Receiving a 'Glowing Report' should not pertain to Radioactivity!

According to the National Academy of Sciences, “Any exposure to radioactivity, no matter how slight, boosts cancer risk.”

(HARRISVILLE, N.H.) - According to an article titled “Radioactive tritium leaks found at 48 US nuke sites, written by Jeff Donn, and published by the AP on June 21, 2011, “three quarters of all commercial nuclear power sites in the U.S. have experienced radioactive tritium leaks. Many of these leaks seeping into ground water from corroded underground pipes.”

The article goes on to point out “The number and severity of the leaks has been escalating, even as federal regulators extend the licenses of more and more reactors across the nation.” It then states that “Tritium, which is a radioactive form of hydrogen, has leaked from at least 48 of 65 sites, according to U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission records reviewed as part of the AP's yearlong examination of safety issues at aging nuclear power plants. Leaks from at least 37 of those facilities contained concentrations exceeding the federal drinking water standard — sometimes at hundreds of times the limit.”

According to the article, other, even more powerful radioactive isotopes have shown-up in some of these spills. It states, “For example, cesium-137 turned up with tritium at the Fort Calhoun nuclear unit near Omaha, Neb., in 2007. Strontium-90 was discovered with tritium two years earlier at the Indian Point nuclear power complex, where two reactors operate 25 miles north of New York City.”

According to the National Academy of Sciences, “Any exposure to radioactivity, no matter how slight, boosts cancer risk.”

Based on this latest report, common sense should tell us that while Nuclear may be a much cheaper form of energy, it is hardly a safe form of energy. As we continue our push for more green energy sources, why does our government continue to extend the licensing for plants with known tritium leaks? If the underground pipes are known weak spots, why does the government continue to allow the use of difficult to check, underground piping. Why, when the government knew that the nuclear power plant in Braidwood, Illinois, had leaked over 6 million gallons of tritium-laden water, in repeated leaks dating back to the 1990’s, was the public not informed until 2005?

Once again, the tendency of our government to selectively dispense information crucial to the citizens and taxpayers of our country puts us at risk. Every new discovery of this informational control tells us just how little we mean to the politicians we elect. It is clear to me that we are little more than a source of funds for them to spend in their never-ending attempt to buy votes and grab power.

The next time you give your child or grandchild a glass of water, you had better ask yourself one question: “What have our politicians knowingly allowed to enter our ground water and what effect will it have on this young life in my hands?”

Folks, it is time that we come to grips with some obvious and painful facts: (1) In the battle between increased profitability and public safety in government controlled nuclear power generation in the United States, increased profitability will win-out every time. (2) Too many of our politicians will sell your health and that of your children and grandchildren, for campaign contributions. (3) It is long past time to insist upon term limits, controls on campaign contributions, and honesty from ALL elected officials.

It seems to me that we, the citizens of the United States, have under-used the “Recall” mechanism as too many elected officials continue to plunder the wealth of our country, endanger the rest of the world, and place us in harm’s way even after they have been caught with their hand in the proverbial till.

If this report does not send chills up your spine, it damned well should. Evaluations are being done in locations distant from any nuclear power plant that indicates our environment is changing for the worse. Frogs with extra legs are being found in increasing numbers. Could this be the result of particles carried by the air and winds from these nuclear power plants?

At what point do we draw the line folks? At what point do we get rid of the parasitic politicians who have now reached the point where they gamble with our health to potentially win votes and gain even more power to adversely affect the lives of future generations of the world? In my opinion, those who knowingly allowed the continued licensing of these faulty nuclear power plants should do serious jail time in something other than the white-collar resort facilities reserves for corporate thieves and politicians. Maybe we should relocate half of the population of Attica just to make room for these criminals. Their collars may be white but their hands are clearly very dirty and possibly tinged with the red of citizen’s blood... but, that is just my opinion!

Writer Robert Collinsworth is an American who isn't hesitant to talk about the good side of his country, and that is a welcome thing in this day and age. Salem-News.com admittedly, is very critical of both American politics, as well as those of other nations that we perceive is being wrong in their motives and actions. At the same time, within these structures we criticize, are many outstanding people who make each day a better place for all those around them. They embody and personify the American spirit that is sometimes fleeting, but always present.

These are some of the things Robert takes into account when writing commentary that is designed reach people, to "get them thinking" in his words, and indeed it does. Salem-News.com's goal is for all people to be on the same page, we appreciate Bob's more conservative approach toward that same goal."

You can write to Bob Collingsworth at this email address: colli2@webryders.net