Now that the campaign season is officially here, Aaron has a website: aaronforclearwater.com You can reach out to him to assist, and there is a page where you can donate to support his campaign. If you did not read this, here is my recent post Aaron Smith-Levin for Clearwater City Council … [Read more...]
Aaron Smith Levin for Clearwater City Council
The latest Tracey McManus article on scientology ran yesterday, announcing that Aaron Smith-Levin is running to join Mark Bunker on the Clearwater City Council. Unfortunately, the editor chose a photo that featured me more prominently than Aaron and some thought I was running (I do not live in Clearwater so am not eligible to serve on the City Council). This is a significant event in Clearwater. Mark Bunker was elected to the City Council earlier. There is a new regime in Clearwater -- a new City Manager (Jon Jennings) and City Attorney (David Margolis) are coming to town, hopefully they … [Read more...]
Scientology in Clearwater — Big Brother is Watching You
George Orwell's astonishing novel 1984 depicts a dystopian world that has many remarkable similarities to scientology. Big Brother is a character and symbol that represents a society where every citizen is under constant surveillance, constantly reminded of this by the slogan "Big Brother is watching you." If you visit downtown Clearwater, Big Brother (scientology) IS watching you. Anywhere and everywhere. While they claim the dozens of cameras mounted on their buildings are for "security" -- the truth is a little less palatable. And they showed their hand this past … [Read more...]
Cult City Tour and The Aftermath Foundation
Thank you to everyone who joined us for the tour of Downtown Clearwater yesterday to benefit The Aftermath Foundation. And also to those who listened in remotely. We had a fun time and it was wonderful to see such a strong show of support from so many smiling faces. Our enormous appreciation to everyone for supporting the Aftermath Foundation. The Foundation's meaningful work continues, mostly unseen and not often talked about for the protection and peace of mind of those who are helped. It's the opposite of a scientology "humanitarian programs" where they don't do anything unless the … [Read more...]
Narconon’s Troubles Are Not Over
Watch this new (less than 30 minute) video with Aaron Smith Levin and Luke Catton discussing the current problems of Narconon. Since the passage of the "Eliminating Kickbacks in Recovery Act" in 2018, it is illegal to pay commissions for referrals to drug rehab programs. This Kickbacks in Recovery Act now makes FSM Commission for the Narconon program a federal crime. Scientology policies around Field Staff Members (FSMs), where people are paid commissions for referring others to Scientology organizations, was one of the major catalysts for Narconon's growth in the United States. It wasn't … [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...]
Our 10th Anniversary
The first blog post on mikerindersblog.org was on 5 November 2009. It's been 10 years but it sure doesn't seem that long! It's been a lot of fun along the way. I have met many wonderful people here (and quite a number subsequently IRL which has been especially gratifying). Hopefully I have opened a window to discovering the truth about scientology for many. This blog would not have been possible without the support of many who have helped. While it is a labor of love (or perhaps passion) it IS labor and first my thanks to the many contributors who have provided content and … [Read more...]
The Aftermath Foundation Assists Sam Crabtree
The information below was provided by Aaron Smith-Levin, along with an interview video he did with Sam Crabtree. I knew both his parents in the Sea Org back in the day, his father Paul more than his mother Debbie, especially when he was the Cram Off RTC. The video is a long one, but fascinating. Sam is a second-generation Scientologist born into the Sea Org in 1983. His parents left the Sea Org when he was 6 years and raised Sam as a public Scientologist. After serving three more years in the Sea Org from age 17 to age 20 Sam moved to Clearwater to again be a public Scientologist. Sam … [Read more...]
The (Not Tom) Cruise Debrief and An Announcement
My apologies for being remiss. A few have asked how the vacation was as I made no mention of it here... It was amazing. I have waited to post this until we were ready with a special announcement. It's at the end of this short report on the cruise. We all had such a good time. A cruise is an excuse to eat and drink too much. Check. Do silly things -- like build a device to drop a raw egg 8 stories to the ship's atrium floor without it breaking -- we did! Visit interesting locations. Check. Do things we had never done before. Check. Spend time with friends (adults together while the 8 … [Read more...]
Chelsea Handler Coming to Scientology HQ
Chelsea Handler is coming to Clearwater as part of her comedy/book tour. I do not believe it is accidental that Clearwater is included among the list of cities she is visiting -- NY, LA, Houston, Miami, DC, Boston, Chicago, SFO, Seattle etc. All MAJOR markets and a couple of college towns (Madison WI, Durham NC) and then little old Clearwater... What could possibly be the reason? And at the Ruth Eckerd Hall, where earlier this month David Miscavige and Dan Sherman conducted the clapping seals for the annual L. Ron Hubbard Birthday Event as they have done every year since the … [Read more...]