Posts by Simon

48

Marc O'Donell's statement: Lloyd and the conflict of Interest

by Diogenesister in

as expected from a man who prioritizes the most vulnerable members of our community, marc has made a sober statement that explains why there's a deep conflict of interest between lloyds recent behaviour and the work they do at jw watch.

you can read it here:.

public statement of mark o’donnell.

Simon

Have you never heard of Nabokov's Lolita? And have you not heard of young girls being called jailbait? They are called that for a reason

That book wasn't written by a 14 year old girl (and was about abuse of a 12 year old), and that term isn't used by 14 year old girls.

It's entirely "dirty old man" territory.

The whole point of age-of-consent is to prevent people taking advantage of young people who may be inquisitive or driven by their changing hormones. Even if she instigated something, she's still the victim - the 30 year old man should know better ... and did, because he knew to hide it.

Please don't attempt to "normalize" this behavior. It's not acceptable and it's not open for debate.

11530

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

by Newly Enlightened in

original reddit post (removed).

Simon

Is anyone certain this is for real? It's all so convenient it seems like a set-up. But then why would anyone have such bad motives? (And anyone who knows me here knows I am not defending him!)

I can't think of any reason someone would invent this. It's way too elaborate and yes, what motives would anyone need to have to fabricate something so diabolical and convoluted, if it was untrue? I know that isn't proof, but I wouldn't expect someone to have put their name to it if it was a hoax, certainly not a close family relation.

Honestly thought this would have blown over by now, but had no idea he had dug a hole this deep. (Otherwise known as a grave.)

I think decent people have a problem comprehending how others can be brazen and unapologetic for the things they do. It's hard to comprehend someone having no shame but it works both ways. The person concerned probably imagines they'll be convincing, as they previously have, and that people will believe or accept the token admissions made after being caught, as they always have. They start to believe their own ego and importance will transcend all.

11530

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

by Newly Enlightened in

original reddit post (removed).

Simon

Those messages appear to be someone using the claim of "sexual repression" to try to get into a 14 year-olds knickers (I'm sure I've heard people use "sexual repression" as an excuse for other sex-related misdeeds too).

The whole thing comes across as very manipulative. If it is legit, and these were his messages, then he's completely done, he needs to go away and find something else to do. Unfortunately, the only thing that I can think of that he's qualified to be right now is a pimp.

11530

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

by Newly Enlightened in

original reddit post (removed).

Simon

Soon they'll announce "new light" ...

11530

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

by Newly Enlightened in

original reddit post (removed).

Simon

I don’t think he’s a fugitive because he has returned to England a number of times.

I think there is a place in between "being on a list to be checked at airports", and not being around where someone may make allegations if you are. I think you could leave the country to avoid the consequences of something and then be fine going back to visit.

If the elders have serious allegations against his name then it’s a pretty odd move for him to advocate for the release of a database that he himself is on. Because if he succeeded in making the database public then he would be exposing himself. Even for a liar as prolific and blatant as him, this seems pretty far fetched.

Is it though? Doesn't it seem odd that someone who apparently wants to do so much against the WTS has never actually revealed the damning information he claimed to have? Especially someone who is so predisposed to self-publicity - surely he could score some major kudos from it? Surely the window for doing deals had long since expired, or is that chip still in play? And someone could easily publicly advocate for something that they know would legally never happen - that's one of the tricks of 'activism', to never be so successful that you achieve your goals and kill the golden goose that you make your money off.

And how would it constitute a threat or a bargaining chip that he could use against Watchtower? It reminds me of the Blazing Saddles scene where he holds a gun to his own head and says, “don't move or I’ll shoot”.

Yes, it would be brazen and stupid, both of which I think are areas he has expertise in.

24

What's the deal with Cheese and Apple Danishes at conventions.

by pistolpete in

this was before my time, but there was this post that had 308 comments testifying that the best thing of being a jehovah witness back in the day was the convention's meals.

is this true?.

one quote out of 308;.

Simon

Our circuit used to have sit-down meals with waitress service (this was at Northenden Assembly Hall in Manchester). The first thing you did when you arrived was buy your meal ticket, which was assigned a letter for the sitting you were assigned.

Of course it was horrendously inefficient, so meals would still be being served as the afternoon sessions started. During a talk, someone would walk onto the platform and put a letter on a board and loads of people would get up to go have their lunch. You queued up round the back stairs, it took ages, but I remember the food being great.

Later, they had a more food-court / booth setup and the main attraction was a donut machine. The were delicious too, and of course it was hypnotic to watch.

Assemblies lost all their quirkiness and charm, now I suspect they are the same the world over, with no local innovation and little appeal.

11530

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

by Newly Enlightened in

original reddit post (removed).

Simon

If he's spending money on things other than "the work", especially holidays and hookers, then it's clearly for personal profit.

I think Mr Taxman will be very interested in his endeavours.

11530

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

by Newly Enlightened in

original reddit post (removed).

Simon

unless she knows something else and is helping to keep something a secret.

That is another piece of the jigsaw that would certainly fit the allegation, it's one thing for a wife to chose to forgive an infidelity, that's her choice (even though it may be coerced / pressured ... at some point people are adults and have to assume to have agency over their own life) but if she helped to cover up some incident with a minor then that is a different thing entirely and would certainly damage her reputation as well if it came out and would be a reason for her to help keep it quiet. Assuming the accusation is true of course.

11530

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

by Newly Enlightened in

original reddit post (removed).

Simon

I wonder whether the Bethel elder came to Lloyd's judicial committee hearing just because the two other elders didn't speak English well enough? Isn't this a much more plausible explanation?

I really doubt there were no elders at all in the immediate circuit that could speak English.

11530

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

by Newly Enlightened in

original reddit post (removed).

Simon

Unless, perhaps, it’s not just damaging to the branch and may be damaging to you too?

Exactly, it makes no sense if you claim to be an activist - why is he holding back? But if that damaging information is about himself then it suddenly makes perfect sense. The whole "I have something on them", "I am not going to record it", "we had to leave the UK" all piece together and make (some) sense.