tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-875099505545555742.post3201682147075150544..comments2023-05-10T02:47:51.886-07:00Comments on GOSSELINS DO NOT NEED OUR PITY: SOUND OFF Ethics 101: To Watch or Not to Watch?Unknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger65125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-875099505545555742.post-8938661571250338512009-02-03T09:45:00.000-08:002009-02-03T09:45:00.000-08:00Yeah, Fiona, if you say that you don't think explo...Yeah, Fiona, if you say that you don't think exploiting children is morally wrong, then I think it's likely I'm not going to be able to understand where you are coming from on the issue. Fair enough.<BR/><BR/>February 2, 2009 5:13 PM<BR/><BR/>---<BR/><BR/>That is not what I said...you have twisted my words...whatever. It doesn't matter if we disagree.FIONAhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03027241302948571151noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-875099505545555742.post-89408543564707107612009-02-03T09:38:00.000-08:002009-02-03T09:38:00.000-08:00Is it okay to watch the show for entertainment pur...Is it okay to watch the show for entertainment purposes if you believe it’s exploitive? No, if you're not part of the solution, you are part of the problem. Watching is supporting. <BR/><BR/>Do you believe the argument that a large number of people watch simply to further their efforts to bring the show to an end? Yes, I do, but that doesn't make it right. If one believes the kids need an advocate, you would not need to continue to watch in order to validate your belief.<BR/><BR/> Would you watch a television show that you believed was exploiting children? No, that is why I quit watching Jon and Kate plus 8. Too many episodes, too much media exposure and it's too contrived for me. They are compared to LPBW (don't see the similarities at all), Toddlers and Tiaras (haven't watched but that subculture is wacky) and Nanny 911 (these kids are filmed for one week of their lives).Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-875099505545555742.post-48498423929286954762009-02-02T19:26:00.000-08:002009-02-02T19:26:00.000-08:00The only pageant I have seen for little kids is "L...The only pageant I have seen for little kids is "Little Miss Sunshine" and it was hilarious. I loved it...but I think they were making the same point everyone here was...it's all so ridiculous.Annhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05884219068017641778noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-875099505545555742.post-12248028320277565872009-02-02T19:24:00.000-08:002009-02-02T19:24:00.000-08:00Bleh!Bleh!Annhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05884219068017641778noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-875099505545555742.post-5197318812194890882009-02-02T19:23:00.000-08:002009-02-02T19:23:00.000-08:00Yes they pop in the front of their mouths, and loo...Yes they pop in the front of their mouths, and look perfect and straight and blindingly white, and bigger than baby teeth. Creepy.Samantha@IWhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11277929176284771513noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-875099505545555742.post-65292931268871245112009-02-02T19:15:00.000-08:002009-02-02T19:15:00.000-08:00Clip on teeth???Clip on teeth???Annhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05884219068017641778noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-875099505545555742.post-60056668130770516252009-02-02T17:13:00.000-08:002009-02-02T17:13:00.000-08:00Yeah, Fiona, if you say that you don't think explo...Yeah, Fiona, if you say that you don't think exploiting children is morally wrong, then I think it's likely I'm not going to be able to understand where you are coming from on the issue. Fair enough.Guineverehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12594898905741204155noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-875099505545555742.post-43262642613402005362009-02-02T16:15:00.000-08:002009-02-02T16:15:00.000-08:00Sam,I am just not vested in those other shows as p...Sam,<BR/><BR/>I am just not vested in those other shows as part of my entertainment. I didn't say that I thought Toddlers and Tiaras was ok, but I can only bitch about so much.<BR/><BR/>For the record, I think pageantry for kids is hideous. I do not condone it. I think the mother's are probably all whack jobs.FIONAhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03027241302948571151noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-875099505545555742.post-13738841616662963092009-02-02T16:03:00.000-08:002009-02-02T16:03:00.000-08:00Very excited about Larry King! I have four shows ...Very excited about Larry King! I have four shows on at once - One Tree Hill, The Closer, Jon and Kate and now Larry King - and my DVR only tapes two!! <BR/><BR/>As for watching if you think it is exploitation, I don't understand why they WANT to watch it. I do not watch shows I don't like. Everyone at work loves the Batchelor but I am embarrased for those girls when I watch, so I don't.<BR/><BR/>Their little blog is doing nothing for child advocacy so the point about watching to blog is silly. Jon and Kate will end the show when they want to, or when ratings decline - which I don't see happening. <BR/><BR/>I have no problem with anything I've seen on the show and don't begrudge them their fame. It comes with being on tv!Heatherhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10478343814276182217noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-875099505545555742.post-72135486791283670632009-02-02T15:33:00.000-08:002009-02-02T15:33:00.000-08:00Kate is on Larry King tonight. It's on the same t...Kate is on Larry King tonight. It's on the same time as their show. Here's the blurb and the link. I just now logged on and it was on my reader. Talk to everyone later.<BR/><BR/>“Why all the outrage? Mother of sextuplets - TLC star Kate Gosselin joins Larry with her point of view! Plus, the man who decided the fate of Anna Nicole's body. Judge Larry Seidlin, with two special surprise guests! “<BR/><BR/>http://www.cnn.com/CNN/Programs/larry.king.live/merrywayhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15003385150622139910noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-875099505545555742.post-3309846814744107932009-02-02T14:46:00.000-08:002009-02-02T14:46:00.000-08:00OK, I do think the Gosselin kids are being exploit...<B>OK, I do think the Gosselin kids are being exploited by their parents. I don't think it is OK. I also watch LPBW, The Duggars and Toddler and Tiaras at times, but do not feel as strongly about those shows.</B><BR/><BR/>I'm not attacking your statement- I'm just commenting so take it for what its worth (which may be very little). I don't understand how anyone could find the Gosselins exploitive and find Toddlers and Tiars less so.<BR/><BR/> These people spray tan their tiny children, color and coif their hair, paint their nails, apply more makeup than most grown women wear, fake lashes, clip on teeth, make them sit for what I would imagine to be long periods of time to be made to look like women rather than little girls. They have to practice smiling, walking, and "talent". Sometimes it seems to border on obsession. They are paraded around in clothes that are often inappropriate- at least to me, and judged on who is cutest for money and crowns. <I>This</I> is what seems like exploitation to me.Samantha@IWhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11277929176284771513noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-875099505545555742.post-27019158763126938492009-02-02T14:35:00.000-08:002009-02-02T14:35:00.000-08:00Actually, no I think the G's would prefer that all...<B>Actually, no I think the G's would prefer that all the blogs go away...even the nice ones. </B><BR/><BR/>I would love to "nose poke" around the Gosselin living room after bedtime to hear just what Kate and Jon really say. I wonder if they even bother with any blog reading anymore. I believe that Jon did a while back, before they had their business irons in the fire. But I doubt they bother today. Who could stand it? You may be right, Fiona. But they may be grateful for the pro-Gosselin blogs because it encourages the "fans."Annhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05884219068017641778noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-875099505545555742.post-58002187252598572922009-02-02T14:30:00.000-08:002009-02-02T14:30:00.000-08:00I could not watch any show that I considered explo...I could not watch any show that I considered exploitive to children. If I felt that strongly about a show I would find altrnative ways to combat the effects. Watching a show to gather evidence doesn't make sense because IMO you are contributing to the exploitation. If no one watched the show would'nt be one the air. It is that simple.Portiahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11985010516365951708noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-875099505545555742.post-76824331996623410552009-02-02T14:29:00.000-08:002009-02-02T14:29:00.000-08:00OK, Guin, it looks like we were on the same wave l...OK, Guin, it looks like we were on the same wave length about the material benefits to the kids. <BR/><BR/>I would encourage anyone who hasn't read "Multiple Blessings" to give it a try and read from the perspective of a woman with an out-of-work husband, who seems doomed to be dropped from employment when he signs his large, medically risky family up for benefits. I found that the very personality traits that Kate displays that turn me off, really served her well when she was handling her pregnancy and the tups first year.Annhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05884219068017641778noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-875099505545555742.post-5636417890961094572009-02-02T14:24:00.000-08:002009-02-02T14:24:00.000-08:00This blog asked once before if we thought it was e...This blog asked once before if we thought it was exploitation. I really thought about it. As Fiona points out regarding the Duggars, the age of the participants means something, though 13, 14, 15 year olds don't have all that much more say about things. They're still kids, too.<BR/><BR/>But "exploitation" implies (to me) that the kids get a lot more negative out of the experience than positive. At this point, I don't think it's even close. The kids have really benefited from the parents' decision to do the show. They were in a bad way materially before they accepted the offer (or sought it out.) I just think the stress level at that home with Jon having trouble keeping a job with medical benefits would have been awful. I can see why Kate thinks it is the answer to her prayers. I believe her.<BR/><BR/>Anyway, I wouldn't watch if I thought it was exploitation. Child porn, slave labor, using children as drug runners, that's exploitation. This isn't close and I don't think it qualifies.Annhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05884219068017641778noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-875099505545555742.post-27428738736639560722009-02-02T14:23:00.000-08:002009-02-02T14:23:00.000-08:00I haven't seen the Toddlers and Tiara's an...I haven't seen the Toddlers and Tiara's and I don't plan on it either. I don't think it is healthy for little girls to be made up like 30 year old women for the purpose of winning a contest. <BR/><BR/>I think there is a clear difference between J&K+8 and T&T. The Gosselin kids are being normal kids, misbehaving and living everyday life. It may be a little different because there are cameras around but I don't see how they are being forced to dance and win anything. The girls on T&T are being taught that you need to be pretty to win. And if you don't win, you're not great. How is that healthy? I refuse to watch that show because I think those girls are being exploited.Jennhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10721725050355310577noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-875099505545555742.post-34568784313639950522009-02-02T14:17:00.000-08:002009-02-02T14:17:00.000-08:00For me, it wasn't that they struck it rich that ma...<B>For me, it wasn't that they struck it rich that made me feel uncomfortable when Jon quit his job. It is the pressure involved to maintain the show when it became their major source of income. The more they have income that does not involve the kids directly the better it will be for their kids. I don't have any issues with the house or the trips or the freebies. </B><BR/><BR/>Yes, thanks for the explanation, Rain. I had always assumed that the whole issue with Jon not "working" was that people felt as a man he should have a job outside the home. It's a reasonable point to suggest that they may be placing their eggs a bit too much in one basket if neither Jon nor Kate have outside jobs. Though I don't know that Jon ever had a job that would support a wife and eight kids that well. For all that some posters want to glorify poverty, I do think the opportunities that the show has afforded them should be considered. You tend to be told that you're materialistic and reminded that "money can't buy happiness" when you say that, but poverty is no virtue and I don't blame the Gosselins for wanting to make things easier for their children.Guineverehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12594898905741204155noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-875099505545555742.post-45879774192631839192009-02-02T14:13:00.000-08:002009-02-02T14:13:00.000-08:00Well Guin,I wasn't arguing that what the Gosselin'...Well Guin,<BR/><BR/>I wasn't arguing that what the Gosselin's are doing is morally wrong. I do feel like making a living off your kids privacy is wrong, but I am not the judge and jury.<BR/><BR/>I can't explain it any better than I have, and it is OK with me that you don't understand. <BR/><BR/>It is not a big enough issue to me that I lose sleep over it and I don't think I am a bad person because I watch the show and yet feel sorry for the kids at the same time.<BR/><BR/>Interesting point about the puppies...they have more rights regarding their time on a set then the G kids do.FIONAhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03027241302948571151noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-875099505545555742.post-70790129959318899222009-02-02T14:05:00.000-08:002009-02-02T14:05:00.000-08:00OK, I do think the Gosselin kids are being exploit...<B>OK, I do think the Gosselin kids are being exploited by their parents.<BR/><BR/>Maybe I am a hypocrite to watch the show, but when I watch it I do so for entertainment. </B><BR/><BR/>It's just hard for me to understand watching it for entertainment if you feel it's exploitive. Someone mentioned loving animals - I can't see watching a show where puppies are beaten because the puppies are just SO cute. I also think that even if I were able to enjoy it - ignore the fact that the puppies were suffering and just focus on the cuteness - my conscience would poke at me for doing so. If the kids are being exploited, then you are participating in the exploitation by watching. Some people try to excuse that by saying that they aren't part of a Neilsen family, etc. But that's not the point. It's a moral issue, if you truly feel that exploitation is occurring. I don't see participating in exploitation as morally defensible by arguing that your participation has no effect on it. Anymore than I can see arguing that it's okay to steal something if no one will miss it or be hurt by it being stolen.<BR/><BR/>To each her own, I guess.Guineverehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12594898905741204155noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-875099505545555742.post-8911286383313467162009-02-02T13:52:00.000-08:002009-02-02T13:52:00.000-08:00Lizabeth said...It was pretty much what Saint just...<B>Lizabeth said...It was pretty much what Saint just posted, though-- I think the steps Jon and Kate have taken to brand themselves outside of the show are how this family can get off the air and stay secure in todays volatile economy.</B><BR/>_________________________<BR/><BR/>I agree Lizabeth. This is a smart move on the Gosselins. And, I bet they have a lot of business ventures now and in the future. They may not appear to some to be what I'm about to say...but, I think they are a smart, young couple. They embrace change for the betterment of their family and move foward.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-875099505545555742.post-92222942403387186452009-02-02T13:50:00.000-08:002009-02-02T13:50:00.000-08:00Saint,Actually, no I think the G's would prefer th...Saint,<BR/><BR/>Actually, no I think the G's would prefer that all the blogs go away...even the nice ones. It just puts more attention on them, and even if you are a "nice" site, we still discuss controversial things that have been brought up.<BR/><BR/>So really, it is all just a bit much that we have vested so much time in our hobby. My opinion, but we all own a bit of this madness.<BR/><BR/>The Duggars-they show their faith, all aspects of it and I admire that...not that I agree with it, but I think they are true to themselves. Also, the little kids are not the focus, in fact it is mostly the bigger kids, and some that are over 18. We haven't seen the kids on the potty, having tantrums, we haven't heard their Mother talk about their ugly behaviors.<BR/><BR/>They may seem odd, but they seem honest to me.FIONAhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03027241302948571151noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-875099505545555742.post-88352331937303675442009-02-02T13:47:00.000-08:002009-02-02T13:47:00.000-08:00FIONA said... OK, I do think the Gosselin kids are...FIONA said... <BR/>OK, I do think the Gosselin kids are being exploited by their parents. I don't think it is OK. I also watch LPBW, The Duggars and Toddler and Tiaras at times, but do not feel as strongly about those shows. <BR/><BR/>_______________<BR/><BR/>Really Fiona? You don't find Toddlers and Tiaras exploitative? Or, rather it doesn't bother you too much?<BR/><BR/>I think it's the <B>definitive</B> exploitative show. It's exploitation of children to the max. Moms are dressing their kids up as women and parading them around in skimpy outfits and in makeup for money and prizes. The kids are losing out on their childhoods because of some pathetic void that's needed by the mother that she never got in her own childhood. <BR/><BR/>I have never watched the show and only know of it by the TLC commercials. That's enough for me not to want to watch it. It's a truly pathetic show.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-875099505545555742.post-52915402218617278882009-02-02T12:02:00.000-08:002009-02-02T12:02:00.000-08:00It's almost cult-like now. which is why, imo, they...<B> It's almost cult-like now. </B><BR/><BR/>which is why, imo, they have not shown the front of the house. i hope they learned from those experiences. i also think they chose a house w/ a large amount of property for the same reason.Jennhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10721725050355310577noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-875099505545555742.post-39852428514918997082009-02-02T11:49:00.000-08:002009-02-02T11:49:00.000-08:00I took a peak at the new gwop rules. I wonder wha...I took a peak at the new gwop rules. I wonder what prompted the change. I know I read a few comments here (i think) and other places that questioned if the Gosselins had grounds for a libel suit against them...Jennhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10721725050355310577noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-875099505545555742.post-21627055631997247472009-02-02T11:46:00.000-08:002009-02-02T11:46:00.000-08:00It's almost cult-like now. I totally agree. There ...<B>It's almost cult-like now. </B><BR/><BR/>I totally agree. There are definitely some cultish aspects to the group. The belief that they alone have access to some special "truth" is very weird to me.Guineverehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12594898905741204155noreply@blogger.com