Re: Letters to the Editor -Reply

["Sandy Perle" <sandyfl@ix.netcom.com>]

In regard to Harold's comments, I just have a few things to say:

1. The focus of a letter to the editor is not only to refute what has 
been previously stated, but also to educate as well. IF the letter is 
published, we have been presented with a large audience in which to 
provide accurate (hopefully) information on the subject at hand.

2. The public is not stupid. We should present the facts. I do agree 
that we need not delve to deeply into technical terminology, but we 
should not water down our comments either. Use of acronyms should be 
avoided, unless spelled out first.

3. While I have not dealt significantly with the general public, as 
many in this forum, I have been involved in emergency planning since 
1971, and have provided briefings on risks associated with releases 
from nuclear facilities during emergency exercises. What I observed 
is that the public, as well as local and state officials, want to 
know the facts, and not just a quick summary that blows the issues 
away. 

4. The problems we face today, in part, is due to the nuclear 
industry considering the public as a group NOT needing to know the 
facts, thinking that they won't understand, and thinking that they 
would accept our assertions that all is well, as gospel. We have 
perpetuated this scenario, and now, it's hard for us to understand 
WHY the public just doesn't trust us. 

The bottom line is trust. To gain trust, we need to be candid, we 
need to be honest and we need to be responsive. Letters to the 
editor is just one vehicle to get out the truth. And if we can't be 
totally honest, then we shouldn't communicate at all.

------------------
Sandy Perle
Technical Director
ICN Dosimetry Division
Costa Mesa, CA 92626
Office: (800) 548-5100 x2306 
Fax:    (714) 668-3111
  
sandyfl@ix.netcom.com
sperle@icnpharm.com

ICN Dosimetry Website:
http://www.dosimetry.com

Personal Homepage:
http://www.geocities.com/CapeCanaveral/1205

"The object of opening the mind, as of opening 
the mouth, is to close it again on something solid"
              - G. K. Chesterton -