Kevin Marshall's America
Firstly, a big high-five to the other folks in the are who had today off because of our winter Hellstorm.
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Albany, you confound me.
NXIVM founder Keith Rainere, aka "Vanguard," who clearly hasn't developed a Christ complex or anything. (photo: Patrick Dodson, Albany Student Press)
At times, you act like you have inferiority issues. You treat Obama’s visit to announce an inconsequential PR “committee” to create jobs as if he’s moving the Capitol to Schenectady. Parts of Lark Street and the Center Square neighborhood have so much Williamsburgh envy it’s embarrassing. You even get movies to shoot here on the precipice that parts of Albany kinda look like New York City.
Yet there are things that we can lay claim to that very few areas in this country can. We’re the capital of New York State. Our region boasts no shortage of things to do and great places to eat. The music scene is exploding. The mayor of Albany itself has a darker tan base than any other mayor in the world, including those municipalities that rest on the Equator.
I could go on and on, but there’s one thing that sets us apart and makes us special…
We have our own…well, some people allege it maintains a certain unfavorable status in the community.
The group is called NXIVM and its founder, Keith Rainere – who is known to walk amongst members in a robe and whose followers refer to him as Vanguard – boasts self-improvement through droning business jargon, amateur psychoanalysis, and pseudo science.
The latest round of news hit the Times Union in Sunday’s print edition, which reveals more of the…well, utter strangeness behind the organization.
The reporter, James M. Odato, has done other pieces on the “self-improvement organization” that have brought forth questions as to the legitimacy of its claims, its practices, and what it really gives its followers.
Here’s more reading on the organization to get you through your snow day:
- Ex-NXIVM trainer: Students are Prey – A former trainer and one of Rainere’s ex-girlfriends gave sworn testimony claiming that Rainere’s and his organizations motives are not quite as philanthropic as they seem.
- NXIVM Sues Former Officer – The organization filed a lawsuit against one of its former members, who also happens to be Rainere’s ex.
- NXIVM Seeks Gag Order - Another former NXIVM member, this time an Executive Board member, was sued when she spoke publicly about the organization. Months earlier she’d sought protection from the onslaught of legal filings against her from the organization.
- Ex-NXIVM Student: I Think It’s a Cult (with video) – A former student talks of her time in the organization, and how she thinks she narrowly escaped an all-encompassing, manipulative cult.
- Secret Mission: a Child – In July 2010, it was discovered that NXIVM had made a child one of Rainere’s projects, having Nannies come in and only speak to the child in foreign languages and engaging in other experiments that are part of a NXIVM program called “The Rainbow Cultural Garden.”
- Dalai Lama Cancels his Visit to Albany - In November 2009, the Dalai Lama cancelled a planned visit to the Capital Region due to controversy that erupted due to the talk’s sponsor, NXIVM. The bad publicity prompted NXIVM to sue Metroland, the first of many legal attacks against opponents and critics.
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14 Responses to Our Very Own Controversy: Some Snow Day Reading
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STALK ME
Back in 1995, I published Capital District Sports out of a cockroach- laden apartment on Lark. I got suckered into one of this dude’s pyramid schemes, motsly because he had this really attractive woman as his spokeperson. Anyhoo, when I went to hear this guy talk, they built him up to be a cross between Einstein and Zig Ziglar. I gotta admit, his products helped with the reflux. Years later, I found out how he knocked the woman up, abused her mentally, and conned the Seagram’s girls outta some serious coin. Guy is whack.
Jeez Kev, are your impressions of the entire neighborhood *still* based on the fact that CDFI used to rent space nearby?
I’m pretty sure any city has hipsters — I’ve spotted them in Troy, at least — but Williamsburg wouldn’t have all the political hacks and young professionals and empty-nesters that are my neighbors and fellow neighborhood-haunt patrons here in the Lark Street area.
Besides, B’burg looks like Pine Hills. Center Square has better architecture.
Is there a startup cost? I’d love to join. But I’m only sharing if there’s profit sharing and full dental. If this is a pyramid scheme I’m gonna be mad. Quixtar didn’t pay my medical bills and I’m going to need that. Keith, my minds ready and body’s willing. Holla if ya here me Vanguard.
You’re next Kev and that guy looks uh, dirty… seem slike all the top spots in the cult are filled by women. Maybe it’s like Hugh Heffner’s cult?
I’m sorry, but every time I see “NXIVM” written I want to pronounce it “en-fourteen-em”.
Can we make that a verb?
Let’s N-14 ‘em!
Are you feeling better today Kevin Marshall?
I am, thanks! The anti-biotics are working wonders and my voice is almost back to 100%.
Good, I’m glad to hear it. Now try to keep the prank phone calls to doctors’ offices to a minimum :)
I live near a NXIVM “boarding” house for women. I don’t know what his appeal is, but all the young women are very attractive. I’ve also seen the kid who has only-foreign language speaking nannies. He seemed like a healthy normal kid to me.
Albany is the new Giana..don’t drink the cool aid.
Are we allowed to say “Cult” in the comments? Because I am in the mood to talk about “She Sells Sanctuary.”
This calls for some bad dialog:
“Watch your step, Mr. Marshall. Vanguard is always watching.”