On a scale from 1 to 10, how freaked out are you right now about possible nuclear meltdown in Japan?

[Electric Monk]

1 =


10 =

[tekisui]

1. More worried than not worried.

[peacefreak]

2. If I had relatives on the West Coast

I'd tell them it would be a nice time to come East for a visit.

[Webster Green]

8. My friends in NY are urging me to do that.

I think I'm staying in the redwoods, thank you.

I've had a great life. Never thought I would make it this far.

Whatever.

"It's just a ride" -Bill Hicks :smoke:

[jannyk]

15. I am on the West Coast. Not too concerned at present.

I'm right at the Coast. I think there IS a possibility of this going really wonky and that a meltdown is possible. But after living on two active fault lines for 30+ years (San Andreas and Hayward) one learns not to panic.

If anything really untoward happens, we'll grab the cat, computer and cash, and head east in our tiny Toyota Winnebago.

Keep our room aired! :hi:

[peacefreak]

24. you got it!

;-)

[dixiegrrrrl]

31. Lots of houses for rent down here in the South.

But I would stay away from the beach areas. Jus saying.

[Raine]

81. Same with me. When you're CA you always live on the edge

earthquakes, fires, floods etc. I figure whatever will happen will happen, no sense worrying over things (at this point) you can't control.

[Arugula Latte]

61. I'm in Oregon. The jetstream goes right over my head.

No plans to flee as of yet ... but I am worried, no doubt about it. Bottled water was on sale today and I snapped up a case to beef up the emergency supplies.

[Codeine]

69. Lame.

I'll stay here and I'll be just fine.

[cliffordu]

3. Horrified at our collective stupidity, mildly alarmed at the incident....

Keep in mind that I was in the military, and have LOTS of experience with MASSIVE, WORLD CLASS stupidity, so for the collective numb nuts dumbness of our species to actually freak me out, well..........

I'm just sayin'.......M'Kay???

c

[MrSlayer]

4. Not at all.

Something like this was inevitable. I generally don't freak out over much of anything.

[dkofos]

5. Maybe next week.

[flamingdem]

6. Oh, not worried at all, it's only potentially the worst Nuke accident ever

and is quickly catching up to the worst.

It's the unknown that is of concern, and the lack of information coming from a company that is considered to have lied in the past.

Those in the USA run a minor risk if any, but if there is a steam explosion, as mentioned by several experts it could impact all of us through environmental contamination for... how long?

[Kennah]

7. Trying my best to think about the picture in #1, but I'm a #10

[pokerfan]

9. More freaked out about the quake/tsunami in general

Following the nuclear situation with concern,

[CountAllVotes]

10. We are screwed

It is too late. Too much damage has been done to our planet and we, the human beings have done this and allowed it. It is our fault and our responsibility as the custodians of this planet to have done a far better job.

It did not come to this overnight. It has taken years for "us" to evolve to the level we are now at and it is impossible to correct it.

It does not matter if you take the iodine pills. We cannot escape the fate that is upon us IMO.

We screwed up and I don't believe we have any real recourse.

Am I panicked you ask? The answer is YES of course I am.

Anyone that says they don't care nor give a damn is the consequence of years of ignorance and absolute arrogance.

[truedelphi]

73. The only thing I can add to your words is -

Should I ever encounter anyone from the higher levels of GE, Westinghouse or any of those other "kill the planet and all that is on it" types, they better watch out.

They will get a good tongue lashing from me in this life, and I hope there is a special place for them in the here after.

[CountAllVotes]

79. in the end times

I truly believe these greed ridden environmental murderers are the ones that will suffer the most and their miserable destiny shall follow.

It sickens me to witness this time.

The pain of the earth is killing me and many others as we wait in silence. :cry:

[Lifelong Protester]

11. Very worried because of friends and relatives on the West Coast

Upset because I don't think we are getting the truth. Or at least the mixed messages leave me wondering.

[liberalmuse]

12. Apprehensive for the people of Japan...

I'm more worried about the spent rods burning than anything else right now - but then again, I'm no nuclear physicist. This is when I really wish I worked for that org that had 3 nuclear physicists on its board. I'd like to tap their brains right now.

The damage from the quake and tsunami and everything else is overwhelming as it is and I don't know that people like myself are able to wrap our brains around everything, which is probably why I am not crapping my pants right now.

I should say I live just above Seattle and am not worried as of yet.

[GreenPartyVoter]

99. Yes, I am worried for the people who live and work in that area as well. :^(

[thewiseguy]

13. 16 people went with 1? WOW

[meow mix]

14. nice flytrap

serious scumballs there

[guruoo]

17. Probably people who find it pointless to worry about things they have no control over

[Contrary1]

23. +1

I am terribly saddened about what is going on in Japan. "Freaked out"? No.

[guruoo]

26. Been nice to have seen this kind of immediate, all out response to Kartrina

[kristopher]

25. Nuclear power supporters trust the nuclear industry no matter what...

...their lying eyes tell them.

[guruoo]

42. Be interesting to see how they 'splain their way past this nt

[gkhouston]

56. It's got nothing to do with that. Once your life has maxed out on "sucks", adding

this into the mix just doesn't make a difference. I feel badly for the Japanese, though.

[joshcryer]

92. There's no way in hell 25% of respondants are nuclear supporters.

[slackmaster]

46. That's part of the reason I'm proud to be #26

:hi:

[guruoo]

57. To tell the truth, I'm probably

worried, but just don't realize it.

[joshcryer]

93. Same.

:hi:

[Johonny]

60. interesting

I guess freak out isn't so well defined that people are interpreting poll pretty openly. Seems like a reasonable response for your reading of the poll.

[guruoo]

77. I believe "fly trap" was a good description

[joshcryer]

90. 61 now.

:rofl:

[nadinbrzezinski]

126. I went with two

I get what is going on... .and I would be at 11 if I were in Japan... TIME \ DISTANCE.

Still I did get my milk

[Johonny]

16. My freak out goes to eleven

Well, it's one freakier, isn't it? It's not ten. You see, most blokes, you know, will be freaking out at ten. You're on ten here, all the way up, all the way up, all the way up, you're on ten on your freak out. Where can you go from there? Where?

[Hannah Bell]

18. on the west coast. worried for the japanese, not for myself.

[old mark]

19. About a 1.3...We have to wait and see. nt

[DearAbby]

20. I voted 6 about 15 minutes ago

it has increased to 7 and climbing. Becoming more anxious by the minute. I estimate to be at a 10 by 7:00pm local time.

[DearAbby]

38. Estimated time for 10

has been reached

Fukushima's #1 fuel rods 70% melted, #2 30% melted
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=439x655091


Now it goes into ++10 territory?

[Marr]

21. 1-- How would my freaking out change reality?

We try to stay as calm as possible during actual crises, so "freaking out" before there's even cause to act seems more than a bit silly to me.

[ReggieVeggie]

22. No 0 option?

I'll cross that bridge when I get to it

[alittlelark]

27. Here in N. CA I said 7... nervous w/ good reason

[slampoet]

28. Whatever you do don't see the movie AKIRA. It'll move you up 4 points on the scale.

[lumberjack_jeff]

29. I live on the west coast, and I am concerned, but not on my own behalf.

Large areas of Japan may be unlivable.

My "freakout index" for myself is 1. For the people of Japan; 8.

[leftstreet]

30. +1

west coaster here, too

[Hell Hath No Fury]

39. The very same --

Not worried about myself here in SF but my heart is breaking for the people of Japan and what they are facing, especially now with Daiichi.

[marions ghost]

32. I am freaking out

primarily for the people in Japan.

But then the US has many of these old reactors and wants to build more of the damn things. That's worth freaking out about too. This type of power is just not worth the cost--neither the human cost, the environmental cost, or the actual cost.

[tularetom]

33. Nothin I can do about it, so 1

What's gonna happen, will happen.

[meow mix]

37. yah, dont spare a single thought for those little kids in the way of a radioactive cloud

not to mention everyone else...

what the hell has happened to DU?

[ReggieVeggie]

44. what would you have anyone do?

I'm as concerned as you, but...ya know...what the hell can I do about it? Freak out?

[meow mix]

54. thats not the question nt

[a la izquierda]

72. Jesus fucking christ...

quit trying to tell those of us who picked #1 how we're feeling or rationalizing. I feel horrid for people in Japan. Worrying isn't going to do one iota. You know what I'm worried about? The fact that tornado season started today and I have no storm shelter.

I picked 1. I guess I'm a sociopath.:wtf:

[nadinbrzezinski]

128. Give a few bucks to the International Red Cross,

for example

[OneTenthofOnePercent]

48. Sparing thoughts for others doesn't necessarily equate to being "Freaked Out".

For those who suggest otherwise I would seuggest some nice stress management group therapy.

Sure, it sucks for people that will be directly affected, you have my sincere symathy... but I'm not personally freaked out at all (over here on the east coast). So I voted a 1 or 2.

[meow mix]

51. if those thoughts dont freak someone out id suspect them of being a sociopath

at least a mild case.. more likely much worse

[OneTenthofOnePercent]

66. Funny you mention that... At least a few freinds/aquaintinces have suggested this much.

Not a big deal. It's not that I don't care. I just see no reason to expend great effort "worrying/sypathizing".

Personally, I think they're wrong. Some things get to me. :shrug:

[gkhouston]

76. And like as not, you'd be wrong. It is possible to have feelings about a situation

without freaking out about it. If it weren't, the human race likely wouldn't be here, as freaked out people perform badly, if at all, in crisis situations.

[adigal]

50. I think we are talking two different things

I am concerned, very concerned for the Japanese people and very saddened. The pics of the man and his reunited dog, and the little boy getting tested for radiation made me cry. But I am not freaking out, fearful for my family, fearful that "we're all gonna die!!!!" No reason to be fearful for us - yet, so no reason to freak out. But care about those in harm's way, absolutely. Different things, entirely, to me at least.

[meow mix]

53. no excuse for putting a 1.. and not caring like the girl in picture 1

give me a fucking break

[adigal]

62. I don't think anyone took that literally

I certainly didn't, and I doubt anyone here really is that placid about this. Just not freaked out, which is what the question is. I did NOT say put a 1 if you don't give a damn. And no need to curse at me. Thanks.

[gkhouston]

58. +1000. I feel awful for the Japanese. I'm not in a running-in-circles panic about myself. n/t

[tularetom]

63. OK I'll sit here and worry myself into a snit and that will help the victims how?

When it becomes apparent to me that there is a course of action I can pursue that will have some positive effect on those who are suffering as a result of this tragedy, rest assured I will act.

Unless and until that happens, nothing will be gained by worrying about events over which I have no control.

I was a volunteer fireman/EMT for over 20 years, I have experienced many similar incidents albeit on a FAR smaller scale.

But that doesn't make me callous or detached from the plight of the little kids and others caught up in this mess.

[whatchamacallit]

65. wrong spot

oops

[CommonSensePLZ]

34. 5 for apathy - PEOPLE ARE STUPID AS...

Build a nuclear plant right on the Ring of Fire! Sheer genius, another win for "wise man" Homo sapiens. :sarcasm:

Meanwhile the people who had money to build that thing are rich, yet I can't get a fucking minimum wage job. I hate humanity so much right now. We're the only species that FAILS at systems we create for ourselves.
:rant:

[proud patriot]

35. Californian here, I'm at about 8 on the worry scale

[Greybnk48]

36. I'm a 10, for the people in Japan.

I really fear for them and hope they can dodge the worst case scenario.

[tabatha]

40. ditto

[Lyric]

41. I'm in WV, so I'm not terribly worried for myself.

But I am worried about the people of Japan, and about the people on the West Coast of the USA.

I voted 6.

[slackmaster]

43. 1 - Even if it happens, it's not the end of life on Earth as we know it

Or even life in Japan, a country that has the dubious honor of being the only nation on Earth to have been subjected to nuclear bomb attacks.

The population of Hiroshima today is about five times what it was on the morning of August 6, 1945. Today the city is a thriving hub of human activity, and a testament to the perseverance of the Japanese people.

[TNLib]

45. It's not a possible melt down. There has most likely been a partial melt down in Unit 2

and that was yesterday. Today brings another slew of problems at that plant.

[Akoto]

47. I have a Japanese penpal ...

He and I have been friends for a long time. As you might imagine, we've been in frequent contact because of what's happening there, but he is honestly not freaked out. Concerned, yes, but he simply believes that Japan will get through it.

On the bright side, he tells me that other people seem to be handling the catastrophe with as much grace. He went to his local blood bank, and they actually turned him away due to having *too much* blood donated. Told him to check back in two weeks!

[nadinbrzezinski]

49. Concerned... on the one hand I know this stuff

I just hoped it would always remain a wonderful theory...

I wish I did not... that helps to keep me on the concerned category and not in the freaked category.

[adigal]

52. This reminds me of 9/11 a bit

The people in NY bravely carried on, while many people in the suburbs and country were freaking out, keeping kids out of school, buying duct tape. Those in the line of fire don't have the luxury of being hysterical.

[gkhouston]

64. I think there's a lot of truth in that. n/t

[Codeine]

70. That is some fucking wisdom right there.

It's like people feel obligated to freak and assume the worst as though it's an act of solidarity instead of uniformed overreaction.

[adigal]

106. Or maybe they feel helpless, which makes fear worse?

When right there, you are doing things to save yourself. Keeping warm, finding food. No time to panic.

[yawnmaster]

55. Northern California here. No freakout at all. Not worried. eom

[Lone_Star_Dem]

59. I'd say I'm an 8. I'm pretty worried about the people there.

They've already suffered so much. Now this on top of it. It's bothering me, I admit it. :(

[whatchamacallit]

67. Not terribly freaked, but if shit goes south, the jeep's gassed up. Road Trip!

or should I say "The Road" trip... :yoiks: :nuke:

[mentalsolstice]

68. I'm worried for them, but not myself. My life has been good.

If it's time to go, well, then...

[Shagbark Hickory]

71. This freakout session brought to you by your local Clean Coal (R) Mine

Yeah. I'm a 7.

[some guy]

74. 1.

panic is never the correct option.

I'm sad for the lives that have been lost, and those that will be lost, as well as those whose lives have "only" been turned into a shambles.

It's a very bad - to - horrible situation, but freaking out serves no useful purpose. Keep your head, plan as seems pertinent to you and your own individual situation.

[meow mix]

75. stunning level of apathy.

whatever

[ohheckyeah]

91. Just because someone isn't

freaked out it doesn't mean they don't care and are apathetic. Personally I think a lot of people doing the hand wringing and who are totally freaked out like to make everything about them and how freaked out they are. "I'm just sooooo upset, so worried, so distraught, it's all about MEEEEEEEEEE." Seriously, what good does that do anyone?

I'm watching the reports a couple of times a day. I'm sorry for the victims. But, no, I'm not freaked out.

[GReedDiamond]

97. Self-delete...replied in the wrong place...nt

[Throd]

102. Wrong! Flappy-armed panic shows compassion.

[ohheckyeah]

104. I guess that's what some people

think.

[YellowRubberDuckie]

78. The ocean will absorb most of the radiation...

...the worst we may see are some alpha particles. It's nothing to lose your fucking mind over. We get worse when there's a sand storm in the New Mexican desert.
Duckie

[Raine]

80. I'm in So Cal on the coast but I'm really not worried

I have some stuff going on in my life that is worrying me awhole lot more at the moment. I can't deal with more than that at this point. I'm concerned for the Japanese people but can't get myself all worked about me.

[taught_me_patience]

82. 2.

We're 4000 miles away... the fallout will likely be minimal.

[A Simple Game]

83. I voted number 1.

But mostly because of the hot babe.

[david13]

84. Zero. Zero freaked out. I think I have cancer. So, maybe I will get

a free radiation cure.
I like free.
dc

[pitohui]

85. having relatives in japan don'[t quite know how to answer this

in a way i'm stressed, in another way, they're saying to stay calm and remain in your homes (bad joke, I guess)

at the end of the day there is no one and nothing benefited by "freaking"

we (our usa gov't, not our people, who did pretty well) handed katrina badly yet at the end of the day new orleans is still here and just had the biggest mardi gras ever

the japanese will handle this well, with a social safety net and with intelligent planning, and they eventually triumph

for now, the best thing we can do instead of "freaking" is raise money, raise awareness, and be open if there is anything else we can do...right now i feel pretty helpless, i don't think anyone in tokyo is eager to come spend a few months on my air mattress, but if need be, there it is

[erinlough]

86. Hell, I live 3 miles due west from a nuke plant...

the only thing it reminded me of is to update what is in our escape box (where we keep our important papers and extra cash), and make sure I talked about our distance meet up point with my husband. I will say I believe we will be effected by an event in the future, and I also believe we have already been exposed to incidents of which we were never informed. I can't explain why it doesn't bother me, but its just the way I have known it for the past 30 years. I am however concerned for the suffering of the Japanese people, just too much suffering.

[HuckleB]

87. I'm freaked out by all the DU and facebook posts by people who are freaking out.

This doesn't speak well for humanity in this day and age.

[Codeine]

89. Scientific illiteracy is a huge problem.

A public with no science education is simply incapable of reacting intelligently or analyzing rationally a situation like this.

[HuckleB]

109. Indeed. -eom-

[seabeyond]

88. love the illustrations.... nt

[csziggy]

94. I'm concerned about the people near Fukushima but not worried about myself

Or my relatives here in the US. While the background radiation might rise, I really doubt that it will become immediately lethal at any place in this country, including Alaska.

The people in Japan who live near the plant are mostly evacuated, though it does sound as though they need to make sure young women who are or could be pregnant and children are completely out of the area. The long term worry is that area is mostly agricultural and the soil will be contaminated for years to come.

I grew up in the phosphate mining areas of central Florida. When we were kids we played on the tailings from the mines - lovely white sand. In the 60s my father was consulted by the Atomic Energy Commission to determine if the trace uranium in those tailings were worth extracting. In the 80s it was realized that the uranium traces in the sand that was used to make millions of cement blocks that ended up in countless Florida homes was raising the background radiation in those houses. The levels were raised to the equivalent of living in Denver rather than at close to sea level. Oh, the horror!

Radiation is everywhere - human activity has exposed us to slightly more radiation than we might have otherwise received if we all lived like our far distant ancestors.

[distantearlywarning]

95. I voted 8.

Not worried for myself at all (living on East Coast of US, but still wouldn't be that worried even if I were on West Coast).

But VERY worried about people of Japan, and long-term environmental damage in that part of the world. :-(

[underseasurveyor]

96. I am very concerned but i am even more PISSED OFF!

I'm pissed that I / we even have to worry about a possible meltdown and all that that means for every living thing on this planet. Did we learn NOTHING from Chernobyl and Three Mile Island! Add to that the dirty shady greedy deals like Love Camel that sicken and killed so many. I wish that every single pro nuke supporter had to go to Japan to try and fix it. Whether they know anything or not about nuclear energy and plants.

I'm so fucking pissed off I can't stand it :grr:

[GReedDiamond]

98. My girlfriend is stuck in Tokyo...

...she's been over there for almost six months, and was scheduled to come back to L.A. last Saturday, but got trapped by the unfolding events.

I'm at 10 on the freakout scale, because I'd like to see her again, and have her be in perfectly good health when she does get back.

Not to mention my sadness at the human loss and suffering which has already occurred...I do not want any more people hurt or lost.

[readmoreoften]

105. Sorry GRe

:(

[GReedDiamond]

108. Thanks readmoreoften, I appreciate that...nt

[nadinbrzezinski]

120. I am sorry

:hugs:

[GReedDiamond]

123. Thanks nadin...

...I spoke to her a little while ago, and she is taking everything very well.

She sounds upbeat, but wants to get back here asap.

She has booked a flight to arrive in L.A. this coming Sunday, but the trick will be getting to Narita airport, as buses, trains, etc, are all disrupted. It takes up to three hours under normal conditions for her to get to Narita, no idea how long it may take in a few days.

[Generic Other]

100. Earlier I said 7...I wanna change that to 9

and I am starting to look like the OP's pic

[seabeyond]

110. lol... after employees evacuated, i want to change my vote, too. nt

[Name removed]

101. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[Throd]

103. How do you type while patting yourself on the back?

The original question for this thread was not "Do you feel compassion for those immediately affected by this potential threat?"

[Raine]

107. The poll is asking how "freaked out" you are NOT do you care!

[Matariki]

111. You know what freaks me out? We are trashing the planet and no one seems to care.

[Mimosa]

122. ^ ITA with you, Matariki ^

'We' are allowing the oceans to be poisoned, sickening and killing sea life. Did you see the photo where a dophin in the Gulf jumped into a boat? It looked sick.

[onenote]

112. worried for those in Japan. Not worried about the US

Assuming that there was a Chernobyl level release of radiation (and thus far that hasn't happened) it would still take radioactive particles over 11 days to travel from the site of the nuclear plant to the west coast of the US, and that's assuming that they travelled in a direct line at a steady rate of 20 miles an hour, a rather unlikely scenario. If and when there is a release of radiation of that magnitude and if the prevailing wind currents suggest that the radiation poses an actual threat to the health and safety of those in the US, I'll start worrying about what might happen to folks here. But for now, my thoughts are with the Japanese.

[Paradoxical]

113. I'm a solid 10 here.

Shit is getting real.

[Electric Monk]

114. Weren't you one of the folks saying just days ago there was nothing to worry about?

Why yes, yes you were.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=439&topic_id=620088&mesg_id=620088
We need to have a serious discussion on nuclear reactors
- You

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=439&topic_id=620088&mesg_id=620360
Nuclear power is neither dirty nor dangerous.
- You

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=439&topic_id=620088&mesg_id=620443
This has killed no one and will likely kill no one.
- You





http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=439&topic_id=620088&mesg_id=622392
later today you will be eating your words
- nadinbrzezinski, replying to you :applause:



Would you like some ketchup?

[Paradoxical]

115. You should check my other threads over the past two days.

[Electric Monk]

125. ...or... you could link to the ones you thought were relevant...

Kids these days...

[nadinbrzezinski]

117. I wish I could laugh

And no I am not a solid ten... but around a two...

That said I have taken the precaution of getting milk, which some people are having serous guffaws about...

[Imagevision]

116. Nuclear fallout to hit California(?) to early to tell... hope not!

[nadinbrzezinski]

119. The EPA is moving gear to the West Coast

If we get any it will be minuscule.. the concern is cows mammary glands are great at concentrating it.

Terapak milk or dry for me

[Rex]

118. Not very, I accept this as a possiblilty.

[Mimosa]

121. The more a person has followed nuclear energy issues, the more scared he or she will be.

I'm at 10. But I've never panicked. There is simply nothing I can do.

This is a WORLD LEVEL event.

[nadinbrzezinski]

127. YEP...

I am at a two since I get what is going on... and freaking over is not worth it.

Being concerned, if that was the scale... then yes. ten

[Electric Monk]

124. I was about a 5 when I started this thread, but now I'm a 6 or 7.

This is not looking good.

I wish I knew some way to help.

[nadinbrzezinski]

129. Here

http://donate.ifrc.org/