The spirit of scientology Christmas
Be a genius…
Avoid handing over anything for something so stupid.
ASHO’s finest
This here is a proud ASHO Duke of the Book Reading Elite.
Big News
No doubt it will be monumentally epic if it’s being announced by the “OT Alliance I/C”
Hold the presses…
It’s even monumentaller than that. Two people are required to give it the gravitas it deserves. So, bring in the PES. Wonder what the org ED is doing on Saturday night? It’s not big enough for him/her to make the announcement? In that case, I would give this one a miss… Actually, I would give them all a miss. I have a sneaking suspicion they might just ask for some money.
Be like Portland…
Empty and pathetic. But we are not going to tell anyone that. We go on pretending how we are experiencing massive expansion. Even though 2 years later we are STILL not SH Size when L. Ron Hubbard said it should be done in a “matter of a few weeks.”
Religious Sacraments
It’s like Mass or Confession or meditating or something. In scientology it’s Closing that is the most revered form of religious experience.
Speaking of money…
The Moneywinds needs one of those “Fixated Person” rundowns….
Still speaking of money…
Of course, when the subject is scientology, that is only to be expected
Food, glorious food
This IS an Incredible event.
Plantains and fried stuff.
It’s bleak in Albuquerque
Oh boy, after two weeks of the “Match Game” with Rocket Man Dave, they are only up to $6,000. Ain’t gonna get ‘er done.
Corny Miami
Like I said, soon they will be publishing letters “from LRH” about the weather. They went one better. Cowboy hats.
Hmmm… not quite. MM was the telex code for Miami, just like LA or NY or DC or BSN. Didn’t mean “Mighty Miami” then (or now)…
Wow, it’s FREE
And it’s in their “state-of-the-art” Chapel (huh?) Still, give them credit. These days most orgs would charge or require a “pot luck” item. (Doesn’t mean they won’t try to reg you if you show up for the film though…)
Again?
I think this would be the third time (not that they are likely to make it again, ever). That only workable administrative technology on earth really does the trick….
Generic pitch
“It’s membership is in the millions…” Afraid to put a number out there now. It would HAVE to be bigger than the last time which was 12 million. And if it WAS 5x the first 5 decades then it would have to be 50 million. And if they said that, even the most dead in the head sheeple would know there was something wrong.
Spontaneous combustion?
Flag Ideal Org Alliance
I thought they were getting Puerto Rico, Atlanta, Miami and Orlando done? I guess it must be HAPI? Why? No reason. Because Robbie Burns wrote Auld Lang Syne. Not much of an “alliance”, more like an ad hoc potluck.
Special. Epic. Monumental. Blah.
It’s the “new thing” — show videos of org openings that everyone has already seen and call them “IAS Events”. You know there is someone pushing up their stats behind this nuttiness.
Dating Website?
Every time I see these things come in it reminds me of the unsolicited and unwanted ads for dating websites. Or Escort Agencies.
The irony of moneymaking for XMas
I hate to tell you guys, but you don’t believe in XMas.
Would not want to miss this one
Look how Epic. Monumental. And watershed this is…. Poor old ASHO, they don’t have ANYTHING to even hype any more.
Make your plans now
You can pay for the privilege of being regged on New Year’s Eve!
Big News
What else could there be? (unless you are ASHO….)
Why?
17 Italians in Kansas City. 6 dwarfs in San Diego. 5 maids a milking in Detroit. Wackadoodle.
Oh wow, Bogota!
They get plaintains and stuff in Denver.
Portland again
Not an actual STATISTIC in sight. Just “many came in for free sessions” — sorry Ben, SH Size is an unrealistic dream no matter how big and expensive your building is
This is a Dissemination Success???
8 people (most of them staff no doubt). SH Size is not a dream. It’s an hallucination.
You might as well walk across the Tay Bridge, it would be safer than the dwarf’s bridge.
What I find so incredible is that the dwarf has very little Tech training and only basics yet he rewrites OT levels and invents courses and no one even bats an eye or raises an eyebrow.
They must be in total fear all of the time or simply so entrenched in what Mike calls “The Bubble” that thay will not be able to ever see whats going on with the Tech.
Huh? Sarah Condon (Portland) says “we were insouciant and in high ARC with each other.” She clearly has no idea of what “insouciant” means. Having gone by this misunderstood word, she will now no doubt now slip into anaten, commit overts against her org, and blow. May it be so.
Hi FOTF2012, I echo your post yes, let it be so. But excuse me I had to laugh concerning ” insouciant ” although it really isn’t funny when all the clams, whales, and Sea Org slaves think they are more brilliant than anyone on the planet. Ha, Love, Ann.
Dave Childers has been out of valence and out of PT for years. A pirate in New Mexico? He sailed the wrong way! Totally lost in space1 lol
It just occurred to me that the Matrix movie just may be real! We have Mike Rinder (Neo) and Marty Rathbun (Morpheus) freeing peoples minds in the Matrix (Church). We have the OSA (agents) trying to stop them. We have the ORGS (machines using people for their resources) and we have the COB (Architect) overseeing all. Could it really be so? LOL
Great Thursday funnies. I laughed throughout. Esp. one about ‘Hate to tell you guys but you don’t believe in Christmas. The orgs certainly have a different take on Christmas and it’s not much to do with Christ. Santa is used sparingly and seems out of place. Never saw him at Flag that I recall during the 80’s when I was there. In all my years on staff there certainly wasn’t much to remind me of the fond memories of Christmas I had as a kid. Grand opening videos and ribbon wrapped books just never could replace a snow white Christmas at home with friends and family. Keep up the good work.
Hi Royal Jandreau, It is good to meet you. I know exactly what you posted regarding Xmas & cos. From 74-78@ Asho F Day and Fdn never ever had any Xmas, parties included. There was a Christmas tree by the receptionist’s desk as one came in Asho from the street, but it was sad and beat with one or two forlorn balls on it and no lights. We had Halloween parties, parties when the Apollo crossed the Equater, yes we did celebrate that, and if we were really really upstat as a whole Org, we might in a blue moon get to go to an actual restaurant for a celebration. We went mainly Morroccan, Japanese I think fancy Mexican one time. Of course the choices were made for us. But no no Xmas allowed.Ron’s birthday, DMSMH’s birthday and the Sea Org’s birthday were big big celebrations in my time.Always,Ann.
Yes, Miscaviage killed all the fun, although I wasn’t aware of it at the time. I just noticed it got less funner from about 1985 on. But for the time it lasted, hanging around Class 8’s thru 12’s at Flag and on the Solo lines was something I wouldn’t trade. There’s just something about a high ARC comm cycle that can’t be replaced.
Period, end of story.
Hi Royal Jandreu, Thank you I hear and second your post. Somehow though the sunlight I knew became dark and the stars refused to shine. Always, Ann
Back at you. 🙂
Mike,
I noticed they have a Birmingham IO fundraising process going now attempting to use the amazing “genius strategy”. Was there always active action and info sent out and/or posted regarding the Birmingham IO project specifically and I’ve just neglected to remember it?
I comment on this as over at the Bunker, on the 27th of Nov I believe, TO posted the following pictures/story about that very Org (or lack thereof).
http://tonyortega.org/2015/11/28/scientologys-apocalyptic-expansion-a-hint-at-the-real-story-in-a-brighton-shiny-moment/#more-26993
I didn’t see a date on that genius nonsense which is promoting to build an IO for Birmingham so I’m unaware if it was from before or after the embarrassing pictures, article and comments of the building currently in use there. And if not could it possibly be a reaction from dear leader?
Can you please shed some light if this may be a result of the liking/reporting done on blogs like yours and Tony’s, or was this not so genius – genius strategy information sent out pre-bunker article.
Thanks as always,
BB
Please pardon my error. It was Brighton not Birmingham in the article. Complete foul up on my part. Many apologies.
Please disregard my comment and feel free to delete it, or leave it up with my acknowledgement of the error being all mine.
Thank you.
BB
Hi Bravebloggers, You are so cool! Yup showing my old age! You would not believe the fowl ups I have done here with typos. How my typists at Asho F put up with me I do not know. I could do the Dictaphone machine,an ancient artifact that used early reel to reel tapes that I recorded my letters with.I was fast with that but very steam of consciousness with my letters so I imagine the typists all thought they had tumbled down the rabbit hole after me! Thurs @ 2:00 PM. So glad all that has passed. Love, Ann.
Glad you are here Ann. Xoxo
Albuquerque and Dave raised 6k from 19 ‘donor’s. That averages out to 315 dollars per ‘donation’. Not much ‘prosperity’ and ‘havingness’ in that bunch, is there?
The ‘Genius’ club will not be filled with geniuses, it will be filled with Mensa dropouts and people who haven’t noticed that they are now in an ISIS run Amway, but without the useful cleaning or beheading products. Ok, you can get beheadings, but you have to order them very far in advance. Most geniuses know how to avoid beheadings, and the regs.
I love the Christmas decorations with a pirate theme. So this is how the war on Christmas is fought. With plastic swords and fake eye patches. Jonny Depp is not scared.
It’s hard to look at the promotional pieces and efforts of Scientology and Scientologists without thinking of the minuscule effects of thousands upon thousands of hours of focused work and million$ spent on begging folks to join in. So much wasted effort and wasted promo and such meager results. It’s really stunning. The promotional pieces and events are of no interest to me. I have to wonder who gets excited about them? Seems like the COS is droning on and on with the same old stuff. Yawn. Glad to be out.
I don’t know guys, aren’t those, “It’s my career” flyers starting to get to you?
I’m feeling it, the urge to sign a contract and become “locked in” to a huge time debt, with no sign on bonus or guarantees of exchange, joining the struggle and unattainable goal. That nagging desire to set myself up for a loss, to become a target, it is coming over me again.
Maybe it’s that uniform, that would inspire anyone to forfeit a minimum of five years of freedom, follow orders unquestioningly, surrender to poverty and despair, and succumb to the blissful feeling of letting go of all feelings on concern for self, and get pimped into the ground so David Miscavige can party with Tom Cruise in Las Vegas.
Oh to experience that sweet bitter pain of teen aged CMO’ers in SS valences parading through the Org with their steely daggers and bubbling sadism! Itching to degrade and humiliate Ron’s friends!
These career flyers must be bringing in the hoards!
Very funny!
So, Valley. Uh, what’s with the zero points in the Continental Whatsits Game? I thought the Valley Org was all straight up and vertical in the largest concentrationofscientologistsonear . . . . zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz. Have they just given up? Her Imperial Bartness not coughing up enough dough? Anybody? Is this thing on? Hello?
Brandon Marion – yet another $camologist who doesn’t seem to exist outside $camology. The following is from his site, and it’s hilarious: “Hello, my name is Brandon Marion, and here is a little bit about myself: Happily married, co-owner of a successful money management company.” I just can’t wait to invest money in his business.
Strange, I just checked Murray Marvin’s site and it looks uncannily like Brandon Marion’s site. Could it, gasp, be the $camology generic website at work? The sites look like something an eight year old child would put together in a hurry as a assignment in web site creation, although kids now days are a lot more savvy.
Anyway, back to polishing off a few more freshly picked cherries. Mm…
Hi Kronomex, I like your post. And polishing off freshly picked cheeries has got to be one of the best tasks. Not like the Sea Org days of old, or sitting (actually grabbing a few winks at some of them, I was that exhausted) for another “special Briefing”. Always, Ann.
I’m gonna get nit-picky now, which you’ll soon see is out of proportion (in the direction toward insignificance) to the ridiculous scale of the Scientology mind-fuck exhibited in these marketing brochures. But, here goes:
My complaint is about the Denver piece for Bogota, the first one. There are 3 different stock photos of churros, right next to each other. This doesn’t make any sense. Now, I know that anyone with an ounce of gray matter in their noggins knows that all these food-glorious-food layouts consist entirely of stock photos, meaning that the promise of the pictured culinary delights are bound to misrepresent whatever slop will ultimately be dished out onto paper plates (and I don’t mean Chinet). But the idiocy of placing these 3 photos, all plainly from different original sources, right next to each other is that it positively screams at your brain that you are looking at stock photos, and thus highlights to phoniness of the come-on. The art of using stock images in your Marketing materials is to choose images that relate to each other so that they look like they belong together, and thus your brain doesn’t get distracted by inconsistencies, and remains more susceptible to the come-on. Jeff Hawkins could tell them this, but they don’t have access to his services anymore.
Hi hgc10, Thank you. Your post was very interesting.Honestly I never thought about how stock photos relate to marketing and how the brain can be distracted by inconsistencies. All I know is I was always hungry in the Sea Org and so looking at these food shots reminds me of those days.Wait my choice dish of beans and cold dogs will probably be featured as it gets colder! Laughter. Love, Ann.
Great point and well said. The churros they show pictures of are also pretty much the over-greasified versions found in American carnivals. Colombian churros, if I recall correctly, almost look like donuts and are delicately fried to retain flavor, moisture and just a hint of cinnamon inflected good-greasy sweetness that they literally melt in your mouth. They obviously did not think for a second that any true-blooded Latin American would be horrified, if not mystified, by the elongated plops of gear-shaped greasiness that pass for churros in this country.
Yeah, those are Mexican-style churros, and a casual image search shows you’re correct. They could pass for a variant of an American doughnut upon casual inspection. Oh, well, Typical CoS attention to detail. What’s next, pupusas from Costa Rica?
So, the speaker, Brandon Marion is going to talk about how to “find the major source of suppression on your finance lines”? We can clearly see the source of suppression on HIS lines…..”Platinum Meritorious of the IAS” !
They should also stop using young, pretty women in their advertising. That’s not fair for us single, lonely, middle aged men! LOL
Why do they always have their arms folded like that too? Don’t they know that means I am closed minded and stay away?
Indeed! Crossed arms and/or legs is aggressive body language. With that posture they are closing themselves off from others creating an obvious gap between them and the people they are trying to reach. It’s just plain terrible as an advertisement.
I think they’re told to cross their arms because somebody thinks it conveys a no-nonsense attitude. Its a mixed message because they’re always smiling warmly, yet with that defensive, semi-hostile crossing of the arms which communicates, “Don’t let the smile fool you, bud. I’m more than capable of kicking your sorry ass.”
Hi Aquamarine, Your post brought up a memory. In 1977 there was a storm building at Asho. Many crazy things occurred. Known to some, unknown to others. One late afternoon I reported for Asho F’s shift and found ” a special briefing ” to be held at 5:30pm or so. Went to that where I learned the Org would be shut down until GO/WW finished their briefing with execs. Temple St Asho was not that big, so every bit of space was used back then. I and three other SOers were told our job was to guard the three main entrances into the building and not let any public in until told to do so. Today it is hard to fathom, but even in 77 Asho and AO etc were still packed and humming along. SHSBC really pulled folks in. However I was told to guard the big steel door in from the loading dock to the course rooms. And there were a lot of impatient thetans chomping to get in. I was told to have fantastic TR’s, big smile, and cross my arms in front of me as a sign that I would have to be killed before I would open that door! It does sound like a bad movie script now, but I held the hordes off with a smile and those crossed arms.Creepy. Love always, Ann.
Why pirate hats on a Christmas advertisement for Albuquerque? It looks so out of place. In fact, why so many events where they dress up in costumes? I don’t understand this. Also, the New Years event tickets in L.A. are $375 and $275? That’s a LOT of money for an event, when the biggest name in entertainment is Chill EB. I think they would have to pay me to sit through that. I can think of so many things I’d rather be doing on New Years eve… including watching my laundry tumble around in the dryer.
Arrrrrggggg, T.J! I’m a pirate! Me friends are pirates! These wanna be pirates in ABQ, are nothing of the kind! And why they keep dressin’ up in costumes is beyond me, laddie. I mean, you’re going to be fleeced either way. But, no this, grasshopper, des are no pirates! Des are sissies in makeup…
considering there’s not even a whisper of an ocean anywhere even close to Albuquerque, i’m assuming they mean pirates in the “we’ll take all your worldly goods and chain you to an oar” sense.
Right on the money, sashiebgood!
They’r obsessed with pirate themes, pirate clothes. I don’t get it. Pirates must have some sort of significance for them, something outrageous, daring, perhaps. To me, pirates are linked with thieves, murderers and cutthroats – not an image I would want to project. But this is Co$, so, who can figure?
Only ONE book and lecture completion? He finishes now in 2015? They were released in 2007! What took him so long?
It IS embarrassing, horribly so. I did stay away from fundraisers, mind you. I did at least make the decision that any more money spent in $cn would be for my bridge only. I did do that. And then, I stopped doing that. And so on…
And now we’re out!
From the Tokyo flyer: “You will be taken to a whole new world of Oriental wisdom…” Um, what?!
Wait…what? I’ll be taken to a whole new world of Oriental women? Really? Hot damn! Although I don’t think my Japanese-American wife would be too happy about it. In fact, I can be ready….huh?…what’s that you say…wisdom? Oh, got it. My bad again. But, I already get Oriental wisdom every day of my life. No really, she never lets up….
Bamboo shoots under your fingernails till you upgrade your status to Genius
Whenever I see the acronym FSM in a Scientology poster. My brain thinks “Flying Spaghetti Monster”. The moneymaking for Xmas ad reinforced that thought. Did the Evil Dwarf come up with the idea of dressing as pirates?
I just can’t get that Monty Python response out of my head when looking at those flyers, “run away, run away.”
It’s the same regurgitated bs over and over, oh my… how embarrassing to think I bought into that once upon a time.
Does one ever really fully awaken from the scientology dream which is in reality a nightmare in disguise?
It is a sign of mental health that one can admit being taken for a fool. Or that someone took advantage of your desire for a better life.
Indeed Fred, cheers.
But the weird thing with scientology is how organisationally sticky it can be. It’s the continuing actions and abuses of that group that harbour the worst traits within human endeavour in the field of religious succour, and the idiots who continue to promote it.
One of my numbskull card carrying OT8 family members just promoted some Utah radio station piece on Facebook with saying how great scientology is and it’s OK to be Mormon (or any other religious denomination because it only addresses the spirit??WTF??) and a scientologist simultaneously. Really sick bunch of wackos. They have no tech except extorting money in the name of spiritual help. Got me a bit riled this am.
Hi I Yawnalot, You go right ahead and rant all you want! Scientology just keeps on hitting themselves in the head with fervor and still after all these decades pulls out the old line about ” we accept anyone into our club regardless of religion we are all equal in spirit” What a load!! I agree with you, all hot air and no substance. Just give them all your $. You are so strong to deal with family who cannot see the Dawn breaking. Would that they will one day. Love, Ann.
Shhhhhhhh. I’m trying to sleep, I Yawn. I was having an incredible dream: Scientology was banned from Earth.
Hi IYawnalot, Thank you, your post contained a really interesting question. If I got it correctly does one ever wake up fron the cos/dream nightmare? I have asked myself that numerous times. Sometimes I feel I have escaped even mental images from Sea Org days and then something triggers a nightmare memory and I am shoved to the bottom of the mountain again.
But the good point is that I am no longer a slave to,all things Ron, all the time. Does a tiny part of me still love the flashes of humor he could come up with and his ability to spin a great yarn,yes, but beyond that -cos, Ron, dm, the tech, all smoke, money, and mirrors. I am glad I am not stuck in that image anymore. Love, Ann.
Yeah, life’s a bit like that Ann. A soldier survives the battles, does his duty proudly & honourably but the pangs of sorrow haunt him at different times and levels for the rest of his life.
It takes a pretty tough character to wear the burden of harming others, whatever the reason. When it’s criminal in intent that’s another matter entirely, but at least the crap with which scientology involves itself is unique, the blame lies solely with upper management in this instance as I see it. We were victims at the time and didn’t even know it.
But now, we’re just veterans and can get on with things.
Hi IYawnalot, Beautifully said with your post. Thank you. I love your take about us veterans getting on with things.You are most perceptive. Now I have to put my IPad in a condition.She is bad with typos today.Love, Ann.
It must be absolutely horrible to be on staff these days. It was bad enough back in the 70’s and 80’s, but at least there was the illusion of delivering something of value and salvaging the planet. Now it so patently about MONEY. The thin veneer has worn off.
+1. I just don’t know how they remain in those Idle Morgues, Zola. I’m sure they’re communal living as I did in Hawai’i. Our house was packed with staff. And we made shit for wages. All in all, a very negative experience…
Wow. Murray Marvin. I find it disappointing but not surprising to see him still sipping the Kool-Aid and toeing the line. He was the Div 4 Sup at Portland CC in the mid to late 80s and would move heaven and earth to get Delphians to Portland each weekend. As a teenaged Delphi student, I spent many enjoyable hours being chauffeured by him from the school to the org and back, along with a couple or four other kids or car-less faculty members — as many as could be stuffed into his diesel Jetta, probably unsafely. (But, hey, it was the 80s!) Listening to his motor-mouthed and unceasingly hilarious stories, schemes and dreams, all while he somehow made the 60 mile trip in less than an hour — over two-lane roads, obnoxious right angle turns through wheat fields and Christmas tree farms, and through the dreaded speed traps, chief of which was Dundee.
Dundee, Oregon was Murray’s bugaboo. The police in that former redoubt of Oregonian conservatism knew Murray’s car so well they waved at him as he crawled through the burg at 25 mph, muttering under his breath about f*cking Dundee. There was nothing like ten speeding tickets to teach even the irrepressible Murray Marvin that Dundee didn’t play. Crazy to see Dundee today, practically the center of the Willamette Valley wine renaissance. Too many rich Californians to still be conservative today.
I’ve been out of Scientology so long that I almost never see any names of people still in. All the people I knew back then have either escaped from Miscavige’s insane clutches completely, like myself, or are practicing independently. I’m bummed to see Murray still in and babbling incoherently. He was such a fun and crazy guy. Looks like all he has left is the crazy.
Some info about these people
https://www.facebook.com/kourosh.maddahi.1?fref=ts Dr. Maddahi is a wealthy dentist and has time to do all these things. Wow. He just had a a birthday. Maybe we all should go wish him a happy birthday, on his wall, and refer him to this blog. hahaha
Sarah Condon – Daughter of the wealthy Portland Condon’s who had something to do with Tektronics forming, years ago. Nice people. Bad taste in beverages – Kool Aid is their fav.
Chill E.B – Still being paid like a… I won’t say that but he’s getting minimum for each gig instead of sharing the 10% with the other celebrity regges at the IAS events. “But he’s not doing the regging.” No, but he’s packing them in so that they can be regged. And then, some high ranking SO member said, “I can’t believe he’s not doing it for free. When he does it for free, I’ll give him a ride to his hotel after the gig.” What? Honestly, that’s what was said. Ingrate. Come on over and read this, Chill E. B. These people are telling the truth about the group you are promoting. You may not want to be associated with a group who forces abortions and forces parents to disconnect from your kids and vice versa.
Ben Klevit and Murray Marvin – Been in Portland since the 70’s/early 80’s; before the fall of the Missions. Before the Finance Police came in and cut off everyone’s head. Put a head on a pike? Naw, we’ll just kill all of them – and then take all of their reserves. Thank you very much.
Murray has always been an eccentric wealthy boy. Years ago, went to Africa and brought back giraffe jerky. Has been in Div VI forever. Yes, he knows how to expand an org because we went from 12 staff to 90 in 3 years. The Finance Police destroyed all that in one visit. I wonder if Murray is able to implement the old policies we had for expanding in Div VI? Even if he did, the field is so destroyed, his FSMs and body routers would just get laughed at.
No wonder there were only 8.
And they were probably staff – or photoshopped.
Correction: “group who forces abortions and forces parents to disconnect from your kids…” should be, “group who forces abortions and forces parents to disconnect from THEIR kids…”
“Personal prosperity as an Entrepreneur”
Hard work, which means real thought and real labor with a positive result.
And I’ve seen a retired Special Forces NCO who could wear a kilt with more credibility.
With the new status of “Genius” scientology has leaped from childish and entered into the giddy heights of infantile. The irony of course is that those still drinking the Kool Aid are among the stupidest people on the planet. I wonder if TC would wear a genius pin in public. No, this is just more scientology stuff that must be kept hidden and not discussed in the open.
So now there’s a “Genius” status. OMG, how Miscavige must laugh and laugh.
And to the genius who wrote the flyer, its “famous”, not “Infamous”, dumbbell.
.
The REAL Geniuses are those regges who came up with the idea of Genius as a status.
The generic pitch asks “What is Scientology’s response to the major social problems of society?”
I already know the answer. Blame everything on the psychs and hand out TWTH booklets. Note that they didn’t say it was an effective response.
I’m wondering what building in Boston they are raising money to renovate. According to local news, hotel was put on the market last month.
https://www.bostonglobe.com/business/2015/11/04/boston-scientologists-put-hotel-alexandra-market-after-long-delay/zbf1ykdAEoTV7W0aglfobN/story.html
Thanks for the link, Banrion. As always, my question is, “Now that they’ve sold the building, where is the money going?” Can anybody find that paper trail? Two guesses. Straight to Miscavige to “keep it safe” for the org. NOT to the people who donated the money.
Yes! That’s what I was thinking. He keeps doing that. Raising money to buy buildings for “ideal orgs” then a couple of years later selling them… but the people who donated the money to buy them don’t get the money back – it goes straight to Miscavige. He’s probably also set up to get a percentage of sales or other means of skimming money off the top. No wonder he has an estiated net worth of over $50 million. http://www.therichest.com/celebnetworth/celebrity-business/men/david-miscavige-net-worth/ People often post, but he couldn’t have that much money, he doesn’t make so much in salary… it isn’t salary. I’m sure there are many ways he makes money off the church. He’s not stupid. Anyone who leaves school in 8th grade and manages to take over a huge organization and become a millionaire is not stupid. Devious, yes, conniving, manipulating, yes. Stupid, no way.
My favorite piece this week is the “Effective Closing” brochure from the Freewinds West US office. What they want their victims to believe is that they are supposed to learn how to close deals. The bait-and-switch though is that the attendees are the OBJECTS of a closing exercise, not the students. They are being invited to be closed on large payments to come to the sinking ship for captive audience high pressure sales to turn over all their savings and future income to the Church.
If you watch late-night informercials, you can see countless get rich quick self-help seminars and schemes (a la Grant Fucking Cardone) where the touted benefit is a lavish lifestyle replete with mansions, cars, boats and vacations. The benefits touted by Scientology get-rich-quick schemes seems always to be “going up the bridge,” i.e., hand over more money to the Church. Of course, Bridge = IAS donations, so doubly useless. I think I’d rather have a cabin cruiser docked in Marina del Rey, thank you very much.
When you get your cabin cruiser can we cruise over to Catalina Island?
Hi hgc10, I’ll take a cabin cruiser docked in Marina del Ray too. I see after all these years, my old nemesis ” Effective Closing ” comes round the hamster wheel of the bridge again. Love, Ann.
The Jive Asses in yellow kilts, that’ll be quite the lemon party.
Re The Polar Express, shoud read the Bi-Polar Express LOL!
I like it! The Bi-Polar Express, indeed! Way to go, TT!
Which way was that again?
“To go.”
I couldn’t resist it mate!
As I recall, that movie didn’t do too well. Apparently the animation style was close to life-like, but not close enough and fell into the “uncanny valley” that looked creepy.
No doubt they have all their permissions and payments in order for showing that movie to a paying audience, right? (Then again, the org won’t be charging for admission, they’ll be charging for exit.)
It doesn’t matter whether they charge or not. If they are playing a movie licensed for “home use only” then any use beyond that where people have gathered to watch is a copyright violation per USC 17 Section 110.
Genius Pin!
Scientology’s Fetish With Ego Status:
I remember my fellow sleep walkers, when I was a sleep walker, saying things about the 2d. Things like,”wow, I’m having a 2d with an OT.”
Especially those who dd OT3.
It was an instant elevation in group status. “OTs”, as if there were any, are given “Altitude” in the group. Faults were overlooked in these folks because the hypnotism, already agreed upon, of it’s a “High Crime” to be critical of “OTs” or “Clears”, destroys any capacity to observe directly and evaluate with personal understanding.
One of the most amazing thing Hubbard accomplished with his “Altitude” was to:
1) Convince us that he was going to help “free” us.
2) Convince us that we are a “powerful” spiritual force.
3) Convince us we are the “cream of the toppest bestest big beings.”
4) Convince us of our independence………………….
THEN…………
Create an ideology where we would end up having our own capacity to be constructively critical, and thereby be free and independent, TOTALLY SHUT DOWN!
And to add insult to injury, to convince us that having criticism totally shut down, as totally necessary to be a good Scientologist.
Scientology is slowly disintegrating under the weight of its own lies. Lies birthed from a egotistical, megomaniacal Hypnotic Operator.
Scientology’s status assignments (ego labels) are one of the great lies.
I had a “Genius” pin once. But, I accidentally stabbed myself with it. Damn! I’ll bet I don’t qualify for the Genius Status now. What a bummer!
I’ve got a very hard-earned and expensive “Stupid” pin awarded to me after enduring my last five years IN that I’m putting up for bids.
Anyone here want to kick it off?
I’ll trade ya mine for it… little bit dinted & rusty but that’s OK. Just wrap it up in lots more money and it cleans up real good. Last serviced at Honest Ron’s Body Shop.
When was yours last serviced?
I’ll give you 64 cents for it. Hey, I’m Scottish.
Sorry. All outta money for another pin.
If it is a match to the one I have it is priceless! And FWIW, you just moved up in status Mary …………. you’re a genius!
Yes, true Genius is getting OUT.
Not fair. I never got my Stupid pin and I more than earned it.
You never got your Pie Face pin from the COB either did you?? LOL
But listen, we must not puff ourselves up too much because “Stupid”, while certainly commendable, is actually not that high a status. As you can see, from lowest to highest, it isn’t even half way up the chain:
Gullible
Gullible With Honors
Stupid
Stupid Meritorius
Stupid Meritorius With Honors
Half Wit
Dumbbell
Clueless
Silver Clueless
Gold Clueless
Platinum Clueless Wonder
I feel so much better. ?
Hi Aquamarine, Love your post. I send in my vote for my becoming a Platinum Clueless Wonder. I can’t wait for my stick pin either! Love, Ann.
Somehow scientology makes you pay for everything… over and over…
They prefer money but sanity will do at a pinch, then the money, all of it.
Fairness isn’t in their compute, that #7 key was removed.
Maybe you didn’t submit to enough mental torture. It ain’t JUST about the money, Aquamarine.
You’re right, McCarran. And I get it. I was never staff and not subjected to that as you and many others here were. I don’t know what I would have donje if I had been. Hugs to you.
I was just goofing and spoofing. I’m sorry if I pressed a raw nerve. It wasn’t intentional.
Oh, and another good one: in the letter from Sarah Condon in Portland, she says:
“Columbus, Detroit, Chicago and Boston are right behind them with their next target being the full funding for their renovations.”
Hate to break it to you, sweetie, but the Boston org is desperately trying to unload the tumble-down South Boston shell that they bought after they sold the old building in a primo location in Back Bay. All the while, the few remaining staff are huddled in rented space over a psychological clinic for the developmentally disabled in Quincy. Yep, they’re sharing a roof with the eeeebil psychs who are using actual tech to help improve lives of people who need it.
So how do you manage to fund renovations in Boston when you don’t even have a building to renovate and when your already abysmal stats plummet even further by being in a second-story location in an out-of-the-way neighborhood in a working-class part of town?
scientology is just a boutique belief system, incapable of participating in the league of widely accepted religions of the world.
The only vaguely interesting thing happening in $cientology is 17 Italians in KC.
However, after reading Peter Boani’s eye opening book; Money, Power, Servitude (set in Budapest) it’s more obvious than ever that the tek removes the personality and culture of those involved in it, no matter the geographic location, so… Meh.
Yah, it relies on the universal feelings of discontent and/or not belonging, even though a lot of it is built from Americsn cultural ideas or memes, as the kool kidz call it these days.
17 regs from Flag are coming to Kansas City. *shudder*
Prepare for the fleecing KC.
You mean the Italians that are coming are actually regges? They came all the way from sunny Italy to extract money from American members? Wow! This must mean American regges really suck!
Honestly, I have no idea if they’re regs or not OSD, but I see “coming from Flag” and I know it means someones going to pay so..regs or not, the fleecing will commence. Too bad they aren’t bringing any Italian wine. 🙂
Italian wine! You got that right, NOLAGirl! Chianti! One of my favorites! Can you get ’em on the phone?
Hi OSD, And when a have Italian wine a slice of homemade pizza and I am in heaven. XO Ann ? To NOLA Girl too.
Hi OSD, Meant when I.. Ann.
I wonder if some of those are from the Ideal Mission of Belleair (who have several Italians including the ED and Div 6) – you know, because they always win the Birthday Game and know how to truly apply LRH. (Never mind that the Ideal Mission of Belleair gets most of the Flag rejects and frequent seminars put on by Flag reps at that mission.)
Don’t give ’em any ideas Dude. They’ll do anything for money!
Really? ANYTHING? I need them to clear out my rain gutters before El Nino hits. You can arrange that, I Yawn?
Absolutely, just rip ’em down, pack them up and post it to ’em. I’ll cover the CSing for the gutter clean. Negative gain actually, leaf removal, it’ll sort the flows out but good!
El Nino is a terrorist btw.
LMFAO!!!! Don’t know what I’d do without you!
GENIUS—New Status.
I did that at Stanford so I’m holding out for
E STUD MAXIMUS with OAK LEAF CLUSTER
( any award pin or trophy that I can get more than $50
in a Hollywood Pawn Shop.)
Don’t worry, Jose. I’m still a Jeanyus. My Jeaniosity is known worldwide. Especially in Bogata. I’m known there as the Surfer Jeanyus.
The best part of the 24 traits of a genius that “laid out by LRH” is that he didn’t write any of it. ED 821 dated July 21, 1980 is copied verbatim from an article in the noted psychology research journal “The National Enquirer.” At least he had the grace to attribute the source properly for a change…
As if a plaque with some nonsensical Hubbard quote wasn’t lame enough, they now offer you a plaque of Hubbard quoting a sleazy Hollywood tabloid. Just when you think they couldn’t go any further downhill, they always seem to find a way to amaze and surprise.
Well, of course, John P! Hubbard stole ideas from many, many people. It just makes sense he would steal from a sleazy Hollywood tabloid! And, of course, there’s always Piltdown Man….
Every week, these weird solicitations to watch a video, hear a ‘prosperity seminar’ or some ‘special briefing. The sheeple must be completely numb to it by now.
Some church.
Perhaps some of you exes can tell me; Did you ever dare mention being a scientologist to a co-worker or neighbor? I can think of no more effective conversation stopper than that. It had to be embarrassing.
(“No, Joey, you can’t go over to their house, they are space alien nutjobs. Besides, they are moving , the house is foreclosed, you see.”)
I was born into this cult some 60 years ago. After leaving the Sea Org some 35 years ago, I NEVER mentioned the “S” word to any co-worker or neighbor. I always viewed that part of my life as if it didn’t exist. I was completely embarrassed of my experience in the cult.
I drove out of Hotel California and didn’t even want to look in the rearview mirror. I have recently had to however, due to the disconnection policies of this cult, in an attempt to get my children back in my life. Fun time that is….
Clearlypissedoff,
Are you having any success?
SRL, One of them changed their phone number and moved and haven’t heard from him in about 6 months (after sending an email about how we always tried to destroy his dreams and therefore his life). With the other one, there is a sliver of hope. We keep him away from the cult for a couple of weeks and make some progress and then he sees them again and takes a number of shots of cool-aid. Sort of, 2 steps forward and 1 and 3/4 steps back.
I wish there was one, consolidated web-site dedicated purely to counter (or DA as the church says) every lie the church tells, LRHs lies, DM beating people up, hijacking the cult, the hole, disconnection, dirty tricks etc. No daily news but just a website where someone on the fence could go to when they are thinking of leaving. Jeff Hawkins had a blog “leaving Scientology” or something similar. It was excellent but he said it was too time consuming to keep up.
I didn’t know you had kids that were still in, clearlypissedoff. My hope for you is your kids do see the light at some point. Using kids as pawns is just (excuse my language) so very fucked up and criminal. But, it is a criminal organization just like La Cosa Nostra (read the Mob).
All of us here will be waiting for the word that your kids came home! What a celebration that will be!
OSD, if I get just one back, everyone will hear about it on this site, that’s for sure! Either the kids see the light or the other option is the cult shuts down.
You have my prayers clearlypissed.
Hi Brian, The book you recommended to me is arriving in a day or two.Love or hate Amazon, I find they have every book I have wanted available. The years of driving all over to find a bookstore that just might contain the book wanted was a challenge. I loved the atomosphere of the owner book stores years ago, used to poke around for hours. Yet the web makes it so easy. I hope and pray the Internent will be a big part of the unmasking of dm and this cult will be fully exposed in the Sunlight. Thank you both for thinking of me.Love to you both.Ann.
I clearlypissedoff, I am cheering for you from my heart on both counts. Love, Ann.
All of our prayers are with you, CPO! And they ALWAYS will be.
Feel for ya Bro, it’s a real bitch dealing with that pack of heartless assholes.
Hi clearlypissedoff, Sorry now I have to be careful and not follow cos’s mantra of always attack and slap my IPad around! I meant Hi. Ann.
Bystander, I seriously doubt if any staff or member would come out as a scientologist. The maniacal laughter coming from the person they’re talking to would be too much for them to confront.
Hi Bystander – no did not mention it. I considered that a private part of my life and frankly didn’t want to be considered a wacko. But in the early days I told everybody and soon learned to shut my mouth. I’m sure many old timers here know what I’m talking about.
Hi Ms. P, Thank you for your post! I do know very well what you are talking about. I always love the New Year because it is another year out in the Sunshine and free! Love, Ann.
Some of these read like C. E. credit courses for a profession (medical professionals, realtors, insurance sales, etc.) People pay money to learn something new about their profession to maintain their licenses. The cost of the classes are an investment in their careers. A side benefit is that the seminars are often held at locations that are fun and allow people to go out and enjoy themselves (golf, shows, shopping, gambling.) With Scientology, you attend a seminar to learn why you should keep attending seminars. You are not enriching yourself, but instead are enriching Scientology. And you most certainly will not be given time to explore the locale. My only experience with religion is Catholicism. Classes to enrich your knowledge of Catholicism are free, or there is a nominal fee (maybe $20) to cover the cost of materials. I can’t imagine the Catholic Church charging thousands of dollars to learn how to make sure you gain salvation. Scientology is not a religion. It is a destructive cult set up like a marketing company.
I think what caught my eye…and turned my stomach…was the mental picture of the Jive Aces IN KILTS! Bleahhhh! LOL
I note, too, that they have long since run out of words to describe whatever thing they might be describing. They really are getting *very* repititious! And quite overdone, I might add.
Arrrrgggg! Tis a damn shame for the Jive Aces to be in kilts! Not a one of them have any Celtic blood! Arrrrgggg, and they probably will be wearing UNDERWEAR to boot! No Scot in his right mind would EVER wear underwear under his kilt. What’s the world coming to…..
Hi OSD, Yes, what is the world coming to when the Jive Aces dress in kilts! And I did not see any daggers. Although come to think of it, some registrars I recall, were awfully good with a nail file.Any method to close the deal.Cos has always been money hungry even way back.In my opinion.XO Ann.
Arrrrrrgggg, but, no Scotsman would be caught dead without his dagger!
Is that you Dirk?
77 – They must be being produced by the “genius” musical producer David “let him die” Miscavige. The same genius who “produced” (personally C/S’d) the case of our shining example of a Scientologist, Lisa McPherson (according to Tom Devocht). I guess he “let her die” too.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LN-fiP7POuE about midway through. The whole interview is worth watching.
Tom talks about Dave C/Sing Lisa McPherson at about 15 minutes in.
Funny you can pay to be in the “infamous” genius club. Someone should look up infamous. Hint – it’s not a good thing.
While they’re in their thesaurus, they might also what to check out “genius”. Being in the current SO or any other part of syo should never lead one to believe they are a genius. 🙂
Hi shelgold, I thought the same as to paying to be in the ” infamous ” genius club. I then thought of the infamous Hellfire Club and came to the conclusion that both are not good things either. Very bad actually. Always, Ann.
The Genius Button. I’m ashamed I fell for that one when I joined up, partly due to the bogus IQ test. I guess I had a button on self importance. LMFAO!!!
Hi Good People, I had to laugh too because you are so good! How you framed your experience with the Genius Club so true and real.In 74 that stupid IQ test made me think I was more gifted than the wogs(and at Asho that was worthy oriental gentlemen) which always confused me.In fact looking back Scion Speak is that way. All the Sucess stories and promo are loaded with bs of that type.So glad you post here. Love, Ann.
What will they come up with next? This “genius” thing sounds like a big circle jerk of ego boosting faptastery.
Laughter!! That’s exactly what it is. Bunch of self-important assholes thinking they’re oh-so smart. They can’t even see they’re being played for fools.
Religious Sacraments Section
Should read “EFFECTIVELY CLOSING” rofl!!!!!
Wait…what??? No more Religious Sacramento? Really? Wow! So the entire city is going secular? Huh? It’s what? Sacraments???? Well that’s even worse! I guess that’s it for me going up the bridge….