Saturday, September 27, 2008

A FEW WORDS I’M SICK OF

Generally speaking, I like words. I love to read; I like to write. However, my time in the world of Gosselin-related blogs has soured me on a few words. Words I’m fatigued of:

Advocacy: a wonderful thing, unless it’s a word being thrown around to cover an unreasonable and obsessive hatred towards total strangers. I’ve noticed some anti-Gosselinites use the word like a shield, “Stop! I’m a child advocate! That means I can comment on Kate Gosselin’s butt and hair with impunity.” These people don’t seem to get that genuine advocacy comes from a much better, less hostile place – it’s ideally about helping people, not hurting them.

Damage control: a phrase that has lost all meaning, and it didn’t have much to begin with. Damage control in the Gosselin context means: “Jon and/or Kate Gosselin have done something that even I, inveterate Gosselin hater, can find no fault with. And yet, my entire worldview is built on the notion that J&K are irredeemably bad, therefore: damage control!” In these peoples’ minds, there are bad J&K behaviors (yelling at the kids, hitting the husband, brushing hair in the kitchen) and there are damage control behaviors (kissing the kids, giving to charity, hugging the husband). Thus, a situation has been set up where it doesn’t ever have to be acknowledged that Jon and Kate Gosselin have actually done something good. If I never hear the phrase “damage control” again in my life, it will be too soon.

Finally, the word I’m sickest of…

Truth: generally something I’m in favor of. Truth is a good thing, as Martha Stewart might say. But people who don’t know the difference between “truth” and “opinion” or “truth” and “point of view” are…not so good. Like “child advocate”, the “truth” is thrown up as a defense any time anyone questions the behavior of certain Gosselin haters. It doesn’t matter what Julie says or does, because she’s telling the TRUTH. It says so, right in the title of her blog. The idea that she may not have sole ownership of the truth apparently doesn’t occur to some people.
What about you? Any words you’re tired of reading out there in the Gosselin-blogospheres?

84 comments:

Anonymous said...

KON. For no other reason that is just plain stupid.

Anonymous said...

I hate that everything is a "gate".

Gum-gate
Cupcake-gate
Crayola-gate

Anonymous said...

I too like Guin get so tired of hearing the word damage control(opps that is two words), jealous,Gwopped, and fiona.

Nina Bell said...

I think this can be words or phrases. I get tired of "you call this fair and balanced?", meanwhile posting on this blog and slamming it and everything that is said here in the process. LOL

Nina Bell said...

I think this can be words or phrases. I get tired of "you call this fair and balanced?", meanwhile posting on this blog and slamming it and everything that is said here in the process. LOL

Mom said...

Shrew
Bill O'Reilly
Regis & Kelly
Nat'l Enquirer
Violating / Violation
CPS
Julie
College Funds
Charity Garage Sale

I'm sure I'll think of more as soon as I hit the 'submit' button.

P.S. KON is the stupidest (is that a word?) thing I have ever read.

Guinevere said...

Kon!

I can't believe I forgot that one.

Maybe I was subconsciously trying to block it!

Unknown said...

You said what I feel. And you said it nicely. I will say "Good Job", and I so get it.

I have grown numb to the whole affair.

Anonymous said...

Disgusting
Gag
Greedy

Anonymous said...

Love Tap
Freebie
Sheeple
Entitled
CPS
Kon
All the 'gates'
'grow a pair'

sigh, I could go on and on.

Anonymous said...

Here's a phrase "....making money off the backs of their children..."

narcissism
ocd
personality disorder
disabilities/delays

and all the "gates". Oh the drama..

Anonymous said...

Oh yes . . . .

"Those of clear signs of narcissistic personality disorder."

I hate that

Anya@IW said...

Give back

*As in, "it's high time for the Gosselins to "give back."

*With everything they have been given, the G's should really "give back."

*Why don't the G's "give back!?"

Presumptuous doesn't even begin to describe it. 1) We are not privy to how much and what the Gosselins have given since they have been in the position to do so. 2) It's none of our business!

I would like to dedicate this post to a REAL class act - Paul Newman. He understood that altruism isn't about nitpicking and putting others under a microscope and finding fault with what they are doing. It's about looking in your own heart and contributing what you can to make the world a bit better.

Rest in peace, Paul. You were one of the good guys...

amy said...

AMEN guinevere...i'm sooo over all of those words/phrases! your post are my thoughts exactly!

oh, and i'm tired of hearing that i am FOR child exploitation if i have any positive comment regarding the G's!

i think "they" are just at a loss of anything else to say...so it's the same ol' mumbo jumbo!

scarfoot79 said...

I'm sick of hearing "CPS."

As a mandated reporter, I have seen some truly horrific things. I am obligated to report them. Reporting an abuse is one of the most horrific experiences I have ever gone through. Even though you know it's the right thing, you know that with your call, a child may be subjected to questioning that is very difficult, and possibly ripped from their family forever. You know it's what you need to do, and is best for the child, but in most cases, they still love their parent. You may be allowed to remain anonymous when making the report, but that doesn't mean they don't know who did it. It is a truly heart breaking process.

I cannot pretend to have a clue what is going on with the Gosselins. I really can't. I'm glad to know that if something was amiss in their home, people tried to do something. However, I have noticed a startling cavalier attitude on the blogs about the Gosselins about calling CPS. Calling CPS is something that is very serious. It should not be taken lightly. Just because you dislike someone doesn't justify calling the officials on them. I certainly encourage people to call in cases of physical or sexual abuse. However, all the references to it cause people to feel that they can can CPS on a whim. I'm afraid that the constant discussion about it makes people think that you can call CPS on your neighbors if they yell at their kids, or something slightly more minor, when in actuality, you should not. People need to understand that CPS calls involve a great deal of documentation, and investigation. This investigation can remain on an adult's record for life. I just hope people take these services seriously. I sometimes worry that CPS is being used incorrectly when in reference to the Gosselins, and others. In my education field, I see parents call CPS on their exes, or someone they are mad at, just to get back at them. There is no situation, but because CPS was contacted, they are obligated to investigate. It creates tremendous stress on the child, and can affect an adult for the rest of their life.

Kudos to those who stand up for a child when needed. It is a very difficult thing.

Mimi to 3 said...

KON - the all time worst combination for names

all the gates

grow a pair

advocates (in what way do they advocate?)

All of these were already mentioned, but I agree with all of them.

Anonymous said...

Sheeple, shrew/bitch,etc. Narcissistic personality disorder (REALLY REALLY tired of the "well, if you had grown up with a narcissistic parent you would know!").

I have to second everything that Scarfoot said. I work in the advocacy system for abused, neglected children, and children of divorce, etc (as a GAL). I had this argument at GWoP early, early on. I got chased off for much the same things. You said it much better than I ever did.

Anonymous said...

I'm tired of GWOPed...mostly because I've read it many times and I still can't figure out how to pronounce it. =P

Anonymous said...

bigsis88

GWOPed?? Seriously, you see that many times? Must be only here. But you are middle of the road, right?

Anonymous said...

Another one that gets to me is when Kate is referred to as 'Katie Irene' It seems she's addressed that way when someone is posting something really hateful. You can almost hear the disgust. Sad!

Anonymous said...

When they make fun of Kate's hair. I think it was called something, wild game striped hair with the just bred hyena butt jokes. And the makeup jokes, they are very tiresome.

Organic Chef
Nannies
Coogan' Law
Child Labor

Anya@IW said...

jax said...
"Another one that gets to me is when Kate is referred to as 'Katie Irene' "


Agree 100%. And by the way, how do they know her middle name...?

Another one - Brave.

*Julie is so "brave."
*Jodi is so "brave."
*Penn Mommy is so "brave."

I am BRAVE for reading these overused phrases over and over and keeping my lunch down.

Anonymous said...

Here is one that I can't stand ...

"Come forward" as in ...

"Julie is so brave for coming forward."

"It must have been so difficult to come forward."

Anonymous said...

It occurs to me that what we are all reacting to is the group think mentality that is supported by talking points.

If you think about it is amazing that there is no playbook for all of this and yet we've all pretty much identified the same words, phrases, etc. that make up the group/mob mentality.

Anonymous said...

"Julie is such a GREAT sister, Jodi is so lucky to have a sister like her."

"PennMommy is so BRAVE for coming forward".....eventhough she is coming forward as anonymous!!!!

"love offerings"

&

I must be sheeple, Jon, or a fan of child exploitation if I defend the Gossselins!

MommyZinger said...

"Pimping out their kids for money"

and

"Climbing on/across (whatever) the backs of their children"

Anonymous said...

A few words I am sick of...

- Horrendously, horrendous
- Boys are just so icky
- That's just Mady being Mady
- We do the best we can
- HELLLLLLLLLLLLLOOOOOOOOOOOO!
- It's my love tap
- I'm soooooo exhausted
- Don't listen to Daddy he's
just being________(mean,
stupid, etc.)
- Do you have to breathe so
loud?
- I plead "8"
- Stop rambling


and the many other nonsensical and unfortunate things that come from Kate's mouth.

Anonymous said...

Quote:

"Pimping out their kids for money"

Hate that word 'pimping' being tossed around by people who don't have a clue.

And 'litter'. I despise hearing the sextuplets referred to as a 'litter'.

Anonymous said...

I forgot:

Mad(d)y.

Spell the child's name the way the family spells it and quit inserting your parenthetical commentary, busybody phonics police!!

Anya@IW said...

Linda said...
It occurs to me that what we are all reacting to is the group think mentality that is supported by talking points.


I think you have hit on something, Linda.

Anytime you hear someone using the same phrases over and over, it's annoying. It's additionally vexing when you realize particular posters are using the same phrases because they really don't have their own opinion. Their opinions have been formed by "group think."

I should note, however, that we have had posters on here that challenge the general "vibe" of this board. AAP comes to mind. I know there are others. I would have to go through their posts to confirm my impression, but I think you will find they don't rely on these overused words/phrases. It's refreshing!

EveryoneLovesErin said...

As a mandated reporter, I have seen some truly horrific things. I am obligated to report them. Reporting an abuse is one of the most horrific experiences I have ever gone through. Even though you know it's the right thing, you know that with your call, a child may be subjected to questioning that is very difficult, and possibly ripped from their family forever. You know it's what you need to do, and is best for the child, but in most cases, they still love their parent. You may be allowed to remain anonymous when making the report, but that doesn't mean they don't know who did it. It is a truly heart breaking process.

Scarfoot, thank you SO MUCH for posting this. I am right there with you as a mandated reporter in PA. You are absolutely right when you describe the feeling. Then when you have to tell the family. Or, if you are subpoenaed to testify.

I also think that feeling the feelings you describe in a strange way tell you that you are doing the right thing. The people who have so callously called CPS on others (not just talking about the G's) for no reason don't experience that. To get glee out of a CPS investigation because you don't like a family is so twisted.

EveryoneLovesErin said...

Erin,
I didn't know you were a GAL. I admire your work so much (I mean that). We have a really great one that works with CPS here. He's a great guy.

Talk about a true child advocate!

Anonymous said...

Another one - Brave.

*Julie is so "brave."
*Jodi is so "brave."
*Penn Mommy is so "brave."

I am BRAVE for reading these overused phrases over and over and keeping my lunch down.

Penn repeatedly told people she was not brave or courageous.
I've seen similar trite sayings here. I'm just sayin'. Give credit where it's due.

MommyZinger said...

If I may take it in the opposite direction.

A sentence I LOVED seeing!

Sorry, the blog at pennmommyfortruth.blogspot.com has been removed.

I'm guilty of reading it but I am sooooooo happy its gone. I look forward to having more time and being much more productive. Cold turkey, yes!

Anonymous said...

Don't know why PennMommy's blog is gone but as much as I disliked it, I hope it doesn't have anything to do with her son's illness.

EveryoneLovesErin said...

Penn repeatedly told people she was not brave or courageous.
I've seen similar trite sayings here. I'm just sayin'. Give credit where it's due.

Anyone who would blatantly lie (and twice in one day mind you) is not due any credit.

Unknown said...

My feeling is she went too far in saying that CPS had been called SEVERAL TIMES.

I, too am glad she is shut down.

Doesn't change my feeling about Jon and Kate personally.

Her blog was just a hateful place to gossip.

Anonymous said...

erin--you are a GAL, great, I also admire your work. I do want to say that the first time you spoke about how CASA is not effective, or not really a good thing it made me scratch my head, as we work so hard on a volunteer, but trained basis. I am sorry that CASA is not working well within your area, but I will say that as CASAs here, we have great support and relationships with our GALs, States Attorneys, Public Defenders and Judges. I'm not looking for credit myself, I am only one of many volunteers. I do want to give credit to CASA of DuPage County, with offices provided in the courthouse next to the juvenile courtrooms--some very, very hardworking and selfless people. We are in the courtroom everyday, on every juvenile case in our system and our judges read our reports first. But we do what they have prompted us to do since 1992, when the program started in our area and they have worked with us since, to best serve them and the children and are specifically trained to do just that. We also work very hard in Springfield legislatively and with procuring grants and funding donations to keep us going. Perhaps if you checked out the website, you may understand better. We are all on the same side, I suppose if there isn't a strong professional and volunteer base, the organization in your area wouldn't be as helpful.

http://www.dupagecasa.org/

Peace.

Anonymous said...

watchoverthem,

I will give you the benefit of the doubt that when you are volunteering as a CASA in your county that you conduct yourself well.

I was trained as a CASA and we were reminded to be very careful as to how we promoted CASA to the community.

I'm not sure how CASA as a national organization or how Dupage County CASA would feel about you connecting their organization even loosely with GwoP.

marci said...

I have a phrase for PMs blog being removed...

Good riddance.

I don't know about anybody else, but I got the distinct feeling that PM was going in a downward spiral...and I'm not talking about her son's possible physical state.

My impression is that after telling her "tales" she became inordinately interesting in answering questions. Not just answering, but taking the time to be pretty darned condecending to anyone who questioned her credibility.

Not only did she spend a lot of time answering questions, she actually took the time to ask the marathon list of questions and invite people to answer them. THEN she had a hissy fit and moderated comments again because she didn't like the answers or the back and forth between posters that her questions started.

I also noticed the blatant hypocracy.

The over-the-top kidnapper, Nazi comparisons to the Gs that, because she said "this isn't a comparison," were supposed to get a free pass.

PM claiming not to want to violate the G children's privacy, when obviously the existance of her blog did just that.

And the final straw, and what I think was a final act of desperation yesterday to legitimize her blog, was the claim that not only had CPS been contacted, but SHE had contacted them.

I call the BS card on her final statements because both she and Julie, when pressed in earlier threads as to why they hadn't called CPS themselves, said that there was nothing actionable in the Gosselin household. AND because this goes against her claim that she would never divulge personal information about the children.

And here's where I think the rubber hits the road...

1) If she's lying about contacting CPS, she's putting false information out there that will be given a life of it's own in cyberspace. We've all seen how easily "something I read somewhere" has become "fact" in the world of blogging.

For that action, I hope she gets whatever karma has in store for her.

2) If she's telling the truth and has contacted CPS in the past...well, then, it's obvious that whatever she might have said to CPS was unfounded...either deemed not worthy of investigating by CPS (i.e., a busybody call) or it was investigated and the allegations deemed false.

Which means that her continuing to talk about whatever charges she might have made in the past is bordering on legally actionable.

I too have worked in the legal profession as a court reporter for the last ten years. I have been the "fly on the wall" in more court hearings and depositions involving the abuse and neglect of children that I care to put a number to. I'm sure erin, as a GAL, has been privy to even more than I have, and I don't envy her that experience.

Let me tell you that the stigma attached to people on whom CPS has been called is very real. This is oftentimes justified...I wish we could hang signs on some people that say "idiot parent"...but there are some instances where a bitter family fued or a heated exchange between friends can bring CPS into the lives of families wrongly; and, quite frankly, I have doubts that the family will ever completely recover from being falsely accused.

This is why the words "CPS" and "abuse" being bandied about in reference to the Gosselin family really infuriates me. I think the vague innuendoes regarding abuse by the "truth" tellers about the G's family life are cowardly, callous and the height of malice.

And, as is so often true in these instances, their own words, their own "truths," have sunk them.

Samantha@IW said...

Wow- so suprised to PM'S blog is gone, it seems kind of abrupt/weird. Interesting.

Anonymous said...

Linda--I only speak for myself, and anything that I have written is supportive of the children and any issues that they may have. Nothing at all would be a problem. Commenting here could be considered the same thing. I support what Paul Petersen says about these children, and what any advocate would say and have been saying about these children and the issues with reality television.

Are you saying that this blog would be a problem also, as the issues here are so very close to what GWoP writes about?

EveryoneLovesErin said...

This is why the words "CPS" and "abuse" being bandied about in reference to the Gosselin family really infuriates me. I think the vague innuendoes regarding abuse by the "truth" tellers about the G's family life are cowardly, callous and the height of malice.

And, as is so often true in these instances, their own words, their own "truths," have sunk them.


AMEN...

When I made my apology to Julie I thought, for a second, maybe there is more to this story than I know. I felt bad for making assumptions about what went on. But Julie tipped her hand on one of her final posts on Penn Mommy.

She said something like "How could Kate take Beth to the spa and not Jodi? Why would Kate arrange transportation to the airport for Beth and not Jodi." If these aren't the rants of a bitter, resentful woman scorned then I don't know what is.

I will no longer make any apologies for my opinions. Julie proved what I originally thought right by the way she conducted herself on Penn Mommy's blog. She could have left well enough alone (stuck to her own blog and posting on GWoP) but she dug herself deeper and deeper into a hole.

I remember on PM's site she told Guinevere "YOU DON'T DESERVE MY RESPECT." Well, she doesn't deserve anyone's respect either.

I have a feeling we haven't seen the last of Penn Mommy. I can't wait for the fantastic story of why her blog was deleted. She writes excellent fiction.

Anonymous said...

Nice try watchoverthem.

I do not represent myself as a CASA when commenting on this blog because I am no longer a CASA.

If you are so confident about what GwoP has written and the actions that they've promoted -- open up your blog to your CASA director.

The rubbish our blog has promoted borders on stalking and the posts that have been published contain verbally abusive posts and derogatory comments about the parents.

This blog has consistently called that kind of stuff trash and NOT advocacy.

You can kid yourself all you want. What your blog promotes is gossip and bashing under the thin veil of advocacy.

Unknown said...

There's a lot of things that Kate does that I do not agree with. But from what I have seen on TV, I don't think there's any reason to call CPS! Unless there has been some sort of neglect, physical or sexual abuse that has gone on, but I haven't seen anything of the sort. Just because someone disagrees with another person's parenting or thinks they are a 'bad parent' does not warrant calling CPS!! I would only call if I thought children were being physically or sexually abused, because calling those authorities is a major deal, they could potentially take someone's children away!! In my opinion, just because people don't like Jon and Kate's parenting, that doesn't give anyone a reason to call cps!

Unknown said...

I have mixed feelings about Jon and Kate, but I really agree with this article. I thought it was a really well written article.

http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/918287/kate_gosselin_great_mom_good_wife_poor.html?cat=39

Anonymous said...

I should have written ...

The rubbish YOUR blog has promoted borders on stalking.

Anya@IW said...

Hi all. I saw this on GWoP. NOT buying it, but I thought I would bring it over (I didn't see it posted anywhere else here)....

Lana said...
This was posted by Penn Mommy just before she closed her blog.

The post was titled "Done"

Done
by Penn Mommy
I didn't start this blog as a public blog. Anyone who read my first four posts knows that. I am tired of having my words twisted and misconstrued by people who WANT to be pissed off.

But, they are right. This isn't the right way to do this. I got frustrated and said something I regret talking about...not because it was the wrong thing to do, but because I got goaded into talking about it by someone who has about, by my count, thirteen identities. I do not like the manner in which I communicate with some of you. And, I realize that it doesn't matter what the truth is or how much/how little information I give. There will always be someone to find fault with it. I've been, in one thread, accused of giving too much information AND teasing people by remaining vague and protective of personal details. My husband and son asked me to stop keeping this blog. I think they're right.

9/28/2008 8:30 AM

EveryoneLovesErin said...

someone with 13 identities? RIIGHHHTTTTTTT. I don't doubt that she may have posted that on her site but what she said in it was yet another fabrication.

Nina Bell said...

Marci,

I am a little behind here this morning but I completely agree with and support everything you said.

Anonymous said...

Show me, Linda--where I have written anything that would be problematic? If I have, it would be unintentional and should be corrected by me.

Anonymous said...

PM wrote:

"This isn't the right way to do this."

Gee ... ya think?

Anonymous said...

watchoverthem -

You can't be completely proud about the crap that has been published by the blog which you are listed as a moderator.

If you were simply a participant, you would not be in the same position that you are in as a moderator.

You, as one of the moderators, have responsibility for what has been put forth on that piece of horsecrap that masquerades as child advocacy.

Did you notice how differently PP stated his concerns on his website. He didn't personally attack the mother's rear, hair, earrings, or the dad's personal attributes. He didn't call the kids names or let others do it.

He simply stated his concerns.

NOT YOU PEOPLE. You are not an advocate.

Think about this. If one of the kids on your case load had their case in court and then the GAL started saying to the judge ...

"Clearly these kids should be removed from the home because they are brats with no social skills. Their mother has a big butt and their dad has no man-berries. They are on their way to becoming mass murderers, serial killers and are one step away from having serious mental problems."

EVEN YOU -- EVEN YOU would have your jaw drop.

You are not an advocate for these kids.

You jumped on a band wagon. Now that you've announced to the whole world that you are a CASA for Dupage County in Wheaton Illinois, the Gosselins are one step closer to finding out who you are. I hope that the Gosselins hire the most pit-bull lawyer they have and go after you and the other self-proclaimed advocates at GWOP.

Anonymous said...

omg,, what has happened to GWOP?

'This blog is in violation of Blogger's Terms of Service and is open to authors only'

Anonymous said...

Getting scared is what is happening.

What cowards.

EveryoneLovesErin said...

What the hell is happening in blogland?

Anonymous said...

I am not sure what happened...so much for freedom of speech! ;)

Nina Bell said...

Not sure what is happening. This is the link to bloggers terms of service
http://www.blogger.com/terms.g

Anonymous said...

Just as an FYI, DwoP is still up.

Anonymous said...

Does anyone know what happened to GWOP? I am not a regular on any of these blogs, but I do casually watch the show. I have tried to leave comments on GWOP before (they are always rejected) but, is this blog next? I don't get what they could have done to violate "terms of service." I don't know a lot about blogs.

Anonymous said...

Yes, Anonymous (way upthread), I would consider myself "middle of the road". As a psych major, the controversy over the G's is more interesting than the G's themselves, IMO. Btw, I haven't seen the term GWOPed an excessive number of times, necessarily, but I hate reading it since I can't pronounce it and it messes up my flow. =)

Anonymous said...

I can't believe that I took a nap and missed so much drama! Nomoredrama: Thanks! It is a small portion of my practice, my boss makes it most of her practice but I do not have the stomach for all that she has seen, though I have seen a lot I wish I never had.

Watchoverthem: Why are you calling me out on a discussion that happened months ago? Back the F off, seriously. We had this argument before--CASA in my area is not used any more, the system was too unwieldy and we had some problems. One incident was the CASA talked to a birth mother during an adoption and told the birth mother that she thought the baby would be best raised by the birthmother (who was 20, had no college degree and no where to live). The birthmother called the adopted parents, who began to panic thinking they weren't going to get the baby (they ultimately did). I think advocacy for children is always welcome, and as I said if your system works, good for you. I have said it before, but again, I DON'T NEED A LESSON ON THE SYSTEM. Our judges appoint GALs who are attorneys, because we can actually advocate for the child, go into court and ask questions of the parties during a hearing. I told you, some systems have used CASA very well, other areas are making sure they use only attorney GALs or attorneys ad litem (which is what happens in Texas). Its a fairly new beast, the system only began developing in 1971. I agree with Linda, by the by. Early on you were as in on the bashing as anyone else, you pretty easily took off your advocate hat. You made comments about Kate right along with the crowd.

Anonymous said...

I just want you all to know that you are next. :) Have a nice day!

EveryoneLovesErin said...

And if we are? Who gives a crap!!!

Anonymous said...

Linda said...
Just as an FYI, DwoP is still up.


Still down

Anonymous said...

I just want you all to know that you are next. :) Have a nice day!

Thanks, we will.. lol

Anonymous said...

Marci said: "Let me tell you that the stigma attached to people on whom CPS has been called is very real. This is oftentimes justified...I wish we could hang signs on some people that say "idiot parent"...but there are some instances where a bitter family fued or a heated exchange between friends can bring CPS into the lives of families wrongly; and, quite frankly, I have doubts that the family will ever completely recover from being falsely accused.

This is why the words "CPS" and "abuse" being bandied about in reference to the Gosselin family really infuriates me. I think the vague innuendoes regarding abuse by the "truth" tellers about the G's family life are cowardly, callous and the height of malice."

I missed this in my rush to argue but I agree with everything here! I tried to make this point at GWoP (not as eloquently), but it was ignored. I have seen people deal with false accusations, it has the potential to ruin the family.

Anonymous said...

I wonder if on the "new and improved GwoP" if watchoverthem will still be listed as a moderator?

Anonymous said...

On their new site, watchoverthem is not listed as a moderator.

Anonymous said...

Because, WatchOverThem has decided to get out of the fray. That is the only reason, she is still friends with all and is still a member of, well...never mind.

Anonymous said...

yeah right.

She revealed too much that might identify her.

Go ahead and keep defending the masquerade that goes on your site. I expect nothing less.

If watchoverthem admitted why then it would weaken your position. For Pete's sake, look what happened when fiona started re-thinking her participation in GwoP and before that the other poster who came here and decided that the GwoP wasn't for her.

Watchoverthem isn't stupid. Re-thinking participation isn't well-tolerated in a blog that practically functions like a cult.

EveryoneLovesErin said...

Watchoverthem isn't stupid. Re-thinking participation isn't well-tolerated in a blog that practically functions like a cult

LMAO! Although really, its not that funny. Whats going to happen to Julie when the love bombing stops? What would Julie and GwoP do if Kate and Jodi rekindled their relationship? Will they say that Jodi is now in favor of exploitation if that were to happen?

Anonymous said...

NMD -

Love bombing ... does that go something like this?

"You are so brave."

"You have so much courage."

Actually you are right NMD ... Julie has a vested interest in continuing to paint Kate as the villian or Julie can't secure her position as Jodi's protector.

================

I can just imagine "watchoeverthem" saying ...

"Oh yes, Serena. You are still my friend.

(Thought bubble: please don't be mean to me)

I've just got alot of things going on in my CASA caseload.

(Thought bubble: This is way out of control but I'm not telling you Serena)

Oh yes, I still completely support all of the work of GwoP and I still have my super secret decoder ring, but my pantry really needs to be organized.

(Thought bubble: please don't start a blog about me.)

And yes, I won't tell anyone the password to the secret message board or the super secret handshake and most of all I promise to never see anything favorable in the least about the Gosselins without yelling "Damage Control" as loud as I can.

(Though bubble: Please don't follow me from blog to blog saying mean things about me.)
===========================

Yes, when the love bombing stops what takes it place in GwoP land??

Anonymous said...

Slander is a very real thing, even in a country with freedom of speech. Hopefully GWoP has been rightfully served and will stop the nonsense. Or if their violation is cleared and they continue, I hope a very big lawsuit is in their future.

I have asked them repeatedly how talking smack on a child's parent is "advocacy". I've asked them repeatedly why they ask strangers in cyberspace to report family "sightings" when they claim a child's safety is their utmost concern. And now they have the witch hunters going after the Duggers. How insanely mind-boggling is that.

It won't come as a shock that I've never been given the answers to these questions. Deep down the folks at GWoP know they're wrong and potentially causing tremendous harm to the children. Congratulations, ladies. Truth certainly does breed hatred.

Anonymous said...

Anonymous 9:29 -

You'll never get answers to those questions.

What you'll likely get is defensiveness and righteous indignation that you even dare ask the question.

You've asked almost exactly the same things that I've asked. I've never got answers either. I never will.

For the record, I don't object to Paul Peterson's approach. The issue of protecting the earnings for children participating in reality tv is important as is the participation of an impartial advocate.

What I've always objected to with GwoP is the majority of posts are nasty with an occasional post about child exploitation thrown in to legitimize the whole thing.

Nancy said...

While many of the posters/mods on GWoP are online friends of mine from the old TWoP boards AND OTHERS, I admit I have not posted much on GWoP because I can't get into their "purpose". I am not an advocate, I am not an activist, I am not interested in changing the world or the laws in it. I just enjoy good old-fashioned snark, which I don't find much of at GWoP. I don't find much here either. Seems as though the Kate-lovers are in such force here that nobody is allowed to joke about Kate's stupid hair, gaudy makeup, slapping Jon, or any other minor negative. I'd like to be a part of this board but not if I have to like Kate.
Julie used to post regularly on the GWoP board, but has not recently. She hasn't posted on her own blog either, as everyone knows. Wonder why....

Anonymous said...

Nancy,

If I may respond to your comment:
"Seems as though the Kate-lovers are in such force here that nobody is allowed to joke about Kate's stupid hair, gaudy makeup, slapping Jon, or any other minor negative."

I don't think many here have a problem with the "snark." I like a good tongue in cheek comment now and then. The problem many had about these comments on GWOP was that their insistence that the website was primarily a vehicle for child advocacy, when in fact, it was a site devoted to hating Kate Gosselin. The hypocrisy of the situation is what was irking, not necessarily the comments in and of themselves.

"I'd like to be a part of this board but not if I have to like Kate."

Liking Kate is most certainly not a requirement of this board. You are welcome to post if you choose!

Anya@IW said...

Well said, Glo, and I hope you WILL post Nancy.

I have defended Kate numerous times and I may be crazy, but I even kind of like her. That said, I have no problem with a bit of snark. I don't care so much about the physical stuff, but I could snark all day on Kate's penchant for exaggeration, Jon's juvenile passive-agressiveness & eye-rolling, etc. etc. I don't consider these horrible character flaws, but they are fun to rib on!

Anonymous said...

my favorite is "I'm exhausted" The woman is always tired, hmmm, get some sleep, I am sick of hearing about it...

Daisy said...

The words I'm sick of have been said. The worst are Kon and Katen. That one struck a nerve.

Nancy said...

Personally, I am sick of seeing "advocating" and "exploit" and "freebie", in addition to all the above.
Now for the snark: I have read that Kate got a free wedding dress from Say Yes To The Dress. (Doesn't everyone get a free dress to celebrate a ninth wedding anniversary?) I have never heard of any couple renewing vows on their ninth anniversary, nor have I ever before seen the wife in a bridal gown and the husband in casual mode. Does everyone else but me think this whole thing is somehow "cute"?

rain88 said...

I'm sick of the term "haters". I've seen it on other board wars as well and it shuts down discussion too easily.

Anya@IW said...

Nancy said...
Now for the snark: I have read that Kate got a free wedding dress from Say Yes To The Dress. (Doesn't everyone get a free dress to celebrate a ninth wedding anniversary?) I have never heard of any couple renewing vows on their ninth anniversary, nor have I ever before seen the wife in a bridal gown and the husband in casual mode. Does everyone else but me think this whole thing is somehow "cute"?


Hi Nancy. It does seems seem a little overly contrived, doesn't it?! Hopefully, the kids got to do some fun things when they were there. We will see how it plays out, I guess...

rain88 said...
I'm sick of the term "haters". I've seen it on other board wars as well and it shuts down discussion too easily.


I have used the term myself on this board, but I don't disagree with you that it can be used too casually and without sufficient thought. That said, if someone comes on this board with genuine concerns about the Gosselins actions and is willing to debate in a respectful and thoughtful manner, I do not think they will be labeled a "hater."

There are, however, actual Gosselin hate blogs out there. No doubt about it.

Anonymous said...

To Nancy 9:18am

I too have never heard of a renewal at 9 years...but "celebs" do so at different wacky times and they have had a stressful time (all arguing aside about the cause of the stress) and couples often renew vows to renew their covenant to be together for good and for bad into death do they part.

Since stress and problems know no calendar during a marriage--the need for renewal won't necessarily come at a traditional time.

That is my opinion of that.

Re: wedding dress while the groom is casual...

I have seen it...repeatedly. I live on the coast and I have seen quite a few times (especially on 2nd marriages and especially if the couple favors the tropical way of life) where the groom is casual while the bride wears a traditional wedding gown.

My mother, a co-worker are just 2 that I have known personally to have done this. (husbands wore an ivory or white Hawaiian shirt).

My sister on her 2nd marriage was married in Hawaii. She climbed down a cliff to the spot where they got married in her tennies and her formal bridal gown. her hubby was in khaki's and an ivory Hawaiian shirt.

This I saw repeatedly in Hawaii. (there are weddings everywhere).

So while a vow renewal on the 9th anniversary seems a bit off, but probably right for them....

There are many folks who marry or renew their vows with the bride in a traditional gown and the hubby "casual".

As for phrases I agree with most everything posted here. All the stuff that is meant to stir the pot with the Gosselins and quite a few phrases from Kate's mouth. It is all very tiring and disrespectful.