RE: Question for Sept 25: Quality Filters

[Owen Berio <owenb@theofficenet.com>]

Tom's concern about cost of obtaining information derived from
publicly funded agencies is quite valid. It isn't just data but
the question of public participation.

Increasingly decisions on public policy is being made at conferences
that require a fee to attend.  It seems that this has become a
filter that is weighted in favor of industry.  Because agency
personal that partcipate are in a "pay" status the the public should
not have to pay to testify, participate or express opinions or
concerns.