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June 1982 "BASIS", newsletter of the Bay Area Skeptics
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Bay Area Skeptics Information Sheet
Vol.1, No.1
Editor: Bob Steiner
BAY AREA SKEPTICS FOUNDED
From the germ of an idea to realization took just slightly over one
month. In today's red-tape-ridden world, that accomplishment
borders on the fantastic.
Some of the skeptics in the Bay Area have kept in close contact
with others of a similar persuasion. There had become an
increasing awareness that we are building a cadre of people
interested in critically examining claims of the paranormal.
If that last sentence sounds familiar, take heart. It is part of
the Statement of Principles of The Committee for the Scientific
Investigation of Claims of the Paranormal (CSICOP).
Bay Area Skeptics has been approved as the first local chapter of
CSICOP.
At a Mensa Gathering in Napa, California, in April, 1982, many of
us were on the program. We had the opportunity to increase our
acquaintance with other skeptics.
And then it burst forth: In a telephone conversation with Robert
Sheaffer, the inspiration hit. Robert came up with the founding
words: "LET'S FORM AN ORGANIZATION OF BAY AREA SKEPTICS!"
The idea met with instant acceptance with me, with the Executive
Council of CSICOP, and with several skeptics in this area to whom
we've spoken. And so we're on our way.
How does one thank Paul Kurtz, Phil Klass, and James Randi for the
swift and considerable support given to this new idea and chapter,
without risking slighting the other members of CSICOP's Executive
Council who also, obviously, supported this effort? Thank you all
for your backing -- we fully intend to justify your trust.
WHO WE ARE
We are you, if you are interested. Come on aboard!
The founding members are:
=> Lawrence Jerome, Fellow of CSICOP, science writer, engineer.
=> Wallace I. Sampson, M.D., Member of the Paranormal Health Claims
Subcommittee of CSICOP, and outspoken critic of health fraud.
=> Terence J. Sandbek, Member of the Education Subcommittee of
CSICOP, Clinical Psychologist, Professor of Psychology - American
River College.
=> Robert Sheaffer, Fellow of CSICOP, science writer, designer of
micro-processor software, and an alert idea man.
=> Robert A. Steiner, Consultant to CSICOP, Member of the Education
Subcommittee, CPA, magician, writer, lecturer.
WHERE WE ARE
408 Area Code:
Robert Sheaffer
1341 Poe Lane
San Jose, CA 95130
(408) 984-2658
415 Area Code:
Bob Steiner
Box 659
El Cerrito, CA 94530
(415) 525-2841
916 Area Code:
Terry Sandbek
7988 California Avenue
Fair Oaks, CA 95628
(916) 965-4606
Mailing address:
Bay Area Skeptics
Box 659
El Cerrito, CA 94530
POSITIONS OPEN
Subscribers. A minimum contribution of $5.00 will keep you on our
mailing list for a year. This will keep you informed of our
activities, challenges, and other things as they come up.
Friends.
Supporters.
Contributors.
Editor. If interested in this, please contact Robert Sheaffer or
Bob Steiner.
Publisher. Someone with copying equipment and computer mailing list
capabilities would be much appreciated.
Skeptics. You're not alone! Come on out.
Scientific and Technical Consultants. If you have skills in
investigation of mystics and/or have considerable critical
judgement, and are interested in working on the firing line, please
contact Robert Sheaffer.
Writers. If you have something to contibute to this newsletter,
please send your copy to Bob Steiner. If you have a lot to
contribute, and/or if you are well organized in writing, consider
taking on the job as editor.
Media persons interested in our ideas, progress, challenges. Please
contact any of us.
Other interested parties. In order to be complete, every list must
have one category called "other".
H.A.N.D.
ARE YOUR CONTRIBUTIONS TAX-DEDUCTIBLE?
We think so.
Those who wait for every detail to be absolutely resolved and
nailed down before beginning rarely launch new projects.
Our present TENTATIVE opinion is that, as a local chapter of
CSICOP, we are covered under the umbrella of their tax exempt
status.
By the time of the next issue of "BASIS", we hope to have a formal
answer to this important question. Stay tuned.
A FOUNDING PARTY!
Have you grown weary of having a new acquaintance at a party
inquire about your sign, rather than being interested in what you
think?
Happily, there are many skeptics in the Bay Area. Come on out so
that we can meet one another.
Saturday, June 26, 1982, 7:30 P.M. will be the founding party of
the Bay Area Skeptics, at the home of Bob Steiner.
There will be snacks, conversation (REAL conversation), magic,
planning, challenges, intellectual stimulation, and more.
One can just look around the Bay Area and realize that we seem to
have more than our share of mystics. Come hither and see that there
are a goodly number of real skeptics who dwell hereabouts: some are
silent skeptics, and others are not so silent about it.
This party is the launch pad for the future ventures of Bay Area
Skeptics. COME ON OUT!
Bring a spouse or date. And please feel free to invite other
sincere skeptics.
BYOB. Smoking will be outside on the patio.
Bob Steiner
6000 Avila Avenue, Apt. D
El Cerrito, CA 94530
(415) 525-2841
Directions: Heading North of South on Routes 80 or 17, exit at
Central Avenue, El Cerrito, heading towards the mountains.
Somewhere between .3 and .7 miles (depending which route you come
off of), you will arrive at Carlson Blvd., go one block, turn right
onto Avila Ave. Park immediately. You are here.
We look forward to greeting you. Please remember: There will be
only one Founding Party for the Bay Area Skeptics.
TIME FOR A COMMERCIAL
A $5.00 contribution will keep you on our mailing list for a year.
Contributions in any amount will be welcome.
Please make checks payable to Bay Area Skeptics, and mail to:
Bay Area Skeptics
Box 659
El Cerrito, CA 94530
IS THERE A NEED?
There are those in the Bay Area who "earn" their daily bread from
the pain, suffering, guilt, fear, and hate of others.
Rev. B. Woods Mattingley, Founder-Director of The Seeker's Quest,
entitled the lead article in his current newsletter: "Why Do We
Suffer Pain?"
His answer: "Most serious illness can be attributed to one of
several reasons: karmic, in which current life pain results from
the excesses or 'sins' of a past life.... Physical pain is also a
telling statement that the person has some past-life reason which
is creating his present-life pain."
Those who are unfortunate enough to suffer pain do not need guilt
piled on top of it!
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Opinions expressed in "BASIS" are those of the authors and do not
necessarily reflect those of BAS, its board or its advisors.
The above are selected articles from the June, 1982 (premier) issue
of "BASIS", the monthly publication of Bay Area Skeptics. You can
obtain a free sample copy by sending your name and address to BAY
AREA SKEPTICS, 4030 Moraga, San Francisco, CA 94122-3928 or by
leaving a message on "The Skeptic's Board" BBS (415-648-8944) or
on the 415-LA-TRUTH (voice) hotline.
Copyright (C) 1989 BAY AREA SKEPTICS. Reprints must credit "BASIS,
newsletter of the Bay Area Skeptics, 4030 Moraga, San Francisco,
CA 94122-3928."
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