Some links to Q-related items today

QAnon is the belief that America is fanatically pro Republican and that no matter how badly the GOP fails to govern only massive election fraud can cause the GOP to lose an election. pic.twitter.com/xkLVDt2nfK

— Poker and Politics (@PokerPolitics) August 23, 2026

[...]]]>

 
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 24, 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: Former Scientology film director Mitch Brisker has more eye-opening photos for us that he took on the church’s movie sets, and wow, do these have a backstory — involving two of the 20th century’s [...]]]>

 
TODAY AT SUBSTACK: If you’ve signed up for free emails at Substack, you will receive today’s feature story at your inbox: Former Scientology film director Mitch Brisker has more eye-opening photos for us that he took on the church’s movie sets, and wow, do these have a backstory — involving two of the 20th century’s most infamous characters. [What is this Substack thing, anyway?]

 
——————–

Technology Cocktail

“One little boy was almost completely inaccessible at the beginning of processing. He was very noncommittal about anything connected with his past life and completely silent in regard to his parents. Knowing that this behavior was not natural to a child, his auditor asked suddenly, ‘Which one of your parents told you they’d lick you if you told about their quarrels?’ The little boy looked startled, and then burst into tears. Subsequent investigation proved that both parents had threatened him if he told anything about their fights. The auditor who deals with children needs to understand that there may be artificial barriers to the building of affinity with the child. In many cases the child can best be processed by dealing with the parents.” — L. Ron Hubbard, 1950

 
——————–

Source Code

“Instead of running him on CCHs or something like this, or trying to straighten up something, nah! let’s go for broke; let’s clear him! Not take too many hours at it, either. All right. Now, that’s possible. That can be done. But, let me call this to your attention, it is — this is the controverting fact. It is not being done. Now, you can’t argue with that, can you? Now, I could get down and scream and howl and beat the floor, and Hitlerize the room. But let me tell you something, that isn’t going to do any good. That isn’t going to do any good at all. That’s in the line of reason, or something like this mounts up. If you looked at it very broadly you could say, ‘Well, nobody can audit.’ I mean, that’s the first thing you’d say. ‘Nobody can run a session in the whole world, except just this little handful or maybe five,’ you know. Something like that. But that’s an unacceptable datum that isn’t true, see. So it must be that there were some great big broad bugs on this, and the biggest bug — and I finally located what it was, a very simple bug — it’s just the fact that the goal and the terminal easily disappear in the face of an out-rudiment.” — L. Ron Hubbard, August 24, 1961

 
——————–

Avast, Ye Mateys

“Any real emergency is chaotic. The drilling of sequences of actions is a stable series of data that prevents the chaos from overwhelming one. Interesting bit of history here. I developed the theory and practice of ‘Battle Conditioning’ used in WW II. I did a paper on it for the Navy before the war and was sent over to the Army G2 with it and Army G2 got it in practice, training by crawling under machine fire and all that. Must have saved a few hundred thousand lives! Nobody even ever said thank you but that’s all right.” — The Commodore, August 24, 1970

 
——————–

Overheard in the FreeZone

“How come the more we’ve done to make it easier to survive, the harder it has become to survive?”

 
——————–

Past is Prologue

1995: Scientology raided the homes of Larry Wollersheim and Bob Bingham, founders of FACTNet, this week. An excerpt from a Scientology press release: “Armed with a federal court order, United States Marshals today raided residences in Boulder and Longmont seizing computer software, hardware and other equipment and documents to halt copyright infringements of Scientology religious scriptures.” A poster summarized a report from The Rocky Mountain News: “‘Denver U.S. District Judge Lewis T. Babcock signed an order authorizing the raids’. According to Wollersheim, ‘They took us off line’. A picture accompanying the article shows Warren McShane, ‘president of the Religious Technology Center in Los Angeles, carr[ying] documents from the apartment of … Wollersheim. At left is U.S. marshal Steve Bush.’ According to the RMN, he ‘charges that the church practices secret rituals in which officials claim they are aliens from outer space whose purpose is to take over the Earth’. The raid started at 9a.m Tuesday morning and lasted for 8 hours, Scientology officials were present at the raid and took away material (see above). A 7 hour raid was made in Niwot. Karin Pouw of the Co$ ‘questioned why Wollersheim’s bulletin board should have non-profit, tax-exempt status’. Wollersheim hopes that he will be represented by the ACLU.”

 
——————–

Random Howdy

“I’m the Dennis Hopper of the ‘Down with Scientology’ club.”

 
——————–

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 critic obtains documents of church plot against him
[TWO years ago] Scientology school loses crucial ability to host foreign students after inspection
[THREE years ago] ‘Harass and discourage’: The role of lawyers and journalists in Scientology’s attack plans
[FOUR years ago] The best TV show on Scientology you never got to see, Episode 3: Carol Nyburg
[FIVE years ago] Leah Remini podcast: Ian Rafalko talks about his father, chiropractor Eric Berg
[SIX years ago] Danny Masterson changes his tune about criminal case in new civil brief
[SEVEN years ago] Paging Graham Berry: Another Scientology horror story of credit fraud targeting retirees
[EIGHT years ago] The Scientology pamphlet that has finally convinced us this planet is theirs
[NINE years ago] What’s at stake in Tuesday’s San Antonio court hearing with Scientology’s former enforcer
[TEN years ago] Ken Dandar’s courtroom nightmare is finally over (unless Scientology starts it over from scratch)
[ELEVEN years ago] Tonight, it’s Boston! And that has us thinking about Beantown’s connections to ‘Miss Lovely’
[TWELVE years ago] Scientology claims credit for solving the crisis in Ferguson, Missouri
[THIRTEEN years ago] LA Sheriff Lee Baca to Grace Scientology Gala, Days after “Celebrity Center” Employee Arrested for Planning to Kill a Cop

 
——————–

 
——————–

Posted by Tony Ortega on August 24, 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

Should out to everyone running this morning pic.twitter.com/oqZ596kMU1

— PatriotTakes 🇺🇸 (@patriottakes) August 22, 2026

Fox News host Jesse Watters is headlining TPUSA’s MAGA religion tour in El Paso pic.twitter.com/91piWFSh4f

— PatriotTakes 🇺🇸 (@patriottakes) August 22, 2026

If a [...]]]>

 
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 23, 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 longtime reader sent us photos from his trip to check on Scientology’s ‘Ideal Org’ project in Manchester, England. And he found that work is definitely underway! ALSO: David Miscavige has plenty of summer [...]]]>

 
TODAY AT SUBSTACK: If you’ve signed up for free emails at Substack, you will receive today’s feature story at your inbox: A longtime reader sent us photos from his trip to check on Scientology’s ‘Ideal Org’ project in Manchester, England. And he found that work is definitely underway! ALSO: David Miscavige has plenty of summer homework for the minions. [What is this Substack thing, anyway?]

 
——————–

Technology Cocktail

“The auditor who wishes to deal successfully with children must have, above all, the ability to establish affinity with the child. This is a problem of interesting the child in the incidents which have caused his difficulty. A child’s attention is badly scattered. He has not yet learned to focus his attention well, and it is the part of the auditor to pick up his attention and channel it back against the locks and grief engrams. A child has a great natural sense of dignity. Do not talk down to a child. Treat him with as much dignity as you can. You will find that the child has weird misconceptions about many everyday things around him. Trace these misconceptions to their source and you will usually find an adult who has not taken the trouble to give this child the right data. Never talk over a child’s head to his parents. It is better to talk over the heads of the parents to the child. Always work on a partnership basis with the child.” — L. Ron Hubbard, 1950

 
——————–

Source Code

“You all dead today — I mean, all alive today? Twenty-third, huh? 23 August, AD 11. Well, I’m glad you made it. I didn’t think you’d ever get to August the 23rd. Back there in the Roman Empire I was damn sure you wouldn’t get here! And I remember one space-opera society when I didn’t think it was very probable that you’d make it. I remember standing there at the edge of the spaceport as the battle planes took off, and I said, ‘Well, they won’t make it.’ I knew, you see, I knew the high command hadn’t given you any ammunition.” — L. Ron Hubbard, August 23, 1961

 
——————–

Avast, Ye Mateys

“Tech is the theta thrust into the society. All new civilizations progressed on new technology. In the main we face what is called a ‘cultural lag.’ The mental health field is stuck about 1450 AD. Dungeons, torture, illegal seizure, the ‘best’ people. We are rolling at about 2050 AD. This time gap makes it nearly impossible for the society’s witch doctors (untrained in logic or mathematics) to grasp what is going on. They lack even a purpose to make anyone well. Not even up to that. So we are impeded by a ‘cultural lag.’ By tying a bridge to medicine and healing we can overcome this to some degree. Therefore the Standard Dianetics Programme was an enormous advance for us, not just in tech but in social advance. So we are doing very well really.” — The Commodore, August 23, 1969

 
——————–

Overheard in the FreeZone

“Scientology is a very exact thing. It has no room for different interpretations, it was researched based solely in its workability by a man with an incredible background in science, mathematics, history, philosophy, etc. A research route was followed that resulted in a workable technology that works 100 percent, all times. It has been tested time after time. Many Scientologists are looking for answers who have been overwhelmed by false data from ‘Authorities’ from the Church. By applying to them 100 percent on Source supervisor tech, their confusions will be handled. Long dissertations and ‘explanations’ on top of false data and M/Us just won’t do.”

 
——————–

Past is Prologue

2001: The Field Staff Member statistics through August 2001 were posted to a.r.s this week. FSMs receive a percentage of the money they arrange to be paid to Scientology. “1. Marilyn Beck; 2. Timothy Corbo; 3. Floyd R. Sloat; 4. Frederich Golin; 5. Mike Hoy; 6. Nancy Dunham; 7. Tom Soracco; 8. Randy Weber; 9. Cindy Bamforth; 10. Wendy Ettricks. Missions: 1. Burbank; 2. Inglewood; 3. Beverly Hills; 4. Capitol; 5. Buenaventura. Class V Orgs. 1. CC Int.; 2. Las Vegas Foundation; 3. Los Angeles Foundation; 4. Orange County; 5. Mountain View. Groups: 1. Howson FSM Group; 2. Way to Happiness Int; 3. Narconon Int; 4.
Narconon N.B.; 5. Oh Tee Productions, Inc.”

 
——————–

Random Howdy

“Scientology is like doing acid minus the fun.”

 
——————–

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] GOLD RUSH: Another Scientology youngster asks thousands for online course
[TWO years ago] Danny Masterson victims argue again for adding racketeering in Scientology lawsuit
[THREE years ago] We asked Mark Bunker about Scientology developer’s high rise plans for Clearwater
[FOUR years ago] Pete’s journey: The long, scary bus ride from active Scientologist to active protester
[FIVE years ago] What is it going to take for the LA Times to take the threat of Rizza Islam seriously?
[SIX years ago] Half-million dollar man: Scientology donor gives pep talk in leaked video
[SEVEN years ago] Scientology’s obsession with kids and sex? Nick Lister has the receipts.
[EIGHT years ago] Why Colombia’s military was fertile territory for Scientology — and one general’s stunning role
[NINE years ago] Scientology shows no sign of slowing down its use of religious visas for foreign labor
[TEN years ago] Maybe the worst thing about Scientology: It turns you into L. Ron Hubbard
[ELEVEN years ago] Chill EB joins the Sea Org — well, long enough to wish a happy birthday!
[TWELVE years ago] Jon Atack: How Scientology’s methods of manipulation stay with you after you leave
[THIRTEEN years ago] PR Director of Scientology’s Las Vegas Celebrity Center Arrested in Plot to Assassinate a Cop

 
——————–

 
——————–

Posted by Tony Ortega on August 23, 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 working hard to lower your bills pic.twitter.com/lnV8lnKMIl

— PatriotTakes 🇺🇸 (@patriottakes) August 21, 2026

Is Trump going to bomb the bond market? https://t.co/poBKnGcCc1

— PatriotTakes 🇺🇸 (@patriottakes) August 21, 2026

This man bankrupted casinos https://t.co/YE9oSv1PaK

— PatriotTakes 🇺🇸 (@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 1, 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 enjoyed getting to know Amir Essalhi, a recent Scientology defector who had worked on staff in Edinburgh. Last night, he sent us an intriguing message about running into Suri Noelle there. ALSO: Is [...]]]>

 
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 enjoyed getting to know Amir Essalhi, a recent Scientology defector who had worked on staff in Edinburgh. Last night, he sent us an intriguing message about running into Suri Noelle there. ALSO: Is this an endurance test, 11 straight days with Elena Cardone? Yikes. [What is this Substack thing, anyway?]

 
——————–

Technology Cocktail

“In a child, returning is a simple and natural mechanism, and the technique of blowing locks is to use a combination of memory and recall. Ask the child, for instance, if his mother ever bawled him out. If so, try to get him to remember a specific incident. At this point many children will close their eyes and return to the event. If the child can remember the exact words his mother used, and the words of any other people in the incident, allow him to run through it as often as it interests him. Most locks will blow with a single recounting, and will cease to have any aberrative effect on the child. Grief can be contacted in a child as easily as in an adult. The chief point of difference is that the grief will be on moments which seem not very important to an adult. A child will have a definite sense of loss when, for instance, his mother did not allow him to sail his boat on a rainy day. The discharge over this type of grief engram will be small when compared to the grief occasioned by the leaving of a favorite nurse, or the loss of a pet, but any moment of grief which can be discharged will improve the health and well-being of the child.” — L. Ron Hubbard, 1950

 
——————–

Source Code

“We come along to this bird and we say, ‘Hey, bud, you’re a convict. You live on a planet called Earth; it’s part of the Marcab Confederacy….Now, is there some other planetary system, is there some other empire system which is deeper in to the heart of this galaxy which is going to backfire against this one? I would say probably yes. Probably yes. There, probably this is coming right up over the hill. I mean it probably is not long. Maybe this confederacy or this activity right now is in trouble. But conquerors nearly always spare the jails. Did you realize that? The Allied troops going in — Auschwitz, Belsen, places like that — they didn’t knock those apart. They knocked apart the belligerents’ property, but they didn’t knock apart their jails. All kinds of political situations complicate this picture.” — L. Ron Hubbard, August 22, 1963

 
——————–

Avast, Ye Mateys

“I’ve just okayed the recommendation to sell the Commodore Queen as unsuitable and too costly to repair. They need the Apollo and we need a new ship.” — The Commodore, August 22, 1971

 
——————–

Overheard in the FreeZone

“I suspect that the majority should spend time at the level of mission or field group before becoming actual Scientologists and working up the Bridge. Directly working with people on life repair services should be the #1 program for anyone and everyone. It is so obvious that the collapse of real Div 6 in the 80’s is the only reason we have failed as a group to achieve what we should have. Rectifying this is now harder but completely doable.”

 
——————–

Past is Prologue

2000: Karin Spaink and Zenon Panoussis reported a multi-day protest at the Scientology exhibit in Amsterdam. “The scienos rented a conference room in the American hotel, fairly posh, very central, for a one-week exhibition. Got demo permits for the entire week, produced fliers in the very last minute. We got it all wrong, the exhibition was starting Monday. In four hours, six of us handed out about 700 fliers to the afternoon shoppers, tourists, saunterers and early evening out-goers. Monday afternoon we met outside the hotel to celebrate the real opening of the exhibition. The scienos knew we had been there on Friday, yet appeared to be taken by surprise when we arrived today. They made some attempts at handling us (surrounding, questioning, insulting, distracting). I called the police, who arrived half an hour later and told them off. In the meanwhile, a couple of tone-40 ‘FUCK THE HELL OUT OF MY FACE!’ at about 120 db proved to be most efficient, since they can’t very well have scenes like this in front of their posh exhibition, with press invited and all. Even the hotel manager came out and told them off. We moved away from the hotel entrance, which is on a side-street to the main street where all the pedestrian traffic is. Some 500 within two hours, we ran out and I had to go make another 800. In the meanwhile the scienos got their counter-picketters ready and came out to apply their usual tactics again, surrounding us, barring us from view, standing in front of us. They came out with balloons and carnations and started distributing them to passers-by. That won them momentary sympathy, which often only lasted until they proceeded to offer an invitation card for their exhibition. Handing out our fliers to the people that got the invitations with the words ‘the other side of the story’ was no problem at all. The Jive Aces took to playing at the nearby square. The people formed a wide ring around them and were given flowers, balloons and invitations. This made it extremely easy for us to walk inside that circle and serve each and every member of that audience with one of our own fliers, while the scienos could hardly disturb their show by trying to handle us inside the circle in full view of everybody. The Jive Disasters broke up and left. They snatch the critics’ flyers out of people’s hands. It tends to irritate people to no end. You see their faces go from stunned to annoyed. But more often, the Scienos try to prevent us from handing out folders. Getting ‘inadvertently’ in our way or downright blocking us. I was in my wheelchair, a huge cardboard sign standing against one of my wheels. An elderly Scieno approached, pushing an old woman in a wheelchair. She parked her right next to me. After some time I moved, wanting more of a view and a better approach to passers-by. The woman was pushed right next to me again. I moved. She was moved. I got out of my chair and used my stick to support myself. The old woman couldn’t. I moved my cardboard sign to the opposite side of the chair, where it wouldn’t be blocked by the old woman. She was wheeled around and parked to block it again. I lifted the sign and moved it back. The old woman was shoved around once more. This lasted some twenty minutes. The woman in the chair was Ms. Van Loon, an IAS Patron With Honours [$100,000]. The woman pushing her was another Ms Van Loon, also an IAS Patron With Honours [$100,000]. I gave somebody a flyer while the scieno was telling him ‘find out for yourself’. The scieno snatched it immediately. I asked ‘really now, is this what you mean by find out for yourself?’ and gave the raw meat guy another flyer. The scieno started moving to snatch it too, so I said ‘put it in your pocket, or she’ll take it too.’ By this time the guy was dying to read my flyer and had no interest whatsoever in going to the exhibition
where they were trying to drag him. We placed one huge poster 85×120 cm with the text ‘Scientology is a fraud. See here how they trick you’ on each corner in front of the hotel, so that it was impossible to get to the exhibition without seeing them. It could refer equally well to our OCA table as to the scienos’ own exhibition. The scienos were notably furious. The posters definitely resolved all the confusions on who is who, and it became even easier for us to hand out our flyers without being mistaken for scienos. The hotel was completely surrounded by entheta and the exhibition was under siege. As a result, the scienos moved all their body routing away from the hotel, to the nearby square and elsewhere. One of the posters was tied to a pole, the other was just leaned against one. Within 15 minutes the scienos had stolen it. The police arrived. They had had a constant stream of complaints from ‘annoyed citizens’ all week about our ‘aggressive leafleting’ and our ‘harassing of passers-by’. They had also received complaints from the CoS officials about our ‘offending flyers’ and our ‘disruption of their peaceful exhibition’. It took the police very short time to figure the real situation and the real source of the complaints. They dismissed the ‘aggressive leafleting’ as bullshit, the ‘offending flyers’ as freedom of speech and the ‘disruption of a peaceful exhibition’ as a properly carried out demonstration with proper permits and all. This done, we begun to wonder about the leafleting of the scienos: did they have a permit for it? ‘Right’, said the police to the OSA, ‘can we see your permits now?’ The scienos were ordered to stop leafleting at once, leave the area in front of their own exhibition and not get close to us any more.”

 
——————–

Random Howdy

“You should have seen me on stage. I could move, baby!”

 
——————–

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] Fed up with Scientology’s court delays, Leah Remini puts her foot down
[TWO years ago] Alex Barnes-Ross on his win for East Grinstead records regarding Scientology
[THREE years ago] The delightful result when Scientology was infiltrated by a reporter — in Hawaii
[FOUR years ago] Academics line up to help Scientology gaslight the US Supreme Court
[FIVE years ago] Tom Cruise’s Scientology superpowers, No. 8: Recovering unspeakable acts from the past
[SIX years ago] The Top 25 People Enabling Scientology, No. 20: Gensler
[SEVEN years ago] The FBI wants recent cases of Scientology fraud? We’ve got them right here, for crissakes
[EIGHT years ago] Colombian senator cites Xenu, ‘the Hole,’ in wild televised hearing about Scientology scandal
[NINE years ago] Tonight on ‘Aftermath’: Suicide in Scientology, where sympathy and compassion are outlawed
[TEN years ago] Trump is drawing comparisons to L. Ron, but will Hillary favor Scientology as much as Bill did?
[ELEVEN years ago] A revealing look inside the warped ‘kingdom’ of Scientology leader David Miscavige
[TWELVE years ago] Scientology graduation videos from the UK? Even better!
[THIRTEEN years ago] Report From the Fringe: Underground Bunker Night at The TomKat Project

 
——————–

 
——————–

Posted by Tony Ortega on August 22, 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

Fox ran a Trump’s Top accomplishments list… there was more but lowering prices was obviously not there. pic.twitter.com/C1Bciq1f3k

— Acyn (@Acyn) August 21, 2026

MJTruthUltra is a QAnon promoter so of course Elon is signal boosting him and this clip [...]]]>

 
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 21, 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: Yesterday we saw photos from former Scientology film director Mitch Brisker from a re-shoot of a movie that was necessary because a key celebrity had defected. Today, we have more of Mitch’s photos from [...]]]>

 
TODAY AT SUBSTACK: If you’ve signed up for free emails at Substack, you will receive today’s feature story at your inbox: Yesterday we saw photos from former Scientology film director Mitch Brisker from a re-shoot of a movie that was necessary because a key celebrity had defected. Today, we have more of Mitch’s photos from another re-shoot caused by a very different situation! [What is this Substack thing, anyway?]

 
——————–

Technology Cocktail

“Locks can be contacted and blown through straight line memory techniques. The parent can be of great help in this part of the process because he knows pretty well
when he has created a lock, especially in an emotional blow-up of any kind. By remembering the standard pattern of his dramatizations during emotional crises, he can help the child or the child’s auditor to find the locks which will best help the child to overcome his difficulties. Whenever anaten is present in the child, and it is present when any engram is being restimulated, a lock can be created. The resulting aberration will depend on the emotion and pain of the lock as well as of the original engram. This fact, plus the nature of the aberration, can be used to determine which locks should be investigated first.” — L. Ron Hubbard, 1950

 
——————–

Source Code

“This quarter of the universe, by the way, is suffering from an overdose lousy civilization. See, that’s what it’s suffering from. It apparently has been recently conquered in recent times (in the last few hundred thousand years) but those who were conquered had already been — their governmental action had already been set up for their own failure, see? They’d been set up be conquered by using, themselves, mental technology which made slaves. They implanted their own troops. Oh-ho-ho-ho-ho-ho-ho-ho, ah-ah-ah-ah-a ah-ah-ah.” — L. Ron Hubbard, August 21, 1963

 
——————–

Avast, Ye Mateys

“I was looking over the schooner just down the dock, a handsome three master. PR-wise their appearance ship wise and crew-wise is ideal. Our crew is not yet poshly uniformed and ship appearance could do with upgrading. But for all its sharp appearance their sailors get drunk ashore and dump rubbish in the harbour. One thing no-one will excell us in is the friendliness of our crew, our orderly behaviours and pride in duty. That’s our PR gem!” — Lt. Cmdr Diana Hubbard, August 21, 1970

 
——————–

Overheard in the FreeZone

“Justin Craig has initiated from the start a black PR campaign against Captain Bill Robertson’s tech and as such is expected to be an OSA operative at the service of David Miscavige and should be investigated fully.”

 
——————–

Past is Prologue

1999: Bob Minton posted a description of Scientology harassment of Jeff Schmidt, a former business partner. “Jeff Schmidt is a close and dear friend of mine as well as a former business partner. In scientology jargon, those are his crimes and why he should be utterly destroyed. For the last two years scientology has been trying to do just that. Like me, most all of his friends have washed their hands of him because he is a marked man by scientology. His friends do not
wish to incur the wrath of scientology. Jeff has pleaded with me to stop going after scientology and at their behest urged me to sign a settlement agreement with scientology as recently as yesterday. Peter Franks had been caught in a criminal act involving trying to obtain information about offshore financial matters in the Channel Islands related to Jeff. Scotland Yard was willing to prosecute Franks but needed Jeff’s full cooperation. He would not help us. He wanted nothing to do with scientology or this fight. Sometime in late December or early January when Jeff was away from his office in London, someone broke into his office and copied every file he had. The very next day, a letter arrives from Inland Revenue commencing a tax audit. Inland Revenue informs Jeff that someone has delivered anonymously 16 boxes of copies of files, which were from Jeff’s office The tax audits continue to this day. His wife was scared. She was afraid of scientology because of what she knew about them and because of that, what was happening to them she perceived that scientology was responsible. In early April, they took their kids from school in London and moved to Brunei. Somehow, scientology pi, Peter Franks got the phone and fax numbers of Jeff AND his father-in-law. Jeff’s father-in-law is the Minister of State for Internal Security in Brunei. Daily faxes went and still go to the father-in-law about Jeff and his ties to religious bigotry in the form of Bob Minton, criminal activities involving Jeff, Jesse Prince and me in money laundering operations and of course Jeff’s criminal activities involving the rape and pillaging of third world countries while Jeff, Selwyn Lewis (another former partner who lives in South Africa) and I were partners together. Jeff has not lifted a finger to do anything to help me fight scientology. He has always been one of the most courageous and ethical people I have ever known. Yet he is persecuted and near the brink of ruin because scientology wants him to supply information to utterly destroy me. I can assure you and Jeff that it is very hard to continue to fight scientology while this is happening to such a close friend. His family hates me and blames everything on me. Jeff blames me and pleads for me to stop. But it is because of the pure unadulterated evil perpetuated by scientology that I cannot.”

 
——————–

Random Howdy

“It was speed which was readily available back in his day. When Hubbard talks about ‘Pinks & Grays’ he’s most likely talking about Dexedrine and Phenobarbital or Librium.”

 
——————–

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] Expert: Why the state’s response is likely to kill Danny Masterson’s criminal appeal
[TWO years ago] Swimming against Scientology’s rip current: Lessons learned the hard way
[THREE years ago] ‘Ruin them utterly’: how PIs and volunteer members work against Scientology’s enemies
[FOUR years ago] Elisabeth Moss declines Valerie Haney’s nomination as arbitrator, says Scientology
[FIVE years ago] Why isn’t Scientology promoting the Covid-19 vaccines like it did hand-washing and masks?
[SIX years ago] The Top 25 People Enabling Scientology, No. 21: Parents who subscribe to ABCMouse
[SEVEN years ago] Has Scientology’s leader David Miscavige gone underground in the face of a legal onslaught?
[EIGHT years ago] See the Scientology-like ad for Scientologist-owned ABCMouse, made by Scientologists!
[NINE years ago] DOX: The full FBI file from its 2009-2010 human trafficking investigation of Scientology
[TEN years ago] Who are the clergy Scientology convinces to attend its ‘interfaith’ farces?
[ELEVEN years ago] VIDEO: Scientology rehab salesmen — Just exactly the humanitarians you imagined
[TWELVE years ago] Jon Atack: The games L. Ron Hubbard played
[THIRTEEN years ago] MONIQUE RATHBUN FILES SUIT AGAINST SCIENTOLOGY OVER HARASSMENT

 
——————–

 
——————–

Posted by Tony Ortega on August 21, 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 shows off his new White House granite driveway as your electricity and water bills keep going up pic.twitter.com/5cQC3NSZtD

— PatriotTakes 🇺🇸 (@patriottakes) August 19, 2026

Trump keeps pushing for more data centers https://t.co/z0FVKEBgky

— PatriotTakes 🇺🇸 (@patriottakes) August 19, 2026

[...]]]>

 
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 20, 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: Last week we told you about a film Scientology has under lock and key that could be highly relevant to current litigation against the church. Its director told us we’d never see it, but [...]]]>

 
TODAY AT SUBSTACK: If you’ve signed up for free emails at Substack, you will receive today’s feature story at your inbox: Last week we told you about a film Scientology has under lock and key that could be highly relevant to current litigation against the church. Its director told us we’d never see it, but now he has photos from the set to share with us! What a great glimpse. [What is this Substack thing, anyway?]

 
——————–

Technology Cocktail

“One set of parents tried desperately to keep their child from wetting the bed by continually telling him to go to bed and not to drink any water before he went. In spite of this ‘education’ the child continued to wet the bed. Dianetic evaluation of this situation showed immediately that something in the immediate situation around the child was stimulating an engramic command which caused the bed wetting. In this case, as in many others, the action taken in all good faith by dianetically untrained parents was not preventing the aberration, but rather was keeping it chronically keyed in. These parents found that commands which meant reactively that if you are told not to drink water you must urinate in the bed were contained in the birth engram. The actual engram content was: ‘The water is going to come.’ ‘It’ll break and go in the bed.’ ‘Just lie there and let it go.’ The engram was keyed out by removing the restimulators. When the parents stopped telling the child not to drink water before he went to bed, the bed wetting tapered off and then stopped entirely.” — L. Ron Hubbard, 1950

 
——————–

Source Code

“I thought of a difference between a Scientologist and the world at large on this particular planet. The people think that what we’re doing is unreal, but we know the substance of their unreality, which of course makes us top dog every time. We know the substance of their unreality. In other words, we know where their itsa line is out. See, they know what — they’re not identifying, see? Their itsas are just for the birds, you know? ‘Man is an animal. He is a biochemical protoplasm which goes no place. At death there is a cessation of cellular commotion.’ That’s a good itsa, isn’t it? That just immediately makes nothing out of everybody.” — L. Ron Hubbard, August 20, 1963

 
——————–

Avast, Ye Mateys

“Musical Chairs in life is the mechanism below ARC Brks in Grade III! To unstabilize gives ARC Brks! Whole staff can be put into a sad effect! This is the mechanism govts use. It’s the basic tool of the socialist. If he can just unstabilize everyone he can kill them with degrade. It’s a basic tool of the insane to maintain their own stability by unstabilizing everyone else. There’s more to it, but it’s a major discovery that affects even the ARC Brk rud and affects the no case gain case. So that’s where I’ve been working lately in research and wow is it paying off!!! It began when I assumed that the musical chairs he get in orgs was a social aberration not an admin error. From there it’s been discovery all the way.” — The Commodore, August 20, 1971

 
——————–

Overheard in the FreeZone

“Based on a lot of reading I’ve done over many years I’ve come to the understanding that paedophilia is a standard operating procedure for the planet’s ruling elite, and that these ruling elite are in fact descendants of aliens (Annunaki? Zeta Reticulans? Archons? Marcabs?) which came here a long, long time ago, at which time they created humans as hybrids of themselves and existing earth hominids. These were and are the ‘gods’ of ancient Greek mythology etc. We are their property and they keep us trapped here via spiritual recycling and they persist here on Earth based on the relative degree of their original DNA in humans. This is why the ruling elite, such as the British royal family, are so stuck on keeping only to certain family bloodlines (a/k/a blue-bloods). One of the methods these elite employ to extend their lives is the consuming of Adrenachrome. Ever wonder about the longevity of Rockefellers and their ilk?”

 
——————–

Past is Prologue

1998: The St. Petersburg Times reported that Scientology has purchased the Osceola Inn in downtown Clearwater. “The Church of Scientology has spent $3.2-million to purchase most of a city block across the street from its waterfront Sandcastle property, continuing its spate of downtown land buys over the last year. The property’s centerpiece is the former Osceola Inn, a vacant retirement center at 221 N Osceola Ave. The church will renovate it to accommodate parishioners who travel to Clearwater for Scientology counseling. Since June 1997, the church and companies that represent it in real estate transactions have purchased 12 properties in the downtown core for a total of $7.2-million. Church officials say they expect to attract thousands more Scientologists to Clearwater each year with the expansion. The Osceola Inn property and law office comprise three-quarters of the block bounded by Drew Street on the south, Osceola Avenue on the west, N Fort Harrison Avenue on the east and Jones Street on the north. The remaining portion of the block is a vacant used car lot owned by Ray Cassano, a prominent figure in local Scientology circles.”

 
——————–

Random Howdy

“You come on here with a bunch of fantastical yarns that sound like one big cliched Scientology horror story, offering no proof for any of it, and you expect something other than derision?”

 
——————–

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] Ron and Leni: The project that was just too much for Hitler’s favorite filmmaker
[TWO years ago] Scientology’s beach party goes into a third day in Clearwater
[THREE years ago] One of the shocks of leaving Scientology: Immortality is overrated
[FOUR years ago] PODCAST: Marc Headley answers the question, would a Scientologist lie about Xenu?
[FIVE years ago] Judge Charlaine Olmedo on point: What was said in court about Danny Masterson’s subpoenas
[SIX years ago] Even Alaska — yes, Alaska — gave Scientology COVID-relief funds, for Xenu’s sake
[SEVEN years ago] Scientology finally solves its recruiting woes with professional ham hock Grant Cardone
[EIGHT years ago] While the Scientology scandal swirls in Colombia, a key figure relaxes in Florida
[NINE years ago] How badly does Scientology need new staff? Miscavige is bringing back the ‘Universe Corps’
[TEN years ago] Atack: Why those who try to save Scientology from itself are doomed to failure
[ELEVEN years ago] Scientology superstar: What it’s like to be big in Taiwan
[TWELVE years ago] Scientology ethics: Raising money from Ferguson and swiping J.K. Rowling’s image
[THIRTEEN years ago] Scientology Makes the Grade: Touching Walls to Total Freedom

 
——————–

 
——————–

Posted by Tony Ortega on August 20, 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