Some links to Q-related items today

A phenomenal moment in the Senate.

Eric Schmitt, R-Mo., claims he has evidence Jack Smith went to a HAWKS game in Atlanta.

Smith denies it.

Schmitt declares he has busted Jack Smith for perjury.

Smith, vexed, says he went to HAWKEYES game in Maryland.

Watch the [...]]]>

 
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 September 30, 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: Xavier Becerra debates Steve Hilton tonight in the campaign for California governor. Becerra has said nothing about his former days as a shill for Scientology after his campaign said he had ‘disengaged’ from the [...]]]>

 
TODAY AT SUBSTACK: If you’ve signed up for free emails at Substack, you will receive today’s feature story at your inbox: Xavier Becerra debates Steve Hilton tonight in the campaign for California governor. Becerra has said nothing about his former days as a shill for Scientology after his campaign said he had ‘disengaged’ from the church back in May. How does he really feel about it? [What is this Substack thing, anyway?]

 
——————–

Technology Cocktail

“Aberration, as covered in Individual Dianetics, is data which is unknown to the analytical mind and its standard banks and which has too much weight. False data, lack of data and misevaluated data cause the errors of computation. In dianometry we are establishing, for purposes of therapy, the errors of computation to which the mind is liable and weighting the worth of the mind when freed from errors. There are various classes of minds. First, minds can be classified from the standpoint of false data and lack of data and misevaluated data. And second and most important, from the standpoint of inherent worth. There are many types of minds. All operate on the same principles but all are not equal in their power and worth.” — L. Ron Hubbard, 1951

 
——————–

Source Code

“There is cyclical illness which is dictated in the various R6 implants. A fellow was forced to get sick at the age of five, followed multiples of five, and he’s supposed to get sick from this and from that, and from the other thing. Measles and, you know he’s supposed to have and that’s certain. They predict his health, in other words. When he’s fifty he’s supposed to something or other. What they’re trying to do is make a body cave in. See?” — L. Ron Hubbard, September 30, 1968

 
——————–

Avast, Ye Mateys

“It was more dangerous to raise the stern anchor than it was to hope it held as it was holding. Rear view mirror into the past. We should have anchored on the other side of the little island day before yesterday. We’re sitting here held by my postulates and a stern anchor. If either let go we’d wreck our screws. Let this be a lesson in seamanship. The morale is anchor more safely when you can, not after you’re unsafely anchored.” — The Commodore September 30, 1970

 
——————–

Overheard in the FreeZone

“I’ve never seen ANY cause to attack, criticize, blame, and otherwise malign and impugn LRH. I personally went through extreme hell as a result of writing up GAT as a technical degrade when I was Snr C/S of my org, but I never lost my integrity and affinity for the old man, nor his tech. All the reverse sec-checking, imprisonment, wrong indications, etc., never alloyed my affinity. So I’ve little tolerance for that or the badmouthing of Scientology.”

 
——————–

Past is Prologue

1997: Lawrence Wollersheim warned that Factnet may be on the verge of closing down. “Scientology has run Factnet out of its insurance money. They have again threatened that they are going to destroy us as they destroyed THE CULT AWARENESS NETWORK (CAN) and put Factnet’s Director and or former directors into bankruptcy. They have filed a flurry of frivolous motions to further expedite the depletion of our legal funds.”

 
——————–

Random Howdy

“I realized this maybe six years ago when I first read about TR-Alice. I was gobsmacked at how obvious it was. I’ve read numerous examples of Hubbard having a laugh at his followers’ expense since then.”

 
——————–

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 posts photo of Shelly Miscavige (if you know where to look)
[TWO years ago] Field report: Scientology sticks by the same old methods (because they work)
[THREE years ago] PHOTO: More Scientology enforcers who were ID’d at the Danny Masterson trial
[FOUR years ago] Dr. Eric Berg gaming YouTube? Ian Rafalko with more revelations about his Scientologist dad
[FIVE years ago] Another Scientology OT dies of Covid, this time near the Florida ‘spiritual mecca’
[SIX years ago] Could Danny Masterson’s odd legal fight over his Hollywood house endanger his freedom?
[SEVEN years ago] Scientology tried to sell ‘Daily Mail’ on story she was a sexual abuser, Leah Remini says
[EIGHT years ago] Scientology going ‘Ideal’ with drug rehabs too, and will replace an ailing clinic
[NINE years ago] Never before seen: Video from the first ‘LRH Birthday’ aboard the Scientology ‘Freewinds’
[TEN years ago] When L. Ron Hubbard briefly let down his guard and admitted Scientology was all a con
[ELEVEN years ago] JIM CARREY’S SCIENTOLOGIST GIRLFRIEND ON ‘SRD’ WHEN SHE KILLED HERSELF: FRIENDS
[TWELVE years ago] Does a judge’s order in the Garcia fraud lawsuit suggest trouble for Scientology?
[THIRTEEN years ago] Meet the New Editor of Scientology’s Propaganda Magazine, Freedom!

 
——————–

 
——————–

Posted by Tony Ortega on September 30, 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, 1995-2025 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

Trump is raising prices to pay for his $5000 checks, if they ever arrive https://t.co/BHzPMeCZpR

— PatriotTakes 🇺🇸 (@patriottakes) September 28, 2026

Here is a video that il Donaldo Trumpo Truthers claim has Trump admitting he runs the account. pic.twitter.com/0BfrSC1QS6

— [...]]]>

 
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 September 29, 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: Running for city council in Clearwater, Florida is a nonpartisan affair, but the Pinellas County Republicans have decided to target Mark Bunker with a torrent of pathetic ads, which only ends up benefiting Scientology. [...]]]>

 
TODAY AT SUBSTACK: If you’ve signed up for free emails at Substack, you will receive today’s feature story at your inbox: Running for city council in Clearwater, Florida is a nonpartisan affair, but the Pinellas County Republicans have decided to target Mark Bunker with a torrent of pathetic ads, which only ends up benefiting Scientology. We asked Mark for his reaction. [What is this Substack thing, anyway?]

 
——————–

Technology Cocktail

“The mind handles problems in terms of loose symbolisms. Amongst the most indefinite symbolisms are dreams. The dream has an entirely valid place and purpose in computations. It recombines data into new entities and is an important part of imagination. Imagination is vital to computation for it recombines for the purposes of creation, construction and prediction. Creative imagination can be such a complex computation and can be accomplished on such thin data by a good mind that it can assume an aspect of divine inspiration. Just because one can understand the functional process of imagination does not mean that one can thereby detract from its value, for it is the highest echelon of computation.” — L. Ron Hubbard, 1951

 
——————–

Source Code

“The history of Guk should be known to you. For a long time we had been scouting for the one-shot Clear, whereby a person walks in, you take a hypodermic syringe and shoot it in his arm, he goes up against the ceiling and comes down Clear. And we had been talking about this for some time as something feasible. Around 15 July 1950 a chemical engineer (the ex-director of research at the Bloch Chemical Company) told us about an atropine derivative that might be used.” — L. Ron Hubbard, September 29, 1950

 
——————–

Avast, Ye Mateys

“BULL: Do not snort suddenly behind Peter Gilham. It is a tender subject. Not every day does one get plowed 15 feet down the street by a made 1,000 lb. Bull! The main damage was hurt feelings. A general good time was had by all.” — The Commodore, September 29, 1970

 
——————–

Overheard in the FreeZone

“We have great news — the Theta-Meter app for Apple Watch has been released. Now you don’t even need the phone to do auditing. Happy owners of bluetooth Theta-Meter e-meter, you can download Theta-Meter Watch program to your Apple Watch in the AppStore!”

 
——————–

Past is Prologue

1996: It was reported this week that a Scientologist killed two children of a Canadian couple, also Scientologists. The murder was committed in Copenhagen, Denmark. Excerpts from news reports, including the Toronto Sun. “A woman drowned a pair of one-year-old Canadian twins while bathing them, then dressed the bodies, put them in a stroller and pushed them to a police station, police said Monday. A Russian-born nanny turned herself in to police and was taken into custody for a psychological examination and questioning. The one-year-old boy and girl were drowned on Saturday, police said. They said the children’s bodies were mutilated. The twins’ mother was identified as Deborrah Helen Hiver, of Canada, and the father as Paul Maurice Hiver of France. The couple had met the nanny at a Scientology church where they are all members, church officials said. While Debbie and Aime Hiver were at work at a cleaning company Saturday, police say, their 47-year-old nanny, Ludmila Vassilieva, appeared at a local police station with a stroller bearing the bodies of their daughter, Lauren, and son, Herve. Vassilieva, like the Hivers, is a member of the Church of Scientology, and in a public letter the parents laid the blame for their nanny’s behavior on psychiatric treatment, ‘which not only does not help but can influence a person to kill.'”

 
——————–

Random Howdy

“More people are killed by domestic pigs around the world annually than are killed by sharks.”

 
——————–

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 and oiliness: More renderings from the Super Power Building
[TWO years ago] Scientology must be thriving in the biggest city in the world, right?
[THREE years ago] Scientology’s elder abuse: The legal demand that even the church couldn’t ignore
[FOUR years ago] Double storms hit Scientology: Hurricane Ian and Hurricane Mike Rinder
[FIVE years ago] Appeals court moves back hearing, and asks if Scientology arbitration is ‘neutral’
[SIX years ago] Leah Remini podcast: Attorney Ray Jeffrey on Marty Rathbun’s betrayal
[SEVEN years ago] Who had the biggest booth at the Black Caucus DC confab this month? Scientology, that’s who.
[EIGHT years ago] Inside Jesse Prince’s book about Scientology: Doing L. Ron Hubbard’s dirty work
[NINE years ago] Turning hurricane chaos into gold? Scientology might learn something from L. Ron Hubbard
[TEN years ago] ‘The Unbreakable Miss Lovely’ audiobook on sale, and we’re doing a Reddit AMA at noon
[ELEVEN years ago] O Canada: We’re in Vancouver today, getting our British Columbia on. Let’s talk Scientology!
[TWELVE years ago] Jon Atack takes his presentation — ‘Scientology: The Cult of Greed’ — to Russia
[THIRTEEN years ago] Sunday Funnies: Nothing But Unstoppable Scientology Expansion in Every Direction!

 
——————–

 
——————–

Posted by Tony Ortega on September 29, 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, 1995-2025 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

If you go to this tweet from Dan Scavino Jr. and check the replies you'll see countless people outraged about Dan's celebrating at a time of war, high prices, and a feeling of discontent in Americans. What you will also see [...]]]>

 
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 September 28, 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: We’ve really been enjoying photos from Scientology’s former film director, Mitch Brisker. He has more examples for us of just how much church leader David Miscavige was willing to spend — but also how [...]]]>

 
TODAY AT SUBSTACK: If you’ve signed up for free emails at Substack, you will receive today’s feature story at your inbox: We’ve really been enjoying photos from Scientology’s former film director, Mitch Brisker. He has more examples for us of just how much church leader David Miscavige was willing to spend — but also how little of it went to the Sea Org workers who did most of the work. [What is this Substack thing, anyway?]

 
——————–

Technology Cocktail

“It would be far better, of course, in mathematics, if the word ‘equivalent’ or ‘represents’ was substituted for ‘equals’ in all mathematical equations. The actual
function of mathematics would then be preserved. The word ‘equation’ should be changed in meaning — for it means ‘act of making equal’ — or should be exchanged for
‘abstraction’ if mathematics are to be better understood. For the mind, by establishing the abstractions which we call mathematics, sought only to improve its ability to handle real entities. The abstractions are nothing in themselves but assistants in mental process. A skilled mathematician has, in mathematics, a part of a servo system in which his own mind is the chief agent. He evaluates by abstractions real entities of the real Universe. Then, by processes exterior to the mind—scratch pad or electronic computer — he computes with abstractions alone until he achieves a solution. This solution he then ‘translates’ back into the terms of the real Universe.” — L. Ron Hubbard, 1951

 
——————–

Source Code

“The faults I find with Scientologists is they very often will see somebody fall on his head, get run over by a truck, and do some kind of a light touch assist and say ‘That’s that.’ And then wonder why the guy is limping. And then they sort of say, ‘Scientology doesn’t work.’ Man, I’ve got a word for you. That auditor is afraid of work. Do you see?” — L. Ron Hubbard, September 28, 1968

 
——————–

Avast, Ye Mateys

“ETHICS: The following are Fair Game for the current week for No Report of their stats. John Wiley, Kristina Brorson, Vicky Alpe, Janice Tidman, Geary Titus, Wayne Alkire, Robert Williamson, Ron Straus, Dekki Le.” — Lt. Jeff Walker, Ship Stats, September 28, 1970

 
——————–

Overheard in the FreeZone

“I was always aghast at many Scientologists’ willingness to accept verbal tech and policy or the staff’s willingness to follow illegal orders. Most ‘Scientologists’ including many ‘OTs’ are untrained morons and thus are vacuums for verbal tech and policy and false data. Most staff these days haven’t even completed Staff Status II, never mind any actual hatting. Then of course there is what they call ‘Instant Hatting’ which was supposed to be a temporary solution but has become an excuse for verbal policy and tech. Worse there is false tech and policy included like GAT and such things as ‘Message to Garcia’ and so called ‘SRAs’ and what are called ‘Seances’ which are straight out of Communist China’s Cultural Revolution and what was called Brain Washing.”

 
——————–

Past is Prologue

1995: Steve A (aka “Mr. Castle”) posted this week with an update on UK activist Bonnie Woods. Scientology is attempting to remove Bonnie’s right to sue for libel by bankrupting her. “In an attempt to prevent Bonnie Woods from bringing a libel action against Scientology for statements made in public about her, Scientology’s agent in the UK, solicitor Peter Hodkin, succeeded in tracing a creditor to whom the Woods owed 23000 + interest (accruing to a total of 36000) relating to an interest in a property jointly owned by Richard and Bonnie Woods. He is now representing this creditor against Bonnie. Bonnie Woods’ solicitor, who was representing her without charge, as she has been denied legal aid, was also a victim of harassment by the cult, with the result that she has now decided to discontinue her representation of Bonnie, with the result that Bonnie is now left without any legal representation at all. If Bonnie loses her bankruptcy case, she will not be eligible to continue with her libel action against the cult, and they will have succeeded yet again in perverting the UK legal system to their own ends.”

 
——————–

Random Howdy

“Human rights education brought to you by slave labor and the church of ironictology.”

 
——————–

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: Secrets of the Super Power Building
[TWO years ago] The Scientology hype video you have been waiting for: Saint Hill en fuego!
[THREE years ago] Sworn testimony on Scientology harassment in Leah Remini’s lawsuit
[FOUR years ago] Mike Rinder’s ‘A Billion Years’: A gripping takedown of Scientology and its leader
[FIVE years ago] Scientology’s personality test is a hit on TikTok: Can David Miscavige capitalize on it?
[SIX years ago] Hip, hip hooray! Scientology success stories you weren’t meant to see
[SEVEN years ago] Answering Scientology’s smears with truth: Phil Jones takes a STAND
[EIGHT years ago] US Government ‘adopts’ Russian Scientologist in religious rights protest
[NINE years ago] ‘Aftermath’ fan gets into party at Scientology’s ‘Int Base,’ brings Karen Pressley’s book along
[TEN years ago] DRONE FLYOVER: First images of Scientology’s Gold Rush mine in California
[ELEVEN years ago] If it’s Monday, it must be Seattle: Let’s talk Scientology!
[TWELVE years ago] Celebrating two years in the Bunker: Jonny Jacobsen on Russia, and Sunday Funnies!
[THIRTEEN years ago] Blood Relation, Blood Ritual: A Hubbard Family Occult Mystery

 
——————–

 
——————–

Posted by Tony Ortega on September 28, 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, 1995-2025 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

Trump is attending the Tennessee-Texas football game in Tennessee and was introduced to the crowd by the PA announcer. Here's how that went. pic.twitter.com/o6CO9WUOGx

— Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) September 26, 2026

Sen. Bill Hagerty and Trump have mouths agape as [...]]]>

 
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 September 27, 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: On Monday we wrote about a new book on Beck and Scientology, in particular an internal church scandal over a ‘Knowledge Report’ about his involvement with an older woman when he was 15. We [...]]]>

 
TODAY AT SUBSTACK: If you’ve signed up for free emails at Substack, you will receive today’s feature story at your inbox: On Monday we wrote about a new book on Beck and Scientology, in particular an internal church scandal over a ‘Knowledge Report’ about his involvement with an older woman when he was 15. We now have a copy of the ‘KR’ itself. We knew you’d want to judge it for yourself. [What is this Substack thing, anyway?]

 
——————–

Technology Cocktail

“As an abstraction, arithmetic is useful. The mind uses many abstractions. The retired colonel, telling of his battle, grabs some walnuts, some napkin rings and the sugar tongs and says, ‘Now here was the Seventh Foot’ — lining up the walnuts — ‘and here’ — picking up and laying down the napkin rings — ‘was the enemy artillery. And here’ — putting down the tongs with a clang — ‘was I, mounted on my charger. Now….’ He has done a mathematical analogue of the problem of the battle and he is saved much reidentification, as he tells his tale, for his listeners know that walnuts ‘equal’ the Seventh Foot, napkin rings ‘equal’ the enemy artillery, and sugar tongs ‘equal’ the colonel and his horse. Einstein working out new equations of relationship amongst time, space, and energy forms and manifestations may be telling more truth than the colonel and is serving a higher usefulness by far, but the colonel and Einstein are both dealing in analogue computation. Users of the data of either the colonel or Einstein must allow for a reasonable margin of error when real entities are substituted for the abstractions in the equations.” — L. Ron Hubbard, 1951

 
——————–

Source Code

“The zygote is very easily injured. Every abdominal pressure affects it. However, an auditor should run the ovum-sperm series three or four days before conception. Although this hasn’t been checked objectively, cases respond much better if you get that series. The time up to before the first missed menstrual period has been checked objectively, because somebody else has this material too, but it is not easy to check conception objectively. Conception is a specific moment and you are not quite sure when it arrives. However, until the time this data is checked objectively, the reality of it is strong.” — L. Ron Hubbard, September 27, 1950

 
——————–

Avast, Ye Mateys

“A last minute despatch from Neptune as he left the ship follows: Commodore: I have the honor, Sir, to report that your crew has been (1) Instructed (2) Examined (3) Passed. They are now fully initiated, qualified, called, designated, dubbed, christened, titled and entitled SEA DOGS by my stamp and seal. All sharks, porpoises, whales, fish, squids, minnows, and polywogs must now salute them as brothers of the Sea. (Signed) Neptunis Rex, GOD OF THE SEAS AND OCEANS” — The Commodore, September 27, 1971

 
——————–

Overheard in the FreeZone

“Even the type of wins as an Indie are different, much wider in scope, and MUCH MORE UNIVERSAL AND LESS CULTISH! What a tasty level this NOTs! Endless dishes and menus, some fantastic, some hard to digest (oh yes!), some a piece of cake, but all of them life shaking, life changing. And mood and tone altering, oh BIG time. I started slow and half blind, then got better, and better. And then I was doing difficult, elusive things correctly and more and more RIGHT!”

 
——————–

Past is Prologue

2001: The San Francisco Chronicle reported that Scientology celebrity Jenna Elfman has worked to open a new mission in San Francisco. “Jenna Elfman was helping an eager crew put finishing touches on the new Scientology mission set to open tomorrow. She told TIC she’s been spending a lot of time in San Francisco helping to build and paint the children’s art center in the basement. Elfman had befriended firefighters who stopped by yesterday morning. She was wearing a red aluminum bracelet sold by L.A. firefighters to raise money for New York disaster relief efforts. When fellow Scientologist Kirstie Alley called, the four firefighters shouted their hello. Elfman described a day of fire training she’d once done for a magazine story and praised her visitors’ courage and superhuman strength, and they joked about coming to the mission for dance lessons.” From the Associated Press: “Actress Jenna Elfman is establishing a Church of Scientology mission in her hometown. Elfman, the star of ABC’s ‘Dharma and Greg,’ announced plans to open the Church of Scientology Mission of San Francisco SoMa (the local term for the area south of Market Street).”

 
——————–

Random Howdy

“If you leave or get kicked out they have a big ray gun device called the Hubbard Engram Re-Stimulator that can locate you anywhere on the planet and zap you with a beam that re-implants all the charge you blew.”

 
——————–

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] When Scientology tried to sway coverage with Rolling Stone founder Jann Wenner
[TWO years ago] HEDGE WIZARD: Busy apostate deals another blow to Scientology’s sneaky ways
[THREE years ago] Court today: Masterson victims want to resume lawsuit, Scientology wants it kept on ice
[FOUR years ago] Watching Scientology lie to foreigners about ‘religious’ visas: A very personal account
[FIVE years ago] Russia’s latest strategy to curb Scientology: Shut down the money pipeline
[SIX years ago] Scientology ex-Sea Orger with ties to dark secrets running for city council in Oregon
[SEVEN years ago] City councilman demonstrates why Scientology puts so much effort into its front groups
[EIGHT years ago] A conversation with Nathan Rich about the unique Scientology hellscape he survived
[NINE years ago] To help you through withdrawals tonight, take our poll on Leah Remini’s Season Two so far
[TEN years ago] SCIENTOLOGY’S TOP 20 CELEBRITIES — in order of those most likely to defect
[ELEVEN years ago] ‘Darth Xander’ files motion challenging Scientology’s anti-protesting injunction
[TWELVE years ago] Scientology prepares for its big party in England, Maureen Bolstad on the Purification Rundown
[THIRTEEN years ago] Did Scientology Pay $3 Million To Foil an “Independent Scientology Org” in Clearwater?

 
——————–

 
——————–

Posted by Tony Ortega on September 27, 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, 1995-2025 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

He’s an actual lunatic https://t.co/ymolp6pEcB

— Ben Meiselas (@meiselasb) September 24, 2026

Xi is both Trump’s bestie working hand in hand with the God Emperor to defeat the Deep State and also a psychotic warlord who demands a luxurious dinner [...]]]>

 
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 September 26, 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: Sure, we had a great time at HowdyCon last weekend. But now we’ve learned the best part: How much we raised for the Aftermath Foundation! ALSO: More hype about Scientology’s next [...]]]>

 
TODAY AT SUBSTACK: If you’ve signed up for free emails at Substack, you will receive today’s feature story at your inbox: Sure, we had a great time at HowdyCon last weekend. But now we’ve learned the best part: How much we raised for the Aftermath Foundation! ALSO: More hype about Scientology’s next big tent party, and it’s Auditor’s Day! [What is this Substack thing, anyway?]

 
——————–

Technology Cocktail

“So here we have the formidable article, logic. It is computed, not dreamed and intuitively plucked from some ether. If a man, a group, a race or Mankind does its thinking on a sufficiently rational plane, it survives. And survival, that dynamic thrust through time toward some unannounced goal, is pleasure. Creative and constructive effort is pleasure. Some pleasure destroys more than it creates and so it is ‘immoral’ (and by future prejudice becomes irrationally immoral, traveling as a social aberration; superstition is a parallel channel with immorality, no other proof of harm than prejudice). Some pleasure creates more than it destroys and that is ‘moral’ or good pleasure. If a man, a group or a race or Mankind does its thinking on a sufficiently irrational plane—out of lack of data, warped viewpoint or simply aberration — the survival is lessened; more is destroyed than is created. That is pain. That is the route toward death. That is evil.” — L. Ron Hubbard, 1951

 
——————–

Source Code

“You could teach people quite a bit about just any one of these Security Checks, you see. Like the children’s check. Teaching them how to use a children’s check. That’s quite interesting. You, of course, mustn’t ask a question which the child can’t understand because you will have an immediate ARC break. He thinks he’s being accused of something; he doesn’t know what you’re talking about. So you have to rephrase all of the questions in the child’s Security Check, you see, so as to reach the comprehension level of a child.” — L. Ron Hubbard, September 26, 1961

 
——————–

Avast, Ye Mateys

“PARTY: That was a great party. The actors in the skits were marvelous. Bill’s Apollo Elastic Band was surprisingly competent. Didn’t know we had that many real musicians and Bill has been hiding a very low and dirty clarinet.” — The Commodore, September 26, 1970

 
——————–

Overheard in the FreeZone

“This is my 50th year on the bridge and most sessions are best ever! Up to OTVIII in the Church, Ron’s Org. Grenchen these days. Just translated LRH lecture Beingness (Dec. 1953) into German and highly recommend it. Lot’s of OT data in there!”

 
——————–

Past is Prologue

2000: Jeff Jacobsen reported on a Scientology sponsored jazz concert in Clearwater, Florida this week. “I called the phone number and what did the voice say? ‘Welcome to AMC.’ Yes, AMC Publishing, the Scientologist run company that Lisa McPherson worked for. Bennetta Slaughter, one of the owners, is very active in community activities here. So I found out there would be a latin band playing last night right on Cleveland Street, which was closed from Ft. Harrison Ave. to the railroad tracks. I was shocked to see perhaps 50 people listening to a great 9-piece band. There were a few food vendors looking dazed at the low turnout. Rev. Al Buttnor was there lurking on the edges of the throng. Ben Shaw came by and gabbed with Al a bit. Bennetta Slaughter was walking around here and there. The Scientology photographer was around taking pictures of the band and the crowd. One woman in Scientology staff uniform was there the whole time talking to different people. I got the impression that the Scientologists I know were NOT there to listen to the music but to work the event somehow. There were probably 100 people max there.”

 
——————–

Random Howdy

“Vallarrr use to blather on about how if someone had an irrational fear of spiders and they did some auditing and that fear was gone that was proof of auditing working.”

 
——————–

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] Fact-checking the Scientology mentions in Priscilla Presley’s new memoir
[TWO years ago] EXCLUSIVE: Former Hollywood madam sued Tom Cruise in 2021 — and then dropped dead
[THREE years ago] Scientology gets another journalist fired for daring to print the truth
[FOUR years ago] How Scientology manufactured New York Times bestsellers for L. Ron Hubbard
[FIVE years ago] Oregonian newspaper names Scientology prep school best small employer in the state
[SIX years ago] Serve Miscavige in an ad? Scientology honcho: ‘But you haven’t tried hard enough to find me!’
[SEVEN years ago] Hiding in plain sight: how Scientology nearly got away with its 1970s espionage campaign
[EIGHT years ago] Scientology rewards the celeb who bolted when her co-star went rogue
[NINE years ago] Paul Haggis: Rathbun does what I feared, and outs ex-Scientologist we vowed to keep secret
[TEN years ago] Scientology in Ireland is nearly dead: Here’s how Tom Cruise & the gang plan to bring it back
[ELEVEN years ago] Scientology’s showdown in Belgium: Here’s our plan to cover an epic battle
[TWELVE years ago] What the Boston Globe left out of its story on Scientology yesterday
[THIRTEEN years ago] Scientology Catechism: Claire Headley Puts Our State of Clear to the Test!

 
——————–

 
——————–

Posted by Tony Ortega on September 26, 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, 1995-2025 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