Japan radiation leaks feared as nuclear experts point to possible cover-up

[Karmadillo]

http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2011/mar/14/japan-radiation-leak-cover-up

Japan radiation leaks feared as nuclear experts point to possible cover-up
Lack of radiation readings echoes pattern of secrecy employed after other major accidents such as Chernobyl
John Vidal and Damian Carrington
Monday 14 March 2011 21.03 GMT

Nuclear experts have thrown doubt on the accuracy of official information issued about the Fukushima nuclear accident, saying that it followed a pattern of secrecy and cover-ups employed in other nuclear accidents. "It's impossible to get any radiation readings," said John Large, an independent nuclear engineer who has worked for the UK government and been commissioned to report on the accident for Greenpeace International.

"The actions of the Japanese government are completely contrary to their words. They have evacuated 180,000 people but say there is no radiation. They are certain to have readings but we are being told nothing." He said a radiation release was suspected "but at the moment it is impossible to know. It was the same at Chernobyl, where they said there was a bit of a problem and only later did the full extent emerge."

According to some reports, 17 helicopter crewmen helping in rescue efforts were contaminated with low-level radiation, but Japanese officials declined to comment.

The country's government has previously been accused of covering up nuclear accidents and hampering the development of alternative energy.

more...

[nc4bo]

1. Don't all governments lie to their citizentry? For whatever reasons they give

for doing so.

Our own government is just as guilty.

Whoops - forgot to Rec.

[Scuba]

2. Where's all the pro nuke guys?

[Wilms]

4. Curled up in a ball in a fall-out shelter, crying like babies. n/t

[nadinbrzezinski]

7. Should I remove them from ignore?

[ixion]

3. "covering up nuclear accidents and hampering the development of alternative energy."

This IS the problem, of course.

[originalpckelly]

6. It's the lie that this technology is green energy.

That's the problem, they have sucessfully propagandized everyone into thinking it's good for the environment, when in reality it's one of the worst forms of pollution.

[ixion]

11. and also by discouraging alternative energy

both by stifling product availability and spreading straw men like "you can't power your house with just alternative energy."

[nadinbrzezinski]

5. Didn't some of us say they were not truly up and up

I get it, preventing panics. but...

As a former PIO trust me, I know how to do this, tell you the "truth" creatively...

[Hannah Bell]

15. they may be covering things up, but they've given radiation & pressure readings

in all their press conferences i've seen.

maybe they were lying. because no one would ever find out, since the japanese government is the only one that can measure radiation.

[Hannah Bell]

8. i don't know what he's talking about. they gave radiation readings & pressure data in

the last three press conferences i saw.

who is this "independent expert"?

on edit: and in fact they're giving radiation readings at the presser going on right now.

[Paradoxical]

14. It's greenpeace. They are attempting to confirm their preconceived narrative.

That is, all nuclear energy is evil.

The Japanese government along with other agencies, including the US armed forces, have been giving information on radiation exposure.

[Generic Other]

9. Apparently not everyone is quiet

"A senior nuclear industry executive, speaking to the the New York Times, said that Japanese nuclear industry managers are "basically in a full-scale panic". The executive is not involved in managing the response to the reactors' difficulties but has many contacts in Japan. 'They're in total disarray, they don't know what to do,' the executive added."

http://www.aolnews.com/2011/03/14/japans-nuclear-crisis-sends-industry-managers-into-full-scale-p/

[snagglepuss]

10. Wouldn't universties have sophisticated measuring instruments? Does no

one but the govt have them?

[Paradoxical]

13. Measurement tools are pretty much everywhere.

There has been a steady stream of information on exposure and levels of radiation.

This article seems like nothing more than BS from the greenpeace movement.

[Confusious]

16. you can buy a geiger counter on amazon for $200

fits in your pocket.

I guess they don't use computers or can't afford the $200.

I think the Japanese government has more to worry about right now then showing greenpeace around.

[Paradoxical]

12. I trust pretty much nothing that Greenpeace International says.

Especially on nuclear power.

[PVnRT]

17. Maybe those people were evacuated as a precautionary measure

You know, get them out of the way in case things get worse. Japan is noted for being very, very good about disaster preparedness and response, and this is completely in line with how they handle these things.

Comparing this to Chernobyl is just silly. My memory is hazy, but I seem to remember that the Soviets were in charge of it at the time, and they weren't exactly known for being "open" with anything. In fact, once the plumes hit Europe, it pretty much started the whole glasnost thing, as Gorbechev had to start telling the truth about what happened.

No, it's obviously just one big conspiracy, and anyone not on the anti-nuke side is in on it. When can I expect my super-huge check?