Bay Area Skeptics Information Sheet - 1991 05

Magazine Overview

This issue of "BASIS", the newsletter of the Bay Area Skeptics, dated May 1991 (Volume 10, No. 5), features a prominent report card on Dr. John R. Lee, M.D., authored by Bob Steiner. The publication addresses the controversy surrounding the Bay Area Skeptics' invitation to Dr. Lee to speak at their January 1991 meeting, where he took a strong stance against water fluoridation.

Report Card on Dr. John R. Lee, M.D.

Bob Steiner's article critically analyzes Dr. Lee's presentation on fluoridation. Steiner notes that despite advance publicity, only 28 people attended the January meeting, which coincided with the Persian Gulf War. He highlights that many professionals in the dental and health fields considered hosting Dr. Lee a mistake, with some expressing amazement and calling the group naive for engaging with him. Critics, including those with lengthy credentials in fluoridation, were willing to speak on the topic but refused to appear on a platform with Dr. Lee. They warned the skeptics that they were unqualified to evaluate Dr. Lee's claims, yet also refused to refute them directly.

Steiner, a CPA and magician by background, asserts that he is qualified to evaluate Dr. Lee's technical presentation. He describes Dr. Lee as intelligent, articulate, charismatic, and entertaining, holding the audience spellbound for nearly three hours. However, Steiner felt that the presentation had the trappings of a magic show, using misdirection and manipulating figures to create an illusion that opposed prevailing scientific wisdom. He deemed Dr. Lee's talk dangerous, unlike a harmless magic show.

Dr. Lee's claims regarding fluoridation's lack of benefit and potential harm are challenged by Steiner, who cites extensive testing by Procter & Gamble on fluoride in Crest Toothpaste, endorsed by the American Dental Association, which concluded it was beneficial. Steiner also references the Kingston-Newburgh study, a comprehensive evaluation showing significantly lower costs for corrective dental care in fluoridated communities. He contrasts this with Dr. Lee's assertion that Newburgh showed no advantage over Kingston when all children were examined. Steiner further points to literature demonstrating the voluminous benefits of water fluoridation, including decreases in caries and lower rates of periodontal disease and malocclusion.

Steiner directly refutes Dr. Lee's claim that studies over the past two decades find no discernible dental benefit from fluoridation. He also challenges Dr. Lee's assertion that dentists are not allowed to speak out against fluoridation, stating that Lee claimed it was in the bylaws of the American Dental Association and local societies, with threats of expulsion and loss of pension. Steiner investigated these bylaws and found no mention of fluoride or fluoridation, nor any clause about expulsion or loss of benefits for speaking against it.

Steiner meticulously analyzes Dr. Lee's "Comparison of Dental Costs" data, identifying a significant mathematical error of $390,000 in the calculation of "Dental Costs" for non-fluoridated communities. This error, he argues, leads to an inflated percentage difference in costs and makes the overall conclusion meaningless. He traces Dr. Lee's data back to cited sources, revealing that Lee renamed "Median Net Income" as "Average Net Income," used data from different years (1965 and 1967), and made the calculation error, all while citing the "Journal of the American Dental Association" as his source. The article includes a table comparing dental costs for fluoridated and non-fluoridated communities based on Dr. Lee's flawed data.

Bay Area Skeptics on Call

Kent Harker reports on the Bay Area Skeptics' involvement with the Harvard Club in Palo Alto. The Skeptics were invited to supply a speaker for a meeting on "extraterrestrial intelligence." Harker, along with an engineer from the SETI project, a clinical psychologist, and a physicist, participated in a dinner-table discussion format. Harker focused his talk on the March 1970 "Cradle Hill UFO incident" in Westminster, England. He emphasizes the significance of the Bay Area Skeptics being a known entity that can provide a responsible counterpoint to the proliferation of psychic phenomena and misinformation in society.

Letters to the Editor

Michael Roesch addresses the juxtaposition of CODESH and CSICOP, arguing that their connection is not harmful and that placing them under the "Center for Inquiry" banner should enhance efficiency. He compares this to environmental groups that achieve their philosophy through different organizational paths. Roesch advocates for a broad definition of skepticism, free from dogma, and supports the "Center for Inquiry" project.

Poul Anderson expresses concern about the introduction of political advocacy into "BASIS," believing it can lead to emotional responses and hinder the application of the scientific method. He uses examples of political and historical claims to illustrate the dangers of dogmatism and argues that CSICOP should focus on pseudoscience.

Thomas H. Jukes, Ph.D., responds to editorial decisions, questioning why other articles, including one by Dr. Lee, were not subject to the same editorial scrutiny. He reiterates his previous statement that there is no evidence that water fluoridation affects birth defects.

The Skeptic's Electronic Bulletin Board & Flying Saucers

Rick Moen provides information on "The Skeptic's Electronic Bulletin Board," a 24-hour service. Yves Barbero contributes a piece titled "Flying Saucers," reflecting on his unpreparedness for a radio talk show appearance where he filled in for Robert Sheaffer. He discusses the difficulty of quickly acquiring enough knowledge to counter UFO proponents and the challenge of explaining such phenomena.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue revolve around critical evaluation of claims, the importance of scientific methodology, and the role of skepticism in combating misinformation. The Bay Area Skeptics, through its publication "BASIS," actively engages with controversial topics like water fluoridation, scrutinizing data and challenging unsubstantiated assertions. The editorial stance is clearly in favor of rigorous scientific inquiry, evidence-based reasoning, and a skeptical approach to claims that lack empirical support, particularly those presented with manipulative tactics or flawed data. The publication also highlights the importance of skeptical organizations in providing a counterbalance to the spread of pseudoscientific and unsubstantiated beliefs in society.

This document is the May 1991 issue of the "Bay Area Skeptic Informatoin Sheet", a publication of the Bay Area Skeptics, also referred to as "BASIS". The issue features articles on skepticism, particularly concerning alien visitation, and a book review.

Articles

Alien Visitation and Skepticism

The primary article explores the topic of alien visitation from a skeptical perspective. The author initially proposes a hypothetical scenario where an alien visitor would not resort to crude methods like kidnapping but would instead disguise itself as a human, infiltrate academia, and remotely gather information using contemporary technology. This approach is presented as a more efficient and less conspicuous method for study.

The author acknowledges the vastness of the universe and the high probability of life existing on other planets. However, they question whether these hypothetical aliens would be close enough, motivated, possess the necessary technology, and have a reason to keep their visits secret. The article also touches upon the idea that past UFO sightings might have been interpreted differently in earlier eras, such as spiritual manifestations, whereas modern interpretations lean towards technological craft.

Despite the author's skepticism about current visitations, they humorously suggest that it would be amusing to suddenly discover a flying saucer in the White House Rose Garden with aliens posing for photos.

The article also reflects on the limitations of current human understanding and how different historical periods interpreted phenomena based on their available knowledge and cultural biases. It suggests that skepticism often involves looking for mechanical explanations first, and then resorting to psychological arguments when those fail.

Book Review: "Bare-Faced Messiah, The True Story of L. Ron Hubbard"

This section features a review by Charles Shapiro, Secretary of Georgia Skeptics, of Russell Miller's 1987 book, "Bare-Faced Messiah, The True Story of L. Ron Hubbard". The review highlights that the book aims to tell the "real story" of L. Ron Hubbard, the founder of Dianetics and Scientology, presenting it as more bizarre and improbable than the existing narratives. Miller, who has been reporting on Hubbard for over 30 years, reportedly faced threats from the Church of Scientology during the book's creation.

The review notes that the book relies on face-to-face interviews and eyewitness accounts, making it an engaging read. Miller's central thesis is that Hubbard was "one of the most successful and colourful confidence tricksters of the twentieth century." The book covers Hubbard's life, including his "Navy Brat" childhood, undistinguished Navy career, multiple marriages and children, and his pulp writing. A significant aspect discussed is the prodigious amount of work Hubbard invested in fabricating lies.

The review also points out the negative aspects of Hubbard's lifestyle, including his unhappiness and paranoia. It mentions stories about the presentation of the first person made a "superman" by Dianetics and untrained individuals piloting a trawler, which are described as harrowing and hilarious.

While praising the book's entertainment value, the review notes some weaknesses. One is Miller's acceptance of a story about a "cruel, post-hypnotic trick" attributed to Hubbard, which the reviewer suggests might have been fabricated under hypnosis, a process central to Scientology's doctrine.

Overall, "Bare-Faced Messiah" is described as an entertaining and frightening tale, recommended as a gift for anyone connected with Scientology.

Events and Organization Information

1991 CSICOP Conference in Berkeley

The issue lists volunteers for the 1991 CSICOP Conference in Berkeley, including Yves Barbero, Rick Moen, and Gil Shapiro, among others. It also mentions Donald C. Johanson, President of the Institute of Human Origins, as the Keynote Speaker for the conference, scheduled for May 3-5, 1991, at the Claremont Resort Hotel in Berkeley/Oakland Hills.

Staff and Advisors

The "BASIS" staff is listed, with Yves Barbero as editor, Sharon Crawford as associate editor, Wilma Russell for distribution, and Rick Moen for circulation. The BAS Board of Directors is also detailed, with Larry Loebig as Chair and Yves Barbero as Vice Chair. A comprehensive list of BAS Advisors is provided, including scientists, medical professionals, researchers, magicians, and writers, such as James Randi, Donald Goldsmith, and Robert Sheaffer.

Call for Equipment

There is a request for donations of a working laser printer for "BASIS" to aid in preparing final drafts.

Contact Information

Contact information is provided for Yves Barbero for inquiries about the laser printer. Information is also given for obtaining a free sample copy of "BASIS" by mail or through "The Skeptic's Board" BBS and a voice hotline (415-LA-TRUTH).

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are skepticism towards extraordinary claims, particularly concerning UFOs and alien visitations, and critical examination of pseudoscientific movements like Scientology. The publication's stance is clearly in favor of scientific inquiry, critical thinking, and debunking unsubstantiated claims, as evidenced by its affiliation with CSICOP and its focus on reviewing books that challenge popular beliefs. The editorial stance is that opinions expressed are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Bay Area Skeptics organization or its advisors.