R.I.P. &#8211; The Underground Bunker

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?

[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

— The first Danny Masterson trial and beyond

[18] Trial special with Chris Shelton [19] Trial week one [20] Marc Headley on the spy in the hallway [21] Trial week two [22] Trial week three [23] Trial week four [24] Leah Remini on LAPD Corruption [25] Mike Rinder 2022 Thanksgiving Special [26] Jane Doe 4 (Tricia Vessey), Part One [27] Jane Doe 4 (Tricia Vessey), Part Two [28] Claire Headley on the trial [29] Tory Christman [30] Bruce Hines on spying [31] Karen de la Carriere [32] Ron Miscavige on Shelly Miscavige [33] Karen de la Carriere on the L’s [34] Mark Bunker on Miscavige hiding [35] Mark Plummer [36] Mark Ebner [37] Karen Pressley [38] Steve Cannane [39] Fredrick Brennan [40] Clarissa Adams [41] Louise Shekter [42] John Sweeney [43] Tory Christman [44] Kate Bornstein [45] Christian Stolte [46] Mark Bunker [47] Jon Atack [48] Luke Y. Thompson [49] Mark Ebner [50] Bruce Hines [51] Spanky Taylor and Karen Pressley [51] Geoff and Robbie Levin [52] Sands Hall [53] Jonny Jacobsen [54] Sandy Holeman [55] Mark Bunker [56] Trish and Liz Conley [57] Trish Conley [58] Alex Barnes-Ross [59] Alex Barnes-Ross [60] Alex Barnes-Ross [61] Alex Barnes-Ross [62] Alex Barnes-Ross [63] Alex Barnes-Ross [64] Tory Christman [65] Tammy Synovec [66] Dennis Erlich [67] Alex Barnes-Ross [68] Valerie Ross [69] Kat in Austin [70] Mark Bunker [71] Phil Jones

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“The fellow wants to get out of the woods and there are two trails. And one trail lies much deeper into the woods and the other trail goes out on to the plain. And all you have to do is put up a sign at the crossroads and point to that trail which goes deeper into the woods and say, ‘This way lies freedom,’ you see, and you’ve promptly trapped a lot of people.” — L. Ron Hubbard, September 18, 1963

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“I was looking over Base Order No. 29 from 1967. There is no reason really it had to suffer such radical changes except that it was never checksheeted and packed for posts. The large amount of know-how in Flag Orders was never fully mimeo filed and related to posts by checksheet. This also solved a long standing mystery. The officer corps of some professional armies is terrible while their enlisted ranks up to non-comm are excellent. Germany lost 2 wars because of this. The US armed forces are remarkable examples of this. Suddenly dawn broke. The duties of everyone are well and totally written up and published right up to the top non-comm. Officers from low to high never had to learn any of this, even built up contempt for such knowledge and had no such plain texts for their own duties. I’ve seen it in commercial companies and elsewhere for a long time. Never could figure out why leadership was so poor even for excellent troops or workers. Well, there it is. Hats, texts training in the lower echelon and almost none in the upper.” — The Commodore, September 18, 1970

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“Imposing Scientology like Islam could not be done out of gradient. That would be done first on a Scientology country first. Processes for the lower levels are very simple. Change of environment and betterment of conditions is one.”

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1997: A transcript of the Howard Stern radio show, with call-in guest Senator Alphonse D’Amato was posted this week. “Howard Stern: What?! You’re hanging out with that wacko? Alphonse D’Amato: John Travolta came to Capitol Hill yesterday and testified about the Scientologists who are being persecuted and being denied jobs and being boycotted…. Stern: And what did you do? Did you throw him out of there? D’Amato: His films aren’t being permitted to be shown in Germany because he’s a Scientologist. Stern: All right, do me a favor. Will you blow up John Travolta too? Did you actually hang out with the Travolta? D’Amato: No, but he’s a very nice guy. Stern: And where do you stand on Scientology? That can’t possibly be a religion can it? D’Amato: Well listen, I think you have a right to believe whatever you want. If you want to believe in the sun god I will defend your right, Howard, to believe in whatever you want. Stern: All right, listen to me, Senator. But, in no way I can believe that my senator believes L. Ron Hubbard is god. You should have thrown Travolta right out of there, kicked him down the steps. Do you know John Travolta thinks he can heal people with his hands? D’Amato: No, I don’t know that. If he believes that, that’s his belief. Stern: I can’t believe it. What are you going to do about Germany now? D’Amato: Well, what we have done, our commission, Helsinki Commission, will be looking into a number of the charges–people who have lost their jobs because… Yeah, you know, ordinary working families. One lost her license, she ran an employment center, it was revoked just because it was revealed that she was a Scientologist, and they wanted her to renounce this.”

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“One of the few things I agree with the Scientologists on is that the whole Vistaril thing is weak. Vistaril, a/k/a hydroxyzine, is one theetie-wheetie drug. You need to take a whole bottle of this shit to even remotely get a buzz. Vistaril has never been considered a true psych drug. I know it is an antihistamine, anti itching agent. That’s how I first encountered it. The point is that us trying to say it’s a psych dug like Valium is absurd.”

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

Criminal prosecutions:
— Danny Masterson charged for raping three women: Found guilty on two counts on May 31, remanded to custody. Sentenced to 30 years to life on Sep 7.
— ‘Lafayette Ronald Hubbard’ (a/k/a Justin Craig), aggravated assault, plus drug charges: Grand jury indictments include charges from an assault while in custody. Next pretrial hearing May 31, 2024.
— David Gentile, GPB Capital, fraud.

Civil litigation:
— Leah Remini v. Scientology, alleging ‘Fair Game’ harassment and defamation: Some defamation claims were removed by Judge Hammock. Leah seeking to amend her complaint.
— Baxter, Baxter, and Paris v. Scientology, alleging labor trafficking: Forced to arbitration.
— Valerie Haney v. Scientology: Forced to ‘religious arbitration.’
— Chrissie Bixler et al. v. Scientology and Danny Masterson: motion to file new complaint, hearing on May 29.
— Jane Doe 1 v. Scientology, David Miscavige, and Gavin Potter: Case unsealed and second amended complaint filed. Scientology moves for religious arbitration, on hold until appeal over new judge heard.
— Chiropractors Steve Peyroux and Brent Detelich, stem cell fraud: Ordered to mediation.

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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.

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.

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] ‘Ellen’ from the Scientology ‘Day Care from Hell’ story comes forward
[TWO years ago] Bombshells in Danny Masterson case: Grand jury testimony, and evidence against Scientology
[THREE years ago] VIDEO: Scientology turns to rock ‘n’ roll to save its soul, and you’re invited!
[FOUR years ago] Scientology celeb Danny Masterson to be arraigned today for raping three women
[FIVE years ago] Scientologists facing felonies try ‘sovereign citizen’ gambit in tense L. A. court hearing
[SIX years ago] Giving Scientology TV a run for its money — it’s the premiere of the Bunker network!
[SEVEN years ago] Moss wins Emmy for portraying totalitarian cult victim and doesn’t care what you think about it
[EIGHT years ago] In the wake of raids, Scientology’s sneaky consulting front shrinks markedly in Russia
[NINE years ago] Scientology about to throw its Harlem party — and we need your eyes and ears!
[TEN years ago] RATHBUN SUIT: Scientology’s last swipe in its anti-SLAPP appeal before hearing next week
[ELEVEN years ago] Scientology’s “Bridge:” Claire Headley Gets Us to CLEAR!

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Scientology disconnection, a reminder

Bernie Headley (1952-2019) did not see his daughter Stephanie in his final 5,667 days.
Tammy Synovec has not seen her daughter Julia in 3,027 days.
Valerie Haney has not seen her mother Lynne in 3,522 days.
Katrina Reyes has not seen her mother Yelena in 4,037 days
Sylvia Wagner DeWall has not seen her brother Randy in 3,587 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his grandson Leo in 2,577 days.
Klaus Büchele has not seen his daughter Jasmin in 4,963 days.
Geoff Levin has not seen his son Collin and daughter Savannah in 2,458 days.
Christie Collbran has not seen her mother Liz King in 5,762 days.
Clarissa Adams has not seen her parents Walter and Irmin Huber in 3,633 days.
Jamie Sorrentini Lugli has not seen her father Irving in 5,185 days.
Quailynn McDaniel has not seen her brother Sean in 4,526 days.
Dylan Gill has not seen his father Russell in 13,093 days.
Melissa Paris has not seen her father Jean-Francois in 9,012 days.
Valeska Paris has not seen her brother Raphael in 5,180 days.
Mirriam Francis has not seen her brother Ben in 4,762 days.
Claudio and Renata Lugli have not seen their son Flavio in 5,022 days.
Sara Goldberg has not seen her daughter Ashley in 4,058 days.
Lori Hodgson has not seen her son Jeremy and daughter Jessica in 3,774 days.
Marie Bilheimer has not seen her mother June in 3,338 days.
Julian Wain has not seen his brother Joseph or mother Susan in 1,653 days.
Charley Updegrove has not seen his son Toby in 2,828 days.
Joe Reaiche has not seen his daughter Alanna Masterson in 7,379 days
Derek Bloch has not seen his father Darren in 4,510 days.
Cindy Plahuta has not seen her daughter Kara in 4,848 days.
Roger Weller has not seen his daughter Alyssa in 9,701 days.
Claire Headley has not seen her mother Gen in 4,822 days.
Ramana Dienes-Browning has not seen her mother Jancis in 3,178 days.
Mike Rinder has not seen his son Benjamin and daughter Taryn in 7,481 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his daughter Spring in 3,587 days.
Skip Young has not seen his daughters Megan and Alexis in 3,985 days.
Mary Kahn has not seen her son Sammy in 3,861 days.
Lois Reisdorf has not seen her son Craig in 3,426 days.
Phil and Willie Jones have not seen their son Mike and daughter Emily in 3,939 days.
Mary Jane Barry has not seen her daughter Samantha in 4,193 days.
Kate Bornstein has not seen her daughter Jessica in 15,301 days.

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Posted by Tony Ortega on September 18, 2024 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, 1995-2023 Just starting out here? We’ve picked out the most important stories we’ve covered here at the Underground Bunker (2012-2023), 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

Mike Silverman: A popular figure in Scientology, an enigmatic figure after leaving

Tony Ortega — Sat, 13 Jul 2024 11:00:37 +0000

TODAY AT SUBSTACK: If you’ve signed up for free emails at Substack, you will receive today’s feature story at your inbox: Ron Kasman has written for us about his journey into and out of Scientology, and his life as a comics creator. He was kind enough to send us this remembrance of his cousin, Mike Silverman, who was very well known in Scientology and had become less visible after leaving it. [What is this Substack thing, anyway?]

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Technology Cocktail

“Scientology is a precision subject. It has axioms. Like geometry. Two equilateral triangles aren’t similar because Euclid said so. They’re similar because they are. If you don’t believe it, look at them. There isn’t a single datum in Scientology that can’t be proven as precisely as teacups are teacups and not saucepans.” — L. Ron Hubbard, 1971

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THE PODCAST: How many have you heard?

— 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

— The first Danny Masterson trial and beyond

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“Faith is a very fascinating subject. Faith can be artificially installed. You can take a person as a clinical experiment, hypnotize him and install the Great God Motaw. You tell him that the Great God Motaw is now taking care of his life, safeguarding him, looking after his concerns, will see that the future is all arranged for him, will see that all goes well and that everybody loves him, and will, beyond everything else, give him absolutely correct data every time he asks for it. The Great God Motaw, installed in such a circuit, more or less takes the whole computer, moves it over, and now he has the Great God Motaw sitting there. You can even install it so that the Great God Motaw has sonic, which is strictly hallucination.” — L. Ron Hubbard, July 13, 1950

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“The Supreme Test of a thetan is to make things go right. I want every divisional officer to spot those on the ship who pass this test.” — The Commodore, July 13, 1969

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“You don’t turn someone who is seeking to rehabilitate himself to the authorities. Otherwise, there is no point in being a church, don’t you think? Involving HCO, OSA, etc, that’s perfectly OK and, in fact, expected for the protection of the group and to really get to the bottom of the situation. But the whole idea besides protecting the group first is to rehabilitate. I don’t see how the ‘authorities’ are going to rehabilitate anybody. Throwing somebody in jail and locking the door hasn’t rehabilitated anybody as far as I know. Do you know of anybody who did? There are ways to deal with any situation with the correct Ethics tools and to take full responsibility for scene (with every dynamic involved) without playing the cop. We are ministers, not police officers. We are a Church, not a police enforcement agency.”

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2000: The St. Petersburg Times reported that the downtown development plan, which was supported by Scientology, was defeated in a voter referendum. “Asked to approve leasing city-owned waterfront land to developers for 99 years for as little as $1 per year, voters said no by a 58 percent to 42 percent tally. The decision, which shocked city officials and civic boosters who had openly predicted victory in the afternoon, capped a divisive campaign in which both sides traded accusations of distortion and outright lying. City land would have been leased to the developers for 99 years. The move was requested by developers who said they needed the incentive to make money on their plans to build a downtown multiplex movie theater, 1,200 new apartments and condominiums, public parking garages and up to 300,000 square feet of new retail space. A group of former city commissioners dubbed Save the Bayfront led the fight against the concept. They played on fear that the Church of Scientology, whose spiritual headquarters is downtown, might benefit from the plan. They also argued that the city couldn’t be trusted to complete a deal with developers George de Guardiola and David Frisbie of West Palm Beach. “It was people like Roger Schaffer who carried the day. He had heard the developer’s plan to bring in restaurants and retailers, but, unimpressed, the 57-year-old voted against redevelopment. ‘I don’t think there’s anything they can do to change what downtown Clearwater is,’ Schaffer said. ‘I don’t see fine restaurants going in. I don’t see high quality. We’re a conservative community made up in large part by a lot of retirees.”

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“Scientologists believe that the Narconon treatment can cure you of alcoholism and once completed you can drink in safety again. In fact from what I’ve read they sometimes make you drink before you leave to prove this.”

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

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Find your favorite Hubbardite celeb at this index page — or suggest someone to add to the list!

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THE WHOLE TRACK

[ONE year ago] Mark Bunker: How I changed seats and freaked out Scientology last night in Clearwater
[TWO years ago] ‘Arbitration,’ again: Here’s Scientology motion to derail new labor trafficking lawsuit
[THREE years ago] Scientology’s response in Danny Masterson case appeal: ‘I changed my mind’ is not a defense
[FOUR years ago] Kelly Preston dies; Lisa Marie Presley loses son to suicide; Scientology remains useless
[FIVE years ago] Scientology’s targeting of children is only getting more blatant as the church struggles
[SIX years ago] Scientology scrambles to keep Miscavige out of forced-abortion trial
[SEVEN years ago] Almost 12 years ago, Shelly Miscavige vanished. Here’s why we keep asking about her.
[EIGHT years ago] Hey, thetan: Scientology has a few questions for you
[NINE years ago] Hey, Star magazine, why is Tom Cruise afraid of Aussie journo Bryan Seymour?
[TEN years ago] Sunday Funnies: Scientology lets slip the reason it still produces L. Ron Hubbard’s bad fiction
[ELEVEN years ago] Leaving Scientology: Jon Atack Navigates the Labyrinth of Paranoia

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Scientology disconnection, a reminder

Bernie Headley (1952-2019) did not see his daughter Stephanie in his final 5,667 days.
Tammy Synovec has not seen her daughter Julia in 2,960 days.
Valerie Haney has not seen her mother Lynne in 3,455 days.
Katrina Reyes has not seen her mother Yelena in 3,970 days
Sylvia Wagner DeWall has not seen her brother Randy in 3,520 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his grandson Leo in 2,510 days.
Geoff Levin has not seen his son Collin and daughter Savannah in 2,391 days.
Christie Collbran has not seen her mother Liz King in 5,695 days.
Clarissa Adams has not seen her parents Walter and Irmin Huber in 3,566 days.
Jamie Sorrentini Lugli has not seen her father Irving in 5,118 days.
Quailynn McDaniel has not seen her brother Sean in 4,459 days.
Dylan Gill has not seen his father Russell in 13,026 days.
Melissa Paris has not seen her father Jean-Francois in 8,945 days.
Valeska Paris has not seen her brother Raphael in 5,113 days.
Mirriam Francis has not seen her brother Ben in 4,694 days.
Claudio and Renata Lugli have not seen their son Flavio in 4,955 days.
Sara Goldberg has not seen her daughter Ashley in 3,991 days.
Lori Hodgson has not seen her son Jeremy and daughter Jessica in 3,707 days.
Marie Bilheimer has not seen her mother June in 3,271 days.
Julian Wain has not seen his brother Joseph or mother Susan in 1,586 days.
Charley Updegrove has not seen his son Toby in 2,761 days.
Joe Reaiche has not seen his daughter Alanna Masterson in 7,312 days
Derek Bloch has not seen his father Darren in 4,443 days.
Cindy Plahuta has not seen her daughter Kara in 4,781 days.
Roger Weller has not seen his daughter Alyssa in 9,634 days.
Claire Headley has not seen her mother Gen in 4,755 days.
Ramana Dienes-Browning has not seen her mother Jancis in 3,111 days.
Mike Rinder has not seen his son Benjamin and daughter Taryn in 7,414 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his daughter Spring in 3,520 days.
Skip Young has not seen his daughters Megan and Alexis in 3,918 days.
Mary Kahn has not seen her son Sammy in 3,794 days.
Lois Reisdorf has not seen her son Craig in 3,359 days.
Phil and Willie Jones have not seen their son Mike and daughter Emily in 3,872 days.
Mary Jane Barry has not seen her daughter Samantha in 4,126 days.
Kate Bornstein has not seen her daughter Jessica in 15,234 days.

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Posted by Tony Ortega on July 13, 2024 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.

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.

Agudath Israel of America
Brunderhof
Catholic Legal Immigration Network, Inc.
U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, Committee on Migration
Conference of Major Superiors of Men
Evangelical Lutheran Church in America
General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists
Hindu American Foundation
Leadership Conference of Women Religious
National Association of Evangelicals
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
The Episcopal Church
The First Church of Christ, Scientist
The Rabbinical Council of America
United Methodist Church – General Board of Church and Society
U.S. Council of Muslim Organizations

Shelley Duvall’s fears about Scientology, and why she called us about it

Tony Ortega — Fri, 12 Jul 2024 11:00:31 +0000

[A great actress, Shelley Duvall, 1949-2024]

TODAY AT SUBSTACK: If you’ve signed up for free emails at Substack, you will receive today’s feature story at your inbox: We were saddened to hear about the death of Shelley Duvall, the actress who left such a lasting impression with her performances in films like Nashville and The Shining. And it reminded us of the day in 2011 when she called us up to talk about, of all things, Scientology. [What is this Substack thing, anyway?]

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Technology Cocktail

“Here’s a new discovery. Imagine my making one on the Comm Formula after all these years. Do people ever explain to you long after you have understood? Do people get cross with you when they are trying to tell you something? If so, you are suffering from Premature Acknowledgement. Like body odor and bad breath, it is not conducive to social happiness. But you don’t use Lifebuoy soap or Listerine to cure it, you use a proper comm formula.” — L. Ron Hubbard, 1971

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THE PODCAST: How many have you heard?

— 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

— The first Danny Masterson trial and beyond

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“I feel I should apologize for coming a little bit late to this lecture: three, four, five minutes. But you should realize that this particular planet has a great many lures. There are all kinds of things. There’s drink, you know, there’s beautiful women. There are all of these various things and they lure you away and distract your attention from what you should be doing. And recently, I’d had a Lincoln for ages — since about ’54 — and I sold it and got a fantastic price for it. And then I traded an old Humber we had out here for it, you see, and I got me a Jaguar and — a 60, 61 Jag — and came out all straight on this. And I regret to have to report to you that the Jaguar is leading me astray. I went out to take a fifteen-minute run to get some fresh air and came back three hours later. So you see, sometimes it’s drink, sometimes it’s women. In this particular case it’s a Jaguar. You’ll pardon me weaknesses. Blame it on the planet.” — L. Ron Hubbard, July 12, 1962

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“If you want to start a project or two 1. Grab your hat 2. Speed up the ships comm 3. Resign from the Bid-a-Wee Social Club and join the SO! I can and do single-hand this 3200 ton ship. It’s time some made up their minds to decide its theirs too and help me out.” — The Commodore, July 12, 1969

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“I believe that DM cannot be alone doing this. We have already some indications that at least the US government is endorsing Scientology through the IRS agreement and more. There are no major attacks on Scientology, Miscavige, no matter what the whistle blowers have said. It is evident that the Global Enslavers are set to make their version of Scientology the next-religion-to-be. And indeed, we see Christianity going down and Muslims of course who are way backwards and all other old religions failing. But Scientology is on the news almost daily and it is a modern, a new religion. So, they want it. But they want it their way. Not with the policy and tech LRH left behind. But as a money making and mind washing machine.”

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1999: The St. Petersburg Times reported that Bryan Zwan has resigned from Digital Lightwave, a Scientology-affiliated company in Clearwater. “The provider of optical networking products declined to give a reason for Bryan J. Zwan’s departure, although chief financial officer Steven Grant said Tuesday it allows Zwan to pursue personal matters and the company to continue a management transition that started last year. Zwan, who moved Digital Lightwave to Clearwater from California in 1995, could not be reached for comment. He is a doctor of physics and a former MIT researcher, and a major contributor to the Church of Scientology’s planned complex in downtown Clearwater.”

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“The first time I heard about the ‘overt motivator sequence’ was when the Carmen Rainer outrage occurred and vaLLarrr was defending Jan Eastgate for telling a 10-year-old girl it was her fault that her stepfather molested her. I asked vaLLarrr, ‘So it was her karma?’ and vaLLarrr said it was something different than karma. The resident ex-Scientologist explained the overt motivator sequence to me and my head exploded.”

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

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Find your favorite Hubbardite celeb at this index page — or suggest someone to add to the list!

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THE WHOLE TRACK

[ONE year ago] Scientology’s lobbyist: He was sent to DC with a secret mission, and we have it
[TWO years ago] Singing for David Miscavige: What it was like in Scientology’s indentured servitude
[THREE years ago] How Scientology wrecks the lives of people who never even go near it
[FOUR years ago] Scientology turned ‘Dianetics’ into a 4-hour video, and the result is UTTER MADNESS
[FIVE years ago] Scientology front group claims it fed an anti-psychiatry story to the L.A. Times
[SIX years ago] Derek Bloch reflects on what having Scientology parents can mean for kids in the church
[SEVEN years ago] David Miscavige’s dark vision for Scientology: ‘What did you think you were joining?’
[EIGHT years ago] Here’s how you can help make a difference in lives touched by Scientology
[NINE years ago] Jon Atack: Scientology’s snitch culture, and how ex-members must relearn the notion of privacy
[TEN years ago] Scientology accused of financial sleight of hand to avoid paying in human slavery lawsuit
[ELEVEN years ago] Hey, Tom Cruise, Why Weren’t You the One to Raise a Stink When This Woman Went Missing?

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Scientology disconnection, a reminder

Bernie Headley (1952-2019) did not see his daughter Stephanie in his final 5,667 days.
Tammy Synovec has not seen her daughter Julia in 2,959 days.
Valerie Haney has not seen her mother Lynne in 3,454 days.
Katrina Reyes has not seen her mother Yelena in 3,969 days
Sylvia Wagner DeWall has not seen her brother Randy in 3,519 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his grandson Leo in 2,509 days.
Geoff Levin has not seen his son Collin and daughter Savannah in 2,390 days.
Christie Collbran has not seen her mother Liz King in 5,694 days.
Clarissa Adams has not seen her parents Walter and Irmin Huber in 3,565 days.
Jamie Sorrentini Lugli has not seen her father Irving in 5,117 days.
Quailynn McDaniel has not seen her brother Sean in 4,458 days.
Dylan Gill has not seen his father Russell in 13,025 days.
Melissa Paris has not seen her father Jean-Francois in 8,944 days.
Valeska Paris has not seen her brother Raphael in 5,112 days.
Mirriam Francis has not seen her brother Ben in 4,693 days.
Claudio and Renata Lugli have not seen their son Flavio in 4,954 days.
Sara Goldberg has not seen her daughter Ashley in 3,990 days.
Lori Hodgson has not seen her son Jeremy and daughter Jessica in 3,706 days.
Marie Bilheimer has not seen her mother June in 3,270 days.
Julian Wain has not seen his brother Joseph or mother Susan in 1,585 days.
Charley Updegrove has not seen his son Toby in 2,760 days.
Joe Reaiche has not seen his daughter Alanna Masterson in 7,311 days
Derek Bloch has not seen his father Darren in 4,442 days.
Cindy Plahuta has not seen her daughter Kara in 4,780 days.
Roger Weller has not seen his daughter Alyssa in 9,633 days.
Claire Headley has not seen her mother Gen in 4,754 days.
Ramana Dienes-Browning has not seen her mother Jancis in 3,110 days.
Mike Rinder has not seen his son Benjamin and daughter Taryn in 7,413 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his daughter Spring in 3,519 days.
Skip Young has not seen his daughters Megan and Alexis in 3,917 days.
Mary Kahn has not seen her son Sammy in 3,793 days.
Lois Reisdorf has not seen her son Craig in 3,358 days.
Phil and Willie Jones have not seen their son Mike and daughter Emily in 3,871 days.
Mary Jane Barry has not seen her daughter Samantha in 4,125 days.
Kate Bornstein has not seen her daughter Jessica in 15,233 days.

——————–

Posted by Tony Ortega on July 12, 2024 at 07:00

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Mark ‘Warrior’ Plummer, Scientology critic and archivist, 1951-2024

Tony Ortega — Thu, 11 Jan 2024 12:00:51 +0000

One of the highlights of our 2015 book tour was a stop in Austin, Texas, when we finally got a chance to meet a legend, a former Scientologist who had made a name for himself amassing one of the most comprehensive collections of Scientology archival material anywhere.

His name was Mark Plummer, and he was known as Warrior. As in, the relentless pursuit of exposing the Church of Scientology, an organization he joined as a member in 1973, served in the Sea Organization from 1975 to 1983, and then left in 1988.

During those years, like any Scientologist, he had been issued numerous certificates and commendations and receipts. But unlike others he had not only kept those documents, he posted them to the Internet along with vast amounts of other information in order to help outsiders understand what it was like to be in thrall to L. Ron Hubbard.

“I got involved with Scientology because I wanted to help make this world a better place for all. After continually being lied to and betrayed over and over for years, I realized that Scientology is not what the organization claims to be,” he wrote on one of his many posts to alt.religion.scientology, a crucial Usenet locus of Scientology news where he became a fixture in the late 1990s.

Mark had also become a valuable asset to this website, where he contributed Scientology documents that helped, for example, explain how children had been exploited in shocking policies that treated them like little soldiers. He was particularly focused on this, he said, because of his own struggles as a parent in the Sea Org.

He was so concerned about it, he wrote to L. Ron Hubbard about it in 1977 and actually received a reply.

Last year, we interviewed him and learned more about his path into and out of Scientology, and it was an emotional journey. In private conversations, he told us that he had struggled with some health issues, but that he was improving.

Yesterday, his daughter Alisha announced on Facebook that he had died. A family friend told us that Mark passed away early in the morning of January 10 after a difficult case of the flu. He was 72.

News of his death has us looking through his excellent repository of Scientology documents again, and reading his fiery words about Scientology from his ars days.

We thought that this message, from 1997, helps to capture how Mark had only gradually decided to speak out, and how, in the mid-1990s, that was so much more risky.

I am a relative newcomer to ars. Back when I was just a lurker, I kept on reading things on ars and would start to reply. Every time, I would let my fears get the better of me. Finally I decided that if I get attacked or sued for what I post to ars, then I will have to stand up for my freedom of speech. After all, I am not posting, and have not posted anything of an infringing nature upon Scientology’s purported copyrights…
I am definitely a critic of Scientology. I am not a Freezoner. And I am not part of the ‘independent field.’ I am simply an ex-Sea Org member who was severely betrayed by L. Ron Hubbard and his organization, Scientology. In my posts I am sure you have seen my use of Scientology terminology when I am writing about Scientology. I am mentioning this here because I want everyone to understand to the best of my ability, the mindset of Scientology and Scientologists.
Also, in many of my posts I am using Scientology’s own language, their ‘tech’ and their ‘reasoning’ to show Scientologists how absurd or insane or dangerous or hypocritical or disgusting their founder’s philosophy and practices are.
One spokesperson for Scientology (Leisa Goodman?) said that Scientology supports freedom of speech. I doubt this statement very much. What I have seen to be true is that Scientology supports freedom of speech so long as what is being said or written is not critical of, or an attack upon Scientology, and in fact Hubbard did say something like ‘So long as one does not attack Scientology, one is safe.’ A good case in point (there are many) is Jon Atack’s story. I owe a debt of gratitude to Jon, as well as to Bent Corydon, Arnie Lerma, Dennis Erlich, Tom Klemesrud, Karin Spaink, Gerry Armstrong, Paulette Cooper, Nibs Hubbard, Bob Penny, Larry Wollersheim, Grady Ward, Keith Henson, Gabe Cazares, Joseph Yanny, Margery Wakefield, Steve Fishman, Andre Tabayoyon, Vaughn Young and Lisa McPherson, just to name a few. Had they all not had the courage to come forward and tell their story, I very likely would not be here on ars today.
More than anything it is due to my reading Jon Atack’s excellent book A Piece of Blue Sky, and the publicity caused by the raids on Arnie Lerma (which I first heard about late one night on CNN Headline News), and the raid on Dennis Erlich that I have decided to ‘come out.’ Had Scientology not done their actions on these individuals, I most likely would be spending my time on something else.
At any rate, I will be on ars for as long as it takes to tell my story, to say everything I want to say and to answer any questions that come my way.
One of my primary purposes for being here on ars is to let others know my experience in the hopes that they may avoid having to learn the hard way (as I did) what Scientology really is all about without the PR, lies, half-truths and ‘acceptable truths’ that Scientology pushes upon the world through the various media.

Everyone who works to expose Scientology’s controversies has benefited from that decision by Mark Plummer to come forward, to speak out, and to document so comprehensively what it was like to be betrayed by L. Ron Hubbard’s organization.

We are privileged to have known him.

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Technology Cocktail

“We know all the attributes of Clear and Operating Thetans. In the history of this universe there has never been a true Clear or true OT. Every Clear ever encountered in this universe was a Keyed-out Clear — a Release. He still had all his bank, GPMs and engrams. They were simply keyed out and not influencing him. We have known that for some time. But here is a new one. Every Operating Thetan in the history of this universe was only a KEYED-OUT OT!” — L. Ron Hubbard, 1965

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THE PODCAST: How many have you heard?

— 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

— The first Danny Masterson trial and beyond

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“And this is what? Eleventh of Jan. The mystic month. And we are finding ourselves in the middle of — no, it’s at the beginning — What cycle are you in? Well, anyhow, it’s on a planet, on a twelfth-rate sun, and it’s the beginning of the, it’s shortly after the winter solstice. Saint Hill Special Briefing Course. Well, if you lived right and if you knew what you were doing and many other unlikely activities, you have it made. But we have to assume, we have to assume that if none of you have grown wings in the last 24 hours and you actually have had a PC on an E-Meter as an auditor and the PC hasn’t grown wings in the last 24 hours with all the tools which you’ve got, we must assume that there is some faint disconnection between what I am trying to teach you and what you are doing. I would say there’s some small gap. Maybe not a large gap. Maybe only a light year or two.” — L. Ron Hubbard, January 11, 1962

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“The Auditing Completions are starting to roll in. With a wow and a hurrah! Some important people have gotten some lovely gains lately. At the other end of it, 2 of those leaving came through it. We have the planet by the tail.” — The Commodore, January 11, 1971

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“It’s a choice or at least a potential choice to introvert or interiorise into an alternative theta line at a particular point in time, or to view the past from the future, future from.the past and to zone in on a specific concurrent moment in an alternative universe. Perhaps if the person is OT 30, then OT1 — when they are actually trying to get their case handled — acts like an interiorisation. As far as I am concerned the entire phenomena reduces to unresolved theta programming as Static which is only aligned with the rehabilitation of Spiritual Reality and Native State. If instead the person chooses to plummet back into MEST, that’s their choice. In doing so they also plummet back into MEST case factors and automaticities which are only resolved at a theta level exterior to both MEST and Static.”

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1999: Bob Minton and Stacy Brooks announced changes to the organization of Factnet, and the establishment of a sanctuary for former Scientologists to come to put their lives back together on Vashon Island, Washington. “Lawrence Wollersheim is taking a one-year sabbatical from his official duties as a director. After eleven years as a member of Scientology and eighteen additional years working to expose its criminal nature, Lawrence has made a decision to devote time to his family and his personal life for the next year. Grady Ward has just recently come on board as the FACTNet webmaster, so watch for substantial upgrades to our website in the coming months. We are also making plans for the establishment of a sanctuary. This will be a safe house where former Scientology staff and Sea Org members will have a chance to recover physically and mentally from their experience in Scientology while learning the basic skills they need to survive in the real world. Such things as how to create a resume, how to set up a bank account, how to establish credit, and other basic skills will be available for them to learn. Our vision is for these people to work at the sanctuary and earn money as they recover, so that by the time their stay is over they will have not only the skills but also the confidence and wherewithal to re-enter the real world as a functioning, contributing member of society. We plan to raise the funds to send as many people as possible to Wellspring, a therapy program run by people who are extremely knowledgeable about the cult experience and who have extensive experience in helping former cult members generally, and former Scientologists specifically. Our plan also includes organizing a conference for critics and former members. It is time to pool our resources and energy in an organized conference, and we hope it can happen in 1999. All who are interested in helping make this conference a reality please let us know.”

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“If Scientology could, then based solely on the words of L Ron Hubbard they would be gladly killing ‘infidels’ who refused to convert.”

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

Criminal prosecutions:
— Danny Masterson charged for raping three women: Found guilty on two counts on May 31, remanded to custody. Sentenced to 30 years to life on Sep 7.

— ‘Lafayette Ronald Hubbard’ (a/k/a Justin Craig), aggravated assault, plus drug charges: Grand jury indictments include charges from an assault while in custody. Next pretrial hearing January 29, 2024.
— David Gentile, GPB Capital, fraud.

Civil litigation:
— Leah Remini v. Scientology, alleging ‘Fair Game’ harassment and defamation: Complaint filed August 2, motion to strike/anti-SLAPP motions by Scientology to be heard January 9, 2024.
— Baxter, Baxter, and Paris v. Scientology, alleging labor trafficking: Forced to arbitration. Plaintiffs allowed interlocutory appeal to Eleventh Circuit.
— Valerie Haney v. Scientology: Forced to ‘religious arbitration.’
— Chrissie Bixler et al. v. Scientology and Danny Masterson: Discovery phase.
— Jane Doe 1 v. Scientology, David Miscavige, and Gavin Potter: Case unsealed and second amended complaint filed. Scientology moves for religious arbitration.
— Chiropractors Steve Peyroux and Brent Detelich, stem cell fraud: Ordered to mediation.

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Find your favorite Hubbardite celeb at this index page — or suggest someone to add to the list!

——————–
THE WHOLE TRACK

[ONE year ago] Why the Golden Globes is joking about Tom Cruise, Shelly Miscavige, and Scientology
[TWO years ago] Scientology’s Los Angeles center is rumbling again, and we’re here for it!
[THREE years ago] Scientology celebrates even more wealthy donors, and we’re happy to lend a helping hand
[FOUR years ago] Sonya Bianchi, 1927-2020: Hubbard’s first ‘Clear’ who vanished from Scientology history
[FIVE years ago] Kansas City: Don’t panic. Your skyline is screwed, but Scientology isn’t taking over.
[SIX years ago] Scientology’s ‘scripture’ includes a thoroughly debunked mammoth-meat hoax
[SEVEN years ago] Last night’s family on ‘Leah Remini’ found themselves targeted by Scientology attack site
[EIGHT years ago] David Bowie, 1947-2016
[TEN years ago] Yes, that was a Scientology ad you saw during the football game — we told you it was coming!
[ELEVEN years ago] Blogging Dianetics, Part 2: The State of Clear!

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Scientology disconnection, a reminder

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 3,271 days.
Katrina Reyes has not seen her mother Yelena in 3,786 days
Sylvia Wagner DeWall has not seen her brother Randy in 3,336 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his grandson Leo in 2,326 days.
Geoff Levin has not seen his son Collin and daughter Savannah in 2,207 days.
Christie Collbran has not seen her mother Liz King in 5,511 days.
Clarissa Adams has not seen her parents Walter and Irmin Huber in 3,382 days.
Jamie Sorrentini Lugli has not seen her father Irving in 4,934 days.
Quailynn McDaniel has not seen her brother Sean in 4,276 days.
Dylan Gill has not seen his father Russell in 12,842 days.
Melissa Paris has not seen her father Jean-Francois in 8,761 days.
Valeska Paris has not seen her brother Raphael in 4,929 days.
Mirriam Francis has not seen her brother Ben in 4,510 days.
Claudio and Renata Lugli have not seen their son Flavio in 4,771 days.
Sara Goldberg has not seen her daughter Ashley in 3,807 days.
Lori Hodgson has not seen her son Jeremy and daughter Jessica in 3,523 days.
Marie Bilheimer has not seen her mother June in 3,087 days.
Julian Wain has not seen his brother Joseph or mother Susan in 1,402 days.
Charley Updegrove has not seen his son Toby in 2,577 days.
Joe Reaiche has not seen his daughter Alanna Masterson in 7,128 days
Derek Bloch has not seen his father Darren in 4,259 days.
Cindy Plahuta has not seen her daughter Kara in 4,597 days.
Roger Weller has not seen his daughter Alyssa in 9,452 days.
Claire Headley has not seen her mother Gen in 4,571 days.
Ramana Dienes-Browning has not seen her mother Jancis in 2,927 days.
Mike Rinder has not seen his son Benjamin and daughter Taryn in 7,230 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his daughter Spring in 3,336 days.
Skip Young has not seen his daughters Megan and Alexis in 3,734 days.
Mary Kahn has not seen her son Sammy in 3,610 days.
Lois Reisdorf has not seen her son Craig in 3,175 days.
Phil and Willie Jones have not seen their son Mike and daughter Emily in 3,688 days.
Mary Jane Barry has not seen her daughter Samantha in 3,942 days.
Kate Bornstein has not seen her daughter Jessica in 15,051 days.

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Posted by Tony Ortega on January 11, 2024 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.

The Best of the Underground Bunker, 1995-2022 Just starting out here? We’ve picked out the most important stories we’ve covered here at the Underground Bunker (2012-2022), The Village Voice (2008-2012), New Times Los Angeles (1999-2002) and the Phoenix New Times (1995-1999)

Watch our short videos that explain Scientology’s controversies in three minutes or less…

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Mick Wenlock, 1953-2023: A Scientology escapee who helped others recover their dignity

Tony Ortega — Wed, 15 Nov 2023 12:00:24 +0000

[Mick and Nancy at their wedding, 1978]

Mick Wenlock died last week at the age of 70. His name did not show up here at the Underground Bunker very often, but we had communicated with him years ago and we admired him for starting one of the early online meeting places for former Scientology Sea Org escapees, the XSO Yahoo message group.

We thought the best way to remember Mick would be to republish the gripping story he told in 2007 about what it was like to be a vital member of Scientology’s Sea Org and then, suddenly, to be dumped on the street by this paranoid organization. Although many people have found themselves in that situation, few have told it as well as Mick did. Here then is his great tale, edited down a little for length, and with some explanatory notes in brackets.

Late in 1982 I was declared by the Finance Police. One minute, in the Sea Org in Copenhagen, the next out on the street. No money and in a country where I do not speak the language at all well and where the only people I knew were Scientologists and Sea Org members.

My wife and I had been married for four years at that point. She was still in, we had one son (Sean) who was (and still is) handicapped, and my wife’s son Chris from her first marriage. Sean was 3, Chris was 7.

Lacking anything else to do, I made my way back home to England, got myself a job and wrote in requesting the Comm Ev [“Committee of Evidence,” Scientology’s ersatz court martial procedure]. After two months, in January 1983 I got a phone call from FOLO EU [Flag Operations Liaison Office, Europe] telling me that my wife was at Flag, on the RPF as it turns out, [the Flag Land Base in Clearwater, Florida, on the Rehabilitation Project Force, the Sea Org’s prison detail] and I needed to come to Copenhagen and pick up the children.

At that time, I was determined to get back to the Sea Org. I wanted my Comm Ev because I felt that I had been unjustly treated. I couldn’t very well unload my upset on my family because if I got them upset at Scientology and the Sea Org then how would I be able to get back? I didn’t know what was going to happen to my marriage, I was worried about Sean – and to a lesser extent Chris. (Chris’ father was in the Sea Org in Copenhagen at the time). I was working flat out in a Cold Storage Unit trying to earn money to pay back people who had advanced me the readies to get home. My friends did not understand, at all, what had happened.

And now this. I got what money I could together and bought a ticket on the ferry from Felixstowe to Gothenberg and a train ticket from Gothenberg to Copenhagen and I set off the next day. The ferry left Felixstowe at 5 pm, it was raining, it was dark and it was cold. I had one backpack of clothes and supplies and about one hundred dollars in cash. I had no idea what I was going to do in Copenhagen, I had no idea how I was going to live or where, I had no one to turn to when I got there. Not a pleasant journey.

I phoned to the FOLO when I arrived in Copenhagen to talk to the head nanny (name of Clara) and told her I had just arrived and I would be by to talk with her in about 10 minutes.

As anyone who has been in Copenhagen in early January at 7pm can tell you, it’s cold and windy and dark. I walked up to the front door of the Nordland and Clara was there with two children in tow. She opened the door, ushered Chris out, put two suitcases on the ground and handed me Sean (who had to be carried then, he was not yet walking). And then closed the door.

Holding Sean in one arm, holding Chris’ hand with the other and three large bags, nowhere to go, very little money and it was cold and dark.

Slowly we made our way along the street and along past the square and we came to a hotel. I checked us in, not a bad room (lousy price…) and I got us in there and found out that the boys had not had dinner, they were hungry, wet, and tired. Sean had no diapers. So we had to go out again and find a kiosk.

Over the next couple of days we moved around to ever cheaper places as my cash ran out and my flexible friend approached the limit. I am really at a loss how to describe those few days. Sean attended a state day center so at least for those few days his daily routine was uninterrupted, but Chris and I had nothing to do, no money to do it with, and I could not figure out how to try and get something done. We were staying at a sort of “pension” which was OK, but there were the three of us in one small room – the two boys in the bed and me on the floor.

Finally I was at an end – I had enough for one more night in the pension and then I was borassic. I went to social services in Copenhagen to get some help. It was hell. First of all they were trying to understand how we were in the position we were in. I was desperately trying to avoid bringing the word “Scientology” into the conversation. I was trying very, very hard to not make the Church of Scientology look bad. After three hours I got them to pay our rent at the pension for a week, which at least meant I could start looking further ahead than the next morning.

One day Chris and I were walking down a street not far from Vesterbrogade and I saw an old friend – Ivan Watson. Ex-Sea Org from NEP. He and his daughter Rosie were living in an apartment not far away, so we all toodled over there and for the first time in a couple of weeks I was able to relax. Ivan had a friend who he reckoned would be willing to rent out a room to the three of us and, better yet, Nellie Purser (wife of Russ Purser) who was also out of the Sea Org was working at a hotel and could help me land a job.

We sat down in Ivan’s apartment drinking tea – even now I find it hard to describe how great it felt to just do something normal. Chris and Rosie played, and Ivan and I talked. He phoned his ex-brother-in-law and that guy agreed to rent a room in his apartment to us. I have not mentioned the guy’s name even though he is an “ex” because he still has family in. But I wish I could – he got a lot of s–t from the CofS for doing this, he never flinched. Typical Oz.

The apartment was on the 5th floor of a building not far from where the old FOLO building on Saxogade had been. No elevator, of course, and no bath or shower. One small room and not much in the way of furniture either. I got the social services to agree to buy a bed for Sean and for Chris, Ivan lent me a mattress, and the “guy” (who I will call “Malc” from here on out) agreed to let us use his cooking utensils for a couple of weeks until I could get some.

Bear in mind, when I got into Scientology and the Sea Org in 1976 I was a single guy, had a good paying job, and on the rare weeks where I had run out of food money it was because I had been on the batter too hard and I could live with that. Now I had two kids who needed to eat.

Nellie Purser called me the next evening and said that there was a job at the hotel she worked at cleaning the rooms. At that time in Denmark if you were not Danish then you had to be working 35 hours a week in a fulltime job in order to keep your visa.

I spent the next full day rearranging Sean’s transport to the kindergarten, getting Chris squared away back at his school, and then went over to the hotel to talk to the owner and got myself a job. The hotel was on three floors, no elevator. It was about four kilometers from where we lived and I had no bus fare.

I worked out the schedule in my head: Get Chris off to school, Sean ready for pick up and off to the CP Kindergarten (Bornehave in Danish), and then a fast walk/trot along the lakes to the hotel just in time to start work at 9 am. Five hours work and trot back to the apartment in time to pick Sean up and whisk him up the stairs.

In order to make the 35 hour minimum this meant I had to work seven days a week. On Saturday and Sunday I would carry Sean and walk with Chris, I would put them in a room that was being checked out and they would hang out there while I worked. Chris loved it – he got to watch TV!

It was an incredibly stressful period. After a month and a half of this I got a call from Chris’ father – Neil Lumsden (a very nice guy by the way). He said he wanted to drop by and just say hi. I thought it a little strange. He dropped by the apartment and told me that my wife, Nancy, had asked him to check up on the boys. Neil was lucky to leave the room in one piece. I was upset beyond belief – “check up”? No-one had given a flying **** about what was going to happen to the kids or to me and now “check up”? I told Neil to eff off and that, should he feel some paternal urge, he could set up a time for Chris to visit.

One thing to be said for the regimen – I was losing weight fast (and as anyone who knows me could attest – I can always stand to lose a few pounds). By the end of this period I weighed less than I did when I was 14 years old. Which would have been really great except I could not afford to buy new clothes.

But everything during this period was just so damned hard. I had to walk everywhere and that meant I had to carry Sean because I had no stroller. He spent that whole summer on my shoulders. When we went shopping early Saturday morning in the local discount supermarket I would have Sean on my shoulders, five or six plastic bags in my hands, and the walk up to the apartment was like scaling the North Face of the Eiger.

I had not been able to talk to my wife since I got declared in November. I found out that she had gone to Flag for a “few days” and had been RPFed there, I had no idea how she was doing. Turns out, of course, that she had been going through the same sort of mental anguish – while trying to graduate the RPF.

Anyway – in the middle of this Chris, Sean, and I started to sort of muddle through. Every night I told Chris stories, long involved fairy tales involving him and Sean, magic bears King Arthur etc. Once I figured out how to actually budget the food and we had gained a little traction it got to be a bit better – some of the summer evenings were fun.

I guess the best highlight was Chris’ birthday. His birthday is June 23rd. If you are Scandinavian that date really means something – Sankt Hans Aften. It is a huge day and evening in the Tivoli Gardens. Chris’ birthday was a Thursday that year. We all spent the day at Tivoli, I had put some money aside and we just pigged out, Chris got to go on the rides, we got to snack, and at closing time there was the most awesome fireworks display (as there is every year). It was just great. I think that was probably the night we laughed the most during that period until Nancy made it back.

Just after Chris’ birthday I got a call on Malc’s phone form the FOLO that the Comm Ev was meeting and wanted me to attend. I finally got to see in writing what the declare was about and what “charges” I was facing [a “declare” is a document that names someone a “suppressive person” or “SP,” an enemy of the church who is barred from communicating with other Scientologists]. It was the usual slew of “failing to keep Scientology working” and a bunch of stuff about financial irregularities, including such vast things as buying soap for personal use with Sea Org Mission funds. The actual Comm Ev was fine – I knew all the members, they knew me. It was not some huge trauma. The one thing that did irritate me almost beyond belief was the total indifference to my schedule or family. At one time they asked me to come at 11:00 PM for the next meeting. I arrived at the FOLO at 10:45 PM – having walked all the way of course and having persuaded Malc to keep an eye on the boys. At 11:15 I was told it was going to be a little later. the meeting finally took place at 1:45 in the morning. It went on until 2:45. It was nearly 4 when I got home. The Comm Ev had asked me to be there at 11:00 the next evening and I told them I would wait 15 minutes but if there was no meeting by 11:15 I was going to leave.

I have to say that I was tired most of the time. Sean had developed a habit of only sleeping with the light on, the physical side of things was an enormous strain after a while. It’s not that it was tough if I look back at one day, but it was relentless, day after day for five months. The Comm Ev and its schedule was very nearly too much.

The Comm Ev read the findings to me the next evening – almost on time as well. I pretty much figured that the recs were going to be to cancel the declare and it was just going to be a matter of time.

As I found out later my wife, Nancy, was being put through the PTS RD [Potential Trouble Source rundown, an interrogation to find out who was the source of her issues] at that time – with guess who as the subject.

So we waited it out. Until one night, around three in the morning the phone rang in the apartment and Malc came in to tell me it was Nancy on the phone.

Now THAT was a moment.

The phone call was, of course, the cancellation of the declare. Finally I got to talk to my wife – for the first time in nine months! We talked and talked – Nancy told me about the troubles she had gone through on the RPF, the insistence that she should realize that I was an SP, worrying about the children and so on.

Once I had talked with Nancy for an hour I was so pumped I could not go back to sleep. Strangely enough in a weird way I felt that the whole episode validated Scientology justice – after all, I had been declared in what I thought was merely a witch hunt but after due time and investigation the system came through. This was one of the main reasons I was willing to go back into the Sea Org.

Later that night I had received two phone calls from recruiters. Suddenly I was “persona grata” again. I could talk to people.

Six weeks later Nancy got back from Flag, we were still in the one room in Malc’s apartment, but things were looking up. Nancy and I talked about what to do next, she CSW’d for a LOA [a “Completed Staff Work” is a form submitted for approval to do something, such as taking a leave of absence, or LOA], so that we could get our act caught up, bills paid and so on. It was approved. Holy crap! I got a job working as a spray painter at Arne Hoyer’s company. Actually the contract was at the Carlsberg Brewery – free beer! Nancy and I got an apartment out in Norrebro. Not a bad place. Nancy got to try and cook. It was, for all of us, an exciting time.

Christmas came, friends came over from England, we had a rare old time.

Tom Woodruff from Int Finance came by to pay a visit. I was wanted back, I was needed back. I pointed out that I had bills to pay. No problem – he had the money to lend me to be paid off as and when – from the “LRH Birthday Fund.”

I was left with no objection and — I am kicking myself even now — I agreed to go back in the Sea Org. I never once thought to discuss it with Nancy. After all, the only reason we were out was because of my declare, and once all that was handled we were back in. I should have talked with her.

The time after my declare had been cancelled was an exciting and confusing time. Nancy came back from Flag having finally CSW’d and begged her way out of the Finance Network. For anyone who has been in the Sea Org will know that one of the most demeaning and annoying positions to be in is to be a “coin.” Nancy was Finance Staff but no longer qualified to be in Finance, that meant she was eligible to be swapped to replace a qualified staff member in some other unit. This is, of course, one of the dumbest things that the Sea Org does – among an entire list of dumb things..

But through it all she came home. By the time she got back I was no longer working at the hotel. Thanks to my “grata” status I now had the job at Hoyers (let me slip in a good word here for Arne Hoyer, truly a nice guy) and was on my way to becoming just one more person in the Danish “field.”

Then Tom W arrived and I was headed back into the Sea Org. FSC EU. Based in AOSH EU. This was the start of my second career in the Sea Org and, I have to say, it was pretty much an unmitigated disaster.

We basically moved back into the Nordland and went on post in the FSC Office. No re-orientation, no adjustment, no handling, nothing. Just on post. I am astounded, looking back on it, that I agreed to do this job. I absolutely HATE regging with a passion [“Registrars” or “regges” pressure members to pay money for courses, known as “regging”]. I hate sales and anything to do with it. Somehow someone “uplines” must have thought that as I had been a CO of AOSH EU I must have had some sort of ability in that area. Nope, none.

This was a job to which I was not suited. Once the “gee, I’m back” wow factor had dissipated it was just a grind.

Then came the “we want you to move to Flag to be D/CO Production FSO.”

Now, I had always thought that I would be good in that sort of job. I had been D/CO Prod EU back in the day and thought that I did fairly well at it. So I was on board with the idea. Plus – anything was better than sitting around in the FSC Office chasing money (it never occurred to me then that this is precisely what I would be doing at the FSO…). Nancy and I talked about it and the basic theory was – I would go over, Nancy would take over as FSC EU and get replaced and we would all meet up in Clearwater.

By early September I was on my way to LA where I was to get my Int Clearances and then it was off up the road.

I arrived in LA and there to meet me at Big Blue was Billy Lindstein – WDC FSO. A bit of a shock I have to say – I had last known Billy as CO Malmo. Anyway he was friendly and businesslike and it was a question of getting my Int Clearances and away we would go.

So I get to meet the RTC auditor who is going to do my sec check. I cannot remember her name but she was a pleasant enough person. Poor lady.

I had been declared back in 1982 by the Finance Police – part of the sec checking they had used involved having two different people shouting questions at me while one watched the meter and gave the reads out loud.

The day after I arrived at LA I went into session with the RTC auditor. The first auditing I had been in since the Finance Police.

It did not go well. She launched into the “I’m not auditing you” spiel and I launched into the “well you can just fuck off then” answer. I put the cans down. It was kind of funny in a way. She tried to persuade me to pick up the cans but, as I said to her – “If you are not auditing me, I am not interested in it. Period.” She did try various little ploys but she came up against one big roadblock that she could not overcome. “I’ve already been declared once, I survived that, I’ll survive this.”

I really didn’t a rat’s rear end any more.

We ended off at this point – she hadn’t started anything so I felt no need to go to an examiner and she seemed confused.

Anyway, I was doing my Int Clearances, I guess this is the middle of September 1984. and when I was not getting the auditing I was just hanging out. It was also during this time when, for some mysterious reason, Suzette Hubbard started chatting with me. To this day I have no idea whether she thought I was someone else or whether someone like Jens Uhrskov had told her I was amusing to talk to but from there on out we kept in touch.

And then Jens Uhrskov arrives to tell me that he and I are going on Mission. A mission so confidential that there are no written mission orders, it is going to be verbal briefing only.

I am fairly sure the date was around October 1, 1984. I was due to go to Int the next morning when Jens Uhrskov snagged me while I was yakking with Ian Cunningham. He told me that we were going on mission. I asked Jens for the mission orders and he told me that there was nothing in writing. We were going to be on our own.

He told me that the Church had just lost its appeal against the IRS ruling, that the case in Canada (which I knew nothing about of course) was going badly and it had been decided that an organization, parallel to the Church was going to be set up called the “International Association of Scientologists.” It would be totally separate from the church organizationally. He and I were going to help coordinate the selection and travel of delegates to some convention at Saint Hill and to set up to implement the new membership system in the church.

So he and I ended up coordinating the selection of “delegates,” most of whom, of course, were the DSA’s of their local org, arranging flights etc. Someone from the CMO mess brought our food to us from the dining room – supposedly this was so that we would not be being visibly supported by the church – seemed logical at the time, seems like bloody nonsense now of course.

We had to come up with costs of an annual membership and a lifetime membership. I did a couple of surveys around PAC and we came up with $300 and $2,000 as the prices. On the 9th we got told that the convention had been held so now it was “public” knowledge and now we had to work on setting up the kick off events.

Man, was that a zoo. We went into the ITO classrooms (I think it was the ITO) and extracted about 20 people to go to the orgs where the kick off events were going to be (New York, Flag, Copenhagen, Sydney, London, LA, Milan – don’t remember the rest) we had carte blanche on use of the phones. The phone bill musta been in the tens of thousands of dollars. We were on the phones continuously.

Mike Rinder was Vicki Aznaran’s Communicator back then – she told him to get me through the computer courses and Jesse Prince and Lyman Spurlock went and got someone from INCOMM to open up the courseroom at 2 am just for me.

It was very hectic. People were arriving from all over the place to be the tours regges for IAS. Janet Light arrived and I was introduced to my new boss – for a while she and I got on very well. She told me that the IMU was moving to Clearwater. It took me months to realize that this was because her kids and hubby, David Light, were in Clearwater and there was no way a major reg of the FSO was going to move to LA.

We moved to Clearwater at the end of November. not a very traumatic move as none of us had any big ties to LA or to PAC. We took over the ground floor of the Westcoast Building and, as Janet Light was the biggest CMO fish in the pond, we got very good treatment.

At this point there were a lot of things being thrown at us – those who still had HASI International Memberships for example were busy howling. And to be frank, by the policy of course they were totally right. But I had a bit of a hard time understanding the way we were supposed to be doing things.

As I understood it when we started:

1) The Church of Scientology faced imminent disaster in that we had lost the IRS case, the Canadian government was going to issue indictments after the Toronto raids, and there was the very real danger that the international management of the Church would be indicted leaving the way for a takeover. Including the reserves.

2) The IAS had been set up so that money could be put into a totally separate organization that could then use those funds to support a Scientology organization “from the outside.”

The first part was exactly what I was told by Aznaran, Yager, and Guillaume at different times. It wasn’t until much later that I realized the timeline actually did not support that assertion. The idea of the IAS had been bruited around by a Danish lawyer (Jacobson I think was his name) who worked with Carl Heldt at NEPI many months before the IRS case was decided.

When we got to Clearwater Carol Titus and I had been hounded about getting hatted on “fundraising” and “membership organizations” – the paradigm being used was the NRA, and Carol Titus joined the NRA so she would get all the literature and mailings and the magazine. We had to read several books on fund raising and Bertie and I had to come up with “levels” of donations, hence “Sponsor” and “Patron” both decided on at Bertie’s desk. We figured we would get maybe five or maybe 10 Patrons. Boy were we wrong – and the “wog” fundraisers totally right!

I also had to fly back out to LA to ASI to meet with RVY [Robert Vaughn Young] because I had to write almost the entirety of Impact Magazine and he gave me the “instant hat” so to speak.

If you have any of the first eight or so Impact magazines – with the exception of the Hubbard articles and quotes everything else was written by me.

In October 1985 I was busted and started working in the Div 6 with Deac Finn setting up events, something I hated. I screwed up the set ups for Toronto and got RPFed – and was happy to go. I was twinned with Mike Kehrli, truly one of my greatest friends and by and large we did OK.

I was out of the RPF Christmas 1986 and found myself further out of favor by refusing to reg a Flag public at 2 in the morning on a Thursday. In January I was told that my wife and I were being sent to the UK to be the UK Tour as our younger son could not come to the Freewinds. We arrived in the UK late January 87.

It was a miserable time, absolutely miserable. By August Nancy and I had decided we had to leave the Sea Org. We went to see the CO CMO there – Karen Mathieson. She talked with Janet Light and they asked if moving back to Scandinavia might be better. So we decided to try that. Things got much better, Sean was back at school in Aalborg – and loving it. I was based back at AOSH EU and liking that and we were back in Copenhagen the city that my wife and I love the best in the world.

But there was something rotten in the state of Denmark ( I have always wanted to slip that quote in).

I was amazed to find – as I travelled around the orgs that they were half the size (in most cases) they had been in 1981. Even Stockholm and DKD were puny. The field was apathetic and not functioning. I started doing FSM rallies and workshops to try and get new people coming into the orgs and that was fairly successful but, of course, that was not regging money for the IAS.

Peculiarly, Spain also fell under the control of the Scandinavian Tour. We decided to have a huge IAS event down there. Heber would be there, Janet Light, and it would be a big deal.

It certainly was. We were sitting down at lunch on the first day when the federales rolled in and all of the foreigners and some of the locals – about 80 of us , ended up in the hoosegow. Heber was the main focus of the attention – and yeah I know he has come in for some shit on here and in other forums but I can tell you that in that jail in Madrid the man was marvelous. He was calm, quiet and steadfast. Sad that his courage was wasted on such a miserable cause.

We all got questioned by some magistrate – for my questioning there was no translator into English so we had to make do in French. After two days some of us were transferred to a an extradition center where we waited for two or three days along with a lot of South Americans until we were suddenly dumped outside the door of the facility and had to take a taxi to the airport. It was champagne on the plane back.

When we got back to Scandinavia I started getting more info on what had happened to the field there – basically Flag regges and FSMs had been persuading people to take out huge (and I mean huge) loans for the L’s (“after all, when you get done with the L’s you’ll have no problem paying off this paltry loan”). They cosigned each others loans, lied about their income and so on. By the time we got there the Ponzi scheme was collapsing and some of the people involved were losing their jobs and some were facing jail time.

I refused to reg people. I falsified the income stat and just worked on trying to get FSMs to get new people in. Then I wrote it all up to DM and sent it in via telex.

And got declared – again. Eleven in the evening Nancy and I were out on the street – again. I had borrowed three hundred Swedish kronor from an old friend who happened to be in the Nordland that night so Nancy and I could find a hotel.

Second time around. Jesus H Christ you would think I would learn. But no.

After a couple of days we had no money, nowhere to stay, no friends, no family. Sean was away at school so he was OK, we had left Chris in the Sea Org under the care of some friends. We ended up spending one night in a homeless shelter. It was an awful time.

We got tickets to go up and visit Sean (something parents were entitled to do under the Danish system) and we flew to Aalborg and stayed in a visitors cottage. The school offered to help us out for a couple of weeks and we stayed up there, called my wife’s family in the US and borrowed a couple of hundred dollars from her sisters and gradually took out time to relax and to stop worrying.

We went back to Copenhagen, got jobs with SAS at one of the hotels, and just started out on trying to get by.

We eventually decided to go back to the US and we arrived in Denver on October 1st, 1990. And now we live out in the country on the eastern plains.

— Mick Wenlock

We knew that Mike Rinder admired Mick, and so we asked him for his thoughts.

I met Mick way back in the mid 70’s when we went on a Mission together to AOLA. Those three weeks created a friendship that spanned decades. Funny, warm-hearted, intensely loyal and not one to tolerate any bullshit, Mick was a man I enjoyed being with anywhere and any time. It didn’t hurt that I love England and English people generally, we talked soccer and Monty Python and politics. Unfortunately we never spent a lot of time together subsequent to that time, though when we would see each other it was always fun. He escaped the Sea Org long before I had the good sense to do so. After I left we got back in touch, and he was the same old Mick. I shall miss him. He was the very definition of a “good guy.” — Mike Rinder

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Technology Cocktail/

“At the end of any session of R3-R leave the pc where he is on the time track. Do not attempt to bring the pc to present time or take the pc to a rest point, as these actions may very well by-pass charge. End any R3-R session with very careful goals, gains (as the pc is usually rather anaten) and any needed havingness, but keep the havingness very brief, only enough to restore can squeeze. Do not end a session on a boil-off or ARC Break.” — L. Ron Hubbard, 1963

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THE PODCAST: How many have you heard?

— 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

— The first Danny Masterson trial and beyond

——————–

“There’s another item that’s posted on the bulletin board, has to do with one R. — I think it is — R. M. Nixon. You notice that on the bulletin board? And John is attributing the fact that we clobbered Nixon to the fact that he’s clobbered. I don’t know to what point this extends, but it’s interesting that that is the first political figure in the United States that we really have clobbered. Of course, we hit him hard. Mary Sue isn’t here. Mary Sue isn’t here, so I can tell you that actually I hit him because he hit at Mary Sue. It’s almost that corny. But this fellow was using the United States Secret Service as a sort of a private Gestapo. And he’d been doing this all over Washington and so forth. So I just didn’t think it was good political, I didn’t think he had the right political color, somehow or another.” — L. Ron Hubbard, November 15, 1962

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“BIRTH CONTROL PILLS — these apparently cause severe depression and severe damage to female sexual organs. It is of interest that these four things are the direct product and tools of the same people who for 20 years financed and pushed the attacks on Dianetics and Scientology. Thus we are looking at the current center of psychosis on the planet. The drug companies and their primary pushers — the psychiatrist and medicos. About half the ringleaders in attacks on us are disabled or dead. It’s like audint a planet already.” — The Commodore, November 15, 1970

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“Do you think the jews are the Marcabs? Cpt Bill and LRH for PR purposes could have used the word Marcab instead. I swear I read somewhere that LRH said the Marcabs were the Elohim or nephilim from the bible, and so they were like the jewish gods, and we all know gods is simply a primitive earthlings word for alien, so aliens were interbreeding or hanging out with the Israelis back then. Therefore these marcab gods have seeded a race here on Earth. And if these Marcabs have police states and controlled economies and suppressive economics planets then that would make sense with what we see here with lots of jews being top bankers and lawyers and apart of the suppressive New World Order economic system. Its all very interesting.”

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1997: Ray Randolph received email from Cartoonist Jim Berry, who was a target of Scientology for some of his cartoons about Scientology. “The subject of Scientology brought back upsetting memories. Years ago a reader sent me an article about Scientology that appeared in a northern Florida newspaper (Tallahassee?). It was about how the ‘church’ operated with respect to dealing with the people on their ‘enemies list.’ It seems I did one or two cartoons that they didn’t like. In the piece there was reference to ‘Operation ‘Berry’s World,’ or some such title. It told about the leader of the church of Scientology urging all of its members to write and call newspapers across the country and complain about my feature – telling editors and publishers to drop ‘Berry’s World.’ This was an organized effort to kill my career and I had no idea that it was happening. It’s a wonder my feature survived the onslaught. I decline to write anything further about this subject.”

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“Those who still believe in the tech will say that they ‘know’ that it works from personal experience and that science hasn’t caught up to LRH yet. vaLLarrr used to ask us if we thought we loved our mothers or if we knew we loved our mothers in her attempts to defend the tech as being empirically provable. It’s all self delusional mind games they’re playing with themselves.”

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

Civil litigation:
— Leah Remini v. Scientology, alleging ‘Fair Game’ harassment and defamation: Complaint filed August 2, Scientology submitting anti-SLAPP response Oct 26.
— Baxter, Baxter, and Paris v. Scientology, alleging labor trafficking: Forced to arbitration. Plaintiffs allowed interlocutory appeal to Eleventh Circuit.
— Valerie Haney v. Scientology: Forced to ‘religious arbitration.’
— Chrissie Bixler et al. v. Scientology and Danny Masterson: Discovery phase.
— Jane Doe 1 v. Scientology, David Miscavige, and Gavin Potter: Case unsealed and second amended complaint filed. Scientology moves for religious arbitration.
— Chiropractors Steve Peyroux and Brent Detelich, stem cell fraud: Ordered to mediation.

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Find your favorite Hubbardite celeb at this index page — or suggest someone to add to the list!

——————–
THE WHOLE TRACK

[ONE year ago] Closing arguments today at the Danny Masterson trial: Come along for the ride
[TWO years ago] Scientology at a crossroads: When the ruthless upstarts pushed out the less compliant
[THREE years ago] Scientology has your certificate, pilgrim. Join these big beings around the world!
[FOUR years ago] The new leaders of ‘Scientology’ tell us about their fight to free the world
[FIVE years ago] Eric Saldarriaga, private eye who took the fall for Scientology, 1973-2017
[SIX years ago] Jared Fogle, former Subway huckster, turned to an indie Scientologist for failed ‘appeal’
[SEVEN years ago] In court today: Flop filmmakers who met in Scientology face 75 years for Ponzi scheme
[EIGHT years ago] Tom DeVocht: Watching David Miscavige watch Lisa McPherson and her faulty ‘needle’
[NINE years ago] Judge calls for February mini-trial in Garcia case, and we have text of the Lemberger lawsuit
[TEN years ago] Judge James Whittemore Reins In the Garcia v. Scientology Case
[ELEVEN years ago] LA’s Sheriff Lee Baca Handing Out Scientology Booklets This Sunday?

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Scientology disconnection, a reminder

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 3,214 days.
Katrina Reyes has not seen her mother Yelena in 3,729 days
Sylvia Wagner DeWall has not seen her brother Randy in 3,279 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his grandson Leo in 2,269 days.
Geoff Levin has not seen his son Collin and daughter Savannah in 2,150 days.
Christie Collbran has not seen her mother Liz King in 5,454 days.
Clarissa Adams has not seen her parents Walter and Irmin Huber in 3,325 days.
Doug Kramer has not seen his parents Linda and Norm in 2,430 days.
Jamie Sorrentini Lugli has not seen her father Irving in 4,877 days.
Quailynn McDaniel has not seen her brother Sean in 4,219 days.
Dylan Gill has not seen his father Russell in 12,785 days.
Melissa Paris has not seen her father Jean-Francois in 8,704 days.
Valeska Paris has not seen her brother Raphael in 4,871 days.
Mirriam Francis has not seen her brother Ben in 4,453 days.
Claudio and Renata Lugli have not seen their son Flavio in 4,714 days.
Sara Goldberg has not seen her daughter Ashley in 3,750 days.
Lori Hodgson has not seen her son Jeremy and daughter Jessica in 3,466 days.
Marie Bilheimer has not seen her mother June in 3,030 days.
Julian Wain has not seen his brother Joseph or mother Susan in 1,345 days.
Charley Updegrove has not seen his son Toby in 2,520 days.
Joe Reaiche has not seen his daughter Alanna Masterson in 7,071 days
Derek Bloch has not seen his father Darren in 4,202 days.
Cindy Plahuta has not seen her daughter Kara in 4,540 days.
Roger Weller has not seen his daughter Alyssa in 9,395 days.
Claire Headley has not seen her mother Gen in 4,514 days.
Ramana Dienes-Browning has not seen her mother Jancis in 2,870 days.
Mike Rinder has not seen his son Benjamin and daughter Taryn in 7,173 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his daughter Spring in 3,279 days.
Skip Young has not seen his daughters Megan and Alexis in 3,677 days.
Mary Kahn has not seen her son Sammy in 3,553 days.
Lois Reisdorf has not seen her son Craig in 3,118 days.
Phil and Willie Jones have not seen their son Mike and daughter Emily in 3,631 days.
Mary Jane Barry has not seen her daughter Samantha in 3,885 days.
Kate Bornstein has not seen her daughter Jessica in 14,994 days.

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Posted by Tony Ortega on November 15, 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.

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He helped launch Scientology’s cruise ship, and later was cast aside by the church

Scott Campbell — Thu, 09 Nov 2023 12:00:42 +0000

[Bill Straass]

Recently I got word that my good buddy Bill Straass had passed away.

I first met Bill in the summer of 1985 when I was the Dissemination Secretary on the Ship Project, the project to man-up and purchase a cruise ship on which to deliver “New OTVIII” and the newly released “OT Hatting” courses in the tranquil waters of the Caribbean. Bill was among the Flag Land Base Sea Org staff who had volunteered to become crew members on the ship at a Flag event announcing the Ship Project. He had been the FSO NOTS HGC Board IC (Flag Service Organization New Era Dianetics for OTs Hubbard Guidance Center In-Charge, now that’s a mouthful) up to the point at which we were able to replace him on that post and bring him onto the Ship Project.

Bill was legendary at Flag for having busted Pierre Ethier, the famed Class XII auditor and perennial FSO “Auditor of The Year,” for falsifying his auditing hours! Upon learning of Bill’s report, Pierre promptly threatened to kill Bill if he didn’t retract the Knowledge Report he’d written. Undaunted, Bill stood his ground and refused. An investigation got done and Pierre got an Ethics program. That was the thing about Bill, he was absolutely fearless when exposing any type of malfeasance or abuse of power.

Bill and I were both mechanics by nature, and up to the point at which we got to the ship and started working in the engine room, we were, although competent at our Ship Project posts, “fish out of water,” so to speak – we definitely weren’t admin types. Nevertheless, over the course of the next year, we actually did man-up and purchase a cruise ship which we would then re-christen, “Freewinds.” Once on board, Bill was posted as the Engine Room “Mechanic’s Chief” – in charge of the Machinery Unit and all of the mechanics in its various sub-units – consisting of a dozen people. It was a huge responsibility.

At that time I was his Main Engine Mechanic. Between late 1986 and up to the Freewinds Maiden Voyage in June 1988, we worked day and night to make the Freewinds ship-shape to be able to sail safely and accommodate passengers. Bill faced this awesome responsibility with unflinching confront and brilliant management of his personnel. We did indeed “pull off a miracle” – all while passing the stringent Det Norske Veritas Classification Society inspections for passenger vessels. To give you an idea of the scope of that responsibility, I will just say this: A cruise ship is like a small city. It has to provide not only water, sewer, electricity and all of the amenities of a fine resort hotel, it has to do that reliably and consistently while plying the Seven Seas. Not an easy task.

On a cruise ship, the sailing schedule is like the Bible; it is held inviolate. Not only is the ship’s itinerary planned months in advance, it’s also booked at least six weeks in advance at all times. Passengers are beginning or ending their cruise at nearly every port, so the ship cannot miss an arrival or departure time, as people are flying in or out from most of those ports. Like I said, Bill’s job was an awesome responsibility. He also maintained these standards long after my wife Karry and I left the Sea Org in late 1994. Bill and his wife Alison stayed in the S.O. until 2003.

Bill was in the Sea Org for a total of 23 years. He and I served together for 9 of those years. We had many adventures and I could tell many stories. But the story I want to tell today is that of a man who loved his fellow man enough to defy death many times in pursuit of an ideal. He loved to strive, overcome and accomplish… and then celebrate!

Bill was the most brilliant diagnostician I have ever known. He just plain understood how things work. No matter if it was the ship’s 28-foot-tall main engines or the sophisticated and computerized electronic radar equipment on the Bridge, when literally no one else could figure it out, Bill would come in, find the problem and fix it. His piercing intellect also gave Bill unique insight into the subject of “knowing how to know,” a/k/a, Scientology. Bill was like a human E-meter. When examining any problem or listening to any conversation. if something “read,” Bill would instantly recognize the outpoint or truth and (without discretion!) spit it out, often to the enlightenment, chagrin, or offense of the person in question. Bill didn’t care one way or another, he wanted truth and justice — not out of any desire for retribution or petty revenge, but for actual enlightenment and for Karmic equilibrium. In this regard, Bill was without peer.

Bill loved to have fun too. Whether it was enjoying a pizza and a couple of beers while on a weekend liberty, watching a movie in the crew lounge, or reveling at the annual Christmas “Bosun’s Party” – (with a bottle of Bacardi 151 rum in hand) Bill was all about having a good time and blowing off some steam after a hard day’s work, completing a major task or celebrating the close of another year. He had a wicked sense of humor and was always entertaining to be around. I have many fond memories of our times together, both good and bad. His “black humor” when all was lost, encouraged me to get through many times of despair.

Bill was also instrumental in my own survival during my harrowing ordeal on the ship. He literally saved my life by sneaking me untainted food and water as I lay dying on the deck in an aft compartment of the ship. I had not eaten or drunk anything for over a week, as they were putting drugs in my food and drink. This was after I had been subject to long-term sleep deprivation, Black Dianetics and other forms of psychological torture, which literally drove me into a psychotic break. Bill’s life-saving assistance at that time inspired me to survive the ensuing 15 months of imprisonment, drugging, systematic demoralization and prodding to commit suicide. He has my undying gratitude for this heroic act of defiance.

Bill was finally himself forced out of the Sea Org after events developed following a bleeding ulcer. Bill was a hemophiliac, genetically missing a crucial coagulant factor in his blood. Someone with this condition cannot stop bleeding if wounded. For him, a bleeding ulcer was a life and death situation. Upon this discovery, Bill was sent ashore to a hospital in Curaçao. It was there that he received an infusion of a couple of units of blood. Unknown to anyone at that time, the blood was tainted with HIV. (It was in 1989, before the blood supply was being screened correctly for HIV). I will spare you the agonizing and tragic details of what followed, those stories are well documented on the internet, but suffice to say that it cost him everything, his health, two marriages, his life’s ambition, his subsequent attempts at establishing careers… everything.

Bill wound up on Public Assistance and living in public housing in the state of Maine. Despite all of this and his bitterness at the inhuman treatment he received from Church of Scientology officials, whenever we would call each other on the phone, he would fondly reminisce about our time and adventures together in the Sea Org, and what could have been.

Thank you Bill, for all you did for your fellows. Fair winds and following seas, my friend – until we meet again.

— Scott Campbell

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Technology Cocktail/

“An auditor who cannot handle the Time Track smoothly can scarcely call himself an auditor as that’s all there is to audit besides postulates, no matter what process you are using, no matter what process you invent and even if you tried what is laughingly called a ‘biochemical approach’ to the mind. There’s only a Time Track for the bios to affect.” — L. Ron Hubbard, 1963

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——————–

THE PODCAST: How many have you heard?

— 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

— The first Danny Masterson trial and beyond

——————–

“Auditing itself depends to some degree on miracle healing. And the longer you sit back waiting for the process to do it, and the longer you sit back waiting for Ron to do it, the less it’s going to happen. You’re not going to make Clears waiting for something else to do it. You’re going to do it. If you don’t do it — look, who else is there! There’s the pc and he’s been an aberree for the last 15 trillion, squillion years, hasn’t he? He’s been spinning ever since they pulled his last temple down on his head or whatever happened. Well, if he could get out of the bank just at a whoooo, he wouldn’t be your pc, so he can’t do it. And when you’re in an auditing room all by yourself with just the pc, you know, and a couple of chairs or couch or something, you look around real carefully and find out who else in that room is going to do it! Nobody going to do it but you.” — L. Ron Hubbard, November 9, 1959

——————–

“THIS PORT: This is a very upstat area and our general relations with the shore are very good. We will be here for 15 days or more, at this or some other dock, as we are getting heat into the tween decks and holds and having some other repairs done. So if you have any extensive work or actions that need doing, now is the time to do them. As the World Health Organization is not all that good in restricting epidemics and although there is nothing particular wrong here, you are warned not to eat fresh fruits without peeling them and fresh uncooked foods ashore. Also do not drink any fresh water that has not been chlorinated.” — The Commodore, November 9, 1971

——————–

“Apparently and theres evidence for this in my researches, aliens or beings from outside this dimension abduct people and tinker with their DNA, giving them dna that makes them more prone to certain actions like enslaving others, then these aliens dont have to physically invade a planet, they just tinker with the locals DNA and these guys then go setting up a New World Order and they are Earthlings who are doing it to their own planet!…Hubbard seems to be talking about this sort of stuff in the OT8 Truth Revealed Briefing. He refers to beings exterior to time and how they work through others in order to take over certain areas of the mest universe. This is my best guess as to what he is trying to explain in that document.”

——————–

1998: The State of Florida this week charged Scientology with crimes in connection with the death of Lisa McPherson, who did in their care in 1995. From the Associated Press: “The Church of Scientology was charged Friday in the 1995 death of a member whose family claimed the church held her against her will for 17 days. Prosecutor Bernie McCabe charged the church with abuse or neglect of a disabled adult and practicing medicine without a license, both felonies.” From Reuters: “The indictment presented by McCabe charges the Church of Scientology with abuse or neglect of a disabled adult and with practicing medicine without a license, but does not charge any individual church members. The indictment alleges that McPherson was psychotic. It says she was kept isolated, prevented from leaving the church building and given medicine without her consent.”

——————–

“How long did it take for the Shakers to cease to exist? As far as I’m concerned that’s the basic scenario we’re looking at here. The feds aren’t going to do anything about Scientology ever and there’s not going to be any Jonestown event (thank gawd) so what does that leave except a fade out to non-existence?”

——————–

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

——————–

Find your favorite Hubbardite celeb at this index page — or suggest someone to add to the list!

——————–
THE WHOLE TRACK

[ONE year ago] BIZARRE: Scientologist figure Tommy Davis accosts two Paul Haggis trial witnesses in Soho
[TWO years ago] Profs looking at tiny groups of American ‘indies’ miss Scientology’s big issues
[THREE years ago] How Scientology can prove us wrong about L. Ron Hubbard’s ‘sheep-dipped’ valor
[FOUR years ago] The Scientology-‘Ancient Aliens’ tie-in we just know you were waiting for
[FIVE years ago] Someone is faking Lawrence Wright emails — and this one is about the Underground Bunker
[SIX years ago] French-kissing Wilt Chamberlain: Adventures of a teenager in the skeezy world of Scientology
[SEVEN years ago] How a new independent ‘church’ is trying to wrestle away control over the word ‘Scientology’
[EIGHT years ago] Scientology on the high seas: When L. Ron Hubbard was still making tech ‘breakthroughs’
[NINE years ago] Scientology Sunday Funnies: Kirstie Alley is now Super Powered!
[TEN years ago] Luis Garcia Responds to Scientology’s Arbitration Scheme
[ELEVEN years ago] SHOCKER: Court Punishes Scientology For Acting Like…Scientology

——————–

Scientology disconnection, a reminder

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 3,208 days.
Katrina Reyes has not seen her mother Yelena in 3,723 days
Sylvia Wagner DeWall has not seen her brother Randy in 3,273 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his grandson Leo in 2,263 days.
Geoff Levin has not seen his son Collin and daughter Savannah in 2,144 days.
Christie Collbran has not seen her mother Liz King in 5,448 days.
Clarissa Adams has not seen her parents Walter and Irmin Huber in 3,319 days.
Doug Kramer has not seen his parents Linda and Norm in 2,424 days.
Jamie Sorrentini Lugli has not seen her father Irving in 4,871 days.
Quailynn McDaniel has not seen her brother Sean in 4,213 days.
Dylan Gill has not seen his father Russell in 12,779 days.
Melissa Paris has not seen her father Jean-Francois in 8,698 days.
Valeska Paris has not seen her brother Raphael in 4,865 days.
Mirriam Francis has not seen her brother Ben in 4,447 days.
Claudio and Renata Lugli have not seen their son Flavio in 4,708 days.
Sara Goldberg has not seen her daughter Ashley in 3,744 days.
Lori Hodgson has not seen her son Jeremy and daughter Jessica in 3,460 days.
Marie Bilheimer has not seen her mother June in 3,024 days.
Julian Wain has not seen his brother Joseph or mother Susan in 1,339 days.
Charley Updegrove has not seen his son Toby in 2,514 days.
Joe Reaiche has not seen his daughter Alanna Masterson in 7,065 days
Derek Bloch has not seen his father Darren in 4,196 days.
Cindy Plahuta has not seen her daughter Kara in 4,534 days.
Roger Weller has not seen his daughter Alyssa in 9,389 days.
Claire Headley has not seen her mother Gen in 4,508 days.
Ramana Dienes-Browning has not seen her mother Jancis in 2,864 days.
Mike Rinder has not seen his son Benjamin and daughter Taryn in 7,167 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his daughter Spring in 3,273 days.
Skip Young has not seen his daughters Megan and Alexis in 3,671 days.
Mary Kahn has not seen her son Sammy in 3,547 days.
Lois Reisdorf has not seen her son Craig in 3,112 days.
Phil and Willie Jones have not seen their son Mike and daughter Emily in 3,625 days.
Mary Jane Barry has not seen her daughter Samantha in 3,879 days.
Kate Bornstein has not seen her daughter Jessica in 14,988 days.

——————–

Posted by Tony Ortega on November 9, 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.

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.

Sinéad O’Connor and Scientology: How she dodged a Thetan-tipped bullet

Tony Ortega — Mon, 07 Aug 2023 11:00:03 +0000

[O’Connor on The Graham Norton Show in February, 2012]

Sinéad O’Connor’s death at the age of 56 has produced an outpouring of tributes to her as a transformative artist and political figure, as well as moving portraits of her struggles with mental illness, something she was more open about than most. (See, for example, this superb piece by Margaret Spillane.)

Last week we began to hear about an encounter that she had with Scientologists in Ireland about a decade ago. And it turned out that O’Connor herself provided some evidence that what we were hearing actually did take place. But in order to tell this story, we are not revealing the identity of our source, whom we will call Emily.

—

Emily had only recently broken up with the man who was the father of her son when she first met Jack (not his real name).

“I was just out from being with my son’s dad,” she says, explaining that one result of being on her own was that she had obtained a computer and was making her first forays on the Internet.

“Jack was one of the first people I’d ever met online,” she says. “We met on MySpace.”

Emily was in her early 30s, Jack about ten years older.

And one of the first things she learned about him was that he was a Scientologist.

Emily knew almost nothing about it, but she soon learned that Jack considered himself a higher kind of being, and that he expected her to get involved in Scientology too.

“The very first time I met him he told me he was a demigod.”

He told her that she needed to do the Communication Course at the Dublin Mission, and she began a tumultuous relationship both with Jack and with the church.

She describes an unequal relationship that today she realizes was unhealthy. But after the breakup with her son’s father, she was feeling lost.

She lived some distance away from Dublin, and so she’d wait for Jack to come out on weekends, and accepted his criticisms of her “reactive mind” and other shortcomings that he described in Scientology jargon.

“If Jack said the sky was pink, I’d have believed it must have been my fault,” she says. Looking back, she cringes at the way she blamed herself for any problems in the relationship and craved Jack’s attention as a form of approval.

“I always felt like he was better than I was. More intelligent and stronger. And if I could just get rid of my Reactive Mind, then things would be better. He would tell me that anything that I struggled with here and now was because I’d probably done worse in my previous lives, and that had stuck with me from that very first phone conversation he and I had. When I met him and he explained some of Scientology to me, I believed him. We did argue, but he’d win most of the arguments every time because he was Clear and I was not.”

Then, about three years into their relationship, Jack came out to see her for the weekend, and it had gone about the same as the other times through Friday and Saturday nights.

Then, on Sunday, just a couple of hours before he was scheduled to head back to the city, he said something that stunned her.

“By the way,” he said, “I’m going to meet Sinéad O’Connor on Friday.”

Confused, she remembers asking, “What do you mean?”

He said that the singer had said publicly that she had joined a dating site in order to meet men, and he had sought her out.

In March 2012, at her website O’Connor made the announcement about how to reach her: “This is to let you all know before anyone else does that I have now officially joined the dating site known as PlentyOfFish.com (or pof) under the username of VeryCareful1 and invite anyone interested to view my profile.”

Jack said he had taken O’Connor up on it.

“He was bragging that he had gotten her to meet him,” Emily says. “I was so upset. He already had so many things over me.”

Jack said he’d arranged to meet O’Connor after she performed in Dublin Friday night.

Emily remembers that she wondered what she had done wrong to cause this, and how she could fix it.

“I asked him, ‘Tell me what to do,’” and she pauses to think about it. “It’s so sad to think I said that.”

If she was bewildered at the time, in hindsight Emily thinks she understands Jack’s motivations now.

“I think his aim was to meet someone famous. He had said he deserved to know famous people. I think his plan was to bring her in to Scientology and then he would get all the praise that he believed he deserved.”

About a week later, Emily remembers, Jack told her about his meeting with the singer, which ended up back at her hotel room.

“He said he had met her and had a good time, but that her guitar player was better looking,” she says, adding how much his comments disgust her now.

“His exact words were ‘I could destroy her.’ He was referring to her taking medication for her mental health. I took it to mean that he could destroy her mentally and emotionally,” she says.

With her own relationship in trouble, Emily also worried about what could happen to O’Connor. At that point, she says, she reached out to someone she was not supposed to communicate with, someone who had not only left Scientology but who was very vocal about it.

A man named Pete Griffiths.

With her own doubts in Scientology growing, Emily had begun reaching out to other people who had left, which had gotten her in trouble with the people at the mission.

She describes her time in Scientology as a troubled series of comings and goings, and constantly being in trouble, what Scientologists refer to as being “in ethics.” This time, she was careful to be quiet about what she was doing.

“All I could do was hope that Pete would somehow be able to tell Sinéad to stay as far away from them as possible,” she says.

“I can’t recall what I found in the end, whether it was a direct email or her record company or management but I dashed off a message pronto,” Pete says, confirming Emily’s story. “It went along the lines of, ‘You don’t know me and I hate to intrude into your privacy but I was recently alarmed to hear that you have been developing a friendship with [Jack] who is a known Scientologist who is boasting that he is going to recruit you into the cult. This would be a terrible thing to happen to anyone and I am simply warning you that you are being targeted by this person. Once again I apologize for the invasion and I hope you will respect my concerns for your safety. Yours etc.’.”

Pete and Emily aren’t aware if O’Connor ever got the message, but Emily said that Jack eventually told her that he had changed his mind about bringing O’Connor into Scientology.

“I got it from him and from my auditor that she wasn’t welcome in Scientology because of her psychiatric medication.”

About a month after Jack first announced that he was going to meet O’Connor, on April 14, 2012, Sinéad herself published a new blog post in the form of a long letter to Bob Dylan. In it, she makes a reference to a man that is clearly Jack.

“I met another really nice man.. But he says he is going back with his wonderful girl friend.. Who he has probably actually been with all the time, now that I think of it. Also says I could never ‘be the woman’ for him as he doesn’t believe in mental illness or psychiatric drugs and I have the milder form of bi polar disorder and take meds.. But get this.. He’d like to keep coming round to make love with me.. I almost admire him for his honesty. Anyway.. The plight of a million women…”

What did Emily think of Jack coming back to her after his tryst?

“I was relieved. It’s sad now, but that’s how I thought then. I was glad he was coming back. I’m glad that he didn’t get Sinéad into Scientology. They would have hurt her. I think.”

She screenshotted O’Connor’s blog post with the reference to Jack and has kept it ever since.

“I remember reading that and checking the news and listening to all her songs that year like a total stalker just to see how I could be more like her and if he was still meeting her.”

Her relationship with Jack was soon over, however, and eventually, so was her affiliation with Scientology, but not after she was told that she was making a grave mistake.

“Jack said, you’ll be dead within six months of leaving Scientology.” And another Scientologist, referring to her growing friendships with Griffiths and other ex-church members, told her that if she continued to talk to them, “You might as well kill yourself.”

Emily shared with us several emails from her Scientology handlers, who did their best to convince her that she was making a big mistake by leaving and associating with people like Griffiths.

“Scientology is perfect and it works. Scientologists are not perfect but we will persist until we are all Clear and flawless. I assure you, the planet has no other chance…I advise you to stop talking with anybody who is entheta and is against Scientology because they have their own ax to grind. Hubbard researched this and proved it,” her auditor emailed her.

But she put Scientology behind her, and has remained out of it.

Just recently, she and Jack communicated again for the first time in years.

Jack told her that although he is no longer practicing Scientology, he still respects the ideas of L. Ron Hubbard.

“I have no Lord and no Saviour. We are all fractals of Source, the All that is. We are all infinite Creating beings. Our individual Beingness/consciousness/I Am Presence/thetan is not created. It always was. We are part of all creation, before time, before matter. We enter into this physical realm, and we adopt and grow a collection of bodies or fields which are possessions. The Physical. The Mental body. The Emotional body. The etheric body. We continue our journey of experience challenge, learning and expanding. As we do Source expands. At some point the body will expire, but we continue as we always have, and we can re-enter this earth realm or others to continue the adventure and game,” he wrote her.

Emily said she is reassured to see that Jack is still a demigod.

——————–

Technology Cocktail

“Injured children respond best to touch assists and to locational ‘Where did you fall?’ ‘Where are you now?’ etc repetitive until child is well. For an unwilling child use short sessions (as short as two minutes) but always begin and end the session complete with goals and PT Problem query. For a bad-off child use CCH 1 and 2; these are heroic but effective. They require a very skilled auditor and no interference. Give the child the dignity of real sessions. And when a child flips to trying to audit you as a turnabout, let him. Remember that if you spoil Scientology for a child with bad auditing you may close the door on the only way out he’ll have in this life.” — L. Ron Hubbard, 1959

——————–

——————–

THE PODCAST: How many have you heard?

— 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

— The first Danny Masterson trial and beyond

——————–

“You’d be surprised how often you find a wrong date. And you’re running the Helatrobus implants, so you think, and you go right into the next goal for which you’ve listed. And then you try to get ‘absolutably’ and you can’t get a rocket read, and you say, what’s happened? TA’s up and stuck. I’ve got this next goal ‘to be a goof.’ It’s obviously the next goal in line, only it isn’t here. Shucks, man, you’re probably running a Bear implant. It’s probably shot back on the track Lord knows where, because the one thing a GPM won’t do is properly time. You can duration a GPM and you can time a GPM and you can get the date of a GPM almost endlessly. Why? Because its primary basis is lousing up time. Those two opposing items fire against each other — sound like time to the PC — produces a no-change situation. So the GPM floats on the track and so it’s very difficult to time a GPM. So it’s just nothing to get the next GPM in line to run, and find out that it isn’t at forty-three trillion but at fifteen trillion trillion trillion trillion trillion trillion trillion. Embarrassing. Eventually you go back and start looking for wrong dates on the case, and you finally locate that ‘to be a goof’ is not the next Helatrobus GPM but a GPM which exists in the early limbos of nowhere.” — L. Ron Hubbard, August 7, 1963

——————–

“COMM EVS: Officers who fail to take full responsibility for their areas, divisions and sections without further orders will hereafter be comm eved for offenses after this date and will be reduced to swamper. Ethics is obviously out on this vessel and some of its officers are obviously more interested in being good fellows than putting a well run ship here.” — The Commodore, August 7, 1969

——————–

“I’m ready to argue that anything as attacked and vilified as Scientology must be a pretty damned effective spiritual technology. As a comparison, look at the ineffective crap that the media and general public ARE willing to rally around – psychiatric medications, for example. I just got out of session, and it was a good and productive session. Somebody totally ARC-broken with Scientology should have their ruds flown, by themselves if they are solo trained, by someone else if they are not. Sitting in a huge ARC break for years and years, or for decades – what kind of nonsense is that?”

——————–

1995: Ted Mayett, former Scientologist, has been attempting to get a refund from the Las Vegas org, and has taken the unusual step of attempting to picket their location.
“The picket reads: They Lie About Money. When I arrived at the building there were five cars parked there. I park across the street and through the glass storefront I look at them and they look at me as I approach. And now I’m right in front of the glass, on the property, as I proceed to unsling and untie the picket. Before I get off the property. You may find this hard to believe. The door opens and one of them comes flying out. And it’s the DSA Las Vegas. She happened to be there. Well, the picket never happened. We stood in the heat for an hour, this woman and I. I do not mention her name because I am not sure of the legality of it. Ted, what is the problem? You are being fed lies, this entire church is built on lies. She wants to know what lies. These people are truly brain dead. I tell her the people in this building alone have lied to me five times regarding this money. One of the boys comes out with a check for $500.00. I had already declined another partial payment, told them it was no big deal. That when they had the full amount I would be right out here and they could give it to me. Now I have two of them asking me to take the five hundred and not picket. I said yes and that I would be back Tue. for the balance. The said they would not have the balance by then. I said no problem, five hundred a day would keep me from picketing. But not less.”

——————–

“My IP was blocked from the Washington Times comments because I kept bringing up the Rev. Moon connection so I started using Tor, then they started using an app that could tell you were using a proxy. Cults SUCK.”

——————–

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

Criminal prosecutions:
— Danny Masterson charged for raping three women: Found guilty on two counts on May 31, remanded to custody. Sentencing on Sep 7.
— ‘Lafayette Ronald Hubbard’ (a/k/a Justin Craig), aggravated assault, plus drug charges: Grand jury indictments include charges from an assault while in custody. Trial scheduled for August 15.
— David Gentile, GPB Capital, fraud.

Civil litigation:
— Baxter, Baxter, and Paris v. Scientology, alleging labor trafficking: Forced to arbitration. Plaintiffs allowed interlocutory appeal to Eleventh Circuit.
— Valerie Haney v. Scientology: Forced to ‘religious arbitration.’
— 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 sentencing of Masterson on Sep 7.
— Jane Doe 1 v. Scientology, David Miscavige, and Gavin Potter: Case unsealed and second amended complaint filed. Next hearing August 1.
— Chiropractors Steve Peyroux and Brent Detelich, stem cell fraud: Ordered to mediation.

——————–

Find your favorite Hubbardite celeb at this index page — or suggest someone to add to the list!

——————–
THE WHOLE TRACK

[ONE year ago] Former Scientology flak Tommy Davis potential witness in foreign-agent trial of Trump pal
[TWO years ago] Evidence from Danny Masterson’s preliminary hearing aired on KABC Ch 7 in Los Angeles
[THREE years ago] Clearwater Police release reports from closed Scientology child sex abuse investigation
[FOUR years ago] Scientologists behaving badly: What’s prison time to a trillion-year-old thetan?
[FIVE years ago] Proof that the US government has all it needs to act on Scientology — and it has for 50 years
[SIX years ago] ‘Scientology and the Aftermath’: Mike Rinder answers a few of our questions after TCA win
[SEVEN years ago] Scientology’s sneaky anti-psychiatry front has found a new way to target kids in Florida
[EIGHT years ago] How Scientology sets up its members to find themselves helpless in court
[NINE years ago] Camilla Andersson on Tom Cruise, and a gift for the Scientologist who has everything!
[TEN years ago] Prepare to Be Audited: Claire Headley Takes Us Through Scientology’s “ARC Straightwire”
[ELEVEN years ago] Scientology’s Recruitment Film: The Version They Don’t Want You to See
[TWELVE years ago] Scientology Goons Exposed: “Make Marty’s Life a Living Hell”

——————–

Scientology disconnection, a reminder

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 3,114 days.
Katrina Reyes has not seen her mother Yelena in 3,629 days
Sylvia Wagner DeWall has not seen her brother Randy in 3,179 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his grandson Leo in 2,169 days.
Geoff Levin has not seen his son Collin and daughter Savannah in 2,050 days.
Christie Collbran has not seen her mother Liz King in 5,354 days.
Clarissa Adams has not seen her parents Walter and Irmin Huber in 3,225 days.
Doug Kramer has not seen his parents Linda and Norm in 2,330 days.
Jamie Sorrentini Lugli has not seen her father Irving in 4,777 days.
Quailynn McDaniel has not seen her brother Sean in 4,119 days.
Dylan Gill has not seen his father Russell in 12,685 days.
Melissa Paris has not seen her father Jean-Francois in 8,604 days.
Valeska Paris has not seen her brother Raphael in 4,771 days.
Mirriam Francis has not seen her brother Ben in 4,353 days.
Claudio and Renata Lugli have not seen their son Flavio in 4,614 days.
Sara Goldberg has not seen her daughter Ashley in 3,650 days.
Lori Hodgson has not seen her son Jeremy and daughter Jessica in 3,366 days.
Marie Bilheimer has not seen her mother June in 2,930 days.
Julian Wain has not seen his brother Joseph or mother Susan in 1,245 days.
Charley Updegrove has not seen his son Toby in 2,420 days.
Joe Reaiche has not seen his daughter Alanna Masterson in 6,971 days
Derek Bloch has not seen his father Darren in 4,102 days.
Cindy Plahuta has not seen her daughter Kara in 4,440 days.
Roger Weller has not seen his daughter Alyssa in 9,295 days.
Claire Headley has not seen her mother Gen in 4,414 days.
Ramana Dienes-Browning has not seen her mother Jancis in 2,770 days.
Mike Rinder has not seen his son Benjamin and daughter Taryn in 7,073 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his daughter Spring in 3,179 days.
Skip Young has not seen his daughters Megan and Alexis in 3,577 days.
Mary Kahn has not seen her son Sammy in 3,453 days.
Lois Reisdorf has not seen her son Craig in 3,018 days.
Phil and Willie Jones have not seen their son Mike and daughter Emily in 3,531 days.
Mary Jane Barry has not seen her daughter Samantha in 3,785 days.
Kate Bornstein has not seen her daughter Jessica in 14,894 days.

——————–

Posted by Tony Ortega on August 7, 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.

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.

Losing a friend they knew in Scientology: A tribute to a remarkable woman

Phil Jones — Fri, 14 Jul 2023 11:00:28 +0000

In the realm of life, there are individuals who leave an indelible mark on the hearts and minds of those fortunate enough to cross their paths. Willie and I had the fortune to know one of those individuals. It was one of those rare positive things that came out of our stint in Scientology.

It was the early ’90s when we met Julie Moss, when she and her husband started work at a company where I was employed. Over the next 30 years our lives intertwined through social connections, various companies we all worked for, and of course Scientology.

Julie was a truly remarkable woman, whose presence illuminated the world around her. Everyone liked her. She was a ray of sunshine always and never spoke ill of anyone. Her father Ron Moss was a music producer, who in earlier days had managed Chick Corea.

Born with a radiant spirit and an unwavering determination, this extraordinary woman approached life with unwavering grace and resilience.

For a time Willie and Julie owned a flower shop together in the area just north of Clearwater. I have to say they produced some beautiful work and were well-received in the community.

But beyond that, it was Julie’s role as a mother, a sister, a daughter, and a friend that truly defined her. She poured her heart and soul into nurturing her loved ones, offering unwavering love, guidance, and wisdom. Her family and children were the center of her universe, and she devoted herself to their well-being and happiness, leaving an enduring legacy of love and strength.

It was a shock to hear of her passing. A sad day for sure. Willie and I felt like we’d lost a sister.

I’m not sure if Julie’s younger half sister Elisabeth Moss will make a comment publicly, but I’m sure she must be hurting as well.

For Julie, we mourn her loss, but we also celebrate the immeasurable gift she was to each and every one of us who were fortunate enough to know her. We’ll cherish the good memories.

— Phil Jones

——————–

Technology Cocktail

“The maximum time to release a non-insane person by CCH 1, 2, 3 and 4 is probably around 350 hours. And sometimes this route has to be taken as in a nonconsent case or a child or a very low reality case or a case that can’t or won’t talk.” — L. Ron Hubbard, 1959

——————–

——————–

THE PODCAST: How many have you heard?

— 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

— The first Danny Masterson trial and beyond

——————–

“So, somebody trying to understand life sitting down on a mountain top some place in lower Jesus or some place — Jerusalem, excuse me — and he’s contemplating his navel or something, and trying to get the hot dope, he gives you all sorts of things. If he starts to get close to the truth, then the things he utters appear to be idiocies, see. If he gets close to the truth. Like, there really is no universe – Mary Baker Eddy. There is no universe. All is infinite mind. Isn’t it true? It’s very, very, very true but that doesn’t prevent Christian Science from being the leading religious faith you find on the rosters of insane asylums.” — L. Ron Hubbard, July 14 1964

——————–

“To all staff & students: Per HCO P/L 26 July 1965, ‘All students of any course are debarred from visiting any medical or healing practitioner unless they are given Ethics clearance first and all possibility of ‘rollercoaster’ (sudden case decline) has been looked into and any suppressive or bad auditing precisely isolated. The exception is an emergency involving severe injury, or infectious disease, but in this case the student must be cleared by Ethics to be permitted back on course or even in the Org. This includes all accidents.’ This line is to be in as of now. Course Admin is to ensure student goes to Ethics first. Staff are to go to HCO Reception and route to MO then MAA & Examiner. Until the new routing forms are approved & issued — Reception and Course Admin will have to write it in. The point is this line is effective now and no one sees the MO without following the line.” — Norma Randell for HAS, July 14, 1971

——————–

“Did Leah Remini really leave the Church of Scientlogy, or was it a ‘reverse psychology’ operation to expose hundreds of thousands of people to the church? I once saw an article that after her series started Scientology had a huge run of people ordering books and taking auditing.”

——————–

1999: Grady Ward reported that Scientology has filed for sanctions against him. “RTC filed a motion on July 14, 1999 demanding $4,446 in sanctions from me for allegedly canceling a hearing without giving them adequate notice. Besides the material factual errors that can be corroborated both by Pacific Bell and Judge Infante’s courtroom deputy Ms. Andrea Hollis herself, this motion shows the extent the RTC will try to blow smoke to hide the underlying issues. Meritless — indeed frivolous — and *itself* a sanctionable violation of filing standards of FRCivP 11 and 18 USC 1927.”

——————–

“If the ‘tech’ is perfect, how did all these SP’s slip through into the upper echelons of Scientology management in the first place?”

——————–

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

——————–

Find your favorite Hubbardite celeb at this index page — or suggest someone to add to the list!

——————–
THE WHOLE TRACK

[ONE year ago] The nice Scientologist who was caught writing code for ransomware scammers
[TWO years ago] Another hype video! Scientology still begging members to go to the cruise ship’s ‘OT Bubble’
[THREE years ago] ‘Scientology Black Ops’ series with Leah Remini & Paul Haggis spiked by Aussie network
[FOUR years ago] Is it time for Scientology to replace its cruise ship? If so, we’ve done the shopping.
[FIVE years ago] Scientology fundraiser: ‘It was commonplace to lie to church members to get donations’
[SIX years ago] Now that Neil deGrasse Tyson is up against Leah Remini for an Emmy, will he rethink Scientology?
[SEVEN years ago] To Scientology’s Emily Jones: We have a message from your mother
[EIGHT years ago] Wise Beard Man visits Scientology’s new Fantasyland in Clearwater
[NINE years ago] The Dallas Morning News asks a question about Scientology, and we want your response
[TEN years ago] Someone Apparently Forgot to Notify the VA that Scientology is a Religion
[ELEVEN years ago] Alexander Jentzsch, Son of Scientology’s President, Memorialized At Sea
[TWELVE years ago] Scientology Wants Your Money! Donate Now!

——————–

Scientology disconnection, a reminder

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 3,090 days.
Katrina Reyes has not seen her mother Yelena in 3,605 days
Sylvia Wagner DeWall has not seen her brother Randy in 3,155 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his grandson Leo in 2,145 days.
Geoff Levin has not seen his son Collin and daughter Savannah in 2,026 days.
Christie Collbran has not seen her mother Liz King in 5,330 days.
Clarissa Adams has not seen her parents Walter and Irmin Huber in 3,201 days.
Doug Kramer has not seen his parents Linda and Norm in 2,306 days.
Jamie Sorrentini Lugli has not seen her father Irving in 4,753 days.
Quailynn McDaniel has not seen her brother Sean in 4,095 days.
Dylan Gill has not seen his father Russell in 12,661 days.
Melissa Paris has not seen her father Jean-Francois in 8,580 days.
Valeska Paris has not seen her brother Raphael in 4,747 days.
Mirriam Francis has not seen her brother Ben in 4,329 days.
Claudio and Renata Lugli have not seen their son Flavio in 4,590 days.
Sara Goldberg has not seen her daughter Ashley in 3,626 days.
Lori Hodgson has not seen her son Jeremy and daughter Jessica in 3,342 days.
Marie Bilheimer has not seen her mother June in 2,906 days.
Julian Wain has not seen his brother Joseph or mother Susan in 1,221 days.
Charley Updegrove has not seen his son Toby in 2,396 days.
Joe Reaiche has not seen his daughter Alanna Masterson in 6,947 days
Derek Bloch has not seen his father Darren in 4,078 days.
Cindy Plahuta has not seen her daughter Kara in 4,416 days.
Roger Weller has not seen his daughter Alyssa in 9,271 days.
Claire Headley has not seen her mother Gen in 4,390 days.
Ramana Dienes-Browning has not seen her mother Jancis in 2,746 days.
Mike Rinder has not seen his son Benjamin and daughter Taryn in 7,049 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his daughter Spring in 3,155 days.
Skip Young has not seen his daughters Megan and Alexis in 3,553 days.
Mary Kahn has not seen her son Sammy in 3,429 days.
Lois Reisdorf has not seen her son Craig in 3,012 days.
Phil and Willie Jones have not seen their son Mike and daughter Emily in 3,507 days.
Mary Jane Barry has not seen her daughter Samantha in 3,761 days.
Kate Bornstein has not seen her daughter Jessica in 14,870 days.

——————–

Posted by Tony Ortega on July 14, 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.

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.

Jenny Burpee, former Scientology Sea Orger and Cat White friend who helped find her, dead at 39

Tony Ortega — Mon, 06 Mar 2023 12:00:57 +0000

In September and October 2015, we found ourselves at the Underground Bunker scrambling to keep up with a major national story that we’d helped to break: Actor Jim Carrey’s girlfriend, Cathriona “Cat” White, had been found dead of an apparent suicide at 30. We were the first to add the detail that Cat, an immigrant from Ireland, had become involved in Scientology in Hollywood and was doing its “Survival Rundown” when she ended her life.

Carrey’s history of outspoken jabs at Scientology helped make this a sensational story, and the press was thirsty for any detail about the young Irish woman. Some of those details were supplied by her good friend, a fellow Scientologist and struggling actor named Jenny Burpee.

Jenny described finding Cat’s body in interviews she gave tabloids, and we later learned that it was a friend of hers named Den Bradshaw who had actually found Cat’s lifeless body.

But there was no question that Jenny and Cat were tight and had been for years. Jenny was one of the first friends that Cat made when she came to the U.S., and helped her find a place in Hollywood’s young Scientologist set.

[Jenny and Cat were tight]

Jenny Burpee was from a deeply involved Scientology family from Ottawa, and she had even served a stint in the Sea Org. But by the time she became close to Cat White, Jenny was following her own Hollywood dreams as a hopeful actor, producer, and event planner.

And even after leaving the Sea Org, she remained active in Scientology’s “The Way to Happiness” Foundation, and had marched with the foundation’s float in the Hollywood Christmas Parade, among other activities and fundraisers.

On September 28, 2015, Jenny and her friend Den headed over to the house where Cat had been staying after Jenny became concerned that Cat hadn’t been answering her texts.

A couple of years after Cat’s death, Jenny began making bizarre and disturbing statements on social media, which suggested she was going through her own difficult emotional time. We reached out to her, and it began a conversation that lasted, off and on, for a couple of years.

We told Jenny that we worried her lengthy involvement in Scientology would prevent her from getting proper care for her emotional problems. Scientology hates the mental health industry with a passion, and demonizes all things related to psychiatry or psychology. Even former members of the organization can find it very difficult to overcome that conditioning and seek professional help for emotional issues.

Sadly, Jenny’s communications to us only became more incoherent over time. Our last email from her was in 2019.

Last Monday, on February 27, Jenny Burpee was found in her residence according to the LA County Coroner, which has deferred her cause of death pending further investigation.

“Jenny was one of my close friends while in the Sea Org,” says Clarissa Adams. “She and two other friends and I all stayed in the same room at ‘The Complex’ in Los Angeles for a period of time. Our married friend’s husband was sent out of town on a ‘mission’ or something so we all stayed in their room while he was gone. It was a bright spot in my time there. It was basically a slumber party with good friends every night for a few months, so Jenny and the other two girls made my days way more bearable.

“Jenny was a light. She was silly and fun and she was kind and caring. Before her mental decline she seemed poised to do great things.

“Writing this, I have no idea what actually happened to her or how she passed, but she will always hold a special place in my heart and I can only hope that she’s found peace.”

——————–

Technology Cocktail

“We can be assured on the score of fallout — it isn’t dangerous at this time. It does not compare to the amount of ‘natural radiation’ with which we are being bombarded. If you went down to Florida to live you would increase your radiation count much more than it would be increased if you stayed well North and the government blew off ten thousand more test bombs…The reaction to radiation is thus entirely, completely, and wholly mental!” — L. Ron Hubbard, 1957

——————–

——————–

THE PODCAST: How many have you heard?

— 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

— The first Danny Masterson trial and beyond

——————–

“Always had a lot of fun riding motorcycles, it’s something I shouldn’t do, not in America. Motorcycles are ridden by delivery boys. They’re ridden by admirals and members of parliament over in England so I always have to ride motorcycles with an English accent anyway, to keep up my social caste, you know, it’s very important.” — L. Ron Hubbard, March 6, 1957

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“It should be made known that there has never been ANY order from the Commodore to have Dining Room windows left open so people freeze as they eat. There is an order to Chief Steward to handle cooking smells.” — OOD, March 6, 1971

——————–

“LRH wrote up an assist process that helps a Being leave their body when they are ready. There’s no need to dramatically kill their body. I assisted my 90-year-old parent, successfully to cross over with this assist. The Being let me know all was OK in a dream. And I was honored to become a godmother.”

——————–

2002: Former Scientologist Caroline Letkeman reported that she received her Suppressive Person declare from Scientology. “Caroline Letkeman, of Chilliwack, British Columbia, is hereby declared a Suppressive Person. Caroline Letkeman, in November 2001, formally resigned from the Church of Scientology by means of a public declaration. In addition to this, she demanded full refund of all funds donated to the Church. In the year 2000, Caroline wrote an essay against Scientology which contained defamatory statements and black propaganda; this was written for a known suppressive group and was published through a broad communication medium. Attempts have been made by Church staff to assist Caroline to come to her
senses, however, she refused these efforts to help her and has continued to commit suppressive acts. Caroline has committed the following suppressive acts: VIOLATION OR NEGLECT OF ANY OF THE TEN POINTS OF KEEPING SCIENTOLOGY WORKING. PUBLIC DISAVOWAL OF SCIENTOLOGY OR SCIENTOLOGISTS IN GOOD STANDING WITH SCIENTOLOGY ORGANIZATIONS. PUBLIC STATEMENTS AGAINST SCIENTOLOGY OR SCIENTOLOGISTS BUT NOT TO COMMITTEES OF EVIDENCE DULY CONVENED. DEMANDING THE RETURN OF ANY OR ALL FEES PAID FOR STANDARD TRAINING OR PROCESSING ACTUALLY RECEIVED OR RECEIVED IN PART AND STILL AVAILABLE BUT UNDELIVERED ONLY BECAUSE OF DEPARTURE OF THE PERSON DEMANDING. It is hoped that Caroline comes to her senses and recants.”

——————–

“Hubbard was definitely trolling people on some level. You can see it in that cartoon lupine grin he was always sporting.”

——————–

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

Criminal prosecutions:
— Danny Masterson charged for raping three women: Mistrial declared November 30. Retrial scheduled, jury selection begins March 29. Next pretrial hearing: Feb 16.
— ‘Lafayette Ronald Hubbard’ (a/k/a Justin Craig), aggravated assault, plus drug charges: Grand jury indictments include charges from an assault while in custody. Next pretrial hearing Feb 13.
— Rizza Islam, Medi-Cal fraud: Trial scheduled for March 1 in Los Angeles
— David Gentile, GPB Capital, fraud: Next status conference Feb 13.

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: March 15, 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.
— 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.

——————–

Find your favorite Hubbardite celeb at this index page — or suggest someone to add to the list!

——————–
THE WHOLE TRACK

[ONE year ago] Never before published: Jane Doe 1’s plea to Scientology to report rape by Danny Masterson
[TWO years ago] When Rinder met Hubbard: A Scientology story for the ages
[THREE years ago] Riffer madness: Scientology in a tizzy days before next week’s hearing in Masterson suit
[FOUR years ago] When Scientology’s ‘disconnection’ is forever, and other developments
[FIVE years ago] What Scientology TV should be about — but won’t dare to put on the air
[SIX years ago] Scientology caught in a lie to federal court — but will the judge care?
[SEVEN years ago] Scientology snags a TV news host, and other social media finds around the world
[EIGHT years ago] Scientology posts the (nearly) full deposition of reclusive ‘Justice Chief’ Mike Ellis
[NINE years ago] Scientology gets the ‘America’s Book of Secrets’ treatment soon!
[TEN years ago] Scientology Response to Federal Lawsuit: Force The Garcias to Use Church Arbitration
[ELEVEN years ago] Scientology, Deposed? Debbie Cook Goes on the Offensive

——————–

Scientology disconnection, a reminder

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 2,960 days.
Katrina Reyes has not seen her mother Yelena in 3,465 days
Sylvia Wagner DeWall has not seen her brother Randy in 3,015 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his grandson Leo in 2,005 days.
Geoff Levin has not seen his son Collin and daughter Savannah in 1,896 days.
Christie Collbran has not seen her mother Liz King in 5,200 days.
Clarissa Adams has not seen her parents Walter and Irmin Huber in 3,071 days.
Doug Kramer has not seen his parents Linda and Norm in 2,176 days.
Jamie Sorrentini Lugli has not seen her father Irving in 4,653 days.
Quailynn McDaniel has not seen her brother Sean in 3,965 days.
Dylan Gill has not seen his father Russell in 12,531 days.
Melissa Paris has not seen her father Jean-Francois in 8,450 days.
Valeska Paris has not seen her brother Raphael in 4,618 days.
Mirriam Francis has not seen her brother Ben in 4,199 days.
Claudio and Renata Lugli have not seen their son Flavio in 4,460 days.
Sara Goldberg has not seen her daughter Ashley in 3,497 days.
Lori Hodgson has not seen her son Jeremy and daughter Jessica in 3,212 days.
Marie Bilheimer has not seen her mother June in 2,776 days.
Julian Wain has not seen his brother Joseph or mother Susan in 1,091 days.
Charley Updegrove has not seen his son Toby in 2,266 days.
Joe Reaiche has not seen his daughter Alanna Masterson in 6,817 days
Derek Bloch has not seen his father Darren in 3,948 days.
Cindy Plahuta has not seen her daughter Kara in 4,286 days.
Roger Weller has not seen his daughter Alyssa in 9,141 days.
Claire Headley has not seen her mother Gen in 4,260 days.
Ramana Dienes-Browning has not seen her mother Jancis in 2,616 days.
Mike Rinder has not seen his son Benjamin and daughter Taryn in 6,919 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his daughter Spring in 3,025 days.
Skip Young has not seen his daughters Megan and Alexis in 3,423 days.
Mary Kahn has not seen her son Sammy in 3,299 days.
Lois Reisdorf has not seen her son Craig in 2,882 days.
Phil and Willie Jones have not seen their son Mike and daughter Emily in 3,377 days.
Mary Jane Barry has not seen her daughter Samantha in 3,631 days.
Kate Bornstein has not seen her daughter Jessica in 14,740 days.

——————–

Posted by Tony Ortega on March 6, 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.

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)

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.

Remembering Dan Sherman, Scientology’s bad biographer and worse speechwriter

Tony Ortega — Sun, 05 Mar 2023 12:00:41 +0000

One thing that’s changed over our years of covering Scientology is that we used to get more videos from big events that featured David Miscavige giving speeches.

And over the years, we noted repeatedly how crazy Miscavige’s sentence structure was in these hours-long stemwinders.

Miscavige is a high school dropout, and it turned out he was relying on a speechwriter named Dan Sherman for his high-falutin’ prose stylings. (Here’s a great piece from Mike Rinder pointing out the crazy Shermanspeak phrases in a typical Miscavige speech.)

And Dan’s influence on Dave’s lingo was confirmed when we got a chance to see Dan himself speak at a 2012 L. Ron Hubbard birthday event and got a load of his bizarre phrasing and sideways sentences that could be really tough to untangle.

We also dug his shaggy mullet, and Dan was also notable because he was Scientology’s official L. Ron Hubbard biographer, and was forever working on a book about the founder that we knew would never see the light of day.

Now there’s a report that Dan has passed away, and we’re working to get some confirmation of that (while flying back to New York after a family vacation), but in the meantime we thought we’d remind you of one of Dan’s finest performance.

It was something we wrote about at the Village Voice in 2012, and featured Dan telling a whopper about how Hubbard had prevented US atomic scientists from using the early A-bomb to overthrow the government! And who was the ringleader of this crazy scheme: Why, US Congressman Richard Nixon!

Seriously, enjoy Dan’s crazy ideas about sentence structure as you watch again this short clip from the 2012 LRH Birthday event, above. And here’s the transcript:

There are a couple of ancillary notes relevant to what transpired on the 15th of November [of 1945] in the basement of Caltech’s Atheneum Hall. In the first place, those participating in what is remembered as the Nuclear Scientists’ Revolt most definitely suffered severe punishments. Specifically and summarily, a full 64 were stripped of security clearances, thus effectively ending their careers in government research departments. Well, for another telling footnote, the henchman was none other than future American president and Watergate villain, Richard Nixon. In the second place, those in attendance indeed represented the cream of America’s atom bomb project, including a chief engineer who designed the triggering device, and no less than three Nobel Laureates for theoretical physics. Not in attendance but not far away in sentiment was A-bomb father Robert Oppenheimer who, when the first mushroom cloud arose was overheard whispering, “Now I become Death, the destroyer of worlds.” But the overriding point, and vastly so, is simply this: How is it, LRH asks, did these brilliant minds come to believe America would never actually drop the bomb? How is it they swallowed the story that went something like this: The government was to build a grandstand where Hitler and the Japanese emperor would sit, whereupon, as LRH described it, “They were going to press a button, they were going to have an atom bomb go off, and they were going to say, ‘See what we’re going to do to you’.” To which he adds, “And these dopes fell for that. These so-called great brains fell for that story.” But in so far as the bomb was now an inexorable fact of existence, and, as Heinlein so colorfully phrased it, “You can’t turn the sausage back into a hog,” we come to the next turn in our LRH trail.

Here’s how we reacted to that word salad in 2012:

How is it this isn’t in every school book in this great land of ours? L. Ron Hubbard stopped Richard Nixon from leading a group of rogue scientists to overthrow the U.S. government. Oh, and the Manhattan Project was going to fly Hitler and Emperor Hirohito over to watch an A-bomb demonstration from a giant grandstand in the New Mexico desert. Yeah, we didn’t hear about that one either.

These tall tales from Sherman were really something, and they were a staple for every LRH Birthday event for years. But now, well, like the rest of Scientology, Dan has faded away, and we’ll miss him.

——————–

Technology Cocktail

“On the whole track, radiation was dangerous for the good reason that there was more radiation in those times that could be exploded. However, radiation is a half-life matter and the older the universe gets the less radiation there is available to throw at people. And a good thing, too.” — L. Ron Hubbard, 1957

——————–

——————–

THE PODCAST: How many have you heard?

— 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

— The first Danny Masterson trial and beyond

——————–

“There’s a population explosion going on and I wish to Christ somebody would inform me how men are far scarcer in l972 than I ever found them in 325 B.C. How could they expend them back then? I remember around the turn of the millennia and so on, there were just mobs unemployed. Well, right now they keep them all that way with relief and dough and this and that and the other thing, and they’ve got some workable scheme or another. One of the silly ones which you hear, we did a survey, we did a survey on people, what they liked and so on, just a general survey in the Scandinavian area, and we found what they liked best was welfare and what they hated most was taxes. Oh, brother. Outpoint to end all outpoints.” — L. Ron Hubbard, March 5, 1972

——————–

“INCOME: As Income at Flag in actual money not just credit is creeping steadily up, I think we should get alert to fully establishing org form and appearances of all three orgs especially the FSO. A mission just concluded shows the FSO in need of improvement in form and appearance, both of ship and FSO members. The basic and reasonable recommendation is that an LRH Comm FSO be appointed so that LRH orders and projects will get compliance by the senior officers as these orders and projects have built what was there. With rising Flag income potential, real meaning is given to this recommendation.” — The Commodore, March 5, 1971

——————–

“A Rons Org dude said to me Miscavige is in a Marcabian valance but didn’t want to directly say this because it was such special deep high gradient data which only Rons Org OTs know. You know how OTs act like they have superior knowledge and do that cheeky smile look. Anyway, it’s so silly because CBR’s ideas about Marcabians are exaggerated imagination delusions based on a fact that aliens do exist. He takes conspiracies too far. So it’s funny saying Miscavige is in a Marcab valance when the truth is that he is actually in an LRH valance which LRH made popular throughout Scientology and that’s why we have these hardcore angry Sea Org members and the severe reality adjustments. Want to know what LRH was like sometimes? Listen to the stories about Miscavige.”

——————–

2001: “Realpch” reported a protest in San Francisco. “Our handlers were somewhat testy and pesky for this picket. Perhaps they were still upset by last month’s picket which was well attended and featured those notorious suppressives Keith Hensen and Tory Bezazian. Maybe they thought that she would grace the picket again, because Nasty Mark was there for the event, and behaving badly. After remarks about med dosages and queries about my general state of happiness and marital status, he resorted to reading me a list of ‘Psych Atrocities.’ He also worked heavily on Phr, doing the crowding routine and more bullbaiting. Luckily Phil was there, and occupied much of his time with congenial chat. Craig the Scientologist was there too, with his video camera and the usual ‘Religious Bigot’ flyers. Lately he has taken to taping Jour quite a bit at pickets, and dogging her every step. He was a bit at a loss, with her absence, and resorted to videotaping me and Phr. He was overheard exclaiming, ‘These people are against all religions! Ask them about other religions!’ I handed out an unknown number of flyers, since I didn’t count what I had started with. Phil informs me that Nasty Mark told him that he (Mark) was ‘a major player in the OSA ops.'”

——————–

“Seeing as how Scientology is the only ‘religion’ that doesn’t have theologians, there’s no worry about theological inconsistency. As far as plot-holes in the story go, the one thing that keeps them in is this steadfast assertion that they have observed auditing and the rest of the tech to actually work. If they can’t get past this and realize they have been tricking themselves, then at best they’ll be indies/FZ for the rest of their lives.”

——————–

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

——————–

Find your favorite Hubbardite celeb at this index page — or suggest someone to add to the list!

——————–
THE WHOLE TRACK

[ONE year ago] Scientology is trying extra hard to get you to fork over more money, you pesky thetan!
[TWO years ago] Danny Masterson: They called me an ‘agent’ of Scientology, so I get to sit in on arbitration
[THREE years ago] Naturally, shady Scientology operators are drawn to the gold rush of stem cell therapy
[FOUR years ago] What’s creepier than a Scientology street fair? Apparently, not much.
[FIVE years ago] Scientology turning to focus groups in anticipation of its TV ‘network’ premiering
[SIX years ago] Scientology’s Narconon rehabs haven’t changed in the least, even after dozens of lawsuits
[SEVEN years ago] Outfront Media rescinds contract for Scientology ‘disconnection’ billboard in Hollywood
[EIGHT years ago] ‘Will Smith is not a Scientologist’ — we elaborate on our quote the press went wild for yesterday
[NINE years ago] Larry Anderson: Scientology’s pitchman becomes a Bunker regular
[TEN years ago] Today, You Begin Your Training as a Scientologist
[ELEVEN years ago] Paulette Cooper, With Help From the Voice, Discovers Her Heartrending Past

——————–

Scientology disconnection, a reminder

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 2,959 days.
Katrina Reyes has not seen her mother Yelena in 3,464 days
Sylvia Wagner DeWall has not seen her brother Randy in 3,014 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his grandson Leo in 2,004 days.
Geoff Levin has not seen his son Collin and daughter Savannah in 1,895 days.
Christie Collbran has not seen her mother Liz King in 5,199 days.
Clarissa Adams has not seen her parents Walter and Irmin Huber in 3,070 days.
Doug Kramer has not seen his parents Linda and Norm in 2,175 days.
Jamie Sorrentini Lugli has not seen her father Irving in 4,652 days.
Quailynn McDaniel has not seen her brother Sean in 3,964 days.
Dylan Gill has not seen his father Russell in 12,530 days.
Melissa Paris has not seen her father Jean-Francois in 8,449 days.
Valeska Paris has not seen her brother Raphael in 4,617 days.
Mirriam Francis has not seen her brother Ben in 4,198 days.
Claudio and Renata Lugli have not seen their son Flavio in 4,459 days.
Sara Goldberg has not seen her daughter Ashley in 3,496 days.
Lori Hodgson has not seen her son Jeremy and daughter Jessica in 3,211 days.
Marie Bilheimer has not seen her mother June in 2,775 days.
Julian Wain has not seen his brother Joseph or mother Susan in 1,090 days.
Charley Updegrove has not seen his son Toby in 2,265 days.
Joe Reaiche has not seen his daughter Alanna Masterson in 6,816 days
Derek Bloch has not seen his father Darren in 3,947 days.
Cindy Plahuta has not seen her daughter Kara in 4,285 days.
Roger Weller has not seen his daughter Alyssa in 9,140 days.
Claire Headley has not seen her mother Gen in 4,259 days.
Ramana Dienes-Browning has not seen her mother Jancis in 2,615 days.
Mike Rinder has not seen his son Benjamin and daughter Taryn in 6,918 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his daughter Spring in 3,024 days.
Skip Young has not seen his daughters Megan and Alexis in 3,422 days.
Mary Kahn has not seen her son Sammy in 3,298 days.
Lois Reisdorf has not seen her son Craig in 2,881 days.
Phil and Willie Jones have not seen their son Mike and daughter Emily in 3,376 days.
Mary Jane Barry has not seen her daughter Samantha in 3,630 days.
Kate Bornstein has not seen her daughter Jessica in 14,739 days.

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Posted by Tony Ortega on March 5, 2023 at 07:00

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