Sunday, August 29, 2004

The DC Picket began at about 1:10 on a humid, 90 degree afternoon at the Washington DC $cientology Org. Several others who were to attend picket cancelled, so Arnie and myself started by touring the DC Org neighborhood with brand new, custom made "paneling tech," placed on each side of a pickup truck. They were in fact made with 2 - 4x7 sheets of paneling! They said:

Scientology-lies.com it's worse than you think! L Ron Hubbard --> the King of Cons "..in short a fraud" Judge Gessel

The picket was also dedicated to the hard work of many activists, so some of the pictures (and some not pictured but used) acknowledged the fine work that they do. Kristi's website was heralded on the sides of the paneling tech; Ida was there in spirit; A "Dave Touretzky Rocks! Stop-Narconon.Org" mini sign stood by the "Purification Rundown" on the sidewalk. In other words, the ARSCC entheta crew has been on location in Washington, DC!!

The purpose of all this - wake people up to the facts! So lots of resources were there to help :-)

We found a parking space near the Org, just a few spots past the main entrance. Sylvia Stanard OSA DC of the Washington Org was sitting across the street in an outdoor cafe, so we decided to go and say hi. When jokingly asked if she would buy us lunch, she declined. We were able to talk about the weather in a friendly-like manner. Sylvia was afraid to say alot because she said it goes on the internet. Her assigned job was to get photos and watch activity. So we chatted for a few minutes. From where we sat, it was not long before seeing a cameramen outside of the Org.

We talked a little about Aleister Crowley and scientific research amongst other things. It was also suggested that Sylvia read a book by Dusty Sklar as it has striking parallels to the promises that L Ron Hubbard makes to its members - the same identifiable occult motivational teachings and promises that were present in pre-World War II to motivate the National Socialist Party. Sylvia said she may read it. We may not have mentioned the name of the book to her, but it is "Of Gods and Beasts - the Nazi's and the Occult" by Dusty Sklar. Also asked about was the scientific studies listed on the $cientology webpage to support the Narconon program. They weren't written nor proven by Hubbard, why are they on a $cientology webpage? Well, those are just studies that validate Hubbard, says Sylvia, or in other words, other people have proven the same sort of thing as Hubbard. Proving science has obviously been redefined by L Ron Hubbard.

We decided to don the picket signs, walk around the Org and pass out flyers. The two picket signs used were: "Travolta has Space Cooties! Read All About It." The other side said: $cientology Office of Special Affairs Lies." The other sign said: "Warning, Scam Ahead, Greedy Zone, $cientology Lies, WWW.XENU.NET "

Foot traffic was moderate and there were alot of people walking by the Org. The Org had on "Open House" sign to invite people in to see an "$cientology intro movie" and there was another sign advertising a Purification Rundown movie placed on the sidewalk. Many took flyers and many said they already knew that it was a scam. The truck's paneling tech was a big hit that brought many smiles, (already known) comments and some questions. Another man came out of the Org to take pictures.

Two men approached and were loudly confronting Arnie, one man claiming to be an ex-IRS agent. I don't know why, but in his confrontation about $cientology, this ex-IRS agent began to state negative comments about the IRS, to the point of conspiracy. This could only happen by a $cientology Org.

Then, a person who was parked almost directly in front of the Org was getting in her car to leave. The perfect opportunity to back up the truck and take the spot. Freedom of parking today!

We picketed a while longer and saw a group of young adults coming out of the Org, startled and giddy - the kind of sentiment akin to that of exiting a haunted house. The most outstanding comment was from of one of the females whose first words were, "That was creepy, I thought that guy was going to jump out of the screen!"

We decided to take a lunch break at the cafe across the street, since the truck was now right in front of the Org, making a big impression of it's own. Sitting at the cafe, it was kind of a sad reflection to think that $cientology leads members into the fold with flashy celebrities. Here you are sitting and dining on a real meal of healthy food watching staffworkers carry ice, stryofoam cups and snacks into the Org. Such an apparent paradox. Far from that stage-like sell.

Watching from the cafe, there seemed to be no break for the course takers at 3:00 or at 3:30 with the exception of possibly staff who came out to stand on the steps. A couple of apparent staff workers had left prior to course break and came back carrying convenience store bags and ice. Possibly they wanted to keep people in so they would not see the message that was outside.

One man of about 60 years old, with a cane, walked very slowly up the stairs to the Org. Two OSA member also came out walking up and around the block. Maybe they wondered where the picketers went. (Sparkling water and veal scallopini of course!)

After a late lunch, we left.

It was now time to drive around and unleash the newest picket invention to larger audiences. We toured Old Town in DC and other downtown mainstreets and hot spots that were swarming with people. Then it was to Georgetown University - a timely choice. This was a day for students were moving in before the start of the new college semester. Students and parents all over. We drove from one end to the other.

The last stop before dismantling the paneling tech was by the neighborhood where the long stairway from the movie, "The Excorcist" was filmed.

That ended the picket.

I was also able to visit the Citizens Against Corruption reading room during my visit to Washington. There I was able to see a vast library that Arnie has, of cult-related materials and view many of the $cientology related books, articles and other media. That Arnie recommends books based on his past experience with $cientology means that there is something that members, and others are likely to identify with. The most striking so far pertaining to the overall movement of $cientology is - Dusty Sklar's Of Gods and Beasts - the Nazi's and the Occult. The ideologies and practice of the occult used at these times in history are haunting to the likeness of $cientology promises that are strewn throughout L Ron Hubbard's writings. The way in which $cientology "approaches" society through its groups can be seen as well in this book. As an offshoot to this book, there are many others to study and see parallels of $cientology within the ritualistic sense, and those adopted by Hubbard - books on Hypnosis, Aleister Crowley, OTO, etc etc.

Worse than finding out that Hubbard had no science behind any of his so-called "medical theories," it is equally important to pay some attention to the "motivations" or "philosophies" that Hubbard used as his source to guide his members - to "believe" him, in any of his "ritual teachings" to begin with. If you don't read, you'll never know.

Feisty

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