Category Archives: Idiots

Sep 29 2012

The Fleece Machine – Spiritual medium to meet with Pike River families – wait there’s more !


“I only want to help: Psychic to sceptics“

Says the headline today.

A celebrity psychic who wants to get in touch with earthquake and Pike River coalmine victims from beyond the grave says she only wants to help families heal, despite criticism by sceptics.

Australian Sensing Murder psychic Deb Webber will hold a free “private reading” on Monday for families of those killed in the February 2011 quake and another for Pike River mine disaster families in Greymouth next month.

She will also hold a free public meditation session and a sold-out public show that seats 150 and costs $70 a head in Christchurch tomorrow.

Webber said those who considered her work a money-making venture should “look at my bank account”. “I’m actually skint,” she said.

The tour of fleecing the gullible is called “a “Hope and Heal” New Zealand tour,  and Deb Webber said she “can’t understand” the criticism.

Like she didn’t see it coming.

And then …………

Psychics’ killer lead hits a wall…

Friends of Deb, Sue Nicolson and Kelvin Cruickshank made some guesses on a TV program “Sensing Murder”, and they came up with…..

The psychics both concluded Mrs Calvert was murdered, but her husband was not responsible.

They gave a detailed description of the alleged culprit, who still lived in the Waikawau area, stating what he did for a living and the vehicle he drove.

Detective Senior Sergeant Grant Coward, of the New Plymouth CIB, said a significant amount of work had been done on the case over the past two to three years.

“A number of further inquiries were made but as a result of those there was nothing further gained that would add evidential weight to the inquiry,” Mr Coward said.

Or as we say in the real world…… nothing.

Why would a spirit lie? What advantage would a spirit gain from telling you something that was untrue?

The people that can talk to dead people will tell you that they don’t understand the messages and that there may be many interpretations of the messages they receive.

This “gift” they have is one they have to monetize, by fleecing the gullible. If they had a “gift” why  would they not monetize it in other ways, by discovering things, shrewd investments, invention of things, or perhaps by undertaking a JREF challenge to prove their ability and claiming the million dollars.

I’ve said before I’ve been to a psychic show, with Kelvin Cruickshank, it was entertaining and weird, I got nothing from it, clearly the spirits of my ancestors are all in the UK and NZ is a bit far to travel.

I’m prepared to be proven wrong, there is plenty of me on the interweb and you could pretend to know a lot about me, but there are things that you can’t know, and if you want to have a crack and make a guess I’d be delighted to hear from you. But you knew that didn’t you?

Related articles
Sep 3 2012

One massive mistake – two stories – natural health.


 

Two stories in the media today outlining the lead up to the death of a woman from an invasive brain tumor having been under the care of a quack, charlatan, confidence trickster.

Naturopath failed cancer patient – National – NZ Herald News.

Natural Health Treatment For 18 Months, Despite… | Stuff.co.nz.

One story lays bare the facts, including names:-

A naturopath who treated a woman for 18 months while an invasive cancer ate through her skull has been heavily criticised for not deferring to doctors.

Te Horo iridologist Ruth Nelson may face Human Rights Tribunal action over her treatment of Yvonne Maine, who sought treatment for what she believed was a cyst on her head in 2008.

Mrs Nelson carried out a variety of natural health treatments over the next 18 months, as the invasive carcinoma grew to 10cm by 11cm in size.

The other skirts the issue:-

A natural health practitioner treated a woman with a lesion on her head for 18 months, even though the practitioner recognised from the beginning that the lesion “looked cancerous”.

The provider did not retain any records of the care she provided and no other health practitioner treated the woman’s lesion during that time.

Despite being aware that the lesion was likely to be cancerous, the provider did not inform the woman of her opinions about the severity of the woman’s condition or that the lesion was worsening during the course of the treatment, the HDC said.

I’m pretty sure this is the same story, with different spins by the media. One does not appear to hold back and name names, the other plays the story in a “we’ve heard” kind of way.

As far as I know anyone can be an Iridolgist - it’s an alternative medicine technique whose proponents claim that patterns, colors, and other characteristics of the iris can be examined to determine information about a patient’s systemic health. Practitioners match their observations to iris charts, which divide the iris into zones that correspond to specific parts of the human body. Iridologists see the eyes as “windows” into the body’s state of health.

or  I might even  get into a bit of Naturopathy, or Naturopathic Medicine, is a type of alternative medicine based on a belief in vitalism, which posits that a special energy called vital energy or vital force guides bodily processes such as metabolism, reproduction, growth, and adaptation

How this isn’t at one end manslaughter or even assault I can’t figure out. If the “provider of care” couldn’t provide care, but was taking money, not keeping records, and avoiding sending someone to a proper doctor with proper qualifications I don’t know what it is you can be held responsible for. She may not have lived if she’d been a a qualified medical practitioner, but there would be records, and multiple opinions, not a quick glance in the eye, a fear of hospitals and some nonsense about “windows”

I’m convinced that there will be a lot of people who have faith and anecdotal evidence that looking in the eyes can cure you, that there is some “vital energy” that you can be tapped, the same people that think Reiki works, or that Acupuncture can clear your meridians, and that Ear Candles are effective in something or other. You all need to question why you have only “faith” and that you’ll rely on an old wives tale as appropriate medicine.

Shame to you.

Related articles

 

Aug 15 2012

Comedy Gold – Quackery knocked down – Advertiser hits back at complaint


This today from the New Zealand Herald News Advertiser hits back at complaint – National – NZ Herald News.

“An advertiser who claimed its Mineral Mud Treatment would prevent hip and knee joint replacement surgery hit back at a complaint that it was misleading, saying it did not need to prove the efficiency of its treatment.

A complaint was laid with the Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) by a physiologist which said “I can assure you the efficacy of this treatment can be due only to the placebo effect”.

Which if that isn’t funny enough they then resolve to pull another non-science based treatment into the fray as “proof” that two wrongs make a right

“In response to the complaint Mineral Mud Treatment’s legal counsel said: “It is my understanding that acupuncture is quite regularly advertised throughout New Zealand yet there is no scientific proof one way or another for the efficiency of acupuncture yet practices do allow it.”

The response went on to state that it was not Mineral Mud Treatment’s position to have to prove its efficiency, rather it was the complainants duty to prove the remedy was not effective.”

And then showing total disrespect to the complainant, a physiologist, which is a bit science based…..

“Therefore until this is done there is nothing really to respond to except to say that the complainant has no knowledge of what he is talking about.”

Lucky then that for all the bluster and bravado the ASA ruled for the complainant and upheld the complaint

“The advertiser declined to provide any further response to substantiate its claims, and the ASA ruled that the advertisement was likely to mislead and deceive consumers and exploit their lack of knowledge. The ASA ruled to uphold the complaint.”

Related articles
May 12 2012

When stupid talks you get this “Mila The Elephant ‘Had Motive’”


Straight from the top shelf of nonsense is this dumb-is-as-dumb-does shockingly stupid story in the press about Mila the Elephant.

Elephants killing their handlers isn’t as uncommon as you’d think. They’re a bit big, and we’re not.

The story starts here  and carries on here Mila The Elephant ‘Had Motive’ – Ex-keeper | Stuff.co.nz. From the story today it starts:

Mila the elephant most likely intended to kill her keeper at Franklin Zoo, says her former owner.

Robin Ratcliffe, brother of Mila’s former handler Tony Ratcliffe, said they warned officials that someone would get hurt if her transition to the zoo was not handled correctly.

“This tragedy was in the making,” he said. “We didn’t have any doubt. It was only a matter of time.”

Tony and Robin, neither of them noted Elephant Handlers brought Mila, for reasons of their own, and it seems never to be mentioned, when she was 5 years old, imported her from Hawaii, and sent her to work in a traveling circus.

I’ve no idea why you’d buy an Elephant and import it into NZ to be a circus animal, but I could make some guesses;

  • It was only a business transaction, buyer meets seller and seller meets buyer.
  • I have so much money that it seemed like a good idea at the time.
  • I’m slightly different in my thinking and I can actually talk to the animals.
  • No only  a business opportunity, I’ve always wanted to be a Carney in a traveling Circus, I brought my own Elephant – go on gizzajob!

There is no mention if Mila was a bit unpredictable and moody at 5, but after having “cared” for her by making her perform cheap tricks for amusement, for 28 or 31 years (depends where you read) you come up with a revelation that you’ve actually no idea what you’ve done, and how your pet is going to behave in any situation and it’s all got a bit dangerous.

The SPCA had expressed concerns about the elephant’s physical and mental well-being before Mila went into the zoo’s care.

Robin Ratcliffe indeed right when he says “This tragedy was in the making,” he said. “We didn’t have any doubt. It was only a matter of time.” And as CactusKate2 on Twitter said of Mr. Ratcliffe  ”he’s like an angry ex wife isn’t he?”

So the idiot of a reporter chooses the “romantic” notion of “talking to the animals” and makes it appear as if the Ratcliffe brothers used to stand outside the zoo wringing their hands in worry, Why then did the Ratcliffe brothers abandon their Elephant? Did they want a free gig at the sanctuary zoo? Like that was going to happen. Franklin Zoo had a motivation to care for the Elephant in a sanctuary not keep it associated with it’s previous owner who’s speciality was making it kneel and perform like a Pavlovian dog. You don’t adopt a rescued pet from the SPCA and invite the previous owners to take it for a walk.

Training an animal and making a animal perform tricks are different. Not being an Elephant trainer myself  have no proof but I doubt they understand English, and that direction and encouragement is by way of bamboo stick, prodding, poking and physical means. I’ve been to Thailand and ridden Elephants I’ve seen the way handlers get them to do things. It’s not with a nod of the head.

An Elephant (any animal) will do what an Elephant does, I don’t know what they think. In many instances I can predict their actions and behaviours. Domestic cats for instance, are very regimented, and you can associate their routine for human like behaviors. It isn’t. However I didn’t have to physically encourage my cat to sit on my lap by command.

I’m saddened by the sugar coated performance of the reporter in this news story,it’s poorly written, poorly researched and has no opinion, except they seem to believe that Animals have human emotions and  that you can associate human emotions to animals.Perhaps they think their writing a story about Barbour the Elephant, or Dumbo with Jiminy Cricket. Mad.

Related articles
May 10 2012

Some Questions for the Whangarei daycare


I have two views on these stories : Daycare ‘bullies’ for kicking out HIV boy – National – NZ Herald News.  and  HIV boy childcare ban a human rights issue

My first one is strictly a business related question, and it pretty much applies to any private business. Surly a business owner has a right to chose with whom it does business with. If, in this instance, the daycare, chooses not to have as a customer a particular child then that surely must be their right as a business. If they choose only to deal with some customers and they have viable business model than I have no issue with that.

My other view, and this this is very specific to this issue is this:

  • Is this a decision based on Fear?
  • Is this a decision based on Panic?
  • Is this a decision based on Ignorance?
  • Does the day care allow un-vaccinated children to attend?
  • Does is preclude disabled children from attending?
  • Does is preclude special needs children from attending?
  • What about a child that has, say for example, leukemia?
  • Does if actively ban or supervise, check or make sure that children with Measles are excluded from daycare when they have that particular virus?
  • Does if actively ban or supervise, check or make sure that children with Mumps are excluded from daycare when they have that particular virus?
  • Does if actively ban or supervise, check or make sure that children with Chicken Pox are excluded from daycare when they have that particular virus?
  • Does if actively ban or supervise, check or make sure that children with Nits are excluded from daycare when they have that particular infection?
  • Does it allow children with peanut allergy to attend?
  • Does it allow children with flu or cold symptoms to attend?
  • Does each child require a health compliance certificate to ensure they are not in some way genetically impaired?

As reported this is pretty disgusting. If this is a decision of the owners and is based on a threat of children being pulled out of the ECE center then let them go, apparently ECE centers would have us belive that there an over supply of children and under available of places. No one is under any health threat that is not understood, or known about.

Ir this was about a religious preference, or stigmatism based on religiousness then I’d be horrified. This isn’t something to be horrified about this is something that makes you pity the ignorance of some people and makes you wonder if we’re still living in the 1800′s.

Related articles
Feb 7 2012

Who you going to call? – Ghostbusters (of Auckland)


There is a new “professional” team of Ghost Hunters in Auckland. They had a live tweeting of an “emergency” investigation on the 5th February, at night of course.

Anyway I was on twitter and I was following their commentary. And of course I asked one question too many, well I asked a couple of questions but mostly I was being wildly critical. The result was they “blocked me”

The emergency was at one of their own team houses, a 16 year old “new” house where Heather from Henderson lives , “She has lived in a haunted house as a child, and now lives in another haunted house; complete with ghost cat and a Shadow Person“. So straight off the bat you have someone convinced there is a “ghost” and they are taking part in the investigation.

But that’s ok because “She has an analytical mind, which is good for debunking”

So then to the science.

They use an Iphone app iOvilus - which is listed under “Entertainment” on the Itunes Store.  It has a 1000 word dictionary and it listens to the environment and then comes up with a word

“The iOvilus is based on the same method of ITC communications as the highly controversial Ovilus.  The iOvilus produces speech based on changes to sensors in the iPhone or iPod Touch.  Simply, the idea is that an outside force can affect a change that registers a response. Instrumental Trans Communications “ITC” is not new, however, the methods used to try and achieve it are changing greatly.”

The Ovilus, or Puck, is an electronic speech-synthesis device which utters words depending on electromagnetic waves in the air, by using an EMF Meter. The device was created by Bill Chappell, a retired electronics engineer interested in the paranormal who creates devices for the field.

Due to the random nature of the replies, many paranormal research groups have stopped using the Ovilus because too much is left to chance. It is posited that a person could pull random words out of a hat and get the same response as what comes out of the Ovilus. Many liken it to an electronic 8 Ball or Ouija Board

They also cracked out the scientific dowsing Rods

To say that I’m less than impressed is to make a huge understatement. To block someone from twitter because they are being contrary to your beliefs isn’t professional that’s just not engaging in a conversation with you, and that’s not science is it?

The Photographs: I’m going to add some of the pictures they posted on twitpic, I’ll include the links so you can see for yourself.

I give you the links here : Ghosts Of Auckland presents

#Ghosthunt#Paranormal above Jennifer’s head http://twitpic.com/8fzwax

#ghosthunt#Paranormalhttp://twitpic.com/8fzvlc

#Paranormal#Ghosthunt still there… http://twitpic.com/8fzv0b

#Paranormal#Ghosthunt Andrew has a hitchhiker… http://twitpic.com/8fzugt

Big orb #Ghosthunthttp://twitpic.com/8fzdw8

http://twitpic.com/8fzatx – 3 orbs, in a line going across the entry to the closet

#Ghosthunt orb wth ripples? http://twitpic.com/8fzcpn

#Ghosthunt here’s a nice orb! http://twitpic.com/8fzatx

So you’ll see all the “orbs” are in the same plane and all the same size in all the photos. But they are “orbs” of course. Of course. Not light on the lens, a reflection or anything mundane but proof positive.

I’ll leave it there as I’m laughing too much and I’ll end with a few snippets of an “investigation” courtesy of the Ghost of Auckland Website

Q. Why mention this? IS it to prove that you are sceptical or analytical  –  “A few EVP sessions were done, to which I don’t know the results as yet. I sat in the corner at one time and felt an icy cold spot to the right of me. I checked around and noticed the window behind me, so I’ve put it down to that.”

Q. Really, this happened without corroboration or independent witness, or replication? “On first opening the door to the kitchen during the walkthrough, a shadow was seen darting into the corner. So some of us had quite an interest in this room. Later on I was in this room by myself. As I sat there in the dark, I heard what sounded like running water and a dripping noise. I shone my torch to where the noise was and saw there was a sink there. I checked the sink and there were signs that there never has been running water in it for years. Dry!! I later found that the tap doesn’t work either. This is a possible paranormal event. “

Q. Again the Question is “You’ve gone here expecting a result” “I was leading a team member to where the next spirit could be and I sensed that the study is where there was one [...] I started to feel energy building at the back of my head, which is a signal that someone wanted me to channel them [...] The chill then backed off. We later left, and I said I got the impression that the spirit was of an older male, taller, had white hair and beard, 60s to 70s. In the base office I saw a photograph of the family and pointed out the picture of the Reverend Lush himself. This picture was the spitting image of the person I sensed”

It beggars belief, and should end with “Which I hadn’t seen before or anything, and as I had no expectation of seeing, sensing or having an “event” I can’t explain how this happened”

So there you have it, science in action, involving people who want to and firmly belive in ghosts, spirits and the paranormal as seen on TV.

Dec 29 2011

In the court of public opinion – #1


In the case of a 16yo in Turangi A particularly tasteless sex crime against a girl 5.

Thankfully public opinion and sentiment isn’t the deciding factor in what if any punishments are due. There isn’t much doubt about guilt, the teen, by all accounts, turned himself in, and is in custody, bail declined, for the duration.  The story will be one of why, and how. And we will all have an opinion on that.

But is you’ve been unfortunate enough to read some blogs then you’ll find things like this, all anonymous all ignorant and all rabid;

  • “Hopefully this scumbag will be jailed. He will last about 5 seconds in prison.”
  • “He should be fucking shot”
  • “he big pity is … the cunt is only 16 and  will create a feeding frenzy for lawyers, psychiatrist and the like all at our expence, besides that in jail nowadays most of the crims are in for similar shit, they will just fuck him.”
  • “16. Disgusting. And of course will likely not be convicted due to his age. Appalling.”
  • “I REALLY hope that the judge refuses name suppression in this case.”
  • “It’s well past time minors got automatic name suppression. Hang em high”
  • ime for a little social justice me thinks….Should get a lynch mob together outside Taupo youth court for a public castration and flogging. What a piece of trash cant wait till his lawyer (probably tax payer provided) blames his tragic upbringing.”

And that’s just from just one blog!

Twitter had is share of agony aunts and uncles, with one long and ill-informed back and forth about nature over nurture that I was (As was the whole of connected twitter) watching (or participating in).

Bottom line is not a one of us knows, and not a one of us will get to decide on this. The worst thing about this whole episode, in my opinion, is the level of faux outrage that  people have. The crime was sick and distasteful, all crimes against children are, but with a little nudge from the media and we have a circus born. And to the circus come the freaks, freaks with opinions, bloated, self-important or ill-informed, all there at one outlet or another.

This is the price we pay for democracy on the internet of course, we’re all allowed our say and we’re all at liberty to share it with who ever we like, where we like, and how we like.

Casting aside even our own sense of moral right and climbing on the high horse of public outrage doesn’t end well. We’re increasingly like a school of  sharks who encircle the next victim with a savage onslaught, only to move away quietly to the next victim, out faux outrage dissipated.

We’ve had this Faux Outrage at events such as, Pike river, Michael Laws, Garth George, The Tea Cup fiasco,  the Rena accident, and just about any time there is a child abuse case spread across the media.

It’s ok to be disgusted, and to be confused by events that you don’t have any control over, really it is, however it’s not ok to assume that you are the arbiter of outcomes. It just doesn’t work that way.

just saying.

Dec 7 2011

One-third of Kiwis believe in alien visits


A third of New Zealanders believe aliens have visited Earth and a majority think psychic powers exist, a study has found.

One thousand respondents were asked by UMR Research if they believed “that Earth has been visited by UFOs from other planets”.

via One-third of Kiwis believe in alien visits – National – NZ Herald News.

  • Nearly 8 in 10 believe that Jesus was a real person who lived 2000 years ago
  • 57 per cent believe in life after death. That belief declined with age, falling from 65 per cent among under-30s to 49 per cent among over-60s.
  • A quarter believed astrology can predict people’s futures.
  • Six in 10 – 72 per cent of women and 52 per cent of men – believe in the existence of God or a universal spirit.
  • 55 per cent believed that at least some people have psychic powers such as ESP.

I have an opinion on this, like that’s never happened

Aliens exist. In a infinite universe, with infinite suns and infinite planets (give or take) the odds are that there are other life forms in the universe. What like that’s a surprise. What isn’t a surprise is that they’ve never visited our planet. If they have ask yourself why? and where are they from. How come they conquered the travel distance thing, and if they are so advanced how is it they can fly vast distances only to get to Earth and crash at places like Roswell. And also ask yourself that with the billions of camera phones that are currently in use that there aren’t more pictures and, er, evidence.

There isn’t actually a lot of evidence to support a person called “Jesus” ever having existed.

There is only death. That is it.

That an arbitrary planet can exert some life force upon you and 1/12 of the population seems likely.

Man invented God, any God, pick a god, we’ve always done it, mostly from ignorance and fear. We’ve had sea gods, tree gods, air gods, fire gods, animal gods, cat gods, stone gods the list is almost endless

Yes of course ESP. If it was real you think we’d need stockbrokers and market gamblers?

I surprised they didn’s ask about Homeopathy, Bio-Mag blankets and the PowerBlanace band to be honest.

Nov 21 2011

I’d do most things – #3


You’d know from earlier posts that I’m not a big fan of tattoo, or ink, or whatever you want to dress it up as.

Today then the press carries this;

“Megan Fox has “outgrown” her tattoo.

The 25-year-old actress had a tattoo of Hollywood icon Marilyn Monroe inked onto her right arm when she was a teenager. Nearly a decade later, Megan is finding the action regrettable.

She simply is no longer impressed by the artwork.

“You outgrow things that you love when you were a child. I got it when I was 18 and now I’m 25 and it just doesn’t make sense anymore.”

Removing the tattoo is an arduous process for the star. Megan will undergo numerous treatments to lift the ink from her skin.

“[The removal process] is a hundred times worse than the tattoo itself,” she revealed. “I’ve only done one [session] so I probably have three or four left.”

From another news source though

Megan Fox is removing her Marilyn Monroe tattoo because it has “negative energy”.

The 25-year-old actress has an inking of the late screen icon’s face etched on the inside of her right arm but she is in the process of having it lasered off because she no longer wants an association to Marilyn – who died in August 1962 aged 36 from a suspected drugs overdose.

She told Italian magazine Amica: “I’m removing it. It is a negative character, as she suffered from personality disorders and was bipolar. I do not want to attract this kind of negative energy in my life.”

The tattoo of the Some Like It Hot star is not the first change to her body that Megan has been left unhappy with.

The Jonah Hex star – who is married to actor Brian Austin Green – also got rid of a belly-button piercing when she was 20.

She said: “I did it when I was 16 because I was a fan of Britney Spears. The only time I tried to imitate someone else.

It’s interesting that it’s only been a few years for her to realise that what you think is a good idea is in fact rubbish. but you can’t be old and wise without being young and stupid. Even to the point of the belly button piercing.

Interesting though that she does not see herself as a role model or taking any position that would not encourage others to follow her banality, then again I’m kind of sucked into thinking that having made a movie that somehow they transcend the normal, when in fact they are dumber than a blunt axe.

So there you go kids, dont do the tattoo!

Oct 23 2011

A Commercial venture and the public purse. #4 Bridge sentries cost $80,000


Sentries guarding the Auckland Harbour Bridge on match days of the Rugby World Cup have cost taxpayers more than $80,000.

http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10761065
On watch on the bridge. Photo / Jason Dorday

They are there to foil any attempts at pranks, protests or even terrorism.

Transport Authority spokesman Tommy Parker described the bridge as an iconic structure and said the security was a precautionary measure to ensure no one tried to gain access.

Six security guards have complemented the closed-circuit television on the motorway network and have cost $81,000 for more than 300 hours on duty.

So that’s $45 per hour per person for 300 hours to sit and do nothing “just in case”. and it’s cost the taxpayer $81,000 for the privilege.

This is just a vile use of mitigate and safety planning in a grand  cover-your-arse gesture for some jobsworth in an office. We didn’t have this when we had the America’s cup in town for instance, and that really was a global event.

And it’s already illegal to climb the bridge without authorisation, no corporate in their right mind is going to buy into a guerilla marketing act unless they really do want two reactions (1) legal and (2) loss of market – who’s going to think that Corporate X changing the flag for theirs is nothing but a cheap publicity stunt, and the fallout would be horrible for them, and expensive.

The farce that is our bending over and taking one for the #IRB and the #RWC will unfold over the next months, when some of the out-of-pocket expenses that we the country have had to find, without recompense and without any fear of breaking even become apparent. We all know we’re in the hole for millions, but it’s a lot more millions than they said it would be – wasn’t it something like $32millions, give or take.

There is no way that there have been millions of tourista dollars into the economy, most of the attendance is local people using local money that they now won’t spend on local things for local people, we’ve given it all the to the IRB in our wisdom.

At least we’re left with not the white elephant Eden Park stadium that will be partially dismantled and under used for the next couple of decades.

via Bridge sentries cost $80,000 – National – NZ Herald News.