A New Way To Help NewAgers: No Breaks At All

Swing Girls - some great Jazz from Japan at the link. Music is a way out, people - but only the good stuff. Don't listen to those who don't know, or don't advocate for, the difference.

Why Naturopaths Should Not Be Licensed by Kimball C. Atwood IV, M.D.:

"Irrational, unscientific beliefs and practices abound in naturopathy, likening it more to a cult than to a valid form of health care. These beliefs and practices are not merely at the fringes but are the standards of the field. They are advocated by the leaders themselves.”

Irrational + beliefs + a cult + leaders. Take your time, those of you not familiar with the NewAge.

You'll figure it out,...

I thought Scientology made you perfect?:

Are Kirstie Alley and Maksim Chmerkovskiy cursed on the dance floor? A week after her partner tumbled to the ground after pulling a muscle, Alley’s shoe came undone during her performance on Monday’s Dancing with the Stars.

“I’m not doing a sitcom. I’m actually doing a dancing show!” the actress told reporters afterwards. “I’m tired of having to recover. I would just like to do something right.  I don’t feel like I’m jinxed, but I feel like I need to get my sh– together. When people are accident prone, there is something going on with them. There is something going on. Our rehearsals were swell. We’re bitchin’ in rehearsals. If you could just sort of tune into the rehearsals…”

“Look, I’m supposed to be Swan Lake out there, la la la la la,” she continued. “Instead I’m like, la la la la and he’s supposed to come out to me but he comes up and I’m like, my f—ing shoe, my f—ing shoe, my f—ing shoe is off, what do I do? I don’t know what you do in these situations! I’m going to write a book about this. I just feel like I want to be the people who dance well. First week, we were the people who danced really well. And somehow along we’ve become the freak show. The freak show is good but we need to take the dancing up a notch.”

A member of "the world's most dangerous cult" is on American television and this is all anyone cares about. The murders, kidnappings, brainwashing? They get nothing. Kirstie Alley loses a shoe and it's everywhere.

This country has changed.

Why do so few of us see this before it happens?

It might seem strange to link global warming and the futility of wind farms with the ongoing collapse of the euro. But in several directions at the moment we can see the unfolding of one of the hidden patterns shaping human affairs, which years ago I called “the fantasy cycle”. It is a pattern that recurs in personal lives, in politics, in history – and in storytelling.

When we embark on a course of action which is unconsciously driven by wishful thinking, all may seem to go well for a time, in what may be called the “dream stage”. But because this make-believe can never be reconciled with reality, it leads to a “frustration stage” as things start to go wrong, prompting a more determined effort to keep the fantasy in being. As reality presses in, it leads to a “nightmare stage” as everything goes wrong, culminating in an “explosion into reality”, when the fantasy finally falls apart.

We're falling apart, people. And - if you're an American who, say, recycles - you've been dreaming,...

California in the balance:

We calibrate California’s decline by its myriad of paradoxes. The nation’s highest bundle of gas, sales, and income taxes cannot close the nation’s largest annual deficit at $25 billion. Test scores are at the country’s near bottom; teachers’ salaries at the very top. Scores of the affluent are leaving each week; scores of the indigent are arriving. The nation’s most richly endowed state is also the most regulated; the most liberal of our residents are also the most ready to practice apartheid in their Bel Air or Palo Alto enclaves.

We now see highway patrolmen and city police, in the manner of South American law enforcement, out in force. Everywhere they are monitoring, watching, ticketing — no warnings, no margins of error — desperate to earn traffic fines that might feed the state that feeds them. I could go on. But you get the picture that we are living on the fumes of a rich state that our forefathers brilliantly exploited, and now there is not much energy left in the fading exhaust to keep us going.

What's going to happen when California falls? Even I don't know that.

I've said this more times than I can count - always leading to an argument:

It may be a key Christian principle but forgiving too easily can be dangerous, the Archbishop of Canterbury has suggested.

Rowan Williams has warned that easy forgiveness can make suffering appear not to matter.

In BBC1’s What is the Point in Forgiveness?, to be broadcast on Good Friday, the Archbishop also concedes that it is not fair to expect victims of abuse, rape or torture to turn the other cheek with ease.

Sorry everybody, but what you're doing ain't cutting it,...

The Law of Quantum Failure: Scientology Is Phat

Isn't it amazing that, even though Scientology's celebrities are told, and tell others, how special they are and what "powers" they have (remember that embarrassing Tom Cruise video?) The Law of Quantum Failure keeps striking them, regularly, in public? John Travolta couldn't help but kill his kid (there were people who predicted it) or make the worst movie of all time, Battlefield: Earth. None of them can speak without saying something incredibly stupid, etc.

Hell, even with all that e-meter auditing, Kirstie Alley's fat ass can't even learn to keep her tongue in her mouth.

Only A Matter Of Time (Which You Gave Them)

The Houston Press' TV reviewer caught it (like a virus) even if no one else did:

I thought I imagined it at first, or was suffering the onset of hallucinations brought upon by sleep deprivation, strong drink, and three consecutive nights of watching Steven Tyler undress the audience with his eyes. But for maybe the first time since Season 10 of Idol began, I actually rewound my DVR to rewatch something.

It starts out ambiguously enough that you know something hinky is afoot, then moves into uncomfortably quasi-spiritual territory before flashing the "S"-word. And why am I talking about it so much? Because it was one of the few mildly surprising moments of an otherwise utterly predictable evening.

I included the clip,...because I imagine a few of last night's failed contestants - and not a few of you "suppressive persons" - might need some auditing in the near future.

"One of the few mildly surprising moments of an otherwise utterly predictable evening." Ha! - See what happens, Mr. & Mrs. Conformity-As-Entertainment, when they don't think they can get Charlie Sheen?

They start coming after YOU!

Because you've proven - with your lack of independence, Gawd-awful taste in entertainment, overall low standards, and tumble weed-infested lack of imagination - you're prime-cut cult material! You'll go for ANYTHING! (As long as it blinks and promises to be uplifting at the end, you're recruitable.)

Not only that, but you're too dumb to be insulted by their backhanded flattery (oh yeah, they want you, because you're fuuuuuuuuuuuuuuucked UP!) and, of course, you won't cause a fuss or a scene. You're not going to stop watching American Idol over some little ol' commercial, are you? Of course not, not you. Us, maybe (well, we never watch American Idol to begin with) but not YOU. Your brain's already turned to fucking mush. There's tons of commercials on T.V., right? What's one more?

Now turn over all of your money and let them fix you:

And then get in line to scream at Charlie Sheen,...

If It Wasn't A Magazine We'd Surely Ask It Out

This is wild:

Much to our surprise, The New Yorker is continuing Lawrence Wright's coverage of the Scientology cult, with proof from L. Ron Hubbard's military files that - in the words of Scientology spokesman Tommy Davis - "Scientology is based on a lie.”

A lie that proves the cult of Tom Cruise, John Travolta, Kirstie Alley, Juliette Lewis (above) Anne Archer, and a whole host of other Hollywood residents, is most definitely NOT a religion - but IS a scam!

Now that's what we call a Valentine's Day present!

Oh, we love you, too, New Yorker! And not just for the movie reviews this time! We mean it:

We really, really love you!

Who's Smarter: Tom Cruise Or Arthur C. Clarke?

"Sir Arthur C. Clarke, author of the science fiction classic, 2001. If Clarke says you’re crazy, you’re crazy. End of story."

That's from Screen Junkies, which has presented us with "9 Celebrities Who Hated Scientology Before It Was Cool", but - for some reason - Oprah's nowhere on the list!



We don't know about John Travolta, Tom Cruise, Kirstie Alley, or anyone else but, to us, that's just weird,...



Somebody's got to get their story straight.

That Now Makes Amy Adams AND Kirstie Alley!

Here's one of the smartest quotes from a woman we've seen in a long, long time:

I wasn't put on this earth to look good in a swimsuit.

Indeed, Amy. Way to go!

"I Was Interested In Finding Out About Myself"

It's embarrassing the BBC is doing this story, in this depth, while most American outlets - broadcast and cable - allow Scientology's open intimidation to continue without a mention - as they also promote it's celebrities. The media now has the words of ex-members - people who ran the cult - and, still, the American media say nothing of substance.

There's barely a clamor in the blogosphere, either, even though a suggestion to investigate Scientology's tax-exempt status was one of the most suggested ideas Barack Obama received, when he asked for them online. He didn't take the idea seriously, acting as though the subject was beneath him. As a matter of fact, to say cultism's a subject worthy of dissection at all, seems to be an indicator of kookiness to some, if not most, when received online.

It's definitely not as popular as homeopathic "medicines".



Any real dissection of cultism must necessarily go into areas most wouldn't consider, or find comfortable. What influence is having so many cultists in entertainment, and business, having on our culture? What are the messages within the roles cult actors choose or the songs cult artists sing - and why? Are there messages at all? How much of the brainwashing they've received has America received by extension? How much, of what certain segments of 21st century America value, can be found in cult doctrines? And not just from Scientology but also from est, The Landmark Forum, and every other "human potential" group and/or wannabe religion or cult leader, all acting on our citizens simultaneously?

How "free" have we actually been?



Why does the richest and most famous woman in the world, Oprah Winfrey, support Scientologists, when she has to know what type of organization they represent? Why can she do it for them - and many other cult-related entities - without serious criticism from the society at large? How and where are cults and cult organizations helping each other and why?

If their ideas are wrong, and following their advice is futile - like Oprah promoting The Secret - how much are they costing the country? What high-priced assumptions have we, as a country, internalized? The divorces, separating of families, lawsuits, everything - how much?



But, still, journalists appear to think, except in bit pieces thrown to and fro, there's no story here. Our guess is that's because, like Christine O'Donnell, they've all got a bit of the crazy belief business in their pasts, but - unlike O'Donnell - they've been conned to think it would be a mark against themselves (as hypocrites or "being judgmental") to investigate it now.

Well, that's cult thinking right there, because what a journalist is supposed to do is what needs to be done, to tell the story that needs to be told, to get the truth out because - whether you're the victim or it's someone else - there's nothing worse than living a lie (Screw Star Wars - that's The Matrix - Who's Watching The Watchmen?):

Was John Sweeny being followed? Of course he was.

Did this "church" - that's mysteriously exempt from paying taxes to America - set out to drive BBC reporter, John Sweeny, crazy? Yes it did.

Was the church willing to lie about it? Yes they were.

Then, damn it, what exactly do we have here?

We think we've got a cult - and there's many of them - and many major news stories to go with them, regarding who's in and who's out, and what they're up to. We think it almost goes without saying, that liberalism wouldn't be liberalism without them.

"Good Job" to John Sweeny, and the BBC, from TMR.

Tell It Like It Is (If You Can Remember How It Is)

Isn't this brilliant? Right after I did a post calling North Korea's soccer coach the victim of a giant cult - and pointing out that no one in the delusional West seems to want to lift a finger to save him - The Wall Street Journal comes out with a lone editorial saying the world should do just that:

"A fortnight into the World Cup, the spoiled millionaires on the French team can return home to hear catcalls after their off-field meltdowns, and the Americans can take satisfaction in their dramatic last-minute win to move on in the tournament. The stakes are higher for North Korea's players, who must wonder if they're destined for the Gulag after their 7-0 loss to Portugal this week.

In a mini-profile in courage, Coach Kim took the flak for his squad. 'It was my fault for not playing the right strategy,' he said, promising 'to reach our objectives' against Ivory Coast today. He and his players may literally be playing for their lives. In the event of another defeat, we think all of North Korea's players and coaches deserve an offer of asylum from the rest of the world, because the Dear Leader doesn't take kindly to national humiliation."

I am convinced, in the near future, it will be seen as a mark of shame not to have actively been working against cults during the last decade, much in the same way answering the question, "What did you do during the war, daddy?" turned out to be a toughie for some during other times of crisis. Why? Because, as the WSJ editorial makes clear - even without mentioning cultism - they know what's going on:

Just as those who write about Oprah, Tom Cruise, John Travolta, Kirsti Alley, Madonna, Gwyneth Paltrow, and others, know what's going on in our country - they just don't have the balls to go there.

Speaking of telling the truth, my buddy, Thomas Sowell, writing about the General Stanley McChrystal flap, said:

"It is certainly not politic for a general or his staff to express their contempt for civilian authorities publicly. But what is far more important-- from the standpoint of national security-- is whether what those authorities have done deserves contempt.

My hope is that General McChrystal will write a book about his experiences in Afghanistan-- and in Washington. The public needs to know what is really going on, and they are not likely to get that information from politicians."

Or, I would add, from journalists or almost anybody else - that's why the job's left to bloggers. The John Edwards scandal made it clear - there are some subjects that are taboo to certain types and, come hell or high water, they won't go there - until it's obvious they have no choice. And what does Thomas Sowell think the answer is? A real man ("a soldier's soldier") like General McChrystal, finally stepping forward to spill the beans.

AKA The Macho Response.

Kirstie Alley: Scientology's Smegma Cannon***

"I was skeptical, so after a few Google searches, I found out that 'Kirstie Alley's Organic Liaison' has attracted the attention of Anonymous – those guys who hate Scientology. It looks like they've pulled together a lot of information about Kirstie Alley and her weight loss program. They say that the costs of Organic Liaison (a membership fee and supplements) would go to fund Scientology. Hmm…"

-- Tina W, discovering you can't escape the reach of Scientology - and that Scientology can't escape the reach of Anonymous - resulting in another excellent cult-busting Rant/Rave.

***If the title of this post offends anyone, I'm sorry, but I do best - and that one was pretty good!

She's Even Starting To Look Like L. Ron!!!

We got this photo from Gloss Lip - which has a great expose' on all the wonders of Scientology - but you can save yourself the trouble of reading it and just look at the shape Kirsti Alley is in to get the idea: As one of their top celebrity supporters, this photo should be exhibit "A" of what effect a little long-term (and expensive) cultism can do for your life.

Hail Xenu!

He Was ALWAYS The Mad Bomber

On July 28, 1943, a U.S. Navy lieutenant ordered his minesweeper to use the isles for target practice. By the time the PC-815's third shell slammed into South Island – the chain's only inhabited island – the Mexican government was angrily protesting to its U.S. allies.

The lieutenant lost his command. “Consider this officer lacking in the essential qualities of judgment, leadership and cooperation,” read the official reprimand. That officer was L. Ron Hubbard, the future science fiction writer and founder of Scientology.

-- Peter Rowe, R-Calif., reminding us that, early on, the U.S. Navy saw in the cult leader what the rest of us now know, in The San Diego Union-Tribune.

Spitting On Kids Is NOT A Spiritual Practice

Using freedoms of assembly and speech, but opting to do it anonymously, two Yelm sophomores stood on the corner of Yelm Avenue and First Street Friday holding signs calling Scientology a dangerous cult.

Wearing masks and hats, the boys kept their identities hidden and wouldn’t give their names.

Their message of “Scientology kills” is somewhat well-known, the boys claimed.

“It’s kind of spreading around America,” said one mask-wearing boy.

The plan is to stand at that corner every Friday after school “until we feel satisfied (that the message gets out there).”

People’s responses to the peaceful protest were mixed. The boys said they were spat at, given the finger, honked at, waved at, given rock-on signs and the thumbs up.

Negative responses didn’t bother the boys too much, they said.

“They’re probably just doing it to see if they can look cool, but they’re not,” said one of the anonymous protestors.

-- Kelly Stonum, giving us a(nother) glimpse of how quickly cultists abandon their facade of niceness whenever the results of their beliefs are exposed, in Washington's Nisqually Valley News.

And Now A Word From Your (Non-Cult) Leader

Hey there - this is your old friend, The Crack Emcee, can we talk?

I can see that some of you are confused. Why is this guy always going on about cults?

The short answer is because there are these fine folks (especially the so-called "celebrities") who are continually grouping together, around the most silly things, and once they do so, they begin reinforcing the idea that, because they've decided to commit to some nonsense or other, the rest of us have to respect them.

Which is utter nonsense in itself.

It's people like these who give TMR's "delusional thinking" tag such a workout.

Take this idea of 2012. By studying the Mayan calendar, a whole gang of people are insisting the world is going to come to an end; or something "big" is going to happen, or who knows what. Whatever it (supposedly) may be, it's a popular idea with, like, what I'll call the NewAge friends of the Burning Man crowd,...who just happen to study the Mayan calendar.

But here's the thing: no one is seriously asking these people why they've been studying the Mayan calendar to begin with.

That seems like a really stupid way to spend their time: the Mayans are pretty much dead as a culture. And the man with the sandwich board, standing on the corner saying, "The end is near" is about as played out as you can get. I mean: we're still here.

And yet, on the supposedly smart chat shows, we're fed this steady stream of opinions by the well-known (and well-heeled) who actually believe such foolishness like they're worthy of being listened to. Being more specific, let me ask you a question:

If Janeane Garofalo believes in the 2012 theory of the end times - and she reportedly does - why is she, out of all the intelligent people on earth, a regular on Bill Maher's talk show?

Why her? Couldn't Maher - who also believes in quackery - find anyone sane? Or can't he tell the difference? Why does he even have a show?

Shirley MacLaine (who has not matured into a very nice person) is a U.F.O. cultist - we all know that. So why isn't anyone offering her mental help? Didn't we once like Shirley MacLaine?

Tom Cruise, John Travolta, Kirsty Alley - all part of "the world's most dangerous cult" - but we're told to be more concerned with their box office numbers than we are with the condition of their minds, and the effect such madness has when it works like a, sometimes frightening, psychedelic drug on the body politic. Why? Isn't the death of Jett Travolta enough for us to ask "What are we doing?"

What are we doing to our society - which regularly appears to be spinning out of control - and to ourselves?

We've just elected a man with hardly any credentials, but lots of nasty friends, to be the President of the United States - merely because he's black. And no one is seriously batting an eye unless they see someone, like me, who says there is something terribly wrong with that idea. Folks, the emperor has no clothes.

But when I say that, out come the excuses - as empty as Barack Obama's resume - and the eyes of his defenders narrow, always on the ready to assume a cutting gaze that suggests the madness they so heartily deny.

If that's not the very definition of cultism then I don't know what is.

Look, I'll cut to the chase for you, so we can be done with this whole thing and I can get back to my coffee:

There is no NewAge. There are no "ancient teachings." Life is a straight line and it just keeps going whether you're here to continue with it or not.

So, please, let's start demanding we quit being inundated and fooled by these want-to-be-well-known-but-equally-foolish people who, apparently, get lost much too easily by engaging in circular reasoning.

Let's just try to get on with it ourselves. Sanely. Both, as a tribute to the sacrifices of past generations, and a testament to the collective intelligence of our own.

We do indeed have all we need to make it happen. It's just by getting rid of a few really bad ideas that we can make it all work. And it's past time we did.

If we do, that in itself will be one hell of a first: we'll be the generation that will have finally reached "enlightenment."

And we will have done it by returning to The Macho Response.

P.S.

Oh yea: There are articles in many of the titles (if you click on them) and - while I know it's crass and hardly clever and all - try to make even a small a donation. We're always looking for sponsors - Big ones. Big rich ones. Big rich ones who will imagine we're gods, like my ex-wife, "Dr." Robert Wohlfahrt, and Clinton - but we just haven't found them yet. So that leaves YOU. And yea, yea, as you can guess, any mention of my ex is like firing up The Bat Signal:

It means I'm now returning you to our regularly scheduled broadcast of political nonsense, religious nuts, and the world of way-out wackos.

So take care,

CMC