Following the excellent and extensive reporting by Yashar Ali on the disappearance of Shelly Miscavige (I just updated my blog post about this to include the latest documents from Yashar), People magazine published a piece on the subject (shallow and revealing nothing new, I wish they had followed Yashar's lead and actually dug into this subject. But, the tremendous reach of People cannot be denied and serves to raise public awareness on the issue. You can read the People piece here. What is also interesting is the inevitable response from the scienobots on social … [Read more...]
Did Scientology Lie? Of Course…
Another of the documents from the recent FBI docs release. In September 2009, not long after the investigation began, scientology made an FOIA request to get all docs concerning any investigation of scientology. Though the originator of the request has been redacted from the letter, you can see in the accompanying fax cover sheet that this is a request from scientology. This is not a "routine" request that is filed every month. It is a request because scientology became aware of the FBI investigation. Yet, despite this, in 2013 they denied any such investigation took place … [Read more...]
Miscavige Playing Footsie With Clearwater
Another recent story from Tracey McManus, Scientology's David Miscavige discusses 'partnership' with Clearwater recounts a recent meeting between Miscavige, the Mayor Frank Hibbard, the new City Attorney David Margolis and new City Manager Jon Jennings. It was typical Miscavige, all smiles, handshakes and positivity to try to persuade the new guys in town that he is a nice guy. Just wait until he doesn't get what he wants. Stefani Hutchinson covered the reporting on her excellent blog: Miscavige's Fresh Start: Not New, Not True For someone who has never been a scientologist, … [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...]
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 Human Rights — An Oxymoron Update
Following up on this piece, Scientology Human Rights -- An Oxymoron, Tampa Bay Times intrepid scientology reporter Tracey McManus managed to speak to a number of the people concerned as covered in the story above. It turns out that Hillsborough County Commissioner Harry Cohen was unaware of any scientology connection. Turns out people who read this blog contacted his office and he then found out about the link. “This isn’t what I thought it was,” Cohen said on Tuesday, confirming he dropped out of the event. “Scientology and a human rights summit, I don’t know they are compatible with one … [Read more...]
Why Is Chris Latvala Supporting Scientology and What is a “Safepoint”?
Please see the article on Tony Ortega's website yesterday about the crazy Twitter war FL State Congressman Chris Latvala started -- first with Tracey McManus of the Tampa Bay Times, then with Tony Ortega and subsequently with me. I tweeted about this after Tony' story was up, and the Congressman responded to me in a similar fashion: As you can see my last offer is to meet with him to help provide the education he needs. I hope he takes me up. He said he was unaware of the scientology connections to the books that were offered. Maybe that is the case, but … [Read more...]
Episode 18: Mary Kahn from The Aftermath
Leah and I were very happy to welcome Mary Kahn to the podcast this week. Hers was one of the most compelling episodes on The Aftermath - telling the story of her breaking away from scientology after completing OT VIII and the fallout with her family. The airing on Netflix has put her in the spotlight once again. We went into further detail about her story and covered some other topics I am sure everyone will find fascinating. I will include a link to the episode as soon as it is available. We mention a few items I am including here. First, the reporting about Hy … [Read more...]
The Scientology BS is Deep
Tracey McManus article reporting on a meeting David Miscavige had with the Clearwater Mayor and City Attorney last week isn't very revelatory on the surface. But I will try to read between the lines and explain the significance of this meeting based on scientology policy and my experience. The first thing to know is that short of testifying under oath (and even then, good scientologists have no fear of lying if they believe a lie is for the "greatest good"), the real story (either what happened in the past or intentions fo rthe future)is never going to be revealed in … [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...]