Scientology’s stated objective for Clearwater.
Further on the blog post from yesterday (Miscavige Schmoozing City Officials) — some important points I omitted to mention and an update.
First: Why were these 3 city officials at the meeting? As I said yesterday, Miscavige considers Bill Horne and Pam Aiken to be his buddies. But the real reason is that they are not ELECTED officials. If there were two ELECTED officials in the room it becomes a “public meeting” subject to the Sunshine Act laws. Bill Horne and Pam Aiken are very well aware of this. They were complicit in making sure this meeting was not one that had to be reported.
This is a good reason why the Strong Mayor initiative may have had particular value to Clearwater. With a strong Mayor who actually runs the city, and is also an elected official, you couldn’t circumvent the Sunshine Act laws by speaking to the de facto heads of the city in secret. Though the City Manager is appointed by and ostensibly runs the city at the service of the Mayor and City Council, he is pretty much the guy in charge of everything. Bill Horne and Pam Aiken are paid around $200,000 per year. The part-time mayor earns $25,000.
I note how quickly Miscavige summoned the city to appear after Tracey McManus’ article ran on 20 October. By 5 November Miscavige had flown into town and had the city leaders sitting before him in his conference room. He hadn’t felt the need to make ANY effort to speak to the city for nearly 3 years, all the while properties were being bought at an alarming rate. Now suddenly he feels the need to talk. Confronting and exposing bullies is what brings them to the table, not trying to be nice to them and hoping they will leave you alone.
I also omitted to comment on Michael Delk’s naive statement “He [Miscavige] reiterated on many occasions that their objectives were the same as ours: to have a successful downtown.”
Unless the City of Clearwater now wants exactly what scientology wants — for Clearwater to be known as the first scientology city — this is an absurdly uninformed comment.
Scientology only EVER wants what is good for scientology. They KNOW, whether “the wogs” understand it or not, what is good for everyone. And what is good for everyone in their eyes is what is good for scientology. Period.
Sure, scientology would love to have a “successful” downtown. They would be happy if there were businesses in downtown, as long as they agreed with everything scientology does and says. Look how happy they were about having Clay Irwin downtown…
And now the Tampa Bay Times — the same Times scientology accuses of being THE block on the development of downtown — has weighed in with a laudatory Editorial Board take on Miscavige’s efforts. Note, the Editorial Board and the newsroom are two VERY separate worlds.
They try to be encouraging about the likelihood of revitalizing downtown, and proclaim: One of those significant steps is renewed communication between the city and the Church of Scientology, which is key to the long-term success of redevelopment of the downtown area largely controlled by the church and its followers. And they also included the line: Duggan’s interest reflects the value of that site, and she should not be discounted because of her affiliation with Scientology. Perhaps the Freedom mag assault had the desired effect after all?
I rarely take issue with the TBT news coverage of scientology and generally agree with their Editorial Opinions. On this one I beg to differ.
They have fallen for the schmooze or the threats or a combination of the two. There is no comment on the fact that Miscavige offered no explanation (or apology) for acting like a spoiled child when he unilaterally abandoned his promised downtown redevelopment and revitalization plans because the city bought a property he wanted. If he had been sincere about revitalizing Cleveland St as he claimed how did not owning a property two blocks away change that? Also ignoring that there are no answers about the intent of the land grab that has taken place since that time is inexcusable (let alone that the city officials didnt even ask).
The reason Miscavige “opened the lines of communication” to the city has nothing to do with the good of Clearwater. He did so because he was exposed and felt he had no option but to try to schmooze his way through the growing resentment in the city. He wanted to shore up his allies. Either that, or he has determined scientology now owns virtually every available property in downtown Clearwater so he is in a position of unassailable strength and can simply start dictating his terms. But as there is no record of the meeting it’s anyone’s guess. Either way, the reason for this meeting had nothing whatsoever to do with what is good for Clearwater. That was not part of the equation. The only thing it was good for was Miscavige and scientology.
To pretend otherwise is naive.
You don’t deal with bullies by thanking them for taking the time to speak with you. Sociopaths do NOT have your best interests at heart even when they smile and act nice.
Again, I reiterate the urgent need to get someone onto the City Council who understands scientology and is not intimidated into silence or tacit agreement by their bullying. That man is Mark Bunker. The only person running for Clearwater elected office that has the track record to prove it. If you want him to be elected, go to his website markbunker.com.
The CofS has for going on 4 decades been run by Miscavige, during which time they have vastly expanded their control of real estate, and consistently treated city government and its officials as “wogs” who can be run over or ignored, and only dealt with when there is no other way to try to get what Scientology wants.
I have no idea why the city or its officials would somehow start to think that Miscavige and his CofS are parties with whom Clearwater can deal (to paraphrase Neville Chamberlain justifying appeasing Hitler at Munich).
So I’m guessing they didn’t ask him about his wife, or he would have pressed the button to make their chair fall backwards into the flames.
‘and you can expect more criminal acts, covert dealings, actions like al Capone’
Talk about Irony – I’m sure everyone Knows/Remembers Who took him/How he was taken – down?!
Those who believe they’re incapable of doing evil, will do evil.
Happy Thanksgiving, Mike!
Hope you and Christie and the boys have a wonderful day together.
Specifically today, but ongoingly always, thanks so much for all that you do!
Yo Everybody
I give thanks for you all the time.
Why wouldn’t I?
I get to learn. I get to laugh with you… cry with you…you read my rants…:)
Yes, you’re high on my Gratitude List!
Happy Thanksgiving!
Much love – for REAL,
Aqua
I found part of my answer in the December 31, 2018 blog. Missions used to be called franchises. It’s starting to make sense.
Sorry to be off topic, but I see in the news that a new Scientology mission just opened in Largo (Belleair). (Near Clearwater, for those who don’t know the area.) I tried to see if it’s the same one that was already in Belleair (maybe moving to a better location?) and noticed that it is “Not for Profit.” How does that work if people who open missions keep a certain percentage for themselves and send a certain percentage “up-lines”? Sorry that I don’t know about the names of all of the different entities that are involved. So, they open the missions themselves, to make money, but they are not for profit. Can someone explain how that works? Thanks.
” So, they open the missions themselves, to make money, but they are not for profit. Can someone explain how that works?”
It’s by definition. You walk away with a net profit in one context, and it’s called profit. You walk away with a net profit in another context, and it’s called non-profit. We need a public benefit test in the US.
Just Wondering, it works the same way as it does for all non-profits. The CEO of the America Red Cross makes about $700,000 a year plus expenses and that org has a horrible donation $ to on the ground spending ratio
SILVIA,
In the real world, money DOES equal power, much as the US tries to disconnect the two. In watching them work, I’ve realized that billionaires (and McSavage is one by what he controls) really do think differently than thee and me. They work on an entirely different level.
Mike,
FYI, I want to clarify that I sent that email to Mark Bunker approx 6 weeks ago and he never replied.
Downtown Clearwater had business outflow after WWII when the city developed in the suburbs. Driving down Gulf to Bay, it is difficult to even reach downtown Clearwater especially when the traffic to the Beach is at its peak. It is very difficult to imagine downtown retail businesses supported by Scientology that the population would support but it is possible. My dream is to establish a “Museum of Religious History” that would show Scientology in its true nature. Hubbard and Crowley hated Christianity because of Crowley’s inability to date women in the Victorian Era. He even established his own religion to break the barriers. Now Hubbard takes it a step further and blames Christianity for all of the world’s problems. But we have reached the point where no one really cares about religion except a few Fundamentalists. The City Managers making $200,000 per year could care less about the potential threats of Scientology. My solution is simple. Cleveland street becomes Cult Street. Ft Harrison becomes Xenu Avenue. Drew street becomes Marcab Street. Like Disney, rides could be developed to illustrate “Super power” and the RFP escapes.
I forgot the Blimp. A drone pulling a large balloon creation the likeness of Hubbard with bucked teeth.
I like your style, George, but a faithful rendition of his actual mouth would suffice.
Hi George, I’ve seen you mention this idea several times.
Perhapes you can contact the Center for Inquiry for the Clearwater area. Here is the link for the closes one I found in Tampa. I think you may be able to find support there.
https://cfitampabay.org/
Thanks Cece. I sure do fit the profile. Buddhist, freethinker, socialist Independent, contrarian etc.
I will plan on a dinner meeting.
I cannot think of a single city in the US that has revitalized their downtown area under the guidance and wishes of their local Church. The closest example of such is Vatican City in Rome. Miscavige loves his title of Pope . Clearly the elected and non elected officials of the city of Clearwater are giving him all the assistance needed to make it his very own Vatican .
Except that the Vatican City was not surreptitiously stolen/bought from Rome. It was originally established in 1309. It was established in its current form as a sovereign nation with the signing of the Lateran Pacts in 1929. So no sneaking around and paying off politicians. No having rich donors buying up property under false pretenses.
Also, the pope is elected by Cardinals. No one elected Miscavige. Yes, there has been (especially in the past centuries) dirty-dealing and political maneuvering. But NOT at the level that happened in the late 1980’s.
Also, one can walk into the Vatican with no problem at all … No one asking your name, how you found out about Catholicism, etc etc etc ( and no one there on the lookout to make sure you are not an SP). Besides entering the Vatican a few timres, I have walked into numerous Catholic churches in Europe, no problem in entering, walking around and sitting down for a spell …
Hmmm … For some reason , I don’t think that would be quite as simple a “cycle of action”, if say , I walked into the Pasadena Org .. or the Paris Org, for that matter (which by the way, I did enter years before I was an “SP” and had to “explain myself” ) ….
Queen B quipped:
“I cannot think of a single city in the US that has revitalized their downtown area under the guidance and wishes of their local Church. ”
In Europe, a few villages’ fortunes skyrocketed when the church built cathedrals in them, but that ain’t gonna happen to CW. scn *already* built the SP Building “cathedral” and only made things worse, if anything.
The difference is that the villages got something people *wanted*, large ornate churches which could lure people to com to visit and “stay to pray”. scn isn’t likely to build anything anyone else wants — or wants to be near.
Michael Delk: “He [Miscavige] reiterated on many occasions that their objectives were the same as ours: to have a successful downtown.”
Hubbard may have been–actually, no “may” about it–a delusional and deceptive crank. However, he would have had the right words for Delk: “Don’t listen. Look!”
So, Delk, quit listening to Miscavige and take just ONE look at CW!
Would it be too much to ask Dwarfenführer WHAT his definition of a “successful downtown” is?
I agree that “LOOK” should be Delk’s most significant first action, but suspect doing so isn’t something he’s willing to do publically, knowing the inevitable result: personal attacks NO one deserves. There’s no benefit for him. His best personal/familial move might be to just move elsewhere,preferably in another state or country without a scn presence; leave Clearwater to be devoured by scn and enjoy life without that hassle.
Sadly, there is nothing else that Clearwater can do re the CO$. All the city counsel can do is educate the citizens and make the Clampire pay taxes on all the property that can be taxed.
Oh, and get the city police department to make their off duty cops behave like security guards when they shill for Miscavige. And the on duty cops shouldn’t kick people off park benches either.
This reminds me of a fragment from a song from an old musical we performed in High School (paraphrased to fit this situation).
“What’s good for Captain Miscaviage
Is good for Clearwater USA.”
Do these city officials not read about Scientology at all?
Can they not understand that Scientology does not care one whit about what’s good for Clearwater?
Do they not understand that what Scientology says is “good” for Clearwater is for you to continue to subjugate yourself to them?
Do they not realize that Miscavige will play nice (while snickering behind your back) as long as you’re giving him what he wants? In this case, you’re freely giving him good PR?
And what’s with the TB Times editorial? Have they been infiltrated now? Everyone working there should know a PR stunt when they see one. Really embarrassing for that paper, and after all the good reporting they’ve done, quite puzzling.
MarcAnon quipped:
“Do these city officials not read about Scientology at all?
Can they not understand that Scientology does not care one whit about what’s good for Clearwater?”
I suspect they DO understand that, but what can they do directly against an unlimited budget to “destroy them utterly”? Those who have looked at scn’s true antecedents and current operation can see they haven’t a chance against OSA. They can’t win against Davey and his minions; at best they might pull off a “draw” that would consume millions of dollars at least for a likely unchanged situation. NO, we need a secretly super-rich person to make scn’s goals just too expensive to them. Better might be a reversal of the twit’s IRS campaign: many, many flanking attacks; some suits ‘designed to harass’, some in buying up Downtown to freeze the scns out, heavy promotion in CW of the truths of scn (AKA ‘third partying’) and other actions which will overload the ADHD-poster-boy’s limited attention span and coping skills. IOW, make CW too expensive to him, though we know cost is no object to him. Could we secretly buy up all the stocks of Macallan, deny them to him? would be expen$ive and I can’t help much.
How about if we write our own “Freedom Magazine” and deliver it to all the citizens of Clearwater?
You’ve got my vote!
^^^ And MY vote!
I can’t wait until this unscrupulous group implodes.
Please people you must get Mark Bunker in office!
“I can’t wait until this unscrupulous group implodes.
Please people you must get Mark Bunker in office!”
I understand the sentiment, but know not to get angina over things I have no control over and can’t ‘contribute to the motion’ of someone else. Please, those who can, help Mark get the position AND support him in warding off the attacks which, sure as fleas on dogs, are headed his way, no matter the outcome of the vote; they’ve undoubtedly started already though I haven’t seen any reports in the “ASC” sites.
Keep up the fight and help residents understand what is really going on.
Luane stated:
“Keep up the fight and help residents understand what is really going on.
I’m wondering: Is there anything WE can do to help Tracey continue to perform the excellent job she’s been doing on that score?
And why ‘Scientology only EVER wants what is good for scientology?’
It is not because it will be good for scientology’s public and far, far less for staff.
If scientology expands, now or under LRH, it meant more income. More income equals that absurd feeling of security for miscavige or LRH and a continuous control of the finances and individuals that are, and were called scientologist.
Money equals power in their psychotic minds.
We are dealing with an insane individual – miscavige – and you can expect more criminal acts, covert dealings, actions like al Capone or Hitler, or worse. His worth is not even a quarter of a cent.
Unfortunately, when one has the capacity to spend $3 Billion in any way he sees fit, money IS power. Scio has been proving that for many decades. But, in truth, money is truly ALL they have.
So they own a lot of real estate. Who really gives a damn? The non scio citizens don’t seem to be giving a damn. And scio has a LOT of millionaires and billionaires willing to continue supporting with still more money.
We may hope that when Miscavige the Savage finally bows out, his replaxement with be less foxy and make even more mistakes than the “Pope” has and far faster!
I wish I were in the area and able to vote for Mark Bunker. However, if he does achieve that goal, I surely don’t envy that position!!!
‘and you can expect more criminal acts, covert dealings, actions like al Capone’
Talk about Irony – I’m sure everyone Knows/Remembers Who took him/How he was taken – down?!