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A triple BONANZA of Scientology vids promoting its rockin’ cruise ship, the Freewinds!

 
Now this is a great way to keep our Thanksgiving weekend vibe going!

Our special thanks to the tipster who forwarded a gushing email from Jakob Grimm of the Freewinds promotional team that was sent out to Scientologists on Wednesday. We’re nearly as excited as Jakob is…

Dear Theta Buddies,

You really need to see these amazing videos. I loved them and I’m sure you will, too.

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So prepare to have your mind blown! Please watch the below asap!

How right he is. You need to see these right away!

 

Thanks to our eagle-eyed readers who keep an eye on the Freewinds (especially Kestrel), we know that except for a quick recent trip to Curaçao for some drydock repairs, the Freewinds has been tied up to a dock in Aruba since March, 2020.

So when were these shots of the barge under full steam, and with the crew in its dazzling whites standing at attention, filmed?

Was this footage in the can, or did they use the quick trip to Curaçao for filming purposes? If you know, please drop us a line.

Anyway, once again we are struck by how much Scientology works hard to promote the Freewinds as a destination, even as it remains moored in Aruba. Scientologists who fork out the big bucks to go there must know it’s not sailing anywhere, right?

 

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Sign up for a daily email when we post a new story on Scientology.

Did you know you can get an email every morning when we post our daily Scientology story? We know some of the folks who come to the Underground Bunker aren’t here to talk about the politics of the day, and that’s why we created a daily politics feature over at our other blog, The Lowdown, and we ask readers to take their political discussions over there. And if you drop us a line at tonyo94 AT gmail, we’ll put you on the list so you get a morning reminder that a new Scientology story has been posted — and only for our Scientology stories.

 
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Source Code

“Once in a while, you will exteriorize a thetan and he will try to steady himself by putting a beam on the wall, and the wall will eat up the beam. The beam, you see, is very, too close to the wavelength of that wall, and the, he’ll stick….It isn’t that he’s drifted down in combating the wavelength forever, he just mocks up on that level with great ease, and he’s got a real body. He’d be visible, to some slight degree, even to MEST eyes. They’re, scare people stiff if they happen to turn around and see one of these boys, because they’re real rough-looking characters, there’s no doubt about it. Of course, they have a sort of a humor about their roughness. I ran into one, one time, that had a beautiful tail. This solid black, sort of furry, with a beautiful tail, and a cat’s face, and long electronic — this sounds like something out of a nightmare, I know — and long electronic claws. And, I asked this character a few questions, one way or the other, I mean, I exteriorized him just that way, you see, exteriorized him in his body, and I asked him to knock a piece of paper off the desk, and he simply reached over and he knocked the piece of paper all right, but he also charred it! And, he reached around a moment later and took hold of the sofa and stuck to it. He couldn’t get his hand free instantly, startled him, and he did an immediate flip back into the body. But he was quite visible to MEST eyes. It was like a dark shadow standing in the room. If you can imagine a shadow, a quite plain shadow, standing upright in the room with a quite bright set of streamers coming out of its hands, you’d have this. This is very, very strange. This fellow, by the way, was quite afraid of demons. And he’d mocked his, he had mocked himself up this way because for many centuries he had fought demons. And of course he went in and mocked up, then, the winning valence: the demons.” — L. Ron Hubbard, November 26, 1953

 
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Avast, Ye Mateys

“LRH COMM FLAG: Norman Chouinard is appointed LRH Comm Flag, part of the double hat Ken Urquhart had been wearing in addition to LRH Personal Comm. LRH Comm Flag continues the duties of LRH Comm FAO but now for all Flag internal LRH projects and Eds and orders. The FAO LRH Comm post simply broadens. All LRH Comm actions aboard, internal and External come under LRH Personal Comm Flag.” — The Commodore, November 26, 1971

 
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Overheard in the FreeZone

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“I think LRH’s own case got the better of him ultimately. Researched a lot of processes, but did he GET A LOT? (Hell, even Hubbard’s own auditor tapes of him auditing SUCK!…he double and triple acks….invalidative and even supercilious.) He put FAR TOO MUCH ATTENTION on NAYSAYERS. You DON’T ACKNOWLEDGE them or give them credence. ACT as if ALREADY disconnected from them. If Arnold Schwarzenegger listened to all naysayers, he’d still be in Bavaria somewhere parking trucks or driving tanks!”

 
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Past is Prologue

1998: The St. Petersburg Times published a column by Mary Jo Melone on the Lisa McPherson charges against Scientology this week. “The usual rules of the game require that I withhold judgment on the charges of criminal neglect and practicing medicine without a license that were filed against the Church of Scientology on Nov. 13 by Pinellas-Pasco State Attorney Bernie McCabe in connection with McPherson’s death in 1995. But the good guys finally struck back at that collection in Clearwater of the glassy-eyed, the robotic and the rich. And the just plain sick. The Scientologists didn’t literally use a turkey baster to force pseudo-medical cocktails into McPherson, but a device that operates under the same principle, called an irrigation syringe. Imagine a needleless syringe bigger than the one used to give you a flu shot. Honest-to-God medical people use it to flush wounds, said Ken Dandar, the attorney for McPherson’s survivors, who are suing the Scientologists. McPherson was pumped with concoctions that would have impressed Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde: magnesium, a sedative called chloral hydrate, aspirin, the antihistamine Benadryl, and assorted vitamins and herbs. Scientology mumbo-jumbo swears it was going to save her from her psychosis.”

 
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Random Howdy

“Third party law was specifically created by Hubbard to handle mothers-in-law.”

 
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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 February 8. Trial scheduled for August 29, 2022.

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‘Lafayette Ronald Hubbard’ (a/k/a Justin Craig), false imprisonment, aggravated assault, plus drug charges: Hearing scheduled for November 30.
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 December 17 in Los Angeles
David Gentile, GPB Capital, fraud: Next pretrial conference set for February 11.
Joseph ‘Ben’ Barton, Medicare fraud: Pleaded guilty, awaiting sentencing.

Civil litigation:
Luis and Rocio Garcia v. Scientology: Eleventh Circuit affirmed ruling granting Scientology’s motion for arbitration. Garcias considering next move.
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 held November 2, awaiting a ruling.
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.

SCIENTOLOGY: FAIR GAME

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] On a Thanksgiving like no other, we’re thankful again for people we will never forget
[TWO years ago] David Miscavige: Valerie Haney’s lawsuit is a publicity stunt and I want no part of it
[THREE years ago] When the person who certified Scientology ‘Clears’ discovered that there were no Clears
[FOUR years ago] EXCLUSIVE: Scientology interrogated Danny Masterson and accuser, didn’t notify LAPD
[FIVE years ago] ‘Radar’ magazine latest to peddle ‘Tom Cruise leaving Scientology’ fake news
[SIX years ago] We’re giving thanks here in the Underground Bunker, and we hope you’ll help us out
[SEVEN years ago] Scientology asks court in Monique Rathbun’s case to take note of Vance Woodward’s loss
[EIGHT years ago] Bizarre and Pricey! Auditing Scientology’s Operating Thetan Level 2 with Claire & Bruce
[NINE years ago] Florida Court Hears Scientology Testimony in Strict Secrecy
[TEN years ago] Scientology Leftovers: Commenters of the Week!

 
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Scientology disconnection, a reminder

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 2,496 days.
Katrina Reyes has not seen her mother Yelena in 3,001 days
Sylvia Wagner DeWall has not seen her brother Randy in 2,521 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his grandson Leo in 1,541 days.
Geoff Levin has not seen his son Collin and daughter Savannah in 1,432 days.
Christie Collbran has not seen her mother Liz King in 4,739 days.
Clarissa Adams has not seen her parents Walter and Irmin Huber in 2,607 days.
Carol Nyburg has not seen her daughter Nancy in 3,381 days.
Doug Kramer has not seen his parents Linda and Norm in 1,711 days.
Jamie Sorrentini Lugli has not seen her father Irving in 4,185 days.
Quailynn McDaniel has not seen her brother Sean in 3,501 days.
Dylan Gill has not seen his father Russell in 12,067 days.
Melissa Paris has not seen her father Jean-Francois in 7,986 days.
Valeska Paris has not seen her brother Raphael in 4,154 days.
Mirriam Francis has not seen her brother Ben in 3,735 days.
Claudio and Renata Lugli have not seen their son Flavio in 3,996 days.
Sara Goldberg has not seen her daughter Ashley in 3,032 days.
Lori Hodgson has not seen her son Jeremy and daughter Jessica in 2,747 days.
Marie Bilheimer has not seen her mother June in 2,272 days.
Julian Wain has not seen his brother Joseph or mother Susan in 627 days.
Charley Updegrove has not seen his son Toby in 1,802 days.
Joe Reaiche has not seen his daughter Alanna Masterson in 6,353 days
Derek Bloch has not seen his father Darren in 3,502 days.
Cindy Plahuta has not seen her daughter Kara in 3,822 days.
Roger Weller has not seen his daughter Alyssa in 8,677 days.
Claire Headley has not seen her mother Gen in 3,796 days.
Ramana Dienes-Browning has not seen her mother Jancis in 2,152 days.
Mike Rinder has not seen his son Benjamin and daughter Taryn in 6,455 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his daughter Spring in 2,561 days.
Skip Young has not seen his daughters Megan and Alexis in 2,959 days.
Mary Kahn has not seen her son Sammy in 2,835 days.
Lois Reisdorf has not seen her son Craig in 2,418 days.
Phil and Willie Jones have not seen their son Mike and daughter Emily in 2,913 days.
Mary Jane Barry has not seen her daughter Samantha in 3,167 days.
Kate Bornstein has not seen her daughter Jessica in 14,276 days.

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Posted by Tony Ortega on November 26, 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

 

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