Author: southwerk

I am a 53 year old teacher. I have double major in Speech and Criminal Justice resulting in a Bachelor's degree from Northeastern State University in Oklahoma and a law degree.

NHK World – Fukushima Nuclear Power Plant – Waste Water Rising at Reactor 2 Again 15Apr2011.avi

On By southwerkIn business ethics

Another clip from the ongoing disaster. It just keeps going like an Energizer Bunny on steroids. Hollywood and the networks cannot be missing the possibilities here. They’ll probably make a once a week drama like CSI except with radiation. They could do a Clint Eastwood Dirty Harry style movie where the incompetent nuclear plant operator keeps telling the rogue, burnt out nuclear safety worker, “You can’t do that, it will cause a panic!” In ten years after the tragedy has faded in the public mind, they could do a sit-com about families uprooted living in a gymnasium without any privacy explaing in humorous ways how they never really liked the dog they left behind. It will be a kind of Threes Company – Poseidon Adventure clone.

This thing definitely has Hollywood potential, after all, Married with Children ran for thirteen years and this thing is supposed to run twenty.

James Pilant

Consequences of Forgetting Natural Law (via Ex Libris)

On By southwerkIn business ethics

I have mixed emotions about natural law. I try to be careful to explain the positives and negatives when I teach. I do think there is a lot to say in its favor and this article does so.

This is good writing. I really enjoyed the quote from the Dred Scott decision.

I believe that philosophy has a place in the mind of every educated human being. I am constantly surprised by the intensity and fervor on the online philisophical discussions. Sites dealing with religious philosophy are particularly combative with the atheistic sites not far behind. However, for the more academic, there a dozens of sites where the philosophies of Aristotle and Plato are discussed moving right up to modern (and often little known) philosophers.

I’ve give this one a read.

James Pilant

Consequences of Forgetting Natural Law In the 20th century natural law became an embarrassment to many Reformed Christians (i.e. those in confessional Reformed churches). It isnt difficult to understand how that could happen. The antithesis between unbelievers and the redeemed, and the priority of special revelation would seem to leave little room for the “medieval” idea of natural law. But there have been voices within the Reformed community arguing that there is a rightful place fo … Read More

via Ex Libris

Not All Pirates Are in Somalia (via Off the Top o’ My Head)

On By southwerkIn business ethics1 Comment

This is some great writing. Many people are upset by the enormous salaries that CEO’s are pulling down and have conveyed their rage online. But few have explained the mechanics of the corporate system that make these salaries possible.

I visited “Off the Top o’ My Head.” I was impressed by the writing. This is a thoughtful author and he brings legal elements into his reasoning but not too much. The writing is very approachable. You should give this site a visit.

This is his business page.

James Pilant

General Electric Co. made news last month when it reported U.S. profits of $5.1 billion and worldwide profits of $14.2 billion, but paid no federal corporate income tax. GE even reaped a net tax benefit of $3.2 billion. What the newsies do not mention is that the government additionally subsidized the ridiculous wealth GE and other corporations lavish on their executives. Uncle Sam must miss a lot of sleep staying up nights to figure out how to p … Read More

via Off the Top o My Head

mea culpa? (via hbd* chick)

On By southwerkIn business ethics

The idea of the rational man has always been a bit of an exaggeration. However, it has been a useful idea. The American court system often rest on the idea of the “reasonable man.” And that idea has functioned well incorporating contemporary social beliefs informally into the legal system.

The idea of the rational buyer has permeated American economics. It has bizarre elements. For instance, it assumes that buyers make rational decisions even in the face of advertising. It assumes that buyers recalculate safety risks to maintain the same level of safety, etc. It also is useful, but mainly for protecting business from criticism.

It would be extremely difficult to develop a criminal justice system that takes a perpetrator’s reasoning into consideration. But that it is difficult does not mean it should be done. It would add depth and power to punishment and social control.

It needs development, but I think it can be done.

James Pilant

great article in the telegraph: “The human brain: turning our minds to the law” “Our understanding of the way the brain works could help us create a better legal system, says neuroscientist David Eagleman…. “The problem is that the law rests on two assumptions that are charitable, but demonstrably false. The first is that people are practical reasoners, which is the law’s way of saying that they are capable of acting in alignment with their b … Read More

via hbd* chick

Melting of Japan Plant’s Fuel Rods Confirmed (via MidnightWatcher’s Blogspot)

On By southwerkIn business ethics

I’m not surprised. The radiation released was too high to have been caused otherwise. I’m curious but I don’t want to find out what would happen in a full melt down. We can extrapolate from the current events that it would be a cataclysm. We didn’t miss it by much.

James Pilant

Melting of Japan Plants Fuel Rods Confirmed DAVID McNEILL – “SCIENTISTS SAY the fight to bring Japan’s crippled nuclear power plant under control could take three months or more, even if not hampered by further earthquakes. The announcement comes after another day of aftershocks, including one with an epicentre about 25km from the Fukushima plant. The head of the Atomic Energy Society of Japan, Takashi Sawada, said yesterday that fuel rods in reactors 1 and 3 have melted and settled at the … Read More

via MidnightWatchers Blogspot

Pet rescuers brave Fukushima danger zone

On By southwerkIn business ethics

It is increasingly clear that pet safety has to be part of any disaster planning. These pet owners thought they would only be gone for a day. But now they live in gymnasiums and schools – and they are not ever going home. They thought their pets would be alright for a day but that day has become eternity.

James Pilant

Native American Code of Ethics (via theshywitch)

On By southwerkIn business ethics2 Comments

I never saw this before. Quite an elegant set of ideas. Read and enjoy!

James Pilant

I recently found this on Stumbleupon and really loved it. The words resonated with me. I had to share this. Native American Code Of Ethics Rise with the sun to pray. Pray alone. Pray often. The Great Spirit will listen, if you only speak. ~ Be tolerant of those who are lost on their path. Ignorance, conceit, anger, jealousy and greed stem from a lost soul. Pray that they will find guidance. ~ Search for yourself, by yourself. Do not allow others … Read More

via theshywitch

Abandoned Cattle Lay Dead and Dying Near Fukushima – April 10, 2011 – Sad :(

On By southwerkIn business ethics1 Comment

One of the realities of nuclear power. But don’t worry, soon a pundit will explain to you in a new editorial that a nuclear disaster only inflicts radiation equivalent to a few chest x-rays and we should be very comfortable with the industry.

It’s a funny thing. I don’t even like cattle. On the other hand, I never contemplated starving them to death either.

James Pilant

Arnie Gunderson The Real Fukushima Information

On By southwerkIn business ethics

I originally was very cautious about Arnie Gunderson and his once every two days video posting discussing the developments at the Fukushima nuclear plants. But as time has gone by, I have been pleased with his reporting. I have seen nothing that has contradicted any factual assertions on his posts. So, I’m pleased to recommend his latest report.

James Pilant

Temperatures rise at No.4 spent fuel storage pool

On By southwerkIn business ethics

It seems every couple of days I get to write about some new problem at the Fukushima plants. It’s like a Keystone Kops movie without the laughs. I can’t help but believe that the nuclear industry is suffering a massive public relations failure not just due to the initial disaster but more because of the constant pounding repetition of disaster after disaster, problem after problem. It is a richlydeserved pain. We were assured by the industry that these things could not happen. Those statements were lies.