CULTinvestigation 99

But anyways.. There is a "real" rumored bomb threat for May 10th and they seem to be confusing it with our planned game of Action Quake on May 17th (for those of you participating, it will be on spiff.netcult.org - more information about Action Quake is available in the members forum). Now they have decided that because "training" was mentioned and "THEY WILL NOT FORGET" was said that it might be something more than just a game of Action Quake. The hysteria is probably because Action Quake is reminiscent of DOOM, which of course, the media has placed (some) blame for the Littleton incident. Anyhow, thats the heads up..

Things will be a little more restricted for a little while on everything publically accessable by the security and police who so anxiously read it now. It'll probably all blow over after May 10th, but I'm cooperating with security to get this thing over with. If anyone is concerned about THE CULT they should look at the previous Newz post "CULTdisclaimer" and also the intro text at THE LIST. Unlike other 'cults' there is no malice intent, its just a group of (some of the smartest..) kids that like to waste time doing something relatively productive. For me, its further learning about how to write databases and Perl modules to make this work.. But its different for everyone.

Again, about May 10th. THE CULT obviously has *nothing* to do with this. Despite the threats, many members are going to be taking an AP Lit exam that afternoon - Jim Berry's two periods of AP Lit do have quite a few CULT members, myself included. Theres no need for security to be concerned about us, we're a bunch of relatively good kids and THE CULT has been nothing but positive influence on those who are active participants in the ongoings of this web site and I'd be lying if I said I was worried about any member of THE CULT doing anything stupid.

I'm not even worried about THE CULT in general. Sure, there is hysteria and many people are going to accuse us of things we haven't done and have no intention of doing, but I'm pretty sure most of us are going to be cooperative with those who wish to make life "safe" for everyone and to dispell any bad rumors about us and what we do.. I know I will, I have more important things to deal with at the moment, namely my lit paper, my vector calc exam, and my 4 AP tests.

CULTinvestigation 99

CULTinvestigation 99, b0b's interrogation

I was taken out of third period photography by S.Clark, the female security person at DHS. Even though I did know the reason for the encounter, I inquired as to what it was for anyways. She said she would tell me when we got to the security office... I don't understand why they try and keep things so secretive, I'm sure they already had some clue that I would go right off and let everyone interested know whats going on. Thats the whole point of this newz, to keep everyone informed on _real_ information, rumors suck.

Once in the security office, I sat in the chair with the round table. Fortunately, it wasn't a very threatening encounter since I have done absolutely nothing and had no obligation to give them any information. I definitely had the upper hand, and still do. It was just me, S.Clark and M.Canfield (the male security officer, who seemed to know more of what he was doing, as far as I could tell).

I was asked many things about THE CULT. They seemed to know that I pretty much run it, though my (full) name is mentioned nowhere on the web site... mostly for the reason of keeping a low profile in the case of just such an situation. They told me about the concern with Littleton and about the rumors of a bomb threat on May 10th (which honestly, I didn't know about until somebody told me people were getting questioned about it), and how if they didnt do anything about THE CULT, and something did happen, then they would be at fault. So basically, the whole interrogation of THE CULT comes down to one thing: Covering their ass.

Damascus High School has a file on THE CULT, which has probably been around for a little while. All I saw of it was a printout of text from the graffiti wall on April 28th - where the May 17th Action Quake thing was said, and also somebody said "the trench coat mafia will kill all of you" or something to that effect. The thing that makes this whole situation a pain in the ass is the fact that you lose all verbal connotation when you're posting to the anonymous graffiti wall. Statements such as that, meant to be satirical, are taken out of context by security (because they have to, apparently) and they decide its a reason for concern. I understand where they are coming from, but it's really no day at the park for me. Oh, and since they are reading this, for their surveillance records, I went to the park after school today for about an hour.

As far as people are concerned, they asked me chiefly about Rev. Cary. Who we all know, does have somewhat of a record, but I made sure to tell them with utmost confidence that Cary has no intent on doing any harm and never has. Its just security taking things out of context again (because they have to) to escalate the paranoia. I was also asked if revWill was William Miller, which he is not. I said he is a college student that lives in Frederick. Rev. Roach was also asked about, but I didn't remember who that was so I couldn't give them any information about that. They also asked if I was concerned that there were any loners, people with no friends, in THE CULT that might do something like this. I said no, because THE CULT is nothing like the trench coat mafia. We aren't a small group of elitist, isolated, mentally disturbed kids; we are a very large international group of all people (teenagers and adults alike) with no real common bond. We don't all hate the world, and none of us has any intention of blowing up the school or anything of the like. I have no concern about ANY member of THE CULT as far as doing something stupid like that goes.

Of course, I was also asked about myself. What college I'm going to and the like. Nothing too important. They informed me that they had to call my parents, and asked for a number where they could be reached. They also said the police may get involved and come to my house - something I really don't need to happen. Before calling my dad, the last thing they asked me is what kind of music I listen to. I said I listen to all kinds of stuff. S.Clark asked me if I listened to Classical, I said sure sometimes and then M.Canfield asked me if I had ever heard of Vic Demone (sp?).. They never actually got to the KMFDM, Korn, Rammstein, Marilyn Manson list. Then I called up my dad, gave them a short rundown of whats going on and told them that they needed to talk to him. I returned to class and that was it for today.

I'll be going back to the security office (because I have to) tomorrow, and I'll let you all know what happens from there.

CULTinvestigation 99, Rev. Ben's Story

Apparently these people have no sense of humor, as they asked about half the jokes on my web site. "Why are there 101 ways to kill a man and only 76 to kill a woman? Shouldn't there be more ways to kill a woman?" They didn't seem to understand that it was a joke. They didn't get the ESP/ESPN joke either ("What's ESPN?"). Well, I guess it doesn't take much education to work as a security guard in a high school.

They asked some real good questions. "Have you ever worn a black trenchcoat to school?" (Color is very important. You only have to worry about the ones who wear black trenchcoats) and "Do you play Action Quake?" (Of course, people who play violent computer games can't tell the difference between the game and reality). They didn't bother to ask if I owned any guns, or if I loved Hitler.

And of course they asked about the mysterious May 17 (I don't think they even asked about May 10), which b0b appears to have cleared up. I guess they read the graffiti wall every day, and will probably read this newz, too.

And of course after they were done with their intense questioning, they had to contact a parent (the most severe thing they could do to me, other than waste half an hour of my time). I guess since they couldn't do anything they figured my mom might.

Of course, this questioning inspired me to do no work for the rest of the school day (the network being down didn't help either).

In short, "Bah."

- more by #3 Ben G

CULTinvestigation 99, what they said to my dad

Anyhow, my dad cautioned me about the FBI getting involved, and the police. That would be bad. I dont need that. I'm making an open call to members and your parents to stick up for the credibility of THE CULT. Come down to the security office and talk to them, talk to Dr Bastress or a guidance counselor. Have them call the school. It appears that our academic and social standing have very little worth now.

Its a shame that now everyone who hears about a bunch of (productive) students that maintain a useful web page they think of bomb threats and the such.

CULTinvestigation 99

Hell, they probably dont stop to think before they take a shit. Instead of talking about what happend they act like its some kind of "trenchcoat witch hunt" and corner students who seemingly fit the ridiculous profile that our irresponsible media have portrayed (anyone who isnt 'popular' or who wears a trenchcoat). I have a question.. If these kids had called themselves the "mariachi mafia" would security guards be after anyone who wears a sombrero to school? No, that would be dumb, and so is all of this.

If there is a killer among us, whos to say its not some air-head cheerleader or jock? The truth is, we don't know. Theres nothing that can be done if we don't know who's psycho and who's not. The only thing that can be done is to talk about things like this. These boys were "outcasts" because people made fun of them and treated them like shit. To go around a label anyone who isn't a model of popularity is to perpetuate all of these negative stereotypes. The only way we can end this is to increase acceptance of all kinds of people, and not to point fingers and make mindless accusations.

This isn't salem. This isn't the 17th century... and security: If you are really monitoring this page, read it. You might actually learn something. In the meantime, in the words of Jerry Springer "Be good to yourself, and each other."

Open letter to WHFS regarding CULTinvestigation 99

I would just like to inform you of the atrocities happening at Damascus High School. Today, some students were called down to the Main office for questioning by security. These students were questioned because they belong to THE CULT, and are suspects in a bomb threat for May 10th. These students do not have a history of violence or even anger, they are Honor Roll and AP students who are involved in many school activities. Without them, much of what goes on with the school's computer, websites, etc., would not be possible. THE CULT's graffiti wall is now being monitored by school security guards and Montgomery County police. There were some mentions of a game called Action Quake (which is a violent video game) and therefore they are stereotyped as the same kind of people as the Columbine shooters. All of THE CULT members are upset and most of us feel violated and hurt by this negative view of our friends and family. We are not a violent group and the most violent thing we have done is attack my lawn with weedwhackers (If you saw the lawn you would understand the need for the weedwhackers and violence.) I just wanted to inform you of what is going on and if you would like to talk to some of members, you can call tonight between 9:30 and 10:30 at (301)-253-xxxx, or visit THE CULT website at http://netcult.org. Thank you very much for listening or whatever.