Before Scientology’s Austin “Ideal Org” becomes, like the other 64 Ideal Orgs that came before it, an afterthought, we’re giving one more look at its Saturday grand opening, this time with a glance at Scientology’s own version of what transpired.
The church put out a press release about the event right around the time we were posting yesterday’s great insider report from Kat, the former Austin member who was able to decode some of the things that Miscavige said during his remarks on the temporary stage set up outside the building.
But it’s always fun to see such a close-up image of the man himself (seen above), which Scientology issued. We know you all love to comment about how Miscavige looks (he’s going to be turning 64 on April 30), and speculate about the state of his health. He appears to be doing fine, seems to us.
And why not, he’s in his element at these things, and it’s been more than four years since the last one.
“In some ways, finally running out of excuses to avoid service and accepting the inevitable has had a silver lining for Miscavige,” Mike Rinder tells us, referring to Dave finally knuckling under and accepting service in a couple of Los Angeles lawsuits that name him as a defendant, from Leah Remini and Jane Doe 1. “The Ideal Org program is his program — and he has no doubt been feeling the embarrassment of not having opened any new ‘Ideal’ Orgs in so many years. It’s hard to prattle on about how well Scientology is doing if there are no new Ideal Orgs. He has established this as the measuring stick of Scientology expansion. He has touted it for 20 years — ‘look at our unprecedented growth, 473,234 sq ft of new orgs opened…'”
Here’s the rah-rah thing Dave told the crowd this time, according to Scientology…
“You’re Texas big and Texas tough,” said Mr. Miscavige. “While before that ribbon falls on your new Church of Scientology, this is a moment to remember what was said long ago by one of your famous Texans—that it was the best land he had ever seen, and there was a world of country to settle. Well, so it is again today. Except your ‘line of country’ is the human spirit, and you settle it by restoring to people the happiness, love, sincerity and kindness with which they were created.”
And keep in mind, that’s the quote Scientology elected to share with the public. Wow. Seems to us Dave is really missing his old speechwriter, the late Dan Sherman.
As usual, Dave was preceded by some local dignitaries. And we’ve documented in the past how Scientology does its best to convince local mayors or other elected officials to show up. But these days, it’s getting harder for Scientology to get real VIPs to appear and say a few kind words about L. Ron Hubbard.
Here were the Austin shills, er, honored guests.
Mike McHone was identified as “Vice-President of the University Area Partners Association” which sounds totally legit. He was effusive: “For those of you who aren’t from Austin, this town is a university town. We work to keep our neighborhood at the front of the pack when it comes to, well, everything. And today I’ll admit a little Longhorns pride in celebrating another big step in keeping our neighborhood the Best of the Best. Hook ’em Horns! Each and every one of you should take pride in knowing you have helped make our home what it is today. Your members form the backbone of an ongoing community effort. Which is another way of saying, you have shown an inherent understanding of what our residents need with a passion and care to create a thriving, active community. While today, with this Grand Opening, we celebrate the return of a major player to this University area. So what I should really be saying is, ‘Welcome back!’”
Sam Price was identified as someone who had worked in the Texas Health Department for 25 years and is now a “dedicated Texas drug education advocate in Central Texas.” So he was there as a fluffer for Scientology’s front group “Drug-Free World.”
“From the outset, our attitude was, ‘Let’s educate people.’ And we got that Truth About Drugs information out to everyone. That means, thanks to your support, thousands who never had a choice to be educated now have the choice to say, ‘I’m going to live drug-free!’ The world would be a better place if more people had the care and commitment that your Church members do. No doubt about it. And thanks to Drug-Free World, you’ve given this kid from the south of Austin the opportunity of a lifetime. So I have one final request: keep doing your good work. You’ll never know how many lives you’ve saved.”
Simone Talma Flowers was identified as “Executive Director of Interfaith Action of Central Texas,” and Scientology loves its churchy shills maybe the most.
“Bridging division between different faiths is not simply a ‘nice to do,’ it’s essential. You have been pillars of devotion and dependency. And upon those pillars, we have now built the largest interfaith movement in all of Central Texas. I have to tell you, we are so excited at the prospect of holding our events right here — front and center in Downtown. This Ideal Org will be a shared space where any and all are welcome, a place for services, talks or meetings for reconciliation. So may it continue to shine as a sanctuary for all faiths for all the decades to come!”
Nelson Linder was identified as president of the Austin chapter of the NAACP, and it’s a shame to see a representative of that organization shilling for a nearly all-white group like Scientology, and for its founder L. Ron Hubbard, an outspoken supporter of apartheid who said that black South Africans didn’t deserve to vote and were too stupid for Scientology auditing.
“Like many others, my fight for civil rights is now decades long. A just society requires sacrifice and commitment. In fact, a great man once said, ‘Injustice is not something in which any man with power should ever trade.’ That was Mr. L. Ron Hubbard. To say such in the crucible of the 1960s shows tremendous courage. At that time, just a handful were in the middle, trying to broker peace, and yet there he was. Mr. Hubbard’s ideas of forwarding the concept of true justice were both visionary and grand. And let’s face it, they inspired you all to create a movement not only in Texas, but around the world. That’s not just a gift for those who are here. It’s a gift for those who aren’t even born yet. So on behalf of the Austin NAACP, thank you, Mr. Hubbard, for being a strong voice in the land. With this Grand Opening today, we can now say: Yes, Mr. Hubbard, we are turning your dream into reality. And that is most certainly cause to celebrate.”
OK, that’s gross.
But Scientology once again did its best to pretend this was the best thing ever, and posted some photos of a celebration that managed to attract only a very small crowd.
Dave’s off to Mexico City next for an opening on Friday!
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Thank you for reading today’s story here at Substack. For the full picture of what’s happening today in the world of Scientology, please join the conversation at tonyortega.org, where we’ve been reporting daily on David Miscavige’s cabal since 2012. There you’ll find additional stories, and our popular regular daily features:
Source Code: Actual things founder L. Ron Hubbard said on this date in history
Avast, Ye Mateys: Snapshots from Scientology’s years at sea
Overheard in the Freezone: Indie Hubbardism, one thought at a time
Past is Prologue: From this week in history at alt.religion.scientology
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I am not amazed that any shills can be found to extol the virtues of Clamatology. The most common trait among us humans is the ability to ignore reality and embrace any 'magic' that comes to mind. Those who praised the Clampire are just practicing their oration skills and happily swallowed any 'honorarium' that was given. Their excuse for shilling is always the same. 'I didn't know...' about the disconnection, coerced abortions and asset stripping. Google is your friend, except when it interferes with your 'honorarium' or your ability to look like a mover and shaker.
I do not know miscavige or slaved under him.
With the incredible knowledge of those who do know him and slaved under him,I have learned so much.
His words at the latest Ideal Org Money Scam sounded like he grabbed them off the back of a very old jar of honey.
Dripping with references to the human spirit and Texas Tough Talk etc, and his rotten scam of Idealism Orgs around the planet.
Old ghost ron is who I slaved under and he definitely could ramble in his own style.
miscavige misses the mark totally.
He does fling billions around with much glitz and cheap glamor however.
What a Crock!
XO Tony and all you Wonderful commentators here!