Sunday, May 6, 2012

Reasons to be Skeptical: FROM CRITICISM TO COMPLIANCE

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FROM CRITICISM TO COMPLIANCE

While a number of members have left the scene disillusioned, others have turned a blind eye to these developments for the sake of harmony. Victorian Committee member Dr Steve Roberts wrote a lengthy statement about the NSW committee [See Addional supplement at end of article). Roberts later withdrew the four closely-typed pages of scathing criticisms and was appointed the only non-NSW member of the Trust fund. Harry Edwards claims this was to appease the Victorian committee - NSW reasoned that one interstate member with four NSW members was not going to make any difference.

After further bickering between pro and anti Ian Plimer supporters throughout state branches, and letters and public statements on radio about his treatment, the Skeptics Foundation finally gave way and granted Plimer $177,000. The cashed-up Victorian committee contributed a further $19,000.

With a total legal bill in excess of $400,000, Plimer was forced to sell most of his property and still verges on bankruptcy after the out-of-court settlement recently concluded the defamation suit against him. Many believed that, considering the Whalley bequest came about on the understanding that its main purpose was to fight Creationism, there was a moral obligation to support Plimer to the fullest extent. That one skeptic should suffer so much while other skeptics enjoy subsidised overseas and interstate trips must be a bitter pill to swallow.


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