Last September, we made a point about how Scientology expends enormous effort (and prodigious sums) in order to score a small press mention or to win an award you’ve never heard of.
The example we had in mind then was a gushing local TV spot that featured John and Emily Goodwin of Galaxy Press, Scientology’s wing that keeps L. Ron Hubbard’s musty old fiction in print. A Utah TV reporter provided the kind of unquestioning and fawning press that Scientology leader David Miscavige craves and so rarely gets.
And just because there’s a pandemic going on, that doesn’t mean Miscavige and his troops still aren’t trying their best to get those small victories. Our thanks to the numerous researchers and tipsters who keep a close watch on everything Scientology does, and who dug up these examples for us.
Once again, we’re focusing on Emily (Jones) Goodwin, who for us has become a symbol of Scientology’s cruel disconnection policy. Unlike most Sea Org members separated from their families, most of whom disappear into the organization, Emily has been a very visible representative for Galaxy Press even after cutting off contact with her parents, Phil and Willie Jones, after they left the church.
In this instance, she’s been trotted out to accept an award for the latest Writers of the Future anthology. We hadn’t heard of the Independent Book Publishers Association or its Benjamin Franklin awards, which was handed out this year virtually since the pandemic has everyone staying home. When we got a look at it, the video had only 100 views. In other words, another big win for Scientology.
We let Phil know that once again we’d found another example of his daughter fronting for the organization that had forced her to cut off contact with him.
“Thanks, Tony. It is at least something to see Emily in these things once in a while. Nothing at all on Michael for a long time now though,” he told us.
Elsewhere, Scientology scored with a mention on CNN featuring the VMs in South Africa on Thursday…
Keep flogging that white elephant!
Smashing through the wall of fire!
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“The situation internationally, also, has improved enormously; I might make a little bulletin on that effect. The attack on Scientology in the United States has disintegrated into a rout for the government. They are now being attacked — not mildly put — by the United States Senate, and very shortly the House is going to open the ball on the FDA. Australia, their report from the inquiry has been delayed so long, the usual course of those reports and inquiries they have down there. They seem to do this quite routinely. In Victoria, they have inquiries, and then they forget about them. And the last three inquiries, as desperate as they were in progress and so forth, all wound up in no legislation. And so that one will undoubtedly dead-end too. Because its report isn’t even due in Parliament for months. And Parliament is recessing. And all of that kind of thing is happening. And if we can find Victoria, why we will set it to rights, one way or the other If we can find it. You know, you’re only dealing with a tiny little postage stamp on the face of the earth and what seems to be bowling everybody over, down in-in Australia is this fantastic news which keeps coming in to them from the United States, you see. Government runs up white flag, you see.” — L. Ron Hubbard, May 11, 1965
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“Trump is no doubt out to end the power of the deep state and he is by some accounts making good progress. But Scientology is nowhere in sight as part of that fight. Or am I wrong?”
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“The sixties counterculture turned a lot of people into Baba Dumbasses and Shirley MacLaines. People use to be a lot tougher and more levelheaded back in the day.”
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Full Court Press: What we’re watching at the Underground Bunker
Criminal prosecutions:
— Jay Spina: Sentencing was set for April 3 in White Plains
— Hanan and Rizza Islam and other family members: Trial set for October 7 in Los Angeles
Civil litigation:
— Luis and Rocio Garcia v. Scientology: Waiting for an appellate decision from the Eleventh Circuit
— Valerie Haney v. Scientology: Forced to ‘religious arbitration.’ Hearing on motion for reconsideration set for August 11
— Chrissie Bixler et al. v. Scientology and Danny Masterson: July 8 (plaintiff attorneys pro hac vice), August 31-Sept 1 (CSI/RTC demurrer against Riales, Masterson demurrer), Oct 7-19 (motions to compel arbitration)
— Jane Doe v. Scientology (in Miami): Jane Doe’s attorneys have asked for discovery, depositions (Warren McShane, Lynn Farny), amended complaint filed
— Matt and Kathy Feschbach bankruptcy appeal: Oral arguments were heard on March 11 in Jacksonville
— Brian Statler Sr v. City of Inglewood: Amended complaint filed.
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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 mental whammy is like taking one too many pucks to the head
[TWO years ago] Scientology’s bizarre international base and its near-prison life: A Marc Headley classic
[THREE years ago] On probation and his house of horrors shut down, Tennessee Scientologist talks up Mexico
[FOUR years ago] ‘Freedom’ magazine is back after a six-month absence, and it arrived with a surprise!
[FIVE years ago] As seen in the Daily Beast: ‘The Unbreakable Miss Lovely’ is on sale and ready to startle you
[SIX years ago] Sunday Funnies: What part of ‘rebel’ doesn’t Scientology understand?
[SEVEN years ago] PORTLAND LIVE: Mark Bunker at Scientology’s “Ideal Org” Event
[EIGHT years ago] The Best Reasons Why You Should Doubt the Allegations in the John Travolta Sex-Assault Lawsuit
[NINE years ago] Scientology Operation Against Washington Post Reporter Richard Leiby Exposed
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Bernie Headley (1952-2019) did not see his daughter Stephanie in his final 5,667 days.
Valerie Haney has not seen her mother Lynne in 1,934 days.
Katrina Reyes has not seen her mother Yelena in 2,438 days
Sylvia Wagner DeWall has not seen her brother Randy in 1,958 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his grandson Leo in 978 days.
Geoff Levin has not seen his son Collin and daughter Savannah in 869 days.
Christie Collbran has not seen her mother Liz King in 4,176 days.
Clarissa Adams has not seen her parents Walter and Irmin Huber in 2,044 days.
Carol Nyburg has not seen her daughter Nancy in 2,818 days.
Jamie Sorrentini Lugli has not seen her father Irving in 3,592 days.
Quailynn McDaniel has not seen her brother Sean in 2,938 days.
Dylan Gill has not seen his father Russell in 11,504 days.
Melissa Paris has not seen her father Jean-Francois in 7,423 days.
Valeska Paris has not seen her brother Raphael in 3,591 days.
Mirriam Francis has not seen her brother Ben in 3,172 days.
Claudio and Renata Lugli have not seen their son Flavio in 3,433 days.
Sara Goldberg has not seen her daughter Ashley in 2,471 days.
Lori Hodgson has not seen her son Jeremy and daughter Jessica in 2,184 days.
Marie Bilheimer has not seen her mother June in 1,709 days.
Charley Updegrove has not seen his son Toby in 1,239 days.
Joe Reaiche has not seen his daughter Alanna Masterson in 5,799 days
Derek Bloch has not seen his father Darren in 2,939 days.
Cindy Plahuta has not seen her daughter Kara in 3,259 days.
Roger Weller has not seen his daughter Alyssa in 8,114 days.
Claire Headley has not seen her mother Gen in 3,234 days.
Ramana Dienes-Browning has not seen her mother Jancis in 1,589 days.
Mike Rinder has not seen his son Benjamin and daughter Taryn in 5,892 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his daughter Spring in 1,998 days.
Skip Young has not seen his daughters Megan and Alexis in 2,400 days.
Mary Kahn has not seen her son Sammy in 2,272 days.
Lois Reisdorf has not seen her son Craig in 1,855 days.
Phil and Willie Jones have not seen their son Mike and daughter Emily in 2,350 days.
Mary Jane Barry has not seen her daughter Samantha in 2,604 days.
Kate Bornstein has not seen her daughter Jessica in 13,713 days.
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Posted by Tony Ortega on May 11, 2020 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, 1995-2019 Just starting out here? We’ve picked out the most important stories we’ve covered here at the Underground Bunker (2012-2019), 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, 14 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
