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The SollyLama
Skeptic Friend
USA
234 Posts |
 Posted - 08/02/2002 : 19:07:28
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Did you see the psychic chick on Larry King Live the other night? No wonder a healthy percentage of America believes in this drivel. But then no one ever accused CNN of not using sensationalistic headlines every chance they get.
Remember "Asteroid may hit earth--but don't panic yet!"
WTFO? Killer space rock may vaporize the planet....but don't fucking panic?!! I expected better from a company that has Darth Vader as a spokesman.
Be your own god!
(First, and only, commandment of Sollyism)
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Lisa
SFN Regular
USA
1223 Posts |
Posted - 08/04/2002 : 05:27:37 [Permalink]
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I missed it, but I'll assume you're refering to Sylvia Browne. The way Larry King sucks up to that fraud is nauseating. Then again, Larry ask any of his guests a really hard hitting question? My TV would probably implode.
We have enough youth. We need a fountain of smart. |
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Gorgo
SFN Die Hard
USA
5310 Posts |
Posted - 08/04/2002 : 07:38:15 [Permalink]
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almost a year since Sylvia accepted Randi's challenge ( http://www.randi.org ). I wonder if they talked about that at all. Probably busy saving the world since 9/11.
"Not one human life should be expended in this reckless violence called a war against terrorism." - Howard Zinn |
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Tim
SFN Regular
USA
775 Posts |
Posted - 08/05/2002 : 02:38:46 [Permalink]
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Strange thing...Exposing people like Ms. Browne for what she really is does not make headlines, but one bogus prediction makes a media hero.
We shouldn't blame the media. Afterall, it's all about ratings, and we make the ratings. I make it a point not to watch the crap, and advice all that I can to follow suit.
Wow, Lisa, I love the avatar. Does this mean that you are a strict disciplinarian as a moderator?
"Many of those people involved with Adolph Hitler were Satanists, many of them were homosexuals--the two things seem to go together."--Pat Robertson, "The 700 Club," 1/21/93 |
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The SollyLama
Skeptic Friend
USA
234 Posts |
Posted - 08/13/2002 : 09:05:38 [Permalink]
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Larry and the crew over at the Communist News Network are again doing thier best to erode common sense and rational thought. With the release of the movie 'Signs' they have hauled out every hoax believer, nutcase UFO devotees, and even a few fundamentalists (hey, god certainly isn't going to let ET grab the all the glory) for their "Expert Opinions."
CNN has slid strait downhill over the past couple years. With their sensationalist headlines and incredibly biased reporting, often broadcasted before any facts are checked, they are little better than the Weekly World News.
Even thier morning show (American Morning) has moved to a couch and coffee table format like garbage TV show -The View.
Just ask a boichemist how he would rate CNN's coverage. They dragged this guy thru the mud without any clear evidence, and worse, singled him out of a handful of people being investigated, making him seem to be the only possible perp.
Add to that the addiction CNN has to superstitious hokum, and CNN ought to be rated up there with Sightings and TJ Hooker reruns as a prime example of crap on TV!
Be your own god!
(First, and only, commandment of Sollyism)
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The SollyLama
Skeptic Friend
USA
234 Posts |
Posted - 08/13/2002 : 09:09:57 [Permalink]
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And let's not forget the Morten Downy Jr.-esque blowhards on Crossfire. The vapid and utterly clueless Connie Chung. The news version of TRL- TBL (Talkback Live).
News obviously became entertainment, much like TV and the movies. And we all know that Hollywood can be trusted as a source of truth.........
Be your own god!
(First, and only, commandment of Sollyism)
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moakley
SFN Regular
USA
1888 Posts |
Posted - 08/13/2002 : 10:15:47 [Permalink]
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quote:
I missed it, but I'll assume you're refering to Sylvia Browne.
Sylvia Browne is dangerous. She was on the Montel Williams show last December and in 60 minutes gave medical advice on 4 separate readings. Any one who believes that the likes of Browne, Van Pragh, Edward, etc. actually has the abilities they claim to have deserve to be separated from their money.
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Lisa
SFN Regular
USA
1223 Posts |
Posted - 08/13/2002 : 14:37:11 [Permalink]
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I've caught Sylvia's act on Montel. You are correct about the medical "advice". She spews out some diagnosis, and the audience oohs and ahhhs and applauds. See anything wrong with this picture? Besides the fact she's probably not qualified to bandage a paper cut, where's the follow-up? Just once I'd like to see an interviewer say "Gee Sylvia, that's an interesting diagnosis concerning Mrs. Gnarkblast's condition. What say we take her to a qualified physician for a second opinion".
What's really sad and dangerous is that these fools believe her. I wonder if anyone has gone ahead with some sort of quack cure for a non-existant illness while something entirely treatable went unchecked?
We have enough youth. We need a fountain of smart. |
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Blair Nekkid
New Member
Canada
20 Posts |
Posted - 08/13/2002 : 21:03:16 [Permalink]
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Well thats just the sort of blinkered, philistine pig-ignorance you can expect to roam the earth with with even PBS shilling for Gary Null (Vitamin/Juicing/Reverse Ageing/Quack). The last beg-athon I surfed through had this loon in the studio and you could get his whole tape collection (which included valueble coupons for discounts on his own special snake oil/vitamin juice/whatever) at the highest membership level. Do people who are moved to accept this offer deserve to own that much money?
Cheers,
Blair
"I am treated as evil by those who feel persecuted because they are not allowed to force me to believe as they do."
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The SollyLama
Skeptic Friend
USA
234 Posts |
Posted - 08/30/2002 : 14:29:28 [Permalink]
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More from the CNN wall of shame. Anyone see Connie Chung 8/29/02 when her guest was an outraged Jim Beam employee. (how the hell ANYONE could be pissed off at that job....?)
Seems Jim Beam is now expecting it's employees to WORK for their pay. They've instituted a policy of only going to the head on scheduled breaks and one unscheduled time a day.
So Connie and this woman talked shit about the distillery for about 15 minutes. This is journalism today. There was no Beam representitive for interview, no opposing views allowed. Just Chung and some frau whining that someone may actually expect work from an employee.
Does anyone remember when CNN used to be a news organization?
No remorse, No repent. We don't care what it meant. Another day another death. Another sorrow another breath. |
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Kil
Evil Skeptic
USA
13477 Posts |
Posted - 08/30/2002 : 20:58:11 [Permalink]
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quote:
Any one who believes that the likes of Browne, Van Pragh, Edward, etc. actually has the abilities they claim to have deserve to be separated from their money.
People believe lots if silly things. There is reason for that. Critical thinking is not the norm, it's the exception. Everyday, people are bombarded with extraordinary claims and have no way, no tools for filtering out the crap. That is why us skeptics do what we do. It's not good enough to know that we wont get fooled and pat ourselves on the back about it. That would be elitist and, well, not very productive. The reason why this site exists is to promote critical thinking.
Van Phragh and Edwards appeal is easy to understand. They address a fundamental fear that most people have. What happens when we die? To that end they demonstrate to a credulous audience that we never really die. Cool. To someone grief stricken, a message from the "other side" can be very comforting. We here know how they do their magic. Edwards ratings indicate that many people don't see his act the way we do. Does that mean they deserve to be conned? Why bother exposing him then? Why not just sit back and enjoy how stupid people are and how smart we are? Because, that is not what we are about.
The Evil Skeptic
Uncertainty may make you uncomfortable. Certainty makes you ridiculous. |
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The SollyLama
Skeptic Friend
USA
234 Posts |
Posted - 09/03/2002 : 06:59:11 [Permalink]
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Now Connie Chung hosts the 'Pet Psychic' on her show. Man, is CNN gone strait to the shitter or what? I remember when it was a prime open source asset for intel. Now it makes 'Sightings' look positively scientific.
Chung's pre-show by-line: "But is she for real?"
If you need an hour long news show to answer that....... Worse, Chung just pandered to the broad, never seriously questioning her credibility. She even referenced the skeptics in a disparaging way, as if anyone who didn't buy this crap must have a problem.
WTFO?! I'm beginning to agree with the poll here of SFN about whether we really are entering another dark ages of superstition and snake oil salesmen. When the "World Wide Leader in News" has as many psychics, crop circle nuts, UFO nuts, and alternative medicine quacks as they do senators, scientists, and professors as guests.
No remorse, No repent. We don't care what it meant. Another day another death. Another sorrow another breath. |
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Lisa
SFN Regular
USA
1223 Posts |
Posted - 09/03/2002 : 09:53:06 [Permalink]
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Speaking of weird things on CNN.......
Everyone make sure and wish Sylvia Browne a happy happy anniversary!! One year ago today she agreed, on LKL, to accept James Randi's $1million challenge. I emailed the producers at http://www.cnn.com/CNN/Programs/larry.king.live/ and asked if there was going to be any follow up on this. Of course, I only received the standart thankyouverymuch type of auto response. Still, if enough people write in, it may have an impact.
We have enough youth. We need a fountain of smart. |
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The SollyLama
Skeptic Friend
USA
234 Posts |
Posted - 09/03/2002 : 10:09:41 [Permalink]
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I sent an email to CNN last friday reminding them of the challenge. I didn't even get the form response letter back.
I could create an entire website listing the downward spiral if CNN over the past couple years. And as CNN is pretty much the top dogs in the biz, all the other news channels/shows seem to be following suit. It's easier to make a quick retraction than do any real investigating before airing a piece.
But is CNN just giving the people what they want or contributing to the problem? My wife pointed out that the news is just another TV show as concerned with ratings and advertising dollars as Friends. If a good chunk of America already believes in this bunk, then they are merely providing the entertainment thier viewers want.
I'm not convinced, since CNN is perceived to be a source of 'the truth' to us. Putting something ridiculous on Baywatch is less harmful because we KNOW that's not real. By presenting this drivel as an honest news story, worse in the case of charlatans like Browne they rig the show to lend credence to them, they are presenting paranormal mumbo-jumbo as fact. Alot of idiots present the paranormal as fact, but news agencies have a special responsibility, in my opinion.
Maybe I'm just holding the news to a higher standard than 'fictional' TV. I obviously hold the news to a higher standard than it holds itself.
No remorse, No repent. We don't care what it meant. Another day another death. Another sorrow another breath. |
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Lisa
SFN Regular
USA
1223 Posts |
Posted - 09/03/2002 : 12:47:53 [Permalink]
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A lot of times I'll have the TV on as "background noise" while I'm cleaning, reading, etc. The other day a piece on CNN caught my attention. Some lady was "cleansing negative energy" from a house by using bells, incense, the usual nonsense.
True, the CNN anchor was presenting this in sort of a tongue in cheek way. To me, that's not the issue. Why was this on CNN in the first place? I don't watch a news station for this sort of story. A piece about what our current crop of whacky CEOs are up to is a little more relevant to the world economy that some ditz with a bunch of bells.
We have enough youth. We need a fountain of smart. |
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The SollyLama
Skeptic Friend
USA
234 Posts |
Posted - 09/04/2002 : 19:10:51 [Permalink]
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I just saw a bit on CNN inside the National Military Command Center (NMCC) in the Pentagon.
In the story they quote entries in a log kept at NMCC on Sept 11th. The first entry has the time and says "First plane strikes WTC tower". It goes on to record the second hit as well as the attack on the Pentagon itself. Pretty dramatic stuff.
My question:
How did they know it was the 'first' plane? If it was recorded when it happened, then they couldn't have known it was only the first of multiple attacks at that time.
Conspiracy? I doubt it. With as bad as CNN has become in journalistic integrity, I can see this poor use of paraphrase and calling it a quote. I can't believe an editor would let that slip by and make it to air.
Sloppy sloppy work.
No remorse, No repent. We don't care what it meant. Another day another death. Another sorrow another breath. |
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