CoolWaters

ROFL!!!!!!!!!!!

OM... The more you post, the more I wonder how deeply you were involved in such situations...and wonder just what your purpose to vpw was... You're always telling people how close you were to vpw. Even use that 'closeness' to try to prove people wrong about him.

This is in the syllabus? You mean to tell me that twi identified its own problem...and all the students just thought twi was talking about all those 'other' people in the world...? You know...those 'other' people who twi hated so much...those 'other' people twi pointed fingers at and ridiculed, mocked, blamed and whipped up prejudices against...those 'other' people... Not twi by any means. Couldn't have meant twi... After all, twi wasn't about POWER... Or MONEY... That's why twi never charged a penny for the POWER blah blah blah classes... Right! I got it now!

OM, you're treading into waters that you either don't comprehend...or you comprehend all too well. Your 'sentiments' are reflective of a typical perpetrator's. Do you realize this? Do you grasp that your 'mindset' is the same as a typical perpetrator's?

Does anybody know how many times Paul as Apostle had to flee for his life from the other Christians? Paul was not automatically accepted...not by a long shot. Didn't he and Peter go to blows at one point? Or was this just stuff I was taught in piffle way back in '77...?

Wow, rascal. You're being ignored? Well...then maybe you can have a nice conversation without being interrupted...or lied about! :D

My former son-in-law is a total control freak. He liked younger (16-18) girls because they were easier to control. Well, obviously, my daughter was one of these girls. Pregnant at 16, she moved in with this guy. He was in Marine Reserves at the time...and 23 years old. Anyway, when his 2 weeks/year time came up, my daughter was about 6 months pregnant, ill, and having a very difficult time all-in-all. But he's gotta go. The day after he left, she calls me. Crying, sick and totally scared, she asks me and my hubs to come over for a visit. So we did. When we arrived she was throwing up...and had been for most of the day. She was shaking and pretty much out of it, too. I recognized these symptoms of hers. She probably hadn't eaten. So I went to the refrigerator to get something to help settle her stomach so that she could get some food down and keep it down. What did I find? 27 bottles of booze. That's it. Then I went to the cupboards for maybe some crackers. Nothing there but some spices. And he had left my daughter completely broke and without access to his bank account. Well, I sent her dad up to the local cafe to get some food for her. Once we got her stabilized and relaxing, we went grocery shopping and filled her refrigerator and cupboards with about 3 weeks worth of decent food. Then we got all of the booze out of the house. When this guy got back from his 2 weeks/year, he went ballistic about the booze. He waited until later at night when he knew my husband was at work and I was home alone. Then he barged into my home and started threatening me. "You'll never see your daughter again and you'll never see your grandchild! I'm in control here! I'm taking them away from you! You'll never have the chance to steal my booze again! And if your fat old man of a husband wants to try to do anything about it, I'll kick his a$$ all over the place. You've done it now!" I'd finally had enough of the crap this 'man' was dumping onto my daughter. I had suspected alcoholism, but had never been allowed close enough to see for myself. I had also suspected other forms of abuse. This whole incident was enough proof for me to just get good and PO'd and do something about the whole mess. So I contacted this guy's CO. The CO had a 16yo daughter. The CO found out that this wasn't the first time this guy had done such things with young girls. The CO told me he'd take care of the situation. Well, my former son-in-law disappeared for 3 weeks. His CO had contacted his brothers (who were also Marine Reservists) and sent the 3 on a 'training mission'. The boy came back a man. He pulled some other stuff later on in the relationship, but he never endangered my daughter or granddaughter again. He still takes care of all their needs...even my daughter's if she can't do it by herself. He's never been friendly with me and my hubs, but he's never disrespected us since, either. About 2 months after his 3 weeks of 'training', he quit doing what he was required to do as a Marine Reservist. He eventually ended up with a DD that stood for 6 months and was changed only because he stayed out of trouble for that 6 months. 2 years ago he was up on several rape charges against a 12yo friend of my granddaughter's. He beat those charges. This is the difference between military and civilian responses to such situations. Another example... A woman I know had a husband who would turn violent towards her whenever he felt the need to 'get her under control'. She put up with it for far too many years. When she at last tried to do something about the situation, she ended up in jail for 4 days because she was scared to testify against her husband. She had a severe panic attack in jail. She was beaten and put into solitary confinement on the tier where male felons were held while going through the court system before going to prison. She was not allowed to shower (couldn't mix her in with the men...and not enough guards to do a special shower time for her), was held in 'the hole' where she had a hole in the floor for a toilet and for water and was not allowed sanitary napkins or more than 4 sheets of TP at once. She was told that her husband was in jail, too, and that her children were in foster care. (Later she found out these were lies.) She swore then to never call the cops or turn to the system for help again. Once she was released and went back home (where else was she going to go...her children were at the home), her husband knew she had been broken and the had total control. The violence continued. Finally a friend of hers pointed out that since the husband was a veteran, then the VA would help her in the situation. She turned to the VA and told them everything, The VA contacted the husband and gave him a choice of cooperating as an out patient...or cooperating as in patient. The husband agreed to out-patient treatment. He went to anger management sessions 5 days per week for nearly a year. He was diagnosed with anxiety disorder and depression. He was prescribed medicine and was required to take it to continue as an out-patient. It was obvious to everybody when he did and did not take the medicine, so he couldn't fake it. The violence stopped immediately...and has not returned in 4 years. The marriage is healing. The woman is healing. The husband is finding out that he doesn't have to be a monster to survive in this world. And one final thing I think about all the time concerning the difference between how the military handles situations and how civilian systems handle situations... If I hadn't been so twit-brained in Alaska and had turned to Rich Urquhart's CO for help, I fully believe that RU would have been stopped in his tracks long before he could do the depth of damage he did to too many children. These are just some things I think about a whole lot when it comes to what does and what does not work.

Look, if the shoe doesn't fit, don't wear it...and don't call me victim, either. And...don't act as if you have some decent reason for not responding to my posts. I'm a reasonable person. I've proven that over and over again. Reason with me and I will reason with you. Toss around insults...well, my husband has a saying..."Don't want crap? Don't start crap." And...I did not say "known violent offenders". I said "repeat offenders"...and said that as a question my husband and I were pondering...about the problems with the system. You took somebody else's words and made it a quote of mine. I'd say you have misunderstood...or something. *************** As for the argument that nobody wants themselves or their loved ones serving with 'bottom feeders'...please re-read my posts. Prevent people from becoming 'bottom feeders'. What in the world is wrong with such a concept? And the example of what happened in Nam... That's a whole different discussion, imo. It seems like people think that the military doesn't do anything but ship ready-made, patriotic soldiers off to war. There's a whole lot of training, discipline, preparation and weeding out that goes on in the military. At least the military that my husband, my father, my father-in-law, my grandpa, and my great-great grandpas were in. Think about it just for a minute... First, one would be required to finish one's high school education. Then one would undergo physical and psychological testing. If one got through these two requirements, then one would be sent to boot camp where one would learn discipline, self-worth, how to be trustworthy, etc. One would also be trained when, where, how, and for what reasons to use force...as well as the preference of not using force. (Unless, of course, folks think that people go into the military without needing such training and discipline.) I dunno... If people are satisfied with the system as is, then forget this thread and the ideas presented.

IMO, the Way International can't bear to look at the Cross of Christ because the Way International crucifies Christ over and over and over again. Of course, for me the jury is still out about whether the Way International was ever enlightened, ever shared in the Holy Spirit or ever tasted the goodness of the word of God and the powers of the coming age...

Ya know, the concept of taking young men heading in the wrong direction and putting them into the military isn't one I came up with off the top of my head. Not very long ago (when I was growing up) it was pretty common for juvenile judges to give a 'troubled teen' the choice of time behind bars or going into the military. Many people I've known were given the same chance as adults when they were first-time offenders. And it worked. The original idea I posted was about preventing someone from turning into a 'homicidal maniac' and such. No way in heII am I suggesting to wait until someone is a full-fledged mad dog and beyond reasonable hope. Sheesh! Some of you must think I'm a raving lunatic or something. Well. Thanks a whole bunch. Prevention. Is that such a hard concept to grasp? herbiejuan...kewl! Ideas like that are needed in this day and age, imo.

George...you've never heard my speaking voice, have you? Jonny...you weren't supposed to tell!!!!

pond... You think about what is required before a person is sent to war. 'America's finest' weren't born that way and did not just show up at boot camp that way.

And turning to today's headlines... Taken from the Topeka Capital-Journal online: The rest of the article. This article is followed with the article Oversight of homes questioned by the same reporter, which is one of many in the continuing report concerning the abuses perpetrated by a couple who ran another home for mentally disabled folks.

Started this thread so as not to totally derail the "Road to Perversion..." thread. On that thread Abi says: My hubs and I were discussing this very issue for most of the day yesterday. We live, and have lived for many years, in a "high crime" area. We've asked these same questions over and over again: why are violent offenders continuously let off with little or no jail time; how is violence prevented without violating basic human rights; how to revamp the prison system so that those released are not more 'educated' in crime than when they went in; how to revamp the 'justice' system so that being a repeat offender is the exception, not the norm; how to curb the costs to the taxpayers; etc. In many of the states we have lived in there once upon a time was a billboard 'campaign' effort to prevent gun violence. The billboards said some variation of "Use a gun, go to prison." Then it hit us: Be violent, get sent to war. What could be simpler?

Ssssssssstttt. This is a leap in logic that I'm not willing to take. There's way too much information left out between sentence one and sentence two. Although the article does go on to try and bridge that gap, I do not feel that the bridge was built sturdily enough to walk across. Also, it is a concern to me that the only option this article provides for getting information about the profile of a child molester is a link to an advertisement to buy the book. This kind of information needs to be free, easily accessed and repeated a gazillion times. IMO. The phrase "sexual conduct with a kid" is flip...and leaves a sense of 'questionable activity' instead of 'criminal activity'. IMO. I dunno...this article doesn't sit quite right with me.

"I was so far gone that..." I hang my head in shame thinking about what I did to my family because of The Way International's influence...nay, their control...in my life. {{{{{Belle}}}}} There is a place of peace and healing...ya know? :) You know that my daughter finally feels safe enough about me to call and talk. It took 17 years...but it's happening now. The slimy residue of The Way International goes away. And what comes is so much more than one could ever hope or dream or ask for... What comes is one's best self...one's best life. Maybe little bits at a time, but it comes all the same. {{{{{Belle}}}}} We're gonna get there...we're all gonna get there. :) Thank you for your courage, your willingness to share, your laugh, your tears, your honesty, yourself. {{{{{Belle}}}}} Guess some people/organizations just have to learn the hard way to never mess with a Scorpio!

Oh gawd...the worry! Whenever hubs went out...eeeeeek!!!! Being back here in Kansas he was literally like a fish out of water for a long, long time. But it's not so nerve-wracking on me. And it's not just fishing in Alaska that can be a killer. Mo remembers when my hubs went out to prove-up our homestead up on the Yetna...in the middle of winter...on a very used snowmobile...that broke down half way back...and hubs had to hike the rest of the way into Knik...yikes!

Song!!!!! Hiya! :D Well Bucky is gone now. I was hoping it would be Ace. I cried my eyes out when Elliot was put in the bottom 3. That guy has gotten to me! I'm worried about Paris. I'll tell ya what, though... TAYLOR WAS AWESOME!!!!!

I'm relieved to know that the reservations can be modified. I was worried that we'd be stuck with too much room and not enough people. Whew! Just FYI... I would have no problem not staying in the suite if it means getting another room just for me. Like if 5 of us plan to be there, then I say go with the 1 bedroom suite and don't worry about me. It would actually be better for me to stay in my own home at night...due to some health stuff and all. Another thing... Is the pool a year-round thing? I saw on the website that it said, 'indoor heated pool--seasonal'. What does that mean? (I'm a worrier. The other night I freaked out at 3am that I had misunderstood the price of the room. Was it per person or per night? So I got up and got on the 'net and checked it out! LOL) White Dove...you still planning a guys thing in your neck of the woods...? If so, make sure y'all have your wigs, purses, dresses/skirts and high heels. The pics won't look right if you all are in nail polish and makeup without the coordinating ensembles.

{{{{{Suda}}}}}!!!! You're being such a great organizer!!!! TYVM!!!! OK, I plan to stay in the suite with everybody....it just wouldn't be a GGGW if I went home to hubby, now would it? LOL So do we need a head count yet? I don't know how these reservations thingies work...so let us know, OK?

OK, ladies...I think I've got some great information together! I've been speaking with Cari at Winslow's City Market Barbeque. What a great source person!!!! Anyway, Cari suggested that folks stay at the Radisson-City Center. I have to agree! I looked at both Expedia's and at Radisson's web sites for rate/amenities/suites information. First, Expedia's rates are about $50/night cheaper than the rates on Radisson. I don't know what that means. Second, even at Radisson's full rates (up to $165/night for the 1 bedroom suite), divided by 4 ($41.25/night/person) is quite affordable. All the rooms I looked at for you all have Sleep Number beds. Woo hoo! And the ones I think you all will like the best are the 1 bedroom suites with a 'wall of glass' view of the whole city, king size Sleep Number bed (quality linens, down pillows and finished with a premium down-filled comforter nestled in an ultra-soft duvet cover) and a sofa bed, high speed internet (so we can post/chat here at GSC about all our wild fun...hehe), fridge, microwave, parlor (so me and bowtwi can come hang out with y'all), coffee maker, blow dryer, 2 27" TV's, and full compliment of cable TV including HBO and ESPN. The hotel includes a restaurant, pool, fitness center and gift shop. Best of all, Radisson City Center is centrally located to everything anybody visiting for a weekend in KC would want to do. IMO. :D Cari also let me know about the MAX shuttle bus that runs basically right through all the kewl destinations in downtown KCMO...and is not more than a block away from the Radisson City Center. The information about MAX on the website is old, but Cari said the fare is still $1.25/trip. She also said that now the MAX has day passes for about $6 that will let folks use the MAX all day on the same pass. And Cari told me about July's activities at Winslow's. On Saturday (July 15) there are local bands throughout the day beginning at about Noon and a specific band from about 7pm-to about Midnight. On Sunday (July 16) beginning at about Noon is the Blues Jam with local bands. One last thing about Winslow's that Cari told me... They have a full service bar and Cari said she'd make sure us GGGW (yep...I told her all about us...hehehe) will be able to get whatever we want from the bar...and have a great time! :D There's other stuff brewing in the background that, if they pan out, you all are gonna have one helluvatime in KC!!!!! :D :D :D Heck, even if all we do is hang out in the hotel room and by the pool, we're gonna have one helluvatime!!!! :D :D :D This is exciting! Oh...White Dove...what an idea! Just like in college...the guys getting together because the girls are getting together...then the guys doing panty raids and stuff to bug the girls...but the girls loving it. Hehehehe. Thanks for the tip about the carriage rides...and the limo option! What fun to ride around the Plaza in a limo getting wasted and nekkid (OK...maybe just mooning folks or flashing boobies...oh! I've gotta get some GGGW beads to hand out!) and hanging out the sun roof....I can just see it now!!!! Jim...I'll take the DVD orders...hehehe. David...you send COPS and you'd better HIDE for the REST OF YOUR LIFE!!!! Hehehe.

Totally awesome! And the last verse bears repeating: Gave me goosebumps, it did! {{{{ILBCW}}}} You're good, too. :) And you did good on the centering! :D I hope you'll give us more!

I don't even know what to say, Jonny. :o :wacko:

Belle, dear sister. We've talked hours on end. I've read your posts. We've chatted. But sister, I never got the depth of what you went through. I listened to this podcast as soon as I knew it had been posted. It's taken this long for the reality to sink in and settle down enough that I could say anything. I am so sorry for all that you have gone through...and are still going through. But sister girl...you are doing it all with such class and such bravery and such strength! These GS Radio episodes are priceless...for telling the stories...and for celebrating each and every person's class, bravery and strength while going through sheer hell.

Yeah! What you said! And thank you ChattyKathy. :)