Tampa Bay Skeptics Report - vol 13 no 1 - INCOMPLETE

Magazine Overview

Title: TBS Report Online
Issue: Vol. 13 - No. 1
Date: Summer 2000
Publisher: Tampa Bay Skeptics
Country: USA
Language: English

This issue of TBS Report Online, published by the Tampa Bay Skeptics, focuses on skepticism towards paranormal claims and pseudoscientific practices. It features several articles detailing failed challenges, critiques of individuals claiming supernatural abilities, and investigations into alleged phenomena.

Shamanism Revisited

Authored by James W. Lett, Ph.D., this lead article details the collapse of a planned $1,000 challenge by the Tampa Bay Skeptics (TBS) to test the paranormal powers of a Native American shaman. After months of negotiation, the shaman's representative withdrew, stating they would no longer engage with skeptics and would not submit to scientific testing. The article recounts the initial contact from William S. Lyon, an anthropology professor who claimed extensive research with Native American shamans and offered a shaman for the test. A detailed test protocol was drafted, involving the shaman locating a hidden object with the assistance of "spirit helpers" during a Yuwipi ceremony. The protocol included provisions for the object to be paranormally removed or for its location to be described with extreme specificity. However, negotiations became complicated when Dr. Lyon expressed reluctance to travel to Florida solely for the TBS prize, wanting to be simultaneously tested by the James Randi Educational Foundation for their larger prize. Attempts to coordinate with the James Randi Foundation and later with the Kansas City Committee for Skeptical Inquiry to conduct the test locally failed due to logistical issues and poor communication. In his final communication, Dr. Lyon admitted that even a negative test result would not have convinced him to abandon his beliefs, interpreting any failure as a flaw in the ceremony rather than the powers. The author concludes that Dr. Lyon's judgment is flawed and expresses skepticism.

Another dowser, another "1,000 Challenge" failure

By Gary P. Posner, this article reports on a second failed dowsing challenge, following a similar one involving James D. Moore. This time, the challenge was extended to William Pierce of Prescott, Kansas, who claimed he could divine the presence of hidden gold remotely from Polaroid photographs, boasting a 100% success rate. A protocol was devised involving 23 paper plates, with a gold coin hidden under approximately half. Pierce was to identify the correct plates from two sets of photos. The test was conducted with 25 plates, and Pierce was asked to eliminate two. Despite an invitation to have the test certified by a local news anchor, Pierce declined, stating he trusted Posner and could perform the feat from his rural location. The test was carried out by TBS vice-chairman Miles Hardy, and Pierce submitted his results. While Pierce's performance of 15 correct out of 23 was better than chance, it fell far short of demonstrating paranormal abilities. TBS has invited Pierce for a retest.

Jesus' appearance on a Bay-area church wall and my appearance on Ch. 13's Your Turn with Kathy Fountain

Authored by Terry A Smiljanich, this piece discusses an appearance on WTVT-TV 13's "Your Turn" program, where Smiljanich, along with pastor Mark Carr and religious studies lecturer Max Maya, discussed miracles and apparitions. The conversation touched upon a "miraculous" image of Jesus appearing on a church wall in Bradenton, Florida, and the Vatican's revelation of the "third secret of Fatima." Smiljanich argued against leaping to supernatural conclusions for the church wall image, suggesting simpler explanations like the use of spray cleaner. Regarding Fatima, Smiljanich pointed out that the prophecy was revealed after the event, making it a case of fitting a vague description to a past occurrence. Pastor Carr suggested the events could be signs from God or the devil, while Maya emphasized the importance of how people use such experiences. Smiljanich maintained that "the truth should matter."

Snippets

This section contains brief news items:

• Cult Investigation: Japanese police have reportedly "squashed" a bizarre cult led by a man who taught followers that marks on their feet indicated spiritual and mental health. For a fee of $960, individuals could learn about their health and impending death, with an additional $190,000 potentially preventing disaster by purchasing Buddha's ashes. The cult is accused of defrauding followers of $800 million, with former members filing $50 million in damage claims.
• Miami Seer: Madame Francisca, a Miami seer, was severely injured after her boyfriend doused her with petrol and set her on fire. Her boyfriend had a prior conviction for second-degree murder.

John Monti skewered on Inside Edition

This report details an exposé on "psychic detectives" aired on "Inside Edition," which featured now-Florida-based John Monti and his involvement in the Tiffany Sessions disappearance case. TBS's Gary Posner provided "Inside Edition" with video footage of Monti for the segment. Tiffany Sessions' mother accused Monti of "extortion," claiming he demanded $2,000 upfront before accompanying her to search for her daughter. This accusation had not been previously revealed by the mother, even to media outlets she had spoken with extensively. The article notes that a tape of this report, which also included a "sting" of another psychic detective and comments from James Randi, will be shown at an upcoming TBS quarterly meeting.

Noreen Renier "chat" on Court TV website

This item mentions that "psychic detective" Noreen Renier participated in a chat session on the Court TV website. The transcript is available online. Renier is described as teaching at the FBI academy and being referred to police departments by the FBI. She claimed to have once found a missing airplane for an FBI agent's wife, a case she stated was validated in court. Renier also stated a personal rule of never soliciting. The article refers readers to Gary Posner's chapter on Renier in "Psychic Sleuths: ESP and Sensational Cases" for a critical analysis of her claims. Posner's offer to assist Court TV in correcting the record via email went unanswered.

Letters to the Editor

Philip J. Klass of the CSICOP Executive Council writes to compliment the "Excellent Spring issue," particularly the story on dowser Moore. Klass humorously proposes to try for the TBS "$1,000 Challenge" himself, based on his ability to distinguish between "ELEPHANTS and WHITE MICE," with his dowsing rod tipped with peanuts.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are skepticism towards paranormal claims, the exposure of pseudoscience, and the rigorous examination of individuals and phenomena that purport to possess supernatural abilities. The Tampa Bay Skeptics, through its publication TBS Report Online, consistently adopts a critical and evidence-based stance, challenging those who make extraordinary claims and offering scientific scrutiny. The editorial stance is clearly in favor of rational inquiry and against the uncritical acceptance of pseudoscientific or paranormal assertions, as demonstrated by the detailed accounts of failed challenges and critiques of alleged psychics and shamans.