On July 26, 1942, a remarkable life began in Belgium that has become a huge part of why we watch Scientology year and year out. And now that it’s Paulette Cooper’s birthday again, we couldn’t wait to check in with her to see what she’s up to.
Last year, she told us about how she’d managed to track down her best friend from a Belgian orphanage some 70 years after they were separated after World Word 2. Wow! This year, she was taking things a little easier after a recent cruise.
“I got a new hip this year,” she laughed. “And our book came out this year, which gave people another chance to learn how bad Scientology is.”
And to celebrate another trip around the Sun, Paulette told us that she had treated herself to a nice present. She has been watching former Sea Org member Valeska Paris develop into a talented artist over the last few years.
“Have you seen her paintings? They’re delightful. I bought one for myself for my birthday. It’s called ‘Evening Stroll.'”
Valeska’s story is almost as crazy as Paulette’s. Back in 2011, we interviewed Valeska about the 11 years she spent as a virtual prisoner on Scientology’s cruise ship after her mother dared to criticize Scientology on French television. That story about Valeska turned out to be the most-read story on Scientology we ever published at the Voice.
We told Paulette we had to hand it to her. She not only had found a way to treat herself with a painting she really admires, but also to give a boost to someone who, like her, had been harmed by Scientology.
That Miss Lovely, always sticking it to Miscavige.
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The Cult Awareness Podcast: Here’s the new episode!
This week, Jerry Minor tells us about how Jehovah’s Witnesses use employment to keep people in line, and he asks us about our reporting on US presidential candidate Tulsi Gabbard, among other subjects.
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Bonus items from our tipsters
Meanwhile, in Canada…
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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?
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THE WHOLE TRACK
[ONE year ago] Paulette Cooper turns 76: ‘I found my best friend from the orphanage — from 70 years ago’
[TWO years ago] Paulette Cooper at 75: Still unbreakable, and still Miss Lovely
[THREE years ago] Hungarian tabloid’s wacky claim: Shit poured on Scientology’s leader in Budapest protest
[FOUR years ago] Happy Birthday, Miss Lovely: A tribute to the dauntless and unbreakable Paulette Cooper
[FIVE years ago] Scientology surrenders — at least partially — in seven lawsuits against its rehab network
[SIX years ago] Scientology, Your Proprietor, and the Airwaves
[SEVEN years ago] Jamie DeWolf, L. Ron Hubbard Great-Grandson, Gaining More Notoriety for His Views on Scientology
[EIGHT years ago] Tad Reeves: More Scenes from the Life of a Scientologist
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Bernie Headley has not seen his daughter Stephanie in 5,519 days.
Valerie Haney has not seen her mother Lynne in 1,648 days.
Katrina Reyes has not seen her mother Yelena in 2,152 days
Sylvia Wagner DeWall has not seen her brother Randy in 1,672 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his grandson Leo in 692 days.
Geoff Levin has not seen his son Collin and daughter Savannah in 583 days.
Christie Collbran has not seen her mother Liz King in 3,890 days.
Clarissa Adams has not seen her parents Walter and Irmin Huber in 1,758 days.
Carol Nyburg has not seen her daughter Nancy in 2,532 days.
Jamie Sorrentini Lugli has not seen her father Irving in 3,306 days.
Quailynn McDaniel has not seen her brother Sean in 2,652 days.
Dylan Gill has not seen his father Russell in 11,218 days.
Melissa Paris has not seen her father Jean-Francois in 7,137 days.
Valeska Paris has not seen her brother Raphael in 3,305 days.
Mirriam Francis has not seen her brother Ben in 2,886 days.
Claudio and Renata Lugli have not seen their son Flavio in 3,147 days.
Sara Goldberg has not seen her daughter Ashley in 2,186 days.
Lori Hodgson has not seen her son Jeremy and daughter Jessica in 1,898 days.
Marie Bilheimer has not seen her mother June in 1,424 days.
Joe Reaiche has not seen his daughter Alanna Masterson in 5,513 days
Derek Bloch has not seen his father Darren in 2,653 days.
Cindy Plahuta has not seen her daughter Kara in 2,973 days.
Roger Weller has not seen his daughter Alyssa in 7,829 days.
Claire Headley has not seen her mother Gen in 2,948 days.
Ramana Dienes-Browning has not seen her mother Jancis in 1,303 days.
Mike Rinder has not seen his son Benjamin and daughter Taryn in 5,606 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his daughter Spring in 1,712 days.
Skip Young has not seen his daughters Megan and Alexis in 2,114 days.
Mary Kahn has not seen her son Sammy in 1,986 days.
Lois Reisdorf has not seen her son Craig in 1,569 days.
Phil and Willie Jones have not seen their son Mike and daughter Emily in 2,064 days.
Mary Jane Sterne has not seen her daughter Samantha in 2,318 days.
Kate Bornstein has not seen her daughter Jessica in 13,427 days.
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Posted by Tony Ortega on July 26, 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
