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Comedian Works His Scientology Threat Letter Into His Act; Birmingham (UK) Scientology building deal
Comedian Works His Scientology Threat Letter Into His Act
If you’ve participated in an anti-Scientology rally as part of “Anonymous,” and if the Church figured out your identity, chances are you’ve received a letter accusing you of inciting violence against Church outposts and engaging in terroristic activities.
Some, like Queens Anon Mike Vitale, were emboldened by the letter to continue their criticisms of the Church of Scientology. When comedian Billy Lyday received his own threatening letter from Scientology attorneys after he attended a Los Angeles protest, he worked his own response to the Church into his act.
- Source: John DeSio, Comedian Works His Scientology Threat Letter Into His Act, The Village Voice, June 25, 2008
Scientology’s hate- and harassment activities were codified by its founder, L. Ron Hubbard, whose writings — including those those proscribe and justify unethical behavior, such as dead agenting and fair game — are considered scripture by the cult.
Church of Scientology deal funds blow
The Church of Scientology today admitted it has not yet done a deal to buy the Grade II listed Birmingham building which it plans to turn in to its Midlands headquarters.
The organisation hopes to part with £4.25 million to snap up Moseley’s plush Pitmaston building on leafy Moor Green Lane, but says it must raise more funds before moving in.
The news may come as a surprise to neighbours who say they have seen followers turn up for a string of meetings in recent weeks.
It was revealed exclusively in the Birmingham Mail that the organisation – famed for its celebrity disciples including Tom Cruise and belief in alien life – were planning to swoop for the former insurance firm offices in April.
Leaders have refused to outline their future plans for the site, but say they will keep locals informed and have vowed to preserve the building’s unique features.
Graeme Wilson, the church’s director of public affairs, said the site would be modelled on the organisation’s newly-opened London base, complete with meeting rooms and lecture theatres.
“The current owners have permitted members of the church to use the building for a few meetings,” he said.
- Source: Edward Chadwick, Church of Scientology deal funds blow, Birmingham Mail, June 26, 2008
Florida may limit paying for some kids drugs
Florida’s massive healthcare agency may cut back on paying for powerful drugs now prescribed for young children, although a final decision could be weeks or months away.
Since late April, the Agency for Health Care Administration has required doctors to obtain permission before the state’s Medicaid program will pay for drugs prescribed to children under the age of six for autism, bipolar disorder or attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. Any new prescriptions must be evaluated by psychiatrists at the University of South Florida in Tampa.
The reason for the change: the increase in the number of children prescribed the drugs in the past several years, especially since the U.S. Food and Drug Administration does not recommend anymore the use of what are known as ”atypical antipsychotic” drugs in young children. Previous published reports have said that the number of children in Medicaid getting such drugs has grown from more than 9,000 kids in 2000 to more than 18,000 in 2006.
A state panel met Wednesday to consider whether Florida should craft a more detailed policy to decide when it should pay for such drugs. The meeting drew a smattering of attendance, in person and on the phone, including a representative of the Citizens Commission on Human Rights, an offshoot of the Church of Scientology, who said the state was violating its own rules by paying for drugs not recommended by the FDA.
- Source: Gary Fineout, State may limit paying for some kids drugs, Miami Herald, June 26, 2008
The ironically-named Citizens Commission on Human Rights is a Scientology front organization that fights against alleged abuses in psychiatry and psychology. As Scientology critic Martin Poulter pointed out, It is absolutely remarkable that an organisation which stands accused of so many human rights violations itself should spawn a pressure group with this name.
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