In isolation this is certainly a worthwhile cause. In the context of it being another scientology front group, raising yet more money to restore human rights, it is horrible. If you read this it talks about villages in India being "enslaved" through "fabricated debt, intimidation, isolation and denied education." Anne, Donna and Vanessa, here's a clue: you don't need to look on the other side of the world. Anne, you especially HAVE been to the Gold Base in unincorporated Riverside County (not Hemet). If you care to LOOK, you will find: Fabricated debt -- your own … [Read more...]
Thursday Funnies
After a 6 week (?) hiatus, Thursday Funnies are back. Obviously, during this time a LOT of material poured in. I honestly have not been able to get through it all. There was a ton of pretty amusing "holiday fare", but that is dated now. I have selected some of what I think is the best stuff from the last few weeks. Enjoy. Bad Hair Day She certainly didn't join because of their photo-shopping prowess. Yowza. Not really funny A theme for these "funnies" might be exploitation of children. This is an 8 or 9 year old Sea Org member and this is made "normal" by L. Ron … [Read more...]
#ScientologyTheAftermath 2nd Reddit AMA
Tonight's 2nd Reddit AMA is the final show we have shot for this season of Leah Remini Scientology The Aftermath. A&E has another special coming about Leah, but it is a bonus, not considered part of this "series" of 7 episodes and 2 Reddit AMA specials. It has been a wild ride -- the response has been beyond anything we could have hoped for. What I said at the end of the show is absolutely correct. I am not stopping. This experience has only motivated me to push harder. Though it is on everyone's mind right now, I cannot tell you that there is a Season 2 yet, nothing has been … [Read more...]
Scientology and Psychosis – The Aftermath
Tonight's season finale of Leah Remini Scientology The Aftermath touches upon the subject of how scientologists address mental health issues. For many years, though Hubbard railed repeatedly against psychiatry, and called for psychiatrists to be shut down as a profession -- he had one caveat. The insane should be left to the institutions. They were barred from participating in scientology auditing. It was one of the many contradictions that can be found in Hubbard's writings - while he claimed all psychs were maiming people, he didn't want scientology to be involved in dealing with the i … [Read more...]
ABC 20/20
Some somewhat random observations about the 20/20 show last night. First, I am sure that scientology and David Miscavige HATED the show. They hate anything that is not presenting total puff PR for scientology. If it is not just glamour shots of scientology buildings, glowing statements by glazed-eyed "winning" scientologists or images of Miscavige yanking ribbons on new empty buildings, then it is "suppressive propaganda spread by merchants of chaos." Miscavige does have reason to be upset. This show exposed a lot of the bad aspects of scientology to a larger audience than the A&E … [Read more...]
FBI — WTF Are You Thinking?
Scientology is circulating this promotional piece: The FBI should be investigating scientology for human rights abuses not legitimizing them with "presentations" at their front groups. The earlier FBI investigation, targeting scientology human trafficking, was scuttled. Now, a scientology front group is trying to legitimize itself by claiming FBI sanction/support. This is happening in a scientology building in downtown Clearwater. The FBI Field Office in Tampa knew a lot about the scientology Human Trafficking investigation. What are they thinking? We KNOW what scientology is thinking - … [Read more...]
Scientology Aftermath Episode 6: Aftermath
As I have been doing after each program, I am putting this here as a place for people to make comments about the show that has just aired. I must say, this was the toughest episode to film. So heartbreaking and Aaron is such a good man, father and friend. Tough to watch too. But unfortunately, it is the horrible truth. And if you have not already done so, I recommend you check out Tony Ortega's blog this morning. Aaron, in his usual meticulous detail, rips apart the scientology smear site and POW videos that were put up a couple of hours after the show aired. On a more positive note, the … [Read more...]
Why Do Scientologists Lie?
While repeatedly asserting that they are "the most ethical group on earth" and that they are constantly having to "get rid of" people who "cannot live up to their ethical standards," in truth, every dedicated scientologist is a liar. Why? The short answer: they believe that achieving the "Aims of Scientology" and "Clearing The Planet" are so vital for the well-being of all mankind that those ends justify any means. But, as with most other things in scientology, the simple answer is also the simplistic answer that really doesn't bring much understanding. So, let's break it … [Read more...]
Can Scientologists be Christians or Jews Too?
Scientology likes to tell the world that you can be a scientologist and also be a Christian, Jew, Buddhist or anything else. This is an "acceptable truth" (defined by Hubbard this way: Handling truth is a touchy business also. You don't have to tell everything you know-that would jam the comm line too. Tell an acceptable truth. Agreement with one's message is what PR is seeking to achieve. Thus the message must compare to the personal experience of the audience) intended to deceive the public until they become scientologists and can be properly indoctrinated to continue the lie "for PR … [Read more...]
Scientology Aftermath Episode 5: Aftermath
As I have been doing after each program, I am putting this here as a place for people to make comments about the show that has just aired. The outpouring of support has not only continued, if anything it has grown. It is quite amazing how far and wide this show is reaching and to how many people who have not had personal experiences with scientology but now feel they must do something about the abuses that are being exposed. Thank you all. I try to respond to messages and emails and PMs and tweets, but it is physically impossible to do so. If I have not gotten back to you, I … [Read more...]