Japan's Nuclear Crisis Reignites Safety Debate

First, take a deep breath and remember, the experiment has already been done regarding fallout. Hiroshima and Nagasaki - now thriving cities - blew more nuclear dust and ash into the upper atmosphere than the steaming power plant fizzle will . During the following decades there was no increase in cancer rates on the West Coast.

Furthermore, in the Pacific, more than 125 nuclear bombs and devices were exploded, under the sea and above ground, by the United States, England and France between 1945 and 1962 (That's how that whole Godzilla thing got started - Finally being dissolved in Tokyo Bay by Dr, Sarazowa's "oxygen destoyer"...sorry, I couldn't resist) . Anyway, entire fleets of ships were sunk - all were full of fuel oil and other chemicals as well - but I suppose that's a separate eco-worry. Anyway, all that radiation was released fairly close to Hawaii - no ill effects were noted in the "Aloha State".

France detonated more than 40 devices in the Sahara desert from 1956 through 1962.

At Novaya Zemlya, Russia preformed over 50 underwater and atmospheric nuclear tests between 1955 and 1963. Among these were the largest nuclear blasts on record.

Between 1951 and 1962 approximately 100, "above ground", nuclear bombs were detonated in the Nevada desert. These "tests" were conducted approximately 65 miles from Las Vegas and less than 100 miles, "up wind", of St. George Utah.

Thousands of U.S. soldiers were exposed to some of these blasts - often close enough to burn their skin. Many times, after the blast, these men were ordered to immediately march through "ground zero" - the center of the blast zone. The shock wave and hot wind could be felt on the streets of Las Vegas. The incidence of various cancers were greatly increased in the area - and are still slightly increased. The soldiers exposed to the radiation suffered cancer rates nearly double those of the general population.

That said, it must be stressed that these "explosive" exposures were at ranges of under 100 miles and sometimes as close as five miles. The low level radioactive release from Japanese power plants it relatively free of particulates and is released at comparatively low altitudes - nearly 6000 miles away - not 60 miles.

At this juncture it's important to note that windmills, solar panels or fairy-dust are not going to do the job. We need to utilize everything; coal, shale, natural gas, nuclear, hydroelectric, oil, hydrogen and "green energy.

From 1970 to present wind energy has claimed the lives of 35 American workers, and caused dozens of wild fires - Nuclear energy, none. Now consider that nuclear produces 17% of our energy needs - wind <2%. Also, each year thousands die from electricity, fire, natural gas, coal mine and dam disasters.

We haven't built a nuclear plant since 1966 - I don't know about you, but I'm thinkin' we've moved ahead technologically (though not musically) since The Temptations released, "Ain't Too Proud To Beg".

Time is running out.

R.L. Schaefer of CA 7:01PM March 21, 2011