Jessa, Ben and Their Brood: Making a (Diaper) Mountain out of a Mold House

[Totally]

8 hours ago, Nysha said:

I'm pretty sure Michelle felt the same way about Josh that Jessa feels about Spurgeon. 

I’ve been thinking the same 

[emmawoodhouse]

Bounce bounce. 

https://www.instagram.com/p/CHv-1VRJei0/?igshid=sele0x9hkr8s

[ginger90]

Video:

 

 

[ozziemom]

1 minute ago, ginger90 said:

Video:

 

 

Is Ivy the new star of the Seewald family? Or is Spurge busy at school?

[Tasya]

Well Ivy definitely has all of Felicity's hand me downs. Unfortunately they can't just let her wear them without leggings, god forbid!

[Joan of Argh]

3 hours ago, Tasya said:

Unfortunately they can't just let her wear them without leggings, god forbid!

It's probably for the best with Smuggar lurking around  

[doodlebug]

6 hours ago, ozziemom said:

Is Ivy the new star of the Seewald family? Or is Spurge busy at school?

Spurge busy at school?  He wishes!!

 

[BigBingerBro]

13 hours ago, ozziemom said:

Or is Spurge busy at school?

He probably fell through the looking glass.  We'll probably hear about it in a few weeks.

[CherryMalotte]

I hate to see any Duggar or Duggar offshoot near an animal.  

[Nysha]

9 hours ago, doodlebug said:

16 hours ago, ozziemom said:

Is Ivy the new star of the Seewald family? Or is Spurge busy at school?

Spurge busy at school?  He wishes!!

I wonder if Ben is taking him to the Big House to be educated with the M-kids and Lost Girls?

[skatelady]

22 hours ago, ozziemom said:

Is Ivy the new star of the Seewald family? Or is Spurge busy at school?

The breakout star? 🙂 🙂 

[iwantcookies]

That poor poor cat is doomed.

 

Why so many trash cans in one room?

[iwantcookies]

8 hours ago, Nysha said:

I wonder if Ben is taking him to the Big House to be educated with the M-kids and Lost Girls?

Big House=Prison 

I see what you did there 🤣

[riverblue22]

Is that Jessa's house or the big house?  Ivy's feet are filthy!

[Westiepeach]

14 hours ago, riverblue22 said:

Is that Jessa's house or the big house?  Ivy's feet are filthy!

Looks like The Big House. Which explains Ivy's filthy feet.

[Madtown]

Video. Spurge talking about letters on the couch tag and how to spell "swell",  but it's all about Ivy..

https://www.instagram.com/p/CH0iv6UjkJV/

[DangerousMinds]

2 hours ago, Westiepeach said:

Looks like The Big House. Which explains Ivy's filthy feet.

I doubt Jessa’s own floors are much cleaner.

[madpsych78]

Cute kitty.

I'm more concerned about the rest of the family than Ivy. Ivy at least appeared to try to be gentle with the cat. Will Michelle put the kitty in a container again?

[louannems]

On 11/20/2020 at 11:13 AM, Madtown said:

Video. Spurge talking about letters on the couch tag and how to spell "swell",  but it's all about Ivy..

https://www.instagram.com/p/CH0iv6UjkJV/

I actually flinched when Henry pulled the trigger on Ivy's head.

[DangerousMinds]

Just saw in a Reddit group that Jessa’s friend Kristin is on Parler and showing her bigoted, racist, ignorant ass. She has compared mask wearing to the Holocaust and tagged some of her posts with #whitesupremacy. I don’t think Jessa is on Parler (yet) but Joy is and follows Kristin and has upvoted these disturbing posts.

[Zella]

1 hour ago, DangerousMinds said:

 Joy is and follows Kristin and has upvoted these disturbing posts.

That's pretty gross. Has TLC been made aware of it? 

[DangerousMinds]

15 minutes ago, Zella said:

That's pretty gross. Has TLC been made aware of it? 

I don’t know, but hopefully soon.

[GeeGolly]

3 hours ago, DangerousMinds said:

Just saw in a Reddit group that Jessa’s friend Kristin is on Parler and showing her bigoted, racist, ignorant ass. She has compared mask wearing to the Holocaust and tagged some of her posts with #whitesupremacy. I don’t think Jessa is on Parler (yet) but Joy is and follows Kristin and has upvoted these disturbing posts.

Is this the Tacos for Life friend? I think Jill is friends with her as well.

She sounds rather disgusting and Joy liking those post is as well. I never really thought of the Duggars as outright racists, although their belief system is exclusive at its roots. Although Austin appears a bit more mainstream on the surface, I can see him taking his beliefs to the nth degree and feeling superior because of them.

As you and @Zella said, this new info is gross and disturbing.

[lascuba]

Wow, a white Southern fundamentalist Christian is racist? I'm shocked. Shocked, I say.

[libgirl2]

8 hours ago, DangerousMinds said:

Just saw in a Reddit group that Jessa’s friend Kristin is on Parler and showing her bigoted, racist, ignorant ass. She has compared mask wearing to the Holocaust and tagged some of her posts with #whitesupremacy. I don’t think Jessa is on Parler (yet) but Joy is and follows Kristin and has upvoted these disturbing posts.

Disgusting. Yes, TLC should know. They probably do, but hope we don't. 

[DangerousMinds]

7 hours ago, GeeGolly said:

Is this the Tacos for Life friend? I think Jill is friends with her as well.

She sounds rather disgusting and Joy liking those post is as well. I never really thought of the Duggars as outright racists, although their belief system is exclusive at its roots. Although Austin appears a bit more mainstream on the surface, I can see him taking his beliefs to the nth degree and feeling superior because of them.

As you and @Zella said, this new info is gross and disturbing.

Yes, it’s the Tacos4Life woman. And I could see Austin as one of the “Proud Boys,” frankly. I hope I’m wrong.

3 hours ago, libgirl2 said:

Disgusting. Yes, TLC should know. They probably do, but hope we don't. 

Back to topic, I wonder if Jessa and/or Bin will join Parler? Bin actually seems to be more accepting of other races. No idea about Jessa!

[Zella]

My guess (which could totally be wrong) is that Jessa and Ben will probably avoid the more toxic sites, not because they don't hold the same beliefs but simply because they seem to be more mindful of bad PR. Or tries to be, might be the operative phrase. She often seems pretty ignorant about how things will be received, but I think she knows that posting anything too overtly is not going to end well. I wouldn't be surprised if Jessa was one of the ones most afraid of the show being cancelled and acts accordingly. 

I remember us talking about how Ben seemed to fancy himself quite the commentator when he first emerged on the scene and posted a fair amount of provocative shit that he abruptly stopped doing. I don't remember if it was before Derick's Jazz meltdown or not. It certainly could explain part of why Ben seems to have gotten so quiet, and Jessa militantly focuses on the kids in her social media stuff.

Edited November 24, 2020 by Zella

[DangerousMinds]

1 minute ago, Zella said:

My guess (which could totally be wrong) is that Jessa and Ben will probably avoid the more toxic sites, not because they don't hold the same beliefs but simply because they seem to be more mindful of bad PR. I remember us talking about how Ben seemed to fancy himself quite the commentator when he first emerged on the scene and posted a fair amount of provocative shit that he abruptly stopped doing. I don't remember if it was before Derick's Jazz meltdown or not. It certainly could explain part of why Ben seems to have gotten so quiet, and Jessa militantly focuses on the kids in her social media stuff.

Very true, and from what I understand Parler is NOT the place for cute pictures of your kids. Unless you want unsolicited graphic dick pics in response.

[lascuba]

19 minutes ago, Zella said:

My guess (which could totally be wrong) is that Jessa and Ben will probably avoid the more toxic sites, not because they don't hold the same beliefs but simply because they seem to be more mindful of bad PR. Or tries to be, might be the operative phrase. She often seems pretty ignorant about how things will be received, but I think she knows that posting anything too overtly is not going to end well. I wouldn't be surprised if Jessa was one of the ones most afraid of the show being cancelled and acts accordingly. 

I remember us talking about how Ben seemed to fancy himself quite the commentator when he first emerged on the scene and posted a fair amount of provocative shit that he abruptly stopped doing. I don't remember if it was before Derick's Jazz meltdown or not. It certainly could explain part of why Ben seems to have gotten so quiet, and Jessa militantly focuses on the kids in her social media stuff.

It was before...Ben and Jessa started their public hateful spiels almost immediately after their honeymoon. They were the first Duggars to be loud and proud about the true nature of their beliefs in non-fundie spaces. I don't know if it was TLC or just the general public reaction, but they were scared off and stopped. I've believed ever since that that is the reason for Ben's apparent unhappiness--his dreams of being a preached with a built-in tv audience were dashed right when he was warming up. He was so obviously angry in the first Counting On specials, and I don't think it was primarily about Josh. He was pissed because he'd been given a mandate to not try to save souls on camera, to be dishonest about their beliefs and practices. When Jessa corrected him about "babysitting" his own kids (this was after Derick got dragged on social media for saying he was babysitting), Ben was obviously annoyed because, clearly, they all talk about men babysitting their kids and she was only saying that for the camera.

 

[lascuba]

34 minutes ago, DangerousMinds said:

Very true, and from what I understand Parler is NOT the place for cute pictures of your kids. Unless you want unsolicited graphic dick pics in response.

Someone on twitter recently posted a list of new rules that Parler put out, including no dick pics, no porn, and no--I, umm, shit you not--pics of feces. There was a bunch of other stuff listed that really makes me wonder just what the hell is going on over there.

[Zella]

6 minutes ago, lascuba said:

It was before...Ben and Jessa started their public hateful spiels almost immediately after their honeymoon. They were the first Duggars to be loud and proud about the true nature of their beliefs in non-fundie spaces. I don't know if it was TLC or just the general public reaction, but they were scared off and stopped. I've believed ever since that that is the reason for Ben's apparent unhappiness--his dreams of being a preached with a built-in tv audience were dashed right when he was warming up. He was so obviously angry in the first Counting On specials, and I don't think it was primarily about Josh. He was pissed because he'd been given a mandate to not try to save souls on camera, to be dishonest about their beliefs and practices. When Jessa corrected him about "babysitting" his own kids (this was after Derick got dragged on social media for saying he was babysitting), Ben was obviously annoyed because, clearly, they all talk about men babysitting their kids and she was only saying that for the camera.

 

Thank you!

I think you're right that he is very bitter about that. And it certainly could go a long way toward explaining why his graduation wasn't acknowledged and why Jessa is so tight-lipped about what he is doing. It wouldn't surprise me if he thinks he's getting back at the world at large by forbidding her from posting about him and what he's up to. 

2 minutes ago, lascuba said:

Someone on twitter recently posted a list of new rules that Parler put out, including no dick pics, no porn, and no--I, umm, shit you not--pics of feces. There was a bunch of other stuff listed that really makes me wonder just what the hell is going on over there.

It's not actually new--it's from this summer! I have so many questions about that list. LOL The no posting your own shit rule was number 1, before no death threats and no obscene usernames, which makes me laugh so hard every time I think about what must have led up to that. 

Edited November 24, 2020 by Zella

[lascuba]

3 minutes ago, Zella said:

Thank you!

I think you're right that he is very bitter about that. And it certainly could go a long way toward explaining why his graduation wasn't acknowledged and why Jessa is so tight-lipped about what he is doing. It wouldn't surprise me if he thinks he's getting back at the world at large by forbidding her from posting about him and what he's up to. 

It's not actually new--it's from this summer! I have so many questions about that list. LOL The no posting your own shit rule was number 1, before no death threats and no obscene usernames, which makes me laugh so hard every time I think about what must have led up to that. 

Ooh, I hadn't connected the two, but that would explain a lot! Even if TLC didn't want to feature it in an episode, it's just so weird that no one has mentioned it.

That Parler list made feel naive for the first time in years, because all I could think was, "Do people do that?"

[Zella]

2 minutes ago, lascuba said:

Ooh, I hadn't connected the two, but that would explain a lot! Even if TLC didn't want to feature it in an episode, it's just so weird that no one has mentioned it.

As to quote John Prine, I think Ben is spiting the nose right off of his face! 🤣

I didn't connect it until now either. But I think it might also explain why Jessa is so defensive when she's asked about Ben since her instinct is to brag and boast, even if there's nothing to boast about. I bet that marriage is a real picnic behind closed doors. . . . 

Edited November 24, 2020 by Zella

[GeeGolly]

TLC didn't have any problems airing Ben's faith based sport coaching or the Dillard's God bothering ventures. That makes me doubt that the reasons the Seewalds have for being tight lipped about Ben's graduation has anything to do with TLC.

[Zella]

3 minutes ago, GeeGolly said:

TLC didn't have any problems airing Ben's faith based sport coaching or the Dillard's God bothering ventures. That makes me doubt that the reasons the Seewalds have for being tight lipped about Ben's graduation has anything to do with TLC.

I agree it may not involve TLC directly. I could see the Seewalds realizing that the backlash they were getting on social media could lead to negative consequences, Jessa telling him to put a cork in it because she doesn't want to lose the show, and him "punishing" her by putting his foot down about what she posts about him or what is included on the show, all without any interference from TLC. 

Edited November 24, 2020 by Zella

[Tikichick]

1 hour ago, DangerousMinds said:

Very true, and from what I understand Parler is NOT the place for cute pictures of your kids. Unless you want unsolicited graphic dick pics in response.

So a conservatively wholesome environment is what you're saying?

Everybody knows the real dangers to society are women in pants.  

1 hour ago, Zella said:

It's not actually new--it's from this summer! I have so many questions about that list. LOL The no posting your own shit rule was number 1, before no death threats and no obscene usernames, which makes me laugh so hard every time I think about what must have led up to that. 

I guess priorities must be heeded.   

[mimionthebeach]

On 11/4/2020 at 12:25 PM, doodlebug said:

The only thing she could do but won't is to allow them to play with a diverse bunch of kids, attend story time at the library, send them to school.  Their horizons cannot be broader than the walls of their tiny little house.  

Now is not the time to do that, though. 

[Nysha]

I don't think Bin is racist, I think he is extremely intolerant of other religions. It wouldn't surprise me if TLC put a bug in JB's ear, who multiplied it for Jessa's ear, who then passed it on to Bin that they needed to be a bit more subtle because they were trying to pass for actual Christians, not bigoted morons.

I do think one of the major reality hammers for Derick and Bin were how much of their "truth" would have to be whitewashed for the show. Bin had to be cautioned not to spill, in front of the camera, all the hateful beliefs prevalent in their bubble. Derick had to film the lie about their dating/courting timeline and follow their courtship rules that he's still not willing to come out and say are damned stupid for a grown-ass man to follow. 

[libgirl2]

1 hour ago, lascuba said:

Someone on twitter recently posted a list of new rules that Parler put out, including no dick pics, no porn, and no--I, umm, shit you not--pics of feces. There was a bunch of other stuff listed that really makes me wonder just what the hell is going on over there.

I know people who went there.... I wonder how they are liking it? 😆

[Jeeves]

1 hour ago, GeeGolly said:

TLC didn't have any problems airing Ben's faith based sport coaching or the Dillard's God bothering ventures. That makes me doubt that the reasons the Seewalds have for being tight lipped about Ben's graduation has anything to do with TLC.

IIRC, TLC may have shown the coaching and the Dillards traveling to Danger America to be missionaries. But the show didn't get into the details of their beliefs. 

29 minutes ago, Nysha said:

I do think one of the major reality hammers for Derick and Bin were how much of their "truth" would have to be whitewashed for the show. Bin had to be cautioned not to spill, in front of the camera, all the hateful beliefs prevalent in their bubble. Derick had to film the lie about their dating/courting timeline and follow their courtship rules that he's still not willing to come out and say are damned stupid for a grown-ass man to follow. 

^^That's what I think. TLC has presented the Duggars as this huge brood of wholesome worshipful Christians without mentioning Bill Gothard, or identifying ATI/IBLP, or talking about Michelle's robocalls during that political campaign. The details were blurred out, so to speak.

[GeeGolly]

1 hour ago, Zella said:

I agree it may not involve TLC directly. I could see the Seewalds realizing that the backlash they were getting on social media could lead to negative consequences, Jessa telling him to put a cork in it because she doesn't want to lose the show, and him "punishing" her by putting his foot down about what she posts about him or what is included on the show, all without any interference from TLC. 

I think you're absolutely right, it was the SM backlash that made them stop and their own concerns about losing fans. I really don't think TLC discusses SM presence with the Duggars or any of their other "celebrities". TLC knows controversy attracts viewers and it works better for them if their celebrities do it on their own time. They only care when it crosses a line like Derick did, but even then TLC just distanced themselves from the statement saying they don't share the opinion.

With all that said, the Duggars have never hid their conservative views on or off the show. TLC only drew a line at not airing political views like anti-choice. And the Duggars would pull back if they received too much negative press, but Michelle's favorite lines were as many blessings as the Lord sees fit and its all in God's timing. Never mind their courting/marriage rules and so on. Its not a huge leap to understand where the Duggars are coming from.

Edited November 24, 2020 by GeeGolly

[GeeGolly]

12 minutes ago, Jeeves said:

IIRC, TLC may have shown the coaching and the Dillards traveling to Danger America to be missionaries. But the show didn't get into the details of their beliefs. 

Yes and no. Both Jill and Derick talked about church and conducting sermons, as well as helping in the communities. But it didn't take much reading between the lines to see that the Dillards weren't teaching gardening or helping folks secure clean water or access to sound medical help.

Edited November 24, 2020 by GeeGolly

[lascuba]

5 hours ago, GeeGolly said:

Yes and no. Both Jill and Derick talked about church and conducting sermons, as well as helping in the communities. But it didn't take much reading between the lines to see that the Dillards weren't teaching gardening or helping folks secure clean water or access to sound medical help.

You're giving the average viewer way too much credit.

[awaken]

20 hours ago, Zella said:

That's pretty gross. Has TLC been made aware of it? 

Let’s make sure they are!  

[GeeGolly]

7 hours ago, lascuba said:

You're giving the average viewer way too much credit.

I suppose you're right.

It makes me think we're not doing enough in society in promoting women and their rights, because right out of the gate the show makes it obvious that women and children (especially female children) are seen as second-class citizens. And then moving farther into the show, introducing the Bates and Big Sandy, the cult vibes become much more apparent. 

[Jeeves]

2 hours ago, GeeGolly said:

I suppose you're right.

It makes me think we're not doing enough in society in promoting women and their rights, because right out of the gate the show makes it obvious that women and children (especially female children) are seen as second-class citizens. And then moving farther into the show, introducing the Bates and Big Sandy, the cult vibes become much more apparent. 

I think that many if not most viewers of the show tuned in for light entertainment and aren't going to think beyond the surface of what they see. The Duggars are packaged as a conservative wholesome family following "traditional" and even "old fashioned" ways. Where the men are strong and the women are good-looking and nurturing, and everybody reads their Bible and minds their parents. We who have looked into it, know that's made-for-TV bullshit, but enough viewers tune it to lap it up, that it works for TLC. 

I remember a few years ago on FB, a friend of mine in Kentucky posted a sardonic comment about the Duggars. And one of her friends commented, "but look how those kids mind their parents." I mean, we've seen how checked out Michelle is, we've heard about the blanket training, we've seen that priceless video on YouTube in which Michelle is unable to talk to the camera because she can't manage two or three of her own toddlers who keep disrupting the scene. We know the TTH is a chaotic mess, we saw how the Howlers foraged for food and did sh*t like put video cameras in a dishwasher that they then turned on. We know that Michelle turned her kids over to their  adolescent sister-moms to raise, the hot minute she weaned them. 

We know that stuff.  I think most viewers don't, and most people accept the myth that TLC has peddled of this awesomely well-organized, super-disciplined household. Even after Joshgate, they may turn up their nose about the molestations but I doubt they know the rest of the truth. 

As to the mission trips, I didn't intend to imply that TLC hid that the purpose was religious, but I think they blurred out the actual religious doctrines that were being preached. Unless the viewer is already familiar with fundamental evangelical Christian doctrines - or maybe even if they are - I don't think they would have a clue that's what the Dillards and Duggars are peddling in Danger America, just based on what TLC showed. 

Edited November 25, 2020 by Jeeves
words

[lascuba]

2 hours ago, GeeGolly said:

I suppose you're right.

It makes me think we're not doing enough in society in promoting women and their rights, because right out of the gate the show makes it obvious that women and children (especially female children) are seen as second-class citizens. And then moving farther into the show, introducing the Bates and Big Sandy, the cult vibes become much more apparent. 

 

26 minutes ago, Jeeves said:

I think that many if not most viewers of the show tuned in for light entertainment and aren't going to think beyond the surface of what they see. The Duggars are packaged as a conservative wholesome family following "traditional" and even "old fashioned" ways. Where the men are strong and the women are good-looking and nurturing, and everybody reads their Bible and minds their parents. We who have looked into it, know that's made-for-TV bullshit, but enough viewers tune it to lap it up, that it works for TLC. 

I remember a few years ago on FB, a friend of mine in Kentucky posted a sardonic comment about the Duggars. And one of her friends commented, "but look how those kids mind their parents." I mean, we've seen how checked out Michelle is, we've heard about the blanket training, we've seen that priceless video on YouTube in which Michelle is unable to talk to the camera because she can't manage two or three of her own toddlers who keep disrupting the scene. We know the TTH is a chaotic mess, we saw how the Howlers foraged for food and did sh*t like put video cameras in a dishwasher that they then turned on. We know that Michelle turned her kids over to their  adolescent sister-moms to raise, the hot minute she weaned them. 

We know that stuff.  I think most viewers don't, and most people accept the myth that TLC has peddled of this awesomely well-organized, super-disciplined household. Even after Joshgate, they may turn up their nose about the molestations but I doubt they know the rest of the truth. 

As to the mission trips, I didn't intend to imply that TLC hid that the purpose was religious, but I think they blurred out the actual religious doctrines that were being preached. Unless the viewer is already familiar with fundamental evangelical Christian doctrines - or maybe even if they are - I don't think they would have a clue that's what the Dillards and Duggars are peddling in Danger America, just based on what TLC showed. 

I think a lot of it comes down to general human intellectual laziness + specifically American culture of banal "niceness" over true kindness and ethics.  The Duggars are extremely nice. I believe without question that if most of them were confronted face to face with, for example, an openly LGBTQ+ person, they would be very nice and polite. And that's what matters to people, actual public statements and church membership and political endorsements be damned. It's why, when two sides are arguing, the one who loses their cool at the morally bankrupt views of the other is seen as the loser, because the one spouting bigotry kept it "civil." Nothing makes people more uncomfortable than openly expressed negative emotions no matter how justified.

I don't know how to fix this, how to teach people that "nice" is the least important quality a person can have, that it's the substance of their opinions and not how those opinions are expressed that matters. Yes, politeness matters, but if that politeness is slapped on top bigotry, it become a weapon.

[GeeGolly]

You both make such great points.

I have kids, very polite kids, nice kids - we would always get compliments when out at restaurants, shopping, extended family gatherings, etc. But they also could be little shits too, though mostly in the privacy of our own home. But more importantly they would also respectfully speak up for themselves and others when needed, even when very young.

I guess because it was so blatantly obvious to me what was going on, I felt it was that obvious to most others.

But I feel I should put this in context as well. I've never seen the Duggars as a family with hateful, evil intent. I've always given them a pass because they pretty much stayed in their own lane. Michelle's robo call and Derick's SM rant took away their free passes though. I guess what I'm saying is I saw a 'nice family' on TV too. But I saw that this nice family was ass backwards, oppressive and authoritarian and I'm having a hard time wrapping my head around the fact the other viewers can't see that too.

[DangerousMinds]

I think if one of the Duggar girls got a job, the audience would accept that. Little by little, girls watching would start to see themselves as having more options, even very religious ones. Slowly but still progress.

[BigBingerBro]

Just an FYI but Jordan was on RFP's lastest podcast and she confirmed that Bin is the head teacher at the TTH.