Posts by Billygoat

73

Barbara Bush: Hurricane victims better off, were "underpriviledged anyway"

by professor in

.

now we know where gw gets his "compassionate conservatism" from:.

hurricane katrina victims in houston, texas were "underprivileged anyway" and life in the astrodome sports arena is "working very well for them," former first lady barbara bush says....

Billygoat

:how CAN we expect her to "get it"?
By using the intellectual tool of "empathy", just like all of us have to in order to understand situations we can't personally "feel" or live.

Eeeks. Are we talking about empathy again? I agree with you Six, but some people, just don't have that capability. We can get angry all we want over it, but it doesn't reduce the fact that some are just too far removed from a situation to even have the basic empathy skills. I'm not saying that's Mrs. Bush's issue, but a possibility. Flower, I agree with you to a certain extent. Ultimately we ALL have to take responsibility for our actions...intentionally harmful or not. How many times have ALL of us done or said something that later we deeply regret? How many times have you said something and then later it hits you and you think, "What the h*** was I thinking?" All I was saying is I don't think her hoof in mouth disease makes her a bad person. If it does, then we're ALL screwed. Perhaps it makes Mrs. Bush ignorant and uncouth? Maybe. Or brusque and insensitive? Maybe. I don't think it makes her a villain. This past week, in the midst of all going on down here, I am just been made very aware of giving grace. What I mean by that is, focusing on what's basic and important and doing what I can to serve someone that needs to be served. Sure, be angry about insensitive comments. Sure, let's discuss who's fault it is that this whole mess happened. But NOT if it gets in the way of something constructive and positive happening to those that need help in the immediate. Do those issues need to be addressed? Of course. They are valid questions and opinions that need to be aired and heard. I don't want to minimize that for anyone. I just think a lot of people waste time and energy focusing on JUST the negative, when there are so many other needs that need to be fulfilled and the aren't because people are too busy arguing. That's all. I'm not pointing a finger at you personally...but everyone in the midst of tragedy and chaos could use a little grace. I know I need it. I covet it. I'll ask for it if the situation arises. Perhaps even in this thread? I give it wherever I possibly can. Love, Andi

73

Barbara Bush: Hurricane victims better off, were "underpriviledged anyway"

by professor in

.

now we know where gw gets his "compassionate conservatism" from:.

hurricane katrina victims in houston, texas were "underprivileged anyway" and life in the astrodome sports arena is "working very well for them," former first lady barbara bush says....

Billygoat

(((((flower))))))

For the former first lady to make a comment like that at this point and time while those peoples relatives have yet to be pulled from the water is despicable. She should be offering them therapy to get over the horror that they have experienced in losing their family members so tragically not telling them to focus on the new apartment in Texas or the free food they will get for the next few months.

I agree. Couple points though...

I'm not excusing that Barbara Bush...but sometimes we ALL say things that are just inappropriate. She is well-known and her comments just happened to be captured on air. I thank God I don't have a camera on me as much as some political and entertainment celebrities - I stick my foot in my mouth all the time. Sometimes when you don't know what to say, you just say the wrong things, even when your intention is to comfort.

It's been a long time since Barbara or anyone in the Bush family has been in want for anything. They DON'T understand what these people have gone through - they didn't go through it. Thus stupid comments are made that are insensitive. Just like people who are not JWs, don't understand why we don't just walk from the religion. They haven't been there. They don't mean to be @$$holes, but they just don't get it.

I don't think Barbara's comments were appropriate, but at the same time, how CAN we expect her to "get it"?

34

Happy 60th Birthday Mulan!

by Princess in

jw
friends

today is the big day!

mom is in vegas with my dad, oldest brother and his wife.

she told me she was bringing her laptop so post your birthday greetings below.. .

Billygoat

((((((Marilyn)))))

Happy birthday!!!

5

Question regarding Katrina

by sunshineToo in

jw
friends

katrina was a catagory 4 hurricane and andrew was a catagory 5 hurricane.

why are there more dead people and damage with katrina then andrew?

is it because of flood?.

Billygoat

Katrina was a Catagory 4 hurricane and Andrew was a Catagory 5 hurricane. Why are there more dead people and damage with Katrina then Andrew? Is it because of flood?

From what I understand, the storm itself was bad, but it was the flooding after the levee broke that was so deadly. Like everyone said, with the city being under sea level, it was a disaster waiting to happen. But like all tragedies in life, you never really realize how bad things could be until the worst has happened.

If we all lived in areas where Mother Nature's wrath didn't hit, what area of the US would be available? The west coast has earthquakes and mudslides, the north and north east have blizzards, the midwest and plain states have tornadoes, the gulf cost and west coast have hurricanes, floods and forest fires could happen almost in all of those areas.. There is no guaranteed safe place anywhere in this country. You just have to decide what you can live with and then live with it. We are not completely safe anywhere.

13

Just returned from New Orleans

by Bryan in

jw
friends

i just returned from a visit to see my mother and then our home in the new orleans area.

we first stayed in dallas with cruzan heart and big tex.

while there we hooked up with bubbamar and her girlfriend dee.

Billygoat

(((((((Bryan)))))))))) I am so glad you and the family are doing okay. I'm so sorry to hear about the damage on your apartment, but glad to hear that you still have some belongings unharmed. I can only imagine what it was like to see your home like that. I'm not sure I'd have what it takes to be so brave. Please let us know if/when you're in Dallas again. I'm sorry I missed you this go round.

Still not sure where we’re going to land.

You can land here! Texas is a pretty awesome state!

Love,

Andi

12

Bubbamar update

by Bubbamar in

jw
friends

hello friends.

i just wanted to post a little update on our situation.

so many of you have been so helpful, generous, kind, supportive and caring -- it is truly mindblowing and has been the bright spot in this nightmare.

Billygoat

I'm sure I will go back when I can handle it emotionally - but it will be hard to be face to face with all that I lost.

Marla, you don't have to go back until you're ready. Until then, you have a temporary home available. Consider Dallas your home until Atlanta becomes a viable option. We're happy to have you!

9

Any reports on KH destroyed in New Orleans?

by Billygoat in

jw
friends

talked to my dad briefly about the new orleans situation a couple days ago.

he said the report is that there were as many as 29 kingdom halls destroyed.

i realize new orleans was big, but i have a hard time believing this.

Billygoat

Talked to my dad briefly about the New Orleans situation a couple days ago. He said the report is that there were as many as 29 Kingdom Halls destroyed. I realize New Orleans was big, but I have a hard time believing this. Does anyone have any definitive information???

Andi

12

Lehaa's Update

by Lehaa in

jw
friends

hi ya all,.

haven't been around too much, if not at all.. been real busy getting on with my life.. am now in a great relationship, with a fantastic guy, just about to buy a house and now ride a motorbike.. met andy about 5 months ago through a friend who posts here from time to time (smack).

was chatting to him online one night whinning how i was sick of sitting at home alone night after night, needed to meet some new people.

Billygoat

(((Lehaa)))

What an awesome story! Isn't it great to have such a wonderful man in your life? My life was good before I met Mozz, but when he came...man, I didn't think it could get any better! It's good to hear that you're well!

Just thought i'd share to encourage those out there in the same situation I was only 18 months ago, deserted by an organisation that said they'd alaws be there for me. Desperate, hurt and very, very lonely. Every cloud does have a silver lining.

That is sooo true!!! IF you're willing to look for it!

Andi

12

Bubbamar update

by Bubbamar in

jw
friends

hello friends.

i just wanted to post a little update on our situation.

so many of you have been so helpful, generous, kind, supportive and caring -- it is truly mindblowing and has been the bright spot in this nightmare.

Billygoat

BTTT

12

Bubbamar update

by Bubbamar in

jw
friends

hello friends.

i just wanted to post a little update on our situation.

so many of you have been so helpful, generous, kind, supportive and caring -- it is truly mindblowing and has been the bright spot in this nightmare.

Billygoat

I told her to tell her elders thank you for allowing her to extend the offer - and she said that she didn't have to ask the elders - that in "dire need they can jump in."

Haha! Nice little comment - Love it!!! (For those you who haven't met Marla, she is a very sweet, gentle, and soft spoken person.) I had no idea you could be such a smart @$$! LOL! I knew I liked you!