Page 41 - 20090506 - The 'X' Chronicles Newspaper - May / June 2009

41 Sylvia Browne - Psychic Fraud 41 Sylvia Browne - Psychic Fraud Sylvia Browne - requested and received copies of the Buddhism, Judaism, Islam, or Hinduism. Sylvia Browne - Psychic Fraud documentation, no request has ever come from Book Controversy Psychic Fraud Browne. Continued from Page 40 Continued from Page 40 Browne retorts that the JREF refuses to put the money into escrow with the implication Sylvia Browne contradicted one of her Browne has made many predictions of that this is because it doesn't exist. Randi stories regarding totem animals, which varying accuracy, including that Bill Clinton originally defended the decision, highlighting appeared in two of her books. In "Visits From was falsely accused in the Lewinsky scandal the fact that the challenge rules clearly state the the Afterlife", the story involved an ex-husband (proved incorrect), that Bill Bradley would win money will not be placed in escrow. However, and herself. "In Life On The Other Side", the the 2000 U.S. presidential election with the as of November 2003, Randi decided to make same exact story, this time, involved a client Reform Party coming in second, the "hiding in an exception for Browne, and declared that the unrelated to her. caves" of Osama bin Laden and Saddam money will be placed in escrow, proposing Hussein, the death of bin Laden (later reported either Larry King or Montel Williams, both Criminal conviction by the CIA as incorrect), a verdict of "not supporters of Browne, as suitable escrow guilty" in the Robert Blake case (later agents. Though formal letters were mailed to In 1992, Browne and her estranged established to be correct), and the appearance of both King and t Williams notifying them of their husband were indicted on several charges of alien life on Earth by the year 2010. Browne nomination as possible escrow agents, neither investment fraud and grand theft. The Superior failed to predict the September 11, 2001 attacks person ever answered. And Browne never Court of Santa Clara County, California, found but after the fact claimed she had disturbing accepted nor acknowledged Randi's exception that Browne and her husband sold securities in dreams involving a lot of fire in the week concerning the escrow matter. a gold-mining venture under false pretences. In preceding the attack. After making this announcement, Randi at least one instance, they told a couple their US Browne has been quoted as saying, stated on his website "We have now met each $20,000 investment was to be used for "God only shows me what He needs to show and every objection made by Sylvia Browne, immediate operating costs. Instead, the money me. Sometimes bad things have to happen in except that she does not like me." (emphasis was transferred to an account for their Nirvana order for positive change to occur; or in order his). Foundation for Psychic Research. for the ultimate plan to be achieved." A chronology of the feud between the Browne's ex-husband has been quoted Most of her past predictions no longer two is available from Skeptic Report. as saying that Sylvia was unaware of the appear on her website, but can be found on investment fraud and should not be held Internet archives such as the Wayback Machine. Browne responses to Randi accountable for his actions. Browne's predictions for the year 2000, Sylvia has attempted to explain her however, are still viewable directly on her site. Browne's website posted a message inability to foresee her own conviction by She acquired the surname Brown during the sometime after August 1, 2005 which appeared claiming that her psychic abilities do not work third of her four marriages, and enhanced it with to be directed at Randi. It claimed that Browne on herself and calling her critics 'ignorant'. [] a final e for her stage name. has never seen confirmation of the existence of the million dollars, (which Randi said he sent by Browne vs. Randi certified mail), suggesting it may be due to Randi sending the package to a previous James Randi has been a frequent critic business address. However, Randi's weekly of Browne. On September 3, 2001 Browne newsletter dated May 30, 2003 claimed the stated on Larry King Live that she would accept documents were mailed over two years before the James Randi Educational Foundation's the date Browne said she relocated. Randi said (JREF) $1,000,000 challenge to demonstrate he has a certified mail receipt from the U.S. supernatural abilities in a controlled scientific Postal Service to confirm the package was test. However, as of 2006, Browne has failed to refused by the intended recipient at 12:08 p.m. contact the Foundation or respond to Randi's on May 22, 2003. enquiries. Browne also said she feels no need to Over subsequent years Browne has prove herself by accepting the million dollar Major Psychic Blunder since offered several reasons for her failure to challenge and implored Randi to donate the Major Psychic Blunder take part in the challenge: money to a worthy cause or charity, as she •She does not need nor want the claims she would do. To quote: "Let me clarify: Well known psychic, Sylvia Browne, money.•The money is tainted. I have no interest in your $1 million or any screwed up big time on the Montel Williams •Neither Randi or the JREF has intention of pursuing it. (See above position on show when she mistakenly told a couple their $1,000,000. jumping through hoops.)" daughter had been shot. Browne probably •The tests are rigged so no claimant can should have asked a couple more questions possibly win. Criticism before blurting that one out. There was no In support of her final claim, Browne sugarcoating this mistake. [] often quotes Randi as saying that he'll never It is a standard assertion of skeptics that have to pay the money because "I always have famous psychics like Browne, John Edward and an out". Randi, in turn, responds that this quote James Van Praagh use cold reading and hot is taken out of context and his actual words reading techniques to fish for information. were "I always have an out - I'm right", referring to his belief that no one can win the challenge Books and business because no one possesses any kind of paranormal ability. Browne has written a number of books Randi also often mocks the logical that include both serious and humorous stories inconsistency of her statements that she is not detailing her adventures. She is the head of the interested in the money, yet at the same time Sylvia Browne Corporation, and the founder of requires proof of its existence. He also goes on a church in Campbell, California known as the to point out that money is held by an Society of Novus Spiritus. According to its independent investment firm, Goldman Sachs, website, (see external links), the church and proof of its existence can be obtained by employs forty ministers, and refers to itself as requesting a copy of the most recent account "Gnostic Christian". It states that it follows the statement from the JREF, by telephone, fax, same traditions and teachings which Jesus letter, or e-mail. Though a few persons have himself followed, yet does not exclude