MSNBC: Garofolo Promotes Scientology Drug Rehab Project

[fred flintstone]

MSNBC Gossip Columnist Jeanette Walls blasts comic, actress and progressive talk show host Janeane Garofolo for giving airtime to a New York drug rehab program using Scientology "technology."

Garofalo gushes over Scientology-linked projectBy Jeannette WallsMSNBCUpdated: 2:45 a.m. ET May 2, 2006Why is Janeane Garofalo touting a Scientology-linked project?The actress and talk-show host has done two segments on her Air America radio show “Majority Report,” heaping praise on the controversial New York Rescue Workers Detoxification Project, a program based on the teachings of Scientology founder L. Ron Hubbard. On one show, her guests included Leah Remini, star of “King of Queens” and a devout Scientologist, who sang the praises of the detox project. Although the Detoxification Project has been heralded by some Sept. 11 first responders, it has also been blasted by the chief medical officer for the New York Fire Department after its validity was questioned by a number of health-care workers.“The usually sharp, well informed and at times cynical Garofalo is typically more skeptical,” noted Rick Ross of Cultnews.com, who said one show “came across as something like an infomercial.”Even some of Garofalo’s regular listeners were disappointed. “I lost all respect for this show tonight,” one listener posted on the “Majority Report” Web site. “Why are they pumping up Scientology and junk science?” Yet some fans are sticking by her. “Janeane is usually a great talker, good with guests, and very insightful,” noted one. “The fact that she’s insanely in the wrong tonight won’t make me dismiss all the great radio she’s contributed, that would be Scientology thinking.”

This is a link to a Wikipedia article describing the Purification Rundown program:http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Purification_RundownThe program uses exercise, vitamins, minerals, lots of fluids, oils and sauna sessions (sweat) over several weeks to get drugs out of the system. As they say about chicken soup, "It couldn't hurt."Apparently, it's OK to have to Scientologists on if you argue with them or attack them (i.e., Tom Cruise with Matt Lauer on the Today Show). This doesn't even qualify as good dish. No wonder Wells works at MSNBC and not Page Six. Liz Smith does not need to lose sleep. I know Wells has to feed the beast but this story is pretty lame. Or maybe it's National Talk Radio Drug Week. Plea bargains for Rush. Rehab on Majority Report. Vincente Fox signs a new law decriminalizing most recreational drugs in Mexico. (When Bush talks about sealing the border, I wonder which way he's talking about.) Note to Bush and Cheney: Adherents claim the Purification Rundown works for booze, too.