Cannabis and Skepticism

I am very skeptical about the claims my government makes about Cannabis. I don't see any compelling evidence that it is any more harmful the alcohol (In fact most reports have it that cannabis is safer then alcohol in most respects)

So why do I hear so little from the skeptical movement about the prohibition of cannabis?

The government information regarding cannabis prohibition is built up with logical fallacy upon logical fallacy.

Yet, outside the legalization movement, skeptics remain silent on this issue.

I wish I knew why
- Sent From My Blackberry

Testing Ghosts

Near my house is a road that has been dubbed Ghost Road by the locals.

The story goes that a man on a motorcycle had an accident on that road. The details of the accident change with who tells it, but the most popular story is that the motorcycle rider fell off his bike and hit his head on a large rock need the end of the road.

This rock has seen been painted bright colours and I believe the words ghost road on written on it as well.

The story goes that if you go there at midnight you can see the head light of the ghost motorcycle. Some reports say you can hear the motorcycle as well.

I was thinking of going to this road one night at midnight and bring a camera to see what I could see and this got me thinking.

Is there any way to really test for a ghost?

Would a ghost set off a motion sensor? Would a ghost motorcycle leave tire tracks?

If the ghost can be seen it must either emit light or reflect light, which means it must have some kind of substance.

Furthermore, if the ghost motorcycle makes sound, then something must be vibrating the air molecules in order to create the sound wave.

If a ghost really does interact with the environment in that way, then it must be testable.

But other then a camera and a microphone I don't know what else I could do to test it.

Any ideas?

- Sent From My Blackberry

You visit illegal websites?... I'm Skeptcial

I received this email today:

"Sir/Madam, we have logged your IP-address on more than 40 illegal Websites. Important: Please answer our questions! The list of questions are attached. uh drg oc"

and the email had an attachment of Documents.zip

On the face of it, I can stop 4 red flags with this email

First Red flag is "Sir/Madam". The email author claims to have my IP address and the obviously have my email address, but they don't know my name? Very suspcious

Second, Why would the FBI contact my by email? Isn't that just inviting a person who did view so-called illegal sites to delete all browser history and perhaps even destroy the computer before the evidence can be collected? This would be tantamount to a police officer calling you and saying, we will be by in an hour to arrest you so don't go anywhere. 

Third, why does the email end with "uh drg oc". Those are not initials or anything else understandable, so why is it on the email message at all?

Lastly, why would a questionnaire be attached as a zip file? If this was an official email by the FBI, at the very least it would give you a link to the FBI website or perhaps a phone number. There is no good reason to send a questionare in this way, especially in reguards to illegal activity.

This analysis took me all of 5 minutes, yet I have had people mention to me they got this email and were considered about why the FBI was watching them. Just use a little skeptical thinking and you will be fine.