Often heroes are thought of as men and women on the battlefield, performing heroic deeds. Fortunately, our culture has come to realize that heroes are varied. They are firemen, postal workers, medical personnel, and volunteers who give of their time and expertise. There are other heroes too. They are the heroes like Ida Camburn, long time activist whose family was shattered by the cult that claims to be the savior of mankind.

Ida is one of the long-term hard core activists. Ida does not shout empty rhetoric, rather she does the impossible: she continues to fight daily, decade following decade, without withdrawal, remorse, or regret. Ida keeps up the good fight, despite personal cost and risk. When most would have walked away, picked up their marbles, complained about the big bad cult and gone home, Ida has remained. Not only has Ida remained, but she has been effective.

What has she done? She has caused many to look, who would otherwise have turned a blind eye. She had persisted in her writing to elected officials, who least of all like to look at any controversial issue. She has educated journalists and others interested in learning more about cults. Above all, she has survived.

Yes, Ida has survived. Despite the machinations of the likes of Mike and his GO goons, she remains. Despite antics by present day OSA idiots, Ida remains. Despite the PIs, Ida still holds her place. She has been bent, but never broken; weakened but never surrendered. Ida has generated strength when the electricity level was low. While the cult has failed to silence her, these individuals have failed the supreme test of a thetan -- they have failed to make it go right. Ida, however, the little SP in Hemet in Hemet who Roared, has made it go right. She remains standing. In the end that is all that matters, who remains standing.

Ida stands tall, despite her diminutive stature. She has earned respect. People listen to what she says. She is one of the few critics respected by most activists in the anti-scientology movement. If persistence and dedication earn one a seat at the right hand of the gods, Ida has surely earned this spot.

This little grandmother in her red suit strikes fear deep into the bowel of the cult. This little grandmother, approaching 80, living in a land of retirees, petrifies the mighty cult. This cult of the able, this cult of communication, this cult of OTs who are cause over MEST, have failed to control an "old lady." Yes, as the cult points out, Ida is not your typical little old lady; and thank the benevolent deities that she is not.

This little grandmother continues to petrify this cult of the able. Why? Because people listen to what Ida has to say. Ida helps other activists, which is unforgivable. She continues to write to influential individuals. She remains an unrepentant SP. These are crimes not to be forgiven.

Next time you are absolutely petrified of the cult, remember this. The cult of the most able beings on earth are unable to control the actions of one little old lady, whom they have DAd on their hate site. This mighty cult, this group who would clear the planet and instill a scientology world, are petrified of a grandmother in Hemet. This one woman has stood up against this cult of terror and greed for decades. Ida did this before their was an Internet, before there were more critics you could count on two hands. Ida has survived, and continues to disseminate information about the cult. She is a true hero, and deserves, and has earned, our respect. She certainly has mine.