Credibility

News of how Japan is coping with the catastrophic earthquake and tsunami is beginning to come to us in bits and pieces. Photos and videos are broadcast via television. Added to the enormity of the disaster, are reports of explosions in Japanese nuclear plants.

As the world struggles with the bewilderment of such a biblical act of nature, suddenly the realization of the hazards of nuclear radiation is seeping into our consciousness as insidiously as radiation particles seep into the atmosphere when the nuclear plants vent steam. The only reference we have is the aftermath of Hiroshima and Nagasaki and the disaster at Chernobyl.

One hears conflicting explanations of Japan's report that 'partial meltdowns' may be taking place. The press is understandably as confused as the listening audience, so they call on 'experts' to tell us in plain English what 'meltdown' means.

The word Credibility, is being banded about suggesting Japan may not be forthcoming in telling us all, or that our own 'experts' are reluctant to say how dangerous the scale of radiation has been.

Obviously in days to come we will know the true nature of the situation but I, personally have already formed the opinion that all nuclear energy plants should be shut down.

Fukushima Daiichi No.3 "Hydrogen" explosion March 13, 2011