Tony Ortega's Blog, page 64
January 1, 2025
Sorry, libturds, Mar-a-Lago was the place to be to bring in 2025
Some links to Q-related items today
Advertisement(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});Trump is inflicting Lara Trump’s singing onto his Mar-a-Lago guests tonight pic.twitter.com/GN0biZdX7Q
— PatriotTakes 🇺🇸 (@patriottakes) January 1, 2025
Trump gave himself his own red carpet at his Mar-a-Lago country club pic.twitter.com/6TMmIJrOyM
— PatriotTakes 🇺🇸 (@patriottakes) January 1, 2025
One more fake award for the pile pic.twitter.com/H6x2DFgrXR
— PatriotTakes 🇺🇸 (@patriottakes) January 1, 2025
Mar-a-Lago fashionistas pic.twitter.com/OVnUZKZJpv
— PatriotTakes 🇺🇸 (@patriottakes) January 1, 2025
Ted Cruz is at Trump’s Mar-a-Lago New Year’s Eve party. His puppy Snowflake approves. pic.twitter.com/bOLG7XUfGo
— PatriotTakes 🇺🇸 (@patriottakes) January 1, 2025
Happy New Year!
Flashback to this QAnon Trump supporter’s New Year’s resolution to “shower more often!” pic.twitter.com/OWNr9rGjo5
— PatriotTakes 🇺🇸 (@patriottakes) January 1, 2025
All the MSM reporters who refused to cover the Chanboards or QAnon for years now suddenly trying to figure out why our new President is calling himself Kekius Maximus with an Ai Pepe avatar. pic.twitter.com/bhrrwOSeGi
— Poker and Politics (@PokerPolitics) December 31, 2024
Elon’s latest mental breakdown has his fans hoping he’ll go all the way and start posting QDrops. pic.twitter.com/EIPr7NGwZS
— Poker and Politics (@PokerPolitics) December 31, 2024
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 1, 2025 at 08:00
December 31, 2024
Scientology’s 2024: Another year is in the books at the Underground Bunker!
TODAY AT SUBSTACK: If you’ve signed up for free emails at Substack, you will receive today’s feature story at your inbox: It’s already been 2025 for an hour for our readers in New Zealand. And Happy New Year, Kiwis! For most Scientology watchers, however, we’re still several hours away from the party getting started, and we have a special treat for you to help your shindig really rock. [What is this Substack thing, anyway?]
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Technology Cocktail
Advertisement(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});“What is this thing called ‘stress’? It is more than the medico defines it — he usually says it comes from operational or physical shock and in this he has too limited a view. A person under stress is actually under a suppression on one or more dynamics. If that suppression is located and the person handles or disconnects, the condition diminishes. If he also has all the engrams and ARC Breaks, problems, overts and withholds audited out triple flow and if ALL such areas of suppression are thus handled, the person would recover from anything caused by “stress”.” — L. Ron Hubbard, 1972
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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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“Sixty-three was the year I had to do all the research work. I’ve sacrificed everything now. The other day, the other day, not too long ago, I was outside taking a look at the dawn and it was a great relief. The Van Allen belt is nice and warm and you can sit in the Van Allen belt amongst the radiation that’s supposed to be so harmful. It’s nice that it’s there. It holds in the warm air, you know, and you can put out your beams and warm your hands. And rain clouds are absolutely beautiful there. They’re almost as good as a drink of Coca-Cola. And you can get into the ice crystals of a rain cloud and it’s very nice. It’s very nice. It’s cooling, refreshing, you know, like taking a cold shower on a hot summer day. And all of a sudden you’re not stricken by these fantastic temperature reactions. See, you’re in a body, you see, you get a temperature difference of ten degrees up or ten degrees down and you’re kind of miserable, you know? And outside, you get a temperature differential of two hundred degrees centigrade up and two hundred degrees centigrade down — it makes a nice change!” — L. Ron Hubbard, December 31, 1963
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“DIV VI: Win! Al Bornstein now head of Div VI has turned out the basic first step of a PR division — its different publics — and issued the test FSO on them. What a nice thing to see. Standard Div actions!” — The Commodore, December 31, 1970
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“I think one of the things that got us in trouble way back was to make Scientology ‘Mainstream’ or by trying to gain ‘acceptance,’ which I believe is one of the reasons so many are buying into this ‘Ideal Org’ money laundering scam. They think by putting up these ostentatious edifices it will attract the ‘right’ kind of people to Scientology. What it’s basically attracted are a bunch of elitists who look at Scientology as a tax write off and the deluded types who believe that if they Solo enough NOTs that the world will somehow magically change before their eyes. ‘Led’ by some guy who couldn’t find his way to the rest room….I’m not saying miracles can’t occur, I do believe that the release of OT VIII definitely had something to do with the fall of the Berlin Wall. That said the fact is that many if not most of the first OT VIIIs were in fact auditor trained. Unlike the current bunch of untrained status-hungry by-passed cases who are now in the Church these days endlessly ‘auditing’ ‘the level’ who couldn’t even get a chameleon to change color in. Many of these ‘False Threes’ do more to discredit Scientology then all the bad press and media combined.”
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1996: Anonymous poster Emerald made available a list of the award-winning auditors at many of Scientology’s North American orgs from The Auditor magazine. Reformatted to save space. “* Albuquerque; Org Auditor – Andrea Easton; Field Auditor – Theo Grant; Co-Audit Team – David Conradie & Lawrence Medina * Ann Arbor; Org Auditor – Sue Fairchild; Book One Auditor – Dave Bonnell * Atlanta; Org Auditor – Scott Wisemer; Field Auditor – Diane Seidule; Co-Audit Team – Bill & Richard LeBaron * Austin Day & Fdn; Org Auditor – Linda Potter; Field Auditor – Pam Patterson; Book One – Gareth Ellzey; Co-Audit Team – John Mooney & Madda Uozzo * Boston Day & Fdn; Org Auditor – Perry Yeldham; Field Auditor – Jay Fernandes; Book One Auditor – Kyle O’Connell; Co-Audit Team – Yvette Croteau & Andy Cowenhoven; Mission Auditor – Yvette Croteau * Buffalo; Org Auditor – Colin Gould; Book One Auditor – Carlos Ojeda * Chicago; Auditor – Jesse Wells; Top Org Auditor – Pam McKinnis; Field Auditor – Bill Penninger; Book One Auditor – Emelda Martinez; Co-Audit Team – Chris & Toni Olsen; Mission Auditor – Zack Widup * Cincinatti; Org Auditor – (tie) John Harrill & Al Phlips; Field Auditor – Tim Murphy; Book One Auditor – Linda Brin; Co-Audit Team – Patricia Southerland & Tim Gallagher * Columbus; Org Auditor – Frank Taddeo; Field Auditor – Pat Oxman * Dallas; Org Auditor – Cheri Rogers * Denver; Org Auditor – Wayne Valesques; Field Auditor – Tony Bledsoe; Co-Audit Team – Anthony Buonocore & Bill Yanda; Mission Auditor – Susan Anderson * Detroit; Org Auditor – Alan Twietmeyer; Field Auditor – Julie Ferguson; Mission Auditor – Jan Reaver * Edmonton; Org Auditor – Ginnie Ammais; Field Auditor – Dave Ferguson; Book One Auditor – Andre Jurt * FCDC Day; Org Auditor – Tracy Nepvoda; Field Auditor – Charney Bledsoe; Mission Auditor – Lyn Wood Pace * FCDC Fdn; Org Auditor – Bruce Wertz; Field Auditor – Bobbi Woods; Book One Auditor – Ron Unsworth; Mission Auditor – Gary Camp * Hawaii D & Fdn; Org Auditor – Sheila Pemberton; Field Auditor – (tie) Paul Dolan & Al Ratterman * Kansas City; Org Auditor – David Sullivan; Book One Auditor – Tom Harry; Co-Audit Team – Barbara & Dan Danuser; Book One Co-Audit Team – Lindsay & Scott Gottfried * Las Vegas Day; Org Auditor – Weldon Caldwell; Field Auditor – Doug Dannelow * Las Vegas Fdn; Org Auditor – Derin Danlinger * Long Island; Org Auditor – Jim Gilberti; Field Auditor – Charles Von Himmel * Los Gatos; Org Auditor – Allison Allessandrini * Miami; Org Auditor – Nancy Gurliaccio; Field Auditor – Lyn Peters; Book One Auditor – Robert Addis; Co-Audit Team – Bill Kagle & Carol Pirone * Mountain View; Org Auditor – Diana Williams; Field Auditor – Ted Sullivan; Mission Auditor – Carl Grantham * Montreal; Org Auditor – Daral Sclertch * New Haven; Org Auditor – Joann Taylor; Field Auditor – Rob Carr; Co-Audit Team – John Kayser & Carol Yingling * New York Day; Org Auditor – Jeff Milano * New York Fdn; Org Auditor – Laurie Jacobi * Orlando; Org Auditor – Athena Anderson; Field Auditor – Dan Conforti; Book One Auditor – Connie Bell * Philadelphia; Org Auditor – Rob Rossi * Phoenix; Org Auditor – Joan Ryan; Co-Audit Team – Shannon Rundquist & Burwin Bishop * Portland D & Fdn; Org Auditor – (tie) Mike Ewing & Dan Anderson; Field Auditor – Jory Sullivan * CC Portland; Org Auditor – Bev Johns * Quebec; Org Auditor – Helene Dion; Field Auditor – Chris Yarwood * Sacramento; Org Auditor – Doug Cauthen; Field Auditor – Byron Vaughn * San Francisco; Org Auditor – David Keller; Field Auditor – Bob Lauffer; Book One Auditor – Pat Bundock; Mission Auditor – Sue Mueller * Salt Lake City; Org Auditor – Bob Smith * Seattle; Org Auditor – Tom Sprayberry; Co-Audit Team – Justin & Jolyn Massena; Mission Auditors – Pat Tjepkes, Julie Lowe & Frank Paulson * Stevens Creek; Org Auditor – Joe Skoke; Field Auditor – Karen Russell; Book One Auditor – Matt McCovery; Co-Audit Team – Stuart Rosenbaum & Dick Taylor * Tampa; Org Auditor – Leslie Throgs; Book One Auditor – Susan Mogley * Toronto; Org Auditor – Bridgit Taylor; Field Auditor – Nick McKoy; Book One Auditor – Mike Crellon * Vancouver Day; Org Auditor – Kathy Smith; Field Auditor – Diane Froese * Vancouver Fdn; Org Auditor – Bruce Conner * Winnipeg; Org Auditor – John Kristalovich; Field Auditor – Dan Boomer”
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“Well Sherbert, it doesn’t look like this tired ole punk is going to make it to midnight, so a ‘HAPPY NEW YEAR’ to you and the the rest of the Degenerates and a ‘Big, Big Love’.”
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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.
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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] Scientology’s 2023: Another year is in the books at the Underground Bunker!
[TWO years ago] Scientology’s 2022: Another year is in the books at the Underground Bunker!
[THREE years ago] Scientology’s 2021: Another year is in the books at the Underground Bunker!
[FOUR years ago] Scientology’s 2020: Another year is in the books at the Underground Bunker!
[FIVE years ago] Scientology’s 2019: Another year is in the books at the Underground Bunker!
[SIX years ago] Scientology’s 2018: Another year is in the books at the Underground Bunker!
[SEVEN years ago] Scientology’s 2017: Another year is in the books at the Underground Bunker!
[EIGHT years ago] LEAKED AUDIO — Scientology’s New Year’s event 2017: ‘Welcome to Scientology forever!’
[NINE years ago] Scientology’s 2015: Another year is in the books at the Underground Bunker!
[TEN years ago] Scientology’s 2014 in review: So long to another great year in the Bunker!
[ELEVEN years ago] Scientology’s 2013 in review: The Super Power-ful finish to an eventful year
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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.
Tammy Synovec has not seen her daughter Julia in 3,130 days.
Valerie Haney has not seen her mother Lynne in 3,625 days.
Katrina Reyes has not seen her mother Yelena in 4,140 days
Sylvia Wagner DeWall has not seen her brother Randy in 3,690 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his grandson Leo in 2,680 days.
Klaus Büchele has not seen his daughter Jasmin in 5,066 days.
Geoff Levin has not seen his son Collin and daughter Savannah in 2,561 days.
Christie Collbran has not seen her mother Liz King in 5,865 days.
Clarissa Adams has not seen her parents Walter and Irmin Huber in 3,736 days.
Jamie Sorrentini Lugli has not seen her father Irving in 5,288 days.
Quailynn McDaniel has not seen her brother Sean in 4,629 days.
Dylan Gill has not seen his father Russell in 13,196 days.
Melissa Paris has not seen her father Jean-Francois in 9,115 days.
Valeska Paris has not seen her brother Raphael in 5,283 days.
Mirriam Francis has not seen her brother Ben in 4,865 days.
Claudio and Renata Lugli have not seen their son Flavio in 5,125 days.
Sara Goldberg has not seen her daughter Ashley in 4,161 days.
Lori Hodgson has not seen her son Jeremy and daughter Jessica in 3,877 days.
Marie Bilheimer has not seen her mother June in 3,441 days.
Julian Wain has not seen his brother Joseph or mother Susan in 1,756 days.
Charley Updegrove has not seen his son Toby in 2,931 days.
Derek Bloch has not seen his father Darren in 4,613 days.
Cindy Plahuta has not seen her daughter Kara in 4,950 days.
Roger Weller has not seen his daughter Alyssa in 9,804 days.
Claire Headley has not seen her mother Gen in 4,919 days.
Ramana Dienes-Browning has not seen her mother Jancis in 3,281 days.
Mike Rinder has not seen his son Benjamin and daughter Taryn in 7,584 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his daughter Spring in 3,690 days.
Skip Young has not seen his daughters Megan and Alexis in 4,088 days.
Mary Kahn has not seen her son Sammy in 3,964 days.
Lois Reisdorf has not seen her son Craig in 3,529 days.
Phil and Willie Jones have not seen their son Mike and daughter Emily in 4,040 days.
Mary Jane Barry has not seen her daughter Samantha in 4,296 days.
Kate Bornstein has not seen her daughter Jessica in 15,404 days.
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Posted by Tony Ortega on December 31, 2024 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 eyeing territorial gains: But can he take Greenland without a plebiscite?
Some links to Q-related items today
I have a nice quote in this NPR piece about QAnon four years after J6. https://t.co/DExCYrGOv7
— Mike Rothschild (@rothschildmd on blu sky) (@rothschildmd) December 30, 2024
wrote about the right wing immigration meltdown as the inevitable product of the pre-existing fissures between the tech-right and nativist, natcon right. it’s probably a sign of what’s to come. plutocrats in control https://t.co/0a4XSjnGXY
— Ali Breland (@alibreland) December 30, 2024
Trump has posted about Canada, Greenland, and the Panama Canal today. pic.twitter.com/2ajxe0cB5O
— PatriotTakes 🇺🇸 (@patriottakes) December 30, 2024
Unhinged pic.twitter.com/k8RQsnQkN8
— PatriotTakes 🇺🇸 (@patriottakes) December 30, 2024
A Panama Canal expert! pic.twitter.com/WuzoVaMONt
— PatriotTakes 🇺🇸 (@patriottakes) December 30, 2024
There it is, MAGA. Trump sold you out. “America First” actually means “Me First.” pic.twitter.com/wOuaORi3AE
— PatriotTakes 🇺🇸 (@patriottakes) December 30, 2024
Pro-Trump Real America's Voice reporter Ben Bergquam posted a racist meme claiming it’s Black people who owe white people $4.7T
RAV will take no action because racism is tolerated in the MAGA movement. pic.twitter.com/l7kJvr9PB1
— PatriotTakes 🇺🇸 (@patriottakes) December 30, 2024
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 December 31, 2024 at 08:00
December 30, 2024
Scientology litigation 2024: A roundup of the cases we’ve been following all year
TODAY AT SUBSTACK: If you’ve signed up for free emails at Substack, you will receive today’s feature story at your inbox: We’re following more lawsuits and criminal prosecutions than ever before, but much of it has been mired in appeals and other delaying tactics by Scientology. Let’s go over them briefly one by one as the year’s end nears. [What is this Substack thing, anyway?]
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Technology Cocktail
Advertisement(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});“A PTS person is rarely psychotic. But all psychotics are PTS if only to themselves. A PTS person may be in a state of deficiency or pathology which prevents a ready recovery, but at the same time he will not fully recover unless the PTS condition is also handled. For he became prone to deficiency or pathological illness because he was PTS. And unless the condition is relieved, no matter what medication or nutrition he may be given, he might not recover and certainly will not recover permanently.” — L. Ron Hubbard, 1972
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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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“Now, I realize you’re very happy with the game you are playing. Cheerful game, whatever the game is. Keeps you occupied so you won’t think of other things. Games such as ‘all garbage cans must be emptied.’ You know, high-level game. Something with nobility and future. And you get so you think there’s no other game, you know. ‘Got to keep those garbage cans emptied, man. If we empty them good enough and long enough, why then we’ll get to empty more garbage cans. And maybe someday we’ll work up to only emptying garbage cans and we won’t have to do anything else. Won’t have to think of anything else. And there we are, emptying garbage cans.’ If it weren’t for Scientology, 200 trillion years in the future, there you would be emptying those garbage cans. Well, maybe you like to empty garbage cans, so Scientology isn’t for you. It’s true there have got to be hewers of wood and drawers of water and emptiers of garbage cans. That’s a stable datum for this universe.” — L. Ron Hubbard, December 30, 1961
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“PERSONNEL: Jeff Gray (Judy Ziff’s son, 9) is assigned as messenger HCO Div 1 Dept 2. His buddy and watches will be assigned by HCO. He is to attend school in HCI at the regular hours. Policy re children and their hats applies.” — The Commodore, December 30, 1970
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“We have a large Field to recover. This will take years, if not decades. But in the meantime, we who are trained are not enough, and we’re not getting younger. Sooner rather than later, we will be moving on to new bodies and new lifetimes. In the meantime, someone has to carry on our work. It’s nice to hope that the Church will get handled and all will get better. But that’s just a hope, not a predictable event on the horizon. So we need much much more training going on in the Field. Aside from emotional/spiritual cleanup, it could be said to be our most important product. (This is actually a sub-product for Clearing the planet or any other product involving auditing.) Moreover, trained people disseminate more, if I recall correctly. Another answer is (I hate to say it): sell books. This was a classic LRH solution. BUT, it is critical that the books you sell direct the reader to Field practices, not the Church of Scientology. If I had a Field practice in an area, I would have cards made up to direct readers to my practice. And then I would find every Dianetics/Scientology book I could, in a fifty mile radius, and insert the cards into each and every one of those books. This includes libraries, new and used bookstores, etc. And then purchase every LRH book I could afford to buy (E-Bay, Craig’s List, etc.) and sell those with cards in them and old lists of orgs in them crossed out.”
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1995: The newsgroup alt.binaries.scientology was created this week. It is intended as a place for uuencoded photos, sounds, and other binary files. Robert Clark reported: “since david guntner is located on netcom, i forged a newgroup message from ‘miscavige@flag.sea.org’ in honor of the original forged newgroup message from scott goehring which originally created alt.religion.scientology, which issued from ‘micaviage@flag.sea.org’ in either case, further booster newgroups for alt.binaries.scientology would be appreciated, as it is likely that, as with most new alt.* newsgroups at this stage in the history of the net, it may receive spotty propagation.”
——————–
“When I hear Blubbard speak I can totally hear him trying to copy those old time comedians and storytellers like Will Rogers.”
——————–
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] How Scientology just doubled-down on its Leah Remini ‘blood on your hands’ lie
[TWO years ago] PODCAST: Bruce Hines on what it was like to spy for Scientology
[THREE years ago] INSIDER: David Miscavige has one more trick planned to disguise Scientology’s sad state
[FOUR years ago] The Top 25 People Enabling Scientology, No. 6: The Riverside County Sheriff’s Department
[FIVE years ago] BEST OF THE DECADE: Scientology watching’s biggest 2010s hits at the Underground Bunker
[SIX years ago] Scientology’s building projects & front groups under the microscope in 2018
[SEVEN years ago] While Scientology struggled, David Miscavige upped his game in 2017
[EIGHT years ago] Garcias file new motion asking judge to reject Scientology’s sham arbitration
[NINE years ago] What Scientology’s ‘social betterment’ front groups are really all about
[TEN years ago] Scientology’s 2014 in review: Our October surprise was all about the Duggans
[ELEVEN years ago] Scientology’s 2013 in review: Courtroom antics reported live and on the spot!
——————–
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 3,129 days.
Valerie Haney has not seen her mother Lynne in 3,624 days.
Katrina Reyes has not seen her mother Yelena in 4,139 days
Sylvia Wagner DeWall has not seen her brother Randy in 3,689 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his grandson Leo in 2,679 days.
Klaus Büchele has not seen his daughter Jasmin in 5,065 days.
Geoff Levin has not seen his son Collin and daughter Savannah in 2,560 days.
Christie Collbran has not seen her mother Liz King in 5,864 days.
Clarissa Adams has not seen her parents Walter and Irmin Huber in 3,735 days.
Jamie Sorrentini Lugli has not seen her father Irving in 5,287 days.
Quailynn McDaniel has not seen her brother Sean in 4,628 days.
Dylan Gill has not seen his father Russell in 13,195 days.
Melissa Paris has not seen her father Jean-Francois in 9,114 days.
Valeska Paris has not seen her brother Raphael in 5,282 days.
Mirriam Francis has not seen her brother Ben in 4,864 days.
Claudio and Renata Lugli have not seen their son Flavio in 5,124 days.
Sara Goldberg has not seen her daughter Ashley in 4,160 days.
Lori Hodgson has not seen her son Jeremy and daughter Jessica in 3,876 days.
Marie Bilheimer has not seen her mother June in 3,440 days.
Julian Wain has not seen his brother Joseph or mother Susan in 1,755 days.
Charley Updegrove has not seen his son Toby in 2,930 days.
Derek Bloch has not seen his father Darren in 4,612 days.
Cindy Plahuta has not seen her daughter Kara in 4,949 days.
Roger Weller has not seen his daughter Alyssa in 9,803 days.
Claire Headley has not seen her mother Gen in 4,918 days.
Ramana Dienes-Browning has not seen her mother Jancis in 3,280 days.
Mike Rinder has not seen his son Benjamin and daughter Taryn in 7,583 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his daughter Spring in 3,689 days.
Skip Young has not seen his daughters Megan and Alexis in 4,087 days.
Mary Kahn has not seen her son Sammy in 3,963 days.
Lois Reisdorf has not seen her son Craig in 3,528 days.
Phil and Willie Jones have not seen their son Mike and daughter Emily in 4,039 days.
Mary Jane Barry has not seen her daughter Samantha in 4,295 days.
Kate Bornstein has not seen her daughter Jessica in 15,403 days.
——————–
Posted by Tony Ortega on December 30, 2024 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
Jimmy Carter redefined the post-presidency, and now we brace for Q patriot conspiracies
Some links to Q-related items today
Advertisement(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});Jimmy Carter, the 39th US president, has died at 100 https://t.co/LhyY4m6AVX pic.twitter.com/eHTPRaPLrP
— The Associated Press (@AP) December 29, 2024
Through Habitat for Humanity, Jimmy Carter built homes for those who couldn’t afford one. You won’t find pictures of Trump doing this. pic.twitter.com/lQQYWunsnm
— PatriotTakes 🇺🇸 (@patriottakes) December 29, 2024
When Bush 41 died, QAnon spread conspiracy theories that cabal members got mysterious envelopes at his funeral, that his casket had a wrinkled flag because he was a traitor, and that James Comey leaked his execution. I imagine we'll see similar nonsense for President Carter. pic.twitter.com/btPSval3Jf
— Mike Rothschild (@rothschildmd on blu sky) (@rothschildmd) December 30, 2024
2 Oregon men die from exposure in a forest after they went out to look for Sasquatch https://t.co/lPkGOoPCzJ
— The Associated Press (@AP) December 29, 2024
You will be shocked to find out that QAnon is bending the knee to Trump and Elon on immigration. They stand for nothing except hatred of vaccines and raging antisemitism so this was an easy one for them. The Israel stuff will be harder. pic.twitter.com/3HScBhaxza
— Poker and Politics (@PokerPolitics) December 29, 2024
Trump wants Mike Johnson to scramble to eliminate the debt ceiling before he takes office pic.twitter.com/LQVjSVl9uh
— PatriotTakes 🇺🇸 (@patriottakes) December 29, 2024
Vanilla Ice at Trump’s Mar-a-Lago home last night pic.twitter.com/f23Mw7cxYo
— PatriotTakes 🇺🇸 (@patriottakes) December 29, 2024
Sorry, MAGA, Trump was too busy hosting Sylvester Stallone at Mar-a-Lago to address your censorship concerns pic.twitter.com/Gy5pO03Lem
— PatriotTakes 🇺🇸 (@patriottakes) December 29, 2024
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 December 30, 2024 at 08:00
December 29, 2024
Scientology has one last grab for your kids in 2024
TODAY AT SUBSTACK: If you’ve signed up for free emails at Substack, you will receive today’s feature story at your inbox: Let’s dive into the mail bag again one more time and thank our many correspondents who have sent us so much good stuff in 2024. For parents, of course, this last week of the year can be a challenging one with the kids underfoot and out of school. #Scientology has the solution! [What is this Substack thing, anyway?]
——————–
Technology Cocktail
“Persons called upon to handle PTS people can do so very easily, far more easily than they believe. Their basic stumbling block is thinking that there are exceptions or that there is other tech or that the two above data have modifiers or are not sweeping. The moment a person who is trying to handle PTSs gets persuaded there are other conditions or reasons or tech, he is at once lost and will lose the game and not obtain results. And this is very too bad because it is not difficult and the results are there to be obtained.” — L. Ron Hubbard, 1972
——————–
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 got a frantic wire the other day from a scientific congress that was occurring in, I think, Boston, and they wanted to know if I had any proof I could offer that thought created matter. They’d suddenly stumbled onto some mathematical proof of this one way or the other, and they wanted to know if I had any proof of this at all, and I sent ’em back a wire telling ’em that, yes, we’d had somebody mock up large mock-ups and stuff ’em into his body and increase his weight thirty pounds in a few weeks and then, by getting the reverse flow, to reduce his weight back again. We’ve actually made that experiment. That’s quite an experiment to make, by the way, because it takes a devilish lot of auditing and the fellow has to be awfully good at solid facsimiles and mock-ups and things of that character before you can perform the series. But we have done it, taking thought alone, without increasing somebody’s diet, and increasing his weight and decreasing it. So, I sent ’em this data and I got back a highly enthusiastic wire saying that my data, as sent to them, had been of great assistance, so I hope they were all edified. That’s all I’ve heard about it.” — L. Ron Hubbard, December 29, 1957
——————–
“LIBERTY: You may have a proper 24 hour liberty under more favorable weather conditions in the near future. The barometer, Neptune and acts of god and perils of the sea have operated to delay the 24 hour liberty. Consensus is, Who wants any liberty in this weather? As it is dangerous to use the sled in such weather for large parties and too hard on Division IV, we will run only minimal shore boats and only then for vital business. So that no one can say you had one when you didn’t, we will cancel this one for now.” — The Commodore, December 29, 1970
——————–
“Suddenly, in this lonely universe, on a heavy gravity planet on the edge of nowhere, you’re presented with a definite hope of freedom. The catch: that promise of freedom comes at the price of your loyalty to an organization, one organization which is the exclusive owner of the way out. Despite its resemblance to every trap you’ve ever encountered before, it looks like a worthwhile bargain. And so you sign up. And you do get some increases in perception, ability, and the like. But remember, you made an unspoken promise: you would be loyal to this entity, and they would continue to provide you with periodic tastes of freedom, the freedom you hoped for for trillions of years. And as time wears on, this organization to whom you’ve implicitly sworn your allegiance, starts to look like every betrayer you’ve ever encountered down the track. And that freedom they promised you starts to look more and more precarious. You want the freedom. You want it like nothing you’ve ever wanted in the whole rest of your existence. But it starts to look further and further away. And your loyalty to the ones providing it begins to turn to horror at the trap you now seem to find yourself in. Welcome to a carbon copy of the last however many trillions of years of your existence. Can you say ‘confusion?’ And you’re stuck. Because, guess what? You promised.”
2001: The December issue of Impact Magazine published a speech by Mike Rinder, the director of the Office of Special Affairs, at the annual IAS meeting. “Officials from the Moscow prosecutor’s office called in so-called experts from the Serbski Psychiatric Institute, notorious for its treatment of dissidents during Soviet days. Finding nothing, they invented a claim that our organizations were engaged in financial fraud, taking ‘creative accounting’ to criminal extremes to create fake evidence. Then they issued outrageous tax assessments and opened a criminal case against the Mission of Moscow. In March this year it all came to an end. The court declared the activities of our mission religious and exempt from tax, found the prosecutor guilty of extensive violations of criminal law, the governments cases were dismissed and the prosecutor was ordered to pay all our costs. Within a few short years, lawyers, justice officials, city and regional government personnel and every high level judge in the nation will truly understand Scientology. Because last month, the first official course on Scientology, using our books as the curriculum, became part of theology studies in every university and all institutes of higher learning in Russia! In Geneva, The runners from seven nations arrived at the United Nations Plaza on October 11. Local, national and international dignitaries joined us in force. More that fifty United Nations organizations and members of government delegations representing thirteen nations came, including the United States, Canada, Denmark, and Switzerland. They all pledged their commitment to the goals of the European Marathon for Human Rights and signed our petition. CCHR has been touring thousands through the Death Exhibit, from doctors and lawyers to legislators and authors. No matter their view when they walk in, when they leave, they are at cause, armed with the truth and ready to put and end to psych abuse. As we arm prosecutors with our evidence, they are having greater success than ever putting these criminals where they really belong. The number of psychs jailed this past year was 222, another highest ever. But not only are we putting more psychs behind bars, we are eradicating their habitat. In the past year alone, 489 facilities have closed their doors. That’s more than double last year and another highest ever.”
——————–
“To my mind all religion is organized superstition and magical thinking that was created to explain the unexplainable and to get people to behave. Also, financial reward and social power for the creators has sometimes played a significant role. Some of it was made up thousands of years ago, some of it was made up much more recently. If you can get people to believe it’s a religion…it’s a religion.”
——————–
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] Do Scientologists celebrate Christmas? Well, the London org sure did.
[TWO years ago] David Miscavige lives in Florida when he’s sued in LA, and in LA when he’s sued in Tampa
[THREE years ago] Juliette Lewis tells the NY Times she doesn’t identify as a Scientologist: What gives?
[FOUR years ago] Scientology sounds so different from those still in and those who have left
[FIVE years ago] Scientology’s sneaky front groups and building projects under the microscope in 2019
[SIX years ago] How Marc and Claire Headley’s Scientology lawsuit is being used by the NXIVM defense
[SEVEN years ago] Scientology sues Laura DeCrescenzo in latest plot to kill her 8-year forced-abortion claim
[EIGHT years ago] The disturbing detail other media missed about TMZ’s Scientology scoop yesterday
[NINE years ago] Scientology’s 2015 in review: In September, Erika Christensen was out of this universe
[TEN years ago] One Scientologist is out to teach HBO a lesson for its upcoming documentary
[ELEVEN years ago] Scientology’s 2013 in review: A summer of delicious scoops!
——————–
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 3,128 days.
Valerie Haney has not seen her mother Lynne in 3,623 days.
Katrina Reyes has not seen her mother Yelena in 4,138 days
Sylvia Wagner DeWall has not seen her brother Randy in 3,688 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his grandson Leo in 2,678 days.
Klaus Büchele has not seen his daughter Jasmin in 5,064 days.
Geoff Levin has not seen his son Collin and daughter Savannah in 2,559 days.
Christie Collbran has not seen her mother Liz King in 5,863 days.
Clarissa Adams has not seen her parents Walter and Irmin Huber in 3,734 days.
Jamie Sorrentini Lugli has not seen her father Irving in 5,286 days.
Quailynn McDaniel has not seen her brother Sean in 4,627 days.
Dylan Gill has not seen his father Russell in 13,194 days.
Melissa Paris has not seen her father Jean-Francois in 9,113 days.
Valeska Paris has not seen her brother Raphael in 5,281 days.
Mirriam Francis has not seen her brother Ben in 4,863 days.
Claudio and Renata Lugli have not seen their son Flavio in 5,123 days.
Sara Goldberg has not seen her daughter Ashley in 4,159 days.
Lori Hodgson has not seen her son Jeremy and daughter Jessica in 3,875 days.
Marie Bilheimer has not seen her mother June in 3,439 days.
Julian Wain has not seen his brother Joseph or mother Susan in 1,754 days.
Charley Updegrove has not seen his son Toby in 2,929 days.
Derek Bloch has not seen his father Darren in 4,611 days.
Cindy Plahuta has not seen her daughter Kara in 4,948 days.
Roger Weller has not seen his daughter Alyssa in 9,802 days.
Claire Headley has not seen her mother Gen in 4,917 days.
Ramana Dienes-Browning has not seen her mother Jancis in 3,279 days.
Mike Rinder has not seen his son Benjamin and daughter Taryn in 7,582 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his daughter Spring in 3,688 days.
Skip Young has not seen his daughters Megan and Alexis in 4,086 days.
Mary Kahn has not seen her son Sammy in 3,962 days.
Lois Reisdorf has not seen her son Craig in 3,527 days.
Phil and Willie Jones have not seen their son Mike and daughter Emily in 4,038 days.
Mary Jane Barry has not seen her daughter Samantha in 4,294 days.
Kate Bornstein has not seen her daughter Jessica in 15,402 days.
——————–
Posted by Tony Ortega on December 29, 2024 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 too busy with Beach Boys concert to weigh in on civil war tearing MAGA apart
Some links to Q-related items today
Advertisement(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});President Trump in 2020: "As we speak, we’re finalizing H1-B regulations so that no American worker is replaced ever again."
What changed? pic.twitter.com/OTPBs0CeWv
— PatriotTakes 🇺🇸 (@patriottakes) December 29, 2024
Steve Bannon continues attacking Elon and Vivek:
“Attacking American Workers;
Attacking American Culture;
Attacking American Families” pic.twitter.com/6Ol9t8z0wK
— PatriotTakes 🇺🇸 (@patriottakes) December 28, 2024
Elon Musk's purchase of this platform was never about free speech. It has always been a personal political project, one that has been friendlier to conservative accounts but ultimately is not loyal to any principles other than Musk's whims. pic.twitter.com/lV2XPhfadz
— stevanzetti.bsky.social (@stevanzetti) December 28, 2024
Trump ignores MAGA pleas to address censorship on Twitter in order to attend a private Beach Boys concert at his Mar-a-Lago home pic.twitter.com/dQLCmXYLvK
— PatriotTakes 🇺🇸 (@patriottakes) December 29, 2024
Who made this? pic.twitter.com/oyhPGQuOlh
— PatriotTakes 🇺🇸 (@patriottakes) December 28, 2024
Uh oh, Mike Johnson pic.twitter.com/jLKv1STV20
— PatriotTakes 🇺🇸 (@patriottakes) December 28, 2024
Breaking: Trump Signals Desire for E. Jean Carroll to Face Jail Time
Trump's reposts could be viewed as further evidence of defamation https://t.co/g2d542FFO7
— PatriotTakes 🇺🇸 (@patriottakes) December 28, 2024
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 December 29, 2024 at 08:00
December 28, 2024
The ‘Truth Rundown’: Scientology’s most extreme form of gaslighting
TODAY AT SUBSTACK: If you’ve signed up for free emails at Substack, you will receive today’s feature story at your inbox: [What is this Substack thing, anyway?]
——————–
Technology Cocktail
Advertisement(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});“I’ve been doing some research lately. That’s mostly what I have been doing. And while this is not the main line of research I thought 1 might mention it in passing. Something like four centuries ago Man’s diet began to undergo a radical change. What he ate before that was European, Asian. Whole grain barley, various proteins, various wheats and other foods were not necessarily abundant but they made up a radically different diet than modern Man consumes. With the discovery of the New World, for the first time there was an abundance of SUGAR. Up until then sugar came from a few scarce plants and beehives and was far too expensive for any broad general consumption. But the wealth of the West Indies was not really gold. It was the product of the sugar cane: BROWN AND WHITE SUGAR. Also the Americas gave the world many new plants such as maize (the African’s “mealy meal”), the potato and other carbohydrates and today a startlingly large amount of the European and African diet consists of plants first found in America. Almost all these foods are mainly carbohydrate, which is to say, low on protein. Thus Man’s diet changed. And the changes were in the direction of abundant Sugar and Carbohydrate and away from a high protein diet. And with this change, it could be said, there went Man’s pep.” — L. Ron Hubbard, 1972
——————–
Jon Atack and Jefferson Hawkins!
——————–
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
Advertisement(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});— 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
——————–
“The term thetan, of course, is one which is derived as a mathematical symbol, derived from that symbol, and is an effort to have a precise word, which will describe a precise thing: The unit of beingness, which is the individual. Theta is a Greek letter and you know mathematicians they can’t talk English, so they use Greek symbols and mathematicians long since have picked on theta as a symbol, which they commonly use and the Greeks used it to symbolize thought. And so we have theta, thought, mathematical symbol and then we just put ‘thetan’ on it, and we have something which could describe at once, but doesn’t describe really: the human soul, a ghost, a spirit, a saint, a god, an individual, a being. It’s one of these nice big ‘group’ words. Why? Because it is the word which describes the energy-space production unit which is the individual himself.” — L. Ron Hubbard, December 28, 1953
——————–
“TO ANCHOR: We’re going out to anchor so don’t walk off the gangway if there’s no boat under it! (Joke).” — The Commodore, December 28, 1970
——————–
“I don’t believe that a thetan will ever completely relinquish his right to disagree with MEST, or anything else, despite the persuasion he may experience. We may not know the exact details, but I fancy some of us will refuse to react to provocation whatever button may be pressed. And some of us may yet cling to the hope that there is another solution to stress, or being banky, and put that ‘charge’ to one side knowing somehow, that there is another reality there, somewhere, no matter how faint.”
——————–
2000: Battlefield Earth continues to top critic’s lists of worst films of the year. From the St. Petersburg Times: “The undisputed worst waste of film in 2000 was Battlefield Earth — Celebrity Scientologist John Travolta bankrolled this sci-fi epic, based on a book by the religion’s founder, L. Ron Hubbard. A simple tithe would have sufficed. Effects weren’t special, and the plot was impenetrable. Travolta, playing an ersatz Klingon, ended each sentence with absurd cackles in his poorest performance ever. Director Roger Christian sharply tilted the camera for nearly every shot, appropriate for a movie constantly zooming downhill. Boredom without end, amen.” From the Orange County Register: “Despite some spin doctoring from John Travolta that would be the envy of the Gore and Bush camps, the actor’s science-fiction adventure ‘Battlefield Earth’ was the biggest bomb of the year. Travolta has suggested a sequel, but there will be no sequel. There will be a sequel to ‘Little Nicky’ before there will be a sequel to ‘Battlefield Earth.'”
——————–
“I’m guessing Dan Sherman has a ‘Word of the Day’ thing he sends out on the telex doohickey.”
——————–
Full Court Press: What we’re watching at the Underground Bunker
Criminal prosecutions:
— ‘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] Actress Tricia Vessey and civil RICO added to Scientology lawsuit in proposed new complaint
[TWO years ago] TRAGIC: Clearwater OT 8 Scientologist, 40, set fire to herself before shooting herself dead
[THREE years ago] Scientology is trying hard to make 2022 the year America goes ‘Ideal’!
[FOUR years ago] Scientology social media is like space age Christmas, praise Xenu!
[FIVE years ago] Danny Masterson asks for more time to answer lawsuit — while he’s skiing in Park City
[SIX years ago] Best Scientology shoops in the Bunker this year, and let’s see your faves too
[SEVEN years ago] Joy Villa on the prospect of Trump going after Scientology’s tax-exempt status: ‘Nope’
[EIGHT years ago] After Steve Cannane’s big year writing about Scientology, we hit him up for a look back
[NINE years ago] Confirmed: Narconon’s entire Northern California network splits with Scientology
[TEN years ago] Scientology’s 2014 in review: New lawsuits and a house for sale in August!
[ELEVEN years ago] Scientology’s 2013 in review: July fireworks, courtesy of an actress from Brooklyn
——————–
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 3,127 days.
Valerie Haney has not seen her mother Lynne in 3,622 days.
Katrina Reyes has not seen her mother Yelena in 4,137 days
Sylvia Wagner DeWall has not seen her brother Randy in 3,687 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his grandson Leo in 2,677 days.
Klaus Büchele has not seen his daughter Jasmin in 5,063 days.
Geoff Levin has not seen his son Collin and daughter Savannah in 2,558 days.
Christie Collbran has not seen her mother Liz King in 5,862 days.
Clarissa Adams has not seen her parents Walter and Irmin Huber in 3,733 days.
Jamie Sorrentini Lugli has not seen her father Irving in 5,285 days.
Quailynn McDaniel has not seen her brother Sean in 4,626 days.
Dylan Gill has not seen his father Russell in 13,193 days.
Melissa Paris has not seen her father Jean-Francois in 9,112 days.
Valeska Paris has not seen her brother Raphael in 5,280 days.
Mirriam Francis has not seen her brother Ben in 4,862 days.
Claudio and Renata Lugli have not seen their son Flavio in 5,122 days.
Sara Goldberg has not seen her daughter Ashley in 4,158 days.
Lori Hodgson has not seen her son Jeremy and daughter Jessica in 3,874 days.
Marie Bilheimer has not seen her mother June in 3,438 days.
Julian Wain has not seen his brother Joseph or mother Susan in 1,753 days.
Charley Updegrove has not seen his son Toby in 2,928 days.
Derek Bloch has not seen his father Darren in 4,610 days.
Cindy Plahuta has not seen her daughter Kara in 4,947 days.
Roger Weller has not seen his daughter Alyssa in 9,801 days.
Claire Headley has not seen her mother Gen in 4,916 days.
Ramana Dienes-Browning has not seen her mother Jancis in 3,278 days.
Mike Rinder has not seen his son Benjamin and daughter Taryn in 7,581 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his daughter Spring in 3,687 days.
Skip Young has not seen his daughters Megan and Alexis in 4,085 days.
Mary Kahn has not seen her son Sammy in 3,961 days.
Lois Reisdorf has not seen her son Craig in 3,526 days.
Phil and Willie Jones have not seen their son Mike and daughter Emily in 4,037 days.
Mary Jane Barry has not seen her daughter Samantha in 4,293 days.
Kate Bornstein has not seen her daughter Jessica in 15,401 days.
——————–
Posted by Tony Ortega on December 28, 2024 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
Musk vs MAGA: Civil war breaks out while Trump golfs
Some links to Q-related items today
just a classic way to spend Christmas: fighting the groypers in a dozen open tabs while doing Diablo speedruns on a second screen and telling the nanny you won’t be down for dinner with the five kids you only see at holidays pic.twitter.com/64RM7KL95T
— Pod Damn America (@youwouldntpost) December 27, 2024
He’s completely unhinged and personally suspending people who post fake tweets from him, something that happens thousands of times a day pic.twitter.com/07JUl7SH77
— evan loves worf (@esjesjesj) December 27, 2024
Second sentence is indistinguishable from a lowtax meltdown pic.twitter.com/I713wBZtkL
— should hawk acquaintance be tuah'd (@lib_crusher) December 28, 2024
Steve Bannon called Elon Musk, a “toddler” pic.twitter.com/9bEEFoVgjG
— PatriotTakes 🇺🇸 (@patriottakes) December 28, 2024
Trump was golfing today as his MAGA followers hoped he would stand up to Elon Musk and defend them pic.twitter.com/9dP544aLEF
— PatriotTakes 🇺🇸 (@patriottakes) December 28, 2024
Elon Musk just agreed with a tweet calling MAGA followers the “retarded right” pic.twitter.com/h8BaHnn2I8
— PatriotTakes 🇺🇸 (@patriottakes) December 28, 2024
i had to go check because i couldn’t even believe this screenshot was real 😭😭 pic.twitter.com/hl7d7C9sEe
— giggly ♡ (@xgigglypuff) December 27, 2024
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 December 28, 2024 at 08:00
December 27, 2024
This is the guy selling you a mystery sandwich in those Scientology TV ads
TODAY AT SUBSTACK: If you’ve signed up for free emails at Substack, you will receive today’s feature story at your inbox: We’ve been telling you about new TV ads that Scientology is running in 30 countries (they say) in a big new push. And once again, the ads feature a narrator trying to make Scientology seem edgy and cool. For years we’ve wondered, who is that guy? And finally, we have an answer. [What is this Substack thing, anyway?]
——————–
Technology Cocktail
“We are very rich in materials, in results and in the potential future. Through our hardest times we have endured. Into our brightest times we are expanding. These materials contain the full basics of the only game in the universe where everyone wins, the game of triumphant life itself.” — L. Ron Hubbard, 1972
——————–
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
——————–
“Some people have been awfully mean to us. Now let’s knock them down the emotional curve. The way you do it is to define a miracle and then turn them out, because you can turn out a certain percentage of miracles. The lame aren’t good enough — you want somebody who can’t walk. The blind are fine, but don’t get people blind in just one eye; you want a seeing-eye-dog type of blindness. And if you follow out that line of advance you will then, as a third-, fifth- or tenth-echelon reaction, help all the others….All of a sudden it starts word of mouth all over: ‘Dianetics is turning on people’s sight.’ Everybody who is blind, who really wants some help and objects to being blind and isn’t basing all the approval of his life upon being blind, will be on the other end of a telephone, as far as you are concerned….Let’s set up shop and undo three specific problems. I know you have a lot of preclears that are hanging on your skirts and so forth. Give them the book and tell them to give you a call, and you go to work on blindness, arthritis ‘can’ts’ and children in bed with the aftereffects of polio. Just work on those categories. Don’t take children that have been all chewed up by surgery. You can make them better off but they are not spectacular.” — L. Ron Hubbard, December 27, 1951
——————–
“We are moving toward AD 21 with all aces. The sequence of (1) Put Flag here (2) Put Coninental Liaison there (3) Put orgs there is working out very well. We have been about 14 months on this sequence of actions already. We’re about 2/3rds through No. 1, 1/2 through No. 2 and, assisted by the FEBC student pgm are already begun on No. 3. The targets I’m working toward is every SO tripled in size and every Scn org in the world the size and activity of SH 1967. As we have now proved out that we have the only fast effective tech on the planet that handles the sick and insane as well as everything else we have had, it is obvious that if we just keep on going the way we’re going and our people have and wear their hats, we’ll make it!” — The Commodore, December 27, 1970
——————–
“53 new people have gone and viewed our website in the past month. Non Existence condition is going good so far.”
1999: The The Knoxville News-Sentinel reported that Scientologist dentist Richard Brittain has been sentenced for fraud. “After sentencing Dr. Richard E. Brittain Jr., 44, to serve a year in prison for the offense, U.S. District Judge Leon Jordan recommended that Brittain apply for a license which will allow him to practice pro bono dentistry under the supervision of another dentist for a limited period of time. Brittain, who voluntarily surrendered his license in 1997 after an investigation into his activities, had faced from 18 to 24 months behind bars for bilking the Medicaid/TennCare program and private dental insurance plans out of more than $200,000 over a five-year period. After attending a management training program conducted by the Church of Scientology in 1992, Brittain began offering his LaFollette office staff free cruises or $1,000 cash bonuses if they met the revenue-boosting goals he set, according to his plea-agreement papers. He also ‘engaged in actions’ which caused the staff to submit the false claims on his behalf. According to the agreement papers, Brittain and his office submitted claims from 1992 to 1997 for services that were not performed or not medically necessary. ‘He profited tremendously,’ Weddle said. ‘When he was first approached by the TBI, he willfully concealed files and instructed employees to manufacture notations in dental files that would disguise the fraud.'”
——————–
“When I first read about ‘TR-Alice’ I was stunned because to me it was so obviously Hubbard laughing at his marks and laying out a huge clue that he was scamming them.”
——————–
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’s celebration of its biggest donors was even more ultra than we realized
[TWO years ago] POLL: Scientology tied with Satanism for America’s most ‘unfavorable’ religions
[THREE years ago] After leaving Scientology, the 1960s band People! has a new album out!
[FOUR years ago] The expensive set of nutty experiences Scientology is pushing hard right now
[FIVE years ago] This year’s best Scientology shoops by readers of the Underground Bunker
[SIX years ago] Scientology’s humanitarians will continue to salvage this planet in 2019
[SEVEN years ago] Looking back at July ’17: How a billionaire set up psych drugs to fuel Scientology into the future
[EIGHT years ago] Tonight on ‘Leah Remini’: Marc & Claire Headley on forced abortions and Sea Org escapes
[NINE years ago] Scientology’s 2015 in review: Our July travels, and the day care story we can’t forget
[TEN years ago] Scientology’s 2014 in review: For July, a stunning story of independence
[ELEVEN years ago] Scientology’s 2013 in review: The appeals of May and the blunts of June
——————–
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 3,126 days.
Valerie Haney has not seen her mother Lynne in 3,621 days.
Katrina Reyes has not seen her mother Yelena in 4,136 days
Sylvia Wagner DeWall has not seen her brother Randy in 3,686 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his grandson Leo in 2,676 days.
Klaus Büchele has not seen his daughter Jasmin in 5,062 days.
Geoff Levin has not seen his son Collin and daughter Savannah in 2,557 days.
Christie Collbran has not seen her mother Liz King in 5,861 days.
Clarissa Adams has not seen her parents Walter and Irmin Huber in 3,732 days.
Jamie Sorrentini Lugli has not seen her father Irving in 5,284 days.
Quailynn McDaniel has not seen her brother Sean in 4,625 days.
Dylan Gill has not seen his father Russell in 13,192 days.
Melissa Paris has not seen her father Jean-Francois in 9,111 days.
Valeska Paris has not seen her brother Raphael in 5,279 days.
Mirriam Francis has not seen her brother Ben in 4,861 days.
Claudio and Renata Lugli have not seen their son Flavio in 5,121 days.
Sara Goldberg has not seen her daughter Ashley in 4,157 days.
Lori Hodgson has not seen her son Jeremy and daughter Jessica in 3,873 days.
Marie Bilheimer has not seen her mother June in 3,437 days.
Julian Wain has not seen his brother Joseph or mother Susan in 1,752 days.
Charley Updegrove has not seen his son Toby in 2,927 days.
Derek Bloch has not seen his father Darren in 4,609 days.
Cindy Plahuta has not seen her daughter Kara in 4,946 days.
Roger Weller has not seen his daughter Alyssa in 9,800 days.
Claire Headley has not seen her mother Gen in 4,915 days.
Ramana Dienes-Browning has not seen her mother Jancis in 3,277 days.
Mike Rinder has not seen his son Benjamin and daughter Taryn in 7,580 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his daughter Spring in 3,686 days.
Skip Young has not seen his daughters Megan and Alexis in 4,084 days.
Mary Kahn has not seen her son Sammy in 3,960 days.
Lois Reisdorf has not seen her son Craig in 3,525 days.
Phil and Willie Jones have not seen their son Mike and daughter Emily in 4,036 days.
Mary Jane Barry has not seen her daughter Samantha in 4,292 days.
Kate Bornstein has not seen her daughter Jessica in 15,400 days.
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Posted by Tony Ortega on December 27, 2024 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…
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
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