North Texas Skeptic - Vol 21 No 10 - 2007

Magazine Overview

The North Texas Skeptic, Volume 21, Number 10, published in October 2007, features a cover story by John Brandt titled "Conspiracy theories: Weapons of mass deconstruction." The issue delves into various conspiracy theories, critiques pseudoscientific claims, and promotes skeptical inquiry.

Conspiracy Theories: Weapons of Mass Deconstruction

John Brandt's cover article begins by acknowledging the American public's general distrust of government and the prevalence of conspiracy theories surrounding major events like Roswell, the Kennedy assassination, and 9/11. He notes that while official versions can be incorrect (citing Roswell and Watergate as examples), conspiracy theorists often dismiss any official explanation.

The article highlights Oliver Stone's movie "JFK" and the subsequent declassification of documents, which paradoxically fueled more speculation. A key document discussed is "Operation Northwoods," a 1962 proposal by the Joint Chiefs of Staff to stage fake attacks on U.S. soil to justify an invasion of Cuba. Brandt points out that this revelation made government-backed conspiracy theories more believable.

Transitioning to 9/11, Brandt addresses the polarized reactions and the emergence of "government-did-it" theories. He critiques a popular 9/11 conspiracy theory, mentioned in a French book, that the attack on Afghanistan was motivated by the Taliban's refusal to allow an oil pipeline. Brandt then focuses on Thierry Meyssan's book "9/11: The Big Lie," which claims the Pentagon was hit by a cruise missile, not Flight 77. Brandt systematically debunks Meyssan's arguments, including the claim that the impact hole was too small for a plane, the lack of wing debris, and the absence of automated defenses. He argues that the wings would have disintegrated on impact and that a cruise missile would not require an IFF signal for automated defenses to engage.

Brandt also discusses the issue of Saudi nationals, including members of the bin Laden family, flying out of the U.S. shortly after 9/11, a fact publicized by Michael Moore. While acknowledging the flights occurred, Brandt suggests that Moore's emphasis on this event could be interpreted as conspiracy-mongering, or alternatively, as a critique of the government's handling of potential threats due to its "kid gloves" treatment of Saudi Arabia.

Book Review: The God Delusion

John Blanton reviews Richard Dawkins' book "The God Delusion." Blanton introduces Dawkins as a biologist and author known for his work on evolution and his anti-religious stance. The review touches upon Dawkins' previous works like "The Selfish Gene" and "The Blind Watchmaker," which addressed evolution and critiqued Intelligent Design (ID) by referencing William Paley's watchmaker analogy.

In "The God Delusion," Dawkins directly confronts religion, exposing what Blanton describes as "false bases and illogical conclusions." The review highlights Dawkins' critique of religious moral authority, using the biblical story of Jephthah as an example of dubious moral lessons derived from contradictory texts.

Blanton then discusses Intelligent Design, noting that ID proponents argue life is too complex to have arisen by chance and must have been designed. He critiques the ID argument by questioning the origin of the designer and points out that human intelligence has evolved over time, citing the example of the Space Shuttle. The review also mentions Michael Behe and his concept of "irreducible complexity," a key argument for ID. Behe's testimony in the Kitzmiller v. Dover Area School District case is mentioned, where he was cross-examined about his claims regarding the immune system's evolution. Dawkins is quoted as delighting in Behe's "agony" during the trial, and Rothschild's summation is quoted, criticizing the ID movement for not advancing scientific knowledge.

Skepticism: This Time It's Personal

Kristine Danowski shares a personal anecdote about her friend "Debbie," who was diagnosed with terminal pancreatic cancer by an iridologist. Despite having no medical basis for the diagnosis, Debbie became convinced she was dying, spent thousands of dollars on iridology treatments, and planned her funeral. Danowski and another friend, Sue, tried to convince Debbie to see a real physician, but she was resistant. Eventually, Debbie did see a physician who declared her healthy. The iridologist later abandoned his practice, citing unjust prosecution for fraud.

Debbie's credulity extended to becoming a distributor for a multi-level marketing scheme selling blue-green algae. Danowski investigated the company's claims and found them dubious, refusing to buy the product or become a distributor, which led to a falling out with Debbie. Danowski reflects on how skepticism often involves confronting the irrational beliefs of others, such as iridology, medical dowsing, and copper bracelets, and the difficulty of dissuading people from quackery.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The North Texas Skeptics consistently promotes critical thinking, scientific evidence, and the debunking of pseudoscience and unfounded conspiracy theories. The magazine's stance is to subject all claims, including paranormal and pseudoscientific ones, to fair and systematic testing. The articles in this issue demonstrate a commitment to dissecting complex issues like 9/11 conspiracy theories and Intelligent Design with a rational and evidence-based approach. The personal anecdote about iridology underscores the magazine's concern with the real-world harm caused by quackery and the importance of skepticism in everyday life.