Japan Earthquake (2 Viewers)

[The General]

And how you even start removing the mountains of debris is beyond me.

It's funny Rob I remember thinking the same thing after seeing the devastation of 9-11.

I guess if they could rebuild Hiroshima and Nagasaki in the 1940's they (with the help of the rest of the world) can rebuild there too.

 

[Mitch]

I was impressed at the speed the rescue services and army have cleared main roads already to allow aid and food to get through to some of the remote areas. Now, after all they have faced is amazing fortitude and resiliance.
Mitch

 

[Scott]

I'm seeing 10,000 feared dead and folks fleeing the nuclear power plant on the headlines. Good thing that their rescue assets are available and ready.

 

[Gideon]

Report just came in that nuclear fuel rods are exposed and a second or third explosion.

This is just terrifying on so many levels. My heart aches for the people over there. What they must be going through right now. My gosh.

 

[The Military Workshop]

Terrible events in Japan.

It would appear not going to be easy for Japan to re-build as according to a commentator on the radio the country was already in a serious financial state. Based on debt to GDP ratio they are 2nd on the world list with Zimbabwe at No 1. Australia is 107th. Other countries that might normally help financially would have to borrow to do so.

Good to see the rescue teams from many countries helping out.


Brett

 

[Scott]

I've read and heard that nuclear power now may be a better energy option with recent developments in safe handling and storage of waste. Let's see how this accident is handled and how it may effect nuclear power use.

 

[bromhead]

Quite a lot of information and vids coming out including this mornings "U S aircraft carrier passes thru radiation",,,The use of the sea water to try and cool things seems to indicate total damage to the nuke facilities.

 

[Mitch]

I don't think this will affect nuclear power use in any shape at all. It did nothing after Chernobyl so why here???

Its a mess but, lets hope for the best and the fact that they don't meltdown. I don't think they need this on top of the massive problems they now face
Mitch

 

[Combat]

I don't think this will affect nuclear power use in any shape at all. It did nothing after Chernobyl so why here???

Its a mess but, lets hope for the best and the fact that they don't meltdown. I don't think they need this on top of the massive problems they now face
Mitch

There is an article in the NY Times today that basically says this incident has undermined support for nuclear energy in the US. The current administration had been supportive of nuclear energy, but that seems to have taken a big hit with this incident. http://www.nytimes.com/2011/03/14/science/earth/14politics.html?_r=1&hp

 

[Mitch]

I heard similar from germany but, their up for elections. If this gets no worse there is a chain of thought that may see it as support for the strength of the reactors to the worst natural disaster we have seen in many a year.

Obviously, at the moment its very worrying and emotive but, in the cold light of day it could all change.

I know they require the water etc but, struck me as pretty stupid in a country prone to earthquakes and Tsunami's to have it prcatically on the beach.
Mitch

 

[Scott]

I can see the lights across Ipswich Bay.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Seabrook_Station_Nuclear_Power_Plant

 

[Combat]

I heard similar from germany but, their up for elections. If this gets no worse there is a chain of thought that may see it as support for the strength of the reactors to the worst natural disaster we have seen in many a year.

Obviously, at the moment its very worrying and emotive but, in the cold light of day it could all change.

Mitch

Looks as though things are actually getting worse. The company that runs those plants in Japan is known for misinformation about safety. I'm no expert, but when you see the plant blowing up it probably is not a great sign. There's only one plan for that and it involves your feet. We have nuclear plants in California built on earthquake faults. How is that for planning? They must have a great lobby in Congress. I saw a Senator on TV today comparing nuclear meltdown with a bridge collapse.

 

[Scott]

...and "Lamar" could have been POTUS.

 

[PolarBear]

Stock markets are tumbling all over the globe as fear has now gripped the world that we may have a disaster worse than Chernobyl. Radiation increases have already been recorded in the Philippines. China, Hong Kong, Korea are already taking precautions.

 

[Rob]

I think they are now saying radiation levels are falling.

Rob

 

[Mitch]

I think there are outside nuclear experts there now that are saying things are not as bad as reported this morning.

Although after three explosions I would be still running away from that plant
Mitch

 

[Combat]

I think there are outside nuclear experts there now that are saying things are not as bad as reported this morning.

Although after three explosions I would be still running away from that plant
Mitch

Most nuclear "experts" have a vested interest in downplaying the risks. They don't want their plants shut down or forced to comply with expensive safety codes. There are a lot of upsides to this technology, but when it goes wrong you are toast. Put it in the hands of some penny pinching corporation and that's trouble. I read that all the airlines are now saving money by having their planes serviced in third world countries. Many of these facilities have horrific safety records. Think about that the next time you fly.

 

[Mitch]

I would expect some of that to go with the politics of the organisations but, after such a natural disaster and with the world looking on and the IAEA and other experts assisting and monitoring that health issues take precedent over all the other stupid issues
Mitch

Most nuclear "experts" have a vested interest in downplaying the risks. They don't want their plants shut down or forced to comply with expensive safety codes. There are a lot of upsides to this technology, but when it goes wrong you are toast. Put it in the hands of some penny pinching corporation and that's trouble. I read that all the airlines are now saving money by having their planes serviced in third world countries. Many of these facilities have horrific safety records. Think about that the next time you fly.

 

[Sans Culotte]

The current attempts at "humor" on the parts of politicos, comics, and others are not appreciated. A little humor could be welcome in the right circumstances, but I don't feel that the current crop of "humor" is of any help to anyone. Essentially telling the Japanese to lighten up is, indeed, most cruel.

 

[Mitch]

Did I miss someone saying that the japanese need to lighten up???
Mitch