related_results_labels_thumbs({"version":"1.0","encoding":"UTF-8","feed":{"xmlns":"http://www.w3.org/2005/Atom","xmlns$openSearch":"http://a9.com/-/spec/opensearchrss/1.0/","xmlns$georss":"http://www.georss.org/georss","xmlns$thr":"http://purl.org/syndication/thread/1.0","id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4977309212311534399"},"updated":{"$t":"2010-09-06T13:16:32.901-04:00"},"title":{"type":"text","$t":"The Mad Skeptic"},"subtitle":{"type":"html","$t":"Straddling the line between ivory tower and blue collar.  \nThe notes, comments, and general ramblings of a Gen-X Scientist and Skeptic."},"link":[{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#feed","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http://www.themadskeptic.com/feeds/posts/default"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http://www.blogger.com/feeds/4977309212311534399/posts/default/-/CAM?alt\u003djson-in-script\u0026max-results\u003d6"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http://www.themadskeptic.com/search/label/CAM"},{"rel":"hub","href":"http://pubsubhubbub.appspot.com/"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"Baron Army"},"uri":{"$t":"http://www.blogger.com/profile/07476349695309049940"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"}}],"generator":{"version":"7.00","uri":"http://www.blogger.com","$t":"Blogger"},"openSearch$totalResults":{"$t":"6"},"openSearch$startIndex":{"$t":"1"},"openSearch$itemsPerPage":{"$t":"6"},"entry":[{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4977309212311534399.post-3390452085033103843"},"published":{"$t":"2010-07-14T21:52:00.001-04:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2010-07-14T21:52:02.544-04:00"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"CAM"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"New York"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"albany"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"magnets"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"woo"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"A Blast from the Past -- The Magnet Hucksters"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"\u003cp style\u003d\"text-align: left;\"\u003eHere's an oldie but a goodie:\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eI've written about this in the past and m\u003ca href\u003d\"http://www.randi.org/jr/2006-05/051206benny.html#i3\" target\u003d\"_self\"\u003ey story was discussed on the Swift \u003c/a\u003eat one point. \u0026nbsp;Basically, way back in 2005, there were vendors on the New York State \u003ca href\u003d\"http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Empire_State_Plaza\" target\u003d\"_blank\"\u003eEmpire State Plaza\u003c/a\u003e Concourse (a large mall-like setting which links all the building on the Empire State Plaza) who were selling magnet jewelery and making claims they could stop pain and cure various things. \u0026nbsp;I've lost the original letter I sent in complaining. \u0026nbsp;Most likely, it is on my old computer which is sitting in a corner because it's clock battery is dead and I haven't gone out to get one to replace it. \u0026nbsp;A version of the \u003ca href\u003d\"http://baron-army.livejournal.com/104583.html\" target\u003d\"_blank\"\u003eoriginal letter is on my LiveJournal account\u003c/a\u003e (I now realize I've been a Skeptic blogger for over 5 years now!) but it is no where near as interesting as the response I received:\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp style\u003d\"text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003ca style\u003d\"margin: 12px auto 6px auto; font-family: Helvetica,Arial,Sans-serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 14px; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; display: block; text-decoration: underline;\" title\u003d\"View 06 03 06 Magnet Response on Scribd\" href\u003d\"http://www.scribd.com/doc/34348624/06-03-06-Magnet-Response\"\u003e06 03 06 Magnet Response\u003c/a\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e \u003cobject id\u003d\"doc_42206\" style\u003d\"outline: none;\" width\u003d\"700\" height\u003d\"800\" name\u003d\"doc_42206\" type\u003d\"application/x-shockwave-flash\" data\u003d\"http://d1.scribdassets.com/ScribdViewer.swf\"\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cparam name\u003d\"movie\" value\u003d\"http://d1.scribdassets.com/ScribdViewer.swf\" /\u003e\u003cparam name\u003d\"wmode\" value\u003d\"opaque\" /\u003e\u003cparam name\u003d\"bgcolor\" value\u003d\"#ffffff\" /\u003e\u003cparam name\u003d\"allowFullScreen\" value\u003d\"true\" /\u003e\u003cparam name\u003d\"allowScriptAccess\" value\u003d\"always\" /\u003e\u003cparam name\u003d\"FlashVars\" value\u003d\"document_id\u003d34348624\u0026amp;access_key\u003dkey-2456t1ssf121nmbdsoio\u0026amp;page\u003d1\u0026amp;viewMode\u003dlist\" /\u003e \u003cembed id\u003d\"doc_42206\" type\u003d\"application/x-shockwave-flash\" width\u003d\"700\" height\u003d\"800\" src\u003d\"http://d1.scribdassets.com/ScribdViewer.swf?document_id\u003d34348624\u0026amp;access_key\u003dkey-2456t1ssf121nmbdsoio\u0026amp;page\u003d1\u0026amp;viewMode\u003dlist\" name\u003d\"doc_42206\" allowscriptaccess\u003d\"always\" allowfullscreen\u003d\"true\" wmode\u003d\"opaque\" bgcolor\u003d\"#ffffff\"\u003e\u003c/embed\u003e\u003c/object\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eI found the response while going through things as I prepare to move into a new apartment. \u0026nbsp;As you can read, the NYSCPB really doesn't grasp the evidence against magnets relieving pain or the concept of placebos. \u0026nbsp;In that, I was very disappointed. \u0026nbsp;However, it wasn't too soon after my letter was mailed in and this response was generated that the magnet hucksters stopped appearing on the Concourse. \u0026nbsp;I think they realized the heat was on them or someone told them to change their advertising. \u0026nbsp;Much to my chagrin, they have reappeared within recent memory although their signs have changed. \u0026nbsp;Mostly, they read just something about \"magnetic jewelery\" although I do think I saw a 8.5x11 print out with \"testimonials\" written on the top. \u0026nbsp;Next time they are around, I'll be taking pictures.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cdiv class\u003d\"blogger-post-footer\"\u003e\u003cimg width\u003d'1' height\u003d'1' src\u003d'https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/4977309212311534399-3390452085033103843?l\u003dwww.themadskeptic.com' alt\u003d'' /\u003e\u003c/div\u003e"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http://www.themadskeptic.com/feeds/3390452085033103843/comments/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"https://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID\u003d4977309212311534399\u0026postID\u003d3390452085033103843\u0026isPopup\u003dtrue","title":"0 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http://www.blogger.com/feeds/4977309212311534399/posts/default/3390452085033103843"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http://www.blogger.com/feeds/4977309212311534399/posts/default/3390452085033103843"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http://www.themadskeptic.com/2010/07/blast-from-past-magnet-hucksters.html","title":"A Blast from the Past -- The Magnet Hucksters"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"Baron Army"},"uri":{"$t":"http://www.blogger.com/profile/07476349695309049940"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$extendedProperty":{"xmlns$gd":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005","name":"OpenSocialUserId","value":"17303909186244852468"}}],"thr$total":{"$t":"0"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4977309212311534399.post-2370349867289424525"},"published":{"$t":"2010-02-09T17:36:00.001-05:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2010-02-09T17:38:53.445-05:00"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"CAM"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"drugs"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"health"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"government"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"politics"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"autism"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"outreach"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"CTA: Close the Supplement Loophole"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"\u003cdiv xmlns\u003d'http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml'\u003e\u003cstyle type\u003d'text/css'\u003e \t\u003c/style\u003e   \t \t \t \t\u003cstyle type\u003d'text/css'\u003e \t \t\u003c/style\u003e  \u003cp style\u003d'margin-bottom: 0in;'\u003e\u003cimg src\u003d'http://lh4.ggpht.com/_PqiPgKVm1uI/S3Hi0e8h41I/AAAAAAAABKs/bKh34ndZu9M/%5BUNSET%5D.jpg?imgmax\u003d800' style\u003d'max-width: 800px; float: right; margin-top: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 10px;'/\u003eDespite my \u003ca href\u003d'http://feedproxy.google.com/%7Er/TheMadSkeptic/%7E3/H3S4uwnYi80/mccain-pizza-act-of-2009.html'\u003eprevious criticisms of Senator McCain\u003c/a\u003e, I recognize he can do some pretty good things as well.  This is just such a case.  He has just proposed a bill that could potentially close the legal loopholes the supplement industry uses to push out their unscientifically tested, dangerous, and woo woo products.  You can read an excellent review of the bill by David Gorski over at Science-Based Medicine:  \u003ca target\u003d'_blank' href\u003d'http://www.sciencebasedmedicine.org/?p\u003d3772'\u003eThe Dietary Supplement Safety Act of 2010: A long overdue correction to the DSHEA of 1994?  \u003c/a\u003eI think it is of the utmost importance we in the Skeptical community loudly voice our support of this bill.\u003c/p\u003e  \u003cp style\u003d'margin-bottom: 0in;'\u003eBelow, is a copy of the letter I sent to my senators.  Feel free to use it as an outline to use when writing your senators:\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp style\u003d'margin-bottom: 0in;'/\u003e\u003cblockquote\u003e\u003cfont face\u003d'Monotype Corsiva'\u003eSenator XXXX,\u003cbr/\u003e\u003cbr/\u003eI am writing today to demand you support the McCain-Dorgan Bill which will go a long way in closing various loopholes the supplement industry uses to the detriment of our country.\u003cbr/\u003e\u003cbr/\u003eAs a former power-lifter/weight-lifter, I am well aware of the rampant abuse of supplements within that subculture.  While steroids do get a lot of attention, supplements also do a considerable amount of damage.  A personal acquaintance of mine died as the result of damage he had done to his body as the result of steroid and supplement abuse.  Before his death, he had previously almost died as the result of an ephedra overdose.\u003cbr/\u003e\u003cbr/\u003eSomething must be done and the recent attempt at marketing an industrial-strength chelating agent as an \"anti-oxidant\" for children with autism is a prime example of just how bad the situation is.  It is common knowledge that these \"supplements\" contain active ingredients which are supposed to perform specific functions in the body -- despite what the ineffective disclaimers on the bottle might state.  These so-called \"supplements\" need to be regulated as drugs so that the innocent (ignorant of true effects and side effects)and the helpless (children, autistics, etc.) are not harmed.\u003cbr/\u003e\u003cbr/\u003eI insist you take immediate action and voice your support for the McCain-Dorgan Bill.  Doing so will go a long way to protecting the people of the United States from this modern day form of snake oil.\u003cbr/\u003e\u003cbr/\u003eThank you,\u003c/font\u003e\u003c/blockquote\u003e  \u003cp style\u003d'margin-bottom: 0in;'\u003eDon't know how to contact your senators?  That's easily accomplished.  Just go to:  \u003ca href\u003d'http://www.senate.gov/general/contact_information/senators_cfm.cfm'\u003eSenators of the 111\u003c/a\u003e\u003ca href\u003d'http://www.senate.gov/general/contact_information/senators_cfm.cfm'\u003e\u003csup\u003eth\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/a\u003e\u003ca href\u003d'http://www.senate.gov/general/contact_information/senators_cfm.cfm'\u003e Congress\u003c/a\u003e and do a search.  It's that easy.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cbr/\u003e\u003csmall\u003e\u003ci\u003ephoto by \u003ca href\u003d'http://www.flickr.com/photos/erix/' target\u003d'_blank'\u003eerix!\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/i\u003e\u003c/small\u003e\u003cbr/\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv class\u003d\"blogger-post-footer\"\u003e\u003cimg width\u003d'1' height\u003d'1' src\u003d'https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/4977309212311534399-2370349867289424525?l\u003dwww.themadskeptic.com' alt\u003d'' /\u003e\u003c/div\u003e"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http://www.themadskeptic.com/feeds/2370349867289424525/comments/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"https://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID\u003d4977309212311534399\u0026postID\u003d2370349867289424525\u0026isPopup\u003dtrue","title":"0 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http://www.blogger.com/feeds/4977309212311534399/posts/default/2370349867289424525"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http://www.blogger.com/feeds/4977309212311534399/posts/default/2370349867289424525"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http://www.themadskeptic.com/2010/02/cta-close-suppliment-loophole.html","title":"CTA: Close the Supplement Loophole"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"Baron Army"},"uri":{"$t":"http://www.blogger.com/profile/07476349695309049940"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$extendedProperty":{"xmlns$gd":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005","name":"OpenSocialUserId","value":"17303909186244852468"}}],"thr$total":{"$t":"0"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4977309212311534399.post-8777835117182096996"},"published":{"$t":"2010-01-28T11:40:00.002-05:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2010-02-05T20:58:22.917-05:00"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"CAM"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"health"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"vaccines"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"autism"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"Breaking News: Andrew Wakefield May be Stripped of His Medical Licence"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"\u003cdiv xmlns\u003d'http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml'\u003e\u003cimg style\u003d'float: right; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 10px; margin-top: 10px; max-width: 800px;' src\u003d'http://lh5.ggpht.com/_PqiPgKVm1uI/S2G9sQ2GXcI/AAAAAAAABKc/R-4iB_aREdY/%5BUNSET%5D.jpg?imgmax\u003d800'/\u003eI just read over at Sky News that one of the quacks of quacks, \u003ca target\u003d'_blank' href\u003d'http://news.sky.com/skynews/Home/UK-News/Doctor-At-Centre-Of-MMR-Controversy-Failed-In-His-Duties-GMC-Rules/Article/201001415537552?lpos\u003dUK_News_Top_Stories_Header_0\u0026amp;lid\u003dARTICLE_15537552_Doctor_At_Centre_Of_MMR_Controversy_Failed_In_His_Duties,_GMC_Rules'\u003eAndrew Wakefield\u003c/a\u003e, may lose his medical license!  This is great news and a serious blow to the Anti-vaxxers -- who have long held Wakefield as some kind of profit er prophet.  From Sky News:\u003cbr/\u003e\u003cblockquote style\u003d'font-family: monospace;'\u003eHis conduct brought the medical profession \"into disrepute\" after he  took blood samples from youngsters at his son's birthday party in return for payments of £5.\u003cbr/\u003eHe also acted dishonestly and was misleading and irresponsible in the way he described research later published in The Lancet medical  journal, the panel ruled at a hearing.\u003cbr/\u003e\u003c/blockquote\u003e\u003cbr/\u003eNow, in a time where \u003ca target\u003d'_blank' href\u003d'http://skepticblog.org/2010/01/25/skeptics-getting-under-their-skin/'\u003eSkeptics are starting to make headway\u003c/a\u003e and really begin to irritate the hucksters, lairs, and frauds out there this comes along!  Awesome!  I doubt I could have gotten better news today!\u003cbr/\u003e\u003cbr/\u003e\u003csmall\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d'font-style: italic;'\u003ephoto by \u003c/span\u003e\u003ca target\u003d'_blank' style\u003d'font-style: italic;' href\u003d'http://www.flickr.com/photos/28798135@N07/'\u003eghinson\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/small\u003e\u003cbr/\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv class\u003d\"blogger-post-footer\"\u003e\u003cimg width\u003d'1' height\u003d'1' src\u003d'https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/4977309212311534399-8777835117182096996?l\u003dwww.themadskeptic.com' alt\u003d'' /\u003e\u003c/div\u003e"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http://www.themadskeptic.com/feeds/8777835117182096996/comments/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"https://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID\u003d4977309212311534399\u0026postID\u003d8777835117182096996\u0026isPopup\u003dtrue","title":"1 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http://www.blogger.com/feeds/4977309212311534399/posts/default/8777835117182096996"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http://www.blogger.com/feeds/4977309212311534399/posts/default/8777835117182096996"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http://www.themadskeptic.com/2010/01/breaking-news-andrew-wakefield-may-be.html","title":"Breaking News: Andrew Wakefield May be Stripped of His Medical Licence"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"Baron Army"},"uri":{"$t":"http://www.blogger.com/profile/07476349695309049940"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$extendedProperty":{"xmlns$gd":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005","name":"OpenSocialUserId","value":"17303909186244852468"}}],"thr$total":{"$t":"1"},"georss$point":{"$t":"51.5268505 -0.1319292"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4977309212311534399.post-4557948862914154694"},"published":{"$t":"2009-10-08T00:00:00.000-04:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2009-10-08T10:13:13.492-04:00"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"CAM"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"misinformation"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"homeopathy"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"ufos"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"skeptics' circle"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"vaccines"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"religion"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"evolution"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"media"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"science"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"politics"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"ghosts"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"Live at Five! The 121st Skeptics' Circle"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"\u003cdiv xmlns\u003d\"http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml\"\u003e\u003cimg src\u003d\"http://lh5.ggpht.com/_PqiPgKVm1uI/Ss1UpWuG7WI/AAAAAAAABEk/0SmJCrQ8j7c/%5BUNSET%5D.jpg?imgmax\u003d800\" style\u003d\"float: right; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 10px; margin-top: 10px; max-width: 800px;\" /\u003eGood evening and thank you for watching W.E.B.S., your Fox news-alternative.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eHere at W.E.B.S., we've been closely following a story many of you may not be aware of.\u0026nbsp; Tonight we will go into detail as we examine the Skeptic Threat!\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eAlready, some have been made aware of Skeptics and their condescending, know-it-all-ism.\u0026nbsp; The way they make the rest of us feel stupid for taking our over-the-counter Dr. Mbeki's homeopathic A.I.D.S. remedies.\u0026nbsp; They also seem to mingle with another crowd -- the Atheists.\u0026nbsp; A recent article by recognized Skeptic, Karen Stollznow even addresses \u003ca href\u003d\"http://www.csicop.org/specialarticles/show/when_the_beatles_were_bigger_than_jesus_christ/\" target\u003d\"_blank\"\u003eWhen the Beatles were Bigger than Jesus Christ\u003c/a\u003e!\u0026nbsp; Can this scourge be stopped?\u0026nbsp; It's as if there are rationalists around every corner!\u0026nbsp; They even challenge the very foundations of our country by suggesting that the socially unacceptable practice of Atheism is tenable.\u0026nbsp; A writer called \"One Brow\" has even gone so far as to challenge the logic of \u003cu\u003eThe Last Superstition\u003c/u\u003e in a post entitled \u003ca href\u003d\"http://lifetheuniverseandonebrow.blogspot.com/2009/10/review-of-tls-preface.html\" target\u003d\"_blank\"\u003eReview of TLS -- a preface\u003c/a\u003e.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eThe Skeptics -- as they willingly call themselves, will challenge all manners of concepts regardless of how many of us know them to be true.\u0026nbsp; The recent scientific study finally proving the violent dangers of giving sugar to children has even been challenged by Andrew Bernardin who published a post entitled \u003ca href\u003d\"http://evolvingmind.info/blog/2009/10/dangerous-science-threat-level-cherry-red/\" target\u003d\"_blank\"\u003eDangerous Science Threat Level:\u0026nbsp; Cherry Red\u003c/a\u003e.\u0026nbsp; Not only does he mock the very alt-science he worships, he mocks our gracious benefactor Emperor Bush.\u0026nbsp; Next, these people will be doubting the maquaque study linking Hep B vaccines to autism!\u0026nbsp; It doesn't stop there.\u0026nbsp; Mattus Maximus even questions the recognised medical genius of the heretic Bill Maher in an article he's written called \u003ca href\u003d\"http://skepticalteacher.wordpress.com/2009/09/30/blasphemy-day-bill-maher-and-free-inquiry/\" target\u003d\"_blank\"\u003eBlasphemy Day, Bill Maher, and Free Inquiry\u003c/a\u003e.\u0026nbsp; In a time where truth is just a click away at Conservapedia, these Skeptics even have the gall to suggest that newspapers still have a place in the media market place.\u0026nbsp; Socratic Gadfly suggests they have a role left to play in \u003ca href\u003d\"http://socraticgadfly.blogspot.com/2009/10/no-newspapers-arent-dead-yet-and-they.html\" target\u003d\"_blank\"\u003eNo, newspapers aren't dead yet, and they probably aren't that close\u003c/a\u003e.\u0026nbsp; Hopefully this doesn't suggest the reappearance of the peer-reviewed journal!\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eWhat else do Skeptics believe.\u0026nbsp; You might be surprized.\u0026nbsp; Stay tuned after the break.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eWelcome back.\u0026nbsp; We here at W.E.B.S., your Fox news-alternative, take your family's welfare very seriously.\u0026nbsp; We recommend that, if there are children in the room, you take them out for the next 10 minutes.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eWe all know and love ghosts.\u0026nbsp; Whispy, fun-loving and adorable.\u0026nbsp; They're a part of our lives.\u0026nbsp; How would your children take it if someone was to walk up to them and claim there might not be ghosts after all.\u0026nbsp; The looks on their faces would break any mother's heart.\u0026nbsp; Two Skeptics seem to claim that there might not be ghosts!\u0026nbsp; One Skeptic called \"Bing McGhandi\" openly mocks the very types of evidence used to prove the existence of ghosts in an entry entitled \u003ca href\u003d\"http://hjhop.blogspot.com/2009/10/my-ghost-hunt.html\" target\u003d\"_blank\"\u003eMy Ghost Hunt...\u003c/a\u003e.\u0026nbsp; Mockery is one thing when it comes from someone claiming to be a hypno-toad but it is another coming from a human being.\u0026nbsp; Cubic's Rube writes an article purporting to explain how some things, like evidence of ghosts, are discovered -- \u003ca href\u003d\"http://cubiksrube.wordpress.com/2009/09/28/anomaly-hunting/\" target\u003d\"_blank\"\u003eAnomaly Hunting\u003c/a\u003e.\u0026nbsp; This article even questions the existence of UFOs!\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eThe science of Creationism has been widely accepted for years now.\u0026nbsp; Thanks to Emperor Bush and the brave souls in the Texas Board of Education and their kindred spirits, the heretic teachings of Charles Darwin are all but forgotten -- unless you're a Skeptic.\u0026nbsp; In his post \u003ca href\u003d\"http://www.theexaminingroom.com/2009/10/dialogues-with-darwin-exhibit/\" target\u003d\"_blank\"\u003eDialogues with Darwin Exhibit\u003c/a\u003e, Dr. Charles waxes on about just how valuable Charles Darwin was to science.\u0026nbsp; Funny.\u0026nbsp; Even though we all know the world was created in 6 days, these people still hold on to these out-moded beliefs.\u0026nbsp; Evolutionists!\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eThink this threat is a small one.\u0026nbsp; Think again.\u0026nbsp; They are meeting up and using our technology.\u0026nbsp; They might even be sitting right next to you.\u0026nbsp; PodBlack is sending recommendations to skeptical bloggers in her post \u003ca href\u003d\"http://podblack.com/2009/09/the-process-of-skeptical-blogging-the-bridge/\" target\u003d\"_blank\"\u003eThe Process of Skeptical Blogging -- The Bridge\u003c/a\u003e.\u0026nbsp; These radicals are using technology to their advantage.\u0026nbsp; Not only that, they are organizing and having meetings.\u0026nbsp; A character called \"TechSkeptic\" brazenly writes about his attendance at a Skeptic conference right in New York City!\u0026nbsp; \u003ca href\u003d\"http://techskeptic.blogspot.com/2009/09/my-weekend-at-necss.html\" target\u003d\"_blank\"\u003eMy weekend at NECSS\u003c/a\u003e tells of an event with numerous Skeptics in attendence.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eSo, how can you keep your kids from growing up and dabbling in Skepticism?\u0026nbsp; The process is as simple as it is traditional.\u0026nbsp; Keep going to church.\u0026nbsp; Lend a steady hand when they falter and actually ask questions.\u0026nbsp; Make sure they take the Bible with them to science class every day and take their homeopathic medications.\u0026nbsp; Most importantly, stay tuned, here, to W.E.B.S. -- your Fox news-alternative.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003csmall\u003e\u003ci\u003e\u003cbr /\u003ePhoto by \u003ca href\u003d\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/dhammza/\" target\u003d\"_blank\"\u003edhammza\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/i\u003e\u003c/small\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv class\u003d\"blogger-post-footer\"\u003e\u003cimg width\u003d'1' height\u003d'1' src\u003d'https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/4977309212311534399-4557948862914154694?l\u003dwww.themadskeptic.com' alt\u003d'' /\u003e\u003c/div\u003e"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http://www.themadskeptic.com/feeds/4557948862914154694/comments/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"https://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID\u003d4977309212311534399\u0026postID\u003d4557948862914154694\u0026isPopup\u003dtrue","title":"0 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http://www.blogger.com/feeds/4977309212311534399/posts/default/4557948862914154694"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http://www.blogger.com/feeds/4977309212311534399/posts/default/4557948862914154694"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http://www.themadskeptic.com/2009/10/alive-at-five-121st-skeptics-circle.html","title":"Live at Five! The 121st Skeptics\u0026#39; Circle"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"Baron Army"},"uri":{"$t":"http://www.blogger.com/profile/07476349695309049940"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$extendedProperty":{"xmlns$gd":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005","name":"OpenSocialUserId","value":"17303909186244852468"}}],"thr$total":{"$t":"0"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4977309212311534399.post-1094811030004472361"},"published":{"$t":"2009-07-29T16:20:00.005-04:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2009-10-02T10:21:50.136-04:00"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"PSA"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"CAM"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"conspiracy"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"misinformation"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"volunteerism"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"health"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"media"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"science"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"chiropractic"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"outreach"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"[PSA] Beware the Spinal Trap"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"\u003cdiv xmlns\u003d\"http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml\"\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"text-decoration: underline;\"\u003e\u003cimg alt\u003d\"snake spine\" src\u003d\"http://lh3.ggpht.com/_PqiPgKVm1uI/SnCrnQzhCpI/AAAAAAAAA7E/gT6Qd8vxOLI/%5BUNSET%5D.png?imgmax\u003d800\" style\u003d\"float: right; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 10px; margin-top: 10px; max-width: 800px;\" /\u003eBeware the Spinal Trap\u003c/span\u003e by \u003ca href\u003d\"http://www.senseaboutscience.org.uk/index.php/site/project/340\" target\u003d\"_blank\"\u003eSimon Signh\u003c/a\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eYou might be surprised to know that the founder of chiropractic therapy, Daniel David Palmer, wrote that “99% of all diseases are caused by displaced vertebrae”. In the 1860s, Palmer began to develop his theory that the spine was involved in almost every illness because the spinal cord connects the brain to the rest of the body. Therefore any misalignment could cause a problem in distant parts of the body.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eIn fact, Palmer’s first chiropractic intervention supposedly cured a man who had been profoundly deaf for 17 years. His second treatment was equally strange, because he claimed that he treated a patient with heart trouble by correcting a displaced vertebra.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eYou might think that modern chiropractors restrict themselves to treating back problems, but in fact some still possess quite wacky ideas. The fundamentalists argue that they can cure anything, including\u003cbr /\u003ehelping treat children with colic, sleeping and feeding problems, frequent ear infections, asthma and prolonged crying – even though there is not a jot of evidence.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eI can confidently label these assertions as utter nonsense because I have co-authored a book about alternative medicine with the world’s first professor of complementary medicine, Edzard Ernst. He learned chiropractic techniques himself and used them as a doctor. This is when he began to see the need for some critical evaluation. Among other projects, he examined the evidence from 70 trials exploring the benefits of chiropractic therapy in conditions unrelated to the back. He found no evidence to suggest that chiropractors could treat any such conditions.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eBut what about chiropractic in the context of treating back problems? Manipulating the spine can cure some problems, but results are mixed. To be fair, conventional approaches, such as physiotherapy, also struggle to treat back problems with any consistency. Nevertheless, conventional therapy is still preferable because of the serious dangers associated with chiropractic.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eIn 2001, a systematic review of five studies revealed that roughly half of all chiropractic patients experience temporary adverse effects, such as pain, numbness, stiffness, dizziness and headaches. These are relatively minor effects, but the frequency is very high, and this has to be weighed against the limited benefit offered by chiropractors.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eMore worryingly, the hallmark technique of the chiropractor, known as high-velocity, low-amplitude thrust, carries much more significant risks. This involves pushing joints beyond their natural range of motion by applying a short, sharp force. Although this is a safe procedure for most patients, others can suffer dislocations and fractures.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eWorse still, manipulation of the neck can damage the vertebral arteries, which supply blood to the brain. So-called vertebral dissection can ultimately cut off the blood supply, which in turn can lead to a stroke and even death. Because there is usually a delay between the vertebral dissection and the blockage of blood to the brain, the link between chiropractic and strokes went unnoticed for many years. Recently, however, it has been possible to identify cases where spinal manipulation has certainly been the cause of vertebral dissection.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eLaurie Mathiason was a 20-year-old Canadian waitress who visited a chiropractor 21 times between 1997 and 1998 to relieve her low-back pain. On her penultimate visit she complained of stiffness in her neck. That evening she began dropping plates at the restaurant, so she returned to the chiropractor. As the chiropractor manipulated her neck, Mathiason began to cry, her eyes started to roll, she foamed at the mouth and her body began to convulse. She was rushed to hospital, slipped into a coma and died three days later. At the inquest, the coroner declared: “Laurie died of a ruptured vertebral artery, which occurred in association with a chiropractic manipulation of the neck.”\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eThis case is not unique. In Canada alone there have been several other women who have died after receiving chiropractic therapy, and Edzard Ernst has identified about 700 cases of serious complications among the medical literature. This should be a major concern for health\u003cbr /\u003eofficials, particularly as under-reporting will mean that the actual number of cases is much higher.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eIf spinal manipulation were a drug with such serious adverse effects and so little demonstrable benefit, then it would almost certainly have been taken off the market.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003ePhoto by \u003ca href\u003d\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/ektogamat/\" target\u003d\"_blank\"\u003eAnderson Mancini\u003c/a\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cdiv class\u003d\"zemanta-pixie\"\u003e\u003cimg alt\u003d\"\" class\u003d\"zemanta-pixie-img wkcbpwjinfazanjsjswt wkcbpwjinfazanjsjswt\" src\u003d\"http://img.zemanta.com/pixy.gif?x-id\u003df0fc1ef2-8bb3-878f-86c3-385ab85f1514\" /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv class\u003d\"blogger-post-footer\"\u003e\u003cimg width\u003d'1' height\u003d'1' src\u003d'https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/4977309212311534399-1094811030004472361?l\u003dwww.themadskeptic.com' alt\u003d'' /\u003e\u003c/div\u003e"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http://www.themadskeptic.com/feeds/1094811030004472361/comments/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"https://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID\u003d4977309212311534399\u0026postID\u003d1094811030004472361\u0026isPopup\u003dtrue","title":"0 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http://www.blogger.com/feeds/4977309212311534399/posts/default/1094811030004472361"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http://www.blogger.com/feeds/4977309212311534399/posts/default/1094811030004472361"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http://www.themadskeptic.com/2009/07/psa-beware-spinal-trap.html","title":"[PSA] Beware the Spinal Trap"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"Baron Army"},"uri":{"$t":"http://www.blogger.com/profile/07476349695309049940"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$extendedProperty":{"xmlns$gd":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005","name":"OpenSocialUserId","value":"17303909186244852468"}}],"thr$total":{"$t":"0"},"georss$point":{"$t":"50.7390661 -2.3382346"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4977309212311534399.post-2730947851044914539"},"published":{"$t":"2009-07-20T11:59:00.003-04:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2009-08-12T14:07:56.336-04:00"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"CAM"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"New York"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"misinformation"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"website"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"health"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"vaccines"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"government"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"woo"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"politics"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"Looney Running for Governor of New York State"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"\u003cdiv xmlns\u003d\"http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml\"\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"font-family:sans-serif;\"\u003e\u003cimg style\u003d\"float: right; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 10px; margin-top: 10px; max-width: 800px;\" src\u003d\"http://lh6.ggpht.com/_PqiPgKVm1uI/SmSUHAx9q2I/AAAAAAAAA1U/fcdTlAsPMPI/%5BUNSET%5D.png?imgmax\u003d800\" alt\u003d\"pills\" /\u003eAnyone who's lived in the Capital Region of New York State over the last 15 or so years is probably familiar with the tag line \"Ken Goewey, What a Guy!\".  That phrase has been heard innumerable times on television and radio in advertisements for one of the areas formerly leading car dealerships.  It has since been replaced by a far more annoying car dealership (\"Huge\" anyone?).\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eRegardless (or \"irregardless\" if you're a Nixon affectionado), Ken Goewey retired sometime ago and has been hopefully enjoying his golden years.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eSome of the ways he's been keeping young is to indulge in some activities associated with the \"not a republican\" Republican -- the recently time-honored waste of time -- teabagging or tea parties.  He even has a tricorn (short for \"tri-corner\") hat -- and he's not, as far as I know, a Revolutionary War reenactor!\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eSo, it's relatively obvious his politics are a little right of center -- to say the least.  I'm not concerned with his politics.  What I find interesting is his woo woo beliefs.  \u003ca target\u003d\"_blank\" rel\u003d\"nofollow\" href\u003d\"http://www.wellnessjourney.org/welcome.html\"\u003eHe's a believer of orthomolecular \"medicine\" and other CAM woo woo.\u003c/a\u003e  For the uninitiated (like I was) you might recognize orthomolecular \"medicine\" by it's other name -- megavitamin therapy.\u003ca title\u003d\"http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title\u003dOrthomolecular_medicine\u0026amp;action\u003dedit\" style\u003d\"font-family: monospace;\" rel\u003d\"nofollow\" href\u003d\"http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title\u003dOrthomolecular_medicine\u0026amp;action\u003dedit\" class\u003d\"external text\"\u003e\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/span\u003e\u003ca title\u003d\"http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title\u003dOrthomolecular_medicine\u0026amp;action\u003dedit\" style\u003d\"font-family: monospace;\" rel\u003d\"nofollow\" href\u003d\"http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title\u003dOrthomolecular_medicine\u0026amp;action\u003dedit\" class\u003d\"external text\"\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003c/a\u003e\u003cblockquote\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"font-family:sans-serif;\"\u003e\u003ca title\u003d\"http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title\u003dOrthomolecular_medicine\u0026amp;action\u003dedit\" style\u003d\"font-family: monospace;\" rel\u003d\"nofollow\" href\u003d\"http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title\u003dOrthomolecular_medicine\u0026amp;action\u003dedit\" class\u003d\"external text\"\u003eThe claims made by orthomolecular medicine proponents have been rejected by the medical community as unsubstantiated or false; as of 2009, current evidence does not support the efficacy of orthomolecular medicine in treating any disease.\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/blockquote\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"font-family:sans-serif;\"\u003eI think the Wikipedia quote sums it up.  However, you can go to the article and read about the people who died from AIDS in South Africa due to this belief system.  While you're there, read up on Vitamin E.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eMr. Goewey and Jenny McCarthy seem to share a belief -- at least as far as flu vaccinations are concerned.  On Mr. Goewey's website wellnessjourney.org, he claims all one needs to avoid the flu is take megadoses of vitamin C, drink distilled water, and avoid antibacterial soap.  Is he aware the flu is caused by a virus so the antibacterial soap nonsense wouldn't really apply?  Is he aware that the examination of vitamin C has revealed no evidence supporting its ability to defend against colds -- another virus?  As for drinking distilled water -- it's not a good idea as it help you loose various minerals you should be getting through regular drinking water AND it costs more than the free stuff you get from the tap.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eTake a look around his website and bask in the woo but do have some sympathy for Mr. Goewey.  He was brought to this delusion via his grief over his brother's death due to lymphoma.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eOh yeah.  Mr. Goewey apparently believes megavitamin therapy can treat alcoholism!  Holy shit!  Someone better get the news out to all those treatment centers across the country that they've been doing things the wrong way!  All they need is vitamin C, vitamin B50, L-Glutamin, Lecithin, Chromium, and a multivitamin to wash away their patient's cravings!\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eNow, I don't think Mr. Goewey has a snowball's chance in Mauno Loa of getting elected.  The article in the Times Union which broke is intention to run, \u003ca target\u003d\"_blank\" href\u003d\"http://www.timesunion.com/AspStories/story.asp?storyID\u003d819942\u0026amp;category\u003dREGION\"\u003e'What a guy!' for governor?\u003c/a\u003e, reveals his true objective -- raising money for his misguided beliefs:\u003cbr /\u003e\u003c/span\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cblockquote\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"font-family:sans-serif;\"\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"font-family:monospace;\"\u003eMeanwhile, he's spreading his message on a Web site, http://www.wellnessjourney.org, that Goewey set up in conjunction with another ambitious post-retirement project: a health initiative based on the expansion of alternative medicine, vitamin regimens and homeopathic strategies. Taking a page from President Barack Obama's campaign playbook, he's hoping for an outpouring of small donations -- capped at $200 per individual per year.\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/blockquote\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"font-family:sans-serif;\"\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eIf you're asked to sign a petition so he can run for office.  Refuse.  Don't feed his delusion any further. \u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eIt's sad.  And that's all I've got left to say.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003ephoto by \u003ca target\u003d\"_blank\" href\u003d\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/detroitsunrise/\"\u003ebradleyj\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/span\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cdiv class\u003d\"zemanta-pixie\"\u003e\u003cimg style\u003d\"-moz-binding: url(chrome://global/content/bindings/general.xml#asdfzxcv);\" src\u003d\"http://img.zemanta.com/pixy.gif?x-id\u003d493a5b4f-558e-8fb8-80c2-b2a578532b72\" class\u003d\"zemanta-pixie-img\" /\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv class\u003d\"blogger-post-footer\"\u003e\u003cimg width\u003d'1' height\u003d'1' src\u003d'https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/4977309212311534399-2730947851044914539?l\u003dwww.themadskeptic.com' alt\u003d'' /\u003e\u003c/div\u003e"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http://www.themadskeptic.com/feeds/2730947851044914539/comments/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"https://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID\u003d4977309212311534399\u0026postID\u003d2730947851044914539\u0026isPopup\u003dtrue","title":"0 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http://www.blogger.com/feeds/4977309212311534399/posts/default/2730947851044914539"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http://www.blogger.com/feeds/4977309212311534399/posts/default/2730947851044914539"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http://www.themadskeptic.com/2009/07/looney-running-for-governor-of-new-york.html","title":"Looney Running for Governor of New York State"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"Baron Army"},"uri":{"$t":"http://www.blogger.com/profile/07476349695309049940"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$extendedProperty":{"xmlns$gd":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005","name":"OpenSocialUserId","value":"17303909186244852468"}}],"thr$total":{"$t":"0"},"georss$point":{"$t":"42.699198 -73.610291"}}]}});