Re: Letter to Consumer Reports

[Martin_Haas@notes.ymp.gov]

To Dr. Ruth [as in Weiner];
I applaud the effort that you have made in trying to " straighten out"
Consumers Report;  however, once the article has  been published, the
proverbial horse has already left the barn.  I believe that once this has
happened, the effect of the article on the potential audience is very
nearly irreversible in spite of letters to the editor or other such dialog.
Furthermore, the reporter is much more likely to try to be on the defensive
to comments that may seem as attacks or criticism.  My own experience tells
me that when it comes to defending one's baby, the strength of the
defensive response is probably exponentially proportional to the strength
of the attack no matter how ugly the baby.

On the other hand, I believe that a more useful strategy is to aim for the
future by trying to win the reporter to your/our side and to volunteer your
expertise to review articles dealing any form of radiation.  Given your
background and expertise, I'm sure that you would be extremely important to
a future reporter and to Consumers Report in such a capacity.

Martin