Arkansas woman pregnant with 18th child

[Rip Rokken]

In a time where most news about families is bad, the "public attraction" thing doesn't bother me at all since it's an actual positive story. I wish there were more like them.

I nominate you to be the next couple to do this.... haha! Hey, if you do it, I promise it will change my mind! But boy, would those be an opinionated set of chillins...

[Rip Rokken]

A kid in a local town was beat up on the school bus home. Nice kid, Boy Scout, etc. Two bullies had been harrassing him for more than a year and finally attacked him on the bus. One was pounding on him and holding him down while the other held a cigarette lighter to his chin. The bus driver didn't stop or do anything about it. The bus had a camera and captured it on tape, but the school would not release the tape EVEN TO THE POLICE.

Finally, they police department had to get a subpeoana from a court to force the school district to hand over the tape. The two thugs have been charged with assault. The victim is now being homeschooled.

This is beyond even A-HOLE PATROL material... These people deserve the 40oz. T-Bone Special -- that's where T-Bone cracks them upside the head with a 40 of St. Ides...

[scarygirl]

Homeschooling isn't supposed to be an avoidance technique

At the same time, if I have a kid and they are being horrendously picked on, we're talking being shoved, kicked, spit on, verbally abused, and I do nothing other than, hey kid, that happens to everyone, deal with it, I would be a bad mother. So if the school refuses to do their job, with the tax money I am paying them, hell , yeah, you can bet I would have no problem taking them out of school and placing them elsewhere.

A kid in a local town was beat up on the school bus home. Nice kid, Boy Scout, etc. Two bullies had been harrassing him for more than a year and finally attacked him on the bus. One was pounding on him and holding him down while the other held a cigarette lighter to his chin. The bus driver didn't stop or do anything about it. The bus had a camera and captured it on tape, but the school would not release the tape EVEN TO THE POLICE.

Finally, they police department had to get a subpeoana from a court to force the school district to hand over the tape. The two thugs have been charged with assault. The victim is now being homeschooled.

Thank you. Happens everyday.

[piecesofeight]

It's interesting..the first time I heard of the Duggar's and saw a show on them I believe on TLC..I felt good about it..I didn't walk away with a bad taste in my mouth.

They didn't have all these kids for publicity..yet there's no way to animity with a story like this..

I don't see them as a 'drain' on society..they are not living off the government..a lot of things they did with the house they built are 'green' .. they own the property..they have no debt..if they were money hungry or attention hungry they would have for years now had numerous shows or a long running series on tv..I believe they have only ton a few shows for Discovery and one or two morning shows..they are very unassuming people..

It sort of it blowing my mind that this would have so many pages..and criticism..I could see if they were low life's doing this and mooching off the government or if the kids were unhealthy or neglected or deformed..we complain about a father who locks his incest family in the basement..then we find things wrong with them too.

For those who find this wrong..have you seen any of the shows..and what really is wrong with this? What are the Duggar's doing wrong that is affecting you or society?

These are good down to earth Christian people..they don't live on a 'compound' .. geeze..wouldn't we all love to own our land and build our own house..and have no debt..just because they are a large family living on their own land doesn't mean it's a compound..those kids get out and do stuff all the time..that's really not a fare comment.

I also believe the website is actually through Discovery becasue they were on their channel and it's very basic..I also believe lots of people were asking for recipes and that was one way to do it without taking up a lot of their time..

[Rip Rokken]

It's interesting..the first time I heard of the Duggar's and saw a show on them I believe on TLC..I felt good about it..I didn't walk away with a bad taste in my mouth.

They didn't have all these kids for publicity..yet there's no way to animity with a story like this..

I don't see them as a 'drain' on society..they are not living off the government..a lot of things they did with the house they built are 'green' .. they own the property..they have no debt..if they were money hungry or attention hungry they would have for years now had numerous shows or a long running series on tv..I believe they have only ton a few shows for Discovery and one or two morning shows..they are very unassuming people..

It sort of it blowing my mind that this would have so many pages..and criticism..I could see if they were low life's doing this and mooching off the government or if the kids were unhealthy or neglected or deformed..we complain about a father who locks his incest family in the basement..then we find things wrong with them too.

For those who find this wrong..have you seen any of the shows..and what really is wrong with this? What are the Duggar's doing wrong that is affecting you or society?

These are good down to earth Christian people..they don't live on a 'compound' .. geeze..wouldn't we all love to own our land and build our own house..and have no debt..just because they are a large family living on their own land doesn't mean it's a compound..those kids get out and do stuff all the time..that's really not a fare comment.

I also believe the website is actually through Discovery becasue they were on their channel and it's very basic..I also believe lots of people were asking for recipes and that was one way to do it without taking up a lot of their time..

Very well reasoned, and I withdraw all criticism. Actually, I never had anything against them at all, and have always felt "to each their own". Their choice is just nothing that appeals to me, and I think it's nothing that 99.95% of people can even relate to. But my hat's off to them. Actually, on close examination of my feelings, I think the main thing that has bothered me is with all the misconceptions about Christianity out there, I wouldn't want people equating their choice with an expectation by God of Christians. There's way, way too much confusion between religious practice and tradition and true Christian practice. This is really just their choice, and as long as they are self-supporting, I have nothing but respect for them for setting a good example.

[bluejeangirl76]

Flipping through the channels and the Duggars are on vacation from Arkansas to Disneyland in California with 1 kids right now. Not sure if it is on all around the world, but Discovery Health on Cox Digital Cable has it on right now at 2210 CST.

That's another thing that really turns me off to their situation -- all the publicity they enjoy soaking up about it. They even have a website. I'm sorry, but something just rubs me wrong there...

Glad I'm not the only one who felt that way. You're right, there's just something about that...
I mean, why is it news that they're pregnant again? I mean, its "news" in that "hey this isn't something that's common"... but, the media wouldn't know if the family weren't letting it out. This isn't a story of, "they have HAD another child". Onec the child comes, of course it's a bit more obvious and maybe more likely to get out. This is them intending the world to hear about it and make a big deal of it.

[mistiejourney]

I got my fucking tax statement not too long ago and was apphauled to find out that 80% of my real estate taxes (on 2 properties) goes to the Chicago Public Schools. Why the fuck am I paying for other peoples' kids to go to school? Or should I say to not go to school? Inner city public schools are nothing more than unorganized chaos. They need wardens rather than teachers. Let these motherfuckers foot the bill for their own kids. I'm tired of paying for the "education" of motherfuckers that are gonna wind up in a correctional facility.

The idea of tuition tax credits never caught on. I used to think it was a crock that I had to pay taxes on schools I never used, but then I realized that good schools meant good community.

On the other hand, I'm not actually impressed with any of our local schools - my kids had pounds of books taken home every day. I see the local public high school kids walking to school and, I'm not exaggerating, one out of every ten has one folder they are carrying.

[Angiekay]

The earth is capable of sustaining a population much larger than it currently holds, so that's really not part of the issue.

That doesn't mean it SHOULD. We can't take care of the people who ARE here.

[Melissa]

I think home schooling is great. Public school leads to better socialization? If I had been given a choice growing up, no way would I go through public school again. THe kids are all cookie cutter monsters who think Evolution is more than a theory.

I couldn't disagree more. I'm so glad I wasn't homeschooled. There are good public schools too, you know.

It's not for everyone but the vast majority of homeschooled kids are far better off than their counterparts. The difference is really incredible. Even charter schools do a much better job than your normal public schools.

I agree, our son is in a charter school now & he's doing wonderfully, I'm amazed at the level he's at now & he's only just finishing 1st grade, his reading & math skills are above average so far. Also what drew us there is that they make parents get involved, you have to volunteer a certain number of hours per child or family. I see home schooled kids at work a lot, & they seem to be doing just fine. My brother & I went to government schools, but they were run by the Dept. of Defense (we were Air Force brats, lol) & even then there was a big difference in what we learned there, when we got back to the states after living in Japan, I didn't even have to attend my senior year of high school all day because I had already completed almost everything I needed to graduate by Florida's standards, & only took 3 classes (only 2 of which were required for me to graduate) & worked the rest of the time.

[bluejeangirl76]

I think home schooling is great. Public school leads to better socialization? If I had been given a choice growing up, no way would I go through public school again. THe kids are all cookie cutter monsters who think Evolution is more than a theory.

I couldn't disagree more. I'm so glad I wasn't homeschooled. There are good public schools too, you know.

Absolutely, Sarah. Its not all so black and white. For example, my brothers kids go to public school and both of them are on the honor roll, both were taking high school level courses while still in junior high, play sports and are truly very good kids, not cookie cutter monsters. Completely unfair generalization. No where in my family is there anything worse than a speeding ticket after many collective years of both public and private schooling. There were plenty of assholes in my years at Catholic school also, and plenty of times I was on the receiving end of it, as were all the other girls who weren't cheerleaders or student council members. But that doesn't mean everyone was like that.

[conversationpc]

The earth is capable of sustaining a population much larger than it currently holds, so that's really not part of the issue.

That doesn't mean it SHOULD. We can't take care of the people who ARE here.

It's not that we can't take care of them, it's that we aren't taking care of them. The biggest reason behind that are totalitarian governments that keep all the money for themselves and their military instead of allowing the people to use it to cultivate the land and innovate for new businesses, inventions, etc.

[StyxCollector]

Here's a different perspective on public schools. My mom teaches math in a public high school where I grew up. The public school experience of today is vastly different than when most of us were growing up. I got a damn good education in public school - advanced classes, awesome music program, etc. Today, you've got metal detectors, kids with cel phones, kids who don't care, etc. I mean, I have a friend that used to sneak in a TV watch (remember those?), snake the earpiece up his arm, and watch in class.

The horror stories my mom tells now of how the kids act and what they do is deplorable. The thing is, a lot of that stems from home. My parents were interested, helped me if I got stuck sometimes, etc. Parental involvement and responsibility now? Ha. Add to that all of the distractions most of us never had (even if there were equivalents), and it's a recipe for disaster.

Let's not even go down the road of how little public school teachers are paid compared to the abuse many take from the kids. It's disheartening. If teachers are so vital, why pay and treat them like shit vs. other industries?

[Rhiannon]

Glad I'm not the only one who felt that way. You're right, there's just something about that...
I mean, why is it news that they're pregnant again? I mean, its "news" in that "hey this isn't something that's common"... but, the media wouldn't know if the family weren't letting it out. This isn't a story of, "they have HAD another child". Onec the child comes, of course it's a bit more obvious and maybe more likely to get out. This is them intending the world to hear about it and make a big deal of it.

Is there a Hallmark card for "Congrats on getting knocked up again"?

[bluejeangirl76]

Glad I'm not the only one who felt that way. You're right, there's just something about that...
I mean, why is it news that they're pregnant again? I mean, its "news" in that "hey this isn't something that's common"... but, the media wouldn't know if the family weren't letting it out. This isn't a story of, "they have HAD another child". Onec the child comes, of course it's a bit more obvious and maybe more likely to get out. This is them intending the world to hear about it and make a big deal of it.

Is there a Hallmark card for "Congrats on getting knocked up again"?

Probably several.
But is there one for "Way to generate publicity for yourselves! Hope the revenue racks up nice for you!"

[piecesofeight]

It's news because the news makes it news..and it gets posted online such as places like this one..you think the Duggar's went to the 'news' and told them so it would become news?
Bottom line..and obviously by all the response here..it's a interesting story that draws one's attention..but that's not their fault..they really just live their own lives..if not for the internet and how things become 'news' ..they really have done like only three tv shows because once people began hearing about this..they had questions..
They wanted to show who they were and how they did it..that really was why..yeah..they had all those kids for attention..at least we can't say they had all those kids for the governments money since they are debt free and support themselves..but not many want to give kudos for that..I can just imagine if they were getting government help..
Kudos to them for doing it all on thier own with healthy children..

[mistiejourney]

I think home schooling is great. Public school leads to better socialization? If I had been given a choice growing up, no way would I go through public school again. THe kids are all cookie cutter monsters who think Evolution is more than a theory.

I couldn't disagree more. I'm so glad I wasn't homeschooled. There are good public schools too, you know.

Absolutely, Sarah. Its not all so black and white. For example, my brothers kids go to public school and both of them are on the honor roll, both were taking high school level courses while still in junior high, play sports and are truly very good kids, not cookie cutter monsters. Completely unfair generalization. No where in my family is there anything worse than a speeding ticket after many collective years of both public and private schooling. There were plenty of assholes in my years at Catholic school also, and plenty of times I was on the receiving end of it, as were all the other girls who weren't cheerleaders or student council members. But that doesn't mean everyone was like that.

I was the one everyone beat up in junior high

But somehow in high school I managed to be a geek AND a cheerleader at the same time! Kinda like I still am!

[mistiejourney]

Here's a different perspective on public schools. My mom teaches math in a public high school where I grew up. The public school experience of today is vastly different than when most of us were growing up. I got a damn good education in public school - advanced classes, awesome music program, etc. Today, you've got metal detectors, kids with cel phones, kids who don't care, etc. I mean, I have a friend that used to sneak in a TV watch (remember those?), snake the earpiece up his arm, and watch in class.

The horror stories my mom tells now of how the kids act and what they do is deplorable. The thing is, a lot of that stems from home. My parents were interested, helped me if I got stuck sometimes, etc. Parental involvement and responsibility now? Ha. Add to that all of the distractions most of us never had (even if there were equivalents), and it's a recipe for disaster.

Let's not even go down the road of how little public school teachers are paid compared to the abuse many take from the kids. It's disheartening. If teachers are so vital, why pay and treat them like shit vs. other industries?

My daughter just received her master's degree last weekend and subbed her first 4th grade class yesterday. She did her student teaching in public schools and the sub in a Catholic school and she says the difference is like night and day.

I will say that my sister, my sister-in-laws (x2), my niece and nephews (x3) and my brother-in-law are all teachers in public schools (mostly in Oregon). Ooops, one is in a Catholic school.

I think a lot depends on where the schools are - Oregon spends more and has a better system than CA. Personally, the schools around me in CA are atrocious. But back in 1975, I graduated with one great public school education.

So, I won't put down public schools as a whole, I just wanted my kids to have the same values reinforced at school as they were learning at home and vice-versa.

[Rhiannon]

But somehow in high school I managed to be a geek AND a cheerleader at the same time! Kinda like I still am!

Ditto... in high school I was a cheerleader, athletic trainer for the fooball team, varsity basketball, AND in drama club, french club, AND hung out with everyone from athletes to stoners and geeks.

[conversationpc]

I think a lot depends on where the schools are - Oregon spends more and has a better system than CA. Personally, the schools around me in CA are atrocious. But back in 1975, I graduated with one great public school education.

Spending has nothing to do with the actual quality of the education. Most industrialized countries spend less per student than we do and they do far better academically.

[bluejeangirl76]

It's news because the news makes it news..and it gets posted online such as places like this one..you think the Duggar's went to the 'news' and told them so it would become news?

Yeah. She's only SIX weeks along, according to that story, so its not as if it's obvious.
No one in the world has to know but her and her family. They chose to make it news.
Why else would they announce it?

[bluejeangirl76]

But somehow in high school I managed to be a geek AND a cheerleader at the same time!

LOL! So, you kicked your own ass?

[mistiejourney]

But somehow in high school I managed to be a geek AND a cheerleader at the same time!

LOL! So, you kicked your own ass?

Hey, it wasn't easy!

[scarygirl]

I got my fucking tax statement not too long ago and was apphauled to find out that 80% of my real estate taxes (on 2 properties) goes to the Chicago Public Schools. Why the fuck am I paying for other peoples' kids to go to school? Or should I say to not go to school? Inner city public schools are nothing more than unorganized chaos. They need wardens rather than teachers. Let these motherfuckers foot the bill for their own kids. I'm tired of paying for the "education" of motherfuckers that are gonna wind up in a correctional facility.

The idea of tuition tax credits never caught on. I used to think it was a crock that I had to pay taxes on schools I never used, but then I realized that good schools meant good community.

On the other hand, I'm not actually impressed with any of our local schools - my kids had pounds of books taken home every day. I see the local public high school kids walking to school and, I'm not exaggerating, one out of every ten has one folder they are carrying.

That's because in a lot of schools, there aren't enough books, therefore they are not allowed to take them home. As far as home work, lots of it doesn't mean you are actually learning anything. Some of teh best schools assign little to no homework.

[Sarah]

Also what drew us there is that they make parents get involved, you have to volunteer a certain number of hours per child or family.

All three of my public schools had that requirement as well.

All my schools were in CALIFORNIA too.

[Melissa]

Also what drew us there is that they make parents get involved, you have to volunteer a certain number of hours per child or family.

All three of my public schools had that requirement as well.

All my schools were in CALIFORNIA too.

Well here it's not a requirement, wish it was. Good yours was.

[Lula]

I think a lot depends on where the schools are - Oregon spends more and has a better system than CA. Personally, the schools around me in CA are atrocious. But back in 1975, I graduated with one great public school education.

Spending has nothing to do with the actual quality of the education. Most industrialized countries spend less per student than we do and they do far better academically.

i'm hitting 5 years as a public school teacher. from my short time i've come to the conclusion that if the support for learning does not continue at home, much of the teaching/learning in the classroom goes along the wayside. maybe not for high school, but for the younger ones- yup.

[7 Wishes]

Do you realize how much sex you have to have to get pregnant eighteen times?!!!!

[Perrydise]

Do you realize how much sex you have to have to get pregnant eighteen times?!!!!

Actually if contact is made correctly, only 18 times.

All I have to say is, better her than me.

[ProgRocker53]

Do you realize how much sex you have to have to get pregnant eighteen times?!!!!

Quite unfortunately, more sex than I have ever had.

[Perrydise]

Do you realize how much sex you have to have to get pregnant eighteen times?!!!!

Quite unfortunately, more sex than I have ever had.

Poor fella