Page 24 - 201004 - The 'X' Chronicles Newspaper - April 2010

April 2010_june_july_2009.qxd 22/04/2010 11:27 PM Page 24 24 Ghostbusters 3? Aykroyd taps into spirituality, Russia bans books by spiritual leader, John C. Kim. One former legend with new vodka -- says all Scientology founder student is now suing the school's associates and instructors. systems (almost a) go for L. Ron Hubbard "I thought they were people with 'Ghostbusters 3' Herald Sun integrity. They claim to be, that's how they present themselves," Vivien Francis said. Continued from Page 21 RUSSIA is set to ban dozens of texts and Francis believes she was intimidated recordings by Scientology founder L. Ron and even brainwashed into giving the Oom In the meantime, Aykroyd remains busy Hubbard. Yung Doe organization $47,000. as an actor. In addition to voicing Yogi Bear in "Materials on Scientology by Ron "They promised me they were going to the upcoming live action/animated film ala Hubbard have been found extremist and will be revise the ownership of the school and make me "Alvin and the Chipmunks," Aykroyd made a banned from distribution in Russia," the part owner of the school," she said. cameo in an October 2009 episode of "Family Russian prosecutor general's office said in a In her lawsuit, Francis accuses Oom Guy," reprising his role from "Spies Like Us" statement. Yung Doe of being a cult-like organization run with costar Chevy Chase. He also popped up in The ban relates to 28 books and audio- with an iron fist by the school's grandmaster an "SNL" skit in February as U.S. House video discs containing lectures by Hubbard, a John C. Kim. What most people don't know is Minority Leader, Republican John Boehner. US science fiction author who founded that the school's grandmaster is also an ex-con. Most recently, he appeared as Jimmy Scientology in 1954. Back in the mid-90s, John C. Kim and Carter in the Ron Howard-directed The ruling was the latest blow to the several other defendants were found guilty in FunnyorDie.com advocacy short also starring Church of Scientology, an organisation that Chicago of conspiracy to commit tax fraud. Will Ferrell, Jim Carrey, Dana Carvey and some countries treat as a legitimate faith but that Kim was accused of skimming millions of Chevy Chase aimed at encouraging the creation others consider a cult designed to trick members dollars in profits from his national network of of a consumer financial protection agency. out of large sums of money. martial arts schools. "Like in so many of my entertainment The ban on the Scientology materials Attorney Evelyn Deaton filed the experiences, I was awestruck by the talent in the was imposed by a court in the city of Surgut in lawsuit in San Diego court against Kim, room," he says. "To be in that company was a eastern Siberia, which decided they should be Thomas White and Robert Sawinski. real honor." added to a list of literature banned in Russia for Court records show all three served But acting aside, Aykroyd has his extremist content, the statement said. prison time from that earlier case in Chicago. Crystal Head Vodka, which he promotes The list of extremist literature includes The three defendants now live in San Diego. through bottle signings much like the one in numerous texts by Islamist groups and Russian Also named in the suit is a company in Iselin. And so far, he's pretty amused with the ultranationalists, as well as some brochures Rose Canyon called Jadience. The firm sells reactions he is getting about the spirit. He jokes distributed by Jehovah's Witnesses. herbal creams, lotions and spa treatments over his father is a "big consumer of the vodka" Local prosecutors in Surgut confiscated the internet. Deaton believes the defendants are because he can "have six shots and not get a the Scientology materials after they were mailed all involved in the Oom Yung Doe martial arts hangover." And as far as non-familial reactions, there from the United States. organization. "we've gotten the full range of emotional The materials contained calls "to "I believe it's a cult because they use responses to it. People have hated it. It's banned commit crimes motivated by ideological and intimidation and abuse of power to get money in two areas of the world. It's banned in Idaho religious hatred" and "ideas justifying violence from individuals and to control them," Deaton and it's banned in the province of Ontario. They in general and in particular any methods of said. will not sell it." resistance against critics of Scientology," it said. In her lawsuit, Francis says the school's That's only half correct. The vodka has "This is some kind of mistake or leaders tried to control who she dated, and she actually been doing well in Idaho; Bill misunderstanding," said Yury Maksimov, a alleges sexual harassment by one of the Applegate, the product manager with the Idaho spokesman for the Church of Scientology in instructors. State Liquor Division says the brand has been Moscow. "The materials cited are distributed all "I felt very uncomfortable. I felt he was quite successful and done much better than he over the world." harassing me. He is an older man. I had no ever expected it would. He adds that, even The Church of Scientology, which says interest in him," Francis said. though the vodka isn't inexpensive, it it is seeking a world free of "war, crime and All three defendants in the lawsuit "apparently has quite a following." However, insanity" and counts Hollywood stars Tom declined to speak with News 8. We found no Chris Layton, a spokesperson with the Liquor Cruise and John Travolta among its members, one home at Thomas White's house in Control Board of Ontario, confirms they won't won the status of a religion in the US in 1993. University City, and even though there were sell CHV because consumers might find the But it is regarded with suspicion in vehicles in the driveway, nobody answered the skull bottle's "symbol of death" imagery many European countries, including France, door at John Kim's home in La Jolla. offensive _ and that it runs contrary to the Germany, Belgium and Greece, where In a written statement to News 8, John LCBO's mandate and brand vision of social opponents accuse it of manipulating members Kim's attorney said the lawsuit has no merit. responsibility. for financial ends. The statement goes on to say, "(Mr. Kim) met Still, even if powers-that-be in his home It has repeatedly encountered problems Ms. Francis on only two or three brief occasions of Ontario have yet to embrace the booze, with Russian officials. Russia has twice been in group gatherings. Mr. Kim believes that he Aykroyd is proud of Crystal Head. He laughs fined by the European Court of Human Rights will be vindicated in a court of justice once all that, "I'm not selling used battery acid here, and for refusing to register Scientology churches as the evidence and facts are revealed." it looks really nice in the bottle." religious organisations [] Plus, he thinks it has an "old-time moonshine type of feel," and prefers his with Lawsuit alleges Clairemont one-and-a-half ounces of the vodka mixed with three-quarters of a cup of fresh-squeezed martial arts group is a cult tangerine juice and a little splash of soda. KFMB And if the crystal skull legends are true, and the world ends in 2012? Dan Aykroyd will SAN DIEGO, Calif. (CBS 8) - A local take it in stride. martial arts group is being accused of using "I'll probably be sitting at home at my intimidation and coercion to rip off students. farm in Canada with all my friends and we will One local student has filed a lawsuit, alleging COMINg SOON TO be drinking (Crystal Head Vodka) cold off the she lost thousands of dollars to the organization. www.pArAgATOrS.Org ice, off the snow _ and I'm hoping that the end It's called Oom Yung Doe, a martial arts of the world is the end of just perception as we school on Balboa Avenue in Clairemont. The know it rather than the 'end' of the world." school is covered with photographs of its