I always welcome seeing these long form discussions with ex members. I don’t say this to sound ghoulish, quite the opposite, but with brief snippets and clips of these people talking you don’t get the full sense and scale of the utter devastation this has caused them and those around them.
This may be a hobby and fascination for me, but this stuff has real weight in real people’s lives and once you listen to these people’s stories longer than a soundbite, it really starts to hit home just how bad these people have been fucked over by this stuff.
I can’t say I’d ever heard his name much before now and I’ve been a long time listener first time caller for a very long time around this stuff.
But his story is both unique and ubiquitous, and we’re all better for hearing it.
I was still in Scientology in Toronto when LRH passed away in 1986. We were told he was in perfect health but that he 'causatively dropped his body'. This we were told was because his body was an impediment that prevented him from conducting more advanced research. Right to the very end of his life, LRH wanted people to believe he was immortal. Many of the fools who are still involved in Scientology to this day probably believe it. I'm embarrassed and ashamed that I was ever involved with this pathetic and despicable organization.
Some slight points of confusion - the interviewer asked about a water tank that was made into a studio. Sarge was not familiar with it, probably he didn't spend enough time at the Int Base to remember it. In fact, there was a space that was originally a water reservoir, excavated into the side of the hill not too far from the new LRH mansion. Hubbard shot some scenes for films in there, then it was renovated and became the Musician's Studio. Before the LRH Music Studio was built. Later the musicians moved out. It became Studio 2, a mix line, foley and recording space for film and video sweetening.
Rose perfume - Hubbard actually thought that MKULTRA or some such invented the chemical to do mind control. Not sure if he really had enhanced olfactory abilities, unlikely given his smoking habit, or was just prone to olfactory hallucinations. It is true that department stores in the 70s had a lot more scent to them. It seemed like you were walking into a wall of smells. Unless that is just my Scientology prejudice seeping in.
Hubbard doing his own laundry - no! They set up a whole laundry and dry-cleaning setup at the Int Base just for Hubbard's laundry. Including lots of stationary tubs for hand-rinsing. This was near the original Bonny View house that was later torn down. I am sure all the equipment was just moved to the new Bonny View mansion and is ready to roll for Hubbard's return.
Sarge's story is telling in that he seems to be a sincere true believer. Obviously respecting Hubbard. Yet still willing to honestly report that Hubbard said he had failed in the end. His testimony holds a lot more weight given that he was not a bitter defrocked apostate.
Thank you Wright and Gibney, Sarge's talk is an important part of the $cieno story.
I always welcome seeing these long form discussions with ex members. I don’t say this to sound ghoulish, quite the opposite, but with brief snippets and clips of these people talking you don’t get the full sense and scale of the utter devastation this has caused them and those around them.
This may be a hobby and fascination for me, but this stuff has real weight in real people’s lives and once you listen to these people’s stories longer than a soundbite, it really starts to hit home just how bad these people have been fucked over by this stuff.
I can’t say I’d ever heard his name much before now and I’ve been a long time listener first time caller for a very long time around this stuff.
But his story is both unique and ubiquitous, and we’re all better for hearing it.
I was still in Scientology in Toronto when LRH passed away in 1986. We were told he was in perfect health but that he 'causatively dropped his body'. This we were told was because his body was an impediment that prevented him from conducting more advanced research. Right to the very end of his life, LRH wanted people to believe he was immortal. Many of the fools who are still involved in Scientology to this day probably believe it. I'm embarrassed and ashamed that I was ever involved with this pathetic and despicable organization.
Great interview, but I didn't miss the 'between-the-lines" brainwashing. Steve sounds like he was a great guy. Loved the interview.
Some slight points of confusion - the interviewer asked about a water tank that was made into a studio. Sarge was not familiar with it, probably he didn't spend enough time at the Int Base to remember it. In fact, there was a space that was originally a water reservoir, excavated into the side of the hill not too far from the new LRH mansion. Hubbard shot some scenes for films in there, then it was renovated and became the Musician's Studio. Before the LRH Music Studio was built. Later the musicians moved out. It became Studio 2, a mix line, foley and recording space for film and video sweetening.
Rose perfume - Hubbard actually thought that MKULTRA or some such invented the chemical to do mind control. Not sure if he really had enhanced olfactory abilities, unlikely given his smoking habit, or was just prone to olfactory hallucinations. It is true that department stores in the 70s had a lot more scent to them. It seemed like you were walking into a wall of smells. Unless that is just my Scientology prejudice seeping in.
Hubbard doing his own laundry - no! They set up a whole laundry and dry-cleaning setup at the Int Base just for Hubbard's laundry. Including lots of stationary tubs for hand-rinsing. This was near the original Bonny View house that was later torn down. I am sure all the equipment was just moved to the new Bonny View mansion and is ready to roll for Hubbard's return.
Sarge's story is telling in that he seems to be a sincere true believer. Obviously respecting Hubbard. Yet still willing to honestly report that Hubbard said he had failed in the end. His testimony holds a lot more weight given that he was not a bitter defrocked apostate.
Wasn't Sarge talking about Hubbard doing his laundry at the Creston ranch, not Int?
Possibly he did this at some point, but for the most part his laundry was sent to the Int Base to be done. And redone. And redone.