REALL News - Vol 03 No 03 - 1995

Magazine Overview

Title: The REALL News
Issue: Volume 3 Issue 3
Date: March 1995
Publisher: REALL
Country: USA
Language: English

This issue features an article by David Bloomberg, REALL Chairman, titled "Don't Push Me, Lady!" The article recounts Bloomberg's experience appearing on the Morton Downey, Jr. talk show, "Downey," alongside Detective Bruce Walstad, to confront and debate alleged psychics. The issue also includes a quote from James Randi: "It's a very dangerous thing to believe in nonsense."

Don't Push Me, Lady!

The article details how Bob Smet, a REALL patron member, suggested a more forceful approach to skepticism, advocating for direct confrontation with psychics rather than a passive presentation of scientific information. This suggestion coincided with an invitation for Bloomberg to appear on the "Downey" show with Detective Bruce Walstad and several psychics.

Bloomberg agreed and planned the strategy with Walstad, who was experienced with such shows. Bloomberg brought materials, including the book "Psychic Sleuths" edited by Joe Nickell, as ammunition. They were seated in a "green room" separate from the psychics.

During the show's taping, Walstad demonstrated his skills by performing a "reading" on a staff member and "psychically" stopping her watch, convincing her he had powers, only to reveal he did not. This set a precedent for their approach.

The psychics featured were Marian Belushi-Miles (sister of John Belushi) and William Monroe, who claimed psychic abilities from childhood. The third psychic was Dorothy Allison, a self-proclaimed psychic detective known for claims of helping police find "more than 200 bodies."

Bloomberg discovered that Allison had a chapter in "Psychic Sleuths" detailing her alleged failure in the Atlanta Child Murders Case, where she provided 42 incorrect names for the killer, Wayne Williams. This information became a key point of contention.

During the show, Monroe gave a poor reading, and Belushi-Miles's reading of Downey was also criticized. Monroe told a story that sounded like an "urban legend," which he presented as his own experience. Belushi-Miles incorrectly identified Downey's relationship with his father, missing the detail that Downey was "Junior."

When brought on stage, the psychics were challenged to identify Bloomberg and Walstad. Allison produced a paper with vague impressions like "Richardson, Elks Hunting Lodge, Ohio, and College," which had no relevance to them.

Bloomberg stated his position that psychics are either fooling others or themselves, leading to a heated exchange with Monroe and Belushi-Miles. Allison was particularly confrontational. Bloomberg pointed out the lack of evidence for psychics solving crimes, despite Allison's claim of receiving a badge of honor for finding bodies.

Bloomberg confronted Allison about her performance in the Atlanta Child Murders Case, quoting the book "Psychic Sleuths." Allison became agitated, yelling and pushing Bloomberg. Security guards intervened, but Downey de-escalated the situation. Bloomberg felt that Bob Smet's advice to be forceful had worked.

During commercial breaks, Belushi-Miles harangued them, though she remained largely silent on camera.

Bruce Walstad discussed a California study showing psychics were unhelpful to police. An audience member questioned why they were against psychics if they helped people. Bloomberg recounted a story about a woman who died avoiding a bridge due to a psychic's prediction, illustrating that following psychic advice could be dangerous.

Allison claimed her vague impressions were relevant to murder investigations. When challenged about "Richardson" or "Ohio," she suggested it could refer to anyone. An audience member claimed her mother was named Richardson and from Ohio, leading others to suspect she was a "plant."

The article details Allison's involvement in a murder case where a dog found body parts. Allison claimed the murderer had knee problems and traveled a specific highway, and pointed to a cemetery, claiming psychic success. Bloomberg sarcastically proposed a task for her: find a cemetery without someone named "White" in it.

Allison predicted case advancements between February 15-18, but the case was solved by DNA matching, unrelated to her prediction. Bloomberg noted that even if her predictions were accurate, she hadn't helped the police find anything.

After the show, the psychics were not receptive to polite conversation. Belushi-Miles's husband claimed his wife had proof of psychic assistance to police, but she was bound by a secrecy agreement. Bruce Walstad investigated and found the case was still unsolved.

Walstad asked Belushi-Miles why she didn't use her powers for missing children, and she claimed it was too taxing.

The final irony was sharing a limo back to the hotel with Allison and her husband, where she continued to boast about her abilities.

Bloomberg concluded that his first TV talk show experience was successful, largely due to Bruce Walstad's calm demeanor complementing his own more assertive style. He felt their approach was effective for the "Downey" show's format and looked forward to future opportunities.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring theme is the critical examination of psychic claims and the effectiveness of skeptical engagement. The editorial stance is strongly skeptical, advocating for a direct and forceful approach to debunking psychic phenomena, particularly in media contexts. The article emphasizes the potential dangers of believing in psychic claims and highlights the lack of evidence supporting their efficacy in solving crimes or providing reliable information. The publication, REALL News, appears to be a platform for promoting critical thinking and skepticism towards paranormal claims.