The Kelly File: Duggar Interview 2015.06.03

[Missy Vixen]

Pardon my language, but this dumb **** couldn't or wouldn't even consult with a lawyer in regards to making sure those police reports regarding his children never saw the light of day.  He was either too stupid or too cheap then and I don't think either of those things has changed.    

It's astonishing to me that he thinks this will really make a statement. Mostly, it just shows how stupid he is. Again -- if he thinks the police chief and the city attorney of Springfield (I'm guessing the city attorney would be dealing with lawsuits against the PD) will sit quietly while he gets on national TV and maligns them, they're mistaken. Jim Boob has a lot more to lose as the result of stuff like oh, discovery than he could imagine.

 

It's astonishing to me that for someone so "shrewd", he has little to no common sense. Whoever dreamed up the "it was illegal to release the report" was uninformed. Every time he tries to refocus the narrative on how victimized he and his wife are due to the release of the report, he shows himself to be (again) less than concerned about the effects on his daughters. The best thing he could do for his family is to SHUT UP, but nobody seems to have the balls to tell him that.

[Dianaofthehunt]

I wonder how the Duggars, especially Jim Bob, could endure talking to that most heinous of species: an employed woman.

[NextIteration]

I feel terrible for the survivors here, I cannot stress it enough.

 

That said, the only "outing" of the older girls that were abused was by the family themselves, the police report was vague enough that there was no real way to pick out which three they were.  Having two of them identify themselves in an interview just skeeves me out, what is the purpose?  The public did not need to know!

 

The invalidation of any emotions they may have had or still have about being molested is almost as bad as the molestation itself.  ::sigh::

[truthtalk2014]

I think if a judge who was an ally of my BFF the former governor/presidential candidate with a show on Fox took on themselves to handle that, I would have assumed it was handled too.

It is my understanding that they had the reports removed only after they found out this was breaking. 

[mythoughtis]

Trying up decide what Derick and Ben are feeling in regards to tonight's part of the interview. Were they all for it,just supportive.... Or are the girls defying their wishes and doing the interview over their objection?

[HumblePi]

I'm curious as to what kind of training they had that qualified them for the big bucks they're all getting for appearing on a reality show.  TLC and the rest of their ilk just seek out people who have something different going on that will make people want to watch, and the further from the norm, the better.  I mean, look at the shows out there; My 600 pound Life, Hoarding, My Strange Addiction, etc.  Most of us don't have people like that in our regular lives, so its entertaining to watch things that are complete foreign to us and things that are surprising, shocking, and outrageous. 

Training? Let's be serious now. The only training was a trained uterus popping out babies. It's been said many times that TLC focuses on things that are bizarre and out of the ordinary. If you're someone that lives outside of mainstream of society, TLC will sign you up. So, If you happen to be a 'little' person, that weighs over 200 pounds, has 20 kids and can whistle 'Dixie' out of her ass, you're exactly the kind of person TLC has been searching for.

[debbie311]

I am probably in the minority here, but watching the snippets from tonight's interview on Today show and GMA just makes me less sympathetic toward Jill and Jessa.  When asked directly if they are "victims" Jessa says that the whole thing is being "overblown."  But then she goes on to say that they ARE victims because the story was leaked.  So which is it, you weren't a victim then, but you are now??

 

And the way they smile when they are talking about this.  Who does that?  It is creepy.  They are in a no-win situation.  Their job is to defend Josh, downplay and minimize what happened. They are doing so much more harm than good.

 

Ugh.  Even in 2015, incest is such a taboo subject.  They are just a very bad joke now.

[graefin]

That said, the only "outing" of the older girls that were abused was by the family themselves, the police report was vague enough that there was no real way to pick out which three they were.  Having two of them identify themselves in an interview just skeeves me out, what is the purpose?

The purpose is to try to save the sinking ship. Notice that it's the two who 1) are most comfortable in front of the cameras, 2) have the most to lose (potential new shows and $$$).

[SoSueMe]

I didn't watch the interview (I can't stand the thought of watching anything on Fox News) and I don't watch 19 Kids and Counting, but are aware of them because I do see the commercials for their show (while I watch the Little Couple).

 

Everyone has already made the obvious points about the parents protecting Josh above their girls.  It just blows my mind that there are women in the US in this day and age who still believe that we have to be subservient to men.  Boggles the mind.  As an adult if you make that decision, whatever, to each their own.  I just don't agree with raising your children that way.  That girls do not hold as much value as boys.

 

As everyone else has stated, once you open yourself up to live in the spotlight by choosing to be on a reality show, you open yourself up to media scrutiny.

 

I sympathize with the girls over what they've had to endure.  I don't sympathize with them about them losing their show/possibility of a show.  That's the real world, nothing is guaranteed forever.  Use whatever money you have and get a skill/education or make sure your husband has one if you're going the stay at home mom route.

It blows my mind too.

But then I remember that it has been less than 100 years since women got the vote. Hell, in my state, CT, birth control (for married women, mind you) wasn't legal til 1965.

[JoanArc]

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-3111089/How-Duggars-built-custom-home-family-molestation-girls-bedroom-blocked-master-suite-boys-room-molester-son-Josh-slept-house-catwalk.html

 

This is an interesting article on some 'safeguards' in the TTH.

[Churchhoney]

The Duggars belong to a very specific subset of Christianity. It is exclusive to the point that they reject everything today’s churches have become. They’ve branched off from a bigger religion to be a part of their own, more exclusive sect. They widely promote a lifestyle based on an extremist belief system dubbed “Christian Patriarchy” that involves the absolute submission of women to men.

 

The family attends what they call a “home church,”and we have a little insight into what a “home church” actually is. Apparently, the Duggars (and a few other families) meet in a low-profile, unassuming space, don’t take government tax benefits, and don’t pass around a collection plate. Instead, they gather to hear from each other, the church elders, and the occasional guest speaker, followed by food and fellowship

 

Here's the bottom line. This form of extreme religious isolation and beliefs just does not work in today's society. We, as a society, have evolved and are no longer willing victims to extremist religious zealots who wish to impose their archaic rituals and beliefs onto masses of people through television. It just absolutely not work and that's why they are in a very small minority as far as their religion goes. It takes a high-profile incident like this to reveal what harm these cults can actually do.

 

What strikes me is that virtually everything the Duggars do is echoed closely by the structure and practices of my own insane family -- except that in my family no religious reasons were advanced to justify what was done. It was all just the personal demands of a malevolent lunatic. So in my opinion, this extremist offshoot of a church is actually a fraternal club in which sick control freaks gather so that they can use their numbers and a made-up theology as added cudgels to enhance their personal power.

 

Sort of the way the Divine Right of Kings gave monarchs a pass to just be assholes.

[SoSueMe]

I must be missing a step or something but I can't seem to get words bolded or italicized just by highlighting and clicking the icon.

Can anyone help and tell me what I'm doing wrong? Thanks in advance and sorry for the O/T.

[Churchhoney]

I am probably in the minority here, but watching the snippets from tonight's interview on Today show and GMA just makes me less sympathetic toward Jill and Jessa.  When asked directly if they are "victims" Jessa says that the whole thing is being "overblown."  But then she goes on to say that they ARE victims because the story was leaked.  So which is it, you weren't a victim then, but you are now??

 

And the way they smile when they are talking about this.  Who does that?  It is creepy.  They are in a no-win situation.  Their job is to defend Josh, downplay and minimize what happened. They are doing so much more harm than good.

 

Ugh.  Even in 2015, incest is such a taboo subject.  They are just a very bad joke now.

 

Something tells me you will not be alone -- at all -- in those opinions.

 

I've seen a snippet, and I expect a lot of people will be just as creeped out by them and their message as they were by JB and M. Which is saying something.

[NextIteration]

The purpose is to try to save the sinking ship. Notice that it's the two who 1) are most comfortable in front of the cameras, 2) have the most to lose (potential new shows and $$$).

 

I understand that part, I'm just not sure that survivors that weren't invalidated in the first place, would proceed that way, if that makes sense?

[Jusagirlintheworld]

 When asked directly if they are "victims" Jessa says that the whole thing is being "overblown."  But then she goes on to say that they ARE victims because the story was leaked.  So which is it, you weren't a victim then, but you are now??.

I've been struggling with this as well. I'm not sure how anyone can say that the actual abuse had almost no effect (because they were sleeping) and simultaneously claim that the publication of the abuse is traumatic. If the abuse was minor, why is the publication so victimizing? I am deeply sympathetic to the girls. I just can't reconcile the two positions. It makes me wonder about how "minor" the abuse was.

For example, I was in an abusive relationship once. It was a very emotional situation for me. I was overcome with feelings of helplessness, vulnerability, embarrassment at my vulnerability, etc. if someone told my peers that I was involved in an abusive relationship, I would definitely have an emotional reaction because it would take me back to that emotional place. It would stir up all of those feelings.

On the other hand, if someone told all my friends that I wore tacky, acid-washed jeans as a teen, I would just laugh. I have no emotion about that. I wasn't teased about it or anything. It was the eighties. I thought I looked good.

If Josh's abuse was a non-issue for them, why does the release of the information move them to tears? It makes me wonder if the abuse has more of an effect than they are acknowledging.

[Kcat1971]

 

I am probably in the minority here, but watching the snippets from tonight's interview on Today show and GMA just makes me less sympathetic toward Jill and Jessa. When asked directly if they are "victims" Jessa says that the whole thing is being "overblown." But then she goes on to say that they ARE victims because the story was leaked. So which is it, you weren't a victim then, but you are now??

Jill and Jessa “You can't eat your cake, and have it too"

 

 

I've been trying to avoid commenting on the snipets.  Because the context of the whole interview will hopefully provide the best answer.  But....

 

Perhaps what they are saying is I didn't feel victimized by what Josh did 12 years ago but I do feel victimized by the leaking of these reports now.

 

So yes they can feel like they were not a victim then but are a victim now.  2 different pieces of cake.  You can eat one and keep one.

Edited June 5, 2015 by aethera
Fixed a broken quote :)

[Bean421]

 

And the way they smile when they are talking about this.  Who does that?  It is creepy.  They are in a no-win situation.  Their job is to defend Josh, downplay and minimize what happened. They are doing so much more harm than good.

 

People who are taught that "Happiness is Godliness" smile inappropriately.  I had a therapist point out to me, after telling a very traumatic experience, that I was smiling like a loon the whole time.  If I smile or laugh, then it must truly not be that bad. It's taken years to get to the point where I feel comfortable expressing anger, disappointment, or talking about conflict without feeling like I'm doing something wrong or sinful. 

[mythoughtis]

Trying up decide what Derick and Ben are feeling in regards to tonight's part of the interview. Were they all for it,just supportive.... Or are the girls defying their wishes and doing the interview over their objection?

[Cherrio]

Megyn never asked where Josh was or why he wasn't being interviewed did she?

 

Where is Josh?

Edited June 5, 2015 by Cherrio

[ZoloftBlob]

When asked directly if they are "victims" Jessa says that the whole thing is being "overblown."  But then she goes on to say that they ARE victims because the story was leaked.  So which is it, you weren't a victim then, but you are now??

 

I think she is not saying she wasn't Josh's victim but that she was and she agrees with the family narrative that she forgave Josh, he made a mistake, and its all now in the past. And now that she has moved on, the media has dregged this all up and thats making her angry because she was a child molestation victim being outed publically and her life *is* pretty effectively ruined as far as the tv show goes.

[Kcat1971]

On the other hand, if someone told all my friends that I wore tacky, acid-washed jeans as a teen, I would just laugh. I have no emotion about that. I wasn't teased about it or anything. It was the eighties. I thought I looked good.

If Josh's abuse was a non-issue for them, why does the release of the information move them to tears? It makes me wonder if the abuse has more of an effect than they are acknowledging.

 

I don't think its fair to compare someone accusing your family of sexual abuse to someone saying you wore acid wash jeans as a teenager.  I have seen people on this board (PTV- not this thread) accuse Josh as digitally penetrating his sisters even though there has been no report of that happening.  If someone accused my brother of that and said I was the victim, I would feel victimized by that statement even though it didn't happen.  (See not victim of my brother, yes victim of the person spreading lies.)  In my opinion its not fair so say well since your brother did something a little wrong, if I blow it out of proportion and lie about it, then he's the one that victimized you not me, no matter what you think.

 

*I when I say "a little wrong" I'm not say that I think over the clothes touching is a little wrong.  I say that because the Duggars seem to make that assertion.  And as the ones touched I think the girls get to decide how wrong it was in their mind/world, but only for themselves not anyone else.

[Jusagirlintheworld]

 

Perhaps what they are saying is I didn't feel victimized by what Josh did 12 years ago but I do feel victimized by the leaking of these reports now.

 

So yes they can feel like they were not a victim them but are a victim now.  2 different pieces of cake.  You can eat one and keep one.

Thanks for posting. You are right that the abuse and the publication are two different incidents. To me, it seems that the latter depends not the former, though.

I am having a hard time understanding why they feel victims. I'm not saying they shouldn't feel victimized. I keep thinking of what JB and M said about the abuse having no effect on the girls. If it was not a big deal, what was traumatic about the publication? Maybe they are worried about their reputation? Or maybe the abuse affected these poor girls more than anyone realized and the publication is stirring up their old feelings of vulnerability. I just don't think I have enough information to wrap my head around it. I guess I need to wait for the interview. Poor girls.

I don't think its fair to compare someone accusing your family of sexual abuse to someone saying you wore acid wash jeans as a teenager.  I have seen people on this board (PTV- not this thread) accuse Josh as digitally penetrating his sisters even though there has been no report of that happening.  If someone accused my brother of that and said I was the victim, I would feel victimized by that statement even though it didn't happen.  (See not victim of my brother, yes victim of the person spreading lies.)  In my opinion its not fair so say well since your brother did something a little wrong, if I blow it out of proportion and lie about it, then he's the one that victimized you not me, no matter what you think.

 

*I when I say "a little wrong" I'm not say that I think over the clothes touching is a little wrong.  I say that because the Duggars seem to make that assertion.  And as the ones touched I think the girls get to decide how wrong it was in their mind/world, but only for themselves not anyone else.

You are right that it is wrong to compare wearing jeans with child abuse. I didn't mean to sound that like that. I apologize to everyone for sounding insensitive.

[HumblePi]

What strikes me is that virtually everything the Duggars do is echoed closely by the structure and practices of my own insane family -- except that in my family no religious reasons were advanced to justify what was done. It was all just the personal demands of a malevolent lunatic. So in my opinion, this extremist offshoot of a church is actually a fraternal club in which sick control freaks gather so that they can use their numbers and a made-up theology as added cudgels to enhance their personal power.

 

Sort of the way the Divine Right of Kings gave monarchs a pass to just be assholes.

I hope someone remembers to hide the Kool-Aid

[Kcat1971]

Thanks for posting. You are right that the abuse and the publication are two different incidents. To me, it seems that the latter depends not the former, though.

I am having a hard time understanding why they feel victims. I'm not saying they shouldn't feel victimized. I keep thinking of what JB and M said about the abuse having no effect on the girls. If it was not a big deal, what was traumatic about the publication? Maybe they are worried about their reputation? Or maybe the abuse affected these poor girls more than anyone realized and the publication is stirring up their old feelings of vulnerability. I just don't think I have enough information to wrap my head around it. I guess I need to wait for the interview. Poor girls.

You are right that it is wrong to compare wearing jeans with child abuse. I didn't mean to sound that like that. I apologize to everyone for sounding insensitive.

 

This is a hard topic to wrap your head around.  I hope I don't come across as too much of a Duggar defender.  I don't want to be seen that way.  But I can relate to what I've observed about Jessa.  She seems the type to have moved on & not want to go back to it.  But she also seems to recognize that this scandal is going to destroy her lifestyle and she's not going down without a fight.  I find that empowering and courageous.  (YMMV)

[Jusagirlintheworld]

This is a hard topic to wrap your head around. I hope I don't come across as too much of a Duggar defender. I don't want to be seen that way. But I can relate to what I've observed about Jessa. She seems the type to have moved on & not want to go back to it. But she also seems to recognize that this scandal is going to destroy her lifestyle and she's not going down without a fight. I find that empowering and courageous. (YMMV)

I totally agree with you. I think everyone wants what is best for the girls and the other children. I would like to think that I would be strong like Jessa if faced with her situation. I would probably just cry and hide. It makes me admire her even more.

 

Edited June 5, 2015 by Rhondinella

[truthtalk2014]

I think that some of the children- in particular Jana, John David and even JoyAnna would not mind at all if the show was cancelled.  Particularly the older two just seem to be over it.  

 

Jessa and Jill want their spin off- plain and simple.

[kassa]

By the same token, they were adults signing up -- quite consciously -- to pursue their "mission" of becoming a visible ideal of morality, faith and godly family life for the nation. So logic (if they had any) would tell them that this would necessarily entail a heck of a lot of public visibility.

 

 

And take it a step further (or a step back).  If it is true as people allege that there was pretty prominent speculation about Josh in the local community dating from that time, it doesn’t matter how naive they are about television – they were putting on this front knowing that the people beside them at the traffic light, or in the checkout line at the grocery store would see the hypocrisy.  =

Um it's too late to put the cat back in the bag!!!

 

The Genie is out of the bottle.

 

 

The horse is out of the barn, and the toothpaste is out of the tube!

 

Also, I'm one of those non-tears people when I am deeply sad or depressed. I didn't actually cry tears when my mother died though we were very close.

 

 

But when you weren’t crying, were you wiping away the tears you weren’t crying?  She was wiping like crazy, even though there was nothing there.

Edited June 5, 2015 by Rhondinella

[GEML]

Given that one part of the report said it involved a five year old girl, who was the daughter of Michelle and James Duggar, no, the report was not redacted enough.

[leighdear]

 

But she also seems to recognize that this scandal is going to destroy her lifestyle and she's not going down without a fight.  I find that empowering and courageous.  (YMMV)

I agree.  You can be a victim, but not live like a victim.   I see a big difference.  Putting something behind you and moving forward does not necessarily mean you've buried your head in the sand, or haven't "dealt" with it.  

 

Jessa seems to have dealt with it and it ceases to be a big deal to her.  Jill, I don't get that sense from.  Just my view from the cheap seats.  .  

[Jusagirlintheworld]

 

Jessa and Jill want their spin off- plain and simple.

I would imagine so. It is their livelihood.

[radishcake]

Bean421 my therapist calls it inappropriate laughter. I've told people stories that would curl your hair laughing about them the whole time. Then of course realized that NO ONE finds what I'm saying funny because it's so horrible. It's just how some of us deal. It's so true that nothing any of the victims say, especially in front of a camera, is anything to judge them by.

[6 MeowMeowBeenz]

Where is Josh?

 

If there is a God, he's in some thoroughly awful place. Perhaps getting some counseling by cleaning septic tanks without gloves

[Julia]

OK, but here's the thing. If we're going to allow Jessa the respect of accepting that she really believes what she's saying, she's said kind of a lot in the past about shaming sinners and evildoers. Hell, her FIL jumped in to tell us that the only reason everyone isn't molesting children is that they fear the consequences. 

 

So while I can appreciate that the need for her to make bank is all the more urgent because there's a real question if her little family is capable of self-support, their own standards call for Josh to be denounced loudly to all comers. So what exactly is she planning to go on TV to model? You too can have an upper middle class lifestyle without gainful employment if you protect the guy who's molesting you, and he gets a used car lot? What does that teach all those predators out there about consequences?

[wanderwoman]

The floor plan for the house, in the article linked above, isn't quite accurate.

[JoanArc]

If there is a God, he's in some thoroughly awful place. Perhaps getting some counseling by cleaning septic tanks without gloves

Mushroom farm in the foreclosure's basement.

 

He must be really nervous to be forced to live so close to his family. He'll probably flip that house, he needs all the cash he can make. If the girls really forgive him, then why isn't he in the same frame as Jill and Jessa? Big 3-way side hug, no acrimony, right?

 

 

The floor plan for the house, in the article linked above, isn't quite accurate.

Thanks for the correction, I never followed the TTH layout that much. I think it's still obvious that JB&M concentrated on all the wrong things to prevent more incidents.

Edited June 5, 2015 by JoanArc

[pennben]

 

You can be a victim, but not live like a victim.

 

I know you mean the very best by this, but it's hard to read in that somehow we get to decide who are worthy victims. 

[Janet Snakehole]

On Jessa being empowered by being more stoic....

I said something similar in the Jessa thread, but I can't get behind this thought process 100% just because of the way that her parents have dealt with all of this. I could see this being a reaction she had to them trying to brush everything under the rug. And I don't really know that this is fair to Jill either, just because it makes her look like she is weak because she still (seemingly, another part of this is that we only have a VERY short clip to judge either of them on) has negative feelings about it.

[radishcake]

Teaching predators consequences is the job of law enforcement and society, the victims are just that, victims. Our society is set up to blame victims for sexual assault, their religion is just an extreme example of what most people believe. Boys will be boys, well she was dressed wrong, she shouldn't have been walking at night etc...

Victim blaming these girls regardless of their current self preservation tactics seems cruel.

[truthtalk2014]

I just saw a brief interview with Kelly about the interview that will take place tonight and a couple of other topics.  

 

She mentioned that she asked the Duggars if they told TLC about the incidents when the began filming with them.  The Duggars responded that they are not at liberty to say at this moment.  

 

She goes on to stress that a juvenile court judge said it was illegal and that he ranks higher than the city attorney.    But, what she did not mention was that Josh never went to court on this.  She was really on the Duggar side in my opinion.  

[frenchtoast]

You can be a victim, but not live like a victim.

I know you mean the very best by this, but it's hard to read in that somehow we get to decide who are worthy victims.

I believe the snipped that was quoted was in response to Jessa saying she's a victim of the release of documents and media attention and that she's moved on. She's a victim, but not living as a victim. It was how I understood it.

[Julia]

Teaching predators consequences is the job of law enforcement and society, the victims are just that, victims. Our society is set up to blame victims for sexual assault, their religion is just an extreme example of what most people believe. Boys will be boys, well she was dressed wrong, she shouldn't have been walking at night etc...

Victim blaming these girls regardless of their current self preservation tactics seems cruel.

 

Absolutely. I'm just having trouble making the leap between their managing their lives as they see fit and their having a right to a television show. I can understand why they want one. I'm just put off a bit that the idea is being floated that as the victims they're entitled to one.

  

 

I believe the snipped that was quoted was in response to Jessa saying she's a victim of the release of documents and media attention and that she's moved on. She's a victim, but not living as a victim. It was how I understood it.

 

And I understand that it was meant as a compliment. But it does suggest that victims who don't handle it the way she does are in some way choosing to be victims.

Edited June 5, 2015 by Julia

[Kcat1971]

On Jessa being empowered by being more stoic....

I said something similar in the Jessa thread, but I can't get behind this thought process 100% just because of the way that her parents have dealt with all of this. I could see this being a reaction she had to them trying to brush everything under the rug. And I don't really know that this is fair to Jill either, just because it makes her look like she is weak because she still (seemingly, another part of this is that we only have a VERY short clip to judge either of them on) has negative feelings about it.

 

I don't think it makes Jill look weak. She just processes differently than Jessa.  It's empowering not to let others dictate how you feel or what you say.  Whether those others are your parents or the community or the random strangers on the internet.  We are all products of how we are raised.  It seems to me the fact that Jessa & Jill seem to react differently in the snippet- proves that even being raised by the same parents in basically the same environment- they still have different personalities so I will continue to attribute what they say to them personally unless someday they come out and say "My parents made me say all that but how I really feel is...."

[CaughtOnTape]

This is exactly what I didn't want to happen with these girls.  I don't think the public needs to send her back into that hell just because they didn't get to physically view her process and people want proof of what she went through so they can feel better about her state of mind.  No one needs to make either of these girls answer for anything.  Granted she could have stated her answers more clearly but as far as I'm concerned they can feel however they want to feel about it.  The public clamoring to get these girls to explain their positions is victimizing them all over again, IMO.

[Janet Snakehole]

I don't think it makes Jill look weak. She just processes differently than Jessa. It's empowering not to let others dictate how you feel or what you say. Whether those others are your parents or the community or the random strangers on the internet. We are all products of how we are raised. It seems to me the fact that Jessa & Jill seem to react differently in the snippet- proves that even being raised by the same parents in basically the same environment- they still have different personalities so I will continue to attribute what they say to them

personally unless someday they come out and say "My parents made me say all that but how I really feel is...."

Fair enough on the Jill part. I am going to bow out now, because I don't necessarily agree that Jessa is not letting others (ie, her parents) dictate how she feels. We will never know either way and like you I am not okay with subscribing any specific thought process to her. Edited June 5, 2015 by Janet Snakehole

[Twopper]

Oh, I wish someone had not mentioned  Megyn's nose. When I first saw it I thought it was a result of bad lighting and then last night I noticed there seemed to be a "slit" of some sort on both sides, and all I could think of was watching a demonstration of how make-up was applied to create the snakey face on Lord Voldemort.

 

 

 

 

It's astonishing to me that he thinks this will really make a statement. Mostly, it just shows how stupid he is. Again -- if he thinks the police chief and the city attorney of Springfield (I'm guessing the city attorney would be dealing with lawsuits against the PD) will sit quietly while he gets on national TV and maligns them, they're mistaken. Jim Boob has a lot more to lose as the result of stuff like oh, discovery than he could imagine.

It's astonishing to me that for someone so "shrewd", he has little to no common sense. Whoever dreamed up the "it was illegal to release the report" was uninformed. Every time he tries to refocus the narrative on how victimized he and his wife are due to the release of the report, he shows himself to be (again) less than concerned about the effects on his daughters. The best thing he could do for his family is to SHUT UP, but nobody seems to have the balls to tell him that.

 

 

Due to the doctrine of sovereign immunity, it would be difficult to win a suit against city officials.

 

I am utterly appalled at the lack of sensitivity both exhibit toward the daughters.  I would expect it based on the series, but I would have thought he would have been advised to sound more concerned, but the more concerned he sounds about the girls, the more he throws Josh under the bus.  I haven't a clue as to how many people normally watched the show, but I heard 4 million tuned into Jill's wedding.  That just isn't a large percent of the population so while they are somewhat well known they weren't known to the nation, but with this coverage on FOX and other networks, they  suddenly have better name recognition than most politicians. Anyone tuning in for the first time must be shocked at how they minimize what Josh did -- children asleep, over clothes, children not understanding, etc etc.  I just can't see TLC trying to save this show without serious revamping it.  Any of the earlier shows with Josh in his teens is not going to see the light of day again.  I don't think they would be in this mess had they been willing to stick to the show itself, but then they threw themselves out as parenting experts with books, speeches, etc. that suggested they had the secret to a perfect family. I do hope this exposes the Gothard/ATI connection.  

 

Jinger won't be in tonight's interview as she is damaged goods in their world, and she still needs to find a husband. I do think Jessa and Jill both are in a state of shock as they were expecting to be "stars' in their own spin-off. I can't really blame them, since they have been on tv for half their lives. Why would they expect anything different? But now, they are exposed to the cruel world and they are unprepared with no education and no skills.  It isn't their fault.  I hope this wakes them up a little to the real world as opposed to the Gothard world they have been living in. I really do wish good things to happen to them, and I might want to see a special in a few years to update on the adult children, except Joshie.

[melanie]

I think I have finally gotten my thoughts together on this whole Duggar situation and I have a few thoughts that I would like to share.  

 

The hypocrisy, I think, comes from the fact that this family comes from a place of complete arrogance which is typical of cultish thought processes.  They would not be willing, IMO, to extend the same mercy to others that they are expecting from everyone else.  If this were someone else's son dealing with this, they would be quick to blame the "outside influences" that they try so desperately to protect their children from.  But since they did everything right and are still dealing with this, then their "foolproof" method of childrearing that Gothard promoted must not have worked.  That is a huge pill for them to swallow and they seem unwilling to do that.  I do believe that they did their best to "deal" with the situation within their narrow scope because no one outside of their belief system is capable of doing anything no matter how much education or experience they have.  Again, it is the arrogance promoted in their belief system.  They were simply unwilling to go outside their sphere of influence because in their minds no problem could be too big for them. Instead of taking this as an opportunity to learn mercy towards others they have decided to buckle down and make this an "us vs. them" sort of thing.  

 

Their explanations of the molestation simply do not make any sense.  If Josh was just curious about women's bodies, he would not have been interested in a 5 year old.  That is something else that no one seems to be addressing and is the most disturbing to me.  No 15 year old young man should be aroused by an undeveloped 5 year old girl.  That is not normal curiosity.  I understand that this is the point where he was removed from the home, but I wonder if it was not too late.  

 

I worry about Josh's mental state and sincerely wonder if that is why we have heard nothing from him.  I have no doubt that he confessed this to his parents because in reading the accounts of other young men on recovering grace, this act of confessing even sexual thoughts to a parent is common behavior within this group.  He was calling out for help and needed more than just restricting access to his sisters, prayer, and stern "talking to" speeches.

 

This is truly a morality play being played out before our very eyes.  We can learn from it as objective observers, but the real lessons to the primary participants has been lost completely and they blame others and seem to have no empathy for their daughters.  Even Michelle's final little speech during her interview with Megyn Kelly seemed insincere as she talked about her daughters having their trust violated by law enforcement.  It seemed like she had to get herself worked up about this, but I did not sense any real empathy for the recipients of Josh's "improper touching".  

In thinking about what I would have done in this situation, I would would not have gone to the police.  However, my son would have been removed from the home immediately.  I would have sent him to live with his grandparents in another state where I would have gotten him extensive help.  I would never have allowed him in my home again ever.  

 

Sorry for the long post.  Just wanted to get it out there.  I have learned so much from all of you!

Edited June 5, 2015 by Rhondinella
added paragraph breaks

[JoanArc]

The guide on my DVR says Jim Bob and Michelle will also be on, in addition to Jill and Jessa. Maybe the girls will only be on for a few minutes to defend Josh, say it's all better, then get out? I'd prefer that to a whole hour of forcing them to go over the trauma in detail.

[Jellybeans]

I am not going to get into the specifics of it but I could be labeled a "victim" or "survivor" due to something that happened to me. But don't call me either.

Nothing pisses me off more than well-meaning people (advocates, lawyers, etc) telling me "how I should feel" (victimized, etc) because I have my OWN feelings. Whatever the girls say is theirs to say and I am not going to say it is wrong or they don't know what they are talking about.

I am not a victim. I am not a survivor. I am just a woman that had a bad experience, but dammit, it's over.

[parisprincess]

And I understand that it was meant as a compliment. But it does suggest that victims who don't handle it the way she does are in some way choosing to be victims.

 

I don't think the statement is suggesting anything at all about other victims.  I was a victim, and I don't choose to live as a victim; but I'm not projecting my personal choice of how to handle my circumstances on any other victim.  Every survivor of abuse has to deal with it in their own way and in their own time.  I would never suggest to anyone else how to handle it; we all have to do what we feel is best for ourselves.    

[andromeda331]

I haven't seen this question asked how is tonight's interview suppose to help the Duggars or for the girls to get a spin off? If they defend their brother which they most likely will all people will see is that they were forced to defend him. People already know thanks to their parents' interview and the police report their parents did nothing to protect them or their sisters. All they will see is two girls who were victims being forced to get on camera and defend their brother. Or believe they have to get on camera and defend their brother to save him and their family.