ABLE
A letter from the Deputy Executive Director of the Association for Better Living and Education (ABLE) was posted to a.r.s this week, "We currently have staff working full time on fundraising. This means getting ABLE known in the government and corporate fields and thus opening doors to new funding resources. We have hired a professional grant writer to assist us on this. As well, we are opening up a new office in Washington, D.C. to establish a stable dissemination point for ABLE right in the heart of the government. "It means more Narconon centers, more literacy centers, and more Way to Happiness groups, resulting in a total revolution in the fields of drugs, crime, literacy, and immorality! You can help us by getting your ABLE membership today!" Message-ID: c0k4ktok2ff82omjhpmi9mnfkkoc52paek@4ax.com
Clearwater
The St. Petersburg Times reported on July 4th that Clearwater officials are considering ending the hire of off-duty police officers by Scientology. "'I think we have reached a point where it would be prudent for our removal of off-duty officers from (Watterson) Alley,' Klein wrote in an e-mail to Horne last week. Horne says that he is 'obviously receptive' to that idea, because he understands 'there is a sensitivity to the level of police presence, even if they're off duty' at Scientology facilities. "The Lisa McPherson Trust, a group critical of the church, has accused police officers of becoming biased as a result of their financial relationship with the church. The church has paid off-duty police officers more than $150,000 since January 2000 for providing security daily on Watterson, city records show. "Although there are no immediate plans to remove the officers, Horne said he supports the chief in trying to find other ways to keep the peace downtown. Church officials have talked with city officials about applying for grant funding to increase foot patrols downtown and eventually pulling back the off-duty officers, said church spokesman Ben Shaw. "In April, Mark Bunker of the Lisa McPherson Trust wrote that two officers laughed at concerns raised by trust members. He also said the officers were eating identical meals that appeared to have been provided by the church. Rob Surette, the Police Department's attorney, responded in May, saying one of the officers had been advised to maintain an impartial demeanor on the street. Meanwhile, Klein revised instructions to all officers doing off-duty work on Watterson. Among the revisions: Officers must allow people to walk on the sidewalk along Watterson as long they are not picketing, and officers must prepare reports for alleged violations of the court injunction -- whether or not they had seen the incident in question. The new instructions emphasized that officers are not to accept food or drink from the church. "Lisa McPherson Trust president Stacy Brooks said Tuesday that it would be a relief to trust members if the off-duty officers were pulled back from Watterson. 'It's pretty intimidating to have armed police officers putting their hands to their guns as we walk down the street to our cars in the parking lot,' Brooks said." Message-ID: 9hv2qd$998@netaxs.com
Denmark
Catarina Pamnell summarized an article in the Danish newspaper Dagbladet, published on July 6th, on a possible new location for Scientology. "A secret international church wants to start a giant building project in an almost undeveloped mountain area in the municipality of Tinn in Telemark. There are previously very few houses in the area, which borders to a large natural preserve. The plans presented by the church's negotiators say there will be investments for about half a billion kroner [$ 5.3 million]. All financed by the secret cult. "The local rumours in Tinn are that the American/International Church of Scientology is behind the plans and supplies the money. The negotiators for the investor has not verified this. The municipality sees it as essential to know who is behind the development plan. All we have learned so far is that it's an international church. Not even the land owners have been told who is behind it." Message-ID: 3b458a2a@news2.lightlink.com
FSM
Excerpts from the May, 2001 Flag FSM Newsletter were posted to a.r.s this week. "A special FSM Award Game has been launched for all FSMs who work with the Flag World Tour, starting one week prior to the Flag World Tour Event and extending three weeks after the Event.' For any FSM who selects a person to Flag for a major service on which the FSM receives a minimum commission of $500.00, that FSM will be awarded with 1/4 of one level of the SAINT HILL Special Briefing Course or equivalent in training awards.' "A special award of one night in a Flag Hotel Suite is awarded to any FSM who raises $5,000 (or multiples thereof) in any given week. This award will be made in addition to the regular FSM fundraising commission." "The Top Ten ASHO FSMs for 10 May - 24 May, 2001': Frank Aggio $1,863.40; Steve Fabos $1,612.30; Alice Kartuzinski $1,421.75; Jim Frankel $1,251.14; Carol Woodruff $739.31; David Howsen $682.40; Tracey Andruscavage $682.40; Ty Dillar $663.14; Heidi Yanovich $454.96; Ofra Bahat $454.96. "FSM standings among Individuals, Groups, Missions, and Orgs: 1. STERLING MANAGEMENT SOLUTIONS WUS 9,127; 2. SINGER ENTERPRISES CW 4,701; 3. FIELD ASSOCIATES WUS 4,334; 4. HOWSON GROUP WUS 2,612; 5. MACE-KINGSLEY CW 1,887." Message-ID: 49722718.0107051100.36ff3f5c@posting.google.com
Germany
Scientology's Citizens Commission on Human Rights branch issued a press release on July 2nd describing a protest held in Berlin against Psychiatry. "Over 1,000 people marched through Berlin today in protest against the World Congress of Biological Psychiatry. Organized by the Citizens Commission on Human Rights (CCHR). The protest included people from France, Hungary, UK, Denmark, Sweden, Holland, Germany and America. "Marla Filidei, Vice President of CCHR International said, 'Psychiatry should be held accountable for its questionable diagnoses and the devastation left by its treatments. Psychiatrists create 'diseases' - supposed 'chemical imbalances' for which no scientific proof exists - and drugs are developed to 'treat' them. Children are becoming legal drug addicts because of biological psychiatry's false theories.' "A truck carried child-like mannequins stuffed with psychiatric pills, illustrating the drugging of millions of children. Grim Reapers and gravediggers symbolized the tens of thousands of deaths while undergoing brutal psychiatric practices. Large photos showed the cemeteries of German psychiatric institutions. Protesters carried signs saying: 'Psychiatric drugs destroy the will to live,' 'Psychiatry Kills' and 'Psychiatry: Death instead of Help.'" Sueddeutsche Zeitung reported on July 2nd that a State Representative in Munich may no longer call for a boycott of advertising companies that do business with Scientology. "Joachim Haedke, State Representative and regional chairman of the Munich 'Jungen Union,' on penalty of up to a 500,000 mark fine, may no longer call for the boycott of advertising companies that advertise for Scientology. The decision of the Munich I State Court's 30th civil chamber has now been released. Haedke is said to have threatened to publish the names of the firms which had not accepted his call to boycott Scientology's advertisement. In a press release he had already named the New Era Publications GmbH, which had done poster advertising for the book 'Scientology - the Fundamentals of Thought' by L. Ron Hubbard." From Sueddeutsche Zeitung on July 3rd: "Joachim Haedke, CSU State Assembly Representative and Chief of the Munich Junge Union (JU) wants to appeal a decision whereby he was prohibited from calling for a boycott against the businesses of the Scientology sect. 'It is a shame that a Bavarian court is being counterproductive this way in the fight against Scientology. It is unbelievable that a youth organization is no longer allowed to say that Scientology is dangerous,' Haedke criticized the court's decision. He posed the question of whether the judge 'would have decided in like manner if it had been about advertisement for Nazi propaganda.' He said the court 'had not been prepared to adequately deal with the topic.' Haedke announced that he would appeal. Provided, however, that the CSU had the money to continue with the proceedings.' So far the legal process has cost the Junge Union 15,000 marks." Message-ID: 9hsfdq$avn@netaxs.com Message-ID: Pine.LNX.3.96.1010704093049.118C-100000@darkstar.zippy
Entertainment Seminar
A recent advertisement in the Hollywood Reporter announced a seminar for people interested in the entertainment industry to be held at Scientology's celebrity center in Los Angeles. "Making it in the Industry Seminar given by Manager/Producer Gay Ribisi and Casting Director Lisa London, C.S.A. with special guest actress Elizabeth Moss, who is currently a series regular on NBC's 'The West Wing.' The do's and don'ts of how to work; What casting directors are looking for; How to market yourself - How to Audition; How to increase chances of getting that part Bring picture and resume. Wednesday, July 18th, 7:30pm admission $11 includes booklet 'Components of Understanding' by L Ron Hubbard at the Church of Scientology Celebrity Centre International 5930 Franklin Ave." Message-ID: lde2kt42qc9p8nveltbplu5rbhg4i30nqg@4ax.com
Criminon
The Independent reported on July 1st that Criminon is under investigation by the Home Office in the U.K. "The Church of Scientology, once described by a judge as 'corrupt, sinister and dangerous' is under investigation by the Home Office for targeting drug-addicted prisoners. The Home Secretary, David Blunkett, is considering banning leaflets used by the sect to recruit inmates to its anti-drug programme. "Harry Fletcher, from the National Association of Probation Officers, said the circulation of Church of Scientology literature to prisoners and people on probation was 'extremely worrying'. The leaflets are being circulated by Criminon UK, the charity which runs the sect's drugs programme. It says it uses vitamins, minerals and saunas to sweat out toxins, thereby curing addicts. Criminon says it treats up to 200 prisoners a week." Message-ID: 3b417d2f.27145067@news.xs4all.nl
The Profit
Tampa television news on channel 28 this week broadcast a news story on a local screening of The Profit, a film which parodies Scientology. "Reporter Kelly Swoope: The story was written and directed by a man that's a former Scientologist. Now the names and dates and locations have been changed, but the storyline is familiar, and it actually leaves you wondering how much is fact, and how much is fiction. "In the movie The Profit, Leland Conrad Powers did make history, much like L. Ron Hubbard, the man who started the church of Scientology. In the movie, Scientology was never mentioned. It was Scientific Spiritualism and the story of Powers' life from 1945 to 1995. "Director Peter Alexander: I was in Scientology for 20 years. I found out the truth about it and when I did I thought, Oh man, you know, I gotta make up because I gave these guys a million bucks in 20 years as my donations so I have to make up for doing that, by telling the truth about how these cults take you over and what they do. "Former Scientologist Frank Oliver: I mean, obviously the guy was a con artist, he got ahold of little tidbits of information, something that he could use to control people. "Kelly Swoope: Officials with the church said 'This movie has nothing to do with us. They are telling lies that are nothing but publicity stunts to manufacture interest in a very bad movie.' "Peter Alexander: Everybody is subject to mind control, and this film shows you exactly what happens to those who are subject to it." Message-ID: 3B41580D.441E720B@fornikulture.com
Russia
On June 27th ITAR-TASS reported more details on the conviction of the Scientology leader in Khabarovsk in Eastern Russia. "Olga Ukhova, director of the regional Dianetics scientology centre, has been sentenced to six years imprisonment conditionally for illegal entrepreneurship and money laundering in particularly large amounts. Ukhova professes to be a follower of Ron Hubbard, the founder of the teaching of dianetics and scientology. It has been proved by investigators and during court session hearings that the scientology centre did not limit itself to 'enlightenment' but also impaired people morally, materially and physically." Pravoslavaya Gazeta reported on July 6th that Scientology has been denounced by the leader of Russian Islam, the Grand Mufti. "The Grand Mufti believes that the methods of the Scientologists are like those of the 'Vaxxobiti and other religious extremists that catch stray sheep.' 'All of them come from the same school: they zombify people and steal them away from reality,' reasoned Taglat Tajuddin. "He is delighted to hear that the Scientology sect was not able to get re-registered in Russia, and even promised 'to sacrifice a lamb to celebrate.' Besides that he reckons that that was more 'than just a matter of registration on paper, it would still be necessary not to give Scientology the option of developing in our country. It goes through the motions of a religion to play pranks across Russia. Let them idle away where they spring up, we have our spirituality and our good sense,' said Taglat Tajuddin." Message-ID: 3b427e42.27420531@news.xs4all.nl Message-ID: Pine.LNX.3.96.1010707110128.181A-100000@darkstar.zippy
Reed Slatkin
The Los Angeles Times published an article on July 1st, warning investors against the advice of friends as financial advisors like Scientologist Reed Slatkin. "A retired Tarzana businessman said he handed over $6 million to Slatkin based on a friend's recommendation and a single meeting. 'I just figured [the friend] is a brighter fella than I am, and he had money with Reed,' said the retiree, who recently had sold a successful construction-related business and who asked not to be named. 'That's kind of a dumb reason, isn't it?' Many of the investors were multimillionaires who met Slatkin through their equally rich friends - proving that the wealthy can be just as capable of being duped as those with less money at stake, experts said. "Gathering business cards at a neighborhood party or picking up names through the grapevine at work can be problematic if that's the end of the selection process, attorneys and regulators say. 'We tell people to get referrals, but how good are the referrals?' asked Charles Rettig, a Beverly Hills attorney representing several of Slatkin's investors. 'Not very,' if the person making the recommendation hasn't checked out an advisor's background. "Slatkin started his investment management business in 1985 by accepting money from fellow members of the Church of Scientology. But many of his wealthiest clients came after his 1994 investment in EarthLink Inc., which went on to become one of the nation's three largest Internet service providers. He invested for Internet executives, socialites and Hollywood celebrities. Investors' attorneys say Slatkin got a foothold in each group, which led to more clients who simply took the word of their friends without doing any background checks. Bankruptcy officials say investor claims could reach $600 million. A phone call or two to regulators would have revealed to any of Slatkin's investors that the Santa Barbara man was not registered to invest other people's money, as required by law." The Santa Barbara News-Press published an article on Reed Slatkin and his history in Scientology on July 8th. "In 1985, Reed E. Slatkin and his wife, Mary Jo, were working as ministers for the Church of Scientology in Los Angeles when they realized that their growing family needed more money to live on. Mr. Slatkin turned to a successful member of the church, Robert Duggan, to teach him the ins and outs of trading stocks and securities. In the 10 years that followed, Mr. Slatkin, who co-founded the Internet provider EarthLink, made millions for himself and investors, all the while remaining active in the church as a minister and counselor. And then he lost it all. "Earlier this year, federal regulators charged Mr. Slatkin with defrauding hundreds of investors out of at least $230 million in an alleged Ponzi scheme, in which early investors are simply paid with money taken from more recent ones. "'I really don't know what happened,' said Santa Barbara businesswoman Gillian Christie, a member of the local Scientology church who met Mr. Slatkin through a mutual friend. 'Nobody really knows, because he's not allowed to talk. But I have this policy of saying that if you point a finger at someone, what you get is a sore finger. Reed is not responsible for me. I am responsible for me. The work (Mr. Slatkin) did over the last year allowed me to give money to many local charities, including the zoo and Civic Light Opera,' she said. 'I know of others who did the same, and I know that (Mr. Slatkin) donated immense amounts. I would like to emphasize how much good came out of it. We don't consider ourselves victims.' "Ms. Christie, who runs a successful communications and public relations firm, said that her losses are nothing more than 'a blip on the horizon.' 'I am not concerned about myself and my well being because I have the technology (through Scientology) to make it all better,' she said. 'I'm not slowed by this. I see that others need more help than I do, and that's where I want to put my attention.' "Longtime Scientology practitioners Keith and Judy Code of Glendale, who also gave large sums to Mr. Slatkin, seemed similarly unfazed by their losses. 'A lot of people I know are not crushed by it,' Mr. Code said, referring to Scientologists who invested with Mr. Slatkin. His wife added: 'People in general tend to be pretty wacky on the subject of money, and people in Scientology seem not to be compelled to make a big drama out of it.' "'Ethics play a significant role in Scientology,' said the Rev. Lee Holzinger, who leads the 300-member Santa Barbara Church of Scientology, which meets at 524 State St. 'The thing is that Reed has not been a parishioner of our church, so questions about his involvement are not applicable here. It is of course very upsetting when an investment goes bad, but it's doubly bad when there seems to be a personal relationship, and I understand that.' "In depositions given to federal Securities and Exchange Commission investigators in January, Mr. Slatkin spent considerable time explaining his religious beliefs and how they have benefited him over the years. He told the investigators that he wanted them to understand the truth about his religion, which has been criticized over the years by some religious scholars and former Scientologists. Others defend Scientology's teachings and say that as a new religion, it has been unfairly maligned. "Mr. Slatkin told investigators that he was healed after his uncle used Scientology practices on his wound: 'And almost miraculously, within a couple of days I had full use of my hand again. And it was a big moment for me. And at that point I said, 'Well, I don't know how this works but it works for me,' so I decided that I was going to find out about this.' "Eventually Mr. Slatkin and his wife opened their own counseling center in their home. Between them, the couple never earned more than $45,000 annually, which they accepted in the form of donations for their work. At the same time, they were spending some of their income on new and continuing church training programs to keep their ministry and counseling certificates current, Mr. Slatkin told investigators. "Then, in 1983, their second son was born. They agreed that they needed more money: 'And my wife and I were looking at each other and we said, well, we've been volunteering this stuff here for, you know, 20 years between us and it might be a good idea to see if, while we're doing all this volunteer work, that we have enough money to raise our family.' That's what led Mr. Slatkin to fellow Scientologist Mr. Duggan, a successful investor, to learn about investing, according to Mr. Slatkin's deposition. When he started making money, he brought church members and friends on board, promising returns of up to 60 percent, according to court documents. In 14 years, Mr. Slatkin made a fortune, and so apparently did his investors. And then he lost it all." Message-ID: 9hsg1p$avn@netaxs.com Message-ID: 9i9tje$5h9@netaxs.com
WISE
The World Institute of Scientology Enterprises announced a festival on L. Ron Hubbard Way in Los Angeles and other scheduled events. "This starts Friday night with a vital technical briefing for ALL Scientologists by Chairman of the Board RTC. This event opens at 7:30 pm with a special performance by the Golden Era Musicians. (Friday, July 6th on LRH Way.) Then on Saturday night, July 7th at 8:00 pm, attend the LA premiere of the new LRH music album 'THE JOY OF CREATING.' This will be a live concert of songs written by Ron and performed by the Golden Era Musicians and top celebrity Scientologists. It's a perfect opportunity to introduce your friends and family to Scientology and will bring them way up tone scale! "Then the next weekend, beginning Friday, 13 July and throughout Saturday and Sunday 14 and 15 July is the 12th Annual WISE US Convention at the Burbank Airport Hilton! The next Maiden Voyage Anniversary Event is on the 14th of July at 8:30 pm. At this event you'll find out about a major triumph for Scientology that involves LRH admin tech in a bigger way than ever before! You'll also hear landmark breakthroughs that will accelerate planetary clearing and make your own goals an actuality. "On Saturday the 21st of July at 7:15 pm we will have the IAS Event where you'll hear of some major victories against psychiatry! Additionally, you will experience an evening of special guest performers, and hear from IAS Freedom Medal winners. "Love, Don Drader President" Message-ID: i002ktcou1grcjg9maa51kvnd3eh07os09@4ax.com
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.
