Back in the 80's, Author Services Inc was created as L. Ron Hubbard's "Literary Agency." The actual function of ASI, then headed by David Miscavige as "Chairman of the Board", Norman Starkey as "Trustee of L. Ron Hubbard's Estate" and Terri Gamboa as Executive Director, was twofold. To shield Hubbard from legal liability that flowed through association with the church. This gave him a control vehicle that was a profit-making, non-church entity, but through the command structure of the Sea Org, was able to direct scientology without overt evidence of doing so. A lot could be said about … [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...]
Valley Vultures Circling Again
These Valley vultures just never stop. For some reason Valley is promoting the 100,000 chillies "game" That's another thing? Why are they always using euphemisms for money? It's "steps" or "miles" or "chillies" but never dollars? By the way, are chillies supposed to be chilis? Or is this some "gangsta" term they are using? Like "when they gave us the check we got the chillies up and down our spine"? I wonder if they think it sounds too crass to say dollars? Or are they worried about sounding too commercial? Do they think this is fooling anyone? Why would they WANT to fool … [Read more...]
UK “Pub Quiz”
This is a really weird one. Surely it is some form of fundraising -- but with a 25 pound "entrance fee" and "top prizes" being awarded, even if they got 20 people to sign up (doubtful) they're not making much money... Or maybe the quiz is "How much money do you have available?" "Can you apply for a loan?" "Have you taken out a second mortgage on your house?" "Do you really need a second car?" But you have to wonder: Why aren't they doing their extension courses? And how is this better than bowling or other dilettante activities Hubbard was so derisive of? A Pub Quiz? Seems … [Read more...]
Valley Voom Voom
Oh woohoo, they're fundraising in the Valley again! This is what the person who sent this to me commented -- it sums things up perfectly: Oh, joy, these two again. Hi everybody, we really could give two fucks that you're unemployed, on the edge of bankruptcy, 62 with no savings, have a family member struggling with cancer, risk your health by working when you aren't sanctioned to do so, haven't made a house payment in the last month, etc. Planetary bullbait, you're a PTS POS if you don't help the IAS with it's many helpful (BS alert) projects. Which we never disclose in any way to the … [Read more...]
Another Story of Financial Crime Targeting the Elderly in Scientology
There have been numerous stories posted on Tony Ortega's blog of elderly people being scammed by scientology registrars (here is the most recent example). One of our commenters recently sent me this, from December 2018. It is a write up that 82 year-old Margaret Williams did to be converted into an affidavit. The commenter does not know what happened to Margaret and if she got her money back as she has not been in touch. Hopefully, she was made whole and is happily getting on with her life. If not, she should probably contact Graham Berry and ask for his help. Just another example of … [Read more...]
“No Reging”
This is a bit old. I had overlooked it and then noticed "No Reging"[sic]. This is a very interesting development. John Alex Wood is still alive and kicking? Who knew? But more importantly, I think this is an indicator the pandemic is going to have a significant long-term effect on scientology. Not only because people are not coming in and paying for services right now and are instead hiding out at home doing a $20 Extension Course, sending in a chapter every few weeks. But because this break is changing the mindset of the sheeple. It's like someone who has had a headache every … [Read more...]
Stable Data: Keep Flowing to the Org
One thing you can be absolutely certain of. No matter the circumstances, scientology will ALWAYS be asking for money. It is the real Axiom 1 of scientology. Hubbard said it was "Life is basically a static" but that was just an acceptable truth. He really meant to say "Life is basically a source of income." When disaster strikes, it is a reason to give money. When you are unhappy or depressed, it is a reason to give money. When you are doing well it is a reason to give money. When psychiatry is succeeding it is a reason to give money. When psychiatry is failing it is a reason … [Read more...]
Crazy Scientology Letters
We have all seen some crazy "Letter Reg" letters emanating from the bowels of scientology over the years, but I think this one has to take the cake. The foolish letters are based on Hubbard's brilliant administrative "technology" which is laid out in stone. Every executive in scientology knows this quote -- published in ALL CAPS: GROSS INCOME SENIOR DATUM THE SIZE NOT THE QUALITY OF AN ORG'S MAILING LIST AND THE NUMBER OF MAILINGS AND LETTERS TO IT DETERMINES THE GROSS INCOME OF AN ORG. IF THIS IS NOT KNOWN AS A SENIOR DATUM TO EXEC SECS AND KEPT IN BY THEM THEIR CONDITION IS … [Read more...]
Scientology and COVID-19
You may have seen this pitch and others on Tony's site and social media. Flaunting government guidelines recommending no gatherings of more than 10 people, scientology instead uses the pandemic as a reason to encourage people to COME IN TO THE ORG. It's batshit crazy. Take a read and I will then try to explain the madness from a scientology perspective. Admittedly, that one was before the stricter requirements for social distancing were in force in California, but then, after the Governor ordered that everyone stay in their homes, this one came in: A combination of … [Read more...]