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[gkryhewy]

Not much of a question, we've had an answer for a long time now.

Superman bags it and throws it into the sun.

Agreed.

 

[omgimaninja]

I don't know much really, so this question is not nearly as complex as the discussion about energy that is going on, but:

The nuclear energy thing. If those nuclear energy plants are built and one explodes, doesn't that like wipe out the entire surrounding area? Just curious...don't know where I heard that before but I thought I might ask. If it's true I wouldn't want to live around something like that:lol

The chances of one blowing up are quite small. I lived 10 mins away from the largest nuclear power plant in south Texas and nobody in the community was worried. A few years ago, they noticed small cracks in some of the outer layers of some of the walls, and temporarily shut down the reactors. Construction finished upgrading the reactors, and next year Mitsubishi (I think) has been contracted to build a third reactor. This will also provide thousands of jobs in my home town.

Doesn't construction of entirely new nuclear power plants take huge amounts of time? While McCain seems to believe we can tons of new oil and other energy sources instantly, I like how Obama is realistic with his 10 year alternative energy plan.

Nuclear or not, I just want America to invest more in some type of alternative energy. I personally don't know which types would work best for our consumption, but if we don't invest more time and money into research we won't know.

 

[CharlieDigital]

The risks in operating a nuclear power facility are very real. They can be managed, certainly. But there was actually good reason for the government to step up security around nuclear plants post-9/11. Mischief leading to a reactor meltdown is both possible and very dangerous (producing fall-out, not Hiroshima).

I'm not saying it's not a real danger, but it's one that has been sensationalized due to the stigma surrounding nuclear <insert-word-here>. Many countries use nuclear power and are continuing to develop and invest in nuclear power.

From the wiki site on "Nuclear power in France"

In France, as of 2002, Électricité de France (EDF) — the country's main electricity generation and distribution company — manages the country's 59 nuclear power plants. As of 2008, these plants produce 87.5% of both EDF's and France's electrical power production (of which much is exported),[1] making EDF the world leader in production of nuclear power by percentage. In 2004, 425.8 TWh out of the country's total production of 540.6 TWh was from nuclear power (78.8%).[1]​

 

[JayDubya]

Agreed.

I hate to break this to you, but there are no Kryptonians in real life. No Saiyans either.

:'(

 

[Tamanon]

For that matter, why don't we dump nuclear waste into space?

 

[Evlar]

Not advancing nuclear power because of Chenobyl or 3 mile island would be like stopping all aircraft flights because of 9-11. Wait, actually, the chance of and damage of a plane crash is higher than a nuclear meltdown

Considering the number of operating nuclear plants in the history of the world versus the number of incidents of accidental contamination from nuclear plants tells me the chance of any given nuclear plant failing is considerably higher than any given commercial plane.

EDIT: In response to CharlieDigital above- Yeah, I agree the danger of nuclear power is sensationalized, I agree it's fairly safe, but it isn't safe like coal or hydro-electric either. It falls somewhere in between.

 

[The Librarian]

Dax needs update, please, PoliGAF.

 

[gkryhewy]

For that matter, why don't we dump nuclear waste into space?

Too expensive given the apparent lack of superman

 

[CharlieDigital]

For that matter, why don't we dump nuclear waste into space?

1) It's not economically viable.

2) Danger of rocket exploding, showering the Earth's atmosphere with radioactive material.

There was a huge ruckus when they launched a nuclear powered satellite or space probe a few years ago.

 

[Beer Monkey]

For that matter, why don't we dump nuclear waste into space?

Risk of launch explosion too great.

Maybe with space elevators at some point.

 

[JayDubya]

For that matter, why don't we dump nuclear waste into space?

You'd pretty much need a working space elevator to make that viable.

 

[so_awes]

1) It's not economically viable.

2) Danger of rocket exploding, showering the Earth's atmosphere with radioactive material.

There was a huge ruckus when they launched a nuclear powered satellite or space probe a few years ago.

the Cassini Probe. the launch and the earth fly by.

 

[Shins]

There are no words.

 

[Fragamemnon]

Dax needs update, please, PoliGAF.

Chapel Hill voted this morning for communism we can believe in, so very awesome.
Joe the Plumber is sketchy and likely GOP plant.
Polls go nowhere today.
RNC commitment of cash for McCain ads is terrible-$18 million over 18 days. :lol
Republican House and Senate situation continues to deteriorate extremely rapidly.
Obama expanding ads to WV, ND, MT, and GA.

 

[greepoman]

For that matter, why don't we dump nuclear waste into space?

The brings up the real problem of Nuclear power...the transportation of that waste. Sure you can put it on a spacecraft, but I would imagine if the rocket malfunctions that would be quite bad.

Just like transportation of the waste to Yucca, what would happen if a transport truck was blown up/crashed into a major river. Contamination of the water supply would have horrible consequences.

 

[WaltJay]

For that matter, why don't we dump nuclear waste into space?

Heh, I used to think the same thing was I was younger. "Why don't we just pile up all the trash into a rocket and shoot it at the sun?!?!"

I guess because that rocket would take a long ass time to get there, it would be expensive as hell, and what if the rocket went off-course.

Where is Superman when you need him? :lol

 

[Mandark]

Quite aside from the "should we build nuclear?" question is "should we use taxpayer dollars to subsidize nuclear?"

This is a bit of a retread, but as far as I know France is the only country which gets most of its electricity from nuclear power, and they subsidize that like the bunch of crazy socialists they are.

Why aren't there more nuclear power plants? It's the market, stupid.

 

[BobTheFork]

It's not a real issue. Countries like France, I believe, use mostly nuclear energy to generate electricity. There hasn't been a major meltdown in decades. Nuclear itself is pretty safe, based on what I understand and based on history, but there is such a stigma.

The real question with nuclear is what to do with the spent fuel.

Wait, didn't France have a major issue with ground water being contaminated by uranium? Looking for story now...

Edit http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/7496998.stm

It's not the statistical probability of danger that is the issue, it's the horrible consequences that can happen form even minor incidents.

 

[lastendconductor]

For that matter, why don't we dump nuclear waste into space?

Nuclear piñata!

 

[Steve Youngblood]

Too expensive given the apparent lack of superman

Don't frown. There's no need to let JayDubya dampen your spirits. When I was eight, I really wanted an SNES, but my parents were struggling financially, and it was at that time that they decided to let me in on the secret that Santa Clause wasn't real. Heartbroken, I cursed at them, and proceeded to cry for the next several months, all while refusing to believe this revelation.

And then, wouldn't you know, on Christmas day, I GOT that SNES, and my parents admitted that they were just cruel jerks who made up that "Santa doesn't exist" nonsense. Now, some would tell me that my parents just caved because I threw a giant temper tantrum, but I know the truth: my faith in Santa made him real.

Never give up hope -- you're an Obama supporter after all!

 

[Evlar]

I think dumping it into space is a good idea if you could get it up there cheaply and well out of orbit. Not likely unless we actually construct a space elevator (again unlikely).

I recall people saying we shouldn't dump waste into the sun because we might damage it. Even for me, an environmentalist and general misanthrope regarding human wastefulness, that's a fucking stupid argument.

 

[Brannon]

I give it four and a half stars.

 

[snacknuts]

For that matter, why don't we dump nuclear waste into space?

It's nucular.

 

[CharlieDigital]

Why aren't there more nuclear power plants? It's the market, stupid.

Also, NIMBY+stigma.

Heck, I was reading a CNN article a few weeks ago on wind farms popping up on farms and people getting pissed at the land owner for leasing the land because it disrupted the view. If you can't get behind giant spinning blades of awesome, what can you get behind?

 

[greepoman]

Wait, didn't France have a major issue with ground water being contaminated by uranium? Looking for story now...

So that's why they have that weird accent and have hair in weird places.

 

[Tobor]

:lol

No wonder he's afraid of higher taxes, he doesn't pay what he owes as it is. :lol

 

[ToxicAdam]

Although the disposal of waste is a real problem. It is MINISCULE in comparison to the waste that is generated by coal and other means. With the needs of energy consumption growing exponentially in the coming decades, every year we waste wringing our hands over this issue is another wasted year. We have already lost the technological edge to France and Japan over building these facilities .. let's not also be forced to import energy over it.

It seems silly to quibble over the potential danger that a spill could cause in a remote part of the country, when 1000's of people a year are dying due to pollution in the air.

 

[VictimOfGrief]

I think dumping it into space is a good idea if you could get it up there cheaply and well out of orbit. Not likely unless we actually construct a space elevator (again unlikely).

I recall people saying we shouldn't dump waste into the sun because we might damage it. Even for me, an environmentalist and general misanthrope regarding human wastefulness, that's a fucking stupid argument.

Yeah--- I'm sure the astronauts won't mind... I mean--- they have space suits right?

 

[Stoney Mason]

There are no words.

As the women said things like this are exactly the reason blacks aren't Republicans. Overtly and subtextually they've done everything they can to chase away blacks from that party. Shameful.

 

[bafflewaffle]

Was there any particular reason people thought Bob Schieffer wouldnt do a good job as a moderator? I know he has a Sunday morning show that I never watch, does it suck?

 

[Kildace]

Wait, didn't France have a major issue with ground water being contaminated by uranium? Looking for story now...

Not major but yes, there have been leaks lately because of mismanadgement.

However, we do subsidize the building of the reactors but they leave us with a very hefty power excedent that we get to sell to other countries. We are also pioneers of new nuclear technology that we sell abroad.

Nuclear is a complex subject but if I had to choose between coal plants and nuclear plants I wouldn't hesitate. Well managed nuclear plants are a very eco-friendly way to produce electricity as long as the waste is properly handled.

Edit : Nuclear power is probably the only thing on which I, as a frenchman, agree with JayDubya and ToxicAdam

 

[GhaleonEB]

Early Voting Begins in North Carolina Today

A reader sends in this photo from a polling place in Cary, North Carolina on the first day of early voting there.

The line at the Cary Towne Center Mall, one of 15 early voting locations in Wake County, was about an hour long, he says.

Hopefully the NC state website updates with early vote totals in addition to their voter registration totals.

 

[BobTheFork]

Thread moves to fast for edit here:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/7496998.stm
I'm not overly concerned about the statistical chance of failure, but the consequences of even a minor problem can be horrible.

 

[WaltJay]

I think dumping it into space is a good idea if you could get it up there cheaply and well out of orbit. Not likely unless we actually construct a space elevator (again unlikely).

I recall people saying we shouldn't dump waste into the sun because we might damage it. Even for me, an environmentalist and general misanthrope regarding human wastefulness, that's a fucking stupid argument.

How long would it take for the rocket to get to the sun? Isn't it 93,000,000 miles away?

From what I've been able to find, the space shuttle travels at 25k MPH. That would mean the rocket would take 3,720 years to get to the sun. :lol

My guess is that it'd blow up before it ever got there, either by it hitting something else (planet, moon, comet, UFO, etc.), or exploding from the intense heat.

 

[Tim the Wiz]

Ok, let's try this. In this economy and in our situation does everyone agree that we need to dramatically cut spending? If yes, do you think Obama with a supermajority will achieve this?

No. Why? See: Macroeconomics 101.

Condensed version: Less spending means less consumption and investment which lowers aggregate demand, which means a proportionately larger decrease in national income and total output. This means higher unemployment and income for all, leading to a prolonged downturn in the business cycle. In times of recession, more spending, or capital creation, is required to expand the productive capacity of a nation, leading to greater output and therefore higher levels of employment and income. More spending, more employment, more exports equals greater wealth creation.

As long as that investment and consumption is not diverted away from expanding the productive capacity of the nation - say, into speculative goals or elevated consumption of imports rather than building infrastructure or increasing the quantity of exports - then the additional spending will have an overwhelming positive influence on the economy.

It would be acceptable at this time for the US to introduce limited protectionism to offset their insatiable current account deficit and allow domestic producers to take advantage of economies of scale for a certain time, though.

Look at all the damage Bush did and he didn't have a supermajority at all.

This occurred, in very simple terms, because the spending was inflationary. The US also fell into a debt trap where foreign investment wasn't used for increasing its productive capacity (rather in fighting a war), causing the fisical deficit you're thinking of, and an extremely high current account deficit that will long threaten the nation due no wealth creation coming about from that influx of capital. Too much money was chasing too few goods in the American economy, and structural problems in the US credit system, including over-extended deregulation of financial markets, would eventually lead to an extremely taxing market correction and loss of confidence. This is what is occurring at the moment.

 

[RobotChant]

Also, NIMBY+stigma.

Heck, I was reading a CNN article a few weeks ago on wind farms popping up on farms and people getting pissed at the land owner for leasing the land because it disrupted the view. If you can't get behind giant spinning blades of awesome, what can you get behind?

Was also on NPR. Something about a historic, tourist laden town's economy being fucked over because of the view.

 

[CharlieDigital]

It seems silly to quibble over the potential danger that a spill could cause in a remote part of the country, when 1000's of people a year are dying due to pollution in the air.

The world is still trying to come to terms with nuclear.

There's a lot of misunderstanding in the general public and still a lot of fear and stigma surrounding it from the Cold War and even today with the threat of dirty bombs.

There was a great Wired (I think) spread on this a few months back regarding the debate around how to deal with spent fuel and the reality of nuclear. I'm going to dig it up.

BTW, just to be clear, I'm all for nuclear.

Edit: http://www.wired.com/wired/archive/13.02/nuclear.html <-- Great article on the state of nuclear energy.

 

[Stoney Mason]

Was there any particular reason people thought Bob Schieffer wouldnt do a good job as a moderator? I know he has a Sunday morning show that I never watch, does it suck?

The CBS sunday morning show is a bit stiff and staid. Since he has Texas connections some of GAF thought he would be red state friendly I suppose. Anybody who's watched him over the course of his career though knows he's pretty fair and balanced. Personally I always preferred him to Russert by a large degree even though that is a minority position in this thread.

 

[bob_arctor]

Don't frown. There's no need to let JayDubya dampen your spirits. When I was eight, I really wanted an SNES, but my parents were struggling financially, and it was at that time that they decided to let me in on the secret that Santa Clause wasn't real. Heartbroken, I cursed at them, and proceeded to cry for the next several months, all while refusing to believe this revelation.

And then, wouldn't you know, on Christmas day, I GOT that SNES, and my parents admitted that they were just cruel jerks who made up that "Santa doesn't exist" nonsense. Now, some would tell me that my parents just caved because I threw a giant temper tantrum, but I know the truth: my faith in Santa made him real.

Never give up hope -- you're an Obama supporter after all!

:lol :lol Awesome.

 

[The Librarian]

Chapel Hill voted this morning for communism we can believe in, so very awesome.
Joe the Plumber is sketchy and likely GOP plant.
Polls go nowhere today.
RNC commitment of cash for McCain ads is terrible-$18 million over 18 days. :lol
Republican House and Senate situation continues to deteriorate extremely rapidly.
Obama expanding ads to WV, ND, MT, and GA.

What...?

 

[Diablos]

Joe's a total fake. McCain should be ashamed.

 

[Barrett2]

I think dumping it into space is a good idea if you could get it up there cheaply and well out of orbit. Not likely unless we actually construct a space elevator (again unlikely).

I recall people saying we shouldn't dump waste into the sun because we might damage it. Even for me, an environmentalist and general misanthrope regarding human wastefulness, that's a fucking stupid argument.

Anyone who said that was either joking or is unconscionably stupid.

 

[bob_arctor]

The CBS sunday morning show is a bit stiff and staid. Since he has Texas connections some of GAF thought he would be red state friendly I suppose. Anybody who's watched him over the course of his career though knows he's pretty fair and balanced. Personally I always preferred him to Russert by a large degree even though that is a minority position in this thread.

Yeah, I thought he did a great job.

 

[dskillzhtown]

I am starting to think that the Bradley effect is going to be greater then most think. Idk... my gut keeps telling me that Obama is going to lose for some reason.

I guess I have no faith in the American people.

Call me racist, but I just can't believe a country of white people are going to vote a black man into office as president no matter what they say in polls. They might be angry at the republicans and the "establishment", but when the curtain closes I think people are going to say, screw it, I have to go with the white dude. I just don't trust that most people in this country are color blind. But maybe, just maybe W has de-valued the office of president so much that they don't think it is much of a big deal.

With that said, this morning a lady who was a McCain supporter actually was turned off last night and said she might be changing her mind. She basically said his negativity is not what this country needs right now and she can "imagine him trying that shit with Putin and put us in WW3 the first month". :lol

 

[Evlar]

How long would it take for the rocket to get to the sun? Isn't it 93,000,000 miles away?

From what I've been able to find, the space shuttle travels at 25k MPH. That would mean the rocket would take 3,720 years to get to the sun. :lol

My guess is that it'd blow up before it ever got there, either by it hitting something else (planet, moon, comet, UFO, etc.), or exploding from the intense heat.

First of all, we have rockets that reach Jupiter (390 million miles away at its closest) in a matter of a few years. Spacecraft outside orbit move much, much faster than the space shuttle.

Second... Why do you need a rocket to get to the sun? You just need enough fuel to get out of orbit. Once you get out of the earth's gravity well, as long as you're moving in the general direction of Sol at slowish speeds, you'll naturally fall into it eventually. Gravity is on your side.

 

[rSpooky]

If only cold fusion would work.. if I remember correctly it is theorized there is no chance of meltdowns and there is less/no nuclear waste !?Right?

Edit: I also do not really trust this "clean" coal tech. talk..sorry.

 

[sangreal]

The thing I don't get about McCain's position is that he doesn't just say that nuclear power is safe, he says that Obama is wrong for saying it must be safe. Why is he advocating unsafe nuclear power?

 

[gkryhewy]

Don't frown. There's no need to let JayDubya dampen your spirits. When I was eight, I really wanted an SNES, but my parents were struggling financially, and it was at that time that they decided to let me in on the secret that Santa Clause wasn't real. Heartbroken, I cursed at them, and proceeded to cry for the next several months, all while refusing to believe this revelation.

And then, wouldn't you know, on Christmas day, I GOT that SNES, and my parents admitted that they were just cruel jerks who made up that "Santa doesn't exist" nonsense. Now, some would tell me that my parents just caved because I threw a giant temper tantrum, but I know the truth: my faith in Santa made him real.

Never give up hope -- you're an Obama supporter after all!

Thank you - once again I am a happy mofo!

On the debate at hand, I think Obama should be much more supportive of newcuelarr and much less supportive of corn ethanol.

 

[snacknuts]

How long would it take for the rocket to get to the sun? Isn't it 93,000,000 miles away?

From what I've been able to find, the space shuttle travels at 25k MPH. That would mean the rocket would take 3,720 years to get to the sun. :lol

My guess is that it'd blow up before it ever got there, either by it hitting something else (planet, moon, comet, UFO, etc.), or exploding from the intense heat.

Once it gets out of our orbit, I'm guessing we won't give a shit what happens to it.

 

[ToxicAdam]

http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9E0CEFD6103EF932A15756C0A964958260

An article from 1992. It's like we are frozen in time. The same arguments and political wranglings. Nothing has changed.