Josh & Anna Smuggar: A Series of Unfortunate Events

[MarysWetBar]

The show was very odd- Derick not there, Jill acting uncomfortable, dagger eyes from the girls, Jim Bob shushing Josh's daughter (hey, hey, hey, tend to your Josie when she's running on countertops) .... do you guys think they knew the news was about to break? I wonder...cuz Anna was holding on to Josh as if that was the last time she would see him...

Absolutely. Also- Derrick and JD not present. .the two who can support themselves financially and not under JBs control. Interesting. Joe away at college i can swallow. Derrick and JD? No way

[charmed1]

I'm just sick at heart over the girls Josh abused. I'm one hundred percent sure they received NO counseling, NO understanding, and no support except from their sisters.

I think their idea of counseling is that Journey to the Heart camp they kept sending Jana to.

Anna used to accompany her father to his prison ministry. I'm sure she's met her fair share of sickos but was taught to hate the sin but love the sinner.

I can definitely see Oprah addressing this on her network. Either by herself, or she'll send Iyanla out to Arkansas with her giant bag of healing props.

Edited May 22, 2015 by charmed1

[3 is enough]

I cannot believe how many people (looking at YOU, Mike Huckabee) are actually DEFENDING Josh and downplaying his despicable behavior.  Making it sound like a minor youthful transgression- hey, kids make mistakes!  No sympathy for the victims.  What the hell is wrong with these so-called "traditional values" advocates.

 

Make no mistake, I hold Jim Bob and Michelle and their horrible parenting and unnatural lifestyle accountable for this.  If Josh had been allowed to date, kiss a few girls, and was left alone to play with himself in the shower like most teenage boys this may not have happened. Surely if masturbation is a sin, fondling your sisters is an even worse one?  And as far as Josh admitting to making "horrible mistakes", well it is only a "mistake" the first time, if it happens again and again it becomes a CHOICE.

 

I am so angry at how the REAL victims are being totally ignored by so many people. 

Edited May 22, 2015 by 3 is enough

[BitterApple]

The masses may be happy about the Duggars' downfall but I'm certainly not. Maybe it's because I've been watching since the beginning, but I feel oddly protective of these kids and don't want their futures destroyed over this. Boob and Michelle are adults and will have to face the music over their poor decision making, but the kids still have to function within their household and Fundie circles. They're already isolated enough, they don't need to be turned into social pariahs because of their brother's actions. It probably sounds illogical but I'm rooting for them and the show to continue.

Edited May 22, 2015 by BitterApple

[hwarner]

Poor Jana. How could her parents let her spend all that time in DC with Josh & Anna? She must have been extremely uncomfortable on the RV trip to visit Anna's sister. The whole situation is sick.

[Darknight]

Mods- I apologize in sdvance if this is the wrong thread for this.

If those of us who have been following the Duggars for years have heard the rumors of "sin in the camp", why is the full story only coming out now in the media?

This family has been all over the TV, magazine covers and social media for the last few years. It's just so strange that it was hidden.

Those poor kids....

A political move. Or maybe a former tlc crew leaked it.

[DollEyes]

  Delurking to say that disgusting is the kindest word to describe Josh, JB & Michelle, whether it's Josh for his crimes, JB & Michelle for covering them up or their bigotry, sanctimony & hypocrisy towards anyone who's not just like them.  This scandal is yet another example of how their ilk have done more damage to marriage, Christianity and family than the LGBT community ever has or will . Those poor girls were basically prisoners- their whole lives they've been told what to do, what to wear, what to say, what to think, have had as little contact with the outside world as possible and were physically, mentally, emotionally and sexually abused as a result.

 

 Worse, JB & Michelle treated the girls, aka the victims, like criminals while making excuses for Josh, the real criminal, using God as an excuse. Worst of all, they did it for money. No amount of money in the world can justify what Josh/JB/Michelle did nor replace what the girls have lost because of it. If I were Anna, I wouldn't want to look at Josh again, much less let him anywhere near me or the kids anytime soon, if ever. As far as I'm concerned, Josh, JB & Michelle shouldn't be trusted with plants, let alone kids.

Edited May 22, 2015 by DollEyes

[Bean421]

A political move. Or maybe a former tlc crew leaked it.

Maybe Frank Sun is finally making his big play for Jana! Step One: Get her off the air.

[Literata]

Not condoning this, but I'm wondering if TLC is trying to find a way around canceling -- not just because the franchise is the network's cash cow, but because of the members of the family who don't suck.

 

I know the powers-that-be would be motivated much more by revenues than by the welfare of a group of kids, but if the family's collective relationship with the crew is any indication, the association seems to have been mutually rewarding for the past decade. I imagine they had a far easier time letting go of the HBB gang.

I feel oddly protective of these kids and don't want their futures destroyed over this. Boob and Michelle are adults and will have to face the music over their poor decision making, but the kids still have to function within their household and Fundie circles. They're already isolated enough, they don't need to be turned into social pariah because of their brother's actions. It probably sounds illogical but I'm rooting for them and the show to continue.

 

I agree. The middles and littles are at enough of a disadvantage simply having Boob and MEchelle as parents, and from Jackson on down, they've never known anything but the cameras and crew. I hate the thought of further isolating them.

[Lemons]

First I want to preface this by saying I in no way condone what happened. I would also like to say that I am a foster care case worker and have worked with many teen sexual offenders and quite a few have grown up and not reoffended and lead normal productive lives. Who knows what if any type of treatment josh got but he may no longer have those thoughts or perversions.

Based on the report, his mother claims that he did not receive counseling.  Because of this, he is at high risk for re-offending.  Even if he did receive counseling, if he had compulsions to touch little girls, that doesn't just typically go away. Someone with this problem would usually need counseling for life.  Especially now that he has his own little girl.  

Edited May 22, 2015 by Lemons

[Boofish]

Question for the mods - Can I post what I have been told by someone that works for TLC or is it considered hearsay? It verifies the names of two of his victims

[ZoloftBlob]

Michelle said transgender people wants to molest children. Yet her very own child did it.

 

This. I really need to hear Michelle explain why she's so proud to throw the stones against those transgender folks when her own son molested her daughters. Really, is it because he went for the girls and wears boy clothes, Michelle? Is that it? Your boy was being "all boy" when he violated your daughters (that you likely think tempted him) so its Christian? While those evil transgender people are evil?

 

Michelle, Jimbob - tend your own house. People who raise child molestors and cover it up *should not* throw stones.

[galax-arena]

The masses may be happy about the Duggars' downfall but I'm certainly not.

I'd be happy if only there weren't innocent abuse victims involved here.

 

I'm of two minds re: cancelling the show. As others have said, this might only further isolate the Duggar girls and make them feel guilty for all of the fall-out. Plus you know that Jim Bob and Michelle will probably blame them for everything (especially whoever wrote that letter). But look at it another way. By continuing the show, what does it say to all the other abuse victims out there? Doesn't it just reinforce the message that abusers can get away with it scot-free? And consider the fact that the show is responsible for giving a platform for the Duggars to spew their hatred against various minority groups, and thus you can argue that the show itself indirectly contributes to the further victimization of vulnerable populations. Would Michelle Duggar have had as much traction with those anti-trans robocalls if she hadn't been Michelle Duggar of 19 Kids and Counting? And Josh Duggar certainly wouldn't have been given a position with the FRC.

Edited May 22, 2015 by galax-arena

[Boofish]

This. I really need to hear Michelle explain why she's so proud to throw the stones against those transgender folks when her own son molested her daughters. Really, is it because he went for the girls and wears boy clothes, Michelle? Is that it? Your boy was being "all boy" when he violated your daughters (that you likely think tempted him) so its Christian? While those evil transgender people are evil?

 

Michelle, Jimbob - tend your own house. People who raise child molestors and cover it up *should not* throw stones.

Dearly beloved we are gathered here today to witness the marriage of Irony and Karma

[JAYJAY1979]

I feel bad for the victims and his children.

Edited May 22, 2015 by JAYJAY1979

[Bella]

Question for the mods - Can I post what I have been told by someone that works for TLC or is it considered hearsay? It verifies the names of two of his victims

 

We'll discuss it. Thanks for asking permission. 

[dillpickles]

What's the policy in linking petitions to get the show dropped, or a gofundme?

[truthtalk2014]

I had dental surgery at 19 and it was done while I had braces, about a year and a half after getting them on.  I know others who had similar surgeries all done with braces on so they could be telling the truth.  I didn't see the interview were Josh and Anna there?

Yes, Josh and Anna were there.  And yea I know people have dental surgery with braces on but most of the people I know that are getting braces, have any known surgeries, extractions, etc done before the braces are put on.  It just seems fishy.

[CofCinci]

This. Wins the Internet this morning.

BTW, Josh's LinkedIn profile has already been updated with the end date of his FRC job, although as of now the text still reads in the present tense. https://www.linkedin.com/in/joshduggar

So he's playing on social media while his pregnant wife's life is falling apart.

[Cherrio]

I do not feel continuing the show will help or protect the children's futures.   Their futures with the show before this scandal were severely limited and very sad.

Money has not been used to send any of them to a real school, most of them never graduated or got a GED right?      Money has been spent on hideous plastic plants, endless amounts of ugly party decorations and ramen noodles.

              I saw Michelle cutting up ramen noodles for Josie recently and its still bothering me.  They can afford better than that and they feed that poor little kid chemical noodles.

       Maybe it has already happened like I talked about in my Ben/Jessa scenario, but I still feel the break has to come from within to save and deprogram these kids.

        There has to be at least a couple of them that have known all along that their life is wrong.

[JoanArc]

I feel like the show & associated was such a cancer on the family, the only way to help them was to cut it out. Imagine if this hadn't happened. Josh, a molester, getting off Scott free, his victims suffer in silence, basically forever. The show would've eventually petered out on its own, with everyone's pockets a bit larger. Then what? it all would've stayed under the rug. And really, I think the kids were doomed to crappy lives no matter what happened. This scandal may free a few. If one escapes, I think that's the bridge to all escaping.

 

Except Josh. Screw him.

Edited May 22, 2015 by JoanArc

[BitterApple]

Yes, Josh and Anna were there. And yea I know people have dental surgery with braces on but most of the people I know that are getting braces, have any known surgeries, extractions, etc done before the braces are put on. It just seems fishy.

Especially jaw realignment surgery. You'd think that's something they would do before the braces go on. Given that Derick has to work a real job in the real world he may have wanted to start putting as much distance between himself and the Duggars as quickly as possible. Jill may have felt obligated to go through with the interview but was clearly fearful and tense.

Edited May 22, 2015 by BitterApple

[Kellyee]

I think Josh's career in politics is pretty much sunk, even with Mike Huckabee backing him up. Sending pictures of your penis over Twitter is something people will laugh at and forgive later, but fondling your little sisters is pretty disturbing and unsettling. Even though I suspect it was because of Josh's severely repressed upbringing and no access to other girls and probably being told any sexual acting out (like healthy masturbation) is sinful. I'm not really sure I would classify him as a pedophile, as much as you can know anyone from television.

 

Funny how the Duggar girls have given no statements, and the Duggars made no mention in police reports of getting counseling for their girls and better supervising their kids. By my count, they had at least 5 more babies after Josh was caught touching his sisters.

[3 is enough]

 

BTW, Josh's LinkedIn profile has already been updated with the end date of his FRC job, although as of now the text still reads in the present tense.

Really? All this crap going down and the first thing he does is update his Linkedin profile???  WTF???  Cause we all know people will be lining up to hire him.  

Just when I think he can't sink any lower he does.  What a vile excuse for a man.

[Guest]

TMZ says TLC has yanked the show from its schedule but has made no long-term decision on what to do next.

[Rhondinella]

What's the policy in linking petitions to get the show dropped, or a gofundme?

 

I think it's OK, but let me check with my fellow mods and get back to you.

[Cherrio]

I think Josh's career in politics is pretty much sunk, even with Mike Huckabee backing him up. Sending pictures of your penis over Twitter is something people will laugh at and forgive later, but fondling your little sisters is pretty disturbing and unsettling. Even though I suspect it was because of Josh's severely repressed upbringing and no access to other girls and probably being told any sexual acting out (like healthy masturbation) is sinful. I'm not really sure I would classify him as a pedophile, as much as you can know anyone from television.

 

Funny how the Duggar girls have given no statements, and the Duggars made no mention in police reports of getting counseling for their girls and better supervising their kids. By my count, they had at least 5 more babies after Josh was caught touching his sisters.

I ain't gonna do it, but Josh could of been wandering "around" online. I think one of the emails or people who knew about this mentioned Josh being active on porn sites.

  Google Fundie Diddler and see if a pic of Josh comes up.   Of course the pic probably would not be of his face.

[truthtalk2014]

I had missed the part on P18 where one of the girls mentions JB recounting a scene where someone (could be Amy from the size of the redaction) was at their home babysitting and fell asleep on the sofa and Josh touched her breasts.  But to me, it definitely means it was someone outside the family.  

[zenme]

Maybe a Query?

[bumblebee]

I'd like to join the discussion to add, while I agree that this whole incident is very sad at the base of it all is the fact that those two are inept to parent children.

Anyone who has worked with trauma and abuse survivors can tell you that when a youth molests it is more than likely that they themselves were abused as children. Child services should be brought in to investigate because for all we know Josh was being molested as a child as well I'm sure none of us would be shocked to find that out.

The whole family needs some heavy duty therapy, beginning with boob and Mechelle. I can only hope that all the victims will get help and that an investigation will begin soon because who knows the younger kids could be doing it too, abuse is a cycle and nobody is ending it in that house.

Edited May 22, 2015 by bumblebee

[truthtalk2014]

Maybe a Query?

It was a short name.  I don't know the Query girls names.  What is the Hortano girls name?

[Cherrio]

TMZ says TLC has yanked the show from its schedule but has made no long-term decision on what to do next.

TMZ included that General Mills has yanked their sponsorship.   Don't know if its true or not, but I hope it is.   If it is true, then the show is finished. Ultimately, the sponsors have the power.

[elainebenis]

http://www.mediaite.com/online/mike-huckabee-stands-by-duggar-family-good-people-make-mistakes/

 

hope it's ok to share this link... Huckabee statements...

OMG. Huckabee's statement makes me want to hurl. What a deceitful, evil man.

[VioletNevermind]

Aaaaaand DONE. I hope Josh is proud of himself. He, along with his idiot parents, have sunk the ship with their ineptitude, irresponsibility and arrogance.

If Josh EVER says one more effing public word about how homosexuality is ruining the fabric of the American family, I'm going to lose it.

[DoctorWhovian]

Also regarding Huckabees support: Huckabee has no shot at the republican nomination so it doesn't hurt him to stick with Josh. Instead, it keeps the kinds of people who like Huckabee happy because they're the type who accept "God forgave me" as an excuse.

[ghoulina]

I had missed the part on P18 where one of the girls mentions JB recounting a scene where someone (could be Amy from the size of the redaction) was at their home babysitting and fell asleep on the sofa and Josh touched her breasts.  But to me, it definitely means it was someone outside the family.

 

Yes, it appears that there were 4 sisters molested (one was questioned, but was not actually touched) and someone else. I thought Amy too. When you read the report, you can almost judge from the size of the blacked out names who they are talking about. Having Amy over to babysit would make more sense to me than anything else. 

 

The thing I am most fuzzy about is the timeline of it all. It seems the parents were made aware at some point and Josh was "talked to", but it continued to happen a few more times. Was the babysitting incident after the parents were already aware he touching his sleeping sisters in the bedroom? If so, shame on them for leaving him alone in the home with all those girls. I don't know that I could cast out my 14-year-old son. But a quick prayer for forgiveness isn't going to cut it. Those parents should have become hyper vigilant. Maybe even have Boob and Josh start sleeping in that Godforsaken apt they put Ben in. 

[dillpickles]

It was a short name. I don't know the Query girls names. What is the Hortano girls name?

I think it was Jennifer.

[JoanArc]

 

Maybe even have Boob and Josh start sleeping in that Godforsaken apt they put Ben in.

Like anything's more important that Jim Bob and Michelle's sweet fellowship. Not even abuse.

[Granny58]

"Even though I suspect it was because of Josh's severely repressed upbringing and no access to other girls and probably being told any sexual acting out (like healthy masturbation) is sinful"  

 

THIS!!!!  I feel Josh has been a victim in this as well and that the blame falls entirely on his parents' shoulders.  This is all too much "Flowers in the Attic."   Instead of teaching Josh how to act in a respectful, moral way in the REAL world and allowed to be alone with a nonrelated girl, he was kept cloistered.  No unchaperoned dating, no hanging out with a group of guys and girls at a mall (or whatever).  In fact, did he "date" at all?  Or was it just meeting Anna, and then starting a courtship (because that means marriage is intended).  His sisters, sorry to say, were the ONLY female he had access to.  He obviously shouldn't have done it, but this hormonal, befuddled 15 year old had a lot going against him.  

[okerry]

According to TMZ, all showings of *19 Kids* have been pulled from the TLC schedule.

[cereality]

There's so much I don't get about this but mainly -- the Duggars go on and on about how THEIR way is better. Their kids know God. Those other kids -- they have purple hair, are sitting next to girls in college, and gasp -- dating. So how is it that their Godly 14 yr old got into touching his sisters' junk?? While the vast majority of his godless heathen peers (who he didn't socialize with -- but other 14 yr olds in that town) who maybe only went to church for Christmas, Easter, and the occasional wedding -- figured out that touching sisters or any girl without her consent was a no-no. I'm fairy sure most godless heathens don't tell their sons "now don't ever touch your sister's boobs" yet the sons figure it out.

 

That life he coveted for himself -- in DC, away from his family, making a nice six figure living -- that's over and he's never getting that back. Sure he'll work again in time, but it'll have to be for JB or some contact of JB who understands and forgives and forgets.

 

This family already has few friends, but I imagine the Bates are distancing themselves even further -- since who wants to be associated with this kind of thing -- esp when you have your own young kids AND you're also relying on some TV income and don't want the taint to somehow spread to you or all mega families.

[dillpickles]

http://m.tmz.com/#Article/2015/05/22/tlc-pulls-19-kids-and-counting-josh-duggar-molestation-scandal

General Mills blacklisted the show. Oh, how the mighty have fallen

[Rhondinella]

Hey, for the moment could we cease and desist with the attempts to determine exactly what names were redacted? I want to get some guidance from on high about this before continuing (or not). I'll get back to you. Just sit tight on that subject for the moment.  Thanks.

[MarysWetBar]

I'm sorry to sound cruel and yes his parents own most of this shit but i have two sons. They knew better at that age. Trying to absolve him of this is not right. He should have been removed from the home and received real counselling. End of rant.

I'm concerned about the girls.

[Literata]

Reading this, I'm pretty convinced they need to go. All great points.

 

http://time.com/3894417/josh-duggar-19-kids-and-counting-molestation/

 

[Bella]

Question for the mods - Can I post what I have been told by someone that works for TLC or is it considered hearsay? It verifies the names of two of his victims

 

We just heard back from the site administrator, and he said no, he doesn't want that posted.

 

Again, thanks for asking.

[Literata]

TLC's going to be in dire straits. The Willises aren't cutting it as Duggars 2.0; the newer little-people shows are interchangeable, and the Little Couple isn't adopting any more kids for the time being, presumably. And really, how many more wedding dresses can we sit through?

 

So many of the other shows -- Breaking Amish, the gypsy ones -- are just tawdry. It's going to be interesting to see what they come up with.

[galax-arena]

I really have no desire to learn the girls' names, anyway. What purpose would that serve other than to fulfill our own selfish curiosity? They deserve at the very least some semblance of privacy. Most respectable publications generally refuse to make public the name of the alleged victim when the crime pertains to sexual assault. 

[Quilt Fairy]

Jeez, I leave this forum for one day to read all the posts about the Survivor finale and I come back to this......

 

Would Anna truly have no resources if she left Josh?  I understand that she has few marketable skills and would have 4 small children to raise, but what about alimony and child support? Surely they have that in Arkansas.

[JAYJAY1979]

Very sad indeed...especially reading on Facebook how he should be forgiven and that we shouldn't throw stones. Blame.the victim seems to.be the theme of.society.

Edited May 22, 2015 by JAYJAY1979