Documentary of the year

[sombrefan]

If you haven't seen it already, watch Panorama's expose of Scientology. The BBC has it up on their site for the next week (may not be watchable outside the UK btw so you may have to resort to file sharing).

Link:

It's created quite a storm here as there's been allegations of Scientology smear tactics against this broadcast and indeed the reporter from the programe had to apologise for some of the content (but in my view he was totally justified for what happened).

And there's a really creepy dude in it. Think Agent Smith from the Matrix but 10 times more intimidating.

Comments

[wondersheep.livejournal.com]

I've spent some time studying these guys, and that's pretty standard, I think it's great the BBC is showing how often Mr. Davis showed up to harrass him, because I've heard of other journalists who caved and killed the story.

Yeah, it's a little sensationalist, but seriously, who shows up at a hotel at midnight with a camera crew?

[gossi.livejournal.com]

Yeah. The creator of the 'religion' came up with this tactic for doubters called 'attack the attacker' or some such.

The official guide of those folks is:

"
(1) Spot who is attacking us.
(2) Start investigating them promptly for felonies or worse using own professionals, not outside agencies.
(3) Double curve our reply by saying we welcome an investigation of them.
(4) Start feeding lurid, blood sex crime actual evidence on the attackers to the press.
"

And the Communications Office Policy:

"Don't ever tamely submit to an investigation of us. Make it rough, rough on attackers all the way. You can get "reasonable about it" and lose. Sure we break no laws. Sure we have nothing to hide. BUT attackers are simply an anti-Scientology propaganda agency so far as we are concerned. They have proven they want no facts and will only lie no matter what they discover. So BANISH all ideas that any fair hearing is intended and start our attack with their first breath. Never wait. Never talk about us - only them. Use their blood, sex, crime to get headlines. Don't use us. I speak from 15 years of experience in this. There has never yet been an attacker who was not reeking with crime. All we had to do was look for it and murder would come out."

That was also written by the creator. Who's wife was arrested. And convicted of perpetrating the largest incident of domestic espionage in the history of the United States, as it happens.

[ladybrick.livejournal.com]

I actually live across the street from the Celebrity Centre shown in that video. It was a bit surreal at first, with all the workers walking around in their polo shirts and security people patrolling the area 24/7. But I've gotten used to it now... I don't bother them, they don't bother me, and it actually makes me feel a tad safer with the security around when I come home late at night.

It is annoying when they have loud parties at night, though.