Thank you for the heads up!
A couple of years ago, I wrote JW Science Fiction novel
THE MONRAILS of MARS
I'd like to see more JW related fiction books hit the market.
Good luck with this!
ben kalland from finland has written a novel with jdub - and jw hq - as context and it has been translated to english.
it is called "ellen's song".
you can find it in amazon.. here is the plot:.
Thank you for the heads up!
A couple of years ago, I wrote JW Science Fiction novel
THE MONRAILS of MARS
I'd like to see more JW related fiction books hit the market.
Good luck with this!
news in general are supposed to be unbiased.
but given how commercial and political interests get their tentacles around them, finding a fully unbiased news website is not so easy.. here in america some would rather trust bbc or reuters than they do cnn or fox news.
any favorites?.
I like Jimmy Dore Show for analysis. I sample Drudge stories.
On Drudge there is a long list of news outlets and I go down the A-Z of them when I have time IF something is controversial.
The YouTube outlets are always worth checking out. I keep an eye on The Young Turks with a skeptical eye. I even like to see what is cooking on RT.
But, my hand's down favorite site is Glenn Greenwald's THEINTERCEPT.com
a couple of years ago, sitting at starbucks outside patio, i became "aware" of a feathered mafioso i eventually named edgar.so weird and varied have been our adventures, i began writing about them.this is only the latest installment in what i like to call: the edgar chronicles_______edgar colludes with the rooskiesi sit carefully selecting which words to use--there are pitfalls to my tale.2 chinese ladies are problematic for a writer who is an olde white male.what if i accidentally stereotype?
i dare not!with your kind permission, i will change the sex and country of origin of my 2 characters to avoid going off the rails.instead, this story is transformed into 2 *russian* guys!
that you crow.
Not to mention the obvious Thought Crimes of which I'm complicit.
My venality has no bounds.
there are a number of salient facts concerning this man who possessed a big reputation.. 1. covington and rutherford were pretty much the type a personalities who got along famously.
in fact, rutherford wanted covington to be the next gb executive of the watchtower corporation.. 2. fred franz and nathan knorr were the polar opposites to the (above) dynamic duo.
these two would conspire to drive covington out.
Never heard of Tietz. Did he pronounced it "teets" or "Tights"?
I had a court-appointed attorney (because my Judge Leo Brewster refused to allow me to go Pro Se) whose law office was decorated with photos of aircraft carriers and battleships.
The Society would only provide helpful materials to full-time Pioneers (such as Covington's pamphlet "Legally Defending the Good News" I think it is called.
For the rank and file publisher, however, bupkiss.
a couple of years ago, sitting at starbucks outside patio, i became "aware" of a feathered mafioso i eventually named edgar.so weird and varied have been our adventures, i began writing about them.this is only the latest installment in what i like to call: the edgar chronicles_______edgar colludes with the rooskiesi sit carefully selecting which words to use--there are pitfalls to my tale.2 chinese ladies are problematic for a writer who is an olde white male.what if i accidentally stereotype?
i dare not!with your kind permission, i will change the sex and country of origin of my 2 characters to avoid going off the rails.instead, this story is transformed into 2 *russian* guys!
that you crow.
The weird part of being joined at the hip with a bird is: it has normalized.
Nothing astonishes me any longer.
Why, me--Oh Lord? Who knows?
Perhaps birdbrains of a feather are fated to flock together...
a couple of years ago, sitting at starbucks outside patio, i became "aware" of a feathered mafioso i eventually named edgar.so weird and varied have been our adventures, i began writing about them.this is only the latest installment in what i like to call: the edgar chronicles_______edgar colludes with the rooskiesi sit carefully selecting which words to use--there are pitfalls to my tale.2 chinese ladies are problematic for a writer who is an olde white male.what if i accidentally stereotype?
i dare not!with your kind permission, i will change the sex and country of origin of my 2 characters to avoid going off the rails.instead, this story is transformed into 2 *russian* guys!
that you crow.
A couple of years ago, sitting at Starbucks outside patio, I became "aware" of a feathered Mafioso I eventually named EDGAR.
So weird and varied have been our adventures, I began writing about them.
This is only the latest installment in what I like to call: THE EDGAR CHRONICLES
_______
EDGAR COLLUDES with the ROOSKIES
I sit carefully selecting which words to use--there are pitfalls to my tale.
2 Chinese ladies are problematic for a writer who is an Olde White Male.
What if I accidentally stereotype? I dare not!
With your kind permission, I will change the sex and country of origin of my 2 characters to avoid going off the rails.
Instead, this story is transformed into 2 *Russian* guys!
Ha! I can’t possibly go wrong...can I?
________
The Setting: Starbucks (of course.)
I’m seated close to the window with a full view of my bicycle, the sidewalk and alfresco tables and chairs. It's a patio.
Munitio 9mm earbuds are stuck inside my ears like bolts in Frankenstein’s neck.
My latest “mixtape” fires up and waves of serenity soothe my interior.
Now--this much you need to know before I continue...
1. Edgar will arrive and I’ll catch him messing with my bike.
2. A middle-aged *Russian guy* wearing a body-hugging cheongsam is sitting at the next table in a loud cell phone conversation.
Okay? Got that?
We begin.
My black-feathered Nemesis sees that I have him under surveillance.
Lately, since it’s too hot for me outside, I’ve neglected to feed Edgar his favorite cashews
(or anything else) a few times.
What can I say?--it’s a tough world.
He’s pissed.
Naturally, this requires teaching me a lesson.
Edgar has been ruining my genuine leather bike seat with his weapon of choice: bird beak. When I catch him--he stops, nonchalantly gazing about, the very picture of innocence.
Off to my right, the loud and strange (to my ears) accent of the excited *Russian guy* penetrates my consciousness. My sleeve is tugged.
*The Russian guy* is standing next to me with *his* phone extended toward my face.
“You help me--no?”
“Um, I help you--yes.”
“My friend lost. Can’t find me. Need directions. You help--no?”
“I help--yes.”
_____
Next thing you know, I’m pressing the *Russian guy's* smartphone against my dumb ear trying to sort out the *Russian* voice on the other end. Believe me: NOT easy.
“Can you tell me exactly where you are right now?” I yelled into the phone.
(Note: studies have shown the best way to make yourself understood to a foreign-born person is to speak louder.)
“I lost.” (The voice on the phone.)
“That’s not very helpful. Are you in an automobile?”
“No. I’m driving car. I lost.”
“Right. You’re lost. Okay. Describe things around you and I can help.”
“Steering wheel. Clock. Seat covers…”
“No-no-no, OUTSIDE the car. What do you see OUTSIDE?”
“Traffic. Too much. Building. Street…”
“Hold on--read the signs on the buildings for me.”
_____
At this point, progress is made.
I quickly determine the lost *Russian fella* is only two blocks from Starbucks.
Carefully, I dictate extremely detailed directions again and again.
Finally, I hand the phone back to the *Russian guy* in the tight fitting skirt.
The expression on *his* face is alarmed.
What have I done wrong?
“Look, Crow on bicycle!” (*He* is pointing excitedly and quite upset.)
“Yes, I know. That’s Edgar and he’s a real pain in my ...well, he’s up to no good.”
“Crow bad luck before business meeting! Go--chase him away! Chase him now!”
____
The *Russian guy* is ordering me around like I’m being paid for such services.
Rather than argue, (or get myself in deeper doo-doo with the feathered Nemesis) I buy a snack and deliver outside.
Edgar looks very pleased with the quick results of his malicious mischief.
As he gobbles his muffin, I examine the cracked rip in my seat. Infuriating!
Presently, I returned inside just as the "lost" companion arrives safe and sound.
I know what you're thinking.
The 2 *Russian guys* will probably want to thank me for making their lives easier--right?
Think again!
“You crazy feed Crow! One Crow bad luck. Only Crow with baby Good Luck.”
I ignore this ingratitude.
“You’re welcome. I see you got here okay following my instructions.”
“No. I see cop and ask him--he tell me right way. You direction stink. I stay lost forever.”
____
At this juncture, all I can do is give up.
I ignore the 2 of them and get back to my mixtape.
Ten minutes later, both *Russian guys* are now asking where is a good place to go for lunch.
I decided to let Siri make the suggestion.
I punch "Nearby Restaurants" into my iPhone map and up pops a Chinese Buffet for my 2 *Russians*.
Oh, the look of disgust!
____
“That’s racist!” the 2 *Russians* snorted indignantly.
They huffed and puffed, gathered up their things and departed.
I stood there like the loser I am scratching my head.
I watch them walking out to a car. The car has a Crow sitting on the hood--like an ornament.
It is Edgar, of course.
Now the crazy antics commence!
Imagine in your mind's eye:
2 crazed *Russians* are waving their arms about screaming at Edgar in garbled English in high-pitched voice--practically hysterical.
Our beloved Crow stays put ignoring them.
This continues.
I watched for ten minutes. Strangely satisfying, though.
Finally, they gave up and CAME BACK inside Starbucks and sat down next to me once more.
I groaned. My intuition is whispering to me. Sure enough…
“You make Crow go away! That YOU CROW. You responsible!”
Can you believe this?
I didn’t argue. I’m not that stupid.
I got ANOTHER snack and sat outside next to my bicycle.
His Majesty flies over and I feed him.
The 2 indignant *Russian guys* quickly scurried to the car and drove off practically peeling rubber.
I stared into those scheming yellow eyes of his as Edgar munched his second muffin.
I growled indignantly at him:
"THIS YOU FAULT. YOU BAD LUCK!"
I used a racist *Russian* accent.
So, sue me!
_______
at least three media venues have undertaken the daunting task of unpacking the insidious dark side of jehovah's witnesses' organization.1.
douglas quenqua is a writer based in new york.
his work has appeared in the new york times, wired, redbook, and cnbc.
It goes without saying (ha!) A &E network has lawyers intent on preventing any statements from airing which are not backed by evidence. This should help filter out the tinfoil hat wearing witnesses and push forward those who can cite names, places, dates, and instances of malfeasance on the part of the GB and Org.
Those who can pass muster may not be beloved personalities but if the facts bear them out--we can hold our collective nostrils together and smile.
at least three media venues have undertaken the daunting task of unpacking the insidious dark side of jehovah's witnesses' organization.1.
douglas quenqua is a writer based in new york.
his work has appeared in the new york times, wired, redbook, and cnbc.
My "fear" is that the so-called "Apostate community" will bristle and turn on itself
if and when unpopular spokespersons are interviewed to expose this vile religion.
Personally, as long as the chosen few are articulate and knowledgeable, all other considerations are secondary.
I'd compare the situation with the case Joe Valachi who publicly exposed the MAFIA for the very first time. Valachi himself was a terrible person guilty of extraordinary evil. However...he made for a great witness against the mob.
So too, the "Apostates" will be reviled and vilified both by the Org itself and critics within the body of Ex-JW's. A credible witness, ironically, may be a less credible ex-witness :)
at least three media venues have undertaken the daunting task of unpacking the insidious dark side of jehovah's witnesses' organization.1.
douglas quenqua is a writer based in new york.
his work has appeared in the new york times, wired, redbook, and cnbc.
"Pay no attention to that man behind the curtain!"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ubIpoPjBUds
i cant seem to understand this text actually, can someone please explain it to me.
There is a word I encountered early in my attempts at Philosophy studies.
INSTANTIATION and the instantiation principle. Consider what it states and apply it to the scripture under examination.
Unless and until there is an actual instance of a thing--it doesn't exist.
The concept of a chair did not exist until a chair was first built.
Once there has been an instance of something, even if all further instances are destroyed, that thing has reality and will continue to do so.
What usually happens--AFTER the fact--is a thing becomes poetic or metaphorical or literary as a transformation because the actual instance of those things has become extinct.
Meaning?
Philosophically, SICKNESS continues to exist in exactly the way it did in Roman times and in the way it was back there known. If all sickness had been extinguished from our planet--we'd be free to "spiritualize" it or poeticize it.
Otherwise, it is illogical to do so.