Josh & Anna Smuggar: A Series of Unfortunate Events

[Marigold]

Anna might've had a vague idea of things. And her working in a prison ministry was probably handing out Bibles or something.  She was  young and sheltered.  No way she was sitting down with some rough ladies in jail talking about "stuff".  She just knew they broke God's laws and did bad things.  Basic stuff. Theft, drugs, etc.  Maybe prayed with some people and went home. 

Currently, yes, the Duggars are way, way more aware than they portray on TV. Inlcuding Anna.  She has a smart phone and can lock herself in the bathroom and google things.  But this was over 8 years ago when they got married. . We didn't have smart phones. Internet was spotty for many families if her family even had internet in their home.  The Kellers lived out in Florida and truthfully, her parents look like crazy people from the 70's...completely out of style and out of touch with reality.  Certainly not a weatlhy family at all. I would bet Anna had no clue what the hell Josh did and what porn really is.  Now?  oh poor Anna knows more about porn than anyone should! But back then, no way. She had no idea what she was getting into with that pig. I don't think Anna made an informed decision about Josh because she didn't have all the facts and what sketchy details she did have, she didn't really understand. 

Edited October 3, 2016 by Marigold

[drafan]

2 minutes ago, Marigold said:

   But back then, no way. She had no idea what she was getting into with that pig. I don't think Anna made an informed decision about Josh because she didn't have all the facts and what sketchy details she did have, she didn't really understand. 

I think the name for this is "Arranged Marriage".

[GeeGolly]

If I could have known what I didn't know in my late teens and early 20s ...

[Marigold]

Good point.  It really was an arranged marriage that benefited both families. 

Jim Bob dumped his pervert kid on some unsuspecting young woman who was madly in love with Joshua DUGGAR! 

Mr. Keller married his daughter into Fund Royalty. 

Win-win.  Except for Anna. Maybe that is why I have some sympathy for her even though she was smug a few years back.  

[GeeGolly]

I know this is going to be an unpopular post but ...

Even typical parents can get dumb (or hopeful) where their kids are concerned. They believe in change or redemption, or whatever. Maybe love and denial get in the way, but I don't think JB & M really thought they were dumping Josh on unsuspecting Anna. 

Not that Joshes transgressions are the same, as say, drug addiction, but for comparisons sake; I'm not sure all parents would intervene in an engagement and tell the prospective SIL/DIL that they were marrying a recovering drug abuser/alcoholic. They're going to believe in their kid and their recovery. And I believe Anna had some kind of knowledge, maybe not the entire story, but she was told something.

I have know idea what JB & M were thinking because when I try and do that I make myself crazy. And maybe my view is skewed because I work with some folks who are parents and have kids who are addicted, some have kids in jail, and I see how much they believe and need to believe that their kids can have a better future.

[Sew Sumi]

2 hours ago, drafan said:

I think the name for this is "Arranged Marriage".

I mentioned above that after Smuggar expressed his interest in Anna to his parents, there was certainly a ton of back and forth between Boob and Pa Keller to make Smuggar remotely palatable to the Kellers. Who knows what they told Anna at the time, but I seriously doubt it was the whole truth of the matter. 

Edited October 3, 2016 by Sew Sumi

[Zella]

2 hours ago, Marigold said:

I would bet Anna had no clue what the hell Josh did and what porn really is. 

I suspect this too. I went to college with some very sheltered fundies who didn't know what porn really was. In what may have been the most awkward group project ever about pop culture,  some of these girls labeled some extremely tame pg-13 sex scene "porn, " and I had to explain to them what porn really was. They thought I was degenerate and were confused why I didn't agree that whatever we were talking about was porn.  One of them was getting married in a month. 

[GeeGolly]

46 minutes ago, Zella said:

I suspect this too. I went to college with some very sheltered fundies who didn't know what porn really was. In what may have been the most awkward group project ever about pop culture,  some of these girls labeled some extremely tame pg-13 sex scene "porn, " and I had to explain to them what porn really was. They thought I was degenerate and were confused why I didn't agree that whatever we were talking about was porn.  One of them was getting married in a month. 

I was not sheltered when growing up. But as a young 20ish non virgin I thought oral sex was talking dirty to one another. I can only imagine what some of these young ladies don't know.

[Zella]

13 minutes ago, GeeGolly said:

I was not sheltered when growing up. But as a young 20ish non virgin I thought oral sex was talking dirty to one another. I can only imagine what some of these young ladies don't know.

I know what you mean. I also wasn't really sheltered, but I was in my late teens/early 20s before I finally learned what phone sex really meant. LOL My mental image for it before learning the truth was bizarre and didn't make much sense, now that I think about it.

I remember just really hoping that the one who was getting married was going to get some sort of crash course in sex ed before her wedding. 

[BitterApple]

2 hours ago, GeeGolly said:

I know this is going to be an unpopular post but ...

Even typical parents can get dumb (or hopeful) where their kids are concerned. They believe in change or redemption, or whatever. Maybe love and denial get in the way, but I don't think JB & M really thought they were dumping Josh on unsuspecting Anna. 

 

I don't disagree with you at all. I think it's human for parents to want to see the best in their kids, or believe they were just young and dumb when they did xyz. I have a cousin who's been a drug addict for over fifteen years. She's done multiple stints in rehab, multiple stints in jail, has five kids by three men, all of whom were dumped once the novelty wore off, yet my aunt and uncle still continue to bail her out of all her messes. It's probably not that different with Boob, Michelle and Josh. 

[Sew Sumi]

That's just plain co-dependency, and Smuggar's case is eerily similar to @BitterApple's story, aside from the problem. Boob needs to cut the fucking cord and let Smuggar fend for himself. 

Of course, when you have a narcissist, control freak for a father, I don't forsee a happy ending for Smuggar; he will continue to be bailed out of whatever mess he gets in for as long as the family is in the public eye to save Boob's reputation. Hell, he was bailed out BEFORE the cameras came, so an argument can be made that he'll continue to be bailed out after the fame fades away. 

Edited October 4, 2016 by Sew Sumi

[Marigold]

21 hours ago, GeeGolly said:

I know this is going to be an unpopular post but ...

Even typical parents can get dumb (or hopeful) where their kids are concerned. They believe in change or redemption, or whatever. Maybe love and denial get in the way, but I don't think JB & M really thought they were dumping Josh on unsuspecting Anna. 

Not that Joshes transgressions are the same, as say, drug addiction, but for comparisons sake; I'm not sure all parents would intervene in an engagement and tell the prospective SIL/DIL that they were marrying a recovering drug abuser/alcoholic. They're going to believe in their kid and their recovery. And I believe Anna had some kind of knowledge, maybe not the entire story, but she was told something.

I have know idea what JB & M were thinking because when I try and do that I make myself crazy. And maybe my view is skewed because I work with some folks who are parents and have kids who are addicted, some have kids in jail, and I see how much they believe and need to believe that their kids can have a better future.

No, not unpopular.  I can agree with this too.  i think it's a mix of both of our posts. 

Jim Bob and Michelle really BELIEVED that Josh was gonna be good.  But deep down, every parent knows...like knows who their child is. You want to believe but there is always that tiny voice in the back of your mind, worrying that "it" will happen again. 

Maybe Anna was a little "insurance policy" that Josh was better and let's just keep him better.  Get him a wife, some sex and get his head straight and things will be OK, right?     Right?  josh is gonna be OK, right?  he HAS to be Ok, right.  yeah, he will be just fine.  Look, he is doing fine.  Anna is a nice girl.  he will be fine.  This is just what he needed. yes, we are good. 

Jim Bob certainly thought that marrying young, to a sweet girl, might be what he needs to keep him out of trouble, ya know?  Jim Bob has a limited understanding of porn, sexual molestation etc.  Nothing a wife can't cure, right?  

In any event, poor Anna. This girl knew nothing. She never had a chance. Josh is a used car salesman and so is Jim Bob.  They sold her a lemon. 

[bigskygirl]

Josh and Anna remind me a little of my parents. My dad started drinking in his late teens/early 20s. My grandparents thought if he got married and had a family he would stop drinking. He was married to someone three years before he married my mom after dating my mom for three months. My mother's childhood was not pleasant at all. Her parents had to get married because my grandma was pregnant, and neither one of them were happy campers about the whole marriage and kids idea. Long story short, I really think my mother was hoping to find a man who would love her and give a stable relationship. Sadly, this did not happen, and three innocent children were brought into all ready disaster.

Do I feel bad for Anna? Yes, I do, but there are four innocent children who are suffering because Josh, Anna, and the grandparents are in denial city up to their noses. Getting married and having a family is not a cure especially for the Duggar offspring. A whole new generation to add into the Duggar craziness. Sad, sad, sad!!!

[Churchhoney]

23 hours ago, GeeGolly said:

If I could have known what I didn't know in my late teens and early 20s ...

...I would have been scared crapless. heh            In my case, it was much better not to know. In Anna's case -- too bad she didn't.

[CarolMK]

I have to wonder, does Anna really love Josh anymore, after all that has happened? Does she stay because she's telling herself that she must due to her faith and her love, but also has to convince herself that she still loves him? I really think this is a huge part of her struggle. I'm not sure she'll ever be able to feel the same way about him again as she did before the scandals. Will she stay by his side unhappy for the next 50 years and have another 6 kids? The thought of all that truly makes me ill. She might be the next Duggar to suffer a nervous breakdown, if she hasn't already.

[Arwen Evenstar]

17 minutes ago, CarolMK said:

I have to wonder, does Anna really love Josh anymore, after all that has happened? Does she stay because she's telling herself that she must due to her faith and her love, but also has to convince herself that she still loves him? I really think this is a huge part of her struggle. I'm not sure she'll ever be able to feel the same way about him again as she did before the scandals. Will she stay by his side unhappy for the next 50 years and have another 6 kids? The thought of all that truly makes me ill. She might be the next Duggar to suffer a nervous breakdown, if she hasn't already.

Anna already has changed from the happy bright girl to a younger version of a broken and stunned Michelle, with the different twist that you can tell that Boob loves his wife a lot more than Smuggar loves her. As odious as  Jim Bob is, I don't believe he has ever strayed from his wife. If he has, he ain't tellin'.

Anna can't even pretend she's happy. It's probably why we have not seen much of her. Since she's not going to be the poster child for the happy Gothard wifey thrilled to have such a sub par husband, no talking heads for her. I really felt bad for her for the talking heads she did last year. She was visibly broken and downtrodden. 

[Marigold]

57 minutes ago, CarolMK said:

I have to wonder, does Anna really love Josh anymore, after all that has happened? Does she stay because she's telling herself that she must due to her faith and her love, but also has to convince herself that she still loves him? I really think this is a huge part of her struggle. I'm not sure she'll ever be able to feel the same way about him again as she did before the scandals. Will she stay by his side unhappy for the next 50 years and have another 6 kids? The thought of all that truly makes me ill. She might be the next Duggar to suffer a nervous breakdown, if she hasn't already.

Good question.

I think Anna is in love with Josh from 8 years ago.  The Josh that she knew and loved from 2008.  Josh 2015 is not "her Josh" and she is stuck with Pervert Josh 2015.

I bet that is why Anna was so upbeat and optomistic when he was in the Pray It Away Camp.  She really believed Josh 2008 was going to return and they would be back to normal. She lost weight and was looking stylish with her long hair and (too much) eye make up.  She really believed that God would return sinful Josh to Josh 2008. 

 Unfortunately Josh 2015 returned home and she is miserable, unhappy and broken hearted. 

After writing that, I really do feel sorry for her. That's why she didn't leave.  She believed 6 months in a Christian environment would bring home Josh 2008.  How could it not work?  She has been taught her whole life that if you repent, you are a new creature in Christ.  So she waited patiently and we read she gave him that coming home party...all optomistic and proud of her husband for all his hard work to improve himself.  Well, reality sucks now. Josh is not a new creature but the same old disgusting creature.  Ugh. No wonder she has gained weight and looks sad. You never know, she might leave after one day when she is sick of Josh 2015. 

 

Edit to add: She was broken in those TH specials but she still had an optomistic tone to her... I bet she is in much worse shape. 

Edited October 4, 2016 by Marigold

[BitterApple]

I agree with the above comments. If I had Anna's life I'd be eating my feelings too.

[Absolom]

I think that may well be it.  She was sold on the bill of goods that Josh would be reborn and he wasn't.  Hopefully she won't be as easily fooled next time he messes up and she'll know there is no way for him to return to what she wants.  Then she'll be more free to dump him.

[drafan]

Nope, still not feeling sorry for her.....1) She could leave...she's been given the opportunity. 2) She was the one with continual "baby fever" ...she chose to have all those kids with him. 3) She likes the lifestyle.

I only feel sorry for the Mkids for being under the Duggar thumb, just as I feel sorry for all the under-18 Jkids. Once they come of age and stick around and abide by the stupid rules, nope, no more sympathy.

[BitterApple]

22 minutes ago, drafan said:

Nope, still not feeling sorry for her.....1) She could leave...she's been given the opportunity. 2) She was the one with continual "baby fever" ...she chose to have all those kids with him. 3) She likes the lifestyle.

 

From what I've seen of these women, they're insanely competitive in the husband and baby department. If their guy buys them a bottle of water they're selling it all over Instagram with #besthusbandever, #heknowswhatineed, #sospoiledlol or whatever inane hashtags they can come up with. I wonder if part of Anna's depression is due to the fact that she's pretty much outside that circle now. She can't hold her "I's married" status over the spinsters anymore because everyone knows her husband is a child molester and a cheat. Now that the Duggar girls are breeding, her kids have become obsolete. There was probably a huge loss of identity for Anna when Joshgate 1 hit the fan. I agree she likes the lifestyle, the problem is her current situation doesn't mesh with her lifestyle's ideals and it never will. 

Edited October 5, 2016 by BitterApple

[CarolMK]

In addition to Anna being unhappy, it's very likely that Josh just isn't into her anymore, or at least the way he was back in 2008. It is so hard for people to change, he may never be able to get to where he was when they first married. Also, now that they are very likely living away from the Duggar household, maybe Anna is more depressed because when she was around all of the rest of the family, it was a distraction and company for her and the kids. If it's just her and Josh and their kids at home now, things can't ever be the same again. 

I wouldn't be surprised if Josh is the one to eventually file for divorce. It may not be until his parents aren't here anymore, but I don't think Josh and Anna will be married forever. He's eventually going to do something stupid again. 

[MunichNark]

They both have put on so much weight, they must eat a ton of unhealthy stuff - ususally you would not be able to gain weight that fast. Only goes to show how stressed they are.

Still, they are both bloody adults, so take responsibility for once in your fucking lives and ACT on it. If you're that unhappy, leave, change, do something.

[becca3891]

On 10/3/2016 at 7:48 PM, Zella said:

I suspect this too. I went to college with some very sheltered fundies who didn't know what porn really was. In what may have been the most awkward group project ever about pop culture,  some of these girls labeled some extremely tame pg-13 sex scene "porn, " and I had to explain to them what porn really was. They thought I was degenerate and were confused why I didn't agree that whatever we were talking about was porn.  One of them was getting married in a month. 

 

8 hours ago, Arwen Evenstar said:

Anna already has changed from the happy bright girl to a younger version of a broken and stunned Michelle, with the different twist that you can tell that Boob loves his wife a lot more than Smuggar loves her. As odious as  Jim Bob is, I don't believe he has ever strayed from his wife. If he has, he ain't tellin'.

That is very apt. As much as I can't stand Boob, and to a lesser extent Gil Bates, both do adore their wives and show it. Chad Paine, I actually like and he more than dotes on Erin. That's what Anna is missing and it must be a bitter pill to swallow when she's tried so hard to do everything right. 

48 minutes ago, MunichNark said:

They both have put on so much weight, they must eat a ton of unhealthy stuff - ususally you would not be able to gain weight that fast. Only goes to show how stressed they are.

Still, they are both bloody adults, so take responsibility for once in your fucking lives and ACT on it. If you're that unhappy, leave, change, do something.

Josh and Anna? Last I knew, she was quite thin and Josh has been pudgy for years, but is hardly morbidly obese. Not sure where you're going with that. And to glibly say Anna should just leave, when that's almost akin to suicide in their belief system, is oversimplifying things, in my opinion. She has no skills and will lose all her family and friends if she leaves. She's extremely ignorant and has been brainwashed since birth that divorce is the worst thing imaginable. I feel badly for her.

[Churchhoney]

4 hours ago, MunichNark said:

They both have put on so much weight, they must eat a ton of unhealthy stuff - ususally you would not be able to gain weight that fast. Only goes to show how stressed they are.

Still, they are both bloody adults, so take responsibility for once in your fucking lives and ACT on it. If you're that unhappy, leave, change, do something.

They should, but I doubt that they agree at all about where they would go and what they would do if they left. I expect Josh would want to leave the whole shebang entirely, except for the fact that he is too lazy, uneducated, stupid and cowardly to earn an actual living on his own. While I expect that Anna's still utterly in the thrall of the fundie-Gothard lifestyle and would only want to be on their own so they could be the perfect fundie family again with all the old perqs, such as the ones that had in DC.

If they do want completely different things, but they both are afraid to split up, they're pretty much trapped (albeit in large part because they've trapped themselves). Especially since talking things through and trying to find a third path acceptable to everybody is clearly not the Duggar way.

Edited October 5, 2016 by Churchhoney

[Marigold]

I agree.  I don tthink Anna and Josh will stay married forever. 

Anna was expecting Josh 2008 to come home from Pray Camp and maybe Josh was hoping that he would change also.  Then he came home and is still married to Anna, has 4 kids and is trapped in Duggarville...and is still unhappy. 

Thier life must be so miserable together. I used to think they were going to do a Redmeption Tour and write a book.  Now I'm not so sure.  

I still think Anna will leave one day.  Quietly.  She will get disillusioned when Josh wasn't reborn and her life is worse than hell with that Vile Pig. She is already being treated like Cinderella by the genetic Duggars, not on camera anymore and Josh hasn't changed. Aside from whatever money JB deposits in her account, not much to stick around for anymore. 

[tabloidlover]

It's been mentioned a few times that the Duggars treat Anna like Cinderella and have her do all the dirty work.  I feel like I missed something somewhere.  Anyone want to help me out?  Not that I doubt it at all, I'm just wanting to read where it came from and what exactly it said.  Thanks in advance!!

[sometimesy]

2 hours ago, tabloidlover said:

It's been mentioned a few times that the Duggars treat Anna like Cinderella and have her do all the dirty work.  I feel like I missed something somewhere.  Anyone want to help me out?  Not that I doubt it at all, I'm just wanting to read where it came from and what exactly it said.  Thanks in advance!!

Yeah, I'm lost as well. Is this taking place at the TTH? Why would she be involved in cleaning JB and DQ house? 

[Marigold]

3 hours ago, tabloidlover said:

It's been mentioned a few times that the Duggars treat Anna like Cinderella and have her do all the dirty work.  I feel like I missed something somewhere.  Anyone want to help me out?  Not that I doubt it at all, I'm just wanting to read where it came from and what exactly it said.  Thanks in advance!!

A few months ago, there was a typical Duggar birthday video for Anna.  In it, Joy and Jana (I think Jinger too) got on a little rant about how much Anna helps around the house, how she does all the tasks that no one else wants to do etc.  It was all about her cleaning and helping.  Nothing nice about who Anna is as a person or or mother or SIL or whatever. 

It is nice to say that she helps out...BUT, it was way over the top.  I felt sad that the only nice thing they could say to their SIL is that she cleans things no one else wants to clean? WTF is that?  Very snotty Duggar girl attitude problem, if you ask me. 

I will see if I can find the link later. 

1 hour ago, sometimesy said:

Yeah, I'm lost as well. Is this taking place at the TTH? Why would she be involved in cleaning JB and DQ house? 

I assume it was when she was staying there while Josh was at Pray Camp. Guess she had to earn her keep? 

[louannems]

On Anna's birthday, while Joshua was still in Pray Camp, the kidults made a birthday video.  They all praised her for taking on the really dirty tasks that no one else cared to do. It was posted on the official Duggar Facebook.

[Marigold]

i think Anna is used as a prop for the cameras.  When the cameras are rolling, they are all huggy and lovey with Anna, standing with Josh during this time of crisis. That video told us ALL we needed to know about their real relationship. 

[whydoiwatch]

During Joshgate 1 Anna repeatedly said she had been told everything about JoshUa's past, even stating the police report revealed nothing new to her.  She was so proud of landing what she considered fundy royalty and was so damned arrogant I couldn't stand to watch any scenes she was in. The Smugglers lived a lifestyle in DC that in no way was deserved and when they crashed and burned I did not feel sorry for them. Her sheltered upbringing and supposed belief system are no excuse for continuing to have babies with that swine husband. There is no way she is done having kids with him and she has to know at some level that he will never change.

[BitterApple]

5 minutes ago, Marigold said:

i think Anna is used as a prop for the cameras.  When the cameras are rolling, they are all huggy and lovey with Anna, standing with Josh during this time of crisis. That video told us ALL we needed to know about their real relationship. 

I think you hit the nail on the head. Aside from maybe Jana, I don't think any of the sisters are close with Anna. Given that she's married to their molester, I wouldn't blame them if they felt more comfortable distancing themselves, but it has to be a very lonely life. If the only thing your in-laws compliment you on is your willingness to do the scut work, that pretty much lets you know where you rank in the hierarchy.

If this video was made during the time Josh was in Jesus Jail, Anna's cleaning the TTH wouldn't surprise me. I don't think she's dirty and nasty like the Duggars. She probably couldn't stand living in filth and grabbed the nearest mop and container of bleach.

[Sew Sumi]

Anna's birthday is in June, so Smuggles had been out of Jesus Jail for a few months when that awful video was made. 

[Arwen Evenstar]

2 hours ago, louannems said:

On Anna's birthday, while Joshua was still in Pray Camp, the kidults made a birthday video.  They all praised her for taking on the really dirty tasks that no one else cared to do. It was posted on the official Duggar Facebook.

I'm assuming all the things no one else wanted to do meant that Bin no longer scrubbed the toilets, plus she gets the joyful job of washing Smuggar's underpants...ugh! I just threw up in my mouth!

[Aja]

2 hours ago, whydoiwatch said:

During Joshgate 1 Anna repeatedly said she had been told everything about JoshUa's past, even stating the police report revealed nothing new to her.  

IF that's the truth--i.e. IF she was told in no uncertain terms that Josh molested his sisters--and she married him and immediately started birthing his babies anyway, she's a special kind of sick.

[lookeyloo]

She was just a kid herself.  Sheltered.  They probably sold it as all he needs is a wife and that can be his outlet.  And he was just experimenting.  And they were sleeping.  And it was over clothes.  And they forgave him.   I'm pretty sure she didn't research sibling molestations.  

[BitterApple]

I think if Boob came clean to Anna and her father he gave them the most sanitized, G-rated version of events possible. He may not have included the fact that the youngest victim was 5 and that there numerous incidents taking place over two years. 

[RedDelicious]

I have to say, the Smuggar wedding episode is probably my favorite. It's so awesomely bad. Boob and the sandwiches, Jill had braces, Jana sews and Josh sings. Anna rides away in a Saab and probably thinks she hit the jackpot. I kind of wish I could watch it again.

[Marigold]

1 hour ago, Aja said:

IF that's the truth--i.e. IF she was told in no uncertain terms that Josh molested his sisters--and she married him and immediately started birthing his babies anyway, she's a special kind of sick.

I think Anna was directed to say that so it looked like she knew everything and still loved him and you should too!

Anna might've known a few minor porn details.  No way they disclosed all that to her and the police reports etc.  

[Rabbittron]

They should name this baby Marriage Cementing Duggar.

[kokapetl]

On 04/10/2016 at 8:40 AM, GeeGolly said:

I was not sheltered when growing up. But as a young 20ish non virgin I thought oral sex was talking dirty to one another. I can only imagine what some of these young ladies don't know.

Oral sex didn't become mainstream until porno movies became widespread. Porn has changed sex. Physical pleasure is now secondary to visual pleasure. Younger people are mimicking pornos and are unconsciously "performing". 

[tabloidlover]

7 hours ago, Marigold said:

A few months ago, there was a typical Duggar birthday video for Anna.  In it, Joy and Jana (I think Jinger too) got on a little rant about how much Anna helps around the house, how she does all the tasks that no one else wants to do etc.  It was all about her cleaning and helping.  Nothing nice about who Anna is as a person or or mother or SIL or whatever. 

It is nice to say that she helps out...BUT, it was way over the top.  I felt sad that the only nice thing they could say to their SIL is that she cleans things no one else wants to clean? WTF is that?  Very snotty Duggar girl attitude problem, if you ask me. 

I will see if I can find the link later. 

I assume it was when she was staying there while Josh was at Pray Camp. Guess she had to earn her keep? 

 

7 hours ago, louannems said:

On Anna's birthday, while Joshua was still in Pray Camp, the kidults made a birthday video.  They all praised her for taking on the really dirty tasks that no one else cared to do. It was posted on the official Duggar Facebook.

Thank you!!  It must have been one of the birthday videos that I just couldn't bring myself to watch.  So very sad.

[WescottF1]

Guy posted an AMA on Reddit about his recent experience at a marriage retreat that was also attended by Boob, Mooch, Smuggar, and Anna...

https://www.reddit.com/r/19KidsandCounting/comments/55nyoa/spent_this_past_weekend_with_the_duggars_jimbob/?st=ITURI36H&sh=a40fc7b3&compact=true

Edited October 6, 2016 by WescottF1

[yogi2014L]

1 hour ago, WescottF1 said:

Guy posted an AMA on Reddit about his recent experience at a marriage retreat that was also attended by Boob, Mooch, Smuggar, and Anna...

https://www.reddit.com/r/19KidsandCounting/comments/55nyoa/spent_this_past_weekend_with_the_duggars_jimbob/?st=ITURI36H&sh=a40fc7b3&compact=true

OMG THANK YOU!!!!!!!

[Minivanessa]

This is being discussed over in the Duggars in the Media and TLC topic, fyi. Including opinions that it sounds authentic, and reservations that it's  actually authentic and not just a very skillful hoax.

[yogi2014L]

12 minutes ago, Jeeves said:

This is being discussed over in the Duggars in the Media and TLC topic, fyi. Including opinions that it sounds authentic, and reservations that it's  actually authentic and not just a very skillful hoax.

I just read through the whole thing. Jurys out for me whether its real or fake, but I can see it being real. 

Apparently the Duggars ignored anna the whole time, women be crazy ( he said it was like a contest for who is the most religious) and that he doesn't really believe in any of that stuff but doesn't want to lose custody of his kids  so he's being dragged along for the ride.

he also said Joy and Josiah showed up to help out with stuff ( cooking ect) on one of the days

***He also said that he didnt want to throw shit at Josh because he seemed nice enough in person. albeit a little narcissistic. WTF?

Edited October 6, 2016 by yogi2014L

[FakeJoshDuggar]

On 9/19/2016 at 3:42 PM, yogi2014L said:

.

[Scarlett45]

On 10/4/2016 at 3:00 PM, Marigold said:

No, not unpopular.  I can agree with this too.  i think it's a mix of both of our posts. 

Jim Bob and Michelle really BELIEVED that Josh was gonna be good.  But deep down, every parent knows...like knows who their child is. You want to believe but there is always that tiny voice in the back of your mind, worrying that "it" will happen again. 

Maybe Anna was a little "insurance policy" that Josh was better and let's just keep him better.  Get him a wife, some sex and get his head straight and things will be OK, right?     Right?  josh is gonna be OK, right?  he HAS to be Ok, right.  yeah, he will be just fine.  Look, he is doing fine.  Anna is a nice girl.  he will be fine.  This is just what he needed. yes, we are good. 

Jim Bob certainly thought that marrying young, to a sweet girl, might be what he needs to keep him out of trouble, ya know?  Jim Bob has a limited understanding of porn, sexual molestation etc.  Nothing a wife can't cure, right?  

In any event, poor Anna. This girl knew nothing. She never had a chance. Josh is a used car salesman and so is Jim Bob.  They sold her a lemon. 

Back in the day, when I had first heard the rumors, I thought it was something along the lines of "Josh made out/fondled a teenage girl CONSENTUALLY and had a wild streak." I did think they married him to Anna at the right bold age of 20 because they knew he wouldn't stay celibate and they would have a woman showing up on their door step with a nose ring, a sleeve tattoo and a metal guitar saying she was pregnant with Josh's baby, and ruining the brand. 

We now know my thoughts were way off. Assuming I was right though, they married Anna to Josh to keep him in line. Knowing what we know now it was an even worse idea, and JB/Michelle were absolutely focused on their brand and not the well being of Josh much less Anna!

[Arwen Evenstar]

I think, in their naive way, they believe that marriage cures everything: Smuggley's midnight maraudering, porn addiction, "the gay".  All they did was they facilitated  the facade of respectability by providing the only acceptable "out" in Fundieland -- marriage.  Sort of like back in the day, convents and monasteries often became repositories for prominent families to hide scandal, their mentally ill, and homosexuals. Finding some vocation or purpose with The Church was always seen as 'respectable".