Clearwater
Mark Bunker reported on a hearing in Clearwater on the downtown development plan. "Who should be there when we arrive but Al Buttnor sitting toward the rear of the house. When it was time for questions, one fellow said it looks like the developers are going to own Clearwater with the sweetheart deal the city is giving them. A short time later, I stood to speak and addressed that point. 'To the gentlemen who is concerned that the developers are going to own Clearwater, you don't have to worry. The city is already owned by Scientology.' This got a thunderous round of applause and laughter. "Later another woman brought up Scientology and her concerns that Scientology would be profiting from this plan. The developer explained that he viewed Scientology as the competition since they own so many of the empty buildings and he felt they would undercut him when he went to lease his space. I spoke from the back without benefit of a mic, 'Yet you've been working closely with the Scientologists. One newspaper article wrote how pleased you were that Scientology was bending over backwards to sell their property to you to make this happen.' He explained that he had more dealing with the Baptist Church and really dealt with Scientology's attorneys for most of their interactions." From the St. Petersburg Times on July 2nd: "Just 10 days before a city referendum on a sweeping downtown redevelopment plan, more people support the proposal than oppose it. About 44 percent of those who plan on going to the polls say they will vote for the redevelopment plan, while 37 percent say they'll vote against it, according to a St. Petersburg Times poll completed last week. "About half the city's possible voters are bothered 'a lot' by the idea that redevelopment will make downtown a nicer place for Scientologists to live, the Times poll shows. A group called Save the Bayfront has sprinkled allegations throughout its mailings that Scientologists could become the owners of the city's land downtown if voters approve the referendum -- which isn't true. "De Guardiola said he is willing to insert a clause into future agreements saying the city's downtown land can never be leased to Church of Scientology entities, unless a future City Commission desired that. Individual Scientologists have helped in the campaign to win the referendum election, hanging out at the headquarters of Citizens for a Better Clearwater downtown. Church officials find Save the Bayfront's ads insulting. 'We have absolutely no designs on developing in downtown Clearwater,' said church spokesman Mike Rinder. 'The fact is that we're centralizing our facilities (downtown). This is a city redevelopment effort, and we're not involved in it.' "'It's a win-win situation for the church either way,' said Rita Weaver, a 77-year-old resident who has lived in Clearwater more than 50 years. 'If there is no plan, they may someday have option to buy more land downtown at less expensive prices. If there is a downtown plan, their parishioners will have a nicer downtown to visit.'" The Tampa Tribune published a column by Daniel Ruth on June 30th on his visit to the Fort Harrison Hotel. "Strolling through Clearwater's old Fort Harrison Hotel, home to the Church of Very Weird Stuff, I asked Marty Rathbun if he minded if I took a brochure. Rathbun paused and snatched the brochure away. 'Let me see that. You're probably just going to trash us.' The document was a Church of Scientology come-on for people to: 'Get your FALSE PURPOSE RUNDOWN AUDITOR COURSE LECTURES.' For an undisclosed fee, Scientology parishioners could get their false purpose rundown on: The GPM, at 1 hour, 3 minutes; for the State of OT, at 1 hour, 9 minutes; or Flattening a Process, at 1 hour, 23 minutes - among other exciting options explaining how thetans get trapped, or why a thetan adopts aberrated stable data, which then cause his decline. "I got to see Hubbard's little sailor hat resting on a desk in an office shrine dedicated to the Scientology creator. It was just too, too thetan cute. But what I know, or don't know, about Scientology is irrelevant with respect to Lisa McPherson. After a minor car accident in downtown Clearwater, McPherson stripped off her clothes and started walking down the street. McPherson was moved by Scientologists to the Fort Harrison for 'rest and relaxation.' Seventeen days later, she was dead. You might say she had terminal aberrated stable data. "When her body ultimately failed, the dying woman was not taken to Morton Plant, literally moments away, but to a Scientologist doctor in New Port Richey. That act alone will forever cast a pall over the cult's negligent culpability in this young woman's death." Message-ID: 39596d8a.0@news2.lightlink.com Message-ID: 849plsss57l7hk9n74k5o76mmtho627ch4@news.xs4all.nl Message-ID: 8jnjfq$imj@netaxs.com
Underground Films
Internet Wire reported on June 24th that a grant from the Chicago Underground Film Festival will go towards the making of a film on Scientology. "Seven projects selected from over 100 submissions in an effort to foster the underground of contemporary media. Each winner selected receives a cash award between $500 and $2000 to go toward the completion of his or her project. Established in 1998, the Film Fund intends to aid underground and independent filmmakers who wish to abandon the studio-minded mainstream of independent film for personal, avant-garde work. "A Cold-Blooded Look at Your Last 60,000,000 Years (The Institute For True Purpose Technology): A 'film-strip' revealing the secret cosmology of the Church of Scientology usually restricted to upper level initiates found in a broken projector in a Hollywood Salvation Army and restored by the Institute." Message-ID: tmpelssfjg4tgb4qjoltb0ht6aglgttb6p@4ax.com
France
The Associated Press reported on June 29th that an investigation will be made into the conduct of French judges and evidence that disappeared during the trial of Scientologists. "The announcement came a week after Justice Minister Elisabeth Guigou said she believed fraud was involved in the disappearance of the dossiers. Her comments were based on a report by the General Inspection of Judicial Services. Hundreds of documents disappeared in October 1998 in a case that had been opened in 1983 against 16 members of the Church of Scientology suspected of 'fraud and illegally practicing medicine.' The Justice Ministry said Thursday that it has asked the Superior Council of the Magistracy to investigate Judge Marie-Paule Moracchini, who has been handling the case." Message-ID: 690nls0j3clro326hs8g3h8kcd5db5b7me@news.xs4all.nl
Freezone Web
A freezone web site in Russia has been closed due to allegations of copyright infringement. Excerpts from the complaining letter: "We are represent Religious Technology Center, the owner of the confidential Advanced Technology of the Scientology religion and the holder of exclusive rights under the copyrights applicable to the Advanced Technology materials. The Advanced Technology materials are confidential, unpublished, copyrighted works. RTC's works include, among others, the individual works comprising levels as 'NOT's', 'OT II', 'OT III'. "We also represent the following publishing houses: Bridge Publications Inc. and New Era Publications International, the owners of the copyrights of published works in the Scientology religion, including books, audiotapes and their transcripts. These works include, but not limited to, the following tape transcripts and materials: Hubbard College Lectures; some GPM Tapes of 1963; Solution to Entrapment; 9th ACC tapes; Level 0 Course pack and tapes; Level I tapes; Level II tapes; Level III Academy tapes; Level IV Course pack and tapes; OT II Platens; Exteriorization and the Phenomena of Space tapes and numerous other works which you has placed on your web side without authorization of our clients. "The copyrights are protected on the territory of Russia by the Law of the Russian Federation 'On Copyright and Neighboring Rights' dated July 9, 1993. Both the Russian Federation and the United States are members of the Bern Convention on Protection of Literature and Art Works of 1886 and pursuant to Article 5 of the Russian Copyright Law the rights of the Unites States copyright owners are under protection in Russia. "These web postings by you violate the copyright owner's exclusive rights in these works and may be punished under both the civil and criminal laws. Please be advised that if in spite of this notice you continue to violate the exclusive rights of the above named copyright owners we will be forced to take the above-mentioned measures. "Dr. Svetlana I. Rozina Senior Partner member of Board of Bar Association of Moscow City" Message-ID: 7giUoBAgoUV5Eww0@lutefisk.demon.co.uk
Germany
Westdeutsche Zeitung reported on June 25th that Scientology is conducting a mail campaign in Wuppertal, Germany. "Numerous households in Wichlinghausen have found in their mail boxes a Scientology leaflet which advertises for sect books in the past few days. The piquant aspect of it is that the leaflet of the relatively well-known association was distributed by Deutschen Post AG delivery personnel (German mailmen) through oversight, as Dieter Pietruck, their spokesman, responded to inquiry. 'Our legal department is currently reviewed as to whether we have to or may deliver the printed material. Therefore the distribution has actually been stopped.' "At the Barmen delivery distribution center, the flyers were also pulled from delivery. 'But they did get through to our Wichlinghausen outpost and were delivered to several hundred households,' Pietruck confirmed, then also noted that the mandatory mass mailing label was also not present on the flyers. Generally speaking, the postal spokesman stated, his company was obligated to distributed anything which did not advocate breaking the law." Stern magazine reported on June 29th that Scientology invented documents to aid the asylum application of Antje Victore in 1997. "Stern research now shows that the spectacular Scientology asylum case was staged. No trace of religious persecution. 'OSA also had a very real interest in getting Antje's application for asylum approved so she could stay in the States,' said Jens Billerbeck, who was in close contact with Victore at the time, but has since then left Scientology. 'They were trying to prevent her from appearing as a witness in the trial against her former company chief. Antje knew a lot. Antje proudly reported to me that Weiland and an OSA attorney worked on the method of procedure personally in her asylum proceedings.' The strategy to convince the Immigration Judge, was as tricky as it was effective: German Scientologist who have a business, authored letters to Antje Victore in which it was pretended that she had put in for a position with them. With 'deep regret' they rejected Victore because of her membership in Scientology. "Jens Billerbeck and Dagmar H. were asked for such letters by Antje Victore and, as a favor to a fellow Scientologist, they wrote and sent her the letters. Actually, Victore had never put in an application with them. On October 10, 1996, Victore faxed Billerbeck several such letters which he was supposed to use as a model. The deceptive bluff was a success. When the 'asylum case' was won the end of February 1997, Victore sent Billerbeck a letter of praise typical for Scientology. It said that 'for the first time in history' a German citizen had obtained political asylum in the USA. Billerbeck: 'On the telephone she explicitly asked me not to tell anyone about the asylum decision. The decision in court was to be published by Scientology itself at an opportune moment. This was the express wish of OSA.' The sensation was printed in the New York Times in early November. The woman was said to have 'clearly and convincingly' demonstrated that her fear of persecution on account of her belief had been founded, announced Weiland." Message-ID: Pine.LNX.3.96.1000627170157.164A-100000@darkstar.zippy Message-ID: Pine.LNX.3.96.1000630155737.122A-100000@darkstar.zippy
Gold Base
The Riverside Press-Enterprise reported in three articles on June 26-28 that a woman at Scientology's Gold Base near Hemet, California was killed by electrocution in a utility pit. "A Church of Scientology member was electrocuted in a bizarre accident Sunday morning in an underground vault at the church's film studio north of San Jacinto, authorities said. She was a woman in her 20s who had been a church member for 2 1/2 years, said Riverside County sheriff's spokeswoman Lisa McConnell. The girl was a production company crew member at Golden Era Studios, which produces promotional and training films for the church. Firefighters were called to the scene about 10:15 a.m., said Riverside County fire Capt. Tim Chavez. The call first came out as a traffic collision, then as a structure fire. 'When we arrived we found a woman electrocuted in a below-ground level vault, obviously dead,' Chavez said, adding she was badly burned." "She apparently died instantly after contacting a 7,200-volt wire connecting two transformers in the 10-foot by 10-foot by 8-foot vault, the Sheriff's Department reported. 'The individual was very badly burned and visual identification was impossible,' said Senior Deputy Robert Moquin. The general manager, Ken Hoden, said the woman, interested in helping animals, was concerned about the death of a squirrel in the vault a few weeks earlier, went to investigate and, apparently, fell on the wires. "Scientology's skeptics raised questions about the death. 'You wouldn't be allowed to be wandering around out there,' said Stacy Brooks, who described herself as having been a Scientologist for 15 years, including some time at Golden Era, before leaving in 1989. Brooks is president of the Lisa McPherson Trust, a Scientology watchdog group. 'These people watch every minute. It's just not feasible knowing how things worked out there that she was just wandering around taking care of baby squirrels,' Brooks said." "A woman killed on the Church of Scientology's film studio grounds near San Jacinto is 20-year-old Hemet resident Stacey Myer, according to the county coroner. 'Her autopsy was performed today,' Feinstein-Portales said Tuesday. 'Right now the cause of death is still pending, however, there is nothing to indicate she died at the hands of another.' The cause of Myer's death will not be confirmed until toxicology reports are received, which could take about eight weeks, Feinstein-Portales said. The young woman's body was badly burned in the accident. "The state is also investigating a number of safety issues, including whether employees at Golden Era were properly trained and if warnings were posted about high voltage. The state Division of Occupational Safety and Health spokesman, Dean Fryer, said the agency expects the investigation may be done within three months." Hemet News reported that staff from Gold Base decorated a wall in nearby San Jacinto. "Artists from Golden Era Productions started Saturday to turn the wall of the Moose Lodge near Five Corners into a reflection of the nearby mountains and a tribute to the city's history. While still working to finalize the design, Wiebke Hansen, Jimmy Yeoh and Kerrie Francis began transforming the east side of the blue building. Orange will depict a sunset sky and green the San Jacinto Valley's floor before it filled with homes and businesses. They plan to paint the mountains to the east. The painted mountains will be blue, to depict how they would look at sunset. "Golden Era Productions approached members of the Royal Order of Moose in San Jacinto with the idea as a way to do something nice for the community, according to Muriel Dufresne, public relations director for Golden Era." Message-ID: 8jaee4$rao@netaxs.com Message-ID: 8jcpe6$dv9@netaxs.com Message-ID: insdlsoebn2lmn0v11lre0e2mqbhkm07rc@4ax.com Message-ID: jb3flssc7aksdifaa4ltovl32k4pl606m0@4ax.com
Gregg Hagglund
Gregg Hagglund reported his efforts to stop Scientology's harassment of his family. "The Toronto School Board swiftly launched an internal investigation to immediately address the allegations made and to terminate the threat, made by the Scientology, of disrupting the school. I explained my activities and educated Board Legal Advisors as to the nature and operation of the Criminally Convicted Cult. The Board while not responsible for my actions, quickly ascertained through their lawyers, neither Jennifer or I were involved in any activity even remotely illegal. The Board Lawyers easily established Jennifer has an impeccable history and reputation as a professional teacher. Jennifer's immediate superiors completely backed her up and supported her. "The Board lawyers response to Scientology threats was swift and harsh and said in part: 'In summary, our investigation does not support the serious allegations made by you. There is absolutely no evidence of professional misconduct, incapacity or incompetence on the part of Ms. Hagglund. You are hereby formally put on notice to cease and desist immediately from making or circulating, in any manner whatsoever, any comments, commentary or other information with respect to Board personnel, including Ms. Hagglund. In addition, you are put on notice that you are not to have any direct contact with any staff member at the School.'" Gregg also posted a letter he sent to the group of Scientology complainers. "Liz Kristiansen J.G. Layton Betty Misener Grahame F. Potter A. Renault David Stokes "We understand Mr. Eric Roher of Borden Ladner Gervais LLP, who represents the Toronto Board of Education, has already reprimanded you for your conduct. The facts of the matter are that contrary opinion is neither harassment nor a hate crime. My activities of criticizing Scientology management, policies and 'technologies' are Charter Protected Freedom of Expression. Your allegations and innuendoes in respect of my wife and myself constitute a form of defamation in our opinion and in the opinion of others. Therefore, your abject apology and complete recantation of all allegations made by you is required, in writing, immediately. "You are hereby formally put on notice to cease and desist immediately from making or circulating, in any manner whatsoever, any comments, commentary or other information with respect to my wife, myself, any member of our family or those we associate with, especially within our community." Message-ID: 0ivplsgnvct6k24ve4tk6on1rdnc52a37l@4ax.com
Israel
Dei'ah veDibur reported on June 21st that efforts are underway in Israel to close a Scientology-run school "Activists of Lev L'Achim's Anti-Cult Department are currently waging a stubborn battle to close a kindergarten and school recently opened by followers of the cult of Scientology in Tel Aviv. A number of months ago, Lev L'Achim learned that cult members were trying to open a kindergarten and elementary school on a rented site in the agricultural village of Mikveh Yisrael, south of Tel Aviv. "Heads of Lev L'Achim's Anti-Cult Department appealed to the Education Ministry, showing them a vast amount of material explaining the serious dangers of the cult. The Glaser-Taasa Report, which warned specifically against the cult of Scientology among many others, was among the information presented. Education Ministry officials announced that the school has not and will never receive a license to operate. They add that such operation as a unrecognized and the unofficial institution is illegal. Despite this, the cult's school is continuing to function again this year, in violation of the law." Dei'ah veDibur also reported that workers at a food factory have experienced pressure to take Scientology training from their employers. "Workers in the Zoglobek food factory in the North have recently presented shocking testimony to the heads of the Pe'ilim-Lev L'Achim organization's Department for the Battle Against Cults. They describe the prolonged pressures exerted on them to participate in workshops in methods of the Scientology cult. 'We live in constant fear and feel threatened,' say factory employees. At the same time, grim testimony has been presented by workers who have been fired from their jobs at Zoglobek after refusing to yield to pressure exerted upon them to participate in activities of the Scientology cult. It has also been learned that a number of workers have suffered from trauma as a result of membership in that cult. "Lev L'Achim demands that Zoglobek's directors stop wielding their power as employers in order to force workers to join this dangerous cult. It is providing fired workers with legal counsel. Lev L'Achim has demanded that the Labor and Welfare and the Health Ministries, as well as the Histadrut protect the rights of the workers." Message-ID: 8jheej$1dq2$1@news6.isdnet.net Message-ID: 8jmqjs$1omt$1@news4.isdnet.net
Lisa McPherson
The St. Petersburg Times published a column by Mary Jo Melone on June 27th, in which she commented on the Lisa McPherson case and the recently enacted law in France. "Last week, the French National Assembly passed a new law. The French are fed up with groups claiming to be religions that take advantage of emotionally fragile people. In other words, the French want to crack down on Scientology. The law will make it illegal for Scientology and similar organizations to use 'mental manipulation' against their members. "It is certainly asking too much for the Clearwater City Commission to pass a law like this. Failing to bow and scrape before persons in Clearwater wearing a glazed look and a funny uniform could get you a $500 fine and a couple of nights in the Fort Harrison Hotel tied down to a bed. If you come out of the hotel feet first, the explanation for your expiration could be that you broke the e-meter. "I'm telling you because if you live in Clearwater and suspect you are on the verge of serfdom at the hands of this cult then you better start calling, faxing and e-mailing the person who represents the only hope you have left. He can appoint a new medical examiner. Certainly a new ME wouldn't think that the next person who dies did nothing strange by getting naked after crashing her car. He wouldn't think she had this kinky thing about roaches and got a blood clot because she banged her knee and died because she felt like it would be a cool thing to do. "There is one other thing you could do. Call in the French. At least with the French, you'd have the protection of that law against mental manipulation." The St. Petersburg Times also reported, on June 28th, that the status of autopsy photos of Lisa McPherson is still undecided. "Pinellas County Circuit Judge Crockett Farnell did not reach a decision Tuesday about whether autopsy photos of Scientologist Lisa McPherson should be made public, saying he needs more time to review documents. In the two-day span leading up to Tuesday's hearing, hundreds of pages of new motions and detailed arguments were added to the lawsuit, filed a week ago by the St. Petersburg Times. "But the Church of Scientology wants the photos sealed. The church believes its critics would post the photos on the Internet, harming its right to a fair trial in a Tampa wrongful-death lawsuit filed by McPherson's estate. Before the hearing, a church counseling supervisor, a dentist who helped administer medication to McPherson days before her death and a church medical officer and unlicensed doctor joined the church's effort to seal the photos. Bennetta Slaughter, McPherson's boss and friend, also filed a motion this week to keep the pictures private. Meanwhile, Ken Dandar, an attorney representing the McPherson estate, joined the Times, the Tampa Tribune and WFLA-Ch. 8 in asking that the photos be made public." The Times reported on June 29th that Joan Wood, the Medical Examiner in the Lisa McPherson case, has resigned. "A defiant Pinellas-Pasco Medical Examiner Joan Wood vowed never to voluntarily step down from her beloved life's work. But on Wednesday, she decided enough was enough. Wood unexpectedly announced her retirement, effective Sept. 30, after nearly 20 years as the circuit's medical examiner. It comes two weeks after Pinellas prosecutors dropped criminal charges against the Church of Scientology, blaming Wood's reversal in the death of Scientologist Lisa McPherson for hopelessly damaging their case. Inevitably, prosecutors' decision and condemnation of Wood's 'illogical' behavior in the case may have doomed her career. 'Frankly, the stress and physical toll have become more than I can handle,' Wood told Bush in a short letter she faxed to his office just after 2 p.m. 'My personal considerations include not only my health, but that of my family.' In the letter, Wood, 55, said her experiences as medical examiner were generally good ones. "'She has had a very distinguished career, and I wish her well in future endeavors,' McCabe said, declining to discuss whether he wanted Wood to leave the post. 'I understand why she resigned. I'll leave it at that. What's done is done.'" Message-ID: 20000627105612.01849.00000037@ng-co1.aol.com Message-ID: 8jejht$9r0$1@news3.isdnet.net Message-ID: 20000629071756.01462.00001282@ng-md1.aol.com
Lisa McPherson Trust
The restraining order on members of the Lisa McPherson Trust not to approach Scientology buildings in Clearwater was lifted this week. "Judge Pennick lifted the injunction following brilliant arguments by John Merrett, and Bruce Howie. Mary Story of Scientology was our star witness. She testified that the injunction should be kept in place because she didn't want the LMT people to harass Scientology. A celebration walk ensued upon return to the LMT and Bob handed out LMT brochures to several Sea Org members at the Fort Harrison and the Clearwater Bank Building." From the testimony of Mary Story: "Q. Now, you have not witnessed, since December 2nd, any episodes of violence against Scientologists, have you? "A. I have not witnessed any episodes of violence, but I have certainly witnessed pickets and people holding signs and harassment of our staff when they're trying to cross the streets. "Q. So what you're complaining about is the exposure of the adherents of your organization to ideas and statements that they find offensive, correct? "A. Correct." And from John Merrett's closing argument: "You heard the testimony of the selected representative of Scientology organization, and her testimony under oath was that what she wished enjoined was the exposure of the adherents of her organization to words and ideas which they find offensive. It is more telling than anything that I could have wished for that the statement of Scientology's representative was simply that: We don't want our people exposed to this speech. There was no evidence of any injury to anybody, no complaint of any injury to anybody, only the fact that the free flow of information has penetrated, to one degree or another, a bubble that Scientology seeks to put around its adherents. And that, Your Honor, while it may violate Mr. Hubbard's principles, is exactly what the First Amendment is there for. "Scientology is certainly welcome to keep its acolytes sheltered from the news and sheltered from the words of non-Scientologists on its own property, inside its own building, behind its blacked-out windows down on Cleveland Street, but it has no right to insist that other people forego the exercise of fundamental rights in order them in the preservation of that closeted for their adherents. That is obscene." Message-ID: 5s0lls0lusa15cakd5et93ksqiaokc4lug@4ax.com Message-ID: kl0sls4rnj3vj0f9pkb3u1v6hs44b14rr6@4ax.com
Nigeria
Vanguard newspaper reported on July 2nd that the Nigerian Senate has approved the debt buy-back program in which Bob Minton participated, rejecting Scientology's allegations that it was improper. "Specifically, the parliament said the debt buy back undertaken between 1988 and 1993 under the Babangida administration was beneficial to Nigeria but frowned at the unwholesome conduct of the 1996 Ajaokuta debt buy back scheme. On the 1988 to 1993 deals, a London based Nigerian former football star, Mr. John Fashanu, early this year accused the Babangida administration of sharp practices. But, a principal partner in the scheme, Bob Minton, alleged Fashanu was being used by the Church of Scientology with which he had a three-year battle over the church's alleged human rights violations and murder of certain persons which he was trying to expose. The committee pointed out that the Greenland debt buy back resulted in a reduction of Nigeria's debt by $5,000,000,000.00 and a re-scheduling of the balance of the London Club debts 'which will be wiped out by the year 2030.'" Message-ID: pp1tlss1bfgijuip994de2ot8bot3rsual@4ax.com
Tom Padgett
Tom Padgett had a hearing in Orleans, Massachusetts to decide if he will be extradited to Kentucky, in a Scientology-controlled child custody case. "Padgett's attorney argued they wanted a further extension of time because of political and cultic influences in Kentucky causing his inability to retain legal representation there. The judge granted three more weeks at which time Padgett must appear on July 21st and either sign a waiver of extradition or be placed into custody and incarcerated until the Kentucky authorities arrive to transport him back to that state to stand trial. The Massachusetts court said they do not have the jurisdiction to examine the merits of the facts even if they are completely erroneous and trumped up. Their job is to deliver a wanted fugitive from justice to their sister commonwealth." Message-ID: 23327-395D3763-65@storefull-213.iap.bryant.webtv.net
Protest Summary
Keith Henson continued protests at Gold Base this week. "I saw people on the plaza at the west underpass. They saw me, one guy pointed, and they all turned around and quickly scooted inside. To keep low level staffers from seeing me and my signs, they are taking them across the highway in shuttles at the main gate and on the western end of the complex, where there are gates on both sides of the highway. "I suddenly realized there were more bushes than I remembered on the south side of the road over the underpass. Sure enough, some poor scn work crew had been up far into the night planting the largest bushes they could buy from some garden supply place. The tags were still on some of them. They also installed a bunch of green fabric so it is harder for the gold base staff to see out on the road. "About 9:30 Fred Rice, his family and David Rice showed up. When they parked ahead of my car and got out, several people came out on a balcony of Miscavige's massive mansion. The whole lot of us (7) with three picket signs then walked through gold base to the Ashlee memorial on the west end and back to the cars. "When I got back, I had no fewer than 5 counter picketers and one dude taping them. The neighbors are very supportive, with the result that operation footbullet is in high gear." "Sunday we had 3-6 picketers all day. They are not much trouble, and the support from the neighbors is very strong. There was this crashing sound and I looked over to see what looked like one of the picketers trying to fight his way through the hedge or perhaps having an epileptic fit. After a few seconds of fighting the hedge, he went down like a sack of potatoes, and from 20 feet away I could hear his head hit the sidewalk. I went inside like a shot and called 911. The guy's face was absolutely gray. He said the heat got him and that he was out of shape to walk that much." "I didn't get to gold base till almost dark. They have an amazing collection of trees out there, some of them in giant planters, trying to block the view of the road from the stairs leading under the road. On the way back, I saw one person walking in the plaza area. I waved and the person looked at me. I had the paper for my new sign with me rolled up. It reads: 'Cult Victims: Stacey Myer, Ashlee Shaner, Lisa McPherson.' They nodded. Across the road there were a bunch in sea org blues. They saw me and turned around." "They are not letting cars cross the highway when I am near one of the gates. One time this morning I was at one, two cars backed up and went to the other gate. So I ran up to the other gate. I caught about 6 cars crossing the highway and they all had to look my direction because even OTs need to look for oncoming traffic. At least 200 of them saw my sign this morning. They made a half hearted effort to picket my wife's work yesterday and picketed my house in Palo Alto with a small crew in the evening." "Barb" also protested in Hemet. "David was using one of Keith's signs, mine said 'Scientology Kills' on one side and, 'Ron is Gone But the Con Lives On' on the other. We started picketing from the shrine and began working our way south, The wheelbarrow of dried cement is still there! It didn't take too long for our first handler to emerge from the base. This nattily dressed OT feller's name was Ken. He was wearing a dark suit despite the heat, lots of gold buttons, gold Scientology ring. He was superficially friendly, and asked the usual questions, who, why, and so forth. Ken kept asking if we could 'stop and talk.' Well, being it was a picket and all, we told him we had to keep moving and if he wished, he could accompany us. "A woman handler emerged from the clambed. He left us in her hands. She started asking us the same questions as Ken. We told her she could ask him, as we'd already covered that ground. She then morphed into a tour guide, pointing out the new blue trimmed residences they're building. Then, she tried bullbaiting me. She suggested I could benefit from Prozac. I laughed, and said I was not only not depressed, I am downright chucklelicious! 'You seem a bit unstable,' she said." "Ethercat" reported distribution of flyers at Atlanta's Gay Pride Celebration. "The political theme was ending discrimination, so we took the opportunity to distribute some flyers, and let the more political-minded attendees find out what sort of discrimination Hubbard had in mind. Each Flyer Pak consisted of our rainbow assortment of 5 flyers, topped with our lavender 'Gay Rights and Scientology' flyers. About 2/3 of what we put out were taken, and we are positive they will be read, since people made a small effort to take them." "Kaeli" and Gregg Hagglund reported a protest in Toronto. "Present: Gregg Hagglund, Dave Palter, AndroidCat, Mike Argue, ZeratulCat and Kaeli Andersen. The Org still had their scaffolding there. One of the staff members, Mario, was extremely upset, and I could hear him saying that we should have let them know first. Within an hour or so, more Scienos came along, passing out their own flyers. It pretty much insinuated we were child pornographers, we were part of a hate group, etc. I countered back, calling out, 'Scientology doesn't want you to hear both sides of the story!' Again not surprisingly, this fine advocate of freedom of speech came right up to me and said into my face, 'SHUT UP!' "When we finished the picket at 3 o'clock, we headed to our lunch area for some brew and fries. The Toronto Org had hung a green material over the scaffolding, hiding the front door of the Org from across the street and from the street itself. Gregg decided to get a piece of the material to give to the Toronto Fire Department to test for flammability. Gregg cut out a piece of the material. Within seconds, a staff member rushed out, yelling, 'What are you doing?' 'I will take this to the Fire Department and see if this material is highly flammable.' The man began yelling at Gregg and then, poked him in the chest, shoving him backwards. Gregg called out, 'You assaulted me, mister!' The man proceeded to run inside the Org." "Janet Leveau was in a panic calling the police and for absent OT3+ members to rush back and defend the Org. After about 45 minutes a few of the second string players made an appearance. The Goon Squad, except for Ramsay, never showed. The 6 or seven publics on course or in for sessions were herded of the street and into the 'Chapel' to hide. One of the better Motorized Police Sergeants showed at about 1:30 to chide us gently for having put a couple of 1 by 3 inch Xenus stickers on the scaffolding. He was familiar with us and went thru the motions, for Janet Leveau who had crept up to the scene, of asking us to keep to the Demonstration routine we usually managed. I assured him we would and that we would be breaking at 3 pm and would call him before we came back. Satisfied he left me and he then spent a few moments talking to Leveau. She kept pointing at me and he kept shaking his head. Then he went back to his bike. I gave him a thumbs up, he waved and left." Kristi Wachter reported a protest in San Francisco. "We had a GREAT picket today, with two new picketers, a little verbal back-and-forth with various Scientologists, a friendly visit from the police, and loads of fliers given out." Message-ID: 8j5e1s$j10$1@slb7.atl.mindspring.net Message-ID: 8j6nje$5ul$2@slb0.atl.mindspring.net Message-ID: hjmdlsosjc2942pml2jvgnl9lvhoqjkcr7@4ax.com Message-ID: 39578ED1.DFA899D0@pacbell.net Message-ID: 8jh9fo$lnf$1@nntp9.atl.mindspring.net Message-ID: 8jk0uc$gqa$1@slb7.atl.mindspring.net Message-ID: 8jlec6$7j4$1@slb0.atl.mindspring.net Message-ID: 8jm7o0$vmq$1@slb2.atl.mindspring.net Message-ID: 395E9F8A.E0DDBF2E@klis.com Message-ID: m7ctlsk0t2abcp21bng402ufgg7spk4kb3@4ax.com Message-ID: Pine.BSF.4.21.0007012156040.27068-100000@web2.sea.nwserv.com
Refunds
Virginia McClaughry posted correspondence with the International Association of Scientologists concerning her request for a refund. "We are in receipt of your request of a return of your donations to the IAS. The rules of the IAS clearly state that contributions are not refundable. This rule is set forth on the IAS membership form. You acknowledged your understanding of this policy when you signed this form. "Lise Cohee Legal Affairs Director IAS Administrations "Dear Lise, "In regards to these forms that I have signed, I am sure you must have copies of these forms with my signature on them. Send complete copies to the same address as your last letter. At the time of donating 2000 for my lifetime membership, I was represented that the purpose of the IAS was: To make sure that Scientology, in it's standard, unaltered form, would continue to be available to all that wish to use it. To defend those who wish to apply Scientology technology standardly, should they be interfered with in this basic religious right. After consulting with counsel, it is my understanding that a contract, or signed form, can always be contested when there could be misrepresentation or fraud involved. "I have evidence of direct alteration of standard Scientology. One particularly gross example of which is C/S Series 73RA, as covered in my original letter to you. IAS to my knowledge has done nothing to correct this situation. I wished to apply LRH standardly regarding the sec checking of Solo Nots Pre-ot's, which LRH specifically did not want done as a rule. I received no help defending me from the reverse auditing, massive black PR campaign, illegal detention, etc, from the IAS. The above actions constitute religious discrimination of the practice of LRH's religious writings. "Virginia McClaughry cc: Lisa Mcpherson Trust cc: IRS Assistant Commissioner Employee Plans and Exempt Organizations cc: United States Justice Department cc: ACLU cc: Lowell Bergman -Investigative Reporter" Message-ID: 8jb39l$dbg@drn.newsguy.com
Switzerland
Tages-Anzeiger reported on June 27th that Scientology leads inquiries to InfoSekta, a cult counseling center. "Most inquiries received by the InfoSekta sect counselling center last year were about Scientology, followed by the Landmark Education psycho-corporation and the Christian dogmatic community of the International Christian Fellowship, which concentrates its successful missionary work primarily on young people. Number four on the notorious 'hit list' last year was the VPM - 'Verein zur Foerderung der Psychologischen Menschenkenntnis'. Infosekta answered a total of 1,345 inquiries in 1999, almost a hundred less than the previous year." Basler Zeitung reported on June 24th that a Scientology school has been licensed in Zurich. "The Zurich educational board has given primary school instructor Lisbeth Ambuehl a permit to run the Ziel (Center for individual and effective learning) private school in the city of Zurich. ZIEL is a controversial daughter organization of Scientology. ZIEL is trans-denominational and politically neutral, said Ambuehl in a communique. She said that L. Ron Hubbard's study technology, among other learning methods, were used in a balanced manner. Her Scientology background had been known to the educational board when they gave Ambuehl the permit, said Robert Steinegger of the legal department of the public school office of Zurich Canton in response to inquiry." Sda reported on June 30th that Scientology has charged a Lausanne police director and city councilman over a ban on recruiting on public property. "Scientology is defending itself against the ban by the City of Lausanne against harassing pedestrians downtown. The organization has filed charges against city councilman Bernard Metraux. 'The Waadtland Scientologists have had enough of the discriminating politics of the city government of Lausanne,' the organization said on Tuesday evening. Because of the measure which recently went into effect, they filed a charge with the court magistrate against city councilman Metraux. What the city primarily had in mind were the concerts which the organization had been arranging without permits. In addition, members were targeting pedestrians on the much frequented steps of Riponne Square in Old Town." Message-ID: Pine.LNX.3.96.1000627170407.164E-100000@darkstar.zippy Message-ID: Pine.LNX.3.96.1000627170258.164C-100000@darkstar.zippy Message-ID: Pine.LNX.3.96.1000630155930.122B-100000@darkstar.zippy
Back to A.R.S. Week in Review A.r.s. Week in Review is put together by Rod Keller © This collection is organised for WWW by Andreas Heldal-Lund. Only edits done by me is replacing word encapsuled in * or _ with bold and underscore, and made links into HTML.
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