Sylvia Browne is a dead stick

[tiger]

After the Shaun Hornbeck incident good ole Sylvia was back pedeling her ass off but good things come to those that wait. And Sylvia I'm sure thought the boy was dead and she had a very very good chance of being right about that considering how abductions usually end. But fate was not on Sylvia side and believe it or not all you have to do was watch because Sylvia's stupidity was broadcast around the world. Sylvia is a dead stick because she's to stupid since she's going to open her mouth again and again. Really when you think about all these meduims and psychics,they are really low maintence for us skeptics, you just need to let them do there thing and your left with all the evidence against them. These psychics and mediums are not brainiacs, they screw themselves over everytime.

[Minarvia]

Unfortunately, tiger, they still have their followers and their tv shows and appearances, and, of course, their vast fortunes made off of the desperate and the gullible.

[tiger]

Unfortunately, tiger, they still have their followers and their tv shows and appearances, and, of course, their vast fortunes made off of the desperate and the gullible.


You won't get an argument from me about that! But there following is falling desperately and my point is simply you don't have to look far to find the evidence of their fraud they do actually give it to you on a silver platter. Pretty good example of how stupid they really are lets look at John I have to ask you alot of questions Edwards. Every appearance people are placed in assigned seating and his crew works the crowd asking the people who do you want to contact tonight. Then has in every case with his show they have technical difficulty for 2 hours. People are seeing these things for themselves, and it's nice these idiots ( meduims Psychics and paranormal groups ) give us some much stuff to use against them.

[Minarvia]

Agreed. With more appearances and skeptics being allowed to speak their piece I think more people are beginning to re-evaluate these "psychics."
And some of the mediume and ghost hunter shows out there - sheesh! Talk about the old saying of giving people enough rope they hang themselves. :)

[tiger]

Agreed. With more appearances and skeptics being allowed to speak their piece I think more people are beginning to re-evaluate these "psychics."
And some of the mediume and ghost hunter shows out there - sheesh! Talk about the old saying of giving people enough rope they hang themselves. :)


Oh yeah but to bad your not a fly on the wall when they finally realize they sholud have gotten a real job!

[kittynh]

I think it's kinda nutty ...

but people believe. They see Sylvia as the underdog.

Others see how much money she has made. And want to follow in her footsteps.

[Showmeproof]

If SB invested her money correctly, she can retire tomorrow and be set till the day she croaks. Granted, it sucks that she became rich off of lies, and that people still follow her. I would love for her to go completely broke. I would consider that a win for the skeptics.

[tiger]

If SB invested her money correctly, she can retire tomorrow and be set till the day she croaks. Granted, it sucks that she became rich off of lies, and that people still follow her. I would love for her to go completely broke. I would consider that a win for the skeptics.


I believe the Shaun Hornbeck case cost her dearly so hopefully you'll get your wish!

[tiger]

I think it's kinda nutty ...

but people believe. They see Sylvia as the underdog.

Others see how much money she has made. And want to follow in her footsteps.

Sure they are going to believe in her no matter what but the only way she became famous was by being on TV! But with being on TV your committed to what you say and do and in Sylvia's case being stupid and on TV is not a good thing. It's hard for me to feel really sorry for people that are taken by her because they should know better, they really should use some common sense.

[Worm]

These people are largely grieving, vulnerable, and willing to clutch at straws to try and retain contact with their loved ones or to understand what happened to them.

They deserve our support and understanding, not to be used by Sylvia Browne as part of her deluded and hurtful practices.

[Crundy]

I believe the Shaun Hornbeck case cost her dearly so hopefully you'll get your wish!

Sadly I don't think this is the case. The Hornbeck scandal damaged her slightly, but there are thousands upon thousands of people who have so hopelessly bought into her teachings that they will never change their minds. It takes a painful thought process to accept that something you believed in so dearly is a lie, and that you were wrong. A lot of people would rather burn the evidence than read it. Psychics prey on this.

[chillzero]

I believe the Shaun Hornbeck case cost her dearly so hopefully you'll get your wish!

I agree with Crundy - it hasn't made much of a dent.

I wish there was some way that the family could sue her for such appallingly inaccurate information. It would happen in any other career path.

[ExMinister]

It may have damaged her credibility with a certain percentage of people, but incredibly there are still people who excuse her as "only human," and point out that Sylvia herself says "only God is 100% accurate." Just check out the comments on Craig Cheatham's blog regarding the St. Louis coverage of Shaun Hornbeck and Sylvia Browne. I imagine that many of these are the people who haven't even bothered to look at Robert Lancaster's web site, and based on the e-mails he recently published, I suspect many of them don't really understand what his site is about until they actually look at it.

I agree that it is often the grieving and vulnerable who are drawn to someone like Sylvia Browne in the first place, and it is not right, or even helpful, to judge them.

I disagree that many of her fans won't see reason when presented with the facts, though. Sure, there are some who will blindly believe, but I have noted that cults and other non-mainstream religious groups do tend to draw people who are disillusioned with organized religion. As it happens, Sylvia often draws people who left organized religion because it didn't seem "logical" or intellectually to make sense anymore, and they're drawn in by Sylvia's claims to have a different kind of religion, one that actually encourages people to think and ask questions, and claims to in fact be able to provide real, specific answers to such topics as what happens after death, the purpose of life, etc. (In reality, this is not at all what it seems, but that's another story altogether). I sometimes suspect that this may ironically prove to be part of her downfall, since the same people who are drawn in by her claims of presenting a philosophy for people who "think" are likely going to be people who will think their way to Robert Lancaster's web site, consider the evidence, and realize the truth.

Only time will tell, but I think Robert's site is having a major impact and will continue to do so. I am not one who ever doubted that it would, based partly on having noticed the above.

[Minarvia]

I agree with Crundy - it hasn't made much of a dent.

I wish there was some way that the family could sue her for such appallingly inaccurate information. It would happen in any other career path.

I wonder, tho, if it HAS made a dent. I mean, that blunder has had her other blunders and critics on national television several times and I'll bet that prompted many people to look at the SSB site and find out more about her and how she operates. It looks to me as if that case was the beginning of the end for her. At least I dearly hope so. She does seem to be slowing down drastically except for her frantic book writing so she can cash in at the 11th hour.

[tiger]

These people are largely grieving, vulnerable, and willing to clutch at straws to try and retain contact with their loved ones or to understand what happened to them.

They deserve our support and understanding, not to be used by Sylvia Browne as part of her deluded and hurtful practices.

I understand the that they are in a vulnerable state of mind, and we are giving them support but like someone with a drinking problem they have to want it.

[tiger]

I agree with Crundy - it hasn't made much of a dent.

I wish there was some way that the family could sue her for such appallingly inaccurate information. It would happen in any other career path.

Who say's they can't sue her for mental duress, and anything else the law will allow! It was broadcast on national television and she didn't blink an eyebrow or hesitate when she declared him to be dead. They may very well have a case against Montel and old Sylvia makes these claims to be fact and claims her gift gives her insights. All you have to do is prove that you have been harmed in someway. they may not win but they may not lose either.

[-Fran-]

I hope the mistakes Sylvia Brown does (and which are so obvious to us) really will be her downfall. But the sad part is, I think, that even if it does there are many more people like her to take her place. And one thing that I have noticed is that some people, when convinced of that a certain psychic is a fraud, draws no conclusions about psychics on the whole from this.

It's a rather common view among believers, it seems to me, that the psychic business IS in fact full of frauds but that a few are real and that you just have to find the genuine ones. So there will always be a group of followers who will kind of shrug and say "so this one was a fraud after all - but the next one will sure be the genuine thing."

Sometimes it's not as easy as to just debunk individual psyhichs in a convincing way, since some will just lose their belief in that psychic but not the belief in mediums and the possibility in contacting the dead on the whole.

I think (if I am not mistaken - have to check that up...) that there are a few examples of people telling their (often very touching) stories on RSL's site, where they do state that even after what they have been through with Browne, and that they now are convinced she's a fraud, they do still think there's something to it all, only that Sylvia wasn't "it".

[cj419666]

sylvia clown is crazy

[chillzero]

Who say's they can't sue her for mental duress, and anything else the law will allow! It was broadcast on national television and she didn't blink an eyebrow or hesitate when she declared him to be dead. They may very well have a case against Montel and old Sylvia makes these claims to be fact and claims her gift gives her insights. All you have to do is prove that you have been harmed in someway. they may not win but they may not lose either.

Because they weren't supposed to take her information seriously. These appearances on Montel are supposed to be for entertainment only, and besides, they will have signed a ridiculous disclaimer that they cannot legally come back on this for anything. I believe RSL has an article about the disclaimer, in fact.

[Worm]

indeed

http://www.stopsylviabrowne.com/articles/montel_release.shtml

[tiger]

Because they weren't supposed to take her information seriously. These appearances on Montel are supposed to be for entertainment only, and besides, they will have signed a ridiculous disclaimer that they cannot legally come back on this for anything. I believe RSL has an article about the disclaimer, in fact.


I didn't say they should or shouldn't or if they would even win or not but it would be nice to see Sylvia in a courtroom where only facts and proof would be allowed. I don't believe that covers her personal readings though that aren't done on the montel show!

[chillzero]

I didn't say they should or shouldn't or if they would even win or not but it would be nice to see Sylvia in a courtroom where only facts and proof would be allowed.

Well, pardon me, but you said...

Who say's they can't sue her for mental duress, and anything else the law will allow!

The law and the disclaimer both say they can't. There is nothing the law will allow for in this matter.

It was broadcast on national television and she didn't blink an eyebrow or hesitate when she declared him to be dead.

But she wasn't really telling them this like they are supposed to believe it - it's all just in the name of entertainment, dontacha know.

They may very well have a case against Montel and old Sylvia makes these claims to be fact and claims her gift gives her insights. All you have to do is prove that you have been harmed in someway. they may not win but they may not lose either.

They have no case. They signed a disclaimer saying they would not sue for anything that may occur during the show or as a result of what they are told. They cannot prove harm from attending an entertainment show. They definitely will not win, and they will lose - time, money, effort, and that's only if they could find any lawyer that would try to fight such a no-hope case to begin with.

[Crundy]

Shouldn't the title of this thread actually be "Sylvia Brown is dead sick"? Seems more accurate.

[alfaniner]

Shouldn't the title of this thread actually be "Sylvia Brown is dead sick"? Seems more accurate.

I think it's a piloting reference.

And I'm sure that, with the exposure and obvious duplicity on the show and Sylvia's part, that some lawyer could find some reason to sue on Hornbeck's parents' behalf.

[RSLancastr]

Shouldn't the title of this thread actually be "Sylvia Brown is dead sick"? Seems more accurate.Ah! That would explain it. I wanted to start a parody thread titled "John Edward is a not-very-well twig" or smoething...

[Tanstaafl]

I suspect Sylvia will keep rising from the dead to scam still more victims.

All I can say is, "Die, zombie psychic, die!".

[Garrette]

...
And one thing that I have noticed is that some people, when convinced of that a certain psychic is a fraud, draws no conclusions about psychics on the whole from this.

It's a rather common view among believers, it seems to me, that the psychic business IS in fact full of frauds but that a few are real and that you just have to find the genuine ones. So there will always be a group of followers who will kind of shrug and say "so this one was a fraud after all - but the next one will sure be the genuine thing."

Sometimes it's not as easy as to just debunk individual psyhichs in a convincing way, since some will just lose their belief in that psychic but not the belief in mediums and the possibility in contacting the dead on the whole.

...This is my experience, both as a past believer and as a current friend of believers. There is a combination of arrogance and insecurity at play--insecurity at the prospect of losing a cherished belief and arrogance that others might be fooled but I will not. The believer may admit John Edward or Peter Popoff or Madame Cleo are frauds, and the believer may sagely shake his head at the gullibility of others, and the believer may admit that cold reading and other forms of charlatanry exist, but the believer clings with a deathgrip to the idea that such people and such tricks would not dupe him, regardless that he can show no actual difference between his own legitimate psychic and those he admits are fake.

[tiger]

Well, pardon me, but you said...



The law and the disclaimer both say they can't. There is nothing the law will allow for in this matter.



But she wasn't really telling them this like they are supposed to believe it - it's all just in the name of entertainment, dontacha know.



They have no case. They signed a disclaimer saying they would not sue for anything that may occur during the show or as a result of what they are told. They cannot prove harm from attending an entertainment show. They definitely will not win, and they will lose - time, money, effort, and that's only if they could find any lawyer that would try to fight such a no-hope case to begin with.


Sorry I wasn't getting bity just making a point that it would be great if someone could get her court and make it so she would have to put up or shut up.

[tiger]

Shouldn't the title of this thread actually be "Sylvia Brown is dead sick"? Seems more accurate.


Yeah you could be right! But the dead stick comment is a military term about a plane that is about to crash and burn!

[RSLancastr]

Actually, it's an aeronautic term meaning the plane has lost propulsion. A "dead-stick landing" is one done without power from the engines.

Has Browne lost her propulsion, and is gliding at this point?

I hope so. Time will tell.

[tiger]

Actually, it's an aeronautic term meaning the plane has lost propulsion. A "dead-stick landing" is one done without power from the engines.

Has Browne lost her propulsion, and is gliding at this point?

I hope so. Time will tell.


When it comes to Sylvia same difference!

[mayday]

Tiger, at least you understand what a total fraud Sylvia Browne is and I commend you for that. I tried to read one of her books and after about halfway through I just couldn't take anymore.

[Kochanski]

I suspect Sylvia will keep rising from the dead to scam still more victims.

All I can say is, "Die, zombie psychic, die!".

"Die, zombie psychic, die!".
Oh man, I would love to see that on a t-shirt ;)

The only thing we can do is to continue to make sure the information is out there to let people know who and what she is. There will always be people who want and need to believe and all we can hope is that if the information is widely available some of them will see it and learn from it. This is why RSL's site is so important.

[-Fran-]

Tiger, at least you understand what a total fraud Sylvia Browne is and I commend you for that. I tried to read one of her books and after about halfway through I just couldn't take anymore.

But you still believe there are real psychics, right?

[Mangoose]

Isn't Peter Poppoff back to his old business, after all the shaming he took in the '70s/'80s from JR?

[tiger]

Isn't Peter Poppoff back to his old business, after all the shaming he took in the '70s/'80s from JR?

Well one of the news programs like 20/20 got after him and I don't see his info commercials anymore so I think he went the way of the doo doo. Might be wrong but they tried to talk to him has he drove up in his 100 thousand dollar car and he didn't want to talk to them.

[Crundy]

Isn't Peter Poppoff back to his old business, after all the shaming he took in the '70s/'80s from JR?

Yes, but fortunately Rob is dealing with that :)
http://www.stoppeterpopoff.com/

[Tanstaafl]

Well one of the news programs like 20/20 got after him and I don't see his info commercials anymore so I think he went the way of the doo doo. Might be wrong but they tried to talk to him has he drove up in his 100 thousand dollar car and he didn't want to talk to them.


He went the way of the doo doo? He was flushed?

Seems appropriate.

[Severus Snape]

Unfortunately, tiger, they still have their followers and their tv shows and appearances, and, of course, their vast fortunes made off of the desperate and the gullible.

Why are people still following this fraud when she has been proven time after time what she truly is. She was not only wrong with the Hornbeck case, but Opal Jennings, 9/11, Sago Mine and on and on and on.
Even Coast to Coast banned her since the Sago Mine bru-ha-ha.

[rjh01]

Because her followers do not want to know the truth. Some of them are so stupid they will believe anything until you can, to their satisfaction, prove the idea false.

Anyone who reads anything will know that it is up to the person who charges money for anything (i.e. makes a claim) to prove what they say is correct. In a law for example it is up to the prosecution to prove the defendant guilty. Or in science they look for proof of something.