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The News That Matters about the Nuclear Industry Fukushima Chernobyl Mayak Three Mile Island Atomic Testing Radiation Isotope

Why we cannot trust the International Atomic Energy Agency

 https://independentaustralia.net/environment/environment-display/–why-we-cannot-trust-the-international-atomic-energy-agency,17839 25 Aug 23

Well, it’s just so simple. Would you have faith in a doctor who advised a medication, when you knew that his main job was to promote and sell that medication?

Today, as Japan starts to pour the tainted water from the Fukushima nuclear catastrophe into the Pacific Ocean, we should take note of Rafael Grossi’s recent statement:

“the future of nuclear as an alternative energy source relies on the success of the Fukushima release,” – Rafael Grossi, Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency. 

You see, whether or not Japan’s release of Fukushima nuclear wastewater is dangerous, is not the main point. Nuclear authorities around the world have been releasing radioactively tainted water into the seas for yonks. They used to just dump barrels of nuclear wastes. Then in 1993, ocean disposal was banned by international treaties. (London Convention (1972), Basel Convention, MARPOL 73/78). But that applies only to containers of wastes, not to liquids emptied via pipelines. The industry, and its promoter, the IAEA, wants this situation to be complacently accepted world-wide. The Fukushima decision is a key milestone in that process of acceptance.

It all really goes back to 1956, when the IAEA was created, in order to create a more friendly face to nuclear science, rather than being just for nuclear weapons. Its role was to promote the peaceful use of nuclear power, and also to regulate the industry – a conflict of interest from the start.

This became problematic for another United Nations Agency – the World Health Organisation (WHO.) On May 28, 1959, an agreement was signed between the IAEA and WHO , an agreement which began the uneasy situation in which the IAEA took over the prime role in radiation research. Article I (3) states that “whenever either organization proposes to initiate a programme or activity on a subject in which the other organization has or may have a substantial interest, the first party shall consult the other with a view to adjusting the matter by mutual consent”.

This has resulted in the IAEA taking the lead role  as watchdog over the information about radiation health effects which is distributed to the public, while the WHO has become confined to contributing to medical care and public health assistance.

The result of this agreement was especially obvious after the Chernobyl disaster, where IAEA (not WHO) took the lead in reporting radiation health effects. IAEA, enforcing the philosophy of the International Commission for Radiation Protection (ICRP), denied that any of the catastrophic health problems in the exposed population were related to radiation.

Grossi has been adept at downplaying the dangers of nuclear reactors. For instance, regarding the Russian-occupied Zaporizhzhia plant in Ukraine – “the problem there is war, the problem is not nuclear energy,” Grossi said. In this way, he quietly glosses over the reality that any nuclear reactor could become a military target, at a time of conflict.

This is all getting pretty serious now. It really is time for the world to ask questions about this conflict of interest. Should the control of information about health and environmental effects of the nuclear industry be transferred to some agency that is NOT committed to promoting that industry ?

August 25, 2023 Posted by | Christina's notes | Leave a comment

The nuclear lobby is gearing up for a takeover of COP 28

The various nuclear front groups are organising to have a prominent role in promoting nuclear as the cure for global heating. What a lie! Surrounded by packs of lies – the most glaring being their pretense of being “not for profit” organisations.

By all possible means – academic lectures, art and culture, displays – whatever – they will be allout to control the propaganda emanating from the 2023 United Nations Climate Change Conference.

Of course, the nuclear industry might be expected to get strong competition from the oil industry, seeing that COP28 will be held in the United Arab Emirates, (Thu, 30 Nov 2023 – Tue, 12 Dec 2023)

Still, these two unrelenting propagandising, and polluting industries, will probably work together.

The one voice that’s sure to be excluded is the voice of degrowth, conserving energy, cutting down on consumerism.

August 25, 2023 Posted by | Christina's notes | Leave a comment

Week to 21st August – in nuclear news

A bit of good news. Montana Rules a Healthful Environment Is a Constitutional Right.

TOP STORIES 

Assange Be Weary: The Dangers of a US Plea Deal.  

Nuclear Power Plants as Targets of War — A New Worry?.

Ukraine likely to fail in key counteroffensive aim, says US intelligence. Amid ‘staggering’ Ukrainian toll and souring US polls, Biden seeks billions more for war. Why the Glut of ‘Wonder Weapons’ to Ukraine Won’t Make a Difference. 

Huge study of nuclear workers in France, the United Kingdom, and the United States confirms low dose radiation as a cause of cancer. Risk of cancer death after exposure to low-dose ionizing radiation underestimated, suggests nuclear industry study.

Climate.  Climate Scientists warn nature’s ‘anaesthetics’ have worn off, now arth is feeling the pain, as ocean heating hits record.

Nuclear.  You’d think that the  fact that the Ukraine ‘counter-offensive’ is stalling might induce a Western mindset more favorable to the idea of a negotiated end to the war.  Not so  -the US-NATO plan is for more, and more lethal weapons.  It might even put off the idea of a war against China. But no  -and sadly, in Australia the mood among the “top people” is all for throwing $billions at preparing for the China war.  (The bottom people aren’t consulted) 

Christina notes. Bribery and Blackmail: these are the tools for continuing success of the nuclear industry.  Perfecting “planned obsolescence” – how the USA and its allies’ taxpayers are locked into perpetual buying of useless weapons.

CLIMATE. The nuclear icebreakers enabling drilling in Russia’s Arctic .

ECONOMICS. 

ENERGY. US climate law introduces billion-dollar ‘game-changer’ for nonprofits.

ENVIRONMENT. Anger as Hinkley Point C allowed to discharge sewage into Bristol Channel and drop fish protection.

ETHICS and RELIGION. The Oppenheimer Imperative: Normalising Atomic Terror. Japanese and US Bishops pledge partnership for a nuclear-free world. Poisoning the planet. Big Brave Western Proxy Warriors Keep Whining That Ukrainian Troops Are Cowards.

HEALTH. Japan mothers’ group fears Fukushima water release could revive health concerns.

LEGAL.  For What Crime? – Good Journalism?.     Marshall Islands reacts to US expansion of nuclear compensation.

MEDIA. The Connection between Oppenheimer and Gentilly-2: Edward Teller and the H bomb

NUCLEAR TECHNOLOGY. Risks of further delays at Hinkley Point C, EDF warns. Even the UK’s very first small nuclear reactor could  could not be decided upon until 2029   . Nuclear Fusion: Energy Breakthrough or Ballyhoo?.

OPPOSITION to NUCLEAR . South Korea’s opposition party to file UN complaint against Japan over nuclear waste .

PERSONAL STORIES. The Financial Legacy of the Nuclear Tests on Bikini Atoll/

POLITICS. 

POLITICS INTERNATIONAL and DIPLOMACY. 

PROTESTS. Gwynedd anti-nuclear march ‘sent powerful message’. Japanese citizens’ group protests nuclear discharge.

SAFETY. 

Nuclear Regulatory Commission’s Risky Rule Change Ignores History. More Nuclear Emergency Planning Needed, Not Less. 

Power-Line Cut Raises Alarm Over Russian-Held Nuclear Plant In Ukraine, But Expert Says Little Has Changed. Russia And Ukraine Trade Blame Over Outages At Zaporizhzhya Nuclear Plant.

SECRETS and LIES. Most ‘experts’ pushing for endless conflict in Ukraine share a common benefactor.

WASTES. Japan’s nuclear plants are short of storage for spent fuel. A remote town could have the solution.

WAR and CONFLICT. Ralph Nader: Develop an Exit Strategy for the Endless War in Ukraine. The Inevitable Defeat: Retired US Colonel Speaks Candidly On Ukraine’s Losing Battle Against Russia. Back in another quagmire – in Biden’s relentless “Big Muddy” of Ukraine. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uXnJVkEX8O4   US, Finland Negotiating Defense Agreement That Would See Deployment of American Troops.

Niger is Far From a Typical Coup.

WEAPONS and WEAPONS SALES. 

August 21, 2023 Posted by | Christina's notes | 2 Comments

TODAY. Bribery and Blackmail: these are the tools for continuing success of the nuclear industry

The sociopaths who run this world assure us that disposal sites for radioactive trash wiil be found. And, these sites will be decided upon only with informed consent of the local community.

And they mean this – they sure do. Apart from all the technical blah blah – on safety etc, the really significant part will be the “goodies” that they will charitably bestow on the community.

It’s so simple. You find a poor, aging, struggling community. preferably remote, that is lacking in adequate medical educational, and other human services. They can’t seem to get these. Governments are slow to respond to their needs.

But then – hey presto ! Along comes the nuclear industry, and suddenly – purses open -and this poor community is suddenly grateful to have those essential facilities – that everyone else has got anyway , (without having to accept nuclear trash).

I was prompted to note this today, as one Japanese town [or more correctly, its Mayor], considers hosting a nuclear waste dump. – “The town will only get poorer if we just keep waiting,” Kaminoseki Mayor Tetsuo Nishi – “We should do whatever is available now.”

Earlier this month, Chugoku put forward a proposal to build a storage facility jointly with Kansai Electric, but the plan was met by angry protests from residents, who surrounded the mayor and yelled at him.

August 19, 2023 Posted by | Christina's notes | 1 Comment

TODAY. Perfecting “planned obsolescence” – how the USA and its allies’ taxpayers are locked into perpetual buying of useless weapons.

 The primary purpose of American and Western militarism is to make profits for private corporations, the military-industrial complex.

Typically, the weapons are vastly overpriced, overhyped and designed for perpetual consumption.

They are not for winning a war. They’re for being used up, so you have to replace them now, with yet new buying.”

( https://strategic-culture.org/news/2023/08/15/us-capitalism-and-why-glut-of-wonder-weapons-ukraine-wont-make-difference/)

Yes. The tax-payers of America and its allies are now locked in to a permanent spiral of weapons buying.

The United States’ and NATO’s weapons and training were supposed to turn the tide for Ukraine’s “stunning victory” against Russia.

That didn’t happen. But does the USA government REALLY care?

No. Why should they? The USA economy is going gangbusters. The big boys Northrop Grumman , Lockheed Martin. etc, are now perpetually selling new and more wonderful weapons of all kinds. They don’t have to worry about consumer demand.

It really is the perfect, winning economy. The so-called “consumers” don’t need to want the weapons, or even know about them As long as the war keeps going, this war economy keeps the profits rolling. No need for Ukraine to win – in fact, that would muck it all up – at least until we get Taiwan to have a war against China, with of course, the Taiwanese taking over the soldiers’ cannon-fodder, from the exhausted Ukrainians.

It’s a fail-safe system What could possibly go wrong?

August 17, 2023 Posted by | Christina's notes | 1 Comment

This week in nuclear news

Some bits of good news:  For Outdoor Workers, Learning About Heat Protection Is a Lifesaver.    Climate leaders on what brings them hope.  A rare monkey came back from the brink.

TOP STORIES

Atomic Bombing of Japan Was Not Necessary to End WWII. US Gov’t Documents Admit It.       Racism and the choice to bomb Hiroshima and Nagasaki.

Target China

US/France Threaten Intervention in Resource-Rich Niger: Fears of War in West Africa.

Counting the dead at Hiroshima and Nagasaki.

The terrible emptiness of “Oppenheimer”.

 Climate,   July was world’s hottest month on record, climate scientists confirm. Four fifths of humanity ‘hit by heat linked to climate change’ in July. 

Virtually certain’ extreme Antarctic events will get worse without drastic action, scientists warn.    Antarctica ‘suffering’ because of burning fossil fuels, say scientists. Antarctica could become ‘global radiator’ if ice loss continues at the current rate . 

Nuclear.  “Oppenheimer” continues to make its impact. The USA pulls quite a swiftie on Australia. as the AUKUS ‘Security’ deal quietly organises for American nuclear submarine’s highly toxic radioactive wastes to be dumped on Australia, (just as Aboriginal group has won a legal battle against nuclear waste dumping). Racism is becoming a more obvious feature of the nuclear industry worldwide.

Christina notes. The “modern” nuclear industry manages its radioactive sewage in a medieval way. The Australian Labor Party embraces militarism– has it lost its soul?

CLIMATE. Is it “Hello” or “Goodbye” to Great British Nuclear Power?

CIVIL LIBERTIES. McCarthyism Is Back, and It’s Coming for the Peace Movement.

ECONOMICS. 

EDUCATION. United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR) held a public youth pitch event “‘Peace & XX’ Ideation – Nuclear Disarmament and Sustainable Futures”

EMPLOYMENT. Hinkley nuclear site workers win after unofficial walkouts. Hinkley Point C unrest continues as steel erectors down tools.

ENERGY. TVA should focus on a better grid and renewable, not nuclear, energy .

ENVIRONMENT. Fish Hell – impacts of sea water nuclear cooling systems . Agency to test for tritium in fish after Fukushima water discharge,

ETHICS and RELIGION. ‘Oppenheimer’ depicts a man becoming powerful—and irrelevant. Nuclear weapons since Oppenheimer: Who’s in control?. 

U.S. group marks 1945 atomic bombings, at interfaith service in Hiroshima, urges abolishing nuclear weapons and building better world. Sombre ceremony outside Manitoba Legislature illuminates push to eradicate nuclear weapons.

HEALTH. Reducing the risks of nuclear war — the role of health professionals. Medical Journals Issue Urgent Call for Elimination of Nuclear Weapons. Carcinogens found at Montana nuclear missile sites as reports of hundreds of cancers surface. Radiation. Additional information on tritium. Still more information about Tritium .

LEGAL. Suggestions that Julian Assange might be returned to Australia, with a “plea deal.

MEDIA. Nevada’s atomic fallout: How nuclear explosions in the Silver State reverberate through lives today. The Illusory Truth Effect And The “Unprovoked” Invasion Of Ukraine. YouTube Deletes military analyst Scott Ritter’s Channel.  Famed director Oliver Stone gets it so very wrong about nuclear power . 

NUCLEAR TECHNOLOGY. Nuclear fusion – a step forward, but is it in a sensible direction? Small Modular reactors– a US view.

OPPOSITION to NUCLEAR . 

POLITICS. Democracy Needs Healthy Debates About War And Peace. Poll Shows Majority of Americans Oppose Further Aid in Ukraine. 

 Biden vows to compensate New Mexico residents sickened by nuclear weapons radiation after 1945 testing. Illinois Gov. Pritzker vetoes bill that would have allowed new nuclear construction. 

Sweden to clear obstacles for new nuclear reactors. Sweden criticised over plan to build at least 10 new nuclear reactors.

Public participation for the Flamanville EPR reactor commissioning project (INB 167).  Philippines House panel OKs bill outlining nuclear damage compensation.  Who decides whether Bataan should go nuclear?.

POLITICS INTERNATIONAL and DIPLOMACY. As Threat Remerges, Global Community Must Speak as One, Commit to Nuclear-Free World, Secretary-General Says on Anniversary of Hiroshima Bombing. The BRICS Revolt: How Ukraine War Eroded U.S. Authority.

PROTESTS. Demonstrators protest development of nuclear weapons in Oak Ridge. Ten arrested at protest against nuclear weapons at Volkel airbase. Anti-nuclear protesters at Faslane charged after blocking entrance. In South Korea, activists march against Tokyo’s waste plan.

SAFETY. Dounreay inspectors raise further red flag about sodium storage. Ukrainian Minister Warns Zaporizhzhya Nuclear Plant ‘One Step Away’ From Blackout. Ukraine: Zaporizhzhya nuclear plant initiates reactor shutdown following water leak, reports IAEA. 2 minor earthquakes strike near North Korea’s nuclear test site.

SECRETS and LIES. Zelensky Fires All Military Enlistment Office Chiefs Over Corruption Allegations. Secret Pakistan cable documents US pressure to remove Imran Khan. Sweden’s “Energiforsk” should remove misleading reports on nuclear power”.

WASTES.  Nuclear waste dump plans scrapped for South Australia. Scottish ministers test attitudes to building radioactive waste facilities near homes. Hearing on the Chalk River Megadump . Theddlethorpe nuclear waste site: Public to vote by 2027. 

Chinese UN mission releases working paper on Fukushima nuclear-contaminated wastewater issue, urging Japan to discharge in responsible manner. Concrete tomb filled with deadly nuclear waste is leaking as it’s starting to crack.

WAR and CONFLICT. Ukrainian counteroffensive ‘highly unlikely‘ to succeed, US officials tell CNN.   Ukraine fights narrative battle as counteroffensive stalls – NBC.       Zelensky fears peace pressure from West – NYT.    Ukraine facing ‘difficult’ autumn – foreign minister. Poland admits Ukraine’s counteroffensive won’t succeed. Marcus Strom: AUKUS is a mad, bad and dangerous war policy, Labor Against War. The US grip on Australia keeps tightening. Can we break free and avoid war? 

‘Oppenheimer’ the movie versus our nuclear reality. A warning from the Caribbean – none of us is safe from nuclear disaster. At Nagasaki Memorial, Guterres Cautions of Nuclear Disaster Risk .

WEAPONS and WEAPONS SALES. Rapid Dragon: the US military game-changer that could affect conventional and nuclear strategy and arms control negotiations.     We don’t need nuclear cruise missiles at sea.     Another Washington declaration: U.S. nuclear weapons on the Korean Peninsula, Egypt rejects multiple US requests to arm Ukraine: Report.

August 14, 2023 Posted by | Christina's notes | Leave a comment

TODAY. The “modern” nuclear industry manages its radioactive sewage in a medieval way

The nuclear industry prides itself on being such a “modern” “civilised” industry. However, it is quite happy to deal with its garbage in a medieval way. Just as, centuries ago, in “civilised” Europe it was just fine to pour your sewage into the street – to flow on to public waterways and oceans.

This mendacious industry cons us all into believing that the Fukushima nuclear waste-water is the same as water released from active nuclear power plants. It is not.

Normally, water that is used in cooling a nuclear plant in routine operation and then discharged to the environment has no direct contact with the nuclear reactor fuel cores. In contrast, the contaminated water generated by the Fukushima disaster has come into direct contact with contamination from the melted down cores of three reactors and as such is severely contaminated with many radionuclides. It has  greater variety of radioactive materials but also the overall much higher radioactivity.

But that’s not the only deception. With its customary false logic, the nuclear industry claims that because several countries already pour nuclear-irradiated wastewater into the sea, that proves that it is OK to do so. That’s like a medieval person explaining that pouring sewage into the street is fine, because the neighbours do it.

The global ban on ocean dumping of radioactive waste adopted in 1993 applies only to barrels. It has allowed Britain and France to pump billions of gallons of radioactive wastewater into the Irish Sea and the North Sea respectively, for decades. The mind boggles at the thought of what the Russians do with theirs.

It took the Black Plague in 1350 to make people realise that sewage, garbage, and dead bodies in the streets were really a bad idea.

What is it going to take for the world to stop this wonderful “modern” nuclear industry pour its radioactive sewage into the public oceans?

And for that matter, since nuclear power and nuclear weapons are not essential – why allow their toxic sewage to be produced at all?

August 12, 2023 Posted by | Christina's notes | Leave a comment

TODAY: The Australian Labor Party embraces militarism- has it lost its soul?

Yes, I’m afraid so. Even when I left the Australian Labor Party in 1984, as then Prime Minister Bob Hawke compromised with the nuclear industry, I still had hope for Australia’s party that represented the workers and the ordinary people.

Not any more. What a huge disappointment is Anthony Albanese. Once he seemed to be a champion for the workers, and for peace, and for a nuclear-free Australia. Now he is Joe Biden’s best friend, and leading Australia into militarism with more fervour even than the Liberals and Nationals.

A glimmer of hope. Labor Against War – a newly formed body within the ALP will be pushing for an end to AUKUS, AUSMIN and the whole war-mongering madness. And they’re not a bunch of extremists – they represent some of the brightest minds and most respected people in the ALP, as well as some powerful trade unions and anti-nuclear activists in many ALP branches.

Labor Against War is not going away . The corporate media today is proclaiming their unimportance – “AUKUS is safe – the coming ALP National Conference will not be troubled by such movement”

Well, we will see. No wonder that so many disenchanted Labor voters have moved to the Greens, as I did. But even within Labor, we still have like-minded people who oppose the suicidal lunacy that is AUKUS.

August 11, 2023 Posted by | Christina's notes | 2 Comments

TODAY For the survival of the human species, we need Women In Decision-Making – at the very least with equal representation.

“If there is one takeaway from Christopher Nolan’s recent film “Oppenheimer,” it is that the nuclear field has been male-dominated from the very start,”

That’s just one reflection from InDepth’s excellent article on the need for gender parity in nuclear disarmament talks.

But really, if you look at the history of just about anything, but especially war, you find that the decision-makers are pretty much exclusively male.

Without going into the complex reasons for this, it is now obvious that, if we want to survive, we are going to need a different style of decision-making.

When even peace talks are dominated by men – we’re in trouble.

In the 21st Century we are at an extraordinary stage. Women are no longer just the objects for male activities (if they ever really were) – not just sexual objects, baby-making machines, scivvies for all the dirty and boring work .. and so on. They now have, (though not all of them,) control over their own sexuality, education, and unlimited potential. Sacre bleu- they’re playing football!

It’s definitely time for women, and humanist values, to take control. Now, before it’s too late!

August 8, 2023 Posted by | Christina's notes | 3 Comments

TODAY. Forget Oppenheimer. The real nuclear hero is Joseph Rotblat

If only other scientists had followed his example.

If only scientists could learn from Joseph Rotblat, and abandon their dogmatic belief that science is “neutral”

To the end of his life, he believed scientists have personal responsibility for their inventions.

Yeah – you’ve never heard of him, have you? That’s because we have all been brainwashed, in the patriarchy, into believing that heroes are brave tough guys. Joseph Rotblat was brave, but, alas, not a tough guy. So – he don’t qualify.

Robert Oppenheimer might have regretted it later, but he was in favor of using the atomic bomb, seeing it as a terror weapon, that would need to be used only once

Leo Szilard was a “wimp” who did not want the atomic bomb to be dropped on Hiroshima.

But Joseph Rotblat went further than Slizard. In 1943, when it was clear that Germany was not developing atomic weapons, Rotblat saw the danger of atomic warfare, and risk of a nuclear clash with Russia. Rotblat abandoned his role in the Manhattan Project, and left America. USA army intelligence tried hard to depict Rotblat as a Russian agent

After the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, Rotblat was determined to prevent the development of future nuclear weapons. He devoted the rest of his life to protesting nuclear testing and weapons production.

During the post-war period, Joseph Rotblat did an enormous amount of work in the cause of peace, dialogue and disarmament through the Pugwash movement, with which he shared the Nobel Peace Prize in 1995.

Joseph Rotblat passed away on August 31, 2005. To the end of his life, he believed scientists have personal responsibility for their inventions. Rotblat implored: “Above all, remember your humanity.”

August 3, 2023 Posted by | Christina's notes, PERSONAL STORIES, weapons and war | 3 Comments

TODAY. Pro nuclear spin – the perfect examples of deception in language and logic.

I did find, in the reporting of the finally-in-operation Vogtle nuclear power plant, a fine example of the nuclear lobby’s brilliant, but twisted and irrational, logic.

 Department of Energy’s Loan Programs Office director, Jigar Shah, was “optimistic and thinks Vogtle is a nuclear turning point, with a pivot toward smaller-scale projects that will be easier and cheaper to replicate.” “I also think it sets up the U.S. nuclear renaissance very well in small modular reactors,” “The beauty of the small modular reactor is it fits within that $2 [billion] to $4 billion price range,” Shah said.

(That’s the suggested price to build one smr). Upon completion, Vogtle Units 3 and 4 are expected to generate 17,200,000 megawatt-hours . The only Small Modular Reactor (SMR) to receive “design certification”, is the NuScale, which generates 77 megawatts electric (MWe). So – you’d need an awful lot of them to match the Vogtle output, – like over 20,000? At $2 – $4billion each – cost would be? NuScale does put 12 together, to make quite a big nuclear plant ( you’d still need quite a lot of these no-longer-small-plants) . I await some nuclear tech genius to enlighten me on how SMRs are going to produce electricity more cheaply.

But no matter – the logic is – large nuclear reactors produce expensive electricity: therefore small nuclear reactors will produce cheap electricity.

So – we don’t need to discuss other forms of electricity generation (like solar, for example)

Which brings me to another clever aspect of pro nuclear spin, – which is – you just ignore the bits that you don’t like, especially where there might be a comparison with non-nuclear technologies. This is done by concentrating on one aspect that might have popular appeal.

For example: the operating nuclear reactor emits almost no carbon emissions. That point, (excluding the total fuel-cycle) is the focus for claiming that nuclear is “clean” and “safe”. The focus on that claim leaves out altogether other aspects, like safety, security, long-lasting radioactive wastes, potential for nuclear/radioactive weapons, terrorism risks.

And then there’s language. The nuclear lobby used to dazzle us with science. And they still do, especially when the subject of ionising radiation comes up- a beaut collection of jargon words and initials- a confusion of “Intermediate Level” “Restricted Solid Wastes” “Class B Wastes” and many radiation terms.

But today – in this fast-changing world – repetitive, fast, meaningless words and phrases are the order of the day – game-changing, climate-change solution, clean, reliable, affordable, good-paying jobs, ………… most often quoted without any facts supplied to support them

The financial catastrophe that has been the Vogtle nuclear power project – is just another challenge/opportunity for the nuclear lobby. Like Fukushima, like Chernobyl, even like “Oppenheimer” – ’twill be another occasion for the nuclear spin-doctors and their loyal media to broadcast the coming success and benefits of new nuclear power.

August 1, 2023 Posted by | Christina's notes | 3 Comments

TODAY. Jobs! jobs! jobs! – IN THE DEATH INDUSTRY

Quite suddenly, any vestige of Australia being an independent country has disappeared overnight.

An entire continent has been handed over to the American military machine, by Australia’s cowardly and self-serving politicians.

And the Australian media exultantly choruses “ Jobs! Jobs ! Jobs! “

I have often wondered why that chorus is repeated endlessly – in awed, religious, joy?

If you work in a caring industry, or in nurturing animals, plants, the environment, in growing food or in one of the many jobs that support life – you can derive some pride in your work. It’s good to be paid some money, but it’s especially good to be able to derive some dignity, self-respect, genuine joy, in knowing that you are genuinely contributing to well-being – to the common good.

It’s a matter of integrity – dare I mention this? – some spiritual satisfaction. You can hold your head up high.

Where is the integrity in making killing machines, things for massacring thousands of people, destroying the land and animals?

And just to make sure that the Americans really mean it, we have the odious Antony Blinken now emphasising that the USA will certainly punish our courageous Australian truth-teller Julian Assange.

PM Albanese, and wimp Foreign Minister Penny Wong just kow tow and agree!

July 30, 2023 Posted by | Christina's notes | 7 Comments

Aliens in outer space – a little sad on watching earthlings.

‘Era of global boiling has arrived’

Gulf Stream could collapse as early as 2025.

Extreme weather linked to climate change the ‘number one threat’ to natural World Heritage sites.

‘Very worried’ catastrophic 2025 prediction

Climate Change Poses Safety Threat to Nuclear Facilities: IAEA

‘No one wants to be right about this’: climate scientists’ horror and exasperation as global predictions play out.

Shell’s ‘obscene’ $5bn profits reignite outrage amid climate crisis

‘We are damned fools’: scientist who sounded climate alarm in 80s warns of worse to come

Climate change’s next victim: Sports (shock, horror!)

July 26, 2023 Posted by | Christina's notes | 6 Comments

It really IS a climate emergency – but here is nuclear news, anyway

What went right this week: the good news you should know about.   A pathway emerged to an Aids-free future,  Deforestation fell in the Colombian Amazon.   California Military Base is Being Transformed Into one of the Largest City Parks in the U.S.

TOP STORIES

If Everybody’s Going to Join NATO, Then Why Have the United Nations?

The Empire Knows It’s Pouring Ukrainian Blood Into An Unwinnable Proxy War.

The Forever Dangers of Small Modular Nuclear Reactors.

‘Artificial Escalation’: Imagining the future of nuclear risk. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w9npWiTOHX0

Nuclear trash on indigenous land ?- a court decision puts Australia in a very difficult spot.        UK campaigners call on Australian PM to withdraw Kimba nuke dump threat.

CLIMATE. Heatwaves are new normal as 50C hits US and China – UN.  How deadly are these heatwaves – and how hot will they get? (nb. kids under 5 especially endangered)          Europe heatwave: EU sends planes to Greece as thousands flee fires.      Highof 48C expected on continent as red spreads across the European weathermap. From body bags of ice to pavement burn: US grapples with new extreme heat reality. Rain fury: Floods batter North Indian states – nearly a foot of rain in 14 hours recorded.

Christina notes. Is it now OK to talk about ethics again?    We need decision-making by women, if we’re going to survive in this nuclear age.

Nuclear. Again – it really is the climate that is the overwhelming news this week –   while global leaders busily focus on new ways to plan to kill each other’s populations .

CLIMATE. “Nuclear Power Is Already a Climate Casualty”

ENERGY. Does Nuclear slow down the scale-up of Wind and Solar? France and Germany can’t agree.

ECONOMICS. Is the UK Government unable to fund its promised nuclear renaissance? These are the companies that will get the British government’s nuclear bribes. US Asset Managers Have ‘Significant Investments’ in Nuclear Weapons and Cluster Bombs: Analysis.          France needs to invest 25 billion euros ($28 billion) each year to maintain its nuclear energy programme.     The Big Problem With Small Nuclear Reactors.

ENERGY. Not nuclear, but wind and solar still cheapest – CSIRO

ENVIRONMENT. Cesium 180 times limit found in fish at Fukushima nuke plant 12 years after disaster. Hong Kong tightens radiation inspection of Japanese seafood imports.

ETHICS and RELIGION. Will we ban nuclear weapons, or will Biden and Putin get us all cremated equally?

HEALTH. Nuclear power: Is it safe to use nuclear energy ?- there are the health risks with it.

INDIGENOUS ISSUES. Nuclear Projects Torment Life on Earth.

LEGAL. Court rules in favour of Barngala people, preventing nuclear waste facility in Kimba.  Examining the impact of the legal decision against the planned Kimba nuclear waste dump

MEDIA. The Nuclear Age Grimly Descends in “Oppenheimer”.       ‘Oppenheimer’ is a pitch-dark American nightmare. We cannot look away. What We Can Still Learn From J. Robert Oppenheimer.      Anti-nuclear groups welcome Oppenheimer film but say it fails to depict true horror.    The Dynamics of War Insanity: NATO’s Ukraine Roulette. Nevil Shute’s ‘On the Beach’ warned us of nuclear annihilation. It’s still a hot-button issue with a new play at the Sydney Theatre Company.

NUCLEAR TECHNOLOGY. UK nuclear future: “China is the world leader in renewables” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ob0R-h4GV8s         Repeating This Nuclear Power Mistake Will Be Catastrophic For Artificial Intelligence – Venture capitalist Marc Andreessen.     Oppenheimer biographer supports US bill to bar use of AI in nuclear launches.

OPPOSITION to NUCLEAR . Best foot forward: Campaigners are marching again for a Nuclear Free Wales. Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament (CND) condemns additional billions for Britain’s nuclear arsenal.     Scottish CND hit out over ‘nuclear threat‘ in MPs’ military report.          Putting the Nuclear Genie Back in the Bottle.

PERSONAL STORIES. Karina’s father went blind at Emu Field. Now, she’s fighting for a treaty on nuclear weapons.

POLITICS. UK government launches”Great British Nuclear” with big bribes, and big promises, for the “small nuclear reactor” industry.         Don’t believe the UK government’s hype about small nuclear reactors and Great British Nuclear.       Tory nuclear expansion programme.   

Prime Minister Albanese must abandon South Australian nuclear waste dump.  

Council defers decision over Test of Public Support on the issue of disposal of high level nuclear waste. Ontario – Ford government’s electricity plan takes wrong approach. Ontario opts for high-risk nuclear over low-risk energy sources.

POLITICS INTERNATIONAL and DIPLOMACY.

RADIATION. Science and Global Security Maps Radioactive Fallout from U.S. Nuclear Weapon Tests, Beginning with July 1945 Trinity Test. Backgrounder on health consequences of nuclear radiation fallout and the Anthropocene. China’s blanket radiation testing could spell trouble for Japanese seafood imports.

SAFETY. Safety lapses at Los Alamos National Laboratory. Incidents. A 90 million gallon nuclear tragedy. The US should end its use of nuclear power plants – the intractible problem of dangerous spent fuel rods. An inherent potential for catastrophe.

SECRETS and LIES. Europe’s black hole: How much of the more than $185 billion given by the West to Ukraine has been stolen?         Corruption In Ukraine & The U.S. Mutually Rewarding.

SPACE. EXPLORATION, WEAPONS. SpaceX Starlink satellites had to make 25,000 collision-avoidance maneuvers in just 6 months — and it will only get worse. US DOE delivers plutonium-238 for NASA missions.

SPINBUSTER. UK government announces fantasy small modular reactor programme as a cover for Sizewelll C failure.       Great British Nuclear: High on hype, Low on substance.

WASTES. Dumping doubts: Releasing Fukushima’s wastewater.      To the Pacific islands, the West’s support for Japan’s Fukushima nuclear waste ocean dumping is hypocrisy.        The dilemma of continuing to produce nuclear trash which will remain harmful for millennia.       Feds digging up nuclear waste in Los Alamos for disposal at Carlsbad-area repository. AUKUS’ nuclear waste dump is the secret no-one talks about. So what’ll it cost?

WAR and CONFLICT. Ukraine’s Lack of Weaponry and Training Risks Stalemate in Fight With Russia.    Ukraine Again Bombs Crimean Bridge.     Kiev strikes ammunition depot in Crimea – official. Architect of Annihilation: Oppenheimer’s Deadly Legacy of Nucle ar Terror.      Putin warns of Poland’s intentions in Ukraine and Belarus.

WEAPONS and WEAPONS SALES. Nuclear Notebook: French nuclear weapons, 2023.     US turning Ukraine into ‘burial ground’ for lethal waste – Russian envoy.      In Ukraine, US Adds to Barbaric Cluster-Bomb Legacy.     USA government – more money, $19 billion, grant for making deadly plutonium.    The True Symbol Of The United States Is The Pentagon.

WOMEN. Brussels: Global Women For Peace United Against NATO Meet With EU Parliament, NATO Representatives.  

July 24, 2023 Posted by | Christina's notes | 8 Comments

TODAY. Is it now OK to talk about ethics again?

The film “Oppenheimer” has raised some awkward questions about the use of weaponry to blast human beings to bits.

And right now, the USA leaders have decide that it’s OK to use cluster bombs and depleted uranium weapons to blow up and poison the “evil” Russians. No doubt Putin will by now have decided to do the same to the “evil” Ukrainians.

Everyone now is seeming to ponder on whether the nuclear bombing of thousands of people is really an OK thing to do.

While I am not minimising the awfulness of atomic bombing, I am thinking of some other things that aren’t very nice, either. Take for example, the Allied bombing of Dresden in February 1945. The main purpose of incinerating this city, (a cultural, not a military, centre) was to frighten and demoralise the civilian population of Germany.

That bombing was so cleverly done. one day, with thousands of bombs killing thousands of people. Then the Allies waited until the next day, when firemen and rescuers had arrived in the ruins, to do the next bombing, again killing many thousands.

So – what weapons are OK? What cruelties are justifiable?

World War 2 does present a dilemma – when the world was confronted with a uniquely evil regime. And I don’t know the answer. But there must be other ways.

The Ukraine situation presents evils, (and on both sides), but it is nowhere near that unique horror of Nazism.

The movie “Oppenheimer” raises the question of ethics and nuclear bombing.

An ethical question is: are there ways other than cruel killing, to resolve conflicts?

The men in charge of the world think that there aren’t. But perhaps they are wrong.

July 22, 2023 Posted by | Christina's notes | 7 Comments

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