Interesting, informative interview with an excellent nuclear engineer,

[MadHound]

I know this man, having met and spoken with him several times. He knows his field well, and is not given to hyperbole or panic. So when Arnie starts sounding the major alarm, I know the shit is really hitting the fan.

<snip>
"According to Gundersen, management has abandoned the site and will allow it to "run its course" without human intervention. The skeleton crew is not capable of performing even basic safety procedures.

The situation, he said, " clearly past what happened at Three Mile Island." He said that it is approaching the magnitude of Chernobyl, and could become worse because there is more than just one reactor involved. The temperatures in the fuel pools are increasing, one plant had a fuel pool fire, and there are three reactors in either meltdown or partial meltdown."

<snip>

"The U.S. is 5,000 miles away and the plume has that amount of distance to disperse. The remaining plume will hit the west coast in 5-7 days, said Gundersen."

<snip>

"Nuclear engineer Arnie Gundersen said on the record, "This could easily become Chernobyl on steroids. It's not there yet, but given that the essential personnel have been evacuated, it could easily get there within 24 hours."

<http://www.suite101.com/content/nuclear-meltdown-in-japan----aged-nuclear-us-plants-under-scrut-a359105>

This is looking more and more like a major catastrophe, one that could not only adversely effect Japan, but the US as well.

[Luminous Animal]

1. Thank you, Madhound.

Though I am anti-nuke, I've been trying to keep a level head about this but today I've been seriously considering sending my daughter to the east coast.

[MadHound]

3. I live in the midwest,

And I'm starting to get a bit concerned. If this thing goes Chernobyl or worse, that plume could easily be swept inland from the west coast, and my only hopes would be the Rocky Mountains and lots of rain cleaning the atmosphere.

[Skip_In_Boulder]

2. I think I heard him on the radio today and what he was saying

comported with the individual that Thom Hartman interviewed today which I posted the video here: http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=385x563757

[KT2000]

4. Thanks for posting that video

I finally understand the imprtance of the pools.
I just hope that does not come to pass.

[Skip_In_Boulder]

5. Me too, but I think it is important the people have accurate

information and I just don't think that the Japanese government, or our government for that matter, is being fully honest about the potential dangers here.

[MadHound]

8. Nobody is being honest, for a number of reasons

Some don't want to panic the populace, some are saving their ass, some are trying to save the ass of the nuclear industry. But very few people are being honest, and it is going to result in tragedy.

[MadHound]

6. kick n/t

[MadHound]

7. And again. n/t