Re: If you do Science, use the Scientific Method!

[Steven Dapra <sjd@swcp.com>]

Sept. 24



	This is written to answer one of Bill Lipton's postings of the 24th

(reproduced below).



	Kjell Johansen wrote:



	"Back in the early '90s, the EPA's NESHAPS analyses for regulating

airborne radionuclides was published in the Federal Register.  The opening

paragraphs made it clear that the analyses was based on LNT.  It was

presented as being the truth.  There was no hint that it was merely a

prudent approach to regulation."  



	Bill wanted to know what Kjell's point was, and I wrote:



	"My guess is that Kjell's point is that LNT was 'presented as being the

truth,' despite the fact that LNT has not been proven to be true.  I would

say that NESHAPS was being deceitful by presenting LNT as the truth,

instead of stipulating that it was merely a prudent approach to regulation.



	Bill Lipton wrote:



	"While I welcome your opinions, I get very suspicious when one party

claims that anyone who disagrees with his point of view is 'deceitful.'

Perhaps, it would be useful to post what, exactly, about NESHAPS you

consider 'deceitful.' "



	Bill, if you will read the above-quoted portion of my posting your

question will be answered.  To reiterate, it was "deceitful" of NESHAPS to

present LNT as the truth instead of stipulating that it was merely a

prudent approach to regulation.  To go further, it was "deceitful" of

NESHAPS to present LNT as being true when LNT has not been proven to be true.



	 To be deceitful means 'having a tendency or disposition to cause to

accept as true or valid what is false or invalid.'  Synonyms are

"deceptive," "misleading," or "dishonest."  (This definition is derived

from Webster's New Collegiate Dictionary; 1974.)



	LNT is not true.  You might choose to split hairs and say it isn't false

either, and technically you might be correct.  The fact remains that LNT

has not been proven true, therefore it was deceitful of NESHAPS to behave

as though it is true.



Steven Dapra

sjd@swcp.com







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