Scientology, The Clearwater Bar Association and Judge Greer

Judge George W. Greer presides over Florida's Sixth Judicial Circuit Court. He is known internationally for the Terri Schindler Schiavo guardianship case. Pat Anderson, former attorney for the Schindlers, characterized Judge Greer's unprecedented rulings as "The Rule of Terri's Case."

The Clearwater Bar Association is delighted with Judge Greer's performance in this particular case. They presented the John U. Bird award to the Pinellas-Pasco Circuit judge on May 15, 2004. This prestigious award, which is the Clearwater bar's highest honor for a judge, was granted to Judge Greer for the way he has handled himself while overseeing the Terri Schiavo case!

Robert Dickinson III, the outgoing president of the Clearwater Bar Association, cited Judge Greer's handling of the Terri Schiavo case in terms of "passing the test":

"Rarely is a person's mettle and faith tested in such a strenuous and public way as this gentleman's has been over the last few years," Robert Dickinson III said. "Rarely do mortals pass the test with such flying colors."

I find these words rather ominous when I reflect on "the test" Judge Greer has been passing—all these years. Judge Greer's consistent practice of upholding Scientology doctrines over and above Florida law is being lauded by the Clearwater Bar Association! The "test" Robert Dickenson III is alluding to is the "test case." The euthanasia test case.

Greer is "passing the test" with flying colors because he is permitting Michael Schiavo to abuse, exploit and neglect his disabled wife in defiance of the Florida statues. And the Clearwater Bar Association cheers.

Scientology attorney Wally Pope—who represented his "church" in the Lisa McPherson case—was the individual selected to bestow this high honor on Judge Greer! Wally cited high ideals, personal character, and judicial competence:

"Yet, in the teeth of all that, he has steadfastly demonstrated exactly what the John U. Bird award was created to honor: high ideals, personal character, judicial competence and service," lawyer Wally Pope said before bestowing the honor.

The "judicial competence" that Judge Greer has exhibited in his handling of the Terri Schiavo case is clearly the kind that ignores evidence and even Florida statutes in order to uphold Scientology doctrine—which requires the deletion of "social contagions" (the disabled) from society. It is no coincidence that a Scientology attorney—who was a lead attorney in the Lisa McPherson case—personally bestowed this award to Judge Greer. Greer's decisions to consistently rule in favor of terminating a disabled person do reflect high ideals—in the sight of Scientology.

One of Scientology's major goals is to change society's views about death, dying, and those L. Ron Hubbard considered to be "past the half-way point": the disabled.

Scientologists believe (1) that a disabled person is in such a state due to his or her own failings, (2) the disabled person will deliberately move in the direction of death, and (3) disabled people (Individuals who score low on the emotional tone scale) will also bring death to those around them. (See L. Ron Hubbard's book, Self Analysis, chapter 4)

Scientology teaches that if a person is disabled it is his or her fault. Terri has been falsely represented as being disabled due to self-induced vomiting which supposedly caused a potassium imbalance that resulted in a cardiac arrest. Medical records have disproved these claims, but these "facts" were presented in the court record and are still being promulgated via the media today. The truth is that Terri suffered serious injuries, (including a head and neck injury and numerous broken bones). An exceptionally competent neurologist testified (that Michael Schiavo's attorneys predictably attempted to discredit) stated that Terri's injuries are consistent with strangulation:

Dr. William Hammesfahr, Nobel prize nominee and neurologist, testified that Terri's neck injuries are consistent with only one type of injury: that of strangulation.

(Quote source: State-Funded Agency to Probe Claim of Spousal Abuse in Terri Schiavo Case)

The only person in the apartment with Terri at the time of her collapse was her husband, Michael Schiavo.

Scientology teaches that a disabled person will move in the direction of death. Terri has been illegally denied therapy for over ten years for the purpose of causing her abilities and health to deteriorate. She has also been placed in hospice facilities—and denied any stimulation— rather than in a nursing home. This was done to create the illusion that Terri is moving in the direction of death. According to L. Ron Hubbard's doctrines, a disabled person wants to die. Michael Schiavo never misses an opportunity to state that death is "Terri's wish." This is not true. Terri wants to live so much that she exerts tremendous effort to demonstrate her abilities.

Scientology teaches that disabled persons (Individuals who score low on the tone scale) will also bring death to those around them. Michael is so worried that Terri will bring "death" to him (accusations of attempted murder?) that he refuses to allow her to have speech therapy—or any therapy. Of course Michael's power to keep Terri in a state of disability is contingent upon Judge Greer's continued collusion with the Scientology agenda, which is not in accordance with Florida laws.

Mike Faehner, who was president-elect of the Clearwater Bar Association in 2001, endorsed the Johnson Blakely Pope Bokor Ruppel & Burns PA. firm:

"In the legal community, they have a good reputation," said Mike Faehner, president-elect of the Clearwater Bar Association. "They do quite a bit of legal educational outreach. They're a solid law firm."

This firm brings in a lot of money by litigating for the "Church" of Scientology:

Their clients include parents involved in a baby swap, a woman who was not allowed to dress after she was arrested for skinny-dipping, the controversial Church of Scientology and developers who have changed the landscape of Clearwater.

(Quote source: Clearwater firm breaks from standing tradition) [bold emphasis added]

It is probable that Scientology attorneys are on the board and/or are officers of the Clearwater Bar Association! Mike Faehner said:

Many Johnson Blakely lawyers have been board members or officers in the association. The firm also sponsors bar activities, he said.

It is becoming increasingly clear that the Clearwater Bar Association is on cozy terms with the "Church" of Scientology. They choose to have their monthly meetings at the Fort Harrison Hotel—Scientology headquarters. (See: Res Ipsa Loquitur) The Clearwater bar gladly endorses firms that litigate for Scientology. They even chose a Scientology attorney to present an award to Judge Greer for "passing the test" in the way he handled the Terri Schiavo case.

Wally Pope represented the "Church" of Scientology in the wrongful death suit filed by the Estate of Lisa McPherson. He fought to enable Scientology to completely get away with dehydrating Lisa McPherson to death. They did not succeed. They settled with the Lisa McPherson Trust!

Judge Greer's rulings have enabled Michael Schiavo (working on behalf of the Scientology agenda) to almost get away with dehydrating Terri Schiavo to death. The only reason this did not happen is because many Americans—once they saw the videos of Terri that Mr. Schindler bravely released to the media—made it known they would not stand for such evil in our society.

It is time to take a stand against this barbarism once again. Disabled citizens of the United States of America (including Terri Schindler Schiavo of Clearwater, Florida) must not be denied therapy and even life itself due to L. Ron Hubbard's disgust over the fact that a decent society takes care of its own:

Society, the bulk of which is bent upon survival, fails or refuses to recognize death or the urge of organisms toward it. Society passes laws against murder and suicide. Society provides hospitals. Society carries such people [the disabled] on its back. And society will not hear of euthanasia or "mercy killing." (Self Analysis by L. Ron Hubbard; pg. 28)

May the Lord Jesus Christ be glorified as his people "hear his voice" concerning this matter and follow him.

link to: Judge In Schiavo Case Failed To Legally Qualify For Office; Discharge Mandated

Petition to impeach Judge Greer --Judge Greer has violated Florida statutes and the Judicial Code of Ethics in order to go along with Scientology ethics.

In Keeping With Scientology Doctrine, Michael Schiavo Removed Terri From Society

Scientology slowly gaining acceptance in city of `spiritual base'

BY PAUL NUSSBAUM

Knight Ridder Newspapers

http://www.kansascity.com/mld/kansascity/news/nation/11126381.htm

CLEARWATER, Fla. - (KRT) - After decades of lawsuits, secrecy and confrontation, Clearwater, Fla., is seeing the softer side of Scientology.

To many, this Gulf Coast city of 110,000 is the site of Philadelphia Phillies spring training, home of perennial baseball optimism.

But Clearwater has another claim to fame: It is the religious headquarters of the Church of Scientology, a magnet for believers much as Salt Lake City is for Mormons or Mecca is for Muslims.

Scientology, which made the city its "spiritual base" 30 years ago and now dominates downtown, is seeking broader acceptance as it continues to expand.

While some neighbors still dismiss it as an unwanted cult, it is joining civic groups and opening its current headquarters - the restored landmark Fort Harrison Hotel - for tours, weddings and banquets.

The new openness comes as the church is completing a huge new headquarters two blocks from City Hall. The Flag Building, occupying a full city block, is the centerpiece of its $160 million construction push here.

Clearwater and Scientology have a long and sometimes contentious history. But while the organization's hundreds of uniformed staffers and blue-and-white buses are still much in evidence in the sleepy downtown, there is less friction now than in the past.

"They have been very active in trying to improve their image," Mayor Frank Hibbard said. "They've made an effort to be more visible in the community. ... They're active in everything from Boys and Girls Club to the aquarium to the downtown development board."

"I do not believe what they believe, and I've told them that," Hibbard said. "But I represent all the people of Clearwater, and we're open to having a dialogue with everybody."

That's a significant shift.

When Scientology arrived in 1975, it did so under an assumed name, and for years local police maintained "criminal intelligence" files on it.

In 1979, 11 church officials were convicted of conspiring to steal federal government documents. The same year, 3,000 people gathered at City Hall to protest the church's presence in town.

In 1980, the St. Petersburg (Fla.) Times, a frequent critic, won a Pulitzer Prize for its investigative reporting on Scientology.

In 1982, city government held hearings on allegations that the church was a cult. The Internal Revenue Service and Pinellas County, of which Clearwater is the seat, regularly demanded taxes on its operations, while Scientology insisted it deserved a religious exemption - which it finally won in 1993.

In 1995, the death of church member Lisa McPherson, 36, in Clearwater focused renewed attention on the group.

McPherson died after 17 days in the care of Scientologists. Paramedics had taken her to a hospital after a minor traffic accident, but she left with Scientology officials, who wanted her to avoid psychiatric treatment, which violates church teachings. Doctors had said the woman was battling a mental breakdown.

Criminal charges were filed against church officials by the state but were dropped in 2000; a wrongful-death suit brought by McPherson's family against the church was settled for an undisclosed amount.

That was then. This is now:

Last month, for the fourth consecutive year, local politicians and businesspeople joined Scientologists for a gala dinner at the Fort Harrison to celebrate the hotel's anniversary.

The church is a governor of the Tampa Bay Partnership, a regional economic development organization. Scientologists sit on boards of such organizations as the regional chamber of commerce, the Clearwater economic development committee, and the arts foundation.

They sponsor Boy and Girl Scout troops and are fund-raisers and contributors to local, state and federal politicians, especially Republicans.

"They want to be players," said Mary Repper, a retired political consultant and lobbyist hired by the church in 2002 to help improve its image.

"It has been a long, grueling road for them," she said. "But I think the stigma is gone."

Not everyone agrees that the stigma is gone.

"Most people in Clearwater look at it in a cult-like fashion," said the Rev. William Rice, pastor of Calvary Baptist Church. "Certainly those of us who are evangelical Christians view it as a big, worldwide cult. ... They have a very soft, clever, subtle approach.

"But the amount of money and the clout they have is a bit overwhelming. At some point, you wonder what the end-game is."

The church's own research in 2003 showed significant hostility remained.

To bolster a change-of-venue request in the McPherson trial, the church hired surveyors to interview shoppers at a local mall about Scientology. They found 82.4 percent held unfavorable views; only 11.8 percent had anything good to say.

Scientology, founded in 1954 by science-fiction writer L. Ron Hubbard, describes itself as the world's fastest-growing religion and says it has 8 million members worldwide. Its critics say the number is much smaller.

Its adherents don't worship a deity or pray. They believe that people are immortal spirits and that a progression of self-improvement techniques and counseling sessions, known as "auditing," can help them live more productive, satisfying lives. The goal is to become "clear" - free of mental blocks caused by painful subconscious memories.

Members pay escalating fees, or "fixed donations," for auditing sessions, ranging from $200 for a week of beginner training to thousands of dollars for the most advanced auditing.

Church officials estimate that 10,000 Scientologists live in the Tampa Bay, Fla., area, including 6,000 in Clearwater, and that 15,000 others visit annually for spiritual training or auditing.

Why Clearwater? It is close to the Caribbean, where the ships of the marine-based organization were before the move, Shaw said; it has a gentle climate, is near a major airport, and is "out of the hectic day-to-day grind" of a big city. (Scientology's top officials remain in Los Angeles, the church's administrative headquarters.)

In Clearwater, the church is the biggest property owner downtown with 21 buildings. Most house visiting members and the 1,400 staffers who work here.

The church paid $600,000 in taxes last year, making it the biggest downtown taxpayer, even though two-thirds of its property is tax-exempt.

The Fort Harrison Hotel was the first building the Scientologists bought in 1975.

Closed and deteriorating then, it has been restored to its former grandeur, made over in muted blues, reds and golds, with an auditorium, restaurants, auditing rooms, library-like areas filled with drilling students and an exhibit room extolling Hubbard's life and church charitable works.

Across the street is the new Flag Building, set to open in December 2006. It will feature a public ground-floor museum, 300 auditing rooms and a dining hall for 1,140. A $40 million, 3,600-seat auditorium is planned for an adjacent lot.

"We made it clear we wanted peace," said Shaw, reflecting on the church's new neighborliness. "Nobody wanted to fight anymore. We are known for our propensity to defend ourselves, but our objective is to live in peace and harmony."

Mayor Hibbard said the shift from rejection to acceptance was by no means complete. On a scale of zero to 10, with 10 being full acceptance, he said community sentiment was 0 to 1 when Scientologists arrived.

"Now, I'd say it's 4 to 5."

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© 2005, The Philadelphia Inquirer.

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