Whitechapel - Anonymous vs. Scientology (2/10/08)

Anonymous vs. Scientology (2/10/08)

2008-02-10T02:34:24-08:00

It begins...

http://www.news.com.au/
http://forums.enturbulation.org/viewtopic.php?t=1577
http://www.flickr.com/photos/therkd/sets/72157603882379333/
http://flosstology.blogspot.com/

Anonymous vs. Scientology (2/10/08)

2008-02-10T02:42:05-08:00

Holy fuck. Hello Kitty gasmask girl is just perfect.

Anonymous vs. Scientology (2/10/08)

2008-02-10T02:43:41-08:00

Fantastic. Love the paper-bag interview pic.

Anonymous vs. Scientology (2/10/08)

2008-02-10T02:50:29-08:00

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_TVXLU2mRsI

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PzUFQXYUThU

Anonymous vs. Scientology (2/10/08)

2008-02-10T03:35:47-08:00

A number of updates, including references to the protests as 'raids'.

- Z

Anonymous vs. Scientology (2/10/08)

2008-02-10T03:50:16-08:00

Ariana - I wholeheartedly concur.

Anonymous vs. Scientology (2/10/08)

2008-02-10T05:54:25-08:00

Thetans or GTFO

bwahahahahahahahahahahaha

Anonymous vs. Scientology (2/10/08)

2008-02-10T06:45:50-08:00

Ariana - I wholeheartedly concur.

Yeah, she jumps out, doesn't she.

Anonymous vs. Scientology (2/10/08)

2008-02-10T06:56:40-08:00

Hello kitty gas mask girl rocks.

Also, WOW. I can't help but smile at this.

Anonymous vs. Scientology (2/10/08)

2008-02-10T07:24:34-08:00

It's a shame the 'Do not censor me' guy wasn't standing next to the 'Cult' girl.

Anonymous vs. Scientology (2/10/08)

2008-02-10T07:28:16-08:00

see, we make a difference. or make different.

Anonymous vs. Scientology (2/10/08)

2008-02-10T07:33:24-08:00

I am very curious what we will see as we roll to the US protest times.

150 in one place is already more then I expected. Anon all grown up, the mind boggles.

Anonymous vs. Scientology (2/10/08)

2008-02-10T07:54:27-08:00

Hello Kitty gasmask girl is Jennie One.

Art by: Becky Cloonan

Anonymous vs. Scientology (2/10/08)

2008-02-10T08:14:40-08:00

There were people protesting outside the Scientology church in Edinburgh today as well.

Will

Anonymous vs. Scientology (2/10/08)

2008-02-10T09:43:12-08:00

Anonymous vs. Scientology (2/10/08)

2008-02-10T09:44:34-08:00

Hello Kitty Gasmask Girl Rocks, as previously mentioned. I'm impressed. 'Tom Cruise Can't Fly' made me lol.

Anonymous vs. Scientology (2/10/08)

2008-02-10T09:58:48-08:00

I hope Ms. Cloonan doesn't take offense but I tried to mimic the image for grins. (the lulz?)

(granted not even close, but hey, what do you expect for 5 minutes in photoshop?)

Anonymous vs. Scientology (2/10/08)

2008-02-10T10:02:28-08:00

At the demo in Edinburgh they were encouraged not to have any banners or anything that could be seen as a weapon.

Hmmm. Hello Kitty Gasmask Girl...I think she needs a better name.

Will

Anonymous vs. Scientology (2/10/08)

2008-02-10T10:04:02-08:00

Anonymous looks a bit tame in real life.

Also, they just released a pretty moderate press release:

Anonymous vs. Scientology (2/10/08)

2008-02-10T10:17:46-08:00

@hank

That's some funny shit right there.

Anonymous vs. Scientology (2/10/08)

2008-02-10T10:29:22-08:00

@skeets

Decent article here, by Newsweek.

Any mention of the protests or Anonymous are strangely absent from CNN.

- Z

Anonymous vs. Scientology (2/10/08)

2008-02-10T10:41:28-08:00

@z Thanks. It screamed to be done.

Anonymous vs. Scientology (2/10/08)

2008-02-10T11:12:00-08:00

Pictures from the London protest up soon.

Anonymous vs. Scientology (2/10/08)

2008-02-10T11:23:01-08:00

London:

Anonymous vs. Scientology (2/10/08)

2008-02-10T11:26:53-08:00

Blimey - it's Jerry Sadowicz in a V mask!

Anonymous vs. Scientology (2/10/08)

2008-02-10T11:57:02-08:00

I love all this

oh fuck

It's sums up the whole internet "Did you know that scientology forces it's members too... is that longcat?"

Anonymous vs. Scientology (2/10/08)

2008-02-10T11:58:53-08:00

I loved to see V in the middle of everything.

Anonymous vs. Scientology (2/10/08)

2008-02-10T12:00:46-08:00

You know, I get the feeling that some of the people involved aren't taking this entirely seriously. Hehe.

Anonymous vs. Scientology (2/10/08)

2008-02-10T12:05:48-08:00

Hum...

In Auz they have Hello Gasmask Kitty.

Here we have Hello Kitty V...

I know which I'd prefer.

Also, if Anonymous is sparking something inside the brain mulch of groups of people all over the globe, then why is their target so... banal/narrow?

There are issues facing us as a spiecies that are alot more pressing, serious and damn scary than the fettered remains of Hubbards final wank...

The whole concept of Anonymous excites and inspires me, I just wish they were pointing in a better direction.

Till then, my V mask is waiting...

Anonymous vs. Scientology (2/10/08)

2008-02-10T12:22:25-08:00

Right.

Brief write up of London protests:

Headed into town later than I expected to get a text from a friend who was going which went something along the lines of: "There are five police vans, six police horses, a helicopter overhead and just me here so far." At which point it didn't look encouraging and I disappeared into the underground and out of communication thinking that nothing will come of this, but that might be funny in itself, considering the police turnout.

When I arrived at the headquarters near Mansion House things were definitely happening, and there were already over a hundred people there, most of them in V masks. Protesters were crowding around the doors to the CoS headquarters and were moved away in some very impressively coordinated police horse maneuvers.

Then, word goes round that this initial protest is just a grouping exercise and the plan is to move to the more publicly situated Tottenham Court Road CoS building. So a few hundred masked protesters all decamp and head onto the tube, which was vaguely surreal in itself. Being masked created a sense of camaraderie amongst the throng and the atmosphere was mostly friendly.

Although, having said that, I did witness one of the London Transport staff virtually assaulting a protester as he tried to get him down from standing on a bench. The protester shouldn't have been standing on it, true, but this bloke grabbed him and pushed him very roughly. Almost instantly half a dozen cameras were on him, and I explained very politely that there were several witnesses to what happened and it might be best for everyone involved if he just backed down and walked away. Which he did.

The move to Tottenham Court Road seemed to take the police by surprise and they were just erecting barricades and putting tape up as we got there. The V-masked throng of protesters assembled across the street from the CoS shopfront and what the police were doing was actually very sensible. They were putting up barriers in front of the road, to make sure no one fell or was pushed into it, but tape everywhere else. Most of the police were also very polite, letting people into and out of the taped areas without any fuss at all.

To start with, protesters were engaging with the folk from the CoS, who were continuing to offer and perform 'stress tests' in the street. The police then separated the scientologists form the protesters and this is when the only trouble I saw started, as a few protesters argued the point over their right to be wherever they wanted to be, and not corralled into barriers.

More masked protesters turned up, obviously as word got around that something fairly large and worth turning up to was going on. I'd estimate that by half past two there were around three to four hundred protesters, but that is just a guess.

Chants then started up, led by a bloke with a megaphone. 'Hail Xenu', 'You're a cult and you know you are', 'What happened to Lisa McPherson?', 'We want Tom, We want Tom', 'One-nil to anonymous', 'Save Katie', 'Just come out of the closest, no one will mind', 'Scientology - do not want'. 'Battlefield Earth - Worst. Film. Ever.' and so on...

Cameras pointed from out of the top windows of the CoS place, aimed at the crowd were met with cheers and waves, and cars that honked their horns as they went past also got a good reaction.

The protesters all seemed to be enjoying themselves and the officials from the CoS that were placed at the front of the building seemed quite confused and bemused by it all. A later chant was 'are your smiles hurting yet'. Some of the very angry faces that appeared at upper windows said a lot more.

There was a lot about it that was very interesting. This was not the hardcore mob that I've seen on anti-road or eco-protests. Geeky t-shirts were very much on display, as well as cute girly stuff. It wasn't an angry protest. It was almost like it was a bunch of people genuinely trying to make a point about something that didn't make sense to them.

Just had a call from a friend who was there - the protesters have now all decamped to a pub. According to one of the coppers he spoke to, they estimated the largest number of protesters at one point to have been five to seven hundred.

So there you go. Using an excellent targeted memetic approach, Anonymous delivered several effective and peaceful international protests at very short notice.

Anonymous vs. Scientology (2/10/08)

2008-02-10T12:22:52-08:00

People will protest a pseudo-religion-joke that does no more harm than distraction at the drop of an anonymous internet group's hat, but protests for real issues such as a war that has killed 300,000+ or an ongoing genocide on the african continent have long fizzled out.

Anonymous vs. Scientology (2/10/08)

2008-02-10T12:47:37-08:00

I seem to remember joining around a million or so people to protest the Iraq war a while back and it doing very little good. However, there are still regular protests and events aimed at the Iraq war that attract far more people than these did. You're perhaps noticing this more because of the extremely effective communications channels that are being used.

But if it still bothers you, take some lessons from what's happened, in terms of how to organise and publicise protest events. Regard this as a kind of lab-test that can be applied to wider problems.

Anonymous vs. Scientology (2/10/08)

2008-02-10T13:25:00-08:00

Also, if Anonymous is sparking something inside the brain mulch of groups of people all over the globe, then why is their target so... banal/narrow?

Maybe it's a slow start, display of power, than on to bigger things.

Anonymous vs. Scientology (2/10/08)

2008-02-10T13:39:18-08:00

Anonymous vs. Scientology, Carytown, Richmond, Virginia, USA, Teegeeack

Pretty peaceful affair, roughly two dozen student-aged protestors. Saw a Scientologist guy outside their "church" talking to cops but I think they were just there as a formality. Lots of honking in support. I live like two blocks from this place, the LRH bots erected their new temple to pyramid schemes just this year. Flickr link

Anonymous vs. Scientology (2/10/08)

2008-02-10T13:50:04-08:00

Oh, something else I meant to include in my write up. An overheard conversation between a CoS official and a random person enquiring about what was going on, whom I strongly suspect wasn't entirely stupid. I'm paraphrasing, but this is the gist of it:

"Yeah, they've been giving us lots of trouble. They're trying to hack our internets and have also been sending us suspicious packages."

"What do you mean, suspicious? And how do you know they were from them?"

"Well, there was no name on them. So they were anonymous. And they were funny looking."

"What was wrong with them? Did they contain anything dangerous? Did you report it to the police? What exactly were these suspicious packages? What happened to them?"

"They were suspicious."

"So you said. But were they dangerous? Did they include threats? Bombs? Anthrax? Rabid Monkeys? Hungry Dormice... a couple of threatening weevils, perhaps?"

"We were sent suspicious packages from an anonymous source."

"Yeeee...eesss... and what exactly does that mean?"

"Would you like to take one of our stress tests? Personality evaluation?"

"Riiiight..."

Anonymous vs. Scientology (2/10/08)

2008-02-10T14:18:50-08:00

Protests in Toronto seem to be going well. About forty people, and I know London-heads don't consider Toronto a real city but minus twelve temperatures mean those protesters have to be serious.

Well-behaved, and the advantage of the sub-zero is everybody is potentially anonymous - pull your scarf over your face and you're good to go, which is what many of the protesters were doing, though there were the requisite V masks too. Some smart people in charge - they found a toy gun stashed under leaflets in a doorway, and while their claims of a scientological plant were a little conspiracy heavy (more likely just an idiot), they knew not to touch the damn thing and got the police to take it away.

A couple of fools thinking "I'm going to be the STAR of this anonymous protest!", trying to start chants and memes then screaming "What the fuck is wrong with you?" to fellow protesters when nobody joins in. They quietened down pretty quickly once they realised the protest wasn't actually about them and let people get on with it.

Lots of street support and honking, everybody there is acting legally and keeping out of trouble. Bare minimum of retarded internet songs and ninjas considering it's an internet-organised event.

Anonymous vs. Scientology (2/10/08)

2008-02-10T14:25:40-08:00

Dublin:

Headed to the protest, intending to observe rather than participate, around 12.30pm. Impressed by the size of the crowd, I'd say there were 40 scattered protesters, including those across the street from the centre (Middle Abbey St) and leafleting O'Connell St.

Here's the centre itself, situated in a filthy building above a travel agents, amusingly enough advertising 'Cruise Holidays'.

A couple of scientologists crossed the street to speak to the protesters - including this guy, who seemed articulate and reasonable, until asked about claims that Dianetics can cure leukaemia (and confronted with printed quotations from the book), at which point he scarpered back inside the building. Supposedly other scientologists periodically took photos of the crowd, but I didn't witness this personally.

Apparently the man below is the local scientology head honcho. He was an ostensibly reasonable fellow, and stood outside all day, either speaking to protesters or standing across the street from them. No intimidation tactics were used, and there were none of the obviously false smiles and glassy expressions familiar from say last years Panorama hatchet job.

Head honcho showed me this darling letter he'd been handed by a protester..

There was no trouble and a very small police presence. Spirits were high amongst the protesters, the majority of whom were quite respectful, and remained across the street from the centre. The only really odd moment came when a family of scientologists (father and mother, with kids in tow) left the centre and crossed the street to speak to the protesters. The guy checked out a poster questioning the death of Lisa McPherson, and responded by laughing in a disturbing and inappropriate manner, shaking hands with a couple of protesters, thanking them, and whisking his family away.

Friend of mine has posted a photo montage video on youtube.

Anonymous vs. Scientology (2/10/08)

2008-02-10T14:28:31-08:00

There's a church here in Chatsworth (CA, USA), but I didn't see anyone out there when I went out earlier today.

Anonymous vs. Scientology (2/10/08)

2008-02-10T14:44:04-08:00

I was in the neighbourhood and swung by the Vancouver (Canada) protest shortly after noon. Someone had just done a count and said they were 140 protesters at that point. I was somewhat disappointed that their signs weren't more visible or clever. Maybe the witty folks weren't awake yet. Lots of V masks. I just realized I didn't see any police but maybe I wasn't looking hard enough. Luckily the rain has been light today and it looks like the sun might be coming out now. As I was walking away I heard the group singing Happy Birthday to Lisa McPherson.

Anonymous vs. Scientology (2/10/08)

2008-02-10T14:51:20-08:00

The Edinburgh protest went off without a hitch apparently:

Edinburgh Anon

Will

Anonymous vs. Scientology (2/10/08)

2008-02-10T15:10:39-08:00

Xenu looks a lot like J'onn J'onzz, a.k.a. Martian Manhunter. :)

A friend of mine is protesting here in Minneapolis; I hope he'll have some pictures soon.

Anonymous vs. Scientology (2/10/08)

2008-02-10T15:10:50-08:00

Wow, I am totally impressed by these images.

It was obviously very important that protests in Australia were well attended, and also well documented RIGHT AWAY.
That really is the beauty of the internet, just think how far back that Janet Jackson flashing incident set us everywhere else...

Am I correct in assuming that it is not Illegal for people in the UK to walk around the streets with masks on?
It's my understanding that it is here in the US, except on trick or treat night.

Anonymous vs. Scientology (2/10/08)

2008-02-10T15:28:53-08:00

Just got back from the Vancouver protest. It was a bit cold and rainy, but at the time I left we had maybe 150-200 people and growing. Perhaps a third of those were in V masks.

The atmosphere was pretty calm, cheerful, even tongue-in-cheek. Lots of jokey slogans, lots of cheering as cars honked.

There was one idiot, though -- a middle-aged guy who kept screaming at the top of his lungs about how the FBI were tracking him, and how the CoS had been attacking him for years with 'ultra-sonic audio spotlight weapons'. At one point someone foolishly gave him a megaphone. He ranted unintelligibly for a few minutes, until the whole crowd started laughing at him and someone yelled out "TLDR!"

Around 10 Scientologists stood out front the whole time, manning a table with copies of Dianetics and an e-meter. Some glared, others chatted to us. One guy whose jacket proclaimed him to be a 'Minister' for the CoS walked through the crowd with a video camera, filming faces. He didn't speak a word or respond to queries.

One police car sat parked nearby. I was told other unmarked cars were periodically sweeping the block.

Photos to come soon.

Anonymous vs. Scientology (2/10/08)

2008-02-10T15:43:57-08:00

From Manchester

It was a great atmosphere, Anon finished with everyone taking a bow, singing the theme from Fresh Prince of Bel Air and going their separate ways.

Anonymous vs. Scientology (2/10/08)

2008-02-10T15:48:09-08:00

Current US head count:

50+ Buffalo, NY
105+ Dallas, TX
300+ New York, NY
80+ Detroit, MI
75+ Cincinnati, OH
100+ Columbus, OH
30+ Indianapolis, IN
15+ Cleveland, OH
100+ Austin, TX
170+ Boston, MA
100+ San Francisco, CA
40+ Pittsburgh, PA
80+ Denver, CO
60+ Phoenix, AZ
100+ Houston, TX
70+ Minneapolis, MN
90+ St. Louis, MO
150+ Chicago, IL
150+ Clearwater, FL
40+ San Diego, CA
150+ Philadelphia, PA
300+ Miami, FL
100+ Washington, DC
50+ Tucson, AZ
35+ New Haven, CT
50+ Charlotte, NC
35+ Louisville, KY
400+ Portland, OR (crazy stuff, but seems to be true so far)
200+ Seattle, WA
100+ Sacramento, CA
60+ Kansas City, MO
25+ Memphis, TN
200+ Atlanta, GA

~3610 people and more to come.

Anonymous vs. Scientology (2/10/08)

2008-02-10T15:49:50-08:00

Has anyone spotted any blogs/photos/news of the planned protest at the Nashville, TN Celebrity Centre? We did not get a chance to go into the city today and I wondered how big a turnout might actually gather here on in the Bible Belt.

Anonymous vs. Scientology (2/10/08)

2008-02-10T15:51:11-08:00

@Trotsky

I believe under UK law it is entirely legal to walk around in a mask in public, police officers can ask you to remove it but cannot force you into doing so. However, there is something called a Section 60 Order and when that is in place if a police officer asks you to remove an item concealing your identity and they believe you to be a threat of some sort (in anticipation of violence) you have to take it off for them, however you don't have to show anyone else your identity.

Anonymous vs. Scientology (2/10/08)

2008-02-10T15:56:30-08:00

http://www.encyclopediadramatica.com/Project_Chanology_iRL_Raids_Latest_News

Anonymous vs. Scientology (2/10/08)

2008-02-10T15:58:57-08:00

@Trotsky and Anoxia: And given how strict the guidelines were for these demonstrations, and that all participants adhered to them, I don't think the police would have had any reason to ask people to remove their masks.

Will

Anonymous vs. Scientology (2/10/08)

2008-02-10T16:16:48-08:00

Love this image.

Anonymous vs. Scientology (2/10/08)

2008-02-10T16:50:32-08:00

Below is a flyer that was handed to me by a gentleman wearing some sweet goggles with a group that appeared to be headed away from the Boston offices of Scientology at around 3 today. He seemed to be handing them out earnestly despite being 4 or 5 blocks from where the protest had been. I was working so I didn't get to see the turnout myself. I was glad to happen across the group. sorry for the crappy angle on the picture, you get the idea.

full size jpg here here

Anonymous vs. Scientology (2/10/08)

2008-02-10T17:00:05-08:00

That dude with the microphone in the 6th photo from the beginning, I'm 99% sure that's Tim Brunero. It's livenews.com.au, so It's most probably him. Hah.

Anonymous vs. Scientology (2/10/08)

2008-02-10T17:03:12-08:00

Um... It begins?

www.lolentologists.com

Anonymous vs. Scientology (2/10/08)

2008-02-10T17:05:09-08:00

@xander
I love the internet.

Anonymous vs. Scientology (2/10/08)

2008-02-10T17:10:27-08:00

Here's links to wads of pictures from the $cientology protests being collected by someone on Livejournal who's doing a fairly thorough job of it:

Europe and Australia

United States

Anonymous vs. Scientology (2/10/08)

2008-02-10T17:19:18-08:00

from the Melbourne protest (actually, the meet-up point, Fliders Street Station)
he got A LOT of honks.

was a fun afternoon, great atmosphere. nerds rule!

Anonymous vs. Scientology (2/10/08)

2008-02-10T17:26:46-08:00

there was one in miami? darn, i would've gone.

my folks are interesting in their views on this. they think that the church of scientology has every right to religious freedom, and that the protesting won't do a thing. but they still think that scientology is bullshit.

Anonymous vs. Scientology (2/10/08)

2008-02-10T17:46:05-08:00

@ Sarpedon

Yeah, neither bschory nor I were around to check out the protests, I was going to ask if you did, obviously not. I think some friends did, I'll have to ask them how it went here in Boston later...

Anonymous vs. Scientology (2/10/08)

2008-02-10T17:48:46-08:00

Looks like a bloody good start then. Heard rumblings that the next raid is on the 15th of March. Unfortunately I have an audition in Glasgow on that day. Can see the numbers being higher though, as some of the low numbers are probably due to people not thinking anyone would turn up...

Nothing on this at any of the major news outlets that I can see. Guess that's because there were no riots...

Anonymous vs. Scientology (2/10/08)

2008-02-10T17:57:24-08:00

Vancouver, Canada
~150 people

Anonymous vs. Scientology (2/10/08)

2008-02-10T18:15:15-08:00

Vancouver.

There really were a lot of V masks.

A few more poorly transferred photos here.

@Warped Savant : Were you the dude with the huge telephoto lens?

A friend tried to orchestrate a few pictures of Anons and Scientologists, but the Scientology people were reacting with outright anger and confusion. Which is understandable as I'm sure none of them surf 4chan and have little idea what these people are usually up to. :P

Anonymous vs. Scientology (2/10/08)

2008-02-10T18:25:03-08:00

A friend went to the Houston one: ill let those interested visit it here.

Anonymous vs. Scientology (2/10/08)

2008-02-10T18:33:01-08:00

It was -41 Degrees celcius in Edmonton, but we had some people turn up.

Anonymous vs. Scientology (2/10/08)

2008-02-10T18:38:56-08:00

Unbelievably cool.

(Not a pun.)

Anonymous vs. Scientology (2/10/08)

2008-02-10T18:46:58-08:00

torrent of 650ish photos
http://thepiratebay.org/tor/4021708/Raidpictures.rar

Anonymous vs. Scientology (2/10/08)

2008-02-10T19:34:10-08:00

Anyone have any pictures or videos on the Los Angeles / Hollywood protest? I couldn't get out there today (Death Plague has got me in its grasp), but I haven't really seen much about it except a really short article, heavily pro-lolentologist.

Figured there'd be a big turnout in celeb capital USA.

Anonymous vs. Scientology (2/10/08)

2008-02-10T20:28:37-08:00

Did Somebody say Los Angeles/Hollywood??

(Courtesy of Seanbonner of the SG Newswire)

There had to of been 300 - 400 people there today. fucking beautiful.

EDIT: MOAR! + LA Times Article

Anonymous vs. Scientology (2/10/08)

2008-02-10T22:09:09-08:00

The local (Portland) Fox station had a plug for tonight's news; featured story was the protests downtown. Woohoo!

Anonymous vs. Scientology (2/10/08)

2008-02-10T22:15:37-08:00

batty: BEST. SIGN. EVER.

Anonymous vs. Scientology (2/10/08)

2008-02-10T22:25:22-08:00

I wonder what Alan Moore thinks about all these V masks

Anonymous vs. Scientology (2/10/08)

2008-02-10T22:33:24-08:00

Now, I can understand the need to organize protests outside of the churches doors just to see what kind of turn-outs your looking at. The thing that's gotten me tossing in bed despite being up for 32+ hours now, is that why take your voice to their doors? Why try to get answers from them? Why not head to the steps of the Capitol, to DC, to get your answers? There must be some answer the government will give you. Why not force the hand of those with the power to cast off the shadows you seek justice against?

Or is this all a silly little dream that we've all had a good laugh in for now? Are we going to wake up after Friday, disappointed no one will remember the dream?

Anonymous vs. Scientology (2/10/08)

2008-02-10T22:35:10-08:00

Some nice professionally done photos:
http://www.rob-sheridan.com/tourist/scientology/index.html#38

Anonymous vs. Scientology (2/10/08)

2008-02-10T23:02:44-08:00

hello kitty gasmask girl sans gasmask

EDIT: its gone

EDIT EDIT: found

Anonymous vs. Scientology (2/10/08)

2008-02-10T23:16:55-08:00

I wonder what Alan Moore thinks about all these V masks

Probably the same thing he would think if he saw the end of the movie where hundreds of people show up all dressed like V.

Nothing says anarchy as much as everyone dressing alike.

Give me Hello Kitty gas mask girl any day of the week.

Anonymous vs. Scientology (2/10/08)

2008-02-10T23:27:46-08:00

@Ben -- No, just a normal digital camera in front of a face without a mask.

You probably saw me.

Anonymous vs. Scientology (2/10/08)

2008-02-10T23:37:42-08:00

@Zak

Funny you mention that. I just got this in an e-mail

The ALAS campaign: Anonymous Lobby Against Scientology. We will be organizing phone calls to federal and state legislators on a single day each week, as well as letter writing and faxes. We will also be doing major petition drives, which will serve two purposes:

1. The more people that sign our petition in a particular area, the more likely that the local representatives/senator are going to vote accordingly.
2. These real life petition drives are a great way to recruit more people for our next raid/demonstration.

So there ya go.

Anonymous vs. Scientology (2/10/08)

2008-02-11T00:18:42-08:00

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eoA0mnISlyQ

Anonymous vs. Scientology (2/10/08)

2008-02-11T00:48:32-08:00

I wonder what Alan Moore thinks about all these V masks

"I don't want my name credited."

Just kidding. He must be proud. I know I would be. Then again, Alan Moore's mind is completely on another realm from mine.

Anonymous vs. Scientology (2/10/08)

2008-02-11T01:08:28-08:00

Flash animations are having their take on this too. .

Anonymous vs. Scientology (2/10/08)

2008-02-11T01:08:45-08:00

Now if only we can get all of these people in front of the Vatican...

Anonymous vs. Scientology (2/10/08)

2008-02-11T02:22:48-08:00

"Nothing says anarchy as much as everyone dressing alike."

This isn't about anarchy, it's about organisation and ideas that want to fight. I don't think twentieth century social and political theories can be applied here. It's something else.

Anonymous vs. Scientology (2/10/08)

2008-02-11T03:20:55-08:00

I don't think twentieth century social and political theories can be applied here. It's something else.

I wouldn't call anarchism a 20th century political theory. Far more of a 19th century one with roots going back much further.

Guy Fawkes wasn't an anarchist, he was a religious terrorist. People playing dress up with some very potent historical notions and ideologies. It's very interesting but more than a little disquieting too.

Anonymous vs. Scientology (2/10/08)

2008-02-11T03:21:36-08:00

I personally just love how many people chose to wear a V mask for this...Wonder if that will cause some kind of Scientology backlash at comics or Moore...

Anonymous vs. Scientology (2/10/08)

2008-02-11T03:34:19-08:00

Well, whatever. It was as much a piss-take as a protest, which is something I don't think I've ever seen before.

Anyway, the always reliable Deathboy's done a great write up too:

Deathboy's writeup

The 'Fuck, the internet's here' image summed it all up perfectly. It was like a few hundred memes jumped off the screen and lashed out all at once, to be a tad pretentious about it.

Anonymous vs. Scientology (2/10/08)

2008-02-11T03:42:46-08:00

/b/ is (well, was a couple hours ago, so who knows what they're doing now) throwing a giant tantrum about how these protesters have ruined anonymous. Because caring for people and standing up and shit is against their ideal arsehole of humanity that they want /b/ to be, as far as I can tell. It's pretty amusing how fast the mood changes around there.

Anonymous vs. Scientology (2/10/08)

2008-02-11T03:48:16-08:00

Can you link to that? If it's on ED, I suspect it's another pisstake.

Anonymous vs. Scientology (2/10/08)

2008-02-11T03:50:25-08:00

Well, whatever. It was as much a piss-take as a protest, which is something I don't think I've ever seen before.

Flash mobs and "improv everywhere" have been pulling stunts of this kind for a while using similar methods of organization. They're a comedy group without a political/social message, which is where this takes on a new form. Anonymous is also, ostensibly, without leaders or hierarchy, flock organization, though I do wonder if there's a core small group setting the tone to some degree.

I think it's mostly a piss-take really. I think Scientology is a bit like shooting fish in a barrel. I mean, anyone who could watch Tom Cruise jibber and froth and say "Oh yes, that's the way the truth and light" was likely going to be killed by their pets anyway. No great loss.

Anonymous vs. Scientology (2/10/08)

2008-02-11T04:00:18-08:00

@Oddcult
Link to the tantrum-throwing? No, I can't. It was on /b/ on 4chan about 4 hours ago, which means it's almost certainly gone now, but you could always go see what the mood is now yourself; as I said, it changes so fast who knows what it's like right now.

EDIT: That being said, fuck knows how much of what is said on 4chan at any given time truly reflects the beliefs and opinions of anyone. Half of even the most serious thread is going to be trolls pretending to agree. As it says up the top of /b/, "The stories and information posted here are artistic works of fiction and falsehood.
Only a fool would take anything posted here as fact."

As for there being a small central group leading it, to an extent, whoever has the time and energy to devote themselves to it and who is not a giant prick like the vast majority of /b/tards and therefore manages to talk to people (semi)seriously long enough to work things out ends up being a leader.

Anonymous vs. Scientology (2/10/08)

2008-02-11T04:05:05-08:00

Two comments I've seen recently that struck me as meaningful:

"This is the birth of a new paradigm"

"Rick Astley IS the voice of protest"

Oh, and BBC Coverage.

Love the quotes from the CoS rep - "Cyber-terrorists!" I bet that'll make a load of people's day, being called that.

Anonymous vs. Scientology (2/10/08)

2008-02-11T04:13:12-08:00

I did like the Rickrolling that went on, that part of the descriptions of the raids made me laugh. It's a damn good way to protest, because I'm sure it's just as annoying to people who don't get it and have to listen to that damn song as it is funny to people who do get it.

The media coverage, especially the photographs they use, is generally anti-anonymous. But they don't cover up the fact that anonymous is careful to underline that they're protesting the corruption of the organization, not the beliefs of the people.

Anonymous vs. Scientology (2/10/08)

2008-02-11T05:17:13-08:00

"Cyber-terrorists!" I bet that'll make a load of people's day, being called that.

Although the label has whimsical appeal on some level, peaceful, rational, real life protests have exactly nothing to do with 'cyberspace' or terrorism.

@ravnos, I did the same thing in wondering if you guy'd go.

Anonymous vs. Scientology (2/10/08)

2008-02-11T05:39:52-08:00

@OctEgon

Thank you so much! My sick-addled brain needed some cheering up, after a fever dream where I was fighting the germs in my body a la Advance Wars,

Anonymous vs. Scientology (2/10/08)

2008-02-11T06:10:27-08:00

I love Scott (Deathboy)'s write up (As shown above...)

Especially the moments that go as follows...

"500 people rick-rolling the UK Scientology head office. It was at this point I saw the corners of the cops' mouths twitch into smiles as they realised it was ok: we were from the internets.

There were numerous demands for "CAKE!" - Shortly followed by much more enthusiastic cries of "THE CAKE IS A LIE!" ... Then someone came round with cakes, prompting happy exclamations that "THE CAKE IS REAL!""

"A chant of "This is religion!" (pointing to the left) "THIS IS A CULT!" (pointing to the scientology building), repeating - I didn't ever work out what the original point of this was, other than to underscore that scientology is not a religion, but then the mounted police showed up to herd us out of the road so that traffic could pass.

At which point, it became "THIS IS A HORSE!" (point at horse) "THIS IS A CULT!" (point at Scientology building)"

I can't remember the source, but there's some sci-fi story I've read where the conclusion reads along the lines of "They could withstand the fiecest of our weapons, they could defeat us intellectually, but in the end, I think they died of sheer culture shock" - the looks on the faces of the scientologists when faced with a crowd in which a lone voice shouts:

"I HEAR TOM CRUISE HATES MUDKIPS!"

(all) "NOOOOOOOOOOO!"

... how do you fight that?

How do you, ideologically speaking, defeat a crowd that is enthusiastically demanding that you "DO A BARREL ROLL! DO A BARREL ROLL!!" ?

I wish I could have been there...

Anonymous vs. Scientology (2/10/08)

2008-02-11T07:04:02-08:00

"I HEAR TOM CRUISE HATES MUDKIPS!"

(all) "NOOOOOOOOOOO!"

I thought there was a specific rule against bringing netmemes to the protests?

Anonymous vs. Scientology (2/10/08)

2008-02-11T07:09:34-08:00

If there was, it was thoroughly ignored. The whole thing was a massive mixture of internet in-jokes, netmemes and football chants.

Anonymous vs. Scientology (2/10/08)

2008-02-11T07:15:40-08:00

Rule #0: Rules 1 and 2 of the internet still apply. Your memes are not, at this juncture, something that the real world can appreciate. Although meme speak between fellow Anonymous is acceptable, focus on the target and keep it to a minimum.

Anonymous vs. Scientology (2/10/08)

2008-02-11T07:30:35-08:00

I thought there was a specific rule against bringing netmemes to the protests

That rule never had a chance. As long as the rest of the rules were followed and meme were kept to energizing the crowd I think its ok. It just can't be allowed to overtake the message.

Anonymous vs. Scientology (2/10/08)

2008-02-11T07:31:28-08:00

Yeah, that went well...

I think that when you've got a load of people wearing V masks shouting 'Do not want', it's taking a turn for the surreal and ontologically screwed in most people's minds anyway.

Anonymous vs. Scientology (2/10/08)

2008-02-11T07:40:59-08:00

I can see both sides of the meme thing.

On one hand it is the culture, and every protest culture as had a language all its own thats creates out groups as a side effect. It provides cohesion, and acts as a signaler that this is your side and your all together. And as I said above I am sure it acts to energize and focus the crowd. Reports also said passers by often reaction well to the strangeness.

On the other hand, meme culture is collection of nonsense and in-jokes. It did not develop as part of the protest culture. It undermines an effort to be serious about this, replacing it with, as said above, piss-takes. It also obscures the message under a pile of gibberish.

But I am surprised by all this so far, so will go with the former in my current mood.

Anonymous vs. Scientology (2/10/08)

2008-02-11T07:57:56-08:00

What struck me most about the Anonymous protest rules were how sound and simple they were. Being organized, smart and polite in your interactions with the public and police and on message makes a point.

Quoting video games (the cake is a lie) and making it a game of who can quote the most obscure internet gag is just distracting. It's a smart enough idea to stand on it's own merit, no need to muck it up with rick-rolling and goatse references.

Anonymous vs. Scientology (2/10/08)

2008-02-11T08:30:08-08:00

What struck me most about the Anonymous protest rules were how sound and simple they were.

Without giving anything away, I know that some veterans in the protest and independent-media businesses are now advising Anonymous.

Anonymous vs. Scientology (2/10/08)

2008-02-11T08:39:08-08:00

I just read that they're doing something March 15, two days after L. Ron's B-day. Any idea what this is?

Anonymous vs. Scientology (2/10/08)

2008-02-11T08:42:30-08:00

Warren,

I knew Anonymous had been contacted by people who fought with CoS in the 1980/70s, as well as ex-CoS people, but I suspect you mean somewhat more then that.

independent-media businesses

Thats very intriguing. And makes allot of sense.

I am hoping as the plan to attack CoS tax exempt status moves forward I might find a good place to volunteer some time.

Anonymous vs. Scientology (2/10/08)

2008-02-11T08:46:21-08:00

There is an interesting theme beginning to pop up in the chatter about Anon.

People are starting to differentiate the members of Anon who really stand for the "ethics" of the internet, I have read variations on: our redemption is in their demise, and those who are angry and throwing fits that this is not lulz anymore. It should be interesting to see how that goes.

Anonymous vs. Scientology (2/10/08)

2008-02-11T08:47:04-08:00

That's not much of a surprise given the reasonableness and specificity of some of the rules.

This is still Anonymous though. It's not like they have an enforcing body.

Anonymous vs. Scientology (2/10/08)

2008-02-11T09:24:35-08:00

I think we can draw a clear distinction between the protesters and a lot of the folks on 4chan. There seem to be at least three groups: people who support the protests and were most likely in them, people bitching about the protests (they seem to be calling the protesters "oldfags"), and people who are blissfully oblivious about any of it and continue to post the kind of random nonsense you expect from the /b/oard.

one of the whiners does bring up a good point. he said that they should get their own site. Perhaps those involved with the protests and are serious about their cause should distance themselves from the others who were just in it for the lulz. Then they'd probably gain more credibility.

Anonymous vs. Scientology (2/10/08)

2008-02-11T09:28:29-08:00

Without giving anything away, I know that some veterans in the protest and independent-media businesses are now advising Anonymous.

Ah. Now the penny drops about a couple of people hanging at the back of the protest that I thought I recognised from somewhere.

Anonymous vs. Scientology (2/10/08)

2008-02-11T09:31:07-08:00

There were certainly memes going around the LA protest, mostly as chatter amongst the group and yeah, some signs. But the info that was being distributed to people driving or walking by was totally "serious business." I think that was an important difference.

Anonymous vs. Scientology (2/10/08)

2008-02-11T09:36:47-08:00

Perhaps those involved with the protests and are serious about their cause should distance themselves from the others who were just in it for the lulz

No. That would kill it. In this form, Anonymous has a finite lifespan anyway. It has to all be about the lulz. If it gets too serious, then the 'terrorist' tag will stick.

You can't label someone a terrorist for playing Rick Astley at you whilst wearing a Hello Kitty T-Shirt. That's why this is working.

Anonymous vs. Scientology (2/10/08)

2008-02-11T09:44:28-08:00

I know that some veterans in the protest and independent-media businesses are now advising Anonymous.

There was a line in one of the videos about "do not ask for police officer's badge numbers" that comes right out of the playbook of the old hat GLBT protest veterans I knew in school.

Good on those folks for sharing their knowledge. I'm not seeing any reports of arrests or clashes with cops. Even in America, where I figured the paranoia about "cyber-terrorists" would lead to some ugliness.

Anonymous vs. Scientology (2/10/08)

2008-02-11T09:50:09-08:00

No. That would kill it. In this form, Anonymous has a finite lifespan anyway. It has to all be about the lulz. If it gets too serious, then the 'terrorist' tag will stick.

You can't label someone a terrorist for playing Rick Astley at you whilst wearing a Hello Kitty T-Shirt. That's why this is working.

Exactly. Plus of course the one thing that really gets to monolithic power groups like CoS is being laughed at publicly. That's why the South Park ep and the Cruise vid got them so busy.

Anonymous vs. Scientology (2/10/08)

2008-02-11T10:01:05-08:00

@oddcult

i think you misunderstood me. i meant the whiners when i said "those that were in it for the lulz," those that just wanted to prank call and attack the websites and do all sorts of illegal things.

I'm all for rick-rolling the CoS. that video from London was amazing.

Anonymous vs. Scientology (2/10/08)

2008-02-11T10:04:14-08:00

As for mixing Lulz with Serious Business, I don't think I'd have ever given a damn about politics or social issues if it wasn't for Jello Biafra.

Anonymous vs. Scientology (2/10/08)

2008-02-11T10:06:44-08:00

@BN - Ah. Sorry. Different take on lulz.

Anonymous vs. Scientology (2/10/08)

2008-02-11T10:22:24-08:00

@octegon:

"Anyone interfering with the collection of urine samples will...be...shot."

Bless that man.

Anonymous vs. Scientology (2/10/08)

2008-02-11T10:40:53-08:00

here is a set from someone who attended the protest in toronto. boy am i impressed at all the stories/ photos on the thread about this

Anonymous vs. Scientology (2/10/08)

2008-02-11T10:45:41-08:00

SO over at boingboing they had this pic. Of what appears to be a surveillance truck..at the LA protest. Heh all those 2 sided mirror panels are kind of conspicuous i would say.

Anonymous vs. Scientology (2/10/08)

2008-02-11T11:14:57-08:00

Well, I for one, will no longer be purchasing my ice from Frosty Ice Co.

Anonymous vs. Scientology (2/10/08)

2008-02-11T11:23:55-08:00

The ice creams are watching, always watching.

Anonymous vs. Scientology (2/10/08)

2008-02-11T11:28:23-08:00

So that's the infamous party van?

Anonymous vs. Scientology (2/10/08)

2008-02-11T11:46:34-08:00

Detroit Freepress Article (Must have codes or whatnot to read:P)
KNBC coverage of the LA protest.
UK Sun on the London Protests
The Spectrum coverage from Buffalo
Student life at MO article.

And from NPR
here

Anonymous vs. Scientology (2/10/08)

2008-02-11T12:13:13-08:00

I've been making an effort to keep up with my del.icio.us feed.

http://del.icio.us/standardman/anon

Anonymous vs. Scientology (2/10/08)

2008-02-11T12:25:21-08:00

I've been hearing a lot of people complaining about the memes at the protests, and I agree, they don't help get the message across, they don't communicate to the public that we mean business and we seriously want to educate. But that rationale misses a few key points, and as I've been saying to anyone who comments on it, it's a miracle that Anonymous hasn't yet got bored with this, and they deserved their big day out. And it'll help. The infighting and the memes at inappropriate moments is a /b/ norm, and it will actually keep this in everyone's minds, and Anonymous will stay interested. Even with all the rickrolling and desu, people were enthusiastically handing out meaningful flyers, flyers that were prepared long in advance specifically because Anonymous knew that Anonymous would get excitable when it got close to the day and crack out the lolcats. The message got across, I think. And as others have been saying, the surreality of the whole event was effective as a weapon in itself. What can COS do against that? Think about it: You're walking down the street, you know nothing of /b/ or the COS, but on one side you see the Scientologists, with their patronising pamphlets and their false, worn smiles, and on the other side there's a hundred, hundreds of people, desperate to tell you to tear up that pamphlet you just got, "here, take these! take these! The COS kills!" before demanding the Scientologists do a barrel roll. These people are evidently having a lot of fun, and only half the stuff they're saying is making sense, but they're here for a reason. Who do you choose to listen to?

I think the OH FUCK motivational sums it up, really. The internet arrived, and it looked dashing and insane at the same time, as well it should, but do you see all the serious placards? The signal-to-noise ratio was just about right so that everyone involved had fun but everyone who wasn't in on it knew why they were standing there. And with any luck, we'll do it again.

Anonymous vs. Scientology (2/10/08)

2008-02-11T12:28:46-08:00

@ octegon.

who buys ice? heh leave it to the scientologists to make you pay for that too.

Anonymous vs. Scientology (2/10/08)

2008-02-11T13:59:47-08:00

i find the meme use kinda deflates the respectability a bit. i mean, what use is a long cat banner against scientology? i think what they are doing is great if they can knock them down a notch thats awesome. but it seems it could be derailed by the few idiots there "cause its funny"

and how is it pronounced? meemee or meem?

Anonymous vs. Scientology (2/10/08)

2008-02-11T14:12:11-08:00

pronounced to rhyme with "theme"

Anonymous vs. Scientology (2/10/08)

2008-02-11T14:19:05-08:00

Jeffrey Rowland, FTW.

Anonymous vs. Scientology (2/10/08)

2008-02-11T14:39:53-08:00

what use is a long cat banner against scientology?

It's actually fighting like with like - a battle of infectious sticky ideas.

The more I think about this, the more I'm reminded of Snowcrash, with Scientology as Snowcrash and longcat etc as the nam-shub.

I wonder if there's a case to be made for things like internet memes inoculating minds against grand narratives?

Anonymous vs. Scientology (2/10/08)

2008-02-11T15:23:16-08:00

Heh, the longcat of Enki, lolshub.

The tactics of this really intrigue me though, on one hand you have serious protest and compelling youtubery, on the other you get Rickrolling and the Fresh Prince. But the more I think about it, I can't help but realize that the two sides work together amazingly well. The CoS is used to dealing with the serious people, just as they're used to dealing with the nutjobs (and I use the term loosely, due to context). When the two combined for an offensive, I can't help but think it caught them all off guard. There are stories, unverifiable of course, of a single kid who scoped out the CoS Tokyo headquarters and saw a bunch of CoS guys waiting around for a protest that didn't even happen. For a group that prides itself on catching people with their pants down, snapping pictures and putting funny captions on them, it worked.

As far as folks advising Anonymous, there's got to be some talent to spare floating around the pool of folks that showed up to the rallies. Even without outside advisers coming in, there are folks in it, who in addition to being /b/tards, also have history protesting or media work. Case in point, along with Oddcult, I'm one more person with PR and event-planning experience who showed up at a raid. We're not running the show, but an influx of people who know what they're doing, if only to tell the bad idea bears to shut up, makes the collective smarter.

Anonymous vs. Scientology (2/10/08)

2008-02-11T15:41:57-08:00

Yeah, it's derailed the CoS's PR machine, which normally works well. Their use of terms like 'cyber-terrorist' look ridiculous in the face of longcat, do not want and masked hello kitty girls.

The blatant and now actually filmed, photographed and documented examples of the CoS using surveillance against the protesters backs up many of their claims.

A better response would been to pretend to be in on the joke, to play it down and write it off as badly misinformed high-spirited kids and pranksters having fun. As things stand, the protesters are coming across as reasonable, humourous and dedicated, whilst the Scientologists' spokespeople are sounding both rattled and using terms like 'terrorist' and 'bigot' inappropriately in the light of the information that Anonymous is presenting.

Scientology is losing the PR battle very badly over this. And really, that's all it takes. If Hollywood and celebrity publicists, who pay attention to such things, decide to strongly advise their charges against getting involved with Scientology, they've lost their main assets.

Anonymous vs. Scientology (2/10/08)

2008-02-11T16:22:18-08:00

Without giving anything away, I know that some veterans in the protest and independent-media businesses are now advising Anonymous.
MARK STEEL! I knew it!

I'm absolutely astonished by the turnout to this thing. Anonymous is such a loosely organized crowd.. I definitely hoped there would be something, but I kinda thought maybe nobody would show up.
Think about it; This was all done through a few websites. I can't even put it to words, but I think this is amazing.

Anonymous vs. Scientology (2/10/08)

2008-02-11T16:34:08-08:00

The web is a powerful mobilizer but I think in some ways that scientology has been losing a PR battle long before these protests. I mean when you look at Tommy and his stepford wife katey, well it's already been a farce in the North American media for sometime now.

That's not to say that I'm downplaying the protests at all. I appreciate the effort muchly and what the whole thing kind of says to me is: "here's some pie in the face, scientology". The masks and the picket signs and all that, whether using net memes or not speaks to the absurdity of all the scientology business. What was is that Jenna Elfman (another scientology convert) once said? "AIDS is a state of mind?" I mean really when you're spokes people are out there making such rediculous claims how much more face can you lose really?

But kudos to anon. and to those who showed up to egg on the scientologists.

"Cry havoc, and let slip the dogs of war!"

now the aftermath of this. that's what i want to see.

Anonymous vs. Scientology (2/10/08)

2008-02-11T16:39:10-08:00

Of course parallels between Anon vs. CoS and 4th Generational open-source strategic techniques versus US forces in the Middle East can be drawn...
(and already I hear the dulcet tones crying out 'TL;DR!" as I type.)

Anonymous vs. Scientology (2/10/08)

2008-02-11T18:54:58-08:00

I wonder if there's a case to be made for things like internet memes inoculating minds against grand narratives?

Hah, I love this idea.
I think that there is a case to made for this and that it speaks to what's beneath the surface of the CoS raids.
I think CoS is something of a bikini atol for the Internets going IRL. The web isn't Vegas and there's no reason that anyone should expect that what happens there will stay there.

Anonymous vs. Scientology (2/10/08)

2008-02-11T19:18:04-08:00

I enjoyed reading about it, and am rather happy that sometimes what happens on the internet doesn't stay there. It looks like a lot of people had fun, and made their point. In the greater scheme of things, I don't know what, if anything this means or has accomplished, but one has to start somewhere.

I'm rather fascinated by the photography and documentation of the event, as well as by the reports of what occurred and by how non-violent it ended up being; before the 10th, I was somewhat worried about the possibility, and am glad it went off as cleanly as it did.

Anonymous vs. Scientology (2/10/08)

2008-02-11T19:48:12-08:00

How much news coverage did the protests get in other places? We didn't have much in GA.

Anonymous vs. Scientology (2/10/08)

2008-02-11T20:51:56-08:00

In terms of meme/substance ratios, San Francisco seems to have been very successful. I only saw professional, polite, earnest behavior from the protestors.

I didn't take this, but I dig it:

from here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/48741441@N00/sets/72157603885148146/

Flickr SF pool: http://www.flickr.com/groups/anonymous-sf/pool/

Pics I took:

The SF protest predictably brought to the fore the CoS's policy on homosexuals, which is that they're scum and should be quarantined. This wasn't the only sign about homosexuality that I saw.

I was extremely impressed with the way the SF Anonymous followed marching orders. Memes were used as a safety measure in conversation with other protestors, to weed out scieno spies, but memes were not foisted on the public. With the exception of Raptor Jesus. But a little of that is probably vital for morale. I also saw no one person trying to take over, and Anon moved as Legion, like christ intended. No other businesses were blocked or disrupted. Anon were absolute angels to police, civilians, and each other. I really feel like they got something done, even if it was a tiny something.

I felt warm and fuzzy all day. I love you, Internet.

Anonymous vs. Scientology (2/10/08)

2008-02-11T22:36:33-08:00

I felt warm and fuzzy all day. I love you, Internet.

No kidding. I've been giddy ever since I found out about Project Chanology. I've been feeling a little afterglow ever since I saw the photos of the turnout.

Finally, the world makes sense.

Anonymous vs. Scientology (2/10/08)

2008-02-12T01:26:59-08:00

I feel like I completely missed something. What does a hentai forum have to do with protesting Scientology?
So confused.

Anonymous vs. Scientology (2/10/08)

2008-02-12T02:57:08-08:00

the chans are the "cool kids" of the internet. where most of the memes start and some of the most annoying people in the world congrigate.

Anonymous vs. Scientology (2/10/08)

2008-02-12T02:59:22-08:00

@Eliza

...considering where you're posting about and what some of the signs in the pictures say, "I only saw professional, polite, earnest behavior from the protestors." is a pretty darn funny statement.

Just sayin'.

As to the whole Humor vs. Seriousness debate, I think Sedge put it best in his post.

People generally gravitate towards humor and enthusiasm. And if, once they arrive, they are shown a legitimate message, does it really matter that it was jokes and oddness that brought them there in the first place?

Anonymous vs. Scientology (2/10/08)

2008-02-12T03:55:19-08:00

You don't think Battlefield Earth sucked? Because I meant it very earnestly. I also absolutely believe that Ron hates fags.

I don't think earnestness cancels out humor, either.

Anonymous vs. Scientology (2/10/08)

2008-02-12T07:49:37-08:00

Eliza: Oddly enough there is some speculation about Hubbard and Parsons hooking up as part of a magickal operation.

Which amuses me to no end in light of your pictures.

Anonymous vs. Scientology (2/10/08)

2008-02-12T08:35:05-08:00

Hank - yeah, they did. There was lots of crossover on that scene that's fairly well documented.

Anonymous vs. Scientology (2/10/08)

2008-02-12T08:49:41-08:00

@oddcult: I was just not confirming or denying. ;)

Anonymous vs. Scientology (2/10/08)

2008-02-12T09:45:33-08:00

@Eliza

Naw, I was just playing with the "earnest" double-entendre, and apparently failing miserably.

...unless you turned it back on me without me even realizing it, in which case... well, again, I fail miserably.

It's that sort of week.

Anonymous vs. Scientology (2/10/08)

2008-02-12T12:16:38-08:00

Aw! Too bad there's no scientology centre near where I live. I might have to bounce up to Edinburgh for the next one.
So, any thoughts on what's next? I suppose that the best thing that opponents of scientology could hope for would be that scientology or, even better, Cruise release a statement which antagonises anonymous. I doubt they'll be that stupid though.

Anonymous vs. Scientology (2/10/08)

2008-02-12T13:21:11-08:00

Steve, I had the same feeling initially. "Too bad there's no scientology centre near where I live", I'd love to protest this bullshit, but I think the point is that there should be fewer Scientology outlets. We can still mail them anthrax!

Anonymous vs. Scientology (2/10/08)

2008-02-12T13:38:02-08:00

A thank you:

Anonymous vs. Scientology (2/10/08)

2008-02-12T13:39:36-08:00

Oh look...

Anonymous vs. Scientology (2/10/08)

2008-02-12T14:15:11-08:00

This video is excellent. The best put together record of the London event I've yet seen. Comments from Scientologists, long-time campaigners, and a wonderful, wonderful bit right at the end where a British copper gets asked by the Scientologists to move on the protesters and politely explains to them the rights to peaceful protest.

Anonymous vs. Scientology (2/10/08)

2008-02-12T14:53:55-08:00

Ah, the look on their little chubby faces when they ask the constable to come inside their building and he says "No!" couldn't happen to a nicer bunch of Numpties

Anonymous vs. Scientology (2/10/08)

2008-02-12T15:54:15-08:00

Well first I have to say that the LA times article using Wikinews as an actual source just made me cringe. Also the inults. "The protesters Sunday looked mostly young, white and computer-oriented -- few had anything like a serious tan" How little integrity that shows.

I think it is amazing to watch the the cultural progression of media, and I love how much anonymous is helping to show that. The newspaper industry started a trend if a story didn't get published it never happened. When television started producing news shows they were heavily criticized but eventually that became the mainstream of media and the trend continued, if it wasn't covered by the media it never happened. For a long time we were at a point that if a story wasn't on CNN or some other comparable station it never happened. I feel that mainstream media tried that with the protests, unfortunately for them we are at an age where if a story isn't covered on the internet it never happened... Everything is on the internet.

Anonymous vs. Scientology (2/10/08)

2008-02-12T16:03:04-08:00

One of the more fascinating things I've followed in a while. I just wish that protests in general would get more media attention.

Anonymous vs. Scientology (2/10/08)

2008-02-12T16:10:28-08:00

The duty copper at the end of the video wins a free internet.

Anonymous vs. Scientology (2/10/08)

2008-02-12T16:14:50-08:00

...aaaaaand www.religiousfreedomwatch.org - a site that the Church of Scientology set up to defend itself - which put up a page about Anonymous being 'anti-religious extremists' has just been kicked offline.

And now there are rumblings that the CoS is trying to suggest that the German secret service is behind Anonymous. Because the nasty German government has been mean to them there.

Anonymous vs. Scientology (2/10/08)

2008-02-12T16:21:21-08:00

Well, when you can't blame anyone, I suppose the only recourse is to blame everyone.
Everyone but yourselves, that is.
Frankly, I'm waiting for them to realize that calling a group of people who are in it for the lulz "terrorists" or "extremists" isn't going to help.

Anonymous vs. Scientology (2/10/08)

2008-02-12T16:46:25-08:00

Like calling a Gay Pride a collective of suicide bombers.

Anonymous vs. Scientology (2/10/08)

2008-02-12T16:55:19-08:00

Didn't get to go to the Feb 10th gatherings here in Minneapolis/St. Paul, but definitely looking to go for the 3/15 rally, and it looks like there's rumblings of a good old Minnesotan potluck in the process, yum. As to our media coverage of the 2/10 event:

I was watching channel 9's PM broadcast, and one of the transitions before a commercial was, "next, you'll hear about an internet club who is putting down their laptops and picking up picket signs!" But there was no further mention of (what I assume to be) our effort.

Yanked?

followed by:

I wouldn't doubt it. My girlfriend was at the MOA with some friends and they saw something on television. This was during the day, while we were protesting. From what she says it cut out halfway through and went to commercial.

Nor have I seen anything show up since in the local media. The local protest did make an Austin TX newscast for about 2 seconds though.

Anonymous vs. Scientology (2/10/08)

2008-02-12T17:04:53-08:00

The German Secret Service is Behind anon? Oh my. LULZ.

Anonymous vs. Scientology (2/10/08)

2008-02-12T17:42:45-08:00

My God....it's all coming full circle.

Anonymous vs. Scientology (2/10/08)

2008-02-12T18:13:47-08:00

oooooh, that is like....wow....too much...on the head. Urm.

Boing=tothemuthfukin-Boing covered it a bit
I just like it polished with Xeni Jardin voice over

I'm sudden;y proud to be human..... if only for now.

Anonymous vs. Scientology (2/10/08)

2008-02-12T21:05:22-08:00

@pi8you

That's both fascinating and disturbing at the same time... so see how quickly they can move to squash even the news reports.

There's a story in that somewhere...

Anonymous vs. Scientology (2/10/08)

2008-02-12T21:51:05-08:00

This stuff is terrifying.

Anonymous vs. Scientology (2/10/08)

2008-02-12T23:41:31-08:00

@Dracko

Wow.

Just... wow.

I think... I'm not a fence-sitter anymore.

Anonymous vs. Scientology (2/10/08)

2008-02-12T23:51:29-08:00

@NeverWanderer - I also forgot to mention that the local CBS affiliate(WCCO) is literally next door to the Scientology building, and there was nary a peep out of them, though I've heard that they did send someone out to shoot some footage at one point.

Anonymous vs. Scientology (2/10/08)

2008-02-13T00:01:37-08:00

Yeah, it's too easy to see the big crimes or just the laughable aspects and not see how it affects on a truly visceral, daily experience. This is useful material to be sure.

Anonymous vs. Scientology (2/10/08)

2008-02-13T00:19:27-08:00

"What are you afraid of. You afraid Hubbard knows about you?"

"Uh, I believe Hubbard's dead."

Stupidity-induced humor aside, that's actually really scary that they use the guy's name in the same place most over-the-top Christians would use Jesus or God.

Anonymous vs. Scientology (2/10/08)

2008-02-13T00:30:18-08:00

What are your crimes, Artemis?

The part that kills me is when they call him a gnat and then state that the Church is tall and clean because, obviously, it's been ethical, whereas he's a filthy small man.

I don't know about you, but that sort of rhetoric, besides being utterly laughable, strikes me as horrifyingly totalitarian.

Anonymous vs. Scientology (2/10/08)

2008-02-13T00:54:05-08:00

And almost impossible to convince its believers otherwise. There really is no going back for these people...

My crimes are too long to list, but suffice to say they include peeing in the shower and the perusal of this very forum. Obviously, I must be stoned to death on an altar made of pure Hubbardantium.

Anonymous vs. Scientology (2/10/08)

2008-02-13T01:00:13-08:00

Well, that raises an interesting question: Are these people victims, even in light of their misguided actions? How do you effectively oppose that?

Anonymous vs. Scientology (2/10/08)

2008-02-13T01:19:40-08:00

I see them as victims, but as long as they continue to fight for an organization that opposes freedom of information and literally kills people with their own ignorance, they must also be seen as opponents. Not enemies, per se, but certainly not friendly or neutral.

Kinda like zombies, now that I think about it.

In all seriousness, I really hope that these protests, more than just shake the public view of Scientology, also causes a lot of Scientologists to look at the organization from the inside, and perhaps make some changes for the better. I'm not gung-ho for the destruction of Scientology, but for an end to its unethical and illegal practices.

Anonymous vs. Scientology (2/10/08)

2008-02-13T01:48:10-08:00

What bothers me is that the cure for Scientology is just a dose of common sense and a look at Hubbard's career and timeline, and yet so many people simply fall for the trap anyway.

There are a multitude of methods for indoctrinating new Scientologists, all of which I have seen, been subjected to, and even gone so far as to partake in to see why so many people fall. I can't say I'm special, but being that I'm so stubborn and mentally.. unique.. it makes me resistant their brand of bullshit. I even got a chance to try out an E-Meter.

There's Narconon, which is basically Scientology sans the pseudo-religious stuff, and marketed as a rehab program. Fortunately, ALL religious with recruitment issues prey on the drunks and junkies, so it's a limited market. Even going through Narconon's rehab techniques, it's basically the same insane crap you go through as a Scientologist, including the robbing blind of victims and all.

They also recruit on college campuses, doing free tests on students. Fortunately, most college students are lacking that 'desperate-need-to-fit-in' that makes for a good brainwashed slave. They get SOME numbers, but not as much as they'd like.

There are dozens of other methods, they even tried to set up a 'support' hotline after 9/11, a move which was swiftly crushed by sane people.

Ultimately, Scientology will be crushed by their own methods, I just hope I'm alive to see it.

@Artemis: I'm down for the complete dissolution of Scientology. It's the only way to keep the monsters from rising back up.

Anonymous vs. Scientology (2/10/08)

2008-02-13T02:25:43-08:00

I knew somebody who was enrolled in the Narconon program and he still managed to die from a heroin o.d. I know "mainstream" clinics don't have perfect records when it comes to stomping addictions, but I can't help but wonder how different it would have been if he hadn't gone there.

Also, until yesterday, I had no idea they actually sued and bought out the Cult Awareness Network in bankruptcy court. That's downright diabolical.

And even though it's a bit off-topic, Survivor is a great book.

Anonymous vs. Scientology (2/10/08)

2008-02-13T02:52:22-08:00

This makes me sad.

Anonymous vs. Scientology (2/10/08)

2008-02-13T03:12:09-08:00

Is everyone protesting on March 15th? Im concerned the church of scientology in NEW ORLEANS isnt getting enough attention!

Anonymous vs. Scientology (2/10/08)

2008-02-13T03:13:50-08:00

CHURCH OF SCIENTOLOGY

3524 Canal St
New Orleans, LA 70119
(504) 484-3454

Anonymous vs. Scientology (2/10/08)

2008-02-13T03:23:29-08:00

March 15th is a party, not a protest!

I wonder if anyone involved with anonymous will be sending John Sweeney the new invitation, a V Mask and a party hat. Not that I'm suggesting for a second that anyone here might be involved or would even frequent such places, but if some scurrilous cyber-terrorist were to take this course of action, they'd probably find it helpful to note that his address would be:

FAO John Sweeney
C/O Panorama
BBC TV news and current affairs
White City, Room 1118
201 Wood Lane
London
W12 7TS

Which, of course, is a publically available address, so it's not like I'm revealing any great secrets here.

Anonymous vs. Scientology (2/10/08)

2008-02-13T03:31:07-08:00

I just hope im not at the party in New Orleans all alone!

Anonymous vs. Scientology (2/10/08)

2008-02-13T06:24:20-08:00

Rumblings on the SA boards: YouTube artificially capped the viewcounts on all Scientology protest videos, preventing them from reaching the front page (where they would have dominated all other content).

Site with proofs: http://ipower.movielol.org/youtube-anon.php
SA thread: http://forums.somethingawful.com/showthread.php?postid=339664919#post339664919

Additionally, a huge number of SA forum accounts were hacked in the past couple days, triggering a board-wide password reset, insane amounts of whining, and Lowtax's resignation from board moderatorship. I am absolutely sure that half-assed CoS hackers are behind this. Except the bit about Lowtax. He's just fed up, and rightly so.

Anonymous vs. Scientology (2/10/08)

2008-02-13T08:55:23-08:00

A bit late, but here are my photos and my writeup.

The Amsterdam protest was small (about 60 people), mostly hackers, anarchist squatters and IT types. The signs and flyers were mostly "on message." Some lulz were had and, as at other protests, Rick Astley serenaded passersby, who didn't know (or care) about Longcat but got that it was a fun protest and happily accepted flyers. The Dutch have a history of goofy and often effective protests going at least back to the Provos and Kabouters (gnomes) of the 1960s, so this was firmly within the tradition, cake lies or no.

By the way, "lol" means "fun" in Dutch, while "lul" means "penis."

The protest got plenty of local media attention, partly thanks to the presence of writer and longtime Scientology target Karin Spaink. Scientology sued her and her provider xs4all.nl four times in six years (1999-2005). Full story is here (in bite-sized press releases in English), but short story is the ISP xs4all, founded by former hackers and something of a local dotcom success story, had the deep pockets to defend Ms. Spaink to the end, and $CN finally gave up. They harassed her a *lot* in that time.

Other photos of the Dutch protest are here and here.

Anonymous vs. Scientology (2/10/08)

2008-02-13T09:18:52-08:00

Additionally, a huge number of SA forum accounts were hacked in the past couple days, triggering a board-wide password reset, insane amounts of whining, and Lowtax's resignation from board moderatorship. I am absolutely sure that half-assed CoS hackers are behind this. Except the bit about Lowtax. He's just fed up, and rightly so.

Aha. That explains why the guy who bought me a SA account was freaking out at me over passwords...

Lowtax quit?

Anonymous vs. Scientology (2/10/08)

2008-02-13T19:25:56-08:00

He didn't quit so much as say "I need time for my life and shit I enjoy and not you whiny shits" and turned over the reins to fragmaster (a longtime funny as hell forum member). He's going back to writing articles and things like that. Still involved with SA, taking a break from the forums.

Anonymous vs. Scientology (2/10/08)

2008-02-14T23:00:22-08:00

@Eliza: Hahaha, they think that SA is behind Anonymous...

I plan on doing SOMETHING on the 15th. I'd love to mail them a cake.. a Jalapeno and Thai Chili cake with ketchup and anchovie icing. Sugar free, of course, we wouldn't want to mask the flavours. :D

Anonymous vs. Scientology (2/10/08)

2008-02-16T08:37:25-08:00

@bjacques
Wow the guy made the origami version of the mask. Nice.

Here is Miami's location
Church of Scientology of Florida
120 Giralda Avenue
Coral Gables, FL 33134-5209
UNITED STATES
Phone: 305 445-7812

Whats scary is the fact that on the locater of the website, it;s kind of scary how many location they have!

Also:

Found on Amazon, took a screen pic. It's rather funny after the whole Anonymous thing, if they seemed to shift the Selling programs on Amazon, I mean does that really reflect something there?
I liked the analogy or thinking that it's sort of a zombie threat we got. SO I should break out the machetes?

Anonymous vs. Scientology (2/10/08)

2008-02-16T08:58:52-08:00

Anonymous vs. Scientology (2/10/08)

2008-02-16T12:11:48-08:00

More hilarious info. File all under unsubstantiated rumour:

The CoS is going utterly nuts and has designated the protests the 'Sudden Anonymous Uprising Phenomenon'.

CoS leadership has ordered that injunctions be taken out to prevent further protests happening. However, their lawyers haven't got a clue who to take out the injunctions against.

They're trying to 'work with the police', but in most places, with a few exceptions, the police aren't interested in even meeting with them.

Okay, now it gets even better:-

Anonymous is being organised by the German Secret Service and funded by the psychiatric profession.

An alien invasion fleet that is on its way to Earth has used the Internet to take over the minds of the protesters to prepare the way for the main attack. (No, seriously!)

However, what *is* worrying is that people that they consider 'Directors of Operations' within Anonymous will be targeted for 'handling'. Which is missing the point massively, but was to be expected, and is probably a directive intended to make it look like the CoS leadership is actually doing *something*.

Anonymous vs. Scientology (2/10/08)

2008-02-16T12:40:17-08:00

Huboy.

Sounds like things are about to get interesting.

Anonymous vs. Scientology (2/10/08)

2008-02-16T12:41:23-08:00

Oddcult,

Any sourcing on the rumors? Been trying to track down the German Secret Service one for a few days, and had not heard the others.

Anonymous vs. Scientology (2/10/08)

2008-02-16T13:18:20-08:00

Sorry - even if I knew, I couldn't blah blah blah. Like I said, file under 'unsubstantiated'.

Anonymous vs. Scientology (2/10/08)

2008-02-16T14:40:29-08:00

did anyone get the hacked and uploaded stolen documents? http://digg.com/odd_stuff/ANON_release_Scientology_secret_DOX

oh, and there were some fun things on the 7chan boards, namely http://img.7chan.org/st/src/120154878778.jpg and http://img.7chan.org/st/src/120312342495.jpg for those who like to spray paint stencils

Anonymous vs. Scientology (2/10/08)

2008-02-16T18:05:49-08:00

Been following this and loving it. Trying to get out for the 15th.

3!LL

Anonymous vs. Scientology (2/10/08)

2008-02-16T18:19:08-08:00

Though I thoroughly appreciate it, I think the V thing is going a little too far. I mean, how many people that are sporting those masks really understand who Guy Fawkes was and what he tried to do (or even know that the mask is Guy)? I would submit that many haven't read V For Vendetta, just seen the movie.

Anonymous vs. Scientology (2/10/08)

2008-02-16T19:03:53-08:00

In all fairness, tedcroland, the Guy Fawkes thing was a shout-out to a dominant "Chan-meme." The "meme" in question is Epic Fail Guy. I am of the opinion that, if anyone thought they could get away with it in the organizational phase, everyone would have been attending as one of the Power 5 (P.S. Don't look.)

I'd be far more interested to know how many of the people who attended the protests knew why it was called "Project Chanology."

Anonymous vs. Scientology (2/10/08)

2008-02-16T20:31:32-08:00

I would submit that many haven't read V For Vendetta, just seen the movie.

I think you would be very surprised on this issue. The /chans have a healthy hero worship of Moore.

Anonymous vs. Scientology (2/10/08)

2008-02-16T20:56:45-08:00

The /chans have a healthy hero worship of Moore.

Well, that's good.

...uh, I guess.

Anonymous vs. Scientology (2/10/08)

2008-02-17T01:19:40-08:00

Even if they didn't know, who cares?

"the street finds it's own uses for things"

Anonymous vs. Scientology (2/10/08)

2008-02-19T15:19:05-08:00

Hey now is this me getting crap propaganda ( broken links) or am I reading a real concerned reader here? The WINDSJEDI comment seems like a Spider going around Wordpress ...

Anonymous vs. Scientology (2/10/08)

2008-02-19T16:32:43-08:00

Anonymous vs. Scientology (2/10/08)

2008-02-19T16:36:44-08:00

Oddcult,

It is rather amazing watching Anonymous become what ever its becoming.

Anonymous vs. Scientology (2/10/08)

2008-02-19T16:55:44-08:00

Well, things might just be about to change:

Activist

Found

Dead

Dude's dead. He was prolific in criticising the CoS and appeared in the John Sweeney Panorama film. Apparent suicide, but it looks dodgy. Clearwater police are in the pocket of the CoS, so it's never going to get investigated properly.

A hosepipe was found going from his car exhaust into his home. Note - he wasn't in his car. He was probably in bed. So he put a hosepipe from his car exhaust through his window, then went to bed. Right.

The local police spokeswoman who said there was no sign of foul play is listed as having completed Scientology courses. Evidence based on Scientology publications linking the spokeswoman with the CoS here. Her husband is also higher up in the organisation. (W - you might be interested to note someone using the handle Aleph dug up this info)

This stinks.

Anonymous vs. Scientology (2/10/08)

2008-02-19T17:27:28-08:00

That new video again:

Anonymous vs. Scientology (2/10/08)

2008-02-19T17:27:52-08:00

Or not. Fuckity.

Anonymous vs. Scientology (2/10/08)

2008-02-19T17:32:09-08:00

I hope Anon keep its cool over the death, allot of legitimacy at stake right now and going spare over this could hurt that.

Anonymous vs. Scientology (2/10/08)

2008-02-19T17:33:03-08:00

Wow. These two things (Suicide/YouTube) just upped all kinds of ante.

Anonymous vs. Scientology (2/10/08)

2008-02-19T17:55:14-08:00

Well, reconnecting families is not the kind of thing a terrorist organisation does, so this is a very clever move.

Here's some more info on the guy that's just been found dead:

Shawn Lonsdale.

Poor sod.

Anonymous vs. Scientology (2/10/08)

2008-02-19T18:18:05-08:00

Well, reconnecting families is not the kind of thing a terrorist organisation does, so this is a very clever move.

Yes it is. Its well beyond just clever I think. If it works even a bit, Anon will have youtube covered in videos of families and friends reconnecting. That is more powerful then any amount of creepy threats. I was on the fence about if this would all work, and very thoughtful about the ramifications of Anon of all "people" becoming culturally relevant. I am well off that fence now, and will probably (jury duty allowing) attend the March 15th. What I want to see are what Co$ recruitment numbers look like over this period, if this is really working thats where the immediate impact will be.

That said, if Anon acts crazy about Lonsdale I think it will reflect badly. The issue needs to be addressed and investigated but done so in a manner simialr to everything else now, with respect to law enforcement and the law in general.

Anonymous vs. Scientology (2/10/08)

2008-02-19T20:48:11-08:00

Breaking news: Anonymous finds Dianetics DVD in parents' bedroom, uploads a rip.

http://www.megaupload.com/?d=L2WIPLU9
http://www.megaupload.com/?d=L2WIPLU9
http://www.megaupload.com/?d=L2WIPLU9

I'm downloading now. Judging from the comments in the thread, it's legit.

Anonymous vs. Scientology (2/10/08)

2008-02-19T21:26:30-08:00

ooooh :clicks:

Anonymous vs. Scientology (2/10/08)

2008-02-20T00:16:51-08:00

This whole masquerade has really got me interested. We just need to see how long anonymous can keep it up, coming from one of the internets largest ADHD inducers, though it will really only wain if Scientology doesn't bite, which I think is unlikely. Here in the UK I also wonder if it will fall foul of our race hate legislation.

I will be following this closely.

Anonymous vs. Scientology (2/10/08)

2008-02-20T01:18:56-08:00

Great find. This video is frighteningly stupid.

Anonymous vs. Scientology (2/10/08)

2008-02-20T03:44:02-08:00

Motherfuck.

See, my family's name is Daly and I have relatives in Clearwater. So not good.

Anonymous vs. Scientology (2/10/08)

2008-02-20T06:37:44-08:00

That link to the video seems to be down.

Anonymous vs. Scientology (2/10/08)

2008-02-21T17:18:37-08:00

Anyone going on the 15th? I'm more than likely going to the San Fransisco protest.

Anonymous vs. Scientology (2/10/08)

2008-02-22T03:20:19-08:00

Speaking of the use of V masks, when Alan Moore had his signing at Gosh in London earlier in the month, he mentioned to me (in a very circuitous but obvious fashion) that he has no small amount of disdain for Scientology.

That's right, Scientologists, a man who worships a Roman glove-puppet snake god thinks you're the crazy ones.

Anonymous vs. Scientology (2/10/08)

2008-02-22T08:05:17-08:00

http://www.flickr.com/groups/evilevilscientology/pool/

Anonymous vs. Scientology (2/10/08)

2008-02-22T12:27:16-08:00

@Eliza - the link's gone.

Anyone else know of one, or am I too late to the party to see Dianetics?

Anonymous vs. Scientology (2/10/08)

2008-02-22T12:51:12-08:00

Torrented

Anonymous vs. Scientology (2/10/08)

2008-02-22T14:25:29-08:00

Anonymous vs. Scientology (2/10/08)

2008-02-22T14:50:31-08:00

@pi8you - ta muchly!

@JuanNavarro - beautiful comic! Where did you find it?

Anonymous vs. Scientology (2/10/08)

2008-02-23T10:24:10-08:00

Anonymous vs. Scientology (2/10/08)

2008-02-23T13:38:07-08:00

@ T.BI found the comic ( click the link on the pic) after a friend sent me this, making fun of my antics

@Obliterati, NICE IMAGE.

Anonymous vs. Scientology (2/10/08)

2008-02-27T18:04:51-08:00

Oh lovely, Anons have dug up sources that L.Ron plagiarized Scientology/Dianetics from.

Anonymous vs. Scientology (2/10/08)

2008-02-27T23:44:10-08:00

Here's a great article by Michael Shermer on the subject of Anon v. Scientology. Good read.

Anonymous vs. Scientology (2/10/08)

2008-02-29T22:41:41-08:00

That is a nice article. The information alone about Scientology makes me understand all I need to know.

At least any other religion usually preaches it's message to convert. Here we have to pay an entry fee over and over, like I'm attending a self-help seminar.

Fuck.

That.

-SJD

Anonymous vs. Scientology (2/10/08)

2008-03-01T02:08:01-08:00

Pretty much anything Michael Shermer writes is worth reading. There are also podcasted lectures by him on the website of the magazine he edits, Skeptic.

Although I guess that has little to do with the subject of this thread, other than Shermer speaks pretty regularly about religion.

Uh, to bring things back on track, me and Xenu will now grant wishes to the highest bidders!

Anonymous vs. Scientology (2/10/08)

2008-03-01T06:22:50-08:00

I bid a metric shifting spanner.

Anonymous vs. Scientology (2/10/08)

2008-03-03T23:39:36-08:00

The ALAS campaign begins on Tuesday.

(link)

Anonymous vs. Scientology (2/10/08)

2008-03-04T14:15:28-08:00

Anonymous vs. Scientology (2/10/08)

2008-03-04T15:53:06-08:00

The invite to the Manchester protest. Quite wonderful.

Anonymous vs. Scientology (2/10/08)

2008-03-05T09:45:39-08:00

Someone posts threats supposedly from Scientologists to Anonymous that they'll be framed for fire-bombing.

Seems CoS may have a history of it too.

Anonymous vs. Scientology (2/10/08)

2008-03-05T11:18:07-08:00

Yeah, the counter-campaign has well and truly started, but just plain isn't very good. There has also been an anti-catholicism video claiming to be from Anonymous put up on youtube. What's tending to happen to these is that they're flagged instantly and comment-bombed. The Anonymous hive-mind is working well, as the genuine things are well-supported, but the smear attempts get slated.

Anyone know about Egregore theory? Anonymous Vs Scientology are two egregores fighting. Utterly fascinating to me.

Anonymous vs. Scientology (2/10/08)

2008-03-05T15:11:17-08:00

Okay, this is quite funny too. The out-takes from the original Anonymous videos.

Anonymous vs. Scientology (2/10/08)

2008-03-07T15:47:47-08:00

Serious one. Actually impressive film-making here.

Anonymous vs. Scientology (2/10/08)

2008-03-09T14:33:56-07:00

Summary website

Anonymous vs. Scientology (2/10/08)

2008-03-09T15:07:54-07:00

Hey guys, what's going on?

Anonymous vs. Scientology (2/10/08)

2008-03-12T11:10:55-07:00

http://www.sptimes.com/2008/03/12/Northpinellas/Scientology_fights_ba.shtml

Trouble in the message center!

Anonymous vs. Scientology (2/10/08)

2008-03-12T11:15:23-07:00

@SilentObjector

Considering the eneergy behind Anon has cooled a bit, its very ~~stupid~~ nice of CoS to provide them with a renewed issue to rally behind like that.

Anonymous vs. Scientology (2/10/08)

2008-03-12T12:56:42-07:00

Text of the petition for an injunction here:

Already being ripped to bits. Fairly amusing to see how seriously they're reacting to a bunch of kids in V masks.

Anonymous vs. Scientology (2/10/08)

2008-03-12T15:36:19-07:00

@Oddcult

Your link is either broken or the post got pulled.

Anonymous vs. Scientology (2/10/08)

2008-03-12T16:12:46-07:00

Try this one

Anonymous vs. Scientology (2/10/08)

2008-03-12T16:18:44-07:00

@synthsapien

Thanks.

It's interesting that many of the allegations, such as throwing bombs, are similar to the previous allegations made before.

Anonymous vs. Scientology (2/10/08)

2008-03-12T16:29:48-07:00

Latest word is that the judge rejected this.

However, where legislation allows, the CoS has asked their local police for permission to have mass anti-drugs rallies outside of their buildings, thus potentially denying Anonymous the space. That may also mean lots of Scientologists there, for one, and also that they're trying to make it look like Anonymous is protesting against anti-drugs campaigning.

From a PR perspective, these are very naive moves, which most people and the media aren't going to fall for. Fox News excepted, of course.

...Just seen this second that now this story has hit Drudge. Anonymous is spinning it into a free speech issue, in the US at least, and many more people are pledging support on that basis.

Damn, this is fascinating.

Anonymous vs. Scientology (2/10/08)

2008-03-12T16:35:07-07:00

Tinfoilhat time: I wonder if someone on the CoS side *is* going to turn up dead.

Anonymous vs. Scientology (2/10/08)

2008-03-12T16:40:37-07:00

If someone does I'll bet you $5 it's in Clearwater where they already have the police in their pocket.

I hope that someone from Anonymous warns the protesters to watch their ranks for anyone posing as one of them to cause mischief.

Anonymous vs. Scientology (2/10/08)

2008-03-12T17:22:36-07:00

Yeah, they're way ahead of you. Plans are already in place, it seems.

Anonymous vs. Scientology (2/10/08)

2008-03-12T18:05:00-07:00

@ Oddcult
I wouldn't be so sure that the media will be well-informed enough to not fall for it. When you've got an opponent that isn't well understood, or doesn't have the proper infrastructure with which to voice a valid counter, even the most naive moves can work. Hell, if I were in the CoS' shoes, I'd be sending a celebrity to stand on the street opposite the protesters in every city likely to get news coverage. I think as far as the media is concerned they'll associate any move on the CoS side with Tom Cruise and John Travolta, hell, maybe they'll even throw Beck in the mix. Anonymous probably won't get branded as terrorists or bigots, just basement-dwellers.

This is all assuming that the protests get much in the way of coverage at all, I mean, there's a war on, don'tcha know.

Anonymous vs. Scientology (2/10/08)

2008-03-12T21:18:53-07:00

I ran into something while I was researching Ghost in the Shell.
Anyone else interested in the fact that Anon is, technically, a real life Stand Alone Complex?
I love seeing things in SciFi slowly become real.

Anonymous vs. Scientology (2/10/08)

2008-03-12T21:52:33-07:00

I think Anon's too conscious in their actions to qualify as a Stand Alone Complex, but yeah, the thought's definitely crossed my mind, and if you look through the Feb 10 pics, you'll see Laughing Man masks pop up here and there.

Anonymous vs. Scientology (2/10/08)

2008-03-14T17:31:17-07:00

Mr.Effbomb:
I thought about the Stand Alone Complex thing when someone compaired it to global frequency, but the other thread got sunk before I could come back and reply.

However, I'm not sure they completely fit the definition. Take this quote from the article linked above:

[...]unrelated, yet very similar actions of individuals create a seemingly concerted effort.

These actions are hardly unrelated, though there are similarities such as the lack of leadership and emergent (dis)organisation.

pi8you:
Lulzing Man, surely?

Anonymous vs. Scientology (2/10/08)

2008-03-15T15:03:10-07:00

Just got back from the second protest. Over double the turnout of the feb one. No trouble on the Anon side. Scientologists got a slap on the wrist from the police for giving out leaflets outside of an allocated area. Will write more when not knackered.

Anonymous vs. Scientology (2/10/08)

2008-03-15T15:41:47-07:00

Had arranged to go, but was let down by EVERY ONE of my friends who were supposed to be joining me. Spent the day being suitably pissed off instead. Fuckers.

Anonymous vs. Scientology (2/10/08)

2008-03-15T16:17:08-07:00

Made the mistake of trying to stay up all night for it and fell asleep about half an hour before I was gonna go :( Sounds like the local bunch had it good though:

The cops walked into the COS looking a little pissed off and stayed in there for awhile. When they came out, we were rickrolling and they smiled and laughed.

Protest wrapups(and server errors) here.

Anonymous vs. Scientology (2/10/08)

2008-03-15T16:22:41-07:00

My city... Six people turned up.

New Zealand Fail Guy was there.

The only attention they received was from a University weekly magazine. At least they tried, I guess. Don't even have a COS in this city...

Anonymous vs. Scientology (2/10/08)

2008-03-15T16:34:11-07:00

Utterly hilarious failure on the part of the Scientologists, that got picked up straight away by Anonymous:

The CoS has produced a DVD titled 'Anonymous Hate Crimes', which includes a clip from a supposed YouTube video posted by Anonymous containing a bomb threat.

On the DVD this video is in high resolution. YouTube is 320x240. So, how did they get a hi-res copy of it unless they made the raw footage themselves?

Anonymous vs. Scientology (2/10/08)

2008-03-15T17:03:59-07:00

Just got back from the San Francisco protest, will post pictures later.

Huge turnout here. Despite that, there was plenty of cake and party hats to go around.

Anonymous vs. Scientology (2/10/08)

2008-03-15T17:20:44-07:00

from the Melbourne rally.

Anonymous vs. Scientology (2/10/08)

2008-03-15T18:57:56-07:00

Just got back from the Phoenix rally. Decent turnout, pretty mellow, no CoS activity. Good times.

Anonymous vs. Scientology (2/10/08)

2008-03-16T01:49:36-07:00

Arrests in Atlanta, along with issuing citations to people honking in support!

Anonymous vs. Scientology (2/10/08)

2008-03-16T03:57:20-07:00

Nice of Atlanta's police force to show which pocket their in... citations for honking... jeesus

Anonymous vs. Scientology (2/10/08)

2008-03-16T06:30:56-07:00

New 'official' video.

Anonymous vs. Scientology (2/10/08)

2008-03-16T14:58:17-07:00

What makes the police actions in Atlanta all the more sad is the fact that the area was cleaning up after being pounded by tornadoes the day before. Why were police being used to arrest kids with megaphones while actual emergecy efforts needed the manpower? Looters are being caught on camera on CNN while cops are being hired out to harrass a peaceful protest. Someone needs to ask questions about how taxpayer dollars were being wasted on this.

Anonymous vs. Scientology (2/10/08)

2008-03-16T18:44:54-07:00

A big WIN for Amsterdam but a big FAIL for me, alas. 150 or so Anons turned up but missed them. I'd gone by the Scientology office about 12:30 and there were a few Anons across the street with a picnic table full of snacks and cookies. But when I went back there at 3, the Anons were gone, and instead there was a Scientologist wearing a sandwich board and a couple of people handing out The Way To Happiness pamphlets--it turned out Scientology pre-emptively got their permit for an "anti-drug demonstration" here too. They were chatting with a couple of demonstrators and if I'd thought to ask them what happened, I'd have found out the party--cake, lulz and all--had moved over to the main drag (Damrak).

So I hope our people have the permits sorted out for Operation Reconnect on the 12th.

A Mizz Anon took some excellent photos while I just made something up:

It says "Wave against Scientology"

Anonymous vs. Scientology (2/10/08)

2008-03-17T08:19:36-07:00

video of the Atlanta cops being fed up in the Scientology compound.

Anonymous vs. Scientology (2/10/08)

2008-03-17T10:12:09-07:00

Dammit, not the "fed up" I was hoping for :(

Anonymous vs. Scientology (2/10/08)

2008-03-17T11:58:28-07:00

Y'know, if you're going to make it blatantly obvious you have to police in your pocket, at least don't do it in a way that can be posted on the fucking internet for all the world to see.

I just imagine there being a bell on the front door of the church that makes the cops salivate when it's rung.

Anonymous vs. Scientology (2/10/08)

2008-03-17T12:04:17-07:00

The riot squad outside of ATL looks ridiculous. What was the protest like over there back in February?

Anonymous vs. Scientology (2/10/08)

2008-03-17T12:17:50-07:00

@pi8you

I suppose I could use a comma.

Anonymous vs. Scientology (2/10/08)

2008-03-17T12:27:08-07:00

@OctEgon -
Youtube Delivers

@dchildress - Perhaps, or lose the "up"

Anonymous vs. Scientology (2/10/08)

2008-03-17T12:34:47-07:00

Oh, well no wonder they showed up. You guys are ANIMALS! ::eye-roll::

Thanks! :)

Anonymous vs. Scientology (2/10/08)

2008-03-17T13:18:32-07:00

Looks like the Cincinnati protest made the local paper.

Anonymous vs. Scientology (2/10/08)

2008-03-17T13:39:18-07:00

Glad to see us Torontonians did well...

I slept in so I missed it but I'm thinking of going to the next one. i think it's April 4th?

Anonymous vs. Scientology (2/10/08)

2008-03-17T14:11:11-07:00

April 12th, and that flag is glorious.

Anonymous vs. Scientology (2/10/08)

2008-03-17T15:38:46-07:00

I'm finding this Encyclopedia Dramatica article on Sean Carasov to be quite interesting.

Anonymous vs. Scientology (2/10/08)

2008-03-17T16:55:30-07:00

I'm surprised by the ATL response, I had always thought of Georgia as part of the bible thumping, bible belt and would laugh alien cults out of town. I'm not against them having a police presence, but full riot gear is ludicrous. I was expecting to see one of those riot tanks or a fire hose show up any second.

Anonymous vs. Scientology (2/10/08)

2008-03-17T18:01:05-07:00

3/15/2008: San Francisco, California--

Behind the sign is the Scientology building

(Photo taken upside-down, too lazy to fix) Cake transcription: "The cult is a lie/The cake is not/Free Kate & Katie!/Project Chanology San Francisco 3.15.2008"

Her hair matches the sign.

Me!

Bill Nye

There'll be some more pics later of the crowds. There were a lot of people there.

Anonymous vs. Scientology (2/10/08)

2008-03-18T01:25:02-07:00

That flag is beautiful. Just awesome.

Anonymous vs. Scientology (2/10/08)

2008-03-18T15:55:24-07:00

John Robb, 4th Generation warfare expert, reviews Anonymous on his Global Guerrillas blog thus:

"It is, first and foremost, a nicely packaged demonstration of the ability of an open source insurgency to conduct information operations against an opponent (made even more effective by the secretive and reactive nature of that opponent). It is also a demonstration of the limits of what an online group can do without "crossing the line" into terrorism. As such it should be used as a template for other non-violent efforts."

Anonymous vs. Scientology (2/10/08)

2008-03-19T09:20:52-07:00

And from the little hamlet of Richmond, VA:

More

Was just about as well-attended as last month's protest, with more cake this time around. A boom box provided some RickRolling but overall the cause came before the lulz. I really enjoyed the Richmond PD deploying not one but two horse cops to watch over the 30 or so assembled protesters, and felt bad for the cop (in the second picture) who had to camp out in the CoS parking lot. With him in that pic are two CoS members (I think) who probably comprise about 50% of Richmond's CoS population. They didn't stick around for very long. CoS just made this beachhead into Richmond, and I don't think they're going to get very far.

Anonymous vs. Scientology (2/10/08)

2008-03-19T11:20:39-07:00

Pittsburg's protest had a good turnout, and the police officer that was stationed in front of the Scientoligy church just told us all to have fun.We had no problems other then one of the drunkards from the St Pattys day parade that was going on across town.
I'd post some pictures except that my internet connection is horrible and too slow.

Anonymous vs. Scientology (2/10/08)

2008-03-19T15:20:20-07:00

The Guardian does a piece on Anon Vs Sci. Make sure you click through to the interview at the end, there's some very insightful comments in there.

Anonymous vs. Scientology (2/10/08)

2008-03-23T18:03:53-07:00

The goanonymous website is a lovely piece of design and an efficient summary of what this is all about.

Anonymous vs. Scientology (2/10/08)

2008-03-24T12:27:21-07:00

...and this should surprise no one.

Anonymous vs. Scientology (2/10/08)

2008-03-25T15:16:36-07:00

BWAHAHAHAHHAHAA!

Anonymous vs. Scientology (2/10/08)

2008-03-25T21:59:46-07:00

Now that's synergy.

Anonymous vs. Scientology (2/10/08)

2008-03-31T15:06:11-07:00

Link to article about one of the protesters that the Church of Scientology has set the lawyers onto.

There's info about the bloke's paypal defence fund in there, if you're feeling generous.

Anonymous vs. Scientology (2/10/08)

2008-03-31T15:17:05-07:00

Well, I guess it was going to happen...

Anonymous vs. Scientology (2/10/08)

2008-03-31T15:27:48-07:00

Yeah, they've been trying to pin whatever they can on anyone they can name. It's mostly expensive legal nastygrams so far and several prosecutors have told them to piss off and not bother, but there's two cases I know of so far where it's going further.

Anonymous vs. Scientology (2/10/08)

2008-03-31T15:31:55-07:00

It's mostly expensive legal nastygrams so far and several prosecutors have told them to piss off and not bother, but there's two cases I know of so far where it's going further.

There is going to have to be a concerted legal support/aid movement soon. And, well, I am concerned allot of Anon's supporters are like me - transactional/contract/IP people. I am sure they have some connections to attorneys with protester defense experience, now that they have old war horse helping them, but I do think more criminal defense people are going to be needed in a very short amount of time.

This should fall under the EFF banner of interest I would think....

Anonymous vs. Scientology (2/10/08)

2008-03-31T15:37:52-07:00

I think it all depends on how these first couple of cases go. At the moment it's unclear what the charges even are.

Anonymous vs. Scientology (2/10/08)

2008-03-31T15:40:22-07:00

At the moment it's unclear what the charges even are.

Well, that all long been a favorite tactic of the CoS. Get charges pressed, any charges, and drag someones name and fiscal solvency into the mud. Their abuse of the law is how I first learned about them.

Anonymous vs. Scientology (2/10/08)

2008-03-31T15:45:55-07:00

Just seen that some dude who's been labeled a 'terrorist' because of his associations with Anonymous has started a libel and defamation suit against the CoS. From the looks of it, it's genuine and he seems to have the means to go through with the case.

Anonymous vs. Scientology (2/10/08)

2008-03-31T15:53:44-07:00

Am I the only one who kinda wishes that this many people all over the country could get excited and mobilized for something like... oh... protesting the continuum of racism that we just can't seem to kick, and the fact that when we teach school children to say "...one nation, under god, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all," we're teaching them a lie?

I'm fully supportive of protesting Scientology. It's a heinous institution. But so is institutionalized poverty... and the unbalanced justice system... and the list goes on... Apologies if I'm being a buzz-kill.

Anonymous vs. Scientology (2/10/08)

2008-03-31T15:59:20-07:00

@ Everyone

St.Bernard is ruining our fun! Get 'im!!

Anonymous vs. Scientology (2/10/08)

2008-03-31T15:59:46-07:00

I'm fully supportive of protesting Scientology. It's a heinous institution. But so is institutionalized poverty... and the unbalanced justice system... and the list goes on...

Yes. It's a list. They picked one. What was the nature of your problem again?

See, this is why "counter-cultural" antagonism never goes anywhere. People get too involved in numbering all the things that are Wrong, thereby talking themselves out of picking one and swinging.

Anonymous vs. Scientology (2/10/08)

2008-03-31T16:00:24-07:00

Am I the only one who kinda wishes that this many people all over the country could get excited and mobilized for something like...

Yeah, but it's less fun. If the KKK had offices in most major cities, the same model would work. But this fight happened because the way each side operates clashed. Anonymous didn't suddenly decide to take a moral stand. They started doing this because it was fun.

Then a dude died in suspicious circumstances. And people started getting arrested. Which just raised the stakes in the game.

This is still a game, though. Don't forget that. Anonymous are not bleeding heart do-gooders. The movement as it stands has a finite life-span. But it will evolve. It already is. And new methods of protest, which will benefit all the causes you could care to list, can be learnt from what's happened here.

So - 'gosh, why aren't they thinking about the starving children in Africa?' stuff is a tad yawnsome.

Also 'the country'... 'we teach school children'... etc.

Remember, the internet is not America.

Anonymous vs. Scientology (2/10/08)

2008-03-31T16:21:33-07:00

@Oddcult
Remember, the internet is not America.

Thank Jeebus that's true.

Anonymous vs. Scientology (2/10/08)

2008-03-31T16:23:42-07:00

(If you can ignore the undertones of "things have changed, how could that possibly be good? Also, ohnoes, and the sky may very well have already fallen") our neighbors over at Coilhouse have a guest column that makes a few fine points on the counter-culture and protests. Praying for Rain: Protest Culture’s Gnarled Husk. (Yes, seriously: skim for points and skip the rhetoric.)

Anonymous vs. Scientology (2/10/08)

2008-03-31T16:37:41-07:00

Interesting piece. The point of protests these days is to stick pins in the zeitgeist and turn them into events that educate and inform, not to change the minds of politicians. The revolution will not be televised -it'll be on youtube within minutes.

Anonymous vs. Scientology (2/10/08)

2008-03-31T20:59:49-07:00

(Edited out ALL the shit I just wrote)

@oddcult - Touche, sir.

@warrenellis - "Counter-culture" antagonism? Dude, I'm a social worker. I take shit pay to take swings at the Wrongs in the community. /bleeding heart

Anonymous vs. Scientology (2/10/08)

2008-03-31T21:08:02-07:00

I will be supporting Operation Reconnect.

Why? Because my dad is a scientologist and I have to tread carefully because if I'm labelled an by the org SP then there is a good chance he'd "disconnect" from me.

When I was younger I almost joined the SeaOrg cadets because the CoS recognised my desire to "belong". I was a shy, nerdy girl who was often bullied at school. I sometimes get very frightened by how effectively they "handled" me and many of the senior members of the local org still recognise me. I still dodge the bullet occassionally when my dad mentions auditing me as part of his "studies".

I will be supporting Operation: Reconnect because my dad is a scientologist and I have now reached the point where I'm tired of biting my tongue and I can only hope that if he has to choose between his family and being a PTS or disconnecting from his only child that he'll choose me.

Anonymous vs. Scientology (2/10/08)

2008-03-31T22:32:27-07:00

@ Rachel - I wish you the best of luck. That's one hell of a gamble and it can't be easy.

@ St.Bernard - What everyone else said plus my POV is it's "low hanging fruit". You pick the low hanging fruit, because it's easy and you're less likely to break your neck getting to it than you would the fruit on the top branches.

Anonymous vs. Scientology (2/10/08)

2008-03-31T23:10:11-07:00

@Rachel

I'll hope for the best for you. I'm glad they didn't handle you enough to own you like they do so many others.

By far Operation Reconnect is the best part of the whole protest, I think.

Anonymous vs. Scientology (2/10/08)

2008-04-04T04:05:30-07:00

Case against outed Anonymous member dropped. Counter-claims against the CoS for filing false police reports and harassment beginning. Lovely stuff.

Anonymous vs. Scientology (2/10/08)

2008-04-04T07:17:40-07:00

During the conversation I obtained the distinct impression that the Scientology enterprise has a number of Anon participants under surveillance. I also received the message that provided Anon acted lawfully, and picketed lawfully, they would be just fine. However, the Scientology enterprise is going to great effort to try and find any unlawful conduct by Anon. And we know that if Scientology cannot find your “crime” then it will “manufacture” the allegations

This was always going to be a given. Not seeing the police and DAs fall for it warms my cold lawyer's heart.

I don't know if the CoS really has any idea what to do about Anon, and thats always a reason to smile. Thanks you for the updates, as ever, Oddcult.

Anonymous vs. Scientology (2/10/08)

2008-04-04T10:08:38-07:00

I know it goes against the whole Anonymous aspect of the movement, but I met Sean at a pub after the first protest in February -- masks off. He's a really cool guy and I'm glad to hear everything is alright.

Anonymous vs. Scientology (2/10/08)

2008-04-04T16:59:13-07:00

@Rachel. I think Operation Reconnect is the best idea we've seen so far in this effort. I wish you the best. I hope your family remains healthy and intact when this is done.

Anonymous vs. Scientology (2/10/08)

2008-04-09T10:30:45-07:00

Listening to the Adam Carolla Show on the drive to work, they had Issac Hayes on. No mention of South Park or Scientology, but he didn't sound good at all, even for being 65. Any answer he gave that was more than 3 words barely made any sense...and I'm pretty fluent in Jive.

I had heard a rumor awhile back when he quit SP that he had a stroke and because that flies in the face of Scientology's health benefits, he had to go "underground." That sounded a bit outlandish to me, but after this morning, I'm not so sure anymore. :(

Anonymous vs. Scientology (2/10/08)

2008-04-10T19:33:11-07:00

I've lived with someone who truly believed that he has perfect recall and hearing because of Co$, in reality he is getting old, deaf and forgetful.

So I had to live with being informed that if he didn't remember/hadn't heard something that I had not actually said or done that thing because I was non-clear and flawed.

Then there was the time he found my Zoloft between the floor boards after I moved out and invited me over for dinner just so he could lecture me then make a production about flushing them down the toilet. 6 months after I'd stopped taking them.

Anonymous vs. Scientology (2/10/08)

2008-04-11T10:42:32-07:00

Ok, I'm brand new here, but I want in on the Scientology protests. I've been disgusted with their cruelty, neglect, intimidations, and hypocrisy towards their "parishoners" and those who oppose them, for years.

I am in my mid-twenties and have no idea what the hell is up with the cake or other "netmemes" (I have NO idea what that means), but I want to be a part of this, so let me in on it. I live in Portland and want to go to the Reconnect (or is this not a protest?) Just let me know, my email is byrdi184@aol.com.

I don't care that the Co$ is an absolute load of bullshit, lots of people believe bullshit, but I care about the deaths they've caused, the children they've abused, the people they've robbed, and the fact that their pyramid scheme is considered a religion.

Anonymous vs. Scientology (2/10/08)

2008-04-11T10:50:38-07:00

Start here. I'm sure you can figure out the rest.

Anonymous vs. Scientology (2/10/08)

2008-04-11T11:01:46-07:00

Thank you Oddcult

Anonymous vs. Scientology (2/10/08)

2008-04-12T12:23:46-07:00

Right. Not going to post too many details for obvious reasons, but word is that a current CoS member in the UK has contacted Anonymous for info on safehouses, cult rescue etc and is on their way out. Result.

Anonymous vs. Scientology (2/10/08)

2008-04-12T12:30:01-07:00

Right. Not going to post too many details for obvious reasons, but word is that a current CoS member in the UK has contacted Anonymous for info on safehouses, cult rescue etc and is on their way out. Result.

Which, if thats all that ever happens, is enough.
Any news yet on reconnect events today?

Anonymous vs. Scientology (2/10/08)

2008-04-12T12:38:35-07:00

Yeah. This was as a direct result. London turnout was down, due to shitty weather, but still around 500.

Anonymous vs. Scientology (2/10/08)

2008-04-12T18:39:38-07:00

I was at the PHX rally today. Turnout was down, but we had a gay pride parade going by half a block away so getting around the city was impossible. Word is that one of the Anon there got tailed by a P.I. and lead the guy back to the crossroads where the protest took place and outed him. Heh.

Anonymous vs. Scientology (2/10/08)

2008-04-13T01:28:40-07:00

http://en.wikinews.org/wiki/Authorities_in_Belgium_raid_Church_of_Scientology

More rolling news. CoS in Belgium was apparently advertising job vacancies, then trying to convince anyone who replied to become a Scientologist.

Anonymous vs. Scientology (2/10/08)

2008-04-13T17:20:53-07:00

Bah, slept through the local protest, again. While I was out shopping that evening though, someone asked me if I took part in the protests, makes me wonder if I have a morning-compatible twin out there...

Great Reuters photo from the London raids in The Dominion Post, a New Zealand paper:

Edit: And apparently the Duesseldorf Scientology branch has packed up and left!

Anonymous vs. Scientology (2/10/08)

2008-04-15T15:54:51-07:00

Scientology demands Wikileaks remove documents, Wikileaks responds by posting more documents, with the takedown notice here.

Anonymous vs. Scientology (2/10/08)

2008-04-17T05:20:38-07:00

just found this and thought id share an interesting story.

was part of the Louisville, Ky protest (not many only about 30 of us). most all we're in masks, some like myself dressed up (as it was a particularly warm day) i was in full chef whites 10 inch touque and all and guy faux mask when a few of us were approached by a young lady in similar mask. she started talking to us about how her father was a part of this particular "church" and how when she spoke out about her fathers behavior he instantly became hostile, and even violent before kicking her out of their home. she began crying underneath her mask telling us how she missed him and just wanted her old dad back. that instantly turned the rather upbeat protest (rickrolls, chants, and banter between us and Co$'ers) into 30 of us simply standing completely still and staring at the building across the street.

i had the opportunity to cross the street and talk to the officer standing in front of the building to ask about our rights and what we we're able to do (kentucky has odd rules on this, chanting and singing were allowed, any handouts needed to be approved, which we complied, and no vulgar, profane, or threatening methods, verbal or otherwise were to be used). while i was iver i noticed wen the CoS closed. before that time i had this young woman write a note to her father explaining her situation to her father, i then took this note, walked the 5 blocks to my truck, changed into civis, and headed back to the building. I found the man as she had described to me and handed him the note, when asked wo i was i simply stated concerned and walked to a local bar.

i met with this girl again a few days later as we had arranged to find out her father and her had talked and were beginning to rebuild their relationship. i didnt pry furthur as she seemed to still be upset at the situation. however she seemed hopeful.

i pray for her, and the others like her that they can find their families again from this corporation that has brainwashed their loved ones.

its also good to see how you all are furthuring the cause across the globe

we are many

Anonymous vs. Scientology (2/10/08)

2008-04-17T21:29:21-07:00

Thanks for helping make that happen Bckeye068!

Anonymous vs. Scientology (2/10/08)

2008-04-18T05:26:53-07:00

Not directly related to Anonymous v. $cientology. But it does show they are getting desperate to control the message out on the intertubes.
xenutv1 and the Jason Beghe defection videos on youtube get suspended/pulled.

The Gawker article has a copy of the pulled youtube video in which actor Jason Beghe bashes his former "church".

Anonymous vs. Scientology (2/10/08)

2008-04-18T19:20:55-07:00

Bckeye068 - excellent. It's those little things making a big difference.

Anonymous vs. Scientology (2/10/08)

2008-04-18T21:33:10-07:00

Bckeye, if that's the only result to come of the April protest, it will have been worth it.

Anonymous vs. Scientology (2/10/08)

2008-04-18T22:47:08-07:00

i hope so....hope you all do well on may 10th....dunno about louisville, we're not allowed to wear masks anymore so a lot of people are getting nervous, theres still a few of us who will be there, we're experimenting with face paint to see if it wil disguise us as well. we're also talking to local law enfrcement to see how far we can go to disguise our features.

hope everyone else continues on......good luck

we are many, we are one

Anonymous vs. Scientology (2/10/08)

2008-04-20T01:22:39-07:00

so mark bunker.
yeah.
he posts a lot of videos with content that comes from mainstream media sources
AND he surprisingly doesn't have copyright ownership of the aforementioned : 0

...so go figure.
that's what his first account got deleted for. (airing segments of the colbert show)

also,
youtube's system is fucked in the sense that if enough people flag your videos,
they delete your account without reviewing the content.
anon has used this bug to get a shit-ton of their critics off youtube,
so i suppose it's only fitting that their critics have done the same to one of the biggest voices in the anti-scientology movement.

in short,
BAWWWWWWW,
cry about it.

it's no big deal.
for those of you who were actually anti-scientology activist before all of this anonymous shit,
you know bunker had his channel yanked off in early january and he simply made a new one.
for those of you who weren't, don't consider it a conspiracy...that would imply that someone with *gAsP* real power
actually gives a fuck about what's going on,
and i can assure you that's definitely not the case.

Anonymous vs. Scientology (2/10/08)

2008-04-20T05:54:37-07:00

You're missing the point. The big deal isn't that he had his channel yanked. It's that this can be turned into news.

Anonymous vs. Scientology (2/10/08)

2008-04-20T12:11:05-07:00

@oddcult

i guess i am missing the point, because that's not a big deal at all.

Anonymous vs. Scientology (2/10/08)

2008-04-20T12:15:54-07:00

Man, things are so much better before they get popular.

Anonymous vs. Scientology (2/10/08)

2008-04-20T14:25:38-07:00

Heh.

Anonymous vs. Scientology (2/10/08)

2008-04-20T22:58:04-07:00

agreed.

Anonymous vs. Scientology (2/10/08)

2008-04-23T14:07:52-07:00

Anonymous decentralises. Individual city cells now producing their own publicity material. Pity it's a bit of a cliched one, but still.

Anonymous vs. Scientology (2/10/08)

2008-04-23T17:42:05-07:00

Anonymous was never centralized.

Sure, there's some emergent behavior, but even the initial "official" Project Chanology videos had competition.

Anonymous vs. Scientology (2/10/08)

2008-04-23T18:36:21-07:00

Was the Battle Toads game ever for sale in the UK? The above makes more sense there. Than this:

Anonymous vs. Scientology (2/10/08)

2008-04-23T23:48:01-07:00

Fucking Battletoads! Yes! InstaWin5000 has become self-aware!

Anonymous vs. Scientology (2/10/08)

2008-04-24T02:40:57-07:00

Anonymous was never centralized.

It was a hivemind. Now it's a schizophrenic hivemind. Which makes no sense, but perfect sense.

Anonymous vs. Scientology (2/10/08)

2008-04-24T06:25:17-07:00

@oddcult.

It was a hivemind.

truly spoken like someone who found out about anon within the past 365 days. 0_0
hivemind used to be used as an insult in the chans, now it is championed by the newfags as some sort of anti-identity that glorifies herd mentality....

and the chanologists wonder why this raid has lost support of every major chan.

Anonymous vs. Scientology (2/10/08)

2008-04-24T06:28:59-07:00

@Billy,

Do you come here to simply argue and insult people?

Anonymous vs. Scientology (2/10/08)

2008-04-24T06:30:35-07:00

Anonymous was created as a way for lonely basement nerds to gather and make fun of each other.

Project Chanology was created as somewhat of a hivemind, if only because a modicum of coordination is necessary to conduct protest.

Anonymous vs. Scientology (2/10/08)

2008-04-24T06:52:57-07:00

truly spoken like someone who found out about anon within the past 365 days. 0_0

Nah uh. Part of its beauty is you don't get to define it any more than I do. I've known about 'Anonymous' chan raids for quite a while, and been following the way they've mutated and become something different with great interest. I'd say it was inevitable they were going to end up with a moral agenda, of sorts.

hivemind used to be used as an insult in the chans, now it is championed by the newfags as some sort of anti-identity that glorifies herd mentality....

No. There's a very subtle but interesting distinction that's occuring. Usually 'herd mentality' means the lowest common denominator within a group. From where I'm viewing, it's the opposite to that, and for the moment at least (and this moment will probably pass) it's a meritocracy and the best ideas are rising to the top.

and the chanologists wonder why this raid has lost support of every major chan.

Firstly, that's debatable. Secondly, everyone expected them to get bored anyway. That was always accepted and pretty much happened at the very moment Mark Bunker became Wise Beard Man and advocated lawful protest.

It'll all change again, and may leave the 'moralfags' behind as activists with a different group identity. This may even happen very soon. The folk in the chans who are complaining about all this are the ones who are stuck in a nostalgia for the ancient historical era of three months ago and are missing the beauty of the whole idea's mutating form.

Anonymous vs. Scientology (2/10/08)

2008-04-24T07:51:02-07:00

DJ DEAD BILLY: if you don't start watching your fucking mouth, you're going to lose access to this place. Is that clear enough?

Anonymous vs. Scientology (2/10/08)

2008-04-24T09:56:09-07:00

@oddcult
first, let me state that i support the protests and that i was the one who originally hooked up the 711chan anon w/ the ex scieno msg board that we used in order to let the oldschool protesters know what was going on before everything went completely batshit insane. i've been an active protester of the church for years and i was happy to see that backup arrived,especially in the form of the legion of nuts that anon was/is.

second, let me also state that i've come to personally tire of the droves of anons who don't have their shit straight on scientology and go around claming l. ron was a pedo etc etc just to make the church look bad. there's no documentation for a lot of the claims that i've heard them make, and i simply prefer chanologists protesting the church to use grace and facts to combat their deceit. you are obviously a well versed fellow on various subjects and seem to know how to conduct yourself properly when dealing w/the subject of cultists or anti-cultists. i simply wish people would spend more time researching their claims before telling the world. that is what has pissed me off and put a bad taste in my mouth about chanology.

with that being said, i also wish these same people would get their history and facts straight as far as the chans go.

take that as you will.

Anonymous vs. Scientology (2/10/08)

2008-04-24T10:16:15-07:00

i've come to personally tire of the droves of anons who don't have their shit straight on scientology and go around claming l. ron was a pedo etc etc just to make the church look bad.

I've not seen that. What I have seen, however, was a quite clever satirical comment that implied he was a paedophile using the same kind of circulatory language that he used to imply similar things about other people without actually slandering or libelling them. Which was right on the money, really.

there's no documentation for a lot of the claims that i've heard them make

I have to disagree. Increasingly, there are calls for 'docs/pics or it didn't happen' when stuff is brought up. Anonymous is starting to self-regulate quite well.

Personally, I'm in this because I'm fascinated by it. Although I do have a quite minor personal axe to grind with the CoS over an issue related to one of their UK front groups trying to get me to work for them and blatantly lying to me about the fact that it was a front group with a covert recruiting agenda.

They also wanted me to stick something up my arse for them, so they can fuck right off.

I mean that last bit quite literally. The front group was into colonic irrigation and offered me work marketing training in freelance colonic irrigation services and that I should expereince it myself so I knew what I was talking about. I told them where to stick it. That they did exactly as I requested, and seemed to enjoy this a tad too much was a bit creepy really.

Anonymous vs. Scientology (2/10/08)

2008-04-24T10:40:59-07:00

@oddcult

What I have seen, however, was a quite clever satirical comment that implied he was a paedophile using the same kind of circulatory language that he used to imply similar things about other people without actually slandering or libelling them.

this is the sort of "fight fire with fire" tactics that anon claims to have dropped after the black faxes/prank phone calls/ddos attacks stopped. i don't think statements like this are going to help the overall view of anon among people in the church who are really considering that what we say may have some truth to it. you don't convert people by insinuating that the messiah they still believe in was a pedo...

They also wanted me to stick something up my arse for them, so they can fuck right off.

wow...uhh...i'm happy NOT to request "pics or it didn't happen" on this one.
this sentence has certainly made me laugh my ass of though.

so,
cheers

Anonymous vs. Scientology (2/10/08)

2008-04-24T11:03:21-07:00

@warren
the general concensus amongst the people posting in the chans is that they're tired of the chanologists. spend even 20 minutes on any of the major chans and you will realize this. the original raid HQ has even dropped their support . honestly, i don't think they dislike chanology due to it's aims, but because of the backlash it's had on chan-culture in general. "boohoo", yeah i know. hivemind WAS an insult. the people who think it's not are generally new people who think it's another "cool meme" to spout out in reference to anon. they simply don't know the history, and that is horribly annoying. so therefore,nothing i wrote in my original statement was untrue...perhaps a bit dismissively stated, but true nonetheless.

maybe you disliked my phrasing,or you may have a personal issue w/ scientology like myself, and you're simply supporting the church's enemies against negative commentary. either way, you certainly seem to pick and choose who gets to say things that may be regarded as inflammatory. i find it funny that you didn't mind oddcult calling me a poseur in regards to occultism for stating that i enjoying T.A.Z. when i was 16, yet you bitched me out for saying he was a poseur when it came to anonymous because he used a phrase that's misinterpreted by many people who are relatively new to anon.

i know this isn't the wasteland of the chans, and that i obviously can't get away with saying some of the things that i remorselessly say out there, but if i can't even state a basic observation about either side of an issue that i've been more heavily involved with than you, then i don't really understand the point of this forum thread to begin with...that is,unless it's only to be seen as an self congratulatory anon circle jerk.

i know this is your house, and as such, you get to decide the definition of "being an asshole" in order to maintain a general sense of harmonious discourse. so with that being said, do whatever in regards to my access. i'm not going to suck up to you in hopes that you'll validate my opinions, nor am i going to idiotically kick against the pricks towards you as an authority figure. i just want someplace to share ideas,opinions and my love for music while i'm bored at work.

hope that came across as neutrally as i meant it to,

db

Anonymous vs. Scientology (2/10/08)

2008-04-24T11:06:46-07:00

I've not seen that. What I have seen, however, was a quite clever satirical comment that implied he was a paedophile using the same kind of circulatory language that he used to imply similar things about other people without actually slandering or libelling them.

Don't they have a term for that in Scientology? Fair Game?

I may be mistaken.

- Z

Anonymous vs. Scientology (2/10/08)

2008-04-24T11:25:06-07:00

hope that came across as neutrally as i meant it to,

It did, cheers. Just don't start out by calling people out and THEN get to your actual point, yeah?

Anonymous vs. Scientology (2/10/08)

2008-04-24T11:26:09-07:00

Don't they have a term for that in Scientology? Fair Game?

I may be mistaken.

EXACTLY. using the tactics we claim to vehemently stand against makes us seem like garden variety hypocrites and will probably gain us the exact same negative attention from the issue's fence sitters..

Anonymous vs. Scientology (2/10/08)

2008-04-24T11:29:44-07:00

@warren

sorry about that...i get reactionary due to handling professional bullbaiters, but now i have to handle bullbaiters from both sides! it's like the hayday of alt.religion.scientology all over again.

(lame excuse, i know)

maybe i should take a few hubbard communication courses so i don't come off as a 1.9.

Anonymous vs. Scientology (2/10/08)

2008-04-24T12:17:11-07:00

I mean that last bit quite literally. The front group was into colonic irrigation and offered me work marketing training in freelance colonic irrigation services and that I should expereince it myself so I knew what I was talking about. I told them where to stick it. That they did exactly as I requested, and seemed to enjoy this a tad too much was a bit creepy really

@Oddcult

Oh, to be a fly on the wall during that conversation...

"You want to put what where? Fuck off, guv."

Anonymous vs. Scientology (2/10/08)

2008-04-24T12:30:32-07:00

this is the sort of "fight fire with fire" tactics that anon claims to have dropped after the black faxes/prank phone calls/ddos attacks stopped. i don't think statements like this are going to help the overall view of anon among people in the church who are really considering that what we say may have some truth to it. you don't convert people by insinuating that the messiah they still believe in was a pedo...

I don't think it was an actual attack tactic, more an illustration of how fair game worked.

Anyway... I'm actually in favour of *more* pranking and ddos, because it's funny, but I can also see how it's occasionally counter-productive.

However, I think that possibly our difference of opinion on the whole Anonymous thing is that you see it as something with various traditions, and a certain level of ownership, but I want to see it continuously mutate and evolve.

Anonymous vs. Scientology (2/10/08)

2008-04-24T13:43:34-07:00

I think that possibly our difference of opinion on the whole Anonymous thing is that you see it as something with various traditions, and a certain level of ownership, but I want to see it continuously mutate and evolve.

well, speaking as a disenfranchised not-so-anon,there are traditions and we do seem to feel that we own a bit of it. the phraseology and general attitude as it is now was based on years of traditions and the mutations of them. without that classic "internet hate machine" mindset, no one would have had the balls to attack scientology to begin with, so it is with sorrow that i watch the hateful aspects being replaced by a more benign and friendly form of an e-presence...that and the whole idea has become a parody of itself (which was parody to begin with!!)and now people are using names on forums like anonymous87574 etc etc. it's a horrible synthesis of anonymity and namefaggotry, which in the end, turns into regular old namefaggotry.

i knew the chans would constantly change but i never thought they would get as big as they are now...i guess what i'm really pissed about is going into chans that were generally known for their excellent taste and inhumane evil only to start seeing people posting about how innovative and brilliant the newest dave matthews band record is...

the shift has been a painful one. i suppose it's sort of like when your old dog finally dies.
you always saw it coming but displayed cognitive dissonance when you noticed his symptoms.
in short.
BAWWWWW

it seems to me that losing the chans in order to destroy scientology has been a pyrrhic victory at best, and it gives me COMPLETELY contradictory urges.

much like this picture.

Anonymous vs. Scientology (2/10/08)

2008-04-24T14:03:36-07:00

people posting about how innovative and brilliant the newest dave matthews band record is...

That's scarier than the fucking photo.

Anonymous vs. Scientology (2/10/08)

2008-04-24T14:10:36-07:00

Unhand her you salty sea hag!!

Anonymous vs. Scientology (2/10/08)

2008-04-24T14:12:11-07:00

@DJ

I appreciate you articulating your points. I see where you're coming from now; you resent what Anon has become as opposed to being bitter that it's popular.

I can even see your position on the matter, but exposure is exposure and before the Chanology involved protests, there was little in the way of mainstream media exposure to this movement.

Not that it's really a reason for you not to resent Anon.

Anonymous vs. Scientology (2/10/08)

2008-04-24T14:31:46-07:00

Anonymous vs. Scientology (2/10/08)

2008-04-24T14:38:23-07:00

@tedcroland

for years i spent so much of my time researching scientology and reading their books just to see how i could use l.ron's own words against members (in order to get them critically thinking again) i would tell EVERYONE i could how twisted and fucked up scientology was...to the point where even my closest friends would tell me to stfu about it. it seemed like nobody cared. i was paranoid and obsessive,constantly wondering when they were going to come after me...i even went so far as trying to infiltrate the church, but after an incredibly taxing interview full of me bullshitting my way through tests, i was given a job application to work at what is going to be the biggest org in the midwest. after considering the risk to my family, i chickened out and never followed up.

so...when i was on (fillintheblank)chan one day and noticed that people were talking about scientology, a lot of us did everything we could to whip the others into a frenzy against the church. whenever they'd delete the threads we'd start new ones and i got banned multiple times for doing so. all it really took was dropping a handful of very saucy links and docs to anons in all the major chans. most of the channers generally thought scientology was retarded, but i don't think many of them understood how fucking insidious the church really is.

when enough anon's got pissed and finally declared war, i was elated to the degree of near madness. if i would have known how little it really took, i would have been doing this years ago. i'll never be upset that chanology has effected the world as much as it has, but i still mourn the loss of my beloved homeland (fillintheblank)chan(s).

so either way, whoever's done anything to help this movement along, i wholeheartedly salute you
...just please,for the love of xenu...
no more goddamned dave matthews threads. ;_;

Anonymous vs. Scientology (2/10/08)

2008-04-24T14:45:04-07:00

DJDB - google 'John Twobirds' and 'Terra Mater'. I had a nasty fight against that lot for a while. It was a lot more up close and personal than AvsS is though.

Anonymous vs. Scientology (2/10/08)

2008-04-24T14:56:16-07:00

@DJ

Damn...that's...just...why is she so scary?

Anonymous vs. Scientology (2/10/08)

2008-04-24T15:38:03-07:00

@RenThing
Because she could be running America by next year.

And Billy, I too lament the death of the real anonymous imageboard subculture. Regardless, as I understand it most posters dislike the idea of protesting (probably too lazy to climb out of their basements, the hole-dwellers), which is why the movement needs to separate itself from the anonymous mentality and come into its own. Maybe just refer to them as the Chantologists or something.

Anonymous vs. Scientology (2/10/08)

2008-04-24T16:18:50-07:00

@SilentObjector
Lalala, I'm not hearing you.

Anonymous vs. Scientology (2/10/08)

2008-04-24T17:55:38-07:00

(An incidental aside: That thing that just happened with DJDB and the rest of the gang, that right there is what makes this a wonderful message board.)

Anonymous vs. Scientology (2/10/08)

2008-04-30T17:13:35-07:00

Scientology Shares Secrets on YouTube ... Sort Of