Two weeks ago today Scientology’s floating cathedral the Freewinds arrived at St. Lucia and was put under quarantine. Officials in the Dutch islands of Aruba and Curacao had confirmed that there was a female crew member with measles on board the private cruise ship, and they alerted St. Lucian officials so that no one disembarked after the vessel arrived at Castries harbor.
The ship soon became a symbol for the “anti-vaxx” hysteria in the US and elsewhere which has produced a wave of new measles cases, 19 years after the CDC had declared the disease dormant in the US.
But what made the story especially intriguing for the world’s press was that it wasn’t just any cruise ship whose passengers were trapped on board, but that it was Scientology’s secretive ocean-going chapel.
Combine that with Scientology’s longstanding hatred for the American Medical Association and the tendency for many of its members to be anti-vaxxers (even if the church doesn’t express an opinion about vaccines) and the story was irresistible.
But almost right away, Leah Remini and Mike Rinder were trying to get the media to focus less on the incubation times of the measles virus and more on the long history of abuses aboard the Freewinds, with stories like that of Valeska Paris, Ramana Dienes-Browning, and Don Jason. The real story wasn’t that someone had come down with an infectious disease, but that Scientology has used the ship as a prison for some members, and also that it pressures its passengers to fork over huge amounts of money. (See our story about Quailynn McDaniel, for example, who says she was kept on board and pressured to steal money from her own husband before she managed to escape.)
Two weeks after this crazy measles story began, 28 people of the original 318 (17 crew and 11 passengers) are still quarantined on the ship in Curacao to make sure they don’t come down with the disease.
And Scientology finally issued a statement, patting itself on the back for keeping the outbreak to just the single crew member.
According to the AP: “The church said in a statement that the health authorities in Curacao had acknowledged the Freewinds for its strict isolation protocol, which effectively contained the illness to a single case and prevented it from spreading to others.”
Well, that’s nice. But the damage has been done. Scientology is once again a global laughingstock. And many people looking into the plight of the Freewinds are asking about more than simply a case of the measles.
Also, it’s especially embarrassing for Scientology not only because its wealthy, longtime members are supposed to achieve a sort of mind-over-matter that should make them impervious to disease, but also because Scientology’s paranoid paramilitary wing, the Sea Organization, is supposed to run the ship like an interrogation factory.
Just take a look at the way the ship is supposed to run like an armed camp, with potential passengers checked out for trouble, including for infectious disease. This document is from 1989, when the Freewinds made its debut as Scientology’s only location for delivering the ultimate auditing level, Operating Thetan Level Eight (OT 8).
What a disaster.
EXECUTIVE DIRECTIVE
FREEWINDS(TM) RELAY OFFICE ED 79 (23 November 1989)
ALL ARRIVALS PERSONNEL
FSSC OFFICES
TOURS PERSONNEL
CALL INNERSAdvertisementSECURITY FREEWINDSSECURITY CLEARANCE LINES TO THE SHIP
LOCAL MAA DATAClearance to come to the Ship includes getting a person’s local MAA data. This is gotten by the FRO (Freewinds Relay Office) Security Clearance I/C before a passenger is cleared to come to the Ship.
The following points are a guideline in obtaining local MAA data:
1. Any current or recent PTS situation?
HCO(TM) PL 27 OCT 64R REVISED l5 NOVEMBER 87 POLICIES ON PHYSICAL HEALING, INSANITY AND SOURCES OF TROUBLE
HCO PL 20 OCT 76R REVISED 25 AUGUST 87 PTS DATA
HCO B 31. DEC 78RA II REVISED 26 JULY 86 OUTLINE OF PTS HANDLING2. Currently or recently declared PTS or SP?
SAME AS IN NUMBER 1.
HCO PL 23 DEC 65RA REVISED 10 SEP 83 SUPPRESSIVE ACTS SUPPRESSION OF SCIENTOLOGY(R) AND SCIENTOLOGISTS(TM)3. Ever declared PTS type III?
HCO B 24 NOV 65 SEARCH AND DISCOVERYAdvertisement4. Any squirrel connections either past or present?
HCO PL 30 AUG 60 TRAINING RESTRICTIONS
HCO PL 2 9 JUN 6 8 ENROLLMENT IN SUPPRESSIVE GROUPS
HCO PL 6 OCT 58 WHO CAN BE PROCESSED WHO CAN BE TRAINED5. Any recent criminal activities ?
HCO PL 7 JUL 60 TRAINING APPLICANTS
HCO PL 27 OCT 64R REVISED 15 NOV 87 POLICIES ON PHYSICAL HEALING, INSANITY AND SOURCES OF TROUBLE
HCO PL 30 AUG 60 TRAINING RESTRICTIONS6. Currently wanted by police? Has arrest warrants for unpaid tickets, etc. ?
SAME AS IN 5 .7, Ever threatened to sue the Church or any of its principals?
HCO PL 23 DBC 65RA REVISED 10 SEP 83 SUPPRESSIVE ACTS SUPPRESSION OF SCIENTOLOGY AND SCIENTOLOGISTS8. Any out-standing unhandled justice cycles?
HCO PL 2 9 APR 6 5 III CORRECTED AND REISSUED 1 OCT 65 ETHICS REVIEWAdvertisement9. Ever been institutionalized?
HCO PL 14 NOV 60 SIGN UP OF STUDENTS AND PCS ACCEPTANCE BY D/P AND D/T
HCO PL 6 DEC 76RB REVISED 8 APR 88 ILLEGAL PCS, ACCEPTANCE OF HIGH CRIME P/L LRH BD 7 9 MAR 69 PDH
FICO PL 6 OCT 58 WHO CAN BB PROCESSED WHO CAN BB TRAINED
TAPE RECORDING 72O3CO2SO 2MAR 72 EVALUATION AND HANDLING OF PERSONNEL,10. Illegal PC?
SAME AS IN 9.11. Currently has a cold, flu skin disorder or other communicable disease?
ED 1447 FLAG 18 FBB 78 UPDATED AND REISSUED 28 FEB 80 CONTAGIOUS ILLNESS AND ISOLATION12. Has a non-optimum physical condition such as heart or lung disease or has to take any medications?
FO 2934R 9 OCT 71 MO DUTY RE RECRUITS AND STUDENTS13. Is the person a freeloader?
HCO PL 13 OCT 72 FREELOADERS
HCO PL 11 JUN BlR REVISED 18MAR 81 VIOLATION OF STAFF COVENANTAdvertisement14. Ever blown from an Org?
SAME AS 13.15. Does the person show any psychotic behavior such as is dirty, talks in non-sequitur, long comm lags, etc.?
HCO PL 11 NOV 76RB STATISTIC CHANGE,HCOS AND QUALS DEFINITIONS
BOOK: SCIENCE OF SURVIVAL, CHAPTER D
HCO PL 25 SEP 70 INSTRUCTION PROTOCOLS OFFICIAL16. Any other noticeable outpoints?
SCIENCE OF SURVIVAL CHAPTER P
LRH ADVICE RE:PSYCH BREAKS
EVALUATOR’S KNOW-HOW CHARTIf any of the above points are questionable, all strings need to be pulled and compared to the indicated issues to see if these references are violated and the person has to be handled to meet the requirements or has to be rejected.
The Security Clearance I/C FRO has to make sure that all data is gotten along with data from OSA, Senior HCO INT and that all strings are pulled. Based upon the collected data a Security Okay or Reject-Chit is issued and the person has the Okay or not Okay to leave for the Ship.
Security Freewinds has to make sure that only persons identified as being the person oked by the Security Clearance I/C FRO board the Ship.
Beatrice Chiquet
AdvertisementSECURITY CLEARANCE I/C FROApproved by
COORDINATION COUNCIL SHIPAuthorized by
LRH COMM FROfor the
CHURCH OF SCIENTOLOGY
FREEWINDS RELAY OFFICE
Freewinds Security Exec Ord… by on Scribd
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Another Scientology spy comes forward
Robin D’Angelo, the French journalist who recently had a piece about Scientology planning an Ideal Org in Paris, has a new interview with a former OSA operative.
Mostly, “Konrad” seems to have done paralegal work for the church during its trials in Paris in the mid-2000s. But he also talks about OSA’s dirtier habits of keeping tabs on people and also trying to curry favor with important people as a public relations strategy.
This is really good stuff. For previous stories about spies coming forward, check out our pieces on Cierra Westerman, the Powells, and the duo who spent 24 years following one man for David Miscavige.
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HowdyCon 2019 in Los Angeles
THURSDAY NIGHT OPPORTUNITY: This year’s HowdyCon is in Los Angeles. People tend to come in starting on Thursday, and that evening we will have a casual get-together at a watering hole. But we also want to point out that Cathy Schenkelberg’s “Squeeze My Cans” will be running at the Hollywood Fringe, and we encourage HowdyCon attendees to see her show on Thursday night, June 20. Tickets and more dates available here.
Friday night June 21 we will be having an event in a theater (like we did on Saturday night last year in Chicago). There will not be a charge to attend this event, but if you want to attend, you need to RSVP with your proprietor at tonyo94 AT gmail.
On Saturday, we are joining forces with Janis Gillham Grady, who is having a reunion in honor of the late Bill Franks. Originally, we thought this event might take place in Riverside, but instead it’s in the Los Angeles area. If you wish to attend the reunion, you will need to RSVP with Janis (janisgrady AT gmail), and there will be a small contribution she’s asking for in order to help cover her costs.
HOTEL: Janis tells us she’s worked out a deal with Hampton Inn and Suites, at 7501 North Glenoaks Blvd, Burbank, (818) 768-1106. We have a $159 nightly rate for June 19 to 22. Note: You need to ask for the “family reunion” special rate.
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Scientology’s celebrities, ‘Ideal Orgs,’ and more!
We’ve been building landing pages about David Miscavige’s favorite playthings, including celebrities and ‘Ideal Orgs,’ and we’re hoping you’ll join in and help us gather as much information as we can about them. Head on over and help us with links and photos and comments.
Scientology’s celebrities, from A to Z! Find your favorite Hubbardite celeb at this index page — or suggest someone to add to the list!
Scientology’s ‘Ideal Orgs,’ from one end of the planet to the other! Help us build up pages about each these worldwide locations!
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 our weekly series. How many have you read?
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THE WHOLE TRACK
[ONE year ago] Scientology’s reclusive ‘president,’ 82-year-old Heber Jentzsch, tells a niece he’s doing fine
[TWO years ago] With its Mexico City project halted, Scientology fans out across town to promote its pablum
[THREE years ago] Ron Miscavige shakes off Scientology smears, rockets to #1 in ebooks
[FOUR years ago] Guest post: Five extreme examples of hypocrisy in Scientology’s ‘Freedom’ magazine
[FIVE years ago] Falling death of a Russian Scientologist in Clearwater: The police investigation
[SIX years ago] ABC Features 4-Minute Dianetics Infomercial To Illustrate EEOC Lawsuit Involving Scientology
[SEVEN years ago] Lisa Marie Presley Removes All Mention of Scientology From Her Official Website
[ELEVEN years ago] Jason Beghe to Scientology Mouthpiece Tommy Davis: ‘You’re Losing Your Soul’
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Bernie Headley has not seen his daughter Stephanie in 5,446 days.
Valerie Haney has not seen her mother Lynne in 1,575 days.
Katrina Reyes has not seen her mother Yelena in 2,079 days
Sylvia Wagner DeWall has not seen her brother Randy in 1,559 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his grandson Leo in 619 days.
Geoff Levin has not seen his son Collin and daughter Savannah in 510 days.
Christie Collbran has not seen her mother Liz King in 3,817 days.
Clarissa Adams has not seen her parents Walter and Irmin Huber in 1,685 days.
Carol Nyburg has not seen her daughter Nancy in 2,459 days.
Jamie Sorrentini Lugli has not seen her father Irving in 3,233 days.
Quailynn McDaniel has not seen her brother Sean in 2,579 days.
Dylan Gill has not seen his father Russell in 11,145 days.
Melissa Paris has not seen her father Jean-Francois in 7,065 days.
Valeska Paris has not seen her brother Raphael in 3,232 days.
Mirriam Francis has not seen her brother Ben in 2,813 days.
Claudio and Renata Lugli have not seen their son Flavio in 3,074 days.
Sara Goldberg has not seen her daughter Ashley in 2,113 days.
Lori Hodgson has not seen her son Jeremy and daughter Jessica in 1,825 days.
Marie Bilheimer has not seen her mother June in 1,351 days.
Joe Reaiche has not seen his daughter Alanna Masterson in 5,440 days
Derek Bloch has not seen his father Darren in 2,580 days.
Cindy Plahuta has not seen her daughter Kara in 2,900 days.
Roger Weller has not seen his daughter Alyssa in 7,756 days.
Claire Headley has not seen her mother Gen in 2,875 days.
Ramana Dienes-Browning has not seen her mother Jancis in 1,231 days.
Mike Rinder has not seen his son Benjamin and daughter Taryn in 5,533 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his daughter Spring in 1,639 days.
Skip Young has not seen his daughters Megan and Alexis in 2,041 days.
Mary Kahn has not seen her son Sammy in 1,913 days.
Lois Reisdorf has not seen her son Craig in 1,496 days.
Phil and Willie Jones have not seen their son Mike and daughter Emily in 1,991 days.
Mary Jane Sterne has not seen her daughter Samantha in 2,245 days.
Kate Bornstein has not seen her daughter Jessica in 13,354 days.
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Posted by Tony Ortega on May 14, 2019 at 07:00
E-mail tips to tonyo94 AT gmail DOT com or follow us on Twitter. We also post updates at our Facebook author page. After every new story we send out an alert to our e-mail list and our FB page.
Our new book with Paulette Cooper, Battlefield Scientology: Exposing L. Ron Hubbard’s dangerous ‘religion’ is now 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, 1995-2018 Just starting out here? We’ve picked out the most important stories we’ve covered here at the Underground Bunker (2012-2018), The Village Voice (2008-2012), New Times Los Angeles (1999-2002) and the Phoenix New Times (1995-1999)
Other links: BLOGGING DIANETICS: Reading Scientology’s founding text cover to cover | UP THE BRIDGE: Claire Headley and Bruce Hines train us as Scientologists | GETTING OUR ETHICS IN: Jefferson Hawkins explains Scientology’s system of justice | SCIENTOLOGY MYTHBUSTING: Historian Jon Atack discusses key Scientology concepts | Shelly Miscavige, ten years gone | The Lisa McPherson story told in real time | The Cathriona White stories | The Leah Remini ‘Knowledge Reports’ | Hear audio of a Scientology excommunication | Scientology’s little day care of horrors | Whatever happened to Steve Fishman? | Felony charges for Scientology’s drug rehab scam | Why Scientology digs bomb-proof vaults in the desert | PZ Myers reads L. Ron Hubbard’s “A History of Man” | Scientology’s Master Spies | The mystery of the richest Scientologist and his wayward sons | Scientology’s shocking mistreatment of the mentally ill | The Underground Bunker’s Official Theme Song | The Underground Bunker FAQ
Watch our short videos that explain Scientology’s controversies in three minutes or less…
Check your whale level at our dedicated page for status updates, or join us at the Underground Bunker’s Facebook discussion group for more frivolity.
Our non-Scientology stories: Robert Burnham Jr., the man who inscribed the universe | Notorious alt-right inspiration Kevin MacDonald and his theories about Jewish DNA | The selling of the “Phoenix Lights” | Astronomer Harlow Shapley‘s FBI file | Sex, spies, and local TV news | Battling Babe-Hounds: Ross Jeffries v. R. Don Steele
