Tampa Bay Skeptics Report - vol 04 no 1

Magazine Overview

This issue of the Tampa Bay Skeptics REPORT, Volume 4, Number 1, from Summer 1991, focuses on significant events within the skeptical community, including high-profile legal disputes and discussions on media responsibility.

TBS Panel Addresses Local Chapter of Society of Professional Journalists

A panel from the Tampa Bay Skeptics (TBS), including James Randi, Gary Posner, Miles Hardy, and Terry Smiljanich, met with approximately 50 area journalists from the Society of Professional Journalists. The meeting, held at the Ch. 10 studios, was initiated by Mel Martin of WTSP-TV, who shared TBS's concern about media coverage of the paranormal. The panel discussed the quality of media reporting on topics such as haunted houses, UFOs, ESP, astrology, graphology, the Shroud of Turin, exorcism, levitation, and biorhythms. There was a divergence of opinion among both reporters and TBS panel members regarding the extent to which 'haunted house' stories should be covered. Gary Posner felt it was acceptable as long as the skeptical viewpoint was represented, while Terry Smiljanich suggested that such stories are common and that media should exercise more judgment. Ch. 8 anchor Barbara Callahan noted that while a single call might be ignored, media attention from another outlet could compel others to cover it. The panel also concluded that while reporters are generally bright, they can too easily accept information uncritically. Ch. 10 reporter Al Ruechel claimed to have witnessed levitation in Africa.

Randi Resigns from CSICOP

In a significant development, James Randi announced his resignation from the Committee for the Scientific Investigation of Claims of the Paranormal (CSICOP) on May 11. Randi, a founding Fellow and Executive Council member since 1976, cited the ongoing lawsuits filed against him by Uri Geller as the reason for his departure. Geller has filed multiple lawsuits, with Randi having won two and one pending in California. Randi believes Geller is using the legal system to financially break him and silence his criticism. Randi stated that he resigned to spare CSICOP from further involvement in these suits. He also revealed that he has no further funds to continue his defense and suggested the establishment of a "Skeptics' Legal Fund" to support his legal costs and potentially those of others facing similar challenges.

Open Letter From James Randi (May 11)

Randi detailed Uri Geller's intention to sue him in "every state and in every country." He mentioned four current lawsuits, two of which he has won at significant legal expense. Randi characterized Geller's actions as frivolous and an attempt to silence him. He emphasized his constitutional right to speak the truth and expressed concern about being forced into silence due to financial inability to continue his defense. He appealed for help in setting up a legal fund.

Open Letter From Uri Geller (postmarked May 24)

Uri Geller responded to Randi's claims, stating that Randi has been trying to debunk him since the early 1970s. Geller asserted that Randi's recent statements were outrageous, libelous, and defamatory lies that have harmed him and his family. He specifically addressed Randi's accusations of blackmail (which Geller denied under oath) and of being a "psychopath and a social disease." Geller provided a death certificate for an American scientist, stating the man died from diabetes and heart failure, not suicide as Randi allegedly implied. Geller also mentioned Eldon Byrd, a friend who is also suing Randi, and detailed Randi's alleged defamatory statements about Byrd concerning child molestation. Geller stated that Randi's lawsuits are not frivolous, citing the $155,000 in legal fees. He questioned Randi's financial claims, noting Randi's MacArthur Grant, book sales, and television series. Geller concluded that Randi's claims are not the truth and that his own lawsuits are aimed at stopping Randi from spreading lies.

Randi Responds to Geller

In a May 29 interview, James Randi addressed Geller's letter. Randi dismissed Geller's claims of financial hardship, contrasting Geller's wealth with his own legal expenses. He stated that Geller's letter did not address the present situation but a hypothetical one. Regarding the blackmail accusation, Randi stated he could not comment in detail until court. He declined to discuss the "psychopath and social disease" and "suicide" accusations, attributing them to the Japanese case and stating the facts were considerably different. Randi refused to play Geller's game of public forum court cases and would not comment on the Byrd case, as it is ongoing. Randi also noted that Geller's letter was signed by proxy, suggesting it originated with his lawyers rather than Geller himself.

Creationism Suffers Setback in Lake County

The Lake County School Board voted 4-to-1 on May 14 to reject the teaching of "scientific creationism" in science classes, despite national attention and lobbying from creationist groups. The board did agree to consider allowing creationist materials in school libraries.

"Psychic" Fails to Materialize for Test

D. Carnegie Langley, who claimed to have learned a Buddhist technique for telepathic transmission, failed to appear for a $10,000 psychic test offered by Randi and Gary Posner at the CSICOP conference. Langley cited a student's unavailability as the reason for his absence.

ABC Televises "Exorcism" of Florida Teen

An April 5 ABC-TV 20/20 broadcast featured the alleged exorcism of a 16-year-old named "Gina." Catholic officials hoped to enhance the credibility of a literal "devil," but the program was criticized by Rev. Richard McBrien as trivializing evil and ridiculing the faith. Gina's psychiatrist noted the ceremony posed a risk, and Gina subsequently required re-hospitalization and antipsychotic medication.

For The People Leaves Sun Radio Network

Chuck Harder's radio program, "For The People," featuring Richard Hoagland, is no longer broadcast on the Sun Radio Network. Harder stated he was "fired" by Sun in August 1990 and later resigned. He alleged that Sun demanded endorsements of questionable services and the inclusion of specific guests, and that the Liberty Lobby, which had financial ties to Sun, influenced program content.

Merrell vs. Renier in Fate Magazine

The legal dispute between psychic Noreen Renier and skeptic John Merrell was featured in Fate magazine, with passages from TBS Report being quoted. Depositions and interrogatories are ongoing, with a trial anticipated later in the year.

Snippets

This section covers various brief news items of skeptical interest:

• A witchcraft store opened in Port St. Lucie, with the owner insisting witches are "just boring nice folks."
• An unauthorized biography of Michael Jackson suggests Prince attempted to use the supernatural against him.
• Drs. Duane and Sue Savage-Rumbaugh claim their chimpanzee subject, Kanzi, understands and responds to English at a 2-year-old human child's level, a claim disputed by linguist Dr. Thomas A. Sebeok, who believes it relates to communication rather than language.
• Dr. Jay Holder received the Albert Schweitzer Prize for Medicine for his work in developing acupuncture methods to locate new points and treat addicts.
• Televangelist Jimmy Swaggart's ministry has recovered significantly after a past sex scandal.
• Approximately 400 "UFO experts" attended the Ozark UFO Conference, discussing topics like alien abductions and crop circles.
• Charles and Marilee Myers pleaded guilty to child abuse by medical neglect in the near-death of their son, influenced by "End Time Ministries" teachings that sin causes illness.
• Participants in a series taped in Orlando predict the end of the world is imminent, citing the Gulf War and the fall of communism.

TBS $1,000 Challenge

The Tampa Bay Skeptics is offering $1,000 to anyone who can provide verifiable scientific proof of any paranormal phenomenon, extending an open invitation to UFOlogists, psychics, and astrologers.

TBS Logo T-shirts Still Available

TBS logo T-shirts are available for $10 plus $3.00 P&H.

TBS Telephone Update Service

A phone number is provided for information on TBS events and news.

Mass Expiration Time Strikes Again!!!

The issue announces that two-thirds of memberships and subscriptions expire, urging renewals and donations.

Tampa Bay Skeptics Consultants

A list of consultants with their affiliations is provided, including James Randi, Gary Posner, Miles Hardy, and Terry Smiljanich.

TBS Statement of Income and Expenditures

Financial records for the fiscal year 1990 (June 1, 1990 - May 31, 1991) are presented, showing income from memberships, renewals, donations, and T-shirt sales, and expenditures for newsletters, postage, phone calls, stationery, photo developing, and donations.

TBS's "Skeptical Inquirers"

This section highlights a "News & Comment" item from The Skeptical Inquirer written by Gary Posner, discussing Marilyn vos Savant's solution to the Monty Hall problem. It also mentions an upcoming report by Guss Wilder on Florida's "Spook Hill."

TBS Donates Skeptical Inquirer to Tampa Library

TBS has donated a subscription to The Skeptical Inquirer to the main Tampa library.

Letters / Readers' Forum

Letter from Eugenie C. Scott, Ph.D.

Dr. Scott addresses the issue of "scientific creationism" being introduced in Leesburg, Florida public schools. She emphasizes that "scientific" creationism is not a scientific theory but a sectarian religious idea masquerading as science, and that teaching it violates the First Amendment. She urges readers to help stop its introduction.

Letter from Janet Sciales

Janet Sciales proposes an experiment to test astrology by comparing her and Harold Blake's predictions of tropical storm formations with those of Dr. Posner, who previously stated that an almanac could be used to predict such dates. Dr. Posner responds that such a test would not prove the validity of astrology, as it could simply demonstrate the ability to review past records and make informed guesses, and suggests simpler ways to test astrology.

Membership/Subscription/Donation/Back Order Form

A form is included for readers to join TBS, subscribe to the report, make donations, or order back issues.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The Tampa Bay Skeptics REPORT consistently promotes critical thinking and skepticism towards paranormal claims and pseudoscience. The publication actively debunks fraudulent claims, highlights media responsibility in reporting on such topics, and engages in legal and scientific scrutiny. The editorial stance is clearly in favor of science and rational inquiry, as evidenced by its coverage of the Randi-Geller dispute, the creationism debate, and the critique of astrological predictions. The organization also actively supports skeptical resources and initiatives, such as donating to libraries and offering a $1,000 challenge for verifiable proof of paranormal phenomena.