Meet Scientology's highest-level defector, Marty Rathbun. As the former Inspector General of Ethics in the organisation, Rathbun worked closely with its leader, David Miscavige, and celebrity follower Tom Cruise. Now he lives in small town America, a man under siege. With incredible access, this doc captures the shocking measures the Church will take to pressurise and discredit defectors. A rare insider view of the highly secretive organisation.
"The squirrel himself, how you doing Mr Squirrel?" A woman in a blue poncho cackles at the top of her voice, her wild eyed-face jammed into the camera lens. She's one of the Squirrel Busters, Squirrel being an insider nickname for ex-Scientologists, who have for months been besieging Marty Rathbun's house. According to Marty, who used to be involved in these kind of activities when part of the Church they are, "Trusted high level Scientology memebers...the dirty tricks arm of the Church of Scientology". They're sent to harass and torment members who leave and then make public their Scientology experiences.
It's an incredible turnaround for Marty who had been David Miscavige's number two in the Church and was a master of these 'dirty tricks': "I didn't think twice about silencing critics or punishing someone. We put them on the RPF, which is a prison camp essentially". The Church may contest Marty's status now, but in 1993 Miscavige describes taking on the head of the IRS, side by side with Marty, as they prevailed in Scientology's greatest victory to date, becoming tax exempt in the US and dodging a billion dollar tax bill. Not only that - but Marty was the man charged with finding a poster boy for Scientology and attracting none other than Tom Cruise. "I helped them on his divorce with Nicole and then I was auditing him and helping him get Penelope audited".But his close relationship with Cruise was also his downfall, "Miscavige had to start undermining me in front of Cruise". Out of favour, Marty found himself at the other end of his own methods. Sent to a Scientology behavioural modification facility, he eventually escaped and went on the run to start up his own independent Scientology movement. Now his blog presents the greatest direct threat to Scientology. As journalist Tony Ortega points out, "When Marty Rathbun writes something, it reaches deep into the membership of Scientology". And this is precisely what drives the Church so crazy.
They've turned Marty's daily life into a bitter battle, but he sees the abuse he gets as a paying back of the wrongdoing he carried out during his time in the Church: "In a way its my karma. I've done it to others - you reap what you sow". Marty's story is a fascinating and dystopian vision of Scientology, offering an unparalleled insight into the inner workings of its upper echelons and the full array of the weapons it resorts to when it feels a need to protect its own interests. Truly fascinating - and more than a little frightening. Orwell would have loved it!
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http://www.journeyman.tv/65699/documentaries/scientologists-at-war-hd.html
'No butt smacking with this!' Suri Cruise's friends decorate her cast with doodles as she emerges with broken arm
By IONA KIRBY
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She may have A-listers for parents, but just like every other child, Suri Cruise gets into her fair share of accidents.
The seven-year-old recently broke her arm and was seen on Wednesday in New York for the first time since the news emerged.
The daughter of Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes had her injured limb in a cast which had been lovingly decorated by her nearest and dearest.
Soldering on: Suri Cruise was seen with a cast in New York on Wednesday after breaking her arm
As a popular little girl, Suri's young friends had added their own notes to the cast.
They are sure to responsible for one of the scribbles which rather inexplicably said: ‘No butt smacking with this!’
Suri appears to be doing well and used her intact arm to hold onto her mother, as well as a blanket and her favourite giraffe cuddly toy.
Despite the injury, Suri still managed to live up to her miniature fashionista status.
A little help from her friends: Suri's pals had doodled on her cast and one wrote 'No butt smacking with this!'
By her side: The seven-year-old was joined by her famous mother Katie Holmes for the outing
Hold on tight: Suri used her ininjured arm to hold onto her mother, favourite cuddly toy and a blanket
The youngster was sporting a ruffled pink top and matching flip flops along with a pretty blue printed skirt.
Get well soon: No doubt the kind messages will have cheered Suri up
Katie meanwhile was also attempting a stylish look, in a white T-shirt tucked into a striped skirt.
The 34-year-old accessorised with sexy multi-strap brown sandals that boasted spindly heels, as well as a wide-brim grey hat and large round sunglasses.
No doubt the sweet messages from her friends and family are helping Suri to stay cheerful.
A spokesperson for Katie confirmed the accident on Friday and said told People: 'Suri did break her arm, but she is okay.'
It is not yet known how or where Suri broke her arm.
The youngster, who is the only child from Tom and Katie’s five year marriage, recently took a trip to Ohio with her mother.
Katie has been filming her new movie Miss Meadows on location in Cleveland, in which she plays a substitute teacher who is not as sweet as she looks.
Still stylish: The daughter of Tom Cruise looked cute in her pink top and shoes and printed blue skirt
All dolled up: Meanwhile Katie was looking glamorous in high heels and a wide-brim hat
Back in the Big Apple: Suri was in Ohio with Katie last week, where she is filming her latest movie Miss Meadows
Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-2411948/No-butt-smacking-Suri-Cruises-friends-decorate-cast-doodles-emerges-broken-arm.html#ixzz2e3hPW5Bw
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