North Texas Skeptic - Vol 14 No 12 - 2000

Magazine Overview

Title: The North Texas Skeptic
Issue: Volume 14, Number 12
Date: December 2000
Publisher: The North Texas Skeptics

This issue of The North Texas Skeptic, a newsletter from the North Texas Skeptics organization, features several articles focusing on skepticism, science, and the critique of pseudoscientific or unscientific claims. The main articles delve into the controversial use of homeopathy in veterinary medicine, the advocacy work of the National Center for Science Education, the creationist views of Jack Chick, and a tribute to the late writer L. Sprague de Camp.

Homeopathy and Veterinary Medicine: Has Bird Talk Magazine Been Quacked?

Authored by Laura Ainsworth and Daniel Barnett, this article critically examines an article published in "Bird Talk" magazine that praised homeopathic medicines for treating avian illnesses. The authors, both skeptics and bird enthusiasts, express their surprise and concern. They detail their attempt to get a response from "Bird Talk" after sending a letter of concern, which was not published. The article identifies Alicia McWatters, a holistic avian nutritional consultant, as the author of the "Bird Talk" piece. McWatters is criticized for promoting alternative therapies, including homeopathy, and for lacking credentials in veterinary medicine. The authors point out that McWatters fails to acknowledge the lack of scientific consensus on homeopathy's effectiveness beyond a placebo effect and that she misrepresents scientific studies. Specifically, they challenge her claims about studies published in "The Lancet" and the "British Homoeopathic Journal," noting errors in her citations and the questionable methodology of some cited research. The article also addresses McWatters' claims about a "healing crisis" and the interpretation of cures, arguing that these could be dangerous for sick birds, which often show symptoms late. The authors strongly advocate for prompt, scientific, and professional medical care from competent avian veterinarians for sick birds.

The National Center for Science Education

Written by John Blanton, this section introduces the National Center for Science Education (NCSE) and encourages readers to support its work. The NCSE is described as a nonprofit organization dedicated to defending the teaching of evolution in public schools against "sectarian attack." It serves as a clearinghouse for information and advice, helping teachers, parents, and school boards. The article mentions that the NCSE also works to improve public understanding of evolution and science as a "way of knowing." It highlights the activities of its director, Eugenie C. Scott, who travels and testifies, and notes the production of the NCSE Journal and other informational materials. The piece encourages donations, stating that they are tax-deductible and that purchases from their bookstore also support the organization. Contact information for the NCSE, including a PO Box in Berkeley, California, is provided.

Jack Chick

Also by John Blanton, this article discusses the work of Jack Chick, known for his illustrated gospel tracts that promote fundamentalist Protestant ideology and strongly oppose evolution. Chick has been producing these tracts for nearly forty years, with hundreds published in numerous languages, some displayed at the Smithsonian Institution. The article notes his anti-evolution stance, referencing his website and a review of Scott M. Huse's book "The Collapse of Evolution." It critiques Chick's use of arguments like the bombardier beetle to claim that evolution is impossible. The article highlights Chick's cartoon booklet "In the Beginning," which dismisses evolution and the age of the Earth, and his portrayal of scientists as "brainwashed." Chick's work is characterized as promoting the idea that evolution is a religion and that the Bible is scientifically accurate. The article lists several of Chick's anti-evolutionary works and Kent Hovind's creation seminar videos, detailing their themes, which include challenging the age of the Earth, the Garden of Eden, dinosaurs, and presenting evolution as a foundation for communism and Nazism. The article also mentions Chick's "Evolution Poster," which satirizes various fossil hominids like Heidelberg Man and Piltdown Man. The author concludes that while Chick's publications are often nonsensical, they make the defense of evolution easier by providing an extreme example of opposition.

What's New

This section, written by Robert Park, covers several brief news items:

• Alternative Medicine: It notes that Congress supports alternative medicine with significant funding, and Prince Charles is urging the UK government to invest in it. However, a UK committee has highlighted risks associated with alternative medicine due to a lack of training and research.
• Pennsylvania Science Standards: The Pennsylvania School Board proposed science standards that would allow teaching of theories that "do or do not support the theory of evolution," with some local members advocating for "pro-creationist" views.
• Book Review: "Icons of Evolution" by Jonathon Wells: The book is described as "truly anti-science," arguing that biology makes sense only through a supernatural intelligence that deceives. It criticizes the idea that developmental genes are similar across species and alleges a conspiracy within the National Academy to promote Darwinian dogma.
• Cold Fusion: The American Nuclear Society is holding a session on cold fusion, and the Integrity Research Institute is hosting a free-energy conference. A court rejected a cold-fusion patent appeal due to "lack of operability."
• Science Education Bill: House Democrats voted to defeat an important bill promoting analytical skills, citing fears of a Supreme Court challenge, despite its perceived urgency.
• Polygraphs: Congress included a provision requiring polygraphs for an additional 5,000 Energy Department employees, bringing the total to 20,000, with a question raised about how many polygraph tests Aldrich Ames passed.

Remembering L. Sprague de Camp

Written by John Blanton, this is a tribute to the late writer and skeptic L. Sprague de Camp, who passed away on November 6. De Camp was a member of the North Texas Skeptics' advisory board. He is remembered as a science fiction/fantasy writer of the "Golden Age" and an author of serious works, including "The Great Monkey Trial" about the Scopes trial, "The Ape-Man Within," and his autobiography "Time and Chance." His notable fiction includes "Lest Darkness Fall" and co-authored "Conan the Barbarian" stories. He was a friend and associate of Isaac Asimov and Robert Heinlein. De Camp was a founding member and fellow of CSICOP. He and his wife Catherine, who also passed away earlier that year, were born in 1907 and moved to Plano in 1989. The article includes a sketch of L. Sprague de Camp and Catherine.

Skeptical Ink

This section, by Prasad Golla and John Blanton, features a cartoon with the caption "Why Uri Geller doesn't drive a car." The copyright is 2000, and free, non-commercial reuse is permitted.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are the defense of scientific reasoning against pseudoscience and creationism, the importance of critical thinking, and the promotion of science education. The editorial stance is clearly skeptical, advocating for evidence-based understanding and challenging claims that lack scientific support, particularly in areas like alternative medicine and the creation-evolution debate. The publication actively critiques organizations and individuals who promote unscientific ideas, while also supporting those who champion scientific literacy and education.