TODAY AT SUBSTACK: If you’ve signed up for free emails at Substack, you will receive today’s feature story at your inbox: What became #Scientology got off to a fast start with the publication of ‘Dianetics’ on May 9, 1950. But not everyone was sanguine about it. We found a couple of precious reactions to Dianetics during the first year of its existence, and we thought you’d like to see them. [What is this Substack thing, anyway?]
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Technology Cocktail/
“We went too long on the Time Track before developing and working at Scientology. BUT we can do it. And it is a lot more than worthwhile—it is vital that we do do it. If we miss now, we may be finished. For there is no help elsewhere and there never has been this technology or any successful mental technology. And just now nobody cares but us. When we’ve succeeded all the way everybody will want on. But not yet. My own job is very far from an end. The job of getting the purely technology developed and organized is practically over, unless you consider a recording of the full technology as part of the job. I’ve only recorded essentials and am just writing the last bulletins on those. But ahead is a vast panorama of research on other dynamics and enormous amounts of other technology.” — L. Ron Hubbard, 1963
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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 as Danny faces a potential sentence of 45 years to life in prison. NOW WITH TRIAL INDEX.
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THE PODCAST: How many have you heard?
[1] Marc Headley [2] Claire Headley [3] Jeffrey Augustine [4] Bruce Hines [5] Sunny Pereira [6] Pete Griffiths [7] Geoff Levin [8] Patty Moher [9] Marc Headley [10] Jefferson Hawkins [11] Michelle ‘Emma’ Ryan [12] Paulette Cooper [13] Jesse Prince [14] Mark Bunker [15] Jon Atack [16] Mirriam Francis [17] Bruce Hines on MSH
— SPECIAL: The best TV show on Scientology you never got to see
[1] Phil Jones [2] Derek Bloch [3] Carol Nyburg [4] Katrina Reyes [5] Jamie DeWolf
— The first Danny Masterson trial and beyond
[18] Trial special with Chris Shelton [19] Trial week one [20] Marc Headley on the spy in the hallway [21] Trial week two [22] Trial week three [23] Trial week four [24] Leah Remini on LAPD Corruption [25] Mike Rinder 2022 Thanksgiving Special [26] Jane Doe 4 (Tricia Vessey), Part One [27] Jane Doe 4 (Tricia Vessey), Part Two [28] Claire Headley on the trial [29] Tory Christman [30] Bruce Hines on spying [31] Karen de la Carriere [32] Ron Miscavige on Shelly Miscavige [33] Karen de la Carriere on the L’s [34] Mark Bunker on Miscavige hiding [35] Mark Plummer [36] Mark Ebner [37] Karen Pressley [38] Steve Cannane [39] Fredrick Brennan [40] Clarissa Adams [41] Louise Shekter [42] John Sweeney [43] Tory Christman [44] Kate Bornstein [45] Christian Stolte [46] Mark Bunker [47] Jon Atack [48] Luke Y. Thompson [49] Mark Ebner [50] Bruce Hines [51] Spanky Taylor and Karen Pressley [51] Geoff and Robbie Levin [52] Sands Hall [53] Jonny Jacobsen [54] Sandy Holeman
“We have, in this universe, space has a peculiarity. And there are three kinds of space. Three kinds of space: there’s ‘was space,’ ‘is space’ and ‘will be space.’ There are three kinds of space. And how is this space formed? By postulating it exists….Somebody was serious. And I think the whole, the title of this whole play ‘MEST universe’ could be on that line: ‘Somebody Was Serious.’ And the title of Dianetics could be ‘One Was Stubborn.’ All right.” — L. Ron Hubbard, November 20, 1952
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“Recent surveys have revealed that the great and glorious Welfare State period is about to come to a screeching halt. A world recession is already in progress. U.S. currency, the only international money, is rapidly devaluating and may become completely worthless in the very near future. Scandinavia, wehre Welfare Socialism was the order of the day for decades, is on the verge of a crash. Welfarism is the idea that the people can get something without exchanging anything. Over 50 percent of the U.S. population at this time is on a hand-out kick. The Great White Father in Washington is supposed to be able to endlessly spend money which it itself is not covered by production. This brings about money worthlessness because the money isn’t buying anything.” — The Commodore, November 20, 1971
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“I still maintain we are missing the real thing. Sitting on a rock with an OT48 certificate seeing people like Trump actually being an Operating Thetan is humbling. There are other examples of people who change the course of history, make loads of money, handle suppression and an old body and still keeps a seriouly gorgeous woman happy and productive. So I have to ask, how have the OT levels worked out for us?”
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1995: Steve Holroyd posted an ad he recently came across in the West End Extra which lists the current claims of the cult for the state of Clear: “SCIENTOLOGY ‘Do you want more out of life?’ Become a Scientology Clear. A Scientology Clear has – Over 135 IQ – Creative imagination – Amazing vitality – Deep relaxation – Good memory – Strong willpower – Radiant health – Magnetic personality – Good self control If you would like to have all these qualities then look into Scientology. Enquire today”
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“I worked off and on in the restaurant/hotel industry for years. When the kitchen got slammed i.e busy, pretty soon tempers would flare and everybody would be cursing one another left and right (sometimes it turned to mild violence). Cooks attacking servers, they in turn attacking the busboys who would in turn attack the dishwashers. When it was over everybody would go to the bar, get loaded and try to have sex with each other forgetting the previous transgressions. Words spoken in the heat of the moment mean nothing.”
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Full Court Press: What we’re watching at the Underground Bunker
Criminal prosecutions:
— Danny Masterson charged for raping three women: Found guilty on two counts on May 31, remanded to custody. Sentenced to 30 years to life on Sep 7.
— ‘Lafayette Ronald Hubbard’ (a/k/a Justin Craig), aggravated assault, plus drug charges: Grand jury indictments include charges from an assault while in custody. Next pretrial hearing October 30.
— David Gentile, GPB Capital, fraud.
Civil litigation:
— Leah Remini v. Scientology, alleging ‘Fair Game’ harassment and defamation: Complaint filed August 2, Scientology submitting anti-SLAPP response Oct 26.
— Baxter, Baxter, and Paris v. Scientology, alleging labor trafficking: Forced to arbitration. Plaintiffs allowed interlocutory appeal to Eleventh Circuit.
— Valerie Haney v. Scientology: Forced to ‘religious arbitration.’
— Chrissie Bixler et al. v. Scientology and Danny Masterson: Discovery phase.
— Jane Doe 1 v. Scientology, David Miscavige, and Gavin Potter: Case unsealed and second amended complaint filed. Scientology moves for religious arbitration.
— Chiropractors Steve Peyroux and Brent Detelich, stem cell fraud: Ordered to mediation.
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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] What the jurors didn’t hear: How Scientology keeps crimes under wraps
[TWO years ago] Jon Atack and Chris Shelton answer the question: Are cult members stupid?
[THREE years ago] This changes everything: Scientology ups its cool quotient in swanky London
[FOUR years ago] Scientology leader David Miscavige: Screw your lawsuit, you didn’t serve me properly
[FIVE years ago] Someone doesn’t want you to see this rich Scientologist act like a rich Scientologist
[SIX years ago] Charles Manson and Scientology: What the church doesn’t want you to know
[SEVEN years ago] Scientology is making this world ideal, one renovated building at a time
[EIGHT years ago] Five months later, Ponzi schemer and Scientologist Reed Slatkin is still dead
[NINE years ago] Did a fashion website give a big boost to a Scientology infiltrator of NYC schools?
[TEN years ago] Claire and Bruce Take Us Into the Bizarre World of Scientology’s Operating Thetan Two!
[ELEVEN years ago] Fox 25 in Oklahoma City Keeps Up the Pressure on Scientology’s Drug Rehab Deaths
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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 3,219 days.
Katrina Reyes has not seen her mother Yelena in 3,734 days
Sylvia Wagner DeWall has not seen her brother Randy in 3,284 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his grandson Leo in 2,274 days.
Geoff Levin has not seen his son Collin and daughter Savannah in 2,155 days.
Christie Collbran has not seen her mother Liz King in 5,459 days.
Clarissa Adams has not seen her parents Walter and Irmin Huber in 3,330 days.
Doug Kramer has not seen his parents Linda and Norm in 2,435 days.
Jamie Sorrentini Lugli has not seen her father Irving in 4,882 days.
Quailynn McDaniel has not seen her brother Sean in 4,224 days.
Dylan Gill has not seen his father Russell in 12,790 days.
Melissa Paris has not seen her father Jean-Francois in 8,709 days.
Valeska Paris has not seen her brother Raphael in 4,876 days.
Mirriam Francis has not seen her brother Ben in 4,458 days.
Claudio and Renata Lugli have not seen their son Flavio in 4,719 days.
Sara Goldberg has not seen her daughter Ashley in 3,755 days.
Lori Hodgson has not seen her son Jeremy and daughter Jessica in 3,471 days.
Marie Bilheimer has not seen her mother June in 3,035 days.
Julian Wain has not seen his brother Joseph or mother Susan in 1,350 days.
Charley Updegrove has not seen his son Toby in 2,525 days.
Joe Reaiche has not seen his daughter Alanna Masterson in 7,076 days
Derek Bloch has not seen his father Darren in 4,207 days.
Cindy Plahuta has not seen her daughter Kara in 4,545 days.
Roger Weller has not seen his daughter Alyssa in 9,400 days.
Claire Headley has not seen her mother Gen in 4,519 days.
Ramana Dienes-Browning has not seen her mother Jancis in 2,875 days.
Mike Rinder has not seen his son Benjamin and daughter Taryn in 7,178 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his daughter Spring in 3,284 days.
Skip Young has not seen his daughters Megan and Alexis in 3,682 days.
Mary Kahn has not seen her son Sammy in 3,558 days.
Lois Reisdorf has not seen her son Craig in 3,123 days.
Phil and Willie Jones have not seen their son Mike and daughter Emily in 3,636 days.
Mary Jane Barry has not seen her daughter Samantha in 3,890 days.
Kate Bornstein has not seen her daughter Jessica in 14,999 days.
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Posted by Tony Ortega on November 20, 2023 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, 1995-2022 Just starting out here? We’ve picked out the most important stories we’ve covered here at the Underground Bunker (2012-2022), 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
