Article in "The Guardian" re. Sylvia Browne

[siestatime]

Let´s see if I can post a link:

http://www.guardian.co.uk/usa/story/0,,2198928,00.html

- now to read it, although at first glance Jon Ronson doesn´t seem to be a devoted follower...

[siestatime]

Well, I enjoyed reading that. Any chance that Jon Ronson is lurking here?

[bindeweede]

Let´s see if I can post a link:

http://www.guardian.co.uk/usa/story/0,,2198928,00.html

- now to read it, although at first glance Jon Ronson doesn´t seem to be a devoted follower...

'Screw 'em. Anybody who believes this stuff oughtta be taken.'"

Nice lady.

[FarSideOfTheMoon]

She really is an evil bitch.

[FarSideOfTheMoon]

Clarence says that none of this should come as a great surprise. "Some forces in England use psychics," he points out. "They were used on the Milly Dowler case." Thirteen-year-old Milly Dowler vanished on her way home from school in Walton-on-Thames in March 2002. Her body was discovered six months later. "It was quite strange, actually," Clarence goes on. "The psychic said that Milly would be found in woodland and she was." He pauses. "Even the Met occasionally uses psychics as an active line of inquiry."

A body found in woodland - how strange.
And a reiteration of the 'police use psychics' myth.

[Cuddles]

I think my favourite bit was this:

"My years," she replies. "My years of validation save me." She pauses. "If after 53 years I was a fraud, don't you think they would have found out?"

It takes a really special person to think that being convicted of fraud doesn't count as being found out.

[FarSideOfTheMoon]

She obviously hasn't read any of Robert's site either.

[bobdezon]

She always struck me like somebodys nosey but evil gran. The instant dismissal of critique, and that "I know best" attitude is seriously dodgy. She doesnt even have time to think of an answer, she just rattles off the first idea that pops into her head and sticks with it no matter what, even when its proven wrong.

[siestatime]

Those people paid 4,000 euros - that´s over
₤2, 500 - each. Beyond shameful.

I hope this article serves as a timely reminder to the McCann family and friends exactly what these vultures are like.

[Admin]

Well, I enjoyed reading that. Any chance that Jon Ronson is lurking here?

He knows we're here but I don't know if he lurks or not.

It was a good article and I like Jon's unpretentious style of writing.

I'd like to know a bit more about the 'police use psychics' claim though.

I have no doubt that individual police officers do use psychics (the police are just the same as everyone else and many of them will hold 'irrational' beliefs) but I would be surprised to find that police forces make systematic use of psychics.

[Admin]

'Screw 'em. Anybody who believes this stuff oughtta be taken.'"

Nice lady.

Well, as I pointed out when psychicsarah was making her claims, I think these people have personality disorders and their whole 'act' really has little to do with being psychic and all about them being special in some way.

They seem to have the same total and utter contempt for their clients/victims that con-merchants do. They think that if people are stupid enough to fall for a scam then they deserve to be taken.

If you look at the youtube videos of the readings Sylvia Browne has done where she's giving completely false information and people look bemused by what she's coming out with, you can actually see the contempt on her face for those who dare to question what she's saying.

And Montel Williams thinks she's a great and funny person!

I can't see how even the most avid believer in psychics could be taken in by her. She's absolutely awful - not just as a psychic but as a person too.

[brodski]

Well, I enjoyed reading that. Any chance that Jon Ronson is lurking here?

I've no idea, but he posts over at the JREF forums.