An answer to NASA WATCH editor Keith Cowing

STOP CASSINI Newsletter #6

by Russell D. Hoffman

Copyright (c) 1997

I was told about a site (NOT affiliated with NASA in any way) called NASA WATCH which is apparently a site run by one person who once worked for NASA but no longer does, and he keeps an eye on NASA, he thinks. So I sent him a press release (see below) which I have also sent to a few hundred news media. I think perhaps NASA WATCH needs to be watched as well...

Thanks, Russell Hoffman, Webmaster, STOP CASSINI

**** STOP CASSINI NEWSLETTER Volume #6 ****

Subject: Are the RTG's designed to incinerate?
---Issue #3 on this topic---

****** VOLUME #6 APRIL 22nd, 1997 ******

Here is the response to my press release sent to NASA WATCH:

At 09:33 AM 4/22/97 +0100, you wrote:
Dear Chicken Little.
I may focus some attention on your website - indeed I am considering a special award - something along the line of "Uniformed Enemy of Space Exploration"

Keith Cowing
Editor
NASA Watch

(I should mention that actually, I do not wear a uniform; if that is in fact a typo and it was supposed to say "Uninformed Enemy of Space Exploration" I might only add that I have consistently recommended that space exploration (NASA) receive a budget increase, not a decrease. -- RDH)

To: Keith Cowing, Editor, NASA Watch
From: Russell D. Hoffman
Re: Your response (quoted in its entirety above) to my press release

Hi!

I sent you the press release because another NASA employee who HAS looked at my material thought you would be very interested and gave me your web site address and suggested I send it to you. Have you actually looked beyond the press release and considered the matter?

I take it your response -- name calling -- is not the response of someone who has actually read my reasons for believing the RTGs may be designed to incinerate. I take it you are basing your comment only on the "press release", correct? Certainly you have given no indication of actually reading my arguments regarding the design flaws of the RTG units; certainly, you are not responding to anything specific.

Nor is this the response of someone who has read my 36-count "indictment" of NASA science as presented in their DRAFT SUPPLEMENTAL EIS ON THE CASSINI MISSION, is it? One would hardly think you even had time to read that since receiving my press release last night.

Nor is this the response of someone who has even visited my STOP CASSINI web site and read about the geopolitical consequences of NASA's nuclear space policy, or the ecological consequences, or the alternatives.

Here are the two URL's I think you might want to visit before you are so sure you will not get egg on your face for 'dissing' me without any research into my allegations:

That the RTGs are designed to incinerate:
http://www.animatedsoftware.com/cassini/rtgs9704.htm

That NASA science is not science at all:
http://www.animatedsoftware.com/cassini/dsei9704.htm

I dare you to listen, Mr. Cowing, before this Chicken gets egg on your face.

Sincerely, Russell D. Hoffman

Here is Mr Cowing's answer to my letter cited above...

From: Keith Cowing, Editor, NASA Watch

> I sent you the press release because another NASA employee who HAS looked at
> my material thought you would be very interested and gave me your web site
> address and suggested I send it to you. Have you actually looked beyond the
> press release and considered the matter?

Yes, I looked at a lot of it this morning before responding to you.

Remember - YOU contacted ME - not the other way around.

If you put something as provocative at this on the web as you have done, and contact someone who runs a news website like my own, and then can't take a little heat, then it is time for you to find something else to do with your spare time.

> I take it your response -- name calling -- is not the response of someone
> who has actually read my reasons for believing the RTGs may be designed to
> incinerate.

I read more than enough to know that you are indeed Chicken Little incarnate.

> I take it you are basing your comment only on the "press
> release", correct? Certainly you have given no indication of actually
> reading my arguments regarding the design flaws of the RTG units; certainly,
> you are not responding to anything specific.

I am a former NASA civil servant, research scientist, and am an expert in payload integration.

> Nor is this the response of someone who has read my 36-count "indictment" of
> NASA science as presented in their DRAFT SUPPLEMENTAL EIS ON THE CASSINI
> MISSION, is it? One would hardly think you even had time to read that since
> receiving my press release last night.

Oh boy am I going to have fun reviewing your website! - once I find myself with nothing better to do, that is.

> Nor is this the response of someone who has even visited my STOP CASSINI web
> site and read about the geopolitical consequences of NASA's nuclear space
> policy, or the ecological consequences, or the alternatives.
>
> Here are the two URL's I think you might want to visit before you are so
> sure you will not get egg on your face for 'dissing' me without any research
> into my allegations:
>
> That the RTGs are designed to incinerate:
> http://www.animatedsoftware.com/cassini/rtgs9704.htm
>
> That NASA science is not science at all:
> http://www.animatedsoftware.com/cassini/dsei9704.htm
>
> I dare you to listen, Mr. Cowing, before this Chicken gets egg on your face.

Like I said, If I have nothing better to do, I will read more of your paranoid and unfounded rants.

Remember, YOU contacted ME. If you had read MY website in somewhat greater detail, you would have known that this is how I would respond!

Keith Cowing
Editor
NASA Watch

I responded as follows:

Hi!

I look forward to hearing your comments, if you decide you have the time to make any. I presume we'll both post them.

Sincerely,
Russell D. Hoffman

I guess the only thing left to add at this time is that actually, prior to emailing him the press release about the RTGs, I had spent enough time at NASA WATCH to realize that he probably wasn't going to like what I had to say. But I would not think that meant I would have 'known' how he would respond. Most people's minds are always open to the truth, or at least, open to considering plausible possibilities. -- RDH

CANCEL CASSINI

Stop Cassini Home Page: No Nukes In Space! Not now, not ever.
Space Debris Home Page: A series of articles on this shameful problem.

This article has been presented on the World Wide Web by:

The Animated Software Company
http://www.animatedsoftware.com

rhoffman@animatedsoftware.com
First placed online April 22nd, 1997.
Last modified April 28th, 1997.
Webwiz: Russell D. Hoffman
Copyright (c) Russell D. Hoffman