Leah recently reminded me of this wonderful website, and in particular, this article by my old friend Jeff Hawkins. Jeff is one of the kindest, smartest and most decent people I know. When Miscavige blew him off, he lost one of the only real marketing geniuses in scientology. Jeff was responsible for the single successful marketing campaign in scientology -- returning Dianetics to the top of the NY Times bestseller list in the 80's. He is a wonderful writer -- I highly recommend his book Counterfeit Dreams -- and a thoughtful analyst of the world of scientology. I am taking the liberty … [Read more...]
Scientology.org Not To Be Trusted
Scientology has invested tens of millions of dollars in creating and promoting their website scientology.org. They have a huge volume of content there -- all their hype videos of org openings, VM activities, education efforts etc etc as well as links to every other scientology related website and anything else they can find. A huge amount of effort has been expended to make this a success in this online age. (Though you will note the "Scientology News" second item is the last ribbon yanking ceremony they held -- more than a year ago, there is a not a whole lot of "news"). They are failing … [Read more...]
Episode 33: Media and Political Journalist Yashar Ali
We are joined this week by media and politics reporter Yashar Ali. Yashar has done over a dozen stories related to scientology and more are coming. He has been a long-term voice against scientology abuses who has never been scared off by their Fair Game tactics. Yashar was recently named one of Time magazine's 25 most influential people on the internet: You can follow Yashar on Twitter: @Yashar, Instagram: yasharali and Facebook: Yashar Ali With his background in politics and the media we had a lot to talk about: Scientology celebrities and how the media fails to h … [Read more...]
“Space Is Limited”
It seems we have heard this song before. This is a MUST-SEE that has been out now for a couple of months and all 10 people the are active scientologists in Sacramento saw it the first week it was released (this is the video of the amazing photo ops of spraying Decon 7 around in various locations and handing out booklets on social distancing). "Space is limited" is completely wishful thinking. How ridiculous? This is a promo piece produced centrally and sent out to the orgs. They add their image at the top and email it to the sheeple. Below is a different version of the same … [Read more...]
An “Ideal Nation”
The farce continues. These people continue to believe there is something of value to having an "Ideal Nation." That achieving this will be a "victory" and is something that is important to "race" to accomplish. What they mean is that all EXISTING Orgs in the US will have a newly renovated building. They have been going on these kicks for some time about "An All Ideal California" or "All Ideal Florida" as if this represents a great advance for mankind. Their "victories" have been meaningless. As I have said plenty of times here, there are already "ideal nations" where the existing … [Read more...]
Regraded Being
Ideal Org “Good News”
This is a collection of standard issue, cookie-cutter scientology mirages, misrepresentations and lies. If you see a promo piece from a scientology org, "ideal" or otherwise, you know you will be witnessing some bs. Let's start at the top. This is their collection of "Good News" -- the best news they can come up with in this ideal org. And that consists of a single "success story" from someone who is already a Class V auditor and has already read "all the basics" upon completion of the Technique 88 lecture series. For those unfamiliar, the Technique 88 lectures … [Read more...]
We’re Open — Sort Of
This announcement is so typical of scientology. "We are officially open..." BUT... Not really. Nobody has ever had auditing without making an appointment (so no need to bold that). And you can't do courses. And it's not like some huge rush of people is going to be pouring into this mission. They might as well have been on Covid lockdown before there was a Covid lockdown. Nothing really changed. "We wish we could accommodate you all back at once..." is just wishful thinking. "All" is probably 3 or 4 paying public. If that. Scientology's pretense that there are floods of people … [Read more...]
Episode 32: Aftermath Executive Producer Aaron Saidman
On this week's episode, we talk to Aaron Saidman, co-founder of production company (IPC) that was brave enough to bring The Aftermath to air. Tune in for some behind-the-scenes insight into the making of the program, how it came about, the impact it had and how the people involved dealt with scientology and their Fair Game. … [Read more...]
Cult City Tour and The Aftermath Foundation
Thank you to everyone who joined us for the tour of Downtown Clearwater yesterday to benefit The Aftermath Foundation. And also to those who listened in remotely. We had a fun time and it was wonderful to see such a strong show of support from so many smiling faces. Our enormous appreciation to everyone for supporting the Aftermath Foundation. The Foundation's meaningful work continues, mostly unseen and not often talked about for the protection and peace of mind of those who are helped. It's the opposite of a scientology "humanitarian programs" where they don't do anything unless the … [Read more...]