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27 Mar 2011 21:17

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U.S.: Don’t freak out: Increased radiation found in Massachusetts rainwater

  • The drinking water supply in Massachusetts is unaffected by this short-term, slight elevation in radiation.
  • Massachusetts Public Health Commissioner John Auerbach • Discussing the “OMG OMG WE GONNA DIE” revelation that there is radiation in some Massachusetts rainwater resulting from the Fukushima crisis. Friends, this is not Chernobyl. Ain’t nothing to be afraid of. Auerbach knows the deal. source
Posted by Ernie Smith • 0 Comments • Permalink

27 Mar 2011 21:03

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U.S.: Tuberculosis cases reach their lowest level ever in the U.S.

  • 11,181 total number of tuberculosis cases found in the U.S. in 2010
  • 3.9% the decline in that number from 2009 — an already low year
  • 3.6 number of cases of TB per 100,000 people — it’s almost beat source
  • » Some clouds on that silver lining: While levels are at their lowest in recorded history, officials hoped to have killed TB for good in the U.S. by 2010, by having less than 1 case per 100,000 people. “The rate we have now is 36 times higher than that,” said Dr. Kenneth G. Castro, who is in charge of the CDC’s tuberculosis-defeating efforts. And certain groups — particularly minorities, AIDS sufferers and immigrants from other countries — are much more susceptible to TB. Over time, some strains of tuberculosis have gotten more resistant, too.
Posted by Ernie Smith • 0 Comments • Permalink

27 Mar 2011 12:23

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World: The “Fukushima Fifty” comes forward with a harrowing story

  • It was just pitch black. It was the middle of the night and all we had to see with were our own head torches. We could see smoke and vapour coming up from the reactor. Everything else had failed, so they called us in to pump seawater to try to cool the thing. We don’t even work for the government, but for the city of Tokyo. They were desperate. They must have been on their last legs.
  • Fukushima crew leader Kazuhiko Fukudome • Describing what he saw as a member of the “Fukushima Fifty.” Fukudome was tracked down by The Daily Telegraph, who got the first interview with the once-anonymous crew of workers. We recommend you read the whole thing, but we’re sure you will after you read Fukudome’s description of the inside of the plant: “It was far worse than I expected. Everything was covered in rubble,” he said. Harrowing. (via Josh Sternberg) source
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27 Mar 2011 12:04

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World: TEPCO corrections: Not “10 million times” normal level, “100,000 times”

  • errors As you might have noticed earlier today, TEPCO reported a level of radiation that was insanely high — 10 million times the usual level — coming from the water at a Fukushima reactor. This was very wrong, so much so that we took down our posts about this.
  • correctionsTEPCO apologized — while noting the amount was a still-very-high 100,000 times its normal level. “I am very sorry,” said TEPCO’s vice president, Sakae Muto. “I would like to make sure that such a mistake will not happen again.” Good apology, Muto. source
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27 Mar 2011 11:35

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Politics: Oh boy: Wisconsin’s Secretary of State sits on his hands

  • It’s still an act of the Legislature that has not yet become law because I have not yet designated a publication date.
  • Wisconsin Secretary of State Doug La Follette • Saying that the Wisconsin collective bargaining thing isn’t law because he hasn’t yet published the law in the official state newspaper, the Wisconsin State Journal. Scott Walker and his boys disagree, and the Department of Administration plans to work as if La Follette’s words and actions didn’t really mean anything, but we have to admit it’s fun watching yet another twist in this freaking mess. source
Posted by Ernie Smith • 0 Comments • Permalink

27 Mar 2011 11:23

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World: After the fact: London protests cause tons of freaking damage

  • 201 people were arrested after London’s austerity protests last night
  • 100 street cleaners worked overnight to fix the damage caused
  • tens the amount, in thousands of pounds, officials say cleanup will cost source
  • » And ol’ Clocky suffered “superficial damage”: A number of major structures were hit, including the Olympic clock, the memorial, the Ritz and Fortnum and Mason, were damaged. Nearby businesses may have also gotten nailed very badly.
Posted by Ernie Smith • 0 Comments • Permalink

27 Mar 2011 10:01

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World: That “10 million times” number at Fukushima? An error, guys.

  • what The high level of radiation reported by TEPCO was a huge freaking error, and in reality, the level is much lower.
  • how The worker taking the test freaked out, apparently — wouldn’t you? — before doing a backup test to confirm.
  • reaction A TEPCO spokesperson apologized. “The number is not credible,” said  Takashi Kurita. “We are very sorry.”  source
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