Re: Peter Moran - Where's the "Expert" Critique? And the MHA Charter


"Richard Schultz"


:> Conventional treatment is not the subject

ZZzz.
: : Neither is *what you think*.
: : The subject is clearly above. Make a note of it.

The subject is clearly the claim that Hulda Clark developed an effective
cure for cancer. Make a note of it.

LOL. Poor Dicky.


-----
Richard Schultz

FYI:

ftp://ftp.uu.net/usenet/news.announce.newgroups/misc/misc.health.alte...

This is a formal Request for Discussion on the creation of a new
newsgroup called "misc.health.alternative", which would be used for the
discussion of alternative health care issues. This RFD grew out of
(and supersedes, I believe) an earlier RFD entitled "RFD Alternative
Medicine" by Gordon Banks <geb@xxxxxxxxxxx>, article <16764@xxxxxxxxx>.

This announcement is cross-posted to newsgroups whose readers may have
interest in the discussion about the new group; follow-up discussion
will take place in "news.groups". Suggestions, comments, or problems
may also be emailed to me at <kaminski@xxxxxxxxxx>.


PROPOSAL:

I propose creation of an unmoderated newsgroup called
"misc.health.alternative", a newsgroup for the discussion of health,
health care, and therapies which are alternative, complementary, or not
commonly accepted by Western scientific medicine.

A main hierarchy was chosen for best propagation; "misc" is the best
main hierarchy for a general group about health. Note that "health"
fits in well with the other "misc" groups: "consumers", "education",
"fitness", "jobs", "kids", "legal", "taxes", etc.

Possible topics include (but are not limited to) acupuncture, ayurveda,
biofeedback, chiropractic, herbalism, holistic medicine, homeopathy,
hypnosis, macrobiotics, megavitamin therapy, naturopathy, osteopathy,
reflexology, shiatsu, and yoga.


DISCUSSION:

Alternative approaches to health care are clearly of interest to many
readers, but there is currently no group in which general non-technical
discussions would be appropriate. Discussions do occur in "sci.med",
but are generally counter to that newsgroup's purpose, as readers there
have noted. "sci.skeptic" is an appropriate newsgroup for scientific
investigation of alternative therapies, but not for general discussion.

Creation of "misc.health.alternative" would also create by implication
the sub-hierarchy "misc.health.*", presumably for discussions about
health and health care. Since there are currently no newsgroups
dedicated to general non-technical discussions of health care,
creation of additional "misc.health.*" newsgroups might be
appropriate, although that discussion is beyond the scope of this RFD.


NEWSGROUP NOT MODERATED:

In the previous RFD, some posters wondered if such an alternative
health newsgroup should be moderated, since some of the material
presented may be controversial.

I believe moderation is not necessary, and that there will be enough
on-topic discussion to drown out the (probably inevitable) flames.

Flames, name-calling, and abusive behavior in general (from either
side) will be discouraged, but constructive criticisms and arguments
will be encouraged, with the caveat that "misc.health.alternative" is
to be a generally non-technical discussion group. ("sci.skeptic" or
"sci.med" would be more appropriate for extended technical discussions,
but technical discussions would be welcome in
"misc.health.alternative", as well.)

Scientific proof or verificability of facts will *not* be required in
"misc.health.alternative", although posters should keep their
credibility in mind. Even though verificability will not be required,
posters are urged to post only what they believe to be true, and to
post or be prepared to post citations, references, sources, etc.


SUMMARY:

"misc.health.alternative", unmoderated, would provide an appropriate
forum for general non-technical discussions of alternative approaches
to health care.
CHARTER AND INTRODUCTION FOR MISC.HEALTH.ALTERNATIVE:

IMPORTANT NOTICES -- READ THESE
-------------------------------

Reading messages on misc.health.alternative cannot substitute for
seeing your doctor. If you are ill, or concerned about a medical
problem, go to a doctor or other qualified, licensed health care
practitioner.

Usenet is NOT an appropriate medium to diagnose, prescribe for, or
treat any medical condition. misc.health.alternative is a forum for
general discussion of alternative health care. NOTHING POSTED TO
MISC.HEALTH.ALTERNATIVE SHOULD EVER BE CONSTRUED AS PROFESSIONAL
MEDICAL ADVICE INTENDED FOR PARTICULAR INDIVIDUALS. NO DOCTOR-PATIENT
RELATIONSHIP, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, SHALL BE CONVEYED BY MESSAGES IN
THIS NEWSGROUP.

Remember that anyone can post anything to Usenet. Messages are NOT
checked or verified for accuracy or validity by anyone before being
automatically distributed to readers.

Before taking any action because of a message posted to Usenet, verify
the information in it with a reliable source, such as your health care
professional.

When you post to misc.health.alternative, remember that you are fully
responsible for the content of your messages. Post responsibly.

Messages which are specifically disallowed in misc.health.alternative:
commercial or for-profit messages; announcements of professional
products or services (even if they are allowed elsewhere on Usenet);
diagnoses, prescriptions or treatments for a specific individual; and
fraudulent or illegal messages.


CHARTER
-------

misc.health.alternative is a newsgroup for general non-technical
discussion (pro *and* con) of health care and therapies which are
alternative, complementary, or not commonly accepted by Western
scientific medicine.

Appropriate topics include (but are not limited to): acupuncture,
Alexander technique, alternative cancer therapies, aromatherapy,
ayurveda, chiropractic, color therapy, healing, herbalism, holistic
dentistry, holistic medicine, homeopathy, hypnosis, iridology,
macrobiotics, meditation, megavitamin therapy, midwifery, naturopathy,
natural vision improvement (Bates method, etc.), osteopathy,
radiesthesia, reflexology, shiatsu and do-in, traditional medicine
(Arab, Chinese, Native American, etc.), and yoga.

Flames, name-calling, and abusive behavior in general (from either
side) are not welcome, but constructive criticisms and arguments are
encouraged, with the caveat that misc.health.alternative is to be a
generally non-technical consumer level discussion group.

May happiness and health be with you!
--
Peter Kaminski
kaminski@xxxxxxxxxx
71053.2155@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx .