Tom Cruise, Lisa Marie Presley Among Celebs Exposed To Cancer-Causing Asbestos From Negligent Church Of Scientology
The Church of Scientology is working overtime to try and cover up their blatant and irresponsible actions of exposing members, including their famous celeb clientele, to blue asbestos for the last 20 years.
The Church owned cruise liner, The Freewinds, is currently dry-docked in Curacao for extensive repair work, which now includes their attempts to remove the dangerous chemical from the ship. It was during scheduled renovation work when local authorities doing inspection of the ship discovered the toxic blue asbestos, which many older ships used as a fire retardant. From an article on Lawyersandsettlements.com:
The Church of Scientology’s members were attending Scientology courses, training services and functions aboard the ship. According to the Daily Herald, a local newspaper, the blue asbestos was released from the ship’s structure during refurbishing and reparatory work.
This is not the first time the MV Freewinds has been investigated for blue asbestos. In 2001, a former Scientology member, architect Lawrence Woodcraft, submitted a sworn affidavit stating that he was exposed to blue asbestos while working on the Freewinds in 1987. As well, a statement from the ship’s captain claimed that there were previous incidents where blue asbestos was released into the ship’s ventilation system. But the Church of Scientology denied Woodcraft’s claim and in so doing, the Church knowingly exposed its passengers and members to this most deadliest form of asbestos for the past 21 years!
The fibers of blue asbestos, like all asbestos fibers, can be inhaled in the lungs where they lie dormant for years until their carcinogenic toxicity begins to cause tumors to grow in the lungs, causing the disease mesothelioma, which is virtually untreatable. The result of this disease is a certain and painful death.
The Church has known about the blue asbestos in an official capacity for at least seven years when architect and former Sea Org member, Lawrence Woodcraft, gave an official affidavit on the matter warning of the dangers. During Mr. Woodcraft’s tenure with the Church he was brought in to help do restoration of the Freewinds and it was during this time he discovered the deadly toxin throughout the ship. Glosslip discussed his concerns during our radio inteview with he and his daughter Astra during our show on Monday. Lawrence was very concerned about his level of exposure to the asbestos and said he was concerned for the many others who’ve been unwittingly exposed for years due to Scientology executive’s negligence and indifference.
Radar Online did a follow-up on their story on this subject, focusing on the Church’s official spokesperson, Karin Pouw, denying any suggested contamination, during which she also stated all scheduled Freewind’s events would be going on as planned (one is set for today). Also of note, is a new story out of the Caribbean stating there are special teams from the U.S., being overseen by local authorities on the matter, who are doing round the clock clean up. From Radar:
A special team from the United States, supervised by an independent bureau from the Netherlands, has arrived on the Caribbean island of Curacao to remove asbestos from Scientology Cruise ship Freewinds, according to Amigoe, the longest running daily paper in the Netherlands Antilles and Aruba. The Freewinds is still reportedly sitting high and dry at a Curacao facility owned by docking company CDM.
The company managing the cleanup is Ft. Lauderdale-based “woman owned” AirQuest Inc. A staffer answering phones at the company said the entire staff was on the job and “incommunicado.” Neither CDM’s director, a spokesperson for the company, nor Tico Ras of Curacao’s Environmental Service bureau were available. In the Amigoe article, Ras says the seriousness of the asbestos threat is “a matter of interpretation.” So, for instance, if you breathed in blue asbestos on the ship, you might die. Or you could get lucky, dodge any potentially cancer-causing particles, and live out a life of religious fulfillment.
Freewinds was supposed to give a declaration about its condition last week but didn’t, Amigoe reports. And CDM director Frank Esser tells the paper that the ship has failed to follow rules regarding asbestos handling, assuming past sworn statements by the ship’s architect are true and there is still blue asbestos, the deadliest kind, on board.
At 4 p.m. EST, Radar called and e-mailed a Scientology spokesperson who had previously claimed the boat was completely up to snuff and on schedule for renovations—the Church was advertising a cruise departing May 7 (tomorrow). about the looming asbestos issue at about 4 p.m. EST. We did not immediately hear back.
Class-action suits a term I’ve heard thrown around when talking about the Church of Scientology. The applications are numerous. We’ve already highlighted a long history of physical, mental and psychological abuse against members within the Church, as well as a collusive nature to obstruct the truth, forcibly keep members hostage and imprisoned, and now, we have direct evidence of thousands of adherents to the faith being knowingly exposed to an extremely toxic and banned substance for at least 21 years.
Here is a list of Celeb Scientologists who’ve taken courses on the Freewinds:
* Chick Corea did the Route to Infinity course and OT VIII in the early 90s.
* Lisa Marie Presley did the Whole Track course in 1989 (as Lisa M. Presley Keough).
* Catherine Bell did the Route to Infinity and Ability Congress courses in 1990 and 2000 respectively.
* Kate Ceberano did the Route to Infinity course in 2001.
* Juliette Lewis did the Route to Infinity and State of Man Congress courses in 1999.
* Amanda Ambrose did the Route to Infinity course in 1989.
Here’s a list of Celebs who AREN’T listed, but may very well have been there for other events, as we know Tom Cruise was for his 40th birthday based on numerous news reports and video footage:
* John Travolta
* Tom Cruise
* Kirstie Alley
* Jenna Elfman
* Nancy Cartwright
* Kelly Preston
* Nicole Kidman
* Giovanni Ribisi
* Chaka Khan
* Isaac Hayes
* Karen Black
* Mario Fenninger
It was recommended by an industry insider who’s familiar with lawsuits and mesothelioma, that those who are concerned or exhibiting symptoms (sometimes resembling viral pneumonia, pleural mesothelioma patients may present with shortness of breath, chest pain and/or persistent cough; some patients show no symptoms at all) should see their doctor FIRST, before contacting a lawyer. Hopefully as more light is shed on this story, a better sense of how much exposure people were subjected to will come to light. Worrying about becoming sick is a terrible burden.
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I hope we do start seeing lawsuits soon. It never fails to amaze me that no matter how terribly the cult of Scientology treats its critics, they treat their own members so much worse. They need to know about the dangers and take steps to get tested and treated…but for some “strange” reason, I get the feeling they’ll never be told about the risks. I mean, no religion in the world would expose members to cancer causing materials for decades and then cover it up so they don’t lose money paying for medical costs, right?
Right?
…
Scientology, you make me sick. If you are the “only people who can help,” then HELP your own people!!
Comment by Hubbard-Telescope — May 7, 2008 @ 2:39 pm
[...] Celebrities Exposed to Blue Asbestos on the Freewinds GlossLip Tom Cruise, Lisa Marie Presley Among Celebs Exposed To Cancer-Causing Asbestos From Neglige… finally made it to press. thanks guys. __________________ [...]
Pingback by Glosslip: Celebrities Exposed to Blue Asbestos on the Freewinds - Enturbulation.org Activism Forums — May 7, 2008 @ 3:37 pm
This is terrible, I sincerely hope the “church” is fined by every country the freewinds has visited in the past 20 years, and they they are sued by those who were brought on the ship.
Comment by anonymous — May 7, 2008 @ 3:45 pm
Wouldn’t it be awful if all those celebrities died at once!
But seriously,this is not funny. I don’t care about the celebrities so much as the ordinary members, and those who had no choice about being there.
This should be on national news, at least to warn EVERYONE who’s been on the ship. Those who kept the secret hidden should be prosecuted. Miscavige would have known. Hubbard is unfortunately too dead to take responsibility, because I’m sure the faithfull will blame him for it.
Comment by Flour Power — May 7, 2008 @ 4:04 pm
Karin Pouw should be held accountable for her doublespeak, however this story goes even beyond Scientology. Upon researching the history of the Freewinds, I discovered that prior to have being purchased by the CoS, the ship was named the Boheme. The Boheme sailed out of St. Petersburg, FL in 1985 for weekly cruises Please see http://www.faktaomfartyg.se/boheme_1968_ex.htm for further information.
Comment by MomAnon — May 7, 2008 @ 4:23 pm
ok i know this is completely off the subject but how long is this lovefest for tom cruise going to last on the oprah show? it’s wednesday and she is still singing his praises!
Comment by nga — May 7, 2008 @ 4:25 pm
Well all I can say is that if THIS doesn’t wake up those celebrity shills for the CoS I don’t know what will. While I wish no ill will to any of those celebrities they at least have the means to get the best medical care. The poor Sea Org members forced to work on this ship of death don’t even get basic health care and after all according to the CoS it’s probably their own fault if they get sick. Any scientologist out there reading this don’t you think by now that David Miscaviage should be declared at least PTS? How many scientologist have already died of cancer and had served on that ship in the last 21 years? Please, in all that is holy and good, let the law suits begin and the authorities open their eyes to this dangerous immoral cult of greed.
Comment by Mitsu Too — May 7, 2008 @ 4:36 pm
#6 the Love Fest for Tom by Oprah will continue so long as Oprah has her head up her ass. I use to admire her so much for caring about the common person but the last few weeks have shown me a new Oprah fawning over the devil. With the huge staff she has and ability to research this topic thoroughly she has turned a blind eye to abuses happening right under her nose. She is completly enamored with celebrity. I hope I get to see the day she turns to the camera and apologizes to the million of viewers out there and most especially to people like Astra, Jenna, and many other ex scientologist for ignoring their cries for help in exposing this corrupt organization. And Tom Cruise to me looked half drugged on her show. He is either giving his best acting performance of “humble pie” ever or is a man realizing he is in his own theta trap.
Comment by Mitsu Too — May 7, 2008 @ 4:45 pm
it’s true those crazy scilons treat each other with no respect, like that guy -what was his name? stole thousands off his scibuddies in a dodgey investment scam. Mind you, taking someones money is one thing -taking their HEALTH! thats low.
Comment by david d — May 7, 2008 @ 5:02 pm
Makes me wonder if the big O’ was ever on the ship… for someone’s 40th birthday party.
Comment by P. Edwards — May 7, 2008 @ 5:34 pm
*Fires up Internet Hate Machine*
Comment by Anon — May 7, 2008 @ 5:56 pm
Hmmm…. Methinks a mass-mailing of this article to every celebrity on that list may be in order…
Great work as always D!
Comment by Anonymous — May 7, 2008 @ 6:30 pm
Let’s hope the “tech” that failed Lisa McPherson so horribly and led to her death produces better results for those exposed to the asbestos. Medical doctors-who needs ‘em?
Comment by Rachel — May 7, 2008 @ 8:59 pm
Mitsu Too said: “Well all I can say is that if THIS doesn’t wake up those celebrity shills for the CoS I don’t know what will.”
The problem, as I see it, is that short of Jason Beghe knocking on their doors and TELLING THEM, very few if any of them will hear about this. Their Net Nannies and people minders won’t let the info get to them.
And the continuing inability/wimp ass chicken attitude of the mainstream media in IGNORING this story will ensure it. It’s easy to configure a Net Nanny to sites like Glosslip and Radar that are well known to the Scientologists to be critical. It would be MUCH harder to block every site that gets an AP or Reuters feed, CNN, MSNBC, etc. if they GOT OFF THEIR IRRESPONSIBLE ASSES and reported on this.
The only other idea I can think of? Anonymous people with signs outside celeb houses saying “You were poisoned when you were on FREEWINDS!”. Although even if those people are peaceful and respectful its like the cops would be called on them.
Comment by Wiley — May 8, 2008 @ 2:45 am
Oh you know they’ll be offering assists for each other. And when those assists fail, we’ll hear a lot of crying and whining and blame will be foisted upon SPs and BTs and anything else they can come up with…except for themselves and Co$
I sincerely hope anyone who’s been exposed receives thorough testing and care.
Comment by Joanie — May 8, 2008 @ 3:48 am
[...] Church Of Scientology Posted in Uncategorized by Temple of Xenu on the May 8, 2008 Tom Cruise, Lisa Marie Presley Among Celebs Exposed To Cancer-Causing Asbestos From Negligent Church… The Church of Scientology is working overtime to try and cover up their blatant and irresponsible [...]
Pingback by Tom Cruise, Lisa Marie Presley Among Celebs Exposed To Cancer-Causing Asbestos From Negligent Church Of Scientology « Temple of Xenu — May 8, 2008 @ 8:45 am
Hopefully somehow the news of the asbestos exposure will get to some of these people.
Co$ has a legal and moral duty to inform them, but they likely will not. I hope someone can get through to them.
Comment by marcab — May 8, 2008 @ 12:03 pm
Since it’s Scientologists, maybe Tom Cruise can advise them to go on the detoxification program. All they need is a sauna, high doses of niacin, and to drink polyunsaturated oils. He is such a godlike figure, and only Scientologists can save the planet….
Comment by D-Bomb — May 8, 2008 @ 4:55 pm
GOOD!!!!
I guess I won’t have to worry about there being a 25th Anniversary of Top Gun
Comment by Libraesque — May 8, 2008 @ 7:58 pm
Just goes to show the press are only ever interested in the Celebs. In Scientology the Celebs are treated like Gods whilst the regular paying public are treated like second class citizens.
Well those people, thousands of them, were also exposed to the blue asbestos, a fact that’s now hurriedly being covered up by the Freewinds and Scientology’s liars, I mean Lawyers.
Comment by Jack Lord — May 10, 2008 @ 6:59 pm
Jenna Elfman was on the Freewinds, and so were many other celebs. One Operation Clambake there is a list that encourages you to look them up to check. It’s called
Celebrities on the Asbestos-contaminated Freewinds
and the url is
http://ocmb.xenu.net/ocmb/viewtopic.php?t=27298
Comment by JM — May 14, 2008 @ 3:27 pm
[...] glosslip — image on my own server [...]
Pingback by Apple Digital World » Blog Archive » Risky Business for Scientology … — May 17, 2008 @ 7:15 pm