citygirl's actually an object lesson. Because of our private correspondence, I believe she is exactly who she says she is, a mother worried for her daughter.
Her postings here and elsewhere indicate she has fallen for WI, hook, line, and sinker. So she's turned into a shill, probably as a defense.
Her outcome could have been different if she'd actually using the resources this site offers, instead of dismissing them because appearing as a guest on Oprah's Dr. Oz constitutes an endorsement of someone's sterling character. (See Appeal to Authority in the index of logical fallacies [
www.nizkor.org])
She's also not the first worried parent who's gone around to kick Wright's tires; the View to Post ratio of this thread tells me they almost certainly have people watching this thread. They were ready for her.
Here are my opinions of citygirl's situation, which I hope will edify others:
I suspect citygirl either did not attend or did not complete college. She has great respect for education, but she writes and thinks like someone who is uneducated. Lgats use your vulnerabilities against you; that's an obvious angle to work with her.
She is rightly proud of her daughter's educational accomplishments, but seems to believe that education confers benefits that, sadly, it does not. Academic achievement doesn't make anyone invulnerable to the lure of groups like this. There's a con for everyone.
She appears to be an internet noob, (free netiquette advice: don't lie on the message board and expect the person you lied about not to post the PMs, 'k? makes you look like a liar AND an idiot.) which means it took Wright's internet spies about 5 minutes to sweep the Web for all of her posts, figure out exactly who she is, and prepare for her. Predators are out there, people, and they're not just taking a seat across from Dateline's Chris Hansen.
WI almost certainly coached her daughter about what to say to her and how to act, as well.
People often stick their heads in the sand when facing reality would cost them some dearly held beliefs, force them to take action they're uncomfortable with, force them into a place where they don't know WHAT action they'd take, or place them into an uncomfortable psychological position.
It doesn't pay to be an ostrich, it costs; instead of dealing with a big, depressing, tough problem now, you'll deal with a huge, heart-breaking, intractable problem later.
Furthermore:
Attention must be paid. These lgat/cult leaders really, really are really, really good at what they do.
Manipulative, attractive, charismatic conning is a skill, and it's a skill that makes a lot of people a lot of money. You wouldn't go up against a great lawyer without getting legal training, don't go up against a con without thoroughly reviewing the resources on this website.
In addition to all the great articles and resources, I especially recommend the big Byron Katie thread; The Anticult and corboy break it all down for everyone, and there's tons of great posts from others. Katie's especially interesting because one of her angles is that she's NOT educated.
Read. Learn.
PS: Thanks for your comments, shimmer. I wasn't going to mess with this mess any more, but you're right; it's important to correct the cultic implants citygirl placed here with facts.
Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 06/13/2009 12:18PM by Christa.