"A family from Arkansas." That's how David Begnaud, lead national correspondent for CBS News, refers to John-David Duggar, Jana Duggar, Austin Forsyth, James Duggar, and Lawson Bates when they appear in the background of a newscast.
"They flew their own plane in here so that they could be a part of it," says Begnaud. "That's what we're talking about here, folks just showing up at the airport asking for permission to go out and help."
The September 4th newscast was shot at a private airport hanger inside the Nassau, Bahamas, airport, where the Duggars and Bates and others were standing by to help. They arrived in the Bahamas on September 3rd and have been working tirelessly to evacuate hurricane victims, transport relief workers, and deliver supplies.
You can watch the video on the CBS website.
Photo courtesy duggarfamily.com
That's nice. So how are they transporting workers and evacuating people on their plane when the airports in the affected areas are closed? According to news reports the only access to the areas is by helicopter or boat.
ReplyDeleteNassau didn't get hit by the Hurricane . They are going by boat.
Deletei cant watch the video but i'm sure they only used their plane to fly in with whatever supplies they brought. last year i saw a picture of nathan bates helping during irma? (maria?) and he was on a boat transporting people. since some of the islands didnt sustain too much damage, they are probably flying into one of them and ferrying over. (my sons business trip to nassau was cancelled so the airport could accommodate relief efforts. the area he was going to only sustained minimal wind damage and no power loss!)
DeleteAnon 9:17 Why would the Duggars/Bates go to an island on a boat that was delivering supplies? All they would do is take up space that could be used for things the people on the island NEEDED.
DeleteNathan has a helicopter.
DeleteAnon 11:58. Nathan may have a helicopter but he didn't appear to have taken it to the Bahamas.
DeleteI think those men are there because they seek adventure. There's plenty of poverty in Arkansas and Tennessee.
Delete@11:58 Have you seen Nathan's helicopter? It couldn't be any smaller if it had to be!
DeleteThank you to these young men. They helped our crew setup our base of operations at the Cherokee Airport. Couldn’t have done it without there assistance and efforts on Abaco.
DeleteGood luck and be careful.
ReplyDeleteGlad this clears up the question of what they've been doing for those who thought they just pushed their way into the situation.
ReplyDeleteTheir organization is not a recognized 501/503 organization.
DeleteAnon 11.54. This doesn’t clear anything up for me. I saw the report & all that was said was that they were a family from Arkansas. Their plane is tiny & just how they can ferry any more than a few people anywhere is questionable. I have supported the Duggar’s for years & am a huge fan, but this whole issue of them setting up this Medic Corps organisation to go down to the disaster zone has got me really thinking about their motives, & how financially based they may be. I also think much of it is for press attention & I will be interested to see if TLC get this onto the show in some form or other.
DeleteI don't feel that question has been cleared up at all.
DeleteI have read no post that said that people thought "they pushed their way in". But I have read several posts inwhich people wondered how they were able to fly in, when the airspace was closed.
DeletePeople are also concerned about all this publicity and question the motives of this publicity. They are many others volunteering, workers attached to the various aid organmizations but there are no news reports on them, no pre-volunteering pictures posted on the net. These workers and voluneers are quietly going about the task, with no fanfare.
Did you all not read what Ellie posted? She listed the things they've been doing to help. That clears up the question for those who were in a tizzy that they might be doing medical things that they are not trained for. And posting a group picture hardly qualifies as fanfare.
DeleteI know of a number of individuals here in FL that have gone over to help with their plane or boat, taking supplies... I respect that they all are willing and able to do so. To everyone of you who is suspect & complaining, where are you? Have you dropped everything to go help?
DeleteDo you question Hollywood celebrities when they go in. You are just bashing good people.
DeleteAgreed! It seems as if they want everyone to see what they are doing to help. Just help!
DeleteThat storm didn't only hit the Bahamas. I heard officials in North Carolina say that they can't use any more relief supplies there. There's nowhere to put them in the affected areas so they said either wait til later to help with the rebuilding or just give cash to the state disaster relief fund now. They don't need you to fly in cases of bottled water or canned food! That's the problem with these storms. Unless you do what officials tell you to do, rushing in with "relief supplies" thinking you're doing good ends up making a bigger headache for everyone.
DeleteThey didn't ask for the cameras to profile them, they can't help who the camera crews pick and choose to mention.lighten UP and quit trying to find something to b complain about.Blessings for sure 😇😁🙏🏼
DeleteFor all of you who are cutting down the bates for helping in the Bahamas,and some Duggars, why dont you get off your duff and contribute to the hurricane relief too instead of insulting the motives of the people who are helping there.
DeleteGod Bless everyone who is helping. Praying hard for the people of the Bahamas. Thank God, for the people who respond to these emergencies. Happy to see the Duggar and Bates family responding along with all the other responders.
ReplyDeleteAmen and what loving good hearted people they all are to put others first and help!
DeleteThe Duggars and Bates are good people. God bless them for their efforts to help these poor storm victims.
ReplyDeleteI saw this on CBS in the UK, unless you already knew who they were though the reporter simply said “a family” so you would have to follow the Duggar’s to know who they were. There have been numerous reports from the authorities asking for people to stay away from the Bahamas & leave the rescue & clean up to the military that are vastly experienced in doing that specialist work. The authorities are asking people to help by donating to the relief aid or the large organisations that are currently out there helping. This tragedy is going to take months to sort out & I sincerely hope the Duggar’s go back in a few months time to help rebuild the homes & help with the devastating after effects of the displaced population. Their DIY skills could be hugely beneficial & that is where I feel they will be really utilised. Too many people forget about these events a few weeks down the line & that is when help is actually needed most, to rebuild the devastated communities.
ReplyDeleteThank you so much to the Duggan and Bates family for all your help. May God bless
DeleteExactly. From everything I've seen on the news they don't allow random people like the Duggars into the affected areas. The authorities check everyone credentials before letting in. I don't see what the Duggars can do if they're now allowed to land their plane on the affected islands.
DeleteYes. Even the chef that runs World Kitchen was given the cold shoulder when he showed up with a news crew and didn't have authorization to come to the affected areas. The Duggars should go home and wait until the rebuilding process is taking place, then go back and use their skills to help.
Deleteyou are absolutely right. your last sentence speaks volumes! i always wondered if organizations like habitat for humanity and the like, go into these areas and help rebuild. most dont publicize so it makes you wonder how it happens
DeleteThe Duggars are there to help with search and rescue. They have experience and training.
DeleteI've bandaged bloody knees and picked out splinters. Does that mean I also have experience and training? I know how to do those things and could to them in a disaster zone too.
Delete@6:07 When did any of those Duggar kids train to remove bodies from under rubble or floating in the water? When did they ever get experience in this kind of rescue work? This is an extreme disaster, something you don't see every day (thank goodness) and something that requires even the best of the rescue workers to have specialized training to do. This is not "throw them a rope and pull them to safety" type of work. There's also the trauma and PTSD the survivors suffer. That takes specialized training to handle. This is all beyond the Duggars' scope.
DeleteNot to rude here, but of the thousands of volunteers already in the Bahamas (many of which are extensively disaster-relief trained through the International Red Cross, Operation Blessing, Samaritan's Purse, etc.), how is it that CBS news just happened upon the Duggars at a "private" airplane hangar in Nassau to interview them? How likely is that, given the sheer number of other volunteers? Was CBS news just wandering around looking for private airplane hangars on Nassau? I don't think so.
DeleteDid you not read the blog post? It tells what they have been doing.
DeleteEven though the Duggar’s medic corps isn’t officially a non profit organization yet (its pending though) they are still providing much needed relief to the Bahamas! They are both on the ground and in the air providing basic supplies such as food and water as well as flying medical supplies and medical professionals to the places they are needed.
ReplyDeleteWe don't know exactly what they are doing. They can't do any of those things without the permission of the officials in charge of the relief effort. I find their organization somewhat iffy as it provides NO details as to who is running it and what sort of training anyone associated with it has. They just ask for our money.
DeleteI'll donate to Samaritan's Purse-they have clearance, extensive disaster relief experience, medical teams trained and ready to roll (including field hospital set-ups), pilots and planes ready to roll (my neighbor was a pilot for them), real world disaster search & rescue experienced teams, construction teams organized just waiting for clearance, a history of structured organization and a track record of fiscal accountability.
Delete7:36, the blog post actually tells us what they were doing.
DeleteGod Bless them and keep them out of harm's way. Happy that their good work is being recognized.
ReplyDeleteJoan,Marion and Marilyn
God bless the Bates family and the Duggar family for all of their hard work for coming out to the Bahamas and helping people in their time of need.
ReplyDeleteI haven't been coming to this blog much after getting tired of the nasty comments from people who obviously don't like the Duggars but enjoy coming here to post critical comments. Why do they waste their time?
ReplyDeleteSome of the criticism and questions are legitimate. This blog welcomes a variety of comments and it’s not all glowing praise, which is a good thing.
DeleteAnd why are you wasting yours? If you don’t like them, leave.
Delete@7:49-because we live in a free country and are allowed to express our opinions. This is a format where we all can have different opinions and observations. The Duggars put themselves in the public eye; such a decision brings public opinion! Ellie posts how she decided what comments are appropriate and posts those guidelines below.
DeleteTo share a different perspective. You will never grow and expand your understanding of the world and its people unless you are willing to listen to perspectives other than your own
Deletedont not come to this blog! it's the only factual, up-to-date one there is! i've been a faithful follower for many years and ellie is just letting people voice their opinions. dont let it bother you too much because people like that are so unhappy with themselves, that they have to try to put others down to make themselves look/feel better, i just scroll on by and dont give them the attention they are seeking
DeleteSome times the Duggars do something that may warrant questions or criticism, they aren’t perfect.
DeleteI'm 7:49. I totally understand different perspectives, and I understand how this all works, so I don't need to be schooled. I'm pointing out that some of these comments sound like people dislike the Duggars and come here only to find things to criticize vs. differences of opinion among fans of the family. I wouldn't waste my time look at a site about people I don't like. I don't go to Lady Gaga fan sites, for example. That's my point. I'm just curious about why people do it. I think maybe just boredom, but it's strange.
Delete5:19,you are correct. We all know many on here criticize them for everything. I don't automatically assume the worst of people I disagree with. I wouldn't go on their sites to make accusations about them and assume they had bad motives. But they make their unfounded accusations in a form of a question so it's OK.
DeleteI'm about to delete this blog from my bookmarks because of the nastiness that it attracts. I think Lily and Ellie let the nasty comments through she they can get more blog traffic and that makes me sad.
Delete"we do not post anything that is profane, insulting, derogatory, or in poor taste" is a lie, a large percentage of the comments fall into the above categories. It's a real shame because this used to be one of the few places you could post positive comments about the Duggars without having to consciously ignore the nasty people who respond to your comments.
9:44, pot meet kettle.
DeleteI saw Lawson on NBC news, and I went, "Hey, there's Lawson Bates!" The reporter said nothing about Bringing Up Bates or Lawson being a TV personality, which I am sure he would have done, had Bringing Up Bates been a left-wing show, and Lawson a left-wing Hollywood star. Sorry to be cynical, but unfortunately, that's just the way it is with the mainstream media these days.
ReplyDeleteDo you seriously think that in the middle of a disaster, ANY news organization should be talking about someone's TV show?? That's not the news story. Maybe that reporter had no idea who Lawson was. In any case, it's good he didn't get the recognition and publicity. That is no time to be promoting yourself.
Delete@9:46 I think you're overestimating the popularity of UpTV. The reporter had likely never seen the show or heard of the Bates family. Most people I know don't even have cable or satellite TV any longer and aren't partial to watching reality TV shows in general.
DeleteTheir parents must be so proud of them! They brought up good citizens. And in general, their kids growing into adulthood all are doing so well. Josh had some issues in the past, but seemed to have past it, now having 6th child. John is a constable and a pilot, married, expecting a baby. Jessa, Jill, Jinger, Joy - all married to Christian men, with children. Jill went on a mission for several years. Jinger's husband is studying at a prestigious religious school in CA. Joy's husband is hardworking guy, working in real estate. Joseph and Siah are married too, to very nice girls. Each have/having children.
ReplyDeleteThe younger sons all working, 18 year old James just graduated high school. All younger girls are helpful.
That's an amazing family!
Safe travels back to Arkansas.
ReplyDeleteI pray for all of them. Those who help, those you have families there and those who this monster impacted. God Bless anyone who can help these people who have had everything taken away from them. Not Counting On but the real deal. They do it for their fellow man.
ReplyDeleteI seen the devastating pictures of the Bahamas and I'm so glad these young men went over there to help out. Anything and everything they do over there will be a much needed blessing to the people of the Bahamas. Thank God for people who reach out to others!!!
ReplyDeleteGiving back from such a loving family. They will be appreciated for their works.So glad both families are involved in rescue efforts.
ReplyDeleteHow much are the Duggars actually doing? There was another couple on camera on TV this morning. They also had flown in with their own plane. They said they were frustrated because there were air restrictions put in place by the government that keeping them from being able to do anything. They seemed pretty unhappy that they went all that way with supplies only to get stuck at the airport not doing anything.
ReplyDeleteSince the government has control over who can enter the areas affected by the hurricane it's hard to say. From everything I've seen on the news anyone going to the area has to be given permission by the government to go there. It's not like it's some sort of free concert where anyone that wants to come can just show up.
DeleteSomeone has to be in charge of relief operations (usually the government of the area). In order for relief to work efficiently, random people such as this couple and Duggars can't just show up and start doing whatever they think is best. That's why there are all those restrictions on who can go to the affected islands that need help
DeleteI recognize the Nathan and Lawson Bates, Austin and the Duggar guys but who is to the left of John David? Great that they are helping.
ReplyDeleteHe's only been identified as a "friend".
DeleteI'm sure the people on the ground receiving help could care less if an organization is certified or not.
ReplyDeleteIn order for a relief effort to be effective, people need 1. training 2. someone in charge and a plan. They don't need random people just showing up and doing whatever they think might be "helpful".
DeleteThat's the problem in disasters. People come from all over to help but some come more to help themselves. If you don't have permission or training, or if you show up out of the blue to help, you can also end up getting in the way of organized search and rescue. Sometimes people who don't know what they're doing can end up getting hurt themselves, putting more of a burden on everyone.
DeleteWell, from reading the blog post it sounds as though they are being helpful, so why assume the worst instead?
DeleteHmmmmm.... The Duggars saw a need and offered help before most others. What are you doing in that you are in a place of judgement of others? Are you offering to lend a hand or is your position one of an armchair expert. What do you have have to offer your fellow man?
ReplyDelete@10:25 We offer plenty. We do it without asking for a dime from anyone else or posting about how wonderful it is online. We don't need a pending tax status or a mostly empty website. We don't charge in to do something without making sure we're supposed to be there and are allowed to do it.
Delete@10:25- I think there are many good people in this world who want to do what they can to help when disaster strikes. For many of us it means donating to reputable organizations, as most of us do not own airplanes or helicopters. The Duggars may very well have the best of intentions, but it isn't out of line to ask questions when a humanitarian group is asking for donations, especially when their tax status is pending. People have every right to be careful when it comes to giving their money away. As far as what I have to offer my fellow man, I donate to the Red Cross and volunteer as a reading tutor in my local public school 15 hours per week. Does that meet with your approval?
DeletePeople who want to assume they are just showing up without having a plan. They have helped in other situations and probably called ahead of time to speak to someone over there about coming. Even if they didn't they have the qualifications and a plane to help. They have pilots for planes and helicopter pilots along with EMS and other skills noted on their website. Their Instagram shows Nathan flying a helicopter over there and many other things. So, evidently the people there believe they can be of help.
DeleteOf course people should be careful of who they donate to. However, it's not fair to make accusations before they have had time to do anything. So many people jumping to the worst assumptions and you make it sound so innocent like you are just asking questions.
DeleteAnon 10:01. Why shouldn't people ask questions about a group they're donating to? I didn't get the impression anyone was accusing the the Duggars/Bates of any sort of wrong doing, they just want to know more about their group, how it is organized and their accountability for donations.
DeleteGod bless 'em!!!
ReplyDeleteThey are doing exactly what Christ told us to do:
"Whatever you do to others, you do to Me."
They are living the Gospel -- may Our Lord protect them, and may they be rewarded with eternity in Heaven!
But what have they done? They've flown a plane to a disaster area. They've waited in an airport.
Delete8:28, reread the post. It tells you what they have been doing.
Delete8:28, the blog post literally tells us what they have been doing.
DeleteBefore anyone donates to John and Nathan's organization I would highly recommend that you visit both their web site and the web site of Medicorps.org and compare the two. Then donate as you see fit.
ReplyDeleteWhat is the site to go to see John and Nathan’s website.
DeleteAnon 9:33 Their site is Mediccorps.org. Their names don't appear on the site the last time I looked at it.
DeleteI'm sure the Duggars and Bates are working tirelessly but I'm not comfortable donating money to an organization that suddenly appeared immediately after a natural disaster no matter who is said to be running it.
ReplyDelete🙄 fine, don't donate if you don't feel comfortable. But don't just assume the worst based on your unfounded opinions.
DeleteAnon 9:43. I worked for a non-profit for three years. Anyone can set up an organization and apply to be a non-profit. As soon as the application is received they are placed in pending status. In order to be approved and operate as a non-profit in the US an organization would have to give the IRS far more information about themselves than is available on their website.
DeleteWow, seeing all the posts on the medic corps Instagram is great. I am sure many of those that jumped to conclusions about them not being able to help and who made other accusations won't be satisfied but it's clear they are doing what they can to help. Too bad we won't hear any apologies from those making accusations.
ReplyDeleteI agree. I hope those commenters are less judgmental to the people th err y know in real life!
DeleteI wonder how the Duggars feel about the people they helped who are now coming into the US with nothing more than a passport and a quick criminal record check, no visa? They're already in FL. Is that OK with the Duggars? Did they know that would happen when they went there to help?
ReplyDelete7:14, I’m sure that would have been the very last thing on their minds, and rightly so. Helping anyone in a time of need should not include ensuring they meet certain standards first. Should they have interviewed each person before providing aid to be sure they were worthy?
DeleteOh my, how sad. People who have lost everything and possibly even family looking for refuge. Criminal checks? Passports? Their passports might have been lost in the hurricane. This comment sounds like some of the vitreol I hear on the news every day......once again, how sad. God help them.....and us!
DeleteI am thankful for people like the Duggars and others who jump in to help others in need. I was deeply touched when a city 20 miles from my home flooded and lost so much. My sister lost everything and we had refugees from their community, eho lost their homes in our city. I was blessed to see the people that came from around the country to help. When in a situation, or so close to a situation, you see it in a different light and I pray you all don't have to experience it first hand. But if you do, we will be there to help
ReplyDelete