Here is a perfect example of scientologist cause and confront from a posterchild for OTishness, our old friend Barbara Dews. A Special Correspondent sent me this email exchange and if you read down the thread (earliest at the top) you will see BD going from a shark smelling fresh blood, to a somewhat concerned deer caught in the headlights to a rabbit that scurried down her hole in abject terror. This is cause over life. This is how to confront and shatter suppression. This is how to be OT so you can go OT. Barbara epitomizes fundamentalist scientology. So dead certain that she knows … [Read more...]
The “Golden Age” of Narconon and Idealiness
Everything in scientology these days is about "ideal" and "golden age" -- terms that are bandied about constantly. Narconon is apparently experiencing a "golden age" that appears to be a measure of how many people die in their facilities, multiplied by the number of lawsuits filed against them, plus the total of zoning variance application rejections x inches of entheta media. It's straight up and vertical. Hip hip hooray. We have seen the magnificent "grand openings" of "ideal" Narconons in Clearwater, Baton Rouge and yesterday on the Bunker it was Eslov in Sweden -- apparently a one man … [Read more...]
Going Clear Oscar News
Despite the "best efforts" of the church of scientology, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences announced today their "short list" of films up for selection in the Documentary category for this year. Dave's footbullets seem to have had the appropriate effect. Going Clear is one of the 15 included in the short list. Looking forward to January 14th to see if Going Clear is one of the final nominees. Regardless -- this is the first time in history that any scientology related film has been on anyone's list for anything -- let alone an Academy Award (after already having won … [Read more...]
Leah Remini, Shelly Miscavige and Tom Cruise
What can Miscavige do to respond to Hurricane Leah? She is blowing his house down and it is a storm that comes on top of severe damage already inflicted on the once apparently impregnable fortress of scientology. It has been building throughout the year -- Going Clear at Sundance got the ball rolling. Followed by the revelations from the PI's tailing his father which thrust scientology back into the headlines. Losing tax exemption in the Netherlands. Tony Ortega's Unbreakable Miss Lovely, a never ending stream of Narconon bad news. And much more. And now Troublemaker has stepped it up … [Read more...]
Going Clear Paranoia
An article in THR today: As usual, Scientology is shooting itself in the foot. They send goons to screenings and have Freedom "reporters" doing clumsy, noisy investigations. Contacting Academy Members to try and influence them not to vote for Going Clear is such typical ham-fisted Miscavige "PR". He never ceases to amaze. HBO should send him a large fruit basket when Going Clear is nominated. And they should take out a full page as in the NY Times thanking him for his contribution if it wins Best Documentary. And if it does win, and I get a chance to say anything about i … [Read more...]
Going Clear Is Everywhere
The hits just keep on coming. From the LA Times: This is the FilmRise webpage: And it is also available on Vimeo: And if you want to do it the old-school way, as of today, you can buy the DVD on Amazon for $16.99. So anyone who has not been able to see the film on HBO or in a local theater can now order it from Amazon or watch it as a streaming video. Miscavige's annus horribilis is just not getting any better. Next up: Louis Theroux's My Scientology Movie at the London Film Festival on October 14. Followed by Leah Remini's … [Read more...]
Going Clear Screening and Q & A in Clearwater
It is now official. Scientology's latest censorship effort has inevitably proven to be another in their long series of PR footbullets. The screening of Going Clear on Friday 2 October will begin at 7pm at Muvico Palm Harbor. After the screening, the theater manager has set aside 45 minutes for Q and A and both Sara Goldberg and I will be happy to answer questions. In addition, renowned Tampa CBS affiliate investigative reporting veteran Mike Deeson has agreed to be the moderator for the Q and A session. Mike adds his 30+ years of Bay … [Read more...]
The Latest Scientology PR Foolery
Scientology appears to believe they can now tell the citizens of Clearwater what movies they can watch. Another PR footbullet from scientology. I wonder if COB Theaters are ready for the backlash for buckling to scientology's "threats" not to show the film? It's still on their website even.... Wonder if they might change their minds about being scientology bitches when word gets out? And I wonder how this is going to effect the Academy Award voters. This is REALLY dangerous territory to be censoring movies. If there was not already a backlash in Hollywood, this might bring it … [Read more...]
Going Clear Emmy Sweep
It was a rough night for Dear Leader. First, Going Clear was presented an Emmy Award for best documentary, best director and best writer. Bam. Tons of media coverage about it. But I loved the quote at the end of this article: Regarding a possible followup, Gibney noted, “There’s a lot more material already that I’ve received, more to come out — and so far the IRS has not revoked its [tax-exemption] protection so there’s a lot more to be done.” Alex Gibney is a REAL champion of human rights -- not because someone handed him a certificate that says so after he handed … [Read more...]
Scientology Tax Exemption Panic
It would appear that the statements made in the wake of Going Clear by Alex Gibney have struck a nerve, especially his OpEd piece in the LA Times. David Miscavige has trotted out his second favorite scientology spokespuppet (after Karin Pouw), non-scientologist lawyer Monique Yingling. She strangely appeared to defend the non-practice of "disconnection" on Anderson Cooper, and also came to visit me one time to discuss whether I wanted to speak to my children and other family members. She is sort of a Girl Friday who fills in as an Ethics Officer/IJC and spokesperson when needed. She is … [Read more...]