Another slip of the promo piece has revealed far more than they would want. Interestingly, Tony Ortega posted about this same promo piece this morning and with the help of Chris Shelton, approached it from a very different perspective than my take (I wrote this last week but haven't had any time to post it, but now seems most opportune). This sets some sort of record for incompetence -- a scientology promotional item that is so revealing it makes it onto BOTH Tony Ortega and Mike Rinder's blogs... Now, that's a bargain. "Only" $27,500 to get to Clear where they start to really … [Read more...]
March 13 Hype-O-Rama
Just getting around to this -- things have been pretty hectic in the last few weeks and this one took a bit more work. A Special Correspondent attended the March 13th event in LA and reported some entertaining first-hand observations which serve as an introduction to some key points from the International Scientology News March 13 "Birthday Game" edition. First, the on-the-ground report from the Dolby Theater in LA. A grey, barely marked, Church of Scientology mini-bus pulled up to the curb and discharged 4 or 5 people into the crowd that makes Hollywood & Highland a nightly spe … [Read more...]
Thursday Funnies
Basel a Bust They sent out their first promo piece on Monday -- for an event on Saturday: They are already hitting people up for MORE money, even before it's opened. The tiny org in the small city is made "ideal" and meanwhile, the "big org" in the big city, Zurich, goes nowhere. Go figure. Sort of like Malmo and Stockholm. Inglewood and Valley. Nashville and Boston. Oh, The Lies.... Mr. OT Hatting hisself has teamed up with Rafferty Pendery -- though they cannot spell his name right -- son of IAS "Freedom Medal Winner", OSA stooge and general flim-flam man, Rick … [Read more...]
Valley Really Not Ideal Org
Douglas D. Douglas over at the Underground Bunker, posted an excellent comment and photos this afternoon. It is too good to be possibly lost in the huge number of daily comments that appear on Tony Ortega's blog. Without his permission, I am turning this into a posting here in order to preserve his fine work and to make it easier for everyone to find. Here is his original comment, followed by the photos. Some very sharp observations. Honestly, can anyone other than a hypnotized zombie NOT see the insanity on display here. By their OWN claims, the "Golden Age of Tech II' is going to … [Read more...]
Nashville Paranoia Update
Apparently they freaked out over the posting about Nashville "ideal" org on Saturday. Here is a new shot taken by one of our Special Correspondents today showing a cop stationed in front of the org -- and there was a second one in the parking lot not visible in this frame. Two police officers in the parking lot. They are definitely not there for crowd control on Monday afternoon. Same number of cars in the parking lot today as when I visited on Friday and the VM van has not moved. Perhaps they were there to serve a warrant on someone? Or to make a drug bust? Not likely. More l … [Read more...]
Thursday Funnies
Bush league Less than 30 people. Planetary clearing is happening for real in St Louis. How to overcome financial stress? That's easy: Stay away from any scientology affiliated organization Say What? This email is about as bizarre as they get. Hello, One year ago 200 school girls were abducted from their boarding school in Nigeria and haven't been seen since. Imagine the loss for their families and friends. It might seem far from home, but somehow, this is part of our dynamics. In PAB 79, THE OPEN CHANNEL, LRH states: "If this … [Read more...]
Ideal Org Disaster
The scam of the ideal orgs rolls on... After 12 YEARS, the western US region is by far the most advanced area of scientology with respect to creating "ideal orgs." This promo piece doesn't even mention the very non-ideal, tiny and getting tinier Hawaii, Santa Barbara, San Diego and Albuquerque "orgs." The lie of the "massive international expansion" is exposed every time they open their mouths. These 5 orgs, after 12 years, are "on the runway." Even Valley, which has had MASSIVE attention and is located in the area with the largest number of scientologists on earth, STILL cannot … [Read more...]
Thursday Funnies Saturday Edition
A day or two delayed but better late than never. Especially when there is a new Regraded Being cartoon. Truth Well, in truth, most scientologists CANNOT stand the truth. See Regraded Being this week at the end of the post. Seriously, a lecture about FAC One? What's next, a seminar on Incident Two? Winning? Ruroh. The video team is going to be there... Where are they going to find anyone to put in the videos? They are so out in the boonies it needs a Lewis and Clark style expedition to find them. Nice floors though. And neat furnishings.... It's always about to happen … [Read more...]
Should Scientology Be Tax Exempt?
Should scientology be tax exempt? At the outset -- I am not a lawyer. I am certain those more knowledgeable than I can find fault with some imprecise terminology or descriptions I use. But I doubt they would disagree with the general picture I am trying to paint. Of course, the answer about scientology's tax exempt status for many people (myself included) is "No, they should NOT be entitled to special exemption from taxation." But why? And what is different about scientology than other exempt organizations? There is a long tradition of protecting religious freedom in the United … [Read more...]
Thursday Funnies
Hahaha No corroborating evidence? Except what scientology churns out every day to try and discredit the movie.... Terrific promotion for the film though. BTW, an interview Alex and I did will be airing on NPR All Things Considered today at 16:40 / 18:40 / 20:40 EDT (17:40 / 19:40 PDT). New promotion for leaving scientology... THE best way to overcome financial stress. Flag OTC buying their own bs Puerto Rico and Orlando are "on the runway." Obviously they have no idea the state of these two failing field groups. But even better "Ma … [Read more...]