• Union wants one law for all

Peebs.Net readers will recall that Maurice Clist, the Exclusive Brethren owner of Aucklands' Fort Richard Laboratories, threatened his foreign staff with termination if they continued speaking in their own language in the staff dining room area. This act angered many in the local Auckland community and the ripples reached Pakistani and Indian communities.

The Exclusive Brethren do not allow their members to join unions. The EPMU is rightly insisting that this self-imposed ban should not be forced upon their non-Brethren employees.

February 25th, 2005 (EB News)

Some may remember Michael Laws, now mayor of Wanganui, as a well-known radio host in New Zealand. He has corresponded with Peebs.Net in the past. Michael is in the news again, following a hearing of NZ's Broadcasting Standards Authority yesterday.

During a recent radio show, Michael Laws suggested that the Exclusive Brethren were"... mad, ignorant, bad neighbors ... probable child abusers, who should be bred out of the human race." Other terms relating to the Exclusive Brethren used during the show were: "nutter sect", "potty", "dangerous little buggers" and "strange and weird beasties".

The BSA stated interestingly that "... comment from listeners did not provide any credible rebuttal ...".

Read the full story in today's New Zealand Herald:

• Radio show denigrated church members

It is worth noting that the Exclusive Brethren have used far worse terms in their fellowship meetings, for example in the Aberdeen 1970 transcripts and voice recordings available on this site.

Maurice Clist, a member of the Auckland Exclusive Brethren present at the hearing, was himself in the news recently when he instructed his foreign members of staff to speak only English in the staff dining room of his company, Fort Richard Laboratories. This action angered human rights agencies and union officials.

Harland Mason, another prominent member of NZ's Exclusive Brethren was also present. As the owner of Coronation Machinery, Mason may be remembered as being the subject of a NZ Consumer Rights TV broadcast investigating unethical business practices.

February 22nd, 2005 (EB News)

As perhaps might be expected, there has already been some reaction to Warren McAlpin's heart-wrenching story as to his treatment, and the treatment of his family, at the hands of the Exclusive Brethren in Exclusive Brethren - Breaking Asunder published last week.

Warren has received a carefully-worded and obviously lawyer-crafted letter from Ross and Shirley Hales that attempts to extract an apology from Warren.

A reaction is not unexpected. Denial is the only route open to the Exclusive Brethren. The terrible truth is that Warrens story is but one. There are sadly many other stories that have yet to be told.

We shall publish all material that is forwarded to us. Warren has our total support and the support of a host of friends who stand by him. The bullying tactics used in the past by the Exclusive Brethren will not proceed in the shadows this time.

February 18th, 2005 (EB Background)

And now for some light relief (well, slightly). A Scotsman, Ian Donn, is now a professional artist. His early skills at capturing expressions with just a few pencil strokes were finely tuned during those hours and hours (and hours) of Exclusive Brethren meetings...

Here are a collection of his sinful sketches. How many of these fine gentlemen do you remember?

February 17th, 2005 (EB News)

Here are copies of some original documents from the IRS (Internal Revenue Service) web site relating to the Exclusive Brethren political advocacy group - the Thanksgiving 2004 Committee.

10/25/2004
Form 8871 - Political Organization, Notice of 527 status
This is the original 527 formation document submitted by the Thanksgiving 2004 Committee providing names of the founder members and affiliations.

12/2/2004
Form 8872 - Report of Contributions and Expenditures
A fascinating 29 page document that provides possibly the most comprehensive list of USA-based Exclusive Brethren businesses and individuals that we have seen for some time. The sole non-US contributor is listed last and was also the most generous - Bruce Hazell. As we now know, the Hazell contribution of over $370,000 was quite possibly an illegal contribution as the monies were used in an attempt to influence voters during the recent USA Presidential elections.

Of particular interest is the range of smaller contributions from Exclusive Brethren businesses across the USA. It would appear that the vast majority of these 'donations' were received within a very short time-frame. It makes you wonder what an IRS audit would reveal?

12/2/2004
A Covering Note to IRS, Utah
Steve Truan, the Knoxville-based listed contact for the Thanksgiving 2004 Committee, wrote an illuminating note of apology to the IRS and attached it to the above Report of Contributions and Expenditures.

The web site is disclosed - http://www.accelerationagency.com - of the very fortunate Advertising Agency that managed to spend over $500,000 in political advertising during the 2004 US Presidential elections. Dan Dougherty (email address: ddd@accelerationagency.com) kindly offered the Thanksgiving 2004 Committee an email address - tjd@accelerationagency.com.

It would appear that the Thanksgiving 2004 Committee might be utilizing internet-based assistance judging by the statement: "we do plan to file this form electronically ...".

1/12/2005
Form 8872 - Report of Contributions and Expenditures
The passing of the flame. $107,880 is passed onto the Integrity 2005 Committee, a 2005 vehicle for Exclusive Brethren USA political activity.

February 12th, 2005 (EB Background)

Alistair Deayton has published his story of an Exclusive Brethren childhood and the subsequent events of his life. This story contains 'scenes' that many will recognize from their own experience. We have added Alistairs' informative personal document to the Peebs.Net Library under Personal Stories.

• My life, in and out of the Brethren

In the next few days, Peebs.Net is launching a new entry in the 'Peeling the Onion' Series entitled: 'Exclusive Brethren - Breaking Asunder'. This new page will shine a spotlight on how the Exclusive Brethren systematically break up families and prevent parents from contact with their children.

Unexpectedly in advance of this launch, a Guestbook entry today makes the following poignant plea for help:

To our friends in the media who read these pages:

We draw attention to this 'cry for help' as a special request from Peebs.Net to those of you who have media influence - please read and watch these pages, and we encourage you to continue your many investigations into the way the Exclusive Brethren treat families, children and any perceived familial associations.

These are the same people who have contributed money (a large proportion allegedly illegally) into running 'pro-Bush' and 'pro-Decency' ads, just before the recent USA elections, at a cost in excess of US$500,000 through the USA 527 organization - the Thanksgiving 2004 Committee. Their 2005 organization, the 'Integrity 2005 Committee' possesses a name that underlines their sheer arrogance when you consider the way the Exclusive Brethren regularly treat family members.

We shall publish every story of Family Destruction wrought by the Exclusive Brethren that we find. We ask you to ask the questions publicly that we are raising. Thank you for your help in exposing such blatant modern-day Hypocrisy.

A recent submission, Radios by Peter Harrison, elegantly analyzes the issue of Radios and outlines the Exclusive Brethren thinking behind such technophobia. "The Exclusive Brethren attitude to radios tells us much about their culture, about 'brethren speak' and about their thinking patterns."

We agree and have added this document to the Peebs.Net Library.

RELOCATION and other allied matters by Vincent D., Bombay, India

Vincent D. was viewed by many as a "Godly man" and his treatment at the hands of the Exclusive Brethren is representative of the manner in which Exclusive Brethren internal politics are played out. The document uses abbreviations throughout, many of which will be instantly understandable by most ex-EB. It is possible that the document will be almost indecipherable in places for those not adequately trained in 'Brethren-Speak' - if so, use the Forums to discuss.

• Can You Spare $500,000?

The combination of local interest and a primarily anti-Bush media will ensure that the alleged violation of US federal law by the Exclusive Brethrens' 2004political advocacy group, the Thanksgiving 2004 Committee, will be fully investigated. One thing is probably certain, the Exclusive Brethrens'2005 political vehicle, the Integrity 2005 Committee, will not be accepting massive donations from foreign individuals.

With such a public question mark hanging over the Thanksgiving 20004Committee and their now unfortunately-named 2005 section 527Exclusive Brethren political advocacy group, Peebs.Net will follow the mandatory public filings for the Integrity 2005 Committee with great interest.

Meanwhile, the national USA press is carrying the story with increasing relish. Check the list of press outlets here. One such gem is via the 'God & Consequences' commentary web site - 'We don't vote, but we do grease palms'.

Of particular interest is the 'underground' commentary that follows particular items of news. The influential Bartholomew's notes on religion is a web-log (blog) that concentrates on news items affecting the wider world of religion. Their recent entry, entitled 'Brethren for Bush' is worth reading.

Re: Contributions and donations by foreign nationals

The penalties are not insignificant. Bruce Hazell would be well advised not to attempt to travel to the USA should the FEC decide to prosecute as it appears he could face up to 5 years' imprisonment. The same conduct would also be an offence in the United Kingdom and would carry a sentence of up to one year's imprisonment. It would appear to be an extraditable offence.

The St. Petersburg Times today publishes an article that highlights this seeming violation:

• Legality of political gift in doubt

George Smaragdis, spokesman for the Federal Elections Commission (FEC), is quoted in the article as saying "any money contributed by a foreign national and used to purchase advertising so close to an election violates a 1966 law designed to limit foreign intervention in U.S. elections".

The US FEC, should it decide to investigate, could force the Thanksgiving 2004 Committee to return Bruce Hazell's contribution and impose fines or other penalties if it finds a violation has occurred.

Contact information:
The Federal Elections Commission
999 E Street, NW
Washington, DC 20463
USA http://www.fec.gov

The full board of Integrity 2005 Committee has been announced on opensecrets.org. There would appear to be no changes to the line-up from the previous Thanksgiving 2004 Committee. The stated purpose of the new group is: "To engage in issue advocacy.Will not make contributions to state or federal candidates and will not engage in express advocacy for state or federal candidates". This is the identical stated purpose of the preceding Thanksgiving 2004 Committee. We at Peebs.Net shall assume the integrity of the listed officers is above any possible reproach (unless we should of course, discover otherwise).

Several Peebs.Net members assisted the press in their research and although the article is in many ways superficial, it is accurate and highlights the important issues. Of particular interest is the obvious effort by the EB to avoid answering questions.

• Veiled sect hails Bush, Martinez

The published research includes comment from the White House: "The president thought we had gotten rid of this kind of shadowy activity ...". We certainly hope that the press, the White House and other entities will continue to investigate the activities that continue in these particular shadows.

The Exclusive Brethren used a Section 527 organization called Thanksgiving2004 Committee to channel well over US$600,000 into the placement of large ads in certain politically sensitive areas. It would seem that the Exclusive Brethren enjoyed their experience enough to continue their political advocacy into 2005 with the formation of a new 527 group called Integrity 2005Committee.

The groups are nominally headed up by Steve Truan, of Knoxville Tennessee- we will monitor their activities with great interest during 2005 as we are particularly interested to see whether the major contributor last year, Bruce Hazell of Eltham, UK, will channel more in 2005 than the US$377,262 he 'gave 'during 2004.

We are starting to receive reports of possible rebellion within the ranks of Exclusive Brethren in South Island, New Zealand during the course of this week. Dr. Roger Kirkpatrick, acting as an emissary of the still-ailing Bruce Hales, is believed to be concluding a short 'disciplinary' tour of NZ with a 3 Day Meeting in Blenheim this weekend and already there are reports of several shunnings, mass walk-outs, mailed dead rodents and hurled sheep manure.

As this goes slightly beyond the traditional type of feedback and content of Exclusive Brethren ministry, we would welcome any further details. This and other received information is being discussed within the Peebs.Net Forums and as usual, we shall treat all received information as anonymous unless indicated otherwise.

Dr. Kirkpatrick, personal physician to the seemingly fragile Exclusive Brethren Leadership, is conducting a 3 Day Meeting in Blenheim, New Zealand this weekend. Blenheim is located in the north-east of NZ's South Island and is recognized as a major wine-producing region.

Bruce Hales, the current EB Leader, has not been active since he visited New Zealand a few months ago. Whatever has been recently troubling BDH, came to a head during his recent visit to this beautiful country and since his return home to Australia, Bruce Hales has been reportedly quietly 'resting' at home.

The Exclusive Brethren do indeed monitor this site. So do many thousands of other visitors including press and press agencies from various nations including New Zealand, Australia, United States and UK. We average over 700 visits per day from private individuals from around the world. We have no unnecessarily bricked up windows or locked doors on this site as we do not have anything to hide.

If you wish to make a comment within the Forums or elsewhere on this site that you feel could be misinterpreted by those that appear to watch us so carefully - we are always able to publish with names withheld upon request.

We understand that Dr. Roger Kirkpatrick will be conducting fellowship meeting sin New Zealand this week. He is expected to commence his tour on NZ's South Island Wednesday January 12th, 2005.

As many may recall, Dr. Kirkpatrick appears to be currently enjoying a (temporary?) increase in status within the Exclusive Brethren hierarchy while Bruce Hales, the official EB leader, continues to recover from a mysterious illness. Dr. Kirkpatrick has served as 'Personal Physician 'to both Bruce and his now deceased father John. Practicing physicians are a dying breed among the Exclusive Brethren due to a 1960's ban on EB attendance at universities.

We have no word as yet as to whether Dr. Kirkpatrick will be traveling alone or as to the length of his stay in New Zealand. As this beautiful country was the location of the first official reports of Bruce Hales's malady, it is possible that the Leaders' 'Personal Physician' will be conducting some form of investigation.

As Political Money Line points out, "The group's contact person remains Steve Truan of Knoxville, TN. This is the same Steve Truan that was highlighted by Political Money Line in its Dec. 18th home page article on Thanksgiving 2004 Committee, a group with a $377,262 donor, Bruce Hazell, of 35 Court Rd, Eltham SE9 5AF, London, England.

(Click here for a photo taken last week of 35 Court Road, Eltham.)

The article also indicates that Integrity 2005 Committee, just like the earlier Thanksgiving 2004 Committee, is connected to the Christian & Gospel Publishing Corp of Knoxville, TN. Other officers include Robert Scott (NY), John Reid (MI), Terrence Markham (CA), and John Peterson (NE).

Christian & Gospel Publishing Corp is listed in TN (Tennessee,USA) as:

Business Type: CORPORATION
Profit/Nonprofit: NONPROFIT
Status: ACTIVE
Date of Formation/Qualification: 10/13/2004
Domestic/Foreign: DOMESTIC
Place of Incorporation/Organization: TN (Tennessee, USA)
Duration: PERPETUAL
FYC(Fiscal Year Closing) Month: DECEMBER

Principal Office:

CHRISTIAN AND GOSPEL PUBLISHING CORPORATION
134 E ROCKAWAY ROAD
HEWLETT
NY
11557
USA

Registered Agent:

STEVE TRUAN
900 DUTCH VALLEY DR.
KNOXVILLE
TN
37918
USA

(Source - Tennessee State Records)

We continue to research this new group and associated players and will report any further news.

Further financial information relating to the Exclusive Brethren 527 political advocacy group - The Thanksgiving Committee 2004 - has been released:

This first financial report indicated the group raised $636,521 and spent $528,641 from 10/25 to 11/22.

The major donation was $377,262 from Bruce Hazel, 35 Court Rd, Eltham SE9 5AF, London, England.

The next largest donation was $50,000 from Control Papers of Cranford, NJ, USA.

The breakdown of donors by USA state shows:

CA $3,750; CT $4,450; IA $18,050; IL $11,550; IN $3,000; MA $3,900; MD $10,250; MI $23,200; MN $18,400; NE $11,500; NJ $65,100; NY $27,800; ND $6,159; OH $43,850; OR $1,900; PA $5,950; TN $18,450; and TX $3,550.

The US donors appeared to be small independent businesses or their employees.

The major expenditure was $518,547 to Dougherty & Associates of Knoxville, TN, for newspaper advertising, and another $9,112 to the same firm for "letters, research, establish data base."

Main Source: Political MoneyLine - Update Wed Dec 22nd, 2004

Control Papers Company, Inc is listed as a supplier of financial services industry products including checks (cheques), inking devices, ATM receipts and thermal paper to banks and other financial institutions. The company was established in 1976 and is listed as having between 10 and 49 employees.

Dougherty & Associates is unusually non-media-friendly for an 'advertising agency'. There is no email address, fax or web site listed. This could of course, simply be a slip of the search engines - but there could also be other explanations.

Dougherty & Associates
10817 Rogers Island Road,
Knoxville,
TN 37922
(865)966-4303