Korean Cloud on the Horizon

Preoccupation with Hurricane Ivan has been replaced with concerns over an explosion in North Korea that produced a large mushroom shaped cloud. World natural and political events have serious effects right here in Cedar Key. The political attacks of September 11 had direct economic effect on the sale of our number one source of income, our clams. Likewise, natural events in the Pacific Ocean strike us. EI Nino related rain storms flooded clam beds with fresh water and destroyed clams just six years ago.

Physics, the most fundamental and theoretical science, depends on observation, logic and creative application of proven facts. That is where the politicians, both elected and dictatorial, take over. The basis of the Korean explosion may be accidental or political, atomic or TNT. The international response to the explosion will certainly be political.

Judicious application of atomic devices is in the hands of policy makers. It is worth noting that some ofthe physicists not so casually wondered if the first atomic explosion in New Mexico would set the atmosphere of the world afire. When that didn`t happen President Truman ordered the use of two atomic bombs that killed or maimed hundreds of thousands of Japanese civilians. Government and human failures caused atomic disasters at Chernobryl and Three Mile Island. Currently confused and inconsistent national and international policies regarding weapons of mass destruction continue to threaten world peace. We, as voters in Cedar Key, must help choose a government that weighs carefully the use of atomic science.