On September 6, 2014 — six years ago, an eternity in Internet time — Sea Org lifer Brandy Harrison, the “Building Expansion Director Int,” got up in front of a crowd of Scientologists in the San Fernando Valley who had paid $100 each to be there and told them that their church had already received $5.7 million in advertising grants from search giant Google.
We managed to obtain an audio recording of her remarks that night about the way Scientology’s relationship with Google had developed.
In the Bay Area a representative of Google was introduced to Scientology and our 4th dynamic campaigns through the Stevens Creek Ideal Org. This representative connected us up with the department responsible for non-profit advertisements. And as a result, Google awarded us a $10,000-a-month grant for free online advertising.
But that’s not all because Google looked into the responses that we were getting from this advertisement, and they increased that grant to the Truth About Drugs and Way to Happiness campaigns, to $40,000 a month.
AdvertisementBut that’s not all. The second man, now with established Google teams solely for the Church of Scientology, suggested that we might want to extend the same grants to some of our Class V orgs around the world. We applied, and now today, every Ideal Org in the United States has $10,000 a month of free online advertising.
[Crowd: wild applause]
In fact, in total so far, we have had $5.7 million in Google grants already approved for our 4th dynamic campaigns in United States Ideal Orgs.
What Brandy Harrison didn’t say in her speech was that Google was willing to hand out millions in free advertising because Scientology was spending millions more for it, year in and year out. Scientology pours money into the Internet at a prodigious rate.
However, there’s no question that Scientology was very slow initially to take advantage of cyberspace. L. Ron Hubbard liked to compare the human mind to primitive early computers, but he didn’t foresee the Internet, and he died in 1986, years before the online experience began to reach into our homes. And once its members finally did begin venturing online, there was nothing from “Source” about it, and the church was very nervous.
Scientology famously sent out CD-Roms to its members in the 1990s that, without their knowledge, installed a program on their computers that kept them from looking at certain websites containing prohibited search terms.
This “net nannie” got so much press coverage at the time, to this day there’s a persistent myth about Scientology that its members are not allowed to go online at all.
Scientology’s Sea Org workers are usually too busy to go online and often don’t have access to computers anyway, but for the majority of church members, the ones who don’t work for the church, their lives are spent online as much as the rest of us.
Yes, Scientologists use Google and Facebook and all the rest, and the “Net Nannie” isn’t really needed: Scientologists are very good at policing themselves and staying away from websites like the one you’re reading right now. Scientology is a snitching culture, and Scientologists know that they can be turned in by a family member if they dare to sneak a peek at news about Scientology or watch a Leah Remini TV episode.
If their migration online was delayed, Scientology today has developed strong relationships with tech giants like Google which facilitate Scientology’s “Fair Game” campaigns against its perceived enemies by hosting ads that slime Leah Remini, Mike Rinder, Ron Miscavige, your proprietor, and many others. Those campaigns are also running endlessly on Twitter and Facebook, companies that don’t seem to be shy about taking Scientology money.
If there’s a silver lining, it’s that most people in the public seem to understand that Scientology lies about everything, and so the slimy things it puts on Twitter or that it puts in Google searches about its enemies is largely ignored. But we can tell you as a target of these campaigns, it is not fun to hear from people that they’ve stumbled on a scummy Google ad or an anonymous website dedicated to making one sound like a criminal.
Will the tech giants ever stand up to Scientology and begin to use their influence to stop the Fair Game attacks? It’s hard to tell. The money is just too good, apparently.
The Top 25 People Enabling Scientology
3: The judges
4: The LAPD
5: The dirty tricks private eyes
6: The Riverside County Sheriff’s Department
7: The litigators
8: The ghost private eyes
9: The San Bernardino Sheriff’s Office
10: Political shills
11: Gary Soter
12: The city of Clearwater, Florida
13: Google and other tech titans
14: The Los Angeles Times
15: Jeffrey Riffer
16: James Packer
18: Mark “Marty” Rathbun
19: Wally Pope
20: Gensler
21: Parents who subscribe to ABCMouse
22: Graham Norton and other celebrity strokers
23: The apologist academics
24: Rebecca Dobkin and other low-level PI grunts
25: DirecTV and filmmakers buffing Dave’s channel
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“These memory recordings aren’t passed along from cell to cell. They could be, but they are not stored as electrical energy. You start examining this any way you want to and you will find that there isn’t an energy in the physical universe — at least which we know about — which has a small enough wavelength to store memory recordings. Oddly enough, this was a discovery I made in 1932 when I was in atomic and molecular physics at George Washington University. I made an exhaustive study of the matter. There aren’t wavelengths small enough; physical scientists would know that. The boys fooling around in medicine would not know it because they don’t know the laws of energy, and as a consequence they have postulated, as the best postulates which they can offer, that memories are stored in punched protein molecules. That is cute!” — L. Ron Hubbard, October 8, 1951
“This planet is hungry for help, peace and tolerance. When Christianity came along and offered that in a barbaric and cruel world it grew like mad. Scientology, with its unbelievable tech to help, spread like wildfire. As Ron pointed out Christianity made the huge mistake of becoming intolerant and attacking others. And our Church under DM has become utterly intolerant and attacks people of goodwill. DM has joined the ranks of the WFMH and any government allies of naming us, real Scientologists who are helping others, as his enemies! SPs do not want others to be helped! We are very fortunate to have the full tech of helping others and the full tech of spotting and handling those who would stop us helping others.”
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1998: Bob Minton reported on additional harassment by Scientology of his former business partners. “A 14-page DA pack was delivered to my former partner, Jeff Schmidt, and the Nigerian Minister of Finance in Washington, D.C., this week during the IMF meeting. The DA pack was sent by Peter Franks, a private investigator for the Church of Scientology working out of England, and was no doubt hand-delivered by OSA personnel at the DC org. A leaflet [was] handed out during pickets at the home of Selwyn Lewis, my other former partner in Capetown, South Africa. In this latest ‘Trash the Critics’ operation, the Church of Scientology has said that the mere act of not providing them with information about me makes Mr. Lewis a dishonest businessman who lacks principles.”
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“Not all of us are rich enough to afford cable and some of us think it’s a wasteland.”
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Full Court Press: What we’re watching at the Underground Bunker
Criminal prosecutions:
— Danny Masterson charged for raping three women: Demurrer filed by Masterson, arraignment delayed to October 19.
— Jay and Jeff Spina, Medicare fraud: Jay’s sentencing is set for October 29 in White Plains, NY. Jeffrey’s is set for October 24.
— Hanan and Rizza Islam and other family members, Medi-Cal fraud: Next pretrial conference set for Jan 12 in Los Angeles
— Dennis Nobbe, Medicare fraud, PPP loan fraud: Charged July 29. Bond revoked Sep 14. Nobbe dead, Sep 14.
Civil litigation:
— Luis and Rocio Garcia v. Scientology: Oral arguments were heard on July 30 at the Eleventh Circuit
— Valerie Haney v. Scientology: Forced to ‘religious arbitration.’ Petition for a writ of mandate filed with Cal 2nd Appellate District, Sept 10.
— Chrissie Bixler et al. v. Scientology and Danny Masterson: Oct 26 (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 tax debt: Eleventh Circuit ruled on Sept 9 that Feshbachs can’t discharge IRS debt in bankruptcy. Update required in federal lawsuit on Oct 19.
— Brian Statler Sr v. City of Inglewood: Second amended complaint filed, trial set for Nov 9, 2021.
— Author Steve Cannane defamation trial: Trial concluded, awaiting verdict.
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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] Scientologists will face trial after judge cites ‘sophisticated fraud’ scheme
[TWO years ago] With Scientology TV premiering a new ‘season’ tonight, David Miscavige is having a moment
[THREE years ago] Guelph quest: Scientology sets up temporary shop in Canadian town and faces stiff opposition
[FOUR years ago] Atack: The forgotten history of disproving Scientology’s status as a “religion”
[FIVE years ago] For some reason, news sites are keeping quiet about who found Cat White’s body. So here he is.
[SIX years ago] EXCLUSIVE: Scientology didn’t want you to see this letter it sent to the San Francisco Chronicle
[SEVEN years ago] LEAH REMINI AND TOMMY DAVIS WILL BE DEPOSED IN SCIENTOLOGY LAWSUIT
[EIGHT years ago] Your Thoughts on The Master: Who Was Freddie Quell?
[NINE years ago] Scientology Symposium: Commenters of the Week!
[TEN years ago] Daniel Montalvo, 19, Leaves Scientology, Which Convinces LA Sheriff to Jail Him For It
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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 2,083 days.
Katrina Reyes has not seen her mother Yelena in 2,587 days
Sylvia Wagner DeWall has not seen her brother Randy in 2,107 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his grandson Leo in 1,127 days.
Geoff Levin has not seen his son Collin and daughter Savannah in 1,018 days.
Christie Collbran has not seen her mother Liz King in 4,325 days.
Clarissa Adams has not seen her parents Walter and Irmin Huber in 2,193 days.
Carol Nyburg has not seen her daughter Nancy in 2,967 days.
Jamie Sorrentini Lugli has not seen her father Irving in 3,771 days.
Quailynn McDaniel has not seen her brother Sean in 3,087 days.
Dylan Gill has not seen his father Russell in 11,653 days.
Melissa Paris has not seen her father Jean-Francois in 7,572 days.
Valeska Paris has not seen her brother Raphael in 3,740 days.
Mirriam Francis has not seen her brother Ben in 3,321 days.
Claudio and Renata Lugli have not seen their son Flavio in 3,582 days.
Sara Goldberg has not seen her daughter Ashley in 2,620 days.
Lori Hodgson has not seen her son Jeremy and daughter Jessica in 2,333 days.
Marie Bilheimer has not seen her mother June in 1,858 days.
Charley Updegrove has not seen his son Toby in 1,388 days.
Joe Reaiche has not seen his daughter Alanna Masterson in 5,948 days
Derek Bloch has not seen his father Darren in 3,088 days.
Cindy Plahuta has not seen her daughter Kara in 3,408 days.
Roger Weller has not seen his daughter Alyssa in 8,263 days.
Claire Headley has not seen her mother Gen in 3,382 days.
Ramana Dienes-Browning has not seen her mother Jancis in 1,738 days.
Mike Rinder has not seen his son Benjamin and daughter Taryn in 6,041 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his daughter Spring in 2,147 days.
Skip Young has not seen his daughters Megan and Alexis in 2,549 days.
Mary Kahn has not seen her son Sammy in 2,421 days.
Lois Reisdorf has not seen her son Craig in 2,004 days.
Phil and Willie Jones have not seen their son Mike and daughter Emily in 2,499 days.
Mary Jane Barry has not seen her daughter Samantha in 2,753 days.
Kate Bornstein has not seen her daughter Jessica in 13,862 days.
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Posted by Tony Ortega on October 8, 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
