Posts by AnneB

20

Has anyone else experienced this?

by ToesUp in

jw
friends

my spouse and i have faded 4+ years ago.

we know the jw rumor mill has gotten back to our family that we no longer attend.

most of our family is out of state.

AnneB

Every response you get will be pure speculation. Who knows what someone else really thinks? Either ask them directly or let it go; no one here or anywhere else can give you accurate information about your own situation.

Of course similar things happen with other families, you've read enough on this board to know that.

My thought is you just want people to commiserate with you. Toughen up. Every tub has to stand on its own bottom. Walk your own road. Come to your own conclusions. Live your own life your way.

8

JWs and invasion of privacy

by deanxxx in

hi all.. so i had a jw visit me at home accusing me of telling stories about another jw.

i said something to a friend in a private message on facebook who went on to share what i said with a jw (third party) who then shared it with another jw (fourth party).

my question is.

AnneB

You're still the kid who won't stick up for himself:

1, The minute you realized that the JW was meddling you should have told the JW exactly where to get off...and then refused to continue the conversation (in other words, silence).

2. You're looking for someone to do your fighting for you. Forget what Facebook's rules are in the UK, either own up to what you said in the PM and/or learn to keep your thoughts to yourself. Don't expect anyone else (i.e., FB) to straighten out your messes.

That's the reality of life today. Adapt.

22

Watchtower/Bethelite Volunteers and US Self Employment or FICA Tax?

by EnlightenedEphesian in

with so many aging bethelites being "laid off" after years of volunteer service, what hope do they have of collecting any social security retirement?

i ask because i recently learned that my mother will not receive any government retirement benefits because she did not work enough to collect the 40 credits required.

this got me to thinking about bethel volunteers.

AnneB

The "volunteers" cannot pay self-employment tax, they don't meet the IRS requirements for self-employed people.

I seem tp remember a case a few years ago where a Bethelite filed a claim for some kind of benefits and won, WT had to pay. Maybe there's a thread about it in the archives. I don't mean the one about the auto accident, this was for health benefits or similar, maybe even for unemployment, if anyone cares to look it up.

36

“Well…it was a test”, says a laid-off Bethelite

by My Name is of No Consequence in

i got this account second hand.

a former bethelite was reassigned to a local congregation.

he had been at bethel for years and is now in his fifties.

AnneB

Steve2 and others, There is a difference between SSI and SSA. For SSA one must work and earn credits before receiving a benefit. SSI is not based on earnings but on age (at least 65) or disability. Please note that there is a difference between MediCare and MediCaid as well; the latter is for low income individuals who meet certain requirements. The laid off Bethelite may indeed be eligible for SSI and Medicaid as well as EBT which is based on income, not longevity.

Another benefit may be subsidized housing. It's difficult to get in a large city (wait lists) but in smaller towns it doesn't take long at all. Rent is topped out at 30% of adjusted income.

This ex-Bethelite rode the gravy train for how many years, now it's time for him to learn how others live. He made the choice, he pays the price...not forgetting that he also reaped the benefits and, it seems, is still reaping them since he is known by the term (ex)Bethelite. In the $ecular world (which is what we're talking about here) that designation just doesn't carry any weight at all. There are ways to survive but you have to learn what they are and apply them.

36

“Well…it was a test”, says a laid-off Bethelite

by My Name is of No Consequence in

i got this account second hand.

a former bethelite was reassigned to a local congregation.

he had been at bethel for years and is now in his fifties.

AnneB

Cheer up! When he's 65 he can apply for SSI. If he has a serious medical condition or other disability he may qualify for SSD sooner than that. He can always apply for EBT ("food stamps") and Medicaid if his income is low enough. Otherwise he'll have to work at whatever he can find and take his lumps with the rest of us.

No special sympathy here, life happens. Deal with it.

28

Women are a "stack of bones and a hank of hair" - J.F. Rutherford

by krismalone in

i have heard rumors and anecdotes of j.f.

rutherford calling women "a hank of hair and a stack of bones" but i never thought it was documented.

well thanks to jwfacts i finally found the quote in print.. this j.f.

AnneB

Millie210, you are correct, Rutherford was quoting from a poem called "The Vampire" by Rudyard Kipling. It's online if anyone wants to look.

In the poem a man is enamored of a faithless woman and can't see it but his friends can. The phrase that Rutherford quoted he did quite accurately since he was discussing losing out on the heavenly calling to chase after something not worth the time and effort. Rutherford was not being sexist, he wasn't dissing women, he was pointing out what a loss it would be to pursue such a course.

Quoting well-known poetry is a technique used in public speaking by persons with a classical education. It's the unenlightened who tear him apart in their ignorance.

26

Hit by a car evacuating due to oroville dam. Ever been hit?

by Wasanelder Once in

went back to get info from driver who tapped our car in line of cars exiting the area.

after getting her info, she waited till i walked back to our car and punched the gas, hitting me.

then drove off.

AnneB

Went back to get info from driver who tapped our car in line of cars exiting the area. After getting her info, she waited till i walked back to our car and punched the gas, hitting me. Then drove off. was dark and raining and the scene full of panic. No charges filed but insurance all round. Cops hunted her down. Anyone else been run down by a nutjob? How did it turn out? I may need pins in my hand.

So far not a word said on behalf of the woman involved in this mishap...

It's just possible that she didn't mean to hit you at all. Perhaps she was already rattled by the evacuation and, in her upset, either hit the wrong pedal or hit with too much force and couldn't recover before you were injured! Driving off after giving you her ID and insurance information seems to show that she had no ill intent, so why impute such to her? "Dark, raining, and the scene full of panic."... and no one can see that she's not a "nutjob" as much as a woman in fright?

26

What are some of the best movies ,musical catergory you have seen .

by smiddy in

some that come to mind for me.. seven brides for seven brothers.

brigadoon.

carmen.

AnneB

Maytime (1937) Nelson Eddy & Jeanette MacDonald (as are most of my favorites)

Rose-Marie (1936) "Indian Love Call" Beautiful!

Naughty Marietta (1935) "Ah, Sweet Mystery of Life" She sings it well!

San Francisco (1936) The church scene is even better than the final songs.

12

One Big Family... Except For When You Need Them

by pale.emperor in

when i was in, we all used to claim us jw's were "one big family" all around the world, and how we're the happiest people on the earth.

except that isnt true is it?

i knew that when i was in, but i've just had some news which shows me how unloving, uncaring and un-family like they really are.. my ex-best friend (he has to shun me doesn't he?

AnneB

In my opinion, "helping" with material assistance isn't the right way to go. Anything given from cash to housing to goods will likely be considered a "blessing from Jehovah" thus reinforcing their belief that their life course is on target.

They're not alone; remember that they each have biological family who have life experience and resources. They've been through the educational system, they have access to information from the media. In other words, this situation, while unique to them, isn't uncommon and there is help "out there" if they choose to use it.

The better course is to allow them how to handle the matter themselves. They'll get there even if it takes a few more losses before it happens. Show them respect, let them work it out as adults; don't play "parent" and stunt their chances for real growth.

'

12

One Big Family... Except For When You Need Them

by pale.emperor in

when i was in, we all used to claim us jw's were "one big family" all around the world, and how we're the happiest people on the earth.

except that isnt true is it?

i knew that when i was in, but i've just had some news which shows me how unloving, uncaring and un-family like they really are.. my ex-best friend (he has to shun me doesn't he?

AnneB

Can this couple file a claim against the house owner's homeowners insurance?