True, and thanks, Katherine. Living there changed me. I arrived a clueless suburban American teenager What I saw – I can never forgot what I saw! Wait! That’s not true. Sometimes I DO forget and find myself grousing and bitching. Then I make myself remember what hundreds of millions of such people go thru on a daily basis and it puts things in perspective. I can tell myself, “Hey, get off it, already! This isn’t so bad! Stop it, now! This is no big deal, get off it!” Its humbling and I’m grateful to be humbled in this way, no kidding.

nomnom:
“safepointing” of uninformed outsiders as well.

AFAICT, safe pointing only worked on the uninformed/ignorant.

Scribe:
“Most Scientologists are awaiting their next OT level in a state of breathless anticipation.”

That’s a situation where “Baited breath” would be appropriate and fitting.
Bait and switch: scn’s whole operation in 3 words — for the past 70± years.

Karen:”The aim was *NEVER* to create truly self reliant people as regards right & wrong.
”

The AIM was to make Tubby MONEY$$$ Pure and simple.

Aqua:
“He actually looks quite good in this photo. Too bad His Oatee powers didn’t extend to keeping himself groomed, fit and healthy.

”
I wouldn’t call that semi-off-topic. You nailed the guy right in his hyper-inflated gut.

Another very touchy medal for vetrans is the Purple Heart.

”

AND for good reason. All of Hubbard’s “wounds” were gathered as he plotted and scuttled to AVOID actual military service at all costs.

Wynski:
“James, military officers ALSO have powers under Federal law and can order armed troops into action WHEREVER THEY MAY BE. That power abused by an impostor is MUCH worse than simply impersonating a police officer.

”
ONLY in extraordinary times, which ain’t nowhere NEAR these times. Claiming to be a military officer and giving someone orders will likely get you soundly laughed at — or worse, the THAT’s if you’re wearing your formal officer’s uniform, which Hubbard could never have fit into after WW II.

Peacemaker:
“Plus Moulton would probably have been loath to confront and admit that he’d been part of an unprofessional farce.

”
Never-mind that Moulton also had hopes of advancing in rank, etc.

T he “breath test” as I remember was: If a SO member’s breath fogs a mirror, he’s fit for duty.

Newcomer:”No wonder he won’t show up for his next tour of duty for the See Orgy. Dave would Sec Check him until he confessed His crimes …….. and that would require a frickin lot of intensives!

”

So THAT explains why! ElCon showed up and Davey-boy threw him out first thing, on the eligibility step.

There’s truth to that: ELCon couldn’t have held to the standards he demanded.