From: kaminski@netcom.com (Peter Kaminski)
Subject: misc.health.alternative: proposed charter/intro
Followup-To: news.groups
Organization: The Information Deli - via Netcom / San Jose, California
Date: Mon, 9 Nov 1992 03:33:37 GMT

Well, here it is -- I figured I'd run it up the flagpole for any final
shots before the CFV.  This is *not* the CFV, but it's essentially what
I plan to put in the CFV along with the voting instructions.

The charter part is essentially unchanged from my original RFD; the
name and charter seemed generally acceptable to those who favored the
creation of an alternative health group.  I've added a long section of
"important notices", which I hope will help to make the group "safer".
(Yes, I know none of the guidelines are binding in an unmoderated
group once the group is created; still, I think they'll help.)

I'm interested in any comments or criticisms, but get them to me
quickly; I plan to email the CFV to the news.announce.newgroups
moderator this week.  It might be best to email comments to me at
<kaminski@netcom.com> instead of (or as well as) posting them.


Proposed Charter and Introduction for misc.health.alternative:


Welcome to misc.health.alternative!

IMPORTANT NOTICES -- READ THESE
-------------------------------

Reading messages on misc.health.alternative cannot substitute for
seeing your doctor.  If you are ill, or concerned about a medical
problem, go to a doctor or other qualified, licensed health care
practitioner.

Usenet is NOT an appropriate medium to diagnose, prescribe for, or
treat any medical condition.  misc.health.alternative is a forum for
general discussion of alternative health care.  NOTHING POSTED TO
MISC.HEALTH.ALTERNATIVE SHOULD EVER BE CONSTRUED AS PROFESSIONAL
MEDICAL ADVICE INTENDED FOR PARTICULAR INDIVIDUALS.  NO DOCTOR-PATIENT
RELATIONSHIP, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, SHALL BE CONVEYED BY MESSAGES IN
THIS NEWSGROUP.

Remember that anyone can post anything to Usenet.  Messages are NOT
checked or verified for accuracy or validity by anyone before being
automatically distributed to readers.

Before taking any action because of a message posted to Usenet, verify
the information in it with a reliable source, such as your health care
professional.

When you post to misc.health.alternative, remember that you are fully
responsible for the content of your messages.  Post responsibly.

Messages which are specifically disallowed in misc.health.alternative:
commercial or for-profit messages; announcements of professional
products or services (even if they are allowed elsewhere on Usenet);
diagnoses, prescriptions or treatments for any specific individual; and
fraudulent or illegal messages.


CHARTER
-------

misc.health.alternative is a newsgroup for general non-technical
discussion (pro *and* con) of health care and therapies which are
alternative, complementary, or not commonly accepted by Western
scientific medicine.

Appropriate topics include (but are not limited to): acupuncture,
Alexander technique, alternative cancer therapies, aromatherapy,
ayurveda, biofeedback, chiropractic, color therapy, healing,
herbalism, holistic medicine (including dentistry), homeopathy,
hypnosis, iridology, macrobiotics, meditation, megavitamin therapy,
midwifery, naturopathy, natural vision improvement (Bates method, et
al.), osteopathy, radiesthesia, reflexology, shiatsu and do-in,
traditional medicine (Arab, Chinese, Native American, etc.), and yoga.

Flames, name-calling, and abusive behavior in general (from either
side) are not welcome, but constructive criticisms and arguments are
encouraged, with the caveat that misc.health.alternative is to be a
generally non-technical, consumer level discussion group.

Scientific proof or verificability of facts is *not* be required in
misc.health.alternative, although posters should keep their
credibility in mind.  Even though verificability is not required,
posters should post only what they believe to be true, and should post
or be prepared to post citations, references, sources, etc.

May happiness and health be with you!

-- 
Peter Kaminski
kaminski@netcom.com
Newsgroups: news.groups,news.admin.policy,rec.music.synth