More positive reports this morning in the newspapers about restoring power to the Fukushima-1 nuclear complex, tempered by how long it might take to safely reactivate the cooling machinery that has not been damaged. Interestingly enough there was also a detailed report on the issue of spent fuel pools.

"Cesium, Plutonium and Uranium pollution last a bit longer than the Iodine threat."

That is a true statement but Plutonium and Uranium pollution should only be found deposited in close proximity to the plant complex. These radioactive isotopes are far too heavy to be suspended long in a vapor plume. Oh, shit! But they could be suspended longer in liquid and drained into the sea with the salt water being used to cool the reactors and spent fuel pools. It's unlikely that the Japanese have contained the sea water for treatment after it drained out of the reactor buildings (see 999 above).

Plutonium and Uranium are deadly for tens of thousands of years, compared with the much shorter half-lives of Iodine and Cesium.

I do confess that after the Maine Yankee nuclear power plant was decommissioned in 1996 or thereabouts, I went into hibernation on this issue. Well, we did stage one final commemorative special event where we invited everyone we knew to show up with their stories and memorabilia to celebrate; Fred Small and Charlie King were also invited in to lead a few songs. It was a wonderful evening in spite of the mini-blizzard that hung just over the City of Portland and dropped a foot of snow.

Charley Noble