Posts by pontoon

45

in retrospect: RBCs vs LDCs / the hype about a lot of new construction and subsequent abrupt halt to construction

by Magnum in

so, now that some time has passed, i’d like some input/thoughts/analysis/etc.

on the jw construction situation in the last few years.. first, why did they discontinue the rbc arrangement and institute the ldc arrangement?

was it for more and/or better control?

pontoon

I just have to put my 2 cents in on this. Back in the day I was on about 60 builds and remodels going back to before there were RBC's. Originally the RBC's were pretty loosely organized, as time went on they tuned up and I felt we did a lot of good work, including a lot of remodels inside and outside my RBC's territory traveling over 100 miles sometimes 1 or 2 times a month to NYC because NYC didn't have a lot of tradesmen brothers. The very last job I was on was the corporation's flagship Newburgh Assembly Hall.

Something happened, at least in this area. The RBC's took on a life of their own, becoming a good old boy's club and let's see how much we can rip these congregation off for. Brothers who were contractors and ran RBC's were stealing from congregations. No other way I can say it. RBC's charging more than top dollar for supplies/materials. Charging trip fee's to bring their contracting tool trailers on site and rent while they were parked there. Over buying supplies/materials and keeping the extras. Buildings that should have cost $500,000 would cost a $1,000,000. When my own hall was remodeled (I was no longer in RBC) in the preliminary talk by the RBC to the congregation the head of the RBC pretty much told us he was in charge and not to be questioned.

So, while I agree with the comments here that the corporation wanted absolute control over the builds I have to say it was a good thing to do when they shut down the RBC's, at least around here in the Hudson Valley

36

What is the watchtower going to do when

by pepperheart in

what is the watchtower going to do when the money runs out ??

?.

pontoon

LongHairGirl

No doubt what you say is true, but the corporation will take small estates, jewelry, small bank accounts, anything of value. They identify and target (older) witnesses and will encourage them to involve wat in their estate planning, even having circuit overseers involved in pressuring these older folks. I am personally aware of a case, Wat lawyers went after the children of a brother claiming what they had wasn't really theirs but actually belonged to the estate left to the corporation. Wat won, left the children with nothing. The Wat corporation has a whole department dedicated to this. The brother I used to know was often flying to different parts of the country for estate planning.

Remember the scripture about before building a tower count the cost or something like that? Watchtower does that. They are all about sucking up $$$$$$$$, and they have honed it into fine art form.

36

What is the watchtower going to do when

by pepperheart in

what is the watchtower going to do when the money runs out ??

?.

pontoon

Everything in Brooklyn was old, they are out of Brooklyn, downsized in new super energy efficient compound with 800 residents

Income producing properties, especially Assembly Halls, that they own but do not spend a penny to maintain that they rent for $$$$$$$. Must add up to millions in pure profit each month

Monthly transfers of $$$$$$ from tens of thousands of congregations. So some congregations are poor and can't pay what they are supposed to, so what, how does that hurt the corporation?

Years ago I knew a bethelite who worked in estate planning. What is left to the corporation is HUGE. I personally new two witnesses, a brother here in NY and a sister in Palm Beach Florida that left estates worth millions and millions of $$$$$$ to the corporation. And it's happening all the time.

Real estate business income, investments, who knows how much $$$$$$$ that brings in?

Remember, all tax free at least in the US, don't know about other countries

The way they have been buying expensive properties (river front apt complexes, motels, warehouses) around here in the Hudson Valley NY it seems they have money to burn and can't spend it fast enough. They spend like it was Monopoly. That's because they don't have to earn it, it's all given to them. If funds get low they'll have Lett plead for more. I used to do that when I was account servant in my old congregation, and that night we would have our average contributions X 10.

Just my thoughts on the financial condition of Wat Corporation

36

What is the watchtower going to do when

by pepperheart in

what is the watchtower going to do when the money runs out ??

?.

pontoon

Wat corporation is a money making machine, not gonna run out of money

53

JW renaming things: "It's Not this, it's ....."

by Muddy Waters in

this was brought up in another thread, but i thought it should have its own thread.

feel free to add your own observations and experience.

the jws are so duplicit, and they rename things to somehow justify their own irrationalities.

pontoon

5 not at homes and 1 return visit >>>>> 2.5 hrs service time, or, got my time for the week

70 hours a MONTH >>>>> full time (is it still 70?)

pioneer >>>>> not a person headed west in a covered wagon

heavy weight >>>>> high ranking borg volunteer

53

JW renaming things: "It's Not this, it's ....."

by Muddy Waters in

this was brought up in another thread, but i thought it should have its own thread.

feel free to add your own observations and experience.

the jws are so duplicit, and they rename things to somehow justify their own irrationalities.

pontoon

Brothers kissing ass is called reaching out

53

JW renaming things: "It's Not this, it's ....."

by Muddy Waters in

this was brought up in another thread, but i thought it should have its own thread.

feel free to add your own observations and experience.

the jws are so duplicit, and they rename things to somehow justify their own irrationalities.

pontoon

Go to Watchtower Farm to pick blueberries is called working at Watchtower Farm. If you're a pioneer and you go to Watchtower Farm to pick blueberries it's called sacred service (and you can count your time.) Go to Watchtower Farm to pick blueberries may be called "she's looking for a husband today." Volunteer to work for free at Watchtower Farm for a week is called a temporary Bethelite. Ex-believer who doesn't believe the crap anymore is an apostate who will be disfellowshipped not shunned.

11

my jw dad cryed to me about closing his crong

by JunkYardDog in

jw
friends

i live in nyc and dad jw called me crying about a hall that has about 500 jws going down to 2 congs

pontoon

Is it because bethelites are leaving NYC with the big Brooklyn sell off??

21

its saturday morning and its pouring down rain...

by nowwhat? in

how many jdubs are going out in service anyway because "they have to get their time in.

" that's some "best life ever!

" you guys got going on!

pontoon

Now it's Sunday morning. Had a great concert last night with great friends. Doobie Brothers, still sounding like the Doobie Brothers after 50 years and Chicago put on fabulous show. 4 hours almost solid music. Home at 2 AM. Will enjoy a nice easy day home, taking weekends back from the Watchtower corporation is one of the best things about walking away from the (not) truth.

21

its saturday morning and its pouring down rain...

by nowwhat? in

how many jdubs are going out in service anyway because "they have to get their time in.

" that's some "best life ever!

" you guys got going on!

pontoon

Early lunch barbecue with friends then off to Bethel Woods (where Woodstock was) to see the Doobies and Chicago.