TODAY AT SUBSTACK: If you’ve signed up for free emails at Substack, you will receive today’s feature story at your inbox: In March, Tom Cruise and John Travolta were in the front row when Scientology leader David Miscavige unveiled a new initiative aimed at kids. But could the children of Scientologists be showing less than keen interest in the ‘Golden Age for a New Generation’? [What is this Substack thing, anyway?]
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Technology Cocktail
“The analytical mind, then, can be said to be in agreement with dianetic processes and, indeed, dianetic processes were evolved by paralleling analytical mind action. The reactive mind is directly opposed to Dianetics. Whatever impedes the auditor in putting a patient through therapy has impeded the patient’s own analytical mind. The equation that the analytical minds of the auditor and preclear have greater power than the reactive mind of the preclear is the principal thing that makes therapy possible. The analytical mind of any patient is striving mightily against any burden in the reactive bank even when the reactive bank is so in evidence — as in a psychotic — that it composes all the patient’s thoughts and actions and even makes him initially resist therapy. A person is aberrated because his own analytical mind, alone, cannot cope, save in artificially or naturally raised necessity, with his reactive burden.” — L. Ron Hubbard, 1950
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“These fellows do things like get your headquarters robbed of private research papers, buy them off the thief, publish them out of context and thus confuse the theory and research papers of Scientology with the actual practice of Scientology. And I point out to you that these are two entirely different things. Because I have just reserved the right all the way along the line to write down whatever I found. But I did not put it out for unlimited circulation. You see? So they’re challenging a fellow’s right to make notes of what he’s seen. But those research papers and books, today, actually do not much reflect the practice of Scientology, which if you look at it up the grades has very, very reasonable and very comprehensible goals. Do you see?” — L. Ron Hubbard, July 19, 1966
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“PARTY: I’m glad you had a good time at the Roaring 20’s party. I was going to attend but couldn’t find any gangsters or a Sub-Thompson machine gun — ‘Chicago typewriter’ or a big enough cigar. (Joke)” — The Commodore, July 19, 1970
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“Gullible people are there for the status! Not for the real thing! It’s a huge pretend! And the auditors who participate in the sham are suppressive! To say the least! Promoting satanic church members! Shame on all those who had any connection with one or another! They should do their conditions already! Low integrity, low self esteem!”
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2001: “Barb” reported a two-day protest at a comic convention in San Diego at which Scientology had rented exhibit space. “I packed up some Xenu fliers stuffed with half-page Scientology Hurts People inserts, printed out a new sign, WARNING! BRIDGE PUBLICATIONS IS $CIENTOLOGY, which had a fetching color portrait of Xenu. Ida’s friend Richard came down with his two nephews a little after noon, and we took a cab to the Con. We proceeded to the entrance of the Convention Center and started handing out fliers. It wasn’t long before security approached and requested that we move on to public property, and we cheerfully complied. We already had picked up two watchclams. They positioned themselves on either side at a distance of about 50 feet. Both of them watched us constantly and used their cell phones frequently. People would approach and ask for a flier. Some stopped to chat, several thanked us for being there and informing people. Many of the folks we talked to already knew something about the cult, a few knew Bridge Publications was a tentacle of Scientology. Several people who took fliers intended to ask the folks in the Bridge Pubs booth about Xenu! It only took us a couple of hours to dispose of all our fliers. The Bridge booth had huge banners advertising L. RON HUBBARD! BATTLEFIELD EARTH! and L. RON HUBBARD’S MISSION EARTH! I heard one of the inhabitants try to snag a passerby with the intriguing come-on, ‘Hey, do you like science fiction?’ but it appeared to me that people were staying away in droves. Today I was joined by the evil SP David Rice in our quest to bring order to this quadrant of the universe. We were out front waiting for a cab, and a tannish-gray van cruised up and stopped in the middle of the intersection by my house. While I was watching this blatant stupidity, the driver took our picture and drove off! We set up where we’d picketed yesterday. One of our first customers was
Smiley, the guy who’d shadowed us yesterday. I can now confirm that it is the same guy who photographed us and David’s truck at Gold Base, he dyed his hair and it’s not an improvement! One older gent told us he had worked with a Scientology spy in an IRS office! We received lots of thumbs up, many people turned down our fliers because they already knew that Scientology sucks! Many people approached us and asked for fliers, and we gave the curious the quick Scientology in a clamshell rundown. At one point a security guard came down to see what we were doing, but didn’t give us any trouble. It seems that Smiley objected to our presence there and made his displeasure known. I had packed up the few remaining fliers in my backpack and turned my sign around so they wouldn’t think we were soliciting on Convention Center property. As we started onto Convention Center property, we were stopped by a security guard who said we could not walk through. David wasn’t having any. ‘Who says?’ he asked the guard, who must have been all of 20 years old if that. ‘He does,’ said the guard, pointing at Smiley. ‘But that guy is an employee of Scientology!’ I argued. ‘He has no authority here!’ He went over and spoke to Smiley. It seems the creep objected to our signs (reversed) our fliers (packed up) and our T-shirts (Scientology Kills!) This junior dork in training had been told by Smiley that we were criminals and should not be allowed on the property! A real security guard was called, and I pointed out that we were not soliciting, wished to pass through, had been protesting Scientology abuses, and moreover, the complainant was either hired by or in Scientology! ‘You can pass,’ she motioned us through.”
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“I’m a watching a movie and I saw on IMDB that one of the actors was named ‘Mapother’ and sure enough he’s Middletooth’s cousin and he’s been in tons of stuff and he’s a better actor than Tom. Who knew?”
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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, oral arguments scheduled for June 25. 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. Now serving time in 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 June 19.
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, which is now fully briefed. Oral arguments hearing set for July 23.
— 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 upheld on appeal. Scientology expected to file additional petitions before case can return to Kalra’s court.
— Jane Doe 1 v. Scientology, David Miscavige, and Gavin Potter: Case unsealed and second amended complaint filed. Scientology moves for religious arbitration. 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] Crowd control: Why Scientology members dread being called in for a ‘briefing’
[TWO years ago] A lost tradition? Summer was when Scientology celebs partied in Hollywood
[THREE years ago] Lawsuit seeks to make Scientology pay for years of costs after childhood sexual assault
[FOUR years ago] Scientology Mission Impossible: Or, how an ‘SP’ ended up in charge
[FIVE years ago] Scientology wants you to take this survey like yesterday. So pencils ready!
[SIX years ago] Scientology donor in leaked video: ‘You’re going to pay this money fucking eventually’
[SEVEN years ago] Fans feeling conflicted about Tom Cruise and Scientology after seeing Top Gun 2 trailer
[EIGHT years ago] Scientology leader David Miscavige will not testify in forced-abortion trial
[NINE years ago] VIDEO: ‘Scientology Kills’ protest at Dublin concert enrages Jive Aces musician
[TEN years ago] ‘Call Me’ says their billboard — and their daughter in Scientology did just that
[ELEVEN years ago] Mile High and climbing: Chris Shelton helps us tell the tale of Scientology and ‘Miss Lovely’
[TWELVE years ago] VIDEO: L. Ron Hubbard solves the Cold War and your bad marriage
[THIRTEEN years ago] STACY DAWN MURPHY: One Year After Her Death, Still No Answers
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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 3,694 days.
Valerie Haney has not seen her mother Lynne in 4,198 days.
Katrina Reyes has not seen her mother Yelena in 4,704 days
Sylvia Wagner DeWall has not seen her brother Randy in 4,254 days.
Klaus Büchele has not seen his daughter Jasmin in 5,630 days.
Geoff Levin has not seen his son Collin and daughter Savannah in 3,125 days.
Christie Collbran has not seen her mother Liz King in 6,431 days.
Marc Headley has not seen his mother Trudy in 5,080 days.
Clarissa Adams has not seen her parents Walter and Irmin Huber in 4,298 days.
Jamie Sorrentini Lugli has not seen her father Irving in 5,852 days.
Quailynn McDaniel has not seen her brother Sean in 5,193 days.
Dylan Gill has not seen his father Russell in 13,764 days.
Melissa Paris has not seen her father Jean-Francois in 9,680 days.
Valeska Paris has not seen her brother Raphael in 5,847 days.
Mirriam Francis has not seen her brother Ben in 5,433 days.
Claudio and Renata Lugli have not seen their son Flavio in 5,692 days.
Lori Hodgson has not seen her son Jeremy and daughter Jessica in 4,440 days.
Marie Poulin has not seen her mother June in 4,009 days.
Julian Wain has not seen his brother Joseph or mother Susan in 2,320 days.
Charley Updegrove has not seen his son Toby in 3,495 days.
Derek Bloch has not seen his father Darren in 5,177 days.
Cindy Plahuta has not seen her daughter Kara in 5,514 days.
Roger Weller has not seen his daughter Alyssa in 10,367 days.
Claire Headley has not seen her mother Gen in 5,483 days.
Ramana Dienes-Browning has not seen her mother Jancis in 3,845 days.
Skip Young has not seen his daughters Megan and Alexis in 4,644 days.
Mary Kahn has not seen her son Sammy in 4,528 days.
Lois Reisdorf has not seen her son Craig in 4,101 days.
Phil and Willie Jones have not seen their son Mike and daughter Emily in 4,604 days.
Mary Jane Barry has not seen her daughter Samantha in 4,864 days.
Kate Bornstein has not seen her daughter Jessica in 15,968 days.
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Posted by Tony Ortega on July 19, 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
