Thursday, December 5, 2013

NUCLEAR WASTE GOES MISSING


Radioactive isotope cobalt-60 waste from a hospital was being transported to a nuclear waste depository when it disappeared in Mexico, authorities say.  It was properly contained at the time of its disappearance, deemed to be a theft and if opened would oppose a serious health risk.  The truck was stolen on Monday at a gas station in Tepojaco, near Mexico City.  It is not known if the thieves knew what they were getting. 

COMMENTS:
There is a lot of nuclear waste moving around the world at any given time.  I’m surprised this has not happened before.  I have to think that the container was properly marked with the radiation insignia and danger warnings.  However, if some lunatic got it and can’t read, or who doesn’t care, he or she would be in for a big surprise.  This material would be of no value for bomb making purposes, but it could be scattered in a public area and make a whole lot of people very sick.  I’m surprised it was not attended to when parked; there are some strict regulations when transporting such waste in the U.S. 

TODAY’S QUERIES & ANSWERS:
Q. What’s your opinion on the resignation of Martin Bashir from MSNBC over his Palin diatribe?  (Mike ~ Tempe, AZ)
A. MSNBC should have fired him the day it happened.  As I said at the time, everyone has the right to free speech, but when you get on the airwaves or into broadcast journalism, there are certain rules of bad taste which you should not cross if you want to stay in the business.  I can remember when Jack Parr got the axe over a simple water closet joke.  I once bumped the needle on a disc while I was on air and promptly said, “Shit!”  The mike was open and I thought for sure I was going to lose my license.  I didn’t, but I sure got a lecture over it.  He should never work on air or cable again. 

Q. What do you make of China’s testing our patience over their claiming airspace rights over some international waters in the South China Sea?  (LeRoy ~ Danville, CA)
A. They probably figure that as long as North Korea and Iran can get away with anything, they should be able to as well.  That’s what happens when you have a weak President; Carter proved that beyond a reasonable doubt as is Obama.  China will be able to grab it for free and without fuss after we default on our national debt due to ObamaCare.  Believe me, they know how to play Chinese checkers.   

Q. There’s some flap going around about it’s being rude to use your cell phone on a plane.  I tend to agree. What do you think?  (Janice ~ Aptos, CA)
A. That depends on whether you’re the pilot.  Seriously, there are places where it’s not only rude, but outright and downright stupid to use your cell phone.  I’ve seen people in restaurants take calls and leave their dinner partners out in limbo.  Would you take a cell call in a job interview?  Yes, I’ve seen it done.  In tribal council meetings, classrooms, funerals, weddings… you name it; people are rude.  But, paybacks…. Well, I was waiting in a barbershop with two other guys; there was a guy in the chair.  His phone rang; he answered the call and walked outside to talk, leaving the barber and the rest of us wondering just how long the call was going to take.  The barber went over to the door, locked it and sat the next customer.  After about ten minutes, the offender was banging at the door and the barber told the guy she was through with him and he could go down the street to get it finished if he wanted.  Of course, he yelled and screamed, threatened to sue, banged on the door and eventually drove off.  You guessed it: He had a “Vote for Obama” bumper sticker on his car.  Go figure.  

TODAY’S QUOTE:
Inflation is when you pay fifteen dollars for the ten-dollar haircut you used to get for five dollars when you had hair.” ~ Sam Ewing

TODAY’S VIDEO:

No comments:

Post a Comment