The video of Church of Scientology executives harassing former Church official Marty “Mark” Rathbun went viral:
It was completely reprehensible, outrageous, and irresponsible for the three Scientology officials to have entered a US airport for the purposes of harassing one individual.
One would think the Church of Scientology would have the common sense and decency to not risk disrupting airport operations in order to act as agents provocateur for David Miscavige.
A single event can shut down an entire airport, delay flights, and cause psychological distress for passengers. Why the Church chose to engage in such preposterous behavior at a high-security US airport raises serious concerns that should be investigated by law enforcement.
The three Scientology officials may have broken several laws by harassing Mr. Rathbun inside a US airport:
1. The Scientology executives are members of a tax-exempt 501(c)3 group, and, they acted in concert in what certainly appears to be a staged operation deliberately designed to create or provoke an adverse incident at a major high-security US airport.
2. The US Supreme Court long ago ruled that, “An airport terminal operated by a public authority is a non-public forum.” In other words, the Church of Scientology agents were not in a public forum. This may prove to be an important distinction.
3. US airports are multi-jurisdictional non-public forums. Due to the multi-jurisdictional nature of LAX, the Scientology officials have left themselves open to investigation by many different agencies. Moreover, numerous interior and exterior LAX surveillance cameras filmed the Scientology agents.
LAX serves about 220,000 passengers a day. Why did the Church of Scientology choose to risk disrupting passengers and various law enforcement agencies at LAX? Law enforcement is at LAX to protect the public; an airport is no place for the Church of Scientology to carry on a vendetta.
Were tax-exempt dollars spent? If so, were laws broken during this potentially illegal expenditure of tax-exempt monies? Who inside of Scientology ordered this action? These may prove to be questions that law enforcement will investigate.
This event was another incredibly ill-advised misadventure on the part of the Church of Scientology and David Miscavige.
This writer salutes Marty Rathbun for his calm demeanor and composure in dealing with angry cult members at LAX.
EDIT: Our sources tell us the following:
1. Jenny Linson, Dave Bloomberg, and Marc Yager have replaced the post of WDC OSA Legal previously held by Mike Rinder. They operate from the building that was previously CMO Gold.
2. The LAX incident was “striking an effective blow” in order for the SP Hole Legal “Troika” to get out of a lower condition. If so, this is proof of the insanity in which the upper management of the Church is engulfed.
“Troika” is from the Russian тройка and refers to a triumvirate or a group of three. In the Stalinist Era in Russia, the notorious NKVD troika conducted show trials (kangaroo courts) and imprisoned or executed those deemed enemies of Stalin.
Categories: The Scientology Money Project
Well considered and argued. One hopes that law enforcement will not imply ignore this egregious behavior.
In addition to what you said which is very learned. I will say, the judge in the case in Texas will view them as instigators. And who do these instigators work closely with? You have to come into court with clean hands. That woman looks to be on the edge of a nervous breakdown.
After posting I had a brain storm. This video is proof that it is not just some film crew, It is high ranking staff of the church. This thing is evidence holy crap. What a goof on their part.
Gail yes all three are long term hole execs. Welcome to the world if David Miscavige’s ser fac mind. He is above the law, he is the Pope. So stupid.
Nobody cares? You have to be kidding. Marty has done more to expose Scientology’s crimes and in particular the illegal activities of David Miscavige. A lot of people care. A lot of people are interested in what Marty has posted on his blog, stated in the interviews he has done, and written in his book. You people up at int and David Miscavige need to wake up and see how things are for real.
The cult acted in a highly irresponsible manner and should be held accountable for it’s actions. One would not expect this kind of behavior from a “church” that presumes to bring people to a higher spiritual awareness and promises “spiritual freedom”.
+1
So much for virtues like coexistence or tolerance, this groups beliefs are incompatible with humanity and civilization.
As you’ve said, they are being the things they say they are against, this behavior is criminal, warlike and insane.
I believe they were using some tech to accomplish a goal. This proves that tech didn’t work.
Good post. Americans may not realize that every airport security booth is considered a “border,” and there are no Constitutional rights at or after that point. In fact, some law enforcement officials will state that the border of the U.S. ends at the door to the airport, and they may be right. So you are absolute correct that the harrassment of M. Rathbun at LAX by the three church “leaders” is not protected by the First Amendment.
Scientology sucks