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Re: "Anti-Nukes"



Eduardo,

Thanks for jumping from the "lurkers" to the "posters" column. You 
ask many good questions. There are the obvious answers.

(1) The first question you ask has to do with expanding our 
message, even to the groups such as TFP. Let me say that 
whatever dialogue that you see here on Radsafe, is being watched 
by these various groups. I know sine I have had correspondence 
from many of them.

(2) The dialogue, while important, is just dialogue. As fervent as we 
believe in and trust that what we say, is absolutely correct, without 
any hesitation, the other side, for the most part, believes the same 
about their beliefs. Not all anti's have an agenda, where they 
intentionally mislead the public, their followers, and make a 
mockery of the science. Many do truly believe in their cause, and 
based on their paradigms, and beliefs, and experiences, they don't 
really trust what we tell them, no matter how loud the message is. I 
put Norm in this category. I truly believe that Norm believes what 
he preaches here, and in time, hopefully Norm will learn to trust us, 
and, when there is irrefutable evidence, even change his mind on a 
few of his beliefs. They will be few, but logic and science should 
win out, when the person doesn't have an internal agenda, and 
really is searching for the truth.

(3) Those who are out for the publicity, the power of having 
followers, they know the science is against them, but they prey on 
those who bask in their image .. and the celebrity status provides 
them a forum. Think about it.. what the hell does Christine Brinkley 
or Alex Baldwin understand anything about nuclear energy, 
physics or all of the other subjects they constantly attack? Do you 
think they have an education in these areas? Of course they don't. 
But what they do have his an image, power of the TV tube, and can 
attract large audiences. Throw in a scientist who espouses what 
they are attacking, and you have what they call, evidence! I wonder 
why the public, and these "true" believers never question why there 
are only a handful of scientists who believe there is a problem, and 
the vast majority of the scientists are on the other side? Are all of 
the scientists in the world paid for and bought by the pro-nuclear 
side? 

(4) The key again, and I'll keep saying it, is to educate the children 
of today. They will be the adults and the decision makers in the 
future. We have lost a whole generation. It will take a generation, or 
more, to bring back the common sense approach to our energy 
problems, and anything o do with promoting the good side of 
nuclear facets. Note I leave the weapons program for another day.

(5) Those here who squawk about getting the message out ... how 
many of you participate in the teacher workshops? I bet the answer 
is very few. I've started, supporting my local HPS chapter, and it's a 
tremendous experience.

(6) How many of you participate in judging science fair projects, 
where you get to talk to the students? Very few again is the 
answer.

In conclusion, we can all talk ourselves silly, until we are red in the 
face. The truth is, get out there and talk to the community. Talk to 
the schools, talk to the media, talk to anyone who is willing to 
listen. While many outsiders do read Radsafe, for the most part, 
we are a closed society. And lastly, when a visitor does come into 
our "home", treat them with respect. In the end, if the message to 
them is lost, simply ignore their continued messages, that to us, 
don't appear very logical. To them, the information isn't as clear. I 
don't mind an ignorant person. They need assistance to learn. I 
can't tolerate a stupid person, for they chose not to learn. There is 
a difference. We need to stop treating everyone on Radsafe who 
doesn't agree with us, in the same manner. Intolerance and 
berating others will get us nowhere, and turns the rest of us off.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sandy Perle					Tel:(714) 545-0100 / (800) 548-5100   				    	
Director, Technical				Extension 2306 				     	
ICN Worldwide Dosimetry Division		Fax:(714) 668-3149 	                   		    
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Personal Website:  http://www.geocities.com/capecanaveral/1205
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