Let's talk about the "elephant in the room".
I have noticed that apologists will almost always resort to similar ad hominem attacks, instead of tackling the issue.
Cedars you wrote a masterful article that is spot on. The GB is the perfect combination of a group of leaders that are not only arrogant but ignorant as well. This combination tends to be incredibly dangerous. The examples you mention are perfect examples of how they are self destructing. In the last year look at how many people have joined this site, or even how many people are missing from the meetings and service. No matter how the Branch cooks the books they are in decline. Anecdotal evidence shows that they are bleeding out in numbers of adherents as well as financially.
Elephant, the things that these men are doing are indefensible spiritually, legally, and morally. If they were representing God like they claim they wouldn't be directing attention to themselves and protecting pedophiles. They are false prophets who are responsible for destroying peoples lives. Their policies steal childhoods, break up families, kill people, and socially handicap their followers. All in the name of God. Try to defend that, and you act like a defense attorney for a war criminal.
SIAM