Musings From The Edge: Duh! There Are Consequences Folks!

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Well folks, this may well be one of those times when the old Lazer pisses everybody off. If it does so be it. I have been trying to avoid all of the crap, political and otherwise, that has been going on in this country and around the world and go about my merry way. Hopefully, I thought that my final years on this earth I could leave to those who had more energy and tenacity to confront this mountain of bull crap, and perhaps they do, but it has become painfully obvious they damn sure do not have the intellect. I mean the screw ups are coming so fast and furious it is difficult to decide where to start. And once I get started I not sure if I will ever end. But for a lack of a better place let us begin with the most recent crisis in Japan. No, not that one. The one beyond the earthquake and the tsunami. You know, after all the people were killed and the thousands of others made homeless by the natural disaster. The man made disaster that followed and the one that seemed to surprise everyone in the world … except me, and probably a few thousand other people who understand that anything that man can build Mother Nature can tear to pieces anytime she so desires.

Contrary to what people seem to be thinking right now, this isn’t magic, it isn’t unthinkable, it isn’t beyond the realm of probability, it is reality. It could happen, and it did happen, and it is happening, and guess what, now a bunch of people are now looking at the nuclear energy situation in this country and shaking in their boots. Why? Because they have been turning a blind eye to the realities of our energy problems for decades and looking for an easy way out. They have been listening to those corporate big wigs who put money in their pockets instead of facing the reality of the energy crisis facing America. Is this a new problem? No. Almost four decades ago we knew there was a problem and we needed to seek better more durable solutions. Did we? Nope. We jumped right back into bed with big oil and big corporate interests which locked us into the Arabs and led us to Three Mile Island. After that we have given lip service to more “green” energy sources but even today we are still giving more than $50 billion, with “B”, subsidies to big oil while they are earning their largest profits ever. Comparatively little is being invested in expanded in solar, wind, or tidal powered energy solution.

So, I ask all my fine feathered, and unfeathered friends why in the hell are you all so damned surprised that there is a catastrophe in Japan, or if it were any where else, with nuclear energy. If you strike enough matches sooner or later you will start a fire. It is almost simple mathematics. Sooner or later the odds will catch up with you. It isn’t that Japan did anything wrong because that could just as easily been California, or somewhere in France, or anywhere else humans were are playing with atoms. Either we invest immediately, and heavily in other alternative energy sources to replace oil and coal or we accept the fact that there are potentially serious consequences to playing with nuclear energy and stop acting like we are so surprised and shocked. It is not a case of IF accidents are going to happen, it is simply WHEN they are going to happen. Remember;
IT ISN’T NICE TO FOOL AROUND WITH MOTHER NATURE!

About Post Author

Bill Formby

Bill Formby, aka William A. Formby, PhD, aka Lazersedge is a former Marine and a former police officer. He is a retired University Educator who considers himself a moderate pragmatic progressive liberal, meaning that he thinks practically liberal, acts practically liberal, and he is not going to change in the near future. But, if he does he will be sure to let you know.
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13 years ago

Thanks for talking sense, Lazer. Great post.

Reply to  Greenlight
13 years ago

Thanks KL

jenny40
13 years ago

I am a supporter of nuclear energy. It is safe and clean, except for the waste which is a problem. There is no way we can predict Mother Nature. No way we can know when an earthquake will hit, or a tornado or hurricane for that matter. I am confident that after this crisis has passed the Japanese will figure out how to disaster proof their plants.

Reply to  jenny40
13 years ago

Jenney40, there is no such thing as “disaster proof”. That has just been proven. If we are to continue to play with this dangerous part of nature energy source we need to get much better at understanding that these things WILL happen and prepare ourselves. Right now everyone is still panicking and “trying” different things, meaning this went beyond our expectations. Yes, this is a viable energy alternative to oil and coal but were are still feeding the glutinous pigs who are the oil companies with money which need to be used to explore other alternative which are less dangerous.

Reply to  Lazersedge
13 years ago

Jenny,

This is not the first disaster and will not be the last. I wish I could point you to the evidence, but I am too lazy to look it up, so I will just tell you. The whole false premise, one of them, was that you can design your facilities to withstand the maximum earthquake that could happen for each known fault line that could reach a facility.

Independent of what is happening in Japan, scientists are now finding that tectonic plates sometimes move is unexpected ways, invalidating all ceilings we have defined thus far.

None of the facilities in quake zones are adequately protected from this. Not to mention the human aspect. Any one of the facilities could be used as a weapon or could malfunction in ways we have yet to imagine.

There has to be better ways to make energy then to make it out the most destructive force ever designed by humankind.

Reply to  jenny40
13 years ago

Always enjoy your writing, Lazer. You have a way of conveying wisdom in a direct and open manner.

As far as safe nuclear power, there are so many reasons that I could mention that makes that statement an oxymoron. But not that it matters, I think the folly of man and it’s endless need to have energy production centralized and distributed is going to make nuclear energy a big part of the future. But there are far safer types of reactors, especially the molten salt types or LFTRs as they are known. At least those designs should be pursued because of inherent safety.

One thing that I would also like to mention, this coming from an engineer. Relying on technology for protection and safety from what is essentially a caged animal, a U235 fission reactor, is nothing but gambling.

You may be able to change the odds to a smaller and smaller amount, but eventually the number is going to come up. That is the undeniable reality.

lazersedge
Reply to  Krell
13 years ago

“..a caged animal.” Excellent analogy Krell. It reminds me of the Animal Planet show “Fatal Attraction.” We are going to have it even if it kills us.

13 years ago

Perhaps Mother Nature is telling us “Look dummies, I have more energy at my disposal than you can dream about, and I’m willing to work with you.” Good one Bill.

Reply to  Holte Ender
13 years ago

I think you sre right Holte. But she is also saying, use your heads.

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