Volume 0, Issue 13 vom 16. 07. 1995
Alt.religion.scientology Week in Review
Volume 0, Issue 13
07/16/95
by Rod Keller [rkeller@netaxs.com]
copyright 1995
Contents
- The Big Story
- Helena Keeps Busy
- New Poodle
- Dennis Erlich Update
- Penet Raid
- Tom Klemesrud Dead Agent
- SP Levels
- Scamizdat
- Church Detectives
Alt.religion.scientology Week in Review summarizes the most significant
postings from the Usenet group Alt.religion.scientology for the preceding
week for the benefit of those who can't follow the group as closely as
they'd like. Out of thousands of postings, I attempt to include news of
significant events, new affidavits, court rulings, new contributors,
whatever. I hope you find it useful. Like many readers of a.r.s, I have a
kill file. So please take into consideration that I may not have seen some
of the most significant postings.
The articles in A.r.s Week in Review are brief summaries of the articles.
Many include an excerpt, and all include message IDs for the articles I
cover. This may or may not be useful to you, depending on how long your
site stores articles in the newsgroup before expiring them.
A.r.s Week in Review is available free, by e-mail and is archived at:
http://amazing.cinenet.net/scientology.html
http://users.aimnet.com/~jdiver
http://www.thur.de/religio/publik/arsfaq.html
#####
The Big Story
The Big Story aired in the the U.K. on Carlton Television's ITV channel.
To coincide with the broadcast, a demonstration was scheduled outside the
London org on Tottenham Court Road. Apparently the cos found out about the
demonstration, and sent letters from Hodkin & Co. to several possible
participants.
"We put you on notice that if you participate in any unlawful activities
against our client, or continue to participate in the same, legal action
will be commenced against you without further warning.
"We accordingly require your written agreement that you will not engage in
any unlawful activities against our clients, including, but not limited
to, conspiring to injure, nuisance, trespass, interference and
defamation."
The demonstration went off without any unlawful activity, as several
reports to a.r.s described:
"There were 27 of us to start with. It was immediately obvious that we
were going to have problems all fitting on the pavement outside the org -
nice problem to have! - and the police were politely firm about spreading
us out so as not to cause an obstruction. This definitely worked to our
advantage, as the demo ended up on both sides of Tottenham Court Road, and
spread over a distance of about a hundred feet - nobody was going to get
past us without getting a copy of our leaflet.
"The clams were snapping feverishly by now - several of them were deputed
to cross the road and protest "with" us. The number of leaflet
distributors multiplied, but we were still outnumbering them two-to- one:
enough to flank each Scieno leafletter with at least one FUSS supporter
each side of him/her to make sure that the passers-by got *both* sides of
the story.
"1200 leaflets were distributed within less than an hour, and frantic
deputations had to be sent to local copy shops to get more photocopied.
Every street corner in the immediate vicinity was occupied by at least one
FUSS leafletter; every clam was marked by at least one of us as well."
And from a different account:
"Packed into the space right in front of the shop was a bunch of
scientologists waving banners and (calling the program "The Lie Story" and
demanding "honest journalism"). [...] Some of their people came out and
stood among our lot, waving placards. It seems that their intention was to
make it look like it was all one demonstration *against* the TV programme.
They succeeded in this to an extent, in that it was not obvious at first
glance that there two separate demonstrations.
"We handed out a leaflet advertising the program and calling for people to
write to Michael Howard and to their MP's demanding that the government
takes action. The scienos had a specially prepared issue of "Freedom"
magazine, which dead-agented Carlton Tv and the ex-scientologists that
they had consulted.
"The scieno's made sure they got photographs and video of each of the
protesters. Margaret Reese, their Public Affairs Director, came around
talking to each of us, asking for our names and motivations for
protesting. Later she told us that the leaflets we were handing out were
defamatory and grounds for a suit- we just ignored her."
And finally, excerpts from several reviews of the program itself:
"The program also told of assorted dubious activities by the cult:
- getting someone to sign a blank piece of paper, then typing a letter of
letter of authorisation above that signature. That (a forged instrument?)
was then used to get the contents of someone's savings account, as much
as the cult wanted."
"The most spooky was where victims had to stare into someone's eyes for
60-90 minutes until they started hallucinating. At that point, at their
most vulnerable people are sold more courses which they are told they
need. One man gave them his bank account number which allowed the clams to
withdraw money when they wanted."
"Vaughn Young: 'Hubbard literally had a plan for world conquest. He
actually literally wanted to take over the world, but he had to put it in
other terms. The term he came up with was 'clear the planet.' This sounds
like a very beneficent action: we're going to 'clear the planet' which
means 'rid it of its problems' but really it was more of a case like a
Hitler: he wants to rid the planet of vermin. The vermin are the people
who are stopping him and these were basically the enemies of Scientology.'
"Stacy Young [on David Miscavige]: 'His viciousness and his cruelty to
staff was unlike anything I had ever experienced in my life. He wanted me
to carry out a lot of his vindictive orders... He just loved to degrade
the staff. He got a kick out of it: he thought it was funny. Anyone who
didn't think it was funny, like I didn't, was very suspect.'"
Message: DBJpp1.C5r@uns.bris.ac.uk>
Message-ID: 3u1fud$8uu@castlsys.demon.co.uk>
Message-ID: 3u1fv0$8v6@castlsys.demon.co.uk>
Message-ID: DBnq8v.CE5@uns.bris.ac.uk>
Message-ID: 199507140150.DAA22756@utopia.hacktic.nl>
Message-ID: 3u5d4i$2he3@unixfe.rl.ac.uk>
Message-ID: DBpIEz.5Go@uns.bris.ac.uk>
#####
Helena Keeps Busy
Helena Kobrin, chief legal intimidator of the cos, kept busy this week
with several threatening letters, both to participants in a.r.s, and to
their site administrators. Martin Poulter's sysops suspended his account
for one day last week while they investigated her complaint. Martin
described the complaint this week.
"Her complaint is specifically about a message I posted to a.r.s on
Sunday, which contained a small extract from OT7 material. She demands
that I remove this post from the Internet (which is, of course,
impossible)
"She claims that the OT7 document is copyrighted *and* a trade secret. She
is emphatic that Fair Use does not apply, specifically because the
documents are *unpublished*. She also says that there is no Fair Use (Fair
Dealing in England) defense to trade secret misappropriation. She claims
that downloading of SCAMIZDAT is a breach of copyright and trade secret
laws."
Damon Cheston's site received a similar threat.
"I was notified today that Helena "Mizz Probert" Kobrin has written my
system administrators complaining about an alleged copyright violation.
She alleges that I violated the copyright on OT-VII documents when I
followed-up to Martin Poulter's post. I believe, and I'm sure any sane
person would agree with me, that the 8 or 10 lines of text quoted from
OT-VII clearly fell within Fair Use guidelines."
William Barwell posted his entire letter from Helena, including this
snippet.
"In addition, your downloading of the copyrighted and trade secret OT VII
materials also violates laws prohibiting copyright infringement and trade
secret misappropriation. Your use and disclosure of these materials is
*not* fair use. No case in the United States has ever found fair use to
apply to copying unpublished materials, as even Dennis Erlich's attorney
had to admit in open court. There is also no fair use defense to trade
secret misappropriation."
And from the Pope's reply:
"You may quote my posts on ARS to show us what you mean I posted. Until
you do I am not exactly sure what the hell you are on about. Actually,
Kobby, I don't care that much either. And I think it would be wise for you
to send me those posts if you want further colloquy on this subject.
"Tonight, get out your law books and look up fair use. A few paragraphs in
my post are fair use and that is that. And I intend to keep using fair use
to from time to time post directly or indirectly as in quoting other
posts, parts of the incredibly brain damaged swill you clams and your
silly clients dare to call 'secrets'. Yes, you have rights, but fair use
gives ME rights to and I intend to use my rights as regard fair use to
discuss the hilariously inept bilge you clams hold as scriptures."
Zane Thomas' site admin received a similar threat.
"Our very own dear, sweet Helena has sent a letter to the sysadmin here at
igc.apc.org alleging that I have posted some copyright and/or trade secret
materials.
"Now I've been pretty careful lately due to numerous threatening letters
from Kobrin. I don't believe that I have done anything remotely resembling
what she claims and would appreciate some help accumulating evidence to
that effect."
Message-ID: DBEu13.6En@uns.bris.ac.uk>
Message-ID: DBKr0n.EIL@murdoch.acc.Virginia.EDU>
Message-ID: 3u23js$1ih@Starbase.NeoSoft.COM>
Message-ID: APC&1'0'66608053'd6a@igc.apc.org>
#####
New Poodle
Following the closure of the NNTP host in Ireland, the Cancel Poodle this
week moved to a new site. Here is one of the new cancels:
>From netaxs.com!netnews.upenn.edu!newsserver.jvnc.net!newsserver2.jvnc.net!
howland.reston.ans.net!news-e1a.megaweb.com!newstf01.news.aol.com!
uunet!in1.uu.net!news.nyc.pipeline.com!news.intercon.com!udel!uwm.edu!lll-winken
.llnl.gov!osi-easr2.es.net!doevm!btnet!peernews.demon.co.uk!odesi.com!noman
Tue Jul 11 07:51:18 1995
Path: netaxs.com!netnews.upenn.edu!newsserver.jvnc.net!newsserver2.jvnc.net!
howland.reston.ans.net!news-e1a.megaweb.com!newstf01.news.aol.com!uunet!
in1.uu.net!news.nyc.pipeline.com!news.intercon.com!udel!uwm.edu!lll-winken.llnl.
gov!osi-easr2.es.net!doevm!btnet!peernews.demon.co.uk!odesi.com!noman
Newsgroups: alt.religion.scientology
From: noman@odesi.com
Subject: cmsg cancel
Control: cancel
Message-ID: cancel.k09btK00YUq8Mt4VT@andrew.cmu.edu>
Date: 9 Jul 1995 23:09:45 -0400
Organization: Odesi
Lines: 2
CANCELLED - COPYRIGHT/TRADE SECRET INFRINGEMENT
#####
Dennis Erlich Update
Dennis Erlich wrote to update everybody on his situation.
"I am a guest in the home of Dr. Edward and Priscilla Coates. Mrs.
Coates, one of my very closest friends, is coincidentally Director of the
Los Angeles Affiliate of the Cult Awareness Network.
"I could no longer afford to live in the house the scienos raided, having
lost my job and been subject to legal harassment. The Coates were kind
enough to allow me to crash at their house til I can regain my
equilibrium.
"Despite the family law Judge's statement that my visitation rights had
been frustrated and interfered with by my ex, there was not clearly overt
concealment. He said that I had not made a due diligent effort to locate
Holly."
Message-ID: 3tv3ao$cqd@hang.primenet.com>
#####
Penet Raid
Kaj Malmberg of the Helsinki Police posted and mailed some details of the
Interpol raid on the anonymous Penet server. First, an excerpt from the
posting.
"This Scientology case started on day when a lawyer from a very respected
law office contacted us and said he was representing the Church of
Scientology and that he had in his office a private investigator from the
United States that had come here to investigate on behalf of the church.
"They came to my office in Helsinki and told me that someone had
penetrated in to a computer in Los Angeles and taken secret information
form it. The computer was the property of the Church of Scientology.
"Interpol is not a police organization. Most of the countries in the world
have joined Interpol and therefore assign a part of its organization to be
called Interpol. Interpol does not investigate crimes nor execute any
police duties. It only sends mail from one country to another and keep
registers.
"If I want to send a letter to a law enforcement agency in another
country, I send it to our local Interpol, that sends it to the other
country and to its Interpol agency, that in turn sends it to the local
police. Interpol never has an active part in investigating crimes."
And from the mail:
"They had some documents, a copy of the information stolen, and they
stated facts that gave us reasons to believe that a crime has been
committed. There was a respectable lawyer reporting a crime, one tends to
believe them."
Julf Helsingus has confirmed Kaj's identity.
"Yes, and not only the name, but the account as well. Kaj is who he claims
to be - the e-mail addresses are valid."
Message-Id: 199507091001.AA01958@personal.eunet.fi>
Message-ID: 3trpp0$1lg@unlisys.unlisys.net>
Message-ID: 3tpr2q$j9a@news1.shell>
#####
Tom Klemesrud Dead Agent
The cos continued to defame Tom Klemesrud with a declaration this week.
>From this week's declaration. It's allegedly by the Linda Woolard, the
woman who spread blood around Tom's apartment as an intimidation tactic.
"He was a white male, approximately 45 years old, and about 5'8" tall, 150
pounds. This was the first time I ever met or ever saw him."
I think that says it all. Tom is now 210 lbs. The OSA staff picked up his
weight from the DMV files, several years out of date on Tom's weight. The
statement goes on to directly challenge the 911 transcript Tom posted a
few weeks ago, but claiming Linda called 911, not Tom.
"I managed to calm him down a little. I then picked up the phone and
called 911. Tom hung the phone up. I kept trying to calm him down more. I
then called 911 again. This time I got through and told the 911 operator,
that a guy in the apartment has a shotgun and that he threatened to kill
me and kill himself.
Message-ID: 3trhjr$nsu@covina.lightside.com>
#####
SP Levels
Jeff Jacobsen posted the new way to judge your degree of involvement with
the cos, the SP Levels. Here they are:
"SP1 you become a public church critic (posting, picketing, whatever)
SP2 the church reacts to your actions in some way
SP3 you get a personal response from the church
SP4 you are threatened with a lawsuit or Fair Game
SP5 you are sued and/or Fair Gamed
SP6 you win their suit or stop the Fair Gaming
SP7 you sue them
SP8 you win your lawsuit
SP9 you collect damages"
Message-ID: 3tnpn8$sbj@dump.primenet.com>
#####
Scamizdat
Scamizdat #9 came out this week. Some highlights:
The complete text of Scientology: A History of Man, formerly known as What
to Audit, including all the descriptions of seafood life. It's best
description is contained within:
"A LIST AND DESCRIPTION OF THE PRINCIPAL INCIDENTS TO BE FOUND IN A HUMAN
BEING
"This is a cold-blooded and factual account of your last sixty trillion
years."
Also included in Scamizdat, TR 3.
"Purpose: To teach a student Int Officer to improvise and maintain cover
when confronted with something unexpected.
"The coach throws in startling accusations and suspicions and the student
must handle and maintain his cover. Coach starts off on a gradient giving
the student wins.
"Flunks are give for being startled and long comm lags, for failure to
give an answer and smooth over the suspicions of the coach."
Also included, the findings of a Fitness Board on Johnny Baaska.
"John, age 7, has been engaged in very gross conduct unbecoming of a Sea
Org Member. John has repeatedly lied about this conduct when interviewed
several times by the C/Os MAA at Celebrity Centre, and although he did
confess to some of his acts he continued to lie when interviewed by the
Fitness Board Chairman.
"John has also started several small fires.
"He is found unfit for the Sea Org per FO 2627RA Policy 3. He is assigned
a Condition of TREASON, his Sea Org Contract is cancelled and he is
debarred from S.O. Premises. He is to be billed for any services received
while in the Sea Org."
And finally, the bizarre description of The Gorilla Goals, Routine 3N, by
LRH.
"The symbol of a Gorilla was always present in the place the goal was
given. Sometimes a large gorilla, black, was seen elsewhere than the park.
A Mechanical or a live gorilla was always seen in the park."
Message-ID: 3u0so6$pjt@utopia.hacktic.nl>
#####
Church Detectives
An excerpt from a posting from Countercultures: A Sociological Analysis,
by William W. Zellner.
"A U.S. District judge in Washington, D.C. had his sex life investigated.
In running down a 'squirrel', one of the detectives passed out business
cards that read 'Special Agent, Task Force on White Collar Crime'. In
talking to the squirrel's neighbors and banker, the detective suggested
that the subject of his inquiry was implicated in drug smuggling and
terrorism, which were totally false accusations. On another occasion,
detectives told the neighbors of an antagonistic former Scientologist that
she had pinworms."
Message-ID: rnewman-1307951238360001@dial1-5.cybercom.net>