The Scientology-related shitstorm rages on since our last Tom Cruise discussion. The full interview of the first celebrity Scientologist to defect (Jason Beghe) was supposed to air late last week. Unfortunately, just hours before publication, the curious “massive flagging” phenomenon resulted in YouTube pulling the XenuTV1 account of Mark Bunker, who voiced his thoughts on the incident. Obviously, the media weren’t able to view this video either, and the London Times has taken notice:

A spokesperson for YouTube told Times Online: “YouTube takes these issues very seriously but we don’t comment on individual videos. Our general approach is simple: we have clear content policies about what videos are allowed on the site. For example we prohibit clips that infringe copyright or show extreme violence. Videos that breach these rules are removed and we disable all accounts belonging to repeat offenders.”

These days, censorship always does seems to hinge upon violence, but you’d think that YouTube would bother verifying that none of XenuTV1’s videos contained any violence. In fact, many of these are clips from Steven Colbert’s program on Comedy Central, which has likely received legal threats as well. No word on that, but I’m sure that, if something develops, RW will keep us informed. Also, a shoutout to Tory Christman for the kind words.

Now, speaking of the suppression of free speech…

This popular Digg story originally led to a Discovery Channel forum that has now been replaced with an error message, so it appears that Scientology’s goons were enough to intimidate the Discovery Channel. Nice work, jackasses.

Fortunately, media outlets continue to publish words from Jason Beghe, who spent close to $1 million for he and his wife to reach the level of OT5. When Beghe didn’t get his money’s worth, Scientology blamed the gays:

Beghe says the proof that Scientology was no longer working for him came when he was almost killed in a car accident. After the L’s, he points out, that shouldn’t happen. “A clear isn’t supposed to have a car accident. You’re supposed to be practically immortal.”

To the Scientologists, the accident was an indication that someone was “suppressing” Beghe. So they pulled him in for more interrogation.

“What about this gay person you’re friends with,” Beghe says one official asked him, implying that somehow the gay friend was causing Beghe’s clear state to be sabotaged. When Beghe objected, he says the official responded, “Well, he’s gay.”

The full story is covered at the Village Voice. If you desire an illustration, see the High Cost of Removing Thetan Bodies.

UPDATE: It’s heeere!, and “[Y]ou’ll greatly enjoy this interview. That is, unless your name is David Miscavige.”