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2019
2019-05-17, Fatima Syed, National Observer
Premier Doug Ford's Ontario government has cut 70 per cent of provincial funding to a non-profit organization that helps more than three dozen Indigenous communities protect endangered wildlife and natural resources, National Observer has learned.
The organization, the Anishinabek/Ontario Fisheries Resource Centre (A/OFRC), provides independent scientific information to the communities in order to help them manage both resources and wildlife. But the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry told it on April 12, the day after the Ford government delivered its first budget, that "the Ministry is seeking changes to the existing three-year Transfer Payment Agreement."
The money was part of a critical program designed to help about 40 First Nations participate in government decision-making related to conservation policies.
Tags: 1993, 1995, 2016, 2017, 2020, Anishinabek Nation, Climate change, Doug Ford, DougWiki, Environmental cuts, First Nations, Ford cuts, Ford government, Indigenous, Indigenous Affairs, Inuit, John Yakabuski, Justine Lewkowicz, Métis, Mike Harris, Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry, Ontario, Progressive Conservative, Toronto Star, Vox
2019-05-17, Gerald Kutney, National Observer
I recently re-read George Orwell's classic novel 1984, in which propaganda is the "weapon" of the dystopian state. An uncomfortable feeling came over me, when I realized that a similar story is unfolding before our eyes with Ontario Premier Doug Ford's state-sponsored propaganda targeting the federal government's price on carbon to mitigate climate change.
As severe floods struck Ottawa for the second time in three years, Ford himself realized that "something is going on and we have to be conscious of it." Despite the disasters, he expressed no sense of urgency and seeks to do less on climate change. Mitigation measures, such as funding for flood programs, have been cut.
Ontario is challenging the federal government's carbon price as unconstitutional in court. In an unorthodox move, Ford twisted the judges' inquiries during the trial into propaganda by stating on Twitter that the judge was supporting the provincial arguments. Following swift, harsh criticism, Ford deleted his tweet.
2019-05-17, Jeffrey Augustine, Scientology Money Project
The Church of Scientology and the Nation of Islam having effectively merged many years ago, it was inevitable that the forces of syncretism would manifest. Just as Nation of Islam members have become trained Scientology auditors, so too have Scientologists have embraced the Nation of Islam's dangerous and pseudoscientific anti-vaccination quackery.
The Nation of Islam is headquartered in Chicago. As reported by the New York times last month, Chicago is high on the list of American cities likely to be the epicenter of the next measles outbreak:
Having apparently learned nothing from the measles outbreak aboard its pocket cruise ship the MV Freewinds, Scientology has doubled down on its anti-vaxxer crusading. Using tax free dollars, Scientology sent its Washington DC lobbyist Greg Mitchell to an anti-vaccination rally held by the Hasidim Jewish community in the Brooklyn where a measles outbreak occurred as the haredi (ultra-Orthodox Jews) do not believe in vaccinations.
Tags: 1952, 1958, 2000, Advanced Clinical Course, Andrew Wakefield, Anti-semitism, Anti-Vaxx, Brooklyn, Chicago, Congress, Curaçao, David Miscavige, DC, Freewinds, Greg Mitchell, Israel, Jewish, Joy Villa, L. Ron Hubbard, Lobbyist, Los Angeles, Louis Farrakhan, Margaret Grubb, Measles, Miami, Mono, Nation of Islam, New York, OT, Washington
2019-05-17, Adam Radwanski, Globe and Mail
Turn on a television this spring, and you're liable to see Andrew Scheer flexing.
That is not, thankfully, an actual image that his Conservatives have opted to go with in a spate of advertisements airing in heavy rotation. In most of the spots, which carry the message that Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is not what he presented himself as four years ago, Mr. Scheer does not appear at all.
But the ads are unmistakably a show of strength. Courtesy of their extremely robust fundraising, the Conservatives have much more money than their rivals. So before pre-election spending limits kick in at the end of June and level the playing field – at least between them and the Liberals, the other party likely positioned to spend the maximum allowed – the Tories are pressing their advantage.
2019-05-17, Roger Friedman, Showbiz 411
After nearly a decade, the Jett Travolta Foundation may be winding down.
Formed in 2008 after John Travolta and Kelly Preston's autistic 16 year old son Jett died in the Bahamas, the Foundation only has a fair market value of $42,783 according to the newest tax filing.
The Travoltas gave away about $48,000. Around $18,000 of that went to Scientolgy-related organizations. That's ironic since Scientology never allowed the Travoltas to admit Jett was autistic. They always said he had Kawasaki Syndrome, and was affected by household cleaners.
2019-05-17, Tony Ortega, Underground Bunker
Our correspondent Dianne Lipson was again in court today, and gave us a riveting account of defendant-turned-witness Lauren Salzman as she described being Keith Raniere's slave — while Raniere never took his eyes off of her.
First, here's Dianne's account of Thursday's afternoon session…
When the afternoon started, we were still on re-direct of filmmaker Mark Vicente.
Tags: 1970, 2001, 2005, 2008, 2009, 2013, 2017, 2018, Academic, Albany, Barbara Bouchey, Charles Schumer, Company, Congress, Cult, Dalai Lama, Dianne Lipson, FBI, Forbes, Frank Parlato, Holocaust, Israel, Jewish, Keith Raniere, Lauren Salzman, Los Angeles, Mark Vicente, Nancy Salzman, New York State Police, NXIVM, Patty Hearst, Rick Ross, Sara Bronfman, Stephen Herbits, Teny Geragos, Toni Natalie, Wikipedia
2019-05-17, Tony Ortega, Underground Bunker
Scientology is very quick to label those of us who have exposed their controversies and abuses with the word "bigot." You've seen them call us that countless times. They throw it Leah Remini and Mike Rinder and so many others. So for that reason this flier for tonight's "graduation" celebration at the Hollywood Celebrity Centre is particularly soaked through with the stink of hypocrisy. We thought you'd get a kick out of it.
It's sad enough that the great artist Stanley Clarke lends his name to this, but David Miscavige just can't seem to get enough of Nation of Islam figure and Scientology Freedom Medal Winner Tony Muhammad, who has now adopted the name Abdul Malik Sayyid Muhammad.
More about him in a minute, but we want to dwell a moment on the title of this event, "Uplifting the Culture." Which culture is that, Dave?
Tags: 2011, African-American, Australia, Celebrity Centre, Cult, David Miscavige, Facebook, Freedom Medal Winner, Freewinds, Hollywood, Ideal Org, Independent Scientology, Inglewood, Jewish, Leah Remini, Los Angeles, Measles, Mike Rinder, Muhammad, Nation of Islam, Paris, Quicky, Rob Meister, Stanley Clarke, Tony Muhammad
2019-05-17, Laura Stone, Globe and Mail
A group of key staffers is leaving Ontario Premier Doug Ford's inner circle as his government approaches the end of its first year in office.
In the past few days, government officials have announced that Mr. Ford is losing his top communications and policy directors, while two communications staffers are moving to federal Conservative Leader Andrew Scheer's office in Ottawa.
David Tarrant, Mr. Ford's executive director of strategic communications, told the Premier's Office in January he would be leaving after the budget to work in the private sector, said Laryssa Waler, Mr. Ford's executive director of communications. Mitchell Davidson, Mr. Ford's executive director of policy, is leaving the Premier's Office this summer, Ms. Waler said. It is not known where Mr. Tarrant or Mr. Davidson will be working.
Tags: Andrew MacDougall, Andrew Scheer, David Tarrant, Dean French, Doug Ford, DougWiki, France, Jenni Byrne, John Tory, Justin Trudeau, Kayla Iafelice, Laryssa Waler, Lisa Thompson, Matt Bondy, Mitchell Davidson, Nathalie Des Rosiers, Ontario, Ontario Energy Board, Ontario Liberal Party, Ottawa, Progressive Conservative, Queen's Park, Simon Jefferies, Special Olympics, Stephen Harper, Toronto, Twitter, University of Toronto, Veronica Green
2019-05-17, James Keller, Globe and Mail
Postmedia Network Inc. has hired Premier Jason Kenney's former chief of staff to lobby the Alberta government for a role in the province's new "energy war room," a $30-million public-relations machine designed to push back against critics of the oil sands.
Nick Koolsbergen registered as a lobbyist this week "to discuss ways Postmedia could be involved in the government's energy war room," according to a document posted to Alberta's lobbyist registry. The document said Mr. Koolsbergen plans to lobby the Premier's Office and the Energy Ministry, as well as several other government departments. Postmedia said the lobbying involves a division of the company that creates advertising and other commercial content, not its newsrooms.
Mr. Koolsbergen served as Mr. Kenney's chief of staff until last fall, when he became the campaign director for the United Conservative Party. He previously worked in the Prime Minister's Office under Stephen Harper and Ontario's Progressive Conservative party before that. Mr. Koolsbergen is now the chief executive of a PR firm called Wellington Advocacy, which he launched earlier this month.
Tags: Alberta, British Columbia, Calgary, Calgary Herald, Carbon tax, DougWiki, Edmonton, Edmonton Journal, Edmonton Sun, Environmental, Jason Kenney, Justin Trudeau, Kools, Lobbyist, New Democratic Party, Nick Koolsbergen, Ontario, Ottawa, Postmedia, Progressive Conservative, Rachel Curran, Stephen Harper, United Conservative Party, Wellington Advocacy
2019-05-17, Michelle Bellefontaine, CBC News
Canadian news media company Postmedia has hired Alberta Premier Jason Kenney's former chief of staff to lobby the new United Conservative government on how it could be involved with the new "energy war room" promised by Kenney during the recent Alberta election campaign.
Nick Koolsbergen became chief of staff for Kenney after he won the UCP leadership in fall of 2017. Koolsbergen left that position in August 2018 to manage the UCP election campaign.
After the UCP won 63 of 87 seats on April 16, Koolsbergen said he was moving into the private sector. He announced the formation of Wellington Advocacy with former Stephen Harper policy director Rachel Curran on May 6. Koolsbergen is also a veteran of Harper's PMO.
2019-05-17, Teviah Moro, Hamilton Spectator
Hamilton buses are emblazoned with anti-abortion messages that the advertising industry's regulatory body deemed inappropriate last year.
The ads, placed by advocacy group We Need a Law, proclaim "Canada has no abortion laws," and then ask, "Seem backwards?"
Last year, Advertising Standards Canada found the same campaign in Halifax, N.S., and later London, Ont., to be "inaccurate and misleading."
2019-05-17, Mike Rinder, Something Can Be Done About It
2019-05-17, Jeremiah Rodriguez, CTV News
Conservative Leader Andrew Scheer was pressed to re-state his party's position on abortion, after federal Liberals accused the opposition party of looking to restrict access to women.
"I've made it very, very clear Canadians can have absolute confidence that the Conservative government -- after the election in October -- will not re-open this issue," Scheer told reporters in Ottawa on Friday.
On Thursday, Liberals sent a fundraising email blast alleging the Conservatives would reignite the debate on abortion access in Canada.
2019-05-17, Rajeshni Naidu-Ghelani, Global News
Toronto councillors and the union representing Toronto paramedics condemned the Ford government's move to freeze funding for emergency services, saying the city is already facing a shortfall.
In a press conference on Friday morning, Mike Merriman, Toronto Paramedic Services unit chair for CUPE Local 416, said the funding freeze by the provincial government, which accounts to $3.8 million for services, is equivalent to around 60 fewer paramedics in the city.
"They (paramedics) cannot keep up with the ever-increasing call volume and the lack of staffing. We're approximately 300 paramedics short as of today and we needed a mass infusion of paramedics yesterday," Merriman said.
2019-05-17, David Thurton, CBC News
Andrew Scheer is moving to shut down the Liberals' new line of attack after several of his MPs attended an anti-abortion rally and some American states moved to criminalize abortions.
On Thursday, the Liberal Party of Canada sent a fundraising email to supporters calling it "alarming" that dozens of Conservative MPs had attended the recent March for Life, a yearly anti-abortion rally on Parliament Hill.
The email, which listed the Conservative MPs who attended the rally, accused them of "working to roll back women's rights."
Tags: Abortion, Alabama, Andrew Scheer, Arkansas, Canada, Charter of Rights and Freedoms, Conservative Party of Canada, DougWiki, Georgia, House of Commons, Judy Rebick, Justin Trudeau, Kentucky, Liberal Party of Canada, Mississippi, Missouri, Ohio, Parliament Hill, Supreme Court of Canada, Toronto, Utah
2019-05-17, Chris Shelton, Critical Thinker at Large
People all over the world have differing ideas and beliefs about the natural and supernatural worlds. How do we cope with all this? Where do we draw the lines? In this short clip, I try to address what is woo and how to be tolerant of differing ideas but not abusive behavior. Enjoy!
2019-05-17, Critical Clips, YouTube
From Critical Q&A #5
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9pc8bCDm32U
Check out my main channel here
2018
1 year ago2018-05-17, Tony Ortega, Underground Bunker
Last week, we asked the people on our "Scientology disconnection, a reminder" list — which appears at the end of each story here at the Bunker — about how they are coping with the church keeping them from their loved ones. The result was an emotional outpouring from the people on the list and from the readers of this website.
Two responses came in late, but we thought they were worth posting on their own. Again, as you read these, keep in mind what the victims of Scientology must endure every day of the week.
Claire Headley: No doubt, for any individual, experiencing disconnection from loved ones can be extremely tough. Earth shattering, heart breaking, just plain awful.
2018-05-17, VICE News, YouTube
The story of alleged cult NXIVM has all the makings of a binge-worthy docuseries. A secretive leader who allegedly had women branded with his initials, wealthy heiresses who helped finance the organization, and a Hollywood actress accused of luring in fresh recruits.
But before all that was public, back in 2007, NXIVM, correctly predicting in advance the firestorm of press that lurked ahead, hired Frank Parlato to help with its public relations.
They hoped he might go after detractors of the group accusing it of being a cult. He ended up exposing the story that made the alleged cult famous: that it had a secret sorority that was branding female "slaves" with leader Keith Raniere's initials.
Tags: 2007, Allison Mack, Cult, Facebook, Frank Parlato, HBO, Hollywood, Keith Raniere, NXIVM, Twitter
2018-05-17, Mike Rinder, Something Can Be Done About It
Armageddon is coming...
Only the true believers will be saved.
I guess it's lonely then...
2017
2 years ago2017-05-17, Chris Shelton, YouTube
Emotions are said to cloud judgement and get in the way of critical thinking, but is that always true? Are emotions and logic natural enemies? In this video I talk about the elements of decision making and what part emotion plays in critical thinking.
CRITICAL MERCHANDISE AVAILABLE AT:
http://shop.spreadshirt.com/chrisshelton
2017-05-17, Mike Rinder, Something Can Be Done About It
This is a blog post from 29 May 2013 that I am republishing today because I thought it interesting and still timely (And frankly was too busy to write a new post).
One of our Special Correspondents sent me an excerpt of Miscavige's only print media interview.
It is of interest for a number of reasons, but most significantly, it makes clear why he is scared of the press. He has no control over revising history with the media as he does with his internal public (try to find an event video in any org on the planet that has Heber Jentzsch or Ray Mithoff in it.... they have been written out of history). There is no mystery why the DVDs of his speeches are guarded like the Crown Jewels and extraordinary measures are taken to prevent anyone from recording what he says, even on a public street).
Tags: 1980, 1993, 1998, 2013, Apostates, Battle Creek, Canada, Clearwater, Dakota, David Miscavige, Debbie Cook, Fort Harrison, Google, Heber Jentzsch, Idaho, Iowa, IRS, Joe Childs, Kansas City, Luis and Rocio Garcia, Mission, Oklahoma, OT, Private investigator, Psychiatric treatment, Quicky, Ray Mithoff, Scientology practice, Squirrel Busters, St. Petersburg Times, Super Power, Tom Tobin
2017-05-17, Tony Ortega, Underground Bunker
Hey, San Diego, the Scientologists are coming back!
Last November, a gang of Scientologists materialized in San Diego for a grand opening event presided over by church leader David Miscavige himself. It was the latest "Ideal Org" opening, held to much fanfare, and the church claimed that 3,500 Scientologists showed up.
We find in general with Scientology's crowd estimates that if you divide by about 7, you get a truer number of the folks who actually showed up at such events. But either way, that's a lot of Scientologists for a place like San Diego. Most of them were probably transported down from L.A., and we'd bet that on any given day of the week since that ceremony if you went by that new Ideal Org on Fourth Avenue you'd find it near empty, just like the rest.
Tags: 2011, American Psychiatric Association, Burbank, Chill EB, David Miscavige, Denmark, Denver, Entertainment Weekly, Facebook, HowdyCon, Ideal Org, International Association of Scientologists, Jeffrey Tambor, Mark Ebner, Norman Berry, Quicky, San Diego, Youth for Human Rights International, YouTube
2017-05-17, My Clarity After Scientology, YouTube
2016
3 years ago2016-05-17, Tony Ortega, Underground Bunker
A surprising new document showed up in the court file of Laura DeCrescenzo's forced-abortion lawsuit in Los Angeles. Superior Court Judge John P. Doyle has submitted a detailed disclosure about his ties to family members who are Scientologists. They are his cousins, and in the six-page document Doyle details his interaction with them, which has been sparse. But those interactions do include a visit to East Grinstead, England, where Doyle says he had a tour and lunch at Saint Hill Manor, Scientology's UK headquarters and the former home of Scientology founder L. Ron Hubbard.
The disclosure comes just weeks after Doyle had denied the Church of Scientology's most recent attempt to get DeCrescenzo's seven-year lawsuit thrown out with a motion for summary judgment. Laura survived a previous motion for summary judgment in 2013, and this time Scientology had asked Doyle to kill the lawsuit as a violation of its religious rights guaranteed under the First Amendment. But Doyle sided with DeCrescenzo, saying that the church's motion had been a longshot to begin with. (We were present, reporting live from the courtroom that day.)
That decision paved the way for an actual trial, and Judge Doyle indicated that he might set a date for one about a year from now. In the meantime, Scientology's attorneys indicated that they would be seeking a writ of mandamus with an appeals court to try and have Doyle's decision overturned. DeCrescenzo's attorney, John Blumberg, told us after the hearing that he expected Scientology to petition all the way to US Supreme Court on the summary judgment decision, which could push things back further.
Tags: 1993, 2009, 2013, Abortion, California, Chinese, Clearwater, Commodore's Messenger Organization, DeCrescenzo v. Scientology, Disconnection, East Grinstead, England, First Amendment, Florida, Ginger Smith, Greg Smith, Hans Smith, John Blumberg, Judge John Doyle, Judge Ronald Sohigian, Laura DeCrescenzo, Los Angeles, Mace-Kingsley Family Center, Mike Rinder, Potential Trouble Source, Quicky, Rehabilitation Project Force, Saint Hill Manor, Scott Pilutik, Sea Org, UK, US Supreme Court
2016-05-17, Mike Rinder, Something Can Be Done About It
If they consider THIS to be the Golden Age of Narconon, it pretty much tells you everything you need to know about the "Golden Age" moniker...
Never in its history has Narconon been confronted with so many lawsuits resulting from deaths and abuses at its facilities.
At no time has there been the volume of negative media coverage Narconon boasts today.
2016-05-17, Jeffrey Augustine, Scientology Money Project
L. Ron Hubbard's Stolen Valor: Fake WWII Combat Medals
Literary Forgery & Stolen Valor: L. Ron Hubbard falsely claimed that he had won two Purple Hearts, a Bronze Star, and 19 other combat medals in WWII. The fact is that L. Ron Hubbard never served one day in combat, never fought in combat, and was most certainly never wounded in combat.
The truth: Hubbard's US Navy service record shows that he never received Purple Hearts or a Bronze Star. L. Ron Hubbard worked as a self-employed typewriter jockey cranking out pulp fiction for a penny a word until he went active duty US Navy on 22 Sept 1941. Then 32 years of age, Hubbard received a commission as a lieutenant jg and did not go through Officer's Training School or any type of combat or weapons training. In particular, Hubbard had no amphibious warfare or jungle survival training. Hubbard's first job on active duty was to review and annotate the hydrographic surveys of Puget Sound he had sent to the US Navy ten years earlier. Hubbard was not a combat soldier and had no special background training, no special skills, and only spoke English.
Tags: 1927, 1930, 1941, 1952, Aleister Crowley, Australia, Blackfoot, Blood brother, Boston, Brisbane, California, Dianetics, Fake, FBI, Florida, George Washington University, Indonesia, Jack Parsons, Japan, Jon Atack, Mongolia, Oak Knoll Naval Hospital, Oakland, Oregon, Pasadena, Quicky, Sara Northrup, Submarine, Tibet, US Army, US Navy, Washington
2015
4 years ago
2015-05-17, Bevan Hurley, Stuff.co.nz
A Kiwi says he was brainwashed from birth after he was born into a secretive religious sect.
Rama das Ranson, 35, was brought up in the Science of Identity faith, and says he was instructed by his parents Robin and Allan Ranson to worship its reclusive leader Chris Butler 'like a God'.
Ranson, who has spoken for the first time, said he rejected the group's teachings, which he labels as a cult.
2015-05-17, Mike Rinder, Something Can Be Done About It
Here is a dose of reality about an actual "ideal org." Rather than the pretense presented in the events and PR publications.
This org was opened in April 2009 by David Miscavige hisself with one of his usual grandiloquent speeches. All about how this "new org" was going to bring spiritual freedom to Texas and more blah blah about the massive expansion it org represents.
Here is the "technical team" of Dallas "ideal" org:
2015-05-17, Tony Ortega, Underground Bunker
We drove all over the world Saturday and back, and only have energy to post some cool pictures for y'all today. Like this great one of 'The Unbreakable Miss Lovely' in front of Scientology's Los Angeles headquarters, variously known as PAC Base, "Big Blue," and "we want Berendo Street back."
The book also showed up in London (which is where our publisher is, by the way)...
...and in Bath, at the Parade Gardens. What a lovely spot.
2014
5 years ago2014-05-17, Tony Ortega, Underground Bunker
Our source has really come through for us this week with one of the best "quote videos" that we've seen so far. This is another clip that you aren't supposed to see until you're actually a member of Scientology, and after viewing it we can certainly see why.
This is L. Ron Hubbard at his best, spinning a series of tall tales about how, while he was a patient at Oak Knoll Naval Hospital in 1947 for his war "wounds" (an ulcer and conjunctivitis), he infiltrated the hospital's medical library and then showed up the scientists there with his amazing discoveries about the thinkingness of thought on the way to publishing Dianetics three years later.
He told this version of the tale in 1958 at what is now known as the London Clearing Congress, and Scientologists are encouraged to buy copies of the lectures at $125. Here's how Bridge Publications describes the package...
Tags: 1947, 1958, 1990, 1993, Angry Gay Pope, Australia, Blown for Good, Bridge Publications, Carla Moxon, Clear, Clearing Congress, Congress, David Miscavige, Dianetics, Ethics, Ethics file, Guardian's Office, Int Base, International Association of Scientologists, Jeff Jacobsen, Jeffrey Augustine, Joy Moritz, Kendrick Moxon, Lisa McPherson, London, Los Angeles, LRH House, Marc Headley, Marty Rathbun, Matt Butler, Oak Knoll, Oak Knoll Naval Hospital, Quicky, Rehabilitation Project Force, Religious Technology Center, Scientology organization, Shelly Miscavige, Snow White Program, Warren McShane, YouTube
2014-05-17, SurvivingScientology, YouTube
Mark Headley continues his discussion of Life at INT Base, the pinnacle of Scientology Inc.
He describes the actual incident of "Int Base Musical Chairs" the most read thread of all time on Xenu.net capturing the *Scientology* world's attention.
At least 350,000 read the story, counting the cross posts.
2014-05-17, Mike Rinder, Something Can Be Done About It
Oh boy, where to begin?
No comment on this guy's literacy level. But it still amazes me when I see it.
9 YEARS they have been doing "the fundraise" OMG that is a LOOOOONG time. No wonder the poor Valley are all wore out...
2014-05-17, Jeffrey Augustine, Scientology Money Project
Publicly available IRS 990-T's and recent legal cases have given us the names of twelve trusted Church of Scientology functionaries:
1. Arthur Bolstad - CST books are in his possession as of 2011
2. Lynn Farny — CSI books are in his possession as of 2012, former GO
Tags: 2011, 2012, Alan Cartwright, Arthur Bolstad, Austin, Austin Nickels, Australia, Carl Heldt, Chairman of the Board, Church of Spiritual Technology, David Miscavige, Diane Gillott, Ellen Reynolds, Flag Service Organization, Flag Ship Service Organization, Glen Stilo, IRS, Laurisse Stuckenbrock, Legal, Linda Hamel, Ludwig Alpers, Lynn Farny, OSA Int, Quicky, Religious Technology Center, Warren McShane
2013
6 years ago2013-05-17, Tony Ortega, Underground Bunker
On Sunday, we reported that the Church of Scientology had put on its main website a photograph of last Saturday's Portland "Ideal Org" grand opening.
The photo was posted along with a church press release which claimed that 2,500 people had attended the event. Our own eyewitnesses on the scene, counting people in images they had taken, estimated the crowd at more like 450 to 750.
Scientology's image was disorienting — in photos our correspondents had taken, there was a row of potted trees that contained the crowd to an area in front of the Sherlock Building on SW 3rd Avenue. But in Scientology's photo, the trees cannot be seen, and the audience seems to swell onto SW Oak Street.
2013-05-17, Tony Ortega, Underground Bunker
You just have to hand it to the folks in the San Fernando Valley. They've tried raising money for an Ideal Org with bowling nights and by selling doorknobs. And now, well, apparently it's time for a little old-fashioned show biz.
For those just joining us, the Church of Scientology is in the grips of crisis, and is losing members in part from the endless rounds of fundraising to purchase new buildings dubbed "Ideal Orgs." Church leader David Miscavige has made these projects a priority even though they're replacing facilities that weren't full to begin with. So local members, like the trio in this video, have to come up with creative new ways to convince wary parishioners to come on down for another round of heavy fundraising pressure.
In the Valley, that means trotting out reliable Nancy Cartwright and Jim Meskimen for a night of hilarity!
2013-05-17, Mike Rinder, Something Can Be Done About It
Read this NOW!!!
It is URGENT!! The world is coming to an end SOON!!! Act NOW!!
Boston is taking the lead in the Nutball Stakes — zooming past the Valley Comic Doorknobs with this follow up to their fridge magnet email.
2013-05-17, Dan Freedman, San Francisco Chronicle
An unlikely coalition of gun rights advocates, Scientologists and physician-skeptics is using post-Newtown outrage over gun violence to promote the view that psychiatric drugs fuel mass shooters. Republican activist Bob Price said in a radio interview at a gun rights rally in Austin, Texas, that mass-casualty shooters "are on psychotropic drugs or under some sort of psychiatric care, and that's really where the discussion needs to be." The Citizens Commission on Human Rights was founded in 1969 by the Church of Scientology, a longtime opponent of psychiatry and psychiatric drugs.
2013-05-17, Mike Rinder, Something Can Be Done About It
This is the first in a series of investigations into the status of highly publicized churches and missions.
Thanks to Special Correspondent Ronn Stacy who took this shot of the Mountain View "Ideal Org" Test Center today.
If you cannot see clearly — those are "For Lease" signs in the window. Ronn tells us that he doesn't know if they relocated but that would seem odd since this was a prime downtown location they have had for a decade or more. At one time they ran most of Div6 here, OCA testing, basics bookstore, pinch tests, Div6 Crs Room, Book 1 auditing.
2013-05-17, Mike Rinder, Something Can Be Done About It
2011
8 years ago
2011-05-17, Eli Senyor, YNet
According to police sources, the case dates back to several 2010 arson cases, which caused over a million dollars in damages.
The police believe the suspects targeted the new scientology center in Jaffa and planned to bring the building down via a gas explosion. To that aim, the loaded a truck they had stolen with fuel tanks and gas containers – while dressed as in traditional haredi garb. The move was meant to stir the future investigation towards a Jewish terror attack against the controversial cult.
2010
9 years ago
2010-05-17, Katie Sanders, Tampa Bay Times
A passenger on the plane that crashed into a Clearwater home Sunday remained in the hospital with multiple injuries Monday but is showing signs of improvement.
Charles Uslander, 54, of 2076 Sunset Point Road, was rushed to Bayfront Medical Center on Sunday in critical condition after the single-engine Piper crashed at 305 Patricia Ave. shortly after takeoff from Clearwater Airpark. The plane also struck two trees and a utility pole.
2008
11 years ago
2008-05-17, Leonard Stern, Ottawa Citizen
No, this is not about the dispute between the Falun Gong and the Canadian Tulip Festival. It's about an incident at Seattle's Fremont Market. As the U.S. journalist Dan Savage tells it, shoppers at the popular outdoor market were surprised to discover a booth sponsored by the Church of Scientology. The Scientologists obtained the booth "under the pretense of being ordinary 'booksellers'," according to a market spokesman.
Tags: Seattle
2008-05-17, NewYork420420, YouTube
=REPOST=
High Quality Download: http://tinyurl.com/4lj74h (Get and spread it!)
Another Scientology PSA remixed. How do Scientology leaders really feel about equality?
Features Jesse Prince, a former top-level Scientologist who was the assistant to current Scientology leader David Miscavige. hubbard dianetics cchr racism
2008-05-17, Jose Arballo jr., Press-Enterprise
Sparks, a veteran narcotics officer, is in the Utah Meth Cops Project, a four-week program whose techniques were created by L. Ron Hubbard, the founder of Scientology. The project aims to rid officers' bodies of poisonous chemicals they believe were absorbed during their investigations of countless meth labs.
Supporters say it is simply a miracle. Some critics question its effectiveness and say there is no scientific evidence it works, or even that the officers' ailments are caused by their lab work.
2007
12 years ago2007-05-17, viasuck, YouTube
At least the creator of "You are a fucking moron" still stands up for freedom of speech.
From: http://www.zipperfish.com
Read this Time article on Scientology:
Tags: Quicky
2002
17 years ago
2002-05-17, UPI
PARIS, May 17 (UPI) -- The Paris chapter of the Church of Scientology was fined for a data-protection violation Friday, but escaped more serious fraud charges that might have ended in its dissolution. The church said it would appeal the ruling by a Paris criminal court, in which the church was fined $7,300 and its president $1,800.
2000
19 years ago
2000-05-17, Bobby Ross Jr., News OK
Saunas are coming to Arrowhead Lodge, but not the kind some area residents would prefer. An international group with ties to the Church of Scientology is buying the 256-acre resort property and plans to lease it to a Narconon drug and alcohol abuse treatment center, officials said Tuesday. The nonprofit Association for Better Living and Education will pay the Choctaw Nation about $1.9 million for the resort, said Gary Smith, executive director of the Narconon Chilocco New Life Center in Newkirk. Arrowhead State Park and the Arrowhead Golf Course will remain under the control of the state Tourism Department, spokesman Ron Stahl said.
Tags: 1965, 1983, 1985, 1990, 1998, ABLE, Arrowhead Estates, Arrowhead Lodge, Bud Shaw, Bureau of Indian Affairs, Chilocco Development Authority, Chilocco Indian School, Choctaw, Choctaw Nation, Garry Bilger, Gary Smith, Judy Allen, Kaw, Lois Hartman, Michael Hall, Narconon, Narconon Arrowhead, Narconon Chilocco, Newkirk, Oklahoma, Oklahoma Department of Health, Oklahoma Tourism & Recreation Department, Otoe-Missouria, Pawnee, Ponca, Ron Stahl, Sauna, Tonkawa, Wanda Stone
1988
31 years ago
1988-05-17, Al Kamen, St. Petersburg Times
Let stand rulings that denied the Church of Scientology of California federal tax-exempt status for three years. The court turned away arguments that, among other things, stripping the church of its tax exemption for the years 1970-72, "threatens the rights of all churches to proselytize through the sale of religious literature."
FrontCite 05/23/2019 11:39a
See also:
FrontCite Mediawiki
UmbraXenu - The Home Game
xenu-directory.net: Scientology in the news
Scientology in the UK Media
See also:
FrontCite Mediawiki
UmbraXenu - The Home Game
xenu-directory.net: Scientology in the news
Scientology in the UK Media