I recently sat down with Daniel Jones for an episode of his Koncrete Podcast series. It was just uploaded so I am sharing it here. We cover a WIDE range of topics. It's a lengthy chat - over 2 hours. I hope you enjoy it, and find it informative. … [Read more...]
My Recent Chat With Dr. Susie Meister
I recently spoke with my old friend Dr. Susie Meister on her Brain Candy podcast. Susie has interviewed me before and it's always enjoyable and she asks the best questions. She may not look like the stereotypical Religious Studies PhD, but she is one smart cookie. She is perhaps more well-known for her MTV reality show appearances back before she became a religious scholar, and in this case we talked a lot about "reality" TV and making The Aftermath. Interestingly, and entirely coincidentally, Susie's husband, Adam, was a Sound Engineer on The Aftermath. He is as nice and as smart as she … [Read more...]
Scientology Inciting Murder? STAAD League Suddenly Silent
The hypocrisy of the OSA Front group STAAD is astonishing. Remember when Fast Eddie Parkin and the STAAD League made an enormous deal out of the false story that someone who committed a murder at their Advanced Org in Sydney was "incited" to do so because he had read a website that had a link to an Aftermath show. He claimed repeatedly that Leah Remini and Mike Rinder had "incited a murder" along with "hundreds of other incidents and threats." This of course was a completely manufactured accusation. The alleged murdered has NOT claimed ANY motivation for committing the crime, let alone … [Read more...]
“Freedom” Rag “Responds” to 60 Minutes
In its inimitable and oh so predictable style, Freedom has responded to the 60 Minutes Australia piece. In a surprise to absolutely nobody, they lashed out at their dirty laundry being exposed once again not by responding to the facts, but attempting to smear the reporter, complete with the most unflattering photo they could find/doctor. Their entire "defense" is to rehash a story from 2016 concerning correspondent Tara Brown and her film crew. They were arrested in Lebanon on charges of "attempted kidnapping" for their coverage of a story of a woman trying to get her 2 … [Read more...]
John Sweeney’s Classic Scientology Expose
I was looking through old scientology shows and came across this one from 2010. I had not watched it in many years, but found it fascinating. Obviously, my views about scientology have changed. But I have a much greater appreciation for the show now having worked on 3 seasons of Scientology and The Aftermath. This is a terrific piece of investigative reporting and a finely crafted show that contains a LOT of information. John Sweeney and his brilliant producer Sarah Mole did a masterful job of putting this together. They battled with the legal constraints imposed on them by the … [Read more...]
ABC 20/20
Some somewhat random observations about the 20/20 show last night. First, I am sure that scientology and David Miscavige HATED the show. They hate anything that is not presenting total puff PR for scientology. If it is not just glamour shots of scientology buildings, glowing statements by glazed-eyed "winning" scientologists or images of Miscavige yanking ribbons on new empty buildings, then it is "suppressive propaganda spread by merchants of chaos." Miscavige does have reason to be upset. This show exposed a lot of the bad aspects of scientology to a larger audience than the A&E … [Read more...]
Going Clear Screening and Q & A in Clearwater
It is now official. Scientology's latest censorship effort has inevitably proven to be another in their long series of PR footbullets. The screening of Going Clear on Friday 2 October will begin at 7pm at Muvico Palm Harbor. After the screening, the theater manager has set aside 45 minutes for Q and A and both Sara Goldberg and I will be happy to answer questions. In addition, renowned Tampa CBS affiliate investigative reporting veteran Mike Deeson has agreed to be the moderator for the Q and A session. Mike adds his 30+ years of Bay … [Read more...]
Going Clear Emmy Sweep
It was a rough night for Dear Leader. First, Going Clear was presented an Emmy Award for best documentary, best director and best writer. Bam. Tons of media coverage about it. But I loved the quote at the end of this article: Regarding a possible followup, Gibney noted, “There’s a lot more material already that I’ve received, more to come out — and so far the IRS has not revoked its [tax-exemption] protection so there’s a lot more to be done.” Alex Gibney is a REAL champion of human rights -- not because someone handed him a certificate that says so after he … [Read more...]
Going Clear: Where Is Scientology?
In the face of the most intense media coverage in its history, scientology is strangely incapable of stepping up and saying anything. There is no spokesperson who even TRIES to answer questions or present the church's "good works" to the media. Instead, they send creepy letters from their lawyers and Misavige's nom de plume Karin Pouw, put together "attack videos" and threatening emails and tweets. And all of this outpouring ONLY consists exclusively of ad hominem attacks on the film makers, interviewees and now reporters who are covering the documentary. Everyone is a liar. Everyone is a … [Read more...]
David Does Sydney
Bryan Seymour's Channel 7 News Story, with footage of David Miscavige rehearsing Tony already has this on his site, but I wanted to include some other observations. Bryan told me they also blocked another national TV show (I assume it was Steve Cannane) and a national newspaper and rolled out some new "balloon tech" with people holding bunches of balloons in front of the media. These people have completely lost grip with reality, these are horrendous footnukes. Imagine spending $15 million to open a building to "flood people up the bridge" (that necessarily must … [Read more...]