Our first trip to the Mark Twain House in Hartford was with our friend Dan Perkins, the man behind Tom Tomorrow and the This Modern World comic strip. We got a special tour, and at one point found ourselves in Twain’s upstairs billiards room where his writing desk was tucked away in a corner. It shook us to stand there, by that desk, and think about what the man had created there during the years 1874 to 1891.
On the wall nearby, there was a very curious artifact. Our guide, Jacques Lamarre, explained that it was a rare panel, about a foot on each side, made from thinnest bone, so that some light could come through from the outside, and it had some symbols carved in it. It was otherworldly.
After that experience, we knew we wanted to have a book event there in 2015 for The Unbreakable Miss Lovely, and Dan was good enough again to take part, asking questions.
So now we get to return the favor, and we’ll be asking questions of Mike Rinder about his excellent book A Billion Years: My Escape from a Life in the Highest Ranks of Scientology.
You can see our full-length review of the book here, which we posted the day after the book came out in September. And hey, we’d like your suggestions about what we should ask Mike about the book. Leave us a suggestion in the comments section here or at the dot org site.
Here’s the link for tonight’s conversation.
While you wait for tonight’s event. Here’s a little something that Neil Clark spotted.
In 2016, a person calling themselves “Angry Thetan” approached us with some killer drone footage of Scientology’s secretive properties, including Int Base in Southern California and the smaller mountain compound where we believe Scientology is keeping Shelly Miscavige.
Well, someone has taken Angry Thetan’s lengthy drone flyover of Int Base, sped it up, and added helpful titles to identify various locations at the base.
The result is a fast and thorough inventory of the place, and we found it to be a very worthwhile updating of Angry Thetan’s work.
As you fly over the place, keep in mind that David Miscavige has apparently abandoned this compound for Florida, and that a much smaller crew lives here now than in years past.
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Technology Cocktail
“IS SCIENTOLOGY VALID? Tens of thousands of case histories (reports on patients, individual records), all sworn to (attested before public officials), are in the possession of the organizations of Scientology. No other subject on earth except physics and chemistry has had such grueling testing (proofs, exact findings). Scientology in the hands of an expert (Auditor) can cure some 70% of Man’s illnesses (sicknesses). Scientology is used by some of the largest companies (business organizations) on earth. It is valid. It has been tested.” — L. Ron Hubbard, 1956
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THE PROSECUTION OF DANNY MASTERSON
We first broke the news of the LAPD’s investigation of Scientology celebrity Danny Masterson on rape allegations in 2017, and we’ve been covering the story every step of the way since then. At this page we’ve collected our most important links as Danny faces a potential sentence of 45 years to life in prison. NOW WITH TRIAL INDEX.
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THE PODCAST: How many have you heard?
— The Underground Bunker Podcast
[1] Marc Headley [2] Claire Headley [3] Jeffrey Augustine [4] Bruce Hines [5] Sunny Pereira [6] Pete Griffiths [7] Geoff Levin [8] Patty Moher [9] Marc Headley [10] Jefferson Hawkins [11] Michelle ‘Emma’ Ryan [12] Paulette Cooper [13] Jesse Prince [14] Mark Bunker [15] Jon Atack [16] Mirriam Francis [17] Bruce Hines on MSH
— SPECIAL: The best TV show on Scientology you never got to see
[1] Phil Jones [2] Derek Bloch [3] Carol Nyburg [4] Katrina Reyes [5] Jamie DeWolf
— SPECIAL: Your Proprietor’s updates on the Danny Masterson trial
[1] Sep 21 [2] Sep 28 [3] Oct 4 [4] Oct 10 [5] Oct 11: Day One [6] Oct 12: Day Two [7] Oct 13: Day Three [8] Oct 17: Day Four [9] Oct 18: Day Five [10] Oct 19: Day Six [11] Special interview with Chris Shelton, Oct 19 [12] Oct 20: Day Seven [13] Oct 21: Day Eight [14] First week in review, with Jeffrey Augustine [15] Oct 24: Day Nine [16] Oct 25: Day Ten [17] Oct 27: Day Eleven [18] Oct 28: Day Twelve [19] Second week in review, with Jeffrey Augustine [20] Halloween special [21] Nov 2: Day Thirteen [22] Nov 3: Day Fourteen [23] Nov 4: Day Fifteen [24] Third week in review [25] Nov 5, Saturday special [26] Nov 6, Sunday special [27] Nov 7, Day Sixteen [28] Lisa Marie Presley breaking news [29] Nov 8, Day Seventeen [30] Nov 9, Day Eighteen [31] Nov 10, Day Nineteen
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“You find many a girl — various stresses in the war you notice this: Some girl who was very much in love with some young man, and he got knocked off, something like that, and right away she becomes a lawyer — begins to talk in a rather husky voice. If you watch her a while longer, the next thing you know, she’s liable to start smoking cigars. You know? And in order to exteriorize her, you’d have to exteriorize her out of the body of a young man before you could exteriorize her out of the body she’s in. Now she doesn’t want to be in the body she’s in, so she’s not really in the body she’s in, and you just don’t have a dog’s chance of exteriorizing her out of that body. You say, ‘Be three feet back of your head.’ She’s not in it. So the whole command misses. You see that?” — L. Ron Hubbard, January 19, 1956
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“1969 was the year of Out-Ethics. In 1970 I trust all SO members will wear their ethics hats. Every SO member has one. Every time we ease up or drop Ethics we get horrible problems and stats. It can be plotted on the Int GI. Fact is Ethics is madly out on the planet. Definition of some Earth wog leaders — somebody who is trying to get even with everybody else. Definition of psychiatry: the government’s method of getting even with the insane.” — The Commodore, January 19, 1970
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“When you interweave your spiritual essence with too many other thetans, you are establishing too many anchor points on that Dynamic. When one does this, it makes it more difficult to once again find and re-unite with one’s true ‘soul-mate’ lifetime after lifetime. If ‘soul-mates’ mutually refrain from promiscuity prior to re-uniting, they find each other again and again, lifetime to lifetime. The indicator is this, trust your own knowingness as to whether you have a long term relationship with the person or not – and if not, do not get involved with them, especially sexually.”
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1998: Skeptic Magazine published a letter from Scientology president Heber Jentzsch, in reply to an earlier letter from comedian Steve Allen. “You make several different claims of harassment and telephone threats and ‘similar offenses’ that are continuing to be perpetuated by individual Scientologists. If you have any such instances which are documented, then send them to me. And speaking of harassment, Cynthia Kisser attempted to silence me & the church regarding her perpetration of violent deprogrammings. The fact that she deprogrammed her own sister and then went on to conduct other assaults has been proved to be true by the Federal Court in Chicago, Illinois, supported by the verdict of a jury. I have admired your humor and your humanitarian goals since I first came here to California 35 years ago. I would hope that you would continue your wit and your talents to the enhancement of freedom of choice, not to be drawn into the melee of anti-religious bigotry by those who claim no religion is qualified or sacred.”
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“OT 7 is just sitting in a room talking to yourself and seeing if the needle reacts. You’d think after a couple of years of doing that they would just say ‘fuck it!’ and tell the case supervisor ‘The belfry is bat-free’.”
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Full Court Press: What we’re watching at the Underground Bunker
Criminal prosecutions:
— Danny Masterson charged for raping three women: Mistrial declared November 30. Status conference scheduled January 10, retrial scheduled March 27.
— ‘Lafayette Ronald Hubbard’ (a/k/a Justin Craig), aggravated assault, plus drug charges: Grand jury indictments include charges from an assault while in custody. Plea deadline scheduled for December 16.
— Jay and Jeff Spina, Medicare fraud: Jay sentenced to 9 years in prison. Jeff scheduled to time served with three years supervised release, restitution of $9.7 million.
— Rizza Islam, Medi-Cal fraud: Trial scheduled for March 1 in Los Angeles
— David Gentile, GPB Capital, fraud: Next pretrial hearing December 9.
— Yanti Mike Greene, Scientology private eye accused of contempt of court: Found guilty of criminal and civil contempt.
Civil litigation:
— Baxter, Baxter, and Paris v. Scientology, alleging labor trafficking: Complaint filed April 28 in Tampa federal court, Scientology moving to compel arbitration. Plaintiffs filed amended complaint on August 2. Hearing November 17 to argue the arbitration motions, awaiting ruling.
— Valerie Haney v. Scientology: Forced to ‘religious arbitration.’ Selection of arbitrators underway. Next court hearing: February 2, 2023.
— Chrissie Bixler et al. v. Scientology and Danny Masterson: Appellate court removes requirement of arbitration on January 19, case remanded back to Superior Court. Stay in place at least through February 7.
— Brian Statler Sr v. City of Inglewood: Case settled ahead of scheduled Dec 6 trial.
— Author Steve Cannane defamation trial: New trial ordered after appeals court overturned prior ruling.
— Chiropractors Steve Peyroux and Brent Detelich, stem cell fraud: Lawsuit filed by the FTC and state of Georgia in August, now in discovery phase.
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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 BLACK OPS: Tom Cruise and dirty tricks. 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] SCIENTOLOGY ARBITRATION DENIED: Appeals court revives lawsuit by Masterson accusers
[TWO years ago] Danny Masterson accusers want emergency halt on ‘religious arbitration’ to protect rape case
[THREE years ago] Georgia puts legislator who promotes Scientology anti-psych efforts on mental health panel
[FOUR years ago] New Sea Org escapee says that Scientology still forcing abortions, decade after practice exposed
[FIVE years ago] More Scientology news is here: You won’t believe how fast this planet is being cleared!
[SIX years ago] Scientology in hot water again for cutting down trees without permission
[SEVEN years ago] When the feds tracked down L. Ron Hubbard’s boast about getting rich by creating a religion
[EIGHT years ago] Earache my eye: A Scientology official’s excuses why he can’t fly for deposition in fraud suit
[NINE years ago] Sunday Funnies: For the second year in a row, Scientology will have an ad in the Super Bowl
[TEN years ago] We Told You Jamie DeWolf Would Blow Up!
[ELEVEN years ago] Scientology Spokeswoman Who Disconnected From Her Father Criticizes Scientology Victim Who Didn’t
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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 2,914 days.
Katrina Reyes has not seen her mother Yelena in 3,419 days
Sylvia Wagner DeWall has not seen her brother Randy in 2,969 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his grandson Leo in 1,959 days.
Geoff Levin has not seen his son Collin and daughter Savannah in 1,850 days.
Christie Collbran has not seen her mother Liz King in 5,155 days.
Clarissa Adams has not seen her parents Walter and Irmin Huber in 3,025 days.
Doug Kramer has not seen his parents Linda and Norm in 2,130 days.
Jamie Sorrentini Lugli has not seen her father Irving in 4,603 days.
Quailynn McDaniel has not seen her brother Sean in 3,919 days.
Dylan Gill has not seen his father Russell in 12,485 days.
Melissa Paris has not seen her father Jean-Francois in 8,404 days.
Valeska Paris has not seen her brother Raphael in 4,572 days.
Mirriam Francis has not seen her brother Ben in 4,153 days.
Claudio and Renata Lugli have not seen their son Flavio in 4,414 days.
Sara Goldberg has not seen her daughter Ashley in 3,451 days.
Lori Hodgson has not seen her son Jeremy and daughter Jessica in 3,166 days.
Marie Bilheimer has not seen her mother June in 2,730 days.
Julian Wain has not seen his brother Joseph or mother Susan in 1,045 days.
Charley Updegrove has not seen his son Toby in 2,220 days.
Joe Reaiche has not seen his daughter Alanna Masterson in 6,771 days
Derek Bloch has not seen his father Darren in 3,902 days.
Cindy Plahuta has not seen her daughter Kara in 4,240 days.
Roger Weller has not seen his daughter Alyssa in 9,095 days.
Claire Headley has not seen her mother Gen in 4,214 days.
Ramana Dienes-Browning has not seen her mother Jancis in 2,570 days.
Mike Rinder has not seen his son Benjamin and daughter Taryn in 6,873 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his daughter Spring in 2,979 days.
Skip Young has not seen his daughters Megan and Alexis in 3,377 days.
Mary Kahn has not seen her son Sammy in 3,253 days.
Lois Reisdorf has not seen her son Craig in 2,836 days.
Phil and Willie Jones have not seen their son Mike and daughter Emily in 3,331 days.
Mary Jane Barry has not seen her daughter Samantha in 3,585 days.
Kate Bornstein has not seen her daughter Jessica in 14,694 days.
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Posted by Tony Ortega on January 19, 2023 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, 1995-2021 Just starting out here? We’ve picked out the most important stories we’ve covered here at the Underground Bunker (2012-2021), 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
Tony Ortega at The Daily Beast
