James Thomas Rook Jr.

Well ... I do have a problem with removing the facsimile, for the reasons I have stated previously, and further, find it completely necessary and appropriate that it be shown as is by whoever the original poster was. In order to censor information with prior restraint there has to be a clear and present danger of consequences far beyond anything you have previously stated ... because you FEEL it is unnecessary and inappropriate. What if I said I FEEL it is unnecessary and inappropriate that you have a profile photograph with eye glasses? I may FEEL strongly that like Clark Kent, you are trying to HIDE your identity by wearing eye glasses ( .. a stupid idea, I even thought so when I was young and reading Superman Comic Books ...). You are not in Kansas, anymore, Dennis .... you are in a land that if you come up with something stupid and foolish ... BECAUSE you "feel" it is inappropriate, your prerogatives are laughed at ... Oh, and by the way.... you STILL have NOT answered the question WHY. There has to be a reality based hard fact nitty-gritty, down where the rubber meets the road REASON ... OTHER than how you "feel". That is why I asked you WHY. Snowflakes that pout and whine when things don't suit them is not a reason that rational people will respond to, except in certain venues. You are not in Kansas, anymore. If we do it YOUR way, it is one foot on the slippery slope to tyranny, ignorance, and injustice by the clueless, confusing cultural preferences as justifiable overreaching and arrogant edicts to others ... having the very best motives ... as they think they are doing the will of Jehovah. There is too much of that "going around". That is why in Europe, after spending a billion hours in Field Service in 2017 ... there is a net loss of Jehovah's Witnesses. Rational, sane people who love Liberty and Truth do not like the "Everything that is not permitted, is forbidden." philosophy. It creates rebellion where there was none before. If we could manage to abandon that and similar ingrained cultural philosophies, we would not have to knock on THEIR doors ..... THEY WOULD BE KNOCKING ON OURS! This is WHY this facimile should stand as presented. Oh ... and one last very real reason the facsimile is BETTER ... it gives increased confidence that the information has not been "quote mined", as people who lack integrity do to try and make a point that agrees with their agenda, when the author did NOT mean what was presented in the "quotation". Agenda driven Quote Mining out of context, is INTENDED to deceive, and is flat out EVIL. If you have an argument to the contrary, this is the place to insert it into the Arena Of Ideas for trial by combat ... and see if it holds up to rational scrutiny . I would like to read it.

In the CONTEXT of what Dennis Gilman had said.... THIS was the Scripture I had in mind.

Why? I think that they should .... It gives greater credibility to the authenticity of the information being relayed, and I believe EVERYTHING that we do, down to the last jot and tittle of minutiae, should be public, open, transparent, and that we should be PROUD of it! It is my opinion that the Watchtower's films and publications should be copied for the whole world to see .... after all ... they were made with monies contributed in part by those who are NOT Witnesses. Can you imagine Jesus ticked off about someone spreading what is TRUE, just because they did not travel in the circles of Jesus and the Apostles? I cannot. In fact, I seem to remember the Apostles had the same concerns you have ..... and Jesus' actual reply.

Why?

Did you see several years ago on the JW-Archive the picture of the Nigerian Brother who died while standing up, giving the Memorial Talk? He was wearing what we here in the West would describe as a full length sequin studded robe fitted closer than a robe... almost a nightgown. It probably had to be dry cleaned, at a cost of more than the total of every piece of clothing I own. I thought I was looking at a black Liberace, Star Wars Emperor Impersonator.

I fully agree with you, Steve: However, I do not think you have ANY IDEA that all Assemblies are profit centers. After the monies get to the District Level, there is no public (to the Brotherhood .. or anyone else) accountability to ANYONE. Not a single word of objection was raised by the GB over the commercialization of Caleb and Sophia merchandise. Caleb and Sophia Merchandise, purses, briefcases, pins, buttons, slacks, suspenders and bow ties, and pictures, back car window decals, book covers, wall posters, 3d dolls like GB Bro. Anthony Morris III has in his Bethel Office, Videos, DVDs, coloring books, decorated birthd...er... baptism cakes, stand up displays, literature bags, greeting cards. Sophia colorful tote bags for girls, and Sophia cloth shopping bags for Wal-Mart, etc., book markers, key chains, 3d Printer statues of Caleb, ball point pens, and penlights, pins and brooches for older Sisters, and cartoon wall hangings for the inside of Caleb and Sophia dioramas, or JW.ORG men's ties, lapel pins, wristwatches, aluminum military style dog tags, rings, aluminum pendants for neck chains and charm bracelets, car bumper stickers, car window decals, women's pocket mirrors, flags to tie to radio aerials, put on flagpoles outside Chilean Kingdom Halls ( ... what's a Chilean Kingdom Hall doing with a flagpole, anyway ...?). Swiss Assembly Grounds, and OTHER places where a pale blue flag would look spiffy, and in the absence of a breeze, look like a U.N. Flag hanging limp. Then there is the JW.ORG blue oversized umbrellas, Unisex Hoodie Jackets, neck lanyards, hand lunch boxes with Paradise scenes, and of course Caleb and Sophia., and to contrast, from Peru, a BRIGHT Pink Caleb and Sophia Bible cover entitled New World Translation of the HOLY SCRIPTURES ... over a large picture of guess whom? Of course the refrigerator magnets and motivational jewelry are big sellers, not so much for the Caleb crochetable doll. I often wonder if they charge product licensing fees, and that is why there was no concern over that. Many things are "Slippery Slopes" ..... once you get on them ... it's a muddy slide to the bottom. How about a wicker picnic basket with hinged wooden top for $49.95, with a large red and white checkerboard tablecloth, and large box of Passover style unleavened bread, and a nice bottle of "The Memorial" branded (tm) red wine? I hear 2018 will be a good year. .

....

They have people walking the streets of New York City, waving their arms and yelling healthful words. I have been tempted to handcuff two of them together.

Carburetor is a french word meaning "don't adjust it". ... so much for Carbs.

When they make trees of "E Pluribus Unum", I will then go out and endeavor to prune 'em. Â Â

I agree ... that is why women have larger and more channel and volume controls . Don't forget to put arms straight up over head for antennas.

Infinite variety.

In context, these are actually the words of Robert Ringer, but I do recognize them as being valid. Unfortunately, the Society's Lawyers, who should be fighting for Truth, and Justice, and honoring Jehovah's Name and purposes, have the same attitude towards victims of institutionalized child sex abuse ... and fight the victims and pervert true JUSTICE to save money for their clients, whoever they might be. Actually, they are in a "Catch 22" situation ... they legally have a fiduciary responsibility to work in their employer's interests ... and Justice be damned ..... ...and it is. The reasons Lawyers can swim in any ocean on Earth, and not fear being bitten by sharks ... is professional courtesy.

Joan Baez's song about the Mercedes Benz comes to mind.

What options are actually available to you?

There is probably no better authority on erectile considerations than the Clinton News Network (CNN).

I think Mr. Sobhani definitely lacks imagination.

No one in the business world can function, and even have a business .... without making a profit. They NEVER, EVER, (unless they are stupid, which they are NOT..) figure out ways to make LESS money. If they do, it is not a business, anymore, What they have done here is up the price for a lease .... BECAUSE ... "Taxes, gas, and registration fees are not included.". You can get even MORE flexibility now .... at any number of Rental Car Agencys. You can exchange cars every day, if you can afford it. And have no concerns about taxes, insurance, OR gas. If you can afford it.

My father grew up in Roanoke Rapids, North Carolina, a paper mill town, and had to walk to work 6 miles in the morning, and return after a 12 hour day 6 miles to home. Then he had to go to a community well in the middle of the dirt streets every for blocks of so , and haul water back home in a bucket, making multiple trips, in the rain or winter darkness and cold or snow, etc. The toilet was a privy, out back next to the railroad tracks. His right arm was longer than his left, from carrying water. I suspect in Bible times life was even harder than that. Infinite variety..

Cowards die a thousand deaths ... the Valiant die but once.

On the expression: "Follow the Money" I think you misunderstand the colloquial expression .... it might be better expressed as "Follow the "TRAIL" of where the money goes, and it will always lead you to the Truth. I cannot think of any time this is not true. Another one I like is "When a man speaks of his honor and righteousness ... make him pay CASH (And check to see if it is counterfeit ... AND be prepared to shoot him when he tries to take it back). There are those that are genuinely sorrowful when they rob you through deception ... but they do it anyway. As Robert Ringer says in his self help book "Winning through Intimidation" ( which is really about how NOT to be intimidated yourself), there are only three types of people when money is part of the picture. Winning Through Intimidation by Robert J. Ringer The Theory of Reality: Reality isn’t the way you wish things to be, or the way they appear to be, but the way they actually are. You either acknowledge reality and use it to your benefit, or it will automatically work against you. Most people wish that business took place on a nursery school playground, with fairness being enforced. The reality is that the game of business is played in a vicious jungle. 1. Theory of Sustenance of a Positive Attitude Through the Assumption of a Negative Result a. Prepare yourself for long-term success by being prepared for short-term failure b. A person shouldn’t enter a sales situation feeling he can’t make the sale, but he should realistically assume that he won’t make the sale. If you’re prepared, then you’re able to feel confident that you are capable of making the sale if it is possible to be made. Hope for the best, but realistically assume the worst. c. No matter how well prepared you are, only a small percentage of deals actually control, because there are an endless number of factors beyond your control. d. Each negative result is an educational experience from which you can extract lessons learned, and then forget about the negative result. 2. Uncle George Theory a. If you keep your nose to the grindstone and work long, hard hours, you’re guaranteed to get one thing in return: Old. Hard work will not, in and of itself, assure a person of success. 3. Theory of Relativity a. Language is relative and subjective; you have to make sure that you define exactly what people’s statements really mean. 4. Theory of Relevance a. The most important factor to consider is whether something is relevant to what you’re trying to accomplish. Work only on things that are relevant. b. For example, the builder’s cost is irrelevant to a buyer. All the buyer cares about is cash flow. Also, whether or not a person is “honest” is irrelevant. What matters is what he puts down in writing. 5. Thirty Year Theory a. You are going to die. Therefore, you should go after all you can get, as quickly as you can get it, because the reality is that your time is limited. 6. Ice Ball Theory a. In 50 billion years, the sun will burn out and the Earth will be a frozen ice ball. Nothing you do now could possibly matter then. So don’t take yourself too seriously. Life is a game, and play to win. There’s no reason to be afraid to be aggressive or take chances. The reality is that there’s no way you’re going to get out of this thing alive, so why play conservatively. 7. Three Type Theory a. There are only three types of people in the business world i. Type 1: Lets you know that he’s out to get all of your chips. Then he tries to do just that. ii. Type 2: Assures you that he’s not interested in getting your chips. Then he tries to grab all of your chips anyway. iii. Type 3: Assures you that he’s not interested in getting your chips, and honestly means it. However, in the end, he tries to grab all of your chips anyway. b. In business, no one ever does anything for anybody else without expecting to gain something in return. 8. Leapfrog Theory a. A person has no legal or moral obligation or, for that matter, logical reason to “work his way up through the ranks.” The quickest way to the top is not by fighting your way through the pack, it is to leapfrog over the pack and simply proclaim that you’re above it. However, you must be prepared to be above it, or reality will knock you back down. 9. Theory of Intimidation a. The problems most people have in reaching their objectives revolve around the fact that they constantly allow themselves to be intimidated. b. The results a person obtains are inversely proportional to the degree to which he is intimidated. 10. Posture Theory a. It’s not what you do or say that counts, but what your posture is when you say or do it. You need to maneuver yourself into a position of power. 11. Types of Power a. Money: The ability to walk away—nice if you can get it b. Image: The ability to prompt respect c. Legal: The law, plus the Law of Universal Attorney-Attorney Respect. Always have everything in writing. Don’t be afraid to ask for it. d. Performance: Be the best at what you do and deliver. Be fanatical about execution. This backs up your Image and Legal Power. i. Don’t let anything get in the way of making the deal. If there are questions, dig out the answers yourself if necessary, rather than waiting for someone else to do it. 12. The 5 Steps of Sales Success a. Obtain a product to sell b. Locate a market for the product c. Implement a marketing method d. Be able to close the sale e. GET PAID. 13. Generating Image Power a. Ringer used a spectacular, expensive, hard-bound brochure to intimidate potential sellers. b. Every interaction was designed to show the buyer or seller that they needed to sell Ringer on working on their deal c. When he went to meet them, he brought along everything that he might need, from typewriters, to law books, to 2-3 secretaries—so that nothing could hold up the deal, and to intimidate the hell out of people. 14. Makeable Deal Theory a. It’s more efficient to work hard on finding a few makeable deals, rather than working hard on an endless number of unmakeable deals and clinging to the faint hope that you’ll somehow close one. People have a masochistic tendency to work on “pie-in-the-sky” deals that have little possibility of closing. 15. Phrasing Matters a. Don’t say, I can “sell” the property, say I can “do something” with the property. b. Don’t call a contract a contract, call it a “one-page understanding.” i. Try to avoid looking legal and attracting the attention of the Deal-Killing Attorney. ii. Ringer would have a contract done and signed on the spot, rather than waiting and allowing time to pass. 16. Fiddle Theory a. The longer a person fiddles around with something, the greater the odds that the result will be negative. Time is always against you when trying to make a deal—any kind of deal. 17. Boy-Girl Theory and Better Deal Theory a. If boy plays it cool, then girl wants boy. If boy comes on like hungry dog chasing a squirrel, then girl doesn’t want boy. A man will usually want the deal he can’t have, and won’t want the deal he can have. b. Before a person closes any kind of deal, he always worries that there may be a better deal down the road. c. To combat the effect of these factors, bring the deal as quickly as possible to the point where the money is on the table and the papers are ready to be signed. Then it’s put up or shut up time. i. Don’t let the speed depend on everyone else. If necessary, fly a secretary to the office to pick up the documents and hand deliver them. ii. You MUST take matters into your own hands and move swiftly once you smell victory. At the crucial moment, the great quarterback takes control of the game. 18. Attorney Goal Line Defense a. Attorneys are not subject to intimidation like normal people, but if you cower, they will smell blood and strike. Instead of being tough or humble, play it cool. Be calm and matter of fact. Adopt an air that indicates you have no concern over the deal, that everyone knew the deal would happen. i. “Problems” don’t represent obstacles to the closing, but just normal “points” which had to be “handled” as a natural part of every deal. ii. “That’s a darn good point. I’m glad you brought that up. Here are many ways we can handle that particular point.” The only reason all are gathered is to “handle” the normal “points” that always come up. iii. As a last resort, indicate the willingness to walk away. “Well, I guess that’s it. It looks like we just can’t make this one happen.” 19. Dirty Laundry a. There will almost always be several major undisclosed deal-killers that pop up at the 1-yard line. Soften the blow by setting expectations with the buyer ahead of time. That way, the dirty laundry reinforces your posture of expertise. 20. Bluff Theory a. The best way to bluff is not to bluff. Wealthy people are good bluffers because when they threaten to walk away, they mean it. They can’t be intimidated. b. If you’re not wealthy, the best substitute is guts. It’s more painful, but it works. Draw a clear line, and stick to it.

This just in from the Charlotte, NC Charlotte Observer Newspaper: Sex abuse cases against Jehovah's Witnesses church settled "The Associated Press March 06, 2018 07:50 PM Updated 1 hour 41 minutes ago SAN DIEGO Two men who say they were sexually abused by a leader at Jehovah's Witnesses congregations in San Diego in the 1990s have settled their lawsuits against the church's governing body. The San Diego Union-Tribune reports Tuesday that the settlements were finalized last week. Both sides say they aren't authorized to discuss the terms. A New York state appeals court in November upheld $4,000-a-day penalty against Watchtower Bible and Tract Society of New York for failing to comply with a court order to hand over internal documents about knowledge of church leaders who had been accused of sexually abusing children. Both plaintiffs say church elders knew of the abuse as early as 1982 but covered it up and allowed the leader to keep working with children." In this case, the Courts SUBPOENAED the records ( demanding that they appear ...) and it cost the WTB&TS $4,000 a day for every day THEY REFUSED. Several months ago, it was up to 2.1 million dollars. What breaks my heart is that children are giving their ice cream money to an organization that pays a team of supposedly theocratic lawyers ... to ACTIVELY obstruct Justice ..... for MONEY! Same thing is going on in Delaware as we speak. Read more here: http://www.charlotteobserver.com/news/nation-world/national/article203828784.html#storylink=cpy

Ahem... the word I used was subpoena, which BECOMES a functional summons. For your obfuscation and irrelevancy, and deliberate agenda driven lack of reading comprehension. AllenSmith ...... I sentence you to a lifetime of being you.

You obfuscated and did not answer such simple and straight forward and fair questions after repeated requests. THAT ... says it all.