The second week of March in 2020, as the pandemic was hitting the US, she was aboard the Freewinds in Curaçao.
An OT Scientologist, she’s very dedicated to the church, and she posts about it fairly frequently on Facebook, giving us a look at how the last couple of years has gone.
We thought we’d take a detailed look at how one Scientologist couple, at least, has weathered the storm.
On March 14, 2020, she reacted to news that the country was shutting down by posting advice from Scientology about keeping safe in a dangerous environment.
She linked to Scientology’s “How to Keep Yourself & Others Healthy” pages and to The Way to Happiness. She posted the “Spread a Smile” video with a “This is great!” on April 12.
With everyone in lockdown, she focused on gardening and cooking, and baking banana bread with her granddaughter.
On May 2, she posted Leigh Dundas’s speech from a boat in front of the state capitol in Sacramento. (We wrote about that around that time, and you can see it here.)
On May 5, she posted Scientology’s claim that it had no Covid cases at its Los Angeles headquarters. “I’m very proud to be part of Scientology for over 40 years,” she said.
On May 10, she posted an L. Ron Hubbard quote about a woman’s role in our society: “In the custody of Man is the current world and its activity and structure. In the charge of woman is the care of the person of the human being and his children. Almost sole custodian of tomorrow’s generation, she is entitled to much more respect than her chattel period of the past gave her. It is not, then, any wild Utopian thought that woman can be placed above the level hitherto occupied. And so she must be placed if the childhood of tomorrow’s generation is to reach any high standard, if homes are to be peaceful and unharassed and if society is to advance.”
On May 18, she posted a broadside from Rand Paul: “Of course, some minor shutdowns and inconveniences would happen with COVID. But trillions of dollars and 30 million job losses later, we have to ask — how long can we sustain this? I’m afraid the answer is not much longer. I stood up to the public health official’s scare tactics in the Senate this week.”
On May 27, she posted a Ron Paul quote: “Masks are just a form of psychological manipulation.”
On August 15, she and her husband celebrated their 21st wedding anniversary. They went out to a steakhouse to celebrate.
On August 27, her husband celebrated his 70th birthday.
On November 25, she indicated that she was in Aruba and doing the quarantine before going to the Freewinds. She also acknowledged to a friend that she planned to put her San Diego County house on the market the next month in preparation for moving to Texas. It was startling news for their friends: She had lived in the San Diego area since 1979.
After two weeks in quarantine, she was on the ship for a week, and then home for Christmas. She planned to go back to the ship soon.
On Valentine’s day 2021, she and her husband celebrated the quick sale of their California home with their realtor and looked forward to their move to Texas. It was a hot market, and in three days they had nine offers above asking price. In the meantime, they tried to visit as many of their favorite local restaurants as they could.
On March 7, they made the move. They would be staying in a rental home while their new house was being built.
Asked why they had moved, she explained that her son and grandchildren were nearby (although a daughter was still in California) and financially it made sense for them. But also, “California is disappointing me after all these years….California was driving me crazy politically.” In particular, she said how much she admired Texas Governor Greg Abbott and linked to a post about him removing mask mandates in the state. She also liked that Dallas was a hub and she could easily fly to Aruba to get back to the Freewinds.
On June 19, she posted a link to a story celebrating Leigh Dundas and her fiery, anti-vaccine advocacy.
On July 14, she posted a link to an anti-vaccine video and the next day to a post from CCHR. The day after that, she posted an image from the custom cover she had ordered for The Way to Happiness booklets that would have her own photo on the back. On the front was an image of Texas bluebonnets (see photo above).
On July 26, she was happy to be going to a gym again. Also that day, she posted a message from Ron Paul calling the prosecution of Jan 6 rioters political “show trials.”
On August 5, she delivered Scientology front group literature to her local police.
On August 15, she marked their 22nd wedding anniversary.
Then, two weeks later, she posted this…
In the post and two follow-ups, she didn’t hint at what had suddenly killed her husband, and none of the hundreds of commenters asked.
When, a couple of weeks later, someone asked how she was doing, she replied, “I still don’t have my energy or strength back and that’s annoying. But I do as much as I can and then rest and then do as much as I can and then rest again until this damn thing is over with.”
She then appeared to recover and has resumed posting photos of her grandchildren.
Our researcher who helped us with this story has been sending us similar posts about several other OT Scientologists who have died suddenly in recent weeks.
“Usually, when anyone posts about someone dying, everyone asks what happened, and asks for details, right? It’s like Scientologists are mostly avoiding mentioning what happened when somebody dies now. It’s strange. There’s a dearth of public Scientologist obituaries too. I wonder if Scientologists have been told to not publicly reveal the cause of death or any details when one of them dies of Covid now. Because it goes against their ‘Stay Well’ propaganda maybe? At this point, if you refuse to get vaccinated, and you get Covid, you pretty much ‘pulled it in’.”
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Bonus items from our tipsters
Spooky images from last night’s Halloween celebration at the Scientology Hollywood Celebrity Centre.
Our tipster says it was pretty empty.
“Not too many people in the garden. There were some people having dinner at Renaissance and that’s it.”
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“I hypnotized, one time, the staff of St. Elizabeth’s. Told them they’d heard a good speech and left the stage. They all came around afterwards saying, ‘What a good speech that was you gave!’ That was a mean thing to do. That was certainly backing out of it, wasn’t it? But it was in the early career of Dianetics and I felt very much like backing out of it. I was preceded by someone who told all of them how bad it was over ‘Ron-ward.’ They might afterwards have suspected my knowledge of the mind, but certainly not my knowledge of hypnotism. It’s very easy to hypnotize groups.” — L. Ron Hubbard, November 1, 1956
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“The cause of war is incompetent government. The cause of ‘secret intelligence wars’ is incompetent intelligence services. We have no intention of getting loused up here so be alert and handle it both as ship organization and with your own personnel PRO ashore. We are honest legitimate people. Where we go money flows in. The enemy must not be permitted to cut income off from our local friends because Jewish international bankers hate anyone who help such a country as this.” — The Commodore, November 1, 1969
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“My reality on the whole track has expanded many times over. My postulates work far far better. My self determinism and pan determinism is exponentially greater. In many sessions I found myself blowing huge chunks of stuff that had derailed me many times through the years and it’s no longer anywhere around and I don’t think I could re-mock it up if I tried!”
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2001: Activist Rose Paul died this week in Florida. “Rose Paul lost a daughter to Scientology in the mid 1970’s. Rose Paul was an anti-Scientology activist for many years. She was a long time fighter. At the University of Miami they gave her a table and she handed out materials to new students for many years, telling them about the dangers of cults, of course she stressed the most killer cult of all – Scientology. Rose Paul’s daughter is on staff in Scientology in Clearwater. Rose Paul’s daughter is Nina Palmer stationed in Clearwater. Nina disconnected from her mother in 1976. She did not show up when Rose died nor did she ever visit her in the past 25 years. Rose Paul was a wonderful woman as many of us know and felt her love and care. Rose Paul participated in the picket Clearwater in march ’96, she was 85 years of age at that time.”
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“If Hubbard hadn’t created Scientology, no one would even remember him.”
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Full Court Press: What we’re watching at the Underground Bunker
Criminal prosecutions:
— Danny Masterson charged for raping three women: Next hearing set for November 10. Trial tentatively scheduled for February.
— Hanan and Rizza Islam and other family members, Medi-Cal fraud: Pretrial conference December 17 in Los Angeles
— David Gentile, GPB Capital, fraud: Next pretrial conference set for November 19.
— Joseph ‘Ben’ Barton, Medicare fraud: Pleaded guilty, awaiting sentencing.
Civil litigation:
— Luis and Rocio Garcia v. Scientology: Oral arguments were heard on July 30, 2020 at the Eleventh Circuit
— Valerie Haney v. Scientology: Forced to ‘religious arbitration.’ US Supreme Court denied Valerie’s petition Oct 4.
— Chrissie Bixler et al. v. Scientology and Danny Masterson: California Supreme Court granted review on May 26 and asked the Second Appellate Division to direct Judge Steven Kleifield to show cause why he granted Scientology’s motion for arbitration. Oral arguments scheduled for November 2.
— Matt and Kathy Feschbach tax debt: Eleventh Circuit ruled on Sept 9, 2020 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: Third amended complaint filed, trial set for June 28, 2022.
— Author Steve Cannane defamation trial: Trial concluded, Cannane victorious, awarded court costs. Case appealed on Dec 23. Appeal hearing held Aug 23-27. Awaiting a ruling.
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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, including our four days in Los Angeles covering the preliminary hearing and its ruling, which has Danny facing trial and the potential sentence of 45 years to life in prison.
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] Checking in with Scientology social media to see how the world takeover is going
[TWO years ago] Kansas City going Ideal! Scientology’s grand opening is tomorrow — will Dave be there?
[THREE years ago] Scientology’s new survey is a hoot — we’re itching for your answers!
[FOUR years ago] The first Scientologist with ‘Super Power’ gets super spanked by bankruptcy judge
[FIVE years ago] Hillary Clinton has considered David Miscavige’s appeals lawyer for the US Supreme Court
[SIX years ago] Jonny Jacobsen: Reflecting on the first week of Scientology’s criminal trial in Belgium
[SEVEN years ago] Jon Atack: Are cult members — like those in Scientology — unduly influenced?
[EIGHT years ago] Scientology Surprise: An Interview With OTVIIIisGrrr8!
[NINE years ago] Nathan Baca: Scientology’s Nevada Drug Rehab Program Is Completely Unregulated
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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 2,471 days.
Katrina Reyes has not seen her mother Yelena in 2,976 days
Sylvia Wagner DeWall has not seen her brother Randy in 2,496 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his grandson Leo in 1,516 days.
Geoff Levin has not seen his son Collin and daughter Savannah in 1,407 days.
Christie Collbran has not seen her mother Liz King in 4,714 days.
Clarissa Adams has not seen her parents Walter and Irmin Huber in 2,582 days.
Carol Nyburg has not seen her daughter Nancy in 3,356 days.
Doug Kramer has not seen his parents Linda and Norm in 1,686 days.
Jamie Sorrentini Lugli has not seen her father Irving in 4,160 days.
Quailynn McDaniel has not seen her brother Sean in 3,476 days.
Dylan Gill has not seen his father Russell in 12,042 days.
Melissa Paris has not seen her father Jean-Francois in 7,961 days.
Valeska Paris has not seen her brother Raphael in 4,129 days.
Mirriam Francis has not seen her brother Ben in 3,710 days.
Claudio and Renata Lugli have not seen their son Flavio in 3,971 days.
Sara Goldberg has not seen her daughter Ashley in 3,007 days.
Lori Hodgson has not seen her son Jeremy and daughter Jessica in 2,722 days.
Marie Bilheimer has not seen her mother June in 2,247 days.
Julian Wain has not seen his brother Joseph or mother Susan in 602 days.
Charley Updegrove has not seen his son Toby in 1,777 days.
Joe Reaiche has not seen his daughter Alanna Masterson in 6,328 days
Derek Bloch has not seen his father Darren in 3,477 days.
Cindy Plahuta has not seen her daughter Kara in 3,797 days.
Roger Weller has not seen his daughter Alyssa in 8,652 days.
Claire Headley has not seen her mother Gen in 3,771 days.
Ramana Dienes-Browning has not seen her mother Jancis in 2,127 days.
Mike Rinder has not seen his son Benjamin and daughter Taryn in 6,430 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his daughter Spring in 2,536 days.
Skip Young has not seen his daughters Megan and Alexis in 2,934 days.
Mary Kahn has not seen her son Sammy in 2,810 days.
Lois Reisdorf has not seen her son Craig in 2,393 days.
Phil and Willie Jones have not seen their son Mike and daughter Emily in 2,888 days.
Mary Jane Barry has not seen her daughter Samantha in 3,142 days.
Kate Bornstein has not seen her daughter Jessica in 14,251 days.
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Posted by Tony Ortega on November 1, 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
Tony Ortega at The Daily Beast
