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?

This has not been the best week for Scientology.

October has proven to be one of Scientology’s worst months in history. Between being found guilty of fraud in France, celebrity Paul Haggis telling them “see yah!,” the ABC Nightline series with Tommy Davis walking out on the interview, the two new books coming out by ex members “Blown For Good” by Marc Headley and “My Billion Year Contract” by Nancy Many, the many new pending lawsuits, their orgs closing left and right, and with many members leaving….. it’s safe to say, it’s not too cool to be a Scientologist right now.

This past Sunday and Monday, the St. Petersburg Times reported on interviews they conducted 
with former members of the cult. Today was their last installment in their three part series. It was the story of a former member, Don Jason who actually had to jump off a ship to try to gain his freedom. We will get to Don a bit later.

The interviews included former member’s accounts of being chased, harassed and followed by private investigators. Ex members explained how they were drawn back in to the cult and convinced to stay, against their better judgment. They thought they were doing the right thing by trying to have a clean slate with the cult, but time after time when they returned, it only made matters worse for them and prolonged their exit. Some members just wanted to simply start their lives over and to be left alone, and they succeeded, but soon they found out they were infiltrated by Scientology plants pretending to be their friends.

The cult hired private investigators to hunt down these members that had left. Once the former members were caught up with, they were convinced to come back and “route out” of Scientology. For more on routing out, click here. These former members were also asked to sign a ”pumped up” affidavit, so the cult would be able to cover their butts if these members were to leave and speak out against the cult.

Well that time has come. Former members who spoke out against Scientology to the SP Times are seeing information which was contained within those affidavits they signed once again.

Scientology spokes-creep Tommy Davis, (actress Anne Archer’s son) has pulled the affidavits out and showed them to the SP Times in the cult’s defense against the former member’s claims and stories. The cult also dug into these former member’s confidential files and put a crazy, allegation-laden, Scientology spin on their information to try to discredit them.

Scientology spokes-idiot Tommy Davis also denied the cult ever hired private investigators themselves, but that the PI’s were hired by THEIR Scientology lawyers. Way to throw your scum bag lawyers under the bus Scientology! What a bunch of cowards.

I would imagine the cult’s top lawyers like Kendrick Moxon, Helena Kobrin and Monique E. Yingling may be getting pretty sweaty palms right about now.

Miserable Kendrick Moxon

FYI… years ago, Moxon’s daughter Stacy Meyer, died at Gold Base in Gilman Hot Springs Ca. She joined the Sea Org at age 16 I believe. She died by electrocution INSIDE an underground transformer vault on the property. The details are too lengthy to get in to. The case was looked into, but not enough in my opinion. No words can describe a person like Moxon.

His daughter was cremated and her ashes were released at sea. Which sounds all too familiar to cult founder and con man, L. Ron Hubbard’s death. Moxon’s daughter’s death remains a mystery, just like other Scientology related deaths that never made any sense. Some day, those who know what actually happened will come forward. Sorry to side track from the SP Times, but now that Scientology has literally thrown their lawyers under the bus, it made me wonder how Moxon will handle these claims by Davis. People would love to hear what Moxon has to say. Isn’t Scientology saying more or less that they are not liable for the PI’s activities that THEIR lawyers hired? Interesting spin.

The St. Pete’s Times had lengthy interviews and also video taped former members while they told their stories. Their body language told me that they were telling the truth. These videos are posted on the SP Times website for all to see.

The name Pat Broeker came up in one of the interviews, and although he declined to be interviewed by the SP Times, this is one man that must have Scientology shaking in it’s boots.

Pat Broeker was L. Ron Hubbard’s personal messenger and was said to be next in line to take over Scientology when Hubbard died. Broeker’s nickname was  ”007″.

Broeker and his wife Annie were very close to Hubbard. Towards the end of Hubbard’s life, Hubbard was staying in a 40 ft trailer in Creston. Some excerpts from the LA Times story The Final Days by Joel Sappell and Robert W. Welkos written in 1990,

From Chapter four:

“The church said Hubbard went into seclusion to continue his Scientology research and to resurrect his science fiction-writing career. But former aides have said he dropped from sight to avoid subpoenas and government tax agents probing allegations that he was skimming church funds.

“They alleged that Hubbard skimmed millions of dollars from church coffers while he was in hiding”

“His thin gray hair, with streaks of the old red, hung without sheen to his shoulders. He had grown a stringy, unkempt beard and mustache. His round face was now sunken and his ruddy complexion had turned pasty. He was an old man and he was nearing death.”

Not very glamorous for the revered founder of Scientology. But members of course refuse to believe that any of those reports are true. Hubbard eventually suffered a stroke which left him unable to get out of bed and his speech was impaired. I guess his “OT powers” could not help him.

L. Ron “dropped his body” (kicked the bucket in scio speak)  on Jan 24th, 1986.  The particulars surrounding Hubbard’s death were very mysterious and many thought he may have been murdered. When the Scientology attorney rushed to get Hubbard’s body cremated, the cremation center became suspicious when they found out it was L. Ron Hubbard and insisted on doing blood tests. Vistaril was found in his bloodstream. Vistaril is a pysche drugs, and using such drugs are violently against Scientology’s beliefs. A full autopsy was not performed due to the cult’s claims of it being against their religion. A cover up perhaps?

Odd.. When John Travolta’s son died, he also had a quickie autopsy and the body was cremated 
right away. Very eerie.

Hubbard’s ashes were tossed into the sea from a TINY boat and there were only a few people in attendance. Sound familiar? Both David Miscavige and Broeker where in attendance. And although Scientologists do not make a big deal about death because they believe that a person comes back several times after death… I find it puzzling that the founder of Scientology died in such a mysterious manner and had such a tiny insignificant ceremony with hardly anyone in attendance. Makes no sense what so ever. Another account of Hubbard’s last days can be found here.

Of course Scientology told it’s members that Hubbard dropped his body and went “exterior” (went outside his body) to go study the upper levels of Scientology’s Bridge To Total Freedom, and members of course believed this fantasy hook, line and sinker. Miscavige then took over the cult. Although according to another reliable source, Miscavige had already been running everything four years prior to Hubbard’s death. 

So Pat Broeker is definitely a man of interest, to say the least. He must know an awful LOT of juicy things that Scientology would love to keep quiet.

Another BIG thing that is kept quiet? Broeker’s wife Annie. She supposedly got put on RPF (punishment) years ago and was “straightened out”. People have not seen or heard from her in years. Nobody is sure where she is.

That also goes for cult leader David Miscavige’s wife. Shelly Miscavige. For someone who is the wife of the leader of the ”fastest spreading religion” in the world. *SNICKER*, Where the hell is she? There are hardly ANY pictures of her anywhere and she never attends any of the big  Scientology “Ideal Org” openings or any of the big IAS (International Association of Scientologists) events.

At the very least you would think that cult members would question where she is after all these years of her being MIA. But nope, they just keep their blinders on and keep their eye on the prize. But sadly, there isn’t any prize, only empty bank accounts, ruined lives and sorrow.

If Broeker was to come forward with all that he knew, it would be the icing on the cake. He holds the key to many questions that need to be answered. Another big question… how did David Miscavige actually weasel his way into becoming the cult leader in the first place? Miscavige blackmailing Broeker is a huge possibility. But that was years ago and now Broeker has a lot more leverage. I hope Broeker has some decency left in his heart and comes forward and sings like a canary. It’s time.

Now back to the SP Times….

But wait, there’s more…

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…

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…

Come on people!
Are you freaking kidding me?

Michael Vick who went to jail for being the leader of a dogfighting ring, was just released from jail after serving only 18 months of his 23 month sentence at Leavenworth.

Not only was his sentence a mere slap on the wrist, but he has once again signed up with Nike as a spokesman. Nike dropped Vick back in 2007, but they recently changed their minds and struck a new deal with him. The amount Vick that will receive from Nike has not been disclosed.

To make matters even more sickening, Vick will have his own eight part television series called the “Michael Vick Project” which will come out in 2010. The project will be produced by DuBose Entertainment,( Vick’s production company) MV7 Productions and Category 5 Entertainment. It will air on BET.

A snippet from Msnbc.com  about the show:

“The tentatively titled “Michael Vick Project,” a “docu-series,” not a reality show per se, will spotlight his comeback with the Philadelphia Eagles and also delve into his back story, from his difficult childhood to his 2007 arrest for running a dog-fighting ring, according to the L.A. Times.”

 
WTF?
Why would Nike and BET do business with someone who was guilty of animal cruelty? This means he will STILL be profiting from dogfighting in the long run.

But guess who else is behind this project?

According to the LA Times,

The project has the support of the Eagles, the NFL and former Indianapolis Colts coach Tony Dungy, who has acted as Vick’s mentor since his imprisonment, say the producers. Also on board, they say, is the Humane Society, which has enlisted Vick in its battle to end the widespread abuse of dogs in the inner city.

What is this about Vick working with the Human Society? What does “enlisted Vick in it’s battle to end widespread dog abuse” mean exactly?

According to Humane Society president, Wayne Pacelle, who met with Vick while he was in Leavenworth, Vick is supposed to work towards getting young kids to cease any involvement in these activities by appearing in public service announcements.

No word lately about this particular project. I just don’t think these PS announcements will go over too well with the general public. They just may come off looking like a skit from Saturday Night Live in my opinion.

And unless Vick is volunteering his own time, donating funds from his new show and shoveling sh*t out of dog pens at the local pound, I am not convinced at all that he is a changed man.

They confiscated more than SIXTY dogs from Vick’s place when they broke up his dogfighting ring. Apparently BET and Nike have very short memories. And I presume that coach Tony Dungy is only concerned with getting Vick back on the field.
It was Roger Goodell, who suspended Vick indefinitely. Kudos to Goodell!

 
Thank goodness 22 of these poor pitbulls went to Best Friends rehab sanctuary in Utah.

National Geographic has a TV show called DogTown, which spotlighted Vick Dogs.

Meet Denzel, Just One Of Many Of Vick’s Victims

And Georgia, Another One Of Vick’s Victims

Of course the pictures above of Denzel and Georgia show their battle wounds from their fighting all healed. But their scars are still very visible on their faces as well as in their eyes.

Anyone who supports Vick, will be supporting someone who was guilty of a very cruel and brutal pastime.

The short time he spent in jail, was simply not enough. And although he has a three year probation, which requires him to wear an electronic monitor and to work a $10.00 an hour construction job. Again, not enough. 

Many people are not able to find a job these days. I’m sure that they would love to have that job in this economy. But instead, they give the job to a convicted animal abuser.

If the “Michael Vick Project” goes through, I hope the show goes over like a fart in church.

I sincerely doubt that Vick has proven ANY remorse what so ever by serving his cream puff jail sentence. And it sounds like these new deals with BET and Nike may have been struck during his jail time, since they are going to happen relatively soon.

So that means he sat and jail and wheeled and dealed about making MORE money as soon as he got out. And again that money will be made from him telling his story about his tough childhood and his arrest for dogfighting. Therefore profiting from dogfighting once again.

I don’t know who I am more disgusted with…
Vick the dick, the justice (?) system, or the other a-holes who are awarding him with continued wealth and fame. 
JUST DISPICABLE!

The only reason why I gave Vick ANY mention at all, was to spout my outrage. I can only hope that people will choose to send Vick a message by not supporting him in any way shape or form.

So write to Nike and BET and tell them how you feel about them hiring a man who operated a dogfighting ring and who not only had the dogs trained to kill each other, but then put money down on watching the dogs tear each other apart.

Tell BET he should not profit from telling his story. And tell them if this show does go through, that any money made from this series should go straight to the Best Friends dog rehab where his dogs were sent.

And as far as Nike goes…
If they insist on using Vick for a spokesperson….
Then Vick should set up some sort of deal with Nike. They can either have a percentage of their sales go straight towards animal rehab, or they can deposit a percentage of his pay right into the Best Friend’s bank account.

Of course I hope public outrage nixes both deals before they can ever happen.
But if they go through, Vick should have to redeem himself by having his money go to abused animals.
Although as far as I’m concerned, he can never be redeemable in my book.

No Animal Should Ever Have To Endure This Torture

They say Karma is a bitch, and I hope it catches up to Vick real soon.

No I am not talking about his bathroom habits or Britney.

It looks like K-Fed is a real dirty bird and may end up as a jail bird if he doesn’t pay up!

TMZ posted pictures on their website which revealed the total mess and supposed damage that K-Fed left behind when he moved out of his rental property in Tarzana Ca. Gee K-Fed, just because you lived in Tarzana, didn’t mean you had to live like Tarzan. *snicker*
 
So I guess it is a case of white trash, leaving trash. No surprise there.

Although TMZ may have exaggerated things a bit, the place did look pretty darn unsavory. Most of the pictures they posted were kind of boring though. *Yawn*
But we included the two pictures that made K-Fed look like a total slob.

Laundry Day At The Federlines?

Other pictures from TMZ were almost laughable, like a few tiles missing here and there, or paint wear on the cabinets with a few knobs missing.

There was one picture of an outdoor lamp that looks like there was a bird’s nest behind it. Not sure where they were going with that one. Did they think K-Fed built the nest? Oh that’s right, he is a dirty bird. *snicker*

Of course the mini fridge was pretty disgusting and there was a myriad of ciggy butts all over the property and a busted lamp and some chips in assorted things here and there.

So I guess collectively it must have looked pretty darn bad to the owners. So bad, that the owners are asking for over $100,000.00 in payback for repairs and back rent. Yup! K-Fed skipped out on SIX MONTHS rent. Whoopsy!

Popeater wrote:

One-time rapper Kevin Federline, aka “K-Fed,” is being asked to pay over $100,000 in unpaid rent and damages for a ransacked home, TMZ reports.

Aren’t the parents supposed to clean up after the kids? One-time rapper Kevin Federline, aka “K-Fed,” is being asked to pay over $100,000 in unpaid rent and damages for a ransacked home, TMZ reports.

K-Fed has been accused of trashing a Tarzana, California home where he lived until this past May. The owners also claim Federline disappeared unexpectedly without paying his last 6 months of rent.

The owners are demanding $110,661 in damages and unpaid accommodation. The list of what has been wrecked is as bizarre as it is exhaustive. Via TMZ:

- Cigarette butts and empty beer bottles filling the gutters,
- A broken beer dispenser on the barbecue island,
- Cracked light covers,
- Mangled light posts,
- Cracked tiles,
- Drawings on the walls,
- Dead plants and trees due to failure to upkeep,
- Unapproved conversion of a room into a studio,
- Malfunctioning dishwasher with broken baskets,
- Smoke detectors that have been dismantled,
- Oil damage on the front driveway,
- Unapproved tinting of master bathroom windows,
- Missing garage door opener,
and the pièce de résistance
- Permanent spit marks on the exterior paint! No camels were reported on site.

The letter threatens to take K-Fed to court if he refuses to pay.

Federline, 31, is a dancer, rapper, fashion model and, ahem, actor. He was married to pop princess Britney Spears for two years before their highly-publicized divorce. They were also involved in an ongoing custody battle over sons Sean Preston and Jayden James Federline. There is no word about how clean the boys’ rooms are.

“Permanent spit marks” Huh? Maybe from chewing tobacco? Does K-Fed or his buddies partake in a little pinch between the cheek and gums? (that’s chewing tobacco for all you non-rednecks) if not, does spit actually stain paint? Ewww!

And lately, K-Fed has not exactly been the picture of health either, he is really packing on the pounds as you can clearly see.

I have read rumors that he was supposed to be on the upcoming VH1 Celebrity Fit Club Season 7, but then he denied those rumors.

But guess what? Celebrity Fit Club has just confirmed it.

Can it be that K-Fed is packing on the pounds on purpose so he can have a paying gig? It certainly looks that way to me. It seems awfully ironic that a person who has always looked very svelte, suddenly packs on the pounds and then is going to be on Celebrity Fit Club. Hmmm… I smell a rat.

Of course this is all speculation on my part. But I wouldn’t put it past Sean and Jayden’s baby daddy to supersize himself for the cash. Yes of course I know that the pictures prove he is portly now, but did he graze on food just so he can get on the show?

And if so… it further proves that reality TV has little reality.

He will also be appearing with his other ex, Shar Jackson as well as perpetual loser and Whitney Houston’s ex,Bobby Brown.

Egad, “Celebrity Fit Club” will do anything for ratings. Perhaps they can bring back Dustin Diamond (I hate Screech) with K-Fed and they can duke it out in the ring together. Now your talking ratings! I don’t know who I would root for. It’s  a toss up, but a double KO would be totally SWEET!

But seriously…

It’s time to grow up KEVIN. You’re over thirty, your career *cough* is toast, and your living like a slob. Your parenting skills have become pretty questionable now, (well, I should say have worsen) since you are not paying your bills and you turned a rental property into a total sh*t hole in your wake. Not cool when there are kids involved.

So to K-Fed… time to nut up or shut up.

A liar and a whore

Well, well, well. It seems the news is out about John Edwards’ paternal obligations to his former mistress and her 18-month old daughter. Which as far as I am concerned, was a big FAT DUH!

I remember when John Edwards was a fresh face to the democratic party and a potential hopeful to the White House. John’s wife Elizabeth has suffered more than her share of tragedy, from losing her beloved old son Wade in 1996 to a diagnosis of breast cancer, remission and then having her cancer come back with a vengeance. It was during this second bout of stage 4 cancer, that John Edwards chose to carry on an affair, and impregnate apparently, with a woman whose opening line to John was “You’re hot.”

More on the philandering, LYING, asswipe Edwards from CBS:

Former North Carolina Senator and Democratic Presidential and Vice Presidential candidate John Edwards is expected to admit that he is the father of the 18-month-old daughter of former mistress Rielle Hunter, sources tell CBS affiliate WRAL.

Edwards acknowledged the affair last summer but has previously denied that he fathered the child, whose name is Frances.

As WRAL notes, longtime Edwards aide Andrew Young initially claimed paternity but is now writing a book in which he will say Edwards is the girl’s actual father.

Hunter testified last week at the federal courthouse where a grand jury is investigating whether campaign funds were illegally used to buy her silence.

The sources told WRAL Edwards could acknowledge paternity before the investigation concludes.

I am a firm believer that there is place in Hell reserved especially for the most flagrant of wrong-doers. John likely has a bronze plaque awaiting his arrival. It’s not so much the cheating or the impregnating, as it is his timing and lying. When you turn your back on your dying spouse and the mother of your children when she needs you most, you REALLY, REALLY are the scum of the earth.

As for you Rielle, you are a vile, opportunistic piece of trash. I hope both of you enjoy your extra warm eternal vacation in the afterlife.

WHORE PIT VIPERS!!!

When the Apprentice first aired, I was mildly interested and watched it for a while. I liked the challenge of putting myself in the contestant’s shoes and would try to figure out my plan of assault on the tasks given by “The Donald”.  *cringe* We’ll get to him later.

I lost interest in the show, when it turned into Celebrity Apprentice. In the beginning, I thought “Oh! this will be interesting!” But eh, it wasn’t. It was more about what celebrity had the best connections or BFF’s who can contribute the most money. The celebrities were often paired with Olympic gold medal winners or sports figures, and just recently, a champion poker player. And although these people may be well know in their own circles, they didn’t possess the networking connections that some of the stars had, and so I thought the whole thing was kind of dumb. 

A perfect example was during last season’s show, when Stephen Baldwin called his bro Alec to come down and fork over a few thou for Stephen’s team. Where’s the competition and sportsmanship in that? I preferred it when the regular people had to duke it out and not be able to pick up a phone for help. It made the challenge much harder to achieve, and of course, most didn’t have the egos that these stars have — with the exception of the still un-famous (or should I say infamous) Omarosa. Ick!

“Celebrity Apprentice” turned the show into nothing more than a ”PR for the star” show, with one redeeming quality of a charity benefiting in the end from the winner.

NBC has signed “The Apprentice” for another season starting next spring, and I won’t be tuning in then either. But there one was thing that happened during this season’s “Celebrity Apprentice” which really piqued my interest. I caught a clip on E! Online of  this season’s star contestants, Melissa Rivers (who I always felt looked like the love child of Steven Tyler of Aerosmith, no offense Steven) AND her Siamese-twin mom Joan Rivers having total hissy fits.

The mother/daughter duo became incensed when Melissa was fired by the Donald. I have to admit, I find so much enjoyment out of watching a good train wreck every now and then. It always makes me feel better about me and my own family. Especially when it involves two people that already make my skin crawl.  So I watched the whole four minute clip and it was without a doubt, four minutes of some of the best  “Bitchdom” I have seen in a while.

Melissa turned into a giant BITCH BALL. (a lovely term my family uses on me when I am being…well…a bitch ball) And, not surprisingly, Joan didn’t fair any better. Now, this is going to get ugly, so if you are “Rivers” fans, you may want to leave. Buh-bye!

The mother-daughter duo from hell obviously agreed to be on the show together. Natch, because everyone knows they are welded at the hip. Initially, I was surprised Joan could tear herself away from QVC, where she is the queen of hawking her overpriced gawd-awful JUNK jewelry, sunglasses, handbags AND makeup. Every time I am flipping through the channels, there’s Joan telling Juanita in Oklahoma how stunning she will look in her “On Trend Must Have Tailored Strap Watch”.

So why would Joan agree to be on “Celebrity Apprentice” and miss those golden opportunities to whore herself on QVC?  Free promotion of course!!

Joan has a line of jewelry, appropriately titled ” Board Room Collection” to hock and what better place to hock it.  QVC ’s website shamelessly lists the air times for “Celebrity Apprentice” and you can also vote on which necklace Joan should wear on the show! I kid you not.

PA-LEASE PEOPLE GET A LIFE! 

So there’s that PR I was telling you about. After all, doesn’t everyone want to wear giant plastic hoops with rhinestones to a board meeting? (And if anyone reading this buys anything from the Board Room Collection, I want 10%  Joan…hey! it only fair! )

I remember way back when Joan and Melissa used to do the commentary from the red carpet. I unfortunately caught an episode once, and it was one of the most sickening displays of nepotism that I have ever had the displeasure of seeing.  They would trash what stars were wearing, and Melissa would be embarrassed to death by her mother’s babbling. Especially after Mumsy had a few nips.  I found it hysterical that these beeyotches had the audacity to poo poo what people were wearing, especially when they don’t have a lick of fashion sense themselves. 

Surely I am not the only one who has noticed that both of their faces have morphed into scary leprechauns with stiff smiles.  Careful ladies, don’t smile too hard, you may just pop a stitch! Joan’s doctor must be one crazy wealthy man with a swimming pool full of botox! Everybody in the pool!

I know Joan jokes about all the face lifts shes had, which IMO has definitely began as an addiction, but one more face-lift for her, and she will be sporting her “hoo-ha” as a goatee on her chin. 

The "Morphing" Begins

So, back to the hissyfits.

But wait, there’s more…

HolyUnderAge Sluts Batman!

Perhaps you remember a while back a story running in the British tabloids about a baby-faced 13-year old boy named Alfie Patten. Little Alfie was supposed to be the father of brand spanking new baby birthed by his 15-year old girlfriend Chantelle.

Possessing an unnaturally youthful face, innocent-looking Alfie became the poster child for the woes of teen pregnancy. I remember being shocked that someone who looks barely a year older than my five-year old could have not only engaged in adult activities, but was even physically mature enough to impregnate his significantly more mature girlfriend.

Well I have good news folks, Alfie’s not the daddy. Bad news, this is NOT the outcome the little guy had hoped for. Alfie had cheerfully stepped up to the plate to take on the important role of father to Maisie, the little girl he thought was his daughter. Here’s more on the tawdry and sad story:

A DNA test showed a 13-year-old boy in Britain is not the father of a baby born to a 15-year-old he had unprotected sex with once, The Mirror reported.

Chantelle Stedman told Alfie Patten, who was 12 when he slept with her, he was her newborn daughter Maisie’s father.

The story caused a worldwide media frenzy, while politicians criticized what they called Britain’s declining morals.

At first Stedman said Patten was the only boy she had ever slept with, but soon after other teens came forward saying they too could be the baby’s father, because they claimed to have had sex with the girl.

Last month a friend of the Stedman family claimed Patten was scammed by the girl’s parents who wanted to cash in on the sensational story.

It is still not clear who the baby’s father is.

The parents of Chantelle get a capital C for CLASSY. Yep, this is what you call a smooth move by a couple of grade A asswipes. It’s not bad enough your 15-year old daughter is pregnant and so disturbingly promiscuous she doesn’t have a farkling clue WHO the father is, but you then go and compound the situation by bringing an innocent boy and the media into it simply for a little scratch.

Well Stedmans, great job, you have really outdone yourselves in the rotten douchebags department. I sure hope Alfie and his family don’t sue the hell out of you (re: I HOPE THEY SUE YOU, YOU GREEDY BASTARDS).

Alfie, take some advice from me: dry your eyes, blow your nose and cut your losses. You dodged one seriously UGLY bullet right there. Now, go outside and play some soccer or whatever it is little boys in the UK do besides having sex with sketchy older girls.

I will keep this short and sweet. Chris Brown, known girlfriend-beater, let those d!cks at Nickelodeon off the hook by removing himself from the list of nominees for both Favorite Male Singer and Favorite Song. Finally the man has shown some courage, now, if only Nickelodeon would have done the same. Losers.

Here’s Brown’s statement via TMZ:

“Chris very much appreciates the support of his fans and the honor they have paid him in the way of nominations for Favorite Male Singer and Favorite Song.

Unfortunately, the controversy surrounding the incident last month has shifted the focus from the music to whether he should be allowed to be among those nominated.

While Chris would like to speak to his fans directly about this and other issues, pending legal proceedings preclude his doing so at this time. Once the matter before him has been resolved, he intends to do so.”

Perhaps his peeps saw my memo suggesting they were retarded. Yeah, that’s it!