Tony Ortega's Blog, page 61
January 16, 2025
Trump: In second administration, only toadies need apply
Some links to Q-related items today
Advertisement(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});Trump continues to demonstrate he isn’t looking to hire competent people from a broad spectrum of Republicans, but purely Trump loyalists who will celebrate his lies and lick his boots without shame. pic.twitter.com/FbelP9Mu6u
— PatriotTakes 🇺🇸 (@patriottakes) January 16, 2025
It appears that Senator Dick Durbin during the confirmation hearing of AG nominee Pam Bondi cited a quote from FBI director nominee Kash Patel praising the QAnon movement that was originally reported by @mmfa.https://t.co/VWD55TvKpt https://t.co/Pi09GHdkgE
— Alex Kaplan (@AlKapDC) January 15, 2025
Paula White praying for Pam Bondi.
It is unlikely they are praying for all the Trump University victims that got scammed after Bondi dropped her lawsuit against Trump after getting his $25,000 check. pic.twitter.com/bfB0QBnLr4
— PatriotTakes 🇺🇸 (@patriottakes) January 16, 2025
Lots of people burn out from QAnon because it's too draining. Others give up on it because it's not nearly hateful enough. https://t.co/4qQ7Q0HcgX
— Poker and Politics (@PokerPolitics) January 15, 2025
New: Los Angeles fire victims are being hammered by rumors and false claims. Some are malicious, but most are a desperate attempt to get clarity and control in a situation that offers neither. #EatonFirehttps://t.co/7VceR6ZfNX
— Mike Rothschild (@rothschildmd on blu sky) (@rothschildmd) January 15, 2025
Started / Going
Canadian conservative edition pic.twitter.com/y3jRnBT3DR
— MeidasTouch (@MeidasTouch) January 16, 2025
*offer doesn’t apply to Capitol Police pic.twitter.com/HAvQfFbZH1
— PatriotTakes 🇺🇸 (@patriottakes) January 15, 2025
The latest MAGA loyalty test to satisfy Trump’s fragile ego pic.twitter.com/TCJJYO4D0d
— PatriotTakes 🇺🇸 (@patriottakes) January 15, 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 January 16, 2025 at 08:00
January 15, 2025
A vanished Scientology executive voted in the last election, and other surprises
TODAY AT SUBSTACK: If you’ve signed up for free emails at Substack, you will receive today’s feature story at your inbox: In 2012 Mike Rinder helped us assemble a list of prisoners in ‘The Hole,’ Scientology’s bizarre concentration camp at Int Base. Now, one of our researchers has used public records to determine how many of those execs are still located at the base. And even, which of them voted. [What is this Substack thing, anyway?]
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Technology Cocktail
Advertisement(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});“In a person in a psychotic break, it is necessary to isolate them for them to destimulate and to protect them and others from possible damage. While in isolation the person receives the Introspection RD done flawlessly on a short-session basis, gradiently winning and gaining confidence. Between sessions the muzzled rule is in force. No one speaks to the person or in his hearing. There comes a point where the C/S must decide to release the person from isolation. To do this the C/S must know that the person can take responsibility for his actions as regards others, as well as toward himself.” — 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
[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 anybody ever sends you to jail, by all means, go to Alcatraz. They’re tearing it down. I’m just thinking of the Federal government. Even their prisons are going to pieces. Have you, did you know that? We’ve got to audit those people, that’s all there is to it, you know, because they’re in a violent ARC break. Somebody’s missed an item on the US government. I think, personally, they missed it with a no-auditing situation. We haven’t had any plan for auditing the government. We got one president audited. That was Truman. We ain’t had anybody else audited. Now, I just think they’re suffering from no auditing. Course, so of course, that leaves all items missed. And that’s another way of missing items. But it isn’t to a violent state. Somebody must have missed a list or something on the FDA. They must have. They must have. ‘What crumb are you?’ or something like that, something. ‘What type of insect egg did you come out of?’ You know?” — L. Ron Hubbard, January 15, 1963
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“Thank you for answering my questionaire on what we should be doing. I can announce as a result of this that we are now doing what the whole crew wants us to be doing. We’re now getting operational so we can accomplish these things. We had a lot to catch up just so we could begin. All right, we’re obviously in agreement. So let’s get the show on the road and get done what we all want to do. Thank you for your help on the Questionnaire and on the ship.” — The Commodore, January 15, 1969
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“Wonder why there is a forced vaccination agenda, forced lockdowns and the United Nations agenda to reduce the population of Earth? Why there are scienos or ex-scienos voting and supporting Joe Biden and his human enslavement agenda of forced vaccinations, more Income Tax and LGBT perversions? LRH explains it all on the taped lecture: The Free Being. He explains that at the beginning, spiritual beings created their puppet societies. Then those spiritual beings taught their puppet societies how to entrap other spiritual beings. At the end those puppet societies ended up entrapping all the free beings, including the ones that created them (you). And finally LRH describes the method to reverse this cycle of entrapment and recover the Free Beings. He also describes the structure of the new society that is going to incorporate the Free Beings in harmony with the puppet societies.”
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1998: Bob Minton was deposed by Scientology this week in the Lisa McPherson civil case. Scientology is attempting to find ulterior motives for Bob’s financial contributions to the case. “[I] Survived deposition yesterday – cult has tail between legs. But there is a confidentiality agreement and depo sealed. [A] New ‘Freedom’ glossy entitled ‘Freedom of Speech At Risk In Cyberspace’ passed out on Beacon Hill tonight. It’s another in the fine line of Freedom Magazine’s Special Issues.”
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“You don’t have to go up the Bridge to achieve a position of power in Scientology. All you have to do is be a wily, conniving, ruthless asshole. Just like every other totalitarian organization in history.”
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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.
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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] The civil case against Scientology and Danny Masterson, laid out in detail
[TWO years ago] Chris Shelton talks again to the Masterson trial jury foreman — and his daughter
[THREE years ago] Neil Sarfati on the perils of telling mainstream media about Scientology’s abuses
[FOUR years ago] Judge denies Scientology’s motion for $160,000 in sanctions against Valerie Haney
Woman named in Danny Masterson lawsuit denies she’s smearing his victims for Scientology
[SIX years ago] LEAH REMINI WILL AIR EPISODE WITH DANNY MASTERSON’S ACCUSERS ON FEBRUARY 18
[SEVEN years ago] Joy Villa’s former manager: ‘Scientology destroyed everything’
[EIGHT years ago] On the ‘Leah Remini’ Reddit special this week: A powerful Texas duo
[NINE years ago] Explain your vote, judge tells Maryland county that denied Scientology rehab
[TEN years ago] Scientology takes out full-page ad in the New York Times to attack Alex Gibney
[ELEVEN years ago] Leah Remini talks briefly about Scientology on Access Hollywood, says very little
[TWELVE years ago] Paul Haggis on Scientology in NBC Interview: “It’s a Cult. Of Course It Is.”
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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 3,145 days.
Valerie Haney has not seen her mother Lynne in 3,640 days.
Katrina Reyes has not seen her mother Yelena in 4,155 days
Sylvia Wagner DeWall has not seen her brother Randy in 3,705 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his grandson Leo in 2,695 days.
Klaus Büchele has not seen his daughter Jasmin in 5,081 days.
Geoff Levin has not seen his son Collin and daughter Savannah in 2,576 days.
Christie Collbran has not seen her mother Liz King in 5,880 days.
Clarissa Adams has not seen her parents Walter and Irmin Huber in 3,751 days.
Jamie Sorrentini Lugli has not seen her father Irving in 5,303 days.
Quailynn McDaniel has not seen her brother Sean in 4,644 days.
Dylan Gill has not seen his father Russell in 13,211 days.
Melissa Paris has not seen her father Jean-Francois in 9,130 days.
Valeska Paris has not seen her brother Raphael in 5,298 days.
Mirriam Francis has not seen her brother Ben in 4,880 days.
Claudio and Renata Lugli have not seen their son Flavio in 5,140 days.
Sara Goldberg has not seen her daughter Ashley in 4,176 days.
Lori Hodgson has not seen her son Jeremy and daughter Jessica in 3,892 days.
Marie Bilheimer has not seen her mother June in 3,456 days.
Julian Wain has not seen his brother Joseph or mother Susan in 1,771 days.
Charley Updegrove has not seen his son Toby in 2,946 days.
Derek Bloch has not seen his father Darren in 4,628 days.
Cindy Plahuta has not seen her daughter Kara in 4,965 days.
Roger Weller has not seen his daughter Alyssa in 9,819 days.
Claire Headley has not seen her mother Gen in 4,934 days.
Ramana Dienes-Browning has not seen her mother Jancis in 3,296 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his daughter Spring in 3,705 days.
Skip Young has not seen his daughters Megan and Alexis in 4,103 days.
Mary Kahn has not seen her son Sammy in 3,979 days.
Lois Reisdorf has not seen her son Craig in 3,544 days.
Phil and Willie Jones have not seen their son Mike and daughter Emily in 4,055 days.
Mary Jane Barry has not seen her daughter Samantha in 4,311 days.
Kate Bornstein has not seen her daughter Jessica in 15,419 days.
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Posted by Tony Ortega on January 15, 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
Hegseth struggles to answer Sen. Tammy Duckworth’s questions
Some links to Q-related items today
Advertisement(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});Duckworth: How many nations are in ASEAN?
Hegseth: We have allies in South Korea, Japan, and Australia
Duckworth: None of those countries are in ASEAN pic.twitter.com/ZlbjthS4wQ
— Acyn (@Acyn) January 14, 2025
This is who Trump wants. Someone who refuses to rule out shooting protesters. https://t.co/bNa2c3aHxy
— PatriotTakes 🇺🇸 (@patriottakes) January 14, 2025
Kaine: Many of your work colleagues have said that you show up for work under the influence of alcohol or drunk.
Hegseth: Those are all anonymous—
Kaine: They’re not anonymous pic.twitter.com/QjYswZ9YxG
— Acyn (@Acyn) January 14, 2025
Pete Hegseth called Russia’s invasion of Crimea, “a minor incursion.” https://t.co/4sPmsuNIPk
— PatriotTakes 🇺🇸 (@patriottakes) January 14, 2025
Trump vows to grow government by creating another department. How very DOGE of him. pic.twitter.com/COYBoxzjv9
— PatriotTakes 🇺🇸 (@patriottakes) January 14, 2025
Crockett: Somebody’s campaign coffers are struggling right now so she’s going to keep saying trans trans trans.. Child listen
Mace: I am no child! Do not call me a child. I am a grown woman. If you want to take it outside pic.twitter.com/o2EBHzcwoT
— Acyn (@Acyn) January 14, 2025
BREAKING: Millersville detectives, facing TBI investigation, take aim at whistleblower in federal lawsuit https://t.co/t4Ln7e5yyu
— Phil Williams (@PhilNvestigates) January 14, 2025
For investigative journalist @rothschildmd, the conspiracy theories are hitting a little too close, now that the California wildfires have taken his home. Please contribute to his Patreon or buy a book if you can. @StephInDOUBT @PokerPolitics @travis_view https://t.co/zLl3MvHRBn
— AIPT Science (@AIPTscience) January 14, 2025
Ron DeSantis at Trump’s golf club today. What’s on his jacket? pic.twitter.com/GYB9rGejCU
— PatriotTakes 🇺🇸 (@patriottakes) January 15, 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 January 15, 2025 at 08:00
January 14, 2025
Editor who worked on ‘Aftermath’ loses home, incensed to see Scientology VMs
TODAY AT SUBSTACK: If you’ve signed up for free emails at Substack, you will receive today’s feature story at your inbox: After she lost her home to the apocalyptic fires in LA, Robyn Migel says she was unhappy to see Scientology’s ‘Volunteer Ministers’ descend on the area for their photo opps. Why? Because she had worked as an editor on Leah Remini’s series and knew what was really going on. [What is this Substack thing, anyway?]
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Technology Cocktail
Advertisement(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});“When you clear a cannibal what do you have? Experientially you have a cannibal. His experiential track is such that he’s been a cannibal for ages. That’s how he’s handled life and people around him, that’s what he knows how to do. This person is unaware of his responsibilities to other dynamics and is unfamiliar with proper behavior and responsible actions towards others. In the case of an SP, he has been busy destroying others for so long that when he’s somewhat cleaned up on this he does not know what else to do or how to act. It’s rather pathetic, actually.” — 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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“Putting tickets on the windshield of a car is illegal, according to our own Consititution, which requires personal service. Police get away with it because people don’t want the bother of going down and getting a trial date set. So they send in the amount of an arbitrary fine. This is duress and extortion — so there’s no difference between a criminal and a cop.” — L. Ron Hubbard, January 14, 1954
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“Spectatorism is very great in our modern society. Because some people cannot conceive of causing anything they just watch it. They don’t do anything. They are not PARTICIPANTS. They are spectators. You see this in magazines. Hee hee hee articles about how odd this is or that is. No understanding of it. It’s just odd and one watches it in a detached sort of way. Below this is somebody who doesn’t even notice. Such a person has to come up scale just to be a spectator. An unfinished cycle of action comes about because (a) The importance of it is not grasped (b) The cycle itself is not fully understood. (c) Non compliance and false reports are given as a method of self-protection wherein are hopes it will not be noticed. What we need are more PARTICIPANTS, more team mates. You belong to the SO or you don’t. If you do you’re at cause over the various situations. So we define an SO Member the way you do an OT — At cause over Life, Thought, Matter, Energy, Space, Time and Form. The degree you can be cause in handling the targets and needs of a group determines right away how far you’ve come up the line. Blaming case is effect, isn’t it? Sex is effect, isn’t it? I don’t care what your grade is, you are alive. Your true ability depends on the degree you can exercise the definition of OT over your post in forwarding the purposes of the group. You are actually insulting yourself to insist that I personally make whatever advances are made on vital actions of the group. If what you are trying to do doesn’t happen its a poor comment on your OTism.” — The Commodore, January 14, 1969
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“We have been looking at things globally and realize that many people have lost jobs or had to take out loans etc to deal with economy fluctuations. We also realize that many of you may be experiencing tougher times given the situation and it is important now more than ever to get up the Bridge! So we have considered everyone and would like to offer everyone the opportunity to go up the Bridge, therefore we are running a MASSIVE sale on our auditing packages! Spots are limited as our organization can only take on so many people, so get in contact TODAY!”
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1997: Numerous articles were published this week on the battle between Germany and Scientology. From Reuters: “The Church of Scientology on Saturday accused German Chancellor Helmut Kohl of arrogance for refusing to reply to accusations that Germany was oppressing Scientologists in the same way Hitler persecuted Jews. In a statement on Saturday the Church of Scientology said Kohl’s arrogance was ‘typical of the contempt and indifference shown by high-handed German officials to the Church’s complaints of discrimination over the past five years.’ ‘It is German government representatives who by their actions and statements make the comparisons with the Nazi era stick,’ church president Heber Jentzsch said.” From SAT1-teletext (German TV): “[A] news item on the director Constantin Costa-Gavras, saying that he feels uncomfortable about having signed that Open Letter to Helmut Kohl, which recently appeared in the Herald Tribune. He is being quoted, that he ‘participated without knowing the exact content of the letter’. According to him, he signed the letter, after Dustin Hoffman had asked him to do so.” Jewish leaders have entered the dispute. From Reuters: “German Jewish leader Ignatz Bubis on Monday dismissed as ‘insulting’ accusations from American celebrities that Germany has been oppressing Scientologists in the same way that Hitler persecuted Jews. Speaking at a reception for his 70th birthday, Bubis told several hundred guests including Chancellor Helmut Kohl that such a charge was an affront to the memory of those who had perished and suffered in the Holocaust. ‘It is insulting to the memory of the victims,’ said Bubis, who survived the Holocaust but whose father, brother and sister were killed in Nazi concentration camps.”
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“The tech is the meaningless musings of a drug- and alcohol-addled madman who was making it up as he went along. You might as well have been playing hide-and-go-seek for 17 years.”
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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 January 13, 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?
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THE WHOLE TRACK
[ONE year ago] Mirriam Francis wants Scientology-shielded father brought to justice: how you can help
[TWO years ago] PODCAST: Our never-heard 2021 interview with Ron Miscavige about daughter-in-law Shelly
[THREE years ago] Scientology tries (and fails) to rehabilitate L. Ron Hubbard’s involvement in South Africa
[FOUR years ago] Hanan and Rizza Islam get trial date for $4 million Medi-Cal fraud at Scientology rehab
[FIVE years ago] Scientology ripped apart his family, but this former member explains why he doesn’t fight it
[SIX years ago] EXCLUSIVE: Scientology tells A&E it has ‘blood on its hands’ for murder in Australia
[SEVEN years ago] Scientology plans Narconon drug rehab for Ireland, but the locals are not having it
[EIGHT years ago] The most incredible lie Scientology attorney Monique Yingling told ABC ’20/20′
[NINE years ago] Oscar snubs Alex Gibney’s Scientology documentary ‘Going Clear’ despite buzz
[TEN years ago] Scientology reveals a lot more of its lofty plans for the former KCET studios
[ELEVEN years ago] Being and nothingness: And now we move on to Scientology’s Operating Thetan Level Four!
[TWELVE years ago] ATLANTIC MAGAZINE SPIKES SCIENTOLOGY ADVERTORIAL AFTER BACKLASH
——————–
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.
Tammy Synovec has not seen her daughter Julia in 3,144 days.
Valerie Haney has not seen her mother Lynne in 3,639 days.
Katrina Reyes has not seen her mother Yelena in 4,154 days
Sylvia Wagner DeWall has not seen her brother Randy in 3,704 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his grandson Leo in 2,694 days.
Klaus Büchele has not seen his daughter Jasmin in 5,080 days.
Geoff Levin has not seen his son Collin and daughter Savannah in 2,575 days.
Christie Collbran has not seen her mother Liz King in 5,879 days.
Clarissa Adams has not seen her parents Walter and Irmin Huber in 3,750 days.
Jamie Sorrentini Lugli has not seen her father Irving in 5,302 days.
Quailynn McDaniel has not seen her brother Sean in 4,643 days.
Dylan Gill has not seen his father Russell in 13,210 days.
Melissa Paris has not seen her father Jean-Francois in 9,129 days.
Valeska Paris has not seen her brother Raphael in 5,297 days.
Mirriam Francis has not seen her brother Ben in 4,879 days.
Claudio and Renata Lugli have not seen their son Flavio in 5,139 days.
Sara Goldberg has not seen her daughter Ashley in 4,175 days.
Lori Hodgson has not seen her son Jeremy and daughter Jessica in 3,891 days.
Marie Bilheimer has not seen her mother June in 3,455 days.
Julian Wain has not seen his brother Joseph or mother Susan in 1,770 days.
Charley Updegrove has not seen his son Toby in 2,945 days.
Derek Bloch has not seen his father Darren in 4,627 days.
Cindy Plahuta has not seen her daughter Kara in 4,964 days.
Roger Weller has not seen his daughter Alyssa in 9,818 days.
Claire Headley has not seen her mother Gen in 4,933 days.
Ramana Dienes-Browning has not seen her mother Jancis in 3,295 days.
Mike Rinder has not seen his son Benjamin and daughter Taryn in 7,598 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his daughter Spring in 3,704 days.
Skip Young has not seen his daughters Megan and Alexis in 4,102 days.
Mary Kahn has not seen her son Sammy in 3,978 days.
Lois Reisdorf has not seen her son Craig in 3,543 days.
Phil and Willie Jones have not seen their son Mike and daughter Emily in 4,054 days.
Mary Jane Barry has not seen her daughter Samantha in 4,310 days.
Kate Bornstein has not seen her daughter Jessica in 15,418 days.
——————–
Posted by Tony Ortega on January 14, 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 to Los Angeles libturds and Dumbocrats: ‘You’re fired!’
Some links to Q-related items today
Advertisement(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});Trump Attacks Political Opponents With LA Fires Themed Fringe Memes
Trump offers a glimpse of what his presidency would look like https://t.co/fMHOrPAxK7
— PatriotTakes 🇺🇸 (@patriottakes) January 13, 2025
MAGA accounts are making fun of the LA fires. Absolutely disgusting. pic.twitter.com/vyoNB9AMVB
— PatriotTakes 🇺🇸 (@patriottakes) January 13, 2025
The MAGA account deleted their misinformation tweet after getting called out by a fire marshal pic.twitter.com/Rsh8vWToHW
— PatriotTakes 🇺🇸 (@patriottakes) January 13, 2025
This video is going viral on different social media platforms. But it doesn't show the Palisades nor the Eaton Fires. Instead, looks like Bridge, Line, and Airport fires from September last year. https://t.co/L8CcwMRalx https://t.co/gjir3SVBmd pic.twitter.com/eDQyQ0RIWW
— Christiaan Triebert (@trbrtc) January 13, 2025
QAnon: Liberals hate America!
Also QAnon: The Statue of Liberty is Satanic and must be destroyed! pic.twitter.com/W5QECIrF7e
— Poker and Politics (@PokerPolitics) January 13, 2025
Trump continues his retribution reposts against Jack Smith pic.twitter.com/gD8WNSWTPw
— PatriotTakes 🇺🇸 (@patriottakes) January 13, 2025
NEW: Musk is continuing his crackdown on the two researchers who were suspended for uncovering the true identity of Adrian Dittman.
Both @awawawhoami & @RhinozzCode are being told they must delete posts that even allude to Dittman to regain access to X https://t.co/KzwokIvupF
— Mikael Thalen (@MikaelThalen) January 13, 2025
Trump Secretary of Defense nominee Pete Hegseth pic.twitter.com/JmO3uMmxuO
— PatriotTakes 🇺🇸 (@patriottakes) January 13, 2025
Trump reposts meme calling himself “God’s gift to America” pic.twitter.com/YCZdGi868Z
— PatriotTakes 🇺🇸 (@patriottakes) January 13, 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 January 14, 2025 at 08:00
January 13, 2025
Leah Remini posts longer, more detailed remembrance of Mike Rinder
TODAY AT SUBSTACK: If you’ve signed up for free emails at Substack, you will receive today’s feature story at your inbox: Last night Leah Remini posted a more detailed remembrance of Mike Rinder, several days after her first posting following his Jan 5 death. It’s an emotional tribute, and we appreciate the glimpses Leah provides about her days before emerging publicly from Scientology in 2013. [What is this Substack thing, anyway?]
——————–
Technology Cocktail
Advertisement(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});“In the case of a psycho it is necessary to tailor the Introspection RD steps to the pc, instead of following it as a rote sequence at the risk of running unreading items on the pc. On any pc this is deadly. In a psycho it is pure dynamite. To do this the C/S would order the subjects of the RD steps assessed, then handled in order of large reads. The Auditor’s TR- 1 and metering must be such that he can make a meter read. The RD could be made to fail on this point by missing hot subjects.” — 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({});
——————–
“Orgs are in the very new, for this universe, business of setting people free. SPs will find all manner of reasons not to, for this is what they, with their own crimes, fear. Thus it follows that they cut dissem lines, corrupt tech, suppress and confuse orgs, persuade people to be inactive and resort to other shifts, all quite ‘reasonable’ and ‘logical’ as to why this must be the way it is; so be alert to this and go ahead and set people free. It’s done with org services well delivered, on-policy, with standard tech. So just do it, man, do it!” — L. Ron Hubbard, January 13, 1983
——————–
“Starboard Watch is assigned Non-Existence for slowness in coming to Fire Drill on 9 Jan 69 and treating it as a joke. The F/MAA is to discover who in Starboard considers drills a joke and throw the joker or jokers overboard, which is a very big joke in this cool weather and cold water.” — The Commodore, January 13, 1969
——————–
“Money is what guarantees your survival. With money you can buy a congressman, bribe judges, hire a hitman. Just because a government is run by criminals is no reason to walk away. Ethics needs to be put in. A government that was in ethics and did what was optimum across 8 dynamics would benefit everyone.”
——————–
1996: Jeff Jacobsen announced a protest against the harassment of cult critics, to be held March 9th in Clearwater, FL. “This demonstration will be a peaceful public protest against Scientology’s written and practiced policy of harassment of critics, and those it judges internally to be ‘suppressive persons,’ whether they are members or not. Many internet users know about the church’s attacks on the newsgroup alt.religion.scientology (a.r.s.) and against church critics there, such as attempting to rmgroup (close down) a.r.s., church attorneys sending threatening mail after critics post fair use quotes from Scientology scripture, private investigators being sent out to harass and ‘dead agent’ (smear the reputation of) critics, and many other actions. The demonstration is not attacking the religion of Scientology, but rather it is to protest and expose the church’s consistent and harmful use of harassment as a tool to silence its critics.”
——————–
“I’m still waiting for someone to do the obvious KFC shoop with the KSW and L Ron as the Colonel. Preferably on a bucket.”
——————–
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 January 13, 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] You read about her encounter on a plane, now hear Tammy Synovec’s Scientology saga
[TWO years ago] Lisa Marie Presley dies at 54 after apparent cardiac arrest
[THREE years ago] Masterson’s victims, already on edge, have to deal with Danny’s aggressive process servers
[FOUR years ago] More social media gold: Post-riot, it’s clear that Scientology is the planet’s only hope!
[FIVE years ago] Scientology auditing, infiltrated and explained: The ‘Reckless Ben’ team’s 4th video
[SIX years ago] How businesses that run on Scientology principles find Scientologist employees
[SEVEN years ago] Ten years ago, all hell broke loose for Tom Cruise and the Church of Scientology
[EIGHT years ago] DONE DEAL: Billboard contract signed for site near Scientology’s Los Angeles ‘Big Blue’ HQ
[NINE years ago] DOX: Government disclosure shows extent of Scientology’s reliance on cheap foreign labor
[TEN years ago] Claire Headley explains her amazing Scientology experience as Tom Cruise’s ‘examiner’
[ELEVEN years ago] VIDEO: Scientology’s New Year’s Eve celebration — ‘2014 belongs to us’
[TWELVE years ago] Did the Headleys And Their Lawsuit Torpedo the FBI Investigation of Scientology?
——————–
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.
Tammy Synovec has not seen her daughter Julia in 3,143 days.
Valerie Haney has not seen her mother Lynne in 3,638 days.
Katrina Reyes has not seen her mother Yelena in 4,153 days
Sylvia Wagner DeWall has not seen her brother Randy in 3,703 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his grandson Leo in 2,693 days.
Klaus Büchele has not seen his daughter Jasmin in 5,079 days.
Geoff Levin has not seen his son Collin and daughter Savannah in 2,574 days.
Christie Collbran has not seen her mother Liz King in 5,878 days.
Clarissa Adams has not seen her parents Walter and Irmin Huber in 3,749 days.
Jamie Sorrentini Lugli has not seen her father Irving in 5,301 days.
Quailynn McDaniel has not seen her brother Sean in 4,642 days.
Dylan Gill has not seen his father Russell in 13,209 days.
Melissa Paris has not seen her father Jean-Francois in 9,128 days.
Valeska Paris has not seen her brother Raphael in 5,296 days.
Mirriam Francis has not seen her brother Ben in 4,878 days.
Claudio and Renata Lugli have not seen their son Flavio in 5,138 days.
Sara Goldberg has not seen her daughter Ashley in 4,174 days.
Lori Hodgson has not seen her son Jeremy and daughter Jessica in 3,890 days.
Marie Bilheimer has not seen her mother June in 3,454 days.
Julian Wain has not seen his brother Joseph or mother Susan in 1,769 days.
Charley Updegrove has not seen his son Toby in 2,944 days.
Derek Bloch has not seen his father Darren in 4,626 days.
Cindy Plahuta has not seen her daughter Kara in 4,963 days.
Roger Weller has not seen his daughter Alyssa in 9,817 days.
Claire Headley has not seen her mother Gen in 4,932 days.
Ramana Dienes-Browning has not seen her mother Jancis in 3,294 days.
Mike Rinder has not seen his son Benjamin and daughter Taryn in 7,597 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his daughter Spring in 3,703 days.
Skip Young has not seen his daughters Megan and Alexis in 4,101 days.
Mary Kahn has not seen her son Sammy in 3,977 days.
Lois Reisdorf has not seen her son Craig in 3,542 days.
Phil and Willie Jones have not seen their son Mike and daughter Emily in 4,053 days.
Mary Jane Barry has not seen her daughter Samantha in 4,309 days.
Kate Bornstein has not seen her daughter Jessica in 15,417 days.
——————–
Posted by Tony Ortega on January 13, 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
‘Save Rudy’: Now Q patriots are sure the football championship will usher in the storm
Some links to Q-related items today
Advertisement(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});California Republicans Flee to Mar-a-Lago as LA Burns
Instead of providing leadership, they decided to kiss Trump’s ringhttps://t.co/czco8jwPiy
— PatriotTakes 🇺🇸 (@patriottakes) January 12, 2025
Trump is leaving Rudy Giuliani out to dry just like the January 6th rioters pic.twitter.com/q4o0VCdkvy
— PatriotTakes 🇺🇸 (@patriottakes) January 13, 2025
January 6th rioter Luke Lints is upset that JD Vance implied Trump might break his promise to blanket pardon all of them.
Lint was sentenced to four months in prison and 32 months of parole for using a riot shield against Capitol Police. pic.twitter.com/zPisQ1AVCD
— PatriotTakes 🇺🇸 (@patriottakes) January 13, 2025
This January 6th rioter says they are right to be “swearing vengeance on JD Vance” because Vance suggested that maybe not all of them would be pardoned pic.twitter.com/axS6nZ8cFi
— PatriotTakes 🇺🇸 (@patriottakes) January 12, 2025
Trump Ukraine Envoy Keith Kellog says Ukraine Peace Deal will not happen in 24 hours as Trump promised. He says maybe it can happen in 100 days. https://t.co/pMLdWAXous
— Ben Meiselas 🇺🇸🦅 (@meiselasb) January 12, 2025
Notre Dame winning the Natty is part of The Plan. pic.twitter.com/lldi5GJnoN
— Poker and Politics (@PokerPolitics) January 13, 2025
None of these clowns will ever explain how Israel pulled this off. None of these people know the first thing about what happened in JFK’s death. pic.twitter.com/CJh7kOcJAQ
— Poker and Politics (@PokerPolitics) January 13, 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 January 13, 2025 at 08:00
January 12, 2025
Forgiveness: An alien concept in Scientology that is key to putting it behind you
TODAY AT SUBSTACK: If you’ve signed up for free emails at Substack, you will receive today’s feature story at your inbox: Valerie Ross really moved us with this new update on her journey after Scientology, as she discovered something that had eluded her for so many years. [What is this Substack thing, anyway?]
——————–
Technology Cocktail
Advertisement(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});“It has been known for many many years that the phenomenon of ‘Mutual Out Ruds’ existed. This means TWO OR MORE PEOPLE WHO MUTUALLY HAVE RUDS OUT
ON THE WIDER GROUP OR OTHER DYNAMICS AND DO NOT GET THEM IN. Example: A husband-wife co-audit team never run O/Ws on the rest of the family because both of them have similar overts and so consider it usual. Example: Prisoners engaged in co-auditing (as in Narconon) may have similar overts, withholds, ARC Brks and/or problems with the rest of society and so do not think of handling them as out-ruds. Example: Two top class auditors co-auditing, have similar overts on the junior auditors and the org and so never think to get them in. THIS CAN STALL CASES!” — 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 do not know if it can be established for sure what I say about the deteriorating size of a thetan is a curve, but I believe it to be, and that the composite track of 74 trillion years might be the banks of cells which you now have, which once ran bodies. And you might have a rather brief tenure on the track really. Because it would be almost impossible to separate these things. And that’s why you couldn’t give a damn whether you have a past life or not. It just doesn’t matter. The point is you’ve got a future one.” — L. Ron Hubbard, January 12, 1953
——————–
“A new CLASS VI (plus HDG) recruitment campaign is being telexed out to CLSs. We are offering a Petty Officer (Tech) rating to field VIs, VIIs, VIIIs, so they become fully contracted SO Members. They will be shipped direct to Flag where we will jump them through AB, Mission School, SS I, SS II, Class VIII, IX and X. These will be purely tech ratings…Target is to make every Scn org as big as SH was in 1967. So that’s where we’re going. The blocker is Tech Personnel and we’re hammering hard on that.” — The Commodore, January 12, 1971
——————–
“Clear isn’t what Hubbard cracked it up to be. The person has a win, feels great, attests to Clear, then this good feeling fades away with time. If the person doesn’t get into the next level then they will realise as time goes by that Clear is kinda shit and start spotting this borderline scam that Scientology is, then they will leave it. But if he goes onto the next level any problems or not feeling good the guy has can be blamed on the new level he is now doing. See how clever Hubbard is? Also any ‘Clear not feeling so goodness’ can be blamed on this vulnerable area they are in. ‘I knew I should have gone straight onto OT 1’ the scio thinks if they ignored the warning. It’s called the non-interference zone. So if the person starts thinking Clear is shit, well then that’s because they are in this vulnerable zone and quickly need to get onto their next level, not that the Clear state kinda doesn’t exist. Oh gosh it’s such a scam, but it also isn’t a scam, it’s a mixture of both. That’s why it’s such a controversial religion and is fascinating to study.”
2002: The Evening Standard published an article on Scientology celebrity John Travolta and his new movie, Domestic Disturbance. “When Tonight Show host Jay Leno asked John Travolta to appear as a guest to discuss Ground Zero, he felt the request merited a trip to view the devastation and rescue effort for himself. ‘I had to know what I’d be talking about,’ said Travolta. ‘I hadn’t been to Ground Zero. And when I got there, the reality really hit me, especially the fact that those firemen and rescue workers were prepared to give their lives for those of complete strangers. His new film, Domestic Disturbance, racked up a reasonable $44 million in the US last year, while Swordfish, which he terms now ‘an anti-terrorism movie,’ fared even better with a whisker under $70 million. He dropped his fee to $10 million for the roundly panned Battlefield Earth, adapted from a novel by L Ron Hubbard, founder of Scientology. Ask him if there’s a film he regrets making and one might hope he’d cite the latter. But not a bit of it. The endlessly upbeat Travolta says he ‘loved it.’ He claims the film ‘made 100 million bucks,’ though its US run made only $21.5 million. ‘And it was the first Hubbard film to make it to the screen. He’s a great science fiction writer. There’s still the second part of the same book we might do.’ He worries more these days about issues like the ‘drugging of children in school – Ritalin and other drugs they put kids on which seem really unnecessary. A drug like Ritalin will quieten down a child and make them less of a problem, but it will only lead to a bigger problem. That drug simply connects them to the next thing they’re presented with, be it cocaine or whatever.'”
——————–
“Burroughs thought that psychedelics could help him break his junk addiction, but he also thought the same thing about Scientology.”
——————–
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 January 13, 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 has a permit in Austin for this Saturday, but the ‘Ideal Org’ looks unready
[TWO years ago] The prosecution’s argument that won the day for a retrial of Danny Masterson
[THREE years ago] VIDEO: An unprecedented glimpse inside Scientology’s royal family
[FOUR years ago] Scientology’s anti-mask star Leigh Dundas may have overdone it at Capitol riot
[FIVE years ago] Scientology honors its bodysnatchers with stars on its Xenu-rrific walk of fame
[SIX years ago] David Miscavige in South Africa: The new ‘Advanced Org’ gets its castle
[SEVEN years ago] When Scientology tried to convince the FBI that a college prof ran a cabal of critics
[EIGHT years ago] LAPD to Leah Remini on her records request about missing Scientology leader’s wife: ‘Go fish’
[NINE years ago] A great peek into how Scientology uses fronts to love-bomb a public official
[TEN years ago] Monday Funnies: More evidence that Scientology is gearing up for a really tough 2015
[ELEVEN years ago] Gary Weber: Another former Scientology official talks about women forced to have abortions
——————–
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.
Tammy Synovec has not seen her daughter Julia in 3,142 days.
Valerie Haney has not seen her mother Lynne in 3,637 days.
Katrina Reyes has not seen her mother Yelena in 4,152 days
Sylvia Wagner DeWall has not seen her brother Randy in 3,702 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his grandson Leo in 2,692 days.
Klaus Büchele has not seen his daughter Jasmin in 5,078 days.
Geoff Levin has not seen his son Collin and daughter Savannah in 2,573 days.
Christie Collbran has not seen her mother Liz King in 5,877 days.
Clarissa Adams has not seen her parents Walter and Irmin Huber in 3,748 days.
Jamie Sorrentini Lugli has not seen her father Irving in 5,300 days.
Quailynn McDaniel has not seen her brother Sean in 4,641 days.
Dylan Gill has not seen his father Russell in 13,208 days.
Melissa Paris has not seen her father Jean-Francois in 9,127 days.
Valeska Paris has not seen her brother Raphael in 5,295 days.
Mirriam Francis has not seen her brother Ben in 4,877 days.
Claudio and Renata Lugli have not seen their son Flavio in 5,137 days.
Sara Goldberg has not seen her daughter Ashley in 4,173 days.
Lori Hodgson has not seen her son Jeremy and daughter Jessica in 3,889 days.
Marie Bilheimer has not seen her mother June in 3,453 days.
Julian Wain has not seen his brother Joseph or mother Susan in 1,768 days.
Charley Updegrove has not seen his son Toby in 2,943 days.
Derek Bloch has not seen his father Darren in 4,625 days.
Cindy Plahuta has not seen her daughter Kara in 4,962 days.
Roger Weller has not seen his daughter Alyssa in 9,816 days.
Claire Headley has not seen her mother Gen in 4,931 days.
Ramana Dienes-Browning has not seen her mother Jancis in 3,293 days.
Mike Rinder has not seen his son Benjamin and daughter Taryn in 7,596 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his daughter Spring in 3,702 days.
Skip Young has not seen his daughters Megan and Alexis in 4,100 days.
Mary Kahn has not seen her son Sammy in 3,976 days.
Lois Reisdorf has not seen her son Craig in 3,541 days.
Phil and Willie Jones have not seen their son Mike and daughter Emily in 4,052 days.
Mary Jane Barry has not seen her daughter Samantha in 4,308 days.
Kate Bornstein has not seen her daughter Jessica in 15,416 days.
——————–
Posted by Tony Ortega on January 12, 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
Q patriot reports from prison that life there is not fun
Some links to Q-related items today
Advertisement(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});cops killed the Pizzagate gunman at a traffic stophttps://t.co/vdfiMdGg1r
— Jacob Silverman (@SilvermanJacob) January 11, 2025
Canadian MP Charlie Angus on Canada providing resources to California: Right now, we have fire crews in the danger zones from Alberta, Quebec, Ontario, and British Columbia. I spoke with the federal security minister. He’s mobilized Canada’s Armed Forces to provide quick… pic.twitter.com/6Y7HIlURz9
— Acyn (@Acyn) January 11, 2025
In the space of 24 hours, Naomi Wolf has claimed that the fires in LA are an actual war or foreign invasion, a plot to kill people to destroy evidence of Covid vaccine adverse effects, weather manipulation, a deliberate bombing campaign, and mass spraying of mood stabilisers. pic.twitter.com/C3Tlgd5Rks
— Shayan Sardarizadeh (@Shayan86) January 11, 2025
My interview last night with @SRuhle on MSNBC. Please watch until the end, because I said something for the Altadena community.https://t.co/dDJXvUa5iE
— Mike Rothschild (@rothschildmd on blu sky) (@rothschildmd) January 11, 2025
Tina Peters gives an update from prison. She says:
-she has no freedom; she's in a small cell
-she can't connect with the other ladies because they did something to deserve their incarceration (presumably she did not)
-she's learning that for some of the women, their… pic.twitter.com/b4QTjG9s9G
— Dr. Christine Sarteschi, LCSW (@DrSarteschi) January 11, 2025
“They want us replaced by AI everything …It’s a soulless agenda.”—
Laura Loomer and Jessica Reed Kraus discuss the “anti-American,” “anti-human” tech bro infiltration of Trump’s MAGA movement. pic.twitter.com/Dzuvp9MmCe
— PatriotTakes 🇺🇸 (@patriottakes) January 11, 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 January 12, 2025 at 08:00
January 11, 2025
Scientology’s ‘Volunteer Ministers’ getting roasted online for LA fire photo opps
TODAY AT SUBSTACK: If you’ve signed up for free emails at Substack, you will receive today’s feature story at your inbox: Days of wildfires fueled by the Santa Ana winds are still not subsiding in Los Angeles. It’s very frightening. And we’ve heard from readers who have sent us online postings questioning the activities of Scientology VMs who purport to be helping as they seek photo opportunities. [What is this Substack thing, anyway?]
——————–
Technology Cocktail
Advertisement(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});“Insistence on rightness is a last refuge of beingness. Thus one gets some very aberrated ones. These he uses in situations where he thinks he might be found wrong. These are called ‘Service Facsimiles.’ ‘Service’ because they ‘serve’ him. ‘Facsimiles’ because they are in mental image picture form. They explain his disabilities as well. The facsimile part is actually a self-installed disability that ‘explains’ how he is not responsible for not being able to cope. So he is not wrong for not coping. Part of the ‘package’ is to be right by making wrong.” — 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({});
——————–
“And this is what? Eleventh of Jan. The mystic month. And we are finding ourselves in the middle of — no, it’s at the beginning — What cycle are you in? Well, anyhow, it’s on a planet, on a twelfth-rate sun, and it’s the beginning of the, it’s shortly after the winter solstice. Saint Hill Special Briefing Course. Well, if you lived right and if you knew what you were doing and many other unlikely activities, you have it made. But we have to assume, we have to assume that if none of you have grown wings in the last 24 hours and you actually have had a PC on an E-Meter as an auditor and the PC hasn’t grown wings in the last 24 hours with all the tools which you’ve got, we must assume that there is some faint disconnection between what I am trying to teach you and what you are doing. I would say there’s some small gap. Maybe not a large gap. Maybe only a light year or two.” — L. Ron Hubbard, January 11, 1962
——————–
“The Auditing Completions are starting to roll in. With a wow and a hurrah! Some important people have gotten some lovely gains lately. At the other end of it, 2 of those leaving came through it. We have the planet by the tail.” — The Commodore, January 11, 1971
——————–
“Warning for the true believers, maybe dont read: After someone goes Clear in Scientology they are encouraged to quickly get to OT3. They are warned that they are now vulnerable to problems or something, and that they must get to OT3 as quickly as possible. Now this is a good marketing tool, it encourages one to continue with Scientology even though they have gone Clear. They must for their own safety. Its like the government encouraging us to get vaccinated for our safety, it’s all about scaring someone into behaving how you want them to. Because some people were in the religion just to achieve Clear, this warning makes them think ‘Oh, I’m vulnerable, I must continue doing Scientology.’ So it’s a good way of keeping them around and getting them to buy their next level and do it asap. Which is what salesman always do, ‘you must buy now!’”
——————–
2001: The Atlanta Journal Constitution reported that Time Magazine has won an appeal by Scientology to reverse the dismissal of a libel lawsuit over the 1991 cover article. “Time Inc. and another unit of AOL Time Warner Inc. have persuaded a federal appeals panel to uphold the dismissal of a libel suit brought by the Church of Scientology International. The lawsuit stemmed from a 1991 cover story in Time magazine titled ‘Scientology: The Cult of Greed,’ which called Scientology ‘a ruthless global scam.’ The 7,500-word story by journalist Richard Behar said the church survives by ‘intimidating members and critics in a Mafia-like manner,’ and called Scientology a ‘ruthless … terroristic’ cult. The church sued Behar, Time and Time Warner for libel, claiming that these and other statements were defamatory.”
——————–
“If Scientology could, then based solely on the words of L. Ron Hubbard they would be gladly killing ‘infidels’ who refused to convert.”
——————–
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 January 13, 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] Mark ‘Warrior’ Plummer, Scientology critic and archivist, 1951-2024
[TWO years ago] Why the Golden Globes is joking about Tom Cruise, Shelly Miscavige, and Scientology
[THREE years ago] Scientology’s Los Angeles center is rumbling again, and we’re here for it!
[FOUR years ago] Scientology celebrates even more wealthy donors, and we’re happy to lend a helping hand
[FIVE years ago] Sonya Bianchi, 1927-2020: Hubbard’s first ‘Clear’ who vanished from Scientology history
[SIX years ago] Kansas City: Don’t panic. Your skyline is screwed, but Scientology isn’t taking over.
[SEVEN years ago] Scientology’s ‘scripture’ includes a thoroughly debunked mammoth-meat hoax
[EIGHT years ago] Last night’s family on ‘Leah Remini’ found themselves targeted by Scientology attack site
[NINE years ago] David Bowie, 1947-2016
[ELEVEN years ago] Our man in Europe reports on Belgium’s criminal prosecution of Scientology
[TWELVE years ago] Blogging Dianetics, Part 2: The State of Clear!
——————–
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.
Tammy Synovec has not seen her daughter Julia in 3,141 days.
Valerie Haney has not seen her mother Lynne in 3,636 days.
Katrina Reyes has not seen her mother Yelena in 4,151 days
Sylvia Wagner DeWall has not seen her brother Randy in 3,701 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his grandson Leo in 2,691 days.
Klaus Büchele has not seen his daughter Jasmin in 5,077 days.
Geoff Levin has not seen his son Collin and daughter Savannah in 2,572 days.
Christie Collbran has not seen her mother Liz King in 5,876 days.
Clarissa Adams has not seen her parents Walter and Irmin Huber in 3,747 days.
Jamie Sorrentini Lugli has not seen her father Irving in 5,299 days.
Quailynn McDaniel has not seen her brother Sean in 4,640 days.
Dylan Gill has not seen his father Russell in 13,207 days.
Melissa Paris has not seen her father Jean-Francois in 9,126 days.
Valeska Paris has not seen her brother Raphael in 5,294 days.
Mirriam Francis has not seen her brother Ben in 4,876 days.
Claudio and Renata Lugli have not seen their son Flavio in 5,136 days.
Sara Goldberg has not seen her daughter Ashley in 4,172 days.
Lori Hodgson has not seen her son Jeremy and daughter Jessica in 3,888 days.
Marie Bilheimer has not seen her mother June in 3,452 days.
Julian Wain has not seen his brother Joseph or mother Susan in 1,767 days.
Charley Updegrove has not seen his son Toby in 2,942 days.
Derek Bloch has not seen his father Darren in 4,624 days.
Cindy Plahuta has not seen her daughter Kara in 4,961 days.
Roger Weller has not seen his daughter Alyssa in 9,815 days.
Claire Headley has not seen her mother Gen in 4,930 days.
Ramana Dienes-Browning has not seen her mother Jancis in 3,292 days.
Mike Rinder has not seen his son Benjamin and daughter Taryn in 7,595 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his daughter Spring in 3,701 days.
Skip Young has not seen his daughters Megan and Alexis in 4,099 days.
Mary Kahn has not seen her son Sammy in 3,975 days.
Lois Reisdorf has not seen her son Craig in 3,540 days.
Phil and Willie Jones have not seen their son Mike and daughter Emily in 4,051 days.
Mary Jane Barry has not seen her daughter Samantha in 4,307 days.
Kate Bornstein has not seen her daughter Jessica in 15,415 days.
——————–
Posted by Tony Ortega on January 11, 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
Tony Ortega's Blog
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