Tampa Bay Skeptics Report - vol 13 no 4 - INCOMPLETE

Magazine Overview

Title: TBS Report Online
Issue: Vol. 13 - No. 4
Date: Spring 2001
Publisher: Tampa Bay Skeptics

This issue of TBS Report Online features several articles and columns focusing on skepticism, paranormal claims, and critical analysis of media and popular beliefs.

British documentary on Noreen Renier scrubbed

This article, by Gary P. Posner, details the cancellation of a planned one-hour documentary on Noreen Renier, a self-proclaimed "psychic detective" based in Williston, Florida. The documentary was to be produced by Oxford Television Company of London, England, in association with Britain's Channel Four, as part of a four-part series examining paranormal themes. The series was tentatively planned for airing in late 2001, potentially worldwide via HBO.

Olly Lambert, one of the directors at Oxford Television, informed TBS Report that the Renier project ultimately became a "damp squib," leading Channel Four to decide against funding the entire four-part series. Lambert explained that while Channel Four's primary interest was in "police psychics," and Noreen Renier was the chosen subject, his trip to the U.S. to meet with Renier and her supporters, including members of the Williston Police Department and University of Central Florida anthropologist David E. Jones, did not yield convincing results.

Lambert stated that Channel Four was "not convinced by the endorsements and purported 'evidence'" gathered. He expressed that while Renier might possess some psychic ability, she was unable to demonstrate it sufficiently to warrant proceeding with the program. Lambert elaborated that his team felt "less in the story than we originally thought," noting that Renier was not actively working on cases at the time and it seemed unlikely she would be in the near future. Despite having seen evidence of psychic ability elsewhere, Lambert personally "saw no evidence of them" during his visit.

Lambert mentioned that he initially found Renier through an internet search and that she claimed to have worked on over 400 police cases and lectured at the FBI Academy. David Jones also highly recommended her. However, Lambert noted that whether her help was useful in all cases was uncertain, as Renier herself did not know and was not always informed of the outcomes.

Posner suggested to Lambert that his company consider a skeptical program on "police psychics." Lambert agreed that a deeper film could be made, but one focusing on the police rather than the psychics themselves. He explained that their interest in making a film about how psychics have helped police was to "challenge far more preconceptions" because the majority of people do not believe in psychics. Lambert stated that a strong project would require prominent police personnel to testify to the use and success of police psychics without having a close personal friendship with them. He did mention meeting "two former police officers of some standing who testified on camera to Noreen's crucial help in solving crimes."

Chairman's Corner: "Nature's Hues"

This column by Terry A. Smiljanich reflects on the contrast between nature's imaginative capabilities and human creations, questioning the nature of wonder and imagination.

James Thompson's Column

James Thompson contrasts nature's wonders with human endeavors, using a recent trip to New Mexico as a basis for his observations. He visited Pueblo Bonito, an ancient Anasazi Indian pueblo; the Very Large Array (VLA) radio telescope; White Sands National Monument; Roswell, the site of a famous alleged UFO crash; and Star Hill Inn, an astronomy retreat.

Thompson highlights the sophisticated astronomical observations made by the 11th-century Anasazi at Pueblo Bonito, contrasting it with modern scientific efforts like the VLA, which collects data from deep space. He describes the unique environment of White Sands and its geological history.

He then turns to Roswell, noting its fame due to the 1947 "crashed saucer" incident. Thompson observes that the International UFO Museum in Roswell is popular but argues that it struggles to showcase that which "does not exist." He criticizes the museum's "timelines," "artist renderings," and dioramas as "pathetic limits of our imaginations" compared to the real wonders of nature and scientific exploration.

Thompson found a "welcome dose of reality" at Star Hill Inn, appreciating the clear night sky and the ability to see distant galaxies with the naked eye and a telescope. He concludes that the Roswell museum and its visitors faded from his view, overwhelmed by the beauty of nature.

RheoTherapy Follow-up

This note refers to a previous "Snippet" in the Spring 1998 issue about a clinic offering RheoTherapy for macular degeneration. It mentions a follow-up article in Winter 1998-99 by attorney Robert Buesing, who represented Philip Filner of the Macular Degeneration Foundation in a libel suit filed by the clinic against Filner. The suit has since been dismissed.

Florida's Legendary "Skunk Ape"?

This section discusses a February 12 Tampa Tribune column by Steve Otto, which featured a photo of a creature suspected to be a "Skunk Ape." The photo was delivered to the Sarasota County Sheriff's office with an anonymous note from the woman who took it. She described an "awful smell" that lingered after the creature left her yard. Otto is reportedly considering an expedition to investigate the story.

Snippets

This section contains several brief news items:

• Area 51 Name Change: Las Vegas' Triple-A baseball team, the "Stars," is changing its name to the "51s," referencing the nearby secret government facility at Nellis Air Force Base. The team's creative director, Aaron Artman, believes this will generate publicity. Nellis spokeswoman Lt. Col. Joan Ferguson stated that the Air Force does not discuss classified activities and has never officially acknowledged an "Area 51."
• Fortune Teller Case Dismissed: Hillsborough County Circuit Judge Cynthia Holloway dismissed a case against Paula Zorka Costello, a Tampa "fortune teller" accused of defrauding a New York woman out of over $60,000. Costello's attorney successfully argued that the client was not elderly or suffering from dementia, and thus not requiring special legal protection against being "taken advantage of." An appeal has been announced.

Letters to the Editor

Amy Walton from Oklahoma City writes to express her professor's interest in skepticism and Noreen Renier. She is seeking a copy of a TV special called "Put to the Test" starring Renier to show her students. She later reports back that her presentation went well, and her class was able to critique Renier and find possible natural explanations for her alleged abilities. Walton states that she and her classmates are new to skepticism and feel the class has opened their eyes, teaching them to think for themselves.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue revolve around critical examination of paranormal claims, the importance of evidence-based reasoning, and the role of skepticism in understanding the world. The Tampa Bay Skeptics, as the publisher, clearly adopts a skeptical stance, questioning extraordinary claims and promoting critical thinking. The articles critique media portrayals of psychic phenomena, contrast speculative beliefs with scientific inquiry, and highlight instances where alleged paranormal abilities lack substantiation. The editorial stance is one of promoting rationalism and challenging unsubstantiated beliefs through reasoned analysis and evidence.