SGU Episode 21

This episode is in the middle of being transcribed by iscepticman (talk) as of {{{date}}}. To help avoid duplication, please do not transcribe this episode while this message is displayed.

{LatestEpisode}}

This episode needs: transcription, time stamps, formatting, links, 'Today I Learned' list, categories, segment redirects. Please help out by contributing!

How to Contribute

SGU Episode 21
7th December 2005
(brief caption for the episode icon)
SGU 20                      SGU 22
Skeptical Rogues
S: Steven Novella
B: Bob Novella
E: Evan Bernstein
P: Perry DeAngelis
Guest
Wallace Sampson MD
Links
Download Podcast
SGU Podcast archive
Forum Discussion

Introduction

You're listening to the Skeptics' Guide to the Universe, your escape to reality.

S: Hello and welcome to The Skeptics’ Guide to the Universe. This is your host, Steven Novella, President of the New England Skeptical Society.Today is December 7th, 2005. With me today as always are Bob Novella

B: Good-evening

S:Perry DeAngelis

P:I'll have to put down my copy of the Psychic Sasquatch to join you but, I shall.

S:Oh, thanks for the sacrifice, you can get back to it later. And er and again as always Evan Bernstein.

E:Hello everyone

S:Guys thanks again for joining me tonight.

E: Thank you Steve.

News Items

Item 1

S: So today's December 7th, a day that will live in infamy right, The Pearl Harbor Day.

E:Pearl Harbor Day

B:I remember that yeah

E:I'll never forget that

S: We will remember all of the Americans who lost their lives and limbs on that infamous day in 1941.

E:Changed the world, changed the world forever.

S:The Germans bombed Pearl Harbor

E: Yeah there's, evidence to prove that.

S: So we have a, we have an excellent guest on our show tonight. Wallace Sampson, who will be joining us in just a few minutes. But first there's just a couple of quick news items.

First an update on our last show. We had reported that the University of Kansas was planning a course entitled "Special topics in religion: Intelligent Design, Creationism and other religious mythologies". The course was to be put on by Professor Paul Mirecki, we discussed the fact that the University, trying to retain some shred of scientific, you know credibility and prestige, is trying to do anything to counteract the fact that the Kansas State School Board for a second time is voting to either limit the teaching of evolution or promote the teaching of intelligent design in Kansas public schools.

Well,unfortunately the course has now been withdrawn by the University of Kansas. The apparent reason for doing this, is the fact that Paul Mirecki, again the Professor who was going to run the course,made some indiscreet anti-religious remarks. I think actually it was in an email to students. And he was you know,slapped on the wrist by University and he had to formally apologize. He said " I made a mistake in not leading by example in this student organisation email forum, the importance of discussing different view point in a civil and respectful manner." he said.

References