Posts by LennyinBluemont

43

This is my first post after many years of reading this site

by And He Ran in

this is my first post after many years of reading this site.

i am from the west midlands, england.

i was raised as a jw and got baptised aged 17, started "fading" whilst at university when i started to broaden my outlook and realised that all the so-called "worldly people" i had for so long been encouraged to avoid associating with were actually often open-minded, honest, generous and loyal people.

LennyinBluemont

Welcome to Simon's refugee camp. As you've seen, you'll find all sorts here. Some calm and reflective. Some still dealing with difficult emotions trying to sort it all out. Stick around. We need you as much as you need us. It's good you came out into the sunlight. It will encourage still others to come out from the shadows. Here's a virtual hug from me and the wife. (((AHR)))

59

JWs selling Bossert Hotel-New York Times Article 1-30-08

by AndersonsInfo in

jw
friends

new york times.

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/01/30/nyregion/30hotel.html?_r=1&ref=nyregion&oref=slogin.

hotel where dodgers celebrated a title is up for sale .

LennyinBluemont

Here's my take on it. This is asset protection 101. The WT recently got a pretty painful jab to the tune of $13 million due to some pedophilia on the part of local representatives of the corporation. They knew it was in the pipeline for years and hoped to avoid it, but didn't. They know there are more in the pipeline. What to do? They've got pretty deep pockets, at least tens if not hundreds of millions in assets. The U.S. is the most litigious society on planet earth. Is that where you'd want to keep all your assets, particularly with your exposure to high limit lawsuits? A federal judge can seize any property within U.S. borders to settle a civil or criminal matter. Can you say hotels, factories, residence and office complexes? He/she has no jurisdiction when it comes to assets outside the U.S. What you do is simple. You liquidate and move the assets offshore. (This is what O.J. did. That's why he's never paid a penny of the multi-million dollar judgment against him in the Goldman case. It's been said that half the members of Congress have offshore corporations to protect their assets.) I'd be willing to bet anyone here a Guiness that the Society has offshore corporations in the Cayman Islands, and the bank accounts attached to those corporations are getting bigger everyday as the fixed assets are liquidated and the cash conveyed offshore. They can then use those corporations to invest the funds for growth. Here's another prediction: They will source out all printing and shipping in the future to remove exposure to those assets as well. They're circling the wagons, folks.

30

Surely the WT wouldn't LIE about motel/hotel accommodations?!?

by RisingEagle in

jw
friends

i was eating lunch with 3/4 of my active jw family earlier today and they were bemoaning the idea that they were going to have to leave the central oklahoma area very early tomorrow morning to find a room so they could attend an assembly on the otherside of the state.

they had tried calling the 'approved' hotels and motels in the town where the assembly is being held and they were all booked.

so that left them looking at the rest of the approved list and having to travel as much as 50 miles away to get a room.

LennyinBluemont

On a related topic, years ago we applied to be delegates to an international convention in Ukraine and were accepted. (Oh, what a wonderful privilege!! Can't wait to see and encourage the brothers and sisters in Ukraine! ) When we got information from the "tour" company I was amazed at the price we were being charged. So, just to compare, I spoke with a number of local travel agents to get prices on what would amount to the same tour, same boat trip, guided tours of museums, etc. etc. Doing the closest comparison possible, the most expensive quote I got was less than half what the Society's "tour" company was charging us. And with the Society, we were travelling with a large group, so we should have qualified for volume discounts. So I called the Society and asked why the tour was so expensive, when travelling as a couple, several companies would provide the same things, including airfare, length of stay, class of hotels, cruises, etc. for less than half what we were being charged as part of the Society's "arrangement". All I got was a bullshit answer like, "Well, brother, it is very difficult to coordinate a large group like this with all the buses and planes and have everything synchronized the way we need it to be, so it's a lot more work involved." I told him that I could understand that, but given the fact we should be getting volume discounts, even if some aspects were more expensive, it should still not be any more expensive than pricing anyone can get any day of the week. He didn't have an answer for that. We cancelled the trip. I hate being lied to. Another little "light" that should have awakened me, but alas, the indoctrination ran too deep.

63

April study wt - unbelievable mind control!!

by breakingfree in

has anyone else had a browse of the new study watchtower for april?

what then are valueless things?

thus their words were "a valueless thing.

LennyinBluemont

"Go peddle crazy somewhere else. We're all full up here."

Jack Nicholson, "As Good as It Gets."

36

Neil Young - Your Favorite Songs or Albums from Him ?

by flipper in

jw
friends

another musician i have really liked over the years !

has a crazy , catatonic electric guitar sound over the years that sounds like the guitar is moaning or screaming at times .

pretty creepy at times ; but very cool !

LennyinBluemont

Sailing heart-ships thru broken harbors
Out on the waves in the night
Still the searcher must ride the dark horse
Racing alone in his fright.
Tell me why, tell me why

Is it hard to make arrangements with yourself,
When your old enough to repay but young enough to sell?

Tell me lies later, come and see me
I'll be around for a while.
I am lonely but you can free me
All in the way that you smile
Tell me why, tell me why

Is it hard to make arrangements with yourself,
When your old enough to repay but young enough to sell?

Tell me why, tell me why
Tell me why, tell me why

48

Wow, I can't believe I'm doing this....

by megawatt in

welp...

it's been a crazy ride for over 25 years, pretty much raised as a witness (ever since i could remember), rebelled against my parents, came back, straighten out for a little while, married within "the truth", but the last 5 to 7 years, i've been seriously questioning the changes and doctrines established by the wts.

never thought i would be looking from this side of the fence.

LennyinBluemont

Welcome mega and all newbies and lurkers, to the cyber refugee camp known as JWD and hosted by the gracious and generous man behind the curtain, Simon. As the effect of the drugs (read indoctrination) begin to wear off, there will be periods of disorientation and anxiety over loss of personal identity, as well as guilt feelings. Walk outdoors. Feel the breeze. Feel the sun. Listen to the birds or whatever noise there is. Realize you are a unique, intelligent being residing in the ecosystem of planet Earth. Begin the journey of finding yourself, discovering who you are, defining your new identity. Many here in the camp have been through exactly what you are experiencing, and far worse. We will share our provisions with you. All we ask is that you in turn extend love and kindness to fresh escapees as you gain strength. When you are ready, it is strongly recommended that you get a view of the "inside" at the highest level (Governing Body) by reading "Crisis of Conscience" by Raymond Franz, a GB member for nine years. This book, unlike any other available, has been like a strong wind in the lives of so many, blowing away the thick fog and erasing the guilt, allowing you to see clearly for miles and miles. For a women's perspective, your wife might enjoy "Awakening of a Jehovah's Witness" by Diane Wilson. (Both should be available on Amazon.)

"One thing I can tell you is you got to be free." John Lennon ("Come Together")

Peace, brother.

50

Dumping out my purse

by sweetface2233 in

ladies, how many of you have had this happen?

your cell phone is stashed in your purse and it starts ringing.

you plunge your hand in, hoping to grab it and begin the call.

LennyinBluemont

Hey Sweets, I found one answer to my cellphone problem. I got a purse with a little cell holder on the strap. You never have to look for it, it is right there. Also, when I don't use that purse since it is black & I change it out for a lighter one every so often, that one has many outside pockets. The one on the back side of the purse has a zipper. I keep my cell there for easy access. It can really cut down on stress since I receive many calls from our answering service whenever I leave the office. BTW everyone her purse isn't that big, at least the one she's carrying today isn't. If that is what she had at work she is an amazing packer.

Karen in Bluemont, Lenny's wife

13

Dinner in LA?

by LennyinBluemont in

jw
friends

hi folks.

i'm in la for a few days, staying in canoga park.

anybody wanna get together for dinner tonite?

LennyinBluemont

Hey lurkers, so far we got Dagney, wha happened and me. Sounds like a spontaneous apostafest happenin tonite! Anybody else wanna join us? Dagney's pickin a place out and we're gonna afest California-style! PM Dag or me

Shalohm out!

13