim. one of the victims interviewed called the penis and vagina something along the lines of "pee pee holder," IIRC. That would make sense for someone her age at the time. The Alice statement is eerily accurate.
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I would surmise that Pa Keller knew if Jim Bob really came out to the church elders. If you read Josh & Anna's story on their website (elaborated, I'm sure), they make it seem like Anna was infatuated by seeing him on TV and then met the Duggars at an ATI conference. After the conference, she felt the call of God to be with Josh. This was early 2006. Then Pa Keller and Jim Bob kept setting up meets until they started courting in 2007/2008. I would guess that Pa Keller knew exactly what was going on in Dec 2006 when everyone was investigated, but his daughter wanted to marry Josh and Jim Bob wanted somebody to marry Josh.
It also makes sense as to why we thought Josh & Anna had a separate TV contract from the Jim Bob Duggar LLC. I bet Jim Bob doesn't say no to anything Pa Keller asks of him on Anna's behalf.
and here a lot of people thought Anna hit the jackpot compared to the rest of her sisters when it comes to husbands .....
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The Next Bachelor May Be...
in The Bachelor
I actually just started watching The Bachelor/ette during Chris's season (last season) when applying to grad school as a coping mechanism. I'd never watched a full season of The Bachelorette before Kaitlyn's season but have found myself disappointed, because I actually liked watching Chris's season! I'm not sure if it was the guys or Kaitlyn herself or what, but..... blah. However, out of all the guys, I liked Ben H the best, so I'm excited that he's the next bachelor (possibly). I don't really feel like I got to know any of the guys this season, including Ben, so I'm excited to see what he's actually like. Who knows though!