Pope Benedict XVI backs nuclear energy

[Dogmudgeon]

Not a particularly new story, but with anti-nuclear writers claiming to speak for the Catholic church but merely copying press releases from anti-nuke orgs, it might be interesting to see what the Pope thinks of it.

He's for it.

http://www.cathnews.com/news/707/171.php">Pope calls for disarmament, backs nuke energy

In a message marking the 50th anniversary of the founding of the International Atomic Energy Agency, Pope Benedict pleaded for nuclear disarmament but backed the increased peaceful use of nuclear energy to promote development for the world's poor.

Zenit reports that the pope noted that among its objectives, the IAEA seeks "to accelerate and enlarge the contribution of atomic energy to peace, health, and prosperity throughout the world."

"The Holy See, fully approving of the IAEA's goal, has been a member from the organisation's foundation and continues to support its activity," Pope Benedict said.

"The epochal changes of the last 50 years are evidence of how, in the difficult crossroads at which humanity finds itself, the commitment to encourage the nonproliferation of nuclear arms, to promote a progressive and agreed-upon nuclear disarmament, and to favour the peaceful and safe use of nuclear technology for authentic development - respectful of the environment and always attentive to the most disadvantaged populations - is always relevant and urgent," the pope said.

...

(Emphasis is mine.)

The Green party boss Reinhard Buetikofer responded in the progressive and bread-minded way we have come to expect from affluent anti-nuclear spokeseople: with insults, derision, and cartoonish irony. But you can read the remarks at the web page.

Here is http://www.iaea.org/NewsCenter/Statements/Misc/2007/benedict29072007.html">the link to Pope Benedict's address. (If there is any interest, I can post it separately.)

--p!
Nuclear Energy: Because The Poor Deserve Clean Energy, Too.

[Name removed]

1. Deleted message

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[glowing]

2. Well, the poor normally do enjoy the nuclear power next door to them

and the subsequent increases in cancer... Our tax money is spent by the billions to "subsidize" the building of the reactor, and someone like GE makes the profit. I think there are better ways than a system that costs a lot of money and continues to put a few top coporations and "families" at the top... and then we wonder why lobbyists and corporations run our govt.. Guess what they suck and have done a bad job of governing for the rest of us... But to be sure, they are eating cake or whatever they please.

[Dogmudgeon]

5. "GE makes the profit" -- here is what our tax money subsidizes

GE makes an enormous amount of money each year, but still gets huge tax breaks for its energy products.

That's just wrong -- right?

http://www.gepower.com/prod_serv/products/solar/en/index.htm">GE Nuclear Division Profitability 2008.

--p!

[Name removed]

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[bananas]

10. I've never claimed to speak for Al Gore

[bananas]

13. James Hansen: "Neither carbon sequestration nor nuclear power can help in the near-term"

"and they both have serious issues even over the longer term."

I'm not speaking for James Hansen - he speaks for himself:

"Near-term demands for energy can be satisfied via a real emphasis on energy efficiency and renewable energies. Neither carbon sequestration nor nuclear power can help in the near-term, and they both have serious issues even over the longer term. But Massachusetts and California have demonstrated the tremendous potential of efficiency aided by appropriate incentives."

http://gristmill.grist.org/story/2008/4/1/16055/76057

[Name removed]

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[jpak]

8. France exploited her former African colonies for their uranium and left them impoverished

and contaminated.

That is the true legacy of nuclear power in sub-saharan Africa.

[Name removed]

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[jpak]

11. In Australia, they confiscate Aboriginal land for uranium mines

no yuppies required

:rofl:

[bananas]

12. I've never said that 616 > 860

You're full of shit.

[Dead_Parrot]

4. Yeah, but Jesus prefers wind turbines

Eph 2:2
Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air...
:evilgrin:

[cloudythescribbler]

7. Along with gay rights, womens' equality, and choice, this is ANOTHER issue to protest the Vatican ..

In particular, it is rather ironic to claim to be pro-life and PRO-nuclear energy. I say the nuke issue should be thrown up in their faces EACH AND EVERY TIME that they bring up abortion (along of course with the pro-choice arguments).

Abortion at least doesn't cause horrible deformities, etc. A pro-nuclear energy Church is a little like "Concerned Stalinists for Peace".