Tampa Bay Skeptics Report - vol 13 no 2 - INCOMPLETE

Magazine Overview

Title: TBS Report Online
Issue: Vol. 13 - No. 2
Date: Fall 2000
Publisher: Tampa Bay Skeptics

This issue of TBS Report Online focuses on the intersection of purported psychic abilities with media representation and journalistic investigation. It features articles by Gary P. Posner, who critically examines claims of psychic phenomena, and includes a discussion of a science radio program and commentary on psychic services.

International Documentary to Spotlight Noreen Renier

This article, written by Gary P. Posner, announces that a British television production company, Oxford Television Company, is planning a one-hour documentary on Noreen Renier, a "psychic detective" based in Williston, Florida. This program is part of a four-part series on paranormal themes, tentatively scheduled for airing in late 2001. Posner notes that Renier is well-known to readers of TBS Report, which has followed her career for over a decade. Renier moved to Williston after gaining acclaim for her role in assisting the Williston police in locating the body of a man missing for two years. However, Posner states that his own investigation into this case, and others, failed to find compelling evidence of psychic ability. The documentary series is being produced in association with Britain's Channel Four and HBO. Olly Lambert, a director at Oxford Television, visited the U.S. to meet Renier and discuss her abilities with Posner, having encountered his writings online. Lambert also planned to meet with some of Renier's supporters, including the Williston Police Department, Dr. David E. Jones (an anthropologist and author), and Detective Ray Krolak (who credited Renier with helping solve a homicide case).

During their conversation, Lambert relayed that Williston Police Chief Olin Slaughter claimed Posner's reporting on the Williston case contained false statements. Posner responded by offering to donate $50 to the Williston Police Department for each identified falsehood in his writings about Renier, up to $1,000, and to issue a public apology for any innocent errors of fact. Posner expresses hope that he might get air time on the documentary to present his views.

Trying to Trace the Truth of a "Psychic Detective"-Like Claim

In this second article by Gary P. Posner, he investigates a case reported in the Miami Herald about a missing Florida boy, Jerry Lee Alley, whose body was found after a woman, Dawn Marie Bachman, claimed to have had a "dream" revealing his location. The article details how Bachman, after seeing Alley's picture on a flier, reported a dream where she saw him in an abandoned septic tank on a vacant lot. She then contacted a volunteer firefighter, Chris Pellicer, who, along with other firefighters, was already investigating an abandoned car on the same property. Pellicer found the body in the septic tank.

Posner delves into the reporting of the case by various newspapers, including the Gainesville Sun and the Miami Herald. He notes that George Hutchens' initial report in the Gainesville Sun focused on the search efforts and the discovery of the body, with Pellicer stating that they smelled an odor and found the body in the septic tank, not mentioning any dream. A later report by Lise Fisher in the Sun mentioned Bachman's dream. However, when Posner contacted Fisher, she stated her information came from officers' reports and she had no first-hand information about a dream being instrumental. Hutchens told Posner that he interviewed Pellicer personally and recalled nothing psychic or supernatural, stating Pellicer "smelled the decomposing body [while] checking out the car."

Posner also contacted Walt Whitehouse, another volunteer fireman involved, who had not read the news stories. When informed of the conflicting accounts (odor vs. dream), Whitehouse stated that neither version was correct and claimed ignorance of the "dream/premonition" scenario. Posner's attempt to contact Bachman directly resulted in a "no longer in service" recording.

Further complicating the timeline, a Florida Times-Union article by Mark Reynolds noted unclear records about when Bachman had the dream, with some parts suggesting it was early Sunday morning while others indicated it occurred on the same day the body was discovered. Posner also reviews a transcript of a 911 call placed by Bachman, where she mentions finding the boy and his body after having a dream. However, Posner argues that the "dream" story is not particularly suggestive of a psychic event, as Bachman was familiar with the property and the septic tank, which was known to be used as a playhouse by children. He concludes that the apparent secrecy surrounding the case might stem from comments overheard from the alleged perpetrator.

Exploring Science on WMNF

This section, written by Judith Becker Bryant, Ph.D., highlights the radio program "Explorations," broadcast on WMNF-FM and online. The program covers science, war, peace, and the environment, featuring interviews with scientists and environmentalists, as well as listener calls. The host is Dr. Michio Kaku, a theoretical physicist and author, whose goal is to help complete Einstein's "theory of everything."

Snippets

This section contains brief news items and commentary:

• Pinellas Considers Licenses for Psychics: A cartoon by Don Addis illustrates the proliferation of fortune-telling businesses. John Wood, chief investigator with the Pinellas County Consumer Affairs office, is advocating for licensing of psychics and astrologers, requiring a $100 annual fee and a criminal background check. Wood states that victims of fortune tellers are desperate and may be susceptible to misuse of trust.
• John Edward's "Psychic Medium" Show: The article discusses John Edward's TV show "Crossing Over" on the Sci-Fi Channel, where he relays messages from deceased loved ones for a fee of $250. Television columnist Walt Belcher is quoted describing Edward's method of finding willing subjects and asking rapid-fire questions, often shifting subjects if a message doesn't resonate, highlighting the desperation of those seeking such services.

TBS in the Media

This section details Gary Posner's media appearances and interviews. He was scheduled to appear on ABC-TV's "20/20" regarding intercessary prayer and was also interviewed for background information on "psychic detectives" for the same program and for Brill's Content magazine. Posner was also slated to appear on PAX-TV's "Encounters With the Unknown" and had a major article on Richard Hoagland in "Skeptical Inquirer."

Letters to the Editor

Two letters are published, both critical of the Tampa Bay Skeptics' approach to testing psychic claims:

• Jim Peterson argues that the "$1,000 Challenge" test of Bill Pierce was "totally loaded" and that Pierce deserved a fair evaluation of his "super-good 15 out of 23 results." Peterson congratulates Pierce on his success and suggests the skeptics' attempt to belittle his success doesn't fit their "narrow view."
• Dell Winders proposes a bet where Bill would give skeptics a gold coin for each missed dowsing location, and skeptics would give Bill a gold coin for each correct identification. Winders believes the skeptics would have lost a bundle and that odds would favor Bill's dowsing ability.

Editor's Reply

The editor responds to the letters by proposing changes to Dell Winders' bet. The Tampa Bay Skeptics would provide at least 10 Polaroids, each with 10 plates, one hiding a gold coin. They would pay Bill $100 for each correct identification and Bill would pay them half that amount for each miss. However, the editor states that even if Bill were to win money, this test would not be rigorous enough to be sanctioned as a scientific test of paranormal powers, but rather would simply constitute a "bet."

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are the critical examination of psychic claims, the media's portrayal of paranormal phenomena, and the skepticism of the Tampa Bay Skeptics organization. The editorial stance is clearly one of skepticism towards psychic abilities, emphasizing the need for rigorous scientific testing and investigation. The articles by Gary P. Posner exemplify this stance by dissecting specific cases and questioning the evidence presented for psychic phenomena. The inclusion of letters critical of the skeptics' methods and the editor's response further highlight the ongoing debate and the organization's commitment to its skeptical viewpoint, even while engaging with the public on these topics.