3.1
People's Revolt: Triumph over Bad Science and Bad County Government
Richard N. Berler, KGNS TV, Laredo, TX
On November 24, 2003, Webb County (Texas) Commissioners voted unanimously to commit to a $1.2 millon contract with Earthwise Technologies. Earthwise Technologies proposed to perhaps double or triple our area's rainfall utilizing "Ionization of The Local Atmosphere".
After voicing some questions that I had about the project (lack of: peer reviewed articles on the methodology, scientific data sets, and means of verifying any impact that their project was having in their target area) on my weathercast, a damge control newsconference followed several days later on the part of Earthwise Technologies complete with telephone hookup to Moscow (which went poorly for Earthwise). A flood of phonecalls and e-mails by constituents to the county commissioners resulted in a special commissioners meeting. The commissioners reversed their vote and terminated the project!
Ron McPherson and others at AMS headquarters were quite helpful in providing access to leading scientists in the field of weather modification.
This is a story of an unexpected opportunity to be of service to the community by virtue of being a credible voice on camera.
Session 3, Standing Tall, Making a Difference
Tuesday, 15 June 2004, 11:10 AM-11:40 AM
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