HOUSTON (AP) - Renowned pastor Joel Osteen told jurors Friday that his wife never assaulted a flight attendant over a small spill on her airplane seat. Osteen was called as a witness Friday in the civil trial of a lawsuit filed by Continental Airlines flight attendant Sharon Brown, who has accused Victoria Osteen of assaulting her before the start of a 2005 flight to Vail, Colo.
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(Photo: AP /Chronicle, Steve Ueckert)Lakewood Church co-pastor Joel Osteen testifies Friday, Aug. 8, 2008, in the Harris County Civil Courthouse in Houston as the lawsuit of Continental Airlines flight attendant Sharon Brown, accusing his wife, Victoria Osteen, of assault continues.
During nearly two hours of testimony, Joel Osteen, who was on the same flight, said the incident was "an unfortunate misunderstanding" stemming from his wife's requests for flight attendants to clean up a spill on the armrest of her first-class seat.
"We would never disrespect authority or disrespect (Brown). There's no way in the world" Victoria Osteen assaulted Brown, said Joel Osteen, who was called to the witness stand by Brown's attorney, Reginald McKamie.
Joel and Victoria Osteen are co-pastors of Houston's Lakewood Church, which draws about 42,000 people each week for services. Joel Osteen's weekly television address is broadcast nationally and internationally and who has written books that have been sold around the globe.
On Thursday, another flight attendant on the plane, Maria Johnson, testified that Victoria Osteen demanded special attention to clean up the small spill. When she didn't get her way, Osteen became verbally and physically abusive to both flight attendants, eventually grabbing Brown by the shoulders, elbowing her in the chest and pushing her out of the way in an attempt to get into the cockpit, Johnson testified.
But Joel Osteen disputed Johnson's testimony, saying his wife never raised her voice or grabbed the flight attendants. However, later he admitted to McKamie that he could not hear his wife's voice from his seat.
McKamie also asked Joel Osteen why he said in one of his religious messages that if it wasn't for him, his wife would be in prison.
Osteen said he meant it to be a comical statement about the differences between him and his wife, that he likes routine and considers himself boring while his wife is outgoing and likes to go to new restaurants and new places.
"You don't go to jail because you like different restaurants, do you?" McKamie asked, as the packed courtroom laughed.
"No sir," Joel Osteen said.
Osteen remained calm while on the stand, even making a joke when McKamie moved chairs around in the room to try and recreate the first-class cabin for the jury.
"That looks like super first-class," Joel Osteen said of the wide space between the chairs.
McKamie also asked Osteen whether his family was used to getting special treatment, making reference to an anecdote in one of the pastor's books in which he wrote about being allowed to take an expensive television camera onboard a flight to India even though it was against the rules.
"You feel that you're entitled to the favor of God ... to do things other people can't do," McKamie said.
"All of God's children are," Osteen said.
Brown has claimed the flight attendants asked to have Victoria Osteen removed from the plane, but Joel Osteen testified he and his family left voluntarily.
The Federal Aviation Administration fined Victoria Osteen $3,000 for interfering with a crew member.
Joel Osteen said his wife did not want to pay the fine but he convinced her to do so because he thought it would be a way to put the incident behind them even though they felt they did nothing wrong.
Brown wants an apology and punitive damages amounting to 10 percent of Victoria Osteen's net worth as part of her lawsuit. Brown claims she suffers from depression and post-traumatic stress disorder because of the incident and that her faith has been affected. She is also suing for counseling expenses.
But Rusty Hardin, Victoria Osteen's attorney, says there is no evidence Brown sustained any injuries.
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Daniel,
Amen. But as Paul said...it is more profitable for me to remain absent from the Lord so that I can further the kingdom of God here on earth.
But I long for the day when I get to go home!
"Why can't we all just get along and 'have our best life now'??"
NO! Because our best life will be in heaven.
I agree with tpique1, so I pulled out my comments. It would be much better to get along, we are far more useful for Christ as one.
May God bless and make us holy....
hlerwin: Are you claiming membership in the UCC?
I can see that Victoria should have been fined as would any person who assaulted a flight attendant or any person on the flight, but the lawsuit is a bit ridiculous. That just seems like someone grasping for money. Though, I don't don't know much about Joel and his wife other than their mason ties and the fact that he an inspirational speaker and not a pastor or prophet, they seem to be use to the good life and from what I have read, used to having special treatment, which can happen to the best meaning person. Starting our with good intentions can change quickly with wealth:(
I have to agree that teaching has a much greater responsibility and cannot be taken lightly. The Osteen's don't seem to realize what they have gotten themselves into.... it is sad but expected. The bible tells of such things. As for the woman suing, she has to answer for her decisions as well. I will give this one to God, only He knows the in's and out's of it all. God bless everyone:)
Why can't we all just get along and "have our best life now"??
I know that the Osteens (as well as other prominent preachers/evangelists) are held to a much higher standard. But remember that they are still human. They're not perfect. If Victoria got upset over something, she needs to apologize and ask for forgiveness, which it appears she has. The other woman apparently is a Christian as well, but she needs to forgive and get on with life. If something that trivial is going to traumatize her that much, she needs to find another line of work because they have to deal with people like that on a regular basis.
It seems that Victoria is the only party to want to reconcile. And a person who refuses to grant forgiveness (especially to another Christian) is not worthy of forgiveness themselves.
"Forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us." See how Jesus said that we should ask for forgiveness in return for how we forgive others?
Jesus also told the parable of the man who owed another, powerful man a large sum of money. The rich man was going to throw him in prison for not paying what he owed. The man begged the rich man to show compassion and remove the punishment from him. The rich man did show compassion and not only didn't throw him into prison, but also erased the debt.
Immediately after that, the recently pardoned man went to another who owed him money, and beat him and mercilessly threw him into prison, even after he himself had just been pardoned. The rich man heard this, and immediately had this man thrown into prison. The pardoned man refused to extend the same mercy to another, that he himself had recieved.
There is a lesson to learn from this.
I agree with Paul. And I really had not planned to comment any more on this "celebrity" law suit. Still, I think the Osteens themselves have contributed towards "destroying our society's sense of proportion...." How about no sense of proportion in church buildings? No sense of proportion between motivational speaking and scripture? No sense of proportion for religion in a person's life? Even if some celebrity-despising jury foolishly awarded the grasping plaintiff 10% of Mrs. Osteen's wealth, I think Joel and Victoria will get by. It might even be good for them. (It would still be a travesty of justice, though.)
I can believe Victoria got exercised over this incident, but no more than that. This case is an example of the abuse of the legal system that is destroying our society's sense of proportional justice and common sense. One-tenth Victoria's net wealth? She should be hit with damages for frivolity simply for making that demand. I hope this case gets thrown out on its rear end.
star,
Just ignore tallguy. He usually doesn't have anything intelligent to say, he just likes to rile people up.
tamna
"If you read your original comment objectively you will see that you are, in fact, judging me for being judgmental."
If you knew what went behind my statement you would have not made your statement. Lack of information can cause one to make wrong conclusions.
The more you open your mouth TallGuy the more I know that you are lost, dead in your sins, and never have been born-again by the spirit of God.
tamna, is PAX your last name or your initials?
tamna - I agree that the Osteens are held to a higher standard because they are spiritual leaders than the laity but they are human too. They are not perfect. They need a work of God in their lives just like all of us do. No one has arrived at being what they should be in Christ Jesus.
You know, money has a way of deceiving people and making them think they are something when they are not. I think it happens to most if not all rich people. The Osteens need prayer not condemnation. They need to see their sin for what it is and to repent and become the servants they are called to be. Their money has blinded them. It happens to rich people. If you or I were wealthy I am willing to bet we would be no different until God deals with us about our elevated view of ourselves and how much better we think we are than those we consider beneath us.
Ms Brown needs prayer too for she is spiritually bankrupt.
If Mrs Osteen really made a scene on the plane like the Channel 13 report says and some flight attendants had to try to constrain her I suspect she resisted them and as a result accidently hit Ms Brown. I don't think she did it intentionally. Who knows what truth is here. There are other people who claim something different happened between Ms Brown and Mrs Osteen. I think Mrs Osteen is not telling the truth but then I think Ms Brown isn't either. I think Ms Brown (a black woman) is exagerating her sicknesses from this incident as an attempt to gain a large some of money from a very wealthy woman that I think she has issues with because Mrs Osteen is white. A lot of baggage from the past is driving Ms Brown. Mrs Osteen isn't responsible for Ms Brown's past hurts, and her inability to handle minor conflicts because of various hang-ups from the past. Ms Brown is responsible for her own problems.
Even though the Osteens are held to a higher standard than Ms Brown, scripture does not let Ms Brown off the hook. Jesus said offenses will come but we must forgive. Jesus said that if you don't forgive those who do you wrong, God will not forgive you.
Mrs Osteen owes Ms Brown an apology for the way she acted and treated her but Ms Brown owes Mrs Osteen an apology for wanting to take advantage of her financially, for not forgiving her, for maliciously exposing her to the public, and etc.
The only thing Ms Brown deserves is an apology from Mrs Osteen and she owes Mrs Osteen an apology for making a big stink about a minor confortation that she exploited for financial gain.
Star2 wrote (to tamna):
"Oh, so you think that it was funny? Well, we'll see..."
If you read your original comment objectively you will see that you are, in fact, judging me for being judgmental. I'm sorry, but to me that's funny....
Star2 wrote (to tamna)
"Both women need a spanking from God and they both need to repent before God for their unchristian like behavior"
I agree with you wholeheartedly. But, as it says in the Bible, those who take on the awesome responsibility of teaching the Word of God bear more responsibility than those who follow. Osteen willingly became an (untrained) teacher/preacher, therefore her level of Christian responsibility is much greater than Brown's. Preachers/teachers teach not by words alone but by their example in how they conduct themselves "in the world."
About the FAA report, as I read in the newspaper article, the Osteens said she left voluntarily from the plane but the FBI says it was not voluntary. A lie by the Osteens or the FBI? I think the FAA report would contradict some assertions made by the Osteens and call into question their/her truthfulness. A self-appointed preacher/teacher caught in a lie in a court of law? Hmmmm.
Anyways, we'll see what happens.....
Take care.
PAX
Paul believed Christ died for our sins.
Romans 5:8-9
8 But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. 9 Since we have now been justified by his blood, how much more shall we be saved from God's wrath through him!
Not only did he believe Christ died for our wins, he was willing to suffer for it.
2 Tim 2:8-9
8 Remember Jesus Christ, raise d from the dead, descended from David. This is my gospel, 9 for which I am suffering even to the point of being chained like a criminal. But God's word is not chained.
Paul had to deal with people who claimed Christ was not risen. He called them false, deceitful, and satan's servants.
2 Cor 11:3-4,13-15
3 But I am afraid that just as Eve was deceived by the serpent's cunning, your minds may somehow be led astray from your sincere and pure devotion to Christ. 4 For if someone comes to you and preaches a Jesus other than the Jesus we preached, or if you receive a different spirit from the one you received, or a different gospel from the one you accepted, you put up with it easily enough. ... 13 For such men are false apostles, deceitful workmen, masquerading as apostles of Christ. 14 And no wonder, for Satan himself masquerades as an angel of light. 15 It is not surprising, then, if his servants masquerade as servants of righteousness. Their end will be what their actions deserve.
In fact, he condemned anyone preaching a different gospel.
Gal 1:6-9
6 I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting the one who called you by the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel - 7 which is really no gospel at all. Evidently some people are throwing you into confusion and are trying to pervert the gospel of Christ. 8 But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach a gospel other than the one we preached to you, let him be eternally condemned! 9 As we have already said, so now I say again: If anybody is preaching to you a gospel other than what you accepted, let him be eternally condemned!
Paul warned what will happen to those who do not believe, and encouraged those who do.
2 Thes 1:6-10
6 God is just: He will pay back trouble to those who trouble you 7 and give relief to you who are troubled, and to us as well. This will happen when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven in blazing fire with his powerful angels. 8 He will punish those who do not know God and do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus. 9 They will be punished with everlasting destruction and shut out from the presence of the Lord and from the majesty of his power 10 on the day he comes to be glorified in his holy people and to be marveled at among all those who have believed. This includes you, because you believed our testimony to you.
Everyone has a choice: believe Christ died for their sins, or not. IF you claim to believe it, you must live like it.
hlerwin
You said ""In YOUR opinion, Prophet. You will find millions of Christians worldwide and over millenia who have misgivings about the resurrection."
And you will find millions of "Christians" wondering why they ended up in hell, too.
"In YOUR opinion, Prophet. You will find millions of Christians worldwide and over millenia who have misgivings about the resurrection."
Ummm... What would be the point of Jesus dying if he wasn't raised to overcome the death caused by sin? Exactly how is it recorded that so many people saw Him after he died if he wasn't raised?
I'm starting to think some people think the Bible is like a stocked kitchen. You just make out of it what you want instead of it being the set of instructions to tell you what to cook. Although you could make many things...you really need to cook what God ordered!
Yes, God still speaks today. When I pray (and all Christians) He speaks to us and answers us. But never anything that contradicts or supercedes or adds to the Bible. If that's what you mean. If it goes against the Bible, then you can bet that it's not God speaking.
The UCC is made up of Christians; atheists are not Christians. (If that's what you're asking, Prophet....)
hlerwin,
Atheists say that God is dead. What's your point?
G. B. Shaw once said that we study philosophy so as not to become slaves to common sense. Are some of you people slaves to a printed book? (And proud to be?) As the UCC says, "God is still speaking,"
I'm a little thick this afternoon, blacksho. What exactly is the parallel here?
hlerwin: I don't believe that the United States Constitution was ratified on March 4th 1789. Yet I call myself a Supreme Court Justice.
Most people would call me deluded.
hlerwin,
You said "You don't get the job of pronouncing who is and who is not a Christian."
I know. I'm just telling you what the Bible says, that's all. The Bible says that if you don't believe in the resurrection that you're not saved. I didn't say it.
"If all I knew about Christianity is from what you testify to then I would never want to be a Christian. Who would want what God has done in your life?
"Why don't you just give up Christianity altogether seeing that you loathe Christ and His Word so much?
"Repent or perish."
Gee, star, have you looked at my life? It does not look that bad - from my perspective. Maybe you can see it more clearly than I.
I can assure you, for starters, that I do not loathe Christ, and I can answer your question, "Who would want what God has done in your life?"
I do.
And I'll never be the Pharisee. I don't spout scripture often enough.
In YOUR opinion, Prophet. You will find millions of Christians worldwide and over millenia who have misgivings about the resurrection. You don't get the job of pronouncing who is and who is not a Christian.
Anyone who doesn't believe the Christ was resurrected isn't a Christian. No matter how much they argue that they are. That's not my opinion, that's the Bible.
"If you will confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus Christ, and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved."
Just a FYI reminder... I live in the Bob Jones neighborhood of the country. You're going to have to work quite a bit harder if you want to be called a Pharisee.... (did I spell that right?)
HELLO!!! Can we all get back to playing nice together?
Thanks. :D
"But Joel Osteen disputed Johnson's testimony, saying his wife never raised her voice or grabbed the flight attendants. However, later he admitted to McKamie that he could not hear his wife's voice from his seat."
I've been flying since I was in Jr. High. If someone is raising their voice on an airplane in that small 1st class section...you'd hear it and so would half of coach!
Also, the cockpit door is right there at first class. You're at the cockpit door if you're going to the bathroom. Way to much of Ms. Brown's version of events just doesn't fit into an aircraft!
Do I think Ms. Osteen acted correctly? I don't know. Too many of the facts don't add up on either side of the issue.
Interesting that Ms. Brown is asking for 10%.... That's a money grab. It's just not worth it. Seems Ms. Brown is wanting the Osteens to settle out so she can get her money and run. It didn't work.
In this case, Ms. Brown will have to prove Ms. Osteen's intent as well as action. She may get charged with conspiricy for her trouble.
star2
If I recall correctly, hlerwin does not know whether there is an afterlife. I'm not sure he thinks Christ was anything other than a prophet (otherwise, how could he have been resurrected, since hl does not believe in an afterlife). I'm also not sure hlerwin believes in a god. I know he does not think the bible is the plenary inerrant infallible word of God.
hlerwin,
You said "If Jesus comes back tomorrow, you and your ilk, star, will be the new Pharisees. You have the right temperament for the job."
What a coincidence. Ever since I've started reading your posts, I've thought the same about you.
This article says at the end "Brown wants an apology and punitive damages amounting to 10 percent of Victoria Osteen's net worth as part of her lawsuit. Brown claims she suffers from depression and post-traumatic stress disorder because of the incident and that her faith has been affected. She is also suing for counseling expenses."
There's someone who knew who the Osteens were and decided that here was the opportune time to get some money, and share it with her friend. I smell a fish.
Brown couldn't possibly be a Christian, otherwise she wouldn't have gone forward with the lawsuit. The Bible strictly forbids Christians suing each other.
I thank God for the Osteen's response to this incident.
hlervin
I asked you this question
"If you were put on trial for being a Christian would there be enough evidence to convict you of being one?"
in response to your statement
"If Jesus can be represented on earth by the likes of Joel and Victoria Osteen, then Ms. Brown can certainly get hemorrhoids from being hit in the chest."
The Osteens may not be a good witness for Jesus at times but you, Mr hlerwin, are even a greater failure in being one from what I have seen of you on CP.
How a man who claims to be a Christian can mock the very God he claims has saved him is beyond me.
If all I knew about Christianity is from what you testify to then I would never want to be a Christian. Who would want what God has done in your life?
Why don't you just give up Christianity altogether seeing that you loathe Christ and His Word so much?
Repent or perish.
hlerwin - Your Sat Aug 09, 2008 11:07 am post is nothing to be proud of.
If Jesus comes back tomorrow, you and your ilk, star, will be the new Pharisees. You have the right temperament for the job.
Actually, I had not seen the below comment from star to me before my last post.
"hlervin
If you were put on trial for being a Christian would there be enough evidence to convict you of being one?"
Why do so many people on this site revert to unclever and hackneyed jabs like this?
Still, I can answer: no, maybe not.
Would there be enough evidence to convict you of being an self-righteous, knee-jerk, narrow sectarian?
Answer: yes, maybe
"Oh, so you think that it was funny? Well, we'll see..."
It's comments like this from star to tamna that show Christians at their most smug and obnoxious.
Mrs. Osteen could have handled the situation a little bit better. Like asking for a piece of tissue to clean up the stain herself.
I don't believe she harmed Ms. Brown in anyway; and Ms. Brown is being very greedy.
Hopefully, the Osteens learned a valuable lesson from this incident.
tamna
"Hi Star2. You wrote to me:
"Your heart is not right with God in your judgemental attitude towards the Osteens as evidenced by calling them Prince and Princess. The Osteens may have an elevated view of themselves but that is for God to judge, not you. Be careful, for you will be judged by the way you judge others."
Thanks for that. I needed a good chuckle today. Take care.
PAX"
Oh, so you think that it was funny? Well, we'll see...
Galatians 6:7 - "Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap."
tamna - Thanks for the Channel 13 news report. I am sure all this will come out in the trial. I think, personally, that Mrs Osteen is more guilty then she or her husband is letting on. They took an oath before God to tell the truth. If they are lying they can expect to be chastized by God in order to bring them to repentance.
But Ms Brown, if she is a Christian like she claims she is, can also expect chastizment from God for her greediness, unforgiveness, and for whatever she is lying about.
If the jury decides that Mrs Osteen is guilty of some physical misconduct with Ms Brown then I rather doubt that the jury is going to award her 10% of Mrs Osteen's net worth, which is at least 16 billion dollars. The altercation was minor and didn't even rise to the level of a criminal offense.
I live in Harris County where Houston is located and if I were on the jury and we found Mrs Osteen guilty of some physical misconduct I would be suggesting that Ms Brown get no more than $100,000 for punitive damages + lawyer fees + court costs + money for past counseling but not future counseling.
Ms Brown, as a Christian, is as wrong in how she is handeling the confortation with Mrs Osteen as Mrs Osteen was in how she handeled the situation with the water stain on her armrest.
Both women need a spanking from God and they both need to repent before God for their unchristian like behavior.
tamna - Mrs osteen gives a different account as to what happended between her and Ms Brown. More witnesses are to testify. There were passengers on the flight that witnessed the incident and they say that it didn't happen like Ms Brown says but it was the other way around.
Ms Brown had a similar incident (pushing and hitting)in the past with an airport employee. When investigated they found that Ms Brown's accusations that she was pushed and hit by the airport employee were false. I have heard and read reports that say that Ms Brown tried to sue the airport employee for the alleged conflict but, of course, it was thrown out of court because Ms Brown lied.
It may very well be true that Ms Brown is lying about being pushed and hit by Mrs Osteen as she was about the airport employee.
Mrs Osteen did not want to pay the fine assesed to her by the FAA. She did not agree with the description about what happened in the FAA report but her husband wanted her to pay the fine thinking that it would put the whole incident behind them. To challenge the FAA report would have put the whole incident in the media spotlight which, understandably, was undesirable.
The Osteens see the FAA report as incomplete. The FAA should have gotten Mrs Osteen's version of what happended; they obviously did not. If it were you, would you not want to have a report thrown out as evidence in a court of law if it did not reflect what you say happened?
Hi Star2. You wrote to me:
"Your heart is not right with God in your judgemental attitude towards the Osteens as evidenced by calling them Prince and Princess. The Osteens may have an elevated view of themselves but that is for God to judge, not you. Be careful, for you will be judged by the way you judge others."
Thanks for that. I needed a good chuckle today. Take care.
PAX
Parts from a 2005 article from KTRK News in Houston
Pastor's wife involved in flight disturbance
Tuesday, December 20, 2005
Victoria Osteen reportedly removed from plane
.....
According to passenger accounts, the Osteens were sitting in first class. Soon after the plane's door was closed, the FBI says Victoria Osteen was removed following what Continental would call only a disturbance. The Osteens' spokesman confirms it involved a flight attendant, but that's all. However, one passenger tells Eyewitness News she was alerted to the front of the plane when she heard a commotion.
"She violently ran towards the cockpit, scaring everyone around her," said passenger Knicky Van Slyke. "Everyone was terrified about what was going on. And a bunch of flight attendants ran up and had to restrain her. She was banging on the door."
"Of the cockpit?" we asked.
"Yes."
Passengers say Victoria was removed first. Joel and the children followed. Meantime, everyone waited.
.....
The Osteens' spokesman denies a physical altercation, denies Victoria ever banged on the cockpit door, and says she left on her own.
"The account of the event which has come to our attention is inaccurate and overblown. The misunderstanding was minor and was resolved when Victoria voluntarily removed herself from the situation," read the statement.
The FBI says it was not voluntary. Though agents are not investigating, they will review the incident as the Osteens enjoy their Colorado vacation.
tamna
Mrs Osteen was trying to get a flight attendant who was at the cockpit door to do her job; ie, clean up the water spill on the armrest of her chair. When a person flies first class they can expect to get extra attention from the flight attendants; it is one of the benefits of flying first class for which a flyer pays dearly for. The flight attendants were not providing the services they were required to provide. Mrs Osteen's expectations were not out of line as a first class flyer.
However, I am not going to defend Mrs Osteen's behavior as a Christian. She was acting in a carnal way. The water stain was not any larger, they say, than a 50 cent piece. She should have cleaned it up herself without telling anyone. Surely she or Joel had a handkerchief where they could have wiped it up themselves without calling it to the attention of the flight attendants. They obviously didn't heed Jesus' teaching that if you want to be great then become a servant (Matt 23:11).
Your heart is not right with God in your judgemental attitude towards the Osteens as evidenced by calling them Prince and Princess. The Osteens may have an elevated view of themselves but that is for God to judge, not you. Be careful, for you will be judged by the way you judge others.
Star2 wrote (in response to my first post):
"He couldn't hear her voice because he was in his seat and she was at the cockpit door. Also, she may not have been talking all that loud."
What in the name of good gravy was she doing at the cockpit door (especially post-9/11!!!)? That could verify yet another part of Brown's story.
Somthing smells fishy.....Why don't the Olsteens want the FAA investigation admitted into evidence??????? The FAA is OK to ivestigate (along with the NTSB) crashes that kill hundreds of people, but not good enough to investigate the rantings of Princess Olsteen? It doesn't make a whole lot of sense - money grab by Brown or not?
We have Princess Olsteen's own attorney admitting she is "expressive" etc. in a previous article, and now we have Prince Joel obliquely admitting the same thing. The more I read about this "incident" the more I believe Brown's side of the story. I also believe Brown is trying to get a payday from the Olsteens. But Brown's motivation for suing the Olsteens does not mitigate Pricess Olsteens responsibility for her alleged childish behavior.
Sharon Brown had sued somebody else before. Being a flight attendant, she must have handled many intruders before, thus making her 'profesional' in taking care of unusual plane incidents. Being assigned at first class, she must be on the top class. There is no way she can't handle a Diva. There is no way she can't handle special requests by Osteen's wife. My take, it's all about getting some money.
I'm curious as to whether the lawsuit was filed after the FAA fine was paid.
I'm sure the Osteen's were suprised by the lawsuit and wanted to settle in private. But the flight attendants were probably advised to hold out for more money at trial.
Sounds like there is a case. And any award, large or small, that goes against the Osteens will hurt.
Sorry to see it happen.
tamna
RE:"Why couldn't Joel Olsteen hear his wife's voice from where he was sitting?"
He couldn't hear her voice because he was in his seat and she was at the cockpit door. Also, she may not have been talking all that loud.
Is Brown making a money grab?
Of course.
Can you get hemmoroids from being hit in the chest?
I don't know, but I do get a bit sick to my stomach when I hear Olsteen "preach."
Is Princess Olsteen liable in a civil action for her conduct as described in the suit? Absolutely.
But the most important question of the day is.....
Why couldn't Joel Olsteen hear his wife's voice from where he was sitting? When I fly I always sit next to my wife.
hlervin
If you were put on trial for being a Christian would there be enough evidence to convict you of being one?
If Jesus can be represented on earth by the likes of Joel and Victoria Osteen, then Ms. Brown can certainly get hemorrhoids from being hit in the chest.
Which of the two possibilities is more outlandish?
How can Ms Brown have hemorrhoid problems from being hit in the chest?
By the description of what hapopened it seems to me that being hit in the chest was an accident.
Mrs Osteen is guilty of not handeling the water spot on her arm rest as a Christian but to be sued for 10% of her worth is a bit ridiculous. Mrs Osteen, as an heir to Sam Walton's fortune, is worth over $16 billion. $1.6 x 10^9 is out of lines for such a minor confortation. Ms Brown is a greedy woman indeed.
I live near Houston. If I was on the Jury I wouldn't award her anything but maybe $100,000 + lawyer fees + cost of previous counciling but not on-going counciling.
If Ms Brown wins and gets something from this case, then she had better watch her step because what goes around comes around. No one is perfect and she might just offend someone and that person just might slap her with a frivolous lawsuit much like she is doing to Mrs Osteen.
Ms Brown needs to get right with God, repent, forgive and look to God to meet her needs instead of looking to man.
i read on cnn.com that brown said she felt disrespected as a black woman also. i mean come on she saw dollar signs when they stepped on the plane probally meant to try something like this is what i think
What I want to know is why they need to have first class if they are pastors? Why Mrs. Osteen is a co-pastor? and why they're so special to be able to break the rules and bring a tv cam onto a flight?
Sounds to me like they are confused, of course this is just an article and the media tends to leave out details...I dunno
Brown's definitely doing this for the money.