Tarot-card readers busted....

[Locknar]

Tarot-card readers in Chicago arrested for fraud....story here (http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,338749,00.html).

[ExMinister]

I can't see much of a difference between these people charging thousands for counseling to remove curses, and someone like Sylvia Browne charging $750 for 20 minutes of "counseling" to tell (take?!) someone's fortune. I wonder why this couple is arrested but Sylvia Browne and other so-called psychics allowed to continue what they do. Does anyone else see a big difference here?

[Locknar]

I can't see much of a difference between these people charging thousands for counseling to remove curses, and someone like Sylvia Browne charging $750 for 20 minutes of "counseling" to tell (take?!) someone's fortune. I wonder why this couple is arrested but Sylvia Browne and other so-called psychics allowed to continue what they do. Does anyone else see a big difference here?I agree, they (et all) are all same-same in terms of frauds. I suspect though, the "possession of fraudulent identification" and "felony possession of fraudulent ID" are the real drivers here. You'd think simple fraud charges would be enough.

[blutoski]

I think that what we've seen before is that as soon as they're charging to remove curses, it's stopped being "for entertainment purposes only" and may have shifted into blatant extortion.

[ShowerComic]

I think that what we've seen before is that as soon as they're charging to remove curses, it's stopped being "for entertainment purposes only" and may have shifted into blatant extortion.

Yet is what Sylvia Browne does with regard to missing persons 'for entertainment only?' Or if it isn't 'extortion' per say, what is it? Taking advantage of the weak, and vulnerable yes, of course. Is it 'extorting' if she's not saying 'The only way you will find your missing child is with my help, which is what the others do. -- You need to pay me, and only me to remove this evil curse."

Playing devil's advocate, if it's easy for us to see Sylvia as taking advantage of others, because we don't buy into her schpeal, that is don't believe in her power, what of others we may believe in. -- Advertizers, salesmen, and so on. Where do you draw the line?

[Dr H]

I think that what we've seen before is that as soon as they're charging to remove curses, it's stopped being "for entertainment purposes only" and may have shifted into blatant extortion.

Once upon a time many locales actually had laws specifically against fortune-telling.
Granted, it was a misdemenor, but it was still a crime.