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MADem

(135,425 posts)

259. I am not attacking him. Recounting what he did--serving as an accomplice to fraud--is not

Thu May 9, 2013, 09:35 PM

May 2013

an 'attack.' I am not skimming over Browne's "sins" either--I'm simply saying she puts her stuff out there, not that I'd buy it (I have a discerning eye), and people ARE given a choice. Jose from the Bronx had no choice. That was wrong. You're trying to infer that one rip-off artist is somehow better than the other--I don't buy that one bit, in fact, when someone stakes their reputation on being "anti-fraud," it's extreme irony when they participate in that kind of conduct.

It's also ironic that in defense of someone who purports to be a skeptic, interested in only the "truth," that the truth seems to hurt his champions so much, to the point that anyone who dares point out what the guy did gets the business. Some of the nasty and foul-mouthed comments directed right at me in this thread are very illustrative and they don't cover the Randi cheerleaders in anything suggesting glory.

I never paid much attention to him before this, but the visceral anger I'm getting for daring to criticize this guy who advertised himself as a Fraud Exposer for participating in what absolutely was a fraud makes me wonder if he's something akin to a cult leader.

IMO, at the least, his "brand" has been irrevocably sullied.

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Psychic (Sylvia Browne) Who Said Amanda Berry Was Dead Silent After Berry Is Found Alive [View all] Adenoid_Hynkel May 2013 OP

The crazy old bat has probably lawyered up Warpy May 2013 #1

LOL. Do psychics have to have malpractice insurance now? n/t Smarmie Doofus May 2013 #227

Hardly, it's the very definition of malpractice Warpy May 2013 #236

Nope, no chance of lawsuit Scootaloo May 2013 #251

Browne was counting on probability. Bad business, selling snake oil. nt Zorra May 2013 #2

She has since taken down her Facebook page Adenoid_Hynkel May 2013 #3

I was one of the herd JoDog May 2013 #13

When asked why she took the Facebook page down, she said... Dr. Strange May 2013 #25

A psychic says "It's almost like I didn't see it coming." LonePirate May 2013 #26

Well, she didn't really say it. Dr. Strange May 2013 #27

Dr. Strange is a heartless brute; you should never believe anything he writes. Orrex May 2013 #52

I truly miss your more inventive siglines. Damn the bastards who couldn't keep up! nt msanthrope May 2013 #108

. Orrex May 2013 #109

What is Ignored saying about me now? Dr. Strange May 2013 #215

That's it. You're back on Ignore! Orrex May 2013 #237

Shut up! Dr. Strange May 2013 #252

Y'all don't undersand... she was not dead, but subsumed by her abductor/rapist. DCKit May 2013 #4

Newage wackaloonery! longship May 2013 #5

Message auto-removed Name removed May 2013 #245

As long as Faux News is still on Politicalboi May 2013 #6

She's a fraud, but there is nothing awesome about Randi. MotherPetrie May 2013 #7

Completely agree on both Browne and Randi (nt) CrawlingChaos May 2013 #8

Name your issue with Randi! n-t Logical May 2013 #22

Well, his famous "Million Dollar Challenge" was a fraud, for one thing CrawlingChaos May 2013 #124

That is patent nonsense. All of it. Chiyo-chichi May 2013 #136

Clearly you're not familiar with the particulars CrawlingChaos May 2013 #141

I'd be glad to read up on the particulars if you can point me to a link. Chiyo-chichi May 2013 #150

Here you go CrawlingChaos May 2013 #164

"In defense of Sheldrake" says all you need to know William Seger May 2013 #225

Well, that was a substance-free rebuttal CrawlingChaos May 2013 #244

Read it again: It wan't intended as a rebuttal William Seger May 2013 #255

You can spend your whole day attempting to obfuscate if you wish, but... CrawlingChaos May 2013 #257

LMAO, I thought you wanted a rebuttal William Seger May 2013 #260

And your source is - once again - Randi himself CrawlingChaos May 2013 #267

So you prove Randi is lying by assuming Randi is lying William Seger May 2013 #269

Bullshit! Point me to a documented example! And if his million dollar deal.... Logical May 2013 #172

See post #164 above CrawlingChaos May 2013 #177

Anyone who thinks the Challenge is a "fraud" is perfectly free William Seger May 2013 #229

Our local skeptic's orgnanization has a paranormal challenge, too derby378 May 2013 #234

I was not weighing in on the validity of paranormal claims CrawlingChaos May 2013 #243

And I was not weighing in on the invalidity or your ad hominem William Seger May 2013 #246

Oh man, that's a HOOT! CrawlingChaos May 2013 #248

You think you can toss out stuff like this... William Seger May 2013 #256

Irrational ad hominem CrawlingChaos May 2013 #258

First, you have given no evidence that Randi is a liar William Seger May 2013 #262

Oh look, a copy-and-paste directly from Randi's website CrawlingChaos May 2013 #265

"declined to mention" William Seger May 2013 #268

It appears all you can offer is what comes straight out of Randi's piehole CrawlingChaos May 2013 #270

Bullshit, you don't have any "documentation" that Randi lied William Seger May 2013 #271

Randi's lies are documented. Let me help you with this... CrawlingChaos May 2013 #273

Here, let me help YOU out William Seger May 2013 #276

I know it's hard to face the truth about your hero CrawlingChaos May 2013 #277

Oh, bullshit William Seger May 2013 #281

There are only 8 rules and most concern intellectual property. joshcryer May 2013 #272

I don't know anyone who has done more in the fight against bullshit peddling William Seger May 2013 #9

Randi is the flip side of the arrogantly ignorant, self-aggrandizing coin MotherPetrie May 2013 #33

How? Be specific. n/t backscatter712 May 2013 #42

What is he 'arrogantly ignorant' of? William Seger May 2013 #57

Not even in an alternate reality MattBaggins May 2013 #68

Nothing awesome about the man who exposed edhopper May 2013 #17

No, nothing awesome at all -- Randi's tactics are questionable, his results are too. MotherPetrie May 2013 #34

Citation needed. backscatter712 May 2013 #40

You're not making any sense equating the two. Bradical79 May 2013 #53

I've know of Randi for more than 40 years, and personally for the last ten... immoderate May 2013 #54

i think Randi is great - but i'm curious about samsingh May 2013 #62

As far as I can tell, paranormal means make-believe. immoderate May 2013 #66

i do see and experience some unexplained stuff samsingh May 2013 #71

The response to such "stuff" should be "that's unexplained." Orrex May 2013 #98

Take the remote out from under the couch cushion snooper2 May 2013 #133

Okay---so I'm watching Salem's Lot on the TV.....and this scene comes on..... msanthrope May 2013 #240

"Open minded" simply means you're willing to accept proof William Seger May 2013 #69

Extraodinary claims require edhopper May 2013 #70

The Economic Argument pokerfan May 2013 #96

Dowsing? For oil and gas? MADem May 2013 #115

True pokerfan May 2013 #142

Not to mention the grifter who just got a prison sentence for selling dowsing-rod "bomb detectors". backscatter712 May 2013 #143

There's no proof God does either. Eeryone who claims God exists needs to provide forestpath May 2013 #117

This is one of the basic arguments for atheist edhopper May 2013 #132

Ah, I see now William Seger May 2013 #65

He was involved in knowingly shielding an identity thief not too long ago. MADem May 2013 #95

cite? zerosumgame0005 May 2013 #113

Here--and all over google. MADem May 2013 #121

So is Randi himself guilty of any crimes, or is he just guilty of helping out a friend facing jail? backscatter712 May 2013 #146

This wasn't simply a good friend. MADem May 2013 #163

OK, so he's gay and has an undocumented immigrant boyfriend. Why should we disrespect him? n/t backscatter712 May 2013 #199

Not because he's gay. Not even because he has an "undocumented immigrant boyfriend." MADem May 2013 #202

What he did was protect a loved one from deportation. backscatter712 May 2013 #207

What he did was participate in a fraud, and make life a living hell for the real owner of the name. MADem May 2013 #209

Yep, he's guilty of fraud and deception himself. forestpath May 2013 #118

I think he's pretty well respected in the magic community. Chiyo-chichi May 2013 #140

Well, it's probably not appropriate to compare him to Houdini. MADem May 2013 #149

I wasn't comparing Randi to Houdini. Chiyo-chichi May 2013 #154

But debunking wasn't his bread and butter, as I noted--it was more like a sideline, whereas, with MADem May 2013 #156

It wasn't fulff in the 1920s when the Spiritualism Movement was flourishing. Chiyo-chichi May 2013 #162

How many would "pack in" if he didn't end the night locked in a trunk or upside-down in a tank? MADem May 2013 #165

Are you claiming Randi was art of a cover-up? Please be clear. So criminal? n-t Logical May 2013 #179

Before you continue to waste EVERYONE's time here, I would suggest you get off your behind and MADem May 2013 #185

Please name the pseudo-science you think scientists would accept as truth. One that.... Logical May 2013 #189

WTF are you talking about? Now, you're babbling and changing the subject. MADem May 2013 #196

Really? So you think Randi and Brown are equally frauds? I bet you are a woo woo fan!! n-t Logical May 2013 #197

Yes, I do think that a fraud is a fraud, but the one with the woowoo here isn't me. MADem May 2013 #205

LOL, so all I got out of you in this thread is..... Logical May 2013 #219

Randi didn't make a mistake--he cut a deal. MADem May 2013 #221

LOL, Randi = Browne and you "can read people". n-t Logical May 2013 #222

No, I said you CAN'T read people. Follow along, now! nt MADem May 2013 #223

Message auto-removed Name removed May 2013 #213

I said criminal? What crime did he commit? n-t Logical May 2013 #191

He's an accessory to identity theft, a federal crime. MADem May 2013 #193

LOL, so no charges. But he is a criminal? Deep thinker I see. n-t Logical May 2013 #195

He absolutely is a criminal. He broke a law, and he could be vulnerable to federal charges, if MADem May 2013 #200

Temper temper. So Brown who steals $1000s from sad depressed people = Randi. Yes. Deep Thinker! n-t Logical May 2013 #201

You really cannot read people! MADem May 2013 #203

Please expand on your bullshit comment! Details please! What... Logical May 2013 #21

He's nothing but a huckster. Just like Browne. MotherPetrie May 2013 #35

You still have yet to back up your claims! n/t backscatter712 May 2013 #48

How is he a huckster? just one example please MattBaggins May 2013 #72

Lol, examples? I will be waiting! n-t Logical May 2013 #170

"She's a fraud"... SidDithers May 2013 #31

"Randi and Browne are both self-promoting frauds." There I fixed it for you. MotherPetrie May 2013 #36

ROFL. I'd expect no less from you... SidDithers May 2013 #38

You are being dishonest. Bradical79 May 2013 #56

Google Jose Luis Alvarez. MADem May 2013 #100

Really? William Seger May 2013 #119

More than association--they lived together. MADem May 2013 #123

Publish your name on this post. I am sure Randi would like to sue you! n-t Logical May 2013 #180

What, pray tell, will he sue me about? Repeating stuff that's in all the newspapers? nt MADem May 2013 #182

So Randi's guilty of little more than being gay and having an undocumented immigrant boyfriend. backscatter712 May 2013 #192

No. You need to read his testimony to the judge. He admitted knowedge of the identity theft. MADem May 2013 #208

Yes i read it edhopper May 2013 #228

So stealing from the DEAD is an "excuse" to you! Now we know your moral compass! MADem May 2013 #231

And you continue to equate edhopper May 2013 #241

Over two decades he was a party to fraud. And if he could do that, he could also lie MADem May 2013 #247

Your response edhopper May 2013 #249

Yes, it does. I think he's a hypocrite, and a fraudster. If he can lie about that one big thing, MADem May 2013 #250

I have no problem with what you think of him Dorian Gray May 2013 #254

I am not attacking him. Recounting what he did--serving as an accomplice to fraud--is not MADem May 2013 #259

Like I said Dorian Gray May 2013 #261

Of course they are manipulative. Plastic surgeons are, too. So are people who sell self-help MADem May 2013 #266

I have nothing else to argue about here Dorian Gray May 2013 #274

Obviuosly a believer in woo edhopper May 2013 #74

so far you have provided nothing in the way to back up your claim... Javaman May 2013 #79

Randi always provides proof to back up his assertions. EOTE May 2013 #85

Pull any page from any of Randi's writing... Orsino May 2013 #116

Expand on this. How is James Randi not awesome? backscatter712 May 2013 #39

She can't, that's why she's cowardly failed to respond to ANYone asking that Occulus May 2013 #44

How do you know the poster is still online? Just because you are doesn't mean MADem May 2013 #101

I don't see what's wrong with Randy Bradical79 May 2013 #49

James Randi would totally agree with you Brother Buzz May 2013 #73

They are parasites Dorian Gray May 2013 #10

The thing about Brown and her popularity is this justiceischeap May 2013 #11

When are we going to start seeing psychics nailed with fraud charges? (nt) Posteritatis May 2013 #12

And newspaper horoscopes too. Nye Bevan May 2013 #14

So true. and idiots still believe it! Logical May 2013 #23

Well, newspaper horoscopes are only for fun. n/t RebelOne May 2013 #59

NOW you tell me. (nt) Nye Bevan May 2013 #63

Never. There's always a caveat to their work that says something like MADem May 2013 #64

I pretty much agree with you siligut May 2013 #91

You might as well charge David Copperfield for fraud Blue_Tires May 2013 #126

Right after the weather forecasters are nailed with fraud Berlum May 2013 #134

A study somewhere some time back, WOW! edhopper May 2013 #148

Yeeeah, I'm calling bullshit on that claim. (nt) Posteritatis May 2013 #168

Thanks for posting this! I am using the concept as a motivator for a scientist in a script that I Katashi_itto May 2013 #15

How dare that woman sully the sterling reputation of...psychics. Dreamer Tatum May 2013 #16

Of course she is a edhopper May 2013 #18

Well, Justin Beiber tells everyone he's a "singer"....but I take issue with that. MADem May 2013 #76

Where in my post do I say anything about a lawsuit edhopper May 2013 #82

Well, what's a better way to "express our ire" as you put it? MADem May 2013 #99

Your continued comparison of Randi and Browne edhopper May 2013 #135

Because you say so? Look at yourself! MADem May 2013 #137

Jeez edhopper May 2013 #144

Why are you showing me your lapel label, you rude fellow, you! MADem May 2013 #155

just edhopper May 2013 #174

Don't cry. Try being nicer to people, instead of insulting them for no reason or cause. MADem May 2013 #178

almost as odd as who we choose not to hold accountable. LanternWaste May 2013 #19

Really? Tat is your comparison? n-t Logical May 2013 #24

Yeah, really. Dreamer Tatum May 2013 #88

I once stumped the guess-my-age guy at the State Fair blogslut May 2013 #97

I told our local library that they should put her books in the fiction section. progressoid May 2013 #20

They are self help edhopper May 2013 #29

Her website has been closed due to unforeseen circumstances (nt) Nye Bevan May 2013 #28

When we lost our Karley from complications with an illness, we were beyond desperate. polly7 May 2013 #30

Browne would have charged you $850 for a phone "reading" William Seger May 2013 #80

Isn't "silent" best? Who asked her opinion in the first place? Buzz Clik May 2013 #32

This wasn't Sylvia Browne's fault. leftyladyfrommo May 2013 #37

She's a parasite that feeds off the vulnerable. Case in point: Amanda's mother. n/t backscatter712 May 2013 #41

I think we can be angry with lots of things at once. sibelian May 2013 #43

If she's performing Dorian Gray May 2013 #51

+1 redqueen May 2013 #93

despicable, yes, but it IS her job... Blue_Tires May 2013 #128

I've said it elsewhere in this thread Dorian Gray May 2013 #131

It's not entertainment Bradical79 May 2013 #58

Her intent is to make money. Like Cher. Or Justin Beiber. Or the Amazing Randi. MADem May 2013 #111

"People need to aim all their anger at the men who did this. " Orrex May 2013 #60

I do believe it is possible JoDog May 2013 #67

$850 for a half-hour of "entertainment"? (n/t) William Seger May 2013 #81

Some people pay more for less time with a prostitute. MADem May 2013 #125

No, she just exploited and sickened her loved ones for profit. EOTE May 2013 #89

Oh, stop making sense! MADem May 2013 #129

Nobody here has accused Ms. Browne of causing the women to be kindapped or hurt . . . markpkessinger May 2013 #171

You think it's entertaining to be told that your kidnapped daughter is dead? Iggo May 2013 #233

I would just assume never buy into people like Browne Proud Liberal Dem May 2013 #45

We all make mistakes treestar May 2013 #46

Sylvia Browne is a fraud, and I see zero difference between her and any other religion. forestpath May 2013 #47

Big difference: She KNOWS she's a fraud William Seger May 2013 #84

That's beside the point. It's about providing PROOF and NO belief system can do that. forestpath May 2013 #122

I don't understand how any one can really believe bigwillq May 2013 #50

Not defending this psychic, but she did qualify the comment with MADem May 2013 #55

She "clarified" that after saying "She is not alive, honey." LisaL May 2013 #61

Well, the mother is dead now, and it's impolite to speak ill of the dead. MADem May 2013 #77

I am not suggesting that there is a lawsuit here. LisaL May 2013 #86

Well, I don't think she did it to be mean or cruel or "low." MADem May 2013 #92

Those two groups MattBaggins May 2013 #105

Well of course not--but they're both in the same "picture." MADem May 2013 #107

Why is Montel Williams getting a free pass in this MattBaggins May 2013 #75

Because he, like Randi and Sylvia, are "entertainers." MADem May 2013 #102

Hmmm is there another option? MattBaggins May 2013 #103

I am not going to grab a torch and pitchfork and go after MADem May 2013 #110

Well, he's shilling for Payday loan joints now so... tkmorris May 2013 #120

Maybe he needs money to pay his medical bills. MADem May 2013 #130

he shouldn't Enrique May 2013 #188

"Psychic Defective: Sylvia Browne�s History of Failure"... TeeYiYi May 2013 #78

Hack! Hack! Dash87 May 2013 #83

I have the same problem with Punxsutawney Phil Dreamer Tatum May 2013 #87

who gives a shit? nt galileoreloaded May 2013 #90

This thread is incomplete... SidDithers May 2013 #94

Calcified scientific materialism MattBaggins May 2013 #104

Last time, I promise... SidDithers May 2013 #106

What's a real shame is that the perp's of the thread that led to SpiralHawk ScreamingMeemie May 2013 #158

It's OK. I feel like SpiralHawk is still with us, in some strange, magical way...nt SidDithers May 2013 #160

Great thread! zappaman May 2013 #112

does anyone doubt if Sylvia zerosumgame0005 May 2013 #114

Statement from Sylvia on this, via her website: Skip Intro May 2013 #127

UH OH.....the game has been called due to rain on the parade!!!! MADem May 2013 #139

What can I say? This story shows the accuracy level of "psychics". backscatter712 May 2013 #147

Sure. But so what? I have to laugh at everyone getting so poutraged at this old woman... MADem May 2013 #152

I never cared for any of them, EvilAL May 2013 #161

Just another day at DU Stadium, where the Battle of the Opposing Forces on Any Frigging Subject MADem May 2013 #166

For someone who "isn't taking sides" edhopper May 2013 #175

I am not "defending" Browne at all. And I am not "attacking" Randi either. MADem May 2013 #181

Amanda's mother is dead. LisaL May 2013 #184

Oh, and since you were Amanda's mother's very best friend, we should take your word about how MADem May 2013 #186

You don't have to take my word. LisaL May 2013 #198

I promise you, I won't. But I will read with interest all these "published reports" just as soon as MADem May 2013 #204

Here. LisaL May 2013 #210

I guess this was the two percent. MADem May 2013 #217

And Obama is guilty of treason edhopper May 2013 #194

You haven't read the links, and the testimony to the federal judge by your hero, have you? MADem May 2013 #206

I don't want to debate Randi. EvilAL May 2013 #176

Well, gee, more fraud. So? Like I have said, repeatedly, there's PLENTY of fraud by both of these MADem May 2013 #190

Who has Randi personally lied to and ripped off? EvilAL May 2013 #211

+1. backscatter712 May 2013 #212

Those psychics' customers have a choice--to pay or not to pay. They choose to pay that woman, and MADem May 2013 #220

Ok, that's fine, EvilAL May 2013 #230

If you believe Sylvia and pay her money, that's on YOU. MADem May 2013 #232

Sylivia claims to speak to the dead, EvilAL May 2013 #253

Randi is a guy who claims to be a debunker of fraud who participated in a fraud for twenty years. MADem May 2013 #264

Alright, we've made EvilAL May 2013 #275

Jose Alvarez of the Bronx, NY. MADem May 2013 #218

Hyperbolic much MattBaggins May 2013 #214

Yes, you are, indeed. nt MADem May 2013 #216

Not only does it show the 'accuracy', EvilAL May 2013 #157

The only description I could find is that she claimed the suspect was a young guy, 21-22. LisaL May 2013 #183

Sylvia has dedicated herself to making money off bogus predictions CreekDog May 2013 #151

How exactly was Sylvia accurate in her description of perpetrators at the time? LisaL May 2013 #167

They were male? nt. Mariana May 2013 #278

Turns out Amanda's alive and the psychic's career is dead. #oops TeamPooka May 2013 #138

No, her career isn't dead. Mariana May 2013 #279

facepalm TeamPooka May 2013 #280

EPIC FAIL. KamaAina May 2013 #145

sylvia browne has been wrong before. DesertFlower May 2013 #153

ROFL snooper2 May 2013 #239

This message was self-deleted by its author DesertFlower May 2013 #242

Charlatan lpbk2713 May 2013 #159

You mean, like the real Jose Alvarez's heart was broken when he couldn't attend his sister's wedding MADem May 2013 #169

Well, duh WeekendWarrior May 2013 #173

Ah Sylvia Shoemaker Dufresne Beck Browne GoneOffShore May 2013 #187

Um, could it be because she's a damn fraud? Apophis May 2013 #224

I DO believe in spooks. I DO believe in spooks. Smarmie Doofus May 2013 #226

Holy crap the outrage over Sylvia Brown is hilarious. Sheldon Cooper May 2013 #235

Nowadays she makes a living sucking Montel's juicer's juice down with a smile CBGLuthier May 2013 #238

This woman has been proven to be a fraud many times now. geomon666 May 2013 #263