KLTV just ran a story on the ESOAL Oversight Committee. Unfortunately, they did not mention that the majority of the people on this committee already have ties to Teen Mania and its senior leadership, as I discussed here.
Jamie Holder, Deputy Superintendent of Lindale Schools, has withdrawn from the committee for personal reasons.
UPDATE: There is video of this story as well:
69 comments:
Interesting, but why do they insist on a live interview? Puzzling.November 6, 2010 10:58 PM
Anonymous said…
They insist on a live interview because they can’t take their words and twist themNovember 6, 2010 11:06 PM
Anonymous said…
I am so glad I found this site I was about to end it all a while back now I know their is safe place for me I am planning on leaving the ha tonight cause I can’t deal with the pain no more I can’t always be a winner I know I will get tons of calls but I can’t take it anymore I cry everynight in my roomNovember 6, 2010 11:09 PM
Recovering Alumni said…
Anon – Please, please do not kill yourself. There is SO much more to life than TM. Please write me at recoveringalumni at recoveringalumni dot blog if you need any help or support in leaving the HA.November 6, 2010 11:11 PM
Anonymous said…
As I type this I am actually packing my bags while my core is out they didn’t want me to join me there excuse was they didn’t have enough rides I should be on my way back to Utah I about an hour I’ll be set free thank you Ra for your support you have given me through your postsNovember 6, 2010 11:16 PM
Recovering Alumni said…
Good for you. If you need a place to stay for the night, you can drive to Dallas and sleep on my couch. I would hate for you to make that drive tired. Then I could take you out for a nice breakfast in the morning before you leave.November 6, 2010 11:17 PM
Anonymous said…
I am planning on making it the whole wayNovember 6, 2010 11:25 PM
Recovering Alumni said…
Drive safe, my friend. And keep in touch.November 6, 2010 11:25 PM
Anonymous said…
I am going to send you a story and please forward it to the sinister, my depression has gotten worse due to the ha, all I get is negative energy their karma is gonna catch up with themNovember 6, 2010 11:27 PM
Recovering Alumni said…
Hang in there. Things WILL get better, I promise. I look forward to getting to know you more.November 6, 2010 11:29 PM
Anonymous said…
Well Ra I’m officially packed this starts the new day for me to no longer be persecuted by my core I will no longer be called a harlot because of my past no more condemnation no more boys secretly asking me to date them I’m tired of all the “men” there I can now tend to my baby and get back together with my fiancé, it’s gonna be good I am leaving my sorrows, my tears, my pain, my depression, everything and starting newNovember 7, 2010 12:04 AM
Recovering Alumni said…
Safe travels. You are a very brave woman!November 7, 2010 12:05 AM
heartsfire said…
Anon Be blessed you have so many people here that care about you. Good luck on the drive back Be blessed!November 7, 2010 8:47 AM
Anonymous said…
Anon, you just blessed me with your simple testimony.
Safe travels. And know, whatever doesn’t kill you only makes you stronger. please, don’t let the H.A. take your life, break down that wall and stand strong.
“Boys secretly asking me to date them.” ?!?!?!?!??!
WHAT?!
You are so beautiful. and those ‘boys’ who all they wanted was something to fulfill their lust, they are sick. They are broken and they were very wrong to do that. I’m sorry you had to go through that.
You are safe here to share your story. I can’t wait to hear more about it. 🙂November 7, 2010 9:13 AM
phoenix said…
Holy Cat’s! Good luck anon and drive safely. If you get into trouble let us know, I’m sure we can get you a place to crash, shower, and eat if you need a break from the road.November 7, 2010 11:13 AM
Anonymous said…
This girl is full of crap this weekend was the fasting LTE there is no way her core left during the weekend and you all believe her shame on you she is trying to make you all feel sorry for her this person is obvisually lying in your facesNovember 7, 2010 4:37 PM
Natalie Haskell said…
@anon 4:37
Even if she is, there is ZERO reason for you to call her out.
The fasting LTE is split in two the last I remember. like A shift and B shift. right?
This is not about assuming people are lying when they say they are hurting.
I’m gonna assume that was true. And if it wasn’t, I don’t even care. She’s welcome, as are you. 🙂November 7, 2010 6:47 PMRecovering Alumni said…
Anon – Wow, I’m literally speechless by your hateful attitude.November 7, 2010 8:33 PM
Anon 12 said…
@Anon who went home to Utah. I hope you had a safe trip and are safe at home healing and resting.
@ Anon 4:37 I don’t think the Anonymous Girl was saying her core wasn’t on campus. It sounded like she was saying they weren’t around to help her pack. They were doing other things and couldn’t find enough rides to help her leave (or leave themselves). I’m sure it was possible to pack bags during the Fasting LTE. That’s just what I thought as I read it.
It’s not easy to judge a situation before all the facts have been presented but that’s not our place anyway.November 7, 2010 9:14 PM
Internaug10 said…
It would be hard to pack during the fasting LTE and all interns fast together so the anon at 4:37 is prob right on it sounds a little fishy Internet is not allowed in the dorms and and she wouldve updated by nowNovember 7, 2010 9:58 PM
Allahtruth said…This post has been removed by a blog administrator.November 7, 2010 10:24 PM
Anon 12 said…
@Internaug10
I may have read it wrong but I always tend to give people the shadow of the doubt.
“Kindness is a language which the deaf can hear and the and the blind can see” –Mark TwainNovember 7, 2010 10:41 PM
Recovering Alumni said…
@Intern Aug 10 – Many people have smartphones with internet connection.
Its possible he/she was not telling the truth – but what would be gained by NOT supporting and encouraging this person? So what if we are wrong. I’d rather be wrong than let a hurting person cry out for comfort and get slapped with silence or accusation.November 7, 2010 11:13 PM
BForet said…
Hey RA are you coming to alumni weekend would love to chat with you.November 7, 2010 11:38 PM
Recovering Alumni said…
BForet – Wish I could, but I’ve been banned from campus and threatened with criminal prosecution if I “trespass.”November 7, 2010 11:39 PM
Anonymous said…
I’m sure if you emailed someone high up and didn’t speak negatively they would allow you on for the weekendNovember 7, 2010 11:43 PM
Recovering Alumni said…
LOL. Either you haven’t read my blog very long or you really like the taste of kool-aid.
http://www.recoveringalumni.com/2010/10/teen-mania-smear-campaign.html November 7, 2010 11:45 PM
Anonymous said…
REPENT YOU LYING GIRL FOR YOU SHALL FALLNovember 8, 2010 1:39 AM
Albina said…
Wow, this post really brought out the whackadoodles, didn’t it? Sorry, RA.
Part of me wants you to leave them up to show the kind of fruit TM often produces but I can certainly understand why you remove them.November 8, 2010 7:02 AM
heartsfire said…
Handle all persecution with love! If Mica is lying then so are what about 100-200 others that have connected with this site. The people who connect here range from the very early years of TM till people who started GI terms in 2010 then left or were sent away for being less than $50 away(this is a story I personally know about). I am sorry those of you that only want to spread some form of twisted allegiance to the HA and can’t see beyond your own experience are treating those of us that didn’t have a great experience poorly. I would point out it only cements the bad feelings further of those here. Not everyone has a positive experience and even if you did godliness does not state that you should toss aside those that had a rather awful experience. In doing so you further harm that has come to those of us that are broken by our own experiences. I am sorry you can’t see beyond your own experience to love others the way Christ would his broken children.November 8, 2010 7:42 AM
heartsfire said…
As for the leaving intern I seriously do not doubt her story all that much. We gain nothing from doubting her and she’s hurting. It was during an LTE that a friend of mine left. She ducked out a few things here and there and packed. I have a huge issue that there are people that cannot in their own anger that there are people hurting be willing to show love regardless. If they do not understand that part of the heart of Christ then it does seem to Prove Mica’s(and the rest of us that are here’s) point without saying a word.November 8, 2010 8:04 AM
Anonymous said…
Yeah this got CRAZY.
I don’t like that at all! I’m stressed out just reading this. 8/November 8, 2010 8:47 AM
layne said…
I was surprised the Deputy Superintendent of Lindale Schools was on the committee to begin with. I understand how this person would be valuable, but I was shocked that they agreed to do it.November 8, 2010 9:01 AM
mouse said…
The Lindale ISD guy probably googled Teen Mania and realized that it’s a bunch of cranks/quacks/child abusers and decided to get out before his name got associated any more with this cult.
MouseNovember 8, 2010 9:07 AM
Lisa Marie said…
Okay, I’m not trying to be rude or question someone who’s hurting, but i have to ask about the anon intern who was leaving for Utah- didn’t she say something about going back to her baby and fiance?? I honestly would not have thought that the HA would have accepted someone who was engaged and had a child…simply because of the logistics of it. I’m just confused by that…November 8, 2010 10:45 AM
Anon 12 said…
Lisa Marie,
I know your not being rude. Seriously, I’m not trying to be a smarty-pants either. I understand what you are asking but the HA accepts everyone and anyone. The only thing denied at the HA is sometimes love, compassion, forgiveness, understanding, time. Allot of interns don’t break off relationships until they arrive on campus or make it through the first “rules” session.
Some interns secretively keep their “boyfriends/girlfriends” all year, never tell, and still graduate as DH’s elite of the elite wearing their ring and all. I wish I would’ve thought of that. There have been times that I could’ve pawned that ring and gotten some good gas money. Just joking.
This leads me on a tangent. It’s not directed toward anyone specific.
A person’s heart of goodness isn’t what the HA recognizes, it’s their behavior. Anyone can learn to mimic a certain behavior without having a changed heart. Many interns graduate mimicking the behavior that is acceptable to the HA to survive (whether they realize it or not)and many interns don’t like living like that so they leave, get sent home, or find themselves working extra or in front of an “honor council.” Those interns are looked down on for their honesty and the others are uplifted and made to feel superior.
Just a thought. I’m not saying this suits every situation there but the system is faulty. A good portion of the lifestyle at the HA is based upon appearances. For Example, if you can appear like an “elite warrior” than you must be alright. They really don’t get that close to your life to know the difference. They look for very specific things but never the important things about a person. Even CA’s and lower ends of the leadership do not get that close. However, they do notice details of an intern’s life that they may call, “fruit” and use that to evaluate a person.
Which brings me to my original thoughts about the actual post, “ESOAL Oversight Committee: Update and News Story.”
It’s all to maintain appearances.November 8, 2010 12:46 PM
Surprised? said…
Sooo.. in case no one caught this, “BForet” may be a B.Foret. But is not the one that worked at T.M. (I don’t think at least)
Psycho. Who falsely comments as someone else? That’s annoying.November 8, 2010 7:04 PM
elsa said…
LisaMarie, I understand your question. However, I also know of someone who was on staff with TM, and he wasn’t allowed to tell anyone that he had a son.
Surprised? — what makes you think that’s not the same B. Foret?November 8, 2010 7:34 PM
Anonymous said…
Teen Mania only agreeing to a live interview during the broadcast makes them sound like a bunch of whiners with control issues… Oh… wait… heh Duh!November 8, 2010 7:40 PM
Surprised? said…
He’s an acquaintance. I asked him if he commented on the blog, he had no idea what I was talking about.
It’s also not linked to his blog.November 8, 2010 7:53 PM
Anonymous said…
Ok this is getting really confusing who cares really I think there’s some posersNovember 8, 2010 8:42 PM
layne said…
I have a friend who attended HA and had a child. HA was fully aware of the situation.November 9, 2010 8:54 AM
Lisa Marie said…
Anon 12-
Admittedly, I am a former intern who went before the honor council for an issue with a former romantic relationship. So i know the drill;-) I would think that most of us would agree, though, that it wouldn’t be the wisest thing to try to hide these sorts of things in order to get into the HA…
elsa-
I know that I am making assumptions here about people remaining in traditional gender roles, but I guess i can see more how an unmarried guy who had fathered a child could be at HA (not that i think it would be ok for TM to make him keep it a secret at all, though) But to me, a new mom is a different story.
layne- can i ask, was your friend a mom with a new baby? Who took custody of the child when they left for HA?November 9, 2010 9:46 AM
layne said…
Lisa, the intern did not have custody of the child. As I don’t have permission from my friend to give out their info, I can’t really say anything more than that. It wasn’t common knowledge but HA did know about it.November 9, 2010 10:12 AM
Lisa Marie said…
okay yeah, that’s fine that you don’t want to mention any more, layne.
I guess all of this comes down to the fact that I think it would be really messed up for TM to be encouraging/allowing/ignoring the fact that interns were leaving behind children to come to HA. It reminds me of something RA actually said to me in an email recently, “I think TM uses the twisting of obedience and living according to their law, to override natural loving impulses and healthy relationships and dialogue.”
(Hope its okay that i quoted you there, RA;-)November 9, 2010 10:26 AM
Anonymous said…
This is getting ridiculous you all are acting like a bunch of damn interns still; grow up all ready after I finish the HA there is no way in hell I will still talk about it. I would leave but I made a commitment!!!!November 9, 2010 12:05 PM
elsa said…
LisaMarie — I totally agree. I just didn’t want to derail the conversation by making it about gender, which I do too often anyway. Excellent point.November 9, 2010 12:17 PM
Josh Ex-Intern 00-01 said…
WOW….did anyone else catch anon @12:05’s comment???
“This is getting ridiculous you all are acting like a bunch of damn interns still; grow up all ready after I finish the HA there is no way in hell I will still talk about it. I would leave but I made a commitment!!!!”
Interesting things here:
1) STILL AN INTERN
2) Cussing as AN INTERN
3) Knows the place is a bunch of bull, but won’t leave.
@Anon 12:05: Why would you do you want to leave?November 9, 2010 2:19 PM
Recovering Alumni said…
I would recommend not engaging this person…could easily be a troll. Either way, they do not seem willing to dialogue in a constructive manner.November 9, 2010 2:20 PM
Anonymous said…
They won’t let me get a released of my commitment since I am a ca, and is damn really a cuss wordNovember 9, 2010 2:35 PM
layne said…
I’m almost certain this is a trolling situation.November 9, 2010 3:25 PM
Anonymous said…
Why do you say that I am trollingNovember 9, 2010 3:46 PM
heartsfire said…
@Anon I know of one girl that was *Just* released from her commitment as a CA so I know you full of bull here. Further I do think you are being kinda troll like while not being an outright Troll,you are actually answering our questions after all. I just wouldn’t call you polite or behaving in a way that is respectful to either your situation or those to whom you are speaking.November 9, 2010 6:32 PM
Anonymous said…
Ok I might of been a little short, but they won’t let me out due to the fact that I don’t really have a reason. I just want to leave because I am tired of the drama that goes down at the ha.November 9, 2010 8:21 PM
Recovering Alumni said…
Anon – If you feel it would be healthy for you to leave, then just leave. They aren’t God, they can’t make you stay. Its called freedom of religion.November 9, 2010 9:04 PM
Anonymous said…
But I made a commitment. My core needs me!November 9, 2010 9:09 PM
Recovering Alumni said…
Needs you to what?November 9, 2010 9:10 PM
Anonymous said…
Help, them when they fall, and to lead them into righteousness.November 9, 2010 9:24 PM
Recovering Alumni said…
How do you “lead them into righteousness?”November 9, 2010 9:25 PM
Anonymous said…
By being there for them, and telling them what they should do, along with accountability.November 9, 2010 9:36 PM
Recovering Alumni said…
“Telling them what they should do” – thats a job I would never want to have…I think the Holy Spirit has that one covered.
Are you leaving in Jan or Aug?November 9, 2010 9:38 PM
Recovering Alumni said…
Oh, and I’d be remiss if I didn’t point out that none of that leads them into righteousness…November 9, 2010 9:38 PM
Anonymous said…
I leave in aug.November 9, 2010 10:30 PM
heartsfire said…
Seriously just leave. So many of us just left in the middle of the night. I did! Best decision I ever made. Don’t try to be people’s holy spirit or they won’t have true faith when you leave. If they don’t have discernment then they need to learn that by getting in the world and loving God not by some person just spoon feeding what their view of Christ is. If you really feel it’s crap leave be an example for your core by doing this one thing to stand up to the bad that the leadership puts forth. I wouldn’t want to be told I had to be someone’s holy spirit for them. It’s not my job and it shouldn’t be any humans because we all fall short of the glory of God and all sin. My sins as a mom of two boys and a Wife are no smaller than anyone elses’ praise God that Jesus allowed for saving grace or we would all burn.November 9, 2010 10:47 PM
Eric said…
Anon– If you “just want to leave,” that itself is an excellent reason to leave. Why should they make you stay against your will?! That shows me that they want to control and manipulate you.
You “made a commitment,” but now they are using that to manipulate you in to staying where you don’t want to be anymore. This is not what God wants; therefore your commitment to Jesus voids your commitment to the manipulators.
“It was for freedom that Christ set us free; therefore keep standing firm and do not be subject again to a yoke of slavery.” (Galatians 5:1)
Heartsfire is right– you can “lead your core in righteousness” by showing them the truth that they are free in Christ to get out of a controlling and manipulative situation! It may be the best lesson they ever learn!November 10, 2010 10:30 AM
Renae said…
Anon, if you do leave, I think it would be a good idea to write a letter to your core explaining exactly why you’re leaving. Lots of us have seen HA leadership put a bad spin on why/how someone leaves. Sometimes they make things up or blow things out of proportion. Writing a letter will ensure your core knows why, in your own words, you’re leaving and why you think it is an example of leading them in righteousness. They may not understand it now, but years later when they start to realize the damage they may have had at the HA, they’ll remember your letter.November 10, 2010 10:54 AM
Recovering Alumni said…
Renae – what a GREAT idea!November 10, 2010 10:57 AM
Anonymous said…
The girl leaving for Utah is fake. The CA is fake. Quit humoring them.November 11, 2010 4:31 PM
Lisa Marie said…
Anon at 4:31-
what makes you believe that? honestly i have been wondering that from the start but i was worried to say it:-/November 11, 2010 7:14 PM