World News/Events........

[barrysloate]

There are even traces of radiation in the New York area, but they are infinitesimal. The Japanese who live remotely near the damaged reactor may be facing serious health issues for many years to come. It's a terribly tragic situation. There has even been plutonium found in the soil, which is extremely dangerous and usually lethal. It makes you wonder about our own nuclear plants.

[Ease]

We as a nation (and the world) really need to step back and look at our energy situation. People want cheap energy, and a helluva lot of it, but its just not possible without nuclear. Solar and wind are not the answer right now. Nuclear disasters WILL happen as the plants get older, etc; cutting way back on usage is the key, but it ain't gonna happen. I really don't know a viable solution...

[teetwoohsix]

So today I heard on the news that the people who are directly involved on the front lines of the clean up have accepted the fact that they are sacrificing their lives to do this to try to save the rest of the people in the country !!! This is very honorable of them.

I agree Eric, there is definatley an advantage to use nuclear energy and I suppose that's where we will end up.......just don't feel too well about the nuclear weapons.

Barry- Also in the news it said they are finding large amounts of radiation in the ocean around Japan (something to that effect).

Clayton

Iodine pills are flying off the shelves in the Pacific Northwest. Why? It protects against only one type of radioactive isotope affecting the pituatary. In many cases the iodine is more dangerous than any trace elements found in the air. We in Eastern Washington have been living with the Hanford Nuclear Site in our back yards since 1944. Anyone who has done a bit of homework can find the cancerous side effects of living downwind from the plant. But the government claims it is coincidental... I'm afraid the Japanese will never get the straight story.

As to alternative energy Kittitas County, Washington has been putting up windmills left and right (I feel like Don Quixote) because the wind always blows, but it blows too damn hard so they remain tied down, not spinning at all. But as long as the government keeps subsidizing this waste they will continue to build them. Hydroelectricity is the best option in this area, but it destroys the salmon runs. So pick your poison, sometimes literally.

[slidekellyslide]

Originally Posted by barrysloate

There are even traces of radiation in the New York area, but they are infinitesimal. The Japanese who live remotely near the damaged reactor may be facing serious health issues for many years to come. It's a terribly tragic situation. There has even been plutonium found in the soil, which is extremely dangerous and usually lethal. It makes you wonder about our own nuclear plants.

I am "lucky" enough to live within 50 miles of a nuclear power plant that is the same kind that melted down in Japan...and I believe one of only a handful in the United States with that same type of reactor. To top it off it sits at the top of the Humboldt Fault Line and it's possible a large earthquake could hit this area.