Daily Nonsense

Much like his recent performance in Lions for Lambs, Tom Cruise failed to pack ‘em in to the $cientology Celebrity Center’s black-tie affair in Hollywood this weekend.  After setting the table for more than 1500 invited guests, reports have trickled in indicating that less than half that number blew $600.00 a plate to rub shoulders with Cruise, Travolta and Beck.  I’m not seeing anyone at all in the pictures……

A number of Los Angeles City Council members declined the invitation, citing “prior commitments”. Only three limousines were spotted, indicating the low turn out of dignitaries promised in the $cientology press release.  The vast majority of the guests seemed to be local $cientologists, most arriving on foot.  I wonder how many of those were subsidized and compelled to attend.

What I find titillating is the fact that Katie Holmes, bagged the event and stayed in New York with daughter Suri.  Tom couldn’t even get his own wife to attend.  Loser!

Despite Celebrity Shills, Scientology Cult Fails to Win Friends and Influence People

by Brandon Walsh
Sunday Aug 10th, 2008 5:17 PM

HOLLYWOOD, CA–In an attempt to improve their sagging image worldwide Scientology held a black-tie gala on saturday August 9 to glorify 39 years of the Celebrity Centre. Though only about half of the anticipated 1,500 guests attended, Anonymous was lining the streets in colorful evening wear and their signature masks to inform the arriving guests about Scientology’s human rights abuses, suppression of free speech and criminal malfeasance.

At the event began at 6pm with Scientology celebrities like Tom Cruise, Beck and John Travolta on hand planning to rub elbows with government officials and members of the entertainment industry Scientology would like to influence.  Unfortunately, despite the star power, attendance was surprisingly low. A number of Los Angeles City Council members declined the invitation, citing “prior commitments,” while the majority of guests seemed to be local Scientologists, some arriving on foot. Only three limousines were spotted, indicating the low turn out of dignitaries promised in the Scientology press release.

But Anonymous made a huge splash, with over seventy Anonymous carrying signs and fliers to inform the public and media about Scientology’s dark underbelly. A contingent from San Diego came up for the night, plus a London Anonymous member in town on business joined the group and Barney the friendly dinosaur also danced alongside the masked members of Anonymous. The media was also out in full force to cover the event, giving Anonymous the opportunity to inform journalists and paparazzi about the cult’s nefarious actions.

“Most of people have no idea that Scientology has an armed paramilitary,” says one Anonymous. Scientology’s private international navy, based in every country where Scientology has a presence, is known as the Sea Organization, and trains to be ready for attack. Members have signed a billion year contract. Armed members guard at least one of the cult’s outposts in Hemet, California.

Former celebrity Janeane Garofalo, walking by wearing bright green leotards and a bright pink T-shirt, was clearly not invited for the black tie event, but she offered her ill-informed opinion of Anonymous, calling them “fucking bigots,” which is odd given Anonymous’ open support of gay and lesbian rights.

Scientologists themselves hold incredibly biogoted views towards gays and lesbians. In the book Dianetics: The Modern Science of Mental Health, Scientology founder, science fiction writer L. Ron Hubbard, calls homosexuals “perverts” who should be removed from society “without remorse,” a view the fundamentalist cult condones and perpetuates to this day.

However Garofalo’s view towards Anonymous was decidedly a minority opinion. Residents of the upscale Franklin Canyon area just north of Hollywood were thrilled to see Anonymous, greeting the protesters with applause and hand shakes, some posing for pictures, while drivers honked their horns and waved. Meanwhile, private investigators hired by the cult and members of Scientology’s private intelligence agency OSA photographed protesters from rooftops and drove up and down the streets snapping picture of license plates.

“Scientology are bad neighbors,” said a woman who owns a home close by. “They chase us on bicycles when we take walks and are rude.”

“Plus they are poor tippers,” added a waiter on his way to work in a restaurant on Franklin Avenue. “Though they do leave information about free stress tests and The Way to Happiness.”

The event, which was approved by Los Angeles City Council after being presented by councilman Tom LaBonge, presented a danger to the residents of the nearby hills, as Scientology’s valet parking staff closed the driveway in front of the nearby fire station, forcing the fire company engine and emergency response van to park on a public street.

“Look at this!” exclaimed a resident, pointing a rented white van blocking a red zone and fire hydrant. “This is typical of their behavior, they act like they own the streets!”

That van and other rented commercial vehicles were strategically placed in red zones to block traffic from seeing the Anonymous protesters. “They were parking vans this afternoon in the red zone in front of our building on Franklin,” said another resident pointing to a three-story building across from the Celebrity Centre, “And my landlady came out and gave them hell, so they moved them.”

The blockade of illegally parked vehicles did not stem Anonymous’ enthusiasm as they danced, waved and passed out fliers explaining Scientology’s deceptive practices including their “drug rehab program” Narconon which uses toxic doses of niacin and saunas in conjuction with Scientology workbooks to “release toxins.”

The Scientology Celebrity Centre event seemed to have caused severe plumbing problems along Franklin Avenue, with sewage backing up in restaurants across the street. As Scientology’s leader David Miscaviage stood on stage delivering a speech which was drowned out by Anonymous’ chants of “Davey, Davey, Davey, cult, cult cult!” city sewer repair began pumping refuse from clogged pipes in front of the Celebrity Centre, filling the evening air with the pungent stench of rotting fecal matter.

“It’s so appropriate,” laughed a resident. “It just shows what Scientology is full of!”

[Thanks, IndyBay]

Those lovable scamps over at Anonymous are planning their next little intervention against the Cult of Scientology (Co$).  On July 12th, 2008, the loosely knit group of protesters will take to the streets and byways surrounding Co$ ‘churches’ to bring public attention the intelligence arm of the organization called the Office of Special Affairs (or ‘OSA’).

The OSA is charged with the chores of gathering intelligence and administering "justice and punishment" to its perceived foes (we can assume that the retribution that certain members of Anonymous have suffered were orchestrated and carried out by members of the OSA).

It is also charged with providing the agents that carry out the now infamous "Fair Game" policy.  Fair Game is the official policy where critics of the Church of Scientology are targeted, harassed, threatened and intimidated in an attempt to silence or punish them.  And if certain rumors are true, the attempts to silence someone can be of a permanent nature.

What I find compelling in all of this is that each and every month the members of Anonymous can bring to the table a different aspect of this so-called religion.  And this facet of the bigger picture is more than worthy of increased scrutiny.  Read some of the links supplied at the end of the article and ask yourself if there is any other true religion that is surrounded by this much controversy.

Spy vs. Sci: Anonymous Challenges Scientology’s Intelligence Division The OSA

By Anonymous

On July 12th, 2008, at 11:00 am local time, in cities all around the world, Anonymous intends to don its best tux, order "shaken not stirred" cocktails for everyone and bring the activities of the Church of Scientology’s intelligence agency, known as the Office of Special Affairs (or ‘OSA’), to wider attention and greater scrutiny.

Last month’s protest was pirate themed, in order to parody and expose the abuses that occur within Scientology’s private navy, the Sea Org, but now it’s "Spy vs Sci" as Anonymous asks the question:

"Why does something that describes itself as a religion need an intelligence agency that aggressively persecutes critics?"

The OSA is a highly organised sub-division of the Church of Scientology that has a license to gather intelligence and administer "justice and punishment" to its perceived foes.

It also provides the agents that carry out the "Fair Game" policy, by which critics of the Church of Scientology are targeted, harassed, threatened and intimidated in an attempt to silence or punish them.

Most Scientologists are unaware of the functions of the OSA and accept what their leaders tell them about it. However, there is a growing body of evidence that OSA agents operate to attack perceived enemies by using infiltration, bribery, burglary, and blackmail, in addition to threats, intimidation, assaults and worse.

A well-documented example of the illegal actions of the OSA was ‘Operation Snow White’, a wide scale and sophisticated infiltration of the U.S. Government itself. Another example was ‘Operation Freakout’, a long campaign of harassment and intimidation against Paulette Cooper (writer of the book ‘The Scandal of Scientology’), which involved distributing false propaganda about her as well as fabricating evidence in an attempt to frame her for making bomb threats.

Anonymous can also point to many other examples and if required can back all these up with facts, testimonies and evidence.

Who and what is Anonymous?

We are a collection of individuals united by ideas. Anonymous chose Scientology as a campaign target because of the events surrounding the now infamous Tom Cruise Scientology video; whilst the video itself was not enough to spark interest (although it was amusing), the aggressive actions that the Church of Scientology attempted to take to remove it did get our attention. When Anonymous found out even more about the crimes and abuses of the Church of Scientology, action became inevitable. Anonymous is the voice of the body politic and the consciousness of the Internet that has stepped offline and into the real world.

Since its campaign began, Anonymous has uncovered or brought to the public eye many of the illegal actions, fraudulent activities, and human rights violations perpetrated by the Church of Scientology.

Although described as "terrorists" by the Church of Scientology, Anonymous’ methods have been peaceful. Conversely, there have been several incidents of assaults on Anonymous members by Scientologists, mostly as attempts to unmask and identify them so that the OSA can target them for harassment.

But instead of being scared off, these incidents have strengthened our resolve and add more credence to one of Anonymous’ core messages: that the Church of Scientology is both willing and prepared to go to any lengths to silence those who would speak out against them.

However, Anonymous is not intimidated, because the nature of Anonymous is irrepressible.

We are Anonymous
We are legion
We do not forgive
We do not forget
Expect us

For more information
http://whyweprotest.net
http://exscientologykids.com
http://www.enturbulation.org
http://xenu.net
http://whyaretheydead.net

[Thanks, News Blaze]

In a stunning move for the fight against the Cult Church of $cientology (Co$) one of their rank and file members has assaulted a peaceably protesting member of Anonymous.  I can only assume that the Christian value of ‘turn the other cheek’ has little or no value to a $cientologist.  (What am I saying, of course it doesn’t have value for them, this is after all the organization that has a POLICY called Fair Game).

The editors over at GlossLip have responded to a request by Anonymous to assist them in tracking down the woman responsible for the assault.  Full text, pictures and links to the film can be found in the following article.  If anyone knows this criminal please contact someone over at GlossLip.  I’m sure a simple and anonymous comment would more than suffice.

A quick look at the video indicates that this pink-shirted jackhole doesn’t even know what assault is!  I think this particular issue will be one to follow…..

Clearwater Scientologist Assaults Member Of Anonymous

I was asked to put out a post to help identify a woman suspected of assaulting a member of Anonymous protesting the Church of Scientology in their mecca of Clearwater, Florida.

The video of “pink lady” assaulting a protester can be seen here. Above is a still of her from the alleged assault where she attempted to rip the mask off of a member of Anonymous.

I don’t have a lot details on this assault, but this is part of a growing trend it seems as the Church of Scientology becomes ever more agitated by the continued pressure put forth by the internet activist group Anonymous.

This past weekend marked the fifth in a series of monthly protests against the Church organized by Anonymous — themed “Sea Arrrgh”, a tongue-in-cheek reference to Scientology’s pseudo-military group the Sea Organization. The Sea Org, as it is often referenced, is Scientology’s most devout group, and as such, they are most prone to the cult’s worse abuses, including forced labor camps, coerced abortions and the cruel “disconnection” policy enforced by the Church.

Anonymous is group of individuals from all walks of life who’ve come together for the common goal of exposing the abuses of Scientology, a cult which uses famous celebrities like Tom Cruise and John Travolta to help them recruit members to their organization.

To read Glosslip’s extensive coverage of this global effort, and to find out more about Scientology’s many abuses, click here.

Wow, kind of like a left hook-right cross combo to the jaw of Co$.  Two developing stories and the ongoing media attention by the Anonymous group must have David and Tom reeling on the ropes.

First, from Norway, a tragic story of a ‘church’ supposedly charged with the nurturing of individuals being responsible for the suicide of a young, 20 year old student.

Daughter of Norwegian Parliament Member Took Own Life

A little over two weeks ago Kaja Bordevich Ballo (20) committed suicide – a few hours after she’d recieved a devastating result on a personality test administrated by the Church of Scientology.

Kajas father is the noted politician Olav Gunnar Ballo (SV), a member of parliament for years, vice president of Odelstinget and fearless healthcare spokesperson for his party.

[Thanks, GlossLip]

Second, from Hollywood, noted actor Jason Beghe, a Scientologist for some years now has left the cult claiming… “Scientology is destructive and a rip-off.”  I’m particularly pleased with the final quote in this news story from TransWorldNews, "If Scientology is real, then something’s fucked up.”

Jason Beghe of GI Jane Leaves Scientology and Calls it a Rip-Off

Beghe leaves Scientology after years of taking courses.

Atlanta, GA 4/15/2008 06:29 PM GMT (FINDITT)

Jason Beghe, featured in hit shows, such as X-Files, Criminal Minds, Numb3rs and CSI, as well as the feature films, Thelma and Louise and GI Jane, joined the Scientology organization in 1994. by 2005 he appeared in promotional spots for the Church of Scientology. Year’s later a disgruntled Beghe has left the church saying “Scientology is destructive and a rip-off.”

After taking several courses, bringing him to a level of OT 5, or top Scientologist, Beghe was among the ranks of Tom Cruise, John Travolta and Kirstie Alley. He says “It’s very, very dangerous for your spiritual, psychological, mental, emotional health and evolution. I think it stunts your evolution. If Scientology is real, then something’s f—ed up.”

[Thanks, TransWorldNews]

And third, continuing efforts by those masked marauders to bring media attention to some of the destructive practices routinely applied to their members under the guise of ‘protecting’ them.  The most recent policy that Anonymous has highlighted for the media is called ‘disconnection’.  That is the process of forcing members to stop associating with non-believers, most notably family members who might have some influence over the member.

Controversial group protests Church of Scientology

By Anthony Shelley
April 14, 2008

Last Saturday, members of the group Anonymous staged a protest against the Church of Scientology. Protesters were upset with aspects of the Church’s doctrine, which purportedly breaks up families.

The protest is the third in a series of demonstrations against the Church of Scientology in the Seattle area and worldwide.

The group trekked from Key Arena and ended their march in front of the Church, a mostly red brick building with several cameras perched on its roof. Demonstrators stood alongside Aurora Avenue, waved signs, ate chocolate cake, and cheered as drivers honked their horns in support.

“Well, it’s a good waste of a beautiful day,” said Sandy Finn, a longtime member of the Church, when asked what she thought about the crowd outside. “I don’t really know what the issue is. It appears that the age group seems to be between 16 and 22. They’re not Scientologists. They have nothing better to do.”

What makes Anonymous protests unusual is the group’s strong condition of anonymity and their work in Internet vigilantism. Anonymous is an organization that lacks a leader. Its members wear various masks and disguises to protect their identities from what they perceive as a genuine threat from the Church; parishioners of the Church also view Anonymous as equally threatening and accuse the group of cyber-terrorism.

Enigma, an Anonymous member, expected 100 to 150 people to show up for the protest.

Enigma and members of Anonymous strongly disagree with the Church’s policies and tax exemptions.

Their most recent protest brings attention to the Church’s “disconnection policy,” a policy described as a practice “that any Church member who has family and friends that disagreed with Church policy should be removed entirely from that person’s life” according to a forwarded email.

“[The disconnection policy] has broken up many families; this is part of why the Church is considered a cult,” the email states.

In retaliation, the Church of Scientology released a statement explaining that Anonymous “destroyed the Web sites of thousands of MySpace users” and perpetrates “religious hate crimes … for no reason other than religious bigotry.” The Church claims that Anonymous attempts to suppress “free speech through illegal assaults on Church Web sites so as to prevent Internet users from obtaining information from the Church.”

“I’ve been a critic of Scientology for a long time,” Enigma said. “Anonymous has really allowed everyone to voice their opinion without being subjected to Fair Game by the [Church of Scientology].”

According to Norway-based Operation Clambake, a Web site that offers information critical of Scientology, Fair Game is a previously banned practice against so-called enemies of the Church.

Church documents reveal that enemies are considered “fair game” and “May be deprived of property or injured by any means by any Scientologist without any discipline of the Scientologist. May be tricked, sued or lied to or destroyed.”

Church documents also show that Fair Game was eventually cancelled affirming that “The practice of declaring people FAIR GAME will cease. FAIR GAME may not appear on any Ethics Order. It causes bad public relations.”

However, Operation Clambake argues that the document “only cancels the use of the term ‘Fair Game.’ It states clearly that the practice described in the policy … is not cancelled. The Church of Scientology does not change anything because it’s wrong … they change it because it gives bad [public relations].”

Anonymous also believes that the Church continues its policy of Fair Game to this day.

The conflict between Anonymous and the Church of Scientology began in February 2008 when Anonymous posted a declaration against the Church in response to a leaked video of Scientology advocate and celebrity Tom Cruise.

Since then, the Church has worked to keep anything related to its doctrine off the Web “‘due to a copyright complaint from the Church of Scientology’ which makes it very difficult for normal people to understand what is going on” according to Anonymous.

Anonymous added that the Church “went so far as to try to get a restraining order against all protestors.”

“They really attack ruthlessly with their lawyers,” Enigma said describing Church tactics. “They ruthlessly attack any critic, anyone of the church.”

The Church of Scientology produced a DVD to counter claims made by Anonymous and released audio clips of assumed Anonymous callers avowing violence, declaring to the Church that “Death will come” and “You should fucking kill yourself” among millions of expletive-laced phone calls, death threats, bomb threats, emails, acts of vandalism, and derogatory faxes.

Finn equated the demonstrators against the Church with former members of other faiths such as Catholicism and Buddhism. She pointed out that all faiths will have ex-members who will speak out against past beliefs.

“You find that in all religions,” Finn said.

The struggle between the Church and Anonymous won’t end anytime soon. Both sides don’t intend to step down from their accusations and the escalating rhetoric is becoming stronger if not nastier.

“These people that are in [the Church of Scientology] are trained not to look,” a former Scientologist and protestor said. “They’re trained not to think. They’re drones coming off the assembly line cross-eyed.”

You can read more about the Seattle Church of Scientology at www.scientology-seattle.org and its main headquarters at www.scientology.org/home.html.

You can also find out more about Anonymous by visiting www.whyweprotest.org and www.enturbulation.org. The local Seattle Anonymous forum is www.lulznw.com.

[Contact Anthony Shelley at news@thedaily.washington.edu.]

[Thanks, The Daily at UW]

Scientology has come under a lot of scrutiny recently caused by a group known as Anonymous.  Taking on the visage of Guy Fawkes, as displayed most recently in the film V for Vendetta, the members of Anonymous have raise questions concerning the validity of the religious status of the Co$.

They maintain that the Co$ is a Cult and a monetary scam and have produced compelling arguments to that end.

But the tidbit in all of this that has caught my eye relates to stories that center upon children.

The first story that caught my eye had to do with a Co$ run kindergarten in Munich, Germany.  When the authorities discovered that the two ‘teachers’ used Scientological teaching methods on the young and impressionable minds the establishment was promptly closed.  (LINK) and another (LINK)

Well, now there is a second government that has closed down a Co$ day-care facility.  The Religions News Blog reports that three child care facilities operating in Tel Aviv have been closed by the government, ostensibly for operating without a license.

So, now we have two governments who don’t want these people toying with their childrens minds.

Unlicensed Scientology kindergartens operating in Tel Aviv

YNetNews, Israel
Mar. 21, 2008
Merav Schlomo
www.ynetnews.com

At least three kindergartens spread out through Israeli urban sprawl offer children educational teachings of controversial cultist movement. Only one institute received municipal approval, but failed to note its religious leanings.

Any kindergarten in Israel with more than 10 children requires the approval of the Education Ministry, but three kindergartens offering children the education teaching of the controversial Scientology movement are operating in Tel Aviv these days without the ministry being aware of their principles.

One of these kindergartens, in the Nahalat Yitzhak neighborhood has about 90 children. Although it received the Education Ministry’s approval, it failed to note its religious leanings.

The ministry has never even heard of the other two Scientology kindergartens, one in the Yad Eliyahu neighborhood and the other on Keren Kayemet Street in northern Tel Aviv.

The Scientology cultist movement was materialized in the United States in the 1950s. Its principles were developed from author L. Ron Hubbard’s set of ideas and practices regarding the relationship between the spirit, mind and body presented in the book “Dianetics“.

In the book, Hubbard developed ideas in regards to ways humans can release themselves from mental elements preventing them from studying, developing and reaching a deeper understanding of the world.

One of the issues characterizing education according to the Scientology ideas is teaching respect, human rights and friendship – expressed in addressing children at eye level. When a teacher speaks to one of his or her pupils, he or she will bend down in order to prevent significant height differences.

It should be noted that a visit to one of the three kindergartens did not reveal any strange or severe issues in the teachers’ treatment of the children, and yet these kindergartens are operating without a license and without being supervised by the Education Ministry.

Avi Katzover, an Education Ministry spokesman for the Tel Aviv District, said in response that “the kindergarten (in Nahalat Yitzhak) was granted an operating license after it was made clear that it has no security or health risks. The license is temporary until the end of the school year.

“The pedagogical aspect will be examined this year and we will then make a final decision whether to grant it a permanent license for the coming years as well.

“As for the Scientology issue, the Education Ministry is unaware of such principles being taught in the kindergarten. The supervisor examined the kindergarten’s education contents and did not spot any Scientology content. The teacher also denied any involvement in the cult.”

{Thanks, Religious News Blog]

There still seems to be quite a bit of controversy surrounding Anonymous and the Scientologist’s.   It’s funny, at least to me, how the compelling questions raised by the Anonymous group are not really being addressed by the Co$.

And of course I think that the first question we should be asking is ‘Where are the Children?’

Scientology center draws downtown protest
Former church members speak out about their experiences

by Daniel DeBolt
Mountain View Voice Staff

A strange standoff between the Church of Scientology and a group calling itself "Anonymous" played out during a downtown demonstration Saturday morning.

About 20 members of Anonymous, most wearing masks and carrying signs with anti-Scientology slogans, stood for about an hour across the street from the Dianetics center at 391 Castro.

The event was said to be one of several across the country organized on March 15 by the group, which uses the Internet for most of its communications.

It is not clear what exactly caused the friction between the two groups. Two Scientology members, giving a presentation to the Voice last Friday, said Anonymous is a terrorist organization with no real point to its actions beyond spreading fear and mayhem for their own sake. They presented videos to support their claims.

The previous Friday, two Anonymous members came to the Voice to decry the practices of the Church of Scientology, which they said has destroyed families and lives, and even caused the deaths of innocent people.

Two people taking part in Saturday’s demonstration said they were former church members, and claimed that the Church of Scientology has broken up their families.

"There’s real brainwashing going on — people will defend [Scientology] with their lives," said Bill Offerman, a former member of the church.

Offerman said he joined the church in 1969 in San Francisco, where he was a member for 14 years. "It seemed to promise self-betterment," he said.

Holding a sign that read, "Scientology split up my family," Offerman claimed his sister and her children were forbidden to speak to him after he became disillusioned with the church — an alleged practice known as "disconnection policy." His sister’s children also are not allowed to use the Internet, he said: "The Internet, I think, is the church’s worst enemy."

Anonymous members handed out fliers advertising a Web site called www.exscientologykids.com, where several former members, including the niece of the church’s president, talk about their experiences. "I was born, I grew up, I escaped," is the site’s tag line.

Offerman was reluctant to give his name at first, because of what he called the "fair game policy" — another alleged practice which he said Scientology has used to justify "some pretty horrible things" done to its perceived enemies.

As for the Anonymous members with him on the street that day, "These people aren’t terrorists," he said.

The Church of Scientology vigorously disagrees, and members of the Mountain View church, located on Easy Street, said they could prove it.

"I believe they are domestic terrorists," said public affairs director Matt Ward, presenting a package of information about the Internet-based group’s activities since it began its anti-Scientology campaign in January.

Since then, he says, Scientology churches have been subjected to hate campaigns all over the country. He said Anonymous tactics include thousands of abusive messages and threats <0×2014> including bomb threats — by e-mail and phone, Web site hacking, vandalism and other attacks. Ward said the local church is working with police to find the people who made threatening phone calls to Mountain View offices this year, but so far no leads have been found.

Ward played several videos, posted on YouTube, where supposed Anonymous members vowed to destroy the Church of Scientology. The videos were stylized to be disturbing and intimidating, and demonstrated that a group defined by its anonymity can’t be accountable for its actions.

"That’s what’s scary about it," said Darlene Bright, a Scientologist who accompanied Ward.

Ward said the videos and actions of Anonymous were more than just intimidating: In many cases they could be legally defined as hate speech. He provided documents showing racist and other offensive messages which the Church of Scientology attributes to Anonymous.

Protestors on Saturday had a different take on the group.

"Being anonymous is not our strength, it’s our numbers," said one member who called himself Dave. He admitted that "Most of us actually don’t know each other, we’re complete strangers."

With one exception, the only protesters not wearing masks were former members of the Church of Scientology. One such former member, Rose Velasco, told her story.

"It’s hard to talk about this because it sounds stupid," Velasco said. "I was a follower. I thought it was the answer to the universe."

She said she was recruited, like many others, during that "critical time after high school, when you are up against the world." She was 19, and remained a member for 30 years, attending Scientology churches in San Jose, Mountain View and Los Gatos.

Velasco said she endured constant requests for money at the San Jose and Los Gatos churches. "It’s a business," she said.

Velasco said she parked at the police station on Saturday, because she and her sister were followed to their cars after a similar protest in February — a typical intimidation tactic, say the protesters. Despite the perceived risk, she said the protests are "healing" for her.

[Thanks, Mountain View Voice]

There are some rumors going around that Will Smith and his wife Jada Pinkett are being groomed as the next spokespersons for the controversial ‘Church’ of Scientology.  This raises some very interesting questions.

1. Has Tom become ‘Risky Business’ for the church due to his ’short’ sighted couch jumping antics?
2. Why would someone DENY being associated with the C0S if that were a lie?
3. How come the church is grooming someone who flat out denies being a scientologist?
4. Why doesn’t the church pick someone from it’s already star-studded ‘congregation’?
5. If the Will-Jada deal falls through are Posh and Becks stupid enough to fall for the C0S scam?

Here are some links to just a few of the articles out there:

• Will Smith, wife deny being Scientology’s newest recruits
• Church of Scientology desperate to land Posh and Becks as followers
• Will Smith denies Scientology claims
• What’s The Skinny On Will Smith And Scientology?