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.

Things that Matter: Drug Residue in Chinese Pork (via The Food Ethics Blog)

On By southwerkIn business ethics

I have not spoken of Chris MacDonald the last few weeks having been tied up with a number of things, such as the possible melt down in Japan. He is the most important web writer on business ethics. He’s been out there publishing regularly for more than four years.

I subscribe by e-mail. If there is any web site I can recommend, this is number one.

Courtesy of Victoria Packing

This blog post is fascinating and on a subject I was unaware of. You should read it, favorite the site, subscribe and then sit comfortable pleased with your decision making.

James Pilant

You could tell a lot about your average foodie or food-safety advocate by asking them to list food-related issues by level of importance. Some people tend to focus on the latest feel-good trend (e.g., at least some versions of localism) and unsupported conjecture (e.g., many versions of the anti-GMO stance). Others focus on, you know, things that really can hurt us and that really require someone identifiable to take action. Here’s one that reall … Read More

via The Food Ethics Blog

The Challenger Disaster (via Shouts from the Abyss)

On By southwerkIn business ethics1 Comment

This may well be the greatest business ethics lesson ever conceived in the modern world. This a story is which people died and only the innocent were punished.

It makes me angry every single time I read it. It is a precursor to modern corporate morality. Every element of PR, blame passing and simple greed are all on display in their disgusting finery. Once you understand Challenger, you understand how things work , you get the Wall Street Meltdown and the lack of responsibility. You get why so many people suffer and those who cause it not only feel no pain but blame the victims. This is the modern American story. Well placed greed outdistancing courage, loyalty and honor.

You can’t find a better story of corporate immorality and government connivance.

I used it in my business ethics class.

James Pilant

The Challenger Disaster I’m not always that bright. We were playing Trivial Pursuit and someone (not me) got the quest … Read More

via Shouts from the Abyss

Japan Nuke Plant Spins Out of Control (via flying cuttlefish picayune)

On By southwerkIn business ethics2 Comments

Well, no more than usual. There’s a crisis every day. However, this might me one of the twice weekly large ones. Don’t get me wrong. I expect every four hours or so, something to go badly wrong. I hope against but expect a meltdown at some point.

But I thought I’d throw in somebody else’s idea of how this is working out.

James Pilant

My thanks to “flying cuttlefish picayune.”

Japan Nuke Plant Spins Out of Control The staff have been evacuated again because the radiation spiked in the plant. The NY  Post says: “A possible breach in a reactor at Japan’s quake-crippled nuclear plant yesterday triggered an emergency evacuation of the facility, prompting fears of far worse radiation leaks than previously believed and causing a dire setback for workers scrambling to avert a full-scale global catastrophe.” And the US military is getting large amounts of fresh wa … Read More

via flying cuttlefish picayune

Is America in a Recession or a Depression? (via Annabel’s Odyssey)

On By southwerkIn business ethics

I think this is a wonderful question.

What is this? I have heard the term, “The Great Recession.” I prefer what I have called, “The New Great Depression.” But I freely admit it doesn’t have much ring to it.

In any case, this is a good article. I recommend you read it.

James Pilant

Is America in a Recession or a Depression? In the hostel in Madison late one night a few of us were talking about the affairs of the day. I brought my reason for travelling-that is, documenting the depression in America. I was then asked “why do you think this is a depression?” I realized somewhat sheepishly that I have never publicly defended this point of view. So I will now. The availab … Read More

via Annabel’s Odyssey

Radiation Dose Chart (via Co2 Insanity)

On By southwerkIn business ethics

This looks useful! Have a look at it. If anyone has any thoughts, let me know. I can get some more of this kind of thing or less. Let me know.

James Pilant

Radiation Dose Chart The Japanese earthquake, tsunami which have been followed by massive problems have much of the world now concerned about radiation doses. Here is a radiation dose chart courtesy of Canada Free Press who deserve a Hat Tip. Click on it to make it larger. … Read More

via Co2 Insanity

There Are Holes In U.S. Radiation Monitoring Stations

On By southwerkIn business ethics3 Comments

From Associated Press –

Parts of America’s radiation alert network have been out of order during Japan’s nuclear crisis, raising concerns among some lawmakers about whether the system could safeguard the country in a future disaster.

Federal officials say the system of sensors has helped them to validate the impact of nuclear fallout from the overheated Fukushima reactor, and in turn alert local governments and the public. They say no dangerous levels of radiation have reached U.S. shores.

In California, home to two seaside nuclear plants located close to earthquake fault lines, federal authorities said four of the 11 stationary monitors were offline for repairs or maintenance last week. The Environmental Protection Agency said the machines operate outdoors year-round and periodically need maintenance, but did not fix them until a few days after low levels of radiation began drifting toward the mainland U.S.

What do we measure it for anyway? So, the government can explain with a tiny bit more credibility that they have no idea what is happening in Japan but that there is no danger here? The governments both state and local are committed to nuclear power. It doesn’t matter how much radiation is in the air. It’s what is going to be done.

Not to mention the simple fact, that no matter what radiation is out there, we will be assured it is safe and that it couldn’t happen here anyway.

Do you get tired? Does this get old? The Japanese government lies. The Japanese utility company lies. Our government assures us everything is fine. The nuclear industry hires and persuades every half wit hack to write a pro nuclear piece assuring us that everything is just wonderful.

It’s not wonderful. Changes have to be made in the light of what has happened. You cannot dismiss this as an anomaly.

Nuclear power may be a part of America’s energy future, but this is about as far away from an intelligent discussion as can be imagined.

I cannot tell you how many articles I have had to troll through talking the company line.  And to make it more thoroughly, wretchedly disgusting, pretending it is their original thinking and work.

When is there going to be a real national debate not based on corporate PR and a generous helping of campaign money? When is there going to be at least an attempt at deciding with reason and judgment what should be done about nuclear power?

James Pilant

 

Dangers, Properties, possible Uses and Methods of Purification of radioactively contaminated (drinking) Water (e.g. in Japan) (via CrisisMaven’s Blog)

On By southwerkIn business ethics

CrisisMaven assures me that this is useful information for dealing with contaminated drinking water. So, I pass it on.

James Pilant

Most methods and tools being recommended here on the Internet such as purification by filtration will not lead to your desired result of decontaminating “radioactive water”. a) Radioactive contamination of drinking water in Japan at this point in time can come about in only two ways: 1) The source is actual surface water like lakes or rivers, possibly filtrated through river banks and thus came into contact with e.g. radioactive rain and/or dust. … Read More

via CrisisMaven’s Blog

Japan reactor crisis on a knife’s edge, expert warns (via markellis4)

On By southwerkIn business ethics2 Comments

The crisis is on a knife’s edge.  The media has moved on to the Libyan bombing. Unfortunately, the reactors have not gotten all better. In fact, they’re like drunk, old former professional baseball pitchers throwing curve balls all over the park.

Keep an eye on this stuff, guys. Everyday is a guaranteed surprise.

James Pilant

Japan reactor crisis on a knife’s edge, expert warns After workers at the troubled Fukushima Dai-ichi power plant were hospitalized yesterday, Japan’s prime minister cited his grave concerns about the unfolding crisis. One nuclear expert believes the situation is close to the point of no return, which could mean a catastrophe larger than Chernobyl. “This is huge,” Physicist Michio Kaku PhD, a professor at City University of New York, told David Muir on Good Morning America. “For the first time, the … Read More

via markellis4

Stranger and Stranger?

On By southwerkIn business ethics2 Comments

Is there a point at which your public pronouncements are so far out of line with reality that not only does no one believe you but there is no remaining benchmark for truth left?

How do you get enough radiation to get hospitalized when you haven’t been near the Fukushima reactors?

Unless there’s a problem at another reactor?

I’ll keep watching.

James Pilant

From BBC –

In another development, two Japanese tourists who arrived in China on a flight from Tokyo are being treated in hospital for high radiation levels.

It remains unclear how the two may have become contaminated as neither traveller is reported to have been within 240km of the Fukushima plant, says our correspondent.

Meanwhile, Chinese news agency, Xinhua, has reported that abnormal radiation levels have been detected on a ship arriving from Japan to Xiamen port in Fujian province.

Graham uses tour to push nuke power (via The State)

On By southwerkIn business ethics

From The State –

U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham was home Tuesday, talking about one of his favorite subjects: nuclear energy and why it’s the best way to power South Carolina and America.

Aware that events in Japan have increased concern about nuclear safety, Graham took the media on a tour of Duke Energy’s Oconee atomic power station to show why he thinks nuclear energy needs to be expanded.

Graham said the visit reinforces his belief that a nuclear disaster like that in Japan could not happen at Duke’s three reactors. Graham said the U.S. will learn some lessons from Japan but should not slow the push to develop new reactors.

A few weeks ago Congress just guaranteed all loans made to finance nuclear reactors and agreed to indemnify the owners if they have a meltdown.

Further down –
This nuclear plant, I live five miles away’’ from, said Graham, R-S.C. “I’ve lived in this area all of my life. A lot of the people I have grown up with and went to high school with work here. I have faith in the American nuclear power industry.’’

Graham said the plant “cannot explode like a nuclear bomb.”

It might be better if it did. A meltdown at a nuclear plant throws hundreds of times more radiation into the environment than a nuclear explosion.

Further down in the article –

“If you showed me a reactor site where there was never a safety concern, I’d be suspicious,’’ Graham said. “The fact that we’re identifying safety concerns independent from the company itself, and the company is getting on top of it, is reassuring.’’

We are “identifying safety concerns independent from the company?” He’s reassured that they don’t have a handle on all their safety concerns? What does he thinks these things are, Easy Bake Ovens?

The senator faced criticism Tuesday from anti-nuclear activist Tom Clements, who disputed that all of the problems were resolved. Clements also said the press event was little more than an attempt to advance an industry on which Graham relies for campaign funds.

Clements gave reporters data showing that Graham has received in the past two years about $40,000 in campaign contributions from those sympathetic to the nuclear industry, such as major power companies. Clements, who is with Friends of the Earth, raised those questions during a press briefing after the tour.

“The reason people in the nuclear power industry support me is because I believe in what they do,” Graham told Clements. “I don’t get any money from your organization because I disagree with you.”

And we close with the basic philosophy of American government. If you give me money you get what you want.

Nuclear energy should not be a major factor in the future of American energy production. Do you know why? It’s too expensive and it requires massive subsidies and insurance from the government. Did I surprise you?

Look at the dollar amounts. Look at the incredible amounts of federal money necessary to launch these giant white elephants. Notice how little discussion is taking place about disposing of nuclear fuel or taking care of shut down plants.

These things are a budgetary disaster of the first magnitude.

Why are we buildng them? The corporations building nuclear power are better organized and have given more money than their competitors. In our government, the decision is almost always determined by campaign contributions not rational analysis.

James Pilant