LUNCH AT DoE

Thomas, who instinctively expects bureaucrats to be apathetic and unhelpful, was astonished when Dr. Khan, the officially designated DoE "contact," actually called Thomas, at David's suggestion, to discuss alternative technology. "Wow," Thought Thomas, "a public servant who's actually reaching out to do something."

Explaining that Thomas couldn't pick up the tab, because that would violate agency policy on gifts, Dr. Khan offered to buy Thomas lunch. Because Thomas had no picture ID -- a sure-fire time-consumer when trying to get past the metal detector in your local federal building -- it was agreed that they would meet in the lobby of the Forestal Building at noon.

At the appointed hour Dr. Khan introduced himself to Thomas, and introduced Thomas to Richard Shamp, with whom he had just been discussing infinite energy technologies in his office. The three of them then repaired to the DoE cafeteria.

Dr. Khan asked of Thomas' interest in these technologies. Thomas began reciting his tale about having heard rumors of ZPE the technology, but Khan was familiar with that part of the story from Thomas' statements at the CNES Hearing. Apparently, Khan was questioning Thomas' motives. Thomas began to explain that his primary practical project in life was the abolition of nuclear weapons. Dr. Khan interrupted to state why he believed that the U.S. needed nuclear weapons. Returning to his motives, Thomas declared his belief that the present social energy program, based as it is on fossil fuel, is the root of much human conflict and suffering. As an example Thomas mentioned "the Persian Gulf," admitted his conviction that, in reality, the conflict was nothing but a fight over oil, and postulated that if infinite energy sources could satisfy the desires presently fed by fossil fuel, tremendous amounts of human conflict and suffering could be avoided. That seemed to satisfy Dr. Khan's curiosity.

Mr. Shamp's comments, although not all entirely within Thomas' technical grasp, indicated years of attention devoted to consideration of alternative energy technologies, and a familiarity with many different technologies. Mr. Shamp was friendly, well-spoken, and helpful. When Thomas mentioned David's interest in alternative technology literature, Shamp gave him the phone number of Hal Fox (208-583-6232), and said that Mr. Fox had the most extensive, over 6,000 pieces, collection of literature he knew of on the subject. He also shared a copy of Infinite Energy magazine, produced or edited by a Dr. Mallove.

Mr. Shamp and Dr. Khan chatted about electron-magnetic field transmutation of nuclear waste, charge cluster and cold fusion technologies, all of which was pretty much Greek to Thomas. They also talked about how fierce academic rivalry acted as an impediment to civil research funding. Khan mentioned MIT as a major force with interests unsympathetic to infinite energy research. It was mentioned that the top-down structure of the military permitted research funding for these exotic technologies, lamenting that all that research remained secret.

Seeking to enter the funding discussion, Thomas made the mistake of mentioning "David Crockett Williams."

"Yes ... Mr. Williams." Dr. Khan replied, confiding that he didn't exactly know how to deal with David Crockett. He complained that if he told David anything, 30 seconds later it would be on 60,000 internet screens. "I'm exaggerating of course," the doctor clarified. Dr. Khan was not sure he wanted that kind of exposure. Nonetheless, Dr. Khan showed Thomas references to four technical papers which David had asked about.

Thomas told Dr. Khan that David's plan was to organize grassroots action to focus public attention on procuring funding. Dr. Khan advised strongly against that course, reasoning that he had lengthy involvement with government bureaucracy, and he felt the best method for having funds allocated to specific projects was through the internal process of the agency.

Thomas left the DoE pretty much convinced that neither Dr. Khan nor Mr. Shamp were irrational conspiracy theorists or con artists scheming to rip-off the nation with free energy scams, but that both were frustrated by with DoE's low-level prioritization of infinite energy research.