I am 18 years old, I live in Clearwater and I have been a Scientologist all my life. On the morning of Sept. 11 I watched the second plane hit the World Trade Center on TV. I got on the first bus I could to go to New York and volunteer. I immediately went to work at ground zero, where I worked for three days and two nights straight.
I and the other volunteers I worked with were doing anything we could to help the firefighters and Police Department. We would feed them all their meals, supply them with snacks and drinks and clothing.
We were also in the bucket lines for hours at a time. While working the lines, I would look at what we were cleaning up and what was in the buckets. I saw pictures that were on people's desks, keyboards people were once using, briefcases, purses and other personal belongings. It took all my remaining energy not to break down and cry.
The conditions we were working under were very stressful due to the smoke from burning fires, the smell of asbestos and dead bodies, and pouring rain. When you couldn't go any more and you found a place to rest for a few hours, you slept on a gym mat or a small cot. The site was very noisy and the asbestos burned your eyes, nose and throat.
All of the agencies on the site, including the Fire Department of New York, the New York Police Department, FBI, CIA, Army, Navy, the Marines and the National Guard, were all so grateful to us. There were people on their knees thanking us, giving us their jackets off their backs in appreciation. People would stop what they were doing and ask us to pose for pictures. They recognized us because we were all wearing our Scientology volunteer shirts and badges.
Anyone who has a bad opinion about Scientology or Scientologists and has gone out of their way to publicly express it at a time like this reminds me of who we are dealing with in their actions toward America.
I am proud to be a Scientologist and an American, and people of all nationalities and religions are my friends.
--Adrian Austin, Clearwater
Examine contributions to elected officials
Re:Mental health hotline a blind lead, story, Sept. 15, and Tragedy counselors were self-serving, letter, Sept. 25.
The writers were absolutely correct. I especially agree with the letter which states, "Just when you think that Scientology can't sink any lower, they outdo themselves. To use our country's worst national crisis and grief for their own recruiting purposes is beyond belief."
Since Sept. 11 I have followed the unbelievable events at the World Trade Center, the Pentagon and in Pennsylvania. I have marveled at the courage and self-sacrifice of the police and firefighters. The many tributes and ceremonies for the victims, heroic citizens and public officials were well-deserved and in good taste -- except for the Sept. 26 event on the steps of the old county courthouse.
Pinellas County officials apparently forgot 25 years of abuse of members and citizens by the Scientologists when they commended the Scientology volunteers who recruited among the ruins of Wall Street in New York. Since the majority of county commissioners received generous contributions from the Scientology-Chamber of Commerce coalition, it was payback time. Whoever pays the piper calls the tune.
Voters are urged to examine the campaign contribution reports for elected county, state and local officials to understand why a few attorneys, builders and developers wield so much power and influence over commissioners and governing boards and committees.
A recent ruling by the Pinellas County EEOC reflects bias in support of Scientologists. If the cult can refuse to serve any non-Scientologist, it can refuse to serve any citizen. This ruling must be reversed.
-- Gabe Cazares, Clearwater
Why can't we all just get along? Enough already! Why do we allow a handful of haters to divide our city?
We are no longer Republicans, Democrats, Christians, Jews, Scientologists, Muslims, black, white, Asian, Indian, Hispanic, etc. We are all Americans. Why do people try to create controversy when being united makes us stronger?
The Church of Scientology sent hundreds of volunteers from around the world to help in the rescue effort in New York City. According to the St. Petersburg Times, they were one of a few groups allowed at ground zero because their efforts helped this horrific situation.
Here is a good suggestion on how to pull our city together. Say thank you to our police officers, firefighters, city workers and yes, the members of the Church of Scientology. Tell them all we appreciate their help.
My religious views may be different from the Church of Scientology's, but I believe we must be united. We no longer have time for division and bigotry.
-- Mary Repper, Clearwater