Josh & Anna Smuggar: A Series of Unfortunate Events

[natyxg]

This whole "statute of limitations" bugs the hell out of me. Whose bright idea was this? The state of Arkansas?

 

As I understand it, there is a statute of limitations for all crimes, except murder. What surprises me is that in this particular instance it is just 3 years. It feels too little time to me. I assume the statute of limitations vary by state.

[RazzleberryPie]

Can you please explain what you are saying about Mary. I don't understand. TIA

Calling Mary a 'ring leader' in the dog and pony show means that Mary was/is very active in getting JimBob's family in the spotlight (on TV shows, speaking tours, JimBob's political career, etc.). 

[natyxg]

Can you please explain what you are saying about Mary. I don't understand. TIA

 

I think that person is confusing things. I looked and there is nothing in the email about Mary (that is the grandma, right?). However, there was a link posted a bunch of pages back that was to some posts in a forum, from 2007. The person claimed to know the Duggars and pretty much said a lot of what has been said now, and more. One of the things the person said was that Mary was one of the ones always on the phone trying to get goodies and show appearances and trying to make the duggars happen.

Edited May 23, 2015 by natyxg

[kandinski]

By now the kids will be under no illusion to keep their mouths shut and deny everything.

 

It would be stupid of them to defy Mechelle and Dim Blob

Edited May 23, 2015 by kandinski

[awaken]

HumblePi, thanks for the info on piney ridge treatment center. Are people saying it is not legit, or that josh never went there, as he claimed?

John David doesn't live at home? And they've not said where he lives?

[NEGirl]

Statue of limitations vary from state to state regarding various offenses. From the take I got on the police report, it said someone wrote a letter, which I took to mean of the girls, placed in it a book and it was forgotten about. The book was given to a freind to read who discovered the letter and called police. Someone in the know sent OP Productions an email which they(OP) verified, and then sent to the police. Hence the Duggars never appeared on the show.  My head is kind of spinning after reading all of this so I can't remenber which one came first. Everyones comments have been so thoughful and insightful. I only wish the Duggars had/have the insiight everyone does here. I am hopeing they all get the counseling they need, if necessary, by court order.

[Literata]

#8 on that worksheet is the WORST. "If you had to choose no physical abuse or growing spiritually?

Clearly they are meant to choose growing spiritually as the CORRECT answer.

That worksheet could easily been construed as condoning sexual abuse. Has anyone here sent it to Anderson Cooper yet? If not, I'd be glad to.

[Thumper]

What does JTTH stand for? Thanks.

[Gianthambeast]

Just as bad, the beginning part tells you, "The only part of you that was damaged was your body, whereas the truly important part of you is the soul." Like its axiomatic that sexual abuse does no spiritual damage. Then we move on to the victim blaming, then back to minimizing. "You are at fault; change whatever you did wrong. And if by some extremely unlikely chance you were not at fault, then you should thank God you were abused because it gives you more spiritual power." It's a horror.

And in the same breath they tell you that sex is some sacred gift from God only to be shared between a man and a wife and that preserving your virginity is some kind of mystical trust whose loss is like giving away a piece of your heart.  So which is it-- something that doesn't really matter or a sacred trust the violation of which has profound spiritual and psychological implications?  Double-talking, misogynistic, bastards-- what have you done to your daughters and wives?

 

Edited May 23, 2015 by Gianthambeast

[cmr2014]

I think that person is confusing things. I looked and there is nothing in the email about Mary (that is the grandma, right?). However, there was a link posted a bunch of pages back that was to some posts in a forum, from 2007. The person claimed to know the Duggars and pretty much said a lot of what has been said now, and more. One of the things the person said was that Mary was one of the ones always on the phone trying to get goodies and show appearances and trying to make the duggars happen.

 

Yes, thank you. That is exactly right. I've been scouring the transcript for the reference, and couldn't find it, but I knew that I read it somewhere.

[HumblePi]

Try telling any testosterone raging teenager at 13, 14, 15, 16 not to masturbate, not to have sexual thoughts of girls, not to think of sex in any way. That is not humanly possible and it's not fair to teach that to any child. It's human nature and if you tell that child that it's wrong and it's a sin against God, it damages their thinking for life.

 

I hear over and over about how they got Josh help through whatever means, the details of that are very foggy. What I want to know is did the four or five girls in the family that were sexually molested by their brother over a period of years get help?  Again, it's all about the predator and not about the prey. These girls need professional help, not a bunch of religious zealots praying it all away in a group in their 'home church'. That's bullshit. The girls have been molested and will have to deal with this all their lives, WHERE IS THEIR HELP

 

This as how the 2006 incidents came to light the second time around;

 

"The 2006 report explains that after a family friend became aware of the situation upon finding a letter that detailed the incidents that had been left in a book loaned to the friend by a member of the Duggar family, a call was made to the Child Abuse Hotline, which led to the Crimes Against Children and the Springdale Police Department investigating the case in 2006."

Edited May 23, 2015 by HumblePi

[3girlsforus]

This whole "statute of limitations" bugs the hell out of me. Whose bright idea was this? The state of Arkansas?

In Virginia there is not statute of limitations on sexual abuse of a child. I am not surprised other states have a limit since usually no statute is for murder but I am very surprised it's only 3 years.

[joanne3482]

HumblePi, thanks for the info on piney ridge treatment center. Are people saying it is not legit, or that josh never went there, as he claimed?

John David doesn't live at home? And they've not said where he lives?

Michelle confessed during the 06 investigation that the 2003 'counseling'  never occurred. The sent him to a family friend who owned a contracting company. In Josh's statement he says he received counseling but no details. So I don't know if there was a separate 'counseling' session or if he's perpetuating the lie that in 03 he received 'counseling.'

[ChiCricket]

I have the gender reveal on my dvr and I've never watched it. So now I have a different perspective. For those who want to see it, try On Demand if you have it.

Thanks for this suggestion..I entirely forgot that DISH offers a dish on demand type of thing , until you suggested this. I'm downloading the Digging in with the Duggars episode right now. I missed it when it first played and now I really want to watch it for the family's body language when talking to one another.

Edited to add: it acts like it's downloading, but never actually does...phooey!

Edited May 23, 2015 by ChiCricket

[3girlsforus]

I wonder if having it out in the open will allow the sisters to talk about it with each other to at least try to start some healing. You know it was not allowed to be discussed in any way in the Duggar home. I doubt they had anyone to talk to about it. I don't think it's an accident that Jill and Jessa were together the day it broke. I hope they can find support and healing with each other since we know they won't be getting it from their parents.

[Darknight]

I wonder how parents who called this tv show clean tv and allowed their children to watch it will address this to their children.

What does JTTH stand for? Thanks.

Journey to the heart

[bren70]

WOW.  Rewatching the tense Erica Hill interview episode now.  Wow, watch after she asks them about their modesty standards.  Michelle talks about her mowing the lawn in the bikini thing, and how she learned that she was at fault by tempting " the poor husband" across the street (which is a WTF statement because she was FOURTEEN and he was a grown man).  Anyway she then goes into saying "You can't control what someone else thinks, but we can control what we do.  So if we stir up desires in someone else, that can't be righteously fulfilled, then we're responsible for that."  Which is a big WTF anyway, but after she says that, Jim Bob looks over to Jana, Jinger, and Jessa on the couches, the camera follows his eyes and all 3 girls look down to the floor.  As if they feel ashamed.  Then as the next question begins, Jessa has a pissed off look on her face.  

Edited May 23, 2015 by bren70

[jcbrown]

This:

 

The victims deserve peace and healing. It's tragic that their parents chose celebrity over privacy knowing full well there were demons in the closet.

and this:

 

These girls have been told that God rewards those who forgive and their livelihood was dependent on the appearance of a united, faithful family. Forgiveness wasn't a choice- it was required. Jim Bob and Michelle failed their children (and I include Josh in that group of failed children). Because of the family infatuation with sex and the taboo of physical desire before marriage, he was a teenage boy without an outlet. I'm not defending his choices- but, his parents created the perfect victims and, due to their vanity and pride, allowed ill equipped people to "cure" Josh.

and this:

 

If the victims are the ones named and they did not share this with their spouse yet, it makes me really sad that they are having to not only relive this in the media but also having to explain it to their husbands on SOMEONE ELSE'S time table.

If I could like all these posts 100 times, I would. These girls were set up to be victims by Boob and MEchelle. After that, their parents sold them out and put them on TV instead of getting them real help. And now they have been deprived of the right to own their own stories. This is just ineffably sad and infuriating.

 

ETA: Not that I think this should not have come out. Josh, Boob, and MEchelle definitely deserve to suffer for what they have done. I am just sad for the collateral damage to the young women he molested. And his kids. And to a lesser extent, Anna.

Edited May 23, 2015 by jcbrown

[What In The]

For Josh to have molested anyone, something wasn't right in his head, heart, or wherever. Was HE ever abused? Was Michelle and Boob too busy with reproduction and politics to raise him? I don't know. All I know now is he got himself, his sisters, and now his wife into a butt ugly situation.

[3girlsforus]

I wonder how parents who called this tv show clean tv and allowed their children to watch it will address this to their children.

Journey to the heart

The people I know who are dealing with this are telling their kids the truth. Josh molested his sisters. He did horrible things and the show isn't on anymore. Those with kids too young to understand that answer are also too young to be hearing the news that it isn't on anymore.

[SometimesBites]

I wonder if the whole wearing clothes to bed started after the molestations.

I stopped watching a couple of years ago. Do they really wear their street clothes to bed??

[JoanArc]

In the interview, why did Josh say there'd probably be another courtship happening. Jana and Jinger looked like the wanted to rip him limb from limb after he said that. Major eye daggers. Anna looked like she was in a hostage situation. And yes, Jill was off, and heavily edited.

[Rhondinella]

Wonder if it will rate a mention on John Oliver?

 

I now CANNOT LIVE until I see Oliver's scathing takedown of this situation.  Please, please, please TV gods!!

[natyxg]

In the interview, why did Josh say there'd probably be another courtship happening. Jana and Jinger looked like the wanted to rip him limb from limb after he said that. Major eye daggers. Anna looked like she was in a hostage situation. And yes, Jill was off, and heavily edited.

 

Is there a link to this interview? I’m out of the loop. Thanks.

[JenCarroll]

This is what Free Jinger has on the counseling location Josh went to:

http://www.freejinger.org/forums/viewtopic.php?f=87&t=26083

[JoanArc]

Is there a link to this interview? I’m out of the loop. Thanks.

Its the final episode of this current season, episode 21, Digging In With The Duggars hosted by Erica Hill. There is another thread about it, probably best to discus there. It was very tense and off. They knew it was all going down.

[NikSac]

Michelle was asked if  the person Josh was sent to for his manual labor punishment was a mentor. Michelle answered , no not really, kind of.

I don't have the exact wording, so I did not use quotes I can't recall if this was part of the police report.

 

It's on this page: http://imgur.com/a/zqPMi#29

"Det. Hignite then asked Mrs. Duggar about the training center they sent ***** to. She said it was not really a training center. Det. Hignite asked if the guy ***** talked to was a certified Counselor. She said no. She said it was a guy they know in Little Rock that is remodeling a building. Det. Hignite asked if the guy was more of a mentor. She said kind of."

 

(edited for typo fix)

Edited May 23, 2015 by NikSac

[natyxg]

Its the final episode of this current season, episode 21, Digging In With The Duggars hosted by Erica Hill. There is another thread about it, probably best to discus there. It was very tense and off. They knew it was all going down.

 

Ah. Thanks.

[NikSac]

I asked this a few pages back and read several pages worth of comments and haven't seen an answer- people here are saying he did NOT receive counseling as he stated in his resignation.  He referenced going to the Vista program or something- is this not a real counseling program?  If not, what is it? And where people are saying he only did manual labor and didn't get counseling, what is this based upon?  I'm just curious, since people (not on this board) have said they did the right thing- "they sent him to counseling! what else could they do?!" (not mentioning, of course, the parenting and climate that fueled this to begin with). 

 

I just quoted that part of the police report. Hopefully that answers your question if no one else has yet. (I'm still catching up too)

[satrunrose]

Finally caught up an I just... there are no words... this is so sick on a variety of levels that many of you here have described so eloquently. My two cents, for what it's worth...

 

When the news first broke, I felt really badly for Anna. Not to get into too many details, but being an unsuspecting family member of some one who is accused of sex-related crimes (yes crimes, not mistakes. This is not cheating on your grade 8 math test, folks) completely rocks your foundations. Being married to a creep like that must be 1,000x worse. And then I read Anna's statement and all I could think was, "Lord, I hope she's lying" because what kind of a psycho environment do you have to be living in to have a guy that you just met tell you that he molested his sisters and your reaction is anything other than running fast and far? And the Kellers? They're not off the hook either. How do loving, supportive parents allow (because given the amount of control the parents have over 'courting' you can't blame the girls for these messes) their daughters to marry a molester, a religious fanatic, and a guy who (presumed fabulousness aside) gets to be thanked, on film, for "correcting" his poor wife. 

 

I'm glad TLC has pulled the show and I hope it is gone for good. I hate what this cancellation will do to these girls who have already been left to the wolves by their own parents (My God, all the times Jana was sent to DC to baby sit for a guy who may have molested her). However, it also sickens me to think that they could write Josh out and go on with a shiny, happy show where we "purpose" to pack for a neat trip. The Duggars won't allow a hard hitting "Breaking Duggar" style show, and that would be the only kind I would be even moderately interested in. 

 

As for Josh himself, I'm really not sure where I stand about how much responsibility he should take and how much should be placed entirely at the feet of his useless parents. I can see both sides. What I can't accept, though, is being told (not by ptv-ers, thanks guys!) that Josh made a "mistake", but was brought back to the "right path" after he molested his sisters but two consenting adults in a loving committed relationship, or a person who wants a safe space to use the ruddy bathroom is doomed to Hell. Josh, Michelle and JimBob Duggar you are despicable human beings and you should take a long hard look in the mirror before you start mouthing off about "family values" ever again. 

Edited May 23, 2015 by satrunrose

[VioletNevermind]

With every hour that passes where we don't hear from the girls, I am growing more and more angry.  I have no hope whatsoever that they will receive counseling for this.  I'm talking about actual counseling, where they aren't questioned about what they may have done to invite the molestation.  Just think for a moment about the YEARS of deprogramming that would have to be done with these girls in order to get them to a healthy place mentally and fully convince them that none of it was their fault.  Then, consider Josh's kids.  Who's to say that he wouldn't do the same thing with Mackynzie in a few years?  He received no real help for what he did and neither did the poor girls.  As for the younger kids, they will most likely be just finding out about this.  They're accustomed to their family receiving positive attention and lavish trips, not public ridicule.  My heart breaks for them and what they're experiencing, all because of their weak, pervy brother and cowardly, lying parents.

 

Between this site, TWoP, and Free Jinger, I feel like I know far too much about the Duggars after 10 years of discussion.  Do any of you also feel like that?  I'm watching these incredibly general news reports and reading idiotic posts on social media and thinking, "You have no clue, folks."  I just feel so sick.

[bluebonnet]

In Virginia there is not statute of limitations on sexual abuse of a child. I am not surprised other states have a limit since usually no statute is for murder but I am very surprised it's only 3 years.

Someone else can confirm, but from what I understood reading all the reports is that the statute of limitations wasn't on the particular crime but on the number of years between when it was reported and when charges can be filed.  Since the crime had technically been reported to the trooper who happened to be a family friend and he never filed charges, the statute of limitations to charge for this particular crime had run out.  Only if there had been evidence that something happened after the initial report could charges have been filed.  

[Almost 3000]

What does JTTH stand for? Thanks.

JTTH Journey to the Heart. An ATI/Gothard program for girls.

 

I don't know why but I keep thinking of the big deal that was made at both Anna/Josh and her sister/TFDW weddings about Anna and Priscilla being in charge of the internet. That was so odd.

[bren70]

All I can think about is when Josh posted to either Derick or Ben, "I'll be watching you" with the little eye icon on Facebook.  And all the times he acted like he was their big brother protector, sizing up Derick and Ben during the courtships, and commenting to the cameras about it.  All of which would be completely normal big brother teasing, IF YOU HADN'T MOLESTED THEM YOURSELF.  OMG.    

 

And on the Erica Hill episode (Digging with the Duggars), Josh teases Ben about changing the nighttime diapers or something stupid, and Ben looks like he is ready to wring Josh's neck.  And then looked pissed for the remainder of the episode.  I even noticed it before all this news broke and wondered what Ben was pissed at Josh about.  His face is also red and his eyes look bloodshot.  I know he suffers from allergies, but I can't help but wonder if his eyes were red from crying after finding out that Josh had molested Jessa.  (Assuming that they knew this story was about to break, which I'm sure they did based on the weirdness of this episode/interview).    

Edited May 23, 2015 by bren70

[JenCarroll]

.

With every hour that passes where we don't hear from the girls, I am growing more and more angry.

I don't really expect to hear from the girls, do you? They don't owe anybody any explanations, and I'd think speaking about it publically would be the last thing they'd want to do right now, or possibly ever.

[Saylii]

With every hour that passes where we don't hear from the girls, I am growing more and more angry. I have no hope whatsoever that they will receive counseling for this. I'm talking about actual counseling, where they aren't questioned about what they may have done to invite the molestation. Just think for a moment about the YEARS of deprogramming that would have to be done with these girls in order to get them to a healthy place mentally and fully convince them that none of it was their fault. Then, consider Josh's kids. Who's to say that he wouldn't do the same thing with Mackynzie in a few years? He received no real help for what he did and neither did the poor girls. As for the younger kids, they will most likely be just finding out about this. They're accustomed to their family receiving positive attention and lavish trips, not public ridicule. My heart breaks for them and what they're experiencing, all because of their weak, pervy brother and cowardly, lying parents.

Between this site, TWoP, and Free Jinger, I feel like I know far too much about the Duggars after 10 years of discussion. Do any of you also feel like that? I'm watching these incredibly general news reports and reading idiotic posts on social media and thinking, "You have no clue, folks." I just feel so sick.

Not hearing from the girls is a good thing. That means Jim Bob and Michelle haven't convinced them to win back the public by apologizing for Josh, telling the world they have forgiven him, and letting us know that their strength in God is so much better now. The longer the girls stay silent to the media, the more they are winning that battle.

[EarlGreyTea]

Josh and Anna's website

 

We apologize for the inconvenience, but unfortunately this website is currently unavailable.

If you are the web hosting account owner, please contact us at your earliest convenience. Our customer service team is available 24x7 via phone or email:

Email: support@inmotionhosting.com

Phone: 1-888-321-4678 (1-757-416-6575 Int'l)

 

We cannot disclose any information regarding this account if you are not its owner or authorized party.

For the security and privacy of our customers, all account requests are verified prior to the disclosure of account information

 

TLC pulled all scheduled episodes of 19 Kids and Counting.   Bye Duggars

 

I am really, really surprised Josh and Anna's Instagrams are still up, plus his Twitter. Usually with a huge story like this, the social media accounts are the first things to be wiped. You'd think with Josh taking the time to updated his LinkedIn, he'd have moseyed over to his other social media. On the other hand, seeing the anger in the comments may help force TLC to cancel.

Edited May 23, 2015 by EarlGreyTea

[Chalby]

For those of you who have experience with Fundies, is a little clandestine smooching and fondling between non-courting teenagers totally unheard of? Hormones will get the best of anyone, no matter how much you try to pray them away.

As arrogant as Josh can be I would truly feel sorry for him if he were to lose his job over this.

I do not feel sorry for him, especially when you hear how young one of the gals was and that family was also involved. That's an imbalance of power, in Josh's favour, not fondling between teenagers.

[NikSac]

 

I haven't seen any stories that indicate that the State Trooper said there would be follow-up or that the report was an official one. Everything I have seen indicates that the selected trooper had a personal relationship with Jim Bob and did nothing beyond lecture Josh. Source? I'm not being confrontational; if I'm wrong about this I would like to know.

 

Here's what the police report says about it: http://imgur.com/a/zqPMi#10

"The father said that he went to a state trooper and reported this, but no report was ever filed. The caller says that the father knew this trooper before hand, but they do not know hot [sic] well."

[JenCarroll]

I'd like to hear from Michelle's old neighbor. I'd like to hear, "There was a kid mowing a lawn in a bikini? Never noticed."

[PrincessSteel]

The running commentary here has been very riveting, informed and (given the incendiary nature of the allegations), admirably measured. But I have to stop reading now. This is messing with me big time. I was a casual viewer of this show, and I feel like an accessory to something horrible.

[Chalby]

In the interview, why did Josh say there'd probably be another courtship happening. Jana and Jinger looked like the wanted to rip him limb from limb after he said that. Major eye daggers. Anna looked like she was in a hostage situation. And yes, Jill was off, and heavily edited.

This recent turn of events also helps me understand why Anna was overcome with emotion when Josh mentioned support and prayers of friends... I thought she was feeling hormonal, but now her teariness makes sense.

 They don't get a pass just because they had good intentions. 

Remember that expression, "The road to Hell is paved with good intentions"?

[SpaghettiTuesdays]

Say what you will about the situation, but it is in incredibly poor taste for the articles to include videos of J & A announcing M4 embeded in the same article that talks about what he did. Shame on you, online news articles.

[VioletNevermind]

I don't want to hear from the girls in the sense that they would justify what Josh did and convince us to forgive him "as they have."  I want them to denounce Josh, their parents, and what happened.  I want them to see the light.  I want for Ben, Jessa, Jill and Derick to find new homes so that they're providing for themselves, not relying on Jim Bob and Michelle.  Not saying there's even a remote possibility that any of that could happen, but a girl can dream.  I'm worried about what will happen to the remaining kids now that the fairytale/fiction has drawn to a close.

Edited May 23, 2015 by SuzyLee

[3girlsforus]

I'm not a lawyer but this is a link to the definition of sexual crimes according to the state of Arkansas. It certainly sounds like this is much more of a case of 2nd degree sexual assault rather than 4th degree. It doesn't change the statute of limitations which is 3 years from date the crime was committed but that is because Josh was a minor otherwise they would have until the victim turned 28. 

 

http://apps.rainn.org/policy-crime-definitions/index.cfm?state=Arkansas&group=3

[Saylii]

I'm not a lawyer but this is a link to the definition of sexual crimes according to the state of Arkansas. It certainly sounds like this is much more of a case of 2nd degree sexual assault rather than 4th degree. It doesn't change the statute of limitations which is 3 years from date the crime was committed but that is because Josh was a minor otherwise they would have until the victim turned 28.

http://apps.rainn.org/policy-crime-definitions/index.cfm?state=Arkansas&group=3

Remember these are the current laws which would not apply. Only the 2002/2003 laws apply.

[MyPeopleAreNordic]

My heart hurts for the victims and for Anna and her kids (I honestly don't think Anna knew more than the vague statements about a past sin or something similar; she was probably told God wanted her to help/save Josh, etc).

I think this is the beginning of the Duggar family crumbling and their children will start to break away and speak about their childhoods. It may be soon or it may be years down the line, but this story going public is going to start that ball rolling.

One of the biggest issues I now see with the whole courtship thing (where you can never be alone as a couple) is that you never REALLY get a chance to tell your future spouse about any of you or your family's secrets before you marry. I know many families have things or family members they don't speak of except with very close friends, family, or their spouses. There is something from my childhood that only my parents, three close friends, & my husband know. It's not anything as awful as what happened to the Duggar girls, but it's still something I needed to talk about with my husband. Even though my parents know about it, they don't talk about it and I would not have been comfortable telling my then-boyfriend about it with them or anyone else around. Part of this courtship deal means that you can't really get to know one another - or especially know the baggage the other person comes with and whether or not you're prepared to deal with it or help your spouse deal with it. I hope Ben & Derrick can help their wives deal with it and I hope they weren't completely blindsided by this story.

Jill is lucky that she married a man with an education and real job to support her, because the Dugga gravy train is over. Even if some fundie circles forgive Josh and keep paying family members to give talks, etc, it'll never be as profitable as it was and will never be enough to support all the kids and their spouses & kids because there just too darn many of them and there will only grow to be more.

I hope Ben has been hitting the gym and his workouts hard. I don't believe in physical violence but I hope Ben at least gives chubby Smuggar some looks of intimidation while showing off his muscles somehow.

I have a fantasy that Jill's family and Jessa's family move into a duplex away from the Duggars (but close enough to Derrick's job). Ben can work fixing windshields or whatever while finishing a four year degree part-time.

I'd also watch a show about the older girls, their husbands, and Anna & the M kids living together or near each other and entering the real world while trying to sort out all the messed up stuff that happened in their lives.

To the older girls - this wasn't your fault. When you're ready, you can take control of the narrative. You can tell your version of this story and it's okay to be angry and not yet ready to forgive. You have a huge part of the public on your side. We'll watch your interviews, read your books, and we'd watch a spin-off showing you starting your life away from this mess. You could help other victims by doing so as well. And heck, Jana & any of the other girls - you can totally come live in my spare room for free if you'd just help me out every once in a while with my baby (I only have one) and you can watch whatever you want on TV, read whatever you want, wear shorts, go & come without a partner, go on dates, and only have to do your own laundry.

[Chalby]

Has anyone thought maybe tlc knew this was coming?

 

I mean look at the tone of that interview show

I was curious why they chose a format of interviewing the entire family, and it almost had the air of a finale.

[NikSac]

I wonder how much of this is even being discussed in the house right now. I mean of course the kids must know something is going on, but do they have any idea the extent of it?  They don't have TV, Internet is very controlled, and I can only imagine that they're not being allowed to go anywhere so they aren't being harassed or seeing headlines. As I understand it they were done taping for this season, right?  If so it's not like the cameras suddenly disappeared?  Do they know yet that the show stopped airing, Josh resigned, etc.?  I wonder if it's going to end up kind of slowly filtering down to the kids.

[mmecorday]

So Joshie made some "mistakes" and his parents sent him off to be fixed like someone would send off a broken watch to a jewelers. The difference is a broken watch is right twice a day. What Joshie did is not right at any time of day. 

Jim Boob and Michelle created a family dynamic in which curiosity outside what's written in the Bible or in textbooks about bankruptcy laws is verboten. They planted this "Flowers of the Attic" garden and wondered why one of their very own might want to touch a member of the opposite sex, even if some of those females happened to be his own kin.

I grew so angry today that I started to cry at my desk at work. The Duggars stand in judgment of other peoples' lifestyles when they have been harboring this horrifying secret about their family.

As someone who endured sexual molestation at the hands of an older cousin as a child, my heart is just about squeezed clean of blood at this point for Joshie's victims. Unless the Duggars produce a voice recording of Jesus bestowing forgiveness on their number one son that doesn't sound like Bart Simpson pretending to be Jesus, I remain doubtful that the Son of God absolved him of all blame.

Edited May 23, 2015 by mmecorday