linuxmafia.com 2016/linuxmafia.com.tar/linuxmafia.com/pub/skeptic/newsletters/basis/basismar.87

Text File | 1997-06-27 | 32KB | 695 lines

-------------------------------------------------------
March 1987 "BASIS", newsletter of the Bay Area Skeptics
-------------------------------------------------------
         Bay Area Skeptics Information Sheet
                   Vol. 6, No. 3
                Editor:  Kent Harker



STEINER IN THE TRENCHES
By Thren Kerak

If a picture is worth a thousand words, a demonstration is worth
a book. Mr. BAS himself, our own inimitable Bob Steiner, wowed the
public in a tour de force at the San Mateo Neighborhood Watch Assn.

This all started when Bob was invited to talk to the San Mateo PD,
specifically their Bunko Squad. The veterans of the department were
apparently skeptical that they could be fooled in anything, so
widespread was their knowledge and experience. Steiner just knocked
their sox off -- they were so impressed that they asked him to give
a similar demonstration to the NWA, whose members are naturally
interested in scams. Bob invited me to the proceedings as a BAS
representative.

Bob was introduced with glowing plaudits to an audience of about
200 -- the normal turnout is around 50. Our resident Merlin
introduced his presentation with a distinction between bunkum and
bunko, and then asked all those who believed in ESP to raise their
hands. He then performed some stunning card illusions that left the
folks breathless.

A sweet little Sr. Citizen sitting next to me said, "I noticed you
didn't raise your hand about belief in ESP. What do you think NOW?"
I just smiled at her and told her to wait awhile.

Bob had distributed some "Bunkum Bucks" (his home-made funny money)
which members of the audience used to bet on some card
demonstrations he ran. The heavy losses shocked the players who
thought they had a sure thing. The display was sobering for just
how easily we, as Mr./Mrs. Average Streetpersons, can be separated
from our money. Bob extended the illusions to things that purport
to take control of our lives outside our own power, which would
include "psychics," of course.

The final act was a "psychic" surgery demonstration. The sustained,
warm applause at the conclusion of the evening was a rousing
approval of the subject treatment in general and Robert Steiner in
particular.

The little lady? I asked her what she thought about ESP at the end.
"I'm really going to have to seriously think about that again. I
had no idea it would be so easy to mislead me!"

I reflected on the evening on my way home. How many discussions
would it have taken with that woman for her to review her own
thinking? What and how many books could she be pressed to read to
see another side? If she had witnessed a debate between psychic
and skeptic how might she have been effected? It is clear that
Bob's entertaining, hour-and-a-half demonstration substantially
moved 200 minds. It was equally clear to me that all the other
methods of influence pale by contrast. THAT is an accomplishment
to behold.

Bob's force and talent are sought more and more for balance in psi
matters. BAS credits are growing in scope and stature in the Bay
Area with every major TV and radio station requesting Bob's
appearance. The voice of the Bay Area Skeptics is no longer a voice
in the wilderness. We don't have the quantitative role that "the
other side" has, but the wallop we pack is sharp, thanks mostly to
Robert Steiner.



BAS CALENDAR: MARCH
MARCH MEETING: "Parapsychology and Skeptics: Searching For Common
Ground" Topics will include: What is the public perception of
parapsychology? How skeptics and parapsychologists can correct
misconceptions; Misconceptions about parapsychology; legal battles.
Loyd Auerbach, parapsychologist, author, lecturer, and instructor
at John F. Kennedy University will address BAS on this interesting
and important subject.

TIME: Wednesday, April 1, 8pm.
PLACE:JFK University, 201 Altarinda Rd, Orinda.
DIRECTIONS: From S.F., take highway 24 to Orinda exit, turn left
at the bottom of the exit, then right at the next light. Go thru
the next light uphill (about 100 yards) and the university is on
the right side. From Concord, go highway 24 to the first Orinda
exit and take the first right. The rest of the directions are the
same after that.
NOTE: If you have ideas about locations for future meetings or
possible topics and/or speakers, please leave a message for Larry
Loebig on the LA TRUTH hotline [phone]).
COMING: Watch for coming events in the BASIS CALENDAR, or call LA
TRUTH for up-to-the-minute details on meetings, events, etc. Send
all materials for publication to The Editor, Box 32451, San Jose,
CA 95152. All other correspondence should be addressed Bay Area
Skeptics, Box 60, Concord, CA 94522.
WARNING: We STRONGLY RECOMMEND that you check our LA TRUTH hotline
shortly before attending any Calendar activity to see if there have
been any changes since publication of BASIS. Thanks!



SAY GOOD NIGHT, GRACIE
by Don Henvick

I'm sitting around minding my own business one night in June when
Bob Steiner calls. "Another faith healer is coming to town. Can you
do your thing?" I say yes and ask what he knows about it. "Not
much," he says. "This one is called Amazing Grace, and she is
coming on AM San Francisco tomorrow to do her routine, whatever it
is, then I'll come on and show it's a lot of hooey if we can get
some evidence. Everybody says it's a lousy deal for me, but if you
go with me and get called out it would be great."

"You're right," I say. "It's going to be hard to make something on
her with such short notice. I may be five for five, but my luck
can't last forever. I'll try, but I'm not real hopeful."

It's time to set up costume and makeup (as I make a note to change
my phone number so Steiner can't find me again the next time a
faith healer blows into town) -- old man with a cane should do the
job.

Next morning I mingle with the crowd in the waiting room. I find
out only later that some of Grace's staff were also mingling. I
find out that almost all the people there have been invited by
Grace to come and be healed. We've walked into a hornet's nest.
Thanks Bob. (He's in the green room with fingers crossed.)

The show starts. Terry Lowry introduces Grace, who sings, then
starts healing. She does semi-cold readings, warmed a bit by info
gleaned by her staff, but mainly by throwing out symptoms and
seeing who catches them.

I don't talk. I don't move. I don't nod. But I smile at her till
my face feels like it will crack. That's enough. She throws "pain
in the left side" at my part of the audience buy nobody catches
it. She throws again. Still nobody catches. Finally she points to
me and says, "I believe it's this man here. You? Even though you're
not saying anything." She has me come up, heals me and throws my
cane away -- my cane budget just took another jolt. I ask her how
she knew about me and she says, "It's called the word of knowledge.
It's a small inner voice from God." As I take my seat she says, "I
don't know you, do I. (No) All right, then so how do we know this?"
All agree it's that doggone Word of Knowledge. I figger it's
obvious since she's picked me. Silly me.

Meanwhile, back in the green room, Steiner sees me picked and he
jumps up and down in his chair, happy as a pig in slop. A show
staffer comes in to say somebody watching has called in to say that
the "old man" was the same one healed on Peter Popoff's show months
ago. Boy, sharp eyes! Bob begs him to zip his lip and then settles
back to wait 'till he's to go on.

During a break, Terry asks me why I waited so long before admitting
I was the one Grace was talking about. I say I wanted her to be
sure in her own mind that the Holy Spirit and not anything I did
caused her to pick me. Everybody smiles. Next break Terry says a
skeptic is coming on who doesn't believe in this and won't I have
something to tell him? "I sure will!" I say. Everyone smiles.

Bob comes on the show and asks Grace just two questions: "How do
you select who to heal here?"

"By God," comes her answer.

"Is God ever wrong?" he queries.

"Never!" the reply.

Bob has me come forward to say I had nothing to be healed of and
Terry Lowry's jaw falls to the floor. Grace, however, makes a quick
recovery and announces she knew all along I was a plant, she just
never got around to mentioning it to anyone. Then she claims I
jumped up and said "It's me!" to the question she threw out, so I
urge them to run the tape back. When they do it's plain that I
haven't stood up or spoken, but since the camera isn't on me all
the time, Grace now claims I was nodding my head (not true) and
Terry announces the tape is inconclusive. Ya can't win.

Bob presses with the Grace believers and points out the facts:
Grace claims God directs her choice of healees, so either God is
wrong or Gracie is wrong. He also points out that the true
believers jump up and select themselves when Grace calls some
symptoms like theirs and when they think they're better it only
proves the placebo effect is alive and well. We hope it's plain to
the TV audience that several things claimed by Grace were
contradicted by the events of the show and nothing Bob says was so
contradicted. The audience of Grace fans, however, is a lost cause.
As far as they're concerned, Bob is the devil, so whatever he says
can't be true.

Amid all the heat and smoke, he contributes the only light. When
the battle ends, they're left with their faith and we have the
facts. I'll take the facts.



CSICOP CONFERENCE

The annual international conference of CSICOP will be held this
year in Los Angeles at the Pasadena Center. Some of the topics will
include ETI, Animal Language, Medical Controversies, Astrology, and
Spontaneous Human Combustion.

The slate of speakers is impressive. Each year sees attendance grow
and the significance of the work of CSICOP flourish.

Mail your registration to: 1987 CSICOP CONFERENCE, P.O. BOX 229,
BUFFALO, NY 14215. You can send check or Visa in the amount(s) as
follows: $75.00 per person (includes Keynote Address) and $29.00
for Awards Banquet. The time is almost here, so set your plans now!
If you want additional information, write CSICOP at the same
address and they will send you a formal registration form.



RAMPARTS

The "L.A. Times" tells us about a Ruth Norman, a.k.a. "Uriel" (an
acronym for Universal, Radiant, Infinite, Eternal Light) who
founded the Unarius Academy of Science which claims 10,000 members
around the world. The hub of her world-wide organization is in El
Cajon (near the Institute for Creation Research), so you see, not
all zanies are in San Francisco. Although a grade-school dropout,
Uriel has an impressive list of credentials as you shall see.

The 86-year-old founder accepts monthly contributions from her
followers in return for "cosmic world teaching" for what she calls
"the dawning of the age of Unarius." The grateful converts have
typically shucked all semblance of rational behavior if Gordon and
Decie Hook are examples. The pair claim that their lives have
completely changed because of Unarius. Mrs. Hook could not drive
a car, work, or stay off the sauce, and was on the verge of being
committed when she found Unarius.

Ah, yes. The "total change of life." It has almost become a cliche.
EVERYTHING totally changes lives anymore. Shopping at K-Mart will
totally change your life.

Seems Uriel has really been around. Among her "55 other lives" she
was Socrates, Buddha, Charlemagne, King Arthur, Mary Magdalene (her
late husband was Jesus) and Peter the Great! I told you
credentials? Apparently if chronology is unimportant, historicity
certainly should be. If fictional characters are a part of the play
she might have had a role as Snow White or Hera. Modern psychology
should have a clearer understanding of multiple personalities now
because Norman is certainly not the first to have claimed these
illustrious bodies. With all that activity in those high-powered
lives, what ever happened to our "eternal rest?"

Additionally, the anonymous of history are give short shrift. Have
you ever heard a past lifer say he/she was Millard Frump? Oh give
me oblivion!

The only significant item in the article was that CSICOP was
mentioned. Media people are calling on us. We are having an impact.
There is hope.

In the meantime, Ruthie has declared that 2001 is the year in which
a fleet of UFOs will land near San Diego. Tuck this prophecy away
in your scrapbooks.

The "Chronicle" reported from the North Counties that the Twin-
Cities PD had used the services of a "psychic" in a frustrating
rape/murder case. BASIS reader, Dr. Arnold Knepfer, a member of the
psychology dept. of Sonoma State contacted the Chief for details
after the "Chron" article appeared.

It seem that the investigation had ground to a halt after a year
of fruitless leads. Of course, local newspapers featured some of
the dealings in the case especially descriptions of the suspect,
so nothing earthshaking can be determined about whatever the
"psychic" said in this realm.

The statement the psychic made that apparently turned the formerly
skeptical heads of the department was, "What does this have to do
with a telephone pole?" The victim worked for a private phone
company and was installing phone lines in a remodeled shopping
complex when the crime occurred.

This is classic "cold reading" technique: Throw something out and
see if it sticks -- let the subject read what he/she will into it.
No one bothers with a dozen misses if I hit one single thing. Had
the psychic said, "What does this have to do with bells?" the
result would be the same. One can hardly go wrong.

BAS does not wish to cast any aspersion on the Twin Cities PD at
all. They were frustrated and angry. There is little harm in trying
anything after all the work they had done. If any real harm is done
it was done by the news release. Another "psychic" has a
"validation" to show to his/her potential client. And what a juicy
validation: "Psychic Helps Twin Cities PD Solve Crime."

From the "Chron", skeptic John Taube responds to a Mr. Kemppe's
fears that "asking questions about the Hubble space program would
risk drawing the wrath of the scientific community." John responds,
"His [Kemppe's] fears are unfounded. The scientific community is
not disturbed by Kemppe's narrow consideration. He is engrossed
with one thought: what financial benefits will the Hubble Space
Telescope Program render to mankind. I would recommend he broaden
his horizons. If the same question had been asked about the
scientific research of Copernicus, Galileo, Kepler, Newton, et.
al., and their research was based on a financial criterion, then
all would have been stopped in their tracks. Not all scientific
knowledge sees fruition in applied science [At least not at the
moment. Often we see the applications later - Ed] but all adds to
our rich cultural heritage."



BARGAIN OF THE YEAR

by Bob Steiner

Sylvia Brown:
Business Consultation, One Session   $600.00
Past Life Regression, One Session   $500.00
Psychic Reading, One Session     $400.00

Bay Area Skeptics:
Subscription for an Entire Year    $15.00



FROM THE CHAIR
by Robert Sheaffer

This month's column is a continuation of last month's, giving the
responses to the readers' survey in last November's issue.

8. What Kinds of Things Would You Like to See in Future Issues?

"Prefer 'hard news' to essays".

"More 'how it's done' on psychic 'miracles'". There are problems
here. First, magicians have an understandable reluctance to
publicize their tricks outside the circle of other magicians (and,
of course, magicians and "psychics" share many of the same tricks).
Also, "psychics" may perform a particular miracle in one of a dozen
ways, and may do it differently each time. Thus, if we say "Uri
Geller does trick X by using Y", somebody will see him do X a
different way, when Y is nowhere nearby, so Geller really must be
psychic! We can (and do) talk in general terms about how "psychic
miracles" are done.

"Exposes of psychiatry". An excellent suggestion. Now none of us
will deny that psychiatry can offer people enormous benefit.
However, there are many doctrines and sects in psychiatry that are
at best questionable, and at worst downright quackery. Wilhelm
Reich's "orgone therapy" is plainly in the latter category. Much
Freudian theory is highly questionable, while a lot of psychiatric
research represents the best in medical science. How do we draw
the line?

"Expose of other questionable beliefs, such as the 'big bang'
hypothesis, which at best is dubious." I beg to disagree here. An
enormous amount of solid astronomical evidence supporting the "big
bang" has turned up in recent years.

"Examination of the media's role in promoting nonsense, & their
reluctance to admit mistakes." Another excellent suggestion. Philip
J. Klass and other skeptics have already written much about this
(see UFOs- The Public Deceived), but more needs to be said.
"Investigation of Graphoanalysis". Excellent. Now, will our expert
in graphoanalysis please step forward? (What? We don't have one?)

"Debunking of Astrology". Aren't you tired of it yet? I am. (And
yet the believers in astrology never get the message.)

"Investigate the mind control techniques of the 'human potential'
people." Another good suggestion. Experts, step forward, please.

"Debunk John Sladek and his 'Arachne Rising' hoax, Gerardus Bouw's
fundamentalist geocentric astronomy, Heliobiology (as in 'The
Cycles of Heaven'), 'The Rebirth of Pan' by Jim Brandon." I'm
always amazed how some people are ready to go out and debunk things
that I haven't even heard about yet! (Well, I do know about
Gerardus Bouw.) Quick, somebody go out and read these books, and
then let us know if they need debunking.

11. Do You Have Any Suggestion for Improving Meetings?

"Meetings a bit too casual - participants not prepared".
Occasionally true - but not always.

Need a better defined format: presentation's, Q & A period, etc.
should be carefully timed. "If there is anything about BAS meetings
that galls my gears it's to have a meeting that goes on without
defined limit." Mine too. That has happened sometimes, but any
meeting where I've been in charge I pull the plug after about two
hours, max. Never again must we have "free form" meanderings!
13. Suggest Topics for Future Meetings:

"Law enforcement personnel on use of 'psychics'". Good! [See the
RAMPARTS column -- Ed]

"Bible Expose. Religion". Out of our territory. We deal only with
claims that can be empirically proven either true or false, and one
thing that theists and atheists all agree on is that people
believe, or disbelieve, on the basis of faith (or the absence
thereof), and not because of scientific evidence.

"Food fads & nutrition quackery," and "More medical-related
subjects." We have done some meetings on this. We could do more.

"Velikovsky". Another good subject.

14. What Kind of Activity Would You Like to Get Involved In?

"Sell Skeptical Posters, Bumper Stickers". A good idea. The
Colorado Skeptics are selling bumper stickers!

"Sell Skeptics' Jewelry". I'm not sure I know what "skeptics'
jewelry" is, but it sounds interesting.

"'Infiltrating' phony groups". This is treading on thin ice! To
attend public meetings of oddball groups and report on them is
perfectly OK, but any "infiltration" is best left to law
enforcement personnel.

15. What, If Anything, Should be Changed About How BAS Is Run?

"Nothing -- very good." We love you, too!

"Bigger Newsletter". Fine. Now who will write the articles, who
will edit and publish them, and who will pay the extra cost in
reproduction and postage?

"Charge more (for BASIS) to get funds for more active
investigations of scams." But will that cause BAS revenues to
increase, or decline?

"Volunteer groups such as this always have the problem of getting
people involved. I have not found an answer. 'Willingness' is
always involved. A few are willing to do the work, others are
willing to let them." Amen, friend!

16. Do You Have Any Other Comments to Share With Us?

"I like Dr. Sampson, would like another chance to hear him."  "Give
us more Randi". We're giving you as much as we have; there is only
so much of Randi to go around.

"Drop those vaporheaded California neologisms from your vocabulary.
A chairman calling himself a 'chair' indeed!" Whassa madda, betcha
don't like granola neidda? Go back ta Noo Joisey!

"Religious miracles." We are indeed now working on the
investigation of certain other alleged miracles. Stay tuned.   "I
get the impression - probably incorrect - that BASIS and other
skeptic activities are limited to 'professionals' (psychologists,
physicians, scientists, science writers, strident advocates). These
people are important, but I would like to see more effort to
bringing in ordinary folks." We at BASIS welcome the assistance of
anyone who shares our goals. Among the occupations of active Bay
Area Skeptics are writer, magician, letter carrier, computer
professional, physician, elevator serviceman, physicist, chemist,
editor, teacher, cookie tycoon, realtor, and psychologist. If you
know any "ordinary folk" who are interested, bring 'em in.

"I came to one of your meetings a year prior to the Peter Popoff
story, and suggested looking into such churches and was told that
this was too hot of a potato and the skeptics did not get involved
in religion - much to my surprise when your "God" Randi decided to
go after them, it was OK. I am still quite miffed." Randi is not
our "God"; maybe a saint, but in any case his status as a "genius"
has now been officially certified. Remember the subtle distinction
which has been made many times before: religious beliefs we do not
challenge, for they can neither be proven nor disproved, but claims
of actual religious "miracles", alleged violations of established
natural laws, are vigorously scrutinized. (Please don't be miffed!)

"Haven't you ever seen the following? 'Assembly of God' - Haven't
you ever been curious as to how you put one together?" Groan.

"Bear in mind that Charles Trilling has rewarded our efforts. He
said that we are the garbagemen of the scientific field. I cannot
say whether it was a compliment or an insult... If I knew what we
were all about, the task would be easier." Can you imagine how
terrible the scientific field would eventually smell if there were
no garbagemen? And on that lofty thought, we end our survey.

Finally, let me remind everyone about the big 1987 International
CSICOP Conference in Pasadena April 3 and 4. This is going to be
a BIG event. The Keynote Speaker will be Carl Sagan. Tickets will
go fast, so don't wait. A registration form is included in this
issue (send it directly to CSICOP, not to us). More details are in
the current Skeptical Inquirer. See you in Pasadena.



SJSU GOES PSEUDOSCIENCE

Skeptic Vaso Bovan, a San Jose State University MBA grad, noticed
a brochure from dear alma mater which announced the establishment
of their "Pre-Chiropractic Institute." This institute is founded
in "special cooperation" with the Palmer School of Chiropractic.

Bovan points out in his letter to the Dean of the School of Science
(of which BAS received a copy) that the very basis of chiropractic,
"subluxations" (misalignment of the vertebrae, which causes
disease), is without scientific foundation.

Over the years this branch of pseudoscience has increased its
credibility enormously; chiropractors are fast approaching full
medical recognition. [Of course, there are exceptions. I ran across
a chiropractor at the flea market last weekend. He was giving free
spinal exams right there on the blacktop. - Ed]

The open participation of SJSU in this matter is deplorable. Bovan
asks Dean Lange if the School of Science will soon formalize a
course of study in pre-astrology.

Other alums and concerned taxpayers should write Dr. Lester Lange
at SJSU, 1 Washington Square, San Jose, CA 95192. Congrats to Vaso
for his alert and concerned attention.



EDITOR'S CORNER

Pseudoscience and conspiracy theories seem to go hand-in-glove.

When ideas come on the scene that run counter to reigning theories
they usually meet with resistance. Change is difficult. When the
new ideas don't win out, there are other avenues available to the
would-be Galileos.

Science is a very broad area of human knowledge, and for that fact
it can be ponderous and cumbersome, viewed as a whole. Because it
is so vast, it is sub and, sub-sub-classified, on and on. At the
very fine specialty, progress, and hence change, can be quite
rapid. A group of theoretical particle physicists may alter
thinking about neutrino absorption with only some abstruse
mathematical derivations, for example.

The problem comes when a complete paradigm shift is proposed. Such
a move calls for science as a whole to take note, which is akin to
moving mountains. When major revisions in thinking are proffered
it is proper that we look very carefully. Such changes require
powerful evidence. Difficult though it may be, major revisions in
thinking have occurred -- we call them revolutions -- and they mark
the milestones in science history.

But some proponents of paradigm shift are impatient and
impertinent. They tend to see themselves as voices in the wind,
outcasts, prophets unloved in their own country, and even martyrs.
When a large group is involved in the proposed reconstitution the
cry of conspiracy is an ever-present slogan. In their eyes the
scientific community becomes the stodgy "establishment," bent on
suppressing new ideas. Monetary considerations are frequently
raised. The AMA, for example, is so often charged with this because
all "know" that money-grubbing physicians would rather keep us sick
and coming to them rather than accept the newest nostrum.

Conspiracy theories are a substitute for real theories. If one can
keep ones opponents fighting conspiracy charges the real issues get
lost in the garbage, because conspiracy notions are usually easier
to understand than complex scientific matters. And conspiracy
notions have a life of their own. They metastasize arrantly and
vigorously -- the imagination is the only barrier to their growth.

The heads of this Hydra are as numerous as the junk at a garage
sale -- hack away though you may, nary drop of blood flows. It is
like trying to paint pictures on water. (Recall the recent
exhumation of the late Oswald in which the conspiratorialists
pressed for years to have his body re-examined. They were CERTAIN
someone else was in that grave and that was why there were such
powerful forces against the disinterment. Actually viewing the
remains would be the final evidence of the conspiracy. Of course
Oswald was there safe and dead; and the conspiracy theory did not
die with the episode. The definitive "proof" is the rainbow, always
just out of reach.)

Another classic manifestation of pseudoscience is the "circling
wagon" mentality. If a group considers its position rejected by
"standard" science, it pulls itself together to form a tight
Brotherhood of Believers, gaining mutual support and comfort. They
will publish their OWN journals in a thumb-their-noses attitude,
rather than submit their claims to recognized publications for peer
review and critique.

If there is evidence it will ultimately prevail. Experience has
shown that when the revision finally comes it takes hold quickly.
When I hear talk of a conspiracy I count that as evidence that the
plaintiff has no evidence. The High Court of science works. Yes,
ponderously in some cases, and rightly so. If we are to undergo a
paradigm shift it better well be after the most careful scrutiny
and the most powerful evidence.

Health quackery, medical miracles, creationism, psi phenomena, and
ufology are some of more notable examples that fit these classic
roles of pseudoscience. When talk of conspiracy arises I hit the
wall.



MORE "PREDICTIONS"

San Francisco was not struck by a severe earthquake last March.
Madonna and Princess Di did not have babies in 1986. There was no
assassination attempt against Mikhail Gorbachov, New York City was
not blacked out for sixteen days, and, alas, there was no vaccine
or cure developed for AIDS. There were just a few of the specific
predictions made by well-known psychics for 1986 that failed to
happen in case you don't keep your issues of the "National
Enquirer".

Of the hundreds of predictions the "psychics" make every year many
are so vaguely worded they are impossible to judge true or false.
Others simply involve phenomena that happen every year, such as
hurricanes in Florida or continued terrorist activity. Still other
prognostications were not predictions at all, but actually
disclosures already under way before 1986 began. Not one prediction
that was both SPECIFIC AND SURPRISING came true in 1986.

Jeane Dixon, who supposedly has a "gift of prophecy" predicted that
famine in Ethiopia and other African nations would be relieved in
'86 when space shuttle astronauts would locate water beneath barren
deserts [Note: of all the places on the planet where we are CERTAIN
there is water, it is under the deserts -- Ed]. She also predicted
that shuttle flights would lead to the creation of artificial gems.

Her "gift" apparently failed to foresee the Challenger disaster,
after which no shuttle made it into orbit. Dixon also predicted
that Princess Di and Madonna would have another baby, and that Tom
Selleck would lose a valuable automobile which would sink into
water.

Chicago "psychic" Irene Hughes predicted that severe earthquakes
would strike S. F. in March, and Missouri in May, killing hundreds.
Di would have twins, and there would be another attempt on the
Pope's life. The assailant's bullet would hit Il Papa's crucifix,
saving his life.

Miami "psychic" Micki Dahne predicted Reagan would turn the
presidency over to Bush, that vaccines for AIDS and herpes would
be developed and administered nationwide.

Clarissa Bernhardt predicted that Old Faithful would dry up, that
scientists would accidentally shoot down a UFO with a laser, and
that John McEnroe would retire from tennis to play ball with the
SF Giants!

Our local, Sylvia Brown, got in on Di's being in a family way again
and that Superbowl XXI would see the Raiders and the Bears fight
it out. [See last issue for other Brown flops. - Ed]

Barbara Mousalam of Redwood City, who has in recent years been
prognosticating for the City's prestigious Commonwealth Club,
predicted that the hostages in Lebanon would be released this year,
Ed Zschau would defeat Cranston, the GOP would retain control of
the Senate and the Giants would build a new stadium in the City.
She said the Dow-Jones average would not go above 1,800. It rose
above 1,950.

Keep those tabloids this year and let's see if they improve next
time. Don't hold your collective breath.



"THE VICTIMS YOU'RE TRYING TO RELIEVE OF THEIR DELUSIONS ARE
WILLING SUPPORTERS OF THOSE WHO HAVE CHEATED THEM." -James Randi



"THE KNAVERY AND FOLLY OF MEN ARE SUCH A COMMON PHENOMENON THAT I
SHOULD RATHER BELIEVE THE MOST EXTRAORDINARY EVENTS TO ARISE FROM
THEIR CONCURRENCE, THAN ADMIT OF A SINGLE VIOLATION OF THE LAWS OF
NATURE."  -David Hume

                             -----

Opinions expressed in "BASIS" are those of the authors and do not
necessarily reflect those of BAS, its board or its advisors.

The above are selected articles from the March, 1987 issue of
"BASIS", the monthly publication of Bay Area Skeptics. You can
obtain a free sample copy by sending your name and address to BAY
AREA SKEPTICS, 4030 Moraga, San Francisco, CA 94122-3928 or by
leaving a message on "The Skeptic's Board" BBS (415-648-8944) or
on the 415-LA-TRUTH (voice) hotline.

Copyright (C) 1987 BAY AREA SKEPTICS.  Reprints must credit "BASIS,
newsletter of the Bay Area Skeptics, 4030 Moraga, San Francisco,
CA 94122-3928."

                             -END-