Japan's Radioactive Water Crises

Summary

- After the earthquake and tsunami in Japan many problems with nuclear power plants have emerged
- Cooling systems have been destroyed and water is being relied upon to keep reactor fuel rods cool and prevent a meltdown
- Water used to cool reactor becomes irraditated
- Focus has shifted to safe water removal
- Contaminated water findings led to concerns about escaped radiation
-  Partial meltdown suspected in three of the reactors
- Plutonium, Iodine, and Cesium have all been found in higher than natural doses around the plants
- These are harmful by-products of nuclear fission
- Workers in the plant are under extremely dangerous circumstances
- Nuclear power will still play a large role in future "clean" energy of Japan

CNN Japan Report
Japan Google Maps

Opinion

Japan's current crises is a prime example of how an astonishingly unlikely series of events can be blown out of perportion and negatively influence the reputation of an otherwise reasonablely effective power source. The event has led to countries who have invested in nuclear power to rethink the safety and worth of this energy source. Before making a final decision in your stance on nuclear power, everyone should consider what preceded the cooling systems of these plants crashing. The likelihood of two natural disasters striking the same place consecutively is very low, and that is exactly what it took to created this situation. Not only that, there has not been any meltdowns to this point and besides relatively small radiation leaks and issues with water the crises has been dealt with extremely well.

For those still skeptical of the safety of nuclear power, this should not be taken as a negative against all renewable energy sources and should encourage the use of fossil fuels, thinking of them as a "safer" alternative. Fossil fuels are destroying the entire planet, not just a few city (not that nuclear power is a consistant threat to any city). Nuclear power has it's positives and negatives, but is an affordable and efficient way to stay powered while we deal with the more powerful, more expensive sources. These sources include mainly solar and fusion each being extremely expensive and difficult to produce efficiently, with regular solar fuel cells being roughly 11% efficient and fusion relying on the heating of basic elements to the point of breaking strong nuclear force bonds, fusing them together. For now we have to rely on what we have, and like it or not at the moment that is nuclear power. Take it or leave it.

Complex

Interrelated and Controversial

Al-Qaeda Strikes Again

Summary

- Militants supposedly associated with the Al-Qaeda terrorist group gunned down a Pakistani minister Bhatti, also head of the APMA (All Pakistan Minorities Alliance)
- The militants left a pamphlet explaining the attack was due to the minister opposing a law that made insulting Islam punishable by death
- This killing came shortly after the assasination of Salman Taseer who shared similar beliefs regarding the law
- Intelligence agencies were weary of possible attacks on the head of the APMA, who is also favoring the removal of the law
- Following the killings the government decided against the changing of the law
- The head of the APMA Bhatti and Member of Parliment Rahman were activists against the law dispite obvious danger
- Pakistan officials fear a break in ceasefire between them and Al-Qaeda and expect high levels of terror this year
- The assasination of Bhatti was done very professionally: the perpetrators left a pre-written pamphlet and got in and out of a secure area unscathed
- Pakistan's national security is being questioned
- The issue of successfully identifing militants is being reviewed

Asia Times Online
Pakistan

Opinion

Terror is a major threat to many countries around the world, espcially those in the Middle Eastern region. Although this major failure of national security has shaken the government of Pakistan to it's core they must realize that governments cannot be destroyed by violence, a government destroys itself when confronted with fear, intimadation and political unrest. The government should keep it's national defence strong and stand by it's ammendments. Partnership with nations in similar situations has been a large asset of the defence of many other countries around the globe and could be positive in the Pakistan effort against terror.

The government has decided to separate itself from the activists who are pushing the removal of a law that makes the questioning of Islam punishable by death. Although politics and religion should be kept separate, in this case the decision made by the government may have been correct. By avoiding being associated with the activists Pakistan has kept away direct conflict with Al-Qaeda which could have resulted in high levels of collateral damage or open warfare. This gives Pakistan time to possibly work around this issue politically, or raise their defence in the case of elevated levels of terrorism. Action must be taken as soon as possible to negate the fear and unrest in the Pakistan society, for the real enemy of a government is not other nations or terrorists, the only real enemy of a government is fear because through fear comes control.

Complex Mind Map

Interrelated and Controverisal