Ham

Well, it wasn't cheapness for EVERYBODY. Some lived in some pretty secluded luxury, in a nice log home in the woods.. all expense trips paid to warm places in the world.. but from the day I got involved.. I observed cheapness that put frugality to shame.. In the first class I took in 1974.. they actually re-used styrofoam coffee cups.. some with lipstick and teeth marks.. and the coffee.. was good the first session. Nice fresh cups.. next session.. it was VERY weak, and had a hint of the taste of salt in it.. the metal chairs looked like they were manufactured in the early fifties.. and it was conducted in a dark, borrowed office.. which for obviously no money changed hands for its use.. the books themselves- cheap. paper back, glued binding, not stitched.. they didn't last two years.. from there it pretty much stayed the same. Cheap. Everything done on less than a shoe-string.. EVERYTHING (almost) was cheap. The tired looking songbooks.. printed, collated, stapled.. no bars in it.. guess they figured we didn't know how to read music or care.. but so second rate. Why couldn't they just publish an honest to god songbook? Like a REAL book? Couldn't afford it? I'm sure people would buy.. maybe they investigated what it would cost to buy real permission to use other people's music.. then there's the stamp issue on another thread..

Nothing but the "best" for "gawd's people".. :biglaugh: I remember the boasting in some kind of historical handout.. how that right after they constructed the mighty "research center" they ran out of room.. not enough room for the thronging masses.. How many thronging masses can you fit in a stinking little NATIONAL HOME? I grew up in one. We had a party with about seventeen or so in it once..

Even the original *historical* BRC was CHEAP.. the lowest price of construction.. required the absolute LEAST amount of "labor" though it was DONATED.. probably the most expensive part of it was pouring the foundation.. un-friggin-believable.. It was a stinking NATIONAL HOME. Prefabricated.. shipped in larger sections.. CHEAP. BARELY a step up from trailer accommodations.. a NATIONAL HOME.. good frigging grief.. came as a KIT.. no intellect required. No measuring.. no cutting..one didn't need even common sense.. simple enough to build, that the likes of uncle howey could do it.. National homes were popular because of the returning soldiers from WWII.. they were SUPPOSED to be a CHEAP, QUICK solution to the housing shortage.. and they weren't intended to last over twenty years.. so.. the most "holy" place on the whole stinking property.. is a NATIONAL HOME..

almost EVERYTHING was "cheap".. the songbooks. Anybody else seemed to have the resources to actually produce a real book.. da way? Noooo. Cut and slash costs.. publish a little stapled, not bound "handout" that they actually CHARGED for.. don't pay anything for publications rights.. I don't think "fair use" exactly applies to wholesale copying, with small changes.. but that didn't stop them from trying. Then having a training program so CHEAP.. that one was indentured to WORK. Yeah.. the "work program".. how many actually got PAID for mucking the pond.. manning the switchboard.. making bless patrol rounds.. so cheap they wouldn't charter a stinking BUS to take participants to lead, etc.. it wasn't about "character building".. I hitchhiked in the early seventies, and I was STILL a doper.. and if you could not survive in the environment of cheapness, and come back in one piece, and ON TIME.. and with the sole twenty bucks you were graciously "blessed" with, for emergencies, you were "screwed".. the only reason one had the cash? There are areas of the country that if one cannot produce evidence of having SOME money.. they will prosecute one for vagrancy. Probably happened once.. and they found it CHEAPER to simply send people with a twenty dollar bill.. I REALLY think it was a ministry of "cheapness".. "what did da word cost YOU?" "not a whole heck of a lot.."

Back in "the day" perhaps we shoulda made the stamp the issue..it was only one small compromise after another. I can already hear the "shoulda could woulda" reply.. but I don't think it fits.. because they won't even get another twenty nine cents out of me, ever again.. or another organization like them. we ate hot dogs and tripe.. and they shook us down for another 29 cents, and a three cent envelope.. and that's just the tip of the iceberg.. the whole organization reeked of cheapness.. I remember an incident.. a WORK CREW.. the guy running it.. he bought them lunch.. about a dozen fifty nine cent burgers from mcdonalds.. and a few fries.. they raked him over the coals.. how DARE he WASTE "god's" money on a ten dollar lunch for a crew of VOLUNTEERS when they could have made twenty-nine cent peanut butter sandwiches.. and they made it sound convincing.. how it's a CRIME to "waste" "god's" money on something so FRIVOLOUS.. the "cheapness" goes on and on.. I remember assignments to go work over local funeral homes for leftover flowers, for meetings.. at the same time, unbknownst to me, those in charge were rolling in bags of cash, living lives of luxury and every whim fulfilled.. it's the same attitude that I see in the big three CEO's.. cut, slash costs, everywhere but "home".. One of the last corps here I knew.. they were FUMING.. absolutey ENRAGED about some kind of new local ordinance.. that would prohibit large meetings in non-commercially zoned neighborhoods.. they had already run numerous meetings.. the house was on a corner.. and the only parking was in a CHUCH about a block and a half away.. yes, they got complaints. Something about way bumper stickers on loads of cars.. honestly, I view the complaints as legitimate. You wouldn't open a shop next door, and expect your neighbor to pay for the water, electricity, gas? What ENRAGED them? Ah.. now we might have to SPEND a little MONEY, to do it "right".. rent a room at holiday inn maybe.. The cheapness in the nineties. and early 2000's.. extended to staffers having to pull their kids from karate, dumping pets God only knows where, no cable tv.. then the no debt issue.. they "encouraged" people to sell their life's dream, of course *we* don't have to say you owe at least ten percent of the proceeds of the sale to da dumb *ministry*, and go rent, and live in cheapness somewhere.. I think it's a ministry of cheapness.. "cheap" classes, "cheap" meetings..

It was pathetic.. I mean, we gave them hundreds and thousands of dollars.. slick vic and company were rich beyond their wildest dreams.. and they STILL hit us up for spare change. like bullies at school trying to shake the last fifty cents out of a kid's pocket.. I'm suprised we didn't have to print up our own blue forms.. we had to hustle every venue one could imagine, to give twi free room and board for branch meetings, classes, etc.. they couldn't offer the consideration of a POSTAGE STAMP.. and figure it in as administrative costs.. they are to "christianity" what walmart is to retail business.. miserable, cheap bastards.. call it whining if you want. I call it indicting..

I dunno.. I think it's a little bit about what one knows as well. Not as in education or talent. More like: the "bullet" knows where a whole heap of figurative dead bodies lie.. and it would not suprise me, if not a few literal dead bodies.. and he probably has the names, addresses and phone numbers of husbands of every lady loy laid his filthy hands on.. probably knows where the possible skimmed resources are hid, knows where all the "safe houses" are.. and likely could give details about current staffers who perhaps at one time shared loy's preclvities. Housekeeper honcho Holly probably has enough documentation about the current pres's alleged proclivities.. Little miss secretary probably could clue people in on the intellectual dishonesty, who actually did loy's and other's "research" .. maybe it's not all of the bigwig staffers.. but I think this is the case for the majority. they did put b*rn*ta out to pasture.. from what I observe, she exhibited good ethics, loving character.. they probably knew it would go against her grain to REALLY stir up any muck.. out she went..

That's why I think they put these characters in charge in some places.. some people have to develop some REAL intellectual and/or moral incompetence to blindly follow orders.. and they WILL comply.. even if the mandates goes morally and common sense wise against what brain that's left.. they do know enough (and likely are reminded on a regular basis) to realize there is really no other place to go. Wife, kids to feed and support.. "leader in a second-rate cult for over twenty years" wouldn't look so good on a resume. I know some who would have to go back to cleaning windows after not having worked an honest days labor for over twenty years.. at fifty some years old, doesn't sound like a lot of fun.. good luck, you might find the competition a little more fierce these days..

looks more like a rough schematic diagram of a multi-level marketing scheme.. if I remember correctly.. the "in cooperation with" indicated that there was a two-way flow of "resources" between twigs and the root.. through the respective structure of course. so.. what did the branch actually contribute, other than a few bible teachings and barking orders? and rather heavy hands on training to help one SELL the product? most twig coordinator meetings I remember.. about 75 percent of the time was spent on who's doing what.. who's been "witnessed" to.. who's following up.. brief anecdotes of individual's successful sells.. refining witnessing techniques.. and if one was not getting "results".. why not? Continual failure to produce for a planned class was pretty bad news.. much like an amway or shaklee meeting in the early seventies. If one could not sell enough soap, "they" really didn't have much use for you..

I dunno.. I left this place for about a year, and for what I thought good reason.. sad thing is.. a dear friend here passed away and I never had the chance to say goodbye.. I think we "hit it off" on an innocent, yet twisted manner.. God bless you brother. I hope I can carry on some of his comic "good cheer".. :)

some of us didn't even have cars.. I didn't have one until about four years later either.. couldn't afford it.. some promise of material "abundance".. not complaining.. those are just the facts of the case..

I view it as one last shakedown of "believers".. for a stinking envelope, and a friggin twenty-nine cent stamp.. after giving one's shirt, they nickeled and dimed us, to DEATH.. oh, they did send out the anniversary envelopes for one to contribute over and above for ministry "holidays".. send money in one of them? You would DEFINITELY be noticed if the customary amount didn't go in the horn that week. But no stamp on it or prepayed.

I do the same that I can.. I'm not looking to get rich.. no thanks.. it would just be something else some poor soul would covet.. some of it is about *me*.. about one tenth of one percent.. I think.. if someone doesn't want to cover my back, they don't want to cover theirs..

maybe in their own *little* minds.. practical error was homosexuality. How one can go from rampant sex (it'd be too legalistic to try to regulate it) to adultery (only if the ends justify the means.. serve the MOGSTER for christ's sake.. or at least be quiet about it..) to another sexual act.. which is "my gawd.. debils from hell.." I mean.. isn't the line rather arbitrarily drawn?

so.. was sex before marriage practical error? the answer I perceived.. "well.. it'd be legalistic.. we can't say.." how about adultery? "well.. It'd be legalistic.. we can't exactly say.." they finally drew the line at beastiality the last I heard.. long after I left.

Yeah.. he said it. But it is so vague.. did they EVER define what they would consider practical error? or was it left so vague, that one could simply fill in the blanks? "well.. it's not *doing* da word.." such as? Generalities may be necessary .. but eventually people need a few specifics and concrete examples if one has any hope of connecting with them in a real genuine manner.. All I ever saw was a set of vague generalities..

I dunno.. the local radio club.. has about ten thousand in assets.. no, we don't "throw it away".. there's a certain amount that we really NEED to keep on hand in case we need to replace the repeater we support.. but I don't think we are greedy by any stretch of the imagination. There have been a few multi-thousand dollar projects that really deserve support.. so what do we do.. tell them "go to hell"? No.. it passed club VOTE. we do more good with the few thousand we've been "blessed" with.. than twi has any claims of doing with MILLIONS in a lifetime..

the way I'm starting to think.. 55 million.. is SMALL POTATOS compared to any real legitimate busniess or organization.. they are so SMALL.. but still it's like.. *they* have been given the brief "opportunity" (gag, excuse me..) to actually do what's right with it.. maybe even do something "big".. they think it is so BIG.. but it is so small.. in reality, it is NOTHING.. just numbers on a register somewhere.. the value of which is subject to the whims of whoever is a heck of a lot bigger than they.. does this make sense, or am I just rambling?

They probably would have preferred cold hard cash.. but leaning on people for that may have raised a few suspicions even way back then.. as far as skimming.. if money went DIRECTLY to hq.. and every blue form I sent in went to box 328.. any possible skimming had to occur on the top of the organization.. still it doesn't make a lot of sense. I mean.. wouldn't the money orders generate a paper trail to the "skimmer"? or would it be just as simple to cross out "to da way international" and insert another name, and rely on te fact that it would NEVER be challenged. No purchase was made, there was no loss order so to speak.. no one would ask the post office or bank to follow up on it.. I never checked the status of any money order that I sent in. Now.. this might not effect the organization as such.. they are tax exempt.. but not the "skimmer"..

well.. what good is a point if one cannot beat it beyond death..

:) Naw.. there was no offense taken. You had a few good points. Thanks for YOUR input.

I am painfully aware of the label on every item I purchase.. If it's a choice between china, and pakistan.. as bad as it sounds.. I think the article of clothing was produced in a SLIGHTLY more ethical environment than in pakistan.. the main objection I have for wally mart.. they OWN sweatshops in China. No, they just buy from an "enterprising" chinese industrialist trying to get on his feet.. they have moved some operations there.. from areas of very very little government enforced regulations, to areas in northern China where there are NO regulations.. yeah, people have to live.. and currently, practically the only game in town for clothing is produced overseas.. what I'm saying isn't "just buy american.." that isn't anywhere near practical.. what are you going to do? Pull out the brakes made in Beijing? what I'm suggesting.. given a choice, between an ethically expensively made "widget".. and an inexpensive asian made widget.. if one can't afford the better.. DON'T BUY. Or.. if the non-necessary for life widget is produced under harsh conditions.. just DON'T BUY it.. no cheap junk.. no dollar store plastic earrings for the kids.. twenty for a dollar.. No christmas tree ornaments made in Thailand.. or China.. as bad as it sounds.. I kinda agree with not telling kids there's a Santa Claus.. Santa's workshop and elves are in Beijing, or northern China, or other places as bad or worse.. and we are continents away, well insulated in our cozy homes.. it's like.. we're teaching kids that they are ENTITLED to plentiful, cheap "stuff".. try telling a nine year old that Santa's evil and he's not going to see the wii this Christmas.. it's a psychological problem of our own making.. in my opinion. I'll go along with the gag to some degree.. if I really have to for one reason or another. But I refuse to buy oodles of JUNK.. it's discretionary spending.. people driven to buy just because it's CHEAP.

and we probably have one last incentive payment coming from our perhaps once glorious government.. the vast majority of it will go to.. 7. Charities and Churches.. maybe a half of one percent or less.. 6. Dollar Stores. For USELESS asian made trinkets.. 5. assorted smaller chains such as Koles.. 4. Chinese electronics from Best Buy, other big box stores.. 3. Meijers 2. Target 1. EIGHTY FIVE to NINETY percent- walmart.. for USELESS junk.. or that WILL be junk inside of three to five years. They will be VERY HAPPY to cash a six hundred dollar check for you.. big enough, and they'll turn it into a wallymart-world debit card. For once I agree with Friedman on something.. "let's not send it to China".. What I plan on doing with it.. IF it comes.. catch up on a couple current bills.. buy a little food.. a couple bottles of wine.. horde the rest as long as I possibly can.. maybe put some of it in metal if possible.. Or maybe.. some in GM stock, when it hits twenty three or seventeen cents a share.. the government will prop it back up, I'm sure..

Everything about it is wrong.. how the junk is produced, how it jumps international borders without government's second thought.. how the warehouse workers are equipped with a set of headphones and constant voice continually coaching them to full production.. by a computer.. how the poor truck driver gets a bill for what was once the company's obligation to UNLOAD the junk.. how "workers" are forced to work off the clock, and for the most part, to work for dirt cheap wages and NO benefits when they are on.. not to mention our other near neighbors, with lost jobs and professions simply because they could not produce so much, so cheaply, and so quickly.. I just can't see.. buying dirt cheap, over-discounted junk for a loved one, something produced with souls and surroundings that resemble a scene in the lower depths of Dante's Inferno, stocked and sold by "associates", hustled and paid dirt cheap to give me the "deal"- for CHRISTMAS, for a loved one- I just can't do it anymore.. I don't see how people can flock for such a "deal" produced in such unethical and UNCHRISTIAN manners.. it's the cluelessness that really gets to me.. I thought we were supposed to love our neighbors.. as ourselves. It just seems.. as long as *they* keep the economy propped up.. and a chinese produced widget in every pot.. MOST don't care. I usually don't start these conversations with folks.. I do on forums at times.. people can just ignore me if they think I'm nuts.. but one person who ASKED- in REAL LIFE- I brought up the "love your neighbor" concept as regards to laborers in China.. their reply? "well.. they aren't CHRISTIAN are they?" The hypocrisy is over-whelming..

for a lot of corps and staff, at least at one time, wasn't the mere fact that one had a dog or a cat "practical error"? I bet they STILL have to check with their overseer, and the overseer's overseer's overseer before making such a "big decision".. I can almost hear some of the "meetings" in the no pet days.. "whadda ya mean nobody will take it? Are you are going to let a little thing like a pet get between you and Gawd Almighty? We can have L*nder come over and help you *overcome* this little *opportunity* for fifty eight cents.. you need to work on the practical error in your life.." I may have a vivid imagination, but I know this is not far from the truth..