North Texas Skeptic - Vol 10 No 08 - 1996

Magazine Overview

This issue of "The Newsletter of The North Texas Skeptics," dated August 1996, is Volume 10, Number 8. The cover features a stylized Texas outline with the publication's name, "The Skeptic," prominently displayed. The issue includes articles on "The third eye: News and Commentary from the Weird World of the Media," "Healthy skepticism," and "The Trail Of The Chupacabras."

The third eye: News and Commentary from the Weird World of the Media

By Pat Reeder

This article critiques the modern media's role in hyping entertainment and paranormal phenomena. Reeder begins by admitting he and his wife have not seen the blockbuster movie "ID4" (Independence Day) due to its perceived loudness and idiocy, but notes that media hype makes it possible to discuss the film without seeing it. He argues that the movie's success has significantly boosted tourism to Roswell, New Mexico, which now heavily relies on the "Roswell Incident" myth. Reeder points out that older books on Roswell are selling out, and new ones are being published, often with conflicting eyewitness accounts. He criticizes the media's tendency to sensationalize UFOs and the paranormal, citing a Newsweek poll that found 48% of Americans believe in UFOs, 48% believe in a government cover-up, 29% believe in alien contact, and 40% believe in the supernatural. Reeder also touches on the psychological aspects of this belief, suggesting people use fantasy to explain problems and that untrained hypnotists can dredge up "recovered memories" of alien abductions. Skeptics like James Randi, Ray Hymen, and Joe Nickell are mentioned for their contributions to debunking such claims.

Reeder discusses how TV news programs like "Nightline" and "Dateline NBC" have covered UFOs and Roswell. While "Nightline" presented a skeptical tone regarding the Roswell crash, it focused more on the SETI project. "Dateline NBC" reportedly focused on the special effects of "ID4" and treated the Roswell story as a human-interest feature, highlighting the kitschy tourist attractions in Roswell, such as "crashed saucer" museums and alien-themed merchandise.

The article also mentions a report by Phil Klass about the "Alien Autopsy" film being revealed as a hoax on Argentine TV, and a company that duplicated the film using modeling clay. It criticizes the Center for Science in the Public Interest (CSPI) for its campaigns against food additives like olestra and artificial sweeteners like Sunett, arguing that their claims are often unscientific and exaggerated. Reeder agrees with CSPI's Michael Jacobson on the need for stricter truth-in-labeling laws and ironically suggests the CSPI drop "science" from its name.

Finally, the article touches on Bob Guccione's claim to have paid for secret military photos of a space alien from Roswell, which are to be featured in Penthouse magazine, and offers a reward for a photo of Jesus Christ.

Healthy skepticism

By Tim Gorski, M.D.

This section covers several distinct topics related to skepticism and health.

A High-Dollar "Pigeon Drop" Scam By Mail

Dr. Gorski describes a sophisticated mail fraud scam originating from Nigeria, where individuals are offered a share of millions of dollars allegedly held in Nigerian government bank accounts. The scam requires the victim to provide a bank account for the transfer of funds, often involving a "foreign partner" who is supposedly up to mischief. The scam is identified as a variation of the old "pigeon drop" swindle.

Recommended Reading On Low Fat Dieting, Em Fields, Herbs

This subsection provides summaries and recommendations for several articles:

• Low Fat Dieting: An article from the November/December 1995 "Nutrition Forum" newsletter by Gabe Mirkin, M.D., debunks common myths about low-fat diets, such as chicken being superior to beef, fructose being better than glucose, and low-fat milk being preferable. It clarifies that dark chicken meat has as much fat as beef, fructose converts to glucose, 2% milk is high-fat, and shellfish are not as high in cholesterol as commonly believed.
• Electromagnetic Field Exposure and Cancer: An article from the "CA - A Cancer Journal For Clinicians" (January/February 1996) by Dr. Clark W. Heath, Jr., reviews the epidemiological evidence for cancer risk from electromagnetic (E-M) fields. Heath concludes that while there is suggestive evidence for brain cancer and leukemia, the overall evidence is "weak, inconsistent, and inconclusive." Despite this, public concern has led to litigation and delays in infrastructure projects.
• Herbal Roulette: An article from "Consumer Reports" (November 1995) discusses the unregulated nature of herbal and "nutritional" supplements, noting false claims and poor quality control. It specifically mentions ginseng and the lack of verifiable evidence for products like Ginsanar. The article recommends the works of Varro Tyler, Ph.D., for reliable information on herbal remedies.

Heads I Win, Tails You Lose!

The National Council Against Health Fraud (NCAHF) reports complaints of gastrointestinal and neurological symptoms from individuals taking blue-green algae supplements. Promoters of these products often dismiss adverse effects as "detoxification," claiming that feeling better or worse are both signs of the product's effectiveness.

Acupuncture's Downside

A study published in "The Lancet" (1995) revealed that a significant percentage of doctors and acupuncturists reported adverse effects from acupuncture, including infection, injury, increased pain, and fainting. The study suggests these effects are likely under-reported.

This information is provided by the Dallas/Fort Worth Council Against Health Fraud.

The Trail Of The Chupacabras

By Danny Barnett

This article investigates the legend of the Chupacabras, a creature blamed for killing farm animals and draining their blood. The phenomenon gained significant media attention following a bizarre incident in Sweetwater, Florida, on March 21, 1996, where 69 farm animals were found dead. Local residents attributed the killings to a creature described as having an oval head, bulging red eyes, and being "part reptile, part insect, part UFO alien."

The Chupacabras legend has spread across Florida, Texas, Mexico, and Puerto Rico. Media outlets, including the talk show "Christina" and radio station Y-100, have covered the phenomenon extensively, with Y-100 offering a reward for a photograph of the creature. The article notes that the Chupacabras has become a popular cultural icon, joining other legendary monsters like Bigfoot.

Descriptions of the Chupacabras vary but generally include rough gray skin, an oval head, large red eyes, large fangs, and spikes running down its back. It is said to walk upright, jump great distances, and possibly fly. A tube-like projection in its mouth is believed to be used for draining blood. Some accounts suggest the creature is of extraterrestrial origin, possibly a "pet" of advanced aliens.

The article explores the scientific perspective, with zoologist Ron Magill examining the Sweetwater animal carcasses. Magill concluded that the animals were killed by a large dog, citing canine puncture marks and the absence of blood draining. He noted that dogs kill for fun rather than food, referencing a similar incident at the Metro Dade Zoo. However, Magill's explanation was largely dismissed by the local populace, who continued to believe in the Chupacabras.

The article also touches on the psychological aspects of belief in the Chupacabras, drawing parallels to alien abduction experiences and sleep paralysis. It mentions Whitley Streiber's book "Communion" and how it influenced descriptions of aliens. The economic impact of the Chupacabras myth is also discussed, with ranchers suffering losses and merchants profiting from related merchandise.

Finally, the article highlights the prevalence of pseudoscience in places like Puerto Rico, where media coverage of fringe phenomena contributes to public belief. It concludes that the Chupacabras myth is likely to persist and has become a lucrative phenomenon for merchants, with rumors of an upcoming video game.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The North Texas Skeptics consistently promotes a critical and evidence-based approach to extraordinary claims. This issue highlights skepticism towards media hype, paranormal phenomena, and unsubstantiated health claims. The editorial stance is clearly in favor of scientific reasoning and the debunking of hoaxes and scams, as evidenced by the critical analysis of the "ID4" movie's impact, the Chupacabras legend, and various health-related fraud schemes. The publication encourages readers to apply critical thinking and the scientific method to evaluate claims presented in the media and elsewhere.