North Texas Skeptic - Vol 21 No 12 - 2007

Magazine Overview

Title: The North Texas Skeptic
Issue: Volume 21, Number 12
Date: December 2007
Publisher: The North Texas Skeptics
Country: USA
Language: English

This issue of The North Texas Skeptic delves into several contentious topics, primarily focusing on the intersection of science, religion, and pseudoscience. The cover story, "Ouch!" by John Blanton, revisits the Kitzmiller v. Dover Area School District trial, where Intelligent Design was ruled illegal in public schools. The issue also features ongoing discussions about paranormal claims, a review of a book on Intelligent Design, and debates surrounding science education in Florida and Polk County.

"Ouch!" - The Kitzmiller v. Dover Trial

John Blanton's lead article, "Ouch!", discusses the PBS broadcast "Judgment Day: Intelligent Design on Trial." The trial, which concluded on December 20, 2005, saw a federal judge rule that the Dover Area School District's attempt to introduce Intelligent Design into the science curriculum was illegal. The judge cited that Intelligent Design is not science and that the action was religiously motivated, violating the U.S. Constitution. The article highlights sworn testimony from board members and creationists, including Bill Buckingham, who expressed strong opinions about the judge. It also touches upon the history of the Intelligent Design movement and the controversy surrounding the removal and burning of an evolution-themed mural created by a student.

Events Calendar

The "Events Calendar" section announces a December Party, described as an annual Christmas get-together/party, encouraging attendees to bring snacks, drinks, and skeptical-themed entertainment. Future meeting dates are listed, including one on January 12, 2008, for elections for the Board of Directors.

North Texas Skeptics Organization Details

Page 2 provides organizational details for The North Texas Skeptics, listing officers such as President John Brandt, Vice President Kristine Danowski, Secretary Mike Selby, and Treasurer Mark Meyer. It also lists staff members, the Board of Directors, and Scientific and Technical Advisors. The organization is identified as a tax-exempt 501(c)(3) scientific and educational organization. The newsletter is published monthly, and reprints are permitted with proper credit.

"Challenge activity" - Paranormal Claims

John Blanton's article "Challenge activity" details The North Texas Skeptics' ongoing prize of $12,000 for anyone who can provide a positive demonstration of paranormal abilities. The article recounts several individuals who have contacted the organization to participate or inquire about the challenge. These include:

• Francis Jones: Claims an inherent sixth sense and an invisible, intelligent reality influencing the material world, with a supreme being as the creator.
• Ellen Keller: States she can record spirits at almost any time, using a small handheld recorder, and has used this ability for crime-solving.
• Shirley Potter: Expresses a desire to be tested for paranormal abilities, claiming she can see and understand a person's personality and experiences due to brain damage from nuclear chemical waste exposure.
• Prasad Golla: Is negotiating with Shirley Potter for a preliminary demonstration.
• Stephen Lindsey: Expresses interest in the challenge, using a Ouija board to communicate with what he believes are spirits of the deceased. He requested his identity remain confidential.
• Tomas Camacho: Inquires about entering his daughter, who he claims can see and talk to the dead, see auras, and sense details about wrecked cars.
• Gary Greenwood: Claims the ability to psychically detect a mirror or aluminum box within a cardboard box, requesting a test filmed with infrared.

Robert Tobolson also contacted the organization, claiming to cure people through prayer and stating he had "hundreds" of "MIRACLES" happen over 34 years. However, when the organization explained its ground rules, including the need for a demonstration of a disease that does not ordinarily cure itself (like an amputated limb), Tobolson ended the conversation. The organization notes that the $12,000 prize is still available.

Web News

"Not in Our Classrooms" lauded in BioScience:

John Blanton reviews "Not in Our Classrooms: Why Intelligent Design is Wrong for Our Schools," which was reviewed in BioScience by Randy Moore. Moore praises the book as a valuable resource for understanding Intelligent Design and the evolution-creationism debate, highlighting contributions on the history of the controversy and legal issues. Moore, a professor of biology, recommends the book as a powerful and accessible introduction.

Science teaching getting a face-lift:

This article, by TaMaryn Waters, reports on Florida's revamping of its science curriculum. The state Board of Education is finalizing new standards that may include evolution and creationism. Debra Thomas, science-development coordinator for the Leon County school district, stated that current standards do not include these topics. Shannon Lynch, assistant superintendent, believes the new standards will allow teachers to teach science more in-depth.

Polk School Board Leans Toward Inclusion of Intelligent Design:

John Chambliss reports that a majority of the Polk County School Board members support teaching Intelligent Design alongside evolution. Board members Tim Harris, Margaret Lofton, and Hazel Sellers oppose proposed science standards for Florida schools that list evolution. Kay Fields also wants Intelligent Design taught in science classes. Margaret Lofton stated she would vote against the evolution measure if taught, wanting to balance it with the idea of a supreme being.

Creation Museum surpasses year-long attendance goal in less than 6 months:

Lawrence Jones reports on the success of the Creation Museum in Petersburg, Kentucky. The museum, which teaches the literal six days of Creation, surpassed its projected first-year attendance in less than six months, welcoming its 250,000th visitor. Ken Ham, founder of Answers in Genesis, expressed satisfaction, noting that officials now expect nearly 400,000 visitors by year's end.

Former pilots and officials call for new U.S. UFO probe:

This article discusses a call by an international panel of former pilots and government officials for the U.S. government to reopen its UFO investigation. Citing safety and security concerns, especially after 9/11, the panel emphasized the need to investigate radar returns not associated with known aircraft. The article also mentions Dennis Kucinich's claim of seeing a UFO and reports that former presidents Ronald Reagan and Jimmy Carter have also claimed UFO sightings.

Skeptic Ink

This comic strip by Prasad Golla and John Blanton humorously depicts a conversation about the "Judgment Day" PBS program, with one character finding it straightforward and the other seeing that as the problem.

We get letters

John Blanton presents a selection of correspondence received by The North Texas Skeptics. One letter is from Trevor Savage ND, who criticizes skeptics for using only the "left logic side" of their brain and suggests they need to see the light with their "other halfwit brain." The magazine clarifies that a real Trevor Savage exists and employs Applied Kinesiology, providing a link to his business. The article reiterates the $12,000 paranormal challenge prize.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are the ongoing debate between Intelligent Design and evolutionary science, the skepticism towards paranormal claims, and the promotion of critical thinking and scientific inquiry. The North Texas Skeptics consistently advocates for evidence-based reasoning and rigorous testing of extraordinary claims, as evidenced by their paranormal challenge and their critical reviews of pseudoscience and religiously motivated educational policies. The editorial stance is clearly pro-science, pro-evolution, and anti-pseudoscience, with a strong emphasis on rationalism and skepticism.