The Scientologists Taking Action Against Discrimination (STAAD) League has been playing the victim card for a while now and have come up with a new tactic of orchestrating a letter writing campaign to advertisers on The Aftermath.
You may recall their earlier “victory” of claiming to get copies of People magazine removed from the shelves of a Target store because Leah Remini was on the cover. It was a “huge blow for religious freedom” — even though it almost certainly didn’t happen — but didnt do much for the concept of freedom of speech that scientology spouts as one of their causes.
Now they are providing form letters to their members to send out to advertisers. Of course, when they say they are calling for a boycott they don’t mention that this amounts to perhaps 100 people who will not be buying a Hyundai (most scientologists use virtually all of their disposable income for scientology — they are not big new car buyers, so out of the 100 they probably won’t lose a single sale…)
Yesterday the Wall Street Journal published an article about this:
Here are some interesting passages:
Individuals who say they are Scientologists sent multiple versions of the letter in recent months to advertisers and ad buyers, according to people familiar with the matter. The group behind the effort, Scientologists Taking Action Against Discrimination (STAND), also posted a handful of letters addressed to Anheuser-Busch InBev SA, Fiat Chrysler Automobiles NV’s Chrysler brand and Berkshire Hathaway Inc.’s Geico, among others, on its website.
Of course this group is really a handful of OSA organized “volunteers” who are provided with a website and form letters and posts/comments to distribute. The head of STAAD is an OSA Int staff member, Ed Parkin. He is the “handler” of Phil and Willy Jones and various others. Sort of a goofball who has been a low level OSA person for decades.
“We are enormously proud of the quality and importance of the series, which was affirmed by the show’s recent Emmy win, and we intend to continue to share these brave stories with viewers,” said an A&E spokesman in an emailed statement. The program won an Emmy this year for outstanding informational series.
Yeah, I imagine STAAD was not too happy about that bit…
“Scientology and the Aftermath” made its debut in November 2016 to the strongest ratings on the channel in two years. Through September, Ms. Remini’s show has averaged 2.8 million total viewers per episode, including live viewing and on-demand episodes watched within seven days, and 1.6 million adults aged 25 to 54, according to the network.
Geico said its ads likely appeared on the Scientology show as it regularly rotated its commercials through several A&E programs. “That rotation ended previously and Geico ads are not appearing in time slots for that program,” said a Geico spokeswoman.
Geico didn’t respond to questions about whether the show’s content or the letters prompted its decision not to advertise on the show.
It seems that the one advertiser they could find that had switched their ad buy was Geico. Though the statement is quite oblique. What is interesting is that clearly GEICO has no idea that there are 1000X more people that support them for advertising on the show than there are people upset about it. Though they likely don’t hear from those people.
The real joke of this is that NONE of them watch the show. They only know what ads are on there because someone in OSA is taking note and telling them.
“Leah Remini’s hate campaign of religious bigotry in its first season alone generated more than 400 incidents of harassment, threats of violence and vandalism against our churches and members,” reads one letter from STAND, dated from August and addressed to Geico’s assistant vice president of marketing Bill Brower. “The threat level has again risen, precisely coincident with A&E’s promotion and airing of the second season of this show, now spawning even more threats—bombings, murder and acts of physical violence.”
This is the already disproven lie that somehow the show is causing them harm — sort of like the rapist who blames the media for people not liking him. But even then, they have done something so typical of scientology with sneaky sentence parsing. They do not actually say they have gotten more threats (probably because they have been called out on this already) — instead they say “the threat level has risen.” One could just as easily say “the potential for David Miscavige to do grevious bodily harm to someone in his vicinity is increasing as a result of the show airing.”
A spokeswoman for the Church of Scientology said in a statement that, while it hasn’t seen every letter from Scientologists to marketers, “advertisers are being written to educate them and expose the lies that A&E irresponsibly airs from a hateful Remini and her unvetted—albeit compensated—subjects.”
OK, well they don’t have much they can say other than name call, say it’s all lies (while they have never disproven a single thing on the show), say people are “unvetted” (whatever that means — there is an army of lawyers that vets every show) and that the subjects are “compensated” — another lie. Miscavige keeps churning out these idiotic statements that have no credibility, but he seems to think they work.
Here is one of the letters they have on their website:
Koko of course is a long term LA whale.
Interestingly, the letter says in part:
“We need to stop doing anything that contributes to bringing about more hate and violence.”
“The change starts with every single one of us and what we do every day and what message we are giving out.”
Koko, you need to take your own words to heart. Stop hurting and abusing people. Stop destroying families. Stop taking people’s money under fraudulent pretenses. It will calm things down for you and other scientologists. You won’t be the subject of scorn if you stop these things.
Here are a few of the other corporations who received these letters (these are on the STAAD website). Perhaps they should hear from some people supporting them for advertising on a show that helps bring an end to abuses and suffering…
Yesterday when I tried to access this site, I repeatedly got the message that I was blocked from access. There was also a message about an error 503, I think it was. Has anyone else gotten a notification of same? Any ideas what that might mean, if anything?
“a low level OSA person for decades”
That sounds very familier”
Like Fami-lier.
Bonnie Johnson & Lilsky, that was my point exactly! That’s what I was pointing out in my post… I sometimes wonder if my writing style is unclear, if the point wasn’t understood. Feel free to reply, it doesn’t hurt my feelings to get constructive criticism. 🙂
Hi BKmole, thanks! 🙂 Glad you found some value in my comment. Happy Friday to you, and best wishes for a great weekend.
ok, looks like once again my replies are ending up in the wrong place. this one was meant as a response to Gravitysucks post, below. Anyone know what I may be doing wrong? (help)
Nice to read positive feedback – thanks much Gravitysucks. 🙂 (every time I see your name I think of the book “a cure for gravity” by Joe Jackson.) (not Michael Jackson’s father, it’s the other Joe Jackson, the musician). this guy:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PJwt2dxx9yg
I wrote my congressman for Oregon: Congressman Earl Blumenauer, about the tax status for the cult urging him to take away that status. The following is the letter that I wrote to him. I urge you to write to your congressperson also about the same subject.
Dear Congressman Blumenauer.
I am sure (if you watch any TV at all) that there is a show called “Aftermath” with Leah Remi. It is a TV show that shows the victims of the Church of Scientology, and what this church has done to them and their families.
There is an overwhelming preponderance of evidence that there is child abuse, fraud, character assassinations, and yes theft of government documents, where those high up in the leadership of this church went to jail after a raid on their files, and saved one woman from going to jail when it was discovered that she was being set-up and framed by this church.
Scientology owed the U.S. Government 1 billion dollar in taxes, which suddenly was swept under the rug, when they suddenly was not know as a corporation for money but a church with tax free benefits.
There is an petition being signed to have the tax status taken away from this church, and look into the allegations of the abuses that are going on within this organization.
Even now, this church wants donations to send their book to the victims of the Las Vegas disaster. They really have no-shame-whatsoever.
You may go on line and read and see videos of people who have given millions of dollars and years of their time to this organization.
Underground Bunker-Tony Ortega
Jeffrey Augustine
Karen De La Carriere
Mike Rider’s Blog.
There are many more sites to watch and too numerous to list here.
The father of the chairman of the board of Scientology “escaped”: from the base where he and his wife were being held. He has written (along with other “X-Members), a book about his experiences in the church that he was in for 41 years.
The wife of the leader of the church of Scientology disappeared in 2005 and has not been seen since. There has been deaths in the church that have been covered up via threats, and in once case had the medical doctor (who was an Scientology member) change the cause of death. I understand that there has been at least 2 deaths of children in the care of the church.
I wish with all my heart, that you can help with getting the word out to the proper people in Washington to put a stop to the abuses and tax free status of this so called church as they have in Germany and Australia.
Thank you for your time and effort in this matter in advance.
Lance Caldwell .
You need to read:
Timeline of Scientology versus the IRS
https://www.cs.cmu.edu/~dst/Cowen/essays/timeline.html
Wonder if the $12.5m the CoS payed in back taxes had anything to do with them getting their tax exemption back, since there hasn’t been any change in the way the CoS is structured. Hmmmmmmmmm
Thank you Bonnie for the timeline of Scientology vs the IRS.
I thought that I had read (standard procedure) of the cult to put investigators to report on the employees of the IRS, and finally made a deal to drop their investigations for a tax free church status. One has to wonder what their investigators found out.
I am amazed really that with such a timeline that is public records that the American government, the IRS, FBI, and other agencies can let this cult go without any real investigation. The charges of abuse itself one would think would make them go after this cult.
Thank you Bonnie.
I did look at the time line of this cult and the criminal acts that are associated with them. Of course it is just the tip of the iceberg, as it does not address the abuses that have been used against their own members or their families that in reality have not part of this cult.
I know that the FBI, IRS, state and local police, and politicians know of the abuses, but convince themselves that they cannot go after a “church.” No wonder America is in the sad shape that it finds itself in today, we have become a bunch of gutless wonders, with only islands of courage such as Leah, Mike, and their guest who speak out about the abuses of this cult. The good news is that more and more people because of their voice and program are speaking out, signing a petition to revoke the tax free status of this cult, and hopefully in the end dismantle this dangerous cult.
Thank you again Leah and Mike for “Aftermath,” your guests, those who have signed the “Tax the cult” petition, and everyone of people of good will who want to end this cult.
I wrote a letter back to Caralyn Percy after the posting of the ad and stupid letter asking for donations to send out WTH booklets for the people of Las Vegas. If I may, I would like to send you a copy on this blog that I wrote to her, and perhaps you can also write and let her know exactly how you feel about this issue.
Dear Caralyn Percy.
I have seen your letter asking for donations to send out “WTH” to the 600k people of the Las Vegas area. It has been pointed out that perhaps there might be an problem how to get the WTH booklets into the hands of all of those people. Standing on a street corner handing out booklets that remind you to brush your teeth, I don’t think would be of much comfort or use to any of the victims of the attack.
I am sure if you fully understand the total disastrous PR that your letter and ad asking for donations to send this book to the victims of Las Vegas. To tell the truth, it is seen as a total scam to get money from the comments that I have seen. Just a caution and warning to you. If David Miscavige is not pleased, and gets some flack from the poster and ad for donations, he will come at you and want to throw you in “The Hole.” You might want to walk fast, or better yet, run to the nearest exit before he gets his claws into you.
I understand that you and your husband were school teachers before getting involved with Scientology. How very sad that you had a real chance to make a difference in young minds in exchange for this organization. From what I understand from people who knew you before going into Scientology, they have found memories of you. I hope that they can reconnect with you and have found memories away from Scientology.
As you can figure out, I am most likely considered an “SP” or “Wog” but believe me I will bear the title proudly.
Lance Caldwell
I watched the excellent “Aftermath” show last night, and as far as ads go, I noticed that one was for “St Jude Children’s Hospital,” and another one was for “Society of Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA). Are they going to boycott those two organizations also.
Wonderful program, last night as always, and thanks again Leah, Mike, and their guests. Tell it like it is guys.
On why Leah Remini and Mike Rinder; A&E and other outlets are vital in this society at this time:
The courts and the several governmental agencies are afraid to take on these abuses due to the First Amendment. Therefore, it is necessary that these abuses be exposed along with the hundreds of front groups of this cult. They continue to use 50 year old failed technology to say they have answers for mental health, drug rehab, for education, for running your business, for running the government, and for running the world. All you have to do is reconfigure your thinking into their mold and all will be well. No matter how many have tried over 50 years to use their ‘tech’ the results are uniformly bad.
The First Amendment is also what gives Leah and Mike the freedom to expose the wrongs and crimes of these people.
Scientology is based on the same principles as the MKULTRA program. If you can cause enough pain and mental suffering you can break a persons will and control their mind. Especially for those that try and buck the system it’s a matter of trying to control their minds and keep or bring them back into fold. It’s pure and simple mind control.
It’s like they don’t even care what hypocrites they are, screaming about Leah and Mike exposing years of what Scientology and it’s leaders and executives have done only to destroy mankind, the violence and physical abuse, sexual abuse, psychological abuse, the tearing apart of families, the literal abandonment of children, and yes, their bigotry and hate against homosexuals and transgendered people, which is actually written into their “scripture”, the “church”, as always, ignores theses horrors that they’ve been responsible for since 1950 and scream just scream “religious bigotry” as their serious response. Does the “church” not see how this denial by silence that they’ve endorsed and executed since Hubbard wrote it down as an actual policy is not working in their favor, and has never worked in their favor?
There is a tape recording of Wally Hanks beating a young child at one of the Mace-Kingsly ranches or schools that were all run and staffed by the “church”. Wally was one of the Directors of this ranch, which incidentally was where faithful, dutiful Scientologists paid $30,000 a year to send their “Out-Ethics” children for years at a time and without so much as a phone call. Wally Hanks had been accused for years by kids that had stayed at the ranch of child abuse and horrific violence towards the kids, molesting the kids, providing drugs and alcohol to the kids, and a host of other various atrocities that would make most people nauseated and most ex-Scientologists ashamed. However, the response given by both the “church” and the parents of the kids who claimed they were abused by Wally was more punishment, more beatings, and more incarceration in Scientology-run prison camps for teenagers who dare go to their parent’s or an adult in the “church” and speak of any adult member of the “church” doing anything that could possibly bring bad press or cause an investigation by law enforcement. This has gone on for decades, and no doubt continues to go on within Scientology, and will always go on as long as the “church” considers children to be nothing more than spirits in little bodies, and promotes that parents not give a damn about their children, because after all, they are only your children in this life.
Now you want to tell me that this self-proclaimed anti-discrimination Scientology group “Stand” wants major companies and simply people in general to boycott A&E, Leah Remini, Mike Rinder, and anyone and everyone else who has anything to do with this TV show because they are all bigots, and are “discriminating” against the “church” of Scientology by finally exposing these horrors that have always gone on within their “church” and at it’s direct and purposeful orders to carry them out? Since when does the First Amendment protect a “religion” when they encourage, participate in, and directly order physical, sexual, and psychological abuse of it’s parishioners?
This is not a “Freedom of Religion” issue in any way, no more than priests within the Catholic Church molesting and raping young children is a Freedom of Religion issue. The First Amendment did not protect the Catholic Church from prosecution, and I cannot imagine the people of this country accepting the Catholic Church hiding behind their constitutional right to Freedom of Religion as a defense for the abuses that have gone on within their church at the hands of their priests. So why in hell are we as the human race not raging with as much anger and purpose towards the “church” of Scientology for their continual abuses? It is frustrating beyond belief to me, as it seems that a good percentage of the population has never taken the “church” of Scientology seriously, nor have they even really thought about them as being a “church”, but rather a joke. And I believe this comedic opinion of Scientology has made this a non-issue to a lot of the general public.
Excellent letter Ellen. No truer words were ever spoke. It also boggles the mind why there is not a rage by the government to investigate this cult, and address the glaring abuses that has happened. How much influence does 3 billion dollars buy one has to wonder.
Can you imagine the tape of a child being beaten in court, and have that blinking fool of a lawyer saying something stupid like: “Oh, he got a reprimand and everything was taken care internally by the church.” I would love to be on that jury believe me.
Take heart, each week that “Aftermath” is on the air, there will be more and more just average “Wog” people who are beneath the contempt of the cult who’s voice will rise up in their out rage like a title wave and wash away the sea org and DM away.
I was on Youtube watching a video that has nothing to do with Scientology or Leah or the show. The ad that came on before the start of the video was Marty Rathbum talking about Leah Remini. Towards the bottom of the screen was a link to the smear website they created for her. I don’t know everything he said bc I quickly pushed ‘skip ad’ as soon as it appeared. I am outraged that Youtube would allow such an ad to run. It is slander at the very least. Maybe we need to start our own chain of letters to Youtube . The fact that the organization would pay money to trash another human being for speaking up only goes to support the claims of the victims even more. What kind of “church” does this? I just can’t even express all the countless ways Scientology/Scientologists defy anything good. They scream victim and falsely claim to be victims of bigotry but look at what they are doing. The hypocrisy is almost comical at this point. Almost.
Is there an up to date list of companies that have boycotted/pulled ads from the show available so I can ensure to not now or ever support their products/services?
When you have a show that wins an award, and has a million plus viewers per episode, would you want to cancel your subscription to that show. More to the point I think, is how many other companies want to advertise on “Aftermath.”
I’m 30 mins into watching Aftermath and I’ve decided that I want to be Mimi Faust when I grow up. Seriously, she is amazing and kick-ass despite the crap and abuse of the cult. Horrible experience….she’s just amazing…
I absolutely agree. To have adults escort you from the only place that you knew as your home, without any money, food, place to go, etc. is beyond belief. This is a church that puts families first.
To tell the truth, I am not sure that I could have done what she has done. My hats off to you, and my heart goes out to you also.
Generally speaking, I think most people worry way too much about “discrimination”…which in truth, simply means to recognize a difference. To be honest, I find it laughable that Scientology even cares about something like this; they’re just causing a ruckus to save their already-rotting reputation. The day that the so-called “church” of Scientology ceases to exist, I won’t shed a tear. A lot of people will be freed from things so much worse than mere “offense” or inconvenience…such as forced abortion, slave labor, and manipulation of every kind. I look forward to seeing a headline someday, proclaiming Scientology a sham and David Miscavige being jailed for the rest of his life.
Hey Joshua, The sad fact is that the majority of Scientologists are not privy to some of the things that Mike and Leah are bringing to light, so therefore they have a skewed view of Scientology. I think it is time for people that know the truth to do a letter writing campaign and thank the sponsors for their support of the show and God Bless A&E for airing the show.
I find it hard to believe such abuses could be hidden so well, that 99% of Scientologists could be clueless about it. Instead, people being aware yet not caring about anyone else’s suffering seems far more likely. After all, if you’re supposedly “clearing the planet”, who cares about some disposable practitioner being enslaved or committing suicide? That’s the kind of warped thinking that Scientology produces…brainwashing people into believing the present doesn’t matter. Similar accusations have been made toward Christianity, with the phrase “they’re so heavenly-minded, they’re no earthly good.” I tend to believe, however, that description’s a lot more true about Scientology.
How many people have ever been in the hole? How many Joe Blow the plumber types have ever suffered the kind of abuse that it seems is reserved for the higher echelon since they know more about the inner workings of the CoS. I don’t know if it’s 99% but I believe the majority can be controlled with intimidation YOU DON’T WANT TO HELP THE PLANET!? Look at Annie Broeker, she was caught at an airport and just meekly returned with her captor. Believe it, people can be [[brainwashed]] into thinking the present doesn’t matter. Like I said the CoS uses the principles of MKULTRA. Fear, physical pain, intimidation and mental suffering. All they have to do is break their will and they can control their minds. Poor Shelly Miscavige, I seriously doubt if she will ever re-surface again (that is if she is still alive), like it’s been said, she knows where all the bodies are buried. They really wanted Annie since she was the sole care giver of LRH and she had to have known what happened in his last hours. Personally I think he was murdered.
If you recall the episode where Leah interviews her mom and relates the story of when Leah first finds out about the “Xenu” story and has the “What the f—is this” reaction has to be a classic.
Leah was kept from the “Xenu” story until she was at level-3, and nobody, including her mom could tell her, or anyone else about the story because they were told that if anybody without the proper training was told of the story they would die. You and I, and I believe the rest of the World knows the story, and I believe we are all doing quite well thank you.
Each episode, Leah and Mike find out more and more information of abuses and practices that they did not know about before, and certainly had no idea while in the cult.
This is a cult that prides itself on telling on each other, or even worse, the person tells on themselves for their “crimes” and accepts horrible punishment because “they deserve it.”
There is no reform for this cult, no religion, no nothing. It is based on making a ruling elite that would rule, and the rest of humanity would serve. If you don’t believe that, then watch the interview that Ted Coople had with David M. in which DM said “We want to take the people who are at this level, (showing his hand flat) and move them up here, indicating a higher level than his other hand). Those below that level, he dismissed. Guess what, those below his hand will rise up and bite his hand. LOL.
Ya’ know, only once did I boycott a sponsor of A&E’s Aftermath. There was an ad for “The Mummy” with Tom Cruise. Well, I made sure to avoid that product, let me tell you.
Did anybody else see The Mummy? Nah, didn’t think so.
I heard that the Mummy didn’t do well at the box office. I used to love Toms movies, but I wont be seeing any in the future. Some pyschic predicted that his career is going downhill from here. If the cult ever loses Tom I think it will do them in. He’d probably have the same intensity to out abuses if he ever sees the truth.
I’ve prayed for him at different times, along with Kirstie Alley and the Travoltas. I want everyone in Scientology to leave it behind and seek Jesus…but I also think these celebrities can help a lot of people toward that end by using their platforms for Christ instead of a Satanic cult.
big·ot·ry
ˈbiɡətrē
noun
intolerance toward those who hold different opinions from oneself.
I looked up the definition of bigotry. I was under the impression it only had to do with religion, so today I learned the real meaning.
My personal opinion is that, in general, it’s good to keep an open mind about many things; to be tolerant of others views and beliefs, and not be unmoveable in one’s opinion.
However, sometimes it is understandable, and even laudable to show intolerance toward those who hold different opinions – I will give an example: in the 1960’s many people in the United States decided that it was no longer acceptable to classify people of color as “less than” and segregate them as far as schools, housing, job opportunities. So to effect change, we needed to be intolerant of those people who held those views about minorities, and instead say, it is no longer tolerable to hold/enforce this viewpoint.
Another example: for quite some time the fishing industry caught tuna using nets that ensnared dolphins who were then killed and discarded; this was bad for the environment, (not to mention the dolphin population). Some people said “I don’t care about dolphins” I only care about the cost of tuna, others said “I no longer accept your opinion as valid, as it negatively affects society as a whole”. Substitute whatever human rights or environmental rights issue of your choosing into the example, to make it work for you. For instance: we no longer tolerate tobacco companies marketing to minors, we no longer allow pyramid schemes, we no longer exclude women from some professions, we no longer …. whatever.
So using the strict definition of bigotry, as quoted above, at times it is actually ok to be “bigoted”, especially if the issue, law, practice, custom, or whatever, is unfair or harmful to others or to society as a whole.
Relating it to Scientology, if someone feels that they engage in unfair, harmful, deceitful practices, they may no longer be as tolerant of their views, in other words “a bigot”, but it may be ok, and even necessary, to stop being tolerant of harmful practices to bring about positive change. I should also point out, that no one in Leah Remini’s show “Scientology and The Aftermath”, has said they intend to discriminate against anyone because they are Scientologists, rather, they are just telling their personal stories of their experiences in the Church of Scientology and relating how they have been harmed. So this is not “spreading hate” – it is merely telling their own true story.
If you’ve read this whole post – regardless if you agree with it or not, kudos to you, you have an inquiring mind and are open to thinking about other’s views, thanks for reading. If you have read it but don’t agree with it, at least you’ve taken the time to think about it, and this quote applies: “It is the mark of an educated mind to be able to entertain an idea without accepting it.” – Aristotle
tasaj22,
I thinks you have a great understanding working for you. Great!
Thank you Jim 🙂 Glad you read the post!
Kudos to YOU!
Interesting essay. The Hellenistic Period was the cradle of the European (western) culture only, Hungry is the exception. Aristotle also believed that Monarchy and Aristocracy are Two of the Three ways a ways to govern, Democracy was the Third, that being said Scientology is truly entertaining and provide amusement to many.
Word, you know much more about Aristotle than I do! I did like that quote of his though, about being able to discuss a topic even if you don’t agree with it.
Tasaj22,
Good comment, love the quote at the end. Thanks
TashaJ22, The point we have to remember is Scientology is inhumane and is physically harming people.
Yeah, and I pretty much don’t have a problem discriminating against church policies described by participants on this show.
Remember the days when scientology was ‘litigation happy’? If there were the slightest whiff of wrongdoing, defamation, slander, or lies – scientology would slap a lawsuit on it as fast as possible. Scientology had a reputation for it, and media outlets used to back off carrying anything that might get them sued by the church.
Fast forward to The Aftermath…what’s wrong with this picture? No lawsuits. It isn’t for lack of money, it isn’t for DMs lack of vitriol, it isn’t for a dearth of blinking lawyers…no, it’s because they cannot face the revealing sunlight of a courtroom. It’s because the stories that Mike, Leah.and guests, tell are TRUTH.
You can bet that DM would give a small fortune to smack down anyone associated with The Aftermath, but he knows he must stay out of the light at all costs.
And everyone who was around during the church’s slap happy lawsuit days knows that the church simply cannot file a lawsuit because the stories are true.
This statement is spot on “true.” Miscavige is a defanged cowardly muppet leader at best stowing away millions for the time when he must flee to a country where he can avoid eventual prosecution for his crimes against humanity. History will show that the current leader of N. Korea and the evil tyrant David Miscavige are both psychopathic narcissists who were further examples of humanity’s capacity to define evil by their actions regarding the power over others and how they abused it. One had a country, not as big as Mao, or Stalin, or Hitler, thank goodness, but David Miscavige is no less evil than his predecessor L Ron “Flubbard”. Hubbard. Miscavige will pay off doubtless more people who try to sue his cult. Somewhere there has to be some hungry lawyers ready to take advantage of the trembling cowardice of the evil miscreat David Miscavige. I suspect Leah and Mike have some pending “chess moves” that will be played when their position is strengthened such that it’s time to go for checkmate. This is a war of attrition but at some point justice will strike with a mighty thunderbolt. Then the victims of lyintology will likely be able to get their financial compensation for the crimes against their lives. The scilon lawyers will circle the wagons first with DM on the lam but I am confident there will be financial compensation once DM is out of the picture. Thank goodness for the internet. Mass information can actually do some good in this case.
I agree, when Leah and Mike went to the secret place to see the lawyers (they could not say what was discussed, nor where the meeting was at), you can bet that a whole line of “What If..” type questions and “Can we do this or that” also was on the agenda. I along with everyone else, hope that the lawyers were able to give them a positive answer, and a way to bring down this cult.
Dave,
SAAAD Update:
Colony Capital is in talks to buy the afterbirth of the Weinstein Co. fiasco. If you get Tommy D to polish up on his brown-nosing skills, maybe you can get in on the deal and fulfill your fantasy of being an Idle Hollywood Mogul before your own bubble bursts. LOL
Hey, never thought of that! Turn Scientology into a public company, shares and listed on the exchange and all. They could trade under many names too, first that comes to mind is Assholes United. Gee the possibilities of foreign investment, NOI, Nth Korea… boggles the mind.
This boycott is headed for the same fate as their stupid petition. In two months they couldn’t get their goal, a measly 7,500 signatures, to pressure A&E to remove Leah’s series. They’ve been stuck for weeks with over 1,200 signatures to go. Right now they are getting about one signature per day. This is a dismal failure for the cult. I can bet that some deserving sod is in a much lower condition as a result of this fiasco. Leah has the numbers so the cult is just screwed and their efforts doomed to failure. It is very entertaining for the rest of us though.
A counter petition to boycott agencies that pull ads under pressure from the church should be started.
Don’t agree, RAsmar, as that would only call more attention to the cult’s petitions to have the ads pulled. These petitions are weak and pathetic; I’d say just let them die on their own.
When I google “remini aftermath” the first result I get is a Church smear site. How is that possible? I’m sure no one actually reads these sites and few outside the Church’s own sites link to them. Did they pay to have their smear sites first in search results?
It’s a paid site. It doesnt show up like that for me
I’m seeing that same smear site too as the first Google search result. It has the “Ad” icon to the left of it. Yep, the church paid to make sure that came up first!
Many internet ads are different for every viewer on the same page viewed. The ads are bought and paid for by someone based on the words searched. Therefore, the smear site pays to be seen on the search results page. This is how Google, Yahoo and other search engines earn money.
The polocies that hubbard has made up as he went along should meen nothing to anybody with a moral compass,maybee misgavich should defend himself in a interview instead of getting his zombies to do his dirty work,you dont run and hide if your innocent
For any one new to Scientology Watching here is DM being interviewed on nightline: https://vimeo.com/5547567
Thanks for sharing that video! DM is too intense for me, but he’s a good salesman. I feel compassion for anyone who was brainwashed into that cult. I believe everyone whose been brave enough to tell their stories on Leah and Mikes show. It blows me away that the cult attacks every single person who leaves and actually believes normal viewers would consider they are telling the truth. Religious organizations help, not harm their people.
Kudos to Mimi for leaving the church at such a young age. Just an incredible story. She along with so many former members are fascinating people. I really enjoyed the Paul Haggis segment.
This is off topic but I’m very curious about Mark/Marty Rathbun. I’ve seen videos of him, watched the movie he was in (My Scientology) and read one of his books. Despite the theory that he’s receiving money from the church my heart goes out to him. I hope he’ll go on Leah’s show at some point because his story is truly compelling. He must have a good heart because he joined in order to help his brother with mental illness. His own life was far more interesting in his book than the Scientology story. He was able to help the mental patients more than the doctors at the mental institution his brother wound up in. As I read the book, it saddened me to know how many jobs he could have been a success in had he not been sucked into the church. In My Scientology he said he was unhirerable now which is awful. I really wish the best for him and his family, and if he’s being paid by the church to support his family I pray someone will help him obtain a job and he’ll come back to help people get out again. I’m wondering what Mike did inbetween leaving the cult and his current gig.
Dear Head Cheese
I demand that you remove from A & E that Aftermath show. If you do not do so, I will disconnect (no pun intended) my satellite dish.
Sincerely,
Xenu
Whoa! You don’t want to mess with Xenu!
Billions have tried and look what happened to them – KABOOM! and then story time under the stars.
Ahahahaha! Is he related to Xena, Princess Warrior?
Shush, there’s an out 2D situation there the Cof$ is covering up.
Xenia is one hot mama!
Thanks, guys. I’m coming down with pneumonia now 🙂
Speaking of Xenu: I’ve noticed that one of the artistic renditions of him is the spitting image of Ming the Merciless from the old Flash Gordon serial (though Ming was a wimp compared to Miscavige).
LOL!
Lawd….I did not see that coming!!!! I cackled:)
I seriously snorted at this… not easy as I currently have a sinus infection. I had it coming tho cuz I watch Aftermath, and xenu is NOT pleased at all.
Wonder if they wrote to whoever advertises Tom Cruise movies during the show.
In the 80’s a new network called Fox aired a little show called Married With Children. The network was foundering, the show was nothing in the world of network programming until a Michigan housewife saw it one night and it offended her to such an extent that she started calling/writing letters to the advertisers. A few advertisers pulled their adds the first week. Unfortunately for her it backfired and her “boycott the advertisers” actually lead to the shows and networks ultimate success. In the end she realized her failure and her final complaint…they could have at least sent her a fruit basket to thank her! Oh and the advertisers that pulled their adds came back but the cost for the time skyrocketed so advertisers are much more cautious about pulling adds from shows due to “angry letters”.
“One could just as easily say ‘the potential for David Miscavige to do grevious bodily harm to someone in his vicinity is increasing as a result of the show airing.’ ”
Which would be a much more likely outcome! Lil davey is the poster child for sadistic sociopathy, but he’s also the ultimate “no responsibility” case as well.
Despite causing much of horrible PR that’s currently swamping the cult ship of fools, this total DB takes absolutely no responsibility for causing any of it and regularly blames and punishes others for the cult’s beyond horrible public image.
When are these cowed and craven $cilons going to use their own damn PTS/SP tech to identify and deal with the real Super SP on $cn’s lines by booting this evil little fuck out the door!!? It’s either that or go down with him, I’m afraid.
Wait a sec, we WANT L’il Dave at the helm of scientology.
I don’t think I could imagine anybody else doing as pathetic as a job as him. He is the definition of incompetence, and as long as he runs scientology, we can rest assured in its demise.
Such a happy thought.
So keep it up Davey boy! You’re doing a bang up job! (Oh to see the Thursday stats, ha ha ha.)
Say…has anybody actually confirmed the fact that Scientologists have ACTUALLY sent these letters to their intended recipients?
I wouldn’t put it past the cherch to churn out form letters for specific advertisers, sign them, and post them ONLY of the STAAD website!
Maybe DM and THE DONALD, should come together and compare lies to see which one tells the biggest and best.
Maybe you can provide a few examples to get the cray cray started.
Glaring similarities exist in the way these two operate, certainly, but careful, Peggy, this blog is a No Bash Trump Zone and you don’t want to attract the ire of the Speech Police who vigilantly patrol here . And I’m not referring to Mike Rinder. Peggy, you don’t want to piss off the Speech Police or you might just get “outed” here on this blog or possibly behind your back.
Not intending to atract ire but I too cannot ignore the similarities in behavior. I’ve wondered if DT isn’t a closet Scientologist.
Sooner or later, public opinion will put Dave on the National Stage. It will be interesting to see the exs response if DT gives Dave the Kim Jong-un treatment.
garden, anyone who knows about DM and observes DT and ignores the similarities between the two of them in their speech, functions and reactions is in denial. Too painful to confront yet., I’d opine. Give them time.
Example, please.
Example #1:
Neither DM or DT EVER take personal responsibility when something goes wrong.. When something goes wrong, it is ALWAYS someone else’s fault.
Example #2:
If or when something goes right, each claim all the credit.
Example #3
Indefatigable liars, both of them. Examples furnished upon request if Mike allows me to post the DT ones. :
Example #4
Ad hom attacks on anyone critical.
Example #5
Obseessed with revenge, both of them, DM because its founded in Co$ scripture and DT because he learned at the knee to “never forget, never let anything go” and “if someone hits at me, I’ll always hit back 10 times harder”. Its in his books (I’ve read 4 of them) and he’s said in interviews and on his show, “The Apprentice”. He’s very proud of this; its no secret. NEVER lets anything go. Very thin skinned.
Sure glad the Speech Police are taking the day off. Mirror, meet Aqua. LOL
Threefeet, I have no problem with anyone voicing their opinion. Bix requested examples and I listed a few similarities that I observe. You can disagree and you obviously do, and that’s fine, but its unfair to say that I’m policing anyone’s speech.
Aqua, I worked around Hillary on the Hill. Sounds like her an DT would get along famously. Cut from the same cloth. Her staff were always terrified because of those exact “qualities”.
I hope those qualities aren’t required to climb to the top.
Wynski, I don’t know Hillary personally nor have I ever associated with her. Nor do I know Donald Trump, nor have I ever worked for or around him. I can only judge these people by what they say publicly. Furthermore, not only do I believe Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton WOULD get along, I believe they actually DO get along because for many years they DID get along. They socialized for years and DT had high praise for HRC when she was a NY Senator.
As a Senator and as Secretary of State. The Clintons and the Trumps were pals, and Chelsea Clinton is VERY close friends with Ivanka. This is common knowledge. So I’m not taken in by all this political theatre of “Lock her up, Crooked Hillary, etc.” That’s just classic Trump Theatre. He’s throwing red meat to his core supporters who hate her. He’s a good showman.
Thanks Aqua, I thought Trump was a player in the NYC Democrat party back in the day. Makes sense now.
Oh, no, not Ed Parkin! I remember him well from protests held in and around PAC Base in Los Angeles, last year. He’s a poor example of a scientologist and should be ashamed of himself.
Fred G. Haseney
Ex-scientologist (1977-2014)
Not that the absurdity of this campaign needed any help. However, it received just that when during the second or third show of the season an ad for the latest Tom Cruise movie appeared on Leah’s show!
So what’s a “scientologist in good standing” to do? Send angry letters to Tom? Denounce and boycott his movie? Or continue to follow the script, post on entertainment blogs and tell the world that Tom is a genius regardless of what critics, Academy and audiences may think. Surely, someone less versed in cognitive dissonance and not enjoying the benefit of having a cult do their thinking for them could easily despair when faced with such irreconcilable alternatives.
Naturally, I am NOT suggesting that Tom knew about this ad buy any more than, say, the executives of GEICO or Coke would dabble in this level of detail; Tom’s too busy testing his OT powers on tall buildings and shunning his daughter to be bothered. However, if nothing else, it shows one thing: When viewed objectively–unencumbered by cult group “think”–by marketing professionals, their conclusion is that Leah’s show is a-happenin’.
Perfect. Now more people will go watch the show and see what it is all about and hear how a 13 year old was abandoned on the streets of Los Angeles because she wouldn’t sign a contract committing herself to working forever for the Church of Scientology like her mother. They’ll hear about the abuse of children by the Church of Scientology.
““The threat level has again risen, precisely coincident with A&E’s promotion and airing of the second season of this show, now spawning even more threats—bombings, murder and acts of physical violence.” I don’t believe this for a minute. Bombings? When, where, what, who, how? And murder, actual murder? When, where, what, who how? The church needs to provide the dox on these things or STFU.
RK, leaving a 13 year old on the streets is against the law. Cruel beyond belief. I’m so thankful the girl made it to adulthood in tact and triumphd in the end. So glad she had the smarts to overcome their intimidating process. Too bad she didn’t tell the police though.
Mike, if you are too busy this week for Thursday funnies, just post the link for the STAAD website. I imagine for those of you who know some of those posters it is even more amazing.
STAAD website is comedy gold! I only wish they had a comment section on the blogs/posts. It appears math is not their strong suit either. Here is this tidbit……..
Scientology is accepted as a religion throughout the world. Since the establishment of the first Church of Scientology in 1954, the religion has grown to millions of members and Scientologists practice in virtually every country of the world.
How can they actually believe such a thing? Another post said something about the valley org being the LARGEST CHURCH! They held an event and had “over 600 attend” so I assumed everyone showed up!
I love it. Advertisers aren’t idiots and can not be “handled” using scientology useless “tech”. A handful of dopes sending out dear Sir/Madame form letters will accomplish absolutely nothing.
In fact, Miscavige continuously empties the chamber of foot bullets at a dizzying pace, so it will be fun to watch how this latest grand strategy backfires. They always do backfire with Miscavige.
Anyway folks, let’s keep supporting the sponsors of Aftermath.
Precisely, WAYC. Big ticket advertisers buying millions of dollars worth of air time know exactly to whom they are pitching their product. Such companies do meticulous market research and know precisely their market share demographics.
To determine who the audience is for any TV show just observe their commercials.
I think the cult believes it can succeed with this ploy because of how O’Reilly was ousted on Fox, but they’re wrong; what worked on Fox with advertisers pulling away from a paid-off alleged sexual predator will NOT work on A & E’s advertisers for Afternath. because the demographics targeted by these advertisers are NOT aging Scientolists,
I have to laugh: Anheiser Busch, one of the advertisers for the show being petitioned by the cult to withdraw from Aftermath, has to already know that Scientologists can’t have any alcohol in their systems 24 hours before or after going on course or being audited.
In fact, none of these advertisers would have signed on in the first place if they thought for one millisecond that CO$ would in any way damage their market share.
But, nice try, anyway, Cult. Keep on keeping on with applying, “The Wrong Thing To Do Is Nothing”.
Maybe some day, something you do will stick, you know? Some reactive, illogical stratagem of yours might actually be effective. Its possible. Just as an enraged Oscar Madison threw a plate of spaghetti at the kitchen wall when in a fury with Felix Unger and hoped afterwards that a few strands would stick. Its possible. Good luck with that.
PS: Correction: it wasn’t spaghetti, it was linguine.. Thanks, Felix.
Ha ha ha! Say hello to the heavy artillery. The cult is in SEVERE pain. Listen, and you’ll hear them stifling their groans. “Stop! Please, please stop! PLEASE!”
Poor cult. We feel your pain, You are just so continually maligned by Evil SPs!
And, of course, we SPs know EXACTLY what we are doing, and WHY!
Its ALL there is your scripture. These attacks on you are nothing less than TEXTBOOK SP behavior toward Social Personalities Helping Mankind To Go Free!
Because you’re WINNING!
THAT’S why we’re howling!
WE JUST CAN’T STAND IT!
That’s why we SPs need to stop you by any means necessary!
That’s what this Leah Remini/Mike Rinder/ Aftermath thing on A & E is about.
In fact, that’s ALL that the Leah and Mike thing is about!
Scientology is spreading like WILDFIRE. People are FLOODING into your beautiful Ideal M’Orgs. The expansion is occurring at an UNPRECEDENTED RATE!
What you tell your Still Ins about these attacks is 100% right, cult.
You couldn’t be more right!
You are ALWAYS right!
So, just keep on keeping on, guys.
Never mind the SP dogs that bark and howl at your caravan.
Keep expanding. Keep winning. Your ability, cult, to confront and shatter suppression is nothing short of AMAZING.
I have to admit this, even though I’m on the other side.
You are just the winningest darn cult that ever existed!
Sincerely,
Aquamarine.
Thanks for the chuckle 🙂
Aqua Marine……Oh you are sooo going to the RPF…..No Wait ….The RPF is kaput ! You are sooo lucky!
Aw, shucks, Python. What a let-down. 🙂
WOW! And to think all those poisoned ink letters are signed by people who have NEVER seen the A&E program???
Oh my… I need to take a Tylenol and have a LLD (that means ‘little lie down’ Espi) to fathom the level of propaganda & deceit.
Naw, (kiss) keep it simple stupid & bust a few heads with the truth if I could ever get in the same room as these jackasses. But in essence they are doing more to promote Leah & Mike efforts than they could ever imagine.
Concerning Scientology’s collective OSA inspired think in their attempt to rid themselves of the Leah Remini effect showering down on them 24/7 is nicely summed up by a simple quote I saw while browsing the net the other day.
“If an ad campaign is built around a weak idea — or as is so often the case, no idea at all — I don’t give a damn how good the execution is, it’s going to fail.”
-Morris Hite
Hello IYawn…
The Leah/Mike takedown of Scientology is astounding! My hubby – that listens patiently to me whenever I come across something Scientology related – only NOW is actually LISTENING. Why? Because of Leah and Mike. The series has touched many like my hubby – and trust me, that was not an easy thing to do. It has made the horror that is Scientology REAL – especially the child abuse stories. Too bad Miss Cabbage – there aint no turning back.
And one more thing…
Bite my Aussie born, Greek raised buttttt Mr DM
xxxxx
Don’t you just love it when a plan comes together? Cheers and give Hubby a hug!
Barbara Streisand is happy to yield her ‘Streisand Effect’ to $cientology and rename it the ‘$cieno Effect’. The Wall Street Journal is not the only paper to publish this story. Many others reprint the exact words and others even rework the words for local content. I can see the Cleveland Plain Dealer calling up the local mission or mOrg and asking for comments. I bet all they heard were crickets…..
Speaking of advertisements, I nearly had a milk-thru-the-nose moment while I was watching the Aftermath online: one of the commercial breaks on the a&e website showcased Tom Cruise’s new movie, American Made, which of course points out corruption in law enforcement. I daresay a&e might have been unaware of the seeming conflict of interest!
Tom, that old bigot, is at it again! Maybe he’s pissed that he found out with this accident that OT powers don’t do shit after all.
I saw this, too, and I found it quite comical!
I would write a commendation to the OSA flunkie for getting Aftermath onto the Wall Street Journal.
Every bit of promotion for the show is good!
This is so bizarre. They obviously do not even watch the show.
Mr. Rinder, please let me tell you that I love you today. And, thank you for staking a staad against $cientology! 🙂
?
Aww:)))
Unfortunately, Chuck, I doubt there is anyone intelligent enough, sane enough, strong enough or resourceful enough to make such changes. As well, DM is so clinically insane, he’d fight tooth and nail to resist such change, change which would surely endanger his grip on power.
I have kind of hesitated to write the following, but as part of Scientology’s creed is reincarnation here goes.
During WW-2 Hitler became more and more fearful and suspicious of his generals as the war dragged on. He finally took over all command, and the results was the total destruction of his realm.
From what I can gather from the “old timers” that have been in this cult for a long time, it was “kinda, sorta, not so bad” but now is over the top bad with DM at the helm.
We should encourage DM to keep making such outright lies and mistakes, which anyone can see through. Perhaps just like Hitler, he also will cause this realm to fall.
On another note: I sent a letter to Alexandra Bruell telling her to get her facts straight before reporting.
I also wrote to Caralyn Percy this morning, and told her that a book to remind people to brush their teeth will not do much for the people who were and are victims of the attack in Las Vegas. I also told her that if this backfires, and DM is displeased to run to the nearest exit before he can get his claws into her and send her to “The Hole.
I love the one to Anheuser-Busch that started “I am a Scientologist and an American”. AB is owned by InBev. InBev is Belgian. They probably don’t give two shits whether or not you’re an American. Guess that Scientology fell for the whole “America” ad campaign that Budweiser did this summer. If that’s the case, they’re the only people who did fall for that campaign.
Maybe $ci claims ownership of Anheurser-Busch because Michael Pena was the ubiquitous spokesman in the big Bud Lite rebranding campaign.
All I can say is the the Church is 100% responsible for their own condition! Eh?!
Surely you don’t you mean, “they pulled it in!” They are the most ethical group on the planet. Led by the most happily married man ever to wear a wedding ring… do you?
SURE he’s a happy married man! The wife is exiled to a Siberia, and no one’s going to prevent him from enjoying his ….(communicator?) … Lou, so he’s home free
TO: STAAAD, or whatever
Hundred-or-So, Letter-Writing Robots
OSA and mr ed parkin
Scientology and mr david miscavige
FROM: Numerous Advertisers of Leah Remini: Aftermath
Numerous Sponsors Of Leah Remini: Aftermath
A&E, Backers of Leah Remini: Aftermath
Thousands of ex-Scientologists backing Leah Remini: Aftermath
Millions of viewers of Leah Remini: Aftermath
REGARDING: Form Letters Received about Leah Remini: Aftermath
We have looked into the content of your form letters and determined several facts of note:
1) At most 7 of the 100+ letter writers had a TV that was ON, much less tuned to A&E during the times that Leah Remini: Aftermath was showing.
2) A&E has been rerunning episodes of Leah Remini: Aftermath over 60 times throughout our programming days and viewers still tune in to it. You could have too.
3) The form letters fail to address any of the facts presented in the Episodes and seem to be only ‘generalities’ and ‘ad hominems’ of the individuals on the shows. A ‘generality’ is supposedly a bad sign in Scientology, right? Aren’t ‘ad hominems’ suppressive?
4) We have noted, per the several notices displayed during the Episodes that no one from the church has stepped forward to officially rebuke, refute, reply, or counter in defense of the accusations. Our conclusion is that Scientology activities are indefensible.
5) We have noted numerous hateful statements in your form letters. This leads us to conclude that Scientology is hateful church.
6) And, we have further gleaned from the actions of the church that you do not practice what you preach, if indeed you preach at all.
In conclusion, we appreciate the time and effort you have taken in signing a form letter and in being perhaps the .0001% of the population disapproving of Leah Remini: Aftermath. May the thousand or so followers of your church continue to flourish and prosper to the degree you richly deserve.
Approved. Send it!
Ever since I started seeing ads for Aftermath prior to season one, I thought it was brave of A&E to air such a show, given the cult’s history of litigation. Isn’t a letter writing campaign to advertisers a surprisingly mild application of the ‘always attack, never defend’ policy? Where are the multiple lawsuits such as those that made the IRS buckle? Would have thought that army of lawyers would be busy in court by now rather than vetting, can the cult not stomach the fight anymore?
Regarding STAAD, couldn’t they have tried just a little bit harder to get an N in there? How about something like Scientologists Take Action: No Discrimination!!! Not only would the acronym actually be STAND, it would also give them an excuse to use their favourite literary device, the exclamation point.
august west, the cult’s main problem with suing Aftermath for libel is it can’t sue for libel because Aftermath is telling the truth, Libel has to be proven. That’s why this indefatigably litigious organization is forced to be content with limiting its “attacks” to public denials, viciously untruthful smear websites on Leah, Mike and the other Aftermath contributors and this latest desperate gambit targetng the shows advertisers.
Wouldn’t libel have to be proven in court though? Which would cost an awful lot of money on both sides, and you know the cult would make it as aggravating as possible on A&E. The case vs Time magazine dragged on for a decade or so, costing millions. Their chances of beating the IRS in court were likely slim to none too, didn’t stop them filing all those lawsuits.
It would be interesting to see how many letters even reach folks who matter. With big companies, it can be difficult to reach the right people.
True story: Years ago I worked at one of the companies they’re targeting with these letters. At the time there was a well-known website that would fax users’ complaint letters to companies. The fax number this website used was one in my department that had nothing to do with complaints. They would just pile up unread on this fax machine until someone dumped everything into the recycling.
Wow! These cult members are really riled up! Of course, when they say ‘we’ve had 400 hate crimes against us,’ that’s there imagination working overtime. We now see what kind of effect Leah’s show has. And the great news is…she’s not slowing down!
Leah & Mike, you guys rock! This may be the best show on A&E! And the number of people watching are…IN THE MILLIONS!
Poor little cult members…
Love that expression, “never give a sucker an even break.” Time to turn the heat up even further on Scientology now they’re at a fast boil, maybe they’ll evaporate real soon or have a complete meltdown. Either way… it’s all good!
While this acronym-challenged group just keeps showing how utterly ridiculous they are, just remember…..this is the same group that, instead of listening and trying to support people who allege they’re victims of abuse and/or rape, they would rather ignore, attack, ostracize, degrade, and try to silence them.
This is why many women don’t report when they’ve been abused or sexually assaulted. This group and their tactics contribute to that problem immensely.
They are just following policy. Many atrocities throughout history have been explained away by, “just following orders.” Hubbard just collated the procedures to be followed within his organisation. That’s what you’re seeing every time they open their mouths or put out a release. ‘Attack, never defend’ underlies all their responsive actions.
I Yawn,
They are undoubtedly……Useful Idiots!
Yes indeed, cannon fodder is another name for them too.
Geezers, what sort of moron would admit to being a Scientologist today?
The worst of the Kool-Ade drinkers.
LOL!!! They have one of their “… is defined as …” twitches in the letter to Amazon (defining McCarthyism, but who cares). Can these fools ever manage to control themselves and stop trying to be human dictionaries for wogs who either already know the meanings of common English words or who have easy ways to look a word up?
Scientology is giving Scientology a bad name, not its critics. Critics are only exposing Scientology’s actions. They are responsible for their crashing statistics and dwindling membetship. They are responsible for people finally refusing to come in for auditing and training and for being defrauded and ripped off. Endless thanks to Leah, Mike, A&E, Tony, and to all contributors for spearheading the exposure of the insanities and crimes of the cult. They should only point the finger at themselves. Like Paul Haggis said, “these people are committing heinous acts, and they need to be held accountable for them.” That’s it in a nutshell. They should be apologizing to their members and ex-members for what they’ve done to them, but they can’t. Their policies keep them locked into their rigid self-destructive operations.
Exactly.
“Scientology is giving Scientology a bad name, not its critics.”
And isn’t it fun?
Its always fun to watch liars and doublecrossers do themselves in and unravel right in front of your eyes.
Especially when a person or an organization is mentally straightjacketed to always react a certain way.
You state the truth and make it widely know,
Then, just sit back, relax and enjoy the show..
Mike, YOU are an awesome human being.
Miscavige has undoubtedly spent MANY a sleepless nite “ruing the day” that he let you slip out of his grasp.
Poor Lou. I’d bet that she’s ready to change places with Shelly by now 🙂
As I explained tomy never-in wife what I was reading, here, I realized that there are probably more disaffected ex-Scientologists contributing to this site than there are active, dedicated Scientologists
–worldwide. Great Job DB DM !!!!!!!!!!!
ETA much more, but deleted it since this is a blog for families, some of whom might be distressed at the DM-level of speech included. (I never did understand his obsession with SCOHB. Is that what he’d rather be doing than cleaning up after his minions? Heck, Even when he’s right there, forcing them to do exactly what he commanded, everything goes pear-shaped and accomplishes exactly the reverse of his stated intention. I guess the only thing he can do is pull up his big-boy pants and attack _Aftermath_,
mike, and Leah personally.
Oh WAIT! Isn’t that just what he’s been doing, using a bunch of sock puppets to confuse us SPs[Social Personalities, who are illegally living well, doncha know.]
“It appears some religions and groups are ‘FAIR GAME’ for bigotry.” [Emphasis mine]
An ironic choice of words.
“Bombings, murder and acts of physical violence.”
Sure that’s happening around the world, but it’s NOT happening with Scientology.
Remember, lying comes to Scientology, as breathing comes to the rest of us.
Cruelty is the correct term. There’s nothing remotely fair about fair game.
Wow, this STAAD league is laughable. Sending letters to express your outrage? Literally, I was laughing while reading this. The term ‘OK to Bash’ reminds me of the LRH term ‘FAIR GAME’. Synonyms? Absolutely.
They are a comical bunch! And they keep shooting them selves in both feet.
Every time I watch the show I think, there is no way I could possibly be more outraged by this corporation (not religion) and every week I’m wrong. This just adds fuel to the fire. Is there not one single dictionary within the church premises or among the “parishioners”???? There is no discrimination here, they clearly don’t even know what it means! Illegal or horrendous practices are being brought into the light. Maybe they should also learn the definition of complicit. Anyone who knows about these unthinkable acts and practices but doesn’t do anything to try to stop it is complicit. We need to speak up. They want to write BS letters? Let’s write our own and do what we can to show our support, our numbers, our strength. This organization needs to be shut down. Not bc I have a problem with religion but bc I have a problem with harassment, abuse, bullying, FORCED abortions, child labor and ironically… discrimination. Discrimination against the LBGT community and against anyone who has a mere question about their policies. The minute you have an opinion different from theirs, you are labeled an SP and cut off. Is that not a type of discrimination in and of itself? Morons! Ohhh I’m so mad. LOL
If you aren’t rich you better be ok with slavery. It’s high organizational crime and it needs to end!
Wow they really seem to be panicking Now!
You and Leah are doing a fantastic job.
I think they’ve been panicking for quite a while.
“Individuals who say they are Scientologists”. Interesting form of words. Implies they strongly suspect many of these ‘individuals’ are just sock puppets.
Sponsor: Hmmmm…should we boycott a huge, legitimate company like A&E and their award winning show? Or should we side with a sketchy cult.
Hmmmmm….let me think about this for one or two….seconds. LOL These corporations get letters like this EVERY DAY, including Sundays. Weird and unsupported messages. The corporations have soothing preprinted letters they mail out, which actually say notning at all. (They, too, have regiments of attorneys!)
Earth is truly going through the phase of, “the age of attorneys” hey? Except in places like Nth Korea, where there is only one that matters.
Let’s hope it’s a “brief” age of attorneys…
Waste of good shoelaces.
I’m going to go out on a limb and say, I’ll take A&E and their award winning show…that millions of people watch.
The group is trying to sway advertisers from running during the program in hopes that the show gets cancelled . They will never take responsibility for what they do to people and how they basically kidnap people in order to boost their membership and take people’s money to further their cause .
It’s disgusting, they tried to do it to my 11 yr sister and it took my father taking the LAPD to the Scientology building to get them to release my sister ….
What’s the word I’m looking for…it’s on the tip of my tongue…oh, yeah, scumbags.
I was thinking more like stooopid
Six of one…half a dozen of the other. But, stooopid will work.
Mike…
This sounds like Jim Jones, Moonies, Hare Krishnas…in the 80’s they had deprogrammers for people coming out of cults….rant ad nauseum…..Mike, are there any Scientdudes in government of more specifically the DNC??? They seem to be taking a page from LRH much to my chagrin……Yea Leah and Mike and all who are free of Groupthink…..cheers,
I knew people who got involved deeply with the Moonies & Hare Krishna’s….& one other group in California that had FLDS type beliefs about women being lower beings etc. Some wised up in their mid 29’s & 30s & exited. Some went to psychologist/psychiatrist for help…….don’t know how they’re doing today but nothing I could say back then about getting out of their cult was listened to.
The 80s was cult central.
The 80s? Gosh… did that decade actually happen? My birth certificate and tax records indicate I was there – don’t remember a damn thing! Maybe Scientology can help with that? Oh! that’s right, now I remember, been there done that, as-is’d the whole shebang. AHHHH! So that was the 80s! The moustache growing era, disco and cricket played in pyjamas. I never realised a nightmare could last for so long and not notice it, thanks Ron.
“We need to stop doing anything that contributes to bringing about more hate and violence.”
Yo Koko,
Why not take a stroll down to the HGB and ask Ed Parkin to have Haley give her 96 year old grandmother a call. She has never been a member of the cherch, has always been willing to communicate to her Grandaughter and has done nothing except become the mother of someone the cherch decided to declare an ess pee. She wrote Haley letters after she joined the Sea Org for years (between 1998 and 2010 to be exact) and then Haley cut it off ………………
Yo Ed,
You know who I am and you know Haley has the phone number. Yep, same one as she has always had. That is the type of activity that reduces hate and violence Ed. It builds relationships and promotes more understanding between people.
Yo Julian,
Read the above and know this; there are people of good will out here on the fringes that you cannot even conceive of. They do not like or approve of the kind of activity that You do on a daily basis as a part of Your job to save the planet. With each passing day, Your actions to promote less and less communication with the outside world by Your followers will only generate a higher resolve to see You and Your cherch disappear from reality. Life is going to get real ugly Julian …………….. revisit Your activities and change Your behavior.
One more thing Ed,
I was having dinner with my mother last week and I want to tell you that Your activities recently have caused a normally very even tempered person to become pretty pissed off. So let that be an indicator to you. You have her Granddaughter and You have turned her against her family. And don’t start with that shit about it being ‘her decision’. We know.
Just a clue Ed because I think You may need it to understand the concept; she thinks that is a very crappy thing to do (she used different words).
She was one of the first 70 women to join the Waves back in WW II, she was a school teacher for 35 years and has many many of her former students come up to her in the store and say hi, even at her age. She takes no meds, she works in her garden every day, has opinions on just about all aspects of life and is totally up on current events. Now she is talking about taking You guys on because she does not like “despicable behavior”.
So You might as well start figuring out a smear campaign for her ED because after she makes an appearance on national TV You will need some major damage control. You might have to also take on the VFW ED because they flew her to Washington last year on an honor flight to acknowledge her service (She didn’t even have to pay for it). Of the 29 people on the flight, only 4 or 5 were able to board without assistance …….. and she boarded walking – no cane either.
You might want to discuss having Haley give her a call ED, or perhaps even the unthinkable, stop by for tea. And don’t worry Ed, I will leave the two of them alone so as not to pollute the waters with an Ess Pee around. Do the right thing Ed. Talk it over with Julian and Dave and then decide the best way to smear an elderly lady who only would like to see her Granddaughter ……………… once every 10 years or so doesn’t seem like too much to ask!
That is so very sad. Please tell her thank you for her service and that we love her! God bless
I think I would be proud to know your grandmother. I have always adored strong women.
I agree whole heartedly, good for her, hope that they can connect.
Wonderful letter. She sounds like a bombshell, er… dabomb! This f’ing cult has no heart and no soul left. Sickening.
Incredible. Simply incredible, that this is happening, actually happening, here and now, in the United States of America.
Kudos to your 96 years young Mother, Newcomer.. More power to this strong, savvy lady.
.
She’ll outlive this cult and be with us when we all celebrate at OSD’s beach place.
Newcomer, Your mom is awesome! What stats she has in all areas. She is an inspiration to us all. I hope you encourage her to go to the media and get on TV exposing the church for their disconnection policy. W.C. Fields was right when he said that you can never beat a kid act or an old person act. So anything the church would try to do to counter your mom’s whistleblowing would backfire on them because of her age and her service to the country and and and. Tell her we are all proud of her!
She appreciates your support Cindy. I think we will give Dave a chance to figure out how to edit this down into something He can use to show Haley how bad we all are and if He cannot figure out a way to gracefully get her to call her Grandmother then there is nothing to lose.
Yo Dave,
Why not have Haley make a trip up to the CSI encampment in Tuolumne and then it would only be a ten minute drive over to her grandmothers house. I wouldn’t even have to know about it. Is it possible that You might do the right thing for a change Dave? Thinkaboutit!
Does Haley even know about Tuolumne, even at her IXU level?
I agree, that would be a great show, not only the people who have been in the cult and are suffering, but the people who were never in the cult and have lost loved ones just because the cult says they have to disconnect. Shows how deep the cut runs with this cult.
I do read your posts and they make me so sad. Your mum sounds like a real gem – a firecracker. I am so very sorry that you have this level of sadness in your lives.
And especially don’t forget, Ed, ‘YOU ARE TOTALLY RESPONSIBLE FOR THE CONDITION YOU ARE IN!” How come that NEVER applies to the COS??? Every attack on the czerz was “pulled in” by the czerch and it’s supporters continually practicing overts on others.
Peter,
So accurate.
It NEVER applies to them.
Once, towards the end, I was regged for some money to “help out” CC Paris org which was “under attack” by the French government or whatever, and in danger of having to shut down, etc., etc….so, armed with much data from Marty’s (old) blog, I asked the OSA guy, “Gee, how did they pull this in? Was there out-tech in that org? Off-policy admin? How could this be happening to CC Paris?”
Well! He had no answer, and you should have seen his expression! It still makes me chuckle. The way he handled me can be summed up with, “Thank you, next?” LOL.
According to my insurance agent, GEICO has a regular schedule for rotating their ads around to different time slots. It gets them more exposure within the same advetising budget. They don’t broadcast it, so to speak, so their competitors don’t get the same idea.
EVERYTHING the church does publicly now backfires and makes them look nutty.
The self inflicted wounding shall continue until the cult is dead.
I believe it’s called ‘foot bullets.’
What’s it called when they aim for their own crotch OSD?
Yn,
A home run!
Double jeopardy if you’re DM.
What’s it called when they aim at their own crotch? DM realizing he’s drank to 4 bottles of Jack, and now he can’t remember his own name.
What’s it called when they aim at their own crotch?
Winter is coming…
They actually think a couple hundred form letters will stop an advertiser from buying slots on an Emmy award winning show with millions of viewers? Can you say delusion? Even if one advertiser had no balls, there a plenty in line to take those slots. Also, no person with any sense believes their lies about threats of violence to Scientologists (unless they are from DM. COB RTC). They are proven liars. SMH
I like what Leah and you are doing. They are a church they are a cult.
People need to know who LRH is a science fiction writer.
We should start a campaign writing to these companies letting them know that scientologists more than likely are not buying their products anyways, so stopping their ads during the show would only lose them business from non-scientologists.
Dear Anheuser Busch,
I have an open invitation for Mike and Leah and any contributor on the show to stop by for a Bud Light.
Best regards,
Jill Hunter
Jill, can I get a Stella instead?
Dude,
Yeah, but it may require signing a Peace Treaty to not engage in a food fight over politics.
Where is the fun in that?
No shit! I’m going to engage in food fights right now!
You betcha you can. I would hate to be called a beer bigot.
If somebody called you a ‘beer bigot’ I’d slap the shit out of them!
*laughing* such a pal!
???….Nice!
I’ll make some chili…or sausage & peppers…….or baked ziti…..or….hmmm….what sounds better with a Miller Light…>ALL of it!
The same ole typical tired approach of accusing others of what you yourself are doing.
This OSA push to get others to write letters to advertisers proves that members of the church must be watching or aware of the show and its success. Censorship is failing. I guess the holes are so big in the dike that fingers can no longer prevent the truth from seeping in. Thank you Leah and Mike for your relentless desire to bring justice to those who have been harmed by this “church.”
And to david miscavige and you other soulless cretins from OSA: You have no one but yourselves to blame for the demise of the church. Your hate websites prove the point of those that speak out against your abuses. The ONLY thing that could have prevented the dam from breaking would have been the application of lofty principals such as honesty, truth, kindness, love, caring… and a huge Mea Culpa. Something you cannot understand.
Mary, Shhhh, don’t give DM any ideas of how to turn his total screw ups around. LOL.
David, if you are reading this, your doing a wonderful job, keep it up, we all your fans, hugs and kisses to you and Tom.
Mary, since their membership is dwindling, with God only knows how many are in their prisons, and must be only a selected few they trust toknow hat Leah’s show is about. I’ll be so glad when this cult is brought down.
Mike, did any of the companies respond to the Cos? I would LOVE to read those!
If any did, Marie, it would be “form” letters, carefully vetted by the corporation’s attorneys.
Right.
I am so proud and so grateful for Aftermath…No matter what these people try to effect, they will fail every time because the truth is prevailing (finally) and there is nothing stronger than truth.
+1 Joan ?
Today is Tuesday and the next episode of “Aftermath” Hurrah, looking forward to watching it. Thanks again Leah and Mike for opening the eyes of the World about the abuses of this cult.
Can we use the same address on those letters to send our own letters supporting the show? I will.
I’m right there with you Kengullette!
Me too
Whoa! Count me in! We can fight fire with fire. I’m ready!
Yup. Right there behind you doing the same!
A counter-campaign would be useful to provide a sense of balance to these companies. Please provide the full list — especially Geico — so these advertisers can hear support.
Yes, you can count me to write a letter to them also. Great idea.
Now that’s a knife, opps no, I a mean plan!
Too bad Hubbard’s policy that OSA organizes around and implements all the OSA counter-attack tactics just continually evade and dodge off of Scientology’s bad ways.
I still think of that one ED Int despatch giving ED Int the responsibility to deal with arbitraries.
Hubbard’s own worst polices ARE the arbitraries that someday some ED Int ought to dispense with.
It is a chicken and the egg situation which at least the LRH to ED Int despatch gives an inkling of how Scientology could conceivably stop implementation of LRH’s arbitrary policies.