This was discussed when the meeting on activism was held, and it's a good time to put up some more information about it and perhaps consider what to do next in terms of getting organised into doing something like this.

Link to the site: http://www.nightingale-collaboration.org/

With any historical material as a whole you have to rely that the account given by the historian is an accurate account and reflect the historical record fairly. In most cases, this is done and there have been many excellent writings on any particular topic. The problem is when they don't it can be difficult to tell with revisionist historical accounts which is the factual material and which isn't or whether the topic is represented fairly.

My biggest criticism of so-called Skeptics clubs is that their opinions tend to be based on ignorance and fear. Fear of that which they can't understand because it threatens their beliefs.
The worst thing about them is that they then try to exert their control over others.. all based on mere opinions. Opinions which are missing important facts...Such as those members whose duty they felt it was to support legislation that limits peoples freedom of choice in accessing the healthcare and products of their choice.

Got this post from my little sister. Her kids are home school but interesting enough the network are hosting a lovely conference next month

Her message to me was "A group I subscribe to is hosting a conference that has the creationism as its main theme. Please go to http://www.learnex.co.nz/Editable/conference/FirelightJayWile2011Christc..., book a couple of seats at the the conference and forget to post the cheque. This is NOT an event would like to see succeed! "

**Pass this on to your friends!

FirelightJayWile2011Christchurch
www.learnex.co.nz

As a student, I recently discovered that the New Zealand College of Chiropractors is exhibiting at the University of Canterbury Careers & Employment Fair, NZi3 Foyer and HP Room, 69 Creyke Road, Christchurch, 5.00-8.00pm on Monday 16th May.

Having expressed my concern to the University that woo does not belong anywhere near UC, I received a reply from Chris Bridgman, Careers Internships and Employment Manager, as follows:

"The NZ College of Chiropractic offers a qualification recognised by the N.Z Qualifications Authority.

Hey really good night on monday, really interesting to see the conversation going and that we have passion around the table

Just a few links to the video I mentioned http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i1-bbz3crjw&feature=youtube_gdata_player

FishBarrel: The easy way to report misleading health claims online.

Simon Perry runs the Leicester Skeptics in the Pub, campaigns against pseudo-science and his current focus is to encourage more people to get active campaigning against dangerous medical misinformation. To this end he's written a wonderful extension for Chrome that makes the process of submitting an ASA complaint quick, simple and painless.

Dr Shaun Holt has stirred up the Homeopaths again. They seem to be out in arms too. There's a poll attached to the article and since yesterday, when the article was posted, it's been hovering around the 50:50 mark. Would people care to hit the site and correct the Poll?

http://www.stuff.co.nz/taranaki-daily-news/4904460/Does-homeopathy-work

It's been a while since I've posted anything. To be honest I don't have the time to post anything now. I've got about a month of solid work ahead of me and until then blogging will need to take a third or forth place. Having said that I will repost the occasional thing that catches my eye. It doesn't take much to do that.

So, first up, a new disorder. Originally found at Autism News Beat, it offers a clinical definition of the Disorder that those that won't vaccinate suffer from.

Religion isn't something I particularly touch on that often unless it strays into the realm of reality. i.e. testable claims. This time though I want to pose a question; How can God be as powerful as He is claimed to be when things like the Feb 22^nd quake happen? The Dean of the ChristChurch Cathedral is on record saying;

The earthquake was not an act of God. The earthquake was the planet doing its thing the way the planet does.

To the Dean and any Christians out there;