A recent article in US Weekly quotes Jenna Elfman about "the controversy" around scientology. She is a shining example of how a good scientologist acts and speaks. Foolishly. While scientologists proclaim they have "the tech" to protect them from suppressive influences and they learn to "confront and shatter" this sort of thing, in fact, they avoid "suppression" at any cost. And by "suppression" they mean anything that is negative or even questioning about scientology. When they are confronted by such things, they run from it. Close their eyes. Hold their hands of their ears … [Read more...]
Tom Cruise, Nicole Kidman and Scientology
Marlow Stern has written an excellent piece in the Daily Beast concerning the relationship between David Miscavige, Tom Cruise and Nicole Kidman: How Nicole Kidman Almost Got Tom Cruise to Leave Scientology. It is the 20 year anniversary of Eyes Wide Shut, the Stanley Kubrick film that was the catalyst for them nearly breaking away from scientology. There is little to add to Marlow's excellent reporting other than to reiterate that this piece highlights the inhumane practice of disconnection in scientology. Scientology claims disconnection is a "personal choice" -- but in reality the … [Read more...]
Scientology TV — What’s Missing?
Scientology is making a really big deal about their new episode featuring Chick Corea. Chick is an interesting story that has been mentioned before. He got into financial troubles when his wife was hammering his credit cards. David Miscavige had known Chick for a long time because his father, Ron, was good friends with Ron Moss, Chick's manager. (Ron Moss is father of Elisabeth Moss of Handmaid's Tale fame). Miscavige was alerted to the problem and not wanting a "flap" with one of scientology's longest term celebrities, brought in Lyman Spurlock as a CPA to look through his finances. … [Read more...]
Stand Double Standards
Not that this is big news... scientology is operating on a blatant double standard. I saw this on the STAAD twitter feed. Now of course, we could do an even better headline -- SCIENTOLOGY SUPPORTS ALLEGED RAPIST DANNY MASTERSON. The difference in the two cases is rather striking. The accuser of Haggis NEVER FILED a police complaint. In fact, the main accuser tried to get money from Paul Haggis to remain silent. HE went to law enforcement to report this. Masteron's victims all went to law enforcement -- and there are 4 of them of have filed police complaints and now after … [Read more...]
Doing The LAPD Hollywood Shuffle
Here is a recent Tweet from the Captain of the Hollywood Division of the LA PD. If the background of the shot of those two LAPD rockers looks familiar, it is because it is the Pavilion at scientology's Celebrity Centre. Corey Palka is promoting an event held at scientology Celebrity Centre. This while there is a pending investigation of rape charges against Danny Masterson, a big-timer at the Celebrity Centre, which is also home of the Chaplain, MAA, C/S, auditors and President's Office staff that dealt with the fallout of the reported incidents. This is the same Hollywood … [Read more...]
Battlefield Scientology
The beautiful, brave and brilliant Paulette Cooper sent me a note about the new book she authored with Tony Ortega of Underground Bunker fame. I have not had a chance to read it yet, but Paulette is a wonderful writer and Tony has an encyclopedic knowledge of scientology so I feel certain that I cannot go wrong in recommending it. Tony’s blog is a wealth of invaluable information that has been accumulating for years. It truly is the scientology wikipedia. I tell people if they cannot find what they are looking for about scientology on the Bunker it probably doesn't exist. And this is a … [Read more...]
The Danny Masterson Cover Up Continues — How and Why
The Daily Beast article about the Danny Masterson case provides further insight into the back-story of the, so far, non-prosecution. There are many more details that have not yet seen the light of day, though it seems they will either come out in a trial or in stories in the media... I wanted to comment on the responses from Masterson's lawyer and scientology's anonymous "spokesperson" (Dave come on out...). First, lawyer Marty Singer's quote: This is fairly typical. It's all "old news" and "nothing to see here because he has not been charged with a crime." And when he is … [Read more...]
The Scientology “Debunked Conspiracy Theory” Response
Scientology sent a statement to the press about our Paul Haggis post. As with everything in scientology's PR denial closet, you have to read it closely and parse its terminology carefully. Scientology mastered the technique of "depends upon what the meaning of the word 'is' is" long before Bill Clinton came along. Here is the statement in the Hollywood Reporter: In a statement, the Church of Scientology responded to Remini and Rinder's letter. The Church's full response is below: Leah Remini, Paul Haggis and Mike Rinder have predictably thrown up a reprehensible smokescreen to turn … [Read more...]
Concerning Paul Haggis
There is plenty of reason to worry about defending anyone accused of sexual assault in today’s climate. But the fear of consequences for speaking our truth has not held us back in the past and isn’t about to start now. We have supported victims of sexual abuse who have reached out to us and have worked with them and law enforcement to ensure justice is done for both victims and the accused. We have avoided trial by media. In this time of heightened awareness of sexual predators, it is easy to remain quiet when an injustice is being perpetrated for fear of being tarred as politically … [Read more...]
Scientology, Danny Masterson and Law Enforcement
CNN picked up on the Danny Masterson story. It includes a denial from "DJ Donkey Punch" and a shout out to Tony Ortega: "News of the allegations date back to March when journalist and former Village Voice editor Tony Ortega wrote on his site, "The Underground Bunker," that Masterson was being investigated by the Los Angeles Police Department" and to Leah: "actress Leah Remini and her A&E show "Leah Remini: Scientology and the Aftermath" helped bring the accusations to light when one of the alleged victims shared her story with Remini." But most interesting … [Read more...]