Dave blinks: Scientology pauses its UK expansion plans in the face of so much opposition

 
TODAY AT SUBSTACK: If you’ve signed up for free emails at Substack, you will receive today’s feature story at your inbox: Was it the newts? The bats? We’re not sure which of the objections raised to Scientology’s plans for its UK headquarters was too much, but David Miscavige has put those plans on a temporary hold. ALSO: A new Ideal Org today in Puerto Rico, and we say goodbye to Fredrick Brennan. [What is this Substack thing, anyway?]

 
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Technology Cocktail

“Whenever we as an organization violate the basic philosophy of Dianetics and Scientology we get into muddy water. The whole trouble for instance with C/Sing is that the theory of the mind is not learned, only the mechanical processes. When one doesn’t know the basic put-together of the mind but only knows processes, one never learns WHY the processes are used or when to use them. So one can be an auditor but can fail as a C/S if he doesn’t know WHY and therefore WHEN to use a process.
A C/S should be an expert on the Original Thesis and the first few chapters of the DMSMH and on 8-80 and 8-8008. I’ll bet those studying C/Sing right now are still puzzling over processes!” — L. Ron Hubbard, 1980

 
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Source Code

“I criticize governments. That’s because at the present moment I’m not in any position whatsoever to completely smash them. I make no bones about this, see? This is not covert at all. Governments know what they’re doing, not cooperating with me, if they’re that smart. If they were very, very clever, they never would. And we’ll have to cut that off the tape, you see. But at the present moment it’s not that I’m in a position to, but it just doesn’t fit the cards to make nothing out of all national governments, that’s all. It just isn’t in the cards at the present moment.” — L. Ron Hubbard, February 22, 1962

 
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Avast, Ye Mateys

“Flag is crowded these days. Berthing is at a premium. New faces, new actions. This is the time when it is hard to wear one’s hat because the weaker points on lines have given away. This is the time that reputations are made and future trust inspired in those who wear their hats and do their jobs. In such times one begins to mark out those who can control their immediate environment and make it and those in it go right. This is the way future officers and promotions are scheduled. Reversely this is also the time one notices who couldn’t hold the line or who made a mess of it or who caved in. Those trying to get the job done note these things. The non production, the absent from post, the flaps as well as the order and high production people are noted. It all come straight eventually because those in charge note and support those who make it go right and mark down the others. The go-right guys eventually wind up in charge. Those who dodge their way and dog it eventually vanish off the lines. This is YOUR Sea Org. It is as good as you make it. THE SUPREME TEST OF A THETAN IS TO MAKE THINGS GO RIGHT.” — The Commodore, February 22, 1971

 
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Overheard in the FreeZone

“There are profound differences between American indies and European freezoners. American indies are waiting for the return of LRH as indicated by David Mayo. According to Mayo, LRH instructed him (Mayo) to to find LRH reincarnated some 20 years after death. That probably ‘drives them crazy.’ European freezoners, on the other hand, are aware, mostly, that LRH assumed the identity of a Space Commander after death. That somehow provides peace of mind.”

 
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Past is Prologue

2002: Keith Henson reported a protest in Toronto, and a visit by Scientology PIs at the home of Ida Camburn before a protest at Gold Base in Hemet, California. “Toronto got a picket today. At the end of the picket, I got a cell phone call from Arel that Edwin Richardson was at Ida’s. Here is her report. Standing on the outside of the locked screen was this tall dark guy who looked very familiar. ‘Hello, you know me,’ he said. I told Ida that ‘Mr. Richardson’ was here. ‘The sheriff is here to keep the peace,’ Richardson said. ‘He’s parked out front.’ Richardson said, ‘I just wanted you to know that we know about the post.’ He was looking at me more than at Ida. ‘What post?’ I asked. ‘The post about the pipe bomb and the cake,’ he said. ‘I just want you to know what we know about the post about the pipe bomb and the cake,’ he repeated mechanically. Ida was telling him that we know that people post things on a.r.s. or elsewhere that threaten themselves. He said again that the sheriff was here to keep the peace, as if we two old ladies would rush out and attack him with pipe bombs or possibly with cakes. We talked with the sheriff. The deputy was Deputy Gonzales, I discovered when we both asked for cards from him. Deputy Gonzales told us that the Hemet police would ordinarily have answered such a request, but that he had been out at ‘gold’ as part of an investigation there. I told Deputy Gonzales exactly what Richardson had said and that we didn’t know what he was talking about as far as any threat was concerned. I said that he was probably trying to keep us from picketing ‘gold’ today. The deputy asked if we intended to picket today. I said that we did.”

 
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Random Howdy

“Most of the junkies I’ve talked to told me the reason they did dope was because it made them feel ‘normal,’ not for the buzz. It made them feel the way they always imagined life should feel, even before they tried it. Unfortunately it’s an illusion, just like the ‘tech,’ and it ends up costing you everything. Hey, if they made Scientology and dope free just think of all the money and pain saved!”

 
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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] Where is Scientology’s next ‘Ideal Org’? Some news from down south.
[TWO years ago] Austin, Chicago & Mexico City: Here’s why you’re getting new Scientology churches now
[THREE years ago] Simi Valley: Not the town, but one of the Underground Bunker’s most loyal helpers
[FOUR years ago] Scientology celebrates new staff as everything is really going gangbusters
[FIVE years ago] When Scientologists talk Scientology, we all benefit from it
[SIX years ago] Scientology tries to keep high-profile Philly attorneys out of Danny Masterson lawsuit
[SEVEN years ago] First AME Church & USC both disclaim letter Scientology using against Leah Remini
[EIGHT years ago] Insider reports on Scientology’s grand openings in Silicon Valley and Salt Lake City!
[NINE years ago] First look inside Tom Cruise’s Clearwater double penthouse — and Scientology is not happy!
[TEN years ago] How the indoctrination of growing up in Scientology has changed over generations
[ELEVEN years ago] Sunday Funnies: Scientology’s latest insider fliers for your dissection and delectation
[TWELVE years ago] Jon Atack puts it to Scientologists — did L. Ron Hubbard have the qualities of a leader?
[THIRTEEN years ago] Blogging Dianetics, Part 8: The Demon Seed

 
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Posted by Tony Ortega on February 22, 2026 at 07:00

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