Agent13
29th January 2004, 09:48 PM
Color Scheme
BY FRANK LEWIS
Cleveland Scene
http://www.clevescene.com/issues/2004-01-28/feature.html/1/index.html
"Even while sitting in jail, Charles Bailey fancied himself stronger and smarter than just about everyone else."
Forgetting Darwin
BY KEVIN GRIFFIS
Creative Loafing Atlanta
http://atlanta.creativeloafing.com/2004-01-29/news_feature.html
"The PC Police have descended on Georgia schools."
The Qigong Kid
BY JUSTIN BERTON
East Bay Express
http://www.eastbayexpress.com/issues/2004-01-28/feature.html/1/index.html
"Michael Joyce broke his left hand playing street hockey last September, and underwent a delicate operation shortly afterward. Michael's doctor inserted a metal pin just above his pinky, but struck a nerve, and the UC Berkeley sophomore awoke in severe pain. Even after a thick cast had settled and dried the next day, Michael still suffered sharp jolts that felt like an ice pick to the back of the hand each time his arm shook from the slightest vibration."
Aliens Beam Editor To Tabloid Heaven
By Gene Weingarten
Washington Post
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A58609-2004Jan28.html
"Eddie Clontz is dead."
Friends will miss editor - as will Bat Boy
By Thom Smith
Palm Beach Post
http://www.palmbeachpost.com/accent/content/auto/epaper/editions/wednesday/accent_04615ff331cbb0d400fc.html
"I can see the headlines now:"
Tabloid titan dies; Elvis in mourning
By CRAIG PITTMAN
St. Petersburg Times
http://www.sptimes.com/2004/01/29/Southpinellas/Tabloid_titan_dies_El.shtml
"The King is dead."
In defense of lawn jockeys
by Anna Ditkoff
Metro Times Detroit
http://www.metrotimes.com/editorial/story.asp?id=5884
"Waymon LeFall opens the door of his West Baltimore barbershop wearing a purple and black cowboy outfit that owes equally to his Texas roots and his adopted hometown's football team. He sits down in one of the seven old-fashioned barber chairs that line his shop and tells a story about a little black boy who gave his life for his country. It's a story that LeFall hopes will change a racist artifact into a symbol of African-American pride. It's the story of Jocko Graves, who some believe was the inspiration for the first lawn jockey."
Blasphemous Backlash
BY JOHN DOUGHERTY
Phoenix New Times
http://www.phoenixnewtimes.com/issues/2004-01-29/feature.html/1/index.html
"With his wife and six children clustered behind him on the front porch of his modest home, Ross Chatwin did what no resident of this isolated, fundamentalist Mormon town has ever done."
The Man Behind the Curtain
BY JOHN DOUGHERTY
Phoenix New Times
http://www.phoenixnewtimes.com/issues/2004-01-29/sidebar.html/1/index.html
"Fundamentalist Mormon cult leader Warren Jeffs has convinced thousands of polygamist followers that he receives direct revelations from God, visions that reveal the most intimate details of their personal lives."
Polygamists' possible exodus on border agenda
By Pamela Manson
Salt Lake Tribune
http://www.sltrib.com/2004/Jan/01272004/utah/132945.asp
"So far, most residents of the troubled polygamous communities along the Utah-Arizona state line are staying put, but one official wants to be prepared in case they start fleeing."
Polygamy enclaves stonewall officials
By Hilary G. Smith
Salt Lake Tribune
http://www.sltrib.com/2004/Jan/01282004/utah/133279.asp
"It sounded great, the plan mapped out two weeks ago by Utah and Arizona officials: Polygamists' wives and their children looking for a way out would receive fliers and see a billboard displaying a domestic abuse hot-line number."
Ex-FLDS member is refusing eviction
By Nancy Perkins
Deseret Morning News
http://deseretnews.com/dn/view/0,1249,590039371,00.html
"Ross Chatwin refuses to budge."
Polygamist says leader ordered him from home
Associated Press
http://www.sltrib.com/2004/Jan/01292004/utah/133686.asp
"The excommunicated member of the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints who spoke out against the polygamist sect's leader has been told to leave his home, he said Wednesday."
Chatwin served eviction notice
By JANE ZHANG
Southern Utah Spectrum
http://www.thespectrum.com/news/stories/20040129/localnews/314570.html
"Lori Chatwin thought she was following the prophet Warren Jeffs' teaching to "reach out, love each other," when she invited a 17-year-old girl she was corresponding with to be her husband's second wife."
Conned by a Cliché
by Katie Millbauer
Seattle Weekly
http://www.seattleweekly.com/features/0404/040128_news_spam_duped.php
"Jason Schumaker is a reasonable man, an educated man. But even reasonable, educated men appreciate easy money. So in January 2003, when an individual describing himself as an auto dealer in Nigeria offered $750 for the 1965 Ford Galaxy Schumaker was selling through Craigslist.org, Schumaker was curious."
The power of herbs, home remedies
BY KATHY VAN MULLEKOM
Newport News Daily Press
http://www.fortwayne.com/mld/newssentinel/7817198.htm
"Weeds such as winter's annual chickweed deserve far more respect and use than they get."
200 turn out for debate on origins in Darby
By MICHAEL MOORE
The Missoulian
http://www.montanaforum.com/rednews/2004/01/27/build/education/iddebate.php?nnn=3
"Judy Parker works at Darby High School, and she’s almost sure the school district will be sued if its trustees pass a change to the science curriculum that she believes violates the constitutional separation of church and state."
Origins debate deeper than Darby
By MICHAEL MOORE
The Missoulian
http://www.missoulian.com/articles/2004/01/28/news/top/news01.txt
"In hindsight, Curtis Brickley thinks he shouldn't have presented the case for teaching intelligent-design theory at Darby High School when he argued for changing the school's science curriculum in early December."
Decision today on creationism
Associated Press
http://www.billingsgazette.com/index.php?id=1&display=rednews/2004/01/28/build/state/60-creationism.inc
"The Darby school board has postponed until Wednesday its decision on whether to include the discussion of creationism in science classes."
Decision delayed: Meeting to decide objective origins policy extended to Wednesday
By ROD DANIEL
Ravalli Republic
http://www.ravallinews.com/articles/2004/01/29/news/znews01.txt
"Most of the more than 200 people attending Monday’s special meeting of the Darby school board expected to hear the board’s decision on whether to adopt the objective origins policy as part of the district’s science teaching."
Darby trustees postpone origins decision
By JENNY JOHNSON
Ravalli Republic
http://www.ravallinews.com/articles/2004/01/29/news/news02.txt
"A relay filibuster Wednesday night forced the Darby school board to postpone its decision on whether to adopt the controversial objective origins policy."
Darby delays taking action on ‘objective origins’ curriculum
By MICHAEL MOORE
The Missoulian
http://www.montanaforum.com/rednews/2004/01/29/build/education/origins-delay.php?nnn=5
"The debate over teaching so-called “objective origins” science in the school here is too big for two meetings."
Editorial: It isn’t always easy to draw a crowd
Missoulian Opinion
http://www.montanaforum.com/rednews/2004/01/28/build/education/origins-oped.php?nnn=4
"A couple of hundred people turned out Monday night for a school board meeting in the small town of Darby. It’s so gratifying whenever a community shows great interest in its schools. Too bad such interest tends to be so selective."
Greenawalt Argues Against Creationism in Education
By RISHEEN MAHESWARAN
Columbia Daily Spectator
http://www.columbiaspectator.com/vnews/display.v/ART/2004/01/29/4018e8108a0b1
"University Professor Kent Greenawalt broached the topic of every high school science teachers' biggest concern last night: how to discuss evolution and creationism in the classroom."
Evolution Plan Stirs Emotions
Associated Press
http://www.wsbtv.com/education/2802184/detail.html
"State Schools Superintendent Kathy Cox's proposal for new middle and high school science standards would strike references to "evolution" and replace them with the term "biological changes over time.""
Cox: Evolution Change a 'Suggestion'
Associated Press
http://www.11alive.com/news/news_article.aspx?storyid=42231
"A change that would strike the word "evolution" from Georgia's science curriculum is only a suggestion and far from becoming official policy, state schools Superintendent Kathy Cox said Thursday."
Tales of Tahoe Lake Monster Just Story?
Associated Press
http://www.kron4.com/Global/story.asp?S=1621137&nav=5D7lKUDN
"Since sailors first started navigating earth's waters, tales of sea monster sightings put fear in their hearts. But reports of these creatures have not been limited to the world's vast oceans -- they've also been seen in lakes."
The Bad Astronomer
By Michelle Thaller
Christian Science Monitor
http://www.csmonitor.com/2004/0128/p25s01-stss.html
"Every January, professional astronomers converge on a medium-sized convention center for the annual meeting of the American Astronomical Society. This year, the good city of Atlanta (not so medium sized) was host to this event, and seeing as I had gone to graduate school in Atlanta, I was looking forward not only to catching up on all the cutting-edge astronomy that would be presented at the convention, but also to re-connecting with old friends."
Rumored rule not actual policy
By ASHANTI AKABUSI
Daily Trojan
http://www.dailytrojan.com/article.do?issue=/V151/N10&id=02-rumor.10c.html
"Although not an official university policy, the "15-minute rule" is a concept most USC students can understand. There is, however, more legend than fact to the idea that students can leave a class after 15 minutes if the professor has not shown up."
Two injured in propane blast; authorities looking at cell phone
Associated Press
http://www.phillyburbs.com/pb-dyn/news/103-01292004-236490.html
"An explosion at a facility that refurbishes propane tanks for gas grills shredded a tractor-trailer and injured two workers Thursday."
Astrologer sees signs of unfair treatment
by Dwana Simone Bain
San Francisco Examiner
http://www.sfexaminer.com/templates/story.cfm?displaystory=1&storyname=012604n_astologer
"In her job as an astrologer, Elizabeth Barton looks for signs, and the biggest sign she sees these days is a history of discrimination in San Mateo."
Tarot cards, other tools help some in Psychic Soul-Searching
By TY PHILLIPS
MODESTO BEE
http://www.modbee.com/life/friendsfamily/story/8060258p-8920938c.html
"Kim Lohman recently found herself trying to figure out the reason for her son's declining grades. She felt there was more to it than him simply not wanting to do his homework."
Twelve Tribes cafe causes controversy
News 10 [Syracuse, NY]
http://news10now.com/content/top_stories/default.asp?ArID=8190
"A controversial cafe is officially open in the Ithaca Commons."
Supplement Marketer Must Stop Health Claims
DM News
http://www.dmnews.com/cgi-bin/artprevbot.cgi?article_id=26288
"The Federal Trade Commission announced a settlement last week with dietary supplement direct marketer Karbo Enterprises, Robert Barefoot and Deonna Enterprises in which the defendants agreed to stop claims that Coral Calcium Supreme is a treatment for cancer, heart disease and other illnesses."
Ghost Allegedly Helps Texas Firefighters Put Out Blaze
by RAY PEDRAZA
KGBT
http://www.katc.com/Global/story.asp?S=1620529&nav=EyAzKTgl
"La Joya firefighters believe they've caught one on camera and they say they'll keep believing that until someone proves them wrong."
Fad diets pose risks
By JACQUELINE DEELESTRA
Daily Trojan
http://www.dailytrojan.com/article.do?issue=/V151/N11&id=01-fad.11c.html
"Carl's Jr. has the low-carb six dollar burger, TGI Friday's and Subway have developed Atkins-friendly menus and bread companies have admitted that their sales are down. All these factors show that the high-protein diet developed by Dr. Robert C. Atkins more than 30 years ago has become a widespread craze."
Maui woman credits psychic in finding lost patient
By Gary T. Kubota
Honolulu Star-Bulletin
http://starbulletin.com/2004/01/28/news/story12.html
"A Maui woman said she found a lost Alzheimer's patient in good shape through the help of a psychic."
Roaming gnomes in the news again
By Genevieve Rajewski
Christian Science Monitor
http://www.csmonitor.com/2004/0130/p14s01-lihc.html
"The advertisements first appeared Dec. 15. Pictured on movie screens, posters, and newspaper pages was a two-foot-tall garden gnome with a ruddy complexion and pointy red cap. He stared yearningly at the horizon."
The minds' many personalities
By JANE CLIFTON
Dominion Post
http://www.stuff.co.nz/stuff/0,2106,2799451a1869,00.html
"Most viewers will have approached Tuesday's Multiple Personality Puzzle on TV One gingerly, if at all."
Chess cleared of satanic links
Agence France-Presse
http://www.news.com.au/common/story_page/0,4057,8505838%255E13762,00.html
"A RUSSIAN Orthodox archbishop has laid to rest a young parishoner's concern about chess and reassured her that the centuries-old game is not the work of the devil, Russian media reported Monday."
WNY woman pleads guilty in 9/11 scam
By Michaelangelo Conte
Jersey Journal
http://www.nj.com/news/jjournal/index.ssf?/base/news-0/107520184699271.xml
"A West New York woman pleaded guilty yesterday to charges that she scammed thousands of dollars out of charities by falsely claiming she'd lost her job after the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks on the Twin Towers."
Artefact recalls witches' shadow
By Greig Watson
BBC News
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/england/lincolnshire/3437241.stm
"A chilling reminder of our superstitious past has been unearthed from a rural farmhouse."
Celebrating the 'Weird' state: New Jersey
Associated Press
http://www.cnn.com/2004/SHOWBIZ/books/01/28/books.weirdnewjersey.ap/index.html
"Let's face it, America. New Jersey is one weird state."
Friendly bacteria?
by Ben Goldacre
The Guardian
http://www.guardian.co.uk/life/badscience/story/0,12980,1133204,00.html
"In the hands of a pseudoscientist, even morally neutral items like bacteria and salt can become "good" or "bad". Paul Flowers writes in to tell us about Carex soap, available in his local pharmacy: "Carex effectively removes bad bacteria on hands, whilst gently protecting the good.""
Balm from the East
By Jenny Hontz
Los Angeles Times
http://www.latimes.com/features/health/la-he-ayurveda26jan26,1,7255200.story
"Jon Mejia experienced heart palpitations after a particularly stressful period running his Santa Monica consulting firm. His doctor diagnosed an abnormal heart rhythm and sent him to a specialist at a prestigious Los Angeles medical center."
Sex Slaves of West 43rd Street
By Jack Shafer
Slate
http://slate.msn.com/id/2094414/
"If just one person sold another into sex slavery in the United States, I would call upon the great guns of the New York Times to pulverize the slave master's quarters with tens of thousands of words, to reload, and then fire again. So I applaud journalist/novelist/screenwriter Peter Landesman and the editors of the New York Times Magazine for investigating the issue with the cover story, "The Girls Next Door," in this Sunday's (Jan. 25) issue. Landesman convinces me that sex slavery exists in the United States by citing a successful prosecution of sex slavers and with his vivid description of a Plainfield, N.J., police raid on a house where four Mexican women between the ages of 14 and 17 were held captive and forced to have sex."
Doubting Landesman
By Jack Shafer
Slate
http://slate.msn.com/id/2094502/
"Upon rereading Peter Landesman's New York Times Magazine cover story, "The Girls Next Door," viewing the transcripts of his appearances on NPR's Fresh Air and CNN's American Morning, and corresponding with readers, I've got several new observations and questions to add to yesterday's "Press Box" column ("Sex Slaves of West 43rd Street"). For those who've joined the parade late, yesterday's column rained a shower of doubt on Landesman's descriptions of the American sex-slave trade and his view that it is pervasive, with perhaps tens of thousands enslaved."
The Times Magazine Strikes Back
By Jack Shafer
Slate
http://slate.msn.com/id/2094580/
"On the long shot that you doubt that traffickers smuggle women into the United States for the purpose of prostitution, see today's press release from the Department of Justice. The release announces the 11-count indictment of three Mexican brothers who allegedly promised Mexican women jobs and marriage partners in the Atlanta area only to physically force them into prostitution when they arrived here, and then keep all the proceeds."
How Not To Handle Press Critics
By Jack Shafer
Slate
http://slate.msn.com/id/2094648/
"Daniel Radosh was among the first writers to criticize Peter Landesman's New York Times Magazine cover story about sex slaves, "The Girls Next Door" (Jan. 25), posting a scornful attack on his blog the day it was published."
Author calls off dig for Chinese ship
By Walt Wiley
SACRAMENTO BEE
http://www.contracostatimes.com/mld/cctimes/news/7792971.htm
"A supposed Chinese ship lying beneath a Glenn County walnut orchard will have to stay there awhile longer despite earlier plans by an English author to bankroll an excavation of the site."
Brighton tops UK Jedi league
By Lester Haines
The Register
http://www.theregister.co.uk/content/28/35186.html
"Long, long ago, in a news galaxy some considerable distance from reality, we reported on attempts to get Jedi recognised as an official religion in the UK census."
Ghost play leaves star actor with garbled role
by David Ward
The Guardian
http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk_news/story/0,3604,1128506,00.html
"Avaunt! and quit my sight! let the earth hide thee!"
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/skepticsearch/
-------
If you'd like to support the Skeptic NewsSearch, please consider making a donation via PayPal - <http://tinyurl.com/x81m>
BY FRANK LEWIS
Cleveland Scene
http://www.clevescene.com/issues/2004-01-28/feature.html/1/index.html
"Even while sitting in jail, Charles Bailey fancied himself stronger and smarter than just about everyone else."
Forgetting Darwin
BY KEVIN GRIFFIS
Creative Loafing Atlanta
http://atlanta.creativeloafing.com/2004-01-29/news_feature.html
"The PC Police have descended on Georgia schools."
The Qigong Kid
BY JUSTIN BERTON
East Bay Express
http://www.eastbayexpress.com/issues/2004-01-28/feature.html/1/index.html
"Michael Joyce broke his left hand playing street hockey last September, and underwent a delicate operation shortly afterward. Michael's doctor inserted a metal pin just above his pinky, but struck a nerve, and the UC Berkeley sophomore awoke in severe pain. Even after a thick cast had settled and dried the next day, Michael still suffered sharp jolts that felt like an ice pick to the back of the hand each time his arm shook from the slightest vibration."
Aliens Beam Editor To Tabloid Heaven
By Gene Weingarten
Washington Post
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A58609-2004Jan28.html
"Eddie Clontz is dead."
Friends will miss editor - as will Bat Boy
By Thom Smith
Palm Beach Post
http://www.palmbeachpost.com/accent/content/auto/epaper/editions/wednesday/accent_04615ff331cbb0d400fc.html
"I can see the headlines now:"
Tabloid titan dies; Elvis in mourning
By CRAIG PITTMAN
St. Petersburg Times
http://www.sptimes.com/2004/01/29/Southpinellas/Tabloid_titan_dies_El.shtml
"The King is dead."
In defense of lawn jockeys
by Anna Ditkoff
Metro Times Detroit
http://www.metrotimes.com/editorial/story.asp?id=5884
"Waymon LeFall opens the door of his West Baltimore barbershop wearing a purple and black cowboy outfit that owes equally to his Texas roots and his adopted hometown's football team. He sits down in one of the seven old-fashioned barber chairs that line his shop and tells a story about a little black boy who gave his life for his country. It's a story that LeFall hopes will change a racist artifact into a symbol of African-American pride. It's the story of Jocko Graves, who some believe was the inspiration for the first lawn jockey."
Blasphemous Backlash
BY JOHN DOUGHERTY
Phoenix New Times
http://www.phoenixnewtimes.com/issues/2004-01-29/feature.html/1/index.html
"With his wife and six children clustered behind him on the front porch of his modest home, Ross Chatwin did what no resident of this isolated, fundamentalist Mormon town has ever done."
The Man Behind the Curtain
BY JOHN DOUGHERTY
Phoenix New Times
http://www.phoenixnewtimes.com/issues/2004-01-29/sidebar.html/1/index.html
"Fundamentalist Mormon cult leader Warren Jeffs has convinced thousands of polygamist followers that he receives direct revelations from God, visions that reveal the most intimate details of their personal lives."
Polygamists' possible exodus on border agenda
By Pamela Manson
Salt Lake Tribune
http://www.sltrib.com/2004/Jan/01272004/utah/132945.asp
"So far, most residents of the troubled polygamous communities along the Utah-Arizona state line are staying put, but one official wants to be prepared in case they start fleeing."
Polygamy enclaves stonewall officials
By Hilary G. Smith
Salt Lake Tribune
http://www.sltrib.com/2004/Jan/01282004/utah/133279.asp
"It sounded great, the plan mapped out two weeks ago by Utah and Arizona officials: Polygamists' wives and their children looking for a way out would receive fliers and see a billboard displaying a domestic abuse hot-line number."
Ex-FLDS member is refusing eviction
By Nancy Perkins
Deseret Morning News
http://deseretnews.com/dn/view/0,1249,590039371,00.html
"Ross Chatwin refuses to budge."
Polygamist says leader ordered him from home
Associated Press
http://www.sltrib.com/2004/Jan/01292004/utah/133686.asp
"The excommunicated member of the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints who spoke out against the polygamist sect's leader has been told to leave his home, he said Wednesday."
Chatwin served eviction notice
By JANE ZHANG
Southern Utah Spectrum
http://www.thespectrum.com/news/stories/20040129/localnews/314570.html
"Lori Chatwin thought she was following the prophet Warren Jeffs' teaching to "reach out, love each other," when she invited a 17-year-old girl she was corresponding with to be her husband's second wife."
Conned by a Cliché
by Katie Millbauer
Seattle Weekly
http://www.seattleweekly.com/features/0404/040128_news_spam_duped.php
"Jason Schumaker is a reasonable man, an educated man. But even reasonable, educated men appreciate easy money. So in January 2003, when an individual describing himself as an auto dealer in Nigeria offered $750 for the 1965 Ford Galaxy Schumaker was selling through Craigslist.org, Schumaker was curious."
The power of herbs, home remedies
BY KATHY VAN MULLEKOM
Newport News Daily Press
http://www.fortwayne.com/mld/newssentinel/7817198.htm
"Weeds such as winter's annual chickweed deserve far more respect and use than they get."
200 turn out for debate on origins in Darby
By MICHAEL MOORE
The Missoulian
http://www.montanaforum.com/rednews/2004/01/27/build/education/iddebate.php?nnn=3
"Judy Parker works at Darby High School, and she’s almost sure the school district will be sued if its trustees pass a change to the science curriculum that she believes violates the constitutional separation of church and state."
Origins debate deeper than Darby
By MICHAEL MOORE
The Missoulian
http://www.missoulian.com/articles/2004/01/28/news/top/news01.txt
"In hindsight, Curtis Brickley thinks he shouldn't have presented the case for teaching intelligent-design theory at Darby High School when he argued for changing the school's science curriculum in early December."
Decision today on creationism
Associated Press
http://www.billingsgazette.com/index.php?id=1&display=rednews/2004/01/28/build/state/60-creationism.inc
"The Darby school board has postponed until Wednesday its decision on whether to include the discussion of creationism in science classes."
Decision delayed: Meeting to decide objective origins policy extended to Wednesday
By ROD DANIEL
Ravalli Republic
http://www.ravallinews.com/articles/2004/01/29/news/znews01.txt
"Most of the more than 200 people attending Monday’s special meeting of the Darby school board expected to hear the board’s decision on whether to adopt the objective origins policy as part of the district’s science teaching."
Darby trustees postpone origins decision
By JENNY JOHNSON
Ravalli Republic
http://www.ravallinews.com/articles/2004/01/29/news/news02.txt
"A relay filibuster Wednesday night forced the Darby school board to postpone its decision on whether to adopt the controversial objective origins policy."
Darby delays taking action on ‘objective origins’ curriculum
By MICHAEL MOORE
The Missoulian
http://www.montanaforum.com/rednews/2004/01/29/build/education/origins-delay.php?nnn=5
"The debate over teaching so-called “objective origins” science in the school here is too big for two meetings."
Editorial: It isn’t always easy to draw a crowd
Missoulian Opinion
http://www.montanaforum.com/rednews/2004/01/28/build/education/origins-oped.php?nnn=4
"A couple of hundred people turned out Monday night for a school board meeting in the small town of Darby. It’s so gratifying whenever a community shows great interest in its schools. Too bad such interest tends to be so selective."
Greenawalt Argues Against Creationism in Education
By RISHEEN MAHESWARAN
Columbia Daily Spectator
http://www.columbiaspectator.com/vnews/display.v/ART/2004/01/29/4018e8108a0b1
"University Professor Kent Greenawalt broached the topic of every high school science teachers' biggest concern last night: how to discuss evolution and creationism in the classroom."
Evolution Plan Stirs Emotions
Associated Press
http://www.wsbtv.com/education/2802184/detail.html
"State Schools Superintendent Kathy Cox's proposal for new middle and high school science standards would strike references to "evolution" and replace them with the term "biological changes over time.""
Cox: Evolution Change a 'Suggestion'
Associated Press
http://www.11alive.com/news/news_article.aspx?storyid=42231
"A change that would strike the word "evolution" from Georgia's science curriculum is only a suggestion and far from becoming official policy, state schools Superintendent Kathy Cox said Thursday."
Tales of Tahoe Lake Monster Just Story?
Associated Press
http://www.kron4.com/Global/story.asp?S=1621137&nav=5D7lKUDN
"Since sailors first started navigating earth's waters, tales of sea monster sightings put fear in their hearts. But reports of these creatures have not been limited to the world's vast oceans -- they've also been seen in lakes."
The Bad Astronomer
By Michelle Thaller
Christian Science Monitor
http://www.csmonitor.com/2004/0128/p25s01-stss.html
"Every January, professional astronomers converge on a medium-sized convention center for the annual meeting of the American Astronomical Society. This year, the good city of Atlanta (not so medium sized) was host to this event, and seeing as I had gone to graduate school in Atlanta, I was looking forward not only to catching up on all the cutting-edge astronomy that would be presented at the convention, but also to re-connecting with old friends."
Rumored rule not actual policy
By ASHANTI AKABUSI
Daily Trojan
http://www.dailytrojan.com/article.do?issue=/V151/N10&id=02-rumor.10c.html
"Although not an official university policy, the "15-minute rule" is a concept most USC students can understand. There is, however, more legend than fact to the idea that students can leave a class after 15 minutes if the professor has not shown up."
Two injured in propane blast; authorities looking at cell phone
Associated Press
http://www.phillyburbs.com/pb-dyn/news/103-01292004-236490.html
"An explosion at a facility that refurbishes propane tanks for gas grills shredded a tractor-trailer and injured two workers Thursday."
Astrologer sees signs of unfair treatment
by Dwana Simone Bain
San Francisco Examiner
http://www.sfexaminer.com/templates/story.cfm?displaystory=1&storyname=012604n_astologer
"In her job as an astrologer, Elizabeth Barton looks for signs, and the biggest sign she sees these days is a history of discrimination in San Mateo."
Tarot cards, other tools help some in Psychic Soul-Searching
By TY PHILLIPS
MODESTO BEE
http://www.modbee.com/life/friendsfamily/story/8060258p-8920938c.html
"Kim Lohman recently found herself trying to figure out the reason for her son's declining grades. She felt there was more to it than him simply not wanting to do his homework."
Twelve Tribes cafe causes controversy
News 10 [Syracuse, NY]
http://news10now.com/content/top_stories/default.asp?ArID=8190
"A controversial cafe is officially open in the Ithaca Commons."
Supplement Marketer Must Stop Health Claims
DM News
http://www.dmnews.com/cgi-bin/artprevbot.cgi?article_id=26288
"The Federal Trade Commission announced a settlement last week with dietary supplement direct marketer Karbo Enterprises, Robert Barefoot and Deonna Enterprises in which the defendants agreed to stop claims that Coral Calcium Supreme is a treatment for cancer, heart disease and other illnesses."
Ghost Allegedly Helps Texas Firefighters Put Out Blaze
by RAY PEDRAZA
KGBT
http://www.katc.com/Global/story.asp?S=1620529&nav=EyAzKTgl
"La Joya firefighters believe they've caught one on camera and they say they'll keep believing that until someone proves them wrong."
Fad diets pose risks
By JACQUELINE DEELESTRA
Daily Trojan
http://www.dailytrojan.com/article.do?issue=/V151/N11&id=01-fad.11c.html
"Carl's Jr. has the low-carb six dollar burger, TGI Friday's and Subway have developed Atkins-friendly menus and bread companies have admitted that their sales are down. All these factors show that the high-protein diet developed by Dr. Robert C. Atkins more than 30 years ago has become a widespread craze."
Maui woman credits psychic in finding lost patient
By Gary T. Kubota
Honolulu Star-Bulletin
http://starbulletin.com/2004/01/28/news/story12.html
"A Maui woman said she found a lost Alzheimer's patient in good shape through the help of a psychic."
Roaming gnomes in the news again
By Genevieve Rajewski
Christian Science Monitor
http://www.csmonitor.com/2004/0130/p14s01-lihc.html
"The advertisements first appeared Dec. 15. Pictured on movie screens, posters, and newspaper pages was a two-foot-tall garden gnome with a ruddy complexion and pointy red cap. He stared yearningly at the horizon."
The minds' many personalities
By JANE CLIFTON
Dominion Post
http://www.stuff.co.nz/stuff/0,2106,2799451a1869,00.html
"Most viewers will have approached Tuesday's Multiple Personality Puzzle on TV One gingerly, if at all."
Chess cleared of satanic links
Agence France-Presse
http://www.news.com.au/common/story_page/0,4057,8505838%255E13762,00.html
"A RUSSIAN Orthodox archbishop has laid to rest a young parishoner's concern about chess and reassured her that the centuries-old game is not the work of the devil, Russian media reported Monday."
WNY woman pleads guilty in 9/11 scam
By Michaelangelo Conte
Jersey Journal
http://www.nj.com/news/jjournal/index.ssf?/base/news-0/107520184699271.xml
"A West New York woman pleaded guilty yesterday to charges that she scammed thousands of dollars out of charities by falsely claiming she'd lost her job after the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks on the Twin Towers."
Artefact recalls witches' shadow
By Greig Watson
BBC News
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/england/lincolnshire/3437241.stm
"A chilling reminder of our superstitious past has been unearthed from a rural farmhouse."
Celebrating the 'Weird' state: New Jersey
Associated Press
http://www.cnn.com/2004/SHOWBIZ/books/01/28/books.weirdnewjersey.ap/index.html
"Let's face it, America. New Jersey is one weird state."
Friendly bacteria?
by Ben Goldacre
The Guardian
http://www.guardian.co.uk/life/badscience/story/0,12980,1133204,00.html
"In the hands of a pseudoscientist, even morally neutral items like bacteria and salt can become "good" or "bad". Paul Flowers writes in to tell us about Carex soap, available in his local pharmacy: "Carex effectively removes bad bacteria on hands, whilst gently protecting the good.""
Balm from the East
By Jenny Hontz
Los Angeles Times
http://www.latimes.com/features/health/la-he-ayurveda26jan26,1,7255200.story
"Jon Mejia experienced heart palpitations after a particularly stressful period running his Santa Monica consulting firm. His doctor diagnosed an abnormal heart rhythm and sent him to a specialist at a prestigious Los Angeles medical center."
Sex Slaves of West 43rd Street
By Jack Shafer
Slate
http://slate.msn.com/id/2094414/
"If just one person sold another into sex slavery in the United States, I would call upon the great guns of the New York Times to pulverize the slave master's quarters with tens of thousands of words, to reload, and then fire again. So I applaud journalist/novelist/screenwriter Peter Landesman and the editors of the New York Times Magazine for investigating the issue with the cover story, "The Girls Next Door," in this Sunday's (Jan. 25) issue. Landesman convinces me that sex slavery exists in the United States by citing a successful prosecution of sex slavers and with his vivid description of a Plainfield, N.J., police raid on a house where four Mexican women between the ages of 14 and 17 were held captive and forced to have sex."
Doubting Landesman
By Jack Shafer
Slate
http://slate.msn.com/id/2094502/
"Upon rereading Peter Landesman's New York Times Magazine cover story, "The Girls Next Door," viewing the transcripts of his appearances on NPR's Fresh Air and CNN's American Morning, and corresponding with readers, I've got several new observations and questions to add to yesterday's "Press Box" column ("Sex Slaves of West 43rd Street"). For those who've joined the parade late, yesterday's column rained a shower of doubt on Landesman's descriptions of the American sex-slave trade and his view that it is pervasive, with perhaps tens of thousands enslaved."
The Times Magazine Strikes Back
By Jack Shafer
Slate
http://slate.msn.com/id/2094580/
"On the long shot that you doubt that traffickers smuggle women into the United States for the purpose of prostitution, see today's press release from the Department of Justice. The release announces the 11-count indictment of three Mexican brothers who allegedly promised Mexican women jobs and marriage partners in the Atlanta area only to physically force them into prostitution when they arrived here, and then keep all the proceeds."
How Not To Handle Press Critics
By Jack Shafer
Slate
http://slate.msn.com/id/2094648/
"Daniel Radosh was among the first writers to criticize Peter Landesman's New York Times Magazine cover story about sex slaves, "The Girls Next Door" (Jan. 25), posting a scornful attack on his blog the day it was published."
Author calls off dig for Chinese ship
By Walt Wiley
SACRAMENTO BEE
http://www.contracostatimes.com/mld/cctimes/news/7792971.htm
"A supposed Chinese ship lying beneath a Glenn County walnut orchard will have to stay there awhile longer despite earlier plans by an English author to bankroll an excavation of the site."
Brighton tops UK Jedi league
By Lester Haines
The Register
http://www.theregister.co.uk/content/28/35186.html
"Long, long ago, in a news galaxy some considerable distance from reality, we reported on attempts to get Jedi recognised as an official religion in the UK census."
Ghost play leaves star actor with garbled role
by David Ward
The Guardian
http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk_news/story/0,3604,1128506,00.html
"Avaunt! and quit my sight! let the earth hide thee!"
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