TODAY AT SUBSTACK: If you’ve signed up for free emails at Substack, you will receive today’s feature story at your inbox: 40 years ago today, Scientology members assembled to hear that L. Ron Hubbard had voluntarily left his body to explore ‘researches’ elsewhere. Once again we’re marking this anniversary with a transcript of the bizarre event that took place at the Hollywood Palladium that night. [What is this Substack thing, anyway?]
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Technology Cocktail
“ADMIN TRs: These training drills were originally developed as a training aid for administrators for the purpose of training them to get compliances and complete cycles of action concerning administrative actions and orders. The Admin TRs (training routines) are designed towards increasing one’s causativeness over the everyday confusions, randomities, justifications, excuses, traps and insanities of the physical universe (Matter, Energy, Space and Time) and people (groups). They enable one to comfortably confront such things when encountered. Needless to say, such abilities, if attained, would greatly increase any individual’s survival in this world and since these Admin TRs do produce these abilities they are of extreme value.” — L. Ron Hubbard, 1980
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“There was a tribe of Indians in the United States, some say before the arrival of white men, but they should re-classify that and say before the arrival of Pilgrims — before 1602, or something on that order, 1608, whenever they arrived — because that whole coast was in good communication with Europe for many centuries. Fishing boats from northern Europe used to come over to the grand banks all the time. As a matter of fact, the fishermen called it America, and we read a big fog about Columbus and all the rest of it. I’m sure Columbus came over, but Columbus never got to America. But anyhow, this is all very confused, but that’s history.” — L. Ron Hubbard, January 27, 1954
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“CONDITIONS: Arthur Hubbard is assigned N/E for being non-existant on cleaning stations for the last 3 days.” — M. Spence, for W/O Des Popham, January 27, 1970
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“A natural clear is a baby OT and it has no pictures so a Natural clear must have come from the future created NEW with no MEST (matter energy space and time) memory system. SO this makes me untraceable since they can’t hook a beam onto a static but they can hook a beam on to a physical universe (MEST) memory system. So I assume Natural Clears are the first REAL OT’S because we don’t have to erase pictures does this make sense?”
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1997: The Associated Press reported this week that France is supporting Germany in its dispute with Scientology and the letter signed by Hollywood celebrities, which compared modern Germany to the historical Nazi party. “‘I share the apprehension of the Germans regarding these sects,’ said Herve de Charette, the French foreign minister. De Charette joined his German counterpart, Klaus Kinkel, in denouncing an advertisement signed by Hollywood celebrities that likened German treatment of Scientologists to the Nazi persecution of Jews. ‘This letter is an insult to the victims of National Socialism,’ Kinkel said. ‘It is nonsense. This is not a religion,’ Kinkel said. ‘It is a sect that is trying to get money from people.'” Frank Rick of The New York Times wrote a column on the issue of the celebrities letter. “Why have so many Hollywood names, none of them Scientologists and many of them Jewish, invoked the Nazis on behalf of Scientology? At least half of the 34 signatories have past or present professional ties to Tom Cruise and John Travolta, Scientology’s most famous recruits. Others may be along just for the ride, but still others, as one producer put it, ‘would like to be making a movie with Tom Cruise or John Travolta as soon as possible.’ What makes the ad even more frivolous is that it studiously ignores the controversy over Scientology itself — which is at least as heated as the controversy over Germany’s treatment of Scientologists. Flo Conway’s and Jim Siegelman’s book ‘Snapping’ and a 1991 Time cover story have most recently raised serious questions about this church, with Time arguing it is ‘a hugely profitable global racket that survives by intimidating members and critics in a Mafia-like manner.’ But were any of the letter’s signatories to actually look into complaints against Scientology, they might risk forgoing business with two of the industry’s most bankable stars. That would require a courage that in Hollywood is far harder to come by than 56,000 bucks.” And finally, Reuters reported that Scientology has filed a complaint against Germany with the European Commission of Human Rights. “In a statement from its Los Angeles headquarters, the Church of Scientology International said the application directly to the European Commission in Strasbourg was unprecedented in that the church was bypassing German courts. ‘Scientologists in Germany continue to suffer systematic discrimination simply due to their religious beliefs,’ said Rev. Heber Jentzsch, president of the Church of Scientology International. ‘Athletes, artists, teachers, musicians, dancers — indeed Scientologists in any profession — know that they risk losing their job, their business or other rights and entitlements if their religion is known.’ Jentzsch said that although more than 36 German courts have held that Scientology is a religion entitled to constitutional protection, ‘the German government refuses to abide by its own laws and ignores its own courts, making a direct application to the Commission necessary.'”
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“Ever read any of the crap the conspiracy cult followers believe in? And they number in the millions, not tens of thousands. Remember in The Mist where the people trapped in the supermarket immediately start their own cult ? That’s how most people think.”
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Full Court Press: What we’re watching at the Underground Bunker
Criminal prosecutions:
— Danny Masterson charged for raping three women: Sentenced to 30 years to life on Sep 7, 2023. Appeal now fully briefed, waiting for 2nd Appellate District court to set a hearing date. Masterson has also submitted a habeas corpus petition.
— ‘Lafayette Ronald Hubbard’ (a/k/a Justin Craig), aggravated assault, plus drug charges: Grand jury indictments include charges from an assault while in custody. Pleaded guilty on Nov 10 to a 17-year prison sentence (eligible for parole in two to three more years). Awaiting transfer to state prison.
— Aaron Matthes charged for SA of child under 12 years old: OT Scientologist facing multiple mandatory life sentences. Next pretrial court hearing set for Feb 2.
Civil litigation:
— Leah Remini v. Scientology, alleging ‘Fair Game’ harassment and defamation: Some defamation claims were removed by Judge Hammock. Judge Hammock’s ruling is on appeal. Leah’s respondent’s brief is due February 11.
— Baxter, Baxter, and Paris v. Scientology, alleging labor trafficking: Forced to ‘religious arbitration.’
— Valerie Haney v. Scientology: Forced to ‘religious arbitration.’ 15 days of arbitration completed, Val waiting for further word from the IJC.
— Chrissie Bixler et al. v. Scientology and Danny Masterson. Judge Upindra Kalra’s ruling denying Scientology’s motion to strike is on appeal. Appeal fully briefed. Motion to replace Jane Does’ AI-tainted brief denied by court. Awaiting a court hearing date.
— Jane Doe 1 v. Scientology, David Miscavige, and Gavin Potter: Case unsealed and second amended complaint filed. Scientology moves for religious arbitration, gets ruling to depose Jane Doe 1. Trial has been set for January 10, 2028.
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Other links: The prosecution of Danny Masterson. Leah Remini’s Fair Game Podcast. Leah Remini’s A&E Series. Scientology’s Celebrities, from A to Z. Bryan Seymour’s suppressed series, 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] 39 years ago: The eerie Hollywood sendoff for Scientology founder L. Ron Hubbard
[TWO years ago] PODCAST: The three lives of Dennis Erlich, Scientology’s original Internet nemesis
[THREE years ago] 37 years ago: The eerie Hollywood Palladium sendoff for Scientology founder L. Ron Hubbard
[FOUR years ago] Academics bleat over Scientology’s loss in appeals court, and here’s what they’re missing
[FIVE years ago] Scientology takes boards down after Inauguration riots failed to materialize
[SIX years ago] Scientology clown Joy Villa got glowing press again, and here’s what it left out
[SEVEN years ago] Oh, come on: Scientology ‘detox’ quackery now being touted for miraculous cures
[EIGHT years ago] His words are wise, his face is beard: 10 years ago, Anonymous got some good advice
[NINE years ago] Scientology, why are you keeping a cancer patient from seeing his only daughter?
[TEN years ago] 30 years ago today: ‘L. Ron Hubbard discarded the body he had used in this lifetime’
[ELEVEN years ago] Why Alex Gibney’s ‘Going Clear’ is scaring the crap out of Scientology
[TWELVE years ago] More fallout in France: Scientologist who asked for damages ends up paying instead
[THIRTEEN years ago] Sunday Funnies: Africa is Done!
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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.
Mike Rinder (1955-2025) did not see his son Benjamin and daughter Taryn in his final 7,589 days.
Tammy Synovec has not seen her daughter Julia in 3,521 days.
Valerie Haney has not seen her mother Lynne in 4,025 days.
Katrina Reyes has not seen her mother Yelena in 4,531 days
Sylvia Wagner DeWall has not seen her brother Randy in 4,081 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his grandson Leo in 3,071 days.
Klaus Büchele has not seen his daughter Jasmin in 5,457 days.
Geoff Levin has not seen his son Collin and daughter Savannah in 2,952 days.
Christie Collbran has not seen her mother Liz King in 6,256 days.
Marc Headley has not seen his mother Trudy in 4,907 days.
Clarissa Adams has not seen her parents Walter and Irmin Huber in 4,125 days.
Jamie Sorrentini Lugli has not seen her father Irving in 5,679 days.
Quailynn McDaniel has not seen her brother Sean in 5,020 days.
Dylan Gill has not seen his father Russell in 13,591 days.
Melissa Paris has not seen her father Jean-Francois in 9,507 days.
Valeska Paris has not seen her brother Raphael in 5,674 days.
Mirriam Francis has not seen her brother Ben in 5,256 days.
Claudio and Renata Lugli have not seen their son Flavio in 5,515 days.
Lori Hodgson has not seen her son Jeremy and daughter Jessica in 4,267 days.
Marie Poulin has not seen her mother June in 3,832 days.
Julian Wain has not seen his brother Joseph or mother Susan in 2,147 days.
Charley Updegrove has not seen his son Toby in 3,322 days.
Derek Bloch has not seen his father Darren in 5,004 days.
Cindy Plahuta has not seen her daughter Kara in 5,341 days.
Roger Weller has not seen his daughter Alyssa in 10,194 days.
Claire Headley has not seen her mother Gen in 5,310 days.
Ramana Dienes-Browning has not seen her mother Jancis in 3,672 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his daughter Spring in 4,083 days.
Skip Young has not seen his daughters Megan and Alexis in 4,471 days.
Mary Kahn has not seen her son Sammy in 4,355 days.
Lois Reisdorf has not seen her son Craig in 3,920 days.
Phil and Willie Jones have not seen their son Mike and daughter Emily in 4,431 days.
Mary Jane Barry has not seen her daughter Samantha in 4,691 days.
Kate Bornstein has not seen her daughter Jessica in 15,795 days.
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Posted by Tony Ortega on January 27, 2026 at 07:00
E-mail tips to tonyo94 AT gmail DOT com or follow us on Twitter.
Our book with Paulette Cooper, Battlefield Scientology: Exposing L. Ron Hubbard’s dangerous ‘religion’ is 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, 1995-2024 Just starting out here? We’ve picked out the most important stories we’ve covered here at the Underground Bunker (2012-2024), The Village Voice (2008-2012), New Times Los Angeles (1999-2002) and the Phoenix New Times (1995-1999)
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Tony Ortega at The Daily Beast
