North Texas Skeptic - Vol 07 No 10 - 1993

Magazine Overview

Title: The Newsletter of The North Texas Skeptics
Issue: Volume 7 Number 10
Date: October 1993

This issue of "The Skeptic" newsletter from The North Texas Skeptics delves into various topics, primarily focusing on debunking pseudoscientific claims, health scams, and questionable beliefs. The articles critically examine products, medical procedures, environmental predictions, religious claims, and paranormal phenomena through a skeptical lens.

Healthy Skepticism

Bioenergy Nutrients and Bilberry

This section, written by Tim Gorski, M.D., scrutinizes the mail-order promotion of Bilberry capsules by Bioenergy Nutrients. The company claims the supplement, derived from the European blueberry, can significantly improve eyesight, reduce eyestrain, enhance night vision, and combat cataracts. Gorski highlights the typical marketing tactics, including claims of scientific proof from other countries and numerous testimonials. He points out the illogical reasoning in one testimonial and notes that the American Ophthalmological Association had no information on the product.

The $375 Question Mark: HeartCheck America

The article questions HeartCheck America's promotion of ultrafast computed tomography (CT) scans for early detection of coronary artery disease. While the company advertises the test as "98% accurate" and potentially lifesaving, the American Heart Association (AHA) states that the test is still investigational. The AHA's advisory indicates that the prognostic significance of calcification detected by this method is unknown, and its clinical use as a screening tool is not justified.

Intravenous H2O2 Promoters By Another Name

This piece revisits the promotion of intravenous hydrogen peroxide for various medical conditions, previously reported on by the Council Against Health Fraud. The same individuals are now operating under the name International Credible Medicine Association (ICMA). The article notes that while ICMA lists 13 Texas physicians as knowledgeable in "Oxidative Medicine," inquiries revealed that some of these physicians do not use the therapy, have stopped using it, or still defend it without confirming current usage.

Swollen Claims For Medical Device

This report, provided by the D/FW Council Against Health Fraud, details how Farrall Instruments Company of Nebraska was advertising and selling a penile and vaginal plethysmograph. The device, intended to detect sexual arousal, was reportedly sold to inappropriate individuals with unsubstantiated claims of its use in dealing with sex offenders. The Office of the Texas State Attorney General reached an agreement prohibiting its distribution to nonpractitioners or without appropriate labeling, and restricting explicit sexual materials in advertising.

Eco-Scam: The False Prophets of Ecological Collapse

By Ronald Bailey, reviewed by R. A. Dousette

This review discusses Ronald Bailey's book, which examines the history of failed predictions by environmental popularizers over the past quarter century. The book argues that apocalyptic visions, while present throughout history, have gained recent traction due to factors like destructive wars, the cold war, and political ideologies hostile to Western culture. Bailey notes that fear-mongering is a lucrative strategy, citing that in 1990, leading environmental organizations collected $400 million. The review highlights specific failed predictions by figures like Paul Ehrlich (e.g., oceans dying of DDT by 1979, New York/LA smog deaths in 1973, US life expectancy dropping to 42 by 1980) and Lester Brown. It also covers predictions from the Club of Rome, global cooling, ozone depletion, the greenhouse effect, and critiques the work of Jeremy Rifkin and Carl Sagan. The book is praised for its extensive research and for documenting the range of debate, including critiques of alarmists and their use of regulation and media. The final chapter discusses the media's role in promoting fear and offers tips to identify "false prophets of doom."

Letters

To the Editor (Paul T. Riddell, Dallas)

Paul T. Riddell appreciates Pat Reeder's review of "The Elvis Sightings." He humorously postulates an elaborate fictional scenario where Elvis is alive and residing in a celebrity rehab clinic, engaging in various activities with other deceased musicians. Riddell connects the Elvis stamps to Biblical prophecy and suggests Mojo Nixon's song "Elvis is Everywhere" could be an Antichrist hymn, tying it into his upcoming book, "The Second Coming of Sid Vicious."

To the Editor (Deborah A. Boak, Arlington)

Deborah A. Boak raises a question about the scope of skepticism within The North Texas Skeptics. She notes that skepticism often targets religious beliefs (creationism, Shroud of Turin, faith healing) and Humanist critiques of theistic beliefs, but seems to avoid "politically correct" issues like global warming or acid rain. Boak wonders if there's a linkage between skepticism and religious/political beliefs and suggests the NTS should challenge its membership to define the boundaries of skeptical criticism.

The third eye

By Pat Reeder

Pat Reeder discusses the idea of spirits rising from the grave, referencing a report of a ghost in the Fiji Parliament recorded on security video. He humorously speculates if the spirit could be Pat Buchanan, given its appearance and alleged urging for traditional values. The article also touches on the burial of Ferdinand Marcos and the concept of "kalou vu" (ancestral spirits) in Fiji.

News and Commentary

Exorcism in Dallas

The Episcopal diocese headquarters in Dallas underwent an exorcism due to staff illnesses, which were later attributed to a faulty ventilation system. The article notes the embarrassment of some Episcopalians and quotes Bishop James M. Stanton defending the rite. The author sarcastically suggests sending Episcopalians to New York to deal with asbestos in schools.

Paganism's Comeback in Russia

The article reports on the resurgence of paganism and mysticism in Russia following the collapse of the communist regime. It lists various beliefs, including faith healing, astrology, and magical ointments, and quotes a strangely worded piece of advice about self-flagellation for rheumatism. It also mentions old folk superstitions regarding marriage and bad luck.

Southern Baptists Map "The Lost"

A survey by the Southern Baptist Convention estimated that 46.1 percent of Alabama's population is "going to Hell," based on a demographic breakdown that subtracted church membership from the total population. The survey used a formula to estimate salvation based on how closely individuals' beliefs matched those of Southern Baptists. The Baptists claimed the map was to identify areas for new church building, but the author suggests it could be sold to businesses like liquor stores.

Ira Einhorn Case

The article mentions the ongoing trial in absentia of Ira Einhorn, a New Age guru accused of murder. Einhorn skipped bail 12 years prior and has eluded authorities. The article notes his history of lecturing on telepathy, reincarnation, and spiritual concerns, and prosecutors claim he killed his girlfriend in 1977, hiding her body for two years.

The X Files

The new Fox TV series "The X Files" is discussed, with the author noting its surprisingly good acting and suspenseful plot, which accurately details UFO abduction clichés. However, the article criticizes Fox's advertising campaign, which initially claimed the show was "based on actual FBI files" but later dropped the phrase, suggesting a potential legal issue. The author compares the show's accuracy to that of "Married With Children" or "The Simpsons" being documentaries.

Virgin Mary Sighting in Texas

A brief report mentions people lining up in Elsa, Texas, to see the face of the Virgin Mary in the hood of a 1981 Chevy Camaro, comparing the phenomenon's effectiveness at preventing car theft to "The Club."

Up a tree

A skeptical cartoon by Laura Ainsworth depicts a humorous exchange about maps, heaven/hell, and easy questions, with rabbits as the characters.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The newsletter consistently adopts a skeptical and critical stance towards claims lacking empirical evidence or logical reasoning. It targets health scams, pseudoscientific medical treatments, unsubstantiated environmental predictions, religious dogmatism, and paranormal phenomena. The editorial stance champions critical thinking, scientific evidence, and a rational approach to evaluating information, often using humor and satire to highlight the absurdity of unfounded beliefs. The publication also shows an interest in the boundaries of skepticism, particularly concerning its application to religious and politically charged topics.