Friday, September 20, 2013

Fukushima Meltdown: No Accident

Workers at Fukushima
Nuclear Plant Site
New reports are being released daily on the ongoing spread of radioactive water from the Fukushima meltdown site. That is to be expected with a disaster of this magnitude. There has been one report that is far more disturbing to the general public. According to a senior ministry adviser in Japan the meltdown at Fukushima was not an accident. An anonymous source who requested not to be identified has alleged that Suga Yoshihide addressed this catastrophe several months before the meltdown. His comments have been described as shocking and appalling. Since the incident, Mr. Yoshihide has been named Japan's Minister of Comprehensive Policy Coordination for Revival from Nuclear Accident at Fukushima. This new ministry position has been created to handle the fallout of the nuclear incident, both figurative and literal. His alleged statement was made in or around October of 2010. Here is a translated version of the statement:
"The entire world laughed at Japan. They thought they got us good and that was the end. It was just the beginning. The entire world will pay for what happened to Japan in August of 1945. The time has come for Japan to laugh. There will not be a single place on earth safe from the radiation that we will unleash on the world."
More than 60 years have passed since the end of World War II and most had thought there would be no further attacks, yet few remember just how much hatred existed at the time. The code name of the bomb dropped on Hiroshima was, "Little Boy," and "Fat Man," was dropped on Nagasaki. These names have long been considered an insult to Japanese people.The thought that Japan has taken it's vengeance on the world is disturbing but not far-fetched. Japan has a long history of prideful empires and military stratagem.

Nobou Tanaka, former Executive Director of the International Energy Agency said, "This was going to happen sooner or later... Japan does not forget," prompting many to question why it had not been prevented. If we knew that Japan would eventually want to retaliate for the nuclear attacks on Hiroshima and Nagasaki we might have guessed this nuclear catastrophe was coming. Mr. Tanaka went on to say, "The situation was obviously beyond one company's ability to control. The issue is who will pay for it: Tepco's customers in the form of rate hike or the nation in the form of tax money?" Many of us believe the whole world will pay for it, in quality of life and lifespan.

Japan's Prime Minister Shinzō Abe has not been reached for comment. 

Projected path of nuclear debris.
Courtesy: International Pacific Research Center

Tuesday, September 10, 2013

Pigeons Addicted to Nicotine

manhattan bird nyc pigeon nicotine chemical addiction smoking cigarette new york city
New York City Pigeon
A recent study proves that pigeons in New York City are addicted to nicotine. How is this possible? Pigeons don't smoke. Based on the assumption that pigeons in the city consume copious amounts of nicotine in discarded cigarette butts, this study set out to prove that the birds were hooked on the chemicals in the cigarettes. Sure enough, the study found that, "most pigeons in New York City take in the same amount of nicotine each day as a human who smokes an entire pack of cigarettes."

The study focused on a group of 100 pigeons collected proportionally from each of the five boroughs. The birds ranged in size and age but were all native residents of New York City. The study was conducted between March and July of 2013. The non-invasive procedure involved collecting and analyzing the nicotine levels in the pigeons' blood samples as well as the visual confirmation of filter particles in their feces. They were found to contain paper and filling derived from Marlboro, Camel, Newport, Parliament, and American Spirit cigarettes. The study went on to explain,
"We immediately noticed a large majority of the pigeons display external signs of chemical addiction. They are often found standing in a group outside of a building. They twitch often and look around with sharp turns of the head. They have anti-social tendencies and are quick to fly when confronted. Their breath smells terrible and they leave droppings everywhere they go. After thorough research we have proven that 98% of pigeons in New York City are hooked on nicotine. Each of the birds in the study reek of smoke and are constantly fidgeting and adjusting their wings. We have also observed the hoarse, raspy mating calls of these nicotine-addicted birds."
china mynah bird smoking cigarette addicted smoke butt
Chinese Mynah
Cigarettes are the most littered item in Manhattan. Although the city has strict policies against littering and frequent trash collection it seems there is little that can be done for this unfortunate situation. New York City spends approximately $500,000 annually on the disposal of cigarettes. Regardless of policy and cleanliness it seems the birds will find a way to get their fix. This is hardly a new phenomenon. There was a Mynah in China several years ago that would request a cigarette every morning after seeing it's owner light up.

The Mayor has started a new program to help these city birds break their addiction. If you notice a pigeon displaying signs of nicotine addiction call 311 to report it and get it the help it needs.

* March, 2013 artcile: Are Butts the New Bottles?

- John Powers