TODAY AT SUBSTACK: If you’ve signed up for free emails at Substack, you will receive today’s feature story at your inbox: Scientology’s genius new fundraising wrinkle: Donate enough for the new holy auditorium in Florida, and you can make a pilgrimage to the spot where L. Ron Hubbard hatched Xenu while he was stoned out of his mind in the swinging 60s! [What is this Substack thing, anyway?]
——————–
Technology Cocktail
“A computational psychotic is sometimes able to act more like a normal person than a severe neurotic. Such a person has been caught up completely by a demon circuit, and all of the communication to this person and from him is filtered through this circuit. If the circuit is not of a type that restricts too much the activity of the mind, such a person may well be able to conduct a fairly normal kind of life. Since a demon circuit is able to make elementary computations, this person will be able to act with a slow, stumbling sort of rationality in areas which do not contradict the engramic commands which set up the circuitry. Since the current norm requires only a small area of rationality, such persons are sometimes able to pass as normal. If, as is more generally the case, the circuitry is of a type that affects most of the activity in which a person engages, the answers which are possible to the person may be so restricted that it becomes obvious that there is no real communication with his environment. Such a person will be institutionalized, but will be considered a ‘good’ patient by the authorities at the institution: slow, dull-witted, perhaps capricious, but rarely violent.” — L. Ron Hubbard, 1950
——————–
“As you look over the history of Dianetics and Scientology you’ll see a cycle is in operation. We get more and more complicated, more and more complicated, more and more complicated and then suddenly we get to a new, higher level of simplicity. And then this simplicity gets complicated and more complicated and more complicated and then we get to a new, higher level of simplicity. That’s just a history of me outguessing you.” — L. Ron Hubbard, September 12, 1961
——————–
“DAVID MURDOCK McBRIDE is assigned to Div IV as deckhand. He is to be grooved in on his post by John Wilson. His buddy is Arthur Hubbard. DAVID LEE FARRELL is assigned to Division III as to be Stores In Training. He is to be grooved in by Jay Hurwitz. His buddy is Paul Preston. DEKKI LE MOATE is assigned to Org Bureau Mimeo Files to be grooved in by Mimeo I/C R. Stone. Her buddy is Liz Ausley. HUGH HARRISON is assigned to Div III, Steward. He is to be grooved in by Linda Cusworth. His buddy is Bertie van Hoecke. ROBERT WILLIAMSON is assigned to Org Bu Mimeo Files. He is to be grooved in by Mimeo I/C R. Stone. His buddy is changed to David Ziff. RON STRAUS is assigned to Mimeo Files. He is to be grooved in by Mimeo I/C R. STone. His buddy is Ens. Des Popham.” — The Commodore, September 12, 1970
——————–
“The world is going mad more than ever. The dwindling spiral is speeding up. ‘Reasonableness’ says: oh, no, it’s all fine. (Of course, they want you to succumb with them.) Well, it’s not all fine, at all. You see it everyday. We were given the greatest of the greatest gift, The Technology, the Observations of a man who knew how to observe and he wrote it all down. We are all brothers in arms now and there is a Call to Arms now more than ever. Is this Technology going to be passed on to the children of this world or is it all gonna be AI (Automaticity)? We know better than anyone of Automaticity. So, this is a Call to Arms and no one is exempted. We should all be united. Enough with divide & conquer. Who’s gonna Unite us? LRH Admin Tech. The Big Missing Factor in the Freezone.”
——————–
2000: Jeff Jacobsen reported attending a meeting of Citizens for a Better Clearwater, a community group in which many Scientologists participate. “There seemed to be quite a few Scientologists there; Bennetta Slaughter, Susan Cook, Mary Story, plus a few other faces I recognized. Reverend Al Buttnor and Mary DeMoss came in just as most people were leaving. Bennetta seemed to have a position of authority there. They are planning a cleanup day, a Food festival day, a Jazz festival, and a renovation of an alley. They had a schematic of the alley, a sample mural they wanted to put on the Coachman building wall (Scientology graciously offered to prepare the wall for the artist), and a plan to raise the money – sell bricks for the pavement. The plan is to make a mural on the Coachman building, put plants and benches in there, and tear out the asphalt and put in bricks. You can buy a brick, and put a message on it that will stay there forever! Right next to the Coachman building! 1 line of text, up to 15 spaces (includes blank spaces) – $35. 2 lines of text, up to 30 spaces – $45. 3 lines of text, up to 45 spaces – $55. Citizens for a Better Clearwater; 1811 N. Belcher Rd. I-2; Clearwater FL 33765.”
——————–
“The trick for recognizing an Aussie accent is that they always sound like they’re asking a question.”
——————–
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.
——————–
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?
——————–
THE WHOLE TRACK
[ONE year ago] It’s up! And we have a song to salute Scientology leader David Miscavige’s big tent!
[TWO years ago] David Minkoff, Scientology doctor: The expert’s report on his failure to care for Whitney Mills
[THREE years ago] The Jane Doe victim statements at Danny Masterson’s sentencing: The transcript
[FOUR years ago] Court agrees to issue summons for Scientology leader David Miscavige in trafficking lawsuit
[FIVE years ago] Scientology’s new campaign to get you to sign its billion-year contract is here!
[SIX years ago] RIFFER: David Miscavige too busy saving Scientology from Covid to be served lawsuit
[SEVEN years ago] Hey, kids! It’s open mic night at your local Scientology spaceport!
[EIGHT years ago] FLORIDA IS IDEAL: Scientology ushers in glorious new civilization in country’s wang
[NINE years ago] Tonight on ‘Leah Remini’: Two witnesses detail David Miscavige’s ruthless Scientology takeover
[TEN years ago] Steve Cannane’s Oz-flavored Scientology history ‘Fair Game’ gets a UK-US-Canada publisher
[ELEVEN years ago] ‘Going Clear’ wins Outstanding Documentary Emmy, also for writing, directing
[TWELVE years ago] Escaping from a Scientology drug rehab center: A transcript
[THIRTEEN years ago] MONIQUE RATHBUN’S TESTIMONY: Day One Finishes in Her Temporary Injunction Hearing
——————–
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 3,749 days.
Valerie Haney has not seen her mother Lynne in 4,253 days.
Katrina Reyes has not seen her mother Yelena in 4,759 days
Sylvia Wagner DeWall has not seen her brother Randy in 4,309 days.
Klaus Büchele has not seen his daughter Jasmin in 5,685 days.
Geoff Levin has not seen his son Collin and daughter Savannah in 3,180 days.
Christie Collbran has not seen her mother Liz King in 6,486 days.
Marc Headley has not seen his mother Trudy in 5,135 days.
Clarissa Adams has not seen her parents Walter and Irmin Huber in 4,353 days.
Jamie Sorrentini Lugli has not seen her father Irving in 5,907 days.
Quailynn McDaniel has not seen her brother Sean in 5,248 days.
Dylan Gill has not seen his father Russell in 13,819 days.
Melissa Paris has not seen her father Jean-Francois in 9,735 days.
Valeska Paris has not seen her brother Raphael in 5,902 days.
Mirriam Francis has not seen her brother Ben in 5,488 days.
Claudio and Renata Lugli have not seen their son Flavio in 5,747 days.
Lori Hodgson has not seen her son Jeremy and daughter Jessica in 4,495 days.
Marie Poulin has not seen her mother June in 4,064 days.
Julian Wain has not seen his brother Joseph or mother Susan in 2,375 days.
Charley Updegrove has not seen his son Toby in 3,550 days.
Derek Bloch has not seen his father Darren in 5,232 days.
Cindy Plahuta has not seen her daughter Kara in 5,569 days.
Roger Weller has not seen his daughter Alyssa in 10,422 days.
Claire Headley has not seen her mother Gen in 5,538 days.
Ramana Dienes-Browning has not seen her mother Jancis in 3,900 days.
Skip Young has not seen his daughters Megan and Alexis in 4,699 days.
Mary Kahn has not seen her son Sammy in 4,583 days.
Lois Reisdorf has not seen her son Craig in 4,158 days.
Phil and Willie Jones have not seen their son Mike and daughter Emily in 4,659 days.
Mary Jane Barry has not seen her daughter Samantha in 4,919 days.
Kate Bornstein has not seen her daughter Jessica in 16,023 days.
——————–
Posted by Tony Ortega on September 12, 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, 1995-2025 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)
Check your whale level at our dedicated page for status updates.
Tony Ortega at The Daily Beast
