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The Fukushima 50: Not afraid to die
CBS News ^ | March 15, 2011 | Jim Axelrod

Posted on 03/15/2011 5:20:23 PM PDT by Eyes Unclouded

Since the disaster struck in Japan, about 800 workers have been evacuated from the damaged nuclear complex in Fukushima. The radiation danger is that great.

However, CBS News correspondent Jim Axelrod reports that a handful have stayed on the job, risking their lives, to try to save the lives of countless people they don't even know.

Although communication with the workers inside the nuclear plant is nearly impossible, a CBS News consultant spoke to a Japanese official who made contact with one of the 50 inside the control center.

The official said that his friend, one of the Fukushima 50, told him that he was not afraid to die, that that was his job.

Cham Dallas, who led teams responding to the Chernobyl disaster, said that kind of response is not out of the normal for some workers in the nuclear energy sector.

"(In) my experience of people in the action area of nuclear power is much like that," Dallas said.

The 50 are working amid decreasing but still dangerously high levels of radiation.

"The longer they stay the more dangerous it becomes for them," said expert Margaret Harding. "I think it is a testament to their guts for them to say, 'We'll stay and if that means we go, we go.'"

If the contamination threat isn't contained in a few weeks, finding enough workers willing to face the risks could become a crucial challenge.

Dallas said he expects that in that scenario, the Japanese energy authorities may have to find volunteers willing to undergo similar dangers, which will be hard to do, but not impossible.

Keep in mind they'd be volunteering to head into a place so potentially dangerous, that anyone within 20 miles of it was just asked to evacuate.


TOPICS: Extended News; Foreign Affairs; Japan; News/Current Events
KEYWORDS: bravery; earthquake; fukushima; japan; tsunami
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Godspeed!


1 posted on 03/15/2011 5:20:31 PM PDT by Eyes Unclouded
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To: Eyes Unclouded

2 posted on 03/15/2011 5:21:25 PM PDT by Eyes Unclouded ("The word bipartisan means some larger-than-usual deception is being carried out." -George Carlin)
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To: Eyes Unclouded

Heros come in all shapes, sizes and professions.


3 posted on 03/15/2011 5:21:32 PM PDT by The Magical Mischief Tour (With The Resistance...)
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To: The Magical Mischief Tour

True.


4 posted on 03/15/2011 5:23:17 PM PDT by Larry Lucido
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To: Eyes Unclouded
Their heritage runs strong in these ones...


5 posted on 03/15/2011 5:23:17 PM PDT by Joe 6-pack (Que me amat, amet et canem meum)
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Comment #6 Removed by Moderator

To: Eyes Unclouded

Some of these kamikaze nuclear workers will die from radiation. No Japanese civilians will -— my prediction


7 posted on 03/15/2011 5:24:01 PM PDT by dennisw ( The early bird catches the worm)
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To: bigheadfred

Actually, they are their grandchildren.


8 posted on 03/15/2011 5:24:01 PM PDT by Larry Lucido
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To: Eyes Unclouded

50 Japanese “Mr. Spocks” as in “The Wrath of Kahn”. Brave men deserving of our highest respect.


9 posted on 03/15/2011 5:24:24 PM PDT by MadMax, the Grinning Reaper
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To: Eyes Unclouded

This people are allready heros.
Japan should build a monument for every single one of them.
(Because i fear they will have to pay the ultimate price for their heroic deeds)


10 posted on 03/15/2011 5:24:50 PM PDT by darkside321
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To: Eyes Unclouded

bttt


11 posted on 03/15/2011 5:25:18 PM PDT by BenLurkin (This post is not a statement of fact. It is merely a personal opinion -- or humor -- or both)
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To: dennisw

Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.

John 15:13


12 posted on 03/15/2011 5:25:26 PM PDT by Larry Lucido
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To: Eyes Unclouded
"However, CBS News correspondent Jim Axelrod reports that a handful have stayed on the job, risking their lives, to try to save the lives of countless people they don't even know."

It is a sorry commentary on this country when that sort of honorable behaviour is considered strange.
13 posted on 03/15/2011 5:25:26 PM PDT by Oceander (The phrase "good enough for government work" is not meant as a compliment)
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To: Eyes Unclouded

God bless you. The job must be done.


14 posted on 03/15/2011 5:26:55 PM PDT by struggle ((The struggle continues))
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To: Eyes Unclouded
Someone posted a link to another very good article about the workers inside Fukushima here: http://www.aolnews.com/2011/03/15/heroic-team-inside-fukushima-nuclear-plant-probably-terrified/?ncid=webmail

Four more of the workers are missing since the fire in reactor #4 this afternoon.

15 posted on 03/15/2011 5:26:59 PM PDT by lonevoice (Where the Welfare State is on the march, the Police State is not far behind)
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To: Eyes Unclouded

These individuals are nothing short of Japanese national heros.


16 posted on 03/15/2011 5:27:03 PM PDT by SpaceBar
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To: The Magical Mischief Tour
Heros come in all shapes, sizes and professions.

Even cops, sometimes, my FRiend. :-)

But that's besides the point here.

17 posted on 03/15/2011 5:27:26 PM PDT by Larry Lucido
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To: darkside321
The new 47 Ronin ! (Except now there are 50!)
18 posted on 03/15/2011 5:27:33 PM PDT by Reily
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To: Oceander

So true.


19 posted on 03/15/2011 5:28:29 PM PDT by Larry Lucido
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To: Eyes Unclouded
URGENT: Fuel rods damage at Fukushima's 2 reactors estimated at 70%, 33%

An estimated 70 percent of the nuclear fuel rods have been damaged at the troubled No. 1 reactor of the Fukushima No.1 nuclear power plant and 33 percent at the No. 2 reactor, Tokyo Electric Power Co. said Wednesday.

20 posted on 03/15/2011 5:30:02 PM PDT by justa-hairyape
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