From: slagle@lmsc.lockheed.com (Mark Slagle)
Newsgroups: alt.folklore.science
Subject: Re: $50,000 Divining Rods!
Date: 13 Aug 92 06:32:56 GMT
Reply-To: slagle@lmsc.lockheed.com
Organization: You wouldn't ask this if you'd seen my desk.
In-reply-to: srutt@boulder.Colorado.EDU's message of 13 Aug 92 02:15:04 GMT

In article <srutt.713672104@beagle>, srutt@boulder.Colorado.EDU (DNA Kaifeng) writes:

> Frank Borger and Mark Slagle boast about their abilities to use
> divining rods to locate hidden objects (metals). As a scientist

Pay attention this time.  It's no boast, it's just fact.  I can't
"locate hidden objects (metals)", but I can locate underground
pipes, at least some of the time which includes every time I have
tried to date that was verifiable.

> I must keep an open mind toward the possibility that either or
> both of these gentlemen can perform the feats they describe.
> But since ALL people claiming such ability have FAILED under 
> proper scientific testing, such abilities would be called
> extraordinary. And considering the canon "extraordinary claims
> require extraordinary evidence" and since such evidence is not
> available at present, I would bet against Frank and Mark's 
> dowsing abilities.

Pay attention this time.  I can't perform "dowsing".  That is
I can't locate water or a good place to drill a well.  I can
locate underground pipes, not necessarily of ferrous material.

> In case these gentlemen are interested in putting their abilities
> to the test (which I doubt), extraordinary evidence might be
> obtained by having these gentlemen attempt their feats in a 
> controlled testing environment run by a team of skeptical debunkers.
> The CSICOP and the SKEPTICAL INQUIRER would probably be happy 
> to supervise.

Any time Kurtz and his pals want to come out for a visit, or pay
for my time and trip back to my old alma mater, I'm ready to
give it a go.  If you want to sponsor it, that's OK by me.  If
not, then grab a couple of coat hangars and go find your water
lateral in your front yard.  You can do it, and so can anybody
else.  I have never met anyone who couldn't do it after having
the technique explained and demonstrated.

> Oh by the way, I think the current prize for performing such
> feats under conditions controlled by the above groups ranges from 
> $50,000 to $100,000. Call Paul Kurtz at (716)-636-1425 for more
> information. And if suddenly both of your powers disappear -
> I'll understand.

Have Kurtz pay for the call.  I'm not paying for it, because his
challenge is for dowsing.  Pay attention this time.  I, nor anybody
else that I know of, can find water or "objects".  I can, and you
can, find shallow pipes.  If you can get Kurtz to pay for that, I'm
game.  I have no powers that you don't have, though, so maybe you
ought to get practicing.  Anybody who says that they have special 
powers is, at least prima facie, a liar or a fraud.  I make no such 
claim.

I said most of this on the first time around.  Did you get it
this time?  I'm not seeking fame and fortune, I'm not pulling
your leg, and I'm not some credulous boob that thinks Geller
can bend spoons with his neurons.  Hell, I barely even believe
in you.

Read, then read carefully, then see if you can understand what
has been said, scientist, then you can post and imply that I'm 
a liar.  Jerk.
--
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Mark E. Slagle                                 PO Box 61059
slagle@lmsc.lockheed.com                       Sunnyvale, CA   94088
408-756-0895                                   USA