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Nay

(12,051 posts)

35. This was back in the 70's, IIRC. I was just out of high school.

Wed Apr 1, 2015, 10:10 PM

Apr 2015

I looked it up for you -- here's a reference from an article I just found:

Bunker explains:: 'They came into town and paid cash for two buildings - the old Clearwater Bank Building and Fort Harrison Hotel. At first people were excited that some religious order was coming in and sprucing up the area and hotel. Then there was something suspicious about it, as suddenly there were armed men with machine guns on top of the Fort Harrison Hotel. People were asking: 'What sort of Church is this?' When the FBI raided their offices, they found plans to take over the city.

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-3015144/Inside-town-Scientology-built-Clearwater-Florida-Tom-Cruise-John-Travolta-Kirstie-Alley-rule-palatial-estates-Sea-Org-members-live-six-room-pay-100-000-learn-super-human-powers.html#ixzz3W76r0j6o
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It was scary and creepy at the time, as you can imagine. Seems like our first impression that they were a horrible bunch turned out to be correct. The St Pete Times back then was a Pulitzer-award-winning newspaper with a hard-hitting investigation team. They did many eye-opening stories about the Scientologists.

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Inside the town Scientology built. Clearwater, Florida. [View all] madfloridian Apr 2015 OP

Amazing, didn't know they were in Clearwater until the recent HBO piece. Nice place Kirstie has- appalachiablue Apr 2015 #1

and it's all tax free because it's a religion. . . B Calm Apr 2015 #2

That just kills me..tax exempt. madfloridian Apr 2015 #4

And the only reason why Hubbard claimed religious tax exempt status, is - according to the HBO BlueCaliDem Apr 2015 #51

It's all a tax free sham ran by crooks, but most religions are B Calm Apr 2015 #57

No doubt about it. They shouldn't be tax exempt anymore considering their influence in politics BlueCaliDem Apr 2015 #58

Talk about frivolous lawsuits! It's a shame the IRS didn't fight them. B Calm Apr 2015 #59

Agreed. But 2500 law suits filed at the same time was just too much, and the IRS BlueCaliDem Apr 2015 #60

K&R Starry Messenger Apr 2015 #3

I lived in St. Pete Aerows Apr 2015 #5

Second person I have come across in the last two days who lives in St. Pete. NCTraveler Apr 2015 #7

I don't live there anymore Aerows Apr 2015 #12

The restaurants!!!!!!! NCTraveler Apr 2015 #15

Fantastic Greek food Aerows Apr 2015 #16

I go up to Tarpon Springs often. NCTraveler Apr 2015 #17

Lived in St.Pete for many years. Moved last year to Sarasota. (miles east of I75 where the... BlueJazz Apr 2015 #61

Love Tarpon Springs and the Greek food and docks. madfloridian Apr 2015 #25

I don't know Aerows Apr 2015 #31

I live near Haslams Bookstore in St Pete demwing Apr 2015 #33

Damn! That's my all-time favorite bookstore! I'll get to visit it again next year when I Nay Apr 2015 #36

High neighbor. NCTraveler Apr 2015 #43

Yep, Historic Kenwood demwing Apr 2015 #47

I have been to that book store twice. NCTraveler Apr 2015 #49

That is where I live. Absolutley love it. NCTraveler Apr 2015 #6

The Daily Mail's headline was misleading. madfloridian Apr 2015 #8

Don't you love how the article said Ocala was just outside Clearwater? madfloridian Apr 2015 #9

Very strange. NCTraveler Apr 2015 #10

There's been a huge response to Going Clear on HBO. People are shocked. madfloridian Apr 2015 #11

I agree. To us in the area it isn't really a big shock. NCTraveler Apr 2015 #13

They are also trying to soften the image DonCoquixote Apr 2015 #29

I grew up in Largo and was there when they bought that Ft Harrison hotel. There was a huge Nay Apr 2015 #26

I work 3 block away...never saw a weapon ever demwing Apr 2015 #34

This was back in the 70's, IIRC. I was just out of high school. Nay Apr 2015 #35

Appears they do like weapons & bombs. Prepared to fight "the authorities." DirkGently Apr 2015 #45

Been around downtown Clearwater since the mid eighties... NCTraveler Apr 2015 #42

It does sound like they've toned it down as far as brandishing firearms. That was Nay Apr 2015 #46

I will be fair DonCoquixote Apr 2015 #30

What downtown needs is an anchor store demwing Apr 2015 #50

I need to get to the Capitol Theater. NCTraveler Apr 2015 #52

And when you get too old to work for them, they kick you out! And then you learn pnwmom Apr 2015 #14

Had not thought of that aspect...not eligible for Social Security. madfloridian Apr 2015 #23

And I bet they don't realize they could get kicked out for being too old. n/t pnwmom Apr 2015 #24

It is obvious that they sucker the rich are they also dangerous to the rest of us? jwirr Apr 2015 #18

Well, yes. We taxpayers pay for Tom Cruise's lifestyle in that group cause they are tax exempt. madfloridian Apr 2015 #19

Okay. I got that - what I am wondering is if they even try to convert the poor? jwirr Apr 2015 #20

I doubt it very much hifiguy Apr 2015 #22

I would have been surprised at any other answer. We are lucky for a change. jwirr Apr 2015 #32

The poor get the worst end of the stick. NCTraveler Apr 2015 #40

They want some money up front- but if you're willing to work for them they will take over your bettyellen Apr 2015 #37

The cousin of a friend of mine joined them after being released from prison.. Princess Turandot Apr 2015 #38

Their conversion of the poor is one of the worst aspects of Scientology. NCTraveler Apr 2015 #39

I said that I would not be surprised that they did not want to poor but after your statement here jwirr Apr 2015 #44

So have they bullied ICE, too? KamaAina Apr 2015 #53

While I am sure they could. NCTraveler Apr 2015 #55

"The Super Powers Building, Gracie??? hifiguy Apr 2015 #21

Scientology is organized crime olddots Apr 2015 #27

Yep, and our taxation system is pleased to support them because, oh, they are so RKP5637 Apr 2015 #54

to be fair DonCoquixote Apr 2015 #28

Bridge is done as it its connection through downtown. NCTraveler Apr 2015 #41

It'll be a fucking shame when climate change reclaims that land for the sea.. truebrit71 Apr 2015 #48

The only way to the beach is through downtown Clearwater liberal N proud Apr 2015 #56