A Bike Ride Through Chernobyl and What Japan faces

[sidewinder]

Some years ago I stumbled on a site that I found at the time to be fascinating, educational and generally informative.  The site dealt with the meltdown at Chernobyl or rather the aftermath of that event.  It is the records of a Russian girl named “Elena” who loves to ride motorcycles and loves to make bike trips into the “Dead Zone” in and around Chernobyl. 

This is not just some biker chick the girl has a background in physics and especially nuclear physics.  She understands the dangers and where not to go.  Her father is a nuclear physicist and she has absorbed lots of knowledge on the subject so she seems to know what’s going on. Because of her father’s position as a nuclear physicist she was able to obtain permission to enter the area and has made many trips into the area taking many photos and documenting her trips. 

Chernobyl and the area in a radius of about 50 Km will be affected by this accident for about 48,000 years.  It will likely be uninhabitable for approximately 600 years and it may be possible with massive cleanup effort to repopulate after 300 years.  Them’s the facts.

I found the site fascinating and forgot about it because at some point it disappeared several years back and I just found her again using a different server.  The reason apparently was the many hits the site received and the bandwidth was inadequate in the former place.  Now she has her own web address and I include it here http://www.kiddofspeed.com/default.htm

There was a lot of dispute when the site was first put online years ago claiming her to be a hoax, BS artist, and you name it but I never doubted anything the girl wrote because I think she honestly and simply wants to tell the story and there is no real profit motive. 

With the Japanese now considering the accident at their nuclear facility at level 7, the highest level of damage and danger I think it reasonable to go to Elena’s site and get an education.  It will give even the most unknowledgeable individuals much insight into what this accident may mean to the people of Japan and the rest of the world in a reasonably presented and rational story of another accident.

As she says radiation doesn’t get absorbed by the asphalt so as long as she stays on the road surface there is no real danger.  But step 1 meter off the surface and the radiation level goes wildly up. In her words there are  “various levels of radiation on asphalt - usually on the middle of road - because at edge of the road it is twice as high. If you step 1 meter off the road it is 4 or 5 times higher. Radiation sits on the soil, on the grass, in apples and mushrooms. It is not retained by asphalt, which makes rides through this area possible.

All in all this is a very informative site and I’m sure worth bookmarking and passing on to friends.  There are 27 chapters and I suggest you begin with 1 and go through the site in order to get the feel of the entire story. 

Enjoy
SW

[sidewinder]

Ok, this is a link to Elena's anglefire page which has many links on the left hand side of some of her other work.
 
http://www.angelfire.com/extreme4/kiddofspeed/

I placed the above because to get the "flavor" of this young lady's work you should see that first.  Then the rest of the links are difficult to navigate and one will just stumble around for hours at some rather amazing photos and commentary.  This page seems to have links to all her "stuff'

At one point on one of the photo pages she comments about how striking that nature has taken over places humans had previously carved out.  After all after the accident humans could not live there but nature continued basically unaffected.  I like the way she put it.

What is most striking here is the contrast between the world of Civilization which is ours and the world of Nature. The world of civilisation is physical, while Chernie is a metaphysical world, "meta" means "after", Chernobyl is the world after physics. The world of Nature is something that exists of itself, it is how this world has been for millions of years before us and how it will be after us, while civilization is mere appearance, it is not "just there," it is not self-supporting. It is artificial and requires engineering and science to support it. If we want to make use of the advantages of civilisation, but are not prepared to concern ourself with the upholding of civilisation�we are done for. In a trice we find ourselves left without civilisation. Just a push of a wrong button and everything goes straight to a primitive state. We look around and see that civilization is vanishing into the air, like fata morgana. The primitive forest appears in its native state, just as if the curtains of Civilization, covering pure Nature, have been drawn back.
Reading of geiger counters tell us more than reading official reports, but it tells us less than reading from the book of nature. In Chernobyl reading from the book of nature is easy, here facts themselves speak eloquently of the truth... wherever I turn, I stumble upon a fact that humans are outlawed and banned from life. I strain to hear, in hope to receive an answer, but all I can hear is the voice of Nature strongly saying to the human race, -I DON'T NEED YOU!

[sidewinder]

Oh, and MM you will love the analogy to the mention of "Wormwood" in the bible.  I think I remember her saying that Chernobyl meant wormwood somewhere on the pages.  

In Ukrainian language ( where we don't like to say "the") Chernobyl is the name of a grass, wormwood (absinth). This word scares the holy bejesus out of people here. Maybe part of the reason for that among religious people is because the Bible mentions Wormwood in the book of the revelatons - which fortells the end of the world....

REV 8:10 And the third angel sounded, and there fell a great star from heaven, burning as it were a lamp, and it fell upon the third part of the rivers, and upon the fountains of waters;

REV 8:11 And the name of the star is called Wormwood: and the third part of the waters became wormwood; and many men died of the waters, because they were made bitter.

http://www.kiddofspeed.com/chernobyl-revisited/chapter2.html

Also this statement might give one pause to the consideration and inevitable transition to nuclear power as our only alternative to the energy problems.  I found it enlightening.

"... More and more countries hail nuclear power as the only solution to climate change, peak oil and other looming misfortunes. They are about to start building reactors everywhere and after Chernobyl we no longer have the excuse of history not warning us. By freeing the nuclear monster our governments are about to turn loose man's worst enemy to stalk us. With so many nuclear facilities we are like unguarded lambs displaying themselves to the eye of a butcher, who will choose out first one and then another for his prey... The loan provided by nuclear industry is tainted bargain, the benefits seeming sweet today, tomorrow will convert to bitterest gall. By taking this loan we become victims of worse sort of usury, where the rate of interest we have to pay is more ruinous than any other creditor would require. The rate of interest is degeneration of our race, not just economic disaster caused by end of oil and not even environmental degradation like in case with global warming, but degeneration of human race itself, at a genetic level. The remedy is much worse than the ailment.. this is the case when headache is ailment and cure is guillotine."

Note from websites main page Spring 2009

[sidewinder]

Press release today 4-12-11 from TEPCO

We sincerely recognize that the trouble at Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power
Station due to Tohoko-Chihou-Taiheiyou-Oki Earthquake has been
provisionally rated at level 7 on INES (International Nuclear Event Scale).

We deeply apologize for the public's distress and inconvenience at the
surrounding areas of the power station, Fukushima Prefecture, and broader
society.

In order to resolve the situation as soon as possible, we will proceed to
cool the reactors and to prevent the diffusion of radioactive materials.
In addition, we are considering various countermeasures and their
processes. Cooperatively working with the national and local governments,
we will concentrate all our resources to resolve this difficult situation.

                                                         Masataka Shimizu
                                                                President
                          The Tokyo Electric Power Company, Incorporated.

One month into the ordeal it continues to escalate.  This is just about what I expected from government and the Power company.  They really don't know what they have. 

First it was on concern about iodine and that got the sales of iodine off the charts all around the world.  But if there should be concern about that then it stands to reason the other elements which accompany this are likely out.  As my Ukrainian friend said

"First they were telling about iodine-131, as if no other elements have been released.., always mention that half-life of iodine-131 is only eight days. They did it for a sake of winning a little time because general public believe that half life is time for chemicals vanish away and dissapear. Next step to introduce us Caesium, Ruthenium. Strontium... all marching one by one like on parade with Plutonium at the end. Place of honor on this parade of isotopes is solidly reserved for a king. Half life of Plutonium-239 is over 24,000 years. Unfortunately this information become available for general public when story is not longer on the news."

Now I'm sitting here racking my brain about the economic implications again.  This may not end well at all as a huge portion of northern Japan my be closed off for centuries should this be as bad as I think. 

In a certain way this is beginning to parallel the Chernobyl incident the way information on damage and release of material is being fed to the public through official channels.   

[sunseeker]

Hi SW
My. My. You have been a busy bee today.
We've had workmen in. So I've had to be busy keeping an eye on them to make sure that they're not cutting corners. Too much for me to take in at this time of night. I'm going to relax with a Jack D now. I've never tried the drink absinthe which is made from Wormwood.
I didn't think that we were going to hear from Martin Armstrong this side of September. That's something to look forward to.

Thanks for taking the time to share all that with us.

Catch you tomorrow.

ATB 

[sidewinder]

 

Yea, I took a break from all the little projects cause I've had some sort of allergic reaction to something.  Problem is I don't know what did it.  Been welding, brazing aluminum, a little gold plating (at least 4 nasty chemicals there alone) and soldering with 3 different types of solder.  Oh and fiberglass resin and bondo.  yikes the state of CA would consider me a biohazard.   So I can take my pick of the culprit.  Anyway I backed off a bit and will try to figure this out.  I'm leaning to a change in shampoo right now as the allegry manifest itself as a hive like skin breakout on the back of my neck. 

I have some prednisone from an allergy developed as a result of bug spray used on the airplanes I flew but am reluctant to use it.  It will have to get much worse before I take that stuff again.  (it's a steriod)

Anyway, Mr. wizards shop is close for the next day or so and I've nothing to do but harrass you guys.

I'm having this feeling that the Fukushima thing may be worse that we are hearing that's the reason for this one.

[MetalMeister]

SW, I spent a couple of hours going through that website you posted...

If I had known all that I would have joined Greenpeace, probably!  

So in reading all that, I came across a video from 2006, by Discovery Channel, I think.

This tells the complete Chernobyl story.  It is a MUST WATCH.  I had no idea all this happened, but neither did the world, apparently, until recently prior to this movie.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yiCXb1Nhd1o

 

[sidewinder]

Well with you and onlookers video's I have about 3 hours of 'Movietime" to look forward to this evening. 

Still have about 5 projects going on and just acquired a 6th when my lawn mower suddenly decided not to run right.  Guess it's time for a carb rebuild after all it's been about 20 years.  Wife was a manager with a regional Snapper Distributor years ago and I got everything the company offered at one time or the other.  This is a commercial model with a Wisconsin/Robin engine and I have to say that and my RedMax string trimmer are two of the best pieces of equipment I ever had.  They just keep running and running with very little maintenance.  T his year I didn’t put any Stabil in the fuel and I recon I am paying the price.  The carburetor kit must cost in the neighborhood of $12 LOL.  Not bad for a 24 year run.  No sir they just don’t build ‘em the way they use to and I intend to use these until I can’t physically do for myself and then pass ‘em on to my kid. 

LOL I have some fold up saw horses I built 22 years ago and just yesterday I rebuilt them using about ½ of the old original parts (hinges just need some lub).  I left these things outside for the past 6-7 years and the harsh summers here just took its toll on the wood.  But still 22 years for anything is pretty good and now I’m good to go for the remainder of my life. 

What’s the point?  Well I’m so P/Oed at the system that I have not put anything into the economy for the last 3 years and don’t intend to participate any time soon.  Other than food all I toss out there is for little materials for my projects and most of that I salvage from some source.   Example: neighbor didn’t drain his water heater regularly and it rusted out and begin leaking.  So he did what most do called the plumber and spent about $600 bucks to get back in the hot water business.  He set it out for trash pick up and I asked if he minded if I took it for a project.  So far I cut off the skin and have about 4x4 piece of nice sheet metal which I rolled and made a couple cans for my little stove projects and cut off the bottom which just happen to be a perfect charcoal grill.  The tank had a small spot where it rusted through and the fairly thin gauge metal can be welded (or at least I think it can).  I intend to use the tank as a surge pump on a vacuum former I am going to build, it should be perfect.  The gas regulator and igniter I intend to use on a souped up smoker I have.   In the event this tank won’t hold the 29 inches of vacuum I want I will cut it in half an make a BBQ out of the thing.  Total investment …. About an hour taking it apart and cleaning all the insulation off. 

All this and still spending about 2 hours a day working with Sketchup learning 3D modeling and photo to 3D rendering so I can make my models of stuff and use the handy vacuum former to make neat stuff with.  OK on to the movies……………………..

[MetalMeister]

SW,

The scripture you posted from Revelation 8:11 - I sent it, along with a Google Earth close up of Fukishima, on March 12th to my pastor and told him that it was the fulfillment of Revelation 8:11.

I still hold to that prediction.  Radiation in all it's forms is going to seep into all the ground water of Japan, probably.

I am also convinced that the Seals and Vials in Revelation do not have to be opened and poured out just during the 7 year portion of Daniel's 70th week.  Revelation is not a chronological book.

However, I maintain that we are now in the final 7 year "tribulation" period prior to the Second Coming of Christ.  Just over 2.5 years in, to be exact.

Too many coincidences with scripture to be anything else.

[sidewinder]

I just can't get caught up in all the literal summary.

It says wormwood was the name of a star that fell.   The city of Chernobyl was certainly not a star which fell from the heavens to poison the waters.  only coincidential but some trying to connect anything with the second coming might be able to ignore all the facts. 

I kind of like this one;   The end of the world is as near as the day of your death;

A lot easier than racking yer brain trying to figure a date that will in all likelyhood be incorrect. 

[MetalMeister]

There is great symbolism in Revelation.

We are not going to see everything that is described there.

But once it happens, we will be able to look back and say "ahhhhhh, I see..."

[sunseeker]

It says wormwood was the name of a star that fell.   The city of Chernobyl was certainly not a star which fell from the heavens to poison the waters. . 

Science comes to the rescue?

http://www.suite101.com/content/origin-of-the-chemical-elements-a23458


Elements heavier than bismuth (83 on the periodic table) can only be manufactured by the r process during a supernova.

A supernova is an explosion of a massive supergiant star. It may shine with the brightness of 10 billion suns!

ATB 

I'll probably live to regret this post. 

[MetalMeister]

Let me know when regret sets in...

 

[sidewinder]

While the MSM focuses on the sex habits of the political creature problems in Japan aren't going away.  Just now as things are very quiet about the goings on on Japan I have to wonder if the thing is as bad as it may likely be could this develop into a black swan in slow motion.  Reports are that this resulted in not just a melt down but rather a melt through in 3 of the reactors.  far worse case.
 
http://www.naturalnews.com/032657_Fukushima_meltdown.html

The implication of the world's third largest economy being pretty much shut down are astronomical.  I can just imagine a couple of scenarios that will result in grave financial implications and at the same time represent huge financial opportunities.  

just saying, don't forget about this ongoing disaster lurking quietly and currently out of sight and the minds of media.  Because they aren't talking about it even gives me greater cause for concern.  

Of course the same considerations were in place with the gulf oil spill and it seems like that has been put into the past ................. or has it?