It's hard to read this and feel confident that the Japanese have the situation in hand.
The radiation plume is meant to hit Southern California Friday afternoon and I will be shocked if there are no bars that pick that up as a happy hour theme.
A United Nations forecast of the possible movement of the radioactive plume coming from crippled Japanese reactors shows it churning across the Pacific, and touching the Aleutian Islands on Thursday before hitting Southern California late Friday.
Health and nuclear experts emphasize that radiation in the plume will be diluted as it travels and, at worst, would have extremely minor health consequences in the United States, even if hints of it are ultimately detectable. In a similar way, radiation from the Chernobyl disaster in 1986 spread around the globe and reached the West Coast of the United States in 10 days, its levels measurable but minuscule.
The Christian Science Monitor had a good meltdown primer covering spent fuel rods in pools.
Maybe you'd feel more confident if you read Chaco's blog at PJM re the latest IAEA report. Of course, if you want to get bad news stick to the NYT.
Posted by: clarice | March 17, 2011 at 10:18 AM
Here is a un-hyped account:
http://www.theregister.co.uk/2011/03/16/fukushima_wednesday/
The real story here is spelled: R A D I A T I O N H Y S T E R I A
Posted by: Luke Lea | March 17, 2011 at 10:24 AM
I was wrong, 'a physicist' is Hugo Farnsworth, not dr. Emmett Brown
Posted by: narciso | March 17, 2011 at 10:33 AM
Keep in mind that, as always, NYT reporting on this event is agenda-driven. Ask yourself what leftist agenda can be served by mis-reporting and interpret all NYT articles on the "grave nuclear crisis" through that lens.
Posted by: nuclear_balm | March 17, 2011 at 10:34 AM
OT but I hate italics.
City Journal has a great article up on Lionel Trilling and his antipathy to the idea politics and social policy could reengineer the human soul.
LUN
Mel-sent you an email.
Posted by: rse | March 17, 2011 at 10:51 AM
Thanks for that sensible link from the Wednesday UK Register, Luke Lea.
At the bottom of the page was this even more optimistic update for Thursday entitled "Prospects Starting to Look Good.".
Posted by: Ignatz | March 17, 2011 at 11:03 AM
Would nuking Fukushima release more or less radiation over the long term?
Posted by: fdcol63 | March 17, 2011 at 11:10 AM
Vastly more and vastly more long lived and dangerous types.
Posted by: Ignatz | March 17, 2011 at 11:12 AM
I am searching the web for any articles related to the radiation cloud that must have affected millions on the west coast after we BOMBED Japan with atomic weapons.
I would think two uncontrolled explosions would have emitted a far more dangerous cloud.
What do I know? I am still searching.
Posted by: Threadkiller | March 17, 2011 at 11:25 AM
My understanding of nuclear radiation is limited to what I recall from my experience with handling nuclear weapons, and with nuclear weapons defense, all of which ended almost forty years ago. I recall very well the three types of radiation released by a detonation--alpha, beta and gamma--the latter being a part of the electromagnetic spectrum, traveling at the speed of light, and penetrating just about anything except a lead shield.
Alpha particles are relatively large and slow (they are the nucleii of atoms), and have almost no penetrating ability. But they are lethal if inhaled or swallowed, and they can travel great distances with particulate matter, e.g. the dust cloud from an explosion.
Beta radiation is electrons--not too much penetrating ability, and I can't recall how well it travels with particulates in the wind.
So what kind of radiation is it that might arrive at the west coast? If it's gamma, how does it get there? Ditto beta.
Posted by: Danube of Thought | March 17, 2011 at 11:30 AM
Interesting Article at BI on how newer reactors would have handled what occurred in Japan. Very sensible and written by a girl and one from San Fran no less.
Death threats in 3...2...1...
Posted by: Ignatz | March 17, 2011 at 11:33 AM
I guess Popular Mechanics gives a partial answer to my question:
Posted by: Danube of Thought | March 17, 2011 at 11:41 AM
DrF put this on his facebook page this morning:
(I'm not a nuclear physicist, and I didn't sleep at a Holiday Inn Express last night, but I do sleep with a nuclear physicist... ;-)Posted by: cathyf | March 17, 2011 at 12:36 PM
rse,
Thanks for that Trilling link. I recently reread a 2003 essay by Jeffrey Meyers in the New Criterion on Trilling and the 1968 student protests at Columbia. (It's linked here but is behind a subscriber firewall - I can get a pdf to anyone's email if they're interested.) Trilling was completely rattled and surprised by the protests. I don't think he believed the students capable of that kind of violence and disruption. It was the end of an era in his thinking.
Posted by: Porchlight | March 17, 2011 at 12:49 PM
All right, cathyf, you opened up the line of inquiry.
When you do sleep with the nuke physicist, is the reaction fission, fusion or total meltdown?
Now slapping myself for my impertinence.
Posted by: Thomas Collins | March 17, 2011 at 12:56 PM
And does he glow in the dark when his electrons are in an excited state?
Posted by: Old Lurker | March 17, 2011 at 01:05 PM
Been busy & now several threads behind, so please forgive me if I repeat something. Here's a couple days' worth, lots copied from my post on the other meltdown thread.
Alas, I must break the silence about the elephant in the room. Maybe we're all in denial, but our dear friend, Rick Ballard has developed the stutters. There, I said it and I'm glad. Just the first step on a slippery slope?
LUN for The Screwtape Emails. Thanks tons, Janet for reminding me of something I last delighted in reading at least 35 years ago.
@Danube of Thought - how about "Winning isn't everything it's the only thing".
Makes no sense at all but passes for wisdom because it was said by a winning football coach.
Posted by: middyfeek | March 16, 2011 at 02:27 PM When I first heard it (In 1958, long before Lombardi's public utterance, from USAF Academy athletic director,
George B. Simler, then O6. Main instigator for Commander's Trophy) it was "Winning isn't the most important thing........"
Makes more sense.
Posted by: clarice | March 16, 2011 at 02:41 PM She's just copying what you've already done, Clarice. BTW, seems I read somewhere in these threads there's been some
unlicensed pistola wielding? Say it ain't so!
Not to denigrate the efforts of those courageous Fukushima 50, But WTF are they trying to do? Aren't they just going to pour cement over the whole thing? Why do these brave souls have to risk near-certain death by radiation poisoning? If they're gonna be at risk, make it for pouring concrete. One of you scientists may have already addressed this. If so, please point me at it.
The foundation I work for may be sending a good portion of their annual prudent reserve to Red Cross and Salvation Army earmarked for Japanese victims. They give to them each year, but this'll be more and sooner.
Posted by: larry | March 17, 2011 at 01:06 PM
OL-does he glow in the dark when his electrons are in an excited state? Really easy to misread that word, electrons, OL.
Posted by: larry | March 17, 2011 at 01:11 PM
Not telling!
Posted by: cathyf | March 17, 2011 at 01:19 PM
Further- Does he grow...............
Posted by: larry | March 17, 2011 at 01:23 PM
I bet particle physics gives him a hadron.
(After an old physics t-shirt.)
Guns don't kill people, physics kills people.
Posted by: Extraneus | March 17, 2011 at 01:24 PM
Via Insty, Roger Kimball reminds us how American presidents used to act. Definitely worth a read. Miss him yet?
Posted by: Danube of Thought | March 17, 2011 at 01:29 PM
Ext-Guns don't kill people, physics kills people. Ya, whenever I take one, I'm stuck in the smallest room all day.
How do you delete an LUN? I've erased it, but it comes back every time.
Posted by: larry | March 17, 2011 at 01:29 PM
Agree wholeheartedly with DoT, above.
Posted by: larry | March 17, 2011 at 01:31 PM
Dot I read your cousin's email on the air. It was just as compelling the second time. Thanks so much for posting it.
Posted by: Jane (sit on the couch or save your country) | March 17, 2011 at 01:39 PM
(This is because we are using the field for something other than what it is intended. The Typepad people set that up so that when a blogger comments on another blogger's site, the commenter can put his/her blog's url under his/her name. It reflects a view of the blogosphere where everyone is a blogger, and they communicate by writing blog posts. This development of communities of commenters wasn't planned for. We do have a few commenters here who are bloggers in their own rights who use the LUN that way -- Sara, for example.)
Beats me -- Once I used an LUN it would come back. If I changed it, then the new one would keep coming back. So I just gave up and picked a permanent link.Posted by: cathyf | March 17, 2011 at 01:51 PM
Gateway Pundit has a post up claiming the new power line to the Daiichi Plant. Any chance the regular cooling systems still function?
Posted by: henry | March 17, 2011 at 02:00 PM
Physics kills people? I remember from a poly sci textbook the notion that when testifying before Congress, scientists had to "sex up" the research for which they were seeking funding, because, as the author so pithily put it, "noone ever died from microbiology." Who knew that physics in itself was far more potent than microbiology!
Posted by: Thomas Collins | March 17, 2011 at 02:00 PM
Henry, if you haven't read the 10:24 and 11:03 links do so.
There is always a small chance of the worst possible outcome in anything but looks to me, despite the imbecilic hype, like this is already winding down.
Posted by: Ignatz | March 17, 2011 at 02:06 PM
Thanks Ignatz, I hadn't read those yet. Those links explain quite a bit. I guess the media wants to milk the hysteria a bit longer (still yelling meltdown on the quick updates).
Posted by: henry | March 17, 2011 at 02:21 PM
Physics doesnt kill people,fission does.So,maybe the Japanese figured the fission part of the nuclear reaction could be tunred into a directed beam and burn through the earth like a meltdown and CIA new this and had Plame visit with a stolen los alamons laptop proving we already had the technology like Iran doesnt and wont talk cause they dont want all the friendly foreigners murderwd by Plames good terrorist like Iraq.So.whatever happens the Japanese are following counties dont talk rule and we'll never know because of the Tsunami that someone created ruined the experimental data.
Posted by: KyH | March 17, 2011 at 02:23 PM
How do you delete an LUN? I've erased it, but it comes back every time.
You can't unless you delete all your cookies. What I do is just delete everything but the first "h" and hit "post"; it comes back with an invalid URL but it will stay and you then just have to delete one letter instead of the whole URL.
O/T Tammy Bruce is crushing Preznit RiO claiming the 2008 election is like having sex when you're drunk; you don't know what you're doing and when you sober up you feel really bad about it.
Posted by: Captain Hate | March 17, 2011 at 02:47 PM
"you don't know what you're doing and when you sober up you feel really bad about it."
Speak for yourself, Tammy.
Posted by: Danube of Thought | March 17, 2011 at 02:53 PM
You know what Ibama's problem is? Well, when he wakes up in the morning, first thing he does is talk to the military, instead of talking to other Nobel Prize winners.
At least, according to Joan Baez, linked at Drudge.
Posted by: PaulL | March 17, 2011 at 03:10 PM
when he wakes up in the morning, first thing he does is talk to the military
Would that it were so! My guess is that he checks the sports pages (especially those NCAA results) and hits a few practice putts on the carpet. And it's downhill from there.
Posted by: jimmyk | March 17, 2011 at 03:20 PM
Joan Baez is just angry that Obama hasn't closed Gitmo yet.
Baez, Amnesty Int'l, and hippy liberals - all residing in FantasyLand.
Posted by: fdcol63 | March 17, 2011 at 03:29 PM
But she wasn't mad enough to turn down an opportunity to perform at the White House for Obama.
Posted by: ROA | March 17, 2011 at 03:37 PM
Someone--I saw it earlier today--mad the inspired suggestion that the WI GOP should introduce a bill to make their public employee unions' rights identical to those of federal workers.
Brilliant: it would focus attention like a laser on the real issue, and the Dems would be hard put to explain any opposition to it.
Posted by: Danube of Thought | March 17, 2011 at 03:50 PM
Well, DoT, Walker said much the same in his WSJ op ed..that WI workers had far more rights than federal workers.
My b-i-l reports that the extent of the recall craziness is not to be believed.
Posted by: clarice | March 17, 2011 at 04:05 PM
If union thugs keep pushing, somday angry mobs of TEA Party types will rally and protest in front of union offices.
Posted by: fdcol63 | March 17, 2011 at 04:11 PM
Khadafy threatens no mercy (LUN) . . .
Posted by: Thomas Collins | March 17, 2011 at 04:21 PM
You know what Ibama's problem is?
Somebody wants to get another thousand-comment thread going.
Posted by: bgates | March 17, 2011 at 04:22 PM
While Obama fiddles and diddles at the UN (LUN).
I'm sure that Obama's actions here are making the Chinese think twice about asserting themselves with their Asian neighbors. Imagine. If China attacks Taiwan, Obama might have Susan Rice write a nuanced position paper to the Security Council. Hu Jintao must be shaking in his wingtips.
Posted by: Thomas Collins | March 17, 2011 at 04:26 PM
DoT, the major issues are with gamma emitters, although iodine and I think caesium also emit beta.
Gateway Pundit has a post up claiming the new power line to the Daiichi Plant. Any chance the regular cooling systems still function?
The cooling systems have always functioned; the problem is they're electrically powered, and the tsunami swept away the power lines and backup generators. They have indeed completed a new power line, which will help a lot.
While the press fills with "suicide squad" stories, the IAEA reports no health-significant radiation.
While that dolt at the US NRC says the spent fuel rods are exposed, the water having boiled away, the IAEA reports the temperature in the fuel rod ponds not exceeding 85 deg C.
While the US is recommending voluntary evacuation of US citizens from Japan, they aren't recommending the same thing from South Korea,which is considerably closer to Fukushima than many parts of Japan.
These things puzzle me.
Posted by: Charlie (Colorado) | March 17, 2011 at 04:26 PM
Meanwhile, Hillary's rumpswabbers continue the low key long shot attempt to push Obama out of the 2012 race (and the less long shot attempt to distance herself from Obama in preparation for the 2016 race). See LUN.
Posted by: Thomas Collins | March 17, 2011 at 04:32 PM
We should fuel up a Boeing 747, pack it with a MOAB, paint a big Pan Am logo on it, and fly it into Khaddafi's compound when he's least suspecting it ... and there.
Posted by: fdcol63 | March 17, 2011 at 04:39 PM
I am searching the web for any articles related to the radiation cloud that must have affected millions on the west coast after we BOMBED Japan with atomic weapons.
Atomic above ground testing was happening on a regular basis back in the '50s.
Posted by: Sara (Pal2Pal) | March 17, 2011 at 04:40 PM
From TC's LUN, this is as shocking as the Japan/NCAA brackets comment:
Har-dee-har-har.
Posted by: jimmyk | March 17, 2011 at 04:45 PM
Somebody help me please. It's been a very long time since I dabbled in physics, but from what I recall...
Mankind can refine, concentrate and irradiate other elements, but mankind has not (yet) learned how to create a basic source of nuclear radiation. That basic source is mined as a naturally-occurring radiation, i.e., uranium. Is that fundamentally correct?
OK, does anyone recall anyone monitoring radiation levels when a volcano erupts? Why not (in light of the recent hyperpanic)?
Posted by: LouP | March 17, 2011 at 04:52 PM
Obama's message in Japan's embassy guestbook:
Posted by: MayBee | March 17, 2011 at 04:57 PM
Perhaps he would enjoy being the host at Daffy's mass executions of Libyan tweeter traitors? Assange could be co-host. I'm sure all Mohametans living under a tyrant's boot would get a kick (or two) out of it.
Posted by: Rick Ballard | March 17, 2011 at 04:57 PM
We should fuel up a Boeing 747, pack it with a MOAB, paint a big Pan Am logo on it, and fly it into Khaddafi's compound when he's least suspecting it ... and there.
I love this idea, fdcol63!
Posted by: Janet | March 17, 2011 at 04:59 PM
I forgot to include the link on the testing above.
The caption for the picture reads:
The link: State of Nevada Environment Protection Agency
Posted by: Sara (Pal2Pal) | March 17, 2011 at 05:04 PM
Chaco, are those gamma emitters molecules--or particles--of the cesium, iodine or whatever? Do they migrate with the wind by being attached to dust particles? If not, how?
Posted by: Danube of Thought | March 17, 2011 at 05:09 PM
Video at RCP:
Obama: Never Take For Granted That I'm President
Posted by: Porchlight | March 17, 2011 at 05:14 PM
Kentucky holds off Princeton, 59-57.
Posted by: Thomas Collins | March 17, 2011 at 05:18 PM
LouP: I was wondering about volcanoes this morning. I found this:
Posted by: Sara (Pal2Pal) | March 17, 2011 at 05:19 PM
But we should never take it for granted."
Sounds like a threat to me.
Posted by: Sara (Pal2Pal) | March 17, 2011 at 05:20 PM
Sara, my father conducted many, many nuclear tests in 1958 and again in 1962. For the earlier ones he commanded Task Force 88, which was formed for the purpose of conducting tests in the upper atmosphere in the South Atlantic. They did a bunch of them, but I don't recall how many.
In 1962 he had Joint Task Force Eight, which detonated scores of nuclear devices out in the Pacific at Christmas Island and Johnston Island.
I think there was a bit of "controversy" over at least the 1958 ones, all generated byt he usual suspects, who issued dire warnings about Strontium 90 in children's milk. So far as I am aware there is no record of any ill effects on any humans from any of these detonations.
Posted by: Danube of Thought | March 17, 2011 at 05:26 PM
fdcol63 - What's a MAOB?
Posted by: Agent J. (formally known as "J".. | March 17, 2011 at 05:29 PM
Please know that America will always stand by one of its greatest allies during their time of need.
"... provided, of course, that we obtain UN approval, and I've had sufficient time to think about it."
There is also a grammatical error. Otherwise it's a fine statement.
Posted by: jimmyk | March 17, 2011 at 05:29 PM
CHACO (or anyone):
Why don't we build our nuclear reactors inside mountains? We have NORAD inside a granite mountain to keep it safe from a nuke attack, the LDS church has one of the large document storage areas, inside a granite mountain. I know there are nuclear weapons storage sites along the Blue Ridge.
And somehow we manage to keep all these sailors safe:
Posted by: Sara (Pal2Pal) | March 17, 2011 at 05:31 PM
There are a couple grammatical errors, aren't there?
But I'm glad he did this. His statement at his presser earlier in the week was dismal.
Posted by: MayBee | March 17, 2011 at 05:32 PM
Massive Ordnance Air Blast (conventional) Bomb
Posted by: Old Lurker | March 17, 2011 at 05:39 PM
DOT: I forget which island, but I saw not too long ago, a Discovery Chan. follow-up on an island that had been evacuated more than 50 years ago due to the nuclear testing. I wish I had paid more attention.
And I think that some problems started cropping up decades later for those who took part in some of the Nevada testing, but these were people who had stood around in business suits just yards from the actual tests. I think one picture had people sitting out in the desert in their lawn chairs to watch and were vying for front row seats.
I remember reading something years ago postulating that John Wayne, Steve McQueen and Susan Hayward died from cancer caused by the radiation they absorbed while filming in Nevada during some of these tests. I didn't doubt it then, but I can't remember what the proof, if any, was for the assertion.
Posted by: Sara (Pal2Pal) | March 17, 2011 at 05:41 PM
There's been far too much confidence in TEPCO, which has been behaving more like Halliburton.
Aside from the human tragedies present and future, there is the question of whether Nukes have a future. If we start seeing two-headed tunas on the market, that will be the beginning of the end.
Oil Co's and Nukers keep fucking up. Bean-counters and engineers....pfeh.
Posted by: Sea-water glow sticks for free | March 17, 2011 at 05:57 PM
Sara, I think you are probably referring to Bikini Atoll, where a great deal of testing was done right after WWIi, and to a 1954 test of an H-bomb where the locals on some neighboring islands had not been evacuated. I have never heard of any ill effects from Christmas or Johnston. I think I saw a 60-Minutes-type thing on Bikini or the other one.
Posted by: Danube of Thought | March 17, 2011 at 06:07 PM
cleo can't do math and hates people who can.
Posted by: boris | March 17, 2011 at 06:08 PM
There are a couple grammatical errors, aren't there?
Maybee, the only one I see is "their" in the sentence I quoted.
I agree about the statement, but it's remarkable that with this president, well-expressed statements seem to be the exception rather than the rule.
Posted by: jimmyk | March 17, 2011 at 06:14 PM
Mt. Hillary is rumbling.
===========
Posted by: No, no, no, no! | March 17, 2011 at 06:19 PM
I remember reading something years ago postulating that John Wayne, Steve McQueen and Susan Hayward died from cancer caused by the radiation they absorbed while filming in Nevada during some of these tests.
They weren't there during, but down-wind of a test site much later.
Nuclear bombs are not nuclear reactors. Yes, some of the same material is present in both. But the structure and results are vastly different. Bombs are (not to sound patronizing) meant to explode -- they're designed to spread themselves over large areas. Reactors are designed to generate heat.
As for 'cleo or whoever the Luddite is -- get off the 'net. It could not exist without petroleum or nuclear, and if you're so opposed to both, live up to it.
Posted by: Rob Crawford | March 17, 2011 at 06:21 PM
They weren't there during, but down-wind of a test site much later.
Aaaah, thank you. The older I get, the more info I seem to have at my disposal, and the less details I can repeat with any authority. I seem to remember just enough to give me a starting point to Google, so I guess that is better than nothing, but it does get frustrating.
Posted by: Sara (Pal2Pal) | March 17, 2011 at 06:35 PM
I would add that bombs can be intentionally made to be "clean" or "dirty," and for any bomb the dirtiness of the effect depends in part on where it is detonated. To maximize the destructive effect of the blast you want an airburst--the more powerful the weapon, the higher from the ground (I think the two in 1945 were at 1500 feet). You get maximum radioactive fallout from a ground burst.
Posted by: Danube of Thought | March 17, 2011 at 06:35 PM
Posted by: cathyf | March 17, 2011 at 06:38 PM
I am simply appalled at this administration and Libya. I cannot believe he based his decision for a no-fly zone on the UN - far too late to do any good. We look pathetic, stupid and weak. And our president is all those thing.'
I am embarrassed.
Posted by: Jane | March 17, 2011 at 06:52 PM
Jane, I think Libya is a straw breaking Hillary's back. Note that she told Sarkozy that there are 'problems' with communicating with the White House.
===================
Posted by: "No" even to wanting to be President. | March 17, 2011 at 06:55 PM
Go to Althouse's blog to see how the drive for civility has taken hold in the public-sector unions.
Given what we are seeing in Madison and elsewhere in Wisconsin, it seems we are looking at the rise of a form of fascism in this country. It is not coming from the right. And it is becoming a seriously under-reported story.
Posted by: Danube of Thought | March 17, 2011 at 06:55 PM
No, not fascism, but something sadly familiar, in Cuba, they are known as rapid response brigades, in Sandinista 1.0 Nicaragua, they were called turbas.
Posted by: narciso | March 17, 2011 at 07:02 PM
Why don't we build our nuclear reactors inside mountains?
You need it to be located on a site with a large supply of water for cooling purposes. Plus you want transmission lines on a relatively flat terrain.
Posted by: Captain Hate | March 17, 2011 at 07:02 PM
Steve McQueen died of mesothelioma which is not associated with either smoking or excessive radiation exposure.
Posted by: Ignatz | March 17, 2011 at 07:03 PM
No-fly zone approved by UN. Now what?
Posted by: Danube of Thought | March 17, 2011 at 07:05 PM
Heh, on local TV a DUI scandal for Abele (Dem) in his attempt to fill Walker's old Milwaukee County Exec spot. He took 7 years to show up in court after blowing 2.1 in 1996.
They also report broken car windows and nails in driveway of Sen Kapanke (R).
Also highlighted a manufacturer moving in from IL.
Posted by: Henry | March 17, 2011 at 07:08 PM
No-fly zone approved by UN. Now what?
Blue helmeted guys in gliders? Green energy FTL.
Posted by: Captain Hate | March 17, 2011 at 07:11 PM
"Now what?"
A joint Saudi - Egyptian strike force will begin launching sorties immediately. They have all the equipment necessary and are well positioned to maintain 24/7 coverage.
Alternatively - Brussels will put all the truss factories in Europe on a war footing as the First Chocolatiers begin the rather lengthy march south.
The President of the United States will authorize clearance of all golf course within 200 miles of the Capitol in order broaden his scope of potential action.
Posted by: Rick Ballard | March 17, 2011 at 07:13 PM
The union thugs are completely indoctrinated through the schools they are trying control. Shades of:
“Give me four years to teach the children and the seed I have sown will never be uprooted.” – Vladimir Ilyich Lenin
Posted by: Sara (Pal2Pal) | March 17, 2011 at 07:19 PM
I cannot believe we have outsourced foreign policy to th UN. I can't believe the press reports nothing about Wisconsin. I can't believe Obama said Japan is not our crisis. I can't believe the man is partying tonite and vacationing tomorrow.
I never thought i would see the day - and half the country approves of this guy.
Posted by: Jane | March 17, 2011 at 07:21 PM
Other than Gaddafhi's M-24 Hinds, which can loiter and slaughter with impunity, I doubt his mighty air force was accomplishing much anyway. I don't think his few old Mig 23's dropping the occasional haphazard unguided bomb are of much use.
Unless the UN declares a no-tank, APC and artillery zone I suspect he'll still slaughter the rebs.
Posted by: Ignatz | March 17, 2011 at 07:22 PM
This is from Michigan:
"Lansing — One person arrested at Wednesday's protests at the Capitol was armed with a weapon and faces felony charges, Michigan State Police said.
"State Police troopers arrested 14 people during a rowdy protest of Gov. Rick Snyder's budget bills. One of them was a man who allegedly broke into the Capitol through a window and assaulted officers, state police said. The man was armed with a sharp-edged weapon, He will face felony charges. The others will face misdemeanor trespassing charges, state police said.
"More than 3,000 people converged on the Capitol to protest the budget bills, which feature deep cuts in education, a tax on pensions and weakening of bargaining rights of unions. A suspicious package also was reported but it turned out to be a laptop computer.
"Snyder has said he respects the rights of the protesters."
Posted by: Danube of Thought | March 17, 2011 at 07:24 PM
UN - no fly zone:
The U.S. said it was preparing for action? Why are we still preparing. Everyone else seems ready to go right now.
Posted by: Sara (Pal2Pal) | March 17, 2011 at 07:28 PM
For now Sarkozy leads the West, it's a strange
'bearded spock' universe, now in the future, in the LUN
Posted by: narciso | March 17, 2011 at 07:33 PM
Gotta switch to beanbag tipped sidewinders.
Posted by: Henry | March 17, 2011 at 07:33 PM
From WSJ Tweet:
Egypt's military has begun shipping arms over the border to Libyan rebels with Washington's knowledge http://on.wsj.com/fB3riN
Posted by: centralcal | March 17, 2011 at 07:37 PM
In my office there is a late 50's early 60's artillery manual that lists nuke warheads, rounds for 105mm and 155mm. Some of the older guys tell me they planned on using them to build bridges and dams etc..
I hope we don't get too involved in Libya. I think Q'ad'aff'i will wrap that one up in a few weeks..
Posted by: scott | March 17, 2011 at 07:42 PM
Jane:
I can't believe the man is partying tonite and vacationing tomorrow.
Believe it or not,but Obama is the hardest working man in government
Posted by: hit and run | March 17, 2011 at 07:46 PM
Congrats Chaco on your superb article getting a plug at Real Clear!
Posted by: glasater | March 17, 2011 at 07:55 PM
"“Give me four years to teach the children and the seed I have sown will never be uprooted.” – Vladimir Ilyich Lenin
We're allowing home grown terrorists to recruit and train right here in America.
LUN
Posted by: pagar | March 17, 2011 at 07:57 PM
Hit,
Send that to Insty and tell him to publish that and DOT's letter.
For some reason my anger and angst has ratcheted up to a new level this week. I don't know if we should be in Libya, but to encourage the rebels and then wait until they are just about all dead really disgusts me.
I cannot believe what the unions are getting away with.
And my heart breaks for Japan, and the fact that our CIC doesn't appear to give a shit.
I know I am repeating myself. This feels like a breaking point,altho maybe I am the one breaking. Why aren't people at least calling for him to step down?
Posted by: Jane | March 17, 2011 at 07:59 PM
I think it is going to be a measure of our strength and resilience that we'll be able to survive 4 years of terrible misrule by Obama, Inc.
==========
Posted by: I don't want an 8 year metric, MSM. Do you hear me? | March 17, 2011 at 08:10 PM
Sara, I was searching the web for the aftermath on the west coast caused specifically by the fallout of the bombs dropped over Japan.
The Japanese successfully flew balloon bombs across the Pacific during WWII, using the same prevailing winds that should have carried the radiation, I would have expected far more devastating results in 1945. Especially after watching the news about the current disaster.
Question: Is there a coolant, that can be mixed with the water they are dumping, to raise the boiling point?
Posted by: Threadkiller | March 17, 2011 at 08:12 PM
Question: Is there a coolant, that can be mixed with the water they are dumping, to raise the boiling point?
Just water is probably the best thing for the job. Water can soak up a lot of heat.
Posted by: Rob Crawford | March 17, 2011 at 08:21 PM