Hi All,
I have been following this debate for some time. and I have learned a lot. I 
have utmost respect for Brian, Günther, Eric and Gordon (and I do know them 
personally), both professionally and as human beings--and thus I am not very 
happy with the tone some of the exchanges have taken.
First, I am certain all will agree, that this is a VERY complex subject 
matter, that even the lengthier epistles that have appeared here cannot do 
justice (but please keep them coming, they are very informative).
Second, I also am quite sure, all of you (as am I), are rather frustrated 
that politicians (in the worst meaning of the word) have made this issue a 
near fait accompli, by innuendo, half-truths, and scaremongering to the 
general population, and that parts of the industry have jumped on the 
bandwagon to gain a temporary competitive advantage.
Third, all human activities have both positive and negative consequences, 
some intended and others unintended.
Fourth, these human activities should be performed to minimize the negative 
consequences. This may include a total ban, or a partial ban for certain 
uses, or other restrictions. 
Fifth, one of the strongest human motivations for or against doing something 
is economic (sure, some of us are altruistic, but most are not). The biggest 
problem we have is that the goods and services we buy do not include all the 
costs associated with them--only the costs to the point we buy them (and in 
many cases not even those considering cleanup and restoration of production 
sites, pollution damage, etc.). Thus, if the real complete costs of goods and 
services--including disposal, recycling, reclamation--were reflected in the 
purchase price, the consumer could and would make more appropriate choices. 
But, for this do happen requires worldwide agreement, cooperation, planing, 
and execution. This is UTOPIA--we all know it--we know it is so much easier 
to stir up conflicts, to pit one group against another, to gore somebody 
else's ox, than to agree on something. Thus, we are frustrated.
All we can do is let our voices be heard, exchange honest opinions, and do so 
without personal acrimony. Our disdain should be directed at those who try to 
make public policy for self-serving reasons.
Werner Engelmaier
 

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