GrouchoMarxJr

In my experience (1975-1987), corps spouse were always treated like second class citizens. It's like you "by-passed" the corps training and got yourself a corps nametag anyway...and it's s good thing that you have "sp" on that nametag so we know who you are! Loyalty oath indeed! Can you imagine the arrogance that it took to demand such a thing? What a jerk he was.

Hypothermic brainwashing...now that paints a mind picture!... ...reminds me a little of my experience at Emporia. Maybe it's just me... but I think that running around half exhausted with people screaming at you for an entire year has a bit of a "jarring effect" on the average person...especially when they get you to believe that God is sponsering their indoctrination programs. When I left, I knew they were wrong and I never looked back...never questioned my decision to leave...and life has been a whole lot better since.

"Anyone who wants religion is welcome to it, as far as I'm concerned-I support your right to enjoy it. However, I would appreciate it if you exhibited more respect for the rights of those people who do not wish to share your dogma, rapture or necrodestination."...Frank Zappa.

"One becomes a critic when one cannot be an artist, just as a man becomes a stoole pigeon when he cannot be a soldier" -Gustave Flaubert -1846

"Fine manners show themselves formidable to the uncultivated man. They are a subtler science of defense to parry and intimidate; but once matched by the skill of the other party, they drop the point of the sword, points and fences disappear, and the youth finds himself in a more transparent atmosphere, wherein life is a less troublesome game, and not a misunderstanding rises between the players. Manners aim to facilitate life, to get rid of impediments and bring the man pure to energize." - Ralph Waldo Emerson

I'm so old that I remember when people didn't buy bottled water to drink.

"Given a chance between a folly and a sacrament, one should always choose the folly-because we know a sacrament will not bring us closer to God and there's always a chance that a folly will".....Erasmus

"Some people believe that we process information during dreams. Quite the contrary. A dream is the mind having fun when there is no processing to keep it busy." ...Tom Robbins.

The GSC started up as a continuation of Waydale when it closed down...I believe the original purpose for both of these sites was to reveal the "other side" of twi, exposing them as a harmful cult. ...Over time, it took on a secondary purpose...it became a social gathering place. One of the differences between the GSC and twi is that twi will not allow dissenting voices to be heard. The GSC allows for differing opinions to be posted and honest debates to take place...problems arise when personal attacks arise...NOT when there are differing opinions. The value of civil public discourse?...I could probably go on and on about personal freedom and individuality versus groupthink...it's important that people can express their own ideas openly...as long as they keep it "civil"...I think that a person should expect to be treated respectfully and should treat others likewise...but I am also of the opinion that if you are entering into a debate, you should not have thin skin when someone disagrees with you... ...disagreement should also be expected.

...and I think it's worth mentioning that being civil doesn't necessarily mean agreeing with someone. As far as I know, independant thought is encouraged here. Presenting contrasting views is part of honest dialogue and debate. Someone loves twi, someone else hates it...each present their point of view. That's all fine until it becomes personal. Each poster is responsible for what they type...seems simple to me. Even in this thread, I was accused by Jonny of being dishonest...I thought that my post was clearly "tongue in cheek" and presented in good humor. :) ...I didn't think too many folks would take it literally...but did I retaliate against Jonny?...Nope! The literal truth is that, although Jonny himself is a fine man, I don't care much for his stories. I'll refrain from elaborating as to why I don't like them...but that's ok...there's no reason for anyone to get mad. Life would be boring if we all had the same opinions. Actually, I enjoy reading the pros and cons of different opinions...and at times, I enjoy expressing my own.

"well accepted and connected"...not really, I just stayed at a Holiday Inn last night.

Thanks Jonny!...and as always, I look forward to reading your adventurous stories.

Thank you Ductape...I speak highly of you often.

This stuff starts when people get the notion that they are being unfairly attacked and feel that they have "the right to defend themselves"... Rascal...instead of responding to pond's post, why not report it to the moderators? ...and remain silent...take the high road. pond...instead of using rascal as an example of your "perspective", why not say "certain people" and avoid the personal attack?

I was wondering how long my thread about avoiding bickering with each other would devolve into people bickering with each other... OK...pretend I'm an imaginary referee...pond and Rascal...take it to the mudwrestling forum!...The rest of us don't want to read you two defending yourselves against each other!...it contributes nothing to the discussion at hand. It doesn't matter who is right or wrong, you are subjecting the rest of us to a "side show" that we would rather not see. Obviously, pond and Rascal have conflicting opinions...and that's fine...BUT, it's rude to deviate from a public discussion and turn it into a personal confrontation...THIS is exactly what I am talking about!...so there!

Glad to see that some folks are responding to this thread...I think there's some good imput here. The thought occurred to me that the future of the GSC would be "more enhanced" if there was less personal bickering. Maybe a special forum should be created (yes, I said created), to accomodate those who like to sling doo doo at each other...kind of like a mud wrestling forum...anytime a post gets out of hand, it could be "sent" there...People could go there and start threads with such titles as "Garth's breath smells like chitlins"...or "Rumrunner wears pink slippers"...and people could go at each other! The rest of the forums could be more civil!!! just a passing thought...

I dunno...there can be a fine line between saying that the post is stupid and the poster is stupid...I suppose that common respect is out of the question...I guess I'm just thinking out loud.

I'm sure it's no secret that some folks are getting a little tired of all the drama, personal attacks and general ugliness... ...Wouldn't it be nice if folks would express their thoughts on the topic at hand, rather than attacking other posters. Far too many threads start off good and then disintigrate into a few people throwing insults at each other...and that's really too bad... The word "argument" is a good word...lawyers present arguments in court...it's the art of debate. Presenting your point of view on a certain topic. Whenever it shifts into personal attacks against the person posting instead of what they are saying, it heads right down the toilet bowl. I'm all in favor of heated debates. I appreciate the fact that we are not "likeminded" on so many things...afterall, we are individuals. Many folks enjoy reading the pros and cons on a given subject but nobody likes it when it turns personal...people stop reading and the thread dies. ...I think it would be really nice if folks could make the effort to stay on topic and avoid personal attacks...and thoughts on this?

Sorry...don't know her. US33 to Lancaster...and yes, it's going towards Athens...I live in a cabin about 6 miles outside of Lancaster.

I'll say one thing...this thread has given me a few good belly laughs...

The underground people?...sounds rather ominous to me. Do they wear cyber hoods over their heads?... Maybe it's just me, but I appreciate the purpose of this site...to expose the underbelly of twi. It's a valuble resource for people and by the way, twi is still operating and passing their horns of plenty. Most of us have a story to tell and opinions to express...that's why I'm here. I've met many folks here and have many cyber friendships...I enjoy the social interaction...BUT that's frosting on the cake and is incidental to the reason I post here... ...I will argue my points in the open forums and often disagree with other posters but I really have no interest in the dramas that seems to abound on a personal level. I understand excie's feelings and the thoughts she expressed...she was simply making an observation and expressing her feelings...and she has certainly earned the right to do that here. ...I've been here for quite awhile myself and sure, I miss some of the old timers that have left. I wish them well and would love to see them visit us here...this place is sorta like a college bar...when the seniors graduate, the new freshmen take their places...and some of us are like the townies who never leave...peace. by the way...welcome back tcat!!! Good to see ya!

Back in my home town there's a small building with a sign outside that says "Knights of Columbus"...every Friday they have a fish fry...I know some of the members. Most of them are a bunch of drunk Irishmen...is this the same organization that you're referring to?

Hee hee hee...I forgot I ever wrote that thing. No doubt, the "spirit of Chrstmas" was influencing me at the time...the one called "Santa" is a 4 star general and each of the reindeer can spin their heads completely around.

...sure, you can buy my book from the punks in Belize...but it's nothing at all like the "class"... I know this sounds crazy but when God showed me the holy gas pumps in a vision, I knew that I would become rich. I knew that I had been called for something very special...the present truth that was not present before...but it is now...all that is required of you is some simple genuflecting and perhaps some sexual favors. ...but that's a small price to pay...as is the modest "contribution" that I require for my class (you get the book for free)...

...and really...what does that say about them? They are so excited about the spirit of God within them, so full of love and compassion, so eager to heal the broken hearted...that they seek out people that they can sue in court. Instead of being defensive over their corporate name, why don't apply Christian principles and seek to carry out the work of a Christian ministry? There's nothing worse than mean spirited religious people.