North Texas Skeptic - Vol 07 No 01 - 1993

Magazine Overview

Title: The Skeptic
Publisher: The North Texas Skeptics
Issue Date: March 1993
Volume: 7, Number 3

This issue of The Skeptic newsletter features a comprehensive report on the 1992 CSICOP conference, delving into various skeptical investigations and critiques of paranormal claims. The content spans UFO incidents, media analysis, health-related skepticism, and organizational news for the North Texas Skeptics.

Conference Report

The main feature is a four-part conference report by Jim Lippard, focusing on several key topics discussed at the 1992 CSICOP conference.

The Kecksburg Meteor

Robert Young, education director of the Harrisburg Astronomical Society, presented his findings on the 1965 Kecksburg, Pennsylvania, alleged UFO crash. He reported that a brilliant bolide was observed, and its path was determined to have disintegrated over southwest Ontario, Canada. Young examined 91 eyewitness reports, all of which he believes can be explained by this fireball. He criticized media portrayals, such as those on Fox TV's 'Sightings' and 'Unsolved Mysteries,' for relying on flawed information, like Ivan Sanderson's calculations that showed the fireball changing direction due to errors, and for highlighting newspaper headlines that omitted later, more mundane explanations. Young also debunked claims from five witnesses who reported seeing a crashed and retrieved object, pointing out inaccuracies in their accounts and noting that 46 people had signed a statement asserting no object crashed or was recovered, a fact omitted by the media.

Roswell Incident

Donald R. Schmitt, co-director of CUFOS, presented his case for a peculiar occurrence in Roswell, New Mexico, on July 8, 1947. His central evidence included wire transmissions between Roswell, Ft. Worth, and Washington, D.C., on that date, and an 'official press release' about a 'Flying Disc in Army Possession.' Schmitt questioned why it took two hours to identify the object as a radar device. He dismissed explanations like V2 launches or Japanese balloon bombs. Schmitt claimed to have spoken with 150 people involved, including 30 military personnel whose records could not be found. He cited witnesses who reported alien bodies being observed and a nurse who died in a plane crash, but found no records to support these claims. Schmitt concluded that a cover-up was in place, citing six deathbed statements, including one from a general, stating it was 'no goddamn weather balloon.'

Phil Klass, in response, agreed that there was a major saucer crash cover-up but disagreed on who was responsible. He presented information from a letter by Lieutenant General Nathan Twining, Wright-Patterson base commander, which stated that the UFO phenomenon was 'real and not visionary or fictitious.' However, Klass highlighted that Twining also noted a 'lack of physical evidence in the shape of crash-recovered exhibits.' Klass offered three implications: Twining was lying, he was not informed, or there was no crashed saucer.

CSICOP Video and Awards Banquet

The conference included the premiere of the new CSICOP video, 'Beyond Belief,' which covered astrology, fire walking, and the Gulf Breeze UFO. The video was made available to local groups. The Awards Banquet honored three skeptics: Richard Dawkins received the 'In Praise of Reason' award for his contribution to critical inquiry. Henry Gordon received the 'Distinguished Skeptic' award for his work in establishing a skeptics column. Andrew Skolnick received the 'Responsibility in Journalism' award for an article in JAMA criticizing a marketing scheme, and he spoke about the need to combat SLAPP suits.

The evening concluded with a spoon-bending demonstration by Steve Shaw. James Randi also received an ovation for his legal battles against alleged psychic Uri Geller.

Dinosaur Valley State Park / Dealey Plaza

Following the conference, an optional trip was arranged to Dinosaur Valley State Park to examine dinosaur tracks claimed by creationists as evidence of humans living with dinosaurs. Some attendees visited Dealey Plaza in Dallas, the site of the John F. Kennedy assassination, exploring 'The Sixth Floor' museum and discussing conspiracy theories.

The third eye

By Pat Reeder

Pat Reeder's column, 'The third eye,' expresses dismay at the overwhelming amount of 'unscientific, occult nonsense' on TV and radio, particularly 'tabloid trash TV.' Reeder discusses the February 25 edition of 'Hard Copy,' which featured the upcoming movie 'Fire In The Sky,' based on Travis Walton's UFO abduction story. Reeder criticizes the program for its one-sided presentation, use of special effects, and Walton's repeated retelling of his story for profit. Reeder points out that 'Hard Copy' mentioned that many people have tried to debunk Walton's story, including the fact that he sold his story to the media shortly after the incident, but frames this as a minor point rather than damning evidence. Reeder recommends Phil Klass's book, 'UFOs: The Public Deceived,' for a real investigation of Walton's story.

The column also praises ABC's 'PrimeTime Live' for an undercover expose of psychic 900-lines, detailing how operatives were hired as 'psychics' and used miniature cameras. Reeder notes Dionne Warwick's refusal to appear on the show. A scene from 'PrimeTime' highlighted how office managers anticipated calls to psychic lines after 'AFDC checks are in the mail,' linking the money to these services.

Reeder then recommends several books: 'I'm Dysfunctional, You're Dysfunctional: The Recovery Movement And Other Self-Help Fashions' by Wendy Kaminer, which criticizes the 12-step program and New Age pursuits. 'The Fringes of Reason: A Whole Earth Catalog' is mentioned for its compendium of beliefs, including UFOs and parapsychology. Reeder expresses delight at finding an article in 'The Fringes of Reason' that portrays CSICOP as a powerful force silencing opposing voices, humorously noting his own 'monolithic thought-controlling power' in convincing a waitress that Travis Walton is a fibber.

Finally, Reeder mentions 'The Way Things Ought To Be' by Rush Limbaugh, acknowledging Limbaugh's conservative politics but agreeing with his critique of 'junk science' driven by political agendas. Reeder quotes Limbaugh on the importance of asking commonsense questions and not blindly accepting findings.

Quick stories from the Associated Press include Alan Marcus's phone service offering horoscopes for pets and Rev. Thane E. Ford's proposal for a 22-minute worship service.

Healthy skepticism

Medical "Pathies"
By Tim Gorski, M.D.

This final installment in a series discusses osteopathy and allopathy. Andrew T. Still founded osteopathy in the 19th century, initially focusing on bonesetting and spinal manipulation, believing it could cure various diseases. Still incorporated religious elements, viewing his practice as 'God's law.' Daniel David Palmer, founder of chiropractic, borrowed from Still's ideas. However, osteopathy was quickly 'medicalized' with the help of a visiting Scottish physician, leading to the inclusion of scientific medical knowledge and eventually acceptance of medication and surgery. Today, osteopathy faces an identity crisis, with spinal manipulation being the main distinguishing feature, though many osteopaths do not heavily utilize it.

The term 'allopathy,' coined by homeopath Samuel Hahnemann, originally referred to medical theories and practices that did not fit the 'like cures like' principle. It is now sometimes used by M.D. physicians to distinguish themselves from D.O. physicians, or more often by 'quacks' to discredit legitimate medicine and portray their own methods as 'alternative.' The article concludes that medical '-pathies' are vestigial identifiers of outdated ideas and irrelevant to modern medical science.

Elections

By Mike Sullivan

This section reports on the annual business meeting and election of Directors for the North Texas Skeptics held on January 23, 1993. The elected Board of Directors for 1993 includes Laura Ainsworth, John Blanton, Ron Hastings, John Park, Pat Reeder, Mike Sullivan, and Joe Voelkering. A new Director Emeritus position was created and filled by John Thomas, an original founder and past president. The board appointed officers for 1993: Joe Voelkering (President), Pat Reeder (Vice-President), Mark Meyer (Treasurer), and John Blanton (Secretary). Mike Sullivan and Keith Blanton will continue as Newsletter Editor and Associate Newsletter Editor, respectively. The members also discussed establishing a North Texas Skeptic's 'hotline' for members, media, and the public, and agreed to investigate voice mail systems for this purpose.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue revolve around critical examination of claims, particularly those related to UFOs, paranormal phenomena, and alternative medicine. The editorial stance is clearly skeptical, emphasizing the importance of evidence, scientific reasoning, and debunking misinformation, especially as presented by sensationalist media. The newsletter actively promotes critical thinking and provides resources for further investigation, such as recommending books and highlighting the work of organizations like CSICOP. There is a strong undercurrent of concern regarding health fraud and the manipulation of public belief through media and pseudoscientific claims.