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Sylvia Browne: Linda Rossi interview

RSLancastr

www.StopSylvia.com
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All:

Tonight (Thurs, May 13 2010), Craig Cheathan of KMOV-TV in St. Louis will be airing two interviews regarding Sylvia Browne:

One is of Linda Rossi, Browne's business manager and employee of thirty years. In a snippet from the interview now on the KMOV web site, Rossi gets tearful when talking about those who not only call Browne a fraud, but who try to "take her down." She talks of Browne as though Browne is a saint. I hear that Rossi also talks about Browne's recent financial problems, about which I've heard a lot recently.

The other interview is with Gary Dufresne, One of Browne's ex-husbands, who I interviewed on SSB some time ago.

Cheatham is the man who did the guerilla-style interview of Browne in her wheel chair the last time she came to St. Louis.

The Shawn Hornbeck story is still fresh in the minds of St. Louis locals.

The interviews are on tonight's 10PM show.
 
The extended interviews with Linda Rossi and Gary Dufresne are online already. A tour of her offices is also online here.

The preview for the episode:
Sylvia Browne Secrets
KMOV.com

Posted on May 12, 2010 at 12:55 PM

Sylvia Browne may be the most famous self-proclaimed psychic in the country. She charged St. Louisans $45 dollars to see her show.

News 4’s Craig Cheatham did some investigating and asks some questions of his own.
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Click to expand...
Full article and video at KMOV.com
 
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Anyone read the pro-Sylvia comments on the KMOV-TV website?

Here's some:
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momnsbst said on May 13, 2010 at 7:19 AM

Sylvia Browne has helped countless people. Do you really think they are all wrong and one ex husband is right ? Maybe that's why he's an ex. Whether she is psychic or not, she gives hope to the hopeless. Why fault her for that?
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2old2care said on May 12, 2010 at 3:37 PM
Why on earth would anyone ever believe something someone's EX-spouse says! That is just CRAZY! This woman has helped thousands of people, police included! This woman has helped many people find loved ones, and find closure, for so many people! THAT should count for something, not what her exhusband says! From what I have heard, HE is NOT a good person himself! Ask his sons!!!.
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michael1012 said on May 12, 2010 at 1:20 PM
You guys made a huge mistake by attacking Sylvia Browne on your news broadcast. Is this what you call news? Must be why very few people watch your network anymore. Your going to have to find some reall news stories before your replaced with reruns of an old comedy at 10:00 pm
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What's the names of the people she has "helped"? What crimes have she "solved"? Where's the "mistake" in the report?
 
At 10:30, the video of part one was online here.

In the May 13, 2010 report, Linda Rossi said Browne's three organizations earn $3 million a year and her revenue is down 50%. Rossi said, "She's too proud to say it, but I'm not. Yes, we're struggling." She also claimed the Sylvia Browne Corporation will move into a smaller building soon.

Then Rossi said the three-day event in St. Louis earned less than $10,000, but the reporter noted there were 1,000 fans paying at least $45 each for the event ($45 x 1,000 = $45,000). According to TicketMaster.com, at her one show tomorrow, tickets are $45, $65 or $75 depending on seating.

Gary Dufresne was also interviewed and laughed at the thought Browne was psychic. He repeatedly said there is no evidence Browne is psychic and he was never convinced she had any paranormal ability. It also included a recap of the 2008 report with Craig Akers, Shawn Hornbeck's father, calling Browne a "fraud" and their interview where Browne refused to say anything to Hornbeck's parents.

According to the video, there will be another report on May 14, 2010 (tomorrow) at 5:00 when the Hornbeck case will be discussed with a new interview. Also there are hints in the article below that Cheatham will examine Browne's predictions made in St. Louis.

An article about the report:
Sylvia Browne secrets
KMOV-TV
by Craig Cheatham
Posted on May 13, 2010 at 10:37 PM


Our latest investigation of Sylvia Browne was filled with surprises.

First, her ex-husband Gary Dufresne agreed to sit down for a lengthy on-camera interview about his thirteen year marriage with Browne. Dufresne was married to her from 1959-72. It took several days to find him and get his consent for the interview.

Second, Browne's longtime Business Manager Linda Rossi took us on a guided tour of Browne's headquarters, showed us Browne's private office where she does readings, and also agreed to be interviewed, even though we just walked up to the building uninvited.

Third, during Browne's first appearance in St. Louis last week the audience was never told to turn off recording devices, which meant that we were able to continue using our hidden cameras to videotape her making bold predictions about the recovery of a very sick person.
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Click to expand...

Full article and video: KMOV-TV
 
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Thanks for the links, Robo Sapien.

I have mixed feelings about what I've seen so far.

Regarding Linda Rossi, unfortunately IMO her testimony about Browne's sincerity is only going to help Browne. In spite of the fact that Rossi seems overly emotional to me, I think fans will for the most part attribute that to how much she cares. Showing people that there are supposedly big heavy file drawers of "affidavits" and thank you's also helps Browne.

Her statements that Sylvia Browne has apologized to the Hornbeck family by personal letter, web site apology and on television is going to be very hard to prove or disprove and tends to weigh in Browne's favor.

The testimony of Browne's ex-husband is not as convicing as it could have been. His statement that maybe she has made a pact with the devil makes it sound like she has abilities but he attributes them to an evil source, though that may not be what he intended. Believers will take that as a confirmation of her abilities and will dismiss his other comments as being from an angry, "abusive" (her words) ex-husband who Browne claims, after all, is now a religious fundamentalist. That is the kind of anti-psychic sentiment one would expect from a fundamentalist. Whether he is one or not, and of course I wouldn't take Browne's word for it, it does tend to back her up.

Also, "World Headquarters" would appear to give Browne more importance than she deserves. She has an office with a few rooms in Campbell, California with a rather small staff.

The fact that Rossi has now cooperated, and in fact even invites Cheatham in for a tour of the offices, of course lessens the impact that saying Browne's organization would not cooperate had in the past and is a point in her favor. Though I note Browne herself is absent, I'm not sure her fans would note that.

That said, Rossi's upset with the skeptics seems connected to their financial struggles. It means the truth has been getting out there and having an impact, which is a good thing.
 
Tricky said:
This one:

Rossi claims Sylvia apologized. She says she wrote a letter to the family and wrote an open letter on the website.

I havent' seen either one of those. Could someone (and I'm thinking Robert) show us those? Has Shawn Hornebeck's family ever admitted that Sylvia apologized to them?
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KMOV-TV reports on what the father said:

News 4 Investigates: Daily Briefing
Responding to Sylvia
KMOV-TV
by Craig Cheathan
Posted on May 15, 2008 at 1:45 PM

...
Steve decided to go and see if Mr. Akers would talk about Ms. Browne. And, as you know, that's exactly what he did.

"It's obvious she doesn't know what she's talking about, Mr. Akers told us. "It's all fake stuff, it's a fraud. I think she should be ashamed of herself for putting parents through the agony she puts them through. She's a horrible person."

As we reported in our story, the Akers agreed to go on the Montel show mainly to gain national exposure for Shawn's case.

Clearly, the case gained even more attention, but Brown's claims about the case, with the exception of the kidnapper's first name, were wrong.

"We've never heard from her again, never an 'I'm sorry' an apology or even, 'oh, gee, I guess I got that one wrong' - nothing at all," said Mr. Akers.

Steve's interview with Craig Akers ended on a positive note: Shawn is doing great.

In fact, Craig Akers says "he's made up all the ground he lost during those 4 and -a-half years, and he's just done incredible."
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Full: KMOV-TV
 
So basically, either Rossi was lying, or Mr. Akers is. I guess you know which one I find more believable.

As far as the "Open letter on the website" goes, even if you could now find it, it doesn't mean crap. It is like those "notices" they post in newspapers because of legal requirements. Few people ever read them.
 
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I can't believe they'd allow Mr. Akers to lie like that on the air ... what is the world coming to?

;)
 
Tricky said:
So basically, either Rossi was lying, or Mr. Akers is. I guess you know which one I find more believable.

As far as the "Open letter on the website" goes, even if you could now find it, it doesn't mean crap. It is like those "notices" they post in newspapers because of legal requirements. Few people ever read them.
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Yes, but what QG quoted was from 2008. I remember that interview.

Now, during this CURRENT interview, Rossi is claiming Browne has apologized 3times.

We would need to find out if, during the past 2 years, Browne has since apologized in order to know if this is true.
 
ExMinister said:
Thanks for the links, Robo Sapien.

I have mixed feelings about what I've seen so far.

Regarding Linda Rossi, unfortunately IMO her testimony about Browne's sincerity is only going to help Browne. In spite of the fact that Rossi seems overly emotional to me, I think fans will for the most part attribute that to how much she cares. Showing people that there are supposedly big heavy file drawers of "affidavits" and thank you's also helps Browne.

Her statements that Sylvia Browne has apologized to the Hornbeck family by personal letter, web site apology and on television is going to be very hard to prove or disprove and tends to weigh in Browne's favor.

The testimony of Browne's ex-husband is not as convicing as it could have been. His statement that maybe she has made a pact with the devil makes it sound like she has abilities but he attributes them to an evil source, though that may not be what he intended. Believers will take that as a confirmation of her abilities and will dismiss his other comments as being from an angry, "abusive" (her words) ex-husband who Browne claims, after all, is now a religious fundamentalist. That is the kind of anti-psychic sentiment one would expect from a fundamentalist. Whether he is one or not, and of course I wouldn't take Browne's word for it, it does tend to back her up.

Also, "World Headquarters" would appear to give Browne more importance than she deserves. She has an office with a few rooms in Campbell, California with a rather small staff.

The fact that Rossi has now cooperated, and in fact even invites Cheatham in for a tour of the offices, of course lessens the impact that saying Browne's organization would not cooperate had in the past and is a point in her favor. Though I note Browne herself is absent, I'm not sure her fans would note that.

That said, Rossi's upset with the skeptics seems connected to their financial struggles. It means the truth has been getting out there and having an impact, which is a good thing.
Click to expand...

You're looking at it from the perspective of a Browne believer. People who want to believe no matter what the evidence will always believe Browne, and never be convinced of the contrary.

Someone in the middle of the road, will view the interview in another manner. Namely, she earns $3 million a year and her manager is complaining about a drop in revenue, makes her sound not so good. She told the parents of a missing child the child was dead, and is complaining about "moving into a smaller building" at the same time 1,000 people attended her event. The average person who earns $20,000 to $50,000 a year, who sees that scofts at Rossi's complaints. They'll say sarcastically, "poor Browne has suffered so much because she earned a mere $1.5 million."

Regarding the money from the average person's perspective, the "large" collection of "affidavits," raises more questions than answers. If she has helped so many people and is correct often than why the 50% decrease in revenue? Well, because she isn't having much repeat business. The reason for that is unhappy customers, which means her abilities aren't good.

Also I'm sure many viewers are asking, where's Browne? She can make these claims at the St. Louis event the news team recorded, but not be interviewed. Is she hiding something? Why'd the news team have to go to California for a response from a manager when Browne and her staff were in St. Louis?

That's not even to mention, Rossi doesn't bother giving any evidence Browne is psychic. Why didn't she just reach into those "affidavits" and read them? (The skeptics have already seen why. Rossi's proof turned out to be the opposite before.)
 
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ExMinister said:
Yes, but what QG quoted was from 2008. I remember that interview.

Now, during this CURRENT interview, Rossi is claiming Browne has apologized 3times.

We would need to find out if, during the past 2 years, Browne has since apologized in order to know if this is true.
Click to expand...

What did she apologize for? Being wrong? I thought she just excused that on the grounds that she isn't always right?

So what exactly did she apologize for? I'm curious.
 
Questioninggeller said:
You're looking at it from the perspective of a Browne believer. People who want to believe no matter what the evidence will always believe Browne, and never be convinced of the contrary.

Someone in the middle of the road, will view the interview in another manner. Namely, she earns $3 million a year and her manager is complaining about a drop in revenue, makes her sound not so good. She told the parents of a missing child the child was dead, and is complaining about "moving into a smaller building" at the same time 1,000 people attended her event. The average person who earns $20,000 to $50,000 a year, who sees that scofts at Rossi's complaints. They'll say sarcastically, "poor Browne has suffered so much because she earned a mere $1.5 million."

Regarding the money from the average person's perspective, the "large" collection of "affidavits," raises more questions than answers. If she has helped so many people and is correct often than why the 50% decrease in revenue? Well, because she isn't having much repeat business. The reason for that is unhappy customers, which means her abilities aren't good.

Also I'm sure many viewers are asking, where's Browne? She can make these claims at the St. Louis event the news team recorded, but not be interviewed. Is she hiding something? Why'd the news team have to go to California for a response from a manager when Browne and her staff were in St. Louis?

That's not even to mention, Rossi doesn't bother giving any evidence Browne is psychic. Why didn't she just reach into those "affidavits" and read them? (The skeptics have already seen why. Rossi's proof turned out to be the opposite before.)
Click to expand...

You're right, I'm looking at it through the perspective of a believer. I guess I hold out hope that this kind of thing will reach them and change their minds, but maybe this is aimed more toward the average person, as you said.

I like your take on this. I hope you're right!

pgwenthold said:
What did she apologize for? Being wrong? I thought she just excused that on the grounds that she isn't always right?

So what exactly did she apologize for? I'm curious.
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Good question. Rossi doesn't clarify exactly what Browne said (at least not in the link Robo Sapien provided), saying only that Browne felt bad and had apologized to the family 3 times.

Yes, it would be interesting to know exactly what she apologized for.

IF such apologies even exist. Personally, I think that's a big IF. But that's just my, maybe overly cynical opinion.
 
ExMinister said:
Yes, it would be interesting to know exactly what she apologized for.

IF such apologies even exist. Personally, I think that's a big IF. But that's just my, maybe overly cynical opinion.
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This is actually the basis for my question.

I am having a hard time even figuring out what she would apologize for, without it being an admission of a serious problem. Hence, I doubt she did it.
 
Tricky said:
This one:

Rossi claims Sylvia apologized. She says she wrote a letter to the family and wrote an open letter on the website.

I havent' seen either one of those. Could someone (and I'm thinking Robert) show us those? Has Shawn Hornebeck's family ever admitted that Sylvia apologized to them?
Click to expand...

I am aware of no apology Browne has made to the Akers.
 
So..how long is it since Browne accepted to take the Randi challenge?
 
Here's the latest article:

Is Sylvia Browne really a psychic?
KMOV-TV
By Craig Cheatham
May 14, 2010


Is Sylvia Browne really the psychic she claims to be? For a couple of years now, News 4 has been investigating her claims.

She recently came back to St. Louis for a series of appearances, so News 4 went to check her out.

News 4’s Craig Cheatham also traveled to California to get exclusive details about Browne and her business operation.
...
Over the years, Browne has repeatedly failed on her most publicized predictions, including her statement that Sean Hornbeck, a missing 11-year-old from Washington County, Missouri, was dead. It was a prediction she shared with Sean's parents on the “Montel Williams Show.” Four years later, Sean was found alive.

Two years ago, during another appearance in St. Louis, News 4 asked Browne about the Hornbeck case, but she refused to comment.

Last week, News 4 traveled to Sylvia Browne's world headquarters in Campbell, California to see what we could learn about America's most famous self-proclaimed psychic.
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Click to expand...
Full article and video: KMOV-TV
 
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