Posts by Juan Viejo2

41

Here's the latest news on the Candace Conti case

by God_Delusion in

hi guys,.

i've been speaking with kathleen (candace's mother) and with sami (a close family friend) and they told me the latest news on the candace conti vs. the watchtower society court case.. read it here - http://www.jehovahswitnessblog.com/jw-lawsuits/latest-on-the-candace-conti-vs-the-watchtower-society-case/.

love,.

Juan Viejo2

Right on the money, Outlaw...

JV

41

Here's the latest news on the Candace Conti case

by God_Delusion in

hi guys,.

i've been speaking with kathleen (candace's mother) and with sami (a close family friend) and they told me the latest news on the candace conti vs. the watchtower society court case.. read it here - http://www.jehovahswitnessblog.com/jw-lawsuits/latest-on-the-candace-conti-vs-the-watchtower-society-case/.

love,.

Juan Viejo2

sir82 -

Oh yeah! If I was an elder I'd be making multiple copies of EVERYTHING IN THE KINGDOM HALL FILE DRAWER and stashing them away. Those letters, CO notes, and other communications could save their bacon later on. I'm hoping that some smart elder will do this and then send everything to Barbara Anderson, JWFacts (Paul Grundy), Randy Watters, Marvin Shilmer (although I think Marvin probably has everything already), and me. That way there will be plenty of sources available should the WT suddenly "disappear" their archives.

JV

41

Here's the latest news on the Candace Conti case

by God_Delusion in

hi guys,.

i've been speaking with kathleen (candace's mother) and with sami (a close family friend) and they told me the latest news on the candace conti vs. the watchtower society court case.. read it here - http://www.jehovahswitnessblog.com/jw-lawsuits/latest-on-the-candace-conti-vs-the-watchtower-society-case/.

love,.

Juan Viejo2

I expect a flurry of BOE letters from Watchtower Service and Legal departments over the next few months. I expect some major reorganizational announcements as well.

I've received some information from anonymous sources that once the Conti case is finally put to rest, dozens of cases in Canada and Australia may pop up in provincial/state courts. While USA/California laws do not apply in those countries, the Conti case has provided legal teams there with a boatload of evidence and strategies to work with and apply locally. In those countries, the very first thing the plaintiffs should ask for is copies of all WT BOE letters since 1980 on file at the local branch offices. If they don't do this quickly, they may find that the evidence has been submitted to 451F by Watchtower branch officers.

JV

41

Here's the latest news on the Candace Conti case

by God_Delusion in

hi guys,.

i've been speaking with kathleen (candace's mother) and with sami (a close family friend) and they told me the latest news on the candace conti vs. the watchtower society court case.. read it here - http://www.jehovahswitnessblog.com/jw-lawsuits/latest-on-the-candace-conti-vs-the-watchtower-society-case/.

love,.

Juan Viejo2

The judge has denied a new trial as to evidence. Apparently the compensatory damage award of $7M stands. He has, based on prior cases that have set some sort of standard, reduced the punitive damages to $8.16M. The plaintiffs (Conti/Simons) have 30 days to accept or reject the judge's decision.

It is not clear from the judge's order if the Watchtower has any options. I assume they do and I assume they will reject the judge's order and appeal the entire case. What the judge has done is to give the WT a way out and a way to save a little face. His review of the case is saying to the Watchtower: "I've checked the way the case was handled and I feel you have no basis for an appeal. If you do appeal, the higher court will most likely agree with me and reject your appeal."

He is also saying, "Based on the evidence, and comparing the punitive damages award against other similar cases, I agree that the punitive damages arrived at by the jury were too large because they were based on the jury's emotions and desire to send a message and not reasonably based entirely on the evidence. Take what you can get Watchtower and get out while the getting is good."

Whether the judge wins the argument and convinces the WT to take what it can get - the damage has been done. The case files, evidence, and testimony are all in the public domain and the Watchtower can't do a thing about that. They will certainly face other trials - and those trials will use the Conti case as a template. The only way out for the Watchtower is to settle quick, admit their errors, and change their policies while they can.

I've heard from a fairly reliable source that the Watchtower is planning to once again reorganize their relationship with the local congregations to create a more formal legal barrier between the corporate WT and local congregations. I'll make this as plain as I can:

Elders will soon find themselves on their own in these types of cases because the WT corporate legal eagles will find a way to effectively make them "franchises" - just like McDonald's and Taco Bell.

How would this work? Watchtower supplies the operating guidelines, teaching materials, literature, and training. They will approve the ownership and management. Their monthly franchise fee will be everything over and above local Kingdom Hall expenses. But the "franchised Kingdom Halls" will be separate legal entities.

I know this sounds like Menlo Park in reverse, but this is the only way the WT can free itself from the burden of all (or at least some) local liabilities.

For those of you who are still active brothers seeking out more responsibility within your Kingdom Hall - run, don't walk, away from any idea of becoming an elder or even a ministerial servant. You could find yourselves personally liable (just as the North Fremont KH was in the Conti case) and lose everything you own. Even if you win your case, it is likely that the WT will require you to get local counsel and not depend on WT Legal for your defense.

Time will tell us if this rumor is right or not. I think it will be sooner than later...

JV

74

Best American Bands

by cedars in

jw
friends

we recently had a thread highlighting the best british bands.... http://www.jehovahs-witness.net/jw/friends/230126/1/best-british-bands.

it seems only fair to have a similar thread about american bands.. .

here's my own top ten.... 1. the eagles.

Juan Viejo2

There are so many to choose from, but I think any list has to include:

1. Doobie Brothers - before, during, and after the Michael McDonald era.

2. The Eagles - every single member of the band is a standout and what a library of work.

3. Fleetwood Mac - talented musicians and singers - Stevie Nicks, Lindsay Buckingham, et al

4. Steely Dan

5. Buffalo Springfield (and all of its succeeding subgroups)

6. ZZ Top - Great mix of hard rock and roll with a little Country thrown in for good luck

7. Credence Clearwater Revival / John Fogerty - nothing quite like it and never will be

8. Greatful Dead - not big on recorded music, but their concerts were always unmatched events

9. Aerosmith - Steve Tyler was lead, but everyone in the band was a star.

10.Beach Boys - All-American. Good music, great writing, harmony, rock, soft, surf - they covered it all.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y7-BBADPAvE

JV

30

The Myths of Disfellowshipping

by Londo111 in

jj allowed me to send him an article for jwstruggle.

i know this might not be everyone's cup of tea on jwn, and i hope this doesn't smack of self-promotion, which i find distasteful, but i hope it might bring comfort to some who have found themselves the victims of judicial committees.

http://www.jwstruggle.com/2012/08/the-myths-of-disfellowshipping/.

Juan Viejo2

Nicely done, Londo. I'll look for more of your essays in the future...

JV

70

New YouTube video - Anthony Morris warns us against the horrors of higher education

by cedars in

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jzcneuuajvg.

.

cedars.

Juan Viejo2

Great work on the video, Cedars. You are really showing talent in these things. Do you hire yourself out to old guys like me?

JV

59

Thanks to everyone on this forum!

by cedars in

jw
friends

today is my first anniversary as a jwn member.

it's hard to believe that only a year has passed since i joined, but i feel that's a testament to how much i have been welcomed and made to feel like part of the furniture.. i would very much like to take this opportunity to thank everyone on the forum for the immense help and assistance i have received, particularly in my first few weeks/months of posting.

it truly was a lifeline at a very distressing time for me.

Juan Viejo2

It's been a pleasure getting to know you. I look forward to the next year and all of the projects ahead of us.

JV

65

Candace Conti's Attorney Takes the Stage

by Juan Viejo2 in

rick simons takes the stage and tells why the candace conti lawsuit was the right case at the right time against the watchtower.. this is the first of at least three videos documenting mr. simons' presentation on july 14, 2012. .

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ffywyvy9anm.

last segments of this program should be up within a few hours.. .

Juan Viejo2

The last set of Q&A segments is now online. Also available as a single full set at http://randytv.com.

Another set will be going up on my own website at Ex-JW.com later this afternoon (Saturday August 4) and at exjwslosangeles.org (Cynthia Hampton's group site).

Everyone attached to this project encourages you to spread the word. Upload or link the YouTube videos to your own sites or attach them to your emails and Facebook accounts.

Here are the links to Q&A 3 and 4:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bbyeAtFnudg

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jvyRGoquIl8

Thanks for everyone support. I appreciate it - and I know Candace Conti does too!

JV

65

Candace Conti's Attorney Takes the Stage

by Juan Viejo2 in

rick simons takes the stage and tells why the candace conti lawsuit was the right case at the right time against the watchtower.. this is the first of at least three videos documenting mr. simons' presentation on july 14, 2012. .

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ffywyvy9anm.

last segments of this program should be up within a few hours.. .

Juan Viejo2

Segment 2 of audience questions is now up on YouTube...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SEg6Cg87pjI

Much better than the crappy versions that went up late last night...

JV