Way to go, Randi!

[shanek]

In the latest commentary about Sylvia Browne, Randi writes:

This examination of her recent mendacious tirades will not be kind. I've no obligation to be tolerant of this person, and I'm known to call 'em as I see 'em. She has freely attacked me in the media, making false and damaging statements about me, without any opposition from those who gave her the platform from which to deliver this trash. I'm answering in kind. The big difference in our approaches is that all of my response that follows is factual and provable. And it's damning to Browne. WHAT FOLLOWS IS STRONG, DIRECT, NO-HOLDS-BARRED, AND TRUE. I'll apologize in advance to my readers, so that I might be spared the expected murmers about how rude I was. Browne has viciously slandered and libeled me, in the public media, repeatedly. This is my response, and I don't give a damn whether she likes it or not. Read on, if you dare.

Mr. Randi, if telling the truth in such a direct and unequivocal manner, with no compromises, is rude, then I don't want to be nice. Sylvia, as you have conclusively proven beyond all reasonable doubt, is a liar, and it bothers me not that you directly called her this a grand total of thirteen times in your commentary.

I've heard it said, even here on this forum, that even if someone is lying and you can prove it you still shouldn't call them a liar because we need to be nice, or diplomatic, or some other screwed-up reason. The problem with that is, the truth isn't where it needs to be if you do that.

You, sir, have stuck your neck out time and time again to make sure that the truth is available to those who truly wish to seek it out and to not be fooled by charlatans, fakes, the deluded, and the downright liars. You do so without equivocation or hesitation. Here's to hoping that you inspire more people to be likewise, as you have inspired me.

:clap:

[Eos of the Eons]

Absolutely. Sylvia can take what she gives. So can everyone else. Letting them roll over you unheeded makes people think they have something to their drivel. Put up a wall of facts and stop her short.

[psy kick]

Another fan of reason here.
Thank you JREF, it seems a losing battle, but don't give up.
Someday the people's eyes will be opened.
Til then, fight on!

[Oleron]

Rude?

Not half as rude as I would have been in Randi's position.
He should get a medal for forbearance.

Sylvia who?

[Markus702]

I have to say I was a little disappointed to read that Randi has turned down numerous invites to appear on George Noory's radio show. True that they control what callers get through and he would be in for a somewhat unpleasant experience. But I still think it would serve his purpose better to bring the proof that A) the million dollars does exist, and B) he was willing to put in escrow for Miss Sylvia.
As much as I enjoy reading him blast Sylvia on this page, the fact is he's pretty much preaching to the choir. The majority of readers of this page ALREADY agree with Randi on the Sylvia matter, and a way needs to be found to reach those on the fence with their belief about said matter.

[kevinsbikes]

Sylvia Browne is the Devil!!! The hate I have for her is greater than my hatred of Hitler. At least he had a goal.:mad:
Have a great day. :)

[Blue Monk]

I agree.

Many people are merely deluded but the true sign of a creep is one that will resort to lies and character attacks to hide the weakness of their position.

Anything to distract from the fact that the evidence buries them.

[Regnad Kcin]

Quite amazing, that Randi! ;)

[The Bad Astronomer]

Randi and I disagree somewhat on the "Coast to Coast AM" radio show.

I have been on several times, and they have been very polite to me, as well as supportive of what I do. It's a pact with the devil, if I may use that aphorism, since of course C2C also has on people like Sylvia, Hoagland, and others who have some serious problems with reality.

But I continue to go on the show because they have a huge audience. Not all of them buy into the woowoo nonsense typically on C2C, and I suspect that majority of the listeners are actually tuned in to get a laugh at the guests' expense. But when you have millions of listeners, even a small fraction being supportive of nonsense adds up to a sizable number.

Those are exactly the folks I am trying to reach with my message of skepticism and critical thinking.

I would enjoy hearing Randi on C2C, though I suspect he might be a somewhat, ah, grumpier personage than they are used to. But it would be entertaining. The next time I'm on, perhaps I'll mention Sylvia's shenanigans.

[BPScooter]

My morning drive for a while has been WMAL in the morning-- live programming with local color, with the former congressman and current vegan Fred Grandy. It's a great show, and Andy Parks has been anchoring it for years I guess. The afternoon air is Rush and Sean Hannity, though I don't tune WMAL at those hours and rarely listen. Late drive is Chris Core, another even-keel type of guy. Generally I got the idea that MAL is a station that wants to gain listeners and not offend.

Imagine my surprise to when they plug this Noory character in one of their station promos. Weekend air is... financial advice, gardening tips, and then (after hours) flim flam. I guess I don't stay awake late enough on Sunday night to find this...

I guess it's all fair but man, such a good station has stained itself in my eyes. :(

[johnnie deeee]

sylvia finds the marks that want to be fooled like any good con artist. It's easy to Con people by telling them what they wanna hear and, with some, a chance to make Huge Profits tax-free. Any wonder the Nigerian con game keeps pulling in suckers time and time again. :v:

[Ruby]

Originally posted by shanek
[B]In the latest commentary about Sylvia Browne, Randi writes:

This examination of her recent mendacious tirades will not be kind. I've no obligation to be tolerant of this person, and I'm known to call 'em as I see 'em. She has freely attacked me in the media, making false and damaging statements about me, without any opposition from those who gave her the platform from which to deliver this trash. I'm answering in kind. The big difference in our approaches is that all of my response that follows is factual and provable. And it's damning to Browne. WHAT FOLLOWS IS STRONG, DIRECT, NO-HOLDS-BARRED, AND TRUE. I'll apologize in advance to my readers, so that I might be spared the expected murmers about how rude I was. Browne has viciously slandered and libeled me, in the public media, repeatedly. This is my response, and I don't give a damn whether she likes it or not. Read on, if you dare.[b]

I thought that was awesome!! I sure wish the truth of Randi's words could go out to others...especially those who support sylvia. Although, they are probably too brainwashed to hear whar Randi says. It's sick the way Sylvia keeps lying and slandering Randi and making herself look as if she has a very good reason not to do the million dollar challenge. I'm glad Randi let her have it in his commentary..............but who else will read it besides us skeptics?

[Markus702]

That was exactly my point Ruby. His commentary was great, but if the regular readers of this web page are the only ones that read it, does it really do much good? I was turned on to the JREF by an interview of Randi done by a Boston radio station a couple years ago. This radio station has also interviewed (in an un-skeptic like manner) psychics as well. My point is, just because a radio show features psychics, doesn't necessarily mean Randi wouldn't get a fair shake as well. This station's top goal was to be a fun morning show, not a serious news broadcast. Even so, it was through them that I became a JREF reader, and it is the people who are unsure of whether such phenomena exists that Randi needs to reach!

[Regnad Kcin]

Originally posted by The Bad Astronomer
Randi and I disagree somewhat on the "Coast to Coast AM" radio show.

*snip*

But I continue to go on the show because they have a huge audience. Not all of them buy into the woowoo nonsense typically on C2C, and I suspect that majority of the listeners are actually tuned in to get a laugh at the guests' expense. But when you have millions of listeners, even a small fraction being supportive of nonsense adds up to a sizable number.

Those are exactly the folks I am trying to reach with my message of skepticism and critical thinking.

I would enjoy hearing Randi on C2C, though I suspect he might be a somewhat, ah, grumpier personage than they are used to. But it would be entertaining. The next time I'm on, perhaps I'll mention Sylvia's shenanigans. You present a compelling argument.

Have you discussed this with Randi personally? If not, why not give it a shot? After all, I believe he holds you in high esteem, yes?

[jj]

Is there any reason not to take Sylvia to task for her comments?

Some of them, certainly, have the potential to serious affect Mr. Randi's reputation (things like the claim that the money isn't there, doesn't exist, etc), and are testable and verifiable.

But then I suppose one must ask "what would one win"?

[Markus702]

I definitely think it's necessary to task Sylvia for her comments. And quite possibly a case could be made for slander, as her comments which are knowing lies, may cause the JREF money and potential members.
My concern with Randi taking Sylvia to task, as I mentioned earlier, is that it will only be read by those who already view Sylvia as a scumbag.