Date: Sat, 12 Oct 2002 11:50:58 -0600 (MDT)
From: Diana M Hsieh <diana(at)dianahsieh.com>
To: Ignatius Piazza <ignatius@frontsight.com>
Subject: Concerns about Front Sight
Hi Naish,
After writing you a few days ago, I was directed to your posts on the API
list and elsewhere concerning the extent of your involvement with
Scientology. I have also followed the recent eruptions regarding lawsuits
on that API list. As a supporter of Front Sight, I must admit that I am
deeply concerned for its future for two reasons.
First and foremost, I am concerned about the extent of your personal
involvement with Scientology. I know that to achieve a state of "Clear"
in Scientology requires a significant investment of time and money. So I
am having trouble imagining someone going through this process without
being committed to Scientology. On the other hand, your messages downplay
your involvement with Scientology and emphasize your Catholicism.
(Particularly baffling was your claim to be a "Clear Catholic" because
Scientology and Catholicism are so deeply incompatible.) In short, I am
confused.
Thus I hope that you will clarify your personal views of and involvement
with Scientology. Your very clear and direct answers to the issue of any
Front Sight involvement with Scientology certainly put that issue to rest
very quickly. I hope that you will do the same with these questions about
your own involvement with Scientology: Are you or were you ever a
Scientologist? Do you agree with all or most or some or none of the basic
tenets of Scientology? Do you regard the Church of Scientology as a
legitimate, law-abiding organization? Do you regard strong criticism of
the Church of Scientology "hate speech"? Do you directly or indirectly
financially support the Church of Scientology?
I am not trying to pin you into a corner with these questions. I am not
interested in the baseless and nasty speculation of others. You know that
I am a strong supporter of Front Sight. I have always regarded you with
the utmost respect. But in order to continue my support, I need to know
whether Scientology was a passing interest of yours or is a present
commitment.
You might wonder why I need this information at all. After all, as some
have argued, since you don't proselytize your beliefs at Front Sight, they
should be nothing but your own private business. However, personally I
cannot accept that argument for three reasons. First, my personal and
professional integrity as a philosopher require me to be scrupulously
careful about my associations. To do otherwise would be personal and
professional suicide. Second, I am not merely an occasional student of
Front Sight. To be a First Family member and part of the Ambassador
Program means that I endorse both Front Sight and you, the man in charge.
Third, I am familiar enough with the Church of Scientology to know that it
is a dangerous, immoral, and criminal organization that has wrecked
countless lives. Any association between the owner of a major firearms
training institute and such an organization could be a PR nightmare that
would do irreparable harm to the cause of gun rights. Consequently I
cannot simply overlook these issues.
As a final note on this first concern, let me say that I have no desire to
interfere with your freedom of religion in any way. You have the right to
practice whatever religion you see fit. I am simply attempting to
judiciously exercise my freedom of association.
My second concern about the future of Front Sight regards your threat of
lawsuits on the API list based solely upon others' superficial defense of
Dean Gamburd. Although I am not a lawyer, I cannot imagine that merely
offering tepid support for a defendant is grounds for any suit. More
significantly, such threats smack of the immoral and unlawful tactics used
by the Church of Scientology to silence critics. They are inconsistent
with Front Sight's professional, above-the-rabble approach to criticism
that so many of us admire. As such, I regard these threats to be damaging
to Front Sight's reputation. So while I have no objection to legitimate
suits to protect Front Sight's hard-earned reputation from libel, I hope
that you will take a careful and measured approach towards legal action
(and threats thereof) in this matter.
Naish, as a First Family member who passionately supports Front Sight's
mission and success, I hope only for the best possible outcome to this
messy situation. But hope is not enough; I need answers too.
I respectfully await your reply. (If you would prefer to speak to me
about this issue over the phone, feel free to call me at XXX XXX XXXX.)
diana.
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