It feels so strange to say that we hope on this Thanksgiving Day that you are not gathering with friends and family to celebrate the holiday.
But then this has been a year like no other in our lifetimes. In March when we all went on lockdown for the coronavirus pandemic, we had no idea that we’d still be isolating ourselves in November. It’s really gotten old, but it’s very important that we all do our best to continue to follow guidelines and protect ourselves and our loved ones. So please, celebrate with your family virtually, and spend some time with us here at the Underground Bunker as well.
Once again this year, we are giving thanks by remembering people who deserve never to be forgotten. Here again is our tribute…
In 2013, the Church of Scientology slaughtered a couple of innocent live oak trees that had been standing in the way of a party the church wanted to throw itself.
Our longtime readers no doubt remember it. It was a classic example of Scientology’s disregard for local laws when they get in the way of what the church wants. In this case Scientology wanted to put up a giant tent for the grand opening of their “Flag Building” (also known as the Super Power Building) in downtown Clearwater, Florida, where healthy old live oak trees are a rare and precious commodity. The city told Scientology not to cut down the trees and were working on a plan to relocate them, but the church defied that recommendation and cut the trees down anyway, and paid a $2,000 fine.
It was so characteristic of this smug, superior organization and it struck a chord with us. We decided that those two majestic trees should not be forgotten, and an idea came to us. We asked Observer, with her wonderful skills, if she would help us put together a scene we had in mind.
We imagined those two lovely trees now giving shade to several other people who had faced the Scientology buzzsaw in one way or another. We loved the result, which Observer titled, “Not Forgotten.”
And today, for the Thanksgiving holiday here in the U.S., where we gather with friends and family and take stock of the things we hold precious in life, we have a new version of Observer’s touching tribute. We asked her to add Nan McLean, a hero of ours who died in 2019 at the age of 96.
Do you recognize them all? That’s Lisa McPherson standing on the right. She was killed by Scientology’s quack mental health ideas after being held for 17 days at the Fort Harrison Hotel in 1995. Sitting in front of her is Ida Camburn, a wonderful woman who lost a son to Scientology, and who used to send us emails early in our career, encouraging us to expose the church. Sitting on the bench there is Robert Vaughn Young, who at one time was Scientology’s spokesman but then became one of its biggest critics. Next to him is Bob Minton, the wealthy businessman who financed the Lisa McPherson Trust and was caught up in vicious attacks by the church. And on his right is Gabe Cazares, the brave Clearwater mayor who first revealed that it was Scientology that had secretly infiltrated the town, and paid for it with elaborate operations run against him by Scientology’s spy wing intended to destroy his reputation. Standing behind them is Denise Brennan, who helped us understand the byzantine early-1980s reorganization of Scientology, and whom we miss very much. And next to her is Nan, who was still sharp as a tack and fighting against Scientology into her 90s.
Standing next to the bench is Alex Jentzsch, who died of a simple ailment because he was denied by Scientology any contact with his mother, Karen de la Carriere, because she had dared to criticize the church. And sitting in the foreground is Quentin Hubbard, who just wanted to be a pilot, but happened to be the son of the Great Thetan, who hated him for being gay. Quentin committed suicide in 1976.
We give thanks that each of these people exposed Scientology’s true nature, each in their own way.
Please, tell us what you’re thankful for this year, and what you’re looking forward to in the next.
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“Once in a while, you will exteriorize a thetan and he will try to steady himself by putting a beam on the wall, and the wall will eat up the beam. The beam, you see, is very, too close to the wavelength of that wall, and the, he’ll stick….It isn’t that he’s drifted down in combating the wavelength forever, he just mocks up on that level with great ease, and he’s got a real body. He’d be visible, to some slight degree, even to MEST eyes. They’re, scare people stiff if they happen to turn around and see one of these boys, because they’re real rough-looking characters, there’s no doubt about it. Of course, they have a sort of a humor about their roughness. I ran into one, one time, that had a beautiful tail. This solid black, sort of furry, with a beautiful tail, and a cat’s face, and long electronic — this sounds like something out of a nightmare, I know — and long electronic claws. And, I asked this character a few questions, one way or the other, I mean, I exteriorized him just that way, you see, exteriorized him in his body, and I asked him to knock a piece of paper off the desk, and he simply reached over and he knocked the piece of paper all right, but he also charred it! And, he reached around a moment later and took hold of the sofa and stuck to it. He couldn’t get his hand free instantly, startled him, and he did an immediate flip back into the body. But he was quite visible to MEST eyes. It was like a dark shadow standing in the room. If you can imagine a shadow, a quite plain shadow, standing upright in the room with a quite bright set of streamers coming out of its hands, you’d have this. This is very, very strange. This fellow, by the way, was quite afraid of demons. And he’d mocked his, he had mocked himself up this way because for many centuries he had fought demons. And of course he went in and mocked up, then, the winning valence: the demons.” — L. Ron Hubbard, November 26, 1953
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“LRH COMM FLAG: Norman Chouinard is appointed LRH Comm Flag, part of the double hat Ken Urquhart had been wearing in addition to LRH Personal Comm. LRH Comm Flag continues the duties of LRH Comm FAO but now for all Flag internal LRH projects and Eds and orders. The FAO LRH Comm post simply broadens. All LRH Comm actions aboard, internal and External come under LRH Personal Comm Flag.” — The Commodore, November 26, 1971
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“When LRH was on lines in the MEST universe one could always write him a letter with questions about Tech and Policy and he would graciously send us his answer. Now ‘all’ we have is his works which he left for us to study and apply, plus ourselves, plus each other as friends and team mates. That’s ‘all’ we’ve got. Sounds like we’ve been bequeathed a spiritual fortune. Sounds like we’re rich to me.”
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2002: “Phineas Fogg” posted a disconnection letter he received from his sister, a Scientologist. “Don’t bother sending any email or responding to this one, they are automatically trashed and even if I do see that they are there, like this morning, they won’t be read. I have instructed Mother and Sandy not to forward any comm from you. Just to ensure there is no misduplication Phineas, I have disconnected from you. Sorry things have come to this but when I saw where your head was really at, I had no choice but to disconnect from the venom you have against what I do spiritually – and I’ve commented on your venom several times. I suppose it wasn’t the venom per se, but the fact that I saw nothing would change it. I cannot be connected to someone who is so against me spiritually and by whose actions are clearly destructive, though purporting, all the while, not to be.”
“Every Thanksgiving my Dad would get in a bad mood and start saying stuff like the Native Americans should have slaughtered the pilgrims as soon as they landed.”
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Full Court Press: What we’re watching at the Underground Bunker
Criminal prosecutions:
— Danny Masterson charged for raping three women: Masterson’s demurrer denied Oct 19, arraignment delayed to Jan 6.
— Jay and Jeff Spina, Medicare fraud: Jay’s sentencing delayed for ‘Fatico’ hearing on Jan 19.
— Hanan and Rizza Islam and other family members, Medi-Cal fraud: Next pretrial conference set for Jan 12 in Los Angeles
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 writ of mandate denied Oct 22 by Cal 2nd Appellate District. Petition for review by state supreme court filed Oct 30.
— Chrissie Bixler et al. v. Scientology and Danny Masterson: Dec 18, re-hearing on motions to compel arbitration; Jan 29, Masterson’s request to stay discovery pending the criminal case
— Matt and Kathy Feschbach tax debt: Eleventh Circuit ruled on Sept 9 that Feshbachs can’t discharge IRS debt in bankruptcy. Nov 18: Feshbachs indicated they will enter into consent judgment to pay the debt.
— Brian Statler Sr v. City of Inglewood: Second amended complaint filed, trial set for Nov 9, 2021.
Concluded litigation:
— Author Steve Cannane defamation trial: Trial concluded, Cannane victorious, awarded court costs.
— Dennis Nobbe, Medicare fraud, PPP loan fraud: Charged July 29. Bond revoked Sep 14. Nobbe dead, Sep 14.
— 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.
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SCIENTOLOGY BLACK OPS: Tom Cruise and dirty tricks
The Australian Seven News network cancelled a 10-part investigation of Scientology and its history of dirty tricks. Read the transcripts of the episodes and judge for yourself why Tom Cruise and Tommy Davis might not have wanted viewers to see this hard-hitting series by journalist Bryan Seymour.
After the success of their double-Emmy-winning, three-season A&E series ‘Scientology and the Aftermath,’ Leah Remini and Mike Rinder continue the conversation on their podcast, ‘Scientology: Fair Game.’ We’ve created a landing page where you can hear all of the episodes so far.
LEAH REMINI: SCIENTOLOGY AND THE AFTERMATH
An episode-by-episode guide to Leah Remini’s three-season, double-Emmy winning series that changed everything for Scientology watching. Originally aired from 2016 to 2019 on the A&E network, and coming November 1 to Netflix.
SCIENTOLOGY’S CELEBRITIES, from A to Z
Find your favorite Hubbardite celeb at this index page — or suggest someone to add to the list!
Other links: 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] David Miscavige: Valerie Haney’s lawsuit is a publicity stunt and I want no part of it
[TWO years ago] When the person who certified Scientology ‘Clears’ discovered that there were no Clears
[THREE years ago] EXCLUSIVE: Scientology interrogated Danny Masterson and accuser, didn’t notify LAPD
[FOUR years ago] ‘Radar’ magazine latest to peddle ‘Tom Cruise leaving Scientology’ fake news
[FIVE years ago] We’re giving thanks here in the Underground Bunker, and we hope you’ll help us out
[SIX years ago] Scientology asks court in Monique Rathbun’s case to take note of Vance Woodward’s loss
[SEVEN years ago] Bizarre and Pricey! Auditing Scientology’s Operating Thetan Level 2 with Claire & Bruce
[EIGHT years ago] Florida Court Hears Scientology Testimony in Strict Secrecy
[NINE years ago] Scientology Leftovers: Commenters of the Week!
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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 2,132 days.
Katrina Reyes has not seen her mother Yelena in 2,636 days
Sylvia Wagner DeWall has not seen her brother Randy in 2,156 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his grandson Leo in 1,176 days.
Geoff Levin has not seen his son Collin and daughter Savannah in 1,067 days.
Christie Collbran has not seen her mother Liz King in 4,374 days.
Clarissa Adams has not seen her parents Walter and Irmin Huber in 2,242 days.
Carol Nyburg has not seen her daughter Nancy in 3,016 days.
Jamie Sorrentini Lugli has not seen her father Irving in 3,820 days.
Quailynn McDaniel has not seen her brother Sean in 3,136 days.
Dylan Gill has not seen his father Russell in 11,702 days.
Melissa Paris has not seen her father Jean-Francois in 7,621 days.
Valeska Paris has not seen her brother Raphael in 3,789 days.
Mirriam Francis has not seen her brother Ben in 3,370 days.
Claudio and Renata Lugli have not seen their son Flavio in 3,631 days.
Sara Goldberg has not seen her daughter Ashley in 2,669 days.
Lori Hodgson has not seen her son Jeremy and daughter Jessica in 2,382 days.
Marie Bilheimer has not seen her mother June in 1,907 days.
Julian Wain has not seen his brother Joseph or mother Susan in 262 days.
Charley Updegrove has not seen his son Toby in 1,437 days.
Joe Reaiche has not seen his daughter Alanna Masterson in 5,988 days
Derek Bloch has not seen his father Darren in 3,137 days.
Cindy Plahuta has not seen her daughter Kara in 3,457 days.
Roger Weller has not seen his daughter Alyssa in 8,312 days.
Claire Headley has not seen her mother Gen in 3,431 days.
Ramana Dienes-Browning has not seen her mother Jancis in 1,787 days.
Mike Rinder has not seen his son Benjamin and daughter Taryn in 6,090 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his daughter Spring in 2,196 days.
Skip Young has not seen his daughters Megan and Alexis in 2,598 days.
Mary Kahn has not seen her son Sammy in 2,470 days.
Lois Reisdorf has not seen her son Craig in 2,053 days.
Phil and Willie Jones have not seen their son Mike and daughter Emily in 2,548 days.
Mary Jane Barry has not seen her daughter Samantha in 2,802 days.
Kate Bornstein has not seen her daughter Jessica in 13,911 days.
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Posted by Tony Ortega on November 26, 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, 15 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
