Tony Ortega's Blog, page 57
February 5, 2025
Will 51st state be Canada, Greenland, or Gaza? Q patriots can’t wait to find out
Some links to Q-related items today
Advertisement(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});BREAKING: President Trump says he wants the U.S. to take ownership of the Gaza Strip after resettling Palestinians in other countries. https://t.co/CjSkEsPjj6
— The Associated Press (@AP) February 5, 2025
A MAGA radio host… pic.twitter.com/0UwsMPyN4l
— PatriotTakes 🇺🇸 (@patriottakes) February 5, 2025
MAGA voted for low grocery prices, but got Trump International Golf Resort and Spa Gaza instead
— PatriotTakes 🇺🇸 (@patriottakes) February 5, 2025
Flashback… pic.twitter.com/BBRgG81TIb
— PatriotTakes 🇺🇸 (@patriottakes) February 5, 2025
Trump during the election: No new wars!
Trump after inauguration: We’re going to send the U.S. military in to conquer Gaza, Greenland, Canada, Mexico, and the Panama Canal!
— MeidasTouch (@MeidasTouch) February 5, 2025
Outside the Treasury. pic.twitter.com/8AVQK01ECD
— amanda moore 🐢 (@noturtlesoup17) February 4, 2025
i have always wanted a ketamine addicted foreigner to start deleting entire sections of my government because he can’t regulate his emotions or integrate with society
— Brendan Karet (@bad_takes) February 4, 2025
I hope they add a feature to Google Earth that allows me to track the route of the suicide drone that kills me for criticizing DOGE. https://t.co/2BlQkjcIGx
— Travis View (@travis_view) February 5, 2025
oh. good. the 11th hour case for confirming Kennedy is 'yes, in fact, the president believes vaccines do cause autism.' https://t.co/pPm2qjAmhN
— Sam Stein (@samstein) February 4, 2025
Trump's US prosecutor in DC you will hear a lot about is Ed Martin. His previous job was serving as the head of Phyllis Schlafly's Eagle Forum.
— The Dollop (@thedollop) February 4, 2025
Waffle House raises prices due to rising egg costs in Trump’s economy https://t.co/ZGwnZKc4Aj
— PatriotTakes 🇺🇸 (@patriottakes) February 4, 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 5, 2025 at 08:00
February 4, 2025
Celebrity endorsements for Scientology’s Narconon drug rehab are back!
TODAY AT SUBSTACK: If you’ve signed up for free emails at Substack, you will receive today’s feature story at your inbox: How long has it been since we’ve seen a Scientology celebrity endorsement of Narconon? And not just any celebrity, but a skateboard hero who doesn’t normally do much promotional work for the church or its quack drug rehabs. Check it out! [What is this Substack thing, anyway?]
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Technology Cocktail
“I have recently unearthed a widespread aberration that underlies the withhold or obstruction of vital information and wanted to warn you to be on the lookout for it. It is, simply stated, DRAMATIZATION OF WITHHOLDS. This is not just the person with withholds, this is the person who DRAMATIZES withholds by preventing the relay, exposure or free distribution of vital information. To DRAMATIZE means to act under the influence of past incidents as dictated by those incidents in the bank. The guy is replaying something now that happened in the past, out of its time and context and out of his control. A person dramatizing withholds would be acting out withholding information now, when the actual withholds or incidents of withholding are in the past.” — L. Ron Hubbard, 1974
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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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“Scientology is liable to be around for a long time, because that really isn’t a split terminal. Somebody’d have to dream one up which ran a parallel to get a total throw-out of the subject called Scientology. But then it throws itself out, which is the only thing that makes it safe to have around. Probably the only subject on Earth today which solves itself without liability or continuance of itself, which is quite interesting. It’s a safe subject.” — L. Ron Hubbard, February 4, 1957
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“Odd time of the year to speak about Christmas. But in this case it’s a statistic. Public Popularity increase over the world was very marked this last Christmas. The general public response was up very nearly 35% over previous years. The volume of public cards to me personally would indicate an increased popularity of Scientology by a full third! Gifts were 40 – 45% higher than in previous years. While it was a joy hearing from so many at the time, now in retrospect, it can be viewed as confirming a general public upsurge. My hard working personal staffs here and in other areas were impressed with the increase. In previous years it was already enormous. My staffs work for many weeks after Christmas caring for the flow, the address corrections and tabulations and do an excellent job of it. So the full picture is now in and the fact emerges. Public Popularity has increased a full third.” — The Commodore, February 4, 1971
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“Is religion and spirituality all part of the trap to keep us down involved in MEST as we appear to be? Auditing is the only answer to get rid of charge. It is that which holds us trapped and doing crazy things. If we wait until we can do it perfectly, we won’t ever do it. A lot of engrams got run from those who simply read DMSMH and did it even poorly. If we fight the Corp Church we take our eyes off the ball, create a game and problem that will hang in time and achieve nothing. Let’s just get on with clearing the planet. The church tells us to be careful: That’s suppression. LRH gave us a gift. Let’s get busy and use it. It is the most fun you can have.”
1997: Scientology and Germany continued to generate news coverage this week, with reports of a new survey of Germans on Scientology, a promise to publicize Dead Agent materials on the Germany government, the possible boycott of a German film festival, and more widespread publicity from Time Magazine. From TIME: “Until last month, only the Scientologists and human-rights observers were paying much attention to what was going on in Germany. Then a startling letter appeared in the International Herald Tribune, signed by 34 show-biz celebrities and studio executives, comparing the purported discrimination suffered by Scientologists in Germany today to the ‘unspeakable horrors’ perpetrated against the Jews in the 1930s. That comparison provoked outrage in the American Jewish Community. Last week the State Department stepped in to address the charges in its influential yearly Human Rights Report. Spokesman Nicholas Burns went ever further than the report, flatly accusing Germany of ‘discrimination’ against Scientologists and of punishing them solely for their beliefs. With that, Germany had had enough. In Bonn, the government declared that it was its ‘duty to publicize Scientology’s practices and protect citizens from them.’ There were prolonged meetings at the chancellery, with much dark talk of slashing back at the U.S., reportedly by urging it to abolish capital punishment and do more to combat racism. The German campaign against the Scientologists as detailed in the State Department’s report is a dry dish of bureaucratic caution, simply laying out the facts and calling no names. It says Scientologists have been barred from joining major German political parties like the Christian Democratic Union and the Social Democrats and that some who joined earlier are being purged. The Germans have no hard evidence of criminality but an abiding fear of extremism in any form. The Christian Democrats call Scientology ‘totalitarian.’ A Social Democratic member of the Bundestag says it is ‘fascist.’ When a German delegation met with U.S. officials on the issue late last year, the Americans argued that if there is evidence of illegality, the Scientologists should be prosecuted under existing laws. The Germans replied that, well, there wasn’t enough evidence for a trial, but even so, their government ‘has responsibility to protect its citizens.'”
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“Raining on other people’s parades is one of my specialties.”
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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. Appeal brief due by December 23.
— ‘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, 2025.
— 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] Val Ross: Scientology draws you in so you don’t realize what it’s about until it’s too late
[TWO years ago] PODCAST: Mark ‘Warrior’ Plummer remembers Scientology’s deceptions
[THREE years ago] New source appears to confirm the Insider on Scientology and Sea Org vaccinations
[FOUR years ago] Ted the tour guide called ‘bigoted hate group’ by Scientologist city board member
[SIX years ago] Mark Bunker: Clearwater’s Officer (now Chief) Slaughter oversaw the Scientology detail
[SEVEN years ago] In Scientology, the grift of its own members just never ends
[EIGHT years ago] Scientology’s Super Bowl ad: Here’s your sneak peek at what it’s going to be like
[NINE years ago] When David Miscavige was riding high with ‘The Basics’ — Scientology’s 2008 New Year’s event!
[TEN years ago] LEAH REMINI IN TALKS TO SUE SCIENTOLOGY: MIKE RINDER TESTIMONY
[ELEVEN years ago] It’s a make-or-break day for Monique Rathbun vs Scientology in a Texas courtroom
[TWELVE years ago] Best Twitter Reactions to Scientology’s Super Bowl Ad
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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 3,165 days.
Valerie Haney has not seen her mother Lynne in 3,660 days.
Katrina Reyes has not seen her mother Yelena in 4,175 days
Sylvia Wagner DeWall has not seen her brother Randy in 3,725 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his grandson Leo in 2,715 days.
Klaus Büchele has not seen his daughter Jasmin in 5,101 days.
Geoff Levin has not seen his son Collin and daughter Savannah in 2,596 days.
Christie Collbran has not seen her mother Liz King in 5,900 days.
Clarissa Adams has not seen her parents Walter and Irmin Huber in 3,771 days.
Jamie Sorrentini Lugli has not seen her father Irving in 5,323 days.
Quailynn McDaniel has not seen her brother Sean in 4,664 days.
Dylan Gill has not seen his father Russell in 13,231 days.
Melissa Paris has not seen her father Jean-Francois in 9,150 days.
Valeska Paris has not seen her brother Raphael in 5,318 days.
Mirriam Francis has not seen her brother Ben in 4,900 days.
Claudio and Renata Lugli have not seen their son Flavio in 5,159 days.
Sara Goldberg has not seen her daughter Ashley in 4,196 days.
Lori Hodgson has not seen her son Jeremy and daughter Jessica in 3,912 days.
Marie Bilheimer has not seen her mother June in 3,476 days.
Julian Wain has not seen his brother Joseph or mother Susan in 1,791 days.
Charley Updegrove has not seen his son Toby in 2,966 days.
Derek Bloch has not seen his father Darren in 4,648 days.
Cindy Plahuta has not seen her daughter Kara in 4,985 days.
Roger Weller has not seen his daughter Alyssa in 9,839 days.
Claire Headley has not seen her mother Gen in 4,954 days.
Ramana Dienes-Browning has not seen her mother Jancis in 3,316 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his daughter Spring in 3,725 days.
Skip Young has not seen his daughters Megan and Alexis in 4,123 days.
Mary Kahn has not seen her son Sammy in 3,999 days.
Lois Reisdorf has not seen her son Craig in 3,564 days.
Phil and Willie Jones have not seen their son Mike and daughter Emily in 4,075 days.
Mary Jane Barry has not seen her daughter Samantha in 4,331 days.
Kate Bornstein has not seen her daughter Jessica in 15,439 days.
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Posted by Tony Ortega on February 4, 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
The Empire Strikes Back: China slaps tariffs on US imports
Some links to Q-related items today
Advertisement(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});BREAKING: China imposes 15% tariff on U.S. coal and LNG products and 10% on American crude oil and other products in response to Trumps' tariffs. https://t.co/MSdJf2RPmJ
— The Associated Press (@AP) February 4, 2025
Trump was elected to ROOT OUT the corruption of workers who demand functional lungs and attached limbs. MAGA https://t.co/JkJGDIrmeB
— Travis View (@travis_view) February 3, 2025
i love the idea that the identities of the inexperienced coders controlling billions of dollars and running the federal government should be withheld because they're in their early 20s. https://t.co/NANoNt8hpe
— Alex Shephard (@alex_shephard) February 3, 2025
new from me: Crypto pump and dump scammers hijacked Trump's posts on X via a bug
you can see it yourself. these posts still exist on Trump's official account on X
here's how they did it: https://t.co/INz21MN7nL pic.twitter.com/y9lmlH3xE9
— Matt Binder (@MattBinder) February 3, 2025
Neo-Nazi group leader convicted of plotting Maryland power grid attack https://t.co/LnescBcH7m
— The Associated Press (@AP) February 4, 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 4, 2025 at 08:00
February 3, 2025
Joy Villa at the Grammys, Scientology at Saint Hill: Music as a racket
TODAY AT SUBSTACK: If you’ve signed up for free emails at Substack, you will receive today’s feature story at your inbox: It was interesting to see social media responses to Joy Villa’s return to the Grammys last night. As in, Who is this woman and what the hell is she wearing? We have a long history observing Joy’s publicity grabs, which echo Scientology’s own tendency to use music as a grift. [What is this Substack thing, anyway?]
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Technology Cocktail
Advertisement(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});“It is often not enough just to correct a Why and do no further handling in Cramming. Most Cramming Cycles reveal a broader area of situation which must also be handled. An example is the Auditor who flubs on an L4BR and during the Cramming reveals he never really listened to the key SHSBC L&N tapes. The Cramming Officer who does not also program the Auditor for a review of those tapes would not have fully corrected that Auditor. You could accurately predict future L&N flubs and pc upsets. A subsequent program such as the one above would count as an additional Cramming Cycle for the Cramming Officer, or a Retread if lengthy and would count as additional points. Therefore the maxim of Cramming is: HANDLE THE HELL OUT OF IT.” — L. Ron Hubbard, 1974
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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.
——————–
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
[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
Advertisement(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});
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“If I walked into an org at any given instant, I would look the place over, I would probably move all the executives out of the service space. And that’s usually my first action in an org. I’m not kidding you. I move all the executives out of the service space, and that’s my first day. And work with their creditor set up so that there won’t be foreclosed on the second day. And by that time I have looked over enough of the situation, and I get a big idea as to what we can offer right now, and we offer it very promptly on any open communication line that is. And you have a special project number one, which you will be given, which is, that’s a special project. That doesn’t include with the FEBC pack; it’s with your pack, but it’s the big idea that you can do right now. And it’s already under a bit of flight, this particular one, and we haven’t got the full results on this yet. But apparently it’s producing people, and they walk in and they actually do start moving through the org lines. So you’ve got a special dissem project number one, which is a good idea.” — L. Ron Hubbard, February 3, 1971
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“Planning is to organize the Greek University of Philosophy for Corfu. They had one and in the war it was bombed out, then taken over to and by Athens. Greek VIPs of Corfu would be the Trustees. It would teach all philosophies, use Greek professors. It would have a Scn Dept. We would put an OA here and leave the UK one running. No Class VIII in this AO. Operation and Transport Services would run the AO and also procure students from Universities over the world, like professors and instructors from other universities to take courses in Corfu. The University would publish a Journal where other university professors couuld publish papers. The Greek Trustees would organize it, incorporate it. OTS would pay a % of the Scn Dept. The university would pay a percent to OTS for procuring students. Students will come to Corfu and live ashore, register and get courses on ATHENA. This is until our own Greek incorporation comes through and we could then use offices ashore, 2 of which are already rented and waiting but can’t be used until we are registered in Greece.” — The Commodore, February 3, 1969
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“For the last 11 years I have been conducting a structured, methodical examination of my past. I do some positive gain work as well, but it is primarily discovering what has happened. I have about 11,000 hours of work done so far. I’m now down to 5 minutes to 2 hours a day, 3 to 4 times a week. For about 2 years, approx 1/4 of my work was toward overts and motivators. There are a few things I have found that work for me. This is deep whole track research. Once I find a believed basic on a chain of overts, I look for the prior confusion. That is well known.”
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1996: Controversy this week concerning Tom Marcellus, prominent Scientology member and director of the Institute for Historical Review (IHR). IHR maintains that the Holocaust never happened. Evidence of this link was posted by Tilman Hausherr. Cory Brennan, spokesperson for Scientology, has denied that Tom Marcellus is a holocaust revisionist. Tilman quotes an IHR web page: “‘From McCalden’s departure in 1981 until 1982, Tom Marcellus served as editor. Marcellus started at the bottom at the IHR and worked his way up to become director, a position he assumed in 1981 and holds today.’ I don’t know what ‘today’ is. The HTML document is from 28.10.1995. On the other hand, I have read in the IHR FAQ that Marcellus left the IHR to pursue his scieno plans. The German edition of ‘Freedom’, scientology’s propaganda paper, brings the bizarre theory that Marcellus ‘discovered’ that the IHR was denying the Holocaust and then ousted Carto. They even printed 2,000,000 copies of that lie. ‘On his own initiative scientologist Tom Marcellus organised a movement against Willis Carto and threw this extremist out of an organisation named Institute for Historical Review, after he had discovered that this institute, that claimed to have been founded to correct historical mistakes, was in fact being used by Carto to propagate the Auschwitz-lie. But Carto is still controlling the Liberty Lobby and The Spotlight.’ We know of course that this is complete bullshit, but why not prove it with Marcellus own words? ‘2.The IHR did not accept or in any way agree with Judge Johnson’s ridiculous 1981 ‘judicial notice’ that Jews were ‘in fact’ exterminated in ‘gas chambers’ at Auschwitz. 3.The IHR has not retreated one inch from its well-known position that there is no credible evidence to support the theory that Germans allegedly used homicidal poison gas chambers to exterminate the Jews of Europe.'”
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“Scientology/Dianetics was originally intended to END with going Clear. And then LRH realized the short con of that was going to run dry, so he came up with the LONG CON of the OT levels. It’s that simple.”
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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. Appeal brief due by December 23.
— ‘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, 2025.
— David Gentile, GPB Capital, convicted of fraud, awaiting sentencing.
Civil litigation:
— 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] PODCAST: Emails show which local politician was trying to stop IAS protest for Scientology
[TWO years ago] VIDEO: Finally, mathematical proof that Scientology’s body thetans can’t exist!
[THREE years ago] Scientology may be struggling, but the push for your cash is still on, thetans!
[FOUR years ago] Is ‘Balance of Nature’ actually Scientology? Well, they have a Hubbard College in their HQ.
[FIVE years ago] Scientology builds tiny new drug rehab, marking Narconon’s dwindling US fortunes
[SIX years ago] After critical ‘Aftermath’ episodes, Clearwater police chief denies favoring Scientology
[SEVEN years ago] What L. Ron Hubbard said about religion — before Scientology became a ‘church’
[EIGHT years ago] Leah Remini books the Bill Maher show, gets swung at by Giovanni Ribisi
[NINE years ago] Ray Jeffrey fends off Scientology’s attempt to get him in hot water with the California Bar
[TEN years ago] When Richard Nixon ordered the Secret Service to investigate Scientology
[ELEVEN years ago] Monique Rathbun tries to slap down Scientology’s ‘anti-SLAPP’ motion in court today
[TWELVE years ago] Super Sunday Funnies: Live-Blogging Scientology’s Super Bowl Ad!
——————–
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 3,164 days.
Valerie Haney has not seen her mother Lynne in 3,659 days.
Katrina Reyes has not seen her mother Yelena in 4,174 days
Sylvia Wagner DeWall has not seen her brother Randy in 3,724 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his grandson Leo in 2,714 days.
Klaus Büchele has not seen his daughter Jasmin in 5,100 days.
Geoff Levin has not seen his son Collin and daughter Savannah in 2,595 days.
Christie Collbran has not seen her mother Liz King in 5,899 days.
Clarissa Adams has not seen her parents Walter and Irmin Huber in 3,770 days.
Jamie Sorrentini Lugli has not seen her father Irving in 5,322 days.
Quailynn McDaniel has not seen her brother Sean in 4,663 days.
Dylan Gill has not seen his father Russell in 13,230 days.
Melissa Paris has not seen her father Jean-Francois in 9,149 days.
Valeska Paris has not seen her brother Raphael in 5,317 days.
Mirriam Francis has not seen her brother Ben in 4,899 days.
Claudio and Renata Lugli have not seen their son Flavio in 5,158 days.
Sara Goldberg has not seen her daughter Ashley in 4,195 days.
Lori Hodgson has not seen her son Jeremy and daughter Jessica in 3,911 days.
Marie Bilheimer has not seen her mother June in 3,475 days.
Julian Wain has not seen his brother Joseph or mother Susan in 1,790 days.
Charley Updegrove has not seen his son Toby in 2,965 days.
Derek Bloch has not seen his father Darren in 4,647 days.
Cindy Plahuta has not seen her daughter Kara in 4,984 days.
Roger Weller has not seen his daughter Alyssa in 9,838 days.
Claire Headley has not seen her mother Gen in 4,953 days.
Ramana Dienes-Browning has not seen her mother Jancis in 3,315 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his daughter Spring in 3,724 days.
Skip Young has not seen his daughters Megan and Alexis in 4,122 days.
Mary Kahn has not seen her son Sammy in 3,998 days.
Lois Reisdorf has not seen her son Craig in 3,563 days.
Phil and Willie Jones have not seen their son Mike and daughter Emily in 4,074 days.
Mary Jane Barry has not seen her daughter Samantha in 4,330 days.
Kate Bornstein has not seen her daughter Jessica in 15,438 days.
——————–
Posted by Tony Ortega on February 3, 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: ‘Will there be some pain? Yes’ Q patriots: ‘Thank you sir, may I have another’
Some links to Q-related items today
Advertisement(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});"WILL THERE BE SOME PAIN? YES,” https://t.co/9xHvDB69KQ
— ettingermentum (@ettingermentum) February 2, 2025
DOGE doesn't have "officials" because it's not an official agency. It has no legal authority or actual imprimatur in any government. It's just Elon Musk and his bros rooting through records looking for pies to stick their fingers in. https://t.co/zxyrbUdOsM
— Mike Rothschild (@rothschildmd on blu sky) (@rothschildmd) February 2, 2025
a cracked-out foreign billionaire from one of the most evil countries in history is sending 19 y/o internet addicts to steal your social security information and cancel children's healthcare grants while our elderly president raises the price of everything for no reason . awesome
— america's lounge-free lounge singer (@KrangTNelson) February 2, 2025
The NTSB is requiring a free press to join a private website run by a presidential appointee in order to access public information about the worst US air disaster in a generation. https://t.co/pRZ94eM2Hu
— Brendan Keefe – Atlanta News First (@BrendanKeefe) February 1, 2025
I almost can't believe it. @guardian just posted ANOTHER piece promoting Gates's memoir. That's three different promo pieces for The Guardian's billionaire underwriter
It's not hard to find serious, smart critical voices on Gates. https://t.co/eNeJewNaU1 https://t.co/dbQa33bs74
— Tim Schwab (@TimothyWSchwab) February 2, 2025
The QDrops never said anything about what is happening currently. QAnon promoters can never actually show you QDrops that are prophetic because any prediction Q made failed to come true. pic.twitter.com/byB70Qp48L
— Poker and Politics (@PokerPolitics) February 3, 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 3, 2025 at 08:00
February 2, 2025
Our way of remembering those who exposed Scientology, each in their way
TODAY AT SUBSTACK: If you’ve signed up for free emails at Substack, you will receive today’s feature story at your inbox: 4 weeks ago today, we lost a man whose life touched so many others. We’re still getting used to the idea we can’t call Mike Rinder and ask his thoughts on the latest Scientology news. But the talented Observer is helping us remember Mike in a way that’s become a tradition here. [What is this Substack thing, anyway?]
——————–
Technology Cocktail
Advertisement(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});“When the Cramming Officer flubs you must get him crammed fast because he will repeat the error on others and there goes your results. In such cases, get him crammed immediately by the Qual Sec or Senior C/S. If it is the Qual Sec who has flubbed, then he is crammed either by the Senior C/S or the Keeper of Tech.” — L. Ron Hubbard, 1974
——————–
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
[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
Advertisement(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});
——————–
“You can do this trick yourself if you want to: Hypnotize somebody and have them go home and go to sleep. Then after they get home and go to sleep, so forth, you walk over in your astral body and wake them up and talk to them and give them a message and tell them they are supposed to call you at 10:15 the next morning and tell you the house is on fire. Then you come back in your astral body and get back inside yourself and you go to sleep yourself. At 10:15 the next morning, why, they will call you up and say, ‘I don’t know why, but I have a terrific compulsion to tell you the house is on fire.’” — L. Ron Hubbard, February 2, 1952
——————–
“There is squirrel tech. In this an auditor runs off beat non-standard processes. We’ve long since handled this. There is squirrel admin. People who have out admin TRs and do not know basic lines add to standard lines or knock them out. We are working to handle this with OEC, FEBC and Admin TRs now being done and further developed. There is also squirrel cookery. This normally arises from not having the proper ingredients to hand (supply failure) and not having anyone to wash and slice and peel raw materials so they can be cooked. A standard meal comes from planned menu, correct supply, correct preparation of raw materials and following the exact recipe. From this comes edible meals. This goes into other lines of tech as well.” The Commodore, February 2, 1971
——————–
“Once I reached OT 17 I regained the abilities I was looking for. Freedom from other determinisms across all time and space. To continue on up the CBR Bridge would be to accept the rules of a new game to be played in this universe, basically changing the rules under which this universe was created. I was involved in the creation of this universe with its eight dynamics, I don’t want more dynamics. I don’t want new rules. I want ethics put in in this universe across eight dynamics with the existing rules. I don’t believe this can be done as a humanoid. The next few years will determine whether this can be done or not. I don’t want to be pan-determined in this universe. If I wanted that I would create my own universe and ask others to join and follow my rules. It has been seven to ten years since I have looked at the CBR Bridge so I may have forgotten some of the pieces so perhaps I have some of this incorrect.”
——————–
2002: BBC News reported that Tom Cruise took time from promoting his latest movie to lobby the American ambassador to Germany on behalf of Scientology. “He met with US ambassador Dan Coats while in the country promoting his new movie Vanilla Sky with co-star and girlfriend Penelope Cruz. Germany refuses to recognise Scientology as a legitimate church, claiming it is a fake religion based on making money from its followers. Scientology was put under official scrutiny in Germany in 1997, followed by France which outlawed it as a cult. Following Cruise’s hour-long meeting with Mr. Coats the star signed autographs and chatted to embassy staff, who remarked on how friendly and patient he was. Mr. Coats later attended the German premiere of Vanilla Sky, but would not comment on the meeting.”
——————–
“As a 49ers/Patriots fan with 8 Super Bowl wins between them, I feel Jimmy’s pain.”
——————–
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. Appeal brief due by December 23.
— ‘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, 2025.
— David Gentile, GPB Capital, convicted of fraud, awaiting sentencing.
Civil litigation:
— 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] For the first time, read L. Ron Hubbard gushing about working with Leni Riefenstahl
[TWO years ago] Valerie Haney: Scientology changed the rules after I nominated Elisabeth Moss, Tom Cruise
[THREE years ago] Another crucial Scientology eyewitness coming forward, starting today at the Bunker
[FOUR years ago] Ever wanted to tour Scientology’s creepy ‘spiritual mecca’? Meet your guide, Ted
[FIVE years ago] Professional ham hock Grant Cardone: I’m giving up the Super Bowl for Scientology
[SIX years ago] The presidential candidate, the controversial guru, the Scientology lawyer — and us!
[SEVEN years ago] David Mayo, 1940-2017: Scientology’s top technical wizard and target of ‘Fair Game’
[EIGHT years ago] Fed up with Scientology disconnection? Be there to dedicate the new ‘Call Me’ billboard Feb. 18
[NINE years ago] The particularly bad timing of Monique Rathbun’s decision to fire her attorneys
[TEN years ago] The shocking case of Scientology mistreatment of the mentally ill you haven’t heard
[ELEVEN years ago] Scientology’s drug rehab facility in Nevada sued over the usual litany of deceptions
[TWELVE years ago] Scientology Mythbusting with Jon Atack: The Tomato Photo!
——————–
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 3,163 days.
Valerie Haney has not seen her mother Lynne in 3,658 days.
Katrina Reyes has not seen her mother Yelena in 4,173 days
Sylvia Wagner DeWall has not seen her brother Randy in 3,723 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his grandson Leo in 2,713 days.
Klaus Büchele has not seen his daughter Jasmin in 5,099 days.
Geoff Levin has not seen his son Collin and daughter Savannah in 2,594 days.
Christie Collbran has not seen her mother Liz King in 5,898 days.
Clarissa Adams has not seen her parents Walter and Irmin Huber in 3,769 days.
Jamie Sorrentini Lugli has not seen her father Irving in 5,321 days.
Quailynn McDaniel has not seen her brother Sean in 4,662 days.
Dylan Gill has not seen his father Russell in 13,229 days.
Melissa Paris has not seen her father Jean-Francois in 9,148 days.
Valeska Paris has not seen her brother Raphael in 5,316 days.
Mirriam Francis has not seen her brother Ben in 4,898 days.
Claudio and Renata Lugli have not seen their son Flavio in 5,157 days.
Sara Goldberg has not seen her daughter Ashley in 4,194 days.
Lori Hodgson has not seen her son Jeremy and daughter Jessica in 3,910 days.
Marie Bilheimer has not seen her mother June in 3,474 days.
Julian Wain has not seen his brother Joseph or mother Susan in 1,789 days.
Charley Updegrove has not seen his son Toby in 2,964 days.
Derek Bloch has not seen his father Darren in 4,646 days.
Cindy Plahuta has not seen her daughter Kara in 4,983 days.
Roger Weller has not seen his daughter Alyssa in 9,837 days.
Claire Headley has not seen her mother Gen in 4,952 days.
Ramana Dienes-Browning has not seen her mother Jancis in 3,314 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his daughter Spring in 3,723 days.
Skip Young has not seen his daughters Megan and Alexis in 4,121 days.
Mary Kahn has not seen her son Sammy in 3,997 days.
Lois Reisdorf has not seen her son Craig in 3,562 days.
Phil and Willie Jones have not seen their son Mike and daughter Emily in 4,073 days.
Mary Jane Barry has not seen her daughter Samantha in 4,329 days.
Kate Bornstein has not seen her daughter Jessica in 15,437 days.
——————–
Posted by Tony Ortega on February 2, 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’s chaos riles up friendliest nation on Earth
Some links to Q-related items today
Advertisement(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});Leave it to Trump to piss off the friendliest country on the planet
— MeidasTouch (@MeidasTouch) February 2, 2025
It's official: Trump has signed an executive order placing steep tariffs on Canada, Mexico, and China.
The move will likely drive up prices — for Americans — on products coming from those countries.
— Kyle Griffin (@kylegriffin1) February 1, 2025
Trump, from his Mar-a-Lago country club, slapped a 10% tariff on Canadian energy imports. That means home heating prices are about to go up.
— PatriotTakes 🇺🇸 (@patriottakes) February 2, 2025
🚨 PRESIDENT OF TRADE GROUP THAT INCLUDES CANADIAN MANUFACTURING OPERATIONS OF HONDA AND TOYOTA SAYS AUTOMAKERS ON BOTH SIDES OF BORDER WILL QUICKLY SHUT DOWN ASSEMBLY LINES UNDER NEW TARIFFS — NYT
— MeidasTouch (@MeidasTouch) February 1, 2025
Everything Republicans will do for the rest of the Trump administration is deflect from the truth that Trump thinks tariffs are a money tree he can plant in the Rose Garden and obtain unimaginable wealth from. https://t.co/IugUekM76Q
— Poker and Politics (@PokerPolitics) November 28, 2024
“The First Arrest” is now the big talking point in QAnon. This is what they waited years for. To finally see Obama perp walked. Every day it doesn’t happen is another day of disappointment. pic.twitter.com/DrsugF5ZJd
— Poker and Politics (@PokerPolitics) February 1, 2025
NEW w/@maggieNYT @teddyschleifer @arappeport
DOGE and Elon have full access to Treasury payment's systemshttps://t.co/OlvMLcLvN2
— Andy Duehren (@aduehren) February 1, 2025
Aides to Elon Musk charged with running the government's human resources agency have locked career civil servants out of computer systems that contain the personal data of millions of federal employees.
"We have no visibility into what they are doing with the computer and data…
— Kyle Griffin (@kylegriffin1) February 1, 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 2, 2025 at 08:00
February 1, 2025
An appellate lawyer looks at Danny Masterson’s appeal arguments
TODAY AT SUBSTACK: If you’ve signed up for free emails at Substack, you will receive today’s feature story at your inbox: On Tuesday we told you we’d heard from the court handling Danny Masterson’s appeal that it accepted an initial brief from attorney Cliff Gardner. But what’s in it? We break down the main arguments in the 35,000-word document, and get an analysis from a veteran appellate attorney. [What is this Substack thing, anyway?]
——————–
Technology Cocktail
Advertisement(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});“A Cramming Officer can fail in his efforts to correct a flubbing staff member if he tries to cram over out ruds. Cramming done over an ARC Break, like Auditing, will result in the person getting worse, more out of comm or misemotional. Cramming a person over a problem or W/H will produce no change so no correction will occur. Out ruds are easy to spot. The person with an ARC Break, won’t talk or is misemotional or antagonistic. A problem produces fixated attention that prevents Cramming from finding the actual area of difficulty. Natter and 1.1 remarks means a withhold.
Recently a musician being crammed kept bringing up a dispatch that he was in mystery about concerning the group. Every time it was mentioned it read or BDed yet the Cramming Officer continued “Cramming” him and never handled it. So no product. I sat the musician down, told him he was crammed over a problem, the mystery about the dispatch, cleaned it up by getting the dispatch and letting him go over it, made sure the problem was handled then found the area of misunderstood and traced it back to an early age and the Why fell right out. And I got the Cramming Officer crammed by the Senior C/S and found her Why too. So the moral of the story is DON’T CRAM OVER OUT RUDS.” — L. Ron Hubbard, 1974
——————–
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 had the officers of six other ships in my squadron come aboard, and only one of them stood alongside of me, and the other five were trying to convince me that if I kept this up I was going to get everybody killed. I said, ‘Kept what up?’ ‘You keep attacking these submarines.’ I said, ‘What are we supposed to be doing, gentlemen?’ And they said, ‘Well, every time a submarine shows up, you needn’t signal attack! It’s stupid! You’re going to get somebody hurt!’ I proved to them tactically that if you did not suddenly attack a submarine and if you did retire behind the convoy every time one showed up, you’re going to get yourself killed for sure — for sure! This was not in their level of agreement. They never did get it.” — L. Ron Hubbard, February 1, 1957
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“You realize, Officers and Crew, if you bring this cruise off splendidly, no port of the entire Med or Continental Europe is closed to us. The enemy anti-ship action will have been totally defeated. Keep that in mind when a little extra zing has to go into the action. It will be a big coup if you bring it off.” — The Commodore, February 1, 1970
——————–
“What surprises me is why so many people at least in public groups outside Rons Org drop off the CBR Bridge at around OT 16. What CBR states about the Other Determined Case and the Pan-Determined Case is absolutely true. It doesn’t matter what the route is. These vast areas of case are in truth what we actually need to handle yet only a very small number of people seem to recognise this, assume responsibility and step beyond the limitations of their own self-determined viewpoints. Unless a person assumes at least a willingness to assume total responsibility for all interactions across all dynamics and across the entirety of existence itself plus the totality of our theta relationships, the brilliant, the good, the bad and the ugly, as those relationships, interactions and dynamics, then the person basically doesn’t stand a chance of summoning up the necessary stability and confront to handle the other determined and pan determined case and so remains doomed to eternity, due to a condition of diminished responsibility. Thus the New Civilisation Game. Without PURPOSE, a person simply doesn’t make it through. That’s my take on why people drop off the CBR Bridge without completing the cycle of action to its final EP and Valuable Final Exchangeable Product.”
2001: Battlefield Earth has been nominated for the Razzie awards, given to theworst films of the year. From UPI: “The infamous Golden Raspberry Award Foundation struck again this week with nomination ballots for the 21st annual Razzie awards, the least sought-after trophies in show business. The awards spoof the sanctified Academy Awards, which take no notice of the Razzies. It matters not to Razzie officials whether a film is a hit, nor does the popularity of stars make a difference. If the membership deems the work awful, disgusting, untenable or obnoxious, it rewards the effort with a Razzie. This year’s suggested nominees: Any two actors in Blair Witch 2. Patricia Arquette and Adam Sandler (Little Nicky). Joan Collins and Harvey Korman (The Flintstones in Viva Rock Vegas). Richard Gere and Winona Ryder (Autumn in New York). Any two Pokemon (Pokemon 2000). Madonna and either Rupert Everett or Benjamin Bratt (The Next Best Thing). Tom Cruise and Thandie Newton (Mission: Impossible 2). Ah-nold as the real Adam Gibson, and Ah-nold as the clone of Adam Gibson in (The 6th Day). And finally, John Travolta and any one sharing the screen with him in Battlefield Earth.”
——————–
“I still keep coming back to the fact that the mind control/brainwashing/undue influence only worked on a very small percentage of those exposed to it. I think that the focus should be on what the 5 percent (or thereabouts) of the exposed population who joined groups like Scientology, the NSDAP or the Khmer Rouge have in common.”
——————–
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. Appeal brief due by December 23.
— ‘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, 2025.
— 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] Scientology hopping mad after Mike Rinder and Claire Headley help out Leah Remini
[TWO years ago] She was branded a Scientologist villain by some online. But is she a villain at all?
[THREE years ago] This document really captures what it’s like to be a Scientology indentured servant
[FOUR years ago] Did Tom Mesereau just reveal his strategy for Danny Masterson’s crucial prelim?
[FIVE years ago] What are Valerie Haney’s options after Scientology won its arbitration motion?
[SIX years ago] NFL great Marshall Faulk plugs Scientology front group on Fox News
[SEVEN years ago] Viewers react to Tampa NBC affiliate saying Scientology is sponsoring Winter Olympics
[EIGHT years ago] The odd and slightly troubling thing Elon Musk and L. Ron Hubbard have in common
[NINE years ago] MONIQUE RATHBUN FIRES HER ENTIRE LEGAL TEAM, REPORTEDLY SEEKS SETTLEMENT
[TEN years ago] About that Scientology ad you saw on TV before and during the Super Bowl
[ELEVEN years ago] Jon Atack takes apart the Scientology E-meter
[TWELVE years ago] Blogging Dianetics, Part 5: Your Mind is a 1950s Computer
——————–
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 3,162 days.
Valerie Haney has not seen her mother Lynne in 3,657 days.
Katrina Reyes has not seen her mother Yelena in 4,172 days
Sylvia Wagner DeWall has not seen her brother Randy in 3,722 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his grandson Leo in 2,712 days.
Klaus Büchele has not seen his daughter Jasmin in 5,098 days.
Geoff Levin has not seen his son Collin and daughter Savannah in 2,593 days.
Christie Collbran has not seen her mother Liz King in 5,897 days.
Clarissa Adams has not seen her parents Walter and Irmin Huber in 3,768 days.
Jamie Sorrentini Lugli has not seen her father Irving in 5,320 days.
Quailynn McDaniel has not seen her brother Sean in 4,661 days.
Dylan Gill has not seen his father Russell in 13,228 days.
Melissa Paris has not seen her father Jean-Francois in 9,147 days.
Valeska Paris has not seen her brother Raphael in 5,315 days.
Mirriam Francis has not seen her brother Ben in 4,897 days.
Claudio and Renata Lugli have not seen their son Flavio in 5,156 days.
Sara Goldberg has not seen her daughter Ashley in 4,193 days.
Lori Hodgson has not seen her son Jeremy and daughter Jessica in 3,909 days.
Marie Bilheimer has not seen her mother June in 3,473 days.
Julian Wain has not seen his brother Joseph or mother Susan in 1,788 days.
Charley Updegrove has not seen his son Toby in 2,963 days.
Derek Bloch has not seen his father Darren in 4,645 days.
Cindy Plahuta has not seen her daughter Kara in 4,982 days.
Roger Weller has not seen his daughter Alyssa in 9,836 days.
Claire Headley has not seen her mother Gen in 4,951 days.
Ramana Dienes-Browning has not seen her mother Jancis in 3,313 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his daughter Spring in 3,722 days.
Skip Young has not seen his daughters Megan and Alexis in 4,120 days.
Mary Kahn has not seen her son Sammy in 3,996 days.
Lois Reisdorf has not seen her son Craig in 3,561 days.
Phil and Willie Jones have not seen their son Mike and daughter Emily in 4,072 days.
Mary Jane Barry has not seen her daughter Samantha in 4,328 days.
Kate Bornstein has not seen her daughter Jessica in 15,436 days.
——————–
Posted by Tony Ortega on February 1, 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 wake up with dread: What’s he going to do today?
Some links to Q-related items today
Advertisement(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});Wrong valve, Donald!
Your action rerouted water to the Tulare Lakebed — not Southern California.
Trump stopped the pumping after concerns from farmers who feared it would trigger new flooding in a region still recovering from the devastation of 2023. https://t.co/yl0oaZMFWM pic.twitter.com/l5FQpW69Wz
— MeidasTouch (@MeidasTouch) February 1, 2025
From the ashes of a deadly pandemic made worse by Trump's first term, Americans had begun to reclaim a sense of safety and progress in the Biden years—until the return of Trump to office plunged the nation instantly back into chaos, unease, and danger. Does anyone feel safe in…
— MeidasTouch (@MeidasTouch) February 1, 2025
The Pentagon is pushing several mainstream media outlets out of their Pentagon offices to give them to mostly right-wing ones.
NYT out for the NY Post
NBC out for One America News
NPR out for Breitbart
Politico for HuffPopic.twitter.com/dFUBoVJyMN
— Will Sommer (@willsommer) February 1, 2025
HuffPost did not even request to be included in the DOD press corps. https://t.co/f9VrLh7zmQ
— Sam Stein (@samstein) February 1, 2025
mr @realDonaldTrump sir which person that died in the crash would you like us to blame sir, awaiting orders sir 🫡
— Andrew Lawrence (@ndrew_lawrence) January 31, 2025
Kash Patel suddenly can’t seem to remember his long record of extremism. https://t.co/4jUoEUVuXd
— Mother Jones (@MotherJones) January 30, 2025
• Sen. Grassley: "Did you ever promote QAnon?"
• Kash Patel: "No, senator."
• WIRED: "Here are all the times Kash Patel promoted QAnon"https://t.co/Q2BCnokuU0
— David Gilbert (@daithaigilbert) January 31, 2025
Amazing coincidence here https://t.co/h0RSdjkgOj https://t.co/ibSmkUnxoD pic.twitter.com/HxGqICwvhn
— David Weigel (@daveweigel) January 31, 2025
The next four years are going to be a golden age of crime. https://t.co/4lCw7soYLx
— Matthew Gertz (@MattGertz) January 31, 2025
NLRB's Acting General Counsel just send this memo out to staff saying, "I cannot promise you that everything is going to be OK."
"I know that the past few days and nights have been extremely scary and distressing for some of us." pic.twitter.com/2xje1Tpczi
— Ken Klippenstein (@kenklippenstein) January 31, 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 1, 2025 at 08:00
January 31, 2025
Mark Bunker scores again, with a pristine 4K restoration of Scientology at sea!
TODAY AT SUBSTACK: If you’ve signed up for free emails at Substack, you will receive today’s feature story at your inbox: Mark Bunker has been doing startling work at his YouTube channel lately and has a real treat for us today: He’s restored a legendary 1968 Scientology documentary to glorious 4K resolution, and it has never looked and sounded better — it’s like watching it for the first time! [What is this Substack thing, anyway?]
——————–
Technology Cocktail
Advertisement(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});“Recent intensive investigation into blocks on tech, dissemination and communication lines uncovered an aberration which is quite widespread and especially common in society. Simply stated I found that WHERE VITAL INFORMATION WAS NOT BEING RELAYED OR WAS HIDDEN OR FALSIFIED, THE PEOPLE RESPONSIBLE WERE DRAMATIZING WITHHOLDS. You can see this in newspapers, government policies, the medical profession, psychiatry, economics and especially education. I have for years tried to get to the bottom of why people will not teach people. It is the single greatest fault in existing culture in my opinion. The answer that fits all cases is a failure to relay information, brief, instruct, train or supervise stemming from a general past and current OVERT OF WITHHOLDING VITAL INFORMATION. This gives a dramatization in daily conduct of failing to relay information, brief, instruct, train or supervise. And underlying that is the intentional impulse to do so overtly or covertly in a mistaken attempt to forward their own first dynamic.” — L. Ron Hubbard, 1974
——————–
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
[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
Advertisement(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});
——————–
“Our problem at this time probably doesn’t have anything to do with making anybody better. Our problem, probably from here on out, is a problem of another hue and color. It is probably ‘Now having cracked the confounded thing, how do we keep this universe here?’ That’s probably a much more interesting problem.” — L. Ron Hubbard, January 31, 1957
——————–
“It is of interest to Scientologists that the clamor raised over the years by Smersh about me and all the hard names called have not even faintly affected my membership in various and numerous high level associations and scientific societies and clubs. The list of these are quite long and all of them are a big ‘high and mighty’ in the arts, sciences and social stratas. I was just looking at my influx of magazines and notices of meetings and it struck me as rather funny that the highest of our detractors would give his back molars to be accepted into some of these groups. I also hadn’t realized the list was so long. Most of them black ball first and think about it afterwards. Yet for twenty years they have been very serene. So don’t get into the notion that the ‘power of the press’ has any real bearing on the world. According to this testimony of personal repute, the opposition might as well have spent their time yelling into a well. Thought it would be of some interest to you. US and UK press and TV have been quite favorable lately. So year by year the stats rise and reputation grows. And during all this time my own personal repute has remained very high in the places that matter. In the long view we are doing a very good job. Our only complaint is that we could do better and do it faster. But remember, it IS getting done.” — The Commodore, January 31, 1971
——————–
“In 2007 I had just turned 50 and I decided it was time to get up the Bridge. I knew the church was broken and to be of no value, so I began researching the Freezone. I found some auditors to join, paid them and had one auditor just leave the state, so I had to find another. I was Clear at the time so I got onto the Solo course, started the OT levels and the NED course. OT III sessions were pretty short so I was auditing three sessions a day. I had to fire my C/S for tech violations and putting stops on my lines. I found a new C/S and kept moving up the original grade chart. After OT VII I moved to Nevada to be near the auditor I had chosen to audit me. I did the L’s, then Solo Nots in Nevada, then moved back to California. From Clear to OT III was pretty difficult, bodies being such an impediment, but after that finding jobs was much easier, then the L’s really improved my ability to find work. Back in California I went on up the CBR Bridge and finished that a couple years later. All in all, I spent $10,000 each year for eight years or $80,000, a mere pittance compared to the abilities gained. I fired C/Ss and auditors that did not measure up or put stops on my lines. I took vacations to go to auditors as needed. Basically, I did whatever was necessary to get up the Bridge. It is not an easy path or quick but the rewards cannot be imagined.”
——————–
2000: Mark Bunker, the creator of Xenu-TV, was arrested in Chicago this week for allegedly trespassing during the filming of a couple attempting to get a refund at the org. A description of the events from the couple was posted to a.r.s. “We were walking up to the door, I was behind [my husband] and Mark was behind me. And I remember two guys in black jackets coming up and they start grabbing Mark. They really roughed him up! They grabbed his arms and he started saying, ‘Who are you?’ They tried to get the camera out of his arms but he had a grip on it. They then said, ‘We’re Chicago Cops’ and we said, ‘Where’s your uniform? Where’s your ID?’ and he said, ‘Forget it lady, it doesn’t matter who I am’. I said ‘Why are you doing this to him, why are you pushing him around?’ Then they knocked his cell phone to the ground. This whole time he was holding his camera, he wouldn’t let go of his camera. He didn’t provoke anything! We were only on the sidewalk, we weren’t even on their property. They told us to come for the meeting at 7:30 so we come to the meeting and they attack this guy for nothing. We were standing away from the door, I’m behind [my husband] and Mark was behind ME so he was WAY outside! They took the camera he had a cell phone on and he was trying to call someone he said, ‘I wanna call my lawyer, I wanna call somebody.’ And they said ‘You’re going down, we’re going to lock you up and that’s it’. They wanted his camera and they were gonna lock him up. They never said ‘turn off the camera, back up’. I didn’t go inside because I said to the policeman that I knew, ‘I’m scared. What if they get me in there and never let me out? The lady (Pam?) from New York, she said they were hired to protect them. So they were hired by the org, and that’s why they jumped him. So they wanted us to come inside, they said, ‘We have a nice warm place for you inside, you know, with a dictionary and blah blah blah.’ She said, ‘I want you to sign the waiver’ I said, ‘We have a lawsuit against Marcus. You think I’m going to sign this? Do you think I’m crazy? You’d better give me all my money back.'”
——————–
“My father didn’t even want to go to Korea. He considered himself a socialist and he had already served in WWII and he had this incredibly cush job as Chief Steward on a luxury liner The Lorlene that sailed from S.F to Hawaii, so when he got his draft notice he threw it in the trash. They came aboard the ship and arrested him, sent him to the stockade for a few months and asked him if he wanted to stay there for the next 10 years or go to Korea. He went to Korea, became a tank sergeant and won a Silver Star, Bronze Star and Purple Heart…and he killed a Chinese soldier with his bayonet. That’s the thing he really brought home.”
——————–
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. Appeal brief due by December 23.
— ‘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, 2025.
— David Gentile, GPB Capital, convicted of fraud, awaiting sentencing.
Civil litigation:
— 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] Report: Elisabeth Moss’s father still trying to get back in Scientology’s graces when he died
[TWO years ago] After Cruise, Moss, and Shelly noms, Valerie Haney called ‘obstructionist’ by Scientology
[THREE years ago] And now for this word from Scientology about how great everything is!
[FOUR years ago] Scientology social media: Body thetans just don’t stand a chance as this planet is cleared!
[FIVE years ago] Scientology’s 2020 Super Bowl ad is just like all the others: A mystery sandwich
[SIX years ago] Former members of the Lisa McPherson Trust reflect on Tuesday’s ‘Aftermath’ episode
[SEVEN years ago] A mini-trove of early Scientology materials has some gems for us today
[EIGHT years ago] For 30 grand or so, Scientology will let you into its shrine to L. Ron Hubbard. Here’s a peek.
[NINE years ago] Scientology attorney Bert Deixler writes a threat letter to Karen de la Carriere over TV show
[TEN years ago] Jon Atack: Scientology’s elusive ‘Clears’ and ‘Operating Thetans’ — where have they been?
[ELEVEN years ago] Leah Remini is still thumbing her nose at Scientology leader David Miscavige
[TWELVE years ago] Ursula Caberta Retiring: Her Thoughts On Fighting Scientology in Germany for 20 Years
——————–
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 3,161 days.
Valerie Haney has not seen her mother Lynne in 3,656 days.
Katrina Reyes has not seen her mother Yelena in 4,171 days
Sylvia Wagner DeWall has not seen her brother Randy in 3,721 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his grandson Leo in 2,711 days.
Klaus Büchele has not seen his daughter Jasmin in 5,097 days.
Geoff Levin has not seen his son Collin and daughter Savannah in 2,592 days.
Christie Collbran has not seen her mother Liz King in 5,896 days.
Clarissa Adams has not seen her parents Walter and Irmin Huber in 3,767 days.
Jamie Sorrentini Lugli has not seen her father Irving in 5,319 days.
Quailynn McDaniel has not seen her brother Sean in 4,660 days.
Dylan Gill has not seen his father Russell in 13,227 days.
Melissa Paris has not seen her father Jean-Francois in 9,146 days.
Valeska Paris has not seen her brother Raphael in 5,314 days.
Mirriam Francis has not seen her brother Ben in 4,896 days.
Claudio and Renata Lugli have not seen their son Flavio in 5,155 days.
Sara Goldberg has not seen her daughter Ashley in 4,192 days.
Lori Hodgson has not seen her son Jeremy and daughter Jessica in 3,908 days.
Marie Bilheimer has not seen her mother June in 3,472 days.
Julian Wain has not seen his brother Joseph or mother Susan in 1,787 days.
Charley Updegrove has not seen his son Toby in 2,962 days.
Derek Bloch has not seen his father Darren in 4,644 days.
Cindy Plahuta has not seen her daughter Kara in 4,981 days.
Roger Weller has not seen his daughter Alyssa in 9,835 days.
Claire Headley has not seen her mother Gen in 4,950 days.
Ramana Dienes-Browning has not seen her mother Jancis in 3,312 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his daughter Spring in 3,721 days.
Skip Young has not seen his daughters Megan and Alexis in 4,119 days.
Mary Kahn has not seen her son Sammy in 3,995 days.
Lois Reisdorf has not seen her son Craig in 3,560 days.
Phil and Willie Jones have not seen their son Mike and daughter Emily in 4,071 days.
Mary Jane Barry has not seen her daughter Samantha in 4,327 days.
Kate Bornstein has not seen her daughter Jessica in 15,435 days.
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Posted by Tony Ortega on January 31, 2025 at 07:00
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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…
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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
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