Print

[SocialTransparency]

http://today.msnbc.msn.com/id/26184891/vp/35214415#35214415

[wynot]

Totally ignored the reality of what the vultures are there for. Didn't even mention 'the way to ...' booklets, and treated the touch assist as though it were something other than hokum. Maybe written by a cultie?

'til next time;
wynot

[ethercat]

They seem to be winning the media on this one.  Do you think it's because it involves John Travolta, and they feel badly for hounding him after Jett's death?

I hope the VMs are actually doing some good this time.  I feel sorry for the ones who go intending to do good work, but are so blinded that they can't see that publicity for scientology is not good work.   

[mefree]

I'm not sure they have a lot of choice other than to be helpful at this point, or not be tolerated. There is just too much to do over there right now.

I understand the VM's have plans to hang around after the crisis is over which is another concern. This current period of helping in Haiti may be mostly a PR opportunity to gather good will for the next recruitment drive.

[SocialTransparency]

The VM issue in Haiti is a tough one to call. On one hand, they appear to be doing good at actually helping the professionals.

On the other hand, the wearing of their T- Shirts seems to say "Hey look at us". Which imo is just a PR move.

Yet i honestly can't bust on them at this time. They are helping people in need.

[Hartley]

They seem to be winning the media on this one.

They aren't.
I've been collected the news reports:
http://www.newsfrombree.co.uk/stolgy_34.htm
The media have been overwhelmingly hostile to the VMs. One agency story in particular was picked up by a number of newspapers which uniformly left out the only positive comment in it.
None of the media are looking at the Scientology PR.

The MSNBC video was indeed odd, as the reporter has had previous contact with the cult. I can only assume that Pat Harney's charisma overwhelmed him. She is is now spokesperson for the new Haiti front group, ie doing damage limitation.

Someone has IMO decided on a new VM strategy. Their PR slogan is now "We're here to stay" and their first target is - wait for it - orphans! Oh dear, a few days later some Baptists attempted to kidnap some children and fly them out for involuntary adoption, so the media will be looking into this area.

[ethercat]

Thanks for the link, Hartley.  I was going to mention Lily von Marcab's article from last year, but I see you've got it linked on your page.  I seem to remember seeing something in the last day or so about a couple of scientologists from Clearwater adopting 4 children, but can't remember where.

I think, undoubtedly, any children adopted by scientologists, or raised in scientology, will be pressured to join the Sea Org.