Presenting Rod Keller's
Alt.religion.scientology Week in Review

Volume 5, Issue 7 - May 21 2000


Above the Law

The Illawarra Mercury from New South Wales, Australia reported on May 5th on a French documentary on Australian TV. "Produced by Envoye Special, the film examines the relationship between the church and the law in France, Germany and the United States. While basic facts are hard to find, the documentary does present an abundance of circumstantial evidence that appears to point to the underhanded working of the Church of Scientology. "This program focuses primarily on the French trials involving Scientology. In one, Hubbard was sentenced in absentia to four years in prison and fined for fraud. He never served his sentence. Another case, more frightening in its allegations, was initiated by the wife of a former Scientologist who killed himself after allegedly being pressured to run up debts to pay for a purification ritual." Message-ID: 391cf885.12566733@news.primenet.com

Battlefield Earth

Battlefield Earth was released in the U.S. this week. American Atheists News reported on May 8th on the connection between Scientology and the film. "Some argue that the film, written by Scientology founder L. Ron Hubbard, is a 'recruiting' tool for the group. They point to the involvement of lead actor John Travolta, perhaps the most visible member of the group, along with church 'fronts' presumably linked to the leadership of Scientology. Nonsense, say producers and even representatives of the Church. "On the internet and elsewhere, church opponents have charged that 'Battlefield Earth' is everything from a publicity stunt to a moneymaker for a group that Time Magazine in 1991 described as a 'Thriving Cult of Greed and Power.' John Travolta rejected charges that 'Battlefield Earth' was some kind of subliminal vehicle for brainwashing the public with Scientology teachings. 'The truth of why I'm doing it is because it's a great piece of science fiction,' he told the Post. 'This is not about him (Hubbard.) I'm very interested in Scientology, but that's personal. This is different. This has nothing to do with Scientology.' "Author Services Inc. [is] the organization which sells the trademark for Scientology and 'Battlefield Earth.' Critics point to an agreement negotiated between Scientology and the Internal Revenue Service that shows a link to the 'Church of Spiritual Technology' also known as the 'L. Ron Hubbard Library.' Indeed, Author Services was founded in 1982 to handle Hubbard's prodigious output of writings, and until 1987 was headed by one David Miscavige, the present head of Scientology. "Another entity involved in the alphabet soup of Scientology groups is 'Bridge Publications,' described by some as a 'front' for the church. In a piece appearing in the April 15, 1990 San Diego Union newspaper, reporter Mike McIntyre noted: 'The church uses two businesses to peddle its books, Author Services Inc. sells the rights to publish Hubbard's works to Bridge Publications Inc.' "While the financial links between 'Battlefield Earth' and Scientology are fairly evident, substantiating the claim that the movie somehow encodes church teachings into an ideological stealth missile aimed at the subconsciousness of movie fans is a bit more daunting. Some have suggested that the 'Psychlos' are metaphoric symbols for one of Hubbard's bete noirs, namely, psychiatrists and other mental health professionals. Some have also found a parallel between the movie's hero, Jonnie Goodboy Tyler, who leads an action-packed rebellion against the invaders, and Hubbard's own romanticized life which may have suffered over-embellishment at the hands of Church hagiographers." From Roger Ebert of the Chicago Sun-Times: "'Battlefield Earth' is like taking a bus trip with someone who has needed a bath for a long time. It's not merely bad; it's unpleasant in a hostile way. The visuals are grubby and drab. The characters are unkempt and have rotten teeth. Breathing tubes hang from their noses like ropes of snot. The soundtrack sounds like the boom mike is being slammed against the inside of a 55-gallon drum. This movie is awful in so many different ways. Even the opening titles are cheesy. "'Battlefield Earth' was written in 1980 by L. Ron Hubbard, the founder of Scientology. The film contains no evidence of Scientology or any other system of thought; it is shapeless and senseless, without a compelling plot or characters we care for in the slightest. The director, Roger Christian, has learned from better films that directors sometimes tilt their cameras, but he has not learned why. I watched it in mounting gloom, realizing I was witnessing something historic, a film that for decades to come will be the punch line of jokes about bad movies. There is a moment here when the Psychlos' entire planet (home office and all) is blown to smithereens, without the slightest impact on any member of the audience (or, for that matter, the cast). If the film had been destroyed in a similar cataclysm, there might have been a standing ovation." From Fox News on May 9th: "Kevin Costner should send a thank-you note to the producers of Battlefield Earth because they have single-handedly eclipsed the memories of Waterworld and The Postman for post-apocalyptic bombast. Wearing a brunette bouffant I Dream of Jeannie wig, star John Travolta--possibly doing an impression of Elaine Giftos from Love American Style--comes across as nothing so much as funkmaster George Clinton in drag. Co-star Forest Whitaker--also in dreadlocks and blackened teeth--seems to be doing his own version of Chewbacca. It's not a pretty sight. "Much of the blame has to go to Travolta, who insisted on making this movie. Nothing makes sense in Battlefield Earth, which is too bad. It does a lot to set science fiction moviemaking back about 50 years. "Hubbard is the deity of Scientology, a religion or a cult (take your pick), but the filmmakers have repeatedly denied any kind of religious conversion mission. But if Battlefield Earth is any indication, we have nothing to worry about." From USA Today on May 9th: "When Battlefield Earth touches down Friday, it will be waging an unusual battle in the arena of public opinion. The $73 million film is based on the 1982 sci-fi best seller by the late L. Ron Hubbard, who founded the controversial Scientology religion in 1954. And it's the pet project of self-avowed Scientologist John Travolta, who stars and produces. Yet those behind the production and Warner Bros., which is distributing the movie, want the world to know that Scientology is completely alien to this picture. Says director Roger Christian: 'What this movie is, is a fun ride and that's all. It's a sci-fi film with the feel of Planet of the Apes. "John (Travolta) likes to call it a sci-fi Pulp Fiction. In a prepared statement, he stressed that Scientology and Battlefield are not related: 'There is no connection. L. Ron Hubbard wrote numerous science-fiction epics. Other than being created by the same person, the two have virtually nothing to do with one another. Still, Scientologists were around Travolta during filming, and members of the church have attended screenings to watch audiences' reactions" From Los Angeles' New Times: "Hubbard's Machiavellian nine-foot-tall Sasquatch-like alien antagonist is somehow interpreted by the filmmakers as John Travolta decked out like a gay Conehead with Rob Zombie hair, in KISS platform boots. Oh yeah, and a massive prosthetic cock that conspicuously bulges through his pants. "Given that Hubbard is the key figure in Travolta's religion, you'd think the whole matter would be a solemn affair. But it's not. Travolta appears to be actually encouraging the film's more ludicrous aspects (or does he actually believe that a film this over-the-top is to be taken seriously?). Think Independence Day without the ponderous build-up or self-importance. Imagine how much more enjoyable the other blockbuster-of-the-moment, Gladiator, might have been if Joaquin Phoenix had addressed every one of his rivals as 'Rat brain.' And wonder about the sequel that has supposedly already been greenlit, featuring 25 alien races and characters with names like Brown Limper Staffor and Roof Arsebogger. It's been a while since we've seen dumb entertainment this unpretentious, so why worry that it doesn't make a lick of sense?" From the New York Times on May 11th and 12th: "Controversy has swirled around the film because it is based on the 1982 novel by L. Ron Hubbard, who founded the Church of Scientology, and because the film was the pet project of Mr. Travolta, who has made no secret of his dedication to Scientology. Could this be a sneaky attempt to lure unsuspecting moviegoers into Scientology? 'We have licensed the book as one would license any property, but there is no financial connection with the church,' said Lora Drazen, a Franchise spokeswoman. No money made from the film would go to the Church of Scientology, she added. Scientology officials maintain that they have nothing to do with the making of the film. 'The only things I know about the movie are what I read in the media,' said Marty Rathbun, a Scientology spokesman in Los Angeles. He added that the Church of Scientology has no financial interest in the movie and had nothing to do with how it was made. Are there subliminal messages in the movie? 'There are none,' Ms. Drazen said." "Man is an endangered species,' announces one of the titles at the beginning of the sci-fi lump 'Battlefield Earth.' And after about 20 minutes of this amateurish picture, extinction doesn't seem like such a bad idea. Sitting through it is like watching the most expensively mounted high school play of all time. The film is stocked with evil aliens who, in their padded body stockings, plastic armorlike fittings and matted hair extensions, resemble nothing so much as members of GWAR, the metal-rock parodists that Beavis and Butt-head loved. It may be a bit early to make such judgments, but 'Battlefield Earth' may well turn out to be the worst movie of this century." From a movie review by Internet web site "Mr. Cranky": "'Battlefield Earth' is one of the worst films ever made. Had Ed Wood actually made it, people would expect an apology. When the cultural impact of this fiasco finally sinks in, John Travolta will be lucky if he can get a job plucking the gray hairs out of Ron Palillo's ass. The only thing I can figure out is that the Church of Scientology decided that they wanted to ensure nobody else joined up. This movie is like watching the Pope accidentally catch on fire while giving Easter Mass. "I just can't emphasize enough how bad it all is. The primary special effect in the movie is accomplished by filling buckets with dirt and pieces of concrete and then tossing them across the screen. Director Roger Christian has a hard-on for flying dirt like you would not believe. The guys who wrote this should be forced to dictate everything for the rest of their lives so that they can never again touch pen to paper or finger to keyboard and declare themselves writers." From the Washington Post on May 11th: "It's a bad movie, end of story. There is no Scientology controversy here worth wasting your time over. We're talking 'Ishtar of the Apes.' 'Battlefield Earth' is a third-rate sci-fi flick, full of laughable moments: scene transitions are signified by a cheap-looking, video-style 'wipe' of the screen. Humans yell 'Nooooooo!' in slow motion when anything bad happens. And Psychlo aliens use such extraterrestrial turns of phrase as 'Have you blown a head gasket?' The whole thing culminates with a sort of 'James Bond'-derived storming of the fortress battle, full of shattering glass, explosions, laser fire and grunting Psychlos. But 'Battlefield Earth' saves its scariest moment for the end: a virtual guarantee that there will be a sequel." "'Battlefield Earth,' John Travolta's epic, expensive and bizarre science fiction film based on a book by Scientology founder L. Ron Hubbard, was greeted with guffaws and hoots from an audience of entertainment journalists, critics and others at a packed theater in Century City this week. The film--which reportedly cost at least $90 million to launch--got a similar response during a screening in Washington, where some critics walked out, and others tittered at such lines as 'Have you blown a head gasket?' And at a screening in Dundalk, a blue-collar suburb of Baltimore where folks tend to like their movies full of really big explosions, there was derisive laughter. "In a competitive industry where, in theory, production costs are carefully weighed against projected revenues, how could such a movie happen? The answer is that 'Battlefield Earth' is not a normal movie, not in its conception, not in its production and not in its financing. Travolta, a high-ranking Scientologist and acolyte of Hubbard, had been trying to persuade studios to make a movie of his hero's novel for years. "Audiences dissolved into laughter when hero Tyler, played by Barry Pepper, tells his fellow hunter-gatherers that they plan to free all the human slaves and, implausibly, blow up the Psychlos' planet. Pepper pauses dramatically and opines: 'We're going to need more supplies.' With that, the illiterate slaves scamper off and learn how to fly fighter jets and launch nuclear bombs. "Travolta repeated what his representatives have been saying for months, that the film has nothing to do with his religious beliefs. 'There's no correlation at all to Scientology. In the preface of the book, he [Hubbard] makes it very clear that this is a science fiction work,' the star said. He added, 'To be completely honest, I think you know the truth in Hollywood is that it's very difficult for any artist to get what they want.' And as he got up to leave the suite at the Four Seasons Hotel, Travolta turned back and flashed a grin at the polite journalists. 'You all enjoyed it, didn't you?' he asked. There was no reply. Finally someone called out: 'We love you, John!'" From The Arizona Republic on May 11th: "This is how the world ends. Not with a bang, but with a stinker. In Battlefield Earth, the world is almost devoid of human life, much like theaters after word gets out on this dud. John Travolta stars as Terl, top man among the Psychlos, a plug-ugly race of 9-foot aliens who conquered Earth and turned it into downtown Newark. Travolta's performance is over the top to the point of absurdity. He spends half the movie laughing maniacally, for no apparent reason. The sets are dreary and the plot, based on a book by Scientology founder L. Ron Hubbard, is a sad version of The Postman Beyond Thunderdome. The dialogue makes even less sense. One minute, the humans sound like Tarzan, the next they're spouting stuff like 'we've got company' and 'piece of cake.' I'm glad Dolly Madison survives the extermination of mankind." From The Kansas City Star on May 12th: "Part of the problem is that 'Battlefield Earth' wants to be campy -- Travolta, at least, seems to be playing it for laughs. But successful camp requires a genuine appreciation of the inanities of the genre being spoofed, and Mandell's script hasn't the insight or the focus for that. It's just a lot of lame jokes lobbed at the screen in the hope that something will stick. The acting is negligible because there are no characters here. The humans are all hairy and nondescript -- they might as well be hiding inside monkey suits -- while the Psychlos are little more than lumbering heavies. Beyond its near-total absence of internal logic or emotional content, 'Battlefield Earth' fails even as eye candy. The f/x are just adequate (the film's look is badly compromised by a reliance on thoroughly unconvincing matte paintings); the production design is strictly back-lot post-Armageddon; and Roger Christian, a director of no discernible style or intelligence, hasn't the slightest idea how to stage an exciting action sequence." From Variety: "The film is all too faithful to its source material, an 819-page doorstop that reputedly sold 5 million copies. Screenplay by Corey Mandell and JD Shapiro reshuffles and compacts events from the novel's first half, altering a few of the more ridiculous conceits (e.g., hero's warrior allies are no longer brogue-spaykin' Scotsmen). But haplessly cliched dialogue, cardboard characters and dunderheaded plot logic remain. "Robin Russell's editing outdoes even 'Armageddon' for sledgehammer quick-cutting. Further viewer fatigue is induced by Giles Nuttgens' widescreen lensing, which tilts virtually every shot at a dislocated angle. Christian manifests no apparent control over the proceedings beyond keeping the testosterone level at a rather desperate fever pitch. Compared with those in other recent digitally enhanced pics, the visual effects are often quite blatantly mattes or computer graphics. Costumes are less inspired, with the humans coming off like the dance troupe Stomp! doing a tribute to 'Mad Max' in their tasteful war paint, caveman-chic leathers and Ally McBeal-on-a-bad-hair-day dos." From The Charlotte Observer on May 12th: "John Travolta believes the writings of L. Ron Hubbard contain the philosophic keys to wisdom, contentment and self-mastery. He pushed hard to get 'Battlefield Earth'. And there he stands at the center of it: strutting around in platform boots, speaking in a pseudo-British accent when he's not cackling maniacally, sporting Confucius-style chin hair and knotty dreadlocks that would intimidate a Jamaican drug dealer, and breathing through an apparatus that looks like two 12-inch strings of leathery brown snot. "The final battle is the most incoherent I've seen in months; it makes the conflicts in 'Gladiator' look as carefully mapped out as the invasion of Normandy. Christian shoots every scene on the bias, with characters standing at odd angles to us or each other: When he cut back and forth in dialogues, I thought I was riding a see-saw." From the Tampa Tribune on May 12th: "Even by the dubious standard of 'aliens conquer Earth' movies, 'Battlefield Earth' is just awful. This clunker spends two hours teetering back and forth between serious science-fiction drama and bad camp. Apparently, the creative team behind the movie never quite decided what they wanted it to be, which is why they ended up making a big-screen version of the 'V' television miniseries with better special effects but worse acting." From The Boston Herald on May 12th: "The cheesy 'Battlefield Earth' sets a new standard in the folly of catering to the whims of movie stars. A pet project of the actor John Travolta, the film is an adaptation of the best-selling, epic-sized 1982 science-fiction novel by L. Ron Hubbard, the founder of the Church of Scientology, which some describe as a cult, others a religion. Travolta, in what I hope is the worst performance of his career, speaks his lines like a drama student doing his best to sound evil with a capital E. "Roger Christian, who directed second unit for 'The Phantom Menace,' pays polite homage to his mentor George Lucas in several scenes, one reminiscent of the outer-space dogfight in 'Star Wars.' But otherwise he's clueless." Results from Friday's box office totals showed the movie trailing Gladiator, a movie not in its first week of release. "1 GLADIATOR $7,596,953 2 BATTLEFIELD EARTH $4,245,150 3 CENTER STAGE $1,885,326 4 U-571 $1,774,005 5 FREQUENCY $1,450,800" Message-ID: atnehs83f813lv56d5kulorc6mlp0f4ovg@4ax.com Message-ID: 3919d88c.4380029@news.primenet.com Message-ID: 8fcjdb$bl$1@nnrp1.deja.com Message-ID: 391e0d69.3441078@news.primenet.com Message-ID: 8fddpc$t3m$1@nnrp1.deja.com Message-ID: 8fef9f$1ps@netaxs.com Message-ID: 8fehfk$427$1@nnrp1.deja.com Message-ID: 8feta2$i50$1@nnrp1.deja.com Message-ID: 391c5a5b.2205745@news.primenet.com Message-ID: 39216c8d.6864751@news.primenet.com Message-ID: 8fg8cl$1g1$1@nnrp1.deja.com Message-ID: 8fgdae$7c9$1@nnrp1.deja.com Message-ID: 39246dad.7152003@news.primenet.com Message-ID: 39277303.8518237@news.primenet.com Message-ID: 392c82d4.12568439@news.primenet.com Message-ID: 8fg101$pn7$1@nnrp1.deja.com Message-ID: rnewman-1205000647190001@ppp225-4.thecia.net Message-ID: 8fk7im$986$1@nnrp1.deja.com

Dianetics

The Toronto Globe and Mail published a story on May 12 on the anniversary of the first edition of Dianetics. "In 1950, L. Ron Hubbard was an obscure 39-year-old writer pumping out pulp fiction from a New Jersey beach town for magazines like Astounding Science Fiction. That was where, 50 years ago this month, he published an article that changed his life, and several million others. Dianetics: The Evolution of a Science was a massive pseudo-scientific treatise on how individuals should use a self-help, confessional process to cleanse themselves of irrational fears and reach their full potential. This month, Scientologists have been celebrating the milestone around the world. But many of them aren't aware of its unusual origins in a science-fiction magazine. "'There is no link between Scientology and science fiction,' said Janet Laveau, president of the Toronto chapter of the church. That's not the view of some observers, who believe that the sci-fi elements of Hubbard's work permeate Scientology's teachings. 'It would not surprise me that lower-level members [of the church] aren't interested in science fiction,' said Stephen Kent, a sociologist at the University of Alberta. But, he added, the Church's upper echelons support Hubbard's own conviction that his writing about intergalactic battles and space aliens are an integral part of Scientology. "In fact, Kent believes that today's release of the movie version of Hubbard's sci-fi epic Battlefield Earth -- produced by and starring Hubbard devotee Travolta -- might bring the links between science fiction and Scientology into focus. 'The movie is not directly a Scientology recruitment tool, but Scientologists hope its presence in the popular culture will raise Hubbard's image and curiosity about his other work,' Kent said. 'The risk is that it will raise the public's awareness of the science-fiction elements in Scientology's philosophy.'" Message-ID: 8fk0i7$1q1$1@nnrp1.deja.com

Ebay E-meters

Rod Keller posted an update on the efforts by Scientology to keep e-meters from being auctioned on eBay. From a letter by eBay customer service. "We rely upon receiving from Verified Rights Owners requests to end auctions which substantially comply with federal law. Your auction was ended because we received such a notice from Church of Scientology. If you have not already done so, we encourage you to contact them directly at hkkobrin@aol.com. If they agree that your auction item can be relisted, please have them contact us by e-mail to notify us, and we will allow it to be re-listed." Two e-meters were removed from auction this week. "http://cgi.ebay.com/aw-cgi/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=328119450 is a Mark V, the seller says from 1979. Nine bids so far, starting at $9.99, and now up to $43.02, which is about right for this model. http://cgi.ebay.com/aw-cgi/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=325349676 is a much different meter, a Mark 7. For sale along with a complete library of e-meter books, five sets of cans, power cord, the works. One bid at the starting price of $800." Message-ID: 8fcrfn$qf4@netaxs.com Message-ID: 8fe5uh$4pi@netaxs.com

Germany

Dpa reported on May 2nd on a U.S. Trade Representative's report which criticized Germany for using a questionnaire to identify companies using the administrative methods of L. Ron Hubbard. "The USA has expressed concern about the so-called German 'sect filter' in the awarding of government contracts. The measure which is directed against the controversial Scientology Church could lead to discrimination against American companies, emphasized U.S. Trade Commissioner Charlene Barshefsky in Washington in her latest annual report. The President of the Church of Scientology, Heber C. Jentzsch, described the step on Tuesday as a 'clear condemnation' of German behavior. "It was said that a company must confirm that it rejected the principles of the Scientologists and that it did not require its staff to participate in courses or seminars from the sect. It was also said that those who did not sign would not be considered and that contracts could be immediately canceled." Neue Ruhr Zeitung reported on May 5th on the decrease in complaints to cult counseling service. "A mother, her daughter and son-in-law want to follow their guru to Croatia; a husband whose wife is influenced by the study groups in Scientology; a man who wants to know what will happen to him if he studies the Bible with the Jehovah's Witnesses - these are three of many calls which the staff of Sect Info get daily. Altogether a total of 2,910 people seeking assistance turned to them last year, twelve percent less than 1998. "Especially striking: inquiries about Scientology 'are constantly decreasing,' according to Sabine Riede, staff member of the counseling center for People Affected by Destructive Cults. One reason for that could be that it is less in the media than it used to be. 'But possibly observation of the psycho-group by Constitutional Security has had a calming effect upon people, too.'" Hamburger Morgenpost reported on May 6th that concerns over the security of Microsoft products may lead to adopting a non-Windows standard for the German government. "Virus alarms in Berlin, too! E-mail 'Spyders' there have brought down important areas of the federal government. An Interior Ministry task force feverishly seeks out network damage. And there's more: there is serious talk about getting rid of all of Microsoft's software. "Otto Schily's experts are already busy looking into recommendations for the use of so-called 'Open Source' software like the free Linux operating system. The new 'Windows 2000' is also off-limits for agencies because it comes with a built-in defragmentation program called 'Diskeeper' from a Scientology WISE company, and there are fears that the militant sect could" secretly pass on network data by means of a Trojan Horse. Neue Zuercher Zeitung reported on May 9th that the German Foreign Minister visited Washington DC to discuss missile defenses and Scientology. "In the course of his official visit to the United States, Foreign Minister Joschka Fischer has had meetings with Secretary of State Madeliene Albright and, on Tuesday, will be received in the Pentagon by Secretary of Defense William Cohen. As could be concluded from a joint press conference held by Albright and Fischer, the issue of missile defense is on the forefront of the meetings in the State Department. "At least there are bilateral themes with a human touch on the fringes or in the forefront of the visit. That is where the Federal Republic justifies its politics against Scientology." Message-ID: Pine.LNX.3.96.1000508154405.124B-100000@darkstar.zippy Message-ID: Pine.LNX.3.96.1000508154504.124C-100000@darkstar.zippy Message-ID: Pine.LNX.3.96.1000509190012.128A-100000@darkstar.zippy Message-ID: Pine.LNX.3.96.1000511172341.114A-100000@darkstar.zippy

Grady Ward

Grady Ward reported that a court has denied Scientology's demand for attorney's fees in his copyright violations case. "RTC lost another one in court of appeals this week when the Ninth Circuit *denied* their demand of $27,000 in attorney's fees against Grady Ward. Included in the Order filed on May 10, 2000 in Docket No. 98-16994 by Circuit Judges Browning, Schroeder, and Pregerson, was the interesting additional orders: 'No motions for reconsideration, clarification or modification of this order shall be filed or entertained. No further filings shall be accepted in this closed appeal.'" Message-ID: ma0rhss67fmfe5j7tnnfgkdl8k463n9g5i@4ax.com

Hungary

The BBC reviewed a new book which describes Scientology's efforts in Hungary. "The book 'Hungary in the (Cob)Web of Scientology' by Andras Veer and Laszlo Eroess was presented at a news conference in Budapest on Monday [8th May], amid a heated debate between opponents and supporters of scientology. Readers can learn about L. Ron Hubbard, the by-now infamous founder of Scientology, and about his followers. The materials present Hungarian cases, all supported by documents, he said. Veer repeatedly calls attention to what he considers the dangers of this religion, which is attempting to cover all of society through education, health and economics. He claims that followers of Scientology can already be found in highly prestigious economic institutions, and among public officials. "He mentioned that the volume lists 129 'scientology companies' by name, though there may be as many as 300 in Hungary. Other companies connected to the ones listed, owned by scientologists, may be around 600 within Hungary. The Church of Scientology is a registered small church in Hungary that does not receive state support." From Nepszabadsag on April 29th, on an L. Ron Hubbard exhibition in Budapest: "The Institute of Hungarian Culture is legit but refused to comment to the press. All that they would say is that they simply made their premises available and hadn't bothered to check the content. The organisers of the exhibition denied that it had anything to do with Scientology, but the Dianetics book were piled up high on a news documentary broadcast on Hungarian television. Scientology is quite active in Hungary. You can see their stands in shopping malls full of Dianetics and weird pseudo-scientific machines." Message-ID: sb2ghsk87n18pqur0rfba77kjh1q80br7r@4ax.com Message-ID: YkIP4.2129$kF4.37925@news1.online.no

L.A. Radio

"Goony Bird" reported that a Los Angeles radio program broadcast life from L. Ron Hubbard Way. "Last night on The Karel & ANdrew show on KTI 640 here in LA, they talked about Scientology. They had heard Travolta talk about scientology in interviews, and knowing the BE book was written by the founder of scientology, Karel & Andre had tried to call the local Scientology church to learn more about it, because the knew only small bits they had heard in Travolta interviews. Karel got wired for sound and walked down to Big Blue, talking to people to find out what he could. He interrupted 2 people who were talking on the sidewalk and apparently got threatened to be removed from the sidewalk. "Eventually he got a few vague answers from some people, after getting the run around about an emeter that was in the lobby for the public to use, and signs about free personality tests available to the public. The Police were also apparently called because he was there." Message-ID: mi3rhs0emaqd244dgudrg5cd3ook0n7jvh@4ax.com

Bob Minton

Bob Minton posted a motion from prosecutor Bernie McCabe in which he asks the court to prevent all evidence about the nature of Scientology in Bob's assault trial in Clearwater. "BERNIE McCABE, State Attorney for the sixth Judicial Circuit of Florida moves this Honorable Court, before trial and selection of a jury, in limine to limit the defense with regard to any discussion or mention of, or direct or indirect reference to the following: "The alleged 'fair game policy' or any corporate policy of the Church of Scientology or agent thereof. Allegations that members of the Church of Scientology or agent thereof visited or confronted ROBERT S. MINTON at his place of residence in New Hampshire. Allegations that a member(s) of the Church of Scientology or agent thereof left a dead cat on ROBERT S. MINTON'S doorstep of his residence. Charging decision by the State Attorney's Office to charge ROBERT S. MINTON with the crime of Battery and the failure to charge Richard Howd or any other person or entity with any alleged crime. Allegations that members of the Church of Scientology surveilled ROBERT S. MINTON when he arrived in Clearwater on the date of the incident. The Church of Scientology's practices, beliefs, or alleged doctrines. The Lisa McPherson Trust or any person connected thereto. Criminal charges pending against the Church of Scientology pertaining to the death of Lisa McPherson. Incidents or persons alleged to have suffered physical or emotional harm from the Church of Scientology or any agents thereof." Message-ID: gbtmhs829qmn6pla8s5v3n6ua04l9lgqoa@4ax.com

Protest Summary

Gregg Hagglund reported a protest at a Toronto Scientology event this week. "Participants: Mike Argue, Gregg Hagglund, Slippery Jim As we entered the Hotel Mike and I breezed past Peter Ramsay and Brian McPherson. I spoke with the Hotel Manager to inform him we intended to conduct a peaceful demonstration on the public sidewalk outside of the Hotel for about one hour commencing at 6:45 PM. I then asked him which ballroom had the Co$ contracted for and he told me. At this moment Wimpy intervenes, mumbling something about being with event security, and asks the manager to not talk to us. So I start to bring up my video camera to turn it on and Wimpy assaults the Camera by stabbing his thumb onto the lens. Now I turn on the camera and start filming and ask Wimpy if he wants to do that again on tape. "As we went past Ramsay he tries another assault by flicking his burning cigarette at me and this on tape! We then went back to our meeting place and relaxed for a bit, it was just after 6 pm and the event was not until 7:30 pm. I called 52 Division at about 6:15 and let them know our intentions and our experience. At 6:30 or thereabouts, we began a 'Hanging-Out-Across-from-the-Hotel Demonstration'. I had made up two new signs which read : 'Fifty Years of Fakery: Dianetics' on one side and 'Visit WWW.XENU.NET -Think For Yourself' on the reverse. "Some gave out big yellow balloons to passersby and tickets to the event. No one appeared to take them up on the offer. There were about 4 or 5 of bored teenagers and teenaged Sea Ogres as well as 3 or 4 very thrilled looking youngsters too. Most of the Scn went in for the 7:30 PM start of the event, except for the Goonies. These poor souls, led by Mr. Ramsay, had to remain outside on the Hotel front steps until we demonstrators choose to leave. We all left at about 8 PM." Message-ID: orpbhs0909sev8d90o6onp3qn2io28qpoq@4ax.com

Sweden

Metro newspaper reported on May 10th that the Scientology NOTs materials at the Swedish Parliament will continue to be a public document. "The Scientology movement has demanded that the bailiff should confiscate the material, but the bailiff's office, the district court and the court of appeal have all said no. The supreme court denied a leave to appeal, which puts an end to the legal process in this case. However, the district court of Stockholm has earlier decided that the person who gave the Scientology material to the Parliament is prohibited from spreading it any further." Message-ID: 391bbe8d.2365633@news1.tninet.se

Switzerland

Tagesanzeiger reported on May 5th that Scientology will have a recruitment event in Zurich. "The controversial Scientology Organization will be carrying out a recruitment drive from May 12 to 17 in a room at the Carlton Restaurant at Bahnhof Street with upright display screens, short lectures, film presentations and a Sunday service. Business manager Markus Segmueller confirmed the exhibition date. At the same time he admitted to making a mistake. He had thought that it was a representative from a company. Not only until after the contract negotiations had begun did he realized that Scientologists were involved. 'At that point I sent them a letter in which I made it clear that, under those circumstances, they would not receive the room,' said the business manager. "A delegation sought him out and talked to him for two hours. At the end of it he had unfortunately let himself be talked into making the exhibition room available to them, said Segmueller. Today he regrets that he did not stand fast. Fear of demands for recompensation - Scientology has already expended much money on advertisement - keep him from putting a stop to the event. But he will see to it that the Scientologists do not hang up posters or distribute leaflets in the near vicinity." Message-ID: Pine.LNX.3.96.1000508154333.124A-100000@darkstar.zippy


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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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