We are the hope of man. The only hope. ... Mankind’s salvation lies within our hands.Of course every religion, almost, think it holds the exclusivity on salvation. But really... not my cup of tea!
Friday, December 26, 2008
A Scientology Christmas
Well, the following, posted today by a Church of Scientology Organization, is not precisely what I would call a good message.
Updates on Valkyrie
Metacritic has gone from 15 reviews to 30, and the score has only slightly changed, from 59 to 58. While there still is only one really bad review giving 20, there are now two reviews above 75, giving 83 and a whooping 91 respectively. It also has now 5 user votes with an average of 60, but apparently not yet actual comments.
Only small change too for RottenTomatoes, but in the other direction: from 62 to 63. Out of the 15 new reviews, 10 are positive and 5 negative.
IMDB no change except for more very positive reviews.
So - on the whole, the so-so to positive assessment holds still. Now mostly waiting for user reviews and reactions, then later on the stats.
Only small change too for RottenTomatoes, but in the other direction: from 62 to 63. Out of the 15 new reviews, 10 are positive and 5 negative.
IMDB no change except for more very positive reviews.
So - on the whole, the so-so to positive assessment holds still. Now mostly waiting for user reviews and reactions, then later on the stats.
R.I.P. Traci Williams
The Washington Post reports the death of Traci L. Williams, who died from cancer at the age of 45. Traci was an actress, arts educator, and Scientologist.
From 1985 to 1995, Traci performed for the "Living Stage Theatre Company" in schools, jails and the juvenile justice system. The company also organized theater workshops for disabled children, troubled teenagers and the incarcerated.
From 1995 until earlier this year, she worked for the Church of Scientology community outreach and education programs.
Traci seemed to have found her way into helping others through her art. Whatever we may think about some of her choices, there is no doubt that she must have put all her heart into it. Ultimately, I believe, that this is what counts.
PS - Her decease is reported in ARS together with some confusing information as to whether she blew from the CoS or not.
From 1985 to 1995, Traci performed for the "Living Stage Theatre Company" in schools, jails and the juvenile justice system. The company also organized theater workshops for disabled children, troubled teenagers and the incarcerated.
From 1995 until earlier this year, she worked for the Church of Scientology community outreach and education programs.
Traci seemed to have found her way into helping others through her art. Whatever we may think about some of her choices, there is no doubt that she must have put all her heart into it. Ultimately, I believe, that this is what counts.
PS - Her decease is reported in ARS together with some confusing information as to whether she blew from the CoS or not.
Laptops Finally Take Their Rightful Place
Slashdot echoes other news stories about the fact that notebook sales have surpassed desktop sales for the first time in history.
It's been years since I only use laptops. It's so much more practical than desktops that I wonder why people still bother with them at all.
I always advise people to buy a laptop rather than a desktop and they invariably come back to me and say that this was a great advice.
There may be some ergonomic arguments for work stations, but it's easy enough to build one around a laptop too, and in addition it also allows you to take your work with you when you need to go on mission or on an extensive holiday (maybe that later is not such a good idea, though). As for "power", most laptops are now powerful enough to perform reasonably well.
Desktops are an endangered species.
It's been years since I only use laptops. It's so much more practical than desktops that I wonder why people still bother with them at all.
I always advise people to buy a laptop rather than a desktop and they invariably come back to me and say that this was a great advice.
There may be some ergonomic arguments for work stations, but it's easy enough to build one around a laptop too, and in addition it also allows you to take your work with you when you need to go on mission or on an extensive holiday (maybe that later is not such a good idea, though). As for "power", most laptops are now powerful enough to perform reasonably well.
Desktops are an endangered species.
Thursday, December 25, 2008
The X Factor
Currently the reviews with professional critics range around 60%, which by itself is not bad.
Now, you do have to add an X factor to that, given TC previous reputation (in part artificially created by Scientology critics). As Roger Ebert, one of the most acknowledged film critics explains:
Now, you do have to add an X factor to that, given TC previous reputation (in part artificially created by Scientology critics). As Roger Ebert, one of the most acknowledged film critics explains:
Tom Cruise is perfectly satisfactory, if not electrifying, in the leading role. I'm at a loss to explain the blizzard of negative advance buzz fired at him for the effrontery of playing a half-blind, one-armed Nazi hero. Two factors may be to blame: (a) Cruise has attracted so much publicity by some of his own behavior (using Oprah's couch as a trampoline) that anything he does sincerely seems fair game for mockery, and (b) movie publicity is now driven by gossip, scandal and the eagerness of fanboys and girls to attract attention by posing as critics of movies they've almost certainly not seen. Now that the movie is here, the buzz is irrelevant, but may do residual damage.A conservative estimate of this X factor would be something like 5 to 10%, if not considerably more. That would bring the ratings near the high ratings received on IMDB by knowledgeable users.
Henson Files an Appeal
EFF reports that Keith Henson has filed an appeal to the Appellate Division of the Riverside County Superior Court of his criminal conviction in 2001.
The article is riff with bias and myths, like the one that the reason he was convicted was for "picketing in front of a Scientology "base"". It also seems to be inaccurate when it states that "Henson sought, and temporarily obtained, political asylum in Canada right after the verdict, then was arrested upon his return to the US in 2007" as it forgets to mention that the reason he returned to the States was precisely because his asylum request was eventually denied.
We'll probably see more Henson myths coming up in a near future.
The article is riff with bias and myths, like the one that the reason he was convicted was for "picketing in front of a Scientology "base"". It also seems to be inaccurate when it states that "Henson sought, and temporarily obtained, political asylum in Canada right after the verdict, then was arrested upon his return to the US in 2007" as it forgets to mention that the reason he returned to the States was precisely because his asylum request was eventually denied.
We'll probably see more Henson myths coming up in a near future.
Surprising Results in New Valkyrie Reviews
Second intensive day for reviews of Valkyrie, with some interesting results. On the whole, the average-to-positive trend is confirmed, but the fact that it may be better received by the public at large than by professional critics becomes more likely.
Indeed, Metacritic has now three times more reviews with a total of 15, giving a more representative average, and not surprisingly, the total has slipped from 67% to 59%. Still no review get a higher note than 75, and there is only one really bad review at 20.
However, surprisingly, RottenTomatoes meter goes up from 57% to 62% as more reviews are being posted! There are now 32 positives reviews for 20 negative ones.
As for IMDB, the positive review that was featured so far, with an 8/10 rating, is now replaced with an even more positive one, reaching 9/10 and bluntly stating in its opening line "One of the best movies I've seen in years"! Other users comments continue to be overwhelmingly positive, with only one very negative rating.
It is the IMDB user reviews that brings me to think that users rating may end up being higher than professional film critics ones, with potentially more unexpected positive surprises coming up.
Indeed, Metacritic has now three times more reviews with a total of 15, giving a more representative average, and not surprisingly, the total has slipped from 67% to 59%. Still no review get a higher note than 75, and there is only one really bad review at 20.
However, surprisingly, RottenTomatoes meter goes up from 57% to 62% as more reviews are being posted! There are now 32 positives reviews for 20 negative ones.
As for IMDB, the positive review that was featured so far, with an 8/10 rating, is now replaced with an even more positive one, reaching 9/10 and bluntly stating in its opening line "One of the best movies I've seen in years"! Other users comments continue to be overwhelmingly positive, with only one very negative rating.
It is the IMDB user reviews that brings me to think that users rating may end up being higher than professional film critics ones, with potentially more unexpected positive surprises coming up.
Not One but Six Nazi Themed Movies for the Holidays!
Associated Press has a short, factual, and very revealing article on the fact that Nazi-driven movie dominates the holiday season and why.Indeed, it explains that not one, but no less than six movies share that theme this holiday season!!!
Not only that, but it also turns out that, in the past, quite a few similarly-themed movies have reaped loads of Oscars!
And there I was thinking the release date was a bad choice! Now it makes a bit more sense, but it still is a revelation to me.
The article rightly asks the key question:
So why, during what's supposed to be the cheeriest time of year, this abundance of stories from one of humanity's darkest hours?And answers:
The Holocaust is a ripe subject for writers and directors to present on the screen issues that resonate even today as we cross into 2009.A must read!
Wednesday, December 24, 2008
Raids in France
An as yet unconfirmed news reports two raids (real ones, not Anonymous so-called raids) in France on December 16.
One in the Church of Scientology itself, the other in its Celebrity Center.
One in the Church of Scientology itself, the other in its Celebrity Center.
Bavaria Confirms the Closing of a Kindergarten Linked to Scientology
The Administrative Court of Bavaria confirmed Monday the decision taken in February by the town of Munich to close a Kindergarten linked to Scientology. The alleged crime is that directors and educators are Scientologists, and that the children are therefore "at risk" of being submitted to an education impregnated with "totalitarian" values.
The case is still ongoing.
Press article in French.
The case is still ongoing.
Press article in French.
Anonymous Threatens Scientologists and Their Family in Their Private Houses at Christmas
One of the three videos that were at the basis for Angry Gay Pope's ban on You Tube can now be seen on Vimeo. Entitled "Christmas with the Handlers", it consists of a movie made filming Scientologists' private houses, together with their addresses being posted on the same video, and their car plates being filmed.
Once more, I fail to see how this constitutes any form of "peaceful protests" and how it is going to do any good in improving Anonymous' image.
Back in July, Anonymous was already speaking of going to picket their "handlers'" company. In that particular case, it seemed to me the guy was no "handler" at all but just a Scientologist having a friendly talk with anons (compare this with what AGP calls "just conversation").
Even if this Scientologist and others were "handlers" indeed, it would still not justify this kind of outright stalking and invitation to violence that threatens individuals and their family right in the middle of what should be a peaceful familial gathering and celebration of peace on earth...
Related blog entries: R-InvasionOfPrivacy-
Once more, I fail to see how this constitutes any form of "peaceful protests" and how it is going to do any good in improving Anonymous' image.
Back in July, Anonymous was already speaking of going to picket their "handlers'" company. In that particular case, it seemed to me the guy was no "handler" at all but just a Scientologist having a friendly talk with anons (compare this with what AGP calls "just conversation").
Even if this Scientologist and others were "handlers" indeed, it would still not justify this kind of outright stalking and invitation to violence that threatens individuals and their family right in the middle of what should be a peaceful familial gathering and celebration of peace on earth...
Related blog entries: R-InvasionOfPrivacy-
Stalking Scientologists - Precedents
I blogged today about Anonymous filming private residences of Scientologists while also posting their addresses.
Back in 1999, a similar incident happened in which Kady O'Malley posted photos of Helena Kobrin's home and that of other Scientologists. She also suggested her intend to produce maps to direct others to these homes, and provided a link to considerable personal information that has been posted about Kobrin around the same time.
O'Malley later pulled off the page from the web but never published the apology she supposedly made privately to Kobrin (having seen the extend Kady is willing to go (claiming I pulled off a page which I never even created) in a lame attempt to justify the arbitrary ban she and her buddies imposed on me on their pet "free speech" IRC channel, I have reasons to doubt her truthfulness).
No later than three days ago, I made a blog entry about Anonymous "peacefully picketing" a Christmas party attended by Scientologists and their children.
Monica Pignotti also commented how anons on ARS "were encouraging people to go to a Toyota dealership where a recently departed ex-Scientologist is working and videotape him, presumably as a way to pressure him to go public about his experience as a top-ranking SO member".
This type of behavior is exactly what brought Keith Henson in trouble with the law. Henson wasn't just indicted for "peacefully protesting" or for making a Cruise missile joke. For days on end he followed Scientologists from their work place to their home, wrote down their address which was then used by Arnie Lerma to send them unwanted mail, took their pictures, wrote down their plate numbers, followed them with signs accusing them of killing their own companions who died in a tragic accident...
I am sorry but these examples, together with the incident I just reported, are not just "peaceful protests" to me. This is one of the things that is being discussed at the Riverside County, where supervisors are talking of imposing a 300 feet perimeter from a person's residence in which protesters could not enter.
PS - Check also how critics reacted vehemently back in 1997 at the simple suggestion they maybe could observe a Christmas Truce. I am sure they view themselves as "dedicated in their human right activism". To more cool-minded onlookers, however, they would appear instead as every bit as fanatical as the brainwashed cultists they supposedly are trying to help.
Related blog entries: R-InvasionOfPrivacy-
Back in 1999, a similar incident happened in which Kady O'Malley posted photos of Helena Kobrin's home and that of other Scientologists. She also suggested her intend to produce maps to direct others to these homes, and provided a link to considerable personal information that has been posted about Kobrin around the same time.
O'Malley later pulled off the page from the web but never published the apology she supposedly made privately to Kobrin (having seen the extend Kady is willing to go (claiming I pulled off a page which I never even created) in a lame attempt to justify the arbitrary ban she and her buddies imposed on me on their pet "free speech" IRC channel, I have reasons to doubt her truthfulness).
No later than three days ago, I made a blog entry about Anonymous "peacefully picketing" a Christmas party attended by Scientologists and their children.
Monica Pignotti also commented how anons on ARS "were encouraging people to go to a Toyota dealership where a recently departed ex-Scientologist is working and videotape him, presumably as a way to pressure him to go public about his experience as a top-ranking SO member".
This type of behavior is exactly what brought Keith Henson in trouble with the law. Henson wasn't just indicted for "peacefully protesting" or for making a Cruise missile joke. For days on end he followed Scientologists from their work place to their home, wrote down their address which was then used by Arnie Lerma to send them unwanted mail, took their pictures, wrote down their plate numbers, followed them with signs accusing them of killing their own companions who died in a tragic accident...
I am sorry but these examples, together with the incident I just reported, are not just "peaceful protests" to me. This is one of the things that is being discussed at the Riverside County, where supervisors are talking of imposing a 300 feet perimeter from a person's residence in which protesters could not enter.
PS - Check also how critics reacted vehemently back in 1997 at the simple suggestion they maybe could observe a Christmas Truce. I am sure they view themselves as "dedicated in their human right activism". To more cool-minded onlookers, however, they would appear instead as every bit as fanatical as the brainwashed cultists they supposedly are trying to help.
Related blog entries: R-InvasionOfPrivacy-
Angry Gay Pope and Jeff Jacobsen Forced Down the Tube
YouTube banned Angry Gay Pope (AGP) after he apparently violated YouTube's terms of service three times in less than six months. At the same time, Jeff Jacobsen received the first of three warnings as well, and has been forced to pull down one of his videos.
Critics don't explicitely say the reason (maybe they don't precisely know it either) but it may have something to do with restraining orders.
Indeed, AGP writes in the post quoted above:
Jacobsen's video may fall under the same reason, though I fail to see how it qualifies either as Moxon being "dissed", as Jeff claims (on the contrary I think Moxon is coming out good), or as something illegal. They do speak about "restraining order" in that video, though, which makes me think it may have something to do with a reason similar as the one AGP talk about above.
Critics don't explicitely say the reason (maybe they don't precisely know it either) but it may have something to do with restraining orders.
Indeed, AGP writes in the post quoted above:
Although the videos are just conversations the cult has a restraining order against me over the incidents. That means they qualify as "harassment" by legal standards and that violates YouTube's terms of service.What AGP qualifies as "just conversations", is, I believe, the video about which I blogged about back in July 7, and which I already qualified as "harassment and stalking" at the time. It seems like the courts agreed with that assessment later on. It may be that since the video has been considered as proof enough to justify a restraining order (and this is far from being the only "peaceful-protests-just-conversation" AGP did, as I blogged about on Nov 30), it is now illegal to post it on YouTube.
Jacobsen's video may fall under the same reason, though I fail to see how it qualifies either as Moxon being "dissed", as Jeff claims (on the contrary I think Moxon is coming out good), or as something illegal. They do speak about "restraining order" in that video, though, which makes me think it may have something to do with a reason similar as the one AGP talk about above.
Tom Turns Back Time
"he's not "lost a bit of weight" - he's looking gaunt and drawn. Makeup didn't do a great job hiding his paleness, and his sweater didn't do a great job of hiding his shrunken frame"I quite disagree with this assessment. Of course, through the looking glass of hatred, anything will look ugly no matter how beautiful.
OK - some people sincerely dislike TC, Scientology or not, and that's perfectly legitimate.
But common! Even if you dislike him, you've got to admit that the before and after his slimming down is amazing. Stunning, even. Most people can never get back their youth shape after passing their 30's, and here you have this 46-years old guy almost looking younger and better than ever...
Both with his latest film and in real life, Tom turns back time indeed...
Here is a picture taken from his Valkyrie premiere (left), and one taken of him last year (right)!
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