Updated 2/23/08 DHS Town Hall Wrap Up and Added Audio

 Updated 022308 Audio Links on Bottom of page.

I would like to say Thank You to Frank Stasio of NPR’s, State of Thing’s for his thoughtful moderation of this meeting. Frank allowed and facilitated a format of questions that pressed the DHS for answers to all questions. Having been present at both meetings, I only wish the same format would have been afforded to the concerned residents of Athens.

In Athens if the DHS didn’t completely answer a question they were not pressed further and no follow-up questions were allowed. Instead  they  continuely reiterated the answer would not be available until the draft EIS (Environmental Impact Statement). That was unfortunate and should have not been allowed.

As far as the DHS presentations addressing questions unique to the individual towns. The presentations were the same for both Athens and Butner. It was interesting to hear Mayor Lane of Butner stumble over his answer to “what questions were asked by the Butner Town Council concerning the NBAF to DHS”, which was asked by Mary Watts.  Jamie Johnson from DHS said they never received written questions from our town council. You can hear the exchange here,( be patience it takes a moment to load). 

Mary Watts during her questions, pointed out that residents were told at the last Butner Town Council meeting, that the presentations, to be presented by DHS were supposed to be based on our questions specifically and that DHS was wasting our time. Mayor Lane was forced to admit that in fact, questions had only been raised during phone conversations with DHS not in writing as he and the town concil had previously stated to the residents who attended the town council meeting. Why are the residents of Butner not being told the truth? Why do our town leaders feel they do not owe the citizens the truth? One positive aspect of this exchange, at least the lies were exposed for what they are.

Truth didn’t come easily at this meeting, the DHS panel was asked whether or not the diseases to be studied would change, the panel stumbled and had trouble with such a on-point question. The question required a yes or no answer but yet Frank Stasio had to press the panel for an answer which was eventually,” Yes”.

Dr. Joesph Melamed had a rhetorical question and statement. “There seems to be a characterisation that this laboratory will specifically be allowed only to investigate diseases that affect animals. But in fact all 18 BSL 4 virus kill humans and that the vector for ebola is not known as with the Nepah and Hendra viruses. He stated that “emphasis has been placed on animal diseases but he wanted everyone in the room to know that all 18 BSL 4 viruses were labeled that way because for those viruses there is no cure and that they (the viruses)  according to The National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) are capable of rapid widespread human de-population”.  Frank Stasio pressed the panel on the answer and the panel had to concede that “yes” these viruses are in fact deadly to humans and they have no known cure.

The consortium and the DHS have gone to great lengths to avoid the subject of the human impact these viruses could have on the area’s population if a release did in fact take place. Hey, but that’s why they pay Capstrat their PR firm the big bucks to dodge, deceive and put the perfume on the pig. One young lady during the question and answer session, pointed out that NC state employees are forbidden to give input about the lab and ask why this was being allowed saying it wasn’t right.

In the end we really will not have any concrete answers until the draft EIS is released in June followed by a 60 day comment period. The final EIS will be made available sometime early October 08.

I am currently putting together some video of the meeting highlights and will post them for your viewing pleasure as soon as possible.

In the meantime, here are audio links of the entire meeting,( a BIG Thanks to Joesph Puentes for all of his hard work).

Part 1   30.4 Mins.

Part 2   28.1 Mins. 
         
Part 3    29.2 Mins. 
              
Part 4     30.7 Mins. 
         
Part 5     28.1 Mins. 

Part 6     30.2 Mins. 

Part 7     23.6 Mins. 

Part 8      5.0 Mins.