Phactum - 2007 01 - January

Magazine Overview

Title: Phactum
Issue: January 2007
Publisher: Philadelphia Association for Critical Thinking (PhACT)
Editor: Ray Haupt

This issue of Phactum, the newsletter of the Philadelphia Association for Critical Thinking, covers a range of topics including free speech, evolution, vaccine safety, and a comprehensive examination of the social and economic impacts of the gambling industry.

PhACT Lecture and Events

The first PhACT lecture of 2007, scheduled for January 20th at Philadelphia Community College, will feature Bill Ewing, an ACLU chapter board member, discussing 'Issues of Free Speech'. The lecture will also include a recap by PhACT President Eric Krieg on legal challenges to his skeptical web pages. The event is free and open to the public. The newsletter also lists upcoming lectures and free courses sponsored by The Wagner Free Institute of Science, covering topics like historical geology, botany, and evolution.

Articles and Commentary

Letters to the Editor:
Keith Newman from Philadelphia raises concerns about education accountability and funding, proposing an 'Individual College Account Plan' to incentivize parents to prepare their children for school. He argues that investing in early reading skills is more beneficial than expanding the prison population.

• Various Ruminations (Collected/written by Ray Haupt):
• This section includes several short news items:
• News from UK Sources: A comment from Frederick Clarkson on a Christian video game 'Left Behind: Eternal Forces' and an observation by biologist Lewis Wolpert advocating for the banning of 'intelligent design' from science classes.
• Family Sue Evangelist: A report on a lawsuit against television evangelist Darlene Bishop, accused of convincing her brother to rely solely on prayer for his cancer treatment, leading to his death. The lawsuit also questions her claims about her own cancer recovery.

Coincidental or Spirit Guided? (New Zealand):
This piece discusses a peculiar incident in New Zealand where a police convoy, accompanied by Maori elders, sprayed river water on highways to 'to free the spirits of crash victims'. The author expresses skepticism about this 'woo-woo technique' and contrasts it with modern approaches to road safety.

Confessions of A Compulsive Gambler (By Bill Kearney):
Bill Kearney, a former compulsive casino gambler, shares his experiences and critiques the gaming industry in Pennsylvania. He argues that casino gambling should not be classified as 'entertainment' and proposes eight safeguards to mitigate its negative impacts. These include renaming 'Total Rewards' cards to 'investment cards', requiring credit checks before issuing them, eliminating casino chips and coin-less slot machines, prohibiting ATM and check cashing, banning free alcoholic beverages, and implementing a 24/7 operation limit. Kearney criticizes the state's gambling bill for addressing problems only after addiction occurs and highlights the disproportionate impact on lower-income communities.

Shermer, Darwin, PhACT, and Me (By L. David Leiter):
L. David Leiter reviews Michael Shermer's book 'Why Darwin Matters'. While agreeing with Shermer's position on evolution, Leiter expresses concern about the broader societal issue of convincing Christian fundamentalists to accept scientific consensus. He also touches upon the dangers of fundamentalist Islam and the need for critical thinking regarding phenomena like reincarnation and ESP.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The newsletter consistently promotes critical thinking and skepticism, evident in its coverage of topics like the ACLU's defense of free speech, the scientific evidence for evolution, and the debunking of pseudoscience and quackery. The editorial stance is clearly against the uncritical acceptance of claims, whether they stem from religious fundamentalism, pseudoscientific beliefs, or the marketing tactics of industries like gambling. The publication encourages its readers to engage with evidence-based reasoning and to question unsubstantiated claims, as demonstrated by the detailed analysis of the gambling industry's practices and the critique of superstitious beliefs.

Title: Phactum
Issue: January 2007
Volume: 11
Publisher: PhACT (Philadelphia Association for Critical Thinking)
Country: USA
Language: English

This issue of Phactum magazine, dated January 2007, contains several distinct sections, including an editor's note, an errata, a poem, and membership information for the organization.

Editor's Note and Bill Kearney

The editors' note provides information for readers interested in learning more about Bill Kearney's credentials concerning gambling. It suggests looking him up online or consulting his book, "Comped," described as a work of fiction about the gambling industry. Contact information for Kearney is provided via email at [email protected]. Additionally, details for purchasing "Comped" are given: a phone number (215-934-7933) and a mailing address (Ian Scott Press, 9261 A Jamison Ave., Philadelphia, PA 19115).

Errata

An "Errattua" section, reported by Eric Hamil, corrects an inaccuracy from the December issue. It states that the Republican Party (GOP) was incorrectly reported as being founded by "peace activist Cindy Sheehan and others." The correction clarifies that the GOP was actually founded by Donna Sheehan and Paul Reffell, and that Cindy Sheehan has no known involvement in its founding.

Poetry: A Skeptic's Thought

The issue features a poem titled "A Skeptic's Thought." The poem, attributed to Colfax Burgoyne Harmon, questions the nature of God's goodness and mercy in the face of human suffering and misfortune in the world. It poses rhetorical questions about why an all-powerful, benevolent deity would remain passive while injustice and pain afflict humanity. The poem is cited as being from "Poems Of Sentiment" by Colfax Burgoyne Harman, published by Harman Publishing in 1905, on page 284.

PhACT Membership and Donations

Information is provided for individuals wishing to support PhACT (Philadelphia Association for Critical Thinking) by joining or rejoining for the upcoming year. The annual membership fee is $15, with a reduced rate of $10 for students. The form includes fields to indicate membership dues, the number of years of membership, and options for donations, including additional support for a specific purpose. Contact and mailing information for PhACT is listed: 639 W. Ellet Street, Philadelphia, PA 19119.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The magazine appears to cover a range of topics, including gambling (through the mention of Bill Kearney's work), political corrections (GOP founding), philosophical and skeptical inquiry (the poem), and community/organizational support (PhACT membership). The editorial stance, as suggested by the organization's name and the content, leans towards critical thinking and skepticism, while also engaging with current events and cultural commentary.