Nuclear Hotseat

How the World Health Organization came under the domination of the pro-nuclear International Atomic Energy Agency - the first of two exclusive Nuclear Hotseat reports on the unholy alliance that underlies our global misunderstandings of the dangers of nuclear radiation. 

INTERVIEW:  Special full-length interview with Alison Katz of Independent WHO on the history, politics and criminal negligence of the World Health Organization.  She is a sociologist and psychologist who worked for WHO for 18 years and now is a spokesperson for the organization that wants WHO to do its job regarding nuclear dangers and international public health.  Even if you think you understand this issue, you will be shocked by the specific instances where WHO has abdicated its power.  You'll also be inspired by an international tactic Katz proposes that has the potential to turn this issue around.  

CONTACT:  www.IndependentWHO.org

Independent WHO Hippocratic vigil in front of World Health Organization headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland - 10 hours a day, 5 days a week for 7 years.

Two visions of housing in Japan: Proposed Olympic Village (top) vs. Fukushima refugee "temporary" housing, now over 2 years old.  PM Abe's priorities are clear. (photo juxtaposition by Cathy Iwane)

 
INTERVIEW:  Former nuclear industry insider Arnie Gundersen of Fairewinds Energy Education (www.Fairewinds.com) paints a clear picture of the current state of problems at Fukushima Daiichi... and then explains what he would do if he were in charge of the disaster site.  His first five minutes on the job would be awesome - and that's a word I almost never use!  

Fairewinds Energy Education's Arnie Gunderson w/Nuclear Hotseat Producer/Host, Libbe HaLevy

NUMNUTZ OF THE WEEK:  The International Olympic Committee for awarding the 2020 Olympics to Japan.  You had to ask?

PLUS: 

• Nuclear Spin-Speak attaining tornado-like vortex as Japan's Prime Minister Shinzo Abe-Baby seeks to quash any Olympics opposition based on suspicions of the negative impact of Fukushima radionuclides on athletes and fans?
• Japanese professor equates TEPCO w/the "Homer Simpson School of Nuclear Safety" ;
• Fukushima crane starts to fall over (the equipment, not the bird or the oragami);
• Fish of growing public concern to China, Korea, some Canadians and Guam?!? but not the US FDA, EPA, NOAA;
• British embassy in Japan supports Fukushima by playing cricket in the evacuation zone.  There's a reason why they lost the empire...

LINK:

• Article by Mycle Schneider on nuclear's loss of financial viability for investors, w/current stats for how bad they're getting clobbered:http://www.mareeg.com/fidsan.php?Nuclear-Power%E2%80%99s-Renaissance-in-Reverse-&sid=30384&tirsan=10

The Mystery of Fukushima Harbor: Boiling water, steam, fog, mist, morning marine layer... or swamp gas?

INTERVIEW:  Beverly Findlay-Kaneko is a former resident of Japan who spent over 20 years in that country.  On March 16, 2011, a family emergency brought her and her son Ryan back to Southern California only five days after the earthquake and tsunami on March 11.  They remained here while her husband remains in Yokohama and commutes to the U.S. every few months to be with the family.  Beverly returned to Japan this past August.  While there she attended anti-nuclear events, talked with activists and got a feel for what the nuclear issues look like on-the-ground in Japan as we approach the 2-1/2 year mark since Fukushima. 

Beverly Findlay-Kaneko (left) at August demonstration in Japan.

NUMNUTZ OF THE WEEK: Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe.  He's promising a "prompt" solution to the problems at Fukushima.  Aren't you about 29 months too late, Abe Baby?  No, wait -- you're just trying to woo the International Olympic Committee as it's making the final decision on where to hold the 2020 Summer Games.  (Anyone bother to ask elite athletes how they'd feel about competing in a radioactive mine field?) 

PLUS:

• More leaks, higher radiation found on-site at Fukushima Daiichi;
• Salt water corroding containment tanks, endangering removal of Fukushima Unit 4 fuel rods;
  
• TEPCO finally being acknowledged as incompetent!  (Duh!)
  
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Cape Cod Downwinders use Labor Day traffic to make the point that no evacuation is possible if Pilgrim Nuclear Power Plant pulls a Fukushima.

• Radioactive seawater plume predicted to hit US west coast in 20 years... or four years... or one... but it's coming.
  
• Three Mile Island decommissioning cost set at $918 million but will undoubtedly cost much more by the time it's scheduled to begin - in 2034!

Libbe HaLevy at a still-leaking Three Mile Island.  Portrait of the artist as a young and stupid woman.

• And much, much more!  

INTERVIEWS:

• Former nuclear insider Arnie Gundersen, head of Fairewinds.com, explains how and why Vermont Yankee was shut down.  Audio courtesy Fairewinds.com from their podcast series.

Fairewinds Energy Education's Arnie Gunderson w/Nuclear Hotseat Producer/Host, Libbe HaLevy

• Hattie Nestle, a member of the Vermont Yankee Women's Affinity Group, on why she's not ecstatic over Entergy announcement re: Vermont Yankee.  
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Hiroshima Day blockade of Vermont Yankee nuclear power plant by Women's Affinity Group.  They were later arrested.

NUMNUTZ OF THE WEEK:  International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) declares global progress on nuclear safety!  (Of course, they have to say that; it's in their mission statement to promote nuclear at all times, under any cirucumstances).  They neglect to mention spiking radiation levels in water pouring from the wreck of Fukushima Daiichi, what's that's been doing to the Pacific Ocean and seafood - nah, none of them olde mistakes are worth noting; let's just focus on building the market for new nukes! 

PLUS:

• Japan finally asks for international help w/Fukushima as highly radioactive water continues to flow into harbor; Russia responds.
• 6 more thyroid cancer cases diagnosed in the children of Fukushima Prefecture.
• NRC to rule on re-opening Ft. Calhoun near Omaha. 
• Memorial service for Masao Yoshida, Fukushima Daiichi plant manager and leader of the Fukushima 50 whose bravery after the earthquake on 3/11/11 probably saved Tokyo, if not the world.

Memorial service for Masao Yoshida, Fukushima hero who sacrificed his life to save the world.

• Japanese PM Shinzo Abe says his government will stop the outflow of tainted water... but neglects to say how they'll do it;
• Leak at Salem Unit 1 in  New Jersey at 4 gallons a minute.  No big deal?  Now, imagine dumping that much milk on your kitchen floor.