How Now, Browne Cow?
Psychics are frauds. I’ve never believed them and have always hated how they take advantage of people by preying on their grief. I have always felt that if I were psychic and able to speak to the dead that there is no way that I would charge people to talk to their relatives that have passed. If I were given that gift, I would pass it on to others as a gift. If I wanted to make money off of my talent, I’d join the CIA or FBI.
Why do I bring this up? Well it has to do with one of the kidnapped boys that was recovered in Missouri last week and Howard Stern.
Huh?
Believe it or not, the story I’m about to relay to you was brought to my attention by yesterday’s Howard Stern Show. It was brought to Stern’s attention by yesterday’s New York Daily News. As you can see, I’m bringing you yesterday’s news–its a wonder you all keep coming back here.
As you know by now, two kidnapped Missouri boys were found alive last week. One of those boys, Shawn Hornbeck, was brought home after being gone for almost 4 years! Well, according to Howard and the Daily News, back in February 2003, four months after Shawn disappeared, psychic Sylvia Browne appeared on The Montel Williams Show and told the boy’s parents that she believed their son was “no longer with us.”
She went on to tell them that his body could be found in a wooded area 20 miles from their Richwoods, Mo., home, near two large jagged boulders.
Apparently, Browne’s “vision” of his death caused search teams to redirect their efforts and drew dozens of calls from the public who believed they lived near the woods matching Browne’s descriptions.
Browne then “offered” to continue to help the family for $700 a consultation. What a sweet woman.
She knew how these missing children cases usually turn out and she went with the odds. Doing so, she impeded the search for Shawn (though that says as much about the police as it does about Browne) and messed with the hopes of his family. HOW DARE SHE!
She is a fraud. A charlatan. And she should be ashamed of herself. Check this out, as it seems others agree.
And if you’re still not sold, watch this!
January 20th, 2007 at 2:54 am
You’re absolutely right. they have no real powers and they play the odds like they are at the track.
Sick.
January 20th, 2007 at 3:08 am
Well said, clearly this woman did this simply for publicity. It would be interesting to see how much money she earned on the basis of this national TV appearance.
That money, should be transferred directly to the families of these boys and taken directly from her bank account. This is not dissimilar from the Son of Sam laws which says no criminal can profit from their crimes. Seems like a logical extension to me.
January 20th, 2007 at 3:12 am
Bitch
January 20th, 2007 at 4:27 am
Snatch.
January 20th, 2007 at 5:30 am
hahahaha. I love how Lex and Jenn said exactly what Hammer and Jeff Hertz said, but in only one word.
January 20th, 2007 at 6:28 am
Psychics and Faith Healers both pray on the fears and emotions of people for money. It’s sick they do it and sicker still that fall for it.
January 20th, 2007 at 8:30 am
What a CHARLATAN! People like that infuriate me, playing on the feelings of others for monetary gain! This should be “banned” by Dr. Blogstein!!!
January 20th, 2007 at 2:26 pm
Sorry, have to disagree with you. Of course there are many charlatans and fraudsters out there and there are many genuine,gifted psychics out there too.
January 20th, 2007 at 3:55 pm
JEREMY I totally agree that there are “many genuine, gifted psychics out there too” but unfortunately this particular psychic is a swindler and obstructed the investigation to find Shawn.
I get premonitions which I often times have to keep to myself because the grieving, depressed, etc. who are the subject of my premonitions are not always prepared for what I have to tell them. Other times I hint to what I’ve seen or felt but only if I am certain they can handle it.
January 20th, 2007 at 4:00 pm
I have premonitions also – sometimes I think I’m going to eat. I do. Sometimes my premonitions are very specific – sometimes I see a juicy steak. And then I eat a juicy steak. I should ought to charge ya’ll for just reading this.
Very good post.
January 20th, 2007 at 4:55 pm
Ryan, that was funny. And it made me crave steak.
Jeremy: Do the “many genuine, gifted psychics out there” charge $700 for a 20 minute consultation? Like I said, if you truly have that gift, give it away to the public for free and then get a job with the CIA.
Tisha: You’re psychic too?!? You’re a little bit of everything.
January 20th, 2007 at 5:29 pm
Good Doc ha ha I hate the word “psychic”; it’s taken on negative connotations but “clairvoyant” yes. I know, I know I’m terribly eccentric or freakin’ WEIRD if you wish! But I didn’t make me!!
January 20th, 2007 at 5:50 pm
I foresee her demand for television talk show appearances is going to diminish after this.
January 21st, 2007 at 2:54 am
You know you hear from people who say “OH but she knew” to them I say “even a blind squirrel finds an acorn eventually”
January 21st, 2007 at 9:09 am
John Edward, no not him, the other guy, the psychic that does the “Crossing Over” show. Maybe he’s legitimate or maybe he’s a greasy opportunist getting filthy rich by taking advantage of grieving widows, guilt ridden survivors and lonely people who can’t let go of the loved ones they’ve lost, who knows.
January 21st, 2007 at 4:00 pm
Slagger: I’m going with the latter.
January 22nd, 2007 at 1:23 am
What a pathetic douche bag. I am so with you on this one Doc. If I were psychic there is NO WAY I’d charge to find a missing child.
Douche bag.
USED Douche bag.
January 23rd, 2007 at 4:09 am
The Montel clip was awful… I can’t believe that she actually said at the end “Oh, well, it doesn’t matter whether they find him or not.”
Ohhh. My. God!!!!!
What a heartless thing to say!
January 23rd, 2007 at 9:47 am
Oh I definitely believe that psychics are out there. But what chutzpa – $700! That’s really sickening.