TODAY AT SUBSTACK: If you’ve signed up for free emails at Substack, you will receive today’s feature story at your inbox: We began HowdyCon 2026 in a New London speakeasy, so 20s garb seemed appropriate. And how great it was to meet Bunker folk from such far-flung places. Today we get to the serious stuff! ALSO: What happens when a Scientology ‘Ideal Org’ starts to rot? [What is this Substack thing, anyway?]
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Technology Cocktail
“There are many tricks in gaining accessibility, but one principle underlies all of them. Get into communication with basic personality through affinity. The simple assumption by an auditor that the psychotic is not some strange, non-human form of life, but is a reasonable human being who is operating from a frame of reference somewhere in his past life rather than in present time will do a very great deal toward establishing this affinity. Until an auditor has had sufficient experience in Dianetics to understand this thoroughly, it is not recommended that he attempt work on a psychotic. The approach which Homer Lane used on occasion, remarking to some homicidal maniac, “I understand you can help me!” may be found useful. Sometimes simply taking a long walk with a psychotic, giving him exercise until he is very tired, will help you in gaining the few minutes of communication you must have with him.” — L. Ron Hubbard, 1950
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“I remember one space academy, I think the curriculum was two thousand years. I was a student there.” — L. Ron Hubbard, September 19, 1961
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“The ‘letters to Ron’ line was backlogged in being answered in some orgs and the backlogs have been called to Flag for answering. LRH Comm has just given me a verbal report on these letters from various parts of the world. The line is very very theta, very friendly, very open. It has improved even over what it was a year ago. There are no critical comments. There is only great appreciation. This means that my own public image is high and has not been injured by last summer’s events. The orgs only injured themselves somewhat with crush sell and checks. It also means our tech is better. It does NOT mean our org image and friendliness must not be improved. It MUST be. It is very nice to hear from all these good people. I love them too. That’s why I work as hard as I do. It becomes more and more evident in this declining world that Man, above all things, knows he needs a friend.” — The Commodore, September 19, 1971
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“When checking out a used car, one can sort of ‘shroud’ it and get a feel for its chronic emotion, look beyond its scuffs into its heart, hear its noises in your mind and home in on the car’s voice, unscramble the frequencies, maybe even spot a postulate or two. You can get a sense of previous owners, scan to where they lived, where they took the car, what the car saw on its travels, if there were children and pets. Was the car happy? Explore its time track back to the factory; are there any hidden moments? It doesn’t take long to do if you can get the seller to shut up for a minute. Service histories can be falsified too, it’s not unheard of. Does the car even want another owner? Dependency on MEST documentation is only one route to knowing something.”
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2000: Tory Christman reported that a Scientologist-owned restaurant in Clearwater attempted to refuse her service based on her being a former Scientologist. “I walked across Fort Harrison to a restaurant called Daniella’s. I walked in and stood by the counter. Suddenly the phone rang, and I heard what looked like the owner say ‘Blue top, white pants?’ I realized I was the only one in there in a blue top and white pants. As she skulked behind the wall, and whispered into the phone I realized this is a security issue. I left quickly, and went back across the street to LMT to get a back up. I got Karin Case and we returned and I ordered a salad. No sooner had I ordered than the same lady on the phone earlier came up to me from behind the counter. ‘Are you from across the street?’ I said ‘Yes’. She asked ‘What do you do there?’ I told her it was none of her business. She told me she was a Scientologist and was against what ‘they’ were doing and thus wasn’t going to serve me. I reminded her this was a PUBLIC business, and I had every intention of eating there. She said no, so I said ‘Well then call the police darlin,’ as THAT is Discrimination and is against the law. One of the workers got me my salad, as she looked on reluctantly.”
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“I always wanted to start my own cult even more than I ever wanted to be a rock star. I’m going to go watch some gun videos and start winding down. Goodnight Sherb, get some sleep.”
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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] Clearwater council not into Scientology donor’s glass art, will try again
[TWO years ago] Mitch Brisker sheds light on Emily Armstrong’s ties to Scientology mom
[THREE years ago] Scientology targets another international capital city, and we have the hype video!
[FOUR years ago] My Scientology wins: A personal testament of OT powers
[FIVE years ago] Scientology wants you to take advantage of the CARES Act and donate to Dave while you can!
[SIX years ago] Read Danny Masterson’s ‘demurrer’ he’s hoping will get his criminal charges dismissed
[SEVEN years ago] Here’s the Kent team’s 3rd lawsuit against Scientology and David Miscavige — dive in!
[EIGHT years ago] Scientology’s minion lawyer stretches his ‘theta arm’ to touch the future!
[NINE years ago] Tonight, Paul Haggis calls out Scientology’s celebs: ‘Damn them for being purposely blind’
[TEN years ago] Talking highlights of ‘Fair Game’ with its author, Aussie journalist Steve Cannane
[ELEVEN years ago] THE GETTING CLEAR CONFERENCE: How to see the videos that lay Scientology bare
[TWELVE years ago] Scientology’s tent party in England: The 9-minute trailer!
[THIRTEEN years ago] Scenes from Scientology’s Armageddon
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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 3,756 days.
Valerie Haney has not seen her mother Lynne in 4,260 days.
Katrina Reyes has not seen her mother Yelena in 4,766 days
Sylvia Wagner DeWall has not seen her brother Randy in 4,316 days.
Klaus Büchele has not seen his daughter Jasmin in 5,692 days.
Geoff Levin has not seen his son Collin and daughter Savannah in 3,187 days.
Christie Collbran has not seen her mother Liz King in 6,493 days.
Marc Headley has not seen his mother Trudy in 5,142 days.
Clarissa Adams has not seen her parents Walter and Irmin Huber in 4,360 days.
Jamie Sorrentini Lugli has not seen her father Irving in 5,914 days.
Quailynn McDaniel has not seen her brother Sean in 5,255 days.
Dylan Gill has not seen his father Russell in 13,825 days.
Melissa Paris has not seen her father Jean-Francois in 9,742 days.
Valeska Paris has not seen her brother Raphael in 5,909 days.
Mirriam Francis has not seen her brother Ben in 5,495 days.
Claudio and Renata Lugli have not seen their son Flavio in 5,754 days.
Lori Hodgson has not seen her son Jeremy and daughter Jessica in 4,502 days.
Marie Poulin has not seen her mother June in 4,071 days.
Julian Wain has not seen his brother Joseph or mother Susan in 2,382 days.
Charley Updegrove has not seen his son Toby in 3,557 days.
Derek Bloch has not seen his father Darren in 5,239 days.
Cindy Plahuta has not seen her daughter Kara in 5,576 days.
Roger Weller has not seen his daughter Alyssa in 10,429 days.
Claire Headley has not seen her mother Gen in 5,545 days.
Ramana Dienes-Browning has not seen her mother Jancis in 3,907 days.
Skip Young has not seen his daughters Megan and Alexis in 4,706 days.
Mary Kahn has not seen her son Sammy in 4,590 days.
Lois Reisdorf has not seen her son Craig in 4,165 days.
Phil and Willie Jones have not seen their son Mike and daughter Emily in 4,666 days.
Mary Jane Barry has not seen her daughter Samantha in 4,926 days.
Kate Bornstein has not seen her daughter Jessica in 16,030 days.
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Posted by Tony Ortega on September 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, 1995-2025 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)
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Tony Ortega at The Daily Beast
