There are some posts about gullible people and many deal with political issues (eg: http://thefamilytherapist.wordpress.com/2008/08/28/how-gullible-can-we-be/ and http://exubfjc.wordpress.com/2006/07/29/easy-believism/).  Blogs certainly dissect the gullible issue from other angles but I’m going to investigate from a paranormial view.  Hopefully readers will see the subtle links to the political season within the text as well.

Amazing Randi

The Amazing Randi, a man whose sense of humor and sarcasm are easily missed, has been debunking alleged faith healers, psychics, and those that communicate with spirts from the otherside which is the current trend.  However, I would like to address a hoax the Amazing Randi pulled off on the world.  Randi had his friend pretend to be a spirt channeler, someone who’s body is possed by a spirit so the spirit can channel to the world.  Perhaps through speach or writing or whatever.  Well, Randi coached his friend through the act but they did need atleast one gimic to fool people.  The gimic was to stop blood flowing through the body when he was possessed.  He proved this by having a nurse check his pulse while he was possed.  It is actually quite simple to stop ones pulse to ones wrist, but it matters not, because people are gullible.

Now down to the meat of this discussion for this 1988 hoax (not that long ago).  Randi basically trained an actor to behave as if a spirit was possessing him.  The job of the spirit was to predict the future, give advice, or whatever.  He also taught the actor to use a simple trick to fool nurses and doctors into believing the possessed Carlos’ heart stopped beating upon possession.  Then he produced some fake media clippings praising Carlos’ validity.  He took these pieces of media, all lies and debunkable with one phone call to the Australian media.  They bought it and never checked a thing.  The Carlos Hoax was born and the entire country was watching.  The act, shown below, is so silly and comical it was like a bad exorcist movie, but hords and I do mean hords of people believed it.  The funny thing is, after the hoax ran its course in Australia, they brought the hoax home to the good ‘ole U S of A.  And the media was so silly they were actually reporting that Carlos was known throughout America prior to the Australian tour.  Interesting since Carlos never existed prior to arriving in Australia, but, it matters not because people are gullible.

Randi James, The Amazing Randi is his stage name, shows just how simple it is to fool the masses and how the media helps perpetuate it.  Now, think about this and the current political environment in this country.  A lot of talk and showmanship, then more talk, and more talk, and more and more and more and more with the compliance of a sensationalist seeking media equals nothing more, quite often, then a fooled American public.  People need to get smarter and evaluate what’s going on around them.  Don’t you want to understand the reality of the world?  Perhaps not?!?!  With issues like war, economy, and faith, I dare poeple to evaluate what’s true and what is not.  I divulge no farther.

Randi James debunks all kinds of bull, including back when Oprah, yes Oprah, believed a pretty boy moron, Geller, was capable of bending spoons through psychic power.  If you want a good dose of comedy and a re-awakening of critical thought, youtube Randi James.

I’m becoming increasingly disturbed by the media’s and society’s support of barberic police action.  The latest story to hit the news is that of a cop pushing over a cyclist in New York City.  The story is covered in an unbiased fashion in the video below.

The comments supporting the cop in the video are disturbing and I saw on several news outlets the statement, “… we didn’t see the whole video …”  Seriously, what else do you need to see.  That would be a serious battery arrest if I did that to someone.  I am so damn sick and tired of people supporting that kind of crap!  Wake up people!  That behavior is not okay.

The cyclist was part of a group protesting the vast use of automobiles in urban areas.  I know a lot of activists are not central on their opinion, but they do make a good point in this case.  Automobiles in urban areas are driving up gas and causing polution.  They are riding their bikes to show an alternative and I’m sure some cyclists were rude and obnoxious.  Now, apparently the cyclist was told to stop for some reason.  They said he was impeding the flow of traffic.  I’m not sure where they got that from the video I saw.  But, based on the cop’s claim that the cyclist ran right into him, I think the impeding traffic claim is troublesome at best, and a down right dispicable lie at worst.  That cop should be charged with battery, false imprisonment (since he handcuffed the guy) and sued (because he should have to suffer with less money).  One mitigating factor is the cop was a rookie, only a few weeks on the job, but still, battery is battery and there is no excuse for that.

Imagine you’re biking down the road, even among a group protesting something, and a cop does this to you.  How humilitated would you feel being knocked hard to the ground, handcuffed, and lied about with news analysts saying we didn’t see the whole story.  Wake up, stop being naive, and think beyond the mystique of authority, authority, authority, authority, authority!

To be fair, society does absolutely need police to protect our communities, I’m just tired of bad excuses supporting (if only mildly) the bad cops.

I’ve only had a few professional massages in my life and I’ve come to realize it is an under appreciated aspect of the medical industry.  Now, I didn’t go to some shady place, I actually wanted the kinks worked out, so get your minds out of the gutter.

The amazing part of my experience was how limber and loose my body felt for days post massage.  I just felt really healthy!  I have to be honest though, I was in a little pain during the massage with digging and grinding away of my muscles by firm hands.  But, apparently those hands were educated and knew what they were doing, because I felt great afterwards for days.  I strong recommend that anybody who hasn’t had a professional massage before go get one.  I doubt you’ll regret it.

In fact, if you’re passing by the Morgantown, West Virginia area, check out http://www.ivylmt.com and get a massage from Ivy.  She does a great job.  But, make sure you give feedback as the massage occurs, because you only want the kinks worked out, not digging that goes so deep as to cause new pains.  Still, she is great and I’m sure most people would love her.

Does anybody else have a good massage therapy tale to share?

This has been in response to another massage therapy post.

Today I was browsing the FoxNews website.  I know, I know, but I have to read all points of view, because the truth usually lies somewhere in the middle.  I happened to come across an interesting poll – one seeking the most biased new outlet.

No Spin Poll

I’m shocked, note sarcasm, that FoxNews didn’t include themselves in the poll.  Although I doubt regular FoxNews.com surfers would go against them in such a poll.

I don’t really have any further comment on the matter, because I’m basically tired of all the constant, never ending, ear aching, shouting occuring throughout all major cable media.  Still, does anyone have examples of biased polls from the four agencies listed in this poll?

Noel Devine isn’t just Slaton’s replacement, he’s a better version of the former Heismann hopeful.  I believe Devine is more explosive and, importantly, better at shaking tackles.  Something Steve stunk at.  A lot of people have compared Devine to Barry Sanders, but I’m having a difficult time doing so.  Especially since Barry only played running back for a half dozen games in high school and was a starter in his senior year only in college.  Basically, I have no statistical point of reference.  Devine certainly seems to have the whole package, I’m interested to see him put on 20 pounds and see if the results still stay the same.  Can anybody draw a convincing comparison between Devine and Sanders?

Another blog provides a great look at their upcoming schedule and briefly analyzes the dandy that should happen in Boulder.

Last year Colorado defeated Oklahahoma and Texas Tech while fighting Florida State and Illinois to the very end in close loses.  They are definitely competitive and fighters at the top level.  Plus, West Virginia is playing at Colorado and I think home field advantage has been a lost concept in recent years.  Think about it, 3rd game of the season, away at Colorado, against a team competetive against some of the best last year while beating a few of them.  I have no clue, but does anyone know if their stadium is a mile above sea level like the city of Denver is?  Because that could be a factor. 

InterestingIy, I doubt anyone except Colorado fans think they have a chance and most people may only remember then from the Katie Hnida scandal.  But, Colorado did win the Big 12 as recently as 2001 and their program did go bowling last year.  If West Virginia can go to Boulder and dominate then I think they will be National Title contenders.  I think this game will set the stage for the ‘Eers 2008 season.  What are your thoughts?

FOXNews.com recently ran the story Girls Gone Wild: Texas Cheerleaders Terrorize Town.  The show On The Record with Greta recently discussed the story behind the sensational headline.  Now I don’t think Greta had anything to do with the headline and she summarized the cheerleaders actions as just:

…so we’ve got these five girls who have declared themselves the “Fab Five,” they’re the cheerleaders, the popular girls in the high school. They now seem to have, basically, you know, three main problems. One is they gave teachers a hard time, two is the bullied other classmates, and three is they put these pictures on the Internet that are not particularly, you know, maybe tasteful…

I mean, come on!  This is the standard for terrorizing a town.  Wow!  I’m sure they did intimidate some classmates and behaved inappropriate, but terrorizing?  Is anyone else tired of Media perverting the “terror” word for their own agenda?  Checkout another blog’s successful look into the word “terror”.