In 2011, the Church of Scientology celebrated two of its members in Russia for destroying the psychiatric profession’s long stranglehold on the mental health field in that country.

If you’re new to Scientology watching, you should know that church founder L. Ron Hubbard went begging for psychiatric help from the [...]]]>

In 2011, the Church of Scientology celebrated two of its members in Russia for destroying the psychiatric profession’s long stranglehold on the mental health field in that country.

If you’re new to Scientology watching, you should know that church founder L. Ron Hubbard went begging for psychiatric help from the VA in 1947, after his miserable WW2 experience, saying in his letter that he was at the end of his rope. But instead of getting the help that he needed, Hubbard nursed a longtime hatred of psychiatry and psychiatrists ever after that.

And with his book Dianetics coming out in 1950 and his organization Scientology growing soon after that, Hubbard baked into it a furious enmity for psychiatry and its pharmaceuticals. It is no exaggeration to say that Scientology hates psychiatry and its practitioners above all else. Hubbard claimed that the “evil psychs” have been harming mankind for trillions of years, and that they actually originate from the planet Farsec.

(Seriously, we’re not making this up.) Anyway, in 2011, Scientology gave its highest award, the Freedom Medal, to two of its members in Russia for agitating against psychiatry there. Azgar Ishkildin and Tatyana Malchikova were celebrated after they had “exposed the horrors of psychiatric abuse in Russia and protected the civil rights of every Russian citizen through legislative reforms.” The two were able to wreak so much havoc on psychiatry in Russia through Scientology’s most unhinged front group, Citizens Commission on Human Rights (CCHR).

The reason we’re telling you about this award 11 years after the fact is that just this week we heard from someone who says that Scientology’s celebration of Ishkildin and Malchikova was filled with lies, and that the two of them didn’t deserve recognition for destroying psychiatry in Russia.

In fact, we were told, it was another woman, Sofya Dorinskaya, who should have properly been recognized by David Miscavige for doing the work that Tatyana Malchikova took the credit for.

If you find this confusing, imagine how we felt.

We were sent an email by Dorinskaya’s husband, Mikhail, who wanted us to see an essay that Sofya had written about Scientology’s lies at her website. In her essay, Dorinskaya explains that when she led CCHR in Russia between 2005 and 2009, she had singlehandedly brought psychiatry to its knees.

She wrote that she had “made hundreds of appearances in the media, spoke to hundreds of opinion makers at CCHR exhibitions, won several Constitutional Courts and deprived psychiatrists of 7.5 billion rubles of state funding.”

However, she was replaced by Malchikova, who had been only her assistant at CCHR, and then in 2011 Malchikova was given the Freedom Medal for Dorinskaya’s accomplishments.

In fact, she complained, Since 2013 Malchikova has sat by idly as Russia’s psychiatric profession has made a huge comeback, erasing the advancements that CCHR had made under Dorinskaya.

“During the work of Tatyana Malchikova, psychiatry in Russia has become more powerful,” Dorinskaya wrote.

We wrote back to Mikhail, thanking him for the email, and summarizing what we took from his wife’s essay.

I just want to make sure I understand this. Ms. Dorinskaya is saying that the current CCHR president in Russia, Ms. Malchikova, does not deserve the IAS medal she received in 2011, which was actually for Ms. Dorinskaya’s accomplishments when she ran CCHR Russia from 2005-2009. And also, that under Ms. Malchikova’s leadership, CCHR Russia has done nothing as psychiatry has advanced its aims in that country since she became president. Can I ask why Ms. Dorinskaya left her position as president of CCHR Russia in 2009, and is she involved in Scientology today?

Mikhail suggested that Sofya was simply too good at her job destroying psychiatry, and that the country’s top psychiatrist convinced government agencies to target Sofya for harassment. They left the country and went to Hungary at that point, and Sofya’s assistant, Malchikova, took over CCHR.

They didn’t even realize that Malchikova had been awarded the Freedom Medal in 2011 until they were forced to return to Russia in 2012 for some time. Only then did they see the copy of Impact magazine announcing that Malchikova had been given the medal.

Mikhail says that as “proper Scientologists,” they tried to submit reports about the injustice, but it only led to persecution. They are in Hungary today, he says, and they are not in “Miscavige’s church.”

But the story has a silver lining, he pointed out. His wife Sofya Dorinskaya, a psychiatrist, continues to agitate against psychiatry and psychiatric drugs at her YouTube channel, which has 413,000 subscribers.

 
Mikhail suggested a reason that Scientology had undermined its own efforts in Russia. He pointed out that Scientology’s richest donors, the Duggan family, “produces the drug Duodopa, which is similar in effect to antipsychotics and causes schizophrenia.”

(We think he’s referring to the giant drugmaker Abbvie, which made the Duggans rich when it bought a cancer drug company, Pharmacyclics, from Bob Duggan. We have pointed out that the Duggans were paid in huge amounts of Abbvie stock.)

Well gosh, that’s an intriguing accusation. David Miscavige has allowed Scientology’s mission to destroy psychiatry in Russia be compromised because of Duggan’s pharmaceutical millions, and the wrong person got a Freedom Medal in 2011.

You hear that, Dave? You gave that medal to the wrong person! We don’t know when the IAS and its Freedom Medals will come back — perhaps this October? — but Dave will then have the opportunity to recognize the correct psychiatry-killer.

We can only hope he does the right thing.

 
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Bonus items from our tipsters

Another update from Battle Creek!

Sign up for a daily email when we post a new story on Scientology.

Did you know you can get an email every morning when we post our daily Scientology story? We know some of the folks who come to the Underground Bunker aren’t here to talk about the politics of the day, and that’s why we created a daily politics feature over at our other blog, The Lowdown, and we ask readers to take their political discussions over there. And if you drop us a line at tonyo94 AT gmail, we’ll put you on the list so you get a morning reminder that a new Scientology story has been posted — and only for our Scientology stories.

 
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Source Code

“I notice now that there’s a lot of doubt and wonder about ethics and so on, here and there and so forth. What is ethics? I just heard one from Chicago, just before I came to the lecture and so forth. ‘Scientology is to help, not to punish people.’ How the hell would he know? He’s never been helped by it. He’d made a lot of dough with it, but he’s never had any tone arm action I’ve ever been able to find out. Suppressive. So we are developing, simply, systems by which to handle the public at large, is all we are doing. And right now it goes in with a thud against some staff members and so forth and students collide with it and that sort of thing. Good. Get used to it. Because the action is actually intended for the public, don’t you see? But until you have a familiarity with law and order amongst yourselves and some experience with how it works and what seems unjust and what seems just and that sort of thing, you never can grab ahold of it. Now, you can’t go nonchalantly knocking off the United States government or something like that without at least issuing an HCO suppressive order, you know?” — L. Ron Hubbard, June 8, 1965

 
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Avast, Ye Mateys

“SHIP CONDITION: If the ship’s company is ever to get out of Non E it will be by 1. Wearing ones own hat. 2. Insisting the other fellows wears his. I tried for 2 months to single hand the ship up in morale and efficiency. I got too many problems (bonus errors, FP flaps in return). Now you guys dig yourselves out and put it right. I didn’t assign the condition. The ship did.” — The Commodore, June 8, 1970

 
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Overheard in the FreeZone

“Please read or listen to LRH taped lecture ‘THE FREE BEING.’ In it LRH explains how OTs must work ORGANIZED. Otherwise the individualistic OTs will lose the war when facing super organized Meat bodies, entities and BTs (‘lesser beings,’ the taped lecture actual words). An OT Committee is organization, management.”

 
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Past is Prologue

1996: David and Julie Mayo posted extensive accounts of the cult’s Fair Game policy against them in the last few years. David is being harassed for having founded a competing church to Scientology. “On August 4, 1994, Scientology(tm) utilized INTERPOL, the US DEA (Drug Enforcement Agency), and the DNCD (Dominicana Nacional Control de Drogas) to try to enforce Scientology’s(tm) religious beliefs on me, to persecute me and to get me jailed by false allegations to INTERPOL. INTERPOL had received and acted on a report that I was ‘practicing Scientology(tm) without a license’; that I had ‘destroyed Scientology(tm) property’; that I was ‘representing’ myself as a ‘Scientologist’. Ventura Bayonet, head of the Dominican Republic DNCD said that he decided to act as a result of a phone call from INTERPOL alleging that I had damaged ‘millions of dollars of Scientology(tm) property’. I was not representing myself as a Scientologist nor was I practicing Scientology(tm), with or without a license. I had not ‘damaged’ Scientology(tm) property. By 1992, all of the civil lawsuits brought against me by Scientology(tm) had been dismissed and in January 1993, the Central District of California had sanctioned RTC/Scientology(tm) plaintiffs 2.9 million dollars for abusive litigation against me.”

 
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Random Howdy

“Tom Cruise is royalty and royalty can’t just marry whoever they like. They have obligations to king and subjects alike.”

 
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Full Court Press: What we’re watching at the Underground Bunker

Criminal prosecutions:
— Danny Masterson charged for raping three women: Next pretrial conference June 30. Trial scheduled for October 11.

Civil litigation:
— Baxter, Baxter, and Paris v. Scientology, alleging labor trafficking: Complaint filed April 28 in Tampa federal court.
— Luis and Rocio Garcia v. Scientology: Eleventh Circuit affirmed ruling granting Scientology’s motion for arbitration. Garcias considering next move.
— Valerie Haney v. Scientology: Forced to ‘religious arbitration.’ Valerie’s motion for reconsideration denied on March 15.
— Chrissie Bixler et al. v. Scientology and Danny Masterson: Appellate court removes requirement of arbitration on January 19, case remanded back to Superior Court. Next hearing scheduled for June 29.
— Brian Statler Sr v. City of Inglewood: Third amended complaint filed, trial set for December 6.
— 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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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, including our four days in Los Angeles covering the preliminary hearing and its ruling, which has Danny facing trial and the potential sentence of 45 years to life in prison.

SCIENTOLOGY: FAIR GAME

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] Ecclesiastical cardio: David Miscavige spotted jogging on the beach in Clearwater
[TWO years ago] Scientology’s obsession with City Councilman Mark Bunker is truly off the charts
[THREE years ago] Scientology founder L. Ron Hubbard on nuclear radiation: It’s a state of mind
[FOUR years ago] Here’s proof that Scientology members have to be forced to watch Scientology TV
[FIVE years ago] Federal judge urged to ignore Scientology whining and get on with arbitration disaster
[SIX years ago] More signs of the apocalypse for the Church of Scientology’s bitter-enders
[SEVEN years ago] Westward, Ho! Hey, Bunkerites, we need your help, and fast
[EIGHT years ago] Scientology Sunday Funnies: The Tom Cruise history lesson edition!
[NINE years ago] Jon Atack on Why It’s So Hard To Recover From Scientology
[TEN years ago] It’s a Scientology Book Avalanche! RUN FOR COVER!
[ELEVEN years ago] Scientology’s Anti-Commie, Space Opera Beginnings, and Other Nuggets From New Academic Book

 
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Posted by Tony Ortega on June 8, 2022 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

 We were shocked to learn that a monumental event held at Scientology’s Citizens Commission for Human Rights storefront in Clearwater, Florida — featuring an art show celebrating such major stars like Elvis Presley, Whitney Houston, and Michael Jackson — had resulted in a video that only had 31 views after nearly two weeks.

We thought we’d [...]]]>

 
We were shocked to learn that a monumental event held at Scientology’s Citizens Commission for Human Rights storefront in Clearwater, Florida — featuring an art show celebrating such major stars like Elvis Presley, Whitney Houston, and Michael Jackson — had resulted in a video that only had 31 views after nearly two weeks.

We thought we’d help Scientology get the word out about a confab that was being cruelly overlooked. Come on, people, give this thing a look!

As the video explains, major Scientology stars such as LD Sledge, Steve Cherubino, and Neal Fox came out to give talks and sing songs in order to lament how psychiatry had destroyed the lives of our creative but dead icons, such as Ernest Hemingway, Marilyn Monroe, and Brian Wilson. (Hey wait, he’s still alive, isn’t he?)

And all of it was set against the important work that CCHR does as Scientology’s most unhinged front group, agitating for the complete dismantling of modern mental health care so it can be replaced by L. Ron Hubbard’s sane ideas embodied in Scientology. So you can see that it’s a totally worthy cause.

Here, please enjoy the show, express how disappointed you are that you didn’t catch it live and that so few people have seen it online, and let us know how you, like us, are going to try and help Scientology’s front “Artists for a Better World” get the word out!

 
And hey, speaking of CCHR, there’s news today of a remarkable court verdict coming out of Spain. The psychiatric profession there filed a lawsuit against CCHR and its Spanish chapter, accusing the Scientology front group of constantly publishing hate-filled screeds against psychiatry and psychiatrists. CCHR’s websites called mental health professionals criminals, sex offenders, and genocidal maniacs who were responsible for the Holocaust.

Well, yes, that’s what Scientology does, 24 hours a day, all around the world. What of it?

You’re not going to believe this, but the court in Madrid found that this was actually a bad thing, and it ruled that CCHR needs to take down its websites in Spain and stop impugning the psychiatric profession, and to pay the court costs of the Spanish Society of Psychiatry, which brought the lawsuit.

Can you imagine!

Of course, it’s a stunning verdict, but it would never fly here in the US, where CCHR, under our First Amendment protections, can smear the psychiatric profession all day every day. But still, it’s always fun to see David Miscavige’s Scientology get a good thrashing by a court.

 
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Bonus items from our tipsters

Hey, thetans, be part of the show! (And bring yer wallets.)

 
That Ron, he was a riot.

 
Join the jolly old elf in Aruba!

 
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Sign up for a daily email when we post a new story on Scientology.

Did you know you can get an email every morning when we post our daily Scientology story? We know some of the folks who come to the Underground Bunker aren’t here to talk about the politics of the day, and that’s why we created a daily politics feature over at our other blog, The Lowdown, and we ask readers to take their political discussions over there. And if you drop us a line at tonyo94 AT gmail, we’ll put you on the list so you get a morning reminder that a new Scientology story has been posted — and only for our Scientology stories.

Source Code

“Recently I contacted some very interesting facsimiles of Captain Frank de Wolfe of the United States Army, who was wounded at Fort Donelson in 1862. You may think I am talking about a past death; I am not. I am talking about a sympathy facsimile picked up when I was about a year and a half old, evidently, on the death of my great-grandfather. I almost killed myself. I started running out a lot of emotional curves and life began to look more and more interesting, and then when I went to get up out of the chair I couldn’t get up. I wondered what this was all about so I began to run some more emotional curves, and then I suddenly recalled that my great-grandfather had a black cane with a solid gold dog’s head. It was a great little gimmick, this solid gold dog’s head. The facsimile which I had just finished running out was the facsimile of the death of my dog when I was 14, which tied in to the cane with the dog’s head, which was the death of my great-grandfather that occurred while I was still sick with pneumonia when about a year and a half old. Evidently my legs from the waist down had been out of valence most of my life.” — L. Ron Hubbard, December 10, 1951

 
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Avast, Ye Mateys

“So evidently there’s a grade of ‘animal’ according to the very best professors. Looking it over, modern ‘education’ and all, we then have the job of moving people up on this course action with which there would be wide agreement due to teachings in universities. Animal + Technique Zed = Human Being + Dianetics to Grade IV = Homo Novis + Power, R6EW and CC = Clear + OT grades to OT VII = Operating Thetan + what research I’m now doing equals ( ). There are a lot of in betweens and a lot of tech but those are the major points.” — The Commodore, December 10, 1970

 
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Overheard in the FreeZone

“There was another time when I perceived a reptile and it was this disgusting staff member, he was 1.1, and I think I was just looking at him and I got this reptile idea in my head, and I got the idea he was one. He gave me a bad look once after I mentioned I had just seen a UFO, which was the first one I’d ever seen and it was cool and I was excited and he shot me this evil little nasty look. He was totally in a fake PR valence all the time, and guess what, gosh this keeps getting better, he was related to Mike Rinder! Yes that family has bad DNA, maybe this special telepathic connection DNA. Mike Rinder was running around assisting Miscavige with the takeover of Scientology and now he trashes all of Scientology, his life so far as been assisting the enslavers, he is not good for humanity.”

 
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Past is Prologue

1998: Karsten Lorenzen attended the Clearwater picket and gave testimony in the Lisa McPherson civil case concerning another isolation watch. From the St. Petersburg Times: “A former Scientologist from Denmark said Friday that he helped force bread, fruit and liquids into the throat of an unconscious woman as part of an effort help her recover from a mental breakdown. Karsten Lorenzen’s detailed account at a news conference held by a group of Scientology critics resembles the experience of Lisa McPherson, as documented by state investigators and Clearwater police. Church officials said Friday they had not fully investigated the Denmark man’s story but called it another in a series of unsupported and fantastic allegations by critics who, they contend, have serious credibility problems. They said force-feeding is not a prescribed procedure in Scientology.”

 
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Random Howdy

“Miscavige is a crime boss. If you’re a crime boss or a loan shark you can’t let somebody disrespect you or not pay back a loan, you have to make an example out of them to keep the rest of the underlings in line. This is more important than public perception.”

 
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Full Court Press: What we’re watching at the Underground Bunker

Criminal prosecutions:
— Danny Masterson charged for raping three women: Next hearing set for February 8. Trial scheduled for August 29, 2022.
— ‘Lafayette Ronald Hubbard’ (a/k/a Justin Craig), false imprisonment, aggravated assault, plus drug charges: Next hearing scheduled for December 21.
— 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: Pretrial conference December 17 in Los Angeles
— David Gentile, GPB Capital, fraud: Next pretrial conference set for February 11.

Civil litigation:
— Luis and Rocio Garcia v. Scientology: Eleventh Circuit affirmed ruling granting Scientology’s motion for arbitration. Garcias considering next move.
— Valerie Haney v. Scientology: Forced to ‘religious arbitration.’ US Supreme Court denied Valerie’s petition Oct 4.
— Chrissie Bixler et al. v. Scientology and Danny Masterson: California Supreme Court granted review on May 26 and asked the Second Appellate Division to direct Judge Steven Kleifield to show cause why he granted Scientology’s motion for arbitration. Oral arguments held November 2, awaiting a ruling.
— Matt and Kathy Feschbach tax debt: Eleventh Circuit ruled on Sept 9, 2020 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: Third amended complaint filed, trial set for June 28, 2022.
— Author Steve Cannane defamation trial: Trial concluded, Cannane victorious, awarded court costs. Case appealed on Dec 23. Appeal hearing held Aug 23-27. Awaiting a ruling.

 
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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, including our four days in Los Angeles covering the preliminary hearing and its ruling, which has Danny facing trial and the potential sentence of 45 years to life in prison.

SCIENTOLOGY: FAIR GAME

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] Danny Masterson accusers: Scientology’s illegal behavior shouldn’t count as ‘commerce’
[TWO years ago] George Gascón goes there: Elect him Los Angeles D.A., and Danny Masterson gets a fresh look
[THREE years ago] Scientology school sinks to new low, but the federal dollars keep pouring in
[FOUR years ago] A close up look at how human rights abuser Scientology is touting human rights as a front
[FIVE years ago] The way to break free from Scientology’s mind trap: Admit to yourself that you’re gullible
[SIX years ago] DOX: Woman sues Pasadena company for forcing Scientology on her
[SEVEN years ago] Marc Headley responds to sliming Scientology gave him at the ‘International Business Times’
[EIGHT years ago] The big reveal: What you actually learn on Scientology’s Operating Thetan Level Three
[NINE years ago] DOX: Autopsy Report of Scientology President’s Son, Alexander Jentzsch
[TEN years ago] Scientology Subluxation: Commenters of the Week!

 
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Posted by Tony Ortega on December 10, 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

 

Tony Ortega at The Daily Beast

 We have a video from CCHR International this week featuring staff members Eitan Celender and Rev. Fred Shaw. The Citizens Commission for Human Rights is a Scientology front that has agitated against the psychiatric profession since 1969, and is easily Scientology’s most brazen and unhinged front group.

In the video, which was meant only for Scientologists, [...]]]>

 
We have a video from CCHR International this week featuring staff members Eitan Celender and Rev. Fred Shaw. The Citizens Commission for Human Rights is a Scientology front that has agitated against the psychiatric profession since 1969, and is easily Scientology’s most brazen and unhinged front group.

In the video, which was meant only for Scientologists, Shaw describes how for years he has infiltrated civil rights organizations such as the NAACP and the National Action Network to promote Scientology’s crusade against psychiatry.

Shaw describes his work as “third partying” between mental health organizations and churches.

One of Scientology founder L. Ron Hubbard’s theories is that in any conflict between two parties there is a hidden third party instigator. He frequently used the theory to explain away criticism of Scientology, placing the blame on an invisible agitator. By feeding lies to two people or organizations, the third party manufactures a conflict that isn’t in the interest of either main party.

Says Shaw:

There’s people out there who are saying that someone is third partying the churches and mental health. Someone is creating a war between those two groups. And I want to reveal today. That is me. I’m creating the war between mental health and the clergy and the idea is the return back into the hands of the spiritual body the things of mental health issues and to be able to secure a lot of the funding that goes to mental health to come into programs in the various communities so we can save and protect the children against what they’re doing with the mass drugging and electric shock.

It’s a shocking admission that Shaw is acting as a third party agitator, and is lying to American ministers to enlist them in Scientology’s war on psychiatry.

 
Celender provides an overview of CCHR’s activities, recent news about psychiatric medicines and CCHR’s database of psychiatric drug side effects. He highlights the new CCHR web site fightforkids.org and announced the development of a new smartphone app for CCHR.

The end of the call is a fundraiser. Celender claims to have a donor who would match donations up to $2,000. They didn’t make that goal.

— Rod Keller

 
——————–

Source Code

“Tech — on both the 1st and 3rd dynamics — is proceeding at lightning speed. And early tech and books are coming into their own also. If everyone on Flag and on station ships know and wear their own hats well and insist on the fellow next to him wearing his, we have a potentially brilliant future. First and Third Dynamic Tech was never better, or orgs are doing well. We can greatly improve our actions and lines. If we can continue to best the enemy and get things running right we will really E-X-P-A-N-D. It took 100 years to abolish slavery. We are 20 years up on abolishing barbarism in psychiatry in a much faster moving age. If we keep at it and get better on our own jobs and get the breaks, I give us three years to have full command of the situation.” — L. Ron Hubbard, May 31, 1970

 
——————–

Overheard in the FreeZone

“The video I posted describes that they remote viewed (years ago) the emergence of Q Anon. And further indicates that the arrival of Q Anon was made possible thanks to the LRH Journal 67, where Ron describes who the SPs are on this planet (Bankers and the 12 SPs). Subsequently they describe Ron’s Journal 68 and give a quote by LRH of it. Then the narrator in the video indicates that he has seen that the war was won by Scientology and that is why Q Anon is able to make his appearance.”

 
——————–

Random Howdy

“No way is D.M. going to intentionally beach a whale. The obvious solution would be to send someone to their mansion to audit them. I’ve read they do this. First of all, it makes the whale feel special, and secondly, it prevents the whales from going to the Orgs and seeing how empty they are.”

 
——————–

Full Court Press: What we’re watching at the Underground Bunker

Criminal prosecutions:
— Jay Spina: Sentencing was set for April 3 in White Plains
— Hanan and Rizza Islam and other family members: Trial set for October 7 in Los Angeles

Civil litigation:
— Luis and Rocio Garcia v. Scientology: Waiting for an appellate decision from the Eleventh Circuit
— Valerie Haney v. Scientology: Forced to ‘religious arbitration.’ Hearing on motion for reconsideration set for August 11
— Chrissie Bixler et al. v. Scientology and Danny Masterson: July 8 (plaintiff attorneys pro hac vice), August 31-Sept 1 (CSI/RTC demurrer against Riales, Masterson demurrer), Oct 7-19 (motions to compel arbitration)
— 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.
— Matt and Kathy Feschbach bankruptcy appeal: Oral arguments were heard on March 11 in Jacksonville
— Brian Statler Sr v. City of Inglewood: Amended complaint filed.

 
——————–

Scientology’s celebrities, ‘Ideal Orgs,’ and more!

We’ve been building landing pages about David Miscavige’s favorite playthings, including celebrities and ‘Ideal Orgs,’ and we’re hoping you’ll join in and help us gather as much information as we can about them. Head on over and help us with links and photos and comments.

Scientology’s celebrities, from A to Z! Find your favorite Hubbardite celeb at this index page — or suggest someone to add to the list!

Scientology’s ‘Ideal Orgs,’ from one end of the planet to the other! Help us build up pages about each these worldwide locations!

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 our weekly series. How many have you read?

 
——————–

THE WHOLE TRACK

[ONE year ago] DOX: Scientology founder L. Ron Hubbard wanted kids to form his personal military
[TWO years ago] Bad boys, part two: Scientology’s involvement with drug smugglers had a long legacy
[THREE years ago] As Scientology coverage blows up, get ready for major network attention on Clearwater
[FOUR years ago] Hold your horses! We can tell you who were the big celebs at Scientology’s grand opening
[FIVE years ago] What happened when an actual scientist of the mind checked out L. Ron Hubbard in 1950
[SIX years ago] Apparent suicide of witness to a mysterious Scientology drug rehab death
https://tonyortega.org/2013/05/31/is-after-earth-will-smiths-scientology-coming-out-party/ Is ‘After Earth’ Will Smith’s Scientology Coming Out Party?

 
——————–

——————–

Posted by Tony Ortega on May 31, 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, 14 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

The state of mental health is so bad in Georgia, the federal government stepped in and sued the state, resulting in a 2010 settlement that required Georgia to improve conditions in its psychiatric hospitals and find more neighborhood-level solutions to behavioral [...]]]>

The state of mental health is so bad in Georgia, the federal government stepped in and sued the state, resulting in a 2010 settlement that required Georgia to improve conditions in its psychiatric hospitals and find more neighborhood-level solutions to behavioral problems.

Last year, in a bid to end that federal oversight, the state legislature passed a law creating a 24-member commission to study the problem for four years and come up with real solutions, hoping to mirror the success of a previous commission that studied and reformed criminal justice in the state.

News coverage of the new panel, the Georgia Behavioral Health Reform & Innovation Commission, has tended to assume that the study will find ways to more efficiently bring professional mental health care to more people who need it.

But the appointment of one member of that committee has some mental health observers shaking their heads.

In October, State Senator Donzella James (D-Atlanta) was appointed by Lieutenant Governor Geoff Duncan to the commission, where she’ll be helping to direct the future of Georgia’s mental health.

We heard about the appointment this week from a national mental health advocate who is horrified.

They reminded us that James is a longtime and enthusiastic supporter of Scientology and, in particular, its anti-psychiatry front, the Citizens Commission on Human Rights (CCHR).

CCHR is the most unhinged of Scientology’s front groups, openly advocating not for some improvements in the professional mental health field, but for its total eradication. As we told the Daily Beast recently, Scientology leader David Miscavige was seen at a Scientology event advocating for the literal detonation of psychiatry, claiming that CCHR had “booby-trapped” the profession while images of explosions were playing behind him on screen.

On April 2, 2016, when Scientology opened its new “Ideal Org” in an Atlanta suburb, James was one of four local luminaries who were on stage with Scientology leader David Miscavige to give speeches welcoming the new facility.

“It’s a mad world that we live in. But it doesn’t need more psychiatry. No, this world needs CCHR!” she said, and added that Scientology founder L. Ron Hubbard, whom she described as “phenomenally phenomenal” had been “chosen” by God.

Here’s a video and transcript of her entire presentation that day…

Thank you very much. It is truly my honor to join you here today among so many friends. And what a first-class church you have built here.

So on behalf of the City of Atlanta and the Great State of Georgia — Welcome!

You know, I was born and raised right here in Atlanta. I love this city, I love this state. But, like the rest of America, it has deep-rooted problems — problems which I know firsthand.

You see, my stepsister was a normal, vibrant, energetic young woman. An A-plus student, valedictorian of her high school, and just full of life’s possibilities ahead.

But in her first semester of college, something happened. She started acting out. Immediately, she was swept away into a mental ward at a local hospital. We couldn’t get her out for three weeks — they said she supposedly checked herself in. But by then, after the shock treatments and the excessive medication, the girl I knew was gone.

Why are we allowing our innocent and defenseless to be drugged like zombies? Why are we drugging and overdosing the heart of our nation? Well, I believe that these are tough questions that we all have to answer.

Advertisement

And there is no one that I would rather stand with to face them than CCHR, the Citizens Commission on Human Rights. You see, after the loss of my sister at the hands of psychiatry, I needed retribution.

Yes, she is still alive, but she’s never come back to her right mind. You see, back then we didn’t have anyone to turn to, there was nobody on our side. And when CCHR came to the halls of our state capitol with the “Psychiatry: Industry of Death” Exhibit, it captured my attention and opened my eyes real wide.

Yes, here were the people who shared my passions and hopes for change. And since that time we have partnered to bring this information, time and time again, to the leaders and legislators at the crisis points of our systems. We have introduced legislation to attack the root of the problem.

So you have my promise of never-ending support for these exhibits so we can tell everybody, “Join us and stop this madness”!

I truly believe that together we can take back our communities.

We have to work arm in arm to open people’s minds, to make their voices be heard. I have a responsibility to my family, yes, but also to generations to come. And so do you.

We all are in this together. And this amazing new Church is a place for us to reach out and keep spreading the word and going to those that need it most. It’s a mad world that we live in. But it doesn’t need more psychiatry. No, this world needs CCHR!

And to talk to the significance of this day, one must say a word on that man amongst men. That’s Mr. L. Ron Hubbard.

Now I don’t usually get excited about a single person, because I know a lot of great people. But this man is phenomenal — phenomenally phenomenal. He didn’t just come out of nowhere. I believe that God chose him — yes!

You know, some people say “Oh, you can’t be the master of everything.” But indeed, L. Ron Hubbard was.

He was truly one of a kind, exemplary in every way. And I know, because I had the opportunity to visit the L. Ron Hubbard Exhibit in Hollywood, California. And as I walked through, I thought, “He’s not gone.” He was before his time, he was during his time, and he is still most relevant at this time! Right?

And today, this is a testament to the fact that he is still with us and his teachings will live forevermore. So, in his name, and with this grand christening today, may the Great State of Georgia be even greater.

I thank you very much. Thank you for inviting me, and this is a wonderful place that I will return over and over again. Thank you.

“Her ability to steer the findings is limited,” they told us. “But in my experience with commissions of this sort, the recommendations are often hobbled by the need to achieve consensus. One member’s passionate opposition is often enough to keep a recommendation out of the report, in part because they don’t want the drama of someone resigning in protest. So having James on there could very possibly kill any hope of the commission making meaningful recommendations to expand access to psychiatric care. That would be tragic.”

We sent a message to Sen. James’s legislative assistant asking for a statement from the senator. Given the things she said at the Scientology grand opening, is she really qualified to be on the state mental health commission?

“Will she try to prevent greater access to psychiatry in the state, given her full-throated support to Scientology’s anti-psychiatry agenda?” we asked.

We’ll let you know if we get a reply.

 
——————–

Source Code

“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

 
——————–

Overheard in the FreeZone

“Imagine that you are strong enough to instantly destroy in absolute agony anyone who offers you the slightest offence. Once you have destroyed them then it is done. You cannot reverse it. Might you postulate inability in yourself after destroying a loved one who admired another’s body when they thought you were not looking? We do not trust ourselves to become OT again until we have learnt to control our destructive impulses. The latest OT rundown is not a solution. The solution is spending thousands of hours studying LRH tech and fully understanding and applying it.”

 
——————–

Random Howdy

“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’.”

 
——————–

Start making your plans…

 
Head over to the convention website and meet us in St. Louis!

 
——————–

Scientology’s celebrities, ‘Ideal Orgs,’ and more!

We’ve been building landing pages about David Miscavige’s favorite playthings, including celebrities and ‘Ideal Orgs,’ and we’re hoping you’ll join in and help us gather as much information as we can about them. Head on over and help us with links and photos and comments.

Scientology’s celebrities, from A to Z! Find your favorite Hubbardite celeb at this index page — or suggest someone to add to the list!

Scientology’s ‘Ideal Orgs,’ from one end of the planet to the other! Help us build up pages about each these worldwide locations!

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 our weekly series. How many have you read?

 
——————–

THE WHOLE TRACK

[ONE year ago] New Sea Org escapee says that Scientology still forcing abortions, decade after practice exposed
[TWO years ago] More Scientology news is here: You won’t believe how fast this planet is being cleared!
[THREE years ago] Scientology in hot water again for cutting down trees without permission
[FOUR years ago] When the feds tracked down L. Ron Hubbard’s boast about getting rich by creating a religion
[FIVE years ago] Earache my eye: A Scientology official’s excuses why he can’t fly for deposition in fraud suit
[SIX years ago] Sunday Funnies: For the second year in a row, Scientology will have an ad in the Super Bowl
[SEVEN years ago] We Told You Jamie DeWolf Would Blow Up!
[EIGHT years ago] Scientology Spokeswoman Who Disconnected From Her Father Criticizes Scientology Victim Who Didn’t

 
——————–

——————–

Posted by Tony Ortega on January 19, 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, 1995-2018 Just starting out here? We’ve picked out the most important stories we’ve covered here at the Underground Bunker (2012-2018), 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, 14 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

 Rod Keller keeps an eye on Scientology’s most unhinged front group and its quixotic battle against modern mental health…

Last week we took a look at how Scientology is not expert in the field of drug rehabilitiation. Today we’ll look at a new article from the Scientology front group CCHR and how it pretends to be [...]]]>

 
Rod Keller keeps an eye on Scientology’s most unhinged front group and its quixotic battle against modern mental health…

Last week we took a look at how Scientology is not expert in the field of drug rehabilitiation. Today we’ll look at a new article from the Scientology front group CCHR and how it pretends to be expert in the field of mental health and pharmaceutical regulations. CCHR is insignificant in matters of public policy. The article appears to be directed at influencing the FDA drug approval process but it was too late for that. The actual purpose is to charge the emotions of Scientology publics and encourage donations in the name of fighting Psychiatry. It’s a scam aimed at their own members and the goal is money.

The Citizens Commission on Human Rights is by far Scientology’s angriest front group. CCHR accuses, taunts, and mocks mental health professionals, accusing them of torture similar to the Holocaust. It maintains two permanent “Industry of Death” museums in Los Angeles and Clearwater and traveling museums that pop-up in cities around the world that have an Ideal Org. CCHR opposes all forms of mental health treatment other than Dianetics. It lobbies the U.S. Congress and state legislatures to restrict medicines and medical devices.

Scientology has come out against FDA approval of a new drug, Spravato. CCHR claims that the FDA has a conflict of interest, having received money from the drug manufacturer, and that the drug is similar to the dangerous club drug ketamine. “If approved, it would add to the mind-numbing of America that an FDA-psychiatric collusion is causing.” On Tuesday the FDA approved Spravato over the objections of Scientology. Not that its opposition would carry any weight, but CCHR was too late, having missed the approval of the FDA Advisory Committee back on February 12. The Spravato application received Fast Track and Breakthrough Therapy designations that sped up the process significantly.

 
What CCHR either does not know or is not saying is that it is because Spravato is similar to ketamine that it was almost certain to be approved. The article calls the active ingredient esketamine a “chemical mirror” which is one way to describe enantiomers, also known as optical isomers. Enantiomers have the same chemical components but have a rotated structure along one axis. The similarity of the molecules means esketamine is very likely to be similar to ketamine, but the new drug may provide significant benefits to patients.

 
Ketamine is also known as Special-K, a party drug with low doses producing a floaty feeling and stronger doses a strong out-of-body experience known as the “K-hole,” similar to a near death experience that some find spiritual. In recent years it has been used in low doses to treat severe depression, and ketamine clinics have been established that provide intramuscular injections. It is not a first line treatment for depression. Ketamine patients have been experiencing severe depression for years that multiple traditional antidepressants have failed to relieve. Ketamine is faster acting than other antidepressants, taking effect in hours rather than weeks which is important for patients who may injure themselves. It’s an off-label use of the drug which means insurance is unlikely to cover it.

 
Spravato has been approved by the FDA for treatment of severe depression, making it much more likely to be covered by insurance. Delivery is in a nasal inhaler to be used in combination with an oral antidepressant and it will only be available at certified medical offices. It’s unlikely to be abused as a party drug with these restrictions. As an enantiomer of Ketamine its effectiveness may be different but researchers hope it will be shown to be more effective over time.

 
The kicker is that CCHR accuses the FDA of being influenced by drug review costs which are paid by pharmaceutical companies for review of new drugs. In Scientology GI (gross income) is the most important statistic an organization has, and everything they do is intended to increase that. The FDA doesn’t run that way. They judge their effectiveness by approving safe and effective medicines, not by their GI. The fees for drug review are not established by the FDA but by the U.S. Congress. They even waive the fees for drugs that might not be developed otherwise under the Tropical Disease Priority Review Voucher Program.

By accusing the FDA along with drug manufacturers and psychiatrists Scientology invents a conspiracy web in the style of L. Ron Hubbard’s writings. In the minds of their members only CCHR and Scientology are lining up to oppose this plot to numb people’s minds and control the population. One would have to be opposed to Hubbard and Scientology not to donate to this cause. Where does the money donated to CCHR go? Perhaps to the traveling exhibits, perhaps a little to lobbying, but if they are taking in multiple millions that doesn’t seem to be reflected in their spending. Articles such as the one about Spravato make it appear that they are fighting the psychs but it’s a sham as it was too late and completely ignored by the decision makers. Fortunately for Scientology the intended audience will never realize that as they reward CCHR with further donations and support in the fight against the psychs.

 
— Rod Keller

 
——————–

Bonus items from our tipsters

Some images coming in from last night’s LRH Birthday event in Clearwater…

 
——————–

HowdyCon 2019 in Los Angeles

This year’s HowdyCon is in Los Angeles. People tend to come in starting on Thursday, and that evening we will have a casual get-together at a watering hole. We have something in mind, but for now we’re not giving out information about it.

Friday night we will be having an event in a theater (like we did on Saturday night last year in Chicago). There will not be a charge to attend this event, but if you want to attend, you need to RSVP with your proprietor at tonyo94 AT gmail.

On Saturday, we are joining forces with Janis Gillham Grady, who is having a reunion in honor of the late Bill Franks. Originally, we thought this event might take place in Riverside, but instead it’s in the Los Angeles area. If you wish to attend the reunion, you will need to RSVP with Janis (janisgrady AT gmail), and there will be a small contribution she’s asking for in order to help cover her costs.

HOTEL: Janis tells us she’s worked out a deal with Hampton Inn and Suites, at 7501 North Glenoaks Blvd, Burbank, (818) 768-1106. We have a $159 nightly rate for June 19 to 22.

 
——————–

Scientology’s celebrities, ‘Ideal Orgs,’ and more!

We’ve been building landing pages about David Miscavige’s favorite playthings, including celebrities and ‘Ideal Orgs,’ and we’re hoping you’ll join in and help us gather as much information as we can about them. Head on over and help us with links and photos and comments.

Scientology’s celebrities, from A to Z! Find your favorite Hubbardite celeb at this index page — or suggest someone to add to the list!

Scientology’s ‘Ideal Orgs,’ from one end of the planet to the other! Help us build up pages about each these worldwide locations!

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 our weekly series. How many have you read?

 
——————–

THE WHOLE TRACK

[ONE year ago] Mike Rinder answers questions about the new ‘Aftermath Foundation’
[TWO years ago] Louis Farrakhan, Leah Remini, and a document that helps explain the Scientology-NOI pact
[THREE years ago] Reporter’s notebook: Scientology’s latest intimidation attempt is sadly familiar
[FOUR years ago] Scenes from a ‘Going Clear’ screening — Alex Gibney at the True/False Festival
[FIVE years ago] ‘Mad Men’ actress Elisabeth Moss’s record in Scientology is actually easy to obtain
[SIX years ago] Hurry, Scientology Needs Your PR Help!
[SEVEN years ago] Scientology Intervention: Commenters of the Week!

 
——————–

——————–

Posted by Tony Ortega on March 10, 2019 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, 1995-2018 Just starting out here? We’ve picked out the most important stories we’ve covered here at the Underground Bunker (2012-2018), 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, ten 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

There’s always been strong interest in Scientology’s controversies from concerned Canadians. We’ve written at length about some of them, and we’ve noticed an uptick in Canadian activism at Facebook in recent months. One of our longtime readers, M.C. Mayo, who goes by EmmaDaoust here at the Bunker, sent us an interesting dispatch from her adventures [...]]]>

There’s always been strong interest in Scientology’s controversies from concerned Canadians. We’ve written at length about some of them, and we’ve noticed an uptick in Canadian activism at Facebook in recent months. One of our longtime readers, M.C. Mayo, who goes by EmmaDaoust here at the Bunker, sent us an interesting dispatch from her adventures this weekend after she learned that Scientology’s unhinged anti-psychiatry front group, Citizens Commission on Human Rights (CCHR), was opening a display at a public library in Toronto. We thought you’d want to see her account.

Mark Lawson found the event posted on the CCHR Canada Facebook page. Some of the Facebook group Canada Against Scientology posted comments there, which were of course eventually deleted. Mark put out a call for protesters and a few of us signed up.

There were no notices about the event posted in the library proper – until the day of the opening – and it wasn’t listed on the library website.

I submitted a customer Feedback form at the library information desk. I received a boilerplate email reply from Beth Kawecki, Manager, Venue & Community Space Rentals, Service Development and Innovation. Here was her reply…

Thank you for taking the time to raise your concerns with Toronto Public Library. We cannot deny bookings from the community or organizations that are in accordance with the law and the library’s room booking policies….To deny access to library spaces on the basis of the views or opinions held by individuals or groups contravenes the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms and the principles of intellectual freedom, both cornerstones of the library’s mission and values. The event in question is an external third-party room booking and is not endorsed or sponsored by the Library.

Mark and I went to the ribbon-cutting Friday evening. There was a fairly small event poster beside the elevator. It’s TIFF time – Toronto International Film Festival. The poster read “Film Festival on Psychiatry: Multimedia Exhibit,” an obvious attempt at piggybacking on TIFF, and “Come in and view award winning documentary.” No one would say what award it was. And several of the attendees, including Mark and me, expected it to be an actual documentary film with a beginning and end. Yvette said later, “Oh no, we have documented everything about psychiatry. This is the document. Each topic has its own documentary film on its own screen.”

It was slated to start at 5 pm, but didn’t get going until after 5:30. It was held in the Bram & Bluma Appel Salon, a huge, stunning venue used for weddings and literary events.

There were about 60 chairs set up for the speeches. They kept removing them as no one was coming in. There were 30 people in attendance, all Scientologists but for four people involved in the ribbon-cutting, Mark and me, and a couple of walk-ins. There was much moving of people to fill chairs and remove empty ones. There was a videographer and 2 photographers.

Yvette Shank, the Scientology public affairs director, became my best friend. She said we should sit in the front row because the event was being videotaped and would be shown worldwide, so we’d be famous. We ended up in the back row.

Yvette spoke, introducing a Mormon elder from the Cambridge, Ontario area. He was there on Saturday as well; they have a long, tight relationship. Then Bob Dobson-Smith, Pres CCHR Canada, spoke. Then the ribbon-cutting to open the exhibit, with the Mormon, Yvette, Dobson-Smith, and a man and 5-year-old girl in costume from 6 Nations reserve near Brantford, Ontario.

On Saturday, I arrived before 2 pm and there were three Scientology “body routers” outside handing out postcards. Two security guards went outside at 2 pm, obviously awaiting our protest. A police car passed by. By 3 pm, I’d been joined by Mark and another companion.

Two of the women body routers went back into the library upstairs to the event room around 3 pm, leaving one man. He was replaced by an older woman. One of their photographers came out and took pictures of her. I got a photo of them. When I went out to set up she called out to me about the exhibit, and I went over and said “I was up there last night, remember?” She grinned and said “Oh great!” And then when she saw me pull out my posters around the corner, she scurried into the library. Security came back out. Several Scientologists came down and stood in the lobby watching us. Some came out and circled around, avoiding us. Cameras came out. The two outdoor security guards – they had bulletproof vests on and I’m sure were specially requested by Scientology – were joined by four other regular security guards (no vests). They all stood in the lobby and watched us. I smiled and waved. I was sitting on my mobility walker, about as threatening as a dumpling. I didn’t wear a mask. My two friends did. No one came out to speak to us. Later, the head of security came out and I said hello. Mark stated that we were OK standing on the sidewalk, the guard said he wasn’t telling us to move.

Body routers – including Scientology management – apparently were down at the corner of Yonge & Bloor, a block from the library, one of the busiest intersections in the city. Mark saw one young woman heading into the library with a flier in her hand and started to explain that it was a Scientology exhibit. Five minutes later, the head of security came back out and told us we were not to stop anyone going into the library. I asked if the young woman, or anyone, had complained. He said no one complained, except Scientology was watching us through glasses from upstairs, and that they had complained to him. I made the point that we were not at fault if anyone approached us and asked us questions, we were just not to detain anyone going into the library.

We had some good responses from the public passing by. Many thumbs up. We had probably 30 people stop and talk for a few minutes and ask questions. Many didn’t know anything about Scientology. Some asked the usual about Cruise or Travolta. Several said they had a friend who’d been burned. A young couple stopped and the fellow said his friend had been the head of the Toronto org in the ’70s and was scapegoated by Scientology when the Canadian “Snow White’ went down, and he spent years in court. Didn’t get his name. There was a large rush of people as the library closed at 5 pm (the exhibit was open until 9 pm – only to Scientologists though, as the building proper was closed).

A cluster of library staff came out and stopped when they saw us. They said they had no idea at all that this was going on in their workplace. I told them I’d spoken to their boss. One of the women said she and her husband watch Leah’s show, and that if he had known, he would have been protesting with us.

A female security guard was walking by, I don’t think she was from the library, but from another building. She noticed my signs of Scientology Suicides & Deaths and was quite disturbed by it. She spoke with us for a couple of minutes, then said that her husband had just committed suicide two weeks ago and walked away. We gave her our condolences. It was very sad and quite odd.

Many of the Scientologists also streamed out at 5 pm. We greeted them and said goodbye, with no response. I saw a couple of men who looked like private investigators. Some of them I saw later at the corner of Yonge & Bloor, still handing out fliers, talking to people. I don’t know where their big van was parked.

The three of us went our separate ways. I walked down Yonge Street to see the decaying Toronto org. There was an older large man sitting in the alcove outside the building with a table full of Dianetics. He waved at a woman across the street and she was mystified, but waved back. I waved at him. I have a fuzzy photo of him.

For me, the most disturbing thing that happened over the weekend was speaking to a young woman who wandered in looking for the “documentary film.” She’s a holistic nutrition student and is against psych meds, believing mental illness could be treated with diet. One Scientologist glommed onto her, and she was starry-eyed. Idealistic, naive, sweet, maybe 20 years old. We had hoped to talk to her later but were unable to.

One final note: CCHR is doing a protest march (at the corner of Yonge & Queen’s Quay West) on Saturday, September 29 at 10 am, against the Canadian Psychiatric Association conference at the Westin Harbour Castle hotel.

— M.C. Mayo

And here are some videos of the event posted by Mark Lawson…

 
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Ideal, and preferably invisible

Scientology leader David Miscavige is determined to turn every org in the world “Ideal,” but he’s also increasingly doing his best to keep it as much on the down low as possible.

This weekend, a new Ideal Org had its grand opening in Stuttgart, Germany as quietly as possible. We have very few details about it, at least until Scientology itself starts posting its photos of the event.

We do know that big-time donor Tom Cummins made the scene, so it must have been a whale of a party…

 
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Bonus items from our tipsters

Wishing your money away…

 
Meanwhile, at Scientology Facebook…

 
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MEANWHILE, AT FACEBOOK…

 
Please join us at the Underground Bunker’s Facebook discussion group for more frivolity.

 
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Posted by Tony Ortega on September 10, 2018 at 07:00

E-mail tips and story ideas to tonyo94 AT gmail DOT com or follow us on Twitter. We post behind-the-scenes 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 book, 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, 1995-2017 Just starting out here? We’ve picked out the most important stories we’ve covered here at the Undergound Bunker (2012-2017), The Village Voice (2008-2012), New Times Los Angeles (1999-2002) and the Phoenix New Times (1995-1999)

Learn about Scientology with our numerous series with experts…

BLOGGING DIANETICS: We read Scientology’s founding text cover to cover with the help of L.A. attorney and former church member Vance Woodward
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

Other links: Shelly Miscavige, ten 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

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

 You really have to hand it to Scientology. It just never gives up.

Sure, the church may be shrinking and on a collision course with oblivion, but the people who remain after all the theetie weetie dilettantes have been chased off are hardcore fanatics, and church leader David Miscavige has them pushing Scientology’s sneaky front groups [...]]]>

 
You really have to hand it to Scientology. It just never gives up.

Sure, the church may be shrinking and on a collision course with oblivion, but the people who remain after all the theetie weetie dilettantes have been chased off are hardcore fanatics, and church leader David Miscavige has them pushing Scientology’s sneaky front groups in all kinds of directions and with all kinds of clever efforts at subterfuge.

One of our eagle-eyed tipsters noticed a very subtle and successful new move by someone we’ve told you about before. He’s Kenneth Kramer, a private investigator who helps Scientology agitate against the psychiatric profession, which L. Ron Hubbard hated with a passion. Even today, as it dwindles, the church believes that it’s on a mission to destroy the psychiatric profession utterly.

Yes, the entire industry. David Miscavige himself said in a speech at one of Scientology’s big international events that the church’s operatives had “booby-trapped” the entire psychiatric profession and were going to blow it up so Scientology could replace it.

It’s a lot of hogwash, of course. But Scientology’s most unhinged front group, the Citizens Commission on Human Rights (CCHR) does what it can to demonize the psychiatric profession. In Los Angeles it operates a Sunset Boulevard house of horrors, the “Psychiatry: An Industry of Death Museum,” where it makes the bogus claim that the Holocaust was caused not by Adolf Hitler and his maniacal antisemitism but by psychiatrists. (CCHR is less talkative about L. Ron Hubbard’s claims that psychiatrists originally come from the planet Farsec and have been sabotaging us with damaging mental implants for trillions of years.)

Kramer’s role as a private investigator is to track down records of psychiatrists who have been disciplined or jailed. He runs a website, psychsearch.net, where you can report your local “psych,” and where Kramer posts news of psychiatrists behaving badly. Last year, he posted stories about approximately 90 psychiatrists around the world who had been convicted of everything from alcohol abuse to fraud to sexual assault and even to murder.

If that sounds like a lot, it might be important to keep in mind that there are about 50,000 psychiatrists working just in the United States, which has been described as a severe shortage in recent studies. (Also, in that earlier story, we noted that Ken had some pretty interesting ideas about what ails the psychiatric profession.)

Anyway, the last time we wrote about Kramer, we had sent him a message asking about his announcement to expand his database into Canada. But now, he’s celebrating a new victory.

On March 13 — which just happened to be the birthday of L. Ron Hubbard — Kramer managed to place an article at USA Today!

Identifying Kramer as a columnist, the piece was about what a good thing public government records are. And we agree! We couldn’t do our job otherwise. We completely agree with the sentiment of Ken’s column, that it’s crucial to our democracy that citizens can get their hands on documents in the government’s possession.

And Ken was super smooth. In his entire column, this was his only reference to his usual hobby horse: “You can find out if a psychiatrist was ever disciplined for sexual misconduct, substance abuse or has a record of overdrugging children.”

So we sent him a message because we wanted to know, does this mean that he’s going to be writing regularly for USA Today? And will he be using that position to write more openly about his passion for the psychiatric profession, and his connection to the Church of Scientology?

We’ll let you know if he gets back to us. But for now, we have to hand it to Ken. He really scored one for Xenu’s team this time. We sense a Freedom Medal in his future.

 
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Student film gets East Grinstead Council riled up

A few days ago, several of our correspondents forwarded to us a short student film that had been made about East Grinstead, the English town where Scientology’s UK headquarters is located at Saint Hill Manor, where L. Ron Hubbard lived from 1959 to 1967.

We thought it was a very well put together video. The students who shot and edited it clearly had excellent skills as filmmakers. We did have a few concerns about how Scientology was characterized and some of the conclusions that the film came to, and so we decided not to write anything about it here. But it still had a very legitimate central thesis: How much influence does Scientology have on the leaders of the local town?

That question turned out to rile up the council itself, which denied that it was too friendly to Scientology at a public meeting on Monday, which the Surrey Mirror reported on.

But then the council proceeded to explain why the students were, in fact, asking exactly the right questions.

In the film, for example, ex-Scientologist Stephen Jones shows the filmmakers where Scientologists had planted trees next to the road that faces the entrance to Saint Hill Manor. Planting the trees there was purely strategic — they block off the verge on the side of the road where protestors might stand. With the trees in the way, protestors would have to stand in the roadway itself and face arrest (or injury).

Asked about that the questions in the film the East Grinstead Council on Monday gave the most pathetic response imaginable. Yes, they admitted, the Church of Scientology had unilaterally cut down trees for a carpark last year without permission, and then applied for permission after the fact, which is what Scientology often does (and usually gets away with). The town council indicated that it had rejected the church’s plan in September 2016 and again in January 2017, but that it still required “a further recommendation for refusal and is now waiting to be scrutinised again at the district council before a final decision is reached.”

Yeah, real terrors they are. In the meantime, Scientology gets what it wants, and continues to ply the councillors with charity donations, which the council defended because Scientology is one of the largest entities in town. (Our readers in England point out that the town council on its own can only make recommendations, and that it’s the responsibility of district councils to take action on planning matters. So we’ll cut the town some slack on that until we learn more.)

In other words, the questions the students were raising were spot on. But alas, the video itself has been taken down, whether from legal threats by the town or by the church, we don’t know. If you know the students who made the film, tell them we’d like to hear about it.

Until then, East Grinstead will continue to stand up to the Church of Scientology with impressive fortitude.

 
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David Miscavige ups the ante in Clearwater game of brinksmanship

Another excellent report from Tampa Bay Times reporter Tracey McManus revealed yesterday that David Miscavige has upped the Church of Scientology’s offer for a plot of land in downtown Clearwater to $15 million, even though the current owner — an aquarium company — plans to sell the parcel to the city for $4.25 million, which is what the land has been assessed at.

The aquarium still says it’s committed to selling the parcel to the city, pending a vote by the city council. Why is the aquarium — which is trying to raise money for its own expansion elsewhere — turning its nose up at such a huge amount of cash? And why is David Miscavige so determined to get his hands on the parcel that he’s willing to pay so much over market value?

The parcel is right next to Scientology’s Fort Harrison Hotel, the most holy location in the “Flag Land Base” that makes up Scientology’s presence in downtown Clearwater. It’s also adjacent to another hotel that the church owns, the Oak Cove. Miscavige has told the city that he wants the land so he can build a swimming pool for visiting Scientologists while they’re in town.

A swimming pool. Visiting Scientologists are under so much pressure to be interrogated and fleeced while they’re going through the vaunted upper level secret rituals of the Flag Land Base, none of them has time for swimming. So why does Miscavige really want the land so bad? And why won’t the aquarium sell to him?

Well, keep in mind that the aquarium owns that piece of property because at one time it had grand plans to move from its current location near the beach to that downtown plot. But who ruined that plan? That’s right — it was David Miscavige and the Church of Scientology, working behind the scenes, that reportedly made that project fall apart, and that’s why the company is now selling the land it once had such great plans for. So maybe it’s no wonder that the aquarium company is in no mood to do business with the church.

As for Miscavige, we asked former Scientology spokesman Mike Rinder if the church leader is mostly concerned with simply keeping control of the area.

“I have said repeatedly – Miscavige wants to keep wogs away,” Rinder says, using the Scientology slang term for non-Scientologists. “He looks at this as a long term proposition. $15 or $20 million is nothing in the overall scheme of things for Scientology. They have hundreds of millions invested in those properties. What if someone built a condo there that overlooks the Fort Harrison and Oak Cove and all those prying wog eyes are watching, 24/7. Catastrophe. So, no price is too high for him and he is going to try to put pressure on the aquarium to do the ‘right thing’ to benefit the aquarium and its cause.”

It’s quite a tug of war. And as Scientology continues to dwindle in the rest of the world, it’s becoming clear that Miscavige is putting more and more emphasis on Clearwater as the church’s most important location. As we told the NY Post recently, for some time now it’s felt to us like Clearwater is where Miscavige knows that the church will be making a final stand of sorts. And that’s why control over its downtown area is so crucial to him.

Now, can he spoil the city’s deal for the parcel? It’s great drama, isn’t it?

 
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Countdown to Denver!

 
HowdyCon 2017: Denver, June 23-25. Go here to start making your plans.

 
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Posted by Tony Ortega on April 7, 2017 at 07:00

E-mail tips and story ideas to tonyo94 AT gmail DOT com or follow us on Twitter. We post behind-the-scenes 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 book, 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 about the book, and our 2015 book tour, can also be found at the book’s dedicated page.

The Best of the Underground Bunker, 1995-2016 Just starting out here? We’ve picked out the most important stories we’ve covered here at the Undergound Bunker (2012-2016), The Village Voice (2008-2012), New Times Los Angeles (1999-2002) and the Phoenix New Times (1995-1999)

Learn about Scientology with our numerous series with experts…

BLOGGING DIANETICS: We read Scientology’s founding text cover to cover with the help of L.A. attorney and former church member Vance Woodward
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

Other links: Shelly Miscavige, ten 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 | Scientology’s Private Dancer | The mystery of the richest Scientologist and his wayward sons | Scientology’s shocking mistreatment of the mentally ill | Scientology boasts about assistance from Google | The Underground Bunker’s Official Theme Song | The Underground Bunker FAQ

Our Guide to Alex Gibney’s film ‘Going Clear,’ and our pages about its principal figures…
Jason Beghe | Tom DeVocht | Sara Goldberg | Paul Haggis | Mark “Marty” Rathbun | Mike Rinder | Spanky Taylor | Hana Whitfield