The three men, one of whom admitted he could "certainly use the money these days," were hired to look at the journalistic practices that went into the Times reporting. Except the Times refused to co-operate. "I ultimately couldn't take this request very seriously because it's a study bought and paid for by the Church of Scientology," Executive Editor Neil Brown told Kurtz. "I was surprised and disappointed that journalists who I understand to have an extensive background in investigative reporting would think it's appropriate to ask me or our news organization to talk about that reporting while (a) it's ongoing, and (b) while they're being paid to ask these questions by the very subjects of our reporting."
Which sums the whole thing up really.
Anonymous Pledge to Fight Scientologist Efforts in Haiti
Anonymous, the internet-based group that has waged sporadic wars on Scientology over the last two years, has released a new letter. Prompted, apparently, by the fawning Today Show piece on Scientologists in Haiti they intend to act. The group, given to wearing V for Vendetta Guy Fawkes masks, and pictured above during widely publized protests against the church in 2008, released this message.
Hello [audience]. We are Anonymous.
We wish it it were under more favorable circumstances that we have chosen to address the world. However, after the demonstrably inaccurate interpretation handling of the victims of the Haiti earthquake as per the work of the Scientology 'Volunteer' Ministers, Anonymous could not remain silent.
The Volunteer Ministers are volunteers only in name. Their self-proclaimed humanitarian efforts have been shown to be harmful and self-serving time and time again. In the wake of the September Eleventh attacks at the World Trade Center, they impeded the work of the New York City Fire Department, and falsely claimed to have been given a reward for their efforts. These efforts involved little more than handing out pamphlets for the works of L. Ron Hubbard, while intentionally hindering the work of mental health professionals aiding the victims.
This same pattern of self-promotion at the expense of victims of disasters does not end there. Following the tsunami at Sri Lanka, the Volunteer Ministers attempted to convert the vulnerable and suffering victims into their cult, promising them aid and salvation at the expense of their livelihood***. These actions were repeated following the terrorist attack at the Ramada Inn in India*** and the Subway bombings in London, England.
In short: Scientology does not see a disaster as a tragedy, but rather, as a business opportunity.
First-hand accounts condemnations from legitimate aid groups, and even leaked documents from Scientology's corporate heirarchy itself all confirm the cowardly and parasitic nature of the self-proclaimed Volunteer Ministers.
The very same self-serving, opportunistic proselytizing has been taking place in Haiti. Scientology has taken every opportunity to release their own manufactured press releases, taking credit for the work of legitimate relief groups. They arrived completely unprepared and were told to leave by the United States military
An untrained Scientologist was alleged to be assisting a surgeon, using tools that had not been sterilized. This is blatant medical malpractice. John Travolta has also left several trained medical professionals behind at an airport, instead making it his priority to bring untrained Scientologists into the country with the sole intent of disseminating L. Ron Hubbard materials to an already vulnerable and suffering population.
Know this, Scientology: We are watching you. With every move you make, every victim you exploit, and every piece of choreographed propaganda you release into the mainstream media, the public already knows the truth about your organization. You are not fooling anyone, and no amount of proselytizing will change this. You have already been convicted in the court of public opinion. It is now only a matter of time before you are convicted in a court of law.
We are Anonymous.
We are Legion.
We do not forgive.
We do not forget.
Expect us.
On a separate note, we hear rumors that the church may be starting an orphanage in Haiti. The rumblings come from chatter activists have flagged up on Scientology messageboards and remain unconfirmed.
Ravi Somaiya, the author of this post @ Gawker.com
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