If you have watched either The Vow on HBO, or Seduced on Starz about NXIVM, or The Aftermath or Going Clear about scientology, this article will ring a lot of bells. Many of the specific control mechanisms Dr. Burkley cites about NXIVM have direct parallels in scientology. As she says, "the psychological tricks Raniere used are not particularly special. In face, his ability to ensnare so many victims is rooted in his reliance on several core psychological principles -- principles to which each of us is vulnerable." One of the great accomplishments of The Vow was how … [Read more...]
Episode 5: The History of Fair Game
In this week's episode, Leah and I discuss the history of Fair Game and the ongoing Fair Game efforts against us. As always, I include a link here to my "summary of Fair Game" entitled: Dealing with Critics of Scientology - The L. Ron Hubbard Playbook. If you have not read this before and have an interest in this subject, I recommend starting with this. Honestly, this is one of the most important episodes of this podcast. It is not disclosing "new' information, but even seasoned scientology watchers and former scientologists will learn things they likely did not know. Few have … [Read more...]
The Ever Evolving Smear Campaign on Me
The latest from my daughter Taryn Teutsch... Much of the same old stuff, but here is a new addition. The rendition of this story has evolved over the years, despite the fact the clear evidence contained in the Pinellas County Sheriff and EMT reports has not changed. It began with claims that I "attacked" my ex-wife (when she and 6 others and 2 PI's) had followed me and approached me screaming obscenities, all the way to "permanent neuorological damage" to "I could hear the bones breaking" and now "gouged flesh pouring with blood". None of these things are reflected in the … [Read more...]
Mike Rinder – A Scientology “Nobody”
I happened across this old card the other day. I didn't know I had it. It was in my wallet the day I walked out of L. Ron Hubbard's old office in Fitzroy St., London. It was my final day in scientology. I had been sent to London to deal with the BBC Panorama program being done by John Sweeney. As the card states, I was on the Board of Directors of Church of Scientology International and acting at the time as the International Spokesperson for scientology. Of course, scientology has sought to rewrite history. On their websites about me, they claim that I held no position of … [Read more...]
The “Mike Rinder Problem”
Scientology has come up with a new attack line -- the "Mike Rinder Problem." It is quite an honor to be singled out so specifically, especially as I am according to them merely a "bobblehead" (though a "wife-beating" one so that is apparently a bigger deal). They shifted their attacks from Nancy Dubuc to Paul Buccieri in a deft strategic move. Their clever PR maneuvers are a sight to behold. According to scientology, the "Mike Rinder Problem" is this: "Like the classic wife beater that he is, Rinder digs in his heels and refuses to admit he injured his former wife Cathy during an … [Read more...]
John Sweeney’s Classic Scientology Expose
I was looking through old scientology shows and came across this one from 2010. I had not watched it in many years, but found it fascinating. Obviously, my views about scientology have changed. But I have a much greater appreciation for the show now having worked on 3 seasons of Scientology and The Aftermath. This is a terrific piece of investigative reporting and a finely crafted show that contains a LOT of information. John Sweeney and his brilliant producer Sarah Mole did a masterful job of putting this together. They battled with the legal constraints imposed on them by the … [Read more...]
Dave’s New Car?
Could this be David Miscavige's newest vanity license plate? The person who sent me this photo swears it is NOT photoshopped, that this is a real plate on a real car. It's not really worth a post by itself, but I feel lazy this Memorial Day weekend and thought everyone might have a laugh in the morning and get their weekend off to a good start. Perhaps Mr. David Let Him Die Miscavige might appreciate some other suggestions for plates to go on his BMW, Land Rover, Acura, Miata, RX 7, Saleen Mustang, Ducati, GMC armored van, Lincoln Navigator and whatever other assorted vehicles he has … [Read more...]
The Black Bag Department first published March 17, 2014
Marty has been doing a good job of exposing the unalterable policies of the church concerning dealing with perceived enemies. One aspect not much discussed is who are the "outside professionals" hired to do the dirty work. And while there is a lot that is done by Sea Org OSA staff, Class V (local DSAs like Mark Warburg and John Carmichael) and public Scientologists (John Allender, Ed Bryan and Co) there is work that requires specific skills, including licenses to carry and/or needs more distance from "the church" to afford a measure of plausible deniability. There are quite a number … [Read more...]