Something Can Be Done About It

Scientology on YouTube

2008-03-18T09:16:00.000-07:00

Scientology is on YouTube now too! It's own channel! It's about time!

Indians Claim to have been Trafficked to Mississippi

2008-03-07T23:35:00.000-08:00

According to an article in the Times of India today, "More than 100 Indian workers at a Mississippi shipyard staged a walkout claiming they were victims of human trafficking and lived and worked in abysmal conditions.

The workers plan to report themselves to the Department of Justice as trafficking victims and demand federal prosecution of the employer, Signal International, a local television channel reported.">>

I've found Americans to be pretty naive about human trafficking. In school we are taught about slavery in the past tense. It's still happening today, though.

Here's a video created by Youth for Human Rights International that puts it in perspective.

This is one of 30 short video clips each of which illustrate one of the 30 articles of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. The videos were produced with the support of the Human Rights Department of the Church of Scientology International and various projects to distribute the videos have been funded by the International Association of Scientologists.

New vs. Old Blogger

2007-01-23T19:23:00.000-08:00

I have this blog on new blogger and a few on old blogger. Now when I try to update my old blogger blogs I can't save my files and get an error message every time.

I sincerely hope this is just a temporary glitch.

Now I'm about to try to save this page. Lessee what happens.

Something Can and Is Being Done about Drugs

2007-01-18T23:36:00.000-08:00

There is really no need to let kids go down the road to self-destruction through drugs.

Ever notice that the increase in so-called depression parallels the amount of drug abuse in society?

Here's an example of what I mean from the Good News blog

More on Drugs

Look at those kids. Aren't they magnificent!

They are elementary school children from Taiwan, and they are taking the Drug-Free Marshals pledge.

Back on my soap box, I guess, but here's a personal story.

My younger sister was always so bright and capable. I admired her so much when we were growing up. She started drinking when she was 11 and started smoking dope when she was 13.

Of anyone I know, she probably posessed more talent and potential. And although she was a bit withdrawn and shy she had a really good disposition. But drugs changed all that.

One day I realized that she had really become vicious. I couldn't trust her any more and she absolutely refused to let me help her. And so that was that.

But even people who do make it and succeed in their careers -- they aren't exempt from the destruction of drugs. Just look how many artists are wrecked by alcohol and drug abuse.

Every time I go to a Scientology event and hear David Miscavige urge Scientologists to do more to help their friends and their communty I think of people like my sister, and how wonderful it would have been if someone had gotten to her before her "cool" friends did.

2007-01-12T00:54:00.000-08:00

Something can be done about sexual trafficking. Here's information on a forum on the subject. The article is on the Scientology Press Office

8 Jan 2007 — Film Premiere puts Spotlight on Sex Trafficking in USA

Human rights activists from Southern California will gather on Wednesday, January 17th to address the growing problem of human trafficking in Los Angeles and throughout the United States.

A new docudrama that exposes trafficking in the US will be premiered followed by a panel discussion.

The film, Cargo: Innocence Lost, by award-winning film director Michael Cory Davis, unveils the dark underworld of sex trafficking. Cargo provides an insight into this human tragedy through interviews with top officials on the subject, victims' advocates and some of the victims themselves.

full story

2006-10-11T22:16:00.000-07:00

It's pretty amazing

It's pretty amazing how much help one auditor can provide.

It's hard to explain to people who haven't studied any Scientology books that auditing isn't an "art" or guesswork but is actually a technology and as invariable in its results, when correctly applied, as any branch of engineering.

2006-09-03T22:04:00.000-07:00

Scientology Volunteer Ministers

The reason Scientology Volunteer Ministers can have the motto "Something CAN be done about it" is because the Scientology Handbook is such an effective compilation of useful, workable material that applies to just about any aspect of life.

2006-08-11T21:54:00.000-07:00

Scientology Volunteer Ministers

I chose the title of my blog based on the motto of the Scientology Volunteer Ministers -- "Something CAN be Done about it."

That's a pretty broad statement. Pretty bold. A little hard to believe.

Just about everyone I've ever met has SOME problem in their life that you CAN'T do anything about, right?

One thing I've gotten from Scientology is the understanding that there IS something that can be done about anything at all.

L. Ron Hubbard discovered that there are formulas you can apply to anything in life. These are effective steps you can take to keep things going up. They are covered in the Scientology Handbook, and this is technology Volunteer Ministers learn and use in their work to help people.

2006-08-01T20:10:00.000-07:00

Human Rights and the Code of a Scientologist

I'm sharing this post because I really agree with what she says:

I've always been passionate about human rights. When I first became a Scientologist I was looking for spiritual answers and was thrilled to find them in the Scientology religion.

I didn't expect to also find that my views on human rights aligns with Scientology beliefs. But they did. And it makes sense.

As David Miscavige, Chairman of the Board of Religious Technology Center, put it in his speech titled This is Scientology:

"The Aims of Scientology are a world without insanity, without criminals, without war, where the able can prosper and where Man is free to rise to greater heights. Also inherent in Scientology itself, is that one take responsibility, not only for himself, but the world at large. And absolutely no part of those efforts have anything to do with mere “belief” or “blind faith” in a doctrine. Rather, we use what we know to help others, and we couldn't care less about their race, creed, color or religion.

2006-07-20T11:04:00.000-07:00

The Middle East

L. Ron Hubbard once wrote "A THIRD PARTY MUST BE PRESENT AND UNKNOWN IN EVERY QUARREL FOR A CONFLICT TO EXIST."

With Kofi Annan calling for " an immediate cessation of hostilities to save lives, send aid, and to allow space for diplomacy," the following should be applied in any attempt to create a reconcilliation:

"Two nations at each other’s throats should each seek conference with the other to sift out and locate the actual third party. They will always find one if they look, and they can find the right one, as it will be found to exist in fact."

For more information on the application of Scientology principles to the resolution of problems in life visit the Religious Technology Center web site where excerpts of the transcript of a speech given David Miscavige called This is Scientology is online.

2006-04-27T18:32:00.000-07:00

Something can be done about it because of Dianetics

The reason Scientologists say that no matter how bad it is, something can be done about it is that they know they have a technology of the mind and spirit.

This is not something people are used to in this materialistic age. But Scientologists know it's true - they know it from their own observation.

Here is some information on Dianetics. This comes from the press room of the web site of the Church of Scienotlogy Internatinal:

For weeks, the most basic approach to parenting using Dianetics principles has been making headline news worldwide—and the result is a surge of public demand for

L. Ron Hubbard’s bestseller, Dianetics the Modern Science of Mental Health, and its practical answers to achieving success and happiness in life.

With 56 years of relief from stress and trauma—and recent widespread accounts of mothers testifying to the success of the Dianetics-based silent birth procedure (www.SilentBirth.org)—it is no mystery why Dianetics has once again sparked coast-to-coast interest in the workings of the mind and its real potential.

Since first appearing on the New York Times bestseller list soon after its May 9, 1950 release, Dianetics has repeated the feat another 98 times—an unmatched phenomenon in publishing history. Now translated in 55 languages, it has sold well over 21 million copies. In it, Mr. Hubbard isolated the single source of stress, worry, self-doubt and psychosomatic illness—the reactive mind, that portion of the mind that works on a totally stimulus-response basis, and not under the volitional control of the individual.

For Michelle Seward, getting a copy of Dianetics from her mother opened the doors to recovery after a traumatic auto accident that left her stressed to such a point she could barely get into a car. The Santa Clarita, California mother went on to take full control of her life, becoming a successful financial analyst and giving birth to a son using the principles in Dianetics. “From the start, I knew that the book held more truth than anything I had ever read,” said Michelle. “I suddenly began to see what was going on with me and to understand how my mind worked.

“Because of what I’ve learned in Dianetics, my life is happy and content, and I can live it without getting stressed out. It goes far beyond success as a businesswoman—I am the president of a foundation for human rights and tolerance, the executive producer of a human rights album, and the president of a parents organization at my son’s school,” she said.

2006-04-27T14:15:00.000-07:00

The Scientology Volunteer Ministers RSS feed

It's worth subscribing to the RSS feed of the Scientology Volunteer Ministers site because they update news from around the world very frequently.

2006-01-19T07:46:00.000-08:00

Something Can be Done About Street Drugs

I found this article on the Scientology News Page today. I've printed part here. The full article can be found at http://www.scientology.org/en_US/news-media/briefing/2006/drugs/060119.html

Scientology churches around the world are starting 2006 with a renewed commitment to help young people live drug-free lives.

In 1993, concerned by statistics showing that youth were starting to take drugs at younger and younger ages, the Church of Scientology International created a program to help proof young people up against pro-drug peer pressure and propaganda and help them stay off drugs. The result was the Drug-Free Marshals program. This program provides young people with lectures, booklets and flyers that give the facts about drugs. The youngsters are awarded marshals' badges when they pledge to live drug-free lives and they are encouraged to spread the word and take responsibility for their friends and their schools.

2005-10-18T23:37:00.000-07:00

Scientology Volunteer Ministers Responding to the Call for Help

The Newberg, Oregon Graphic had this to say about the Scientology Volunteer Ministers Hurricane Disaster Relief

Jan and John Paquette, an emergency room doctor and medic, respectively wanted to help when they saw the destruction of Hurricane Katrina.

They knew Jill Methven was going south to offer a helping hand with theChurch of Scientology, and though not affiliated with the church themselves, they asked if they could join her.

The whole article has been reprinted in davidmiscavige.blogsource.com/

2005-10-14T16:06:00.000-07:00

Scientologists from the Czech Republic Show Something Can Be Done About Drugs

Sometimes I wonder if watching CNN and FOX News helps or hinders humanitarian work. The reason I say this is when I turn off the tube I often feel apathetic -- as though there really isn't any reason to try to change something bad because what can I do to make a difference.

But members of the Church of Scientology of the Czech Republic haven't listened to how impossible it all is. On http://davidmiscavige.blogsource.com/ and the Scientology Effective Solutions web site.

Hungarian Scientology Volunteer Ministers pioneered anti-drug sporting events with their Anti-Drug Marathon, which is also a country-wide run to promote living drug-free lives.

2005-10-12T16:13:00.000-07:00

Scientology in Italy

I just found a new Italian Scientology blog

She's writing about Youth for Human Rights, which is active in Italy and in many other countries around the world.

I notice they have a European Youth for Human Rights site too.

There is so much happening in Scientology around the world, and it's great to see more Scientologists posting about it.

2005-10-02T20:00:00.000-07:00

Something Can be Done about Human Rights

I see that the 2nd annual Youth for Human Rights International Youth Summit is going on in LA.

I'm really impressed with some of these kids.

For example, here's what the delegate from Turkey says:

20-year-old Berza Simsek is constantly active in the human rights field. She is an International Relations student at Hacettepe University and works closely with the University’s Centre for Research and Application of the Philosophy of Human Rights. She can often be found visiting the Centre on her own volition to share her views and contribute to their activities.

Ms. Simsek stated "One of the reasons I want to participate in the International Youth Summit is due to my strong interest in human rights. I am interested to know what youth around the world think about human rights. This will be a great opportunity for all youth, without discrimination of race, color or ethnic origin to share together. At the end of the Youth Summit we can form a common goal for providing human rights to others and I will be proud to be a part of this."

2005-09-18T19:36:00.000-07:00

Scientology Effective Solutions

A good site to visit to learn about what the Scientology religion and Scientologists are really like is the Scientology Effective Solution s site.

There are lots of opinions on the subject and I figure the best way to judge a person or group is by what they DO. This site (and the Scientology Volunteer Ministers site) is a good one for just that.

2005-09-02T20:58:00.000-07:00

Help Out after Hurricane Katrina

This message on the Scientology Volunteer Ministers web site:
With hundreds of thousands in the Gulf Coast states of the U.S. homeless or without electricity from hurricane Katrina, Scientology Volunteer Ministers are being dispatched to the area to help with the emergency relief effort. If you are a trained Volunteer Minister, your help is urgently needed to contribute to the cleanup.

For anyone wanting to know about the Volunteer Ministers there is a great deal of information on their web site at www.volunteerminisers.org. I also recommend watching the DVD of Mr. David Miscavige called This is Scientology. Mr. Miscavige gives an excellent overview of the program.

2005-08-31T18:00:00.000-07:00

Scientology Volunteer Ministers Call for Help Louisianna and Mississippi Disaster Relief

I saw the Scientology Volunteer Ministers site has put out a call to any Scientology Volunteer Ministers to call or e-mail and work out how they can come help the victims of Hurricane Katrina.

I found out that anyone who wants to train in the techniques the Scientology Volunteer Ministers use (these skills are covered by the Scientoloy Handbook) can also contact the VM hotline and training will be worked out so they can help in this disaster as well.

As a Scientology Volunteer Minister I'd like to encourage anyone who is able to go to Louisianna to help, to do so. You don't have to be a Scientologist to join this team. The training is simple but very effective, and not only will you be able to help people in desparate need of help right now, but you will take these skills away with you and will be so much more capable of helping your family and friends as a result.

I can't help but think of another disaster of 4 years ago almost exactly, where the Scientology Volunteer Ministers really emerged as an important group that are counted on in times of disaster.

Although Scientology Volunteer Ministers have been active in disaster relief for more than 25 years, it was 9/11 that was a decisive point where VMs became more organized and extended their help at a different level that prior to that point. The Volunteer Ministers at Ground 0 were true heros, and were acknowledged as such by Mr. David Miscavige who awarded three of the most prominent 9/11 Volunteer Ministers with the International Association of Scientologists (IAS) Freedom Medal award for 2001/2002.

The Scientologists of New York were also awarded a complete renovation of their church by the IAS, which was also announced by Mr. David Miscavige when he awarded these medals.

2005-08-24T20:50:00.000-07:00

Scientology and Human Rights Activities

There is an interesting site called the Church of Scientology International Human Rights Newsroom and Forum. It covers a lot of current human rights stories and gives them a very positive perspective.

On the subject of Human Rights, as a Scientologist I am very proud of what Scientology Volunteer Ministers do to help others with the kinds of issues that blunt or prevent the full exercise of human rights.

Just as an example, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights calls for all people having the right to adequate education. I suppose you could say that the indictment our schools receive in the press, lowered test scores, not to mention increased crime and drug use in schools, show that this human right is seriously lacking, at least in my home country - the USA. Scientology Volunteer Ministers can help kids overcome their study difficulties. They learn to do this by studying the Scientology Handbook, which is online for anyone to use.

2005-08-21T20:26:00.000-07:00

Due to the unique nature of the Advanced Organization and Saint Hill in Europe, (AOSH EU) in that it is where all European Scientologists go for advanced training and counselling, there is a very interesting feel to this church. At any time you can hear 5, 10, 20 languages being spoken.

Take for example when there is an international event (about 5 times a year Scientology churches and missions all around the world hold events for all their members.) Usually David Miscavige, Chairman of the Board of Religious Technology Center, takes the opportunity to share with all Scientologists our progress in accomplishing our humanitarian goals, such as activities being done by Scientology Volunteer Ministers, and the work being done to alleviate suffering on the part of people who are victimized by drug addiction, illiteracy and crime. Mr. Miscavige always speaks in English. But how does this work when there are people from all over Europe at AOSHEU?

The answer is that these events get translated into the language of every country where there is a national church of Scientology.

So, when these events are held at AOSHEU we have to rent several halls - one for each major European language!

Every week at Scientology churches we have a graduation where people who have completed courses or major counseling services are acknowledged and given certificates. At AOSH EU we have to have simultaneous translation of the speeches that are made. One time when I was at a Graduation at AOSHEU there was one executive of the church who did the simultaneous translation of 5 different languages one right after another.

So AOSHEU not only has the special ambiance that Scientology churches are known for all over the world -- that special friendliness, warmth, care – but it also it has the cosmopolitan atmosphere of a true world center, where people from all over can come and be helped, and learn to help others.

The only place comparable is the church of Scientology in Clearwater Florida (known as "Flag") where all Scientologists from anywhere on Earth eventually go for the most advanced levels of auditing.

2005-08-19T19:33:00.000-07:00

Scientology Counseling Group in the UK - Something Can Be Done About It

The Wealdon House Life Improvement Center is a small group where a person can find out about Scientology in an intimate setting.

And what they say about the services they deliver is?

Something CAN be done about it
•
Are you on an emotional roller coaster ride?
•
Having trouble maintaining relationships?
•
Lacking confidence?
•
Has the spark gone out of your marriage?
•
Low self-esteem?
•
Having trouble with the kids?
•
Things not going right at work?

If you answered 'Yes' to any of these questions, we're happy to tell you that Something Can Be Done About It.

The reason a Scientology counsellor can say this with confidence is that

2005-07-20T12:44:00.000-07:00

I like the ring of this one: "Something CAN be done about Santa Cruz housing."

"Judy Williams decided she had enough of the fickle stock market: she wanted to make a contribution to her community and do something more useful with her money. She decided that maybe, by partnering up with an organization experienced in providing affordable housing, she could do something to ease the housing crunch for at least a few mental health clients. She approached Paul O'Brien of Community Support Services (SCCSS) with a proposal: she would put together enough money for the down payment to purchase a house if SCCSS would master lease the house from her and rent the rooms out at an affordable rent (at least for Santa Cruz!) to clients of the County mental health system. SCCSS would guarantee the rent, manage the property, take care of all the tenant issues, and take care of all the minor repairs and maintenance issues. Judy would hold the property until such time as SCCSS can secure sufficient funding in the form of grants or low interest loans to purchase the property back from her and assure that it becomes permanent affordable housing in perpetuity."

Go Judy. A woman after my own heart!

2005-07-03T15:51:00.000-07:00

Something Effective CAN be Done about Post Partum Depression

You know when I was going to school, the psychiatric/psychological "science" on the subject of the day was that during times of stress neurosis statistics rise, but the percent of people who are psychotic stay the same.

It seems that in the interrum, this problem was overcome, no doubt with the help of certain people who make their money off meds (or kickbacks/perks relating to meds), so this has been redfined, thanks to the DSM IV (and other versions).

Now if you have a hard time on your job, can't get along with your neighbor, spend too much on your credit card, not to mention go to Starbucks to often, you can go through the DSM IV and pick a totally "legitimate" "disorder" that fits you, and go to your MD and ask for a scrip for a med. (Yet even the FDA is now admitting that antidepressants like Cymbalta greatly increase the risk of suicide)

When Tom Cruise brought up his concern that we not turn into a Brave New World he really epxressed the way I have been feeling about this trend.

I am very concerned about the use of antidepressants for things that really can be handled by more sleep, better food (less sugar), balancing your hormones (as in postpartum depression) and getting a bit more honest in your relationships and working a bit harder (or changing your job so you are doing something at work which you personally believe is important), or weeding out the people in your life who put you down and either getting them to stop doing it or finding new friends instead of them who will be supportive to you.

These are simple things a person can do to feel better, and they don't increase the risk of suicide, or cause you to gain tons of weight. They're not even addictive!

2005-04-25T21:46:00.000-07:00

Did you see the article that has been plastered all around the Net media? My reaction is so what.
Is this a big deal - I don't think so. Many artists have checked out Scientology. There are those that joined and the majority of the rest have no problem with L. Ron Hubbard, Dianetics or Scientology.

Anyhow this article makes it sound like NEWS. Well, Tom Cruise's "controversial religion" is still expanding like crazy and tons of people have found answers in it.

"Movie star Russell Crowe almost became a Scientologist when he first arrived in Hollywood, reading books about the celebrity religion and watching videos.

"The OSCAR winner has always been interested in different faiths - even though he was never christened - and tells his CINDERELLA MAN co-star PAUL GIAMATTI in America's INTERVIEW magazine he dabbled with TOM CRUISE's controversial religion.

"He recalls, "I read DIANETICS by L RON HUBBARD (Scientology founder), I got a couple of videos, and I took it all in.

"It just seems like a religion that is perfect for people who feel like they need a grounding, who feels that the world has run off on them. I've discussed this with Scientologists, and they don't disagree.

"With any of these religions, as long as the heart and soul is positive, then to me it's all good."

In the interview, Crowe also tells Giamatti that he once dabbled with the Baha'i faith when he was growing up. "

2004-08-26T12:19:00.000-07:00

Go Glover

This story appeared on a site that has too many pop-ups, so to spare you the annoyance I'm just reprinting it here:

Danny Glover Arrested After Protest
8/26/04 - 2:26 PM ET
By Adam Gonshor Print Article
Email Article

(andPOP) - What could have been a passionate scene in a movie really happened to Danny Glover. The movie star was arrested on Wednesday in Washington after a protest.

Glover was protesting outside the Sudan Embassy. He was charged with disorderly conduct and unlawful assembly. He told a crowd to call for peace in western Sudan.

"We must continue to demand justice and we must continue to demand peace for the people of Darfur," he said.

People gathered to protest the humanitarian crisis in Sudan's Darfur region.

50,000 people have died, and 1.2 million have been left homeless

Glover, 58, is best known for starring in such films as Lethal Weapon and the Color Purple.

He was handcuffed and taken away by US Secret Service on the steps of the embassy.

Youth for Human Rights at the United Nations

Young Delegates from Around the World take part in an International Human Rights Youth Summit at the UN

Twenty-five advocates for human rights from around the world participated in an international Youth Human Rights Summit at UNICEF on Tuesday, 24 August. Aged from twelve to twenty, the delegates addressed human rights violations facing youth in their countries and their resolutions.

The Youth Summit was hosted by Youth for Human Rights International and co-organized by the Church of Scientology, the Foundation for Human Rights and Tolerance, and the Friends of the United Nations. The Summit was a culmination of a world tour by Youth for Human Rights International to raise awareness of human rights among youth.

Full articles can be read at the Scientology Newsroom

New Writers of the Future Contest

I can hardly believe it's been 20 years since the launch of the L. Ron Hubbard Presents Writers of the Future anthologies and contest. I think I've read every one of them and have enjoyed them thoroughly. I look forward to the new volume and will snap it up as soon as it comes out.

Kid-Safe Searching

Here's a really cool site for kids. It's called Kinderstart. Here's what they say about their purpose: "KinderStart is the largest (and most popular) indexed directory and search engine focused on children zero to seven on the 'net.

"The mission of our small but dedicated staff is to provide parents, grandparents, foster parents and teachers with the most organized, and easiest to use index and search engine available.

"Finding information specifically related to the care of young children on the 'net can be a daunting process. Broad Search Engines are fine, but not specifically focused on resources for young children, therefore surfers often do not find resources which would be useful in their care of young children.

"KinderStart makes finding these resources easy-hence it's utility.

"Over time, KinderStart has added resources for teachers of young children and even young users."

Here are some of my favorite KinderStart catgegories:

KinderStart - Bringing Home Baby : Daddyhood
KinderStart - Animal Friends : Choosing A Pet
KinderStart - Learning Activities and Crafts : Painting and Drawing
and KinderStart - Society/Culture/Environment : Religions : Scientology

2004-08-20T20:51:00.000-07:00

Here's an article from the St. Peterburg Times that's worth reading:

David Miscavige: the Man Behind Scientology

David Miscavige, the seldom-seen leader of the church, comes forth in his first newspaper interview to talk of a more peaceful time for Scientology.
Stories by THOMAS C. TOBIN
Photos by ROBIN DONINA SERNE
of the Times Staff

Called “intense” by his friends, David Miscavige, 38, has been Scientology’s leader for 11 years.

You can read the whole article here: David Miscavige: the Man Behind Scientology

2004-08-08T20:02:00.000-07:00

Scientology Volunteer Ministers at Ground Zero

I met an extraordinary man yesterday. He was a New York fire fighters who worked for weeks at Ground Zero, looking for survivors.

It really made me feel proud when he told me that the whole time he was there, Scientology Volunteer Ministers were there too, helping to do anything that was needed, whether it was working on the bucket brigade, passing out food, cleaning out the rescue workers eyes or giving Scientology assists, and that these people really inspired him, knowing there were people who would put themselves at risk just to help others.

I was so proud to here him say this.

Here is more information about the Scientology Volunteer Ministers, that I read on this site: Scientology Effective Solutions - The Volunteer Minister programme

Scientology Churches

Here are some links to Scientology churches that I found interesting:

Church of Scientology of Salt Lake City
Church of Scientology and Dianetics Foundation of Washington D.C.
Church of Scientology of Boston
Church of Scientology of Illinois
Church of Scientology of Manchester, United Kingdom

2004-08-06T12:32:00.000-07:00

Here are some excellent sites about Scientology for non-English speaking persons:
Scientology sito Italiano con Dianetics e L. Ron Hubbard
De Hulpgids - Dianetics en Scientology Portal
Scientology/Church of Scientology
Gegevens over de Scientology Kerk
Scientology Kirche: Scientology Religion in Deutschland
Scientologi
Mi a Szcientológia ?
Que es Cienciologia?

2004-07-06T12:19:00.001-07:00

Life in the Cold

I just ran accross this announcement about Titan - one of Saturn's moons:

Pasedena, CA, Jul. 6 (UPI) -- Space experts at the California control center of the Cassini spacecraft say it has found water ice and hydrocarbons on the surface of Titan.

It's hard to conceive that a life form could find Saturn a cozy home at the temperatures you would find there.

I don't even like to go to Buffalo anymore, after many years in Southern California, anything north of Kentucky feels too arctic to me.

But I suppose to people on Pluto, Saturn would be a trip to the topics.

Scientology News

Found these sites, which I really liked, and thought I'd share:

The Real Church of Scientology
Church of Scientology: The Bonafides of the Scientology Religion
Guardian Unlimited | Special reports | Scientology
1010 WINS: Report: Firefighters Seek "Scientology Treatment"
Clergy Corner m- Scientology Volunteer Ministers
Church_of_Scientology Resource Page
EUpolitix - Scientology Related Sites

2004-07-06T12:19:00.000-07:00

Life in the Cold

Scientology News

2004-07-02T17:37:00.000-07:00

Cool article in a paper form a Boston suburb...

I've reprinted it here as I don't now how long the article will stay online:

Brockton Fair opens with derby, music, food — and Scientology

By David Connolly, Enterprise staff writer
BROCKTON — The annual start to summer in Brockton got under way as thousands of people spent a steamy Thursday night at the Brockton Fair.

The main draw Thursday was the demolition derby, but there were various musical acts as well as the swine show, a nod to the fair's roots as an agricultural event begun in 1874.

"We love the demolition derby, and the 4-H (agricultural) area, and all the stuff we're not normally exposed to," said Janice Rainey of Brockton, a fair regular for nearly 30 years.

In addition to the animal petting areas, rides, fried dough and cold beer stands, this year's edition of the Brockton Fair featured dozens of Church of Scientology ministry volunteers clad in yellow T-shirts.

"I grew up in Brockton," said Lorraine Baritz, a Scientology ministry volunteer who was part of the ministry "cavalcade" making its debut at the Brockton Fair this year.

"We have a message — that something can be done about it, and that's why we're at the fair," said Baritz, who now lives in Canton. Her husband, Dr. Robert Baritz, runs an chiropractor office on Pleasant Street in Brockton.

The Rev. Robert W. Castagna, community outreach coordinator for the Church of Scientology in Boston, said the ministry in Brockton is an attempt to help the city deal with its street violence problems.

"We offer solutions to the various problems that underlie the violence," he said.

The Volunteer Ministry cavalcade is under a yellow tent on the Belmont Street side of the fair.

Castagna describes Scientology as an applied religious philosophy that's non-denominational that helps people gain spiritual awareness.

"We offer practical solutions to problems like drug addiction and illiteracy," Castagna said.

Scientology got its start from the works of science fiction writer L. Ron Hubbard in the 1970s.

Meanwhile, this year's fair features all the usual rides, food and games.

"The rides and stuff" is what 13-year-old Danielle Wedge of Plymouth likes about the fair.

Her cousin, Holly Wedge, who is visiting from Florida for a few weeks, said she enjoyed listening to the clown in the dunk tank as the two girls ate ice cream nearby.

"He's making fun of everybody," she said.

Police reported nothing out of the ordinary for the first night of the two-week summer carnival, as the night was quiet and slow without the fireworks.

The pyrotechnics shows start tonight at 10:30 p.m. Fireworks shows are scheduled for Friday, Saturday and Sunday and next week on Friday and Sunday, the last night of the fair.

"We'll definitely be here for the fireworks. That's my favorite," said Janice Rainey. "I love the fair, especially the fireworks."

2004-06-16T15:22:00.000-07:00

I did say this was supposed to be about life after 50 too, didn't I.

Well - here's a plus. You can get on the subway in LA for 45 cents per ride when you hit 55.

Here's another. Denny's. They offer a "seniors" menu for "over 55". (I went to Denny's last weekend and couldn't find a thing to order from the over 55 menu).

And how about this? Last time I went to the movies with my mother-in-law we both got in for senior rates....

2004-06-10T12:32:00.000-07:00

Did you ever wonder How cranberries are grown? That's one think I learned from visiting Royal Ruby Cranberries. They also have a really good list of Internet resources (dictionaires, reference sites, etc) here: Internet Research Tools. and a blog about themselves and cranberries here Cranpup's Bog Blog

They also have a Just for Kids! page and a Scientology Resource Directory.

Great site, overall :-)

2004-04-27T11:04:00.000-07:00

100 degrees in LA yesterday, and this morning a think layer of brown on the horizon.

Used to be like this all the time in the 70's. But we all hoped that the bit-and-piece environmental regulations were doing something to help.

It is going to take work from all of us to save our planet's resources and maintain it as a place where human beings can live.

It's up to us.

Here are some of my favorite sites on the subject of Scientology

SCIENTOLOGY
Beliefnet.com Scientology Beliefs
Scientology (CESNUR)
SCIENTOLOGY (1/4)
Scientology Description
Reviews for The Church of Scientology
Scientology - Map to Self Fulfillment
Church of Scientology - The Foundation for Religious Freedom
The Church of Scientology
EUpolitix - Church of Scientology International Related Sites