Tampa Bay Skeptics Report - vol 24 no 1

Magazine Overview

Title: Tampa Bay Skeptics Report
Issue: Vol. 24 No. 1
Date: Summer 2011
Publisher: Tampa Bay Skeptics
Country: USA
Language: English

This issue of the Tampa Bay Skeptics Report delves into several contentious topics, including a legal ruling against a self-proclaimed psychic, the ongoing debate surrounding cell phone safety, and discussions on UFO sightings and conspiracy theories.

"Psychic Detective" Noreen Renier Lambasted in Judge's Ruling

This lead article by Gary P. Posner details the legal battle between psychic Noreen Renier and skeptic John Merrell. The conflict, which has spanned over a quarter century and involved multiple judges across five states, centers on Renier's claims of paranormal powers and Merrell's efforts to disprove them. The article highlights a March 21, 2011, order by Judge William E. Anderson in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court, Western District of Virginia. In this ruling, the judge found Renier to be an unreliable witness, stating, "The overwhelming problem with Renier's case... is that this court did not find her ... to be a credible witness." This conclusion was based on her demeanor and her testimony regarding her intent to abide by a previous court order. The judge also suggested that Renier filed further pleadings primarily to secure a $30,000 judgment against Merrell. The article recounts the history of their dispute, including a 1992 agreement that neither party would disparage the other, which Renier violated by including derogatory chapters in her 2005 memoir. Merrell had initially been awarded damages and legal fees, but the bankruptcy court had significantly reduced the amount Renier had to pay. Renier's bankruptcy filing in 2007 also revealed discrepancies in her reported income, which Merrell challenged.

The Rapture

Chairman Terry A. Smiljanich addresses the concept of the Rapture and the broader issue of religious claims versus scientific evidence. He notes the failed predictions of the world ending on May 21, 2011, and the ongoing cycle of end-times prophecies. Smiljanich argues that while religions claim to offer answers about the unseen, people demand tangible proof, leading to claims of answered prayers, apparitions, and miracles. He critiques the idea that science and religion occupy separate, non-overlapping magisteria, asserting that all religions posit a supernatural realm that interacts with the natural world. As science advances, Smiljanich observes, religion is increasingly confined to smaller explanations. He draws a parallel to UFO cults, where the bar for proof constantly escalates from sightings to physical evidence to abductions. Smiljanich concludes that while people are free to believe in supernatural beings, if they claim these beings interact with humans, they need to provide proof.

Why Aren't Cell-Phone-Safety Skeptics Being Vilified Like AGW Skeptics?

Gary P. Posner questions why skepticism regarding the safety of cell phones does not attract the same level of criticism and stigmatization as skepticism about anthropogenic global warming (AGW). He notes that while climate scientists largely agree on the causes of global warming, the scientific community has not reached a similar consensus on cell phone safety. Posner cites a National Institutes of Health study suggesting that cell phone radiation boosts brain activity and a segment on CNN where host Anderson Cooper and neurosurgeon Sanjay Gupta discussed potential risks. He highlights Dr. Keith Black's observation of an uptick in brain tumors among heavy cell phone users and a memo from the University of Pittsburg Cancer Institute urging employees to limit cell phone use. Posner contrasts this with the lack of similar public outcry or vilification directed at cell-phone-safety skeptics, unlike the strong reactions faced by AGW skeptics. He also mentions that the World Health Organization (WHO) classified radiofrequency electromagnetic fields as possibly carcinogenic to humans, yet this has not generated the same level of public alarm as AGW-related discussions.

Snippets

This section provides brief summaries of various news items:

• Alien Bacteria in Meteorites: Richard Hoover of NASA announced findings of fossilized alien bacterial life in meteorites, a claim met with significant criticism and ridicule from the scientific community.
• New Age Therapies: The report mentions the continued use of "Therapeutic Touch" (TT) and the emergence of "Accelerated Resolution Therapy" (ART) as eye-movement therapies for emotional disorders.
• Kennedy and UFOs: A conspiracy theory suggests President Kennedy's death may have been linked to his inquiries about UFO intelligence files, citing a CIA memo that indicated concerns about his interest.
• Sathya Sai Baba: The death of the controversial Hindu guru Sathya Sai Baba is noted, along with the relentless challenges to his alleged miracles by Basava Premanand, founder of the Indian Skeptics.
• ET Encounter: Rock star Sammy Hagar claims to have been violated in his sleep by extraterrestrials who "plugged into" him.

"Letters / Readers' Forum"

This section includes a letter from an incarcerated individual who, while imprisoned, is concerned about his cellmate's belief in government cover-ups regarding UFOs and alleged incidents at nuclear missile silos. He requests information to help disabuse his cellmate of these beliefs. The editor replies, providing information that debunks a specific claim about a 1967 missile silo incident and notes the lack of published skeptical commentary on a 2006 O'Hare Airport UFO sighting, though he forwards a skeptical analysis from Robert Sheaffer. The inmate later responds, stating his cellmate remained unconvinced and believed the incidents occurred in multiple countries with numerous witnesses.

Tampa Bay Skeptics Executive Council

A list of the executive council members for Tampa Bay Skeptics is provided, including their names, affiliations, and roles.

Other Skeptical Sources on the Paranormal

This section lists various organizations and publications that offer skeptical perspectives on paranormal phenomena, including Prometheus Books, Skeptical Inquirer, Skeptic magazine, and the James Randi Educational Foundation.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The Tampa Bay Skeptics Report consistently promotes critical thinking and skepticism towards paranormal claims, pseudoscience, and unsubstantiated beliefs. The publication actively engages with controversial topics, providing a platform for skeptical analysis and debunking. The editorial stance is clearly in favor of evidence-based reasoning and objective inquiry, as demonstrated by its coverage of legal disputes involving psychics, scientific debates on health and environmental issues, and the examination of UFO phenomena. The magazine encourages readers to question claims and seek verifiable proof, as exemplified by its standing $1,000 challenge for paranormal phenomena.