Earth to Wombat (and the rest of the Forum)
Go back and read my first comments in the AP Thread.
That is what I was saying all along. This is not news and in fact it really wasn't a NEW directive, unless you mean this letter regarding HLCs replaced the old one.
Big Whoop!
The whole thing was much ado about nothing, had actually no factual connection to the JCS Big News Essay/Louderback-Wood tort (misrepresentation) theory - although it tried to bring it in by mentioning it and quoting it. At least the writer quoted Wood as admitting that the theory was unproven and untested.
There is no further outcome for JWs or the Society regarding the AP story. Like so many that have been published from time to time, it was interesting for its own reasons and another story like it will appear again some time in the future. These things (news stories) don't affect the way most JWs actually feel, much less what they believe, regarding the Org other than perhaps reinforcing the persecution-complex/belief.
It was a puff piece that was interesting since it was about an insane doctrine (Blood rejection) of a minority religious group (JWs) that many people know about.
Its only value was that being an AP piece it was picked up and carried in the sparse Religious sections of many newspapers and online AP wire sections, THUS reminding society in general about JWs and their insane religious belief of rejecting blood.
Regarding the Thursday/Service Meeting announcement/letter which you can read for yourself (it is linked on the AP thread) there was nothing special about it and no, it didn't create any confusion regarding blood fractions contrary to what the AP writer suggested (as his whole theme for his article) that the "new directive" would supposedly do.
Will a retraction go out over the AP wire - "Whoops! I didn't understand that this letter is not really anything new or different and it won't be confusing to 6 million JWs like I thought. Sorry, AP Writer"
don't hold your breath,
Eduardo
PS: What will be BIG NEWS is when the Society/JWs finally abandon the entire doctrine. That day is coming.