I submitted another letter to the Journal.
This time I had to call out the fact that they gave claimed-psychic Nadia Mitchell front page and a bonus article for coverage to make such deep electoral predictions as (actually I’m just going to post both entire articles since they’re so ridiculous):
Can’t wait for results? Ask Nadia
Trish Audette, The Edmonton Journal
Published: Tuesday, October 14
EDMONTON - The psychic taps an orange card called “The Devil,” and considers NDP leader Jack Layton’s political future.
“There’s some fears with the people wanting to elect him,” Nadia Mitchell says, explaining the devil card highlights feelings of uncertainty.
“I see him doing very well for families…. But there is definitely either a lot of doubts whether he’s not the person for the job, or whether he could be the head honcho.”
Mitchell, 22, reads Tarot cards, crystal balls and palms at the Russian Tea Room on Jasper Avenue. Dramatic in thick black eyeliner and long dark hair, she has had fortune-telling abilities since she was four years old.
Asked to evaluate the outcome of today’s election, the fourth-generation psychic anticipates a political landscape that will look very much as it did before the writ was dropped.
First of all, Mitchell foresees Stephen Harper returning to his role as prime minister. “I definitely see him securing office,” she said Monday afternoon. “I do believe he could be one of the best for the job. …
“He still has a lot that he wants to accomplish.”
“He really loves his job, he really loves what he does. If he could be in this direction for 20 years, 30 years, 40 years, he would stay in it.”
Liberal leader Stephane Dion, on the other hand, faces difficulties.
“It’s telling me not a lot of people are trusting him,” Mitchell said, studying the cards laid out on a little round table at the back of the downtown cafe.
“Not a lot of people believe in him. His chances are fairly well, but it also shows me a lot of people not wanting to back him up.”
Mitchell guesses a six-year sell-by date for the Liberal leader, who early in the campaign was dogged by criticism for everything from his Green Shift plan to the awkward way he speaks English.
“I would say he’s not meant to give up, but he is meant to be fed up.”
In Mitchell’s cards, Green party leader Elizabeth May came through as a mother figure with a number of people rooting for her.
“She is meant to be in politics for a very long time,” she said. “There is going to come a point where she is going to be taken very seriously. …
“These next four years for her are really going to be fulfilling when it comes to her desires and hopes.”
On pondering voter turnout, Mitchell revealed Tarot cards showing young men in medieval dress.
“A lot of the younger crowd, kind of the youth, is going to be” voting today, she said.
“There will be people that come out and vote, but it won’t be a big (increase) from last year.”
The psychic did not limit her fortune-telling to the Canadian election, although she noted American politics are harder to accurately foresee, since the extensive media coverage could influence her thoughts.
“Definitely I see (Barack Obama) taking a stand, bringing change that we’re really needing,” she said. “He has very strong beliefs, very good intentions…. It is meant to be a very close call between him and (John) McCain.”
Turning the cards for Republican vice-presidential candidate Sarah Palin, Mitchell saw a picture of the globe.
“People think that she’s in her own little world, that’s what I see,” Mitchell said. “Her and McCain do make a good team, but I definitely see that they have different beliefs.”
She said, “The next four years for her look like she’s meant to stay more within her environment. . . .
“When it does come to being in Alaska, I think that’s where she’s meant to change things. I don’t think she’s ready to handle the world.”
Psychic Nadia Mitchell hazards a glimpse at the future of Edmonton’s three most closely-watched ridings.
- Edmonton-Centre
The candidates: Laurie Hawn (Conservative), Donna Martyn (NDP), Peggy Morton (Marxist-Leninist), David Parker (Green), Jim Wachowich (Liberal)
The race: In 2006, Hawn beat then-deputy prime minister Anne McLellan. This year Wachowich, a lawyer and consumer advocate, is trying to win back the heart of the city for the Liberals.
What the cards say: “I’m showing very positive opportunities for change. Someone (wants) to change the downtown, or bring stability or balance…. Definitely between a male and a female figure, I do feel a lot of opportunities to change.”
Mitchell’s forecast: “I believe (Hawn) might keep his title and keep his ground.”
- Edmonton-East
The candidates: Trey Capnerhurst (Green), Peter Goldring (Conservative), Stephanie Laskoski (Liberal), Ray Martin (NDP)
The race: Tory Peter Goldring has won the riding in four straight elections, since 1997. This year he faces former provincial NDP leader Ray Martin, who he beat in 2000.
What the cards say: “The man that is (holding) this part of the city at this point in time, it’s really showing him not trying to move or not trying to change…. I definitely feel people being frustrated.”
Mitchell’s forecast: “I don’t see too much change…. I would say the person that is in office right now will still be in office.”
- Edmonton-Strathcona
The candidates: Linda Duncan (NDP), Kevan Hunter (Marxist-Leninist), Rahim Jaffer (Conservative), Claudette Roy (Liberal), Jane Thrall (Green)
The race: Linda Duncan and Rahim Jaffer are fighting a grudge match after Jaffer collected his fourth consecutive win in 2006 by a margin of 5,000 votes. Jaffer went to Ottawa as the Conservatives’ caucus whip while Duncan stayed in Strathcona drumming up support and waiting for the writ to be dropped.
What the cards say: Today will be a big day for Edmonton-Strathcona. Many will wake up with new clarity, sure of who to vote for after a “blindfold of confusion” has been lifted. “There’s not much that voters should be worried about…. People control their own lives and their own destinies and their own desires.”
Mitchell’s forecast: “It is showing me a male figure…. I would look forward to a male kind of taking the lead.”
My reply, which hopefully makes it in:
Re: “Can’t wait for results? Ask Nadia” and “The hand we’re dealt in city’s close races” 14 October 2008.
I was impressed by the obvious clairvoyant talent of Miss. Nadia Mitchell, and the willingness for the Journal to promote her to the front page of the election day issue. Specifically, I find it nearly unbelievable that she predicted in Edmonton Strathcona for us to “look forward to a male kind of taking the lead.” Perhaps Mr. Rahim Jaffer took this advice into account while giving his early acceptance speech.
Unfortunately, the cards were a bit misleading in this case and in the end she didn’t tell us anything the days polls could have. If Nadia wants to truly prove her talent, perhaps she could have given us a vote breakdown or overall seat total as opposed to wild speculations.
I expected more from the Edmonton Journal.
Ian Bushfield
Western Canadian regional director, Centre for Inquiry, Edmonton
Related posts:
- My letter made it
- Then the Journal publishes crap
- Shortened Journal appearance
- Rahim Jaffer’s concerned, not scared
- Its a Shame, Blue is Such a Nice Colour in Most Contexts
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And there it is. I think they like you.
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