This may come as a complete surprise, but I would be really happy if Robbie Thomas sold more tickets for his upcoming "Psychic Justice Tour". I really don't want that to be a failure. (Good news, too, he sold 2 more tickets! That's 38 booked so far. That's almost a sell-out (of the first two rows..))
As the title states, I don't want Robbie to fail, I want him to fail miserably. From the videos that people are sending me and the information people so willingly provide about Robbie Thomas - I think the best way for Robbie to really fail - is for people to go and see him for themselves.
Selling too few tickets will likely discourage Robbie and it might end his tour - however, I think that the greater value would be for people to go see him, learn about him, his failures, his lies and his activities - and judge for themselves. I'm certain that such a failure would be much greater than having him cancel his tour.
The other benefit is that it brings in to question the abilities and claims of other "psychics" and the like - an obvious goal of this blog.
It is unfortunate (seriously!) that I will not be able to attend Robbie's show on Sunday - my wife and I will be out of town this weekend on a much needed vacation. (Work can be tiring when you can't just make shit up and get paid for it!) Have a great weekend!
PS. Good luck Robbie! (Robbie, because I'll be away, I'm going to forward my email to my blackberry - could you, pretty please, send me an email at sarniaskeptic@gmail.com if you finally solve a case. I want to keep the counter up to date.)
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24 comments:
This. Is. Stupid.
Instead of giving Thomas more of what he wants (money). Why not actually go for the throat?
You have access to plenty of material about Thomas and his shady dealings AND the names of upset families whose names are used in promoting his events.
Why not focus your efforts in doing him... HIM... some real harm?
Please tell you don't actually believe your 'confronting Robbie Thomas' plan is going work?
Let me try and understand this:
Your plan is to buy tickets to his event - which puts money in his pocket - and then cause a ruckus?
That's the big game plan?!
How is this going to stop Robbie Thomas in his tracks? How is this going to hurt him?
I was getting interested in what was starting to brew here... but now it is just developing into the same old, all talk / no action bullshit.
Again.
Hey, your blog said there was zero comments and yet there was on entered almost 3 hours ago.
I won't spend $45 per ticket to see this shit.
Anonymous: What do you think should happen (I know that what you're thinking isn't what others are doing).
I guess what people are thinking is if the Caughlin Family (my family) OBTAINED a lawyer and sued Mr. Thomas for what he is doing than this would be a more effective way to stop Robbie Thomas from carrying on with the very hurtful and unethicly things he is doing to victims of crime and their families?
Unfortunately my family is faced with some very TOUGH decisions regarding people like this piece of shit verses what is required to solve Karen's murder. Yes and it all boils down to the almighty dollar. As you aware we are fast approaching the 36th anniversary of Karen's unsolved murder. The posters that have been hung every year for the post 6-years is a costly venture to my family. Public TIP information is VITAL to solving Karen's murder. If YOU were faced with doing what is required to solve your sister's murder verses taking legal action against Mr. Thomas....what would your choice be? If your choice is to take legal action against Mr. Thomas then you clearly have no idea what the past 36-years has been like for my family. If my family had money, you and I would not be having this discussion and we as Karen's family would not to forced to endure a predator like Robbie Thomas. So our choice is to remain focused on solving Karen's murder. I have been battling Robbie Thomas's actions behind the scenes and I have so far managed to get numerous, numerous of his lies about his involvement with Karen's investigation removed from his web-sites. This is all my family is able to do considering ALL of the circumstances we are presently dealing with.
Kathy Caughlin/Karen's Voice
You don't need a lawyer to sue Thomas if you complain that what he's doing is criminal fraud.
If he's making money through lies, and you can send the police evidence, you can have him criminally charged as a fraud.
This would be a charge under The Canadian Criminal Code, Part 10, Section 380 and several other subsections therein... as he is using fraudulent claims to bolster his business... but you would need to provide the police PROOF of the fraud... which seems like it would not be too difficult.
Next, I notice his posters do NOT specify that his "show" is not legitimate... in fact, it goes out of his way to say it is "real"... in which case, he's in violation of The Canadian Criminal Code, Part 8, Section 365, a,b,and c...
Both these acts are chargeable federal offences... and all it would take is someone LOCAL to where the show is being held to alert police to the potential and expected "law breaking" activity... hint freakin' hint...
*IF* even an e-mail was sent to the police WITH evidence of his fraud AND a reminder of the criminal violations he is planning, it might not just stop the show, but would make him think twice about EVER trying it again in Ontario.
I'd also consider CCing in the theatre that's hosting his show... because that might make them a little edgy and a touch more careful next time... if there is a next time.
NEXT...
You're whole thought process on his failure is wrong... and incredibly juvenile... to the point where one wonders if you're not secretly hoping he'll succeed because that way, you'll have a nice enemy to complain about... it really does seem to be the case.
Having the police show up while a group (or even one) skeptic loudly proclaims ALL psychics frauds will simply give him the ammunition to bolster a claim he's already made... and that is he's persecuted by non-believers and those who don't want "the truth to be known"...
Yes, it's friggin' ignorant, but that's what he'll do... that's what they all do.
...and in that, he'll now have dozens of people in other places who will want to see what the hoo-haw is about and voila! The tour becomes a success.
Well done!
Yes, in order for you to try a failed tactic (of calling everyone at the event an overly-credulous woo-woo and shouting "ALL PSYCHICS ARE FRAUDS!", you'll enable him to grab the sheeple into a willing flock... and to feel "superior" (because that's all anyone will accomplish... as always...) it only will cost goodness knows how many grieving families... and you'll provide more "marks" for this conman to fleece.
...all because you need to be loud.
You have low hanging fruit here... why not knock THIS ONE off the tree... and perhaps let him serve as a warning for others.
...or, you could carry on the proud skeptical tradition of being little more than supposedly intelligent "tea-party-protesters" like folks who complain that credulity is on the rise...
Wonder why that is? Could it be no one's educating by example, but still using the tired method of ad hominem attacks on folks?
Nah... that can't be it... I mean, that method has worked SO WELL in the past.
IF YOU CAN, YOU'RE LOCAL... YOU can stop this guy with a simple, honest complaint to the police.
Take a risk... be a legitimate skeptical hero.
Spare other's who might fall for this moron when they're at their weakest... dealing with a family tragedy.
For the record, I am not local... otherwise, YES, I would.
I completely agree with the anonymous poster regarding Robbie potentially committing a crime/crimes.
Showing all of our cards, at this time, is not what we have been advised to do. I think that the blog author probably has agreed to participate in a much bigger and appropriate action.
There can be a number of "wins" from what is transpiring but I can't speak for sarnia skeptic or others on this blog. I would only be speculating that they understand more fully what is now going on but the change in approach would have me believe that to be it.
So... how did it go this weekend at the Event?
How did your 'Git Robbie Thomas Plan' work out for you?
i volenteer at the theatre and just found your site. the show was not well attended and the police were called for the protest out front. if you were involved in the protest i think you did a great job. many people were surprised at what they read. it obviously bothered the psyhcic to.
Well done, folks! Hearing the police were called ON THE PROTESTERS tells me that you've validated him with the overly credulous (read: "woo-woss",) and given him something to "sell" his wares with...
Stopping this would have been easy and probably saved future grieving families when they at times of weakness...
...but NOW, YOU'VE given him PR stuff to work with and no doubt he will advertise the hell out of how the "non-believers" try to shut him down and HOW THE POLICE HELPED HIM.
Excellent work.
Your critical thinking skills are obviously top notch - provided the notches are set very low on the pole.
I'm sorry, another failure in the name of being loud rather than doing the right thing.
As an officer with Sarnia Police Service I can attest to the validity of the claims made by the group 'protesting'. I am not permitted to speak in public about matters as these and psychics are able to take advantage of that.
Psychics do not assist in police investigations and without the 'protest' many officers are not informed about the harm that is inflicted by psychics.
I have not talked with the officers that responded but I know no report was filed and that the people protesting were welcome to stay. Psychics rely on investigators having to follow up on all 'leads' and responding to all calls. Anyone can call the police which was done in this situation.
The officer not filing a report shows how frivolous of a call that was made.
I wholeheartedly support the actions against psychics and your intention to educate the public about the damage done. I can not offer that support in an official capacity and that is damaging to the work that we do on a daily basis. The laws need to change to protect the innocent. The psychic is not the innocent one.
As an officer with the Sarnia Police, and any police force, you are entitled to talk openly and freely about the rules, regulations and policies of your police department.
If your police department has a policy in which not to use psychics, you are allowed to say just that.
I would suggest you go up the ladder and see who can issue an official statement if this is a concern of yours.
And as an Officer of the Law, are you not liable to stop a crime? Or to report a crime that you see?
Certainly Robbie HAS committed a crime, or in the least, is suspected of commiting a crime.
Mr. or Mrs. Police Officer, please do your duty instead of chatting on a blog.
When you guys are through high-fiving and bum-patting each other on failing a no-brainer, let me draw your attention to something you apparantly didn't notice...
You. Failed.
For a group of supposed intellectuals, I would have expected at least ONE of you to have spoken out against this bad idea.
Is this the creme de la creme of the sceptic community? Or is this the little table where retarded cousin Joey gets to sit?
Robbie Thomas did all your work for you and you STILL managed to miss a golden opportunity.
Sceptics... what a joke.
I was one of the protesters at Robbie's show. Here are the facts;
- there were 2 protesters present, myself and an aquaintance I shall refer to as John
- we arrived at slightly after 6:00PM, with a goal to provide each attendee with an envelope containing info about "psychic" methods as well as letters from Kathy Caughlin and Marc Klass.
- we counted about 20 attendees, each of which took our envelopes willingly
- there were no voices raised ever, and no confrontations or even conversations with attendees,
- we were un-expectedly joined by Mary Lou Schwemler and her husband from 6:30 - 7:00, (and appreciate their company and support)
- at about 6:45, John's wife, and my wife and daughter joined us, bring our number briefly to 7.We stood in a circle and talked. Not very threatening.
- at about 7:10, as we were about to leave, 2 police officers arrived. The questioned us very briefly, read our literature, then went into the theatre. They didn't ask us to leave, but I'm sure some of the people watching from inside thought so, as we went to our cars.
That's about it. There was never any intention to start a ruckus. This was about educating the attendees and perhaps getting them thinking a bit about psychics. And maybe a little about being a continual pain in the ass to Thomas. This, alone, was not meant to "bring Robbie down".
To some of the writers here; don't assume that all efforts will be "publicized" before the proper time.
I'm impressed! You educated the credulous with envelopes that I'm certain got the same attention the guys handing out flyers on street corners for hair salons get! I'm sure this tested, tried, and true method worked... as it always does.
This will be a comfort to the next grief-stricken family used for advertising.
Oh, and as for your "double-secret, double-plus-good" stuff that will no doubt be coming out ANY MINUTE NOW to shut Thomas down... I'm sure it will educate... well... the usual suspects... yourselves.
Why try to make an example? Why illustrate that this is illegal? Why try to STOP someone before they start?
Oh, and it WON'T be used by Thomas? "See? The skeptics tried to shut me down BECAUSE THEY'RE AFRAID!!!"... yeah, I've never heard this one before from a psychic who faced this sort of... well, whatever you managed to do.
...apparently, you impressed a (possible?) police officer.
Forgive the snark, but I just wish JUST ONCE actions overtook the need to be "ever so much smarter than everyone else" because telling people they're idiots hasn't worked and won't start working now.
...well, unless you believe in magic.
I'm glad you had a fun social gathering. I'll let the next person who's hurt by this guy know that you had your Timbits and coffee and did the usual, albeit quietly, by letting everyone know in a stern letter how anyone can do a cold reading.
I'm sure they'll be grateful.
I find it rather amazing that someone thinks a "skeptic" is able to have charges laid against a person. And that one of those people also claims that they would have charges laid if they were in Sarnia? Why does someone have to be in Sarnia to contact the police? Ever heard of a phone?
Considering all the 'big talk' about buying tickets to the event and calling him out, I guess I misunderstood your intentions.
It has become painfully obvious that your sabre rattling was just that; merely noise.
Your cavalier attitude towards your own superior intelligence is stunning.
You can't even attribute this as a defeat. Your attempt at opposing Thomas wasn't even an attempt. It was more akin to resume padding.
No doubt we will hear this incident embellished sometime in the future where the septics successfully thwarted Thomas and shed enlightenment where ever your footsteps fell.
If you don't like my criticism, then maybe next time you shouldn't boast so much about how you plan on doing something about Thomas.
Why does someone have to be in Sarnia to contact the police? Ever heard of a phone?
Because in order to make a valid complaint, you need to be within the "jurisdiction" (general area in which the transgression takes place,) OR someone directly involved with the (or a) crime (not simply a bystander out of town). That's why I stated...
For the record, I am not local... otherwise, YES, I would.
I would agree with the person above... this is sound and fury signifying nothing... save the warm fuzzy feeling you got from being "right" without action... and the publicity Thomas (or one of his publicists either locally or in Aussie,) will have thanks to you.
You're right... "Skeptics" achieve little... save for complaining about how credulity is on the rise. As stated, I wonder why that is? Couldn't be lack of properly educating people but falling back on the tested, tried, and true method of broad-sweeping (and in the end, impotent) attacks on the beliefs of those affected... Nah, that's worked GREAT!
Randi did more to kill off belief in "Psychic Surgery" in ONE show on The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson with a DEMONSTRATION than all the envelopes you can stuff with "How To Do Cold Readings".
Perhaps "actions" do speak louder than words...
Now, I was not suggesting taking up arms or being "louder", but working within the system to end one bad apple's run and perhaps send a message to others...
...but you don't get to have coffee and Timbits with buddies if you do that, I suppose.
I've made my point... and I'm sure I'm "wrong" because you guys really did a great thing here... well, in your own eyes. Shame it's no one else's.
To say I'm personally disillusioned by this is mild... because it was not unexpected.
Look up Sean David Morton... many people complained, worked to debunk, and DID prove he was questionable...
BUT ONE complaint to the SEC and...
Take the hint. Simply pontificating that all psychics are bad cold readers (or good ones, doesn't matter...) has failed... taking the big guns down with FACTS and EVIDENCE and working within the system is what seems to work.
Well, I hate to say that I'm taking my ball and going home, but until I see constructive action against this sort of fraud beyond whining on a blog, handing out literature to the uninitiated and coming off no better to the masses as the people that come to their door to "convert them" to another faith, and general noise such as this "We're complaining, YOU do something!" without study, I'm kind of done here.
Enjoy the victory.
First of all; if you believe that a person has committed fraud SEC, there is no such thing as "jurisdiction" of the complainant. They will accept complaints from any person. The location that the crime was committed [or of the suspect] is the determining factor for jurisdiction. Police forces and other agencies will work together where crimes cross boundaries or borders.
As a member of a White Collar Crimes taskforce, I can assure you that we take all complaints serious. If it relates to fraud contact the police force where the crime was committed or PhoneBusters at www.phonebusters.com. They will accept complaints from any one too.
A colleague in the OPP pointed me to this site. Contrary to what the person who is anti-"skeptic" is saying; education is an extremely important component used in keeping families from going to Psychics when they are victims of crimes[abductions,homicides].
I don't believe you will often succeed in convincing strong followers of Psychics with your methods. Keeping a particular Psychic featured on a site like this may keep the Psychic from gaining further support and may assist Police organizations in determining scope. Outside of that if a crime is being committed you are encouraged to report it. Services exist as well for reporting crimes anonymously. Crimestoppers is not national in Canada but there are a number of organizations that work together and accept tips; 1-800-222-TIPS.
It is never another person's responsibility to report a crime that you are aware of. If you are the victim of a crime or if you have details of a crime that is being committed or has been committed we urge you to come forward. Together we make our communities safer.
Wholly crap. Geez, I really need to create a new blog entry on this when I get caught up on work and after I've spent some time with my family. But for now, some quick thoughts:
1.) The police are well aware of what it is that some followers of this blog (and myself) are doing.
2.) Whether or not the police have been contacted and/or information has been provided with the goal of having charges laid is not the scope of this blog. If charges are laid, I may refer to them but I will not speculate on such.
3.) The fact that Robbie had fewer than 40 people attend his event would suggest that we've had some success in our "advocacy".
4.) Since people have contacted me offering support and looking for information on psychic claims/abilities and skills, I would suggest that people can change their mind about psychic abilities.
5.) If you think a crime has been committed, REPORT THE CRIME.
6.) Skepticism is making in-roads. My goal would be to get people to think critically - being against skeptics (or "anti-skeptic" as is noted above) is silly and suggests a belief in woo-woo (psychics, paranormal, etc.). I'm sorry that you don't like my/our approach.
7.) There is a pretty active movement against Robbie Thomas - this is only the beginning, I can assure you.
8.) Since the police were called to the "protest", I have spoken with a number of police officers - and people are right - most police didn't know the shit that this scumbag claims. I am confident that their opinions have been changed and that they (the ones I've spoken with) no longer view psychics as "just for fun".
9.) The answer isn't for the Caughlin family to hire a lawyer to take down Robbie Thomas. I think the civil recourse is somewhat valueless - confronting Robbie and his followers might further advance the skeptical movement and get Robbie to change his ways. I've been by Robbie's place, I see how Robbie lives and I can only guess that, financially, Robbie has little (if anything) to lose.
10.) My blog isn't JUST about Robbie Thomas - psychics don't exist, there almost certainly is no god, homeopathy is bullsh!t and evolution is a fact. Having said that, Robbie Thomas is still a slimeball.
Amen.
“Sean said...
First of all; if you believe that a person has committed fraud SEC, there is no such thing as "jurisdiction" of the complainant. They will accept complaints from any person. The location that the crime was committed [or of the suspect] is the determining factor for jurisdiction. Police forces and other agencies will work together where crimes cross boundaries or borders.
As a member of a White Collar Crimes taskforce, I can assure you that we take all complaints serious. If it relates to fraud contact the police force where the crime was committed or PhoneBusters at www.phonebusters.com. They will accept complaints from any one too. “
Correct me if I am wrong here… has not the blogger here made it clear that he believes that Robbie Thomas is a fraud and has used is fictional psychic abilities to scam families who are easy targets for his predations?
Now that he has made the point and accused Robbie, he is suddenly surprised that people expect him to follow through? Really? Then why make a big production out of it?
And yes… a blog on the internet… open for public consumption… IS making a big production.
continued...
“sarniaskeptic said...
3.) The fact that Robbie had fewer than 40 people attend his event would suggest that we've had some success in our "advocacy". “
SURPRISE!!
High Fives all around I see.
He ONLY sold less than 40 Tickets in the first place! You are claiming a victory where you had no hand in it.
I had a feeling you’d do this. Shame on you for embellishing and taking credit for something you haven’t done. Shame.
“5.) If you think a crime has been committed, REPORT THE CRIME.”
From my reading of your blog, it would appear that you think a crime has been committed. Have you reported it?
“6.) Skepticism is making in-roads. My goal would be to get people to think critically - being against skeptics (or "anti-skeptic" as is noted above) is silly and suggests a belief in woo-woo (psychics, paranormal, etc.). I'm sorry that you don't like my/our approach.”
This is where you misunderstand me. I support skepticism. It is a vital component to critical thinking.
Sadly… you (all) are not skeptics. The term that best describes you are Deniers or Auto-debunkers. This is not at all the same thing. Real skeptics will run the experiments to gather the data and then FOLLOW the data to whatever conclusion it leads to. Pseudo Skeptics (you) will simply say; “It doesn’t exist.”
Which is ironic… because this is exactly the opposite, yet EXACTLY what the religious zealots call ‘blind faith’.
“7.) There is a pretty active movement against Robbie Thomas - this is only the beginning, I can assure you.”
Great. I support the notion. I won’t be holding my breath tho.
“9.) The answer isn't for the Caughlin family to hire a lawyer to take down Robbie Thomas. I think the civil recourse is somewhat valueless - confronting Robbie and his followers might further advance the skeptical movement and get Robbie to change his ways. I've been by Robbie's place, I see how Robbie lives and I can only guess that, financially, Robbie has little (if anything) to lose. “
The implication was not for the Caughlin family to do anything. I was criticizing a justice system that does nothing without exhaustive prodding by victims.
“10.) My blog isn't JUST about Robbie Thomas - psychics don't exist, there almost certainly is no god, homeopathy is bullsh!t and evolution is a fact. Having said that, Robbie Thomas is still a slimeball.
Amen.”
It’s not JUST about Thomas… but he was pointed out specifically. Like I said… my sole criticism is that you made a very vocal stand against Thomas, but failed to carry through with it.
You went in half assed and accomplished nothing.
I am curious if that was because you lack the nerve (all talk/no action) or you prefer to have Thomas around so you can keep embellishing minor incidents into legendary, non-existent victories.
Anyway… it’s not a difficult logic to follow (being the critical thinkers you are). As the other Anonymous said… ball->home.
Skeptic, check your e-mail, I sent you one.
And Robbie Thomas continues on his tour as if nothing happened...tr
"tr" or "anonymous"
I wouldn't be so certain of that myself. The one person on here who claims that everyone else is all talk may not have done anything but others have. My work with a group on another blog is paying big dividends in our search to uncover the real Robbie Thomas. When we are ready to publish everything you will be sure to know. If I am properly informed the author of this blog has been helpful in providing information to the group as well. Everyone should keep doing everything they can to move this forward.
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