“Fixed donations,” “mandatory donations,” “required donations” are scientology oxymorons. Once the exclusive provence of church services, the “bright idea” spread to IAS donations (you must be a Patron to be on OT VII) and ideal orgs (you must qualify for OT VIII by contributing to your ideal org) and now have reached out into the “social betterment” programs and even the scientology public.
And everyone is so conditioned to this that they don’t even notice any more.
And BTW, an “open bar” at a scientology event? I guess there are a LOT of people that are NOT “on lines” despite what the Flag OT Committee says about getting every local scientologist onto service…
Then again, perhaps they can get some more fixed donations for the Purif as a result…
Red text and bolding mine for emphasis:
On Feb 5, 2016, at 9:16 AM, Taylor Greenbaum <[email protected]> wrote:
Hello everyone!
It’s the final countdown to SUPER BOWL 50! The Carolina Panthers will take on the Denver Broncos and the ONLY place to be to celebrate this epic national holiday is at the Axiom-LinkTek Super Bowl party! We would like to again encourage you to bring you friends and family. Please bring exact change with you for the donations as this will keep the line moving fast.
Note that we will have propane heaters and a propane fire pit we can turn on in case it’s cool that evening.
When: Sunday, 7 February at 5:00pm
Location: 1570-1600 Maples St, Clearwater FL 33755
We’ll have a wide assortment of foods such as British fish ‘n’ chips, Chinese food, barbecued burgers and hot dogs, sushi, KFC, Italian food and even desserts! Eat all you like!
This is an ALL-AGES event. It’s for newborns, octogenarians and everyone in between. All members of our community are welcome. There will be plenty for kids to do, including a bounce house, playset, trampoline and playhouse. And lots of space for kids to run around and have fun. (And no, you don’t have to personally know the Greenbaums or someone who works for Axiom or LinkTek to attend. You ARE welcome whether you know the hosts or don’t.)
In addition to the delicious assortment of food, we will also have an open bar for those 21+. The open bar includes mixed drinks, wine and over 50 different kinds of beer! For those of you who aren’t 21, there will be a wide variety of sodas, juice, tea, hot chocolate and some other hot beverages (in case it gets chilly outside)!
Surround yourself with good people, good food and prepare for an amazing game!
As good as all this sounds, I haven’t even gotten to the best part…
There will be televisions placed all around the property (two houses and two backyards) including a GIANT (16-foot wide by 9-foot high) projection screen set up in 1600’s backyard for your viewing pleasure.
If you want to concentrate solo on the game, there will be plenty of places on the property for you to do just that.
If football’s not your thing, then come — as many do — just to enjoy the company of friends you haven’t seen all year (or longer). There will be plenty of places at the party to ignore the game and just hang out with long-time friends.
The Axiom-LinkTek Super Bowl Party is THE BIGGEST ANNUAL SOCIAL EVENT in our community, with attendance each year between 400 and 600 people. (You don’t want to miss this event and then kick yourself later.)
For those of you who have not attended our parties in the past, we charge a fee to get in and ALL of the money we collect gets donated to CCHR, an organization that helps fight for human rights. This is a charity event, so invite your family and friends because we want to raise the most money ever and have the biggest Super Bowl party ever!
The required CCHR donation is as follows:
— $15 for ages 16 and over.
— $10 — Ages 11 to 15.
— $5 — Age 3 to 10.
— Free for ages 0 to 2.
A limited number of volunteers are needed to help with setups for the party! For every 90 minutes of volunteering you earn a free wristband and commendation! Additionally, people who work just one hour during the party will be reimbursed for the cost of their wristband and be commended. Volunteers will be accepted on a first-come, first-served basis.
If you want to get in free by volunteering — or if you have questions of any kind — call or text Myra Young at 727-xxx-xxxx.
Come celebrate Super Bowl 50 with us and prepare yourself for an UNFORGETTABLE day of football, friends, food and memories that will bring a smile to your face for years to come!
Click here to RSVP on Facebook. Call or text Myra at 727-xxx-xxxx if this link doesn’t work for you. RSVPing early helps us estimate the number of attendees so we can buy adequate food and supplies for the party; so please RSVP as soon as you can.
Can’t wait to see you all there!
Directions: From Drew Street, turn north onto Highland Avenue. First right onto Maple Street.
Best,
Taylor Greenbaum
Meanwhile, in the Bay area:
From: <[email protected]>
Date: February 5, 2016 at 9:02:17 AM PST
Subject: Message from the DSA
Hello All,
I think most of you have heard of the Drug Education Handout at Super Bowl City this week. If you haven’t you will now.
We have 100s of thousands of booklets we can get out. And the greatest opportunity ever in the Bay Area.
At this point all we need is you to get them out.
Today’s activity is in SF and we need 30 people from the South Bay up there.
Saturday we need another 30 people there.
Sunday we are here in the South Bay.
Yesterday we got permission from Valley Transit Authority to do our handout at 7 VTA light rail stations. We can have 5 volunteers at each. 10s of thousands&nb sp;take the light rail to Levi stadium each game. The Super Bowl will be the same. If you haven’t been over by the Stadium in the last few days, you can’t get close. VTA will be packed game day.
I need minimally 35 volunteers for game day.
Some of you have already contacted me and signed up, thank you.
Everyone else, well this is our chance to get Drug Education out to our neighbors en masse and with all the camera crews in the area get the message to “stay away from street drugs” out worldwide.
Contact me at 408-xxx-xxxx or [email protected] about Sunday.
For plugging in tod ay and S aturday you can contact me or contact the SF Church to coordinate volunteering today.
Thanks,
Mark Warlick. DSA Gatos
Interesting that 2 “ideal orgs” in SFO cannot come up with 30 people to hand out the world-saving booklets and have to beg for the other orgs to send people…
But here is the reality. One of our contributors went to “Super Bowl City” the day after this email was sent out. Did not see a single person handing out booklets or any evidence of any booklets anywhere at all.
Hi Mike,
We spent the day in SF at Super Bowl City. Had a total blast. Great weather, tons of fun and friendly people. We weren’t thinking about the several hundred thousands of booklets the SF Org was tasked with handing out. This was the place it was supposed to happen.
We saw other groups promoting their new apps and other products, even a religious group but nothing from any of the orgs. We realized later looking at the pictures we captured the whole venue and there wasn’t one person handing out booklets.
I go by the stadium in Santa Clara. Nobody anywhere handing out booklets.
Not 100% proof but not the 30 people a day with 300,000 booklets to hand out that has been asked for; first by Jerry Racheff, one of SF’s EDs and then by Mark Warlick, one of the DSAs. You know shit is happening when the DSA is telling the field to get out there!
Here are some of the shots, if you can’t be there to enjoy the Super Bowl and experience the wonder of the invisible scientology Drug booklets, at least you can experience a little of it vicariously (funny about this, some anonymous people showed up at another event scientology had heavily promoted recently in Atlanta to find the venue had never heard about any scientology event scheduled for their hotel):
This is what the booklet would look like if they had any of them there:
And the cult is apparently so desperate now that they’re even offering an open bar for a paltry $15 yet. I suppose they’re counting on a lot of people getting very tanked up and easier to reg. Yes, they’re desperate all right.
Oh there where a few booklets in the city, most of them where piled in the gutter or stacked neatly in the alcove of a dive bar doorway on the ground where noone would bother looking. A lot distributed to the pavement at the Chinatown new years fare where 70% of the population does not read English. Also I walked by the SFO. They still have pallet’s full of boxes of those booklets to hand out. And get this, how much you want to bet the local orgs get a bill from management for those booklets?
The poor sheeple cannot even have Super Bowl Sunday without the cult taking it over and making it their “event”. Now its just another excuse for dozens of phone calls and emails and …so glad I’m out of this insanity.
” — just to enjoy the company of friends you haven’t seen all year (or longer)”
…You know, the ones you used to see almost everyday, back when people were actually on lines?
Dave,
Media update:
One of your best moves is to use this blog as your go-to site for what is REALLY happening in your organizations and to make it an RPFable offense to cut your connection to the blog (mobile and cable).
You weren’t fooled for a minute by your internal schlubs about 30 volunteers and 300,000 booklets. Right?
Good to know that the San Francisco Embarcadero is now a cult free zone and the seals can return to sunbathing on the boat docks in complete safety. At the great Embarcadero restaurants, I highly recommend the clam chowder served in a bread bowl.
Do you have a contingency plan in place for when your ‘Drug’ and ‘Way to Happiness’ pamphleteers are shadowed by anonymous groups passing out ‘comic book’ versions of ‘Regraded Being’?
Hi threefeetback, Loved your post! Thank you for the images! Love, Ann.
Well $ had their 1st SB 50 ad for the LA Whales at least. Boring. More exciting when the curious goggles scientology. LOL Keep posting and speaking out guys… tell it like it is.
Since we’re on the subject of “donations.” I am neither a lawyer nor a CPA (nor do I play one on TV) but here goes:
As Mike already pointed out, the fixed, mandatory and other “do you REALLY want to get disconnected from your family” type of “donations” are peculiar enough in their own right. But another form of donations is strictly verboten in other exempt organizations, namely donations that involve the exchange of goods.
For example, I attended a Christian church and donated money as I saw fit. Nobody ever suggested any amounts or how often to give, or anything else along those lines. In fact, nobody ever even talked about donations. The general understanding was that you gave as you saw fit, and that you did so in accordance to your ability to give. There was no fixed fee schedule of how much to give (whether you could afford it or not) to participate in communion, or how much it would take to get into Easter service; let alone a pre-pay account.
Even individualized services, such as counselling or marriage preparation, were free. They wouldn’t accept your money, even if you offered it. If you requested to meet the pastor for a meal, he’d pick up the check.
In fact, money was accounted for by an outside organization. This meant that the church leadership did not even KNOW how much you gave. So there was no “status” involved that would buy you “access” to the leadership. And if you wanted to know where the money went, the books were open. You could request to see them.
On a few occasions, I would attend special events that took place at retreat centers. Needless to say, attendance was optional. Those required the payment of a set admission fee (since accommodations, meals and hired speakers had to be paid for). If you couldn’t afford the fee, they’d let you in for less or even for free.
However, when you received your donation statement at the end of the year (for tax purposes), events such as the retreat were marked as non-deductible as they involved an exchange of goods for your “non-donation.”
In scientology, practically everything you do involves an exchange of goods (hard goods and services) for a set fee. This fee is levied regardless of your income, from paupers and whales alike.
This raises two issues. First of all, obviously, the IRS. But second, it also raises the issue of unfair business practices. You go to a chakra reader, a palmist, a fortune teller, a psychologist or a New Age (or church) bookstore. You pay with after-tax funds. However, the “church” uses labor (including child labor) at pennies an hour to create similar goods. Then they are sold at hyper-inflated prices that no counselor or bookstore would dream of charging to a clientele that is coerced into buying them in the first place. And this whole racket is tax-exempt?
I think it is worth remembering that in the case of “C”oS, we are not just dealing with the fairness and appropriateness of their having tax-exemption as a “religion.” We also need to remember that they have a tax-exemption that goes way beyond that given to other churches and other organizations; organizations, that actually give back something to their community!
https://www.techdirt.com/articles/20070201/140812.shtml
“NFL Wants To Remind You That Having People Over To Watch The Super Bowl On A Big Screen Is Copyright Infringement”
“The latest situation is perhaps even more bizarre — but tragically, seems to fall closer to a correct legal reading of a really poorly written law. The NFL apparently nastygrammed a church for planning to host a Super Bowl party. The original complaint was first that the church was charging people, but also that they used the term “Super Bowl” (as if people would somehow believe that the church was associated with the NFL?).”
ALL members of the Clearwater community are welcome at the Super Bowl event … and for $15 you get an open bar and buffet food? Sheesh … it’s an SP bonanza 🙂
I’ll say, 15 bucks is cheap, way cheaper than I was expecting for a scientology event!
How about the makeup on that burned-out looking kid on the brochure!! Look closely at the eyes. Call the brochure “Truth about false scams” and it all works much better.
Clubbed seals are much more difficult to lure into a regtrap nowadays they Learn to stay away or they go bankrupt and are of no use to the extortion racket.
It boggles the mind that they can charge money in order to be reach certain levels of ‘spiritual enlightenment’ (OT VII & VIII) and STILL have tax exemption
The double-speak is mind-boggling — fixed “donations”? In the real world, that’s called a fee. And charging fees even when Hubbard had said (though he was clearly either lying or not talking about money or both):
“You won’t always be here. But before you go, whisper this to your sons and their sons. ‘The work was free. Keep it so.’ ”
From “Scientology: Clear Procedure – Issue One” (December 1957)
“invisible scientology Drug booklets” confiscated by Homeland security, can’t have anything stealthyer than ‘checks and balances’ on the COB. Just confirmation that the whole of the Social Betterment stuff is a scam.
St Martins and the entire area where the Fleecewinds sails is now in the center of the Zika virus danger zone. How will the Fleecewinds get any passengers if it makes their brains any smaller?
Bob Adams was interviewed by KGO radio’s Ronn Owens, Owens a treasure of Bay Area radio had a few good questions for Adams but took too few calls. Best zinger re Zenu. The podcast is in the 11 AM hour of 2/05/16 broadcast. Co$ will probably claim listener-ship of 80 million !
How does one get reimbursed for a free wristband?
I was thinking that it meant you paid to get in and get your wristband, then you worked for an hour and you’d get your $15 (or whatever) back. They already have your money in case you decide not to work. Only thing I could think of. I couldn’t get any more convoluted than that….sorry…lol
If by now you haven’t already made plans, you are welcome to stop by our Super Bowl party today.
Bring the kiddos, dogs, cats, whatever. If you have food or libations to bring with you well ok I guess we will find a way to squeeze them in our already overcrowded lineup of every possible food or drink on the planet but you don’t have to bring anything.
We have extra games to play for those not interested in watching the game.
Money at the door is not welcome and will not be accepted. The Super Bowl squares sheet for a pool you are participating in may be brought, but all we really care about is your companionship.
Leave your coat and shoes in a pile at the door.
We probably won’t be the biggest party in town and most parties in town probably will be similar to ours.
I hope everyone enjoys today whether or not they watch the big game.
I recall how hard it was at one time in my life to relax and just have some fun when I was in the CoS. Always had to be “productive”, or doing some “on purpose” activity or another. This was promoting the goals of the church in some capacity, or so I thought. So glad those days are behind me now. Happy Super Bowl Sunday. Have a good one – and enjoy living with your loved ones.
Something doesn’t add up here. $15 for an open bar? I can drink up $15 in about 3 minutes flat. What’s up with that? I don’t trust it.
Hi hgc10, I enjoyed your post and agree with you, when it comes to hassling people for money, few do it better than cos. I would not trust them with one cent. I would be regged to death to turn over my favorite pink piggy bank too! Come to think of it, I just can’t trust the open bar either. Sure I had some vino in Sea Org, but I would not want to try anything from the open bar.Who knows where my credit cards would walk off to… Laughter but the regging never lets up does it! Love,Ann.
Well, as far as Taylor Greenbaum’s message for Super Bowl, yes, it has the hallmark of a scientologist as far as the bombastic phrases, such as: Super Bowl an “epic national holiday” and the ‘donations’ phrases.
On the other hand he deserves some recognition as he is giving a lot out for only 15.00 bucks (if you are an adult); i.e. tons food, lots of drinks and spaces to enjoy, huge TVs and the party is not limited to only blind scientologists.
And, most of all, he pays 15.00 per one hour of Volunteering, which is much, much better pay than any Sea Org Member ever gets.
Not positive how, but Taylor is related to rat bastard ot8 (?) David Greenbaum, probably his 2nd wife.
The clue is the Axioms connection, that’s DG’s software co.
(Could be a brother, I guess, and Taylor is not his son’s first name.)
I am David Greenbaum’s ex-wife, Cathy.
Taylor is my son.
He disconnected from me 4 1/2 years ago.
You’ve never left my heart, Taylor.
That’s the home you’ll always live in.
I love you !! XO
Hi Cathy, Good to meet you, although I do not mean to interrupt your posts with civmar-, a really good person! I just wanted to reach out and say I feel for you and the disconnection of your son.May he come home to your heart soon.Love, Ann.
It’s TRUE, you have to be a PATRON to get on OT 7
and purchase and IDEAL ORG to do OT 8.
My thoughts on OT 9 and 10 Eligibility is something really
beyond comprehension. Of course it will be a New Ship
and maybe a Space Station for the RTC.
GO BRONCOS !!!!!
The Clampire is shrinking, the Clampire is shrinking! Prepharation H(Hubbard): whatever you put this stuff on, IT’S GONNA SHRINK! And DM is the Shrinker-in-Chief. Go to usmacmillan.com/smp to see when Ron Miscavige’s book is coming out, and DM’s own dad helps with the shrinkage. No word yet from St Martins press, but expected in three months or less. Knee, Knee, Horaay! (DM isn’t tall enough for Hip)
Haven’t they heard that the Super Bowl is a drone-free zone?
Mike,
Do you think there are a few contributors that will be able to report back to us how many people showed up to the Clearwater event? It would interesting to see if they get their 400 to 600 people that they brag about in that email. I get the feeling that people would rather watch the most monumental, epic, 47X better Super Bowl with friends rather than having to dodge a reg when the game is on.
How is it the BIGGEST social event of the year, in Clearwater, which is supposed to have the highest concentration of scientologists in the world, manage to scrounge up only 400-600 people?
The Men’s Club at my church has a Superbowl party every year which probably gets 150 – 200 people easy……and this is with minimal advertising and it’s just one parish.
And that is far from the largest gathering…….that is a Fall Fest which gets over 1000 people…….there’s no 3 hour speech by a megalomaniac midget….maybe that explains why there are so many people.
Geez….even our St. Patrick’s Day party gets about 300-400 people…….
I think those guys holding the beers are really interested. Better get some booklets out there…STAT!!!!!!
I wonder what the “Ot” Committies have planned for Valentines Day.
I heard something about going to the Victoria’s Secret pageant and passing out “Pain and Sex” brochures.
I don’t care who you are, that thar’s funny!
Hi LDW, Your post is Valentine’s Day laughter! Thank you. Love, Ann.
Hilarious!
“Pain And Sex” at the Victoria’s Secrets Show, I mean!
I suspect “Love Bombing” for funds!!! LOL Not that any of them know what “love” is.
Hi thegmam77, I now think the love of love- bombing should be changed to, as soon as you sign on the billion year dotted line, it becomes Lie- Blasting! I do have to laugh now but deadly serious when I was in the thick of it. Love Always, Ann.