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Something Can Be Done About It

Scientology Clearwater Hissy Fit

By 220 Comments

The Tampa NBC affiliate website covers the latest news in the Scientology v. Clearwater war of 2017.

Here is how the article begins:

CLEARWATER, Fla. (WFLA) — The Church of Scientology has declared an economic war on Clearwater Marine Aquarium and the stakes are high — $26 million in tourism tax funding that the church wants to block at Tuesday’s Pinellas County Commission meeting.

The church’s anger stems from a land purchase dispute involving a dirt parking lot next to Clearwater City Hall. The aquarium recently defied the church by selling that land to the City of Clearwater on April 20 for $4.25 million and rejecting Scientology’s $15 million offer.

City of Clearwater leaders want to develop the 1.4 acre parcel as part of its $50 million Imagine Clearwater plan to pump new life and commerce into the city’s downtown waterfront. The church wanted to buy the empty lot on the corner of Pierce St. and Osceola Ave. in order to build a pool and playground area for its Oak Cove religious retreat located next door. The church insists it is a critical element to its self-funded downtown development plan.

It did not take long for the smiling, glad-handing, magnanimous Miscavige to revert to form as the bully throwing a hissy fit because the minions did not kowtow and give in to his every wish.

When Miscavige goes all hissy, Muffins Yingling soon appears. Sure enough, she chimed in:

A scathing letter sent to the Pinellas Commission Monday by Scientology Attorney Monique Yingling accuses Clearwater Marine Aquarium of fiscal foolhardiness and gouging taxpayers. “Astoundingly, CMA rejected $15 million in private funding, and is now essentially asking to recoup that amount from taxpayer funds,” Yingling wrote.

The 7-page letter goes on to allege the aquarium is swimming in money due to the popularity of Winter the Dolphin and pays its CEO David Yates an exorbitant salary compared to other aquarium managers across the nation.

I wish they had attached the letter to their story. I bet it is a doozie.

It is certainly vicious sour grapes ranting of Miscavige, tidied up by Muffins into more presentable english.

Those first two things quoted are remarkable:

Scientology is really complaining about the use of TAXPAYER funds?  Recognizing irony is not the strong suit of scientology.

Everyone EXCEPT scientology remembers it is subsidized with taxpayer funds — WAY more than the $26 million they are now complaining about. They claim it is their RIGHT to not pay taxes and be subsidized. Whether you agree or disagree, the fact remains that all the NON-TAXABLE properties in Clearwater owned by scientology have their public services paid for by Clearwater’s taxpayers.

And a “bed tax” is a tax on TOURISTS coming to Clearwater and staying in hotels. Certainly scientology is NOT attracting tourists to Clearwater, in fact, many people choose to go elsewhere BECAUSE of the church.

And whether you agree or disagree with David Yates’ salary (seems high to me at $500Gs a year), there is one person who should NOT be throwing stones out of his opaque-windowed glasshouse: David Miscavige. The reason he even knows how much Mr. Yates earns is because the Aquarium, unlike scientology, is totally transparent with its finances. When scientology and Miscavige disclose his income (including the fair market value of the slave labor that serve him hand and foot, the church vehicles he is provided, the housing he is provided, the food, bespoke suits, handmade shoes and private just travel) then they might have grounds to complain. Then again, if that WAS public, they would not dare complain about a mere half a million bucks…

And it goes on to report that somehow scientology has managed to co-opt another USF professor to champion their cause.

Yingling cites USF Economics Professor Philip Porter:  “Because the study is biased and self-serving, its claims offer no good basis for decision-making and should be ignored.”  

It’s the old adage, if you have the money you can get an “expert” to offer an opinion to support you. Apparently this professor has stated that the Aquarium is grossly overstating their economic impact on the community. This is really rich.  I wrote about the earlier FSU “Economic Impact Study” commissioned by scientology (Scientology Takes Clearwater for Suckers) because the ENTIRE study was based on “facts” provided by scientology. Here are a few quotes from that blog post:

Maybe if someone (other than scientology) paid Prof Porter he would savage the study done by FSU for scientology?

It is amazing to watch this unfold. Miscavige is being exposed to the world for what he really is. And finally, instead of just getting away with it because nobody dare incur his wrath, the mainstream media is shouting “the emperor has no clothes.”

UPDATE:

Channel 8 updated their story:

And of course, scientology spokesman “Ben Shaw” (reading a statement written by David Miscavige who doesn’t want to be attributed in the press) is quoted as follows:

“Its not over yet,” and vowed to continue opposing public financial support of the aquarium as a bad deal for taxpayers.

Think about how much taxpayer subsidized money scientology is now going to waste on lawyers and opposition to this.

Comments

  1. It is as important as choosing an aquarium as well as a marine aquarium installation. The place where you put the aquarium should not be especially sun-protected. Algae will form in the aquarium, which will be difficult for aquarium maintenance. You should always replace the aquarium in quiet and quiet areas. You should put the aquarium close to the water costs in your home.

    Reply

  4. Is Miscavige related to Kim Jong Un? The wide range of physical, emotional, spiritual abuse is sickening. I can’t believe this shit is going on in America. Where is the local, state, federal government? They need to focus on stopping the abuse here at home. Provide a safe haven for these innocent victims that are brought up in this cult! It’s about time Clearwater stands up against this dictator.

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  5. I am glad to see these bullies being stood up to at long last. I think the next step is for the citizens of Clearwater to ‘get right in their faces’. Start ‘infiltrating’ downtown, and if they (CO$) retaliate as they usually do, i.e. stalking, etc., hit them with a massive class action suit (shades of their tactics with the IRS!). Also, watch out Diligently, in All respects, for the CMA.

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  6. Wait a second… Miscavige is now spending the time, energy and resources of a so-called, tax-exempt “church” to attack/investigate an aquarium that does provide a public benefit. What public benefit would have a private pool for its overweight whales and high rollers provided? None! Besides, no filthy Degraded Beings or Wogs would have been allowed to swim in and thus contaminate their little “cement pond”. More importantly, now that Miscavige got his ass handed to him, was told to go away and lost face as a result, what does attacking the aquarium have anything to do with “Clearing The Planet”? Is “Winter the Dolphin” an SP or something? Could Miscavige be on to something that we’re just not getting because we don’t have his confront and his awareness level?? Or is Miscavige just acting like his true self: a little petulant, vindictive, snot-nosed bully who didn’t get his way?

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  7. Clearwater……
    I see that their blind arrogance to others is a never ending story. Sadly this is the DNA of SCN. Feeling concern, warmth or love for you others, including their own is not SCN.

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  9. Has any $cieno entity ever received any ‘grants’ from the county bed tax? If not, why not? The Garcias should not have been only the 14th person to pay for that golden double cross? The county should have kicked in too!!

    Look at all the tax money $cienoland brings in? Why it is a whopping 1.5% of all the county sales and bed taxes!! Wogs and Wogettes, have some respect for your overclam master and bow down! Now!!

    Lots of comments today Mike, your story is the Dolphins knees…the bees flew away…

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  10. What a maroon….

    Always attack never defend, but when they are attacking something that wasn’t actually an attack in the first place- Oh wait, anytime anyone or any thing gets in the way of DM and CoS goals… Yes never mind, whine away…
    And DM does have super powers, anyone that small who can drink that much and not die, that takes some doing. Or a cast iron stomach with a perpetually shit faced tape worm in residence…

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  11. The City of Clearwater should not develop the property until the Co$ goes down in flames. Which should be soon, thanks to DM’s…….inspiring……. leadership.
    Just think of a mall with a food court and playground infested with Ronbots following people around, filming them and yelling “What are your crimes!?” Ronbots following people’s cars home and noting their addresses. Cameras poking out of Fort Harrison windows recording their every move. Recordiing the license plate numbers of every car that goes there. There is also a business “dead zone” around the LA complex.
    There is only one way to “revitalize” Clearwater, and that is to get rid of $cientology. $cientology is what ruined Clearwater in the first place.
    Prepharation H (hubbard): WHATEVER you put this stuff on, it’s gonna shrink!!! It even shrinks itself, which is a pretty good trick.
    WOOOAAH!
    P. S. And where the phuc is Shelly!?

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  13. You guys have it all wrong. I’m pissed off that all this talk has ruined the h.u.g.e philanthropic gesture from Mister Miscavige to develop a more beautiful and economically revitalized downtown Clearwater. I for one was looking forward to rubbing shoulders with famous people like Tom Cruise, Nancy Cartwright and Clive Rabid enjoying the open air cafes and strolling through the streets with nothing but a few hundred COS private enforcers looking after their security. I would have spent thousands of tourist dollars at the new businesses — shoes from the “Lobbs for Slobs” exclusive factory outlet store, enjoying the nostalgic RPF fare at the “Arroz y Frijoles” resto, sipping a delicious Kool-aid cocktail and eating a muffin from “Blinky Ding-a-lings” and miles of smiles admiring a slimmer me in “Crusty’s Alley of Fun Mirrors”. And when your are feeling a bit strapped out won’t want to miss “Chapter 11 – Reggies Discount Status Store” to get extra spending limits on those credit cards before you go home.

    Imagine the billions of tourist dollars that such a theme park would bring into the local economy. Of course the roving gangs of Slappy’s Sea Ogres would need to be paid off, but that would be a small price to pay.

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  14. It’s a known fact that the CMA has run out of space at their current location and there’s a critical need in order to continue their mission of “rescue, rehab, release” and be able to accommodate an ever-growing population of animals and visitors. Because they needed to address this critical need as quickly as possible, the CMA decided that it would take too long to build the downtown aquarium, as they had yet to meeting their initial fundraising goal for construction. Thanks to the CMA’s planning & development process under CEO Yates, they were able come up with an efficiently engineered design plan that would allow the aquarium to expand at its current location for a lot less than originally anticipated and more importantly, sooner rather than later.

    As part of the CMA’s current fundraising strategy, they’ve applied for a one-time allocation of $26.0M from the Tourist Development Council; which has a well-documented and robust grant program funded by the “Bed Tax”. The TDC has a public process with program requirements, eligibility criteria, and a grants management program for qualifying.

    Also, the CMA made an agreement with the Clearwater City Council when they made the decision to expand at the current facility rather than on the downtown land that they had legally acquired for that purpose, by giving the city first right of refusal. CMA upheld that agreement despite the CoS waving ridiculous amounts of money around, and as we know, the council voted to approve the purchase by re-allocating funds from their current investments.

    As far as I can determine, the CMA, the Clearwater City Council, and the Pinellas County Commissioners have been legally compliant, transparent, and publicly accountable during this whole process. So please explain WHY (other than for petty, selfish purposes) would the CoS even care about CMA’s fundraising strategy for their expansion? Sounds to me like the CoS not only doesn’t want the CMA downtown… they don’t want the CMA in Clearwater at all!

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    • Thanks for the informative comment Shareen.

      When a narcissist like Miscavige feels like he has been “disrespected” (which means any response or reaction other than complete subservience) he feels an irrational need to lash out at the impudent fools who dared cross him. This is his nature, demonstrated over and over in large and small ways.

      He wanted the downtown lot to keep the “wogs” away.

      When the CMA “defied” his wishes by sticking to their legal obligations — and especially when they rejected his money (something he worships and feels gives him the power to dominate others), they became the object of his ire.

      It makes no sense but when his blood pressure raises in anger, there is little logic to his lashing out…

      Reply

      • Thanks Mike. Being a never-in, it truly boggles my mind (as I’m sure it does others), the lengths and depths that COB David Miscavige will stoop to in the CoS quest for ‘planetary clearing’… or ‘ultimate world domination’ as we “wogs” would aptly call it. Unlike the CoS, the CMA is an internationally known Clearwater point of pride! Keep up the great work!!

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    • Thank you for a very well written and well composed summary of the CMA’s goals and operating strategies. Yes, Miscavige’s attempted refusal to grant them the ability or right to exist anywhere near his “empire” opens up a whole new avenue of trying to explain to the rest of the world just what a menace Scientology truly is, they abjectly and arrogantly despise anyone who disagrees with them.
      That CEO of CMA sure seems like a clever and resourceful fellow. Good luck to them and may they flourish and prosper giving Clearwater a well needed respite from Scientology’s relentless domination of the area.

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      • Thanks I Yawnalot – I always enjoy reading your well written and insightful comments as well… I Lurkaroundalot! 😉

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  15. I don’t understand – if CoB of CoS really wanted that land, why weren’t all the members rounded up & sent to Clearwater to canvass the ‘hoods, encouraging ppl to vote “no” to the proposal, pass out flyers, pamphlets, without any CoS printed on it – just concerned “local” citizens of 20,000 who want the revenue & extra money that’s being offered…? Why didn’t he do that? Woo them one-on-one AND police the city with “locals”…?
    Also……
    Why doesn’t the Aquarium ppl like CoS?
    Thank you

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  18. Not-Legal Office of Not-CMA Water Works
    Dear Ms Blinky Yingling,
    We have received your tedious and bloviated letter and have a few moments free to pseudo respond to your pseudo claims and accusations.
    1) Our estimates of attendance are numbers that are reality-based; unlike the magical funny numbers of your church’s membership, expansion, abilities or ‘super powers’.
    2) Our ‘economic impact’ on the community and taxpayers is well known and accepted by the city and community. To be explicit, the tourism bed tax monies help the aquarium stay open and draw yet more tourists to Clearwater; unlike the (slightly) negative burden your church saddles the city with by creating exclusionary zones in the downtown area where WOGS (to use your term) do not feel welcome.
    3) Our ‘claim’ of economic impact is hardly fraudulent as we provide a service to the city and community, and local marine life; unlike your church which seems distant and rather cold to humans, animals, the city, and life in general. Begs the question, since your LRH is gone why do you stay?
    4) Our CEO is paid for foresight, planning, and performance and is compensated accordingly, if he did not he would be replaced; unlike your church which, if we can be forgiven for being a bit critical, seems to have a fixation on money in, not souls (or thetans in your lingo), AND your CEO (COB in your lingo) seems to us to appear much in the guise of an unapproachable dictator.
    5) Our ‘commercialization’ is part of staying in business and uses normal business practices including our open books; unlike your church which, forgive us for pointing it out, discloses nothing of the amount of monies taken and monies spent in charitable efforts in the city and community—- if any. Along that line, we would be interested in knowing if the money paid to your consultant, Dr. Porter, was classified as ecclesiastical or secular.

    Insouciantly Yours,

    Reply

  19. Dave,

    Mother Of All Buttholes Update:

    Has it begun to sink in that you may not be welcome in Clearwater?

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  20. I admit to being slightly amused at the Church’s outrage that Clearwater Aquarium overestimated projected attendance:

    “These reports found CMA’s promises and projections to be substantially over-exaggerated, if not outright fabrications. For example, the 2014 reports reveal that aquarium attendance fell far, far short of CMA’s predictions – SMA’s 2012 economic impact study predicted attendance of 1,881,157 by 2015 while actual attendance was 765,000, less than 40% of CMA’s projection.”

    First, the attendance were projections, not claims of actual attendance. Second, the low attendance numbers were achieved in 2014, with a whole ‘nother year left to reach predicted attendance. Third, this is the Church who claims 37X increases in attendance. I calculate 40,000/claims of 8 million = half of a percent of claimed members. 40% doesn’t seem so bad now.

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    • Good one! Projections are just that… projections. A 40% difference is nothing; especially when one considers that the only thing holding back the CMA’s actual attendance numbers vs. the projected numbers is their present lack of space. Hence the need for expansion in the first place. None of Yingling’s psuedo-arguments to the commissioners in regards to the CMA hold water, imo.

      Reply

  21. I would hate to be any SO Member associated with the effort to get this property for the Church. Miscavige must be on the warpath internally blaming/punishing anyone in sight of his Eye of Sauron for the fact of his own arrogant, stupid ideas and actions blowing up in his face. Miscavige is now just striking out wildly in revenge. The Aquarium does not qualify as an attacker of Scientology, it just happens to have the misfortune of crossing the path of Miscavige’s self-aggrandizing plans as an impediment to those plans. Miscavige has gone full blown Captain Bligh/Fair Game retaliation on them. An incredibly wrong target that does good works, with high public visibility, liking and support. Stupid, stupid, stupid. He’s probably kicking the dog over this, too.

    I would love to see a peaceful public demonstration in support of the Aquarium.

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    • It reminds me of other weird Miscavige mad dog obsessions from the past. In the early 90’s there was a livestock farm near to the Int Base that created a problem for Miscavige in the form of hordes of flies, and a bad smell when the prevailing winds blew the wrong way. He popped a gasket over that one ordering a poor sucker in OSA to come up with a comprehensive fair game plan against the farm. He wanted investigations for crimes, legal actions, three channel handlings”, you name it. This poor OSA staff member sweating over the handling plan to a point of absurdity as to its depth and breadth, and it was still not good enough. I don’t know how the “Fly Handling” turned out, but Miscavige really lost it over that one.

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      • It’s only logical. Miscavige thinks that his shit doesn’t stink, so no one else’s shit can either.

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    • ” The Aquarium does not qualify as an attacker of Scientology, it just happens to have the misfortune of crossing the path of Miscavige’s self-aggrandizing plans as an impediment to those plans.”

      Collateral damage, in other words. But let’s take a look at the entire cascade of events from the scientological perspective here for a moment. Prior to this current dust-up, the cherch worked its evil magic in preventing the aquarium from re-locating to that 1.4 acre parcel, not because it wouldn’t have been good for the city, but because lil davey wanted to create a wog-free zone where well-heeled cultists can have their BTs waxed and engage in all the pole running they wish away from the prying eyes of non-cultists…that’s an overt!

      And after committing this harmful act for no good reason and lying about it, the cult needed a “motivator” to retroactively justify their overt. So, while it seems beyond stupid and self-defeating to go after Winter, the cult needed some supposedly valid reason for doing what it did, which they found in the form of the CMA’s purportedly “fraudulent” misrepresentation of its income, the president’s supposedly overly generous salary and the alleged bigotry toward $cn by a born-again Christian aquarium board member.

      Me thinks $cn doth protest too much 😉 What’s next, you filthy cultists, are you going to blame Winter for making it go wrong for the cherch, or what?

      It’s just fascinating to watch the cult, under lil davey’s malign direction, fail so miserable to apply basic $cn theory to itself! Lil davey is the natteriest little whiny bitch ever and, as such, he must have hyoooge withholds, according to cherch doctrine. So, you nasty little man, what are YOUR crimes!? What have you done to a dolphin that you don’t want anyone to find out about?

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    • “The Aquarium does not qualify as an attacker of Scientology…”

      Hmmm. Even I have to wonder about that. They most certainly turned down the much larger offer for their property. I would like to have been a fly on the wall in their internal discussions about it. Were they simply committed to selling to the city for the general sake of the city’s plans for rehabilitation of the area, or was there also an explicit commitment on their part not to let Scientology get their hands on yet more real estate in their town? I wonder how some other private concern bidding for the property would have fared. Keep in mind that CMA already had an enemy in COS, after Miscavige’s previous interference in their plans.

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  22. Stop Scientology at all costs! No religious organization has a right to own and control peoples lives in a manner that appears to be a fear driven belief created within their own boundaries. Beliefs are free and should be based on the Bible and backed up by freedoms of choice.

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    • “Beliefs are free and should be based on the Bible.”…uh, you probably don’t see any contradiction in that statement, but this little atheist homosexual who wears cotton-poly blend and eats pork and lobster does. Care to rephrase your statement?

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    • Beliefs are (or should be) free-end of sentence. No offense intended but not every belief system is based on the Judaeo-Christian Bible. And then there are some of us who just choose not to believe at all.

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      • Speaking of foaming at the mouth (I mentioned this over at the Bunker a couple of days ago)…..
        I just happened to re-watch ‘The Mad Picket’ on YouTube the other day (highly recommend it!)

        It’s a video of a picket at Flag by Mark Bunker, Bob Minton etc

        The clams are fighting back, screaming obscenities, acting like jackasses…
        Suddenly…Gerry Armstrong shows up and Mary DeMoss goes CRAZY
        Screaming 2 inches from Gerry’s face “Gerry go home!” Over and over again
        I’m sure Gerry probably needed a towel
        to wipe his face off….
        He never flinched and she really lost it
        So much for control over MEST
        Or anything else

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    • Remember, we were all Clams millions of years ago. And to this day, when I open up a clam, I wonder if it’s a family member…

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        • I agree that there’s a special place in Hell for her. And being a Catholic, she believes in hell, right? Ying-ling doesn’t believe in Scientology so she’s not motivated by clearing the planet and saving mankind – so it’s just money! She gives lawyers a bad name. I often wonder how she sleeps at night.

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          • Her Catholicism is just a shore story. Oh, she probably sent her kids to Communion class for show, but I can’t imagine she’d ever have anything to do with going to Confession. Interesting, that she vehemently defends $cientology but doesn’t join it herself. Oops, I forgot: she’s a Catholic.

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  27. How can a tax exempt entity DARE to pretend to care about the taxpayers they have been freeloading off?

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    • You are SOOOO correct. It’s about time that the tax exempt status be removed from this shitty little organization.

      Write your politicians. Imagine the acclaim that would be given to the politician who spear-headed the movement that resulted in scientology losing its tax exempt status?

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  28. Long time lurker, fan and never-in here who just had to comment in defense of the Clearwater Marine Aquarium. I read the 7-page diatribe signed by Yingling and am personally outraged by the nonsense being perpetrated by the CoS against the CMA; a long time (1972), responsible, and fiscally accountable non-profit organization. CMA is a silver-level Guidestar participant and has a 4 star rating from Charity Navigator. CMA contributes far more public benefit than they receive in terms of the vital services of rescuing, rehabilitating, and releasing the amazing wildlife of the Gulf Coast. In addition to their work in marine biology, CMA provides many important educational programs and other wildlife services valued by Pinellas County residents, visitors, and the public at-large. Unlike the CoS, the CMA is a welcoming education and research facility truly doing important work for the public good. This latest CoS legal rant is a pathetic and blatant attempt to undermine a deserving tax exempt organization in the eyes of Clearwater’s City Council and taxpayers. As someone who’s worked in the non-profit sector for many years, this just makes the CoS look worse (if that’s even possible) in the court of public opinion.

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    • What strikes me about Yingling’s statements is the idea that the aquarium should only have looked at the money that was being offered. She says that they were irresponsible by not taking the higher CoS offer, completely ignoring that there could be non-monetary considerations as well. When faced with selling the parcel to Cos for a swimming pool for its members vs. selling to the city to foster development and hopefully drive traffic to the city (and likely to the aquarium as a result), then the decision makes sense from the aquarium’s perspective. This was the best result for the city, for the citizens of Clearwater and for the aquarium.

      The fact that CoS and Yingling focus on just the money itself is very telling of the overall CoS attitude toward money. It is all-important, and nothing else possibly could, or should, matter.

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      • The Co$s lack of regard for the non scientology residents, or the economy of Clearwater is also telling.

        So sad that Monsieur McSavage is left hanging out for the world to see. Mr Chairman! Mr. Chairman! The world is watching YOU now. YEAH! YOU mon, YOU!

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        • DM, you couldn’t possibly do any better in your actions in ruining scientology. Look at your record, look at your dwindling parishioners. Keep up the “good” work, DM.

          Anyone who hurts scientology should be “Fair Gamed” according to LRH. Has DM been helping or hindering scientology?

          I think there is a little punishment location near Hemet called the “Hole” that some sick asshole invented. Are you going there now, Mr. Miscavige?

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    • Brat indeed! He should be made to pull down his little pants so everyone can swat his little butt.

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  30. ” It is a wonderful facility that rescues animals and nurtures them back to health. It is not Sea World keeping wild animals in captivity to make a profit. …” Mike, thank you so much for the correcting my understanding about the aquarium. It really help to put Yingling’s attack letter in its rightful place. Uncaring for animals and the community. But of course it is part of scientology’s standard ” Fair Game”.
    Fair Game subcategory in the IRS Charity regulations…..page is missing. Someone please notify them.

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  31. One of the reasons it’s a positive thing to pay CEOs and Executive Directors salaries that are competitive with the market is we want to attract high performing leaders to nonprofits. If we didn’t offer competitive salaries, those crack CEOs would just stay in the private sector.

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    • I’ll say here what I said elsewhere.

      The issue of pay for executives of non-profits is a difficult one. I’d largely agree – ideally non-profits would find highly qualified retired CEOs willing to work for less, but that’s both harder in the face of greatly increased private sector CEO pay in recent times and also, I think, a new work-until-you-drop culture that makes it harder to find real go-getters who are retired. I have observed that, ironically, a lot of the people who argue against high non-profit and government pay, are the same people who defend unlimited private sector pay as absolutely necessary to attract and award the talent necessary for success – go figure.

      The point I think needs to be emphasized, is that if Scientology wants to make an issue of this, then they should show where they stand in terms of their own operations – and make similar disclosures of the pay and value of the benefits of their top executive. And Yingling’s letter claimed about a lack of fiduciary responsibility by the Aquarium’s board, when Scientology’s Chairman of the Board (COB) has no board exercising fiduciary responsibilities of any sort, much less any organizational checks and balances.

      One of the legal changes I think needs to start being talked about, is to make large religious non-profits subject to the same financial disclosure requirements as other non-profits like the Aquarium. Reasonable limits can be set so that some shoestring charity operation of the Little Sisters of the Poor isn’t subject to expensive reporting requirements, but religious organizations with huge assets and large amounts of income should be required to have proper accounting systems if only to prevent fraud; and if they have the sort of internal financial reporting and controls that they should, then producing financial disclosure reports is more a matter of course than a burden.

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      • No need for more government PeaceMaker. If people are so stupid so as to donate to NP’s that hide info, they deserve to get taken.

        Don’t need a gov nanny to keep people from doing stupid stuff. Evolution needs no training wheels.

        Reply

        • Tax exemption is a form of government subsidy. Exercising of financial oversight is a damn good use of government if the taxpayers are paying for these entities to do their business. It’s not just for the benefit of the members; it’s for the benefit of we who pay for public infrastructure that is utilized by tax-exempt organizations.

          If your nanny is giving you money to spend, she has a every good reason to inspect what you’re doing with that money. The impact of the anti-regulation religion that you espouse is financial losses to the rest of us who are not gorging from the public trough. Let them pay taxes — then I’d be less inclined to inspect their finances.

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          • WRONG hgc10. A subsidy is, Entity A giving its own money to Entity B.

            Only the thoroughly uneducated thinks that all money belongs to the government and what they decide NOT to take is therefore, a “subsidy”.

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      • ” And Yingling’s letter claimed about a lack of fiduciary responsibility by the Aquarium’s board, when Scientology’s Chairman of the Board (COB) has no board exercising fiduciary responsibilities of any sort, much less any organizational checks and balances.”

        Yep, so true… $cientology, projection be thy name!

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    • Thanks for pointing this out I often hear this criticism of other nonprofits, but if you want the talent in a capitalist system you have to pay for it.

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      • And that talent has to pay for itself by producing a profit for the organization or it’s outta there pretty quick.

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    • Exactly! Reported executive compensation – in both for-profit and non-profit corporations – often includes more than just salary/wages. Whatever is reported to the IRS on the W-2 or 1099-Misc for the calendar year would be included in this amount. So it can also include executive expense accounts, bonuses, and payouts on deferred compensation plans; often referred to as “golden handcuffs” because it provides additional financial incentives to discourage the ‘talent’ from finding employment elsewhere.

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    • Regarding high executive pay: ever notice that no one seems to complain much about Hollywood stars, rock stars, rappers or sports figures being payed “too much?” I read that Barbra Streisand once got paid $5,000,000 for a single concert, and I daresay she’s not a staunch defender of “greedy corporations.”

      Reply

  32. “Its not over yet,” and vowed to continue opposing public financial support of the aquarium as a bad deal for taxpayers.

    I’d like to say a word on behalf the fish and other sea creatures nurtured and given a home by the aquarium, “Get fucked Miscavige!”

    Reply

        • Boy howdy, I’m with you!

          Tomorrow’s TBT headline: Demonic munchkin attacks beloved dolphin, claims, “My BTs made me do it!”

          Reply

          • If he or his henchmen attempt to harm any marine mammals at this aquarium…..I’ll let you posters write the rest. I’m afraid I’d go overboard.

            Reply

        • I second the motion…

          bend over David Miscavige – you are going to get it where the sun never shines…

          but in your case – you probably sun your a-hole after you douche daily with an enema bag –

          keep it cleaned out Slappy – Bubba is gonna get you…..

          an ex Sea Org slave told us all about your daily hot water enema’s….

          Puke…Miscavige is so disgusting

          Reply

    • Miscavige probably said something to Yingling like “We’ve got to appeal that decision!”
      “Ummm, there really isn’t any place to appeal from a City Council vote.”
      “Isn’t the county above the city?”
      “Sort of, but they’re not really going to get into how a city spends its money. They have their own separate money.”
      “So make sure they don’t spend any on that cocksucking aquarium!”
      “Yessir, I’ll get right on that.”

      Reply

      • You have to hand it to Yingling, she is milking little Davey Miscavige for every cent she can wring out of that little sociopath. You have to admire her for that.

        Reply

  34. It isn’t enough just knowing this has made Miscavige madder than a skillet of rattlesnakes, you need to hear him screaming his head off to get that nice warm rush of satisfaction.

    Reply

    • I heard that scotch glass smash against the wall here in NY when the vote came down (watched it streaming). I needed a good laugh, I still can’t believe that the Co$ didn’t send anyone down to speak on their behalf.
      Too bad for the Mighty Midget

      Reply

      • There was probably a dozen or two who were going to speak at the vote, but got to thinking about what would happen and blew instead.

        Reply

      • I feel sorry for the minions he is slapping and throttling right about now. It is time that the underlings staged a coup against this failure of a COB.

        Reply

  35. So, DM insists on Private meetings with each Commissioner (certainly NOT going to make a petition in front of all of us), offers to pay about 3X the value, promises to upgrade all of Cleveland Street (out of the goodness of his heart), and then,….LOSES.
    I didn’t think upper level SciNos were ALLOWED to lose at anything. He must be guilty of a crime(s) that kept him from closing the deal. Hmmmmmm, anyone in CO$ going to hold him accountable?
    Hey DM, time to hold the cans again!

    Reply

    • You hit the nail on the head, randy carter! Either the highest being on the planet is guilty of some secret crime,… or the whole organization is horse shit. It is either one or the other, or maybe even both.

      Reply

      • No wonder there is no Board of Directors that might hold him accountable for his actions, which seems to be against his own members AND family. DM can do as he pleases and answer to no one. To hear his own father state that his son refused to acknowledge him with no more than an icy stare down when his dad called him “Dave/David” shows how disrespectful he is to everyone.

        Shelly has not been seen or heard from for quite some time apparently….the WIFE of the Head of the Church of Scientology is, what do they call it….”absent/missing/nowhere to be seen or heard from & this is OK with the CO$ that their “fearless leader” has a WIFE who isn’t standing by his side?

        Most religious organizations that have a “church leader” that is married at least 100% of the time has his or her spouse right there with them, or in at least “plain sight”, maybe standing slightly apart or in the background but still VISIBLE!!!!

        So…….WHERE is Shelly M??? Has she been sent to another CO$ locations, another country, is she lolly gagging sunning herself on the decks of the “Free Winds”….& being fed gourmet meals?

        Someone knows something, unless she was “kidnapped by Xenu” & jetted off to another planet…the question remains..WHERE IS SHELLY???

        Reply

    • Actually, Miscavige is not responsible, his minions failed his orders, thus THEY are the ones with crimes. Miscavige will never be accused of sing a problem.

      Reply

    • Read it. Quite interesting but most of all amusing as each point raised issues and faults that can be found in the cult. Muffin’s letter is truly the kettle calling the pot black. Pick up the cans please……

      Reply

  37. So the “organization” wanted to build a swimming pool and playground….near it’s Oak Grove Religoius Retreat??????……for it’s members???

    Ummm….HHOW will they find the time to enjoy those activities when they are required to attend the demanded policy to be in church 2 1/2 hours a day 7 days a week, AND work for CO$ doing cleaning/upkeep/cooking the measly rice and beans, AND hold down a job to pay for their CO$ book, DVD’s, & those very expensive training “classes and auditing”……so they can move up the Bridge to total…..what do they call it…Freedom???

    Oh yes, then there is the question……do they even HAVE CO$ “swim wear”……

    Reply

    • That really hit me as off, as well.
      The swimming pool and playground for “members” as you stated, will probably go unused. Yet, its more important than the aquarium, and any plans that downtown Clearwater may have for the “public” How could anyone outside of the cult see any validity to their argument?

      Reply

      • I was just trying to imagine “it”………”him” wearing a rubber bathing cap, swim googles, fins, and a “SPEEDO……”….hahahahahaha!

        Reply

    • Co$ swimwear would be those tank suits from the 1930s for the Sea Org girls (and guys). DM and Tom get to wear Speedos though.

      Reply

      • Take a look at “Wholesomewear”….that’s the kind of swimwear WOMEN MUST wear if they are part of certain “fundamentalist Christians sects”……..

        Reply

  38. Mike, you are so correct about the hypocrisy of Miscavige’s sad little lament that the poor taxpayers will have to pick up the slack for buying up the Clearwater Aquarium land. His “church” and its tax exempt status has been abusing taxpayers since the eighties.

    His abuses, his recklessness, and his sociopathic character are now being exposed to an exponentially growing light, getting brighter moment by moment. How he can live in his own skin at this point… it must be an agonizing existence.

    Reply

    • No more than their PCs. Scientology does not discriminate who they ruin (at the end of the day – it’s everyone!). Anyone in good standing in the Cof$ is guilty by association of aiding an abetting a criminal organisation. Yes, I know I’ve got family in it too, but we all had to swallow the bitter of truth of what we were involved in. Time will tell who wakes up and who doesn’t.
      What they are attempting with the aquarium speaks volumes.

      Reply

    • Ummm, yes, that’s exactly what they hope to do. They do it to anyone who pisses them off or stands up to them. They stoooopidly even said “it’s not over yet”. Wow. They are showing their hand.

      Reply

  41. Kudos over and over to the Aquarium and to the City of Clearwater for their courage and integrity in sticking to their principles and not caving to Miscavige. This is no small thing. 11 million dollars is a great deal of money to turn down, and Clearwater is not exactly flush with money. Wow. So happy!

    Reply

    • Good on you, Clearwater! Good on you, City Hall! Betcha they didn’t see that coming! It’s a new day…

      Reply

  44. Scientology bought the Fort Harrison in 1975. They’ve thus had 40+ years to partner with the City to bring in new businesses, stimulate tourism, and help revitalize downtown. Instead, they’ve continued their campaign of lies, subterfuge, espionage, and harassment. Elected officials, property owners, passers-by on the sidewalk — you’re all subject to being surveilled/investigated.

    Reply

    • Outstanding post! Unbelievably outstanding! Coster, you laid out for all to see! You hit the perverbial nail on the head! Thanks & congrats!

      Reply

    • Very good point, costermonger. Forty years and the cult still hasn’t revitalized that town, which was selected because of its name. Hell, the place has been DEvitalized by Co$…but I just got an idea: maybe the town could get up a vote to change its name. No more “Clearwater”. Call it something else. Many towns change their names. Just saying.

      Reply

  45. The more press Scientology gets now, the more Leah’s show will get press. I hope Miscavige steps up the Scientology profile in the media by trying to influence Clearwater.

    I wish news sources other than Tampa Bay would pick this up. Anybody know folks in the media?

    Maybe Mike……contact Meagan Kelly. Scientology stories are always good for ratings.

    Make Scientology part of the larger public narrative just in time for Aftermath.

    I can see the tag line: Scientolology: the monster that destroyed Clearwater.

    I won’t bill for the marketing strategy. Ask you producers Mike about having you and Leah on Meagan’s new NBC show..

    Reply

  46. How…how…HOW dare they raise the middle finger at Dastardly Munchkin’s offer! I wonder if the new carpet in his office is going to be chew proof?
    Dastardly doesn’t have a salary, he has kind people who adore him buy everything for him and leave it all at his door as gifts.

    Reply

  47. This is actually kinda good to see as it helps to expose the Cof$ as a pseudo-juggernaut of legally endorsed religious thieves. Their knee jerk tantrums are being exposed in a more influential arena. Anyone in the bureaucratic system of local govt or a player in the business world will see this “Church” a lot more clearly for what they truly are… selfish bullies with far more money than sense. These latest shenanigans will also assist to prompt the thought, “just where does this church get it’s money from?” This will come back and bite the Cof$ in ways they cannot comprehend. The only thing that cushions their laughing stock status after tantrums like this is their wealth. But now, their reputation is being reforged in a new furnace. Dealing with the Cof$ just became a lot more toxic at a bureaucratic level. It is developing beyond their financial influence, ie that of public opinion leaders with public financial responsibilities taking notice of the toxicity and the media horrors of having anything to with the Cof$. I didn’t think the Cof$ could damage their PR image anymore than they already have – they sure made me wrong (again!). Any sane business or organisation would simply take it on the chin and move onto other things or a different way of doing things, but the Cof$, no! Scientology is a punishment based system.

    Reply

    • Yes, all good. I just would love if they could regurgitate our children!~!~! NOW!!!! Signed, Cece, Lori, Karen …. way to many to list…

      Reply

  48. Maybe the city could hire a firm to study the economic impact of a downtown Clearwater populated by normal people, normal businesses and normal tourists vs the impoverished staff and “religious” properties which ONLY benefit Miscavige and a handful of rich enough to afford it church public.

    Reply

  50. nice turn of phrase, “the aquarium is swimming in money”, 1 point for that. I am guessing, DM is jealous. But if that is true, the swimming in money part, they will not need the tax-payers to chip in to the fund.

    Reply

  51. Residents of Clearwater not belonging to the sinister cult, posing as a religion have had enough. We are fighting back. Plans have been foiled sissy boy Miscavige. Hey, where’s Shelly?!!!

    Reply

      • I had a wonderful thought/prediction today – Miscavige is going to find himself personally in trouble with the law or in deposition before the end of this year. I truly hope it occurs, it’s also time for Shelly to go home, away from Scientology.

        Reply

      • Dwarf Boy: I sent her away because, as everyone knows, I’m a raging asshole. And I’ll remain one until I die, which will be NEVER…

        Reply

        • OSD…..A “Free Winds” mutiny might take place someday….we just might hear those immortal words……………….. “MAN OVERBOARD….

          Reply

  52. This story is just so funny that I bet half the folks in Clearwater are doubled over in laughter at the cult. The sour grapes angle is apparent to everyone over the age of six. David Miscavige has learned one lesson well: “When standing in a hole keep digging.” At the rate he’s going he should emerge just in time to dedicate a new org in Taiwan.

    Reply

        • Hey, it was a lowly ranked Aussie infantryman that shot down the Red Baron. Soon it’ll be open season on Miscavige with the way he steers his ship. The mistakes he makes are gaining momentum. His carelessness created by arrogance makes him vulnerable.

          Reply

          • Nah, it was a lowly Canadian farmboy who loved motors who shot down the Red Baron… He loved motors, he loved the aerofoil wing design that made sense to his ascerbic wit… his name was Billy Bishop, and the “top gun” Tom Cruise, or the real pilot John Travolta, might stand to learn a thing or two from a good Canadian pilot.

            Reply

            • There will always be contention who actually got the Red Baron!

              4720 Flight Lieutenant Donald F. Day Nos 5 & 6 (Training) Squadron AFC Private Record Collection PR85/344 (extract from personal memoir written in 1929)

              …I was told many tales of interest by the many chaps that I met but one of the most interesting I now give. This was told to me by an Australian Artillery Major with whom I shared a room at the Club. The star German fighting pilot of the war was the famous Baron von Richthofen whose exploits are too well known to need narration herein, except that his tally of allied machines was reported by fritz as over eighty.
              On 21/4/18 Richthofen crashed in the Australian lines in Amiens sector and was killed. The honour of shooting him down has been much disputed and a British squadron of Camels laid great claims to the honour. This 5th Division Artillery major and I were discussing the matter and he then told me:- “I was standing near the machine gunners attached to my unit and watching a glorious “dog fight” between Fritz and some of our Camels. Suddenly a Camel appeared very low, with a German right on his tail and our chap looked an absolute goner, as he could only fire ahead and the enemy was directly behind him. Then my gunners had a go from the ground, the German machine wobbled, fell and crashed, killing the pilot, who also had been hit through the chest by a bullet which it was evident had been fired from below him. From papers found on him it was discovered that the pilot was Richthofen.
              Even now (1929) the matter is often discussed in the newspapers, “who brought down Richthofen?” and it at last has officially been admitted that Australian Machine gunners have the honour. And the story of it goes in just the very way that it was told (as above) in 1918.

              Reply

              • I Yawn, an excellent scientific recreation was done regarding the claim of a ground machine gunner getting the Baron. I watched it about 9 years ago. Excellent production. Probably available online by now.

        • She is probably on a space craft with Xenu making visits to other planets to see if they can “clear other planets” as well……All it takes is $$$….Hey wait a minute….DO aliens from other planets use Cash????

          Reply

  53. Awesome! Great news! DM character is starting to show in public! His is caving himself. Beautiful article! Thank you.

    Reply

    • Barbet,
      My first thought!

      Fair game on a dolphin?? The aquarium needs to protect/test the fresh fish given to Winter.

      Reply

      • I do fear for all the animals at CMA! Not just the three dolphins, Winter, Hope and Nicholas. But all the sea turtles both resident and rehabilitating. Along with the otters and pelicans. Scientologists systematically tortured their own people in some cases to the point of death.

        Reply

      • Ahh… just my sort of club activity! Love those late night rendezvous and mob generated enthusiasms. Warms the blood it does!

        Reply

  56. Wow… I’m watching this as this unfolds 20 miles down the road from me. Co$ has no shame. Can’t wait for you, Mike, and Leah to address some of this in the new season.

    Reply

  58. I was wondering if they were going to have a response to the vote. Been looking to trying to find out. Thanks for providing this Mike.

    This little tirade is going to make things even worse for them in Clearwater I think. I actually watched the city council proceedings last week and what struck me more than anything else, is how it seems that people just aren’t afraid of them anymore. No one worries about speaking out against them. I think most all of us (outside of Scientology) realize just how weakened they truly are.

    And now with this response, the citizens of Clearwater (and the city council) will have even more reason to be sick and tired of them operating within their presence.

    We simply aren’t afraid of them anymore….that’s the message that should send shivers down Miscavige’s spine. The days of bullying by this so-called “church” and making people cower in fear are simply over. We are all tired of these shenanigans now.

    In fact, we aren’t just tired of them, we are getting pissed off about it.

    Reply

    • Mick, you are exactly right… nobody fears this little cult and its asshole leader anymore.

      In fact, Miscavige and his minions come across as mild entertainment to the uncaring masses, and as uproariously hilarious to interested observers.

      To those with a “dog in the fight”… those who still have loved ones in the cult and suffering from shunning, well, it is still serious business, and that little asshole will have to answer for his crimes as far as I am concerned.

      But, yes, nobody fears this little shithole of humanity called scientology anymore.

      (I love your comments, Mick).

      Reply

  59. The ones I am sorry for is the staff near Miscavige while he is having this tantrum dementis. I

    f he happens to be at Flag I can bet most of the staff will do anything not to cross his path, it tends to get you in trouble no matter what.

    Ah, but of course is not his fault, is someone else’s lack…as usual.

    Reply

    • When are his inner circle going to stage a well-deserved coup? Wrestle the leadership away from that has-been little bullshitter while you can, you scientologist lurkers. MIscavige has no secret powers, as much as he tries to pretend he does, other than the powers that you, as scientologists, allow to grant him… easily taken away, if you wish. Take it away from him. He is ruining your “church”

      Reply

    • It was not the city’s choice to not sell to scio, Valerie. It was the MUSEUM’s choice to sell to the city for $4.25 rather than accept David Scummy’s $15 milion offer. The city council then voted unanimously to pay that to the museum. Apparently most of the city’s citizens approved that decision. That the city stood up to Scummy is really the big news.

      Reply

      • Thegman77 – Your point is extremely important and often overlooked. Massive kudos and congrats to the CMA for not caving in to CoS and to the City for not ‘stepping aside’.

        Clearwater City Council had only to approve the expenditure of the money for a previously approved agreement to purchase the land.

        For interested parties, I highly recommend watching the video of the Council proceedings, now available on their website. Meeting of April 20th, the agenda item 11.1, comes on at approximately 7:00 pm .

        Reply

      • “The Town That Stood Up To A Cult”. That’s a working title off the top of my head and I’m sure there are much better ones. Would make a terrific documentary, don’t you think?

        Reply

  62. I lived in South Tampa for 16 years, and every time we went to Ybor City, we could pretty much count on the Scientology recruiters being out there in force, trick or treating for their Lord & Master, Demon Miscavige and trying to scam a soul or two who weren’t wise to their ways. That was annoying, but I can’t even begin to imagine what the poor souls who live and work in Clearwater must have to deal with.

    Reply

    • I’d wager quite a few of those poor souls, the SeaOrg, and their ilk, have been lurking on sites like Mike’s and Tony Ortega’s. They all need our love and support for the time they decide to “blow”. I want to help them.

      Reply

  63. This makes me start imagining the headlines when Miscaviage is taken to JAIL along with his assistant. Then the men/women that donated the most are rounded up investigated and hauled off to jail too.

    That DM must be crapping in his pants mad.

    I’m so happy things are moving in this direction, no matter what speed.

    Reply

  64. So Scientology wanted to pay over 3 times fair market value… what should that tell the parishioners about how unwisely their donations are used?

    Reply

  65. Maybe they will finally wake up and develop downtown for everyone, except Scientology. After all, I remember Clearwater as a kid. Loved the Gulf, beaches an Tampa next door. Yeah for the Commission and the public…..go forth an conquer an DM be damned.

    Reply

  66. I always wanted to go to the Aquarium but was waiting to see what happened. I will now go because the city finally took a stand. It is terrible that I can’t enjoy that beautiful city without having to witness these very misled young people walking around like zombies.

    Reply

    • Please go visit CMA. I volunteered there fot two years and it was the most amazing experience of my life. The aquarium only makes money from the guest coming through the doors, sales from their goft shops and donations. Being monitored very closely by the FDA for the care of the resident animals and the rescued animals that will be released after they are well enough. Not to mention the up keep and safety for their guests visiting as well. You don’t realize the dolphins, otters and pelicans are only fed top quality fish ordered from restaurant suppliers to provide the nutrition level regulated by the FDA. Almost all the money that comes in the door goes back into the care of the animals for medical and food supplies. They also do many things for people with mental and physical challenges, from children to injured soldiers. Please visit the website seewinter.com to see some of what they do and what they stand for.

      Reply

      • I have been there many times. It is a wonderful facility that rescues animals and nurtures them back to health. It is not Sea World keeping wild animals in captivity to make a profit. It was not designed to accommodate tourists, but it needs upgrading to handle the number of visitors. It a genuine attraction for Clearwater unlike anything else.

        Reply

  67. Good article and worth reading. Thank you for your time and deep understanding of this scarey organization.

    Reply

  68. Oh my gosh may that farce called scientology scam fall and set the captives free and be the beginning of the collapse of satan and his kingdom!!!

    Reply

  69. I was director of media relations at USF in 2007 and 2008. I would hate to have to defend any professor speaking out on behalf of Scientology. I believe, though, that the earlier economic study was done by FSU (Florida State University), not USF (University of South Florida)?

    Reply

  70. Seems to me that the CofS has shown its true colours, and in future deals with the city officials will be wise to the internal evil that is the CofS, in spite of all the smiles and free lunches that may come their way.

    Reply

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