GrouchoMarxJr

If memory serves me correctly, my first encounter with twi's current president was at pfal77...I had never heard of her before and suddenly, there she is, on stage being introduced as the "hostess with the mostest", or something like that. She was in charge of coordinating a major portion of that event...can't remember exactly what her title or function was...but I do remember thinking to myself at the time..."who the f***** is this"?

Her "southern belle" syrupy drawl along with her interpretation of a "toned down" Tammy Faye Baker appearance, left me a little cold. I remember passing her in some hallway and getting an "up close" look at her...I recall thinking to myself, "who's she trying to kid"?...she came across to me as being very ambitious in her attempts to climb up that waytree. When I first heard of twi's selection of Rosie to replace lcm...I was shocked...I knew at that moment how shallow the pool was, in which to select a new leader.

I agree that quotes from her will be somewhat scarce...not only does she lay low, but what she DOES say is so forgettable that I'm surprised anybody can even bear to listen to her.

During the 70's, there was no compulsion to report "get togethers"...that's insane. I would have walked away then and there. The leaders would run their meetings and there was not even any real pressure to attend those...they might "talk to you" and encourage you to get more involved, but there was nothing punitive...nobody ever got M&A for lack of involvement. They made it clear that if you wanted to become leadership (climb the waytree)...involvement was mandatory...but it was pretty freewheelin' in those days.

Any event that twi scheduled, always had a view to the end of recruitment. Green cards flowed freely..."your pen or mine"...all that crap. I find it interesting to note, that IMHO, the most sincere witnessing took place during NON-twi events. When you were half in the bag with your "old-man" buddies...or when friends or relatives would inquire on their own, rather than being brow beat at some twi event, where most of the wayfers were only trying to look good for the leadership and generally came across as insincere amway salesmen.

When I hear the stories about the evil regieme of lcm, I find it difficult to believe that so many bright folks, allowed such outragious intrusions into their personal lives to occur. Sorry, I'm not trying to make anybody angry or defensive...but, holy crow! I wonder how many actually WOULD have chugged down the koolaid, had lcm filled the cups.

The worst way song was any song that martindale was leading...I can still see that pompous a$$ swinging his arms around like he was doing a vaudeville act. The attention was always on him...he was always willing to demonstrate his arrogance.

Donna M- Georgina Splevin

Bob M- Ronnie Howard

Don W- Anthony Perkins

Del D- Jon Voight

Returning wows- Jerry's kids

When a "coordinator/leader" wanted to impress some newbies, he would point out some poor schmuck and declare that he has "no rooms for rent"...meaning of course, that the coordinator/leader was spiritually perceiving that the individual in question was devil possessed...in fact the guy was "loaded" with them and often times the coordinator/leader would actually start telling the newbies, the different names of said devil spirits...usually, the names of the spirits would match the list of names handed out at the advanced class.

I gave up 13 years of my life, about $25,000 in abs.,and so many opprotunities that I lost count...but I didn't give these things up for the word...they didn't have the word.

Maybe the original BOT should be played by the three stooges...

Martindale...Michael Pollard

...And NEVER use the word "create"...only God creates doncha know! Today I go out of my way to use the word create..."I created some chile con carne that would burn the nametag off a limb coordinator"...

...And I recall at piffle 77...A guy I knew developed a serious problem...he was spitting blood...didn't know why...went to third aid...they told him to drink water and gave him gold seal tablets...true story!!! A week later, back at home, he was diagnosed with a bleeding ulcer.

My alltime choice for most aggravating phrase..."JUST RENEW YOUR MIND!"

If I ever hear someone say that to me again, I will stick my thumb in their eye...

If I'm not mistaken, the final season is 10 episodes long and doesn't begin until Jan. 06!

I think with Johnny Sack and his boys all going to jail, Tony S. will definitely become more powerful and "pick up" some of the NY action...

I can't see the show ending up with Tony S. still in power...he'll either get whacked or go to jail...

I suspect that they will bring in some new faces like they did this year, featuring some top actors...maybe Feetch will return.

The reason that martindale wanted the bookstore closed to outsiders is because if any of martindales "research publications" fell into the hands of any serious bible scholars, they would have laughed until they wet themselves.

Fix it? I have to agree that it's not broken. It is operating exactly as it was designed to operate. Con people, steal their time, money and allegience and then throw them away when they are no longer useful...nope, it's not broken...works just fine.

Twi thrived on fear motivation. Once you were initiated into the "fold", peer pressure became enormous. Because you were severed from your old friends, family, etc...you now had to jump through their hoops in order to maintain your standing within the group. Otherwise, you would be cut loose and left alone...you'd be a greasespot by midnight.

The fear was both subtle and overt. It was direct and it was also indirect. It came from all directions, from numerous sources...it was an underlying theme, that whatever you did, you were required to perform...or you would lose favor with the group.

For many people, they actually feared for their lives...for others, it was the fear of their corps assignment not being what they wanted. It varied for each individual. The common denominator in each case however, was exploitation through coercion. The old bait and switch...promise them the blessings of God and when you got em hooked, give them the threat of the devil.

Garth...I was sorta wondering the same thing when I read oldies post...

Actually, he might even be correct, had I been referring to Christianity as a whole.

I have nothing at all against Christian fellowship...I believe that it's a good thing for folks to associate themselves with a spiritual support group...one that advises, councils, admonishes, teaches, etc., etc...it's when the "group" is manipulative and abusive (like twi), that I have problems with it.

Karl Marx (not to be confused with Groucho) was an atheist. I think perhaps oldies was confusing my position against twi, thinking that I was referring to all Christian groups. ;)-->

Thanks Imbus...

Yes...I do recall that we did this some time ago...I just thought it might be funny to revisit this concept.

The suggestion of Christopher Walken as lcm made me laugh out loud...

How about the woman who plays Tony Soprano's sister for the Rosie part...just beat her in the face with a stick for awhile to get the right look.

Sounds like a case of some poor animal returning to his own puke.

I suppose to fully understand why some people would consider returning to twi, it would be wise to consider the reasons as to why they got involved in the first place.

I know that folks with "addictive personalities" are prime candidates to involve themselves with such a thing...combine that with a basic insecurity about life in general and an unnatural codependency that places them into a situation that allows them to feel "comforted" by the group think mentality that reinforces for them, all the things that make them feel "ok" about themselves.

It absolves them of the responsibility of facing life on their own...somebody else will tell you what to believe and what you should do. Your basic "herd instinct" kicks in...being with your "likeminded" fellow cult members is an aphrodesiac that you can lose yourself in, similar to a junkie when he gets his fix.

Anyone who is considering a return to twi, under ANY circumstances, should immediately check themselves into a rehab clinic for the perpetually stupid. I have more sympathy for a drug addict who slithers back into his cesspool of self destruction, than I do for anyone who would go back to wayworld.

OK Kiddies...time to pick a cast...who plays who in the R-rated movie version about TWI?

I'll start it off with a few suggestions:

Howard Allen-Steve Buscemi

Lcm-Kelsey Grammer

Rosie-Kathy Bates

Vpw-Anthony Hopkins

Geer-Tom Beringer

C'mon, join in on the fun...

I think it's all building towards the final season...I predict that Tony S. gets whacked in the final episode next year. Christopher takes over, but only after whackin' Paulie. I sure wish that somebody would whack Carmella...that whining b*tch annoys the hell out of me.

It was a pleasure watching Steve Buscemi this season. By the way, Steve B was my pick to play Howard Allen in the made for tv movie version about twi.

The fact that there are different opinions and different "approaches" to dealing with all of this, indicates to me that there is a healthy amount of diversity at the GS.

Perhaps there are innies who respond well to all the "sugar coated, sensitive, well thought out, easy to be intreated, gentle, kind and sure love ya man" gestures that are made towards them...but perhaps there are others who are more responsive to a "direct approach", where the disdain of twi is communicated with a harder edge. Maybe the combination of the different styles, working in tandem, can reach someone...

Personally, I really don't care if I "break a few eggs" and offend some religious zealot. Twi is an insideous little cult that needs to be dragged out into the light of day and exposed.

I consider it a measure of success that twi acknowledges us. I'm sure that they would prefer that the "innies" didn't even know of our existence, so that they could "bury" all their dirty laundry. Too much publicity and too many folks being vocal, has caused twi to change their tactics...they now are forced to deal with us publicly...they do this by painting us as the "enemy"...They now use us as "examples", no doubt, to illustrate how debbil spurts can turn you into a reprobate, railing against "God's true ministry".

The cult mindset needs an enemy...Twi is rampant with the "us verses them" mentality. It always was and, by necessity, it always will. The fact that so many people who were in the same "place" as they are now, completly eludes them. Folks who were faithful for twenty years or more...held high positions and were privy to inside information, are summarily dismissed as being reprobate...without any honest consideration or without any common sense being used to THINK for themselves.

As far as the current "up to date" condition of twi...They are "currently" a personality cult with no personality. They are a rudderless ship sailing the seas of misfortune, ignoring all warnings of impending storms. They have absolutely no choice but to find themselves another "charismatic" leader, in whom they can build up their "most holy faith" upon...or, they will be resigned to the trashpile of obscurity...even as followers of Charles Manson STILL hold secret meetings and hide in their little remote bubble of deception. Twi is a toothless entity that is of no consequence to society...except for those poor souls that are still involved. I do feel sorry for them.

What a grand idea!...Find some old video footage of lcm ranting and raving and then edit in some clips from the three stooges. It would be hysterical!

I can see Curly slapping his face over and over, as lcm screams about becoming a greasespot by midnight...the possibilities are endless.

I miss the smell of the slaughter house in Emporia.

He was a man of honor who served his country with integrity and with distinction. A true American hero...rest in peace.

The fundamental problem is that twi was a "personality cult". When Vic took up permanent residence under the fountain of endless misery, he left lcm in charge. His selection of lcm was based on his "firey personality"...again, the personality cult.

It matters not whether they use lcm's sophmoric attempt at biblical interpretation or go back to veepee's hybrid collection of other people's work...there's no "personality" to fill the void. Nobody to lather up the crowd or to cry when the "wow kids" return to the rock...In short, nobody to follow. It will take more than a recycled video, featuring a guy with a skinny tie, to pump life into that headless snake.

So sorry to hear of your loss...thank you for sharing with all of us, a little of who your brother was...