North Texas Skeptic - Vol 19 No 10 - 2005

Magazine Overview

The North Texas Skeptic, Volume 19, Number 10, October 2005 issue, is a publication focused on skepticism and critical examination of claims, particularly those related to science, pseudoscience, and religion. This issue prominently features the "Trials of Dover" article by John Blanton, detailing the controversy surrounding the Dover Area School District's attempt to introduce Intelligent Design into its science curriculum.

Trials of Dover

John Blanton's lead article, "Trials of Dover," chronicles the contentious events in Dover, Pennsylvania, where the school board sought to incorporate Intelligent Design (ID) into the science curriculum as an alternative to Darwin's theory of evolution. The article highlights the actions of school board members, including Jeff and Carol "Casey" Brown and William Buckingham, who advocated for the inclusion of ID and sought to reject textbooks perceived as "laced with Darwinism." The board initially delayed purchasing new biology texts, then agreed to buy them with the condition that the anti-evolution book "Of Pandas and People" be included. Despite opposition, the board approved the book 6-3, leading to resignations and a lawsuit filed by eleven parents.

The article details the legal complaint filed in the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Pennsylvania, which challenged the board's resolution. The resolution stated that students should be made aware of "gaps/problems in Darwin's theory and of other theories of evolution including, but not limited to, intelligent design." A subsequent announcement required teachers to read a statement to students emphasizing that Darwin's theory is a testable theory, not a fact, and that gaps exist for which there is no evidence. The statement also introduced Intelligent Design as an alternative explanation for the origin of life.

Blanton argues that Intelligent Design is a non-scientific, inherently religious argument that opposes the scientific theory of evolution. He points to the Discovery Institute as a key organization promoting ID to challenge evolution in public classrooms. The article cites the Supreme Court case *Edwards v. Aguillard* as a legal precedent, emphasizing that while teaching a variety of scientific theories might be valid with secular intent, the Dover case's purpose was to restructure the curriculum to conform with a particular religious viewpoint.

The article also touches on the legal maneuvering, including the subpoenaing of reporters who covered the board meetings, and the board members' attempts to deny their previous statements. It notes the Discovery Institute's dissociation from the Dover School Board's approach to the trial.

Scientific Repression

In "Scientific Repression," John Blanton discusses the creationist perspective that the scientific establishment often suppresses new ideas that challenge established paradigms. He uses the example of Drs. J. Robin Warren and Barry J. Marshall, who were ridiculed for proposing that bacteria cause peptic ulcers, but later won the Nobel Prize for medicine. Blanton suggests that creationists face similar resistance and that their attempts to introduce Intelligent Design have been thwarted by a "hideous conspiracy" of bureaucrats and judges.

What's New

Robert Park's "What's New" column provides brief updates on several topics:

• Dover: Discovery Institute watches glumly from the sidelines: This section notes the start of the *Kitzmiller v. Dover Area School District* trial, where eight families are suing the school board over the requirement to read a statement on Intelligent Design to students. It mentions Ken Miller, a biologist and author, testifying for the plaintiffs.
• Fiction: an imaginative creation that does not represent truth: This brief item references the news coverage of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita and the shrinking Arctic ice cap, linking it to Senator James Inhofe's stance on global warming and his invitation of science fiction writer Michael Crichton to testify.
• Natural history: museums deal with creationist confrontations: This section highlights that visitors to natural history museums are complaining about exhibits that disagree with biblical accounts, and that the Discovery Institute has issued a statement distancing itself from the Dover School Board's approach to the trial.
• Intelligent design: Dover school board unable to stop trial: This update reports that a federal judge in Harrisburg, PA, denied the Dover Area School Board's request for a summary judgment, allowing the trial to proceed.

Skeptic Ink

This section features a comic strip by Prasad Golla and John Blanton, humorously referencing the Dover school board's actions and the concept of "nonsense."

Zero-point energy: Katrina revives a struggling industry

This article discusses the "free-energy" industry's resurgence in the context of rising gas prices and the impact of Hurricane Katrina on oil production. It mentions claims of "zero-point energy" and "Magnetic Power Inc." seeing increased output, with a note that the technology is not yet repeatable. The Air Force's investment in the company and its previous investment in teleportation are also noted.

Hydrogen economy: "new catalyst produces hydrogen from water."

This piece addresses the prospect of a hydrogen economy, focusing on the challenge of producing hydrogen economically. It references an inventor named Sam Leach who claimed to have invented a water-powered car and a recent report in *Scientific American* about a rhenium catalyst that might dissociate water. However, the article clarifies that the hydrogen production was from catalytic oxidation of organosilanes, and cars still won't run on water.

Other Content

The issue also includes organizational information for The North Texas Skeptics, including its officers, staff, board of directors, and scientific and technical advisors. It provides details about the organization's mission, newsletter, and membership application. Contact information for The Skeptical Inquirer, published by the Committee for the Scientific Investigation of Claims of the Paranormal, is also included.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue revolve around the conflict between science and religion in public education, the importance of critical thinking and skepticism, and the debunking of pseudoscience. The editorial stance is clearly in favor of scientific inquiry, evidence-based reasoning, and the separation of church and state, as evidenced by the critical coverage of the Dover school board's actions and the promotion of scientific explanations over religious or pseudoscientific ones.