This is completely gross: Florida Rep. David Jolly, a Republican running for Senate, is slated to appear as a "guest of honor" at a concert later this month hosted by the Church of Scientology celebrating the centennial of the town of Clearwater, where the "church" has a headquarters (which they call, in their paramilitary fashion, "Flag Land Base"). For those unfamiliar, Scientology is a cult masquerading as a religion that virtually enslaves its most loyal members, who spend their lives toiling in wretched conditions for the organization for almost no pay and are threatened with "disconnection" from their family and friends if they ever try to leave.
The story of Scientology has been well-publicized, particularly by Lawrence Wright, whose detailed, gripping exposé, Going Clear, is a must-read. (The book was also made into an HBO documentary earlier this year.) There is literally no way that Jolly is unfamiliar with Scientology's appalling record, but that hasn't stopped him from associating with the group. Last year, he was a "special guest" at a fundraiser for state Attorney General Pam Bondi that was hosted by major Scientology donors and specifically pitched to other Scientologists.
The Scientologists have long been known for digging their hooks into politicians, Democrats and Republicans alike—a move that provides the group with a veneer of respectability and ostensibly helps shield it from unwanted inquiries into its revolting practices. (Tom Cruise was used in the same way, until he went nuts.) If Jolly succeeds in winning a promotion to the Senate, he'd be quite the ally for Scientology, which is all the more reason to make sure he loses.