Tony Ortega's Blog, page 53
February 24, 2025
Scientology in the time of Trumpism: Tom Cruise getting rehabbed by the right?
TODAY AT SUBSTACK: If you’ve signed up for free emails at Substack, you will receive today’s feature story at your inbox: We’ve been telling you lately about the surprising connections between the second Trump administration and high-level Scientology donors. But as an old Tom Cruise interview goes viral, could the church’s longtime goals against psychiatry and ‘psych meds’ also get a boost? [What is this Substack thing, anyway?]
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Technology Cocktail
“Failing to find and utilize an R/S on List One is the most common (but not the most destructive to the pc’s health) error in Routine 2. Example: Auditor has three dead horses. Abandons case. Another auditor assesses List One, Tiger Drills the R/Ses out, represents a tick. Gets another dead horse. Abandons case. Pc now known as a ‘tough pc.’ A third auditor gets cunning, looks over the original assessment, sees ‘auditor’ R/Sed once long ago. It doesn’t now, having been Tiger Drilled to death. Opposes it. Gets a beautiful R/Sing list. Case starts to fly. This error has been done over, and over and over and is the source of all dead horses.” — L. Ron Hubbard, 1978
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THE PROSECUTION OF DANNY MASTERSON
We first broke the news of the LAPD’s investigation of Scientology celebrity Danny Masterson on rape allegations in 2017, and we’ve been covering the story every step of the way since then. At this page we’ve collected our most important links as Danny faces a potential sentence of 45 years to life in prison. NOW WITH TRIAL INDEX.
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THE PODCAST: How many have you heard?
[1] Marc Headley [2] Claire Headley [3] Jeffrey Augustine [4] Bruce Hines [5] Sunny Pereira [6] Pete Griffiths [7] Geoff Levin [8] Patty Moher [9] Marc Headley [10] Jefferson Hawkins [11] Michelle ‘Emma’ Ryan [12] Paulette Cooper [13] Jesse Prince [14] Mark Bunker [15] Jon Atack [16] Mirriam Francis [17] Bruce Hines on MSH
— SPECIAL: The best TV show on Scientology you never got to see
[1] Phil Jones [2] Derek Bloch [3] Carol Nyburg [4] Katrina Reyes [5] Jamie DeWolf
— The first Danny Masterson trial and beyond
Advertisement(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});[18] Trial special with Chris Shelton [19] Trial week one [20] Marc Headley on the spy in the hallway [21] Trial week two [22] Trial week three [23] Trial week four [24] Leah Remini on LAPD Corruption [25] Mike Rinder 2022 Thanksgiving Special [26] Jane Doe 4 (Tricia Vessey), Part One [27] Jane Doe 4 (Tricia Vessey), Part Two [28] Claire Headley on the trial [29] Tory Christman [30] Bruce Hines on spying [31] Karen de la Carriere [32] Ron Miscavige on Shelly Miscavige [33] Karen de la Carriere on the L’s [34] Mark Bunker on Miscavige hiding [35] Mark Plummer [36] Mark Ebner [37] Karen Pressley [38] Steve Cannane [39] Fredrick Brennan [40] Clarissa Adams [41] Louise Shekter [42] John Sweeney [43] Tory Christman [44] Kate Bornstein [45] Christian Stolte [46] Mark Bunker [47] Jon Atack [48] Luke Y. Thompson [49] Mark Ebner [50] Bruce Hines [51] Spanky Taylor and Karen Pressley [51] Geoff and Robbie Levin [52] Sands Hall [53] Jonny Jacobsen [54] Sandy Holeman [55] Mark Bunker [56] Trish and Liz Conley [57] Trish Conley [58] Alex Barnes-Ross [59] Alex Barnes-Ross [60] Alex Barnes-Ross [61] Alex Barnes-Ross [62] Alex Barnes-Ross [63] Alex Barnes-Ross [64] Tory Christman [65] Tammy Synovec [66] Dennis Erlich [67] Alex Barnes-Ross [68] Valerie Ross [69] Kat in Austin [70] Mark Bunker [71] Phil Jones
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“The gross divisional statistic of HCO is letters out and letters in. Why? Because the Existence of an org is real to the public mainly by writing in and getting answered. The volume of letters out and letters in is wholly in the ability of HCO to control. After all, it is the HUBBARD COMMUNICATIONS OFFICE. When letters don’t go out in volume, the public and field don’t know the org is there. When letters come in and aren’t answered then the public jolly well knows the org isn’t there and gets ARC Broke about it as well! You can advertise. You must send out mags and these also say the org is there. But that personal communication to Joe, Joe’s reply and answering Joe is vital vital vital for Joe now knows you’re there.” — L. Ron Hubbard, February 24, 1966
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“ANCHOR: We will be at anchor until we leave Thursday evening. We will cut short our stay in the next port, arriving there the 26th and departing the 1st of March, giving us only 4 days there. This lets us take part in some celebrations in the port after next. Webspread will be very pleased — if he ever comes back.” — The Commodore, February 24, 1971
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“I have to say at this point I am wondering what a clean 10-year run of the Bridge as LRH intended and particularly the OT Levels might do for this planet and Scientology’s reputation. Imagine no quickie grades, allowing the PC to have his wins, correctly calling F/N’s, Ethics used to help rather than control or punish, attention to people rather than stats, OT levels where you don’t return home broke or ill, willing to take calls in the evening because you know it’s your Reg and friend down at the Org who is looking out for you and you know it. In the background of my mind the song ‘Imagine’ by John Lennon is playing. Imagine theta too.”
1996: Peter Lucey reported this week concerning the Jive Aces, a bar band preaching cult propaganda at gigs in the U.K. “I was in the ‘Bier Keller’, a bar under the Coppid Beach Hotel, Bracknell, UK on Friday, 16th Feb and the band booked was called the ‘Jive Aces’. [T]hey were ‘sponsored’ by Dianetics and there was much more ‘buy Dianetics’ adverts on the flyers than band info. Scn was not mentioned but the band’s booking address was Saint Hill Manor, East Grinstead. I talked to the leader – he described Jon Atack as a ‘w*nker’ and said he was expelled from the CoS for drug dealing; my retort, that the ‘unconvicted drug dealing’ was a confession taken from his PC-folders after he left, fell on stony ground.”
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“I seem to recall that a fear of heights is an engram caused by the thetan-occupied clam remembering being dropped by a seagull.”
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Full Court Press: What we’re watching at the Underground Bunker
Criminal prosecutions:
— Danny Masterson charged for raping three women: Found guilty on two counts on May 31, remanded to custody. Sentenced to 30 years to life on Sep 7, 2023. DA’s response to appeal brief due April 15.
— ‘Lafayette Ronald Hubbard’ (a/k/a Justin Craig), aggravated assault, plus drug charges: Grand jury indictments include charges from an assault while in custody. Next pretrial hearing February 24.
— David Gentile, GPB Capital, convicted of fraud, awaiting sentencing.
Civil litigation:
— Leah Remini v. Scientology, alleging ‘Fair Game’ harassment and defamation: Some defamation claims were removed by Judge Hammock. Judge Hammock’s ruling is on appeal.
— Baxter, Baxter, and Paris v. Scientology, alleging labor trafficking: Forced to arbitration.
— Valerie Haney v. Scientology: Forced to ‘religious arbitration.’
— Chrissie Bixler et al. v. Scientology and Danny Masterson. Judge Upindra Kalra’s ruling denying Scientology’s motion to strike is on appeal.
— Jane Doe 1 v. Scientology, David Miscavige, and Gavin Potter: Case unsealed and second amended complaint filed. Scientology moves for religious arbitration, gets ruling to depose Jane Doe 1.
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After the success of their double-Emmy-winning, three-season A&E series ‘Scientology and the Aftermath,’ Leah Remini and Mike Rinder continue the conversation on their podcast, ‘Scientology: Fair Game.’ We’ve created a landing page where you can hear all of the episodes so far.
LEAH REMINI: SCIENTOLOGY AND THE AFTERMATH
An episode-by-episode guide to Leah Remini’s three-season, double-Emmy winning series that changed everything for Scientology watching. Originally aired from 2016 to 2019 on the A&E network, and now on Netflix.
SCIENTOLOGY’S CELEBRITIES, from A to Z
Find your favorite Hubbardite celeb at this index page — or suggest someone to add to the list!
Other links: SCIENTOLOGY BLACK OPS: Tom Cruise and dirty tricks. Scientology’s Ideal Orgs, from one end of the planet to the other. Scientology’s sneaky front groups, spreading the good news about L. Ron Hubbard while pretending to benefit society. Scientology Lit: Books reviewed or excerpted in a weekly series. How many have you read?
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THE WHOLE TRACK
[ONE year ago] Lawrence Wright weighs in on Scientology opening Austin ‘Ideal Org’ in his town
[TWO years ago] TESTAMENT: When a celeb faced a nasty divorce, and Scientology kept it all under wraps
[THREE years ago] What the Dutch Coast Guard really thinks about Scientology and its ship the Freewinds
[FOUR years ago] MASTERSON ACCUSERS PETITION APPELLATE COURT: Seeking to overturn ‘arbitration’ ruling
[FIVE years ago] DRONE FLYOVER: Saturday’s Scientology ‘Ideal Org’ opening in Ventura, California
[SIX years ago] In Scientology, every dollar you own is under constant attack
[SEVEN years ago] Scientology fires back at the Garcias, but reveals absolutely bonkers ‘arbitration’ instructions
[EIGHT years ago] Whale watching, 2017 edition: Who’s keeping Scientology from sinking?
[NINE years ago] Monique Rathbun is on the clock at the Texas Supreme Court, and more in our legal roundup
[TEN years ago] New government release contains a surprise: L. Ron Hubbard flunked out of high school, too!
[ELEVEN years ago] Monique Rathbun files motion for contempt against Scientology defendants
[TWELVE years ago] OSCAR NIGHT LIVE-BLOGGING: Scientology on the Hot Seat with John Travolta and ‘The Master’
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Bernie Headley (1952-2019) did not see his daughter Stephanie in his final 5,667 days.
Joe Reaiche (1958-2024) did not see his daughter Alanna Masterson in his final 6,999 days.
Mike Rinder (1955-2025) did not see his son Benjamin and daughter Taryn in his final 7,589 days.
Tammy Synovec has not seen her daughter Julia in 3,185 days.
Valerie Haney has not seen her mother Lynne in 3,680 days.
Katrina Reyes has not seen her mother Yelena in 4,195 days
Sylvia Wagner DeWall has not seen her brother Randy in 3,745 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his grandson Leo in 2,735 days.
Klaus Büchele has not seen his daughter Jasmin in 5,121 days.
Geoff Levin has not seen his son Collin and daughter Savannah in 2,616 days.
Christie Collbran has not seen her mother Liz King in 5,920 days.
Clarissa Adams has not seen her parents Walter and Irmin Huber in 3,791 days.
Jamie Sorrentini Lugli has not seen her father Irving in 5,343 days.
Quailynn McDaniel has not seen her brother Sean in 4,684 days.
Dylan Gill has not seen his father Russell in 13,251 days.
Melissa Paris has not seen her father Jean-Francois in 9,170 days.
Valeska Paris has not seen her brother Raphael in 5,338 days.
Mirriam Francis has not seen her brother Ben in 4,920 days.
Claudio and Renata Lugli have not seen their son Flavio in 5,179 days.
Sara Goldberg has not seen her daughter Ashley in 4,216 days.
Lori Hodgson has not seen her son Jeremy and daughter Jessica in 3,932 days.
Marie Bilheimer has not seen her mother June in 3,496 days.
Julian Wain has not seen his brother Joseph or mother Susan in 1,811 days.
Charley Updegrove has not seen his son Toby in 2,986 days.
Derek Bloch has not seen his father Darren in 4,668 days.
Cindy Plahuta has not seen her daughter Kara in 5,005 days.
Roger Weller has not seen his daughter Alyssa in 9,859 days.
Claire Headley has not seen her mother Gen in 4,974 days.
Ramana Dienes-Browning has not seen her mother Jancis in 3,336 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his daughter Spring in 3,745 days.
Skip Young has not seen his daughters Megan and Alexis in 4,143 days.
Mary Kahn has not seen her son Sammy in 4,019 days.
Lois Reisdorf has not seen her son Craig in 3,584 days.
Phil and Willie Jones have not seen their son Mike and daughter Emily in 4,095 days.
Mary Jane Barry has not seen her daughter Samantha in 4,351 days.
Kate Bornstein has not seen her daughter Jessica in 15,459 days.
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Posted by Tony Ortega on February 24, 2025 at 07:00
E-mail tips to tonyo94 AT gmail DOT com or follow us on Twitter. We also post updates at our Facebook author page. After every new story we send out an alert to our e-mail list and our FB page.
Our new book with Paulette Cooper, Battlefield Scientology: Exposing L. Ron Hubbard’s dangerous ‘religion’ is now on sale at Amazon in paperback and Kindle formats. Our book about Paulette, The Unbreakable Miss Lovely: How the Church of Scientology tried to destroy Paulette Cooper, is on sale at Amazon in paperback, Kindle, and audiobook versions. We’ve posted photographs of Paulette and scenes from her life at a separate location. Reader Sookie put together a complete index. More information can also be found at the book’s dedicated page.
The Best of the Underground Bunker, 1995-2023 Just starting out here? We’ve picked out the most important stories we’ve covered here at the Underground Bunker (2012-2023), The Village Voice (2008-2012), New Times Los Angeles (1999-2002) and the Phoenix New Times (1995-1999)
Other links: BLOGGING DIANETICS: Reading Scientology’s founding text cover to cover | UP THE BRIDGE: Claire Headley and Bruce Hines train us as Scientologists | GETTING OUR ETHICS IN: Jefferson Hawkins explains Scientology’s system of justice | SCIENTOLOGY MYTHBUSTING: Historian Jon Atack discusses key Scientology concepts | Shelly Miscavige, 15 years gone | The Lisa McPherson story told in real time | The Cathriona White stories | The Leah Remini ‘Knowledge Reports’ | Hear audio of a Scientology excommunication | Scientology’s little day care of horrors | Whatever happened to Steve Fishman? | Felony charges for Scientology’s drug rehab scam | Why Scientology digs bomb-proof vaults in the desert | PZ Myers reads L. Ron Hubbard’s “A History of Man” | Scientology’s Master Spies | The mystery of the richest Scientologist and his wayward sons | Scientology’s shocking mistreatment of the mentally ill | The Underground Bunker’s Official Theme Song | The Underground Bunker FAQ
Watch our short videos that explain Scientology’s controversies in three minutes or less…
Check your whale level at our dedicated page for status updates, or join us at the Underground Bunker’s Facebook discussion group for more frivolity.
Our non-Scientology stories: Robert Burnham Jr., the man who inscribed the universe | Notorious alt-right inspiration Kevin MacDonald and his theories about Jewish DNA | The selling of the “Phoenix Lights” | Astronomer Harlow Shapley‘s FBI file | Sex, spies, and local TV news | Battling Babe-Hounds: Ross Jeffries v. R. Don Steele
Tony Ortega at The Daily Beast
Bongino at FBI? Sure, why not, and let the libturds weep
Some links to Q-related items today
Advertisement(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});BREAKING: Donald Trump just named far-right MAGA podcaster Dan Bongino, a notorious conspiracy theorist who promoted the lie that the 2020 election was “stolen,” to serve as Deputy Director of the FBI.
God help us all.pic.twitter.com/WfFXOZH2iK
— Republicans against Trump (@RpsAgainstTrump) February 24, 2025
Idaho woman asked Republican legislators not to cut Medicaid — she was wrestled to ground & dragged out of town hall.
"Look at this little girl over here, everyone. Look at her!" the speaker pointed.
"Women deserve a voice!" Teresa Borrenpohl cried as 3 unidentified men dragged… pic.twitter.com/hMtiiaDcFM
— LongTime🤓FirstTime👨💻 (@LongTimeHistory) February 23, 2025
The reason why people aren't happy yet is that in 2017 when Q started posting this is where we were. Trump had moved all the pieces into position and Q told us Checkmate was coming in a week. Now it's 2025 and we're back to "Trump is putting all the pieces into position". pic.twitter.com/UX2b6UXEWd
— Poker and Politics (@PokerPolitics) February 24, 2025
As we reported Friday, not every Cabinet official — no matter how Trumpy — is fully on board with everything Musk wants to do
The tensions are there — but at what point, if any, will Trump’s inner circle begin to push back against DOGE? pic.twitter.com/6ePyPnPk35
— Jeff Stein (@JStein_WaPo) February 23, 2025
My crack team of coders has hacked into dozens of government websites and we can now reveal the following. pic.twitter.com/gLeRec0Xl1
— Justin Wolfers (@JustinWolfers) February 23, 2025
Looking for some background on the QAnon movement? We recommend Travis View’s excellent article at New York magazine as a place to start.
THE LOWDOWN is our blog for news, the QAnon phenomenon, and other subjects not related to our coverage of the Church of Scientology. If it’s our Scientology coverage you re looking for, please use this bookmark for our latest stories.
Posted by Tony Ortega on February 24, 2025 at 08:00
February 23, 2025
Cecilia Kruchko-Smith, 1952-2025, former Scientology employee, beloved Bunkerite
TODAY AT SUBSTACK: If you’ve signed up for free emails at Substack, you will receive today’s feature story at your inbox: Cece was a former Scientology employee who spent more than 20 years at AOLA until she was kicked out in a bizarre incident, but we knew her as a free spirit who spent her later years on the road, and reporting back to us from desert campgrounds and other beautiful places. [What is this Substack thing, anyway?]
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Technology Cocktail
“COMBINED TERMINAL = An item or identity the pc has both been and opposed produces therefore both pain and sensation when it is “late on the track,” which is to say, after the fact of many terminals and opposition terminals. The combination terminal is the closure between terminal and opposition terminal lines which possesses attributes of both and the clarity of neither. It signifies a period toward the end of a game. It is found most commonly when the pc’s case is only shallowly entered. They exist on all cases but are fewer than terminals and opposition terminals. Symbol COTERM.” — L. Ron Hubbard, 1978
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THE PROSECUTION OF DANNY MASTERSON
We first broke the news of the LAPD’s investigation of Scientology celebrity Danny Masterson on rape allegations in 2017, and we’ve been covering the story every step of the way since then. At this page we’ve collected our most important links as Danny faces a potential sentence of 45 years to life in prison. NOW WITH TRIAL INDEX.
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THE PODCAST: How many have you heard?
[1] Marc Headley [2] Claire Headley [3] Jeffrey Augustine [4] Bruce Hines [5] Sunny Pereira [6] Pete Griffiths [7] Geoff Levin [8] Patty Moher [9] Marc Headley [10] Jefferson Hawkins [11] Michelle ‘Emma’ Ryan [12] Paulette Cooper [13] Jesse Prince [14] Mark Bunker [15] Jon Atack [16] Mirriam Francis [17] Bruce Hines on MSH
— SPECIAL: The best TV show on Scientology you never got to see
[1] Phil Jones [2] Derek Bloch [3] Carol Nyburg [4] Katrina Reyes [5] Jamie DeWolf
— The first Danny Masterson trial and beyond
Advertisement(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});[18] Trial special with Chris Shelton [19] Trial week one [20] Marc Headley on the spy in the hallway [21] Trial week two [22] Trial week three [23] Trial week four [24] Leah Remini on LAPD Corruption [25] Mike Rinder 2022 Thanksgiving Special [26] Jane Doe 4 (Tricia Vessey), Part One [27] Jane Doe 4 (Tricia Vessey), Part Two [28] Claire Headley on the trial [29] Tory Christman [30] Bruce Hines on spying [31] Karen de la Carriere [32] Ron Miscavige on Shelly Miscavige [33] Karen de la Carriere on the L’s [34] Mark Bunker on Miscavige hiding [35] Mark Plummer [36] Mark Ebner [37] Karen Pressley [38] Steve Cannane [39] Fredrick Brennan [40] Clarissa Adams [41] Louise Shekter [42] John Sweeney [43] Tory Christman [44] Kate Bornstein [45] Christian Stolte [46] Mark Bunker [47] Jon Atack [48] Luke Y. Thompson [49] Mark Ebner [50] Bruce Hines [51] Spanky Taylor and Karen Pressley [51] Geoff and Robbie Levin [52] Sands Hall [53] Jonny Jacobsen [54] Sandy Holeman [55] Mark Bunker [56] Trish and Liz Conley [57] Trish Conley [58] Alex Barnes-Ross [59] Alex Barnes-Ross [60] Alex Barnes-Ross [61] Alex Barnes-Ross [62] Alex Barnes-Ross [63] Alex Barnes-Ross [64] Tory Christman [65] Tammy Synovec [66] Dennis Erlich [67] Alex Barnes-Ross [68] Valerie Ross [69] Kat in Austin [70] Mark Bunker [71] Phil Jones
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“The reactive bank is a thing. It’s got sort of mushy looking electronic masses and it’s got pictures and locks and other things associated with this, it is a thing. Well, the physical universe and the remaining dynamics, of course, are themselves a thing. And that’s what we mean when we say our universe and the other fellow’s universe and everybody’s universe. There were three universes, if you can remember rightly. Well, that apparently is very true, there are apparently three universes, but we were speaking of the reactive bank as meaning one of those universes where, as a matter of fact, that’s a little bit of a curve in the line. It turns out that there was his universe, you know, his brick walls, and we’re not sure right now whether or not they’re his brick walls and everybody’s brick walls or only his brick walls, or exactly what’s the status of these brick walls, because we’re right up a bunch, right up against the ability to disintegrate matter, all these various phenomena that — a yogi has been known as a good yogi if he could, you know, something or other, if he could levitate, you know, you’ve heard all these tricks and nonsense pieces and that sort of thing. Kid game stuff. This is the level you’re looking at. You see?” — L. Ron Hubbard, February 23, 1965
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“RECRUITS: We appreciate all the new recruits. You are very valuable to us. It permits older hands to move up. In your turn if you do a good job, you will also be moving up in your time. You are expected to do the job assigned well and raise its stats. You are expected to complete your AB, SS I, SS II and Mission School during your study time, which should be about 2.5 hours a day during one or another of your study periods.” — The Commodore, February 23, 1971
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“According to L. Ron Hubbard, the Marcabians would have arrived to Earth in 1983. The first thing the Marcabians would have done is to take over the Church of Scientology. Captain Bill Robertson described later how this was done with the help of the Government of the United States of America.”
2002: A Scientology press release promoted the work of celebrity Ann Archer against Psychiatry. “Actress Anne Archer joined the growing list of celebrity mothers who are speaking out against the psychiatric labeling and drugging of school children, by releasing a new Web site at the 33rd annual celebration of the Citizens Commission on Human Rights International, a psychiatric watchdog organization. The Web site, www.FightForKids.com, is designed to educate parents about the labeling and drugging of children, and inform them about the necessary reform of Congress’s next major educational project, Special Education. Helping to release the new Web site with Anne Archer, was CCHR 2002 Human Rights Award winner, Sheila Matthews. Matthews, a Connecticut mother, was awarded for her year long battle to get psychiatry out of the public school systems.”
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“‘Ness is More.’ It’s Hubbard’s version of his favorite book ‘1984.’ Reduce the language down to its most base level and you can control what people think and it also separates them from the rest of society. Hubbard was already fairly knowledgeable about mind control techniques and hypnotism before he wrote Dianetics, so I don’t know why anyone would think his specific control techniques were by accident.”
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Full Court Press: What we’re watching at the Underground Bunker
Criminal prosecutions:
— Danny Masterson charged for raping three women: Found guilty on two counts on May 31, remanded to custody. Sentenced to 30 years to life on Sep 7, 2023. DA’s response to appeal brief due April 15.
— ‘Lafayette Ronald Hubbard’ (a/k/a Justin Craig), aggravated assault, plus drug charges: Grand jury indictments include charges from an assault while in custody. Next pretrial hearing February 24.
— David Gentile, GPB Capital, convicted of fraud, awaiting sentencing.
Civil litigation:
— Leah Remini v. Scientology, alleging ‘Fair Game’ harassment and defamation: Some defamation claims were removed by Judge Hammock. Judge Hammock’s ruling is on appeal.
— Baxter, Baxter, and Paris v. Scientology, alleging labor trafficking: Forced to arbitration.
— Valerie Haney v. Scientology: Forced to ‘religious arbitration.’
— Chrissie Bixler et al. v. Scientology and Danny Masterson. Judge Upindra Kalra’s ruling denying Scientology’s motion to strike is on appeal.
— Jane Doe 1 v. Scientology, David Miscavige, and Gavin Potter: Case unsealed and second amended complaint filed. Scientology moves for religious arbitration, gets ruling to depose Jane Doe 1.
——————–
After the success of their double-Emmy-winning, three-season A&E series ‘Scientology and the Aftermath,’ Leah Remini and Mike Rinder continue the conversation on their podcast, ‘Scientology: Fair Game.’ We’ve created a landing page where you can hear all of the episodes so far.
LEAH REMINI: SCIENTOLOGY AND THE AFTERMATH
An episode-by-episode guide to Leah Remini’s three-season, double-Emmy winning series that changed everything for Scientology watching. Originally aired from 2016 to 2019 on the A&E network, and now on Netflix.
SCIENTOLOGY’S CELEBRITIES, from A to Z
Find your favorite Hubbardite celeb at this index page — or suggest someone to add to the list!
Other links: SCIENTOLOGY BLACK OPS: Tom Cruise and dirty tricks. Scientology’s Ideal Orgs, from one end of the planet to the other. Scientology’s sneaky front groups, spreading the good news about L. Ron Hubbard while pretending to benefit society. Scientology Lit: Books reviewed or excerpted in a weekly series. How many have you read?
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THE WHOLE TRACK
[ONE year ago] Shelly Miscavige: More about the place where she registered to vote, but is she still there?
[TWO years ago] REPORT: Scientology loses captain of its Florida ‘spiritual mecca,’ a fundraising marvel
[THREE years ago] Shekter: A trial by storm for Scientology’s most dedicated still resonates today
[FOUR years ago] Gary Beeny, 1949-2020: Scientology figure in notorious takeover of anti-cult group
[FIVE years ago] For once Scientology gives up on Ideal Org, settles for a fancy ‘mission’ instead
[SIX years ago] Leah Remini pays for vexing Tom Cruise with Scientology’s ‘Truth Rundown’
[SEVEN years ago] Laura DeCrescenzo fires back at Scientology’s desperate new federal court gambit
[EIGHT years ago] Scientology’s Celebrity Whisperer: An inside account of life in the fame-obsessed church
[NINE years ago] Scientology tried to suppress this video, and that’s why you’re seeing it here today
[TEN years ago] Scientology Australia spills its guts, and you can thank Bryan Seymour and Nick Xenophon
[ELEVEN years ago] Five things to watch for in today’s first Scientology wedding in the UK
[TWELVE years ago] Scientology Mythbusting with Jon Atack: Fair Game!
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Bernie Headley (1952-2019) did not see his daughter Stephanie in his final 5,667 days.
Joe Reaiche (1958-2024) did not see his daughter Alanna Masterson in his final 6,999 days.
Mike Rinder (1955-2025) did not see his son Benjamin and daughter Taryn in his final 7,589 days.
Tammy Synovec has not seen her daughter Julia in 3,184 days.
Valerie Haney has not seen her mother Lynne in 3,679 days.
Katrina Reyes has not seen her mother Yelena in 4,194 days
Sylvia Wagner DeWall has not seen her brother Randy in 3,744 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his grandson Leo in 2,734 days.
Klaus Büchele has not seen his daughter Jasmin in 5,120 days.
Geoff Levin has not seen his son Collin and daughter Savannah in 2,615 days.
Christie Collbran has not seen her mother Liz King in 5,919 days.
Clarissa Adams has not seen her parents Walter and Irmin Huber in 3,790 days.
Jamie Sorrentini Lugli has not seen her father Irving in 5,342 days.
Quailynn McDaniel has not seen her brother Sean in 4,683 days.
Dylan Gill has not seen his father Russell in 13,250 days.
Melissa Paris has not seen her father Jean-Francois in 9,169 days.
Valeska Paris has not seen her brother Raphael in 5,337 days.
Mirriam Francis has not seen her brother Ben in 4,919 days.
Claudio and Renata Lugli have not seen their son Flavio in 5,178 days.
Sara Goldberg has not seen her daughter Ashley in 4,215 days.
Lori Hodgson has not seen her son Jeremy and daughter Jessica in 3,931 days.
Marie Bilheimer has not seen her mother June in 3,495 days.
Julian Wain has not seen his brother Joseph or mother Susan in 1,810 days.
Charley Updegrove has not seen his son Toby in 2,985 days.
Derek Bloch has not seen his father Darren in 4,667 days.
Cindy Plahuta has not seen her daughter Kara in 5,004 days.
Roger Weller has not seen his daughter Alyssa in 9,858 days.
Claire Headley has not seen her mother Gen in 4,973 days.
Ramana Dienes-Browning has not seen her mother Jancis in 3,335 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his daughter Spring in 3,744 days.
Skip Young has not seen his daughters Megan and Alexis in 4,142 days.
Mary Kahn has not seen her son Sammy in 4,018 days.
Lois Reisdorf has not seen her son Craig in 3,583 days.
Phil and Willie Jones have not seen their son Mike and daughter Emily in 4,094 days.
Mary Jane Barry has not seen her daughter Samantha in 4,350 days.
Kate Bornstein has not seen her daughter Jessica in 15,458 days.
——————–
Posted by Tony Ortega on February 23, 2025 at 07:00
E-mail tips to tonyo94 AT gmail DOT com or follow us on Twitter. We also post updates at our Facebook author page. After every new story we send out an alert to our e-mail list and our FB page.
Our new book with Paulette Cooper, Battlefield Scientology: Exposing L. Ron Hubbard’s dangerous ‘religion’ is now on sale at Amazon in paperback and Kindle formats. Our book about Paulette, The Unbreakable Miss Lovely: How the Church of Scientology tried to destroy Paulette Cooper, is on sale at Amazon in paperback, Kindle, and audiobook versions. We’ve posted photographs of Paulette and scenes from her life at a separate location. Reader Sookie put together a complete index. More information can also be found at the book’s dedicated page.
The Best of the Underground Bunker, 1995-2023 Just starting out here? We’ve picked out the most important stories we’ve covered here at the Underground Bunker (2012-2023), The Village Voice (2008-2012), New Times Los Angeles (1999-2002) and the Phoenix New Times (1995-1999)
Other links: BLOGGING DIANETICS: Reading Scientology’s founding text cover to cover | UP THE BRIDGE: Claire Headley and Bruce Hines train us as Scientologists | GETTING OUR ETHICS IN: Jefferson Hawkins explains Scientology’s system of justice | SCIENTOLOGY MYTHBUSTING: Historian Jon Atack discusses key Scientology concepts | Shelly Miscavige, 15 years gone | The Lisa McPherson story told in real time | The Cathriona White stories | The Leah Remini ‘Knowledge Reports’ | Hear audio of a Scientology excommunication | Scientology’s little day care of horrors | Whatever happened to Steve Fishman? | Felony charges for Scientology’s drug rehab scam | Why Scientology digs bomb-proof vaults in the desert | PZ Myers reads L. Ron Hubbard’s “A History of Man” | Scientology’s Master Spies | The mystery of the richest Scientologist and his wayward sons | Scientology’s shocking mistreatment of the mentally ill | The Underground Bunker’s Official Theme Song | The Underground Bunker FAQ
Watch our short videos that explain Scientology’s controversies in three minutes or less…
Check your whale level at our dedicated page for status updates, or join us at the Underground Bunker’s Facebook discussion group for more frivolity.
Our non-Scientology stories: Robert Burnham Jr., the man who inscribed the universe | Notorious alt-right inspiration Kevin MacDonald and his theories about Jewish DNA | The selling of the “Phoenix Lights” | Astronomer Harlow Shapley‘s FBI file | Sex, spies, and local TV news | Battling Babe-Hounds: Ross Jeffries v. R. Don Steele
Tony Ortega at The Daily Beast
Trump at CPAC: Government workers fired were ‘radical left liberals’
Some links to Q-related items today
Advertisement(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});At Donald Trump’s speech at CPAC the following happened:
1. He said he was “angry” repeatedly and made odd noises saying “angry.”
2. He said he and Elon were searching Fort Knox for “gold” and hopes it’s “not missing”
3. He starts cursing at Biden and blames the crashing…
— Ben Meiselas 🇺🇸🦅 (@meiselasb) February 22, 2025
This you? https://t.co/zjSM5ysUnG pic.twitter.com/C1Ex5gaIS4
— PatriotTakes 🇺🇸 (@patriottakes) February 22, 2025
Interesting thing for the President to say about a person who, according to the government’s lawyers, “has no actual or formal authority to make government decisions himself” and “only has the ability to advise the President, or communicate the President’s directives.” pic.twitter.com/0YdfSC8XNs
— Anna Bower (@AnnaBower) February 22, 2025
No one at DOGE is going to be personally reviewing 2 million emails about what people did each week. Everyone in the government already has a supervisor they report to. This is a transparent effort to manufacture reasons to fire people because their Fork offer got low results. https://t.co/mSEFtuaDGD
— Aaron Reichlin-Melnick (@ReichlinMelnick) February 22, 2025
The power struggles begin.
FBI Director Kash Patel tonight has instructed his employees to ignore @elonmusk’s productivity inquiry, saying, essentially—we will evaluate our own people, thanks. pic.twitter.com/BkisigRPNq
— Ken Dilanian (@KenDilanianNBC) February 23, 2025
Christopher Key–the "Vaccine Police" was live outside PDiddy's home. He is convinced there are underground tunnels going from PDiddy's house to Hugh Hefner's house. They know something shady is going on, including black magic and special technology making you a slave to the… pic.twitter.com/GPRV526UWZ
— Dr. Christine Sarteschi, LCSW (@DrSarteschi) February 22, 2025
Trump’s allies keep telling us who they are pic.twitter.com/Zd9Bhol8AJ
— PatriotTakes 🇺🇸 (@patriottakes) February 22, 2025
Looking for some background on the QAnon movement? We recommend Travis View’s excellent article at New York magazine as a place to start.
THE LOWDOWN is our blog for news, the QAnon phenomenon, and other subjects not related to our coverage of the Church of Scientology. If it’s our Scientology coverage you re looking for, please use this bookmark for our latest stories.
Posted by Tony Ortega on February 23, 2025 at 08:00
February 22, 2025
Where is Scientology’s next ‘Ideal Org’? Some news from down south.
TODAY AT SUBSTACK: If you’ve signed up for free emails at Substack, you will receive today’s feature story at your inbox: Dianetics turns 75 this year, and Scientology leader David Miscavige turns 65 in April. But the number the church tends to tout is how many ‘Ideal Orgs’ it has opened since 2003. And in a year with such big anniversaries, it seems like the Ideal Org program is stalled again. [What is this Substack thing, anyway?]
——————–
Technology Cocktail
“PAIN = Pain is composed of heat, cold, electrical, and the combined effect of sharp hurting. If one stuck a fork in his arm, he would experience pain. When one uses PAIN in connection with clearing one means awareness of heat, cold, electrical or hurting stemming from the reactive mind. A, cording to experiments done at Harvard, if one were to make a grid with heated tubes going vertical and chilled tubes going horizontal and were to place a small current of electricity through the lot, the device, touched to a body, would produce the feeling of PAIN. It need not be composed of anything very hot or cold or of any high voltage to produce a very intense feeling of pain. Therefore what we call PAIN is itself, heat, cold and electrical. If a pc experiences one or more of these from his reactive mind, we say he is experiencing PAIN.” — L. Ron Hubbard, 1978
——————–
THE PROSECUTION OF DANNY MASTERSON
We first broke the news of the LAPD’s investigation of Scientology celebrity Danny Masterson on rape allegations in 2017, and we’ve been covering the story every step of the way since then. At this page we’ve collected our most important links as Danny faces a potential sentence of 45 years to life in prison. NOW WITH TRIAL INDEX.
——————–
THE PODCAST: How many have you heard?
[1] Marc Headley [2] Claire Headley [3] Jeffrey Augustine [4] Bruce Hines [5] Sunny Pereira [6] Pete Griffiths [7] Geoff Levin [8] Patty Moher [9] Marc Headley [10] Jefferson Hawkins [11] Michelle ‘Emma’ Ryan [12] Paulette Cooper [13] Jesse Prince [14] Mark Bunker [15] Jon Atack [16] Mirriam Francis [17] Bruce Hines on MSH
— SPECIAL: The best TV show on Scientology you never got to see
[1] Phil Jones [2] Derek Bloch [3] Carol Nyburg [4] Katrina Reyes [5] Jamie DeWolf
— The first Danny Masterson trial and beyond
Advertisement(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});[18] Trial special with Chris Shelton [19] Trial week one [20] Marc Headley on the spy in the hallway [21] Trial week two [22] Trial week three [23] Trial week four [24] Leah Remini on LAPD Corruption [25] Mike Rinder 2022 Thanksgiving Special [26] Jane Doe 4 (Tricia Vessey), Part One [27] Jane Doe 4 (Tricia Vessey), Part Two [28] Claire Headley on the trial [29] Tory Christman [30] Bruce Hines on spying [31] Karen de la Carriere [32] Ron Miscavige on Shelly Miscavige [33] Karen de la Carriere on the L’s [34] Mark Bunker on Miscavige hiding [35] Mark Plummer [36] Mark Ebner [37] Karen Pressley [38] Steve Cannane [39] Fredrick Brennan [40] Clarissa Adams [41] Louise Shekter [42] John Sweeney [43] Tory Christman [44] Kate Bornstein [45] Christian Stolte [46] Mark Bunker [47] Jon Atack [48] Luke Y. Thompson [49] Mark Ebner [50] Bruce Hines [51] Spanky Taylor and Karen Pressley [51] Geoff and Robbie Levin [52] Sands Hall [53] Jonny Jacobsen [54] Sandy Holeman [55] Mark Bunker [56] Trish and Liz Conley [57] Trish Conley [58] Alex Barnes-Ross [59] Alex Barnes-Ross [60] Alex Barnes-Ross [61] Alex Barnes-Ross [62] Alex Barnes-Ross [63] Alex Barnes-Ross [64] Tory Christman [65] Tammy Synovec [66] Dennis Erlich [67] Alex Barnes-Ross [68] Valerie Ross [69] Kat in Austin [70] Mark Bunker [71] Phil Jones
——————–
“I criticize governments. That’s because at the present moment I’m not in any position whatsoever to completely smash them. I make no bones about this, see? This is not covert at all. Governments know what they’re doing, not cooperating with me, if they’re that smart. If they were very, very clever, they never would. And we’ll have to cut that off the tape, you see. But at the present moment it’s not that I’m in a position to, but it just doesn’t fit the cards to make nothing out of all national governments, that’s all. It just isn’t in the cards at the present moment.” — L. Ron Hubbard, February 22, 1962
——————–
“Flag is crowded these days. Berthing is at a premium. New faces, new actions. This is the time when it is hard to wear one’s hat because the weaker points on lines have given away. This is the time that reputations are made and future trust inspired in those who wear their hats and do their jobs. In such times one begins to mark out those who can control their immediate environment and make it and those in it go right. This is the way future officers and promotions are scheduled. Reversely this is also the time one notices who couldn’t hold the line or who made a mess of it or who caved in. Those trying to get the job done note these things. The non production, the absent from post, the flaps as well as the order and high production people are noted. It all come straight eventually because those in charge note and support those who make it go right and mark down the others. The go-right guys eventually wind up in charge. Those who dodge their way and dog it eventually vanish off the lines. This is YOUR Sea Org. It is as good as you make it. THE SUPREME TEST OF A THETAN IS TO MAKE THINGS GO RIGHT.” — The Commodore, February 22, 1971
——————–
“OT II signifies the first time you see the meter reading on stuff that’s not ‘you.’ It’s eerie and spooky as hell, in a strong shock-and-awe kind of way. Definitely a ‘HOLY SHIT!’ moment in eternity, winding back the dwindling spiral. I mean anyone can sit there and hold the meter cans for a million years and not see those kind of reads that appear when you audit THE EXACT PRECISE CHARGE LINE BY LINE. Is it real? Do we believe it? No one has to ‘believe’ anything. They just have to audit standardly (or it doesn’t work). As for ‘Is it real?’ well, the question is irrelevant. The fact that it works and releases tremendous charge and tremendous ability is what’s important.”
2001: Mark Bunker reported the results of a trial in St. Petersburg to determine whether Scientology or a number of critics should be found in contempt of court for violating a restraining order issued for the protests in Clearwater in December. “Neither Bob Minton nor Tory [Christman] were convicted today. Judge Penick acquitted all but two of the more than forty charges against Bob, the LMT and the rest of the critics. He fined Tory $100 but did not find her guilty for walking down Fort Harrison Avenue without holding her picket sign upside down. He withheld adjudication and fined Bob $500 for engaging in First Amendment activity outside of an orange zone. Bob is on probation for six months but was not convicted. The judge came down hard on Scientology’s spy cameras, abusive process servers/P.I.s, and the ’embarrassing’ testimony of OSA’s rebuttal witness. Judge Penick brought in the Clearwater Police’s attorney to let him know that the judge believed there was a great deal of merit to the claim that Scientology is ‘using’ and ‘duping’ the police they hire. Penick warned that the CW Police were dangerously close to becoming Scientology’s security force.”
——————–
“Most of the junkies I’ve talked to told me the reason they did dope was because it made them feel ‘normal,’ not for the buzz. It made them feel the way they always imagined life should feel, even before they tried it. Unfortunately it’s an illusion, just like the ‘tech,’ and it ends up costing you everything. Hey, if they made Scientology and dope free just think of all the money and pain saved!”
——————–
Full Court Press: What we’re watching at the Underground Bunker
Criminal prosecutions:
— Danny Masterson charged for raping three women: Found guilty on two counts on May 31, remanded to custody. Sentenced to 30 years to life on Sep 7, 2023. DA’s response to appeal brief due April 15.
— ‘Lafayette Ronald Hubbard’ (a/k/a Justin Craig), aggravated assault, plus drug charges: Grand jury indictments include charges from an assault while in custody. Next pretrial hearing February 24.
— David Gentile, GPB Capital, convicted of fraud, awaiting sentencing.
Civil litigation:
— Leah Remini v. Scientology, alleging ‘Fair Game’ harassment and defamation: Some defamation claims were removed by Judge Hammock. Judge Hammock’s ruling is on appeal.
— Baxter, Baxter, and Paris v. Scientology, alleging labor trafficking: Forced to arbitration.
— Valerie Haney v. Scientology: Forced to ‘religious arbitration.’
— Chrissie Bixler et al. v. Scientology and Danny Masterson. Judge Upindra Kalra’s ruling denying Scientology’s motion to strike is on appeal.
— Jane Doe 1 v. Scientology, David Miscavige, and Gavin Potter: Case unsealed and second amended complaint filed. Scientology moves for religious arbitration, gets ruling to depose Jane Doe 1.
——————–
After the success of their double-Emmy-winning, three-season A&E series ‘Scientology and the Aftermath,’ Leah Remini and Mike Rinder continue the conversation on their podcast, ‘Scientology: Fair Game.’ We’ve created a landing page where you can hear all of the episodes so far.
LEAH REMINI: SCIENTOLOGY AND THE AFTERMATH
An episode-by-episode guide to Leah Remini’s three-season, double-Emmy winning series that changed everything for Scientology watching. Originally aired from 2016 to 2019 on the A&E network, and now on Netflix.
SCIENTOLOGY’S CELEBRITIES, from A to Z
Find your favorite Hubbardite celeb at this index page — or suggest someone to add to the list!
Other links: SCIENTOLOGY BLACK OPS: Tom Cruise and dirty tricks. Scientology’s Ideal Orgs, from one end of the planet to the other. Scientology’s sneaky front groups, spreading the good news about L. Ron Hubbard while pretending to benefit society. Scientology Lit: Books reviewed or excerpted in a weekly series. How many have you read?
——————–
THE WHOLE TRACK
[ONE year ago] Austin, Chicago & Mexico City: Here’s why you’re getting new Scientology churches now
[TWO years ago] Simi Valley: Not the town, but one of the Underground Bunker’s most loyal helpers
[THREE years ago] Scientology celebrates new staff as everything is really going gangbusters
[FOUR years ago] When Scientologists talk Scientology, we all benefit from it
[FIVE years ago] Scientology tries to keep high-profile Philly attorneys out of Danny Masterson lawsuit
[SIX years ago] First AME Church & USC both disclaim letter Scientology using against Leah Remini
[SEVEN years ago] Insider reports on Scientology’s grand openings in Silicon Valley and Salt Lake City!
[EIGHT years ago] First look inside Tom Cruise’s Clearwater double penthouse — and Scientology is not happy!
[NINE years ago] How the indoctrination of growing up in Scientology has changed over generations
[TEN years ago] Sunday Funnies: Scientology’s latest insider fliers for your dissection and delectation
[ELEVEN years ago] Jon Atack puts it to Scientologists — did L. Ron Hubbard have the qualities of a leader?
[TWELVE years ago] Oklahoma Rep. Jason Murphey on Scientology’s Lobbying: “It’s Some Spooky-Looking Stuff”
——————–
Bernie Headley (1952-2019) did not see his daughter Stephanie in his final 5,667 days.
Joe Reaiche (1958-2024) did not see his daughter Alanna Masterson in his final 6,999 days.
Mike Rinder (1955-2025) did not see his son Benjamin and daughter Taryn in his final 7,589 days.
Tammy Synovec has not seen her daughter Julia in 3,183 days.
Valerie Haney has not seen her mother Lynne in 3,678 days.
Katrina Reyes has not seen her mother Yelena in 4,193 days
Sylvia Wagner DeWall has not seen her brother Randy in 3,743 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his grandson Leo in 2,733 days.
Klaus Büchele has not seen his daughter Jasmin in 5,119 days.
Geoff Levin has not seen his son Collin and daughter Savannah in 2,614 days.
Christie Collbran has not seen her mother Liz King in 5,918 days.
Clarissa Adams has not seen her parents Walter and Irmin Huber in 3,789 days.
Jamie Sorrentini Lugli has not seen her father Irving in 5,341 days.
Quailynn McDaniel has not seen her brother Sean in 4,682 days.
Dylan Gill has not seen his father Russell in 13,249 days.
Melissa Paris has not seen her father Jean-Francois in 9,168 days.
Valeska Paris has not seen her brother Raphael in 5,336 days.
Mirriam Francis has not seen her brother Ben in 4,918 days.
Claudio and Renata Lugli have not seen their son Flavio in 5,177 days.
Sara Goldberg has not seen her daughter Ashley in 4,214 days.
Lori Hodgson has not seen her son Jeremy and daughter Jessica in 3,930 days.
Marie Bilheimer has not seen her mother June in 3,494 days.
Julian Wain has not seen his brother Joseph or mother Susan in 1,809 days.
Charley Updegrove has not seen his son Toby in 2,984 days.
Derek Bloch has not seen his father Darren in 4,666 days.
Cindy Plahuta has not seen her daughter Kara in 5,003 days.
Roger Weller has not seen his daughter Alyssa in 9,857 days.
Claire Headley has not seen her mother Gen in 4,972 days.
Ramana Dienes-Browning has not seen her mother Jancis in 3,334 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his daughter Spring in 3,743 days.
Skip Young has not seen his daughters Megan and Alexis in 4,141 days.
Mary Kahn has not seen her son Sammy in 4,017 days.
Lois Reisdorf has not seen her son Craig in 3,582 days.
Phil and Willie Jones have not seen their son Mike and daughter Emily in 4,093 days.
Mary Jane Barry has not seen her daughter Samantha in 4,349 days.
Kate Bornstein has not seen her daughter Jessica in 15,457 days.
——————–
Posted by Tony Ortega on February 22, 2025 at 07:00
E-mail tips to tonyo94 AT gmail DOT com or follow us on Twitter. We also post updates at our Facebook author page. After every new story we send out an alert to our e-mail list and our FB page.
Our new book with Paulette Cooper, Battlefield Scientology: Exposing L. Ron Hubbard’s dangerous ‘religion’ is now on sale at Amazon in paperback and Kindle formats. Our book about Paulette, The Unbreakable Miss Lovely: How the Church of Scientology tried to destroy Paulette Cooper, is on sale at Amazon in paperback, Kindle, and audiobook versions. We’ve posted photographs of Paulette and scenes from her life at a separate location. Reader Sookie put together a complete index. More information can also be found at the book’s dedicated page.
The Best of the Underground Bunker, 1995-2023 Just starting out here? We’ve picked out the most important stories we’ve covered here at the Underground Bunker (2012-2023), The Village Voice (2008-2012), New Times Los Angeles (1999-2002) and the Phoenix New Times (1995-1999)
Other links: BLOGGING DIANETICS: Reading Scientology’s founding text cover to cover | UP THE BRIDGE: Claire Headley and Bruce Hines train us as Scientologists | GETTING OUR ETHICS IN: Jefferson Hawkins explains Scientology’s system of justice | SCIENTOLOGY MYTHBUSTING: Historian Jon Atack discusses key Scientology concepts | Shelly Miscavige, 15 years gone | The Lisa McPherson story told in real time | The Cathriona White stories | The Leah Remini ‘Knowledge Reports’ | Hear audio of a Scientology excommunication | Scientology’s little day care of horrors | Whatever happened to Steve Fishman? | Felony charges for Scientology’s drug rehab scam | Why Scientology digs bomb-proof vaults in the desert | PZ Myers reads L. Ron Hubbard’s “A History of Man” | Scientology’s Master Spies | The mystery of the richest Scientologist and his wayward sons | Scientology’s shocking mistreatment of the mentally ill | The Underground Bunker’s Official Theme Song | The Underground Bunker FAQ
Watch our short videos that explain Scientology’s controversies in three minutes or less…
Check your whale level at our dedicated page for status updates, or join us at the Underground Bunker’s Facebook discussion group for more frivolity.
Our non-Scientology stories: Robert Burnham Jr., the man who inscribed the universe | Notorious alt-right inspiration Kevin MacDonald and his theories about Jewish DNA | The selling of the “Phoenix Lights” | Astronomer Harlow Shapley‘s FBI file | Sex, spies, and local TV news | Battling Babe-Hounds: Ross Jeffries v. R. Don Steele
Tony Ortega at The Daily Beast
Women, Blacks under heavy attack by King Don
Some links to Q-related items today
Advertisement(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});Trump says he is going to entirely defund the state of Maine if they don’t do as he says
Trump: “We are the federal law. You better do it, you’re not going to get any federal funding if you don’t.”
Gov. Mills: “See you in court” pic.twitter.com/NKDsc1zmSa
— FactPost (@factpostnews) February 21, 2025
Joint Chief of Staff Chairman CQ Brown is a 4-Star General, 41-year member of the U.S. Air Force, and logged over 30,000 flight hours as a fighter pilot. He is one of the most qualified military leaders in U.S. History.
There's one reason Trump fired him – and we all know why. pic.twitter.com/4NAZ2602ZZ
— Protect Kamala Harris ✊ (@DisavowTrump20) February 22, 2025
Dear God. The new Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Dan Caine, told Trump: "I love you, sir. I think you’re great, sir. I’ll kill for you, sir."
This country is sick at its core. pic.twitter.com/2uO77CKZ6w
— Chris D. Jackson (@ChrisDJackson) February 22, 2025
Posted by a MAGA account pic.twitter.com/iY1hf0gtNo
— PatriotTakes 🇺🇸 (@patriottakes) February 21, 2025
Trump’s brain is such mush he can’t remember which of RFK Jr’s conspiracy theories is the one about autism so he declares that Chemtrails are causing autism. https://t.co/JzWfN9cUPF
— Poker and Politics (@PokerPolitics) February 21, 2025
New: Layoffs hit FAA, including employees tasked with producing air traffic navigation maps
“If we're no longer there to create the maps that air traffic air traffic controls are using, mistakes will eventually happen,” one employee told ABC News.https://t.co/7LIYpqhKnL
— Will Steakin (@wsteaks) February 21, 2025
Kash Patel after being sworn in: This is effin crazy pic.twitter.com/kKedFAqQSZ
— Acyn (@Acyn) February 21, 2025
I cannot stress enough how dangerous it is that the New York Times has adopted the lies of Trump and Musk. The idea that unprecedented authoritarian corruption is about “improving tech” and “fighting fraud” is a low point in the paper’s history. pic.twitter.com/PjkIsBgsRG
— Alec Karakatsanis (@equalityAlec) February 21, 2025
French far-right leader Jordan Bardella has abruptly canceled his CPAC speech scheduled for this morning over Steve Bannon's salute below, calling it "a provocation, a gesture referring to Nazi ideology." pic.twitter.com/O8W5lX73nj
— Vera Bergengruen (@VeraMBergen) February 21, 2025
Bannon calls the head of the far right French party a “pussy” and “weaker than Macron” for canceling his appearance at CPAC in reaction to the Nazi salute Bannon did on stage yesterday. https://t.co/stSgvTZ18x
— Italien Feeld (@julianfeeld) February 21, 2025
Kanye West, who recently launched a swastika shirt, calls Steve Bannon’s “Roman salute” fun pic.twitter.com/Mt1MM33n1d
— PatriotTakes 🇺🇸 (@patriottakes) February 22, 2025
Looking for some background on the QAnon movement? We recommend Travis View’s excellent article at New York magazine as a place to start.
THE LOWDOWN is our blog for news, the QAnon phenomenon, and other subjects not related to our coverage of the Church of Scientology. If it’s our Scientology coverage you re looking for, please use this bookmark for our latest stories.
Posted by Tony Ortega on February 22, 2025 at 08:00
February 21, 2025
Scientology’s floating cathedral is back in a big way, pilgrims!
TODAY AT SUBSTACK: If you’ve signed up for free emails at Substack, you will receive today’s feature story at your inbox: The pandemic was hard on Scientology’s aging cruise ship the Freewinds. And we wondered about the seaworthiness of this expensive floating cathedral. Well, a new flier suggests the old barge is gamely sailing into the future, and that it has pretty much returned to its old ways! [What is this Substack thing, anyway?]
——————–
Technology Cocktail
“It is important that a clearing auditor be able to distinguish pain from sensation, terminals from opposition terminals, and to have the data at the level of instant knowledge. To understand it less is to invite serious errors in clearing. Failure to sort terminals from opposition terminals can confuse the pc or even degrade the case. All a pc’s somatics, deformities and distortions proceed from terminals, opposition terminals and combination terminals. Thus they are of vast importance to the pc and the auditor.” — L. Ron Hubbard, 1978
——————–
THE PROSECUTION OF DANNY MASTERSON
We first broke the news of the LAPD’s investigation of Scientology celebrity Danny Masterson on rape allegations in 2017, and we’ve been covering the story every step of the way since then. At this page we’ve collected our most important links as Danny faces a potential sentence of 45 years to life in prison. NOW WITH TRIAL INDEX.
——————–
THE PODCAST: How many have you heard?
[1] Marc Headley [2] Claire Headley [3] Jeffrey Augustine [4] Bruce Hines [5] Sunny Pereira [6] Pete Griffiths [7] Geoff Levin [8] Patty Moher [9] Marc Headley [10] Jefferson Hawkins [11] Michelle ‘Emma’ Ryan [12] Paulette Cooper [13] Jesse Prince [14] Mark Bunker [15] Jon Atack [16] Mirriam Francis [17] Bruce Hines on MSH
— SPECIAL: The best TV show on Scientology you never got to see
[1] Phil Jones [2] Derek Bloch [3] Carol Nyburg [4] Katrina Reyes [5] Jamie DeWolf
— The first Danny Masterson trial and beyond
Advertisement(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});[18] Trial special with Chris Shelton [19] Trial week one [20] Marc Headley on the spy in the hallway [21] Trial week two [22] Trial week three [23] Trial week four [24] Leah Remini on LAPD Corruption [25] Mike Rinder 2022 Thanksgiving Special [26] Jane Doe 4 (Tricia Vessey), Part One [27] Jane Doe 4 (Tricia Vessey), Part Two [28] Claire Headley on the trial [29] Tory Christman [30] Bruce Hines on spying [31] Karen de la Carriere [32] Ron Miscavige on Shelly Miscavige [33] Karen de la Carriere on the L’s [34] Mark Bunker on Miscavige hiding [35] Mark Plummer [36] Mark Ebner [37] Karen Pressley [38] Steve Cannane [39] Fredrick Brennan [40] Clarissa Adams [41] Louise Shekter [42] John Sweeney [43] Tory Christman [44] Kate Bornstein [45] Christian Stolte [46] Mark Bunker [47] Jon Atack [48] Luke Y. Thompson [49] Mark Ebner [50] Bruce Hines [51] Spanky Taylor and Karen Pressley [51] Geoff and Robbie Levin [52] Sands Hall [53] Jonny Jacobsen [54] Sandy Holeman [55] Mark Bunker [56] Trish and Liz Conley [57] Trish Conley [58] Alex Barnes-Ross [59] Alex Barnes-Ross [60] Alex Barnes-Ross [61] Alex Barnes-Ross [62] Alex Barnes-Ross [63] Alex Barnes-Ross [64] Tory Christman [65] Tammy Synovec [66] Dennis Erlich [67] Alex Barnes-Ross [68] Valerie Ross [69] Kat in Austin [70] Mark Bunker [71] Phil Jones
——————–
“This idea of somebody full-armed from the brow of Jove or something like that, coming down and helping man, and so on, that’s an old story. That isn’t even news. But somebody by his own bootstraps, even as you, pulling himself up through this thing, that is news. And whatever you have done and been on the Whole Track, or whatever I have done and been on the Whole Track, it still amounts to the fact that a guy just like you made this. And has made it, and also ‘physician heal thyself,’ has been broken all ways from the middle. Because it never happened before. That’s what’s news. I suppose my bank to a large degree’s been keyed out but over a period of time has been keying in harder and harder and harder and about knocked my head off, and I was working out technology by which you could get Clear, and I hadn’t had any auditing to amount to anything for a couple of years, actually. Mary Sue rolled up her sleeves and there we went and here we are. And this is a very satisfactory, well, I won’t say an end to the story, because the story is a long way from ended. But I will say it’s a very satisfactory denouement on the question, ‘Can one lift himself by his own bootstraps and beat all the laws of God and men in this whole universe from one corner to the other?’ And the answer, of course, is yes.” — L. Ron Hubbard, February 21, 1963
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“The UKLO WW SH team, Phyll Stevens, Linda Parselle, Anne Tampion, Darlene Regenas and Margaret Hodkins are leaving today. They have worked hard and done very well. They graduated from the FEBC and attained Grade Clear OT. The Flag Bureaux has totally replanned SH spatially and have re-integrated the successful ’67 pattern. WW is now the UKLO Management Bureau. We wish them very well. The officers and crew have worked very hard completing the entirety of this very extensive project. Now it is up to them to put a UKLO and SH and SH Foundation there and bring SH back to its former glory. Good-bye, god bless, good luck. We wish you well. This is a major completion. A great one.” — The Commodore, February 21, 1971
——————–
“In 1980 or so Diana Hubbard proclaimed that the World would be Clear in 1987. Putting the dream of a Clear planet into reality will take centuries or possibly longer. The Sea Org contract of a billion years meant being here for however long it takes. I am going to be around for those centuries or the full billion years if that is what it takes. Are you? My opinion is that when LRH said that ‘Orders of Magnitude’ was the awareness level of a level above OT8 then he was talking about getting people up to a state where they could accomplish his levels of speed of particle flow and continue at that level for however long it might take.”
2000: The proceeds from planned Battlefield Earth action figures have been identified as benefiting Author Services, a part of Scientology. From Variety: “The most intriguing aspect of the toy line based on summer sci-fi epic ‘Battlefield Earth’ may not be the ‘Ratbastard’-spouting John Travolta doll. It could just be the millions of dollars the Church of Scientology stands to earn from the playthings. Though the church did not participate in the making of the Warner Bros./Franchise Pictures project, it was included in the merchandising agreement, according to Scientology spokesman Mike Rinder. Any deal for merchandising automatically includes Author Services, the agency that handles all of the works of late writer and Scientology founder L. Ron Hubbard. The toy assembly includes Strike Jets, Psychoblasters and Thunder Battletanks alongside 11-inch figures of Travolta as Terl, the villainous warlord. The Terl doll borrows Travolta voice snippets from the film, including these lines: ‘Exterminate all man animals at will,’ ‘You wouldn’t last one day at the Academy,’ ‘Man is an endangered species’ and ‘Ratbastard.’ Trendmasters, the company responsible for the line of toys, says these types of movie-driven toys can earn as much as $50 million in sales. Exactly how much will the Church of Scientology recoup from the toys? No one seems to know.”
——————–
“Pleasure and pain are what motivates everyone on the most basic level. People do things because they make them feel good, whether it be dope or Scientology. Even after drug addiction becomes destructive, people keep doing it because it’s become their way of life and people fear change (and pain) more than anything.”
——————–
Full Court Press: What we’re watching at the Underground Bunker
Criminal prosecutions:
— Danny Masterson charged for raping three women: Found guilty on two counts on May 31, remanded to custody. Sentenced to 30 years to life on Sep 7, 2023. DA’s response to appeal brief due April 15.
— ‘Lafayette Ronald Hubbard’ (a/k/a Justin Craig), aggravated assault, plus drug charges: Grand jury indictments include charges from an assault while in custody. Next pretrial hearing February 24.
— David Gentile, GPB Capital, convicted of fraud, awaiting sentencing.
Civil litigation:
— Leah Remini v. Scientology, alleging ‘Fair Game’ harassment and defamation: Some defamation claims were removed by Judge Hammock. Judge Hammock’s ruling is on appeal.
— Baxter, Baxter, and Paris v. Scientology, alleging labor trafficking: Forced to arbitration.
— Valerie Haney v. Scientology: Forced to ‘religious arbitration.’
— Chrissie Bixler et al. v. Scientology and Danny Masterson. Judge Upindra Kalra’s ruling denying Scientology’s motion to strike is on appeal.
— Jane Doe 1 v. Scientology, David Miscavige, and Gavin Potter: Case unsealed and second amended complaint filed. Scientology moves for religious arbitration, gets ruling to depose Jane Doe 1.
——————–
After the success of their double-Emmy-winning, three-season A&E series ‘Scientology and the Aftermath,’ Leah Remini and Mike Rinder continue the conversation on their podcast, ‘Scientology: Fair Game.’ We’ve created a landing page where you can hear all of the episodes so far.
LEAH REMINI: SCIENTOLOGY AND THE AFTERMATH
An episode-by-episode guide to Leah Remini’s three-season, double-Emmy winning series that changed everything for Scientology watching. Originally aired from 2016 to 2019 on the A&E network, and now on Netflix.
SCIENTOLOGY’S CELEBRITIES, from A to Z
Find your favorite Hubbardite celeb at this index page — or suggest someone to add to the list!
Other links: SCIENTOLOGY BLACK OPS: Tom Cruise and dirty tricks. Scientology’s Ideal Orgs, from one end of the planet to the other. Scientology’s sneaky front groups, spreading the good news about L. Ron Hubbard while pretending to benefit society. Scientology Lit: Books reviewed or excerpted in a weekly series. How many have you read?
——————–
THE WHOLE TRACK
[ONE year ago] Building a Scientology prison camp meant ducking for cover when planes flew by
[TWO years ago] Richard Belzer, and that time he got us in to see Tom Cruise roast Matt Lauer
[THREE years ago] After a court restored the Danny Masterson suit, Scientology is apoplectic with rage
[FOUR years ago] Scientology social media: The world’s coolest religion is on fire!
[FIVE years ago] Thanks to some Scientology OTs, you can now rent a cabin only a mile from Shelly Miscavige!
[SIX years ago] If you thought Scientology’s ‘Axioms’ were dumb, the ‘Logics’ are even dumberer
[SEVEN years ago] Hubbard’s ‘Brainwashing Manual’ — how a crude Scientology hoax became a far-right touchstone
[EIGHT years ago] As Scientology shrinks, its leader dreams up new ways to convince followers otherwise
[NINE years ago] When Scientology was in trouble in 1955, L. Ron Hubbard told prosecutor he was a ‘psychologist’
[TEN years ago] When Scientology was pouring on the ‘religious’ angle very thick: A video mystery
[ELEVEN years ago] Federal judge dismisses Georgia class-action lawsuit against Scientology and rehab network
[TWELVE years ago] Narconon Staff Certifications in Jeopardy After New Whistleblower Comes Forward
——————–
Bernie Headley (1952-2019) did not see his daughter Stephanie in his final 5,667 days.
Joe Reaiche (1958-2024) did not see his daughter Alanna Masterson in his final 6,999 days.
Mike Rinder (1955-2025) did not see his son Benjamin and daughter Taryn in his final 7,589 days.
Tammy Synovec has not seen her daughter Julia in 3,182 days.
Valerie Haney has not seen her mother Lynne in 3,677 days.
Katrina Reyes has not seen her mother Yelena in 4,192 days
Sylvia Wagner DeWall has not seen her brother Randy in 3,742 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his grandson Leo in 2,732 days.
Klaus Büchele has not seen his daughter Jasmin in 5,118 days.
Geoff Levin has not seen his son Collin and daughter Savannah in 2,613 days.
Christie Collbran has not seen her mother Liz King in 5,917 days.
Clarissa Adams has not seen her parents Walter and Irmin Huber in 3,788 days.
Jamie Sorrentini Lugli has not seen her father Irving in 5,340 days.
Quailynn McDaniel has not seen her brother Sean in 4,681 days.
Dylan Gill has not seen his father Russell in 13,248 days.
Melissa Paris has not seen her father Jean-Francois in 9,167 days.
Valeska Paris has not seen her brother Raphael in 5,335 days.
Mirriam Francis has not seen her brother Ben in 4,917 days.
Claudio and Renata Lugli have not seen their son Flavio in 5,176 days.
Sara Goldberg has not seen her daughter Ashley in 4,213 days.
Lori Hodgson has not seen her son Jeremy and daughter Jessica in 3,929 days.
Marie Bilheimer has not seen her mother June in 3,493 days.
Julian Wain has not seen his brother Joseph or mother Susan in 1,808 days.
Charley Updegrove has not seen his son Toby in 2,983 days.
Derek Bloch has not seen his father Darren in 4,665 days.
Cindy Plahuta has not seen her daughter Kara in 5,002 days.
Roger Weller has not seen his daughter Alyssa in 9,856 days.
Claire Headley has not seen her mother Gen in 4,971 days.
Ramana Dienes-Browning has not seen her mother Jancis in 3,333 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his daughter Spring in 3,742 days.
Skip Young has not seen his daughters Megan and Alexis in 4,140 days.
Mary Kahn has not seen her son Sammy in 4,016 days.
Lois Reisdorf has not seen her son Craig in 3,581 days.
Phil and Willie Jones have not seen their son Mike and daughter Emily in 4,092 days.
Mary Jane Barry has not seen her daughter Samantha in 4,348 days.
Kate Bornstein has not seen her daughter Jessica in 15,456 days.
——————–
Posted by Tony Ortega on February 21, 2025 at 07:00
E-mail tips to tonyo94 AT gmail DOT com or follow us on Twitter. We also post updates at our Facebook author page. After every new story we send out an alert to our e-mail list and our FB page.
Our new book with Paulette Cooper, Battlefield Scientology: Exposing L. Ron Hubbard’s dangerous ‘religion’ is now on sale at Amazon in paperback and Kindle formats. Our book about Paulette, The Unbreakable Miss Lovely: How the Church of Scientology tried to destroy Paulette Cooper, is on sale at Amazon in paperback, Kindle, and audiobook versions. We’ve posted photographs of Paulette and scenes from her life at a separate location. Reader Sookie put together a complete index. More information can also be found at the book’s dedicated page.
The Best of the Underground Bunker, 1995-2023 Just starting out here? We’ve picked out the most important stories we’ve covered here at the Underground Bunker (2012-2023), The Village Voice (2008-2012), New Times Los Angeles (1999-2002) and the Phoenix New Times (1995-1999)
Other links: BLOGGING DIANETICS: Reading Scientology’s founding text cover to cover | UP THE BRIDGE: Claire Headley and Bruce Hines train us as Scientologists | GETTING OUR ETHICS IN: Jefferson Hawkins explains Scientology’s system of justice | SCIENTOLOGY MYTHBUSTING: Historian Jon Atack discusses key Scientology concepts | Shelly Miscavige, 15 years gone | The Lisa McPherson story told in real time | The Cathriona White stories | The Leah Remini ‘Knowledge Reports’ | Hear audio of a Scientology excommunication | Scientology’s little day care of horrors | Whatever happened to Steve Fishman? | Felony charges for Scientology’s drug rehab scam | Why Scientology digs bomb-proof vaults in the desert | PZ Myers reads L. Ron Hubbard’s “A History of Man” | Scientology’s Master Spies | The mystery of the richest Scientologist and his wayward sons | Scientology’s shocking mistreatment of the mentally ill | The Underground Bunker’s Official Theme Song | The Underground Bunker FAQ
Watch our short videos that explain Scientology’s controversies in three minutes or less…
Check your whale level at our dedicated page for status updates, or join us at the Underground Bunker’s Facebook discussion group for more frivolity.
Our non-Scientology stories: Robert Burnham Jr., the man who inscribed the universe | Notorious alt-right inspiration Kevin MacDonald and his theories about Jewish DNA | The selling of the “Phoenix Lights” | Astronomer Harlow Shapley‘s FBI file | Sex, spies, and local TV news | Battling Babe-Hounds: Ross Jeffries v. R. Don Steele
Tony Ortega at The Daily Beast
Elon at CPAC: High as a kite and fully in control (of your tax data)
Some links to Q-related items today
Advertisement(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});NOW: Elon Musk enters the CPAC stage, welcomes president Javier Milei pic.twitter.com/D5rnFy24a7
— Oliya Scootercaster 🛴 (@ScooterCasterNY) February 20, 2025
As much as Republicans get mad about Democrats saying "President Musk" CPAC is doing nothing to disprove it. Plenty of talk about DOGE. Bros holding up portraits of Elon Musk. Black "Dark Gothic MAGA" hats. The Elon imagery is on the level–if not more–of Trump's.
— Eric Michael Garcia (@EricMGarcia) February 20, 2025
Bannon does a “roman salute” at the end of his CPAC speech. pic.twitter.com/IbI6PEsQxJ
— Italien Feeld (@julianfeeld) February 21, 2025
Breaking news: Trump is preparing to dissolve the leadership of the U.S. Postal Service and absorb the independent mail agency into his administration, potentially throwing the mail provider and trillions of dollars of ecommerce transactions into turmoil. https://t.co/Qz6gIxRMzy
— The Washington Post (@washingtonpost) February 21, 2025
Patel was a confirmed despite never explaining the payments he got from Qatar or a Kremlin-linked film company, or his continued stake in a Chinese company. Nor did he have to explain his apparent perjury before the Judiciary committee about FBI firings. https://t.co/kg7ITQVt6I
— Dan Friedman (@dfriedman33) February 20, 2025
Mitch McConnell announces retirement and then votes to confirm Kash Patel on the same day, Trump dommed him lol
— Ken Klippenstein (@kenklippenstein) February 20, 2025
This is the hype phase for QAnon. The Big Payoff is about to happen. Then nothing happens and they go back to waiting for the next thing to get excited over. pic.twitter.com/1m4O4BITtK
— Poker and Politics (@PokerPolitics) February 21, 2025
New from me at @RawStory:
JD Vance's speech at Munich was greeted with elation by Martin Sellner, an Austrian neo-Nazi who is one of the most vocal proponents of "remigration."
Vance is pressuring Euro leaders to remove the "firewall" against fascism.https://t.co/D7MAS6jsp8
— follow @byjordangreen on bluesky (@jordangreennc) February 20, 2025
Elon Musk's pick to run the Social Security Administration, now taking over the agency, is out with a statement today in which he acknowledges that people in the Social Security database who are over 100 years old are "not necessarily receiving benefits"
Trump had said "millions… pic.twitter.com/NFya0iRi3h
— Jeff Stein (@JStein_WaPo) February 20, 2025
Americans say 2-to-1 that Elon Musk's influence in the administration is a bad thing.
They say 2-to-1 that they oppose him shutting down gov't programs.
And they are about 2-to-1 concerned about him accessing their data. pic.twitter.com/XALTfDW2Lv
— Aaron Blake (@AaronBlake) February 20, 2025
This mom hired a Trump impersonator for her 3 year old son’s birthday party.
You can hear an adult tell the kid to “go dance with Donald Trump” and see the mom push the kid toward the Trump impersonator while YMCA plays in the background. pic.twitter.com/73xV5Ej1v9
— PatriotTakes 🇺🇸 (@patriottakes) February 20, 2025
Looking for some background on the QAnon movement? We recommend Travis View’s excellent article at New York magazine as a place to start.
THE LOWDOWN is our blog for news, the QAnon phenomenon, and other subjects not related to our coverage of the Church of Scientology. If it’s our Scientology coverage you re looking for, please use this bookmark for our latest stories.
Posted by Tony Ortega on February 21, 2025 at 08:00
February 20, 2025
With Valerie Haney’s Scientology ‘arbitration’ unfinished, is her lawsuit on the brink?
TODAY AT SUBSTACK: If you’ve signed up for free emails at Substack, you will receive today’s feature story at your inbox: A hearing is scheduled today in Valerie Haney’s lawsuit against Scientology, the one she filed nearly six years ago. In that period, she’s endured shockingly abusive behavior by the courts and by her former church. But is her legal odyssey all coming to an end today? [What is this Substack thing, anyway?]
——————–
Technology Cocktail
“In a marriage, if the husband were to place the wife on an E-Meter and ask the question ‘Consider committing overts against me’ and find a wide rock slam immediately results, he will be then in total possession of what has been wrong with his marriage. Similarly, a wife finding this manifestation on a husband would also be informed. The remedy in such a case is not to sack somebody, to shoot somebody, to divorce somebody or take some drastic final action, because we now have all the answer we need to resolve this and it will be found that as soon as the person’s goal has been found the condition of hostility will cease. The rock slam produced must be at sensitivity 16 on the meter. If a dirty needle occurs it is necessary to pull the person’s missed withholds because these obviously exist. This should not be neglected. By dirty needle is meant an erratic agitation of the needle which is ragged, jerky, ticking, not sweeping, and tends to be persistent. It is not limited in size.” — L. Ron Hubbard, 1978
——————–
THE PROSECUTION OF DANNY MASTERSON
We first broke the news of the LAPD’s investigation of Scientology celebrity Danny Masterson on rape allegations in 2017, and we’ve been covering the story every step of the way since then. At this page we’ve collected our most important links as Danny faces a potential sentence of 45 years to life in prison. NOW WITH TRIAL INDEX.
——————–
THE PODCAST: How many have you heard?
[1] Marc Headley [2] Claire Headley [3] Jeffrey Augustine [4] Bruce Hines [5] Sunny Pereira [6] Pete Griffiths [7] Geoff Levin [8] Patty Moher [9] Marc Headley [10] Jefferson Hawkins [11] Michelle ‘Emma’ Ryan [12] Paulette Cooper [13] Jesse Prince [14] Mark Bunker [15] Jon Atack [16] Mirriam Francis [17] Bruce Hines on MSH
— SPECIAL: The best TV show on Scientology you never got to see
[1] Phil Jones [2] Derek Bloch [3] Carol Nyburg [4] Katrina Reyes [5] Jamie DeWolf
— The first Danny Masterson trial and beyond
Advertisement(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});[18] Trial special with Chris Shelton [19] Trial week one [20] Marc Headley on the spy in the hallway [21] Trial week two [22] Trial week three [23] Trial week four [24] Leah Remini on LAPD Corruption [25] Mike Rinder 2022 Thanksgiving Special [26] Jane Doe 4 (Tricia Vessey), Part One [27] Jane Doe 4 (Tricia Vessey), Part Two [28] Claire Headley on the trial [29] Tory Christman [30] Bruce Hines on spying [31] Karen de la Carriere [32] Ron Miscavige on Shelly Miscavige [33] Karen de la Carriere on the L’s [34] Mark Bunker on Miscavige hiding [35] Mark Plummer [36] Mark Ebner [37] Karen Pressley [38] Steve Cannane [39] Fredrick Brennan [40] Clarissa Adams [41] Louise Shekter [42] John Sweeney [43] Tory Christman [44] Kate Bornstein [45] Christian Stolte [46] Mark Bunker [47] Jon Atack [48] Luke Y. Thompson [49] Mark Ebner [50] Bruce Hines [51] Spanky Taylor and Karen Pressley [51] Geoff and Robbie Levin [52] Sands Hall [53] Jonny Jacobsen [54] Sandy Holeman [55] Mark Bunker [56] Trish and Liz Conley [57] Trish Conley [58] Alex Barnes-Ross [59] Alex Barnes-Ross [60] Alex Barnes-Ross [61] Alex Barnes-Ross [62] Alex Barnes-Ross [63] Alex Barnes-Ross [64] Tory Christman [65] Tammy Synovec [66] Dennis Erlich [67] Alex Barnes-Ross [68] Valerie Ross [69] Kat in Austin [70] Mark Bunker [71] Phil Jones
——————–
“The one thing by which the communist profits in Australia and Suid-Afrika are the laws against perversion. The state, of all means, is regulating how you are going to perform the sexual act. I think that’s very interesting. I’ve seldom seen any police officers in my bedroom. And I’m afraid if I did they’d have short shrift. Of course, I have had the people the police officers are supposed to restrain trying to crawl into my bedroom windows and a few things like that, you know, but that, of course, they wouldn’t be interested in. Now, what are they doing? They’re just trying to invent some new withholds, aren’t they? I think that’s fascinating, because the communist uses blackmail of this particular kind as a means of controlling heads of state. In other words, if the state itself lends its weight to punishment of withholds, see, it has just laid itself out to be crazy. Because now, anybody in the state can be blackmailed so as to overthrow the state, because the state will punish the overthrow or the withhold. Do you understand this, or any part of this?” — L. Ron Hubbard, February 20, 1962
——————–
“LOCAL PROPERTY: I rode the motorcycle Mary Sue gave me for Christmas out to see some property we bought. Arthur Hubbard, my test rider and mechanic in chief, acted as guide on his bike. He took me way out in the green countryside on the excuse he didn’t know any other route to the property. We circled back and found the right place right on the edge of town. Anything for a ride. It’s a very nice property. Several apartments, 18 bedrooms on one upper floor, a dozen garages, a big buss garage, four classrooms and a gym, and a lot of other bits. Our sign is up and well lighted at night. Our caretaker is a very nice chap. The place is well built of stone and masonry, quite pretty in fact. We intended it for light manufacturing but have not put it to use as yet. We own quite a bit of property over the world. Will be acquiring more as well as some countries.” — The Commodore, February 20, 1971
——————–
“Once girl on OT II was sent to me. At one point I was looking downward at the meter when out of my peripheral vision I saw a blinding light right where her head was — obviously I’m talking about a theta perception. And I thought to myself, ‘Good lord, WTF!’ Same kind of white light as from welding but it looked like a ball of intense white fire about the size of a marble and lasted about 2 seconds. When I looked up, her face was bright, BRIGHT red, and she was grinning from ear to ear and obviously shocked and could hardly talk. She said, ‘DID YOU SEE THAT!?!’ Where upon I said, ‘I sure the fuck did!’ And we both had a huge laugh. What I thought was a blush on her part however turned out to be a sunburn because it didn’t go away. Her skin stayed reddish the rest of the day, and when I commented on it, she told me ‘You’re all red too!’ and darned if it wasn’t. The problem was that she had overrun OT II and then gone a bit BIs (bad indicators – indicators in the pc that show something is wrong). We located the point where it started, then when I asked what happened just before that, she located the point where she had released (and subsequently overrun) and the charge that had built up burned off all at once, which can happen. I did some research on this and found that LRH does talk about that happening now and then when he was researching into OT in the early 1950s. Facsimiles can ignite and burn releasing radiation. Anyway, when was the last time you were talking to someone and they thought of something and as a result you got sunburned?”
1999: Adweek published an article this week on the controversy over anti-Scientology advertising on public buses. “The ads were purchased by Former Scientologists Speaking Out, which asserts its First Amendment rights were violated when the ads were removed. ‘When you look at the board’s definition of political advertising, it is limited to that for candidates running for office,’ said Ken Dandar, the ex-Scientologists’ attorney. ‘They now have a nonprofit organization that is willing to sue them if they don’t do the right thing.’ Scientology lawyer Paul Johnson said the PSTA should move to strike any noncommercial ads from public transportation, or else the county could see ‘hate organizations like the KKK’ running ads on its buses. ‘This is important stuff under the First Amendment, but the American Association of Advertising Agencies believes that advertisers should be able to advertise,’ said John Kamp, a Washington, D.C., attorney at the 4A’s. ‘I run a business. I don’t want to limit commerce, but this has created a real problem in Clearwater,’ said Bob Clark, a PSTA board member and Clearwater commissioner. ‘There’s no question in any person’s mind that these were attacks, and as a public official … when I saw them, I was very upset.'”
——————–
“All you need to do to strike spiritual gold is to tell the mutant killer apes with the over-developed brain stems that death is not the end and that they’re more than just another species of animal.”
——————–
Full Court Press: What we’re watching at the Underground Bunker
Criminal prosecutions:
— Danny Masterson charged for raping three women: Found guilty on two counts on May 31, remanded to custody. Sentenced to 30 years to life on Sep 7, 2023. DA’s response to appeal brief due April 15.
— ‘Lafayette Ronald Hubbard’ (a/k/a Justin Craig), aggravated assault, plus drug charges: Grand jury indictments include charges from an assault while in custody. Next pretrial hearing February 24.
— David Gentile, GPB Capital, convicted of fraud, awaiting sentencing.
Civil litigation:
— Leah Remini v. Scientology, alleging ‘Fair Game’ harassment and defamation: Some defamation claims were removed by Judge Hammock. Judge Hammock’s ruling is on appeal.
— Baxter, Baxter, and Paris v. Scientology, alleging labor trafficking: Forced to arbitration.
— Valerie Haney v. Scientology: Forced to ‘religious arbitration.’
— Chrissie Bixler et al. v. Scientology and Danny Masterson. Judge Upindra Kalra’s ruling denying Scientology’s motion to strike is on appeal.
— Jane Doe 1 v. Scientology, David Miscavige, and Gavin Potter: Case unsealed and second amended complaint filed. Scientology moves for religious arbitration, gets ruling to depose Jane Doe 1.
——————–
After the success of their double-Emmy-winning, three-season A&E series ‘Scientology and the Aftermath,’ Leah Remini and Mike Rinder continue the conversation on their podcast, ‘Scientology: Fair Game.’ We’ve created a landing page where you can hear all of the episodes so far.
LEAH REMINI: SCIENTOLOGY AND THE AFTERMATH
An episode-by-episode guide to Leah Remini’s three-season, double-Emmy winning series that changed everything for Scientology watching. Originally aired from 2016 to 2019 on the A&E network, and now on Netflix.
SCIENTOLOGY’S CELEBRITIES, from A to Z
Find your favorite Hubbardite celeb at this index page — or suggest someone to add to the list!
Other links: SCIENTOLOGY BLACK OPS: Tom Cruise and dirty tricks. Scientology’s Ideal Orgs, from one end of the planet to the other. Scientology’s sneaky front groups, spreading the good news about L. Ron Hubbard while pretending to benefit society. Scientology Lit: Books reviewed or excerpted in a weekly series. How many have you read?
——————–
THE WHOLE TRACK
[ONE year ago] Giving birth (shhhh, silently!) in Scientology: What is that really like?
[TWO years ago] TRANSCRIPT, PART 2: Experienced auditor is taped talking about E-meter, the OT levels
[THREE years ago] What Scientology’s happy propaganda doesn’t tell you about its Florida ‘spiritual mecca’
[FOUR years ago] Has Scientology’s cruise ship, the Freewinds, made its last voyage?
[FIVE years ago] Blacks not ready for the vote: L. Ron Hubbard’s damning 1960 harangue supporting apartheid
[SIX years ago] Tony Ortega: Musician, songwriter, and steel executive, 1938-2019
[SEVEN years ago] How L. Ron Hubbard tried to hoax the FBI, and ‘brainwashed’ politicians of the far right
[EIGHT years ago] Louis Farrakhan: Nation of Islam will stand by Scientology as Leah Remini ‘goes in hard’
[NINE years ago] Why Scientology’s petition to the Texas Supreme Court mentions a dildo, and other surprises
[TEN years ago] Scientology’s Orwellian methods of control explained in a new book by Jefferson Hawkins
[ELEVEN years ago] Scott Pilutik helps us evaluate Scientology’s petition to Texas appeals court
[TWELVE years ago] Oklahoma Drug Rehab Bill Passes Senate: Scientology’s Narconon Days Numbered?
——————–
Bernie Headley (1952-2019) did not see his daughter Stephanie in his final 5,667 days.
Joe Reaiche (1958-2024) did not see his daughter Alanna Masterson in his final 6,999 days.
Mike Rinder (1955-2025) did not see his son Benjamin and daughter Taryn in his final 7,589 days.
Tammy Synovec has not seen her daughter Julia in 3,181 days.
Valerie Haney has not seen her mother Lynne in 3,676 days.
Katrina Reyes has not seen her mother Yelena in 4,191 days
Sylvia Wagner DeWall has not seen her brother Randy in 3,741 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his grandson Leo in 2,731 days.
Klaus Büchele has not seen his daughter Jasmin in 5,117 days.
Geoff Levin has not seen his son Collin and daughter Savannah in 2,612 days.
Christie Collbran has not seen her mother Liz King in 5,916 days.
Clarissa Adams has not seen her parents Walter and Irmin Huber in 3,787 days.
Jamie Sorrentini Lugli has not seen her father Irving in 5,339 days.
Quailynn McDaniel has not seen her brother Sean in 4,680 days.
Dylan Gill has not seen his father Russell in 13,247 days.
Melissa Paris has not seen her father Jean-Francois in 9,166 days.
Valeska Paris has not seen her brother Raphael in 5,334 days.
Mirriam Francis has not seen her brother Ben in 4,916 days.
Claudio and Renata Lugli have not seen their son Flavio in 5,175 days.
Sara Goldberg has not seen her daughter Ashley in 4,212 days.
Lori Hodgson has not seen her son Jeremy and daughter Jessica in 3,928 days.
Marie Bilheimer has not seen her mother June in 3,492 days.
Julian Wain has not seen his brother Joseph or mother Susan in 1,807 days.
Charley Updegrove has not seen his son Toby in 2,982 days.
Derek Bloch has not seen his father Darren in 4,664 days.
Cindy Plahuta has not seen her daughter Kara in 5,001 days.
Roger Weller has not seen his daughter Alyssa in 9,855 days.
Claire Headley has not seen her mother Gen in 4,970 days.
Ramana Dienes-Browning has not seen her mother Jancis in 3,332 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his daughter Spring in 3,741 days.
Skip Young has not seen his daughters Megan and Alexis in 4,139 days.
Mary Kahn has not seen her son Sammy in 4,015 days.
Lois Reisdorf has not seen her son Craig in 3,580 days.
Phil and Willie Jones have not seen their son Mike and daughter Emily in 4,091 days.
Mary Jane Barry has not seen her daughter Samantha in 4,347 days.
Kate Bornstein has not seen her daughter Jessica in 15,455 days.
——————–
Posted by Tony Ortega on February 20, 2025 at 07:00
E-mail tips to tonyo94 AT gmail DOT com or follow us on Twitter. We also post updates at our Facebook author page. After every new story we send out an alert to our e-mail list and our FB page.
Our new book with Paulette Cooper, Battlefield Scientology: Exposing L. Ron Hubbard’s dangerous ‘religion’ is now on sale at Amazon in paperback and Kindle formats. Our book about Paulette, The Unbreakable Miss Lovely: How the Church of Scientology tried to destroy Paulette Cooper, is on sale at Amazon in paperback, Kindle, and audiobook versions. We’ve posted photographs of Paulette and scenes from her life at a separate location. Reader Sookie put together a complete index. More information can also be found at the book’s dedicated page.
The Best of the Underground Bunker, 1995-2023 Just starting out here? We’ve picked out the most important stories we’ve covered here at the Underground Bunker (2012-2023), The Village Voice (2008-2012), New Times Los Angeles (1999-2002) and the Phoenix New Times (1995-1999)
Other links: BLOGGING DIANETICS: Reading Scientology’s founding text cover to cover | UP THE BRIDGE: Claire Headley and Bruce Hines train us as Scientologists | GETTING OUR ETHICS IN: Jefferson Hawkins explains Scientology’s system of justice | SCIENTOLOGY MYTHBUSTING: Historian Jon Atack discusses key Scientology concepts | Shelly Miscavige, 15 years gone | The Lisa McPherson story told in real time | The Cathriona White stories | The Leah Remini ‘Knowledge Reports’ | Hear audio of a Scientology excommunication | Scientology’s little day care of horrors | Whatever happened to Steve Fishman? | Felony charges for Scientology’s drug rehab scam | Why Scientology digs bomb-proof vaults in the desert | PZ Myers reads L. Ron Hubbard’s “A History of Man” | Scientology’s Master Spies | The mystery of the richest Scientologist and his wayward sons | Scientology’s shocking mistreatment of the mentally ill | The Underground Bunker’s Official Theme Song | The Underground Bunker FAQ
Watch our short videos that explain Scientology’s controversies in three minutes or less…
Check your whale level at our dedicated page for status updates, or join us at the Underground Bunker’s Facebook discussion group for more frivolity.
Our non-Scientology stories: Robert Burnham Jr., the man who inscribed the universe | Notorious alt-right inspiration Kevin MacDonald and his theories about Jewish DNA | The selling of the “Phoenix Lights” | Astronomer Harlow Shapley‘s FBI file | Sex, spies, and local TV news | Battling Babe-Hounds: Ross Jeffries v. R. Don Steele
Tony Ortega at The Daily Beast
Libturds freak out: ‘Gondor has no king. Gondor needs no king!’
Some links to Q-related items today
— Krassensteins (@krassenstein.bsky.social) February 19, 2025 at 8:13 PM
Trump called Zelenskyy, “a dictator” who “has done a terrible job.” Putin has got to be loving this. pic.twitter.com/YoIFL1DXML
— PatriotTakes 🇺🇸 (@patriottakes) February 19, 2025
The king has lost his crown.
— LC (@lc1summit.bsky.social) February 19, 2025 at 6:37 PM
Trump working hard to solve inflation pic.twitter.com/mJw70cb7s2
— PatriotTakes 🇺🇸 (@patriottakes) February 19, 2025
Murphy: "The game is clear. We can see it. They're not even hiding it. There is not a rule of law anymore. There is one set of law for people who are loyal to Donald Trump, and there is one set of law for people who care criticize him. That is not democracy." pic.twitter.com/DG6znM8Sl1
— Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) February 19, 2025
TWO DAYS AGO, a government official declared that Elon Musk is actually not in charge of *or* an employee of DOGE.
MINUTES AGO, the President of the United States said: “I signed an order creating the Department of Government Efficiency and put a man named Elon Musk in charge.” https://t.co/3qrdEAfDIr pic.twitter.com/kbth7LXHCH
— Anna Bower (@AnnaBower) February 19, 2025
SCOOP: The director of data science and engineering for USDS—which Elon Musk rebranded as the US DOGE Service—has resigned from her position. “I do not believe that DOGE can continue to deliver the work of USDS, based on their actions so far,” she said. https://t.co/iquSfaCZRO
— WIRED (@WIRED) February 19, 2025
More incredible incompetence at DOGE; Westlaw is a legal research service used by millions of lawyers and this would seemingly leave the SEC without a key tool for looking up the law. https://t.co/039arvdva7
— Aaron Reichlin-Melnick (@ReichlinMelnick) February 19, 2025
Some QAnon influencers today appeared to urge their followers to not pay their federal income taxes, calling for "mass noncompliance" & claiming they "haven’t voluntarily filed to pay my taxes to pedophiles since the 2020 stollen election." pic.twitter.com/emFxCJlHqL
— Alex Kaplan (@AlKapDC) February 19, 2025
SCOOP: On his second day as HHS secretary, RFK Jr., the onetime environmentalist, killed climate change programs at NIH that research and prepare for the health effects of extreme weather and a warming planet. This is not going to make Americans healthy.https://t.co/g1BjzIrZVp
— David Corn (@DavidCornDC) February 19, 2025
Last night at Mar-a-Lago… pic.twitter.com/j5HQ9b60oN
— PatriotTakes 🇺🇸 (@patriottakes) February 20, 2025
A tattered American Flag on display at Mar-a-Lago pic.twitter.com/F9GDkgoWDQ
— PatriotTakes 🇺🇸 (@patriottakes) February 20, 2025
Looking for some background on the QAnon movement? We recommend Travis View’s excellent article at New York magazine as a place to start.
THE LOWDOWN is our blog for news, the QAnon phenomenon, and other subjects not related to our coverage of the Church of Scientology. If it’s our Scientology coverage you re looking for, please use this bookmark for our latest stories.
Posted by Tony Ortega on February 20, 2025 at 08:00
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