Tampa Bay Skeptics Report - vol 17 no 4 - INCOMPLETE

Magazine Overview

This issue of TBS Report Online, Volume 17, Number 4, from Spring 2005, is published by the Tampa Bay Skeptics and is part of the Center For Inquiry. The cover headline focuses on "Court TV's Psychic Detectives to feature John Monti."

Psychic Detectives and John Monti

The lead article by Gary P. Posner discusses the upcoming feature on psychic detective John Monti in Court TV's series "Psychic Detectives." Monti gained media attention in November 1991 when he held a press conference in Clearwater, Florida, claiming he could solve the case of Tiffany Sessions, a University of Florida student who had disappeared from its Gainesville campus years earlier. Despite working with Tiffany's mother, Hillary, Monti was unable to provide any useful information, and Tiffany remains missing. The article references previous reports in the publication's Winter 1991-92 and Spring 1992 issues. Kathy Fountain's "Eye on Tampa Bay" programs also covered Monti's efforts. A viewer named Jim Basile, former police chief of Buckland, Massachusetts, recounted an instance where Monti claimed a murderer was still alive, only for the individual to be found dead, having committed suicide. Posner criticizes Court TV for uncritically promoting such individuals and presenting fictionalized reenactments as fact, potentially violating FCC regulations. The article mentions that the "Psychic Detectives" portion of Court TV's website includes information from James Randi and Posner himself, indicating awareness of the series' deceptive nature. Posner encourages a local reporter, Gail Ober, to pursue an investigative piece on Court TV's practices.

Noreen Renier in Oxford, Ohio Case

Another segment details the involvement of ex-Florida psychic detective Noreen Renier in the case of a missing retired Miami professor, Charles Capel, in Oxford, Ohio. The article, excerpted from the Oxford Press, describes how Capel's remains were found by a hunter approximately 0.8 miles from his residence, after extensive searches by teams, bloodhounds, and helicopters failed to locate him. Renier had provided police with descriptions of the area, including a driveway, a fence line, a tower with an antenna, a large stone, a creek, and a wooded area, which bore similarities to the location where the remains were found. However, Benjamin Radford, writing in the "Skeptical Inquirer," criticized the police's awe of Renier's information, stating it was unremarkable and unhelpful, as the remains were found by a hunter two months after Renier's assistance, not by police directed to a specific area.

Florida Board of Governors Nixes FSU School of Chiropractic

This section reports on the Florida Board of Governors' decision to vote down a proposed School of Chiropractic at Florida State University (FSU) by a vote of 10-3 on January 27. The school, intended to be the first chiropractic school affiliated with a major public university, was to be funded by state revenues. The proposal was reportedly pushed by legislators with personal agendas. Dr. Ray Bellamy, an orthopedic surgeon and opponent of the proposal, characterized chiropractic as "almost fraudulent" and suggested that its benefits beyond placebo could be taught in a physical therapy course. Concerns were also raised about the risk of stroke from neck manipulations. The article dismisses the central tenet of chiropractic, the "subluxation theory," as pseudoscience, citing molecular geneticist George Bates. A minority of chiropractors, like Samuel Homola, agree that the theory is flawed. Governor Jeb Bush urged the board to vote their consciences, leading to the proposal's rejection.

Snippets

This section contains several brief reports:

• Jose Miranda, "Rumpologist": Jose Miranda, a Cuban émigré, is featured as a "rumpologist" on the Miami-based late-night talk show "La Cosa Nostra." He claims to tell fortunes by analyzing the lines, curvatures, dimples, and imperfections of a person's posterior.
• Ghostly Apparitions at Belleview Biltmore Resort & Spa: Guests at the Clearwater resort have reported ghostly apparitions, including banging doors and invisible elevator operators. Joseph and Yvonne Houston photographed a misty, white image they believe to be a ghost. The establishment's manager suggested it was light or smoke, but Yvonne believes the spirit wanted to show it was alive before the hotel's potential demolition.
• Central Florida Ghost Research: The article suggests the Houstons contact Central Florida Ghost Research, a group that uses ghost-detection gear to measure electromagnetic fields and temperature. Founder Tom Iacuzio acknowledges that more proof is needed, but believes they are pioneers. Pat Linse of the Skeptics Society dismisses such pursuits as "crapola," and astrophysicist Tom McDonough notes that electromagnetic fluctuations can have mundane causes.
• Feng Shui Condo in Sarasota: The Kanaya, a new luxury condo in Sarasota, is being constructed with feng shui principles to enhance the flow of positive energy, with elements like bamboo flutes to "take away the poison arrows."

Letter to the Editor

Brian David Andersen writes to express gratitude for the publication featuring him and his written exchanges, particularly promoting his "Tri-Vortex Technology." He notes receiving positive responses from laymen, professionals, and medical doctors.

Editor's Reply

The editor responds to Brian David Andersen, referencing a previous article from the Summer 1999 issue about their exchange. The editor explains that Andersen requested a "$1,000 Challenge" for his technology to alter liquid taste, but objected when Andersen proposed actor George Hamilton as "Project Coordinator," leading Andersen to accuse TBS of reneging on an agreement.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue revolve around skepticism towards paranormal claims and pseudoscientific practices. The publication critically examines media portrayals of psychic phenomena, questions the validity of claims made by individuals like John Monti and Noreen Renier, and debunks theories within fields like chiropractic. The editorial stance is clearly one of promoting critical thinking and scientific scrutiny, challenging claims that lack empirical evidence and highlighting instances where media outlets may be uncritically promoting sensational or unsubstantiated stories. The publication also touches upon alleged paranormal events but frames them within a context of skepticism and potential mundane explanations.