Breaking News and Commentary March 13

Breaking News and Commentary from Citizens For Legitimate Government
12 Mar 2011 --Late Edition
http://www.legitgov.org
All links are here:
http://www.legitgov.org/#breaking_news

Official: 'We see the possibility of a meltdown' --Radioactive cesium, radioactive iodine in the air Saturday night 13 Mar 2011 A meltdown may be under way at one of Fukushima Daiichi's nuclear power reactors in northern Japan, an official with Japan's Nuclear and Industrial Safety Agency told CNN Sunday. "There is a possibility, we see the possibility of a meltdown," said Toshihiro Bannai, director of the agency's international affairs office, in a telephone interview from the agency's headquarters in Tokyo. "At this point, we have still not confirmed that there is an actual meltdown, but there is a possibility." Though Bannai said engineers have been unable to get close enough to the core to know what's going on, he based his conclusion on the fact that they measured radioactive isotopes in the air Saturday night.

Japan's TEPCO preparing to release radiation from second reactor 12 Mar 2011 Tokyo Electric Power Co has begun preparation to release radioactive steam from a second reactor at its quake-struck Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power facility, a spokesman said on Sunday. The TEPCO spokesman said preparation work for the release began at 7:30 a.m. (5:30 p.m. EST). An official from Japan's nuclear safety watchdog said earlier on Sunday that it had received a report from Japan's largest power producer at 5:10 a.m. that the facility's No. 3 reactor had completely lost its emergency cooling function .

Emergency at second reactor, Japan's nuclear agency reports 12 Mar 2011 Japan's nuclear safety agency is reporting an emergency at a second reactor in the same complex where an explosion had occurred earlier. The Nuclear and Industrial Safety Agency said early Sunday that the cooling system malfunctioned at Unit 3 of the Fukushima Dai-ichi nuclear plant. The agency said it was informed of the emergency by Tokyo Electric, the utility which runs the plant.

Second nuclear reactor at Japanese power plant loses emergency cooling --Authorities scrambling to prevent possible meltdown, radiation release 12 Mar 2011 A new danger arose late Saturday at the nuclear power plant damaged by the strongest earthquake in Japan’s history when a second reactor lost its emergency cooling system, widening the possibility of a core meltdown and radiation release. That came as government and power company officials were resorting to an unprecedented measure -- flooding it with seawater -- to stabilize the reactor that had lost its emergency cooling system earlier Saturday local time.

Meltdown Caused Nuclear Plant Explosion: Safety Body --Cesium and iodine, by-products of nuclear fission, were detected around the plant. 13 Mar 2011 The Nuclear and Industrial Safety Agency (NISA) said Saturday afternoon the explosion at the Fukushima No. 1 nuclear plant could only have been caused by a meltdown of the reactor core. The same day, Tokyo Electric Power Co., which runs the plant, began to flood the damaged reactor with seawater to cool it down, resorting to measures that could rust the reactor and force the utility to scrap it. An explosion was heard near the plant's No. 1 reactor about 3:30 p.m. and plumes of white smoke went up 10 minutes later. The ceiling of the building housing the reactor collapsed, according to information obtained by Fukushima prefectural authorities.

Meltdown May Be In Progress At Fukushima No. 1 Nuke Plant 12 Mar 2011 A meltdown of the reactor core may be in progress at Tokyo Electric Power Co.'s No. 1 nuclear power plant in Fukushima Prefecture, which was hit by a devastating earthquake on Friday, the Japan's nuclear safety agency said at 2 p.m. Saturday. The Nuclear and Industrial Safety Agency made the announcement as cesium and iodine, two by-products of nuclear fission, were detected near the plant. If a meltdown of the reactor core is confirmed, it would be the worst-ever nuclear accident in Japan and the first time a meltdown has occurred in the country.

Up to 160 may have radiation exposure in Japan nuclear accident 12 Mar 2011 The number of individuals exposed to radiation from the quake-hit Fukushima nuclear power plant in northeastern Japan could reach as high as 160, an official of Japan's nuclear safety agency said on Sunday. Nine individuals had already shown possible exposure to radiation from the plant, based on information from tests by municipal authorities and other sources, and estimates from the authorities suggested the figure could rise as high as 70 to 160, the official from the Japan Nuclear and Industrial Safety Agency told a news conference.

Japan to distribute iodine among people 12 Mar 2011 Japan has informed the UN nuclear body that following an explosion in a nuclear power plant, it plans to distribute anti-radioactive medicine to the people in the area. Earlier on Saturday, an explosion occurred in Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant, blowing the roof off one facility and destroying its walls. The explosion led to the increase of radiation leak and has caused fears of a meltdown as the radioactivity in the area is now 20 times higher than normal levels.

Thousands undergo radioactive screening after explosion in nuclear power station --Three workers treated for radiation sickness after explosion in reactor building --Authorities evacuate thousands of people from 12-mile radius of plant --People offered iodine to help protect against radiation exposure --Plant's cooling systems damaged by earthquake 12 Mar 2011 People were evacuated within a 12-mile radius after an explosion at one of Japan's nuclear power plants. The building housing one of Fukushima Dai-ichi's reactors was destroyed in the blast and a cloud of white smoke could be seen pouring from it. Four workers suffered fractures in the explosion, and three were treated for the symptoms of radiation sickness.

Japan evacuees scanned for radiation 12 Mar 2011 Evacuees are scanned to check for possible exposure to radiation resulting from an explosion at the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant in Japan, after an 8.9 magnitude earthquake shook the region. (CBS News video)

Agency forecasts 10% chance of radioactive fallout hitting Taiwan 13 Mar 2011 he chances of radioactive fallout from two Japanese nuclear power plants crippled by Friday's massive earthquake are not high, the Cabinet-level Atomic Energy Council said yesterday in a statement. If two plants in Japan's Fukushima prefecture release large amounts of radiation, the probability of it reaching Taiwan is only 10 percent, the council predicted. The area most likely to fall victim to radiation from Japan would be Taiwan's northeastern coast and Monday would be when it would most likely arrive, the council said.

Exodus from Japan nuclear plant 12 Mar 2011 An estimated 170,000 people have been evacuated from the area around a quake-damaged nuclear power station in north-east Japan that was hit by an explosion, the UN atomic watchdog says. A building housing a reactor was destroyed in Saturday's blast at the Fukushima No.1 plant... On Sunday morning, concerns were raised about the safety of a second reactor at the plant after operator Tokyo Electric Power (Tepco) said the cooling system of another reactor had failed.

Japan evacuates 50,000 after nuclear power plant explosion --NHK: At least three residents among 90 tested showed excess exposure to radiation 12 Mar 2011 More than 50,000 people were evacuated Saturday after an explosion at a Japanese nuclear plant hurled plumes of smoke over the Pacific Ocean... Japanese authorities hastened to assure the public there was no danger of a meltdown at the Fukushima Daiichi plant along the lines of the 1986 disaster at the Chernobyl nuclear plant in Ukraine, but they were unable to explain why excess levels of radiation were detected outside the plant's grounds. Japan's NHK television reported that at least three residents among 90 tested at random showed excess exposure to radiation.

Japan expands evacuation around nuclear power plant 12 Mar 2011 The Japanese government said on Saturday it has expanded the evacuation area around the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant to a 20 kilometre radius from 10 km.

'1,000 dead' in Japan quake; nuke plants overheat 12 Mar 2011 More than 1,000 people were feared dead and authorities scrambled to prevent meltdown at two nuclear plants after a monster tsunami devastated a swathe of northeast Japan. Reactor cooling systems failed after Friday's record 8.9-magnitude earthquake hit, unleashing a terrifying 10-metre (33-foot) high wave that tore through coastal towns and cities and destroying all in its path. Radiation 1,000 times above normal was detected in the control room of one nuclear plant, although authorities said levels outside the facility's gates were only [!?!] eight times above normal.

U.S. Navy ships joining Japan relief effort 12 Mar 2011 The nuclear-powered aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan arrived in Japan at 1 p.m. EST on Saturday to assist relief efforts after Japan's massive earthquake and tsunami. It is part of a large mobilization of American naval forces in the Pacific to aid Japan, with more ships due to arrive in the coming days.

Japan requests British help over earthquake 12 Mar 2011 Japan has requested help from the UK in the aid effort after yesterday's magnitude 8.9 earthquake rocked the country, a Foreign Office spokesman said. Hundreds of people were killed and many more are missing after the massive quake struck, sending a wall of water across the Pacific.

Hawaii governor signs state disaster proclamation 11 Mar 2011 Governor Neil Abercrombie today signed a State of Disaster Proclamation after learning of millions of dollars in damages as a result of the tsunami that swept through the islands earlier this morning. The proclamation is the first step in the process of seeking and receiving federal funds to recover and rebuild.

Tsunami causes millions in damage in California 12 Mar 2011 A deadly tsunami roared 5,000 miles across the ocean and slammed into Northern California on Friday, destroying harbors from Santa Cruz to the Oregon border and washing one man out to his death in the sea. The West Coast damage was less than it could have been because the tsunami hit during low tide, and nothing on the scale of the 8.9-magnitude earthquake that spawned it in Japan... But that was small consolation to the victim's survivors or sailors and business owners now facing millions of dollars in damage to docks and boats.

Quake moved Japan coast 8 feet, shifted Earth's axis 12 Mar 2011 The powerful earthquake that unleashed a devastating tsunami Friday appears to have moved the main island of Japan by 8 feet (2.4 meters) and shifted the Earth on its axis. "At this point, we know that one GPS station moved (8 feet), and we have seen a map from GSI (Geospatial Information Authority) in Japan showing the pattern of shift over a large area is consistent with about that much shift of the land mass," said Kenneth Hudnut, a geophysicist with the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS). Reports from the National Institute of Geophysics and Volcanology in Italy estimated the 8.9-magnitude quake shifted the planet on its axis by nearly 4 inches (10 centimeters).

MSNBC: Wall-to-wall coverage of Charlie Sheen's meltdown, silent on nuclear meltdown --GE: 'We Bring Good Censorship To Life.' By Lori Price, www.legitgov.org 12 Mar 2011 Earlier this week, MSNBC spent *hours* covering Lindsay Lohan's court appearance -- including, of course, her courtroom attire -- for an allegedly stolen necklace. But MSNBC has, to this point, censored entirely the nuclear catastrophe in Japan. Hours upon hours of air-time were devoted to Charlie Sheen's 'meltdown,' but MSNBC chose to air its 'Lockup' series on Friday evening/Saturday morning, sans interruption. MSNBC failed to even cut in with a news alert of the explosion -- and possible meltdown -- of Japan's quake-hit Fukushima No.1 nuclear Plant.

Thousands protest against Germany's nuclear plants 12 Mar 2011 Tens of thousands of people have protested in Germany against the government's plans to extend the life of its nuclear reactors. Demonstrators in Stuttgart formed a human chain reaching 45km (27 miles) for the protest, planned before the current nuclear crisis in Japan. Organisers said events in Japan had proved atomic power was an uncontrollable and risky technology.

Vaccines may have increased swine flu risk -- 'It is the opposite of what vaccines should do.' 04 Mar 2011 There is renewed controversy surrounding influenza vaccines, with some studies showing people immunised against the seasonal flu might have been at greater risk during the swine flu outbreak . Infectious diseases expert Professor Peter Collignon has called for a review of Australia's flu vaccine policy in light of the new research, but the Federal Government has defended its [insane] vaccination program... "What was a bit surprising when we looked at some of the data from Canada and Hong Kong in the last year is that people who have been vaccinated in 2008 with the seasonal or ordinary vaccine seemed to have twice the risk of getting swine flu compared to the people who hadn't received that vaccine," he said. Australian National University (ANU) microbiologists say it is the opposite of what vaccines should do.

Karzai seeks end to NATO operations 12 Mar 2011 Afghan President Hamid Karzai says US-led forces must stop operations in his country amid growing discontent between Kabul and Washington over civilian causalities. Karzai made the remarks in the city of Asadabad where a recent NATO attack left over 70 civilians dead. "I would like to ask NATO and the US with honor and humbleness and not with arrogance to stop their operations in our land," Karzai said on Saturday. "We are very tolerant people but now our tolerance has run out," Karzai added.

'US-made gas used against Yemenis' 12 Mar 2011 The US has provided Yemeni police with gas canisters which have been used against anti-government protesters in capital Sana'a, local sources say. Police have reportedly used nerve gas to quell peaceful protests in Sana'a's University Square. The empty canisters obtained by the locals bear the "Made in U.S.A." stamp. Sources say the canisters were a "gift" to the Yemeni police from the United States. [Yeah, we can't find anything 'Made in U.S.A.' except weapons systems and nerve gas. --LRP]

White House hails Arab League no-fly zone request 12 Mar 2011 The White House says the Arab League has taken an "important step" by asking the U.N. Security Council to impose a no-fly zone over Libya and increasing international pressure on Moammar Gadhafi. President Barack Obama has repeatedly called for Gadhafi to step down. But the U.S. has not been willing to impose a no-fly zone unilaterally. The White House says the U.S. will prepare for all contingencies and coordinate with allies.

Libya: Arab League calls for United Nations no-fly zone 12 Mar 2011 The Arab League called on the United Nations Security Council to impose a no-fly zone on Libya, increasing pressure on Europe and the US to embark on limited military action against the regime of Colonel Muammar Gaddafi. As Colonel Gaddafi’s jets and tanks continued to gain ground against rebels in the east of the country, ministers from the 22-nation League agreed to call for action after emergency talks in Cairo.

Libyan govt. troops defect in Misratah 12 Mar 2011 A group of government troops formerly loyal to embattled Libyan ruler Muammar Gaddafi has defected to the revolutionary side in the northwestern city of Misratah. Late on Saturday, the group of government troops joined opposition fighters, who are keeping a tenuous hold on Misratah, which is located 150 kilometers (95 miles) east of the Libyan capital Tripoli, Reuters reported.

Wisconsin's Democratic senators return, join protesters at Capitol --The 14 Democrats, who had fled to Illinois in hopes of blocking legislation limiting the collective-bargaining rights of public employees, join tens of thousands of demonstrators. 12 Mar 2011 Fourteen wayward Democratic state senators who fled Wisconsin last month to try to derail legislation stripping most public employees of nearly all their collective-bargaining rights returned to the state Saturday and joined tens of thousands of raucous protesters outside the state Capitol. The returning Democrats began marching around the Capitol at about 2:30 p.m. CST (12:30 p.m. PST), greeted by deafening cheers and chants of "thank you, thank you!"

Thousands rally in Wisconsin 12 Mar 2011 After nearly a month of political stalemate that ended abruptly this week when state Senate Republicans 'passed' a law eliminating many collective bargaining powers for most public union employees, Madison, Wis., braced for a flood of humanity that could become the largest demonstration in Wisconsin history. By 3 p.m., tens of thousands of people crowded the Capitol Square.

Dane County sues state to block Wisconsin budget bill 11 Mar 2011 Dane County Executive Kathleen Falk is suing legislative leaders and the state in an attempt to block the enactment of the budget repair bill passed Thursday night and signed by Gov. Scott Walker Friday morning. The lawsuit was filed by Corporation Counsel Marcia MacKenzie in Dane County Circuit Court... The county also wants the bill to be declared unconstitutional. The suit asks for a temporary restraining order to prevent the state from publishing the budget 'repair' bill, which is when the bill would actually take effect.

No to unions' capitulation to Walker! For a general strike by all Wisconsin workers! (WSWS) 12 March 2011 The bill signed into law by Governor Scott Walker Friday is a historic assault on the working class. It is aimed at criminalizing any organized resistance to the destruction of jobs, wages, education and other social services. It marks a major step toward an open dictatorship of the corporations... Even were the recall campaign to succeed in replacing every targeted Republican with a Democrat, the cuts in wages, health care and education would remain... Workers cannot live with these attacks. The capitulation of the unions must be rejected and preparations made now to unite the full strength of the working class in a general strike.

Emergency managers bill sweeps toward final approval --Union rights advocates call for mass protest 10 Mar 2011 The Michigan Senate yesterday approved legislation that threatens to take over and even dissolve local governments that refuse to balance their budgets by breaking labor contracts. According to the law , which has already been approved in the House, the governor will be able to declare "financial emergency" in towns or school districts and appoint someone to fire local elected officials, break contracts, seize and sell assets, and eliminate services. Under the law, whole cities or school districts could be eliminated without any public participation or oversight, and amendments designed to provide minimal safeguards and public involvement were voted down. An amendment to require Emergency Managers to hold monthly public meetings to let people know how they are governing was rejected by Senate Republicans, along with proposals to cap Emergency Manager compensation and require that those appointed to run school districts have some background in education.

Quick action! Protect Lizards' Love Lives (National Wildlife Federation) 12 Mar 2011 Lizards retreat to the shade when temperatures are too warm, which can leave them hungry with too little energy to reproduce. Many lizards have died in areas where global warming has caused higher spring temperatures, and a continued rise in global temperatures could increase their need to stay in the shade, leaving them with less energy to do much else. Already, lizard populations are disappearing across the globe, but right now, you can help protect lizards by urging the Environmental Protection Agency to do their part to reduce the global warming pollution that comes from trucks -- one of the largest emitters of global warming pollution.

CLG needs your support.
http://www.legitgov.org/donate.html
Or, please mail a check or money order to CLG:
Citizens for Legitimate Government (CLG)
P.O. Box 1142
Bristol, CT 06011-1142
Contributions to CLG are not tax deductible

Previous lead stories: Quake-hit nuclear plant 'may be in meltdown': Japan media 11 Mar 2011 Japan's nuclear authorities warned Saturday that quake-hit atomic plant Fukushima No. 1, about 250 kilometres (160 miles) northeast of Tokyo, "may be experiencing a nuclear meltdown", media said. Kyodo News agency said radioactive caesium had been detected near Fukushima plant, citing the Japanese nuclear safety commission. The cooling system of the plant was damaged in the massive earthquake that struck the region 24 hours earlier, leaving the government scrambling to fix the problem and evacuate more than 45,000 residents within a 10-kilometre (six-mile) radius).
Six-mile exclusion zone placed around crippled nuclear reactor as radiation hits 1,000 times safe level --2,800 residents already evacuated within two-mile radius of the plant --Pressure rises to 2.1 times normal level --Experts warn the situation 'could turn grave' 12 Mar 2011 Japanese officials warned of two possible radiation leaks today as authorities battled to contain rising pressure at a plant crippled by yesterday massive earthquake. Thousands of people within a six-mile radius of the Fukushima facility were evacuated as radiation rose to 1,000 times the safe level and pressure grew, fueling fears of an explosion. With growing tension at the plant 150 miles north of Tokyo, a second state of emergency was declared as pressure rose in two reactors at the facility. Earlier officials had proposed releasing radioactive vapour into the atmosphere in a bid to prevent an explosion after its cooling system failed.
Government can get records from Twitter for WikiLeaks probe, judge rules 11 Mar 2011 A federal judge ruled Friday that the government can obtain records from the online social networking site Twitter in its criminal investigation of WikiLeaks . Three key players in the probe had argued that handing over their Twitter account information violated their constitutional rights . In a 20-page written opinion, U.S. Magistrate Judge Theresa Carroll Buchanan in Alexandria ruled that the information is not protected by the First Amendment because the Twitter clients have "already made their Twitter posts and associations publicly available."

© Scoop Media