Our thanks to Rod Keller for spotting this one. He noticed that at a press conference last Thursday, Ohio’s popular governor Mike DeWine announced a new initiative to address Covid-19’s disproportionate effect on minority communities, and showed off a health kit that the state will be handing out which included a pamphlet with coronavirus information.
It was clearly a pamphlet produced by the Church of Scientology.
Why is Ohio giving Scientology leader David Miscavige his biggest pandemic public relations victory so far? We’ve asked for explanations from DeWine’s office as well as the nonprofit group that put the health kit together, which DeWine said was the Ohio Association of Community Health Centers. We’re hoping they get back to us and tell us what is going on.
DeWine is a Republican, but he’s been credited as one of the more responsive and decisive leaders during the crisis. He was the first governor to close schools, and he resisted the rush to re-open that was being pushed by other Republican governors. And on Thursday, he displayed thoughtful leadership again with compassionate language about how minority communities had been disproportionately affected by Covid-19 and that he wanted to do something about it.
One of his plans is to distribute “thousands” of the health kits, which he said had been put together with the help of OACHC and the Nationwide Foundation. He then demonstrated what was in it: Some face masks, hand sanitizer, and information in the form of a pamphlet…
We’ve seen that pamphlet enough times to know that Gov. DeWine is holding a copy of “Keep Yourself & Others Well,” Scientology’s anodyne guide with advice about hand-washing and social distancing.
Although the pamphlet isn’t “religious” in any way, and contains no Scientology in its pages, on the back it includes a QR code that will take you to the “How to stay well” page at Scientology’s main web location.
We’ve been keeping a close eye on the church as it mobilized to turn the pandemic into a public relations opportunity. After leader David Miscavige was forced to cancel Scientology’s holiest event of the year, the March 13 birthday celebration of founder L. Ron Hubbard in Clearwater, Florida, he called the crisis “hysteria” and “planetary bullbait” in a secret bulletin that Scientologists were required to come down to their local churches to read. He then mobilized the “Volunteer Ministers” to don hazmat suits and offer to sanitize businesses and police stations with an industrial disinfectant called “Defcon 7.”
We’ve characterized it as “cosplay,” because Scientology is founded on the ideas of Hubbard, who railed against science and western medicine, claiming that nearly all human ailments were psychosomatic and were actually the result of “mental image pictures” caused by traumas experienced in the womb or in previous lifetimes. Scientologists were encouraged to think of the coronavirus the way Hubbard had talked about nuclear bomb fallout in the 1950s — as a question of attitude, not a physical threat.
But if Scientologists consider the virus to be only “hysteria,” Miscavige knows a good PR opportunity when he sees one. The pamphlet, with basic health information that was already being put out by local governments, was quickly put together and Scientology’s high-volume printing plant in Southern California has put them out by the truckload, while Scientologists around the world were encouraged to put on the hazmat suits and walk around their neighborhoods handing out the booklets.
The pamphlet is so generic, it’s been mistaken for a government publication by businesses that have stocked it for customers, and even by government officials themselves, as DeWine amply demonstrated.
Keller also noticed that the state of Utah is offering a link to the booklets on an official state web page, “Be Ready Utah”…
At least in places like Australia and New Zealand, the press understands that it’s outrageous for Scientology to try and gain some kind of stealth acceptance by the use of a sneaky health pamphlet during a crisis.
Bryan Seymour’s Seven News in Sydney was all over the story that boxes of the pamphlets were being dropped off in retail shops there, specifically in a Woolworths. And this week New Zealand outlets are reporting that an attempt to stock the pamphlets in stores and restaurants has backfired there as well.
In Ohio, the press hasn’t noticed that their governor is about to distribute Scientology’s sneaky pamphlet to vulnerable people, and by the thousands. We’ll let you know if we hear back from the governor’s office or the OACHC.
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Minnesota death results in no charges
In January, you may recall, a person died when he allegedly tried to rob a Scientologist employee at the Ideal Org in St. Paul. Calling for help, the Scientologist was joined by several of his co-workers, who subdued the would-be robber, Andre Lamont Peterson, 52, who was then found unresponsive by police when they arrived.
After an autopsy, the medical examiner found that Peterson might have died from a number of different causes — he was apparently not a healthy man — and no charges will be filed against the Scientologists who apparently sat on Peterson on a freezing cold parking garage concrete floor in January in Minnesota.
Peterson had a criminal history going back to 1987.
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Bonus items from our tipsters
Through the Wall of Fire!
And another!
If it were only this easy…
She left out the part about molluscs…
Mirit: “Still haven’t named her!”
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“GUARDIAN OFFICE WIN: The D/GUS Office got a great big win and a commendation from the state for pulling off a coup for them. Got us off their bad hat list. And how. There is however no truth in the rumour that the FBI was presented to us to run. What would J. Edgar do for personal publicity? ” — L. Ron Hubbard, May 27, 1970
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“There should be an Indie/Freezone OT committee organizing the OTs’ power towards a desirable reality for the planet. There are non-Scientology OTs doing OT committee activities already: Alex Jones, David Icke, Inelia Benz.”
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“A Scientologist is a person who keeps buying bunk drugs that do nothing and he goes back to the dealer and tells him he didn’t feel anything and the dealer tells him everybody else says the stuff is the bomb and he must have done something wrong, so the dude buys some more and does it again and again and again. He’s a chump.”
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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 dismissed the lawsuit on May 15 after the Clearwater Police dropped their criminal investigation of her allegations.
— 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] On Memorial Day, Scientology founder L. Ron Hubbard’s stolen valor really rankles
[TWO years ago] PRAISE XENU: We have more Scientology hip-hop, and even better – IT’S AUSSIE-FLAVORED
[THREE years ago] ‘Source’ magazine offers a glimpse into what goes on at Scientology’s Florida ‘mecca’
[FOUR years ago] Is Scientology using Tommy Davis to get Aussie billionaire James Packer back in the fold?
[FIVE years ago] John Coale, Greta Van Susteren, and the miracle of Scientology drug technology: A meditation
[SIX years ago] Life after Scientology: The post-Sea Org baby boom
[SEVEN years ago] Scientology’s Drug Rehab Network Goes On the Offensive
[EIGHT years ago] How You Can Help a Film About Kate Bornstein Happen
[TWELVE years ago] Jason Beghe Turned Away at NY Scientology Building
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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 1,950 days.
Katrina Reyes has not seen her mother Yelena in 2,454 days
Sylvia Wagner DeWall has not seen her brother Randy in 1,974 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his grandson Leo in 994 days.
Geoff Levin has not seen his son Collin and daughter Savannah in 885 days.
Christie Collbran has not seen her mother Liz King in 4,192 days.
Clarissa Adams has not seen her parents Walter and Irmin Huber in 2,060 days.
Carol Nyburg has not seen her daughter Nancy in 2,834 days.
Jamie Sorrentini Lugli has not seen her father Irving in 3,608 days.
Quailynn McDaniel has not seen her brother Sean in 2,954 days.
Dylan Gill has not seen his father Russell in 11,520 days.
Melissa Paris has not seen her father Jean-Francois in 7,439 days.
Valeska Paris has not seen her brother Raphael in 3,607 days.
Mirriam Francis has not seen her brother Ben in 3,188 days.
Claudio and Renata Lugli have not seen their son Flavio in 3,449 days.
Sara Goldberg has not seen her daughter Ashley in 2,487 days.
Lori Hodgson has not seen her son Jeremy and daughter Jessica in 2,200 days.
Marie Bilheimer has not seen her mother June in 1,725 days.
Charley Updegrove has not seen his son Toby in 1,255 days.
Joe Reaiche has not seen his daughter Alanna Masterson in 5,815 days
Derek Bloch has not seen his father Darren in 2,955 days.
Cindy Plahuta has not seen her daughter Kara in 3,275 days.
Roger Weller has not seen his daughter Alyssa in 8,130 days.
Claire Headley has not seen her mother Gen in 3,250 days.
Ramana Dienes-Browning has not seen her mother Jancis in 1,605 days.
Mike Rinder has not seen his son Benjamin and daughter Taryn in 5,908 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his daughter Spring in 2,014 days.
Skip Young has not seen his daughters Megan and Alexis in 2,416 days.
Mary Kahn has not seen her son Sammy in 2,288 days.
Lois Reisdorf has not seen her son Craig in 1,871 days.
Phil and Willie Jones have not seen their son Mike and daughter Emily in 2,366 days.
Mary Jane Barry has not seen her daughter Samantha in 2,620 days.
Kate Bornstein has not seen her daughter Jessica in 13,729 days.
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Posted by Tony Ortega on May 27, 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
