Posts by Max Divergent

35

Serena Williams (Dishonors) American Flag!

by Voyager in

friends, i apologize if this is old information.

sometimes i can't keep up with (all) the posts here.

the thread lists this as (janurary 25, 2003) so thats why i thought it to be old.. i remember that serena williams had (won) the cup and championship, and was photographed carrying the american flag, or engaging in what (some people) considered as (idolatry),--but what was (news) to me, was the fact that she was also photographed (dishonoring) the american flag as well.

Max Divergent

Actually, looking closer it just might be the British flag behind the US flag in those sitting pictures...

But in another picture, another rule seems to be broken: "The [Australian] flag should not be smaller than that of any other flag or ensign." The Australian flag seems to be smaller and in the lowest and most inferior position of the three foreign flags on Australian sovereign territory (the other flags being US, UK and France - the other countries to hold Grand Slam tournaments ).

The annoying thing about that site is that it complains about the US flag being on the ground, but dosn't acknoledge that the US flag was given improper prominance over the host nation's flag thus causing an offence to their soverignty (as well as three other countries flags touching the ground too).

It smacks of arrogent patriotism, not a genuine concern for the sanctity of national symbols.

Fortunatly, Australian's are pretty cool and wouldn't have been too bothered... probably wouldn't have even noticed.

35

Serena Williams (Dishonors) American Flag!

by Voyager in

friends, i apologize if this is old information.

sometimes i can't keep up with (all) the posts here.

the thread lists this as (janurary 25, 2003) so thats why i thought it to be old.. i remember that serena williams had (won) the cup and championship, and was photographed carrying the american flag, or engaging in what (some people) considered as (idolatry),--but what was (news) to me, was the fact that she was also photographed (dishonoring) the american flag as well.

Max Divergent

Poor girl probably didn't know - patriotic stuff like the flag not touching the ground probably wasn't big at home... Seems a bit precious to me, especially becuase...

(And was on the ground too).

"When flown in Australia or on Australia territory the Australian national flag takes precedence over all national flags."

But hey... it's an informally set photo shoot amongst various flags by the side of the river for a victorious athlete and managed to breach a few popints of protocol presumably for artistic effect... who the hell really cares?

30

When an Elder assigned to give a talk is a no show.

by Blueblades in

has it happened in your congregation?

an elder is going to be late, stuck in traffic or lost, and dosen't show up at all!.

according to the society's guidelines, ( yes!

Max Divergent

I used to live in a remote area with only 2 elders and 1 MS who gave PT's. So we only had a talk maybe every six or ten weeks or so... it made a Sunday sort of barable...

Max

160

What are Americans taught about U.S and what do you really believe?

by sleepy in

just wondering what exactly americans (u.s.a) are taught about their country in school .do you really salute a flag, do you swear allegiance to the country.

are you taught that you fought for freedom, and that america is the land of the free, etc etc?

do you actually believe what you are taught?

Max Divergent

Badger: "...Americans have a great desire for "local control" of schools."

Dosn't the local control and funding of schools also mean each area gets the best school it can AFFORD? Meaning that children born in a poor area (umm... Flint, Michigan?) who attend a badly funded school are more likely to have a much more limited chance of 'success' (whatever that is) than a child born in a rich area with the best of everything at school?

Dosn't deliberatly giving some kids a much, much better resourced education just on the basis of where their parents live go against the ideal of America being a country of opportunity for all where anyone can be President or a millionaire? It seems more like an entreched, partly self-imposed caste system.

I'm interested.

67

Who's been around the most?

by blobby in

.

how far travelled are you?.

how many different countries have you visited in your life time.......................can't name the same country twice ....even if it has changed names.. countries on other planets don't count !.

Max Divergent

Counting countries I've slept at least a night in:

Australia - all states and territories except Queensland (and who'd want to go there?)
US - FL, DC, NYC
UK - England, Wales, Scotland
India
Indonesia - Bali and Lombok
New Zealand
Ireland
Germany
France
Norway
Swizerland
Italy

Since 9/11 (when my old airline failed and I lost all mt frequent flyer points), I've flown over 100,000 miles. Anne's been to more places in Asia and the Middle East than me, add another 15 countries.

160

What are Americans taught about U.S and what do you really believe?

by sleepy in

just wondering what exactly americans (u.s.a) are taught about their country in school .do you really salute a flag, do you swear allegiance to the country.

are you taught that you fought for freedom, and that america is the land of the free, etc etc?

do you actually believe what you are taught?

Max Divergent

"If you really think these are cultures than you really havent had much experience of the rest of the world."

Any country has cultural difference within it's boundaries and the US is more internally diverse than most others due to the size of it's population and the fact of various indigenous peoples still being present.

But I don't think it's accurate to compare the cultural experience of moving between regions of North America with moving between regions of Asia or Europe. The North American cultural range is more narrow than on all other continents except Australia and Antarctica. There's nothing wrong with that, and it has real advantages. The only point is that without exploring other places a narrow mindset is likley to develop.

IMO, the more similar people are the more obvious their differences.

160

What are Americans taught about U.S and what do you really believe?

by sleepy in

just wondering what exactly americans (u.s.a) are taught about their country in school .do you really salute a flag, do you swear allegiance to the country.

are you taught that you fought for freedom, and that america is the land of the free, etc etc?

do you actually believe what you are taught?

Max Divergent

This sort of dosn't read right...

"The British are taught that the United Kingdom is the greatest nation on earth. The Richest. The land of the Free and the home of the Brave. We are taught that we are the most generous and charitable nation. That anyone man or woman can become Prime Minister. That anyone can become wealthy. That we have freedom of speech and worship without fear of retribution. The most beautiful and diverse melting pot of ethnicity. The Crown says give us your poor and wretched."

You'd have to use different words to describe the merits of the UK.

This dosn't sit right either:

"America is the only country that can be the greatest and richest and most free. Your country can't be the greatest, richest or most free becuase we're America and you're not. It wouldn't matter if your country had more greatness or more riches or greater freedom - we're America so therefore we're richer and greater and freer than you because we're America and you're not. Up yours."

I don't think that's what Americans mean, even though that's what they say. 'Greatest', 'richest', 'most free' are exclusive words, but meant in a non-exlusive way ... I think ... am I wrong?

If I were to say my country were the richest, greatest or the most free (or whatever superlatives I wanted to use), would Americans raise up in arms to say I'm wrong because my country isn't America? I doubt it, they'd probably say 'Great, can we come visit?'. (Or would they send a missle to prove the point?)

Max

36

Would You Buy A Lottery Ticket or Smoke In Front of a JW?

by minimus in

jw
friends

if you knew a witness was in a convenience store, would you brazenly buy cigarettes or lottery tickets in front of them??

?

Max Divergent

"Can anyone answer why since i have smoked and bought lottery tickets, why i haven't been reported to the elders, and been disfellowshiped? The jws saw me point blank."

Maybe they're just being humane and not saying anything - it happens.

If you're not associating and the elders have been told, then if you start going back you may well be asked about it by a JC.

Would I? I'd probably avoid it out of curtosy, but if it happened 'accidently' it wouldn't bother me much, though I may be a bit embarressed on their behalf. They probably want to buy tickets themselves!

Max

28

Is JW all doom and gloom?

by uninitiated in

i am in a relationship with a man who is jw.

the things he tells me leads me to believe that their beliefs espouse doing nothing to better the world as it is hopeless, and all is coming to an end anyway.

this seems like a cowardly way to face the hardships in this world.

Max Divergent

Doom, gloom, fear, guilt, worry, sadness, self-righteousness... they're all emotions developed by believing what JW's believe and living their lifestyle. One result is the suspention of all critical reasoning capacity in regard anything related to JW anything.

He probably really likes you (or is severly infatuated with you) to be getting so close, but chances are he'll either become an emotional wreak if he's caught out and disiplined*, or will just slink away from you at some point when he comes to a point where he feels he has no options. Leaving the JW's is generally not an option.

Chances are that he'll pull away from you soon. In the long run, you may be well off to accept that if it happens.

Ugly isn't it...

Max

* To be Disfellowshipped seems like being put on death row awaiting an inevitable death by God and means being excludued from all friends and family. You're not imprisioned, but might as well be. Any punishment short of that is nearly as bad.

16

Yay ... another exam out the way, just one more to go !

by Simon in

jw
friends

i've just passed another exam and now have one more to go before i can add "mcse for windows 2003" to my 'credentials'.

these last few have been a bit of a slog 'cause active directory and infrastructure stuff are not really my thing.

i originally intended to just do the developer ones and then added the mcdba because, well ... some of the exams i'd already done counted towards that, then i could just do a couple more for mcsa ... oh look, now i only need another ... well, you know how it goes.

Max Divergent

That's really great! Being in Canada would make sure you're always on top of the Americans!

I'm working full time and am struggling to do one unit a Semester! That makes it 12 years to do a 3 year degree... better pull the finger out - maybe unplug JWD :-) I think Aust has reduced the immigration points for skilled people since unemployment is at an all time low and economy growing 4 or 5% pa.

Good luck!