Sweet Fellowship: Duggars and Friends (aka the Bates Family and Other Featured Families Thread)

[Mojitogirl]

The Duggar’s and Bates appearances on the various TV shows dont pass the smell test to me. I feel that there is a PR person calling around and making them available and “seen” for sound bites. It’s too coincidental that with the urgency of things going on down there and the amount of (legitimate) people heading over there that at least 2 of the major networks focused on them. Since Jana is there, it could be the person that has been promoting her on Instagram the last few months and getting all the girls the “partnerships” with brands.

I’m in Miami where much of the relief is being coordinated from. The Bahamas have strong cultural, family, and economic (tourism) ties here. There are dozens (100s?) of private bots ready here to transport supplies and manpower to the affected areas but the only people leaving are Coast Guard, highly trained search and rescue teams, and disaster recovery teams. There is no airport, no marinas left in the islands. It’s not for amateurs of any religion. These idiots are probably sitting at Atlantis chasing cameras.

[Churchhoney]

14 minutes ago, Mojitogirl said:

The Duggar’s and Bates appearances on the various TV shows dont pass the smell test to me. I feel that there is a PR person calling around and making them available and “seen” for sound bites. It’s too coincidental that with the urgency of things going on down there and the amount of (legitimate) people heading over there that at least 2 of the major networks focused on them. Since Jana is there, it could be the person that has been promoting her on Instagram the last few months and getting all the girls the “partnerships” with brands.

 

Kind of sounds like more of the 2019 Duggar Dash for Dollars (By Any Means Necessary) Desperation Derby. The show is dwindling but the Duggar hordes are swelling. So more money is needed.

But somehow work of the usual kind never occurs to them. They've spent so long getting money for being KNOWN and SEEN that that's what they continually go for. 

[GeeGolly]

I agree @Mojitogirl, there are 100s of trained responders there, yet only Paw Patrol Air is getting any kudos. Feels odd to me as well.

[Nysha]

1 hour ago, Bessiesue said:

Piggy backing back to the Bates and Michaela.  My heart breaks every time someone announces.  On BUB, there was an episode where she and Brandon went to see the physician in Nashville (cannot remember his name).  A dye test was done on her tubes, and one was completely blocked.  The other one was partially blocked.  He told her that another test could be done to see if they could unblock the partially one.  Nothing was ever showed after that.  

Assuming she has viable eggs and he has viable sperm, can they do in-vitro fertilization or is that too sci-fi for them?

[Ohiopirate02]

4 minutes ago, Nysha said:

Assuming she has viable eggs and he has viable sperm, can they do in-vitro fertilization or is that too sci-fi for them?

If they could afford IVF, I doubt they would try.  They do believe that life begins at conception and embryos are people.  They would have to implant all thr viable ones because to destroy one would be murder. 

[doodlebug]

12 minutes ago, Nysha said:

Assuming she has viable eggs and he has viable sperm, can they do in-vitro fertilization or is that too sci-fi for them?

Presuming they don't have real health insurance, it is probably way too expensive for them.  

But, yes, if her tubes are blocked (I have no idea what 'partial blockage' means).  A tube is either open and X ray contrast dye flows through it or it doesn't.  Even if a tube is damaged and surgically repaired, there is still a very good chance that it won't function properly and that, if the woman is even able to conceive, it will be a tubal pregnancy.  For this reason, a lot of fertility specialists are reluctant to try to repair damaged tubes and recommend going straight to in vitro instead.

The Catholic Church teaches that all artificial means of conception are sinful, just like artificial prevention of pregnancy is wrong.  The only approved fertility treatments are ones where a standard P in V conception takes place.  So, a woman can take fertility drugs and have sex with her husband, but they cannot use artificial insemination.  She can have tubal surgery to try to conceive but they cannot go to in vitro if that doesn't work.  Obviously, many, if not most Catholics with fertility issues ignore this rule.  

As mentioned above, the Catholic Church also has issues with fertilized embryos not being placed into the uterus or, God forbid, being destroyed if they're not used.  Since the process of producing said embryos is already against the rules, I imagine most Catholics who do in vitro aren't that hung up on it.

Edited September 6, 2019 by doodlebug

[GeeGolly]

I would like to see a picture of Lawson after three days of rescuing folks, with no shower or clean clothes.

[galaxychaser]

24 minutes ago, GeeGolly said:

I would like to see a picture of Lawson after three days of rescuing folks, with no shower or clean clothes.

And no access to a phone and social media.

[JoanArc]

9 hours ago, GeeGolly said:

I would like to see a picture of Lawson after three days of rescuing folks, with no shower or clean clothes.

Jana, will you enter into a courtship with me?  I wrote you this song.

[Mojitogirl]

This “relief” trip bothers me although I know it shouldn’t. Their medic corps Instagram is now full of their heroic efforts to deliver supplies and people to the islands and, for that, I’m grateful.  But it still is sketchy. Air traffic has been severely restricted for days with very few flights getting in. How did they do it?  Are these country boys so well connected that they got clearance before anyone else? Are they hiding that they are an ace team of search and rescue PROFESSIONALS?  Would make a good storyline for either show if they were but...

They tagged samaritans purse so maybe they are flying as part of a larger, better established and known relief agency in which case, there’s no doubt in my mind that the $$$ requests are to pay their own expenses.  Kind of an “I’ll volunteer but if you won’t pay me I’ll find someone who does.” There are so many people wanting to get in and help and They.  Just. Can’t. but Arkansans with no ties to the area are flying around and recording it for self-aggrandizement and financial gain?  

This article from today gives a good idea of the situation down there. 

https://www.miamiherald.com/news/weather/hurricane/article234792032.html#storylink=mainstage

[crazy8s]

i see they have added a paypal/credit card link now . they needed to get that springdale P.O. box of their page.

https://mediccorps.org/donate/

was that always there?

Edited September 7, 2019 by crazy8s

[Sew Sumi]

All of the donations goes to fund the volunteers. Nothing goes to those in need. 

https://mediccorps.org/about-us-2/

Edited September 7, 2019 by Sew Sumi

[crazy8s]

i don't remember this being there before either

"Medical Evacuation Disaster Intervention Corps has applied for tax exempt status and all donations are tax deductible unless in the unlikely event Medical Evacuation Disaster Intervention Corps is denied tax exemption.

[crazy8s]

they have changed their page a bit

update

https://mediccorps.org/news/

September 5, 2019

THANK YOU for your donations! MEDIC has dispatched trained medical professionals ranging from firefighters & EMTs to Emergency Trauma Medical Doctors to the Bahamas. All donated funds are 100% supporting the relief effort on our all-volunteer team serving needs on the ground right now. Medical Evacuation Disaster Intervention Corps is a non-profit organization based in the USA with IRS 501(c)3 pending status.

also there is only one pic of a helicopeter that i can see - no bates and duggars posing

[Nysha]

I wonder if they figured out that this is one of the few times being well-known grifters TV personalities is more harmful than helpful. People are questioning what qualifications the Bates and Duggars have, but an unidentified group from Arkansas ended up on national television.

[crazy8s]

i note too in the thank you for your donations!! to MEDIC

and in the other they write out a full name Medical Evacuation Disaster Intervention Corps

they seem to have gotten the message on the name being almost identical to real and approved charities

[Ohiopirate02]

1 hour ago, crazy8s said:

i don't remember this being there before either

"Medical Evacuation Disaster Intervention Corps has applied for tax exempt status and all donations are tax deductible unless in the unlikely event Medical Evacuation Disaster Intervention Corps is denied tax exemption.

So they are the Medical Evacuation Disaster Intervention Corps Corps?  

[Normades]

On ‎9‎/‎6‎/‎2019 at 4:45 PM, Mojitogirl said:

I’m in Miami where much of the relief is being coordinated from. The Bahamas have strong cultural, family, and economic (tourism) ties here. There are dozens (100s?) of private bots ready here to transport supplies and manpower to the affected areas but the only people leaving are Coast Guard, highly trained search and rescue teams, and disaster recovery teams. There is no airport, no marinas left in the islands. It’s not for amateurs of any religion. These idiots are probably sitting at Atlantis chasing cameras.

Hey @Mojitogirl!!  Palm Beach County in the house!!  You are 100% right.  Seriously, we have trained response teams going there.  Also, if they needed private planes/boats there are plenty of them right here less than an hour's boat ride away.  We have plenty of private planes and pilots in SoFla!!  The news specifically asked that private citizens NOT go there because of the problems docking with the sunk and damaged boats in the harbors and limited places for planes to land.  They asked that people donate funds and specific items.  These people are opportunistic blow hards.  

[Churchhoney]

19 minutes ago, Ohiopirate02 said:

So they are the Medical Evacuation Disaster Intervention Corps Corps?  

Yes. Because that's how smart they are. 

[fonfereksglen]

On 9/6/2019 at 8:25 AM, Bessiesue said:

The Physician's Clinic that I work at opens early for tests, and we keep CBS This Morning on.  I am trying to recalling all the details shown from this week.  Someone up thread said that Lawson was on the NBC station.  That is the clip, I was hoping someone would try and find.  

Wednesday: John David, Jana, Lawson, Austin, another Duggar, Nathan, and a guy in a pale blue shirt were lined up in the background.  The CBS reporter (cannot remember his name) noted them from North Arkansas, and how awesome it was that they are here with their own plane joining a search and rescue team.  Someone from the Coast Guard had a map that Jana was pointing at, and another Coast Guard personal was behind him talking with Nathan. 

Thursday:  The same CBS guy called the Medicorp from AK has being a huge help in Search and Rescue for the wounded, and those whose homes were destroyed being flown from the hardest hit areas back to staging areas in Nassau.  John David, Nathan, and the same guy in the pale blue shirt were standing on a tarmac, and a female was hugging the guy in blue thanking them for flying her family away from their damaged home to safety.  He was that this group from North Arkansas has worked long hours with the Coast Guard helping in the rescue of families.

With the reference to the helicopter:  My guess is Nathan flies low to find the families, and then radios the rest of their locations and landing sites. 

Today on CBS This Morning, a helicopter pilot (not our gang) and reporter landed on tennis courts.  He said his job was to land, scout out sites for the planes and larger helicopters to land, in order to rescue and bring aid.

Here is a funny to make your day:

Mom said they should be praised for doing God's Work, and added that she was sure each family rescued received a Bible. I said they needed food and water, and not a Bible.  Of course I received the Mom look.  Do not get me wrong, we are devout Christians, I was just answering Mom's question.

We do follow the Duggars, but not as much as the Bates.  We are massive Bates fans.  Through their warts, faults, and all. 

This may be the strangest request ever to your clinic ......

As someone who has spent most of the last five years sitting in endless different waiting rooms.......

Pick a boring channel like HGTV, or Food Network, or Hallmark ....put the TV on closed caption and hide the remote.  Most people with their phones or tablets can watch their favorites on tv!  No need to have a tv so loud it causes headaches or anxiety disorders to flare up.

Medical waiting rooms where the caregivers are deposited, especially surgical waiting rooms, have become the modern version of hell on earth.

[Heathen]

On 9/4/2019 at 1:17 PM, galaxychaser said:

https://people.com/parents/bringing-up-bates-carlin-bates-pregnant-expecting-first-child-exclusive/

No way Carlin actually said any of the quotes attributed to her. The Bateses (and Duggars and Rodriguii) can barely string two words together, let alone lengthy, coherent sentences. 

I've always thought Carlin was a dingbat anyway. 

[sondraK]

17 hours ago, GeeGolly said:

I would like to see a picture of Lawson after three days of rescuing folks, with no shower or clean clothes.

Me,too.But don't hold your breath.I don't think it's going to happen.We all know the Duggs and Bates won't do without their modern conveniences

[PikaScrewChu]

43 minutes ago, Heathen said:

No way Carlin actually said any of the quotes attributed to her. The Bateses (and Duggars and Rodriguii) can barely string two words together, let alone lengthy, coherent sentences. 

I've always thought Carlin was a dingbat anyway. 

I know this is BEC territory. I swear in every picture of Carlin where she has her feet out like that the focus is on her feet rather than her face. Da faq.

Also there was probably some creative magic on the part of the journalist in that article.

[Heathen]

4 minutes ago, PikaScrewChu said:

I know this is BEC territory. I swear in every picture of Carlin where she has her feet out like that the focus is on her feet rather than her face. Da faq.

Also there was probably some creative magic on the part of the journalist in that article.

BEC territory? 

[GeeGolly]

Shit, they may actually be helping. I challenge JB to donate $500,000 to help the Bahamas.

Edited September 8, 2019 by GeeGolly

[Churchhoney]

7 hours ago, sondraK said:

Me,too.But don't hold your breath.I don't think it's going to happen.We all know the Duggs and Bates won't do without their modern conveniences

Plus I'm guessing their PR person is probably running a lot of this show. So -- image is everything.

I doubt it's a coincidence that JB found out he's not going to get at least 550 thou he wanted from his big round weird renovation and suddenly they come up with this new shilling-for-dollars-and-MORE-LOVE-AND-FAME plan.

Not only did this "nonprofit"--  complete with boilerplate avowals that its (totally accidental) copycat name is on the up and up -- suddenly appear. They also got another shot of media exposure because one of the howlers "spontaneously" mowed a big Trump 2020 into a highly visible grass space. 

It's all more of the dollar dash, if you ask me. Goose that fame so the TeeVee shows don't get canceled and maybe the networks up our take a little.....And if we do it right our newly goosed fame might also bring in more bucks the next time we run some kind of retreat or "summit." Plus, if our timing's right, we can ride this Corps Corps air show to a few more bucks in every disaster of the upcoming storm season. 

I expect the dollar dash of 2019 became even more of a priority when one of its elements -- sell the big round reno -- failed to meet its quota. And didn't I hear the other day that some tv schedules are now lacking the Bates' channel altogether? That's gotta hurt some in their grifting wallet.

Both these families seem to be dead set on having about a million kids in the third generation, so something has to pay for it. JB and M didn't hire the scrupulous PR guy they talked to about the Joshley mess, but there are plenty of unscrupulous ones around who'd be more than willing to help you cook up a less-than-fully-forthcoming "charity" or two for their fee. 

[Churchhoney]

15 minutes ago, GeeGolly said:

Shit, they may actually be helping. I challenge JB to donate $500,000 to help the Bahamas.

Well, they're there and they've brought Jana the cameraperson, so they have to do something. But the pictures and so on will serve the purpose of building their "charity" so they can count on more donations. 

You're not going to see a check from JB, in any case. He's already down over half a mill on the price he wanted for the wacko reno house. (Plus, he doesn't give. He gets.)

[galaxygirl76]

They are not nearly getting the amount of likes on Instagram on their self promoting posts that I was expecting and very little comments. 

Austin looks sunburned and I'm sure they weren't expecting to actually have to work hard. I mean that hard work may mess up Lawson hair. 

[Ohiopirate02]

I think our boys and Jana are in broken-clock territory right now.   They are there and assisting the professionals,  and using that to further their own interests.   They didn't bring those supplies or donate them, but conveniently got pictures of Lawson near them to pimp out.  They are not spearheading the relief effort just helping out and posting pics on the Gram.  

I see the PR person in this as well.  After what Bethenny Frankel was able to accomplish 2 years ago and the goodwill that garnered,  it was only a matter of time before another a-list celebrity got into the game.  

[galaxychaser]

18 hours ago, JoanArc said:

Jana, will you enter into a courtship with me?  I wrote you this song.

I’m still laughing thanks!

[doodlebug]

10 hours ago, Heathen said:

No way Carlin actually said any of the quotes attributed to her. The Bateses (and Duggars and Rodriguii) can barely string two words together, let alone lengthy, coherent sentences. 

I've always thought Carlin was a dingbat anyway. 

I particularly loved the part where Carlin professed to have been stunned to learn she was pregnant in the midst of her crazy, busy life.  She comes from a family of 19 kids where she was raised to believe that her only job is to have as many babies as possible and that using  birth control will send her to hell, she gets married and is having sex for the first time with her husband, supposedly also a virgin at the wedding, and she is surprised to find out she's pregnant a couple of months later.  Maybe she really is a dingbat.

[Albanyguy]

2 hours ago, galaxygirl76 said:

They are not nearly getting the amount of likes on Instagram on their self promoting posts that I was expecting and very little comments.

That gives me a morsel of hope for humanity.

[doodlebug]

3 hours ago, GeeGolly said:

Shit, they may actually be helping. I challenge JB to donate $500,000 to help the Bahamas.

I dunno, all I see is some random Bates boy standing next to a bunch of random stuff (Pop tarts and diapers and generators, oh my!) wearing his fitted yellow rescue vest while people in the background who are not part of their group are actually directing traffic and carrying cartons of bottled water and such.  I find it hard to believe he is 'distributing' anything from where he is standing, nor does it look like the stuff he is standing next to has been sorted and organized for easy distribution to those in need.  It looks to me like he most probably put on the brand new rescue vest he bought at Cabella's last week and ran over to where the real workers were providing help, grabbed a few random items and placed them on the ground so he could pose next to them.  

I want to see the worker handing an actual generator from a stack of several hundred of them to an actual Bahamian resident.  Or the guy driving the towmotor back and forth from the warehouse with the cartons of water.  Not the random guy standing next to a couple of random items.

All this picture says to me is that none of them are actually being allowed in the space where the real work is getting done.

Edited September 8, 2019 by doodlebug

[GeeGolly]

40 minutes ago, doodlebug said:

I dunno, all I see is some random Bates boy standing next to a bunch of random stuff (Pop tarts and diapers and generators, oh my!) wearing his fitted yellow rescue vest while people in the background who are not part of their group are actually directing traffic and carrying cartons of bottled water and such.  I find it hard to believe he is 'distributing' anything from where he is standing, nor does it look like the stuff he is standing next to has been sorted and organized for easy distribution to those in need.  It looks to me like he most probably put on the brand new rescue vest he bought at Cabella's last week and ran over to where the real workers were providing help, grabbed a few random items and placed them on the ground so he could pose next to them.  

I want to see the worker handing an actual generator from a stack of several hundred of them to an actual Bahamian resident.  Or the guy driving the towmotor back and forth from the warehouse with the cartons of water.  Not the random guy standing next to a couple of random items.

All this picture says to me is that none of them are actually being allowed in the space where the real work is getting done.

There are other pictures on the IG. I just posted the one.

[doodlebug]

1 hour ago, GeeGolly said:

There are other pictures on the IG. I just posted the one.

I checked their Instagram, maybe I missed something, but most of the photos are aerial views that I presume they took from the plane or helicopter.  I am sure the military and government weather services took far more useful photos of the devastation. I saw one shot of one of them(?) walking with a Bahamian woman towards their helicopter, which is, indeed, a 2 seat training helicopter and not suited for rescue work.  There were other photos of people doing stuff, but they weren't Mediccorps, they were US Customs professionals loading military type helicopters.  So, at least as far as I can tell, there is only the one series of photos of them rescuing a Caucasian family, maybe.  From what they themselves have posted, they are down there sightseeing and documenting the efforts of others, not doing much actual useful work.

Edited September 8, 2019 by doodlebug

[BitterApple]

2 hours ago, doodlebug said:

I particularly loved the part where Carlin professed to have been stunned to learn she was pregnant in the midst of her crazy, busy life.  She comes from a family of 19 kids where she was raised to believe that her only job is to have as many babies as possible and that using  birth control will send her to hell, she gets married and is having sex for the first time with her husband, supposedly also a virgin at the wedding, and she is surprised to find out she's pregnant a couple of months later.  Maybe she really is a dingbat.

That's the Bateseseseses girls' standard line. Every baby is some alleged "surprise." Apparently, unprotected sex leading to conception is too difficult a concept for them to grasp.

[Jynnan tonnix]

12 minutes ago, BitterApple said:

That's the Bateseseseses girls' standard line. Every baby is some alleged "surprise." Apparently, unprotected sex leading to conception is too difficult a concept for them to grasp.

The way I kind of see it is that since they consider babies such a blessing directly from God, and since most of them are convinced that they are unredeemable sinners aside from God's grace, they are surprised that God would bless them so quickly and not make them wait, month after month, for a sign that they please Him. Even when they see honeymoon babies happening all around them, they assume they are probably less worthy in God's eyes or something.

Or it's a type of humblebrag, as in, "Wow, I had no idea that God felt we were good enough for this!!!"

Edited September 8, 2019 by Jynnan tonnix

[galaxygirl76]

5 minutes ago, Jynnan tonnix said:

The way I kind of see it is that since they consider babies such a blessing directly from God, and since most of them are convinced that they are unredeemable sinners aside from God's grace, they are surprised that God would bless them so quickly and not make them wait, month after month, for a sign that they please Him. Even when they see honeymoon babies happening all around them, they assume they are probably less worthy in God's eyes or something.

Or it's a type of humblebrag, as in, "Wow, I had no idea that God felt we were good enough for this!!!"

Poor Michaela.

[BradandJanet]

Speaking of humble-bragging, any news on Nurie's courtship? JillR is not the type to engage in radio silence on such a major event in her (Jill's) life. I can't force myself to look at her blog. 

[Heathen]

1 hour ago, BitterApple said:

That's the Bateseseseses girls' standard line. Every baby is some alleged "surprise." Apparently, unprotected sex leading to conception is too difficult a concept for them to grasp.

Well, none is them is very bright. Maybe it really is too difficult a concept for them. 

[Nysha]

17 hours ago, Churchhoney said:

17 hours ago, Ohiopirate02 said:

So they are the Medical Evacuation Disaster Intervention Corps Corps?  

Yes. Because that's how smart they are. 

The SOTDRT strikes again!

[Nysha]

4 hours ago, doodlebug said:

She comes from a family of 19 kids where she was raised to believe that her only job is to have as many babies as possible and that using  birth control will send her to hell, she gets married and is having sex for the first time with her husband, supposedly also a virgin at the wedding, and she is surprised to find out she's pregnant a couple of months later. 

One thing I stressed with my teens when they started dating is that there are very few "accidental" pregnancies. If you are having sex and not using birth control, you are actively trying to get pregnant.

[Rabbittron]

46 minutes ago, BradandJanet said:

Speaking of humble-bragging, any news on Nurie's courtship? JillR is not the type to engage in radio silence on such a major event in her (Jill's) life. I can't force myself to look at her blog. 

No updates 

[Heathen]

1 hour ago, Rabbittron said:

No updates 

I wonder if the Kellers cut and run. 

[galaxygirl76]

33 minutes ago, Heathen said:

I wonder if the Kellers cut and run. 

They should. Nurie may be a perfectly nice girl but she comes with a boatload of crazy.

[BradandJanet]

It's possible something's up with that courtship. It's also possible Jill can't figure out how to grift a wedding reception for a thousand. 

[Temperance]

The Rods aren't really that different from the Kellers and they're even more like oldest Keller daughter Esther's family.  

I think there are some logistical details with the couple living in separate states that are delaying updates. 

[PikaScrewChu]

17 hours ago, Heathen said:

BEC territory? 

Bitch eating crackers

I'm doubtful the Kellers cut and run with Nurie. I think they're just happy someone is willing to marry one of the younger sons that isn't some sort of non-religious heathen. Even if it's the daughter of JRod...

Edited September 8, 2019 by PikaScrewChu

[Churchhoney]

46 minutes ago, PikaScrewChu said:

Bitch eating crackers

I'm doubtful the Kellers cut and run with Nurie. I think they're just happy someone is willing to marry one of the younger sons that isn't some sort of non-religious heathen. Even if it's the daughter of JRod...

After all, they were happy to hand Anna off to Josh while most likely knowing all about his extensive history of molesting against their will at least five people, most of whom should have been completely off limits in the first place.

So what? You come from a super-nutso-Christian family! Let's roll! 

[PikaScrewChu]

1 hour ago, Churchhoney said:

After all, they were happy to hand Anna off to Josh while most likely knowing all about his extensive history of molesting against their will at least five people, most of whom should have been completely off limits in the first place.

So what? You come from a super-nutso-Christian family! Let's roll! 

Well they started off by handing off Esther to John Shrader. We all know how well that's working out for Esther.

Taking in Nurie is tame compared to whom they've married their daughters off to. Plus once Nurie is under Nathan's "authority" he can put limits on how much JRod and co. visit.