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I heard Fred Singer being interviewed on a local talker. He's very good. I've been meaning to pick up his book. I think I'll do that tonight.

I had the privilege of sitting next to him for two days at a conference back in the late 80s. It was held at the Watergate Hotel in DC and was on the impact of Clean Air Act where various speakers from industry, government agencies and environmental lobbying groups discussed the then proposed Clean Air Act and it's impact on the environment, industry and the economy.

I had no idea who Singer was at the time --- just a nice old guy who's card said he was on loan from the University of Virginia to the Dept. of Transportation. We engaged in some small talk during breaks etc., but nothing of any importance. He asked a few questions of speakers at the time but saved his ammo for the final speaker -- a female Senate Staffer (from Al Gore's office IIRC) who actually wrote the details of the CAA. He let her her have it with both barrels when he demanded details of why they chose such and such a level of permittable acid and how much it would cost consumers to reach that level. He cited EPA reports that proved that Acid Rain was not what was causing trees to die in Canada and New England --- (it was a fungal blight) He just peppered her with one question after another and she finally blew up and said to the effect... (this is not a direct quote, but close.)

"Damit Dr. Singer, you know that acid rain is not a problem, I know that acid rain is not a problem, but the public thinks it's a problem and damnit, we're going to solve that problem."

Singer just smiled and said thank you and sat down while the woman kind of huffed off the stage. That was pretty much the end of the conference.

I learned two things there.

1. Washington is not about reality but about perceptions and spreading tax dollars around -- everybody got money in the CAA.

2. Fred Singer is a tough guy who deals in facts.