http://www.examiner.com/x-8922-Portland-Skepticism-Examiner?cid=exrss-Portland-Skepticism-Examiner en-us Mon, 23 Nov 2009 14:38:57 -0700 Tue, 17 Nov 2009 18:35:15 -0700 BlogCFC http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss http://www.examiner.com/x-8922-Portland-Skepticism-Examiner~y2009m11d17-Bates-City-Mo-child-abuse-allegations-reminiscent-of-80s-ritual-abuse-panics?cid=exrss-Portland-Skepticism-Examiner The increasingly bizarre allegations in the Bates City, Missouri child abuse case are reminiscent of satanic ritual abuse cases from the 1980’s and ‘90s. According to KCTV Channel 5 in Kansas City, Missouri, three of the accusers have s... Cultural Skepticism False Memories Tue, 17 Nov 2009 18:35:15 -0700 http://www.examiner.com/x-8922-Portland-Skepticism-Examiner~y2009m11d17-Bates-City-Mo-child-abuse-allegations-reminiscent-of-80s-ritual-abuse-panics?cid=exrss-Portland-Skepticism-Examiner http://www.examiner.com/x-8922-Portland-Skepticism-Examiner~y2009m11d14-Turmoil-at-Washington-Times-will-politicians-distance-themselves-from-the-Moonowned-newspaper?cid=exrss-Portland-Skepticism-Examiner      The drama continued yesterday at the oft-quoted Washington Times, when the Sun Myung Moon-controlled newspaper announced that executive editor John Solomon had resigned effective November 6th.  That resignation would... Sun Myung Moon Sat, 14 Nov 2009 11:35:23 -0700 http://www.examiner.com/x-8922-Portland-Skepticism-Examiner~y2009m11d14-Turmoil-at-Washington-Times-will-politicians-distance-themselves-from-the-Moonowned-newspaper?cid=exrss-Portland-Skepticism-Examiner http://www.examiner.com/x-8922-Portland-Skepticism-Examiner~y2009m11d8-Former-chemotherapy-refugee-13-now-cancerfree-no-thanks-for-doctors?cid=exrss-Portland-Skepticism-Examiner Colleen and Daniel Hauser Thirteen-year-old medicine man Daniel Hauser is now cancer free, according to his family.  He received his last treatment on Friday, November 5th.  If his doctors confirm this for the courts, the family may be abl... Alternative Medicine Daniel Hauser Sun, 08 Nov 2009 09:25:38 -0700 http://www.examiner.com/x-8922-Portland-Skepticism-Examiner~y2009m11d8-Former-chemotherapy-refugee-13-now-cancerfree-no-thanks-for-doctors?cid=exrss-Portland-Skepticism-Examiner http://www.examiner.com/x-8922-Portland-Skepticism-Examiner~y2009m11d1-Blasphemy-outrage-is-so-seventeenth-century?cid=exrss-Portland-Skepticism-Examiner Just as fear of sorcery has proven to be alive and well, blasphemy outrage is also making a comeback.One indication that archaic superstitions still controlled a significant portion of the world’s population was when Muslims rioted over cartoon... Cultural Skepticism Sat, 31 Oct 2009 22:11:17 -0700 http://www.examiner.com/x-8922-Portland-Skepticism-Examiner~y2009m11d1-Blasphemy-outrage-is-so-seventeenth-century?cid=exrss-Portland-Skepticism-Examiner http://www.examiner.com/x-8922-Portland-Skepticism-Examiner~y2009m10d26-Scientology-embarrassments-multiply-as-former-members-leave-speak-freely?cid=exrss-Portland-Skepticism-Examiner   The secretive Church of Scientology has faced some serious public relations challenges in the past week: the repeated public discussion of the religion's inner workings and beliefs . Not only have four high-ranking former members continued to ... Scientology Mon, 26 Oct 2009 19:14:12 -0700 http://www.examiner.com/x-8922-Portland-Skepticism-Examiner~y2009m10d26-Scientology-embarrassments-multiply-as-former-members-leave-speak-freely?cid=exrss-Portland-Skepticism-Examiner http://www.examiner.com/x-8922-Portland-Skepticism-Examiner~y2009m10d24-Information-resources-regarding-Maines-samesex-marriage-vote?cid=exrss-Portland-Skepticism-Examiner graphic by C. McAlpin On November 3, 2009, Maine voters will determine whether same-sex couples may retain marriage rights as granted by the legislature and signed into law by Governor Baldacci on May 6, 2009.  Because of the nature of the na... Cultural Skepticism Same-sex marriage Sat, 24 Oct 2009 14:33:06 -0700 http://www.examiner.com/x-8922-Portland-Skepticism-Examiner~y2009m10d24-Information-resources-regarding-Maines-samesex-marriage-vote?cid=exrss-Portland-Skepticism-Examiner http://www.examiner.com/x-8922-Portland-Skepticism-Examiner~y2009m10d11-What-does-it-mean-when-commercials-say-Maine-schools-will-teach-samesex-marriage?cid=exrss-Portland-Skepticism-Examiner   In the ongoing debate about the merits and consequences of allowing same-sex marriage in Maine, proponents of the people’s veto have emphasized a strategy of tapping into parental fears. Two commercials feature claims by Stand for Marria... Cultural Skepticism Same-sex marriage Sun, 11 Oct 2009 08:26:10 -0700 http://www.examiner.com/x-8922-Portland-Skepticism-Examiner~y2009m10d11-What-does-it-mean-when-commercials-say-Maine-schools-will-teach-samesex-marriage?cid=exrss-Portland-Skepticism-Examiner http://www.examiner.com/x-8922-Portland-Skepticism-Examiner~y2009m10d10-Crime-spree-shows-psychics-can-get-away-with-almost-anything?cid=exrss-Portland-Skepticism-Examiner Gina Marie Marks, alias Regina Milbourne, alias Zara Margazio Psychic Gina Marie Marks was arrested again this week, for theft of cash from her clients in Hollywood, Florida. Her ongoing crime spree shows just how far someone has to go to serve jai... Cultural Skepticism Fraud Paranormal Activity Psychics Sat, 10 Oct 2009 07:29:16 -0700 http://www.examiner.com/x-8922-Portland-Skepticism-Examiner~y2009m10d10-Crime-spree-shows-psychics-can-get-away-with-almost-anything?cid=exrss-Portland-Skepticism-Examiner http://www.examiner.com/x-8922-Portland-Skepticism-Examiner~y2009m9d25-Will-Maine-samesex-marriage-destroy-the-sanctity-of-marriage?cid=exrss-Portland-Skepticism-Examiner   On November 3rd, 2009, Maine will vote to remove or maintain marriage rights for same-sex couples. Religious groups view the question as a moral issue and gay rights groups view it as a civil rights issue, but both groups agree that the decis... Cultural Skepticism Fri, 25 Sep 2009 00:35:11 -0700 http://www.examiner.com/x-8922-Portland-Skepticism-Examiner~y2009m9d25-Will-Maine-samesex-marriage-destroy-the-sanctity-of-marriage?cid=exrss-Portland-Skepticism-Examiner http://www.examiner.com/x-8922-Portland-Skepticism-Examiner~y2009m9d21-Google-explains-Finally-a-phenomenon-to-believe-in?cid=exrss-Portland-Skepticism-Examiner Google Unexplained Phenomenon, part 3  The UFO ride is over, and to the relief of Skeptics everywhere, Google has not given itself over to the paranormal. Google’s third UFO doodle explains the unexplained phenomenon, as elaborated by t... Unexplained Phenomenon Google Mon, 21 Sep 2009 19:42:25 -0700 http://www.examiner.com/x-8922-Portland-Skepticism-Examiner~y2009m9d21-Google-explains-Finally-a-phenomenon-to-believe-in?cid=exrss-Portland-Skepticism-Examiner http://www.examiner.com/x-8922-Portland-Skepticism-Examiner~y2009m9d19-SKEPTIC-magazine-no-sacred-cows-allowed?cid=exrss-Portland-Skepticism-Examiner SKEPTIC magazine: a resource for evidence-based rseasoning. An excellent resource for any skeptic is the magazine of the same name. Since 1992, SKEPTIC magazine has been providing well-researched and thorough articles exploring science and pseudos... Cultural Skepticism Skepticism 101 Sat, 19 Sep 2009 17:35:06 -0700 http://www.examiner.com/x-8922-Portland-Skepticism-Examiner~y2009m9d19-SKEPTIC-magazine-no-sacred-cows-allowed?cid=exrss-Portland-Skepticism-Examiner http://www.examiner.com/x-8922-Portland-Skepticism-Examiner~y2009m9d17-Critical-thinking-shortage-results-in-epidemic-of-political-paranoia?cid=exrss-Portland-Skepticism-Examiner   An epidemic is sweeping the country striking young and old, liberal and conservative alike. Few, if any, Americans can say they do not have a family member or acquaintance affected by the disease. This most recent outbreak has not yet turne... Cultural Skepticism Thu, 17 Sep 2009 17:27:53 -0700 http://www.examiner.com/x-8922-Portland-Skepticism-Examiner~y2009m9d17-Critical-thinking-shortage-results-in-epidemic-of-political-paranoia?cid=exrss-Portland-Skepticism-Examiner http://www.examiner.com/x-8922-Portland-Skepticism-Examiner~y2009m9d15-Google-Unexplained-Phemenon-UFO-returns-Crop-Circles?cid=exrss-Portland-Skepticism-Examiner It's ba-a-a-ack!Ten days after its first appearance, the Google UFO has returned to the uber-engine's home page doodle, this time hovering over a graphic of another urban legend: crop circles. On September 5th, the Unexplained Phenomenon logo&nb... Pseudoscience Unexplained Phenomenon Google Tue, 15 Sep 2009 06:47:50 -0700 http://www.examiner.com/x-8922-Portland-Skepticism-Examiner~y2009m9d15-Google-Unexplained-Phemenon-UFO-returns-Crop-Circles?cid=exrss-Portland-Skepticism-Examiner http://www.examiner.com/x-8922-Portland-Skepticism-Examiner~y2009m9d12-Breakthrough-Major-advance-in-fighting-antibioticresistant-bacteria?cid=exrss-Portland-Skepticism-Examiner   In research with far-reaching implications, scientists at the NYU School of Medicine have demonstrated why some bacteria are able to resist antibiotics. A team led by Evgeny A. Nudler, PhD, has shown that the germs in question use nitric oxi... Why I Love Science Science News Sat, 12 Sep 2009 06:01:57 -0700 http://www.examiner.com/x-8922-Portland-Skepticism-Examiner~y2009m9d12-Breakthrough-Major-advance-in-fighting-antibioticresistant-bacteria?cid=exrss-Portland-Skepticism-Examiner http://www.examiner.com/x-8922-Portland-Skepticism-Examiner~y2009m9d8-Unexplained-Phenomenon-eggsite-operator-answers-some-questions-leaves-others-unanswered?cid=exrss-Portland-Skepticism-Examiner Image from the egg-site (Unexplained phenomenon (dot) org  The operators of the Unexplained Phenomenon web site featuring the cosmic egg (and unaffiliated with Google) have sent more information about the organization’s purposes, its ori... Cultural Skepticism Paranormal Activity Unexplained Phenomenon Google Tue, 08 Sep 2009 05:45:17 -0700 http://www.examiner.com/x-8922-Portland-Skepticism-Examiner~y2009m9d8-Unexplained-Phenomenon-eggsite-operator-answers-some-questions-leaves-others-unanswered?cid=exrss-Portland-Skepticism-Examiner http://www.examiner.com/x-8922-Portland-Skepticism-Examiner~y2009m9d7-Unexplained-phenomenon-eggsite-responds-and-it-gets-even-stranger?cid=exrss-Portland-Skepticism-Examiner From the Unexplained Phenomenon (dot org) website  A further development arose Sunday from the non-Google Unexplained Phenomenon web site featuring a cosmic egg and little else. In a discourse that invoked other-worldly themes, someone respond... Cultural Skepticism Paranormal Activity Unexplained Phenomenon Google Mon, 07 Sep 2009 05:42:09 -0700 http://www.examiner.com/x-8922-Portland-Skepticism-Examiner~y2009m9d7-Unexplained-phenomenon-eggsite-responds-and-it-gets-even-stranger?cid=exrss-Portland-Skepticism-Examiner http://www.examiner.com/x-8922-Portland-Skepticism-Examiner~y2009m9d6-Unexplained-Phenomenon-still-unexplained-though-unfounded-rumors-abound?cid=exrss-Portland-Skepticism-Examiner Unexplained Phenomenon Google doodle If a certain skeptic didn’t have a day job, it would be enlightening to do a detailed report on how Google’s unexplained phenomenon demonstrates the spread of false rumors on the internet. Most of the... Cultural Skepticism Paranormal Activity Unexplained Phenomenon Google Sun, 06 Sep 2009 08:31:59 -0700 http://www.examiner.com/x-8922-Portland-Skepticism-Examiner~y2009m9d6-Unexplained-Phenomenon-still-unexplained-though-unfounded-rumors-abound?cid=exrss-Portland-Skepticism-Examiner http://www.examiner.com/x-8922-Portland-Skepticism-Examiner~y2009m9d5-Unexplained-Phenomenon-web-page-is-almost-certainly-a-swindle-not-Google?cid=exrss-Portland-Skepticism-Examiner   As of yet, no one has explained  today’s Google doodle, nicknamed “Unexplained Phenomenon” for the Google search to which it leads, but there has been an unfortunate development.   A likely internet scam has a... Cultural Skepticism Paranormal Activity Unexplained Phenomenon Google Sat, 05 Sep 2009 20:42:53 -0700 http://www.examiner.com/x-8922-Portland-Skepticism-Examiner~y2009m9d5-Unexplained-Phenomenon-web-page-is-almost-certainly-a-swindle-not-Google?cid=exrss-Portland-Skepticism-Examiner http://www.examiner.com/x-8922-Portland-Skepticism-Examiner~y2009m9d5-Google-goes-viral-Unexplained-Phenomena-logo-making-waves-on-the-web?cid=exrss-Portland-Skepticism-Examiner   In an apparent effort to drive skeptics temporarily insane, search engine Google today began featuring a new doodle with a UFO which, when clicked, takes users to a search for "unexplained phenomenon."  The search itself brings ... Paranormal Activity Pseudoscience Sat, 05 Sep 2009 07:05:56 -0700 http://www.examiner.com/x-8922-Portland-Skepticism-Examiner~y2009m9d5-Google-goes-viral-Unexplained-Phenomena-logo-making-waves-on-the-web?cid=exrss-Portland-Skepticism-Examiner http://www.examiner.com/x-8922-Portland-Skepticism-Examiner~y2009m9d3-Flu-Shot-Myths-Explained?cid=exrss-Portland-Skepticism-Examiner John Mottern/Feature Photo Service Ever year, as flu season approaches, familiar refrains are heard in conversations across the country. “I never get the shot because I got it one year and it gave me the flu.” Or: “The flu shot... Cultural Skepticism Science News Superstition Thu, 03 Sep 2009 16:40:11 -0700 http://www.examiner.com/x-8922-Portland-Skepticism-Examiner~y2009m9d3-Flu-Shot-Myths-Explained?cid=exrss-Portland-Skepticism-Examiner