Would You Pull the Plug on Nuclear Power?

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Watch the news closely these next few days: it will be interesting to see how quickly and how forcefully opponents of nuclear energy voice their protests, because of the disaster in Japan. As I write this, I haven't seen protests. By the time you read this, there might well be.

It's a tricky situation for nuke-power opponents.  The prospect of radiation leakage --or worse-- raises the specter of a Chernobyl-style disaster. If you were opposed to nuclear power, your case wouldn't be much stronger than this one. But when would you start to make noise? Point out what went wrong in Japan too late, and you've lost people's immediate attention. Point it out too soon -- as the situation still is unfolding -- and stand by to be accused of heartless exploitation, as millions still are suffering from what they're going through.

Whether you support or object to atomic energy as a source of power, we're all about to get a lesson in 'making a case.' How it's handled will say a lot about the people who oppose it.

(Photo source: AP)