Fukushima Update

We forget that the Japanese people are struggling with the after effects of a huge earthquake that destroyed communities, and a tsunami that did even more destruction. We are concerned with the nuclear reactors because of the danger radiation presents to the world. We are forced to rethink nuclear energy.

I have always been opposed to nuclear energy. It simply doesn't jive in my mind, environmentally and economically. Really now what else is there to consider.

Fukushima is caught in a catch 22. Water is in the way of operating pumps that will pump water. No doubt that when all is said and done the damage and extent of the contamination will be found to be greater than is presently being reported. That is the normal pattern for how a state maintains control and pacifies the people. All you ever have to do is create a little doubt and offer an escape all done through a big megaphone, and then people are less fearful.

The parallels with last year's Gulf oil crisis are becoming all too constant. The reactors are falling away in terms of our attention and focus. The crisis is being relegated to an ongoing "normal" struggle as the media shifts our attention onto other world concerns or entertainments.

Reuters: Q+A: What is going on at Japan's damaged nuclear reactor?

Two of the six reactors at the plant, operated by Tokyo Electric Power Co (TEPCO), are considered stable but the other four are volatile and once under control will be scrapped.


The challenge is to pump out radioactive seawater flooding the basements in reactors No.1, No.2 and No.3. The water is preventing work to restore electricity to the cooling pumps so that they can operate continuously.


The dilemma is that while it is necessary to pump the water into the reactors to cool them, this increases the amount of radioactive waste water at the plant and there is a danger that the operator will run out of places to store it safely.