Here are the emails I traded with Mr. Baker, illustrating the often extraordinary speed at which things deteriorate when applicants are confronted with the scientific method of inquiry, and the manner in which courtesy turns to arrogance, rudeness and threats of reprisal. This is standard fare here, but uncommon from "dowswers", who are for the most part friendly types.
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----- Original Message -----
From: Kramer
To: Elmer Baker
Sent: Friday, August 27, 2004 2:24 PM
Subject: Re: long range detectors
We're anxious to see if your claim really works or not. Most "dowsers" are self-deluded. No such claims have ever stood up to scientific testing. Yours would be the first. We await your duly executed application.
-Kramer, JREF Paranormal Claims Dept.
============================================
Ok...
Mine will be the first because there aren't any fancy electronics involved to interfere.
It is all natural...powered by nature itself.
No battery to change ever.
I stumbled upon this signal amplifier by accident. And have proven that it works many times. In many different locations and conditions.
Others have used it successfully in finding coins,
When I will let them.Which is not often.Probably too often.
Others have tried to prove it wrong with no success....also many times...
You can't fool nature....
No gimmicks...
No tricks....
No mistakes....
No excuses....
This is a proven locater. Silver or Gold.
I don't know what a scientific test is, but I hope this science will meet nature soon.
If it is there...I can find it...If it is not there...I will tell you it is not there.
Thank you for your precious time...
I really appreciate you considering my contraption for a test.
I am just a plain and simple, down to earth person. You may have to explain this scientific test to me a few times so I understand what I am to do here.
Invite this Carl who also doubts I can find a coin.
I will amaze you both!
My signal amplifier and dowsing method works..
Honestly...This is the one you have been looking for.
Send a rep. to me with a test, just to satisfy you.
I will make him a believer in a few minutes.
No joke...this is unbelievable!
Elmer Baker
==============================================
----- Original Message -----
From: Kramer
To: Elmer Baker
Sent: Wednesday, September 08, 2004 1:43 PM
Subject: from Kramer, JREF
Greetings Mr. Baker,
We received your application today. It has been accepted for preliminary testing. Congratulations.
Regarding your proposal as to what would constitute a successful demonstration, you'd need to do MUCH better than 3 out of 4 to qualify for final testing and the million dollar prize. Eight out of ten would be more reasonable, as a starting point. CHANCE would need to be ruled out entirely. Also, one test alone would not do. A series of scientifically designed tests over the course of 2 or 3 hours would suffice. So your proposed protocol needs a little bit of work.
Please understand that extraordinary claims require extraordinary proof. If your claim is valid, you should have no trouble demonstrating it before a team of qualified observors, as per the Challenge rules.
Let me know if you are amiable to some slight revisions to your proposal, and if you answer in the affirmative, I can immediately begin trying to find a suitable, qualified investigator to initiate the protocol negotiations. Ideally, this person would be located near you, and able to conduct the test in a timely manner (once the protocol has been mutually agreed upon - again, as per the Challenge rules).
Yours,
M. Kramer, JREF
=============================================
8 out of 10 successfully found targets is only 80%....I can do that....agreed....proceed.
Elmer Baker
=============================================
Hello Elmer,
By the way, may we politely inquire the following...
WHAT is a "signal amplifier"? Please define.
Yours,
Kramer, JREF Paranormal Claims Dept.
==============================================
I have the hottest and best signal amplifier ever !
This thing is the real McCoy !
It is a small box that will actually send and receive a signal out to a coin...establishing a signal line from this box that can be traced with dowsing rods. It takes about 30 seconds to discriminate all metal signals...these will be dropped and accepted signals...coins and rings....will remain to trace down....
I haven't been able to detect this signal line with anything but dowsing rods....but they work so well...why not use them.
This ...my friend...is it...and I am going to prove it to you 100%...no question about it....Proof positive.....Elmer
=============================================
Hello Elmer,
Again, PLEASE define "singal amplifier".
Yours,
Kramer, JREF
=============================================
When you describe scientific testing....
I might describe signal amplifier....
I'm trying to be nice here.
Nobody but me in this world has ever been inside my signal amplifier box.
It is all so simple that one look and you could build your own...noway is anyone going to look inside...a 5 year old kid could copy it.
I can pick a silver dime up as high as you can reach on the side of an aluminum pole barn...discriminating the aluminum siding and still get a strong signal on the coin resting on the aluminum...
I can throw this gold coin in your automobile...and get a strong dime signal.
I can place it on top of your auto...inside a tin can...behind a hand full of clad coins...on a 12 inch 1/4 steel plate...on top of a rural mailbox...inside that mail box....and still get the silver dime reading....
I can tell you if the target is a wheat penny...Indian head penny...or a large cent...
Or the same with dimes and quarters....
I can tell you what the target is...how deep...and where it is located...
At over 1/4 mile away...
I have the only signal amplifier here....the only one....and you want to examine it.
Maybe ...after I prove to you all of the above....
proof positive....we will talk.
These components were purchased at radio shack...you can hold them in the palm of your hand...and I have them installed in a overnight traveling soap box container.
I am no genius....I can upon this totally by accident when I first started messing with dowsing rods ten years ago....
This man came down from Indiana to see a demonstration of my signal amplifier...Email him to see if he will answer what it is and what it can do.
I am no liar....I am a down to earth man. I have worked on this project for ten straight years...
out of need I created this method from metal detecting....I have found many coins and have scan places for people who wanted to use a detector on with success.
His email....
rj35pj@hotmail.com
Ask him... he may tell you what you want to know.
===========================================
----- Original Message -----
From: Kramer
To: Elmer Baker
Cc: Page Stephens ; Jim Kutz
Sent: Wednesday, September 15, 2004 10:27 AM
Subject: Re: from Kramer, JREF
Hello Elmer,
I'm pleased to hear that you are confident of your claim. However, you have not answered my question other than to say that it is "a small box".
So, let me inquire once more, please:
DEFINE "SIGNAL AMPLIFIER".
Please understand that you must agree to allow the investigators to examine this device prior to testing. If what you are using is basically the same as what a hobo might use to detect coins on the beach, well, that is hardly a paranormal event.
-Kramer, JREF Paranormal Claims Dept.
=============================================
Why don't you send someone down here for a demonstration of my signal amplifier that I can amaze....then he can tell you what it is !
Sort of a qualifying thing...no strings attached...
Since you can't understand this signal amplifier.
It is no different then the mfd of lrl you see for sale from dell winders. The omnitron...the Geo surveyor...and so on.
He will tell you to try to get out of this thing....
Because I can do everything I say I can do with this signal amplifier. - ELMER
============================================
Elmer,
"Scientific Testing" means this: We would need to confirm that nothing "normal" (as opposed to "paranormal") is at work here. Scientific testing means "scrutinization" that would insure against deception. If you will not allow examination of your "device", no test will take place.
Obviously all you have is a simple "metal detector" and that does NOT qualify you for the Million Dollar Prize. Read the prize rules.
-Kramer, JREF
===========================================
Thanks...It has been a pleasure working with you.- Elmer....
Since you said I qualified for this testing...
Would you return my investment of a notary and postage to send my application....or do you keep that money too?
============================================
Elmer,
I'm not sure how to respond to this. It follows your fractured line of logic, so I'm unsure as to the value you will receive from my response. But, I'll try.
We don't KEEP any money, as you sent us none. Your "investment" in applying for the Challenge was yours alone, and if you had read the Challenge rules, you'd have seen rule #6...
"All expenses such as transportation, accommodation, materials, assistants, and/or all other costs for any persons or procedures incurred in pursuit of the reward, are the sole responsibility of the applicant. Neither the JREF nor JR will bear any of the costs."
Not even the approximately $5 you have spent.
You would also have seen this, prior to the Challenge rules:
"I, James Randi, through the JREF, will pay US$1,000,000 to any person who can demonstrate any psychic, supernatural or paranormal ability under satisfactory observing conditions. Such demonstration must take place under these rules and limitations."
We assumed, wrongly, that your claim was of a paranormal nature. We also assumed that you understood the nature of the Challenge.
-Kramer, JREF Paranormal Claims Dept.
==============================================
----- Original Message -----
From: Elmer Baker
To: Kramer
Sent: Monday, September 20, 2004 5:20 PM
Subject: Re: from Kramer, JREF
I was referred to you because I was told I qualified for your million dollars.
You even said I qualified....I still have the same device , which qualifies, I did not falsely file a claim....would you, and spend money on it getting it notarized and all....
I could still take your money anytime as my machine and method is the same as anyone else's that you may have tested...
I have left you off the hook...leave it that way...
Don't cause problems...
The only reason I can't qualify now is because I won't let you have my invention to take apart to see how it is made....
Please include this in your next...Congratulations...you qualify for a million dollars contestant....
Don't false advertise and say there is no way dowsing works...and no one has passed this scientific testing crap....Especially when you know that the ones who can pass are suddenly unacceptable...according to the application....
That's paranormal...mystically changed to suit your needs.
If dowsing is not paranormal...take it off your list of paranormal things that qualify ...
and tell the contestant that his equipment will be scientifically examined...their secret will be opened up for all to see.
==============================================Sir, your claim is NOT a paranormal one. Please let us know if you have one that IS.
Kramer, JREF
==============================================
----- Original Message -----
From: Elmer Baker
To: Kramer
Sent: Monday, September 21, 2004 5:20 PM
Subject: Re: from Kramer, JREF
easy way out...
lose the ones who can pass your tests...
I 'll let everyone know.
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