freeman

Joined

• started 44 topics
• posted 799 times   see topics posted on
• send a message

Posts by freeman

• 
  17

  Didn't you just love ALL those "special" days?

  by micheal in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  special assemblies, special talks, special service days, special visits, special olympics, oh wait..

  1. 
  2. 
  3. 
• 

  freeman

  The only special thing about it was when it was finally over.

  Freeman
• 
  8

  Question on the War in Iraq

  by dins in

  1. social
  2. current

  after reading the face of war post on how the us in covering up the atrocities, it has finally compelled me to ask this question which has been on my mind for weeks.

  i am glad to see saddam gone and think in the end it will have been the right thing to do.

  but when bush told saddam to disarm "or else" what if saddam had really disarmed?

  1. 
  2. 
  3. 
• 

  freeman

  Although regime change was the stated goal of the former Clinton administration and adopted by the Bush administration, the pursuit of military action towards that end in Iraq could easily have been avoided.

  If Saddam decided to disarm as he promised there would never have been any sanctions imposed, the oil would be flowing without restrictions, and he would likely still be in power even now. But that was not Saddam’s choice.

  The events of 9-11 is what changed everything. The events of 9-11 are what will drive the next action if it becomes necessary. But hopefully it will not come to that. Hopefully states that sponsor terror or are reckless with their existing WMD and would place them in the hands of crazies will take note of the example that just happened in their backyard.

  Despite the noble notion of going to war with Iraq for the liberation of the Iraqi people, that was a secondary reason. The United States primary reason, the reason that got Bush to take this drastic action, was to prevent WMD from getting into the hands of crazies that would use them on the United States and its allies.

  That said, Saddam miscalculated once again when he did not take Bush at his word, as he should have. Is there a lesson in all of this? Sure, and it’s quite simple. When Bush told the Telaban to hand over Bin Ladden or they would be removed from power as a consequence, he meant it.

  A lot of people don’t like that matter-of-fact way of expression, particularly when coming from a politician and world leader. Perhaps they’re not used to that or they don’t trust that simple unsophisticated way of doing things. Then again, some really like it. I’m not saying whether that’s good or bad, it just how he (Bush)is. Just some thoughts...

  Freeman
• 
  38

  Arabs confused by Iraqi’s acceptance of coalition troops

  by Elsewhere in

  1. social
  2. current

  an article from the al jazeera web site... .

  http://english.aljazeera.net/topics/article.asp?cu_no=1&item_no=2299&version=1&template_id=263&parent_id=258.

  (because the address has "&" signs in it, you will have to cut and paste the address into a new browser to view to actual web site.).

  1. 
  2. 
  3. 
• 

  freeman

  One has to remember that there hasn’t been an Arab victory since perhaps the crusades, so I’m sure pride and ego was a bit damaged by this turn of events. Also since not the entire Arab world is under the domination of a brutal dictatorship, many can’t quite put themselves in the shoes of the Iraqis. Any liberator, even a western liberator, would be welcomed. Fortunately for the Iraqis, we are in their country to liberate and not conquer and it’s obvious they realize this. And I believe it’s important that we continue to do our best to not further damage these peoples pride if we can.

  Now here is the part where I get myself into trouble. I think it’s also the responsible thing to not overly gloat over the tremendous success of this undertaking. Yes the talking-heads, the armchair generals, the nay-sayers, the liberal-left, and the peace at any price crowd are in fact proven 100% wrong.

  That said however, I don’t think it’s constructive to dwell on this.

  People have various points of view, and all are equally worthy of consideration, some just happen to be completely wrong, and others happen to be correct. I believe that the important thing is that the Iraqi people be provided with every opportunity to transition from a 30 year brutal dictatorship to a form of government that will care for it’s people instead of suppress them. In fact the entire Arab world needs to be shown how much better things would be if they gravitate in that direction.

  Further, it’s also important that the Arab world and others understand what is at stake and how much they have to lose if they continue to foster hatred towards the west, and in particular the United States. The United States is the solitary super power and as demonstrated, it absolutely will use its incredible military might when it feels it is in fact necessary.

  One last thought; As the days go by, I’m sure we will be discovering all sorts of things in Iraq that will further validate the correctness of the Bush Administrations actions. However, I caution those who may have been in opposition to give credit where it is due and cease your negativeness or you will become irrelevant and non-credible, and for those who have been cheering this action on to just remember that if you rub it in peoples faces, it only serves to irritate instead of educate.

  Freeman
• 
  38

  When The Circuit Overseer Visited, Why Did You Do More Than Usual?

  by minimus in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  was it pressure, the desire to conform, was it because you thought that you could work in service with him???

  were you trying to get appointed?

  did you really think it was a "special week of activity"?

  1. 
  2. 
  3. 
• 

  freeman

  Well I didn’t do too much extra myself during these visits, however my wife and her friends always went over the edge when this carpetbagger showed up. What am I saying, she still does. Yep her and the local gaggle of hens all calmer for the “honor” of serving this windbag a meal fit for a king.

  Yep I sure do remember. I also remember long ago when we were not exactly well to due having to sacrifice for this great honor. It pisses me off to know that this creep gets pocket money that I earned, drives a late model luxury car that I helped pay for, eats a really nice meal that I completely paid for, and then lectures my wife on the need to do more. You want more done? Get off your FU**ING ass and get job!

  At this stage my wife knows she better make sure I’m at work when this freeloader comes calling or it won’t be a very pretty a scene.

  Freeman
• 
  15

  Since leaving the org..what do you do with the time that you now have free?

  by MoeJoJoJo in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  after quitting meeting attendance, study for meetings and field service we gain alot of time.

  i wasn't used to having that time to just do nothing and i've never been used to doing just nothing (relaxing and having time to stop and smell the roses).

  so i joined the pto, my kids signed up for sports, i became a parent volunteer at the school, i became a coach and the list goes on.

  1. 
  2. 
  3. 
• 

  freeman

  Sometimes on a Sunday morning I’ll sit there in the living room or out on the deck when the weather is nice drinking my coffee, reading the paper, and contemplating the world and local events described therein.
  
  My wife sometimes will join me, drinking her coffee and reading her paper about events that are promised, but never seem to happen.
  My paper is filled with mostly bad news, but I enjoy reading it, her paper is filled with "good news", but she finds no real enjoyment.

  I read my paper leisurely and flip through the pages one after the other until I find something of interest. My wife reads her paper systematically and underlines portions of the page with a yellow highlighter; there is no interest only the obligation to hurry-up and finish her task before she runs out of time.

  She showers, puts on her make-up, and gets dressed in her finest formal skirt. I chill out in my old comfortable sweats and ripped tee shirt.

  As she hurries out the door on her way to her meeting, she glances back and says with words that are never spoken, poor foolish man, I will lose him at Armageddon because he does not come with me to these vital meetings. But what can I do about it?

  And she says goodbye and shuts the door behind her, I sit there and sometimes I shake my head and every now and then I just can’t help but burst into tears for her because this unloving cult runs her ragged. But what can I do about it?

  Don’t get me wrong, I truly relish my freedom, I just wish I could share it with my wife, she deservers better; she deserves much better.

  Freeman
• 
  31

  copycat burns his pecker

  by greven in

  1. social
  2. humour
  1. 
  2. 
  3. 
• 

  freeman

  Let’s not be so quick to render a harsh judgment against this young man. How do we know the pie didn’t lead him on? Did the pie put up a fight, did it scream? Oh no I guess that was him screaming, never mind. It seems to me the only way to get to the bottom of all this is to have the Elders investigate this.
  

  Movie or no movie, there are just certain places you don’t put your pecker. These include: Meat grinders, barbeque grills, and the carving table of a Japanese restaurant. And now I guess we can add pastries to the list, particularly hot apple pie as a place NOT to put your pecker. Just when you think you have heard it all...

  All kidding aside, this is one sick puppy!

  Freeman
• 
  47

  Rubber Bullets Used On Oakland War Protesters

  by Pleasuredome in

  1. social
  2. current

  you dont think the us admin will start to set up anti-war townships aswell, do you you?

  is this the sort of freedom the aparthied south africa us offers?

  http://www.rense.com/general36/rubberbullets.htm

  1. 
  2. 
  3. 
• 

  freeman

  FYI the so-called protestors were in fact trespassers and obstructing (among other business) the loading of supplies to support American troops overseas. The so-called protestors refused a lawful order by the police to disperse and even hurled objects at the police.

  Fortunately the police sometimes have the ability to break up rioting crowds without resorting to deadly force, and this appears to be one of those times.
• 
  17

  The WatchTower and Higher Education

  by Maverick in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  runningman's post on the fallacies of the watchtower reasonings started me thinking on the gb's stand on higher education.

  i am impressed with the superb thinking ability of many who post here.

  unclebruce, stephanus, victor_e, gamaliel, blondie, undisfellowshipped, and machislopp to name just a few.

  1. 
  2. 
  3. 
• 

  freeman

  Imagine being let’s say 17 in 1969 and listening to the advice in Awake. So you are now over 50 and the arthritis is starting to kick in a bit more, and the back starts to not take the strain as well as it once did. You are still stuck in a low paying job and you work hard for every dollar you earn. You may not even own your own home because you were never able to save enough money for a down payment and / or your income to debt ratio never allowed you to qualify for a mortgage.

  If I were that person, I would be pretty mad, and rightfully so. And what responsibility does the Tower shoulder in all of this? None, nada, zip. The Dark Tower says: well we never said how long this system could go on, and if someone chooses a particular vocation or opts to forgo higher education, well that was their choice that they themselves made, we have no responsibility in that.

  Like the blood issue, the Tower has no responsibility, “it was their choice”.

  Freeman
• 
  21

  Birthdays - I may need some input

  by rocketman in

  1. watchtower
  2. beliefs

  we had a birthday "party" for my daughter at a local restaurant today, with a group of her friends invited.

  we are "inactive" but i still attend some meetings.

  i do not comment or want any 'privilages'.. anyway, one person whom my daughter invited is a jw, though she has said that she may want to get out soon.

  1. 
  2. 
  3. 
• 

  freeman

  FYI Rocketman, The Tower is on shaky ground when it comes to birthdays. There is only reference to 12 or so birthdays in the Bible. Two of them ended in tragedy, but apparently the other 10 or so went OK. The Tower men will only tell you about the 2 which involved tragedy, but they will not tell you about how the righteous Job made sure each of his children had their own “special day”, or as my copy of the Living Bible says their “Birthday”. So if nobody was beheaded at this party you had, then I would not be too concerned about it; it’s certainly nothing to lose your head over.

  Freeman
• 
  49

  How the US(and others) will LOSE

  by ISP in

  1. social
  2. current

  how could the us possibly lose?

  well, obviously not in any outright confrontation.

  iraq has no chance of waging any effective war without wmd.

  1. 
  2. 
  3. 
• 

  freeman

  More changes if we lose:

  http://www.strike9.com/file.aspx?path=/freeman/fullsize/gulfwars_falafel_king+(1).jpg

  http://www.strike9.com/file.aspx?path=/freeman/fullsize/pic28476.jpg

  http://www.strike9.com/file.aspx?path=/freeman/fullsize/pic10021.jpg

  http://www.strike9.com/file.aspx?path=/freeman/fullsize/gulfwarsKFC+(1).jpg

  http://www.strike9.com/file.aspx?path=/freeman/fullsize/pic05699.jpg

  Freeman