Clearwater Police Chief Slaughter took the unusual step of making a YouTube video in response to The Aftermath episode which recounted the "Park Incident" with Mark Bunker. This was then published on the OpEd page of the Tampa Bay Times. Below is the full message from Chief Slaughter so everyone has complete context. Then some of my thoughts following this: For years the Clearwater Police Department has been thrust into the middle of a debate between a controversial religion and its critics, without a voice in the matter. We feel it important to publish some facts of our own to … [Read more...]
“Recovering” People: Scientology’s Desperation
Things are becoming more desperate inside the scientology bubble. There are signs everywhere. There are so many people "off the Bridge" that they have to hold seminars to help train people to get them back... in the “good old days” there were more new people coming in than blew off so those who decided the tech didn’t work were pretty much ignored. Focus was on getting those who bought into the “Bridge” to keep moving up. Nowdays they make a big show of reaching new people with soft sell SuperBowl ads and scientologyTV but these are really just to show the whales something is being done w … [Read more...]
Some Information About Religious Tax Exemption
Mary Kahn reminded me yesterday in a comment about John Oliver of the brilliant piece he did on Religious Tax Exemption. This is satire at its finest -- exposing truths through humor. It is cringe-inducing funny. If you have never seen this, or if you haven't watched it for a few years, it is VERY instructive. I recommend it highly as it lays out a LOT of information and gives insight into scientology and its ongoing tax exempt status. This is, in part, why the IRS has been perfectly content to allow scientology to be tax exempt all these years. There is also the fact that … [Read more...]
Scientology’s Holocaust Hypocrisy
The OSA fake outrage website has hit a new low. While they hand out their "human rights" awards to one of the most reviled anti-semites in the US, they have the nerve to pretend they are "Standing With Jews Everywhere"... Hey OSA, this is your idea of "standing with Jews"? Palling around with Tony Mohammed, Louis Farrakhan's sidekick and apologist, with the Nazi hate propaganda on his promotional posters? In fact, you gave this guy your highest award... a Freedom Medal like you gave Tom Cruise. And you feature him on your ScientologyTV propaganda channel with his own … [Read more...]
Clearwater and How Scientology Buys Influence
A few nights ago, the Clearwater Chamber of Commerce held their annual gala. You might be surprised to learn that scientology is one of its sponsors. But you might not be surprised to learn that the outgoing Chair of the Chamber, Katie Cole is a prominent local attorney who represents scientology. In fact, she is the protege of Ed Armstrong, a local legend in the real estate/zoning law practice who has represented scientology's interests since I first hired him in the early 90's (I guess it was?). This is scientology "safepointing" 101. Find a well connected … [Read more...]
The “Golden Age” of Delusion
Since Miscavige announced the "Golden Age of Tech" way back in 1997 (?) it seems that scientology has been in anything BUT a golden age. While they have purchased plenty of buildings, the number of orgs and missions has DECREASED in this time. The number of active scientologists continues to plummet. The amount of public exposure of their abuses is at a constant state of emergency level. Therecare constantly announcements that orgs are "going to go ideal" or "we ARE going St Hill Size" and now Missions are even getting in on the act "this is the year we build the ideal … [Read more...]
Grief
Another essay from our old friend Brian Lambert about the writings of L. Ron Hubbard. “You are grandmaster of words and can do with them as you will. You know what they mean to others. You know how their meanings and melodies affect others” - from L Ron Hubbard’s Affirmations. Grief In my past experience with studying Scientology, I noticed some sane human traits being definitionally degraded by some of Ron’s doctrines. And as these redefinitions became part of my personality, I found one of the casualties to be.................grief. It’s hard enough sometimes for us men … [Read more...]
Clearwater Officials: “Nothing To See Here”
The article above appeared in the Tampa Bay Times after the "airing" of The Aftermath this week, an episode focused on scientology's take-over of Clearwater. I said "airing" because for subscribers to the local cable outlet, Spectrum, the show was unwatchable. The sound was scrambled and some images pixillated. The problems magically fixed themselves 2 minutes after the show aired. And the problem ONLY manifested itself on The Aftermath episode, no other channels. Subsequently, all the "On Demand" Aftermath episodes also disappeared from Spectrum. Of course, there is nothing suspicious … [Read more...]
Why Grand Juries
I tweeted the other day that law enforcement needs to empanel Grand Juries to get the facts about scientology. More effective would be a raid to seize their files, but that is a much harder process especially when dealing with an organization that hides behind the cloak of religion. What is a Grand Jury and why would it be effective? A grand jury is a jury – a group of citizens – empowered by law to conduct legal proceedings and investigate potential criminal conduct, and determine whether criminal charges should be brought. A grand jury may subpoena physical evidence or a person to testi … [Read more...]
What Can You Do to Help End Scientology Abuses?
The most common question we are asked is "What can I do to help?" First, understand that your support of our show and on social media is tremendously valuable. Both to us and to let the contributors to our show know there are people out there that support the cause. Second, if you want to offer help in terms of professional counselling or you have job opportunities or a place for someone to stay, please contact The Aftermath Foundation which is established to be a clearing house to connect those who are trying to leave scientology or have recently done so to a network of people who have … [Read more...]