my site (
http://www.watchtowerinformationservice.org/
) has been visited by people from 97 different countries.
Oh, I was born in Danbury, CT, raised in North Carolina (Fayetteville & Charlotte), then Brooklyn, NY, now Bay Area of California.
And lovin' it for I can now walk to the beach, just as I've always dreamed of doing.
I'd love to live in the Netherlands though - Vivamus is so right - it's a GREAT country!!
my site (
http://www.watchtowerinformationservice.org/
) has been visited by people from 97 different countries.
Hey, WELCOME GEDDYLEE!!!!
2 thumbs up for fellow Rush enthusiasts!!! I missed them in concert a month ago and I'm kicking myself over and over again for it, for they are truly the most underated Rock band ever.
I take it you're from Canada. :-P
today in florence 500,000 people demonstrate against bush and a possible war against iraq .
vive la italie!
I understand your points and position. You asked what are the options to war? Well, I think this country should take a serious look at why any other country would WANT to use those horrible weapons against us in the first place. What has this country done to provoke such anger from others? In Iraqs case it's the US sanctions imposed on them - I think that's where the focus should start - at the root of the problem. Going to war will definitely solve the problem of ousting him, but it seems to me it would only be a temporary success, for the hatred against the USA would still exist amongst the people and the new leader.
I don't have all the answers, and I'm not a gung-ho anti-war person, I just don't like to see war take out countless innocent civilians. The Gulf War was cool because although unfortunately there were civilian casualties, there weren't a whole lot of them (so we're told), however this war in Baghdad would cost tons of lives, and that's my concern. It just saddens me. I don't care what country you're from, I never wish to see innocent people suffer. Just do all you can do to remedy the situation WITHOUT war, and then if nothing works, leave it as the last resort. I think this one week thing is a good thing, actually, for he's had plenty of time already to make this happen.
In regards to oil, true Iraq isn't importing oil, and no we're not hurting, but that doesn't mean Bush doesn't want more. His whole family is in the oil business, and I don't see anything convincing me otherwise that this Iraq invasion will not somehow put cash into his pocket. I could be wrong, but I could be right too. :-)
At any rate, I totally agree Sadaam is an evil bastard and needs to be ousted. If it comes down to war, then so be it - I understasnd why people are protesting, but I can't say that I feel as strongly about it as they do. I just really dislike Bush - he's a bullshit artist in my opinion, and it seems like the only ones that don't see it that way are in one particular region of the USA. I don't mean to offend anyone by that remark, I'm just stating the truth. I just hope America doesn't end up seriously regretting voting him to office....
today in florence 500,000 people demonstrate against bush and a possible war against iraq .
vive la italie!
Helping others to gain that freedom that they desire it is what we really are fighting for, not oil.Exactly who is the USA helping gain freedom? Did bombing Afghanistan to pieces REALLY help the people there? Did the Gulf War REALLY help the Iraqi people, cuz from what I read the US purposely took out their water system thus causing a severe increase in infectious diseases, poverty, etc....
I can't believe people still really believe in this corrupt system, ESPECIALLY the USA. This is not about oil?!?!? hahahaha
Funny how the whole pursuit of Osama has died off. Did you know that the Bush family has business ties (a.k.a OIL MONEY) with Osama and his family? Wake up dude - this is all about greed - all Bush cares about is his bank account. If he really cared about this country and other countries he'd put more emphasis on environmental issues, like our neighbor Canada who are taking drastic measures to CONSERVE energy, not gobble up the rest of the earth's dwindling resources like USA.
Iraqi oil isn't really that important, is it? Too many others have oil for us and the world to purchase.What's unimportant about Iraqi oil? The USA will take any and all they can get - we're the biggest users and want/need as much as possible for the cheapest price. I'm telling ya, Bush wants more control.
I do agree that Sadaam is evil and I don't like the fact that he hasn't allowed inspectors in for awhile. but to solve that....allow the inspectors in (which was agreed upon MONTHS ago) - if they find nukes and other harmful weapons, destroy them. I don't know...just seems like they could get this guy out of office without having to blow up the whole country and leave thousands of innocent civilians dead, maimed and impoverished for years on end.
I find it interesting how the threat suddenly turned from Osama to Sadaam just like that. The Al-Qaeda is still a very large threat, yet suddenly Sadaam is a bigger one, yet there's been no concrete proof of him having nukes or threatening to use them. Go figure.
i have been up watching saturday night fever, made in the year 1977. funny thing i noticed , the club that the tony(john travolta) dances at is called 2001 odessey.
i thought god , i was 10 or 11 when that movie came out.
i wanted to see it so bad, but good jw's would never see such a movie, the disco era right.
Hey luvvin_brovva (sp?) - drop me a line. I'm a DJ/Producer as well - would love to chat ya up...
Yeah, i'm pursuing my dreams, and they're unfolding slowly but surely. I've invested thousands in musical equipment and i'm starting to gig at nightclubs in the bay area as a house dj. The goal is to own my own record label and make a living doing the thing i do best - playing music.
Granted, I could've been a musician as a Witness, but the drawback w/ that is the Witness life demands a lot of your personal time (meetings, field service, studying, blah-blah). Going to night clubs is frowned upon, so i don't think playing at one would be the most "Christian thing to do." hahaha
I also feel really good about being able to do all types of research on other religions, and to ponder on them with an open mind, instead of automatically thinking they are wrong. Being able to study ancient philosophies and traditions is quite eye-opening. I really feel like i'm just now starting to live and discover what the world is really like and what's REALLY going on. All of my info before came straight from the Society's publications, which were enlightening at times, yes, but always one-sided and tainted with their beliefs.
At any rate, i'm happy! I have a great girlfriend i wanna spend the rest of my life w/, a great job, a cool car (convertible mustang) w/o feeling like i'm being labeled as "materialistic", awesome friends, and i can party like i want to without feeling guilty for missing the meeting on sunday morning. Life is good.
ever since leaving 4 years ago, at least twice a week i have dreams of old friends, and sometimes i wake up crying, laughing, etc., depending on what it was about.
the ones that bother me the most involve me walking down columbia heights seeing old bethelite friends, and they all look at me weird because i have dreds and earrings now, but they still talk to me.
but they have this look of disgust on their faces, like i'm not good enough for them anymore.
LB,
One thing about being raised a Witness is that it prevented me realizing what the world is really like. I was way too trusting w/ numerous people because I felt most people were naturally trustworthy, such as most of the friends left behind amongst the dubs. You definitely gotta watch your steps a lot closer and be a LOT more selective of friends, that's for sure.
I'm working on it, it's a slow process but it's coming along.
thanks for the input....
jay
ever since leaving 4 years ago, at least twice a week i have dreams of old friends, and sometimes i wake up crying, laughing, etc., depending on what it was about.
the ones that bother me the most involve me walking down columbia heights seeing old bethelite friends, and they all look at me weird because i have dreds and earrings now, but they still talk to me.
but they have this look of disgust on their faces, like i'm not good enough for them anymore.
Robyn,
That's true, they could be shunning me. I guess I'm fortunate in that regard, we still talk on the phone periodically.
Thanks for your comments, I really appreciate the support.
Take care,
jason
my name is laurie fitzwater (formerly gendreau).
i was raised in fl and lived in bradenton.
i know a lot of people from sarasota as well.
Hi,
I had some friends that moved to Bradenton for a few years from Connecticut. The Talarino's - really REALLY cool family.
Ring any bells? I have no idea what part of Bradenton....but this was back in the late 80's early 90's i believe..
-jason
ever since leaving 4 years ago, at least twice a week i have dreams of old friends, and sometimes i wake up crying, laughing, etc., depending on what it was about.
the ones that bother me the most involve me walking down columbia heights seeing old bethelite friends, and they all look at me weird because i have dreds and earrings now, but they still talk to me.
but they have this look of disgust on their faces, like i'm not good enough for them anymore.
Ever since leaving 4 years ago, at least twice a week I have dreams of old friends, and sometimes I wake up crying, laughing, etc., depending on what it was about. The ones that bother me the most involve me walking down Columbia Heights seeing old Bethelite friends, and they all look at me weird because I have dreds and earrings now, but they still talk to me. But they have this look of disgust on their faces, like I'm not good enough for them anymore. In these dreams I walk through Bethel and am labeled as the "weak one" or the one that "needs encouragement." I wake up from these dreams frustrated, and they always seem SO REAL, that's what's scary. But it hurts a lot, knowing that most of my previous friends no longer view me as their friend anymore.
My family thinks I left to "pursue my own selfish desires" although I've repeatedly told them numerous reasons why I left, all of them having to do with my thoughts on the organization. They don't understand "how I could turn my back on my family and friends to pursue my own life" and I can't seem to explain to them how this isn't anything remotely like that. I've used illustrations (such as 'if you grew up in a gang-related family and then wanted out after awhile, would you stay in just so you could be w/ your family, or would you be true to your hearts desire and leave?") but even that only provoked a "do what you need to do" response. They still can't seem to understand, and I don't know how anyone could NOT understand.
So frustrating. I wish I could make the dreams go away. I really miss my friends a LOT. Not as easy making friends as it used to be....
i have received inquiries about how i was trained by spirit as a psychologist.
i was led to many sources of enlightenment.
books routinely was i led to that it was important i read.
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