Jer's Blog

On Service...

2011-10-02T00:31:00.000-07:00

The Constitution and what it represents is greater than the people it protects. Our obligation therefore is to stand for it in purity and truth, in honor and strength, in humility and reverence - yes, even in love and adoration. For it is from God that we hold this nation and in the blood of martyrs that it is made whole. They are few who take on this mantle, this yoke as seen by others. They wear with pride the scorn and ridicule of those that do not hold with passion the faith nor the pain required to birth this land and to protect the virtue that is its greatness. And now, with eyes heavy with sorrow, limbs weakened with the burden, and heart pierced with the arrow of ignorance, I , freedom, sleep. I will awaken when in desperation you cry out for relief, when your tears, like the blood of my brothers and sisters run as the cascade across a mighty rapid and beckon you to take up my yoke, my pride, my sanctuary built of the bones and sinews of honor. For let us now pledge all that we are, all that we might be; our honor, our lands, our riches, and yes, our very lives to that which in His name we seek to establish and preserve. Not for any one man but for all that they may know the hope of freedom and the cost of liberty that both may be preserved for all eternity. If not, then farewell my country, my home, my joy. May my eyes close before your last liberty is thrown like pearls before the stampeding swine...

Fukushima and the Nuclear Industry

2011-04-01T02:44:00.000-07:00

The events at Fukushima Dai-ichi have the opportunity to provide real benefit to the nuclear industry and to many others as well. While it is far too early to know all of the underlying causes for the catastrophic results of the earthquake and tsunami, some problems that have become apparent seem to have been created by a combination of TEPCO's business practices, the governmental structure, and the operational culture; (born of the same Japanese culture that will bring about what will undoubtedly be a phoenix like resurrection in that country).

We know from some of the images broadcast and our knowledge of the containment design that they cut corners on their hardened vent system - you don't vent hydrogen into a closed space (it has to go up the stack or be recombined) and that layers of management and government approval were required to execute emergency procedures that would have prevented the containment damage. It didn't help either that TEPCO didn't respond when citizen action groups pointed out that they needed additional backup power. Now, the entire industry will have another TMI experience and that is not entirely bad. I do not think that this accident will negatively affect those who provide training and management support for the industry. Quite the opposite. From the additional inspections performed and knowledge that will undoubtedly be gained will come: plant modifications, new strategies required to cope with beyond design basis events, and demands for greater accountability and efficiency in training as well as operations. This can be real opportunity for those who approach it with an entrepreneurial eye.

While the rate of "new builds" will slow, the need for better support and support tools for existing units will probably grow - not significantly, but it won't be a negative trend. The pursuit of incremental improvements in the tools we need to do this will continue to add value and benefit only strengthening our position and ability.

With respect to overall continuance of the nuclear industry we must remember that just because the media and others run around screaming about I-131 in cow's milk doesn't mean that the industry is faltering globally. (BTW - you've been able to find I-131 in milk and other products since the atomic testing of the 50s.) The Eastern and European markets will not suddenly shut down and within a few short years the industry will by necessity be booming. Perhaps not immediately (especially in the US where ignorance tends to rule supreme) but it will grow. Oil, coal, and natural gas are finite; burning food for fuel is suicidal, wind barely breaks even (it loses money without subsidy), solar (photo-voltaic) is so toxic to the environment that it makes coal look good (not to mention that the Chinese own more than 80% of the rare earths required to produce the cells!), and even strong environmental groups are supporting the growth of nuclear.

With respect to safety, how many people have died as a direct result of normal operations of nuclear plants? Can't think of a number? Let me give you one---ZERO. In 2009 for example there were 4 deaths to generation workers in the US - not one associated with nuclear generation. Those deaths occurred when workers violated safety standards for entry into confined spaces. To put this in better perspective, the tsunami that devastated Japan immediately killed anywhere from 10,000 to 20,000 people and, hundreds more will die as the result of injuries and disease. The only death thus far recorded at Fukushima was due to a worker who became entrapped during the earthquake. Does this mean that nuclear is without risk? Of course not, but that risk should be put into perspective.

Fukushima will provide the nuclear industry with the opportunity to experience a growth in knowledge and understanding of severe accident management similar to TMI. This will permit us to operate plants with even greater safety, with operators better prepared to deal with unexpected conditions, and with communities more engaged in the overall integration of a variety of power sources. For those of us in the business of helping nuclear utilities achieve the highest standards of knowledge, performance, and preparedness the challenge is simple and the opportunity great. Learn everything we can of the incident at Fukushima from the latent flaws to the conditions that drove decisions made and then, coalesce that body of knowledge into improvements in training, emergency planning, preparedness, operations, and maintenance that open the door for the next real renaissance in the nuclear industry: a renaissance of knowledge.

What do you think?

Moto-DROID

2010-04-27T11:53:00.000-07:00

Being a digital-techno-immigrant (according to my next generation friend) I have waited a few days to submit my feedback to those who might be interested just to be certain that I am not biasing my opinion due to my lack of techno-savvy. Here are my comments about the Motorola DROID and two things that (as of now) I am NOT so pleased with:

Battery life - even using the app killer (which you have to remember to use!) battery life is an issue. Suggestion if you get one, set to "Airplane Mode" when you're in the building - makes a HUGE difference. Unlike the CrackBerry (which seems to "know" that no signal is around) the Moto-DROID keeps searching for one. To its credit, it seems to do a better job finding one inside the brick and steel of this god-forsaken wasteland of a building but...

Keyboard - Oy! This is taking a long time to get used to. In horizontal mode it is much easier to use but it is as touchy as my first date - no, make that my wife when I forgot our anniversary - no, make that... you get the idea. The "auto correct" feature is nice MOST of the time - just remember to check it 'cause if you use leet or text shorthand it will surprise you ("Cris" came out "Crass" - no wonder my wife was mad at me last night LOL)

I have tested out the Google Navigate function and have been using the Latitude application as well. Amazing! I was able to track my wife's progress from Toms River to Arcadia College and home while I was driving up to Oswego - she could do the same. Now, nowhere to hide. (Oh - and my partner, I know where you are...) I can see some real advantages to this feature, especially if I can get the kids to keep their phones on. And did I say that the Navigate feature is amazing? All they need to do is incorporate the traffic alerts that Verizon VZW-navigator had and it would be perfect.

Oh, and the CrackBerry is not going to waste - my daughter has it and the new software load. She's hooked - darned digital natives! And it now supports Google apps too!

The Church and Government...

2009-06-26T15:32:00.000-07:00

In reply to a post on CatholicCulture.org

The Church should not become a "ward of the state". When the Church becomes entangled in the misadventures of the state it loses more than just its identity, it loses its very soul. Allow me to quote HG Wells, "Until a man has found God he begins at no beginning; he works to no end." The mission of the Church is to "Go...into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature." I am certain this verse from Mark 16 is recognized. When as the Body of Christ we accept the lucre of the world, made from corruption and destined to return to it, we accept (if even in a small way) the corruption of the world. While the funding received may help an otherwise valuable institution remain financially afloat it destroys the unique nature of the Church because once federal/state funding is accpeted so too are the terms of the state. No longer can we preach the gospel of salvation through faith in Jesus Christ without being accused of "state sponsored religion". Mark my words, in Massachuchetts you will see the first suit brought by the ACLU or some other anti-Christian group that will result in the removal of the sign of Christ from each room, each caregiver, and the administration of the institution. That the archdiocese has agreed to accept state funding is an indication of fear not of the desire to spread God's word and the glorious mystery of Christ's life, death, and ressurrection that we proclaim each time we attend mass. I cringe when I think of the possibilities. I know that our Lord will extend a protective hand for those who in complete faith submit to and then glory in His will, I fear for the Church and its autonomy from those who teach (and would have us teach) that there is no importance to God or belief in Him. Where would this world be without the early evangelists? Without those who today preach, teach, and heal through the power of Christ. If that power be bound by the contracts with the State (and it will be) then the healing will be for nought for our primary mission as Christians - will have been sold for a few pounds of paper, worth less than 30 pieces of silver!

Extremist - Really?

2009-04-20T11:23:00.000-07:00

The recent "Tea Party Furor" and release of the HSA "Right Wing Extremist" assessment got me thinking. Does the "administration" consider me a threat? I consider my beliefs, my opinions, and the actions I am willing to take and I wonder...

I believe in LIFE...

There is nothing more sacred or more worth protecting than human life. I will accept no directive that causes me to take a human life except for the purpose of protecting my own, my family, or in defense of my nation. Life begins when sentience can be established. In other words, when one can demonstrate that the organism in question has learned a response to type of stimulus such as shirking from loud noise, reacting to temperature changes, hunger, or pain and willfully avoids the condition associated with that stimulus. For human beings, the moment that the heartbeat is detected. To willfully destroy life is sin. Doesn't matter if you believe in God or not - it is still sin. To willfully and wantonly destroy anything is sin. In other words, we are charged with being stewards over all that we survey to some extent.

I believe in LIBERTY...

The opportunity for each individual to achieve their maximum potential based on will, desire, ability, effort, and persistence is as sacred as life itself. This does not mean that all are expected to achieve the same ends, rather all should be able to achieve all that they are capable of achieving. In no way does my liberty require of you anything greater than a lack of action to prevent my achieving my potential. And, your opportunity does not require any encumbrance on that which I produce or acquire through my own (honest) efforts. In other words, providing that which I achieve does not overtly prevent you from achieving (just because I get there first doesn't mean you are entitled to wear the ribbon), I am under no obligation to provide you anything - nor you me. This concept extends to the rights of expression, religion (or non-religion, whatever that is), property, security within one's domicile, and the right to free and fair trade with one's neighbors (think global economy here). I also have the right to protect that which I have earned or achieved through whatever means are necessary from building a fence to owning and carrying a concealed weapon providing that weapon is never raised in anger or with the intent of unjustly depriving another of their liberty or life. To this end, anyone that has not reached the age of 18 years or 16 years if self-sufficient shall have no encumbrance placed upon them by either parent or society that prevents their full exercise of LIBERTY providing they are not engaged in an act that would hazard their LIFE. This caveat is necessary to permit the development of judgement because LIFE is the foundation of LIBERTY and without the former one has no opportunity to experience the latter.

I believe in the PURSUIT OF HAPPINESS...

No matter your views on morality nor mine, providing my actions do not deprive another of their LIFE or LIBERTY or threaten the life or liberty of others, I may engage in any enterprise I choose and with whoever I choose without fear of reprisal, intrusion, or confiscation of property. If the enterprise hazards the physical liberty or life of my chosen community then I am free to seek another - if the enterprise hazards the environment in which I live but provides either goods or service demanded by others then it is a shared responsibility to ameliorate the conditions or live with their consequence. Furthermore, no one has the right to define what happiness is for another once they have reached the age of 18 years (16 years if self-sufficient) nor to restrict their movement providing that movement does not hazard another life or threaten others liberty.

Yes, I am an extremist. I don't mind too much though, Thomas Jefferson, John Adams, Franklin (though somewhat addled and irresponsible at times), Paine, Gandhi, Jesus Christ, Buddha, and the Dali Lama all fall into the same camp. Sounds like good company to me. But then, I believe in the founding documents and the intent of them offered by their authors. I took an oath to defend them and what they represent. What gave anyone the right to reinterpret them?

PS - Come and get me!