A look at the claims, predictions and behavior of a media "psychic".
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A look at the claims, predictions and behavior of a media "psychic".
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Sylvia Browne Attempts to Silence This Web SiteSylvia Browne, through her attorney, attempts to shut this web site down. 
Letter to this site's webmaster from Hodgson Law Group (View as .pdf file). BackgroundSince November of 2006, this web site has examined the claims, predictions and behavior of alleged psychic Sylvia Browne. Most recently, the article on this site about Browne's involvement in the Shawn Hornbeck case has led to quite a bit of media attention on Browne and her behavior, including segments about Browne on CNN's Anderson Cooper 360. Most, if not all of this recent coverage has shown Browne in a less-than-flattering light. Not surprisingly, this media attention has apparently been unwelcome by Browne. For example, she declined invitations to appear on Anderson Cooper 360. And when her alleged "psychic powers" were the topic of discussion on the January 26, 2007 broadcast of CNN's Larry King Live, it was not Browne who showed up to discuss the situation with noted skeptic James Randi. Instead it was another "psychic," Rosemary Altea (who, interestingly enough, was not altogether supportive of Browne). Another possible indication of Browne's displeasure with all of this attention: A letter I received from her attorney, which seeks to turn off the spotlight I've shone into Browne's dark world. The LetterOn January 26th, 2007, I received an email from Cheryl L. Hodgson of Hodgson Law Group. Attached to that email was a pdf file containing a two-page letter. What follows is the text from that letter, interspersed with my comments. All emphasis mine. (Note: All text from the letter appears here exactly as it was in the original, including the two times Sylvia's name is misspelled.)
This is, of course, nonsense. The use of a copyrighted or trademarked name within the URL of a non-commercial web site - particularly when that web site is devoted to criticism of the product or company - is considered protected free speech. There are many, many sites on the web with URLs such as "ihate(product/company/celebrity)" and "(product/company/celebrity)sucks". Some examples: It is clear that StopSylviaBrowne.com enjoys the same protection that these and countless other non-commercial, educational sites enjoy. Back to the letter:
Since the name of the site is STOP Sylvia Browne, and nearly every page of the site is critical of the woman, I think it unlikely that very many people would confuse this site with hers. In spite of my belief that this claim has no merit, in the spirit of cooperation, and to aid anyone who might conceivably make such a mistake, I have added the following disclaimer at the bottom of every page on the web site: "NOTE: This site is not affiliated with Sylvia Browne and is neither maintained nor endorsed by her." The letter continues:
At first, I did not know what this even referred to. Then I noticed: on the bottom-right corner of the image of Browne's home page which is shown on this site's home page, a tiny version of the "Hay House" logo could be seen. This was also nonsense, for reasons I will go into following the next paragraph in the letter. I believe this claim to have no merit, but since it was easily done, and did not detract from this site's overall purpose, I have blurred out this tiny portion of said image, again, in the spirit of cooperation. Here's the next paragraph:
Again, nonsense. Anyone with even a passing familiarity with U.S. Copyright Laws would recognize that the use of this image falls easily within "fair use" doctrine. Back to the letter:
I can only assume this is in reference to this site's Support Page, where I give instructions on how others can link back to this web site. If so, then this is yet again nonsense. Since neither this site nor its URL are in violation of copyright law, there can be no problem with someone else linking to it. Page two of the letter follows:
AnalysisOne of the attorneys with whom I shared this letter said that he would be hard-pressed to decide which of the claims in this letter was the most laughable. It seems obvious that the recent media attention this site has received (The New York Daily News, Fox News, Anderson Cooper 360, the Howard Stern Show, The Penn Jillette Show, The Dr. Dean Edell Show, and a number of other radio shows around the country) has not pleased Browne. The site is drawing critical public attention to her, and she is not happy about it. This letter from her attorney is quite obviously an attempt by Browne to frighten me into taking the site down. That attempt was not successful, nor will it be. ConclusionThis site is a non-commercial, educational resource, criticizing Browne's behavior and purported "abilities." As such, I believe that it, and its URL, are protected free speech. I do not think that her transparent attempt to silence criticism would be viewed with much patience in a court of law. Related LinksClicking on any of these links will load a separate browser window for viewing the linked page. StopSylviaBrowne.com is not responsible for the content of any of these linked pages.
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