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Thom's blog
Will we have a tone-deaf response to the nuclear catastrophe in Japan?
Officials in Japan are desperately working to prevent a meltdown at their Fukushima Daiichi nuclear plant in the city of Sendai – a city that was wiped off the map as a result of Friday’s 9.0 earthquake and tsunami. The New York Times is reporting that there have been setbacks today in trying to cool the reactors – and the situation is “veering toward catastrophe.” According to the International Nuclear, Radiological Event Scale that measures the severity of nuclear incidents all over the world – the situation in Japan is worse than what happened at Three Mile Island back in 1979. The scale goes from 1 to 7 – with 1 being a minor incident and 7 being Chernobyl.
Today’s situation in Japan’s is currently at a 6. So far three reactors at the plant are in danger of meltdown and have all experienced hydrogen explosions. There are confirmed reports that radiation is leaking from the plant – and elevated levels of radiation have been measured in Tokyo. People living within 19 miles of the malfunctioning plant have been instructed by the Japanese government to stay inside their homes and close the windows. While Germany and Switzerland are now reconsidering the use of nuclear power in their nations – President Obama and the Republicans are still committed to nuclear power here in the States. In fact – President Obama recently asked Congress to approve a 4 billion loan to build 2 new nuclear plants on the Gulf Coast of Texas.
And guess what company was contracted to build these plants? Tokyo Electric Power Company – the same company who built the plants that are on the verge of meltdown in Japan. And of course – after Katrina – the hazards of building on the Gulf Coast don’t need to be mentioned.
Just like how our nation went full speed ahead on drilling less than a year after the BP spill – it looks like we’re about to have the same tone-deaf response to the nuclear catastrophe in Japan.
-Thom
(Do you think a dangerous amount of nuclear fallout will reach where you live? Tell us here.) |
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Tonight on The Big Picture on RT TV at 9pm and 11pm... Japan braces for potential radiation catastrophe (check your local listings for stations or stream at RT, and catch past shows on Youtube)
Need to Know: Japan braces for potential radiation catastrophe With Congressman Rush Holt (D-NJ) (physicist).
Japan braces for potential radiation catastrophe With Linda Gunter, International Specialist / Founder - Beyond Nuclear, and Cindy Folkers, Specialist in Radiation & Health - Beyond Nuclear.
Nuclear Power is safe, right?! With Greg Palast, independent investigative journalist (BBC Newsnight) and author-"Armed Madhouse" and "The Best Democracy Money Can Buy".
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Daily Take: "Cool Our Fever" - Alternative energy...will it become reality as a result of Japan's nuclear disaster? (Denmark, Germany)
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The Daily Stack 
Quote: "The American Labor Movement has consistently demonstrated its devotion to the public interest. It is, and has been, good for all America." -- John F. Kennedy.
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Hour Two: Japan bracing for potential radiation catastrophe Paul Gunter, Beyond Nuclear
Radiation disaster...what does it mean? Cindy Folkers, Beyond Nuclear.
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Thom's Poll
Will the U.S. remain committed to nuclear power in the face of the partial meltdown and release of radiation in Japan?
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Watch & Listen to Thom
Dennis Kucinich on Economic Democracy and Bradley Manning
Joe Madison - Hold on to your seat...when Madison speaks!
No such thing as a safe level of radiation
Time to throw a regulatory wrench into the gears of the Bankster bubble
Or watch the full show...
Full Show - 3/14/11. Preserving Economic Democracy
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