NRC KNOWS THERE IS A PROBLEM BUT WHAT TO DO?

Today in the Wall Street Journal of May 16, 2011, there were two articles relating to nuclear plant safety. The fiirst titled "Safety Gaps found at Nuclear Plants" I quote as saying "Federal Inspections ordered after the earthquake and tsunami in Japan found many U.S. commercial nuclear reactors vulnerable to severe earthquakes, floods or fires, particularly in combination." Yes I agree. But what is going to be done about it? That is the important question. As long as nuclear engineers keep thinking about "containment", they will not solve the problem. They should be thinking DISPERSEMENT of core materials before a full scale melt- down develops. Once a melt- down starts there is no stopping the radiation and the problems that follow. To back up my assertion, I cite another article in the same WSJ edition of the same date on the present situation of the heavily damaged reactors in Japan from the article titled "Cores Damaged At Three Reactors." I need only to quote a small portion of this article: "...containment vessel is damaged and leaking highly radioactive water." This statement was relative to reactor no. 1. What is the solution? Just read my previous article in this blog, and then if you are concerned, do something about it and call/write your Congressmen.

WHAT IS THE MAIN SAFETY PROBLEM WITH NUCLEAR REACTORS?

This article is to warn of a basic safety problem with virtually all nuclear power reactors all over the world. We are currently witnessing the terrible results of nuclear a plant disaster now taking place in Japan with  even more dangerous results possible from the same reactors in the near future. Why did the Japanese reactor(s) fail? Or course there was first a very large quake which caused physical damage to some of the plants and this was quickly followed by the tsunami that stopped the cooling pumps and back-up pump power generators. Now two problems developed. First, the main reactor core begin to heat out-of-control because of the loss of cooling. Second, the spent fuel storage tank located above and to the side of the main reactor also lost its cooling system. The spent fuel tank also contained new fuel rods in a reactor that was "shut down" for maintenance. So now the real disaster to come was beginning. There was now no good way to cool the nuclear fuel, and it continued to heat-up becasuse of the loss of active cooling. If these older plants had the so-called "passive" water cooling system they would supposedly have been safe. But I submit to you that no cooling system, active or passive, that depends on water will be safe if there is a large enough earthquake, Why? Because the struture of any cooling system is subject to physical damage and loss of cooling fluid. There is no physical system that cannot be damaged by a quake or its aftermath especially plants that are located in coastal areas. Another danger to the older reactors that do not have passive cooling, is the extended loss of electrical power and fuel to power the back-up generators. What could possibly cause this? Well in the first place, all electrical systems and fuel delivery systems in the world depend on a fragile technical net of computers and other complex machinery that is now critical to our civililzation. What if a large meteor hits our planet causing widespread destruction? There are probably a lot of things that can happen to a civilization that is built like a house of cards ready to collapse with the slightest disturbance. But I am digressing. The main point I am trying to make is that there is only one real way to stop the chain reaction that takes place in a fission ractor core to stop a meltdown: You have to have a means, automatic or manual, of rapidly dispersing the fuel rods from each other so that they are no longer close enough to each other to be critical or even sub-critical in nuclear reactor engineering terms. So what is this way to stop the nuclear reaction permanently? It is actually a very simple solution. It is to simply to blow the reactor apart with a large high explosive charge that is activated either automatically or manually if (1) the reactor is over-heating, (2) the reactor cooling system has failed, and (3) there is no human over-ride signal received or possible. Yes this is an extreme measure, but it will be effective and used only as the last resort. Everyone thinks in terms of "core containment" when at the last resort they should be thinking in terms of "core dispersal".  One thing that would make the explosive method more palatable perhaps is to make the final external continment structure large enough and srong enough to also contain the core dispersal explosion. Then you would have the more desirable situation of totally stoping the nuclear chain reaction but also containment of all of the remnants of the exploded core. So you people that believe that I am a "waco" or a deranged scientist, think about it and see if you have a better solution! Good luck!

WHAT TO DO TO MAKE NUKE PLANTS SAFER

In the early days of nuclear power, the nuclear cores were supposed to be designed so that if they expanded due to excessive heating (if the cooling system failed, for example) that the core would expand enough to cause fission activity to reduce so that a stable condition would occur even without cooling. Also, there were supposed to be enough boron control rods to slam home into the core to dampen the core below criticality and stop significant neutron density to cool the reactor in case of a cooling system failure or some other condition that might result in an out-of-control situation. But for economic reasons, corners were cut so that it became necessary to maintain cooling system operation no matter what happens. But as we have seen, things can go wrong with the cooling system and then the core is in major danger of a total out-of-control heating that could result in what is referred to as a "meltdown". We are now seeing this possibility in Japan with already serious consequences. Another error is to store fuel rods in water pools long term right adjacent to or above the core of the reactor so if the pool is dried up by an overheating reactor core and not refilled we have another meltdown possibility for the stored fuel rods. There are a lot of possibilities for improvements at nuke plants. For one thing they should not be sited on earthquake fault lands. One thing I think would help is to place self-destruct high explosive charges below the nuclear core and even the storage pools, that would automatically detonate in the event of the detection of over-heating of the core or the pool and failure of the cooling systems. This is of course an extreme thing happen as the last ditch defense, but it would disperse the fuel elements quickly and definitely stop the fission reactions and the possiblity of a meltdown, protecting the environment from radioactive cesium and iodine contamination. The only problems left would be to clean up fuel materials and debri and of course close the plant. I have proposed this solution to the Whitehouse and a noted scientist who I will not name, but I received no reply and of course there has been no suggestions of action in this direction or any other action, just talk, to improve the safety of nuclear power plants.

SHOULD THE US PUT A NO-FLY ZONE OVER LIBYA?

Hillary Clinton, when asked if the US should institute a no-fly zone over Liby, said "We are supporting all efforts."  Well now, should the US be "supporting all efforts", or should the US be leading all efforts? Lets look at the facts. (1.) Should the US support Libyan dictator Qaddafi? NO. (2.) Should the US just wait and see what happens while the people of Libya are dying and asking for help? NO. ( 3.) Should the US wait for Al Qaeda to take over the country? NO.  (4.) The Libyan government planes are bombing the oil fields as I write this. Should the US allow this wanton destruction of oil assets that affects all nations of the world and do nothing? NO.

So what should the US do? First act like a leader, not a follower nation. Second, do what ever is necessary to help the Libyan people fight their oppressor. If this means a no -fly zone, we should do it. If it means getting weapons to the Libyan freedom fighters, lets do it. If it means humanitarian and medical supplies, lets do it.

Lets do something other than just talk!

US FUNDS WASTED ON DICTATORS IN THE MIDDLE EAST

Bahrain has received $1.4 billion in US aid since 2000. Egypt has received $1.3 billion per year on the average. Jordan has received $6 billion since 1952. What did Jordan ever do for us? Libya has received an average of $10.7 million per year in recent years. What in the world for, his humanitarian work? Morocco has averaged $24.5 million per year. Saudi Arabia, $500,000. Who in their right mind would send our money to one of the richest, if not the richest nation in the world? Tunisia has received $15.6 million per year on the average. Again, why? Last but not least is Yemen which has received $54.3 million per year. So we have military forces in Bahrain and Yemen, so what? They should not be there anyway. Our bases should only be in NATO countries and the only thing we should pay for is the rental of the land! If a NATO country rejects our need for a base, they should be drummed out of NATO!

I don't know about you, but I don't like the taxes on my hard-earned money paid to dictators or despots in the Middle East or anywhere in the world! If you agree with me, write your Congressmen and your President and let them know.

US SUPPORT FOR DICTATORS IN THE MIDDLE EAST

The United States should not be supporting dictators anywhere in the world no matter what the military or other advantages might be to the US. The people of each country have the right to choose their government regardless if it is a government we like or not. Our form of government is a democracy. But the people of other countries may want something different. We should allow each country to form the kind of government that the people want regardless of whether we like it or not, or whether they hate us or not. We should allow countries to reach their natural cultural state. If we do, and at the same time support the principle of freedom for all, then we may earn some goodwill instead of the hate we experience now with the policies we have had. But at the same time we have to resist aggression of one country against others, and expansionist regimes as we have in the past. Yes, we might lose some military bases, but if the people of a country don't want our military in their country, we should leave. If they do want us then we should stay. Let our policy be based on freedom and democracy for peoples, not on a policy of fear and the support of dictators under the assumption that it gives us some sort of strategic advantage. I believe that if the Middle East, for example is allowed to reach its natural cultural balance, for the most part there will be less tension and less potential for war in the region. We will still have to protect some countries when they are threatened of course. But even the need for protection in some cases may be less due to lower tensions. Let the Middle East stabilize of its own accord with the US supporting freedom and democracy, not dictators!  Write and call your Congressmen if you agree with me.

A CHANCE FOR A NEW FOREIGN POLICY

Right now, after the fall of the Egyptian dictator, the US has a chance to formulate a new foreign policy that is based on the promotion of freedom and democracy throughout the world instead of supporting dictators because some fearful politicians are afraid of what results might follow after a democratic election. I say that the support of dictators is a policy based on fear instead of reason. If the US had a policy of not supporting dictators, but supporting freedom and democracy, and being of good example of democracy ourselves, most people around the world would understand that policy and would be more likely to copy us than hate us for supporting the police states and dictators that steal their freedom. When people are under the heel of a cruel dictator, or any dictator that restricts their freedom, they will hate that dictator and his police state government. They will also hate any people or governments that support that dictator, and that is at least partly why so many people around the world hate the US. A good example of that is Iran where the US supported the despotic Sha, earning the hatred of Iranians, and then when the Sha was deposed the US had no credibility or influence to encourage a democracy in Iran. We could blame Jimmy Carter for that, but there was nothing he could do because of the hate of the US. So what was gained by supporting the Sha? Nothing and even worse than  nothing, but rather it was counterproductive and has led to the trouble we have now with Iran. So what should our new policy be? Very simple. We should not support dictators at all, anywhere! Next we can once again be a good example of a free and democratic country. We can then establish credibility around the world as a nation that is free and ready to help others establish freedom and democracy. If you believe I am right, write and call your Congressmen and tell them!

REDISCOVERING AMERICA AND N0-FEAR POLICIES

Is America in decline and nothing can be done to stop it? I don't think so. Americans are only limited by their own thinking and our own fears. Franklin D. Roosevelt said "We have nothing to fear but fear itself." And I think this is as true today as it was in Franklin's time. We should not be ruled by fear as to how we react to events in the world or to our conditions at home. We should react out of a "no-fear" position of strength, positive energy, and the attitude that we are going to move forward! We should think in terms of up-holding our ideals based on the Constitution of the United States and our democratic form of government. We must not give in to fear and the extremist forces that are in the world today. There is no stronger idea or position to take than that of supporting Freedom For All and the support of democratic reforms around the world. America has been the leader of the free world for many years. We do not have to give up that role but we do need to get our own house in order. Eliminate the policies of fear and instead react for the cause of freedom all over the world. It is time to stop supporting dictators. We fought dictators in WW I and WW II and the cost was heavy in the blood of many fine soldiers. We should not support their repressive tactics and ambitions for power now. Let us move forward with confidence, fix our own problems, and be an example to the world of a nation of free people, not afraid to face anyone, with confidence through having the right ideals and the strength of no-fear policies.

OPPORTUNITIES FOR DEMOCRACY

What is the United States doing to promote democracy in the world today? There are now at least two opportunities to help establish new democracies in the world: Tunisia and Egypt. Have you heard any pronouncements promoting the democratic form of government by the President? By any member of Congress? By the State Department? During Chinese President Hu's visit? If you have, please send me a comment.

What is the problem? Don't we care about Democracy anymore? Or is our national esteem so low in the minds of our leaders that they think that we are not a worthy democratic nation anymore? Have the leftist liberals made us feel guilty with their constant raving about our supposed bad wartime policies? Or is our leadership just afraid to speak out with forceful support for the democratic way of life? The world's main problems are due to the existence of non-democratic dictatorships that are rogue nations. I don't have to name them. You know which ones they are.

People everywhere want to be free. No one wants despots dictating to them about what they can say, what they can print, what they can wear, how they can or cannot worship, find out what the truth or real news is, how many children you can have, etc.

President Obama, Secretary Clinton, members of Congress, lets speak out about the value and benefits of democracy and what we are going to do to help democracies grow everywhere! Write and call your Congressmen today.

IS FREEDOM OF THE PRESS UNDER ATTACK?

Senator Patrick Leahy and others in Congress have criticized the Press for their coverage of the Arizona attempted assassination of Rep. Gifford and the crazy shooting rampage of a psychotic murderer. They are insinuating that the press is inciting violence and sensationalizing the event. The incident was certainly a terrible act of violence and I believe that every aspect of the incident and the crazy man that did this should be thoroughly investigated, REPORTED BY THE PRESS, and completely acted upon by law enforcement. Yes, the press coverage has been extensive and possibly even tiresome at times, but in my view it is necessary, and the Press, in most cases of reporting, has done a great job. Americans should be grateful and proud that we have a fine Press in both print and in broadcasting services.

It has also been suggested that the press is the cause of this violence by its political reporting. This is rediculous. There are always going to be psychotics who are going to do bad things unless they are discovered, treated, or imprisononed by law enforcement. By the way, both Airzona and Virgina have laws that allow citizens to petition the State to order a psych evaluation of persons who exhibit dangerous or violent behaviour. All states should have laws like this. So if a psychotic commits a murderous act of violence, who's fault is it, the Press, or the citizens who knew that the person was violent and did not report him or her to the officials? Some unscrupulous politicians would like to muzzle certain Press organizations that don't support their political views. Don't let these politicians to use the assassination attempt to restrict the Freedom of the Press! Write and call your Congressmen that you support the Freedom of the Press and they should protect this freedom!

THE RAPTOR IS AN ENDANGERED SPECIES

The Obama administration has cut off production of the new Raptor F-22 stealth fighter. This is the only fighter plane the US has that can outfly the latest Russian fighter aircraft. The production of the F-22 will stop at 187 aircraft and the production lines will be shut down, causing the loss of many skilled jobs. along with the job loss we also lose military aircraft know-how and the advanced stealth fighter technology. The F-35 is supposed to be good enough that we don't need the Raptor. But the F-35 is 300 to 400 mph slower than the Raptor and is not stealth capable. It can be beaten by Russian aircraft. Also the Chinese are in the final test phase of their new J-20 fighter plane. The J-20 appears to have stealth capability according to experts' reviews.

The question is this: Is the US cutting too many corners in military capability to save minuscule amounts of money compared to the amount of money spent on stupid boondoggle programs and welfare? I say yes! The military budget may need some cutting in certain areas, but I don't believe that aircraft and missiles are the places to cut. Mr. Gates has also cut the SLAMRAAM air-to-air defensive missile system. This is also costing jobs and the loss to technology that will not be regained.

These cuts I believe are a sign of the decline of power of the USA and the cost may be very dear in the blood of Americans in the future. If you agree with me, call and write your Congressmen and let them know what we think!

REAL ESTATE - WHAT HAPPENED AND HOW CAN WE FIX IT?

What happened to the real estate market in 2008-2009? Crooked mortgage brokers and the government agencies backed mortgages for many people who were not really qualified financially to buy a home with a mortgage. To make matters worse, many of these mortgages were large adjustable rate mortgages sold during a low interest rate period of time. When the interest rates went up later these mortgages had steeply increased payments that people could not pay so now their houses have been foreclosed on or are now in foreclosure. Then the real disaster hit after Wall Street traders sold packages of the low quality mortgages as securities with the mortgages mixed together so that there was no way to even determine who held the mortgages or what quality they were (unless the mortgages were handpicked as the worst ones that could be sold short by traders who knew that they would fail.) This risky scheme finally came to cause real trouble when major Wall Street firms and banks started to fail (Lehman Bros.) forcing the government to start bailing out very large firms such as AIG for example. The effect of the bad securities was to cause banks to stop lending, leading to a very bad credit crunch which resulted in the government dumping huge amounts of money into circulation causing the value of the dollar to fall (we are lucky the dollar hasn't crashed to zero.) So now where are we in real estate? Well if you have cash it might be a good time to buy unless there is another dip coming. Real estate prices are still 15 to 20% higher than their traditional trendline. But if you need a mortgage to buy a house or property you will have a hard time getting a mortgage.

So what can be done to fix the problem? Unfortunately there is no fix until jobs come back, people have better incomes, and more cash to qualify for a mortgage. In other words, people have to have jobs and we have to get out of this recession. Call and write your Congressmen to remind them about the unemployment problem that needs to be fixed!