Here are a few excerpts from today's article about the SP Building dedication from the Tampa Bay Times....
Link here to entire article: http://www.tampabay.com/news/scient...-at-scientologys-super-power-building/2152907
CLEARWATER — Actors Tom Cruise, John Travolta and Kelly Preston joined hundreds of other Scientologists today as a massive building church members call their "cathedral" was dedicated in downtown Clearwater.
The ceremony started with a giant burst of confetti that resembled golden tickets, followed by remarks by Scientology leader David Miscavige.
After the unexpectedly brief ceremony — about eight minutes long — Miscavige led a large group through the front doors of the building, which most Scientologists have never entered.
Though the dedication ceremony was outdoors at the entrance to what the church is now calling its "Flag Building," privacy fences and potted trees were erected and streets and sidewalks were closed to restrict the public's view and access. Anyone attempting to get closer was stopped by church security officers.
A Tampa Bay Times reporter approached church spokesman Peter Mansell and asked if the Times could tour the building to describe it to the public. "Not interested," he said tersely.
Construction of the building began 15 years ago. The church says the Flag Building, which covers an entire city block near the Pinellas County Courthouse, is its most important project since Scientology was founded 59 years ago. Church officials have not said whether the building will be open to the public at some point.
Little is known about what is inside the building, but information gleaned from various sources showed plans called for a basement dining facility, offices, course rooms and hundreds of small rooms for Scientology's core counseling practice called "auditing."
The fifth floor, according to those sources, was to be devoted to the Super Power program and house machines to, among other things, spin participants in a gyroscope-like wheel and allow them to experience zero gravity.
The sixth floor would contain a circular track where Scientologists could run until they achieved what Hubbard called a "cognition," or moment of enlightenment.
Clearwater police reported no arrests and no incidents during the event.
The reporters didn't cite their source(s) about Cruise/Travolta/Preston attending today -- but they're very good reporters and I believe they sought/obtained such confirmation before writing their article.
Does the omission of
every other scio-celebrity's name mean that no such confirmation could be obtained?
Has anyone reported seeing Juliette Lewis, for example?
Very happy to learn that no arrests were made this weekend.
Congratulations to all - on the ground
and in the air - for avoiding traps and dirty deeds.
Also, does anyone doubt that Co$/scientology will rent all helicopters in the St. Pete/Clearwater area for the upcoming IAS event?
I sure hope folks in Florida educate the local helicopter rental places to
increase their rates.
JB - still snickering about the "Extras Parking" sign.
