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Highlands Today

Demand Evidence On Wild Claims

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David Majick

Published: May 29, 2008

In a small book titled "Un Spun, finding facts in a world of disinformation" co-authored by Jackson and Jamieson, the following statement was made: "The skeptic demands evidence, and rightly so."

Recently, an article appeared in Highlands Today written by Rob Mixon, quoting Mr. Lindsey Williams and his views that the North Slope of Alaska has enough oil to last us 200 years plus. Several other claims follow if you read the book in its entirety.

Here's the key to Mr. Williams message. His information comes from a group of men who "rule the world." And because, Mr. Williams was such an honest man, he was allowed to sit in on their decision sessions. Being a Baptist minister for 28 years must have been the kicker for him being able to obtain his inside information. He also got must of his specific information from a man called Mr. X. Need I mention Mr. Williams' book, "The Energy Non-Crisis," was written in 1980 and over the last 28 years we've heard nothing new and exciting from Mr. Williams.

Mr. Williams and his message can easily be compared to Mr. Kevin Trudeau who wrote the best seller, "Natural Cures They Don't Want You to Know About." Like Mr. Williams, Mr. Trudeau appeals to the individual's cynicism.

Quoting UnSpun: "Cynicism is a form of gullibility - the cynic reject facts without evidence, just as the naive person accepts facts without evidence."

Mr. Trudreau's pitch is that drug companies and our government want to continue to rake in profits, and such profits would end if everyone knew how inexpensive and healthful natural remedies are for the individual. And, for only $14.95 for his book, $39.95 for his CDs, and newsletter for $71.40, and a lifetime member for $999, you will come to know all the natural cures and become whole once again!

Truth? In 1991 Mr. Trudreau served nearly two years in federal prison for credit card fraud having bilked American Express of $122,735.68. In 1990 he served a three year suspended sentence for larceny after depositing $80,000 of worthless checks into a Massachusetts bank - posing as a doctor.

He has been fined by the FTC many times over for false advertisement to a tune of over $2 million.
But the cynicism of people has made Mr. Trudreau a multi-millionaire. He can afford such FTC fines.

Mr. Williams and Alaskan oil? The Seattle Times in 2005 stated: "There is considerable uncertainly regarding both the size and quality of the oil resources that exist in the refuge," according to an analysis by the Energy Information Administration, the government agency that tracks energy statistics. According to the Energy Department and the Geological Survey suggest peak oil flow would probably be no more that five years.

The Associated Press in March, 2004: " Even with peak production, the Energy Information Agency said, the United States would still have to import two-thirds of its oil."

From an article titled "Arctic Oil. How much oil is anybody's guess," written by author, Zachary Coile in SFGate, (SF Gate.com) it is stated "Drilling in the refuge would not end America's long-standing dependence on oil."

One last bit of information: From the publication called "Science Beat" and an article therein titled, "Sorry. Wrong Number" researchers located 35 different news stories printed or aired between December 2000 and September 2001 regarding the amount of oil likely to be found in the ANWAR." In conclusion, "the estimates (of oil in ANWAR) vary widely – they are literally all over the map."

Maybe Mr. Williams and Mr. X are the only ones who truly know. Or maybe Mr. Williams wants you to purchase his book, his CDs, or have him flown in to speak to your group – for a fee.

As for me, drill in ANWAR. By the way, according to the Alaskan Department of Environmental Conservation, there have been over 500 spills in the 800-mile pipeline as of 2007.

In the meantime, we must not be willing to forgo research that leads to alternate sources of power and energy. To do so would create yet one more burden to pass on to our children.

And, please, watch out for the Trudeaus and Williamses in the world who want to make money selling you a bill of goods based on the fear of "Big Brother;" and the Rob Mixons who promote the ideas of the Trudeaus and L. Williams. Asking your friends to believe such nonsense isn't the best way to prepare for the next neighborhood social gathering.

It is important that we remain skeptical about information coming our way. But we mustn't notch it up to the level of cynicism. Becoming cynical will only lead us in directions that are counter- productive for ourselves and our country.

David Majick lives in Avon Park.

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