Bay Area Skeptics Information Sheet - 1987 08

Magazine Overview

Title: BASIS
Issue: Vol. 6, No. 8
Date: August 1987
Publisher: Bay Area Skeptics

This issue of the Bay Area Skeptics' newsletter, BASIS, addresses several topics related to skepticism, critical thinking, and the debunking of pseudoscience. The primary focus is a detailed rebuttal of creationist efforts to influence science education, alongside features on dowsing, psychic phenomena, UFOlogy, and organizational changes within the Bay Area Skeptics.

Creationists Attack Science Education

The lead article, "CREATIONISTS ATTACK SCIENCE EDUCATION," is a rebuttal written for The National Center for Science Education. It details how fundamentalist creationists, having been defeated in courts, are now shifting their tactics to influence public school science curricula. The article highlights that prominent scientists are joining teachers to oppose the inclusion of "dishonesty" and religious dogma disguised as science in classrooms. It specifically criticizes a religious organization, the American Scientific Affiliation (ASA), for its "elaborate attack on science education" through misrepresentation, misquotation, and false statements. The ASA is described as a religious group that accepts only Christians who believe the Bible is the unerring word of God, and it does not require professional scientific training for its members.

The ASA produced a 48-page booklet, distributed to thousands of teachers, which distorts scientific principles in fields like paleontology, biology, and anthropology, presenting scientific findings as flimsy speculations. The article notes that the response to this booklet appears in "American Biology Teacher" and "The Science Teacher," featuring essays by scientists. These essays address how the ASA booklet twists scientific concepts and misrepresents literature. Stephen Jay Gould is quoted calling the ASA writers' methods a "lamentable rhetorical trick." Lynn Margulis asserts that the ASA is driven by biblical religion and seeks to impose its values on students. Michael Ghiselin condemns the misrepresentation of evidence as dishonesty and argues that doing so for proselytizing is particularly bad.

William Mayer, Professor Emeritus of Biology, criticizes the ASA's misleading name and methods, which he states aim to provide a "veneer of scientific respectability for hyperorthodox Christian fundamentalism masquerading as science." He notes that the ASA booklet is written smoothly but still promotes a "science that contradicts the literalist interpretation of the Bible" and seeks to replace it with "pseudoscience that conforms to the creation narratives and other episodes in the Bible."

For the Record: The BAS Challenge

This section includes an anonymous letter responding to a previous meeting where a Dalmatian was to demonstrate knowledge of arithmetic. The letter writer accuses the group of "browbeating and overwhelming an animal" and suggests a "defanged rattlesnake" for their next challenge, with a derogatory remark about the group's leader. The editor's reply clarifies that the "BAS CHALLENGE" is a public offer of $11,000 for a demonstrated paranormal feat under controlled conditions, emphasizing that the claimant sets the conditions. The editor dismisses the criticism about the dog, stating the test was on Mr. Todd's claim, not the dog's abilities, and that the dog showed only confusion, not distress. The response defends the rigor of the challenge, stating that tests of "fantastic propositions are not for the faint-hearted."

Ramparts

This regular feature highlights "bits of irrationality from your local scene." This issue covers several topics:

• Dowsing: The American Society of Dowsers' convention at U.C. Santa Cruz is mentioned, with skepticism directed at the idea of a "mysterious force" associated with underground veins. An ASD officer, Carl Bracy, is quoted explaining that dowsing requires specific yes-no questions and that the rods respond to "certain energies." The article describes a demonstration where Bracy's rod indicated a stream 110 feet deep, with a contradictory explanation involving innate energies. A student, Kate Workman, is mentioned as being unsuccessful in finding a nickel with a dowsing rod. Another officer, Haney Blassingame, claims to find gold and notes that some dowsers ask their sticks health questions, despite AMA disapproval.
• Magician Chuck Mignosa: A feature article from the "San Jose Mercury" about magician Chuck Mignosa driving 26 miles blindfolded is presented as an example of finding "truth" in the context of Ramparts. Mignosa's act is presented as sleight-of-hand, not paranormal, and he explains magic's ability to help people "experience something other than words" and "let the child inside you come out and play."
• Jose Bugarin ("Brother Joe"): The "Sacramento Union" reports on Jose Bugarin, charged with practicing medicine without a license and fraudulently treating cancer patients. His attorney compared him to Billy Graham, calling it "religious persecution." The article notes that Bugarin was caught performing "psychic surgery" by pulling chicken livers from a BMQA officer. It also mentions faith healer W. V. Grant and a Bay Area psychic using similar diversion tactics. Bugarin charged $180 for his services, which are described as involving rinsing red dye off a cardigan for post-op recovery.
• Oral Roberts Lawsuit: A story from the "San Jose Mercury" about aerospace engineers suing Oral Roberts to prove his faith-healing powers is mentioned, calling for protection against "religious corporations that are perpetrating financial rape across America."

UFOs: The Latest Findings

By Don Henvick, this section reports on a panel discussion at the Whole Life Expo in Los Angeles. The author expresses skepticism about the UFOlogists, whom he labels "contactees and fellow travelers," with author Brad Steiger presiding. Presentations included shining lights on a Crystal Skull to see UFOs, claims about "Star People" bringing Sasquatches for vacations, and constructing anti-gravity machines. Dr. Fred Bell is described as schmoozing with extraterrestrials and asking for a volunteer to test alien technology. The author volunteers and undergoes a demonstration involving airplane glue fumes and a "Nuclear Receptor" necklace, which allegedly prevents him from pushing his arm down, a feat attributed to the principle of the lever. The author concludes that the panelists themselves seemed to be biting their lips to keep from laughing.

Changes, Changes

This section details recent changes within the Bay Area Skeptics organization. "BASIS" itself has undergone modifications due to a new laser system and reader feedback, with thanks extended to LA CENTRA ADVERTISING for their graphics work. The leadership has changed, with Robert Sheaffer stepping down as Chair to focus on writing a UFO book and other pursuits. Bob Steiner is acknowledged as a co-founder. Larry Loebig is introduced as the new Chair, with Mark Hodes as Vice Chair. Two new board members, Yves Barbero and Shawn Carlson (a U.C. Berkeley Ph.D. candidate known for his analyses of astrology), have been appointed. Sharon Crawford is also recognized for her valuable assistance in rewriting and her increased role in the newsletter's material.

Fire Engine Stories

By Yves Barbero, this piece reflects on a story told by an elderly priest about a young boy who, after making a good confession, was fatally struck by a fire truck and went to heaven. Barbero questions whether the story was literal or allegorical, concluding it was likely a priest's embellished recollection. He uses this as an example of how stories can be altered and how the "rare saint" is one who hasn't "smoothed out the edges" of a narrative. The article then contrasts "good yarns" (where truth is discovered) with "literary portraits" (where the hero may be larger than life but the situation is realistic), emphasizing the author's role in distinguishing fantasy from reality.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue of BASIS are the critical examination of claims lacking empirical evidence, the promotion of scientific literacy, and the debunking of pseudoscience and irrational beliefs. The newsletter consistently adopts a skeptical and rationalist stance, challenging organizations and individuals who promote unverified phenomena, religious dogma presented as science, or fraudulent practices. The editorial stance is clearly in favor of critical thinking, evidence-based reasoning, and the integrity of scientific education, actively opposing what it perceives as attempts to mislead the public and undermine scientific understanding.

This document is the August 1987 issue of the "Bay Area Skeptic Informatoin Sheet", a publication of the Bay Area Skeptics. The issue features articles by Robert Sheaffer and Larry Loebig, focusing on skepticism towards paranormal claims, particularly UFOs and psychic phenomena.

Articles

UFO UPDATE by Robert Sheaffer

Robert Sheaffer's article addresses the recent surge of UFO news, criticizing the unreliability of much of the reporting. He references a TV program titled "The UFO Experience" as rehashed "tired old trash" and notes that many interviewees were deceased. Sheaffer highlights the work of Philip J. Klass, author of "UFOs: The Public Deceived", who has explained many previously "unexplained" cases. Sheaffer recounts his own photo hoax, the "Banana-split ice cream dish UFO", being used as a backdrop in the TV program. He also debunks a March 1987 UFO sighting in Alaska, which was reported by National Guardsmen with descriptions like "bigger than a jetliner" and "the size of two football fields". James E. Oberg, a space author, identified this event as the launch of the Soviet satellite Kosmos 1833 by a powerful booster rocket. Sheaffer emphasizes that eyewitness accounts are unreliable, drawing a parallel to accident investigations.

Sheaffer then tackles the alleged "secret government document" concerning the Roswell crash of 1947 and the recovery of alien bodies, mentioning "MJ-12" (Majestic 12). He notes the document was received anonymously and was declared a fraud by government contacts and Ted Koppel. He points out that the document lists MJ-12 members as of 1952, all of whom would be dead by 1987, questioning the odds of this. He contrasts this with the CIA's "Robertson Panel" of scientists convened in 1953 to investigate UFO reports, whose proceedings were declassified with the conclusion "Nothing to it". Several members of this panel, including Luis Alvarez, Thornton Page, and Fred Durant, are still alive, suggesting the MJ-12 document was created later than its purported date.

Sheaffer concludes that the "Great UFO Brouhaha of 1987" is over, leaving UFOlogy associated with "wild claims of dead aliens in pickle jars" and "implausible alien abductions", making it harder for UFOlogists to gain respectability.

FROM THE CHAIR by Larry Loebig

Larry Loebig, the Chair of Bay Area Skeptics, thanks past Chairs Robert Steiner and Robert Sheaffer, and acknowledges contributions from Terence Sandbeck. He welcomes new Board of Directors members Shawn Carlson and Yves Barbero, and new Associate Editor of "BASIS", Sharon Crawford.

Loebig mentions that Robert Steiner is President-Elect for the Society of American Magicians. He notes that when traveling, the Bay Area Skeptics and their publication "BASIS" are often discussed, and sometimes perceived as "somewhat frivolous".

He recounts an anecdote about "testing dogs", specifically a Dalmatian named Sonny, whose owner claimed it could perform arithmetic calculations up to ten and do so faster than a human with a calculator. The dog's owner offered a fifty-dollar reward, but no skeptic stepped forward. The dog was also said to communicate with Harry Houdini, answering yes/no questions with barks. Loebig admits this makes it difficult for skeptics to sound credible, though he notes the dog was charismatic.

Loebig announces the next meeting's topic will be "Witchcraft."

Organization Spotlight

The Spiritual Rights Foundation Inc., located in Berkeley, CA, is featured. This non-profit organization promotes and demonstrates psychic ability, publishing a newsletter and sponsoring activities of the Academy for Psychic Studies, offering classes in clairvoyance and psychic healing.

Bay Area Skeptics Picnic

An announcement for the Bay Area Skeptics' Sesquicentennial Celebration picnic on Sunday, August 16, honoring Johannes Diderik Van Der Waals. The picnic will be held at Juana Briones Park in Palo Alto from noon to five p.m., welcoming spouses, kids, and friends. It will include magic demonstrations for children.

Publication Information

Opinions expressed in "BASIS" are those of the authors and not necessarily those of BAS, its board, or advisors. Information on how to obtain a free sample copy of "BASIS" is provided, including mailing addresses and BBS/hotline numbers. The copyright is held by BAY AREA SKEPTICS for 1987.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are skepticism towards paranormal claims, particularly UFOs and psychic phenomena, and the promotion of critical thinking. The editorial stance, as represented by Robert Sheaffer and Larry Loebig, is to debunk unsubstantiated claims, highlight the unreliability of anecdotal evidence, and advocate for scientific explanations. The publication aims to counter what it perceives as misinformation and to foster a rational approach to extraordinary claims.