On Friday we brought you a rather amazing (and disturbing) recruitment video from the crew at Scientology’s Orlando “Ideal Org.” The video seemed to use a reference to Adolf Hitler as a way of spreading fear over the measures being aimed at the lethal pandemic, and proposed working for Scientology as a kind of paradise.
Fortunately for us, the Orlando staff has put out another video.
This one is an update on its progress in this year’s Birthday Game.
Scientology orgs compete with each other to bring in the most money as a birthday present to Scientology founder L. Ron Hubbard, who was born on March 13, 1911 and died in 1986. The Orlando Ideal Org opened in 2018, so by now its heyday has already passed it by, and we would be surprised if it really is doing well in the Birthday Game this year.
As our new Insider explained, each Ideal Org gets an unfair advantage after it has its grand opening, and it usually wins the Birthday Game after its first year in existence. But after that the Ideal Orgs quickly become moribund.
But hey, maybe with the pandemic and no new orgs in a couple of years (Ventura was the last grand opening, in February 2020), Orlando still has a shot!
Take in this news report from the folks there, and let us know if you think this isn’t a thriving Scientology location under the worldwide leadership of David Miscavige.
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Bonus items from our tipsters
Ah, we’re sorry we missed this event on Sunday. Anyone go? We’d love to hear how Elena’s talk was.
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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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“Our problem at this time probably doesn’t have anything to do with making anybody better. Our problem, probably from here on out, is a problem of another hue and color. It is probably ‘Now having cracked the confounded thing, how do we keep this universe here?’ That’s probably a much more interesting problem.” — L. Ron Hubbard, January 31, 1957
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“It is of interest to Scientologists that the clamor raised over the years by Smersh about me and all the hard names called have not even faintly affected my membership in various and numerous high level associations and scientific societies and clubs. The list of these are quite long and all of them are a big ‘high and mighty’ in the arts, sciences and social stratas. I was just looking at my influx of magazines and notices of meetings and it struck me as rather funny that the highest of our detractors would give his back molars to be accepted into some of these groups. I also hadn’t realized the list was so long. Most of them black ball first and think about it afterwards. Yet for twenty years they have been very serene. So don’t get into the notion that the ‘power of the press’ has any real bearing on the world. According to this testimony of personal repute, the opposition might as well have spent their time yelling into a well. Thought it would be of some interest to you. US and UK press and TV have been quite favorable lately. So year by year the stats rise and reputation grows. And during all this time my own personal repute has remained very high in the places that matter. In the long view we are doing a very good job. Our only complaint is that we could do better and do it faster. But remember, it IS getting done.” — The Commodore, January 31, 1971
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“The subject here is the Covert Hostility 1.1 tone level. Disregard of this data (on excuses of politics, religion or human rights) has destroyed the 2nd Dynamic in the USA and the world. Disregard of this data is causing American millenials to vote for Karl Marx’s candidate Bernie Sanders. Sanders’ agenda is for the creation of US Gulags for those stupid millenials in Alaska.”
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2002: BBC News reported that Tom Cruise took time from promoting his latest movie to lobby the American ambassador to Germany on behalf of Scientology. “He met with US ambassador Dan Coats while in the country promoting his new movie Vanilla Sky with co-star and girlfriend Penelope Cruz. Germany refuses to recognize Scientology as a legitimate church, claiming it is a fake religion based on making money from its followers. Scientology was put under official scrutiny in Germany in 1997, followed by France which outlawed it as a cult. Following Cruise’s hour-long meeting with Mr. Coats the star signed autographs and chatted to embassy staff, who remarked on how friendly and patient he was. Mr. Coats later attended the German premiere of Vanilla Sky, but would not comment on the meeting.”
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“My father didn’t even want to go to Korea. He considered himself a socialist and he had already served in WWII and he had this incredibly cush job as Chief Steward on a luxury liner The Lorlene that sailed from S.F to Hawaii, so when he got his draft notice he threw it in the trash. They came aboard the ship and arrested him, sent him to the stockade for a few months and asked him if he wanted to stay there for the next 10 years or go to Korea. He went to Korea, became a tank sergeant and won a Silver Star, Bronze Star and Purple Heart…and he killed a Chinese soldier with his bayonet. That’s the thing he really brought home.”
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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.
— 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 March 25 in Los Angeles
— David Gentile, GPB Capital, fraud: Next pretrial conference set for February 11.
— Joseph ‘Ben’ Barton, Medicare fraud: Pleaded guilty, awaiting sentencing.
— Yanti Mike Greene, Scientology private eye accused of contempt of court: Next hearing February 15.
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: Appellate court removes requirement of arbitration on January 19, case remanded back to Superior Court. Scientology has said it will file an anti-SLAPP motion.
— Brian Statler Sr v. City of Inglewood: Third amended complaint filed, trial set for June 28.
— 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.
— Chiropractors Steve Peyroux and Brent Detelich, stem cell fraud: Lawsuit filed by the FTC and state of Georgia in August, now in discovery phase.
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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] Scientology social media: Body thetans just don’t stand a chance as this planet is cleared!
[TWO years ago] Scientology’s 2020 Super Bowl ad is just like all the others: A mystery sandwich
[THREE years ago] Former members of the Lisa McPherson Trust reflect on Tuesday’s ‘Aftermath’ episode
[FOUR years ago] A mini-trove of early Scientology materials has some gems for us today
[FIVE years ago] For 30 grand or so, Scientology will let you into its shrine to L. Ron Hubbard. Here’s a peek.
[SIX years ago] Scientology attorney Bert Deixler writes a threat letter to Karen de la Carriere over TV show
[SEVEN years ago] Jon Atack: Scientology’s elusive ‘Clears’ and ‘Operating Thetans’ — where have they been?
[EIGHT years ago] Leah Remini is still thumbing her nose at Scientology leader David Miscavige
[NINE years ago] Ursula Caberta Retiring: Her Thoughts On Fighting Scientology in Germany for 20 Years
[TEN years ago] Scientology Sues Debbie Cook Over Her New Year’s Eve E-Mail
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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 2,561 days.
Katrina Reyes has not seen her mother Yelena in 3,066 days
Sylvia Wagner DeWall has not seen her brother Randy in 2,586 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his grandson Leo in 1,606 days.
Geoff Levin has not seen his son Collin and daughter Savannah in 1,497 days.
Christie Collbran has not seen her mother Liz King in 4,804 days.
Clarissa Adams has not seen her parents Walter and Irmin Huber in 2,672 days.
Carol Nyburg has not seen her daughter Nancy in 3,446 days.
Doug Kramer has not seen his parents Linda and Norm in 1,777 days.
Jamie Sorrentini Lugli has not seen her father Irving in 4,250 days.
Quailynn McDaniel has not seen her brother Sean in 3,566 days.
Dylan Gill has not seen his father Russell in 12,132 days.
Melissa Paris has not seen her father Jean-Francois in 8,051 days.
Valeska Paris has not seen her brother Raphael in 4,219 days.
Mirriam Francis has not seen her brother Ben in 3,800 days.
Claudio and Renata Lugli have not seen their son Flavio in 4,061 days.
Sara Goldberg has not seen her daughter Ashley in 3,097 days.
Lori Hodgson has not seen her son Jeremy and daughter Jessica in 2,812 days.
Marie Bilheimer has not seen her mother June in 2,337 days.
Julian Wain has not seen his brother Joseph or mother Susan in 692 days.
Charley Updegrove has not seen his son Toby in 1,867 days.
Joe Reaiche has not seen his daughter Alanna Masterson in 6,418 days
Derek Bloch has not seen his father Darren in 3,567 days.
Cindy Plahuta has not seen her daughter Kara in 3,887 days.
Roger Weller has not seen his daughter Alyssa in 8,742 days.
Claire Headley has not seen her mother Gen in 3,861 days.
Ramana Dienes-Browning has not seen her mother Jancis in 2,217 days.
Mike Rinder has not seen his son Benjamin and daughter Taryn in 6,520 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his daughter Spring in 2,626 days.
Skip Young has not seen his daughters Megan and Alexis in 3,024 days.
Mary Kahn has not seen her son Sammy in 2,900 days.
Lois Reisdorf has not seen her son Craig in 2,483 days.
Phil and Willie Jones have not seen their son Mike and daughter Emily in 2,978 days.
Mary Jane Barry has not seen her daughter Samantha in 3,232 days.
Kate Bornstein has not seen her daughter Jessica in 14,341 days.
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Posted by Tony Ortega on January 31, 2022 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, 1995-2021 Just starting out here? We’ve picked out the most important stories we’ve covered here at the Underground Bunker (2012-2021), 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
