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Military mansplaining dispels any nonsensical ideas about “the sanctity of space”.

Australian Independent Media, 31 Dec 24,  https://theaimn.net/military-mansplaining-dispels-any-nonsensical-ideas-about-the-sanctity-of-space/

Doncha love mansplaining? It simplifies everything, takes away your worries, and you can now complacently forget about any silly way-out anxieties that you might have had about technological progress.

As our military defenders develop advanced and artificial intelligence weaponry for war in space , USA Air Force secretary, and former military contractor, Frank Kendall mansplained all this perfectly for us:

Mr. Kendall said when he first came into office, there was an understandable aversion to weaponizing space, but that now the debate about “the sanctity or purity of space” is effectively over.

“Space is a vacuum that surrounds Earth,” Mr. Kendall said. “It’s a place that can be used for military advantage and it is being used for that. We can’t just ignore that on some obscure, esoteric principle that says we shouldn’t put weapons in space and maintain it.

The threat is there. It’s a domain we have to be competitive in.”

One might ponder on where this threat comes from. It seems pretty clear to me that macho military men of one nation, for example the USA, devise killing machines, and then macho men of another nation, for example China, react by devising killer machines. Then the USA men have to go one better and so on. The cleverness of macho men is the original threat.

Of course many men do not have this blinkered macho attitude to exploiting land, sea, and now space, for weaponry that damages no only humans, but other species, and indeed, the whole ecosphere. Unfortunately these many other men are also not so good at confidently mansplaining the ideas that they might have – about caring for the ecosphere, about negotiation as an alternative to war. That takes a lot of hard work, to present those ideas, and they tend to do it in a careful way, rather than talking down to the rest of us..

It is really a lot easier and simpler to decide that becoming the top killer is the way to solve differences: much harder to really think about solving the problems.

The “sanctity and purity of space”. Where did Kendall get that from?

Well, the phrase contains both a religious and environmental significance. Originally from a very spiritual poem – it has caught the imagination of many – as a theme to respect the beauty of the sky, the environment, and our role as custodians of our ecosphere.

This kind of spiritual waffle is anathema to the mansplaining military macho men.

For one thing, it involves some complicated ideas that they probably can’t understand, with their one-track adversarial thinking. To give just one example: light pollution from spacecraft disrupts the lives of not only many tiny species like moths, but also of birds and sea turtles.

Then there are ethical questions – about space vehicles, weapons, debris crashing in various locations, including neutral, uninvolved countries. And, most concerning of all is the newest technology, artificial-intelligence-enhanced fighter jets and space-based warfare. Missile-carrying robot drones with A.I.-enhanced software will be able to independently decide on flying routes, and on identifying and attacking enemy targets. Robots will be able to make decisions on whom to kill.

For one thing, it involves some complicated ideas that they probably can’t understand, with their one-track adversarial thinking. To give just one example: light pollution from spacecraft disrupts the lives of not only many tiny species like moths, but also of birds and sea turtles.

Then there are ethical questions – about space vehicles, weapons, debris crashing in various locations, including neutral, uninvolved countries. And, most concerning of all is the newest technology, artificial-intelligence-enhanced fighter jets and space-based warfare. Missile-carrying robot drones with A.I.-enhanced software will be able to independently decide on flying routes, and on identifying and attacking enemy targets. Robots will be able to make decisions on whom to kill.

January 1, 2025 Posted by | Christina's notes | Leave a comment

Nuclear news in the last week of 2024

So often, art gives us hope, points the way ahead. Over 40 years ago, the Australian folk band Redgum had hit songs, especially opposing war. Above is the cover picture of their first album, depicting the USA’s secret military intelligence hub in Central Australia. In this critical year of 2025, with nuclear war and climate catastrophe dangling over us, Redgum’s message about not giving up, is more pertinent than ever.And people, millions of them, are not giving up, with leadership from so many forward-thinking groups, like the 

International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons, and many anti-nuclear, peace and environmental organisations world-wide. 

What didn’t happen in 2024 – Success on the ground and in court for the nuclear-free movement.

TOP STORIES

Another expert report finds Israel is committing genocide: The West yawns  

Trump suggests Zelensky consider ceding territories – El Pais. 

AI bigwigs want to go all-in on nuclear: they also happen to be behind nuclear companies. 

New Mexico’s Nuclear-Weapons Boom.

From the archives. Big tech, bigger lies.

Climate. We need to be prepared’: China adapts to era of extreme flooding. A year of extreme weather that challenged billions. Scientists should break the ice.

Noel’s notes. As the Gaza genocide continues, it cannot be a happy 2025.  The Australian election as a game of cricket: cost of living is the issue, but does Nature bat last?     The good Germans and the good Jews.

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AUSTRALIA.  This talk of nuclear is a waste of time: Wind, solar and firming can clearly do the job. More Australian nuclear news at https://antinuclear.net/2024/12/26/australian-nuclear-news-24-30-december/

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NUCLEAR ITEMS

ATROCITIES. Israeli Attacks in Gaza Kill at Least 32 More Palestinians Over 24 Hours. Israel Is Killing Civilians In Gaza On Purpose, And It’s Not Even Debatable.

Gaza babies ‘freezing to death’ amid Israel’s inhumane blockade: UNRWA. All Of Western Civilization Owns This Genocide.

CULTURE and ART. Philosophy Against Nuclear Power.

ECONOMICS. As construction of first small modular reactor looms, prospective buyers wait for the final tally ALSO AT https://nuclear-news.net/2024/12/28/1-a-as-construction-of-first-small-modular-reactor-looms-prospective-buyers-wait-for-the-final-tally/

British energy supplier Centrica is prepared to “walk away” from a planned investment in the Sizewell C nuclear plant. ALSO AT https://nuclear-news.net/2024/12/26/1-b1-british-energy-supplier-centrica-is-prepared-to-walk-away-from-a-planned-investment-in-the-sizewell-c-nuclear-plant/

Labour donor Dale Vince urges ‘rigorous financial scrutiny’ of Sizewell C costs.

Fault puts nuclear power station offline over Christmas.

ENERGY. Why tech giants such as Microsoft, Amazon, Google and Meta are betting big on nuclear power.
ENVIRONMENT. High tide for Holtec
INDIGENOUS ISSUES. Ontario First Nation challenging selection of underground nuclear waste site in court
OPPOSITION to NUCLEAR . Villagers oppose proposed nuclear plant in Arasinkeri.
PERSONAL STORIES. Japan’s fishing town of Suttsu faces nuclear waste dilemma amid population decline.
POLITICS. Chris Hedges: How Fascism Came. FRANCE’S NUCLEAR ENERGY POLICY: A CHRONICLE OF FAILURE – FLAMANVILLE 3. Israel to Annex the West Bank – Why Now? And What are the Likely Scenarios?
POLITICS INTERNATIONAL and DIPLOMACY. How Ukraine is Helping the HTS Militants Who Overthrew Assad. The rise and fall of Sweden’s nuclear disarmament advocacy.

RADIATION. Did Israel explode a small nuclear bomb in Syria? Spike in radiation report says…

SAFETY. Jeremy Corbyn speaks out on danger of Trident in Scotland.

There’s a Major Problem With the Nuclear War Bunkers The Rich Are Buying.

Incidents. Workers Seek Shelter As Hanford Nuclear Complex Issues Leak Alert. Earthquake-prone Indonesia considers nuclear power plan as 29 possible plant sites revealed.

SECRETS and LIES.US-Funded Group Removes Report Warning of Famine in North Gaza After Complaint From US Ambassador.Black Money, Black Flags: How USAID Paved the Way for Syria’s Militant Takeover.No more research for genocide at MIT!Pentagon Admits It’s Been Lying About the Number of Troops in Both Iraq and Syria.’ References to ‘inducing a North Korean attack’ found in ex-military official’s notes.
WASTES. Northwestern Ontario nuclear waste site selection raises concerns.Second Fukushima nuclear sample removal eyed for March.Complex plan for dismantling UK’s 27 dead, rusting, radioactive nuclear submarines.
WAR and CONFLICT. US Military Supported Syrian Rebel Offensive That Toppled Assad Government.Who’d want to survive a nuclear war?Iranian lawmaker warns Israeli strike could push Tehran toward nuclear weapons.
WEAPONS and WEAPONS SALES. The Guardian view on arms control: essential to prevent the total devastation of nuclear war. China sanctions US defense firms.

December 30, 2024 Posted by | Christina's notes | Leave a comment

As the Gaza genocide continues, it cannot be a happy 2025

I’m sorry. I can’t rejoice over the New Year and all that stuff. How can we keep pretending – with bells and whistles and fireworks, and worthy preachings from pulpits and parliaments- that it’s all going to be better?

It’s not. It’s going to be worse. Many atrocities have occurred inthe past – and we’ve been shocked to hear about them – afterwards.

Now the atrocity is going on – in Gaza – and we know all about it, while it is happening.

I just remember, when I was a little kid – seeing pictures of Auschwitz. How could people be so cruel to other people? I couldn’t believe it.

I read The Diary of a Young Girl, by Anne Frank , who died at 15 in Auschwitz. Anne Frank had written in her diary “I still believe that people are really good at heart”. That quotation has sustained me for decades.

I wonder what Anne Frank would think about what the Israelis are doing in Gaza. Would she join the many Jews who are trying to make it stop – and are being called “anti-semitic”, some being arrested as “terrorists”?

Jonathon Cook, writing in Middle East Eye, describes how “the wilfully blind, which includes western politicians and their media, are still in denial” .  “The West Yawns” as each new research report spells out the genocide that is continuing:

“Nearly 15 months on, the Gaza genocide has become entirely normal, it has become just another minor, routine news item to be buried on the inside pages.”

” those accounts made no impact on the western political and media consensus. Nothing has stuck, even when it is the soldiers themselves documenting their atrocities, and even when it is Israeli Holocaust experts concluding that these crimes amount to genocide.’

The UN Special Committee found Israel’s warfare methods in Gaza to be consistent with genocide, including use of starvation as weapon of war.

Amnesty published a 296-page report concluding that Israel is committing genocide in Gaza. Human Rights Watch issued an 185-page report . Medecins Sans Frontieres (MSF)  issued its report, titled Life in the Death Trap That is Gaza.

Of course the USA government immediately rejected the conclusion that Israel is committing genocide. UK and other allies, and the global corporate media dutifully followed suit, and continue to do so.

In 2025, the genocide in Gaza draws to its final stages. It looks as if the global corporate media is going to sigh about it all, spout politicians’ pious statements about the suffering, remind us of the Hamas’ conducted atrocity in October 2023, and of Israel’s “right to defend itself”.

Billionaire- run corporations already dominate the Western media. In the presidency of Joe Biden, it has been bad enough, as Biden continued to support the export of U.S. weaponry to Israel, while his hypocritical Secretary of State, Antony Blinken, said “all the right things” about seeking peace in Gaza.

I wish that I could predict an optimistic development for Gaza, given that there is so much international awareness of the genocide, so many respected researchers who expose it. But there’s the incoming Trump administration in the USA. Trump’s appointees regarding foreign policy and the Middle East form a string of longterm supporters of Israel. Mike Huckabee will be his ambassador to Israel, Marco Rubio his Secretary of State,  Steven Witkoff Special Envoy to the Middle East. A further complication, however, might be Trump’s relationship and strong business connections with Saudi Arabia which is not Israel’s best friend and still does not recognize Israeli sovereignty.

The power and influence of a Trump administration over the media is sure to create confusion in the public mind, about many things, but especially about Israel and Gaza. Trump is supposed to have some sort of complex plan for ending Israel’s war on Gaza, but it seems to boil down to open slather on the people of Gaza.

Amidst the confusion the media has a splendid ability to distract attention away from this Gaza horror, making us all, in away, complicit.

Still there are millions, world-wide, who know that this evil should be named and stopped

There will be continued international efforts, including legal ones, to demand a fair cessation of this war. Michael Lynk writes in AA about support for the Palestinians – “a  global movement of solidarity – particularly among the young – that will continue to inspire courageous thinking and bold acts. Its lasting impact should never be underestimated.”

December 29, 2024 Posted by | Christina's notes | Leave a comment

The good Germans and the good Jews

Right now is supposed to be a great festive time – but it has become a spectacle of consumerism. Yet it’ is still good to spend time with dear friends and family.

But it’s a bit hard to forget what is going on in the world.

And grist to the media’s mill is -all the awful things, and the horrors still being done in Gaza.

A Martian, looking down on this sorry human race (and its media), might conclude that it’s a failed species, with extinction as its best option. But a more thorough examination would reveal so many thousands of people trying to be helpful to each other, and some quite heroically so.

It is a good time to pay tribute to the good people.

First of all, I’m in admiration for all those good people – the doctors, nurses, and humanitarian helpers in Gaza, risking their lives as they try to save the children, women, and men of this persecuted community.

And there are those who risk their jobs, their reputations, even their lives to stand up to the prevailing narrative that the Israeli genocide of Palestinians is OK.

The good Germans.

I bet that there are few people who realise that, back in the 1930s and 40s, there were many Germans who fought, did what they could, to stop the Nazis’ genocide in the holocaust. Catrine Clay has documented this in her book THE GOOD GERMANS:

Many ordinary Germans found the courage to resist, in the full knowledge that they could be sentenced to indefinite incarceration, torture or outright execution. Catrine Clay argues that it was a much greater number than was ever formally recorded: teachers, lawyers, factory and dock workers, housewives, shopkeepers, church members, trade unionists, army officers, aristocrats, Social Democrats, Socialists and Communists.

The Jews were the prime, though not the only, victims of the Nazi atrocities.

The good Jews

It is ironic that now there are Jews, people like the members of Jewish Voice for Peace, who bravely speak up for the best in their religion and culture, and denounce the genocide. They take the risks, and are often the leaders in student and other demonstrations

In Europe Having suffered throughout history, Jewish peace activists told Euronews Jews should identify with the oppressed and defend their rights – “whoever that oppressor may be.”   In Germany there is Jüdische Stimme (Jewish Voice)

In Britain there is Na’amod, a movement of Jews who oppose what they call Israel’s policies of “occupation and apartheid” in Gaza and the occupied West Bank. There’s also the Jewish Council of Australia.

These courageous people face opposition from Western governments that align with Netanyahu’s Israeli government. But that’s not all. They risk alienation from family and friends, and condemnation as “traitors” to the community. In Israel itself, perhaps a very few are aware of the Gaza situation: they would be readers of Haaretz the independent newspaper (which will no doubt soon be shut down by Netanyahu).

We need to honour these brave and intelligent people, and to remember that there are many thousands who, in various ways, resist the prevailing culture of greed and war-mongering.

December 24, 2024 Posted by | Christina's notes | Leave a comment

Week to 23 December – news counteracting the nuclear-military-industrial-media complex.

Some bits of good news 

– Incredible progress in reducing infant mortality in South Asia – UNICEF, 

India extended health coverage to millions of elderly citizens, The green economy defied sceptics

TOP STORIES

 Syria Today, Iran Tomorrow, and Inevitably China. 

Finding the Unmentionable: Amnesty International, Israel and Genocide.          Israel’s War on Gaza Is a War on Children. 

AI goes nuclear. 

SpaceX Wants to Increase Launches at Boca Chica Without a Full Environmental Review. 

Olkiluoto 3 has been a financial catastrophe for Areva, Siemens. 

Dutton said a reactor’s waste would fill a Coke can: Try 27,000 of them.

Climate. World’s largest iceberg on the move again after months spinning on the spot.

Noel’s notes. ‘Tis the season to be fake about nuclear power, AI, plastic leaves, and a lot of other things.

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AUSTRALIA. The LNP’s nuclear policy is working just fine.    Don’t want nuclear power’: Wild scenes as protestors storm Perth’s CBD during inquiry into nuclear energy. 

The Coalition is playing voters for mugs once again with its nuclear costings.      Coalition’s nuclear plan will hit Earth with 1.7bn extra tonnes of CO2 before 2050.         The glaring gaps and unanswered questions in the Coalition’s nuclear plan and costings. More Australian nuclear news headlines at https://antinuclear.net/2024/12/17/australian-nuclear-news-headlines-17-23-december/

NUCLEAR ITEMS

ART and CULTURE. Power, control and symbolic masculinity: How Freud might diagnose the pro nuclear lobby
ATROCITIES. Israel’s Crime of Extermination, Acts of Genocide in Gaza.
CLIMATE. Major report joins dots between world’s nature challenges.
ECONOMICS.Privatizing Syria: US Plans to Sell Off A Nation’s Wealth After Assad.U.S. Corporate Land Grab in Ukraine Underlies War With Russia.France’s most powerful nuclear reactor joins grid after €13bn holdup. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=32XKveP01x4Foreign company withdraws from plans for Swedish nuclear power. 
ENVIRONMENT. Risky Revival: How Michigan’s Palisades nuclear plant could impact agriculture . Will the legacy of nuclear power ever disappear from our coasts?.
LEGAL. Nuclear company Orano seeks arbitration over Niger mining licence.
POLITICS. Martial Law Fiasco Casts Doubt Over Korea’s Nuclear Power Push. Starmer backs minister accused of embezzling billions in Bangladesh.
POLITICS INTERNATIONAL and DIPLOMACY. Israel, not the ‘liberators’ of Damascus, will decide Syria’s fate. Blinken Confirms the US Is in Direct Contact With al-Qaeda-Linked HTS. Blinded to Syria. How Washington and Ankara Changed the Regime in Damascus.

SAFETY.

SECRETS and LIES. “I don’t care if its tainted money”: Council leader’s telling admission in Nuclear Waste Services cash grab debate.
SPACE. EXPLORATION, WEAPONS. US Space Force conducts ‘simulated on-orbit combat’ training.
TECHNOLOGY. Nuclear shipping will face significant challenges.

Decommissioning. ‘Long journey ahead’ for nuclear plant clean-up. Final German nuclear power plant enters dismantling phase.

WAR AND CONFLICT On Ukraine war, will Trump channel JFK or LBJ? Pentagon admits massive surge of US troops in Syria. Overnight Israeli Strike In Syria So Large It Caused Earthquake. Trump And Israel Can’t Wait To Start Bombing Iran.
WEAPONS and WEAPONS SALES. With no real enemies, US poised to spend $1.8 trillion for national security in 2025. Despite 100% Pentagon Audit Failure Rate, House Passes $883.7 Billion NDAA. Israel’s not-so-secret nuclear weapons.

December 23, 2024 Posted by | Christina's notes | Leave a comment

Counteracting the nuclear-corporate- military-media complex -week to 16 December

Some bits of good news – 

Women Wage Peace and Women of the Sun, have received a joint Nobel Peace Prize nomination this year.  Growing Corn in the Desert,No Irrigation Required.The Benefits of Gardening Just Keep Sprouting.


TOP STORIES . Trump Transition Team Considering Strikes on Iran.      Inside Israel’s opportunistic invasion of Syria.       Chilling Warnings for Syria: When Foreign Interventions Go Bad.           From ‘Terrorist’ to ‘Freedom Fighter’: How the West Rebranded Al-Qaeda’s Jolani as Syria’s ‘Woke’ New Leader.

Climate. Climate crisis deepens with 2024 ‘certain’ to be hottest year on record. Antarctica is in crisis and we are scrambling to understand its future.

Noel’s notes. Australia’s coming Dutton-deluge of nuclear propaganda. The legal decision on the Murdoch media – what does it mean for us?

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AUSTRALIA. Solar switch off: Dutton’s nuclear plan amounts to declaration of war against household energy systems. Biggest losers from Coalition’s nuclear plan will be Australia’s 4 million solar households, industry says. The Coalition’s master plan: Bring large scale wind, solar and battery storage installations to a halt. 

Dutton to reveal just how much he’s gambling on nuclear power. Peter Dutton’s nuclear plan: Mad, bad, and extremely dangerous. 

How anger at Australia’s rollout of renewables is being hijacked by a new pro-nuclear network .      Inquiry into nuclear power generation in Australia: Exposing Ted O’Brien’s dishonesty. Advance’s plan to destroy the Greens. Nuclear Neverland: The Lost Boys of Costings | The West Report -masse? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fSeaybp9oAA   

 Peter Dutton in his ignorance is pushing nuclear reactors in Australia – including small nuclear reactors.  

Netanyahu and Australia. More Australian nuclear news at https://antinuclear.net/2024/12/13/australian-nuclear-news-10-16-december

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NUCLEAR ITEMS

ATROCITIES. Finding the Unmentionable: Amnesty International, Israel and Genocide.
CLIMATE. France’s New Nuclear Power Plant Is a Ticking Bomb.
ECONOMICS. Ed Miliband to bring more misery for Brits and send bills skyrocketing. Nuclear Stocks Were Super Hot Just A Month Ago: What’s Changed? France deal raises concerns over EDF dominance – Collective intelligence or failure?
EDUCATION. Congress Revives Cold War Tactics With New Anti-Communism School Curriculum
ENERGY. Murder, mayhem, and minerals: The price of the renewable energy revolution.
A nuclear-free energy future for Hydro-Québec, says Michael Sabia.

ENVIRONMENT.

MEDIA. US mainstream media missed biggest news story of 2024 . Rupert Murdoch loses his legal battle, leaving future of media empire in the balance. Why Murdoch’s succession case could be major blow to his rightwing legacy. Book: The Scientists Who Alerted Us To The Dangers of Radiation.
OPPOSITION to NUCLEAR . New generation must take up fight against nuclear weapons, Nobel laureate group says.

POLITICS.

POLITICS INTERNATIONAL and DIPLOMACY.

SAFETY. Rocket fuel eating away at US, China nuclear weapons. Drone strikes UN vehicle on way to inspect Ukrainian nuclear plant.
SECRETS and LIES. Some Thoughts On The Mystery Drones.Anyone Can Buy Data Tracking US Soldiers and Spies to Nuclear Vaults and Brothels in Germany.
SPACE. EXPLORATION, WEAPONS. Remember the dark skies?
SPINBUSTER. Atomic revival: A new age for nuclear?
URANIUM. How a uranium mine became a pawn in the row between Niger and France.

WAR and CONFLICT.

December 17, 2024 Posted by | Christina's notes | Leave a comment

TODAY. Australia’s coming Dutton-deluge of nuclear propaganda

 Australian Independent Media, 14 Dec 24,https://theaimn.com/australias-coming-deluge-of-nuclear-propaganda/

There’s something dramatically splendid about King Louis XV of France’s famous statement in 1757 – “After me, the deluge”, interpreted to mean that he knew his reign would leave France in a terrible mess, but meanwhile, let’s enjoy the wealth and fun.

Well, I’m not sure that the predicted election win in Australia for the Liberal-National Coalition will result in wealth and fun, but I think that its aftermath will be a mess.

But, in the meantime, as Peter Dutton has now delivered the Coalition’s statement on the costs of its nuclear power plan, Australia can expect a deluge of another kind – the pro-nuclear propaganda. Australia has had a preview of how this will work, in 2023, with the highly successful campaign to defeat the referendum on an Indigenous Voice to Parliament.

One must give due credit to an American influence – the Atlas Network – for perfecting the spin system. To very briefly outline the work of the Atlas Network: it is a global infrastructure of 500+ ‘Think-Tanks’ including the Centre for Independent Studies, the Institute of Public Affairs and LibertyWorks. Posing as impartial advisers, these “Think Tanks” provide reports and articles designed to direct governments and educational and other social organisations towards policies that improve the profits of big corporations, and remove barriers to their profits. The barriers would be regulations, especially those involved with protecting the environment, and the rights of Indigenous people.

Apart from some funding, and training support, the real focus of the Atlas Network is on LANGUAGE – teaching the stink tanks how to use words to manipulate thinking. George Orwell alerted the world to the way in which fascism uses language, and wrote of “Newspeak”. Now the Atlas Network perfects the method – repetitively using vague and deceptive words to convey a lying message that is aimed at molding public opinion.

Sometimes these words are straight out lies: sometimes just vague words in which the meaning is distorted. The word “elite” is a good example – now used to discredit scientists and other experts so that the public comes to distrust them, and to rubbish their opinions, and their reports, particularly about regulations to protect the environment and Indigenous rights.

FEAR is indeed the currency of the Atlas Network. Fear and distrust of regulations, of officers and organisations involved in human rights and environmental protection. So these stink tanks work to weaken laws, and discredit agencies of human support – such as the United Nations.

Side by side with those messages of fear, come the lying messages of reassurance – for example the story that global heating is not happening, or, if it is, it has nothing to do with human activities such as greenhouse gas emissions. So we don’t need to worry or to do anything to stop these emissions. So we are reassured that nuclear power is “clean “green” “safe” “cheap” “nothing to do with weapons”.

Jeremy Walker explained the process by which the Atlas Network architecture of influence operated in the lead-up to the Voice referendum in 2023.

But we mustn’t let the Americans take all the glory for destroying the Indigenous Voice to Parliament. We have our own Australian spin network – called “Advance”, (sometimes “Advance Australia”). Advance has been around for some years. Financially and ideologically backed by a group of prominent business leaders, Advance’s membership and funding is obscure. Like Atlas, it teaches the think tanks, and some universities, how to word misinformation campaigns about climate change, indigenous rights, and nuclear power. It also spreads these messages via the conventional, and the social media, especially Facebook. Advance is at present working strenuously to discredit and destroy The Greens, the only political party genuinely opposing the nuclear industry.

So – how to deal with the deluge?

Australia has some fine journalists in the mainstream and the alternative media. They are already pointing out the flaws in the Coalition’s argument for nuclear power. Cost seems to be the main one: it is noted that Dutton’s costing is refuted by the CSIRO and the Institute for Energy Economics and Financial Analysis. Other big factors are delay, the increased greenhouse emissions, the opposition of some rural communities.

So Australia’s reputable commentators are doing a good job, in shining light on what is now the Coalition’s big election policy – nuclear power for Australia.

The anti-nuclear movement has a history of respectfully answering peo-nuclear proponents, sometimes in the same detailed jargonistic language that nuclear physicists and engineers prefer to use. At the political and academic level, they have done so well, providing effective information and detail. However, apart from Helen Caldicott, no-one has been game to spit it out forcefully to the great unwashed. The result is that – being ‘dazzled with science’, we ordinary mortals are inclined to just give up, and “leave it to the experts”.

Australia, the only continent with one national government, is blessed with world-leading renewable energy resources, and is already well on the way to genuinely clean energy, especially in rooftop solar. Australia now has the opportunity to lead the world in this. Our nuclear-free movement can promote the consciousness of a positive clean energy future for Australia, by using clear, forceful, jargon-free messages.

My worry is that there will now be a well-funded barrage of simplistic pro-nuclear propaganda -that will reach people everywhere, of all levels, especially in the outer suburbs and the regions – where everybody is watching Facebook, YouTube etc, and where in the ‘mainstream’, Murdoch media dominates anyway.

Will the nuclear-free movement be able to counteract the Atlas/Advance language methods? Atlas/Advance are so very good at it – using brief, repetitive, misleading language.They have the “hooray” words – “justice”, “life”, “freedom” and those “positives” – “clean” “green” etc. They have the “negatives” – “Hitler, “taxes” – and words used negatively “elites” “bureaucrat”, “government official” and “public servant”. And as well, they use vague, really, almost meaningless words – that waffle, weaken, and obscure the argument- “may” “can” “could” “might”, “arguably”.

We don’t know when the federal election will take place. At the moment, Peter Dutton’s nuclear plan is receiving much media scepticism. But it’s very early days. Advance is already swinging into action – starting with the anti-Greens campaign. The deluge will follow in no time.

But – I’m hoping that sensible people across Australia will have learned from the debacle of the Voice referendum. There are some very sound and thoughtful people out in the regions – where Dutton says that nuclear reactors will be placed, and these people are already resisting in a clear and practical way.

December 14, 2024 Posted by | Christina's notes | Leave a comment

Counteracting the nuclear-military-corporate-media – week to 9 December

Some bits of good news:China completes its own version of a Great Green Wall.    Christian institutions divest from fossil fuels.    Incredible progress on AIDS for Africa and India .


TOP STORIES. Amnesty International investigation concludes Israel is committing genocide against Palestinians in Gaza .

Gender and radiation: New report shows girls most at-risk group.
Biden’s Nuclear Going Out of Business Sale.

Climate . Just listen to Radio Ecoshock – it is way ahead of everyone else in climate information. Just Shut Up about Climate. Countdown to an ice-free Arctic:New research warns of accelerated timelines. Younger people at greater risk of heat-related deaths this century – study.

Plastic pollution. ‘Big Oil must be dancing for joy‘: Anger builds at failure to deliver Global Plastics Treaty. ‘The process is broken’: Major oil producing countries kill UN plastics treaty over cap on production.

Noel’s notes.  Misplaced jubilation as UK’s old brittle nuclear reactors allowed to crack on   Surprise ! surprise! – the nuclear lobby has co-opted an ex-politician with a dubious history – Tony Blair.

Plastic pollution. International talks on curbing plastic pollution fail to reach agreement.

**********************************

AUSTRALIA.
 The question of nuclear in Australia’s electricity sector
. Nuclear energy questioned again as new CSIRO report finds it will push up power prices. A sneak preview of Peter Dutton’s nuclear costings. 
Peter Dutton cops backlash over push to build seven nuclear power stations in Australia. The seven ways the Federal Coalition could cook the books on nuclear costings

Nuclear energy debate draws stark gender split in Australia ahead of next year’s election.

 Nuclear energy inquiry draws emotional response in Port Augusta. 

Senior Netanyahu Adviser Served in Victorian Court facing Genocide Charges. ‘Nothing to see here’ says Australia as third Thales corruption case starts globally. More Australian nuclear news headlines at https://antinuclear.net/2024/12/03/australian-nuclear-news-2-9th-december/

NUCLEAR ITEMS.

ATROCITIES. Gaza’s Civil Defense Says Nearly 100 Killed by Israeli Attacks Over 24 Hours
ECONOMICS. Tony Blair is wrong to love nuclear energy -ALSO AT …. Why NuScale Power Stock Slumped Today. Key partner quits EDF’s Nuward small nuclear reactor project- ALSO AT https://nuclear-news.net/2024/12/06/1-b1-tony-blair-is-wrong-to-love-nuclear-energy/
UK Seeks More Investors as Sizewell Funding Talks Drag On. Starmer to court United Arab Emirates for British nuclear power investment.
EDUCATION. Midlands Regional Hub for Nuclear Skills officially launched.
ENERGY.The LA Times Makes the Case for Shutting the Diablo Canyon Nukes.Meta misguided in calling for massive nuclear energy scale-up.Baseload power generators not needed to guarantee supply, say science and engineering academies.Cost of switching off UK wind farms soars to ‘absurd’ £1bn.
ENVIRONMENT. Radioactive sea spray is dosing communities.
ETHICS and RELIGION. What happened to integrity and honor in the age of Technocracy?
HEALTH. Cancer mortality in the USA and atmospheric nuclear weapons test fallout ratio – Identifying the principal origin of the global cancer epidemic.Relationship Between Urinary Uranium and Cardiac Geometry and Left Ventricular Function: The Strong Heart Study.
INDIGENOUS ISSUES. Nuclear industry selects site in northwestern Ontario for waste disposal amidst regional opposition.
LEGAL. Campaigners lose bid to challenge Sizewell C licence decision in High Court.
POLITICS. The First Seven Billionaires Trump Has Tapped for Top Jobs. Gabbard has more intelligence than entire Intelligence Service she’s slated to head. Trump’s Pro-Israel Dream Team: Patel Nomination Caps Hawkish Cabinet.
Britain’s Energy Secretary Follows Tech Giants In Pursuit Of New Nuclear Power Stations
POLITICS INTERNATIONAL and DIPLOMACY.Assad Is Out, Woke Al-Qaeda Is In.
Zelensky Says He’s Willing To Cede Territory in Exchange for NATO Protection. Biden to Zelensky: ‘Our $210 billion not enough…send 18 year olds to die in our Russian proxy war.
Iran’s uranium enrichment ‘worrisome’ – nuclear watchdog.
SAFETY. EDF set to extend life of UK nuclear plants as Government replacement plans falter. EDF Brings Sizewell Back Online, Balancing UK’s Nuclear Grid. Delays to nuclear plants giving Sizewell B a new lease of life – ALSO AThttps://nuclear-news.net/?s=Delays+to+nuclear+plants
UK underestimates threat of cyber-attacks from hostile states and gangs, says security chief.Drugs found in control room at Dungeness Nuclear Power Station.
NRC Finds Apparent SecurityViolations at Pilgrim.
SPINBUSTER. Tony Blair think tank says UK needs to build new nuclear ‘at pace’ -ALSO AT  https://nuclear-news.net/2024/12/06/1-a-tony-blair-think-tank-says-uk-needs-to-build-new-nuclear-at-pace/
. TONY BLAIR: STILL A NUCLEAR NUTTER!
TECHNOLOGY. Hinkley update: mixed reaction as first reactor drops into place.
The Moltex Reactor and used CANDU Fuel.
URANIUM. Niger takes control of French nuclear firm’s uranium mining operations.
Green Group Sounds Alarm Over Meta’s Nuclear Power Plans
WASTES.Backfilling of Gorleben salt mine (former German nuclear waste dump) starts.Putin’s huge, rusting nuclear battlecruisers symbolise Russian naval decline.Lincolnshire county councillors demand answers on Nuclear Waste Services’ (NWS) proposed Geological Disposal Facility (GDF) at Theddlethorpe. Canada’s nuclear waste problem is not solved . Licensing of Finnish repository further delayed.Decommissioning: Explosives speed Sizewell A turbine hall decommissioning.
WEAPONS and WEAPONS SALES. These Billionaires Subsidize the Israeli Military Through a US Nonprofit. We used to laugh at North Korean nuclear submarine boasts- Not any more.
The growing arsenals.

WAR and CONFLICT.  Netanyahu Takes Credit for Assad’s Overthrow, Israel Seizes Golan Heights ‘Buffer Zone’

December 9, 2024 Posted by | Christina's notes | Leave a comment

TODAY. Misplaced jubilation as UK’s old brittle nuclear reactors allowed to crack on

Joy and delight expressed by one corporate media outlet after another, as they report the announcement from (debt-laden) French nuclear company EDF that four UK nuclear power stations will be allowed to crack on, way past their use-by date.

“Crack” is the operative word here. Take for example, the Torness nuclear reactor in East Lothian – with 46 cracks in the nuclear core reported last July. It was scheduled to close in 2023.

Hunterston B, in North Ayshire is at long last to be decommissioned. In 2020  one of its reactors had an estimated 377 cracks, while the other had 209.  The reactors were beginning to crumble, with cracks causing at least 58 fragments and pieces of debris to break off.

The Office for Nuclear Regulation (ONR has said that cracking could cause debris to inhibit vital cooling of highly radioactive reactor fuel. This can lead to a reactor meltdown, which can result in the escape of radioactivity to the environment.

Nobody in the prevailing establishment – corporate media, politicians, industry executives – nobody is facing up to the huge problem and huge cost of dismantling dangerous old nuclear reactors – so much better to pretend that it’s the charitable thing to just keep them going, Then it’s “jobs jobs jobs” and “community benefit” and “clean cheap energy” and “improved safety” “isn’t it wonderful” So say EDF 4th Dec 2024, the BBC, and Business Green 4th Dec 2024, and  New Civil Engineer 4th Dec 2024, and Independent 3rd Dec 2024, The Herald,  Lancs Live 4th Dec 2024.

Nary a word about the costs and dangers of the transport of radioactive materials, the ever-growing piles on nuclear wastes, the risks of terrorist attacks – and the completely unethical postponing of problems – just leave them for future generations to cope with.

Not nearly as much fuss was made about  the world’s largest liquid air energy facility to be built at Hunterston – to store renewable energy, and provide 1000 jobs in the construction phase and 650 jobs in the local supply chain by its completion in 2030.

I try to be polite – but I empathise with Sir Jonathon Espie Porritt, 2nd Baronet, CBE  who has just got so fed up with the cheerful glowing stories about prolonging the lives of decrepit nuclear reactors – “the whole deep nuclear state working away behind the scenes – as well as the UK’s astonishingly gullible media which just goes along with all this nuclear crap, year after year after year.“

December 7, 2024 Posted by | Christina's notes | Leave a comment

TODAY. Fantasies for 2025 – perhaps the nuclear one tops the list?

I mean – there’s a lot of competition for this title – top fantasy. There’s the fantastic possibility that all will go well with Donald Trump in power in the USA. That’s a big one seeing that we have a narcissisitic sociopath at the top, appointing a bunch of other narcissistic sociopaths, all of whom are singularly unsuited to their jobs, and who probably don’t trust each other, and certainly don’t trust Trump.

There’s the fantasy that the ruling Great Powers are actually going to do anything real about reducing fossil fuel emissions, or really helping the indigenous peoples who are most affeced by global heating.

Then there’s the plastic one. The same Great Powers are happy to allow those same fossil fuel companies to churn out plastic, while they make pious motherhood statements about the fantasy of “recycling” and somehow or other “disposing” of plastic wastes. They’d love to have all that toxic crap dumped on poor indigenous people too. But – at least, there’s a certain democracy about plastic wastes – as teensy weensy bits of plastic are in every organ of our bodies now, including the brain.

Still, I’m backing the nuclear industry fantasy to trump Trump and climate and plastic pollution for the fantasy of the year.

As to public realisation of these fantasies – there is a general uneasiness about the coming Trump administration.

And across the world 87% of people know that climate change is real, and are concerned about it. Public awareness of plastic pollution is growing too, especially in the USA. But the public are still using the fossil fuel products – and in order to cope with global heating, are turning on air-conditioners fuelled by fossil fuels. People are aware, but they don’t know how to stop it. So the corporate polluters are happy.

But nuclear power had a bad name, over previous decades. It really has been a huge challenge for this industry to turn all that around, to keep their profits thriving , and to have nuclear portrayed as a public good.

The well-paid minions of the nuclear industry have done an excellent job in conning the public, world-wide. They had to work hard to overcome nuclear’s history of accidents, bungles, and failed projects, not to mention how it has proliferated weapons of mass destruction.

Then, from strenuously not believing in Climate Change, the nuke lobby did a flip – with the inspired realisation that they could pretend that Nuclear Power is the Cure for Climate Change.

Well, it’s not the cure for climate change -nor for energy shortage, and it’s not “cheap” nor “clean”.

But the industry faces other huge problems, too. Nuclear publicists studiously avoid the topic of the cost of shutting down, and pulling down, nuclear reactors and then dealing with the toxic wastes. It’s supposed to be cheaper and better to “extend the lives” of crappy old nuclear reactors with their embrittled and cracked pipes. I think that the well-paid engineers, executives, politicians, trade union leaders, and media nuclear “experts” are all figuring that it’d be better if the “decommissioning” were to take place conveniently, long after their own retirement or death.

So the expensive horror of dealing with the tail end of the nuclear industry is a topic not to be discussed. Nor is the horror of nuclear war – with its weapons provided by the nuclear industry -and promoted by the ever-more profitable arms manufacturers. The “peaceful commercial nuclear industry is an essential part of this.

So – what is acceptable to discuss?

Well, it’s the “energy miracle” of Small Modular Nuclear Reactors” (SMRs). “Start-ups” for SMRs popping up all over the place (though some of them are quietly closing). The whole idea is that these, so far mythical, beasts will be commercially viable. However, Governments have always propped nuclear ventures up well, with various subsidies and tax exemptions. China and Russia solved the problem, with government ownership of the industry. France did too, though that’s not working too well. Now the British Labour government has “Great British Nuclear” set up as a government run venture- (by a conservative party that’s supposed to hate socialism.)

So – in a clearly non-commercially-viable venture, the tax-payer is to save the day.

Paul Brown sets out the whole sorry story, in particular for the UK. He explains the work of two pesky academics Prof. Stephen Thomas and Prof. Andy Blowers and their report  – “It is time to expose the Great British Nuclear Fantasy once and for all.” The costs and delays of the Hinkley Point C big nuclear project, the planned Sizewell one, the £20 billion plan for unbuilt, untested SMRs – these are exposed, and make the pro-nuclear propaganda look absurd.

Yet the propaganda goes on. The big names in nuclear – Rafael Grossi, Bill Gates, Elon Musk, Jeff Bezos keep right on, maintaining the fallacy that all is well with the global nuclear industry, – and their sycophants in politics and media rebleat their message.

Thank you, Paul Brown, for explaining this so succinctly – if only the facts could be clearly set out in the mainstream media – and the public would not swallow the Kool-Aid. But of course, it won’t be, – the fantasy will prevail – until the shit finally hits the fan.

December 3, 2024 Posted by | Christina's notes | Leave a comment

Nuclear news and more – week to 2 December

Some bits of good news.  Scientists develop a plastic that dissolves at sea.        Cop29 offered some silver linings.  More Than 30 Stranded Whales Rescued in New Zealand by People Lifting Them on Sheets.

TOP STORIES

Project 2025 calls for massive changes to Hanford nuclear cleanup. France is weighing zero-interest loan for 6 nuclear reactors, sources say.


Civil and military nuclear programmes: will they be derailed by skills shortages? 

Decommissioning old nuclear sites to cost £130bn in blow to Miliband.

Climate. Huge COP29 climate deal too little too late, poorer nations say. ‘Unprecedented’ climate extremes are everywhere – Our baselines for what’s normal will need to change.

Environment. What Project 2025 Would Do to the Environment – and How We Will Respond.

Noel’s notes. SMRs underground – long drop nuclear toilets? – a chance to use that beaut new word – enshittification. Ecology be damned -we won’t know what’s hit us after January 20th

AUSTRALIA. ABC chair Kim Williams says investment in national broadcaster the best counter to ‘flood’ of misinformation. Australia’s top environment groups – Submission to Government Inquiry into Nuclear Power Generation in Australia.

NUCLEAR ITEMS.

ATROCITIES. Israel Attacks Kill 155 Palestinians in Gaza Over 72 Hours. Israel Has Killed Over 1,000 Doctors and Nurses in Gaza. Israeli snipers ‘shoot Palestinians for sport’.

CIVIL LIBERTIES. The Antisemitism Awareness Act Is the Death Knell for Free Speech.

ECONOMICS. Is Europe Ready for a Nuclear Renaissance? France postpones financing decision of 6 new reactors – report.

EDUCATION. Christian Nationalism Marches on With ‘Bible-Infused’ Texas Curriculum.
EMPLOYMENT. Hinkley Point C: Hundreds down tools over concerns. Only 20% of Great British Nuclear staff employed permanently-ALSO AT https://nuclear-news.net/2024/12/02/1-b-only-20-of-great-british-nuclear-staff-employed-permanently/
ENERGY. Hunterston ‘industrial revolution’ on our doorstep – liquid air energy storage.
ENVIRONMENT. Just Don’t Mention (or Measure) the Pu (Plutonium). Plans to turn land in Somerset into a saltmarsh should be scrapped..
EVENTS. 5 December -Adelaide, Australia – STOP PETER DUTTON’S NUCLEAR REACTOR THREATS -Peaceful protest outside Federal Government’s Inquiry into nuclear power generation in Australia
HEALTH. ‘No plans’ for specific nuclear test veteran compensation. Plutonium. Suspected case of plutonium contamination in Rome plant.
INDIGENOUS ISSUES.Listening to Indigenous views. Indigenous views on nuclear energy and radioactive waste .https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9i7XtIGFqyY
LEGAL. Today in Imperial Recklessness & Insanity. The United States Raises a Middle Finger to the International Criminal Court.
MEDIA. War Crimes in Lebanon: Human Rights Watch Says Israel Used U.S. Arms to Kill 3 Journalists.

POLITICS. As America barrels toward war with Russia….Where’s Biden? From Genocide Joe to Omnicide Joe. Donald Trump’s quick trip to absolute dictatorship.

Inside Project Esther, the right wing action plan to take down the Palestine movement. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PPar-qf5FwY

EDF’s controversial River Severn saltmarshes plan should cease, says County Council leader.

POLITICS INTERNATIONAL and DIPLOMACY. “Israel Wants Wars”: Gideon Levy on Lebanon Ceasefire, Gaza & Gov’t Sanctions Against Haaretz– https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i12aMIxc8As

Iran and Europe seek to break nuclear impasse before return of Trump. Iran to hold nuclear talks with France, Germany, UK. Iran says it could end ban on possessing nuclear weapons if sanctions reimposed.

PUBLIC OPINION Game changer: world turns against Israel – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gJSWAun9Xnc

SAFETY.

SECRETS and LIES. UK Government urged to end secrecy over ‘worrying’ drone sightings near nuclear-linked air bases.  The secret audit that crucifies most French nuclear start-ups ALSO AT https://nuclear-news.net/2024/11/26/3-b1-the-secret-audit-that-crucifies-most-french-nuclear-start-ups/
TECHNOLOGY. The entanglement of fusion energy research and bombs.Iran deploys advanced centrifuges in defiance of IAEA resolution.
URANIUM. Ironic Dependency: Russian Uranium and the US Energy Market
WASTES. The Nuclear Waste Management Organization (NWMO) Siting Process Fails to Achieve its Goal. South Bruce spared, but Ignace selected for Canadian nuclear waste dump.

WAR and CONFLICT. Israeli army pushes deeper into south Lebanon as ceasefire violations intensify. Ceasefire Falters as Israel Launches Airstrikes, Artillery Shelling on Southern Lebanon.

Mass Desertions Over Radiation Could End the War in Ukraine. Ukraine has lost almost 500,000 troops – Economist. Mass desertions crippling Ukrainian army – AP. White House Pressing Ukraine To Draft 18-Year-Olds for War . Ukrainians And Americans Are Done With This War, But It Keeps Escalating Anyway.

WEAPONS and WEAPONS SALES. Biden seeking extra $24bn for Kiev – Politico. G7 finalizing $50 billion loan to Ukraine – Washington. White House finally confirms greenlight for deep Russia strikes. Russia Prepares to Respond to the Armageddon Wanted by the Biden Administration. Transfer of nukes to Kiev would be viewed as attack on Russia – Medvedev.

Biden administration advancing $680m arms sale to Israel, source says.

The Technology for Autonomous Weapons Exists. What Now?.

December 2, 2024 Posted by | Christina's notes | Leave a comment

TODAY. SMRs underground – long drop nuclear toilets? – a chance to use that beaut new word – enshittification

Yes, I learned that Word of the Year 2024 – Macquarie only yesterday, and have been dying to use it. So, thanks to NucNet – Small Modular Reactors / Underground Plants ‘Could Be Built In City Centres’ 27/11/24 – I have now got a most appropriate opportunity.

 “Small modular reactors (SMRs) should be built underground, including in city centres, to protect them from military attacks, seismic activity and other natural hazards, according to a new academic study.“

Gee, that’s nice.  Deep Fission, a startup based in Berkeley, California, has raised funding to start this idea – “The concept is simple yet groundbreaking: build a small nuclear reactor just 30 inches wide and lower it into a mile-deep drill shaft. This approach could sidestep the immense costs and safety concerns that have long plagued traditional nuclear power.”

Yay! It’s a simple idea – a “small” nuclear reactor, a mile under the city centre, doesn’t need a containment cover –  “a cost-effective, scalable solution to the world’s energy needs“.

The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) defines ‘small’ as under 300 MWe, – but that’s got a bit blurry lately. NuScale’s (failed) small nuclear reactor project was for 462 MWe.

But anyway, isn’t it a relief to know that our cities can have the Artificial Intelligence data centres quite handily placed with the “small” nuclear reactors tucked away underneath us? And of course, it’s all going to be so very cheap. Although, If the SMRs are really only 30 inches wide, we might need quite a lot of them, to meet all our energy needs, not just the data centre’s needs. Will that be cheap?

But – wait a minute? Why do they need to be a mile underground? I thought that the beloved, though not yet existing, small nuclear reactors were already so very safe and so cheap.

Safety has been the big selling point for SMRs. The top nuclear marketing body – The International Atomic Energy Agency tells us of their wonderful safety features – Passive cooling systems , Fewer mechanical parts , Auto fail safe , Increased safety margins . Lower power output. The IAEA means that SMRs are safer than big reactors. (Oh dear – it does not mean that they are safer than wind and solar power.!)

So – everybody has been enthused over the safety of these not-yet-existing nuclear gimmicks – but now we’re being told that they might be a target for military or terrorist attacks and natural hazards.

So – underground will be fine? With climate change – what about flooding? Oh dear – the marketing story for the nuclear industry moves further into confusion. Thank you, Macquarie Dictionary for that so applicable term – “enshittification”. And I like their second choice, too – “brainrot”

November 30, 2024 Posted by | Christina's notes | Leave a comment

Ecology be damned -we won’t know what’s hit us after January 20th

Sorry I’m such a pessimist. Don’t pay too much attention to my stuff – I am hoping that I’m wrong, anyway !

BUT – I have previously written about the speed with which Donald Trump could turn the USA into an absolute dictatorship. I compared this process to the process by which Adolf Hitler took just seven and a half weeks, using legal means, to change his parliamentary position from a relatively powerless role to one of complete control. Opponents didn’t know what hit them: it was so fast.

The other insidious thing about Hitler’s early regime was that, in the first years, the workers had never had it so good. Hitler was never voted in as leader, but became popular once in. Trump has some popularity already – and perhaps will get more of it?

Meanwhile – Dharna Noor scrutinised the agenda for Project 25 – and it is scary stuff.

Project 2025, was convened by the notorious rightwing, climate-denying thinktank the Heritage Foundation, which has ties to fossil fuel billionaire Charles Koch. Called the Mandate for Leadership: The Conservative Promise, it is meant to guide the first 180 days of presidency for an incoming Republican president.

Earth Justice sets it out in detail:

Project 2025 is 900 pages, and 150 of them are about how to destroy the environment. This deregulatory agenda, written by former Trump government officials and Heritage Foundation staff, would strip away our rights to clean air, clean water, and a healthy planet.

Earth Justice takes a legal approach: – We are here because the earth needs a good lawyer. When we go to court, we get results. We go to court to defend the planet and its people.

What a terrific organisation! And they have had many victories in the past.

Never needed more than today – Earth Justice has over 200 attorneys lined up with strategies to counter Donald Trump’s administration with it plans to shred environmental protections.

BUT – is Donald Trump a jump ahead of them?

What Donald Trump is – is a wrecker! He apparently has a sort of artistic instinct directed towards wrecking humanity’s collective institutions – and first among the institutions to be wrecked – is the Law. He’s already managed to manipulate himself into the kingly position of being above the law – “immunity from prosecution”

Unfortunately, Trump has many greedy and ambitious sycophants, all too willing to carry out the manipulations needed to destroy human rights and environmental protections. Today I note one important example – Project 2025 calls for massive changes to Hanford nuclear cleanup – to weaken the rules on nuclear radiation.

Earth Justice and we who care about the planet are out there in their millions. I do hope that somehow we can organise, and prevent the planetary destruction that the new American government intends to carry out.

November 28, 2024 Posted by | Christina's notes | Leave a comment

Week to 25 November – nuclear and related news.

Some bits of good news –‘My Life Changed Completely’: How Kenya Turned Us vs. Them Into Water for All.       

The global energy transition will cost a lot less than we think.    

He’ll try, but Trump can’t stop the clean energy revolution.     

 China’s desertified land area shrinks by 65 million mu since 2012.

TOP STORIES. Trump’s Cabinet Picks Aren’t Looking Good For Peace In Ukraine. On Way Out, Reckless Biden Allows Deep Russia Strikes. 

UK Sees Privatization ‘Opportunities’ in Ukraine War
Beyond one million

 years: The intrinsic radiation hazard of high-level nuclear wastes. 

The 1.5C Climate Goal Is Dead. Why Is COP29 Still Talking About It? 

 Nuclear fusion: neither imminent nor relevant to climate change.

Climate. ‘The sixth great extinction is happening‘, conservation expert warns – ‘Window of time to save climate is closing’.  Climate crisis to blame for dozens of ‘impossible’ heatwaves, studies reveal.           ,COP29: Baku breakthrough disappoints, but should still trigger a fresh wave of climate finance.

Noel’s notes. Danger of a nuclear catastrophe as Ukraine sends missiles to Kursk area in Russia

AUSTRALIA. Albanese government gives firm ‘no’ to joining UK-US agreement to advance nuclear technology, Signing US/UK nuclear deal would shred Australia’s credibility: Turnbull. Trump, AUKUS and Australia’s Dim Servitors. Nuclear is not really back.  More Australian nuclear news at https://antinuclear.net/2024/11/20/australian-nuclear-news-headlines-18-25-november/

NUCLEAR ITEMS

CLIMATE. Nuclear reactor cooling systems threatened by global heating.
CIVIL LIBERTIES. Germany and US Are in a Race to the Bottom on Suppressing Pro-Palestine Speech. USA. House Passes Chilling ‘Nonprofit Killer’ Bill With 15 Democrats Voting ‘Yes’.
ECONOMICS.  Nuclear Industry Association members seek to expand into weapons sector. Great British Nuclear to put £1.8bn worth of mini-nuke contracts up for grabs.
Shares in nuclear reactor company OKLO bite the dust.  The enriched uranium market is all at sea, with USA the largest importer of Russian material  ALSO AT …https://wordpress.com/post/nuclear-news.net/292122
EMPLOYMENT. East Suffolk Council offering grants to convert homes to accommodate nuclear workers..
ENERGY. Big batteries and EVs to the rescue again as faults with new nuclear plant cause chaos on Nordic grids.Solar power: Germany’s national, federal highways could host 54 GW of PV.
ENVIRONMENT. Thornbury MP fights for Hinkley Point environmental protections. Somerset church would ‘become’ island if ‘ham-fisted’ Hinkley saltmarsh plans go-ahead.
HEALTH.
Gender and Ionizing Radiation: Towards a New Research Agenda Addressing Disproportionate Harm ALSO AThttps://nuclear-news.net/2024/11/23/1-a-gender-and-ionizing-radiation-towards-a-new-research-agenda-addressing-disproportionate-harm/
‘Starmer – meet us before it’s too late,’ nuclear test veterans say. Britain’s Nuclear Bomb Scandal: Our Story review – how the UK’s atomic testing programme devastated lives.

Radiation: Call to Action! Stop LANL Tritium Venting and Protect the Most Vulnerable. Why iodine pills are not a silver bullet to protect against nuclear radiation.
NFLA submarine champion raises concerns over Clyde Tritium contamination.
LEGAL.International Criminal Court issues arrest warrants for Netanyahu, Gallant. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D0hLXFsYW8oPilgrim Worker Claims He Was Poisoned by Radiation.Regulators update guidance on contamination of ground and water on nuclear licensed sites.
MEDIA. NY Times killed investigation of Israeli hooligans, internal email reveals – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e7dcM22hPOENew Book. The Scientists Who Alerted Us To The Dangers of Radiation.
POLITICS.
Russia’s Revised Nuclear Doctrine and the NATO-Russia Ukrainian War. Who Is Authorizing Biden’s Nuclear Brinkmanship While The President’s Brain Is Missing? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0zeoPWJ_s3s Biden’s Missile .

Crisis: Trump’s Election Is Also a Win for Tech’s Right-Wing “Warrior Class”.
Iran warns West: abandon pressure or face more uranium enrichment. What would Iran do: A race to the bomb or a deal with Trump?

Immoral Senate votes down resolutions to end US weapons fueling Israel’s genocide in Gaza. 
 Scandal-ridden company SNC Lavalin, now calling itself AtkinsRéalis, strongly lobbying Ontario government to build its Candu nuclear reactors.
Norfolk MP criticised for ‘anti-nuclear’ stance for Bacton.
POLITICS INTERNATIONAL and DIPLOMACY.
High-Precision, Long-Range NATO Missiles Against Russia: Why Now?
Iran has offered to keep uranium below purity levels for a bomb,
IAEA confirms.European states vow to arrest Israeli PM. 

US one shy of becoming an Ace in blocking genocide ceasefire resolutions in UN. In 14-1 UN Security Council Vote, Lone US Veto Kills Gaza Cease-Fire Resolution. Trump opposes Israel annexation of West Bank, Republican sources say.

Households receive chilling leaflet urging them to prepare for war and grim nuclear attack.
SAFETY.
Power Out at Ukraine Atomic Plants After Russian Missile Strikes.

Congress wants to turn the nuclear regulator into the US industry’s cheerleader—again.

Reading road sees suspected nuclear warhead convoy. Japan / Blow For Nuclear Programme As Regulator Blocks Tsuruga-2 Restart.
SECRETS and LIES. UK Defence secretary to seek ‘missing’ nuclear test records.
SPINBUSTER. Nuclear Propaganda Exposed. Nuclear hype ignores high cost, long timelines.
TECHNOLOGY. Why EDF’s Hinkley C nuclear power plant will probably not be running before 2035.Will New Brunswick choose a “small, modular” nuclear reactor – that’s not small at all (among other problems)? Nuclear ‘Renaissance’ Recalls Past Boondoggles, Legacy of Failures.
WASTES. Decommissioning: Hunterston B decommissioning approved
WAR and CONFLICT. Report: Ukraine Fires British Storm Shadow Missiles Into Russia. Report: Biden Allows Ukraine To Strike Russia With Long-Range US Missiles.Russia Says US Missile Defense Base in Poland Is a Potential Target.

Israeli strikes hit ‘component’ of Iran’s nuclear programme: Netanyahu.
UN report is shows threat of nuclear war is ever present.
WEAPONS and WEAPONS SALES.Report: US and European Officials Discussed Giving Ukraine Nuclear Weapons.
Fleet of drones is spotted over major US airbase in Britain where they are building facilities to house nuclear weapons.

November 25, 2024 Posted by | Christina's notes | Leave a comment

TODAY. Danger of a nuclear catastrophe as Ukraine sends missiles to Kursk area in Russia

We keep getting told how very dangerous it is for the Russians to be sending drones and now missiles into Ukraine, above all, because they might hit  Zaporizhzhia and other nuclear facilities. And yes, this is true, (although the Russians have been relatively restrained, so far, about use of missiles).

We all do know how awful this war is, and what radiological devastation would be released, if the Russians, or the Ukrainians, struck the  Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Station, the largest in Europe. Rafael Grossi of the International Atomic Energy regularly reminds us of that danger, – (while almost simultaneously touting nuclear power stations as so very safe, and the essential cure for climate change.)

But what we don’t hear about – in our the media’s joyous promotion of a Ukrainian victory over Russia,- is the grave danger posed by American and British missiles fired by the Ukrainians into the Russian area of Kursk.

All sorts of “good reasons” for the Ukrainians doing this – to lower the morale of Russians, to destroy masses of North Korean troops gathering in the area, to hold onto a piece of Russian land as a bargaining chip if ever there’s a negotiation with Russia.

But no mention of Kursk nuclear power station, with its four Soviet RBMK-1000 reactors. The 2 operating reactors have no protective dome.– the same design as those at the Chernobyl nuclear plant which in 1986 became the scene of the world’s worst civilian nuclear disaster. Construction of the Kursk-2 power plant is under way, using essentially new reactors of the VVER-510 type, which began in 2018.  The Kursk NPP is among the three largest nuclear facilities in the country.

In August 2024, the remains of a Ukrainian drone were found within the area of the Kursk nuclear power plant, located roughly 100 metres (328 feet) from the plant’s spent fuel nuclear storage facility.

Ukraine fired at least 10 British-provided Storm Shadow missiles into Russia’s Kursk Oblast, The Wall Street Journal and several other media outlets reported on Wednesday.

You have to look to alternative media, to get any grip on what is happening in this conflict. Dave DeCamp , writes in ANTIWAR:

The US and the UK reportedly authorized Ukraine’s use of the Storm Shadows in strikes on Russian territory after President Biden gave the green light for Ukraine to use the ATACMS, US-made missiles with a range of about 190 miles. Ukraine launched ATACMS into Russia for the first time on Tuesday.

Both the Storm Shadows and ATACMS require intelligence from Western countries for Ukraine to fire them, meaning the US and NATO are now directly supporting long-range strikes on Russian territory. 

Our corporate Western media continues with its sacred utterance that “Ukraine must and will defeat Russia”. We never hear about the previous 8 long years of the Ukraine government’s war against its own region in the Donbass, a largely Russian-speaking region, which wanted to keep its autonomous status, supposedly guaranteed by the Minsk agreements . All this precipitated Russia’s action in February 2022. Zelensky was originally elected on a platform of honouring this agreement and negotiating with Russia.

But I digress.

The thing is, we are not being told the truth about this war. And Kursk is a kind of flashpoint that the Western mindset apparently does not understand.

The battle of Kursk

It is ironic that the battle of Kursk in 1943, the single largest battle in the history of warfare , is regarded as the “last gasp of Nazi aggression“. The Nazis invaded Kursk, but were defeated by the Russian forces. Russia lost an estimated 800,00 casualties. This battle, along with the Battle of Stalingrad several months earlier, is regarded as a turning point in World War 2.

It is sad, that in recent commemorations of World War 2, the role of Russia in defeating the Nazis is somehow erased. Oh well, we know from Hollywood’s portrayal of this war, it was the Americans who beat the Nazis.

NATO supports the missile attacks on Russian territory. It is possible that Kursk – the scene of a huge defeat of the 1943 German Nazi war machine, – could now be destroyed by the NATO-USA war machine, which includes Germany

November 23, 2024 Posted by | Christina's notes | Leave a comment

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