JREF Swift Blog

Dear Jeff,

I am writing to you to appeal the banning of my posting privileges on the JREF site in the thread discussing an article that I wrote, concerning the $50K Psychic Challenge that musician and spiritualist Eddie Benitez has issued.

Eddie spoke with you himself yesterday, and I am sending you the link to the thread and the ban notice I receive when I log in.  In the the ban I notice I get, it says "no reason specified."

Those posting to the page, however, are claiming it was for "multiple users on one account."  That was not  communicated to me. I posted statements from Mr. Benitez on his behalf - when he requested that I issue those statments.  They were put in quotes and posted by me as his spokesperson.  On one occasion Eddie posted himself, with my permission.  Why should that be a problem.  I am fully identified and a well known writer and broadcaster.  Eddie is fully identified and is a world renowned musician and quite famous as a spiritualist as well.

I am Eddie's writer - I am collaborating with him on his biographical book, Angels on My Stage, as his co-author.  I also do some publicist work for him, and when he'd like something in writing, such as a post - he frequently dictates to me what he wants to say and I write it up.  I have had two books published previously, and many articles.  I'm a veteran radio broadcaster with U.S. and European credentials.  And I hold two masters degrees in theology.  In other words, I'm no schmuck - as they are trying to paint me. I'm also a member of  American MENSA.  Meaning, I'm a whole lot smarter than most of them.  And I am appealing this prejudicial banning.

Since virtually all entertainers make use of spokespeople, I am not sure why this would be a problem in this forum.  Everything was clearly stated, as to who was speaking.  Neither Eddie nor myself are posting anonymously on JREF, while everyone else is.  So we are banned for being out in the open with our comments?

Mr. Benitez feels that the real reason for the ban were his statements of belief, of faith.  He feels that when he spoke of Jesus and faith, that resulted in this ban.    It certainly appeared that there was no room for civil discussion on the thread.  There was a decided lack of civility, bullying, ridicule and personal attacks. That kind of behavior is aided and abetted by the anonymity.  And it seems as if the thread is only going to welcome people who are in agreement with them, which has to make for pretty dull conversation.

We feel the ban was unfair and meant to punish free speech and make us look bad.  We are both professionals and the attacks on our professional and personal  lives and beliefs were outrageous, and then further posting from my account was prohibited.

Mr. Benitez wonders if the ban came from Mr. Randi, if he doesn't want any non-atheists or non-skeptics to have a voice, or if it is because of perceived competition - even though Mr. Benitez's psychic challenge is of a totally different nature than Mr. Randi's.  In the forum, posters seem to think there is only one way to have a challenge, which is not the case.

I would like to have the ban lifted after your review, because it's clear it was out of prejudice and discrimination.  So much so, I was not even given a reason.

There cannot be much debate in a forum if only one side is allowed to post.

Thank you for your time and attention to this matter.

Below is a copy of the ban notice I receive on logging in.

Sincerely,

MaryEllen O'Brien

It is clearly stated in the member agreement that you may not have other people use your account, which you plainly admit to here. This is why your account was banned.

Jeff Wagg

This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Communication and Outreach Manager

James Randi Educational Foundation

http://www.randi.org

Jeff,

I am forwarding a message from Mr. Benitez regarding your ban on my account.

Begin forwarded message:

From: Eddie Benitez Date: October 21, 2009 7:05:13 PM MSTTo: MaryEllenSubject: Forward.

I am saddened by your ban on MaryEllen. It seems to me you banned her more for the Quotes from me and the belief in Jesus Christ, since Randi is a non believer. It's ok. Randi is a Fraud and fears that I will expose his 1 million challenge to be a hoax. Read about it. Did you know I have fame also?  I hope Randi keeps getting donations on his site. I will take Randi's challenge as long as he does it in public so all may see the truth and not some paperwork from a hidden, artificial "challenge." We can do it on LIVE tv. Again, I believe you banned my writer because she mentioned my thoughts on Jesus and God and all of you are atheist. The rules of your forum are very one sided and designed to justify uncivil and hateful behavior while banning someone who is civil and courteous - but who mentions faith and belief. You tolerate hate and unbelief while finding belief and faith to be intolerable, something you must ban.  The ban shows your prejudice and fear, which I take to be Randi's fear of a challenge and of exposure.

Eddie Benitez

To: Eddie Benitez

---

From: MaryEllen

Subject: Fwd: JREF thread/ban - Eddie Benitez $50K challenge

Date: Wed, 21 Oct 2009 18:46:41 -0700

idiots

I made it clear it was ME, with statements from you, always in quotes, always attributed to you.  And the one time you posted, with my permission to use.  They must have been waiting for that to swoop in.  m.e.

I've given you the truth. Whether you believe it or not is up to you. I believe you're paranoid.

Jeff Wagg

Jeff,

You may think what you want.  We, in turn,  think all of your subscribers are paranoid about Jesus and God.

We will advise Sylvia Browne on the disbelief of the Randi Foundation in any kind of God as well.

You can now be assured that there will be a chapter in our book, Angels on My Stage, entitled: "The Amazing Randi?"Thank you for all the material.

There is a prophecy from the angels, for your organization. December 26 is a pivotal, turning  point for the foundation.

And Jeff, based on your emails in response to my appeal over the banning of my account, we are both left wondering what the qualifications could possibly be for one to achieve the position of

Communication and Outreach ManagerJames Randi Educational Foundation

Because it most certainly is not attributable to your communication skills - which are stunted and virtually non-existent.Nor can it be "outreach," since we are left wondering exactly to whom you direct your "outreach" efforts, a term which usually means an effort to foster relationships in a broad manner, with courtesy and generosity of spirit.  That is outreach.  What you demonstrate is the absence of any of that.

Your emails were terse, defensive statements.  No salutation as in normal professional correspondence - from a communications manager.  No explanation. No respect.  No courtesy.  What was demonstrated was the same lack of courtesy and civility that dominates your Forum. And the same instant need to insult the people you are communicating with.

You did just send me an email saying our beliefs were essentially meaningless, and that Eddie, or myself, or both - are "paranoid" because we have the chutzpah to disagree with you and challenge you.

You should make sure you keep this job, though, Jeff, because with the incomprehensible lack of communication skills you have displayed, you certainly won't be getting hired by any real company any time soon.

Sincerely,

MaryEllen O'Brien

CONFIDENTIALITY: This e-mail and any attachments are confidential

Dear MaryEllen,

Thank you for giving me implicit permission to publish your correspondence. I'm not sure if your comment about Sylvia Browne was meant to be entertaining, but I assure you that our entire staff found it quite amusing. If you do talk to Sylvia, please remind her that we're still waiting for her to take the challenge she agreed to on Larry King Live over eight years ago. You would think she'd be eager to take the $1,000,000 from us.

Quite sincerely,

Jeff Wagg

P. S. I hope you approve of my use of a salutation and closing. You'll notice that I didn't use the word "idiot" as your employer did.