I Like Her Even Less
I didn’t think it was possible, but I actually think even less of Kate Gosselin now than I did when I wrote this.
While perusing Google News, I happened upon this article in New York Daily News regarding the out-of-this-world ratings the season premiere of Jon & Kate + 8.
What happened Monday, in fact, took the focus away from what the show has always been about. What was envisioned as an irresistibly cute fifth birthday party for their sextuplets became a footnote to Jon and Kate’s simmering anger toward each other and the suddenly uncomfortable tabloid life they signed up for.
Seriously? Kate was actually more angry than she had been in past shows? I didn’t think that level of anger was possible. Jon, dude, in the words of the evil spirits in Amityville Horror, GET OUT.
As I said when I wrote about this show previously, I have no intention of ever watching it again. But that doesn’t mean I won’t read articles about it and revel in a bit of schadenfreude, especially since, another New York Daily News article included these lovely little gems:
In 2005, the AP reported that a pre-limelight Gosselin had petitioned the state to extend payments for Krall. Krall was initially paid by Medicaid, which provides some assistance to premature babies. The AP reported, “Kate Gosselin said she feels society has a responsibility to help with the children, since modern medicine promotes the use of fertility drugs, which can lead to multiple births.”
…
Such behavior has also allegedly prevented a close relationship between Gosselin and her father, pastor Kenton Kreider. When his parishioners donated cribs to the growing family, Gosselin reportedly rejected them because they didn’t all match.
“Things like that caused a rift,” Krall says, adding that the children eventually ended up with matching cribs. She added that Gosselin “thought they were owed stuff. The money factor was huge.”
Wow. Talk about entitlement mentality. After seeing her in action on the TLC show, I really didn’t think it was possible for me to like her any less. How wrong I was.
It’s a shame that Kate doesn’t have a mind of her own and is so easily swayed by “modern medicine” apparently “promoting” fertility drugs.* It’s not like she didn’t understand that multiples were a very distinct side effect of these drugs, since she’d already had twins after undergoing fertility treatment. Let’s face it, most doctors won’t give you an aspirin without telling you the side effects for fear of a medical malpractice lawsuit, so I’m sure she and her poor husband knew full well all the possibilities. Further, when they realized she was carrying six fetuses, the couple was offered selective reduction. They declined.**
In order to achieve fame and fortune, the Gosselins chose (actually, my guess is it was probably Kate who made the choice, since I don’t think Jon gets much of a say in anything in that relationship) to prostitute themselves and pimp out their eight kids. And Kate chose to treat her husband like shit. And Jon chose to sit there and take it.
When their marriage finishes imploding and Jon & Kate go their separate ways, I wonder who Kate’ll find to be her next whipping boy? One can only hope it’s not the kids.
So, let’s review:
Kate Gosselin chose to take fertility drugs, resulting in twins.
Kate Gosselin chose to take fertility drugs again, resulting in sextuplets.
Kate Gosselin chose to forego selective reduction when it was offered to her.
But society should bear some responsibility?
Hey Kate:
H/T NotThatGuy1
Given the very small amount that I know about this show and the asshats involved in it, here’s my hope: Jon comes to his senses and divorces Kate. If she won’t consent to the divorce, he’s got five seasons of shows he can use as evidence for fault grounds to get the hell away from that shrew without having to wait the two-year waiting period.
And then I hope Jon gets primary custody of all eight of the kids, which would mean that Kate would have to pay him child support, which would force her to go out and get a real job, instead of pimping her kids on national television for her own gain.
* I don’t think society should pay for someone’s kids simply because that someone has no backbone or mind of her own and succumbs to what “society” or “modern medicine” goads her into doing. If the childfree can stand up to society’s expectations and prodding, then I would think a mother of two could, as well.
** I always love it when the parents of medically-induced litters invoke “God” or “nature” as their reason for declining selective reduction when the use of fertility drugs certainly isn’t leaving their reproductive status up to God or nature.
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May 28th, 2009 at 7:35 am
What’s “selective reduction?” Can you describe the practice?
It’s funny to see someone who minces no words when criticizing the behavior of others suddenly retreat into euphemisms when discussing barbaric practices she endorses.
You get on her case for “pimping her kids.” The better choice would have been to kill four or five of them?
Before feigning any concern for the welfare of these children, consider whether later in the post you’re going to actively root for the dissolution of their family. But then, I suppose when you’re in full rant it’s difficult to keep the train on the tracks.
May 28th, 2009 at 9:36 am
Selective reduction is a form of abortion which ≠ “killing children.” But don’t let facts/science get in the way of your euphemisms. That being said, I’m not going to allow this to be turned into a debate about abortion. My blog. My rules. You want to have that debate? Go have it one someone else’s dime.
I will absolutely root for the “dissolution of their family” if it appears to me (and it certainly does) that their marriage is completely dysfunctional and does more to damage those kids than help them. It is precisely my concern for those kids (I don’t give a hairy rat’s ass about Jon or Kate) that leads me to root for the marriage to end. Having watched this scenario play out with many of my friends, as both a kid and and adult, I absolutely believe that it is better to be raised by happy, divorced parents than it is to be raised by parents who are still married to each other…and perfectly miserable.
Children should learn by example what a happy, healthy, loving adult relationship looks and feels like. They shouldn’t grow up believing that it’s perfectly acceptable to berate and belittle your spouse. They shouldn’t grow up believing that constant tension in the house is normal. They shouldn’t grow up witnessing little or no affection between their parents.
Anyone who thinks that it’s better for a miserable, unhappily married couple to “stay together for the sake of the kids” is an ignorant fool and absolutely is NOT advocating what’s in the children’s best interest.
Is it possible that Jon & Kate can save their marriage? Sure. Just about anything’s possible. Is it probably. I doubt it. My advice is that they should cut their losses before they do further psychological damage to their brood. They should go their separate ways, find happiness, and, hopefully, that happiness will rub off on their kids.
May 30th, 2009 at 7:44 am
No Jerry, I think you missed the point. I mean, I know you enjoy jumping down everyone’s throat when they mention abortion, but it’s not the point being made here. Point is, Kate CHOSE to have 6 kids. Since when do you, Jerry, of right-wing mentality suggest that society continually support those 6 kids because Kate has an entitlement mentality? I’m shocked! If you gave a crap about family values I don’t think you’d be supporting a dysfunctional family to take the limelight simply to earn freebies and perks while the marriage crumbles.
I’ve followed the show for a while out of dumb fascination. It’s truly a train wreck in the works. There are some blogs that have pointed to this for some time, “Gosselins Without Pity” being a main one. I took some interest in the family as they happen to live not far from where I’m now located in Pennsylvania. Turns out they’re not well liked. Also turns out they’ve been trying to leech off the state teat for some time. Kate now has a crew of nannies and helpers yet still whines about being bogged down. I doubt it. She’s off signing book deals and speaking at churches about her beliefs. Sure Kate, you can be high and mighty about choosing to have 6 kids but I don’t think you should be distributing marriage advice or child-rearing advice, considering A) You treat your husband like a pincushion and B) You leave the task of childcare to others.
Funny enough, I’ve also watched the Duggar’s show a few times. Now, I’m not endorsing their way of living, but wow! This whole Gosselin incident just makes their family look better and better…And that’s scary.