Problems with the Nuclear Plant in our Backyard

Surry Power Plant (Pic | dom.com)

Surry Nuclear power plant 2 has failed during an attempted restart. The plant has been out of service since tornados in April but its most recent shutdown was due to problems identified with the cooling system.

It’s important for us to remember that what happened in Japan could certainly happen here as well. This plant was hit by a natural disaster and has had mechanical difficulties since, which is all it took in Japan. This should be a cause for concern for all of us here in Hampton Roads as we help to shape our energy future in the commonwealth. Which brings me to the next news…

Wind Energy Conference going on today in Virginia Beach

Environmental Advocates, business persons, and politicians meet today at the Virginia Beach Convention Center to discuss the future of Wind power for Virginia. The conference attendees hope to address potential roadblocks and pitfalls to financing and developing this industry here in Virginia.

In his opening statement this morning Sierra Club State Director Glen Besa said, “We are hopeful that this conference will be an important step along the way to realizing a clean, renewable, profitable energy revolution here in Virginia.  A new industry that has the potential to create 10,000 good, green, career length jobs in the Commonwealth.”

Anyone who is not excited about this confuses me. More details regarding the outcome of the conference shall be forthcoming. Stay tuned greenies.

Pharell gives back to Virginia Beach

Local boy made big, Pharrell Williams, has announced plans for a 35 million dollar resource center to be built in Virginia Beach.  At the center, “… kids will be able get help on their homework, tinker in a digital music lab, and meet with mentors, among other activities.”

This looks to be a truly distinctive design that will add some much needed Architectural zest to the region while giving kids a much needed educational center. None of this is surprising though coming from the guy who produced beats like this.

Kudos to Mr. Williams for giving back to his old neighborhood. Steel Cube Tree houses… need we say more? Check out the picture on the link!

President Obama expected to announce the return of 10k troops from Afghanistan

Any major troop return or deployment is big news here in Hampton Roads. I hope this news means many of you will have your loved ones in your arms again soon. I also hope this means the President is taking seriously his stated goal of removing all of our troops from Afghanistan.

As our foreign excursions come to a close our economy will feel additional pressures as these men and women return to the civilian rat race. If Obama wants to honor the sacrifice of these women and men properly I might suggest getting our economy ready to welcome them with decent work back here in the states.

Virginia Beach Clerk of Court Criticized for buying Super Computer

The State Auditor thinks 1.2 million for a court record system in Virginia Beach is too much. At first glance I am inclined to agree considering how absurd an amount of money that is just to keep records more efficiently. I say she needs to make a good showing of how much more efficient this program is and fire the people who are no longer needed because of this computer. If she can’t cut back on any jobs as a direct result of this purchase it would be a little harder to justify.

However, if it becomes known that the 1.2 million dollar computer is also used for massive multiplayer online gaming by staff in the clerk’s office I would again be ok with the purchase.

Eugenics legacy still playing out in North Carolina

North Carolina, and sadly our own Virginia, used to sterilize people, as recently as in the mid-1970s. Many of those sufferers are still alive and now a panel in North Carolina will hear testimony from these victims.

Those sterilized included the mentally handicapped, other social undesirables, and even orphans.

Here is an article detailing the role of Virginia Eugenics on the Nazi program. Much of the language used in Germany was borrowed from the Virginia Statute.

How Far Will One Man Go To Get Medical Care?

Verone (Pic | thinkprogress.org)

James Richard Verone took desperate measures when he realized there was no way to get medical attention these days. James lost his job of sixteen years during the current economic crisis, and medical concerns left him unable to perform in the work force. With a limp, arthritis, carpal tunnel syndrome, and other complications he was left with nothing.

James took matters into his own hands by hitting the local bank, and committing the strangest bank robbery in our nation’s history. He only demanded one dollar and waited calmly for the police to arrive. He wanted to go to jail. He needed medical care.

Verone believes jail was the best of all his bad options. In jail he has already seen two nurses and has a scheduled doctors appointment. That is more than Verone could have dreamed of outside of jail. If the crime doesn’t give him enough time, he is ready to do it again. He hopes to be out in a few years, pick up some social security, and head to the beach.