Nuclear power, feel the love

By Michael J.W. Stickings

Let's not get into the usual coal vs. nuclear debate. The solution, ultimately, is neither.

You all know about Three Mile Island and Chernobyl. It may not be quite at that level, but you can add Kashiwazaki to the list:

A radioactive leak at a major nuclear plant in Japan damaged by an earthquake on Monday was worse than previously thought, the plant's operators say.

Owner Tokyo Electric Power company said 50% more radiation was discharged into the sea, following the magnitude 6.8 quake, than was earlier reported.

But the firm insisted the leak was still well below danger levels.

The mayor of nearby Kashiwazaki City has ordered the plant to remain closed indefinitely.

Yeah, that might be a good idea. And I'm not about to trust Tokyo Electric Power. Whatever the danger levels, there was still a leak -- and it was still bad.

How to dispose of nuclear waste remains one of the key problems, but consider what else can go wrong. Is it worth it?

(Watch The China Syndrome, a great film with Jane Fonda, Jack Lemmon, and Michael Douglas.)