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I marvel at the mindset over here as well. For better or worse, Japanese seem to work together and help each other out. Most all the stores are running and people are working just like normal. In many ways, this keeps everyone going, and prevents worse catostrophes from occurring. Although, personally I think there is a risk in this as well. But it is immensily helpful for their communities, especially people who can't get away so easily, etc. I mean, everything keeps getting restocked, and buses are on schedule, etc.
I was just marveling walking around here..going to a restaurant and everyone managining to maintain so much order and coolness and collectiveness, and thinking this would NEVER happen in the U.S.
In th U.S., we'd be reporting on half of the businesses being abandoned/evacuated. Massive pandomonium of people just leaving everythng, creating more problems and demands to get the other ones out of the way. PRobably plenty of looting and lawnessness. Additionally, I could quickly envision a scenario of people collecting their guns and possessions and hoarding it up, and getting ready to shoot and kill ANY FELLOW MAN who might want a sip of water. The mindset is just so different than here in Japan than when in the U.S.
I agree, just look at what happened during Hurricane Katrina with widepread looting that was taking place in New Orleans.
Myself and others have been commenting on how emotionless the Japanese seem to have been portrayed. Of course it has been a heart wrenching experience for them, but I'm impressed with how calm they've been through this disaster.
One thing I'm confused about ... the Japanese have basically said that trucks from the police will be spraying water onto the reactors instead of hardened trucks owned by the US military. Why? Could be the Japanese want to "handle this one their own." I could understand that, given their culture. Or it could be logistics, they've had to bulldoze new paths to the reactor to deal with this disaster.
We simply don't know the whole situation. But it appears that it is not getting worse ... let's continue hoping and praying.
ABC News Nightline just interviewed a nuclear expert and he said this is gonna be inevitable like Chernobyl. He said dumping the water today was like using a squirt gun to put out a forest fire. He recommended the Japanese bring in the Air Force to pour concrete and boric acid over the reactor . Anything else is futile and suicide.
One thing I'm confused about ... the Japanese have basically said that trucks from the police will be spraying water onto the reactors instead of hardened trucks owned by the US military. Why? Could be the Japanese want to "handle this one their own." I could understand that, given their culture. Or it could be logistics, they've had to bulldoze new paths to the reactor to deal with this disaster.
We simply don't know the whole situation. But it appears that it is not getting worse ... let's continue hoping and praying.
The Japanese just recently, in the last couple of days, asked the US for their assistance. There is now some issues with the US assessment of the situation vice the Japanese assessment. Believe that may have bearing on the issue. As I understand, the US believes the situation is much worse than has been previously been reported by the Japanese gov't and that the containment is not under control as has been reported as well. Time will tell, I guess.
ABC News Nightline just interviewed a nuclear expert and he said this is gonna be inevitable like Chernobyl. He said dumping the water today was like using a squirt gun to put out a forest fire. He recommended the Japanese bring in the Air Force to pour concrete and boric acid over the reactor . Anything else is futile and suicide.
I'm no nuclear physicist, nor am I a nuclear engineer. But I am an engineer, and I know how scientists think.
But the one thing that we cannot avoid are a few things:
1) Humans are emotional creatures,
2) Humans, even smart ones, have an annoying tendency to fill in gaps in knowledge with speculation and "what has happened in the past will continue happening"
3) The Japanese government nor TEPCO have been completely forthcoming on information.
Given the three issues above, put three "experts" into a room and you'll get three different opinions. Combine it with a highly fluid situation, and you get even more disagreement.
Personally I'm one for the data. The data says, to me, that there have been partial meltdowns but so far the "spikes" in radiation lack the sustained energy output needed to indicate widespread failure. Massive containment failure would be met by continuous and dangerous levels of radiation and so far, relatively speaking, that hasn't happened yet.
There's also more good news in that electrical power is hopefully going to be restored in the next day or two. Doing so will greatly reduce further risk of loss of containment.
But like all scientists I will say that as the situation evolves my opinion will too. Data will set you free. Unfortunately the Japanese gov't isn't releasing all they know.
The good news is friends I have and independent data sources are indicating there is no real threat at the moment. Telling people to leave at this point is just precautionary.
Fro what I have seen with many they say that it is not like Chernobyl because of the containment of concrete and steel which it lacked entirely.The same can be said why 3 miles island did not eqaul Chernobyl.If this design where like Chernobyl then it would already be the same after the expostions.Have not heard anyone that suggested that myself out of like ten I have heard from mnay experts.There are alot more than that that are in fact wrokigo it now you can bet.
One thing I'm confused about ... the Japanese have basically said that trucks from the police will be spraying water onto the reactors instead of hardened trucks owned by the US military. Why? Could be the Japanese want to "handle this one their own." I could understand that, given their culture. Or it could be logistics, they've had to bulldoze new paths to the reactor to deal with this disaster.
I've read a news that says Tokyo Electric Power Company employees learned how to operate it at Yokota Air Base.
Anyone working there as of now is thought of a working a suicide mission they are there to delay and let people evaluate only and they are not evaluating far enough. This is a sad day not just for Japan but for the World we are all going to be effected in someway by this disaster.
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