Sara Annie

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Posts by Sara Annie

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  23

  The thing I love about America the most is...

  by dolphman in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  i won't get executed for leaving it.

  in other words, it's not like n.korea... http://www.msnbc.com/news/863322.asp?0cv=cb20.

  but i guess if we're to believe the saddam lovers and communist/socialist and honda prius driving folks here then america is much, much worse than i think it is..... .

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  Sara Annie

  ...that I can stand in front of a) The White House, b) The Supreme Court, c) The Capitol Bldg. and speak my full mind and heart at the top of my lungs, and pass out printed copies of my condemnation of my government to all passers-by. I can call down fire and brimstone on the leader of my country in no uncertain terms....And I can do all this without fear that I will one night soon thereafter hear the feared midnight knock on my door and hear the jackbooted feet of government police stomping through my front door, freshly broken in by a fire axe.

  Francois took my answer!
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  111

  Are You In Support Of Starting A War In Iraq ?

  by minimus in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  it looks inevitable.

  do you think this is more a carry over from president pappy bush's not getting the job done while he was in office?

  do you think the usa and it's allies can fight multiple wars??

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  Sara Annie

  Edited because I somehow accidentally posted the above twice... Sorry!

  (Jeesh, I know I was being emphatic, but that was just overkill!)

  Edited by - Sara Annie on 24 January 2003 18:18:5
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  111

  Are You In Support Of Starting A War In Iraq ?

  by minimus in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  it looks inevitable.

  do you think this is more a carry over from president pappy bush's not getting the job done while he was in office?

  do you think the usa and it's allies can fight multiple wars??

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  Sara Annie

  So have you enlisted yet?

  Don't you, in fact, mean "I may not agree with what you say, but THIS GUY OVER HERE will fight to the death for your right to say it, while I just sit on my ass and whine about people who can look at humanity as a whole instead of seeing the US as the center of the world, like I do." And then, probably throw a "God bless the USA" or "Go forth christian soldiers! Slaughter those Muslim dogs!" in there somewhere?

  As a 32 year old woman with two children, I hardly qualify to enlist. My husband, however, is a Gulf War veteran and there is every chance that he will be called upon to serve again. My father is a Viet Nam veteran who lost a brother and countless friends in that conflict. In forming your glib responses, please do not assume that I am ignorant of the personal sacrifices that accompany war. I am more than aware of who will be fighting this war. I do not invite it, I do not welcome it, and I certainly do not want it. If it comes, however, you can be certain that I will not be "sitting on my ass and whining" about it.

  Edited by - Sara Annie on 24 January 2003 18:19:50
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  111

  Are You In Support Of Starting A War In Iraq ?

  by minimus in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  it looks inevitable.

  do you think this is more a carry over from president pappy bush's not getting the job done while he was in office?

  do you think the usa and it's allies can fight multiple wars??

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  Sara Annie

  Oh puh-leeze.

  If I read one more post by one more simpering fellow American playing the "America and it's citizens are so self-centered and egotistical/other countries have worth too/not everyone wants a democratic society/the US needs to stop bullying everyone/America's original ideals are worthless today/blah blah blah blah blah" I swear to God I'm going to take a hostage.

  But you know what? I won't. Because I live in a country where each citizen has the right to express their disillusionment and anger about the state of the nation they live in without fear that they will be harmed for doing so. And while some would encourage you to pack your complaining, dissatisfied, whining asses up and relocate them to one of those countries where you contend that human rights are simply "different" than the American standard, I actually urge you to do just the opposite. Stay, please, and continue to spout out your rhetoric. The fact that you can do so is one of the things that continues to make the USA a pretty damn fine place to live. In this country, the phrase "I may not agree with what you say, but I will fight to the death for your right to say it" actually means something.

  Do I want a war? Who the hell wants a war? I don't. It makes my chest hurt, it causes that horrible hollow feeling of dread in the pit of my stomach that I can't make go away. I don't like the thought of sending our sons/brothers/husbands/fathers into battle for something that I'm not sure is the imminent threat that it is being touted as. But should it happen, I will support the men and women of our military in their endeavor, and do my best, as an American, to support my country and it's efforts. And if I feel compelled to speak out in opposition, I will do that too, with the full knowledge that I am free to do so.

  Sappy and patriotic? Yep. Proud to be so? Damn straight.
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  14

  Something profound just hit me...indulge me a bit?

  by truthseekers2 in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  okay, so i'm standing in the bathroom brushing my teeth .

  "i believe in god.

  the almighty god taught in the bible.

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  Sara Annie

  The two major lessons I'll take with me to the next "level" of experience are:

  1. I cannot control how other people think, feel, or speak or act. I can, however, control how I react to their thoughts, feelings, speech or actions. In each situation I am given a choice, and when I am hurt, disappointed, or angered by a given situation, I am rarely a hapless victim devoid of responsibility in the outcome. A precious few things in this life are "not your fault". In the rare circumstances that no action of my own has in any way affected the situation, I am blameless. If, however, I choose to remain in the situation that will certainly repeat itself when I have viable alternatives, I am culpable.

  2. When someone tastes something and promptly turns to me and says "Oh my god, this is TERRIBLE...try it!" it is generally not a good idea to take them up on the offer.
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  9

  Putting Something Back Into Society Now You're Out

  by Englishman in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  i saw the film "pay it forward" some weeks ago.

  now, whilst most of us stoical brits will snort somewhat at the emotional hokum, nonetheless the movie featured many salient points, not least the theory that humankind needs to put something back into society if it is to retain it's own sense of worth.. as it happens, i agree with that theory.

  also, since leaving the jw's, i find that i have much more concern for the welfare of my fellow man than i used to have.

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  Sara Annie

  With all of the selective verse touting done by JWs on every issue from sideburn length to oral sex, it never ceases to amaze me that they fail to put into practice the words of Matthew 25:40 (which, in my humble opinion, encapsulate one of the primary attributes of a Christian).

  "Whatsoever you do to the least of my brothers, that you do unto me."

  It doesn't get much simpler than that, folks. If you can look around you and see the pain and suffering of the least among you, and do nothing, you have failed. Now that you are free of the organization that told you that the "brothers" Jesus spoke of were only your fellow JWs, you know better. And if you know better, and still do nothing, then there is no one to blame but yourself.

  Caring for your fellow man and contributing to society does not need to involve great sums of money or grandiose, complicated gestures, and doesn't need to result in recognition of the deed. Quietly contribute financially to causes you believe in. Stop and hold the door for the man with the walker 20 feet behind you, or the woman trying to wrangle two toddlers with a baby on her hip. Take 15 minutes to hold the scared little boy's hand so he can go to sleep. Help the man who's grocery bag has given way pick up the cans rolling all over the parking lot. Take your paperback books to the nursing home, buy any kind of beverage children sell at stands in their driveways (whether you drink it or not is totally up to you!), educate yourself about world events so that when you give your opinion on them it will be recognized as informed even if you are not agreed with. There are thousands of ways to "do something productive" for society. Start with just one, and go from there. Just as importantly, remember to be grateful and acknowledge when someone has made your life even a little bit easier.

  My parents gave me one of the greatest gifts by quietly and consistently doing good in the world, contributing money and time and talent to so many people and causes and letting me watch them do it. In raising my children I want to give them the same gift.

  *puts 2 cents on the table and walks out*
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  3

  ZEN-TYPE THOUGHTS FOR THE DAY....

  by ThiChi in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  1. do not walk behind me, for i may not lead.

  do not walk.

  ahead of me, for i may not follow.

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  Sara Annie

  This thread got me thinking about something you might enjoy. A few years ago, my husband happened upon this web site where they sell a version of those motivational type "Success Series" posters with the gorgeous photographs under which an attribute or element of success is printed along with a motivational phrase or explanation relating to it.

  The posters from this company have the same quality of photographs, but contain more "down to earth" messages. My favorite one (titled "Mistakes") is on my desk here at the office. We bought several prints that hang in our rec-room. Funny stuff! Enjoy:

  http://www.despair.com
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  4

  Valentine's Day

  by YellowLab in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  so what are all of you doing for valentine's day this year?

  it sure is nice to have one day where you can celebrate your spouse, bf/gf, or significant other.

  but the wts will have none of that!

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  Sara Annie

  On Valentines day 2003, I will be *gasp* 32 years old! In addition to celebrating my birthday, I'll also spend yet another Valentines day with my wonderful husband.

  Having never been a JW, I've always celebrated both days! (If you're wondering why in the world this non-JW is here posting, you can find out here: http://www.jehovahs-witness.com/forum/thread.aspx?id=44589&site=3) I can't believe that worked!

  Sndy420-Happy Birthday to your little one! Now for a little unsolicited advice from someone who knows... My birthday is February 14th, and as I got older it became very important to me that the two days (VD and BD) be celebrated in a somewhat separate fashion. Whenever a birthday is shared with a traditional holiday, I think it's important to give the two days separate significance within the family. My parents always made it a point (and still do) to recognize both occasions on that day. (As a joke, my Dad always goes out and finds the one "Valentines Day Birthday" card Hallmark makes every year). My husband has always been good at that! I get roses and chocolates and wined and dined and romanced and get to blow out my candles on 2/14, and then he picks at least one random day throughout the year to do the same thing as a special "birthday" surprise. If you're going to celebrate birthdays and holidays, you might as well do them up right!

  On a more or less unrelated note, I remember when my son was about 4, and we were in the grocery store the first week in February. He asked me what Valentine's Day was, and I told him it was a day to spend with someone you love very much. I remember him thinking about it for a moment and then saying "Mom, can I spend Valentines day with you?". Still makes me all warm and fuzzy.
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  6

  My baby girl is about to come home!

  by hamptonite21 in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  most of you know that i have been researching breeds of dogs.

  today is the day i get my baby!

  i am so excited.

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  Sara Annie

  Congrats!

  We had a rescued greyhound, his name was Argus and he was a brindle... I hope you have a big yard-Argus literally wore a path around the back acre from his daily runs. We had to teach him to use the stairs (racing dogs rarely know how to navigate them) and-though hugehe always thought of himself as a little lap dog. Unfortunately, he developed intestinal cancer and we made the choice to put him to sleep rather than subject him to chemotherapy and surgery that carried no guarrantee he'd survive. It was a very dark few weeks at our house...

  Enjoy your new family member!
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  16

  Before the US takes out Saddam. . .

  by drahcir yarrum in

  1. jw
  2. experiences

  we need to take into consideration that in the last election in iraq, he got 100% of the vote.

  like many dictators throughout the world, he is immensly popular.

  he probably is stockpiling weapons of mass destruction to keep them out of the hands of real bad guys.

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  Sara Annie

  It is not a bug! It's a big stick. And it's wedged WAY up there, apparently.

  And I assumed you were trying to be funny... Just couldn't confirm the suspicion, given the material. Thanks for the confirmation...

  Have a great weekend!