Recent comments

  • Will we have a tone-deaf response to the nuclear catastrophe in Japan?   14 years 15 weeks ago

    Su-su sushi goodbye...

    You like sushi? Especially from those high end places that fly their fish in directly from the sea of japan? then my answer is a resounding Yes.

  • Will the U.S. remain committed to nuclear power in the face of the partial meltdown and release of radiation in Japan?   14 years 15 weeks ago

    We are outsourcing this to Japan ? If the White House burned down, would we outsource the rebuilding to another country?

    Speak up people !

  • Will we have a tone-deaf response to the nuclear catastrophe in Japan?   14 years 15 weeks ago

    I and my family and friends who listen will start taking some form of iodine, sea weed, iodine antiseptic if necessary. Figuring out the dose is going to be interesting in the absence of pharmaceutical iodine. What is really strange is that when we went to the hospital pharmacy for some SSKI, which we were trained as physicians to use in this situation had been confiscated by unknown authorities "for the people of Japan." WTF!

    Iodine is pretty safe unless people really overdo it, which, in the absence of any public health education effort and a failure to distribute the proper oral forms of iodine, is certain to be common. Some rare individuals will be thrown into thyroid storm and be as crazy as anyone you may have met by suppressive doses, but they will be fine after it wears off. Doses up to 3000 mcg on a daily basis (micrograms) should be safe. Most ordinary multivitamins have the RDA of 150 mcg. Fifty to 100 mg (50,000 to 100,000), two drops of SSKI (Saturated Solution of Potassium Iodide) if we could get it, is the dose ordinarily given as a blocking dose to prevent uptake of radioactive iodine (from fall out) by the normal thyroid. One milligram equals one thousand mcg so one would have to take 50,000 mcg or 333 regular multivitamins, for instance. The recommendation is to take the dose PRIOR to exposure and most iodine is cleared from the system in 24 hours. But I can find no information about chronic exposure, such as we on the West Coast may be facing as the transpacific winds wend their way to us.

    People seem to be on their own, Katrina style, in dealing with this which the country probably deserves after what we allowed to happen in New Orleans. No one really knows what is coming but it is likely to be here soon, a matter of days at most, so, like I said, people in my family are going to come up with something. We older folks really don't have anything to worry about. Thyroid cancer, the danger here, takes a while to show up and we will be dead. The children are the ones to really worry about, but of course in our sociopathic society that is unlikely to happen.

    Herb

  • Will we have a tone-deaf response to the nuclear catastrophe in Japan?   14 years 15 weeks ago

    Just eat so much kelp that you turn green. It worked for me.

  • Will the U.S. remain committed to nuclear power in the face of the partial meltdown and release of radiation in Japan?   14 years 15 weeks ago

    That reminds me of another old cliche' that went something like -

    Old age and treachery, will trump youth and ambition most every time.

    Our only chance is to show a sense of true unity, like the anti-war movement of the late 60's early 70's - most collage students today do not even have a concept of those trying times.Their preocupied with wondering where to go for spring break. This generation has had it way too soft . It will take something much bigger and closer to home to wake most of them up.

  • Will we have a tone-deaf response to the nuclear catastrophe in Japan?   14 years 15 weeks ago

    I am not well informed regarding Nuclear energy however I feel it's controversy stems from the fact that an accident has severe consequences for a very extended period of time. Obviously there are

    nuclear friendly proponents everywhere and especially from Wall Street , and Washington DC. I have personally opposed it's proliferation in favor conservation and alternative natural generation such as solar and wind power. Solar is really as adventurous as I am when it comes to nuclear fission.

    In regard to the safety of nuclear power and the health risk from a catastrophe like the occurrence in Japan I question the validity of the information coming from proponents of nuclear power.

    I find I am more likely to believe independent sources of information regarding health and safety issues especially when denial is obvious in order to deter concern.

    I am concerned for the health and safety and feel there may be a significant risk involved with the

    current nuclear disaster for at minimum the west coast of America.

  • Will we have a tone-deaf response to the nuclear catastrophe in Japan?   14 years 15 weeks ago

    p { margin-bottom: 0.08in; }

    We have to urge our elected representatives/senators to declassify 5,000 patents related to zero point energy (free energy) supposedly lock up for "national security". For the security of human race we have to get out of oil/nuclear dependency. What is wrong with our free society? Why free energy solutions are suppressed for so long!

    JN

  • Will the U.S. remain committed to nuclear power in the face of the partial meltdown and release of radiation in Japan?   14 years 15 weeks ago

    No, this time, the people will really "get it", and no one will support nuclear power anywhere. This catastrophe may revive the "Earth Day" movement.

  • Will we have a tone-deaf response to the nuclear catastrophe in Japan?   14 years 15 weeks ago

    Paying close attention day to day. A containment blew. A second containment blew and yesterday an explosion occurred @ mid afternoon yesterday. Today a third containment blew and fire broke out in a fourth but the explosion yesterday between the second containment failure and third containment failure isn't discussed today on the media in their explanation of events. Today all seems confused from the Government to Wall Street , to the Middle East and on to Japan.

    Tomorrow > ?

  • Will the U.S. remain committed to nuclear power in the face of the partial meltdown and release of radiation in Japan?   14 years 15 weeks ago

    Money trumps life every time unfortunately

  • Will we have a tone-deaf response to the nuclear catastrophe in Japan?   14 years 15 weeks ago

    Words for the Choir.

    To promulgate, promote or enable deadly energy resources for monetary gain is criminally insane, especially in the face of solar and wind mechanics, tides and geothermal and other renewable energy resources. How many have died and will die as the result of breaching deadly nuclear power plants necessarily built on waterways and precariously built on earthquake faults and in the paths of war machines and natural disasters and without necessary back-ups, fail-safes, that have not yet been and not likely ever to be invented but continually promised by the greedy marble hearted fiends who have the publics and the pundants believing that we can contain the sun (plutonium) on earth for over a hundred thousand years? The answer is many many. Why do they want us to sacrifice our lives and the lives of our children and their children? $$$$.

    Putting a horse in back of a cart encouraging the poor animal to panic and to injure itself as it tramples the cart may be a profitable idea for cart makers but not for horse lovers. The horse like our garden is a given and will continue destroying bad ideas. The robber bankers and barons have robbed and continue to rob our unalienable garden not to mention our wild horses and tax dollars with their bad ideas.

    Keep that lucky old sun rollin’ round heaven, exclusively. Thank you Haven Gillespie for the words referenced.

  • Hooper’s wife gladly signed the recall petition against her husband   14 years 15 weeks ago

    John from Toronto if you are really from Toronto this doesnt concern you . If you are a Koch brothers employee then suck it the democrats did what they had to do to stop the vote Scott Walker had it without them illegally It aint over till the fat lady sings and right now she aint singing cuz she is choking on vomit from the sickening attack by the replublicans on the backbone of this country the american working class so that light you and Scott Walker see at the end of the tunnel is just a frieght train loaded with democracy and its coming your way better duck and cover..

  • Will we have a tone-deaf response to the nuclear catastrophe in Japan?   14 years 15 weeks ago

    Thom,
    Towards the end of todays show aired on FSTV, you talked about the citizen's efforts now being organised to monitor for incoming radiation along the western U.S. coast. Could you provide a link and/or details on how to become involved with this?

    Also, you stated that the people are having to do this monitoring because the government doesn't have the budget for it. Although I'm sure this isn't literal--
    as they must be doing some testing, but we cannot trust in that, or that they will release all the results. As for the government not having the budget for it--
    They are running a huge disaster drill on the scenario of a 10 kiloton nuclear explosion in Louisville, Ky. and emergency responses to such an event. This is taking place now at Muscatatuck in southern Indiana.
    (Well, I seem to have lost internet access, even though it is still showing that I am connected. 10 minutes later, seems to be resolved. )
    Vibrant Response kicked off on March 11, 2011 to run through March 20.

    http://www.dvidshub.net/news/66895/service-and-support-both-tradoc-and-f...

    http://www.dvidshub.net/news/66978/vibrant-response-kicks-off-mutc

    http://www.wthr.com/story/14249314/guardsmen-take-part-in-nuclear-drill-...
    It was a doomsday scenario, a pretend nuclear explosion in Louisville devastating areas miles away in Indiana.
    National Guard units from several states are in Indiana, preparing for the potential of a nuclear disaster on American soil

    http://www.therepublic.com/view/local_story/Muscatatuck_to_host_3_500_so...
    The training will include urban and aerial search and rescue missions, simulated decontamination operations, airlift, medical training and other events.

    Also, the U.S. government is spending for the Key Resolve/Foal Eagle exercises. The Key Resolve military exercise ended on March 10th and Foal Eagle will continue until April 30th. How much of the U.S. presence in these joint South Korea/US war drills, including some state of the art nuclear, chem/bio monitoring and testing equipment has now been diverted to Japan?

    http://english.chosun.com/site/data/html_dir/2011/03/01/2011030100425.html
    U.S. Aircraft Carrier to Participate in Joint Drills

    http://www.csmonitor.com/World/Asia-Pacific/2011/0303/South-Korea-hosts-...
    Camp Casey, South Korea
    Brig. Gen. Charles Taylor is sure of one thing as he stands beside the latest US Army reconnaissance vehicle for sniffing out evidence of the chemical, biological, nuclear, or radiological weapons

    The Army shipped four huge Stryker reconnaissance vehicles, including sensors for sniffing out just about every imaginable “nuclear, chemical, and biological contamination” and relaying warning messages, to join the one that is already here.

    http://www.globalsecuritynewswire.org/gsn/nw_20110303_9936.php
    A Stryker armored vehicle modified to carry WMD detection equipment was on view at Camp Casey in the South's northern region, along with additional technology including a vehicle that disperses water and other decontamination liquids.

    As usual, it is a matter of budget priorities, that may or may not include the real and not just imagined threats to the public.

  • Will we have a tone-deaf response to the nuclear catastrophe in Japan?   14 years 15 weeks ago

    " A doctor told me that potassium iodide is given to people with hyperthyroid disease in order to partially kill the thyroid"

    Err, yes and no.

    They use a radioactive version of Iodine for that purpose.

    Regular Iodine will work just fine, and won't kill the thyroid. In fact, the soil in America is deficient in Iodine, and that's why we add it to table salt.

    Once the thyroid gets enough, it stops absorbing it. That's why the practice works. You saturate the thyroid with iodine so it won't absorb and concentrate the radioactive chemicals.

  • Thom Hartmann: No such thing as a safe level of radiation   14 years 15 weeks ago

    The comment about the toxicity of Plutonium is correct.

    It's why the idea of "Star Wars" defense against nuclear missiles would be a disaster.

    Zap and they're gone right?

    Wrong.

    Use a laser, or particle beam to destroy a nuke and you end up with plutonium oxide drifting in the wind, coming down in the rain.

    Just ONE nuke wouldn't be enough to kill people instantly, but burn up thousands and you might as well as let the nukes hit the targets.

    And plutonium stays toxic a long time, with no current way to clean it up.

  • Will we have a tone-deaf response to the nuclear catastrophe in Japan?   14 years 15 weeks ago

    details on when and when not to take potassium iodide: http://blog.alexanderhiggins.com/2011/03/14/dont-take-potassium-iodide-u... DON’T Take Potassium Iodide Unless You Are Exposed to Radiation Posted by Washington's Blog - March 14, 2011 at 2:24 am - Permalink - Source via Washington's Blog Because of the fear that the radiation from the Japanese nuclear meltdowns will hit the Western United states (see this and this), potassium iodide has sold out in most health food and supplement stores in many California, Oregon and Washington locations. People know that it’s good to take potassium iodide to protect against radiation, to help protect against thyroid cancer (potassium iodide does not protect any other organs). But taking potassium iodide when there is no radiation can actually damage the thyroid gland … at least in some individuals. A doctor told me that potassium iodide is given to people with hyperthyroid disease in order to partially kill the thyroid – i.e. to lower thyroid function. Indeed, the New York Times notes: Experts in Japan and the United States say the country is now facing a cascade of accumulating problems that suggest that radioactive releases of steam from the crippled plants could go on for weeks or even months. You can’t take potassium iodide for months on end. Ideally, buy potassium iodide now, and monitor radiation levels by looking at real-time monitoring networks such as this and this. Don’t take iodide unless and until elevated radiation levels hit your area. Whatever you do, don’t take more than the recommended dosage. The Centers for Disease Control and the FDA recommend: •130 milligrams for adults •65 milligrams for children Each 24 hours that one is exposed to radiation. Sees this for further details

  • Will we have a tone-deaf response to the nuclear catastrophe in Japan?   14 years 15 weeks ago

    I have valued your program for years and called in for the first time this morning, held on the line for an hour and a half, and when my number came up, I only had 30 seconds. Too bad. There were a few things to add to the conversation and I had to just pick one: supporting Beyond Nuclear, an organization doing the government's job. I heard about their existence on your program. Good Work!

    In answer to the question of how to get iodine to fill your thyroid, sea weed is the most excellent source I could find with online research. You eat seaweed in Sushi (maybe the Japanese don't need the pills) and you can find it dried in most natural foods stores. Please advise the TH community.

    Sorry we could not have a conversation on the air about other aspects of the nuclear disaster; probably you were waiting for me to request that my time with you be continued after the break. Lots of people were calling in and so I understand getting the short shrift. It doesn't make me feel like calling in again, though, and that is not my idea of a community.

  • Daily Topics - Tuesday March 15th, 2011   14 years 15 weeks ago

    That guest was an idiot.

    1) Quorum rules exist so that a minority (or an insufficent majority, as in the case in WI) can't ram through legislation while a majority (or a sufficient minority) opposed to it is absent.

    2) A "Wisconsin filibuster" conducted in the U.S. Senate wouldn't make any sense, because the quorum there is always a majority, so 50 senators would have to leave. Whereas only 41 senators need to vote against cloture to keep legislation from passing.

  • Will the U.S. remain committed to nuclear power in the face of the partial meltdown and release of radiation in Japan?   14 years 15 weeks ago

    The U.S. cares nothing for the safety of its citizens. Some disaster of biblical proportions will have to happen here before something is done. And maybe not even then if it can be covered up.

  • Daily Topics - Tuesday March 15th, 2011   14 years 15 weeks ago

    Listening to Mark Meckler chatter away on today's show, I have to wonder if conservatives intentionally miss the point (i.e. Koch Bro.'s financial support being [intentionally?] conflated with the TPP's support of policies that benefit people like the Koch Bro.s). Does he do that to intentionally "run out the clock" with demands that Thom supply evidence for an accusation that no one was making? Or was he really so dense that he didn't understand what Thom was saying?

    The same question holds true for the constitutionality of a group of people fleeing the state to avoid a quorum. Did he not understand that while it didn't say that you were explicitly allowed to leave the state that the constitution certainly didn't preclude that as an option? It says is that you need a quorum but doesn’t, as far as I know, rule any particular method of preventing a quorum illegal (unless the actions themselves are illegal – you know, unlawfully detaining members). And, again, as far as I know, not showing up to work or crossing state lines is not illegal. Well, give republicans time. They’ll probably make that illegal, too, so they can throw sick people into private prisons.

  • Will we have a tone-deaf response to the nuclear catastrophe in Japan?   14 years 15 weeks ago

    Tom,

    Don't forget Mary Sinclair who singlehandedly prevented a nuclear reactor being built in Midland, Michigan in the late 1960's and fought it until the 1980's. Consumers Power was planning on building the facility seemingly without question. Mary Sinclair started asking requests about the construction of the facility and was stonewalled. She learned that Consumers Power facility was on unstable land, which would eventually shift. Add onto that that she found out their contractors were using substandard building materials. Still, Consumers Power fought against her. The Midland community blackballed her and her husband, but she continued the fight. Eventually, Consumers Power dropped their plans when their facility began sinking into the ground in 1985.

    http://www.ourmidland.com/news/article_db29740c-20aa-11e0-81b0-001cc4c002e0.html

  • Will we have a tone-deaf response to the nuclear catastrophe in Japan?   14 years 15 weeks ago

    Derrick Jensen on Industrial Disaster. Please have Derrick Jensen on to talk with Thom! He's brilliant and informative. He will give us all new ways to think of things. He's very articulate.

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yxnjc4pFPWo

  • Will we have a tone-deaf response to the nuclear catastrophe in Japan?   14 years 15 weeks ago

    Beginning to get picked up.

    From Michio Kaku

    The Chernobyl Option

    http://bigthink.com/ideas/31617

  • Hooper’s wife gladly signed the recall petition against her husband   14 years 15 weeks ago

    Where IS OBAMA??!??

    It is absolutely unacceptable he is NOT in Wisconsin, Michigan, Indiana, WITH THE PEOPLE!!

    He has codified so much Bushit...he has refused to end Bushit taxcuts, which as Thom defined, along with 20% reduction of military budget Bushitters DOUBLED, not including the off the books 2 "wars", would END budget deficits--SOOOOO, Obama is also doing a Scott Walker-freezing federal worker pay for 5 years while giving Bushit buddies tax breaks!!?!! AND, the upcoming budget "debates" will mean Obama will devolved Social Security, after tax breaks!

    Obama needs to go away-"Russell Feingold 2012" plllleeeezzzzzz.....

  • Hooper’s wife gladly signed the recall petition against her husband   14 years 15 weeks ago

    Folks,
    I warned people 2 years ago that "Weimar Republic"(con) was possible. It is here, and the posts included here are the reasons.

    This is an effort, by corporatizing profit$ for corporate campaign contributors, to drive the U.S. to Mussolini fascism specifically by PRIVATIZING all publicly funded infrastructure, taxpayer payed for, which will (like Obama's intent to devolve-"privatize Social Security") cause taxpayers to pay corporate profits while democratic access to any say or discussion of said services is emasculated. AND, perhaps more importantly, when taxpayers protest or eventually revolt, this will call for "martial law", and military authoritarianism. We will, as events play out, be living under fascist military dictatorship--Pinochet style. The original 911 was 1973, and involved CIA extermination of Alliende'.

    It would be best for people to go beyond Howard Zinn, to William Blum's TRUE history of CIA="Killing Hope". Thiis book is so thoroughly documented-footnoted, people who didn't live through it will be amazed. And it's not just Alliende'-it begins with the beginning of CIA. Do people know about "Operation Phoenix", or "Operation Northwoods"? Are people aware of South America, 70's and 80's, and how (Perkins' book-"Confessions Of An Economic Hit Man") that pertains to Michigan "legislation" posted here?

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