Yucca Mountain Eyed
for Nuclear Reprocessing
Even as the U.S. Department of Energy pounded final nails into the coffin of Yucca Mountain as a nuclear waste dump by withdrawing water permit requests necessary to build a rail line, Nevada Republicans tried to stir up interest in turning Yucca Mountain into nuclear reprocessing facility.
According to the Las Vegas Review-Journal of Feb. 8, “Several Republican candidates — including leading U.S. Senate candidates Danny Tarkanian, Sue Lowden and Sharron Angle — have expressed support for studying or experimenting with reprocessing, a method of extracting useful fuel from radioactive waste.â€
The problem with reprocessing technology is that it generates more nuclear waste than it reclaims, exacerbating the Achilles heel of nuclear technology, the radioactive waste management/disposal issue. Those pushing this new use for Yucca Mountain are concerned about Nevada’s depressed economy and hope nuclear reprocessing can create highly-paid jobs for Nevadans.
However, Senate President Harry Reid (D-NV), one of the waste dump’s most vocal opponents, also opposes nuclear reprocessing at the site. He commented, “We should be able to use it for something … other than nuclear waste.†Φ
PBS to Cancel “NOW†and
Retire Bill Moyers’ “Journalâ€
PBS’ plans to cancel “Now,” which will go off the air in April, at the same time that Bill Moyers is retiring “The Journal.â€Â These programs are being replaced by new public affairs programming on Friday night. While it appears that PBS is firm in this decision, vigorous protests by viewers could result in PBS’ reinstating “NOW†at a later date.
Here are several suggested actions:
1)Â Call Carrie Johnson of PBS at 703-739-5129 or write to her at cjohnson@pbs.org.
2) Write a letter of protest to PBS Ombudsman Michael Getler at http://www.pbs.org/ombudsman/feedback.html or call him at 703.739.5290.  He answers his own phone and returns calls promptly. Ask him if he can do more to prevent the cancellation of “NOW.â€
3) Call the PBS ombudsman
4) Contact your Congressperson and Senators by phone (800.220.0044) or write them through their websites, e.g. https://writerep.house.gov/writerep/welcome.shtml and let them know you are upset about the cancellation of “NOW†and why. Tell them that a new series of shows put out by the Bush Institute will be airing on several public broadcasting networks. Φ
Be More Persuasive
Can activists use marketing research more creatively in our attempts to influence public behavior? Take a look at 50 Scientifically Proven Ways to Be Persuasive by Noah J Goldstein, Steve J Martin & Robert B Cialdini and decide for yourself. The PeaceWorker would love to hear new ideas stimulated by this, or similar applications of marketing research. Φ
2 Out of 3 Americans Ready to
Drop Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell
Just days after President Barack Obama pledged to repeal the controversial “Don’t ask, don’t tell†policy, a large majority of Americans voice support for the proposed change, a new Angus Reid Public Opinion poll has found.
In the online survey of a representative national sample of 1,004 American adults, 66 per cent of respondents agree with allowing gay, lesbian and bisexual individuals to serve openly in the U.S. military. Read more at http://bit.ly/aBIati. Φ