RE: Subject: RE: Nuclear Laundry; Mindset of Anti's

["Weiner, Ruth" <rfweine@sandia.gov>]

The INS people gave a talk to the local HPS chapter last year.  I didn't
take notes, so I don't remember the details, but there was a lot more behind
the accusations of leaks than "concerned citizens,"  including a disgruntled
former employee.  The attitude of the City of Santa Fe toward the laundry
has been ambivalent.  Moreover, there is no excuse, no matter how
"concerned" the "citizen" for the ordinance passed by Santa Fe.  It is
unrealistic, unworkable,and discriminatory.  

The legal system is adversarial.  Once an issue is in the legal system,
sides harden.  I have done a lot  of expert witness work, and both sides
communicated only formally, once we get into court.

Clearly only my own opinion.

Ruth F. Weiner, Ph. D.
Sandia National Laboratories 
MS 0718, POB 5800
Albuquerque, NM 87185-0718
505-844-4791; fax 505-844-0244
rfweine@sandia.gov



-----Original Message-----
From: Migliore, Charles W [mailto:Charles.W.Migliore@nspco.com]
Sent: Monday, July 19, 1999 1:01 PM
To: Multiple recipients of list
Subject: RE: Subject: RE: Nuclear Laundry; Mindset of Anti's


I agree. A responsible concerned party should first make an effort to find
some hard facts to back up their allegations. If there is indeed an issue,
then an educated and informed activist can make a positive difference.
Members of this group travelled with the schoolkids taking measurements
until they realised the evidence they were gathering did not support their
position. Then efforts were made to stop any further efforts to collect
data. It is obvious that the 'concerned party' in this case was clearly not
interested in the facts, and actively tried to hide them. 

I am reminded of the story one RADSAFEr told a while ago about the Naderite
meeting where no mention was made of facts, but there was a lengthy
dicussion of tactics.

The activists in this case were apparently only interested in using any
means to close the laundry operation. Like it or not, all those "dirty
lawyer tricks" are a part of a good defense. INS is entitled to the best
defense money can buy, it is the American Way. 

Charles Migliore RRPT
MGLC98@nspco.com

"my views only"

> -----Original Message-----
> From:	Kevin Goldsmith [SMTP:kevin.goldsmith@wepco.com]
> Sent:	Monday, July 19, 1999 1:28 PM
> To:	Multiple recipients of list
> Subject:	Subject: RE: Nuclear Laundry; Mindset of Anti's
> 
> I think that the nuclear industry should take the time to better educate
> the public and anti-groups to the REAL consequences to low-level
> radiation, but a court of law is not the place for that to happen.  The
> courts are based on the adversarial system.  It would be foolish for the
> INS to be open and willing to work with the anti-nuclear groups, because
> he has nothing to gain and everything to lose.  I would be interested to
> learn if the anti-groups brought you on board before or after they took
> their issue to the courts.  The anti-groups do have some responsibility
> to educate themselves.  If the anti-groups brought you on board after
> they took their issue to the courts, it would seem that they are not
> particularly interested in being educated on the subject.  If the
> anti-groups went to INS with the attitude that they wanted to be
> educated, and not antagonistic, they might find a more open and willing
> INS.  Once it goes to the courts, INS' only choice is to prepare for
> battle.
> 
> This is strictly my opinion, and not that of the company for which I
> work.
> 
> kevin.goldsmith@wepco.com
> ************************************************************************
> The RADSAFE Frequently Asked Questions list, archives and subscription
> information can be accessed at http://www.ehs.uiuc.edu/~rad/radsafe.html
************************************************************************
The RADSAFE Frequently Asked Questions list, archives and subscription
information can be accessed at http://www.ehs.uiuc.edu/~rad/radsafe.html

************************************************************************
The RADSAFE Frequently Asked Questions list, archives and subscription
information can be accessed at http://www.ehs.uiuc.edu/~rad/radsafe.html