The site has been unavailable for a couple of days now. There are many theories about what happened. They range from server replacement – the absence of warning being a “joke” of the staff – to final termination.

Time will certainly tell which one is the nearest from the truth. Here are some elements that might, or not, be of significance:

·         Enturb staff began to behave strangely in recent weeks (see previous posts) culminating with a thread about closing Enturb. Poppins proposed the thread, but most people wanted to keep it open.

·         Entub has been under DDOS attacks for the past few weeks, making it slow but still usable.

For the time being, enturbulators seem to regroup at various places: http://forums.scientology-exposed.com, http://888chan.org/r8y, http://network.marcab.org. Possibly, people will choose the one that suits their taste best (format, staff, etc.).

“You have been banned for the following reason: Inability to read, comprehend, then post. Date the ban will be lifted: 09-07-2008, 10:00 PM.”

I cannot say that I am happy to be banned, but at least I saw this one coming. Arguing with the owner of Enturbulation, even with the best rationale, is always dangerous. The funny thing is that I was defending the opinion that he was not respecting its own rules.

Here it goes. LE, Enturb owner, decided to open a whole forum about the coming Hurricane[1]. I was not the first one to mention that it was off topic – and that having a whole forum was slightly over the top - but I might be the only one to dare to say that LE was contradicting itself. As I knew that this person is quite sensitive, I also mentioned in my second post that I would not post again after that. But it was not enough to prevent the ban.

The exchange is as follows:

·         In the OP, LE states very clearly that the forum is dedicated to the hurricane. If the content relates to scientology and/or Anonymous too, it is OK, but it has to deal with the hurricane.

·         As an answer to my first post about off topic – and to prove me wrong – LE links to another topic in which the issue of the scientology voluntary ministers’ potential presence on the hurricane area.

·         As an answer to my second post where I mention the contradiction, I am banned.

It was not the first time that LE and I exchanged posts this week. When a thread about the 25’000^th thread was published[2], I posted to thank the staff for its dedication. In the next post, somebody asked about the staff members who were “fired” since the beginning. With precautionary remarks, I posted a list of the people who lost the staff status. LE answered that my list was uncomplete and that many were not fired; in fact, this post mentioned, for each of them, the reason for the loss of status. I answered that my list was not that wrong (one person missing and two changing their username) and that I clearly stated it was not limited to fired people (perhaps LE also has an “inability to read, comprehend, then post”). In the following posts, LE wanted to know why I maintained such a list, why I did not asked if I was interested and finally decided it was creepy…

EDIT: Another user got banned too and a thread about LE’s abuse of power was opened[3]. The OP was banned too… At some stage, LE made it clear that it could do whatever it wanted with the site…

My recent thread about August headcounts was sent to the dome[1], as was another one made by a third party[2] in an attempt to maintain the count “upstairs” (the new name given by the domers to the mainstream part of Enturb). Other threads have been closed or even made inaccessible[3].

·         They are inaccurate. This is true, but if only accurate figures were used IRL, many activities should be stopped immediately. Most of the threads mention that they are estimates.

·         Monthly protests are not the main activity of Enturb anymore. This is quite true, as the raids were multiplied and less visible actions – like legal and online awareness interventions – developed. But I am not sure that many users – at least the non-domers – are aware of this shift.

In June, I did not take part in the data collection, but somebody did[6]. Later this month, I raised my concern about the excuses provided to explain why the numbers were going down. The thread was domed[7]. Just after that, a thread was created in the dome to declare headcounts taboo[8]. The irony is that the author of this thread finally changed its mind and feels now concerned about the declining figures.

As a consequence of the recent drama on Enturb, the notion of victim of the cult was revisited and questioned extensively.

At the beginning, there was some sort of consensus about the fact that members were victims of a manipulative system and should not be targeted personally. Ex-members were very welcome and some of them told their story and received a lot of moral support. The ladies at ExScientologyKids.org were almost heroes and their site often seen as a consequence of the Anonymous movement.

The recent events put a different light on a couple of ex-members and the whole category became suspicious. They could not be trusted anymore and their story not be taken at face value. Furthermore, they became collectively the potential authors of wrongdoing while in the cult. People began to expect them to apologize for what they might have done and to contact the authorities to confess it.

In short, cult victims became very quickly potential cult criminals.Time will tell if this type of generalization was useful or not. It is public knowledge that some of the most visible ex-members were high-ranking members in scientology. For instance, Robert Vaughn Young was an international spokesman[1] and Larry Brennan was in charge of the new structure design after David Miscavige took over the power[2]. There are other cases.

As high ranking officers, they might have been prosecuted – and to the best of my knowledge they were not – but as whistleblowers they were and are a vital source of information about what happens at the top of scientology.Putting these people in the corner might lead them and newer ex-members to be more reluctant to tell their story and the anti-scientology movement – Anonymous included – to be deprived of information that could be useful.

It remains to be seen if the same will happen about the present members. Up to now, they were largely left alone, with the exception of OSA people, handlers sent out to bullbait the protestors and private eyes. Those are identified and exposed for security purposes.

If the shift seen with the ex-members is extended to the present ones, this could lead to a form of radicalization on both sides. The “last dungeon” syndrome within the cult would be reinforced – if this is possible – and “blowing” (leaving scientology) even more difficult.

EDIT I finally decided to sign, as the new date for the rules was yesterday. Maybe it was general. Time will tell... Whatever happens, I will keep it as a souvenir of paranoia... or not...

 At least, it is what I think I am accused of since I saw a screen with the following message when I tried to post yesterday in the evening: “Ann O'Nymous, You must accept the Forum Rules below to be able to use some forum functions.” [1]

In « Re: Tory Baaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaws. Yet Again », I said : « Maybe, just maybe, it is for the same reason MPB did not called the police on the 12th? » (Post 155[2], AnonMomAnon2), « Some ado about non-entities over here? » (Post 171[3], Skeptic1337), « Maybe, just maybe, Tory did not want to involve third parties and tried to solve it differently (not referring to TG)? » (Post 175[4], realitybites), « Not concerned here. maybe others... » (Post 183[5], megaphonebitch), « If you refer to the recent one, the situation changed slightly, if I am correct. », « Not concerned here. Maybe others... » and « I will continue to look at it and let you know if I come to different conclusions. » (Post 189[6], Skeptic1337), « I tend to agree. », « You are right, but I don't see what this adds to the understanding? », « What would the cops have been able to do? You are infering that Tory knew MPB's identity. Is that correct? », « Did I say something different? » and « For the record, I made the "threat" in mainstream to publish some of AMA2's posts in the TD. Haven't thought about it before, but it might be this that get me banned for 5 months. » (Post 202[7], AnonMomAnon2), « I do not have the whole chronology in mind (my mistake) and you may be right. » (Post 206[8], Skeptic1337).

So, from my side, nothing but polite remarks, questions and answers (the same cannot be said of many of the answers I received). One person acknowledged that, at least on one point (thank you) : « You might have a point there. The amount of shit stirring and why the dome is now a fucking vehicle for individual vandettas is fucking odd. I concede this. » (Post 185, by Skeptic1337[9]).

In « The LAST SELLECK Thread »[10], I wrote « Is it me or this thread was closed at about the same time as its mirror in the mainstream? IMHO, it would be fair to close it too. » (Post 137[11]), « Quote: Originally Posted by Daywatch. Dome is freefire zone. only CP and personal info get things closed.LURK MOAR NEWFAG. As a general statement, it is true. But weren't this thread and the "evidence" one closed? » (Post 142[12]), « Just stating what I think to be true or right. Prove me wrong. », « We already had this before, and you fell asleep. Remember? » and « This time I will not grace you with answers. » (Post 147[13], megaphonebitch), « Please read what the quote refers to before answering. It might help you look less stupid. », (Post 154[14], Ten Tigers).

In « Re: Highly Intellectual Debate on the Ethics of Mental Health », I wrote « Isn't it a rather nice way to lead the pack ? Choose a losse subject and a funny picture and let the others think about what you might think. Then surf on it. Having said that, do as you please... » (Post 42[15], Skeptic1337).

This is provided as information about the activity in recent days over there (chronological order).
http://forums.enturbulation.org/38-thunderdome/magoo-poasts-vagoo-dome-explodes-19179/
http://forums.enturbulation.org/38-thunderdome/itt-magoo-bawwwwwws-about-thunderdome-nothing-value-lost-19395/
http://forums.enturbulation.org/38-thunderdome/magoo-thunderdome-19771/
http://forums.enturbulation.org/38-thunderdome/magoo-20260/
http://forums.enturbulation.org/38-thunderdome/vagoo-party-anon-election-2008-a-21450/
http://forums.enturbulation.org/38-thunderdome/vagoos-latest-23379/
http://forums.enturbulation.org/38-thunderdome/disagree-tory-get-fair-gamed-23385/
http://forums.enturbulation.org/38-thunderdome/magoo-sucks-balls-23391/
http://forums.enturbulation.org/38-thunderdome/vagoo-apologizes-ocmb-23456/
http://forums.enturbulation.org/38-thunderdome/violence-tommy-ghanis-tech-old-guard-23488/
http://forums.enturbulation.org/38-thunderdome/reading-you-have-been-downstatted-magoo-23492/
http://forums.enturbulation.org/38-thunderdome/proposal-official-unofficial-statement-anons-stance-tory-23513/
http://forums.enturbulation.org/38-thunderdome/my-sexual-encounter-tory-magoo-23515/
http://forums.enturbulation.org/38-thunderdome/new-shitstorm-gd-good-lynching-23711/
http://forums.enturbulation.org/38-thunderdome/magoos-fucking-lost-23442/
http://forums.enturbulation.org/38-thunderdome/good-gawd-its-torydome-23521/
http://forums.enturbulation.org/38-thunderdome/magoo-trying-lead-again-23682/
http://forums.enturbulation.org/38-thunderdome/tory-baaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaws-yet-again-23813/
http://forums.enturbulation.org/38-thunderdome/oh-geez-magoo-shut-up-23814/
http://forums.enturbulation.org/38-thunderdome/torys-story-what-happened-23819/
http://forums.enturbulation.org/38-thunderdome/new-magoo-approach-23820/
http://forums.enturbulation.org/38-thunderdome/i-said-rape-23824/
http://forums.enturbulation.org/38-thunderdome/magoo-23825/
http://forums.enturbulation.org/38-thunderdome/who-actually-read-tory-raep-thread-23826/
http://forums.enturbulation.org/38-thunderdome/had-enough-fuck-23836/
http://forums.enturbulation.org/38-thunderdome/read-my-sig-tory-bring-23837/
http://forums.enturbulation.org/38-thunderdome/lets-get-story-right-evidence-collection-23847/
http://forums.enturbulation.org/38-thunderdome/co-magoo-ed-article-23861/
http://forums.enturbulation.org/38-thunderdome/halp-stupid-anon-understand-magoo-ops-plz-23905/
http://forums.enturbulation.org/38-thunderdome/thread-about-sum-black-dianetics-23919/
http://forums.enturbulation.org/38-thunderdome/magoo-does-black-dianetics-23920/
http://forums.enturbulation.org/38-thunderdome/maggo-23925/
http://forums.enturbulation.org/38-thunderdome/something-tory-bawwww-about-23928/
http://forums.enturbulation.org/38-thunderdome/itt-magoo-nameless-slashfic-23941/
http://forums.enturbulation.org/38-thunderdome/magoodome-over-23910/
http://forums.enturbulation.org/38-thunderdome/anyone-posting-magoo-thread-will-banned-23930/
http://forums.enturbulation.org/38-thunderdome/last-magoo-thread-23991/
http://forums.enturbulation.org/38-thunderdome/minton-magoo-osa-tag-team-paranoia-23992/
http://forums.enturbulation.org/38-thunderdome/dat-some-magoo-soundboard-23993/
http://forums.enturbulation.org/38-thunderdome/magoo-deep-cover-24033/
http://forums.enturbulation.org/38-thunderdome/magoosa-24037/
http://forums.enturbulation.org/38-thunderdome/wicked-witch-has-gone-24047/
http://forums.enturbulation.org/38-thunderdome/holy-fuck-leave-magoo-alone-24054/

The “party line” is that the thunderdome (TD) is not to be taken seriously, ever. That is at best a generalization and at worst a hypocrisy. It was initiated, like on many forums, as a place to “let the steam off”. But, over the time it became something else. I haven’t checked in details the chronology, but the following “functions” developed.

It is also used to take of annoying people. This term covers everything from scientologists trying their handling skills to bawing users. There is an official space to stock such posts, called the Wall of shame. There, the threads are locked and not visible from non-users. This treatment does not seem to be harsh enough to some, so they managed to having these threads sent to the dome where annoying people are taking care of. As I already explained here my own experience there, I won’t elaborate here.

The TD mods were demoded at the time of the first phase of the Megaphonebitch, Tory “Magoo” Christman and Tommy Gorman’s drama. At first, a part of the staff decided quickly to pull the TD over. But, about one day after, it was back online, with the change mentioned above. Admins who were not in favor of this measure did it. It has been suggested that this was done behind the back of the other admin(s). Apparently, they won the internal debate, or at least the first group did not dare to pull it over again. Interestingly, it was also the “other functions” of the dome that were annoying part of the staff[1].

*********** 

"You have been banned for the following reason:

Consistent and non-yeilding [sic] drama whore.

Date the ban will be lifted: 01-27-2009, 04:00 AM"

This message – without any preliminary warning – ended the recent days that have been rich in events. Here are a few ones:

·         For the first time, to my knowledge, a whole thread was transferred from the dome to the mainstream part of the site. It contains indications that some domers are ready to trash Tory / Magoo to get the channers’ attention back. This is a risky gambit, as OG / moralfags might not take it lightly and the channers not be interested.

·         To limit the first risk, there was a need to demonize Tory / Magoo, mainly describing her as an ex-OSA operative (that she was not) and making her responsible of Tommy Gorman’s behavior. This was made first by creating more than 10 threads about her in the TD, where the facts and the fantasy were mixed, then various statements were prepared there and published broadly and finally these statements were defended in the mainstream Enturb by those who contributed to make them in the first place.

·         When I tried to ask questions – as I have little answers – I was blocked. A first thread, about kangaroo court, was locked; a second, about the alleged non-seriousness of the dome was sent to the Wall of shame. A kind request for an explanation was never answered.

·         A threat was created in the TD about me, asking some interesting questions (was I a mod: yes; is there a cool Ann: yes; did I post on ARS: never) –but with little answers (that is why I provide them) – and spreading rumors about me. This was the consequence of my recent action to quote interesting posts made in the dome in the same thread (the quotes were made by adding the smallest amount of information making it possible: “.”[1]).

It is too early to say if the domers gambit will be a success or not. Time will tell. I strongly believe that those involved in Enturb are dedicated to the cause we decided to take part to. They differ on many respects but managed so far to live together. The recent events tend to show that some might not want to make compromise anymore. The admins / mod have been very quiet during the recent period. They are split on the issue of the dome and changed the way to handle it on a regular basis (I might publish in a near future some interesting insight about it).

That is it for the time being. Please feel free to add your comments or contact me via email: annninymous@gmail.com.

Le 16 août, Anonymous organise la 7e manifestation mensuelle consécutive au niveau mondial.

En Suisse, des distributions de papillons sont prévues à Lausanne et La Chaux-de-Fonds ce jour-là à 11 heures.  Les détails - notamment l'emplacement - suivront.

 EDIT Vu mon récent banissement d'Enturbulation, je n'organiserai vraisemblablemen pas la manifestation de Lausanne.