North Texas Skeptic - Vol 12 No 11 - 1998

Magazine Overview

This issue of "The Newsletter of The North Texas Skeptics," titled "The Skeptic," Volume 12, Number 11, dated December 1998, features a collection of articles critically examining various phenomena often associated with pseudoscience and the paranormal. The main cover headline is "The Third Eye," suggesting a focus on perception and hidden truths, with sub-topics including "The third eye," "The amazing Elizabeth Joyce," and "Web news."

The Third Eye: News and Commentary from the Weird World of the Media

Written by Pat Reeder, this column discusses the peculiar case of radio host Art Bell. Reeder notes Bell's sudden and cryptic announcement of quitting his show "forever" due to a threat to his family, which led to concerned listeners contacting police. Bell eventually returned after three weeks, attributing his absence to changed circumstances he could not divulge, and denying it was a publicity stunt. Reeder, drawing on his 20 years of radio experience, suggests that such exits and returns can be effective for garnering attention and ratings. He also mentions that KLIF (570 AM) began airing Bell's show earlier and running "best of" reruns on weekends, recommending them for hearing past psychic predictions, some of which have failed to materialize.

Reeder recounts an amusing incident where Art Bell hosted Matthew Alper, author of "The 'God' Part of the Brain." Alper proposes that beliefs in God and the afterlife have a physiological origin. When Bell smugly cited nonexistent statistics about influencing random number generators, Alper's simple "Yes" to whether such a study would be a hoax apparently stunned Bell. Alper pointed out that if such telekinesis were proven, it would be front-page news, not discussed on a radio show. Reeder orders Alper's book, praising him as the "only genuine miracle worker" for eliciting a skeptical thought on Bell's show. The column also notes that the Skeptical Inquirer presented Art Bell with its annual "Snuffed Candle Award" for promoting pseudoscience.

The column then shifts to public scientific illiteracy, referencing a DNA study that purported to prove Thomas Jefferson fathered a child with Sally Hemings. Reeder expresses suspicion about scientific breakthroughs announced just before elections, especially when cited to defend political behavior. He points out that the DNA test had a low accuracy rating and that the lead researcher stressed it did not prove paternity, yet the media declared it a scientific fact. Reeder hopes for more media editorials on what journalists *don't* know about science.

Reeder also addresses the situation in Iraq, where economic sanctions have not curbed Saddam Hussein's behavior. He describes a booming trade in self-proclaimed "psychic healers" preying on Iraqis who cannot afford proper medical care. He notes the absurdity of a healer claiming to cure 15 blind men at once, while being blind himself. Reeder suggests these "healers" might be harming the population more effectively than air strikes.

Finally, Reeder contrasts this with the situation in the United States, citing a Harvard Medical School survey published in JAMA. The survey found a 47% increase in visits to alternative medical practitioners since 1990, with Americans making more visits to these practitioners than to primary care physicians. The AMA began clinical tests on popular therapies, with mixed results. Chinese herbs showed effectiveness for irritable bowel syndrome, saw palmetto for prostate issues, and yoga for carpal tunnel syndrome. However, chiropractic spinal manipulation did not relieve headaches, Garcinia cambogia didn't aid weight loss, acupuncture failed for HIV patients, and Echinacea was no better than a placebo.

A peculiar finding was that burning mugwort next to a pregnant woman's toe helped turn breech babies in 75% of cases, compared to 48% naturally. The smell of mugwort is noted as similar to marijuana.

The column concludes with news that prosecutors in Florida charged the Church of Scientology with felony counts of abuse or neglect of a disabled adult and unauthorized practice of medicine in the case of Lisa McPherson, who died of dehydration after being held against her will.

The Amazing Elizabeth Joyce

Authored by John Blanton, this section scrutinizes the predictions of psychic Elizabeth Joyce. Blanton notes that psychics often use vague predictions, but Joyce attempts to be more specific with dates. Ron Butler has been tracking Joyce's predictions for 1998. An early prediction from January 27, 1998, in the Los Angeles Times, stated that Bill Clinton would resign before his State of the Union address, which did not happen.

Blanton found Joyce's "Predictions for 1998" on her "Visions of Reality" website, which included concrete dates. He compiled a table (Table 1) of her predictions, assessing their accuracy. The table lists predictions such as "Clinton resigns" (due 1-31, proved 2-1, True: No), "Oscar for K. Bassinger" (due 3-23, proved 3-24, True: Yes), and "Mt. Fuji erupts + two others tidal waves" (due 3-98, proved 4-1, True: No).

Butler noted that Joyce had revised her website to remove or alter predictions that had not come true, specifically the January date for Clinton's resignation and the March 5 date for the start of the Iraq/Israel War. Blanton expresses shock at this "chutzpah."

He also highlights the "Some of the Famous - expected to cross over in 1998" section of Joyce's predictions. Initially, there were eight names listed. However, by March, a ninth name, Lloyd Bridges, was added. Bridges died on March 10, leading Blanton to suspect that Joyce retroactively added him to improve her record. He notes that it's difficult to confirm if Bridges was added before or after his death.

Blanton provides a quick follow-up on Table 1, confirming misses for the East Coast earthquake, California quake, and the deaths of John Paul II and Billy Graham. He questions the stock market crash predictions and notes that American acquired Reno Air, and Chrysler was absorbed by Mercedes-Benz.

He mentions that Joyce was correct about Frank Sinatra's death. Blanton asks readers for help in verifying other predictions, particularly regarding Ronald Reagan's health and whether Lloyd Bridges was added after the fact. He hopes Ron Butler will continue tracking Joyce's website.

Joyce's website is described as having glowing testimonials, and she is named one of the Top 20 Psychics by American Woman Magazine. She was also slated to appear on "Unsolved Mysteries" on CBS. Dr. Hans Holzer lists her as "a clear seer with a remarkable gift" in his book "The Reputable Psychics."

An excerpt from her web page describes Joyce as a "Natural clairvoyant" born a twin, who developed her abilities after a car accident in 1979. She has a corporate background and a degree in Business Administration. She has published articles on relationships and alternative medicine, and has hosted a radio show. Her accuracy is claimed to be astounding over fifteen years, and she has worked with the FBI and Police.

Blanton concludes with a somewhat sarcastic tone, suggesting he may have underestimated psychics and should stop being so quick to condemn, given the effort involved in "reading tea leaves."

An article from the Los Angeles Times (1-27-98) by Roy Rivenburg, titled "Off-Kilter," is also included, reiterating Elizabeth Joyce's prediction that Bill Clinton would resign and Al Gore would deliver the State of the Union address, with Gore sending troops to the Middle East.

Web news

This section, compiled by John Blanton, covers several distinct news items.

Speaking of creationism

An announcement from the Institute for Creation Research (ICR) promotes their Internet creationism course, "Creation OnLine."

Did you know that

A brief note questions whether American health authorities are considering a policy change due to evidence that polio is caused by the polio vaccine.

What's new (from Robert Park)

This segment discusses the "DKL Lifeguard," a device marketed to pinpoint terrorists through concrete and steel, priced at $14,000. DKL claims it detects electrical impulses of the human heart. However, double-blind tests by Sandia Labs reported it performed no better than chance. The National Institute of Justice and the Defense Technology Security Administration were asked to test the device, but Senator Arlen Specter reportedly intervened. The James Randi Educational Foundation (JREF) has issued a challenge, offering one million dollars to Howard Sidman, president of DKL Enterprises, or Senator Specter, for a successful demonstration of the device.

Step right up! (From James Randi)

James Randi discusses the centennial meeting of the American Physical Society (APS), where he was a speaker. He nominated Dr. George Johnson, a physicist and head of the DKL company, to speak from "the other side" of rational thinking. Johnson, who manufactures the "Lifeguard" dowsing rod (which contains disconnected electronics), declined the invitation, citing his financial backers. Randi asserts that the scientific claims for the DKL "invention" are spurious, the device does not work, and its creators should be charged with fraud for selling it to federal agencies. He notes that Senator Specter's office inquired with the National Institute of Justice (NIJ) about their investigation into DKL, and the NIJ found the Sandia report credible while a DKL-hired report was deemed unreliable. Randi reiterates the JREF's one-million-dollar challenge for a successful demonstration of the Lifeguard device, which DKL has declined. He mentions that the NIJ is funding Sandia Labs to analyze the Lifeguard's electronics. Randi concludes by referencing the "Quadro Locater," another dowsing rod that the FBI eventually addressed after he alerted them to employees buying franchises. The JREF's challenge remains open.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The overarching theme of this issue is skepticism towards claims that lack scientific evidence or are presented as paranormal or pseudoscientific. The publication consistently critiques media sensationalism, the uncritical reporting of psychic phenomena, and the promotion of unverified medical or technological claims. The editorial stance is clearly in favor of critical thinking, scientific inquiry, and evidence-based reasoning, often highlighting instances where popular beliefs or claims are debunked or questioned. The newsletter aims to inform its readers about potential scams, misinformation, and the importance of distinguishing between credible science and pseudoscience.