Word: batzell
(lookup in dictionary)
(lookup stats)
Dates: during 1988-1988
Sort By: most recent first
(reverse)
Tensions over the development of the X-ray laser might have remained behind closed doors if Woodruff had not been demoted by Livermore Director Roger Batzel in what Woodruff claims was retaliation for trying to put a lid on Teller. Prior to his transfer, Woodruff was responsible for proposed SDI weapons like the X-ray laser, a device that was supposed to channel the intense X rays from a nuclear bomb into a beam of radiation. In theory, the X rays would be capable of destroying enemy ICBMs in mid-flight. But tests showed that although such devices work...
Woodruff claims he confronted Lab Director Batzel several times, asking him to refute the claims made by Teller and Wood. Batzel allegedly refused. According to Woodruff, Batzel explained by saying "No one listens to Edward and Lowell." In fact, says Woodruff, at that time "Teller was the only guy in the lab who could go and see the President." Because of Teller's reputation for hyperbole, concedes Democratic Representative from California George Brown Jr., an SDI opponent and the member of the House intelligence committee who initiated a General Accounting Office probe, "Those in Congress and the scientific community tend...
...late 1985 Woodruff resigned to protest Batzel's inaction and asked for a transfer; he was demoted to a lower-level position and denied salary increases. After a two-year investigation, the University of California ruled in December that Woodruff had been unfairly reassigned. He was promptly named head of Livermore's verification program, which advises the Defense Department on technical issues concerning compliance with arms-control treaties...
| 1 |