Duggars with 19 kids may now adopt

[samplegirl]

Jim Bob and Michelle say it’s” God’s will.”

“We are open to the idea of adoption,” the TLC reality star mom, 45, told People. “We are praying about it, and we will see what God has in store. Love for children has been placed on our hearts.”

Taking after his parents, the Duggar’s oldest son Josh, 25, is in the early stages of a growing family and recently announced that he and wife Anna, 24, are expecting their third child in July.

On a recent trip to China, the Duggars visited an orphanage and were moved by the parentless children.

http://www.alan.com/2013/03/26/duggars-with-19-kids-may-now-adopt/

[onehandle]

1. I'll say it... FREAKS! nt

[Cali_Democrat]

32. I'm glad someone said it. n/t

[samplegirl]

2. my daughters girlfriend tried

to adopt here and could not so she went to Russia!

[get the red out]

3. Sigh, so sad

That they would take one of those little Chinese girls and raise her to be lower than any brood mare. That is really heartbreaking. There's nothing that can be done to stop them from reproducing for their fanaticism biologically, but I hope the Chinese adoption system doesn't let them adopt a baby to turn into another mind numbed fundy.

I imagine what they were "moved" by was the opportunity to use one of the babies they saw in further grifting efforts, TV show marketing, and to also up the numbers for their Quiverfull movement.

[samplegirl]

4. I'd like to know why

these people deserve a reality show!
Previous poster.......said it FREAKS!!!!!!!!!!!

[get the red out]

5. Rubber-necking

TLC is a channel for rubber-necking all kinds of train-wrecks.

If they were an extremist Muslim family they wouldn't have a TV show though, and there would be all kinds of noise made if they said they were going to adopt a baby (most likely a girl in China, or special needs, like they have time for another healthy child). And I don't see the difference between extremist Muslims and this extremist Christianity beyond what they are allowed and not allowed to do to their kids due to our secular laws.

[GoCubsGo]

8. It doesn't matter that they don't have time for another kid.

They have made damn sure that all their daughters do. I feel sorry for those girls. They appear to be the ones that are doing the bulk of the child-rearing in that family. I wonder how many of them are going to follow in the footsteps of the members of the Phelpses who ran like hell away from their family.

That being said, any disabled child will still better life with the Duggars than they would in a Chinese orphanage, especially a girl. My big gripe with the whole thing is that the responsibilities are going to fall on the other children, who while they claim might be willing, probably aren't.

[get the red out]

12. It takes years to adopt from China now

My Sister and BIL have adopted two little girls from China, their only children. The process for adopting a healthy child takes years, a bit less for a child with problems. There are people on waiting lists just hoping to adopt the babies they saw and felt sorry for, there are even more and more Chinese families adopting them now, from what I've read. If the Duggars displace some decent, loving family waiting for a child to love, that would be a horror story.

The Duggars need to be educated about international adoption. They don't have time for the babies they've brought into this world, let alone the paperwork to adopt internationally. Unless someone pulls some strings.

[GoCubsGo]

15. Yeah, I'm guessing this is just another play for attention.

From what you're saying, they're in for a rude awakening. It wouldn't surprise me, however, if some strings get pulled. I sure hope not.

[get the red out]

16. Yea, me too

My sister just emailed me and said that they could request a special needs child and if TLC pulled strings and did their paperwork for them maybe get the baby in 6 months. Otherwise it would be 7 or 8 years. I'm hoping they are just trying to look like they are capable of compassion and get some attention for the show.

[HappyMe]

6. If that's what they want to do,

then let them.

Live and let live.

[MattBaggins]

35. Not even remotely that simple

When you adopt you need to prove you can care for and support the child. That does not mean dumping the child off on one of your other children to be raised as the Duggars do.

[HappyMe]

38. Um... yes it is that simple.

It is their choice to adopt or not. The key words here being- their choice. Not your choice. Not my choice.

I don't think that they have filed any papers or started the process yet.

[MattBaggins]

40. I was adopted

I had the right to have MY wants. choices and needs taken into account.

No you do not have the right to grab any child you want and do what you wish to them.

Choice my ass. You have to prove your competence to adopt. We are not products you buy at Walmart.

Key words here... Rights and needs of the CHILD.

[HappyMe]

45. They aren't adopting you though.

Nobody said that anybody was grabbing any child they want.

I don't think they have even started the process yet. I'm sure that the proper people will decide if they should adopt a child or not. Somewhere in this thread somebody said that the process is quite rigorous. I think I will leave it to the proper agencies to decide.

I'm sorry, but I'm not going to get all judgemental about this family. Just as I wouldn't want people sticking their faces into my family and my business. It works for them.

[we can do it]

75. Ya it works for them, the hell with the poor little kid dumped into the freak show.

goddam hoarding freaks.

[Walk away]

81. No one is going to let these cult members adopt a child legally. nt

[treestar]

94. Not entirely their choice

Or anyone's, when it comes to adoption. It is highly regulated. They can choose to try but can't force approval.

[HappyMe]

98. That's all I am trying to say.

That it is their right to try. Someone up thread said that it can take years and a ton of money.

[Beaverhausen]

7. They should have been adopting all along

My opinion. Don't flame me but if they wanted so many kids they should have started adopting at number 4.

[get the red out]

9. I agree

I have been sickened by these people for a very long time. They have no concern for anything but promoting their fanaticism, their show, and their grifting enterprise.

[Sissyk]

10. Definitely not for me!

But, to each their own. I'm for choice even if I don't agree with "their" choice.

btw, the largest family I knew had ten children. Lived in a three bedroom house. Of course, when older ones moved out, youngest was just born. One of the happiest, most loving families I've ever been around.

[get the red out]

14. Do their female children have that "choice"?

Will they ever have a "choice"? Should we care if young girls are brought up in cults like this and used as labor to take care of each new baby as it comes along? Should we care for their well-being?

I guess so long as "we" have a choice we should not worry about anyone else, any other child, just pretend fanaticism can be happy and tune in for the train wreck on TV and be satisfied it isn't us.

Just questions, ones I know can't be answered in this country. But ones I will continue to bring up anyway. We can't protect kids from their insane parents in this country, especially if the parents insanity and neglect come from their religion, there is absolutely no way to do that so they just have to suffer, but I'll just continue to open myself up to a slamathon anyway.

[Sissyk]

19. I care about all the children, not just the girls.

From the times I have watched the show (very few, kinda like a train wreck, lol!), all the children have assigned chores and younger siblings to look out for. They all seem very happy and not abused in anyway. I know it is for tv, but I can only go by what I have seen and read. I can't walk into their lives and tell them they are raising their children wrong. I can't walk in their house and start removing children. Even if I could, I'm not sure that I would.

Do they look at all unhappy to you? Do they look like they suffer to you? Not being snarky, just curious.

I don't see any neglect here. However, I see lots of neglect by parents that have kids living on the streets, by parents that don't teach their kids right from wrong. I see neglect from parents that don't teach their kids about rape. I see neglect by parents that don't help and support their kids with school work. I see neglect by parents that let little katy and tommy have every new gadget out there without any supervision whatsoever. I can't walk in their house and take their kids either.

Just my thoughts.

[get the red out]

22. The girls have no chance

They will be nothing but slaves. I guess that's ok if they look happy on TV.

Just my thoughts.

[Sissyk]

24. Your definition of slavery and my definition

of slavery are worlds and worlds apart, so I might as well stop right now.

[LittleBlue]

83. Ridiculous to compare caring for siblings to slavery

Maybe a history lesson is needed.

Once those kids become adults, they will be free to do as they please. If those kids grow up to do the same thing, they are no different than any other child who is influenced by their parents. My grandmother had 11 children, while none of her children had more than 3. 4 of them chose to have no children.

[get the red out]

88. No, that isn't my comparison

I compared being raised to submit to your husband and do nothing but bear child after child after child, despite any threat to your health or the health of the babies (which the Quiverfull Movement is all about) to SLAVERY, because that is exactly what it is. Those young girls are baby-sitters now, but they are being molded to be nothing but slaves to men and walking wombs one day. They will get the joy of being low grade brood mares and nothing more. They more praise we give this idiotic TV show and the happy happy it presents the more we are saying that bringing up young women to be the property of men is absolutely wonderful.

This I will keep calling "slavery" because that is exactly what it is. The idiots trying to prevent marriage equality can give us a "history lesson" too, the history of oppression of women, children and gay people, just like the fundies want, is that what we must respect?

[LittleBlue]

96. No, it's not slavery

They have a choice to not submit to their husbands once they get married, and have the choice to never get married at all.

If they choose to practice fundamentalist Christianity because they want to be like their parents, that's their choice alone. The belief in having lots of children and submitting to your husband, even if heavily influenced by parents, is not slavery. Slaves didn't have any rights or any choice, the Duggar children do!

[get the red out]

99. Stockholm Syndrome

is not a choice.

[liberal_at_heart]

28. children never have a choice until they are grown.

Almost everybody has something about their childhood that they hated and decide they would never do to their kids. I feel like my father worked too many hours and didn't pay enough attention to me. Does that mean he never should have had me or that I should have been taken away from him? I don't think so. My daughter feels my husband and I invaded her privacy because we used to check her Facebook account, and she swears she will never to do that to her kids. That's her freedom to do so when she has children. My younger son has autism and I have had to watch him or have someone babysit him all of his life. Now I never laid that responsibility at my daughter's feet but I see nothing wrong with other parents have older siblings help take care of younger ones. I do not agree with their religious beliefs but that does not mean they do not have the freedom to exercise their religious beliefs in how they raise their children. When their children are old enough to get a job and move out on their own then they can live however they want to. That is when it truly becomes their life and their freedom to do as they choose.

[get the red out]

29. Freedom is wonderful

I don't wish to criminalize the Duggar's quiverfull cult, if that is why my negative opinion of it upsets people. What I would like to see in our society is more discussion about the cults we harbor and the fact that children born into a brainwashing cult suffer far more and much differently than kids that just look back and swear they won't screw their kids up in certain ways that they think their Moms and Dads screwed up.

I am for open dialogue regarding the cult problem in this country, and that means acknowledging that cults exist and that people should have the right, and assistance leaving them if they manage to wake up.

I don't see why so many liberals are opposed to dialogue? Or negative opinions about the Quiverfull cult? Opinions are just opinions. I would never dream of proposing laws to address the problem, that would be the most poorly thought out action imaginable.

But this need some people seem to have to try to straighten people out who wish to speak out against cults that teach women and girls that they must always obey their man and just have baby after baby no matter if it harms them physically or harms the children is an interesting phenomenon. I am a female who cares not one bit if a man holds a door for me and will simply say "thank you" but I do feel great sadness for people raised to believe they are nothing but wombs that need filling.

I believe true freedom of speech and exchange of ideas is a potential answer; proposing laws would only endear these cults even more to people than apparently a well-crafted TV show already has. The power of media to uplift dysfunction is absolutely amazing in all its glory.

[HappyMe]

17. I agree.

Pro-choice means just that. Everyone is free to choose for themselves. Don't like somebody's choice - too bad.

[MattBaggins]

37. But you don't have the right to make that choice

for an adoptive child though. perhaps they might like a chance at a better life than just being a brood mare? There is a world of difference in letting that dysfunctional family do as they want and forcing an innocent child into through adoption.

There is nothing wrong with questioning the abilities of adoptive parents and considering the childs needs.

The Duggar family is looking for more TV time and should be denied.

[HappyMe]

41. That's all simply your opinion.

Who the hell are you to question anybody's ability to be a parent.

Pro-choice means just that. It isn't your life, your body, nor is it your choice.

[MattBaggins]

44. Because I was adopted at 10 from an orphanage

and luckily the state just doesn't hand the kids out like candy at a store. I as part of the community that makes up the State, I and others have every right to question whether a child is being placed into the best possible environment.

Nice trying to hide behind "pro-choice" yet seeming to care less about the child's welfare.

[HappyMe]

48. I'm not hiding behind anything.

I am not going to get judgmental about a bunch of people that I don't know personally. I'm not going to freak out about something that may never even happen. You have every right to question any damn thing you want. As do I. The fact of the matter is, neither you nor I have any say whatsoever in any official capacity in this matter.

How many kids people have, is not any of my business.

[Sheldon Cooper]

63. Using your argument - who the hell are you to award children to just anybody who wants one,

in the name of choice? Pro-choice means reproductive freedom - the right to decide when or if you will carry a pregnancy to term. You are being disingenuous to extend that to adoption. Yes, the Duggars are free to apply to adopt a child, but they are in no way entitled to one. There is a big difference and it's too bad that you can't see it. Please stop calling this pro-choice because it certainly is not.

[HappyMe]

65. I don't award children to anybody.

The proper agencies will decide what to do if the Duggar's apply. Neither you nor I have anything to say about that matter.

Pro-choice means a whole helluva lot more than abortion and birth control.

[Sheldon Cooper]

66. Actually, pro-choice does not mean what you think it means.

There are actual definitions, and words have meaning, as the saying goes. But by all means carry on in your ignorance, it matters little to me.

[HappyMe]

69. And what you think are

the "actual definitions" matters little to me.

Ignorance, you say? Again, what you think matters not at all to me.


Enjoy your words. May they always have meaning and not taste bitter.

[catbyte]

11. God schmod. The whole freakish family creeps me out. They have crazy eyes just like Bachmann

[sadbear]

13. That's what they should have been doing from the start.

I guess. (Of course, can you imagine the outrage here if a couple like the Duggars were able to indoctrinate 19 adopted children instead of their own? And all the money they would get from the state, like Bachmann, for all those adoptions? Personally, I believe those two should be nowhere near children.)

[The Straight Story]

18. Good for them, seems like they have this whole parenting thing down

Free country, her body her choice, their life their choice.

I don't follow them (except what I see posted here on DU and some news articles) but I can't condemn their choices any more than I could any other woman/couples' choices.

Not for me personally and think it is a little crazy, but hey, they and others probably think I am (have 5 kids myself).

[MattBaggins]

39. As someone who was adopted

It would be nice if people like you would consider the child. The Duggars can do what they want with their own spawn. They have do not have a "right" to do it to other kids.

[The Straight Story]

42. Do what, exactly?

My x was adopted, so was her brother. Then her adoptive parents had two of their own kids and pretty much shunned them.

What are you worried they will do with them - raise them with ideals and values you don't hold?

Reminds me of some others who feel the same on that subject and don't want some to adopt for the same reasons.

[MattBaggins]

46. They will pawn the child off on younger children to raise them

It fair to question why they are doing this and instruct them that THEY, not the kids; must provide care for the child and if they are incapable of providing that, then they should be denied.

[The Straight Story]

68. And this is different from history how?

And not just in history where people used to have large families and do this, but I have spent some years living near the Amish.

Big families where brother and sister took care of each other a lot. It was family, aka 'team work', or it takes a village sort of thing but on a smaller scale.

[MattBaggins]

71. argumentum ad antiquitatem is being used now by republicans against marriage eqaulity

Have no use for that argument.

A child should be forced into such a life without due consideration. The child's needs, present and future should be the first and foremost point of consideration.

[nolabear]

20. And how many wonderful, loving gay couples are denied this?

I suppose I wouldn't deny the Dugars the right, but the very idea creeps me out. Not necessarily because of quantity but out of a fear they are caught up in their own fairy tale, and the adoption would be because of that and not out of a bountiful capacity for love and the ability to let a child thrive.

[Solly Mack]

21. Hmmm. Does the TV contract demand a certain number of children must be reached?

19 and counting (first 16, then 17, then 18) does imply that the brood will grow and keep growing. Aside from the quiverfull thinking, are they also contractually obligated to "add" to the number of kids to keep the show going?

I wonder.

Why, yes. Yes. I am a cynic.

[get the red out]

23. Good point

I hadn't thought of that. Interesting.

[LiberalLoner]

27. +1

[Blue_Tires]

113. I don't think there is a contractual obligation

But I do think there is an implicit understanding that the gravy train stops unless there is something "interesting" going on...It's clear that's why they kept spitting out kids after the 'original' show started...

[RobinA]

25. They Ought To Think

more about the parentless children they have at home.

[LadyHawkAZ]

26. Let me guess- she hit menopause

IIRC, the own younger kids were being raised by their older sisters. I can't see how that's a healthy environment for an adopted child.

[jmowreader]

105. Either that...

...or their doctor told them, "if you have another baby it will kill you, so if you even think about getting pregnant again I will amputate his penis and tie your tubes that very day." Which he can't actually do, but the Duggars would probably believe him.

[onlyadream]

30. I'm surprised how judgemental DUers are regarding this family

They hurt no one and don't push their religion on their viewers. I happen to follow the show, and, since I don't believe in any religion, I've always been very mindful of what they put forth in that area. I think the mother, Michelle, is a beautiful person. She is kind and patient - I wish I could be a mother like her. Their family unit is a far distance from most families I know, where the kids are learning their values through Nickelodeon, and YouTube, and where family members can't be pulled away from their cell phones for a single meal.
Do the girls have choices? I'm sure they do, I can't imagine the parents, Michelle & JimBob, forcing anyone to do anything. It would be interesting to see what they would do if a child defies them, but (as far as we see on TV) that doesn't happen. The kids are extremely well behaved and happy.

[HappyMe]

34. Judgemental is sometimes what DU does best.

From the few times I have seen this show, I pretty much agree with what you have said.

[enlightenment]

115. Given that you seem to be basing your

opinion of the family on the few times you've watched their program, you might want to learn a bit about the "quiverfull" movement and how it does practice a form of extreme Christianity that is not necessarily "best practice" for raising daughters (or sons - but daughters bear the brunt of it).

You say that they look "happy" - you say that the girls can "walk away" from it when they are adults. Both those things are probably, technically, true.

Real truth, however, requires recognizing that constant inculcation in a value set that encourages families to keep their children away from outside influences that might open their minds to other options is a pretty good recipe for keeping children in line, observant, obedient, and more likely to perpetuate the same behavior in adulthood.

Believe what you want, but consider doing it with a little more information that what you have gleaned from watching a reality TV show a few times.

http://www.patheos.com/blogs/nolongerquivering/what-is-quiverfull/

[MattBaggins]

47. I am judgmental of them and make NO apologies for that

I have no tolerance for raising girls to be second class human beings who do not get the same opportunities afforded male children.

I will judge that type of lifestyle today, tomorrow and the day after that.

[HappyMe]

54. Then you are free to raise your children

as you see fit. As am I and everybody else on DU.

[Sheldon Cooper]

64. Who exactly is stopping them?

Unless you compare judging them negatively to actually applying limits their freedoms, exactly no one is stopping them from carrying out their cockamamie plan.

[get the red out]

90. Exactly

What people here are trying to stop is anyone daring to criticize the Duggars. Who the fuck are they to not be criticized? Their a bunch of fundy train-wrecks that get their own TV show because they are fucking FREAKS.

[get the red out]

82. Thank you!!! And we are free to talk about it

I absolutely agree with you, just because a cult is on TV doesn't make it a positive thing. I will always judge that lifestyle too, no one should be second class, I don't care how good of a grifter her father is or that The Looser Channel gives them a show.

I'm shocked at all the dialogue-stopping attempts going on regarding the Duggars, as if to openly disagree with a fundamentalist cult that subjugates females is somehow not being a proper liberal. Caring about the rights of women and girls is just not good values, or so I am learning.

[snooper2]

51. The basically have trained their children to be slaves...

Here's another baby for you to take care of, and one for you, and one for you...

I should say just the girls.


The boys have to do stuff like, build dog houses--

[Matariki]

52. Having that many children hurts the whole freaking planet and every living thing on it

And I don't buy the false equivalence of phony moral issues regarding a woman's right to choose to end a pregnancy with the irresponsible decision to over-populate the planet.

[Proud Liberal Dem]

61. I agree with what you're saying for the most part

however, I do question how healthy their choices are in regards to pushing this on their children (i.e. having the kids raise their younger siblings as they are constantly being pushed out, not to mention not being able to be available for all of their children all the time- they have to all wear name tags I believe?). Also, as far as not "pushing their religion on their viewers", as I understand it, the Quiverfull movement is essentially about creating a more "Christian" society by increasing reproduction of children whom are then indoctrinated into their belief system. I don't know how successful or realistic a means of creating a "Christian" society the Quiverfull movement has been so far (probably not very) but its overarching goal is eventually dominion over everybody else (not just peaceful co-existence), so it's not just some family tradition that doesn't seek to impose itself on everybody else.

[HughBeaumont]

73. Aaaaaactually, they kind of do.

They're Santorum supporters who aren't really into basic human rights for "teh geighs".

http://www.democraticunderground.com/1002418490

I'm surprised that people with an HRC logo are defending these hatemongers.

[onlyadream]

118. Hatemongers?

Hardly. They may be 100 years behind the times, but the family is very loving. The girls choose to wear skirts and to wear their hair long. It doesn't seem they are being forced. I also heard that one girl wants to live in the city, so we'll see how that goes. I may eat my words someday, time will tell.

As for the labor being divided according to gender; I believe that if a daughter wanted to chop trees down or mow the lawn, that she'd be allowed. Some girls and women like their gender roles. Do DUers get angry when a woman gives up her job to be a stay at home mother? I think most wouldn't mind, as long as its her choice. I believe the girls in the Duggar family choose and are quite happy. They've travelled and seen enough of the real work to know how things are.

[La Lioness Priyanka]

85. selfish decisions are usually met with judgment

you think if all of us lived like this, the world would be able to sustain us?

i am not saying that we should legislate their reproductive rights, but social opprobrium is not inappropriate

[onlyadream]

119. I totally agree

Our planet is already overpopulated. Wanting to adopt is a good thing, as long as the child will be free to be who they are (gay, atheist, whatever). I'd love to see the parents handle this situation.

[Le Taz Hot]

91. Back when I had a TV service

I watched it a few times. I am pro-choice and that means that mommy can have as many children as she CHOOSES. I actually defended her right to have a 20th child here on DU when other so-called liberals were demanding FORCED sterilization of him and her.

Having said that, I have a few questions.

The children never fight with one another, or at least they don't show it on TV. Come on, 19 children and there's never sibling squabbles? Really?

Statistics say that at least 2 of those children are gay. Can you imagine what those children are going through? They can't even question, much less ever come out of the closet. I can't imagine a more hellish life.

The girls do all the work and the little boys are allowed to play endlessly -- rarely being called upon to do work in/around the house.

Finally, in one episode, one of the girls let something slip. All the children have something called "jurisdictions" -- chores for which they are responsible with the girls having LOTS and LOTS more "jurisdictions" than the boys. On one episode, one of the older girls was taking care of one of the younger ones and she announced that "taking care of the younger children isn't in his (Jim Bob's) jurisdiction." Say what??? Your children aren't your "jurisdiction?"

My grandmother was forced to quit school after Grade 3 in order to take care of her 5 younger siblings. She ended up getting married at 15 just to get out of the house. Little did she know, a little 15-year-old country girl, that the man she married was a sadist who beat her and her children mercilessly. My point is, when you're given little exposure to the outside world and fed nothing but dogma your entire life, you are unaware of the options that are available to you. The girls have one option: get married and have babies. That's it. The boys? The sky seems to be the limit.

[MattBaggins]

101. And what happened to your grandma is the problem

We have so called democrats on this very thread arguing for that ancient practice. Some here think it is ok to continue that stupid old system where one sibling gets to have no future as they become the proxy parent for other siblings. People on DU actually think some magic word "choice" gives them the automatic right to ruin yet another child's potential.

[Le Taz Hot]

109. I've no problem with "choice"

in this situation. If Michelle Dugger wants 20 kids, she's entitled to them AS LONG AS her and Jim Bob are able to take care of them themselves. The rule is, you have 'em, they're your responsibility, not the responsibility of the younger children or anyone else for that matter. It's obvious that two people absolutely cannot take care of 20 children with any sort of quality care. But I'm sure, in their thinking, that's why "God gave them" girls.

[get the red out]

110. Yes, and I am bothered as well

You put it much better than I have been able to in this thread. Thank you for this post. Arguing for some kind of ancient idea of family is idiotic when Republican lawyers do it in front of the Supreme Court but it needs to valued when it comes to the future and human rights of the poor children with the misfortune of being part of this Duggar train wreck.

[treestar]

97. They are happy for the TV cameras

Of course they are.

[Blue_Tires]

114. I think you may have bought into the "TV image" a little too much

I'm betting dollars to yen that everything ain't all June Cleaver when the camera crews aren't around...

Maybe 15-20 years from now one of the kids will write a tell-all book and the public will have the nerve to be shocked at how life for this 'perfect family' was behind the scenes...

[onlyadream]

117. I agree that time will tell

So we will see. But I won't judge. I guess the other DUers can, judge, if they want.
And I also agree that our planet can't sustain these type of families, if this was the norm. I think the
mother had a traumatic experience with a pregnancy, that made them decide to take the "no birth control" route, leaving it all in God's hands. I don't agree with that line of thinking, but these people are very simple minded, and maybe that's what they have to believe to get by.

They don't espouse their political view on the show, however I did read that they supported Santorum, which I would have expected (disappointed tho). Again, simple minds.

[hamsterjill]

31. Anything to get publicity!

The Duggars are "moved" by the checks that they receive from their reality show.

If they weren't, they would be donating ALL of the proceeds from the show to a charitable organization.

Their idea to adopt is either their sick compulsion to out do the Bates family in the number of children that they have, OR is a last ditch effort for the perhaps now-menopausal Michelle to keep her family in the public eye. Could be both!

[backscatter712]

33. Sweet Zombie Jesus, even more children brainwashed into their abusive, batshit religion.

Just remember, you're an evil piece of shit unless you submit to Jesus and OBEY!

[Nye Bevan]

36. Better that children be raised by the Duggars

than grow up into a life of jihad, fatwas, and suicide bombings.

Or that theybe brought up into a life of meth labs and drug dealing.

[HappyMe]

55. Agreed.

[Manifestor_of_Light]

120. You're talking Christianity in toto, not just their particular cult.

Christianity is an abusive batshit religion.

You nailed it exactly!!!!!

[haikugal]

43. Quiverfull Christianity in action!!

What's another one!!!! I can't believe these people are good role models. Disgusting people.

[Matariki]

49. Funny how these people tend to interpret "shit they want" as "God's will"

[Initech]

50. At least they're not creating any new ones.

[nadinbrzezinski]

53. Quiverful, and TLC gives them a platform

disgusting.

[winter is coming]

56. If only someone had told them about parentless children 19 kids ago!

[southernyankeebelle]

57. Wonder how many tax dollars they are getting in rebates. $$$$$$$ is a good motivator.

[Nye Bevan]

59. I wonder how much Social Security taxes those kids will be paying when you and I are retired

and collecting Social Security payments.

[southernyankeebelle]

62. I dunno. But I can tell you I paid my fair share to the generations before me and

I never complained about it because I know it was helping the retirees and widows with children. Let me tell you my mother was a widow and she was a stay at home mom. My parents had 2 more children late in life. I was 22 when my father died. My little sister was 11 and my young brother was 4 when my father died. It was me and my twin sister that helped support my mother until my father's pension from the military kicked in and his social security. They deserved everything my father paid into. He died at 50 yrs old. I would think my family would gladly give up the money to have our husband and dad back. But he earned them and my mother was entitled to it. I will tell you this much no one should complain about social security or medicare. Those programs were started in the first place because people were dying. Their children could take care of them.

The Duggards are moochers and republicans. Nuff said. Don't tell me they are just having kids because they just lovvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvve them so much. I read somewhere they have gotten a large rebate.

[MattBaggins]

103. And that's those girls purpose in life

pump out kids and provide for you.

[LibertyLover]

58. My husband and I adopted our daughter

from China 10 years ago come November 3rd. We were very, very lucky because at the time China was actively looking to adopt its surplus girls out and we only waited 11 months from the date that our paperwork was submitted until the day that we got our notice that we had been approved and our daughter was waiting for us. It was expensive then and more so now, but I imagine that these freaks' tv channel would pay for it all. Children growing up without families in China are at a great disadvantage, but the idea of a sweet little girl, much like my daughter was and is, growing up in that family and being brainwashed to see herself as nothing more than a baby machine is disgusting to me. Of course, if they did adopt from China, maybe they wouldn't pressure her too much to have kid after kid since she wouldn't be, um - you know, Caucasian?

[get the red out]

108. I agree

My Sister's oldest, adopted from China, is 9. Their second child, also from China, is 5 and special needs.

The idea that any little girl would have to grow up being told every day how much less she was than boys, and that should be applauded as "family values" makes me sick. And I will always speak out against cults like this. ALWAYS.

I doubt they will adopt unless TLC does all the paperwork for them. I hear the waiting list for a healthy child is so long now that unless they went the special needs route they may not have a TV show if and when the adoption happened. I would hate to see a special needs child brought into that horrific mess, I'm sure they would expect GAWD to just fix the poor baby and pawn it off on the older sisters like the rest.

[IdaBriggs]

60. I am very pleased they are open to adoption.

There are millions of unloved orphans desperate to be a part of a family, and I find it commendable that they are willing to expand their family in such a way.

Obviously they will have to go through proper channels, but if this is what they are called to do by their religious beliefs, I fully support it.

I am friends with some people who have made me very aware of the plight of orphans in other countries, and it truly breaks my heart. We have "first world problems" here on DU. If they are able to draw some attention to the children in need, I will cheer them on.

I am a Pro-Choice person. Treat your children well, and I will stay out of your business. I assume appropriate agencies are aware of their child rearing choices (especially since they are well publicized), and no allegations of abuse have surfaced that I am aware of.

Share the wealth. Feed the children. Go, humans, go!

[Taverner]

67. What a bunch of selfish, arrogant, deluded idiots...

More than 3 kids should get a tax penalty!

[Nye Bevan]

70. Those kids will be paying for your and my Social Security

when we retire.

[Taverner]

77. I don't care - it won't make up for the resources they all consume until and after then...

[Le Taz Hot]

102. Maybe.

Dad doesn't pay taxes now and I've no doubt he's teaching his children how to avoid same. I'm not sure how they pull it off but, from what I understand, technically, they don't "own" anything -- it's in the name of some non-profit or something. Too lazy to look it up at the moment.

[LittleBlue]

72. More power to them

After reading about the horror foster homes, especially in places like China, having a home with parents is far better. Even if those parents are strange.

I would much rather have a fundie family than none at all.

[get the red out]

87. Waiting lists

There are long waiting lists of people to adopt babies from China. It is a lengthy process and there are more people wanting to adopt then there are kids available and adoptable. The Duggars could probably adopt a special needs child quicker than the 7 year wait it now takes for a healthy child, but with 19 kids already.......

My Sister has been through the Chinese adoption process twice, once for a healthy baby and again for a special needs child. My niece with special needs takes a LOT more care (Autism Spectrum) than just turning her over to big sis and expecting God to work it out. Just saying.....

[LittleBlue]

89. And yet there are far more orphans in the world than families who can adopt them

The number of kids needing families is far more than the number of families available.

Just because some children made it on a waiting list does not mean all children who need adoptions are getting them. Especially older kids or ones who have medical conditions.

http://english.sina.com/china/p/2010/1110/347635.html

Any family who is willing to provide a loving home for children should be welcome to adopt regardless of their religious beliefs.

[get the red out]

92. Take that criticism to the UN

The UN has tightened up restrictions on international adoption. There there is the matter of the adoption being approved by the Chinese government.

[MattBaggins]

106. Not if those beliefs conflict with any number of human rights of the child

[HughBeaumont]

74. Greeeeat, more Hatemongers Fer JEEEEEEsus.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/1002418490

I have no use for this Gawd Klux Klan. Human rights are HUMAN rights, and that trumps any bullshit written by Iron Age shepherds, nomads and clerics. They can poison their own minds, not those of children.

[Nye Bevan]

76. OK, I know the Duggars are probably less popular on DU than the Taliban,

but equating them to the Ku Klux Klan is just stupid.

[HughBeaumont]

80. So is the implication that there's something wrong with six of my relatives . . . .

. . . based on an ancient book that should have ZERO bearing in 2013 American society or government.

Are there now certain levels of hatred? Do we love "some" and recognize their rights, but not the rights of others? Discrimination is discrimination.

[Nye Bevan]

84. This is based upon the fact that they are Christians?

You have plenty of other targets then, including Barack Obama, Joe Biden, and probably 90%+ of Congressmen and Senators. So why focus on the Duggars?

[HughBeaumont]

86. No, it's based on the fact that UNlike the President, VP or half of Congress and the Senate . . .

. . . they're backwards Bible literalists who support the "traditional marriage is between a man and a woman" crap, as the article in the link clearly points out.

[Nye Bevan]

100. So they have the same position on gay marriage that Obama had until last May,

that Bill Clinton had throughout his presidency, and that Hillary had until about a week ago.

Yeah, they should get with the program.

[MattBaggins]

107. Yes they should

Are you with the program? Should LGBT people have the same rights as others?

[Nye Bevan]

111. I was one of the DUers who was most critical of President Obama

for his "marriage is between a man and a woman..... God is in the mix" thing. I was very happy about his epiphany on this issue.

[Walk away]

78. The Duggers are the public face of the Quivver Full Cult.

These people are bizarre christian fundies! Who would give them a child?

[get the red out]

95. I can't believe the love they get on DU

I would expect it on Free Republic, I'm sure they are all about loving the Duggars. But some seem to believe that the Duggars should be beyond reproach.

[Walk away]

123. How anyone can endorse freaks who teach their 17 children that the world is 6000yr old and....

people hunted dinosaurs is beyond belief. I guess you can fool some of the people all of the time!

[AndyA]

79. Strange family. Very, very strange.

The kids act like they're brainwashed, stuck in a cult. (Don't drink the Kool-Aid!)

[treestar]

93. I wonder if they could get approval from an adoption agency

Seems the first thing they'd think was that there were too many children in the house already.

There must be an infertile couple who would love that child as their only one or as one of a reasonable number. I don't think at this point the Duggars can really be good parents.

[Warpy]

104. They should have figured that out 15 kids ago.

[bamacrat]

112. I hope they adopt from America.

We have tons of orphans here and all the rage is getting an African or Asian baby. They need homes too, but there are too many kids in need of a home here.

While this family annoys me with their uber religiosity, they do seem to have a very loving family. A little brain washed maybe, but all their kids are well behaved, and seem very happy.

[patricia92243]

116. It would have been nice if they had made this decision years ago -

before they had so many children.

[SoCalDem]

121. They finally "went & dun broked the baby machine"..

[applegrove]

122. Those poor kids have chores on chores to do. I doubt they get an adequate

amount of playtime. Does anyone know what the bible said about play & childhood?