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French and English voices decry Tom Cruise stunt planned for Olympics

 TODAY AT SUBSTACK: If you’ve signed up for free emails at Substack, you will receive today’s feature story at your inbox: [What is this Substack thing, []

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Scientology ecstasy: When your space cooties finally get sober

[London staffers Glen Milton, Sandrine Mootoo-Hall, Nat Wakley whoop it up]

TODAY AT SUBSTACK: If you’ve signed up for free emails at Substack, you will receive today’s feature story at your inbox: You may know about Scientology’s legendary ‘OT 3’ level which introduces the idea of ‘body thetans’ and Xenu the galactic overlord. But are you []

Why a troubled VP bid has us recalling a bizarre 1980 Scientology extortion attempt

TODAY AT SUBSTACK: If you’ve signed up for free emails at Substack, you will receive today’s feature story at your inbox: Some media hand-wringing over the GOP’s VP choice has some thinking back to 1972 and the spectacular flameout of VP candidate Thomas Eagleton. But the Missouri senator is also of interest for us for []

New York Scientology donor David Gentile convicted in federal fraud case

[David Gentile and the New York Scientology “Ideal Org”]

TODAY AT SUBSTACK: If you’ve signed up for free emails at Substack, you will receive today’s feature story at your inbox: Jeffrey Augustine has been on the story of wealthy Scientology donor David Gentile from the beginning. So we asked him to summarize yesterday’s big result in []

The secret plan to produce a Scientology social media star

[Charlie Wakley, when he was emerging as the face of Scientology London]

TODAY AT SUBSTACK: If you’ve signed up for free emails at Substack, you will receive today’s feature story at your inbox: Over the years, we’ve noted how different Scientology in London has seemed. The staff there was savvier about social media and even produced []

Miss Lovely is still dishing on Scientology: It’s Paulette Cooper’s birthday!

[Paulette and her husband, Paul Noble]

TODAY AT SUBSTACK: If you’ve signed up for free emails at Substack, you will receive today’s feature story at your inbox: Every year, we celebrate the birthday of the woman who is the reason we started the Underground Bunker in the first place, to support our book about her, ‘The []

The telex machine wasn’t Scientology’s only old-tech obsession

 TODAY AT SUBSTACK: If you’ve signed up for free emails at Substack, you will receive today’s feature story at your inbox: Val Ross is back with another great look at her time in Scientology and the bizarre ways of the Sea Org, and the slavish dedication to old technology that was demanded by founder L. []

Scientology-friendly, gun-toting Nevada politician indicted in charity scam

TODAY AT SUBSTACK: If you’ve signed up for free emails at Substack, you will receive today’s feature story at your inbox: Over the years we’ve been fascinated by fiery conservative Nevada politician Michele Fiore and her ties to Scientology. Well, she’s suddenly in a world of trouble, facing federal charges for a charity scam. And []

‘Going Clear’ is at Netflix, and Scientology still doesn’t want you to see it

[Alex Gibney and Lawrence Wright]

TODAY AT SUBSTACK: If you’ve signed up for free emails at Substack, you will receive today’s feature story at your inbox: Is it really more than 9 years since ‘Going Clear’ premiered at Sundance? Seems like just yesterday we were there with the celebs to take it in. Pardon us as []

US government proposes new rule on ‘religious visas’ Scientology is obsessed with

TODAY AT SUBSTACK: If you’ve signed up for free emails at Substack, you will receive today’s feature story at your inbox: There’s little doubt that Scientology is abusing ‘R-1’ religious visas in order to bring indentured servants to its ‘Sea Org’ operations. Now, a the government is making changes and it’s a mixed bag for []