June 20, 2005 Junk Science and Politicians: Popular NY Combo By  H.L. Mencken once said that "the whole aim of practical politics is to keep the populace alarmed (and hence clamorous to be led to safety) by menacing it with an endless series of hobgoblins, all of them imaginary."  Apparently, here in New York, where the American Council on Science and Health is headquartered, Democrats and Republicans alike are well-versed in this philosophy, since this year we have been subjected to one health scare after another -- all bogus -- accompanied by slick, unscientific, purported "solutions": --Assemblyman Scott Stringer (D-Manhattan) introduced a bill to ban the sale of cosmetics -- nail polishes, shampoo, deodorant, lipstick, and more -- which contain chemicals called phthalates, widely used for years in toys, wall coverings, blood transfusi

more...