Scientology is always hunting around for new themes to use in its fundraising, from Star Wars to The Last Samurai. And we didn’t think it could get more on-the-nose than Caribbean pirates and 30’s gangsters asking for your dough.
Hand over yer booty, me lovelies!
But the folks in Chicago have really come through, and with an Ideal Org grand opening only weeks away (we think). In their latest gambit, to get folks amped up for a big fundraising event this weekend, they’ve hit on some Windy City gold: Jake and Elwood Blues!
What a brilliant way to get Scientologists in Illinois ready and willing to go on a mission from Ron!
We only wish we could attend the big event. Sure would be fun if someone could get us a report after attending…
— The Proprietor
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In Scientology, hypocrisy in the worship of money is a sacrament
Last year, Grant Cardone posted to his Twitter account a short video of himself answering a question from an admirer who admitted that his career aspirations had been hurt by his weed habit.
“Imagine,” Cardone wrote, “what this guy would be like without the kush.”
For years we’ve followed Cardone’s antics here at the Bunker. An OT Scientologist and major donor, Cardone has done David Miscavige’s dirty work, he’s squired Scientology’s most wealthy backers, and he’s also proved he can fill a Scientology org with admirers.
But when it comes to drugs, Cardone is not consistent.
Scientology is opposed to the use of recreational drugs, most medically-prescribed drugs, and is violently opposed to all psychiatric drugs. Scientology has two anti-drug front groups:
1. Citizens Commission on Human Rights: CCHR is an unhinged front group created to destroy psychiatry and outlaw the use of all psychiatric drugs. L. Ron Hubbard taught that psychiatrists are an evil alien race of extraterrestrials that have existed for trillions of years. Hubbard said that psychiatrists come from the planet Farsec.
2. Foundation for a Drug Free World: Created to oppose the use of street drugs. This includes marijuana.
When a person first begins in Scientology, he or she must do the Purification Rundown, a grueling monthlong regimen of sauna use and increasing vitamins intake. This dangerous pseudoscience claims it flushes all stored drugs toxins and residues from past drug use from the body.
Hubbard taught the body must be clean and free of the drug toxins before Scientology auditing (called processing) can be effective. As we have previously revealed, Hubbard wrote in the formerly confidential OT materials that the real secret of the Purification Rundown is that it drops a person’s body thetans out of chronic restimulation from the person’s drug use.
Scientology’s front group Drug Free World prints a series of booklets warning of the dangers of drugs:
This Scientology booklet says of marijuana:
When a person inhales the smoke from a joint or a pipe, he usually feels its effect within minutes. The immediate sensations — increased heart rate, lessened coordination and balance, and a “dreamy,” unreal state of mind—peak within the first 30 minutes… it has been found that smoking one joint gives as much exposure to cancer-producing chemicals as smoking four to five cigarettes. The mental consequences of marijuana use are equally severe. Marijuana smokers have poorer memories and mental aptitude than do non-users. Recent studies on young adults that smoke marijuana, found abnormalities in the brain related to emotion, motivation and decision-making.
As a high-level Scientologist, Cardone would be expected to forward the drug-free line and oppose any promotion or endorsement of marijuana use.
However…
Cardone hired international superstar Snoop Dogg to make personal appearances at his 2019 and 2020 “10X” events. Snoop Dogg is practically synonymous with marijuana use, and he is not a Scientologist.
Is Cardone a Scientology hypocrite for hiring Snoop Dogg?
Strictly speaking, yes. Cardone makes a farce out of Scientology’s Narconon drug treatment program, Foundation for a Drug Free World, and Scientology’s efforts to fight drug use.
Cardone also betrays L. Ron Hubbard who wrote:
It should be noted especially that the goal of Scientology is better self-determinism for the preclear. This rules out at once hypnotism, drugs, alcohol or other control mechanisms used by other and older therapies. It will be found that such things are not only not necessary, but they are in direct opposition to the goals of greater ability for the preclear. — L. Ron Hubbard, Fundamentals of Thought.
According to Hubbard, Snoop Dogg’s use of marijuana is in direct opposition to Scientology’s core goal to make a person self-determined. In Scientology, a person cannot use drugs and be self-determined. The two things are antithetical.
Grant Cardone’s 10X events are designed to push people to take charge of their lives, to become self-determined, and to motivate them to 10X their goals. As a Scientologist, and in his own life, Cardone is deeply committed to Hubbard’s teaching that self-determinism, which is the basis of success, and drug use do not go together.
Cardone talks a great deal about how drug use destroyed his life from age 17 to 25. He has many times shared how he was beaten and pistol-whipped in the face and head as a result of drug use and associating with drug users. Cardone needed 70 stitches as a result of the savage pistol-whipping. He still bears scars in his face from the brutal incident.
Cardone is sending a mixed message at his 10X events. If you’re a celebrity and Cardone wants to hire you to make a personal appearance then smoking marijuana is not a big deal.
— Jeffrey Augustine
“Power of choice, when that is too badly thrown aside, people object to this thing. That is why slavery has gotten a bad name as a practice. In actual fact you look at the economics of it and you find a lot of things about a slave society which are quite interesting. You find a society which is, has no objection to this sort of thing and which can free slaves rather easily and you find a lot of people walking up and saying, ‘I want to be a slave.’ But slavery itself is this thing of a beingness, an enforced beingness over which an individual has no power of choice and therefore it gets a bad name.” — L. Ron Hubbard, May 17, 1962
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“The activity called ‘Black Propaganda’ consists of spreading lies by hidden sources. It inevitably results in injustices being done by those who operate without verifying the truth. For instance all the attacks on Scientology were Black Propaganda from hidden Fascist groups. This has caused injustice. Black Propaganda was a Nazi specialty. But injustice recoills on those who deal in it. Thus a hidden lying source can cause authority to act. Thus authority can be undermined by being made to commit injustices….If the world were honest, justice and the need for it would vanish. The road out is the Road to Truth.” — The Commodore, May 17, 1971
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“Scientology was the use of science, in the 20th century, to explain the material phenomena created by the spirit. The previous case to explain material phenomena created by the spirit was the book Principia Mathematica by Isaac Newton. Science as practiced by Newton was attacked by the Inquisition. Similarly, Scientology or the study of knowledge was attacked by the inquisition of the 20th century, namely, psychology (APA), psychiatry (WFMH) and medicine (AMA). Newton was protected from the Inquisition by being at a distance from Spain and by residing in a country with a separate branch of the Catholic Church, the Church of England. Scientology had as protection the Fair Game policy, that could be described as a policy to destroy its enemies after they are defined as enemy by a list of destructive actions and a publication.”
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2001: Entertainment Tonight aired an interview with Scientology celebrities Jenna Elfman and Kirstie Alley. “Kirstie said ‘nothing great on this planet goes unattacked.’ Kirstie says about her marriage counselor role on Dharma & Greg: ‘No. I’m a flake. I don’t like marriage counselors, so it’s fun to play these. I’m not a big shrink advocate or counselor advocate, so I like playing them when they’re idiots…You know what, here’s the thing. People can attack my religion if they want, they are showing that they are not very bright. Because if they actually investigated it, and read one of the books, they would see that it’s very beautiful.'”
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“Sherbet, if you saw ‘Heavenly Creatures’ — the best film Peter Jackson ever did — you would understand the similarities between the folie à deux world the girls live in and that of Scientologists. Plus it’s got clay modeling as well as Kate Winslet and ‘Rose’ from ‘Two and a Half Men’.”
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Full Court Press: What we’re watching at the Underground Bunker
Criminal prosecutions:
— Danny Masterson charged for raping three women: Preliminary hearing set for May 18.
— Jay and Jeff Spina, Medicare fraud: Jay sentenced to 9 years in prison. Jeff’s sentencing to be scheduled.
— Hanan and Rizza Islam and other family members, Medi-Cal fraud: Pretrial conference May 20 in Los Angeles
— David Gentile, GPB Capital, fraud: Next pretrial conference set for June 18.
Civil litigation:
— Luis and Rocio Garcia v. Scientology: Oral arguments were heard on July 30 at the Eleventh Circuit
— Valerie Haney v. Scientology: Forced to ‘religious arbitration.’ Petition for writ of mandate denied Oct 22 by Cal 2nd Appellate District. Petition for review by state supreme court denied Dec 11.
— Chrissie Bixler et al. v. Scientology and Danny Masterson: Dec 30, Judge Kleifield granted Scientology’s motions to compel arbitration. June 7: Status conference.
— Matt and Kathy Feschbach tax debt: Eleventh Circuit ruled on Sept 9 that Feshbachs can’t discharge IRS debt in bankruptcy. Dec 17: Feshbachs sign court judgment obliging them to pay entire $3.674 million tax debt, plus interest from Nov 19.
— Brian Statler Sr v. City of Inglewood: Second amended complaint filed, trial set for Nov 9, 2021.
— Author Steve Cannane defamation trial: Trial concluded, Cannane victorious, awarded court costs. Case appealed on Dec 24.
Concluded litigation:
— Dennis Nobbe, Medicare fraud, PPP loan fraud: Charged July 29. Bond revoked Sep 14. Nobbe dead, Sep 14.
— Jane Doe v. Scientology (in Miami): Jane Doe dismissed the lawsuit on May 15 after the Clearwater Police dropped their criminal investigation of her allegations.
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SCIENTOLOGY BLACK OPS: Tom Cruise and dirty tricks
The Australian Seven News network cancelled a 10-part investigation of Scientology and its history of dirty tricks. Read the transcripts of the episodes and judge for yourself why Tom Cruise and Tommy Davis might not have wanted viewers to see this hard-hitting series by journalist Bryan Seymour.
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’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] Leaked audio of Scientology ship commander giving marching orders during the pandemic
[TWO years ago] Once again, Scientology celebrates a Nation of Islam bigot tonight in Los Angeles
[THREE years ago] Living with Scientology ‘disconnection’: ‘It’s important to never give up hope’
[FOUR years ago] San Diego on Saturday: Psych-busting and Scientology hip hop!
[FIVE years ago] Judge Doyle: I have Scientologists in the family, but I can be impartial in forced-abortion case
[SIX years ago] ‘The Unbreakable Miss Lovely’ goes on the road — and so does Paulette Cooper!
[SEVEN years ago] L. Ron Hubbard describes infiltrating a veterans’ hospital in a lecture only for Scientologists
[EIGHT years ago] About that Scientology “Photoshopped” Image…
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Bernie Headley (1952-2019) did not see his daughter Stephanie in his final 5,667 days.
Valerie Haney has not seen her mother Lynne in 2,304 days.
Katrina Reyes has not seen her mother Yelena in 2,808 days
Sylvia Wagner DeWall has not seen her brother Randy in 2,328 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his grandson Leo in 1,348 days.
Geoff Levin has not seen his son Collin and daughter Savannah in 1,239 days.
Christie Collbran has not seen her mother Liz King in 4,546 days.
Clarissa Adams has not seen her parents Walter and Irmin Huber in 2,414 days.
Carol Nyburg has not seen her daughter Nancy in 3,188 days.
Doug Kramer has not seen his parents Linda and Norm in 1,518 days.
Jamie Sorrentini Lugli has not seen her father Irving in 3,992 days.
Quailynn McDaniel has not seen her brother Sean in 3,308 days.
Dylan Gill has not seen his father Russell in 11,874 days.
Melissa Paris has not seen her father Jean-Francois in 7,793 days.
Valeska Paris has not seen her brother Raphael in 3,961 days.
Mirriam Francis has not seen her brother Ben in 3,542 days.
Claudio and Renata Lugli have not seen their son Flavio in 3,803 days.
Sara Goldberg has not seen her daughter Ashley in 2,841 days.
Lori Hodgson has not seen her son Jeremy and daughter Jessica in 2,554 days.
Marie Bilheimer has not seen her mother June in 2,079 days.
Julian Wain has not seen his brother Joseph or mother Susan in 434 days.
Charley Updegrove has not seen his son Toby in 1,609 days.
Joe Reaiche has not seen his daughter Alanna Masterson in 6,160 days
Derek Bloch has not seen his father Darren in 3,309 days.
Cindy Plahuta has not seen her daughter Kara in 3,629 days.
Roger Weller has not seen his daughter Alyssa in 8,484 days.
Claire Headley has not seen her mother Gen in 3,603 days.
Ramana Dienes-Browning has not seen her mother Jancis in 1,959 days.
Mike Rinder has not seen his son Benjamin and daughter Taryn in 6,262 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his daughter Spring in 2,368 days.
Skip Young has not seen his daughters Megan and Alexis in 2,770 days.
Mary Kahn has not seen her son Sammy in 2,642 days.
Lois Reisdorf has not seen her son Craig in 2,225 days.
Phil and Willie Jones have not seen their son Mike and daughter Emily in 2,720 days.
Mary Jane Barry has not seen her daughter Samantha in 2,974 days.
Kate Bornstein has not seen her daughter Jessica in 14,083 days.
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Posted by Tony Ortega on May 17, 2021 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, 1995-2020 Just starting out here? We’ve picked out the most important stories we’ve covered here at the Underground Bunker (2012-2020), 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
