Nuclear power. . .
Continued from Page 7
However, according to wveral scientific experts,
nuclear energy is also beneficial.
For example, It has definite economic advantages, said
i commissioner' of the Atomic Energy Commission in
Washington D.C.
James T. Ramey in Nuclear Power and the Public said
he believed that nuclear power provides competition to
other energy sources which benefits the consumer by
keeping costs and rates down.
' The use of nuclear power will decrease the burden on
the nation's transportation systems, and nuclear power
costs do not vary with location, according to Ramey.
However, Ramey contends that "the potential benefits
of nuclear power are great, but their achievement involves
accepting certain risks."
He said that it is difficult to define specifically the risks
nuclear energy impose because it is hard to assign rela
tive values to many of nuclear power's benefits.
One example, he said, is the excellent safety record of
nuclear plants.
"NO DEATHS or accidents affecting the general public
have occurred in any civilian nuclear power plants in the
United States," he said.
"How does this compare with more than fifty thou
sand deaths a year in automobile accidents, and about two
thousand deaths a year in aircraft accidents?" he asked.
A statement by the Research and Policy Committee
of the Committee for Economic Development, entitled
Nuclear Energy and National Security agreed with the
benefits of nuclear power pointed out by Ramey.
However, the statement argues that benefits and risks
shouldn't be the first priority in dealing with nuclear
power.
"The United States no longer has anything approaching
a monopoly on nuclear technology. It can no longer stop
the growth of nuclear power, if indeed it ever coiid.."
"The United States really has no choice," the Com
mittee contends. -
"ITS ONLY OPTION is to continue to participate in
the nuclear world, to exercise as much influence and
leadership as it can to see that the worst ca
tastrophes of such a world do not come to pass."
The committee also argues that because nuclear energy
is a reality in the rest of the world, there is no way for
the United States to isolate itself from the magnitude of
the global developments.
Cooperation is the key to survival, according to the
commission, and without vigorous U.S. participation in
nuclear development there may be no solutions to the
threats of nuclear energy.
However, the Institute for Ecological Policies in Jan
uary 1979 reported that they oppose nuclear power de
spite the technical expertise of the nation's nuclear en
-gjneers. ,
In the article "People and Energy," the Institute said
trust cannot be placed in nuclear regulatory officials to
put public health and safety above the welfare of the in
dustry. , AISO, A REPORT released by the Union of-Con
cemed Scientists accuses the nation's 70 nuclear power
plants oflapsing in safety requirements. ; . -.v.,;);
Thereport, which names Brownsville, Neb., is being
one of the plants in violation," said that safety
requirements are being "flagrantly'violated by the electric
utility cbmpanies."
Robert Pollard, editor of the UCS report, quoted a
government assessment of some of the accidents detailed
in a file which disclosed the alleged violations.
"The absence of more serious effects is largely the
result of good luck."
Controversies concerning nuclear power will sur
round the issues for some time. However, the committee
for Economic Development claims that the United States
must deal with the issue now and not become submerged
within the question nuclear power asks.
"Like the rest of the world, the United States will
have to get used to living with new and inescapable
dangers."
Poetry
Children Inherit the Spirit
Children inherit the spirit
of music in all they do
and sing it in play
in laughter and
in games
They play in hope with
faith and always
join together
to form
joyous music
with each participating
as notes
in a master work
of song and
life
Ed Green
Solar Eclipse at Black Bend, North Dakota
the sun throbs beneath the cowl of moon
and dogs begin to howl.
birches white as cemeteries
lean into the darkness.
bare blackness surrounds us.
shadows loose their bounds.
a grain elevator stands lonely,
distant, birds stop singing.
the silent noise rarified,
stinging at last the mind.
the man with die camera tenses,
the present, flickering on the frame.
a glimmer of the surface only
like pain captured in a poem,
the boulevards of lives happening without
us,
grief snapped too late to touch.
depth" has vanished from stagnant pools,
men and women lose their shape.
the moon pulls its weight,
the light was afternoon.
Music of ages
Music of ages
the knowledge to know,
things to discover
in ways we can grow
Fly through the darkness
and don't be afraid,
life is worth living
so don't let it fade
Keep your light shining
and it will not fail
to carry you onward
like wind in a sail
Music of ages
the knowledge of light,
used to discover
intelligent flight
Listen to voices .
from ages now past,
there's something to learn
from genius so vast
Those that were living
contributed such,
they helped make life better
and gave so much
Music of ages
the knowledge of past,
used to discover
the things that will last
Take' a step forward
into the unknown,
live for adventure
and not in a zone
Live to move onward
and don't ever stop
though times may look cloudy
still climb toward the top
Music of ages
the knowledge ahead,
learn from the sources
of which knowledge is fed
The Final Doom
Desperate faces I seem to see
Looks of pain contorting me
The only sound I seem to hear
Are desperate screams composed of fear
One book down 4
Twelve more I find
It appears I've fallen a bit behind
The question most discouraging to me
Is how to regain my sanity
Hours fly like birds in flight
Trying to fight with all my might
To stay awake and concentrate
Before it's time to greet my fate
Dooms day approaches me at last
How'd that night fly by so fast
I've got to try and do my best
My goal. . . . .to ace this final test.
Mary Heyden
I hear
I hear a bird far away,
the sound, soft on my ear,
gives life to my senses
enabling them
to grasp the sensations
that are felt, heard, smelled,
seen and tasted
I hear a flute
softly awakening my ears
to my being and proclaiming
life with all its glory,
with color and theme
to all things earth
happily shares with us
The air vibrates
the electricity of beauty
constantly flowing
through our souls,
cleansing by encouraging
vitality of awareness
Ed Green
Contest offers $200 in prizes
A contest with $200 in prizes for short
story writers, poets and photographers is
being sponsored by Fathom .
The contest is open to all UNL students
who are not on the Daily Nebraskm staff.
All entries should be brought to Room 34,
Nebraska Union, by Wed., April 11. They
should be submitted with name, address
and phone number. Winning entries will be
published in Fathom Fri., May 4.
Photographs must be previously
unpublished, black and white only, of
people, places or things. They should be
submitted in 8 x 10-inch or 11 x 14-inch
sizes.
The top three photos, as judged by
three professionals, will win $50, $30 and
$20. All photos will be returned.
Fiction and poetry submitted for the
contest also should be previously unpub
lished'. Poetry should be no longer than 50
lines, and short stories no longer than
2,500 words.
The top three winners for Action and
poetry, as judged by professionals, will win
$25, $15 and $10.
Fiction and poetry already submitted to
Fathom automatically is entered.
Ed Green
Bob Thomas
Liht may fly
.
Light may fly
over waters
dark with fear
and brighten
hopes of life
where the lake
of death dwells
silently.
Ed Green
fsthem
friday , march 23. 1 979