German anti-nuclear protest now a mainstream movement

“The main difference between the ’70s and ’80s, when this all started, is today it’s a mainstream issue at the centre of the society,” …… “It is not just the ecological fringe.”

Despite protests, nuclear waste arrives in northern Germany – thestar.com. Michael Slackman New York Times, 9 Nov 10, lBERLIN—After three days of protests and occasional violent clashes with the police, a train hauling 123 tonnes of nuclear waste arrived Monday in northern Germany.

The nuclear waste, which had been reprocessed in France, was transferred to trucks that were expected to encounter a final gantlet of protesters en route to a storage facility near the former Gorleben salt mines.But even with the mission nearly completed, swelling opposition to the government’s nuclear policy was expected to have long-term repercussions for Germany’s political landscape, experts said and multiple national polls showed……this year’s demonstrations were the largest, officials said, reflecting widespread anger over the government’s decision to extend the life of the country’s 17 nuclear plants by an average of 12 years…..

More than 1,000 protesters have been arrested and detained in the past three days.

“The main difference between the ’70s and ’80s, when this all started, is today it’s a mainstream issue at the centre of the society,” said Claus Leggewie, a political science professor with the Institute for Advanced Study in the Humanities. “It is not just the ecological fringe.”

When Herman Chancellor Angela Merkel and her coalition partners decided to extend the life of the country’s nuclear plants, they said it was necessary to preserve access to cheap energy as part of a comprehensive energy policy that included developing renewable resources. Critics have accused the leadership of bowing to powerful corporate interests………..Tens of thousands of protesters descended on Dannenberg, where they displayed flags with the slogan, “Nuclear Power — No, Thanks.”

Despite protests, nuclear waste arrives in northern Germany – thestar.com

November 9, 2010 - Posted by Christina Macpherson | uranium | antinuclear, nuclear costs, nuclear wastes, radioactive, renewable, uranium

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1.This month.

The Road to War brings a sharp focus to why it is not in Australia’s best interest to be dragged into a war with China which will almost inevitably go nuclear very quickly. The filmmaker has interviewed some of Australia’s senior foreign policy analysts who have vast experience behind them in analysing what really is going on here as the United States rattles its sabres with China. And sets us up to be its proxy, like the poor Ukranians have been fed into the Meatgrinder. So America can remain the Top Dog. The Road to War reveals how the United States through its spy base at Pine Gap and by stationing six nuclear capable B52 bombers in the Top End (without permission from the traditional owners) is making Australia a prime nuclear target if the current war of words suddenly melts down into full scale war.

The Road to War shows the implicit connection between Carbon emissions (the US military uses a whopping 70% of America’s annual petroleum to move its armies and vast War Machine around the globe to its 800+ military bases..but under a loophole wangled at Kyoto, the US military does not have to report its C02 annual emissions). The Road to War starts screening at selected cities and regional centres in March. See the trailer end for details.

Antinuclear

Australian news, and some related international items