A Plea From Sarnia , Canada

[sadhatter]

From time to time i have mentioned the flood of psychic garbage in my city. But it is getting to the point where i feel that something needs to be done.

As a first step i suggest checking out a blog i recently found in specific the newer posts in relation to Robbie Thomas.

http://sarniaskeptic.blogspot.com/s...-max=2011-01-01T00:00:00-05:00&max-results=15

I could take it when i found out 2 of my good friends from high school have been putting out ghost hunting videos, i stood by as a kid while my mother was swindled by a local psychic, but now that this tool is taking credit for solving an unsolved murder ( among many others sketchy claims. Victoria Stafford in case anyone is familiar) and using our local theatre as a venue for his crap, i feel i have to do something.

Unfortunately i cannot find the newspaper article that set me off ( after seeing this parasite's posters everywhere) , being in a free paper, i am not too terribly surprised, but it in no uncertain terms stated that due to his success any and all skeptics have ceased posting about him. The article in general is Alex Jones/George Noory quality, but this is not what i expect from an otherwise informative free local rag.

So i have messaged the owner of the blog and am in the process of trying to organize......something. And that is where i need help, if anyone can offer any skills, advice, or information i would welcome the help.

I am toying with the idea of a protest, but this is Canada, it is going to be freezing, and i am not sure how much overall good it would do.

As far as resources, personally i am a small time film actor ( no Penn Gillette but i have been told i am a funny fellow.) and have experience in writing ( a few low budget films, a couple of plays that have stuck around) , and access to a local production company if i can prove that the idea is at least going to make its money back.

But that being said, how to organize, who could we get within the skeptical community to maybe lend a voiceclip , or an interview, etc etc. i could use some advice and if possible contributions on.

To be clear i don't want to make a skeptic " loose change" my intent is to make a humor based film that could appeal to those that have not quite made up thier minds about the paranormal as well as those who agree with me. ( and hopefully interest a few believers)

So i await any and all help that can be given.

 

[Gord_in_Toronto]

Why not call the editor of Sarnia's real newspaper (The Sarnia Observer) rather than, say, the Bluewater Morning and see if they will give you the time of day? They might be interested in a story.

 

[sadhatter]

Why not call the editor of Sarnia's real newspaper (The Sarnia Observer) rather than, say, the Bluewater Morning and see if they will give you the time of day? They might be interested in a story.

Yeah a letter to the editor has been handwritten, and as soon as i can anonymously send it, my threat filled tirade will be read. lol

In all seriousness though, a letter has been written, though moreso to Sarnia this week ( our other free rag and the one that published the offending article.). But the idea of writing to the other newspapers does seem to be a good idea. , get the competition in on the fight.

 

[jimerson]

The theatrical aspect reminds me of a story in a Houdini or Dunninger book. Basically it came down to duelling spirit cabinets. One show set up to duplicate the effects of another. I will update this post with the book title and chapter later (books are at home). Perhaps you could do a show at the same theater or one nearby duplicating or out-doing the "psychic" show, while exposing his methods.

 

[Gord_in_Toronto]

Yeah a letter to the editor has been handwritten, and as soon as i can anonymously send it, my threat filled tirade will be read. lol

In all seriousness though, a letter has been written, though moreso to Sarnia this week ( our other free rag and the one that published the offending article.). But the idea of writing to the other newspapers does seem to be a good idea. , get the competition in on the fight.

If you are up to it, phone the editor of the Observer and see if he is interested in an article about the phony. Sarnia is not a big town and he may well see a story here and assign a reporter to at least talk to you. Arm yourself with a few skeptical urls and you could trigger something.

 

[Nonpareil]

The theatrical aspect reminds me of a story in a Houdini or Dunninger book. Basically it came down to duelling spirit cabinets. One show set up to duplicate the effects of another. I will update this post with the book title and chapter later (books are at home). Perhaps you could do a show at the same theater or one nearby duplicating or out-doing the "psychic" show, while exposing his methods.

No, no, no. That can only end badly. Didn't The Prestige teach you anything?

 

[jimerson]

No, no, no. That can only end badly. Didn't The Prestige teach you anything?

Maybe duplicate was the wrong word...

Houdini: A Magician Among the Spirits (Arno Press 1972)
Chapter 2: The Davenport Brothers, (p.30-32)

 

[sadhatter]

You know, truth be told the idea of preforming a similar show , or at the least doing something a bit more theatrical than a protest is a good idea.

The problem is he is one of those psychic detectives, so as to what he does,.... well he talks a lot about how he has solved cases, he gives some cold reading ( possibly, it was a little unclear in the article as to what he is planning on doing besides intellectually masturbate in front of an audience), but it seems more of a " gee i am great" than a sylvia browne esque milk of the audience.

But the idea of doing something of a theatrical almost parody like nature is something we could pull off well, and if their is anything i am used to doing its setting up a production.

Btw, Gord it seems you have been to Sarnia, am i correct?

 

[GanipGnop]

If you are up to it, phone the editor of the Observer and see if he is interested in an article about the phony. Sarnia is not a big town and he may well see a story here and assign a reporter to at least talk to you. Arm yourself with a few skeptical urls and you could trigger something.

Another thing sadhatter can try is having some friends call or write the paper with similar concerns as his. If the editor thinks there is general interest in the story outside of one person he may want to look into it further.

 

[eh-theist]

SadHatter - I sent you an email last week - I suspect that you did not get it. There are a few of us in Sarnia that are planning "something" for his Sarnia show.

I'll re-forward the email - so check your spam folder.

 

[sadhatter]

Hey i just got the e-mail my internet connection has been on the fritz lately and popping on forums is about the best i can do. i will check my e-mails though. Its actually running very well now.