To: IAHF List
Subject: Quackpot Menace Clubbed in Canada: Ontario Health Freedom Legislation Passes
From: "International Advocates for Health Freedom" jham@iahf.com
Date: Sun, 07 Jan 2001 15:47:26 -0500

All Webmasters: Please post.

IAHF List: I am sending this to so called "quackbusters" Stephen Barrett, and Terry Polevoy to see if they have any comment whatsoever.

Take a look at Tim Bolen's article below about the recent health freedom legislation that just passed in Ontario, Canada, home of supposed "Quackbuster" Terry Polevoy.

I am sending Bolen's article to Polevoy (see his anti alternative medicine website at http://www.healthwatcher.net/ ) and to de licensed physician Stephen Barrett, another alleged "quackbuster" http://www.quackwatch.com/ to see if either of them have anything to say whatsoever about this most interesting situation.

I agree with Bolen's contention that Polevoy has been an invaluable help (albeit indirectly) towards the passage of the Canadian legislation, which is patterned after almost identical legislation that has passed in several US States which protects alternative practitioners from attacks by their state medical board (and now in Ontario from the Canadian College of Physicians and Surgeons) in the absence of demonstrable proof of harm to a patient.

Given this massive setback for Polevoy, IAHF shares Bolen's question: Does Barrett still maintain faith in this guy to be heir to the so called quackbustin' throne when he goes into retirement? If so, IAHF does indeed feel a measure of real joy at the prospect of it, and sincerely wishes that Polevoy would only just move to a few more Canadian provinces, as well as back down to the states, but we only wish for him to live in states where health freedom legislation has not yet passed, as we feel his presence, his vitriolic attacks against alternative medicine would only continue to help us, just as it has in Ontario!

So.... thank you Terry! You are indeed our good friend. Never thought I'd feel compelled to tell you so, but I do. Please continue making your unfounded attacks against us, because for every action, there is an exact and opposite reaction.
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From: "Tim & Jan Bolen"
To: "Millions of Health Freedom Fighters"
Subject: "Quackpot Menace" CLUBBED in Canada...
Date: Fri, 5 Jan 2001 13:55:52 -0800

Opinion by Tim Bolen

Stephen Barrett (www.quackwatch.com) may want to re-think his personal choice to succeed him on the North American "quackbuster" throne.

His heir-apparent, US draft dodger turned Canadian, Terry Polevoy MD (www.healthwatcher.net), the pimple doctor making claims as an "altenative medicine critic" (sarcasm intended), has "blown it" big time in Canada's Ontario Province.

Polevoy, who operates Canada's version of Barrett's "quackwatch.com," a propaganda website aimed at discrediting leading-edge health practitioners, and health philosophies Barrett doesn't agree with, was dealt the biggest blow the "quackbuster conspiracy" has ever been given. Barrett, and his minions, label leading edge health professionals "quacks."

The Ontario government, in an official action, has formally declared the quackbuster philosophy as "bunk." Ontario holds one-third of Canada's entire population.

Polevoy's website, "healthwatcher.com" is even more strident than Barrett's in its efforts to discredit and belittle health humanitarians who embrace natural approaches to health.

The "quackbuster" organization, is sort of an organized idiocy, an attempt to legitimize medical backwardness. It is epitomized by the writings of "chief quackpot" Stephen Barrett. The government of New Zealand officially labeled Barrett's writings as "propaganda, and of no evidentiary value."

Health leaders call Barrett, and company, "quackpots," and their organization "The Quackpot Menace."

Both Barrett and Polevoy have been besieged with problems of late. Draft dodging Polevoy was under investigation by the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario over charges filed against him raising issueS of professional misconduct due to his website activities, and his "stalking" of Canadian Radio personality Christine McPhee, and other females.

Barrett's credibility has suffered a major downturn when certain facts were brought to light about his alleged qualifications. It turns out that Barrett has been de-licensed, and has not had a license to practice medicine in any State since 1993. Also, Barrett made claims to being "a retired Psychiatrist,' without benefit of ever having been board certified as a Pyschiatrist in the first place.

HEALTH ACTIVIISTS FLEX THEIR MUSCLE...

Health Freedom activists, feeling their power in North American politics, have begun to treat the organized, and self-named, "quackbuster" conspiracy with the respect they feel that organization justly deserves. They have, belittlingly, renamed it "The Quackpot Menace." Reasonable estimates show that "Health Freedom Activists" outnumber "Quackpots" 100,000 to 1.

The name, "The Quackpot Menace," although clearly derisive in nature, recognizes the organizational structure responsible for attacks on leading-edge health practices that compete with the status quo for North American health dollars - but belittles it's leadership, efforts, and effectiveness, in the year 2001.

That "belittling" is warranted. It has been recently uncovered that the "Quackbusters" aren't everything they'd like polite society to believe they are. And, health activists are having a field day telling the world about it.

The acknowledged "quackbuster" kingpin, Stephen Barrett, a de-licensed MD operating out of his basement in Allentown, PA, has had a very embarrassing time over the last year, or so. Major questions have come to light about Barrett's credibility, honesty, integrity, and his ability to lead.

For instance, Barrett, it has been revealed, claims to be a retired Psychiatrist without ever having been qualified to claim board certification in that specialty. He has not had a license to practice medicine, in any State, since 1993. A recently uncovered study compiled by the government of New Zealand shows that the government there officially declared Barrett's writings "propaganda, and of no evidentiary value." A glimpse at Barrett's Curriculum Vitae (published on his website) leaves one with the distinct impression that Barrett, over his entire career, was unable to hold a job for any length of time.

But the biggest blow to Barrett's professional status as a leader in the "quackbuster" movement is an unconfirmed rumor circulating about Barrett's status as an "expert witness." It is already known that Barrett was officially disqualified as an "expert witness" in a case in New York when he was forced to admit, under oath, that he was never board certified as a Psychiatrist. But the "rumor," is even more devastating, and if true, will shut down Barrett for all time.

If the rumor is true, and I believe that it probably is, using Barrett as an "expert witness" could be VERY HAZARDOUS to someone's financial health.

The rumor, which I reiterate, is un-confirmed, is that Barrett was engaged as an "expert witness" to defend in a lawsuit against a major diet/nutrition organization which had allegedly defamed a major "nutrition author." Barrett was shown in deposition "not to be an expert" (in much of anything), and the organization decided to settle the case prior to trial, in a confidential settlement. Rumor also has it that Barrett is (or was) on the board of that organization, and may have guided their act, or was responsible for the actual act, of defamation. Speculators who watched the situation from it's inception are guessing that the settlement was probably around seven million dollars.

The bottom line is that "The Quackpot Menace" is losing the battle EVERYWHERE. And, it is only getting worse for them -especially considering what just happened in Ontario, Canada.

Again, I suggest that Barrett (www.quackwatch.com) may want to re-think his choice to succeed him on the quackbuster throne. His current choice, Polevoy, may, with his strange activities, have "blown it" big-time for the quackbuster plotters.

HOW?

It is probable that Polevoy, and his "hate" website (www.healthwatcher.net) of alternative health practices, may have UNWITTINGLY WORKED FOR the passage of Ontario's new health freedom Bill. It is known that health freedom fighters throughout Canada POINTED OUT to the Canadian government Polevoy's website, and his "stalking" activities, as TYPICAL BEHAVIOR of the quackbuster conspiracy. Whatever, Ontario's Health Bill passed UNANIMOUSLY through the Ontario parliament.

Health Freedom Fighters say "Good job, Terry! Keep up the good work!"

Supporters of Hulda Regehr Clark PhD, author of four best-selling health books, felt it neccesary to put a defensive cordon around Clark when she was the keynote speaker at an event in Toronto, Ontario last year because of Polevoy's activities. The supporters had concerns about Polevoy's mental state because of his virulent internet attacks on 72 year-old American research scientist Clark.

WHAT HAPPENED IN ONTARIO...

Her Majesty, by and with the advice and consent of the Legislative Assembly of the Province of Ontario, enacts as follows:

1. The Medicine Act, 1991 is amended by adding the following section:

Non-traditional practice

5.1 A member shall not be found guilty of professional misconduct or of incompetence under section 51 or 52 of the Health Professions Procedural Code solely on the basis that the member practises a therapy that is non-traditional or that departs from the prevailing medical practice unless there is evidence that proves that the therapy poses a greater risk to a patient's health than the traditional or prevailing practice.

Commencement

2. This Act comes into force on the day it receives Royal Assent.

Short title

3. The short title of this Act is the Medicine Amendment Act, 1999.

EXPLANATORY NOTE

The Bill ensures that physicians who provide non-traditional therapies or alternative forms of medicine are not found guilty of professional misconduct or incompetence unless there is evidence that proves that the therapy poses a greater risk to a patient's health than the traditional or prevailing practice.

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Tim Bolen
JuriMed - Public Relations and Research Group
jurimed@yahoo.com

p.s. "Good job, Terry! Keep up the good work!"