March 17, 2011
... continuing from earlier news
News, blog, and other items:
Singaporeans in Fukushima and Miyagi prefectures told to evacuate
Language used to describe atomic meltdown borders on reckless hyperbole
Know Nukes: The Japanese Earthquake & Anti-Nuclear Hysteria: Explaining how the Japan Nuke…
March 16, 2011
As I write this, I'm told that there are eleven water cannon vehicles heading to the disaster-stricken Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant, to attempt to cool down nuclear material that is exposed and exuding (I dare not use the word "leaking" lest I be thought an alarmist) radiation at a rate…
March 16, 2011
From MoveOn:
House Republicans have declared an "emergency" today. Is it about unemployment? The situation in Libya? The disaster in Japan? Nope, it's about defunding NPR.
They're taking up an emergency bill that would ban any federal money from going to NPR or its affiliates.
A right-wing blogger'…
March 16, 2011
I assume by now you've seen this: "You Can Stop Worrying About A Radiation Disaster In Japan -- Here's Why".
I repeat, there was and will *not* be any significant release of radioactivity from the damaged Japanese reactors.
By "significant" I mean a level of radiation of more than what you…
March 16, 2011
Whenever someone starts with "I'm Confused" you know what kinds of crap is coming next.
For more information and essays about the Earthquake, Tsunami and Nuclear Reactor problems in Japan CLICK HERE.
March 16, 2011
This is not intended to incite panic... for panic, see the post "Where is the nearest nuclear power plant to my house that is currently melting down!!!11!!." The purpose of this post is to facilitate addressing a question we've been discussing on my facebook page: If you lived near a nuke plant,…
March 15, 2011
I honestly think that it is too early to have this conversation, but alas, the conversation has been forced.
I have yet to express my opinion about the efficacy or safety of the future use of nuclear power, or any way in which that opinion may be affected by the current tragic events in Japan. I…
March 15, 2011
Another sequence of headlines and news reports, continuation of THIS POST:
Fukushima update: No chance cooling fuel can breach vessels: Still nothing to get in a flap about
The story of the three quake- and tsunami-hit reactors at Japan's Fukushima plant continues, with indications that one of the…
March 14, 2011
Because it's not a person, it's a radio show. Run by a person. And some other people.
I want to extend my warmest congratulations to Desiree Schell and Skeptically Speaking, the Canadian skeptics radio show and podcast with the motto: "Call In. Question Everything."
Desiree has been cranking…
March 14, 2011
A Defense of Nuclear Power As a Second Best Option
In light of the nuclear power plant partial meltdowns in Japan, there are calls for not expanding the U.S. nuclear power plant capacity, and even shutting down existing plants. What bothers me about this is that there is no discussion of how we…
March 14, 2011
Also born today was Giovanni Virginio Schiaparelli, the guy who identified the canals om Mars. And, in 1960, lisp was introduced, thus allowing the existence of emacs!
March 14, 2011
A second hydrogen explosion rocked a crippled Japanese nuclear reactor Monday, spewing a giant cloud of smoke into the air and injuring 11 workers, officials said.
The blast was so large it could be felt 25 miles away.
The plant's operator, however, insisted that radiation levels around the…
March 14, 2011
The ABC News web site has a remarkable set of images that use javascript and your mouse cursor to compare before and after. Here. Hat Tip: Joe
For more information and essays about the Earthquake, Tsunami and Nuclear Reactor problems in Japan CLICK HERE.
March 13, 2011
... according to the Japan Meteorological Agency. Maybe. This seems not to be an official prediction stated my the JMA, as it does not appear on their web site, but agency director Takashi Yokata has made the statement to news agencies. There have been, of course, numerous aftershocks already.…
March 13, 2011
I keep wanting to know this so I put it here:
<!-Local Time Clock widget - HTML code - localtimes.info -->
Tokyo Time
<!-end of code-->
March 13, 2011
This webby thing called Opinionati is asking: Creation Museum denies admission to two men: What do you think?
Good luck trying to figure out how to use the site. But I thought you'd like to see it. Hat tip: Joe
March 12, 2011
Seriously. It's below the fold:
...
That, according to reports, is NOT a human. It is something else.
Details here.
March 12, 2011
On Skeptically Speaking:
This week, we take another look at water, and what happens to it after it goes down the drain. Researcher Liz Borkowski joins us for a look at the connection between sewage and civilization, and the struggle to introduce modern sanitation in the developing world. And we'll…
March 12, 2011
News about the Nuke Plants:
Meltdown "most unlikely," nuke industry rep says
The explosion at a nuclear plant in Fukushima, Japan destroyed a building that houses a reactor Saturday, triggering a radiation leak and fears of a nuclear meltdown.
But a representative of the global nuclear power…
March 12, 2011
From the Roman aqueducts to the latest research on what happens when you turn the tap, it's an hour on water. Dr. William James joins us for a lesson on the history and technology of municipal water systems. And we'll talk to University of Toronto researcher Dr. Marc Grynpas about the science and…
March 12, 2011
I know a lot of pro-nukers are going to say things like "That's not really an explosion" or "the plants behaved exactly as expected" and "bla bla bla" but whatever, here's the film:
March 12, 2011
Now that space shuttle Discovery has returned from its last mission, NASA workers will start getting it ready for its next voyage -- to a museum.
NASA is retiring its shuttle fleet this year, and 21 museums across the country are vying for the chance to become a retirement home for one of the…
March 11, 2011
Three days ago I happen to glance out the front window of our townhouse and found myself staring at a bald eagle swooping by, presumably after picking up one of the neighborhood dogs or small children1 A few minutes later, the doorbell rang. When I opened the door, no one was there but a package…
March 11, 2011
A planet is considered "Class M" if it can sustain human life1. We live on a Class M planet. However, the conditions that make a planet conducive to life may change over time, so it is important to have instrumentation and gauges and stuff that will keep track of important variables.
It is…
March 11, 2011
Comments? Observations? Additions? Translations?
March 10, 2011
Unions and Democracy are no longer major factors in the Badger State:
Wisconsin lawmakers voted Thursday to strip nearly all collective bargaining rights from the state's public workers in one of the strongest blows to the power of unions in years.
The state's Assembly passed Republican Gov. Scott…
March 10, 2011
Which his excuse for being a dick. See how he lies and cheats:
March 10, 2011
Sen. Rand Paul (R-KY) is upset that the federal government has squelched his right to own a super-toilet, leaving him with less freedom than women, who are still allowed to have abortions. It's an unusual comparison, but it's meant to underline his opposition to the executive branch's involvement…
