Mark Bunker, XenuTV.Com, Youtube, Scientology Saga Continues
Ok, last I heard on this matter from my sources inside, there was some communication with Viacom, the owners of the original Steven Colbert clip Mark Bunker used the first time his account was suspended on YouTube.
YouTube is showing their true stripes for continuing to play hardball on this TOS issue, making an example out of an “EMMY AWARD WINNING JOURNALIST” who posted a video HE OWNED AND PRODUCED because someone (in OSA looking to “up” their stupid-ass stats for the week as I was informed earlier) alerted YouTube to the fact that this Mark Bunker is the same Mark Bunker they banned a while back.
There are a couple salient points in all of this. On one hand, YouTube is being watched closely enough that they are stuck between a rock and a hard place. If they let Mark Bunker’s account be reinstated, they will open the flood gates to all sorts of complaints and issues from those they penalized in the past for similar violations, and if they leave it suspended they will be viewed as fascist cult lovers.
This is a lose-lose situation for YouTube. I feel for them, but not much. Then there’s Viacom, and so far their opinion as it can be perceived based on their inaction is one of “eh, why should we get involved, this isn’t our problem,” which technically it isn’t, but……they could be the heroes in this by making a simple phone call to YouTube rescinding the original DMCA complaint, thereby allowing YouTube to graciously restore Mark’s account.
In the end, Mark can go anywhere he wants with this video, including my account on YouTube which I cheerfully offered of course, but that would be for my own agenda. Mark knows this, and he knows there are about 10000 other Glosslips/anonymous folks who would LOVE to have that video in their hot little hands.
This isn’t the answer. The answer as I see it is to give Viacom polite, but insistent pressure en masse to step in and be the heroes. They could go either way. I have no read on their stake in all of this.
In the end, Mark will post the video SOMEHOW, and he’s a savvy enough guy to figure this out on his own, but it would be a shame for him to have lost his videos, the time and effort of those who’ve voted, commented and rated them will be gone, as well as, the most visible and easily distributable forum for hosting this video from Jason Beghe.
Any way you slice it, one thing remains perfectly clear: the Church of Scientology really, really, really sucks.
Good luck Mark, whatever you do, we will stand behind you.
CoS, I said it earlier, and it bears repeating, all you’ve done is PISS off some very interested parties, as well as some potentially unmanageable elements on the internet. You haven’t stopped the internet OR the flow of information, you’ve merely proven to the world how sick and twisted you really are.
Let us know how that works out for you.
Pink Stripe WordPress Theme Designed by Joni Mueller &
Be safe Mark. Remember, there are a lot more people in the world that are on your side and not with those evil, nutjobs. We all should keep in mind what Thomas Jefferson said all those years ago…
“The price of freedom is eternal vigilance.”
This is not the first and certainly won’t be last confrontation with the CULT.
Best wishes.
Comment by Jack — April 18, 2008 @ 11:11 pm
That horrible arrogant cult really doesn’t care about it’s reputation, as long as it gets it’s stupid “wins” and “stats.”
It doesn’t care how much everybody detests it, but it sure as hell will do everything in it’s power to try and keep them from expressing their opinion about it.
How do they not see that this is hurting them?
How do they expect to recruit future members if nobody likes them? By force?
How do they not see that these “wins” are terribly short-lived and extremely detrimental to them in the long run?
Am I just not evil enough to comprehend their “strategy” or something?
I just don’t understand what it is that cult is hoping to achieve this way.
Comment by liz — April 19, 2008 @ 3:51 am
D,
Glad to see you got the correct story on this. A lot of people are spinning their wheels when there is very little these corporations can do especially when a lawyer has to probably approve these decisions. I wish people would just leave Viacom out of this, they are not going to retract a DMCA with all the legal ramifications.
Not to mention it is a moot point, the Colbert video from the original xenutv account is probably deleted anyways.
What people need to ask YouTube is why they can’t just delete the ONE infringing video instead of suspending a whole account. They also need to ask YouTube if the videos involved are in fact religious persecution as claimed by Scientologist who are flagging the videos. Do they rise to the level of violence or hatred associated with TOS? What kind of “church” can’t handle any criticism?
Comment by anonymous — April 19, 2008 @ 3:55 am
Dawn, I admire how you have jumped all over this with the rest of us. We don’t care what Scientologists believe, we just don’t want it forced on anybody. And we certainly don’t like these despotic tactics they are using to enforce their own “values”. Thanks again for your support.
Bernster
Comment by Bernster — April 19, 2008 @ 4:27 am
While my first reaction is that if I were the owner of Youtube I would want to distance myself from any kind of anti-religious material being put on the site and not out of fear of the religion or for that matter being struck by lightning or being condemned to hell but just as a good business practice. To me it’s not much different than dealing with taggers. Do not make the mistake of assuming that CoS is responding to Anonymous alone although they would be up to this task.
In reality this article and the comments herein and in other locations reveal that the authors really don’t know much about Scientology. There is no madness to the method. Apparently some Anonymous do not realize that they are involved in an organization that harms in the name of help and does not believe that that anyone really owns anything such as copyrights. Apparently they also don’t understand that certain people lie a lot and why they would lie.
In my mind the question many should be asking is whether anybody has ever profited or even succeeded in persecuting any religion abd if not then just what did happen to such opportunists.
As we see it the only question remaining for Anonymous at this point is how kindly history will treat the faceless Anonymous if they are even remembered at all.
Comment by An observer — April 19, 2008 @ 4:44 am
You say nothing has ever come of this criticism you call “persecution,” well what about how criticism has shaped modern day religions over hundreds of years into what they are today? Most religions have a fairly questionable history, but many have worked hard to take the criticism and evolve to earn the trust of society.
The “Church” of Scientology has done, and continues to do, a lot to earn the distrust of society.
Comment by Markay Bayan — April 19, 2008 @ 5:34 am
Long pro-scientology rant that makes bold accusations with no evidence to support it, signed by “An observer”.
Jesus fuck, you might as well put a Gold Scientology Star on the post, it’s so obvious.
Comment by Erryeo-tay — April 19, 2008 @ 6:10 am
Gee D I go away for a few days and the shit hits the fan so to speak. First Tory’s account is banned, then reinstated then Makr’s is ban just BEOFRE THE RELEASE OF JASON BEGHE’S INTERVIEW! Coincidence??? Kind of futile anyway as the very worst is Mark will find someone else to host the video9 don’t seem to be any shortage of people offering) and this has now generated more publicity and attracted the main media. A publicist couldn’t have planned this hype any better. Just like Ian’s film being sabotaged…like how many people have probably decided to buy Ian’s book in the last couple of weeks due to this incident alone?( me, me, me) It is hard to beleive that the CoS could be so inept right? Well you know the saying “if it’s true for you then it’s true for you”. They just can’t accept anything else or think critically. The special OT powers are telling them they are “handling” it the same way good old LRH taught them. KSW…Keep scientology working. This is one of the amazing things about the CoS group think. LRH never conceived of the internet and an near instantenous communication portal that anyone can freely access. Their is no policy letter or “tech” to deal with this. And they are these “superior” beings cannot conceive that the wogs, PTS, ex scienos, ETs, etc. are actually winning.The just tell themselves that’s it’s not true for me so it’s not true. It doesn’t exist in their mind, it’s blocked out. It’s like kids with their fingers in thier ears shouting lalalalalalala can’t hear you! They are like mole men kept in the dark caves of their own making and never see the light of day. Jason Beghe is extremely important and I really hope that he will continue to talk. He is a major catalysts or shock value that is needed to open the eyes of the “public” scientologist, those not too deep in and mostly ignorant of the inner workings. This is the money source. If that goes CoS will be hard press to keep their empire going because we all know that the “staff” are penniless. It is also important for the elimination of potential future recruits and celebreties flirting with disaster such as Will Smith. I sincerely doubt that any one in Holly Wierd right now will let their clients anywhere near scientology and the silence from those already in is rather defeaning. Where are the defenders of the faith??Travolta? Alley? Cruise? Carthwright? Anyone? Has anyone been keeping an eye on the Celebrity Center to make note of who is coming and going? I know if I was a star in Hollywood right now I would be getting myselg a damn good lawyer to get any films the CoS has of me destroyed pronto or I would sue their GD asses. The inner sanctum of the CoS is scrambling and their lawyers are trying hard to play the “libel” card.Their PIs are busy, OSA is busy doing the same of black PR shit but they can’t keep up. You Tube will come around eventually because unless they are absolute idiots they realize how quite a competitor can jump in and offer a similar product OR they will lose clients by the thousands. They know this. Amazon also although I think they have some plants in there, it’s too obvious. But sadly the CoS will not change. That’s what they know. Sadly for them the cracks in the dam are getting to numerous to plug and little Davey just doean’t have enough “fingers” to plug them and the force of all the “water’ will eventually destroy the “dam” and sweep the “Valley” clean in its wake. The Romans built one the the most powerful empires in history. We all know what happened there right?
Comment by Mitsu Too — April 19, 2008 @ 6:57 am
paraphrase
“In my mind the question many should be asking is whether anybody has ever profited or even succeeded in persecuting any cult, and if not then just what did happen to such opportunists.”
see polygamist sect
see $scientology
just calling your self a “religion” doesn’t give you a free pass to violate human rights.
what are your crimes?
Comment by oreo — April 19, 2008 @ 8:48 am
….furthermore, some such opportunists wrote the
Declaration of Independence and established Freedom of Speech and protection of Human Rights for all to enjoy.
History did not forget them either.
Comment by oreo — April 19, 2008 @ 8:53 am
their faces are on your MONEY
Comment by oreo — April 19, 2008 @ 9:24 am
its not a religion at best its a self help group and evil one the suppresses its memembers and its critics
love u gosslip girls
Comment by ohbuddy — April 19, 2008 @ 11:04 am
Luv U, Glossip Girl! YouTube needs to grow some. Observer is a plant, probably a cactus. Mark Bunker is badass!!
This will probably get even MORE attention to Jason’s video. Thanks, CO$!!
Comment by Mackie — April 19, 2008 @ 1:55 pm
Mr. Beghe has asked for and gotten (according to the news) a refund on undelivered services that he paid for. In addition, he has denounced the Church. I believe he says, “Scientology is trying to be helpful but failed”.
Surprised that an OT Level person has removed himself from the Church, gotten a refund, and denounced the Church? Some other OTs have done the same, or similar.
What precisely prompts their action? Well, they find that Scientology is not helpful to them. The Church’s policy is to keep the door open, at least a crack, for people who denounce it. The reason why the Church does is the reason that Scientology was founded. It is based on the idea that knowledge, that what you know, is one situation for you. While understood, easily used knowledge is another situation.
There is a gap, so to speak, between what you know, and what you understand, apply and use. That is precisely the gap Scientology addresses itself to. The whole of it is based on bridging that gap. And that can appear anywhere in one’s life. In use of language, in job performance or in understanding mankind. Good luck Mr. Beghe.
Comment by Terryeo [TM] — April 19, 2008 @ 2:06 pm
#5 as long as there is an internet for the free flow of information Anonymous will be remembered.
COS raided in Russia. http://www.interfax-religion.com/?act=news&div=4579
How do you think scientology will be remembered?
Comment by observer — April 19, 2008 @ 2:16 pm
Interesting, Mr. Observer. Myself, I would say, remember everything you wish to, any way you want to. I notice your linked article’s last paragraph reads: “Narconon is a subsidiary of the Church of Scientology that has been recognized by Russian experts as a totalitarian destructive sect.” Whereas Russia has allowed the Church of Scientology to register as a bona fide religion. Odd how the news presents the dark, silvered, back side of the mirror, while the public sees the other side? Stay tuned for more emtionally invective stories!
Comment by Terryeo [TM] — April 19, 2008 @ 2:45 pm
It’s not how the news presents it, it’s that action is being taken. Once again the scientologist is concerned about his public image. Can’t sell your lies with negativity.
Comment by observer — April 19, 2008 @ 3:01 pm
Observer –
It’s a positive sign that you actually show some awareness of the possibility that what an organization claims it is doing, and the actual effects of that organization’s behavior, may be completely different — and that the rank and file members may not be aware of the disparity between what they’re told they’re working for and the ends they’re actually serving.
When you have the courage to apply that analysis realistically to the Church of Scientology, you will see that the Church of Scientology is not going to honor all the beautiful promises it made to you. You will see that the Church of Scientology is itself an organization “that harms in the name of help” and that this is why so many people, from so many very different backgrounds, have chosen to oppose the CoS.
Did the Church of Scientology help or harm Lisa McPherson? Oh, yes, I know what you’ve been told by the CoS about Lisa McPherson: that she died of a blood clot and so the Church bears no responsibility for her death. But if you think about that, you’ll realize it doesn’t make sense. The CoS held Lisa away from medical care for seventeen days. Are you going to claim to the world that there was nothing that medical professionals could do in seventeen days to diagnose and treat a blood clot? Even when the CoS staffers who were “treating” Lisa with the Introspection Rundown finally brought her to a hospital , they insisted on bringing her to a Scientologist doctor forty-five minutes away — passing up four other hospitals on the way, including one just two minutes away. And she was dead on arrival. Are you going to claim to the world that forty-three minutes does not make a difference to a woman on the brink of death?
The fact is, the Church of Scientology harmed in the name of help.
The Church of Scientology also sent out its “Volunteer Ministers” in New York on 9/11 and in London on 7/7. I know what the Church told you the Volunteer Ministers were doing — it told you they were doing “touch assists” and it tells you that these “touch assists” help people heal. But the fact is that the Church of Scientology has never been able to show any medical value to the touch assist — if they could they would certainly do so as quickly as possible, because it would be the surest way to convince people that Scientology has real benefits. Moreover, Volunteer Ministers have been caught on hidden recordings boasting that they weren’t there just to push an alleged remedy with no demonstrated medical value on vulnerable people — they were there to keep real medical professionals from treating those vulnerable people. They boasted that they tried to keep psychiatrists — and remember that every psychiatrist is a medical doctor — from reaching trauma victims.
Once again, the Church of Scientology harmed in the name of help.
Observer, if you still believe that Anonymous members don’t know the true nature of the “organization” they’re in, what would you want them to do? Examine the evidence for themselves? Refuse to rely only on the group’s own representations to find out what it’s really doing? That’s exactly what you should be doing for yourself — finding out exactly what the Church of Scientology is doing from sources other than the CoS’s own representations, and then asking if they really match up with what they claim to be doing.
Comment by AF — April 19, 2008 @ 3:22 pm
Mark should open a new account post the video have a few trusted friends know about it. When he posts it have them download it. That way a few will have the video. Then if his gets removed the others can repost it. They should also tell others that they trust to do the same as they did. That way if theirs get removed the others can repost it, and so on. Youtube will be flooded in just a few minute with the video.
He will still be able to fight for his reinstatement but in the meantime get the videos out there.
Comment by flash321 — April 19, 2008 @ 4:53 pm
I think this is just creating more interest in the Beghe interview. I know I can hardly wait.
Comment by sideways — April 19, 2008 @ 7:36 pm
AF — Well said. A very blunt and direct statement, without being preachy or pushy. I wish I had such such good and subtle debate skills.
Comment by Vandell — April 20, 2008 @ 8:21 am
Viacom will not pull the DCMA suit and YouTube should not attempt to use Anonymous as their personal army.
Viacom -The complaint, filed in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York, contends that nearly 160,000 unauthorized clips of Viacom’s entertainment programming have been available on YouTube and that these clips have been viewed more than 1.5 billion times.
http://www.news.com/Viacom-sues-Google-over-YouTube-clips/2100-1030_3-6166668.html
I don’t buy YouTube’s lame excuse to single out Mark Bunker. Snippets are fair use.
I hope Mark posts the video somewhere else and Scientology stiffs Google for the Adsense bill.
Comment by Desert Rain — April 20, 2008 @ 11:33 am
Terryeo,
You’re a Scientologist, so maybe you can shed light on this for me. You write: “The Church’s policy is to keep the door open, at least a crack, for people who denounce it.”
But I was under the impression that if you manage to leave the Church, you get declared SP and are therefore fair game. And I was also under the impression that it is very difficult to leave and that people who try often get sent to the RPF. And that if you try to leave the RPF and get caught, you might get put in the RPF’s RPF.
Anyway, I’m obviously no insider, so I’d like to hear what it’s really like, but everything I’ve seen suggests that trying to leave Scientology is a nightmare.
Comment by Dave2 — April 20, 2008 @ 11:42 am
Dave2–they’ll welcome you back, naturally.
IF you publicly repudiate your previous statements,
IF you undergo rigorous sec-checks and other auditing,
IF you do a bunch more grovelling and demeaning procedures/lowered conditions.
Its FAR worse for Sea Org who blow, since they’ll probably just be RPF for lyfe, yo. Public who leave and become critics will probably just have the above very expensive courses/auditing levied on them.
So, thats the crack: be willing to be a slave, or pay out your ass.
Comment by Anonymous — April 20, 2008 @ 12:37 pm
Co$ is a dangerous cult. I feel very sorry for the brainwashed members! It ruins lives. The government must step in soon to stop this evil cult.
Comment by ex Scientologist — April 20, 2008 @ 5:29 pm
Well said about youtubes’ dilema, they really screwed themselves on this one by being slackers and inconsistent on enforcement of their rules.
I still can’t understand the CoS move here. Don’t they realize that trying to stop and delaying the release of the full Beghe video is only ramping up the press coverage and interest in the interview.
Comment by J C M — April 20, 2008 @ 11:15 pm
He’s baaaaaaccccckkkkkk. Both xenutv channels have beeh reinstated.
Comment by Jack — June 2, 2008 @ 11:15 pm