References for the SDSAB

Cecil's Columns/Staff Reports
1

In “Was George Washington not the first U.S. president?”
( http://www.straightdope.com/mailbag/mprez1st.html )
CKDextHavn cites Uncle John’s Bathroom Reader as a
source. While I don’t dispute this particular answer,
I’ve found that while Uncle John’s many books provide
for entertaining reading, I’ve also found many a
factual error in them, not to mention the “touting urban
legend as true story” syndrome I’ve found in so many
books of this type.

I should hope that the SDSAB uses some, uh, more
authoritative references to back their claims up,
or at least give multiple independent sources…

2

I, myself, rely almost totally on Google searches.

3

Yes, it happens that on this one Uncle John was correct, and the cite was somewhat tongue in cheek. The fact is that the information was available from almost any encyclopedia or in-depth history book of the era, and I just got a perverse kick out of citing an otherwise dubious source.

4

And me, I just make shit up.

5

But provide a made-up cite as well, of course. :wink:

6

Proceedings of the British Colonial Shipping Board ? :wink:

7

I only use Skeptical Inquirer, just to piss off True Believers and the like.

8

I just listen to whichever voice in my head happens to be the loudest at that particular time.

:twitch: