Chris Shelton and Jefferson Hawkins. Now that’s a combo we want to hear from.
It’s been a little while since we’ve heard from Jefferson here at the Bunker. He’s done some great pieces for us in the past, and of course he has one of the most unique insights into Scientology. After all, back in the 1980s he was primarily responsible for Scientology’s greatest growth spurt thanks to Jefferson’s marketing ideas, which included those familiar Dianetics TV commercials featuring an erupting volcano.
Our thanks to Chris for sending over this new conversation he had with Jefferson. Here’s how he described it:
“This week I did an interview with former Scientology marketing executive Jeff Hawkins, the day after the events in DC went down. Jeff spent years working at the International Scientology Management Base in California under David Miscavige and we discussed the day-to-day of what that was like, how Jeff had to fight for every advance to expand Scientology because Miscavige simply wasn’t interested, and of course we address some of the current events and how our experience in Scientology has given us a different perspective on some of them. Jeff even changed my mind on something I have been talking about for years, so I have to say that despite the subject matter, this was one of the most fun interviews I’ve done with anyone in a long time.”
And if that wasn’t enough for your weekend enjoyment, here’s a new video from Jon Atack: “Hubbard, Scientology, and other oddities”
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“This FBI man wanted his fortune told. So I waxed up my mustaches and readjusted the bath towel, said, ‘I see you working on a case.’ A very intelligent remark to an FBI man. Said, a case which is very, very confidential. Case number 132678.’ I said, ‘The man you want isn’t there.’ I said, ‘That’s all. Next.’ This guy goes off, and he starts figuring this out. And you could see this, you know; trying to clear this up. How did I know the number of a confidential case? Because it was the right number. Naturally it was the right number; he had the case card right in front of his face in a facsimile, and all you did was read the numbers in the upper left-hand corner.” — L. Ron Hubbard, January 9, 1957
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“Orgs should be warned. The Le Moate affair was rough on Paris and DK only because they weren”t fully warned she was a psychotic. Although why they reached for it is a bit of a mystery. There’s an old principle involved — experiential track. I have nothing against these people. Orgs are in the pc business, not Flag. We are in the management and OT business. Handling purely pcs here in these high velocity areas of top command introduces the flow at the wrong point. The purely pc flow enters at lower org levels. It is our job to put orgs there that can handle such cases. Sooner or later orgs will have to acquire and start running an institutional annex. It is too hard on them handling psychotics without these facilities. A psychotic is in a Condition of Treason on the first dynamic and extends it to the third and fourth with covert destruction. This isn’t because anyone else declared the condition. It just happens to be a fact. Being in treason on the first dynamic doesn’t always mean covert destruction on the other dynamics. Unhappy people, unhappy subject.” — The Commodore, January 9, 1971
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“You are right on the threshold casewise to undertake what in my book is the greatest adventure yet, Solo NOTs. When are you starting? Based on the gains, spiritual betterments as well as new abilities, especially in handling what appear to be impossible tasks, I consider this level more important than my immediate physical life. Merely the fact that I KNOW I cannot be planted back into any area, body, identity or autorun activities any longer is beyond anything I could ever have bargained for when I came into Scientology.”
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1999: Gerry Armstrong posted an open letter to Scientology leader David Miscavige this week, describing new evidence of Scientology’s harassment of him. “You will recall that a cult operative broke into the trunk of my car in 1984 and stole my briefcase which contained about 300 original pages of my art, almost all handwritten or drawn. You will recall that my attorney Julia Dragojevic wrote to the org demanding return, and that your org attorney John Peterson answered, denying the theft and possession of my things. Recently I had the happy opportunity to talk with Jesse Prince about all this. Jesse stated that while inside he too was told by both you and Mark Rathbun about your agent’s theft of my things from the trunk of my car and your having possession of them. Jesse recalled you describing my work as weird writing. You stole them, you know were they are and you can put your hands on them. Now get them back to me, and be known thereuntil as a thief.”
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“I’ve never ever really been worried about a Scientology Jonestown. There’s no apocalyptic scripture and it’s too much about the money, and the participants are way too yuppie white bread for something like that.”
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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 20.
— 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 denied Dec 11.
— Chrissie Bixler et al. v. Scientology and Danny Masterson: Dec 30, Judge Kleifield granted Scientology’s 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. Dec 17: Feshbachs sign court judgment obliging them to pay entire $3.674 million tax debt, plus interest from Nov 19.
— 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 now on 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] MASTERSON: Scientology wants Bobette Riales dismissed, others forced into arbitration
[TWO years ago] Scientology slimes ‘Aftermath’ guest with its favorite tactic: The P.O.W. video
[THREE years ago] ‘It was my job to get Mike Rinder’s trash’ — A former Scientology spy begins to spill her guts
[FOUR years ago] L. Ron Hubbard’s writing about women that Scientology DOES want you to see!
[FIVE years ago] ‘Archetypical newshound’ Paulette Cooper described in ‘thrilling account’ — Kirkus
[SIX years ago] Full Forrest Ackerman interview from 1997 ‘Secret Lives’ film released for first time
[SEVEN years ago] Jeff Hawkins: How Scientology’s ‘Third Party Law’ explains anything they want it to
[EIGHT years ago] Excerpts of Lawrence Wright’s Book on Scientology are Predictably Awesome
[NINE years ago] Scientology: Secrets of the Super Power 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 2,176 days.
Katrina Reyes has not seen her mother Yelena in 2,680 days
Sylvia Wagner DeWall has not seen her brother Randy in 2,200 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his grandson Leo in 1,220 days.
Geoff Levin has not seen his son Collin and daughter Savannah in 1,111 days.
Christie Collbran has not seen her mother Liz King in 4,418 days.
Clarissa Adams has not seen her parents Walter and Irmin Huber in 2,286 days.
Carol Nyburg has not seen her daughter Nancy in 3,060 days.
Jamie Sorrentini Lugli has not seen her father Irving in 3,864 days.
Quailynn McDaniel has not seen her brother Sean in 3,180 days.
Dylan Gill has not seen his father Russell in 11,746 days.
Melissa Paris has not seen her father Jean-Francois in 7,665 days.
Valeska Paris has not seen her brother Raphael in 3,833 days.
Mirriam Francis has not seen her brother Ben in 3,414 days.
Claudio and Renata Lugli have not seen their son Flavio in 3,675 days.
Sara Goldberg has not seen her daughter Ashley in 2,713 days.
Lori Hodgson has not seen her son Jeremy and daughter Jessica in 2,426 days.
Marie Bilheimer has not seen her mother June in 1,951 days.
Julian Wain has not seen his brother Joseph or mother Susan in 306 days.
Charley Updegrove has not seen his son Toby in 1,481 days.
Joe Reaiche has not seen his daughter Alanna Masterson in 6,032 days
Derek Bloch has not seen his father Darren in 3,181 days.
Cindy Plahuta has not seen her daughter Kara in 3,501 days.
Roger Weller has not seen his daughter Alyssa in 8,356 days.
Claire Headley has not seen her mother Gen in 3,475 days.
Ramana Dienes-Browning has not seen her mother Jancis in 1,831 days.
Mike Rinder has not seen his son Benjamin and daughter Taryn in 6,134 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his daughter Spring in 2,240 days.
Skip Young has not seen his daughters Megan and Alexis in 2,642 days.
Mary Kahn has not seen her son Sammy in 2,514 days.
Lois Reisdorf has not seen her son Craig in 2,097 days.
Phil and Willie Jones have not seen their son Mike and daughter Emily in 2,592 days.
Mary Jane Barry has not seen her daughter Samantha in 2,846 days.
Kate Bornstein has not seen her daughter Jessica in 13,955 days.
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Posted by Tony Ortega on January 9, 2021 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
