Comments on: Japan: angry Fukushima citizens confront government (video) http://boingboing.net/2011/07/25/japanese-gov-unsure-of-fukushima-citizens-right-to-live-radiation-free-lives-video.html Brain candy for Happy Mutants Mon, 20 May 2013 00:27:00 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.4.1 By: Steve Moyer http://boingboing.net/2011/07/25/japanese-gov-unsure-of-fukushima-citizens-right-to-live-radiation-free-lives-video.html#comment-1175523 Steve Moyer Fri, 29 Jul 2011 01:36:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=110557#comment-1175523 It's three times more radiation released than Chernobyl.  This is dirty radiation, worse than what you get from a nuclear bomb blast.  It's the worst.  It's a "dirty bomb" and it's still releasing pollution.   That's how we should look at this ... deadly toxic pollution.   How does this figure into the "cost-effective" equation?   Nuclear power is a fiasco.  No more.  Go Solar! It’s three times more radiation released than Chernobyl.  This is dirty
radiation, worse than what you get from a nuclear bomb blast.  It’s the
worst.  It’s a “dirty bomb” and it’s still releasing pollution.   That’s
how we should look at this … deadly toxic pollution.   How does this
figure into the “cost-effective” equation?   Nuclear power is a fiasco. 
No more.  Go Solar!

]]> By: J http://boingboing.net/2011/07/25/japanese-gov-unsure-of-fukushima-citizens-right-to-live-radiation-free-lives-video.html#comment-1174750 J Thu, 28 Jul 2011 05:54:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=110557#comment-1174750 at the birth of the nuclear age  during the manhatten project that from the various designs of reactors to be used to harness nuclear energy like the thorium based reactor was disreguarded because uranium based reactors waste could be weaponised there are 439 uranium plants around the world with spent fuel in ponds that will have to be managed for not just thousands of years but because of the shear volume and concentration of the spent fuel will need to be managed for milions of years all bacause of a choice made during the second world war and will hang like a judggment over us forever at the birth of the nuclear age  during the manhatten project that from the various designs of reactors to be used to harness nuclear energy like the thorium based reactor was disreguarded because uranium based reactors waste could be weaponised there are 439 uranium plants around the world with spent fuel in ponds that will have to be managed for not just thousands of years but because of the shear volume and concentration of the spent fuel will need to be managed for milions of years all bacause of a choice made during the second world war and will hang like a judggment over us forever

]]> By: tokyokevin http://boingboing.net/2011/07/25/japanese-gov-unsure-of-fukushima-citizens-right-to-live-radiation-free-lives-video.html#comment-1174656 tokyokevin Thu, 28 Jul 2011 01:01:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=110557#comment-1174656 For another look at the video, and how it may not be all that it appears to be, go to Japan Probe.  From the article:  "Its ridiculously biased title (“Japanese government killing its own people in Fukushima”) should have been enough to tip off most people. It’s also fairly obvious that the video has been heavily edited. " "While it is easy to sympathize with the citizens, many who have been living under extreme stress for the last few months, it is nonetheless important to stand back and take a rational look at the situation. Simply put, most of the demands they make in this video are unrealistic and unreasonable." http://www.japanprobe.com/2011/07/26/fukushima-residents-angrily-shout-at-mid-level-bureaucrat-demand-he-accept-bottled-urine/ For another look at the video, and how it may not be all that it appears to be, go to Japan Probe. 

From the article: 
“Its ridiculously biased title (“Japanese government killing its own people in Fukushima”) should have been enough to tip off most people. It’s also fairly obvious that the video has been heavily edited. ”

“While it is easy to sympathize with the citizens, many who have been living under extreme stress for the last few months, it is nonetheless important to stand back and take a rational look at the situation. Simply put, most of the demands they make in this video are unrealistic and unreasonable.”

http://www.japanprobe.com/2011/07/26/fukushima-residents-angrily-shout-at-mid-level-bureaucrat-demand-he-accept-bottled-urine/

]]> By: marierich2u http://boingboing.net/2011/07/25/japanese-gov-unsure-of-fukushima-citizens-right-to-live-radiation-free-lives-video.html#comment-1173253 marierich2u Tue, 26 Jul 2011 18:56:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=110557#comment-1173253 Those dosimeters were set to be distributed in SEPTEMBER, last I read. They will wear them for three months, at which time the government will collect and analyze them. They will then inform the parents of the radiation dose. Hmmm... Those dosimeters were set to be distributed in SEPTEMBER, last I read. They will wear them for three months, at which time the government will collect and analyze them. They will then inform the parents of the radiation dose. Hmmm…

]]> By: Daren_Gray http://boingboing.net/2011/07/25/japanese-gov-unsure-of-fukushima-citizens-right-to-live-radiation-free-lives-video.html#comment-1173206 Daren_Gray Tue, 26 Jul 2011 17:41:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=110557#comment-1173206 The man who followed them to the elevators claims that the government itself said they would test the urine. Likely, some shameless government official made remarks about testing the children in a duck-and-cover sort of way, and then later realizing the fallaciousness of the urine testing and legal culpability of accepting the samples, they just walked away. The Japanese government has simply abandoned all pretense of addressing the situation. It's all crocodile tears, duct tape, and Bring Your Urine to Town Hall Day chaff. The man who followed them to the elevators claims that the government itself said they would test the urine. Likely, some shameless government official made remarks about testing the children in a duck-and-cover sort of way, and then later realizing the fallaciousness of the urine testing and legal culpability of accepting the samples, they just walked away. The Japanese government has simply abandoned all pretense of addressing the situation. It’s all crocodile tears, duct tape, and Bring Your Urine to Town Hall Day chaff.

]]> By: 殿平有子 http://boingboing.net/2011/07/25/japanese-gov-unsure-of-fukushima-citizens-right-to-live-radiation-free-lives-video.html#comment-1173200 殿平有子 Tue, 26 Jul 2011 17:32:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=110557#comment-1173200 At least a good thing, yes. But unfortunately, it sounds more like a systematic/ceremonious test than actual support for people's well-being. Similarly, a few weeks ago Fukushima children were provided with dosimeters to carry with them where they go to school in long sleeves and masks on. Obviously it's not even debatable to have these people evacuated or not. At least a good thing, yes. But unfortunately, it sounds more like a systematic/ceremonious test than actual support for people’s well-being. Similarly, a few weeks ago Fukushima children were provided with dosimeters to carry with them where they go to school in long sleeves and masks on. Obviously it’s not even debatable to have these people evacuated or not.

]]> By: Peter Overstreet http://boingboing.net/2011/07/25/japanese-gov-unsure-of-fukushima-citizens-right-to-live-radiation-free-lives-video.html#comment-1173171 Peter Overstreet Tue, 26 Jul 2011 17:03:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=110557#comment-1173171 The man who follows them to the elevator just breaks my heart. The man who follows them to the elevator just breaks my heart.

]]> By: Chernobyl Children Fukushima C http://boingboing.net/2011/07/25/japanese-gov-unsure-of-fukushima-citizens-right-to-live-radiation-free-lives-video.html#comment-1173147 Chernobyl Children Fukushima C Tue, 26 Jul 2011 16:35:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=110557#comment-1173147 Using an old trick: Telling people they are living in a radiation pool anyway because of background radiaiton. In National Geopgraphic from April 1989, Richard Guimond of the Environmental Protection Agency said: "we can't avoid living in a sea of radiation" - what a stupid, criminal, un ethic and un scientific thing to say. Strontium 90 was created by humans / atomic age / is created by every atomic reactor on the plant. IT DID NOT EXIT BEFORE THE ATOMIC AGE. So everyone saying, that background radiaiton is the same as man made radiation lies! In a very criminal way – or is un-informed. Well, the principle of substantial equivalence doesn't work here. IAEA, WHO, UN (UNDP), Studies, Institutes, Politicians and Science today try to sell the Philosophy of The Principle of Substantial Equivalent Basically THEY say: Radiation and Radioactivity were before Atomic Age, atomic reactors and atomic bombs. So it is natural and therefor atomic explosions and emissions of atomic reactors and radiation from reactor accidents cannot be linked to illness, mutations, handicaps and deaths. But they want to forget one thing: Radioactive Iocine, Strontium and other Radionucleides didn’t exist before atomic age. Since 1929 genetic and cancer creating effects of radioactivity are known. In 1946 Hermann J. Mueller got for his experiments the nobelprice: Source: http://tekknorg.wordpress.com/2011/06/27/artificial-transmutation-of-the-gene-by-radiation-ignored-by-iaea/ …and don’t you forget this. So, even Science itself is backing the real truth not the ideological truth today. IAEA, WHO, UN (UNDO), Studies, Institutes, Politicians and Science try tell us the following: People suffer from Radiophobia and there lifestyle. This is absolutely crazy. Ever wanted to see your own child to grow in these areas? Yes? No? Which truth? As Low As Reasonably Achievable (ALARA) was replaced by: As Low As Reasonably Practicable (ALARP): To satisfy the ALARP principle, measures necessary to reduce risk must be taken until or unless the cost of those measures, whether money, time or trouble is disproportionate to the reduction in risk.” PAGE 170 – by UK Departement of Energy & Climatechange – QUOTE: http://www.decc.gov.uk/assets/decc/11/meeting-energy-demand/consents-planning/nps2011/1925-appl-of-sust-of-revised-draft-en6.pdf basically: Money over Health – a licence to kill. In the beginning the ALARA (As Low As Reasonably Achievable) principle was turned against the atomic industry. It said, that radiation exposure has to be held as low as possible, that means as low as rasonably achievable. But hydrogen bombs cause much radiation.The ICRP (International Commission on Radiological Protection) turned around this principle (after the first hydrogen bomb explosion in 1954) – so that the ALARA principle is now working FOR the atomic industry, even if a reactor crashes next to you. ICRP said, that ALARA does not refer to accidents. Basically this means: When an accident happens (an atomic reactor crash, for example) the whole point of Status Quo is that the people are contaminated with radiation. They can irradiate you and do not compensate you – and if they do, they do it with your money. No reactor is assured, mind you. Used in Belarus (Most Chernobyl affected country in the world) and Japan (Fukushima). EXELON nuclear (US company) talking about ALARA:  http://www.decc.gov.uk/ass ​ets/decc/11/meeting-energy​-demand/consents-planning/​ nps2011/1925-appl-of-sust-​of-revised-draft-en6.pdf Remember: This is the only VALID and OFFICIAL angenda for compensation during an atomic accident!Soon, Japanese government will call independent radiation measurements illegal and disturbing the industry, so NGOs and civil society will be hunt down just like in Belarus (Most Chernobyl affected country in the world): http://tekknorg.wordpress.com/2011/07/24/japan-goes-the-same-way-as-belarus-dictatorship-a-deep-insight/The same will happen in France, the U.S., ANYWHERE a reactor explodes. Using
an old trick: Telling people they are living in a radiation pool anyway
because of background radiaiton. In National Geopgraphic from April
1989, Richard Guimond of the Environmental Protection Agency said: “we
can’t avoid living in a sea of
radiation” – what a stupid, criminal, un ethic and un scientific thing
to say. Strontium 90 was created by humans / atomic age / is created by
every atomic reactor on the plant. IT DID NOT EXIT BEFORE THE ATOMIC
AGE. So everyone saying, that background radiaiton is the same as man
made radiation lies! In a very criminal way – or is un-informed. Well,
the principle of substantial equivalence doesn’t work here. IAEA, WHO,
UN (UNDP), Studies, Institutes, Politicians and Science today try to
sell the Philosophy of The Principle of Substantial Equivalent Basically
THEY say: Radiation and Radioactivity were before Atomic Age, atomic
reactors and atomic bombs.
So it is natural and therefor atomic
explosions and emissions of atomic reactors and radiation from reactor
accidents cannot be linked to illness, mutations, handicaps and deaths.
But they want to forget one thing: Radioactive Iocine, Strontium and other Radionucleides didn’t exist before atomic age.
Since
1929 genetic and cancer creating effects of radioactivity are known. In
1946 Hermann J. Mueller got for his experiments the nobelprice: Source: http://tekknorg.wordpress.com/2011/06/27/artificial-transmutation-of-the-gene-by-radiation-ignored-by-iaea/
…and don’t you forget this. So, even Science itself is backing the real truth not the ideological truth today.
IAEA, WHO, UN (UNDO), Studies, Institutes, Politicians and Science try tell us the following:
People suffer from Radiophobia and there lifestyle.
This is absolutely crazy. Ever wanted to see your own child to grow in these areas? Yes? No? Which truth?
As Low As Reasonably Achievable (ALARA) was replaced by: As Low As Reasonably Practicable (ALARP):
To satisfy the ALARP principle, measures necessary to reduce risk must
be taken until or unless the cost of those measures, whether money, time
or trouble is disproportionate to the reduction in risk.” PAGE 170 – by
UK Departement of Energy & Climatechange – QUOTE:
http://www.decc.gov.uk/assets/decc/11/meeting-energy-demand/consents-planning/nps2011/1925-appl-of-sust-of-revised-draft-en6.pdf

basically: Money over Health – a licence to kill. In
the beginning the ALARA (As Low As Reasonably Achievable) principle was
turned against the atomic industry. It said, that radiation exposure
has to be held as low as possible, that means as low as rasonably
achievable. But hydrogen bombs cause much radiation.The ICRP
(International Commission on Radiological Protection) turned around this
principle (after the first hydrogen bomb explosion in 1954) – so that
the ALARA principle is now working FOR the atomic industry, even if a
reactor crashes next to you. ICRP said, that ALARA does not refer to
accidents. Basically this means:
When an accident happens (an atomic reactor crash, for example) the
whole point of Status Quo is that the people are contaminated with
radiation.
They can irradiate you and do not compensate you – and if they do, they do it with your money. No reactor is assured, mind you.
Used in Belarus (Most Chernobyl affected country in the world) and Japan (Fukushima).
EXELON nuclear (US company) talking about ALARA:  http://www.decc.gov.uk/ass
​ets/decc/11/meeting-energy​-demand/consents-planning/​
nps2011/1925-appl-of-sust-​of-revised-draft-en6.pdf
Remember: This is the only VALID and OFFICIAL angenda for compensation during an atomic accident!Soon, Japanese government will call independent radiation measurements illegal and disturbing the industry, so NGOs and civil society will be hunt down just like in Belarus (Most Chernobyl affected country in the world): http://tekknorg.wordpress.com/2011/07/24/japan-goes-the-same-way-as-belarus-dictatorship-a-deep-insight/The same will happen in France, the U.S., ANYWHERE a reactor explodes.

]]> By: Andrew Davies http://boingboing.net/2011/07/25/japanese-gov-unsure-of-fukushima-citizens-right-to-live-radiation-free-lives-video.html#comment-1173097 Andrew Davies Tue, 26 Jul 2011 15:26:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=110557#comment-1173097 Looks like Japan's government has agreed to some long term testing... http://www.yomiuri.co.jp/dy/national/T110725003823.htm That's a good thing at least.  As for the US, I sent this video to my congressional representatives who want to provide federal loans to build a new reactor in my home state (Maryland).   Looks like Japan’s government has agreed to some long term testing…

http://www.yomiuri.co.jp/dy/national/T110725003823.htm

That’s a good thing at least. 

As for the US, I sent this video to my congressional representatives who want to provide federal loans to build a new reactor in my home state (Maryland).  

]]> By: wizardru http://boingboing.net/2011/07/25/japanese-gov-unsure-of-fukushima-citizens-right-to-live-radiation-free-lives-video.html#comment-1173031 wizardru Tue, 26 Jul 2011 13:46:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=110557#comment-1173031 The actual statement was a deflection less than a flub.  He clearly wasn't authorized to say anything and basically offered one or two vague platitudes without answering any questions, ignored the attendees and then walked away with them following him the entire way asking him to do what apparently they'd promised they'd do (in this case, test their children's urine for radioactivity). People aren't reacting to a single statement, but the behavior on display in the entire video.  FWICT, this sort of 'show up to take some abuse and stonewall' method is somewhat established in Japan, but  it clearly isn't working in this video.  The residents aren't having it and the minor beuracrat refuses to even acknowledge their questions.  He isn't saying 'No' and he isn't saying 'Yes', he's actually not saying much of anything and it infuriates the audience more than anything else. The actual statement was a deflection less than a flub.  He clearly wasn’t authorized to say anything and basically offered one or two vague platitudes without answering any questions, ignored the attendees and then walked away with them following him the entire way asking him to do what apparently they’d promised they’d do (in this case, test their children’s urine for radioactivity).

People aren’t reacting to a single statement, but the behavior on display in the entire video.  FWICT, this sort of ‘show up to take some abuse and stonewall’ method is somewhat established in Japan, but  it clearly isn’t working in this video.  The residents aren’t having it and the minor beuracrat refuses to even acknowledge their questions.  He isn’t saying ‘No’ and he isn’t saying ‘Yes’, he’s actually not saying much of anything and it infuriates the audience more than anything else.

]]> By: Nancy Foust http://boingboing.net/2011/07/25/japanese-gov-unsure-of-fukushima-citizens-right-to-live-radiation-free-lives-video.html#comment-1172964 Nancy Foust Tue, 26 Jul 2011 11:29:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=110557#comment-1172964 A couple of things worth noting. The US nuclear industry is in major damage control mode. They do not want a nationwide conversation about what happened in Fukushima and if it could happen here. The EPA downplayed the radiation risk in the US and purposely said nothing as levels in some areas became concerningly high. There is a large amount of money at stake in the US. Companies that want to build nuclear plants will fight the very area the plant will serve to put one up. Iowa rejected just such a plan by a 75% vote. Vermont is currently fighting to get Vermont Yankee shut down. The company that owns is going against the wishes of the state and people to keep it going. Greed is behind all of this. A couple of things worth noting. The US nuclear industry is in major damage control mode. They do not want a nationwide conversation about what happened in Fukushima and if it could happen here. The EPA downplayed the radiation risk in the US and purposely said nothing as levels in some areas became concerningly high. There is a large amount of money at stake in the US. Companies that want to build nuclear plants will fight the very area the plant will serve to put one up. Iowa rejected just such a plan by a 75% vote. Vermont is currently fighting to get Vermont Yankee shut down. The company that owns is going against the wishes of the state and people to keep it going. Greed is behind all of this.

]]> By: Nancy Foust http://boingboing.net/2011/07/25/japanese-gov-unsure-of-fukushima-citizens-right-to-live-radiation-free-lives-video.html#comment-1172961 Nancy Foust Tue, 26 Jul 2011 11:19:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=110557#comment-1172961 I posted a copy of the original request from METI seeking to hire an agency to do exactly what I said. I hope they are not paying you much Avery. Your not a very good industry shill. :-) I posted a copy of the original request from METI seeking to hire an agency to do exactly what I said. I hope they are not paying you much Avery. Your not a very good industry shill. :-)

]]> By: Andrew Davies http://boingboing.net/2011/07/25/japanese-gov-unsure-of-fukushima-citizens-right-to-live-radiation-free-lives-video.html#comment-1172958 Andrew Davies Tue, 26 Jul 2011 11:02:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=110557#comment-1172958 "Test this urine!  Test this urine!"  This video falls into the "would be funny if it wasn't so sad" category.  Here's a map showing radiation monitoring data from various sources...  <a href="http://safecast.org/aggregate-data" rel="nofollow">http://safecast.org/aggregate-data/</a> The contamination doesn't stay in the neat circles declared evacuation zones.  It's much more uneven than that. “Test this urine!  Test this urine!” 

This video falls into the “would be funny if it wasn’t so sad” category. 

Here’s a map showing radiation monitoring data from various sources… 
http://safecast.org/aggregate-data/

The contamination doesn’t stay in the neat circles declared evacuation zones.  It’s much more uneven than that.

]]> By: nikkinomad http://boingboing.net/2011/07/25/japanese-gov-unsure-of-fukushima-citizens-right-to-live-radiation-free-lives-video.html#comment-1172938 nikkinomad Tue, 26 Jul 2011 08:44:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=110557#comment-1172938 U need to learn some more science dude, there is a huge difference between nturally existing radioactivity and man-made radioactivity it's not just a question of levels. Natural radioacitivity is not benign either, in areas where there are naturally' high levels of radioactivity such as Kerala in India there is a significant and correllated higher incidence of infant mortality & birth defects. There are over 600 radioisotopes being spewed from Fukushima of those none are at concentrations found in nature, naturally occuring radioactivity is EXTREMELY diffuse in nature & NOT found in the concentrations that we create when we mine Uranium, So yes we were living a radioactive free life before WWII free of man-made radioisotopes, weapons testing is not benign exposure either nor does it justify further exposure. It is know amongst biologists that exposure heightens your radiosensitivity it does not immunise you against it so your insinuation that it's ok cos we're all exposed to weapons test fall out is disingenous also. Why dont you go live there if you think it's so safe? U need to learn some more science dude, there is a huge difference between nturally existing radioactivity and man-made radioactivity it’s not just a question of levels. Natural radioacitivity is not benign either, in areas where there are naturally’ high levels of radioactivity such as Kerala in India there is a significant and correllated higher incidence of infant mortality & birth defects. There are over 600 radioisotopes being spewed from Fukushima of those none are at concentrations found in nature, naturally occuring radioactivity is EXTREMELY diffuse in nature & NOT found in the concentrations that we create when we mine Uranium, So yes we were living a radioactive free life before WWII free of man-made radioisotopes, weapons testing is not benign exposure either nor does it justify further exposure. It is know amongst biologists that exposure heightens your radiosensitivity it does not immunise you against it so your insinuation that it’s ok cos we’re all exposed to weapons test fall out is disingenous also. Why dont you go live there if you think it’s so safe?

]]> By: nikkinomad http://boingboing.net/2011/07/25/japanese-gov-unsure-of-fukushima-citizens-right-to-live-radiation-free-lives-video.html#comment-1172937 nikkinomad Tue, 26 Jul 2011 08:38:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=110557#comment-1172937 Are you for real? Most city councils arent having to deal with the fact that their town & its residents are being exposed to dangerous levels of radiactivity!. I'd like to see if you think your point about councils not having answers is reasonable when its your family & kids being exposed. For years now the Soviets were done down for taking 36 hours to evacuate Pripyat and the other contaminated territorys their response to Chernobyl looks positively proffessional compared to the response of the Japanese authorities. These people are living with levels of radiation after 4 months that triggered evacuation after 4 days in Chernobyl. The japanese authorities are a joke! Are you for real? Most city councils arent having to deal with the fact that their town & its residents are being exposed to dangerous levels of radiactivity!. I’d like to see if you think your point about councils not having answers is reasonable when its your family & kids being exposed. For years now the Soviets were done down for taking 36 hours to evacuate Pripyat and the other contaminated territorys their response to Chernobyl looks positively proffessional compared to the response of the Japanese authorities. These people are living with levels of radiation after 4 months that triggered evacuation after 4 days in Chernobyl. The japanese authorities are a joke!

]]> By: loopyduck http://boingboing.net/2011/07/25/japanese-gov-unsure-of-fukushima-citizens-right-to-live-radiation-free-lives-video.html#comment-1172936 loopyduck Tue, 26 Jul 2011 08:20:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=110557#comment-1172936 Is "7.14" a typo or the actual date? I'm asking because the lead-in says it happened almost a week after that, and in the past few days the evacuation zone has been enlarged a little bit. I'm wondering if they already had that in the works before this got around. Is “7.14″ a typo or the actual date? I’m asking because the lead-in says it happened almost a week after that, and in the past few days the evacuation zone has been enlarged a little bit. I’m wondering if they already had that in the works before this got around.

]]> By: jtegnell http://boingboing.net/2011/07/25/japanese-gov-unsure-of-fukushima-citizens-right-to-live-radiation-free-lives-video.html#comment-1172935 jtegnell Tue, 26 Jul 2011 08:10:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=110557#comment-1172935 I invite Avery Morrow to address any of the specific criticisms of his postings here. I invite Avery Morrow to address any of the specific criticisms of his postings here.

]]> By: Daren_Gray http://boingboing.net/2011/07/25/japanese-gov-unsure-of-fukushima-citizens-right-to-live-radiation-free-lives-video.html#comment-1172932 Daren_Gray Tue, 26 Jul 2011 07:39:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=110557#comment-1172932 I'd like to live in a country where the citizens would not have allowed those criminals to leave that room alive. Period. That's not a government. It's a crime family. I’d like to live in a country where the citizens would not have allowed those criminals to leave that room alive. Period.

That’s not a government. It’s a crime family.

]]> By: Avery http://boingboing.net/2011/07/25/japanese-gov-unsure-of-fukushima-citizens-right-to-live-radiation-free-lives-video.html#comment-1172864 Avery Tue, 26 Jul 2011 04:21:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=110557#comment-1172864 I invite anyone to click on Nancy's link to the shingetsu blog, which is in English, and read for themselves this article, which she has grossly misquoted and misrepresented. Reading Twitter posts about discrimination, without responding, is not the same thing as "correcting" anyone on anything. The post doesn't mention any kind of government communication, planned or otherwise. Really, just read the post for yourself and see if you can imagine this paranoid fantasy. I invite anyone to click on Nancy’s link to the shingetsu blog, which is in English, and read for themselves this article, which she has grossly misquoted and misrepresented. Reading Twitter posts about discrimination, without responding, is not the same thing as “correcting” anyone on anything. The post doesn’t mention any kind of government communication, planned or otherwise. Really, just read the post for yourself and see if you can imagine this paranoid fantasy.

]]> By: Nancy Foust http://boingboing.net/2011/07/25/japanese-gov-unsure-of-fukushima-citizens-right-to-live-radiation-free-lives-video.html#comment-1172838 Nancy Foust Tue, 26 Jul 2011 03:15:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=110557#comment-1172838 This is the original I downloaded from METI's website. It has since been taken down after the press got wind of it. http://www.houseoffoust.com/fukushima/METI_SPYING.docx  Second article down discusses this job posting where METI is seeking to hire an agency to monitor and "correct' whatever they consider internet rumor http://shingetsublog.jugem.jp/?eid=107   If you wish more sites hit Google.jp and do some translated search terms. This issue was all over around 7.14 at least on Japanese websites. This is the original I downloaded from METI’s website. It has since been taken down after the press got wind of it. http://www.houseoffoust.com/fukushima/METI_SPYING.docx  Second article down discusses this job posting where METI is seeking to hire an agency to monitor and “correct’ whatever they consider internet rumor http://shingetsublog.jugem.jp/?eid=107   If you wish more sites hit Google.jp and do some translated search terms. This issue was all over around 7.14 at least on Japanese websites.

]]> By: ichy bob http://boingboing.net/2011/07/25/japanese-gov-unsure-of-fukushima-citizens-right-to-live-radiation-free-lives-video.html#comment-1172831 ichy bob Tue, 26 Jul 2011 03:07:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=110557#comment-1172831 @Avery Morrow "When you put these two translation errors together you realize what's actually going on: the protesters are trying to encourage an atmosphere of fear, while the bureaucrats are simply trying to encourage rational and calm thought without actually making assurances about things they can't control " This statement (being such Orwellian double speak) make me strongly suspicious that you are an astroturfer. @Avery Morrow
“When you put these two translation errors together you realize
what’s actually going on: the protesters are trying to encourage an
atmosphere of fear, while the bureaucrats are simply trying to encourage
rational and calm thought without actually making assurances about
things they can’t control ”

This statement (being such Orwellian double speak) make me strongly suspicious that you are an astroturfer.

]]> By: Nancy Foust http://boingboing.net/2011/07/25/japanese-gov-unsure-of-fukushima-citizens-right-to-live-radiation-free-lives-video.html#comment-1172825 Nancy Foust Tue, 26 Jul 2011 02:56:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=110557#comment-1172825 Um Avery. It has been all over mainstream websites in Japan... Um Avery. It has been all over mainstream websites in Japan…

]]> By: Avery http://boingboing.net/2011/07/25/japanese-gov-unsure-of-fukushima-citizens-right-to-live-radiation-free-lives-video.html#comment-1172814 Avery Tue, 26 Jul 2011 02:30:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=110557#comment-1172814 This is the first I've heard of Japan having a paid team of nationalists like China. Don't believe everything you read on conspiracy websites. This is the first I’ve heard of Japan having a paid team of nationalists like China. Don’t believe everything you read on conspiracy websites.

]]> By: Yendi77 http://boingboing.net/2011/07/25/japanese-gov-unsure-of-fukushima-citizens-right-to-live-radiation-free-lives-video.html#comment-1172812 Yendi77 Tue, 26 Jul 2011 02:22:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=110557#comment-1172812 I gotta agree; Avery's post is mighty suspicious. My Japanese certainly isn’t fluent enough to nitpick nuance, but I got a totally different interpretation of the meeting from what Avery said. "Kenri" can mean both 'right' and 'privilege' but it is most often used to mean "the right (to do)", and in context with the rest of the sentence I took it to mean just that. And the official says  "you can leave on your own if you want, but.. " which I took as dismissive - if you want to leave, do it on your own.  IMHO, the video's translator was neither incorrect nor misleading. And interpretations aside, that still doesn’t explain why the official panel ducked questions, repeatedly. As to Avery's mention of "in a free society we do not force people out of their homes", these people WANT to leave, yet seem to be unable to do so on their own. They are asking the government for help. I gotta agree; Avery’s post is mighty suspicious. My Japanese certainly isn’t fluent enough to nitpick nuance, but I got a totally different interpretation of the meeting from what Avery said. “Kenri” can mean both ‘right’ and ‘privilege’ but it is most often used to mean “the right (to do)”, and in context with the rest of the sentence I took it to mean just that. And the official says  “you can leave on your own if you want, but.. ” which I took as dismissive – if you want to leave, do it on your own. 
IMHO, the video’s translator was neither incorrect nor misleading.
And interpretations aside, that still doesn’t explain why the official panel ducked questions, repeatedly. As to Avery’s mention of “in a free society we do not force people out of their homes”, these people WANT to leave, yet seem to be unable to do so on their own. They are asking the government for help.

]]> By: Nam http://boingboing.net/2011/07/25/japanese-gov-unsure-of-fukushima-citizens-right-to-live-radiation-free-lives-video.html#comment-1172808 Nam Tue, 26 Jul 2011 02:20:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=110557#comment-1172808 Sorry, but I couldn't find any subtitles that said "the right to live in perfect safety" at all. Also this subtitle "evacuate at your own risk, the government asks you to stay here" is actually correct too! What are talking about? Yes, the word "risk" is not spoken but it is definitely implied and already understood by everyone in this emergency situation and terrible economy! Everyone knows that leaving their homes and possibly quitting their jobs is a big huge financial risk! This is the Japanese language and how it is spoken by native Japanese people. And very often, it is not always spoken in clear concise detail like English is spoken. Yes, word for word the subtitles may be slightly different than the spoken Japanese but only about 1-3%. I know this as I lived in Japan for 20 years, worked as an interpreter and translator and I was taught by a veteran native Japanese translator who had also achieved native level English. From all of that I am now quite fluent in spoken and written Japanese. You are gravely mistaken and there are no significant errors at all! Yeah, sure maybe some exaggerations but the English subtitles are including the unspoken implied terms and they were done in the way that native English speakers would say it all. And that's the mark of a very good Japanese/English translator. Also your implications that the Fukushima residents are wrong in asking for financial and logistical help to move away from a previously tested and proven dangerous area are self deceptive delusions of some very disturbed thinking. You are either part of this quarantine scandal or you seriously need to see a doctor. Get well soon. Sorry, but I couldn’t find any subtitles that said “the right to live in perfect safety” at all. Also this subtitle “evacuate at your own risk, the government asks you to stay here” is actually correct too! What are talking about? Yes, the word “risk” is not spoken but it is definitely implied and already understood by everyone in this emergency situation and terrible economy! Everyone knows that leaving their homes and possibly quitting their jobs is a big huge financial risk!

This is the Japanese language and how it is spoken by native Japanese people. And very often, it is not always spoken in clear concise detail like English is spoken. Yes, word for word the subtitles may be slightly different than the spoken Japanese but only about 1-3%. I know this as I lived in Japan for 20 years, worked as an interpreter and translator and I was taught by a veteran native Japanese translator who had also achieved native level English. From all of that I am now quite fluent in spoken and written Japanese. You are gravely mistaken and there are no significant errors at all! Yeah, sure maybe some exaggerations but the English subtitles are including the unspoken implied terms and they were done in the way that native English speakers would say it all. And that’s the mark of a very good Japanese/English translator. Also your implications that the Fukushima residents are wrong in asking for financial and logistical help to move away from a previously tested and proven dangerous area are self deceptive delusions of some very disturbed thinking. You are either part of this quarantine scandal or you seriously need to see a doctor. Get well soon.

]]> By: Nancy Foust http://boingboing.net/2011/07/25/japanese-gov-unsure-of-fukushima-citizens-right-to-live-radiation-free-lives-video.html#comment-1172788 Nancy Foust Tue, 26 Jul 2011 01:42:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=110557#comment-1172788 Avery's "opinion" is not representative of what I and others have seen actually happening in Japan over the last 4 months. The Japanese govt. did a mandatory evacuation of 20km around the plant. It is illegal to enter that area. Anyone living there was told to leave and given help to do so. The problem is that radiation doesn't go out in perfect little circles. It follows topography and wind. This is causing concentrations as high (or higher) than the evacuation zone. Some hot spots have been evacuated, other areas completely ignored and the people there are refused any sort of help at all. They have to send kids to school, eat, work, and live wallowing in radiation. The govt. has decided they don't want the cost and hassle of moving all these people so they do nothing. The people being screwed over are getting justifiably angry and they need help. The international community (and people online) could do much to pressure the govt. to do the right thing.  Just so people know the govt. in Japan has hired agencies to monitor the internet and "correct internet rumors" on twitter and websites. So if you hear someone clumsily excusing away things that seem rather obvious it might be why.  Avery’s “opinion” is not representative of what I and others have seen actually happening in Japan over the last 4 months. The Japanese govt. did a mandatory evacuation of 20km around the plant. It is illegal to enter that area. Anyone living there was told to leave and given help to do so. The problem is that radiation doesn’t go out in perfect little circles. It follows topography and wind. This is causing concentrations as high (or higher) than the evacuation zone. Some hot spots have been evacuated, other areas completely ignored and the people there are refused any sort of help at all. They have to send kids to school, eat, work, and live wallowing in radiation. The govt. has decided they don’t want the cost and hassle of moving all these people so they do nothing. The people being screwed over are getting justifiably angry and they need help. The international community (and people online) could do much to pressure the govt. to do the right thing. 

Just so people know the govt. in Japan has hired agencies to monitor the internet and “correct internet rumors” on twitter and websites. So if you hear someone clumsily excusing away things that seem rather obvious it might be why. 

]]> By: marierich2u http://boingboing.net/2011/07/25/japanese-gov-unsure-of-fukushima-citizens-right-to-live-radiation-free-lives-video.html#comment-1172780 marierich2u Tue, 26 Jul 2011 01:26:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=110557#comment-1172780 www.SimplyInfo.org does an excellent job of reporting and analysis. They are very conscientious to provide links so the user may verify. They also offer sources of technical and hard research data. There are no walls around Japan- this has the real potential to affect all children through bioaccumulation. Some day our children (God willing) will be reading about this in their history books as a crime against humanity.   http://www.SimplyInfo.org does an excellent job of reporting and analysis. They are very conscientious to provide links so the user may verify. They also offer sources of technical and hard research data. There are no walls around Japan- this has the real potential to affect all children through bioaccumulation. Some day our children (God willing) will be reading about this in their history books as a crime against humanity.
 

]]> By: Avery http://boingboing.net/2011/07/25/japanese-gov-unsure-of-fukushima-citizens-right-to-live-radiation-free-lives-video.html#comment-1172777 Avery Tue, 26 Jul 2011 01:24:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=110557#comment-1172777 The translation of this video is very poor. What is translated as "the right to live in perfect safety" is actually "the privilege of perfect safety". The guy reasonably responds that he doesn't know whether the situation is as safe as it is in the rest of the country. It's patently obvious that Fukushima City is closer to the reactor than, say, Sendai. So far, it's been safe to live there. But we don't know whether it will be safe tomorrow, or in three months. That is the reality of the disaster. The guy doesn't say "evacuate at your own risk, the government asks you to stay here", he says "you can leave whenever you want to, we are not requiring anyone to stay". The protester is asking him to evacuate whole cities forcibly, like in the Soviet Union or apartheid South Africa. But in a free society we do not force people out of their homes like that without good reason. The government already evacuated people who could be reasonably affected by the disaster so far. If people feel scared they are free to leave at any time. When you put these two translation errors together you realize what's actually going on: the protesters are trying to encourage an atmosphere of fear, while the bureaucrats are simply trying to encourage rational and calm thought without actually making assurances about things they can't control ("platitudes" are not popular in Japan). Their first tactic fails, so the protestors run after the bureaucrats with a bottle of pee. It's certainly not one bathroom's visit worth of pee. How are they supposed to determine what level of particulates are in that pee bottle? There's no way to measure that. The translation of this video is very poor.

What is translated as “the right to live in perfect safety” is actually “the privilege of perfect safety”. The guy reasonably responds that he doesn’t know whether the situation is as safe as it is in the rest of the country. It’s patently obvious that Fukushima City is closer to the reactor than, say, Sendai. So far, it’s been safe to live there. But we don’t know whether it will be safe tomorrow, or in three months. That is the reality of the disaster.

The guy doesn’t say “evacuate at your own risk, the government asks you to stay here”, he says “you can leave whenever you want to, we are not requiring anyone to stay”. The protester is asking him to evacuate whole cities forcibly, like in the Soviet Union or apartheid South Africa. But in a free society we do not force people out of their homes like that without good reason. The government already evacuated people who could be reasonably affected by the disaster so far. If people feel scared they are free to leave at any time.

When you put these two translation errors together you realize what’s actually going on: the protesters are trying to encourage an atmosphere of fear, while the bureaucrats are simply trying to encourage rational and calm thought without actually making assurances about things they can’t control (“platitudes” are not popular in Japan). Their first tactic fails, so the protestors run after the bureaucrats with a bottle of pee. It’s certainly not one bathroom’s visit worth of pee. How are they supposed to determine what level of particulates are in that pee bottle? There’s no way to measure that.

]]> By: Nancy Foust http://boingboing.net/2011/07/25/japanese-gov-unsure-of-fukushima-citizens-right-to-live-radiation-free-lives-video.html#comment-1172771 Nancy Foust Tue, 26 Jul 2011 01:16:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=110557#comment-1172771 www.safecast.org has citizen radiation data from the group of tech people. If you want some good ongoing info on what is going on in Japan go to www.simplyinfo.org  Even the govt. radiation data shows hot spots and they refuse to evacuate people in places that have higher radiation than the evacuation areas after Chernobyl. This is why these people are so mad. The government won't help them and people need help to evacuate. The govt. is also going to close down existing evacuation centers in Oct. Food is showing up contaminated all over and the govt. is seriously not dealing with the issue. There has been a pattern of the govt. claiming something is fine, then it is proven to not be fine. If it was your kids being slowly poisoned you would be pretty mad too.  http://www.safecast.org has citizen radiation data from the group of tech people. If you want some good ongoing info on what is going on in Japan go to http://www.simplyinfo.org  Even the govt. radiation data shows hot spots and they refuse to evacuate people in places that have higher radiation than the evacuation areas after Chernobyl. This is why these people are so mad. The government won’t help them and people need help to evacuate. The govt. is also going to close down existing evacuation centers in Oct. Food is showing up contaminated all over and the govt. is seriously not dealing with the issue. There has been a pattern of the govt. claiming something is fine, then it is proven to not be fine. If it was your kids being slowly poisoned you would be pretty mad too. 

]]> By: Hester http://boingboing.net/2011/07/25/japanese-gov-unsure-of-fukushima-citizens-right-to-live-radiation-free-lives-video.html#comment-1172768 Hester Tue, 26 Jul 2011 01:09:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=110557#comment-1172768 Independent Radiation monitoring here: http://safecast.org/ Independent Radiation monitoring here: http://safecast.org/

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