Tuesday, August 31, 2004
I don't like the Green's
The tree hugging I can take, the little patches on the elbows - odd, but whatever you're into. But this sort of imperious dismissal of a study into the potential viability of nuclear power is just irritating. A Green Party press release yesterday:
Environment Canterbury (ECan) regional councillors voted last night to consider nuclear power as part of planned debates and workshops on energy options for the region.No Don, what would be disturbing is if an "otherwise intelligent concillor" was to do anything but consider every possiblity, rather than pander to the antiquated preaching of the minority.
“Nuclear power is an absolute no-brainer for Canterbury and New Zealand,” said Mr Donald.
“Even the prospect of a nuclear power plant will immediately undermine our clean green image, to the detriment of tourism industry and primary produce exports.
“It is particularly offensive for Labour Party member Dr Ian Robertson, the mover of the motion, to suggest that the Chernobyl disaster did not kill ‘a great number’ of people. Reputable independent studies show that eight thousand clean-up workers died within five years, that there has since been a 12-fold increase in thyroid cancer among Belorussian women and a marked increase in leukaemia across Europe among children who were in the womb at the time. In terms of casualties, Chernobyl was a bigger tragedy than September 11.
“I find it disturbing that otherwise intelligent councillors have voted to investigate nuclear power. It is particularly surprising that two Labour Party councillors who are seeking re-election, Richard Budd and Sir Kerry Burke, have supported this motion that contradicts their ‘2021’ coalition’s vision statement. Helen Clark will not be amused.
