A little over a year ago, Iwrote a letter to the Amazing James Randi. I knew from a friend who

was closeto him that James wasn���t doing all that well, and was mostly secluded in hishome.  I���d delayed writing to Randi for anumber of reasons, mostly because I couldn���t believe that a man who seemed toSO have it together would deign to respond to me.

For reason that have nothingto do with personality, and everything to do with his failing health, I learnedthat he would never respond.

While...