"Scientologists are 'bastards' who should be taxed" says Aussie EDU Minister

Story's got legs even a week later. It's a small and funny place, but it's there and being chatted upon, and it comes up in Google News KW: "ministers" and "Scientology" as the first non-vulture minister news story on the front results page:

The Jawa Report: It's Okay to Call Scientologists Bastards

From the Jawa Report on MyPetJawa:

July 15, 2008
It's Okay to Call Scientologists Bastards

From Tongue Tied:

"The South Australian Government was at odds with the Church of Sientology last night after backing the right of a senior state minister to brand its members "bastards".

Education Minister Jane Lomax-Smith has also questioned the organisation's tax-free status in comments to an anti-Scientology group called Anonymous, which it posted on popular internet site YouTube.

While declaring Dr Lomax-Smith was entitled to her opinion, a spokeswoman for Premier Mike Rann distanced the Government from the remarks, saying they represented a private view, The Australian reports.

As far as I know, the bastards issue hasn't been tested in the U.S."


Comments are open to the public.

Originally Posted by AnonMSW

The Jawa Report: It's Okay to Call Scientologists Bastards

I enjoyed this reader comment:

Calling someone a 'bastard' - I think - is still illegal in a lot of states, because it is technically calling someone 'born out of wedlock.' Sort of like 'impugning the chastity of a woman' is still illegal in many states. Technically, it is illegal to call someone a ho.

(illegal = against statute. But the statutes are certainly unconstitutional).

But good luck finding any prosecutor will to enforce those laws, or any judge willing to uphold them.

You've got to love the combination of wit and insight.

The Messenger Newspaper, which kind of started the whole story, has a poll running on its site.

"Should religions organisations be tax exempt?"

Vote!! This could trigger a follow-up report at the next protest.

Messenger Community Newspapers - Local News Adelaide South Australia - Messenger East - Scroll down to the "The Big Question" section.

Too bad they didn't ask "Is Scientology a religion and therefore should be tax exempt?"

^^ Yup.

I would have voted "yes" on tax excemption in general.

Originally Posted by AnonMSW

Too bad they didn't ask "Is Scientology a religion and therefore should be tax exempt?"

Agreed. Although it's clear why the question is being asked, it's not really worded properly. I would however love to see a follow-up article appearing in any of our newspapers.

Looks like this is going to get some MORE NATIONAL COVERAGE, except this time on TV :D

Copypasta from our local forums (here: Anon SA Forums ):

After the Advertiser published the SAME doctored photo of Anonymous - an Anonymous tipster sent an email to media watch asking if they're going to cover it properly this time - as they didn't before

and they have recieved this reply:
Dear *user deleted* and Anonymous,

I am currently researching this story and we appreciate your information. Until I complete this stage I can't confirm how and when we will run it again, but I think it is likely for next Monday's program.

I am hoping you can please tell me - has Anonymous complained formally to The Adelaide Advertiser about this second usage of the doctored photograph?

I'm also wondering if Anonymous has any alternate pictures of the protestors with the placards? It would be nice for our audience to have a few close up shots clearly showing the text - as the original web image is quite small.

Feel free to drop me a line if you have a chance. I'd appreciate if you could you also let me know if the Advertiser attempt any sort of correction or clarification over the next few days.

many thanks,

Greg Miskelly

Supervising Producer
Media Watch
So! has anybody actually complained formally to the Advertiser about this? If not, we need to get on it STAT.
Adelaide Advertiser contacts are here, I would reccomend phone, fax and email:
Telephone: 1300 130 370
Fax: (08) 8206-3669
tiser@adv.newsltd.com.au
If you have a decent photo, or can find one in the media gallery of “google lisa mac pherson” or the “ha ha ha ha - tom cruise” one uncensored, can you please post it in this thread.
So has anybody here complained FORMALLY to the advertiser (this means contacting them in the above way)?
UPDATE: I have just tried to call them now, the person to complain to is the Advertiser “chief of staff”. they are not in currently, they will be back after 10am tomorrow (sunday). I suggest ringing the above number and contacting then.

OMFG Aussie is so full of win. Are the lesbians pretty and do they have loose morals? I may have to emigrate!

Originally Posted by adelraidanon

Looks like this is going to get some MORE NATIONAL COVERAGE, except this time on TV :D

Copypasta from our local forums (here: Anon SA Forums ):

OMFG, that's great!

Originally Posted by Vir

Thanks for that top photo Vir, that's beautiful and exactly what we need. I had the other two :P

WIN! I love Mediawatch.

For those who missed the first story, or just want to watch it again for the lulz:

YouTube - Anonymous v. Scientology on MediaWatch

NEWS UPDATE: Message (in case you haven't noticed) we didn't make it this week, there was 'not enough room' according to the supervising producer.

Scheduled to be on next week. The advertiser did not get much notice, only a few days, now they've got a WEEK. no excuse now.

This is the perfect opportunity for Anons to MAN THE HARPOONS and complain to the advertiser about this, why did they censor Lisa McPherson's name out of the picture on a page 3 article, when they did it once, said it wasn't their policy, and then did it AGAIN months later?

contact info:

Telephone: 1300 130 370
Fax: (08) 8206-3669
tiser@adv.newsltd.com.au

Ask for Melvin Mansell, he is the editor. and if you can't get him, get SOMEONE WHO WILL LISTEN.

“I can see why we took out Lisa McPherson, but Tom Cruise?”

Lolwhut? Why take out Lisa McPherson? But more importantly, why airbrush it out rather than put a black square over it or pixelate it? It is essential that readers are informed when photos are altered, or else we might as well live in the Soviet Union.