TODAY AT SUBSTACK: If you’ve signed up for free emails at Substack, you will receive today’s feature story at your inbox: In May, John Travolta revealed a stunning new look at Cannes that he said evoked the great film directors of the past. But there was more to it than that, and it involves interesting new information about his ongoing connection to, yes, Scientology. [What is this Substack thing, anyway?]
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Technology Cocktail
“It is possible to process a child at any age level beyond the point when he learns to speak. No extensive processing should be undertaken until the child is at least five, and full dianetic processing is not encouraged, except in very unusual circumstances, until the child is at least eight years of age. Much good can be accomplished before eight by straight line memory technique, but reverie should not be attempted before that age. In the period from eight to twelve years the child may be processed by any of the techniques outlined here. One should not force the child into the prenatal area until after he is twelve years old. Sometimes a child will willingly return to the basic area and if this happens naturally, engrams can be reduced or erased. If a return to the basic area is made by the child, it is to be accepted and treated as a matter of course, but the auditor should not in any way force him to do so.” — L. Ron Hubbard, 1950
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“I’ve been working on a clear cut statement of what are the beliefs of Scientology. It will be under survey. I am working on the Scientologists Hat. Without such a statement it is hard to get word of mouth. We are well into a Messianic period on Earth. Progress has been made on this. I can write, I think, a ‘Book of Fate.’ I have also made an advance in research on the character and handling of mental mass. Some weeks ago I conceived we did not know all there was to know about high and lo TAs and have suddenly made big progress. The answer was unexpectedly simple and includes auditing over out suppressed ruds that one doesn’t suspect are out! We just don’t pay enough attention to it. Big answers are very basic. So I feel cheerful.” — L. Ron Hubbard, August 17, 1971
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“US DOLLAR: The Socialist planning for crashed finance goes along apace. Nixon has just announced the forthcoming devaluation of the dollar. Means it will buy less. We are safe enough at the moment. But this rapid deterioration of the existing US cultural scene pushes us. We have to get Europe viable fast fast fast. That means translations more and faster. That means a beefed up EULO. A special action is needed for AF. UK needs picking up quickly.” — The Commodore, August 17, 1971
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“Who cares about these newbies if they buy such things as Justin Craig? Scientology was for the intelligent, not for tweety sweeties.”
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1995: Helena Kobrin announced this week that the OT portion of the Fishman materials have been sealed by Judge Harry Hupp. “This order blocks access to the Advanced Technology filed by the defendants in that case, thus foreclosing unauthorized persons from mistakenly claiming any entitlement to copy and distribute any of those materials without the permission of Religious Technology Center (RTC), the exclusive copyright licensee and trade secret owner.” This statement was verified by several a.r.s skeptics. Dick Cleek: “I just talked to ‘Valerie’ in the Federal Courthouse for the Central District of California. She said Judge Hupp ordered the Fishman case sealed yesterday afternoon. She said they had to gather up copies out of about 10 people’s hands. She was good enough to read part of the order to me, ‘sealed pending the court’s final decision’.” Keith Cochran: “Order: Scientology’s motion to seal specified documents was remanded to
this Court by Order of the Ninth Circuit. This Court has taken the matter under submission. Pending a final order by this Court regarding Scientology’s aforementioned motion to seal, all the files in this action are hereby ordered to be sealed.” Helena’s remaining statements remain unsubstantiated. “These materials are not now and never were ‘public record documents’ and now, even the excuse that there has never been a formal order sealing the Fishman case file is unavailable. Copying or other distribution or publication or use of any such documents or copies of them without the consent of RTC violates copyright and trade secret law and will subject the infringer or misappropriator to an enforcement action which could expose the transgressor to restraining orders, writs of seizure and impoundment, injunctions, and in the case of copyright infringement, damages of up to $100,000 per infringement. If you have copies of materials purporting to be copies of any of the Advanced Technology materials, you are instructed to turn them in to the undersigned forthwith.”
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“Hubbardese was definitely inspired by ‘Newspeak,’ in my opinion. All cults engage in it to some degree.”
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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] BUSTED: Image suggests Scientology has begun work on IAS tent without permit
[TWO years ago] Some recent cases remind us that Scientology tactics are all around us
[THREE years ago] ‘Only the ruthless can own it’: behind the scenes of Scientology’s dirty tricks operations
[FOUR years ago] The best TV show on Scientology you never got to see, Episode 2: Derek Bloch
[FIVE years ago] Danny Masterson accusers answer Scientology’s salvo at California appeals court
[SIX years ago] Brian Statler’s family wins right to police report and Scientology surveillance footage
[SEVEN years ago] ‘Scientology and the Aftermath’ participants send in their tributes as series is set to end
[EIGHT years ago] The Garcias won’t go down without a fight: Filing appeal of Scientology’s ‘arbitration’ farce
[NINE years ago] Celebrity battle lines: Michael Peña’s wife asks Scientologists to ‘Stand with Daniel Masterson’
[TEN years ago] A rare gem from 1968: When the Daily Mail tracked down L. Ron Hubbard in Tunisia
[ELEVEN years ago] Once shy about the Internet, Scientology is now oversharing on social media
[TWELVE years ago] Scientology Sunday Funnies: The apocalypse is here, and it is ideal
[THIRTEEN years ago] SCIENTOLOGY SUPER POWER IS COMING: OCTOBER 6!
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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 3,723 days.
Valerie Haney has not seen her mother Lynne in 4,227 days.
Katrina Reyes has not seen her mother Yelena in 4,733 days
Sylvia Wagner DeWall has not seen her brother Randy in 4,283 days.
Klaus Büchele has not seen his daughter Jasmin in 5,659 days.
Geoff Levin has not seen his son Collin and daughter Savannah in 3,154 days.
Christie Collbran has not seen her mother Liz King in 6,460 days.
Marc Headley has not seen his mother Trudy in 5,109 days.
Clarissa Adams has not seen her parents Walter and Irmin Huber in 4,327 days.
Jamie Sorrentini Lugli has not seen her father Irving in 5,881 days.
Quailynn McDaniel has not seen her brother Sean in 5,222 days.
Dylan Gill has not seen his father Russell in 13,793 days.
Melissa Paris has not seen her father Jean-Francois in 9,709 days.
Valeska Paris has not seen her brother Raphael in 5,876 days.
Mirriam Francis has not seen her brother Ben in 5,462 days.
Claudio and Renata Lugli have not seen their son Flavio in 5,721 days.
Lori Hodgson has not seen her son Jeremy and daughter Jessica in 4,469 days.
Marie Poulin has not seen her mother June in 4,038 days.
Julian Wain has not seen his brother Joseph or mother Susan in 2,349 days.
Charley Updegrove has not seen his son Toby in 3,524 days.
Derek Bloch has not seen his father Darren in 5,206 days.
Cindy Plahuta has not seen her daughter Kara in 5,543 days.
Roger Weller has not seen his daughter Alyssa in 10,396 days.
Claire Headley has not seen her mother Gen in 5,512 days.
Ramana Dienes-Browning has not seen her mother Jancis in 3,874 days.
Skip Young has not seen his daughters Megan and Alexis in 4,673 days.
Mary Kahn has not seen her son Sammy in 4,557 days.
Lois Reisdorf has not seen her son Craig in 4,132 days.
Phil and Willie Jones have not seen their son Mike and daughter Emily in 4,633 days.
Mary Jane Barry has not seen her daughter Samantha in 4,893 days.
Kate Bornstein has not seen her daughter Jessica in 15,997 days.
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Posted by Tony Ortega on August 17, 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
