The scientology scam continues in Clearwater. How revealing this FB posting is. This public person is "helping" the Freewinds to get a 17 year old kid to the ship. She is begging someone to give him a room (if he is going to "pay" why isn't he just staying in a hotel?) and that's OK because "he is not going to be on services." For anyone who doesn't know this, people who come to Clearwater for services at Flag must stay in a scientology owned hotel. They would not want any of their money actually going INTO the community. Remember this City of Clearwater when scientology … [Read more...]
“Other Practices” — The New Normal
What is this? Promoting yoga! Megan Brazil is a prominent Clearwater scientologist who conducts her yoga classes with prominent, scientologist-owned businesses and now with the Way to Happiness. You have to wonder whether the current world of scientology has anything to do with "the tech" at all these days? She (and the other scientologists involved with her) appear not to know that yoga was considered an "other practice" by Hubbard. "Practicing yoga" is right there on Hubbard's Green Form of case remedies alongside "taking drugs" and "seeing a psychiatrist" as things that prevent … [Read more...]
The LRH Hall of Mirrors
They’re still trying collect money for this hall, perhaps the greatest boondoggle in scientology history -- and that is saying something. They can't even fill Ruth Eckerd Hall. And they want to build an even larger facility. For what? One event on Hubbard's birthday each year? Or perhaps they will move NY's, and IAS to this facility too and they will have 3 events a year (and the attendance will dwindle even further as the novelty of a single event each year will wear off fast). Even 3 events a year is no reason to build an "event hall." Literally, they have come up with a phony excuse … [Read more...]
Missed Ron’s Birthday Bash?
It seems Penny Atwell Jones was hankering for a birthday party to show her support for a man she follows with all her heart. Denied the opportunity to do so for Ron, she took a shot now for Don. For anyone who does not know, Penny is a loud and proud fixture of the Clearwater scientology community. She is a well-known Flag FSM. Her daughter, Brooke Daniells, has been in a relationship with Catherine Bell for many years (not exactly appropriate for either a devoted scientologist or MAGA-lady) and she was the love interest of Ted Banas, Miscavige's full-time Clearwater bodyguard before he … [Read more...]
Mark Bunker Strikes Fear Into Scientologists’ Hearts
I was sent this Facebook message by Aaron Smith-Levin, who received it from Aida Barbosa in Mexico City. He does not know Aida. But she is very concerned that Aaron may know someone who is connected to Mark Bunker and that he should unfriend that person on Facebook as soon as he figures out if that person has other friends connected to Bunker. Obviously she does not know who Aaron is or that he is more than Facebook friends with Mark Bunker. But it gives some insight into the world of scientology and how panicked they are about Mark Bunker. And that, as has been said so often, it is OSA … [Read more...]
Clearwater Police Chief Inspects Flag
As always, Tracey McManus has the story. I spoke to Tracey about this earlier today and she quoted me in the article. But I had more thoughts on it that she was unable to include. I also have a copy of Chief Slaughter's publicly available report. First, this comes as a relief to me. My son is in this facility, so anything being done to mitigate the threat of this pandemic is very welcome. Second, I applaud Chief Slaughter for taking the initiative to do something. I do not recall the last time any city official walked in to the Ft Harrison to check out what is going on. Third, … [Read more...]
Mark Bunker Settles In at City Hall
Mark Bunker was sworn in to the Clearwater City Council seat 2 on Monday. There is a public ceremony being held in City Hall on Thursday evening. This is his new desk. And his first visitor. Mark tells me Bobblerinder will be a permanent fixture at his desk. It is quite an honor. … [Read more...]
Tampa Pastor Jailed. What About Scientology?
The Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office (Tampa) arrested and jailed a Pastor who held Sunday Services yesterday in violation of social distancing laws. It now begs the question: What about the flagrant violations of scientology? Will the Pinellas County Sheriff's Office (@SheriffPinellas on twitter) or the Clearwater Police Department (@MyClearwaterPD) do anything? It seems unlikely given their past track record. But one can always hope. With a new Clearwater Mayor and City Council coming online imminently, perhaps there is a hope that instead of responding to calls from the Security … [Read more...]
Flag Under “Stay at Home” Order
On Thursday 26 March, a "Stay at Home" order went into effect in Pinellas County. I have included the complete order at the end of this post. The order does NOT have an exemption for "religious organizations." Among other things it says that people should stay AT HOME (including in the definition of "At Home" a dormitory, apartment, hotel or motel), remain at a distance of 6 feet from others and not congregate in groups of more than 10 people. It also specifically states: "All public and private gatherings of any number of people not meeting CDC guidance outside a family unit, … [Read more...]
City Councilman Mark Bunker and Scientology Tax Exempt Status
The news has sunk in, Mark Bunker is now a Clearwater City Commissioner-elect. As Tracey McManus put it, this is a historic day for Clearwater. There is another piece in the Tampa Bay Times (top of article screencapped above) this morning. It makes some interesting points - first of which is noting Bunker's "desire for the city to urge the IRS to revoke Scientology's tax exempt status..." Some have poo-poo'd this idea "The City of Clearwater doesn't grant tax exempt status, the IRS does" -- as if Mark Bunker is unaware of the difference between a city government and the … [Read more...]