Behind Closed Doors

[mattw@eml.doe.gov (Matthew Williamson)]

Joan London previewed her ABC show entitled "Behind Closed Doors."  It ran
on Tues 20:00 EST.  Sandwiched between Ricky Lake (Go Ricky) and Michael
Bolton (yuk) was a piece begining at LANL.

Joan commented on the top secret activities and the hour long safety
briefing before donning a cotton jumpsuit.  At least she didn't have to sit
through a 16 hour recommended course for entering contamination areas.  

She picked up a "ten pound" sphere of plutonium and could "feel the heat
coming though."  This component is used in bombs and makes them "go nuclear."  

The story continued with a crack team of DOE, DOD, and FBI personnel
searching for SNM constituting a bomb placed in New Orleans.  Interesting
capabilities shown for the tracking of hidden bombs.

Maybe Ricky can do a show slotted, "My regulatory body is a dog...they
empose limits based on linear hypothesis."  Or better yet, Mr. Bolton can
whine a song, "(Baby) That's What Statistics Is All About."  

I would enjoy a show dedicating some minutes on Bkg. Radiation.  Just a few
moments as in our Rad Safety training.  It may help erode some of the
immediate fears associated with the word radiation.  Instead, the media
continues with the most concentrated forms of weapons grade SNM.

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DISCLAIMER!!!DISCLAIMER!!!DISCLAIMER!!!
The opinions expressed may not be those of my employer.

Matthew Williamson
USDOE
Environmental Measurements Lab
New York, NY
tel:   212-620-3793
fax:  212-620-3600
mattw@eml.doe.gov

"I believe that many children are born with an inquisitive mind, the mind of
a scientist, and I assume that I became a scientist because in some ways I
remained a child." 
- Leo Szilard
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