Sympathy for the Devil (the Tory Bezazian story)
ptsc
[This section of the New Times LA story is only the first two pages--
for the rest visit the URL at the top--I'll wait to post the entirety of
it until New Times LA gets their hits, but just post this section to whet
your appetite. The story has lots of great pictures and sidebars,
so you'd be missing out not to hit the site. The article is from the
excellent Tony Ortega, who also covered the Raul Lopez and
Graham Berry stories in depth in the articles "Brained" and
"Double-Crossed," respectively.]
Last year, Church of Scientology operatives received an alarming tip: During the
upcoming 2000 MTV Movie Awards scheduled for June 8, a short South Park film
parodying Battlefield Earth would feature the character Cartman wiping his ass
with a copy of L. Ron Hubbard's sacred text, Dianetics.
The tip was erroneous. Cartman would actually be wiping his ass with a
Scientology personality test.
But agents of the church's shadowy Office of Special Affairs didn't know that.
They only knew they had a public relations nightmare on their hands.
Battlefield Earth had already turned out to be a colossal embarrassment for the
church. Its star, celebrity Scientologist John Travolta, had denied there was
any connection between the movie, which was based on a 1980 science fiction
novel by Hubbard, and the controversial religion, which was based on Dianetics,
Hubbard's 1950 self-help book. Despite Travolta's denials, however, ordinary
Scientologists had anxiously awaited the film, hoping it would improve the image
of their founder and his faith. Instead, it was panned as the worst film of 2000
and one of the worst science-fiction films of all time. The New York Times
suggested that although it was a bit early to be making such judgments,
Battlefield Earth could turn out to be the worst movie of the new century.
The last thing the church needed was more piling on by the acerbic kids of South
Park.
So it turned to Burbank resident Tory Bezazian.
Bezazian headed something called the Scientology Parishioners League, a new
organization that Office of Special Affairs vice president Janet Weiland had
asked volunteers like Bezazian to form for just such emergencies. In the few
months the parishioners' league had been operating, Bezazian and her cohorts had
followed up on OSA tips by pressuring television networks, radio stations and
newspapers to drop negative content about the church.
Bezazian never knew how OSA agents got their information. She only knew that
once she was given a tip, the church relied on her to harangue editors and TV
producers until the offending material was removed. During Bezazian's short
association with the parishioners' league, the organization managed to convince
a few editors to pull material. But in general, the group had little effect.
Scientology had suffered so much negative press for so many years that Bezazian
and her small cadre could do little to stem the tide.
[PHOTO CAPTION]
The Church of Scientology considers erstwhile loyalist Tory Bezazian "worse than
the devil," so she wears fake horns as she pickets the church's Hollywood
headquarters.
But she tried mightily. Bezazian called MTV's New York office incessantly. She
told anyone who would listen that the South Park piece was a form of religious
bigotry and if it was shown it would deeply offend her and her co-religionists
and cause them great harm.
The show ran anyway. In it, Cartman drops a load in his shorts when Russell
Crowe as his Gladiator character Maximus impales Kenny on his sword ("Russell
Crowe killed Kenny!"). But before Crowe can do in the rest of the South Park
regulars, John Travolta as planet Psychlo meanie Terl arrives in a Battlefield
Earth spaceship to save the day (Cartman: "It's John Travolta and the Church of
Scientology!"). Travolta's cartoon persona then asks the South Park boys to take
personality tests, handing them the familiar sheets of paper which are many
future members' first encounter with the church. Travolta then asks Maximus to
join Scientology. The gladiator says he'd rather die first, so Travolta
vaporizes him. Meanwhile, still burdened by the mess in his drawers, Cartman
finds another use for his personality test.
It was another dim moment for Hubbard's beleaguered outfit. But Bezazian felt
her lobbying campaign had been successful. She was under the impression that the
original piece had called for Cartman to soil Hubbard's book, Scientology's most
revered text. Bezazian believed her calls had convinced South Park's creators,
Matt Stone and Trey Parker, to alter the show. (New Times' calls to Stone and
Parker were not returned.)
In the parlance of Scientology, Bezazian believed she had a big win. And it
motivated her to take on even bigger game. A 30-year veteran of the church, she
would also be entrusted by the OSA after her supposed MTV victory to take on the
church's most nagging foe: Internet critics.
Bezazian threw herself into the effort, doing battle first on a Warner Bros.
bulletin board dedicated to Battlefield Earth and then on the mother of all
Hubbard-related Internet newsgroups: alt.religion.scientology, a community of
detractors that works constantly to publicize the church's oddities and
excesses.
Within weeks, Bezazian's dive-bombing of alt.religion.scientology under the
screen name "Magoo" had become relentless. Every few minutes, day and night,
Magoo swooped in to drop incendiary messages attacking church critics. Newsgroup
regulars say they had seen few defenders of Scientology take on critics with
such unremitting force. By July Magoo had become the single most frequent poster
at a.r.s. -- not a small feat in such a heavily used newsgroup.
Several theories sprang up about Magoo's identity. Some believed Magoo was
actually a team of church agents working around the clock to attack foes. Others
wondered whether Magoo was the handle of Scientology's reclusive leader, David
Miscavige.
No one guessed the truth. Magoo's identity was finally revealed in a stunning
message:
To all of you at ARS, and to you all reading this from my Church, as of this
date, July 20, 2000, I have officially left the Church. Please do not call me,
or come over to my house. Any friends who care (and only those who do, please)
e-mail me. To the rest, good bye. In the future, listen to Andreas. What he said
last night...is what is true.
The message was signed "Magoo/Tory Bezazian."
Today, more than a year after her very public defection -- the first in memory
to occur on the Internet -- Bezazian is still adapting to her transformation.
She has quickly become a highly visible foe of the church she served for three
decades. In February, she was fined $100 by a judge for violating a court
injunction against picketing Scientology's "spiritual headquarters" in
Clearwater, Florida. But she does not seem entirely comfortable with her new
role.
Although she has written about her experiences in Internet forums, Bezazian was
initially hesitant to share her story with New Times. She later changed her
mind, wanting to tell about her experiences helping the OSA fight its battles,
and about how Scientology shields its members from negative media coverage and
the Internet.
And she also wanted to talk about a man named Andreas, the most corrupt and evil
human being on the planet, who one day shocked her by writing a kind letter.
Bezazian says her defection caught everyone who knew her by surprise -- church
members and critics alike. But the seeds for her discontent had been planted
years earlier.
Meeting her today, it's hard to believe that such a gregarious and effusive
person could ever have been a part of what she herself describes as a cult. But
Bezazian, 54, is clearly a former Scientologist -- her chatty conversation is
filled with the corporate-sounding jargon that marks a longtime adherent of the
Hubbard way of thinking.
Bezazian joined the church in 1969 after almost killing herself with heroin in
San Francisco. She had ditched her parents' home in an exclusive and stifling
suburb of Chicago to become a hippie, then had to be brought home on a gurney
when a hypodermic needle turned out to be dirty. Recovering in Illinois,
Bezazian was approached by a couple of Scientologists she knew. Their stories
about an "applied philosophy" lured the 22-year-old to L.A. Once here, however,
she worried that she'd made a big mistake: Scientology's quasi-military
structure and obsession with large, Chairman Mao-like images of Hubbard felt Big
Brotherish to a hippie deep into freedom of expression. But Bezazian learned to
love Scientology, and stayed with it for more than three decades.
©2001 New Times All rights reserved.
ptsc
http://www.newtimesla.com/issues/2001-09-27/feature.html/page1.html
Incidentally, I just finished this and it's a "must-read." It's Tony Ortega's
best article so far, and he has already written some great material on the cult,
specifically, indiividual stories.
He has a very concise and tight style, and an ability to tell a complex story in
an understandable way without needlessly simplification or confusing
elaboration.
http://www.newtimesla.com/issues/1999-12-16/feature.html
"Double-Crossed" about Graham Berry
http://www.newtimesla.com/issues/2000-12-21/feature.html
"Brained" about Raul Lopez
Note again this is just the first couple pages, you really must see it at the
New Times LA website
Gerry Armstrong
net> wrote:
Boy they really had your number, Andreas.
>>who one day shocked her by writing a kind letter.
>>
>>Bezazian says her defection caught everyone who knew her by surprise -- church
>>members and critics alike. But the seeds for her discontent had been planted
>>years earlier.
>>
>>Meeting her today, it's hard to believe that such a gregarious and effusive
>>person could ever have been a part of what she herself describes as a cult. But
>>Bezazian, 54, is clearly a former Scientologist -- her chatty conversation is
>>filled with the corporate-sounding jargon that marks a longtime adherent of the
>>Hubbard way of thinking.
>>
>>Bezazian joined the church in 1969 after almost killing herself with heroin in
>>San Francisco. She had ditched her parents' home in an exclusive and stifling
>>suburb of Chicago to become a hippie, then had to be brought home on a gurney
>>when a hypodermic needle turned out to be dirty. Recovering in Illinois,
>>Bezazian was approached by a couple of Scientologists she knew. Their stories
>>about an "applied philosophy" lured the 22-year-old to L.A. Once here, however,
>>she worried that she'd made a big mistake: Scientology's quasi-military
>>structure and obsession with large, Chairman Mao-like images of Hubbard felt Big
>>Brotherish to a hippie deep into freedom of expression. But Bezazian learned to
>>love Scientology, and stayed with it for more than three decades.
Great article Tory. And VWD to Tony Ortega, who has as ptsc notes
written some excellent $cientology-related stories.
(c) Gerry Armstrong
Mike Krotz
<applause>
MK
Warrior
You tell it like it is.
All the best,
Warrior - Sunshine disinfects
http://warrior.offlines.org/
In article <0vs4rt4p0d91c7eco...@4ax.com>, ptsc says...
Feisty
and a real Happy Birthday to mom! (belated)
what a special gift this is in the history of the Bezazian family.
Feisty
ptsc <ptsc AT nym DOT alias DOT net> wrote in message
news:0vs4rt4p0d91c7eco...@4ax.com...
"El Roto"
ptsc <ptsc AT nym DOT alias DOT net> wrote in message
news:0vs4rt4p0d91c7eco...@4ax.com...
> http://www.newtimesla.com/issues/2001-09-27/feature.html/page1.html
snip
I'm trying to think of any story I've seen or read that does a better job of
showing so many sides of the fight against the cherch. Andreas and Tory are
role models for us, and the article's author is a role model for other
journalists covering the Criminal Cult.
God bless you all,
Steve G.
JimDBB
>From: ptsc ptscAT nym DOT alias DOT net
>http://www.newtimesla.com/issues/2001-09-27/feature.html/page1.html
>
>[This section of the New Times LA story is only the first two pages--
>for the rest visit the URL at the top--I'll wait to post the entirety of
>it until New Times LA gets their hits, but just post this section to whet
>your appetite. The story has lots of great pictures and sidebars,
Another brilliant piece from Tony Ortega and the New times LA.
Many, many thanks to Tory, Tony and the New Times LA
Jimdbb
ti...@freedom.net
ptsc wrote:
>
> http://www.newtimesla.com/issues/2001-09-27/feature.html/page1.html
<snipped story>
Congrats Tory.. lots of stuff I hadn't heard before. Very well written
by the always strong Tony Ortega.
There was a good lesson to be learned here too for many ars critics, the
ones who made Tory's transition much harder than it should've been. What
was there to lose from taking Tory at her word when she'd said she left?
There have been plenty of confusing and idiotic OSA ops, but unleashing
a 'double-agent Magoo' on ARS only made sense in the most paranoid minds
here.
Tory was strong enough to handle the resulting negative deluge, but the
reaction she received at the time may have served to scare other
on-the-fence lurkers who were considering leaving.
Keep perspective (this is only a newsgroup) and give people the benefit
of the doubt until they prove otherwise.
~ tikk
ars web page summary {
> www.altreligionscientology.org
reed slatkin media resource {
> www.slatkinfraud.com
________________________________________________________________________
Protect your privacy! - Get Freedom 2.0 at http://www.freedom.net
Steve Plakos
the good guys carried the day. Tory, your story will help others you may never know
about escape the cult and your to be congratulated for the courage it takes to
expose the likes of scientology.
Steve
Elizabeth Ann Cox
scientology. I cannot begin to imagine what that is like. I must admit,
there are several people I do miss, but at least I am free to admit that.
They are not. The walls that imprison my friends are far stronger than
mortar and bricks.
I think back on missing friends, friends who once graced my table at the
holidays. I reminisce about good times and laughter, fine conversation, and
shared plans. I am certain Tory thinks of these things too.
OSA forgets that while they can push to enforce disconnection, they cannot
rid people's minds of thoughts of the past, and the feelings that were
there. I truly believe the church is imploding, the cavernous walls are but
an illusion, part of the show that must continue at all costs. Eventually
all that will be left of the church are former members, a contemptible
hierarchy, and baffled rank and file and public.
--
Elizabeth Ann Cox
aka, Bunnyann
Doubt is not a crime; simply a reasonable response to tyranny!
ptsc <ptsc AT nym DOT alias DOT net> wrote in message >
yduzitmatter
story so publicly. I appreciate it so much and many more will
here it first hand. You may be helping others leave who are
feeling the way you felt.
If I doubted you about your leaving or somehow made it harder
for you I apologize.
Thanks also to Andreas who has shown me a better way to be and
to act. A shining example of how kindness can make a difference.
To the author of the piece I thank you as well. Your courage
in standing up against the COS is to be applauded. Your words
tell a stroy that needs to be heard. Thanks for doing such a
good job.
Tory - that one went through the bars this time! Great work.
Kim P
glassgnost
> http://www.newtimesla.com/issues/2001-09-27/feature.html/page1.html
Congratulations Tory, VWD.
..and three hip-hips to Tony Ortega and New Times L.A. for having the guts
to publish these stories.
--
The Academy of Applied Mysticism
- producto produxi productum -
- www.lindner2k.com/academy/ -
MYSTICISM: 1 : the experience of mystical union or direct communion
with ultimate reality reported by mystics 2 : the belief that direct
knowledge of God, spiritual truth, or ultimate reality can be attained
through subjective experience (as intuition or insight) - Webster's
spamkiller in use - reply to glassgnost "at" lindner2k "dot" com
dylan gill
I'm glad that there are people like you on this group. You bring a wonderful
perspective don't ever change ~ : )
I miss the holidays as well. I know that no scn staff will understand this.
I guess
they could relate it to LRH's B-day.
Dylan Gill
Elizabeth Ann Cox <eliza...@chesapeake.net> wrote in message
news:tr5be8j...@corp.supernews.com...
arnie lerma
net> wrote:
>http://www.newtimesla.com/issues/2001-09-27/feature.html/page1.html
>
Tory this is great, a K.O!
the BEST thing about tories story is that it plays in LA - with the
highest number of clams
oh yeah, but will the clams read it?
they dont have to
their parents will
their freinds will
their customers will
their neighbors will
You go girl!
Arnie Lerma
Monster.com advertisiement on CNN :
"Are you really happy as a clam
or are you just a guy wearing a happy clam suit?"
I'd prefer to die speaking my mind than live fearing to speak.
The only thing that always works in scientology are its lawyers
The internet is the liberty tree of the new millenium
http://www.lermanet.com/grifters.htm - mentioned 4 January 2000 in
The Washington Post's - 'Reliable Source' column re "Scientologist with no HEAD"
You want Bigots? http://members.home.net/bwarr1/Movie2.html
Keith Henson
>
>
>ptsc wrote:
>>
>> http://www.newtimesla.com/issues/2001-09-27/feature.html/page1.html
>
><snipped story>
>
>Congrats Tory.. lots of stuff I hadn't heard before. Very well written
>by the always strong Tony Ortega.
I can't really improve on what tikk says here.
>There was a good lesson to be learned here too for many ars critics, the
>ones who made Tory's transition much harder than it should've been. What
>was there to lose from taking Tory at her word when she'd said she left?
It's not a good idea to go too fast. Right away I said I would trust
her with the launch codes and look at the trouble I got in.
Keith Henson
Magoo
I cannot tell you how much you all mean to me.
This HAS been an adventure way beyond my wildest dreams....both good and
bad. But I would have~never~made it without all of you.
Tikk, I agree with what you wrote, about each of us using Andreas as an
example. Remember when everyone literally was saying he was wrong, I was OSA
etc? And he had the courage to say to all of his friends and peers what you
said today: Until she proves she is doing something wrong, why not give her
the benefit of the doubt?
I sat and wept and wept...that someone....all the way across the world from
me, who has never even met me....would stand up for me amongst ~all~ of his
peers here. Very cool guy,,,,:)
But so are all of you...and everyone of your questions made me look into
Tory and see what part of the puzzle didn't you know?
I think when people come out of Scientology, especially people like me who
had been in for many years....there is SO much all tied up that it's hard to
unravel. But each of your questions helped unravel the maze for me, and
helped me look and see what actually DID happen. As a result I have had
rapid healing :)
Tony has been wonderful to me. We did this interview 5 or 6 months ago, and
he has stayed in touch with me since we did it. I congratulate him on his
courage and great spirit in which he wrote this~!
Thank each and every one of you for your kindness and courage to stay and do
what you do here.
May God shine in each of your lives, as I have had the joy of being embraced
with.
:)
Tory/Magoo~truly dancing in the moonlight~
"yduzitmatter" <yduzit...@sympatico.ca> wrote in message
news:3BB2AFA1...@sympatico.ca...
Magoo
Bid
Great job Tory and Tony :-)
Bid
On Wed, 26 Sep 2001 20:38:12 -0400, ptsc <ptsc AT nym DOT alias DOT
net> wrote:
Tommy
Darlin', they've got to be wondering now which one in the dirty tricks squad
is going to blow next and talk to the papers!!
This calls for a month of BE board reposts!
Tommy
--
"And your thetan, by the way, can much more easily go into a group.
Families are not good groups; they're bad groups."
LRH, From the taped lecture
"Flows: Patterns of Interaction"
10 December 1952
"ptsc" <ptsc AT nym DOT alias DOT net> wrote in message
news:0vs4rt4p0d91c7eco...@4ax.com...
Tommy
<ti...@freedom.net> wrote in message
news:tr59deh...@corp.supernews.com...
>
>
> ptsc wrote:
> >
> > http://www.newtimesla.com/issues/2001-09-27/feature.html/page1.html
>
> <snipped story>
>
> Congrats Tory.. lots of stuff I hadn't heard before. Very well written
> by the always strong Tony Ortega.
>
> There was a good lesson to be learned here too for many ars critics, the
> ones who made Tory's transition much harder than it should've been. What
> was there to lose from taking Tory at her word when she'd said she left?
>
> There have been plenty of confusing and idiotic OSA ops, but unleashing
> a 'double-agent Magoo' on ARS only made sense in the most paranoid minds
> here.
>
Um - why don't you give Paulette Cooper a call and tell *her* that?
Tommy
--
"... it brings into focus more than anything else the refusal by the
defendants to live by the law -- their apparently intractable conviction
that they are somehow above the law. This is illustrated by Mrs. Hubbard's
statement on the witness stand that she and her codefendants, including
these two defendants, felt they could do to others whatever they perceived,
however erroneously, others were doing to them."
-- Sentencing Memorandum in US v. Kember and Budlong;
Criminal No. 78-401(2)&(3)
Phineas Fogg
Very Well Done, Tory!
Congratulations on the article.
Phineas
ptsc <ptsc AT nym DOT alias DOT net> wrote in message
news:0vs4rt4p0d91c7eco...@4ax.com...
ti...@freedom.net
Tommy wrote:
>
> <ti...@freedom.net> wrote in message
> news:tr59deh...@corp.supernews.com...
> >
> >
> > ptsc wrote:
> > >
> > > http://www.newtimesla.com/issues/2001-09-27/feature.html/page1.html
> >
> > <snipped story>
> >
> > Congrats Tory.. lots of stuff I hadn't heard before. Very well written
> > by the always strong Tony Ortega.
> >
> > There was a good lesson to be learned here too for many ars critics, the
> > ones who made Tory's transition much harder than it should've been. What
> > was there to lose from taking Tory at her word when she'd said she left?
> >
> > There have been plenty of confusing and idiotic OSA ops, but unleashing
> > a 'double-agent Magoo' on ARS only made sense in the most paranoid minds
> > here.
> >
>
> Um - why don't you give Paulette Cooper a call and tell *her* that?
>
> Tommy
The harrassment that Paulette Cooper went through at the hands of GO in
no way resembles the arrival of Tory on ARS and the events that
unfolded.
Despite the oft asserted contention that OSA is no different from GO,
there is a difference - OSA is much less likely to use cloak & dagger
methods than the GO - OSA is mainly an intelligence gathering
organization feeding data uplines to the people who control the lawyers
and executing (mainly clerical) orders sent down by those people.
Miscavige learned a valuable lesson after Snow White - negative exposure
of your own operatives is not only stupid, but unecessary... and it's
here where he breaks from Hubbard tech by going outside the organization
for personell like PIs.
I'm not saying OSA doesn't engage in illegalities and disgusting
behavior - I'm just saying they do it in a less risky and more polished
manner than GO.
But getting back to the point, ARS posters weren't asked to take Tory
into deep confidence. Being *nice* to Tory on a _newsgroup_ when she
announced she was leaving certainly doesn't equate to mailing her your
spare set of house keys.
~ tikk
Rev. Fredric L. Rice
>ptsc wrote:
>> http://www.newtimesla.com/issues/2001-09-27/feature.html/page1.html
><snipped story>
>Congrats Tory.. lots of stuff I hadn't heard before. Very well written
>by the always strong Tony Ortega.
>There was a good lesson to be learned here too for many ars critics, the
>ones who made Tory's transition much harder than it should've been. What
>was there to lose from taking Tory at her word when she'd said she left?
A great deal, actually. Remembeer Paulette Cooper and the fingerprints.
The LMT had Tory in their office and residences -- something the crime
syndicate would loove to be able to do themselves if they could.
-- You love drugs! You love drugs, don't you?! You better
not say anything about my mother! Don't you DARE say anything
about my mother! -- Scientology's International President
Chris Leithiser
> It's not a good idea to go too fast. Right away I said I would trust
> her with the launch codes and look at the trouble I got in.
Why? There hasn't been a single launch since then.
barb
I've very happy you stuck with this story, Tory. When your natural
instinct was to cut and run from it, cancel it, you stood firm. That
took guts. The final result is a valuable addition to the growing pile
of articles exposing the fake "church" for what it is. Woo-hoo!
--
Barb
Chaplain, ARSCC
http://members.home.net/bwarr1/index.htm
SHOULD THE GOVERNMENT INVESTIGATE $CIENTOLOGY? Sign the petition at
http://www4.PetitionOnline.com/cofs1/
"Every week, every month, every year, every decade and now
every century, Scientology does weird and stupid things
to damage its own reputation."
-Steve Zadarnowski
"Comparing Scientology to a motorcycle gang is a gross, unpardonable
insult to bikers everywhere. Even at our worst, we are never as bad as
Scientology."
-ex-member, Thunderclouds motorcycle "club"
"$cientology sees the world this way: One man with a picket sign:
terrorism. Five thousand people dead in a deliberate inferno: business
opportunity.
$cientology oozes _under_ terrorists to hide."
-Chris Leithiser
Steve Zadarnowski
>http://www.newtimesla.com/issues/2001-09-27/feature.html/page1.html
Mandatory reading. Nothing like having a journalist
gather together the far-reaching threads of a story
and weave them into a nice little hangman's rope for
Scientology.
That picture of Miscavige is a gem.
S
---
Tory Bezazian, on leaving the Church of Scientology:
"... I didn't care if they came up with OT fucking billion,
I was done ... they always tell you it's your fault if the
tech doesn't work."
mimus
>http://www.newtimesla.com/issues/2001-09-27/feature.html/page1.html
Wonderful reading, a tremendous story well- written, about a
tremendous individual journey, set well against the tremendous
background of Scientology's decades- old global Cold War.
And the closest of the general-media stories I've read to representing
ars correctly, although the "Usenet" detail is still left out, to
simplify, I imagine . . . .
(Oh, and BTW:
(Xenu Xenu Xenu.)
I saw
many people
reduced to
incoherent babbling,
stripping off clothes,
crawling around on the ground,
banging heads, limbs and other body parts
against furniture and walls,
barking,
losing all sense of one's identity
and intense and persistent suicidal ideation.
--Declaration of Andre Tabayoyon
I'm an OT.--Lisa McPherson
If you imagine 40-50 Scientologists
posting on the Internet every few days,
we'll just run the SP's right off the system.
It will be quite simple, actually.
--Elaine Siegel, OSA INT (1996)
Case 5/BTLA/SP1/BAD
KSJ
Warrior
>
>ptsc <ptsc AT nym DOT alias DOT net> wrote:
>
>>http://www.newtimesla.com/issues/2001-09-27/feature.html/page1.html
>
>Mandatory reading. Nothing like having a journalist
>gather together the far-reaching threads of a story
>and weave them into a nice little hangman's rope for
>Scientology.
>
>That picture of Miscavige is a gem.
I think the picture of Janet Weiland is even better :-))
http://www.newtimesla.com/issues/2001-09-27/feature-6.gif
Say What?!
>On Wed, 26 Sep 2001 20:38:12 -0400, ptsc <ptsc AT nym DOT alias DOT net> wrote:
>
>http://www.newtimesla.com/issues/2001-09-27/feature.html/page1.html
>
>Incidentally, I just finished this and it's a "must-read." It's Tony
>Ortega's best article so far, and he has already written some great
>material on the cult, specifically, indiividual stories.
>
>He has a very concise and tight style, and an ability to tell a complex
>story in an understandable way without needlessly simplification or
>confusing elaboration.
The first thing I noticed about the article is his writing style. I agree.
It's excellent.
SW
Chris Leithiser
The only thing I didn't like about it was the title. Should have been
"Sympathy From the Devil." That's what turned it around for Tory.
Terrific article. Tory, I tried to e-mail you...I want your autograph
when I get my hands on a copy.
Magoo
Do you mean the "Usenet" story where OSA's Helena Kobrin tried to covertly
cancel ARS...and people around the world (having nothing to do with
Scientology) said "Not on OUR watch you're not"?
This began a rather huge army that grows daily of people refusing to allow
this totalitarian system go unnoticed. This I told to Tony in detail..but as
you mention, there is only so much you can get into one article.
But please, add to that story if you have more details. I think it is key
people know about it. In fact, you might want to make a whole new post re
this, for any new lurkers here. From what I understand, they are growing
daily.
Love to all!!!
Tory/Magoo~still dancin in the light~
"mimus" <tinmi...@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:3bb365f2...@news.zoomnet.net...
Magoo
:) Well, he took it from the Rolling Stones song,,,,puting together me being
a Hippie, my freedom of speech views, and Andreas--with me thinking he was
the devil...I think.
Sure...I'll do an autographsiging party at Barnes and Noble...tonight :)))
(kidding) but sure...see ya soon.
Best,
Tory/Magoo~
"Chris Leithiser" <clei...@bc.cc.ca.us> wrote in message
news:3BB37D05...@bc.cc.ca.us...
EldonB123
Kudos to both you and Andreas, who is the best auditor you ever had. VVWD to
both of you. It is a great story that is spreading across the world minute by
minute.
I love you both for your courage and honesty more than words can possibly
express in any language.
Best, Eldon
Eldo...@aol.com
Magoo
"Rev. Fredric L. Rice" <FR...@SkepticTank.ORG> wrote in message
news:tr6fdso...@corp.supernews.com...
> ti...@freedom.net wrote:
>
> >ptsc wrote:
> >> http://www.newtimesla.com/issues/2001-09-27/feature.html/page1.html
> ><snipped story>
> >Congrats Tory.. lots of stuff I hadn't heard before. Very well written
> >by the always strong Tony Ortega.
> >There was a good lesson to be learned here too for many ars critics, the
> >ones who made Tory's transition much harder than it should've been. What
> >was there to lose from taking Tory at her word when she'd said she left?
>
> A great deal, actually. Remembeer Paulette Cooper and the fingerprints.
> The LMT had Tory in their office and residences -- something the crime
> syndicate would loove to be able to do themselves if they could.
Fredrick.....
So your suggestion is? Had everyone (including Andreas) acted as you imply,
I doubt I would be out as I would have had no one to honestly talk with. The
critics~at that time, with those fears~ who were attacking me seemed to fall
right into the picture OSA paints.
That is why Andreas made SUCH a difference, and later Bob and Stacy and
Jessie. I was truly ~shocked~ to meet the real people, on the other side,
and find out what nice people the critics really are. They are often way
different once they find you ARE out...than when this distrust is there. And
don't think for a minute it doesn't make a difference. IT does. Yes, I do
understand being cautious, and I am not saying don't be.
But there is a way to do both, and with trust and compassion, as these folks
did with me.
Had I left all by myself, I would be as many...hiding somewhere, doubting
myself and not sharing a word with others of my experiences. Someone has to
trust these people and give them a helping hand. Caution, yes, but thank
goodness for Andreas, Bob, Stacy and Jessie....all who never once showed any
doubt in me. It made all the difference. Don't ever forget that, please.
There are many more to come....and they will need your help, also.
My best to all,
Tory/Magoo~:)
JimDBB
>From: "Magoo" mag...@worldnet.att.net
>Do you mean the "Usenet" story where OSA's Helena Kobrin tried to covertly
>cancel ARS...and people around the world (having nothing to do with
>Scientology) said "Not on OUR watch you're not"?
>
> This began a rather huge army that grows daily of people refusing to allow
>this totalitarian system go unnoticed. This I told to Tony in detail..but as
>you mention, there is only so much you can get into one article.
>But please, add to that story if you have more details. I think it is key
>people know about it. In fact, you might want to make a whole new post re
>this, for any new lurkers here. From what I understand, they are growing
>daily.
You are absolutely right, Tory, there is only so much that you can get into one
article. You and Tony did one hell of job of laying your story out clearly so
that the general public can read and understand it. The New times deserves a
special ARSCCC Award.
Jimdbb
"El Roto"
Yeah, what up with that? I've had to reschedule three "Bar-B-Nuke" parties
in the last solar cycle alone!
Steve G.
ti...@freedom.net
"Rev. Fredric L. Rice" wrote:
>
> ti...@freedom.net wrote:
>
> >ptsc wrote:
> >> http://www.newtimesla.com/issues/2001-09-27/feature.html/page1.html
> ><snipped story>
> >Congrats Tory.. lots of stuff I hadn't heard before. Very well written
> >by the always strong Tony Ortega.
> >There was a good lesson to be learned here too for many ars critics, the
> >ones who made Tory's transition much harder than it should've been. What
> >was there to lose from taking Tory at her word when she'd said she left?
>
> A great deal, actually. Remembeer Paulette Cooper and the fingerprints.
> The LMT had Tory in their office and residences -- something the crime
> syndicate would loove to be able to do themselves if they could.
Part of what the LMT 'does' is get Scientologists out of Scientology,
whether they be OSA or former OSA or Helena Kobrin herself. They take
calculated risks on a daily basis with every person that comes to them,
as many are in varying stages of leaving or trying to leave Scientology.
I imagine that their instincts on who is 'for real' are honed finer than
anyone else's here, being that they 'do it' for a living.
~ tikk
ars web page summary {
> www.altreligionscientology.org
reed slatkin media resource {
> www.slatkinfraud.com
Elizabeth Ann Cox
<ti...@freedom.net> wrote in message
news:tr7cvkp...@corp.supernews.com...
>
Which is exactly why scino management want the LMT out of the way.
--
Elizabeth Ann Cox
aka, Bunnyann
Doubt is not a crime; simply a reasonable response to tyranny!
>
mimus
>tinmimus 99......
>
>Do you mean the "Usenet" story where OSA's Helena Kobrin tried to covertly
>cancel ARS...
No, I meant that ars is on Usenet, which uses but is not and
originated and could (if for some reason it was necessary) operate
without the Internet.
(But the Internet is so coNVeniEnT.)
>and people around the world (having nothing to do with
>Scientology) said "Not on OUR watch you're not"?
>
> This began a rather huge army that grows daily of people refusing to allow
>this totalitarian system go unnoticed.
That was definitely one of the of the more spectacular of the clams'
"foot-bullets" . . . and Helena even tried it several times . . . .
> This I told to Tony in detail..but as
>you mention, there is only so much you can get into one article.
Too true: Even Federal judges admit to having difficulty entangling
even *one* clam imbroglio, and when you try to pull and put it all
together . . . .
>But please, add to that story if you have more details. I think it is key
>people know about it. In fact, you might want to make a whole new post re
>this, for any new lurkers here. From what I understand, they are growing
>daily.
Hm. I'll repost the "Historical ars Posts" post which includes the
various rmgroup attempts and the funnier newsadmin responses.
And congrats on the life-journey and article thereupon.
I saw
many people
reduced to
incoherent babbling,
stripping off clothes,
crawling around on the ground,
banging heads, limbs and other body parts
against furniture and walls,
barking,
losing all sense of one's identity
and intense and persistent suicidal ideation.
--Declaration of Andre Tabayoyon
I'm an OT.--Lisa McPherson
If you imagine 40-50 Scientologists
posting on the Internet every few days,
we'll just run the SP's right off the system.
It will be quite simple, actually.
--Elaine Siegel, OSA INT (1996)
Case 5/BTLA/SP1/BAD
KSJ
(And Xenu Xenu Xenu!)
Rev. Fredric L. Rice
>"Rev. Fredric L. Rice" <FR...@SkepticTank.ORG> wrote in message
>news:tr6fdso...@corp.supernews.com...
>> ti...@freedom.net wrote:
>>>ptsc wrote:
>>>> http://www.newtimesla.com/issues/2001-09-27/feature.html/page1.html
>>><snipped story>
>>>Congrats Tory.. lots of stuff I hadn't heard before. Very well written
>>>by the always strong Tony Ortega.
>>>There was a good lesson to be learned here too for many ars critics, the
>>>ones who made Tory's transition much harder than it should've been. What
>>>was there to lose from taking Tory at her word when she'd said she left?
>> A great deal, actually. Remembeer Paulette Cooper and the fingerprints.
>> The LMT had Tory in their office and residences -- something the crime
>> syndicate would loove to be able to do themselves if they could.
>Fredrick.....
>So your suggestion is?
No suggestions however there _is_ a solution: Take people at their word
while taking precautions during the period of uncertainty. I absolutely
trust you now and would hand over the launch codes if you asked for them.
>Had everyone (including Andreas) acted as you imply, I doubt I
>would be out as I would have had no one to honestly talk with.
>The critics~at that time, with those fears~ who were attacking
>me seemed to fall right into the picture OSA paints.
I know. Divide the opposition and make it difficult for "outsiders"
to be trusted. Of course that's what the bastards want.
Magoo
Let's figure out awards for Journalists!!!
This is a perfect game :))))
And I think more will play, too.
Love to all,
Tory/Magoo~dancing in the moonlight~
"JimDBB" <jim...@aol.com> wrote in message
news:20010927161825...@mb-mp.aol.com...
Magoo
"EldonB123" <eldo...@aol.com> wrote in message
news:20010927160712...@mb-fu.aol.com...
WOW!!! Thank you so very much. I hope dearly that it helps some people wake
up and uderstand they *are* in what I call
The Scino/Truman Show.
Also, I hope it helps any young children being reg'd to join the Sea Org and
"Clear Planet Earth" what one person who spent her life trying has to say.
For any kids who want out and are feeling the only way out is to take their
lives, I want them to realize the senior Policy is:
The way out is THE NEAREST DOOR!
Lastly, for any businesspeople and artists they are trying to conn into this
poor show with very few results, I hope this helps them see the FULL
picture, in technocolor...or better yet...3 D :)))
Love to you...
Tory/Magoo~still dancin~
>
> Best, Eldon
> Eldo...@aol.com
Bruce Pettycrew
ptscATnymDOTaliasDOTnet says...
>
>http://www.newtimesla.com/issues/2001-09-27/feature.html/page1.html
>
>[This section of the New Times LA story is only the first two pages--
>for the rest visit the URL at the top--I'll wait to post the entirety of
>it until New Times LA gets their hits, but just post this section to whet
>your appetite. The story has lots of great pictures and sidebars,
>so you'd be missing out not to hit the site. The article is from the
>excellent Tony Ortega, who also covered the Raul Lopez and
>Graham Berry stories in depth in the articles "Brained" and
>"Double-Crossed," respectively.]
Tony Ortega was writing about CoS critics (most notably Jeff Jacobsen)
for the Phoenix edition of New Times before moving to LA.
He is a rock.
Revd. Norle Enturbulata
"Magoo" <mag...@worldnet.att.net> wrote in message
news:3bb3...@news2.lightlink.com...
Tommy
<ti...@freedom.net> wrote in message
news:tr6csnr...@corp.supernews.com...
Sorry, but they were not going outside the organization and hiring PIs to
buy up ISP accounts to be used to spam this newsgroup. The used a
Scientologist - Tory. And others. Likewise Scientologists did the actual
spamming. Not PIs.
The point I was making was that $cientology has used "double agents" before
and will again.
If it's expedient to use a PI they will do so.
If it's expedient to use a Scientologist volunteer, they will do that also.
The only reasons, IMHO that they use PIs are not to distance themselves from
consequences, but that lately too many of them are known (so many have blown
and can identify them from photos and personal recollection), and there's
not that many left who are willing to take a foot-bullet for the cult.
Tommy
news:9ovpm...@drn.newsguy.com...
I laughed out loud at work when I saw it. I confess.
I'd love to be a fly on the wall at Dept 20 AOLA just to hear the lawn
ornament ream them out.
Tommy
--
A walk down the path of history is crunchy with the crispy corpses of
those who pooh-poohed or ignored the clown car of ridicule when it
pulled-up to the curb.
Stephen Jones
Tommy
>
> >http://www.newtimesla.com/issues/2001-09-27/feature.html/page1.html
>
> Wonderful reading, a tremendous story well- written, about a
> tremendous individual journey, set well against the tremendous
> background of Scientology's decades- old global Cold War.
>
> And the closest of the general-media stories I've read to representing
> ars correctly, although the "Usenet" detail is still left out, to
> simplify, I imagine . . . .
>
> (Oh, and BTW:
>
> (Xenu Xenu Xenu.)
And mention after mention of a.r.s., not to mention the URL to O.C. on the
front page photo.
We're going to have a new influx of lurkers and first-time posters.
Guess I should go tidy up the A.R.S.C.C. secret living room.......
Tommy
--
Church of $cientology's "ecclesiastical leader" David Miscavige on the
death of Lisa McPherson, a church member locked up until she died:
"At the time I don't think it was really thought to be that
significant an issue. She died. People die."
Michael 'Mike' Gormez - www.taxexemptchildabuse.net
>ptsc <ptsc AT nym DOT alias DOT net> wrote:
>
>>http://www.newtimesla.com/issues/2001-09-27/feature.html/page1.html
>
>Mandatory reading. Nothing like having a journalist
>gather together the far-reaching threads of a story
>and weave them into a nice little hangman's rope for
>Scientology.
>
>That picture of Miscavige is a gem.
Taken from the SP Times
http://www.sptimes.com/TampaBay/102598/scientologyquotes.html
Mike
--
Why are these people dead Scientology?
http://www.xenu.net/archive/deaths
ti...@freedom.net
Spamming a newsgroup isn't exactly in the same catagory as running
people off the road or orchestrating bomb threats, which was my point.
And I made no absolute statement to the effect of OSA being an innocent
bystander to violent PI activity - I simply brought up the fact that
Miscavige goes outside of Scientology for 'help' more than Hubbard did,
and it's true.
And in many ways, it makes them that much more dangerous, because (and
as you also point out), it removes them one generation from the actual
crime, as it did in the case of Jesse Prince - imagine how that story
would play out in both the courts and press if that had been a
Scientologist that had framed him instead of 'Rinzy Trinidad'. The GO
wouldn't have used PI's in the same scenario.
And while I'm at it, I'll also respond to an email I got that suggests I
think OSA is some neutered lamb when compared with GO - I didn't mean to
infer that at all. As a matter of fact, just the opposite.
In terms of dedication to their obsessively hateful aims, I don't think
they're very different at all. The differences lie in process and
sophistication - OSA is a slicker outfit that is more likely to rely on
lawyers and paperwork than espionage and directed violence, which, in
the end, keeps them safer from criminal prosecution and bad press.
~ tikk
Michael Reuss
>http://www.newtimesla.com/issues/2001-09-27/feature.html/page1.html
My Letter to the editor of NewTimesLA:
-----
Tony Ortega has hit it deep once again.
He clearly articulated the strange and anti-social notions that the
Scientology cult fosters in the minds of its believers. These are
among the tamer notions that make Scientologists strange to (and
estranged from) the rest of society.
What a wonderful thing it was to watch the insidious cult-think come
to a grinding halt in the mind of one very nice lady, Tory Bezazian.
-----
Michael Reuss
Honorary Kid
Magoo
Thank Micheal!~
Love to you,
Tory/Magoo!
"Michael Reuss" <michae...@home.com> wrote in message
news:8ut4stove8n239oi9...@4ax.com...
Magoo
We don't know who did the actual spamming. I know who opened the accounts.
But I do not know who did the actual spamming. They **may** have hired
techies, PI's, criminals, etc to do so.
Hopefully soon one will come out and tell the whole story of the backlines.
Meantime....
:)
Tory/Magoo~
<ti...@freedom.net> wrote in message
news:trajjn8...@corp.supernews.com...
Zinj
says...
> Just a note:
> We don't know who did the actual spamming. I know who opened the accounts.
> But I do not know who did the actual spamming. They **may** have hired
> techies, PI's, criminals, etc to do so.
>
> Hopefully soon one will come out and tell the whole story of the backlines.
>
> Meantime....
>
> :)
>
> Tory/Magoo~
At least until Graham Berry's Rosen-thwarted-court-order, the sporge
originated from James Rego's 3rd phone as far as I know. When it was
mentioned on IRC the sporge immediately stopped, only to resume, starting
with the original primitive hipcrime gobbledygook and graduating back to
the full-blown 'poetry' sporge, from multiple sources.
Zinj