ETHICS and NUCLEAR TECHNOLOGY- theme for December 2010
The unethical nature of nuclear power, nuclear weapons, and the entire nuclear fuel cycle is becoming more obvious, as its history unfolds. On grounds of nuclear weapons spread, unsolved wastes problem, health and environment, effects on indigenous and poor peoples, injustice to today’s and future generations – and even the sheer financial costs for now and the future – it is clear that “atoms for peace” is a false and unethical enterprise.
Given the mounting negative evidence about the nuclear industry, it is concerning that so many world political, scientific and economic leaders continue to promote the industry. Sir Mark Oliphant, (below) one of
the founders of the atomic bomb, was one who had the courage to change his mind, and to speak out against nuclear power and nuclear weapons.
Why is it so rare for ‘important’ people to face up to the evil nature of the whole nuclear fuel cycle? It’s not just money. Is it that so much of their reputation, their work has already been invested in nuclear? just too much effort to change track
Like Shakespeare’s Macbeth, who said “For mine own good,
All causes shall give way: I am in blood
Stepp’d in so far that, should I wade no more,
Returning were as tedious as go o’er”
Rather than pause to think about the whole picture, they concentrate on their own important actions. Again like Macbeth ” Strange things I have in head, that will to hand; Which must be acted ere they may be scann’d.”
(Image from MACBETH IS A BAD, BAD MAN design by Dave Shanker&Danilo Groppa, Charles W. Flanagan High School, Macbeth – Webquest)
Radiation danger and illicit nuclear tracking fears in Ghana
Government to provide protection of nuclear and radioactive materials, Accra, Nov. 23, Ghana News Agency, GNA - Government has expressed its commitment to provide the physical protection of nuclear and other radioactive materials and associated facilities, Mr Alex Segbefia, Deputy Chief of Staff said on Tuesday. He said government would in addition; work to combat illicit trafficking and inadvertent movement of radioactive materials…………Government to provide protection of nuclear and radioactive materials
Costly electricity in $40 billion Toronto nuclear power expansion
it will also send energy bills skyrocketing, with the average bill expected to double over the next 20 years. Ontarians can expect to see a 3.5 per cent annual increase on their bills over that period.The plan could cost up to $40 billion and will be the largest nuclear improvement project on the continent.
More Money For Nuclear Power, But At What Cost? – CityNews, Toronto, 23 Nov 10, The Ontario government is expanding its nuclear power capacity. It was announced Tuesday the province will refurbish as many as 10 reactors and add two to the Darlington plant over the next 10 years. Read more »
Russia planning nuclear powered space engines and nuclear plants on Mars
The Russian space agency also expressed its willingness to design a space-based nuclear power station, which can be deployed on the Mars or the moon for 10-15 years.
Russia To Start Developing Nuclear Space Engines | AHN, 23 Nov 10, Moscow, Russian Federation (AHN) – Russia is considering developing nuclear-powered space engines. Read more »
Europe backs nuclear START treaty, but U.S. Senate doubtful
European Support for New Nuclear Treaty More Certain than Senate Ratification Lincoln Tribune by Robert Raffaele on November 23, 2010
U.S. President Barack Obama’s push for ratification of a new nuclear arms treaty with Russia by the end of the year faces an uncertain future. European leaders at the recent NATO summit in Portugal offered their support. But here in Washington, Mr. Obama faces resistance from opposition Republicans in the U.S. Senate. Read more »
Speculating on other possible nuclear or uranium targets for Stuxnet computer worm
Dragons, Tigers, Pearls, and Yellowcake: 4 Stuxnet Targeting Scenarios, Forbes, Nov. 22 2010 - by Jeffrey CarrIn all of the thousands of words that have been printed about Stuxnet, and the many interviews given, there’s been almost no discussion of alternative targeting scenarios for the Stuxnet worm…. Read more »
Britsh nuclear “guinea pigs” soldiers will fight on for justice
Many people, including researchers based in Dundee, believe this has led to deteriorating health among the veterans and Mr Malone said he was used as a “guinea pig” during the testing…..
VIDEO of Christmas Islands nuclear tests The Courier – Veterans undeterred by 1950s nuclear test ruling Veterans undeterred by 1950s nuclear test ruling, The Courier UK, 23 Nov 10, Atomic bomb test veterans from Dundee and Kirkcaldy say they will continue their fight for the truth after top judges dashed their hopes of compensation….. Read more »
Nuclear domino effect, with North Korea’s latest attacks
…..….there’s a possibility, which is that more and more states will use their nuclear weapons as a back-street mugger might use a handgun. That’s something the world needs to think about real hard, and real soon.
North Korea attacks: Are we skipping towards a nuclear apocalypse?, Daily Telegraph, By Praveen Swami World November 23rd, 2010 Eight weeks after 9/11, the Pakistani journalist Hamid Mir sat down for a meal of bread and olives with Osama bin Laden in Kabul. “I wish to declare,” bin Laden told him, “that if America uses chemical or nuclear weapons, then we may retort with chemical and nuclear weapons.” Read more »
Safety problems, workers pressured at Knolls nuclear site
WGI managers “created an atmosphere of fear among the work force not to speak up about issues of concern,” according to the DOE report.
Federal probe: Workers felt pressed to ignore safety issues at Knolls nuclear site, Times Union, By BRIAN NEARING , November 23, 2010 NISKAYUNA — A federal investigation into radiation released during demolition of a research building at the Knolls Atomic Power Laboratory found workers felt pressed by bosses to ignore safety issues and get work done faster. Read more »
Millions spent on lobbying gets results for Body Scanner Radiation company
spent $271,500 on lobbying so far this year too. In return it has received $41.2 million in government contracts for their scanners this year.
Body Scanner Radiation Machine Makers Spent Millions On Lobbying, Wall Street Window, – Mike Swanson (11/22/10) The truth comes out. USA Today reports that L-3 Communications, which makes the TSA radiation scanning machines at the center of controversy spent millions on lobbying government officials over the past few years to get government contracts to build the machines. Read more »
British nuclear cover-up will affect atomic veterans legal case
The Redfern Report reveals that scientists and doctors from the National Health Service ( NHS ) , the Medical Research Council ( MRC ) , the National Radiological Protection Board ( NRPB ) and the Atomic Weapons Establishment ( AWE ) examined and then destroyed evidence of exposure to ionising radiation with the aid of coroners and pathologist to enable the Ministry of Defence to avoid accountability for future damage claims . These are facts veterans and widows are passing to the legal team of Rosenblatts ..
THE RESPONSES OF THE BRITISH VETERANS TO THE LATEST SHAFTING Paul Langley’s Nuclear History Blog, 23 Nov 10 FROM THE COMBINED VETERANS’ FORUM INTERNATIONAL 22nd November 2010ATOMIC VETERANS GROUP LITIGATION – APPEAL VERDICT Read more »
One partial round to British govt, but the nuclear veterans’ legal fight continues
the fact that Mrs Sinfield’s case concerning her late husband Bert can take place in a full court hearing where all the scientific evidence held on ionising radiation damage to health will be revealed is good news .
THE IRON FIST OF JUSTICE Paul Langley’s Nuclear History Blog from Dennis Hayden 23 Nov 10, A partial victory in the appeals verdict is all we need This message has been sent to Members of Parliament . That is , the legal team is fully supportedby all nuclear veterans and widows in efforts to get the nine test cases excluded to be allowed to go to full high court trial . Read more »
Sexism in airport radiation scanning: pilots exempt, flight attendants not
Unions representing both groups are advising their members not to go through the scanners because of concerns about radiation exposure. The dose per scan is trivial, but radiation exposure is cumulative.
(USA) TSA Sexism: Pilots’ Junk Off-Limits; Flight Attendants’ Fair Game, Big Think, Lindsay Beyerstein on November 22, 2010, Pilots who shun full body scans are exempt from the TSA’s new “enhanced” body searches. Flight attendants are not. Their respective unions complained about the searches, but only pilots got an exemption. Read more »
Australian soldiers, Aborigines, civilians exposed to depleted uranium in ’50s nuclear tests
The government is preparing a study of those who may have been affected, including soldiers, and Aboriginal and civilian populations in the area at the time of testing.
Depleted uranium used at Maralinga Paul Langley’s Nuclear History Blog, 23 Nov 10, Australian Government Confirms Depleted Uranium Used in 1950s The Australian Federal Government announced that it will conduct a health study of Australian volunteers who worked at Maralinga, a British nuclear test site. Read more »
Stuxnet computer worm might target North Korea’s nukes
- the North Korean control system “is dual use, also used by the petrochemical industry, but was the same as those acquired by Iran to run its centrifuges.”
Could Stuxnet Mess With North Korea’s New Uranium Plant? Wired.com. By Kim Zetter and Spencer Ackerman November 22, 2010 The Stuxnet worm may have a new target. While security analysts try to figure out whether the now-infamous malware was built to sabotage Iran’s nuclear program, North Korea has unveiled a new uranium enrichment plant that appears to share components with Iran’s facilities. Could Pyongyang’s centrifuges be vulnerable to Stuxnet? Read more »
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