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...]
City of Clearwater and Scientology Maneuverings
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...]
Episode 73: Operation Clambake Founder Andreas Heldal-Lund
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...]
Clearwater’s Scientology Perception Problem
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...]
Episode 60: Clearwater City Council Candidate Aaron Smith-Levin
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...]
Aaron Smith Levin for Clearwater City Council
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...]
Scientology Fair Game Podcast All Episodes
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...]
Oh, The Irony
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...]
Scientology in Clearwater — Big Brother is Watching You
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...]
Episode 12: Mark Bunker
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...]