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Sunday, August 5, 2012

Joe Darger and His 3 Wives - UPDATED! Sister Wives Blog

Joe Darger and his 3 wives interviewed by Time Reporter TIME writer, Belinda Luscombe, learns what life is like for the outspoken, polygamist  family, the Dargers.


 
A little different than most I've seen, interesting thoughts to comment on. Time interview with the Dargers hit the newsstand Aug. 6. 
                                  THOUGHTS on this Tweet?? 
(Courtesy: http://www.time.com/time/video/player/0,32068,1754465091001_2120441,00.html)

99 comments:

  1. Grooming to be the next family on TV?
    Interesting points to me:
    Polig Rig

    Kids can S P E A K!
    They want no more children
    Not exactly happy abt. their life

    Joe quiet about finances - as usual.

    Joe would love to for ppl to think abt him rather than Warren Jeffs. That's easy to say, but unfortunately, Jeffs is by far the largest Fundy group in America, as far as I know.

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    1. Mister Sister,

      Totally agree with your points.
      The grooming of the Dargers seems to be a well-organized marketing plan, doling out digestible tastes of them in carefully timed segments. And this plan has been slowly evolving for the past year.

      It also seems that the exposure is geared to showing how they differ from the Browns.
      *The "whole family" dwelling/compound.
      *The modern, stylish attire of the wives.
      *The candor of the kids.
      *The lack of superlatives about how "wonderful" Plyg life is.

      But still, there is the closely veiled clarity about finances.
      Apparently that element is shared by all who chose to have multiple wives and literally dozens of children.
      To support over twenty children and four adults, some very creative income streams really have to be in place in the Darger household.

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    2. And *gasp* they used the term Celestial Marriage*

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  2. After reading the Darger's book I find them MUCH more real than the Brown's.. I mean, they actually seem like they like each other for starts!

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    1. IF you were going to be in this type of relationship, I know I would rather be with my siblings, cousins I liked, than outsiders. Clearly makes in laws easier for Joe!

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  3. AIN'T IT A WONDERFUL LIFE....August 5, 2012 at 11:08 AM

    Married identical twins huh? Intersting on all kinds of wierd levels don't you think?

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    1. Actually, being a twin myself, they may be VERY different personality wise.

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  4. I think Joe Darger looks really mean. from what you've seen is he better than Kody?

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    1. He does look somewhat intimidating but he is really soft spoken. I think he seems more believable to me than Kody. That being said I am not sure about whether he is nice although he seems it. He appears more considerate thank Kody, that is for sure. I can't stand Kody. He looks like he would be a nicer person because he smiles so much but he is horrible to Christine. And he is a brat baby who always has to have his way.

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  5. Peanut Butter FritosAugust 5, 2012 at 12:18 PM

    Dang, that compound looked nice, and they sure were dressed well. I want to write a book about breaking the law and make that kind of cash. I'm going to start a casino-church!

    Kody and Krew were never capable of this Stepford vision, which is why the Browns' hot mess is so fun to watch. Mr. Two-Seater Kody would never get a "plyg rig" when he has baby mommas to do his "babysitting," and I don't think any Browns own an outfit that nice or an iron. The Dargers seem like boring TV to me, just a patriarch running a large but efficient operation, that happens to include identical twins (gross!!!!).

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  6. I read their book. Even though the twin thing is so weird,this family comes off alt better than the browns. They dress better speak better and seem more if a cohisive unit. BUT the browns seemed nice at first. Who knows what skeletons they have in their closet. It does seem they try to get on tv and in the public eye as much as possible. I hope its not another brown family train wreck in the making.

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  7. I thought the journalist/narrator summed it up well at the end (last 45 seconds of the video). fathers not as invested in their children...children not as well educated...etc etc. and the kids not exactly being thrilled about being trapped in the lifestyle - which they ARE until they move out. they didn't choose it for themselves, it was a burden they were born with. ugh.

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  8. Is the oldest daughter pregnant? The one in the black and white dress?

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    1. She had her baby a few months ago I believe. Married to someone from her own faith and ready to 'please' God and take on another wife if necessary although at this point the thought sickens her (My take via what I could see of an written interview by 20/20 online tonight.)

      Poor girl. Hasn't quite caught on that her parents have raised her in a completely sexist man-made, man serving religion just yet. Let's hope she wakes up and drinks some COFFEE!

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  9. Am I the only one who thinks it's ironically less creepy when sister-wives are actually blood-siblings? If I felt that I was religiously mandated to live in a household in which there are 13 kids that my husband produced with other women, I'd be less irritated if those kids and their mothers to be related to me in some way. At least then you're the aunt, not the evil step-mom.

    Oh, who am I kidding? Polygamy is pretty creepy no matter how you cut it.

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    1. I stated that above! I am a twin, and at least you would love the children much more.

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    2. how bout those even creepier families where the man marries a woman and her daughters. . .

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  10. Joe would want to executive produce a show, and it would be boring beyond belief. He is dying to get on TV and be famous. Just can't stand it.

    Regarding the journalist's commentary, when she mentioned nuns, I for one was in boarding school with nuns in charge, and polygamy and the lifestyle of the women is not comparable. A couple of friends are now nuns working in community at different jobs but living in one house. They are in no way comparable to polygamy either. It's a shame. The nuns aren't all best buds with one another, but they know if they are old and sick they will get excellent care. It's a worry they don't have.

    The journalist is right in that polygamy can't work. In a short while you run out of women and have the problem of what to do with excess men. It doesn't even take a generation to have the problem. The women also don't have anything like the support the nuns offer one another. It's too bad, but that's the way it is.

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    1. I'm not Catholic But don't aren't nuns raised as normal girls and then MAKE A CHOICE to serve god? I mean they have a choice don't they?

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    2. Absolutely. You have to apply, go thru a few years in convent with lessons and devotions, before you are formally accepted. Even then you can leave. You can always choose to do something else.

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    3. I once knew a former Carmelite nun who left her convent after 25 years. She still kept her vows and was the secretary of our Bishop, so presumably the Church had no problem with her leaving.
      Also, my Catechism instructor in primary school was a former order priest (like a monk, only a priest as well), who had left and got married. The Church wasn't best pleased, but he wasn't excommunicated or anything, he was even allowed to work for the Church.
      Say what you will about the Catholic Church, but even members of religious orders have a choice and it's not that easy to get in.
      On the other hand, I rather liked the analogy. According to most non-FLDS polygamists, it's up to the individual whether or not they live the principle. I do think that the Darger women have a strong sense of vocation, batty though that vocation may be.

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  11. OMG! Peanut Butter Fritoes - You are BRILLIANT! I wish I had thought of a casino church! I can play the tambourine, can I get in on that action? LMAO!

    I saw a video on the Dargers when they were showing their rooms in the 'big house'. If He married the cousin and one of the twins at the same time, how did he/they decide which woman would be the 1st wife. I noticed that the first wife had the master bedroom (it looked very nice) and the other 2 wives had basic rooms (not all that great). What a way to be kept in your place.

    By the way, Magic Undies - your name KILLS ME! I laugh every time I see your post.

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  12. I am very sad that I have to continue to watch the Browns, maybe even encourage others to do so, in an effort to keep a show about the Dargers. Certainly there is no room for two of them, and of the two, Browns must win hands down. Nothing funny about the Dargers.

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  13. I have seen other shows (specials/documentaries) where sisters/cousins or other close women have married the same man. Although a special kind of weird, I now think that maybe it was a survival tactic for the women. You cannot tell me that the bond between the twins is less than the bond between them and their 'husband'...you know what I mean? The women who are related create and enforce the family bond within the 'family'. Even if either of the women are not 'first' wives, they create a power block within the family. Their children are both siblings and cousins (I know, weird) and the sisters' truly are each others keepers. Even if the women fight, at the end of the day they are sisters/cousins, etc. I can see where this arrangement might be more beneficial to the women in such a constricting environment. I'm not saying that it is a positive thing psychologically for the children....but for the women living within this lifestyle, it may be the ultimate coping mechanism.

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    1. From what I've read, at least in FLDS circles, men marry groups of related women because they're considered my the men to be used to sharing and therefore more docile (ick).

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    2. Well ain't that a kick in the head. Import several sisters into the same house, do the same for the place next door, soon the Mr. has 20 wives from 4 or 5 households. You are absolutely right they might be more used to each other and docile. If they weren't they'd probably have made a run for it. You just hit on a whole new area of disgust, in my opinion. Add something else for me to hold against this practice.

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  14. I'm not getting the link regarding this story, but I recently read online that Joe is upset because Caleb joined the LDS church & isn't interested in polygamy/fundamentalism. It also says that their daughter Amanda has joined an Arizona fundamentalist "group" and is dressing more consertively. IMO, those two facts show the 'cracks' starting to come to the surface. After all, if the fundamentalist life is so great, why wouldn't their son stay in it?
    More concerning to me, though, is Amanda. Which group is she joining? The FLDS? The ONLY thing that Kody & Joe's families have going for them I'd that they are NOT directly involved with THAT craziness!
    What other 'groups' ara in Arizona?

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    Replies
    1. Centennial Park AZ has the "Second Ward",a group that broke away from Colorado City, so maybe there?

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  15. About the sister/cousin thing with the Dargers....
    For me, it is creepy no matter how you slice it. True, the kids are all cousins as well as siblings and the mothers may find it easier to deal with that.
    But the creep factor of having your husband doing your sister and your cousin, and *they doing him* is eeeewwwwe.

    Joe Darger's demeanor bothers me even more than bumbling Kody. Joe Darger has a true "harem master" vibe. He comes off as the master whom all will obey.
    HE runs the show in their world. That is very obvious.
    Whereas Kody seems to play at it and usually not very well.

    I would think that Joe D. would never *allow* a wife to confront him or to comment on his shortcomings, in real time or on TV. The irony may be that if the Dargers are going to have a show, when all is said and done, Kody Brown may wind up looking more human. Wouldn't that be ridiculous.

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    1. Joe Darger looks like he would pop a bitch for lipping off to him while Kody would probably just pout then take the grocery money to go get highlights in his hair and buy purple shirts.

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    2. Highlights and purple shirts..... :-)))))

      Yep, that would be Kody..!!!

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  16. I just find it interesting that straight white married men are complaining about their "rights". They want to live free and marry as many wives as possible and I'm supposed to feel bad because the government won't let them? It's just so inane it hurts my head. I don't think any of these families are functional to a level. Just so tired of them riding on the coat tails of people who don't actually have equal rights. I'm totally grossed out by the fact Joe is married to twins and a cousin.

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  17. As far as the Dargers operating a upscale cleaning company I find that most have family owned businesses. They certainly have a large selection of workers to chose from. They tend to own and run motel franchises, restaurants, construction companies, etc. I don't know what or if they even pay their employees. I do know that if you are traveling thru Utah you have most likely stayed at one of their family owned business. I have tried to stay at mainline chain hotels but once you walk in you know you are in a "family" run hotel. It just feels different and if you are not "one of them" you know it. They do not help you as much as other hotels or act like they did not hear you.

    As far as the Brown family I think they have tried to get family business up and running but frankly, they don't give a shit and don't want to work with the exception of Janell.

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    1. OK so only 1 wife and kids it seems should be allowed flexibility of a family owned business. The tax consequences of running a business as a monogamous man versus those of a poly are enormous. The single guy would have to hire each person, pay everybody and taxes, pay health insurance, pay unemployment tax, set up retirement systems, etc while the poly guy doesn't' Unfair business practices. Tax evasion. Failure to provide mandated benefits. Disregarding health and safety laws. Oh man, I getting more PO'd by the minute here. Read to pick up my picket and start marching on Utah. Uh, can anybody find my GPS?

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  18. A PIG IS A PIG NO MATTER HOW YOU DRESS IT UPAugust 6, 2012 at 12:02 PM

    Everyone....take a few minutes and go to u-tube and watch the series by IRENE SPENCER - ALL I KNEW WAS POLOGOMY. It is a real eye opener, right from a women who lived it. It explains a lot of what we are seeing on the Sister Wives show and the Dargers. Even though the people in these relationships are dressed in modern clothing it is much like the old saying....no matter if you put lipstick on a pig, it is still a pig. It is just another ruse to detract from what is really happening to these women and children. Run don't walk to listen to Irene Spencer.

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    1. Her book was pretty good as well-I recommend it (second wife of Verlan LeBaron brother to Ervil LeBaron, who had Christine Brown's grandfather assassinated).

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    2. A PIG IS A PIG NO MATTER HOW YOU DRESS IT UPAugust 6, 2012 at 2:24 PM

      Thank you SheilaAnn. Do you know the name of Irene Spencer's book?

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    3. I think it's called Shattered Dreams. It was a very good book. you won't want to put it down. She has another one called Cult insanity. Which I haven't read yet. Here is her book website. http://www.irenespencerbooks.com/

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    4. A PIG- Daughter of the Saints is the book by Dorothy Allred Solomon. If you're interested there's also a book called Favorite Wife, written by Susan Schmidt, Verlan Le Baron's fifth wife and Irene Spencer's co-wife. Schmidt left Verlan before his death, Irene stayed married to him and became his widow (she remarried to a monogamous man).

      It was interesting to read about how Irene and Susan envied each other (Susan thought Irene's higher status was beneficial to her/Irene and the other wives believed Susan was the favorite). Regardless of status each was miserable in her own way.

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    5. Thank you A Pig. I am watching the 2nd part now. It'a nice to be able to see Irene. I read her book. But there wasn't any pics. I also posted the clip to facebook. I am starting to find out that a good way to get rid of facebook friends is to post stuff about polygamy.

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  19. * I also forgot to add that Rulon Allred, the leader of the AUB was Irene Spencer's uncle. Dorothy Allred Solomon, his daughter is her cousin, and also wrote a good book. Read both if you want to find out about women growing up in polygamy and the LeBaron/AUB conflict.

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    1. I read both Dorothy Allred Solomon and Irene Spencer's books. Very interesting. I think I read Susan Schmidt's book too, but I could be wrong. After Sister Wives premiered, I went on a polygamy reading kick and red everything I could find in my library and thru interlibrary loan (until I burned out).

      So I guess this means that Dorothy Allred Solomon is one of Christine's aunts.

      Also, the name Ervil cracks me up. I always read it as "Evil".

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  20. Re: the twins he married. I'm not 100% which is which. But, from what little I've read, it seems like Vickie was part of the first marriage, and he married her twin Val several years later.

    Vickie looks about 10 years older than her twin. The age in her face speaks volumes about how "idyllic" plural marriage can be.

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    1. It seems to me that Val had the rougher life. She was also a plural wife but was able to obtain a divorce from her 1st husband after 12 years of marriage. In the Darger's book, she said her husband was a member of the AUB, was cruel to her and his other wives and had a gambling problem. She went to the AUB for an official release from her marriage and it was granted. Also she was diagnosed having thyroid cancer. Vicki suffers from post-partum depression, which has got to be awful when you're in a religion that requires you to be a baby machine.

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  21. Two things stick out to me. One is that whole concept that plural marriage helps women to overcome jealousy. We all KNOW that the Brown women are struggling daily with jealousy. And why is it so important in our earthly lives to overcome jealousy? I know when I look back at my life, I would hope that I would have a lot more important things to look back on, such as being a nice person, helping others, raising pleasant children, being a good leader....not once have I worried about overcoming jealousy! Anyone else have that on their bucket list?

    Two: The reason that the Dargers and the Browns don't like to talk about how they make their money is because a very good portion of it is through governmental assistance because all but one of the wives are 'single mothers'....we have talked about this many times so I won't go into all the details again. But, it's not because of their sacred privacy (which if they were so worried about privacy, they wouldn't be on tv or writing books, etc), it's about the fact that they are taking advantage of public assistance. That is how they can afford to have 20+ children. Not saying they don't work at all but just saying it's very likely they are getting assistance.

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    1. I have to step in here...there ARE very strict laws concerning public assistance in the United States... so lets sort some of this out...please...
      1. They cannot own a car worth more than i believe its 400.00.. w all know they all own cars worth more than that.
      2. They have made their lives very PUBLIC... do you not think the Public Assistance of each State is not aware of this? Kody is RESPONSIBLE for each child that is on Public Assistance, that is his, whither married legally or not.lam thinking maybe again since they have gone public...The States Departments are again "aware". Do you know that Kody has to legally repay the States for all the monies the Public Assistance has out out for HIS children?
      I know in Nevada, this State I am from and NO i am not one of the wives. laughs. though i do live near them all...The amount he is responsible for, is a per centage based on his income versus her income. versus her bills, not HIS.
      I am sure t hat Janelle, Christine and Robyn were all at one time on assistance...i doubt very much any of them now are.
      I doubt the Dargers are on assistance, either. looking at their life style...
      I am sure they all at one time got help from the AUB. Did you know these religions have their own welfare assistance within themselves?
      These religions own their own canneries, own pantries.. that all families can get help from? They also have what is called a "Bishops closet" ( man i thinking hard on this formal name i will have o research for the exact legal name).
      Just some food for thought...

      laurie

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    2. Didn't mean to cause such controvery! I am pretty certain the Browns are not on public assistance anymore due to the show (and are fairly well paid now) but I think we had records on the site about the assistance they were on before the show. The Dargers, I dont' know, don't really follow them all that closely. I know about the LDS pantries, canneries, etc. didn't know that the splinter/Fundamentalist/AUB groups also had such programs. Didn't mean to offend, just expressing my opinion and thoughts.

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    3. @laura You need to go back and read the archives. In my state, baby daddies are responsible for CHILD SUPPORT, including back child support, to go on public assistance. If that's not true in Utah, then good for Utah taxpayers, I guess.

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    4. I don't think Carol started anything. It is WELL known that the "system" is racked with problems, especially when the govt officials basically say they are not going to prosecute. Examples of good people not getting assistance and grifters do are all over the country.

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  22. Mister Sister: Thanks for posting the Darger story.

    Just wondering, have there been any studies or anecdotal theories as to which type of polygamous upbringing is less traumatic for children: those who grow up near non-polygamous families and attend public schools, or those who live in polygamous communities? Seems to me that in attending the public schools, the Darger kids are constantly dodging questions about their family, being bullied for having "plyg" parents, and probably don't bring non-plyg friends home very often. On the other hand, growing up in Colorado City doesn't sound like a good experience either.

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  23. I know it's a truism and all, but, skeevy is as skeevy does!

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  24. I read their book quite a while ago, but I think I remember reading something about Joe Darger saying that he makes all the kids over a certain age (maybe 6?)pay rent! He said it is an amount based on their age and it isn't a lot but I think they were to earn the money to pay their rent from chores. This really turned me off to them. I agree that it is fine for kids to have chores but I really disagree with charging "rent" when the parents are the ones responsible for bringing children into the world. It is not like they asked if they could please come and live with them and should be charged rent. If they get a show, I won't be watching. It would probably be a snore compared to the Brown's anyway!

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    1. RENT??!! Really? Wow, that's really jacked up. I would think that no normal parent would charge their kids for basics like food, shelter and clothing. I remember hearing about one family (may have been a TV fam, I can't remember) who charged their children a percentage for going on vacation. While that's not a necessity, if it's a family trip, mom and dad should foot the bill for that too.

      I'm outraged and I'm probably known as a "mean mom". I make my kids do chores and give them an allowance for their spending money. My kids don't have TV or internet in their rooms, they also don't have cell phones or ipads and only have restricted access to the internet and television. They don't get a lot of new toys except on their b-days and Christmas.

      I'm not saying all this to start a debate, I'm just pointing out my parenting style to highlight that even someone like me thinks charging your kids rent is....I wanted to say ridiculous, but what I really think is that it borders on abuse.

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    2. What are the specifics of Darger charging rent to his kids? Specifically, if they don't pay, does he kick them out of the house? Seems to me that Child Protective Services would have a problem with that.

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    3. I really can't remember but I think it was something like they have to sleep on the couch maybe. I should get a copy of the book and re-read it. I get that they need to have everyone pitching in for chores but I think charging them "rent" is ridiculous! I think he said he was doing it to "teach them about money."

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    4. I, for one, love the idea of kids paying rent, as long as it's not taken too far. My children have chores, and they do get "paid" for some of them, those chores which might be above and beyond. For ex, they don't get paid for making their beds, but they will get something for helping their dad with the yard work. We teach them to tithe to our local church as well as saving some. These are things we want them to carry over into adulthood, so I see no problem with doing so. All of their needs are met and they are both happy, well-adjusted children.

      While we don't charge "rent", I could see the merits of charging a very minuscule amount as a way of teaching them about the responsibilities they will encounter as adults.

      Now, having said that, I do have a problem with doing it just because the family is short on cash. That is unfortunate for the child. Taking care of the family is not the responsibility of any child.

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  25. I believe I read something to that effect (charging rent) on their web site...

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    1. All work is not bad...August 7, 2012 at 12:16 AM

      From the Darger Blog: http://lovetimesthree.com/choice-in-a-polygamous-family/

      "I feel like it is our job to raise our children to be on their own and make choices for themselves. At 14 we encourage our children to get a job, and we begin to charge them “rent”. We credit them for school. This does many things. It teaches them that they are responsible for their choices and that there is an accountability to the family. Also it tells them that we value education; so long as they are in school, including college, their rent is minimal." - Joe Darger.

      This doesn't sound too far fetched. My dad was a stickler. I was working at 15 and throughout college. Resented my friends didn't have to. I didn't have to, we had the money. Dad was teaching a worth ethic that was missed by my older sister. To this day, I'm the worker, she's the slacker. 40 years later.....

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    2. Ok, this is what I've found so far:

      Joe: "I see requiring my older children to contribute to their expenses as a great way to teach them accountability, not reduce our bills. But my son, perceiving this as unfair, blew up one day and ran away to a friend’s home. He wouldn’t talk to me or to Alina, his mother."

      Adams, Brooke; Darger, Alina; Darger, Vicki; Darger, Valerie (2011-09-13). Love Times Three: Our True Story of a Polygamous Marriage (p. 219). Harper Collins, Inc.. Kindle Edition.

      Now I did find a book review that mentioned specifically "The Darger children must pay a portion of their income for rent at a young age and are all tasked with contributing financially to their household, as well as doing many chores and watching the younger children. " But I haven't run across that yet in the book. As soon as I do, I'll let everyone know.

      http://www.ragingbibliomania.net/2011/11/love-times-three-our-true-story-of.html

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    3. I don't think parents should charge their kids rent before the kids are done with college. Especially the Dargers shouldn't because their kids are already used as cheap babysitters and I'm sure their parents cash in on all the support money they can get from the state for having those kids.

      It's not the children's fault they're living in this mess called a plural family. Probably the ethic he is teaching them is to get as much money as you can to finance your "lifestyle choices". I think his son was right about running away. I'm wondering if that's the son that has now chosen to become LDS. He might be the Hunter among the Dargers!

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    4. I agree with the one above who said they don't believe the Dargers used the welfare system. I have never seen anything that leads to that, nor have they filed bankruptcy. Do you have any proof they used it?

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  26. Interesting post - son goes into LDS.

    http://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-2183185/Polygamist-father-wives-heartache-son-21-wants-woman.html?ito=feeds-newsxml

    If it were me, I would still be happy that he was choosing LDS.

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    1. I love one of the readers comments "Is this Jack Blacks new movie?"

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  27. I get a better vibe from the Dargers, even though has, as Cynical Jinx says (lol) Mean Eyes.
    But one of them always looks pissed off, and doesn't do well in interviews, which one is that?
    I have never seen anything on them on public assistance. Please post something to back that up. I would like to see it.

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  28. Would this not mae all the children cousins as well as siblings?

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    1. Not only that but if Joe had kids with Valerie then Val and Vicki's kids would be biological 'siblings' as they would share the exact DNA :)

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  29. Not entirely on topic, but I'm wondering a lot about Brooke Adams, who wrote the Dargers' book with them. She is a fervent polygamy apologist and seems to be no longer working for the Salt Lake Tribune. She also has an ongoing feud with Carolyn Jessop (http://quickimporttln.wordpress.com/2008/06/12/dear-carolyn-jessop).
    I would love to get the full story on her. Any takers?

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    1. She isn't exactly objective, especially for being a reporter when that letter was written. But she's not as interesting as the Dargers or Browns, which isn't saying much.

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    2. I wondered where she'd disappeared to.

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    3. Thanks for the link, b0red_n0w. Okay, so what's up with the "JohnLester" commenting over there? Is this guy nuts, or a troll?

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  30. @Mock Jobs, I do too! I came from a "step family" and my step dad charged my step sister rent when she turned 17. She had a part time job and paid for her own shampoo (cuz she wanted to use her own crazy expensive stuff my dad wouldnt pay for) and rent. Only 200 a month. My step sister is now by FAR the most responsible out of all of us. My mom refused to do that to me...but I can see the benefit.

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  31. Geesh they didn't even use correct spelling or grammar in that tweet!

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  32. Still Not Drinking the Green KoolAidAugust 7, 2012 at 10:00 PM

    The tweet is an awfully convenient way of squelching criticism, implying that the only argument one might have against the "lifestyle" is rooted in self-loathing. Doesn't fool me for a minute. I do not care how much this is dressed up and spit and polished, I refuse to believe in a religious ideology that makes me dependent upon a fellow human being to get into Heaven. It goes directly against what Jesus taught in the Gospels, and this is somehow Christian. Nope, I do not hate myself, and as my profile name says, I am Still Not Drinking the Green Koolaid.

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  33. MeriMeriQuiteContraryAugust 8, 2012 at 8:47 AM

    Oh Joe, personally, I have no fear of you, nor do many that oppose Polygamy. I fear for the abuse of the women involved. If your life is great, fine. What about the proven facts overall about the abuse that happens to women?

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    1. I do fear that this glamorization of polygyny and its associated scams are going to drain my taxes even more that they already do. So, yeah, in that regard, I suppose you can call that a fear.

      Delete
  34. We're openly breaking the law but "oh, we're so persecuted!" blech...

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  35. Kody retweeted that tweet, HA HA

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  36. Why do people who disagree with them have to be considered haters? Every celebrity and wanna be thinks they have haters when your opinion differs from theirs. They really need to get over themselves. The Dargers are not important enough to have haters. A lot of us are just of the opinion that marrying twins and their cousin is vile and disgusting ... No hate.

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    1. Ya, we're real jealous that we have to wonder who's night it is to sleep w/ a chubby bald guy & having to deal w/ jealousy issues!!...Ha!!

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  37. I'm still smh.... in this day and age, HOW can these women buy the crap these men feed to them in the name of "religion?" Isn't there one brain cell that shoots up a red flag when a man says he needs to have multiple sex partner.....oops....wives in order to have a grand celestial planet and then he has to call her by a s.e.c.r.e.t. n.a.m.e. in order for her to get to "heaven" which is actually a man's planet? That makes sense to them.....why??? Why wouldn't they think that women are special enough as HUMAN BEINGS to go to heaven on their own?

    As far as these "testimonies" - that's your conscious talking. Perhaps they should listen more to the "testimonies" that tell them this is WRONG! You know they have felt this, they have to. If they have feelings of jealousy isn't that a testimony that there is something wrong with the situation, not the woman? Thank goodness the Brown children have been exposed to normal living and seem to have a better understanding of what it means to be loved for themselves alone.

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  38. What the hell is that tweet supposed to mean?!

    I am not a hater. Just an educated woman who believes these women are deserve better to be ruled by such a sexist man based wacky religion!

    I am not an unhappy person Joe. And how are you something I FEAR?

    Your line of thought may work with the wives Joe but those of us that have grown up making our own decisions, mixing with all sorts of people with all sorts of views and beliefs, getting an education, and living in the real world DO NOT FEAR YOU.

    I'm willing to bet most of us on this board simply have a problem with your family as we feel sorry for your wives.

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    1. I was totally wondering the same thing! What does the tweet mean??? Oh ya, Kody, retweeted it too!!...Lol

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  39. I do believe Mr. Darger that it is YOU who fear the likes of US because we're onto your sick game and we've exposed it for what it really is. Your "secret" is out.....

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  40. Dear Joe Darger,

    Your tweet proves that you likely do read SWB. That is a good thing if you really want to be aware of public opinion about you and your family. However, declaring that anyone who doesn't agree with your lifestyle is "a hater" is not very wise.

    Joe, you need to be ever mindful that *YOU* have put yourself, your wives and your children out there for public observation, speculation and criticism.

    *You* have chosen to market your family for money and fame. Are you possibly that naive or uninformed that you do not know that fame is and always will be a two-edged bounty/sword ??

    Your lifestyle of bedding multiple women in the name of religion may make sense to you, but to many other people it is an affront to their scruples and beliefs. Are you really surprised ???

    *You* have put this controversy on the public table. !
    And now to then accuse others of "hating" is not only wrong and stupid, it is clearly indicative of your ethics.

    Grow up, Joe, and suggesting that you be clear about what you wish for.

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    1. I wonder if/how the Dargers are bleeding the beast?

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  41. Many men think of sex as a normal body function. Having three wives allows the man to go around "grunt-grunt" it's over and be able to satisfy his primal needs. Many women don't care for sex and are quite content with once a week "grunt-grunt". Results are one happy man and three happy women who don't have to put up with his demands. Any man and women who enjoy sex and care about the others satisfaction need more than "grunt-grunt" They need nights of cuddle, foreplay, romance and passion. I don't think a man with more than one wife can accomplish this. That is why I believe plural wifes may work for some people, but not for me. Quality of sex is still a big part of my everyday life.

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    1. No Sister Wives For Me!August 10, 2012 at 6:51 PM

      I agree with you completely.

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  42. PLEASE give this man and his family a show so we can watch them unravel.
    We all think Kody has a dark side but I'm willing to bet Joe Darger's is even worse. He just has that look like "I could beat the crap out of you any second now."

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  43. The tweet is clear.

    it is the "I'm rubber you're glue" retort.

    Something obviously struck a nerve.

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  44. These accusations of hate, bigotry, and fear are being used to justify a lot of alternate lifestyles now a days. It's highly annoying to me. Just because we don't agree with something doesn't mean that we hate or fear it! They're just making themselves look like asses when they take that tactic.

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    1. I couldn't agree more. I, for one, am tired of being accused of begotry, because I can see the obvious pitfalls of many of these 'alternative' lifestyles. Wouldn't we all just like to go around doing whatever we wanted all the time? Most of us don't simply because we realize that our actions directly impact society. Just because, I have the sense to know that certain arrangements are detrimental to the well-being of others involved, namely children, does not make me some narrow minded ogre.

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  45. Speaking of accusing others of hate, the Dargers have a very intersting blog post about what happened with her daughter around prom. She amkes it sound like it was about poly-hate all along, but I think it was bratty kids being bratty kids, granted in a scary and dangerous way. Let me know what you guys think if you read it. BTW, I think that dress is ugly, but she looks nice.

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  46. Peanut Butter FritosAugust 15, 2012 at 1:07 PM

    You got it, Joe. I am scared. Not of you, you're a joke who can't even explain how you support your family, but I am terrified of your message of oppression and dominance over women.

    I worked my life, as did my mother and her mother, so that I could raise my daughter to be an equal partner in her marriage. It is simply shocking to me that anyone with a daughter born after 1970 would even entertain this as a valid decision. When you paraded your lifestyle on TV, you made it everyone's problem.

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  47. I am really disappointed at the judgmental comments made on here. I personally am friends with some of the Darger kids as well as many different polygamous family's in utah and they are truly wonderful and good people.Just like there are different types of Christianity there are different types of Polygamy also. The kids very well DO have a choice whether or not they choose that lifestyle and their family relationships are wonderful. And although i am not of their religion we can still treat each other with respect. We sit and say that the Nazi's persecuting the Jews was wrong and yet we still sit here and persecute their religion also. I personally think the Darger family is wonderful and all they are trying to do is rid of stereotypes and defend their faith. I wish we could all have more open heart and minds to the things they are trying to share with us

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    1. i don't know any of these people and have to go by what they show us on tv and whatever other stuff people find on them (such as the bankruptcies, food stamps etc.). i am sure your experience of knowing the dargers puts you in a position to comment and even criticise what other people say about them, but all the same, are you really comfortable comparing the fact that many people disapprove of polygamy and that it's illegal yet tolerated to the HOLOCAUST? i for one am very happy to hear what you have to contribute to the conversation and i will grant you that some people on here can be a bit harsh, but i personally find that comparison extremely offensive and wish you could choose a more suitable simile.

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  48. Joe Darger from my feeble knpowledge- is a man to watch. The Book. Don't agree with their religion, however, for them, it seems to be deep rooted, very loving upbringing and very solid. Must respect that. I firmly believe he believes his convictions about his faith, and knows his faith (more than Kody Brown could pass a test on) this is respectable. He is a bit narscisstic, but a hard worker and a READER, ready to learn. There is another downfall of Kody. All those rides at Disneyland aren't going to further your cause. Meanwhile, he seems to have no intimidation of being arrested. I see this man going places in Utah. Watch and see where he is in 10 yrs. My bets are on his family being more cohesive and just enjoying family, ready to retire, and go into politics. Smart Man, one must respect that.
    My interest will be if he can admit the bad side of polygamy and fight against that. You can't have it all without admitting the serious problems.
    Wonder where the Browns will be in 10 years.

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