Tampa Bay Skeptics Report - vol 18 no 3 - INCOMPLETE

Magazine Overview

Title: TBS Report Online
Issue: Vol. 18 - No. 3
Date: Winter 2005-06
Publisher: Tampa Bay Skeptics and Center For Inquiry Tampa Bay

This issue of TBS Report Online delves into various topics related to skepticism, pseudoscience, and paranormal claims, featuring articles on a psychic challenge, critiques of alternative medicine in hospitals, and reports on alleged hauntings and UFOs.

A TBS "$1,000 Challenge" Matching Medical Ailments

This article, written by Gary P. Posner, details the Tampa Bay Skeptics' "$1,000 Challenge" designed to test the psychic abilities of Ron Pearce. Pearce claimed he could determine ten people's medical ailments remotely. The challenge involved matching ten specific medical conditions to ten individuals, with a 1 in 3,628,800 probability of success by chance alone. Pearce was provided with sets of medical conditions and referred to individuals by number. The correct matches were: Person #1=d, 2=f, 3=a, 4=h, 5=g, 6=c, 7=b, 8=i, 9=j, 10=e. In a recorded call on November 15, Pearce offered his determinations: Person #1=b, 2=f, 3=d, 4=c, 5=j, 6=i, 7=e, 8=a, 9=h, 10=g. Of these, only one match (#2) was correct. Pearce countered that he had never been tested this way before and offered to demonstrate his abilities as an "empath" to relieve patients of symptoms, claiming he had helped people with cancer disappear. However, he refused to provide medical releases from these individuals for verification. Posner explained that TBS and the scientific community require reproducible evidence under controlled conditions, and Pearce agreed that no such evidence was forthcoming from this test.

Pseudoscientific Therapies at Tampa General Hospital

Authored by Gary P. Posner, M.D., this article critically examines the integration of "alternative" therapies at Tampa General Hospital (TGH) as part of an "integrative medicine program." While acknowledging that some therapies like biofeedback and nutritional support are evidence-based, the author questions practices such as "Reiki" and "therapeutic touch" (TT), likening them to "Medicine Man" practices. The article describes a Reiki session where a practitioner attempts to sense and repattern a patient's "spirit life force" (chi, qi, ki, prana) through hand movements. The author notes that while these modalities may provide emotional benefit through empathy and a "caring" atmosphere, they lack scientific validation. The article references Emily Rosa, a nine-year-old who gained national attention for her science project exposing the lack of evidence for TT. The leader of TGH's program is Dr. Sheela Chokshi, who trained at Harvard's Mind-Body Institute founded by Herbert Benson, known for popularizing the "Relaxation Response." The article questions Benson's claims regarding infertility, citing a book review that stated his research contained "no evidence that the relaxation response improved the conception rate."

American Hospital Association reports indicate that 17% of hospitals offer such programs, with one in four planning to start one. The article questions whether the placebo effect provided by these therapies justifies their practice in hospitals.

Snippets

This section presents brief, anecdotal reports:

• Ashley's Restaurant, Rockledge: Reported to be haunted by the apparition of Ethel Allen, who was murdered there in 1934. Diners have claimed to order from a ghostly waiter.
• Lili Marlene's Aviator's Pub & Restaurant, Orlando: The renovated Japanese restaurant is reportedly haunted by a ghostly bartender and two dancing girls. The site was formerly a hotel/brothel where apparitions and cries of murdered newborns were reported. The current owner, Christopher Chung, a Jehovah's Witness, avoided the premises due to his beliefs.
• Florida's Ghostly Legends and Haunted Folklore, Vol. 1: A book by Greg Jenkins, an Orlando mental health professional, explores haunted locations in Florida. Jenkins believes Myrtle Hill Cemetery in Tampa and Sunland Hospital in Orlando have "intense residue of emotions" or energy.
• Earth's own "Face on Mars"?: An aerial photo from Odessa, published in the St. Pete. Times, is identified as a cluster of lakes, not a face. However, the article notes former Canadian defense minister Paul Hellyer's proclamation that "UFOs are as real as the airplanes that fly over your head."

Letter to the Editor

Tom Hartman from Boca Raton writes in response to a previous issue discussing "Psychic Detectives" and John Monti. He expresses that while he doesn't believe all psychics are right, he wonders about cases where specific, unknown facts are revealed, suggesting some individuals may be genuinely empowered, despite acknowledging that much of the field is filled with "hacks."

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The Tampa Bay Skeptics, through its publication TBS Report Online, consistently promotes a skeptical viewpoint, emphasizing the need for scientific evidence, controlled conditions, and critical thinking. The magazine challenges paranormal claims and pseudoscientific practices, particularly in the medical field, advocating for evidence-based approaches. The editorial stance is clearly against accepting unsubstantiated claims and promotes rational inquiry. The inclusion of "Snippets" and letters to the editor allows for a broader discussion of related topics, often with a skeptical undertone.