Re: Commissioner Dicus speaks

[RuthWeiner@AOL.COM]

Re  "The decision making process succeeds when public involvement is

engaged from the outset and continues to play an integral part

throughout the process"


I know I am a heretic, and I accept that, but I don't think so!  what is 

meant by "success"?  Had a referendum been held on entering WWII -- "public 

involvement ... from the outset"  would the US have entered the war?  

Referendum after referendum in certain parts of the U. S. showed antipathy to 

the 1964 Civil Rights Act, and large segments of the public were NOT involved 

in that decision.  Was it a failure of the "decision making process"?  If the 

public "plays an integral part..." why do we have elections?  why do we have 

agencies of the executive?  why not just set radiation standards by public 

referendum?  Ditto food and drug standards (who cares if it's safe and 

effective?  let the public decide by referendum!)


Characterizing the well-orchestrated fulminations of anti-nuclear groups at 

public hearings as  "public involvement in decision-making" is either naive 

or somewhat disingenuous.  


Commissioner Dicus's statements are articulate, but they are politically 

correct platitudes just the same.


Ruth Weiner, Ph. D.

ruthweiner@aol.com