Mexico branch......Now closing!!!

by krismalone in

a circuit overseer friend of mine serving in latin america called me today to say hi.

i asked him what's new and he dropped the news that they have received notification that the branch in mexico will be closing!!

this branch also called the central american branch (although located in mexico) oversees all of mexico's 800,000+ publishers plus all 7 countries of central america of over 100,000 publishers.

Balaamsass2

With a 20% rise in gas prices Mexicans have taken to the streets in riots this week.

About a year ago the exchange rate was 13 Pesos to the dollar, now it is 20 Pesos. Yes, a Peso is now worth a US nickel.

For every dollar Mexico sends to the USA $10 flows to Mexico, mostly from illegal ex pats (per PEW). Four years of Trump may bring about revolution in Mexico. For the last 100 years unhappy Mexicans have simply left for the US, without that pressure release valve because of Visa requirements and a tighter border, expect massive civil unrest.

Watchtower is doing a cut and run. SELL SELL SELL

Read what happened with a simple gas price spike this week. http://mexiconewsdaily.com/news/gas-protest-round-up-4-dead-400-arrested/

73

The con is completed - comments from the US branch's LDC chief

by sir82 in

jw
friends

recently attended a special assembly day.. guest speaker was thomas chicky, a member of the us branch committee and the head of the us ldc (which has replaced the rbcs).. the last talk of the day is scheduled for an hour.

it was the usual boring mumbo-jumbo.

he appeared to have blasted through his hour-long outline in just about 45 minutes, so he "treated" us to informal comments on recent developments.. he commented on the new wt complex in fishkill ny.. then he dropped the bomb (well, to anyone with ears and at least 2 functioning synapses).. the following is not a word for quote, but presents the gist of his comments:.

Balaamsass2

I know of THREE high-powered financial analysts JWs in just California who have been going back and forth to Bethel the last 3+ years.

Obviously, they have been doing heavy pruning of financial deadwood and realizing profits. They have been involved in offshore financial transactions for many years and have bought a private airport based very close to Swiss banks in the Bahamas. They are invited to restricted hedge fund conventions.

Lots of benefits to generating a steady investment cash flow that can not be seized or inspected by any court, news agency, or government.

58

Mexico branch......Now closing!!!

by krismalone in

a circuit overseer friend of mine serving in latin america called me today to say hi.

i asked him what's new and he dropped the news that they have received notification that the branch in mexico will be closing!!

this branch also called the central american branch (although located in mexico) oversees all of mexico's 800,000+ publishers plus all 7 countries of central america of over 100,000 publishers.

Balaamsass2

Follow the $$$ money...........

Investments in 3rd world Mexico are risky in good times....with Trump in office for the next four years...suicidal?

This last 12 months the Mexican Peso has declined in value almost 30% to the dollar. The Mexican branch real estate has lost value in real dollars, and I doubt it will improve anytime soon. Watchtower may simply be cutting losses.

13

Fade Advice Please

by Zeds Dead in

i got reinstated in the last month and had my record cards sent to a new congregation.

i went to a few meetings until i heard the cards had been sent and now i am looking to do a complete fade, no longer go at all.

the new congregation does not know me well and further away from where i live so i am hoping they will give up trying to make contact quickly.. any advice on do's and dont's and what to expect?.

Balaamsass2

You have done great so far. YOU MOVED.

Don't rock the boat. Come late, leave early, come infrequently if at all. smile, say polite but nebulous things..."Thanks' for worrying about me" "Sure sounds good...let me check my schedule and get back to you...." "Sorry but I have to work that day, or "I think I am out of town that day"...etc. Polite...but unavailable.

If you are not creating problems 90% of elders are to busy to even think about you.

Use your answering machine and caller ID....NEVER answer the phone from elders in a timely manner. Never answer the door. Simply learn what the public has done for years....home but hiding, turn on the shower, flush the toilet.... If they really pin you down, be busy at the suggested time and offer an alternate time that is inconvenient, 8 am, 9 pm, etc. :)

ex-elder

58

Mexico branch......Now closing!!!

by krismalone in

a circuit overseer friend of mine serving in latin america called me today to say hi.

i asked him what's new and he dropped the news that they have received notification that the branch in mexico will be closing!!

this branch also called the central american branch (although located in mexico) oversees all of mexico's 800,000+ publishers plus all 7 countries of central america of over 100,000 publishers.

Balaamsass2

Thanks for the leak Krismalone !

Makes sense financially, and THAT seems to be the big motivator the last 10 years. Latin America may be growing in numbers, but not in Watchtower dollars and cents NET bottom line contributions to "Mother".

Wouldn't be the first branch to close, and it won't be the last.

A number of people here po-pooed the first reports of District overseers being cut.....then they were.

Substitute Circuit overseers are almost as effective as full-time C.O.s for almost zero outlay. Would make sense financially..and isn't $$ the big motivator?

26

Vigil held for Burney man who died after being set on fire

by no password in

vigil help for burney man who died after being set on fire.

community members shared their memories of wicks, a member of the jehovah's witness hall in burney.

many of them remember him from his post at the shell station, where he worked along with his wife.

Balaamsass2

If anyone has any tips, on Dave or scuttlebutt in the Burney Ca., Congregation Shasta County investigators would appreciate a call. http://www.co.shasta.ca.us/index/sheriff_index/divisions/major_crimes.aspx

Burney is a remote congregation in the mountains that is more insular than most. I heard rumor of a child molestation situation there. If Dave had a position in the Congregation, he would have been a convenient target working at the counter in that remote Johnson Park Gas Station outside of tiny Burney. The old P.O. Don Garloff, was harsh and famous for jockeying for "circuit/district priveledges " and at the forefront of WTBTS dark side shell games with Assembly Hall finances, Theocratic Strategy, etc.

I didn't know him personally, but Dave seems to have been well-liked in the community. In his pre-JW days, he was a musician in some Metal bands albums. Bassist of RazorMaid, Boss Hogg, and Izzy Ozborne in the 80s.

A Go Fund Me page exists for his burial and widow. https://www.gofundme.com/david-wicks-family-support-fund

47

Does becoming (or remaining) one of Jehovah's Witnesses result in Poverty? Pew Research results differ from Watchtower claims.

by Balaamsass2 in

"raised in the truth" during the 50s, 60s,and 70s i repeatedly read and heard from the platform how reading the magazines weekly "was the equivalent of a college education" and how many had turned their family economic situation around by being "trustworthy" and giving up expensive bad habits most "worldly people" had.

sounded good.. what is the reality?

how does avoiding higher education, and then spending up to 20 hours a week getting ready for, commuting, and then participating in meetings and field service affect family finances?.

Balaamsass2

As a J.W. "raised in the truth" during the 50s, 60s,and 70s I repeatedly read and heard from the platform how reading the magazines weekly "was the equivalent of a college education" and how many had turned their family economic situation around by being "trustworthy" and giving up expensive bad habits most "worldly people" had. Sounded good.

What is the reality? How does avoiding higher education, and then spending up to 20 hours a week getting ready for, commuting, and then participating in meetings and field service affect family finances?

I find the Pew research numbers interesting. They posted their "Religion in America " 2014 study on Facebook again this week. " OCTOBER 11, 2016

How income varies among U.S. religious groups"

J.W.s had the fewest number of families earning over 100,000 per year. J.W. families also had the THIRD highest number of families living in poverty. Interesting fruits from Watchtower Bible and Tract Society and the "discrete" slave.

"Among those denominations with the lowest household income are two historically black churches, the National Baptist Convention (9% live in households with incomes of at least $100,000) and the Church of God in Christ (9%). Jehovah’s Witnesses also have low household income (4%). In all three of these groups, nearly half of all members have household incomes of less than $30,000 per year."

http://www.pewresearch.org/fact-tank/2016/10/11/how-income-varies-among-u-s-religious-groups/

7

Jehovah's Witnesses age demographics compared to US population and other beliefs- PEW study

by Balaamsass2 in

i found this pew data of passing interest.

it flies in the face of what i have seen in english congregations, but when i think of all the spanish congregations, it made sense.

jws show fewer senior members than mainline churches.

Balaamsass2

I found this PEW data of passing interest. It flies in the face of what I have seen in English congregations, but when I think of all the Spanish congregations, it made sense. JWs show fewer senior members than mainline churches. Additionally most of the "Apostates" I know personally, are Baby Boomers who are more aware of the 1975, Franz, and "Generations" scandals.

http://www.pewresearch.org/fact-tank/2016/07/11/which-u-s-religious-groups-are-oldest-and-youngest/

19

1930s Vertical Phonograph for Bethelites and Pioneers- of passing interest.

by Balaamsass2 in

just thought this might be of passing interest to a few members.

we were unpacking some estate items from a 1930s bethelite and were confounded by his vertical phonograph.

lots of old rutherford books, and some trashed rutherford records, but the phonograph was something to behold.

Balaamsass2

lol sparky. I can't remember Grant's wife. I was not aware of the jewelry angle. My father in law gave Jaraz lots of "Green Handshakes" when he was in Circuit or district work in California. One was for 10k. that translates to ($10,000 in 1964 equals $76,545.31 in 2016. ) The Mrs and her mom are pi##sed about that big time.

I never paid attention to Lyman's suits..but I was mesmorized by those giant antenna caterpillar eyebrows. One day he was yelling at me in his office, while I was staring at those eyebrows...in a trance... "Did you hear me? he shouted." Ah....Yes....as I stood still staring at those things.....:)

19

1930s Vertical Phonograph for Bethelites and Pioneers- of passing interest.

by Balaamsass2 in

just thought this might be of passing interest to a few members.

we were unpacking some estate items from a 1930s bethelite and were confounded by his vertical phonograph.

lots of old rutherford books, and some trashed rutherford records, but the phonograph was something to behold.

Balaamsass2

Great photo sparky. Grant Suiter always had nice Suits..and snazzy shoes.

Ya that secret "James Bond" sandwich compartment is cool. You don't get that with an IPad. :)

Hey thanks WIFI Bandit. Great catch! $10 in 1936 equals $171.39 in 2016.

Hey Jaydee. Just finished work and responded to your PM.

Balaamsass2

Posts by Balaamsass2

How income varies among U.S. religious groups"