Psychics and Missing People

[Kelly]

We're nowhere near as cute as pussycats. I do, however, enjoy a ball of yarn occasionally...

I can empathise with the feeling that it may be contagious. I have a post in my blog about ridiculous reactions to cancer that is similar.

I am surprised though, that the Catholic forum did not offer a big response. I can't imagine that they wouldn't see this as the opportunity this forum has to do something to make a difference for the better.

Oh well.

Where's my yarn?

Interesting about the reactions to cancer as well.

I figured I would at least get a bunch of "so sorry's" on the forum.

 

[Ducky]

Interesting about the reactions to cancer as well.

I figured I would at least get a bunch of "so sorry's" on the forum.

I think any subject that plays into very basic fears we have will garner the same type of aversion from those not directly exposed to it, generally.





ETA:

By the way, blue is blue.

Signed,

Captain Obvious.



(yeesh. That's what I get for waxing philisophical on an hour of sleep for the past 3 days.)

 

[Kelly]

Just about anything involving Dennis Mackenzie.

A nasty piece of work who everyone should be warned about.

http://www.internationalskeptics.com/forums/showthread.php?t=28352&highlight=dennis+mackenzie

Another old thread:

http://www.internationalskeptics.com/forums/showthread.php?t=34908&highlight=dennis+mackenzie

I wish psychics could help police. Oh how I wish that.

I just no longer understand how anyone can believe they do.

I never heard of MacKenzie, but perhaps because he is from the UK.

As I go back through this thread, I take another look and see if it can blend in with the story. There were some more excellent links on the second thread about LE and psychics. Now if I only knew a retired cop who can write!

Regardless, this aspect of things will make for a well-rounded series.

 

[Kelly]

Kelly, if you can ask someone who has been solicited by a psychic to find their missing loved one to recollect as accurately as possible what was said/claimed by the psychic in the conversation, I will be happy to write a Self-Defense Course on how to handle such calls. The more input you can collect from various people, the better. That way we can get an idea of the typical sales pitch.

I imagine the psychics claim to have worked with the police and to have "helped" find missing children/loved ones, and so on.

I would write such an article along these lines:

If a psychic calls you to offer their services, here are the following steps you should take...

1. Hang up.



Of course, I would go into more than that. I would arm them with questions to ask the psychic. Name the children you found. Name the police you helped. Dates, places, etc. Were you credited in any media reports? Which ones? Dates. Do you have ANY references at all, you freaking creep?

You get the idea.

Yep, I get the idea.

To backtrack, the original idea for the dialog was for a dialog as the "reading" is taking place. This dialog would clearly show the reader when the psychic is using certain methods, such as shotgunning and intimidation to make the victim find a fit, etc, etc.

What you suggest is also excellent. So far, I don't really have much of the pre-event info. One man told me that he's had the guilt trip business in which they state things like: "I won't be able to sleep until I talk to you." I seem to recall having this happen to me on at least one occasion.

I've also had them insinuate that I must not care about finding Jason, otherwise I would jump at the offer. This again was coupled with the "just one conversation" plea. I wish I had more on that one.

 

[Ducky]

I've also had them insinuate that I must not care about finding Jason, otherwise I would jump at the offer. This again was coupled with the "just one conversation" plea. I wish I had more on that one.

Had I been in your shoes I would have been hard pressed not to unleash a can of verbal whoop-ass.

But then I am not shy about letting loose verbally about things.






I know. I know. Shocking, isn't it?



Seriouosly, is there a way to poll families on this? Perhaps some phone legwork can be done? I'm willing to call and email and gather info on this if needed.

 

[Gr8wight]

You guys will really get a kick out of this, but I had posted the same post#1 on a major Catholic forum, and only had a few responses! Sometimes people just don't know what to say, I guess.

I suspect you got very little response from people on the catholic message board because there are a large proportion of people there who believe in psychics. I married into a catholic family, and my experience is that they are all very credulous. My mother-in-law goes a psychic regularly. My wife, a professional businesswoman has even gone to one, and been astounded by the accuracy of what she heard. Of course, this was the same psychic that her mother and other family members had been to. Can you say hot reading?

 

[Kelly]

Here's the really sick part, Kelly, which I am sure you know: Psychics count on the missing person and person who took them never being found. The odds are in their favor. They can make all kinds of wild claims about activities that occurred surrounding the disappearance with the knowledge that the odds are in their favor. And even if the missing person is found, or the kidnapper caught, no one will remember how far off the psychic was except the immediate family and they aren't going to have the resources to make that knowledge public.

That's what makes the Elizabeth Smart Psi-Tch case so great. She was found alive and none of the events Psi-Tech remotely viewed were remotely correct. It was a spectacular and public failure. And boy did they scurry to cover it up! To no avail.

So use it. Like a hammer.

OH, boy, did I get a good one in today. It is about a missing/then found murdered young mother. She was found a couple of months after she was missing. Since it was not such a long time ago, the friend was able to recall quite a few of the stories. I think this one is going to rock the house. I already know the story and it brought a tear to my eye. It fits right into what you are saying in your 1st paragraph.

I read the Psi-Tech report a long time ago. I'm glad it was brought up again here, because, yes, it is a good example.

 

[Kelly]

Had I been in your shoes I would have been hard pressed not to unleash a can of verbal whoop-ass.

But then I am not shy about letting loose verbally about things.


I know. I know. Shocking, isn't it?

Seriouosly, is there a way to poll families on this? Perhaps some phone legwork can be done? I'm willing to call and email and gather info on this if needed.

I can send out an email poll, yes.

You know, if it wasn't for my position as the leader of an org, I would let loose on them. I have to remain calm and respectful at all times.

In one of my stories though, I do let lose and use the F-bomb. I had to. It was awful.

 

[delphi_ote]

I suspect you got very little response from people on the catholic message board because there are a large proportion of people there who believe in psychics. I married into a catholic family, and my experience is that they are all very credulous. My mother-in-law goes a psychic regularly. My wife, a professional businesswoman has even gone to one, and been astounded by the accuracy of what she heard. Of course, this was the same psychic that her mother and other family members had been to. Can you say hot reading?

*hands to temples* I'm getting something... you're a married male from Ontario... you have a child whose name starts with... with an "M"... you enjoy two things that begin with the letter "B"... you drink one while you listen to the other...

Hot reading is fun!

 

[Kelly]

I suspect you got very little response from people on the catholic message board because there are a large proportion of people there who believe in psychics. I married into a catholic family, and my experience is that they are all very credulous. My mother-in-law goes a psychic regularly. My wife, a professional businesswoman has even gone to one, and been astounded by the accuracy of what she heard. Of course, this was the same psychic that her mother and other family members had been to. Can you say hot reading?

I didn't even recognize you without the hat! I even said to myself: "Oh, a new person." Thanks for the nice write-up. I did see several hits coming from there today. My site meter is open, so you can view it if you're curious.

Yes, in my family, several believe, although no one visits them. The one I mention in post #1 cannot be swayed.

 

[Kelly]

Okay, Kelly. I have just written a two page article on the Kimberly Forbes missing person case and the psychic hired by the TV station.

I titled it "But The News Said Psychics Are Real!"

Just tell me where to email it if you want it.

You can do whatever you want with it. All rights, etc., etc., are yours.

All I ask is that if you credit it to me, that the byline say "Luke T." I don't use my whole name in public venues for personal security reasons.

I Pm'd you with my email. This will be a great addition. Slap the media in the face about this. They need a wake-up call, too.

And, yes, everyone should follow your lead and write and complain when the media gives psychics credibility.

Thank you!

 

[Gr8wight]

*hands to temples* I'm getting something... you're a married male from Ontario... you have a child whose name starts with... with an "M"... you enjoy two things that begin with the letter "B"... you drink one while you listen to the other...

Oh. My. God!!!!eleventyone

How did you know all that. It's almost like you could go somewhere and read about me. Freaky, man.

 

[delphi_ote]

Oh. My. God!!!!eleventyone

How did you know all that. It's almost like you could go somewhere and read about me. Freaky, man.

I call that place "The Aurora Walking Spirit Vacation Realm." Think I could get my own TV show like John Edwards?

 

[Kelly]

I found a piece by Tony Youens about him and have put in a link.

Interesting, as is the part about BTK. The sketches are obviously way off.

Edited to add: I think I am done catching up. If I forgot something you asked or needed a response on, please remind me. Thanks.

 

[a_unique_person]

There was an absolutely disgraceful TV series on Australian television not so long ago.

They had 'psychics' doing a 'cold case' on an unsolved murder of a young girl. The family, distraught at the memories of the place they lived in, moved interstate.

One of the psychics (none of whom actually provided any 'evidence' beyond what was already well known in the public domain, btw), had the gall to say that they could sense the dead girls spirit, and she was sad because she was now all alone since they had moved away. I could not believe they actually screened that.

 

[chillzero]

You know, if it wasn't for my position as the leader of an org, I would let loose on them. I have to remain calm and respectful at all times.
QUOTE]

You need to have someone like Kramer to hand.

oh - pick me! pick me!!
(actually, Luke T or FowlSound always manage to word things better than I do - pick them )

 

[Kelly]

There was an absolutely disgraceful TV series on Australian television not so long ago.

They had 'psychics' doing a 'cold case' on an unsolved murder of a young girl. The family, distraught at the memories of the place they lived in, moved interstate.

One of the psychics (none of whom actually provided any 'evidence' beyond what was already well known in the public domain, btw), had the gall to say that they could sense the dead girls spirit, and she was sad because she was now all alone since they had moved away. I could not believe they actually screened that.

That's awful. Shame on that show. It's a rating racket, alright.

Someone else prompted about Daniel Morcombe's story. I'm going to try to remember ot email their family tonight and see if they want to say anything. I know they've had some leeches, too.

 

[Kelly]

You know, if it wasn't for my position as the leader of an org, I would let loose on them. I have to remain calm and respectful at all times.
QUOTE]

You need to have someone like Kramer to hand.

oh - pick me! pick me!!
(actually, Luke T or FowlSound always manage to word things better than I do - pick them )

Hi Poster Formerly Known as Cabby!

That is a good idea to have a psychic isssue spokesperson. I might want to be able to forward emails to them if people ignore my request not to email me about these issues.

 

[Luke T.]

OH, boy, did I get a good one in today. It is about a missing/then found murdered young mother. She was found a couple of months after she was missing. Since it was not such a long time ago, the friend was able to recall quite a few of the stories. I think this one is going to rock the house. I already know the story and it brought a tear to my eye. It fits right into what you are saying in your 1st paragraph.

Outstanding! Can't wait to see it.

 

[Luke T.]

I Pm'd you with my email. This will be a great addition. Slap the media in the face about this. They need a wake-up call, too.

Done. Just shipped it to your email address.

And, yes, everyone should follow your lead and write and complain when the media gives psychics credibility.

Yes. Email reporters and help them understand this is not harmless entertainment.

A factual report may trigger a memory in a witness in the viewing audience and help break the case.

A psychic making up events surrounding a case which did not actually occur may actually PREVENT a potential witness viewer from recalling an important clue.