Current Events

COP

Truth is that it requires time. But renewables will be the result. If I am wrong then why is the whole world from China to USA working on them. As a ton of people here said nuclear is dangerous. 

How many more disasters do we need before people realize it. Japan is one of the most careful nations. They have greatest safety records. Yet it failed. Now imagine a solar plant hit by a disaster. No radiation; not disaster; no problem. 

It is going to be the solution. But yes it will take time. Meanwhile there are other less dangerous ways to fill the gap. They include conservation and yes fossil fuels. My car gets 40+ miles per gallon. Why do Americans drive SUV getting 12 mpg.

VPK, the answer is dilithium crystals

accusing me of spewing right wing corporate garbage is like expecting AN to showcase his wife in a bikini (yuk) in ramazan while he takes a big bite out of a ham sandvich in shomal. Dude, I am not for nuclear power, BUT I am a realist.

Renewable energy cannot answer the demand for industry and commerce. If you're a technical person, you know I am right.

Hey, I think dilithium crystals can do the trick though. Got any?

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IRAN FIRST

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Amir

I already said I oppose all forms of nuclear power. For any nation as the Russian; American and Japanese disasters proved. But like it or not Iran does have the right. If West is so against IRI why did they install Khomeini?

No one is worried about human rights in Iran or anywhere. It is all a farce. They just use it as an excuse to push their agenda. Russians want money so they sell old tehonology. Americans want inflence to they make up WMD fiction.

The world is run on a lie. A big one and every single nation is dishonest. Once again: if West is worried about IRI why did they put them in power. Why are they even today creating more Islamic Republics from Iraq to Libiya.

VPK,

I am in favor of total isolation, embargoes, and sanctions against the IRI. I've never said "Iran is always wrong." Quite the contrary, I am against the IRI because the Iranian people deserve much better than this regime. What is the IRI's "right" to have Russia build a nuclear reactor compared to the most fundamental of human rights that it deprives Iranians? If you don't like my choice of words sometimes, that's your right, and let's agree to disagree. My last post also mentioned another issue worth considering (and others have raised this point too), namely: That Iran, which has a proven record of inattention to safety and quality assurance and which sits on a major fault line and where even earthquakes of moderate intensity can cause enormous damage, is not hit by a major earthquake in the vicinity of Bushehr.

This is something that would hurt Iranians, and defending the "rights" of the IRI (real or alleged) to Russian-built nuclear reactors wouldn't help iranians one bit if such an earthquake were to happen or if accidents were to occur at Bushehr or other nuclear installations. Regards. 

Amir

I did not think you were referring to me. But I still do not like this "Iran alwasy wrong" approach. Iran as a nation does have rights. Yes it is being run by thugs. But it does not mean that it has no rights.

One day IRI is going to be gone. If we give up national rights of Iran now they will never be regained. That is why I would never give up a right like having nuclear power. On the other hand I would not build any either.

Keep the rights but use good judgment in practicing it. Good judgment tells me that nuclear is a dead end. While the deserts in Iran are prime resources to be tuned to solar powerhouses.

VPK,

Relax, I was not referring to you. 

Onlyiran

The nuclear powers were obligated to dismantle its nuclear weapons. They are in much worse violation. The whole NPT has become a joke. If you cross USA you get "in violation".

Do you know how much they bribed various nations to get that label? No I am not supporting IRI but I see a joke and call it so. Before long no nation will have a reason to remain in it.

The only good thing is that nuclear thing is going out of style. Thanks to the links Vildermose and I showed. Renewables are being make right now. Thank God and f*** the nukes power and otherwise! 

OnlyIran: Very ture…

But only and if all parties in said contract have fulfill their part and in good faith.  In relation to NT, its contract with its members and IAEA that is hardly the case. As you said, they cannot violate the agreement and insist on the part that they are entitled to and suites their interest. Furthermore, based on information available on the net, the members are obliged to inform IAEA only six months prior to introducing nuclear material to any site.

'Hambastegi' is the main key to victory 

Mehrdad

GE Invests $600M to Build

 //www.greenbiz.com/blog/2011/04/08/ge-invests-600M-build-largest-US-solar-plant

 Google invests $168m in world's largest solar power tower plant

//www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2011/apr/15/google-solar-mojave-ivanpah

Reform requires the consent of the corrupt

Actually, VPK - the IRI doesn't have the right under the NPT

 That's just IRI noise and propaganda.  The NPT is a contract between the IAEA and participating nations.  The most important and most basic requirements of the NPT is full disclosure of nuclear facilities, which the IRI failed to do--intentionally-- for almost a decade.  That means that the IRI is in breach of its contract with the IAEA.  You can't be a party to an agreement, then violate that agreement, but insist that  you're entitled to is benefits.  That means that you cannot run a clandestine nuclear program for ten years and then claim that you're entitled to it under the NPT, when the NPT required you to dislcose the program at the beginning.

COP Jan

Renewables will most definitely produce all the energy we need. You are just speaking the "party line" for right wing corporations. Nuclear is a dead end waste. The one viable nuclear reactor is the Sun! Nice distance away.

No earthquake or tsunami will affect it and it produces all the power. We are rapidly getting to a point where active solar is viable. Not to mention use of solar boilers see this link: //en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Solar_power_in_Spain#...

There are dozens of different approaches. All it takes is a bit of creativity. In America the big nuclear types will fight this tooth and nail. But they will fail because China; EU and others will lead the alternatives leaving USA behind.

AMIR1973

Thank you very much for your over generalization and insults. Now anyone who says Iran has a right to nuclear power is a "Little Cyber Helper"? I believe Iran does have the right. I also oppose nuclear in general.

Not everyone fits in your little boxes of "IRI" or "anti-IRI" or whatever. People have thier own minds and think! I do not get paid by IRI. But I know that according to NPT Iran has a right to nuclear power. It is right there in the treaty and West is reneging on its responsibilities. That does not mean I support IRI. Nor does it mean I want nuclear power. In fact I would advise Iran and the whole world to abandon it. There is a difference between having a right and using it. I have a right to jump off a cliff. But I am not going to because I am not stupid.

We got a lot of people who are extremists on all sides. If anyone steps out of line they get trashed as "IRI groupie" or whatever. Not very tolerant.

I am all for renewable energy....

As long as they keep producing 100LL AVGas.

'Hambastegi' is the main key to victory 

Mehrdad

Renewable Energy, someone said?

This planet is believed to have over 9 billion people on its surface before too long.

Renewable sources, while noble, cannot begin to answer the demand in 10-20 or 30 years. Regardless of those facts, as long as fossile fuels are available and somewhat cheap, they are the name of the game.

The rise in gas (petrol for you non-yankees) prices in the last few years, however, is only a warning sign of things to come.

Nuclear ENERGY is dangerous, but it is the only viable "alternative" right in front of us now. That is if you truly care about the energy aspects of it.

Trouble is that the alliance of reesh-o pash is interested in the thermo-nuclear aspects of it................

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IRAN FIRST

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Pray to Emam Zaman

That Iran, which has a proven record of inattention to safety and quality assurance and which sits on a major fault line and where even earthquakes of moderate intensity can cause enormous damage, is not hit by a major earthquake in the vicinity of Bushehr. That would be bad. But then again, the IRI's Little Cyber Helpers living in North America and Western Europe live very far away and don't have to worry about such things, so they can recycle their gibberish about the IRI's "independence" (which actually means dependence on China and Russia).

VPK

Yes, the west has a 4-5 item list, but the nuclear issue trumps them all.

MM

If it was not for all the nuclear holocaust talks, existential threat
this and that........what do you think the focus of the international
community on the IRI activities would be?

I am sure they would find some other distraction. Probably support for Taliban; Hizbolah or something not the real problem.

The only time "international" community was into human rights was with Shah. And only when Jimmy decide to have him removed. The whole thing from Amnersty International to all of them are a joke. They are tools to kick out whom they don't like. Then ignore the ones they want to keep in power.

lu lu-ye sar-e kharman is distracting the main cache

The commenters here have good points, but please keep in mind that the nuclear technology, or the threat of acquiring weaponized fission technology, is also needed by the IRI to distract the foreigners from all the human rights abuses going on every day in Iran.  Ask yourselves a question!  If it was not for all the nuclear holocaust talks, existential threat this and that........what do you think the focus of the international community on the IRI activities would be?

Folks

I oppose the use of nuclear power in general. For many reason. It is unsafe; produces waste; may be used for weapons. The list goes on and is pretty long. Now got that! But my point is nuclear issue is a red herring.

People are falling for the "official line" by the West. That the problem with Iran is the nukes. That somehow Mullahs wants to nuke Israel and that is the problem. I do not buy this. The problem is West does not want Iran to influence the region.

If IRI was smart which is not. It would dump the nuclear thing and go for renewables. But it has decided to pick a stupid fight. To give West the excuse it needs. And to invite trouble. Is this a surprise from a regime that took hostages!

VPK

I realize that the US and the west do not care about the safety aspects of the reactors, but my reference to safety is a general concern and for Iran and her people. So how come all of a sudden you're a supporter of nukes for mullahs?

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IRAN FIRST

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Large Zone Around Fukushima

 //www.nytimes.com/2011/08/22/world/asia/22japan.html?_r=2

Do you think IRI will be any better in case of nuclear accident???

Reform requires the consent of the corrupt

Agree Arj

I can't argue with your sound reasoning. I would add one point that Islamic Republic is not full result of Iranian revolution and has been deformed by pressures and threats. It's like an infant that was injected with experimental/purposeful drugs to assure its incompetency.

Although one could argue that this is normal for all systems and governments!

In short, Iranian people have a long way to go before we all realize our full capabilities and strength. I have noticed lack of confidence among many Iranians, which has always been there.

These advances are great pointers to what Iranians are capable of, and can be directed to people rather than governments and systems. Trusting ourselves might be a roadmap to a better Iran. That is why I focus more on people and social norms and standards, Rights, and progressive cultural modification than a system in place.

Re nuc tech

Dear vildemose, nuclear energy is pretty much oudated to begin with! Look at Germany, Canada, Sweden, and recently Italy... all embracing alternative, renewable energies such as Solar, wind, geothermal, hydrothermal...!

COP

I don't think USA is worried about any of what you say. We just have to agree to disagree on this. Do you think India or Pakistan are safer? Regarding Mullahs the USA brought them to power itself for just this reason. Now they get to say "Ha! We don't trust Iran run by Mullahs".

Well they didn't have to bring them to power if they didn't trust them now did they? It is all a part of their plan to weaken Iran and you are falling for it.

Re limited options

Dear Abarmard, I agree that our options are limited, but so are those of the West's! We are not that hapless third world nation of a century ago, nor is the West that mighty invincible imperial force it was back then. We should put aside the mentality that suggests no matter what we do, due to the Westerners' superiority we'll lose! The west is now a divided entity with weak and collapsing economies that is only united on the occasions of confronting a common enemy. Nonetheless, idiots such as Saddam, Qaddafi and Khamenei provide those occasions for this divided body to unite and reap the spoils of war, whereas pragmatist leaders (who enjoy popular support) would avoid such confrontations in favour of the leverage of soft power!

Yes, our geopolitical situation makes us vulnerable to foreign interference, yet it could also provide us with the opportunity to take advantage of the competition among the Western blocks on the one hand, and the East and West on the other, to further their geopolitical interests in this strategically important region. For instance, even in the catastrophic rule of IRI, periods during wich policy of detente and reapproachment prevailed, Iran's both regional and international standings improved (e.g. the latter part of Khatami's presidency).

Now imagine how the regional and global powers would have to reconsider their policies vis a vis Iran if they had to deal with a democratically elected, more pragmatic leader who enjoys unconditional support from his/her people! Of course, there's going to be challenges and interference by foreign powers (most notably in terms of ethnic divides), but again a democratic regime that gurantees the rights of all Iranians regardless of their faith, gender, race... would minimize the magnitude of such challenges. One thing is for sure that having an unelected, unpopular figure like Vali Faghigh at the top of the decision making bodies is an impediment to all our goals! 

Abarmard

I think we are saying the same thing. Just that I think it would be more difficult for West to gain international support against a more sane regime. IRI is so out there that makes it simple to gather support against it.

Oh yes it's a threat

OK, nevermind the frightening prospect of a regime like that of the clergy to posses nukes. Even the thought is sickening.

What about a chernobyl-like incident? What about an earthquake? Do you believe that this power plant has the systems to mitigate such circumstances?

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IRAN FIRST

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Yes Veiled Prophet of Khorasan

IRI was a good option against the soviets and communism, which was very popular in the 70's Iran. So something might be there!

We all know that Iranian overall capabilities are high and we are way under developed, underutilized, and comparatively poor. But I don't buy the argument that we could have released the leash from Western powers, having all that we have, and be able to sustain good relations. After all, we had to enter their turf (Our neighborhood) sooner or later, especially after the fall of Soviet Union... I do believe that Shah had realized that and was losing support!

Shah did a great thing to bring Iran, willingly or not, to modern era, the rest is history.

Dear Vildemose

I don't understand why the IRI did not try to get at least the latest technology in building its nuclear power plant??

I am sure they did but probably no one would sell it to them. Therefore settled for whatever *** Russia would give them. The whole thing is a joke. It is no threat to anyone. They are lucky to make enough power to run a few light bulbs. 

Regarding Nuclear Iran

I agree with Abarmard about this thing. The Nuclear issue is a red herring. It has no validity whatsoever. The West is pissed off because Iran is flexing its muscles. If Iran was run by Shah they would be as opposed to it.

In fact that is why they removed the Shah in the first place. They thought IRI will weaken Iran. But due to stupid actions of West Iran is more influential than before. Now Iran is the de-facto ruler of Iraq and parts of Afghanistan. Plus it has serious power in Lebanon. The problem with IRI is that they give West the excuse to gain support. If Shah was running things Iran was not a "rouge" state. That made it more difficult to say you are not allowed to have nuclear power. With IRI is is easier to say it. But the reason is always the same. West wants to run things and does not like opposition. Therefore nothing short of a totally subservient {read MEK} Iran will do. That is why they want to push MEK and oppose any nationalistic regime.