Web Scout was intrigued by the idea that major corporations around the world might be part of a vast network of dissemination for Scientology-related literature and booklets. So I made a couple of calls to the communications departments of companies named in the latest leaked video. Here's what they're saying:
Dell Inc. spokesman: "This came to our attention yesterday. We did research it with our colleagues in our Europe, Middle East and Africa business segment and with our colleagues in South Africa. We found no evidence that this is accurate, and it's not our practice to disseminate religious materials of any kind. We've got no affiliation with the Church of Scientology."
7/11 spokeswoman: "My international department believes that it's unfounded and inaccurate. But we've got to follow up with our licensee and get to the bottom of it."
Philips Electronics spokesman: "We were as stunned as anybody this morning. It's not something we were aware of. As an equal opportunity employer, religion is not something we comment on."
Several of the spokespeople noted that in the video, Miscavige uses slippery language to avoid directly saying the corporations took part in any distribution efforts.
Take another look at the text of the speech-and you''ll notice the lack of actual verbs.
Then there's our corporate tie ins. The multinationals tend to have Third World image problems, so this is what they're doing about it-Coca Cola Pakistan with a braille edition for the blind, nationally televised no less. Philips Electronics, likewise all over Pakistan, and Dell Computers all over Africa.
Other entities named in the video are investigating the matter before commenting.
