Skeptic NewsSearch - 9/12/03

[Agent13]

Malaysia swamped by bogus crises
By Jonathan Kent
BBC News
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/asi...ic/3095756.stm

"The Malaysian Government has admitted that its emergency services phone lines have been rendered almost ineffective because of hoax calls."


What You Think You Know About Sept. 11 …
By David Plotz
Slate
http://slate.msn.com/id/2088092/

"The Saudi government paid off al-Qaida in exchange for immunity from terror attacks. Saudi princes knew in advance about the Sept. 11 attacks. Most of the Saudi officials who assisted al-Qaida all died mysteriously soon thereafter. The revelations in Gerald Posner's new book Why America Slept are an astonishing reminder of just how much we still don't know about Sept. 11 and its planning."


Hussein Link to 9/11 Lingers in Many Minds
By Dana Milbank and Claudia Deane
Washington Post
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn...-2003Sep5.html

"Nearing the second anniversary of the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, seven in 10 Americans continue to believe that Iraq's Saddam Hussein had a role in the attacks, even though the Bush administration and congressional investigators say they have no evidence of this."


Italy, Short of Dousing, Is Dowsing
By JASON HOROWITZ
New York Times
http://www.nytimes.com/2003/09/08/in...pe/08ITAL.html

"Rivers became dusty canals and wells ran dry in Italy this summer when an unrelenting drought left the country thirsting and searching for water."


Latest in Nashville tours hopes to get a boo or two
By HOLLY EDWARDS
The Tennessean
http://www.tennessean.com/local/arch...nt_ID=39050821

"More than a century ago, the architect of the state Capitol and the manager of the construction project argued bitterly over the building's design and funding. Over the years, the men grew to hate each other, and local lore has it that they are still arguing in the afterlife."


Neighbors maintain UFO watch
By Ben Baeder
San Gabriel Valley Tribune
http://www.sgvtribune.com/Stories/0,...621402,00.html

"As he looks up at a bright moon, spindly shadows fall across John Gonzalez's face through the branches of a small tree on his front lawn."


Dowsing for Water a Mysterious Process
By Andrew Martel
Winchester Star
http://www.winchesterstar.com/TheWin...ea_dowsing.asp

"Water dowsing feels a little like operating an Ouija board."


Scientists to Probe Near Death Experiences
By Jeremy Lovell
Reuters
http://asia.reuters.com/newsArticle....toryID=3420226

"Scientists probing the paranormal said on Wednesday they hoped to set up a major experiment in Britain trying to find out once and for all whether the mind can step outside the body at the brink of death."


Lost in the forests of the mind
by Karen McVeigh
The Scotsman
http://www.thescotsman.co.uk/s2.cfm?id=994942003

"It was 1798 when the creature who would become known as the Wild Boy of Averyon emerged from the woods near the village of Saint Sernin in Southern France, scattering received scientific and philosophical wisdom on nature vs nurture in his wake. To the astonishment of all, the blackened, filthy savage captured by huntsmen turned out to be a child of 11 or 12, who had survived alone in the forest for some seven years. The story held 18th-century Paris in its thrall as the intellectuals of the age vied with one another to study the boy, to find out his history and, in the case of one eminent doctor, to "civilise" him."


'Ghost' haunts city council
By TONY RAGGATT
Townsville Bulletin
http://townsvillebulletin.news.com.a...E14787,00.html

"STORIES of a ghost in the administration building of Townsville City Council have sent shivers down the spines of its workforce."


They all want to see dead people
by BARBARA TURNBULL
Toronto Star
<http://www.thestar.com/NASApp/cs/Con...l=969048872038>

"Being in touch with the dead has been coming alive."


Court upholds conviction in 'rebirthing' death
By Howard Pankratz
Denver Post
http://www.denverpost.com/Stories/0,...598325,00.html

"The Colorado Court of Appeals on Thursday upheld the conviction and sentence of psychotherapist Connell Jane Watkins in the "rebirthing" death of 10-year-old Candace Newmaker in April 2000."


Court denies appeal
By Peggy Lowe
Rocky Mountain News
http://rockymountainnews.com/drmn/st...218105,00.html

"The Evergreen therapist convicted in the "rebirthing" death of 10-year- old Candace Newmaker will stay in prison."


An Empire of Their Own
by Melani McAlister
The Nation
http://www.thenation.com/doc.mhtml?i...22&s=mcalister

"I have never had such a bad feeling about a war ever before," wrote Sha Twa Nee on the Prophecy Club message board in April. This war, she said, "has given me such a 'heaviness' in my heart, a knowing that it is only the beginning of more to come.... I do believe we are living in the end times and that this war with Iraq is the precursor war to Armageddon...never have there been so many signs as now in history.""


Devil is in the debate in small town
By Bud Kennedy
Fort Worth Star-Telegram
http://www.dfw.com/mld/startelegram/...al/6727814.htm

"Some folks in a tiny Oklahoma town tried to cast out the Demons last week."


I HUNT THE GIANT MAN-APE
by Erik Henriksen
Portland Mercury
http://www.portlandmercury.com/2003-09-11/feature.html

"IT'S EASY TO GET LOST in the lush forests that cover the jagged topography of Skamania County, Washington. Dense ferns crowd the shadowy ground, coniferous trees stretch above, and any attempt to retain one's bearings are quickly thwarted by the unpredictable hills, valleys, and deep, unexpected canyons. Thin strands of light filter through the treetop canopy, serving only to demonstrate how unknowable this terrain is. However practical or cynical one might be, it is impossible not to gaze into those impenetrable green shadows and wonder what might be lurking thereÉ or what might be gazing back, with violent rage in its eyes, the seductive scent of man-blood thick in its murderous nostrils."


Rain Barrels of Laughs
BY ERIC CELESTE
Dallas Observer
http://www.dallasobserver.com/issues...l/1/index.html

"Now, listen carefully here: Buzz is not saying that work is for chumps. Although when Bart Simpson made that statement, Homer did have the perfect comeback: "Son, I'm proud of you. I was twice your age before I figured that out." Buzz is just saying that it would pay a lot better to be a flimflam man than to be, say, an editor at an alt-weekly. (Granted, the hours are the same, but still.)"


Polling for ID
by Chris Mooney
CSICOP
http://www.csicop.org/doubtandabout/polling/

"Polls about evolution get me depressed. First of all, these polls tend to paint a sorry picture of the state of science education in the United States. And not only that. They also underscore just how malleable survey results can be -- and thus, how easily partisans can manipulate polls to demonstrate what the public "thinks.""


Ethnic Cleansing in Connecticut
by Edwin Black
Hartford Advocate
http://hartfordadvocate.com/gbase/Ne...?oid=oid:32556

"Hitler and his henchmen victimized an entire continent and exterminated millions in his quest for a co-called "Master Race." But the concept of a white, blond-haired, blue-eyed master Nordic race was not Hitler's. The idea was created in the United States, and cultivated in Connecticut, two to three decades before Hitler came to power, the product of the American eugenics movement. Hartford and indeed the state of Connecticut played an important albeit unknown role in this country's campaign of ethnic cleansing. What's more, Connecticut was an important player in America's eugenic nexus with Nazi Germany."


Who’s sorry now?
Metro Times Detroit
http://www.metrotimes.com/editorial/story.asp?id=5376

"Sometimes it seems politicians would rather suffer a root canal than utter the words, “We’re sorry.”"


Drug makers face controls as factory shut
By Mark Metherell and Michael Bradley
Sydney Morning Herald
http://www.smh.com.au/articles/2003/...902057866.html

"The discovery of a Sydney drug factory in "a disgraceful state of disrepair" has spurred the Federal Government to strengthen its crackdown of the medicines industry, already reeling from the Pan Pharmaceuticals crisis."


Pet psychic swears to dog it works
By Doug Moe
Madison Capital Times
http://www.madison.com/captimes/opin.../moe/56589.php

"Asia Voight enjoys riding horses and also communicating with them."


Herbalists Urged to Be Involved in the Search for Cure of HIV/Aids
Accra Mail
http://allafrica.com/stories/200309090397.html

"The Managing Director of the Natural Health Centre based at Takoradi, Mr. Neizer K. Anansey, has appealed to the Ministry of Health (MOH) and the Ghana AIDS Commission (GAC) to involve traditional medicine practitioners in the search for the cure of the HIV/AIDS instead of shunning them."


Hands-on healing, or a con?
by Orla Kennedy
The Telegraph [UK]
<http://www.telegraph.co.uk/connected...10/ixconn.html>

"Is complementary medicine hocus-pocus or does it warrant large-scale scientific investigation? Should science range beyond conventional medicine and conduct research on alternative medicine and the supposed growing links between mind and body? This will be hotly debated at the British Association for the Advancement of Science in Salford today."


'Alternative Medicine' Increasingly Gaining Acceptance
by Lisa Bryant
Voice of America
http://www.voanews.com/article.cfm?o...CBAF1B574E0686

"Treatments such as acupuncture and homeopathy have a centuries-old tradition in many parts of the world. But such "traditional medicine" is still viewed with some skepticism by practitioners of "modern medicine" in many industrialized countries. But such traditional, or "alternative", medicine is increasingly gaining followers in the West."


On the Scent of Natural Remedies
By MICHELLE SLATALLA
New York Times
<http://www.nytimes.com/2003/09/11/te...partner=GOOGLE>

"I HAVE lived in Northern California for a year now."


Got Pregnant on the Pill?
By Kathleen Doheny
HealthDay
<http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmp...gnantonthepill>

"Taken correctly, the birth control pill is exceptionally effective at preventing pregnancy."


Biology textbooks spark ideological fireworks at hearing
BY R.A. DYER
Fort Worth Star-Telegram
http://www.dfw.com/mld/startelegram/...te/6745176.htm

"Although not exactly the Scopes Monkey Trial, scores of sometimes unruly critics and proponents of modern evolutionary theory squared off Wednesday before the Texas State Board of Education."


Emotions rage at book hearing
By Karen Adler
San Antonio Express-News
http://news.mysanantonio.com/story.c...80&xlc=1053238

"A public hearing on whether biology textbooks should include what some call weaknesses in the theory of evolution drew an emotional, standing-room-only crowd on both sides of the issue Wednesday, with each side worried about how the origins of life will be taught to teens."


State Department of Education will hold hearing here Sept. 30
By T.W. Budig
Princeton Union-Eagle
http://www.ecm-inc.com/news/princeto...education.html

"On Monday the Department of Education released proposed science, history and social studies standards to replace the discarded Profile of Learning."


Texas Mulls How Biology Should Be Taught
By APRIL CASTRO
Associated Press
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn...2003Sep11.html

"Scientists, teachers and religious leaders are clashing over how the origin of humanity should be taught to Texas school children in biology textbooks."


Women make appearance on ‘gifting club’ charges
By Denise Heilbrun
Torrington Telegram
http://www.torringtontelegram.com/ma...id=484&page=23

"An initial arraignment was held Monday afternoon in Goshen County Circuit Court for two local women allegedly involved in a “gifting club” last year."


Controversy over remains of Ted Williams rages on
Bay News 9
http://www.baynews9.com/NewsStory.cfm?storyid=24300

"Baseball legend Ted Williams’ son-in-law Mark Ferrell is learning more about what happened to the former Boston Red Sox outfielder’s remains after it was transported to a cryonics lab shortly after he died last year."


Prehistoric puzzle
by RICHARD L. HILL
The Oregonian
http://www.oregonlive.com/science/or...9031106900.xml

"After more than seven years in the crossfire among scientists, tribes and the government, Kennewick Man is now in the lap of a federal appeals court."


Arguments Begin in Kennewick Man Appeal
By Colin Fogarty
Oregon Public Broadcasting
http://publicbroadcasting.net/opb/ne...ICLE_ID=544130

"Attorneys for Northwest tribes, scientists, and the federal government debated in court today whether Kennewick Man was a Native American. The Ninth U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals heard oral arguments in Portland over what to do with the 9,300-year-old skeleton. The bones were found near Kennewick, Washington in 1996."


Court Considers Kennewick Man Appeal
By Colin Fogarty
Oregon Considered
http://publicbroadcasting.net/opb/ne...ICLE_ID=544290

"Native Americans call Kennewick Man the ancient one. But a three-judge panel in Portland heard arguments today over just how ancient remains have to be to fall under the protection of federal law."


Skeleton Case Challeges 'Native American'
By WILLIAM McCALL
Associated Press
http://www.newsday.com/news/science/...0,437264.story

"With both sides clashing over the definition of "Native American," an appeals court heard arguments Wednesday on whether a 9,300-year-old skeleton known as Kennewick Man belongs to scientists or Indian tribes."


President of firm that froze Ted Williams' head resigns
by Peter Corbett and Craig Harris
Arizona Republic
http://www.azcentral.com/news/articl...0alcor-ON.html

"The president of the Scottsdale cryonics facility where baseball great Ted Williams' frozen body is stored has announced his resignation, according to documents obtained Wednesday."


Kennewick Man decision passed to new court
By Annette Cary
Tri-City Herald
http://www.tri-cityherald.com/tch/lo...-3917214c.html

"Seven years after the skeleton of Kennewick Man was fished from the shallows of the Columbia River, another court took up the task Wednesday of deciding its future."


Judges probe bones' affiliation
by RICHARD L. HILL
The Oregonian
http://www.oregonlive.com/news/orego...1330240920.xml

"The seemingly endless saga of Kennewick Man -- the 9,300-year-old skeleton Northwest tribes claim as their own -- took on a fresh focus Wednesday as federal judges repeatedly sought to find an adequate legal definition of "Native American.""


Test for near-death visions
By Jonathan Amos
BBC News
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sci/tech/3098230.stm

"Scientists have devised an experiment to test whether out-of-body experiences close to death are a real phenomenon or just a trick being played by the brain."


Feds Say Firm Runs Pyramid Scheme
By ANDREW RYAN AND MATTHEW J. MALONE
The Day [CT]
http://www.theday.com/eng/web/newsta...6-DEA591A10D04

"Federal authorities are investigating a Gales Ferry investment firm for allegedly running a sophisticated Internet pyramid scheme that they say bilked more than $3 million from thousands of online investors."


Living in 'apocalyptic fear'
by TIM HARPER
Toronto Star
<http://www.thestar.com/NASApp/cs/Con...l=968793972154>

"Two years on, the shock has dissipated, the memory is more distant, but the fear remains."


HELP URI CURSE KAHN
By Mark Mcgivern
Glasgow Daily Record
<http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/co...name_page.html>

"CELEBRITY psychic Uri Geller wants Scotland to dump Germany with the help of every fan's mental powers."


Psychic sleuths stalk murderer
by Paul Kalina
The Age
http://www.theage.com.au/articles/20...902048579.html

"The interview with the maker of Sensing Murder could well mark a milestone in the history of television. After all, how often has a producer - a breed rarely known as shrinking violets - forgone a credit, let alone insisted her name not be used in promoting the show that she hopes will become a ratings winner?"


Squelched standards hedged on evolution
BY JOHN WELSH
St. Paul Pioneer Press
http://www.twincities.com/mld/pionee...on/6731924.htm

"Two drafts of Minnesota's science standards circulated this week. The only difference? How they described the teaching of evolution."


White buffalo gives birth
Associated Press
http://www.wisinfo.com/postcrescent/...12195264.shtml

"A buffalo named Miracle that attracted widespread attention when she was born white in 1994 has given birth to a fourth calf."


Woman Suspected in Bank Robbery
Associated Press
http://www.kctv5.com/Global/story.as...6&nav=1PuZHwmI

"A Holt woman who allegedly robbed a bank Thursday by saying she was "wired" and that a van in front of a school was loaded with explosives apparently was lying, authorities said."


Who you gonna call?... Ghost Trackers
By MELISSA SANDER
Warrick Publishing Online
http://www.warricknews.com/articles/...ws/04ghost.txt

"Have you ever had that feeling that you're not alone in a room when you know that you are? Maybe there's the sound of footsteps, or something moves unexpectedly and you can't figure out why."


Advocate Unfair on Satanic Abuse
Letters to the Editor
Hartford Advocate
http://hartfordadvocate.com/gbase/Ne...?oid=oid:32803


Spooky tales revealed in new TV series
by Katy Edwards
Norfolk Eastern Daily Press
<http://www.edp24.co.uk/content/News/...A51%3A39%3A757>

"Pulling into Lizzie Falconer's sweeping gravel driveway I expected to find a Hansel and Gretel style hovel with cobwebs in the windows and a creaky front door."


Salon's spooky spirit just hair-raising!
Norwich Evening News
<http://www.eveningnews24.co.uk/conte...A03%3A48%3A617>

"A RESTLESS spirit has been making life at a busy salon a hair-raising experience."


Doctor gets 56 years for Brazil sect killings
Reuters
http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/N10337762.htm

"A Brazilian court sentenced a doctor to 56 years in prison for the ritual mutilation and killing of boys in a remote Amazon town more than a decade ago, a prosecutor in the case said on Wednesday."


Critics of biology textbooks draw on think tank
By POLLY ROSS HUGHES
Houston Chronicle
http://www.chron.com/cs/CDA/ssistory...olitan/2093105

"Jerry Springer and cockroaches managed to creep into Wednesday's episode of the ever-evolving textbook wars over Darwin's theory versus the biblical story of creation."


Lopez puts marriage on hold after visit to her 'mystic adviser'
By Oliver Poole
The Telegraph [UK]
<http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.../ixportal.html>

"A visit to her spiritual guide could have prompted Jennifer Lopez's last minute postponement of her third trip down the aisle."


A White Supremacist's Last Grab for Glory
By SARAH KERSHAW
New York Times
<http://www.nytimes.com/2003/09/12/na...partner=GOOGLE>

"A difficult history of racial friction lurks here in northern Idaho. It is a history that the ailing leader of a dwindling band of white supremacists is proudly promoting as he makes one last grab for notoriety."


Unforseen queues at psychic fair
Coventry Evening Telegraph
<http://iccoventry.icnetwork.co.uk/01...name_page.html>

"A panel of psychics at a Coventry fundraising event attracted so many people that hundreds had to be turned away."


Family holds out hope man will return
BY JENNIFER KAPIOLANI SAXTON
Belleville News-Democrat
http://www.belleville.com/mld/newsdemocrat/6732141.htm

"Nearly two years ago in December, James Harris failed to show up for work; he hasn't been seen since."


Wiccan 'Fantasy Fair' set for Saturday in Leominster
By Katie Curnutte
Fitchburg Sentinel & Enterprise
http://www.sentinelandenterprise.com...625252,00.html

"A building that celebrates the modern science of plastic may seem like the least likely place to learn about ancient religions."


Five men found with a bag of body parts arrested
South African Press Association
http://www.sabcnews.com/south_africa...,65492,00.html

"Five men were arrested in the Free State today after a bag filled with human body parts was found with them. Thandi Mbambo, a police spokesperson, said the five, including an alleged witchdoctor, were reportedly involved in a botched muti sale."


Pepsi story is not the real thing, school says
By COLLEEN KRANTZ
Des Moines Register
http://www.dmregister.com/news/stori.../22222412.html

"Some University of Iowa tour guides, as they stop their small crowds next to Jessup Hall, tell a witty little story about President David Skorton."


Insurer: Driver must beware the full moon
Newsday
http://www.floridatoday.com/!NEWSROO...toryA9965A.htm

"A British insurance company is warning drivers to be extra careful when there is a full moon."


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