StopSylviabrowne - Browne and the Pomeroy-Mason Bridge

[RSLancastr]

New article up this morning:

http://www.stopsylviabrowne.com/articles/browneandthepomeroybridge.shtml
Sylvia Browne and the Pomeroy-Mason Bridge
Did she predict the destruction of a bridge over the Ohio River?

[Brown]

Hmmm. Perhaps someone is checking up on you.

[grayman]

Interesting article, Robert.

I have always been fascinated yet bothered by"urban legends". Fascinated by the psychology of the people that pass them along, and bothered that they insist on doing so.

And as always, Robert, you prove yourself to be above the fray by asking for and publishing the input of Sylvia's office. This is a case where you seem to exonerate Sylvia of this false prediction. Class act Robert.

[JoeTheJuggler]

Lesson: never repeat that something is true unless you really know it's true.

Sounds like this one originated in a chat room.

[Fnord]

Fair and balanced reporting. Well done.

If Snopes (http://www.snopes.com/) doesn't have a link to your site, they should (IMHO).

[Kilgore Trout]

A bit anticlimactic, but worthwhile to publish all the same. If the trail stopped with just the email, perhaps it's phony, but with other people that had heard that same story it seems well worth the time to research and include on the site.

Also, a typo: 'January f 2004' probably ought to be 'January of 2004'

ETA: I did enjoy the "idiots who watch Montel" quote by the librarian.

[Wowbagger]

From the article:
There are plenty of examples of reasons to doubt Browne's claim of being psychic, but apparently, this is not one of them.

Is it just me, or does the StopSylviaBrowne site just drip with honesty?!

[grmcdorman]

Another typo: caption for the film poster reads:

Poster for he film "The Mothman Prophecies".

Um, he film? Something for the male audience? :D

[thatguywhojuggles]

Well done Robert.

[RSLancastr]

Hmmm. Perhaps someone is checking up on you.:boxedin:

I have always been fascinated yet bothered by"urban legends". Fascinated by the psychology of the people that pass them along, and bothered that they insist on doing so.It's definitely an interesting process.

And as always, Robert, you prove yourself to be above the fray by asking for and publishing the input of Sylvia's office. This is a case where you seem to exonerate Sylvia of this false prediction. Class act Robert.Thanks, Gray.

Sounds like this one originated in a chat room.Or while doing some smoking out behind the gym at Pomeroy High...

Fair and balanced reporting. Well done.Thanks, Fnord.

If Snopes (http://www.snopes.com/) doesn't have a link to your site, they should (IMHO).The site has been mentioned in the message boards there, but that's it as far as I know.

A bit anticlimactic, but worthwhile to publish all the same.I know what youmean. I was hoping it would end with a climactic battle between Browne and The Mothman, where we learn that he is in fact a force for good, but I had to go where the evidence took me. :(

Also, a typo: 'January f 2004' probably ought to be 'January of 2004'Gah! Evidently my spell checker ignores lone letters. Thanks, I will correct it tonight.

ETA: I did enjoy the "idiots who watch Montel" quote by the librarian.:)

Is it just me, or does the StopSylviaBrowne site just drip with honesty?!Thanks, Wow.

Poster for he film "The Mothman Prophecies".

Um, he film? Something for the male audience? :DDouble gah! When will someone invent a said-what-I meant-checker? Thanks, will correct it tonight.

[RSLancastr]

Well done Robert.Thanks, tgwj!

[chran]

Great article Robert!

A small thing; the name of the friendly librarian is spelled in two different ways in the article: First as Elita Heighton, and then in her e-mail and subsequently as Olita Heighton.

Also quite fascinating that Linda Rossi still reply to your e-mails! :D

[EeneyMinnieMoe]

That stupid bridge caused me more aggrevation than some of the murder cases. Talk about anticlimactic, there's not even a concrete explanation to be found of how this bizzarre urban legend even started. :(

I almost wished she had predicted a bridge collapse so that I could have at least gotten to the bottom of it and had something to show for digging through those transcripts for about forever.

[Kilgore Trout]

That stupid bridge caused me more aggrevation than some of the murder cases.

Well your aggravation is appreciated. :)

I think that the research done by you, the librarian, not to mention RSL following up to get to the bottom of the rumor adds credibility to the article. And the article itself is good for the site; it helps to address those that might want to attack RSL for not following up on different things.

Getting one email from a crack pot doesn't deserve hours of research, but this one did have something behind it -- though it wasn't Sylvia this time.

[alfaniner]

This then raises a question -- does SB's office retain a record of every single prediction she's ever made? (or at least, in the last several years). Otherwise, how could Rossi unequivocally state that "Sylvia Browne did not make any prediction concerning the bridge over the Ohio River at Pomeroy"?

[fagin]

This then raises a question -- does SB's office retain a record of every single prediction she's ever made? (or at least, in the last several years). Otherwise, how could Rossi unequivocally state that "Sylvia Browne did not make any prediction concerning the bridge over the Ohio River at Pomeroy"?

Easy, something that specific would be far to easy to monitor, so she wouldn't make it. She may be scary but I don't think she's that stupid.

[LibraryLady]

A bit anticlimactic, but worthwhile to publish all the same. If the trail stopped with just the email, perhaps it's phony, but with other people that had heard that same story it seems well worth the time to research and include on the site.

Also, a typo: 'January f 2004' probably ought to be 'January of 2004'

ETA: I did enjoy the "idiots who watch Montel" quote by the librarian.

On the other hand, librarians really shouldn't express opinions* when answering reference questions.

But I totally agree with her.

[RSLancastr]

Great article Robert!Thanks, chran!

A small thing; the name of the friendly librarian is spelled in two different ways in the article:Thanks, will correct it tonight.

Also quite fascinating that Linda Rossi still reply to your e-mails! :DAlthough this article came out weeks after the previous one quoting Rossi, I believe that the emails I quoted were both sent at about the same time.

I almost wished she had predicted a bridge collapse so that I could have at least gotten to the bottom of it and had something to show for digging through those transcripts for about forever.The lack of evidence is meaningful as well. Just like the lack of correct missing-persons readings.

Getting one email from a crack pot doesn't deserve hours of research, but this one did have something behind it -- though it wasn't Sylvia this time.The email wasn't from a crackpot, but from someone who had fallen for a rumor, that's all.

This then raises a question -- does SB's office retain a record of every single prediction she's ever made? (or at least, in the last several years). Otherwise, how could Rossi unequivocally state that "Sylvia Browne did not make any prediction concerning the bridge over the Ohio River at Pomeroy"?If the rumor was popular enough that Browne's office got multiple calls on it, then Rossi might remember it.

[PastBrowneFan]

This then raises a question -- does SB's office retain a record of every single prediction she's ever made? (or at least, in the last several years). Otherwise, how could Rossi unequivocally state that "Sylvia Browne did not make any prediction concerning the bridge over the Ohio River at Pomeroy"?

Yes, everything she says is catalogued. But, it can also be edited, as one particluar Cardinal in Novus could tell you (he would edit the copies of her Lectures that they sold).

[Kilgore Trout]

The email wasn't from a crackpot, but from someone who had fallen for a rumor, that's all.


Oh, I didn't mean it was. Sorry I wasn't clear.

I was envisioning you getting oddball emails that tell you about some isolated incident, and I wouldn't expect you to follow up on each and every thing. If someone wrote in to tell you that they heard Sylvia has OCD and has to put on her left shoe first, it wouldn't make for a good article; having a couple people point out she has someone put her shoes on for her, might -- even if you find out she flies into a rage when they put on her right shoe first.

In the article you say it wasn't the first time you'd been informed of the bridge prediction and because of that it warrants some investigation, in my opinion.

[Monza]

Robert, good for you. Despite my distaste for SB I am happy to see articles such as this. It is important to maintain your integrity and honesty while exposing SB. That includes anything that may exonerate her or show her in a good light. It also goes to prove that you are willing to put up positive evidence of her successful predictions. All of which makes the total lack of such evidence very telling regarding SB's powers.

Also, a great thanks goes out to EeneyMinnieMoe for the hard work.

[Locknar]

[insane comment]
RSL - I read your current article with great anticipation. Unfortunately, I found it disappointing, lacking in your typical hard hitting factual style. The 5 min it took me to read it is time out of my life I will never get back. I, and those that have read it, are dumber for having done so.
[/insane comment]

RSL - I figured you get tired of hearing "great job", "well done" and the other compliments you normally get :)

On that note...great job as always, very nicely done to you and all that have helped you!

[rjh01]

Did a google and found this
Sylvia Browne's Predictions for 2003 (http://forums.randi.org/showthread.php?p=423772) This is a thread in JREF discussing her 2003 predictions. Nothing about a bridge collapse.

Cannot find much about her 2002 predictions.

[RSLancastr]

Oh, I didn't mean it was. Sorry I wasn't clear.Understood.

In the article you say it wasn't the first time you'd been informed of the bridge prediction and because of that it warrants some investigation, in my opinion.Right. But even if it had been the only time I had been notified, the existance of the threads about it on the web would have justified it in my mind.

Robert, good for you. Despite my distaste for SB I am happy to see articles such as this.Thanks, Monza!

RSL - I figured you get tired of hearing "great job", "well done" and the other compliments you normally get :) No, but thanks for the effort! :D

Did a google and found this
Sylvia Browne's Predictions for 2003 (http://forums.randi.org/showthread.php?p=423772) This is a thread in JREF discussing her 2003 predictions. Nothing about a bridge collapse.

Cannot find much about her 2002 predictions.Something which I neglected to mention in the article, but will add in, is that before calling on EMM to excercise her Lex Nex Fu, I checked the transcripts of all of her "annual prediction shows" on Montel (supplied by QG) and came up blank on this.

[EeneyMinnieMoe]

Also, a great thanks goes out to EeneyMinnieMoe for the hard work.

You're welcome :blush:. That's very nice to hear, thank you.

Speaking of which...I forgot to give kudos to Robert! Somehow I always forget to give him credit for a job well done if I've been involved...so good work!

[Apology]

If you're feeling extra charitable, you could thank Linda Rossi for her response at the end of your article. But only if you're feeling extra charitable.

You really do extensive research before you print an article and I'm impressed with your professionalism in the battle. None of your articles have been hateful in any way; they're fairly clinical in nature, which makes them even harder for anyone to dispute.

[DrewD]

Great Job!

IMHO, this takes away ammo that you only blast SB for incorrect predictions. I regularly refer people to your site. This makes it even more convincing.

Keep up the good work.

I could not find an icon for as* kissing otherwise I would have included it.

-Drew

[Locknar]

If you're feeling extra charitable, you could thank Linda Rossi for her response at the end of your article. But only if you're feeling extra charitable.


Actually...her reponse bothers me a tad, in that she denied the rumor. Why?

While Rossi could have denied SB said this on a Montel apperance (which woudl have been easy to prove true or false), she could have attributed the "prediction" to one of SBs many personal apperances. This is something that could never be confirmed or denied with any degree of accuracy.

So why the sudden outbreak of honesty?

[Loss Leader]

What a terrible article! You're supposed to be mercilessly tearing apart anything even vaguely Browne related, not carefully investigating allegations and making truthful reports. You're an internet blogger, for the love of Pete! You have a professional duty to be an enraged, rabid dervish that print journalists can point to as the death of their art.

All anyone will be able to conclude about this story is that you care about researched and properly sourced facts. It might even make the other things you say about Browne seem more truthful because of your candor.

I give it one star out of fifty (on a scale where printing those nude pictures of that girl from High Scool Musical is a solid forty-eight).

[ilikefrogs]

Nice article, but a small mistake. The Silver Bridge collapse was near Point Pleasant, WEST VIRGINIA, not Point Pleasant, OHIO.

Point Pleasant, Ohio is on the other side of Ohio from the River. Point Pleasant WV is the county seat of Mason Co and is a few miles downriver from Mason, WV.