Nuclear Power Plants and the Future of US

I was born at the dawn of the nuclear age, when we only had the bomb and no power plants. Our elders used to scare the hell out of US kids by making US hide under our desks at school for “Duck and Cover” drills. By the time I was ten, I was scared to death of the communists and ready to go to war at the drop of a hat. We all knew it was coming.

Well, war did not come, at least not that war. There were a lot of little ones, but we never used the nukes again.

Nuclear Power was another issue. It launched a great industry. Oh, we were constantly assured that the demon was safely trapped inside the bottle and could not get out. Every time the “Big guys” and their political lackeys wanted to put another one of the things up, they would parade a line of experts in front of the microphones and cameras of the press and assure US how safe they were; again and again and again!

Then came the disasters, one by one. France, Three Mile Island, Chernobyl; they were awful. Lives were lost and communities ruined, but in the end the long line of experts came out and assured US how much we had learned and how much safer the big power plants would be. Apparently they have such a low esteem for our intelligence, and rightly so, they continually sell US those big monsters and the “Bridges to Nowhere” that connect them to our pocketbooks, knowing that we will just stand there while they turn the monster loose in our back yards.

The United States and the State of California even built one on the California Coast, right next to the San Andreas fault, waiting for the “Big one”. They sighted the tremendous improvements in technology that make Nuclear Power Plants safe from anything nature can throw our way. What an F-ing joke.

 Well, the big one hit Japan, there still could be bigger, and with it the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear plant. The explosions, fires, ruptures and radioactive pollution caused by that enormous disaster have not changed a thing. World leaders, most of them anyway, are beginning to parade their long line of experts for US again. Nothing changes. People, WAKE UP!

We do not need the God damned things. Search “Thermal Solar Power in Seville Spain or follow this link: "Thermal Power", These plants are springing up all around the world.

The great thing about thermal solar plants is they do not pollute the neighborhood, the rivers or the atmosphere. If a monster quake strikes near the plant, it will fall down just like the rest of them, but unlike “Humpty Dumpty” or Fukushima Daiichi, we can put them back together again. 

When wind and tidal generators are combined with them and their output is used to maintain temperature in the heat storage tanks, Thermal plants will generate power for a long time without sunlight.

It should also be technologically possible to run salt water or waste water through them and create volumes of pure distilled water as well. Why is this not happening?

The answer to the question is coal and oil. The powerful companies that mine and sell coal and oil do not wish that our government officials help build any renewable energy plants to compete with them. Because these giant companies donate millions to election campaigns, our leaders turn their backs on the needs of the people, and submit to the will of these industrial giants. The "Government of the people" has become the government of "The Giant Corporation".

It is time to change the way our people generate their electrical power. It would be much safer and easier on the environment. But, it will never happen unless the average taxpaying, voting citizen demands it be done. 

Listen to my podcast “The Dreamer” then get involved, write your local representatives, join a local environmental group; Do something about it; please!




Pardon all of the Dust

The Journey Begins

Its been a busy couple of months for me... I have been juggling my Primitive Politics blog, creating two new podcasts, writing material for Al Ernst (Very little) and trying to make a living. I reached a point where my creative efforts did not make sense anymore; there was no direction. A few days ago, it came to me...the only way all of the pieces would fit was to incorporate them all under one roof.

I needed a vehicle and I found one; an eZine. An electronic magazine delivered on the internet. I told Al Ernst about it and he suggested a name... "The e-Buffet". I registered the domain name about an hour later. The e-Buffet will house this blog, my podcasts, my serialized stories, some comedy from Al Ernst and a couple of other bits I've been fooling with. I'm putting it together now...it will take a few more weeks to get it up and running.

I thought I'd give my followers the ability to watch it grow. Anyone interested can go to The e-Buffet and watch as I assemble the pieces. Be patient, it won't happen overnight. I need some help so I am making some calls to recruit some artists and writers, but I have a large percent of it all ready.

When it is finished, I will be able to deliver written material, podcasts and streaming video to all manner of electronic devices. This effort will take all of my time and then some. It will become a full time effort for several of us so The e-Buffet will have to pay its own way. We will have to make it a subscription service. I will probably put it out at fifty cents a month...hope that does not scare anyone.

I would appreciate it if you kept an eye on its progress, send me some feedback, maybe participate if you are so inclined. I need a lot of help.

Thank you all..

Pat McCormick

Back to Work

First of all, I would like to thank all of those that still visit my blog; even though I have been inactive for a couple of months. My absence has not been caused a lack of desire to write or a binge... one can only wish...

I became a grandfather in January. A lovely baby girl entered the mosaic of my life. My heart dances with a joy that only other Grandparents will understand. They will also relate to the turmoil such an event can bring.

The last month of my daughter's pregnancy was a troubling time for us. We were preparing to move mom and dad into a new house and she had several nerve wracking bouts of the old "False Labor". Hard to pack while you are on bed rest. Needless to say, I was busy in December. We moved daughter into the new place three days before the baby arrived...Whew!

The baby's arrival triggered the usual flurry of activity, guests and phone calls, diapers and doctor's visits. With all of that going on, I set up camp in the guest house behind their new place. Grandpa gets to hang around and help (No diapers as yet).

A little computer trouble, some unpacking, sorting, trips to goodwill, Feng Shui, some sweat and elbow grease and presto...I am ready to write something. The problem is I am two months behind the news and have to catch up...bear with me, I am reading.

Love you all and thanks again...

Pat McCormick

Got Nerve? Listen to Blue Collar Republican

BLUE COLLARREPUBLICAN

Read the following article... Got Nerve" click on title here.

Blue Collar Republican

A Podcast

Written by Patrick M McCormick

Copyright © 2010

All Rights Reserved

Vocals by Emily and Patrick M McCormick 

“Nothing but laughs”, Zero Muscatel, South American Freed Press
“Laughing all the way”, Christopher Kringal, Arctic Travel Assn
“One laugh after another”, Solomon Bogart APII
“Continuous Laughter, what a gas”, Aurora Boree-Alice, New Light APD

(This Podcast represents the personal thoughts of the author)


I’m getting really sick of Republicans blaming the costs of our social safety nets as the reason our society is in financial trouble. Fiscal programs of the past Republican Administration, tax cuts and the two wars, coupled with the housing scandal and our loss of jobs are the reasons America is broke.

I was thinking about reasons why blue collar workers, the unemployed and the poor would want to support a political party demanding a reduction in Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid, Food Stamps, Unemployment Insurance, Financial Aid for Students and many other social programs frequently used by the working class. I started laughing.

The more I thought about the psychology behind this strange phenomenon, the more I laughed. This podcast is the result. Listen if you dare.

The Tax Cut Scam

Commentary by
Patrick M McCormick

12/10/2010

A lot of noise is being made about these tax cuts for the wealthy. Top Republicans have dumped all sorts of fearful prophecies upon US Voters. The sky will fall, the economy will crash, there will be more unemployment, housing sales will fall and god only knows what other terrible calamities will descend onto the backs of the American workers if we do not extend Bush era tax cuts for the wealthy.

But wait, I read where these cuts will cost more than the stimulus package... isn't that more government spending? Oh they are going to make cuts in social services to pay for these tax breaks for the excessively rich. It sounds like a bitter pill to swallow, cut medicare, social security, medicaid, food stamps, educational loans and anything else that tax dollars pay for. Then, when they get the extra tax cuts, the really wealthy corporate leaders will get to work and improve things for US. I can hardly wait for that.

The theory is that by cutting taxes on the rich, the economy will rev up and everything will magically improve. Are we that F-ing stupid? These cuts have been in place for more than ten years. How many new jobs did the Bush administration create... Don't forget, with their big fat tax breaks, those generous old corporate moguls used the extra income to send more of our manufacturing jobs to China and India.

During the years the wealthy were sucking up the benefit of ridiculously low taxes, our economy crashed, the housing market collapsed and twenty million Americans were put out of work or forced to work for less. Millions have lost their homes and all of the bad things the GOP is threatening US with now... have all ready happened. I think the Grand Old Party has been infiltrated by a bunch of stand-up comedians.

If they were weren't so cruel, I'd be laughing with them. Here's what we can expect from the GOP... Take the case of six-month-old Seth Petreikis, who suffers from complete DiGeorge syndrome, which keeps him from developing a thymus, an infection-fighting glandular organ. He needs a transplant that's been pioneered by a specialist at Duke University in North Carolina.  But the procedure costs $500,000, and the state of Indiana's Family Social Services Administration won't pay for it under the state's Medicaid, It claims that the treatment is "experimental" -- even though 58 of 60 children to receive it have survived, in order to save money... they condemn the poor child to death.

Sadly, this great Bastian of GOP Christian family values, the Indiana FSSA, also recommended  parents drop off their developmentally disabled children at homeless shelters. The parents had failed to receive schedule Medicare waivers to pay for care. It seems Gov. Mitch Daniels -- who is now weighing a possible 2012 GOP presidential run -- cut the agency's funding to deal with a budget shortfall. I do not believe that he cut the payroll of state employees; why should they suffer.

And then there are the wars... when GOP leaders mention cuts, they seem to forget how much money Iraq and Afghanistan are costing US taxpayers. Why do you suppose that is? Could it be that their buddies, those wealthy businessmen, are cashing in on the wars as well? If we stopped spending our money there, how much cash would we have for the average citizen's social safety net? I'm guessing trillions.

The whole thing does not really make any sense... unless you add one word....GREED.

But We, The People, voted for the GOP because they promised to cut spending and improve our economy. Their plan is to return to Bush era programs and, as if by magic, everything will be lollipops and roses once more. Personally, I find it all rather hard to believe. The Economy the Bush Administration inherited was virtually debt free and we are dealing with the mess that Bush era Republican financial strategies caused.

 The GOP wants to sweep it all under the rug in the oval office.  President Obama, weakened by the mid-term elections, is now willing to walk over the bumps. It's a scam.

We Need to Save Ourselves Before We Try to Save the World

Commentary by
Patrick M McCormick
Dec 4, 2010

The national press is buzzing about “The report of the National Commission on Fiscal Responsibility”. Every politician and every News Commentator has an opinion. I agree that America needs to get its financial house in order. We need a sensible strategy for eliminating our enormous deficit. It is the most important problem our leaders have to address.

Many want to make huge cuts in medical benefits and social security. Many desire to reduce our social safety net; unemployment, food stamps, welfare, and educational assistance. Personally, I think this is the wrong road to travel. We elect our leaders so they may serve and protect the citizens of their individual districts. We elect them to protect and serve US, the citizens of the United States.

Somehow, our senators, congressional representatives and presidents have twisted this obligation to protect US into a global philosophy where the needs of other nations come before the needs of American Citizens. We give huge donations to hundreds of foreign countries while people in this country are out of work and hungry and in many cases, losing their homes.

In order to stimulate the economies of hundreds of foreign countries, Our leadership has allowed the economy of our country to take a back seat and suffer. This has allowed, in part, for an enormous financial trade imbalance.

We maintain standing armies in many foreign lands, when those countries could, and should, defend themselves. If we brought our troops home, they could protect our boarders and airports as part of their training.

We have allowed whole industries vital to our national defense to move overseas. Not only has this cost jobs for Americans, it has put US at risk.

We are waging two unjust wars in countries where we stand to gain nothing that will repay the tremendous waste of our resources. We need to end those wars now and use those resources to help rebuild America.

The first and foremost responsibility of our leaders is to make our own economy well and attend to the needs of our people. We cannot remain a world power if our own society crumbles.

How can it be better to wage war than to provide for the needs of our own citizens? People that desire to cut social services while we continue to wage war are morally corrupt. How can killing people be a better thing than curing them or feeding them while they are out of work?

It is time for all Americans to rise up, write their elected officials and demand that they solve our problems before they attempt to solve the problems of other nations. We no longer have the resources to “Save the World”; we need to use what we have left to “Save Ourselves”.

Fear and the Witchdoctors

This is the third of my podcasts. Click on the title to listen.

A tale of fear and how our leaders use it to manipulate the masses. This story visits three primitive witchdoctors to learn how they used fear to control their clans. Nothing has changed, today our leaders use the same trickery.

The Dreamer

I have posted a new Podcast "The Dreamer"... A short bit of inspirational prose telling of mankind's history after abandoning our ancient arboreal home in the primeval forests and why we must abandon our dependency on the fossil fuels they still provide.  Click on the title... let me know what you think. I am carrying them on Podbean.com and they should start showing up on ITunes soon.

I would appreciate it if you would pass them along, retweet and all that good stuff.


Thanks

Pat

Another Blacked Out Sunday in a Football Town

Written by

Patrick McCormick DMV76C6BE4T4

10/24/2010

Article first published as Another Blacked Out Sunday in a Football Town on Technorati.

Tampa, Florida, Sunday and the Bucs are playing at home. It’s a sad day, nobody will be watching the game from their couches or local bars this afternoon. Not enough tickets sold; the NFL has imposed another blackout.

NFL marketing experts say, “If we punish the fans and take away their football, they will be forced to purchase tickets and fill up the stadiums”. It is happening in a handful of cities around the country. It’s the fourth consecutive week here and those marketing guys have gotten it wrong again.

The Buccaneers are playing to a partially filled house, but it’s not for lack of fan support. Look around town; all you see is Buccaneer license plates, decals and flags flying from pickup trucks. Every kid has a jersey, their fathers wear Buccaneer hats, Tampa is a football town.

The Tampa Bay area has been hit hard by the current recession. Home sales are at an all time low. Home building has nearly stopped. The developers, contractors and tradesmen have been in and out of work for the better part of two years. Most of the businesses are making a lot less; many have closed. Local folks simply do not have much money to spend these days.

It’s so bad that buying a six pack and some chips for a family get together on game-day would be a strain on the grocery budget. Going down to the local bar to watch the game is an extra treat that many locals cannot afford. The cost of game-day tickets are out of the question for many of the unemployed residents here.

But the NFL, in their infinite wisdom, chooses to punish these old fans for running out of money. Do those marketing guys really believe that it is possible squeeze their unemployed fans hard enough to force them to buy tickets. I guess they showed us who's boss.

Well, as you might guess, I’m not watching football today. I think I will get a beer, go out, and scrape the Buccaneer decal off my car. Loyalty is a two way street.