TODAY AT SUBSTACK: If you’ve signed up for free emails at Substack, you will receive today’s feature story at your inbox: Mike Rinder has gone through more cancer treatments recently, and he appeared quite changed in a series of seven short videos he posted last night. Despite his condition, he said he had some things he wanted to clear up that have been going on over the last couple of years. [What is this Substack thing, anyway?]
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Technology Cocktail
“Studies of perception undertaken since HCOB 28 Nov 70 reveal that sight, hearing and other channels of awareness decrease in proportion to the number of overt acts — and therefore withholds — which the person has committed on the whole track. By relieving these sight has been remarkably brightened. Therefore a person who is withholding himself from committing overt acts because of his own undesired purposes has very poor perception.
He does not see the environment around him. Thus, combined with his unwillingness to act on his own initiative, there is a blindness to the environment.” — L. Ron Hubbard, 1972
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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 [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
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“I myself had a rig worked out in order to take care of witch doctors down in Africa. Ran this way: I was going to get an asbestos glove, you know, and — it doesn’t matter whether something is supercold or superhot, you know? They both burn and there is sensation, so the practitioner should be careful when he’s doing something like this. I was going to take an asbestos glove and I was going to put a metal disc, preferably a lead disc, in the palm of the glove, you see? And there’d be a little snap in there so that it could be taken out and put in easily. And get this little disc supercold, totally supercold, you see? Get it down there to maybe -200 or something like that — way down, you know — and then snap that quickly in the glove and go out and shake hands with the witch doctor. Well, the dampness of a palm is quite adequate there, and it would of course brainwash him. Be very, very effective. As a matter of fact, one could probably take over the entirety of witch-doctoring throughout Africa with the greatest of ease, particularly if you shook hands with all of the witch doctors in front of the tribe, and they instantly went down on their knees and went “gaggo bulla,” and you said, “Bark,” and they would thereafter bark. You see, they hold all the natives in that sort of a thrall. And so if you held them in that sort of a thrall, why, then the natives would of course do what you said twice as good as they would do what the witch doctor says; and this is already perfect.” — L. Ron Hubbard, November 13, 1956
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“ENEMY ACTION: We have discovered exactly who has been shooting at Scientology for 18 years and know all the names. They are a small group with international ambitions founded by a madman, taken over by a politically ambitious few. This is turning out to be a bitter and fundamental war. The forces which seek to bring light and freedom to the world — us — have run squarely into the No. 1 engram of the planet, kept alive by a dark and secret enemy of Mankind. These insist on torturing or killing the insane. It is the age old battle of truth and light against the powers of darkness. But, with the enemy active in legislatures and the press, we haven’t much choice but to fight. And we hav begun to fight. We have already hurt his morale and finances enough to make him move his HQ. Our forces are closing in on it again in the new location. This one we’ve got to win. We may not have another chance.” — The Commodore, November 13, 1968
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“I can’t say enough good about Solo NOTs. It is my magic wand in life. What Ron gave us is beyond anything that could’ve been imagined. Just on a daily living aspect, my ruds are IN!! My body is doing great!! 3rd and 4th dynamically, I have handled so much charge!! Anyone out here who feels betrayed and f**ed up from the Church, needs to get into session and get up to Solo NOTs ASAP. As-isness is the real weapon!! Remember, an SP’s only power is to restimulate. Spiritually, it is amazing!! The MEST universe is going from infinity to zero and myself as a thetan is going from zero to infinity. I used to want certain valences and would lament, why can’t I be like that person? Not anymore! postulates are working more and more.”
1997: Grady reported this week that he has noticed suspicious activity at his house, possibly due to harassment by Scientology.
“I’ve noticed an increase in suspicious activity at my house such as multiple hangup calls from what is probably a cell phone (of someone casing the house?) coming at a time and manner that someone might feel would be optimal for an attempted break-in at the house.” Grady also asked Tom Hogan, attorney for Scientology, to step down from their lawsuit since Hogan indicated Grady’s filing of the Swedish NOTS was forged, shortly before the documents were stolen from the Swedish authorities. “Sometime after Hogan said the the ‘Plaintiff believes these are forgeries,’ scientologists substituted other texts for the ones belonging to the various court and parliament clerks in Sweden. In other words, we have strong, almost incontrovertible proof that RTC is engaged in Obstruction of Justice (a felony) and international conspiracies to commit theft and forgery — and they are committing acts which are provoking an international incident with an ally.”
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“Shit, I was under the gun for suggesting there were mucho socks on board…which was later proven to be true thanks to help from Robert, StillGrace and Andrew…and I was a big meanie for ragging on the noobs for over-commenting…and then I had the audacity to merely hint that the beloved Knickers was anything less than the Virgin Mary. I wasn’t saying shit to anyone at that point.”
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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, 2023.
— ‘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 November 15.
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.
— 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, on hold until appeal over new judge heard.
— 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] PHOTO: Jenna Elfman emceeing Scientology’s concert, and more IAS fallout
[TWO years ago] Leah Remini remembers when Mackenzie Phillips was rooting against Scientology
[THREE years ago] Betrayed by L. Ron Hubbard, and stuck in a desert prison: A Scientology horror story
[FOUR years ago] Afraid to leave Scientology? Ex-members describe their lives after David Miscavige
[FIVE years ago] Hubbard family member: Mary Sue griped about Scientology leader’s ‘Napoleon complex’
[SIX years ago] Shifting gears: Leah Remini talks about tonight’s two-hour special on Jehovah’s Witnesses
[SEVEN years ago] Sexual harassment allegations strike a blow against a Scientology political ally in Florida
[EIGHT years ago] Scientology saw a tempting target in a Tampa pastor gaining fame for her compassion
[NINE years ago] Why it was Scientology leader David Miscavige who declared Lisa McPherson ‘Clear’
[TEN years ago] Scientology Photoshopping, Part 2: A mystery disappearance on the yacht Apollo
[ELEVEN years ago] LISA MARIE PRESLEY ON SCIENTOLOGY: “CRAZY CRIMINAL PEOPLE”
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Bernie Headley (1952-2019) did not see his daughter Stephanie in his final 5,667 days.
Joe Reaiche (1958-2024) did not see his daughter Alanna Masterson in his final 6,999 days.
Tammy Synovec has not seen her daughter Julia in 3,082 days.
Valerie Haney has not seen her mother Lynne in 3,577 days.
Katrina Reyes has not seen her mother Yelena in 4,092 days
Sylvia Wagner DeWall has not seen her brother Randy in 3,642 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his grandson Leo in 2,632 days.
Klaus Büchele has not seen his daughter Jasmin in 5,018 days.
Geoff Levin has not seen his son Collin and daughter Savannah in 2,513 days.
Christie Collbran has not seen her mother Liz King in 5,817 days.
Clarissa Adams has not seen her parents Walter and Irmin Huber in 3,688 days.
Jamie Sorrentini Lugli has not seen her father Irving in 5,240 days.
Quailynn McDaniel has not seen her brother Sean in 4,581 days.
Dylan Gill has not seen his father Russell in 13,148 days.
Melissa Paris has not seen her father Jean-Francois in 9,067 days.
Valeska Paris has not seen her brother Raphael in 5,235 days.
Mirriam Francis has not seen her brother Ben in 4,817 days.
Claudio and Renata Lugli have not seen their son Flavio in 5,077 days.
Sara Goldberg has not seen her daughter Ashley in 4,113 days.
Lori Hodgson has not seen her son Jeremy and daughter Jessica in 3,829 days.
Marie Bilheimer has not seen her mother June in 3,393 days.
Julian Wain has not seen his brother Joseph or mother Susan in 1,708 days.
Charley Updegrove has not seen his son Toby in 2,883 days.
Derek Bloch has not seen his father Darren in 4,565 days.
Cindy Plahuta has not seen her daughter Kara in 4,902 days.
Roger Weller has not seen his daughter Alyssa in 9,756 days.
Claire Headley has not seen her mother Gen in 4,871 days.
Ramana Dienes-Browning has not seen her mother Jancis in 3,233 days.
Mike Rinder has not seen his son Benjamin and daughter Taryn in 7,536 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his daughter Spring in 3,642 days.
Skip Young has not seen his daughters Megan and Alexis in 4,040 days.
Mary Kahn has not seen her son Sammy in 3,916 days.
Lois Reisdorf has not seen her son Craig in 3,481 days.
Phil and Willie Jones have not seen their son Mike and daughter Emily in 3,992 days.
Mary Jane Barry has not seen her daughter Samantha in 4,248 days.
Kate Bornstein has not seen her daughter Jessica in 15,356 days.
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Posted by Tony Ortega on November 13, 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, 1995-2023 Just starting out here? We’ve picked out the most important stories we’ve covered here at the Underground Bunker (2012-2023), 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
