Skepticblog

I’m taking this opportunity to thank all those people, skeptical and otherwise, who have dropped in here at Skepticblog to share their views and concerns in the past months. 2009 has been an eventful year for me. I now have to pull back from the fray and just give some heartfelt thanks when things are going well. Without the support of skeptics worldwide, my forays into the paranormal would not have had the direction and drive that kept me angry enough to stay focused and begin to plot out an attack plan with FORCE ONE, and implementing some real Guerilla and Ambush Skepticism strategies. For this I am very thankful to everyone who shares my commitment to getting out in the streets and becoming more visible.

The fight goes on. Today, as this post goes up, (live webcast from 11:00 a.m. PST at http://www.ustream.tv/channel/vision-from-feeling-demonstration) I’m working with CFI West’s IIG (Independent Investigations Group), who will be undertaking a $50,000 preliminary test on “medical dowser” Anita Ikonen, who says she can see with x-ray eyes into the bodies of sitters and tell what’s going on with missing body parts. (Read my comments on such lunacy in my past blog “Seeing Through Natalya” in the Skepticblog archives.) CFI’s Jim Underdown stated that no one has been able to display this ability under controlled conditions, so if she can do what she says she can do, it will be “history in the making.” I’m up for that, …but I won’t hold my breath.

As I wrote in my prvious blog on the subject, the x-ray eyes claim is nothing new, but the time and energy IIG members have put in to test this claim in a real world scientific manner has been extraordinary to say the least. The protocol, set-up and secrecy to avoid any “contamination” has been really incredible. Ex LAPD police expert Spenser Marks has left no stone unturned. It should be a banner day for skepticism – and science. I will be there (with bells on) watching very closely and taking notes. Watch for a full detailed report of my investigations here soon. I’m taking a week off to chill after this soiree, so you will not be seeing a new post from me until the following week. Even skeptics have to take a break.

We all hope Anita doesn’t cancel at the last minute as some of us have anticipated. She’s paid for her plane ticket from North Carolina and a few other things I can’t mention right now, so the deal seems like it will go ahead.In the meantime, you can read all about Anita on the IIG website press release. Check her out and follow the progress of what happens. Expect some excuse or another as I’m sure she will have a few lined up for the press. She’s right up there with Connie Sonne.

BTW: We never heard back fron Connie in September as she promised did we? What happened Connie? Did you forget about us here in the skeptic community? We haven’t forgotten about you. Not quite yet anyway…

Gee, I wonder if John Edward, VanPraagh, Chip Coffey, Chris Moon, Lisa Williams or Sylvia Browne will be tuning in to watch Anita make her debut as the next media medical wonder? This is competition for you guys! If I were you, I would keep a close eye on this woman. Plus, if you pay attention, she might give you an new angle to exploit.

Unfortunately, I doubt any of the other nut-jobs responsible for giving out bad medical advice, causing needless pain and suffering or even death to the thousands who were desperate enough to listen to them will tune in to the CFI test. They are too busy cashing their paychecks and building up their bankrolls to bother.