Re: let's build a unified movement, not fight each other

["Sam McClintock" <scmcclintock@ipass.net>]

  > From: Larime Wilson <larime@bloomington.in.us>
  > Regarding those who choose to stay in jobs with regulatory 
  > agencies and "doggedly try to make a difference" I recommend 
  > reading some of Bill Sanjour's (EPA official formerly of the 
  > EPA Headquarters Ombudsman's office and former whistleblower 
  > on the EPA) works such as "Why the EPA is the Way it is."  
  
  I really don't want to get into a debasement of Sanjour; I've met the
  man (doubt he'd remember it) back in the early 90's and he seemed
  sincere.  Suffice to say I disagree with some of what he has to day
  (and Connett is on my short list also).
  
  A lot of his and other's arguments stand on the premise that many USEPA
  (and state) administrative and regulatory officials go to work for
  industry at some time in life.  This is NOT some conspiracy by industry
  to buy out the USEPA - some activists (and I don't mean you Wilson)
  sound worse than militia nuts complaining about the UN black
  helicopters, et. al. when it comes to this subject.
  
  This is the real world, and I am sorry to say it is still based on
  money.  So you have a very bright and successful USEPA
  scientist/manager.  Knows the rules inside out on a particular subject,
  confident of his/her ability to defend the research, and may have just
  nailed five or six companies in violations, fines, etc.  If company "a"
  is impacted by that set of rules underneath this person, and the
  seventh in line, they would be STUPID not to try and hire him/her to
  come and work for them and straighten things out before the USEPA got
  to them.
  
  And if this USEPA scientist/manager is underpaid, underrespected,
  overworked, or MAYBE gets crap from various environmental groups
  because he won't jump everytime they have a complaint, he may take a
  serious look at an offer that guarantees his family a lifestyle he
  believes they deserve.  He does not have to sell out at all, he/she can
  just take the perspective that it was like an Army tour of duty - did
  their bit for their country and environment, now it is time to think
  about their family.  
  
  You don't have to like this, but you should not fault them for this,
  and maybe JUST maybe try to understand it.  I don't know of many people
  who would not change ships when offered a doubling of their salary.  If
  you don't like this answer, then you might as well start digging up the
  conspiracy theories on why so many bright teachers keep leaving their
  jobs . . .
  
  Sam McClintock
  scmcclintock@ipass.net