NASA sets 40-mile no-fly zone around Shuttle pad for launch tomorrow -- what about the nuclear no-fly zones?

From: "Russell D. Hoffman" <rhoffman@animatedsoftware.com>
Subject: NASA sets 40-mile no-fly zone around Shuttle pad for launch tomorrow -- what about the nuclear no-fly zones?
Cc: president@whitehouse.gov, governor of California

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

November 28th, 2001

NASA has set a 40-mile no-fly zone around Cape Canaveral prior to the space shuttle launch tomorrow morning -- but what about the nuclear power plant no-fly zones?  Why were those no-fly zones much smaller, and why were they temporary?

As far as I can recall hearing, terrorists have never made a credible threat against our space program (although, since they often launch military payloads, I suppose it goes without saying that the space shuttles would be considered legitimate military targets by any aggressor nation).

But if the shuttle is a threatened target, well, guess what?  SO ARE THE NUKES.  Osama, as well as many other terrorists, have repeatedly threatened to attack our nuclear power facilities, and killing bin Laden won't stop his threat -- it might even increase the risk if it makes him a martyr to his suicidal, maniacal followers.  They also threatened, prior to 9-11, to hijack multiple planes at the same time.  There is no question that we should take terrorist threats seriously.

But let's be balanced and fair about our risks.  We lost a shuttle and the Nation moved on.  But to lose a nuclear power plant would be a disaster with unending painful repercussions for this nation.  Just look at the ever-widening "dead-zone" around Chernobyl, where probably 10,000 or more have already died (mostly children).  But even Chernobyl was hardly a "worst case scenario": A nuclear accident could be much, much worse.

A nuclear power plant is an easier, more effective target than the space shuttle.  For one thing, nuclear power plants are stationary.  Soon after launch, the shuttle is traveling "faster than a speeding bullet" and a lot "higher than a kite".  It's a lousy target, unless it's the victim of an inside job.

But every day, our nuclear power plants sit, running on the edge of disaster, inviting attack, and meanwhile, creating piles and piles of new nuclear waste, every ounce of which presents juicy new targets for terrorists.

Russell Hoffman
Concerned Citizen
Carlsbad, CA

For a list of nuclear power plants in America by state:
http://www.animatedsoftware.com/environm/no_nukes/nukelist.htm

For a list of 200 nuke-related books and videos: http://www.animatedsoftware.com/environm/no_nukes/mybooks.htm

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First posted November, 2001.

Webwiz: Russell D. Hoffman