We have been shocked in recent days by the nuclear plant disaster in distant Japan. Though the radiation released into the air has not killed anyone, it has raised big fears.
Naturally, since we have a nearby nuclear power plant, and many other nuclear facilities throughout our country, we have asked whether something similar could possibly happen here. We are unlikely to have Japanese-size earthquakes in this area, and our safety precautions have been extensive.
But now comes a news report that a small amount of radioactive iodine-131 was detected in Chattanooga - the second highest level measured in drinking water in the United States.
The radiation apparently was from Japan.
Fortunately, though the local level was comparatively high, it was reported to have been "well under the levels of health concerns."
But inescapably, whatever happens "anywhere" in the world may affect us in some way.
We are reminded of the old literary quote that "no man is an island." We are all a part of one world. So its many varied events, no matter how remote, are of interest to us all, wherever we may be.