Some links to Q-related items today

Trump walking at his Bedminster golf club. These trip add up costing taxpayers millions.

Why don’t Republicans cut these trips instead of education funding? pic.twitter.com/YsR5FW82Ya

— PatriotTakes 🇺🇸 (@patriottakes) August 12, 2026

ICE is getting electric shock gloves https://t.co/nCMQJR4Ow7

— PatriotTakes [...]]]>

 
Some links to Q-related items today

 
Looking for some background on the QAnon movement? We recommend Travis View’s excellent article at New York magazine as a place to start.

 
THE LOWDOWN is our blog for news, the QAnon phenomenon, and other subjects not related to our coverage of the Church of Scientology. If it’s our Scientology coverage you re looking for, please use this bookmark for our latest stories.

Posted by Tony Ortega on August 13, 2026 at 08:00

 TODAY AT SUBSTACK: If you’ve signed up for free emails at Substack, you will receive today’s feature story at your inbox: The Times of London revealed that a reporter spent months at Scientology’s Edinburgh ‘org’ in an undercover investigation, documenting that children as young as 13 are being recruited to become poorly paid workers. We [...]]]>

 
TODAY AT SUBSTACK: If you’ve signed up for free emails at Substack, you will receive today’s feature story at your inbox: The Times of London revealed that a reporter spent months at Scientology’s Edinburgh ‘org’ in an undercover investigation, documenting that children as young as 13 are being recruited to become poorly paid workers. We have a reaction from Alex Barnes-Ross. [What is this Substack thing, anyway?]

 
——————–

Technology Cocktail

“Benzedrine often helps a case run. Benzedrine can be administered at the rate of 5 mg per day given at the beginning of each six hour session with the first dose of B1. If administration of Benzedrine is begun, however, it must be maintained throughout the whole of the intensive process. Skipping a day, it has been noted conditionally, sometimes inhibits the release of anaten. Which is to say that when Benzedrine is administered on Monday, on Tuesday, when none is administered, the case appears to be a little more difficult to run in that engrams do not as readily release and, if Benzedrine is still omitted, Wednesday may discover the engrams to be much more resistive. While this is based on a short series, there is enough evidence to warrant this caution. This is particularly true when glutamic acid is being given the preclear.” — L. Ron Hubbard, 1950

 
——————–

Source Code

“Public must like to be fooled. They’re always paying con men of some kind or another. There must be some real value in having hope shot up to the moon in the stock market because those birds are very often paid off heavily. You could reevaluate the society on the basis of what I’ve given you. Yes, you could say, ‘Well, the society makes mistakes in this direction. Yes, the society is lied to.’ Well, I don’t think the society makes mistakes in this direction. That’s a new thought, isn’t it?” — L. Ron Hubbard, August 13, 1964

 
——————–

Avast, Ye Mateys

“SHERIFF SPENCE: Mitch Spence came back with a wanted poster published by 100 Substantial Citizens of Las Vegas, Mar 24, 1881. If you were there then, run it out fast!” — The Commodore, August 13, 1970

 
——————–

Overheard in the FreeZone

“We get it — there’s no need to repeat your opinion over and over again about ‘Skype auditing is squirrel’ — we have noted your opinion, everyone else has as well, you can seriously stop being critical now and just do your best at whatever it is you do. No need to put others down repeatedly.”

 
——————–

Past is Prologue

1998: An editorial from Frankfurter Neue Presse: “Yesterday in Frankfurt, several thousand persons demonstrated for ‘religious freedom.’ They were adherents of the Scientology church, the organization whose dangerous influence, as sect commissioners warn, has already begun to extend into politics, associations and businesses. Brainwashing, psychological terrorism, defamation, spying on citizens and commercial exploitation are trademarks of the fanatic salvation ideology of the psycho-sect. It mostly appears wearing silent soled shoes. Yesterday it marched boldly under the protective cover of the martyr of the Old Opera house in order to demand the right to ‘religious freedom’ for itself. Thousands of people have moved to Frankfurt involuntarily – people who left their country because of persecution for their beliefs. They left goods and possessions behind, and have suffered in body and spirit. To them, the Scientology demonstration is a cynical insult.”

 
——————–

Random Howdy

“I shook Jim Jones’ hand in the free eats line at Glide Memorial (he was serving) and I also met a man named Fred Lewis who was a friend of my dad’s. Fred lost 28 family members at Jonestown.”

 
——————–

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

Criminal prosecutions:
— Danny Masterson charged for raping three women: Sentenced to 30 years to life on Sep 7, 2023. Appeal now fully briefed, oral arguments scheduled for June 25. Masterson has also submitted a habeas corpus petition.
— ‘Lafayette Ronald Hubbard’ (a/k/a Justin Craig), aggravated assault, plus drug charges: Grand jury indictments include charges from an assault while in custody. Pleaded guilty on Nov 10 to a 17-year prison sentence. Now serving time in state prison.
— Aaron Matthes charged for SA of child under 12 years old: OT Scientologist facing multiple mandatory life sentences. Next pretrial court hearing set for June 19.

Civil litigation:
— Leah Remini v. Scientology, alleging ‘Fair Game’ harassment and defamation: Some defamation claims were removed by Judge Hammock. Judge Hammock’s ruling is on appeal, which is now fully briefed. Oral arguments hearing set for July 23.
— Baxter, Baxter, and Paris v. Scientology, alleging labor trafficking: Forced to ‘religious arbitration.’
— Valerie Haney v. Scientology: Forced to ‘religious arbitration.’ 15 days of arbitration completed, Val waiting for further word from the IJC.
— Chrissie Bixler et al. v. Scientology and Danny Masterson. Judge Upindra Kalra’s ruling denying Scientology’s motion to strike upheld on appeal. Scientology expected to file additional petitions before case can return to Kalra’s court.
— Jane Doe 1 v. Scientology, David Miscavige, and Gavin Potter: Case unsealed and second amended complaint filed. Scientology moves for religious arbitration. Trial has been set for January 10, 2028.

 
——————–

 
Other links: The prosecution of Danny Masterson. Leah Remini’s Fair Game Podcast. Leah Remini’s A&E Series. Scientology’s Celebrities, from A to Z. Bryan Seymour’s suppressed series, 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?

 
——————–

THE WHOLE TRACK

[ONE year ago] We have the new 75th anniversary ‘Dianetics’ — and it contains surprises!
[TWO years ago] Scientology operatives and attorneys trying to end a medical industry
[THREE years ago] Leah Remini’s new judge looks like an improvement — now watch Scientology squawk
[FOUR years ago] PODCAST: She did Scientology’s dirty work, and then made historic amends for it
[FIVE years ago] Tom Cruise’s Scientology superpowers, No. 11: Levitating an ashtray
[SIX years ago] The Top 25 People Enabling Scientology, No. 23: The apologist academics
[SEVEN years ago] Powerful testimonies about child abuse in Scientology keep coming to light
[EIGHT years ago] Scientology is very worried about 75-year-old Efrem Logreira and his allegations
[NINE years ago] The island nation that is proving to be a refuge for the Church of Scientology
[TEN years ago] Scientology’s fiery ‘Guardian’ before she hooked up with Ron, and other gems from our readers
[ELEVEN years ago] With a trial looming in 6-year forced-abortion lawsuit, Scientology cries ‘but we’re a religion!’
[TWELVE years ago] Denise Brennan, 1952-2014: A former insider who exposed Scientology’s corporate shell game
[THIRTEEN years ago] In Scientology, When the Prices Kick Up, What Do You Get for the Money?

 
——————–

 
——————–

Posted by Tony Ortega on August 13, 2026 at 07:00

E-mail tips to tonyo94 AT gmail DOT com or follow us on Twitter.

Our book with Paulette Cooper, Battlefield Scientology: Exposing L. Ron Hubbard’s dangerous ‘religion’ is 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, 1995-2024 Just starting out here? We’ve picked out the most important stories we’ve covered here at the Underground Bunker (2012-2024), The Village Voice (2008-2012), New Times Los Angeles (1999-2002) and the Phoenix New Times (1995-1999)

Check your whale level at our dedicated page for status updates.

 

Tony Ortega at The Daily Beast

 

Tony Ortega at Rolling Stone

 Some links to Q-related items today

Mike Lindell refuses to break character https://t.co/XH9dTJZkQi

— PatriotTakes 🇺🇸 (@patriottakes) August 12, 2026

Trump promotes book claiming he “saved America” pic.twitter.com/FlAA8nAU5n

— PatriotTakes 🇺🇸 (@patriottakes) August 11, 2026

Another brave citizen telling a gang of lying, cowardly ICE [...]]]>

 
Some links to Q-related items today

 
Looking for some background on the QAnon movement? We recommend Travis View’s excellent article at New York magazine as a place to start.

 
THE LOWDOWN is our blog for news, the QAnon phenomenon, and other subjects not related to our coverage of the Church of Scientology. If it’s our Scientology coverage you re looking for, please use this bookmark for our latest stories.

Posted by Tony Ortega on August 12, 2026 at 08:00

 TODAY AT SUBSTACK: If you’ve signed up for free emails at Substack, you will receive today’s feature story at your inbox: Could there be killer evidence proving what victims are saying about Scientology hiding in a Sci-Fi film that many Scientologists are familiar with? We were stunned when we learned the details from two people [...]]]>

 
TODAY AT SUBSTACK: If you’ve signed up for free emails at Substack, you will receive today’s feature story at your inbox: Could there be killer evidence proving what victims are saying about Scientology hiding in a Sci-Fi film that many Scientologists are familiar with? We were stunned when we learned the details from two people who worked on the movie. Someone get a subpoena ready! [What is this Substack thing, anyway?]

 
——————–

Technology Cocktail

“There are several cases on record of atheism having been altered to tolerance by dianetic processes and one case which joined a church after a release was effected. There are two cases of zealotism having abated to a sincere faith. Insanity has long constituted a considerable threat to religion. Religious terminology, when permitted to creep into the engram bank, particularly as blasphemy, causes various disturbances in the psyche, and the various religions have, throughout the duration of man as a rational being, been posed a difficult problem which can now be resolved. Dianetics not only pronounces but executes sentence upon insanity. It
makes man sane. What the world of man decrees about religion or what religion decrees about the world of man is well outside the regulation of Dianetics even though it is well within the province of dianetic studies of the activities of man.” — L. Ron Hubbard, 1950

 
——————–

Source Code

“Apparently transfers from the Galley without apprenticeship or replacement and Quadruple hatting the food purchaser so he simply used the food chandler ashore are some of the obvious whys back of the sudden recent drop in food quality. The WHYs being advertised are the wrong whys — low allocation is a wrong why. The food isn’t kept to allocation and has become VERY expensive for very low quality due to using a chandler. This would not remedy the increased allocation as the allocation is already not followed. Advertising this as the why or remedying it will not restore food quality.” — L. Ron Hubbard, August 12, 1971

 
——————–

Avast, Ye Mateys

“SURVEY: A great job was done in the E/R, by D/Capt, Ship’s Rep and 1st Mate and others in passing the survey. Possibly we even get our Lloyd’s Yacht Class. We are a yacht by registry. A Lloyds yacht class is different and useful. But true enough, in dismantling working installations for survey and reassembly, when we tried to start up one engine just wouldn’t start. A valve had been reversed! And an injector bleed valve was leaking. Two tugs were on hand as a precaution. Our E/R guys put it right quickly. Must have been an awful shock to push the starting lever and have nothing happen. That’s how it goes when working installations get dismantled!” — The Commodore, August 12, 1970

 
——————–

Overheard in the FreeZone

“Currently, most of the world has been ordered to shut down. People are told to stay in their homes and no go out. Freedom curtailed. Told not to touch others. Told there is a pandemic and millions may die, Driving people down the tone scale to Fear. Deprived of income due to no work. Financial problems. Heavy fines (in some countries such as Australia) in the thousands if one is caught outside of home without a ‘justifiable’ reason. Penalty for Being. Media and news channels constantly emitting a barrage of bad news on deaths and how bad it is and the favourite phrase to imply agreement and stick all at the same level, ‘We are all in this together.’ Enforced agreement. These are the hallmarks of driving people PTS. This means that the driving force behind this must be an SP or group of SPs. Just knowing this can de-PTS someone who is familiar with the technology. One does NOT have to go into agreement with this socially enforced culture.”

 
——————–

Past is Prologue

1997: Robert Vaughn Young posted a description of the harassing calls he has been receiving from Scientology recently. “‘Maureen’ She was a fascinating combo, saying she was calling from Connecticut. She said that she saw I was commenting on the rude calls and she wasn’t going to be rude (the voice had that reassurance of the nurse who tells you the shot won’t hurt just before she hits you with that horse needle) but she had been asked to call me. In that now-now voice, she reassured me she wasn’t afraid of me and that I shouldn’t be afraid of her but I should just calm down. She ended up telling me I sounded PTS III. An anonymous message from someone who talks through their nose with a twinge of New England accent, telling me something about committing overts. ‘Jerrod/Gerrod’ He calls me and says he used to work in the GO with me. I didn’t know no Jerrod/Gerrod. Where, I ask? When? No reply. He just goes into some spiel about my overts, talking as if he either has had too much to drink or didn’t put his teeth in his mouth. He mumbles on, in a pattern that is so routine now that it is apparent that the drilling is ghastly! So I tell him that if he is going to lie to me and not reply, no go, and I hang up. ‘Joe’ The guy calls up asking for Stacy and tries a local angle, wanting to talk to her. Oh, I say, where do you live? Uhhh….the Alki, he says quickly. (The Alki is a beach up the road.) Well, what’s your phone number so she can call you back? Uhhh…never mind! Hangs up. Anonymous – This guy left a message telling me to stop committing overts and something else but his TRs were so bad and it was such a bad connection that I didn’t even listen to the rest of it. ‘John Goddard’ Better but too rote and too arrogant. He obviously had been given a script and HE WAS GOING TO RUN IT! Oh, I could just see his report later how he delivered this scathing attack but you know what it sounded like? Some fast-talking late-night cable show where they are pushing make-money-easy schemes. ‘Allen/Alan’ – Now this guy was pretty good. We almost had a comm cycle! But he let me control it too much when we started to talk about the psych drug Vistaril found in LRH’s blood stream so he had to blow. I don’t remember his name but this one was so bad! He comes on and says how I said blah-blah in the SP Times. No, I didn’t, I say. Oh, you didn’t? Nope. Well, he said, then you said blah-blah. No, I didn’t, I said. Oh, you didn’t? Nope. Look, I said, why don’t you go get the paper and read what parts you want to talk about, okay? Oh, okay, he said. Never heard from him again.”

 
——————–

Random Howdy

“Refusal to accept one’s own mortality and a belief by humans that they are something more than just another species of animal is what drives this insanity.”

 
——————–

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

Criminal prosecutions:
— Danny Masterson charged for raping three women: Sentenced to 30 years to life on Sep 7, 2023. Appeal now fully briefed, oral arguments scheduled for June 25. Masterson has also submitted a habeas corpus petition.
— ‘Lafayette Ronald Hubbard’ (a/k/a Justin Craig), aggravated assault, plus drug charges: Grand jury indictments include charges from an assault while in custody. Pleaded guilty on Nov 10 to a 17-year prison sentence. Now serving time in state prison.
— Aaron Matthes charged for SA of child under 12 years old: OT Scientologist facing multiple mandatory life sentences. Next pretrial court hearing set for June 19.

Civil litigation:
— Leah Remini v. Scientology, alleging ‘Fair Game’ harassment and defamation: Some defamation claims were removed by Judge Hammock. Judge Hammock’s ruling is on appeal, which is now fully briefed. Oral arguments hearing set for July 23.
— Baxter, Baxter, and Paris v. Scientology, alleging labor trafficking: Forced to ‘religious arbitration.’
— Valerie Haney v. Scientology: Forced to ‘religious arbitration.’ 15 days of arbitration completed, Val waiting for further word from the IJC.
— Chrissie Bixler et al. v. Scientology and Danny Masterson. Judge Upindra Kalra’s ruling denying Scientology’s motion to strike upheld on appeal. Scientology expected to file additional petitions before case can return to Kalra’s court.
— Jane Doe 1 v. Scientology, David Miscavige, and Gavin Potter: Case unsealed and second amended complaint filed. Scientology moves for religious arbitration. Trial has been set for January 10, 2028.

 
——————–

 
Other links: The prosecution of Danny Masterson. Leah Remini’s Fair Game Podcast. Leah Remini’s A&E Series. Scientology’s Celebrities, from A to Z. Bryan Seymour’s suppressed series, 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?

 
——————–

THE WHOLE TRACK

[ONE year ago] A new book about Scientology is coming, and we have the introduction
[TWO years ago] LA Mayor Karen Bass boosts Mr. Scientology, Tom Cruise, on world’s biggest stage
[THREE years ago] PODCAST: When the ‘Brothers Broken’ lured David Miscavige to their Hollywood celeb blowout!
[FOUR years ago] A shaky day handling life and death at Scientology’s Hollywood Celebrity Centre
[FIVE years ago] Scientology in England faces huge tax bills on its properties, and keeps failing to evade them
[SIX years ago] Valerie Haney’s suit against Scientology back to square one after court setback
[SEVEN years ago] My brother, the Scientologist: Trying to bridge the gap when Hubbardism is in the way
[EIGHT years ago] If Scientology is hurting, have its ‘expansion’ plans slowed down? Here’s our assessment
[NINE years ago] Garcia case update: Has Judge Whittemore managed to fill a Scientology arbitrating panel?
[TEN years ago] Former workers file EEOC complaints saying Grant Cardone forced Scientology on them
[ELEVEN years ago] Scenes from the increasingly desperate straits Scientology finds itself in
[TWELVE years ago] Mark Bunker: Clearwater is being pressured to knuckle under to Scientology (again)
[THIRTEEN years ago] THIS IS THE SOUND OF SCIENTOLOGY’S FORCED DISCONNECTION

 
——————–

 
——————–

Posted by Tony Ortega on August 12, 2026 at 07:00

E-mail tips to tonyo94 AT gmail DOT com or follow us on Twitter.

Our book with Paulette Cooper, Battlefield Scientology: Exposing L. Ron Hubbard’s dangerous ‘religion’ is 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, 1995-2024 Just starting out here? We’ve picked out the most important stories we’ve covered here at the Underground Bunker (2012-2024), The Village Voice (2008-2012), New Times Los Angeles (1999-2002) and the Phoenix New Times (1995-1999)

Check your whale level at our dedicated page for status updates.

 

Tony Ortega at The Daily Beast

 

Tony Ortega at Rolling Stone

 Some links to Q-related items today

Root: You have the right to declare a national security emergency for elections. If you do this in the next month, we will get photo ID, proof of citizenship, and a limit to mail-in ballots…

Trump: Let me just say stranger [...]]]>

 
Some links to Q-related items today

 
Looking for some background on the QAnon movement? We recommend Travis View’s excellent article at New York magazine as a place to start.

 
THE LOWDOWN is our blog for news, the QAnon phenomenon, and other subjects not related to our coverage of the Church of Scientology. If it’s our Scientology coverage you re looking for, please use this bookmark for our latest stories.

Posted by Tony Ortega on August 11, 2026 at 08:00

 TODAY AT SUBSTACK: If you’ve signed up for free emails at Substack, you will receive today’s feature story at your inbox: Scientology is sure excited about its new ‘L. Ron Hubbard Hall’ coming [...]]]>

 
TODAY AT SUBSTACK: If you’ve signed up for free emails at Substack, you will receive today’s feature story at your inbox: Scientology is sure excited about its new ‘L. Ron Hubbard Hall’ coming to Clearwater. But what’s in it? We have the detailed plans for you to go through, room by room! [What is this Substack thing, anyway?]

 
——————–

Technology Cocktail

“When any disordered mind grasps the fundamentals of a thing, one cannot predict the way that mind will use the information. Zealotism has many times made religion odious to a people and zealotism is definitely undesirable to a religious group since it too often masks sadism and paranoia. Churches have long been troubled with this problem. It is not a problem of faith. An orderly faith alone can promote religion. Zealotism is a problem in aberration; it is generally caused by a manic engram and, quite unlike faith, is as likely to flash back against religion as it is to carry it forward. The action is unpredictable and the zealot alters his faith easily. On the other hand atheism, which religion has found highly obstructive, has for its origin, according to our case histories, engrams. No ‘atheist’ to date has remained an atheist after the engrams causing his objections have been removed. The atheist is activated by engrams as thoroughly as the zealot.” — L. Ron Hubbard, 1950

 
——————–

Source Code

“Illiterate cultures do not survive and they are not very high. The natives of the tribe of the Bugga-Bugga Booga-Boogas down in Lower Bugga-Wugga Booga-Woog are mostly no longer with us or they are around waving red flags today and revolting against their central government. They’re having a bad time. Well, the British Tommy that went down there with his Snider or his Lee-Enfield and brought them higher education in the first place was only occasionally followed by anybody who taught them anything. And they didn’t learn fast. Their literacy was not up to absorbing culture rapidly. So, of course, they can be victimized by anybody who comes along. Once the line is open, if literacy doesn’t follow and if secondhand observation is not available to a people, they stultify, they die, they go to pieces, they degrade. They are struck by this tremendous volume of exterior culture. They’ve been very happily down amongst the bong-bong trees, you know, dancing up and down amongst the bong-bong trees and the highest level of their interest, and so forth, was their own back yard. They could tell you all about bong-bong trees and they could tell you all about you mustn’t step in bug-bug bushes, because you step on a thump-thump snake and this was their direct observation.” — L. Ron Hubbard, August 11, 1964

 
——————–

Avast, Ye Mateys

“BREAKTHROUGH: In the last few days I’ve made about three upper level breakthroughs, two very important. One of these is comparable to the CC breakthrough. The other deals with On perception, why it’s off and how to turn it on. So my own hats have a high stat this week. About a century’s worth.” — The Commodore, August 11, 1970

 
——————–

Overheard in the FreeZone

“In the last 100 or so years, science has done very little real advancing and a whole lot of chasing its own tail. Don’t imagine that most of what you see as advances in technology are triumphs of science; they aren’t. There’s a little incremental science in there and a whole lot of engineering, which is not the same thing at all. And unfortunately, most of what the God of Physics, Albert Einstein, had to say is based on false assumption and is thus false. Yet physics has been limited by his writings for a least a century. Interestingly enough, Einstein’s writings, if accepted would be the exact thing you’d promote if you wanted to keep a planetary population bound to their planet. Four years to get to the nearest star, if you could go as fast as light, which Einstein says you can’t.”

 
——————–

Past is Prologue

1996: The London Evening Standard reported that a Scientologist committed suicide when his attempts to leave the cult were met with harassment from Scientologists. “A man threw himself 200ft to his death after a religious cult refused to let him leave, an inquest heard. Richard Collins, 24, joined the Church of Scientology hoping to ‘cleanse his body’. But when he tried to quit they bombarded his home and work with letters and phone calls in a last-ditch bid to make him stay. Days later he leapt off Clifton Suspension Bridge in Bristol. The inquest ruled that Richard took his own life.”

 
——————–

Random Howdy

“Back in my punk days I would donate plasma twice a week for $20 a pop. It helped keep me in pizza.”

 
——————–

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

Criminal prosecutions:
— Danny Masterson charged for raping three women: Sentenced to 30 years to life on Sep 7, 2023. Appeal now fully briefed, oral arguments scheduled for June 25. Masterson has also submitted a habeas corpus petition.
— ‘Lafayette Ronald Hubbard’ (a/k/a Justin Craig), aggravated assault, plus drug charges: Grand jury indictments include charges from an assault while in custody. Pleaded guilty on Nov 10 to a 17-year prison sentence. Now serving time in state prison.
— Aaron Matthes charged for SA of child under 12 years old: OT Scientologist facing multiple mandatory life sentences. Next pretrial court hearing set for June 19.

Civil litigation:
— Leah Remini v. Scientology, alleging ‘Fair Game’ harassment and defamation: Some defamation claims were removed by Judge Hammock. Judge Hammock’s ruling is on appeal, which is now fully briefed. Oral arguments hearing set for July 23.
— Baxter, Baxter, and Paris v. Scientology, alleging labor trafficking: Forced to ‘religious arbitration.’
— Valerie Haney v. Scientology: Forced to ‘religious arbitration.’ 15 days of arbitration completed, Val waiting for further word from the IJC.
— Chrissie Bixler et al. v. Scientology and Danny Masterson. Judge Upindra Kalra’s ruling denying Scientology’s motion to strike upheld on appeal. Scientology expected to file additional petitions before case can return to Kalra’s court.
— Jane Doe 1 v. Scientology, David Miscavige, and Gavin Potter: Case unsealed and second amended complaint filed. Scientology moves for religious arbitration. Trial has been set for January 10, 2028.

 
——————–

 
Other links: The prosecution of Danny Masterson. Leah Remini’s Fair Game Podcast. Leah Remini’s A&E Series. Scientology’s Celebrities, from A to Z. Bryan Seymour’s suppressed series, 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?

 
——————–

THE WHOLE TRACK

[ONE year ago] NEW: Come to Scientology ‘church service’ and win fabulous ‘prizes’!
[TWO years ago] Scientology staff is the best job ever: We have video to prove it!
[THREE years ago] Leah Remini asks for new judge in her lawsuit against Scientology
[FOUR years ago] Lured into your own past: The seduction of an initial Scientology session
[FIVE years ago] Tom Cruise’s Scientology superpowers, No. 12: Resisting illnesses with his mind alone
[SIX years ago] Leah Remini’s podcast: Forbes and Time writer Richard Behar on being a target of Fair Game
[SEVEN years ago] Scientology’s efforts to suck up to power is appearing to pay off
[EIGHT years ago] Church of Fear: When John Sweeney sat down with Anne Archer and Leah Remini
[NINE years ago] Leah Remini calls for federal action: Here’s the frustrating reason the IRS may not answer
[TEN years ago] Never-before-seen photo of Diana Hubbard, daughter of Scientology’s founder
[ELEVEN years ago] Scientology’s front group that targets kids gets cover from a Swiss politician: News report
[TWELVE years ago] Mike Rinder on Scientology’s pathetic PR, and the Freewinds welcomes a famous clown
[THIRTEEN years ago] Stop Picking on Scientology! Double-Fisted Wisdom from 1977

 
——————–

 
——————–

Posted by Tony Ortega on August 11, 2026 at 07:00

E-mail tips to tonyo94 AT gmail DOT com or follow us on Twitter.

Our book with Paulette Cooper, Battlefield Scientology: Exposing L. Ron Hubbard’s dangerous ‘religion’ is 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, 1995-2024 Just starting out here? We’ve picked out the most important stories we’ve covered here at the Underground Bunker (2012-2024), The Village Voice (2008-2012), New Times Los Angeles (1999-2002) and the Phoenix New Times (1995-1999)

Check your whale level at our dedicated page for status updates.

 

Tony Ortega at The Daily Beast

 

Tony Ortega at Rolling Stone

 Some links to Q-related items today

Elon retweeted an AI slop video full of QAnon slogans and images. Would be lovely if anyone asked him about this in any interviews he does in the future so we can see how pilled he is. pic.twitter.com/KDzXJQoIFv

— Poker and Politics [...]]]>

 
Some links to Q-related items today

 
Looking for some background on the QAnon movement? We recommend Travis View’s excellent article at New York magazine as a place to start.

 
THE LOWDOWN is our blog for news, the QAnon phenomenon, and other subjects not related to our coverage of the Church of Scientology. If it’s our Scientology coverage you re looking for, please use this bookmark for our latest stories.

Posted by Tony Ortega on August 10, 2026 at 08:00

 TODAY AT SUBSTACK: If you’ve signed up for free emails at Substack, you will receive today’s feature story at your inbox: When Scientology posted photos of its Aug 1 ground-breaking for future L. Ron Hubbard hall, we saw tell-tale signs that someone had been photoshopped out. Now, Alex Barnes-Ross has evidence that the missing figure [...]]]>

 
TODAY AT SUBSTACK: If you’ve signed up for free emails at Substack, you will receive today’s feature story at your inbox: When Scientology posted photos of its Aug 1 ground-breaking for future L. Ron Hubbard hall, we saw tell-tale signs that someone had been photoshopped out. Now, Alex Barnes-Ross has evidence that the missing figure was none other than Tom Cruise. But why hide him? [What is this Substack thing, anyway?]

 
——————–

Technology Cocktail

“Those engaged in dianetic processes are often interested in the effect of Dianetics upon religion. They generally desire to know whether dianetic processing will
influence faith or atheism. Dianetics is a science; as such, it has no opinion about religion, for sciences are based on natural laws, not on opinions. Self-determinism is always to some degree circumscribed by the environment of the individuate and the forces he faces. An individual without faith in something is lost and goalless. Faith is a necessary part of man. If that faith is given to a religion it can be observed that once given, it is steadfast and predictable.” — L. Ron Hubbard, 1950

 
——————–

Source Code

“The results with psychotics at the present time are pretty fair. Of course, psychotics are definitely in the hands of psychiatry — they are actually wards of the state — and we are trying very hard to keep those psychotics in the hands of psychiatry where they belong. After all, psychiatry is organized to handle that problem. Psychiatrists have been open-minded about Dianetics for quite a while, but recently I was over at the state institution in St. Louis and the chief of the institution was running a young lady. I pitched in and gave him a hand. She had been schizophrenic for a number of years and she lay down on the couch insane; we worked on her for about two hours, hit the key engram in the case and she got off the couch sane. So the psychiatrists are no longer open-minded at Missouri State.” — L. Ron Hubbard, August 10, 1950

 
——————–

Avast, Ye Mateys

“I don’t think anyone believed the FAO had delivered that many training and processing hours in the last few months. Over 147,600 hours of training and over 12,000 hours of Class X auditing! On FEBCs alone. 91 fired to the US. 31 to other areas. This pgm is only a few months old. Astonishing stats! We work.” — The Commodore, August 10, 1971

 
——————–

Overheard in the FreeZone

“Personally I always thought that Mary Sue should have thrown the three stooges Jane, Mo, and Mike under the bus and denied any knowledge of their actions. This would have saved us from the CMOI Junta that followed, but as anyone there knows there was so much confusion being generated at that time aside from Smersh and rogue Government Agencies including the ‘White Elephant’ no one on the Hill talked about until the Church Committee was an effort to go after Ron’s estate launched by Flynn and Assoc. with St. Gerry of Armstrong (another mole who told the LAPD’s CID ‘all ya gotta do is allege’) leading the charge being assisted by Ron’s estranged son who was a poster child for MK-Ultra Mind Control. As far as I’m concerned one of the key reasons Miscavige is where he is (aside from him being supported by rogue factions of ‘our’ Government and Smersh) is that he has become a fixed aberrated stable datum. In other words a walking, talking Ser Fac who has become a stable datum to anyone who can’t confront the prior confusion. That is my opinion and is the reason why I never bought into the ‘lone Miscavige theory’.”

 
——————–

Past is Prologue

1995: Jeff Jacobsen reported on the status of the Snow White criminals in Scientology. Contrary to claims that they have all left the church: “Then how come Duke Snider is listed in Source issue 91 as completing the Flag Executive Briefing Course? Why is Henning Heldt listed in Source issue 60 as completing level B of the St. Hill Briefing Course and in Source issue 67 as completing New OTV?”

 
——————–

Random Howdy

“People spend years, decades, stuck on OT 7. It drives them insane, like George Baillie or poor Biggi Reichert.”

 
——————–

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

Criminal prosecutions:
— Danny Masterson charged for raping three women: Sentenced to 30 years to life on Sep 7, 2023. Appeal now fully briefed, oral arguments scheduled for June 25. Masterson has also submitted a habeas corpus petition.
— ‘Lafayette Ronald Hubbard’ (a/k/a Justin Craig), aggravated assault, plus drug charges: Grand jury indictments include charges from an assault while in custody. Pleaded guilty on Nov 10 to a 17-year prison sentence. Now serving time in state prison.
— Aaron Matthes charged for SA of child under 12 years old: OT Scientologist facing multiple mandatory life sentences. Next pretrial court hearing set for June 19.

Civil litigation:
— Leah Remini v. Scientology, alleging ‘Fair Game’ harassment and defamation: Some defamation claims were removed by Judge Hammock. Judge Hammock’s ruling is on appeal, which is now fully briefed. Oral arguments hearing set for July 23.
— Baxter, Baxter, and Paris v. Scientology, alleging labor trafficking: Forced to ‘religious arbitration.’
— Valerie Haney v. Scientology: Forced to ‘religious arbitration.’ 15 days of arbitration completed, Val waiting for further word from the IJC.
— Chrissie Bixler et al. v. Scientology and Danny Masterson. Judge Upindra Kalra’s ruling denying Scientology’s motion to strike upheld on appeal. Scientology expected to file additional petitions before case can return to Kalra’s court.
— Jane Doe 1 v. Scientology, David Miscavige, and Gavin Potter: Case unsealed and second amended complaint filed. Scientology moves for religious arbitration. Trial has been set for January 10, 2028.

 
——————–

 
Other links: The prosecution of Danny Masterson. Leah Remini’s Fair Game Podcast. Leah Remini’s A&E Series. Scientology’s Celebrities, from A to Z. Bryan Seymour’s suppressed series, 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?

 
——————–

THE WHOLE TRACK

[ONE year ago] TX Lawyer looks at the Jane Does’ response in Danny Masterson civil case
[TWO years ago] French and English voices decry Tom Cruise stunt planned for Olympics
[THREE years ago] Leah Remini’s lawsuit: Why Scientology will always smear and stalk its ‘enemies’
[FOUR years ago] Special series starting today: The best TV show on Scientology you never got to see
[FIVE years ago] Judge in Danny Masterson case quashes ‘fishing expedition’ done for Scientology’s benefit
[SIX years ago] The Top 25 People Enabling Scientology, No. 24: Rebecca Dobkin and other low-level PI grunts
[SEVEN years ago] Scientology in a nutshell: The lights are on, but nobody’s home
[EIGHT years ago] Colombian senator asks defense minister to investigate Scientology over medal scandal
[NINE years ago] Bogus court documents, compliant search engines, and Scientology-style rehabs
[TEN years ago] Scientology’s richest couple buys ‘Holy City,’ a California ghost town and former cult site
[ELEVEN years ago] EXCLUSIVE: Tom Cruise Scientology video shows the actor praising the church — in Spanish!
[TWELVE years ago] Scientology Sunday Funnies: The Sea Org full regalia edition!
[THIRTEEN years ago] Jon Atack and a Special Guest Wrestle with Gerry Armstrong’s Legal Scientology Nightmare

 
——————–

 
——————–

Posted by Tony Ortega on August 10, 2026 at 07:00

E-mail tips to tonyo94 AT gmail DOT com or follow us on Twitter.

Our book with Paulette Cooper, Battlefield Scientology: Exposing L. Ron Hubbard’s dangerous ‘religion’ is 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, 1995-2024 Just starting out here? We’ve picked out the most important stories we’ve covered here at the Underground Bunker (2012-2024), The Village Voice (2008-2012), New Times Los Angeles (1999-2002) and the Phoenix New Times (1995-1999)

Check your whale level at our dedicated page for status updates.

 

Tony Ortega at The Daily Beast

 

Tony Ortega at Rolling Stone

 Some links to Q-related items today

*at his own properties pic.twitter.com/Hnce3PRpQc

— PatriotTakes 🇺🇸 (@patriottakes) August 9, 2026

Trump at his golf club today working hard to lower grocery prices pic.twitter.com/2yRVzl4mvU

— PatriotTakes 🇺🇸 (@patriottakes) August 8, 2026

👀 Cornyn says @jamestalarico can beat Ken [...]]]>

 
Some links to Q-related items today

 
Looking for some background on the QAnon movement? We recommend Travis View’s excellent article at New York magazine as a place to start.

 
THE LOWDOWN is our blog for news, the QAnon phenomenon, and other subjects not related to our coverage of the Church of Scientology. If it’s our Scientology coverage you re looking for, please use this bookmark for our latest stories.

Posted by Tony Ortega on August 9, 2026 at 08:00

 TODAY AT SUBSTACK: If you’ve signed up for free emails at Substack, you will receive today’s feature story at your inbox: A new batch of OT Phenomena is here! We always enjoy reading these ghost stories Scientology passes off as evidence of superpowers gained on the ‘Operating Thetan’ levels, which cost hundreds of thousands of [...]]]>

 
TODAY AT SUBSTACK: If you’ve signed up for free emails at Substack, you will receive today’s feature story at your inbox: A new batch of OT Phenomena is here! We always enjoy reading these ghost stories Scientology passes off as evidence of superpowers gained on the ‘Operating Thetan’ levels, which cost hundreds of thousands of dollars. It’s mind over money! [What is this Substack thing, anyway?]

 
——————–

Technology Cocktail

“The analytical mind is strong and should never be undervalued. It is not only strong in the sense that it is incredibly resistant to aberration, but also in the sense that it can rise above and conquer engrams even without therapy. Of course it cannot remain forever above those engrams, for new engrams may at last force it to succumb. But a person undergoing dianetic processing with an eye to greater ability should never be taken in with the statement that all he has ever done or said has been because of engrams. Fully eighty percent of his thinking and his actions were clear analytical decisions. When he begins to find out how many engrams he had and how powerful they were he should not, during the course of therapy, resign himself to a belief that he was never competent to overcome them, for he very definitely was. The power of the individual and Man is the power of the analytical mind, a tough, rational organism, difficult to aberrate, capable of overcoming aberrations and, when cleared especially, forceful and personable far, far beyond any pre-dianetic knowledge. Even aberrated or uneducated, Man’s analytical mind has almost completed the conquest of Earth.” — L. Ron Hubbard, 1950

 
——————–

Source Code

“Ninth of August? What planet? Nine August, AD 12….You are Scientologists. You are scientists. You are people who can do things with the human mind. You practically — this small confine here — practically all the people on Earth who are experts on the subject are confined at this moment in this very small area. See? All right. The trick is from my viewpoint, to get somebody who can clear somebody else while being cleared, see, that’s the stunt. Otherwise nothing else works. Not on this planet, you see.” — L. Ron Hubbard, August 9, 1962

 
——————–

Avast, Ye Mateys

“The UK ban is about to come off we hear by rumour. The Adelaide Aust ban bill is cancelled. The GPO lets us mail at bulk rates again in the US. I think we’ve even found the bug in the TR Course length! So here on Flag the few of us, on long, long lines, are working like mad, short-handed but rolling it out. We ARE very upstat. When you feel critical, just realize it’s a wish to do more better faster. For these 3 small orgs to handle what they’re handling is itself an epic. The thing legends are made of. The lowest downstat amongst us would be a king in any other culture than Flag.” — The Commodore, August 9, 1971

 
——————–

Overheard in the FreeZone

“Don’t think for a minute that the tech of Scientology and Dianetics doesn’t work. Too much energy was used by the US Government to stop it, so it must have worked its miracles as advertised. Imagine the meeting at the AMA. ‘So Doctor Scalpel, you read this book by Hubbard, do we have anything to worry about?’ The doctor replies, ‘I see a great danger with this book and we need to suppress it now, while we have a chance. I used some of its technology and it does rid people of illnesses with simple applications. This will cost us hundreds of millions of dollars.’ And so it went. Why else would the government spend so much energy on stopping us?”

 
——————–

Past is Prologue

2001: A Scientology press release promoted the anniversary event held recently at the Celebrity Center in Los Angeles. “The names on this year’s lengthy guest list included, Jenna Elfman, Leah Remini, Catherine Bell, Danny Masterson, Lynsey Bartilson, Marisol Nichols, Michelle Stafford, Jennifer Aspen, Nancy Cartwright, Marissa Ribisi, Erika Christensen and Jason Lee. Celebrity Centre President, Susan Watson, said, ‘the popularity of Scientology and Mr. Hubbard’s works within the arts mirrors the Church’s overall growth, with nine million members in over 120 countries and eleven ‘Celebrity Centres’ in cultural centers around the world such as New York, Paris, London, Vienna, Nashville and Las Vegas as well as the International center in Hollywood.’ The fifteen hundred-or-so guests at the soiree not only received a copy of a new musical CD entitled, ‘The Joy of Creating,’ they witnessed the hip-hop legend, ‘original human beat box’ Doug E. Fresh, Broadway’s Carl Anderson, jazz great Chick Corea and Australia’s number one female vocalist Kate Ceberano, performing variations of Mr. Hubbard’s poem that declares, ‘The greatest joy there is in life in creating. Splurge on it!'”

 
——————–

Random Howdy

“The ultimate goal of becoming an Operating Thetan is that you would no longer need a MEST body and you could return to being an all powerful, immortal non-corporeal being. OT 8 is actually the first ‘real’ Operating Thetan level. Hubbard croaked, so everybody’s screwed. Thetans are immortal. Mesty meat bodies, no.”

 
——————–

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

Criminal prosecutions:
— Danny Masterson charged for raping three women: Sentenced to 30 years to life on Sep 7, 2023. Appeal now fully briefed, oral arguments scheduled for June 25. Masterson has also submitted a habeas corpus petition.
— ‘Lafayette Ronald Hubbard’ (a/k/a Justin Craig), aggravated assault, plus drug charges: Grand jury indictments include charges from an assault while in custody. Pleaded guilty on Nov 10 to a 17-year prison sentence. Now serving time in state prison.
— Aaron Matthes charged for SA of child under 12 years old: OT Scientologist facing multiple mandatory life sentences. Next pretrial court hearing set for June 19.

Civil litigation:
— Leah Remini v. Scientology, alleging ‘Fair Game’ harassment and defamation: Some defamation claims were removed by Judge Hammock. Judge Hammock’s ruling is on appeal, which is now fully briefed. Oral arguments hearing set for July 23.
— Baxter, Baxter, and Paris v. Scientology, alleging labor trafficking: Forced to ‘religious arbitration.’
— Valerie Haney v. Scientology: Forced to ‘religious arbitration.’ 15 days of arbitration completed, Val waiting for further word from the IJC.
— Chrissie Bixler et al. v. Scientology and Danny Masterson. Judge Upindra Kalra’s ruling denying Scientology’s motion to strike upheld on appeal. Scientology expected to file additional petitions before case can return to Kalra’s court.
— Jane Doe 1 v. Scientology, David Miscavige, and Gavin Potter: Case unsealed and second amended complaint filed. Scientology moves for religious arbitration. Trial has been set for January 10, 2028.

 
——————–

 
Other links: The prosecution of Danny Masterson. Leah Remini’s Fair Game Podcast. Leah Remini’s A&E Series. Scientology’s Celebrities, from A to Z. Bryan Seymour’s suppressed series, 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?

 
——————–

THE WHOLE TRACK

[ONE year ago] Scientology sees illness as a weakness, offers space-age faith healing
[TWO years ago] Scientology ecstasy: When your space cooties finally get sober
[THREE years ago] Oh, now they’ve done it: Scientology gets in trouble with the Smurfs
[FOUR years ago] Rizza Islam’s sisters plead no contest, leaving him last facing trial in Medi-Cal fraud case
[FIVE years ago] Tom Cruise’s Scientology superpowers, No. 13: Communicating with anyone on any subject
[SIX years ago] Leaked Video: Scientology’s anti-psychiatry front talks strategy with psych professor
[SEVEN years ago] TOM CRUISE CAUGHT ON TAPE: Saving face after a Scientology disaster
[EIGHT years ago] Why Scientology is a haven for sexual abusers — it’s the way L. Ron Hubbard designed it
[NINE years ago] Hey, moneybags, Scientology has a bridge to sell you. Here’s the new price list!
[TEN years ago] The dapper CEO’s detailed response: Scientology wasn’t forced on disgruntled employee
[ELEVEN years ago] Why no one should ever believe anything said by Scientology Sea Org or staff members
[TWELVE years ago] Jon Atack: Escaping the trap Scientology sets for the mind
[THIRTEEN years ago] Scientology’s Shelly Miscavige is Not Missing — So Stop Looking for Her!

 
——————–

 
——————–

Posted by Tony Ortega on August 9, 2026 at 07:00

E-mail tips to tonyo94 AT gmail DOT com or follow us on Twitter.

Our book with Paulette Cooper, Battlefield Scientology: Exposing L. Ron Hubbard’s dangerous ‘religion’ is 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, 1995-2024 Just starting out here? We’ve picked out the most important stories we’ve covered here at the Underground Bunker (2012-2024), The Village Voice (2008-2012), New Times Los Angeles (1999-2002) and the Phoenix New Times (1995-1999)

Check your whale level at our dedicated page for status updates.

 

Tony Ortega at The Daily Beast

 

Tony Ortega at Rolling Stone