Page Title
Editor's corner/ Over a cup of tea
Heidi M. Pascual*
Publisher & Editor
* 2006 Journalist of the
Year for the State of
Wisconsin (U.S.-SBA)
Publisher & Editor
* 2006 Journalist of the
Year for the State of
Wisconsin (U.S.-SBA)
Rethinking our policies after Japan's tragedy
I am still dumbfounded as I continue to monitor news and videos of Japan’s earthquake,
tsunami and nuclear plants’ radiation threat to many living things and the environment in
and around Japan. This is one of the most horrible calamities Southeast Asians have
experienced since the start of the 21st century, whose global impact will be felt for a very
long time. If you watched the aerial videos of the tsunami that swept communities away
after the 8.9-magnitude earthquake hit northeastern Japan, you would have thought you
were watching a make-believe disaster flick. It was unbelievable! The massive destruction
triggered evacuations and warnings across the Pacific. Thousands died and/or missing,
and millions have been severely affected by lack of basic necessities. Can you imagine
three major disasters happening one after another in one country – an 8.9 magnitude
earthquake, tsunamis sweeping across vast land areas , and nuclear-plant explosions?
My heart aches for the Japanese people, and I pray that people outside Japan do realize the
need to help them.
You might think that since Japan is a wealthy country, it can stand on its own and be able to
I am still dumbfounded as I continue to monitor news and videos of Japan’s earthquake,
tsunami and nuclear plants’ radiation threat to many living things and the environment in
and around Japan. This is one of the most horrible calamities Southeast Asians have
experienced since the start of the 21st century, whose global impact will be felt for a very
long time. If you watched the aerial videos of the tsunami that swept communities away
after the 8.9-magnitude earthquake hit northeastern Japan, you would have thought you
were watching a make-believe disaster flick. It was unbelievable! The massive destruction
triggered evacuations and warnings across the Pacific. Thousands died and/or missing,
and millions have been severely affected by lack of basic necessities. Can you imagine
three major disasters happening one after another in one country – an 8.9 magnitude
earthquake, tsunamis sweeping across vast land areas , and nuclear-plant explosions?
My heart aches for the Japanese people, and I pray that people outside Japan do realize the
need to help them.
You might think that since Japan is a wealthy country, it can stand on its own and be able to
face such a gargantuan task of rebuilding. No, the Japanese government acknowledged that this triple blow of a
catastrophic earthquake, tsunami and nuclear disaster completely overwhelmed its state-of-the-art emergency
response systems. The powerful and wealthy nation is at a loss on how to face the devastation that now continues to
affect even its food and water supply.
As of this writing, the threat of nuclear radiation covering a huge area within and outside Japan is very real. Food
farms miles and miles away from the nuclear plants have tested positive for radiation levels way above limits. I am
truly worried about the workers who have been trying to contain the overheating of the nuclear reactors in
Fukushima. They are, as has been reported, on a “suicide mission.” Airborne radioactive plumes are also spewed
over the Pacific and some parts of the West. We should all be concerned not only for Japan but for others in close
catastrophic earthquake, tsunami and nuclear disaster completely overwhelmed its state-of-the-art emergency
response systems. The powerful and wealthy nation is at a loss on how to face the devastation that now continues to
affect even its food and water supply.
As of this writing, the threat of nuclear radiation covering a huge area within and outside Japan is very real. Food
farms miles and miles away from the nuclear plants have tested positive for radiation levels way above limits. I am
truly worried about the workers who have been trying to contain the overheating of the nuclear reactors in
Fukushima. They are, as has been reported, on a “suicide mission.” Airborne radioactive plumes are also spewed
over the Pacific and some parts of the West. We should all be concerned not only for Japan but for others in close
proximity and even those farther from it.
We in America should look closely at this
crisis and focus on preparedness. There’
s nothing more important than being
ready for something as disastrous as
what is now happening in Japan. It is
also time to rethink our policies on
nuclear energy and weigh the need for it
versus the consequences should an
event that parallels the recent Japan
tragedy happens in our midst.
On April 4, nuclear energy executives and
regulators from all over the world will
gather in Chicago for the annual World
Nuclear Fuel Cycle conference. The
conference will focus on enhancing
competitiveness of the nuclear industry.
The choice of Chicago was a natural
because the heaviest concentration of
nuclear power plants in the United States
is within Illinois, Wisconsin’s neighbor.
Records show that Illinois houses 11
boiling or pressurized water reactors, and
closed-but-contaminated nuclear power
stations, I think our regulators would be
facing a very difficult situation this year
unlike any other. The world’s
governments will have to make changes
in their policies in order to preserve
mankind and what’s left of their
environs.
We in America should look closely at this
crisis and focus on preparedness. There’
s nothing more important than being
ready for something as disastrous as
what is now happening in Japan. It is
also time to rethink our policies on
nuclear energy and weigh the need for it
versus the consequences should an
event that parallels the recent Japan
tragedy happens in our midst.
On April 4, nuclear energy executives and
regulators from all over the world will
gather in Chicago for the annual World
Nuclear Fuel Cycle conference. The
conference will focus on enhancing
competitiveness of the nuclear industry.
The choice of Chicago was a natural
because the heaviest concentration of
nuclear power plants in the United States
is within Illinois, Wisconsin’s neighbor.
Records show that Illinois houses 11
boiling or pressurized water reactors, and
closed-but-contaminated nuclear power
stations, I think our regulators would be
facing a very difficult situation this year
unlike any other. The world’s
governments will have to make changes
in their policies in order to preserve
mankind and what’s left of their
environs.
UNABLE TO CONTINUE WORKING?? There should be help. Social Security Disability and SSI - Programs designed to help individuals who are disabled from work. IF YOU APPLY FOR SOCIAL SECURITY DISABILITY AND/OR SSI AND YOU ARE DENIED, THERE IS HELP! Call 1-800-254-7766 |