REALL News - Vol 08 No 09

Magazine Overview

Title: The REALL News
Issue Date: September 2000
Volume: 8, Number 9
Publisher: Rational Examination Association of Lincoln Land
Document Type: Magazine Issue

This issue of The REALL News, published by the Rational Examination Association of Lincoln Land, focuses on critical examination of pseudoscientific claims, urban legends, and societal issues through a lens of rational thinking and the scientific method.

Ju-Ju's Fetish Slaves

The cover story, "Ju-Ju's Fetish Slaves" by Richard Petraitis, exposes the deeply disturbing practice of Trokosi slavery in West Africa. Ju-Ju is described as a system of fetish-based magic rooted in sympathetic magic, where practitioners attempt to influence events through personal items of a target. The article highlights that the power of these practitioners often lies in the psychological fear they instill in believers, rather than any empirical evidence of magical abilities. Sadly, this belief system has led to the enslavement of thousands of girls and women, referred to as 'Trokosi' or 'wives of the gods.' These individuals are offered to Ju-Ju practitioners as atonement for family sins, enduring hard labor, beatings, and sexual abuse. The practice, though officially prohibited in Ghana in 1998, persists in regions of Ghana, Togo, Benin, and Nigeria. The Anti-Slavery Society, along with International Needs of Ghana, has made efforts to buy back slaves and close operations, but the response from African states has been described as anemic. The article suggests that societies afflicted by magical thinking are often dominated by a minority, and that educational programs are needed to counter this influence.

REALL's Purpose and Board

The "Purpose" section on page 2 outlines REALL's mission as a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting rational thinking and the scientific method for understanding paranormal and fringe-science phenomena. REALL conducts research, convenes meetings, and publishes its newsletter, The REALL News, with a focus on central Illinois. The organization does not reject paranormal claims outright but commits to objective, critical inquiry. The issue also lists the Board of Directors and Editorial Board, including David Bloomberg (Chairman, Vice Chairman) and Wally Hartshorn (Newsletter Editor, Editorial Board).

Letters to the REALL News

This section features a letter from Dan Powell, who congratulates REALL for its quality criticism and objective articles. However, Powell criticizes a "REALLity Check" piece from November 1999, specifically David Bloomberg's comment about a butterfly landing on someone's shoulder being interpreted as a sign of after-death communication. Powell argues that this comment was smug and dismissive of genuine skepticism. David Bloomberg responds, clarifying that his comment was intended to highlight the ridiculousness of interpreting such an event as a sign of a deceased person's communication, rather than a genuine scientific observation.

REALLity Check

David Bloomberg's "REALLity Check" column addresses several topics:

Urban Legend Catches a Cop

This segment discusses Sangamon County Sheriff's Deputy Tony Sacco falling for an urban legend spread via email, which claimed that evil people were putting HIV-infected needles on gas pump handles. Sacco issued an internal memo warning about this danger before verifying its truth, which then became part of the legend itself. The article notes that the Jacksonville, Florida, police department received over 1000 calls and emails about this hoax. The State Journal-Register editorial criticized Sacco for not verifying the information, which took only one phone call.

More Urban Legend Follies

Ann Landers is criticized for reprinting an urban legend about a woman doing laundry with her hair in curlers and wearing a football helmet. Landers had previously printed this story and reprinted it again, missing an opportunity to correct the record and inform readers it was a legend. The article references Jan Harold Brunvand and the "snopes" urban legend website.

A Psychic Who Tried to Get Famous

This part discusses the opening of Bugsy Siegel's safe, which was found to be empty. A Reuters article mentioned that a psychic had predicted the safe would contain a ruby ring and names of people involved in prostitution. The psychic's name was not mentioned, leading the author to speculate that if any part of the prediction had been true, the psychic would have been widely publicized.

Yet Another Psychic Who Is Getting Famous

The column criticizes a Chicago Tribune article that it describes as an advertisement for a local psychic named Joanna Ammons. The article lacked any skepticism and presented the psychic's abilities as fact. The author expresses disgust at the article's promotion of the psychic.

It's a Very Dangerous Thing, Part 3

This section continues a discussion about South African President Thabo Mbeki's stance on AIDS. Mbeki's welcoming of "AIDS dissidents" like Peter Deusberg, who deny that HIV causes AIDS, is criticized for threatening anti-AIDS efforts. The "Durban Declaration," signed by over 5000 scientists at the 13th International AIDS Conference, affirmed that HIV causes AIDS. The article quotes Malegapuru Makgoba, president of South Africa's Medical Research Council, who stated that AIDS dissidents are unable to provide experimental evidence for their views. Mbeki's speech to the Durban gathering is noted as a small movement towards science, but he also complained about criticisms and did not address his refusal to supply cheap anti-HIV drugs to pregnant women.

Not So Healthy, the Continuing Saga

This segment discusses potential interactions between herbs and drugs. Dr. Dean Edell reports concerns that St. John's wort may damage eye proteins, potentially leading to cataracts. A HealthCentral report indicates that St. John's wort, echinacea, and gingko biloba can reduce sperm production and fertility. The article also mentions CNN Interactive's report on the Center for Science in the Public Interest's call for FDA regulations on "functional foods."

Psychic Junk Mail Hell Update

This update details a lawsuit filed by the State of Arkansas against Access Resource Services, a psychic hotline company. The company is accused of billing customers for calls that were free or never made, at a rate of $4.99 per minute. The article mentions that psychics like Joyce Jillson and Jenni Sinclair were named in the original junk mail received by REALL. Joyce Jillson claims she is not associated with the hotline and is also a victim of her name being used without permission.

Kansas Finally Evolves

This part reports on the Republican primaries in Kansas, where two anti-evolutionists were removed from office. The Chicago Tribune editorial is cited, noting that creationism supporters complained about pressure from academics and journalists.

Normal Solider Syndrome?

Dr. Dean Edell reported on a study published in the American Journal of Medicine that suggests that the symptoms of "Gulf War syndrome" are similar to those experienced by veterans who did not serve in the Gulf War. The study implies that Gulf War syndrome may be a form of mass sociogenic illness, similar to sick building syndrome or silicone breast implant problems.

From the Chairman

David Bloomberg's column discusses the "Skeptic Jeopardy" event, where two teams, "Heads" and "Tails," competed. Team "Heads" won with a score of 11,601 to 8900. He lists the team members and some of the questions asked. Bloomberg also announces the next REALL meeting on September 5, which will feature a videotaped presentation from the Skeptics Society on "Carl Sagan, The Measure of a Man." He mentions undergoing arthroscopic surgery on his knee.

From the Editor

Wally Hartshorn's editor's note states that the issue is full and thanks readers for their contributions. He highlights Richard Petraitis's feature article and encourages readers to engage with it. He also mentions that he will be married next month.

A Nod to Our Patrons

This section expresses gratitude to REALL's patron members for their support, enabling the organization to continue its work for critical thinking in Central Illinois. A list of patron members is provided.

Our Next Meeting

This section, on page 8, reiterates the details for the next REALL meeting on Tuesday, September 5, at 7:00 PM at the Lincoln Library in Springfield, Illinois. The meeting will feature a videotaped seminar on Carl Sagan, discussing his life and career, based on two recent biographies and filmed for C-Span's Book-TV. The seminar covers topics from Sagan's pot smoking to his involvement with the SETI program. The meeting is free and open to the public.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue revolve around the critical examination of pseudoscientific claims, urban legends, and societal issues that lack empirical evidence. REALL consistently promotes rational thinking, the scientific method, and skepticism as tools for understanding the world. The editorial stance is clearly against unsubstantiated beliefs, whether they manifest as magical practices like Ju-Ju, the propagation of urban legends, or the denial of established scientific consensus, such as in the case of AIDS. The publication aims to educate its readers and encourage a more critical approach to information and claims presented in society.