Everyone has their own taste when it comes to music.

What may be considered music to one’s ears, may be considered simply torturous to others. Just because I feel that Michael Bolton sounds like a cat getting skinned alive, and that his music is some sort of cruel joke to all of mankind, doesn’t mean that some other tone deaf person has to agree with me.

One thing is for certain, whether it is the sweet voice of Bonnie Raitt or the overrated raspy voice of Bruce who stepped in it Springsteen… if it is played at decibels to make you feel that your ears are going to bleed and it is played over and over… it can be quite torturous no matter who it is.

Everyone is aware that the prisoners at Gitmo (Guantánamo Bay) were needlessly tortured by water boarding along with other degrading and unspeakable acts. 

One of the methods used was music played repeatedly and at ear piercing levels. The songs used and some of the artists who made that music are not too happy to say the least. How would you feel if one of your songs was used to torture someone? I am sure you would be horrified.

Well, Michael Stipe of REM, along with twenty or so other artists have aired their disgust, and have banned together and formed Close Gitmo Now.   

A little info on Gitmo first, before we get into which performers are saying Gitmo has to go.

Gitmo has held nearly 800 detainees in it’s history. An alarming majority of those detainees were never charged, nor went to trial. Only THREE of those detainees have ever been convicted of a crime.To keep Gitmo open is costing tax payers MILLIONS.

So what did the spokesman for the CIA say when it came to using music as torture?
He said nuh-uh.

George Little, a CIA spokesman said:

“music was used only for security, rather than “punitive purposes”

And in a 2005 CIA document, it stated,

“loud music or white noise was needed “to mask sound and prevent communication among detainees”

So what tunes and artists made it to the Gitmo “top 20″?

According to the National Security Archive, they used anything from the Meow Mix jingle, to the Barney theme song. They used such artists as Marylin Manson to Britney Spears. Although the Meow Mix jingle and the Barney theme song both make me cringe and is enough to drive anyone buggy, at ANY volume… I wonder if the Meow Mix or the Barney people have a problem with the fact their music was used at Gitmo? I haven’t heard anything from either of them and I have to say, if they don’t have a problem with it, then I have a problem with them.

Why would they use the Meow Mix jingle and the Barney theme if it was just “to mask sound and prevent communication among detainees”?
And why were detainees subjected to “variable light patterns” while this music was played? Is the CIA going to say they wanted to have a disco effect for the detainees? Although it really wouldn’t surprise me in the least.

If the CIA claims are true, then why didn’t they just use classical music at non dangerous levels without light patterns? The term liar liar pants on fire comes to mind.

Another little pesky factor besides the CIA not having the permission of the artists to use their music, is the fact that the artist’s music was used as an interrogation tool.

So which artists are pissed and saying close Gitmo now ?
Bonnie Raitt, Jackson Brown, REM, Pearl Jam, Roseanne Cash just to name a few.

Bonnie Raitt and Jackson Brown

Roseanne Cash recently appeared on The Daily Show with John Stewart to tell everyone about the petition they have created which people can sign at www.closegitmonow.org

The BBC recently reported:

REM call for Guantanamo closure

Rock bands including Pearl Jam and REM have joined a coalition of musicians to support the US president’s efforts to close the Guantanamo Bay prison.

The National Campaign to Close Guantanamo, which also includes former military officers, launched on Tuesday.

Many of the artists who have signed up are angry that their music was used as an interrogation tool in the jail.

But CIA spokesman George Little said music was used only for security, rather than “punitive purposes”.

In a statement, REM said: “We have spent the past 30 years supporting causes related to peace and justice. To now learn that some of our friends’ music may have been used as part of the torture tactics without their consent or knowledge, is horrific. It’s anti-American, period.”

Other artists to sign up to the coalition include Jackson Browne, Steve Earle, Roseanne Cash, Billy Bragg, Bonnie Raitt and Rage Against The Machine.

On behalf of the campaign, the National Security Archive in Washington is filing a Freedom of Information Act request seeking classified records that detail the use of loud music as an interrogation device.

‘Terrify and punish’

A report published in November 2008 by the Senate Armed Services Committee report, has already made several references to the technique.

In one case interrogators played records to “stress” a prisoner, Mohamedou Ould Slahi, who believed music was forbidden.

In 2003, he was questioned while being “exposed to variable lighting patterns” and repeated plays of a song called Let the Bodies Hit the Floor by the band Drowning Pool.

Jayne Huckerby, from New York University’s Center for Human Rights and Global Justice, said loud music was also played at clandestine prisons run by the CIA.

Following an early information request, Ms Huckerby received a CIA document dated December 2005 in which the agency explained that the use of loud music or white noise was needed “to mask sound and prevent communication among detainees”.

She argued that such sounds were not a “benign security tool,” but a way “to humiliate, terrify, punish, disorient and deprive detainees of sleep, in violation of international law”.

According to the National Security Archive, tracks by AC/DC, Britney Spears, the Bee Gees and Marilyn Manson were used at Guantanamo.

The Meow mix cat food jingle, the Barney theme song and an assortment of Sesame Street tunes also were played into detainees’ cells.

But the CIA insisted any music was played “at levels far below a live rock band”.

And Major Diana Haynie, a spokeswoman for Joint Task Force Guantanamo, said loud music has not been used with detainees since the fall of 2003.

Barack Obama pledged to close the Guantanamo detention camp by January, but Republican opposition in Congress has made fulfilling that promise look less likely.

 

So one of the reasons that Gitmo remains open is due to Republican opposition?
Although I am certianly not surprised by this…. WHY ARE THEY OPPOSED?
What reasons could the Republicans have to want to keep Gitmo going?

The NY Times stated that the estimated annual cost to operate Guantánamo Bay is anywhere from $90 million to $118 million. There are 226 detainees left at Gitmo. That is a cost of $400.000 to $520.000 per detainee. To incarcerate a prisoner in a supermax prison would be $75,000 in the US. Is anyone paying attention to this simple math? Get the facts

At a time when the US is in such an economic mess due to the carnage that was left behind by the lovely Bush administration, perhaps the millions of dollars spent on keeping Gitmo open can be used elsewhere? Ya think?

Now before our comment section turns into a shouting match between Republicans and Democrats…..
and people telling me to get my facts straight, (I only report what is out there) remember that this article is about how horrible it was to use an artist’s music to torture people AND the fact that their music was used without their consent. Not to mention what it costs to keep Gitmo going.

So if you have a comment about Close Gitmo Now or the musicians who started the petition, then that is fine. But if you want to argue about what Obama has done or not done to clean up Bush’s mess that he left behind, or the BS spin and scare tactics that the Republicans are using when it comes to the health care plan, (you know who you are, you silly teabaggers) OR if you are a Michael Bolton fan, then please go argue elsewhere. *SNICKER*

Can’t We All Just Get Along?

The St. Petersburg Times continues to be a huge thorn in Scientology’s side. Their Sunday edition reported horrific stories told by former Scientology members who have left the cult. Or should I say when they TRIED to leave the cult. It is part one of another three part series that they are continuing to run in addition to their Truth Rundown Series that they ran back in June.

Once again these former members were in Scientology for years and years and held very prominent positions.

The ex members talk about the two ways that a member can leave the cult. Which are called “routing out” or “blowing”.

If members have doubts and have decided they want to leave, Scientology has a procedure called routing out. To route out of  the cult is of course Scientology’s preferred method. Reason being…. there is a good chance that you will end up staying in the cult because of Scientology’s continued manipulation, brain washing, emotional distress and they also tell members that they are giving up their chance at eternity. It also gives the cult the chance to have a leaving member sign a “pumped up” affidavit. (which Scientology will embellish) This affidavit along with confidential and personal information that is in a member’s file, while  in turn will be used against them if they choose to speak out. 

Scientology member’s personal and intimate information is acquired through auditing sessions and “sec checks” and kept in a member’s ”PC file” which is held by the cult. Actor Jason Beghe who left the cult has asked for his files back, and as far as I know, has not received them back as of yet. Correct me if I am wrong.

Scientology has continued to prove that they do in fact use this tactic every time they respond to any ex member’s story that has gone public. Former member’s confidential information was not only printed in Scientology’s edition of their Freedom Magazine for all other members to read, but this time around member’s information along with out right lies and were used by Tommy Davis in his response to the SP Times latest stories. Former member, Oscar winner and actor Paul Haggis who has just recently left the cult, said this was one of the many reasons why he decided to leave. It was mentioned in a letter that her personally wrote to to Tommy Davis. So to any members still in… your information in your PC file is not safe!

Many members also tell of being chased and harassed by the cult for years. Not to mention the heart break of the family disconnection they have endured which continues today.

Basically, the more you know about the cult’s inner secrets and the higher position you hold, the more you will be sought after to come back. The cult is in fear that you will spill the beans on the cult’s activities. Well like it or not Scientology, there has been an awful lot of bean spilling lately.

When an ex member “blows”, it means to just leave and not follow proper cult protocol. It’s not that members are actually able to just walk out Scientology’s door, it means that many had to actually ESCAPE in secrecy to leave.

If a member routes out, it is a VERY long process. It involves “sec checking“. Which are hours and hours of being auditing on Scientology’s e-meter, which is short for Electropsychometer. This same exact unit is used on the general public at their Stress Test Tables, which you may see at a fair, flea market or city sidewalk.

Scientology not only considers the e-meter a religious artifact, they claim that this unit can help find a member’s area of distress and it can help address it and also cure it, as well as other ailments. Even claims of curing homosexuality.

According to Scientology, e-meters are also used in finding member’s past lives during auditing. Many members have claimed that some of their past lives were that of very well known pillars in history, such as Julias Caesar, or Ben Franklin, and so on. 

One former member, Steven Fishman, was convinced by auditors that he was the biological father of Jesus Christ and  to quote: “it was his responsibility to de-Christianize the planet by exposing the lie and the myth of the immaculate conception, and thereafter bring all of Christianity into Scientology as the largest FSM (Field Staff member) or conversion movement of planet earth.” 

His story is a must read if you haven’t read it. He sued the cult back in 1993. There also is a series of interview videos of Fishman, which I have watched more than once. I was in total amazement as to how far this cult can really brainwash someone. Most people think he is a total “moonbat”, but when I watched these videos, all I felt was sincere pity for the man. Thankfully Steven is deprogrammed (which was not an easy task) and out of Scientology for good.

So back to the e-meter….
In actuality, the e-meter is nothing more than a simple lie detector. The same unit which reveals that you were Elvis in a previous life, can also be used to tell if Scientology members have any “overts” or “withholds”, which in Scientology lingo is basically sins or crimes, and bad thoughts that a member has not told anyone. Which of course proves further that it is merely a lie detector. FYI…  it was also rated one of the top “most stupid inventions” by Life magazine.

Scientology lingo can be very confusing, and in the latest article of the SP Times (nicknamed by Scientology itself, as the SP stands for Suppressive Person), they included a small glossary of Scientology acronyms and lingo. Scientology lingo is not only VAST, but it is also plays a huge part in the cult’s secrecy. If someone was to read an entire paragraph of scieno speak, it would leave them scratching their head.

So back to routing out. It can be a very horrific experience for ex members, and some of these members were interviewed by the SP Times. They were asked to sign affidavits before leaving Scientology, and were subjected to horrendous treatment, and it took years for them to finally leave for good.

Here is a short summary on Part One from the SP Times:

But wait, there’s more…

Church of Scientology lawyer Patrick Maisonneuve

Not a good week for the cult of Scientology!
On the heels of Scientology’s spokesman Tommy Davis’s disastrous interview on ABC’s Nightline last week, comes more news of Scientology’s downward spiral.

It has just been announced, that France has convicted Scientology of fraud. This news must have Scientology’s cult leader David Miscavige in quite the tizzy. Still nothing to say Miscavige?
David Miscavige is obvioulsy playing a “Where’s Waldo?” in all this breaking news.

The cult was also fined more than 600,000 euro. This is equivalent to $900,000 US. Almost a cool million. The court convicted the cult library (SEL bookshop) as well as SIX LEADERS. Scientology was found guilty of pressuring members to pay large amounts of cash by using harassment tactics, and also illegally dispensing vitamins.

Four of the leaders were given suspended sentences which can be anywhere from ten months to two years and the other two leaders were given fines.
Of course Scientology is going to appeal this verdict. Which is no surprise there.

Although prosecutors were going for an all out ban on Scientology in France, the court recently denied the ban. But even though Scientology has not been banned from France, this latest PR flap can’t be good news for Scientology, who desperately tries to hide all negative PR from it’s members.

The Infinate Complaceny Blog Webiste did a wonderful break down of the story (Much thanks to Jonny Jacobsen):

Here is a summary of the verdict and sentences in the Paris trial of Scientology. I have laid it out in the same style I used for What the Prosecution Wants to give you an idea of how far the court followed their recommendations.

Perhaps the most important feature of the judgement is what the court did not do: it made no ruling that would restrict the activities of either the Celebrity Centre or the SEL bookshop.

But the following individuals and organisations were convicted of organised fraud against some, but not all the alleged victims (of which more below):

The Association Spirituelle de l’Eglise de Scientologie CC (ASES), the Celebrity Centre, was convicted of organised fraud against the plaintiffs Aude-Claire Malton and Eric Aubry.

 It was fined 400,000 euros and ordered to pay for the details of the conviction to be published in the major French and English-language news outlets including Le Monde, Le Figaro, Libération, the Herald Tribune and Time Magazine.

Scientology’s network of bookshops Scientologie Espace Liberté (SEL) was also convicted of organised fraud against the Malton and Aubry. It was fined 200,000 euros and ordered to pay for the publication of the conviction in the same newspapers.

These were the sentences for the individual defendants charged on this count, against either Malton, Aubry or both plaintiffs:

Alain Rosenberg, the managing director of the Celebrity Centre, was convicted of organised fraud against Malton and Aubry; and of complicity in the illegal exercise of pharmacy. He received a two-year suspended prison sentence and a 30,000-euro fine

Didier Michaux, the bookshop’s star salesman, was convicted of organised fraud against Eric Aubry – but cleared on the same charge relating to Aude-Claire Malton. He received an 18-month suspended sentence and a 20,000-euro fine

Jean-François Valli, the other bookshop salesman, who also did work for the Celebrity Centre, was convicted of organised fraud against Aude-Claire Malton – but cleared on the same charge relating to Aubry. He received an 18-months suspended sentence and a 10,000-euro fine

Sabine Jacquart, who was president of the Celebrity Centre, was convicted of organised fraud against both Malton and Aubry; and of complicity in the illegal exercise of pharmacy. She received a 10-month suspended sentence and a 5,000-euro fine

Aline Fabre, who supervised the Purification Rundown at the Celebrity Centre, was convicted of the illegal exercise of pharmacy. She was fined 2,000 euros

Marie Anne Pasturel, who acted as an intermediary for G&G in France, taking orders for the vitamins required for the Rundown, was convicted of the illegal exercise of pharmacy and fined 1,000 euros.
All the defendants charged in relation to Pierre Auffret and his company Parangon – the Celebrity Centre, the bookshop SEL, Rosenberg, Jacquart, Valli, Michaux – were acquitted.

The court took into account the fact that Auffret himself had not filed a complaint: and he had insisted to investigators that any payments he had made were made willingly.

Neither Alain Rosenberg nor Anne Marie Pasturel attended the hearing.

Despite the guilty verdict and the fines, Maître Patrick Maisonneuve for the Celebrity Centre and Maître Louis Pamponet for the bookshop SEL (I think it was him) both looked extremely relieved – presumably because there was no attempt by the court to restrict the activities of either organisation.

FYI…
Alain Rosenberg, the managing director of the Celebrity Center in France, is an OTVII on Scientology’s Bridge to Total Freedom. He is one step away from the highest level on their bridge, which is OTVIII.
It’s amazing that his “OT powers” which have control over MEST (which is short for matter, energy, space and time) seemed to be totally on the fritz, and failed miserably during this court case.
Looks like you “pulled this in” Alain. Looks like the court was the one who was “at cause”.

To read more about Rosenberg and the case go here.

So back to this verdict..
So although France found them guilty and issued fines, France is not going to restrict Scientology’s activities?
So does that mean there will be more court hearings and fines down the line?
Hopefully….. that’s if more victims come forward and fight the cult.

Scientology was convicted of “illegal exercise of pharmacy”, but France is still going to allow Scientology to resume with their Purification Rundown? I am afraid I don’t understand.
Is Scientology going to continue to illegally dispense vitamins in hopes that more deaths and court cases will not occur in France?

The Purification Rundown for all of you who do not know what that is… is a Scientology program used to rid the body of toxins. (so they claim)
It involves ingesting LARGE doses of niacin vitamins and oil, running on a treadmill and sitting in a sauna for hours at a time daily. This regiment can last for FIVE weeks. It has NEVER been proven to have ANY beneficial qualities, nor does it have any scientific data to back up it’s claims of the regiment being successful with removing ANY toxins from the body at all. In fact it has been said that it is nothing but quackery and that large amounts of niacin can prove to be very dangerous to the liver.

The Purification Rundown, (also know as Narconon and Criminon) needs to be looked into extensively by the US Government and ALL Governments. Narconon goes into towns and sets up centers and claims they can cure drug addiction. They not only lie about their success rates with trumped up numbers, they talk towns into funding them with tax payer’s dollars. They also use the teachings of L. Ron Hubbard’s tone scale. 

This program has gone under the names Second Chance, HealthMed Clinic and The NY Rescue Workers Detoxification Program (after 9/11) just to name a few. There are many other front group names they have used world wide.

The recently reported tragic deaths of those people in the sweat lodge in Arizona, received a lot of media coverage. It’s a wonder why our Government has not looked into the many deaths which have been related to this particular program.

Of course people are afraid to speak out against Scientology, never mind bring them to court. Hopefully this latest conviction in France will sway not only Scientology members to come forward with their stories, and perhaps file cases, but I hope it prompts non Scientology members who have also done The Purification Program through Narconon in hopes of being helped with their drug addiction. Second Chance and Criminon inmates also should be interviewed about this program.

I am sure Scientology will be on full damage control and looking for any Narconon or member success stories they can shove in people’s faces through the media, in light of France’s conviction. But please know that any success stories you hear, does not stack up against the fail rate of this program in any stretch of the imagination.

This news from France is especially bad on top of the latest Nightline stories that we just saw in recent days, and it was also announced today by the NY Post, that Tommy Davis tried to stop Nightline from airing these programs one hour before they were to air, made a scene and was asked to leave. Read about it here.
Wish there was film on that little hissy fit!

And oh yes….. not to mention the very recent defection of one of Scientology’s long time members, celebrity Paul Haggis. Again welcome out Paul!

Scientology members…. are you paying attention?

To France….
you almost had Scientology completely on the run. But this is good news too. 
Although the fines and sentences are nothing more than slaps on the wrist to a multi million dollar BUSINESS, and they will be able to continue to do what they were doing to bring them to court in the first place, at least it’s a start in the right direction of unveiling the illegal activities of this abusive cult.

We need a LOT more of that going on, especially here in the United States.

This past Friday evening, ABC’s Nightline aired part two of their Inside Scientologyseries with anchor Martin Bashir. If you missed it, the videos are posted on ABC’s website. It is a MUST see.
 Part One is  here,  and Part Two is here.

Friday’s show was a continuation from Thursday night’s interview with ex-Scientology top executives Marty Rathbun, and Amy Scobee, as well as ex member Bruce Hines. They were all former members of Scientology’s Sea Organization.

Bashir also continued his interview with Scientology spokesman Tommy Davis who ended ripping off his microphone, and storming off the set. We will get to that juicy part later.

ABC Anchor Martin Bashir

Friday evening’s coverage focused on the celebrities in Scientology. Tom Cruise was the main focus.  Tommy Davis claimed that Scientology does not given special treatment to celebrities, but I beg to differ. Cruise considers cult leader David Miscavige one of his closest friends and Miscavige not only attended Cruise’s wedding, but he also tagged along on Tom and Katie’s honeymoon. Doesn’t everyone bring their “church” leader on their honeymoon with them?

Cruise is not only BFF’s with David Miscavige, but he was also a huge advocate for Scientology. I say “was” because Cruise has really simmered down since his couch jumping days. His leaked Scientology video, his insults against Brooke Shields for taking medication for her postpartum depression, and his famous “glib” interview with Matt Lauer has put a serious damper on his career and his popularity. 

Matt You Are So Glib!

If you ask just about anyone on the street these days of their opinion of Tom Cruise, most will say he is a kook.

Cruise is trying to re-boost his career, by not speaking publicly about Scientology and trying to show the world how “normal” his life is with his family. But are people buying it? I doubt it. Cruise is DEEP into Scientology. He co-founded the NY Rescue Workers and Firefighters Detoxification Program after 911. Again, this program is EXACTLY the same as Scientology’s Purification Rundown and their Narconon program.

Cruise also lobbied in Washington with a quest to have every school in the US teaching Scientology founder L. Ron Hubbard’s “tech.” Applied Scholastics is the front name used in the schools, but it is without a doubt Scientology. Applied Scholastics has already infiltrated some of the schools in the US. I am not talking about Scientology schools like Delphi Academy and Will Smith’s New Village Academy, but rather regular public schools in our towns that are teaching children Scientology tech.

In Baton Rouge, Louisiana, they started teaching Scientology tech in Prescott Middle School in the wake of Hurricane Katrina. Applied Scholastics representatives assured them that the program was secular.  A couple of quotes from that story posted on the Scientology V. Education website:

The Baton Rouge school district agreed to pay $20, 000 a year to Applied Scholastics for a licensing fee and to hire a teacher from the nonprofit to help teach the course. Costs were offset by seed money that Travolta contributed and by donations from local businesses. Parents were enlisted to volunteer as tutors.

Dave Touretsky, a research professor at Carnegie Mellon University, that’s only because the academic experts don’t know the intricacies of Scientology.Study tech is “covert religious instruction” and therefore unconstitutional to teach in public schools, said Touretsky, who has studied Scientology and written extensively about Hubbard’s study skills curriculum.

Scientologists will use the program at Prescott to sell the program to other struggling communities, Touretsky said, and to promote the image of Scientology.

Rest assured, the teachers and the people in that town have NO idea what they are teaching these kids, nor understand how dangerous the tech can be for their children. Former Scientology member Monica Pignotti can tell you just exactly how dangerous the study tech is. Click here to read up on it yourself. I am not sure if Prescott Middle School has continued teaching this tech or not. I hope town officials and teachers have done their homework by now.

So a word of caution people, if your child’s school is approached with Applied Scholastics or any anti-drug pamphlets that contain the initials “CCHR” written anywhere on the pamphlet, please stay clear! The CCHR is another Scientology front group. Also stay away from the names Way To Happiness, or The Drug Free Marshals, just to name a few.

Scientology Can Use Some Body Language Courses!

These names are are ALL Scientology front groups. Sorry to sway away from  ABC’s interview, but any chance I have to make people aware that Scientology is trying to infiltrate our children’s schools, I feel compelled to make mention of it.

So back to the interview…

Former Scientology Sea Org member, Amy Scobee who was one of Scientology’s top execs and also one of the people who spoke out in the St. Petersburg Times articles, spoke with Bashir about the Purification Rundown.

Amy Scobee, Blonde On Bottom Right Hand Corner

She tells Bashir a horrifying story about when she was MADE to go on the Purification Rundown as part of a punishment within the Sea Org. Amy explains how daily she was ingesting 5,000 milligrams of niacin, exercising (usually a treadmill), and sitting in a sauna for five hours, for EIGHT MONTHS. She said she had“grey stuff ” coming out of her pores. I would imagine she was also ingesting oil, as this is another part of the Purification Rundown. As horrible as it was for Amy to be on this whacko science regimen, (which does not have any scientific data to back up its claims of actually detoxing the body at all) it was one of the things that woke Amy up and forced her decision to leave Scientology. And we are sure glad she is out. Bravo Amy!

Of course Scientology denies Amy’s story and says that the Purification Rundown is used for “religious reasons” by members. Hmmm.
Scientology is pretty crafty. They use different names for the Purification Rundown, like the NY Firefighters Detox Program, Narconon, and Criminon, and offer this program to the public and ask towns for funding using the town’s tax payer’s dollars. Exactly what they do with Applied Scholastics,  and The Drug Free Marshals etc…

They say that the program is secular and has NOTHING to do with Scientology. But yet when Scientology is pushed up against the wall, (as they were with Amy’s claims) they claim that the Purification Rundown is for “religious reasons.”

So how can they possibly claim that their front group programs are secular and have nothing to do with Scientology, when they are IDENTICAL to the same programs they are calling ”religious”?
Confusing? That is their intention.

Back to Rathbun…
Marty Rathbun continued his interview with Bashir and said that he himself has “audited” both Tom Cruise and John Travolta. Boy… I would love to know what is in their files! Of course everything contained within a Scientology member’s file is supposed to be confidential. That is…confidential until you cross Scientology. After the St. Petersburg Times articles came out with ex member’s stories, Scientology published personal information on Amy Scobee, Tom DeVocht, Mike Rinder and Marty Rathbun in a 80 page issue of their Freedom Magazine.

Scientology even gave the “defectors” nicknames like the King Pin, The Adulteress, and so on. It was not only the MOST childish thing that I have ever read by an organization, it was rife with lies about the ex-members and Scientology’s spin. Proving once again that Scientology’s Fair Game policy is alive and well.

Although it was not brought up in the interview, Rathbun is known as an independent Scientologist. And there are also Freezoners. Freezoners are members who have left the organized “church,” but still want to practice Scientology. There are groups of Freezoners here and there world wide. Scientology now considers these people who have previously dedicated years of their lives and spent hundreds of thousands of dollars on trying to climb up the Scientology’s Bridge their evil enemies. They are considered as SP’s, or suppressive persons.

Freezoners left the church as they felt that L. Ron Hubbard’s Tech was being “squirreled” by cult leader David Miscavige. To ”squirrel the tech” means to change the writings of L. Ron Hubbard in any way. Miscavige has changed the tech many times. He has changed it, repackaged it, and told the members that the old books were now incorrect, and that they had to buy the “newer” version. This was done to keep more money coming into Scientology. Sadly, members actually fell for it.

Changing any of L. Ron Hubbard’s tech is considered a big no-no in Scientology and many current members consider David Miscavige to be a suppressive person. Why they continue to stay in the “church” is a mystery. But slowly, that seems to be changing.

People who are Freezoners, also did not agree with the way the “church” was being run and could no longer stand all the abuses and illegal activities that were going on, so they decided to leave the “church” and set up business elsewhere, and yes it is in fact a business. People who want to practice Scientology outside the cult still have to pay for auditing and courses to whomever is offering them. What they charge is nowhere near the hundreds of thousands of dollars that organized Scientology charges. Which is where Rathbun comes in. He was one of Scientology’s top auditors before he left, and he continues to audit people today.

If today’s organized Scientology continues to crumble, Rathbun can end up with more “disciples” to audit. Perhaps he is hopeful for Travolta and Cruise to leave the cult and audit with him once again. Not likely though, especially not for Cruise. Cruise considers Rathbun an enemy of the cult and and a huge SP. Cruise does not appreciate what Rathbun is saying about David Miscavige and the abuses of the cult.

Tom Cruise’s lawyer sent a statement to ABC Nightline and stated that even though Cruise is aware of the things being said about David Miscavige, Cruise does not believe it.

BFF’s For Ever!

Really Tom? Miscavige is ruining your career in case you didn’t notice. How many people is it going to take for you to wake up and understand that David Miscavige is an abusive tyrant who only wanted you for PR purposes to promote the cult and oh yeah…take your money?

And as Bashir pointed out to Davis in the interview…these stories of abuse from ex-members were from randomized people. And of course Davis quipped back to Bashir with “Well that’s how it is made to look.” Sure it is Tommy.

Rathbun was in Scientology for 27 years, and his brain is totally immersed in the tech. He still believes that con man L. Ron Hubbard is the best thing since sliced bread and that his writings are still WORD.

Giddy Up L. Ron!

Rathbun never completely left Scientology, and he probably never will. But we are awful glad he came forward to speak out, as well as the others. Many more are likely to follow.

After 27 years, and being one of Miscavige’s top lieutenants, 
Rathbun is still programmed to live, eat and breathe Scientology. Rathbun also thinks David Miscavige should be made “to pay the piper” for all the people he has abused. Of course Rathbun himself admitted to being an abuser, but he never mentioned that he should pay the piper as well. Hmmm.

Freezoners who continue to practice Scientology, still mean they are being brainwashed, no matter how you cut it.  It’s the way the courses, the auditing and the drills were set up by Hubbard, at least there isn’t a Sea Org and David Miscavige is out of the picture. But hey, people can believe in what they want, as long as it doesn’t hurt and abuse others and as long as it doesn’t end up being another 
abusive cult off-shoot.

So getting back to Scientology spokesman Mr.Tommy Davis.
As I mentioned in the last article on this series, Tommy Davis’ body language was VERY telling. Again, I noticed he sat with tightly clenched hands, laughed nervously, and at one point was sitting with his arms and legs totally crossed. He looked like he was wrapped so tight, that you couldn’t pull a pin out if his butt with a tractor.
Bashir proceeds to ask Tommy about the e-meter and HIS own personal beliefs. Tommy was not very convincing when it came to the e-meter. The conversation went as follows:

Bashir: Has the e-meter ever been subjected to randomized clinical trials to assess it’s efficacy?

Davis: I have no idea. I don’t know why it would be. It works in Scientology and that’s what people use it. I don’t know why it would be subjected to random clinical trials.

Bashir: Because it’s a… mechanism for therapeutic care you just said…

Davis: In a religion.

Bashir: But has it ever been tested objectively is what I’m asking?

Davis: I mean it gets used every day by Scientology counselors.

Bashir: I’m not asking that. I’m asking…

Davis: To my knowledge, no. … And as far as evidence of the e-meter and its efficacy, the evidence of that is in those Scientologists who have used it to great benefit. And as far as the Church of Scientology is concerned, it’s the only evidence that matters, is the people and the results.

“In a religion?” Then why is the e-meter used for Scientology “Stress Tests” on the general public?

But wait, there’s more…

ABC Nightline’s, Martin Bashir interviewed Scientology cult spokesman Tommy Davis (son of actress Ann Archer) last night.

He interviewed ex Scientology members Marty Rathbun, Amy Scobee and Bruce Hines. Ex members Mike Rinder and Tom DeVocht although not present for the taping of the interview, did answer questions for ABC. 

Rathbun and Scobee along with ex members Tom DeVocht and Mike Rinder were recently interviewed by the St. Petersburg Times. Their interviews with the SP Times revealed scathing allegations of  the physical and mental abuse of Scientology members  that they witnessed at the hands of current Scientology cult leader David Miscavige. If you missed it, you can watch it here.

Although there was no mention of why cult leader David Miscavige was not present, Tommy Davis did a pretty wonderful job of looking far from credible. You don’t have to be a body language expert to notice Davis’ constant shifting eyes, how he constantly looks away, the fidgeting with his hair, clasped hands, along with his stuttering to know that he was not too comfortable with the questions that Bashir was asking him.

Bashir and Davis discussed a bunch of allegations levied against the cult, including family disconnection within the cult of Scientology’s Sea Organization, as well as a punishment called the Rehabilitation Project Force aka The RPF for short.

It was great that Davis did not deny that there was an actual RPF within Scientology’s Sea Organization, but Davis claims that the RPF is a VOLUNTARY punishment. This statement sent me through the roof.

Davis said that Sea Org members are put on such a punishment if they fail in their duties. What he didn’t mention, was that a Sea Org member can be put on RPF for something as tiny as looking at someone the wrong way. I also would love to know what Sea Org members would voluntarily put themselves on a punishment which involves lack of sleep, low quality food, not being able to talk to anyone, wearing black clothing to further separate you from others, being shamed, ridiculed, and being forced to run everywhere rather than to walk. The RPF usually means that you will be put on some sort of  manual hard labor which can go into all hours of the night and this punishment can literally last for YEARS.

Just one trip to the ex Scientology kids website will validate these claims about the RPF. Or you can pick up books written by ex Scientology members. Books like The Complex by John Duignan and Blown For Good by Marc Headley(which we recently did an article on) are just two examples of ex members shedding more light on this abusive cult. There is also a new book which just came out, called My Billion Year Contract by ex Scientology member Nancy Many who dedicated for 27 years of her life to Scientology.

Nancy’s book title derives from the contract you sign when joining Scientology’s Sea Organization. You must sign a billion year contract with Scientology in order to join the Sea Org. I kid you not. Click here to see an actual copy of Scientology’s Sea Org contract.

So back to the interview….
The ex cult members that were interviewed, dedicated 20+ years of their lives to the cult, and luckilly were able to escape. Although mentally, they are still suffering. 

One of the MANY things I found VERY disturbing about this interview, was the subject of family disconnection within the Sea Org. The mention of family disconnection itself is disturbing on its own.

But when Bashir asked Davis about Sea Org members who get married, (this is where Davis really starts to squirm) and if there are controls put in place on how often members are allowed to see their families, Davis said “there are “specific policies” that  apply to the RPF which governs what they do and what their schedule is“. Bashir then asks Davis how many times in a week would they be allowed to see their family members and Davis said “he didn’t really know off the top of his head“. 

Why would a spokesman for the “church” not know the policies of his own ”church” after being a member of Scientology for practically his entire life? And when Bashir asks Davis what was a fair guess of how many times a week Sea Org members get to see their family members, and asks if it once a week is correct, Davis said “once a week sounded about right“. Davis also said he thought seeing family members once a week was appropriate. LOVELY “church” isn’t it?

Where or where are the family protective services in all this?

If you are horrified, then please also understand this his statement is not entirely true. It’s worse. Some members can go years without seeing their family. Davis is also referring to Sea Org members whose family members are WITHIN the Sea Org and stationed at the same Org. And even then, members still don’t get to see their family. Davis is also not referring to any Sea Org members who have family members that are not in Scientology. There are people who haven’t seen their children in years. The cult fears outside interaction with family members. They fear that family will try to persuade their members to get out of the cult. To cut off members from their families is of course in pure cult fashion.

Sea Org members who are stationed at Golden Era Productions aka Gold Base in Ca., are not allowed to leave that property at all. Hard to believe that this is allowed to happen in the US today. But it does.

Also what Davis said doesn’t apply to many Sea Orgers that have other family members in the Sea Org stationed elsewhere in other countries. Many of these Sea Orgers are not on RPF, they just will never get the chance to see their family period. Members will never be spared the time to do so, nor can they afford to travel on their .25 cents an hour pay. Besides, Scientology is afraid they will flee.

According to ex Sea Org member Bruce Hines, (who was also physically abused by cult leader David Miscavige) gets a little tearful during the interview discussing his past life in Scientology. There were periods of time that he was not allowed to see his son while he was on RPF. He said at times he would wave to his son from afar if he saw him running by. His son was attending the Scientology school near by. Not being able to see you parents is considered child abuse in my book. Thankfully Bruce’s son also left the cult.

Hines also discusses his divorce and how divorce is encouraged in Scientology, and also the disconnection from other family members he still experiences today. How sad is this? 

Another one of the ex members being interviewed was Marty Rathbun. He mentioned that cult leader David Miscavige owned a beagle dog, and that Miscavige ordered a custom made military type outfit to be made for the dog complete with epaulettes. Rathbun also stated that if members didn’t salute Miscavige’s dog, then there would be big trouble. And if the dog barked at any member, than that member was considered to be “out ethics”. Amy Scobee also confirmed this claim . And a little visit to the Why We Protest site revealed a comment by BFG aka Blown For Good, aka Marc Headley, in which he also talks about Miscavige’s dogs. Here’s the snipette from WWP:

In terms of the dog – there was actually at least 4 of them. Safi, Jelly, Lucy and Daisy. Lucy was the one that did the barking at “out-ethics” people.

The dogs DO travel with Dave. They at least went to Clearwater all the time. These dogs make Paris Hilton’s dogs look like ghetto strays. Clothes, special food, People to walk them and pick up their crap and take care of them. Those dogs easily have more money spent on their weekly food than 10 RPFers combined!

So correct me if I am wrong…. but it sounds like Miscavige’s dogs live and eat better than the Sea Org members? And the cult spends MORE money on these dogs then their own Sea Org members?
Who by the way are the very people who have to take care of these spoiled mutts. Talk about utter DISGUST and OUTRAGE.

ABC stated that members of Scientology wrote several affidavits denying that Miscavige was an abusive person and that Rathbun was the abusive person. Of course members and staff will do what they are told to do, or suffer the consequences. Rathbun does not deny that he was abusive, but blames Miscavige for  his actions.

Speaking of cult leader David Miscavige, where is he? He is the current leader of this so called “church”, so why wasn’t he interviewed?

Perhaps his last defensive interview with Ted Koppel back in 1992 was all he can manage with his “busy” schedule.

You would think now more than ever, that Scientology members would want some reassurance from their “leader”. (I use the term VERY lightly)  But Miscavige seems to be MIA. Rumors are, that Miscavige is seeking refuge in Columbia. With all the pending court cases against Scientology, ex members speaking out and with more members leaving, it’s clear that Miscavige is not the “church” leader that he professes to be and is hiding. What could possibly be his excuse for not granting another interview for over seventeen years now? Hiding on Scientology’s Tone Scale is VERY low. *snicker*

Back to wonder boy…

But wait, there’s more…

It’s hump day and what’s been going on in the world of celebrity gossip lately?
Same old crap and some new crap.

Lindsey Lohan went to court and partied the night before and the night after her court hearing. Yawn!
But wait… she said she’s afraid her Dad may kidnap her now. Uh.. again yawn. Wake me up when she does something new.

What’s also up?
Not Balloon Boy!  That news is SO rampant, that I am already tired of it. But it looks like reality has caught up with the Heenes. Honestly, I caught these loons on Wife Swap a while back and the father was a hot headed, delusional wacko, who thinks the sun rises and sets by him. I thought this man was questionable way back then, but you can’t always tell, with the way “reality” shows edit their shows. But now we know for sure. Yep! My gut instinct was totally spot on.

Now I think his wife is either abused and doesn’t know enough to get away and agrees with everything her idiot husband does regardless, or she actually agrees with everything her hubby does and also thinks you should raise your children by dragging them to twister romps and pulling them out of school and allowing them to trash talk to whomever they want. Either scenario is SAD. 
Oh! Have you seen their video on YouTube? I can’t understand what the hell they are singing about, but it looks pretty darn questionable. Future Beastie Boys ya think?

I wonder if wifey-poo will throw hubby under the bus, when it comes down to their day in court? Get out the popcorn! And as far as reality fame goes? Heenes… you got it now! Yah happy?

And more people who get under my skin…
Elisabeth Hasselbeck is back on The View. (oh joy) 
I guess little Ms. Perfect sent out some not so perfect baby pictures of her baby AND a guest appearance of her nipple to her friends and family by mistake. HA HA HA! This story brought me so much joy.

On to other idiots…
Rod Blagojevich (again NOT a celebrity), WILL appear on Celebrity Apprentice, yet another reason not to watch Trump’s show ever again.

And even more idiots…
Stephanie Pratt was busted for DUI. I wonder what bible thumper sista -in-law Heidi Montag will have to say about this? Maybe Heidi can get Stephen Baldwin to baptize Stephanie for her. ‘Cause we all know just how beneficial it was for Heidi. Praise Jesus!

And on to the King  and Queen of idiots…
Jon Gosselin is still hated by the majority of America. Well wait a minute…I stand corrected. Octomom, Nadya Suleman told Radar Online she thought Jon Gosselin was hot and has a crush on him. Ummm… hot?Perhaps Nadya needs her eyes checked and should pick up a paper every once in a while. Oh that’s right, she has 14 children, who has time?

But sorry Octomon, Jon was too busy getting his sexy on in a fancy cab with gal pal Hailey Glassman.
Hey Jon, you sure you want to pass this up? Could be a new show fer yah!
How about “John +Nadya +14+ 8 = The Earth Spinning Off It’s Axis”?

Well not if TLC has anything to say about it! They are already suing Jon for breech of contract, of course.
And he also has been ordered to pay back $180,00.00 back to his account with Kate. Kate ALSO has been ordered to pay some money back too. Seems like Karma has been rearing it’s ugly head with those two.

And speaking of Octomom, the Doc that implanted the SIX embryos (one split into two) into Octomom has been booted from the practice where he was employed for not following the rules. But of course he is still allowed to practice. Who knows what he will do now that he is on his own. I smell another reality show?
I can hear the promo now…
“Meet Dr. Eggo! He’s serving them sunny side up, so you too can have your very own reality show and start exploiting your very own litter of children in no time! Hey! Let Go Of My Eggo!”

Seriously, have you seen the latest clip of Octomon and her brood with all those kids crying? It makes me want to pull my hair out.

Speaking of child exploitation, Kate Gosselin tells Vanity Fair she ”feels like a prisoner” of her own fame and that the kids are starting to act out. STARTING to act out? Wow, if seeing Maddy in previous shows was only the start of her bitchdom, I woudn’t want to see her now. That child is not a force to be reckoned with! And please Kate…  let me get out the violin….you were being interviewed by VANITY FAIR and getting paid for it. Prisoner my ass!

On to more phony things….
Miss California, Carrie Prejean is being sued for her her boobs! K2 Productions (which directs the California USA pageant ) is asking Carrie for $5,200 back. I guess they paid for her boob job. K2 says it’s not about the money, and the money will go to charity. I doubt if will want the implants back. *snicker*

Speaking of cash….
Nicholas Cage is in a heap of debt. Cage is suing his former manager Samuel Levin for $20 million. Levin allegedly screwed with Cage’s money and Cage says that his manager is the one responsible for his current debt headache. Word of advice Nick…. don’t wait seven years before you check up on hired help that handles all your dough.

And on to big sloppy messes…
Anna Nicole Smith is back in the news again. Well, the court case of her doctors and Howard Stern that is.
In court, Larry Birkhead told a scathing account of Anna’s drug use while she was pregnant. 

Maurice Brighthaupt, former bodyguard of Anna, claims he saw Howard Stern, and Dr. Eroshevich injecting Anna with needles. He also said he saw Anna injecting herself. Why did this guy wait so long with this information? Supposedly Dr. Eroshevich was the bodyguard’s friend, as well as Stern. Sorry! No excuse.

Supposedly Anna Nicole was drinking pedialyte out of a baby bottle and laying in her own feces when found. Why was she ever brought to Florida in this condition? Now I know Anna was a complete mess with drugs, but when someone is that addicted to drugs and that incapacitated, she should have received help from the people around her, especially her doctors and those closest to her. Not checking into a Florida hotel. Stern was not present at her death, he was busy seeing a man about boat.

The IRS is also in play with Anna Nicole these days, and have filed a $125,112.86 tax lien on the estate of Vickie Lynn Marshall. So much for resting in Peace. Geez, what a mess.

And some weirdness in the news…
Marge Simpson is on the cover of Playboy’s October issue. Sorry, I didn’t find it at all amusing and I refuse to show a picture of it.
In fact I poo poo Playboy for advertising the Simpsons.

Nancy Cartwright, the voice of Bart Simpson, Scientologist extraordinaire, donated TEN MILLLION DOLLARS to Scientology in May of 2008. Anyone that supports the Simpsons in any way is inadvertently giving money to Scientology down the line. Why would Cartwright give the money to her children, when she would rather hand it over to Scientology? Gotta keep everything KSW! (Keep Scientology Working) Right Nancy? Hope she wakes up some day.

Speaking of naughty pictures.
Levi Johnston (former husband of Bristol Palin) will be posing for Playgirl and has been in the gym bulking up for his upcoming saucy shots. I also caught him on a commercial for Wonderful Pistachio nuts. Yes, the man who will soon be showing his nuts was hawking nuts on TV. The commercial shows him with an immense bodyguard and Levi is eating a few nuts and the tag line says “Now Levi Johnston does it with protection”
I kid you not. See the commercial for yourself!
Wow! Talking about pissing Palin off! Yeehaw!

But wait it gets better….
Levi was interviewed by Vanity Fair. The name of the article is “Me and Mrs. Palin”.

Levi dishes about Palin and her lack of parenting, her bad moods, Todd flipping out and Levi was quoted as saying,

“I thought, Was this woman—who, at home, would literally say things that did not make sense—really running for vice president?”

You go Levi! I have a new respect for the boy. *snicker*

Then we move on to more puzzling things…
The court case of John Travolta.
Readers are probably wondering why I haven’t reported on this case as of yet. The testimonies in the court case were changing on a such a daily basis with so much “he said/she said” garbage going on, and with changing stories, that if I wrote about what was happening as it happened, I would have had to edit the story every single day.

I will be covering this story when and if I feel that some sort of conclusion of sorts has been made. I will say that this case has been one big puzzle of unanswered questions on BOTH sides.

And speaking of The Travoltas moving on …
Both Kelly and John attended the IAS (International Association of Scientologists)
Scientology 25th Anniversary at Scientology’s St. Hill Org in England.
Sadly, it looks like John will not be leaving this cult any time soon.

Tom Cruise, Katie and Suri were also in attendance. Poor Katie and Suri.

Scientology wanted people to believe that 4,000 people were in attendance at their event. ROTFL!
That number is just classic Scientology spin in which they are so famous for. They usually have to fly and bus tons of people in, as well as dressing up their Sea Orgers members to fill in the seats so it will look full. Reason for this? So their IAS PR photo will look like they are still successful to their members. It’s an old smoke and mirrors trick of Scientology, so they can continue to deceive their members. Lovely, isn’t it?

The IAS is nothing more than members donating money to Scientology. (which the majority goes straight to cult leader David Miscavige) In return for their donation, they get a discount on courses, auditing and such. Which is not a discount at all since they are donating money. Duh!

Cruise and Travoilta have donated millions and millions of dolllars to Scientology. Exactly what Scientology does with all that money as fas as “helping” to “clear the planet”  is a mystery. The money goes to buy more buildings that stand idle, make Miscavige richer and pay for all their pending court cases, lawyers and Sci goons. Oh! and I almost forgot, they have to pay their Sea Org slave labor members about .25 cents an hour.

US Magazine reported on the 25th Anniversary and quoted Cruise about the Scientology protestors outside the event:

Later, during a reception, Cruise was overheard chatting with another American man about the protesters outside the venue. “They’re squirrels,” Cruise said angrily, according to a witness. “Stuck in an electronic incident. It makes me so angry!”

“Protesters are squirrels stuck in an electronic incident?”
Oh Tom, you certainly are one brainwashed mofo.
A ”squirrel” in scio-speak, means someone that messes or changes the tech of dead cult founder L. Ron Hubbard. Aka “squirreling the tech”. And “stuck in an electronic incident” is more scio babble from Hubbard’s work.

I wonder if Cruise actually said this though? Personally, I think if anything he would of called the protesters SP’s (suppressive people) not squirrels. And I think the “stuck in an electronic incident” line may have been borrowed from a video of another wacky Scientologist named George, which we reported on recently. Many duplicate videos of Scientologist George (who is an OTVIII, the highest that you can get on Scientology’s Bridge) showed up on YouTube and showed just how brainwashed Scientologists become the longer they stay in. The video is totally unscripted and SAD.

Cruise is supposedly an OTVII on The Bridge To Nowhere.

One more level to go Tom until you reach the tippety top to the Bridge of Total Freedom!
Yippee!
Good luck with that Tom! Wait till you see what OTVIII is all about!
SO worth the millions and millions of dollars that you blew. *snicker*

And now for something completely different and funny….
I was watching TV the other night, and there was a brief teaser for Season 6 of the steamy Nip /Tuck show, which started on Oct 14th. I thought I was seeing things, when I saw Mario Lopez completely decked out in black lingerie complete with a garter belt and black stockings. But no, I looked it up and yep it was none other than A. C. Slater (his name on Saved By The Bell) in drag!

Mario played Dr. Mike Hamoui on the series and he was seen in a steamy shower scene in a previous episode. Damn! I am going to have to start watching that show! Kudos for Mario for having the balls of steel for donning the less than flattering get up.

And even though Mario is one huge piece of eye candy…
sorry, this outfit just doesn’t cut it for me Mario. *snicker*

Seriously people. Has everyone lost their damn minds?
The AMA Awards (American Music Awards) recently announced the nominees for 2009, and Michael Jackson is up for FIVE awards. When I read this news, I actually thought it was some sort of spoof.

But no, Jackson was nominated for Best Artist, Best Male Artist, Best Album, Best R&B Male Artist and Best R&B Album.

I just can’t sit back and watch this stupidity unfold without asking WTF?
This may be the only time I will ever stand up for Lady Gaga.

The AMA Awards are actually based on sales and radio data from Nielsen. And for the last three years, fans were able to vote for the winners on AMA’s website.

So although Jackson’s album “Number Ones” is selling like hot cakes now,*shakes head*, it was RECORDED BACK IN 2003.
SIX YEARS AGO.
So why the HELL was it eligible for a nomination? And how is this fair to the other artists?
It’s not.

A tribute to Jackson at the AMA Awards would have been more than enough. Even although I am sick to death of ”Jackson mania” and do not understand the worship that this man is receiving. It just blows my mind that people have such short memories.

If you think the award nominations are insane, hold on to your sequined glove, because just when I thought it couldn’t possibly get any more ridiculous, I happen to see a petition online, for Michael Jackson to receive the Nobel Peace Prize. I kid you not.

Here is a snippet from the petition, and it is one of the funniest things I have read in a long time and I have bolded the parts I find most hilarious.

Dear Norwegian Nobel Committee,

We the undersigned, would like to nominate legendary performing artist and global humanitarian Michael Jackson for the 2010 Nobel Peace Prize. He was and will continue to be one of the most famous, and influential men on earth. Michael’s message for humankind has always been rooted in compassion, and kindness. He has succeeded a lifelong dedication to the well being of humanity. Moving beyond all political, social, and economic borders Michael Jackson consistently spread a positive message of global unity, healing, and love.

Wait…. I have to get off the floor, I was laughing too hard.
I know I always say this, but I swear, you can’t make this crap up.
Surprisingly, there are over 45,000 + people supporting this petition. *pinching myself*

Yes Jackson has helped some people over the years. Ok.
But the Nobel Peace Prize?
He doesn’t exactly have the best reputation. *snicker*
Remember?

Remember that tiny little court case where he showed up in his PJ’s?
You know, the one where they let him go even though the evidence was a mountain high? *grumble*

So back to the most ridiculous AMA Awards in the history of the AMA.

A truthful snipette LA Times:

Michael Jackson’s “Number Ones” will compete for favorite album in the pop/rock field against Lady Gaga’s “The Fame” and Taylor Swift’s “Fearless.”

Both of the latter have a decent shot at being represented at the upcoming Grammy Awards, but the latter won’t feature any albums from Jackson.

That’s because his “Number Ones” was released back in 2003. What’s more, the album is simply a greatest hits compilation, featuring only a pair of songs actually released this decade. Regardless of retail impact, a 2009 award show should be restricted to albums actually recorded within its recent history. At last check, Jackson has already won plenty of American Music Award trophies for the songs on “Number Ones,” including an artist of the century accolade in 2002.
A segment or two honoring Jackson would have been a better way to recognize the King of Pop’s contributions to music. The MTV Video Music Awards opened with a tribute to the star, and the 2010 Grammy Awards will surely feature some sort of Jackson memorial. Yet giving the artist posthumous awards, especially when said artist hasn’t released an album of new material since 2001, seems an unfair slight to today’s current crop of pop stars.

 

Yes! Exactly!
Thank you LA Times!

I think it is a damn shame that other artists are going up against someone that recorded an album SIX YEARS AGO, and who won’t be present to accept, because of a little minor detail that can not be rectified. What is it again? Oh yeah.. HE IS DEAD.

Further more, do people think that Jackson would have been nominated if he was still alive?
HELL NO!
Under these circumstances, and besides that other little thing about Jackson…. what was it again? Oh yes… the fact that he was an alleged child molester, who admitted on camera  to sharing his bed with young boys…
I think if he wins ANY one of these awards, it will show just how insane people really are and I may have to donate some money to NASA so they can continue working on an alternative planet for me to move to. (certainly not the moon, Jackson was already there too)

 Now you can bash me all you want in the comment section, because I know that all the Michael Jackson blind sheep without memories will be out in droves praising their fallen King.
So go ahead…bash away.

But keep in mind that these nominations for Jackson are simply NOT FAIR to the other artists, besides the fact that is beyond RIDICULOUS.

Yes the man was talented. We get it, I would never dispute that. But enough is enough!
Give the other artists the chance they deserve.

If Jackson ends up winning any awards, the best thing the Jackson estate could do, is to not accept it and pass up the award (s) to the most deserving artist. At least that would show some class.

If you were one of the artists that busted their tails to get where they are today and then lost to someone who would have not won if they were alive, whose album was recorded SIX YEARS AGO, and again that little minor detail of them being DEAD, how would you feel?
How would YOU feel if the shoe was on the other foot?
Or in this case…. the glove on the other hand?

What’s That I Hear? Trouble Knocking Once Again?

It wasn’t too long ago, that we reported that David Hasselhoff aka The Hoff  had once again fell off the wagon.

Who can forget Hoff in a drunken stupor laying on the floor eating a hamburger and his daughter Taylor filming the whole thing. In the  sad video, you can hear his daughter pleading with him and asking him to promise her that he will stop drinking.

Well I guess her wishes are trashed once again. As Hoff got totally trashed at Simon Cowell’s b-day bash recently.
He was SO trashed, that Hoff tried to punch his assistant because his assistant called for help. Hoff missed the assistant, and punched a doctor by mistake. He was then locked up in the hotel basement until the ambulance arrived.
Bravo Hoff! Way to go!

So I guess when he means don’t hassle the Hoff, you best not hassle the Hoff!

Eonline reported:

America’s Got Talent judge David Hasselhoff clearly has a talent…for bad publicity, if nothing else. According to reports, the Baywatch bruiser and popular-in-Germany crooner had too much to drink and slugged the doctor at his London hotel after returning from Simon Cowell’s birthday bash.

The semi reliable New York Post and the oft-dubious U.K. Sun report that Hasselhoff was actually trying to slug his assistant for calling the doctor. According to a source close to the actor, “David was furious and lashed out at him—but he mistakenly hit the doctor.”

The source added that, “David is very hard to handle when he drinks, often very emotional and aggressive. On this occasion he…was becoming a real pain to the staff.”

Hasselhoff reportedly had to be locked in the hotel basement until an ambulance arrived, according to the Sun. He was later taken to London’s Capio Nightingale Hospital, where he reportedly spent two nights in a private room before being released yesterday.
Stay tuned.

“Stay tuned” for what?
There have been SO many reports of Hoff crawling back into that bottle. He was denied boarding a plane at London’s Heathrow airport a while back because he was so lit. Of course his reps denied he was drunk.

He was recently hospitalized because he was found dizzy and unstable. His reps again denied he was drinking and said that the rumors were “complete fabrications” and that Hoff was taking anti nausea drugs for recovering alcoholics.
Uh… sorry, I am not buying it.

To continually hear that Hoff is not getting any better is just sad. Hoff has a huge following, especially in Germany and I am sure his fans are rooting for him to kick that bottle to the curb.

There are also many Knight Rider fans out there. Too bad Kitt wasn’t around to tell Hoff to knock it off. Maybe he would listen to Kitt. Nothing else has worked.

I always thought Hoff was a big goofball, but of course I still wish him the best. He has two beautiful daughters who need him to be a responsible father. Or at least awake at the very least.
But so far, he continues to jump off the wagon.

So back to his recent escapade…

The superficial, another source wrote:

The bender began at the weekend when the US actor joined about 400 A-listers at X Factor supremo Simon Cowell’s posh birthday party. He got smashed and was escorted out of a side door and back to the hotel.
A source close to the star said: “David is very hard to handle when he drinks, often very emotional and aggressive. On this occasion he became so drunk he wet his hotel bed – ruining two mattresses – and was becoming a real pain for staff. His assistant Joe Townley was so concerned he called out a doctor. David was furious and lashed out at him – but mistakenly hit the doctor.
“They decided they had no option but to lock him in the basement until an ambulance arrived.”

Well Hoff is definitely off my holiday party guest list this year. *snicker*

But seriously, Hoff’s reps can’t keep lying for him. It becomes more than obvious that he has not stopped drinking. You can only cry wolf so many times.

Hey Hoff, once again….
Please get your sh*t together. Climb back on that wagon, there is plenty of room.
If not for yourself, then at least do it for your two beautiful daughters.

How many times out of the goodness of your heart, have you donated to a good cause? Did you ever wonder if the good cause you donated to was on the up and up? Have you ever checked out a charity before donating your hard earned money? Well you should.

Just because it looks like a charity is on the up an up or sponsored by celebrities, doesn’t mean your money is going where you think it may be.

Glosslip is about to give you a small lesson in the many front groups of Scientology. If you are thinking that there is no way that you have have given cash to Scientology, think again. It happened to me, only I didn’t realize it until YEARS later. I will get to that later.

As you may or may not know, the cult of Scientology THRIVES on deception and secrecy. It has hundreds of front groups. Some of the better known front groups you may have heard about are, CCHR, Narconon, Criminon, Applied Scholastics, WISE, ABLE, FASE, and The Way To Happiness. 

While all the proceeds from these groups end up going to the same place, which is Scientology of course, the names of these groups usually are attached to a business, an inmate betterment program, a drug treatment program, a dentist or chiropractor’s office (we will get to that) or a school which teaches L. Ron Hubbard tech, like Will and Jada Pinkett Smith’s school, the New Village Academy.

But there are a whole slew of names that you may not be aware of that are in fact Scientology.  Scientology’s deception runs so deep, that your own town officials may have some of these programs implemented and your tax dollars are ending up in Scientology’s pockets without you even knowing it. Yes, your tax dollars may be funding a Scientology drug rehabilitation program. Sad but true. It has happened in many states in the U.S. and just recently in New Mexico.

Ask Albuquerque Mayor Martin Chavez whose tax payers paid over $1.5 million dollars to run the now defunct Second Chance program which was run in their old Westside Jail. This program used Scientology’s teachings and the very dangerous Purification Rundown, which is also used by all Scientologists. This of course is the same program used in Narconon AND Criminon AND the NY Fire Fighter’s Detoxification program, just to name a few. ALL the same program, only with different names.

FYI…The Second Chance program left in the middle of the night and not only stole items, but left an outstanding bill. They owe more than $600,000 in tax liens, about $400,000 is due to the IRS, and more than $200,000 to the state. I would  like to know why Joy Westrum, who ran that particular Second Chance, is not being brought in for questioning? Crazy, isn’t it?

I know if that was MY money going towards a Scientology phony baloney drug rehab, I would be slightly miffed, to say the least.

Some of these programs that you may not be aware of are: The Drug Free Marshals, (this program is for children, and a new chapter just opened in Cincinnati) STOMP (Stop Torture of Mental Patients), World Literacy Crusade, Riders Against Drugs, The Association for Peace in the Middle East, Cry Out, Artists For A Better World, Slums To Schools, Racing For Human Rights Awareness & Education, Educating Children International, Fight for Kids, Author Services Inc., Volunteer Ministries, Guardian Art, Youth For Human Rights, Human Rights International, The NY Fire Fighters Detoxification Program, (created after 911, a front group for Narconon) Poets for Peace And Poets For Human Rights, and the list goes on and on and on. Narconon has MANY front groups and has recently been handing out pamphlets and information in many schools across the US. Tell your school no thank you!

Other names for Narconon front groups are stopaddiction.com, cocaineaddiction.com, ecstacyaddiction.com, methamphetamineaddiction.com, addiction2.com, just to name a few. Click here for more of Scientology’s front groups to watch out for.

Disturbing enough, the front groups names I just listed are merely  a drop in the bucket. Scientology has hundreds more and has successfully eked their way into law enforcement positions, government positions, our jail systems, our schools, our colleges, Hollywood, football teams, soccer teams, the arts and entertainment world, and yes, even NASCAR.

NASCAR driver, Kenton Gray, founded the Dianetics Racing Team in 2001. The name Dianetics Racing Team was a title taken from a book by founder of Scientology, L. Ron Hubbard.

Kenton drove a car sponsored by Bridge Publications, (another Scientology front group) which publishes Scientology founder L. Ron Hubbard’s “Dianetics”, the biggest book of dribble I have ever had the misfortune of trying to read.

The hood of the car that Kenton drove read “Dianetics”, along with a volcano graphic. The slogan is “Ignite Your Potential”. *rolls eyes*

Poor Kenton has no idea what he has gotten himself into. I am sure a lot of his prize money will be going towards Scientology courses and auditing so he can climb his way up Scientology’s Bridge To Total Freedom or what we here at Glosslip refer to as “The Bridge to Nowhere and Financial Ruin.”

Scientology has also been infiltrating other countries for years now. They are looking for “fresh meat” to join their Sea Organization and their Volunteer Ministries. They have snaked their way into India, Africa, Russia, Thailand and even the Czech Republic and many more. They typically go into countries with using their front groups The Way To Happiness and Volunteer Ministries ostensibly to help the underprivileged. Many unsuspecting people have joined the Volunteer Ministries through Scientology’s “World Crusades”  events that Scientology holds thinking they were helping people, completely unaware of the negative influence they were spreading until it’s too late.

Scientology also creeps into businesses through companies like Sterling Management, Hollander Consultants, Silkin Management Group, (formally called Hollander Consultants) and Stellar Consultants, these are just a few. They are ALL affiliated with WISE, which stands for World Institute of Scientology Enterprises.

How is Scientology able to achieve getting into businesses? They contact the owners and tell them that their employees productivity will increase greatly if they take their courses. Of course they are Scientology courses. Scientology courses which were written up by L. Ron Hubbard. They also tell the owner that they too will also make money depending on how many employees they get on course, so naturally some business owners jump at the chance to make more money. The owners must pay a licensing fee to WISE for use of the course materials and also a pay a percentage to WISE.

What is being taught in these courses? L. Ron Hubbard tech of course! And why? MONEY for Scientology and hopefully indoctrination into Scientology down the line. It’s all a a very slow deceptive process.

CONTINUED:

But wait, there’s more…

Pamela Anderson with Henrik Winther

Pamela Anderson has a bone to pick with Kentucky Fried Chicken. She is a member of PETA. Although she has been criticized in the past for being a bit of a hypocrite when it comes to PETA, as far as what she has worn and eaten, I have to say that  this fight against Kentucky Fried Chicken is justified in my opinion.

Now I am not a big fan of corporate food chains to begin with. The most I ever venture into is a Crackle Barrel or Burger King if I am on the highway and the choices of meal stops are very limited. I haven’t been in a Kentucky Fried Chicken since the late 1970’s, and after watching the KFC chicken processing video, I never will.

I had the misfortune of suffering through the entire video of Kentucky Fried Chicken’s processing plant which you can view at  www.kentuckyfriedcruelty.com and I was totally horrified to say the least. Workers throwing chickens against the walls, stomping on them alive, clipping their beaks off on arrival, over crowding, boiling them alive and the tale of terror goes on.

Pamela Anderson has contacted Kentucky Fried Chicken and has asked them to be more humane in their processing plants and and even asked Kentucky’s governor to remove a bust of Col. Sanders from the State Capitol Building. Pam went as far as to contact Henrik Winther, president of Rostik, KFC’s Russian partners and asked them to watch the slaughter house video.

Pam has appeared in billboard adds in her “lettuce bikini top” and TV spots asking people to boycott Kentucky Fried Chicken until they change their evil ways.

Pamela is not alone in her fight against KFC. Many celebrities as well as musicians have joined her fight. From Paul McCartney, Phil Collins, Tommy Lee (natch), and Pink, to the Smashing Pumpkins and Chrissie Hynde of the Pretenders. For the full list of  almost 60 celebs that support this boycott click here. And some of the celebs have provided short videos. These stars are asking people to “Kick the Bucket” and sign the petition.

Kentucky Fried Cruelty Activists explain their beef with KFC:

The roughly 1 billion chickens killed each year for KFC’s buckets are crammed by the tens of thousands into excrement-filled sheds that stink of ammonia fumes. The birds’ legs and wings often break because they’re bred to be too top-heavy and because workers carelessly shove them into transport crates and shackles.

Chickens’ throats are slit and the animals are dropped into tanks of scalding-hot water to remove their feathers, often while they are still conscious and able to feel pain.

KFC lets frustrated factory-farm and slaughterhouse workers handle live birds, so many of the animals end up being sadistically abused. At a KFC “Supplier of the Year” slaughterhouse in West Virginia, workers were documented tearing the heads off live birds, spitting tobacco into their eyes, spray-painting their faces, and violently stomping on them. This was discovered more than two years after KFC promised PETA that it was taking animal welfare seriously.

KFC hides behind its Animal Welfare Advisory Council, even though five members of the council have resigned in frustration. One of them, Adele Douglass, told the Chicago Tribune that KFC “never had any meetings. They never asked any advice, and then they touted to the press that they had this animal-welfare advisory committee. I felt like I was being used.”

And How KFC Can Clean Up Their Act:

PETA wants KFC to adopt the animal welfare programdeveloped by five members of its own animal welfare board. These advisors are the world’s top poultry experts; they advise the meat industry in North America and Europe and believe that KFC can—and should—adopt them. KFC has yet to do any of the following:

Adopt the “Animal Care Standards” program. This would lower the amount of ammonia in the air in factory farms, improve the living spaces and lighting in chicken sheds, prohibit the intentional starving of breeding birds, and ensure that birds are provided with mental and physical stimulation.

Switch to controlled-atmosphere killing (CAK). This would prevent live birds in slaughterhouses from being abused by workers, having their throats slit, or being scalded while they were still conscious. CAK would also improve conditions for workers and decrease contamination levels in chickens’ flesh.

Switch to mechanized chicken gathering. This would drastically reduce the number of broken bones and painful bruising that birds endure when factory-farm workers carelessly throw them into transport crates.

Breed for health rather than rapid growth, and stop feeding drugs to chickens. This would reduce the rate at which birds suffer painful, crippling diseases and injuries, such as broken legs, heart attacks, and lung failures.

Make all welfare standards transparent and verifiable. This would simply ensure that the animal welfare program is being adhered to through announced and unannounced independent audits (the results of which must be made available to the public through KFC’s Web site).
 

Seems like all reasonable requests to me. So if people have to pay a little more for their bucket of bird, then so be it. Besides, these places are only adding to the ever mounting and staggering problem of obesity in the US. Fast food chains play a huge part in the rising cost of health care due to all the health problems associated with being overweight.

Now I am not a fan of Pamela Anderson’s one iota. I can write an entire article on her that would rip her a new one as far as her and Tommy Lee’s shenanigans over the years, besides her overall phony fake parts appearance. And some will say she does all this for the publicity. Whatever. It’s still a good cause and KFC can certainly be less cruel. I know all slaughter houses are a nightmare, and I am certainly not dismissing all the other cruelties that go on in other places, but simple measures can be taken to make them less cruel. And I will admit that I am a bit of a hypocrite due to the fact that I am not a vegetarian myself, but I do try to limit my eating habits.

Many people think PETA goes way too far, but I agree with what they have asked of KFC, and I saw the horrific processing video. And since I HATE corporate fast food chains already… this campaign gets my vote. I am also in full agreement with PETA’s stance on any circus that uses elephants and big cats in their shows. Go to the Cirque baby! Animal free circuses all the way!

I digress….
So before you pull in to that next drive thru… stop and think of what you are supporting. If the chicken processing video you watched of your next lunch or dinner being prepped didn’t bother you, perhaps when you order that next KFC Chunky Chicken Pot Pie , Mmm mmm, that has 770 calories and 42 grams of fat,  and 2,160 mgs of sodium, will make you think twice.

For all the caloric, fat content and sodium levels of all KFC’s menu items, go here, and feel ill. Check out the stats on other fast food menu items too. I guarantee you won’t be making as many trips as you used to!

Kentucky Fried Cruelty Website Logo