ABC Wednesday, brought to you by the letter “I.” No better time to remember the victims, both dead and slowly dying, in Sendai and other towns in Japan. No better time to rethink our “commitment” to nuclear power, an option that is doomed to fail us at some point. Remember Oppenheimer: “I am become death.” Remember Nagasaki and Hiroshima. Remember shirt designs tattooed onto human bodies. Remember Karen Silkwood (RIP). Remember GREED.
Most importantly: Remember, no man who owns a nuclear power plant has ever lived anywhere nearby. Amy
Isolation
Island, inland,
isotopes, infrared.
Indelible images on the Internet.
If it implodes
the industry, intended to provide
immense power (ideological and industrial)
will implode as well.
Iodine pills, dispersed like incoming radiation.
Imperious platitudes; empirical attitudes (inferred)
Impossible to end nuclear power?
I intend to work to that end, in spite of industry.
© 2011 Amy Barlow Liberatore/Sharp Little Pencil
Sharp Little Pencil 
Christine
I agree.
Lulu
what happened to Japan’s nuclear should be a lesson to all of those who wants to have a nuclear plant.
please visit my entry I is for Invitation, thanks!
Sharp Little Pencil
I visited “I is for Invitation” and fell in love with the image and the simplicity, yet propriety, of the simple, graceful act of a posted invite. Thanks.
As for Japan’s nuclear plant, the place to discuss that is on the phone with your senator and congressmember! We can debate it all day, but they have the power to do something about it. They didn’t “react” to Three Mile Island, and Chernobyl eventually gave birth to “radioactive wild boars” that are (I couldn’t make this up) going nuts and running amuck through the streets of Germany after eating tainted truffles. Amy
Sherry Blue Sky
Oh Amy, this is so right on! Wonderful and powerful and potent writing. Earth Island is bobbing on a turbulent sea right now. Who knows what can happen? They can downplay it, but if it is expected to be worse than Chenobyl, that is daunting indeed. As anyone from Chernobyl would tell us.
Sharp Little Pencil
As anyone in Germany who has been sitting in a restaurant, only to have the place upended by a wild boar, radioactive from eating radiation-laced truffles, a byproduct of Chernobyl. I wish we would shut them all down. I’d rather sit in candlelight. Thanks, Sherry.
Roger Green
There was an article on NBC about the vulnerability of nukes in the US to earthquakes, not just in California, but the Midwest and Northeast.
ROG, ABC Wednesday team
Sharp Little Pencil
Rachel Maddow had an incredibly detailed presentation last night, sort of a “nuclear reactors 101” if you will. Describe the fuel rods, how the Japanese stockpile spent fuel rods OVER the active rods, and why that made them more vulnerable to overheating after the explosions. In the meantime, I have been an anti-nuclear activist for years. “It’s clean; it’s safe,” only works until there’s an accident. How long will it take for humankind (especially the rich) to understand that nature trumps hubris every time?
Debbie
Thank you, Amy, for always saying what needs to be said. And then to use your gift to have it in poetry . . .just thanks so much.
Sharp Little Pencil
We all know it doesn’t have to be in our back yard to be worth prayer. My heart is aching for everyone in Japan. Thanks, Debbie.
Madeleine Begun Kane
True, and powerfully said.
Sharp Little Pencil
Thank you so much, Madeleine. Appreciate your visiting, too! Amy
Nathalie
What a sharp little pencil you have. The truth does come out, one way or another. Thank you for this eye opener.
Nathalie
ABCW Team
Sharp Little Pencil
Thanks, Nathalie, for stopping by. And yes, the truth will out, one way or another. Peace, Amy
ladynimue
I
Intend to
Incement
Impatience at
Indifference among
Individuals …
Thanks for drilling in the message a bit more !
ladynimue
I
Intend to
Increment
Impatience at
Indifference among
Individuals …
(corrected the typo in previous comment )