[ RadSafe ] Wired 14.06: Don't Try This at Home

[Maury Siskel]

Regarding nuclear energy and rational, empirical risk analysis:

http://wired.com/wired/archive/14.06/chemistry_pr.html

The above is a link to one more sad situation which is developing from 
our collective urge for security. No relief from this kind of thing is 
in sight; thus we continue to encourage intellectual eunuchs who will 
become intellectually sterile scientists, engineers, and politicians. 
This impotence is part of the overall loss or decline of functional 
science and engineering in the US.

For increasingly illogical reasons, we continue to demand freedom form 
dependence on 'foreign' oil and energy even as we compromise this 
freedom in the use of an infinitude of other products. We are dependent 
upon foreign TVs and an overwhelming array of electronic gadgets; upon 
foreign automobiles, vehicles and vessels. We are dependent upon foreign 
components and parts which are necessary for conducting  all kinds of 
military operations. We cannot even produce our own vaccines anymore! 
But we will NOT depend on foreign petrol!

The United States can no longer harvest its own head lettuce or build 
its own automobiles. But by George, we will not depend on foreign 
petroleum products. At the same time, we must ensure that our views of 
land and seascapes remain uncluttered and that we do not risk any damage 
to our beaches. Better that we drill those gas wells here within our 
cities where we can really keep a close eye on the wells and new city 
tax revenues  at all times. (This is happening now throughout the Ft. 
Worth Dallas metroplex).  And Heaven forbid that we risk any 
contamination of our air with additional petrol refineries or that we 
endanger our posteriors by building new nuclear power plants. At the 
same time, we try to impose upon ourselves the same prohibitions that we 
seek to impose on Iran. When we can get along without oil and nuclear 
power, then that's good enough for the rest of the world. Let those 
stupid French continue to supply 70% of their own electricity with their 
own nuclear power plants.

In any event, we will make enough grain alcohol and import enough 
foreign drugs to continue our high living standards and enjoy our 
leisure time.. And in passing, note that we continue to ensure 
insufficient supplies of alcohol by keeping tariffs high enough to 
preclude any dependence on foreign alcohol.  (Tee hee, just wait until 
our supplies of bourbon are depleted!!!)   Anyway, by Allah if it's good 
enough for us, then by God, it's good enough for Iran. How could any 
collection of such good sense be more logical?

What's wrong with this picture?

Oh well. As some say, if you cannot eat it or make love to it, then 
urinate on it, blame someone else, and and get on with your safe life.
At least, we elected these devils; they are not imported and they are 
ours! Natural and organic -- Jake and I love this sensible living.
Cheers?
Maury&Dog