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Yes for Clearwater

October 23, 2022 By Mike Rinder 12 Comments

  Mark Bunker sent me the two videos below and asked that I share them here. I gladly do so and wholeheartedly support this effort. Citizens of Clearwater will vote on November 8 to allow the city to sell two parcels of land to developers (Mark explains the process in the second video). They are planning major construction that will bring people to downtown Clearwater -- despite scientology's best efforts to buy up all available properties and keep Clearwater on track to achieve their goal as "the first scientology city." This plan will throw a major wrench, or more aptly a whole … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Clearwater Tagged With: Clearwater, David Miscavige, Mark Bunker, Scientology

City of Clearwater and Scientology Maneuverings

September 18, 2022 By Mike Rinder 19 Comments

The latest reporting from Tracey McManus highlights the tensions in the city as they try to deal with the maneuverings of David Miscavige. The Mayor and City Manager are on one side, and the City Council on the other in the battle over parcels of downtown property scientology wants. Tracey's earlier report goes into more detail about the plans to build affordable housing across the street from Miscavige's office and the termination of that planned construction after Miscavige got involved. Now, City Council members (notably Mark Bunker and Kathleen Beckman) are upset that they have … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Clearwater, David Miscavige Tagged With: City of Clearwater, David Miscavige, Frank Hibbard, Jon Jennings, Kathleen Beckman, Mark Bunker, Tracey McManus

Episode 73: Operation Clambake Founder Andreas Heldal-Lund

January 17, 2022 By Mike Rinder 39 Comments

  This week we have a treat -- we talk with the creator of Operation Clambake, and one of the earliest non-scientologists to go head-to-head with scientology in the fledgling days of the internet. We cover how he got involved and why and some of the key things that have happened along the way. If you listened to our recent episode with Tory Christman you will know Andreas played a significant role in Tory escaping scientology. He was also instrumental in the Jason Beghe video that went viral on the internet. Jason Beghe's video on Mark Bunker's site. Operation … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Podcast Tagged With: Andreas Heldal-Lund, Jason Beghe, Karin Spaink, Leah Remini, Mark Bunker, Mike Rinder, Scientology Fair Game podcast, Tory Christman, Zenon Panoussis

Clearwater’s Scientology Perception Problem

December 1, 2021 By Mike Rinder 38 Comments

The latest article from Tracey McManus in the extensive reporting she had done on scientology's land grab in Clearwater. You can see some of her earlier reporting here: Scientology members fuel another land buying surge in Clearwater and  Clear Takeover The recent activities prompted Mark Bunker to raise concerns at the city council meeting which is what the latest story covers. He didn't get much support. While some of the city council are willing to acknowledge scientology taking over Clearwater as  a "problem" they simply throw up their hands and claim there is nothing that can be … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Clearwater Tagged With: Aaron Smith-Levin, Clearwater, Mark Bunker, tampa bay times, Tracey McManus, Willy Rice

Episode 60: Clearwater City Council Candidate Aaron Smith-Levin

October 4, 2021 By Mike Rinder 28 Comments

  In this episode we talk to our old friend Aaron Smith-Levin about a wide variety of topics, including the status of Goliath the SP dog, but focus on his announcement that he is running to be elected to the Clearwater City Council and the activities of the Aftermath Foundation. Aaron appeared in the original season of The Aftermath, in one of the more memorable episodes:     My recent post about Aaron running for City Council:   Aaron Smith-Levin for City Council website:       Leah Remini: Scientology and the … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Podcast Tagged With: Aaron Smith-Levin, Clearwater City Council, Fair Game Podcast, irs, Leah Remini, Mark Bunker, Mike Rinder, Tax Exemption, The Aftermath Foundation

Aaron Smith Levin for Clearwater City Council

September 15, 2021 By Mike Rinder 50 Comments

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...]

Filed Under: Clearwater Tagged With: Aaron Smith-Levin, CLearwater City Attorney, Clearwater City Council, Clearwater City Manager, David Margolis, Eliseo Santana, Frank Hibbard, Gabe Cazares, Jon Jennings, Lisa Mansell, Mark Bunker, Pam Bondi, Paris morfopolous, tampa bay times, Tracey McManus

Scientology Fair Game Podcast All Episodes

September 6, 2021 By Mike Rinder 12 Comments

There is no new podcast this week due to the Labor Day holiday. I thought it worth listing all the diverse list of podcast guests and topics we have done so far. There are more to come. If there are any episodes you have missed, you can find them here with links and give them a listen. It's been quite a ride. It continues. We appreciate all the support of our faithful listeners and those who have sent in questions for the popular "Listener Question" episodes. You can also find all the episodes and the supporting documents for each at fairgamepodcast.com which also includes a … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Podcast Tagged With: Aaron Saidman, AlexGibney, Brian Sheen, Bruce Hines, Chris Shelton, Christie Collbran, Christie Rinder, Claire Headley, Devon Graham Hammonds, Dylan Fallo, Fair Game Podcast, Ford Greene, Geoff Levin, Hana Whitfield, Ian Berg, Jeff Augustine, John Dehlin, john sweeney, Jon Atack, Julian Wain, Karen de la Carriere, Kate Bornstein, Katherine Wain, Leah Remini, Lloyd Evans, Luke Catton, Marc Headley, Mark Bunker, Mark Vicente, Mary Kahn, Mat Pesch, Mike Rinder, Nick Hanna, Paulette Cooper, Phil Jones, Ray jeffrey, Richard Behar, Ron Miscavige, Sarah Edmondson, Stefani Hutchinson, Steve Cannane, Steve Hassan, Tammy Clark, Taylor Holley, Tony Ortega, Valeska Guider, Vicki Marshall, Yashar Ali, Yulanda Williams

Oh, The Irony

May 22, 2021 By Mike Rinder 36 Comments

Programming note: Regraded Being will return next week,. Given the events of yesterday with the end of the Masterson Preliminary Hearing (and the news he is going to face trial) I felt it was important to keep that post available. Scientology mouthpiece in Clearwater, Pat Harney, was scheduled to give the Invocation at the Clearwater City Council meeting this week. It is part of a rotational system where different faiths are invited to do their thing. Of course, Pat was at a disadvantage as scientologists don't pray. They don't have any set belief in God, and they certainly don't ask God … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Clearwater Tagged With: City of Clearwater, L. Ron Hubbard, Mark Bunker, Pat Harney, What is Greatness

Scientology in Clearwater — Big Brother is Watching You

March 27, 2021 By Mike Rinder 66 Comments

  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...]

Filed Under: Clearwater Tagged With: Aaron Smith-Levin, Big Brother, City of Clearwater, Clearwater, Mark Bunker, surveillance cameras

Episode 12: Mark Bunker

October 12, 2020 By Mike Rinder 41 Comments

This week, Leah and I have a conversation with Mark Bunker on the Fair Game podcast. Download at midnight tonight. I will add a link to the show here when it becomes available. We talk to Mark about his history with scientology, him becoming the newest Clearwater City Council member and what the future of the City of Clearwater holds. We cover the land grab by scientology so ably reported by Tracey McManus in the Tampa Bay Times "How Scientology doubled its downtown Clearwater footprint in 3 years" : Tracey updated her story a few days ago "Vacancies in Scientology-tied … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Clearwater, Fair Game Podcast Tagged With: Fair Game Podcast, Leah Remini, Mark Bunker, Mike Rinder, tampa bay times, Tony Ortega, Tracey McManus

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Important Reading

Troublemaker - Leah Remini
Ruthless - Ron Miscavige
Going Clear - Lawrence Wright
Bare Faced Messiah - Russell Miller
Counterfeit Dreams - Jeff Hawkins
Blown For Good - Marc Headley
Abuse at the Top - Amy Scobee
Unbreakable Miss Lovely - Tony Ortega
The Church of Fear - John Sweeney
Fair Game - Steve Cannane
Inside Scientology - Janet Reitman
A Piece of Blue Sky - Jon Atack
Beyond Belief - Jenna Miscavige
My Billion Year Contract
Escaping Scientology - Karen Schless
Commodore's Messenger - Janis Grady
Commodore's Messenger - Book II
Scythe Tleppo - Nathan Rich
Expert Witness - Jesse Prince
Perfectly Clear - Michelle LeCaire
Ron the War Hero - Chris Owen
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mikerinder Mike Rinder @mikerinder ·
8h

This is destined to be an #SPTV classic comedy moment. @blownforgood and @claireheadley share details of their "first date" in the Sea Org. It's near the end. If you're not subscribed to my channel yet, please do so... There is also important content.
https://www.youtube.com/live/PgQVyoUh1_E?feature=share

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mikerinder Mike Rinder @mikerinder ·
29 Mar

How Many Taxpayer-subsidized Mansions, Homes and Offices Does a Dead Man Need? It turns out to be a LOT when it comes to #scientology founder L. Ron Hubbard. Once again, where is the #IRS? How is this a valid exempt purpose? https://youtu.be/JfmJHiGfevA via @YouTube

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mikerinder Mike Rinder @mikerinder ·
6 Mar

The DOJ details what #scientology does to destroy those speaking out about their abuses. Including but not limited to:
@LeahRemini
@blownforgood
@claireheadley
@GrowingupinSCN
@TonyOrtega94
@yashar
@TroMcManus
@ChrisSheltonMsc

https://youtu.be/7bnKEUA4Hh4 via @YouTube

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mikerinder Mike Rinder @mikerinder ·
28 Mar

Monday Evening Q&A and Spilling the Tea https://twitter.com/i/broadcasts/1YpJkgWdQDyJj

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amethyststars Arwa Stone @amethyststars ·
25 Mar

@MikeRinder
Your blog helped get me out.
http://inmywords81.blogspot.com/2023/03/the-day-i-realised-that-scientology-is.html #scientology #exscientologist #mikerinder #somethingcanbedoneaboutit #aftermathfoundation #escapingscientology

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Recent Comments

  • Yawn on How Many Taxpayer-Subsidized Mansions, Homes and Offices Does A Dead Man Need?: “Yep, it’s a special kind of insanity Scientology. It’s an out of control group activity of the mind that makes…” Mar 30, 13:24
  • Fred G. Haseney on Thursday Funnies: “Re: “Tampa Brad” is hiring So, “Tampa Brad” is looking for a videographer/editor (wink, wink). Has Ashley gone legitimate as…” Mar 30, 12:55
  • jim rowles on Thursday Funnies: “The hamster concept hits home. All they end up doing is consuming oxygen .” Mar 30, 12:42
  • Paul Ronk on Thursday Funnies: “scientology sets up a two-way mirror for the parishioners. They cannot see out, but all of us that are out…” Mar 30, 11:54
  • PeaceMaker on Thursday Funnies: “Austin org is scheduled with the city for an opening event on April 15th. Chicago will apparently be after that…” Mar 30, 11:45
  • PeaceMaker on How Many Taxpayer-Subsidized Mansions, Homes and Offices Does A Dead Man Need?: “It seems to me they serve as sort of shrines – not unlike traditional ones for gurus, saviours and gods.…” Mar 30, 11:31
  • Doug Sprinkle on How Many Taxpayer-Subsidized Mansions, Homes and Offices Does A Dead Man Need?: “Very interesting thanks for sharing that. I guess I also wanted to believe that he was super human too. But…” Mar 30, 11:19
  • Prof. Yapgalla on Thursday Funnies: ““… who will one day ensure the islands indeed become the sea.” Like Atlantis?” Mar 30, 10:00
  • Koos Nolst Trenité on Thursday Funnies: “Walking into a Scientology Org, or by studying Scientology material, your innate sense of morality receives blows that are hard…” Mar 30, 09:58
  • TrevAnon on Ex-Scientologists Who Have Spoken Out: “Not sure if my answer came through? Feel free to post one of my comments. I’ll take it from there.…” Mar 30, 07:33

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