San Francisco Picket Report - Bullbaiting
Prignillius
The Bullbaiting
[The usual disclaimers: quotes are from memory, and therefore may be
inaccurate, and at any rate are paraphrased; the sequence has been
revised to improve narrative flow, etc.]
This post is a record of my memories of the conversations I had with
various handlers. At least, the "high points." I'm not sure it has
a lot of value, as there's very little here that's in any way
newsworthy. It all seems like pretty standard fare to me.
However, it might prove educational for those who have never
picketed, giving them some idea of what to expect if they ever
decide to. Also, it might have some entertainment value.
On the first shift, before we all took a break, Arel Lucas, Peach
and I picketed the San Francisco org on McAllister. For about half
this time, I was accompanied by a guy named Mark, who walked beside
me and engaged me in "conversation." I think he was about my age,
maybe a bit younger.
He seemed relatively sincere, and not too much of a drone, but the
degree to which he is steeped in Hubbard-thought was a bit
disconcerting, and rather annoying at times. Make that, most of the
time.
But at least he seems capable of independent thought, and can create
sentences which are more than just mindless chanting.
After he had tried to annoy Arel, who was listening to her portable
CD player, and oblivious to what he was saying, he went over an
annoyed Peach for a bit. She stopped picketing and called the cops
on her cell phone (I think -- as I mentioned, she needed to notify
them of the fact that we were picketing).
Mark took this opportunity to join me. I was happy to allow this.
I don't see a whole lot of point in talking to "handlers" at
pickets, but it helps the time pass. And I think they have a right
to know why somebody is protesting their org.
However, the main reason I allowed it to continue, even encouraged
it for a bit, was that it took the heat off Peach and Arel, who seem
far less tolerant of bull-baiting than I am. I really don't mind it
all that much. It's unpleasant, it's annoying, but it's so stupid
and childish that it's difficult for me to react to it in any way
except laughing occasionally.
I wonder what policy lays out "Playground Taunt Tech," as practiced
by just about every picket "handler" I've ever witnessed.
"I've never seen you here before."
"I've never been here before."
"Soooooo, what's your story?"
"None of your business."
As can be seen, Mark and I were already deep in A-R-C.
"What's your name?"
"My name is Prignillius."
"Does it mean anything?"
"Nope."
"Did your parents give you that name?"
Silence.
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"What you're doing here is very self-serving."
"So is what you're doing."
"What I mean by self-serving is ..." [Something about twisting the
truth to suit ones own ends or something.]
"Self-serving merely means doing something that benefits you. Maybe
you need to get a bigger dictionary."
The guy was a regular Humpty-Dumpty. He felt quite comfortable
redefining any and all terms in such a way that they would
automatically rule out any alternative. Sort of along the same
lines of logic that leads to "everyone who criticizes the Church of
Scientology is a criminal."
"I only come here once a month when you guys..."
"What? You only come to the org once a month? And when you do
come, it's only to hassle picketers? What kind of Scientologist are
you?"
"Well, what I meant was..."
"Your problem is that you're a bigot. Your mind is made up. You
don't want to hear the other side of the story. You're not open-
minded at all."
"What did Hubbard say about being open-minded?"
"Well, what he meant by that was, ..." Something that seemed vaguely
in the direction of the Church.
"Are you open-minded about Scientology?"
I think he realized at that point what a dead-end this was going to
be.
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"You guys just spread hate. Peaches, over there, for example, is so
full of hate that ..."
I couldn't help but laugh out loud at this.
I don't know Peaches well, I've only met her once, and at that time,
I had had less than five minutes total personal contact with her
outside of email.
Yet it was evident to me that if there's one thing Peach is not,
it's hate-filled. "Nice" or "gentle" would be two adjectives that
would have popped into my mind.
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"You're not interested in the facts."
"I am very interested in the facts. I'm not spouting second-hand
opinions. It is a documented fact that Scientology lies."
"Give me specific examples."
I either remained silent or changed the subject. I refused to allow
the conversation to degenerate into haggling over the specifics of
past incidents.
Later, he said, " You've just been listening to a bunch of liars on
the Internet. I asked you tell me specific incidents and you
couldn't."
"It's not that I couldn't. It's that I chose not to."
This seemed to really take him by surprise -- the idea that I would
not answer one of his questions by choice.
He didn't say anything to this effect, but there was the distinct
air about his actions before this point, and to some extent
afterwards, too, that for some reason I would automatically be
compelled to answer his questions. It was like it never even
occurred to him that I might refuse to do so.
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"If someone was attacking your mother, coming out here in public and
saying bad things about her, telling lies about her, you'd be out
here trying to do something about it."
While I thought the comparison was a bit hyperbolic, I told him I
had no problem with him feeling this way. I told him I could
understand why he would have an emotional attachment to his church,
and why he would feel like defending it from things he perceived as
lies.
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"Do you hate Scientologists?"
"No. I don't hate anybody. It's the destructive policies of the
Church of Scientology I'm protesting."
"Do you want to see it destroyed?"
"No."
I didn't mention that I was quite willing to watch it fall on its
own, however, and maybe even nudge it along a bit.
;->
"... all these guys spreading hate on the Internet. I'm not saying
you're one of 'em. You seem like a fairly reasonable guy."
Oh!
The A-R-C is flowing deep and heavy now!
I refrained from mentioning what Hubbard said about being
reasonable.
"But what you've been doing is listening to a bunch of kooks, a
bunch of whackos on the Internet. You have no direct experience of
blah, blah, blah."
I refused throughout our conversation to tell him anything about
what my personal involvement with Scientology had or had not been.
I know he found it frustrating that he was unable to sink a hook
into this area.
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At one point, he started in about Stacy Brooks.
"Dead-agenting other critics won't work with me. Better try another
tack."
That actually stopped him dead.
At another point later, he started in on her again. I reminded him
of what I'd said earlier (actually I repeated it). Again it stopped
him dead.
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"Scientology has helped [some number of] people for [some period of
time]."
"Yes, Scientology has helped a lot of people. And it has also hurt
those same people. Scientology hurts everyone it touches, members,
ex-members and non-members alike."
"Name one person Scientology has hurt."
"Well, Stacy Brooks, for one, since you mentioned her."
"Oh, I'm not talking about her. I'm not talking about a bunch of
whackos on the Internet. I'm talking about *real people!*
"What??? Now who's the bigot."
"[???]"
"You look at critics as a lower class of people. You don't even
think they're human beings."
"Well, what I meant was..."
"You just *said* they're not real people."
"But what I meant was--"
"Look, all I have to go on is what you say to me. I don't have OT
powers. I can't read your mind."
I gave him a very piercing look at this point.
I think my reference to OT powers both surprised him and made him
uncomfortable. Especially since I think my attitude towards them
showed through all my ostensible politeness.
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"You have no confront. I can have Scientology helping people and I
can have Scientology hurting people. You can only have Scientology
helping people. You can't have Scientology hurting people."
I actually think I scored a point on this one. He may actually
think about this.
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"Look, Mark, you see me as uninformed about Scientology. And I see
you the same way. I see you as uninformed about Scientology."
"So, what's your point?"
"Nothing, really. Just an observation. I think it's interesting
that we both see each other the same way."
I looked at him with an expression that said, "Get it?" as loudly as
body language would allow.
But I still think he missed the point.
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"...so you come out here, spreading hate about my church, spreading
lies, and so I come out here and defend it --"
"How does what you're doing right now defend your church?"
"Shut up!" he suddenly yelled at me.
"Hey!" I shouted, turning to glare at him, indicating quite strongly
that I don't allow myself to be talked to that way. This was the
only time I raised my voice during the entire picket, and the only
time I was non-conversational in tone and manner.
Apparently, for Mark, this made me Fair Game, though. He started
shouting at me.
"Shut up! Shut up and listen to me when I'm talking to you."
And on and on in this vein for a bit.
So I did shut up.
He continued lecturing me for about five minutes, surprised, I'm
sure, by my seeming attentiveness. Actually, once my decision was
made to give him his way, I had already begun to tune him out, as I
considered the "conversation" to be over.
After he had asked five questions or so, with increasing frustration
at my complete silence, I turned to him and said coldly, "You asked
me to shut up, Mark. So I did."
That got him howling mad, especially realizing he had brought it on
himself, and got exactly what he'd asked for.
But, of course, not at all what he had wanted.
"But-- but-- what I meant was..."
He started bull-baiting me about being "petulant" and "mad at him."
"Come on. You know what I meant. Grow up. My teenager acts like
this when he..."
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I have to hand it to him, though. It didn't take him too long to
realize that he had "completely shut down my comm line." He quit
walking alongside me and went and got a large "Psychiatry Kills"
sign and started standing on the curb and showing it to passing
traffic.
Another Scientologist was already holding one. I don't know this
guy's name, but he should be commended. He ought to be held up as a
model of how to "handle" a picket of Scientology. He just stood
there with his sign. I never heard a word out of him, and spoke no
word to him. He peacefully ignored me and I peacefully ignored him.
We both got our messages to the passing public (me more effectively
than him, I believe, but then, I'm biased! ;)
Anyway, Mark and this other guy stood there (not walking, which I
believe is a requirement to participate in a public picket, but I
let it pass) holding their signs while Peach, Arel and I continued
to make our rounds. I thought that was basically a good thing, as
Mark was now leaving all three of us alone.
It was also kind of funny, in that occasionally Mark tried to block
my sign. However, as his sign was about four feet long and three
feet high, and had no handles on it, it was difficult for him to
hold it more than chest-high. It was always easy for me to overtop
him with my sign.
Then suddenly he started using Tone 40 on us.
"Get the *fuck* out of here!" he shouted at me at the top of his
voice as I passed. "Get out of here! You're not wanted here.
You're not welcome."
On the next pass:
"Hey! I told you to leave! Get the fuck out of here! Now!"
He also tried this on Arel, who I'm not sure even heard him, being
absorbed in her CD headphones.
He also tried it on Peach, who managed to ignore him, as far as I
could tell.
"Hey! I told you to leave! Get the fuck out of here! You don't
listen too good, do you? What's the matter? You deaf? Come on,
Fat Boy, get the fuck out of here!"
I wanted to say, "Why isn't it working, Mark? Didn't Hubbard say
The Tech always works? Why doesn't The Tech work?" But I
refrained. After all, he had requested that I shut up.
They also tried hard to push buttons about my weight. All of them
referred to it at least once. I can't remember whether it was Mark
or Craig who said, "Yeah. Go spread hate. Go walk off some
calories."
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Towards the beginning of the picket, for a brief (but exciting)
time, there was a handler who identified himself as "Bob."
"Ecstacy and LSD are illegal."
"Yeah? So?"
"I know you're high on some kind of hallucinogenic drug right now.
That's the only way you could ever get up the confront to come
here."
Implying, I guess that the Mighty Org is so cosmically powerful that
SPs can't approach it because of the Theta Force Field it emanates,
or something.
At least, not if they're in their right minds, I guess.
"Yeah, right."
"And I can prove it! I can prove you're high on hallucinogenic
drugs right now!"
"Go ahead."
"Don't think I won't!"
He stalked away at this, never to be seen by me again.
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Craig was the "handler" with the video camera. Everything he said
to me during the picket was nasty.
As we started picketing, they were of course very interested in me,
as they'd never seen me (or probably anything like me ;) before.
"Zoom in and get this guy's face."
Apparently they still weren't satisfied, so I stopped, posed for
them, and waved at the camera.
For some reason, this just seemed to put them even more out of
sorts.
Craig kept harping on how we were spreading hate.
"You come out here... spreading hate... to people you don't even
know."
This was too much to pass up.
"The only person I see spreading hate here, *to people you don't
even know,* is you!"
I didn't get the feeling I accomplished much by this.
On one of my many passes in front of the org, I had to go around a
streetlight pole, and had to move my sign around it to avoid hitting
it. The wind caught my sign and moved it to the left a bit more
than I had intended.
"Did you see that?" Craig shouted, to nobody I could see. "He tried
to hit me with that sign!"
[An example of why you should never picket alone!]
I turned to him with a sour expression.
"Give me a break!" I said in a disgusted tone.
"Is that a threat? Are you threatening me?" he yelled.
"No! I never threaten anybody," I said in a voice loud enough to
match his, and kept on walking.
I really don't remember anything else Craig said. I ignored it all.
It was all nasty.
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Well, there you have it. As I said, I consider it fairly standard
fare. Far from the worst bullbaiting I've ever endured, yet far
also from the blue-tarp hiding with no contact at all.
As I mentioned in my previous report, I also consider being spied on
in the cafe afterwards (which didn't happen), getting my license
number written down (which did), and being followed leaving the
picket (which didn't) to be standard things any picketer can expect.
I'll close with my favorite exchange of the day.
"You're out here trying to make Scientology look bad!"
"Mark, nobody has to try to make Scientology look bad."
Prignillius
realpch
>
> SAN FRANCISCO PICKET REPORT, July 7, 2001
> The Bullbaiting
>
> [The usual disclaimers: quotes are from memory, and therefore may be
> inaccurate, and at any rate are paraphrased; the sequence has been
> revised to improve narrative flow, etc.]
>
> This post is a record of my memories of the conversations I had with
> various handlers. At least, the "high points." I'm not sure it has
> a lot of value, as there's very little here that's in any way
> newsworthy. It all seems like pretty standard fare to me.
I'm really impressed, with both your memory and with the extremely
level-headed way you were able to converse with Mark. I overheard a few
of your exchanges, and I'm glad to be able to read more of the
conversation.
> However, it might prove educational for those who have never
> picketed, giving them some idea of what to expect if they ever
> decide to. Also, it might have some entertainment value.
My favorite combo, entertaining and educational.
> On the first shift, before we all took a break, Arel Lucas, Peach
> and I picketed the San Francisco org on McAllister. For about half
> this time, I was accompanied by a guy named Mark, who walked beside
> me and engaged me in "conversation." I think he was about my age,
> maybe a bit younger.
>
> He seemed relatively sincere, and not too much of a drone, but the
> degree to which he is steeped in Hubbard-thought was a bit
> disconcerting, and rather annoying at times. Make that, most of the
> time.
>
> But at least he seems capable of independent thought, and can create
> sentences which are more than just mindless chanting.
>
> After he had tried to annoy Arel, who was listening to her portable
> CD player, and oblivious to what he was saying, he went over an
> annoyed Peach for a bit. She stopped picketing and called the cops
> on her cell phone (I think -- as I mentioned, she needed to notify
> them of the fact that we were picketing).
Arel and I tried to phone the police, but I'm a total dork with cell
phones, and the combo of one, a couple of picket signs, a brisk wind and
an interested "handler" was more input than I could manage at the time.
The only people who called the police that afternoon were from the Org,
apparently.
> Mark took this opportunity to join me. I was happy to allow this.
> I don't see a whole lot of point in talking to "handlers" at
> pickets, but it helps the time pass. And I think they have a right
> to know why somebody is protesting their org.
>
> However, the main reason I allowed it to continue, even encouraged
> it for a bit, was that it took the heat off Peach and Arel, who seem
> far less tolerant of bull-baiting than I am. I really don't mind it
> all that much. It's unpleasant, it's annoying, but it's so stupid
> and childish that it's difficult for me to react to it in any way
> except laughing occasionally.
Yes, I'm not very pleased to be bullbaited, and I thank you for
entertaining Mark. You have a good deal more generosity and patience
than I do.
I have had my fair share of intemperate moments in life, but one place
you do not wish to be angry or full of hate is on a picket line. It
would be like driving a car when experiencing road rage. The best plan
then is to get off the highway for awhile.
Let us hope so.
Yes, I liked that approach. However he was the fellow who later assumed
the role of the "Movie Director" and he did not cut quite as dignified a
figure in that part.
: )
> Anyway, Mark and this other guy stood there (not walking, which I
> believe is a requirement to participate in a public picket, but I
> let it pass) holding their signs while Peach, Arel and I continued
> to make our rounds. I thought that was basically a good thing, as
> Mark was now leaving all three of us alone.
>
> It was also kind of funny, in that occasionally Mark tried to block
> my sign. However, as his sign was about four feet long and three
> feet high, and had no handles on it, it was difficult for him to
> hold it more than chest-high. It was always easy for me to overtop
> him with my sign.
>
> Then suddenly he started using Tone 40 on us.
>
> "Get the *fuck* out of here!" he shouted at me at the top of his
> voice as I passed. "Get out of here! You're not wanted here.
> You're not welcome."
> On the next pass:
> "Hey! I told you to leave! Get the fuck out of here! Now!"
> He also tried this on Arel, who I'm not sure even heard him, being
> absorbed in her CD headphones.
> He also tried it on Peach, who managed to ignore him, as far as I
> could tell.
Well when he started doing that I noticed that the tape on my tape
recorder had run out and needed to be turned over. So I started walking
over to the trash can that's past the Org, to lean my signs against it
while I attended to the tape, and he followed me all the way Tone-40ing
at my back. I feel that for a moment at least he may have experienced
the thrill of having Tone-40 work. Alas! it was only effective as long
as it took to turn the tape.
I heard this one, and chuckled. I forget which one of them, Craig or
Mark, took the opportunity to chide me for laughing. I do know that Mark
spent a fair amount of time objecting to my smile. I dunno, if they
really wanted to get to me, they should make rude comments about my
shoes (let's see if anyone does at the next picket).
: )
Craig is apparently waiting for his big moment in the sun when someone
does actually threaten him! If he really wishes to experience this I
think he would have more of a chance if he were to try to cut into line
at the local Blockbuster on a Friday night.
> I really don't remember anything else Craig said. I ignored it all.
> It was all nasty.
>
> $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$
>
> Well, there you have it. As I said, I consider it fairly standard
> fare. Far from the worst bullbaiting I've ever endured, yet far
> also from the blue-tarp hiding with no contact at all.
>
> As I mentioned in my previous report, I also consider being spied on
> in the cafe afterwards (which didn't happen), getting my license
> number written down (which did), and being followed leaving the
> picket (which didn't) to be standard things any picketer can expect.
>
> I'll close with my favorite exchange of the day.
> "You're out here trying to make Scientology look bad!"
> "Mark, nobody has to try to make Scientology look bad."
>
> Prignillius
Thank you thank you. This was a great read for me, and should be
required reading for anyone contemplating picketing a Scientology Org.
It was delightful meeting you.
Peach
Gregg
<Use-Author-Address-Header@[127.1]> wrote:
>SAN FRANCISCO PICKET REPORT, July 7, 2001
>The Bullbaiting
>
>[The usual disclaimers: quotes are from memory, and therefore may be
>inaccurate, and at any rate are paraphrased; the sequence has been
>revised to improve narrative flow, etc.]
Excellent post, and so were Peach's additions.
snip
>On the first shift, before we all took a break, Arel Lucas, Peach
>and I picketed the San Francisco org on McAllister. For about half
>this time, I was accompanied by a guy named Mark, who walked beside
>me and engaged me in "conversation." I think he was about my age,
>maybe a bit younger.
His name is Mark Rost, mother's name Espinosa. There are a number of
places he shows up on the web about copyright and such.
>He seemed relatively sincere, and not too much of a drone, but the
>degree to which he is steeped in Hubbard-thought was a bit
>disconcerting, and rather annoying at times. Make that, most of the
>time.
>
>But at least he seems capable of independent thought, and can create
>sentences which are more than just mindless chanting.
I can keep him diverted off of LRH/scn stuff for as much as ten
minutes. This might have gone up since the first time I met him.
>"I only come here once a month when you guys..."
>"What? You only come to the org once a month? And when you do
>come, it's only to hassle picketers? What kind of Scientologist are
>you?"
LOL! he lives in San Jose, not more than a few miles from where I
used to live.
snip (good job of conveying what you sometimes face on a picket)
>Well, there you have it. As I said, I consider it fairly standard
>fare. Far from the worst bullbaiting I've ever endured, yet far
>also from the blue-tarp hiding with no contact at all.
They have tried the whole range on picketers, ignoring them, talking
to them, trying to cover their signs and stepping on the picketer's
feet. Picketers are not "handled" and it is driving (*) mad.
>As I mentioned in my previous report, I also consider being spied on
>in the cafe afterwards (which didn't happen), getting my license
>number written down (which did), and being followed leaving the
>picket (which didn't) to be standard things any picketer can expect.
>
>I'll close with my favorite exchange of the day.
>"You're out here trying to make Scientology look bad!"
>"Mark, nobody has to try to make Scientology look bad."
ROTFLMAO! Well put!
Keith Henson
>Prignillius
>
barb
LOL, a superb account! You're very good at this, I must say! Hopefully
you gave Mark something to take home and think about. Perhaps you put a
crack in that reality bubble they dwell in, which could lead Mark to the
exit someday.
We can but hope. Thanks for posting this as an excellent example of
clam-wranglin'!
--
Barb
Chaplain, ARSCC
http://members.home.net/bwarr1/index.htm
http://www.geocities.com/bwarr_2000/ mirror site
"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"
Prignillius
realpch <rea...@aol.com> wrote:
>
>Prignillius wrote:
>>
>> SAN FRANCISCO PICKET REPORT, July 7, 2001
>> The Bullbaiting
[snip]
>>
>I'm really impressed, with both your memory and with the extremely
>level-headed way you were able to converse with Mark.
And I'm really impressed that you go out to the San Francisco
org every month, rain or shine, to picket the morally vacuous
Church of Scientology. This is a very high level of dedication
and requires a great commitment.
[snip]
>
>> After he had tried to annoy Arel, who was listening to her portable
>> CD player, and oblivious to what he was saying, he went over an
>> annoyed Peach for a bit. She stopped picketing and called the cops
>> on her cell phone (I think -- as I mentioned, she needed to notify
>> them of the fact that we were picketing).
>
>Arel and I tried to phone the police, but I'm a total dork with cell
>phones, and the combo of one, a couple of picket signs, a brisk wind and
>an interested "handler" was more input than I could manage at the time.
Heh.
>
>The only people who called the police that afternoon were from the Org,
>apparently.
I had the feeling that the cop who came was in response to a call from
the org.
>
>> Mark took this opportunity to join me. I was happy to allow this.
>> I don't see a whole lot of point in talking to "handlers" at
>> pickets, but it helps the time pass. And I think they have a right
>> to know why somebody is protesting their org.
>>
>> However, the main reason I allowed it to continue, even encouraged
>> it for a bit, was that it took the heat off Peach and Arel, who seem
>> far less tolerant of bull-baiting than I am. I really don't mind it
>> all that much. It's unpleasant, it's annoying, but it's so stupid
>> and childish that it's difficult for me to react to it in any way
>> except laughing occasionally.
>
>Yes, I'm not very pleased to be bullbaited, and I thank you for
>entertaining Mark.
My pleasure.
>
>You have a good deal more generosity and patience
>than I do.
I've known quite a few Scientologists in my time. So they don't
seem like total aliens to me. And I'm pretty much willing to
talk to anyone, as long as they maintain fundamental human-to-
human respect. When they drop that, however, my patience rather
rapidly evaporates.
[snip]
>
>> $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$
>>
>> "You guys just spread hate. Peaches, over there, for example, is so
>> full of hate that ..."
>> I couldn't help but laugh out loud at this.
>> I don't know Peaches well, I've only met her once, and at that time,
>> I had had less than five minutes total personal contact with her
>> outside of email.
>>
>> Yet it was evident to me that if there's one thing Peach is not,
>> it's hate-filled. "Nice" or "gentle" would be two adjectives that
>> would have popped into my mind.
>
>I have had my fair share of intemperate moments in life,
LOL!
>
>but one place
>you do not wish to be angry or full of hate is on a picket line.
Boy, do I ever fully agree with this! The thing I constantly repeat
to myself is, "Remember why you're here. Remember why you're here."
I think being very focused on your purpose is important while picketing.
>
>It
>would be like driving a car when experiencing road rage.
Exactly!
>
>The best plan
>then is to get off the highway for awhile.
I think this is probably the most important advice any picketer
or potential picketer could receive. Thanks for this.
[snip]
>
>> $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$
>>
>> I have to hand it to him, though. It didn't take him too long to
>> realize that he had "completely shut down my comm line." He quit
>> walking alongside me and went and got a large "Psychiatry Kills"
>> sign and started standing on the curb and showing it to passing
>> traffic.
>>
>> Another Scientologist was already holding one. I don't know this
>> guy's name, but he should be commended. He ought to be held up as a
>> model of how to "handle" a picket of Scientology. He just stood
>> there with his sign. I never heard a word out of him, and spoke no
>> word to him. He peacefully ignored me and I peacefully ignored him.
>> We both got our messages to the passing public (me more effectively
>> than him, I believe, but then, I'm biased! ;)
>>
>Yes, I liked that approach. However he was the fellow who later assumed
>the role of the "Movie Director" and he did not cut quite as dignified a
>figure in that part.
>: )
Heh. I'm certain that's true. But he was still better-behaved than
any Scientologist I've ever seen at a picket.
>
>> Anyway, Mark and this other guy stood there (not walking, which I
>> believe is a requirement to participate in a public picket, but I
>> let it pass) holding their signs while Peach, Arel and I continued
>> to make our rounds. I thought that was basically a good thing, as
>> Mark was now leaving all three of us alone.
>>
>> It was also kind of funny, in that occasionally Mark tried to block
>> my sign. However, as his sign was about four feet long and three
>> feet high, and had no handles on it, it was difficult for him to
>> hold it more than chest-high. It was always easy for me to overtop
>> him with my sign.
>>
>> Then suddenly he started using Tone 40 on us.
>>
>> "Get the *fuck* out of here!" he shouted at me at the top of his
>> voice as I passed. "Get out of here! You're not wanted here.
>> You're not welcome."
>> On the next pass:
>> "Hey! I told you to leave! Get the fuck out of here! Now!"
>> He also tried this on Arel, who I'm not sure even heard him, being
>> absorbed in her CD headphones.
>> He also tried it on Peach, who managed to ignore him, as far as I
>> could tell.
>
>Well when he started doing that I noticed that the tape on my tape
>recorder had run out and needed to be turned over.
Thanks a lot for bringing the tape recorder. I consider it essential
for any picketers. Don't picket alone, and don't picket without some
means of proving what really happened.
>
>So I started walking
>over to the trash can that's past the Org, to lean my signs against it
>while I attended to the tape, and he followed me all the way Tone-40ing
>at my back. I feel that for a moment at least he may have experienced
>the thrill of having Tone-40 work.
I bet he did!
>
>Alas! it was only effective as long
>as it took to turn the tape.
You evile old SP, you. Invalidating his wins like that!
;->>>
[snip]
>
>> "And I can prove it! I can prove you're high on hallucinogenic
>> drugs right now!"
>> "Go ahead."
>> "Don't think I won't!"
>> He stalked away at this, never to be seen by me again.
>>
>I heard this one, and chuckled. I forget which one of them, Craig or
>Mark, took the opportunity to chide me for laughing. I do know that Mark
>spent a fair amount of time objecting to my smile.
Hmm, maybe he can't stand to see people do well in life.
>
>I dunno, if they
>really wanted to get to me, they should make rude comments about my
>shoes (let's see if anyone does at the next picket).
>: )
This is an interesting test. If anyone does make comments about your
shoes, please let us know (if you can see through the emotional ruin
it will cause, that is.)
[snip]
>
>Thank you thank you. This was a great read for me,
I'm glad you enjoyed it.
>
>and should be
>required reading for anyone contemplating picketing a Scientology Org.
Heh. Well, as I said, there's not much news here, but maybe it's
enlightening for people who haven't experienced it firsthand.
>
>It was delightful meeting you.
Same here, very much so. I'll try to make a chance for us to do it
again some time!
>
>Peach
Prignillius
Prignillius
>>
>> SAN FRANCISCO PICKET REPORT, July 7, 2001
>> The Bullbaiting
[snip]
>>
>I'm really impressed, with both your memory and with the extremely
>level-headed way you were able to converse with Mark.
And I'm really impressed that you go out to the San Francisco
org every month, rain or shine, to picket the morally vacuous
Church of Scientology. This is a very high level of dedication
and requires a great commitment.
[snip]
>
>> After he had tried to annoy Arel, who was listening to her portable
>> CD player, and oblivious to what he was saying, he went over an
>> annoyed Peach for a bit. She stopped picketing and called the cops
>> on her cell phone (I think -- as I mentioned, she needed to notify
>> them of the fact that we were picketing).
>
>Arel and I tried to phone the police, but I'm a total dork with cell
>phones, and the combo of one, a couple of picket signs, a brisk wind and
>an interested "handler" was more input than I could manage at the time.
Heh.
>
>The only people who called the police that afternoon were from the Org,
>apparently.
I had the feeling that the cop who came was in response to a call from
the org.
>
>> Mark took this opportunity to join me. I was happy to allow this.
>> I don't see a whole lot of point in talking to "handlers" at
>> pickets, but it helps the time pass. And I think they have a right
>> to know why somebody is protesting their org.
>>
>> However, the main reason I allowed it to continue, even encouraged
>> it for a bit, was that it took the heat off Peach and Arel, who seem
>> far less tolerant of bull-baiting than I am. I really don't mind it
>> all that much. It's unpleasant, it's annoying, but it's so stupid
>> and childish that it's difficult for me to react to it in any way
>> except laughing occasionally.
>
>Yes, I'm not very pleased to be bullbaited, and I thank you for
>entertaining Mark.
My pleasure.
>
>You have a good deal more generosity and patience
>than I do.
I've known quite a few Scientologists in my time. So they don't
seem like total aliens to me. And I'm pretty much willing to
talk to anyone, as long as they maintain fundamental human-to-
human respect. When they drop that, however, my patience rather
rapidly evaporates.
[snip]
>
>> $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$
>>
>> "You guys just spread hate. Peaches, over there, for example, is so
>> full of hate that ..."
>> I couldn't help but laugh out loud at this.
>> I don't know Peaches well, I've only met her once, and at that time,
>> I had had less than five minutes total personal contact with her
>> outside of email.
>>
>> Yet it was evident to me that if there's one thing Peach is not,
>> it's hate-filled. "Nice" or "gentle" would be two adjectives that
>> would have popped into my mind.
>
>I have had my fair share of intemperate moments in life,
LOL!
>
>but one place
>you do not wish to be angry or full of hate is on a picket line.
Boy, do I ever fully agree with this! The thing I constantly repeat
to myself is, "Remember why you're here. Remember why you're here."
I think being very focused on your purpose is important while picketing.
>
>It
>would be like driving a car when experiencing road rage.
Exactly!
>
>The best plan
>then is to get off the highway for awhile.
I think this is probably the most important advice any picketer
or potential picketer could receive. Thanks for this.
[snip]
>
>> $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$
>>
>> I have to hand it to him, though. It didn't take him too long to
>> realize that he had "completely shut down my comm line." He quit
>> walking alongside me and went and got a large "Psychiatry Kills"
>> sign and started standing on the curb and showing it to passing
>> traffic.
>>
>> Another Scientologist was already holding one. I don't know this
>> guy's name, but he should be commended. He ought to be held up as a
>> model of how to "handle" a picket of Scientology. He just stood
>> there with his sign. I never heard a word out of him, and spoke no
>> word to him. He peacefully ignored me and I peacefully ignored him.
>> We both got our messages to the passing public (me more effectively
>> than him, I believe, but then, I'm biased! ;)
>>
>Yes, I liked that approach. However he was the fellow who later assumed
>the role of the "Movie Director" and he did not cut quite as dignified a
>figure in that part.
>: )
Heh. I'm certain that's true. But he was still better-behaved than
any Scientologist I've ever seen at a picket.
>
>> Anyway, Mark and this other guy stood there (not walking, which I
>> believe is a requirement to participate in a public picket, but I
>> let it pass) holding their signs while Peach, Arel and I continued
>> to make our rounds. I thought that was basically a good thing, as
>> Mark was now leaving all three of us alone.
>>
>> It was also kind of funny, in that occasionally Mark tried to block
>> my sign. However, as his sign was about four feet long and three
>> feet high, and had no handles on it, it was difficult for him to
>> hold it more than chest-high. It was always easy for me to overtop
>> him with my sign.
>>
>> Then suddenly he started using Tone 40 on us.
>>
>> "Get the *fuck* out of here!" he shouted at me at the top of his
>> voice as I passed. "Get out of here! You're not wanted here.
>> You're not welcome."
>> On the next pass:
>> "Hey! I told you to leave! Get the fuck out of here! Now!"
>> He also tried this on Arel, who I'm not sure even heard him, being
>> absorbed in her CD headphones.
>> He also tried it on Peach, who managed to ignore him, as far as I
>> could tell.
>
>Well when he started doing that I noticed that the tape on my tape
>recorder had run out and needed to be turned over.
Thanks a lot for bringing the tape recorder. I consider it essential
for any picketers. Don't picket alone, and don't picket without some
means of proving what really happened.
>
>So I started walking
>over to the trash can that's past the Org, to lean my signs against it
>while I attended to the tape, and he followed me all the way Tone-40ing
>at my back. I feel that for a moment at least he may have experienced
>the thrill of having Tone-40 work.
I bet he did!
>
>Alas! it was only effective as long
>as it took to turn the tape.
You evile old SP, you. Invalidating his wins like that!
;->>>
[snip]
>
>> "And I can prove it! I can prove you're high on hallucinogenic
>> drugs right now!"
>> "Go ahead."
>> "Don't think I won't!"
>> He stalked away at this, never to be seen by me again.
>>
>I heard this one, and chuckled. I forget which one of them, Craig or
>Mark, took the opportunity to chide me for laughing. I do know that Mark
>spent a fair amount of time objecting to my smile.
Hmm, maybe he can't stand to see people do well in life.
>
>I dunno, if they
>really wanted to get to me, they should make rude comments about my
>shoes (let's see if anyone does at the next picket).
>: )
This is an interesting test. If anyone does make comments about your
shoes, please let us know (if you can see through the emotional ruin
it will cause, that is.)
[snip]
>
>Thank you thank you. This was a great read for me,
I'm glad you enjoyed it.
>
>and should be
>required reading for anyone contemplating picketing a Scientology Org.
Heh. Well, as I said, there's not much news here, but maybe it's
enlightening for people who haven't experienced it firsthand.
>
>It was delightful meeting you.
Same here, very much so. I'll try to make a chance for us to do it
M. C. DiPietra
Posted under another thread for propogation...
I admire greatly the way Prignillius pickets.
Below, Barb invents the term, "clam-wranglin'", which evokes all kinds of
imagery.
-m., human being
FREE KEITH HENSON http://www.KeithHenson.org
M.C.DiPietra <mdip...@earthlink.net>, SP5, KoX
http://mp3.com/MaggieCouncil http://www.cafepress.com/council
"Hell, if you understood everything I say, you'd be me!" -Miles Davis
in article 3B505796...@home.com, barb at bwa...@home.com mused on
7/14/01 10:30 AM: