Yes, I know Cynthia died a while back, but this crap was going on long before she did, so she did in fact suffer financial loss because of the bootlegging. Now it's more a matter of principle and secondarily, helping Ms. Dykstra recover her legal costs for protecting the integrity of Ray's work. It's only fair, and she deserves whatever gain she winds up with. She's not trying to gouge anybody.
under the radar
JoinedPosts by under the radar
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75
Ray's Books. And Copyrights!
by DwainBowman inthe copyright owner has posted a message on the internet, and can be found below!.
ray franz.
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75
Ray's Books. And Copyrights!
by DwainBowman inthe copyright owner has posted a message on the internet, and can be found below!.
ray franz.
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under the radar
If we download or distribute a copy of Flocking the Sheep, we are helping expose some of the inner workings of a self-serving money-grubbing mind-control cult, not taking bread out of the mouth of a poor widow. Big difference.
There is no monetary value to Flocking the Sheep. The Watchtower's copyright for it and other "confidential" material is purely an effort to hide their true machinations and intentions from their victims, uh, I mean, followers. The Society has always been legalistic, but now more than ever it has become duplicitous and underhanded, greedy and grasping, and evermore self-aggrandizing, arrogant, and presumptuous.
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75
Ray's Books. And Copyrights!
by DwainBowman inthe copyright owner has posted a message on the internet, and can be found below!.
ray franz.
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under the radar
I am very glad Ray's books will be legitimately available again. I have two hardback copies of each, plus a password protected PDF of each, ALL purchased from Commentary Press while Ray was still alive.
After Ray's death, when some here would talk of downloading bootleg copies, I would always try to discourage that by saying it was like stealing from Ray's widow.
I have no doubt that those who promoted downloading copies or even sold unauthorized reprints were well-intentioned. Maybe they thought the copyright died with Mrs. Franz and that profits from sales could no longer benefit her anyway. But now that they know the copyright survived her and the books are being put back in print legitimately, they should do whatever they can to make things right. One way they can demonstrate that their motives were pure would be to donate all profits they have made to the legitimate copyright holder and immediately stop selling any more copies. They should also stop distributing bootleg PDFs or e-books or even telling others where to find them online.
I'm going to suggest that Ms. Dykstra hire a professional narrator to record the books as audiobooks or mp3's and offer those as add-on or stand alone products. The guy who did Watchtower Comments would be my first choice. I have no idea who he is, but he has an excellent voice and I'm sure he would do a great job. I, for one, would be glad to pay for an audio version recorded by him or someone like him. That would make it easy to enjoy the books while walking or driving. And for those who can't have a hard copy at home for whatever reason, it would be a way to hear what Ray had to say without jeopardizing their personal situation.
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The greatest movies ever made.......
by The Rebel inand they were amazing, 8 years of my boy growing up captured on a few films i once made.. the past is of course not the only thing to look forward to, but as i watch these movies i see so many acts of love and so many perfect times that i had forgotten.. so my question is do you have " the greatest ( photos) or movies in your collection" that you may have neglected?
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if so my xmas present to you is, take them out the drawer and dust the cobwebs away...... the rebel..
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under the radar
I love old family films and videos! The videos you take today will be treasure family heirlooms one day when you're long gone and your kids look through them.
After my folks were gone, my sister and I shared the cost of having all of their videos transferred to DVD. The original VHS tapes are pretty fragile, so it's probably not a good idea to play them very much. But the digital copies on computer and DVD make it very easy to watch them anytime and anywhere and share them with other family members too. I'm in the process of putting them in order, editing out the bad spots, and making an index to the major scenes so we can find exactly the one we want without a bunch of searching back and forth. As each one is done, I post it as Unlisted on YouTube and then share the link with whoever I think might be interested. It's a great way to share family videos and pics without having to burn DVDs and mail them out.
I'm doing the same with all my folks' 8 mm films. I transferred those myself by taping them on Hi8 as they were being projected into a small device with mirrors made specifically for this. Then I converted the Hi8 tape to digital using an adapter and software from Elgato. Now I'm using iMovie for editing and enhancements before burning to DVD or sharing on Facebook. It takes some time, but it's well worth it and lots of fun to do. I've already found lots of family gold in scenes I never knew existed.
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Back again
by Lostandfound inbeen absent for more than 10 years as i have had surgery sand radiation etc for brain tumour.
was in icu for 6 months and lost hearing in one ear, most of sight and physical disabilities.
was a member then just before simon emigrated to us, he had lived quite near me in uk.
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under the radar
Hello Lostandfound! We don't know each other, but welcome back. I'm so sorry for all you've gone through, but very glad to see that you've recovered enough the rejoin us here.
Just a thought: if it's worth the effort to you, perhaps if you'd PM Simon with what you remember of your old log-in, threads you started or remember posting on, etc., he might be able to recover your old ID and posting record and merge it with your new ID. Or maybe you would choose to take up your old ID where you left off. Either way, reading your old posts might help with your memory issues and give the rest of us some context of where you're coming from.
Regardless, welcome back! Looking forward to hearing whatever you want to say. Take care.
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HOMECOMING (The story of two people I met in a bar)
by Terry inhomecoming.
my good friend bob and i usually try to get together on friday to listen to live music someplace and decompress from the week's pressures.
robby knew betty back in high school.
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under the radar
Great story, Terry. You do indeed have a knack for story-telling. Looking forward to your next one.
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HAPPILY (NEVER) AFTER --a Story from my childhood
by Terry inhappily never after.
(remembrance from my childhood).
hers was a primal scream, cutting me with an icy blade of accusation..
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under the radar
Thanks for another great story, Terry. I felt I was right there with you, desperately wanting to help Lily-May but being powerless to do so. Your tales reveal an unusual talent for moving people and stirring emotions in quite unexpected ways. Bravo!
I know it's just a meaningless coincidence, but my mother's name was Lillie Mae. Absolutely not the woman in your story, but it piqued my interest just the same.
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WORDS MY FATHER NEVER SPOKE
by Terry inwords my father never spoke.
"the last time i saw wes he was standing over your baby bed reciting something from--oh, i don't know--shakespeare or the old testament.
then, he leaned down to kiss you instead of picking you up.
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under the radar
Another great story, Terry! Trust me, we'll stay with you. It's a heckuva ride. -
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THE MAN WHO HUNG THE MOON (A true family history)
by Terry inthe man who hung the moon .
(a story from my family's history).
she never spoke about her parents, except to say they had been murdered.
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under the radar
Terry, thank you so much for sharing some of your family history. My heart dropped when I read what your mother did with your watch. It seems so unloving and uncaring, just a total disregard of what your feelings might be on the matter. In your place, I might eventually be able to forgive my mother, but I would never, ever, forget the lack of respect and common decency that allowed such a selfish act.
I completely understand that recent family incidents can sour one's enthusiasm for learning more about common forebears. Unsavory episodes from the past that come to light can easily discourage one from investigating further for fear of what might be discovered. There were certainly a few in my own family.
But I came to view family history as just that. Those involved are long dead, and who can know all the circumstances and what was truly in their heart? Family relationships and interactions can be far more complicated that the most complex watch ever made. Detailed police reports and excruciatingly graphic newspaper accounts of the day still do not give the whole picture. There are things in my family's past that I would be mortally ashamed of or embarrassed about if they happened today, or even in recent memory. There are other things I might take pride in until I realize I had absolutely nothing to do with it. So now I look at these tales as pieces of a puzzle, and I enjoy trying to put together the whole picture so I can understand what happened more fully. My family history doesn't reflect on who I am as a person in any way. Some of it is quite fascinating and would be great fodder for a movie. Some of it is downright scandalous. But either way, it's just history. Period.
Whether you share it with us or not, I encourage you to look further into your family history. The story of how you came to have that watch is a precious memory no one can take from you. The watch itself would be a wonderful memento, but the treasure is the underlying love and the family story of how it came to you. Who knows? There may be other treasures out there, just waiting to be discovered. Good luck!
PS: I join Marina in encouraging you to write and post more stories like this. I thoroughly enjoy them.
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35 Years Ago Today - John Lennon - Peace Advocate was Murdered
by flipper inin this age of violence with the san bernardino and france massacres sometimes it's good to reflect on the wise words of the peace advocates among us who proposed a better solution in bringing a more civil society to our universe.
john lennon, martin luther king jr. - people who stood up for equal rights and world peace and denounced violence and war - no matter how that violence occurs.
please feel free to comment on stories of john lennon on this thread and feel free to post any you tubes of his music that you may have enjoyed through the years.
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under the radar
Hi Flipper. I agree with you that no one is perfect. In fact, I can't think of a single person throughout history who achieved anything great who didn't also have their bad side, to a greater or lesser degree. Since we're all imperfect, I think we just have to let their accomplishments stand on their own merits and not let the "sins" of the person overshadow the good they did.
Just a few examples, in no particular order:
Isaac Newton discovered scientific principles that helped make possible many of modern society's advancements and achievements, but he was also an alchemist (which he kept secret for many years).
George Washington helped lead the budding United States to independence and was its first President, declining to be made King when it was his for the asking. But he also kept slaves, bequeathing them to his heirs like property.
Abraham Lincoln preserved the Union and freed the slaves, but he never viewed them as the social equivalent to whites. He held views that would be considered racist today.
John F. Kennedy, against the advice of his military advisors, quite possibly prevented World War III by the way he handled the Cuban Missile Crisis of 1962. He also laid the basis for the Civil Rights Act, but he was a serial adulterer all his adult life.
Martin Luther King accomplished a great deal as a moral and spiritual leader of millions of people, preaching non-violence and reconciliation instead of inciting a race war. But he too was a serial adulterer with a penchant for very young girls.
Walt Disney and his ideas brought happiness and joy to millions upon millions world-wide. But he is also known to have been an anti-semite.
Bill Cosby entertained millions for many years and he undeniably furthered the cause of civi rights by his words and deeds. But recently revealed news about certain sexual proclivities put him in a completely different light.
Benjamin Franklin had a great scientific mind. Some of his inventions and discoveries are still in use today. He helped found the United States. But his sexual peccadilloes are renown and he was cold and indifferent, if not cruel, to some of those closest to him, including his wife.
According to the Bible, King David was the "Anointed of Jehovah," destined to provide the line through which mankind's savior was to come. But he was also a murderer, adulterer, and schemer, and was directly responsible for the unnecessary deaths of thousands upon thousands.
There could be many, many more examples. Some quite a bit more egregious than these. But my point is that a person's achievements can and sometimes should overshadow their personal shortcomings, and must be judged on their own merits. Nothing good comes from trying to rewrite history. It is simply wrong to try to erase or besmirch the memory of people who achieved a measure of greatness because other aspects of their lives don't measure up or aren't "politically correct" today. We have to view people and events in the light of historical context. Yes, expose it all, good and bad. Then you and I can decide for ourselves whether the good they achieved outweighs the bad.
One more example: You cannot prove from the Bible that slavery is wrong. It does provide a few rules and regulations regarding slavery, such as distinguishing between fellow Israelite and non-Israelite slaves and codifying the acquisition and disposition of captured "sex slaves," but nowhere does it condemn it. In fact, it is presented as a societal norm. Even in the New Testament, slaves are commanded to be obedient to their masters in all things. And there are many other things in the Bible that are abhorrent and repulsive to most any modern-day "civilized" human being. But that doesn't mean that everything in the Bible must be rejected, or that it contains no guidelines applicable today. Each account, teaching, or principle needs to weighed on its own merit. I think the same applies even more to individuals and the different aspects of their lives.
Please remit 2ยข for this insightful and pedantic diatribe.