OPERATION SEA OTTER: Cracking the Clam

Objective: To raise awareness of the criminal cult of $cientology in the Tampa Bay area, particularly in the media, the business community, and the local and state government.

Method: A focused delivery of relevant information, sent en masse by activists and members of the online community to one individual or organization. A new recipient will be chosen each week.

NOTE: Be polite and professional in ANY communications with these folks. This project is NOT intended to harass, intimidate, or similarly pressure anyone. Flaming is the entirely wrong approach. Provide them with information, offer your reasoned opinions, and let them make their own conclusions.

Sea Otter Focus For 3-Aug-97:

Senior Editor John Sugg
Weekly Planet
402 Reo St., Suite 218
Tampa, FL
ph (813) 286-1600
fx (813) 289-8010
Planetoids@aol.com

The Weekly Planet, as the alternative newsweekly for the Tampa Bay area, contains listings and articles related to entertainment and local politics. The publication prides itself on its journalistic integrity, and on the controversial stories that the Planet's reporters cover. Senior Editor John Sugg tackles some of the thorniest issues with aplomb and fire. All in all, they do a helluva job.

However, there is a gaping hole in their coverage of local government, corruption, and corporate crime. $cientology does not seem to be a topic of interest. There are several possibilities for this conspicuous absence of coverage. Perhaps they don't have the resources to fight off the inevitable legal attack. Or maybe it has something to do with the omnipresent Dianetics ad that appears in every issue.

Granted, they did print my letter to the editor a few months ago about the "miraculous image" of the Virgin Mary in Clearwater, which contained a rather pointed jab at the $cientologists. But I know for a fact that some local activists have submitted full-blown articles about $cientology and its activities in Clearwater - they were never published. And all the revelations surrounding the Lisa McPherson case are just too much for any self-respecting progressive publication to ignore. The Planet has been known to berate the major daily newspapers in the area for ignoring topics that are too prickly or costly, and rightly so. But now it's time for the Planet to listen to its own advice.

Sugg is an excellent writer, an accomplished curmudgeon, and has taken on some pretty tough issues. So be polite when you contact him to discuss the finer points of Clearwater Cults. Send your favorite seekrit skripture, law enforcement quotation, or article to Sugg's attention, and offer your well-reasoned $0.02.

John Sugg will be in the Sea Otter spotlight through 9-Aug-97.

-- Mark Dallara Tampa Bay Contacts & Operation Sea Otter
mdallara@kcii.com
http://www2.kcii.com/users/dallara/