Jon Atack and Mike Rinder are continuing their conversations about Scientology and we are the beneficiaries.
Not so many years ago (well, OK, it was a while ago) it would have been unthinkable that this conversation was going on at all, as Atack was a former OT Scientologist who had written one of the best books that ever exposed the church, 1990’s A Piece of Blue Sky, and paid for it with years of horrendous harassment by Scientology operatives.
Mike Rinder, meanwhile, oversaw those kinds of operations when he was in charge of Scientology’s spy wing, the Office of Special Affairs, for decades. But since his defection and teaming up with Leah Remini for her television show and podcast, Mike has become a fountain of knowledge about Scientology’s inner workings, as our readers well know. And what a treat that these two major figures in Scientology history are now having such a good time talking with each other for Jon’s video series.
Here’s the latest, as Mike recounts when he first met the old man himself, Scientology founder L. Ron Hubbard.
We also checked in with Chris Shelton, who sent over his Saturday video for our perusal. Here’s what he had to say about it:
“In my podcast this week, where I’m joined by my wonderful wife Melissa, we discuss the psychological principle of double binds and how these are control mechanisms used to deceive, manipulate and control people in not just cults like Scientology but also in domestic partnerships. We talk about what these are, where the ideas come from and I give a lot of examples from my own Scientology experience of double binds that are rampant throughout all of Scientology and which affect all Scientologists. I hope that this is truly an educational video for people about a topic that is not discussed nearly enough. Enjoy!”
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“Always had a lot of fun riding motorcycles, it’s something I shouldn’t do, not in America. Motorcycles are ridden by delivery boys. They’re ridden by admirals and members of parliament over in England so I always have to ride motorcycles with an English accent anyway, to keep up my social caste, you know, it’s very important.” — L. Ron Hubbard, March 6, 1957
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“It should be made known that there has never been ANY order from the Commodore to have Dining Room windows left open so people freeze as they eat. There is an order to Chief Steward to handle cooking smells.” — OOD, March 6, 1971
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“LRH wrote up an assist process that helps a Being leave their body when they are ready. There’s no need to dramatically kill their body. I assisted my 90-year-old parent, successfully to cross over with this assist. The Being let me know all was OK in a dream. And I was honored to become a godmother.”
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2000: The St. Petersburg Times published an editorial on the criminal case against Scientology in the death of Lisa McPherson. “The tragedy of Lisa McPherson’s death in a Scientology hotel room has turned into a sad, convoluted mess that cries out for justice. An unexplained reversal by Pinellas-Pasco Medical Examiner Joan Wood has prosecutors reviewing their case and raises questions about Wood’s competence. Meanwhile, sworn statements by Scientologists paint a disturbing picture of McPherson’s final days and raise this question: Why was no individual charged with a crime? Wood certainly surprised the state attorney’s office. The new autopsy report is ‘something of major significance we need to review,’ said Assistant State Attorney Doug Crow. Amid the doubt, this much is clear: Wood owes the residents of Pinellas County an explanation; and State Attorney Bernie McCabe still needs to prosecute those his office determines to be responsible in McPherson’s suffering and death.”
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“Hubbard was definitely trolling people on some level. You can see it in that cartoon lupine grin he was always sporting.”
Full Court Press: What we’re watching at the Underground Bunker
Criminal prosecutions:
— Danny Masterson charged for raping three women: Masterson arraigned Jan 20. Next conf to set prelim, March 24.
— Jay and Jeff Spina, Medicare fraud: Jay’s sentencing delayed to April 13.
— Hanan and Rizza Islam and other family members, Medi-Cal fraud: Trial scheduled for May 20 in Los Angeles
— David Gentile, GPB Capital, fraud: Charged in Brooklyn federal court on Feb 4. Arraigned on Feb 9. Pretrial conference set for Apr 29.
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. March 8: Status conference.
— 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.
— Author Steve Cannane defamation trial: Trial concluded, Cannane victorious, awarded court costs. Case appealed on Dec 24.
Concluded litigation:
— 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] Riffer madness: Scientology in a tizzy days before next week’s hearing in Masterson suit
[TWO years ago] When Scientology’s ‘disconnection’ is forever, and other developments
[THREE years ago] What Scientology TV should be about — but won’t dare to put on the air
[FOUR years ago] Scientology caught in a lie to federal court — but will the judge care?
[FIVE years ago] Scientology snags a TV news host, and other social media finds around the world
[SIX years ago] Scientology posts the (nearly) full deposition of reclusive ‘Justice Chief’ Mike Ellis
[SEVEN years ago] Scientology gets the ‘America’s Book of Secrets’ treatment soon!
[EIGHT years ago] Scientology Response to Federal Lawsuit: Force The Garcias to Use Church Arbitration
[NINE years ago] Scientology, Deposed? Debbie Cook Goes on the Offensive
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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 2,232 days.
Katrina Reyes has not seen her mother Yelena in 2,736 days
Sylvia Wagner DeWall has not seen her brother Randy in 2,256 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his grandson Leo in 1,276 days.
Geoff Levin has not seen his son Collin and daughter Savannah in 1,167 days.
Christie Collbran has not seen her mother Liz King in 4,474 days.
Clarissa Adams has not seen her parents Walter and Irmin Huber in 2,342 days.
Carol Nyburg has not seen her daughter Nancy in 3,116 days.
Jamie Sorrentini Lugli has not seen her father Irving in 3,920 days.
Quailynn McDaniel has not seen her brother Sean in 3,236 days.
Dylan Gill has not seen his father Russell in 11,802 days.
Melissa Paris has not seen her father Jean-Francois in 7,721 days.
Valeska Paris has not seen her brother Raphael in 3,889 days.
Mirriam Francis has not seen her brother Ben in 3,470 days.
Claudio and Renata Lugli have not seen their son Flavio in 3,731 days.
Sara Goldberg has not seen her daughter Ashley in 2,769 days.
Lori Hodgson has not seen her son Jeremy and daughter Jessica in 2,482 days.
Marie Bilheimer has not seen her mother June in 2,007 days.
Julian Wain has not seen his brother Joseph or mother Susan in 362 days.
Charley Updegrove has not seen his son Toby in 1,537 days.
Joe Reaiche has not seen his daughter Alanna Masterson in 6,088 days
Derek Bloch has not seen his father Darren in 3,237 days.
Cindy Plahuta has not seen her daughter Kara in 3,557 days.
Roger Weller has not seen his daughter Alyssa in 8,412 days.
Claire Headley has not seen her mother Gen in 3,531 days.
Ramana Dienes-Browning has not seen her mother Jancis in 1,887 days.
Mike Rinder has not seen his son Benjamin and daughter Taryn in 6,190 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his daughter Spring in 2,296 days.
Skip Young has not seen his daughters Megan and Alexis in 2,698 days.
Mary Kahn has not seen her son Sammy in 2,570 days.
Lois Reisdorf has not seen her son Craig in 2,153 days.
Phil and Willie Jones have not seen their son Mike and daughter Emily in 2,648 days.
Mary Jane Barry has not seen her daughter Samantha in 2,902 days.
Kate Bornstein has not seen her daughter Jessica in 14,011 days.
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Posted by Tony Ortega on March 6, 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, 1995-2020 Just starting out here? We’ve picked out the most important stories we’ve covered here at the Underground Bunker (2012-2020), 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
