Although the Church of Scientology has veteran rapper Chill EB at its beck and call, once again the church has put out a video by some young pale members who don’t appear to have Chill’s chops. But that just means more Scientology hip-hop for us, and we can never get enough of it.
As Scientology continues to crater, at least we have these moments of levity to punctuate the ignominy. So immerse yourself in this video, “Bring it on,” which is aimed at all of you SPs…
Besides actor Michael Roberts, did you recognize anyone else in the video? Let us know.
Speaking of recognizing people,
a few days ago we posted photos of four youngish speakers who were featured during Scientology’s Maiden Voyage expedition on the Freewinds. We found this significant because church leader David Miscavige had been sharing less and less podium time with others during the big international events.
Brendan Tighe was the first to identify three of the four speakers for us. Here they are, along with Brendan’s comments, which he posted at our Facebook account…
Brendan: “Jason Hemphill. He used to be the Deputy Captain for Training at Flag. That was the post he was on my entire time at Flag after the RPF 2002-2011.”
Brendan: “Daniel O’Farrell. He was the Deputy Landlord at Flag under Uli Huber for many years until I left in 2011. You can see his name on numerous public records in an easy online search. I believe he got his contractor license and was pulling permits for church building projects in Clearwater. Pretty sure he’s now in some capacity overseeing Ideal Org renovations.”
Brendan: “I could be wrong but I’m quite certain this is QC (Quentin Christopher) Strom, son of Kathy True in OSA. He and I grew up together and joined OSA at the same time when we were both just 12 years old and straight out of the Cadet Org. He went up to Gold about two years later and I only saw him rarely after that. I haven’t seen him in about 10 years. I would only see him briefly when I was in Security and he was Gold stage crew that would come down to Clearwater for the big events.”
Another reader also identified this speaker as QC Strom.
We’re still looking for an ID of this fellow:
According to the Scientology website, this speaker was talking about Scientology TV. Could he be an outside contractor brought in for the TV network? Let us know if you recognize him.
We asked Brendan what he thought it meant that these youngish execs were allowed to speak at the podium during Maiden Voyage.
Brendan: “What was odd for me was when Miscavige stopped letting anyone else speak for the longest time starting in the early 2000s. For sure these new speakers have been through the gamut of observing Miscavige up close for many years and being directly under his pressure and yet remain loyal. One part of my take on it is that Miscavige holds bigger than usual events and possibly lacks the stamina to MC/speak singularly at all of them, so he brings other speakers every few years now. It probably also helps to pump up the image that the ‘news’ being delivered is HUGE!”
We also asked another recent defector, Paul Burkhart, for his take.
Paul: “Having young speakers on the podium has been going on for a while, six years at least. I’m sure the old guard can’t bow and scrape without a hint of resentment – since they have been the scapegoats for all of the church’s many issues. Having younger, enthusiastic speakers may extend the life of the cult somewhat.”
Fascinating!
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Bonus items from our tipsters
Meanwhile, at Source magazine, Scientology is still trying desperately to sell Super Power like it was Super Cool…
And best of all, Meghan Fialkoff working the Smell Wall!
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Bernie Headley has not seen his daughter Stephanie in 5,172 days.
Katrina Reyes has not seen her mother Yelena in 1,775 days
Brian Sheen has not seen his grandson Leo in 318 days.
Geoff Levin has not seen his son Collin and daughter Savannah in 206 days.
Clarissa Adams has not seen her parents Walter and Irmin Huber in 1,381 days.
Carol Nyburg has not seen her daughter Nancy in 2,155 days.
Jamie Sorrentini Lugli has not seen her father Irving in 2,929 days.
Quailynn McDaniel has not seen her brother Sean in 2,275 days.
Dylan Gill has not seen his father Russell in 10,841 days.
Mirriam Francis has not seen her brother Ben in 2,509 days.
Claudio and Renata Lugli have not seen their son Flavio in 2,769 days.
Sara Goldberg has not seen her daughter Ashley in 1,809 days.
Lori Hodgson has not seen her son Jeremy and daughter Jessica in 1,521 days.
Marie Bilheimer has not seen her mother June in 1,047 days.
Joe Reaiche has not seen his daughter Alanna Masterson in 5,136 days
Derek Bloch has not seen his father Darren in 2,276 days.
Cindy Plahuta has not seen her daughter Kara in 2,596 days.
Claire Headley has not seen her mother Gen in 2,571 days.
Ramana Dienes-Browning has not seen her mother Jancis in 927 days.
Mike Rinder has not seen his son Benjamin and daughter Taryn in 5,229 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his daughter Spring in 1,335 days.
Skip Young has not seen his daughters Megan and Alexis in 1,738 days.
Mary Kahn has not seen her son Sammy in 1,610 days.
Lois Reisdorf has not seen her son Craig in 1,192 days.
Phil and Willie Jones have not seen their son Mike and daughter Emily in 1,697 days.
Mary Jane Sterne has not seen her daughter Samantha in 1,941 days.
Kate Bornstein has not seen her daughter Jessica in 13,050 days.
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Posted by Tony Ortega on July 11, 2018 at 07:00
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Our book, 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, 1995-2017 Just starting out here? We’ve picked out the most important stories we’ve covered here at the Undergound Bunker (2012-2017), The Village Voice (2008-2012), New Times Los Angeles (1999-2002) and the Phoenix New Times (1995-1999)
Learn about Scientology with our numerous series with experts…
BLOGGING DIANETICS: We read Scientology’s founding text cover to cover with the help of L.A. attorney and former church member Vance Woodward
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
Other links: Shelly Miscavige, ten 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
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
