Scientology tries to be "part of the community" by holding "block parties" in downtown Clearwater each quarter. They held their latest one yesterday. Here are some shots -- and as they say, a picture is worth a thousand words: This is a pretty accurate reflection of how much the community supports scientology in Clearwater. There were more people for an impromptu gathering at the Lucky Anchor pub with a few alumni from the Aftermath. And where are the 12,000 scientologists in the Tampa Bay area they claim to have? 11,965 of them were too busy to show … [Read more...]
Scientology and the Clearwater Police Department
Clearwater Police Chief Slaughter took the unusual step of making a YouTube video in response to The Aftermath episode which recounted the "Park Incident" with Mark Bunker. This was then published on the OpEd page of the Tampa Bay Times. Below is the full message from Chief Slaughter so everyone has complete context. Then some of my thoughts following this: For years the Clearwater Police Department has been thrust into the middle of a debate between a controversial religion and its critics, without a voice in the matter. We feel it important to publish some facts of our own to … [Read more...]
Clearwater and How Scientology Buys Influence
A few nights ago, the Clearwater Chamber of Commerce held their annual gala. You might be surprised to learn that scientology is one of its sponsors. But you might not be surprised to learn that the outgoing Chair of the Chamber, Katie Cole is a prominent local attorney who represents scientology. In fact, she is the protege of Ed Armstrong, a local legend in the real estate/zoning law practice who has represented scientology's interests since I first hired him in the early 90's (I guess it was?). This is scientology "safepointing" 101. Find a well connected … [Read more...]
Clearwater Officials: “Nothing To See Here”
The article above appeared in the Tampa Bay Times after the "airing" of The Aftermath this week, an episode focused on scientology's take-over of Clearwater. I said "airing" because for subscribers to the local cable outlet, Spectrum, the show was unwatchable. The sound was scrambled and some images pixillated. The problems magically fixed themselves 2 minutes after the show aired. And the problem ONLY manifested itself on The Aftermath episode, no other channels. Subsequently, all the "On Demand" Aftermath episodes also disappeared from Spectrum. Of course, there is nothing suspicious … [Read more...]
Desperation in Clearwater
Flag is seriously desperate to get anyone into the building for the regges to grab hold of. Flag holding "seminars" by PUBLIC to brief them on "OT" is so weird L. Ron Hubbard would be apoplectic if he had not shuffled off his mortal coil so many years ago. Flag has the highest trained auditors and C/Ses on earth. THE experts on the subject of going OT. But rather than them doing seminars on "the keys to OT" they have two local whales delivering this. Why? Hubbard freaked out when he found public scientologists "on the backs of orgs" taking “advantage” of “his staff” and “stealing his … [Read more...]
Winter Wonderland: Yay For Us
Scientology are off and running with their "25 year unbroken record" of Winter Wonderland self-promotion. Can you imagine putting out a press release in advance of "beginning construction" for few plywood elf-house facades? Only a scientology-mind could conceive of this. "Construction"? Makes it sound like they are building the Great Wall of China. The desperation to get themselves in the news for something other than defrauding people of their life savings and destroying families is palpable. The citizens of Clearwater should be aware that the park in which they construct "Winter … [Read more...]
Cult Shopping Network Desperation
The Cult Shopping Network (aka ScientologyTV) seems to be in desperate straits. The Flag OT Committee is begging for help to try to bolster the failure. They need to know right now if all members have "gotten others to watch," "downloaded the App," "forwarded links to non-scientologists," and "invited people to attend showings." Apparently their advertising on TV, all over the internet and on billboards isn't having the desired impact. So they will use the people that they know they can get to comply (those damn wogs are dictated by their reactive minds and are anti-survival so they … [Read more...]
Scientology: No Longer Curious?
Apparently the idea that people are curious about scientology is no longer operative? I wonder if it has anything to do with the promotion for Scientology The Aftermath that recently began that plays on their "Curious?" concept? These two billboards have now replaced the "Curious?" ones in Clearwater: Surprises? Well, I guess you could say that. Surprises you with how lame it is. The same infomercials over and over and over and over.... Amazes? Yes, that too. It is amazing that in this day and age anyone joins or gives them any more money. Love the fact that they … [Read more...]
That Largest Private Relief Force on Earth is Looking Mighty Small
The latest natural disaster in the US, Hurricane Michael, caused massive destruction in the Panhandle of Florida. In some ways this is a “perfect storm.” For here we have an ALL IDEAL Florida confronting a major catastrophe. There is also another ideal org nearby in Atlanta. And then there is Clearwater, the largest concentration of scientologists on earth. (And just for good measure, let's throw in the "ideal" Ocala Mission which is the closest of all to the disaster zone). Wow, it's literally an "ideal" scene. That largest private relief force on earth should find this an easy one to … [Read more...]
CCHR Not Supported by IAS?
Hold the phone. Breaking news. The IAS proclaims over and over that the "wins" of CCHR are "thanks to your support of the IAS." Anyone who has been around CCHR or the IAS internally knows that is an absolute lie. But the public facade continues. Yet, it's hard to keep things like this totally secret. And here is more evidence. And how about this statement: There are currently 3 non-SO staff... How are there ANY Sea Org CCHR staff? This is not a "Sea Org" organization... And then a new one arrived about something else the IAS proclaims is all "thanks to your donations to … [Read more...]