North Texas Skeptic - Vol 20 No 12 - 2006

Magazine Overview

Title: The North Texas Skeptic
Issue: Volume 20, Number 12
Date: December 2006
Publisher: The North Texas Skeptics
Country: USA
Language: English

This issue of The North Texas Skeptic, dated December 2006, primarily focuses on the intersection of science, education, and politics, with a strong emphasis on the creationism versus evolution debate in Texas.

A heckuva job

The lead article, "A heckuva job" by John Blanton, critiques the outcome of recent elections in Texas concerning the State Board of Education (SBOE). Blanton recounts the 2003 Texas science textbook adoption hearings where creationists from the Discovery Institute commented on the treatment of evolution. He notes that while some real scientists were present, the creationists were aided by elected SBOE members. The article points out that the November elections saw a shift to the political right, with conservative forces, funded significantly by James Leininger, impacting the results. Prominent supporters of creationism on the board in 2003 included Geraldine Miller, Terri Leo, and Don McLeroy. Dan Montgomery, who supported science at the hearings, was unfortunately defeated in the elections. Wesley Elsberry, a speaker for the National Center for Science Education (NCSE), attended an NTS board meeting and social dinner in November, observing that the SBOE is now "wall-to-wall creationists." Blanton concludes with a sarcastic remark about the voters' choices.

Events Calendar

The magazine includes an "Events Calendar" section detailing upcoming activities for the North Texas Skeptics (NTS).

December Program: NTS Annual Year End Party

There will not be a regular December program, but rather an "NTS Annual Year End Party" on Saturday, December 9, 2006, at 2 p.m. at the Center for Nonprofit Management, 2900 Live Oak Street in Dallas. Attendees are asked to bring food and drinks, with no alcohol permitted. The event will include creationist videos and an opportunity to share skeptical books. Mike Selby will also have items from the NTS skeptical library available for swapping. Outsiders, children, and "extra terrestrials" are welcome.

NTS Annual Board Meeting and Elections

The NTS Annual Board Meeting and Elections will be held on Saturday, January 13, 2007, at 2 p.m. at the same location. The NTS emphasizes that "The NTS is run by those who show up."

North Texas Skeptics Officers and Staff

Page 2 lists the officers of the North Texas Skeptics: John Brandt (President), Pat Reeder (Vice President), Mike Selby (Secretary), and Mark Meyer (Treasurer). The staff includes Keith Blanton (Newsletter Editor), John Blanton (Webmaster), and Mike Selby (Meetings and Social Director).

The Board of Directors and Directors Emeritus are also listed, along with Scientific and Technical Advisors, including professors from various universities and fields such as philosophy, sociology, medicine, and engineering.

The organization is described as a tax-exempt 501(c)(3) scientific and educational organization. The newsletter, The North Texas Skeptic, is published monthly and distributed from P.O. Box 111794, Carrollton, Texas 75011-1794. Permission is granted for reprinting articles provided credit is given and the NTS mailing address is included.

NTS Year End Party

This section elaborates on the "NTS Year End Party." The author poses the question, "What are the Darwin awards?" explaining them as awards given to individuals who eliminate themselves from the gene pool through extreme stupidity. Examples are given, including an Iraqi civilian killed by a mortar round and two people killed during an investigation of a previous accident. The author plans to recount recent Darwin awards at the party and invites attendees to bring their own nominations.

Web News

The Discovery Institute and Intelligent Design

This article by John Blanton discusses the Discovery Institute and its Center for Science and Culture (CSC), which promotes "Intelligent Design" (ID) as a version of creationism. The CSC is noted for having college-educated staff, some with real Ph.D. degrees, though many do not actively work in their fields or publish in scientific journals. Examples include Michael Behe (Lehigh University), Scott Minnich (University of Idaho), and William Dembski (Professor of Science and Theology at Southern Seminary).

Blanton argues that despite the energy expended, the CSC has little to show for Intelligent Design as science, with its message focusing on creating a controversy around evolution rather than presenting scientific evidence for ID.

Associated Press Regurgitates Darwinist Rhetoric

The article criticizes an Associated Press story concerning the Kansas Science Standards. The AP story suggested that officials wanted to "ditch the anti-evolution ones now in place." Blanton counters that the present Kansas standards are not "anti-evolution" but rather discuss evolution extensively, including evidence for and against it. He states that the CSC's position is anti-evolution and that the referenced standards involve a "dumbing down of evolution."

Blanton explains that science studies natural phenomena and that compelling student belief is inconsistent with educational goals. He notes that the Kansas standards align with the view that cosmology and biological evolution might conflict with religion, advising schools to tread lightly. He criticizes the AP article for wrongly asserting that the standards "tilt toward intelligent design" and for omitting quotes that clarify the standards do not "include Intelligent Design" and "neither mandate nor prohibit" teaching about ID.

The article also addresses the claim that new standards change the definition of science. Blanton explains that the standards reset the definition of science to one similar to how most states define it, including Kansas prior to 2001, and that this was not an attempt to include the supernatural in science.

Regarding aspects of the standards that challenge common descent, Blanton states these have roots in mainstream scientific publications, citing W. F. Doolittle. He argues that the Associated Press and Darwinists omit mentions of statements supporting common ancestry (e.g., DNA evidence) to allege the standards are "anti-evolution."

Blanton points out that if the AP writer confused challenges to common descent with "Intelligent Design," it's because ID proponents sometimes do challenge common descent. He gives the example of Ray Bohlin, a CSC fellow, who stated in 2003 that common descent was true for all life forms except humans.

Doolittle and the "Web of Life"

The article discusses W. F. Doolittle's work on phylogenetic classification and the "universal tree of life." Doolittle suggests that "cross-pollenation between species has occurred" and that the "tree of life" can be better called the "web of life." Figure 1 from Doolittle illustrates this concept with a reticulated tree or net. Blanton questions whether this contradicts a naturalistic explanation of evolution or "descent with modification."

Casey Luskin's Post and Media Bias

The article references a blog post by Casey Luskin (posted November 27, 2006) on the Evolution News site, which discusses "media bias." Luskin is described as co-founder of the Intelligent Design and Evolution Awareness (IDEA) Center. Blanton suggests that Luskin's post exemplifies "media bias" by sprinkling examples throughout. The article notes that Luskin's text contains hyperlinks to additional material, which are suppressed in the printed copy.

Blanton provides a definition of Intelligent Design from the AP article: "Intelligent design says an intelligent cause is the best way to explain some features of the universe that are complex and well-ordered." He considers this a good definition if "complex and well-ordered" implies "complex and specified." However, he criticizes the article for repeating "Darwinist rhetoric" and providing an "excellent example of the media bias on this issue."

Skeptic Ink

A comic strip titled "Skeptic Ink" by Prasad Golla and John Blanton is included. The comic features characters discussing "wonderful curative powers" that are "all natural," questioning their safety and efficacy, and humorously contrasting them with "purple nightshade."

References

The article cites two references:
1. The Kansas Science Education Standards Approved by the Kansas State Board of Education.
2. W. Ford Doolittle, “Phylogenetic Classification and the Universal Tree,” Science Vol. 284, 25 June 1999.

Future Meeting Dates

A list of future meeting dates for the North Texas Skeptics from January 2007 to December 2007 is provided.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue revolve around the challenges to science education posed by creationism and Intelligent Design, particularly within the political and educational systems of Texas and Kansas. The magazine's stance is clearly skeptical of Intelligent Design, viewing it as a form of creationism that lacks scientific evidence and often relies on misrepresentation and political maneuvering. The editorial stance advocates for a scientific approach to education, critical thinking, and a clear separation of science from religious dogma. The publication also highlights its own activities and community through event announcements and officer listings, fostering a sense of a local skeptical community.