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Flugtag, Scientology, Criss Angel, any given review by Mark Leib -- for one reason or another, these are all likely to push CL readers' cyber-buttons, leading them to click furiously in response.
Blog of the week: Scientology sticks to you like lint.
On July 25, Eric Snider wrote a post in blurbex.com about how his younger brother has remained on the Church of Scientology mailing list for 29 years, even though he had only a passing association with a few Scientologists as a 17-year-old and now lives in Tennessee. But it was Snider's intro that really got readers riled up:
"There's no doubt that the Church of Scientology has improved its image in the last decade or so. A little less secretive, a little less scary (although still creepy), more the butt of a good joke than a genuine threat."
These were fighting words for foes of the COS. The response of "A Watcher" was typical:
"Eric, while the COS has become only marginally transparent in the past few years, know that it hasn't become so without kicking and screaming with all the class of a five year old throwing a temper tantrum.
"The sad thing is, the public knows more about the COS than most of the current members themselves! Within the COS, there is tremendous pressure to get people to buy the materials, books and all the other pseudoscience garbage. There are numerous eyewitness accounts, victims' testimonies and documentation of human rights abuses.
"Please take the time to visit sites like exscientologykids.com, exscn.net, xenu.net and FACTnet.org. All of these sites are run by ex members who escaped the cult and well-informed critics. I hope you'll take the time to fully educate yourself on the dangerous realities of this vicious cult."
Then there was "marc," one of the few COS members to speak up in self-defense:
"I've been a Scientologist since 1970, and I've now been to most of the websites mentioned. I'm college educated, ran the sales/marketing arm of what grew to an $800M technology company, have two grown kids. I've had the good fortune of being friends with many Tampa and Pinellas area businessmen. I am not a Church staff member... I have found Scientology to help me improve my life (which wasn't bad in the first place) and raise two kids who are not on drugs and are contributing to a better culture for us all. No Church member EVER forced me to do anything, nor believe any data in Hubbard's writings. As a matter of fact, just the opposite, I was encouraged to think for myself..."
The majority of commenters, however, shared the perspective of "James," who said: "Scientology is at best a money-making scam that separates vulnerable people from their money.
"At its worst, Scientology is a highly dangerous cult that practices mind control on its 'customers' and staff, and conducts sinister Fair Game harassment against anyone who openly questions or challenges."
Read the entire thread at blurbex.com.
Blog rant of the week: "greencrossed eyes"
Snider again. His July 28 Blurbex post "To hell with Criss Angel," in which he dared to suggest that the Clearwater self-imploder was a bit of a poseur, drew all kinds of outrage, none more poetic than in this comment from one "tinaturnon":
"do you have green crossed eyes, have you just seen the green eyed monster? well it sounds like you caught this ugly virus, something better known as jealousy, damn you to hell for the death wish! poo! i fart on you too!i flip you the bird now rotate on it!! and write something with substance no! now hop to! and find a lowlife job for a loser like you its fitting!"
Web flap of the week: Flugtaggers fight back
Can 100,000 Flugtag fans be wrong? Wade Tatangelo thought so, and said as much in his Bar Tab column, "Flugtag follies," on July 23. He got slammed big-time in the comments department, including this response from an actual Flugtag competitor:
"Like the other readers, I take offense at your article, but I have an angle, unlike your story.
"I am from the winning team, the so-called 'David Hasselhoff-worshiping gym and sun freaks.' In stark contrast to your less than observant and rambling vituperation, the event was an incredible success for those of us involved and the majority of the larger than expected crowd. I've yet to meet someone who didn't enjoy something fun and different in Tampa, and as far as publicity stunts go, it doesn't get much bigger.
"The teams, including the Breadwinners, us, and all the participants, put a lot of time, energy and enthusiasm into their crafts, even it they didn't fly. From submitting designs, to building the craft with friends and family, to actually making an attempt at flight on the day of, everyone had a great time. The point of the Flugtag, which obviously escaped you, was to have fun and try something different. Of all people, someone in a creative endeavor like yourself should understand and appreciate. Instead, you chastise and insult people you work with and people you don't know with 8th grade level writing with absolutely zero entertainment or insight.
"Honestly, you sound like the little loser who wasn't asked to be a part of something cool (which doesn't surprise me from the tone of your article) and then cried about it afterward. I'm guessing you're the same kind of chump that sits along the gates cursing Gasparilla because you're too much of a dork to have a bead thrown at you, then runs to Starbucks to write about how lame Gasparilla is while you cry into your grande frapachino.
"One day, when you lose the attitude and learn to embrace new, creative and exciting things with a lust for life, then maybe you'll get invited to stand in front of 100,000 people to dance and enjoy living. Until then, stop embarassing yourself with articles like this, it's pathetic."
Posted by kevin riley on 07.25.08 @ 03:59 PM
The Leib log: American Stage & Hat Trick
Theater critic Mark E. Leib loved Souvenir at American Stage. Yes, he loved it, those of you naysayers who swear he doesn't like anything. And this time he got lots of commenters agreeing with him for a change, like this visitor from up north:
"Souvenir was exquisite! Both funny and poignant, due to extraordinary performances by extraordinary performers. 'Ave Maria' made us cry...both times! Looking forward to visiting this gem of a theater next time we're in town, and meanwhile we'll be spreading the word in New York." Posted by KenHK on 08.01.08 @ 10:39 AM
But Mark wasn't quite as excited about Hat Trick Theatre's production of Choose Your Own Shakespeare, and this time the commenters disagreed, sort of:
"I'm happy to take all the acting praise any critic wants to heap on me. However, Mr. Leib did forget to mention one crucial detail -- "Choose Your Own Shakespeare" is a comedy. And it's damn funny.
"Being that the show is interactive, the lights are up in the house and we can see just how each joke lands. They're landing beautifully. How do I know? Mr. Leib laughed. A lot. He laughed in spite of himself and his distracting note-taking. He cracked up. Score one for Hat Trick..."
Which prompted this comment from one Barry Miller:
"So, you're saying this show was a lot of fun, creative and interesting? And yet Leib didn't like it? No surprise there.
"If Mr. Leib were any more of a wind bag, you could use him as a hot air balloon. Except that he'd refuse to leave the ground, he might see something new and interesting up there, and that would frighten him..."
And this mixed review of Leib's review from "whiterussian":
"Mr. Leib's critique has captured well the essence of "Choose Your Own Shakespeare;" it seems, however, that he may have missed its very point.
"Via its promotion and subsequent execution, I got the impression that this play was presented to entertain -- as a casual summer diversion. Even with some shattered Bard (and a heaping tablespoon of sugar), it demonstrated to those less familiar with Shakespeare's work the extent to which our language, philosophy and culture has been infused with his words; I would consider that to be a super-bonus..."
COMMENTS
RE: .com-ments
Posted by RONBOTHUNTER on 09.05.08 @ 08:24 AM
WHAT IS THE SECRET THAT THE “ANTI-GOD CULT” CALLED “SCIENTOLOGY” FEARS THE MOST FROM BEING EXPOSED?
The secret most un-exposed about Scientology is that is it an “applied physiological philosophy” rather than an “applied religious philosophy”. All Scientology courses, all auditing processes, and all the management and professional courses are based on physiological phenomenas, psychophysiology, emotions, human behavior patterns etc., that are our birth right and used in Scientology as their own discoveries. Even their PTS-SP data is based upon how a “Symptom” re-stimulation is brought out by physiological reactions of the mind affecting the body when under stress. They blame innocent human beings called by them “suppressive persons” for bringing out a symptom that was there to warn you of hidden real illnesses caused by non-suppressive sources such as parasites, chemicals, poisons, toxins, viruses and bacteria. The data on PTS-SP is twisted by them to blame innocent people in order to keep them in line.
The only way to fight them is to expose to the world--how Scientology has used physiological phenomenas as the basis for a false religion. How it has harmed families by claiming that innocent mothers and fathers are SPs -- when they lied about symptom re-stimulations to the world.
No where in Scientology will you find courses or services on any bible, there is no study or belief in heaven, hell, saints, angels, the devil, or even God himself. They do not study religion or even believe in religions. They do not share common values with any other religion. Their goal is to eliminate all other religions.
The E-meter reads your physiological reactions, the Ronbots never calls it that—they call it the “CHARGE” or the “MASS” or “ENGRAMS” OR “MENTAL IMAGE PICTURES” that you have in your brain—all meant to distract you from the truth.
Know this fact --- There is a law of Nature or law of God called “Physiological Reactions” that is the true secret behind Scientology’s Dianectic study technology.
AUDITING ERASES AND LESSONS YOUR PHYSIOLOGICAL REACTIONS!!! Once they are gone – your symptoms can’t be re-stimulated by stress or arguments. This is NOT a good thing, because ALL doctors depend on symptoms to guide them in treating you! This is why they prohibit you from seeing the doctors of your choice!!! Understand now how the scam works? Now when you argue with your mother and don’t get sick – you think she was the cause of all your illnesses.
If you were audited a hundred times (repeated) for a word that you were ordered to never clear or understand, and then made to read a page that contained that word—it would never again read on the Emeter or cause a physiological reaction.
Both Psychiatry and Scientology treats the symptoms of the mind and not the real causes of mental illnesses, one with drugs and one with erasing physiological reactions called Engrams or mental image pictures! Which one is worst? Drugs you can stop, but the other is irreversible and also a dangerous and deadly scam.
With the knowledge contained here, psychiatry will defeat $cientology easily.
LRH discovered that when you passed a misunderstood word—you manifested many reactions of various types: Yawning, sleepiness, not there feeling, dizziness, blurry eyes, nervousness and dozens more.
Being the liar that he was, he claimed that physiological reactions which he now calls “Dianetics” was “‘his” invention and not a law of God; he hid the fact that it is our human inheritance since time began.
Granted that his power of obnosis (observation) was the best in the world, his crime against humanity was to make a “religion” based upon the falsehood, that it was his very own invention or creation and not a law of God belonging to all Humanity as their lawful right.
For proof that the Cult has lied to you: -- Google “L. Ron Hubbard and Physiological Reactions” or visit their own Godless websites:
http://www.studytechnology.org/10-barr.htm or http://www.lronhubbardstudytech.asn.au/10-barr.htm http://www.studytech.org/study_tech3.php
http://www.effective-education.org/pg003.html
LRH used God’s Natural laws to make slaves of mankind!
“So long as a physiological phenomenon remains the knowledge of a few and is denied to the many it can be utilized to control the many.” LRH (from Journal of Scientology Issue 4-G from Oct. 1952)
“This universe has long been looking for new ways to make slaves. Well, we've got some new ways to make slaves here.” LRH (from PDC tape lecture #20 “Formative State of Scientology, Definition of Logic”, given on 6 Dec 52)
"All men shall be my slaves! LRH
All women shall submit to my charms! LRH
All mankind shall grovel at my feet and not know why!" [L. Ron Hubbard, "Affirmations", late 1940s] Affirmations, exhibits 500-4D, E, F & G. See Church of Scientology v Armstrong, transcript volume 11, p.1886.
"Somebody some day will say 'this is illegal'.
By then be sure the orgs say what is legal or not."
L. Ron Hubbard, HCOPL 4 January 1966
"THE ONLY WAY YOU CAN CONTROL PEOPLE IS TO LIE TO THEM”. You can write that down in your book in great big letters. The only way you can control anybody is to lie to them." - L. Ron Hubbard, "Off the Time Track," lecture of June 1952, excerpted in JOURNAL OF SCIENTOLOGY issue 18-G, reprinted in TECHNICAL VOLUMES OF DIANETICS & SCIENTOLOGY, vol. 1, p. 418
"Scientology...is not a religion." - L. Ron Hubbard, CREATION OF HUMAN ABILITY, 1954, p. 251
All living beings have physiological (The functions and activities of life or of living matter such as the organic processes of organs, tissues, or cells) phenomenas (observable reactions known through the senses rather than by thought or intuition), or physical manifestations (made evident by showing or displaying) or physical reactions, that we see or feel as symptoms, and they are external and/or internal or visible signs or warnings given to us, by our creator to help us survive, help us increase our potential, our knowledge and our health.
All life on Earth has these cause and effect reactions called physiological phenomenas. All living beings whether they are plant, insect, retile or animal or human could not live without these reactions. They influence the body’s and the mind’s reactions to any form of stimuli, and have an influence on every cell of the body and mind.
[Noun. Physiological reaction – Is an automatic instinctive unlearned reaction to a stimulus.]
[Examples of physiological reactions: inborn reflex, innate reflex, instinctive reflex, reflex response, unconditioned reflex, accommodation reflex, Babinski reflex, belching, headache, migraines, swelling, sweating, erections, blinking, blushing, burping, defecation reflex, disgorgement, involuntary eye blinking, farting, skin flush, gag reflex, goose bump, goose pimple, gooseflesh, involuntary gulping, involuntary hiccup, knee-jerk reflex, light reflex, puking, papillary reflex, rectal reflex, regurgitation, shaking, shiver, shock, sneezing, startle, stretch reflex, suckling reflex, trembling, upset stomach, vomiting, involuntary winking, yawn, yawning -- plus hundreds more.]
Ron studied Physiological reactions more than most scientists and applied it to invent a new Religion.
He did not invent but copied the laws of nature and scammed the whole world into thinking that he alone discovered these reactions and no one else did. What he did do - was noticed the reactions of students and from this scam invented Dianetics “study tech”.
Examples of Physiological reactions of the body and mind when reading:
Falling asleep while reading - yawning, confusion, feeling blank, feeling anxious, not there feeling, tearing eyes, eyes going out of focus, dizziness, reeling, rebelliousness, headaches, skipping words, feeling nauseous, fidgeting, jumpy while reading, can’t stay still, mispronouncing words, feeling as if you are squashed, feeling as if you are over-whelmed, twitching, can’t apply what you are reading, can’t understand what you are reading, etc. are all due to physiological reactions when you read misunderstood words or misunderstood definitions.
To understand the secrets of your enemy –is to know exactly where to hurt him.
Scientology’s copyrighted files on based upon the laws of Nature and laws of God; they are in violation of copyrights and patent rights. Therefore, the contents or subjects can be used by anyone and can be talked about without fear of any lawsuit.
Everything you do produces a reaction in your body and mind. Every time you read, eat, sleep, rest, run, etc. produces a reaction.
To tell your mother that you invented a new religion, because you discovered why you farted, is a good example of the scam that Ron pulled on you. He got away with it because the world did not see these reactions as they applied to reading. Or if some scientist saw and knew it—he did not protest it and allowed a Cult to claim it as their own new discovery.
If you want to destroy the cult, study your own reactions each time you do something—learn to read yourself and use your own power of obnosis to discover the real world within you.
Yours truly
RonbotHunter
All Rights Reserved.
Copyright Ronbothunter--- All Rights Reserved, Without Prejudice UCC 1-308 & 1-103.6 including rights under the UCC and common law remedies. I reserve my right not to be compelled to perform under any contract or commercial agreement that I did not personally sign and enter knowingly, voluntarily and intentionally and especially if I was not given full disclosure. I do not accept the liability of the compelled benefit of any unrevealed contract or commercial agreement.