Josh & Anna Smuggar: A Series of Unfortunate Events

[EarlGreyTea]

 

It shows up in their rabid anti-choice stance where they have no compassion for the situations a woman might encounter (a life situation, or a health problem for mother or fetus), that might lead a woman to choose to terminate a pregnancy, but make a huge public stink about their pro-life stance. They show no compassion for members of the LBGT community and, while I agree with the sentiment of the people who have made the analogy here that Josh will now understand what they feel, I have to disagree. LBGT people are regular people, and our fellow citizens, who are seeking to be treated the same as everyone else. Josh engaged in immoral, probably criminal behavior. There really is no analogy.

 

I apologize for drawing the analogy. It was wrong of me.

Edited May 22, 2015 by EarlGreyTea

[GEML]

Josh almost certainly received a severance. And that severance would have included insurance and full pay/benefits for at least three to six months. These are rumors that were around for years. The FRC would have known about them the same as we all did. And again, this is DC. This is a city kind of used to ugliness.

And I ultimately blame the Gothard cult. It actually sounds as if Jim Bob and Michelle tried to look into real counseling for Josh and the Elders discouraged it. While IBLP isn't a church per se, everyone in it functions under another's "umbrella of authority." Once the Elders had spoken, Jim Bob and Michelle were left with the choice of staying in their community under their "authority" or leaving and helping their children. Naturally we wish the had made the other choice, but Fundies from EVERY closed society/religion almost never do.

And it might also explain why the Bates family got a new house.

Ugly, huh?

[GEML]

I don't care how much money or fame someone has, the law is still the law and should protect people.

[SunnyBeBe]

While I don't condone Josh's conduct, I think I view it as something that was created out of a life of deprivation, dictatorship and mind control.  His 14 year-old mind and body were likely not functioning as an average teen might. He had no healthy role models and limited normal social interaction.  And even if he had gone before a juvenile court judge, he would likely have received therapy and supervision, then had his record expunged when he was 18.  Too bad that didn't happen.  Instead, he continued to live under the reign of his uninformed parents, who did not get him professional help.  So, I"m not surprised he acted out again.

 

And what's so sad is that the parents seemingly learned nothing from all of it, except how to side hug.   

 

Edited to say:  I've read conflicting reports on whether Josh and the girls received professional therapy as a result of the incidents.  If they did, please disregard my comment on their failure to do that.

Edited May 22, 2015 by SunnyBeBe

[Bella]

I think the show will continue minus Josh and Anna. There's a huge media firestorm right now, but that will die down as non-viewers move on to the Holiday weekend and other news. In other words, the outrage won't last. The Duggars are C-list celebrities, not candidates running for the White House. If they can ride the storm they should be okay as far as TLC goes. If the network pulls the plug, I'll stand corrected.

 

I'm kind of betwixt and between on this. I absolutely think they should pull the show, and I believe there is a compelling reason to do so. I'm not sure this will die down so much as lose heat. If I were betting, I'd say that TLC will hold the show back next fall just to see if other shows can fill the gap. I expect to see lots and lots of promos over the summer for non-Duggar shows. Then TLC will follow the money. If they can make a plausible business case for holding back the show for, say, a mid-season replacement or a series of specials or even nothing, I think that's what they'll do.

 

Josh is over, however. They don't dare bring him back. And that has to be explained away somehow, which won't be easy.

 

I also expect the media to go digging for additional Duggar scandals, and to turn any grain of sand they find into as big a mountain as they can. If Duggars = scandal, it's over, no matter what.

 

This isn't going to be pretty.

 

And I can't possibly express the extent to which I loathe Josh right now.

[Oldernowiser]

I say no way. My guess is that TLC will take the opportunity to film "A Very Special Episode" where Boob and Michelle forgive Josh and then do a lot of Lord-talk and claim it's a family matter that some devil-loving heathen dredged up to sully their good names. And people will buy it because they are believers and not thinkers.

But here's the thing...their schtick has always been that despite all logical expectations to the contrary, they had all of these children and yet they were all one big happy perfect Christian family and they had God's rubber stamp on anything they did. The smug factor has always been off the charts.

Now there's a huge piece of evidence that their children HAVE suffered from neglect and in a really awful way. What's worse, is that the parents were told about it and promptly buried it so that the gravy train would keep rolling.

How does anyone watch their sanctimonious crap now, knowing the price their children have had to pay?

[fliptopbox]

Chances are Anna was told something happened back when he was 14, but not the whole story. I have a hard time believing she'd still want to be with someone who openly admitted to molesting 5 family members. But now that everything is out in the open she's just going with the flow and saying that she knew the whole story, because in that culture what else can she do? She's probably secretly horrified but can't do much about it...so she's pulling herself up by the bootstraps and trying to ride it out.

[Cherrio]

Are we all assuming that the incidents that were reported were the only ones that ever happened? I realize one girl said she wasn't touched, but it's not necessarily the case -- she may have been asleep, she may have repressed it, or she may just have kept quiet out of shame or family loyalty or some other motivation. Beyond that, I'd hate to think any of the other brothers or any other male in the house did anything like this, or that Josh having lost his power-trip outlet could have found other ways of dominating or emotionally hurting his sisters. Besides continuing to exist, I mean. I think I posted up-thread (possibly on a different thread) that I am haunted by the thought, "What else don't we know? What if this is just the tip of the iceberg?"

That was my thought this morning. What else has been going on and is Josh the only molester?     I am thinking tip of the iceberg.

Also, since JB is so cheap, giving or allowing the daughters to live in those homes might have been an incentive/insurance in that they remain silent on this.

[ghoulina]

Chances are Anna was told something happened back when he was 14, but not the whole story. I have a hard time believing she'd still want to be with someone who openly admitted to molesting 5 family members. But now that everything is out in the open she's just going with the flow and saying that she knew the whole story, because in that culture what else can she do? She's probably secretly horrified but can't do much about it...so she's pulling herself up by the bootstraps and trying to ride it out.

 

Right. I think he may have given her a watered down version. ONE sister. ONE incident. Really played it down. I have a hard time believing Anna would marry him if she had the full knowledge of what is in those reports. But maybe I'm being naive. Maybe she is just so brainwashed that she believed asking forgiveness was all it would take to get rid of his problems. I don't know.

[pinkelephant3]

Just good 'ole Joshy boy. And, Anna.

Actually there are a lot of bashing comments on their girls histograms too they are mostly directed at josh but they shouldn't have to deal with it!

[SoSueMe]

Poor Marjorie

Bad timing to try and get in on the Duggar gravy train.

[BitterApple]

It actually seems like Anna's upbringing treated sex a little more normally. She was told attraction and desires were okay, but to save herself for marriage. That's a lot less extreme than how the Duggars broached the subject with their children.

[bluebonnet]

Chances are Anna was told something happened back when he was 14, but not the whole story. I have a hard time believing she'd still want to be with someone who openly admitted to molesting 5 family members. But now that everything is out in the open she's just going with the flow and saying that she knew the whole story, because in that culture what else can she do? She's probably secretly horrified but can't do much about it...so she's pulling herself up by the bootstraps and trying to ride it out.

I really don't see any reason to not believe Anna.  If she were a normal person, yes, I'd think she's lying to spare her family.  But she's not normal.  She's part of a cult of fundies who believe that women are in charge of male sexuality and that perpetrators of sexual abuse are accountable only to god and that there are no victims and those who suffered under the abuser should forgive.  Everything she's said is pretty standard stuff for their sect.  Unless you're saying that she's not a believer, that she's a complete fraud and doesn't support any of the things she espouses, then there is zero reason not to trust what she says as what she says completely fits in with her persona.  

[doodlebug]

Well, The Today Show featured the story in its top headlines at the top of the show and then had a report after the first half hour, with Erica Hill, of course.  She naturally denied any knowledge of this story at the time she filmed the special.  The story made it clear that the police report was the smoking gun.  I suspect that Jim Bob and Michelle actually brought this down on themselves by having Joy request the records be destroyed.  I think that someone affiliated with the PD or the juvenile court found out about the request and leaked the story to the media for a price, triggering the FOI request.   It's just too coincidental that this story broke in conjunction with the motion to destroy the records.  Without the police report, its all hearsay which is why this story lurked around the edges of the internet for years.

 

Today rightly emphasized that it was more than a year from the time the parents discovered the situation before they spoke to the authorities.  Erica says she attempted to contact both Jim Bob and Josh, but, amazingly, her best buddies were unavailable for comment.  The report stated that the victims were 5 young girls and that part of the abuse took place in a communal bedroom where they slept.  I have a feeling that it is network policy not to name underage victims of abuse without their consent, but I think that anyone knowing anything about the Duggars can guess who it was. 

 

The only way they can salvage this is to agree to an on air interview with TLC that includes the girls and doesn't allow them to vet the questions. And there is no way that happens without JB and Michelle forcing words into the girls' mouths.  Those kids aren't actors and the lies won't hold under scrutiny.  The jig is up, this thing is already spiraling.  Jim Bob and Michelle aren't going to be able to control the message any longer and the dirty truth is coming out about them and their warped beliefs and values.

Edited May 22, 2015 by doodlebug

[Kcat1971]

Okay, but let's be real, if the police report had been wildly exaggerated, the Duggars would have nipped that in the bud and been more specific. In this sort of situation, what the people often don't say is as pertinent as what they do say.

 

The Duggars might be dumb, but they're not that dumb. (Or are they?) From a PR perspective, giving a vague admission of guilt might as well have been a full confession that everything in that police report was true.

 

(And yes, I realize that this wouldn't necessariliy hold up in court. But we're not in court.)

 

 

Actually, I think its entirely possible that they are THAT dumb.  My experience is on the fringe of some fundamentalism and I've heard people "confess" and feel deep shame about some things that I don't really think are a big deal.  I think its possible that a large portion of Josh's confession is much to do about nothing. And the narrative from the non-family member (See #11 & #17 in the police report) support that thought.  The two narratives that are #9 & #10 contain some allegations that should have been investigated further.  The descriptions in those narratives are very troubling but again, they might be exaggerations or miscommunication based on the possible age of the victim/witness.  

 

So far we don't know what happened after the police report that we have seen.  That report reads to me like a CPS investigation.  It looks like they interviewed all the children who could speak except for Josh.  They used the anatomical drawings to gauge whether the children were victims of abuse.  The fact that they did not remove any of the children seems to indicate that there was no on-going abuse.  And it possibly indicates that the 2 narratives that they had of prior molestation may not have been as serious as they appear in those narratives because they children were not removed.

 

Bottom line for me is this should have been fully investigated at the time it happened.  JimBob & Michelle should have sought outside help including a full investigation & therapy for all the children.  Maybe its wishful thinking on my part because I don't want the girls to have suffered, but I think it is possible that these allegations are getting blown out of proportion.  And based on my training I'm not going to assume something more than what he's confessed to without a trial or a credible victim making specific allegation.  

 

I will continue to snark on how JimBob & Michelle have raised their children.  Whether or not something truly abusive occurred this whole situation is an example of why this lifestyle is bad parenting.  In a lot of ways they give Christians & Home Schoolers a bad name and that really annoys me.

[mimionthebeach]

http://www.cbc.ca/news/arts/josh-duggar-19-kids-and-counting-star-apologizes-amid-child-molestation-allegations-1.3083340

Holy Crap on a Cracker. So not what one expects to see on the CBC

[Fuzzysox]

The truth will NEVER be known until the kids are fully deprogrammed. They will oinly escape when they are receive professional help to debunk everything they have been taught.

[Saylii]

The Freedom of Information Act would not have resulted in this information being turned over to InTouch.  Any Department of Human Services investigations are excluded in the state of Arkansas.  Whoever released it committed a misdemeanor.

 

I don't think it would be one of the victims, unless it was the speculated non-sister.  Jana does too much to protect the younger children.  I can't imagine she'd want this in the world.  Jessa and Jill have seemingly moved on to their own lives.  Joy wouldn't be able to get the documents herself being a minor.  If any of them did it, Jinger is the only logical choice.

 

I'm also interested in why InTouch's first articles on this had a bunch of wrong information (timeline on when the abuse happened, the dates the police got involved, the number of victims).  Did they release that first story based on speculation hoping that it would get the report in their hands?

[Maya]

The report stated that the victims were 5 young girls and that part of the abuse took place in a communal bedroom where they slept. 

Kind of sheds new light on why they were so desperate to paint their bedroom. I bet looking at that horse made them sick :(

[fliptopbox]

The truth will NEVER be known until the kids are fully deprogrammed. They will only escape when they are receive professional help to debunk everything they have been taught.

If that ever actually happens. At this point I'm not sure any of them have a strong enough will to fully separate from that sideshow.

[ChicksDigScars]

Esp since they cancelled Honey Boo Boo for the exact same thing

 

Hmm. I dunno. That was a different situation.  There are actually two precedents at work, here.

 

June Boo Boo willingly brought home a boyfriend that had been convicted and served time for child molestation of multiple children and added him to the family dynamic. He also molested her own daughter (which he was not convicted for).  He was a convicted felon. And she was putting her cooch in front of her brain by giving him unfiltered access to her three other minor daughters.  She also, in the process, broke up her "marriage" to Sugar Bear, who was a popular character on the show.  So, she blew up the family and the show. She changed the show's direction and focus. No one was going to tune in to watch just June, her obnoxious younger kids, and the molester. Anna, Kaitlyn and Sugie would have been non-factors.  June overplayed her hand, thinking that the only reason people watched was to see her and Alanna, and that no one would miss Sugie, Anna or Kaitlyn. TLC said, "Nope. See you."

 

The Cake Boss' brother-in-law, Remy, was convicted of molesting a Valastro family member. A niece (Grace's daughter?)  Remy worked at the bakery and was one of the main decorators shown each week, along with the other brothers-in-law, Mauro and Joey.  He was one background character of many. They wrote him off. No one really noticed a difference and Buddy and TLC went on about their business.  The show seems to have lost steam, but I blame it more on Buddy's personal issues with his DUI than what happened with Remy.  Also, they overexposed him with spin off shows.

 

I see TLC reacting more along the lines of the Cake Boss. Removing the offending party from shows, and if Jim Bob and MEE-chelle have a problem with it, then there's the door. Don't let it hit you in the ass on the way out.  Then, they start to focus more on other shows and less on the Duggars. Less promotion. They see if the ratings for the Duggars begin to slide. If so, they really put effort into finding the next Gosselin/Boo Boo/Duggar sensations.  I think with having such a huge cast, and the popularity of the daughters (sorry MEE-chelle, your J-Slaves are more popular and appealing than you), they think that they can reduce or erase Josh from the show and that will make it go away.  Trouble with this is that Anna has the cute kiddies.  

 

I think a nice long hiatus is coming. Kind of like Cake Boss since the DUI. They won't outright pull the plug yet, but we may get a long break while they take the temperature of the viewing audience and see if ratings suffer.  IMO, if the show was going to be cancelled, we wouldn't have seen  marathon last night., They DID rearrange a couple of the shows, but if the plug was going to be pulled, there would have been a Little Couple/Willis Family marathon thrown in there at the last second, instead.

 

One thing is that TLC IS in the driver's seat on this. JB can no longer strong arm them to do what he wants.  They have control. 

 

But, I do wonder if JB can also play the "Josh was never charged or convicted" card and lawyer up if TLC breaks a contract with them.

Edited May 22, 2015 by ChicksDigScars

[JenCarroll]

Woke up and checked the Internet. Crap. I was hoping it was all just a bad dream.

OK, I have admittedly only caught snippets here and there of this show...maybe 1 hour total when you put it all together.

 

Do Michelle and JB REALLY dry hump each other in front of the kids?

Sadly, yes they do.

[Maizie131]

TLC needs to pull the plug on this show ASAP.  I will never watch it again.  Extremely disturbing! 

[Cherrio]

I say no way. My guess is that TLC will take the opportunity to film "A Very Special Episode" where Boob and Michelle forgive Josh and then do a lot of Lord-talk and claim it's a family matter that some devil-loving heathen dredged up to sully their good names. And people will buy it because they are believers and not thinkers.

The fact that all of these pieces of shit spend their time actively campaigning against LGBT people and their "sinful" "lifestyles" burns me to no end. If they want forgiveness from people maybe they should start asking for it themselves from the victims who live in their own home.

I think they are already filming it.

[Bella]

Woke up and checked the Internet. Crap. I was hoping it was all just a bad dream.

 

This was my first good, strong laugh of the day. I got up at 5:30 a.m. to start checking on all this thread again. Oh, I so wish this had been a bad dream! And then there are the victims, the secondary victims, etc., etc., etc. Sigh.

 

(And I can't thank you posters enough for being so civil, thoughtful, and measured in your righteous outrage over this situation. Even though you're posting faster than we can read and we've had to enlist at least two new mods to help, we're really grateful that you've all been so exemplary in your discussion. We're already bragging about you in the mod-only area.)

[Bad Example]

I think the girls, especially the ones in the house, suffer the most from this being made public. Rampant speculation will follow them forever. Their entire world changed this week, and not in a positive way, at least at this point.

 

Do the girls even realize that if they were to escape, the reaction of most of the world will NOT be to point at them while declaring them "Defrauding Harlot!"?  More along the lines of "I'm sorry that happened to you.  Your brother sucks."

[Guest]

June Boo Boo willingly brought home a boyfriend that had been convicted and served time for child molestation of multiple children and added him to the family dynamic. He also molested her own daughter (which he was not convicted for).

That's not correct. He went to prison for raping Anna. That was the only crime he was convicted of.

[Ljohnson1987]

The girls lives are forever changed. TLC should cancel the show, and get them real help. Whatever Gothard therapy they got (If any) was probably to keep sweet.

[CofCinci]

The Freedom of Information Act would not have resulted in this information being turned over to InTouch. Any Department of Human Services investigations are excluded in the state of Arkansas. Whoever released it committed a misdemeanor.

I don't think it would be one of the victims, unless it was the speculated non-sister. Jana does too much to protect the younger children. I can't imagine she'd want this in the world. Jessa and Jill have seemingly moved on to their own lives. Joy wouldn't be able to get the documents herself being a minor. If any of them did it, Jinger is the only logical choice.

I'm also interested in why InTouch's first articles on this had a bunch of wrong information (timeline on when the abuse happened, the dates the police got involved, the number of victims). Did they release that first story based on speculation hoping that it would get the report in their hands?

The released document has no connection to the Arkansas Dept. of Human Services. The header of the scanned InTouch document clearly states "Springdale Police Department - Offense Report", which are reports easily obtained using FOIA.

[Leigh3]

I was 100% sure yesterday that they were headed back to AR to circle the wagons. Today's events pretty much confirm this. Smuggar never would have quit without an assurance from his sleazy father that there would be a carlot waiting for him to run. 

 

I hate these people. I hope the girls (and Anna) get some real help. 

 

I wonder if the "61 year old woman" could be the old church friend who started helping Mechelle with the laundry after her meltdown? The age is about right. 

Michelle had a meltdown?  Details please

I carefully read the 33 page redacted police report. I am sick.  I was so sad to read one of the sister, whom Josh put his hand up her dress, stated she forgave him, but does not  feel safe in her home. Surprised this statement didn't open a second investigation. P25 and 26 of the report of a sister in the home who loves to cook and is in charge of meals (which sister is this?) She went on to say how this event brought the family closer to God- in my head I was hearing Jill. This sister claimed she was not touched inappropriately. She did state someone makes her feel uncomfortable. The name was blacked out, but for some reason I don't think it was Josh and the blacked out area was too long like it was a long first and last name.  So this counseling center Josh was sent to has...work camp. He was probably told to pray and work hard to get these demons out of him.

This damning letter who wrote it and why was it placed in a book and forgotten??? The family knew about the letter. Was it a confessional from Josh as part of his asking for forgiveness?

Who emailed Oprah??? 

As of TLC  if you listen closely you can hear the gravy train coming off the tracks

[Ljohnson1987]

I cannot believe people want this to be forgotten. They're basically saying it's okay.

[GEML]

I'm not sure that the communal bedroom was the one in the new house. I think most of what we are talking about took place in the old house(s).

[natyxg]

The Cake Boss' brother-in-law, Remy, was convicted of molesting a Valastro family member. A niece (Grace's daughter?)  Remy worked at the bakery and was one of the main decorators shown each week, along with the other brothers-in-law, Mauro and Joey.  He was one background character of many. They wrote him off. No one really noticed a difference and Buddy and TLC went on about their business.  The show seems to have lost steam, but I blame it more on Buddy's personal issues with his DUI than what happened with Remy.  Also, they overexposed him with spin off shows.

 

I see TLC reacting more along the lines of the Cake Boss. Removing the offending party from shows, and if Jim Bob and MEE-chelle have a problem with it, then there's the door

 

I don't think it can compare to this Duggar fiasco. If Josh had molested like a neighbour or something while in Washington DC, then yes. They could just fire him. But this is something that involves pretty much the whole family. The parents knew and didn't get him professional help, or separate him from the house or whatever. There is also the obvious subtext that people will be thinking about: that their weird ways may have played a role because that was not a heatlhy environment. Then there are the victims, who everyone will assume are the more visible girls from the show. Then there's the wife that stands by Josh.

 

Their whole show was about how wholesome they supposedly were, but now all of it it's tainted. I have a hard time imagining watching any episode now without thinking that it's all a lie.

 

What can save the show is if their biggest fans, the conservative viewers, express sympathy and they (the Duggars and the network) can spin it around and make all about being so christian and forgiving. Maybe then TLC will keep it on, hoping that those fans will keep watching. They'd have to be quite thirsty and needing the ratings, though, if they would do this not caring what it could do to their image. And even then the ratings may just plummet because what made the show popular is just tainted now and things will feel so fake.

[Chai]

I actually feel sick over this.

Josh said in his statement that he and his victims received counseling. I hope to God so. As a mother i would be blaming myself that this happened to my daughters under my own roof. Nothing would get in my way to prevent those daughters from receiving All the counseling they needed. What a hypocrite receiving mother of the year award.

[Literata]

I'm wearing my long chevron skirt today in solidarity with the girls. :)

I am so genuinely sad about this. It breaks my heart most of all to think of those girls not having felt safe in their own home. And given the patriarchy, I'm sure they all idolized Josh before this happened. I can't begin to imagine their fear, hurt and confusion. It all is just unspeakably sad.

[okerry]

Does anyone know why Oprah did not pursue this back in 2006? She must have believed the email (or whatever it was) at that time stating that this sort of thing was going on in the Duggar family, because she immediately pulled the plug on them and sent them packing.

 

Oprah was a victim of sexual abuse herself when young. There's no more powerful person in television than Oprah Winfrey. Why did she not insist that this be investigated further? Something must have gone on behind the scenes - some kind of deal - and I'd love to know what it was.

[Ljohnson1987]

Anna knowing about it,  and still marrying Smugs, and having kids with him, proves that she's too brainwashed to think for herself. Abuse is never okay.  Anna, I thought you were a little smarter than that. Guess not. Cancel The Duggars!

[BitterApple]

Jill was the one who did the majority of the cooking and the phrasing sounds like how she talks so I'd bet on the non-abused sister being her.

Throwing Josh, Boob and Michelle aside, I hope the Duggar girls get a good attorney and sue the crap out of whoever released this information. It doesn't matter that names were redacted, anyone with half a brain can put two and two together and figure out who the victims were. I don't know the ins and outs of the FOIA, but I can't imagine it includes releasing info about the sexual abuse of minors.

As far as Oprah, her producers turned the email over to authorities, I'm not sure what more she could have done.

Edited May 22, 2015 by BitterApple

[Ljohnson1987]

I doubt the Duggar girls would sue. But they should get some real therapy. My heart breaks for them.

[galax-arena]

Re: feeling sorry for Josh, I might - might - have felt inklings of sympathy for him if his statement to People or FRC resignation had shown any degree of self-awareness and contrition for the rippling effects his abuse has had on his family. But there's none of that. It's all deflection and minimization and me, me, me. "I understood that if I continued down this wrong road that I would end up ruining MY life." "Past teenage mistakes." etc. I don't think he's shown any true sense of accountability for anything.

Edited May 22, 2015 by galax-arena

[HumblePi]

I'm wearing my long chevron skirt today in solidarity with the girls. :)

I am so genuinely sad about this. It breaks my heart most of all to think of those girls not having felt safe in their own home. And given the patriarchy, I'm sure they all idolized Josh before this happened. I can't begin to imagine their fear, hurt and confusion. It all is just unspeakably sad.

This shouldn't surprise anyone, I know I'm not. The deplorable way that this ultra-conservative, hypocritical religious sect has a clear and present history of thinly disguised female misogyny. Women are considered things, sexual objects that are to be used for one purpose alone, to bear children and increase the numbers of 'the faithful'. The women are brainwashed and repressed from birth. The men on the other hand are raised to believe they will be the patriarchs and the rulers of their women. TLC doesn't want to let go of their cash cow but the backlash of public opinion may be so strong that TLC will have to address this issue and do something. If they keep the Duggars show they will be taking a great risk.

 

I would be interested in knowing why Josh Duggar decided to come forward with his sordid past at this point in time. He must have known it would absolutely destroy not only his political career but the reputation and legacy of the entire Duggar family.

 

I bet every one of the Jenners and Kardashians are running around high-fiving each other right now because they know this is taking some of the heat and attention off them and Bruce.

Edited May 22, 2015 by HumblePi

[bluebonnet]

Forget TLC, I'm getting even more surprised that not a single sponsor has made a statement.  

[dillpickles]

Throwing Josh, Boob and Michelle aside, I hope the Duggar girls get a good attorney and sue the crap out of whoever released this information. It doesn't matter that names were redacted, anyone with half a brain can put two and two together and figure out who the victims were. I don't know the ins and outs of the FOIA, but I can't imagine it includes releasing info about the sexual abuse of minors.

http://m.tmz.com/#Article/2015/05/22/mama-

june-angry-suing-tlc-cancellation-josh-duggar-molestation-19-kids-and-counting

Maybe they should let mama june do the suing!

[Ljohnson1987]

If TLC isn't too far up the Duggars' ass, they'll cancel it.  They'd be the biggest hypocrites by not doing it.

[Chai]

again i am a mom who tries her best and puts my kids needs ahead of my own. I said above that i would make sure my daughters received all the counseling they needed. Josh too. Right after I the holy hell out of him so that sex would be the last thing on his mind.

[ZoloftBlob]

Does anyone know why Oprah did not pursue this back in 2006?

 

A guess? It was a vague allegation that everyone was denying. It sucks  to let something go but without police reports and with family denying it, what was Oprah supposed to pursue?

[GEML]

I doubt TLC cares about hypocrisy. I've always been suspicious that there was more to the HBB story.

We may also know why Jill dresses so dowdy. She may not be suffering from survivors guilt, but let's face it, it's common knowledge that everyone, ourselves included, talks about how much the other girls are so attractive and Jill's name comes up less often, whether be genetics or by effort. Might be by design on her part. She took the modesty lessons deeply to heart because it was safer to be the ugly duckling.

[BitterApple]

If they do get cancelled on TLC I wouldn't be surprised if a ratings-starved network picks them up. Love them or hate them, they're a cash cow and I think there will be even more morbid curiosity now that their dirty laundry has been aired. Despite what happened in the past, Jill and Jessa seem to enjoy being on camera and may do specials or interviews independent of the family. I think the biggest fear for Boob and Michelle right now is there's no longer any incentive for the kids to "keep sweet" now that the floodgates have opened. As others have noted, this might just be the tip of the iceberg in terms of family dirt.

[Jamiesmum]

Still in shock. I have been reading so much since the "news" broke that my head is in a spin, but a couple of thoughts have come through:

* Josh's apology is all about himself, what he went through and how he has recovered and gotten on with his life. No true repentance for what harm he has caused, or actions he has taken to obtain forgiveness for his "mistakes". (Calling it mistakes makes me see red every time I read it.)

* The comments from Anna read like a well worn script. This is what a good Gothard wife says and does.

* As so many other have said, it explains so much about various reactions from the older girls. To me, it explains the anxiety I have seen in Jana when it seems that things may be out of her control. I first noticed it in the Weight Watchers episode, where I recognised the look on her face as she lined up for weigh in. and later on when she was listening to the leader at the meeting and JB was goofing off. Another example is how she took Jill's bridesmaids' dresses and came up with alterations on the spot and did them all herself. Control over something she was doing, not thinking about anything else, being part of, yet separate to what was going on.

* I just hope that someone is looking after the other kids properly. They may not have access to the internet, but would know something is happening. Kids always do. While I do not think they need to be given the bald facts, they need to know something is happening. I truly doubt JB and M are thinking of the younger ones needs now.

* That Josh and John David never really seemed to get along. Yes, John David does come off as a bit of a doofus, but for all his ways, I think he is smarter than he appears. And he and Jana are still close. One of the older girls commented in an episode when they were preparing to go back home after the Josie/Little Rock eps, that JD was supposed to be doing something for them, but wouldn't, but Jana would speak to him and get it all sorted as she was the only one who could talk to him, and he would do things for her.

This is a bit longer than I thought it would be. Apologies for that. Thoughts will pop up as I type.

[neural-plasticity]

I understand this situation is different than Honey Boo Boo's, which is why I agree with most of the posters on here who are saying TLC will probably lay low with this family until trying to release the new season this fall. HOWEVER, the problem is that Josh isn't the only person with which I have an issue. I have a SERIOUS issue with how JB and Michelle handled this situation, and then handled the next 8 years on their TV show. To me, everything they've talked about with purity and raising their children is a lie. The show is a lie. I've always known about the bigoted things they do on the side, and I try to ignore that when watching their show (however hard that has been). But I can't sit back and continue to watch the show in the same format it has been, and I can't see them willing to talk honestly and openly about what happened. JB has too much pride in himself to admit ON CAMERA that their family has flaws, and have had serious issues as a result of the cult they are in.