North Texas Skeptic - Vol 19 No 12 - 2005

Magazine Overview

This issue of The North Texas Skeptic, Volume 19, Number 12, dated December 2005, is published by The North Texas Skeptics and features a cover headline about a "Health Freedom Expo: A Skeptic's Field Report (Part I)" by Daniel Barnett, subtitled "The Highway to Holistic Health – Or Bazaar of the Bizarre?"

Health Freedom Expo: A Skeptic's Field Report (Part I)

Daniel Barnett recounts his experience at the Health Freedom Expo held at the Dallas Convention Center. He notes the sparse attendance but highlights the main attraction: a lecture by Hulda Clark, ND, known for her alternative cancer cures. Clark, who can no longer practice in the U.S. due to legal issues, now runs a clinic in Tijuana, Mexico. Barnett describes Clark's lecture, including her demonstration of a "mini-field generator" intended to tune into organ frequencies for diagnostic purposes. He also mentions Clark's claim about polonium in municipal water supplies due to bleach treatment. The event also featured an "offering" for the speakers.

Barnett then explores the exhibit hall, detailing "Dolphin Breath," an essential oil blend from Earth Angel Oils, which is marketed for its healing properties and ability to repair damaged DNA, despite containing no dolphin ingredients. He also describes "IonCleanse," a foot bath product from Nature's Alternative, which claims to detoxify the body by changing the water color based on the type of waste being removed.

Science and Pseudoscience in the Classroom

Bret Cantwell discusses the challenges facing science education in America, citing the spread of pseudoscientific products and political interference. He highlights a "Science and Pseudoscience" course developed by Richard Taylor at Hockaday School in Dallas. This course uses the scientific method to investigate paranormal and pseudoscientific claims, encouraging students to critically evaluate information. The course covers topics like ufology and alternative medicine, using textbooks by Michael Shermer and Larry Kusche. Barnett notes that while such courses are valuable, they should not be confused with teaching pseudoscience as science.

What's New

Robert Park's "What's New" column covers several topics:

• Evolution: President Bush's request for $7.1 billion to combat a potential bird-flu outbreak is framed as a hedge against evolution, given the virus's potential to mutate. The column questions whether Bush's stance on intelligent design has changed.
• Supreme question: The column poses a question regarding Samuel Alito's views on science, particularly in light of the Kitzmiller v. Dover Area School Board trial, asking if an intelligent designer also designs viruses.
• Fundamentalism: The Catholic Church's position on evolution is noted as evolving, with Cardinal Poupard emphasizing the importance of linking religion with reason and not severing ties with science.
• Intelligent Design: The column references televangelist Pat Robertson's comments on the Dover case, suggesting he could serve as a witness to demonstrate that Intelligent Design is religion, not science.
• Academic decline: The influence of the Templeton Foundation in funding college courses that question evolution is discussed, noting that while ID should be taught, it should be distinguished from science.
• Vatican defines: The Vatican Observatory director, Rev. George Coyne, states that "intelligent design" is not science and should not be taught in science classrooms.
• Weight loss: A NIH-backed study confirms the effectiveness of the "Physics Plan" for weight loss, which emphasizes burning more calories than consumed.

Intelligent Design: you know who's running for school board?

This section reports on the election results in Dover, Pennsylvania, where voters defeated eight members of the school board, preventing the teaching of biology tainted by religious fable. It also criticizes the Kansas School Board for redefining "science" to include explanations beyond natural phenomena, effectively allowing for divine intervention.

It's about Free Speech, Not Church and State

This article presents the position of the Discovery Institute regarding the Kitzmiller v. Dover Area School District case. John G. West of the Discovery Institute argues that the ACLU's lawsuit to prevent the teaching of intelligent design in public schools is a betrayal of academic freedom and free speech principles. While the Discovery Institute does not support mandatory teaching of intelligent design, it opposes the ACLU's attempt to censor classroom discussions. West advocates for a "free marketplace of ideas" and suggests that students should study Darwinian evolution and its scientific criticisms.

Skeptic Ink

A comic strip by Prasad Golla and John Blanton satirizes Pat Robertson's stance on intelligent design, portraying him as attacking it at its core by calling it religion.

Other Content

The issue also includes organizational details for The North Texas Skeptics, including its officers, board of directors, and scientific advisors. An application for membership and subscription information is provided on the back page, along with an address correction request.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are skepticism towards alternative medicine and pseudoscientific claims, a defense of scientific methodology and education against religious or ideological interference, and a critical examination of the "Intelligent Design" movement. The editorial stance is clearly in favor of science-based reasoning and critical thinking, advocating for the separation of church and state in public education and promoting a rigorous approach to evaluating claims.