North Texas Skeptic - Vol 23 No 10 - 2009

Magazine Overview

Title: The North Texas Skeptic
Issue: Volume 23, Number 10
Date: October 2009
Publisher: The North Texas Skeptics
Website: http://www.ntskeptics.org

This issue of The North Texas Skeptic delves into several topics, primarily focusing on the alleged lack of legitimate credentials of creationist Don R. Patton, the nature of Intelligent Design, and other science-related discussions from a skeptical perspective.

The Third Degree: Questioning Don R. Patton's Credentials

The lead article, "The third degree" by John Blanton, addresses a controversy surrounding Don R. Patton, a local creationist who claims to hold a Ph.D. Blanton recounts an email from Jared McCormick who challenged Blanton's attempts to prove Patton's credentials were falsified. Blanton asserts that overwhelming evidence, including official records and witnesses, proves the contrary to McCormick's claim.

Blanton details his investigation into Patton's educational background, referencing materials from creationist Steve Rudd. Rudd's website lists Patton's academic history, including four years of Bible study at Florida College, two years at Austin Peay State University (Geology), two years at Indiana University/Purdue University (Geology), and two years at Pacific School of Graduate Studies (PCGS) in Melbourne, Australia (Education). Patton reportedly skipped bachelor's and master's degrees to pursue a Ph.D. directly.

The article critically examines the Pacific College of Graduate Studies (PCGS), noting that its Ph.D. in Education was granted in 1993. A letter from the Victoria (Australia) Department of Education, dated December 17, 1993, indicates that PCGS was granted authorization under the Tertiary Education Act 1993 to conduct specific courses until June 30, 1994. This limited accreditation period is highlighted as suspicious.

Further investigation links PCGS to Pacific International University (PIU), which George Brown describes as an "unaccredited, conservative, Christian university and seminary" in Springfield, Missouri, referred to as a "diploma mill." Carl Baugh, a creationist promoter, is identified as the president of PIU and has also claimed degrees from PCGS and the College of Advanced Education in Irving, Texas. Brown's research suggests that neither PCGS nor the College of Advanced Education were accredited by recognized bodies to grant degrees.

Blanton contrasts these institutions with reputable universities like the University of Texas at Austin and UT Dallas, where he and others obtained their degrees through rigorous academic programs. He concludes that "creationist Don Patton does not have a legitimate Ph.D. degree of any kind," stating that the facts speak for themselves ("res ipsa loquitur").

Events Calendar

The "Events Calendar" section announces upcoming activities for The North Texas Skeptics:

• October program: Saturday, October 17, 2009, at 2 p.m. at the Center for Nonprofit Management in Dallas, featuring a presentation titled "The State Of Intelligent Design." The program suggests that Intelligent Design is merely creationism rebranded.
• Board meeting/Social dinner: Saturday, October 24, 2009, at 7:00 p.m. at Roma's Italian Restaurant in Dallas.

Contact information for the NTS Hotline is provided: (214) 335-9248.

Other Articles and Columns

Skeptic Ink

A comic strip by Prasad Golla and John Blanton titled "Skeptic Ink" features a dialogue where "Ted" is accused of being fair to creationists while discussing Intelligent Design and Darwinism.

What's New

This section, by Robert Park, includes clippings of interest:

• Placebos: would they work better if they had side effects? This piece discusses how the effectiveness of placebos is becoming a challenge for "big-Pharma," as they are making it harder to distinguish the effects of actual drugs. It suggests that improved double-blinding in trials might be contributing to this phenomenon.
• Magnetic fields: the precautionary principle in action. This segment notes that a European directive to limit exposure to high magnetic fields could impact research into Ultrahigh-Field MRI, which shows promise for neurological applications. The author attributes this to "paranoia surrounding EMF."

Electrosensitivity: refugees from wireless technology.

This article discusses individuals in the Drome Valley, France, who claim to suffer from electromagnetic hypersensitivity due to radio waves and WiFi. Despite their claims of physical pain, the article notes that double-blind tests consistently show they cannot distinguish between real and sham electromagnetic fields.

Holy war: has it finally come down to this?

This piece references an opinion piece in the Los Angeles Times titled "Must science declare a holy war on religion?" It contrasts the confrontational style of Richard Dawkins with the strategy of the National Center for Science Education (NCSE), which focuses on presenting facts in public science education. The authors of the referenced piece, Chris Mooney and Sheril Kirschenbaum, have published "Unscientific America: How scientific illiteracy threatens our future," advocating for science to become the "common culture."

Holy litigation: the NCSE has shown us a better way.

This article highlights the NCSE's involvement in the Kitzmiller v. the Dover Area School District case as a successful demonstration of how science can be defended in legal contexts. It emphasizes that while scientists may be wary of courts, both scientists and the legal system seek truth based on evidence.

NIH: Francis Collins rejects Darwinian evolution!

This segment discusses Francis Collins' views on evolution, quoting an op-ed that suggests Collins believes "God's plan included the mechanism of evolution to create the marvelous diversity of living things on our planet." The author of the article expresses a contrasting view, celebrating Darwinian evolution as a "wonderful beauty" without a predetermined plan.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

This issue strongly emphasizes skepticism towards pseudoscientific claims, particularly those related to creationism and Intelligent Design. The North Texas Skeptics organization positions itself as a proponent of scientific rigor, critical thinking, and evidence-based inquiry. The articles consistently challenge claims that lack scientific validation or are based on questionable credentials. The magazine promotes a worldview grounded in science and rationalism, contrasting it with what it perceives as dishonest or unsubstantiated assertions from creationist and pseudoscience proponents. The editorial stance is critical of organizations and individuals who promote unverified or pseudoscientific ideas, advocating for transparency and factual accuracy in public discourse.