Josh & Anna Smuggar: A Series of Unfortunate Events

[Future Cat Lady]

4 minutes ago, hathorlive said:

  What religious person puts children in danger's way?  

Lots of them. Ever heard of the Catholic church? 😉

[hathorlive]

1 minute ago, Future Cat Lady said:

Lots of them. Ever heard of the Catholic church? 😉

LOL, not in this part of the country.  They only have "Christians" and by that I mean Southern Baptists.  I can't tell you the number of times I had to tell people that Catholics are Christians, they are sort of the first Christians.  But yes, clergy has had a lot of cases land on my desk.

[libgirl2]

1 minute ago, hathorlive said:

LOL, not in this part of the country.  They only have "Christians" and by that I mean Southern Baptists.  I can't tell you the number of times I had to tell people that Catholics are Christians, they are sort of the first Christians.  But yes, clergy has had a lot of cases land on my desk.

If it weren't for the Catholic (and Eastern Orthodox) church, there might  not be any Southern Baptists. 

[Future Cat Lady]

8 minutes ago, hathorlive said:

LOL, not in this part of the country.  They only have "Christians" and by that I mean Southern Baptists.  I can't tell you the number of times I had to tell people that Catholics are Christians, they are sort of the first Christians.  But yes, clergy has had a lot of cases land on my desk.

The problems with some religious types is that they think being religous automatically means they're good people and are better than anyone who doesn't follow their faith .

Josh must be innocent because he believes in God!

[Rabbittron]

I wonder if FF/Smuggar is happy to be in jail? Because he has no responsibility for any other person than himself nor that he was responsible when he was free. 

[SMama]

David Waller claims that he’s prayed with the FF’s children when he’s tucked them in at night. He wrote some of the boys pray for Judge Brooks “by name asking God to work in your heart so their daddy could be home soon.”  So that means some of the children know their father is in jail? If that’s the case I really wonder what is the reason given for the FF’s incarceration. 

The $2000 monthly stipend to the mythical widow makes another appearance. Why didn’t this woman write a letter to the judge? The FF needed daddy’s help to take care of his own family. How could he provide such a large amount of money to someone else? 

 

[Rabbittron]

3 minutes ago, Future Cat Lady said:

 

Josh must be innocent because he believes in God!

Remember that he worships the correct Jesus and not the one that 99% worship. 

[hathorlive]

14 hours ago, ginger90 said:

The defense citing that Josh set his alarm so he would go to work within the window allowed (while at the Reber’s) certainly should require a lesser sentence. Good grief.

Truly the "everyone gets a trophy" award for doing what was court ordered.

[hathorlive]

14 hours ago, Zella said:

I think he will. He seemed so over Josh and his lawyers at the trial already. 

I'm reading the transcripts and I can say he's a great judge.  But there are under currents where you can tell he is tired of the entire Duggar DNA pool and he wants them to go away.  He seems very measured and disciplined in his rulings.

[hathorlive]

12 hours ago, Zella said:

That final paragraph of Anna's letter is just so tone deaf. Also did . . . did Michelle sign her letter to a federal judge with a heart for the i? I've seen her sign like that before, but that seems pretty tone deaf too. 

Nothing says "take my thoughts seriously" more than a heart dotting your i.

[hathorlive]

1 hour ago, libgirl2 said:

If it weren't for the Catholic (and Eastern Orthodox) church, there might  not be any Southern Baptists. 

I know that.  And you know that. But for people who go to church 3 times a week, they have a curious lack of biblical knowledge.  They think Catholics are some strange sect like Muslims.  I've had coworkers who don't know who Martin Luther is and don't understand the Protestant Reformation.  It's sad.  I just wish they understood their own religion better.

[libgirl2]

2 minutes ago, hathorlive said:

I know that.  And you know that. But for people who go to church 3 times a week, they have a curious lack of biblical knowledge.  They think Catholics are some strange sect like Muslims.  I've had coworkers who don't know who Martin Luther is and don't understand the Protestant Reformation.  It's sad.  I just wish they understood their own religion better.

I agree. They should study church history from the beginning and also other religions. They put so much emphasis in Bible study but do they really  know  it? No. 

[hathorlive]

2 minutes ago, libgirl2 said:

I agree. They should study church history from the beginning and also other religions. They put so much emphasis in Bible study but do they really  know  it? No. 

Based on my experience, people like the Duggars read the bible and use it to underscore their beliefs.  I've been told that Jesus was against abortion.  Yet, he never speaks about it. That's their raison d'etre.  And yet they do nothing about the actual teachings of Jesus, taking care of the poor and sick, taking in the stranger.  None of that BS.  The Duggars and other fundamentalist's don't teach the actual bible.  Heck, every major world religion has a golden rule that basically says "be nice to other people".

[Gemma Violet]

1 hour ago, SMama said:

I just read the Nicole Burress letter, and what a tale of fiction.

It's like she was nominating Josh for sainthood.  🤮

[libgirl2]

4 minutes ago, Gemma Violet said:

It's like she was nominating Josh for sainthood.  🤮

Yea, disgusting. 

[SusanM]

With regard to some of the claims made in those letters, is it typical that the judge would just accept these at face value or would he get someone to do a little sleuthing to find out how credible some of the claims are?  Because honest to god the jail story is straight out of some overwrought inspirational Christian fiction story.   Do they seriously expect a seasoned judge to buy that nonsense?

[libgirl2]

10 minutes ago, SusanM said:

With regard to some of the claims made in those letters, is it typical that the judge would just accept these at face value or would he get someone to do a little sleuthing to find out how credible some of the claims are?  Because honest to god the jail story is straight out of some overwrought inspirational Christian fiction story.   Do they seriously expect a seasoned judge to buy that nonsense?

I am sure the judge has read it all and knows a con when he sees one. 

[SusanM]

1 minute ago, libgirl2 said:

I am sure the judge has read it all and knows a con when he sees one. 

I guess these so called Christians haven't acquainted themselves with the 10 Commandments.  Especially the not bearing false witness one.

[libgirl2]

4 minutes ago, SusanM said:

I guess these so called Christians haven't acquainted themselves with the 10 Commandments.  Especially the not bearing false witness one.

I don't think they believe they are lying. I think they really to believe he is a good guy or they are just hoping that the more they say it the better he will be. 

[SMama]

According to Timothy Burress the FF holds bible studies twice a day, plus leads a nightly prayer with other inmates. How is Saint FF able to do this from solitary?

If you get the opportunity read this nut’s letter. The level of conspiracy is off the charts. 

[libgirl2]

3 minutes ago, SMama said:

According to Timothy Burress the FF holds bible studies twice a day, plus leads a nightly prayer with other inmates. How is Saint FF able to do this from solitary?

If you get the opportunity read this nut’s letter. The level of conspiracy is off the charts. 

His physical form is in solitary but his holy presence transcends the jail walls. 🙄

[Ohiopirate02]

10 minutes ago, SusanM said:

I guess these so called Christians haven't acquainted themselves with the 10 Commandments.  Especially the not bearing false witness one.

 

5 minutes ago, libgirl2 said:

I don't think they believe they are lying. I think they really to believe he is a good guy or they are just hoping that the more they say it the better he will be. 

I've heard it explained this way--the commandment ends with bearing false witness against your neighbor.  Fundies interpret this phrase to mean your neighbor is your fellow Christian who believes in the Right Jesus (TM).  Meaning you are not sinning if you stretch the truth or fib or flat-out lie to an unbeliever.  As long as Judge Brooks (??) is not the right type of Christian, you are not sinning.  

[Gemma Violet]

Here's the Burress letter in case anyone hasn't seen it.  It starts on page 2:

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

[GeeGolly]

8 minutes ago, Gemma Violet said:

Here's the Burress letter in case anyone hasn't seen it.  It starts on page 2:

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

Wow!

[Tabbygirl521]

On 5/8/2022 at 11:40 AM, beckie said:

Josh has been "away" for a while now. I wonder what they are telling his kids? I hope they aren't telling them that he'll be back soon.

I just hope the kids aren’t made to feel like they didn’t pray hard enough when Daddy doesn’t make his triumphant return home. 

[MamaMax]

16 hours ago, galaxygirl76 said:

Hard working? That family wouldn't recognize working hard if it walked up to them and slapped them in the face. 

To them, grifting is the same as work

16 hours ago, lascuba said:

Hey, it's not like any Duggar has ever used an alarm clock. Give him some credit for breaking family tradition!

 

4 hours ago, BitterApple said:

 He also helped sweep up cracker crumbs. Shouldn't we give that an honorable mention as well? 🙄

This reads like one of JRod's tall tales. 

It's telling that the best they could say about him is that he gets out of bed and sometimes helps clean up.  

The other "Fan Fic"  letters that the women wrote are transparent lies. Except I don't think they made up the lies - JOSH told them the lies and they are so gullible they believe it. 

As for Anna, she is 100% in denial bc her entire world is built upon lies  told to her by the people who are supposed to love her.  I can totally see her going to her grave telling herself that Joshua is a martyr and was falsely accused as part of the devils machinations. If she ever DOES process the truth, I wouldn't be surprised if she had a complete mental breakdown.

 

[GeeGolly]

Even if Josh was everything Mrs Burgess says he was - he still downloaded legal porn and CSA. He still joined a cheating website and he still molested his sisters.

Does she not get that?

[libgirl2]

3 minutes ago, GeeGolly said:

Even if Josh was everything Mrs Burgess says he was - he still downloaded legal porn and CSA. He still joined a cheating website and he still molested his sisters.

Does she not get that?

No she doesn't. A person can be evil yet have another side that they show to others. 

Edited May 12, 2022 by libgirl2

[galaxygirl76]

14 minutes ago, libgirl2 said:

No she doesn't. A person can be evil yet have another side that they show to others. 

Ted Bundy once saved a kid from drowning. Still a serial killing piece of shit.

[libgirl2]

6 minutes ago, galaxygirl76 said:

Ted Bundy once saved a kid from drowning. Still a serial killing piece of shit.

There are serial killers and other sickos that were good husbands, good fathers, good friends.....  I don't think any of this applies to FF and I think that letter is a bunch of made up shit. 

[quarks]

Reddit is reporting that the two Burgess neighbors (aka, the ones who wrote the longest, most literate letters) recently bought property from JB at what looks like a pretty steep discount.

Which is what happens, I guess, when you can't convince any of Josh's 18 siblings or most of his in-laws/extended in-laws to write even tepid letters on Josh's behalf, and when Josh's own wife, pressed to say good things about her husband, is so limited in things to say that she has to mention that he sweeps up cracker crumbs.

[libgirl2]

20 minutes ago, quarks said:

Reddit is reporting that the two Burgess neighbors (aka, the ones who wrote the longest, most literate letters) recently bought property from JB at what looks like a pretty steep discount.

Which is what happens, I guess, when you can't convince any of Josh's 18 siblings or most of his in-laws/extended in-laws to write even tepid letters on Josh's behalf, and when Josh's own wife, pressed to say good things about her husband, is so limited in things to say that she has to mention that he sweeps up cracker crumbs.

Mmmm... they got "paid off". 

[Tabbygirl521]

I didn’t see this posted yet. Apparently it’s genuine. 
Michelle pleads on Joshua’s behalf

[libgirl2]

2 minutes ago, Tabbygirl521 said:

I didn’t see this posted yet. Apparently it’s genuine. 
Michelle pleads on Joshua’s behalf

She really is clueless. 

[louannems]

1 hour ago, libgirl2 said:

No she doesn't. A person can be evil yet have another side that they show to others. 

I think criminals of all types can easily compartmentalize their lives.

The old mafia stereotypes of a good family man. The Green River killer with his charm and pillar of society life. Etc. 

It's perfectly reasonable that Josh is a decent dad and would never even think about his own kids in the way that his personal, private self craves to see.

 

[Ijustwantsomechips]

I just want to reoprt that someone on Reddit referred to the FF as J’pedo🤣 Priceless!

[beckie]

Are the inmates allowed to go past the cells that are considered solitary? Aren't they separate from the regular cells? I have no idea how it all works, but that story about the felon and JoshUa sounds bogus as f.

[hathorlive]

10 minutes ago, louannems said:

I think criminals of all types can easily compartmentalize their lives.

The old mafia stereotypes of a good family man. The Green River killer with his charm and pillar of society life. Etc. 

It's perfectly reasonable that Josh is a decent dad and would never even think about his own kids in the way that his personal, private self craves to see.

 

BTK was caught because he was a deacon at his church and he used their computer to write a note to the police, which was sent on a floppy disk.  Of course, the metadata said the owner of Office was the church and the author was Dennis.  It's always the metadata that gets you, folks.  

Religion is used to mask a lot of ugly, evil people.

[GeeGolly]

The day in the life of Josh:

Come on kiddos lets say a prayer before daddy goes off to work. Anna I'll take the older boys to work with me for an hour, will you drop this $1000 dollars (really $208, 2 100s with 8 1s in between, sealed in an envelope) off to the Widow Smith on your way to get the boys?

Fast forward to near closing time:

Sorry Anna I can't go to Lowe's with you I'm slammed right now (downloading porn). You go ahead and go to Lowe's and I'll bring home Chick fil A (scrolling porn on phone while waiting for the download to finish). Has a party of one.

Arrives home with food:

Lets thank God for a wonderful day and for food on our table. They eat. Josh listens to Mack read a story to her siblings and helps tuck the kids in bed. Josh gives Anna a foot rub, they have a quick boink and fall asleep. Josh wakes up at midnight scrolls his phone and has a party of one and back to sleep.

But he cleans up crumbs and rubs my feet you honor.

[merylinkid]

2 hours ago, Ohiopirate02 said:

 

I've heard it explained this way--the commandment ends with bearing false witness against your neighbor.  Fundies interpret this phrase to mean your neighbor is your fellow Christian who believes in the Right Jesus (TM).  Meaning you are not sinning if you stretch the truth or fib or flat-out lie to an unbeliever.  As long as Judge Brooks (??) is not the right type of Christian, you are not sinning.  

I'm a lawyer and even I say that is some mighty thin hair splitting there.

[Ohiopirate02]

1 minute ago, merylinkid said:

I'm a lawyer and even I say that is some mighty thin hair splitting there.

Oh it is.  They always move the goalpost when it comes to the definition of their neighbor.  So, a husband can lie to his wife because she's a woman and under his umbrella of protection and therefore not his neighbor.  His neighbor is the men in his church.  

[cmr2014]

51 minutes ago, Tabbygirl521 said:

I didn’t see this posted yet. Apparently it’s genuine. 
Michelle pleads on Joshua’s behalf

That really is sad. The exclamation points are very sad.

Josh goes camping! Josh repairs bicycles! He comes up with creative ways to make money!

I don't even have words for the printed signature with the heart over the "i."

[Zella]

1 hour ago, MamaMax said:

 

It's telling that the best they could say about him is that he gets out of bed and sometimes helps clean up.  

 

It's not as overtly stupid, but I also marveled at Anna's example of Josh's stellar parenting being that he enthusiastically greets all the kids by name when he gets home from work. Like, that is such a low bar of basic human interaction, and she thinks it makes him dad of the year? 

[hathorlive]

So I'm reading the Prosecutions sentencing recommendation.  Here are some of the highlights so far:

• Smuggar objected to  85 out of 168 paragraphs in the Pre-Sentencing Report (PSR).  These objections include:  all "offense conduct attributed to Smuggar," all prior acts of sexual abuse committed by Smuggar, and all enhancement charges listed in the PSR (4 enhancements were listed, I won't go into them for your mental health).
• Prosecution supports all 4 enhancements and has revised the number of images upward to 600, based on the conversion of videos to still images (usually 65 per minute (it's been a long time since I did this).  The enhancements make the total number of years for sentencing 30, but they are capped at a max of 20 years.
• The Prosecution supports a 20 year sentence based on: Josh's prior sexual abuse of multiple minors, steps JOsh took to hide his activities, Steps taken to view and download material, nature of the CP downloaded, and his refusal to accept any accountability for his actions or to admit his guilt.

If you want to continue to hit the highlights, without specific mentions of the nature of the CP, let me know. 

[MargeGunderson]

Just now, cmr2014 said:

That really is sad. The exclamation points are very sad.

Josh goes camping! Josh repairs bicycles! He comes up with creative ways to make money!

I don't even have words for the printed signature with the heart over the "i."

I cannot get over the use of exclamation points in Michelle’s letter. It’s such a small thing but it makes me feel stabby. It’s so….disrespectful somehow.

[CalicoKitty]

I wonder who wrote this letter.  Maybe the attorney?  It is too professional for it to have actually been written by Michelle.  It's pretty sad if that is all the attributes that someone can mention about  another person.  I'm sure she was told to just sign here.

[libgirl2]

2 minutes ago, MargeGunderson said:

I cannot get over the use of exclamation points in Michelle’s letter. It’s such a small thing but it makes me feel stabby. It’s so….disrespectful somehow.

I find it delusional and juvenile. The heart too. 

[hathorlive]

1 minute ago, CalicoKitty said:

I wonder who wrote this letter.  Maybe the attorney?  It is too professional for it to have actually been written by Michelle.  It's pretty sad if that is all the attributes that someone can mention about  another person.  I'm sure she was told to just sign here.

Considering her birthday wishes consist of xyz child having "a servants heart", it does seem like she had a lot of help.

[Tabbygirl521]

1 hour ago, libgirl2 said:

She really is clueless. 

You weren’t swayed by her adorable “signature”?

[hathorlive]

1 minute ago, Tabbygirl521 said:

You weren’t swayed by her adorable “signature”?

Wait.  Is that signature defrauding the judge?  Is it attempting to draw attention away from Michelle's countenance and toward a sexy little heart?  Michelle, you vixen.  Said no one ever.  She comes off as infantilized, which is the goal of her cult.