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∂AIL Mr. Louis Schindel↓New Jersey Solar Action↓32 West Lafayette Street
↓Trenton, New Jersey 08608∞
.<<609-393-7474>>

Dear Mr. Schindel:

	Your values and mine differ about the relative importance of
personal freedom and protecting people from their own mistakes.
We probably also differ about the facts concerning the consequences of various
energy policies.  For example, if you ascribe the entire recent reduction
in accidents to the reduced speed limit, then no credit is available for
the expensive government mandated safety improvements such as seat belt
interlocks and "crashworthiness".

	However, you should recognize that people can
differ honestly about these matters.  For your information, I have
no connection with the American Truckers Association or any other
industry group, and I think you should not make such speculations.
Some people on my side imagine that anti-nuclear lobbying is sponsored
by the oil companies, the Arabs, or the Russians.  That seems to me
just as improbable as your accusation.  If your accusation was not
serious but merely a talking point, you should consider the effect
on public controversy, if a good part of it consists of assuming
without evidence that people you disagree with are in someone's secret pay.

	As to my own use of the term "environmental lobbyist", I meant
precisely groups such as yours.  Your activity is legitimate, but
it is just as relevant to point out that you have an ideological
interest as it is to point out that oil companies have a financial
interest.

	You should also consider the bad effects of writing to university
presidents advocating that people who have wrong views shouldn't
be allowed to teach.  At least I suppose this was the purport of
your note to the president of my university.

	With regard to my statement that you find "outrageous and
inhumane", I would be interested in what boundary you place on the
right of government to restrain people for their own good.  I could,
as some science fiction writers have done, imagine some extremes
in that direction.

	Finally, with regard to your wonder as to whether this
"credentialed gentleman would maintain his stance ...", I must inform you
that I recently lost my wife in a mountaineering accident.  Since the
mountain, Annapurna, was known to be dangerous, both of us considered
before she left the pros and cons of her risking her life in trying to
climb the mountain.  She understood the risks, having
lost close friends in mountaineering accidents.  Having thought about the
possibility in advance didn't prevent my shock and pain at losing her, but
I remain convinced that she had a right to take the risk.

.sgn

P.S. I would be grateful if you would show this letter to other members
of New Jersey Solar Action and perhaps post it on your bulletin board.