Shadow of a Doubt - 2005 06

Magazine Overview

This document is a flyer for a public lecture series hosted by the National Capital Area Skeptics (NCAS), featuring a talk on "The American Flag in History and Myth" by Peter Ansoff. It also includes announcements for other NCAS events and membership information.

Public Lecture: The American Flag in History and Myth

Peter Ansoff, the current President of the North American Vexillological Association (NAVA), will present a lecture on the history and mythology of the American flag. The lecture, scheduled for Saturday, June 11, 2005, from 2-4 pm, will take place at the Montgomery County Library, Bethesda Branch, located at 7400 Arlington Road, Bethesda, Maryland. Ansoff, who has a lifelong interest in flags and has presented at various institutions including the Star-Spangled Museum and Flag House, will discuss the flag's utilitarian origins during the Revolutionary War and the subsequent development of mythology surrounding it. He notes that while the flag is now treated as a quasi-religious icon, its founding fathers might be amazed by this perception. Ansoff plans to cover how hundreds of books on the flag's origins have often repeated and embellished the work of mid-19th century historians, whose research may have been cursory and influenced by their own assumptions. His talk will also delve into some of the more amusing and "downright creepy" myths and legends associated with the flag. Additionally, Ansoff will provide a "show and tell" of rare flag books from his collection. Ansoff is actively researching primary sources related to early American flags, with his paper on the First Navy Jack flag having received an award from NAVA and been published in their journal, "The Raven," in 2004. Other papers, "The Flag on Prospect Hill, a New Interpretation" and "The Sign Their Banners Bore, the Pine Tree Flag in the American Revolution," have been presented at vexillological conferences and are being prepared for publication. Future topics include Rattlesnake Flags and the creation of the Stars and Stripes.

Other NCAS Events and Information

Annual NCAS Membership Meeting

Following Peter Ansoff's lecture on June 11, NCAS will hold its annual membership board meeting. This event offers an opportunity for members to meet and talk with board members and candidates for the upcoming election, discuss ideas, learn about involvement opportunities, and socialize with fellow NCAS members.

Lecture: "The 'Real' Alternative Medicine? Home Remedies from a Physician's Perspective"

Dr. Lillian Beard, a pediatrician and author of a column for Good Housekeeping magazine, will present a lecture titled "Home Remedies from a Physician's Perspective." This event is sponsored by the Science, Technology and Business Division of the Library of Congress and will be held on Tuesday, June 7, at 11:30 am in the Mumford Room, James Madison Building, 101 Independence Avenue, S.E., Washington, D.C. The lecture is free and open to the public. Dr. Beard, who is also an associate clinical professor at George Washington University School of Medicine and a medical contributor on ABC-TV's “Good Morning Washington,” has compiled family recipes for wellness over a 30-year medical practice. Her book organizes these remedies in an A-to-Z guide, covering ailments from acne to sinus problems. She suggests that home remedies, which have existed as long as grandmothers, tight budgets, and common ailments, may have a biological basis for their effectiveness.

Membership Renewal

Members are encouraged to check their mailing labels for their renewal date. Membership can be renewed for $30 for an individual or $40 for a two-member household for a one-year period. Failure to renew may result in being dropped as a member.

NCAS Contact Information

The National Capital Area Skeptics is a 501(c)3 not-for-profit organization promoting critical thinking and scientific understanding. Contact information includes:

• Address: P.O. Box 8428, Silver Spring, Maryland 20907
• Telephone: 301-587-3827
• Email: [email protected]
• Skeptical Eye submission: [email protected]
• Website: http://www.ncas.org/

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The NCAS, as indicated by its name and the content of this flyer, promotes skepticism, critical thinking, and scientific understanding. The events advertised, particularly Peter Ansoff's lecture on flag mythology and Dr. Lillian Beard's talk on home remedies, align with a critical examination of popular beliefs and pseudoscientific claims. The organization appears to be dedicated to providing educational opportunities for the public to engage with evidence-based perspectives on various topics, from historical interpretations to health and wellness practices. The emphasis on factual accuracy and the debunking of myths is a consistent theme throughout the NCAS's activities.