Tampa Bay Skeptics Report - vol 14 no 2 - INCOMPLETE

Magazine Overview

Title: TBS Report Online
Issue: Vol. 14 - No. 2
Date: Fall 2001
Publisher: Tampa Bay Skeptics
Country: USA
Language: English

Main Article: Turning the "Face on Mars" Debate Upside Down by Gary P. Posner

This article by Gary P. Posner addresses the ongoing debate surrounding the "Face on Mars," a geological formation on the planet Mars that has been interpreted by some as an artificial structure. Posner critiques the claims made by Richard Hoagland, who has promoted the idea that the "Face" is an artifact of an ancient Martian civilization.

Posner recounts how his previous article in the *Skeptical Inquirer* was misrepresented by Hoagland's supporters, who accused him of "blatant lies, distortions... propaganda and character assassination." He notes that a follow-up column in the *Skeptical Inquirer*, which included additional images and analysis, was also mischaracterized as endorsing Hoagland's views.

One key point of contention is an artist's rendering endorsed by Hoagland's website, which makes the "Face" appear symmetrical and human-like. Posner also presents a NASA image from 1998, reversed to simulate a different sun angle, which he suggests resembles a lion's head rather than a human one. He further explores how turning the NASA image upside down reveals other potential interpretations, including figures resembling a human fetus or an alien "gray," and a "slumbering cat-monster" when rotated.

Posner details an instance where Art Bell, host of *Coast to Coast A.M.*, allegedly misquoted him on air during an interview with Richard Hoagland. Bell, according to Posner, presented a light-reversed image of the "Face" and stated that the *Skeptical Inquirer* found the idea of ridiculing Hoagland for suggesting it was a lion's head to be "ridiculous." Posner asserts that Bell invented this quote and deliberately articulated "ridiculous" slowly to imply his own agreement with Hoagland.

Hoagland, in turn, referred to Posner's follow-up column as a "retraction" and suggested that the *Skeptical Inquirer* had inside information from a "political side" indicating that a "Face" on Mars exists and has dual imagery, with plans for a manned mission to investigate.

Posner also touches upon Hoagland's long-held view that the "Face" has both humanoid and lion-like features, questioning this stance in light of his endorsement of the fully human-appearing image.

Noreen Renier's "Psychic" Power Endorsed in USA Today by Gary P. Posner

This section of the report shifts focus to the media's coverage of psychics, specifically examining an article in *USA Today* titled "Can the living talk to the dead? Psychics say they connect with the spirit world, but skeptics respond: 'Prove it.'"

Posner notes that while the article included skeptical comments from James "The Amazing" Randi and CSICOP chairman Paul Kurtz, and mentioned the CIA's $20 million investment in psychic research concluding it was "unpromising," he was disappointed by the coverage of Florida "psychic detective" Noreen Renier.

He recounts Renier's 1981 lecture at the FBI Academy in Quantico, Va., where she warned that President Reagan would soon be injured, which occurred two months later. While investigators cleared her of involvement in the assassination attempt, Posner questions whether this single accurate prediction constitutes genuine psychic power or a fortunate coincidence, especially given other documented off-base predictions she made about President Jimmy Carter and Vice-President Walter Mondale.

Posner criticizes the *USA Today* article for relying on Renier's own account of a government "interrogation" and for the writer's seemingly personal belief in Renier's "psychic" power, as indicated by the first three words of the coverage.

Randi vs. Monti on Fox News Channel

The report then discusses another "psychic detective," John Monti, who resides in the Tampa Bay area. Monti and James Randi appeared on Judith Regan's Fox News Channel show to discuss the disappearance of Chandra Levy.

When asked about Levy's whereabouts, Monti provided a vague psychic reading, describing her movement to a train station, a bowling alley, and then south towards a town near the border of Virginia and Washington. Randi, in contrast, offered a rational perspective and reiterated his foundation's $1-million offer for proof of psychic abilities.

Snippets

This section compiles brief mentions of paranormal and psychic-related content in the media:

• TV Guide: An article titled "Psychic Plotlines" highlights the growing presence of psychic-themed programming on television, mentioning John Edward, James Van Praagh, and Char, and includes a warning from Edward about the potential negative impact on the field if competitors lack "integrity and compassion."
• Tampa Tribune: Highlands County has mandated that fortunetellers post a $50,000 surety bond to obtain a license, a measure that a lawyer for a Sebring seer lamented would prevent his client from practicing.

TBS in the Media

This section details Gary Posner's own media appearances and interviews:

• Posner was quoted in the *Dallas Observer* regarding a feature on John Monti.
• He was interviewed by *Ladies' Home Journal* for an article on distant prayer healing.
• He was interviewed by Heather Nauert of Fox News Channel for a report on "psychic detectives."
• A TV crew taped him for an appearance on Pax-TV's *Forbidden Secrets* to discuss Past-Life Regression therapy.
• Posner received an invitation to appear via telephone with Richard Hoagland on WPZZ-FM in Indianapolis, but the host informed him that Hoagland never replied despite multiple attempts.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue of *TBS Report Online* are skepticism towards paranormal claims, particularly UFOs and psychic abilities, and a critical examination of media coverage of these topics. The Tampa Bay Skeptics, through Gary Posner's writing and his own media presence, consistently advocate for critical thinking and evidence-based analysis, challenging pseudoscientific claims and highlighting media sensationalism or misrepresentation. The editorial stance is clearly one of promoting rational inquiry and debunking unsubstantiated beliefs.