Posts by JeffT

49

Some thoughts on the message of doom

by JeffT in

jw
friends

one of the recent threads on the talk about the hailstone message got me to thinking.

the problem with putting out a message like that is what to do when nothing happens.

i have to think that somebody will be asking that question.

JeffT

Fisherman:

I became a Jehovah's Witness in 1973, the year I graduated from Washington State University. So I was a college educated adult. I knew how to study and make informed decisions. I was in a difficult situation, but I believed the message as it was preached. God, I was told, intended to destroy the wicked people ruining His creation. The Bible, I learned, was very specific, this final war between Good and Evil would take place in 1975.

I know you are told the WTBS never said that. Here's a news flash: THEY'RE LYING TO YOU! I was there, I know what was said. I left the Witness in 1988 when it was clear that the world wasn't going to end.

My wife and I attended an evangelical church for a time after we left the Watchtower. The pastor made a good observation one time. He said that he believed we might well be in the last days, but he would make no specific prophesy for one very good reason. In Bible times if a prophet predicted something that didn't happen, the Israelites would take him to the local stone quarry and make him part of it.

11530

It's been a long 9 years Lloyd Evans / John Cedars

by Newly Enlightened in

original reddit post (removed).

JeffT

It is unfortunately difficult to reconcile the differences between financial documents prepared for taxing authorities, and those prepared according to Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP). GAAP exists to provide transparency to the financial performance of different entities. GAAP provides a common set of rules for all financial transactions. In the US the SEC provides this information so that investors can make informed decisions about investments. This is real accounting, tax accounting plays by whatever rules the politicians make up.

We're in a tough spot here because we're dealing with at least two tax systems and by my count four sets of money (US, UK, Croatia, and Euro). As a retired financial professional it is my opinion that Lloyd (and anyone else accepting donations from the public) owes his investors financial transparency. This is a matter of ethical integrity, not law. This would mean a full accounting for all income and expense, backed up by bank statements.

Frankly, I think Patreon should be demanding this of everyone they do business with. I think the donors should be allowed to see this information before sending anyone a nickel. If I was donating money I would ask this of the company, if receiving funds I'd provide it. I know Evans will say this is his private business, but that is not true as long as he's asking the public for money, it becomes their business. Go to a bank and get a loan to buy a house, then see how much information you need to supply. Same thing, when you ask people for money, they get to demand answers to their questions.

None of what I've said here should be construed as an accusation, it's a request to clear the air by being transparent.

Edited to add: a question came up with regard to depreciation, was the number provided high? Absent full financials, that question can't be answered. Lets say that depreciation is $12000. Is that a $36000 car depreciated over three years, or a three hundred sixty thousand dollar house deprecated over thirty years? You can't tell from just the expense number.

11530

It's been a long 9 years Lloyd Evans / John Cedars

by Newly Enlightened in

original reddit post (removed).

JeffT

LMsA, thanks for providing the chain of custody for the document.

So here's what I'm curious about. If that income number is for sales of books etc, where is the Patreon money accounted for?

11530

It's been a long 9 years Lloyd Evans / John Cedars

by Newly Enlightened in

original reddit post (removed).

JeffT

I just now got some time to poke around in the financials a page or two back.

Disclaimer: any comments I make are based on the following assumptions

1) The documents were lawfully obtained by the original poster

2) The information as provided is accurate and unaltered

3) It is understood that I am not an expert in Croatian tax law

Quick question: section 3.1.1 states that income is derived from "sales revenue." What is being sold?

11530

It's been a long 9 years Lloyd Evans / John Cedars

by Newly Enlightened in

original reddit post (removed).

JeffT

It's late and I have a lot going on. When I get some time over the weekend I will put on my accountant hat (green eyeshade? ) and take a look at those financials.

12

Is Wokeness a Religion

by JeffT in

jw
friends

this is long so i'll just post a link, i think many here will agree with a lot of what the author has to say.

it certainly resonated with my thinking of the last few years.

https://instapundit.substack.com/p/it-should-be-safe-to-be-unpopular?sd=pf.

JeffT

This is long so I'll just post a link, I think many here will agree with a lot of what the author has to say. It certainly resonated with my thinking of the last few years.

https://instapundit.substack.com/p/it-should-be-safe-to-be-unpopular?sd=pf

43

What novels would you recommend?

by LoveUniHateExams in

i used to have a large-ish novel collection but my current collection is scaled-down because i was forced to move back to bolton 4 years ago and didn't have enough room for them all in my suitcases.. i currently own just 9 novels.. salem's lot (stephen king).

three by john ajvide lindqvist:.

let the old dreams die.

JeffT

The books I recommended aren't on par with Dickens or Austen

I got in trouble in a college English lit class for saying I thought Jane Austen was boring.

17

How many still getting boosters?

by ExBethelitenowPIMA in

either you think the governing body was correct giving direction to be fully vaccinated and do you will keep getting the boosters, or.... if you don’t think the boosters are safe and you decide not to keep getting them then you are admitting that the direction was wrong.. if the direction was indeed harming brothers and sister who kept going to get these injections because of the covid updates then this is a huge wake up call?.

how could this direction from the gb who are i doubt jehovah give such harmful direction?.

JeffT

Either you think the governing body was correct giving direction to be fully vaccinated and do you will keep getting the boosters, or...
if you don’t think the boosters are safe and you decide not to keep getting them then you are admitting that the direction was wrong.

False dichotomy. Some of us don't consult the Governing Body about anything.

43

What novels would you recommend?

by LoveUniHateExams in

i used to have a large-ish novel collection but my current collection is scaled-down because i was forced to move back to bolton 4 years ago and didn't have enough room for them all in my suitcases.. i currently own just 9 novels.. salem's lot (stephen king).

three by john ajvide lindqvist:.

let the old dreams die.

JeffT

That is a really interesting graphic, thanks.

Back to the OP, I forgot to mention Robert A Heinlein, if you like science fiction he's a must read. Almost anything he wrote is good.

43

What novels would you recommend?

by LoveUniHateExams in

i used to have a large-ish novel collection but my current collection is scaled-down because i was forced to move back to bolton 4 years ago and didn't have enough room for them all in my suitcases.. i currently own just 9 novels.. salem's lot (stephen king).

three by john ajvide lindqvist:.

let the old dreams die.

JeffT

I am very picky when it comes to movies made from books. I seriously disliked the Lynch version, but then I don't like much of anything he does. A second part to the latest version is due out this year, I'm withholding judgement until it gets here.

The books are philosophically interesting. Herbert has created a fascinating culture and ecosystem. The primary influence on the people that live on the planet "Dune" is Islamic, the primary influence on the ecosystem is a planet-wide desert inhabited by giant worms. That description doesn't do the book justice by a long shot.

The other books are an alternate history trilogy about a war between the United States and Japan in 1910, and its aftermath. The other is a historical novel set in the Revolutionary war. The first three sold well, maybe because everybody was locked inside by COVID. The other two haven't sold as well, which is why I slip in plug when I can. I invented a church for "Armageddon's Disciples" and I've started blogging about that process. See jeffthomasbooks.net