Fukushima has international consequences. We should be getting live news conferences from Japan

[NNN0LHI]

International media should be allowed into these news conferences and be given the opportunity to ask some tough questions.

For instance is plutonium still leaking from there? Soon as it was reported that it was found over a month ago plutonium became the word no one speaks and that was the end of the updates.

They found radiation in Japanese mothers breast milk over a month ago too. The Japan government said it was going to do more checking and that was the end of that story.

Someone needs to be putting Tepco and the Japan governments feet to the fire on this one.

Ours too. Why in the hell did our EPA cut back on radiation testing right now as things appear to be getting worse in Japan?

We need some openness on this.

Don

[Overseas]

1. K&R.

I agree.

[qanda]

2. K&R

[Generic Other]

3. It's like our media could care less

but I think you are absolutely right!

[KharmaTrain]

4. No Profit In It For The Corporate Media...

I would imagine those in the areas directly affected by this disaster are asking questions and lots of them. I've read of some tough questions the Japanese media are putting to Tepco and the Japanese government. It's since its not in English that our media doesn't cover it.

There's also the "flavor of the moment" nature of our own corporate media. The Earthquake, Tsunami and Fukushima disasters were "yesterday's news"...they've moved onto the next bright shiny thing. It's outta sight and short term memories that run the 24/7 newscycles are onto the next titilation. They crave pictures not press conferences, action not substance.

Personally I find it a bit disconcerting that there is little reporting on what's happening in Japan but that got "Trumped" one week and bin Laden'd the next and the details are only available if you do the digging...

[NNN0LHI]

7. For me "disconcerting" is an understatement

I am nervous as a mother cat with deaf kittens over this deal.

Our media really sucks.

Cheers ...

Don

[nc4bo]

5. Absolutely agree. K&R. nt

[iemitsu]

6. we're not hearing anything about the meltdown

because our government is hell-bent on spending more of our money building more of these disasters.

[flamingdem]

8. MUST READ: HIllary colludes w Japan PM to block radiation monitoring "rumors and reputation" damage

http://upload.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=439x1042773

http://blogs.forbes.com/jeffmcmahon/2011/05/04/epa-halt... /

Thanks a lot Hillary for blocking our access to data in an ongoing catastrophe for the sake of our "friend$$$" in Japan.

--- snip from article:
The joint statement follows an April 29 meeting between Secretary of State Hilary Clinton and Japanese Foreign Minister Takeaki Matsumoto. The two agreed to fight “rumors and reputation damage” that might harm Japan’s place in the supply chain, Matsumoto said.


EPA Halts Extra Radiation Monitoring; Focus Shifts To Seafood
May. 4 2011

The Environmental Protection Agency has halted accelerated testing of precipitation, drinking water, and milk for radiation from the Fukushima nuclear disaster, the agency announced yesterday.

“After a thorough data review showing declining radiation levels related to the Japanese nuclear incident, EPA has returned to the routine RadNet sampling and analysis process for precipitation, drinking water and milk,” according to yesterday’s Daily Data Summary.

Milk and drinking water will return to a regular quarterly schedule and will next be tested in three months. Preciptation will be tested monthly.

---snip

But the situation at Fukushima remains unstable, with plumes of white smoke continuing to escape from two reactors.

Radioactive emissions continue at the plant, Virgilio said, and they are difficult to monitor accurately:

---- snip

[CoffeeCat]

12. That is very SICK rationalizations and denial...

These fools somehow believe that trying to cover up a nuclear meltdown--can
enhance their reputations?

How utterly stupid are the Japanese and the American government officials who
actually believe that a disaster worse than Chernobyl can be messaged and
sloganized into a non issue?

It's really disheartening--just trying to grasp how pathetic, misguided and
really warped some people with power are.

[flamingdem]

9. Arnie Gundersen update 5/12 today: Big news: No. 3 Mox fueled reactor has no water left: video link

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=385x583270

Arnie Gundersen has become the most reliable source of news on Fukushima in the USA. He is a nuclear engineer and so far has been correct on his theories.

[AndyTiedye]

10. Fuku'ed and Recommended!

:nuke::nuke::nuke::nuke::nuke::nuke:

[snagglepuss]

11. K & R nt