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.