Riverguy is in a bad state of mind about what's going on in Japan. It is basically now confirmed that the nuclear reactors there are impossible to control, and that radiation will be spewing into the air and water for...well, who knows how long. Even though the talking heads on TV continue to tell us that we have nothing to worry about, I'm worried.
I come from the generation that grew up with atomic energy. I remember the fear that we had as "Cold War" kids -- there would be a nuclear exchange between "us" and "them" -- and radiation would spread around the globe and eventually snuff out all life. We even practiced for such events; air raid drills, "duck and cover" drills, and stockpiling canned goods in basements all over America. Farmers were taught how to grow food even with nuclear fallout poisoning the soil.
And yet...we learned to conquer our fear of the atom, and dream of a time when we'd harness it for unlimited energy. Our technological society and growing population needed abundant power, and the nuclear plants could deliver. It was like magic -- swirling atoms giving us the power to reach for an incredible dream of unlimited advancement. And now...suddenly, the old dreams are coming back...fallout...don't drink the milk...it has radiation...keep the doors and windows closed...and now, I know that it's not just a dream, but a nightmare.
