Oingo Boingo, Scientology and Willy Wonka's Chocolate Factory

Apparently, I was the only person on the planet that didn't know acclaimed film-score composer Danny Elfman was in/was 80's new-wave band Oingo Boingo from 1976 to 1995. Not until Mr. Eddy Dyer recently informed me of this tasty nugget.

What? Huh?

Christ, I watched enough MTV. I guess I just never put the two together.

I got to thinking. I know, scary. Danny Elfman is the uncle of Jenna Elfman and Bodhi Elfman, a well-known, celebrity-scientologist couple who somewhat recently went ape-shit on a director because he was wearing an anti-scientology t-shirt.

Well, knowing all the weirdness that has been reported about scientology, including Alister Crowley, Xenu (the dictator of the "Galactic Confederacy" who, 75 million years ago, brought billions of his people to Earth in DC-8-like spacecraft, stacked them around volcanoes and killed them using hydrogen bombs) and the death of Lisa McPherson, I remembered this fact!

Remember that Oingo Boing came out with that song "Weird Science"? No? Well, here it is in all it's spectacular 80's glory.

Now....

This is an e-meter or what I like to call "The Bad Decision Machine" not much unlike the "bad egg machine" that escorts Veruca Salt down the garbage shute.

*cues Willy Wonka soundtrack*..the non-Elfman version, of course!



{The central practice of Scientology is "auditing" (from the Latin word audire, "to listen"), which is a one-on-one communication with a trained Scientology counselor or "auditor". Most auditing uses an E-meter, a device that measures very small changes in electrical resistance through the human body when a person is holding onto metal cans and a small current is passed through them.[17]
The auditing process is intended to help the practitioner (referred to as a preclear or PC) to unburden himself or herself of specific traumatic incidents, prior ethical transgressions and bad decisions, which are said to collectively restrict the preclear from achieving his or her goals and lead to the development of a "reactive mind". In one form of auditing, the auditor asks the preclear to respond to a list of questions which are designed for specific purposes and given to the preclear in a strictly regulated way. Auditing requires that the preclear be a willing and interested participant who understands the questions, and the process goes more smoothly when he or she understands what is going on. Rule #19 of the Auditors' Code demands that an auditor makes sure that the practitioner fully understands the question[18]. Per the same Church policy, auditors are trained not to "evaluate for" their preclears; i.e., they are forbidden from suggesting, interpreting, degrading or invalidating the preclear's answers. The E-meter is used to help locate an area of concern. Auditing is not to be mixed with other practices[19].
Scientologists have said that they received benefits from auditing including improved IQ, improved ability to communicate, and enhanced memory. They have also said that they are generally more happy after auditing.[20]
During the auditing process, the auditor may collect personal information from the person being audited. Auditing records are referred to within Scientology as "PC (preclear) folders" and are said to be stored securely when not being added to during auditing sessions.[21] The Auditors' Code states that an auditor promises never to use the secrets of a preclear divulged in session for punishment or personal gain.[18] The Church maintains that its auditing records are kept confidential, although in one instance (16 December 1969) a staff of the organization authorized the use of auditing records for purposes of "internal security".[22] Supporters of Scientology assert that no actual violation of the Auditors' Code has been documented[23] and such a violation is a high crime under Scientology law.[24] Court Declaration, 1985: "5. The Court refers to GO 121669 for justification in saying that the clergymen-penitent does not apply for the time period during which Armstrong was a member of the Church. The Court refers to GO 121669 for justification for abolishing the clergyman-penitent privilege. Yet nowhere does the program call for a) external dissemination of the preclear folder or b) use of information against anyone." However, a California court ruling recorded that ex-members of the Church of Scientology knew that "…the Church has in its possession his or her most inner thoughts and confessions, all recorded in pre-clear (P.C.) folders or other security files of the organization, and that the Church or its minions is fully capable of intimidation or other physical or psychological abuse if it suits their ends. The record is replete with evidence of such abuse."[25][26]}

During the 1960s, Scientology was accused by the United States government of engaging in medical fraud by claiming that the E-meter would treat and cure physical ailments and diseases. A 1971 ruling of the United States District Court, District of Columbia (333 F. Supp. 357), specifically stated, "the E-meter has no proven usefulness in the diagnosis, treatment or prevention of any disease, nor is it medically or scientifically capable of improving any bodily function."[20] As a result of this ruling, Scientology now publishes disclaimers in its books and publications declaring that "by itself, the E-meter does nothing"[21] and that it is used specifically for spiritual purposes.}
These findings basically sum up my main problem with organized religions, in that they take myth, fable, metaphor and translate them into literal fact (aka pseudo-science). And I consider myself a spritual person and even watch some of these new-age guru's do it too. The point of mysticism is that it lives in mystery! It's not palpable.

So, if it is true that a machine can measure my bad deeds or say, that God will strike down upon me if i "sin" or that, I'm going to hell if I don't redeem myself..then yes, I am going to live in a very fearful state of mind, which renders me unable to create or act compassionately. Or, instead if I can understand what the core message is... that it's awesomely rewarding to do good deeds, even invisibly, and that they come back to me, that thinking/acting with compassion change my inner and outer landscape, then I don't have to live in this anectdotal, child-like fear----that we're not all really going to get stuck, like Mike Teavee in the Taffy Pulling Room with little oompa-loompas trying to redeem ourselves or in the 7th circle of Purgatory in a river of burning blood. Same difference, really.

Although, Oompa Loompas are kinda cool now that I think of it. And yet, we all know how Willa Wonka ends. Veruca, Augustus, Mike Teavee, Violet Beauregard et al return to their respective, spoiled lives and all the little nifty, scientific tests were merely a ploy to test the honesty of Charlie-the boy with the heart of gold. But since Willa Wonka is essentially based on the seven deadly sins, it be interesting to assign disciple-like names to each and every one, except that Eddy mentioned during the filming, they all had some huge midget-sex-orgy..or maybe that was the Lollipop Guild. In any case, I think midget-disciples is a fabulous idea, but I digress.

So there you have it. Weird Science=Scientology? This is all too much.

I'm seriously handing this over to the Gods of Cruel Irony.

"So shines a good deed in a weary world"---The Candy Man




Styx is a river which formed the boundary between Earth and the Underworld, Hades. Etching by Gustave Doré, 1861.


Augustus Gloop drowning in Mr. Wonka's chocolate river

Guido Daniele is amazing

http://www.guidodaniele.com/bodypaint01.htm

First tomatoes, zuchinni, a deer on the lawn, a rainstorm and a rainbow!!!

Well, I missed the deer on the lawn, but it was there!!!

My landlord's son was going ballistic and chased it back into the woods.

I didn't want anyone to call animal control unless it was a major threat to itself or others, cos usually they destory the thing.

But I did catch the rainbow and my first tomotoes!! People at the supermarket were actually talking to each other during that lightning/thunder part. Parents with their kids laughing as they got soaking wet.

Then I went over to the bank. Came out and noticed this beautiful full-arch rainbow.

So, myself and some guy were out in the parking lot trying to get good rainbow pics on our cellphones.

Yes!!!




Zoo-kinis


New tumate-uz


Greek Basil..

I got cukes too, but they're not shown here b/c they've only just flowered. This rain is doin' them hella good right now, though.

Interesting three hours...

went into town
on my 3 lugnutz (long story--don't let drunk ppl take a cross-wrench to your tires)
got lost
saw some homemade fireworks (quite good)
made way to maria and joes
ate some amazing food
had an iced coffee..watched the dorkedom of the 4th on the news.
with each year it seems the musical guests/hosts get worse
they played the overture of 1812, which commemorates the unsuccessful French invasion into Russia
and had craig ferguson as a guest host (who is scottish)
John (not-cougar-anymore) played that Ford or Chevy-commerial song
left before the chaos ensued
got home
safe.

Ghost foot!!!! Accidental art is fun.

I'm not sure how this happened, but..

I had Heather over for a movie. We were watching "Sick-o" and she kept yawning so I asked her if she would like some coffee.

I ground up some beans and was shaking the last bit of them out of the grinder, when the canister fell...coffee grounds all over the place.

Then, I accidentally stepped in it. Now, i was totally perturbed b/c i just washed the floor, by hand, last night and was ready to suck the stuff up with the vacuum,.but upon closer look Heath noticed this:





Now, I took these with my camera-phone and by no means was my foot still in the pile, even though it kinda looks like it in the last one. I dig the sepia one the best.

So there it is. I am the new M.C. Escher of Coffee beans! And yet another reminder that out of chaos sometimes beauty erupts if you take the time to look a little closer.

Blessings. Happy Independence!

3 songs....

Wild Harvest!!!

And Anathea's new, apricot ginger chutney!