ouch!
Posted by John Tauxe on June 09, 1999 at 08:47:13:In Reply to: credentials posted by Myla Reson on June 08, 1999 at 20:37:51:
Myla -
It is clear from your damning assessment of my involvement with radioactive waste that you have no idea who I am, what I do, or my personal environmental philospophy. I have the same ignorance of your background as well, but would never consider making such a personal attack. I'm not sure if it is worth my time to defend myself to you, since you have clearly branded me as some kind of devil, and anything I say is not likely to change your mind.
But I must respond to some of this.
MR: "Can't you find some work that is life affirming?"
JT: I do find my work in waste management and environmental restoration life-affirming. The whole point of my work is to reduce the human footprint on this planet, so that when we humans have finally gone, we don't leave so much garbage around. I am not creating this garbage, I am dealing with it. That's very different.MR: "This whole undertaking is perpetuated by greed. The bottom line is big bucks."
JT: Well, I don't get paid THAT much! ;*) I am certainly not motivated by greed, ma'am. If I wanted the big bucks, I'd find another line of work.MR: "Why contribute to the destruction of the planet?"
JT: How is cleaning up doing this? Don't put me in the same class as those who are making this waste, please!MR: "It's alarming to me that the nuclear sydicate uses tax payer money to finance campaigns of politicians that perpetuate the nuclear nightmare."
JT: I agree. Welcome to the United $tates of America, Myla. This appalling behavior is not unique to the nuclear industry, and I certainly do not defend it.MR: "We undoubtedly pay your salary..."
JT: You most certainly do not. Not anymore, anyway. While in graduate school and working at the labs I was paid by the government, thank you. Because of that, I have always felt that doing this work is a public service. I am genuinely doing my best to see that people with waste problems deal with them as responsibly as possible. The public and the planet are my real clients.MR: "...you get on this web site and lie about site characterization..."
JT: This is a serious charge, Myla, and one that I do not take lightly. If you want me to leave this forum (i.e. you do not want to entertain views other than your own) I shall do so, and leave you to your own myopic postings. Do you think I am here to drum up abuse? I am not. Am I here to spout the Word of the Gov't? I am not. I am here to help focus discussion and sift the wheat from the chaff, as it were. To dispell superstition and misinformation.MR: "...and dismiss the dangers of radiation."
JT: I do no such thing. I am attempting to clarify the dangers of radiation. Example: Do not eat plutonium! It actually is, however, safe to hold a chunk of it in your hand, believe it or not. Just wash your hands before eating.MR:"Shame on you."
JT: I am not the enemy you think I am.