Near Collision At JFK

JAPAN: Nuclear Crisis Worsens

The New York Times reports:

Industry executives said that in fact the situation had spiraled out of control and that all plant workers needed to leave the plant to avoid excessive exposure to radioactive leaks. If all workers do in fact leave the plant, the nuclear fuel in all three reactors is likely to melt down, which would lead to wholesale releases of radioactive material — by far the largest accident of its kind since the Chernobyl disaster 25 years ago. Reports of an imminent worsening of the problem came after a frantic day and night of rescue efforts focused largely on the No. 2 reactor. There, a malfunctioning valve prevented workers from manually venting the containment vessel to release pressure and allow fresh seawater to be injected into it. That meant that the extraordinary remedy emergency workers have been using to keep the nuclear fuel from overheating no longer worked. As a result, the nuclear fuel in that reactor was exposed for many hours, increasing the risk of a breach of the container vessel and a more dangerous emissions of radioactive particles.

VIDEO: Breaking report by Lawrence O'Donnell.


UPDATE: English-language NHK Tokyo is live-streaming their video reports.

Mug Shot

Mr. & Mrs. Gingrich

(Source)

Where To Be After The Bomb Drops

The New York Times reports on the latest advice from the feds on what to do in the event of a nuclear bomb.

Suppose the unthinkable happened, and terrorists struck New York or another big city with an atom bomb. What should people there do? The government has a surprising new message: Do not flee. Get inside any stable building and don’t come out till officials say it’s safe. The advice is based on recent scientific analyses showing that a nuclear attack is much more survivable if you immediately shield yourself from the lethal radiation that follows a blast, a simple tactic seen as saving hundreds of thousands of lives. Even staying in a car, the studies show, would reduce casualties by more than 50 percent; hunkering down in a basement would be better by far.

According to the report, the safest place to be in a big city is inside the core of large building or in an underground parking garage.

Robot Dancer

Today they dance, tomorrow they come for you in your sleep.

A Freeper's Solution To Prop 8 Ruling

The level of hatred and violence being expressed on Free Republic at this moment in unrivaled, even for them. Screen grab tipped by JMG reader Ralph.

Opus Dei Buys $7.5M Manhattan Home

The secretive Catholic group Opus Dei has purchased a $7.5M townhouse near their opulent headquarters in Manhattan's posh Murray Hill.

The house was bought by the Rosemoor Foundation, whose Web site says it funds "cultural centers and activities whose origin and mission are inspired by the Catholic Prelature of Opus Dei." The foundation bought the place from hedge-funder Albert J. Fitzgibbins III, a founder of Stonington Partners. A neighbor told us, "There were fears they would use it as a halfway house for the rehabilitation of pedophile priests." But a spokesman for Opus Dei -- which was scandalized in what many considered an inaccurate portrayal in "The Da Vinci Code" -- said the house would be used "as a residence for women where they would be offered philosophical, theological and spiritual guidance." Calls to Rosemoor and Fitzgibbins were not returned.

Opus Dei interior designers plan a gut renovation to make room for the self-flagellation stations and blood drains. Hardwood floors and granite countertops throughout!