The Underground Bunker recently received a notice from YouTube that one of our videos has been taken down without recourse. We were informed that this removal will not count against us as a “strike,” but our video did not meet YouTube’s “community standards” and so it has gone poof into the ether without our even knowing it was being considered for deletion.
What was the video? It was a leaked few minutes of the Church of Scientology’s notorious Nation of Islam bigot, Tony Muhammad, talking about Jews running the world.
Was it offensive? Yes, certainly. And that was the point, which YouTube entirely missed.
YouTube has gone on a tear removing videos it considers “extremist” rhetoric in response to complaints that white supremacists and others have been turning the service into a sewer. We don’t think it’s a bad idea for YouTube to clean up its act, but in using automated methods for removing offensive material, it has ended up targeting channels like ours that are exposing extremism.
At Boing Boing, Cory Doctorow noted that this blanket approach has led to, for example, important channels that expose Holocaust denial being mistaken for Holocaust denial itself, which is all too predictable when YouTube uses automation and basically doesn’t give a fuck.
We lost only one video. But Independent Scientology News, which spends a lot of time exposing Muhammad and other Nation of Islam figures, lost three videos and then had his entire channel wiped from existence.
He’s appealed that decision, and we hope YouTube shows some sense and restores the channel.
But here’s what we’d like to know. Why is it that our video about Scientology’s bigotry problem and ISN’s entire channel were wiped, but the videos that Scientology posts on YouTube smearing people like Mike Rinder, Leah Remini, Valerie Haney, the Headleys, and yes, your proprietor, weren’t touched?
What’s up, YouTube? Are you too afraid to examine Scientology’s lie-filled smear jobs as extremist speech?
——————–
Bonus items from our tipsters
Actual caption:
As New York City is THE headquarters for International excitement, New York Org and the LRH Birthday Game is no different.
And what makes New York Org so exciting? We’re very ALIVE move FAST! (WE’RE NOT RUDE, WE’RE JUST BUSY!)
This is why we play the LRH Bithday Game VERY hard, especially this week.
What’s so special about this week?
This week marks the end of the 1st quarter of the annual LRH Birthday Game. And a certain amount of expansion since March 13th, 2019 can give us up to *5x* Birthday Game points!
AdvertisementThis would land us right in 1st place Internaltionally – our rightful place!
Woo Hoo!!!
But, it’s going to take some work from all of us in the New York area team. Don’t think for a moment that all the other Orgs are resting on their laurels. They’re going for it too.
But they ain’t New York Org! I’m jus’ sayin’.
What’s needed is for you and/or your selectees to take the next step on The Bridge and donate for your religious services and materials!
So let’s all pull together and rock out the Birthday Game New York Style!
Love,
Frank Silvestro
Dissemination Secretary
New York Foundation Org
Meanwhile, in California…
Actual caption:
A copy of this booklet was sent out to all addresses within a 5 mile radius of each Ideal Org. The shows on Scientology TV are all high quality and inspiring. It’s time to use this tool to let others know who we are and what we do!
And meanwhile, without the appearance of the name “Scientology”…
Says “Dianetics Philippines”:
Congratulations and heart-felt thanks to Batangas State University for the commitment and dedication of everyone who participate in support of this 2-day Dianetics Seminar last June 4 and 5, 2019! Also big thanks to all the volunteers and staff for being part of this exciting event!
Start unlocking the amazing, true potential of you! Enroll on the Hubbard Dianetics Seminar today!
To enroll, please contact:
Malou Besera
Public Contact Secretary
——————–
HowdyCon 2019 in Los Angeles
THURSDAY NIGHT OPPORTUNITY: This year’s HowdyCon is in Los Angeles. People tend to come in starting on Thursday, and that evening we will have a casual get-together at a watering hole. But we also want to point out that Cathy Schenkelberg’s “Squeeze My Cans” will be running at the Hollywood Fringe, and we encourage HowdyCon attendees to see her show on Thursday night, June 20. Tickets and more dates available here.
Friday night June 21 we will be having an event in a theater (like we did on Saturday night last year in Chicago). There will not be a charge to attend this event, but if you want to attend, you need to RSVP with your proprietor at tonyo94 AT gmail.
On Saturday, we are joining forces with Janis Gillham Grady, who is having a reunion in honor of the late Bill Franks. Originally, we thought this event might take place in Riverside, but instead it’s in the Los Angeles area. If you wish to attend the reunion, you will need to RSVP with Janis (janisgrady AT gmail), and there will be a small contribution she’s asking for in order to help cover her costs.
HOTEL: Janis tells us she’s worked out a deal with Hampton Inn and Suites, at 7501 North Glenoaks Blvd, Burbank, (818) 768-1106. We have a $159 nightly rate for June 19 to 22. Note: You need to ask for the “family reunion” special rate.
——————–
Scientology’s celebrities, ‘Ideal Orgs,’ and more!
We’ve been building landing pages about David Miscavige’s favorite playthings, including celebrities and ‘Ideal Orgs,’ and we’re hoping you’ll join in and help us gather as much information as we can about them. Head on over and help us with links and photos and comments.
Scientology’s celebrities, from A to Z! Find your favorite Hubbardite celeb at this index page — or suggest someone to add to the list!
Scientology’s ‘Ideal Orgs,’ from one end of the planet to the other! Help us build up pages about each these worldwide locations!
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 our weekly series. How many have you read?
——————–
THE WHOLE TRACK
[ONE year ago] Scientology working its grift on a continent where it’s the last thing they need
[TWO years ago] Who’s the most powerful elected Scientologist in the land? We have a candidate.
[THREE years ago] Tonight, Cathy Schenkelberg takes her Scientology cans to the Hollywood Fringe
[FOUR years ago] Garcias file notice of appeal with the Eleventh Circuit, take on two more specialist attorneys
[FIVE years ago] About that ‘threesome’ with L. Ron Hubbard and the Heinleins
[SIX years ago] Scientology Goes After Critics With Legal Threat Letters Following Strange Infiltration
[SEVEN years ago] Scientology Book Bonanza! Jeff Hawkins Delivers, and More Reasons for Librarians to Hide
——————–
Bernie Headley has not seen his daughter Stephanie in 5,473 days.
Valerie Haney has not seen her mother Lynne in 1,602 days.
Katrina Reyes has not seen her mother Yelena in 2,106 days
Sylvia Wagner DeWall has not seen her brother Randy in 1,626 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his grandson Leo in 646 days.
Geoff Levin has not seen his son Collin and daughter Savannah in 537 days.
Christie Collbran has not seen her mother Liz King in 3,844 days.
Clarissa Adams has not seen her parents Walter and Irmin Huber in 1,712 days.
Carol Nyburg has not seen her daughter Nancy in 2,486 days.
Jamie Sorrentini Lugli has not seen her father Irving in 3,260 days.
Quailynn McDaniel has not seen her brother Sean in 2,606 days.
Dylan Gill has not seen his father Russell in 11,172 days.
Melissa Paris has not seen her father Jean-Francois in 7,092 days.
Valeska Paris has not seen her brother Raphael in 3,259 days.
Mirriam Francis has not seen her brother Ben in 2,840 days.
Claudio and Renata Lugli have not seen their son Flavio in 3,101 days.
Sara Goldberg has not seen her daughter Ashley in 2,140 days.
Lori Hodgson has not seen her son Jeremy and daughter Jessica in 1,852 days.
Marie Bilheimer has not seen her mother June in 1,378 days.
Joe Reaiche has not seen his daughter Alanna Masterson in 5,467 days
Derek Bloch has not seen his father Darren in 2,607 days.
Cindy Plahuta has not seen her daughter Kara in 2,927 days.
Roger Weller has not seen his daughter Alyssa in 7,783 days.
Claire Headley has not seen her mother Gen in 2,902 days.
Ramana Dienes-Browning has not seen her mother Jancis in 1,257 days.
Mike Rinder has not seen his son Benjamin and daughter Taryn in 5,560 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his daughter Spring in 1,666 days.
Skip Young has not seen his daughters Megan and Alexis in 2,068 days.
Mary Kahn has not seen her son Sammy in 1,940 days.
Lois Reisdorf has not seen her son Craig in 1,523 days.
Phil and Willie Jones have not seen their son Mike and daughter Emily in 2,018 days.
Mary Jane Sterne has not seen her daughter Samantha in 2,272 days.
Kate Bornstein has not seen her daughter Jessica in 13,381 days.
——————–
Posted by Tony Ortega on June 10, 2019 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, 1995-2018 Just starting out here? We’ve picked out the most important stories we’ve covered here at the Underground Bunker (2012-2018), 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, 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
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
