By now, most of you know that Japan was hit by a devastating earthquake last week. In addition to the initial loss of life and the extensive structural damage to the manufacturing plants in the area, there has been significant damage to the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear-power complex. Now, you're probably wondering why I mention the nuclear (nuclear, not nookulear gosh dang it) power plant. By significant damage, I mean that the nuclear reactor has been damaged to the point that it is now leaking radiation and, at the same, on the verge of a full meltdown. This will mean that more people will become victims of this catastrophe. The damage to the reactor could also be detrimental to the United States. It will give oil companies and environmentalists another weapon to use against those who are trying to promote alternate fuel sources. Americans are easily swayed by their ignorance of the situation. We tend to believe what our news outlets tell us (even if you deny it, it still affects your thinking). Thus, we see a nuclear meltdown and instantly think that they are common day occurrences. So why would we want to have that on our soil? Everyone who lived near it would die. Because, clearly, there is evidence that since there have been three nuclear meltdowns in the last 40 years, it must happen a lot. Of course, we are willing to overlook the horrible alternatives to nuclear power. Like coal mining, for example. It seems that every year or so we here about a mine collapsing somewhere in the world. Even without mines collapsing and trapping the workers, the conditions that miners have to endure are horrendous. Or, do we care that Saddam Hussein (I know, I have poor taste for bringing THAT name back from the dead) invaded a much smaller, weaker country because it had rich oil fields. It is a sad state of affairs, but that's how Americans think. They let the media decide what is important and what is not. But this nuclear power plant's meltdown is important to America. It will undoubtedly affect our drive towards alternate  fuel sources. 


And that wraps up this week's current event. 


~The Piebald Penguin