Posts by Skimmer

47

"Special" meeting in October?

by Esmeralda in

jw
friends

question.

my mother told my husband that there is to be a 'special meeting' in october at the local sports arena (same place as dc's are held here) and that "only publishers are allowed to attend" that they will get "special cards" for admission from their local congregation and have to hand them in to get into the building.

i have no idea if this has anything to do with the "annual meeting" they always have (isn't that generally in october?

Skimmer

Some other speculations:

1. The WTBTS will, incredibly enough, start a real charity program in the United States with all the expenses paid at the local level. The motivation being that charitible organizations enjoy substantial legal protection against large financial lawsuit awards.

2. The WTBTS will once again revise the elder appointment arrangement. The idea will be to show that the selection and retension of congregation elders are the responsibility (and liability) of the local members and not Brooklyn. This will help deflect legal claims against the headquarters.

3. The WTBTS will announce the "greater responsibility" of the members in the US and will institute collection plate passing at some meetings to help finance operations in less developed countries.

4. The WTBTS will organize fifty new organizations, one per US state, and these will serve to shield damage to the higher up levels and to simplify legal operations. It could force lawsuits to be decided at the state level instead of the federal and so further insulate and limit financial damage.

5. The WTBTS will announce the creation of numerous subsidiary "governing bodies", perhaps one per branch office and made up of non-anointed. Their apparent independence from Brooklyn will be no more than a convenient legal fiction to further separate the WTBTS elite from the oncoming lawsuits.

6. The WTBTS will distribute odd-tasting Kool-Aid to the attendees.

98

Greenlees & Chitty -- Some Sources

by AlanF in

posted on an email message board:.

posted recently to the h2o message board:.

Skimmer

To Maximus:

Not exactly on this topic, but I might have some information for you. Send an e-mail if you would and I will explain.

47

"Special" meeting in October?

by Esmeralda in

jw
friends

question.

my mother told my husband that there is to be a 'special meeting' in october at the local sports arena (same place as dc's are held here) and that "only publishers are allowed to attend" that they will get "special cards" for admission from their local congregation and have to hand them in to get into the building.

i have no idea if this has anything to do with the "annual meeting" they always have (isn't that generally in october?

Skimmer

If it is the case that the meeting sites are exclusively in the United States, then I'll guess that the presentation will not be doctrinal in nature. Instead, it will be an explanation to the faithful of some upcoming legal/administrative change made public the day earlier at the annual meeting.

Speculation: the announcement will be related to the operations of the new United States Branch Office and this will include a further legalistic separation between US operations and the global corporations. The idea will be to remove assets from the United States Branch while leaving the branch with as much liability as possible. We could even see a further subdivision of the asset/liability tree if sub-branches are set up in the United States.

An alternative, although unlikely, is that the WTBTS may concede the point on paying sales tax on literature in the United States and re-institute an offcial price list with sufficient profit margins.

And it possible that nothing of great significance will be said and the talks will be an attempt to rally the faithful for the expected upcoming "persecution" and "Satan's media attack" in the US. Of course, the "persecution" will be interpreted as yet another sign of the Big A coming Real Soon Now.

151

Intro's quote-o-rama

by Introspection in

i guess i've been inspired by stephen's quote threads, so i'm going to start one myself.. not one particular author here, just whatever i can find:.

q: why do you think that people are so protective of their egos?

why is it so hard to let go of one's ego?.

Skimmer

"Always do the right thing. A few people will be gratified; the rest will be amazed."

-- Mark Twain

24

An honest question for women only

by Skimmer in

recently, i came across the web site.

* http://www.classmates.com.

which is a directory of high school graduates throughout north america with many millions of entries.

Skimmer

A final update:

No replies; I was sure I'd hear from at least one of the three. It may be that all three have changed e-mail addresses; I know one person who changes hers three or four times every year.

Then again, if any of them did get the e-mail but chose not to reply, that's okay as all three are intelligent with good common sense so I trust that they are doing the right thing in not answering.

17

Suggestions, please re ``placing'' free COCs

by Room 215 in

jw
friends

a friend and i have come across a quantity of crisis of conscience in like-new condition, both english and italian editions.

we're in a quandary as to how to make best use of them.

we were thinking of donating them to the libraries or to perhaps cut a deal wth a local christian book store.

Skimmer

I think that your idea of donating them to libraries is a good strategy. This will maximize their exposure to many JWs who could not openly order a copy for themselves.

Of course, there are reports of some JWs *stealing* these books from libraries believing that they are engaging in proper theocratic warfare. I don't see how this can be avoided.

24

An honest question for women only

by Skimmer in

recently, i came across the web site.

* http://www.classmates.com.

which is a directory of high school graduates throughout north america with many millions of entries.

Skimmer

Hello thinkers wife:

Thank you very much for the encouragement.

----------

Hello somebody:

With respect to your incoming mail from the fellow who remembered you, I would suggest that you be honest yet tactful. Point out some common events or persons that both of you should be familiar with and see if his replies help with your memory.

----------

Hello waiting:

No, I'm not conning anyone; there's no purpose in doing that. Also, too many of us were conned for too long already as a result of our experience with the WTBTS.

I'd like to be known as a nice guy; mostly I try to be honest. And except for my shining blue eyes, I am not cute at all. I could stand to lose 10 kilos, but I still have all my hair although there are signs of grey starting to show.

----------

Well, still no replies; I'm fairly sure at least one would have come by now if any were coming at all.

24

An honest question for women only

by Skimmer in

recently, i came across the web site.

* http://www.classmates.com.

which is a directory of high school graduates throughout north america with many millions of entries.

Skimmer

An update:

Alas, I have not received replies to either of the two notes I sent. I suspect an un-forwarded e-mail address change or two, but perhaps there might be other reasons.

Anyway, I tried again earlier today with the third special person I wanted to get in touch with; she is not listed but her younger sister is and I've asked her to do the forwarding.

I hope I hear back. I think that is my last try as I've run out of special people to contact.

58

UK Posters: C'mon Gimme a Smiley :)

by philo in

jw
friends

hello britains .

i am trying to get as many uk posters to sign in.

so post up please, whether you love the queen's corgis or think they should be nationalised!.

Skimmer

Speaking as an American, I like to think that in a way the United States is really the most successful result from the colonization process of the British Empire. Think about it: there are probably more people of British descent living in the US than there are in Britain. And in WW II, while the tremendous contributions of the Canadians, the Australians, the New Zealanders, and others of the Empire cannot be discounted, it was the industrial might of the US (along with Britain as an unsinkable aircraft carrier) that turned the tide in the European theater.

Also, the submarine technology and the submarine launched nuclear ballistic missles that guarantee Britain's strategic deterrent all come from the US. (We thank you for your contributions to Inland Revenue.) Also, since the US has plenty of uninhabited desert land, we allowed Britain to test its nuclear devices here; we are thankful that the UK has in turn allowed the US to locate some millitary bases on UK soil.

We are also thankful to British leaders like Winston Churchill (one of only two foreign nationals ever granted US citizenship) and Margaret Thatcher (who with Ronald Reagan and John Paul II helped beat back the communists in Europe); we appreciate the wisdom of the British in electing such people in time of great need.

We like British sports cars and we miss having MGs, Trimumphs, and other fun, moderate cost automobiles on our highways.

We also appreciate your tourists' spending, so feel free to visit often.

24

An honest question for women only

by Skimmer in

recently, i came across the web site.

* http://www.classmates.com.

which is a directory of high school graduates throughout north america with many millions of entries.

Skimmer

Hello Prisca and thinkers wife:

About five years ago I came up with the "proud to be your friend" closing line when I made out a gift card for a special woman friend of mine. I couldn't think of anything eloquent to write, so I figured I would just be honest. I've never used it for anyone else until yesterday in my e-mail.

I hope that I get a reply. I'm already happy (a little bit) that I made the long delayed effort to get in touch and write how I felt.

I tried a test e-mail to myself via the web site and I received it in under five minutes. I haven't gotten a bounce notification, so I assume that my notes went through. I do understand that people do not all check their e-mail three times a day as do I, and that many people change their e-mail address without leaving a forwarding pointer. So maybe I won't get anything back at all, but at least I made an attempt.