CBS producer wary of info from TEDCO and gov; Radiation in food

[Cetacea]

Progress on Japan nukes, but radiation fears real

CBS News producer Erin George reports from Tokyo

There seems to be good news coming from the crippled Fukushima nuclear power plant. Workers have been able to hook up external electrical power to one of the reactors, and hopefully in the next 24 hours they'll know if that electricity can power the failed water pumps. Radiation levels have stabilized to some extent, and one International Atomic Energy Official said Sunday those levels "remain below those which are dangerous for human health."


"Today there are reports of radioactive iodine found in spinach and milk from farms located 60 miles from Fukushima, outside of the so-called danger zone... and in fava beans exported from Japan to Taiwan. The government is also reporting that radioactive iodine is in Tokyo's water - at levels not harmful to human health.

But as Bill Whitaker reported earlier this week, people (and we here at CBS News) have every reason to be wary of information coming from the government and TEPCO, the power company that owns the nuclear reactor.

They may not be lying, but they may not have all the right information - which can be VERY worrisome as one showers and drinks tea here in Tokyo. We're trying to avoid dairy and fresh vegetables... but with all of the local markets still under-stocked (due to fuel and food shortages) and a SERIOUS run on Cups of Noodles, food options are limited..."


http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-503543_162-20045232-503543.html

[nadinbrzezinski]

1. The we don't trust them is now quite spread

it will make response harder if suddenly they come clean. Peter, wolf, comes to mind... and cynicism.

According to political science prof on NPR the media has to be ahem polite by law (and balanced), but one of their morning people came this close to the Anderson Cooper moment during Katrina.

[angstlessk]

2. Even as they KNOW they are subject to poision ....they remain loyal to the corporations

and will not expose the reality ...so sad!

[tularetom]

3. Very smart of them to be skeptical of the Japanese government

Why the fuck weren't they skeptical of OUR government's claims that Saddam Hussein had WMD's?

Convenient that they have now decided to be journalists instead of stenographers.

[Cetacea]

4. ...

Agreed.

[Hannah Bell]

5. they are selectively skeptical.

[nadinbrzezinski]

6. It is easier to do this when it is NOT your government

<--------- top cynic.

[bananas]

7. k&r nt