Plus, we're talking about a 30-year old plant. Newer nuclear plants can be built upon more advanced earthquake-safe building standards.

Actually, the plant survived the earthquake without any damage whatsoever. It was the tsunami that caused the problems - by wiping out the back-up generators for the cooling system.

As overblown as it may be here, I imagine it's pretty darn terrifying in Japan.

If such a thing happened here, how likely would you be to believe the government or the utility companies or even the press as to how dangerous the radioactivity heading your way was??

And how would you like to be trying to get out of Los Angeles if there were even credible RUMORS of radioactive clouds headed this way after being traumatized by unfathomable natural disaster life???







Yes, I imagine this is all pretty upsetting in Japan.

Reasonably likely, except for the press. I never trust the press to ever accurately represent risk.

Per Lani, who is able to watch NHK without help, the Japanese press doesn't seem nearly so overwrought though they are definitely giving it plenty of attention.

I'd believe the utility companies ;)

I've been reading the BBC coverage of the situation. Unlike the American press, it's calm, informative, and fact based. Quite refreshing.

Not to mention the thousands of miners that are killed in coal mining accidents each year.

And the thousands, if not millions, of coal related cancer deaths.

But what about the coal related folk songs? I suppose Big John would translate to the nuke plant context if he's the one who stays behind to absorb all the radiation, but what about "16 tons" and "Working in a coal mine," etc.?