Happy Birthday To "The Amazing Randi"

Once again I'm a day late, but I didn't want to pass up the opportunity to wish a happy birthday to one of my major heroes -- James Randi. Randi had a distinguished and very successful career as a stage magician, calling himself The Amazing Randi. But he is most remembered today for the career he chose after he retired at the age of 60.

After retiring, he established the James Randi Educational Foundation (JREF). Through the JREF he has exposed countless numbers of psychics, faith healers, diviners, mediums, astrologers, homeopaths, and others who claim paranormal powers. For many years the JREF has offered a $1 million payment to anyone who can demonstrate a paranormal power that can't be explained by science or duplicated by Randi using stage magic. To date, no one has earned that prize.

Randi has always been a brave and steadfast voice for reason and reality. Yesterday he celebrated his 83rd birthday. I hope it was a happy one, and that he has many more.