News had it less than two weeks ago that Anonymous member Dmitryi Guzner agreed to charges of computer sabotage and attacks on the Church of Scientology websites as well as to pay $37,500 in restitution.
(Ref: US Department of Justice statement 18 Oct 08, plea agreement)
This was a starting point of a series of legal losses for Anonymous and following irate reactions of their propagandists. On Guzner, the Anonymous propaganda machine reacted with a press release issued the same day and stating that Scientology would not support same-sex marriage, an issue the Church of Scientology is not caring about much due to its lack of spiritual background.
(Ref: "Scientology Cult Supports California Anti-Gay Marriage Amendment", 18 Oct 2008, Article about Scientology and gays)
Gregg Housh
The next in this series of bad news for Anonymous was Gregg Housh. Housh admitted at the Boston Municipal Court that there is enough evidence to warrant a finding of guilt that he was disturbing the peace and religious services of the Church of Scientology in Boston. Housh had been leading a group of people, all masked with "V for Vendetta" masks (somewhat resembling the appearance of the KKK, as a Boston citizen would put it later) at an "international protest" of Anonymous in Boston.
(Ref: The Phoenix 24 Oct 08, Statement of the State Attorney 22 Oct 08, The Phoenix 29 Oct 08)
To be more precise, the Assistant District Attorney, Mr. Devlin, read out the charges as follows:
"Docket # 0086676. Date of offense: February 10th, 2008. On this date the defendant, Gregg Housh, willfully disturbed and interrupted religious worship taking place inside the Church of Scientology located at that location. He also caused disturbance of the peace with the same conduct."
To which Housh says:
JUDGE: Alright, a few moments ago sir the Assistant DA, Mr. Devlin, recited the facts of the case. Did you hear what he said the facts were?
HOUSH: Yes.
JUDGE: Do you admit those facts as being true?
HOUSH: Yes.
JUDGE: You admit to sufficient facts willingly, freely and voluntarily?
HOUSH: Yes.
To circumvent a sentence of up to one year of jail he agreed with a 12-month probation ending 21 Oct 2009. The court clerk information Housh at the end of the hearing that he "Please see probation, sir, before you leave the courthouse today.".
(Ref: Court Room 18, recording of public hearing, 22 Oct 08, 11:35am-11:42am)
A disaster for the Anonymous, whose propagandists struggle to keep their personal army going. On 23 October 2008 several new online identities are born to start a justification spree on the internet, trying to explain that Anonymous should celebrate now that "the Judge was effectively dismissing the charges" against Housh - an obvious lie spread to keep the troop moral up. In the case of Mr. Guzner they explain to the technically illiterate why it is not harmful to try to destroy computers one does not own, a claim that might be apparent only to those who do not own a computer or website.
(Ref: DDos Hacker charged, DDoS Hacking justification, Anonymous Press release on Housh)
Donald Myers
The Anonymous propaganda machine however was speechless on the third of last weeks' Anonymous bad news, Donald Myers. Mr. Myers, also known as "Angry Gay Pope", was given a restraining order that requires him to stay at least 50 yards away from a female Scientologist he stalked and harassed. The order also requires Myers to stay away from the L. Ron Hubbard Life Exhibition at the Church of Scientology International building in Hollywood where the victim works, and stay 50 yards away from the woman's home. The restraining order lasts for 3 years unless renewed.
(Ref: Restraining Order, 24 October 2008)
Myers was found to have engaged in acts of harassment against the young woman, after video evidence was submitted to the court showing Myers stalking her, taunting her with sexual slurs, and refusing repeated requests to leave her alone. Myers was also ordered by the court to turn over any firearms in his possession to the police.(Ref: Statement on Myers case, 27 October 2008)
Francois
Bad news accumulated further when Francois, known as "AnonOrange" (like "Agent Orange"), was arrested on 26 October 2008 for trespassing. He and three other Anonymous members had gathered for another "international protest" when he stepped inside the Church grounds and refused to leave. He was arrested and later "hauled off to jail" (per "AnonforPres" on Youtube).
The case is open to a lot of speculation, as it is not sure what he wanted to achieve. It can be safely assumed however that he is trying to create an incident for the Anonymous propaganda department to exploit.
(Ref: Youtube video of "protest")
October is almost over. We can be curious what November brings for "Anonymous". Remember remember, the 5th of November, the rhyme going along with Guy Fawkes day - whose face is depicted on the masks of Anonymous members - is used by Anonymous members who use paid promotion since weeks on internal Anonymous boards to spread that on 5th November 2008 "at midnight London time" a severe virus will be spread to "systematically dismantle the Church of Scientology".
Well, be shall be curious.
