Investigation overdue: SP Times Editorial

Investigation overdue: SP Times Editorial

Investigation overdue - St. Petersburg Times Editorial - 8th Nov 2009

Ladies and gentlemen. It is time.

Re: Investigation overdue: SP Times Editorial

On a serious note, awesome article. Though I think the legal system is what needs to act quicker. I'm not sure exactly what a politicians can do except put pressure on legal-officials and pass laws banning or regulating certain practices (good luck in that).

Re: Investigation overdue: SP Times Editorial

That clanking sound is either the SP Times throwing down the gauntlet or the swinging of their editor's enormous brass balls.

Hopefully the IRS grow a set...

Re: Investigation overdue: SP Times Editorial

Now this is indeed an awesome editorial and a call to action.

Re: Investigation overdue: SP Times Editorial

They could avoid taking part in scientology propaganda films, events and org opening ceremonies.

Re: Investigation overdue: SP Times Editorial

I'm keeping my fingers crossed here.

Re: Investigation overdue: SP Times Editorial

What a well timed article. Been trawling through the comment sections of much of the media linked to here. The "Why isn't the government doing something about this?" sentiment has definitely grown in recent weeks (at least that's how I'm seeing it). This article is more than editorial - it's a reflection of public opinion.

Net-chatter in and of itself can go ignored, but it's a fair bit more difficult when it is focused and articulated in a respected media outlet. I'd say it's very significant that the 4th estate has put government on notice on this issue.

So, thanks for the linkage, Sponge.

Re: Investigation overdue: SP Times Editorial

I have to agree. The feds busted into the FLDS ranch based on a TIP. Despite the mountains of first-hand accounts, evidence from other cases in the U.S., condemnations from other countries, media attention, assaults on protesters, police reports, and cries for help from exes and citizens alike, the government has done next to nothing.

Are they blind and deaf? Are they lazy? Do they not care? Or, God forbid, are they being paid off?

It's getting ridiculous. Something needs to be done. The time for inaction was over the minute Lisa McPherson arrived at the hospital.

Dear FBI, because I'm sure you're reading this: GET UP OFF YOUR FUCKING ASSES AND DO YOUR JOB.

Re: Investigation overdue: SP Times Editorial

That's an increasingly common theme in comments on articles about the cult's abuses..
"How can this be allowed to happen in this day and age?" and,
"Why don't the authorities do something about this?"

[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dib2-HBsF08"]YouTube- Network- I'm Mad as Hell[/ame]

Re: Investigation overdue: SP Times Editorial

The defunct Clearwater Sun used to have weekly editorials at least this hard hitting, yet not much happened. Let's hope things have changed now.

Re: Investigation overdue: SP Times Editorial

Culties are hitting the comments.

Launching poons now.

Re: Investigation overdue: SP Times Editorial

OSA are slowpokes. They must have got the heads-up from here.

Re: Investigation overdue: SP Times Editorial

ZOMG An editorial in a local paper!!!!!!!!! I'm sure this will go right to the desk of the director of the FBI!!!!!!!!!!!

They raided the Church in the past. It's going to take more than the ramblings of internet nuts to convince them to use up resources again and potentially trample on the rights of an innocent group. People need to understand that "shit I found through google" (thankfully) isn't enough to have the feds kick your door in.

Re: Investigation overdue: SP Times Editorial

Finally.

Re: Investigation overdue: SP Times Editorial

That's exactly the point I'm trying to make. They raided the church in the past because of the same things they are continuing to do today. Not only does that establish a notable pattern of abuse, but it shows that they have no intention of changing for the better.

And it's not just "internet nuts"; it is ex-members of the cult who have had their claims published by the media on numerous occasions, as well as the governments of other nations who continue to investigate (AND CONVICT) the well-known, and well-documented criminal actions of the cult.

You'd think all of that would at least prompt a few questions from the feds. But it doesn't. They continue to sit on their asses and do nothing.

Re: Investigation overdue: SP Times Editorial

Nice trollinh

Re: Investigation overdue: SP Times Editorial

We're talking about a seven part front page investigative journalism series interviewing top level exscientologists who have provided first hand details of the cult's criminal activity, not 'ramblings of internet nuts' or 'shit I found on google'.

Re: Investigation overdue: SP Times Editorial

Untitled Document

Here are the Clearwater Sun editorials. You're welcome.

Re: Investigation overdue: SP Times Editorial

Actually I did forget about the recent conviction in France. That actually gives claims of fraud credibility. However given the State Department's take on the trial I doubt that is going to motivate them to take action.

I'm sorry though, and I know cult apologists love to say this, but apostate testimony really is unreliable. I personally think that there is some truth to these stories, there's just too much consistency for them all to be made up. However that being said, there is no hard evidence of this stuff going on and none of these exes go to the police. So what do you expect? Like I said, the cops don't get to go trampling on the rights of the Church of Scientology because some people on the internet said they're bad. If one of these victims of abuse would actually go to the cops then maybe that would get something going.

Re: Investigation overdue: SP Times Editorial

Tasty piece!

And of course JamesP is at it again in the comment section stating that the writer should go ask Sea Org members how they feel....
oh wait JamesP.... they already did. Ex Sea Org members.

Re: Investigation overdue: SP Times Editorial

All they need to do is apply the law to Scientology as they apply it to everyone else. This takes care of tax-exempt status, human rights offences, fraud, persecution, and asbestos, for starters.

Re: Investigation overdue: SP Times Editorial

yup

Re: Investigation overdue: SP Times Editorial

Let me preface my post by saying this: I consider myself very patriotic.

That being said, it is well past the time when our government should have stepped in and stopped this dangerous, deadly, and ruinous cult.

The IRS, FBI, and our government may be sitting with their hands still tied, but ours are not.

We're still typing.

We're still protesting.

We're still here.

Expect us.

Re: Investigation overdue: SP Times Editorial

The FBI raid occured due to government infiltration by the CoS. Had they not raided at that point they might as well have said: "Hey, Scientology,just do what you like, it's all yours for the taking, we don't mind". There's no direct or even strong evidence this has continued. My impression and this is specualtion is that the IRS deal was a way of saying "Thank god, we got that can of worms closed, we'll promote and protect Scientology at home and abroad if you shut down the worst kind of GO actions you did in the past" and that it's going to take a lot to reverse that stance.
But each passing day, each editorial such as this one, each shenanigan that goes unpunished brings that day of reversal closer.

The most important thing that has been achieved: There are ex-members from all levels of the organization willing to go on the record, on national TV stating openly what had in the past a more rumor-like quality. Also, the public has become more aware mostly due to our efforts.

Herro, the Church of Scientology has a track record with the U.S. government of being "bad", not just with "apostates" and internet nuts. Since when is testimony less reliable just because it comes from an "apostate"? That's religious cloaking shit you're falling for right there. Would you say the testimony of someone who has left the Mafia is less reliable because they are now opposed to the Mafia? Or maybe all testimony by witnesses who make deals with the prosecution in testifying should be thrown out of court, because they have a reasonable motive to lie?

Re: Investigation overdue: SP Times Editorial

Maybe if they had the kind of global communications and newsfeed distrubution that we have now then they might have been noticed a lot more.

Re: Investigation overdue: SP Times Editorial

We don't know if exes haven't gone to the police, as the police tend not to broadcast the status of ongoing investigations.

However, it is quite understandable why some exes wouldn't - they're afraid, which is normal for people who have been abused. They likely haven't went to the police for the same reason why some rape or abuse victims don't go to the police.

Just sayin'.

Re: Investigation overdue: SP Times Editorial

THIS. A THOUSAND FUCKING TIMES THIS.

Re: Investigation overdue: SP Times Editorial

I'm going to back off my earlier statement because several people here have made good points which I did not thoroughly consider. I also want to make it clear that I don't personally doubt that there is some bad stuff going on inside the Church. I'm more talking about the kind of stuff needed to convince law enforcement to take action. So far I don't see a very strong case. But that doesn't mean that there aren't some compelling things out there that might grab the attention of law enforcement.

Re: Investigation overdue: SP Times Editorial

Not up on the National Foundation of Women Legislators, are we. I assure you, they never stopped this kind of crap.

Missing court files in Spain?
Missing court files in France?
Missing court files in Riverside County?

Cult influencing legislators who then promote front groups at public expense?

Snow White ongoing? It's moar likely than you think!

Re: Investigation overdue: SP Times Editorial

If pooning, don't bother with trolls like JamesP, he'll just want to derail you from the topic. State your opinion, drink some Powerthirst and be on your way.

Re: Investigation overdue: SP Times Editorial

Even worse is Allan. ZOMG!

Re: Investigation overdue: SP Times Editorial

LOL Cameranonymous. I c wut u did thar.

Re: Investigation overdue: SP Times Editorial

JamesP is thoroughly amusing me. Herro, you've been dethroned.

Re: Investigation overdue: SP Times Editorial

Looks like JamesP went to the bullpen and was replaced with "Gator".

Re: Investigation overdue: SP Times Editorial

The local paper beat out all the national papers winning the national Pulitzer Prize in their last big coverage of Scientology.

Re: Investigation overdue: SP Times Editorial

Oh, how I wish.

Re: Investigation overdue: SP Times Editorial

NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

Re: Investigation overdue: SP Times Editorial

Please put Herro on your ignore list

Re: Investigation overdue: SP Times Editorial

Why?

Re: Investigation overdue: SP Times Editorial

I must marry this woman. At least, I hope he's a woman.