piner@pur-phy.UUCP (Richard Piner) (03/29/86)
Posted: Fri Mar 28, 1986 4:03 PM EST Msg: EGIG-2221-5011 From: RPARK To: WHATSNEW Subj: What's New, Friday 28 March 1986 Washington, DC 1. PHYSICISTS GAVE STAR WARS A DECISIVE "NO" VOTE in a poll conducted by Peter D. Hart Research Associates, a nationally respected public opinion research firm. The nationwide poll was taken at the request of the Union of Concerned Scientists. By almost two-to-one, physicists view the Strategic Defense Initiative as a step in the wrong direction for America's national security policy. Among those who professed a high level of familiarity with SDI, the ratio was even higher. Even among those who derive a majority of their funding from the Department of Defense, only 38% thought it was a step in the right direction. The vote represents a stunning repudiation of the Star Wars concept by the group generally considered to be in the best position to judge its technical merits. The results of the poll were released on the third anniversary of President Reagan's Star Wars speech. (Details are available from the Union of Concerned Scientists, 1616 P Street NW, Washington, DC 20036) 2. THE STRATEGIC DEFENSE EDUCATION ACT OF 1986 (S-2117) has been introduced by Senator Larry Pressler (R-SD). Patterned after the National Defense Education Act of 1958, which was enacted in response to the launching of Sputnik, S-2117 would provide support to college and university research programs. It includes a graduate fellowship program for talented students pursuing advanced degrees in areas of "national need" and also offers tax incentives to encourage private industry to increase their involvement in university research. The unfortunate title Senator Pressler has given the bill may frighten off much of the support such legislation might otherwise expect from the academic community. 3. A DELIBERATE DISINFORMATION POLICY intended to impede the transfer of accurate technological information to the Soviet Union is being conducted by the DoD in conjunction with the CIA, according to an article in Aviation Week (17 Mar). Four members of the Senate Budget Committee, clearly concerned that such a program could be used to mislead Americans to gain support for programs such as SDI, have called for an investigation. They were not reassured when Lt. Col. Simon Worden, an assistant to Star Wars Director General Abrahamson, remarked that the Soviets have been provided with classified briefings on SDI. Thus, the Soviets may be better informed about SDI than Americans. General Abrahamson, however, contended that the briefings were classified only because they relate to ongoing negotiations. Cynics are saying that a program of disinformation does not represent a change in policy. Robert L. Park (202) 429-1946 American Physical Society THAT'S ALL 3/28/86