15 Comments

"The judge said if he told his grown daughter to go to her room and stay there she would say no. It was pointed out that the judge likely would not lock her in under guard and force her to pee in a wastebasket." OH MY GOODNESS

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One hopes that the judge's household is not a high control environment. The criminal organisation known as the "church" of $cientology, however, is a different matter. If the judge is getting at a need to demonstrate the excessive control / coercion, I'm sure he's come to the right plaintiffs :-).

To be honest, just getting the argument heard and the lawyers for the Co$ having to say that the circumstances of the signing cannot make a difference feels like progress.

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Mark Bunker growling "Underground Bunker"...

Yes please, one day? It would be epic:)

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Thanks so much Mark. I'm pleased everyone was there to give their support.

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Getting it from all sides!!! What a wonderful time for watchers. Thanks WBM! How much space is there for supporters anyway? Thinking about a quick drive up,...seems totally worth it.

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How many lawyers does scientology need? Hope this goes to trial as this is standing practice for them not just on the ship.

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So appreciate this, Mark, thanks much, I have been wondering how it was going.

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They got 8 lawyers and this is federal court. At least a $1000

Per hour each. Plus retainer.

That's some deep,deep pockets.

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Thanks Wise Beard Man. Glad you think there's a chance Scientology won't win this one

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I checked, and apparently holding passports is common in the cruise industry. It seems to depend on what countries the ship is visiting. On the other hand, they give them back to the passengers when they leave (usually with a bunch of new stamps in them).

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They offer to hold your passport, unlike $cientology which confiscates it.

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I'd bet that a cruise line that demanded a signature on an agreement to submit to arbitration before returning the passport would have its ass handed to it by any reputable court.

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My brother has cruised quite a bit and it was only Vietnam where the cruise ship held onto his passport.

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Then the lawyer said, "Holding of passports is a standard practice in the cruise industry..."

A church is in the cruise industry?

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Nov 17, 2022·edited Nov 17, 2022

It is one thousand percent not standard practice for a cruise line to keep your passport. Good lord.

(I suppose there may be some destination/port countries where this is a rule, but they're not in the western hemisphere where the Freewinds goes.)

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