Last week, we created a firestorm when we published letters by Ashton Kutcher and Mila Kunis that they had written to Judge Charlaine Olmedo, asking for leniency after their That ‘70s Show costar Danny Masterson was convicted May 31 for two counts of forcible rape.
I personally know Ethan Suplee, ( Married to Brandy Lewis, Geoffrey Lewis’s adopted daughter), Lyn Ribisi(Al Ribisi’s wife), Carol Masterson and Travis Warner. These are all dedicated scientologists. And none of them has the skill to recognize when they are being scammed or lied to as Danny Masterson did.
Why? because at their core they have accepted the big lie of Scientology and from that point they do not have the ability to observe the truth if it’s right in front of them. It’s called “cognitive dissonance”.
I spent 46 years in that state so I know of what I write. This is how those friends and family of Masterson can compose those letters with total sincerity. They are brainwashed, unaware and unable to use critical thinking.
The closest example I can give to these scientologists is the pod people in the movie “Invasion Of the Body Snatchers”. On the surface they look normal. In realty they are part of a hive mentality. And the hive mantra is always “protect the hive at all costs”. That means lying, tricking, harming or cheating anyone who threatens the hive.
My explanation can in no way be used as an excuse for for their actions. They walk among us condoning the the crimes and fraud of their church. They need to be outed as Tony has done. This trial may be over but Scientology and Scientologists will continue to lie to protect their “hive”.
I hope these women's victory in court spurs more people to come forward to tell their story. Hopefully this will give them a voice and a platform. That's why I lived Leah and Mike's show so much. It gave people no one cared about a voice. Now look how much good has come from it.
Every new public exposure of the truth about Scientology brings more power to those ignored or forgotten. Tho power of the ex’s is 100x more effective than anything DAVID Miscavige can buy
I tried to read some of these letters but they just made me sick. The ones from two former law enforcement individuals- really?!
It was the line from his Dad’s letter: “We deeply believe in his potential to positively contribute to his family and society.” The Jane Does and two other victims have proven otherwise about your son, Peter. Scientology shows again how destructive it is.
Also the person who says Danny was “blacklisted” from acting, I rolled my eyes that I had to stop. So far not ONE of these letters acknowledges the Jane Does or the severity of the charges/crimes DM was was about to be sentenced for.
Lulu, I feel your sentiment, but these are character witnesses for Danny, not for the Janes. I am saving them to read another day--can't get through them now, but Geoff's explanation helped about the brainwashing and cognitive dissonance. 💜
Ethan Suplee's just further confirms Masterson's psycho control issues as described by his ex on the stand in the trial. I mean, what wrong with sweatpants and flip flops when your resting off-set? And really, if the clothes have to get washed why hang them up? And who is Danny to tell this guy what to do? I wouldn't treat my friends or colleagues like that at all. You can't visit my dressing room if you wear that? WTF.
It seems to me lots of these letters have similar wording and themes in them. It reminds me of the ex wives Scientology interview. They were all given a script and of what to say adding in different personal examples.
Can not read these irrelevant letters. Read the names that’s all I care about. All I can think is “what dirt does he have on them?” I know that’s jaded but the owner of La Poubelle supports Danny? Ok. Now we understand ho he could roofie someone there.
There is so much hypocrisy regarding alcohol use. We know from the trial that Danny’s parties were booze-filled, and hardly any letter fails to mention his tireless work as a sommelier. Daniel Acuna’s letter even reveals that Danny’s criticism of Wilmer’s behavior was how much Wilmer spent overall, not how much he spent on “nightclubs” and alcohol. In the world of addiction treatment, substance abuse includes alcohol and approaches it like any other drug. All these letters lauding Danny for his “anti-drug” stance repeat his ridiculous blind spot as they make him out to be a tireless advocate for sobriety. It’s also willful ignorance regarding his crimes: slipping drugs into alcoholic beverages.
Yes, I feel like these letters hurt him more than helped him. The judge heard first hand testimony of 5 women he raped over the two trials. I think she took that more into consideration. She knows there more too I am sure. Prosecution did a great job establishing his pattern.
Intolerably, his lawyer Philip Cohen on cross-examination of JD1 tried to establish a pattern of *her* excessive drinking in order to discredit her memory of events.
It's disturbing how many of these letter start with "I know he is a convicted rapist". How do you not just stop there and wonder why you're writing to support this person??? Also, all the comments about him being a caring father and a family man are unsettling in this context. Was he thinking of his family, of his daughter while he was raping these women?
I can't help but wonder if Ethan Supplee was involved in the gang rape that one of the victims mentioned. And Chris. And Peter. I wonder if Danny's mom is a rape victim as well and that's why she's an apologist.
If the rumors on Twitter are true (and they have been many a time) there's a lot more to come. I have been watching some of the old interviews with Mila Kunis and those are disgusting. Ashton and Danny and every guy on the show but Topher Grace was making out with fourteen year old Mila. That whole show is a cesspool.
Did I miss the letters from Debra Jo Rupp and Kurtwood Smith? I had heard they wrote in too.
I can’t even begin to imagine the horror his daughter will have once she’s old enough to realize she was used as a weapon to attempt to emotionally manipulate so many people, including the judge
“It's disturbing how many of these letter start with "I know he is a convicted rapist". How do you not just stop there.,”
Yes, Derek. I read some of the initial ones and it seemed like every single letter had to say that. Why the f#%k do they even say that then continue saying anything about the goodness of that person is beyond my ability to comprehend. I’m so glad it is. Guess I’ve finally been out of scientology enough decades to get that.
I had to skim the last several letters after reading the same things over and over. Example after example of Danny being a total control freak, demanding changes to others’ behavior to match his standards. And then line after line that was just a rephrasing of “well, *I* never saw him rape anyone.”
Absolutely unbelievable. The facts shine out from these letters, and it doesn’t feel like the writers could see that at all.
If I remember correctly, she was heavily implicated in the case to the extent that both - the defense and the prosecution - had her on their witness list. I suspect lawyers advised her and Michael Peña to sit this one out.
I am astonished by how so many people have these great and loving opinions about convict Masterson. People well known in the entertainment industry, friends, fellow actors, fellow scientologists, etc.
But of course they do.
Because Danny Masterson is a narcissist and most importantly AN ACTOR. His greatest and most believable character is the face he presents to his friends and family and fellow actors and the world.
The hidden character, the one revealed at the climax, the one his victims experienced to their sorrow, is the violent heartless brutal rapist, the psychopath. The one who used all the trappings of his "religion" and the good opinions of his clueless friends and fellow actors to hide behind. He very carefully never let them see the psychopath, only the great work ethic, the overt stance against drugs, the faux dedication to his "religion."
Who these women experienced is the real Danny Masterson. The one we see in their searing stories in testimony and in their statements. This is the private, hidden, monster he unleashed when he could no longer contain the beast. And that beast deserves every punishment he receives and more.
Wow, Michael, your writing brought tears to my eyes and squeezed my heart--well written. Could have been a great addition to the closing by the prosecution. 💜💜💜
I almost forgot... the AUDACITY the Masterson family and defense had to ask for a reference letter from the owner of >LA POUBELLE< and for the owner to write one. That owner is either tone deaf, in denial, or an enabler. Unbelievable!
The trial testimony was disturbing enough. Add in those victim impact statements, and we end up with a sketch of a sociopath.
None of the letter-writers really acknowledge the seriousness/violence of the crimes or the DECADES of suffering of the victims. And...at least some of those folks were well aware of DJ Donkeypunch's proclivities and activities for years, which underscores the cynical heartlessness that informs their "character references"...
"integrity and sincerity." 'He is a friend to animals, firefighters and anyone who wanders by him.' (yeah, right). No one is addressing the rapey period of 2001-2004. The formula used in all the letters makes it certain that someone vetted and guided them. The BTK monster was nice to his neighbors and area children too. I wonder if any judge actually reads all these missives and believes any of them? Given the backlash against Kutcher and Kunis, I wonder how all of these writers will fare?
It does, as evidenced by the time periods for those who testified at both trials that weren't charged incidents. And who knows how many others haven't spoken up.
I wonder if it was a Scientologists job to hound and or harass these individuals to write these letters or did they write them to avoid their tyranny? The more of them I read, when I have the stomach to, the more I think all of them sound the oddly the same. All these scripted actors, chefs and police living in the land of fake lives and personalities. They only see what they want to see and don’t want to be held accountable for their involvement, however big or small.
I personally know Ethan Suplee, ( Married to Brandy Lewis, Geoffrey Lewis’s adopted daughter), Lyn Ribisi(Al Ribisi’s wife), Carol Masterson and Travis Warner. These are all dedicated scientologists. And none of them has the skill to recognize when they are being scammed or lied to as Danny Masterson did.
Why? because at their core they have accepted the big lie of Scientology and from that point they do not have the ability to observe the truth if it’s right in front of them. It’s called “cognitive dissonance”.
I spent 46 years in that state so I know of what I write. This is how those friends and family of Masterson can compose those letters with total sincerity. They are brainwashed, unaware and unable to use critical thinking.
The closest example I can give to these scientologists is the pod people in the movie “Invasion Of the Body Snatchers”. On the surface they look normal. In realty they are part of a hive mentality. And the hive mantra is always “protect the hive at all costs”. That means lying, tricking, harming or cheating anyone who threatens the hive.
My explanation can in no way be used as an excuse for for their actions. They walk among us condoning the the crimes and fraud of their church. They need to be outed as Tony has done. This trial may be over but Scientology and Scientologists will continue to lie to protect their “hive”.
And to a Scientologist, the idea that Danny’s behavior can be explained/mitigated in several ways:
A) the Jane Does “pulled it in”
B) they subsequently haven’t dealt with the “upset” and are therefore constantly “restimulated” or else they’re
C) “suppressives” attacking Danny because his “stats” are so good, and let’s not forget
D) putting Danny away isn’t “the greatest good for the greatest number of dynamics”
I hope these women's victory in court spurs more people to come forward to tell their story. Hopefully this will give them a voice and a platform. That's why I lived Leah and Mike's show so much. It gave people no one cared about a voice. Now look how much good has come from it.
Every new public exposure of the truth about Scientology brings more power to those ignored or forgotten. Tho power of the ex’s is 100x more effective than anything DAVID Miscavige can buy
cognitive dissonance is the exact terminology
I tried to read some of these letters but they just made me sick. The ones from two former law enforcement individuals- really?!
It was the line from his Dad’s letter: “We deeply believe in his potential to positively contribute to his family and society.” The Jane Does and two other victims have proven otherwise about your son, Peter. Scientology shows again how destructive it is.
Also the person who says Danny was “blacklisted” from acting, I rolled my eyes that I had to stop. So far not ONE of these letters acknowledges the Jane Does or the severity of the charges/crimes DM was was about to be sentenced for.
Lulu, I feel your sentiment, but these are character witnesses for Danny, not for the Janes. I am saving them to read another day--can't get through them now, but Geoff's explanation helped about the brainwashing and cognitive dissonance. 💜
Ethan Suplee's just further confirms Masterson's psycho control issues as described by his ex on the stand in the trial. I mean, what wrong with sweatpants and flip flops when your resting off-set? And really, if the clothes have to get washed why hang them up? And who is Danny to tell this guy what to do? I wouldn't treat my friends or colleagues like that at all. You can't visit my dressing room if you wear that? WTF.
It seems to me lots of these letters have similar wording and themes in them. It reminds me of the ex wives Scientology interview. They were all given a script and of what to say adding in different personal examples.
Exactly! The letters are full of him taking over other people’s decisions. Which is what rapists do.
This is probably why he didn't get along with Topher on That 70s Show. Topher was like, I can wear flipflops if I want Danny.
He’s a scientologist.
Can not read these irrelevant letters. Read the names that’s all I care about. All I can think is “what dirt does he have on them?” I know that’s jaded but the owner of La Poubelle supports Danny? Ok. Now we understand ho he could roofie someone there.
Yeah, that one was a surprise. So disgusting.
There is so much hypocrisy regarding alcohol use. We know from the trial that Danny’s parties were booze-filled, and hardly any letter fails to mention his tireless work as a sommelier. Daniel Acuna’s letter even reveals that Danny’s criticism of Wilmer’s behavior was how much Wilmer spent overall, not how much he spent on “nightclubs” and alcohol. In the world of addiction treatment, substance abuse includes alcohol and approaches it like any other drug. All these letters lauding Danny for his “anti-drug” stance repeat his ridiculous blind spot as they make him out to be a tireless advocate for sobriety. It’s also willful ignorance regarding his crimes: slipping drugs into alcoholic beverages.
Yes, I feel like these letters hurt him more than helped him. The judge heard first hand testimony of 5 women he raped over the two trials. I think she took that more into consideration. She knows there more too I am sure. Prosecution did a great job establishing his pattern.
Intolerably, his lawyer Philip Cohen on cross-examination of JD1 tried to establish a pattern of *her* excessive drinking in order to discredit her memory of events.
It's disturbing how many of these letter start with "I know he is a convicted rapist". How do you not just stop there and wonder why you're writing to support this person??? Also, all the comments about him being a caring father and a family man are unsettling in this context. Was he thinking of his family, of his daughter while he was raping these women?
I can't help but wonder if Ethan Supplee was involved in the gang rape that one of the victims mentioned. And Chris. And Peter. I wonder if Danny's mom is a rape victim as well and that's why she's an apologist.
If the rumors on Twitter are true (and they have been many a time) there's a lot more to come. I have been watching some of the old interviews with Mila Kunis and those are disgusting. Ashton and Danny and every guy on the show but Topher Grace was making out with fourteen year old Mila. That whole show is a cesspool.
Did I miss the letters from Debra Jo Rupp and Kurtwood Smith? I had heard they wrote in too.
I can’t even begin to imagine the horror his daughter will have once she’s old enough to realize she was used as a weapon to attempt to emotionally manipulate so many people, including the judge
Derek, good to hear from you. The standards set by the misogynists is are surprising.
Debra Jo Rupp and Kurtwood Smith's letters are in the first batch Tony published (linked to in this article).
“It's disturbing how many of these letter start with "I know he is a convicted rapist". How do you not just stop there.,”
Yes, Derek. I read some of the initial ones and it seemed like every single letter had to say that. Why the f#%k do they even say that then continue saying anything about the goodness of that person is beyond my ability to comprehend. I’m so glad it is. Guess I’ve finally been out of scientology enough decades to get that.
Here’s the link to the other letters you were asking about. They read the same as all the rest. Copy paste mail.
https://open.substack.com/pub/tonyortega/p/letters-from-ashton-kutcher-mila?r=1f2r8e&utm_medium=ios&utm_campaign=post
I had to skim the last several letters after reading the same things over and over. Example after example of Danny being a total control freak, demanding changes to others’ behavior to match his standards. And then line after line that was just a rephrasing of “well, *I* never saw him rape anyone.”
Absolutely unbelievable. The facts shine out from these letters, and it doesn’t feel like the writers could see that at all.
I’m surprised there’s not a letter from Michael Peña’s wife or Michael Peña. From what i understand, she’s his assistant and the families are close.
If I remember correctly, she was heavily implicated in the case to the extent that both - the defense and the prosecution - had her on their witness list. I suspect lawyers advised her and Michael Peña to sit this one out.
Thanks for the info.
I am astonished by how so many people have these great and loving opinions about convict Masterson. People well known in the entertainment industry, friends, fellow actors, fellow scientologists, etc.
But of course they do.
Because Danny Masterson is a narcissist and most importantly AN ACTOR. His greatest and most believable character is the face he presents to his friends and family and fellow actors and the world.
The hidden character, the one revealed at the climax, the one his victims experienced to their sorrow, is the violent heartless brutal rapist, the psychopath. The one who used all the trappings of his "religion" and the good opinions of his clueless friends and fellow actors to hide behind. He very carefully never let them see the psychopath, only the great work ethic, the overt stance against drugs, the faux dedication to his "religion."
Who these women experienced is the real Danny Masterson. The one we see in their searing stories in testimony and in their statements. This is the private, hidden, monster he unleashed when he could no longer contain the beast. And that beast deserves every punishment he receives and more.
Wow, Michael, your writing brought tears to my eyes and squeezed my heart--well written. Could have been a great addition to the closing by the prosecution. 💜💜💜
I almost forgot... the AUDACITY the Masterson family and defense had to ask for a reference letter from the owner of >LA POUBELLE< and for the owner to write one. That owner is either tone deaf, in denial, or an enabler. Unbelievable!
I would be very happy if that letter in particular got spread wide and caused the closure of that place. I am so unable to even right now.
I'd like to know what she knows!!!! She should have been on the stand!
I attempted to put myself into the mindset of these letter writers. I failed.
They have their heads firmly in the sand.
The trial testimony was disturbing enough. Add in those victim impact statements, and we end up with a sketch of a sociopath.
None of the letter-writers really acknowledge the seriousness/violence of the crimes or the DECADES of suffering of the victims. And...at least some of those folks were well aware of DJ Donkeypunch's proclivities and activities for years, which underscores the cynical heartlessness that informs their "character references"...
1. My thoughts are with the JDs who may see more names they know support their rapist.
2. Uggh and Blech!
3. Poor Joe...
4. Carol treated DM's asthma and allergies with Western Medicine???
5. How many vacations did this guy take?!?
"integrity and sincerity." 'He is a friend to animals, firefighters and anyone who wanders by him.' (yeah, right). No one is addressing the rapey period of 2001-2004. The formula used in all the letters makes it certain that someone vetted and guided them. The BTK monster was nice to his neighbors and area children too. I wonder if any judge actually reads all these missives and believes any of them? Given the backlash against Kutcher and Kunis, I wonder how all of these writers will fare?
Danny's habit of raping probably extends beyond that time period in both directions, though, eh?
It does, as evidenced by the time periods for those who testified at both trials that weren't charged incidents. And who knows how many others haven't spoken up.
Exactly!
We can't be sure rapes didn't occur before or after 2001-2004, love. Even though he began dating Bijou in 2004, doesn't mean anything.
I couldn't read them all. One says that every day Danny bathes his 9 year old daughter. Uhm . . . WHAT????? Great character reference.
I wonder if it was a Scientologists job to hound and or harass these individuals to write these letters or did they write them to avoid their tyranny? The more of them I read, when I have the stomach to, the more I think all of them sound the oddly the same. All these scripted actors, chefs and police living in the land of fake lives and personalities. They only see what they want to see and don’t want to be held accountable for their involvement, however big or small.
Tony, amazing article in The Daily Beast today about the Rapists stepdad. Y’all check it out.