She did win. But the appeal already reduced the award significantly. This case was obviously still in appeal litigation. The WT could draw it out for years. Or there was no need for a settlement.
I think it can be a real blueprint for future cases.
WireRider
JoinedPosts by WireRider
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28
Candace Conti
by Pubsinger inso we know that wt settled out of court for an undisclosed sum and that presumably there was a 'gagging order' attached to the settlement.. not having really thought about what a 'confidentiality clause' meant before, i assumed in the past that it meant that you weren't allowed to disclose the amount of the settlement or any details about it.
but from the total and absolute silence once the settlement was made, i can only assume that it is a total gagging order.. how can the courts allow such a restriction to be put on a victim?
protecting the abusers and allowing the institution to cover up the lengths they go to to avoid admitting their guilt?
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WireRider
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Candace Conti
by Pubsinger inso we know that wt settled out of court for an undisclosed sum and that presumably there was a 'gagging order' attached to the settlement.. not having really thought about what a 'confidentiality clause' meant before, i assumed in the past that it meant that you weren't allowed to disclose the amount of the settlement or any details about it.
but from the total and absolute silence once the settlement was made, i can only assume that it is a total gagging order.. how can the courts allow such a restriction to be put on a victim?
protecting the abusers and allowing the institution to cover up the lengths they go to to avoid admitting their guilt?
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WireRider
It's really too much to ask of anyone. (with a lot of legal advice and planning) If it were me, I would leak enough of the settlement details, until it pisses off the WT. Wait until they take me to court. Put the whole case and settlement online. The WT would have to provide a copy of the settlement to the Judge as evidence. Lawyers get to question both sides - now into public record.
Find a way to loose/hide the settlement money. I would claim to have put it all into KH box donations. I guess they don't keep track. Ha - subpena all their accounting records to prove it.
If I loose and I am ordered to repay the money - file for bankruptcy. Off the hook. (this is the reverse of how little people can get back at big corps).
Wait for the dust settle while I write a book about the whole experience. Sexual abuses. The cult. Include all the public records and transcripts and a full copy of the settlement agreement.
They can't take you to court for the same thing twice as it has already been ruled upon.
Retire on the royalties.
I would be pleased to see a complete expose book in my local book store. Probably a lot of sales to the Protestant and Catholic too, perhaps just out of curiosity. It would be great exposure.
Non-disclosure court settlements invariably start "with no admission of guilt ... we will payout 5 million" Uh huh. By the WT paying out, it validates the whole case.
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Candace Conti
by Pubsinger inso we know that wt settled out of court for an undisclosed sum and that presumably there was a 'gagging order' attached to the settlement.. not having really thought about what a 'confidentiality clause' meant before, i assumed in the past that it meant that you weren't allowed to disclose the amount of the settlement or any details about it.
but from the total and absolute silence once the settlement was made, i can only assume that it is a total gagging order.. how can the courts allow such a restriction to be put on a victim?
protecting the abusers and allowing the institution to cover up the lengths they go to to avoid admitting their guilt?
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WireRider
The simple answer: They can't.
The courts are by definition, and necessity, have to be impartial. They can not support either side.
What probably happened is that her lawyer met with their lawyers. They hashed out an offer. Her lawyers, probably deep in the red, realistically, advised her to take the offer or this can go on buried in paperwork for years - if any settlement at all, ever. She was probably going to have to appear in court every couple of weeks for years. I've been there. It is very personally/emotional exhausting. They count on that too.
They both agreed to terms. They write a one page court order mutually requesting that the case be dismissed. Judge asks if they both agree - if yes, it is over in the court. Nothing that the judge or courts can do about it. The court never even gets a copy of the settlement documents.
The WT is well aware that everything in court is a matter of public record. All transcripts, and filed papers, can be requested by a FOIA (freedom of information act) request by anyone. They did not want more in the records - and her shut up.. So they probably paid extra to silence the case.
It happens everyday. Individuals vs. big insurance companies. Pay a little extra "hush" money - hide all the details so they don't look bad, and no one can use the case in the future cases. Sworn statements in a court case can be used as evidence in other cases. Big technology companies steel patents from small ones because they have more money and can outlast small companies.
Once two parties reach a settlement they request to drop the cases. The settlement can really include anything. Most Judges know what's going on, but there is nothing they can do about it.
I hate it too. But you can reliably say that she obviously was paid off to sweep it under the rug.
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Candace Conti
by Pubsinger inso we know that wt settled out of court for an undisclosed sum and that presumably there was a 'gagging order' attached to the settlement.. not having really thought about what a 'confidentiality clause' meant before, i assumed in the past that it meant that you weren't allowed to disclose the amount of the settlement or any details about it.
but from the total and absolute silence once the settlement was made, i can only assume that it is a total gagging order.. how can the courts allow such a restriction to be put on a victim?
protecting the abusers and allowing the institution to cover up the lengths they go to to avoid admitting their guilt?
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WireRider
The "Agreement" is binding between both parties. The WT likely agree to pay more than expected, and pay for all here legal expenses. When an individual, or small company, goes after someone that big, they can just wear you down and make it run out for years. I'm sure she and her lawyers were acutely aware of this, and made her an offer to end it. I'm sure her lawyers were getting buried in costs and had to asses the risks in court or wait for years to see if they ever get paid.
The agreement probably has a provision that if she ever discloses ANYTHING about the matters/case it may void the binding agreement and she would have to forfeit any financial consideration (payoff money). It was done very intentionally to prevent her from being a witness is any other case they are worried about.
I think it's safe to say that she did not request the non-disclosure clause. The public can say that the WT paid her off - to keep her mount shut - and cannot ever testify. Rock and a hard place. She can be called to testify or held in contempt. But if she does, the binding agreement is separate. She would have to give the money back and left with HUGE legal bills to pay on her own.
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Oh the humanities...my wicked neighbor!
by username ini have been given a piece of birthday cake as it was his birthday yesterday!
will i be a human hot dog now?.....
this just got me thinking of all the stupidities of the watchtower teachings, someone very kindly offers you something as innocent as a slice of chocolate cake but we were supposed to turn it down because that peace of chocolate cake now had horns poking out the top of the chocolate frosting.
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WireRider
Perhaps in part. But I do think it is more about total control. It alienates kids from their friends. They feel ostracized. Of course it is planed that way for kids.
My family gathers often to celebrate holidays and each other. We stopped about twenty years ago with the whole merry-go-round of the gift giving thing. No money really. No gifts required. Big meals and we socialize. Of course we all gotta eat - so that's a breakeven cost - or even less expensive in a group. Most religions do not require gatherings to be approved/sanctioned by a Church.
My daughter is now 18. For the last many years, her birthday wish is to spend it with extended family - everyone. My family doesn't even know what shunning is.
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Oh the humanities...my wicked neighbor!
by username ini have been given a piece of birthday cake as it was his birthday yesterday!
will i be a human hot dog now?.....
this just got me thinking of all the stupidities of the watchtower teachings, someone very kindly offers you something as innocent as a slice of chocolate cake but we were supposed to turn it down because that peace of chocolate cake now had horns poking out the top of the chocolate frosting.
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WireRider
"Special days" and celebration are not evil. I can't decide weather to use the analogy of "forcing people to wear blinders" or "a 100 year whack-a-mole game". Just make WT/JW from mixing with real people. Beat them down - don't allow anything that may wake them up. Same with going to any Christian Church. Control, control, control. No outside truth. No outside truth. Make them feel guilty. Punish, punish.
The way I understand there were two notable figures in the Bible that were beheaded on their birthdays. Must be bad.
It was explained to me by a witness that no one should be raised up over others, even if is only one day. Then I look around and see the hypocritical hierarchy were ever one of them is proclaimed to be always above others.
My born-in-JW friend told me that her Mother always made her feel special and secretly do things for her Birthday. That's were the train left the tracks for me. God would know that she celebrates her birthday secretly every year with her JW mother. So the truth is she does it in secret so "humans will not find out and punish them". That's just wrong. Even "God" didn't tell them, and I thought God and the GB were on a first name basis. Why do they have to spy on people and terrorize people into submission? Why let a big hierarchical structure of humans terrorize people to just hold the "sales force" "and volunteer free workers" together?
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Huckabee: The US Is More Evil Than The Rest Of The World
by ctrwtf inhttps://youtu.be/spnxx52oesa .
mike huckabee thinks that sin and evil, not guns, are the reason the us has so many mass shootings.. if this is true, then all things being equal, the us has more evil and sinful people than the rest of the world.
who's to blame for that?
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WireRider
"I would ask everybody to attack the gunman because he can only shoot one of us at a time. That way, we don't all wind up dead," he told ABC News while chuckling on Tuesday.
Taken very much out of context. Twisted. Carson never said "I would ask everyone to ...".
The gunman went around the room one by one and anyone who said they were Christian was shot in the head, and those who didn't were shot in the leg. One by one. They were all going to get shot. The original question to Carson, that raised all the media attention, was what would he do in that situation. What they were really asking was if he were there what would he have said? They were asking if he would have proudly said Christian, or would he betray his faith and say no.
Carson stated his opinion. If he were in that situation, he wouldn't wait around for his turn to die. He said he would rush the guy and yell "attack!" "I may get shot, but he can't kill all of us." He was right - it was something like 5-10 people vs. 1. Fewer people would have died. If you are going to get shot any way, why not?
Every situation is different. Look at the passengers on 9/11 that brought down the plane to save countless lives. They knew either way that they were going to die, but still rallied together to try.
They only thing he stated is an opinion of what he would do in that situation. He never suggested, or recommend, that others do it.
News crews stopped him on the street getting into his car a day or two later, and held up a handmade sign "I am Christian". Some reported asked him a really loaded question. He did chuckle will getting into car, but it had nothing to do with the shootings. He chuckled at the way that some knot head asked the question.
Jeb's statement was a little odd, but taken completely out of context. His point, as he continued, is that things do happen and people should not make knee-jerk reactions. Tragedies should never be politicized for political/personal gain. Most the people in Oregon don't want Obama to come this weekend because of what he said, to exploit the loss of family and friends. The only reason Obama is going to Oregon is to try and make up for what he said on TV before the bodies were all remove. Chicago has had 216 homicides in the first half of 2015 - Obama's adopted hometown. Why isn't he flying to Chicago every week to console families?
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Huckabee: The US Is More Evil Than The Rest Of The World
by ctrwtf inhttps://youtu.be/spnxx52oesa .
mike huckabee thinks that sin and evil, not guns, are the reason the us has so many mass shootings.. if this is true, then all things being equal, the us has more evil and sinful people than the rest of the world.
who's to blame for that?
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WireRider
Just a thought. For anyone found guilty of felony involving a gun, the sentence should be automatically doubled or add +5 or +10yrs. That's a gun law that would appeal to everyone, except the bad guy caucus, but they never vote anyway. It targets bad people specifically and doesn't impinge on good people's rights and self protection. -
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Huckabee: The US Is More Evil Than The Rest Of The World
by ctrwtf inhttps://youtu.be/spnxx52oesa .
mike huckabee thinks that sin and evil, not guns, are the reason the us has so many mass shootings.. if this is true, then all things being equal, the us has more evil and sinful people than the rest of the world.
who's to blame for that?
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WireRider
I don't know if I can speak about the Evil part.
This has been all over news for the week. If they increase regulation or ban guns, good guys will not have guns. The bad guys will still be getting more. Black market. Many drugs are illegal, but they they cannot stop those. Bad guys are bad guys because they don't follow the laws. What would more regulation or banning do?
If I were a burglar I would really think twice about breaking into a house, or store, because they may shoot me. Conceal and carry has been winning over more states. The crime rates are dropping, not going up. A couple of armed teachers or a security guard would have made a huge difference. He would know there are good guns around the schools and think twice. If he were to have been shot sooner it would have saved lies. I'm not sure two bullets are the cure for schizophrenia (take two and call me in the morning) - but it helps. Many more people would be alive today and many families would not have to suffer the loss. Good people deserve protection.
I like Huckabee. As a presidential candidate I was worried the he, as gentleman and former minister, would not have the guts to order the military to attack. Watched talk show a few times. He very sternly stated into the camera - "If you break into my house and threaten my family - I will introduce you to two of my friends ... SMITH AND WESSON!"
Take Chicago for example. Some of strongest gun laws in the country. Their murder rates are through the roof. On an average day, more Americans are killed in Chicago that all the US military in the middle east. (which Obama completely ignores. Even on US soil he will not us the military, in this case the National Guard, to have a presence in Chicago. Some 15-20 people were shot last weekend - about average.) God forbid someone would take away good people guns. More regulation has had no effect on bad guys. The gangs are not getting the guns legally now - nor would they have a problem getting them even if they banned them all together.
Breaking new - "last weekend a helicopter when down killing 5 marines - and in Chicago (alone) 17 people were killed". I hear it all the time.
The crime rates went down in conceal and carry areas. The news pointed out that after Australia banned guns, the crime rate soared. Imagine the celebration of bad guys knowing people they harm cannot shoot back. Break into any house, if they see you, just leave. Mug someone - you won't get shot by anyone. Crimes rates would surge so high in the US.
Granted sensible rules do apply. Keep your gun in a safe place and away from children. Good idea to keep guns and bullets in separate places. For several years now they have been developing finger print readers built into the gun. Only when the registered owner grip the gun will it shoot.
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Stargate SG1: False Gods, False Religion
by JWchange inhas anyone watched this scifi series?
has it helped anyone wake up to ttatt?
i woke up many years ago, however this incredible series reinforces my beliefs about religion.
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WireRider
I liked the original movie - Stargate. Maybe that's what happened to the Aztecs or Mayans when they vanished.
Not impossible.