Debbie Cook and Wayne Baumgarten have settled their litigation with Scientology Inc in a manner satisfactory to themselves.
For context I think it is important that people read my 12 February post Battle of San Antonio: A Review, and pay particular attention to its conclusion:
Greg Hughes, Debbie Hughes, Angie Blankenship and others similarly situated cannot take solace in the lack of official precedent invalidating their agreements. I know they would love to do so as some kind of synthetic balm for their aching consciences. Fact of the matter is, despite the lack of written judicial decision, the precedent has been set and it is clear as a bell to any literate individual aware of the Battle of San Antonio. David Miscavige has not nor can he use the courts to enforce his unlawful, unconscionable cover-up contracts. We have proven that when push comes to shove those “agreements” are as worthless as the paper they were written on. Further, we have established that when Miscavige attempts to isolate and tie anyone to the whipping post, there is a formidable movement out here that will protect them and lead them safely to the promised land; whether they agree with and support our aims or not.
All who contributed please take a huge win. You got us to exactly where I predicted you could take us with your contributions. The product was better than any of us could have expected.
Miscavige read and heeded it. He bought the finest Texas legal muscle money could buy – and brought in attorneys from Los Angeles, New York and Washington D.C. to join them. All to get him out of the mess he had gotten himself into. But, like I wrote on 12 February, the damage had been done and there would be no unringing of the bell.
There was not much purpose for the case to go forward. Even if Scientology Inc prevailed at trial all they could win would be a money award, with little to no chance of ever collecting anything.
On Debbie and Wayne’s side the only thing to gain was further opportunities for exposure of what has already been exposed; and the potential of an award for their limited counterclaims. The 9 Feb testimony of Debbie was for the most part all that the world at large would be interested in hearing from her.
That testimony became public record on 9 February and that toothpaste can’t be put back into the tube: Temporary Injunction Hearing 9 February 2012
The cost of creating those few potential future opportunities to air what had already been aired would have been enormous – because Scientology Inc’s patented “punitive defense” technology was already gearing up huge law firms in four states.
‘Punitive defense’ technology includes making the litigation the front and center activity of the defendants’ lives for the rest of their lives, literally. In this case it would have also taken virtually all Independent network energy available for the next several years to sustain the defendants. And that would have required using existing communication channels, including this one, for intensive fund raising; something that would violate the very purpose of at least this communication channel. At best, it would have been a terrible waste of potential energy.
Debbie was not joking about the physical toll her experience took on her. When she left Scientology Inc in 2008 her first goal was to recoup her physical health so as to live a decent, healthy life. It didn’t work out that way, primarily for the simple reason that the entire video-taped ‘settlement’ proceeding orchestrated and directed by Miscavige was a sham production. A Communist show trial to cover Miscavige’s ass and keep Debbie under his thumb even after her physical release.
A woman from Australia whom I refer to as Grace once posted on this blog the following quote by Nelson Mandela:
“Only free men can negotiate, prisoners can’t enter in contracts”
What you all accomplished by your support – quite in addition to those products detailed in the 12 Feb post The Battle of San Antonio – was to put Debbie into a position where she actually could negotiate with the monster to obtain the means to accomplish what she originally wanted to during her 2008 escape. She was able to negotiate as a human being on equal footing and not as a prisoner.
What Miscavige was forced to do was to roll the clock back to late 2008 at the Hacienda Gardens and deal with Debbie Cook, but this time Debbie Cook was afforded the civil and human rights she was entitled to as a citizen of the world. In the case of her parting of ways with Scientology Inc that meant being represented by competent legal counsel. Thanks to you all, she had Sugar Ray Jeffrey – and like I’ve noted before, I would take one Ray Jeffrey over all the lawyers Scientology Inc money can buy, combined.
When it comes right down to brass tacks, I consider one of our first jobs on the Scientology Inc front as seeing to it that the constitutional, civil and human rights of people abused by the machine are restored and respected.
In this case, that very end product was achieved. It was accomplished by way of the force – and more importantly the ideas – that only the Independent network could muster on short notice.
And it was achieved with an exclamation point. That is, the abuses that were published that never otherwise would have seen the light of day are forever available on the public record. Those truths well disseminated are protecting others from receiving the same treatment Debbie did and will continue to into the future. Those truths will also continue to assist others to see through the matrix which they have plugged themselves into.
Because of the nature of the beast, I am not in a position to know all the details of the confidential settlement. I had to bow out in order for it to materialize. I demanded to be satisfied on one score before taking my leave from the process: a guarantee that nothing would be agreed upon that would detract from or nullify the accomplishment of the 9/10 Feb Battle of San Antonio.
Just before I took my leave I informed the defendants and their counsel that in order for settlement to be effectuated Miscavige absolutely would demand a pound of my own flesh in the form of statements from the defendents that he would consider harmful to me. I told them, and Mike Rinder agreed as it might apply to him, that there would be no hard feelings if they simply told Miscavige everything they know about us – just the facts. We have nothing to hide, and only look upon our relationship with Debbie and Wayne as an experience of giving help with no expectation of return. Knowing the history of Miscavige directed Scientology Inc settlements over three decades, I am confident that some exaggeration and manufacturing of fact may have been required. I’m mentioning it in the event the truth wasn’t good enough and you wind up reading something about us from that sector that is less than admirable; you will know the circumstances from which it originates.
I have certain obligations of discretion given my role on the legal team. However, I am letting David Miscavige know right here and now that should the slightest twist of truth be published and attributed to the defendants, the gloves will come off – and I will fill the world in on the details of what really went down in technicolor.
Also from my knowledge of the beast, I am fairly confident that part of settlement includes that there will be no future participation of Debbie and Wayne in the Independent movement. If you read my posts on this matter during the first three weeks of January, you’ll understand why I don’t consider that surprising nor alarming.
I thank Wayne and Debbie for having the courage to go through what they did. At the end of the day it will continue to help many others.
Each of you who contributed either monetarily or otherwise are highly commended. I have no regrets for giving up three and one half months of my life to this cause, and I don’t think any one of you should either.
The positive changes this chapter will cause on the inside and outside are predictable. Miscavige simply cannot afford a replay – let alone many times over – of the Battle of San Antonio. And that fact will create vast, salutary ripple effects.
Update: Some perspective from Steve “Thoughtful” Hall:
The battle in which we are engaged, is not a battle of an individual vs. the monied cult. Actually, it’s not even the group of Independent Scientologists vs. the cult. It is truth vs. the cult.
In any battle where truth is advanced, that is a battle we have won. Regardless of outcome for the individuals involved. The battle is not about individuals.
We are guerrillas fighting a standing army. Guerrillas win when they avoid capture and live to fight again.
Our sole weapons consist of confront, communication and the truth that emerges as a result of that confront and communication. Time is on our side. The universe (there’s nothing inherently wrong with it) is on our side. The whole 4th dynamic (man is basically good and only 20% are PTS) are on our side. As LRH says, we work in eternity and the lions of eternity are closing ranks together on this very battlefield.
We have ALL the tech and the ability to move up the Bridge freely and inexpensively. That was the hardest battle and it is a battle already won.
We are fighting a broad front of encysted lies. Every blow releases more truth and moves us further. The only measure of advance is truth.
Our armored divisions consist of tanks of truth. As individuals living on eight dynamics, we drive those tanks forward by turns, staying in the cockpit as long as we can. The going is sometimes tough. Save yourself before it gets too hot and live to fight another day. Others are ready to take your place and give you time to catch your breath.
In any battle the acid test is did we advance the front of truth? One either believes in auditing or one doesn’t. This is auditing, no different from a pc confronting his personal bank. Truth blows the lies away.
Our group is Fabian and resilient, battle-tested and street-wise, seasoned and determined. We have been there, done that. We know the rules Miscavige plays by. We know his crimes and where to find more crimes because we know who and what we are dealing with. We know his weaknesses. We have prediction, he does not. All he has is filthy cash, gained dishonestly.
As LRH says, there is no such thing, really, as failure. There is only a failure to persist. And as long as we refuse to give up, our ultimate victory is assured.
A line in the sand has been drawn.
Pity those on the wrong side of history. Long will they live before they live it down.
And a little something for those who walk away with some of their blood, sweat and tears on the field:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xglsG-wWXos
Moving On Up a Little Higher 