Jon Lundeen has been a champion money grubber for a LONG time. Way back in the 70's he was plying his trade at Flag. He has been "Captain" at ASHO for many years now (a sure fire indication there is NO management structure in Scientology as one of the hallmarks of Scientology management is the musical chairs of org EDs/COs, especially for orgs like ASHO that have continued on a decades long slow decline). But, the secret of his longevity is disclosed in his letter. Jon is a "team player." Like a public whale who can get away with anything as long as he keeps filling the coffers of the I … [Read more...]
The Budapest Boondoggle
One of our Special Correspondents in Budapest sent in this report of the sad tale of the failed attempts to create an "Ideal Org" in Budapest (this org was declared SH Size sometime in the 90's and at that time was one of the fastest growing orgs on earth). Some of the information in here is stunning -- the rip off by the Int Landlord Office, the financial irregularities, the utter incompetence -- but it is by no means uncommon. Similar stories have come in from many of these "Ideal Org" projects. The Budapest Ideal Org Story A bit of a background: Scientology was registered in Hungary as a … [Read more...]
Scientology’s Norwegian Shrinkage
This article was sent in by Anette Iren Johansen, who is taking time out from her own blog to act as Norwegian Special Correspondent for Something Can Be Done About It. Thanks Anette! Where is the massive worldwide unprecedented straight up vertical expansion of Scientology? Apparently it has not yet reached Norway. No expansion in the richest country of the world? I'm not sure whether the Vikings are cult proof or if this is just the worst example of Scientology's failed Ideal Org strategy. There is only one Church of Scientology in Norway. It goes by the name Oslo Org. In 2004 the church m … [Read more...]
Still More Ideal Org Insanity
These 3 email/promotipons were sent out last week. Each is as nutty as the next. All are irrefutable evidence that the Vulture Culture reigns supreme in the world of corporate Scientology. The first promotes (last week) the "Maiden Voyage" (that didn't happen in JUNE). But more bizarre is the bottom of this list..... Seems the Ideal Org Strategy in the "First Ideal Continent" has run into a few speed bumps chasms. As I recall, St Louis bought a building some years ago.... Hawaii has just never gone anywhere, even in this "era of Massive International Expansion greater in the last year than … [Read more...]
Voldemort Tent Update August 30
Well, you will be happy to hear, that like Jack Nicholson in The Shining, He's back. (Had to make a trip to Los Angeles to meet with lawyers to try and figure out how to wriggle out of the Monique Rathbun lawsuit). But in His absence there was lots of excitement in downtown Clearwater over His tent. Actually, over the illegal destruction of two live oak trees to make way for the tent. He no doubt issued the order to chop down the trees when He was not in town so he couldnt receive any embarrassing phone calls from the city. Interestingly, none of the reports, even Tony Ortega himself, r … [Read more...]
Miscavige’s Motto
Finally, some (accidental) truth in advertising. This IS what the orgs and "Humanitarians" have been led to believe "If you build it, they will come" -- so it's interesting to see it being stated overtly. But it is NOT the whole truth. The truer statement would be the actual Miscavige Motto -- "If you build it, they will believe me." THAT campaign has worked with the sheeple. They DO believe that the purchase and renovation of buildings is proof of massive international expansion. It even worked with some media for a while (you never see ANY statement from the church that doesnt include how … [Read more...]
Vulture Culture Speaks For Itself
If you ever wanted a visual encapsulation of the Vulture Culture, this "Ideal Org" promotion says it all. There is no pretense here. "Get Prosperous" = "Bridge Ascent." The "old" line in Scientology used to be "Get Trained" and now it's "Get Prosperous" and we are going to teach you how to do that by "Upping Your Ask" to increase your "Closing Skills".... This is Sciendollargy in full living color. What is most curious to me is whether anyone would be masochistic enough to show up to an event with a Freewinds Reg who promotes himself as the master of "closing" and getting more … [Read more...]
The Great Ideal Orgs Scam
Smoke and Mirrors Putting together some backlogged material that has been sent in over the past couple of weeks. There has been so much news and so many things happening that some of these are a bit stale, but nevertheless, worth noting. This "Ideal Org" program is such an abject disaster it is difficult to overstate the magnitude of the fail. So, here are a few examples to highlight the fact that Pinocchio Pouw's statements that everyone is missing the "real story" of Scientology with "37 new churches opened in the last few years" is in fact TRUE. The real story IS that 37 buildings have … [Read more...]
The OC is On Fire! Updated with Shots Of Bustling Org
Note: there was no Graduation last nite due to a special Sea Org only event "for SO Day" but I bet Voldemort was just not feeling in the mood after his weekus horribilus. So. instead we have some news from across the country. Hundreds of thousands of dollars and a year after the OC "Ideal Org" finally opened, their Non E campaign is off the ground. And boy, the news is amazing! They got a donation from someone in NEW YORK. They put up billboards around Disneyland (stupidest place ever -- the people at Disney are TOURISTS, NOT their public) and, wait for it, as they saved the really big … [Read more...]
Food For Thought
This was sent to me for publication by a personal friend. I have not published anything quite like this on my blog before -- it is a declaration by someone who doesn't give his name (though anyone who knows him knows who he is and a lot of others will be able to figure it out). I think it is good food for thought. And I especially like his views of what a real friend is. I too know Dave and Sindy Fagen. Dave's write up of his story is probably the calmest, most intelligent and devastating indictment of the current state of the "church of scientology" that has yet been published. Read it … [Read more...]