FSMs
The Field Staff Member statistics through August, 2001 were posted to a.r.s this week. FSMs receive a percentage of the money they arrange to be paid to Scientology. "1. Marilyn Beck; 2. Timothy Corbo; 3. Floyd R. Sloat; 4. Frederich Golin; 5. Mike Hoy; 6. Nancy Dunham; 7. Tom Soracco; 8. Randy Weber; 9. Cindy Bamforth; 10. Wendy Ettricks "Missions: 1. Burbank; 2. Inglewood; 3. Beverly Hills; 4. Capitol; 5. Buenaventura "Class V Orgs. 1. CC Int.; 2. Las Vegas Foundation; 3. Los Angeles Foundation; 4. Orange County; 5. Mountain View "Groups: 1. Howson FSM Group; 2. Way to Happiness Int; 3. Narconon Int; 4. Narconon N.B.; 5. Oh Tee Productions, Inc." Message-ID: to4mpbg8h6op7f@corp.supernews.com
Power Outage
The Sacramento Bee reported on August 22nd that the San Francisco Scientology org was among organizations that unsuccessfully petitioned to be exempt from rolling power blackouts during shortages in California. "Dozens of California nursing homes, dialysis centers and dental offices are about to be spared the pain of rolling blackouts. Alas, the same can't be said of country clubs, beauty parlors, a Fairfield shopping mall and thousands of others that unsuccessfully sought blackout exemptions from state regulators. "The unexpected absence of blackouts this summer is likely to mitigate the disappointment of those whose applications were rejected. But that wasn't the case in June, when the specter of chronic power outages prompted 9,522 businesses and institutions to seek exemptions from the PUC. Unsuccessful applications came from ice cream shops, food processors and a Loomis hairdresser who argued that elderly customers could catch cold if the hair dryers got shut off. Also seeking exemptions: Pacific Bell Park, the Church of Scientology Mission of San Francisco and assorted laundries, supermarkets, radio and TV stations and veterinary clinics, according to PUC records. They were rejected by the PUC's consultant, Exponent Inc. of Menlo Park, which determined that they didn't meet the standard of 'imminent jeopardy or danger to public health and safety.' "Some applicants treated the process like 'a lottery' in which there was no harm in seeking an exemption, said Exponent's senior managing engineer Subodh Medhekar. But others that got turned down, he said, were genuinely concerned about the effect of blackouts. 'All of these people thought, by their standards, they should qualify. Some of them were very passionate about it.'" Message-ID: 3rk7otcaal2crpe7jkdi3emvid0j4fdjeq@4ax.com
Bob Minton
Bob Minton explained to the court why he did not attend a Scientology-related deposition this month in an affidavit also posted to a.r.s. "On the afternoon of August 2, 2001, I became aware of the internet posting attached as Exhibit 3 to my Response. I was, to say the least, shocked by Scientology's grotesque, abusive, and invasive action. I was extremely distraught, not only by Scientology's attack, but by their apparent illegal access to such private information. "Later that day, I learned that the neighborhood where my minor daughters live, including their home, had been papered by Scientology with fliers, falsely accusing their mother and me of criminal and/or unethical behavior. "I spoke at length to a therapist, because of the severe anguish I felt, and the importance of complying with the Court's order if at all possible. As I talked to my therapist and considered the facts, I grew more rather than less agitated, and eventually accepted my therapist's unequivocal advice that I not travel to Florida to be deposed by Scientology on August 3. "In the following days, I asked that the therapist agree to give evidence about the events of the afternoon and evening of August 2, 2001. The therapist refused to cooperate, because of Scientology's history and reputation for abusive attacks on members of the mental health profession, and on its opponents." Message-ID: rv3iotks9etbai9lmn3jb9tjc8j0u1f16r@4ax.com
CCHR
Scientology announced a seminar to be held by the Citizen's Commission on Human Rights on the dangers of prescribing drugs to school children "'When you have to use mind-altering drugs to teach in the classroom, then you've gone down the path of no return,' said Connecticut mother, Sheila Matthews. She was responding to a law that was unanimously passed in June by the Connecticut General Assembly, which prohibits school personnel from recommending the use of psychiatric drugs for children with learning or behavioral problems. "A free seminar is being held by international medical expert, Dr. Mary Ann Block, in Hollywood on Saturday, August 25, between 2:00 and 4:00 p.m. to answer these questions. Dr. Block uses non-drug solutions to treat mental and physical symptoms that psychiatrists label as Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder and Learning Disorders. Her latest book, 'No More ADHD,' debunks theories that these so-called disorders are caused by 'chemical imbalances in the brain' and helps parents with 10 simple steps to improve a child's attention and behavior without drugs. "Dr. Block, a mother who took up medical training at age 39 after her daughter's physical problems were incorrectly prescribed psychiatric drugs, asks: 'If there is no valid test for ADHD, no data proving ADHD is a brain dysfunction, no long-term studies of the drugs' effects, and if the drugs do not improve academic performance or social skills and the drugs can cause compulsive and mood disorders and can lead to illicit drug use, why are millions of children, teenagers and adults being labeled with ADHD and prescribed these drugs?'" Message-ID: 9m20ja$kei$0@pita.alt.net
Clearwater
The St. Petersburg Times published a letter to the editor on August 21st in reply to an article in which Clearwater residents described how they view the city. "Can you possibly imagine what downtown Clearwater would look like if the Church of Scientology had not restored the Fort Harrison Hotel, Coachman Building, Sand Castle, the Osceola and other properties to the pristine condition we now see them in? "The Church of Scientology has brought life and citizen commitment to Clearwater and its downtown. Through the legacy of L. Ron Hubbard, church parishioners administer the extraordinarily successful literacy, drug and criminal rehabilitation programs. -- Ward Wilson, Clearwater" Message-ID: 9ltimu$g6m@netaxs.com
Chick Corea
Letters to the editor of the Los Angeles Times published on August 25th responded to the interview with Scientology celebrity Chick Corea last week. "I was appalled that The Times would stoop to print a puff piece on the soi-disant 'religion' of Scientology in the guise of a legitimate article on Chick Corea. Is Heckman a journalist, or an apologist for a cult that believes we're all infected with countless 'space cooties' that require hundreds of thousands of dollars to exorcise? - DAVE SUESS, Hermosa Beach "As a celebrity Scientologist, Corea is kept comfortably unaware of the church's deceptive and litigious history. If doubts remain as to how dangerous this group is: Remember that when the Cult Awareness Network could not be legally silenced or discredited, the Church of Scientology simply bought it. If you would update and reprint your excellent six-part series on L. Ron Hubbard and the Church of Scientology from the early '90s, you would be doing your readers - and potential victims of this organization - a real service. - GREGORY D. STANTON, Los Angeles" Message-ID: 9m8hbf$cj0@netaxs.com
e.Republic
The Sacramento News & Review reported on August 23rd that publishing company e.Republic has close ties to Scientology. "On your very first day as a new hire at e.Republic, you're given a copy of Speaking From Experience, a management training book written by the late L. Ron Hubbard, who, during his busy lifetime, was a science fiction writer, philosopher, management guru, expert on education, and drug rehabilitation pioneer. Perhaps his most well-known accomplishment was being the founder of the controversial religion, Scientology. "Once employed, whether they also join 'The Club' is a different matter entirely. 'The Club,' as some current and former employees call it, has at least one requirement - that you practice the religion of Scientology. The vast majority of management at e.Republic are Scientologists. 'It fosters a level of paranoia because you feel like if you speak out against how much Hubbard stuff is in the training you think they'll come after you,' says one worker who spoke on condition of anonymity. 'They pressure every employee to take Hubbard-based training.' "Critics argue that the training and education techniques used by the consultants are simply Scientology's attempt to get its ethics and beliefs established in business and governmental settings, where they may gain influence over policy matters that concern the Church of Scientology, like religious freedom in Europe and the use of psychiatric drugs. The company executives deny they're trying to spread Scientology. Dennis McKenna, who founded e.Republic in 1983, says the Hubbard-based training is completely optional and adds, 'In 18 years we've never had a complaint.' "In the same week of the interview at e.Republic's offices, the company retained the oldest, and arguably most powerful public relations/ad agency in Sacramento, Runyon Saltzman & Einhorn. Clearly, the issue of Scientology within e.Republic is a sensitive one. McKenna, however, seems to take it all in stride. Questions about Scientology roll off his back. It's the business that he's interested in talking about. 'I'm really proud of the fact that we're doing a good job, we're employing folks, we're surviving, we're healthy. That to me is the story. I mean, my religion? Hello?' McKenna says. "'A lot of (Hubbard's) work is very secular and a lot of it has to do with management. Where is the religion?' McKenna asks. 'He also did found the religion of Scientology and there are religious writings, but one has to look at the information and make a choice about it. Clearly, if you look at the material that we use at e.Republic - it's very secular writing.' "Brian McDonough worked at Government Technology magazine for two years, starting in July 1998. He reported directly to the editor of the magazine, Wayne Hanson, who reported to Pearson, who reported to McKenna. McDonough held the distinction of being one of the most senior level non-Scientologists at the company. When he left, a former co-worker says in that regard, McDonough was e.Republic's failed experiment. Once a rising star with e.Republic, McDonough says he quit when he was denied a promotion. 'If a new person would come into the company we'd want to know if they were Scientologists too,' McDonough says. 'You would have to worry about what you said about the company and Scientology to some people.' "'Around the time I left I began to see Scientology working its way into the editorial content in ways that were objectionable to me,' he says. McDonough details one incident where a story he edited was pulled because of his superiors' religious philosophy. The story was on a government-funded computer system promoted by the California Board of Pharmacy that would track psychiatric drugs like Ritalin, Demerol and Prozac. For years, the Church of Scientology has criticized the psychiatric profession, through the actual writings of L. Ron Hubbard and through a nonprofit organization called the Citizens Commission on Human Rights. McDonough says the mere mention of the existence of the drugs induced management to pull the plug on the story. Assemblywoman Helen Thomson of Davis backed the program, which was an issue with e.Republic management because, according to McDonough, they didn't like her education agenda because they perceived it as promoting the use of psychiatric drugs. According to McDonough, management even admitted the story was pulled because of Scientology. "The magazines are not above giving some press to long-time associates who push, in some form or another, L. Ron Hubbard's teachings. Government Technology stories on the work of Ingrid Gudenas, president of Fremont, California-based Effective Training Solutions. Gudenas, who used to head the Northern California arm of the Scientology-backed Applied Scholastics, also is listed as a speaker at e.Republic's conferences. For a mere $350, one can attend Gudenas' and Pearson's course on 'Leadership, Communication & Training: Keys to Success at Internet Speed.' The articles deal with Gudenas' success with teaching '100 percent Proficiency Training,' which the articles note is based on the education methods of 'best-selling American author and researcher L. Ron Hubbard.' "In Converge, another one of the company's magazines, editor Bernard Percy and former publisher Sherese Graves wrote a series of editorials that spoke out on the 'psychiatrization [sic] of education.' Graves wrote in one of the editorials, 'Some educational issues, those touching on values and importances [sic], are more basic, a lot thornier and have far more future implications than the number of computers in our classrooms.' When editorialist Graves seems to imply that the Columbine shootings were attributable to the taking of psychiatric drugs, as she did in the magazine's first issue of 2000, could it have benefited a reader to know that Graves is a Scientologist? McKenna says it's not necessary. "Now that e.Republic is taking its business one step closer to working with governments it opens another can of worms for some who may not be comfortable with the Church's previous dealings with government. 'Some people would see any contact between Scientologists and government as an organized attempt to extend its influence,' says Stephen Kent, professor of sociology at the University of Alberta. 'People should be asking to what extent is the contracting company encouraging the use of Scientology technology in its consulting business.'" Message-ID: 9m21u7$hjl@netaxs.com
France
Le Parisien reported on August 22nd that a Scientologist in Stains, France is charged with killing his mother with a fork. "Thierry's relatives want to understand. To understand what pulled this 30 years old man to kill his mother with a fork, giving her some 10 forks shots. The terrible family drama happened in Soisy sous Montmorency. The victim, 54, with large wounds and cuts on her face, couldn't be saved. The author of this crazy action, who has been interned into the psychiatric hospital into Beaumont sur Oise, shall get a psychiatric expertise to determine if he was responsible for his acts. "The relatives have found in his home important documents of the Church of Scientology, for instance L. Ron Hubbard's book. Thierry has a magnetic card as a member of the International Association of Scientologists. It had a number on it, and expiration's date was in June 27th, 2001. Marc discovered as well ten letters sent by the assassin to his mother during the last two months. In those, he was speaking of his cultic relations. In the beginning of the summer he was first sent to an institution after having 'broken everything.' Later, he had his first violent movements against his mother." Message-ID: 9m0b1m$1s3m$2@news6.isdnet.net
Gambia
Gambia Radio & TV News reported on August 17th that teachers in Brikama, Gambia have completed a course in education based on the works of L. Ron Hubbard. "About 6000 lower and upper basic school teachers have completed a four week training on Study technology, a new learning and teaching method at the Gambia college in Brikama about 22km from the capital Banjul. It was developed by an American Researcher L. Ron Hubbard and consists of understanding the concepts and ideas, overcoming learning difficulties and applying the knowledge gained, setting, standards and monitoring achievement targets, decentralising education as well as empowering communities. "The workshop was organised by the Department of Education in collaboration with an association called Applied Scholastic International based in the USA. Speaking at the closing ceremony on Thursday, the Deputy Permanent Secretary Department of Education Mr. Joseph Jassey thanked the organisers of the training programme and hoped that it will help attain quality education. Mrs. Anne Robert from the association described the workshop as a success and revealed plans to set up a study technology unit in the Gambia in the near future." From The Independent in Gambia on August 20th: "A representative of Applied Scholastics International Ann Roberts has expressed the hope of The Gambia becoming the vanguard of study technology in West Africa in the not too distant future. Ms. Roberts was speaking to The Independent at the end of the closing ceremony of a four week national workshop on Study Technology held at the Gambia College in Brikama. She said they were able to train more than 5000 teachers drawn from all the government schools all over the country, together with the final year students of the Gambia College. She added that The Gambia was the only country that had almost all its teachers trained in the technology. "In giving the history of the organisation, Ms. Roberts asserted that it was a non-profit making public benefit organisation, that was established in 1972 in USA to provide training in the L. Ron Hubbard's Educational methods. Earlier on during the opening ceremony of the workshop, the Secretary of State for Education Ann Therese Ndong Jatta reminded teachers that their role was to facilitate the learning process. She said by having the learner become autonomous, the workload of teachers, which she said includes shouting and yelling, the need to recourse to the cane if one must and the energy all could be better used in creating that environment that would make all feel good, thus the need for Study Technology. "Speaking earlier, Robin Hogarth a representative of L. Ron Hubbard Foundation gave the history and insight of the origin of study technology. He asserted that the technology was based on the work of Mr. L. Ron Hubbard an American researcher whose technology he said is being used by the Applied Scholastics International. He revealed that beside study technology which was an educational discipline, the findings of L. Ron Hubbard are also used to improve the standard and quality education and better living through criminal rehabilitation, drug abuse prevention and rehabilitation and moral development. "Other speakers included the principal of Gambia College Jenung Manneh, the acting vice-principal Yvette Phillot and Burama Jammeh the national coordinator of Study Technology in The Gambia. Those in attendance included the National Assembly member of Kombo Central Abdou Badjie and head teachers of various schools." Message-ID: u6j7otg2e2vv36rl5p9vb1alunt2qgek3r@4ax.com
In Memoriam
The Philadelphia Inquirer reported the death of Phillip Giovinco on August 23th. "Phillip C. Giovinco, 60, of Collegeville, a commercial real estate salesman, died of a heart attack Friday at St. Thomas Hospital in Nashville while on a business trip. Mr. Giovinco had many business contacts in Clearwater, Fla., and was a member of the Church of Scientology of Clearwater and of the Clearwater for Youth Organization. He is survived by his wife of 22 years, Linda Tallman Giovinco; sons James P. McMenamin, Casey C. and Jeffrey M.; daughters Erin M. McMenamin and Catherine R.; two grandchildren; and a brother." Message-ID: 3b86ab32.23587503@newszilla.xs4all.nl
Protest Summary
Dave Bird reported on a second protest in London at the What is Scientology exhibit on August 25th. "There was me (Dave), Jens, Hartley, Peter Lucey, a mystery picketer from ARS, and Roland R-B. 1pm we moved out and took our spot by the Guild Hall; the alleyway itself was blocked off with a crane hauling portacabins onto the roof of the conference centre. Scientology's band the Jive Aces was churning out chunga-chunga jazz at a somewhat reduced volume, no trombone player in the line-up (the trombone player nearly assaulted one of our people last time). The policewoman on that beat came over and checked us out, all very friendly. We had the boom box set up by the railings, I felt a bit pressured having to keep up a steady stream of slogans and chants etc for the full 2 1/2 hours as both John and Martin, who substituted last time, were missing. Lots of nice Xemu Loves You helium balloons for the kids were given out. "Hartley acquired a cluster of four clams or barnacles before Jens went over to rescue him. After three o'clock the two twits, the grey haired guy and the plump woman, came over and started trying a few of their old tricks, but with little enthusiasm. They tried to park the blue 'Dianetics' bus in front of us, on a double yellow line, but decided to move on even before police came to move them on." Message-ID: CCxy1ZAvlFi7Ew13@xemu.demon.co.uk
The Profit
The St. Petersburg Times reviewed the film The Profit on August 23rd. "The long, contentious history of the Church of Scientology will make a fascinating documentary someday. Until then, we have Peter D. Alexander's stilted movie he inscrutably claims isn't based on the life of Scientology founder L. Ron Hubbard. But anyone with the most casual knowledge of the church's history will find the parallels obvious. "Alexander's film centers on fictional con artist L. Conrad Powers (Eric Rath), leader of the Church of Scientific Spiritualism with beliefs steeped in Powers' science fiction novels. Members wearing military-style uniforms do Powers' bidding, using 'Mind Meters' to read personalities and monitor behavior. The IRS and FBI hound him, a Tom Cruise-style celebrity supports him and Powers becomes a reclusive demagogue. "Alexander was a Scientologist for 20 years until he left the church, obviously carrying some hard feelings with him. The Profit is Alexander's rant against Hubbard's practices that might be more effective if not couched in cliches unbecoming such fertile material. Cultists may be capable of the acts The Profit describes, but this story comes across as farfetched rather than convincing. "Alexander's movie preaches to the choir of Scientology critics. The rest of us who haven't made up our minds get some National Enquirer-style entertainment and not much to consider after the show." Columnist Steve Persall wrote a column on The Profit on August 24th. "Peter D. Alexander believes he's doing a public service with his film The Profit. For the Church of Scientology, The Profit is just a nuisance. Moviegoers can see for themselves beginning tonight. Alexander declares his movie to be a warning against the influence of religious cults. Ask Alexander if The Profit is based on Scientology, and he'll offer coy denials. Answering yes could make him vulnerable to the Church of Scientology's legal machine, yet he can't resist steering a questioner and moviegoers to that conclusion. He's stretching the liberty of fiction to its limit. "Alexander wouldn't comment on comparisons between The Profit and Scientology. Anyone 'can ascribe whatever they want' to his film. He expressed dissatisfaction with my recent published description of The Profit as an exploitation film: 'That was a disgrace. You could be responsible for somebody to lose their life. Think about that, buddy, by discouraging somebody from seeing something that might help them out. (The Profit is) an educational tool for people who want to learn about cults and cult mind control. It's true for whether it's Scientology or the Moonies or thousands of others that use the same tactics. You can only learn from the leader, who cuts you off from society, which then allows you to be mentally manipulated into becoming a cult member, a deluded adherent.' "Alexander thinks the Church of Scientology has been interested in The Profit since filming began in Ybor City and Fort De Soto Park last year. After a June screening, the writer-director discussed what he perceived as Scientologists' interference during production - and at the Cannes Film Festival in May, where The Profit failed to find a distributor. Protesters from the Foundation for Religious Tolerance in Florida, led by Scientology member Mary DeMoss, picketed the set and distributed angry fliers. Some cast and crew members claimed they were under surveillance. Promotional videos shipped to Cannes reportedly disappeared. Alexander thinks someone disguised as him picked up the package. "The Profit would make a stronger statement if Alexander used his Scientology experience to produce a documentary or a no-holds-barred version of Hubbard's life that calls him Hubbard. Backing off for whatever reason doesn't serve his cause. It's an odd choice for a movie made by a company called Courage Productions." Mark Bunker reported on opening night of The Profit in Clearwater. "I went to the 7:15 showing only to find the show sold out. I joined the many others who were buying tickets for the 9:45 show and will be returning to the theater shortly for the performance. The film attracted at least two TV station. The local CBS affiliate was leaving when I arrived, and the Fox affiliate was continuing to gather footage. A table is set up to sell t-shirts and 8x11 size and 11x14 size versions of the movie poster as well. "As for protests, there is a small band of picketers waving signs at the driveway. I spotted a nun, a rabbi, a hare krishna and a few others. Upon reading the signs it appears they are an improv comedy group, promoting their show at the comedy club in the same theater on the weekends." Message-ID: 0o5bot4r7ccratnqq1ole9cvqonrjcfiaa@4ax.com Message-ID: 9m5dq7$rsr@netaxs.com Message-ID: 3jpdotgt2l80nhs80khb6g97keqmu9lpfn@4ax.com
U.K
The Evening Mail - Birmingham reported on August 17th that Church of England leaders in Birmingham, England are speaking out against Scientology. "Birmingham's church leaders today launched an amazing attack on rival religion Scientology, branding it an 'untruthful, dishonest and misleading cult.' The attack was sparked by billboard adverts in the city publicising an exhibition by the controversial religion at the International Convention Centre. Archdeacon of Birmingham, the Venerable Hayward Osborne, branded the claim that 250,000 people had been saved from drugs by Scientology as 'irresponsible.' "Archdeacon Osborne said: 'We are concerned about the claims being made by the Scientology movement, with little or no evidence to support them. 'The irresponsible claims made by Scientologists in their posters reflects the disingenuous approach of their philosophy which is neither a science nor a religion.' Graeme Wilson, UK Scientology spokesman hit back, saying the drug programme had been extremely successful. 'We would be delighted to co-operated with the Church of England against the drug problem.'" Message-ID: 9lrvq6$k15@netaxs.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.
