Bad Barb is Back! Educates politicians in Nevada about Scientology

Forward: For a systematic, detailed, professional exposure of Scientology's "Narconon" front group, visit the Narconon Exposed web site.

13 Feb 2003

And pissed off about the Narco-weenies in Nevada. So much so, I sent each and every Assembly representative the following email. With the exception of gullible twit Sharron Angle, of course.

It's worth noting that I've already received three responses thanking me for the info provided below. One delightful Assemblyperson had this to say, "great info - thanks.

Don't worry; we won't be funding this program."

I recently read about a privately funded trip meant to promote Second Chance, a Narconon program. Assemblywoman Sharron Angle is seeking state funding to install Narconon in prisons. Narconon is a front group for the Church of Scientology. It falls under the World Institute of Scientology Enterprises (WISE) umbrella, along with Criminon, the Citizens Commission of Human Rights (CCHR) and other front groups.

Despite claims to the contrary, Narconon consists of programs identical to the ones purchased by Scientologists. Narconon representatives often try to avoid admitting this, preferring to imply that its program is simply authored by L. Ron Hubbard, the founder of Scientology.

The Scientology organization has a fifty year history of criminal behavior. In the 70s, the FBI uncovered what turned out to be the largest case of domestic espionage ever perpetrated in the United States. L. Ron Hubbard was unindicted because he went into hiding. His wife, Mary Sue Hubbard, went to prison for two years, along with several other high level Scientologists. This is easily researched online by typing in Operation Snow White.

Narconon, too, has a history. If you look beyond their self serving, glossy propaganda, you will see that, at best, their detox and recovery program is useless, at worst, it can cause permanent liver damage.

Former Surgeon General C. Everett Koop, when asked to comment on Narconon's "purification" methods, had this to say,

"My recommendation about detoxification is to keep away from it. You don't need it. I'm not sure it does what this book describes. It's dangerous. I don't think L.Ron Hubbard has credibility in the scientific world. The author's suggestions about detoxification can be detrimental to your health." - C. Everett Koop, M.D.

Before you make a determination on funding Narconon, you should first do a little research outside of Scientology's slick promotional material to get a better perspective.

Recently, a website addressing Narconon was launched by historian Chris Owen, who also authored the excellent expose of L. Ron Hubbard's military career. It is well-documented and researched, and should provide you with a clearer picture of Narconon. The Scientology organization is scrambling to obtain Faith Based Funding, and Narconon is one of the paths they're using.

The Narconon Exposed URL is

http://www.narconon-exposed.org

Last November, I spoke at a Board of Supervisor's meeting here in San Diego. I was opposed to their approval of a Narconon facility in Warner Springs. The Scientologists bussed people in to speak in favor of the facility, some as far away as Arizona! Their support consisted of unsubstantiated testimonials as to the program's success. Curiously, the week before the meeting, I was paid a visit by two detectives from the Criminal Intelligence Unit, which handles domestic terrorism. They inquired if I was planning to blow up a church of Scientology. They were following up on an anonymous complaint, doubtless from the local Scientology facility. The timing of their visit was suspect, as the Board meeting was scheduled for the following week. I have no doubt that this tactic was meant to "shudder me into silence," as Hubbard put it.

If you can't find the time to look into the Narconon site, please have someone research it for you. It's vital that you become informed about this group before any decisions are made regarding it.

The Arizona State Senate considered the Second Chance program during the first session of the 45th legislature. Here is a paragraph from that meeting.

"George Weisz, Executive Assistant to Governor Hull, testified that the amendment is designed to target the Second Chance Program, even though the State has an open bid process. He stated that he met with the Director of the program and reviewed a study that demonstrated impressive statistics of low recidivism.

He stated that he was concerned with the evaluation processes on which these results were based. The inmates that attended the program did not re-enter the prison in Ensenda, but they were not tracked after leaving the program. Consequently, the low recidivism rate could be a false reading on how effective the program is." Approval was subsequently denied.

It's also worth noting that the donor, Russell Suggs, cannot be found anywhere online. There is, however, a Randy Suggs from Arizona, who claims to have visited the Ensenada prison and was impressed by the Second Chance program. Until very recently, Randy Suggs had a page on the Scientologists Online section of the Scientology website. Is a Scientologist paying for Assembly members to visit the Ensenada prison to promote a Scientology front group? I think it's quite likely.

Sincerely,

Barbara Graham