A few weeks ago we first brought up the crossover we were seeing between our coverage of Scientology here at the Underground Bunker and the stuff we cover over at our other blog The Lowdown — specifically, the QAnon phenomenon which has become such an obsession literally for millions of Americans.
One of the ways that our worlds collided was the moment during HBO’s terrific six-part look at QAnon, ‘Q: Into the Storm,’ when well known Scientology grifter Joy Villa showed up in it. We heard from a lot of people about that, but we didn’t think it was worth a story. We’ve thoroughly examined Joy’s past as a Scientology climber, and it just doesn’t seem to matter to her marks.
But then one of our readers pointed out that we ought to take another look at Joy’s brief appearance in the series because of the person she’s seen with in the photo above. The fellow there in the middle is named Colin Skow, and he does turn out to be an interesting QAnon-Scientology figure.
He shows up for a few moments in the initial episode when filmmaker Cullen Hoback is introducing the idea of how much the mysterious figure of Q had become such a huge figure in the lives of ordinary people. And part of the reason why, Hoback explained, was the way that Q was interacting with followers, and would sometimes shine a light on individuals for showing their loyalty to the cause.
Colin Skow’s experience at a Trump rally in Las Vegas was used as one of two examples of this.
Colin: I asked a friend, ‘Who else do you know who’s going to the rally?’ And she said, ‘Well, I think Joy is going.’ She became famous for wearing that MAGA dress to the Emmys. So I offered to pick Joy up at the airport and bring her over. We were invited VIP. We went in front of the VIP line. I was the second or third person in the door.
[Footage of Colin at the September 20, 2018 rally in Las Vegas]
Trump came out, and yeah, first he pointed straight to me. I instantly understood the communication. I whipped out my phone.
He looks at me. And he gives me a little finger wag. Fairly subtle. Yeah, it just sort of happened. It wasn’t planned.
So then people behind me started shouting, ‘Hey, guy in the red shirt, you just made Q.’ Q found me within six minutes. Which means that he had eyes on the rally somehow. They knew my name.
Skow had tweeted several photos of himself at the rally, including this one…
And he struck QAnon gold. A link to this tweet was posted by Q, along with these words…
Hoback uses this in ‘Q: Into the Storm’ to help viewers understand how ordinary people like Colin Skow could get caught up so completely in the QAnon phenomenon, especially when Q himself was watching and interacting with them.
It’s a powerful point in an excellent series.
We sent a message to Colin Skow, hoping he’d reach out to us, because we were not only interested in his thoughts after seeing himself on the HBO series, but also because he has said some interesting things online about his dedication to Scientology and what he’s gotten out of it.
For example, there was a reference he made to “antisocial personalities,” a reference that appears to be to what in Scientology is referred to as “suppressive persons.”
In his posting, Skow appears to conflate a couple of different references by Scientology founder L. Ron Hubbard. In 1966, Hubbard stated that antisocial personalities make up about 20 percent of the population, and that “2.5 percent of this 20 percent are truly dangerous.” This is a bit ambiguous. Is Hubbard referring to 2.5 percent of the overall, which are among the 20 percent who are antisocial, or 2.5 of the 20 percent, which would work out to 0.5 percent of the overall population? That’s not clear, but we usually see people assume that Hubbard meant that 2.5 percent of the overall population are dangerous suppressives. Separately, in his 1951 book ‘Science of Survival,’ Hubbard said that people below 2.0 on his “Tone Scale” were real problems for society, and that for those who couldn’t be redeemed through Scientology processes the best thing to do was to “dispose of them quietly and without sorrow.”
Colin Skow combines those two ideas, that 2.5 percent of the population are hopeless individuals who should be “removed.” But then he suggests that this will occur during a “Thousand Year Kingdom,” which certainly has a Christian millennialism flavor, and then the rest of the population, after going OT, could leave behind those troublesome individuals by whisking off to another “universe.”
In another posting, Skow described getting the L12 rundown at Scientology’s spiritual mecca, the Flag Land Base in Clearwater, Florida. The L rundowns are among the most expensive of Scientology’s offerings, costing tens of thousands of dollars each. But Skow refers to a benefit of them that we hadn’t heard of before: the ability to “taste food from a distance.”
Does Q know about this? And if you can sample other diners’ meals with your mind, why isn’t Scientology using that as a selling point?
We do hope that Colin messages us. Drop us a line, patriot!
——————–
Bonus items from our tipsters
Detroit coming back to life!
——————–
“It’s very funny, you know: bodies have machinery laid into them from other times. It’s quite interesting. You’ll find some preclear wallowing around one time or another: ‘Well, look what I have done to this body. Look at the horrible machinery and things I have set up.’ Then he wonders why it runs much faster and gets much more solid. Well, some thetan that had the thing on the genetic line way back when has already installed a tremendous number of items. You didn’t install everything that’s wrong with your body.” — L. Ron Hubbard, May 5, 1957
“MOVIE: The top Broadway hit man, Milton Katselas, through Celebrity Centre sent me a screen play that deals with some Scientology materials. I received it as he requested, went over it. As an old screen writer I found some ways to polish it and telexed him that I would. He has just telexed back very thrilled. In one week he did Grade VI, went Clear, was taken on at Columbia Pictures to direct his Broadway hit and got my assurances I’d help work on the new screen play. To quote ‘All in One Week. Wow.'” — The Commodore, May 5, 1971
——————–
“According to the book Science of Survival, in times of political turmoil one has to identify the subversives in covert hostility associated with politics or public office. One has to identify them and isolate them from society. I think this condition exists now in the USA and the rest of the world. A list of Scientologists and ex-Scientologists (including Sea Org and ex-Sea Org) supporting covert hostility movements (communism) would be beneficial. This in order to alert the rest of social Scientologists against the turmoil and chaos that this covert hostility individuals create in times of political unrest. A list of Scientologists and ex-scientologists, commies and supporters of Democrat commie/socialist agendas.”
——————–
1996: Jeff Jacobsen posted some research concerning the basement of the Ft. Harrison Hotel. “There is some controversy about whether the Ft. Harrison Hotel in Clearwater (which is a Scientology building) has a basement. Dennis Erlich claims he was locked in the basement as part of his RPF for doing something wrong. Brian Anderson, VP of the church in Clearwater said on WMNF that Dennis is lying and there is no basement in the Ft. Harrison. I’ve heard that the latest KSW magazine also says there is no basement in the Ft. Harrison. Anyone can go over to the County Courthouse right next to the Ft. Harrison and look up property assessments for any building in Clearwater. The Ft. Harrison is listed as having a basement of 1806 square feet.”
——————–
“No one knows what possible dirt there may be in Katie’s PC folder. Her first concern is maintaining the image of a ‘fit’ mother so Cruise doesn’t try to get custody of Suri on that accusation. If she dishes dirt I’m sure so will he.”
——————–
Full Court Press: What we’re watching at the Underground Bunker
Criminal prosecutions:
— Danny Masterson charged for raping three women: Preliminary hearing set for May 18.
— Jay and Jeff Spina, Medicare fraud: Jay sentenced to 9 years in prison. Jeff’s sentencing to be scheduled.
— Hanan and Rizza Islam and other family members, Medi-Cal fraud: Trial scheduled for May 20 in Los Angeles
— David Gentile, GPB Capital, fraud: Next pretrial conference set for June 18.
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. June 7: 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.
——————–
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?
——————–
THE WHOLE TRACK
[ONE year ago] We’ve highlighted the parts Danny Masterson wants removed from the Scientology lawsuit
[TWO years ago] Media and authorities should focus on the real horrors of Scientology’s Freewinds
[THREE years ago] In the US and Australia, new Ideal Orgs are increasingly isolated and uninviting. What gives?
[FOUR years ago] How to get yourself removed from Scientology’s legendary mailing list: A case study
[FIVE years ago] How Ron Miscavige’s Scientology memoir reads to a former Scientologist
[SIX years ago] Neil Gaiman’s sister shows up in Scientology response video to Gibney film ‘Going Clear’
[SEVEN years ago] Scientology archiving magazines online? Are they nuts?
[EIGHT years ago] Cinco De Funnies: Getting Drunk on the Wisdom of Ron!
[NINE years ago] Howard Stern Questions A Former Scientology Private Eye
——————–
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 2,292 days.
Katrina Reyes has not seen her mother Yelena in 2,796 days
Sylvia Wagner DeWall has not seen her brother Randy in 2,316 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his grandson Leo in 1,336 days.
Geoff Levin has not seen his son Collin and daughter Savannah in 1,227 days.
Christie Collbran has not seen her mother Liz King in 4,534 days.
Clarissa Adams has not seen her parents Walter and Irmin Huber in 2,402 days.
Carol Nyburg has not seen her daughter Nancy in 3,176 days.
Doug Kramer has not seen his parents Linda and Norm in 1,506 days.
Jamie Sorrentini Lugli has not seen her father Irving in 3,980 days.
Quailynn McDaniel has not seen her brother Sean in 3,296 days.
Dylan Gill has not seen his father Russell in 11,862 days.
Melissa Paris has not seen her father Jean-Francois in 7,781 days.
Valeska Paris has not seen her brother Raphael in 3,949 days.
Mirriam Francis has not seen her brother Ben in 3,530 days.
Claudio and Renata Lugli have not seen their son Flavio in 3,791 days.
Sara Goldberg has not seen her daughter Ashley in 2,829 days.
Lori Hodgson has not seen her son Jeremy and daughter Jessica in 2,542 days.
Marie Bilheimer has not seen her mother June in 2,067 days.
Julian Wain has not seen his brother Joseph or mother Susan in 422 days.
Charley Updegrove has not seen his son Toby in 1,597 days.
Joe Reaiche has not seen his daughter Alanna Masterson in 6,148 days
Derek Bloch has not seen his father Darren in 3,297 days.
Cindy Plahuta has not seen her daughter Kara in 3,617 days.
Roger Weller has not seen his daughter Alyssa in 8,472 days.
Claire Headley has not seen her mother Gen in 3,591 days.
Ramana Dienes-Browning has not seen her mother Jancis in 1,947 days.
Mike Rinder has not seen his son Benjamin and daughter Taryn in 6,250 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his daughter Spring in 2,356 days.
Skip Young has not seen his daughters Megan and Alexis in 2,758 days.
Mary Kahn has not seen her son Sammy in 2,630 days.
Lois Reisdorf has not seen her son Craig in 2,213 days.
Phil and Willie Jones have not seen their son Mike and daughter Emily in 2,708 days.
Mary Jane Barry has not seen her daughter Samantha in 2,962 days.
Kate Bornstein has not seen her daughter Jessica in 14,071 days.
——————–
Posted by Tony Ortega on May 5, 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
