The Kelly File: Duggar Interview 2015.06.03

[AmandaPanda]

I might have the timelines wrong, but if there was a baby-sitter, that just implies to me that the other kids were just too young to be left in charge alone at home. If Josh was 15 when the incident with the outside person occurred, Jana and JD would have only been 13. I can see JB and M wanting to be sure there was someone in the house who was a little bit older. They might have even wanted to be sure that the baby-sitter would have been able to drive somewhere in case of emergency.

[chlban]

I just have to say that I find it amusing that people seem suprised that a "journalist" at FOX news didn't provide a hard hitting interview to a couple of right wing Christian fundamentalists. Shocking.

Edited June 4, 2015 by AmandaPanda
referral to Fox as something other than its name

[CajunGirl]

I'm willing to bet my retirement fund that the writers over at L&O SVU are chomping at the bit. Every time the Duggars talk, they provide more fodder for what will probably become the highest rated "ripped from the headlines" episode of all time.

[skippy]

I needed a shower after watching Josh.

 

 

 

Thank you for posting this. I am corrected. It still makes me nauseous, even if it is his daughter.  How many people think she's safe?

[neece26]

Things that really irked - Jim Boob saying more than once how this happens in many other families that he has spoken to.  I think he's lying but even if he did know other families with a brother molesting his little sisters, IT"S NOT OK. These people are warped.  Boob was trying to desperately get in all of his talking points.  Michele came off as a complete loon,  

[HeyNow]

Well we already know M doesn't actively parent any of her kids past infancy so I am a bit surprised no blame is being put on their bullshit "buddy system" for failing to protect each other. You know, just to make the daughters feel more guilt about an already terrible situation.

I've often wondered if Jana isn't suffering survivor's guilt.

[Kcat1971]

The thing is, it's precisely the 5th 'woman' who would really be of most importance since she was there to babysit. Right away that tells me that the older sister-mommies were not in the home. It also tells me she wasn't soundly asleep in a bed in the girl's room and she sure was not a minor. This takes the sexual molestation to a different level. It's not sexually molesting a defenseless little girl, it's molestation of an older girl maybe even adult age that could resist and cause real trouble if she went to the police. Because she didn't go right to the police or blow the whistle to Jim Bob (or maybe she did) convinces me of who the 5th girl was, and that she was closely related to the family.

 

 

I might have the timelines wrong, but if there was a baby-sitter, that just implies to me that the other kids were just too young to be left in charge alone at home. If Josh was 15 when the incident with the outside person occurred, Jana and JD would have only been 13. I can see JB and M wanting to be sure there was someone in the house who was a little bit older. They might have even wanted to be sure that the baby-sitter would have been able to drive somewhere in case of emergency.

 

The time lines make it sound like the babysitter incident occurred prior to the child-on-lap incident.  Reading the police report, my take away is that the babysitter slept (or fake slept) through the incident.  Josh reported it to his parents and his parents reported it to the babysitter's family.  A parent of the babysitter and the babysitter were contacted by the Police and each made a statement.  Both statements talk about it being dealt with and forgiven, and both indicate a desire for the police to not make a big deal out of it.

 

I know we are not supposed to speculate on the identity of the 5th "victim" (I only use quotes because I don't want to victimize someone who may not self identify as a victim.)  Hopefully this doesn't cross the line since I am not speculating  about identity.  I would only say it appears to me that the 5th victim is older than the oldest girls.  She was most likely a minor at the time of the incident and possibly even still a minor in 2006 when the report was made based on the fact that there is a parent statement. (However, that could just be because the parent answered the phone and made a statement.)  However, it is also possible that she was also older than Josh.  If the 5th victim were an adult at the time I think the narrative would read a lot differently.

[6 MeowMeowBeenz]

God forbid Jim Bob and Michelle face an honest question

 

And that, kids, is why they're going on Fox instead of CNN or ABC. Or Al Jazeera. Or BBC. Or ZDR. Or PBS 

 

I'd love to see Katie Couric have a go at these dimwits. First she's all sweet and friendly, then KILL

[mostlylurking]

After reading so many comments on Facebook defending this family and endless posts about how God is the only judge and no one is free from sin, I came here looking for some sanity.  Thankfully, I found it!

 

It really pisses me off/makes me sad to hear Michelle and Jill say that the victims are now being re-victimized thanks to the media and the reports coming out.  While I agree that bringing this up especially so publicly has to be terrible for the victims, none of this would be happening if it had been handled properly from the start, which to me falls back on the parents.  They can believe that God forgives and God is the only judge as much as they want if that's what helps them sleep at night, but here on planet Earth we have these pesky things called laws.  Josh was a minor himself but this happened more than once and he obviously had/has a problem. He should have been removed from the home and everyone should have been in counseling by trained professionals, not just helping some dude remodel his house.

 

I do not watch this show but it makes me wonder how the Duggars and their supporters feel about murderers?  Or domestic abusers?  Or really anyone who commits a crime?  Do they just say God is the only judge so we should just let them be and leave them alone?  I highly doubt it.  So why does Josh get a pass??  Makes no sense.

[Boilergal]

It disgusts me that the older girls are being put on display - there is no way they would do that on their own.  Put their names out there, since they are married off already and don't have to worry about their purity, but keep the unmarried ones secret so they can marry them off to good families.  Not to mention keeping Josh silent. 

 

In the police reports all of the sisters were asked if they were scared or uncomfortable at home - and one of them answered yes she was scared - the others all answered as they were taught, nope not scared.  One stated that things weren't as crazy since Josh has returned from camp - I'm paraphrasing because I don't want to go back and read the report again.

[NextIteration]

More reaction from Raw Story, this time, well, it's beyond disgusting.

[rulesoftravel]

 

I didn.t watch it yet but reading everything I've come to the conclusion that they did more harm than good. Never will people forgive them and Josh will never be able to get another job again.

Would that were true.  They already have defenders.  See above.   Sigh.

 

Edited June 4, 2015 by rulesoftravel

[SometimesBites]

Actually they do. If someone leaked one of my children's records I'd sue the pants off that person! It's illegal!

Deciding whether the release of that police interview was illegal or not can't be based on my emotional sense of how I'd feel if it were one of my children (I have 5, BTW). It can only be determined by the facts and by the law--and based on the facts we've seen so far, the release of that particular document was determined to be done in accordance with Arkansas law.

 

But as I posted elsewhere, let's just say for the sake of argument that the document release was illegal.

 

So now what?

 

You can't put toothpaste back in the tube. The world now knows that Josh molested his little sisters, and the Duggars are realizing that this makes a lot of people angry, both on behalf of his victims, and also in light of the family's stance of moral superiority and their open excoriation of the LGBTQ community.

Edited June 4, 2015 by SometimesBites

[CajunGirl]

The more i think about their version of events, the more convinved I am that there's a whole lot more than anyone (except for Josh and his victims) will ever know.

For starters, what 14-15 year old boy is going to run to mommy and daddy (not once, not twice, but three or more times) and tearfully confess to fondling/molesting his sisters?! I don't care if Josh thought Satan himself would appear if he didn't fess up, there's NO WAY IN HELL that a teenaged boy is going to tell his mom and dad something so shameful unless he was terrified his victims knew exactly what he was doing (as in NOT SLEEPING) and could tell on him first. No matter how much J-Bob tries to cover for Josh, most people who have raised teenagers know that no kid would voluntarily and repeatedly come forward to his parents and confess the same disgraceful, degenerate behavior unless he knew he was busted anyway. It just doesnt work that way in real life. Nice try, though.

[3 is enough]

Does anyone else think that the reason Jill and Jessa are going to be interviewed is because they are married and it won't hurt their chances?  

I just wish their husbands had enough cojones to say no, no interview, you have suffered enough, and you certainly DO NOT have to defend your dirtbag brother.

 

Sigh.

[3 is enough]

Oh yes.  Over the clothes molestation is no biggie, but holding hands with the guy you are courting or kissing your fiance is an abomination.  That's Duggar logic for you.

 

Dr. Keith Ablow is my new hero.  I don't think the Fox and Friends idiots were expecting that response.  Hey Elizabeth, why don't you and the hubby take a little weekend getaway?  I know of a young man who can come and babysit for you.  He's currently unemployed so you can just name the time.

[Kcat1971]

The more i think about their version of events, the more convinved I am that there's a whole lot more than anyone (except for Josh and his victims) will ever know.

For starters, what 14-15 year old boy is going to run to mommy and daddy (not once, not twice, but three or more times) and tearfully confess to fondling/molesting his sisters?! I don't care if Josh thought Satan himself would appear if he didn't fess up, there's NO WAY IN HELL that a teenaged boy is going to tell his mom and dad something so shameful unless he was terrified his victims knew exactly what he was doing (as in NOT SLEEPING) and could tell on him first. No matter how much J-Bob tries to cover for Josh, most people who have raised teenagers know that no kid would voluntarily and repeatedly come forward to his parents and confess the same disgraceful, degenerate behavior unless he knew he was busted anyway. It just doesnt work that way in real life. Nice try, though.

 The thing is "real life" and "Gothard life" are not the same thing.  Its been discussed more thoroughly on other threads (I believe specifically the religion thread).  The Gothard life requires regular confession of every wayward thought or action.  Josh probably met with his Dad every morning for this confession time. 

 

That said, I don't disagree that there is likely more to the story than just has been reported.

[PrincessSteel]

It is indeed. 

 

I know the statute of limitations has passed, and I'm not well-versed enough on this topic to know the answer, but would there be any justification for Children and Family Services to make sure the M-kids are OK?

I don't know which child this is, I only know that her body language in those screen caps is heartbreaking.

[VioletMarx]

 

I have a feeling Ms. Kelly was given guidelines by Fox and by the Duggars as to what they would answer

 

This, plus I'm sure they want the Josh interview when/if he gives one. Going hard at Ma and Pa guarantees they wouldn't get it.

[Skittl1321]

I don't know which child this is, I only know that her body language in those screen caps is heartbreaking.

I think she just looks like a wiggly toddler (preschooler? How old is this kid now?) who doesn't want to sit for a long interview.

Edited June 4, 2015 by Skittl1321

[leighdear]

I think Josh will eventually "speak" for a price.  And on his own terms.  Though it may take a long time to happen. 

 

And sadly there will always be people that have no real sympathy for a young girl being Duggered in her sleep.  

[hathorlive]

I was so upset I couldn't sleep last night.  I'm glad I've had this forum to help me process all these feelings.  Thank you for your insights and thoughts about the various angles of the story.

 

I haven't watched the show since Josie was born.  I always thought it was strange that there were so many siblings and so few real relationships.  The only "real" relationship I've ever "felt" among the siblings was between Jackson and Hannie.   Even the older girls' relationship felt like war survivors (of raising too many kids) than that of natural siblings.  But Jackson and Hannie just radiated how close they were.  I'd read that they had begun to "separate" them and I thought it was because of their stupid gender roles.  But now I realize that it's fear that affection and being close leads to incest.  How sick is it to have 18 siblings and not feel comfortable with loving them and being affectionate?   Even Jana and her twin don't seem very close.  Maybe these quiverful families need to practice what feudal monarchies did and send their kids off to different homes to be raised. 

 

And this is why this show MUST end.  I don't want to see reruns and say "oh, Joshie is taking a swipe at Jill for being a tattle tale" or "look how uncomfortable Jana looks standing so close to Josh".  The subtext here is killing the ability of the show to work.  

 

I think most siblings are closer to one sibling over another.  How sad is it that this family draws lines between who you can feel close to and who is your future molester.

[sometimesy]

Jim Bob and Michelle should have come clean. Maybe admit : They made a mistake shielding Josh from consequences (A lot of parents would relate to that). They tried to deal with this through the incorrect avenues, let it go on too long, and weren't considering the victims. They should have accepted that by letting media into their home, magazine covers, tv specials and by publically speaking about alternate lifestyles and their position, they opened the door for critical media coverage.

But liars lie.. They didn't reveal the truth about their religion on the show. They didn't even reveal that Jana was along for the family trip with Josh and Anna. Who knows what other deceptions were on their show.

[backformore]

Don't know if anyone else posted this, but I thought it was pertinent: 

 

 

 

God @TheTweetOfGod
"Jim Bob Duggar: 'God Has Forgiven Josh'."    No I haven't. He's going to hell, just like you.
8:58 PM - 3 Jun 2015
   5,080 5,080 Retweets  6,967 6,967 favorites

[andromeda331]

Michelle's comment that they were failure as parents-Yes you are in so many ways. You chose to protect your son and yourselves over your daughters. They were informed and did nothing over and over until he worked his way to their youngest daughter.

"Its just common sense"-so is protecting your daughters. By removing your son after the first incident and getting him the help and treatment he clearly needs. Protecting your daughters and getting them the help they need. 

Claiming they were asleep-That makes little difference they were still molested and Josh still did the wrong thing. Also the police report lists the laundry incident and the book one. Josh clearly started with sleeping sisters and got bolder as time went on. I wanted her to ask about those incidents.

When they said how many were victims I wondered if there are more out there. Ones who they can't control and if their worried they will come forward.

[Potato511]

Because foster parents are paid. It's a job. In Ohio where I practice, foster parents can be paid from $9-$118 per day.

Michelle mentioned the Children's Safety Center. I looked at their annual report. This is not a religious organization. Their clinical therapists (clinical social workers and licensed professional counsellors, advance practice nurses) are licensed by Arkansas.

The interviews with the police took place at the Children's Safety Center (per the police report). So yes, they took their children there. For therapy, though? Doubtful.

[Clemgo3165]

I don't know which child this is, I only know that her body language in those screen caps is heartbreaking.

 

I don't see any problem here. The screen caps capture minute moments in time when Josh was holding McKynzie. She was acting like a 5-year-old would, squirmy and a little bored. There was nothing more there than a Dad trying to keep his kid out of trouble.

 

FWIW, his kids seems to genuinely respond very warmly to him - seems like there's a lot of love in that family. We don't know what happens behind closed doors, but the kids' behavior doesn't send any signals to me.

[Aethera]

Yet another reminder: Please do NOT speculate on whether there are other abusers in the Duggar family, or on whether there are other victims we don't know about.

 

This means we are not allowing speculation as to whether he's abused his children or his other siblings, and posts in here today are coming close to that line. We all hope his children are safe, and that nothing has happened to them - but we need to stop talking about it.  Thanks!

[Kcat1971]

The interviews with the police took place at the Children's Safety Center (per the police report). So yes, they took their children there. For therapy, though? Doubtful.

 

I don't find it doubtful.  I think it was probably state mandated.  The police report resulted in a "Family In Need of Services" referral.  We know there is a sealed case later involving Josh & the Department of Social Services.  I think its likely that in order to keep the children in the home they had to participate in accredited counseling and be able to prove it to the state.  If you look back at some of the rumors on the internet back in 2007- there were people who reported very similar stories and at least one claimed that the Duggars had to follow-up regularly with the state.

[SometimesBites]

And that, kids, is why they're going on Fox instead of CNN or ABC. Or Al Jazeera. Or BBC. Or ZDR. Or PBS 

 

I'd love to see Katie Couric have a go at these dimwits. First she's all sweet and friendly, then KILL

Oh yeah, Katie Hardball. She'd start by asking them what newspapers they read--NO MERCY! (Sorry...sometimes you have to chuckle to keep the rage tamped down.)

[mbutterfly]

Why did they need a "babysitter" with all the J-slaves in the house?

I'm confused about how old this baby sitter was. Does anyone know? I'm thinking she was also a juvenile from the way it is written. 

[Fuzzysox]

Things I learned from the interview:

 

• If molestation - sorry, "improper touching" - occurs while sleeping, it doesn't count.
• "Over the clothes" is a mitigating circumstance
• The first two times don't count if you really really mean that you are sorry
• The lesbian agenda is real

 

 

Was MEchelle trying to say her sister was involved someway?

[mbutterfly]

After reading so many comments on Facebook defending this family and endless posts about how God is the only judge and no one is free from sin, I came here looking for some sanity.  Thankfully, I found it!

 

It really pisses me off/makes me sad to hear Michelle and Jill say that the victims are now being re-victimized thanks to the media and the reports coming out.  While I agree that bringing this up especially so publicly has to be terrible for the victims, none of this would be happening if it had been handled properly from the start, which to me falls back on the parents.  They can believe that God forgives and God is the only judge as much as they want if that's what helps them sleep at night, but here on planet Earth we have these pesky things called laws.  Josh was a minor himself but this happened more than once and he obviously had/has a problem. He should have been removed from the home and everyone should have been in counseling by trained professionals, not just helping some dude remodel his house.

 

I do not watch this show but it makes me wonder how the Duggars and their supporters feel about murderers?  Or domestic abusers?  Or really anyone who commits a crime?  Do they just say God is the only judge so we should just let them be and leave them alone?  I highly doubt it.  So why does Josh get a pass??  Makes no sense.

IT almost feels as if within Christianity there is this secret world where people kill and abuse and kidnap and every sort of horror and then simply say, "I make no judgments about these behaviors." Can that be possible? Perhaps I should add I am tongue-in-cheek here, not a persecutor of Christians as I am a retired UM minister who has a rather dramatic imagination when it comes to Christian history. 

Edited June 4, 2015 by mbutterfly

[TomServo]

That's not the instance that people are referring to.  Everyone is referring to the instance when the "little one" was sitting on his lap being read to and he stuck his hand in her panties, as in, UNDER THE CLOTHES, when one of the older girls ran to get help.

 

According to the police report, the older girls were not the ones who reported the book-reading incident to the parents.  They were out to eat at the time.  On page 26 of the Springdale police report, the child being interviewed said that the kids from [redacted] on up were eating out with their parents and Michelle's dad when someone [redacted, assumed to be Josh] called them to come home because he had done something and needed forgiveness.  The thing he had done turned out to be the book/lap incident.

I was responding to the claim that "one of the sisters went to the parents first" when that is not actually what the police report says.  There are even discussions on this board about whether it was Jana or Jill who spilled the beans on Josh in March 2002.  The police report says it was Josh who told first.

In addition, even the interview with the person who was molested in the laundry room reports that "Josh felt bad about it and told their parents" afterward (see page 20 of the police report).

Edited June 4, 2015 by TomServo

[JocelynCavanaugh]

For those who didn't watch: nobody said "lesbian agenda" in this interview. I think some may have misunderstood Michelle blurting out "it was an agenda!" in reference to a person who is (maybe?) a lesbian, but that phrase was not actually uttered.

Now, "transgendered" (sic)? That's another story...

[Julia]

I can't help but think there's something telling about Michelle's randomly dragging the lesbians into this, because I don't see any actual lesbians involved. It feels like maybe a way of dragging her worst high school cheerleader insult (that all the girls she doesn't like are lesbians, which in her world I imagine means "are bitter because they can't get a man") into her delusions of religious persecution?

[Isthisok]

When Megyn asked how they will feel if TL C cancels the show, at first Jim Bob said that it wouldn't be fair to make all the children suffer for what one did, then he backpedaled and said that they wouldn't care at all. He said their life would go on as usual. Sure Jim Bob, you don't care about the show at all.

He was like "We don't care, we'll keep living whether we're filmed or not. We'll have more grandbabies born, and more engagements and weddings... AND ARENT YOU GOING TO BE SAD, AMERICA, THAT YOU CANT ENJOY THESE PRECIOUS MOMENTS WITH US BECAUSE OF THE LESBIAN AGENDA!"

[Soup333]

Does anyone else think that the reason Jill and Jessa are going to be interviewed is because they are married and it won't hurt their chances?  

I just wish their husbands had enough cojones to say no, no interview, you have suffered enough, and you certainly DO NOT have to defend your dirtbag brother.

 

Sigh.

 

I think it is because that they are married and this gives some credence to their opinion that the molestation was "no big deal" and they could be seen to have moved on from the "most darkest" period of their lives.

 

Also, (and I'm in no way speculating about who of the other sisters are victims) Jana is viewed very sympathetically by a lot of people. Jinger has an entire movement named after freeing her and Joy is way too young. Jill and Jessa are popular with their crowd and are probably their best bet for garnering sympathy from those not already disgusted by them.

 

I worry about all of the girls and Anna, but especially Jill. This is supposed to be a happy time, but after the disappointment of her difficult delivery and now this...I can't imagine how she feels. 

[EVS]

Hi. I'm jumping in late here. I've tried to keep up but sorry if I'm repeating something already said.

What bothers me about the interview (which I couldn't watch but read about) was that they tried to minimize the molestation by saying that the girls were either sleeping or didn't realize it was a big deal. (From interview: M. DUGGAR: It was more his heart, his intent. He knew that it was wrong. But they weren’t even aware. They were like, you know, it wasn’t – - to them they didn’t probably even understand that it was an improper touch.)

First of all, the fact that they were supposedly sleeping during some of the incidents is disturbing to me because I think it shows some premeditation as opposed to an impulsive action, not that either one is ok. (fwiw, I don't believe that they didn't wake up, but even if it were true, it doesn't make it any less heinous for me. ) Josh had to go up to them and touch them very deliberately while they were helplessly asleep. I don't know if I'm explaining it well, but I just don't think being asleep makes the molestation less serious.

Secondly, there is no way that the girls didn't know it was an improper touch. If they have been told that hugging, etc is improper, then I'm sure that they know that touching private parts is not ok, even through clothes. They may have been confused about why their brother was doing it, but they had to know it wasn't ok.

Edited June 4, 2015 by EVS

[Oldernowiser]

Okay, I didn't watch because I've been quite ill anyway for the last few days and who needs more, but am I correct in that their sales pitch is essentially if you cancel the show the godless/gays win?

[Julia]

For those who didn't watch: nobody said "lesbian agenda" in this interview. I think some may have misunderstood Michelle blurting out "it was an agenda!" in reference to a person who is (maybe?) a lesbian, but that phrase was not actually uttered.

Now, "transgendered" (sic)? That's another story...

 

This sure sounds like "lesbian agenda" to me.

[Marigny]

So do the Duggars think that no one has read the police report?

Did Megyn Kelly read the police report before interviewing them? Because there were quiet a few things she could have caught them lying about. I wish she would have had the report in her hands during the interview and pointed to parts and called them out.

(She still came at them way more aggressively than I expected. Maybe she's given them just enough rope.....)

 

I was thinking that too but then something else popped into my head this morning. 

 

Fox's whole agenda was just to get the interview. At first glance, it looks like they wanted to protect them but honestly, they could give two craps about this family. Yes, the interview was softball but Megyn allowed too many things that would not have even mentioned had this really been about protecting their own and rallying the troops. For example, why even mention the robocall? I think little things like this were done in such a way that it didn't send off a flag with JB & M, yet it gave them all the rope in the world to hang themselves with. 

 

I think that the folks over at Fox know about all of the other info but they are going to leave it to others to bring it out. Did they even have an after show with experts discussing the interview? I know that CNN did. We are coming up%2

[CajunGirl]

I think Josh will eventually "speak" for a price.  And on his own terms.  Though it may take a long time to happen. 

 

And sadly there will always be people that have no real sympathy for a young girl being Duggered in her sleep.

Am I the only one who thinks "Josh's" (aka J-Bob's) terms will be that "19 Kids and Counting" stays on the air as "18 Kids and Counting?" Or God forbid, they agree to Josh sitting for an interview in exchange for a new reality show featuring his redemption arc (Josh and his sisters in co-therapy).

They put all their eggs (no pun intended!) in the TLC basket, so there's no telling what they'd be willing to do to keep that gravy train rolling.

[BitterApple]

Why should Josh never find a job again? Legally he was never convicted of a crime and if he had been his record would have been sealed anyways. There's also no evidence he's continued to reoffend into adulthood.

Regarding the police report, even if it was obtained legally I still think the Duggars have every right to be furious. The redactions did nothing to protect the victims. I don't agree with their political views, but to me their position on gay rights doesn't justify releasing graphic information detailing the molestation of minor children. Whoever jumped through hoops to obtain the report is a sick person.

[Marigny]

So do the Duggars think that no one has read the police report?

Did Megyn Kelly read the police report before interviewing them? Because there were quiet a few things she could have caught them lying about. I wish she would have had the report in her hands during the interview and pointed to parts and called them out.

(She still came at them way more aggressively than I expected. Maybe she's given them just enough rope.....)

 

I was thinking that too but then something else popped into my head this morning. 

 

Fox's whole agenda was just to get the interview. At first glance, it looks like they wanted to protect them but honestly, they could give two craps about this family. Yes, the interview was softball but Megyn allowed too many things that would not have even mentioned had this really been about protecting their own and rallying the troops. For example, why even mention the robocall? I think little things like this were done in such a way that it didn't send off a flag with JB & M, yet it gave them all the rope in the world to hang themselves with. 

 

I think that the folks over at Fox know about all of the other info but they are going to leave it to others to bring it out. Did they even have an after show with experts discussing the interview? I know that CNN did. We are coming up on a presidential election and these folks are a liability for anyone on the conservative side of the coin. I think there may be some other stuff connected with this that could negatively impact some powerful people. This could be the way their "problem" gets eliminated. 

[Skittl1321]

This sure sounds like "lesbian agenda" to me.

Thanks for posting.

 

I don't hear lesbian at all.  I hear "figure there must be some kind of agenda"

[graefin]

 

"To them, they probably didn't even understand that it was improper touch," the mother added.

So if we take the interview at face value, are we to believe that these parents have not taught their children about what is "proper" and "improper" as far as their bodily boundaries are concerned? Something has to have gone seriously awry in their upbringing if adolescent girls do not understand that being touched on the breasts and genitals by your brother isn't wrong. Don't they realize how much worse they are making themselves look?

[Rhondinella]

I'm sure others have expressed similar sentiments (I've read a lot of posts, but can't keep up with every single one) but---the fact that a grown-ass (27-year old) man has to be defended on national TV by his parents, instead of coming on and answering the tough questions HIMSELF is nauseating to me.

 

I guess there might be legal ramifications to him speaking publicly, and a lawyer somewhere probably advised him against it?  But then, if he can't be prosecuted because of the statue of limitations why should he worry? Doing an interview wouldn't have completely rehabilitated his image, certainly, but I THINK would probably put him a better light than hiding behind his mother's skirts.

 

As to someone way upthread who said that Josh will never get a job again?  I have no doubt he's gotten multiple job offers in the last couple weeks from fundie organizations.  They may want to wait until the furor blows over, but I'm sure some extremely conservative group or another will give him a job.  He's still fundie royalty.

 

ETA: Lawyer question based on the above: Can one of the victims file civil claims against him?  Not that it would happen, just wondering.

[galax-arena]

First of all, the fact that they were supposedly sleeping during some of the incidents is disturbing to me because I think it shows some premeditation as opposed to an impulsive action, not that either one is ok. (fwiw, I don't believe that they didn't wake up, but even if it were true, it doesn't make it any less heinous for me. )

Not to mention, there is a different sort of violation involved; maybe you won't remember the attack itself, but it can still be traumatizing to know that someone came after you when you were at your most helpless and vulnerable. I don't think I'd be able to sleep for a long time after that.

Why should Josh never find a job again?

I'm okay with Josh finding employment. Like working on a car lot!  

Edited June 4, 2015 by galax-arena

[cheatincheetos]

I think this is because the confessions were in the church of the blackened window storage building.   No ordained clergy in attendance.

 

This could be me being overgenerous, but I suspect it's the case.

Church of the blackened windows...doesn't it sound like an HP Lovecraft short story?