I've seen some of the (confidential) LRH PPRO (Professional Public Relations Officer) materials from late 1970s/early 1980s. Hubbard was very concerned with the preservation of his name and image.
It was all "confidential," and almost anything that is visible and publicized in Scientology, or having to do with L. Ron Hubbard, has a confidential side - whether it's the Scientology "group" 'Friends of L. Ron Hubbard', or 'L. Ron Hubbard presents Writers of the Future' (where aspiring sci-fi authors are given cash awards and published, in exchange for their admiration and adulation of "L. Ron Hubbard, one of the greatest novelists of the 20th century," etc.)
Personally, I don't think Hubbard cared who ran and maintained his front group-surrounded and mental-healing/religion-coated fan club (in their own cynical self-interest with accompanying perks), as long as he/she/they preserved his name and protected and preserved his "image," and maintained the "LRH = Survival"-gimmick, to ensure that other people would assist in the preservation of his name and "image" - to ensure their well-being, their "eternities," etc. etc.
This takes many forms, for example, a while back I received some promo from 'Author Services International' wanting me to buy a leather-bound copy (or copies) of Hubbard's (1930s) pulp-adventure story 'Buckskin Brigades'. According to the promo, buying and owning 'Buckskin Brigades' would ensure the continued recognition of Hubbard as a great novelist, and thus help preserve and promote the (Scientology) tech, which, in turn, would ensure the survival and well being of Mankind and one's spiritual survival and well-being over "eternity."
Miscavige is currently the caretaker for the Hubbard monuments, more than anything else, and, as a result, he has certain perks. Certainly, being surrounded by the recipients of Hubbard's mind-manipulation operation, that "asserted and maintained dominion over thoughts and loyalties," makes it easy for him to enjoy being a bullying dictator - still, he must operate within the already existing cult framework.
Positive LRH image = Survival of Mankind; negative LRH image = Doom.
LRH = Survival.
From a 1989 issue of 'Hotline', an internal 'newsletter' for Scientology LRH PRs:
"...
it is LRH's image on which all the rest of our expansion depends. To the degree that LRH is made the stable terminal in society, people will reach for his books and services and we can get them on the Bridge to Total Freedom."
Hubbard set up the ultimate fan club, one that believes that the survival and well being of Mankind, life, the universe and everything, depends on his "being well thought of."
What Marty Rathbun&Friends are doing is largely a PR action to rehabilitate the image and reputation of Scientology and L. Ron Hubbard.
From Marty's Rathbun blog:
"
With all the chatter about L. Ron Hubbard's alleged shortcomings, it got me thinking about what the effect of the unprecedented ad hominem attacks against the man were. Hubbard was demonized by the cold war establishment perhaps more than any other civilian figure. One cumulative effect of it all was to one degree or another de-humanize him in the public eye. We see remnants of those effects to this day. [Some have] even come to the conclusion that my mission -and the mission of many independents - is made hopeless by this historical landscape... Providing context to the entire picture is a long term project that I never lose sight of, but unfortunately I have not found the time to devote to it that it deserves..." [Referring to the envisioned LRH biography.]
And,
"
Miscavige has run a continuous propaganda campaign attempting to besmirch the good name of L. Ron Hubbard. He has continually given little interest or funds for defending public relations attacks on L. Ron Hubbard."
Marty&Mike and other Independent Scientologists are doing an, apparently, self-assigned PR action for the religion-angled, religion-cloaked, cult of Hubbard, which, ultimately, includes both the CofS Scientology and outside the CofS Scientology, a.k.a. "Greater Scientology." If Rathbun&Friends succeed, to any extent, then, in the long run, the CofS will benefit, once it is rid of Miscavige.
After all, their founder's "image" will have been rehabilitated, as an unfathomable genius, and one of the greatest benefactors of Mankind.
Sadly, it appears that Marty&Mike's "mission" has not changed, merely adjusted to changing circumstances.
