Posts by Amazing1914

50

HOW LONG WILL YOU LIVE?

by Amazing1914 in

jw
friends

the following link is very interesting.

it is from the web site of northwestern mutual financial.

they are part of northwestern mutual life insurance.

The following link is very interesting. It is from the web site of Northwestern Mutual Financial. They are part of Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance. This is the only company that shares the TOP rating with New York Life for being the best and safest company in the world.

Watch the AGE tabulator at the top left of your screen change as you answer various questions. In my case, if I keep doing things right, I have a good chance of living to 80 years of age. These life charts are fairly accurate given the mathematical law of large numbers. Of course there are exceptions. But, this at least gives some idea, and one of the best insurance companies is willing to gamble on it when issuing life insurance. http://www.nmfn.com/tnetwork/longevity_game_popup.html Have fun, and lets see who can LIVE THE LONGEST! Jim W.

3

Nuclear History - The Man who Built the Bomb

by Amazing1914 in

jw
friends

okay, i truly appreciate it that my last post went so very well with all of you.

thank you for avoiding politics as much as possible.

the following is a continuation of the topic because i met the man who made little boy.

Amazing1914

Okay, I truly appreciate it that my last post went so very well with all of you. Thank you for avoiding politics as much as possible. The following is a continuation of the topic because I met the man who made Little Boy.

It is common belief that both atom bombs were assembled in New Mexico, with parts being shipped in from various locations in the country, including Hanford. The US government operated the project under strict secrecy, as one might expect, but also issued misinformation because they feared all sorts of spy avenues from Japan, Russia, and others. They still fear German spys, even though germany had surrendered in May 1945.

The evidence I have on hand is not only an eye-witness, but the man who machined the plutonium element used in Little Boy. He worked at Hanford, and was my direct manager when I was assigned to Battelle Pacific Northwest Laboratories. The name "Battelle" is no longer used today. Today, there is no military activities remaining at Hanford. The entire area is dedicated to civilian and commercial purposes.

As he shook my hand, he told me how when he was machining one sample element, the lathe slipped, and a splinter-chip of four grams of plutonium was jambed into his hand. This is enriched weapons grade plutonium. Today, these tasks are not done by such close human proximity. The medical staff cleaned out all but four milligrams of plutonium from his hand. He is the only man in history known to have had so much nuclear material injected into his body. I worked over seventeen-years in the nuclear industry, and I shudder everytime I think about this experience. Four milligrams is a lot of radioactive material for the human body to hold long term. He still set off radiation alarms when entering rad zones. Yet, he never got cancer and he lived a full life. He says all this as he continues the hand shake with the radioactive hand.

The point here is not so much how this impressed me at the time while I was a JW, or what JW-Watchtower thoughts I had, but rather, as it affects me now as a Christian. This one man played a key role in the manufacture of the plutonium element that was first used. Little Boy killed over 100,000 people. Of course, the pilot who both armed and delivered it, as well as the bombadeer who dropped it, played equally key roles.

To meet such a person, however, and work for him, was strange and rewarding. I do not know if he is still alive, as he was close to retirement in the 1970s. He knew much about the project, though his knowledge of all parts was limited as it was for many. He is the one who stated to me that Little Boy was built secretly at Hanford. He also helped assemble it as well as machine the elemnet. This was done in the event that something happened to Fat Boy being built at New Mexico, and a couple of other bombs being built at other undisclosed locations. This way, the US assured itself that a bomb would be delivered.

He is a Christian. I do not know if he is still alive, as he was close to retirement in the 1970s. He hated to do what he had to do. He says that at the time, it seemed like the Japanese were never going to give up, no matter how grim and hopeless the situation was for them. He was not sure that using the bomb was necessary, but he said that he does not look back and second guess himself or his role in the war effort.

While continuing to avoid the political ramifications of that period or how revisionists may view matters today, how do you judge this man?

Jim Whitney

33

My Brush with Nuclear History

by Amazing1914 in

jw
friends

note: the following addresses a sensitive issue with mention of historical and some political references to give context.

this post is deeply serious and is my heartfelt view concerning the christian spirit.

in 1976, after assuring the fbi that i was not a communist, and cooperating with endless requests for information, i was given a classified security clearance.

Amazing1914

Hi JWrobot,

1914- Is your brother now retired?

He left the spy business over two decades ago, during the cold war. He died of a heart attack about ten years ago. I mention him and his fascinating role with the JW Elders in my Exit Series that is hosted on Freeminds / exJW Net.

Jim W.

33

My Brush with Nuclear History

by Amazing1914 in

jw
friends

note: the following addresses a sensitive issue with mention of historical and some political references to give context.

this post is deeply serious and is my heartfelt view concerning the christian spirit.

in 1976, after assuring the fbi that i was not a communist, and cooperating with endless requests for information, i was given a classified security clearance.

Amazing1914

Hi IW,

Okay, I'll take a crack at this, and give you some possible scenarios. You asked,

"As a Christian, Amazing, on what does "it all depend?" ... Does it depend on how many soldiers are invading? Or if they reach your town? I ask in order to understand how you would not engage in war yet you say you are not a pacifist. On what grounds are you not a pacifist?"

If someone invaded my home, threatening to kill my wife or children, I would not hesitate to find a way to retaliate, and if it meant killing the bad guy, then so be it. To me, such a scenario is crystal clear, and such action is fully justified. If a biker-drug gang invaded my community, and the police asked for the help of gun owners to defend the community, perhaps deputizing a posse,' I would join up in a heartbeat. If it meant I had to shoot at and kill invading bikers who threatened the lives of the people of the community, then so be it. Such a scenario is justified in my mind.

If an evil dictator, like Hitler, rose to power again, and threatened the existence of peaceful nations, and his push for expansion was merely a power grab, as was Hitler's, then I see no problem taking a stand and stopping him. If this meant that I were drafted, and I felt that such a conflict was justified to preserve peaceful nations, then so be it.

The problem is, however, that current and recent wars have not been so clear cut. There is a large division of opinion. The dangers are not so clear and present. Viet Nam, for example, was not of any life threatening concern for the USA. It was a French colony, and a French problem. The USA should have stayed out and let the communists have it. Let them get the communism out of their systems by living it. As a result of this view, I was a conscientious objector during the Viet Nam war. I went to trial as a Catholic rather than join the Army. Although, at the time, I did not know that my asthma would have kept me out anyway.

The Persian Gulf war was somewhat clear cut with respect to Kuwait and surrounding nations. Saddam had plans to invade Saudi Arabia once Kuwait was secure. The international coalition was strong, and made up of a volunteer force. So, its use of force to oust the Iraqi Army from Kuwait seems justified. Yes, it was for oil too, because had Kuwait not been an oil producer, then I doubt anyone would have cared if Saddam took it over. But, oil is essential to the world economy, and seriously affects lives everywhere.

The recent invasion of Iraq is very questionable in the minds of many. The intent to go in and stop the production and spread of WMDs was good, and had they been found, it would have been better. Certainly, the subquent political freedom the Iraqis now enjoy and proudly exercise makes the decision to go into Iraq better. However, there are serious arguments on how this relates to the war on terror. I can see both sides.

For my part, I would not join the army to invade suspected nations like Iraq. But, given the outcome, I do not judge those that have done so. As a Christian, I would and do stand down. The whole issue is not black or white, right or wrong. It all depends on the circumstance and justifications involved. However, I also cooperate with authorities in matters of reporting suspect activities when I encounter them, and I have done so as my agency license requires.

So, by no means am I a conscientious objector. I believe that self defense is perfectly justified in God's eyes. If he permits bad guys to run around and terrorize people, then he also must accept it if I support doing something about them. However, in other cases, I believe that a Christian must avoid supporting questionable situations. In other words, use their brains and common sense to determine if something is worthy of fighting for.

Those opposed to any war will cite how Christians obeyed the German authority in WWII and fought for Hitler. Yes they did. They were wrong. They did not choose wisely with a personal conscience. They were deceived, but there was also information available to show that they were being an aggressive bully nation. Also, in those days, people gave far too much to "Caesar" in obedience. I find the climate today of questioning and examining carefully to be far more healthy ... even if it sparks very heated debates.

I think I answered your questions ... but, I am sure that you may see problems somewhere with something I said ... so feel free to have at it.

Jim W.

33

My Brush with Nuclear History

by Amazing1914 in

jw
friends

note: the following addresses a sensitive issue with mention of historical and some political references to give context.

this post is deeply serious and is my heartfelt view concerning the christian spirit.

in 1976, after assuring the fbi that i was not a communist, and cooperating with endless requests for information, i was given a classified security clearance.

Amazing1914

Seven,

I was not trying to compete with Eisenhower. In fact, I was only relating my short experience and its meaning to me. Finally, I never justified the use of the Atom bomb. I merely said that I cannot judge the people who decided to defend the USA from the attacks by the Japanese Empire.

IW,

I don't know how to answer you. I guess it all depends.

Leolaia,

Fascinating experience. I have never been to Hiroshima, but judging from the pictures of it, it appears to be a robust city, and recovered from the effects of the Bomb.

Jim W.

33

My Brush with Nuclear History

by Amazing1914 in

jw
friends

note: the following addresses a sensitive issue with mention of historical and some political references to give context.

this post is deeply serious and is my heartfelt view concerning the christian spirit.

in 1976, after assuring the fbi that i was not a communist, and cooperating with endless requests for information, i was given a classified security clearance.

Amazing1914

Hi IW: I am not a pacifist, but as a Christian, I can't find myself participating in any conflicts. Yet, I cannot judge those who do.

Hi Brad: The US did not consider the Japanese as subhuman. They were facing a fierce enemy that could drag on fighting for years more, killing millions. The choice made was to end the war early. I agree that maybe bombing a nearby uninhabited island may have worked. But, keep in mind that Japan did not surrender after Hiroshima was nuked. It took a second bomb over Nagasaki to finally convince them it was over.

PS: Give me a ring sometime.

Jim W.

33

My Brush with Nuclear History

by Amazing1914 in

jw
friends

note: the following addresses a sensitive issue with mention of historical and some political references to give context.

this post is deeply serious and is my heartfelt view concerning the christian spirit.

in 1976, after assuring the fbi that i was not a communist, and cooperating with endless requests for information, i was given a classified security clearance.

Amazing1914

Note: The following addresses a sensitive issue with mention of historical and some political references to give context. This post is deeply serious and is my heartfelt view concerning the Christian spirit.

In 1976, after assuring the FBI that I was not a communist, and cooperating with endless requests for information, I was given a classified security clearance. I was still a Jehovah's Witness, but this was only a marginal concern to the authorities at the time. When I joined the JW religion in 1968 it caused my brother some problems with his own security clearance. He served as a spy for the US government. He was finally able to get my religious involvement resolved and kept his clearance.

I worked in the civilian development of nuclear energy as an electrical engineer. I supported and conducted both destructive and not destructive tests of equipment used in nuclear power plants. This level of research and development was necessary to have equipment that can operate in an accident environment and safely shut down a commercial nuclear reactor.

In one assignment, I provided consulting services to Westinghouse, the Hanford Area general operating company. The forerunner of the Department of Energy was known as the "Energy Research and Development Administration (ERDA)" which had general federal oversight of Hanford. Westinghouse sent me out to a now declassified area called 200 West.

The 200 Area site was then a nuclear waste center. Various radioactive by-product materials, like Cesium and Strontium, must be maintained in metal/concrete storage tanks. These chemicals are constantly stirred and treated to keep them from catching fire or breaching the tanks. My job was to provide design support for new security systems to prevent people from entering the area and attempting theft of radioactive materials or sabotage. I also provided design support to improve the alarm system from the tanks to the control center so that operators could have better warning than the 1940s style light bulb glowing at the top of the tanks. I marveled at these by-products from an age gone by ... products that will be there for a long time to come, unless the clean-up programs have taken care of them. Somehow, knowing the pace of our government, I doubt that this clean up has progressed very far.

Then comes the strangest site of all. I enter 200 West for the first time. I am given the usual tour and introductions are made with managers and fellow professionals. During the tour, I am asked if I want to see the room where "it" all happened. I agreed and asked what "it" was. My manager informed me that the large area room, with a railroad bay, was where the atomic bomb dropped on Hiroshima was built. The bay was perhaps 75 yards long and about 50 yards wide, or nearly the size of a football field. I studied the dimly lit large cavern-like bay, and the upper level gangway where various monitoring stations sat empty and lifeless. I touched the old fashioned phones used in 1945. They were still in good condition and useable. The large dial monitors for measuring the environment and radiation impressed me. It was all still as it stood in 1945, like a museum, except its workers were all long gone. As I talked with the manager, our voices echoes up and down the bay.

It was here that I first studied the Bible with some Christians, though I was still a JW. As they prayed together, I did not say amen, because of my Watchtower conscience. But I did not yet value them as I should have done and now do. But, looking back, I realize that this was a significant piece of history, a place where people constructed a device that would kill 100,000 people, men, women, and children. This place is where the first atomic bomb rolled out to the death and horrible destruction of so many.

What can we say? I cannot go back and judge the sense of justice or determination of the US to engage the Japanese Empire. The Japanese were hard and brutal and killed so many people by means of torture. It does seem ironic to me that the nation whose flag was a symbol of the sun, was itself burned by a force tens times hotter than the sun. Some will argue that if the atomic bomb was not used that millions more would die on both sides, as the Japanese were training women and children to fight any invasion force. Others will strongly argue that there was no excuse for using such a horrendous weapon. I don't know how to discuss such things anymore, so I can only relate my feelings in a different way.

War is beyond argument. I feel that to argue who started a war, who had to right to defend themselves, that children and innocent people on both sides were killed, or any revisionist historical claims are truly missing the point for Christians. No, the issue goes to why humans engage in war to this day, and have not found within their own humanity a better way to solve their differences.

The problem with noble statements about hating war is that there is an even deeper concern. Some wars are started not as acts of preemptive defense, or because of unresolved differences. Many times, wars are brought to us because of the perverse lust for power and control over others. We certainly see such extreme examples in the likes of Hitler, Stalin, and others.

This brings us to an even more troublesome contradiction. Do we as Christians find there are times when it is justified to engage in war to defeat those whose only drive is lust for victory and power? Or, do we stand down, turn the other cheek, and beg God for a miracle that will end the madness. The only thing I can do for now is stand down as a Christian - but, to not judge those whose conscience demands that at times good people must rise up and do something to stop those who would kill everyone in their path.

Jim Whitney

11

I Need Your Support...Pretty Please?

by HadEnuf in

jw
friends

well...i know i shouldn't take advantage of all my friends here on the forum...but what the heck...i'm going to ask this anyway.

i have no shame.

my son's band, tree of woe, is currently in rotation on wifc, 95.5 in wisconsin...with their single "mushroom cloud", from their new album of the same name.

Amazing1914

Hi Cathy,

I listened to Mushroom Cloud on the link you provided. I don't know if WIFC reaches the Chicago area, but I will tune in as see if I can get it. Let your son know that his band and music are very talented, and should get a lot of recognition in the music world. Thanks for sharing this, and asking for support. It is our pleasure.

Jim Whitney

19

Fascinating development in sex-abuse cases!

by hornetsnest in

i dont get on here very often, but when i saw this i figured that you would like to know about it.

it seems that the catholic church here in oregon (u. s.

) is doing everything possible to shield its assets from the sex-abuse liability they have incurred.

Amazing1914

Hi no apology,

How do you figure something like this will hurt the Tower? They have gone to great lengths to keep their assets divvied up among hundreds of legal corporations. Kingdom Halls are owned by the local congregations, despite myths to the contrary that appear far too often on the board.

First, as cases get fought in the courts, and one large class action is victorious, then all Watchtower assets could be at risk. Dividing assets no longer is a solid shield.

Second, The Kingdom Halls have always been, and continue to be, locally owned. The only change after the Bonham, TX case, was that the Watctower Society is named as the beneficiary in the event of the demise of the congregation.

However, if this Oregon case is won, which is substantially different in its claims than the Wisconsin case. The Wisconsin case, the Priest can go after the victim. Whereas in the Oregon case each congregant or member will be jointly held liable before the court. So, if an Elder is found guilty of molestation, then the Society, and the local congregation and "now" each member will have to pay up a shared liabiliy. Therefore, a JW in such a congregation, denending on the size of the judgment, could get a bill for thousands or tens of thousands of dollars. It will behoove JWs to leave the religion given their track record of hiding child abuse.

Jim W.

19

Fascinating development in sex-abuse cases!

by hornetsnest in

i dont get on here very often, but when i saw this i figured that you would like to know about it.

it seems that the catholic church here in oregon (u. s.

) is doing everything possible to shield its assets from the sex-abuse liability they have incurred.

Amazing1914

bttt ... I really think this is a major case that could spell doom for the JWs.