I am a veteran of war. As a result of serving in times of crisis overseas, I have received personal awards, citations, campaign ribbons and personal commendations. By studying past accomplishment, I have come to learn to recognize personal bravery when I see it.

Mark Bunker is a brave person. He has proved this repeatedly. He deserves recognition for personal integrity, persistence and the ability to get a job done.

What has Mark Bunker done that is worthy of consideration? Saying that Mark took a few pictures is like saying Michaelangelo painted a ceiling. Taking pictures, however, is not what made Mark special. It was his courage in the face of the enemy which was so remarkable. That is where he has distinguished himself.

With a peace of mind and an outward calm that defy description, Mark has contributed to the exposure of a secret war. For decades, campaigns, one after another, have been lauched upon civilized society by an artificially created disease of the mind called the "Church of Scientology." The mere fact that these campaigns exist is the target of a long-term, concentrated attack by Scientology's thought police, called "Office of Special Affairs." Mark has recognized the existence of this dangerous combination of events. Mark also recognized its inherent weakness - public exposure.

For me, Mark Bunker is living proof that the human race, for all its faults and shortcomings, is capable, on occasion, of surpassing anything we could have imagined in our fondest hopes, dreams and desires.

Mark, you have my heartfelt congratulations on a job well done. Thank you. And repeated thank yous to your excellent team at the Lisa McPherson Trust, and anybody else, Scientologists included, who has supported your worthy cause.

On this 3rd day of February, in the year 2000, Mark Bunker is hereby commended for exceptional bravery in the face of adverse and hostile action, and he is awarded utmost respect from someone who recognizes and values human courage.

German Scientology News
Unofficial translations from German-speaking countries
Index/link to over 800 articles - http://cisar.org/trnmenu.htm
Informational publications - http://members.tripod.com/German_Scn_News
For non-commercial use only
Have a nice day

Message-ID: <389AEE0F.C87E683C@pacbell.net>
Date: Fri, 04 Feb 2000 07:19:43 -0800
From: barb <bwarr@pacbell.net>
Subject: notes from a police officer on Bunker

What I was trying to tell you about citizen's arrest is that if this guy was assaulted (assault with a deadly weapon, definite felony) then he had the right to make a citizen's arrest. Having done so, the cops would have had no choice then to take custody. Asking a cop to make an arrest by no means binds him/her to do so. It is still the cops discretion to make the arrest. Making the arrest yourself and turning the perp over to the police is the only way of making sure that its done. I'm sure the laws are very similar in Florida, but as I said, they need to check them out. I have been saying all along that these guys need to be a little better prepared when dealing with the Sci's. Who-so-ever has the power and the money is sure going to wield them. And, never go to a gun fight with a pop-gun. They need to emulate boyscouts and always be prepared. If they are going to play the game, the extra camera across the street is the ticket. I have never heard of a ban on public filming, only on electronic surveillance, which is wiretapping, bugging private conversations, phones, intersepting cellphone calls, etc. Its winter time in Florida. Where do you think all the high powered New York Attorneys are right now? Find one and use one. File the damn complaints. If the police department wimps out, go to the feds and file civil rights violations. Why do you think the federal government is currently running the Philadelphia Police Department? And a few others. Civil rights violations. Thats the catch phrase of the day.

--
barb (banned by Boston)

"In the battle of sticks and stones $cientology wins once in a while, because they put their faith in sticks and stones. But in the spiritual battle, which this really is, $cientology is a pathetic, perpetual loser. In the spiritual battle, $cientologists are already lost."

© Gerry Armstrong

From: Joe's Garage <swatron@xenu.net>
Subject: Hammer technology
Date: Fri, 4 Feb 2000 15:41:16 -0500
Message-ID: <Pine.LNX.3.96.1000204153755.128A-100000@darkstar.zippy>

Scientologists operate using what they call "technology." "Technology," in this sense, means acting or doing without evaluating, or thinking. The secret knowledge which Scientologists have which makes them feel that they are superior to lowly humans is that they feel they can act without having to evaluate what they are doing All situations have supposedly been thought out and instructions have been written down, enough to circle the globe repeatedly. Imagine, wouldn't that be wonderful, having instructions written down for everything! Scientologists are trained to believe that their instructions are so perfect they will end war, crime, insanity, poor spelling and numerous other pestilential annoyances.

That's what happened with the hammer tech. Two incidents, one right after the other. The target: the camera. Maybe it was just coincidence. And maybe Scientology does not operate using technology?

Joe C., escaped Scientology white slave turned pro-critic Rambo "If you think the problem with Scientology is bad now, just wait until we find out what it is." http://members.tripod.com/cic_ops/counter_warfare

From: German_Scn_News <german_scn_news@hotmail.com>
Subject: Brutal hammer attack in Clearwater
Date: Fri, 4 Feb 2000 15:41:50 -0500
Message-ID: <Pine.LNX.3.96.1000204153502.125A-100000@darkstar.zippy>

Violent attack on SWR TV team of the ARD in front of Scientologist Gottfried Helnwein's house in the USA

Clearwater, Florida
February 3, 2000
Peter Reichelt

Clearwater, Florida - the Scientology Mecca
Tuesday, February 1, 2000

A dramatic incident occurred while filming an ARD show in REPORT about Scientologist Gottfried Helnwein on February 1, 2000 in front of his villa in Clearwater. Reporters Hans Michael Kassel, Peter Reichelt and their American camera man, Mark Bunker, were violently ambushed by a man who suddenly stormed out of Helnwein's villa, without warning, with a hammer in one hand and a knife-like object in the other. Even though Mark Bunker tried to block the blows, he was still hit repeatedly with the hammer. The hammer attack was filmed by Bunker and Reichelt as much as was possible. As a result of the hammer attack, Mark Bunker suffered from shock and his camera was damaged, but by a miracle, he was unhurt.

Kassel and Reichelt are back in Germany today.

The investigation (case no. 002996) by the Clearwater criminal police is currently going in high gear. So far it has been determined, according to a police statement, that the assassin may be one Scientologist Richard Bernard, who, according to Scientology magazine SOURCE Nr. 80, graduated a Scientology drug therapy course. He is said to be a close staff member of Gottfried Helnwein and to have fled back into his house after the attack. There he was found by the Clearwater police a short time later. The Clearwater district attorney is currently deciding whether to press charges against Richard Bernard. Scientology secret police chief Michael Rinder, who appeared in Clearwater shortly after the attack, expressed his regrets about the attack on the German television team in a midday interview with US television NBC channel 8 reporter Mark Douglas. He disputed that the hammer man, Bernard, was a member of the Scientology organization. According to the NBC reporter, Rinder had a lengthy discussion with Helnwein in his house about the incident. Rinder also disputed Helnwein being a member of Scientology's business management, but explicitly confirmed that Gottfried Helnwein was a long-term, active member of the Scientology organization, and was just staying in Clearwater for the purpose of "religious activities."

Up-to-date information on this case can be found on the internet at: http://www.xenutv.com/hammer.htm

Peter Reichelt, Mannheim
[contact info given]

From: German_Scn_News <german_scn_news@hotmail.com>
Subject: Helnwein capitulates
Date: Fri, 4 Feb 2000 21:44:07 -0500
Message-ID: <Pine.LNX.3.96.1000204213837.131A-100000@darkstar.zippy>

Bonn, Germany
February 4, 2000
Ingo Heinemann's web page

The Legal Proceedings - The Capitulation

The Frankfurt Superior State Court had set the date at February 17, 2000. An SWR team investigated on February 1, 2000 in Clearwater, USA. In front of Helnwein's house, the camera man was attacked with a hammer. On the next day SWR obtained a capitulation statement.

The following press release was sent on February 2, 2000 from attorney Dr. Karsten Rock from the Office of Gram and Weber in Bielefeld to SWR (Southwest Broadcasting).

Press release.

Since 1994, Gottfried Helnwein has pursued legal proceedings to enforce a cease-and-desist order against the "Verein fuer die Interessen tyrannisierter Mitmenschen, e.V." and the "Verein fuer Friedenserziehung im Saarland e.V." for alleged false statements of fact. Mr. Helnwein triumphed in the first round before the Frankfurt State Court, by judgment of the 3rd civil chamber on 24 May 1995.

On appeal by the accused, the judgment of the first specification was confirmed by Frankfurt Superior State Court, but the other three specifications were overturned and withdrawn. To Mr. Helnwein's Constitutional grievance which he filed against this de cision, the first Senate of the Federal Constitutional Court, with a decision on 10 Nov 1998, case number: 1 8 VR 1531/98, overturned the decision of the Frankfurt Superior State Court based on transgression of basic rights and referred it back for a new hearing.

Since Mr. Helnwein has not lived in Germany since the end of 1997 and lives with his family and works alternately between Ireland, New York and Italy, the nearly 6 year old proceeding has since lost meaning and purpose for him. He is now dedicating himself exclusively to his artistic work and is preparing several international museum exhibits which require his entire concentration and work ability.

He has not publicly taken a position on the theme since 1998 and since he no longer lives in Germany, he has not been involved with the topic of the proceedings anymore, either. Further discussion about the case material in the proceedings before the Frankfurt Superior Court is no longer possible for him. He is lacking the time as well as the motivation to continue the dispute.

Mr. Helnwein has repeatedly sought an out of court settlement. Because the opponents in the proceedings have not responded to an offer for out of court settlement, Mr. Helnwein has instructed his representative in the matter to now end the case. Mr. Helnwein's trial representative will now accordingly withdraw his accusations. By withdrawing the accusations, however, it is not conceded that the assertions of fact by the opposing sides are true. The withdrawal of the accusations is serving exclusively to end proceedings for the complainant in which he has lost any legal interest.

From: German_Scn_News <german_scn_news@hotmail.com>
Subject: TV team hits a nerve
Date: Mon, 7 Feb 2000 16:01:26 -0500
Message-ID: <Pine.LNX.3.96.1000207155749.121A-100000@darkstar.zippy>

TV team hits a nerve

Hammer attack on television team from
REPORT Mainz in Scientology stronghold

Clearwater, Florida
February 7, 2000
OTS, http://www3.newsaktuell.de

Clearwater, USA

Research on Gottfried Helnwein ends with violence

A team from ARD magazine "REPORT Mainz" was attacked while doing research in Clearwater, Florida in front of artist Gottfried Helnwein's house by a man armed with a hammer. The camera man, Mark Bunker, was struck twice during the attack; his camera was damaged. He himself was unwounded. The REPORT team from "Suedwest" broadcasting was there to research the artist's Scientology background before the re-hearing of the Helnwein proceedings in Frankfurt Superior State Court. Journalist Peter Reichelt had previously managed to discover the location of Helnwein's secret residence in the vicinity of the Scientology Central in Clearwater.

Gottfried Helnwein, whose spectacular, hyperrealistic paintings found their way to the covers of "Stern," "Spiegel" and "Time," was described as a Scientologist by two associations critical of Scientology. Among other things, they accused him of being a "clergyman" in a group "which uses coercive hypnotic procedures with the help of a lie detector to destroy people's psyches to control them." In response Helnwein sued for a desist order, but was defeated in the second set of hearings before Frankfurt Superior State Court (case nr. 16 U 163/95). At the end of 1998, the Federal Constitutional Court overturned that judgment and referred the matter back to Frankfurt (case nr: 1BvR 1531/96. That is where the case is to be heard anew on February 17.

The core issue of whether Helnwein is actually a Scientologist, remains unanswered before the court. ARD magazine REPORT had managed to find previously unpresented evidence indicating Helnwein's membership in the Scientology organization.

When "REPORT Mainz" wanted to interview Helnwein, the door was closed on the camera team in front of Helnwein's house in Clearwater. Only a few seconds later, an attacker armed with a hammer and a pointed object came out of Helnwein's house and attacked the team on the open street. The district attorney's office in Clearwater is currently reviewing whether charges will be pressed against the attacker (case nr.: 00-2996). According to findings of REPORT Mainz, it involved a man who had been listed as a course graduate in a Scientology magazine in 1992. The incident has already been reported upon in detail in the U.S. media.

SWR Chief Editor and REPORT moderator Bernhard Nellessen said of the violent incident in Clearwater, "When reporters and their staff are attacked because they wanted to conduct an interview, it appears they have hit a nerve on the other side.

The piece on Helnwein and Scientology will be broadcast at 9 p.m. on Monday, February 7, on "REPORT Mainz."

From: German_Scn_News <german_scn_news@hotmail.com>
Subject: Hammer man attacks ARD team while filming
Date: Mon, 7 Feb 2000 16:02:36 -0500
Message-ID: <Pine.LNX.3.96.1000207155915.121C-100000@darkstar.zippy>

Hammer man attacks ARD team while filming

Clearwater, USA
February 5, 2000
WAZ
http://www.waz.de/free/waz.nachrichten.welt.artikel.inhalt-000.html?news_id=458046

Mainz (dpa) A team from ARD magazine "Report Mainz" says that it was attacked by a man with a hammer in Clearwater (U.S. state of Florida) in front of artist Gottfried Helnwein's house. As reported by "Suedwest" (SWR) Broadcasting in Mainz, camera man Mark Bunker was hit twice and his camera was damaged. He, himself was not wounded. The "Report" team was trying to do some research into the artist's Scientology background before the new set of hearings in the Helnwein proceedings.

Journalist Peter Reichelt had managed to find out the secret location where Helnwein had been staying in the vicinity of Scientology Central in Clearwater.

Renowned painter Helnwein had been described in 1994 by two associations critical of Scientology as a Scientologist. Among other things, they accused him of being a "clergyman" of a group "which uses coercive hypnotic procedures with the help of a lie detector to destroy people's psyches to control them."

In response Helnwein sued for a desist order, but was soundly defeated in the second hearings in front of the Frankfurt Superior State Court. The Federal Constitutional Court overturned that judgment at the end of 1998 and referred the matter back to Frankfurt, where a new hearing is set for February 17.

The TV show about Helnwein and Scientology will be broadcast by ARD on Monday (February 7, 9 p.m.)

From: Michael Reuss <mreuss@mciworld.com>
Subject: My letter to the Clearwater PD
Message-ID: <FnCiOG8+ZdquruilgCfpBCoS2HsV@4ax.com>
Date: Thu, 10 Feb 2000 08:04:23 GMT

Dear Clearwater Police Department,

As a recent visitor to your city, I am amazed to learn, by way of the Internet, of the shameful response of your officers to a hammer attack on Mr. Mark Bunker of the newly founded Lisa McPherson Trust.

From the evidence I have seen, I think these facts are clear. Uniformed police officers ignored statements by Mr. Bunker that he had just been the victim of an what is most probably an aggravated battery, a class 3 felony. Then they turned a blind eye to possible videotape evidence of that attack. Then they actually threatened to arrest Mr. Bunker for illegal AUDIOtaping when he was not audiotaping at all, but clearly operating a videocamera. This happened on a public thoroughfare, where no expectation of privacy from such taping could reasonably thought to exist by anyone.

If these officers on the scene were being paid as off-duty security agents by and for the Church of Scientology, and if they then used their uniforms and official presence to stop legal, peaceful activities, while ignoring dangerous, felonious criminal activity, in my opinion they do not deserve to wear the uniform of police officers, in your city, or any city.

I sincerely hope that Clearwater will take appropriate corrective actions to insure that similar breeches of public safety do not happen again.

Michael Reuss [ph. and addr. snipped]

Michael Reuss Honorary Kid

From: German_Scn_News <german_scn_news@hotmail.com>
Subject: German TV report with Our Cameraman Mark
Date: Thu, 10 Feb 2000 12:09:14 -0500
Message-ID: <Pine.LNX.3.96.1000210120258.121A-100000@darkstar.zippy>

Helnwein

Scientology and the Artist

Mainz, Germany
February 7, 2000
Report Mainz

It is normal for our reporters not to be welcomed everywhere they go with open arms. Those who have something to hide answer in monosyllables and shy away from television. What happened to our camera man Mark Bunker in Florida, however, was more than just a cool reception.

In front of the house in which renowned artist and alleged Scientologist Gottfried Helnwein was presumed to be, the team was actually attacked and the camera was damaged by blows from a hammer.

My colleagues, Hans-Michael Kassel and Peter Reichelt, sought indices of Helnwein's relationship to Scientology.

R E P O R T

[film]:

"Get out of here."
"We are here on a public street."
"Well so am I. You want to film me? I'll show you."

The attacker, whose name is listed on Scientology lists, armed with his hammer, disappeared back into the house afterward. According to our information, that is where Gottfried Helnwein lived.

What had happened? Several weeks before. Clearwater, Florida. Palm Bluff Street. We find the place where Gottfried Helnwein is staying. We are amazed. Famous Helnwein posters were lying before the front door, soaked by rain. Some evidence, at least, that we had the right place. He apparently retreated to Clearwater. Germany, as he publicly declared, had become unbearable for him. His statement from years past:

voiceover, Gottfried Helnwein

"I have never before known such
an inhospitable, aggressive and
malicious country."

picture

"It goes about shutting someone
out of society completely. There is
a condition, and that is what is to
be brought about. That is to make
someone socially dead."

The cry of an agonized artist's soul, or a coolly calculated provocation against Germany, his homeland of choice for over a decade? Helnwein was "everybody's darling." His pictures brought the highest prices, in spite of, or perhaps because, they primarily depicted gruesomely wounded or mutilated people.

The picture changed, however, as the 1990s began. His exhibitions were no longer being solemnly praised; they landed in the cross fire. An accusation hung in the air: the artist was said to be a Scientologist. The charge was followed by prompt denials.

picture

voiceover, Gottfried Helnwein

"I do not have any office, any post,
any function or any active
membership in any kind of sect,
especially not with Scientology.
This is sworn testimony."

Helnwein not a Scientologist? He has mobilized prominent backers. In October '96 for example, the Parliamentary Vice President on the "Boulevard Bio" talk show:

voiceover, Antje Vollmer, B'90/the Greens, Federal Parliamentary Vice President:

"So, with me this really is also a
little bit about this [German]
republic. And I am getting involved
in this case, because my picture of
this republic's civility does really
not allow for a person like
Gottfried Helnwein to have to
leave the country. I would not like
that."

The press spokeswoman for Scientology herself could not have put it more eloquently. The memorable appearance on Biolek caused an uproar among German Scientologists. The highest ranking former member of past years still gets animated as she recalled the moment.

voiceover, Dagmar Hopp, former Scientology member:

"He was a top level Scientologist,
known to us all. Therefore I was
also enraged when I saw that
broadcast with Mr. Biolek, how
Scientology had totally lied."

picture

Clearwater, Florida, the Mecca of the Scientologists, called "Flag." A former top staff member from Flag knows Helnwein only as a Scientologist.

Question: Was it in any way questionable that Helnwein was a Scientologist?

voiceover, Anita C., former Scientology member:

"No."

Question: Was he well-known?

voiceover, Anita C., former Scientology member:

"Very well known. Also in Flag.
The only thing which sometimes
disturbed us was when we heard
something about he had said on
television that he was not a
Scientologist. We could not even
conceive of that."

This is still not evident to the outside world. Helnwein retreated to his castle in Burgbrohl, Rheinland-Pfalz and provided letters of denial from Scientology. From its [German] President Helmuth Bloebaum, among others. By doing that he led people to believe that he had nothing to do with the self-proclaimed church.

image

With suitable results:

An interview in the Scientology "Celebrity" magazine of 1989 - alleged to be counterfeit. An article from 1990 describing him as an "auditor, a so-called clergyman - alleged to be counterfeit. Lists indicating he was a donor and course graduate - also alleged to be counterfeit. Then - probably also counterfeit - his application for lifetime membership from 1987.

Scientology, one may conclude, a one-of-a-kind counterfeiting shop.

Still we found new indices. This previously unknown sales portfolio with Helnwein pictures from 1991, authored and signed personally by him. Countless letters of recommendations from leading Scientologists. They appeared just recently - with former members. The decisive factor is that Helnwein was not to profit at all from the pictures' sales profits - Scientology was. A Scientology prospectus from 1998. The organization thanked generous donors for payments into the so-called "war chest." In the middle of them: Gottfried Helnwein and his wife, Renate. Another counterfeit? If not, then Helnwein's payment has gone to the fight against Scientology opponents. Is that the reason for his stubborn lies?

We checked with someone who would know from experience. Jesse Prince, ex-envoy of Scientology leader David Miscavige. He told us:

voiceover, Jesse Prince, former Scientology member:

"In my opinion that is a covert
operation. Namely, get Gottfried
away from the organization so that
he can attack the people in
Germany."

The secret agency, OSA, as they do here in Clearwater, lies in wait for any opportunity to attack Germany. The line is clear: to associate Germany today with Nazi methods. Gottfried Helnwein functions exactly according to this scheme.

voiceover, Gottfried Helnwein:

"I never knew before that there are
bloodlines here, that one must
produce proof of being an Aryan
in order to put on an art exhibit."

That is the exact strategy. Today on the internet, Scientology is parading its statements of alleged discrimination against Scientologists in Germany. Gottfried Helnwein in the role of victim. Quote: "Because he is a Scientologist."

Is Scientology lying? Then Helnwein is being used against his will. We have huge doubts. The indices which we exclusively researched show one thing above all else: Helnwein is standing on the foremost line of a propaganda battle. Deception of the public included. No wonder that he is hiding from us. Another one answers - like this:

film clip:

"Do you want to film me?"

Narrator Bernhard Nellessen:

The legal proceedings on Helnwein's membership in Scientology were to have been rolled out anew in ten days in Frankfurt. Shortly before this broadcast the artist's attorneys told us they had withdrawn their legal complaint.

Narrator:
Bernhard Nellessen

Report:
Hans-Michael Kassel
Peter Reichelt

Camera:
Mark Bunker
Hans-Michael Kassel

Editing:
Heiko Viehl

related link: http://www.xenutv.com

From: Lronscam <NQSPAMLronsscam@aol.comNOTs>
Subject: Re: Mark Bunker and Richard Bernard - State Attorney Felony Investigation Number
Date: Fri, 11 Feb 2000 20:26:59 -0500
Message-ID: <MPG.130e800af9c5b4329897fe@news.newsguy.com>

The addy of peter_a_reichelt@hotmail.com, In article ID <881emb$fe5$1@nnrp1.deja.com>, On or about Fri, 11 Feb 2000 16:51:25 GMT,

Peter Reichelt says...

>Clearwater state attorney case:
>
>The Richard Bernard "hammer" - case has the
>"Felony Investigation Number: F 0000 895 - state attorney office
>Clearwater
>Offense Type: Aggravated Assault - commited
>Incident Type: Felony
>Incident Location: 300 Palm Bluff Street, Clearwater, house of
>scientologist Gottfried Helnwein.
>Type of Weapon: Blunt Object
>------------------------------
>a state attorney will be assigned to the case in the following week.


This is great news. In other words, what the prosecutor saw as a felony the two police officers saw as a questionable event. I can't imagine how they could have seen it as anything other than a crime.

I was thinking more like an assault. Without this man being on camera, he would definitely not be charged. I still find it amazing that this man was not hand cuffed at the scene.

aggravated assault n. the crime of physically attacking another person which results in serious bodily harm and/or is made with a deadly or dangerous weapon such as a gun, knife, sword, ax or blunt instrument. Aggravated assault is usually a felony punishable by a term in state prison. See also: assault

--
Web page summary: http://www.entheta.net
The best overall site: http://www.xenu.net
Chris Owen's well researched site: http://www.demon.co.uk/castle/audit/index.html.
The name says it all: http://www.ronthewarhero.org
Co$ book list:http://www.cs.cmu.edu/~dst/Library
Real player files of Co$, pickets, LRH, etc: http://www.xenutv.com

Here is the police call-in/dispatch tape for the incident involving Richard Bernard and the hammer attack.

The call was made by the groundskeeper who lives across the street. His name has been redacted by the police department.

We did not call the police on the hammer attack as moments after the incident, Officer Kelly arrived in response to this call.

http://www.xenutv.com/trust/hammerattack.ram

From: cultxpt@primenet.com (Jeff Jacobsen)
Subject: Re: New at XENU TV: 911 call about hammer attack
Date: Fri, 18 Feb 2000 04:24:37 GMT
Message-ID: <38acc934.132520640@news.primenet.com>

I don't get it. Is videotaping in a residential area a crime in Clearwater? A guy calls the Clearwater police and says some people are videotaping across the street from his house. So the Clearwater police just apparently as a matter of course dispatch a policeman to check this out???? I don't get it.

From: "Mark Bunker" <benwog@flash.net>
Subject: My visit with the State Attorney
Message-ID: <jHmr4.7011$nu4.541406@news.flash.net>
Date: Sat, 19 Feb 2000 01:52:15 GMT

This afternoon I went in to be questioned in the matter of the Richard Bernard Hammer Attack. I was looking forward to the experience but I'm afraid I came away very depressed.

The afternoon started bleakly with discovering that Officer Kelly was in speaking to the investigator when I arrived. Just hearing his name made me feel on edge. It's strange because if Bernard had been there, I wouldn't have reacted so strongly. I just wasn't expecting to see Kelly.

Then Officer Kelly was sent out to ask me a question. The investigator wanted to know if we could put off my questioning till Monday. I didn't mind the request but I was rather put off with Kelly being sent to ask me. He seemed to be trying hard to be polite and sociable but I guess I felt like Ronald Goldman's father when O.J. would walk into the courtroom.

Even more than the hammer attack itself, which was inexcusable, I was disturbed by Kelly's actions of not wanting to investigate the attack. I've always been such a huge supporter of the police and especially the CW police that it saddens me to see how many of the cops have no trouble taking Scientology's dirty money. I don't know if Kelly ever took a dime from Scientology but others have and it leaves me with a deep distrust of the department and that saddens me.

Well, eventually it was decided that the investigator would question me about the events and after hearing all the questions and comments about our filming it seemed to me she was leaning in the direction of letting the whole thing drop. There was a lot of talk about mitigating circumstances and perhaps because we were filming and he just hit the camera and not me, that charges wouldn't be filed.

I was told that because Bernard wasn't arrested that this case would move more slowly through the system and it could be weeks before any decision would be made whether any actions would be taken.

By this time I felt it was all over and it would be a simple going through the motions of asking a few questions of Bernard and then they would close the case. Perhaps give Bernard a Good Citizen Medal. My frustrations became apparant and I was asked to say what I felt so I unleashed my feelings about this.

I mentioned that if nothing is done about Bernard then it gives free reign to anyone to assault me any time I have my camera. Overstatement perhaps but it's the way I feel. "Oh sure, I hit him with a hammer, Officer, but he was shooting a documentary!"

A lot was said about the fact that he hit the camera and not me and that the camera did not suffer any serious damage but I pointed out that no matter how upset I am about the criminal activities of Scientology I don't take a hammer and start attacking their property. If I ever did you can be assured I would be jailed immediately.

The investigator also couldn't comprehend why I didn't run in fear when Bernard started attacking. I explained that there are camera people in the middle of war zones and that it's my training to keep rolling and get the footage. She couldn't quite comprehend this. She felt anyone who was in fear would try to get away. Well, I fear Scientology far more than a bezerko guy with a hammer and I moved next door to them.

I left feeling that it was pointless. That nothing would come of it. Bob Minton can shove someone with a styrofoam sign after being struck and he is charged with a felony. A guy assaults me with a hammer, it's on tape, and no one cares.

It's comforting to know that there are a large number of you around the world who understand. I appreciate all the support you've shown me through this incident and the arrest in Chicago.

I'll keep you updated... and I'll keep on fighting.

From: "Mark Bunker" <benwog@flash.net>
Subject: Re: My visit with the State Attorney
Message-ID: <YSnr4.7033$nu4.548835@news.flash.net>
Date: Sat, 19 Feb 2000 03:12:56 GMT

First off, sorry for the multiple posts. My newsreader was acting up and it said it wasn't mailed but it turns out to have been mailed repeatedly.

One point I left out.

The Sgt who arrived on the scene (the one who forced Kelly to do an investigation) sat in on my questioning. At one point, the inspector asked me if I knew Bernard or if I'd seen him before or since and I said that was my entire contact with him and I only knew what I had heard from the police on the newscasts but we were sure he was a Scientologist because of the listing of his name in Scientology magazines.

The Sgt was very surprised by this and perked up immediately. I told him about Source Issue 80 but that was the only one I could remember off hand. he's interetsted in following up on that.

Anyone have the complete list handy of all Richard Bernard references?

Thanks.

Message-ID: <38AE4F3D.42CA@virgin.net>
Date: Sat, 19 Feb 2000 08:07:25 +0000
From: Roland <roland.rashleigh-berry@virgin.net>
Subject: Re: My visit with the State Attorney

It's a good job the hammer wasn't damaged by your camera otherwise you could have real problems. They could charge you with vandalism and terrorism. Perhaps in the interest of fostering good community relationships with minority religions then we should all offer a soft part of our body to cushion the blows from the clam hammers. Not our hands, as this could be construed as being threatening. Our foreheads would probably do so long as we did not look at the assailants in a threatening manner. We would be better off smiling sweetly at them, though being careful not to show our teeth. Then the police who are looking on would be satisfied that we are acting in a peaceful and friendly manner and not arrest us or charge us.

Should we fail to do this then the police would obligingly turn their backs while their paymasters "hammered out of existence incorect technology" and then arrest us for littering the side-walk with our blood and teeth.

Yes, to avoid problems with the CW police, you simply have to abserve an acceptable code of conduct.

Roland