More Private Inurement

If one is going to pay clergy out of donations, it's okay for said clergy to have an appropriate means of transport. At what point, though, does it become too much? And who should pay?

There have been revelations about Miscavige's vehicle fetish before, but this one is completely over the top. Much as I understand the fascination with fine Italian crafts, does one really need the most powerful road bike in the world if one heads up a religion?

I'm reminded of Rajneesh's fascination with Rolls Royces.

I think I'm more offended by how the money for the motorcycle was purportedly raised: forcing people who were already making at most $50 a week (out of which they needed to buy all personal care items and shoes) to contribute under significant pressure of consequences if they did not.

When I worked for Scn in Tustin, we'd be asked to buy a birthday or Christmas present for our local head, John Woodruff (who has since gotten himself into legal trouble after leaving staff) every year, but there were no consequences if we didn't contribute.

Random Poll: The Usual Suspects

[Poll #1711655]

Note: feel free to discuss spoilers in comments.

Geek Gals Extraordinaire

Great article about Natalie Portman's geek cred. Pity if failed to mention her Erdős–Bacon number. I know at least one person on my f-list has an Erdős number, but if there's more of you out there, I don't know that.

Article also covers other extraordinary women actor/scientists, including Hedy Lamarr, Danica McKellar, and Mayim Bialik.