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Did Scientology Lie? Of Course…

June 28, 2022 By Mike Rinder 21 Comments

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...]

Filed Under: FBI Tagged With: FBI, FOIA, Karin Pouw, Scientology, St Petersburg Times, tampa bay times

Miscavige Playing Footsie With Clearwater

December 5, 2021 By Mike Rinder 61 Comments

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...]

Filed Under: Clearwater Tagged With: Clearwater, David Margolis, David Miscavige, Frank Hibbard, Jon Jennings, L. Ron Hubbard, Mockinbird, Stefani Hutchinson, tampa bay times, Tracey McManus

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

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 Human Rights — An Oxymoron Update

July 21, 2021 By Mike Rinder 24 Comments

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...]

Filed Under: Human rights Tagged With: Children's Board of Hillsborough County, Harry Cohen, Kelley Parris, tampa bay times, tampa org, Tracey McManus, United for Human Rights

Why Is Chris Latvala Supporting Scientology and What is a “Safepoint”?

February 25, 2021 By Mike Rinder 33 Comments

  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...]

Filed Under: Clearwater Tagged With: Chris Latvala, Clearwater, HUbbard, PRO Area Control, Safepoint, tampa bay times, The Safe Point, Tony Ortega, Tracey McManus

Episode 18: Mary Kahn from The Aftermath

November 23, 2020 By Mike Rinder 60 Comments

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...]

Filed Under: Fair Game Podcast Tagged With: David Kahn, Fair Game Podcast, Hy Levy, Mary Kahn, Netflix, tampa bay times, The Aftermath

The Scientology BS is Deep

November 7, 2020 By Mike Rinder 49 Comments

    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...]

Filed Under: Clearwater Tagged With: City of Clearwater, Clearwater, Clearwater Aquarium, David Miscavige, Frank Hibbard, tampa bay times, Tracey McManus

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

Scientology “Tech” Backfires Again

April 6, 2020 By Mike Rinder 72 Comments

Marlow Stern has written quite a number of stories relating to scientology. They have often questioned scientology's practices and have failed to regurgitate the scientology propaganda they try to feed the media. That makes him an "enemy."  And what does Hubbard say about enemies? You threaten what they seek to protect and cost them their jobs. See this post for the exact words from Hubbard:  Dealing with Critics of Scientology: The L. Ron Hubbard Playbook What never ceases to amaze me is how proudly scientology comes right out with the very worst of themselves, proving time and time again … [Read more...]

Filed Under: David Miscavige, Public Relations Tagged With: COVID-19, Daily Beast, David Miscavige, L. Ron Hubbard, Marlow Stern, media, public relations, Scientology, tampa bay times, 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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leahremini Leah Remini @leahremini ·
16h

We believe discriminatory rhetoric, misinformation, and hate speech have no place anywhere which is exactly why we’re fighting Scientology, its lies, and hypocrisy.

Including those spread by Scientology front groups like the Stand League.

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mikerinder Mike Rinder @mikerinder ·
22h

Some thoughts on #scientology litigation. Hubbard: “fight on the basis of total attrition of the enemy.” Spending huge reserves of tax-free money, they bank on most not going the distance. But for those who do -- scientology has never won a damages trial.

https://www.mikerindersblog.org/house-of-horrors/

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growingupinscn Aaron Smith-Levin @growingupinscn ·
9 Aug

Current prices for Scientology auditing on the Freewinds ship.

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mikerinder Mike Rinder @mikerinder ·
8 Aug

The pressure is mounting on #scientology. The day is coming where they will be held accountable for their reckless disregard for human rights and the law. They’ve gotten away with hiding behind the shield of “religion” for way too long. #JusticeforDave https://www.thedailybeast.com/ex-scientologists-came-forward-with-shocking-trafficking-claims-now-they-say-theyre-being-stalked

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scientology_411 NOT Scientology 411 @scientology_411 ·
6 Aug

Nothing that a refreshing KOOL menthol cigarette can't cure! More Hubbard on CANCER https://www.mikerindersblog.org/more-hubbard-on-cancer/ #Scientology via @MikeRinder

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Recent Comments

  • Aquamarine on House of Horrors: “Fred, I’ve observed that when some people want to deny, or believe they MUST deny an allegation which happens to…” Aug 9, 23:29
  • Bill de Carle (spbill) on Correct Estimation of Effort: “Nice to see a positive response, hope COB is reading this.” Aug 9, 21:52
  • FarmerJ on Thursday Funnies: “Most money definitely comes from Sydney, from the same old faces. Some from Melbourne and there’s a couple of Perth…” Aug 9, 21:31
  • Mark Kamran on House of Horrors: “Have you ever heard any one from mainstream religion ( Judaism, Hinduism, Buddhism, Christianity, Islam and Sikhism) ever went to…” Aug 9, 20:46
  • Peridot on Correct Estimation of Effort: “@Bill de Carle: I love your sentiment here. You offer rational points, if one is operating off a sincere desire…” Aug 9, 20:24
  • Joe on Thursday Funnies: “That’s interesting, I heard most of the money from Brissy comes from Sydney. If you Google the Brisbane Building Fund…” Aug 9, 19:39
  • FarmerJ on Thursday Funnies: “Thanks a lot! Brissy is small for sure but there’s a tonne of low-level Scientologists on the far north coast,…” Aug 9, 18:11
  • ExScnStaff on More Hubbard on CANCER: “Not to dismiss the negative impact of Scn on cancer survival through delayed medical diagnosis of cancer, but whether or…” Aug 9, 17:35
  • PickAnotherID on House of Horrors: “Since it lays things out so clearly, could the court accept the ‘Daily Beast’ article as “Service by publication”??” Aug 9, 17:22
  • John P. on Correct Estimation of Effort: “Mike, this was a nice numbers dive into the silliness of Scientology’s self-congratulatory delusions about their impact in the world.…” Aug 9, 16:35

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