First, since this is my first substantive de-lurk, a little about myself. I've been interested in cult activities since my early college days (1978). Back then, the Moonies were active on my campus, and I was in the midst of a great deal of soul- searching regarding religion, life, the world, etc. I was break- ing away from my Methodist upbringing and looking for answers. Perfect fodder for a cult. Chatting it up with the Moonies and the bible-thumpers on the mall became something of a pasttime for me and I learned a great deal. Luckily for me, common sense and a wariness about the feeling I got from the Moonies, that they were hiding their true nature for marketing reasons and taking advantage, emotionally and financially, of their believers kept me away from them. That inoculation against the cult modus operandi, coupled with a solid college education, lead me to a happy, stable belief system founded on atheism and the scientific method.
Many years have passed since then. I was first drawn to a.r.s by news reports in the popular media about the spam attack by the tchurdch (spit) and their attempts to silence critics. Since then I have been lurking and learning here (well, I did give up for a while until the spam settled down). Athough I haven't earned my stripes by going through the Scieno system and breaking out, the issues that are operative here are dear to my heart. Logic, reason, the scientific method and the bill of rights; these are the foundations of my world. Scientology (tm) is an insult to all of these. So that's a small taste of my motivation for the following.
Here in my neck of the woods, I'm unfortunate in that there are no scieno orgs nearby to pester. (Would that the rest of the world were so unlucky) However, I was recently invited to a party in Minneapolis. On the slate of activities for the weekend was a visit to the "Dianetics Center" downtown - my friend said that she and some others wanted to go down to pester the clams, since they were unhappy about their cars constantly being littered with IQ tests.
Finally faced with the opportunity to put my mouth where my beliefs lie, I printed out 200 copies of the Xemu leaflet and headed for the Twin Cities.
Sunday noon was overcast and cold, mid 30's F and windy. The org is right on the downtown pedestrian mall and my friend had assured me of plenty of foot traffic. I don't think she counted on the un- seasonably cold weather. There were a few passers-by, so I happily took my position right outside the entrance to the org/bookstore and began trying to interest the pedestrians in the Xemu flier. My activities immediately drew the interest of the clams inside. There was a fluster of activity in the doorway as they seemingly tried to decide what to do. Soon one of them came out and asked for a copy of the leaflet, scanned the headline and then repeated it as a question, "Who _is_ Xemu?" as if he didn't know. I suggested he read it and find out.
I had a few moments of respite from the clams, and I continued to try to interest the pedestrians enough to take the flier. I was having some difficulty until one of my friends, who is a marketing professional suggested that I try the line, "Scientology doesn't want you to read this!" I adopted that and quickly began having more success. Still quite a few of the peds seemed to think I was a clam and did their best to ignore me. I probably got up to about a 40% acceptance rate. Coupled with the weather-depressed foot traffic, I probably passed out only 15 copies all told. But for me, there is more of the story to be told:
An older woman (late 40's to 50's?) exited the org, and on her way past, demanded my name. I was reluctant to give it, and she gave her first name, saying, "_I_ don't have anything to hide." Soon after, a man, who seemed to be in charge came out and made contact with me. He started with the same thing, "What's your name?" Feeling like I should have the courage of my convictions, I gave him my real name.
Was this a mistake? I know quite a bit about the efforts the clams will go to to harass critics.
When we got the names out of the way (he gave me his, but it went in one ear and out the other - I was too distracted by trying to hold a converstation at the same time I was trying to deal with the foot traffic), he set off on a virtual interogation of me - who did I work for, what group was I with, why was I doing this, had I ever taken a clam course or read a book. He was incredulous at my answers - seemed impossible for him to believe that I could be doing this at my own behest, not having ever been "into" Scientology (tm).
After he was done "vetting" me, he leaned in and said, "you know, we consider this a suppressive act, and you a suppressive person. Do you know what that means?" With a great deal of glee in my heart, I assured him that I was aware of the term.
I think I just earned my SP1!!! Could I please have confirmation from the ARSCC (wdne)? It would be a real badge of honor for me to wear.
During our talk, I noticed that a couple with a video camera had come around the far corner of the building (apparently not from the main entrance) and taped us briefly. I would guess it was the clams, but that's just supposition on my part.
Our clam spokesman, after calling me an SP, said that I would have to leave now. I of course informed him of my belief that I was within my 1st amendment rights and on a public sidewalk. That put him off for a while. He made several trips in and out of the building during all of this, and at several points I saw him speaking with a man in what seemed to me to be an usher's uniform - black topcoat with a silver chain. But the "usher" was also wearing a rack of campaign ribbons on his chest. Could this have been a SeaOrger?
Eventually, Mr. Spokesman came out with Mr. Usher. They approached me and and he said to Mr. Usher, "he needs to leave now." I again said that I felt that I was well within my rights and that it would take a lawful order from a police officer to get me to move. He said something along the lines of, yes, that's a good idea, and went back in the building, not to reappear again while I was there.
A couple of other younger men then came out and it seemed like they were trying to surround me with new racks of literature - a rack of "A New Slant..." and one of (I think) ASI magazine with the face of L.Ron Hoover himself leering at me like a jaundiced October moon.
I did my best to stand my ground for a bit, but I was getting cold and my friends soon suggested we move on - we had a few errands, and then the airport to get to for another friend. So after perhaps 30 to 45 minutes, I moved on. Not too many fliers given out, but in terms of enturbulation caused and (hopefully) earning my SP1, I was ready to call it a minor success.
The clams lack of respect for my free speech rights and their attitude in general have guaranteed that I will be back for more. Maybe in the spring when warmer weather and more pedestrians beckon.
Oh, and by the way - if there're any clams reading who are already aware of my little picket, I want to assure you that your threats to call the police had nothing to do with my exit.
I'll be back. Hail Xemu!!!
------------------------------------ What are we going to do tonight, Brain? Same thing we do every night Pinky - try to take over the world!
Warner Bros and Scieno - mere coincidence? You make the call! ------------------------------------
> (Would that the rest of the world >were so unlucky) However, I was recently invited to a party in >Minneapolis. On the slate of activities for the weekend was a visit >to the "Dianetics Center" downtown - my friend said that she and >some others wanted to go down to pester the clams, since they were >unhappy about their cars constantly being littered with IQ tests.
Are the cars that are littered parked in the same area daily? Here at my big org they litter the shopping area across the street from them constantly.
>Finally faced with the opportunity to put my mouth where my beliefs >lie, I printed out 200 copies of the Xemu leaflet and headed for the >Twin Cities.
The Xemu Leaflet. It is everywhere. he heh heh
> There were a few passers-by, so I happily >took my position right outside the entrance to the org/bookstore and >began trying to interest the pedestrians in the Xemu flier. My >activities immediately drew the interest of the clams inside. There >was a fluster of activity in the doorway as they seemingly tried to >decide what to do. Soon one of them came out and asked for a copy >of the leaflet, scanned the headline and then repeated it as a question, >"Who _is_ Xemu?" as if he didn't know. I suggested he read it and >find out.
Probably the clam did not know.
> I probably passed out only 15 copies all told.
Looking good!
> But for me, there is more of the story >to be told:
>An older woman (late 40's to 50's?) exited the org, and on her way >past, demanded my name. I was reluctant to give it, and she gave her >first name, saying, "_I_ don't have anything to hide." Soon after, >a man, who seemed to be in charge came out and made contact with me. >He started with the same thing, "What's your name?" Feeling like I >should have the courage of my convictions, I gave him my real name.
>Was this a mistake? I know quite a bit about the efforts the clams >will go to to harass critics.
I say it was a definite error to give your name. When they ask for a name, give them a name, but not the right one. Unless of course the police come to call.
I suggest using Ted mayett when one pickets. I am already a book buyer in Dusseldorf, known in the flesh by three orgs, and have called clams in three different countries so far using my real name and phone number.
>After he was done "vetting" me, he leaned in and said, "you know, we >consider this a suppressive act, and you a suppressive person. Do >you know what that means?" With a great deal of glee in my heart, >I assured him that I was aware of the term.
This sounds like a heavy scenario.
>I think I just earned my SP1!!! Could I please have confirmation >from the ARSCC (wdne)? It would be a real badge of honor for me to >wear.
Since you gave your name you may even earn a higher SP #. :( Certainly you are SP1.
>The clams lack of respect for my free speech rights and their attitude >in general have guaranteed that I will be back for more. Maybe in >the spring when warmer weather and more pedestrians beckon.
>Oh, and by the way - if there're any clams reading who are already >aware of my little picket, I want to assure you that your threats to >call the police had nothing to do with my exit.
But that is what they will think, that threatening to call the police drove you away. I wonder do they clap and cheer over this?
Once again, the NG was worth reading. Nicely done guy.
In article <34552b0...@204.120.4.15>, w...@ns1.inxpress.net (Warren Brown) wrote:
[...]
> After he was done "vetting" me, he leaned in and said, "you know, we > consider this a suppressive act, and you a suppressive person. Do > you know what that means?" With a great deal of glee in my heart, > I assured him that I was aware of the term.
Ask for a declare! This document, suitable for framing, is a very coveted trophy. Unfortunately, they seem reluctant to hand out declares, and even more so to people who were never members. Still, one can always dream...
> I think I just earned my SP1!!! Could I please have confirmation > from the ARSCC (wdne)? It would be a real badge of honor for me to > wear.
I thought this counted as SP2 (after all, they did engage in personal conversation with you).
In any case, Very Well Done!
> Oh, and by the way - if there're any clams reading who are already > aware of my little picket, I want to assure you that your threats to > call the police had nothing to do with my exit.
Only one way to cure them of that misunderstanding: do it again. Talk to the police first, though. As long as you dont break the rules, the clams are going to have a hard time mking the police kick you out.
Also, never go alone, and have at least one camera (still or video) there.
Truly! -- MARTIN L: Postgrad., amateur crackpotologist and caffeine-free celibate bon M POULTER : viveur studying the Philosophy of Belief at Bristol Uni., England c Cult Concern FAQ + Sexual Liberation Now! + Celibate FAQ + Gifts from "Bob" Q Helena Kobrin Page + Scientology Criticism: http://mail.bris.ac.uk/~plmlp/ !
Warren Brown <w...@ns1.inxpress.net> writes: >After he was done "vetting" me, he leaned in and said, "you know, we >consider this a suppressive act, and you a suppressive person. Do >you know what that means?" With a great deal of glee in my heart, >I assured him that I was aware of the term.
>I think I just earned my SP1!!! Could I please have confirmation >from the ARSCC (wdne)? It would be a real badge of honor for me to >wear.
Good news -- attest SP2. (You were personally acknowledged by the clams). Nice work.
|~/ |~/ ~~|;'^';-._.-;'^';-._.-;'^';-._.-;'^';-._.-;||';-._.-;'^';||_.-;'^'0-|~~ P | Woof Woof, Glug Glug ||____________|| 0 | P O | Who Drowned the Judge's Dog? | . . . . . . . '----. 0 | O O | answers on *---|_______________ @__o0 | O L |{a href="news:alt.religion.scientology"}{/a}_____________|/_______| L and{a href="http://www.xemu.demon.co.uk/clam/lynx/q0.html"}{/a}XemuSP4(:)
: First, since this is my first substantive de-lurk, a little : about myself.
My Ghod, this guy delurks with a picket report. And of all places, in Minneapolis, land of frozen fingers. Awesome!
: Many years have passed since then. I was first drawn to a.r.s by : news reports in the popular media about the spam attack by the : tchurdch (spit) and their attempts to silence critics.
Operation Foot Bullet! I'm sure Mike Rinder (Mr OSA) is SO PLEASED with the results of his efforts.
: Athough I haven't earned my : stripes by going through the Scieno system and breaking out, the : issues that are operative here are dear to my heart.
Don't apologise. You show more sense than I did.
: Sunday noon was overcast and cold, mid 30's F and windy.
In other words, a normal winter day in the Twin Cities, banana belt of Minnesota. This is difficult picketing - your fingers stop working after awhile.
: Soon one of them came out and asked for a copy : of the leaflet, scanned the headline and then repeated it as a question, : "Who _is_ Xemu?" as if he didn't know. I suggested he read it and : find out.
LOL! One wonders what he would have done with a NOTs pack.
: After he was done "vetting" me, he leaned in and said, "you know, we : consider this a suppressive act, and you a suppressive person. Do : you know what that means?" With a great deal of glee in my heart, : I assured him that I was aware of the term. : : I think I just earned my SP1!!! Could I please have confirmation : from the ARSCC (wdne)? It would be a real badge of honor for me to : wear.
Therefore, by the power vested in me (not) by the ARSCC (wdne) Awards Subcommittee (wdne, either), you are granted the exalted status of SP2. There should be another award for picketing in Minnesota in the winter, but I can't find it on the Awards Price List. Maybe we can send you some Prozac because you seem to be mentally unstable. :)
In fact, you are really close to an SP Declare. Next time you see this guy, ask for one by name. Make him write one on the spot. Write up his reaction - he'll probably be speechless. An official goldenrod SP Declare is a highly-coveted award in the ARSCC. Not many picketers have them - ask Ted Mayett.
: Our clam spokesman, after calling me an SP, said that I would have to : leave now.
Attest! You're an SP! A scientologist said so! Reality is whatever they agree upon. Write up your wins!
: a man in : what seemed to me to be an usher's uniform - black topcoat with a : silver chain. But the "usher" was also wearing a rack of campaign : ribbons on his chest. Could this have been a SeaOrger?
Sure it wasn't Navy Blue? All I've seen are SeaOgres in Clearwater, wearing summer blues. I don't think I've seen the winter uniform.
: Not too many fliers given out, but in : terms of enturbulation caused and (hopefully) earning my SP1, I was : ready to call it a minor success.
gr...@promisecreepers.org (Grady Ward) wrote: >Moral, when you picket, put newspaper down around you flat on the ground. >When the criminal cultists come up to harass you, point out the newspaper >and ask them to keep their rectal leakage confined within the perimeter.
Very hard, Grady. After all, an Org is so *full* of assholes, a few newspapers will hardy hold back the tide...
