From Stark
We’re seeing numerous news reports indicating that the Obama administration is trying to hold the line on reviving nuclear energy in the U.S., as part of a strategy for reducing carbon emissions.
Here’s a report from the Wall Street Journal, which also notes that enthusiasm for nukes is waning significantly in Congress, at least for the moment.
If you’re losing track of what happened when at the runaway nuclear plants in Japan, don’t feel bad. The International Atomic Energy Agency has the same problem. In its recent news updates, the IAEA observes that it its “seeking clarification” and “continues to seek details” on events in Japan.
Here’s a five-page, minute-by-minute timeline compiled by Reuters.
“Hope is the thing with feathers, that perches in the soul, and sings the tune without words, and never stops at all.” – Emily Dickinson
AFY!!theheelotsheepdog!!!
Apparently these reactors are an old style of reactor, that has long since been replaced. One of the lessons when dealing with nuclear may be that the old style reactors should have been replaced.
The newer style reactors are operating fine and generating electricity, even after enduring an earthquake of Biblical proportions.
If these newer reactors were not operating as we speak, the Japanese would be enduring far more desperate conditions.
Japan endured horrible conditions following WWII. They rebuilt their country then, and they will recover from this, which is a testament to their culture and persistence.
They even rebuilt Hiroshima and Nagasaki. Who else can say that.
Japan will inspire us with their determination an how they come together as a nation. When this is over, they will most likely develop a nuclear reactor that is far safer, and share the share technology with the world.
Some are hoping for a car crash. I am hoping for their success.
By today’s nuclear standards, the failing reactors in Japan are simply ancient. Neither Japan nor the US can afford to go forward without nuclear power, there is simply no other choice to be made. Nuclear provides about 20% of electricity needs in both countries, and that ain’t chopped liver. This disaster proves beyond a shadow of a doubt that failing to replace reactors before exceeding their designed lifespans is a really bad “plan”.
We need new reactors using new technology, and LOTS of them. The kind of problems being experienced in japan are literally impossible with the newest designs. The day may come when alternative forms of energy are practical on a large scale, but that day isn’t here yet. The longer we put this off, the more dangerous it becomes. This country needs to get sane and make the decision to start building dozens if not hundreds of new reactors PRONTO, and the situation in Japan proves just how vital that decision is.
The United States rebuilt Japan after WWII.
MacArthur decided who would ‘sell’ them new infrastructure and equipment and supplies.
We set up their ‘government’ and took control over all decisions until 1951 when they gained their independence by treaty.
Why aren’t old reactors simply replaced?
it’s not possible that’s why.
Once a reactor is decommissioned, there’s no place to take it.
You need new facilities elsewhere as a replacement for each one past its life because it takes 5 to 10 years and a Billion bucks outta your budget to ‘clean’ one up.
Electric ratepayers continue to feed money into a nuke plant long after its death.
Citizen,
You have your history wrong, and your myopic view is disrespectful to the Japanese hands which rebuilt their own country brick by brick.
MacArthur sat in an office and smoked cigars, drank scotch, and barked orders.
Japanese hands rebuilt their own country. You confuse governing with actual hard work.
this president doesn’t know WHAT he believes from minute to minute EXCEPT that his putting game is abit off!!
Guys, (Herald guys) how about including reports regarding the deep frustration of DEMS toward the Prez at a critical time as this in both our nation and world to concern himself and remain focussed on these issues, but NO, he plays……
what’s with this guy??
Here’s some of the AP, etc, reports:
“The Middle East is afire with rebellion, Japan is imploding from an earthquake, and the battle of the budget is on in the United States, but none of this seems to be deterring President Obama from a heavy schedule of childish distractions.
The newly installed tandem of White House Chief of Staff William Daley and Senior Adviser David Plouffe were supposed to impart a new sense of discipline and purpose to the White House. Instead, they are permitting him to showcase himself as a poorly focused leader who has his priorities backward.
This morning, as Japan’s nuclear crisis enters a potentially catastrophic phase, we are told that➤➤➤ Obama is videotaping his NCAA tournament picks and that we’ll be able to tune into ESPN Wednesday to find out who he likes.➤➤ Saturday, he made his 61st outing to the golf course as president, and got back to the White House with just enough time for a quick shower➤➤ before heading out to party with Washington’s elite journalists at the annual Gridiron Dinner.”
a second, like, article says:
“A conflict approaching civil war in Libya. An end-times tsunami in Japan. A Congress that can’t reach a budget.
And … gender inequality?
The topic of President Obama’s weekend radio address has raised some eyebrows, as Obama has met mounting crises with the same restraint and cool that characterized his slow-and-steady campaign for president. To some critics, the tone set by the White House in light of recent upheaval may hurt the president’s public image.”
hey! i’m a lady and i could care less what he thinks about gender equality in light of our worlds crisis’!!!!
The Whatcom County Council will be voting on a resolution in favor of the Peabody Coal Terminal project TONIGHT @ 7:00 Call your Council members about your concerns 360.676.6690. Do we need a coal terminal in our backyard? How many jobs will it support?
Hi claw:
I just that the County Council office has struck the resolution from the agenda for tonight. The notice was just sent out.
Thanks,
Jared
The history of the US and Japan between 1945 and 1951 is easy to discover on yer own.
Why would someone argue about that?
Japan still refers to their constitution as the MacArthur Constitution.
One reason Americans prospered after the war was that we rebuilt everything we’d wrecked.
Thanks for the tip, Jared.
I couldn’t find that update on their website.
Citizen, you reported that Americans rebuilt Japan.
The Japanese had calluses on their hands, and MacArthur had calluses on his butt.
That is my major point.
They couldn’t/wouldn’t have done it without us,
that’s my point.
Mad at the general for not getting dirty?
We controlled everything anyway,
just like I said.
Even our allies had to wait for us to direct them – we had absolute power.
Get nasty first, ask questions later.
No prob. I don’t think it’s on their website yet, but here is a link to it on our server:
http://media.bellinghamherald.com/static/images/downloads/JaredPaben/SECONDAGENDAREVISIONFORMARCH15,2011.doc
Rebuilding Japan after WWII took grit, and the Japanese people have that grit.
They will grieve, and then rebuild, better than ever.
Japan was rebuilt with American treasure, but I wouldn’t doubt their ingenuity…though now after being nuked and then flirting with this monster for 40 years only to have it come back and bite them on the shinbums I wonder how they feel about it now. Well you don’t have to ask far, they are going all over the media and saying they have been lied to by their own government who was lied to by GE…..
At l;east now their wsharks will have more fins to harvest and the whales will harvest themselves. They are a noble people, but they are also a conflicted people as well who have embraced some pretty weird parts of western culture…
Sure they’ll rebuild as any culture will….but again they will need the help of America, their rich Godfather….and we will pony up as we are now…