TODAY AT SUBSTACK: If you’ve signed up for free emails at Substack, you will receive today’s feature story at your inbox: What are you hoping will be your peak Scientology experience, pilgrim? Wouldn’t it be something like throwing a backyard barbecue with other L. Ron Hubbard fans, and one of the church celebrities just happens to stop by? Xenu be praised, it actually happened! [What is this Substack thing, anyway?]
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Technology Cocktail
“When an engram is restimulated on a stimulus-response basis, the necessity mechanism of the analytical mind can be usurped to make the organism prone to the most outrageously impossible actions, actions like maniacal murder or carrying pianos single-handed from a burning building while the baby is still inside. Evolution has been working on separating this necessity level mechanism from the reactive mind control evidently. For artificial and actual necessity levels can be raised against the reactive bank itself and can actually make an engram back up or a whole set of engrams which, by stimulus-response, should be in restimulation, drop completely out of sight.” — L. Ron Hubbard, 1950
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“The Rock has such terrific significances connected with it: violations, survival, not to survive, thisa, thata, the other thing, identifications, cross-references, see file B, see file A 1,002,642, cross-reference Navy Department, you get the idea. Bulletin of War, Space Command, planet Exnoo, figure-figure-figure-figure, think-think-think-think-think-think, figure-figure-figure-figure, thought-thought-thought-thought, thought, significance-significance-significance-significance… And when he looks at this particular piece of matter, energy, space and time which is all it’s conceived of, he doesn’t conceive of matter, energy, space and time. He thinks, Cross-reference: Space Command, 8,000,000,682, general order to all torpedo-men. Following: pursuant to the orders of the admiral… See? Now, this unfortunately cross-references with Order of the Day, Monastery Platitude, Mount Xenu. There shall be peace. Which conflicts with, Dear, I know you are dedicated to holy orders, but I need a new pair of shoes. Which in itself is very vastly in conflict with Order of the Mount: Honor thy father and thy mother. Wait a minute, how’d that get in there? And that’s why the preclear’s so baffled.” — L. Ron Hubbard, July 25, 1958
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“LOCAL MONEY: Be sure you turn in your local wallpaper. I sure hope it’s cooler at sea!” — The Commodore, July 25, 1969
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“An Ethics Court was held on Andy Nolch, conductor of The Indie Scientology Podcast, in absentia, because he is in prison in Australia. Andy’s crime is point 15 of the General Crimes as listed in the first edition of the Introduction to Scientology Ethics book: ’15. Causing severe and disreputable disturbances resulting in disrepute.’ Andy’s previous arrest and the latest incarceration for violation of court orders and on drug possession charges caused severe disturbance and disrepute to the field and to field Scientologists that he interviewed in his podcast. The recommendations are that Andy Nolch should not to be trained or processed on anything other than PTS technology and drug rehabilitation tech. Is assigned the condition of Treason.”
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2000: Ursula Caberta, head of the Scientology task force in Hamburg, Germany was greeted at the Tampa airport by a group of Scientologists protesting her visit to the Lisa McPherson Trust. “A beige shirt is shouting ‘Go back to Germany, Nazi criminal!’ twice through cupped hands. Meanwhile crowd of clams is pointing and shouting ‘This lady is a criminal!’ ‘You’re not welcome!’ ‘Nazi!’ and similar shouts. Blonde middle aged woman, ‘Go back to Germany, we like freedom of religion here.’ Airport cops hold them back, and there are shouts ‘You’re all damned! You’re all damned!’ An announcement was made in the terminal after the crowd died down: ‘Ladies and gentlemen, in case you were worried about what just happened here, those people were members of the Church of Scientology.’ End of announcement. That was all that was needed to be said.” Patricia Greenway reported the identity of many of the Scientologists at the airport. “The idiot yelling through cupped hands was Ian Shillington. He came the next day to the door of the LMT to scream the same inane lunacy and later carried signs that said GO HOME NAZI’s. Some of those members that came to the airport as well as picketed the LMT with Nazi go home signs were: Sandy Adair, Dan Sigal, Dennis Clark, Penny Jones, Andrea Anniskevich. Of course the airport crowd was orchestrated by Al Buttnor. Also, there were a few children brought to the airport as well as the NAZI picket to carry Nazi signs and trained to yell Nazi’s go home.” Ursula Caberta participated in a press conference at the Lisa McPherson Trust. From the St. Petersburg Times: “The battle between the Church of Scientology and the German government, a long-running dispute steeped in emotion and international politics, has come crashing into Clearwater with a visit by a controversial German official. Ursula Caberta, who heads a government office in Hamburg that works to curb Scientology in Germany, said Tuesday at a downtown news conference that Scientology is viewed in her country as ‘a new kind of political extremism.’ ‘I believe that the very good relations between Germany and the U.S. should not be influenced by an organization like Scientology,’ Caberta said, appearing at the headquarters of the Lisa McPherson Trust, a ‘watchdog group’ founded by Scientology critic Bob Minton. ‘It is all I can do to hold my temper,’ said Hans Bschorr, a Scientologist who said he was employed as a television reporter covering the Bavarian parliament when a newspaper article four years ago mentioned he belonged to the church. ‘I lost everything over there instantly,’ said Bschorr, scoffing at the notion Scientologists have exaggerated their plight for political gain in the United States. ‘I had to move my family out of the country.’ At the news conference, Caberta focused on the case of Antje Victore, a German Scientologist who in 1997 was granted political asylum in the United States by a Tampa immigration judge after claiming she was subjected to religious persecution in her homeland. Caberta pointed to letters Victore used to make her case. They were written by business owners who said Victore wouldn’t be hired in Germany because of her involvement in Scientology. However, Victore failed to disclose to the judge that the letters were written by fellow Scientologists, Caberta said. Though Scientology did not orchestrate the case, Rathbun said, there would have been nothing improper if it had.”
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“I prefer to think of D.M. as Theon Greyjoy.”
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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] Onward, Scientology soldier! John Alex Wood is finally going OT
[TWO years ago] Scientology asks for more time to talk Whitney Mills’ mom out of wrongful-death lawsuit
[THREE years ago] Why growing up in Scientology can be so damaging, even years after leaving
[FOUR years ago] Jon Atack escaped Scientology, but then he got himself into much deeper trouble
[FIVE years ago] More proof Scientology’s ‘Fresh Start’ clinics going belly up: San Diego County site for sale
[SIX years ago] Scientology to the rescue: After losing son and wife, Johnny Lewis’s dad is happier than ever
[SEVEN years ago] For once, a target of Scientology gladhanding did his homework and said no thanks
[EIGHT years ago] 50 years ago today, Scientology was banned in the UK — Here’s why it was a bad move
[NINE years ago] The Rathbuns hire a lawyer, and Ray Jeffrey answers questions about his legal salvo
[TEN years ago] Why does Scientology have no sense of humor? Because seriousness is a sacrament
[ELEVEN years ago] A video response to Scientology’s crass celebrities, Jenna and Bodhi Elfman
[TWELVE years ago] Garcia federal fraud lawsuit survives another challenge by Scientology
[THIRTEEN years ago] Scientologists Warned about Facebook “Entheta” After Leah Remini’s Departure
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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 3,700 days.
Valerie Haney has not seen her mother Lynne in 4,204 days.
Katrina Reyes has not seen her mother Yelena in 4,710 days
Sylvia Wagner DeWall has not seen her brother Randy in 4,260 days.
Klaus Büchele has not seen his daughter Jasmin in 5,636 days.
Geoff Levin has not seen his son Collin and daughter Savannah in 3,131 days.
Christie Collbran has not seen her mother Liz King in 6,437 days.
Marc Headley has not seen his mother Trudy in 5,086 days.
Clarissa Adams has not seen her parents Walter and Irmin Huber in 4,304 days.
Jamie Sorrentini Lugli has not seen her father Irving in 5,858 days.
Quailynn McDaniel has not seen her brother Sean in 5,199 days.
Dylan Gill has not seen his father Russell in 13,770 days.
Melissa Paris has not seen her father Jean-Francois in 9,686 days.
Valeska Paris has not seen her brother Raphael in 5,853 days.
Mirriam Francis has not seen her brother Ben in 5,439 days.
Claudio and Renata Lugli have not seen their son Flavio in 5,698 days.
Lori Hodgson has not seen her son Jeremy and daughter Jessica in 4,446 days.
Marie Poulin has not seen her mother June in 4,015 days.
Julian Wain has not seen his brother Joseph or mother Susan in 2,326 days.
Charley Updegrove has not seen his son Toby in 3,501 days.
Derek Bloch has not seen his father Darren in 5,183 days.
Cindy Plahuta has not seen her daughter Kara in 5,520 days.
Roger Weller has not seen his daughter Alyssa in 10,373 days.
Claire Headley has not seen her mother Gen in 5,489 days.
Ramana Dienes-Browning has not seen her mother Jancis in 3,851 days.
Skip Young has not seen his daughters Megan and Alexis in 4,650 days.
Mary Kahn has not seen her son Sammy in 4,534 days.
Lois Reisdorf has not seen her son Craig in 4,109 days.
Phil and Willie Jones have not seen their son Mike and daughter Emily in 4,610 days.
Mary Jane Barry has not seen her daughter Samantha in 4,870 days.
Kate Bornstein has not seen her daughter Jessica in 15,974 days.
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Posted by Tony Ortega on July 25, 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
