Sylvia Browne on wikipedia

[geni]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sylvia_Browne

I think the opening paragraph of this article needs a fact cheack

Sylvia Browne (born Sylvia Celeste Shoemaker on October 19, 1936 in Kansas City, Missouri) is a well-known claimed psychic medium and author of numerous books on spirituality. She began her psychic readings in 1973 and has attracted a relatively large following. She has performed thousands of one-on-one readings and assignments with a wide variety of groups and individuals including the FBI and former U.S. presidents, and has appeared on many television programs.

I don't have the raw knowlage to know what the truth is in these areas.

 

[Ipecac]

It would be fine if they'd just add, "Plus, she's a total fraud."

 

[geni]

It would be fine if they'd just add, "Plus, she's a total fraud."

That is not nutral point of view. You can say person X claims she a total fraud and presents Y as their evidence.

 

[CFLarsen]

It could be interesting to see how Wikipedia handles this. Why don't we form a "skeptical posse" and ask them to back up the claims in the article with facts?

E.g., I'd love to see what Presidents Sylvia Browne has had readings with. What "assignments"?

 

[Dragonrock]

It could be interesting to see how Wikipedia handles this. Why don't we form a "skeptical posse" and ask them to back up the claims in the article with facts?

E.g., I'd love to see what Presidents Sylvia Browne has had readings with. What "assignments"?

You can edit Wikipedia. All you have to do is back up any changes you make with references. If you don't like it saying that she met with presidents, just create your own account and edit the article to add the word "allegedly".

 

[geni]

It could be interesting to see how Wikipedia handles this. Why don't we form a "skeptical posse" and ask them to back up the claims in the article with facts?

I know how wikipedia handles it. I'll probably delete those claims outright at some point but forming a "skeptical posse" is a waste of time. There are maybe three people who are watching that artilce and one of them is me so you would probably get ignored.

E.g., I'd love to see what Presidents Sylvia Browne has had readings with. What "assignments"?

So would I. I'll wipe it and see if anyone responds.

 

[geni]

You can edit Wikipedia. All you have to do is back up any changes you make with references. If you don't like it saying that she met with presidents, just create your own account and edit the article to add the word "allegedly".

You don't even need an account. However I've made the edits already. I was cheacking that there wasn't some kind of wierd truth to the statement.

 

[JPK]

That is not nutral point of view. You can say person X claims she a total fraud and presents Y as their evidence.

The Nov/Dec Skeptical Inquirer 2004 issue has a little news report on Mr.s Browne's criminal past. The artical titled, "Psychic Sylvia Browne Once Failed to Foresee Her Own Criminal Conviction" , tells of how she and her estranged husband were indited on several counts of investment fraud and grand theft.
Her and her husband plead no contest to felony charge of sale of security without permit, made restitution and recieved one year probation.

I wonder if Montel will ask her about that? I predict he will not.

JPK

 

[geni]

The Nov/Dec Skeptical Inquirer 2004 issue has a little news report on Mr.s Browne's criminal past. The artical titled, "Psychic Sylvia Browne Once Failed to Foresee Her Own Criminal Conviction" , tells of how she and her estranged husband were indited on several counts of investment fraud and grand theft.
Her and her husband plead no contest to felony charge of sale of security without permit, made restitution and recieved one year probation.

I wonder if Montel will ask her about that? I predict he will not.

JPK

Put it into the article.

 

[Phrost]

Does anyone have a link to that story or the exact dates/circumstances of the conviction? I'll add it.

 

[Kopji]

Article by Joe Nickell
http://www.findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m2843/is_6_28/ai_n6361823

The criminal complaint, filed in the Superior Court of Santa Clara County, California, on May 26, 1992, alleged that the Browns sold securities in the venture under false pretenses. Although telling a couple their $20,000 investment was to be used for immediate operating costs, the complaint stated, the Browns transferred the money to an account for their Nirvana Foundation for Psychic Research. Just one month later, in April 1988, the complaint stated, they declared bankruptcy in the venture.

 

[geni]

I've added it