In our contributions here at the Underground Bunker to the ongoing controversy about Linkin Park returning to the stage seven years after the death of Chester Bennington with Emily Armstrong as singer, we have focused particularly on the Scientology Sea Org past of Emily’s mother, Gail Armstrong.
I agree with Mitch that empathy for those still mentally imprisoned by the insidious Hubbard mind control dogma is the best route to eventually waking up to the truth.
And the whole controversy with Emily is very mainstream. I’m glad Tony has been writing about it.
Yesterday I visited my spouses family and I had a conversation with my niece who has no connection to Scientology. She is a big LinkIn Park fan and she was very aware of the Emily Armstrong controversy. From a fan point of view she felt Emily is a good singer and a poor choice to replace Chester. My neice felt Emily did not have the emotional depth to sing songs originally sung by Chester. We had quite a discussion about LinkIn Park. I explained that unfortunately Scientology squash’s genuine emotions. That is why I feel Scientology is toxic for music artists. It is drag that so many talented people sucked dry by the cult. If my neice knew about this I know that this situation has got to be a nightmare for OSA.
I agree. It is hard to bring the emotions necessary to be a great singer if your own have been quashed. I have heard singers who are note perfect but still have no connection with their audience. It would be wonderful if her exposure to the real thing would help wake her up. But I fear it will hurt Linkin Park.
Excellent views, Mitch's take on things I'd read everything he says, he's got a bead on the atmosphere and particularly helpful info for non Scientologist family outside those caught within Scientology.
In one of Steven Hassan's books, forming the group of outsiders to somehow connect with someone in the Scientology world, empathy and a tight relationship to the person in Scientology is critical.
I wonder who Emily's friends in the band best are? Likely her circle of non Scientology friends, among them is one or several who likely have the most empathetic impact on her.
"“I totally agree with those who believe Emily should speak out about Scientology. For me, having been close to Gail for many years, what stands out is the tragedy of these brainwashed victims having to do a dance to maintain their relationship, but it seems no one wants to view this situation with an empathetic eye,” he says."
-- To me, the issue is more about her support of someone who regularly emotionally, mentally, physically, and sexually abused women. Yes, Scientology has its role in how that came about, but to me that's not the point. No matter how she spins it, her showing up to court WITH and FOR the now-convicted Danny Masterson was a sign of support.
As Geoff Leven says, "I know that this situation has got to be a nightmare for OSA."...Any examination of $cientology always results in very bad PR and the reputation of $cientology goes down further in the vox populi. How low can that reputation go? Every day it seems that more revelations about $cieno crimes and cover ups comes to light. I have to wonder how any $cientologist can look at media and not be disgusted with their 'religion'.
In the meantime, let Emily Armstrong sing the songs and watch how many times her $cieno mother has to be paroled from the Hole to see any show Emily is in. Being gay isn't a crime in $cienoville, if you are important enough to the public perception of the Clammy scam.
Four years ago, Emily showed up in support of Masterson. In the intervening four years, she has not made a single peep condemning his actions. Now that she has something to lose by having been there four years ago, she issues a non-apology for being somewhere doing something she won’t name.
I understand Mitch and the desire for empathy. However, as I explained on my site in my blog post about Acceptable Truths, this was not an apology. I was trained to spout non apologies that sounded like something nice. However, when broken down, they are empty. She says nothing in her statement, implicates no one.
If she had posted something more substantial than an Instagram story on which no one could comment, I would be more inclined to believe her. I’m the first to admit that people deserve a second chance. Leah has blazed a path for other celebrities to follow.
Maybe they are still doing the sort of in sort of out dance. That has nothing whatsoever to do with the elephant in the room Prisoner Number BW7253. “I have not spoken to him. I empathize with the victims. I don’t condone violence against women.” None of these words apologize to the women. None condemn the prisoner. And none address the fact that she replaced a man who died by suicide. A man who had violent acts committed against him. She doesn’t address his gender in her violence statement.
That mom and that daughter may be dancing a delicate dance to see each other. In the meantime, the Jane Does are beating their heads against the walls of the legal system in an attempt to stop the harassment Scientology continues to rain down on them because they spoke out.
I see where you’re coming from, Mitch. Anyone who knows me knows I bend over backwards to give forgiveness even when I shouldn’t. But the acceptable truth Emily spouted was so textbook that it is still stuck in my craw. I just can’t go there.
I agree with Mitch that empathy for those still mentally imprisoned by the insidious Hubbard mind control dogma is the best route to eventually waking up to the truth.
And the whole controversy with Emily is very mainstream. I’m glad Tony has been writing about it.
Yesterday I visited my spouses family and I had a conversation with my niece who has no connection to Scientology. She is a big LinkIn Park fan and she was very aware of the Emily Armstrong controversy. From a fan point of view she felt Emily is a good singer and a poor choice to replace Chester. My neice felt Emily did not have the emotional depth to sing songs originally sung by Chester. We had quite a discussion about LinkIn Park. I explained that unfortunately Scientology squash’s genuine emotions. That is why I feel Scientology is toxic for music artists. It is drag that so many talented people sucked dry by the cult. If my neice knew about this I know that this situation has got to be a nightmare for OSA.
I agree. It is hard to bring the emotions necessary to be a great singer if your own have been quashed. I have heard singers who are note perfect but still have no connection with their audience. It would be wonderful if her exposure to the real thing would help wake her up. But I fear it will hurt Linkin Park.
Excellent views, Mitch's take on things I'd read everything he says, he's got a bead on the atmosphere and particularly helpful info for non Scientologist family outside those caught within Scientology.
In one of Steven Hassan's books, forming the group of outsiders to somehow connect with someone in the Scientology world, empathy and a tight relationship to the person in Scientology is critical.
I wonder who Emily's friends in the band best are? Likely her circle of non Scientology friends, among them is one or several who likely have the most empathetic impact on her.
"“I totally agree with those who believe Emily should speak out about Scientology. For me, having been close to Gail for many years, what stands out is the tragedy of these brainwashed victims having to do a dance to maintain their relationship, but it seems no one wants to view this situation with an empathetic eye,” he says."
-- To me, the issue is more about her support of someone who regularly emotionally, mentally, physically, and sexually abused women. Yes, Scientology has its role in how that came about, but to me that's not the point. No matter how she spins it, her showing up to court WITH and FOR the now-convicted Danny Masterson was a sign of support.
Absolutely
As Geoff Leven says, "I know that this situation has got to be a nightmare for OSA."...Any examination of $cientology always results in very bad PR and the reputation of $cientology goes down further in the vox populi. How low can that reputation go? Every day it seems that more revelations about $cieno crimes and cover ups comes to light. I have to wonder how any $cientologist can look at media and not be disgusted with their 'religion'.
In the meantime, let Emily Armstrong sing the songs and watch how many times her $cieno mother has to be paroled from the Hole to see any show Emily is in. Being gay isn't a crime in $cienoville, if you are important enough to the public perception of the Clammy scam.
Four years ago, Emily showed up in support of Masterson. In the intervening four years, she has not made a single peep condemning his actions. Now that she has something to lose by having been there four years ago, she issues a non-apology for being somewhere doing something she won’t name.
I understand Mitch and the desire for empathy. However, as I explained on my site in my blog post about Acceptable Truths, this was not an apology. I was trained to spout non apologies that sounded like something nice. However, when broken down, they are empty. She says nothing in her statement, implicates no one.
If she had posted something more substantial than an Instagram story on which no one could comment, I would be more inclined to believe her. I’m the first to admit that people deserve a second chance. Leah has blazed a path for other celebrities to follow.
Maybe they are still doing the sort of in sort of out dance. That has nothing whatsoever to do with the elephant in the room Prisoner Number BW7253. “I have not spoken to him. I empathize with the victims. I don’t condone violence against women.” None of these words apologize to the women. None condemn the prisoner. And none address the fact that she replaced a man who died by suicide. A man who had violent acts committed against him. She doesn’t address his gender in her violence statement.
That mom and that daughter may be dancing a delicate dance to see each other. In the meantime, the Jane Does are beating their heads against the walls of the legal system in an attempt to stop the harassment Scientology continues to rain down on them because they spoke out.
I see where you’re coming from, Mitch. Anyone who knows me knows I bend over backwards to give forgiveness even when I shouldn’t. But the acceptable truth Emily spouted was so textbook that it is still stuck in my craw. I just can’t go there.