ChasUFarley

American Idol is fun to watch - it's certainly brain rot - all form, no substance - but a guilty pleasure, for sure... The thing I appreciate about it is that I can let the kids watch - it's more family-oriented than most 'reality' TV out there. Sure, some of the singers will look a little tarty, but nothing any worse than you might see on a Clairol shampoo commercial. Chris is my favorite because he's true to himself. He could hookup with Godsmack tomorrow and go on tour. He did a better job on "Hemmorhage" than Brett Scallions (Fuel) ever thought of doing. He's also humble, honest, and just a joy to watch. Mandisa - there's a strong woman! Not only can she sing the angels right off the clouds, but she's got a great heart. I loved how she confronted Simon in the beginning of the season when he made the remark about how they'd need a bigger stage. She did it very well - very Christian. She's also beautiful - just stunning. Taylor Hicks - Simon hit the nail on the head last week when he said something like, "People love you because you're like every drunk dad at a wedding who got up to sing... Only, you CAN SING." He didn't have a great performance last night (I agree with Simon - it was a mess) - he'll make it close to the top, but I doubt he'll be the winnah. The one who I ABSOLUTELY wanted to see go - and go quickly - "Don't let the door hit ya where the good Lord split ya!" was Brenna Gathers. She was stuck on herself - BIG TIME! Obnoxious about it, too. YUCK. BUB-BYE!

Satori, First off, the problem with a forum or chat or email, as you know, is that you can't see or hear the speaker communicate their ideas. There is a lessened connection in an electronic dialogue, such as this. In short, I think that if we were discussing this over coffee or a beer, it wouldn't be as charged as you are making it out to be. You have inferred that I am "emotional" about this - I'm not in the way that you think I am. I am sickened by it - who wouldn't be - but there's been some healing on this thread, as well. Perhaps I'm not communicating this well... but... here it goes... Believe it or not... I've read, re-read, re-re-read, etc., you post. Ditto for Linda Z.'s post. I get it. Get it? It's clear. Really. I get your point. I understand your idea about a program. I really do. You've hashed out the details - it's a pre-crime, crime prevention, stop-gap - whatever you want to call it - type idea. Fine and well. I get it. No where do I accuse you of "defending" pedophiles. I basically said this in my last post. Did you read it? (See the part in brackets, bold type.) Did I say that was your agenda? No, I did not. No where. You're taking my disagreement with your point of view - your idea - your "pipe dream" (your words) - to an extreme. However, it's my opinion that those programs wouldn't/don't work. Just due to the nature of this type of crime, I don't think people would avail themselves to it. I believe more severe punishment is the best deterrent - not a program. Get it? That's it. Call it offensive. Call it a witch hunt. I'd prefer to see a more severe - much more severe - punishment. Already the ring leader of this group is trying to get just three and a half years - people go to prison for tax evasion for longer than that in some cases, I'm sure! Honestly -- I don't want a *%^#*ing contest with you. I'll gladly buy you a beer or a cuppa jo' and talk about the upcoming baseball season with you or the latest movie or even your political points of view. Really. (As long as you buy the next round.) Again, I say... Peace.

I'm not asking this to make you go away or anything of the sort... ...and it could sound rude - I really don't mean for it to come across that way... ...BUT... Have you just come out and asked your mom what it was like? Also - Do you know what year(s) she was involved? Welcome!

This happened in the early 90's... A beautiful young couple in AL (or it could have been GA... anyhow...) approached to LC about getting married. They were already engaged - and so in love. First mistake. They were told that they should have asked to get engaged first. They had already began planning the wedding - they wanted to get married at DisneyLand. Second mistake. They were told that since they planned to be married at DisneyLand, that they should be able to buy tickets for anyone who wanted to attend - after all, all the believers were invited - but since they didn't, and because they had gotten engaged without permission - that the clergy absolutely refused to marry them. He went on to boycott the wedding and was really steamed about it for quite a while. (They had offered to buy his and his family's tickets - but because the whole darn state couldn't go... well...) They got married at DisneyLand with a JOP, just like they wanted. If that move didn't put them in the cross-hairs of the local leadership... HA!

So.... you're gonna bid it up, right? PULEEEZE.... I'm happy to support his habit... to a degree...

WARNING: This link is very graphic but isn't what you'd see run in an American paper about this: http://www.torontosun.com/News/Columnists/...16/1490471.html The worst part about that article: "But ultimately, what good will it do when possession of child porn is treated so lightly in this country? The exemplary work done by Toronto Police led to 27 arrests, including that of Carl Treleaven, a 49-year-old Edmonton father who was on his computer when police raided his home in January. They discovered more than 90 chat participants were waiting to download images and video from Treleaven's vast 20 gigabyte collection of child porn. After pleading guilty, Treleaven apologized in court last week for being an administrator for the global chat room. Yes, he knew perfectly well that he was helping to run an international porn ring. Yes, he knew that he was sharing photos and videos of people raping young children, including their own. Yet, for all that, even the prosecutor on the case is asking that Treleaven serve only 31/2 years in jail." THREE AND A HALF YEARS?! WHAT AN OUTRAGE!

You don't have to understand it - just bid it up so hubby doesn't buy it!

oh, great... all this talk about guitars... and hubby thinks he needs another one... http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewI...AMEWA%3AIT&rd=1 he hasn't bid yet, but is absolutely drooling over this... he wants to bid on it before auction end... HELP! Is there a cure for G.A.S. (Gear Aquisition Syndrome)? My livingroom already looks like a music store! (When it doesn't look like a toy store!)

Oldies... I hear there's an opening in the Research Dept.

I understood your post, and previous posts, just fine. You didn't have to post this schmutz thinking I didn't get it. I do. I have tried to communicate that in an honest, respectful way, that I disagreed and think your logic is flawed about some of this. You obviously can't return the favor of being gracious - or even polite. I guess I had forgotten that no one is allowed to disagree with you. So sorry. I know what redemption is - believe it or not - but at the prison level, it generally means they are rehabilitated enough to be deemed able to function in society. It's an arguement used quite often for people who are on death row to gain them a pardon. It has already been proven that programs like this do not stop the crimes or even lessen them from happening - if they did, then there would not be an increase in the percentage of sexual offenders each year in this country. Making prison less comfortable is a start, but quite frankly, I'm sickened at the stories of repeat offenders being set free and then arrested again for the same problem - punishment isn't severe enough, and sorry, but I do believe in the death penality on this one... I don't wish to get in a discussion with you about that on this thread - I don't think it would be appropriate. In short, Satori, I think you are grossly underestimating what these perpertrators can do - or you place a lot of faith in governmental systems. Like Chatty says, "What about the uncle or grandfather that no one can turn in?" I haven't seen anyone argue that point, yet. Peace. ================================ This issue is a bigger problem than this country is willing to face, yet it seems that everyone knows someone close to them who has experienced it. As a parent, it's something that I pray my boys will never have to deal with directly, but I already believe there is a friend in my oldest son's life who has - he's only 3-and-a-half and is in Kristopher's pre-school class. He exhibits some behavior that just isn't right - he knows words for things - and had done things that really creeped me out. Needless to say, Kristopher won't ever go over to his house - but personally, I'd take the little guy in a heartbeat. He's a sweet, bright boy. But already, we know a child who has been scarred already. Sick.

What drivel... The righteous give and spare not, but earlier she says that even well-meaning Christians give and do great works aren't righteous. (Translation: Give to us and you'll be righteous. Give to a "religion" and you aren't.) If we hold these edifying truths in our minds and act on them, we bring them into reality in our lives. (Translation: If we think we're right all the time, we will never be able to admit we're wrong. Ever.) What is confessed with the mouth and believed in the heart will absolutely come to pass, for God is faithful to carry out his promises. (Translation: Yes, we tell God exactly what to do.) Oh, where are the Tums... She's WC, huh? A PFAL Foundational class grad should have been able to write that! WHERE IS THE NEW LIGHT? (They haven't paid the light bill in decades!)

I think BOTH the RC Church and TWI acted in a manner that was BEST FOR THEM, ONLY. TWI strongly subscribed to "Let not the ministry be blamed." They would do whatever necessary to look good - to look like they had no flaws in their leadership, or in their decisions. I've often said that the "T" in "TWI" really stands for "Teflon" because NOTHING sticks to them! From the way they handled this situation in Ohio/Alaska, to how LCM "stepped down" from the throne, to how they handled the Allen case - it's all in whatever vein makes them look good. They would never eat a piece of humble pie - never admit error. Whenever a piece ran in a local paper about them, they always complained about how slanted it was - never considered the real impact or impression they made. To move a pedophile, knowing well that he could/would act on his sick passions again, they certainly weren't "protecting the household" - they were protecting their own butts, and should be as accountable as the RC Church has been for relocating priests time and time again for similar crimes. Their decision was a reckless, selfish one - it produced more damage than anyone could have imagined. BUT IT COULD HAVE SIMPLY BEEN PREVENTED... think about it. Stuff like this makes me so ashamed to have been in the company of that group....

Happy B-day! (And good for you - not cleaning the house yesterday - you deserve the time off! Don't you wish every day was like your birthday! LOL!)

Satori - I see where you imply redemption, but that is where I disagree with you. I think I read your post several times, and very carefully, before I posted it. Perhaps you weren't as clear about your post as you had thought. At any rate, I don't see where there is redemption for these people - or perhaps I WANT to see that there isn't any. They've sunk about as low as a human being can go. They are worse than animals. They should not be allowed three squares, security, and healthcare that most of us good, tax paying, citizens can not afford. I don't want to see them live. You can't tell me that, as a parent, this doesn't hit close to home for you. You can tell Sudo and others they are foaming at the mouth, but what would you do or what would you want if it was your child or your kid sister or....? Would you want these people rehabilitated - redeemed, as you say - so they can go back into to society and perhaps do this again? Or perhaps not - how do you tell? By trial and error?! Again, respectively, I think your writings about causing prevention at the level of the criminal - before the crime happens - is a pipe dream. To carry that logic through would say that once the crime was committed it was then the fault of society - problems with the program - rather than the person who committed the crime. The people who go forward with their unnatural lusts are never satisfied - it's never enough to titilate them - so they gradually become more perverted in their desire. With this mindset, they could never tell anyone what they're really into - they can't be honest - because they even despise themselves. In short, they have no control over wrong - over sin - and have no real redemption.

I respectively disagree with your statement that I have placed in BOLD, above. Without derailing this thread, capitol punishment will stop the crime from happening again. No breathing criminal - no new crime. Knowing there is capitol punishment will deter the crime - but how can you effectively measure this? Do people turn themselves in for *thinking* about killing someone, but didn't because they didn't want to be sentenced to death? Preventative measures can most certainly be taken - education, safety measures, parental watchfullness, federal/state programs, checking the offender database in your area, reporting suspicious activity to authorities, etc., but when you're talking about a hard core group, such as what exie wrote about when she started this thread, then I can only imagine - I can only hope - that they fry. Yes, fry them! ALL! Remember the Jeffrey Curley case? In 1997, a 10 year old boy from MA was kidnapped, raped, murdered and dropped into a stream in ME. Two men were convicted of this horrific crime. That Nov., MA came ONE VOTE short of putting capitol punishment back on the books! Now these two monsters are in a high security prison (they had the snot beat out of them before their first arraignment - I hope it was only the beginning.) Yes, different case all together - there was a murder. But do you really think people wouldn't have been so passionate about this if it wasn't for the molestation - the rape - as well. See exhibit B: The Roman Catholic Church scandal. Far less ugly than this internet group - but horrific, nonetheless - after all, one "father" was killed while in prison shortly after he was sentenced. The man who killed him was already serving life - he was considered a hero for his actions as this former priest was considered to be monster.

cmk -- There's been some conflicting stories about the said "Security Checks". There's been a couple of posts now where poster (i.e. Learning) say they've been recently and there's no checks. I ain't in anyway saying you're making this up, but... Are you sure that what you saw was a "Secuity Check" or could it have been a special guest check in (like for Way Disciples or other special guests who were expected to attend and were perhaps to be presented as being guests during the service?) (No offence - just asking... it's what I do best!) :)

Oakie -- Annnnddddd.... about what year would that be, praytell? Just the fact you were allowed to sleep there in the cabin in the woods says it's probably about 197_.....

Sweeeettttt licks there, socks... Reminds me of David Broza... (After you click on the link, scroll down and sample some music. The second song, "A Night in Wyoming" is especially good.) http://www.music.com/release/painted_postcard/1/ His album "Stone Doors" is my favorite - more rock than folk - but brilliant writing & arranging. I think you'd like him, from your sound...

The 90's were about thinking you knew the rules and then finding out they'd all changed at the last phone hook-up. Leadership wasn't interested in teaching the Word, or getting new people involved. Their focus turned to whether or not people were in the proper dress code, or that their homes were clean by TWI standards (don't forget to dry your sink!). Leagalism was abundant - not love and certainly not grace! LCM totally forgot what VPW taught in the PFAL Foundational class and totally mixed up the Old Testament with the New Testament and Grace administration. Suddenly, the believers, those with Christ-in-you, were worried about if they were going to make it into the Promised Land. Oh, yeah - and I left out the part about the covered bridge. What was he smoking when he came up with that covered bridge part? Scheesch! The 90's were about the ending of the WOW program and the beginning of the Disciples of The Way program - and if that new name doesn't scream cult, say it outloud in a crowded airport five times and see how many people totally avoid you! The ROA was ended, and thus, contact with your friends from all over the USA that you'd always see at the ROA... but then again, there was never any telling of who was M&A'ed or who was still standing from one day to the next. It was also about the introduction of the Way of Abundance and Power Class, which was the worst ride of scripture and "teaching" (I use that term loosly) that I've ever witnessed. Again, I think LCM forgot PFAL. The 90's were one bad trip. I pi$$ed away my 20's in a lousey marriage and with a dead ministry (I'm not bitter - just honest.) I'm thankful I got out when I did...

Why would a church *NEED* security unless there was a real THREAT? Why would there be any threats? Can you say, "Pi$$ed off husbands!" I just can't imagine the impression that experience would make on new people going to STS for the first time... Whoo-hoo! You're always welcome, at The Way.... (just check in at the desk, to make sure of it!)

Allen - Interesting examples you use... I was raised Mormon, and went to a JW Kingdom Hall quite often as a kid becuase my nanny was a JW. By the time I got involved with TWI I'd heard the same song-n-dance about ___________ (fill in the blank) so often that it just sort of rolled off me... yaddy, yaddy, yaddy. What made TWI different, to me, anyhow, was that they were so zealous about it and had tons of scripture to apply (or attempt to, anyhow) to make it seem so much more "real".... It was easier to buy from them because of this, I think. Since they made the Bible seem to make more sence for me, I think it gave them more integrity, as far as I was concerned. I never got a 'take it on faith' answer from them. So, I took the bait - hook, line, and sinker! (With Mormon and then JW in my background, I guess I was just "Born to be in a Cult"!)

OMG - there's still over 8 days left on that auction - holy cow. I love watching a good auction for a great guitar. Sadly, this one looks like it has some bucking where the body is bookmatched in the front - could be from lack of humidification - most acoustics need to be humidified, especially in the winter when it's the driest. However, considering how often that was played, it's in very good condition... hopefully the new owner will treat 'er right.

They have no excuse for living. A bullet to the head is the best cure for their disease. If anyone ever touched one of my boys, it would be the last mistake they'd ever make. Guaranteed.

Dan - Cool guitar you built - heck, with the LP p'ups on that baby you could just slap an Ibanez label on the headstock and no one would know the diff (Ibanez designs almost always came from other makers' ideas) - it's like Les Paul and Fender had a baby! Thermin - Jimmy Page used one in the middle of "Whole Lotta Love" - if you wanna see him in action with it, it's on film on "Song Remains The Same". We have the DVD - when it got to that part of the song on the video, I remember thinking, "What tha heck is THAT?!" So, hubby enlightened me (he's a Zep freak).... Seems like thermins have a cult following from that link you posted - who'd've known.... Very cool, indeed! ------------------- Socks -- Carvin also does kits - and you can pick the body, neck, electronics, etc. all yourself - mix-n-match. It's a little more than what you quoted for the Tele kit, but for the options you get, I think it's still pretty reasonable...

Like someone playing "Stairway to Heaven" in a music store... I've heard it too many times already to listen anymore!