This week the Daily Sam has left the country to become a foreign correspondent. During this week I will be blogging from an undisclosed location in Latin America where I will be investigating international matters such as the consumption of light, refreshing Mexican beers, etc.

But there is another reason it is important that I stay out of the country for a period of time. I am a writing slut, and in addition to my blog here at Red Room, this Monday September 7 through Friday September 11 I will be blogging for the online site of Portland, Oregon’s great independent bookstore, Powell’s Books. My blog tomorrow at Powells.com addresses the question of whether or not L. Ron “L.” Hubbard’s Dianetics is a work of great literature, as well as whether or not Scientologists are vampires or some sort of extraterrestrial life form.

Now, don’t get me wrong—I am a brave reporter. I do not shrink from the challenge of confronting the prevailing forces of this world. I am willing to “speak truth to power.” For that matter, I am willing to lie to power, or tell a joke to power, or throw a temper tantrum at power. My willingness to man up to power is not in question.

However, we are talking about Scientology. I don’t want to encounter Tom Cruise some night in a dark alleyway when the moon is full and wolves are howling in the distance. I want to live long enough to see my grandchildren. And that might not happen if I am in the United States when my piece about Dianetics breaks in Powell.com. But my voice will be heard and the truth will be told, even if it means I have to stay here vacationing in Mexico for an extended amount of time. Cheers!