RE: " Scientists Say Dirty Bomb Would Be a Dud "

["William Ulicny" <bulicny@scainc.com>]

"... this will not be the case of a RDD - - USA has a high degree of

education, comparing many other countries. My  question to colleagues: Isn't

American citizen being educate to deal with this fact? "



The American citizen has been educated:



1.  By anti-nuclear weapons advocacy groups who equate anything nuclear with

a mushroom cloud and massive deaths;



2. By extreme environmental protection advocates who equate anything

nuclear/radioactive with the prolonged, agonizing death of humans, birds,

trees, etc.; and



3. By the Federal government (EPA), who advertised the benefits of getting

radon testing by flashing chest x-rays on tv screens and billboards.



The result is, the average American Citizen will likely panic in a manner

equivalent to Goiania.  Members of the radiation protection profession in

this country have not been able to convince politicians and media that the

beneficial use of this potentially hazardous material is worth its presence.

Apparently it is easier to increase votes, ratings, and circulation by

cultivating fear of radioactivity than it is to cultivate knowledge and

awareness of the proper controls and appropriate reactions to potential

exposure and risks.



My two cents worth,



Bill Ulicny

ulicnyw@cs.com (personal)

bulicny@scainc.com (work)