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1st Amendment, GOP, Iowa, Libya, no-fly zone, nuclear energy, Randy Forbes, religion, teabuggers
I admit to being conflicted about nuclear energy. I prefer solar and wind energy, thank you very much. I recognize that nuclear is an alternative to the dirty energies of oil and coal.
I’m not ready to jump on the bandwagon that some are shouting from, that the Japanese have bungled their management of their reactors. I don’t know enough to make that judgment.
It would seem at first glance that a place where three tectonic plates intersect would not be a good place to build a reactor, but I’ve also heard that the area was considered “safe”.
In any event, certain folks in this country are pretty vocal that we should put the brakes on any further nuclear plant building until a “thorough study has been conducted.” Local TV here in Iowa is wont to tell us that the same GE design is present in our Palo reactor which is pretty close to where we live.
Politicians are good at this kind of stuff. Acting all “concerned for the public welfare” in times of “crisis.” That brought us such wonderful things as “freedom fries” and two extra months of daylight savings time, a move that saved not one tablespoon of oil as far as I know.
So I’m suspicious that all this talk of new studies and delay comes from those who have some interest in oil and coal production. I have that suspicion.
I realize that nuclear energy can be dangerous. We have seen the evidence of that from Three Mile Island to Chernobyl and now in Japan. Yet, space travel is dangerous and we have the bodies to prove that. Crossing the Atlantic in small wooden ships was dangerous and many perished in that attempt. People died attempting to reach the North pole. People die in mining accidents (many of which are no doubt preventable), riding horses, and I am sure some poor soul died from sneezing.
Discovery and living both have their risks. As long as we do the best we can to do things safely, I’m not ready to pull the plug of nuclear energy because of an accident. What it should do, is lead us to make sure our existing plants are as safe as we can make them. That could also be considered “job creation”. If you wish to read more of the technical side of the argument, go here. The article deals with our latest technology.
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The No-fly zone has begun with France taking the lead, claiming that their aircraft are in the air over Libya now. Qaddafi is predictably acting crazy, claiming he will die before surrendering. I guess my position is now that they must strike quickly and hard, and put an end to this. Otherwise Qaddafi will do as much murdering as he possibly can.
My reason for wanting this over quickly, is that atrocities are occurring in Yemen and in Bahrain, and very little is being said about it. These were peaceful demonstrations and the powers that be have decided to end them. The US is fairly quiet about the entire thing, other than to “abhor the violence.”
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We try to keep you aware here of bills introduced in state and federal legislatures. Here’s another phenomenal waste of time and taxpayer money. It seems that one Randy Forbes (R-VA) and teabugger backed, has introduced a bill that HAS MADE IT THROUGH THE JUDICIARY COMMITTEE FOR GOD’S SAKE, that would make it mandatory that all public buildings, public high schools, and political institutions, carry the words “In God we Trust” on the building. Crazy Randy also wanted the Congress to declare that the bible was the inerrant word of God.
This is where taxpayer money goes folks. Sigh. Anyone for nominating Crazy Randy to hand chisel all the signs for the entire country? Keep him busy and out of RATIONAL people’s hair?
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It’s been spring here in the meadow since March 1, since we like to divide the seasons properly. A sure sign is the sound of birds twittering a lot. It’s blessed music to my ears. It makes me smile. I hope you have some spring-like weather where you are. I’m starting to look around to see if some bulbs are starting to pop out. And the trees are getting red on the furthest extensions of the branches, and soon the buds will appear. *Smile.*
Related Articles
- Five myths about nuclear energy (seattletimes.nwsource.com)
- What does Japan’s disaster mean for the global nuclear industry? (cnn.com)
Existential Ennui 
Nuclear energy is only “cleaner” at the point of power generation. If you look at the mining, refining, and post-production pollutions, it’s really a pretty filthy industry.
As for Libya, there’s hardly any guarantee that who takes Quadaffi’s place will be any better. In Iraq and Afghanistan the cure was certainly worse than the disease, and you can bet that whoever we install to take his place will be there to serve Western interests, not Libyan interests.
As for nuclear, I wasn’t speaking so much about the cleanness as I was about the fact that new technology, new discoveries carry inherent risks that we as humans must accept as part of moving forward. I don’t know enough about nuclear energy to know whether its the best choice. As I said, I prefer wind and solar and geo thermal as well…
As to Libya, I have no knowledge how big a role the UN forces will take in determining who will take over in Libya should that happen. I would hope very little. That said, we have no idea who the rebels are and what they will institute. All I know is that Qaddafi is crazy and has in the usual way, made billions off their backs needs to be deposed.
Great, we are in a new war about oil. The politicians love it the way they like all wars; their kids don’t die and most of them are rich. Obama starts his 2nd war in a single term in hope of raising his ratings; how about putting banksters in Jail? This could have saved us the 2010 fiasco. Note: the military didn’t like the idea, after all, they know the consequences.
Kucinch said that the class war is over and the poor and the middle class lost. I agree, we lost several tough battles. The forces were unequal, Against the poor and the middle class in the last several years we had the GOP, most of the Democrats and of course the president. But we will overcome seriously.
I don’t like the idea of any war, but I am heartened by the UN size of this coalition, and that the US seems to be taking a smaller role. We shall see how that plays out. It should be noted that everyone agrees that Obama’s inclination was against involvement which is why it took so long. Clinton played a prominent role in persuading him and that was a change of heart on her place as well. No one knows how this will play out. I would not support ground troups in any case.
I don’t think the war is over as Dennis may. I think the GOP may suffer even greater losses in 2012 if they continue on this insane religious right agenda and blatant bowing to business. The numbers are becoming common knowledge. I hope people are watching.
Well I get your point about nuclear energy, Sherry, but I think there’s a bit of a difference between a horse riding (or indeed sneezing) accident and a nuclear accident! 😉
That said, I am also a little conflicted. If it can be made safer, nuclear energy is pretty clean, efficient and all that… but when will be at the point when we can confidently say its benefits outweigh its potential dangers? (which is, one would think, the kind of equation we calculated with respect of horse riding, mining, etc)
I guess when you look at the numbers and how long we’ve engaged with nuclear energy, we can say its been relatively safe. Compare with NASA for instance. Fairly massive loss of life, given the number of missions. I agree, I remain conflicted.
The Japanese did Not bungle their Nuclear management; thety Lead the world in Preventing tragedies, like their Sea Walls; we have none worth mentioning. The Problem was the Tsunami was Much higher than thought possible: Most Powerful Earthquake in Known Japanese history. And the Technology at those plants are Earliest technonlgy of the 1950’s, General Electric. The Problem was Inadequate Electric Power to keep the pumps Operating. The USA Greatest Danger is the Reagan era, Inadequatelly protected On a Quake zone, ‘get rid of beaurocracy’ Licensed Without proper Safety El Diablo Plant on the Coast of California. And Republicans are still saying ‘it’s safe’ (Until The Quake’, long overdue.) Nuclear Power is Indeed the Safest, by far Least polutting/environmentally safe, for Massive Electric production, latest technology, properly designed and installed. Fossil Fuel results in literally Thousands of Deaths a year in the USA, not often mentioned: Cancers and several other known but not mentioned complications. Fossil Fuels and Earth Warming Chernobyl and 3 Mile Island were Much Earlier Technology and Different Buclear materials. And France has the most advanced Rcycling use Nuclear rods, as oppossed to our ‘bury’ thinking. And the French Nuclear Power program was Improved to Best in World by a Woman Physicist, now leader of their Atomic Energuy Business. She is so good, she has been favored by the Public to become the Premier. This part of the Kuntry, Sprintime is signalled by Frogs Croacking, Crikets Chirping.
Yes Tony, I think it’s hard to make comparisons. I feel confident in saying that the Japanese probably could not reasonably forseee that all these things would coalesce in one catastrophic event.
(forgot to TAB, Sherry; had great paragraphing)
We may find out after a considerable investment in research and development that nuclear generated energy is indeed safe. It doesn’t seem to be the case now. Solar and wind energy are safe with or without natural disasters.
Can solar and wind energy supply all our needs is not clear either.
But, we live in times when political forces run amok and independent investigation is all but impossible. in other words, the Japanese will make the right decision while we will continue to scream and blame.
A number have commented upon the differences between the Japanese handling of such an event and ours. We turn everything into political one-upmanship. And the truth gets buried.
Reasearch and Devolpments Has been done, By Very Research oriented, Nationally funded countries: France, Germany European Un ion, China, even Brazil (On Deep Sea Drilling/Oil Production) BIG Money, GOP/Republican Presidents have Cut Research/’red tape’ of Safety Certification (El Diablo Nuclear On Earthquake Fault/Reagan Administration)), Proper Safety Licensing, etc, to give Big Business all it wants, without Federal ‘interference’ They all depend on National Government Support, Funding; We let Business decide what’s best for them: Reagan’GWBush. The Fastest Trains in the world are in Cina; The French High Speep TrainSystem is Profitable National System, as is ther European Union High Speed low cost Rail. All Nationally Researched/Funded, very popular. The Best Amtrack Engines are Swedish, a small ‘socialist’ country. Best Wind Generator systyems are4 National: in Europe (their Research/Development) and Lowest cost are Chinese Wind Generators. China has had Hydrogen Powered Test Cars operating on the Streets 2 years ago; Mercedes Benz Has Hyprogen Powered Passenger Cars operating in California; and Hydrogen Powered Racing Cars being shared with USA Race Car Professional Schools; Hydrogen Power is From, to Water. And Obama Administration and He said Advanced fuels are “Decades” in the Future, an absolute lie. Etc., Etc. Lowest Cost Urban Travel is Now in Las Vegas, Seattle, Shanghai, etc., MEGLEV No Wheels Electric Powered. Their Developed German/USA Meglev Research into Operating Systems, supported by Their Governments. And we are planning Street Car Installation On Streets of Suburban Maryland, etc., etc: Obsolete Technology. Clean Coal Generation is Chinese Development we would have to Buy. Etc., Etc., Etc. Even Obama’s focus on Battery powered Electric Cars is Obsolete Here: The Chevy Volt has 40 mile range, Japanese “Leaf” has over 100 Mile Range. Etc., Etc. Can Search these Online. IKt is Our ttitude/ our Thinking that is obsolete: All Focused on Tax Subsidies to Big Oil, Big Companies, Because BIG Money Owns Congress, Political Thinking. The Biggest Profits Company in the world is Exxon/Mobil; Receiving Major Tax Susidies, on ZERO Taxes it pays: Dick Chaney’s work of 2001.
I agree Tony, the work is there, done by most of the rest of the “developed” world…we are so lagging behind in innovative transportation and energy options.
We don’t need big R & D; Other Nations have Done it, have advanced Technolgy Operating. The Ideal Best National Nuclear Program is French, Financed by the Government, Headed by a Brilliant French Phycystess (A Very Bright Lady). They solved all Problems, have Zero Polluting, Regenerated use of Fuel Rods, Etc., Etc. A Public TV Special about Her (Frontline, Probably) focused on all aspercts. She answered all Our problems/questions. The only possibility of massive “Clean” electric Energy needs is clean Nuclear, French way.
Sounds like we need to pay some attention to the French…I have heard similar things other places Tony…You are up on this issue! Thanks for the further explanations.
Spacing/Tabbing does Not work This Blog, Sherry.
Sorry Tony…don’t know what is the problem..:(
Hi there! I know this is kinda off topic but I’d figured I’d ask.
Would you be interested in trading links or maybe guest
authoring a blog post or vice-versa? My blog covers a
lot of the same subjects as yours and I feel we could
greatly benefit from each other. If you are interested feel
free to shoot me an email. I look forward to hearing from you!
Wonderful blog by the way!