Open Parachute

Featured image: Fluoridation not associated with ADHD – a myth put to rest

Fluoridation not associated with ADHD – a myth put to rest

Ken Perrott • Sep 01, 2017

 The myth of community water fluoridation causing attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is just not supported by the data. I show this in a new paper accepted for publication in the British Dental Journal. This should remove any validity for the claims about ADHD by anti-fluoride campaigners. Mind you, I do not expect them to stop making those claims. The … Read More

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Featured image: Are fluoride researchers sacked for their findings?

Are fluoride researchers sacked for their findings?

Ken Perrott • Aug 11, 2017

Heard the one about the scientist who was doing excellent research but was sacked by her Institute because her discoveries shattered the prevailing “scientific orthodoxies?” Yes, it is a common claim. Often made by activists promoting conspiracy theories.  But it is an easy one to make and it is always worth checking the facts in such cases. Of course, the … Read More

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Featured image: Fluoridation and cancer

Fluoridation and cancer

Ken Perrott • Aug 08, 2017

We all know the phrase “Lies, damned lies, and statistics.” If nothing else, this should warn us not to take on faith arguments which rely on statistical analysis for their credibility. Wikipedia uses this phrase to illustrate the “persuasive power of numbers, particularly the use of statistics to bolster weak arguments.” Yes, you have. And one lie is the claim that fluoridation causes … Read More

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Featured image: Local anti-fluoride activists tell porkies yet again

Local anti-fluoride activists tell porkies yet again

Ken Perrott • Aug 03, 2017

Well, I suppose that’s not news. A bit surprising, though, because they are claiming the absence of research on fluoridation and IQ – which sort of conflicts with the previous attempts to actually condemn and misrepresent the actual research on fluoridation and IQ. Fluoride Free NZ’s (FFNZ) face book page is claiming: Would you be interested to know that no studies … Read More

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Featured image: The main stream media is out of touch

The main stream media is out of touch

Ken Perrott • Jul 24, 2017

I find the US mainstream media particularly boring and uninformative these days. It has become embedded in a partisan political campaign and seems to go into a frenzy over every bit of “evidence” or fake news it can garner, invent, or exaggerate in an apparent attempt to reverse the results of last year’s presidential elections. I think many people must … Read More

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Featured image: June ’17 – NZ blogs sitemeter ranking

June ’17 – NZ blogs sitemeter ranking

Ken Perrott • Jul 03, 2017

There are about 300 blogs on the list, although I am weeding out those which are no longer active or have removed public access to sitemeters. (Let me know if I weed out yours by mistake or get your stats wrong). Every month I get queries from people wanting their own blog included. I encourage and am happy to respond to queries … Read More

Featured image: Fluoridation: Open letter to Democrats for Social Credit

Fluoridation: Open letter to Democrats for Social Credit

Ken Perrott • Jun 15, 2017

 The only political party in New Zealand campaigning against community water fluoridation is the Democrats for Social Credit. It is a minor party, not represented in Parliament and of little influence. However, it does have connections with Fluoride Free NZ, the main anti-fluoride activist group, and its members have imposed anti-fluoridation policies on some groups they belong to. Two examples … Read More

Featured image: May ’17 – NZ blogs sitemeter ranking

May ’17 – NZ blogs sitemeter ranking

Ken Perrott • Jun 02, 2017

 Here are the rankings of New Zealand blogs with publicly available statistics for May 2017. There are about 300 blogs on the list, although I am weeding out those which are no longer active or have removed public access to sitemeters. (Let me know if I weed out yours by mistake or get your stats wrong). Every month I get queries from people … Read More