In this photo taken on Oct. 3, 2008, the No. 1 reactor, center, of the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant in Okumamachi, Fukushima Prefecture, is seen. A strong earthquake on Friday, March 11, 2011 knocked out power at the plant, and because a backup generator failed, the cooling system was unable to supply water to cool the 460-megawatt reactor. An official with Japan's nuclear safety commission said Saturday, March 12, 2011 that a meltdown at the plant is possible. (AP Photo/Kyodo News)"Be it ever so humble, there's no place like home."
We may say that fondly - unless we are in an area of Japan where there is radiation danger as a result of damage to a nuclear generating plant. The recent tsunami caused the damage, and efforts to contain the radiation continue.
Nearly 80,000 Japanese have been evacuated from a 12-mile area around the plant! When will they be able to return home? It may take months.
Nuclear generation of electricity is a wonderful thing. But damage to a nuclear generation plant can be terrifying. Though radiation from the plant in Japan hasn't killed anyone, it is nonetheless plainly right to insist upon extensive safeguards in our nuclear power generating plants.