This nuclear energy debate is truly fascinating.

It’s like abortion.  Either you’re in .. or out.     Small joke.     In these troubled times.

Fukushima in Japan is a major warning.  There are steady ironies to this matter which are:

• Americans in Hawaii now in fear of airborne attack by Japanese radiation.
• Japanese who were attacked by airborne nuclear devices have authorities who appear to have bent the rules on how to build a proper nuclear facility.
• Chinese (the original food despoilers) won’t buy food from Japan since Fukushima

South Koreans still eating Pho - with Japanese Kobe beef .. but China? Won't touch the stuff

Whether you’re an ardent supporter of all things Tokyo,  this should send a shudder down your spine.  If a country that experienced two bombs can bend rules around nuclear energy,  imagine what’s happening in your backyard?

The reaction to this terrible saga has been sudden and long overdue.

For instance, German Chancellor Angela Merkel has ordered a new audit into German nuclear power stations.  Their little neighbour,  Austria,  is pleased.  It’s surrounded by  nuclear power,  but banned it.  Vienna doesn’t like extreme stuff any more.

But why is Merkel doing this now?

Its the human way.

We are ignorant of processes around us,  just exactly how things work.  We’re like little children,  forgetting from day to day about really important stuff.    Now we hear that SA plans big nuclear energy growth.

I fly regularly close to Pelindaba – and boy is it busy!

Now here’s the quandry.   In a country which has disallowed school inspections in case the truth emerges about how bad some teachers and schools really are –  how well will the state inspect nuclear power stations?  Cross my palm with silver and I’ll tell you.

Still,  I prefer nuclear energy to the dark- satanic- mill -coal-fired chest infecting carbon dioxide spewing 19th century technology.

There’s a bit of technology in my left ear that allows me to pass an aviation exam. Sometimes hardware and software come together in a symphony of perfection, and in this case, while not perfect, the Phonak thingy that I’ve been forced to wedge in my left ear has helped.

I passed an aviation exam this morning that included ECG (running until you gasp and collapse and then the nurse checks you don’t die of a heart attack), blood tests, urine tests for drugs, blood, proteins, and old cigars, and after two hours of eyes, ears, nose, cardiovascular, and psychology testing, I received my Class ii aviation medical.

The Amazing bionic ear

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