Volume 0, Issue 25 vom 8. 10. 1995
Alt.religion.scientology Week in Review
Volume 0, Issue 25
10/08/95
by Rod Keller [rkeller@netaxs.com]
copyright 1995
Contents
- CAN Loses Suit
- Colorado Ceremony
- National Press Club
- Dennis Erlich's Parents
- AOL Cancels Diane Richardson
- Henry Harassed
- Kobrin Speaks
- Larry Wollersheim Harassed
- OT 9
- Poodle Canceled
- Special Master
- Xenu, the Newspaper
Alt.religion.scientology Week in Review summarizes the most significant
postings from the Usenet group Alt.religion.scientology for the preceding
week for the benefit of those who can't follow the group as closely as
they'd like. Out of thousands of postings, I attempt to include news of
significant events, new affidavits, court rulings, new contributors,
whatever. I hope you find it useful. Like many readers of a.r.s, I have a
kill file. So please take into consideration that I may not have seen some
of the most significant postings.
The articles in A.r.s Week in Review are brief summaries of the articles.
Many include an excerpt, and all include message IDs for the articles I
cover. This may or may not be useful to you, depending on how long your
site stores articles in the newsgroup before expiring them.
Free A.r.s Week in Review subscriptions are available, just email me at
rkeller@netaxs.com
It is archived at:
http://www.amazing.com/scientology/ars-summary.html
http://users.aimnet.com/~jdiver/scieno.htm
http://www.thur.de/religio/publik/arsfaq.html
http://wpxx02.toxi.uni-wuerzburg.de/~krasel/CoS/ars-summary.html
#####
CAN Loses Suit
An announcement from the Cult Awareness Network was posted this week.
Cynthia Kisser reported on a loss in a civil suit to cos lawyer Kendrick
Moxon, representing Jason Scott, accusing CAN of kidnapping.
"A jury verdict was delivered September 29 in U.S. District Court in
Seattle, following a six-day trial. Scott was represented at trial by
Kendrick Moxon, a minister with the Church of Scientology International, a
long time adversary of CAN that had tried unsuccessfully to win dozens of
lawsuits against CAN in the past. Moxon was an unindicted co-conspirator
in the federal investigation of Scientology in the seventies that lead to
the felony convictions of 11 of its high-ranking members, including Mary
Sue Hubbard, the wife of Scientology founder the late L. Ron Hubbard.
"Federal judge John Coughenour refused to let CAN introduce any evidence
concerning Scientology into the case, but permitted Scott, over CAN's
objections, to include inflammatory language about CAN's alleged role in
criminal deprogramming.
"CAN executive director Cynthia Kisser attended the trial and concluded,
"Scientology used Jason Scott to make false claims to a jury about CAN in
an effort to further their well-publicized vendetta to destroy CAN because
of its effectiveness in making the public aware of Scientology's ruthless
tactics. The judge's pre- trial rulings did not permit the jury to learn
the truth about Scientology's part in the litigation, but Scott was not
prevented from introducing Scientology's assertions to the jury about
CAN's alleged involvement in criminal deprogramming."
Message-Id: <m0szazJ-000RJHC@eagle.ais.net>
#####
Colorado Ceremony
Chris Yoder reported this week that the cos recently sponsored a
non-denominational religious ceremony celebrating religious freedom.
"It was held in veterans memorial park, just to the west of the Colorado
state capitol. I went, along with one other critic. We took flyers, and
left some on windshields outside the capitol building.
"Some of the prestigious members of The Church of Scientology that were
there included Heber Jentzsch, Leisa Goodman, and maybe Helena Kobrin, but
I'm not sure about Ms Kobrin. The infamous Deb Danos was there as well.
"It was an odd feeling, to say the least, to be there in the park
surrounded by at least 50 people who consider me to be a suppressive
person. I'm not saying that the Co$ has declared me suppressive, but as
soon as they found out who we were, they became less than friendly. I did
not see anyone that I recognized from normal life, which I am very
thankful for.
"The main things I noticed was a fairly subtle attack on psychiatry,
saying that the church should be allowed to do mental health stuff, and
mental health stuff should not be allowed without appropriate spiritual
guidance."
Message-ID: <44ro3b$f76@tali.UCHSC.edu>
#####
National Press Club
The Cyberspace Law Institute sponsored a round table discussion this week
at the National Press Club. The title was The Internet and Property Rights:
What's Mine is Yours? Here's the list of actual panelists
Panel Moderator: Bill Burrington - AOL
Vint Cerf - MCI
David Johnson - Cyberspace Law Institute
David Post - Cyberspace Law Institute
Wayne Rash - Contributing Editor, Communications Week
Dan Duncan - Information Industry Association
Peter Pitsch - Progress and Freedom Foundation
Helena Kobrin: Counsel, Church of Scientology International and RTC
Rebecca Fry: Attorney, Intellectual Property, Foley & Lardner
Mark W. Heaney provided a summary of the discussion. Some comments are
excerpted below.
"Helena Kobrin: Copyright law is currently strict liability, there does
not have to be intent for copyright violation to take place. The CoS
believes in warning the customer and the ISP. If the customer and the ISP
don't comply they are both liable. The ISP put the system there, nobody
made them. They are accessories by providing the means. Some providers do
cooperate.
"Bill Burrington: I met with the Church of Scientology to find out 'what's
your beef?'. They have tremendous vested interest in protecting their
copyright as does AOL and other intellectual property owners. We are all
in the same boat. Providers (like AOL) do not want to be part of the
liability chain. If a provider gets a complaint, they must respond to it.
How will AN IP holder provide notice and evidence of infringement? AOL
does not want to be a net.cop. Optional approach - immediate (temporary)
shut down upon complaint - has 1st amendment problems.
"HK: Another aspect... I am a proponent of free speech and so is the
Church of Scientology. <chuckles from the audience, HK looks even less
happy than before> Prior restraint right should reserved be in all ISP
contracts. Do it voluntarily or we will make you.
"HK: I am for an amendment to the law that if an ISP responds properly to
a complaint they should not be liable. CoS takes a different approach
because confidentiality of materials demands immediate response. We can't
ignore freedom of religion.
"HK: The role of government is directly related to the responsibility of
the net. An example: The Roman empire, no one was being responsible, so it
crumbled. Anonymous users think they are beyond the law. Anonymous
remailers must respond acceptably to legal complaints or they will become
government regulated.
"BB: Senator Cole from Wisconsin agrees.<Question to HK:> Regarding
virtual magistrates, what's to prevent copyright holders from harassing
individuals? Wouldn't this be a type of private law enforcement?
"HK: As a lawyer I can say that the legal system is not the most
expeditious way to resolved disputes. <HK is becoming agitated> It's not
private law enforcement. It should be written into ISP contracts, they
should reserve the necessary rights. It's not harassment... you can
clearly see what's going on... it's obvious... the... the issues are
clear!
"David Post: Copyright law is not clear, it is not a black and white
issue. There are complicated issues. For example, Fair Use, if anyone can
give me a clear and complete description of Fair use in under a half hour,
please talk to me when we are done. I have to teach it to my law classes
and I can't do it. There is a possibility for abuse on both sides of the
issue.
Message-ID: <44v4as$1ch@gamera.cbl.cees.edu>
#####
Dennis Erlich's Parents
Dennis Erlich reported this week that the cos has extended their
harassment to Dennis' parents.
"Some of you already know that my dad is dying of an incurable bone marrow
disease. His life expectancy can be measured in weeks. My mother is caring
for him at home. In spite of knowing this, my venomous ex-wife, Rosa has
just responded to a letter my mother sent her trying to make peace.
"Since the levy on my bank account and the loss of my job, my parents have
been kind enough to pay my on-going child support payments. They are doing
this because I supported my brother's two children.
"Rosa's letter starts off by accusing my parents of setting up a bank
account *for me* with *my* money in order to protect what are allegedly
*my* assets from the judgment she managed, with the help of information
taken during the illegal raid and a scieno-paid lawyer, to get against me.
The clear inference from her letter is that I have engaged in illegal
conveyance, that my parents conspired to commit this criminal act and that
the money in my parent's back account is mine, and therefore subject to
seizure.
"Of course this cause a major upset and tremendous concern to my elderly
parents who are living on Social Security and a pension from my dad's
retirement as a letter carrier."
Message-ID: <9510011207.0H0XT04@support.com>
#####
AOL Cancels Diane Richardson
Diane Richardson has been booted from America Online for responding to
statements made in a public folder.
"What AOL is doing is seriously wrong. By permitting the 'Church' <spit>
to spread its propaganda unchallenged by critics, the 'Church' <spit> is
managing to reach an audience of middle-income, relatively unsophisticated
people that they would NEVER manage to reach through their normal
marketing methods.
"I have no idea what sort of hold the 'Church' <spit> has over AOL, but I
would imagine that money has something to do with it. AOL has given
protection to the Scientologists[tm] that they offer to NO OTHER religious
group on their Religion & Ethics Forum. There's something operating behind
the scenes there
#####
Henry Harassed
The anonymous poster henry has been found by cos fugitive private
investigator Eugene Ingram.
"I feel like Gregor Samsa. Gene Ingram came into town yesterday with a
sheaf of papers and a pack of lies, and managed to get a criminal
complaint filed against me for 'terroristic threats.'
"I also lost my job, partly based on alt.angst posts, nasty things said,
and otherwise."
Vera, a poster for the cos, responded with this Dead Agent attack. I won't
repeat the alleged real name of henry.
"Robert Clark was one of two computer hackers who was arrested and charged with
illegally using computer systems at Penn State University on February 16,
1990. He and his roommate, Xxxxx, broke into national computer
systems with 'industrial, educational and military use.'
"The investigation began on November 6, 1989 when the University of
Chicago contacted the Computer Emergency Response Team at Carnegie Melon
University in Pittsburgh because of unauthorized entries into the Chicago
computer system on the access code of a former Penn State graduate
student. The system was reached via Internet.
"Robert Clark, a student at the time was caught on November 7, 1989, the
same day the Computer Science Department realized that someone was gaining
unauthorized access to the Penn State computer system. Department
employees were able to determine who had unauthorized access and police
were called."
Message-ID: <noodleDFy6p0.Hwo@netcom.com>
#####
Kobrin Speaks
Chief legal terrorist for the cos, Helena Kobrin, posted a warning
concerning "Fair Use". I have not included the text of Dennis' post that
she refers to because it doesn't seem to exist. Helena isn't getting
enough sleep.
"Dennis Erlich and others have posted notices of their intention to post
all of the Scientology OT materials a little bit at a time under the guise
of 'fair use.'
"It does not take great genius to realize that fair use means that the use
is 'fair.' To be 'fair,' a use must meet certain explicit criteria, and
the fair use defense is not an invitation to a free-for-all. No court is
going to accept that publication of all of a work through a series of
smaller postings under an announced plan to destroy the owner's rights
through such a scheme is 'fair use.'"
Message-ID: <hkkDFsnt9.Aqz@netcom.com>
#####
Larry Wollersheim Harassed
Larry Wollersheim, defendant against a cos lawsuit in Colorado, reported
the following incident this week.
"Tonight shortly after 6 P.M. one of the private investigators that
Scientology had present at the raid of my home came to my door. After
recognizing him through the peephole I told him I had nothing to say to
him and ordered him to stop pounding on my door and leave. Over the next
ten minutes I ordered him to stop pounding on my door and leave
repeatedly.
"I finally told him I was calling the police. He then left. His name was
Paul Figlia. I believe his outrageous threatening and relentless door
pounding was meant to harass and intimidate me before the upcoming court
hearing on Monday.
"I and FACTNet have repeatedly told Scientology, its lawyers and PI's over
the years that we never want to see them or talk to them about anything,
PERIOD. Every time they make these harassment calls we have and will
continue to call the police and make out a report for our future legal
action against them."
Message-ID: <44fqsm$7ug@natasha.rmii.com>
#####
OT 9
An anonymous poster contributed the text of OT 9 this week. This would
have to be the old OT 9, since the new OT 9 is really the old OT 4, which
we've all seen in the Fishman document. Here is a Fair Use
excerpt.
"OPERATING THETAN
Section 9
"To complete the organization needed to trap energy, the different groups
of thetans appointed themselves captains, and captains of captains, and
gave them the intention of control.
"The control given to the captains was to distort the intentions perceived
by other thetans. To do this required agreement among thetans (in a
particular camp) to permit the distortion, but the captains quite quickly
discovered that by sequencing the energy from the distortion frequently
enough to certain thetans, they could create a self-replicating cycle of
distortion, which takes on its own mass, etc. Using this, they were able
to essentially implant distortions permanently and enslave other thetans.
Xenu, of course, exploited and extended the process to implant thetans and
enslave them for his own purposes.
"Soon it became a contest among thetan captains to capture and enslave
thetans from other camps, both to insure their own survival, and to
further their own span of control. Anyway, what with all the thetan
captains trying to grab one another's slave thetans, all of the differing
energies and masses converged together again, and things happened so fast
that all the MEST structure vaporized, and BOOM, Incident I occurs.
"[Y]ou might be interested to know that a certain third-level thetan
captain, whose identity at the time best translates to Um today, created
some severely disorienting and enturbulating distortions, such as the
cherub and the horn. That captain created and controls the solar system,
and was known to ancient Jews as Yaweh."
Message-ID: <140308Z03101995@anon.penet.fi>
#####
Poodle Canceled
Ron Newman reports that the latest CancelPoodle's account has been closed.
"From: claude@netvoyage.net (Claude von Trotha)
Subject: seanm
"I canceled seanm's netvoyage service 10-4-95 at 5:30 pm."
Message-ID: <450st7$60n@kalypso.cybercom.net>
#####
Special Master
Judge Kane has appointed a Special Master to investigate the materials
seized from Larry Wollersheim and Bob Penny. Because cos officials have
refused to turn over the OT materials to "apostates", Judge Kane ordered
the materials turned over to him.
"Pursuant to Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 53, I appoint Professor Gary
Nutt of the University of Colorado as special master in this civil action
with all and full powers contemplated by the rule. The reasonable fees of
Professor Nutt and any expenses he incurs of whatever kind, including the
rental or purchase of any necessary materials or the retention of any
other experts or assistants, shall be paid by RTC. This reference is made
based upon the exigencies ofa fishing expedition is not legally
justifiable.'"
Message-ID: <44vfhi$9n8_001@netcom.com>
#####
Xenu, the Newspaper
David Gerard reports that the (Australia) Victorian Cross-Campus Student
Paper will be called "Xenu".
"[It] Even features a beautifully Photoshopped picture of That Darn Xenu
himself on the centre spread.
"We had this vote over names, y'see. Other choices (from a shortlist of
about forty) were Red Dye No. 1, Besmirched or Student Economic
Rationalist Journal. I liked Red Dye No. 1 myself, but once the others
read the story of X--- himself, well ... they couldn't resist.
"The important aspect, of course, is that there WILL be publicity around
this issue, *should* they choose to sue."
Message-ID: <44vf65$e50@cougar.vut.edu.au>