The always on-the-ball Tracey McManus has filed a new story about downtown Clearwater, the City Council and scientology. It would appear that the recently elected city officials have had a bit of a wake up call. The conciliatory language they were spouting a few months ago when they were trying to get elected about how they intend to "work with the church of scientology" is now being replaced with expressions of frustration. Tracey's reporting in the Times has been documenting the massive buy up of downtown real estate by scientology and scientologists for years. The alarm bells should … [Read more...]
Scientology and the “Chaos Merchants”
Hubbard designated the media "Chaos Merchants" who are to be harassed and attacked because they publish "lies" about scientology. Ever since he failed to persuade a Saturday Evening Post reporter to write a glowing piece about him in the early 60's, the media have been enemies. In Ron's Journal 67 he specifically states: "Our enemies on this planet are less than twelve men. They are members of the Bank of England and other higher financial circles. They own and control newspaper chains, and they are, oddly enough, directors in all the mental health groups in the world." Of … [Read more...]
Clearwater Election: Why Mark Bunker?
A recent article in the Tampa Bay Times highlights why it is so important to re-elect Mark Bunker to the City Council and not either of his opponents. Neither of these candidates opposing Bunker have any understanding of scientology. Mike Mastruserio: Quoting from the Times article: Mastruserio said he considers revitalizing downtown the city’s most pressing issue. In a campaign flyer, he stated: “Scientology continues to hurt our city’s reputation, handicap our overall development, especially downtown.” He said Bunker has not done enough to address Scientology’s … [Read more...]
People Magazine: Where’s Shelly? Scientology: You’re Bigots
Following the excellent and extensive reporting by Yashar Ali on the disappearance of Shelly Miscavige (I just updated my blog post about this to include the latest documents from Yashar), People magazine published a piece on the subject (shallow and revealing nothing new, I wish they had followed Yashar's lead and actually dug into this subject. But, the tremendous reach of People cannot be denied and serves to raise public awareness on the issue. You can read the People piece here. What is also interesting is the inevitable response from the scienobots on social … [Read more...]
Did Scientology Lie? Of Course…
Another of the documents from the recent FBI docs release. In September 2009, not long after the investigation began, scientology made an FOIA request to get all docs concerning any investigation of scientology. Though the originator of the request has been redacted from the letter, you can see in the accompanying fax cover sheet that this is a request from scientology. This is not a "routine" request that is filed every month. It is a request because scientology became aware of the FBI investigation. Yet, despite this, in 2013 they denied any such investigation took place … [Read more...]
Miscavige Playing Footsie With Clearwater
Another recent story from Tracey McManus, Scientology's David Miscavige discusses 'partnership' with Clearwater recounts a recent meeting between Miscavige, the Mayor Frank Hibbard, the new City Attorney David Margolis and new City Manager Jon Jennings. It was typical Miscavige, all smiles, handshakes and positivity to try to persuade the new guys in town that he is a nice guy. Just wait until he doesn't get what he wants. Stefani Hutchinson covered the reporting on her excellent blog: Miscavige's Fresh Start: Not New, Not True For someone who has never been a scientologist, … [Read more...]
Clearwater’s Scientology Perception Problem
The latest article from Tracey McManus in the extensive reporting she had done on scientology's land grab in Clearwater. You can see some of her earlier reporting here: Scientology members fuel another land buying surge in Clearwater and Clear Takeover The recent activities prompted Mark Bunker to raise concerns at the city council meeting which is what the latest story covers. He didn't get much support. While some of the city council are willing to acknowledge scientology taking over Clearwater as a "problem" they simply throw up their hands and claim there is nothing that can be do … [Read more...]
Aaron Smith Levin for Clearwater City Council
The latest Tracey McManus article on scientology ran yesterday, announcing that Aaron Smith-Levin is running to join Mark Bunker on the Clearwater City Council. Unfortunately, the editor chose a photo that featured me more prominently than Aaron and some thought I was running (I do not live in Clearwater so am not eligible to serve on the City Council). This is a significant event in Clearwater. Mark Bunker was elected to the City Council earlier. There is a new regime in Clearwater -- a new City Manager (Jon Jennings) and City Attorney (David Margolis) are coming to town, hopefully they w … [Read more...]
Scientology Human Rights — An Oxymoron Update
Following up on this piece, Scientology Human Rights -- An Oxymoron, Tampa Bay Times intrepid scientology reporter Tracey McManus managed to speak to a number of the people concerned as covered in the story above. It turns out that Hillsborough County Commissioner Harry Cohen was unaware of any scientology connection. Turns out people who read this blog contacted his office and he then found out about the link. “This isn’t what I thought it was,” Cohen said on Tuesday, confirming he dropped out of the event. “Scientology and a human rights summit, I don’t know they are compatible with one a … [Read more...]
Why Is Chris Latvala Supporting Scientology and What is a “Safepoint”?
Please see the article on Tony Ortega's website yesterday about the crazy Twitter war FL State Congressman Chris Latvala started -- first with Tracey McManus of the Tampa Bay Times, then with Tony Ortega and subsequently with me. I tweeted about this after Tony' story was up, and the Congressman responded to me in a similar fashion: As you can see my last offer is to meet with him to help provide the education he needs. I hope he takes me up. He said he was unaware of the scientology connections to the books that were offered. Maybe that is the case, but … [Read more...]