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18th March 2006, 08:14 AM | #441 |
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18th March 2006, 08:26 AM | #442 |
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18th March 2006, 08:24 PM | #443 |
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Hi. I'm obviously going to have to do a lot of research to find out what's going on.
However, I might generally point out that doing product recall usually builds brand confidence. It would be good for these Fxxxxxxxx people if they took swift and immediate action (as they seem to be doing) and you credit them for it on your blog, and if they don't know this you might point it out to them. Could I say again, keep me posted for any new links for the SkepticWiki article. I recall that KellyJ liked the "Crime Professionals Against Fraud" website more than my SkepticWiki article. In a way, KJ, you're right: first hand testimony is best. That's why I went wild over that article and put it first in the links for [swiki]Psychic Detectives[/swiki]. But in another way you're wrong --- because the SkepticWiki article linked to that article, just as it links to your blog and the Klaas foundation. And will link to psychicpredators.com. Do keep me up to date. Thanks. |
18th March 2006, 09:02 PM | #444 |
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What are you going to have to do alot of research on, specifically? Do you mean our pal, Diego?
I am quite sure I saved the F woman's vm msg to me. Once I return from my next trip, if I have not heard from her, I will call her for an update. She did say that she has my email, etc. (Obviously, they checked me out, too.) Now that I again look at the SkepticWiki page, it is an excellent one stop "shopping" for this specific issue. I bookmarked it and will utilize it in upcoming blog entries if that's ok with you. Thanks for the reminder on KlassKids. I'm going to email Marc directly about his blog submission and see if he's going to be able to do it. Kelly |
20th March 2006, 06:34 PM | #445 |
Philosopher
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For those who like to email reporters who promote psychics, here's an article I ran across: http://www.mysanantonio.com/news/met...h.2fca8eb.html
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20th March 2006, 06:39 PM | #446 |
Bufo Caminus Inedibilis
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Crap.
If only these people would quit wasting the time of the police and themselves. I realize the police feel an "obligation," but if it were me, I'd insist the psychics be kept OUT of any investigation. Let THEM spend their time and money chasing the false leads. |
20th March 2006, 09:42 PM | #447 |
red-shirted crewman
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Actually, that article does seem pretty balanced. It reports that there has been activity based on the psychic's involvement, but it also quotes the police representative as being a skeptic, and saying that psychics' claims do not pan out any more often than chance would have one expect, but that the police are reluctant to pass on any tips. Perhaps any e-mails we send should simply excourage the reporter to follow the story and write a follow up article pointing out that the psychic's suggestions were worthless.
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20th March 2006, 10:46 PM | #448 |
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From the story:
Quote:
This is the true sadness in this story. The "clues" provided by the psychic have led exactly nowhere, but this poor family member, desperate for something, anything, that might lead to the return of his sister, clutches at the straw offered by the psychic, to the point where he will "believe", because he needs to. It makes me very, very sad. |
21st March 2006, 12:33 AM | #449 |
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I was pleased to see the story did at least present a voice of reason, however, when it ends with the family member expressing belief, which is indeed sad, that almost trumps the skeptic aspect of things.
I do agree with Gr8wight that it would be more prudent to encourage the reporter to follow up. |
21st March 2006, 08:59 AM | #450 |
Penultimate Amazing
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Well,
I have sent out some queries about police using psychics, and will let you know any responses I get. I was chatting with my other half last night, and a point came up that I don't think I have put across here yet. I used to believe I 'knew' things. I had ideas about where to find missing people, or about murder cases. My partner at the time felt I should contact the families to let them know what I 'knew'. I refused, because I wanted to keep a diary of what I thought the outcome would be, and match it against the actual outcomes (should I ever be able to find out), and convince myself of a 100% hitrate before I would ever risk giving a family the wrong information. No matter how convinced I was of my ability, I knew - and interestingly most psychics will easily admit - that the ability is one that comes and goes according to whatever factors (health, stress, moral dilemma, hostile environment.....) are prevalent. Why then would anyone insist in bringing this information to a family until the ability is always there 24/7 and unerring in every detail? I don't understand it. The most I think I could have done, had my partner pressed me more, was give my 'information' to the relevant police force, and let them weigh it up as to relevance and worthiness for attention. I would never impose on a family in such a situation. The place they find themselves is so distressing and so personal that I believe they should be supported, and respected. Never imposed upon. |
21st March 2006, 12:00 PM | #451 |
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Thanks for continuing with the research, C.
Perhaps I should edit your posted story and add that you were encouraged to "help" families of the missing. I'm so glad your ethics prevented you from taking that step. Like you, I would agree for psyhics to let police discern who is a crackpot and who is not. Thank you for your honesty. |
21st March 2006, 12:29 PM | #452 |
Unimpressed Female
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Speaking off...I just had an idea: With the amount of nationalities we have here on the board, it would be possible to contact police forces in a lot of countries and get their statistics as well.
That would make a broadside against the claims of not only american psychics but also those from other countries. I have personally come up against an australian whom more or less refused to acknowledge that australia have the same problems with these frauds as the US..... edit: spelling mishap. and another one.... |
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23rd March 2006, 01:26 AM | #453 |
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Luke T.'s story is now posted on the blog:
http://voice4themissing.blogspot.com...chics-are.html Thank you, Luke! Excellent work. |
23rd March 2006, 08:23 AM | #454 |
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23rd March 2006, 10:57 AM | #455 |
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Well there you go again ... "the F woman" ... "our pal Diego" ... any minute know someone with a heavy Russian accent is going to sidle up to me and whisper "the grey owl flies at midnight ... the badger wants his cheese".
Quote:
Quote:
I've linked Luke's article --- twice, actually, 'cos it's the only skeptical take on Nancy Myer that I've been able to find. The bit about the car is excellent --- it shows that she's a [swiki]Hot Reading[/swiki] fraud. --------- About policemen --- we used to have a couple on these forums ... Stumpy and Hannibal ... back during Lucianarchy's reign of terror. They no longer actively post, but perhaps a PM would get them involved --- it's worth a shot. I'd do it myself, except that they wouldn't remember me, but someone such as Luke T or CFLarsen might give it a shot. |
23rd March 2006, 11:35 AM | #456 |
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23rd March 2006, 12:46 PM | #457 |
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Wow. I just read The Business of Preying, and my temper is flaring.
One really great part:
Quote:
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23rd March 2006, 01:06 PM | #458 |
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23rd March 2006, 02:05 PM | #459 |
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Looking at the posting histories of Stumpy and Hannibal, it seems like Hannibal lost the desire to post, or possibly the will to live, as a result of Lucianarchy's repulsive behavior --- and hasn't been seen since Feb '04. Stumpy, OTOH, only ever posted every few months anyway --- last seen last September. He may well be contactable.
It's worth a go. I'll PM them --- it's not as though I'm asking them a personal favor. |
23rd March 2006, 03:28 PM | #460 |
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I am toying with the idea of contacting one of my cousins. He has been a detective in a suburban city for over 25 years. I fear broaching the subject with him. The next time we are together, I will feel him out, get some general impressions. I doubt I could ask him for contributions here, but at least get an idea about what he thinks about the subject.
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23rd March 2006, 08:10 PM | #461 |
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Hello all,
I did ask Janice Smolinski if she would name any of the psychics, but apparently she did not feel comfortable doing so. I will be meeting her this weekend in NC, and I plan on asking her about this. Wouldn't it be lovely to stop that wretched person in her tracks? That would be a good idea to bring in some policemen who have experience in this area. I would love to hear their take on it. For those who do not know, I will be away starting tomorrow morning through Monday. I'll be in Wilmington, NC, for the 2nd annual Cue Center conference, which is a gathering of organizations, such as ours, and family members of missing persons. I'll be speaking on Saturday night at the National Candlelight Vigil, held in downtown Wilmington, near the Cape Fear River. I'm not sure how much internet time I will have while there, so I will be scarse around these parts. If any psychics come looking for me, tell them they have the wrong number for me, but that we have their number. Thanks, everyone, for everything. Kelly |
24th March 2006, 04:16 PM | #462 |
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After Kelly placed my article about Nancy Myer and KPTV on her site, I emailed KPTV to let them know about it. I just got an email from the reporter who did the story:
Quote:
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26th March 2006, 01:12 PM | #463 |
Killer Squirrel Killer
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Your opinions please
Kelly,
Last week, the Denver Post had this article regarding a medium that moved to the area. A very one-sided and pro psychic article. http://www.denverpost.com/search/ci_3602480 I would like to add to what this letter writer wrote in today's (March 26th)paper, using Kelly as a for instance. http://www.denverpost.com/letters First of all, is this okay with you? And secondly, assuming it is, any input from the forum would be greatly appreciated. I don't write as clearly and precisely as I'd like. Here is a rough draft I read with interest, the March 19th article 'Spiritual Medium At Large' . And like Mr. Barnhart, am very disappointed in the lack of balance and skepticism in the article. The letter writer is correct in his comments regarding cold reading. In the spirit of good reporting, I would like to suggest to the editors a follow-up article, discussing cold reading techniques and perhaps interviewing someone like Kelly Jolkowski of http://voice4themissing.blogspot.com, regarding her experiences with well-intentioned mediums. Thanks! |
26th March 2006, 07:29 PM | #464 |
New Blood
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Kelly,you have my deepest sympathy and utmost admiration for your courage.
Definition of the 'supernatural. "the most extraordinary claims made by the ordinary of people. Do not relant to the onslaught of delusional believers you will confront. Your cause is a noble one. Kindest regards. |
27th March 2006, 06:55 AM | #465 |
Killer Squirrel Killer
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Sent it off
Thank you, Kelly, for the ok to use your name and website in my letter to the Denver Post editor. I made a couple of small changes. We'll see if they print it.
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28th March 2006, 07:31 PM | #466 |
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Hi all,
I'm back from my trip, but it looks like it's going to take me several days to catch up on things. I still wanted to pop in and express my thanks. That's too bad that you only received a form response, Luke T, but it's always possible that your article did have an impact, one that this author is not revealing. Thanks, Elaine, for writing to the Denver Post. Working together, we can make a difference for someone. At the conference, the blog series was a topic of several conversations. One man said that someone came to him about psychics, and he pointed them to the series. That person came back to him, apologized, indicating she had no idea, but that now she knows better. |
28th March 2006, 09:06 PM | #467 |
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"The greater the ignorance, the greater the dogmatism." - Sir William Osler |
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29th March 2006, 07:18 AM | #468 |
Killer Squirrel Killer
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sorry double post
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29th March 2006, 07:18 AM | #469 |
Killer Squirrel Killer
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Very cool, about the blog experience at the conference. Regarding the letter to the Post, I wish I had read the article when it came out last week. Sending a response earlier would have helped, I'm sure. Another forum user pm'd me the reporter's email address. I'm sending her a version of the letter. If anything comes of it, I'll let everyone know. |
29th March 2006, 06:56 PM | #470 |
Notoriously Glorious
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I just received a letter from "psychic" Skye Alexander http://www.skyealexander.com/ in which she claims that she "help[s] police across the United States solve homicides, missing person, and suicide cases."
My gut reaction is to send her an email pointing her to the soon-to-be psychicpredators.com, but I'm guessing that she'll just delete it and send my address to spam harvesters. Any ideas on how to proceed? Once the website is up, I won't have a problem contacting her if we have official email addresses. Honestly, I delete a lot of spam anyways, and might just fire one off to her while I'm still hot about it. |
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Knowledge is Power! "If we want to teach the Moon is green cheese then we'll do it!" -- Eric Hovind defending his father's pro-creationist stance. (http://www.kent-hovind.com/) "Believe those who seek the truth. Doubt those who find it." |
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29th March 2006, 06:58 PM | #471 |
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29th March 2006, 07:19 PM | #472 |
Notoriously Glorious
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Knowledge is Power! "If we want to teach the Moon is green cheese then we'll do it!" -- Eric Hovind defending his father's pro-creationist stance. (http://www.kent-hovind.com/) "Believe those who seek the truth. Doubt those who find it." |
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29th March 2006, 07:21 PM | #473 |
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Which is a despicable tactic, and had anyone purportedly done that to me or my family after my father's suicide, I would have kicked them right in the genitals. I say we get this one. Email her back and ask for a specific cop to reference in each case seh has worked on so that you can "verify her credentials before making any decisions on soliciting her services." See if she even returns one cop's name. |
29th March 2006, 07:31 PM | #474 |
Notoriously Glorious
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Knowledge is Power! "If we want to teach the Moon is green cheese then we'll do it!" -- Eric Hovind defending his father's pro-creationist stance. (http://www.kent-hovind.com/) "Believe those who seek the truth. Doubt those who find it." |
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29th March 2006, 08:36 PM | #475 |
Philosopher
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HI Prewitt...good to see you again.
Besides the usual comments, I can honestly say that this woman, Syke, has the spookiest eyes. Thanks for the prompt attention to this matter. She's pretty vague about her "accomplishments", but that's not a surprise. |
29th March 2006, 08:58 PM | #476 |
red-shirted crewman
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About a year ago I sent emails to several psychics whose websites claimed they had participated with police. I asked them to provide details of exactly which police forces they had been involved with. Only one of them deigned to reply to me, and his response was twofold:
1) He named a general geographic area is which he had allegedly worked, but did not name a specific law enforcement agency. 2) He told me that most police forces will deny having worked with psychics when asked, even if they had done so. Pretty much the response I expected. |
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29th March 2006, 09:45 PM | #477 |
Thinker
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John Edward: But, I'm a psychic. Stan Marsh: No, dude. You're a douche. John Edward: I'm not a douche. What if I really believed dead people talk to me? Stan Marsh: Then, you're a stupid douche! |
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29th March 2006, 10:38 PM | #478 |
Notoriously Glorious
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Knowledge is Power! "If we want to teach the Moon is green cheese then we'll do it!" -- Eric Hovind defending his father's pro-creationist stance. (http://www.kent-hovind.com/) "Believe those who seek the truth. Doubt those who find it." |
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29th March 2006, 10:42 PM | #479 |
Philosopher
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The epitome of junk mail.
Hello Gr8wight |
29th March 2006, 10:57 PM | #480 |
Penultimate Amazing
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