Fukushima, bailing wire, duct tape and assurances everything is fine

by David Safier

Since Atomic Al Melvin has put the nuke issue back on Arizona's legislative table, a few thoughts about the "perfectly safe" Fukushima nuclear power plant are in order.

The Fukushima plant was deemed absolutely safe — indestructable — until the one-two punch of an earthquake-tsunami hit it. Then the danger was contained; then it wasn't. Then there was no meltdown; then there was. Now, it's perfectly stable, according to the Japanese government.

Can it withstand another blow to the buildings and containment tanks, held together by bailing wire and duct tape? I've heard people say it isn't leaking, but no one claims it's safe in its current condition.

Could there be another earthquake in the area?

A 5.5 magnitude earthquake hit Japan yesterday. Nowhere near Fukushima, though, so we're all good.

Japanese university researchers predict a 70% chance an earthquake of 7.0 magnitude or higher will hit Tokyo in the next 4 years. Japan is earthquake central, on land and offshore. There's a reason we've chosen a Japanese word, "tsunami," to describe these events.

Meanwhile, Japanese farmers within a wide circle around Fukushima have been told their crops are perfectly safe. But when they have them analyzed, they find radioactive isotopes far above the allowable limit.

My conclusions: Nuclear proliferation of any kind, peaceful as well as military, is incredibly dangerous. There is no such thing as a safe nuclear power plant, since there is no human estimation and no computer model capable of predicting the kinds of disasters which can hit a plant or a building's ability to withstand any given disaster. Governments will lie to us about the dangers, before, during and after a dangerous event.

Anyone who puts their faith in the I-love-nukes crowd is a fool. Anyone who puts their faith in anything that comes out of Al Melvin's mouth . . . well, fool is far too weak a word.