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[ethercat]

With recent news of politicians being influenced by various scientology entities, such as Sharron Angle in Nevada, and the Georgia senators who have recently given a commendation in the form of a State Senate Resolution, we have to wonder how these influential people are being contacted. 

One way may be through the National Foundation for Women Legislators.  I don't think the National Foundation for Women Legislators is a front group, in the usual sense, but it does have scientologists in key positions, and as we know, Scientologists are relentless in promoting Scientology causes and agendas.

http://www.womenlegislators.org/committees/?id=62
Policy Committees
Crime, Justice, Terrorism, and Substance Abuse
Legislative Chair: Representative Phyllis Katsakiores (NH)
Private Sector Chair: Joy Westrum & Rick Pendery, Second Chance

http://www.womenlegislators.org/committees/?id=66
Policy Committees
Education, Training and Workplace
Legislative Chair: Senator Linda Gray (AZ)
Private Sector Chair: Bruce Wiseman, Citizens' Commission on Human Rights

Ida Camburn, a long time critic and researcher of Scientology, wrote:

Scientology's subversion in the National Foundation for Women Legislators, (NFWL) began in 1998 through a partner group, the National Organization of Women Legislators, (NOWL.) This letter from Scientologist and President of CCHR, Bruce Wiseman, informs Scientology members to "make tax-deductible donations" in order to join the women legislators group - to help "deprive psychiatry of appropriations."

Since 1998, several of the NFWL members began to promote house bills on the topic of psychotropic drugs in schools. The women legislator's who proposed this legislation were accompanied by either Scientologists or CCHR members in those respective states, or were quoting from Scientology.

From 2001-2003, several of the legislators and a Scientologist/NFWL committee member began to promote Scientology's "Second Chance" Prison rehabilition (based on Scientology's discredited Purification Rundown) in different states to receive funding, (all of which were rejected.)

There is more information here:
http://www.lermanet.com/scientology-in-government/nfwl.htm
http://www.operatingthetan.com/nfwl/nfwl.htm
http://www.lermanet.com/scientology/scientology-and-politics.htm

Specifically regarding Sharon Angle:

Though she never presented a bill, Angle did attempt to organize a legislative trip to see the inmate treatment program at a Mexican jail. She made the proposal after visiting the facility with a former corrections department director. The legislative trip would have been arranged and paid for by a member of the Church of Scientology, and critics say the program is modeled on the faith's teachings.

Angle lobbied Gov. Kenny Guinn to support the program, Guinn confirmed Monday.

Though Angle has had to defend her position on the prison program, her role in the federal legislation on psychotropic drugs has not previously been reported in the media.

Not that Angle was trying to hide that role, at least before she entered the national spotlight. As recently as March, one entry in a list of accomplishments on her website read: "Kelly Preston (Mrs. John Travolta), Jenna Elfman[/b] (...snip definition of dharma...) and Robin Read (Director of NFWL NFWL National Foundation for Women Legislators (Washington, DC) ) accompanied Sharron Angle to Senator Ensign's office, according to online search archives.

In a March interview with the Las Vegas Sun The Las Vegas Sun is one of Las Vegas, Nevada's two daily newspapers. It is owned by the Greenspun family and is affiliated with Greenspun Media Group.

The paper was published in the afternoons on weekdays from 1990-2005. , Angle volunteered that she and Preston had visited Ensign about the legislation on psychotropic drugs.

The website now says only that Angle "made it unlawful nationally for anyone but a physician to require the use psychotropic drugs (such as Ritalin) for public school attendance by certain children. Senator John Ensign sponsored the bill at Angle's request."

Angle's website formerly said that accompanying her to Ensign's office was Read, who heads the National Foundation of Women Legislators. That organization, which some say has links to Scientology, promotes the drug treatment program that Angle advocated for in 2003.

The group's website lists Angle as a legislative chairwoman of the Business, Housing & Economic Development Committee.

Read did not return calls for comment.

So, with the knowledge that there are Scientologists within the National Foundation for Women Legislators, who are in influential positions, how do we change this?  How do we stop this harmful influence on the politicians?  Does anyone have any ideas?

[mefree]

A letter campaign?

[RedShieldwolf]

Would it be out of line to have a protest? Perhaps those involved in the organization are unaware of these issues?

They hold an annual press conference. The next one will be held November 18th-22nd at the Ritz-Carlton Orlando, Grand Lakes in Orlando, Florida. Maybe anons or other critics could show up?

Anyway, their contact information is as follows:

The National Foundation for Women Legislators
910 16th Street
Suite 100
Washington, DC 20006
Telephone: (202) 293-3040
Fax: (202) 293-5430

[ethercat]

A letter campaign?

Who would a letter campaign target?  Other members of NFWL?  Leadership?  All women politicians who might end up being a member of NFWL?

Would it be out of line to have a protest? Perhaps those involved in the organization are unaware of these issues?

They hold an annual press conference. The next one will be held November 18th-22nd at the Ritz-Carlton Orlando, Grand Lakes in Orlando, Florida. Maybe anons or other critics could show up?

Anyway, their contact information is as follows:

The National Foundation for Women Legislators
910 16th Street
Suite 100
Washington, DC 20006
Telephone: (202) 293-3040
Fax: (202) 293-5430

I don't think a protest would necessarily be out of line, but I'm not sure it's the best way to inform.  I mean, the organization in and of itself isn't really bad (though I tend to dislike "special privilege" groups - racial, ethnic, or gender, things you don't have a choice about - just on general principle of treating everyone equally, at least on those qualities); it's just some of the members with KSW agendas.  Although I would imagine a protest would get someone's attention.  I think most involved don't realize they're being worked for an agenda.

As an aside: I do find it interesting that in a group which is supposed to be made up of women legislators, there are men (Rick Pendery and Bruce Wiseman) who are neither women nor any kind of politician, yet they hold such key positions.

Are you thinking some of the Orlando or Tampa Bay people might be interested in a protest?  Or some of the DC folks? 

Hey, I know, if Sparrow's restraining order prevents him from protesting at the org, maybe he might want to target some of their other venues.  (not sure if this is good strategy legally, though; said more as a joke than anything else.)

[mefree]

Who would a letter campaign target?  Other members of NFWL?  Leadership?  All women politicians who might end up being a member of NFWL?

Perhaps the NFWL Board of Directors?

[RedShieldwolf]

I don't think a protest would necessarily be out of line, but I'm not sure it's the best way to inform.  I mean, the organization in and of itself isn't really bad (though I tend to dislike "special privilege" groups - racial, ethnic, or gender, things you don't have a choice about - just on general principle of treating everyone equally, at least on those qualities); it's just some of the members with KSW agendas.  Although I would imagine a protest would get someone's attention.  I think most involved don't realize they're being worked for an agenda.

Well, would any of the long time Scientology critics from that area be able to present their case at the conference during a plenary session? Or would management prevent them from doing just that? 'Cause if that happens, information dissemination and protest sound like the only options left.

As an aside: I do find it interesting that in a group which is supposed to be made up of women legislators, there are men (Rick Pendery and Bruce Wiseman) who are neither women nor any kind of politician, yet they hold such key positions.

Yes, I also find it interesting that non-politicians are holding such positions. As far as them being male, "any individual, male or female, can become a member of NFWL." Just like the NAACP doesn't consist of only black members.

I think I would agree with you about "special privilege" groups. But an argument for them might be that by addressing a certain group's inequality in society, they are promoting this group toward equality. Of course once that happens, said group would become little more than an exclusive club and a relic of the past.

Are you thinking some of the Orlando or Tampa Bay people might be interested in a protest?  Or some of the DC folks?

Could both do this?

Hey, I know, if Sparrow's restraining order prevents him from protesting at the org, maybe he might want to target some of their other venues.  (not sure if this is good strategy legally, though; said more as a joke than anything else.)

One of my first thoughts after Brian got his TRO was that he could still protest Monique Yingling at Zuckert, Scout, and Rasenberger. But it's probably better for Sparrow to just take some time off.

[ethercat]

Well, would any of the long time Scientology critics from that area be able to present their case at the conference during a plenary session? Or would management prevent them from doing just that? 'Cause if that happens, information dissemination and protest sound like the only options left.

Hmmm, don't know.  Considering that the scientologists are in the positions they are with the organization, I wonder what the best approach would be for getting permission to speak?  Or if they would even consider an outside speaker?  Seems like it might be awkward, especially if the subject matter were approached directly.  Something like a general "Politics and Special Interest Groups" speech might have a better chance.

It would be nice if we knew if any of the members were aware of the situation, and sympathetic to our cause, because words from a member would probably mean so much more than words from us.  Sometimes it's better to take a sneaky approach.   

Are you thinking some of the Orlando or Tampa Bay people might be interested in a protest?  Or some of the DC folks?

Could both do this?

I don't see any reason they couldn't; the question is if they would...  Might be an idea to float out there on WWP, and see if anyone is interested.

But it's probably better for Sparrow to just take some time off.

I agree with this completely.

[ethercat]

Back to the original topic, there is some good research on National Foundation for Women Legislators here: http://forums.whyweprotest.net/7-chit-chat/researchfags-nfwl-scilon-spotting-capitol-hill-42437/