Post by: Che Gookin on November 23, 2007, 03:45:33 PM
1) Benchmark claims threats were made against them electronically. I can only presume this means via fornits.
2) Should Psy or myself step onto benchmark property we will be arrested for trespassing.
3) Should Benchmark piss their panties more than they have already they will get restraining orders against us.
I can't fully divulge the information we've gathered so far as it is being processed and examined with a critical eye for usability, but I can say the entire two days have been filled with fun and merriment.
OUR first day involved 1 college girl and a gang fight at Del Tacos here in Redlands.
While we were pulling through the drive thru to gorge upon a fare probably not fit for livestock a young girl asked us if we could buy her food for her and she would give us the money. Apparently a drive thru can't handle someone walking up on foot for reason of national security. We pulled up to the window and the worker said the girl and her two friends couldn't be walking and had to be in the car. We invited the girl into the car, and by that time she had revealed her entire life story and I was pondering stapling her mouth shut.
Once in back the two other fellows wandered off only to run into a couple of their rival gang members. Much to my delight, as I'm a goon who appreciates a good rumpus, a damn good fight broke out. The girl immediately starts howling like a banshee, making me wish I had not forgotten my staple gun at home, and Psy being a gentleman was trying to reassure her that the friend getting kicked in the head wouldn't be brain damaged for life.
Suffices to say the gang rumpus ran its course and the Redlands 5-0 came roaring up. I believe they dispatched two whole police cars and a fire truck for a gang brawl. Amusingly this is the same area that had a similiar incident involving guns the week before according the howling and wailing young waif in the back of the car.
We departed the scene and relieved ourselves of the sobbing young lady into the tender mercies of her pim... boyfriend and took off.
The next day the fun really began...
We tailed a couple benchmark vans... we talked to a few locals.. we staked out the facility...
That night we finally located the majority of the students at the Benchmark brain rape center.
Following a van back we managed to get noticed.. and of course the driver of the van began driving around the block to figure out if we were folliwng her..
Psy stayed on her tail and we pulled up along side and got a good video shot of her with hand held.
Once we parked not far away from the facility we were paid our visit by the Redlands 5-0.. this is the 4 police cars and one police helicopter..
For A VIDEO CAMERA... is it ironic that a possible violent encounter with gang members is given less attention than our use of a video camera?
Beats me..
The police, one of the officers was quite nice and a very helpful in educating us in the possible local filming laws, let us go on our way. Another of the cops was quite irate with us and accused his partner of being all buddy buddy with us..
Another conclusion can be drawn with the proper information, but I'll leave psy to provide that in his own good time.
Today we dropped by the facility and picketed it.
Yep.. two dudes with a camera or two and some signs... we got alot of stares, and a few insults..
But in the end the results were worth it.. Those on the inside.. KNOW we on the outside are there for them..
Why??
THE Signs were facing in to the students.. NOT out to the locals for a quick sound byte on the local news.....
We will picket them again tommorrow prior to our departure Saturday afternoon.. MORE to follow and I'll leave it to Psy's scrawny carcass to fill in the details...
go picket a facility now.. face the signs in for the students... DO ETTTTTT!!!!!
Post by: Anonymous on November 23, 2007, 04:43:15 PM
Post by: Anonymous on November 23, 2007, 04:45:45 PM
Post by: Che Gookin on November 23, 2007, 04:48:51 PM
Ta Ta boys.. I'm off to go have more fun and games. You all have fun finger banging the Who, Sue Scheff, or the tooth fairy.
Post by: Che Gookin on November 23, 2007, 04:49:09 PM
Ta Ta boys.. I'm off to go have more fun and games. You all have fun finger banging the Who, Sue Scheff, or the tooth fairy.
Post by: Nihilanthic on November 23, 2007, 07:47:00 PM
I have over 9000 seeders standing by drooling all over the internet.
DELIVER.
Also I heard you guys were coming my way for the next raid. And I was told of the targets.
I'm ready and willing... make me proud, you glorious bastard gook.
::both::
Post by: Che Gookin on November 23, 2007, 08:24:03 PM
LOLS.... They failed.. the glimmers of hope have been seeded..
TONIGHT PHASE 2 will kick into action...
THEY called the cops on us once.... they failed..
Today a cop stopped and went over the rules to protesting and HAPPILY answered our questions... HAPPILY....
The looks on the Staffer's face must have been priceless.. Psy and I were to busy laughing to notice, and facing the other way.. but no matter...
OH yeah Niles.. Congratulate Psy on this mission.. he has pushed for it.. gathered the money for it.. and made me a fucking believer..
Me I'm just the homeboy there who got his back.
Post by: Nihilanthic on November 23, 2007, 08:34:47 PM
OH GOD PLEASEEEEEE
:rofl: :rofl: :rofl:
Post by: Che Gookin on November 23, 2007, 08:37:30 PM
NILES.... put on your fro... and shades.. and suit.. and head to ORlando...
DO eetttt.. DO eetttt..
I'm telling you brother.. the faces of those kids.. some of them not completely corrupted by the program show hope..
Mofo.. you can't put a price tag on hope my brother...
Post by: Ursus on November 23, 2007, 08:53:11 PM
:nworthy: :nworthy: :nworthy:
Post by: hurrikayne on November 23, 2007, 10:36:55 PM
Post by: Che Gookin on November 24, 2007, 12:23:24 AM
Just keep the signs pointed in...
Seriously.. it may not do diddly shit to convince the locals of anything, but lets face it.. How often to the locals even really care? Not often...
But the kids inside of these places.. Trapped without hope..
Sending them a message that they haven't been forgotten.. damn.. I don't know how we can put a price on that...
Jesus Christ people.... Go do it now.. well not right now.. But certainly first thing in the morning..
Post by: try another castle on November 24, 2007, 04:27:22 AM
One of those guys was really interested. He used to work for peninsula village. Said it was the most fucked up place he'd ever seen. He didn't fit the criteria, though, for what you guys needed. le sigh.
If you guys end up going to Idaho, it would be great to hold those signs up while the kids have to run that grueling 4 mile loop, and they see you as they run by.
Post by: Buddha22 on November 24, 2007, 04:43:15 AM
excellent!!!!!!!!!
Brilliant!!!!!!!!!!
Thank you guys, i really mean it.
For me being a former benchmarkian myself.
I wish you sheer courage and lots of luck on this.
good work!
Post by: Che Gookin on November 24, 2007, 03:10:32 PM
Quote from: ""try another castle""
That was awesome. I'm sorry I couldn't help, but I did look around and asked a few of my artist-type neighbors if they would be willing. That's about as specific as I am going to get on the matter.
One of those guys was really interested. He used to work for peninsula village. Said it was the most fucked up place he'd ever seen. He didn't fit the criteria, though, for what you guys needed. le sigh.
If you guys end up going to Idaho, it would be great to hold those signs up while the kids have to run that grueling 4 mile loop, and they see you as they run by.
No one really fits the profile of any of these places because they shouldn't exist in the first place.
It doesn't matter what the facility it is..
It doesn't matter how short or tall you are..
It doesn't matter what country you are from..
The only thing that matters is you plant your ass in front of a program somewhere with a sign pointing in.
Some nine inch nails pumping on the stereo helps..
Psy can speak some later once he gets off the plane. I'm at a friend's house outside of Los Angeles myself.
Mission accomplished as from what I can tell the footage we gathered conclusively shows the cult thinking in so many very sad ways.
More details later... I'm off to drink some tequila, swill some margaritas, and bang a few senoritas.
Post by: Che Gookin on November 24, 2007, 03:12:04 PM
Quote from: ""Buddha22""
good work!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
excellent!!!!!!!!!
Brilliant!!!!!!!!!!
Thank you guys, i really mean it.
For me being a former benchmarkian myself.
I wish you sheer courage and lots of luck on this.
good work!
Happy to be of service...
Post by: Anonymous on November 24, 2007, 04:05:56 PM
I HAVE A DREAM.... One day in this great land.. All the little white boys and all the little black boys will stop holding hands... They will assume strategic positions around programs.. Take careful aim and selectively eliminate the staff...
Post by: Che Gookin on November 25, 2007, 03:07:31 PM
Nice to see the staffer this morning just about foul his shorts when he saw us.
today We offered to the bravest of the lot:
1 Busticket anywhere in the USA and food money.. No Catch...
Nothing yet to report on that front... no takers as of yet.. I'll let Psy fill in the rest of blanks.
Post by: psy on November 25, 2007, 03:51:49 PM
It's been so much fun. They called the cops on us three times already. I'm beginning to think the cops are getting a little pissed off chasing down me for using a video camera but the hilarity on tape makes it all worth it.
I think they're giving up on the cops, though. They haven't called em on us today yet, but it's only noon so who knows. I'm mailing my tapes back to myself in VA for safe keeping in case the cops decide to confiscate em (When I asked if videotaping was illegal the cop told me "well.. we can confiscate the tapes and make that determination later as part of the investigation") FOR USING A FUCKING VIDEO CAMERA we got Four cop cars and a chopper. They even boxed us in. I've never had so much fun. I was laughing half the time, making sure to point out the absurdity of the situation to the officers present. One was a pretty nice guy but the others were total assholes. I don't think they really liked me either, not that I care.
The previous night there was a rumble at Del Taco while we were going through the drivethroughs (funny story if you have a fucked up sense of humor). Some kid was getting kicked in the head by a group of guys... The lady at the drivethrough didn't seem too shocked. After asking around it seems that such things are pretty much a weekly occurence. According to one girl they had guns the week previously. Anyway. For that incident, there were a grand total of two police cars and a fire truck. The response time was also much worse (as opposed to when they were called on us). I'm glad to see the Redlands police have their priorities in order. This town is a total shithole. You do NOT want to be on the streets here.
Oh. And they read Fornits. They tried to tell the cops they were "scared" and we were interfering with their website (good to know they're hurting, but they made it seem like a crime and tried to have us arrested). The cops asked me if I understood they might be spooked to which I responded: "I don't see that as relavant to the current situation. Either I've broken a law or I haven't."
I don't really mind them calling the cops on us. Every time they do I make sure to tell them all about Benchmark, hand out anti-cult literature, etc... Maybe the next time a student calls the program they won't be told to "follow the program".
All in all it does look like the program is hurting. It sure looks like there are far fewer "students" on average than there used to be. I'm pretty happy about that. We haven't even brought out the (metaphorical) big guns yet. I'm reluctant to speak more about that at the moment since staff reads Fornits but I can basically report that we've already accomplished our main goal in heading out here and the rest of the days will be spent rubbing salt in their wounds (metaphorically).
One of the main reasons I've done this is to show that it can be done, that simply with a sign, a video camera, and/or some creativity you can at the very least send staff into red alert. According to the cops they'll be putting out a restraining order on me within the next few weeks so it might be my last time down here (to which I just told them that somebody else would go in my place). I'll have to ask Richard Bradbury how he avoided that situation.
Anyhoo. Back to fun.
Post by: act.da on November 25, 2007, 06:54:56 PM
Post by: Che Gookin on November 25, 2007, 07:03:22 PM
Quote from: ""act.da""
If anyone wants to do something like this near NC (PV or others) let me know, I'd definitely be interested in participating! PM me or e-mail my hotmail
Only takes 1 to do it. 1 person with a camera and a sign will drive a program nuts.
Post by: Nihilanthic on November 25, 2007, 08:52:54 PM
Past say Louisiana to the west or Pennsylvania to the north, though, I'd need to arrange for a flight or bus trip.
Post by: Buddha22 on November 25, 2007, 11:05:07 PM
Advice:
remember to call the local news; use that resource freely.
If that happens, benchmark's fucked.
I have utmost faith that benchmark will meet it's end soon.
Remember what the buddha said..."Karma"!
They have been sowing bad seeds since 1993.
therefore, it is bound for them to meet their doom.
Right now, it is becoming their destiny to meet an unthinkable fate.
Either closed or criminal charges.
Post by: Che Gookin on November 25, 2007, 11:13:23 PM
Quote from: ""Buddha22""
talked to psy and all i have to say is.
Advice:
remember to call the local news; use that resource freely.
If that happens, benchmark's fucked.
I have utmost faith that benchmark will meet it's end soon.
Remember what the buddha said..."Karma"!
They have been sowing bad seeds since 1993.
therefore, it is bound for them to meet their doom.
Right now, it is becoming their destiny to meet an unthinkable fate.
Either closed or criminal charges.
Things are moving fast... VERY fast... tommorrow will be a very interesting day.. Cause.. DAMN.. tonight sure was... LOLS..
The police were called on Benchmark for a change for refusing to give a kid his identification. More tommorrow but for now it looks like we have a kid who is getting out of that dump. He wants to stay in redlands with his girlfriend and get a job and do his duty as a good american citizen.
Good luck man!
Post by: SevenVeils on November 26, 2007, 12:50:48 AM
My hat's off to you guys.
Post by: Anonymous on November 26, 2007, 12:24:11 PM
Nobody raided it.
Florida still has a glut of programs to fuck with, though. :wave:
Post by: Anonymous on November 26, 2007, 01:42:33 PM
By June Benchmark will be another notch on the belt of Fornits, taking down program sheep like the Iron Sheik did Rowdy Roddy Piper. Good going, Yua'll.!
I flom China!
::boycott:: ::boycott:: ::boycott::
Post by: Che Gookin on November 26, 2007, 05:40:55 PM
1) Sightings of police cars and ambulances visiting benchmark every six months.
2) Benchmark students are still digging holes in the field that is supposed to be the volleyball court.
3) The neighbor indicated that they spotted the students digging holes as recently as October/November.
4) They knew of George the young man who commited suicide by jumping off a railroad bridge not more than 50 yards from Benchmark.
Of the neighbors interviewed we noted they knew it was a school but had no real idea what went on there. They were all dismayed to learn it was a treatment facility that provided very little treatment. Most of them seemed pretty upset by the idea that the students faced being dumped on the streets if they are cut from the program.
I emphasized strongly with each of the interviewed neighbors that the kids at Benchmark are all good kids and that they shouldn't ever be scared of them. Psy went onto describe some of the "treatment" that occured during his stay in the place and none of the neighbors seemed pleased with the notion that such activities were transpiring near them.
One interviewed Neighbor even knew of Synonan, and this made that person's interview all the more easier. I look forward to chatting with the person further in hopes of learning more about benchmark and possibly more about Synonan.
Also.. Psy's interview skills blow ass... :rofl:
Nah.. just ripping on the guy.. he did pretty good..
Post by: AuntieEm on November 26, 2007, 05:51:52 PM
Such brave souls, and such a noble deed. Well done. Good, simple strategy. You let the kids know they are not invisible or forgotten, and help them see some choices. Interviewing neighbors is brilliant.
I take it you were not on school property? Sounds like that's why videotaping becomes the issue, rather than trespassing. Yes?
Auntie Em
Post by: Nihilanthic on November 26, 2007, 05:56:52 PM
I can't wait to get the video. Send me some of the raw shit so I Can give it to my uh 'editor in lulz" if you don't mind.
:rofl:
Post by: Che Gookin on November 26, 2007, 06:07:01 PM
Post by: try another castle on November 26, 2007, 07:32:45 PM
Post by: Antigen on November 26, 2007, 11:19:21 PM
. He said he wouldn't read it even if he did. So Aaron tried. Told him it had pictures and they pop up. That didn't work, so he told him it had naked ladies and so he'd no longer have to jack off to Lord of the Rings. Can't take him anywhere!
Post by: Che Gookin on November 27, 2007, 12:08:42 AM
Staff/Goon/Rabid Mongrel: NO!
Me: It has pictures...
Me: They pop up...
Me: It has pictures of naked ladies...
Me: You will no longer have to jack off to Lord of the Rings....
Staff/Nazi Scum: *silence... keeps walking....
Me, Psy: Lols....
Post by: Anonymous on November 27, 2007, 07:52:08 AM
Post by: Anonymous on November 27, 2007, 12:52:53 PM
Quote from: ""Guest""
ok i'm officially jealous
Ok, you're officially ghey.
Post by: Ursus on November 27, 2007, 01:16:46 PM
Quote from: ""Che Gookin""
Mike: Will you read a book if I give it to you?
Staff/Goon/Rabid Mongrel: NO!
Me: It has pictures...
Me: They pop up...
Me: It has pictures of naked ladies...
Me: You will no longer have to jack off to Lord of the Rings....
Staff/Nazi Scum: *silence... keeps walking....
Me, Psy: Lols....
Maybe it had to be one of those pop-up books that also has a soundtrack...
Post by: Che Gookin on November 27, 2007, 05:01:49 PM
Lols.. fun times.. we will go back later as I told the cops we would buzz off for awhile as Benchmark would repeatedly call them all day.. and the one of the cops had told us that they had to stop in their search for a suicidal guy wandering around Redlands to come deal with us...
Post by: Che Gookin on November 27, 2007, 05:02:05 PM
Lols.. fun times.. we will go back later as I told the cops we would buzz off for awhile as Benchmark would repeatedly call them all day.. and the one of the cops had told us that they had to stop in their search for a suicidal guy wandering around Redlands to come deal with us...
Post by: Che Gookin on November 27, 2007, 05:02:22 PM
Lols.. fun times.. we will go back later as I told the cops we would buzz off for awhile as Benchmark would repeatedly call them all day.. and the one of the cops had told us that they had to stop in their search for a suicidal guy wandering around Redlands to come deal with us...
Post by: Antigen on November 27, 2007, 05:11:15 PM
Quote from: ""Che Gookin""
. and the one of the cops had told us that they had to stop in their search for a suicidal guy wandering around Redlands to come deal with us...
Next time you talk to Leo, ask him if that suicidal guy was one of the epidemic of homeless 20 - 24 year olds Benchmark spits out like a steady stream of tobacco juice.
Post by: Che Gookin on November 27, 2007, 05:20:18 PM
Post by: Antigen on November 27, 2007, 05:24:04 PM
Post by: Che Gookin on November 27, 2007, 05:33:35 PM
PS... Look everyone just because I'm posting more about this doesn't mean I'm responsible for most of what is going on. Psy is busy editing and scheming and god knows what else. This raid was Psy's idea. He put it together and gathered the equipment and money. Most of the major decisions have been his and frankly I'm just along for the ride and making sure some crackhead/staffer doesn't kick his ass.
In the future i want you all to direct the praise towards Psy where it is due. And don't be stingy because the little twerp deserves a fair amount of acknowledgement for his hard work.
Post by: Anonymous on November 27, 2007, 05:38:13 PM
Quote
and the one of the cops had told us that they had to stop in their search for a suicidal guy wandering around Redlands to come deal with us...
Shouldn't the cops be discussing taking the repeat caller to jail for harassing the police at that point?
I can't see Benchmark gaining any popularity in the cops' eyes for this shit.
Post by: Che Gookin on November 27, 2007, 07:11:43 PM
Quote from: ""Guest""
Quoteand the one of the cops had told us that they had to stop in their search for a suicidal guy wandering around Redlands to come deal with us...
Shouldn't the cops be discussing taking the repeat caller to jail for harassing the police at that point?
I can't see Benchmark gaining any popularity in the cops' eyes for this shit.
Psy and I, more Psy as I tend to be in the passenger seat and the cops stand at the driver's side, have taken every opportunity to educate the cops involved regarding the true nature of benchmark. We had a conversation with a cop saying he would be sure to ask young homeless dudes around 18 to 24 in the future if they are from benchmark. So far what is saving benchmark from a serious discussion of frivolous complaints is every single time the cops have had to run our documents they have been different officers. I believe that given a few more incidents Benchmark may well get some sort of official notice of the Redlands Police department.
On that note... The day isn't over yet.. hee hee hee hee hee...
Post by: Antigen on November 27, 2007, 07:45:11 PM
::rocker:: :nworthy:
Post by: Nihilanthic on November 27, 2007, 08:15:25 PM
Quote from: ""Antigen""
I ain't shittin ya a bit, Psy is one of my personal heros. If I had had my shit wrapped that tight when I was his age we wouldn't be having this discussion.
::rocker:: :nworthy:
Its because of you we're here so that in 20 years nobody will have this discussion ever again.
:D
Post by: Che Gookin on November 28, 2007, 10:56:57 AM
Staff Goon: I'm going to have to ask you to not talk to the parents or I will call the police.
Psy: Go ahead.
Me: lols.
Post by: 3xsaSeedling on November 28, 2007, 11:27:42 AM
I wanna go raise some hell too!!
Be careful and come home safe...
'...love you guys'!! :wink:
Post by: GregFL on November 28, 2007, 11:51:39 AM
When we went to SAFE, I spoke at length with some of the parents and just hearing the word cult and safe in the same breath opened some of their eyes. We also got threatened and had a very very intense 5-0 session. I left there feeling exhilirated.
You guys are doing great work!
Post by: Che Gookin on November 28, 2007, 12:03:46 PM
Here are a few hard learned lessons from our raid:
*When working in a pair have one person as the dedicated Cameraman at all times.
We missed out on a few great shots as the camera was not avaliable.
*We definitely could have benifited from having some more people around.
At several points the staff and students were getting so pissed off with us having 2 more people would have caused a nuclear scale melt down.
*Having a dedicated support team.
At one point we were trying to find names and numbers for various peoples and organizations. As we were in the car and in front of the facility most of the time we couldn't do much of the legwork ourselves. Having someone in place to do the info searches could have been very useful.
What we do know now is having a camcorder is the equivalent of a rifle platoon of Marines. The camcorder is a massive force multiplier that exposes for the entire world what goes on at these dumps. I suggest the following approach into the area:
1) Recon it via google maps..
A) Get both street maps, and geographical terrain maps..
B) Use the maps to familiarize yourself with the area for streets, vantage points, and walking paths.
2) Recon it on foot or bicycle.
A) Do a walk by or ride by if you can to investigate the area. Don't take any pictures at this point as you just want to be familiar with the area without giving the staff or students the idea you are there to expose their sad sick truths.
B) If you can gain the daily schedule from a ex-resident or staff then you don't have to spend anytime attempting to decipher the best times to gain access to the students.
3) Once you have reconned the place move in force to achieve desired results.
A) Using signs that convey a very clear and easy to read message attempt to communicate to the students. In the case of benchmark the students talked to us on occasion even when they weren't supposed to be doing son.
more later.. need to get moving. I'll drop in later after I've gotten squared away back in Korea.
Post by: Che Gookin on November 28, 2007, 12:04:51 PM
Quote from: ""GregFL""
Gawd this so reminds me of our first protest of (not so) SAFE so many years ago. I sure wish I could have been there with you guys. Keep up the good work, and keep talking to those parents.
When we went to SAFE, I spoke at length with some of the parents and just hearing the word cult and safe in the same breath opened some of their eyes. We also got threatened and had a very very intense 5-0 session. I left there feeling exhilirated.
You guys are doing great work!
Just one 5-0 session? We've had about 5 of them so far.
Post by: Buddha22 on November 28, 2007, 01:47:54 PM
I know this has been both a thrill and a challenge.
I hope you gained a plethora of wisdom and insight on how church of benchmark really affects these kids.
All I have to say is congrats on the mission well done.
Post by: psy on November 28, 2007, 04:52:23 PM
Quote from: ""Che Gookin""
A) Using signs that convey a very clear and easy to read message attempt to communicate to the students. In the case of benchmark the students talked to us on occasion even when they weren't supposed to be doing so.
A lot of what I did had several layers of meanings. For example, on the last night I stood outside the St. St. Apartments holding Margaret Singer's "Cults in Our Midst", bookmarked to the page discussing how cults control communication with outsiders, reading material etc... I spent a good while convincing anybody (even staff) to take it and read it, but nobody would (i'm not surprised about some of the staff, however, given their apparent level of literacy I observed when I was there).
We did interview multiple neighbors and confirmed that ambulances and police cars do come about every six months (better than when I was there, admittedly, although I doubt the neighbors notice every single attempt). We also confirmed one successful suicide (George) around April of 05 as well as an attempt at the same location a few months later. No wonder the old railroad bridge (where George jumped) is now fenced off.
I did get a level three to openly state that program harms some people more than helping (though, of course, he was convinced he was an addict and the program saved his life bla bla bla). I also got into a little ...er.. argument with a level 2 girl who was then told to stop talking to us. Amazingly, she defied the staff, telling them that she had a right to speak to us.... WOW... After that the staff ushered her off and we never saw here again (she was the one I really wanted to give the book to). I suspect either room/house restriction, although putting her in a motel or taking away her level is probably not out of the question as a punishment for her little assertion of her rights. She was not present for "roll call" the following night.
Probably the best part of the last night was when I approached some parents (on public property) and a staff member came up to me and told me that he would call the cops if I continued to talk to them (he said this in front of the parents). I told him to go ahead and do it, that I was on public property, that they would come, talk to me, and leave pissed off at program after I explained the situation (as I had done the previous 4 times) Had the parents not been there I probably would have been a bit more profane in my response but... oh well. He got the point and left even more frustrated than before.
Apparantly they had been telling the parents a load of shit too since they told me "you're really trying hard to get sent back here, huh..." Given that they told the students I was on drugs and didn't get a security job because of my allegedly shady past (first off... it's bs.. second off, they could not have possibly known such things, but nobody seems to ask the right questions). Then the same staff member that was spreading that bullshit had the gall to demand I not interrupt him and treat him with respect... to which I responded with a profanity-laden speech about free speech that was unfortunately not captured on tape. Assholes are so used to ruling their little world... they really can't take it when somebody is outside the reaches of their authorita.
Let's see... They tried to have us thrown out of our motel, they gave my cell phone number to a (truly fucking insane) Irate parent (who threatened to have me thrown in jail for attempting to help his adult sun leave program, among other things). She also said her son had "ADD and can't take care of himself". TSW had to put her on "time out". She was screaming her head off at him so I don't blame him. They then gave my DAD'S cell phone number in France (god knows how they got that) to that same Irate parent who told him that we had KIDNAPPED him and had him in some motel room (define irony here)...
Ooooh.. we had so much fun and got 90% of it on tape too (including every single incident with the cops... after the first time we started preparing in advance. We joked with the cops about having our names on hotkey given the frequency they were frivolously called to harass us. It must have really pissed them off to see them leave again and again without us in the back of the squad car. We had some nice chats with some of them and I made damn sure to educate them about the program. I got some good information out of some of em too (such as: there is an apparant epidemic of homeless kids from the ages of 18-24 in the Redlands area. The officer also remembered Benchmark's name from a kid he arrested. He said he'd keep and eye out for any more on the streets and I'll sure be keeping in contact with him and others.
Oh. And we also got them refusing to hand over a kid's passport on tape. We then called the cops on them for a change. When the cops came they claimed they didn't have it at the location (but curiously didn't say that before we called em). They also couldn't keep their story straight on a number of important details (have that on tape too). For example, they claimed he was contractually obliged to remain in San Bernardino county on the terms of his parole (he was prosecuted by program, after being forced to sign a confession in program, for stealing a car to leave(he could have used a lawyer for that, yeah...)). Later on they claimed he was restricted to stay in program on the terms of his parole. He claims he never signed any such document (and is barely literate, which is not surprising considering he was in program for the past 8 years(for smoking pot)) They threatened to have me arrested for aiding and abetting him to commit parole violation bla bla bla... LOL. And they acted surprised/offended when my general attitude toward them was basically "fuck you". If they do end up getting a restraining order on me I'm going to frame it, then contest it.
Post by: Nihilanthic on November 28, 2007, 06:45:48 PM
Post by: GregFL on November 28, 2007, 09:56:40 PM
Post by: Nihilanthic on November 28, 2007, 10:26:01 PM
Where have you been?
Wanna help me raid some Floridian programs and knock back some booze?
Post by: Che Gookin on November 28, 2007, 11:26:04 PM
Quote from: ""psy""
A lot of what I did had several layers of meanings. For example, on the last night I stood outside the St. St. Apartments holding Margaret Singer's "Cults in Our Midst", bookmarked to the page discussing how cults control communication with outsiders, reading material etc... I spent a good while convincing anybody (even staff) to take it and read it, but nobody would (i'm not surprised about some of the staff, however, given their apparent level of literacy I observed when I was there).
The building and trades teacher said he would buy a copy after you reminded him that he was all about trust as he was your friendship seminar partner. As far as staff goes he was the only one that didn't make me want to check to see if my wallet was still in my pocket. The rest well.. bleh.. scum all a dem.
Funny part I was reading parts of the book out loud to those two staff who were like 50 to 60 feet away and they just started talking really loudly to drown me out. lols..
Quote
We did interview multiple neighbors and confirmed that ambulances and police cars do come about every six months (better than when I was there, admittedly, although I doubt the neighbors notice every single attempt). We also confirmed one successful suicide (George) around April of 05 as well as an attempt at the same location a few months later. No wonder the old railroad bridge (where George jumped) is now fenced off.
When you went over to take pictures of that bridge I only felt overwhelmingly depressed. Tragic in so many ways and there isn't even some sort of memorial there for George. I'd be willing to donate a few bucks for something at that location.
Quote
Probably the best part of the last night was when I approached some parents (on public property) and a staff member came up to me and told me that he would call the cops if I continued to talk to them (he said this in front of the parents). I told him to go ahead and do it, that I was on public property, that they would come, talk to me, and leave pissed off at program after I explained the situation (as I had done the previous 4 times) Had the parents not been there I probably would have been a bit more profane in my response but... oh well. He got the point and left even more frustrated than before.
yeah pissed me off that I didn't follow you to get that on video.. and like I said before we parted ways I also kick myself for not asking the staff questions like, "When is the last time a Benchmark staff member relapsed on drugs?" and so on and so forth right in front of the parents.
Quote
Apparantly they had been telling the parents a load of shit too since they told me "you're really trying hard to get sent back here, huh..." Given that they told the students I was on drugs and didn't get a security job because of my allegedly shady past (first off... it's bs.. second off, they could not have possibly known such things, but nobody seems to ask the right questions). Then the same staff member that was spreading that bullshit had the gall to demand I not interrupt him and treat him with respect... to which I responded with a profanity-laden speech about free speech that was unfortunately not captured on tape. Assholes are so used to ruling their little world... they really can't take it when somebody is outside the reaches of their authorita.
Lols.. I thought the guy's head was going to explode. It was the same douche bag that got right in my face if I'm not mistaken.
Quote
Let's see... They tried to have us thrown out of our motel, they gave my cell phone number to a (truly fucking insane) Irate parent (who threatened to have me thrown in jail for attempting to help his adult sun leave program, among other things). She also said her son had "ADD and can't take care of himself". TSW had to put her on "time out". She was screaming her head off at him so I don't blame him. They then gave my DAD'S cell phone number in France (god knows how they got that) to that same Irate parent who told him that we had KIDNAPPED him and had him in some motel room (define irony here)...
That shit is surreal.. She kept calling you all night to and then tried to tell your dad the next day that YOU were harrassing her. Guess she didn't like being on time out
Quote
Ooooh.. we had so much fun and got 90% of it on tape too (including every single incident with the cops... after the first time we started preparing in advance. We joked with the cops about having our names on hotkey given the frequency they were frivolously called to harass us. It must have really pissed them off to see them leave again and again without us in the back of the squad car. We had some nice chats with some of them and I made damn sure to educate them about the program. I got some good information out of some of em too (such as: there is an apparant epidemic of homeless kids from the ages of 18-24 in the Redlands area. The officer also remembered Benchmark's name from a kid he arrested. He said he'd keep and eye out for any more on the streets and I'll sure be keeping in contact with him and others.
Yeah that cop is a class act. The first thing he asked me when he saw my passport is how I liked Vietnam. Best part ever was watching the benchmark people looking out the window while Psy, Me, and The cop are on the sidewalk having this big animated conversation with smiles and hand gestures about Singapore. salt.. rubbed... wounds.. lols.. hehe
Quote
Oh. And we also got them refusing to hand over a kid's passport on tape. We then called the cops on them for a change. When the cops came they claimed they didn't have it at the location (but curiously didn't say that before we called em). They also couldn't keep their story straight on a number of important details (have that on tape too). For example, they claimed he was contractually obliged to remain in San Bernardino county on the terms of his parole (he was prosecuted by program, after being forced to sign a confession in program, for stealing a car to leave(he could have used a lawyer for that, yeah...)). Later on they claimed he was restricted to stay in program on the terms of his parole. He claims he never signed any such document (and is barely literate, which is not surprising considering he was in program for the past 8 years(for smoking pot)) They threatened to have me arrested for aiding and abetting him to commit parole violation bla bla bla... LOL. And they acted surprised/offended when my general attitude toward them was basically "fuck you". If they do end up getting a restraining order on me I'm going to frame it, then contest it.
Amen brother I hope they spell my name right if they put it on the damn restraining order.. but on the other hand I'd be happy to visit them again next year if they don't.
I'll have those Benchmark Thanksgiving Weekend Raid Patches made up for you, me, and the donor. They should be pretty fricking cool looking and I'll happily make up a patch for anyone who donates over 100 bucks or participates in a program raid and ship them to those involved.
Post by: psy on November 29, 2007, 12:30:52 AM
Quote from: ""Che Gookin""
Quote from: ""psy""
A lot of what I did had several layers of meanings. For example, on the last night I stood outside the St. St. Apartments holding Margaret Singer's "Cults in Our Midst", bookmarked to the page discussing how cults control communication with outsiders, reading material etc... I spent a good while convincing anybody (even staff) to take it and read it, but nobody would (i'm not surprised about some of the staff, however, given their apparent level of literacy I observed when I was there).
The building and trades teacher said he would buy a copy after you reminded him that he was all about trust as he was your friendship seminar partner. As far as staff goes he was the only one that didn't make me want to check to see if my wallet was still in my pocket.
Yeah. There are some really good people working there. The problem is what they participate in by their passive tolerance of their coworkers/boss's behavior. I consider it very possible that few are fully aware of what is going on. The C.E.D.U. (Charles E Dederich university) model was a cult model and Benchmark inherited that. In my opinion, the C.E.D.U. model was designed with one purpose in mind: to make money. To those who wonder, the name was changed after the rattlesnake incident.
@Parents: If you don't know what i'm talking about you should read Margaret Singer's "Cults in Our Midst". She was right.
Quote
The rest well.. bleh.. scum all a dem.
Funny part I was reading parts of the book out loud to those two staff who were like 50 to 60 feet away and they just started talking really loudly to drown me out. lols..
All it does is prove their minds are closed and they are afraid of considering a possible truth that might threaten their cult belief system.
Quote
QuoteWe did interview multiple neighbors and confirmed that ambulances and police cars do come about every six months (better than when I was there, admittedly, although I doubt the neighbors notice every single attempt). We also confirmed one successful suicide (George) around April of 05 as well as an attempt at the same location a few months later. No wonder the old railroad bridge (where George jumped) is now fenced off.
When you went over to take pictures of that bridge I only felt overwhelmingly depressed. Tragic in so many ways and there isn't even some sort of memorial there for George. I'd be willing to donate a few bucks for something at that location.
Me too. If I'm not complete fricking broke after Budget Rent-A-Car ass-raped my bank account for 598 dollars (advertised as around 150). Boy do those assholes tack on extra shit.
Quote
QuoteProbably the best part of the last night was when I approached some parents (on public property) and a staff member came up to me and told me that he would call the cops if I continued to talk to them (he said this in front of the parents). I told him to go ahead and do it, that I was on public property, that they would come, talk to me, and leave pissed off at program after I explained the situation (as I had done the previous 4 times) Had the parents not been there I probably would have been a bit more profane in my response but... oh well. He got the point and left even more frustrated than before.
yeah pissed me off that I didn't follow you to get that on video.. and like I said before we parted ways I also kick myself for not asking the staff questions like, "When is the last time a Benchmark staff member relapsed on drugs?" and so on and so forth right in front of the parents.
Yeah. But those parents seemed to already know who I was. Richard Brimhall (admissions guy) gave me the NASTIEST look in the world when the cops were there just shooting the shit with us. Oooh he was pissed. It just made my day it was fucking orgasmic. ooh.... pissed off programmie feeling. I love it.
See. The hilarious thing is that the program is trying to convince everybody that I was on fucking drugs. I'm a college student and I don't sleep a lot. I work a lot. Fuck them if they want to slander me. I'll start revealing everything that Jayne's precious daughter, Joelle, Inheritor to the program, said in Friendship Workshop as well as on the "Explorer" trip, etc. What with the sexual confession circle and all.. @Joelle: "vroom.. vrooooom......" Yeah that's right. I'lll record a tape and send it to you for christmas. Merry fucking christmas you assholes. Thanks for fucking my mind up. Should I be polite when I am being slandered? Parents don't like the word fuck? You'd hear it a lot around State St if the Counselors/coaches/0-qualification junkie ex-con counselors.
Quote
QuoteApparantly they had been telling the parents a load of shit too since they told me "you're really trying hard to get sent back here, huh..." Given that they told the students I was on drugs and didn't get a security job because of my allegedly shady past (first off... it's bs.. second off, they could not have possibly known such things, but nobody seems to ask the right questions). Then the same staff member that was spreading that bullshit had the gall to demand I not interrupt him and treat him with respect... to which I responded with a profanity-laden speech about free speech that was unfortunately not captured on tape. Assholes are so used to ruling their little world... they really can't take it when somebody is outside the reaches of their authorita.
Lols.. I thought the guy's head was going to explode. It was the same douche bag that got right in my face if I'm not mistaken.
No. This was Mister Alaska who threatened to call the cops on me for making non-program-approved contact with the parents. They want to control the parent's communication. (again, read Cults In Our Midst if you're scratching you're head)
Quote
QuoteLet's see... They tried to have us thrown out of our motel, they gave my cell phone number to a (truly fucking insane) Irate parent (who threatened to have me thrown in jail for attempting to help his adult sun leave program, among other things). She also said her son had "ADD and can't take care of himself". TSW had to put her on "time out". She was screaming her head off at him so I don't blame him. They then gave my DAD'S cell phone number in France (god knows how they got that) to that same Irate parent who told him that we had KIDNAPPED him and had him in some motel room (define irony here)...
That shit is surreal.. She kept calling you all night to and then tried to tell your dad the next day that YOU were harrassing her. Guess she didn't like being on time out
Living, breathing, proof that some parents are just fucked up beyond all recognition.
Quote
QuoteOoooh.. we had so much fun and got 90% of it on tape too (including every single incident with the cops... after the first time we started preparing in advance. We joked with the cops about having our names on hotkey given the frequency they were frivolously called to harass us. It must have really pissed them off to see them leave again and again without us in the back of the squad car. We had some nice chats with some of them and I made damn sure to educate them about the program. I got some good information out of some of em too (such as: there is an apparant epidemic of homeless kids from the ages of 18-24 in the Redlands area. The officer also remembered Benchmark's name from a kid he arrested. He said he'd keep and eye out for any more on the streets and I'll sure be keeping in contact with him and others.
Yeah that cop is a class act. The first thing he asked me when he saw my passport is how I liked Vietnam. Best part ever was watching the benchmark people looking out the window while Psy, Me, and The cop are on the sidewalk having this big animated conversation with smiles and hand gestures about Singapore. salt.. rubbed... wounds.. lols.. hehe
LOLs... That was so much fucking fun. OK. I'm converting that video segment now... You've convinced me. That one other cop was an asshole, though (the one who played the "bad cop" routine so badly).
Quote
QuoteOh. And we also got them refusing to hand over a kid's passport on tape. We then called the cops on them for a change. When the cops came they claimed they didn't have it at the location (but curiously didn't say that before we called em). They also couldn't keep their story straight on a number of important details (have that on tape too). For example, they claimed he was contractually obliged to remain in San Bernardino county on the terms of his parole (he was prosecuted by program, after being forced to sign a confession in program, for stealing a car to leave(he could have used a lawyer for that, yeah...)). Later on they claimed he was restricted to stay in program on the terms of his parole. He claims he never signed any such document (and is barely literate, which is not surprising considering he was in program for the past 8 years(for smoking pot)) They threatened to have me arrested for aiding and abetting him to commit parole violation bla bla bla... LOL. And they acted surprised/offended when my general attitude toward them was basically "fuck you". If they do end up getting a restraining order on me I'm going to frame it, then contest it.
Amen brother I hope they spell my name right if they put it on the damn restraining order.. but on the other hand I'd be happy to visit them again next year if they don't.
I'll have those Benchmark Thanksgiving Weekend Raid Patches made up for you, me, and the donor. They should be pretty fricking cool looking and I'll happily make up a patch for anyone who donates over 100 bucks or participates in a program raid and ship them to those involved.
RAID.... kills programs dead.
Post by: Antigen on November 29, 2007, 06:16:35 AM
Quote from: ""Che Gookin""
Welp.. We paid our last visit to Benchmark last night. Didn't get much of a reaction from them.. That is the staff just stood out front and stared at us and wouldn't allow the students to interact with us in anyway. More telling is the staff member who threatened to call the police on us again when Psy tried to talk to some parents.
Staff Goon: I'm going to have to ask you to not talk to the parents or I will call the police.
Psy: Go ahead.
Me: lols.
LOL, reminds me of my very first protest on SAFE in Orlando. Loretta Parrish, the "queen bee" of the hive at the time, stood stalwart outside the front door, arms crossed, staring straight ahead, impassive, protecting her flock of followers. Li'll Kimmy Fee (really! 5' nothin, if that, of concentrated jersey girl) took the bullhorn in hand and said "Loretta! You're closing off! What are you hiding?" Loretta's eyes went wide and jaw dropped as she snapped her hands to her sides. Priceless!
Rock on, rock on! I know you did more good than can ever be told by letting those kids wittness BM staff bend to the will of the local cops wrt the passport and by just being unafraid yourselves. Rock on, rock on!
Post by: Che Gookin on November 29, 2007, 10:34:11 AM
Post by: Che Gookin on November 29, 2007, 10:43:25 AM
Quote
LOLs... That was so much fucking fun. OK. I'm converting that video segment now... You've convinced me. That one other cop was an asshole, though (the one who played the "bad cop" routine so badly).
Well the feeling I got from the "bad" cop was mandatory bad cop routine time and once he talked to his partner he looked pissed off that his time was being wasted by Benchmark. Both the "bad" cop and the other two all seemed relieved to hear from us that we would leave the Ed Center for the time being so they could get on with the search for the suicidal dude who was roaming the streets of Redlands.
Proof my friends that if you approach the police in the right way you may well win support from the local authorities by challenging their preconcieved notions of protestors in general. I don't mean start screaming, "MOFO I gots Jonny Cochoran!" I do mean be polite.. be firm but not abrasive.. and be willing to talk back and forth..
Quote
Me too. If I'm not complete fricking broke after Budget Rent-A-Car ass-raped my bank account for 598 dollars (advertised as around 150). Boy do those assholes tack on extra shit.
Total expenditures for me comes out to about 1400 dollars... BUT so worth every damn penny. We will have to go a raiding next year when I get back from Korea again.
Quote
No. This was Mister Alaska who threatened to call the cops on me for making non-program-approved contact with the parents. They want to control the parent's communication. (again, read Cults In Our Midst if you're scratching you're head)
Yeah... It was Ronnie who got in my face.. Mr. Alaska is the one I actually admired from a staff point of view for controlling the situation when we showed up and kept a big scene from breaking out like those other two dolts the night before. Still hopefully the mere fact that Mr. Alaska was treating a bunch of adults like 12 year olds should demonstrate to the students that they are being hosed.
Gotta say home slice that this last week was the high light of my 3 month vacation. It was the most tiring, stressful, and emotionally frustrating, but... I had the most fun.. Not even scuba diving in Palawan came as close to this week.. and that is some damn good diving to be had in Palawan.
Like I said.. next year lets do eeet aGaiN!
Post by: Ursus on November 29, 2007, 12:19:17 PM
Quote from: ""Antigen""
Rock on, rock on! I know you did more good than can ever be told by letting those kids wittness BM staff bend to the will of the local cops wrt the passport and by just being unafraid yourselves. Rock on, rock on!I agree. It is SO hard to have a perspective on reality when you're in one of these places. Watching staff interact with someone from the outside who knows what it is like on the inside -- AND thinks it is a crock of shit -- is priceless.
:tup: :tup: :tup:
Quote from: ""Che Gookin""
Proof my friends that if you approach the police in the right way you may well win support from the local authorities by challenging their preconcieved notions of protestors in general. I don't mean start screaming, "MOFO I gots Jonny Cochoran!" I do mean be polite.. be firm but not abrasive.. and be willing to talk back and forth..
Consequences and repercussions (lols) from getting the neighbors and local police sniffing in the right direction will hopefully go on for quite some time longer. Once that door is cracked a little open, it doesn't usually get closed again.
It's been an inspiring week "watching" this go down. Thanks ever so much, Che and Psy!!
Post by: Anonymous on November 29, 2007, 12:42:23 PM
Well done guys. Looking forward to the summation and video, also any news about the dude who wanted out in terms of how he's doing on the outside. Hopefully you can keep in touch.
Post by: psy on November 30, 2007, 01:09:25 AM
More to come soon. Benchmark... You're so utterly fucked. Fucked beyond your wildest dreams. Hopefully give Jayne a heart attack... oh wait.. that would require a heart to begin with. @parents: if you don't like the word "fuck" you should listen to the staff talk when you aren't around.
streaming should start instantly. Click here (http://http://www.fornits.com/copIncident4.h264.mov)
Post by: dishdutyfugitive on November 30, 2007, 01:32:32 AM
Post by: Ursus on November 30, 2007, 02:21:18 AM
It does load, but it took me the last hour, and monopolized my computer during the whole time... Perhaps I don't have the most robust connection... :cry: :cry:
Post by: Anonymous on November 30, 2007, 04:35:03 AM
http://www.liveleak.com/view?i=ab3_1196412573 (http://www.liveleak.com/view?i=ab3_1196412573)
Perhapsss Psssy could be ssso kind asss to ssssplit the file ssso that we may upload it on the YouTube? Ten minutesss or lesssss.
Post by: Anonymous on November 30, 2007, 08:31:40 AM
Cop: How much do you weigh, Aaron?
Aaron: Um... err... well... 290 lbs.
Cop: Better hire a tug, Aaron.
Post by: Ursus on November 30, 2007, 09:25:33 AM
Quote from: ""Guest""
Aaron: I was waiting in line to go up in one of those speedboat parachutes.
Cop: How much do you weigh, Aaron?
Aaron: Um... err... well... 290 lbs.
Cop: Better hire a tug, Aaron.
:rofl: Land sakes, a poofty 290 lbs. ain't nothing to a great big ol' lardass like me!!! Why, just one of my farts oughta blast that speeedyboat right along, no sweat!
Post by: Che Gookin on November 30, 2007, 09:31:14 AM
Post by: Anonymous on November 30, 2007, 10:21:28 AM
Post by: Anonymous on November 30, 2007, 10:57:33 AM
Post by: Anonymous on November 30, 2007, 11:12:00 AM
Quote from: ""Guest""
What the fuck is that?
HELL if I know. Maybe Charlene left cause Ursus FARTED.
Post by: Anonymous on November 30, 2007, 11:34:55 AM
Post by: Anonymous on November 30, 2007, 11:37:09 AM
Quote from: ""Guest""
Quote from: ""Guest""What the fuck is that?HELL if I know. Maybe Charlene left cause Ursus FARTED.
"Charlene"? ::huh::
Post by: Anne Bonney on November 30, 2007, 11:38:47 AM
:tup:
Post by: Che Gookin on November 30, 2007, 11:47:53 AM
Quote from: ""Anne Bonney""
Nice job guys. Psy, gotta tell ya....it did me a world of good to track down Miller Newton and give him a piece of my mind. So much so I've done it several times. Hope your visit to Benchmark had a similar effect on you.
:tup:
I watched Psy give one of his counselors/tormentors a good telling off and I have to say I thought for awhile there he was going to float off into outter space. The crazy kid looked positively giddy after the event.
Later I told Psy we ought to go into business helping other survivors confronting their counselor/tormentors and terrorizing the hell out of the facilities in the process. I don't know about Psy, but my decision not to persue the idea involved a sudden realization that I'd be spending to much time in crappy hotels and eating even crappier fast food on a regular basis.
Post by: Ursus on November 30, 2007, 02:44:20 PM
Quote from: ""Che Gookin""
Quote from: ""Anne Bonney""Nice job guys. Psy, gotta tell ya....it did me a world of good to track down Miller Newton and give him a piece of my mind. So much so I've done it several times. Hope your visit to Benchmark had a similar effect on you.I watched Psy give one of his counselors/tormentors a good telling off and I have to say I thought for awhile there he was going to float off into outter space. The crazy kid looked positively giddy after the event.
:tup:
Later I told Psy we ought to go into business helping other survivors confronting their counselor/tormentors and terrorizing the hell out of the facilities in the process. I don't know about Psy, but my decision not to persue the idea involved a sudden realization that I'd be spending to much time in crappy hotels and eating even crappier fast food on a regular basis.
Aww, geez... just when us plebes were getting our hopes up! Well, it has been an inspirational tale, to say the least. Ample food for thought for many of us, I am sure. High kudos and creds to the both of you!!
Post by: Nihilanthic on November 30, 2007, 06:50:19 PM
I'm all about traveling the country, kicking ass and taking names, and videotaping the shit and putting it on youtube the whole time.
:D
Post by: Anonymous on November 30, 2007, 09:45:29 PM
Post by: Nihilanthic on November 30, 2007, 11:13:53 PM
Post by: Anonymous on November 30, 2007, 11:17:15 PM
What does your voice sound like?
Post by: Nihilanthic on November 30, 2007, 11:24:14 PM
Post by: Ursus on November 30, 2007, 11:43:40 PM
Post by: Anonymous on December 01, 2007, 01:18:55 AM
Post by: Anonymous on December 01, 2007, 06:45:41 AM
it did me a world of good to track down Miller Newton and give him a piece of my mind.
This is pretty much my dream. Running into ex CEDU staff NOW and telling them exactly what I think... asking rhetorical questions about how they could possibly justify very specific practices as "therapeutic."
So, what did you say to MN and what was his response?
Do you think he has any shame or does he think angry survivors are ungrateful wretches?
...just curious.
Shanlea
PS If any future YLF movements take place in eastern PA, you got a crash pad!
Post by: Che Gookin on December 01, 2007, 07:37:07 AM
Quote
This is pretty much my dream. Running into ex CEDU staff NOW and telling them exactly what I think... asking rhetorical questions about how they could possibly justify very specific practices as "therapeutic."
Go for it.. though be warned.. You will not likely get the answers you are looking for. One of my biggest concerns, I won't call it a fear as I'm not afraid of it happening, but one of my biggest concerns is what to say if I ever get a kid I counseled doing what you suggest.
My biggest hope is I can provide some sort of decent answers for the kid, but like so many things it is easier said than done.
Quote
PS If any future YLF movements take place in eastern PA, you got a crash pad!
Awesome.. do I have to bring my own booze?
Post by: Che Gookin on December 01, 2007, 07:39:06 AM
Quote from: ""Guest""
Psy's voice is higher pitched and nicer than I imagined, che sounded deeper and more thoughtful. I liked that part.."tell me how much you weigh"..."do I have to?"
What does your voice sound like?
lols.. psy and I were talking about how our voices sounded on video and I thought I sounded like a Seasame Street Character.
Post by: Froderik on December 01, 2007, 07:45:08 AM
Post by: Anne Bonney on December 01, 2007, 01:23:28 PM
Quote from: ""Guest""
Anne said:
it did me a world of good to track down Miller Newton and give him a piece of my mind.
This is pretty much my dream. Running into ex CEDU staff NOW and telling them exactly what I think... asking rhetorical questions about how they could possibly justify very specific practices as "therapeutic."
So, what did you say to MN and what was his response?
Do you think he has any shame or does he think angry survivors are ungrateful wretches?
...just curious.
Shanlea
PS If any future YLF movements take place in eastern PA, you got a crash pad!
Its been great every time. He'd try to control the situation, just as if he was still "in charge" but we shut that down but QUICK!!! Told him he was a sick fuck who abused countless kids and we were goign to be here to remind him of that fact for the rest of his miserable life. It was fun watching his face turn beet red in anger. He couldn't control anything! Even after the cops came, he couldn't do shit. Cops asked us what was going on, we told them it was a protest, they basically just said to stay off his property and the left us alone. I threw out specific names of kids who I knew he would personally remember abusing, told all his neighbors what a child abusing criminal he is. I still do that from time to time when I'm out Madeira Beach way. Gives me the same satisfaction every time. I highly recommend it.
:tup: :tup: ::cheers:: ::cheers:: ::cheers:: ::cheers:: ::cheers::
Post by: Nihilanthic on December 01, 2007, 01:58:01 PM
Lets get EVERYONE together (well who wants to go and can make it) and make the rounds.
I'd like to give him a taste of my verbal venom IRL too... its so much juicier than online. Plus my composure, how I carry myself, how my look, and how my voice is really changes the delivery from being so dry and, well, textual.
:wave:
Post by: Che Gookin on December 01, 2007, 06:35:06 PM
Post by: Nihilanthic on December 02, 2007, 12:25:27 AM
Post by: Ursus on December 02, 2007, 12:48:40 AM
Quote from: ""Nihilanthic""
I should also point out I'm loud enough I won't need a megaphone, but our friend bigben would most likely need one due to having to be in recorded form :)
::roflmao:: ::roflmao::
Ah, heck... A couple hundred pounds of lard covered by a linty bear suit should be presence enough, ha haa!
That said, Florida might be a bit far for me, not to mention a potentially sweat-filled adventure.
Post by: Anonymous on December 02, 2007, 03:20:58 AM
1/0 = ?
Post by: try another castle on December 02, 2007, 03:24:02 AM
Post by: Anonymous on December 02, 2007, 04:22:36 AM
Quote from: ""psy""
Yeah. There are some really good people working there. The problem is what they participate in by their passive tolerance of their coworkers/boss's behavior. I consider it very possible that few are fully aware of what is going on.
I consider it affirmed. Go at it and try it to your satisfaction/ That'll do me good either way.
We do not inherit this world from our elders so much as we borrow it from our young. It is our lot to study the work of our elders. That is respect. And to improve on it. That is our legacy; the fruit of their hard labour..
Oh, and if you go to your kids' soccer games and are tempted to 'coach' them harshly, remember that at the end of the season the parents have to play an exhibition game and your kid will be watching on the sideline.
Thank you, Chris Bugg. I hope you're well whevever you are.
Post by: Anonymous on December 02, 2007, 05:29:04 AM
Quote from: ""Ursus""
Quote from: ""Che Gookin""Proof my friends that if you approach the police in the right way you may well win support from the local authorities by challenging their preconcieved notions of protestors in general. I don't mean start screaming, "MOFO I gots Jonny Cochoran!" I do mean be polite.. be firm but not abrasive.. and be willing to talk back and forth..Consequences and repercussions (lols) from getting the neighbors and local police sniffing in the right direction will hopefully go on for quite some time longer. Once that door is cracked a little open, it doesn't usually get closed again.
Sometimes, the best strategy for small critters is to be bitter prey. I've found through experience w/ and w/o Program people that the key to this is to show them you are not easy. You won't lose your cool, You do keep notes and you are sincere. That last is the vital tidbit for program staff, parents, Stockholm victims and outside authorities. They are too. It matters.
Quote
It's been an inspiring week "watching" this go down. Thanks ever so much, Che and Psy!!
A-Men & A-men!
return undef() if /coercion/i;
Post by: Nihilanthic on December 02, 2007, 03:02:20 PM
Quote from: ""try another castle""
Maybe they are both vying for the "clothes that wear people" award?
EXCUUUUUUUUUUUuuuuuuuuuuuuuuUSE MEEEE, PRINCESS!
Post by: Anne Bonney on December 02, 2007, 05:13:02 PM
Quote from: ""Nihilanthic""
Mrs Bonney...
Lets get EVERYONE together (well who wants to go and can make it) and make the rounds.
I'd like to give him a taste of my verbal venom IRL too... its so much juicier than online. Plus my composure, how I carry myself, how my look, and how my voice is really changes the delivery from being so dry and, well, textual.
:wave:
I'm up for it. Lemme know.
Post by: Che Gookin on December 02, 2007, 05:17:06 PM
Post by: Nihilanthic on December 03, 2007, 12:52:43 AM
Quote from: ""Anne Bonney""
Quote from: ""Nihilanthic""Mrs Bonney...
Lets get EVERYONE together (well who wants to go and can make it) and make the rounds.
I'd like to give him a taste of my verbal venom IRL too... its so much juicier than online. Plus my composure, how I carry myself, how my look, and how my voice is really changes the delivery from being so dry and, well, textual.
:wave:
I'm up for it. Lemme know.
I heard Ginger will be coming down to jax soon.
And um whats his face RTP is in Gainesville..
Where are you again? I gotta start meeting people and I ahve mon/tuesday off this week. OH and my b-day is this saturday, the 8th... :wave:
Might as well have some drinks before we go plunge head first into this shit, huh?
Post by: Che Gookin on December 03, 2007, 01:07:18 AM
Post by: mbnh31782 on December 03, 2007, 02:27:12 AM
Post by: Che Gookin on December 03, 2007, 06:07:54 AM
Post by: dishdutyfugitive on December 03, 2007, 10:03:42 AM
When they cops mentioned you guys were videotaping staff's license plates I thought you were done for.
I suggest making a 1 page brochure summarizing the ANTI-TBS position. Ideally, it would contain "corporate friendly" statistics:
-Tuition compared to Harvard
- (lack of ) Accredation issues
- # of lawsuits, wrongful deaths filed nationwide
- # of schools opened and shutdown in the last 15 years.
- # of staff who were previously incarcerated
- Lack of control group studies for 'TBS therapy'
Once you hand that to the cop and say hey man, "I've personally seen the damage done and I'm just want these kids to get proper help".
"The first step is for the public to hear what's really going on in this facility".
"Tell the cop, every person in this county (and state for that matter) are subsidizing this through tax dollars. I'd personally rather see that hard earned money go to the police department so you have the manpower you need to fight crime than funding untrained former convicts to scream at kids because they didn't enjoy growing up in a broken home".
I think at that point we'd have a good chance of generating support from local police.
Post by: Anonymous on December 03, 2007, 10:40:15 AM
And that isolation and trickery are used to keep parents in dark. Same tactics used for all families to keep kids in program. No individuated program. Kids are scared straight, but are not treated individually, and thus same issues re-emerge later--only compounded. These places are totally inappropriate for depression, anxiety, bipolar etc.
Get quick list of cult signs in Maia's or ISAC and print on one side of brochure.
Post by: Anne Bonney on December 03, 2007, 10:55:37 AM
Quote from: ""Nihilanthic""
I heard Ginger will be coming down to jax soon.
And um whats his face RTP is in Gainesville..
Where are you again? I gotta start meeting people and I ahve mon/tuesday off this week. OH and my b-day is this saturday, the 8th... :wave:
Might as well have some drinks before we go plunge head first into this shit, huh?
I'm in the belly of the Straight beast.....St. Pete. Miller Newton and Mel Sembler both live about 20/25 minutes from me. RTP and I have many times paid visits to Newton and his beast of a wife, Ruth Ann. They have been most therapeutic and healing.
::seg:: ::roflmao::
I've offered before to use my boat to have a party behind Newton's house. We could have some of us on the water behind his house and some on the streets between his home and the "church" properties to speak with the neighbors. They hate him too.
Post by: Nihilanthic on December 03, 2007, 01:47:22 PM
Also, uh, I think being on your boat could let you get away with a few things you couldn't otherwise... not SURE of the law though... :wink:
BTW do you have a megaphone? I think he needs a big aping at 420 am :rofl:
Anyway hit me up on YIM, I added you and haven't seen your ass on there. And I Dunno about stpete but JAx has this great store called "Total wine and more" that has.. oh, 5000 kinds of wine, 3000 spirits, 1000 beers, and the cheapest shit I can get anywhere in town.
Can I be captain morgan if you're anne bonney?
Post by: Anne Bonney on December 03, 2007, 02:37:10 PM
Quote from: ""Nihilanthic""
Not TOO far. We should go get drinks and fuck with sembler.
Lemme know.
Quote
Also, uh, I think being on your boat could let you get away with a few things you couldn't otherwise... not SURE of the law though... :wink:
Yeah, I'm not either. I'm gonna check into that.
Quote
BTW do you have a megaphone? I think he needs a big aping at 420 am :rofl:
Yep. Well, PA thru the boat for hailing.
Quote
Anyway hit me up on YIM, I added you and haven't seen your ass on there. And I Dunno about stpete but JAx has this great store called "Total wine and more" that has.. oh, 5000 kinds of wine, 3000 spirits, 1000 beers, and the cheapest shit I can get anywhere in town.
Can I be captain morgan if you're anne bonney?
Cap'n Morgan has been claimed by my husband and since he's the boat Cap'n, he gets it. Sorry. :D
Look for me tonight on YIM
Post by: Che Gookin on December 03, 2007, 04:15:11 PM
Post by: Nihilanthic on December 03, 2007, 10:41:16 PM
YES.
I don't know what everyone has in mind. I know Ginger is coming so we're going to ideally get at Teen Challenge around here, then there is Safe Harbor Boy's home which might be Roloff related.
The current idea seems to be Growing Together, I think that's in Port St. Richie.
At any event, Ill need to get everyone to agree on a time so I can take off work. :P
Post by: Nihilanthic on December 03, 2007, 10:46:44 PM
http://www.boyshome.com/HTML/program_dx_2004.htm (http://www.boyshome.com/HTML/program_dx_2004.htm) <- lets see...
Quote
Program Description
At-risk boys, ages fifteen to seventeen may be eligible to participate in our program. The required minimum stay is one year. Boys are admitted into our program for a number of reasons including:
* failing grades and/or truancy
* some substance use issues
(those with diagnosed substance abuse must attend a rehab program before being admitted)
* poor choice of friends
*defiance, disrespect or violence toward parent(s) - this is different from normal developmental 'conflict' with parents
*emotional difficulty handling the loss of a parent
*for parents who believe they need a "secure" program or facility for their son, Safe Harbor MAY be able to meet this need
*parents who prefer to work with a private program and whose child has minor legal problems will find Safe Harbor is able to work with most Juvenile or Family Courts to obtain a placement from the court
Wow, if you think THAT's bad enough...
Quote
A MINIMUM TERM of one year is required for placement at Safe Harbor. The boys must progress through the level system in order to be recommended to go home. The long term commitment by parents enables each boy to progress, make mistakes, learn from them, and show themselves, the staff, and their parents the consistency over time required for lasting change.
This is an interdenominational Christ centered program. The staff are dedicated Christian individuals who care for each boy in the program. Boys from different religious backgrounds or those from no religious influence are accepted and no child is required to convert to have success in the program. However, parents or guardians of the residents MUST understand our viewpoint that being a Christ centered ministry is the reason we believe success comes to the boys at Safe Harbor. Most parents would be delighted to "have their son back" and are happy to have them exposed to a spiritual influence.
The Safe Harbor program is structured and centers on teaching a work ethic and helping the boys understand their behavior is leading them into less and less freedom.. We develop positive character traits by exposing the boys to many vocational education opportunities including carpentry, welding, boat maintenance & repair, gas and diesel engine repair, and some basic electrical concepts. Character traits such as dependability, follow through, focus and attention to detail, are taught in these courses. Every class at Safe Harbor is entitled "work" to expose these boys to the world of employment, where the majority are headed within twenty four months.
Counseling is offered individually and through groups by both licensed mental health professionals, and pastoral counseling. All staff are involved in mentoring during time spent with the boys. These informal settings help the boys relax, begin to trust adults, and learn life lessons not acquired elsewhere. Most boys entering the program have had outpatient counseling and if these sessions had been successful parents would not be seeking the type of help we offer.
Professional staff conducts individual sessions with families and their sons, conversations over the phone, and sends frequent email to keep parents updated. Additionally, short weekly phone calls along with encouraged letter writing helps restore family relationships. Once placed into residential care, the boy's family suddenly becomes very important again.
Lasting change takes time, and the process and timing for each boy is unique. Parents must take a long term view of the process that develops change. The bad attitudes and habits the boys have upon entering the program did not occur overnight and they will only change over time.
If parents are not committed to having their son work through the level system and to the point where they are recommended to return home, we prefer they not send them to Safe Harbor.
Yep. Program, and bible thumping at that. But two problems
a) They're buddy buddy with J.S.O. Not so good. Plus I don't want my uncle calling me to annoy me (He's a Police Officer with them) but I can deal.
b) Other than the bullshit criteria and level system I've yet to have seen any actual abuse accusations! On the grounds of their minimum year nonsense and level system alone its worth going after but PUBLICALLY it would be a bit like charging a windmill ala Don Quixote.
BUT, it would give the kids inside a booster shot, so hum.
GT seems a safer bet, its a freaking STRAIGHT INC spinoff.
INPUT, PLEASE!
Post by: Che Gookin on December 04, 2007, 12:25:26 AM
Post by: Che Gookin on December 04, 2007, 12:25:36 AM
Post by: Che Gookin on December 04, 2007, 12:26:08 AM
Post by: Anonymous on December 06, 2007, 10:27:16 PM
MASS MARKET APPEAL, ASSHOLE!
Post by: Che Gookin on December 06, 2007, 10:48:04 PM
Post by: psy on December 07, 2007, 01:16:10 AM
Quote from: ""Guest""
Okay Psy, why the fuck have you not already taken the best 10 minutes of video you have and made it into a Youtube-digestible chunk suitable for the general population of America?
MASS MARKET APPEAL, ASSHOLE!
Would you like to help edit? One condition: you must blur out student's faces. Staff, on the other hand, should be carefully labeled. Sorry for the delay, I've been busy with various homeworks this week and unexpected happenings.
Ok. So here's a second little taste (http://http://www.fornits.com/teaser1.mov). It's by far not the best stuff I got, but I figure I'll make you wait for the good stuff. :D I'm going to meet up with Ginger this weekend and get her input on some stuff, then I'll post some more. The fully edited (probably about an hour or so) DVD will be released as an .iso on bittorrent. You can also order DVDs from me if you're not techincally inclined with bittorrent and/or don't have a DVD burner. I'll post details on that when I'm ready. If i'm quiet this week it's because I'm probably slaving over Final Cut.
Post by: Anonymous on December 07, 2007, 06:50:25 AM
Post by: Che Gookin on December 07, 2007, 08:21:07 AM
Post by: Anonymous on December 07, 2007, 08:35:59 AM
Post by: Nihilanthic on December 07, 2007, 11:27:54 AM
And a huge infrastructure behind dissemination and general internet warfare.
BTW why is he white and green?
Post by: try another castle on December 07, 2007, 12:43:24 PM
Post by: Anonymous on December 07, 2007, 03:07:35 PM
Quote from: ""Che Gookin""
Hold your horses dude.. the man said he is busy and all. Serious shit load of footage he has to deal with. I oughta know I helped him take some of it and watched him do the rest.
Just a tip, little buddy. For someone in the English teachers market, you are expected to know how to spell.
"I'm currently on vacation and won't be avaliable till the 5th of January. I'm looking for either a public school position or a hogwon that offers no more than 25 teaching hours a week for 2.1 million with 2 weeks paid holiday a year.
Again, I am NOT avaliable till the 5th of January."
You see, I'm not all bad.
Post by: Anonymous on December 07, 2007, 04:09:25 PM
Quote
You see, I'm not all bad.
But you seem to have a real problem with people not paying enough attention to you. Even though you have nothing helpful to say.
Post by: Anonymous on December 07, 2007, 04:25:46 PM
Post by: Anonymous on December 07, 2007, 04:40:34 PM
Post by: Anonymous on December 07, 2007, 05:03:38 PM
keep it up, frooty tooty.
Post by: Ursus on December 07, 2007, 05:04:26 PM
Very creative! Really liked the way you blurred students' faces (X-high contrast in green of the negative), the occasional (and simple) text explanations, etc. Concur with Castle re. volume. I had difficulty reading the case files superimposed at one point; perhaps focusing in on the portions you highlighted for most of the duration that they are on screen might help, then zooming out to show what the document is... Or perhaps full-screen doc, then zoom in, hold for awhile, then zoom out again. I think you tried to do that, but the sequence was not consistent and that might confuse people. Also: you might want to have a brief explanatory paragraph accompanying the clip (for people to read) to set the scene for those not in the know. E.g., was this at the motel where ostracized kids get placed to prevent their contaminating the brainwashing attempts at Benchmark proper?
All in all, I'm very very impressed. Thanks for sharing that with us.
:tup: :tup: :tup:
Post by: Nihilanthic on December 07, 2007, 05:11:16 PM
Post by: Anonymous on December 07, 2007, 05:22:02 PM
Quote from: ""Guest""
Oh, yes. I do not slander total strangers behind what is not a safe veil of anonymity. But that's just me.
huh? r u threatening this guy? Why? He said "asshole"? Is that the slander you're talking about?
Post by: Ursus on December 07, 2007, 05:31:09 PM
Post by: psy on December 07, 2007, 06:07:03 PM
Quote from: ""Ursus""
@ psy: Maybe also some more survivor/inmate footage to help underscore the personal impact. I realize that the actual circumstances of this YLF visit to Benchmark may have precluded more of that than would be hoped for. Perhaps even some small snip of footage of you being interviewed intercut with the rest of the material might be helpful?
I have three interviews with survivors. One you've already seen, one with the guy we tried to get out, and one with Buddah22 and his dad. I just have to blur out faces and stuff. Please be patient. I'm busy with finals too right now.
Post by: Che Gookin on December 07, 2007, 06:12:09 PM
Post by: Nihilanthic on December 08, 2007, 03:22:36 AM
MUAHAHA.
Post by: Che Gookin on December 09, 2007, 08:08:48 AM
Post by: dishdutyfugitive on December 09, 2007, 02:19:19 PM
Nice work. That video preview is impressive.
Post by: Buddha22 on December 09, 2007, 09:50:00 PM
Post by: Che Gookin on December 10, 2007, 04:53:54 AM
Post by: Anonymous on December 10, 2007, 09:05:25 PM
Post by: Che Gookin on December 10, 2007, 09:16:29 PM
And thank for your kind words.
Post by: Buddha22 on December 11, 2007, 03:15:07 PM
I need to talk to him about some exclusive organizational stuff i think i cannot reveal on fornits.
i finally downloaded the trailer, awesome work psy! hope you work and do wonders with that film
Post by: Che Gookin on December 11, 2007, 06:11:42 PM
I do have one question for you...
During the week we couldn't find hide or hair of any awols. From one homeless lady and another source we found out that the AWOLs all dissappeared a couple weeks before.
Was benchmark rounding up awols and shipping them out of town during your time?
Post by: Buddha22 on December 11, 2007, 09:53:54 PM
I was talking to the head detective responding to what i have wrote to the District attorney. He said he was going to investigate them.
since you raised hell at benchmark, i am, and my parents think me and your efforts put them on the District Attorney's radar.
I did not know when you were planning a road trip exactly
it turned out that it was two weeks after alerting the authority's about my problems with benchmark.
If it is my fault, do not blame me, i did not know what time you were doing this.
but hey, we probably got major appeal from the police thus sending benchmark into an all out orgy of anxiety and pain.
also, i was at benchmark july, 2002- march, 2003
Post by: Che Gookin on December 11, 2007, 10:03:32 PM
Perhaps the time was just right on your part as the D.A. would be privvy to a veritable slew of reports of protests occuring at Benchmark. This only gives your claims more strength.
This would be the same D.A. that Benchmark would have to approach to gain a restraining order against Psy. At the very least your timing put it in the DA's head that their is a complaint, our protest reinforced the notion, and Benchmark's nonstop whining, grovelling, moaning, pissing, whining, bawling, sobbing, and hanky stomping to the police and DA's office gave birth to a situation with even more urgency than it had previously.
Simply the DA only has to ask the Police officers involved with Psy and myself to find out that the moderate, polite, and reasonable ones were us and the idiots were Benchmark..
So hopefully it gives them a good kick in the pants.
Post by: Buddha22 on December 11, 2007, 10:14:43 PM
I hope to see all the staff members in handcuffs for what they have done to me and others.
I have this feeling in my gut their end is coming.
I don't know why i feel this , it feels confusing tho.
Post by: Che Gookin on December 11, 2007, 10:51:23 PM
Don't stress it.. in the end it will be the best thing to do. Those who are good people have had plenty of chances to leave the place. They know what is going on inside of the ED center. They know about the damn holes in the "volley ball" court.
From the top to the bottom that place is a damn disease. The flesh of society is tainted by the cancer called benchmark and my friend you are going to be part of the radical surgery that will cut the cancer right out of the flesh.
So relax dude.. no one in that damn place is innocent no matter how well they treated you..
Because they all know exactly what is going on and each and every one of us is in possession of enough common sense to know right from wrong. Might take some of us longer to figure it out than others, but eventually we all have to be able to sort it out for ourselves and be strong enough to say no more.
Those that have stayed at benchmark for years on end and continue to perpetuate the "raps" and the "revelations" regarding masterabation while driving need to go down no matter how well intentioned they are or how nicely they treated you.
ramble fest over as this is sort of ackward coming from me knowing I've a few sins of my own that I'll never be able to pay off fully.
Post by: Anonymous on December 12, 2007, 05:07:39 AM
Quote from: ""Che Gookin""
No clue what to tell you about that, but I'd wager to say that deep inside you've a few hesitations about the whole process of watching the staff being frog marched off in hand cuffs. Maybe you feel some anxiety regarding the staff that didn't comport themselves like nazi storm troopers?
Don't stress it.. in the end it will be the best thing to do. Those who are good people have had plenty of chances to leave the place. They know what is going on inside of the ED center. They know about the damn holes in the "volley ball" court.
From the top to the bottom that place is a damn disease. The flesh of society is tainted by the cancer called benchmark and my friend you are going to be part of the radical surgery that will cut the cancer right out of the flesh.
So relax dude.. no one in that damn place is innocent no matter how well they treated you..
Because they all know exactly what is going on and each and every one of us is in possession of enough common sense to know right from wrong. Might take some of us longer to figure it out than others, but eventually we all have to be able to sort it out for ourselves and be strong enough to say no more.
Those that have stayed at benchmark for years on end and continue to perpetuate the "raps" and the "revelations" regarding masterabation while driving need to go down no matter how well intentioned they are or how nicely they treated you.
ramble fest over as this is sort of ackward coming from me knowing I've a few sins of my own that I'll never be able to pay off fully.
oh god, that's so touching. Don't feel bad, anymore. You are a very good person che, a very very kind, nice man. And your voice sounds like a "nice" sesame street character, in a good way...I can't think who though
here, have a burger ::burger::
and a drink ::cheers::
(yay for emoticons)
Post by: Che Gookin on December 12, 2007, 06:24:32 AM
Quote
oh god, that's so touching. Don't feel bad, anymore. You are a very good person che, a very very kind, nice man. And your voice sounds like a "nice" sesame street character, in a good way...I can't think who though
Well I wouldn't say I feel bad. I've moved beyond doing this out of guilt and into the realm of doing this out of sheer moral outrage. I don't think I could keep at this if it was out of guilt. The emotion of guilt isn't a sufficient fuel to drive me in attaining my objectives.
I do have things I feel guilty about from working at Three Springs and Eckerds, but those feeling tend to manifest themselves in others ways in my life. Rarely ever does the guilt rear its ugly little head here on fornits or anywhere else.
One example, in class today I had a kid who kept speaking Korean. My compulsive anal side told me, "DAMN it.. drop the hammer on him.. He is supposed to be speaking English.. NOT korean! It is english class..!!"
My common sense side told me, "give him a few chances as his first language is Korean and all... sheesh man..."
I choose option number one and busted him...
Well it didn't take to long for me to notice his downcast demeanor and lack of participation in class. I realized that there is clearly more than one way to skin a cat and if I wanted to do my job properly I had better refrain from my 3 springs style of rule enforcement. I was immediately stricken with a nearly numbing sense of guilt for falling back into my asshole counselor routine.
So.. I asked I began complimenting the kid everytime he spoke English and stared at him silently, until he noticed me, when he spoke Korean. After awhile he was speaking more English than Korean and by the end of class nothing but English with a few gentle reminders to do so by myself.
I then went into my grade book and showed the kid where I crossed out the point deduction for his earlier transgression and sent him on his way in happier form than before.
Post by: Anonymous on December 13, 2007, 12:12:46 PM
Post by: Anonymous on December 13, 2007, 12:13:54 PM
Post by: Che Gookin on December 13, 2007, 06:49:05 PM
Post by: Nihilanthic on December 18, 2007, 04:47:58 PM
Post by: Botched Programming on December 18, 2007, 04:50:27 PM
Quote from: ""Nihilanthic""
Wanna make it Growing Together for sure?
Hell.... I'm all in!!!!!!!!![/color]
Post by: Nihilanthic on December 18, 2007, 04:52:08 PM
We gotta fucking meet up in Jan and get to know everyones personality/drinking habits/shoe sizes/medications.
Then we gotta go stake out GT and get an idea of the lay of the land.
Anyone got an address? Mapquest and google earth is your friend :wink:
Post by: Che Gookin on December 18, 2007, 06:38:54 PM
Good luck!
Post by: Che Gookin on December 18, 2007, 08:48:58 PM
Pacific Northwest Coordinator Lorri found this url. Have fun with it boys and girls.
Post by: Anonymous on December 20, 2007, 03:03:59 PM
Post by: stina on December 23, 2007, 03:59:16 AM
Post by: Froderik on December 23, 2007, 11:23:58 AM
(Or, if you'd rather, just put the link up when the thing's done?)
Post by: Anonymous on December 25, 2007, 09:34:55 PM
Post by: psy on December 25, 2007, 10:55:16 PM
Quote from: ""Guest""
So how many children has this video kept from being enrolled in Benchmark?
Probably not too many(but my website has, apparently hurt their enrollement). give me a break though. I've just graduated last week (YAY. Now I officially, with a BA, have more education but all but a few Benchmark Staff).
I've asked for help with editing but so far haven't got any volunteers I know and can trust with raw, unredacted footage (so I have to track and blur faces myself, which can be a time consuming process, as well as change the voices for interviews with people who Benchmark doesn't know I talked to).
Yes, I had intended to have it done a while ago but I didn't intend on capturing the sheer volume of footage I did. What i'm doing now is cutting the footage up and organizing it so I can put it together in a package that is convincing, looks good, and will, hopefully, keep kids from being enrolled in Benchmark.
Edit:
Oh yeah. I have to do subtitles too. And I could use a narrator.
Post by: hurrikayne on December 25, 2007, 11:17:31 PM
As for your quest for assistance in editing...if I hear of anyone that knows how to do that kind of stuff, you'll be the first to know.
I'm having a time loading my Christmas gift (Ipod shuffle...) so, yeah, I'm of no help on that front...I blame my pACE edumakashun. Heh.
Post by: 3xsaSeedling on December 27, 2007, 03:23:09 PM
I consider myself a watcher;
Here's the short set: Shit happens every day. Lots of it's bad. KARMA IS watching!
I watch for KARMA to 'come back around';
(goKarmagoKarma)
It amazes me that no 'Karmic Victim' is EVER aware that anything's coming;
"Good things come to those who wait."[/i]
I'll be back to this
I'm baaack!!
So you guys are like 'Karmic avengers' right now!!!
kewel
Nice work guys
Post by: Che Gookin on December 27, 2007, 05:05:24 PM
Quote from: ""psy""
Quote from: ""Guest""So how many children has this video kept from being enrolled in Benchmark?
Probably not too many(but my website has, apparently hurt their enrollement). give me a break though. I've just graduated last week (YAY. Now I officially, with a BA, have more education but all but a few Benchmark Staff).
I've asked for help with editing but so far haven't got any volunteers I know and can trust with raw, unredacted footage (so I have to track and blur faces myself, which can be a time consuming process, as well as change the voices for interviews with people who Benchmark doesn't know I talked to).
Yes, I had intended to have it done a while ago but I didn't intend on capturing the sheer volume of footage I did. What i'm doing now is cutting the footage up and organizing it so I can put it together in a package that is convincing, looks good, and will, hopefully, keep kids from being enrolled in Benchmark.
Edit:
Oh yeah. I have to do subtitles too. And I could use a narrator.
Yeah you did get a shit load of footage. I wish I could help you more but my knowledge of video editting is at best... anemic? I think you've seen samples of my "work" before.
ICE CREAM ICE CREAM I SAY!
Post by: psy on December 28, 2007, 11:57:28 AM
Yet Another Suicide (http://http://www.fornits.com/yetAnotherSuicide.mov)
Students slitting wrists (http://http://www.fornits.com/studentsSlittingWrists.mov)
Those are from an interview with a Benchmark student down in Cali. The audio isn't censored since they know we talked to him. Yes, you get to hear my silly voice again. You should know I don't sound like that to myself.
Another attempt (http://http://www.fornits.com/anotherAttempt.mov)
This is from an interview with a neighbor across the street from Benchmark explaining how just a month after George's successful suicide attempt there was a second kid on the bridge threatening to do the same exact thing. Perhaps that's why they eventually fenced the bridge off.
Ambulance seen this year (http://http://www.fornits.com/PoliceThisYear.mov)
That's from the same interview with the neighbor. Apparantly things haven't improved all that much at Benchmark since there are still suicide attempts. Want more? She wasn't the only neighbor we interviewed.
Doctor judges Benchmark a dangerous environment (http://http://www.fornits.com/bmarkDangerous.mov)
Here, Buddah22's father describes how a doctor at Loma Linda hospital refused to send him back to Benchmark, judging it a dangerous environment for him, given that he was suicidal at the time.
That clip also mentions Dr. Mauer, and I have lots more about him in various interviews.
Post by: Buddha22 on December 28, 2007, 05:59:48 PM
I am so blessed that i got out of there before i actually followed through.
That doctor and my mom saved my life from that...
abusive,
manipulative,
game playing,
delusional,
saint claiming,
egotistical,
sociopathic,
staff @ benchmark treatment center.
Post by: Anonymous on December 28, 2007, 08:07:24 PM
Any idea on where to get cheap sign supplies?
Post by: psy on December 28, 2007, 08:23:34 PM
Post by: Che Gookin on December 28, 2007, 08:23:36 PM
Post by: Buddha22 on December 30, 2007, 11:21:55 PM
:rofl: :rofl: :rofl:
ronny never aged a bit!
Post by: Anonymous on February 18, 2008, 03:41:28 PM
Post by: Anonymous on February 18, 2008, 05:11:29 PM
Quote from: "guest"
Where's the documentary? Ha,Ha,Ha... you should of spent your money to go on vacation to Florida and spent time on the beach, it would of had the same effect as your protest, which is nothing. I just want to know who was top, it was che wasn't it?
Just sign back in already you idiot.
Post by: psy on February 18, 2008, 05:38:46 PM
Post by: ZenAgent on February 19, 2008, 01:50:52 PM
Quote from: "guest"
Where's the documentary? Ha,Ha,Ha... you should of spent your money to go on vacation to Florida and spent time on the beach, it would of had the same effect as your protest, which is nothing. I just want to know who was top, it was che wasn't it?
Would have, you cretinous, scuzzy little berk...How many times must you be told? Ah, I give up, someone restrain this troll and inject his ass full of "booty juice".
Post by: Froderik on February 19, 2008, 02:04:29 PM
Post by: ZenAgent on February 19, 2008, 02:16:05 PM
Quote from: "Froderik"
:D :D What is this "booty juice" of which you speak, Zen? (((LOL)))
It sounds like the latest Rave drug, but I imagine it's a cocktail of antipsychotics like Abilify and Klonopine used as a chemical restraint. This staff goon from PV posted about it on his MySpace blog. FYI, if you ask PV, they do NOT use chemical restraints. I'm at the point where catching PV in a lie is old hat.
Work Info
Employer:
Peninsula Behavioral Hospital
Position:
Program counselor
Description:
I'm there to handle kids that are psychotic, suicidal, homicidal, or have commited felonies. Oh yeah, I am also there to take them down when they are rowdy so the nurse can give them the booty juice.
One day, this asswipe will find out the other counselors get paid with money, not with bananas like he gets.
Post by: Buddha22 on February 21, 2008, 01:37:01 AM
Quote from: "guest"
Where's the documentary? Ha,Ha,Ha... you should of spent your money to go on vacation to Florida and spent time on the beach, it would of had the same effect as your protest, which is nothing. I just want to know who was top, it was che wasn't it?
to guest
Awww... staff goonie trying to have power over us. awww....
:::gives hugs::::
We love you!
go kill a kitten.
^
|
seriously, guest, the crimes of mind rape is more serious than that.
do you approve of killing innocent kittens?
sounds like it!
p.s. well, about the protest part, in fact, it is your opinion. your opinion means nothing compared to fact!
fact: benchmark is seeing its last years, or months.
Post by: Che Gookin on February 26, 2008, 04:13:57 AM