Subj: Fwd: [DOEWatch] "The Truth About Indian Point" [PRO-NUCLEAR EDITORIAL!]

[SAFarberMSPH@CS.COM]

Hi all:


An interesting editorial from the New York Post [NOT the NY Times obviously] on the subject of nuclear plant terrorism which was posted to anti-nuclear DOEWatch bulletin board by Don Mercado. Hope you all have a great Holiday season


Stewart Farber

SAFarberMSPH@cs.com

====

In a message dated 12/18/01 7:36:19 AM Pacific Standard Time, don.mercado@lmco.com writes:



> Subj:[DOEWatch] The Truth About Indian Point
>
> Date:12/18/01 7:36:19 AM Pacific Standard Time
>
> From:    don.mercado@lmco.com (Mercado, Don)
>
> To:    magnu96196@aol.com ('magnu96196@aol.com'), doewatch@yahoogroups.com, downwinders@onelist.com
>
>
>
>
>
>
> Editorial from The New York Post on Dec. 16, 2001:
>
>
>
> THE TRUTH ABOUT INDIAN POINT 
>
>
> December 16, 2001 -- The 300 protesters who packed a Westchester 
>
> County public hearing the other night to demand that Indian Point be 
>
> shut down would have folks think they fear a terrorist attack on the 
>
> nuclear power plant. 
>
> Don't believe it. 
>
>
> Both federal and state officials insist the plant is "extremely 
>
> safe." They cite $3 million in post-9/11 security improvements - 
>
> including the use of National Guard troops as security guards. 
>
>
> Indeed, James Kallstrom - the former top FBI official who now heads 
>
> Gov. Pataki's Office of Public Security - says the plant is so safe 
>
> that he dares any terrorist group to try to take it over. 
>
>
> Not a wise move on Kallstrom's part. Nothing, after all, can ever be 
>
> made 100 percent invulnerable - and tempting wackos to try their luck 
>
> might just encourage them to do so. 
>
>
> But, as Mayor Giuliani has noted, "The World Trade Center was not a 
>
> nuclear power plant." 
>
>
> Said Kallstrom of Indian Point: "This is one of the strongest 
>
> constructed [and] designed containment facilities in the United 
>
> States, if not the world. I don't believe a direct hit from a major 
>
> commercial airplane could penetrate the containment dome here." 
>
>
> So why are the protestors demanding its immediate shutdown? 
>
>
> For one reason, and one reason only. 
>
>
> And it has nothing to do with the events of 9/11. 
>
>
> Notes a spokesman for the facility's owner, Entergy, the 
>
> opposition "comes from people who always wanted the plants shut 
>
> down." 
>
>
> That is, the anti-nuclear-energy crowd. 
>
>
> They just don't want a power plant like Indian Point anywhere near 
>
> them, regardless of how safe. Sept. 11 has given them a convenient 
>
> excuse, and they're trying to exploit it. 
>
>
> Just as they did last year when they tried to use a minuscule 
>
> radioactive gas leak (all radioactive readings in the vicinity 
>
> remained at normal levels) to press for Indian Point's permanent 
>
> closure. 
>
>
> But that's all it is - an excuse. 
>
>
> And one that's being used by anti-nuke ideologues across the nation. 
>
>
> Nuclear energy remains an important component in addressing the 
>
> nation's long-term energy crisis. 
>
>
> That crisis, by the way, has been partiuclarly acute in New York 
>
> state, where the booming economy has sent the thirst for electric 
>
> juice soaring in past years. Indian Point alone can provide as much 
>
> as 30 percent of New York's power. 
>
>
> Certainly, an honest debate on the merits of nuclear power is fine. 
>
> An irrational exercise in fear-mongering by dishonest fanatics is 
>
> not.