Elsewhere in the Active Topics list (See "Society on Documenting Personal Views ") a letter from the WTB&TS to congregations has been reproduced. It is obvious this letter has been either written or vetted by a lawyer, or more likely by a committee of lawyers. It fairly reeks of legalese masquerading as a concern for accuracy. It is also clear that the WTB&TS wishes to avoid having the average publisher speak with anyone doing "surveys."
As noted by the many good folks responding to the reproduction of the subject letter, it seems that its timing and direction constitute a pre-emptive attempt at damage control and prevention in contemplation of the upcoming Dateline (?) program which purportedly will focus on the entire JW/Pedophile issue. Perhaps there is very good reason for the Society to fear this exposure.
As a former reporter and newswriter, I can assure you friends that nothing will so immediately cause a newsman or woman to react like a shark to blood in the water as the impression that the subject of an investigative report is attempting to stonewall. Refering a reporter to previously published materials in answer to a question about current matters constitutes just such blood in the water.
This letter from the WTB&TS is a virtual invitation to NBC news to dig deeper, and I hope the person who has the original will forward it to the Vice-President of the News Division at NBC, along with an explanation of how it was obtained and something of an analysis of why the letter was written, and more especially, why NOW?
Finally, let me please suggest that any of you who are interested get directly in touch with NBC News and volunteer whatever information you have in support of the contemplated story.
You can send mail to Dateline at:
[email protected]
You may want to volunteer what knowledge you have regarding child sex abuse and its coverup for NBC News.
I hope this post is helpful. This is a perfect opportunity to help the organization of Jehovah's Witnesses to actually deal with the TRUTH. Good Luck!
Francois