It did occur to us, when we watched Scientology leader David Miscavige open four long-delayed “Ideal Org” projects in quick succession in Austin, Mexico City, Chicago, and Paris, that it cleared the decks of new projects.
Four Ideal Orgs in as many weeks was a lot, even for Miscavige, but what was next?
Sure, fundraising has been going on for years and years in places as far-flung as Albuquerque and Long Island, but how many more years would it take to complete them, and what is Dave going to open in the meantime in order to convince his wealthy donors that Scientology is “expanding.” (It actually isn’t.)
So we want to thank the reader who forwarded us an email from the folks in Albuquerque who are trying to raise enough cheddar to move on a dormant Ideal Org project that goes back many years.
We’ve seen similar fliers for fundraising that has been slowly grinding away in several other places in the US: Battle Creek, Boston, Hawaii, Long Island, New Haven, Philadelphia, Puerto Rico, and Saint Louis.
But at the rate those projects have been going, we figure it would be a decade before Miscavige got them all completed.
The new Albuquerque email, however, contains a rather startling claim: Scientology wants all of those Ideal Org projects to move into their construction phases by the end of the year.
Holy Xenu’s trousers! Pass that offering plate, pilgrims!
Here’s the message that was forwarded to us…
Hello [redacted],
We have been flat out traveling the USA since the recent Grand Openings to light a fire across the country… WE ARE GETTING EVERY ORG INTO CONSTRUCTION BEFORE YEAR END!
To that end, we have incredible news!!! There is now a series of Grand Opening Replays with the FULL COB Inaugurating address rolling out… and it all starts THIS weekend with the monumental Austin Grand Opening Replay in your org. These are THE FIRST Ideal Orgs to open with fully trained OEC/FEBC teams.
This presents an epic opportunity to drive the Battle Creek Ideal Org Project into construction as the #1 priority in the East US and we need to band together to do it.
I am asking YOU to join in VIRTUALLY on Saturday morning (20 April) so I can share all the good news and to get the create for an Ideal Heartland going right away.
I need you to PLEASE confirm you will be there by RSVP. I really need you!
With big ARC, Marliese
USA Ideal Org Fundraising Project I/C
Dennis & Joan McKenna
The Project of a Lifetime,
We have actively supported the Ideal Org Project since its inception.
Why? Building a new Civilization is our fundamental purpose as Scientologists, and that new civilization is built in Ideal Orgs.
We were very active in helping create an ideal organization in our hometown, and, in the years since, we have worked throughout the West US and other parts of the country to help them complete their Ideal Orgs. Now we are focused on completing Albuquerque, one of the last two remaining orgs in the West US.
We are honored and proud to help. Actively contributing to this network of Ideal Orgs now expanding throughout the USA is the project of a lifetime for us. It is a tangible legacy that will resound long, long into the future.
COB RTC asked OT Ambassadors and the field to take on the project of creating Ideal Orgs. It has been an evolution with many challenges and countless rewards. We wouldn’t miss it! Changing the world for the better and for real is an immense challenge, but it’s fun to achieve the impossible.
Please join us!
Dennis & Joan McKenna
Albuquerque Gold Humanitarians
Alliance Gold Civilization Builders
How much have they forked over? Well, we know that “humanitarian” = $100,000 and “Gold humanitarian” means half a million. And “Alliance Gold Civilization Builder”? Well, we’re not sure. “New Civilization Builder” usually means $1 million. So does this imply that the McKennas have given $5 million to an “alliance” of regional Ideal Orgs?
Whatever it is, it’s a serious pile.
Anyway, this gives us a glimpse of what’s going on in Scientology right now: Scientologists are expected to come down to their local org to watch replays of Miscavige preside over those Ideal Org openings, which will just be another opportunity to be pressured heavily to fork over even more money so Dave can get construction going on all of these projects at the same time in the US, probably in Canada as well, and who knows in the rest of the world.
What’s Dave’s hurry? Shouldn’t he space out these projects to keep his wealthy donors on the hook for years and years? What’s his game plan here, do you think?
——————–
Technology Cocktail
“It is the fantastic fact that the pc will ONLY get Dianetic wins when receiving Standard Dianetics. Non-Standardness only once in a hundred will give a case gain and that is a fluke. The Case Supervisor must have good subjective and objective reality on this fact. He must therefore be the ultimate in dictatorial martinet precision in requiring standard auditing and assigning standard C/Ses.” — L. Ron Hubbard, 1969
——————–
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.
——————–
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 [55] Mark Bunker [56] Trish and Liz Conley [57] Trish Conley [58] Alex Barnes-Ross [59] Alex Barnes-Ross [60] Alex Barnes-Ross [61] Alex Barnes-Ross [62] Alex Barnes-Ross [63] Alex Barnes-Ross [64] Tory Christman [65] Tammy Synovec [66] Dennis Erlich [67] Alex Barnes-Ross [68] Valerie Ross [69] Kat in Austin [70] Mark Bunker [71] Phil Jones
——————–
“I remember training generals in Egypt. It was difficult. You say, ‘When fighting Numidians, you inevitably and invariably make very certain that your flanks are secure, because the Numidian — because of horses and that sort of thing — can very easily collapse your flanks. So one of the first things you do in fighting Numidians is make sure that both flanks are very secure. And the best way to do this is to put one flank against the seacoast. You see? And the other flank against a wadi. You see, that’s the best way to do that. No general you ever taught ever fought any Numidians on the seacoast. You see, you run into these small difficulties in training. That’s typical of Earth.” — L. Ron Hubbard, April 19, 1962
——————–
“The Ponies are to be made operational for use in All Hands Evolutions. Lafayettes are not to be used due to their long range per LRH order.” — Lt. Cmdr Diana Hubbard, CS-1, April 19, 1969
——————–
“There is another life energy that I don’t think LRH addressed and that had to do with the physical body and the trillion-plus cells. Some of these cells are bacterial in nature, they keep some of the body functions balanced. They too have a life force, an urge to survive. Now when a case gets overloaded by stress, plus multiple engrams, a thetan and the body’s immune system gets out of balance, allowing the life force of the micro life forms to have a greater say, stealing theta. To me this is part of the equation and recognizing it helps bodies and thetans who run them in the end be more in PT and have increased telepathy. By the way, being telepathic is a natural state, so one would have to ask what stands in the way of experiencing this ability, both from a theta and body perspective. We are so connected to a body it’s hard to disconnect from the MEST of it. But both theta and MEST/body need to be addressed to be able to reliably be telepathic.”
——————–
2000: Stacy Brooks reported on a recent trip to Europe to meet with leaders in those countries. “Bob Minton and I just spent ten days in Europe. We went to Cologne, Hamburg and Paris. We discussed how we are dealing with the Church of Scientology and how we can coordinate our actions. Bob and I were both disturbed at reports from both Germany and France about actions that have been taken by the United States against those countries for their position on Scientology. First we had a brief stay in Cologne during which Bob participated in a live television program. The host of the show was Hans Meiser, a well-known television personality in Northern Germany. The others on the show were Dr. Norbert Blum, former minister of labor and a long-term critic of Scientology, and Tanya Neujahr, a former Sea Org member at Saint Hill who, at the age of 17, was put in charge of security for several isolation watches. Later Tanya tried to escape from Saint Hill and was dragged, kicking and screaming, into a room where she was locked up and kept in isolation herself for several days, until she agreed to write up her overts and withholds (O/Ws) and remain at Saint Hill. Also on the show were Sabine Weber, head of OSA in Munich, and two other German Scientologists. Bob had to speak through a translator so he was able to answer Hans Meiser’s question about harassment, but he wasn’t able to participate in the heated argument that took up most of the show. Dr. Blum was very good at responding to the Scientologists’ attempts to portray themselves as victims of religious discrimination. After the television program was over, we took a train with Tanya to Hamburg, where we were met at the station by Ursula Caberta, head of the Scientology task force for the state of Hamburg. She arranged a press conference so that the German media could have a chance to hear a U.S. perspective on Scientology. Ursula, Bob and I all spoke to a room filled with German media. Several newspaper articles resulted, as well as television spots on the major stations. We flew to Paris for a meeting arranged by Roger Gonnet with Denis Barthelemy, secretary general of the Interministerial Task Force Against Cults. Roger also arranged many media interviews for us in Paris. We discussed with Ursula Caberta and Denis Barthelemy the importance of separating the belief system from the practices of Scientology. We found that they are in complete agreement that Scientologists are perfectly free to believe in the efficacy of the tech and any other aspect of Scientology they wish to embrace. But they feel strongly, as we do, that no one, including a Scientologist, has the right to violate anyone’s civil or human rights or to abuse or deceive anyone for the sake of achieving their own agenda.”
——————–
“Denise is teaching the kids how the barter system works.”
——————–
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 May 17, 2024.
— David Gentile, GPB Capital, fraud.
Civil litigation:
— Leah Remini v. Scientology, alleging ‘Fair Game’ harassment and defamation: Some defamation claims were removed by Judge Hammock. Leah seeking to amend her complaint.
— 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: motion to file new complaint, hearing on May 29.
— Jane Doe 1 v. Scientology, David Miscavige, and Gavin Potter: Case unsealed and second amended complaint filed. Scientology moves for religious arbitration, hearing on April 16.
— Chiropractors Steve Peyroux and Brent Detelich, stem cell fraud: Ordered to mediation.
——————–
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?
——————–
THE WHOLE TRACK
[ONE year ago] Judge Olmedo begins quizzing prospective jurors in the Danny Masterson retrial
[TWO years ago] Scientology features director’s mom as John Malkovich movie hits theaters
[THREE years ago] Fun new leak: The current Scientology staff application and contract
[FOUR years ago] Scientology: Earth is a prison planet and the virus just another fake threat. So study LRH!
[FIVE years ago] COMING MAY 9: Silvertail Books publishes Chris Owen’s ‘Ron the War Hero’
[SIX years ago] Scientology’s greatest lecture of all: It’s finally time we look closer at Xenu in all his glory
[SEVEN years ago] How a recanted John Travolta gay sex allegation led to a bizarre Michael Jackson scoop
[EIGHT years ago] Ron Miscavige’s book ‘Ruthless’ gets a UK publisher and it’s a familiar one
[NINE years ago] Another wacky Scientology testimonial video — and an Underground Bunker announcement!
[TEN years ago] Is Google aiding a Scientology front group that claims the Holocaust was caused by psychiatry?
[ELEVEN years ago] Jason Barclay’s Sea Org Adventure: A Fresh Scientology Escapee Details Abuse
——————–
Bernie Headley (1952-2019) did not see his daughter Stephanie in his final 5,667 days.
Tammy Synovec has not seen her daughter Julia in 2,875 days.
Valerie Haney has not seen her mother Lynne in 3,370 days.
Katrina Reyes has not seen her mother Yelena in 3,885 days
Sylvia Wagner DeWall has not seen her brother Randy in 3,435 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his grandson Leo in 2,425 days.
Geoff Levin has not seen his son Collin and daughter Savannah in 2,306 days.
Christie Collbran has not seen her mother Liz King in 5,610 days.
Clarissa Adams has not seen her parents Walter and Irmin Huber in 3,481 days.
Jamie Sorrentini Lugli has not seen her father Irving in 5,033 days.
Quailynn McDaniel has not seen her brother Sean in 4,374 days.
Dylan Gill has not seen his father Russell in 12,941 days.
Melissa Paris has not seen her father Jean-Francois in 8,860 days.
Valeska Paris has not seen her brother Raphael in 5,028 days.
Mirriam Francis has not seen her brother Ben in 4,609 days.
Claudio and Renata Lugli have not seen their son Flavio in 4,870 days.
Sara Goldberg has not seen her daughter Ashley in 3,906 days.
Lori Hodgson has not seen her son Jeremy and daughter Jessica in 3,622 days.
Marie Bilheimer has not seen her mother June in 3,186 days.
Julian Wain has not seen his brother Joseph or mother Susan in 1,501 days.
Charley Updegrove has not seen his son Toby in 2,676 days.
Joe Reaiche has not seen his daughter Alanna Masterson in 7,227 days
Derek Bloch has not seen his father Darren in 4,358 days.
Cindy Plahuta has not seen her daughter Kara in 4,696 days.
Roger Weller has not seen his daughter Alyssa in 9,549 days.
Claire Headley has not seen her mother Gen in 4,670 days.
Ramana Dienes-Browning has not seen her mother Jancis in 3,026 days.
Mike Rinder has not seen his son Benjamin and daughter Taryn in 7,329 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his daughter Spring in 3,435 days.
Skip Young has not seen his daughters Megan and Alexis in 3,833 days.
Mary Kahn has not seen her son Sammy in 3,709 days.
Lois Reisdorf has not seen her son Craig in 3,274 days.
Phil and Willie Jones have not seen their son Mike and daughter Emily in 3,787 days.
Mary Jane Barry has not seen her daughter Samantha in 4,041 days.
Kate Bornstein has not seen her daughter Jessica in 15,149 days.
——————–
Posted by Tony Ortega on April 19, 2024 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
