Tony Ortega's Blog, page 65
December 27, 2024
Is the dynamic duo going to last even to Inauguration Day?
Some links to Q-related items today
Year-end reflections on the story that is often politely ignored: The rapid expansion of conspiracy thinking is why Trump won. https://t.co/bWk3qLFb6k
— Amanda Marcotte (@AmandaMarcotte) December 26, 2024
Trump signals support for Boris Epsteyn who was reportedly verbally attacked by Elon Musk at Mar-a-Lago. Musk accused Epsteyn of leaking cabinet details to the media. pic.twitter.com/MYu0bZHpri
— PatriotTakes 🇺🇸 (@patriottakes) December 26, 2024
Don Jr brought his new girlfriend, Bettina Anderson, to the Trump family Christmas Dinner at Mar-a-Lago.
It’s unclear who is sitting next to Bettina. pic.twitter.com/ezPwQWvwNg
— PatriotTakes 🇺🇸 (@patriottakes) December 26, 2024
Christmas at Mar-a-Lago pic.twitter.com/1nqnLOGJwi
— PatriotTakes 🇺🇸 (@patriottakes) December 26, 2024
President Musk and his sidekick Trump pic.twitter.com/JZaL8Y1jOl
— PatriotTakes 🇺🇸 (@patriottakes) December 26, 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 27, 2024 at 08:00
December 26, 2024
Here’s why you’re suddenly seeing so many Scientology ads on TV
TODAY AT SUBSTACK: If you’ve signed up for free emails at Substack, you will receive today’s feature story at your inbox: At its UK October gala, Scientology premiered 3 new TV ads. And it’s becoming clear that leader David Miscavige is putting a big effort behind them. The church now says they will be broadcast in 30 countries over the next several weeks. Is this the campaign that breaks through? [What is this Substack thing, anyway?]
——————–
Technology Cocktail
“Scientology is the fastest growing Religion on the planet by actual surveys and statements by sociologists. And this is the more remarkable as in this period orthodox Religions have shrunk before the materialistic onslaught of our times. The materials of Scientology are the result of forty-three years of search, coordination and application to millions. The organizations of Scientology have been building and expanding for nineteen years (despite the fears and hates and jealousies of this civilization) on five continents and making it all the way, thanks to the magnificent people of Scientology.” — 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.
——————–
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
——————–
“A good manager or executive works hard hour by hour to keep the show on the road but always with a long-term view as well. And he intends that org and staff will prosper. The auditor in Post Purpose Clearing will get a lot of glib answers. The stats, the honest ones, and the true long-term performance of the executive, measured by the health of his zone of responsibility, tell the tale and should be consulted when in doubt.” — L. Ron Hubbard, December 26, 1981
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“SECOND DANGER FORMULA: (1) So that the Ship can get upgraded to EMERGENCY the following actions are to be done as indicated: (1:1) All Divisional Heads are requested to do a full star-rate check-out with the STO on the ‘Second DANGER Formula,’ (HCO PL 07 Feb 70, steps A-G). Time Machine Order 48 hours. (STO to inform FMAA at the end of 48 hrs of those who have checked-out.) (1:2) All Divisional Heads are requested to submit a complete and realistic application of the ‘Second DANGER Formula’ for their Division in writing to 3rd Mate, (CC). Time Machine Order of one week. (2) The intention is that the ship will be upgraded to EMERGENCY for the New Year, (AD 21).” — R.S. Prior, FMAA, December 26, 1970
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“OT Inelia Benz is already working with her OT Committee to create the reality for a new civilization. She calls them ‘First Instant Manifestators.’ LRH created in the 60’s the goal for OT Committees to make Planet Earth an OT base. Bill Robertson’s Ron’s Org OT Committee created the New Civilization Game in the mid 80’s, to create the new reality. Where are the Independent Scientology OT Committees on this regard?”
1998: A Scientologist and dentist in Providence, Rhode Island has been sued by his former receptionist for forcing her to study Scientology. From the Associated Press: “Dentist Roger Carlsten was promoting religion in the workplace when he asked his receptionist to take a statistics course written by the founder of Scientology, according to a complaint filed in Superior Court. Susan Elizabeth Morgan, a Catholic, said she is suing her former boss because she was fired after she refused to take the course written by L. Ron Hubbard, the late science fiction writer and founder of the controversial Scientology religion. Morgan asserts that material in ‘Hubbard Management Technology,’ is based in Scientology, not statistics. Carlsten, 52, said although he practices Scientology, he did not try to impose his beliefs on his employees, and religion had nothing to do with firing 32-year-old Morgan of Johnston. ‘There is no religious issue here,’ said Carlsten’s lawyer, Sandra Lanni. ‘There’s a perception that this is a lawsuit against Scientology and it’s not. These courses are strictly business courses.’ The complaint, brought under the Rhode Island Fair Employment Practices Act, alleges that Carlsten failed to accommodate Morgan’s beliefs as a Catholic and the Carlsten fired her based on religion.”
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“You’re better off trying to kick dope or booze at home than going to a Narconon. It would be safer and a hell of a lot cheaper. For 100 bucks you could get some benzos, Imodium, and prilosec and you’d be better off and safer than going to a Narconon cold turkey death camp.”
——————–
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] That time the Church of Scientology proved that it should never, ever be trusted
[TWO years ago] What it was like to be an operative in Scientology’s massive spy apparatus
[THREE years ago] INSIDER: What the pandemic and its protocols have looked like from inside Scientology
[FOUR years ago] Is David Miscavige boarding up orgs in anticipation of inauguration riots?
[FIVE years ago] Scientology has its dukes up for Boxing Day, but we’re still thinking of warmer days
[SIX years ago] Nation of Islam takes a bigoted swipe at Leah Remini and the ‘Jews’ behind her show
[SEVEN years ago] In June, Rathbun became Scientology’s attack dog, but we got mile high in Denver
[EIGHT years ago] Why would an academic speak up for Scientology? Dr. Stephen Kent has an answer.
[NINE years ago] On Boxing Day, we remember the last time Scientology tried to knock out the press
[TEN years ago] Give Scientology $1,000 and all you’ll get is this lousy T-shirt
[ELEVEN years ago] Scientology’s 2013 in review: Madness set in as spring arrived!
——————–
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 3,125 days.
Valerie Haney has not seen her mother Lynne in 3,620 days.
Katrina Reyes has not seen her mother Yelena in 4,135 days
Sylvia Wagner DeWall has not seen her brother Randy in 3,685 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his grandson Leo in 2,675 days.
Klaus Büchele has not seen his daughter Jasmin in 5,061 days.
Geoff Levin has not seen his son Collin and daughter Savannah in 2,556 days.
Christie Collbran has not seen her mother Liz King in 5,860 days.
Clarissa Adams has not seen her parents Walter and Irmin Huber in 3,731 days.
Jamie Sorrentini Lugli has not seen her father Irving in 5,283 days.
Quailynn McDaniel has not seen her brother Sean in 4,624 days.
Dylan Gill has not seen his father Russell in 13,191 days.
Melissa Paris has not seen her father Jean-Francois in 9,110 days.
Valeska Paris has not seen her brother Raphael in 5,278 days.
Mirriam Francis has not seen her brother Ben in 4,860 days.
Claudio and Renata Lugli have not seen their son Flavio in 5,120 days.
Sara Goldberg has not seen her daughter Ashley in 4,156 days.
Lori Hodgson has not seen her son Jeremy and daughter Jessica in 3,872 days.
Marie Bilheimer has not seen her mother June in 3,436 days.
Julian Wain has not seen his brother Joseph or mother Susan in 1,751 days.
Charley Updegrove has not seen his son Toby in 2,926 days.
Derek Bloch has not seen his father Darren in 4,608 days.
Cindy Plahuta has not seen her daughter Kara in 4,945 days.
Roger Weller has not seen his daughter Alyssa in 9,799 days.
Claire Headley has not seen her mother Gen in 4,914 days.
Ramana Dienes-Browning has not seen her mother Jancis in 3,276 days.
Mike Rinder has not seen his son Benjamin and daughter Taryn in 7,579 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his daughter Spring in 3,685 days.
Skip Young has not seen his daughters Megan and Alexis in 4,083 days.
Mary Kahn has not seen her son Sammy in 3,959 days.
Lois Reisdorf has not seen her son Craig in 3,524 days.
Phil and Willie Jones have not seen their son Mike and daughter Emily in 4,035 days.
Mary Jane Barry has not seen her daughter Samantha in 4,291 days.
Kate Bornstein has not seen her daughter Jessica in 15,399 days.
——————–
Posted by Tony Ortega on December 26, 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
Q patriots are making Jesus great again and libturds can’t handle it
Some links to Q-related items today
Advertisement(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});Trump is rambling about making a reluctant Wayne Gretzky “governor of Canada.” pic.twitter.com/C3CfxZ2am5
— PatriotTakes 🇺🇸 (@patriottakes) December 25, 2024
Trump’s Christmas message fails to mention Jesus, forgiveness, peace, joy, of any other Christmas message.
Instead, he threatens Panama, China, Canada, and Greenland and just rambles about himself and his grievances. pic.twitter.com/HeJsCVY9Gx
— PatriotTakes 🇺🇸 (@patriottakes) December 25, 2024
This Trump supporter posted, “Merry MAGA-mas.” They are literally taking Christ out of Christmas. pic.twitter.com/3IYl0GS97D
— PatriotTakes 🇺🇸 (@patriottakes) December 25, 2024
Senator Ron Johnson shows off his homemade, totally not creepy at all, Trump Christmas cookies. pic.twitter.com/F4pCGIouEq
— PatriotTakes 🇺🇸 (@patriottakes) December 25, 2024
If you actually sit down and read the grinch’s manifesto he makes a lot of good points
— ALEX PTAK’S TEST KITCHEN (@PtakTestKitchen) December 25, 2024
Yikes pic.twitter.com/BZGj7XutvO
— PatriotTakes 🇺🇸 (@patriottakes) December 26, 2024
This Trump supporter is wearing a “Make Jesus Great Again” beanie for Christmas pic.twitter.com/lxQx3PAoPy
— PatriotTakes 🇺🇸 (@patriottakes) December 25, 2024
It is bizarre how the “save the children” people have canonized Michael Jackson after his death. Pretty sure they wouldn’t be saying all these things if he was alive. pic.twitter.com/siYvtKe9FI
— Poker and Politics (@PokerPolitics) December 25, 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 26, 2024 at 08:00
December 25, 2024
Does Shelly Miscavige know it’s Christmas 2024?
TODAY AT SUBSTACK: If you’ve signed up for free emails at Substack, you will receive today’s feature story at your inbox: On Christmas Day each year we review what we know about the whereabouts of Shelly Miscavige, and wonder, why won’t Scientology let her see her family on this of all days? [What is this Substack thing, anyway?]
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Technology Cocktail
“It has been difficult working in a confused and, yes, even primitive society that is starved for workable knowledge in the humanities. The very condition that made it vital to seek out and release the material also made it difficult to do the job in the first place. Scientology now has more than enough data and technology to handle even the broad problems in the humanities. The main task now is getting it fully used, and along this line there are hundreds of thousands working every day around the world.” — 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
——————–
“1980 draws to a close and we enter 1981. I just wanted to say ‘hello.’ They say a man is known by the high quality of his friends. So I must be very well known. I think I am very fortunate to have such a friend as you. One owes a friend some accounting of himself. You may be wondering what I’ve been up to lately. Would you like to know? I am as well as can be expected for anyone several trillion years old. I’m not doing any motorcycling nor much driving. I miss the good old days of sailing around in the Apollo. Sitting on a mountain top looking at the distant sea is no substitute for being on it.” — L. Ron Hubbard, December 25, 1980
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“Thank you for all your presents. This Christmas I was completely out-created — I received very many more presents than I gave — and all very lovely ones. Our poor AOs, SHs, ships and bases did not receive many greetings from Flag this year. We were so concerned about them that we didn’t use the last Couriers to send them our last minute Christmas greetings. We did send cards earlier. We’ll have to make it up to them. AOUK and AOLA sent lovely big cards. AOSH DK sent presents. Their best present was greatly raised AOLA and ASHO stats. We heaved an awful sigh of relief over that. Three cheers for our upstat cooks, stewards and engineers and QMs who made the Christmas for the rest. That was a terrific dinner. What a nice day!” — The Commodore, December 25, 1969
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“As I see things at the moment there are three major categories that act against the creation of sane Independent Scientology alliances and co-operation. The first is those who assert their own superiority and consider that they have the right to dominate others based on their certificates usually gained in a highly dubious organization which has crashed International Scientology. They assert complete adherence to LRH in theory but in practice often produce shoddy results covered up with PR. The second is those who compulsively alter-is Scientology and promote practices wildly in violation of LRH fundamentals. The third is those who use Scientology groups to promote their own weird conspiracy theories. Keeping those three under control is a major undertaking.”
1997: The St. Petersburg Times this week compared Bob Minton’s contributions to the Lisa McPherson case to the funding of suits against the Cult Awareness Network by Scientology. “Scientology has blasted Robert S. Minton Jr. for donating more than $1.25-million to its critics, calling his actions ‘nefarious’ and underhanded. The church contends he is illegally interfering with lawsuits involving Scientology. But earlier this decade, Scientology officials themselves backed several lawsuits against one of the church’s own adversaries, the Cult Awareness Network. In an effort to get more information about Minton, the church is using a bankruptcy case involving a church critic to subpoena records of Minton’s donations. At a hearing scheduled today in Tampa, Dandar is expected to argue against the church’s effort. Dandar said he never heard of Minton until church lawyers asked about him this summer. He said he inquired about Minton over the Internet and Minton responded, offering financial aid in the McPherson case. But Minton’s contributions are a fraction of the money and effort Scientology poured into lawsuits that bankrupted CAN, according to a lawyer who has defended the group. Attorney Daniel Leipold puts CAN’s legal expenses at roughly $2-million, and ‘for every nickel we spent, they spent at least a dollar.’ Brian Hart, one of the first Scientologists to file a suit against CAN in December 1992, said he did not see the lawsuit until 10 months later — three days before he testified in a deposition. Hart told lawyers he could not remember how he got the name and addresses of CAN officials. Nor could he remember many other circumstances that led to the lawsuit, including who asked him to write to CAN. Another plaintiff, Jonathan L. Nordquist of Chicago, fired his attorney and asked a judge to dismiss his lawsuit. He said Eugene Ingram, a private investigator for the Church of Scientology, paid him $300 to have lunch, and he agreed to be a plaintiff. Nordquist said he signed a blank page for Scientology attorneys. ‘Scientology planned, instigated, coordinated and sponsored a plan to subject CAN to multiple lawsuits in multiple jurisdictions in order to overwhelm and eliminate it or take it over and control it,’ said Leipold.”
——————–
“Christmas in the U.S was invented by Ulysses S. Grant, Macy’s, and Sears & Roebuck after the Civil War to help jump-start the economy and pay for the war. The Pilgrims banned Christmas. Christmas in Europe was a drunken eat-till-you-puke orgy.”
——————–
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?
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THE WHOLE TRACK
[ONE year ago] Does Shelly Miscavige know it’s Christmas 2023?
[TWO years ago] Does Shelly Miscavige know it’s Christmas 2022?
[THREE years ago] Does Shelly Miscavige know it’s Christmas 2021?
[FOUR years ago] Does Shelly Miscavige know it’s Christmas 2020?
[FIVE years ago] https://tonyortega.org/2019/12/25/doe...
[SIX years ago] Does Shelly Miscavige know it’s Christmas?
[SEVEN years ago] Thetans roasting on an open fire: It’s Christmas in the Bunker, and we’re full of cheer
[EIGHT years ago] From those who left, a special Christmas message for Scientology’s remaining members
[NINE years ago] Merry Christmas 2015: Here’s your Scientology present under the tree
[TEN years ago] Scientology’s 2014 in review: May your days be merry and bright!
[ELEVEN years ago] Merry Christmas, and here’s your present! From the Underground Bunker, with feeling
——————–
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 3,124 days.
Valerie Haney has not seen her mother Lynne in 3,619 days.
Katrina Reyes has not seen her mother Yelena in 4,134 days
Sylvia Wagner DeWall has not seen her brother Randy in 3,684 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his grandson Leo in 2,674 days.
Klaus Büchele has not seen his daughter Jasmin in 5,060 days.
Geoff Levin has not seen his son Collin and daughter Savannah in 2,555 days.
Christie Collbran has not seen her mother Liz King in 5,859 days.
Clarissa Adams has not seen her parents Walter and Irmin Huber in 3,730 days.
Jamie Sorrentini Lugli has not seen her father Irving in 5,282 days.
Quailynn McDaniel has not seen her brother Sean in 4,623 days.
Dylan Gill has not seen his father Russell in 13,190 days.
Melissa Paris has not seen her father Jean-Francois in 9,109 days.
Valeska Paris has not seen her brother Raphael in 5,277 days.
Mirriam Francis has not seen her brother Ben in 4,859 days.
Claudio and Renata Lugli have not seen their son Flavio in 5,119 days.
Sara Goldberg has not seen her daughter Ashley in 4,155 days.
Lori Hodgson has not seen her son Jeremy and daughter Jessica in 3,871 days.
Marie Bilheimer has not seen her mother June in 3,435 days.
Julian Wain has not seen his brother Joseph or mother Susan in 1,750 days.
Charley Updegrove has not seen his son Toby in 2,925 days.
Derek Bloch has not seen his father Darren in 4,607 days.
Cindy Plahuta has not seen her daughter Kara in 4,944 days.
Roger Weller has not seen his daughter Alyssa in 9,798 days.
Claire Headley has not seen her mother Gen in 4,913 days.
Ramana Dienes-Browning has not seen her mother Jancis in 3,275 days.
Mike Rinder has not seen his son Benjamin and daughter Taryn in 7,578 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his daughter Spring in 3,684 days.
Skip Young has not seen his daughters Megan and Alexis in 4,082 days.
Mary Kahn has not seen her son Sammy in 3,958 days.
Lois Reisdorf has not seen her son Craig in 3,523 days.
Phil and Willie Jones have not seen their son Mike and daughter Emily in 4,034 days.
Mary Jane Barry has not seen her daughter Samantha in 4,290 days.
Kate Bornstein has not seen her daughter Jessica in 15,398 days.
——————–
Posted by Tony Ortega on December 25, 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
A very merry Christmas to Q patriots and libturds alike!
Some links to Q-related items today
Advertisement(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});Eric Trump’s post. Threatening other countries is a joke to them. pic.twitter.com/FOlG8Kjutn
— PatriotTakes 🇺🇸 (@patriottakes) December 24, 2024
MAGA wants us to believe that Trump, who nominated Matt Gaetz to become Attorney General, kicked Jeffrey Epstein out of Mar-a-Lago
— PatriotTakes 🇺🇸 (@patriottakes) December 24, 2024
Merry Cringemas pic.twitter.com/yA04GdLqup
— PatriotTakes 🇺🇸 (@patriottakes) December 25, 2024
Everything the God Emperor says is accurate and intentional. If you think he sounds like a senile buffoon you are wrong and need to figure out the actual message he is trying to broadcast to the world. pic.twitter.com/CzSpIfN37Y
— Poker and Politics (@PokerPolitics) December 24, 2024
Trump brought his iPad to the table for Christmas Eve dinner with his family pic.twitter.com/bk5y6Ft3Pl
— PatriotTakes 🇺🇸 (@patriottakes) December 25, 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 25, 2024 at 08:00
December 24, 2024
For Christmas Eve, we have Scientology videos full of cheer
TODAY AT SUBSTACK: If you’ve signed up for free emails at Substack, you will receive today’s feature story at your inbox: We have plenty of wrapping to do today, and we thought you might too, so we’ve lined up some Scientology-related videos you can play when you have a moment to sit with a cup of cocoa as you prepare for the big day tomorrow! [What is this Substack thing, anyway?]
——————–
Technology Cocktail
Advertisement(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});“I am completing something I started in 1945, which was a survey of biochemistry potentials in order to decide a direction of research: did the mind monitor structure or structure, as medicine thought, monitor the mind? The former was in 1945 found to be the true case to an overwhelming degree. But at the same time, when people are so body fixated that they have problems of a physical nature too intense to admit of any other consideration, bringing them true power and freedom becomes difficult unless one pays some attention to where their attention is fixated.” — 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
[18] Trial special with Chris Shelton [19] Trial week one [20] Marc Headley on the spy in the hallway [21] Trial week two [22] Trial week three [23] Trial week four [24] Leah Remini on LAPD Corruption [25] Mike Rinder 2022 Thanksgiving Special [26] Jane Doe 4 (Tricia Vessey), Part One [27] Jane Doe 4 (Tricia Vessey), Part Two [28] Claire Headley on the trial [29] Tory Christman [30] Bruce Hines on spying [31] Karen de la Carriere [32] Ron Miscavige on Shelly Miscavige [33] Karen de la Carriere on the L’s [34] Mark Bunker on Miscavige hiding [35] Mark Plummer [36] Mark Ebner [37] Karen Pressley [38] Steve Cannane [39] Fredrick Brennan [40] Clarissa Adams [41] Louise Shekter [42] John Sweeney [43] Tory Christman [44] Kate Bornstein [45] Christian Stolte [46] Mark Bunker [47] Jon Atack [48] Luke Y. Thompson [49] Mark Ebner [50] Bruce Hines [51] Spanky Taylor and Karen Pressley [51] Geoff and Robbie Levin [52] Sands Hall [53] Jonny Jacobsen [54] Sandy Holeman [55] Mark Bunker [56] Trish and Liz Conley [57] Trish Conley [58] Alex Barnes-Ross [59] Alex Barnes-Ross [60] Alex Barnes-Ross [61] Alex Barnes-Ross [62] Alex Barnes-Ross [63] Alex Barnes-Ross [64] Tory Christman [65] Tammy Synovec [66] Dennis Erlich [67] Alex Barnes-Ross [68] Valerie Ross [69] Kat in Austin [70] Mark Bunker [71] Phil Jones
Advertisement(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});
——————–
“You’ll find that there’s a hollow spot in back of the body. And if you will let one of those hollow spots — at least, there’s at least one — if you’ll let it say ‘hello’ backwards, you know, have a spot in back of the body say ‘hello’ backwards, you will discover some of the more interesting spaces. You get why that is? A thetan has always come in on the body on the back, you see, and nobody has ever said ‘hello’ to him. There’s quite often a machine pulled in there, which is one of the more interesting things you run into with this process. Big, big juicy machine with valves, tubes, endless belts and every other thing.” — L. Ron Hubbard, December 24, 1954
——————–
“There has never been any order permitting mail to be taken directly to the post office by individuals. I would like to find out who started this. It is illegal to send mail any other way than via the Dept of Comm.” — N. Jessup, CS-1, December 24, 1968
——————–
“This Filbert guy is full of it. Royal families of England and Japan? Presidents? Come on. His data is unreliable. When he says it’s dangerous to read the OT part of his book it means nothing, he’s a nutter. Scientology hasn’t cured his nuttiness, it hasn’t de-abberrated him because the tech kinda doesn’t work. Look at Hubbard, he was abberrated. The whole religion is borderline a scam. But doing it and investigating it really is educational. It’s an epically deep rabbit hole that some never get out of. Talk about being immune to after this life implants, members can’t even be immune to present time tangible scams.”
——————–
1996: Jeff Jacobsen posted an account of his trip to Scientology headquarters and prison camp, Golden Era Studios (aka Gold Base).
“I went by an apartment complex that they use for berthing, and took a photo of the apartment and 3 buses in front. Then I went on to Golden Era Studios. I parked near the new studio and started taking photos. Immediately a guy on a motorcycle came up to me and asked what I was doing. I said I just wanted to take photos of the property and then I’d be leaving. He asked who I was and who I was working for and I refused to answer both questions. He called on his walkie-talkie ‘professional photographer coming up.’ As he drove off to get my license plate number, I went on to take photos of the ship and such. As I was about 20 yards from the gated entry, 2 guys came out and started taking pictures of me. One had a telephoto lens and the other a cheapy camera. I told them that I was just going to take a few photos and leave. They said they were worried about me because I wouldn’t reveal who I was or who I was working for. So I took their photo too. The one guy told me that the curb was their property line, which doesn’t leave much room for walking! I took shots of the sign (after the one guy finally got out of the way when I said I’d stay there as long as it took to get that photo), the ship, and the chapel. When we got to my car he took photos of the inside of the car. Then I opened the trunk to get out my video-camera. He called on his walkie- talkie ‘he’s taking out a video camera.’ Sheesh. He photographed the inside of the trunk of the car, and I told him I considered that a violation of my privacy. I told him I was only going to take about 30 seconds of the studio, which I did. I then thanked him for the conversation, shook hands, and drove off. They have many remote cameras along the metal fences. They have high-powered lights all along the fence. You can read Andre Tabayoyon’s affidavit for other unseen security systems. And on top of the hardware used, security guards instantly come out to question anyone who even stops near their property.”
——————–
“‘If all Scientologists were John Travolta clones, Scientology would be a good deal.’ I’m not sure the Massage Association of America would agree with you on that one, Jimmy.”
——————–
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] Here they are, the wealthy whales keeping Scientology afloat into 2024!
[TWO years ago] PODCAST: How Tory Christman saved Rosie O’Donnell from joining Scientology
[THREE years ago] Feds suing ‘stem cell’ scammers for preying on the elderly. Oh, and they’re Scientologists.
[FOUR years ago] Whoops. Letter shows Scientology gave Jane Doe #1 permission to sue Danny Masterson in 2004
[FIVE years ago] Scientology is denied an emergency hearing, but here is its ‘arbitration’ motion
[SIX years ago] We got a correspondent into Scientology’s New Year’s Event Saturday in Los Angeles
[SEVEN years ago] Year in review: In April, Dee Findlay delivered a truth bomb to Scientology in its spiritual mecca
[EIGHT years ago] A Christmas Eve treat: Our man Down Under on Scientology’s antipodean troubles in 2016
[NINE years ago] Release the hounds! Scientology suddenly getting more aggressive with media: Report
[TEN years ago] As Luka Magnotta is convicted, questions about his Scientology involvement remain
[ELEVEN years ago] The Underground Bunker Year-in-Review starts today: A January for the ages!
——————–
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 3,123 days.
Valerie Haney has not seen her mother Lynne in 3,618 days.
Katrina Reyes has not seen her mother Yelena in 4,133 days
Sylvia Wagner DeWall has not seen her brother Randy in 3,683 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his grandson Leo in 2,673 days.
Klaus Büchele has not seen his daughter Jasmin in 5,059 days.
Geoff Levin has not seen his son Collin and daughter Savannah in 2,554 days.
Christie Collbran has not seen her mother Liz King in 5,858 days.
Clarissa Adams has not seen her parents Walter and Irmin Huber in 3,729 days.
Jamie Sorrentini Lugli has not seen her father Irving in 5,281 days.
Quailynn McDaniel has not seen her brother Sean in 4,622 days.
Dylan Gill has not seen his father Russell in 13,189 days.
Melissa Paris has not seen her father Jean-Francois in 9,108 days.
Valeska Paris has not seen her brother Raphael in 5,276 days.
Mirriam Francis has not seen her brother Ben in 4,858 days.
Claudio and Renata Lugli have not seen their son Flavio in 5,118 days.
Sara Goldberg has not seen her daughter Ashley in 4,154 days.
Lori Hodgson has not seen her son Jeremy and daughter Jessica in 3,870 days.
Marie Bilheimer has not seen her mother June in 3,434 days.
Julian Wain has not seen his brother Joseph or mother Susan in 1,749 days.
Charley Updegrove has not seen his son Toby in 2,924 days.
Derek Bloch has not seen his father Darren in 4,606 days.
Cindy Plahuta has not seen her daughter Kara in 4,943 days.
Roger Weller has not seen his daughter Alyssa in 9,797 days.
Claire Headley has not seen her mother Gen in 4,912 days.
Ramana Dienes-Browning has not seen her mother Jancis in 3,274 days.
Mike Rinder has not seen his son Benjamin and daughter Taryn in 7,577 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his daughter Spring in 3,683 days.
Skip Young has not seen his daughters Megan and Alexis in 4,081 days.
Mary Kahn has not seen her son Sammy in 3,957 days.
Lois Reisdorf has not seen her son Craig in 3,522 days.
Phil and Willie Jones have not seen their son Mike and daughter Emily in 4,033 days.
Mary Jane Barry has not seen her daughter Samantha in 4,289 days.
Kate Bornstein has not seen her daughter Jessica in 15,397 days.
——————–
Posted by Tony Ortega on December 24, 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
Elon’s OK with Gaetz even after the report, so what can libturds do about it?
Some links to Q-related items today
Advertisement(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});remember like last week when he was nominated to be the attorney general of the united states of america? pic.twitter.com/Wp091cXj7R
— Quantum Tweet (@ProsinPlanet) December 23, 2024
We live in a country where, if you work hard enough, you too can almost become the top legal advisor to the United States government even if you also did drugs and paid a 17 year old for sex https://t.co/Kuj3RpEcUa
— stevanzetti.bsky.social (@stevanzetti) December 23, 2024
Musk just posted a Pizzagate meme accusing Tom Hanks, Hillary Clinton, and John Podesta of child trafficking but now when one of his buddies gets exposed as a child predator he’s all “prove it in court buddy!” pic.twitter.com/3BEYUjMsxx
— Poker and Politics (@PokerPolitics) December 23, 2024
Am quoted in this report from WIRED's @daithaigilbert about QAnon, Trump returning to office, & Kash Patel's promotion of QAnon & its supporters. The article also cites some of my previous reporting.https://t.co/ZdArbQ1OtP
— Alex Kaplan (@AlKapDC) December 23, 2024
Trump hosted Charlie Kirk, who said MLK was a “bad guy,” at his golf club’s Christmas buffet. pic.twitter.com/umEUnrW5Fm
— PatriotTakes 🇺🇸 (@patriottakes) December 23, 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 24, 2024 at 08:00
December 23, 2024
Meet Scientology’s donors for a new monument to founder L. Ron Hubbard
TODAY AT SUBSTACK: If you’ve signed up for free emails at Substack, you will receive today’s feature story at your inbox: Another Scientology party to celebrate big donors? Did Christmas come early in the Bunker or something? Check out this flier asking for a donation to the planned L. Ron Hubbard Hall at the Flag Land Base, something church leader David Miscavige has spent years raising money for. [What is this Substack thing, anyway?]
——————–
Technology Cocktail
Advertisement(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});“While the medical doctor and his psychiatry branch flood out the useless and destructive ‘tranquilizers,’ the nutritionist hands out a couple tablets of magnesium which actually cool a person off beautifully and far more effectively without the physical damage carried by the tranquilizer. The medical doctor and his psychiatry branch gave the world its greatest wave of drug addiction. Their friend the German-oriented psychologist, with his man-is-animal teaching of the young and destruction of orthodox religion, has given the world its greatest period of crime. They are on their way out even though they are fighting a dirty and violent rearguard action. So why bet on losers? They won’t make it.” — 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
[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({});
——————–
“Every language has a basic word for ‘accept’ and a basic word for ‘reject’ which allows for no argument. Whereas they do have differences on such a thing as ‘associate.’ Look what Freud did with ‘associate.’ I’m being awfully hard on the old man this morning. There’s no reason to be hard on the guy, he actually was the entering wedge into psychotherapy. But I’m young and cocky and I didn’t have to write ‘Psychoanalysis: Terminable and Interminable.’ I didn’t have to write that. I will never have to write something, now, I know very well, called ‘Dianetics: Terminable or Interminable.’ Apathy, apathy. Imagine a guy beating the drum, beating the drum all those years, having to sit down and write that essay. This was one of the last essays he wrote. He knew he had failed before he died, which is the saddest thing that can happen to any man.” — L. Ron Hubbard, December 23, 1954
——————–
“The boot top and hull need squaring up. The gold stripe and the gold name should be handled quickly. She should be prettied up for Christmas and the New Year. She is a very nice ship. Almost any other ship would leap about madly in the seas in which we run. She is also a very pretty ship and looks more like a yacht than most yachts do.” — The Commodore, December 23, 1970
——————–
“Honestly, Hubbard was borderline a con artist. But at least he wasn’t a lefty or communist, and if we were all brainwashed by him that would make a better world than being brainwashed by the New World Order. They are some serious evil. Nothing is worse than the communist world order, lefties are seriously perverted and therefore I support Hubbard’s attempt to save Earth via a takeover of it using his Sea Org. Even though all the harm caused, it was still worth breaking those eggs to make the omelette.”
——————–
1995: A first person account was posted to a.r.s this week by Stanley Richards. He claims to have known Hubbard in 1952. “To tell the truth, though, I always knew that his genius contained an element of the charlatan or magician – perhaps shaman’ would be a better word, because the shaman recognises the necessary element of illusion or fiction required by his work. For example, there were theories in scientology about our progress toward a near perfect emotional and mental state called clear’ which I always knew to be a fiction, but which I supported because I thought it was a way of keeping people going in the process (therapy) – giving them hope and a future: hope as a necessary fantasy. Then there was the time, too, when he got everybody worked up about the threat of communism to scientology: that the big boys in the Kremlin were out to destroy scientology because it was a danger to them. Hubbard was the instigator of this scare. Every student was put through a lie detector test to ensure that there were no communist agents amongst us. Again, I knew that this was a fiction and that the Kremlin had never heard of scientology, let alone thought it a danger to them. I went along with this, too, because I thought it was a political move which would boost the prestige of scientology, making it more important in high places as well as giving scientology students a greater sense of their importance in the world. I am sure this was Hubbards motive, at least in part, so I forgave Hubbard all these deceptions because of what I thought were his overall good intentions. And that’s the thing you see: Hubbard was so sure that his intentions and his subject were for the good of mankind that he convinced everyone else – but that is what a good magician does: makes everyone believe in his illusions.”
——————–
“One of the few things I appreciate about the cult is their retro-ness.”
——————–
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] PODCAST: Apostate Alex helps us deconstruct David Miscavige’s recent speeches
[TWO years ago] Need last-minute gifts for the Scientologists on your list? We got your back, Santa!
[THREE years ago] INSIDER: How Scientology’s ‘Ideal Org’ scam works, and how members are victimized by it
[FOUR years ago] Political dupe of the day: KC councilman helps Scientology front group with ‘murder’ signs
[FIVE years ago] Bernie Headley, 1952-2019: A man who fought against Scientology’s ‘disconnection’
[SIX years ago] Scientology’s smear machine hurting your reputation? For $1,500 they can help with that.
[SEVEN years ago] A look back at the month when all hell broke loose for Scientology and Danny Masterson
[EIGHT years ago] LAPD needs two more weeks to respond to Leah Remini about missing wife of Scientology leader
[NINE years ago] Scientology’s 2015 in review: In March, HBO went Clear while we eavesdropped on Flag
[TEN years ago] Scientology hit with 25th lawsuit by Las Vegas attorney as he goes after Florida rehab
[ELEVEN years ago] Scientology’s mecca wants you to come to Florida and run circles around a pole
——————–
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 3,122 days.
Valerie Haney has not seen her mother Lynne in 3,617 days.
Katrina Reyes has not seen her mother Yelena in 4,132 days
Sylvia Wagner DeWall has not seen her brother Randy in 3,682 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his grandson Leo in 2,672 days.
Klaus Büchele has not seen his daughter Jasmin in 5,058 days.
Geoff Levin has not seen his son Collin and daughter Savannah in 2,553 days.
Christie Collbran has not seen her mother Liz King in 5,857 days.
Clarissa Adams has not seen her parents Walter and Irmin Huber in 3,728 days.
Jamie Sorrentini Lugli has not seen her father Irving in 5,280 days.
Quailynn McDaniel has not seen her brother Sean in 4,621 days.
Dylan Gill has not seen his father Russell in 13,188 days.
Melissa Paris has not seen her father Jean-Francois in 9,107 days.
Valeska Paris has not seen her brother Raphael in 5,275 days.
Mirriam Francis has not seen her brother Ben in 4,857 days.
Claudio and Renata Lugli have not seen their son Flavio in 5,117 days.
Sara Goldberg has not seen her daughter Ashley in 4,153 days.
Lori Hodgson has not seen her son Jeremy and daughter Jessica in 3,869 days.
Marie Bilheimer has not seen her mother June in 3,433 days.
Julian Wain has not seen his brother Joseph or mother Susan in 1,748 days.
Charley Updegrove has not seen his son Toby in 2,923 days.
Derek Bloch has not seen his father Darren in 4,605 days.
Cindy Plahuta has not seen her daughter Kara in 4,942 days.
Roger Weller has not seen his daughter Alyssa in 9,796 days.
Claire Headley has not seen her mother Gen in 4,911 days.
Ramana Dienes-Browning has not seen her mother Jancis in 3,273 days.
Mike Rinder has not seen his son Benjamin and daughter Taryn in 7,576 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his daughter Spring in 3,682 days.
Skip Young has not seen his daughters Megan and Alexis in 4,080 days.
Mary Kahn has not seen her son Sammy in 3,956 days.
Lois Reisdorf has not seen her son Craig in 3,521 days.
Phil and Willie Jones have not seen their son Mike and daughter Emily in 4,032 days.
Mary Jane Barry has not seen her daughter Samantha in 4,288 days.
Kate Bornstein has not seen her daughter Jessica in 15,396 days.
——————–
Posted by Tony Ortega on December 23, 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
The Musk presidency is going to be pilled to the gills
Some links to Q-related items today
Advertisement(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});Our unelected President is now promoting Pizzagate and the idea that Tom Hanks is a pedophile. The Trump Presidency was bad but it wasn’t pilled. The Musk Presidency is going to be both bad and totally pilled. pic.twitter.com/zFhApn9Ltf
— Poker and Politics (@PokerPolitics) December 21, 2024
A QAnon promoter claimed her father sold her to Tom Hanks to be sexually assaulted and now it is universally accepted in QAnon that Hanks is a pedophile/child trafficker. That these claims have no evidence to support them is meaningless to these people. https://t.co/0S7O3ArDiT
— Poker and Politics (@PokerPolitics) December 22, 2024
Trump says there is no such thing as President Musk https://t.co/m6UhFg5WB7
— PatriotTakes 🇺🇸 (@patriottakes) December 22, 2024
While Trump is dining at club dinners like this one, President Musk is shaping the MAGA movement into his likeness on Twitter. pic.twitter.com/Qrxvis66BZ
— PatriotTakes 🇺🇸 (@patriottakes) December 23, 2024
Will he accept campaign donations via Venmo? https://t.co/AOJ7IxIFTt
— PatriotTakes 🇺🇸 (@patriottakes) December 22, 2024
NHL hall of famer Wayne Gretzky at Trump’s golf club. He’s Canadian but doesn’t seem too concerned about Trump’s trolling/threatening rhetoric toward the county. pic.twitter.com/CuQByZ5B8f
— PatriotTakes 🇺🇸 (@patriottakes) December 23, 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 23, 2024 at 08:00
December 22, 2024
Scientology opens ‘Ideal Mission’ in hotspot where it ran city council candidate
TODAY AT SUBSTACK: If you’ve signed up for free emails at Substack, you will receive today’s feature story at your inbox: Yesterday Scientology issued a press release announcing that it had opened a brand spanking new ‘Ideal Mission’ in McMinnville, Oregon, and with the whole nine yards — giant bow and ribbon, balloons, and local shills making speeches. And this place has an interesting history! [What is this Substack thing, anyway?]
——————–
Technology Cocktail
Advertisement(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});“Medical organizations, especially in the US, are fighting nutrition with their usual violence where their pocket book is threatened — black propaganda, government seizure orders and all the routine mechanisms medicine has employed in its history to “safeguard” its interests are in full play against the health food store and the vitamin counter. That is enough to prove the point that nutrition is the leader in our contemporary times where physical health body treatment is concerned.” — 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
[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({});
——————–
“Why do you think it is that simply looking at something will make it vanish as far as a thetan is concerned? We know that this will take place. All right, that’s because he goes into communication with it and it is a mismanaged communication. To be an it, to be a something, we must have had a mismanaged communication of one kind or another. That’s why we say ‘God built this universe.’ Now that is a mismanaged communication, per se, it is right there. God did not build this universe. And so that is mismanaged so there is the wrong point of origin, see, some point of origin is mocked-up, and so on.” — L. Ron Hubbard, December 22, 1954
——————–
“Peter Church, FEBC student and Sharon West were married at sea by Captain W.B. Robertson at 2151 hours 21 Dec 1970. The marriage will be recorded at the nearest consul under Maritime Law and the Laws of Panama. The entry has been duly recorded in the ship’s log. Peter Church is from Delta Meters, Los Angeles. They will have a brief honeymoon in the nextport. They have the good wishes of the officers and crew of the Apollo and my own.” — The Commodore, December 22, 1970
——————–
“I had three dreams in one night that the Vril were trying to recruit me to fight the Marxists in America. I turned them down three times and they never came to me in my dreams again LOL. Who can tell us if the reptilians are real? Is it the Marcabs who suppress us in the BT chain of command?”
——————–
2001: The Buffalo News reported that the city is still considering tearing down the Buffalo Scientology org to make room for a parking ramp. “Planners want to seize two downtown properties, demolish an office building, then construct a 10-level addition to the city-owned Owen B. Augspurger ramp on West Huron Street, between Pearl and Franklin streets. But opponents say the city shouldn’t tear down more buildings, especially occupied structures, for parking. The four-story Hurst Building at 43 W. Huron is owned by the Church of Scientology, which occupies the first two floors, according to attorney William R. Crowe. He said the third floor is used for storage, while the top floor is vacant. Crowe said his client wants to remain in the building, despite a $425,000 purchase offer from the city.”
——————–
“Dude, we don’t get ‘in comm’ with people around here, we talk to 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:
— 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] Getting the stink out of Scientology’s Saint Hill Manor: A special remembrance
[TWO years ago] Judge sets Jan 20 hearing for motion to serve Scientology leader in trafficking case
[THREE years ago] Scientology’s 2021 was a leaky one, including new data about its dirty tricks
[FOUR years ago] ‘Tears of joy’: Scientology boasts that leader David Miscavige attended Clearwater event
[FIVE years ago] Scientology Santa: The church built on Jesus as a hoax once again co-opts Christmas
[SIX years ago] Checking in on a Scientology ‘ideal’ Christmas as we continue our year in review
[SEVEN years ago] Scientology donor Joy Villa aiming for Ileana Ros-Lehtinen’s Miami congressional district
[EIGHT years ago] February made us shiver, but it was another Astounding month here in the Bunker
[NINE years ago] The Scientologist who sold a hot dinosaur skull to Nicolas Cage
[TEN years ago] Scientology’s 2014 in review: In chilly February, Hambo began his onslaught
[ELEVEN years ago] Sunday Funnies: Scientology sends us a letter!
——————–
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 3,121 days.
Valerie Haney has not seen her mother Lynne in 3,616 days.
Katrina Reyes has not seen her mother Yelena in 4,131 days
Sylvia Wagner DeWall has not seen her brother Randy in 3,681 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his grandson Leo in 2,671 days.
Klaus Büchele has not seen his daughter Jasmin in 5,057 days.
Geoff Levin has not seen his son Collin and daughter Savannah in 2,552 days.
Christie Collbran has not seen her mother Liz King in 5,856 days.
Clarissa Adams has not seen her parents Walter and Irmin Huber in 3,727 days.
Jamie Sorrentini Lugli has not seen her father Irving in 5,279 days.
Quailynn McDaniel has not seen her brother Sean in 4,620 days.
Dylan Gill has not seen his father Russell in 13,187 days.
Melissa Paris has not seen her father Jean-Francois in 9,106 days.
Valeska Paris has not seen her brother Raphael in 5,274 days.
Mirriam Francis has not seen her brother Ben in 4,856 days.
Claudio and Renata Lugli have not seen their son Flavio in 5,116 days.
Sara Goldberg has not seen her daughter Ashley in 4,152 days.
Lori Hodgson has not seen her son Jeremy and daughter Jessica in 3,868 days.
Marie Bilheimer has not seen her mother June in 3,432 days.
Julian Wain has not seen his brother Joseph or mother Susan in 1,747 days.
Charley Updegrove has not seen his son Toby in 2,922 days.
Derek Bloch has not seen his father Darren in 4,604 days.
Cindy Plahuta has not seen her daughter Kara in 4,941 days.
Roger Weller has not seen his daughter Alyssa in 9,795 days.
Claire Headley has not seen her mother Gen in 4,910 days.
Ramana Dienes-Browning has not seen her mother Jancis in 3,272 days.
Mike Rinder has not seen his son Benjamin and daughter Taryn in 7,575 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his daughter Spring in 3,681 days.
Skip Young has not seen his daughters Megan and Alexis in 4,079 days.
Mary Kahn has not seen her son Sammy in 3,955 days.
Lois Reisdorf has not seen her son Craig in 3,520 days.
Phil and Willie Jones have not seen their son Mike and daughter Emily in 4,031 days.
Mary Jane Barry has not seen her daughter Samantha in 4,287 days.
Kate Bornstein has not seen her daughter Jessica in 15,395 days.
——————–
Posted by Tony Ortega on December 22, 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
Tony Ortega's Blog
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