Cult News

It seems that Ralph Nader may be “losing his political judgement” reports a former fan for the liberal left publication The Nation.

Nader is “in bed with the ultra-sectarian cult-racket formerly known as the New Alliance Party,” says a writer for the newspaper.

The celebrated consumer advocate and former presidential candidate appeared January 11th as the featured speaker at an event titled “Choosing an Independent President 2004 Campaign” organized by Fred Newman, whose followers now effectively control the so-called “independents” or Independence Party of New York.

Newman heads a myriad of front organizations populated by his fervent devotees commonly called “Newmanites.” The self-styled political guru also created something he named “Social Therapy,” which has been described by its victims as “brainwashing.”

After playing the role of what many-labeled “spoiler” in the last presidential election, is Ralph Nader hoping to jump in this time as an Independent with Newmanite support?

The Nation blasted Newman’s politics as “the latest in a skein of…rackets… which have as their ultimate goal nothing more than enlarging the cult and subsidizing Newman’s…lavish lifestyle…”

The Nation article goes on to describe Nader’s involvement with the Newmanites as a “mind-bogglingly dumb…mistake.” And says, “One cannot believe that a politically sophisticated chap like Ralph doesn’t know exactly who Newman and Fulani are, and why they are so despicable. For Ralph to grace a Newman front group with his presence is the equivalent of cuddling up to Scientology, another cult-racket.”

Strong words from a Nader fan and past booster.

In the end the Nation reporter concludes that his one-time hero has become a “sad” figure seemingly set to damage “his image and…legacy.”

CultNews has reported for some time about the calculated manipulations of the Newman machine, which has hooked bigger fish than Ralph Nader. Newmanites have been linked politically to New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg, Senator Charles Schumer, Governor George Patacki and even much admired Rudy Giuliani.

Newman’s tentacles reach through a myriad of schemes that both benefit him financially and feed the “cult leader’s” considerable ego.

A prominent NY charity “All Stars,” a program supposedly designed to help disadvantaged children, appears to be one more Newman cash cow. Attorney General Elliott Spitzer once told the NY Post he would investigate the finances of Newman connected charities.

Ralph Nader, acclaimed as a consumer advocate, now appears to be an ego-driven aging activist pining for the limelight.

But by schmoozing with the likes of Newman Nader may get the kind of attention that will ultimately end in disgrace. The man who once encouraged “product warnings,” should heed the warning of his former fan about Newman.

After all, if a newspaper as liberal as The Nation is this critical of Nader’s new friends and behavior, Ralph is in real trouble.

The American Psychological Association (APA) will be holding its annual convention next month in Toronto, Canada; it begins August 7th and continues through the 10th.

But who would think this prestigious bastion of psychologists and mental health professionals would allow a purported anti-Semitic organization frequently called a “cult,” numerous slots within its schedule of programs.

Lois Holzman a prominent proponent of so-called “Social Therapy,” which is closely associated with the “New Alliance Party,” is a devoted follower of notorious “cult leader” Fred Newman.

Holzman will be presenting four programs at the APA convention beginning on August 9th. She is currently the director of Newman’s East Side Institute for Short Term Psychotherapy.

Holzman starts on the morning of August 9th with a program titled “Impact of Participatory Youth Programs on Youth and Communities.” She then continues later with “Ensemble Meaning—Making, Constructing the Therapy Through Improvisation, Collaboration and Performance.”

Later that same day in the afternoon Holzman presents a one-act play about Karl Marx and Jesus seeking help through therapy — “Odd Couple Seeks Professional Help.”

Huh?

Eventually on the last day of the APA convention Holzman offers her final program, which seems to sum up neatly her agenda. It is a discussion to answer the rather contrived and self-serving question; “Can Therapy Promote Human Liberation? A Humanistic—Postmodern Marxist Dialogue.”

Holzman’s mentor and leader Fred Newman is a self-proclaimed “revolutionary Marxist.”

Controversy swirls around Newman and his followers who are often called “Newmanites.” Some former members claim they were victimized through Newman’s organizations such as social therapy, which seems to mean working for Fred for free.

Many also question the potential harm of Newman’s philosophy and its influence upon young people.

Newmanites also have been scrutinized regarding their handling of funds through nonprofit tax-exempt charities, which included a probe, by New York’s Attorney General.

It seems that the founder of “Social Therapy” may be looking for new recruits amongst the ranks of the APA.

Holzman’s behavior can easily be seen as an effort to act as a stand-in or proxy for her leader. But what was the APA thinking when they provided a platform for this bunch?

Can it be that the respected professional association didn’t examine this speaker’s background before approving her for programs at their convention?

The APA has been known historically for its due diligence and research.

However, Holzman’s close and historic association with Newman is glaringly evident through her own website and the largely promotional links she provides for Newman enterprises elsewhere on the Internet.

Within Fred Newman’s book “Power and Authority” he explains the essence of “Social Therapy.”

Newman states, “The therapist, again, functions in the therapeutic interaction as a revolutionary leader, leading by forming a revolutionary relationship of sisterhood or brotherhood with the worker patient and together becoming a proletarian authority, which overthrows the bourgeois authority or proletarian ego…Working to help the struggling slave go through the insurrectional act of overthrow of the proletarian ego and [then] helping the worker during the long period of withering away of the proletarian ego.”

Does this sound like something the APA would endorse?

Is this a description of the ethical practice of therapy? Or is Newman’s approach actually an unethical breach and/or blurring of boundaries in the therapist/patient relationship?

A mental health professional once involved with Newman, but who later left his Social Therapy organization concluded, “Therapy should be empowering and inclusive; it should help people build the lives they want. It should not be used as a recruitment tool for a particular movement.”

The same professional also offered the following advice:

“Anyone considering cooperating or working with Fred Newman and/or practicing Social Therapy should first read whatever historical and critical information is available.”

“And mental health professionals have a responsibility to their clients and profession to carefully consider what and whom they are supporting.”

Indeed.

Did the APA convention planners and organizers “first read” about Holzman and Fred Newman and then “carefully consider” their history before agreeing to provide them a platform?

A new short story about a cult-like therapy group is now online.

The writer is Tim Woulforth and the story is titled Self Defense, it ends in a strange twist.

Woulforth is also the co-author with Dennis Tourish of the book On The Edge: Political Cults Right and Left.

Self Defense tells the story of people victimized by “Relational Therapy,” a process that affords its practitioner “complete control of the patient’s mind.”

The protagonist says, “The gurus I had met were hollow creatures, afraid of exposure, needing to dominate others so no one would discover their secret. They knew they were frauds.”

Woulforth’s fictional story might easily describe many so-called “therapy cults” and seems eerily reminiscent of a group led by Fred Newman called “Social Therapy.”

Come to think of it, Newman is more than mentioned in the Woulforth book On the Edge.

Hmmm, very interesting.

Fred Newman wears several hats. He is not only the originator of “Social Therapy,” but also the founder of the New Alliance Party and artistic director of the “All Stars,” an after school children’s program in New York.

The Independence Party of New York arguably swung one election, for the mayor of NYC, in favor of Michael Bloomberg.

But soon there may be “a seismic change in NY politics” facilitated by the party, which notably includes former “New Alliance Party” presidential candidate and Fred Newman disciple Lenora Fulani.

Pundits claim this planned change could make New York “a three-party state,” reports PoliticsNY.com.

NY law currently requires that voters enroll as a Democrat, Republican or Independence party member to be eligible to vote in party primaries. However, a proposed change would allow 2.5 million additional independent voters to vote in the Independence party’s primary.

This would be ten times the 260,00 Independence Party registration now.

What this ultimately may mean is the makeover of Fred Newman’s disciples, who occupy pivotal positions in the Independence Party’s power structure, into potential “king makers.”

Instead of just helping out a local benefactor like “Mayor Mike,” Newman and his “Social Therapy” crowd could garner much heavier statewide political connections and corresponding largesse.

Fred Newman and his following have often been called a “cult.”

Will this possible shift in NY voter registration provide for political power sharing with a “cult”?

WABC of New York is now running promotional public service announcements for “All Stars,” a controversial organization closely associated with the “New Alliance Party,” which has often been called a “cult.”

Leaders within the New Alliance Party are Fred Newman and Leonora Fulani, who have been described as “anti-Semitic” by prominent Jewish organizations such as the Anti-Defamation League (ADL).

According to New York Attorney General Elliott Spitzer his Charities Bureau is currently investigating “All Stars” for irregularities and possible violations of its tax-exempt status.

The person responsible for public service announcements at WABC is Saundra Thomas. When contacted for comment she appeared to have no knowledge of the recent news stories about “All Stars,” or that Spitzer was looking into the group.

However, Thomas did acknowledge receiving recent complaints about the public service spots run by her station, but said she has no immediate plans to pull them. Thomas says she will “look into it.”

But is the news desk at WABC really that far from her office? Why didn’t WABC review the facts first before running spots that promote “All Stars”?

According to articles in the New York Post written by journalist Jeane MacIntosh, “All Stars” appears to be a “cash cow” milked by Fred Newman to fund other entities he controls such as the Castillo Theater and the East Side Institute for Short Term Psychotherapy.

Newman is also “All Stars” paid “Artistic Director.” And the founder of “All Stars” is Newman’s devout disciple Leonora Fulani.

Fred Newman is a self-described “Neo Marxist” revolutionary who believes mental and emotional problems can be solved by “political activism.” One former “Nemanite” said, “Everything this group does is a front for advancing Fred and Leonora’s politics.”

Does WABC really want to help Newman and Fulani promote their agenda?

Certainly Mr. Newman is not a needy “Neo Marxist.” His residence is a pricey property within Greenwich Village and he is often chauffeur-driven around New York. He also likes to Summer in the Hamptons.

But more importantly, does WABC really hope parents will send their kids to “All Stars”?

Fred Newman once wrote, “The therapist…functions as a revolutionary leader, leading by forming a revolutionary relationship of sisterhood or brotherhood…which overthrows the bourgeois authority or proletarian ego.”

Ms. Fulani serves as the consulting psychologist for “All Stars” and is also a proponent of Newman’s therapy.

Do these sound like the people parents want to influence their children? Maybe WABC should have stuck with less controversial and probably more deserving organizations like the Boys or Girls Clubs?