Tampa Bay Skeptics Report - vol 23 no 4

Magazine Overview

This issue of the Tampa Bay Skeptics Report, Volume 23, Number 4, dated Spring 2011, is published by Tampa Bay Skeptics, a Special Interest Group of the Center For Inquiry Tampa Bay. The magazine focuses on critical examination of paranormal and fringe-science claims.

Article: Not smoke and mirrors, but perhaps scissors and paste

This article by Gary P. Posner details a court case involving "psychic detective" Noreen Renier and skeptic John Merrell. The dispute centers on Renier's alleged violation of a bankruptcy ruling, which led to Merrell's counter-charges. A key piece of evidence presented by Merrell was an exhibit allegedly doctored by Renier. The article describes a court hearing in Charlottesville, Virginia, where Merrell's sister, Roxie Cuellar, provided an account. Renier accused Merrell of not purging objectionable material from his websites and of delaying the transfer of the amindformurder.com domain. Merrell countered that Renier's exhibits were "cotton candy" and appeared to be the result of a "cut-and-paste 'scissors' job" with multiple generations of photocopying. Merrell also presented evidence that Renier had allegedly lied about his website content and had continued to post prohibited material. The judge had not yet rendered a decision at the time of publication.

Article: Chairman's Corner: Our own backyard cult

Terry A. Smiljanich discusses the Church of Scientology, founded by L. Ron Hubbard. The article outlines Scientology's claims about eliminating "engrams" with an "E-meter" to achieve spiritual awareness. It notes the church's attempts to discredit modern psychiatry and its claims of healing abilities. The article highlights controversial aspects, including the belief in an advanced civilization 75-million years ago led by Xenu, and the use of H-bombs. Smiljanich criticizes these claims as "laughable" based on scientific evidence and questions Hubbard's claims of self-healing, citing a lack of support in his medical records. The article also touches upon the church's history of controversies and lawsuits.

Article: One's Conclusions Are Only As Reliable As One's Data

Valerie Grey writes about the importance of reliable data in forming conclusions, particularly in the context of the Internet and conspiracy theories. She uses the example of the moon landing "hoax" to illustrate how easily misinformation can spread online. Grey also discusses her personal investigation into manmade global warming, initially influenced by skepticism from TBS founder Gary Posner. Despite her initial inclination to trust scientific consensus, she found herself perplexed by the diametrically opposed data she encountered, prompting her to investigate further using traditional library resources.

Article: Reliability of Data and Conclusions (continued)

This section continues the discussion on the reliability of data and conclusions, particularly concerning manmade global warming (MMGW). The author contrasts their research methods with those of bloggers and media personalities, emphasizing the importance of citing references. The author expresses admiration for Gary Posner's intelligence and integrity but notes that their findings on global warming differ significantly. The piece also includes a letter of resignation from Harold Lewis to the American Physical Society (APS) regarding the organization's stance on climate change, criticizing the APS statement as "appallingly tendentious" and suggesting that financial motivations corrupted the scientific process. Lewis likens the situation to the "ClimateGate" e-mail scandal and describes it as a "pseudoscientific fraud."

Snippets

This section features several brief news items:

• Dr. Andrew Wakefield Fraud: Jonathan Leaf reports that Dr. Andrew Wakefield was exposed as a fraud, with his investigation into the MMR vaccine and autism being a premeditated effort to aid lawsuits, costing him $675,000. ACSH is gratified by the exposure, noting the damage caused by the hysteria surrounding vaccines.
• Power Balance Bracelets: The Power Balance company admitted that there is no credible scientific evidence supporting their claims and agreed to offer refunds.
• Astrology and Zodiac Signs: Parke Kunkle, an astronomy instructor, created a new zodiac calendar based on current constellations, requiring a new zodiac sign. This caused a stir online.
• Romanian Witches and Taxes: Witches in Romania are now required to pay income tax, leading them to cast spells on government officials. One witch planned to use a concoction of cat excrement and a dead dog.

Other Sections

• Tampa Bay Skeptics Consultants: A list of consultants with expertise in various fields is provided.
• Other Skeptical Sources on the Paranormal: A list of books and organizations offering skeptical resources is included, such as Prometheus Books, Skeptical Inquirer, Skeptic, and the James Randi Educational Foundation.
• Announcements: Information on upcoming Tampa Bay Skeptics quarterly meetings, including a featured speaker on "Global Warming," is provided. The next meeting is scheduled for Saturday, March 26.
• TBS Website and Challenges: The magazine encourages readers to visit the TBS website for articles and updates. It also highlights the standing $1,000 Challenge for scientific proof of paranormal phenomena and the James Randi Educational Foundation's $1,000,000 prize.
• Center For Inquiry Tampa Bay: Information is provided about CFI Tampa Bay's role in sponsoring events for free-thinkers and assisting with outreach.
• Membership/Subscription/Donation Form: A form is included for readers to subscribe to the report, become TBS or CFI members, or make donations.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The Tampa Bay Skeptics Report consistently promotes critical thinking, scientific skepticism, and the objective examination of claims, particularly those related to the paranormal, pseudoscience, and controversial social issues. The editorial stance is one of rigorous inquiry, demanding evidence and challenging unsubstantiated assertions. The magazine provides a platform for diverse viewpoints within the skeptical community, while maintaining a commitment to evidence-based reasoning and a rejection of dogma. The recurring themes include debunking pseudoscience, scrutinizing controversial figures and organizations, and advocating for scientific literacy.