GeorgeStGeorge

Assuming you're still reading this, know that we're still praying for Sprout, et al. God bless, George

Bon anniversaire, mon amie! (Encore une fois.) Comment allez-vous, depuis tout ce temps? George

Okay, then... Good evening. On Tuesday, we Americans will have the opportunity to exercise our role as citizens in a free democracy. Yet, only a third of the eligible voters will actually cast ballots. The other two-thirds are, in a sense, very lucky. Because they do not know what's going on. Last week, I delivered a message on inflation. Since then, the dollar has dropped in value, the stock market has sustained record losses, and the whole sow price index increased 0.9%. In other words, our economic system is screwed, blued and tatooed! We just have to face the fact that there is simply no way to fight inflation in a capitolly-intensive, highly-technological, conflict-riddled, anything-for-a-thrill world of today. That's why, tonight, I want you to try to look for in inflation, an entirely new word: Inflation is our friend. For example, consider this: in the year 2000, if current trends continue, the average blue-collar annual wage in this country will be $568,000. Think what this inflated world of the future will mean - most Americans will be millionaires. Everyone will feel like a bigshot. Wouldn't you like to own a $4,000 suit, and smoke a $75 cigar, drive a $600,000 car? I know I would! But what about people on fixed incomes? They have always been the true victims of inflation. That's why I will present to Congress the "Inflation Maintenance Program", whereby the U.S. Treasury will make up any inflation-caused losses to direct tax rebates to the public in cash. Then you may say, "Won't that cost a lot of money? Won't that increase the deficit?" Sure it will! But so what? We'll just print more money! We have the papers, we have the mints.. I can just call up the Bureau of Engraving and say, "Hi! This is Jimmy. Roll out some of them twenties! Print up a couple thousand sheets of those Century Notes!" Sure, all these dollars will cause even more inflation, but who cares? Everyone will be a millionaire! In my speech last week, I said that America would have to undergo an austerity program, but since this revolutionary new approach welcomes inflation, our economy will be free to grow, and we can spend, spend, spend! George

Come on, Gang! This one's EASY! George

1: "You really think we can convert this place into a deuterium refinery?" 2: "Absolutely! It'll take us three, maybe four weeks at most." 3: "I hope you're planning on eating during the next three or four weeks." "This force field isn't just protecting the door, it goes through the bulkheads, the ceiling, the deck... there's nowhere for me to go." "You're telling me I'm stuck here? With you?" "No! I'm stuck here, with you! Believe me, a far worse fate... and stay away from my computer!" "You know, I never knew how much this man's voice annoyed me." "I should've listened to my father. He always warned me this was going to happen." "What, that you'd spend your final hours in jail? I could've told you that." "I thought your father told you to stay out of there!" "If you don't tell him, I won't." George

"Batman" (the first Michael Keaton one) The second exchange was Alexander Knox and Vicki Vale commenting on Bruce Wayne's statuary, when Bruce joins in. The first I don't recognize, oddly enough. I suspect it's the Joker, but speaking to whom, I'm not sure. George

We're always looking for newcomers to the "game" threads. ("Name that...", "...Pictionary", "Triple Movie Links," etc.) Drop in! George

I don't think you're being argumentative. I don't think we're actually saying that much different. There was, and is, a lot of crap in TWI, especially at the highest levels. But there were, and (I suspect) are, a lot of people who love God and do the best that they know for one another. Those make for good times. George P.S. to Tzaia: Okay, "studied healing" was inaccurately expressed. Perhaps "learned about gifts of healing" would have been better.

Let me point out that I'm not trying to minimize anyone's suffering. I had a friend who committed suicide because he got screwed by TWI. But he wasn't screwed by the people in his fellowship; he wasn't screwed by them praying for him; he wasn't screwed by them sharing the Word with him. He was screwed by top leadership who directly lied to him. As far as TWI's involvement in my other friends' healings, they weren't prayed for in the name of TWI, or in the name of VPW, but in the name of Jesus Christ. And God healed them. But the minister learned what he knew from TWI. Probably in "the good times." George

Call Ripley! I agree with Rocky! Growing up in a Chicago suburb -- no HOA. College, grad school -- no HOA. First house in Texas -- no HOA. Second house in Texas -- no HOA. Moved closer to Houston -- NOW I have an HOA. To be fair, this one doesn't seem particularly fascist, but I rankle at the idea of paying someone to tell me how to live my life. George

Interesting. Two of my acquaintances were healed of significant physical impairments within the last month. They belong to a "splinter group," and the man who prayed for them studied healing in TWI. Will you tell them that they need to "give back" their wholeness because VPW was an a-hole? George

Bolshevik, Not everybody was hurt by their association with TWI. Many learned godly things and about God's love, not just TWI commandments. People were healed, and people are still being healed. Not by TWI, but by the power of God that they learned about. Does that make it any better that many WERE hurt, some quite viciously? Of course not. But it's silly to blame everyone for the sins of a few. It would be like saying that the Wise Men were wrong to leave Nazareth without reporting to Herod. Oh. sure, it worked out fine for Jesus; but what about the forty infants who were killed by Herod? Can you accept any good thing from Jesus, knowing about the suffering of the forty children and their families? Oh, that's right. IT WASN'T HIS FAULT. George

Silly example. Smoking pot and teaching others of God's love are NOT equivalent. George

If there are any "lurkers" out there who would like to give it a try, feel free to jump in now. I've posted directions for inserting photos from the web on p. 22 of this thread. George

We have a winner! Steve!, would you like to post one? George

I think it's ABOUT time that someone else got one. George

"You know, I never knew how much this man's voice annoyed me." "I should've listened to my father. He always warned me this was going to happen." "What, that you'd spend your final hours in jail? I could've told you that." "I thought your father told you to stay out of there!" "If you don't tell him, I won't." George

That cat sure is WET! ;) George

Definitely a Q episode. Q gives Riker his powers for a while. I believe it was entitled "Hide and Q." George

Sounds like a "Q" episode from NG. I vaguely remember one where a female crewmember is put in a "penalty box." Picard tries to cheer her up. I don't remeber any more (and, of course, that may not be the episode of interest here). George

"Something" is "Smith." The other two ladies are Ana Gasteyer (from Saturday Night Live) and Anna Torv (starring on Fringe). You're up! George

Indeed. Ben Stein + several Annas (and an Ana). For extra credit, can you name them? George

I don't think my good times were a "means" for your discomfort, if that's what you're implying. My PhD was a "means to an end." My marriage is a "means to an end." I enjoy them both, even if others had crappy times in grad school, or crappy marriages. My life ain't about you. George

In our (for the time being) free-market society, brideofjc is free to charge what (s)he believes the market will bear. Having learned Greek in high school (let's hear it for the Jesuits), I have no need for the service, but others might. George

At least now I understand what you meant. I guess that if there ARE folks saying "We had good times in TWI, why don't you?" that would be rather obnoxious. But don't get mad at others, just because they DID have good times! George