Forward: For a systematic, detailed, professional exposure of
Scientology's "Narconon" front group, visit the
Narconon Exposed web site.
barb <bwarr1@cox.net>
Commissioner Latvala,
I read your recent response to a citizen's concerns about the abusive
behavior of the Scientology organization and I have to tell you, I was
disgusted by your answer. It is as if you didn't even bother to
comprehend what this person was expressing.
The exchange is webbed, in part, on
http://home.tampabay.rr.com/sp/FLA.html
a website dedicated to exposing the connection between Florida
politicians and the "Church" of Scientology.
The writer is quoted as saying, "... I am deeply concerned about your
involvement with the Scientology organisation. I would strongly suggest
you take an inside look at their views and read the numerous statements
of former parishioners, that suffered for long years and had a long
struggle to get out of the claws of this organisation.
(i.e.http://www.xenu.net/)"
Somehow, your response falls short of the mark, and actually echos the
standard arguments put forth by the Scientology organization itself when
challenged on its abusive behavior. You state,
"Thank you for your email. I want to assure you that I am not involved
with the Scientology organization. I have done quite a bit of research
on this organization and have visited their drug treatment program
because of my involvement with a local drug treatment program and my
curiosity about their program. It turned out to be very similar to
programs that I am familiar with."
I am very curious to know how many drug treatment programs you're
familiar with that also administer toxic doses of Niacin to their
clients. How many also believe that all toxins are stored in the body's
fat? Surely you must be aware that distinguished, qualified medical
people have discounted L. Ron Hubbard's theories regarding addiction and
detoxification as "junk science." Former Surgeon General C. Everett Koop
had this to say about the "purification rundown," an integral part of
Narconon's spurious treatment program.
"...It's dangerous. I don't think L. Ron Hubbard has credibility in the
scientific world. The author's suggestions about detoxification can be
detrimental to your health. " - C. Everett Koop, M.D.
In fact, many of the courses imposed upon Narconon clients are identical
to those purchased by public Scientologists, and have nothing to do with
substance abuse recovery.
Narconon has been heavily researched, and an extensive, well footnoted
website that covers every aspect of Narconon. This site explains how
Narconon can falsly claim a success rate of 70% by manipulating
statistics, as well as outlining the dangers of the Purification Rundown
to people with compromised liver function.
You would do well to familiarize yourself with the facts about Narconon,
rather than relying on PR material from its promoters.
http://www.narconon-exposed.org
In your response to this letter writer, you go on to say, "I have taken
a position as an elected official to represent all of the citizens of
our county and I will not be a party to discrimination and the
promotion of hatred. I do not understand "the Church" but recognize
that there are church members who live, work and pay taxes in our
county. These people have the same rights as anyone else."
How could you have possibly missed the point by such a distance? Was
anyone asking you to be a party to "discrimination and the promotion of
hatred?" Your absurd response to an expressed concern about your
connection with an organization with a long history of criminal abuse of
its members and people who try to expose those abuses, is a fabulous
diversion from the issue. The writer's concern has nothing to do with
discrimination or hatred, and your answer has definate parallels to
those put forth by Scientology when challenged on its antisocial behavior.
Nobody is asking you to curtail the rights of Scientologists who live in
your county. What the writer is asking is that you take the time to
inform yourself about the Scientology organization. They have a 50 year
history, which includes domestic espionage, harassment, intimidation and
murder. You'll also find instances of suicide, deaths due to the
unlicensed practice of medicine, people being held against their will,
people driven to psychotic breaks, people being defrauded out of their
life savings, peoples' careers being destroyed, and people being framed
or falsely accused of horrific crimes, all this being directly
perpetrated by the so-called "Church" of Scientology.
We do not take issue with the beliefs of Scientologists. We object to
the criminal and immoral actions taken by the "Church" of Scientology.
Let's start with a recent case, the death of Lisa McPherson. It is a
fact that she died after being held for seventeen days at the Ft.
Harrison Hotel. It is a fact that she was restrained, and lost forty
pounds, and that her body showed ligature marks on her wrists and
evidence of insect bites while still alive. Records kept by the
Scientologists watching her die reveal that medical treatment was not
sought, that a medical doctor gave them sedatives to administer rather
than treatment. Worse, she was required to pay for her own sustenance,
and when that ran out, the quality of care deteriorated along with her
health. The records reveal that she wanted to go home, but she was held
against her will. You can learn a lot about Scientology by looking at
their own records.
Recently, a series of agreement forms were publicized which reflect
Scientology's paranoia and knowlege that some of their practices can
have tragic results. Members are required to sign away their basic
rights in order to continue receiving services, such as the agreement
for the Introspection Rundown which killed Lisa McPherson. The form
webbed here:
http://www-2.cs.cmu.edu/~dst/Scientology/ReleaseForms/Introspection-Release.html
In part, this agreement states;
"I understand that the Introspection Rundown is an intensive, rigorous
Religious Service that includes being isolated from all sources of
potential spiritual upset, including but not limited to family members,
friends or others with whom I might normally interact. As part of the
Introspection Rundown, I specifically consent to Church members being
with me 24 hours a day at the direction of my Case Supervisor, in
accordance with the tenets and custom of the Scientology religion."
This agreement sounds like an effort by Scientology to cover themselves
should another tragedy occur. Although couched in religious terminology,
the intent is clear. You're giving your permission to be isolated,
monitored, and held for an indefinate period of time. The Army taught me
that these elements are part and parcel with coercive mental
conditioning techniques. Taken in that context, this Agreement assumes a
more sinister cast.
If you want to talk about discrimination and hatred, you need look no
farther than some Scientology businesses, such as Daniela's Kitchen and
the One Stop Shoppe in Clearwater, which refuse service to those people
considered "enemies" of the church. And if you want to talk about
hatred, there are many accounts of it perpetrated by the Scientologists.
There are records of assaults, property destruction, and frightening mob
displays against concerned citizens who protest abuses by the "Church."
I dare say that, if you took the time to research, you will find NO
evidence of violence or hateful behavior against Scientologists from the
people who protest the group's behavior. As a whole, we view
Scientologists as victims of this destructive organization, and we also
recognize their right to follow Hubbard's teachings if they wish. We
also feel that they have the right to be free of harassment if they wish
to leave, that they have the right to maintain their families,
friendships, and lives without intervention, and that the "Church" of
Scientology feels it has the right to curtail basic human rights of its
members, thanks to the complicity of ignorant politicians who, out of
sheer negligence, permit these abuses to continue.
We do not take issue with the beliefs of Scientologists. We object to
the criminal and immoral actions taken by the "Church" of Scientology.
Let's list a few of those abuses, in case you're still not getting it,
shall we? Any of these items can be put into a search engine for more
information on them, if that's not asking too much of you.
Paulette Cooper, 1970s...framed with a forged bomb threat after writing
a book, "The Scandal of Scientology"
http://home.snafu.de/tilman/krasel/cooper/
Operation Snow White, 1970s...Scientology perpetrates the largest
domestic espionage operation in U.S. history until FBI raids uncovered
it and sent high level Scientologists to prison.
http://lisatrust.bogie.nl/scientology/snow-white/
Judge Ronald Swearinger 1990s...dog drowned during court case involving
Scientology.
(excerpt:Fishman Affidavit)
"22. Mr. Leibowitz told me that when he arrived at the judge's house, he
walked around the back of the house while Clarice Guidice remained in
the jeep as she was driving. Mr. Leibowitz then threw the dog into the
pool and "sat on the dog" until the dog drowned. Mr. Leibowitz also
complained that his clothes were all wet and he foolishly had not
brought a change of clothes with him. Mr. Leibowitz informed me that he
was ordered to drown the dog by Kendrick "Rick" Moxon of the Office of
Special Affairs of the Church of Scientology International."
Gabe Cazares, Mayor, Clearwater, Florida. This is a cautionary tale for
all politicians who might choose to oppose Scientology's goals. The
"Church" tried to frame him for a hit-and-run accident in Washington
D.C. They tried to set him up with a prostitute. They tried to sue his
pants off and destroy his career. He's still around to discuss it if
you're ever so inclined.
http://lisatrust.bogie.nl/stories/activists/meetgabe.htm
More recently, and on a smaller scale, in 2002 three critics were
falsely accused of serious felonies by the "Church." Two are from
Florida, and I am the third. One was accused of arson, following a
mysterious fire bombing at a Palm Springs mission. Although he has never
been to Palm Springs, he was named by Scientologists as a probable
suspect. A postal worker was accused of mail theft by the
Scientologists. I was accused of planning to blow up a "Church" of
Scientology by our friendly local religious establishment. All of us
received visits from our respective local authorities. Why?
We do not take issue with the beliefs of Scientologists. We object to
the criminal and immoral actions taken by the "Church" of Scientology.
It's no wonder ambitious politicians hesitate to offend this destructive
organization. Stripped of its religious protection and facade,
Scientology presents itself very much more like an organized criminal
syndicate than a church. Careers and lives have been, and will continue
to be destroyed by this terrible creation of L. Ron Hubbard as long as
politicians remain too lazy, too fearful, or too corrupt to do anything
about it.
Now, repeat this until you understand it.
We do not take issue with the beliefs of Scientologists. We object to
the criminal and immoral actions taken by the "Church" of Scientology.
We do not take issue with the beliefs of Scientologists. We object to
the criminal and immoral actions taken by the "Church" of Scientology.
We do not take issue with the beliefs of Scientologists. We object to
the criminal and immoral actions taken by the "Church" of Scientology.
The name "Narconon"® is trademarked to the Scientology
organization through one of their many front groups. The name
"Scientology"® is also trademarked to the "Church"
of Scientology. Neither this web page, nor this web site, nor any of the
individuals mentioned herein assisting to educate the public about the
dangers of the Narconon scam are members of or representitives of the
Scientology organization.
If you or a loved one needs help -- real help -- there are
a number of rehabilitation programs you can contact. The real
Narcotics Anonymous organization
can get you in touch with real people who can help you.
Click [HERE] to visit Narcotivs
Anonymous's web site. Narcotics Anonymous's telephone number is
1 (818) 773-9999.
Return to The NarCONon exposure's main Index page.
Barb's open letter to Susan Latvala
11 Sep 2003
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