Tampa Bay Skeptics Report - vol 18 no 2 - INCOMPLETE

Magazine Overview

Title: TBS Report Online
Issue: Vol. 18 - No. 2
Date: Fall 2005
Publisher: Tampa Bay Skeptics
Country: USA
Language: English

This issue of TBS Report Online delves into the skepticism surrounding paranormal claims, focusing on the use of psychics in criminal investigations and broader philosophical discussions on science and certainty.

Police Chief Misleads Viewers About John Monti on Psychic Detectives

This lead article by Gary P. Posner scrutinizes the portrayal of psychic John Monti on Court TV's "Psychic Detectives" episode "Dressed to Kill." The episode recreated Monti's alleged role in a 1988 murder case in Massachusetts. Two police chiefs involved, James Basile and Steve LeTour, presented starkly different perspectives on Monti's contribution. Basile, who had previously criticized Monti's involvement in the Tiffany Sessions disappearance case, described Monti's efforts in the Massachusetts case as a "wild goose chase" that ultimately proved unhelpful, leading to the termination of his services.

In contrast, Chief LeTour on the TV show suggested that Monti's visions were leading them directly to the killer, stating that they were only yards away from finding the body when the search was called off due to icy conditions. However, Mark L. DeJackome, the police chief of Charlemont since 1997, who was also involved in the 1988 investigation, contacted the author to refute the documentary's accuracy. DeJackome stated that Basile's account was accurate and that Monti sent them on "friggin' wild goose chases," often providing vague clues like finding the killer behind a "white farmhouse with a dog." DeJackome also asserted that Monti did not lead the police anywhere near the killer's body, placing the psychic about a mile and a half away from the discovery site. DeJackome expressed his dismay at the documentary's inaccuracies, stating he declined to participate in the show.

Noreen Renier Follow-up

Gary P. Posner also provides an update on psychic investigator Noreen Renier. The article references news reports from the Daytona Beach News-Journal and the South Bend Tribune concerning Renier's involvement in searches for missing persons, including the case of Bowen, whose body was eventually found in the St. Joseph River after Renier provided clues. Patrolman Dave Capron noted that while Renier's clues were vague, some features she described were present in the area where the body was found, leading to mixed feelings about the use of psychics.

The article mentions that Skeptical Inquirer columnist Joe Nickell and Skeptic magazine editor Michael Shermer have discussed Renier, with Nickell referencing Posner's previous writings. The Charlottesville Daily Progress reported on Renier's new book, "A Mind for Murder," and included a critique from Posner, who founded the Tampa Bay Skeptics. Posner has repeatedly offered Renier $1,000 if she could prove her psychic ability, a challenge she has refused, citing concerns about trickery. Renier's refusal to take Posner's test contrasts with her earlier statements to the author about being too busy with police cases and scientists.

Chairman's Corner: Heisenberg's Principle of Tolerance

Terry A. Smiljanich, Chairman of Tampa Bay Skeptics, reflects on Jacob Bronowski's BBC series "The Ascent of Man." Smiljanich highlights Bronowski's argument against the separation of science and the humanities, emphasizing their shared pursuit of unity and truth. Bronowski's exploration of scientific progress and its connection to the arts is discussed, particularly his views on "Knowledge and Certainty." Bronowski's conclusion, drawn from his visit to Auschwitz, is that the dehumanization of people stems not from secular science, but from the triumph of dogma over tolerance and awe. He contrasts the scientific understanding of uncertainty with the dangerous certainty of ideological beliefs.

Smiljanich draws a parallel to contemporary events, suggesting that the same mentality of absolute certainty, devoid of testing against reality, leads to destructive actions. He concludes with Bronowski's assertion that "Science is a tribute to what we can know although we are fallible."

Snippets

This section includes a brief excerpt from Jeff Elder's column addressing the practice of dowsing. The James Randi Educational Foundation is mentioned as scrutinizing such claims, identifying dowsing as a common but bogus practice driven by "ideomotor" activity, similar to Ouija boards. James Randi's $1-million challenge for anyone who can demonstrate supernatural powers is noted.

Additionally, a brief mention is made of John Monti's lack of success in the Tiffany Sessions disappearance case, where over 100 psychics offered assistance without resolution. The article also notes that Hillary Sessions, Tiffany's mother, became executive director of the Missing Children Help Center.

Letter to the Editor

A letter to the editor expresses a belief in paranormal forces and criticizes the publication's perceived bias against psychics. The writer argues that while many psychics may be fakes, some, like Noreen Renier, have assisted law enforcement in cases with dead ends, leading to skepticism turning into belief after the psychic provided closure. The writer suggests the publication's zealous efforts to discredit psychics are based on questionable evidence and that the articles are aimed at discrediting psychics and honest investigators.

Editor Gary Posner's Partial Reply

Gary Posner responds to the letter, affirming his bias towards science and the demand for verifiable evidence for claims like "psychometry." He argues that the letter writer's conviction, if unswayed by contrary evidence, indicates bias. Posner reiterates the Tampa Bay Skeptics' $1,000 challenge to Noreen Renier, which she refused, as did James Randi with his $1,000,000 challenge. Posner clarifies that he does not suggest psychic detectives research cases beforehand but emphasizes that testimonials, even from FBI agents, do not constitute verifiable scientific evidence. He requests specific examples of his "laughable evidence" for further discussion.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue revolve around the critical examination of paranormal claims, particularly the use of psychics in investigations. The Tampa Bay Skeptics, through its publications and the writings of Gary P. Posner, consistently advocates for scientific rigor, verifiable evidence, and a skeptical approach to phenomena that lack empirical support. The issue highlights instances where psychic claims are presented in popular media and contrasts them with more skeptical analyses, often involving direct refutations or questioning of the evidence. The editorial stance is clearly one of promoting critical thinking and scientific skepticism, while also engaging with broader philosophical ideas about knowledge, certainty, and the relationship between science and other fields of human endeavor, as exemplified by the discussion of Bronowski's work.