IIG Public Update #11
June 2008
With many of our applicants dropping off the radar, we have had the time to focus on our most important event this month: The Second Annual IIG Awards:
THE IIG AWARDS – JUNE 23RD
We announced last month that James "The Amazing" Randi will be on site to be inducted into the Houdini Hall of Honor. We can now announce that joining him will be celebrity presenters Paul Provenza and Julia Sweeney. The event is on June 23rd starting at 7PM. More information is available here and tickets can be purchased here.
CALGARY HEALER:
Devon K. has asked us about the $50,000 challenge, and he is tracking his progress on his own web site at http://www.tao-te-chi.com/challenge.htm.
The short version of the story is this: Devon sent us an e-mail with the following statements about "what he does":
What I do is based on reality, hard work, dedication, and commitment.
To cut a long story short… what I do is not "popular" and thus does not generate income for me or very much public support.
[M]y goal is to get what I do to clinical trials.
To which we responded:
Can you describe in as specific terms as you can exactly what your particular skills are?
His response:
[W]hat I can do in most basic form is help to temporarily relieve pain and discomfort from people... even those with long standing conditions.
We have asked Devon to either videotape, or perform in Los Angeles, a healing of at least one individual. We await his response.
TENNESSEE TELEPATH:
Raymond P., from the Volunteer State, has been sent a protocol for a preliminary demonstration.
You will receive a stack of 20 words written on note cards. You will not know what those words are or the order they are in until you are separated from your receiver at the beginning of the test.
You will then transmit the words one at a time to the receiver who is in a different part of the building. We will be in radio contact with someone close to the receiver who will notify us when the receiver has finished writing each word down.
After all 20 words are sent, we will compare the receiver's list with the list you send and count how many, if any, match.
How many out of 20 can you get? You tell us...
I would think 75% would be pretty easy from a man of your talents.
We await his response.
VISION FROM FEELING:
We still need to schedule a phone interview with Anita Ikonen. Stay tuned.
LONG ISLAND HEALER:
Bob T. has received the following protocol from Jim Underdown:
We will gather a number of people who have conditions, diseases, maladies, etc. that are obvious and easy to diagnose -- even for non-physicians. These conditions might range from obvious skin rashes, burns, or cuts to long term disabilities, or serious illnesses like diabetes.
We don't know how many people we will be able to get to show up, and we don't know at this point what their diseases will be. We won't know those numbers until the day of the demonstration, but we will try to get several people to show up.
We'll also try to mix some believers into the group, however, most of the folks you'll try to cure will likely be skeptical of your ability.
You will have to cause an observable cure in 75% (3 out of 4) of the people to qualify to take the $50,000 Challenge. Just so we're clear, this means, for example, that you'll have to:
1. Make rashes, cuts and burns disappear
2. Heal any recent injuries like broken bones or sprains
3. Straighten arthritic limbs
4. Perform limb or joint regeneration
These are just examples of the types of conditions that an impartial observer could see change from one minute to the next. There's no need for doctors or expensive equipment. Just close some wounds and you'll move on to the next step.
Remember, making someone feel better does not count as a cure. We need to see obvious results. We will photograph and videotape each person before and after so there will be no disagreement about whether there was observable improvement.
If you cure 75% of the subjects you qualify to take the IIG $50,000 Challenge. If you don't, you will not be allowed to try again for another year.
We await his response.
LOS FELIZ STREET FAIR:
While Hollywood is known worldwide as the entertainment capitol of the world, let's not forget our neighbor, Los Feliz, California, which begins a few blocks east of CFI-Los Angeles. This year, various CFI groups will be present at the fair. Look for our booth! For more info, see http://www.losfelizstreetfair.com/.
AULTERRA:
Do cell phones cause cancer? The short answer is "no." Actually, the long answer is "no," but that didn't stop the Aulterra Company from selling the so-called "Neutralizer" which supposedly stops the deadly radiation from your Nokia.
We have performed a test on the Aulterra, and examined their claims. A preliminary report is now available.
But that's not all. Wendy Hughes, the leader of this inquiry, has decided that it's time to do the thing Skeptics never want to do – take legal action. Since the FTC has gone after similar products, we have sent a letter to the FTC asking them to consider prosecuting the Aulterra Company. Furthermore, we are asking skeptics to contact their legislators and urge them to look into the matter. Hey, if you're reading this, you're probably a skeptic! Please download this sample letter and consider sending it, or a similar letter to your representatives.
Don't know who your representatives are? Go to http://www.votesmart.org/.
THAT'S ALL:
Enjoy Father's Day, Flag Day, the Summer Solstice and the final 2008 presidential primaries in the continental United States (for real this time).
- IIG
