[Frantzie]

People need to remember the backdrop of why this happened. A 9.1 magnitude quake. They probably should have had better planning and no one ever expected.......

Unfortunately - the stuff no one expects usually happens. I am sure a lot of brave Japanese are trying to save this plants. Saving one is hard enough but when 6(?) are is serious trouble it is almost impossible.

I had heard that they had been using fire engine pumps to try to pump in cool water yesterday.

Poor Japanese.

[glock rocks]

I have every confidence that the engineers will do what needs to be done, up to and including the loss of their lives doing so.

I was told in engineering school that when a doctor screws up, they can lose a patient, but when an engineer screws up, they can lose a city. These are pros. I believe they deserve our gratitude and prayers.

[sefarkas]

they had been using fire engine pumps

If you made yourself a relatively simple thermodynamic equation (without the complexity of fluid flow losses in pipe), you would find that a typically sized fire engine pump is more than adequate for the amount of water needed to keep a reactor cool that has been shutdown for several days. Using fire water pumps, which are already on-site to help protect against fires, is part of the emergency response procedures at many plants.

[khnyny]

The dignity and stoicism that the Japanese have exhibited throughout this entire tragedy is nothing but brilliant. They have my utmost respect and prayers. They give an example to the world of strength under adversity.