>Ok, I know I will get in trouble for this but ...<  

Let's hope you are wrong on that expectation Quirky !

There is an 'ex' demographic that you haven't identified, and which does have importance in putting your observations into context  -  Those exs who have have been libelled and harrassed by the cult and/or by violent or otherwise malignly motivated premies, have a particular  'understanding' of what being a premie means. All those nice, good natured premies may wash their hands of such actions - but which of them will ever stand up to see that Rawat's organisations actively reject that kind of behaviour ?

I agree that it does not serve anyone well,  to consistently present all premies in a 'negative' way - but how many of those 'happy' premies that Paddy refers to - contributed money and information to achieve the bankruptcy of their former friend John MacGregor ?

My own 'negative' judgement about premies has almost nothing to do with 'the old days' - but does have a great deal to do with how they support a corrupt and corrupting set up without having the backbone to either stand up and point out what is wrong - or get up and leave. They may be happy,  but others will pay a price for those premies, cosy world remaining untroubled.

Nik